Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
May 30, 2026 May 30, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Arts & Entertainment

MATTHEW STRAUBMULLER/CC BY 2.0 The majestic Kennedy Center presented David Alden’s Otello last weekend.

Otello production retells Shakespeare’s tragedy

By ADAM MARK | November 7, 2019

“I believe in a cruel God who has created me in His image.” These sacrilegious words begin Iago’s aria in composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, characterizing mankind as inherently bitter and wicked. It is in Iago’s dark worldview that director David Alden seems to base his production of the opera, now showing at The Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera and starring Russell Thomas, George Gagnidze and Leah Crocetto.

TC SQUAD JULIA/CC BY-S.A 2.0 Director and screenwriter Josh Schwartz revived Green’s novel for its television adaptation.

Looking for Alaska finds new life on television

By SEAN GLAISTER | November 7, 2019

We routinely hear the phrase, “The book was better than the movie.” It is rare that a movie adaptation meets the standards that are set by the book. Only when the movie includes as many details as it can from the book does the movie begin to reach our expectations. For the screen adaptation of John Green’s first novel, Looking For Alaska, this wasn’t a problem, since it was made into a Hulu TV series.

Courtesy of Binyamin Novetsky

Stand-up Comedy Club dresses up for Halloween

By BINYAMIN NOVETSKY | November 7, 2019

The Hopkins Stand-Up Comedy Club rocked the house this past Saturday night with their annual Halloween show, this year titled “Halloween 2: Electric Spookaloo.” The show featured nine members performing sets of five to 10 minutes. 

Courtesy of Mikayla Chua

Queer Comedy Night empowers and celebrates LGBTQ community

By Mikayla Chua | November 7, 2019

LGBTQ Life at Hopkins hosted a Queer Comedy Night at the LaB on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The event featured both student comedians and a professional local comedian, Elizabeth Norman. Throughout each set, the hour was full of shared giggles, shared laughs and, most importantly, the shared theme of queer stories and comedy. 

Courtesy of Eliza Zimmerman

Oddities Exposition captivates attendees

By ELIZA ZIMMERMAN | November 7, 2019

I’ve seen event fliers for months around Baltimore cafes and bookstores advertising the World Oddities Expo. Upon entering the lobby of the Lord Baltimore Hotel this past Sunday, Nov. 3, however, I saw little indication of the Expo’s existence, of tattooed viewers and strange relics on display. 

Gage Skidmore/CC BY-S.A 2.0

New Netflix show pits Paul Rudd against Paul Rudd

By EUNICE PARK | October 31, 2019

Netflix has recently released a new show called Living With Yourself starring Paul Rudd, and it has proven to be even better and more complicated than expected. Already having received great critiques and responses from audiences all around, it is full of twists and cliffhangers that would have even The Vampire Diaries shaking. 

Jeanlouisfinch/CC BY-S.A 2.0

King Princess’ debut is a bit monotone but a lot of fun

By SAMUEL FARRAR | October 31, 2019

It has been a busy week for music. Kanye West finally dropped his highly anticipated Jesus is King, which, in a surprise to nobody, was filled mostly with cringy bars that feed his persecution complex and half-hearted attempts to redeem his public image. Rex Orange County released a disappointment of an album, Pony, his third and least likeable project yet. 

Rising artist Alexander 23 releases debut album

By SEAN GLAISTER | October 31, 2019

With music production tools becoming more accessible and music streaming services allowing for an easy avenue to distribute music, the number of prominent, young artists in the music industry has increased dramatically. 

COURTESY OF KATIE TAM

David Keltz performs a reading of Poe’s “The Raven”

By EMILY MCDONALD and KATIE TAM | October 31, 2019

Once upon a midnight dreary, the two of us went to see Edgar Allan Poe impersonator David Keltz perform a dramatic reading of “The Raven” at The Elk Room on Fleet Street. We initially had trouble finding The Elk Room, a speakeasy hidden behind an unmarked, locked black door behind the Italian restaurant, Tagliata. 

Mike Steele/CC BY-S.A 2.0

BMA hosts Art, Youth and Justice Day events

By KAYLEE ZOU | October 31, 2019

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) held Art, Youth and Justice Day this past Saturday. It was held as part of Youth Justice Awareness Month in October, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about childhood incarceration and engaging in political advocacy. 

courtesy of eliza zimmerman

Peabody features exhibit about Baltimore city life

By ELIZA ZIMMERMAN | October 31, 2019

The entrance to the exhibition City People: Black Baltimore in the Photographs of John Clark Mayden sits to the left of Peabody’s entrance. The room is small. Photographs grouped in couples and triples line the walls, all black and white, all centered around the black population of Baltimore as their subjects. 

GAGE SKIDMORE/CC BY-SA 2.0  Aaron Paul reprises his role as Jesse Pinkman, one of the main characters of Breaking Bad.

El Camino triumphantly concludes Breaking Bad

By SEAN GLAISTER | October 24, 2019

Breaking Bad is widely considered one of the best TV shows of all time. Its creator, Vince Gilligan, took a great risk by releasing a follow-up movie, “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie,” this past Friday. 

Daniel Benavides/ CC BY 2.0 Alia Shawkat performed a set of lines 100 times in “The Second Woman.”

The Second Woman plays with theatrical convention

By ELIZA ZIMMERMAN | October 24, 2019

You probably know Alia Shawkat from her role as Maeby Fünke in Arrested Development — the quick-witted, opportunistic teenager who is the only character that has the slightest idea of what’s going on. Or you may know her from her starring role in Search Party, a genre-bending, satirical murder-mystery TV show. 

Edwardx / CC BY-SA 4.0  Saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings is also a member of the Sons of Kemet.

The Comet Is Coming releases experimental album

By SAMUEL FARRAR | October 24, 2019

Every young person deals with older people yelling about how this generation’s music is garbage compared to theirs. It involves some combination of a false equivalency, ignorance towards the modern genres and some claim to their geriatric authority. 

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil falls flat as a sequel

By COLE DOUGLASS | October 24, 2019

It’s really hard to get a sequel right. At best, they build upon the themes of the original piece and give audiences a chance to reconnect with beloved characters. At worst, they come across as meaningless cash grabs that can tarnish any good will earned by their predecessor. 

Courtesy of Glenstone Museum The path to the Pavillions Building is a scenic journey through nature.

Glenstone provides an immersive art experience in Potomac, Md.

By KAYLEE ZOU | October 24, 2019

Hidden in plain sight yet undiscovered by many in the county, the Glenstone, a contemporary art museum, is a well-kept secret of Potomac, Md. Glenstone’s collection features art from the post-World War II era to the modern day. Following its inception in 2006 after being financed by American businessman Mitchell Rales, the mission of Glenstone was to seamlessly integrate art, landscape and architecture into a serene environment for introspection and contemplation. 

Public Domain The Friedberg Concert Hall is home to various Peabody ensembles.

Peabody Prep students shine at Friedberg Hall

By JAE CHOI | October 24, 2019

This past Sunday, the Young People’s String Program (YPSP) of the Hopkins Peabody Preparatory put on its 33rd annual Halloween concert. The performance took place in the Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall, and the entire venue was full to the brim. 

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