As the end of the school year approaches, I’m betting that we’re all in some purgatory state where we dangle tenuously between midterms, more midterms and finals. While caught in this limbo, I hope you look to the Arts & Entertainment’s weekly section: “To watch and watch for,” in search of rescue. With these weekly recommendations for enriching experiences to do with the arts, we can almost guarantee a shelter from the onslaught of tests, projects, papers and more.
With that, here are my personal recommendations for the week:
To put your eyes to work doing more than memorizing equations, tune in this Thursday to watch the series premiere of the television show Ransom Canyon created by April Blair. Deep down, I believe we all wonder about what goes on in the small towns of Texas. Ransom Canyon scratches that itch with a story following three ranching dynasties quarreling over land and love.
If you’re not curious about the small towns in Texas, then how about a remote village in northern England? Seán Hewitt’s debut novel Open, Heaven gifts readers a window into one year in the lives of two teenage boys entangled in a romantic relationship with one another. 16-year-old James feels cloistered as a queer boy in his rural town. It's the slightly older Luke who compels James to take the leap and transform his life — as for how, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
Speaking of transformations and new endeavors, be sure to make room in your week to check out the album Send a Prayer My Way by Julien Baker & TORRES. Fans may be familiar with Baker from her time in boygenius alongside Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers. Now, however, Baker is stepping into the indie music genre and trying on American country for a change. I know I’m eager to meet this new persona of Baker’s.
For in-person arts entertainment, look no further than our University’s own Shriver Hall, where on April 19 from 7:30–10 p.m. the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra (HSO) will be presenting Marina Piccinini and Stefan Jackiw. In the words of HSO, they “will feature not one, but two world-class soloists.” The evening will begin with Sibelius’ Finlandia before Jackiw will assume the stage to perform Berg’s Violin Concerto. Audience members won’t leave before being privileged with Piccinini’s masterful rendition of Nielsen’s Flute Concerto. After reading all of that, this certainly sounds like a performance not to be missed.
If somehow none of the recommendations above convinced you — or if you’re feeling hungry, hunting for even more to consume — here are some more to consider:
To watch...
- Government Cheese created by Aeysha Carr and Paul Hunter — April 16
- Sherlock & Daughter created by Brendan Foley — April 16
- Ransom Canyon created by April Blair — April 17
- The Rehearsal (season premiere) created by Nathan Fielder — April 20
To read...
- Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt — April 15
- The Proof of My Innocence by Johnathon Coe — April 15
- Hellions by Julia Elliott — April 15
- Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari — April 15
- stay with me by Hanne Ørstavik — April 15
- Bitter Texas Honey by Ashley Whitaker — April 15
To listen...
- Send a Prayer My Way by Julien Baker & TORRES — April 18
- A Study of Losses by Beirut — April 18
- 5ive by Davido — April 18
- Thunderball by Melvins — April 18
Live events...
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Writing Seminars Reading Series: Yona Harvey: Sullivan and Elder Visiting Poet — April 16, 6–7 p.m. in Gilman 50
- This event is free and open to the public; registration is not required.
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Visiting Artist Talk: Sara Shaoul — April 16, 4–5 p.m. at the JHU-MICA Film Centre
- This event is free; registration is not required.
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Peabody Institute Dance Showcase — April 18, 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C.
- Tickets are free; online registration is required.
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HSO Presents: Marina Piccinini & Stefan Jackiw — April 19, 7:30–10 p.m. in Shriver Hall
- Tickets are free for Hopkins students with valid identification; register online.
