Artsweek

April 18, 2021

UCSB MCC Presents: Undocumented and Surviving the Pandemic

By Rachel Lim

UCSB’s Multicultural Center held a discussion panel dedicated to uplifting undocumented voices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

April 15, 2021

Forget the Remake and the Reboot. Are We Entering the Age of the Cinematic Redo?

By Luc Le

After a years-long social media campaign by devoted DC Universe fanboys to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, director Zack Snyder’s version of 2017’s “Justice League” has finally arrived.

April 14, 2021

In Review: Demi Lovato Dances With The Devil And Comes Back Stronger Than Ever

By Sam Franzini

If there’s anyone who deserves a triumphant comeback album story arc, it’s Demi Lovato.

April 13, 2021

On This Day: Van Cliburn, The Pianist That Broke The Cold War

By Jadon Bienz

As cheesy as it sounds, Cliburn became the epitome of the commonality of art between all of humankind, pushing past extremist notions of anti-Communism.

April 12, 2021

SBIFF 2021: Four Filmmakers Win The Outstanding Directors Of The Year Award

By Marisol Cruz

The award ceremony celebrated four filmmakers who “pushed the boundaries in their storytelling and created films that showcase the art of filmmaking at its best.”

April 10, 2021

On This Day: “The New Abnormal” By The Strokes

By Rachel Lim

The emphasis on love, timely issues in the world and feelings of despair can be summed up in its title. “The New Abnormal” is just a reminder of the legacy The Strokes will forever carry.

April 7, 2021

SBIFF 2021: Carey Mulligan Wins The Cinema Vanguard Award At The Santa Barbara International Film Festival

By Sunidhi Sridhar

The tribute, which honors actors who have “the tenacity to forge new ground in their craft,” was in recognition of Mulligan’s electrifying performance in “Promising Young Woman."

April 4, 2021

SBIFF 2021: On Opening Night, “Invisible Valley” Treads Familiar Ground in Unfamiliar Territory

By Luc Le

The film follows the lives of those in the Coachella Valley over the course of four seasons, from the farmworkers toiling in the fields to the revelers at the music festival.

March 31, 2021

On This Day: “Carrie & Lowell” By Sufjan Stevens

By Evan Gonzalez

Despite having only a 43-minute runtime, the album covers a lifetime of the complicated relationship between Stevens and his mother, along with the sadness that follows the death of a loved one.

March 21, 2021

On This Day: The Weeknd’s Drearily Hedonistic Debut Project, “House of Balloons”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

The project has become a landmark in 2010s R&B — a dynamic showcase of The Weeknd’s insecurities about love and coping dive into the maximums of hedonism.

March 9, 2021

In Review: Tash Sultana’s “Terra Firma” Flares Up Worldwide

By Shereen Mohammadzadeh

On this multiple-listens-through type of record, something beyond the songs themselves will linger in your thoughts.

March 4, 2021

Record Recap: 50th Anniversary Of “Tago Mago” by CAN

By Derek Mejia

The widespread influence of “Tago Mago” is reflected in the subsequent records of musicians who were inspired by the record’s creative exploration.

February 27, 2021

“Waiting on Host”: UCSB Filmmakers on Shooting During the Pandemic

By Sunidhi Sridhar

The film is about Jennifer, a professional dancer who lands an audition for a coveted role only to find out that her grandmother has tested positive for COVID-19.

February 26, 2021

In Review: Chloé Zhao’s Quiet, Contemplative “Nomadland” Has a Different Vision for the American Dream

By Luc Le

To save us from this reality comes Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” a tale of freedom, empathy and hope — and one that might just be one of this year’s best films. 

February 23, 2021

Record Recap: In Memoriam of Chick Corea, Trailblazer of Jazz Fusion

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

Corea was a highly lauded pioneer of jazz fusion — a genre that reinterprets jazz music by using alternative inspirations like rock, metal or Latin music.

February 22, 2021

In Review: Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari” Confronts the Reality of the American Dream

By Katie Caracciolo

Though the Golden Globes wrongly classifies it as a foreign language film, “Minari” is one of the truest contributions to the American storytelling tradition.