Welcome to the midway point in the semester! Here at The News-Letter, we hope you’re taking breaks and taking care of yourselves (even though, let’s be real, we know you probably aren’t). But if you’re looking for something to watch in between studying for midterms or a cool new album to listen to while you run to your 9 a.m. in Bloomberg, then we’ve got you covered.
In the world of movies and TV, all the Swifties who got screwed over by Ticketmaster will be delighted to hear that Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour documentary will be coming out this week. And from BookTok fame, the highly successful Lessons in Chemistry has been adapted into a TV series of the same name, starring Brie Larson. If you’re procrastinating studying for an orgo midterm this week, watching Lessons in Chemistry sounds like a fantastic way to pretend you’re being productive.
For books coming out this week, we have a new series debut by the wonderful Cassandra Clare, writer of the hugely successful Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series. In the literary fiction genre, Family Meal by Bryan Washington deals with themes of loss, reunion and love, along with some ghostly elements for spooky season.
If you’re just looking to get out of your dorm this weekend, there’s plenty of live events going on. The fabulous Shriver Hall Concert Series is bringing another highly-acclaimed professional musician to campus this weekend. There will also be two different concerts at the Peabody Institute, one for music and the other for dance. And if you’re pining for romance this fall, head down to the Interfaith Center for a night of poetry readings centered around the theme of love.
Here's what we’re watching and watching for this week!
To watch...
The Fall of the House of Usher, created by Mike Flanagan — Oct. 12
This new horror show from the creator of The Haunting of Hill House is based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe and follows a pair of ruthless siblings whose family dynasty begins to fall apart as its heirs mysteriously die.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, directed by Sam Wrench — Oct. 13
The music, dance and energy of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is captured in this nearly three-hour-long concert film that will be released in theaters. For those who couldn’t get tickets, or for those who could and want to re-experiencee Swift’s magic, here’s a map of where you can watch the documentary in Baltimore.
Lessons in Chemistry, created by Lee Eisenberg — Oct. 13
The protagonist of this show is a promising female chemist who is fired from her lab because of patriarchal restrictions in the 1950s. She somehow finds herself as a host on a TV cooking show for housewives and uses her platform to teach her viewers about more than just cooking.
To read...
Sword Catcher, by Cassandra Clare — Oct. 10
This debut in a new series from the author behind The Shadowhunter Chronicles follows a magical physician and the body double of a prince as they delve into the criminal underground of this fantastical world.
Family Meal, by Bryan Washington — Oct. 10
This novel tells the story of two young men who reunite and turn an old friendship into something more, sparked by the death of the protagonist’s lover.
To listen...
Something to Give Each Other, Troye Sivan — Oct. 13
This Australian pop singer’s third album will be released five years after his last album, Bloom. It will feature tracks like “Rush (Extended),” “What’s the Time Where You Are” and “How to Stay with You.”
Live events...
Poetry Night at the Interfaith Center — Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
At this night of sharing, feel free to read a poem written by yourself or a favorite poet, or just come to listen. The theme is “love” and light refreshments will be provided.
Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Graduate Jazz Ensemble & NEXT ensemble at Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall — Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Three different ensembles at Peabody will be performing in a single concert, featuring modern works from composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky, Jessie Montgomery and Dana Maiben. The concert will be free to attend in-person or stream online.
Peabody Dance Family Weekend at Joe Byrd Hall — Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.
See what the incredible dancers at Peabody can do at this family weekend performance on Peabody’s campus. It will be free to attend in-person or remotely.
Angela Hewitt Piano Concert at Shriver Hall — Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
World-famous pianist Angela Hewitt will perform Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” as the first concert in the 2023-24 season of the Shriver Hall Concert Series. While tickets are normally $46 for the general public, they are free for Hopkins students, so be sure to check out this incredible opportunity.
