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Charlie Cruz

A&E 4/1/25 11:39pm

ktru’s annual Outdoor Show moves indoors, still thrills

By Charlie Cruz

ktru’s 33rd annual “Outdoor Show” music festival shifted indoors March 29 due to concerns about inclement weather. Despite the last-minute location change, attendees, performers and organizers said the event retained its lively atmosphere and community spirit.

A&E 4/1/25 11:18pm

Review: ‘Invincible’ Season 3 contemplates the weight of heroism

By Charlie Cruz

When I think of "Invincible," I immediately picture Mark Grayson at the emotional center of his universe, much like Spider-Man anchors the Marvel world. Mark is a hero deeply shaped by tragedy, yet driven by a seemingly impossible desire to remain good. Despite pure intentions, his efforts often backfire spectacularly. And ultimately, despite his reluctance, he faces uncomfortable truths about what it genuinely means to be heroic. 

A&E 3/25/25 10:19pm

Music, community to collide at ktru’s annual Outdoor Show

By Charlie Cruz

ktru’s 33rd annual musical festival, “Outdoor Show,” will take over the Central Quad on Saturday for a day of music, art and community. Organized by Rice’s student-run radio station, the event will feature local vendors, craft stations, student DJs and eight musical acts — concluding with indie-pop headliner band Laundry Day.

A&E 3/11/25 10:52pm

Hazelight’s ‘Split Fiction’ is a new co-op masterpiece

By Charlie Cruz

"Split Fiction" might just be the Game of the Year — assuming Rockstar doesn’t finally release "GTA VI." After Hazelight Studios’ smash hit "It Takes Two," expectations were high, and "Split Fiction" absolutely delivered. Already surpassing one million sales within two days, the game became an instant sensation, and notably deserves its acclaim. 

A&E 3/4/25 11:08pm

Students react to Sarofim

By Charlie Cruz

For years, art students say they’ve worked within the constraints of the aging Sewall Hall and the “insufficient,” inaccessible Hamman Hall. But with the 80,000 square-foot Sarofim Hall set to open next semester, students are preparing to transition into a purpose-built space that finally feels like home.  

A&E 3/4/25 11:03pm

‘Perforations’ celebrates fashion, art, sustainability

By Charlie Cruz

Inside Anderson Hall, student designers, models and artists gathered for “InThread” and “Archi-Arts,” two student-run showcases that blurred the line between fashion and visual art. This year’s shared theme, “Perforations,” explored transformation — through cut fabric, layered textures and fragmented materials.  

NEWS 3/4/25 10:36pm

Rice reflects on Black History Month

By Charlie Cruz

Rice concluded its Black History Month celebrations, which lasted from February until early March and featured more than 30 events highlighting Black culture, history and contributions to labor movements.

A&E 2/18/25 10:43pm

Review: Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is lackluster damage control

By Charlie Cruz

Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is an embarrassment — 73 minutes of recycled ideas, lazy songwriting, and some of the worst attempts at experimentation Drake has ever put on wax. It's a bloated mess of an album, proving that just because two artists have chemistry doesn’t mean they should make an entire project together. But the biggest issue isn’t just the lackluster music — it’s the fact that this album is Drake’s first release after his career-altering loss to Kendrick Lamar. Instead of delivering something impactful, he gives us limp attempts at reassurance and 21 half-hearted party songs.  

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