Alumnae produce absurdist rom-com to reflect queer experiences in dating

This post was updated May 8 at 11:27 a.m. Graduate acting student Chelsea Giles directed the kind of short film that hasn’t really been produced, she said: an absurd, feel-good romantic comedy about queer women. “Grapefruit,” her absurdist comedy, attempts to subvert typical romantic comedy tropes. Giles said her aim was to portray a romance […]

Sandra Lee’s pimple-popping videos boost others’ self-esteem, spread skin care tips

Editor’s note: The following piece contains graphic depictions of dermatological and surgical procedures. Pimples and blackheads and cysts hard as seeds – these are a few of a popaholic’s favorite things. “Popaholic” is the term ascribed to the fans of Dr. Sandra Lee, a UCLA alumna who has garnered over 10 million followers across her […]

2019 Met Gala: Styles that embodied camp, ones that failed to meet the mark

The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors to actors, musicians and athletes under one condition: the celebrities must dress to fit the theme of “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” as in unnatural, exaggerated ensembles. Stars aimed to reach camp as described by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay that inspired the theme, and some missed the mark […]

Students express artistry with original makeup looks on social media platforms

Linda Casillas used to wake up at 4 a.m. every day just to do her makeup in high school. “I would wear a full face – fake eyelashes, contour, colorful eye shadow,” the third-year art history student said. Now, Casillas says she usually keeps her makeup neutral, but still expresses her artistry through her Instagram […]

David Lehman’s poetry reveals his reflections on commonplace oddities

David Lehman found poetry in the beat of his radio, thrumming to its rhythm for 57 days. In his latest book, “Playlist,” Lehman wrote one poem a day from Nov. 20 to Jan. 15 before compiling the collection into a single poem. The format echoes his previous publications, such as “The Daily Mirror,” a collection […]

Concert review: Rise Against’s new experimental sound doesn’t always manage to hit the right notes

It seemed absurd to see Rise Against perform a “symphony.” Yet Sunday night, the band incorporated different stringed instruments into its traditionally punk repertoire at its “The Ghost Note Symphonies” concert in The Theatre at Ace Hotel. While the majority of the band’s old punk songs were well-executed, others did not weather the stripped-down transition […]

‘Game of Thrones’ season 8 recap – Episode 4: ‘The Last of the Starks’

The battle against the White Walkers may be over, but the fight for Westeros is just beginning. “The Last of the Starks,” episode four of the final season, begins with a moving funeral scene as the survivors at Winterfell burn their dead. Viewers learn early on that nearly half of the North and Daenerys’ (Emilia […]