Arts and Entertainment

ktru debuts spooky Halloween show

ktru is hosting a Halloween show this Friday, Oct. 27 at the Sewall Pit from 8-10 p.m. featuring live music, screen printing and a costume contest. Station manager Keegan Pierce said this spooky event is meant to embody ktru’s “do-it-yourself” nature, showcasing underground artists and providing a taste of local music to the Rice community. 

Horrifying Halloween hits: what to watch this fall

One thing is for sure: The numerous scary movies for horror-lovers to watch in October have definitely contributed to the mysterious allure of the holiday. The Thresher has rounded up a few horror movie classics that are sure to have your whole friend group spooked. Fair warning, though, some of these movies are not for the faint of heart — and we wouldn’t recommend watching alone. 

Review: Wes Anderson infuses his style into four Roald Dahl shorts

Wes Anderson is one of the best filmmakers today. This summer he released “Asteroid City” was released, a dazzling yet precise depiction of both grief and the artistic process. Anderson has now collaborated with Netflix, and the streaming service released four short films written and directed by the auteur last week. 

Stale script keeps visually impressive ‘The Creator’ from being memorable

Gareth Edwards is a competent filmmaker. With popular blockbusters like “Rogue One” and “Godzilla” under his belt, Edwards has made the sci-fi action blockbuster his niche. Unlike previous films, though, Edwards had a major role in writing the screenplay for his new movie, “The Creator.” Along with Oscar nominee Chris Weitz, who previously worked with Edwards as a screenwriter on “Rogue One,” Edwards tells a story that attempts to tackle seemingly everything about humanity’s complex relationship with AI, yet accomplishes none of it adeptly.

Lahiri talks ‘Roman Stories’ collection, translation and belonging

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri read from her newest short story collection “Roman Stories” through the Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading series Oct. 15. Following the reading, she spoke on-stage at Congregation Emanu El with Rice English professor and Italian novelist Andrea Bajani, discussing the themes of immigration, otherness and translation present in her work.

Review: Sivan makes us feel the rush

Listening to Troye Sivan’s new album makes me want to go down under. The Australian singer-songwriter released his newest album, “Something To Give Each Other,” Oct. 13, marking his third full-length release. Sivan gives us a blissful, eclectic album that celebrates queer culture and demonstrates that pop music can be lustful, escapist and perfect for the club.

Meet the ACL artist: Gus Dapperton

When Brendan Patrick Rice first started making music on SoundCloud, he went by a variety of aliases. He changed these names based on the sort of sound he was making — everything from hip-hop beats to classical tunes. As he came into his art as a singer-songwriter, he decided he wanted a name that felt more like himself, and Gus Dapperton was born. 

Check out Houston’s Halloween haunts

Houston weather has just started to cool off, signaling the start of autumn. Although midterms may be getting you down, the Halloween season is now in full swing. From costume contests to haunted houses to fun performances, put down the books and check out these can’t-miss events in Houston made for spooky season enthusiasts.

Creating compassion and sand mandalas at the Moody

Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India constructed a Tibetan sand mandala in a series of rituals Monday, Oct. 16. The opening ritual was held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, and the mandala will remain on public viewing until the dissolution ritual Friday, Oct. 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Don’t miss these ACL eats

Aside from an impressive slate of artists to see over the next two weekends, you can’t miss the food at Austin City Limits. From sweet treats to savory eats, there’s sure to be something for every friend you’re going with. Here are some ACL dining options you won’t want to miss. 

william cordova explores infinite possibilities at Brochstein

An array of small, colorful squares — each a starkly different shade from its adjacent counterparts — cover Brochstein Pavilion’s south-facing wall. william cordova created this public art installation, titled “2800 dowling-wasi-sangarara,” as the newest piece in Rice’s ongoing art series, “Off the Wall.”

Thresher Declassified: ACL survival guide 2023

Wake up, babe, the newest edition of the Thresher Declassified: ACL Survival Guide just dropped. In what’s becoming a yearly tradition, the Thresher is here to give you the low-down on all things Austin City Limits in case you don’t feel like getting your information on the festival’s website. We just know you’d be lost without us, so here’s all you need to know to survive this year’s ACL. 

10-04-2023 Weekly Scenes and Screens

Review: ‘PAW Patrol’ needs quality control

The evolving relationship between children’s TV and the silver screen is quite fascinating. After all, it is quite challenging to turn formulaic episodes into a two-hour action-packed extravaganza. Still, we can all recall watching our favorite protagonists make a seemingly magical leap from our TV sets to the theaters, with our child-sized minds enamored by animations, explosions and whatnot. 

ACL artists to look out for: Weekend One

While headliners like Kendrick Lamar, the Lumineers, Hozier and Kali Uchis are sure to draw the most major crowds at Austin City Limits this year, each day’s lineup is full of other lesser-known artists you can’t miss out on. From up-and-coming voices in R&B to experimental, new-age pop music, we’d be wrong to not let you know about some of the incredible artists at ACL for weekend one only. 

Not your average marching band. Not even a marching band.

John “Grungy” Gladu is the Marching Owl Band’s longest standing member, and he was never even a Rice student. Celebrating his 51st year as a MOBster this year, Gladu joined the MOB in 1970 at the recommendation of his own band director at Houston Baptist College, now Houston Christian University. Despite spending his first season doing menial tasks and dirty work, he said he was hooked after his first game on the field.

Weekly Scenes & Screens, Sept. 27

Review: Chappell Roan’s debut seeks solace on the dance floor

Small town girl seeks stardom in the big city: It’s a trope as old as time in the entertainment industry. Crafting an exciting narrative using this theme often requires an artist willing to subvert expectations or chart new ground. Chappell Roan’s debut full-length album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” proves the power of the latter, recounting a journey to queer self-affirmation through campy pop bangers and confessional ballads that express the conflicted comfort of finding solace far from home. 

Cup, plate and pot: what’s hot in Bellaire

Not too far west on US-59 lies Bellaire, a gustatory world full of bold flavors and unique dining experiences. Home of Houston’s Asiatown, Bellaire is packed with delicious eats, from tonkotsu to takoyaki. Give these restaurants a crack at keeping you warm this fake fall season.

Celebrate Hispanic artists this month

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month. In honor of this month, the Thresher has compiled a sampling of works by Hispanic artists you should definitely check out.