Here in the Arts Section, we hope everyone has had a restful Fall Break (or at least just got in a good nap or two). Now that we’re coming into the second half of the semester, I think everybody is feeling a bit overwhelmed. So why not take a moment to escape from it all with a new movie or book release, or get away from campus for a bit and spend a night out with some friends?
Prepare to go on a major nostalgia trip in the world of movies this week. Poor old MatPat is probably pulling out the old pen and notepad for the trauma of a new entry in the (now cinematic) Five Nights at Freddy’s universe with the release of the feature film. And if you want to take a look at the world of 1990s Korean college film clubs, be sure to check out the Netflix documentary Yellow Door: ‘90s Lo-Fi Film Club.
In books, explore morality and take a look at the Maryland court system in Girl on Trial, a novel set in Baltimore. Or get the inside scoop on the real-life court case of celebrated pop singer Britney Spears in the memoir of her life. And if you want a more harrowing literary read to make you think about the nature of memory and legacy, check out the new book by author Jesmyn Ward, Let Us Descend: A Novel.
The Swifties out there have really been treated well this month. On top of the release of the Eras Tour documentary in theaters earlier this month, Taylor Swift is continuing to defy the rule of major music labels with a new re-release of her acclaimed album 1989.
But if you want to listen to live music instead, expand your horizons and get into the spirit of spooky season with a doom metal performance at the Ottobar by the band Bell Witch. If you feel like doom metal might be a little too heavy for you, experience an outstanding performance by the jazz musicians at the Peabody Institute.
Here’s what the Arts Section is watching and watching for this week.
To Watch:
Five Nights at Freddy’s, directed by Emma Tammi — Oct. 27
The animatronic pizzeria-based horror game that blew up in popularity in 2014 is finally making its way onto the silver screen this week. Co-written by game creator Scott Cawthon, prepare for lore and jump scares as you watch a lone security guard try to survive the night in this haunted pizzeria.
Yellow Door: ‘90s Lo-Fi Film Club, directed by Lee Hyukrae — Oct. 27
This Netflix documentary explores the memories of members of the Yellow Door Film Club, one of many film clubs started on Korean college campuses in the 1990s which incubated and inspired creatives like Parasite and planted the seeds for the exciting cinematic landscape of Korea today.
To Read…
Girl on Trial, by Kathleen Fine — Oct. 24
When a teenage girl is accused of killing four of her family members, she’s swept up in a public trial that examines the good and bad of her life choices. Set in Baltimore, it explores the moral judgments that we all make.
The Woman in Me, by Britney Spears — Oct. 24
This memoir by pop phenomenon Britney Spears, who brought the issue of conservatorship to the attention of the public with her recent legal battle, lets her finally tell the story of her life on her own terms.
Let Us Descend: A Novel, by Jesmyn Ward — Oct. 24
In this fourth novel by two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, an enslaved girl finds solace from the physical horrors of her life by thinking about the memories and stories left to her by her mother and grandmother.
To Listen:
1989 (Taylor’s Version), by Taylor Swift — Oct. 27
Listen to new recordings of classic hits like “Welcome to New York,” “Blank Space,” “Bad Blood” and “Wildest Dreams” from pop phenomenon Taylor Swift in her fourth re-recorded album.
Chronicles of a Diamond, by Black Pumas — Oct. 27
The Grammy-nominated psychedelic soul and R&B band Black Pumas will be releasing their second album, with tracks such as “Ice Cream (Pay Phone),” “Mrs. Postman” and “Rock and Roll.”
Live events
Sketching Sessions at The Walters Art Museum — Oct 26, 6:00 p.m.
Artists of all skill levels are invited to join a free sketching session in the Sculpture Court of the museum. All materials will be provided and no registration is required.
Baltimore Baroque Band performance at Leith Symington Griswold Hall — Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
The Baltimore Baroque Band continues the traditions of Baroque period ensembles in this free-to-attend performance.
Peabody Jazz Ensemble at the Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall — Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Attend this free concert by the Peabody Jazz Ensemble, an organization at the Peabody Institute that teaches students how to play a wide range of jazz idioms and learn about the history of jazz.
Bell Witch with Spirit Possession & Lathe at the Ottobar — Oct. 29, 9:00 p.m.
Doom metal band Bell Witch will be giving a performance at the Ottobar. Their newest album, The Clandestine Gate, experiments with pacing, as it’s made up of only a singular 83-minute track. They are accompanied by the bands Spirit Possession and Lathe. Tickets are $18 if purchased online and are $20 on the day of the performance.
