Recess


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5 interesting classes for spring 2025 (Recess’ version)

If you’re looking to change classes, add a fifth – or even sixth – or work towards finishing your T-Reqs, Recess is here to help. Here are six distinctive courses that celebrate creativity and quirkiness in the artistic and cultural landscape classes while helping you graduate on time.  


Latest stories

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RECESS

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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RECESS

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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RECESS

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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RECESS

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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RECESS

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.
RECESS

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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RECESS

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.