Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 25, 2025
April 25, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

arts



 IMMANUEL GIEL/CC-BY-SA-3.0
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is located in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Theatrical production explores new technology

Over the break I certainly spent a lot of time eating, sleeping and generally trying to unwind while not thinking about my approaching finals. Although my time spent out of the house was sparse, I went to see a groundbreaking performance of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, in Warwickshire, England.


 GAGE SKIDMORE/CC-by-sa-2.0
Matt Smith stars as a young Prince Philip in Netflix’s critically acclaimed new series, The Crown.

Netflix’s The Crown turns royalty on its head

If you’re like me, the first things that come to mind when you think of Queen Elizabeth might be her quirky hats, her beloved corgis or a dated, grandmotherly notion of tradition and formality. At first glance, the queen might not appear to be a particularly modern woman.


COURTESY OF JHU FILM SOCIETY
The Royal Tenenbaums was the latest film to be performed as part of the JHU Film Society’s live read series.

Local artists read The Royal Tenenbaums live

The JHU Film Society hosted The Royal Tenenbaums: A Live Reading, was hosted on Sunday night. As the Film Society’s second annual live reading, the event  took place at Space 2460 and featured the participation of many local Baltimore artists.



Your Funeral connects art and the Internet

Most people recognize that art is pretty cool. Whether we’re talking about hyper-realistic portraits and still lives that one can often find on Facebook or about some priceless works in a museum, everyone enjoys art in some way. Something else people really enjoy in this age of the all-powerful internet is memes.



 ANGELA N./cc-by-2.0
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver blends folk and electronica in latest album.

Bon Iver’s new album evokes a wintery feel

Wikipedia classifies Bon Iver’s newest album, 22, A Million, as Folktronica. That is one way to describe it I guess. I think calling it Bon Iver’s Yeezus is a more comprehensive portrayal. The cover of the album itself should reveal the reductionist, modernist step that lead singer Justin Vernon takes on this project, infusing his folk roots with a new, exciting electronic backing. The tracklist supports this view. It looks like an e. e. Cummings poem infested with inexplicable numbers and figures.


Your post-election, supermoon playlist

In the last few days, the nation has shown itself to be incredibly divided after the results of the recent presidential election. Many of Americans are in shock, while others are celebrating what they see as a return to the values that make America great.



COURTESY OF S.O.N.
Local rapper Son Of Nun (or S.O.N.) plays an important role in the community as an activist and musician.

Local socially conscious rapper Son of Nun talks activism

You might not know who Son of Nun is and, to be honest, neither did I until about a month ago. That is more likely a result of our personal failings as sheltered college students, though, because in both the Baltimore music scene and amongst the city’s revolutionary movements, his name carries some weight.


Courtesy of Bond St. District
Bond St. District dropped their album A Church on Vulcan last Friday.

Bond St. District pull together holy album

Bond St. District, a group made up of rapper DDm (aka Emmanuel Williams) and producer Paul Hutson, released their first full album, A Church on Vulcan, on Nov. 4. The launch party was held last Saturday at the Ottobar.


COURTESY OF JHU FILIPINO STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
One of the groups that performed at this year’s CultureShow, the JHU Fillipino Students Association.

CultureShow brings out campus diversity

The 29th annual Culture Show, sponsored by the JHU Office of Multicultural Affairs, took place last Saturday in Shriver Hall. A celebration of the diverse roots and vibrant backgrounds of the students on the Homewood Campus, the show featured performances from many Hopkins dance and a cappella groups.






COURTESY OF RUTHE HUANG
Ruthe Huang’s painting of Che Guevara was done in watercolor.

Visual Arts program supports students

As an English major, I’m often irked by people who assume I’m headed to med school to become a doctor as soon as they learn that I’m at Hopkins. Since making my final college decision during senior year, I’ve found myself in this situation all too often, and I’m sure my fellow students who make up the “arts” of Arts and Sciences would agree.


Throat Culture get laughs at new show Sketchcom

Throat Culture presented Sketchcom to a packed audience in Arellano Theater last Saturday night. The showcase was directed by junior Joshan Bajaj and sophomore Michael Feder and featured both the new and returning members of Hopkins’ only sketch comedy troupe. The 12 hilarious scenes entertained a full house of Hopkins students.



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