Amherst celebrated its bicentennial last Friday with a concert from Grammy Award-winning artist Common. Managing Arts and Living Editor Brooke Hoffman '23E and Staff Writer Brianne LaBare '25 cover the bash at the base of Memorial Hill.

Emma Ratshin 22E's senior thesis — a performance of "Bad Jews" by Joshua Harmon — will kick off the Amherst Theater and Dance Department's annual schedule. Our editors sat down with Ratshin to discuss some of the play's highlights and her background in theater.

Staff Writer Kaelyn Milby ‘22 shares some fan-favorite films to take your spooky season to new heights. With no shortage of eerie suspense, slasher thrills, and sinister plotlines, this list of horror movies is sure to haunt you all October long.

What does it take to challenge conventions in country music? Staff writer Brianne LaBare ‘25 covers the work of three country artists who are inspiring change by pushing for more inclusivity in the genre while also introducing exciting new sounds.

The Green Room's performance of comedic murder mystery "Deathtrap" will open this Friday. Managing Arts & Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener '23 previews of the performance, highlighting its effective use of the Octagon, its unorthodox performance space.

Jazz is back in town! This week, staff writer Milo Leahy-Miller ‘24 discusses the return of [email protected] The jazz group kicked off its 2021-2022 season with a stellar performance on October 7th and looks forward to a year full of the best in blues.

On Oct. 15, The Green Room will hold their first live performance in almost two years with a parody of "The Lord of the Rings." After watching a dress rehearsal, Managing A&L Editor Theo Hamilton '23 gives a sneak peek of some of the show's best bits.

While the Nobel Prize is among the highest honors in literature, very few understand the criteria upon which laureates are chosen. This week, Staff Writer Joe Sweeney '25 discusses the case for more transparency in the selection process.

"Titane," Julia Ducournau's new Palme d'Or winning film, explores the connections between humanity and machines — often in gory detail. Staff Writer Miles Garcia '25 shares his reactions to the body horror movie and its surprisingly heartwarming core.

"Saturday Night Live's" newest season premiere came out this week with a fizzle rather than a bang. Longtime fan Madeline Lawson '25 shares her perspective on a solid but forgettable episode that at least improved on last season's failures.

Student radio is back on the air! Contributing Writer Robert Bischof ’25 breaks down all things WAMH, discussing the station's upcoming shows, broadcasts and exciting plans for the year.

Contributing Writer Noor Rahman ’25 covers the recent Balmain Festival, highlighting the significance of the festival’s homage to its creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the only black head of a major fashion house.

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" brings unusually beautiful fight scenes and convincing acting to the MCU. Nonetheless, contributing writer Tapti Sen '25 argues that the movie is weakened by its orientalist undertones and poor pacing.

Combining strategy, dramatic storytelling and a total lack of mid-episode commercials, "The Circle" is one of the most exciting reality shows of the moment. Contributing writer Brianne LaBare '25 gives her advice on whether to give it a watch or a miss.

Ted Lasso swept the Emmy's last week, picking up seven wins. But while some have praised the show as light-hearted, contributing writer Ethan Samuels '23 argues that these critics underestimate the show's skill at handling important and sensitive issues.

The first Met Gala in more than two years was held Sept. 13 with a theme focusing on American history. Contributing writer Sofia Rodrigo '24 breaks down some of the event's best looks and what they say about our country.

Milo Leahy-Miller '24 explores the politicization of music and how listeners react to music that communicates views antithetical to their own, offering insights into an interesting development in modern media through student interviews.

Yasmin Hamilton '24 reviews "A Reckoning in Boston," a 2021 documentary that forces viewers to acknowledge the pervasiveness of systemic problems and consider how the construction of the documentary itself reflects inequalities in our society.

With Val open again for indoor dining, a whole host of new culinary options are available to students. Staff Writer Sarah Weiner '24 gives her advice on everything from spicy mayo and mochas to microwaved desserts and the best breakfast sandwiches.

After a year-long in-person hiatus, the Amherst Symphony Orchestra returned in style Sept. 18 with a performance that included skillful renditions of two little-known works, as well as a popular Brahms overture and a large-scale Dvorak symphony.

Norm Macdonald — who passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 14. — was one of the great comics of our time, managing to be effortlessly funny whether he was talking about comically depressed moths, OJ Simpson, or the weekly news.

The Arts and Living writers and editors were asked what their favorite piece of media was from this summer. They responded with movies, TV shows, albums and one particular BTS-themed meal at MCDonalds.

The first season of “Staged” is as entertaining as a show filmed over Zoom could be. Every actor in the show manages to showcase their talents despite the lack of a traditional set, turning an interesting experiment into a wonderful product.