Arts and Culture

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Brat's back with more club classics

With its highs and lows, some aspects of “Brat and it's completely different but also still brat” are certain; it is experimental, daring and unpredictable. The sheer decision for Charli to follow her success with a re-release is bold and shows the artist’s willingness to be creative and push the boundaries of music. 


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By dawn's early light: Linking history, art and politics

By this point in the school year, any student who has wanted to has likely made the brief trek to the Nasher Museum of Art. What they’ve seen is generally a mix of visiting exhibits and a small slice of the museum’s roughly 13,000-piece collection. In the Janine and J. Tomilson Hill Gallery is “By Dawn’s Early Light,” a yearlong exhibit that uses the Nasher’s vast collection to celebrate the 60th anniversaries of the Voting Rights Act of 1964 and Civil Rights Act of 1965.


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RECESS | CULTURE

In Retrospect: The Sixth Sense

“I see dead people,” whispers Kendrick Lamar at the beginning of his Drake diss-track, “Not Like Us.” Since the release of the song on May 4, 2024, the line has been considered an integral part of the track, receiving a number of lyrical analyses. The quote, however, is more well-known as the most iconic line in M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 film “The Sixth Sense.”


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Modigliani Quartet: Brilliance off of Broad Street

By bringing in voices from across the country and world, Duke Arts gives Duke students the chance to broaden their horizons, although it appeared like few took advantage of it. It was truly one of the prettier performances I’ve been to — filled with life, community, talent, history and gratitude. It was not something I ever would have gone to if it wasn’t so accessible, I just wish more could do the same. 


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Incredibly disturbing or disturbingly incredible? Xiu Xiu performs at Coffeehouse

If Xiu Xiu had to be assigned a genre, the closest would be experimental rock or indie. But just listening to one of their songs shows how ill-fitting that label is. Their songs range from almost lo-fi to music befitting haunted houses that aspire to make people cry in fear. The band’s music is unsettling and provoking yet strangely good; even if it is not for everyone, Xiu Xiu’s artistry prevails.


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Duke Theater Centennial show review: Gazing forward and glancing back

Overall, the show was an impressive affair. Instead of feeling disjointed, the different acts of the showcase flowed well into one another while retaining their own styles. When paired with the pre-show activities and Gambla’s wonderful emceeing, this enabled the performance to showcase the excellent work of students and alumni in the world of theater today, in addition to the impressive work they will go on to do. 


Baldwin Auditorium reopened at the start of the year after renovations were completed.
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Family Weekend Music Showcase concert: Welcoming and beautiful

To cap off the Saturday programming of Duke’s Family Weekend, the Music Department showcased 11 pieces of music — spanning from combination chorale and chamber orchestra performances to string quartets — Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in Baldwin Auditorium. The event was primarily intended for visiting friends and families but provided a wonderful, graceful experience to everyone in the Duke community.


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Barry Jenkins and allegedly soulless art

I will admit that I am not highly anticipating “Mufasa: The Lion King.” However, I refuse to discount this film entirely; Jenkins, regardless of whether he is considered a beloved indie director or the next sellout, is clearly a passionate man who tells stories he considers worth telling. I, for one, am curious to see how Jenkins’ soulful style translates to the larger screen.


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Five Points Gallery: Small but wonderful

Tucked away at the side of Five Point Plaza, in a small storefront, is a gallery. If you look up while entering, you see a high ceiling, a reminder of the building’s previous history as a barn. This is the titular Five Points Gallery, a small but mighty venue that highlights some of Durham’s wonderful art talent.


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Restoring and reconstructing Latinx history in Duke, Durham: 100 years of connections

On the evening of Oct. 4, Duke academic departments and cultural organizations celebrated the connections between Duke University and Durham’s Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities in an event at the Friedl Building’s Fredric Jameson Gallery. The celebration consisted of presentations and performances that centered the experiences and work of the students, faculty and community members who have helped build the Duke-Durham relationship. 


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Duke Theater Centennial: telling the story of past and present

The Department of Theatre Studies will hold a special performance Oct. 19 in Reynold Industries Theater from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to celebrate Duke’s centennial and highlight the history of theater at Duke. By bringing together past and present Duke talent and having them perform pieces that center Duke, Durham and North Carolina, the show will highlight the long history of Duke Theatre and its bright future.


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“100 Years of Duke: Names to Remember” at the Museum of Durham History

As you may be aware, Duke is celebrating its centennial this year. Beyond campus, Durham is also celebrating the centennial of their relationship with the University. One shining example of this premiered September 20th. The Museum of Durham History’s (MODH) exhibit “100 Years of Duke: Names to Remember,” takes a nuanced approach to how Duke is discussed and emphasizes the mutual dependence and shared growth of Durham and Duke.