Sharing the Stage
A rundown of the joint Harvard-Yale arts performances.
The Game isn’t the only event under the spotlight this weekend—off the football field, Harvard and Yale groups will take the stage with their respective counterparts for numerous music and art shows to celebrate creativity and rivalry alike. This weekend promises performances steeped in rich tradition alongside new artistic collaborations that highlight the camaraderie and […]
Grief, Laughter, and Speed Bumps
An original play that explores loss and friendship with heart and unexpected humor.
Speed Bumps, And Other Things Jesus Wouldn’t Have Wanted, is a raw, funny, and deeply human exploration of complex themes including grief, love, and friendship. Written by Matthew Cole ’24 and directed by Ava Pallotta ’25, the one-act play portrays the process of coping with loss with a real sense of empathy and authenticity. The […]
A Feast for the Senses
A review of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra in partnership with the Radcliffe Choral Society.
On the afternoon of Nov. 17, I entered the historic Symphony Hall in Boston and immediately reveled in my rich visual surroundings. Symphony Hall is adorned with the inscription of Beethoven’s name high above the stage, three separate floors of seating, and sculptures of gods and goddesses that line the oval walls. Opened on Oct. […]
Harvard Ballet Company’s New Dawn
Harvard Ballet Company puts its fall production on the Loeb Mainstage.
Exhibiting a dazzling combination of classical technique, graceful movements, and modern flair, the Harvard Ballet Company’s (HBC) fall production left the entire audience in complete awe. On Nov. 16 and 17, HBC ran two of their four performances of Dawn at the Loeb Drama Center, where the ballet dancers displayed the hard work and talent […]
Glam, Glitter, and Grit
Inside of Adams House’s 2024 Drag Night.
Full glam, colorful dresses, fake beards, and a unique sense of liberty: this is Adams Drag Night, the signature annual event of Adams House. Every year, Adams House transforms into a place where creativity flows everywhere, gender limits dissolve, and everyone expresses themselves freely without fear of judgment. On Nov. 15, the tradition returned. Student […]
Elements of Desire
A porn script with chemistry and about chemistry.
1.INT. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB – NIGHT An organic chemistry lab. It is dark and empty. A GORGEOUS HOT CHEMIST in a tight lab coat that hugs her curves is conducting an experiment in one of the fume hoods. Her MALE LAB PARTNER walks in, tepidly. The two have always had a flirty vibe. This is […]
Behind the Scenes with The Army, The Navy
Touring, creating, and evolving in the indie music scene
The Army, The Navy, an indie music duo made up of childhood friends Mia Cambriello and Sasha Goldberg, recently wrapped up their tour with pop musician Dora Jar. In our interview, they shared how their journey together began, what it was like touring with their idol, and the inspiration behind their songwriting process. The following […]
One of Many or One of a Kind?
A review of Tenoch’s new location in Harvard Square.
It’s no secret: Harvard Square has a lot of Mexican eateries. From late-night classics like El Jefe’s and Felipe’s to the more recently opened Achilito’s, satisfying that craving is easy. Yet in a market oversaturated with established competitors, Tenoch Mexican’s newest location on Mount Auburn Street (right where Jefe’s was two years ago) seeks to […]
Promoting Peace Through Art
Spotlight on Ukrainian artist Nikita Ivaniuta ’28.
Art and Activism At a school historically centered around a traditional liberal arts education consisting of classic humanities and STEM curricula, more creative communities, especially those within the fine arts, can be overlooked. The Independent interviewed Nikita Ivaniuta ’28, a first-year student from Ukraine who has used his art as a vessel for activism and […]
Anastasia: A Russian Princess’ Journey to Rediscovery
This fall’s student production of Anastasia holds a candle to the magic, wonder, and romance of the 1997 movie.
One step at a time. One hope, then another. Anastasia is an enchanting musical that explores the enduring mystery of Princess Anastasia Romanov through song, dance, and performance. The show follows a girl with an uncertain past, who teams up with two questionable con men as they try to escape St. Petersburg on a fateful […]
Ordering Mysterious Drinks
A reflection about boba.
When I drink boba, I think about my siblings. My sister Lucy sticks with the classics—black, jasmine, Earl Gray—all guaranteed to be very good. But my brother Jasper gets a little outlandish. He orders the wild, experimental drinks, like cheese and matcha yogurt with watermelon jelly—concoctions that feel like some sort of crime. Lucy and […]
Old Water, New Light
Weak I can still go to the river. Weak I can still let myself Go where the river flows. This is the freedom I needed— to return this adventure to well-worn waters. Skinvessel I am pulled together as but one temporary wetness,tightly. This is to witness, this […]
Turning Death Into Art and Joy
Celebrating Día de Muertos with art, humor, and Calaveritas.
“Quien quiera gozar de verasy divertirse un ratón, venga con las calaverasa gozar en el panteón.” – José Guadalupe Posada “Whoever wants to truly enjoy and have a bit of fun, come with the skeletons to delight in the graveyard.” – José Guadalupe Posada Imagine a poem that jokes about your death, turning the inevitable […]
Take It Off: A Night of EDM, Pashminas, and Vomit
An amateur EDM groupie attends the Fisher concert at Roadrunner.
I arrived at Roadrunner, a mid-sized music venue in Allston, at 9:30 p.m. for the Friday night Fisher show that advertised a 9 p.m. start time. Two lines snaked around the long blocks in opposite directions from the main entrance. Our foursome was told that one line was for regular GA tickets while the other […]
Haunted Houses of Cambridge
A collection of outdoor decorations.
As the crisp air settles in and the days grow shorter, the spirit of Halloween awakens, covering the streets with an array of ghosts and goblins. If you want to get in your autumn feels and into the Halloween spirit, stroll down Appleton St., Cambridge, where the leaves are falling and the decorations are out. […]
Lighting Up the Stage: “Raunak” Takes the Spotlight
Harvard Bhangra brings tradition, energy, and a celebration of culture to the campus stage.
On Oct. 26, Harvard’s Undergraduate Bhangra cast and team buzzed with vibrant energy as “Raunak 2024,” a much-anticipated showcase, drew in spectators and performers to celebrate Punjabi culture through one of its most dynamic dance forms—bhangra. The event welcomed not only Harvard Bhangra’s own dancers, but also groups from Boston University, Tufts, and Yale, making […]
Halloween Haikus
Trick-or-treat yourself to some hilariously hearty Halloween haikus.
Cold Fall The air holds a chill. A cold dampness hits my face. The cold fall is here. Candy Sweet sugary yum, I take a bite happily, Chocolate goodness! Pumpkin This is for the porch; I carve the Jack-O-Lantern, Light it with candles. Early Night Darkness is around, Stars twinkle the sky above, Night comes […]
Casted
A short story about the shadows that follow us.
In the city where shadows came to life, we were overjoyed (after the initial shock). That day, it was an immemorable rainy Saturday morning, with that kind of constant downpour that makes you forget how a clear sky looks. But when the clouds parted, the shadows suddenly came to life. It started slow. We noticed […]
Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue
A Harvard Republican-Democrat romance.
Kyle was petrified to come to Harvard. All of his buddies from back home were headed to Alabama, Texas A&M, and BYU. On their last night together, Kyle’s friends sat him down, said a prayer for him, and reminded him to try to keep his mouth shut so he doesn’t get canceled by his overly […]
The Apprentice on the Big Screen
A review of the new Trump biopic.
Written by New York magazine journalist Gabriel Sherman and directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice is the so-called “origin story” of former president Donald Trump, chronicling his early days under the mentorship of lawyer Roy Cohn and his marriage with Ivana Trump. Arriving just weeks before the 2024 presidential election, the film has […]
Stop and Smell the Roses at Brattle Square Florist
Explore the oldest flower shop in Harvard Square, still in the hands of the founding family.
When you step into Brattle Square Florist, not only are you greeted by a vibrant array of flowers, but owner Stephen Zedros welcomes you with a smile. At this remarkable flower shop, fresh-cut flowers coexist with the deep-rooted family history the shop has in Harvard Square. Brattle Square Florist is the oldest flower shop in […]
Cambridge’s New Luxor Cafe
A Mediterranean-inspired hidden gem just outside of the Square.
There are enough coffee shops, restaurants, and stores in Harvard Square that a college student could likely spend all four years between Massachusetts Avenue and Brattle Street and never need to venture further for sustenance. Though I’m certainly a regular at Tatte and Blank Street, this week I decided to wander just outside of the […]
Migration, Unification, and the Art Nation
A review of Harvard Art Museums’ Made in Germany? exhibition.
Lynette Roth, curator at Harvard’s Busch Reisinger Museum which specializes in art from Germany and Northern Europe, would describe her new exhibition Made in Germany? as “pushing back against this idea that the Busch Reisinger is just a museum for German art, but actually looking into its complicated history and taking that as a cue […]
The Hidden Wonders of HAM at Night
Tired of boys, booze, and bonding yet? Try the Harvard Art Museums at Night, a party that attracts art lovers from all over the area.
After walking up the steps from Quincy Street, I pulled open the double-doors to the Harvard Art Museums (HAM) and a wave of music immediately poured over my ears. I wove through the traffic of people as they walked from one exhibition, through the courtyard, to another—some trailing away from the herd to explore adjacent […]
Dissolution of Unrequited Love
I can enjoy newspapers without thinking about you now.
Before the sun rises The sound of bound paper striking the door Summons me to start a fire To procrastinate retrieving what has been delivered Least I risk meeting you And recall how If you were to churn brown sugar Over a gas stove While inhaling the rich, smokey molasses Take a moment to turn […]
Let’s Talk about SWEAT, Baby
Charli XCX and Troye Sivan bring queer joy, feminine rage, and a whole lot of sex to TD Garden.
A sea of lime green and black descended on TD Garden last Saturday for the Boston stop of the SWEAT Tour, co-headlined by artists Charli XCX and Troye Sivan. While the color palette of the crowd was relatively uniform, their outfits were anything but. Fans sported everything from customized t-shirt renditions of the BRAT album […]
Russell’s Sprouts: Lasagna Soup
All of the layers, none of the drama.
Fall has officially begun, which means it’s unofficially soup season! I don’t know about you, but my wellness can always flip from unwell to well with a delicious home-cooked meal (and no, HUDS doesn’t count). If you’re looking for a kitchen, it’s time to rent out Cabot H101 or hit up your super senior friend […]
Consulting Fair Chronicles
An original creative writing piece about the epic highs and lows of career fairs
Today is the day. Ever since I missed the McKinsey application deadline, I marked this day down in my calendar. I’ve been losing sleep, haunted by the McKinsey monster that invades my dreams each night. But today is going to make all of the nightmares finally go away. Today is the annual Business and Consulting […]
Night at the Museum
A silent appreciator of art attends Student After Hours and the Print Rental Program preview at the Harvard Art Museums
Halfway through my third-ever visit to the Fogg Museum, one of the three museums that make up the Harvard Art Museums (HAM), I began to truly appreciate the surreal experience of walking through gallery rooms completely alone. Aside from the faint sounds of upbeat tunes and art-focused chatter echoing throughout the grand halls of the […]
Creative After College: Treasure “SOL” Faith Brooks
An interview with a multidisciplinary artist, creative strategist, and changemaker
“I’m pursuing the path of a mogul, quite frankly,” SOL said, regarding her dreams. “I want to be able to act upon all of my creative imaginations.” After graduating from Harvard College, multidisciplinary artist Treasure Faith Brooks ’22 reinvented herself as SOL. “It was a process of self-possession and self-sovereignty, because I’ve been in institutions […]
Fall Poetry
is twilight over? Do you remember how the plastic firesdanced away as we tip-toedlate but unworriedI only remember you turning back for my smilewhen you thought you recognized the song Do you remember how many timesthe wheel spun and how manytickets we wonI only remember you asking that mother topress our picture intothe shape of […]
A Tribute to Hollywood’s Greatest Voice
James Earl Jones, iconic screen and stage actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93.
“Luke, I am your father.” All of you reading that seminal line from The Empire Strikes Back likely did so in a low, metallic, baritone voice, perhaps the most recognizable in Hollywood history. James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who brought Darth Vader and countless other characters to life, passed away last week at the […]
Grounds for Discovery
Cambridge’s underrated coffee spots.
Yes, you can get a cup of coffee in the d-hall and study in the library. But there’s something about getting a deliciously overpriced coffee in a cozy cafe that makes spending hours staring at your computer screen far more enjoyable. In Harvard Square, you’ve probably visited Starbucks, Dunkin, and Blank Street. But this fall, […]
A Refreshing Romeo & Juliet at the A.R.T.
A fresh yet classic rendition of Shakespeare’s tale of forbidden love goes up in the Loeb Drama Center.
Shakespeare’s famous tale of love and tragedy has been read, studied, and performed by millions over the course of the last four centuries. It has become a household name, recognized as one of the most culturally significant pieces of literature of all time. So, when a director wants to put up a new production, it […]
Half-Lit
A review of indie band Cigarettes After Sex’s X’s arena tour at TD Garden.
Angst, ardor, and a lot of haze filled Boston’s TD Garden last Wednesday. On Sept. 4, the world tour of dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex made a stop at the iconic venue. By 8 p.m., concertgoers clad mostly in black made their way into the arena to fill the nearly 20,000-seat venue. The show […]
Crimson Jam: The Standout Event for First-Years So Far?
How this year’s Crimson Jam was able to provide a uniquely fun experience for first-years.
Generally peaceful, Harvard Yard last Friday became a night filled with commotion, laughter, and music as students of all grades gathered for the annual Crimson Jam. Hosted by the Harvard College Events Board (CEB) each September, this year’s event featured headliner Daya. Because it’s hosted in the Yard, the event draws a substantial number of […]
Summer Horror Recap
A guide to the several spooky films that came out this summer.
There’s nothing quite like watching a horror movie in theaters. Even if it’s the tenth entry in a worn-out franchise or a film filled with lazy jumpscares, there’s a special communal feeling associated with sitting in a dark room alongside a bunch of strangers, united by the goal of getting scared. Fortunately, this summer saw […]
What’s on at the HRDC?
A preview of the HRDC fall 2024 theater season.
Receiving the Harvard theater season announcement at the end of each semester is an extremely exciting moment for the theater community and theater-goers alike. We are all dying to know what productions have been in the works. These are the shows we will join, audition for, play music for, and eventually enjoy in the theater—for […]
FALLing in Love with Boston
A guide to goings-on this September in our community and greater Boston.
Whether you are a first-year longing to get to know the area or a senior looking for a change in scenery, the Cambridge-Boston area offers activity, enrichment, and a way to connect with the greater community. Before locking yourself in the library for the rest of the semester, be sure to check out one (or […]
Harvard’s Hottest Hits
Your new semester playlist.
Welcome back to campus, everyone! As you all have been finalizing your fall semester classes, flipping coins with your roommates to see who gets the double, and saying goodbye to your friends and family, likely, many of you haven’t had the time to create a new playlist for the school year. Music will play a […]
Harmonies and Horrors
In this spring’s student production of Little Shop of Horrors, the plant ate. Literally.
Little Shop of Horrors is a delightfully macabre musical, weaving humor and heart into a storyline steeped in horror and suspense. The show follows a meek florist as he discovers a carnivorous plant that feasts on humans and attempts to take over the world. Directed by Haley Stark ’25, Harvard’s production ran from April 25 […]
“Grab a Brush”
AFVS Open Studios and Senior Thesis Exhibition in the Carpenter Center highlight visual art students’ many hours of hard work.
Following a lively stream of people, we stepped into the Carpenter Center last Friday, April 26, to be met with a mesmerizing assortment of art in practically all forms. We walked through the massive gallery alongside artists, students, and professors, taking in the vibrant and breathtaking pieces that filled the space. The event—the Spring 2024 […]
Eleganza Turns 30
The 30th anniversary of Harvard’s greatest fashion show ushers in a new season of culture and fun.
Harvard’s largest student-run charity, dance, and fashion show, Eleganza, celebrated its 30th birthday on April 20. Eleganza breaks the mold of a typical fashion show by exhibiting fashion pieces and social expression through a diverse array of dances. Produced by Bristol Fales-Hill ’25, Norah Ostin ’25, and Melanie Volz ’25, this year’s show included fashion […]
Long Days in Argyle
Inspired by Pablo Picasso’s “Au Lapin Agile” (Harlequin with Glass).
The strumming of a guitar fills the silence. Her arm touched his elbow ten minutes ago. It hasn’t touched it since, and she inched her body away from him a whole two minutes ago. Her gaze fixates on the opposite wall. As he moves his hand to grip his glass, some of his sweater brushes […]
Building on the Past, Looking Toward the Future
A look into the Fogg Museum’s new Future Minded exhibition.
As I walked into the Harvard Art Museums’ new Future Minded exhibition, my eyes struggled to focus on any single piece. My gaze traveled from documentary photographs to a long canvas splattered with paint. I saw modern sculptures standing across from Greek antiquities, which lay just steps away from a silk waistcoat from New England. […]
Puff and Talk
Francis’ neck craned back as he lifted the glass to his thin, pursed lips, shaking it to savor the last drops. The ice cubes clinked against the sides of the glass. The wind chimes from the patio echoed the noise. His companion’s glass sat untouched. Francis rose from the chair and retrieved a golden bottle […]
Journeying Through Eastbound
Harvard’s Asian American Dance Troupe’s dreamy 30th annual spring performance.
As I approached the historic Loeb Drama Center on the evening of April 19, filled with anticipation for the opening performance of Eastbound, I was met by a bustling queue of friends, family members, and dedicated fans, all eagerly awaiting the spectacle about to unfold. Eastbound is the annual spring performance and celebration of Asian […]
Munchies at the Multiplex
An ode to going to the cinema stoned.
It was May of my junior year of high school, and I popped a 10mg THC gummy outside of the movie theater. At concessions, I bought a soon-to-be-needed water bottle and could tell the edible was kicking in. I sunk into my seat for Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, relishing in the opening-night […]
Those Darn Kids
The First-Year Musical has another successful year with 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.
Each spring, the Agassiz Theater is graced with a musical entirely created and performed by Harvard first-years. The first-year musical, affectionately known as the “froshical,” offers newcomers an exciting and unique introduction to the Harvard theater community. This year’s production, The Kids Are All Right, ran from April 11 to 14 and was an outstanding […]
The Dreaming
If I dismember the sky, will the rainbow chunks bleed prismatic liquid? Will I become death, destroyer of hallucinated worlds? Of amorphous blobs of color that shapeshift and ooze. Of pink elephants and sea monsters deep above. Psychedelia, teach me dissociation. How to lose oneself in liminal spaces. The whiteness of radio static and eerie […]
Harvard Square’s Treasure Trove of Cinema
A profile of the Brattle Theatre.
If you turn down Brattle Street, walk a few minutes past Felipe’s, and look below Alden and Harlow, you’ll find one of Harvard Square’s hidden gems. The Brattle Theatre is the only movie theater in Harvard Square, showing a variety of classic, independent, and foreign films every day. Walking up the stairs from its unassuming […]
Paella, Tofu, and Improv
The IGP hosts Player of the Year featuring Jason Mantzoukas.
On April 5, the Immediate Gratification Players (IGP) presented their Player of the Year comedy improvisation event with Jason Mantzoukas. Each year, the IGP honors a famous comedian by inviting him or her to perform with the cast and receive a classic IGP striped tie. This tradition dates back to 2010 and has honored such […]
Can’t Separate the Art from the Artist
Reclaiming identity at Harvard’s Black Art Collective.
Art can take a million different forms. It can be a spoken word poem, a urinal turned sideways, or a guitar riff. Despite access to the illustrious Harvard art history professors, one would be hard-pressed to get a definitive answer on not just what constitutes “good” art, but what constitutes “art” at all. The personal […]
How to Have Sex in a Harvard Dorm
“How big is it?” she whispered. “80 inches long and 38 inches wide.”
“How big is it?” she whispered. “80 inches long and 38 inches wide.” “It,” of course, is a twin XL bed, of which one or more resides in every Harvard dorm room. Uncomfortable, narrow, and really, really low to the ground, the beds here at Harvard are tough enough for one person to get settled […]
Transcendentalism is a Techno Rave
Transcendentalism is a techno rave. The pounding tempo and shrieking dubstep, bass reverberating through bejeweled chests. Communion in candy bracelets, exchanged from my wrist to yours. This is divine consciousness. Funhouse mirror bodies collide like billiard balls, the grinding hips of youth. Back cutouts, side cutouts, and midriffs everywhere. There is something spiritual in exotic […]
10 Things Better Than Sex
Fornication or Felipe’s?
Great sex is great sex—if you can find it. But let’s be honest, there are ten things in this world that beat it (almost) every time. So next time you’re wondering about going back to him or feel like hating on a happy couple, remember the ten things that can be even better than consummation. […]
John Harvard, I Want You
A fan-fiction about Harvard’s most famous statue.
It was first-year move-in day. When I stepped foot on campus, I instantly felt a rush of excitement but also was overwhelmed. In high school, I focused on getting perfect grades and being president of my class. I had no time to relax and have fun. On those rare occasions where I did have free […]
Hot and Heavy at Harvard
A selection of Harvard-themed sexual endeavors.
The John Harvard If you are the type for a good old-fashioned foot fetish, this one’s for you. Any worship of those lovely little piggies fits the bill. Please do not interpret this as support for the oh-so-infamous golden shower…unless you are really into that. The Stacks Great for a quickie in public, we recommend […]
Awake
Youth, libido, and violence collide in Spring Awakening, the musical of the season.
“This performance is not suitable for children under the age of 16…and includes references to genitalia, sexual abuse, homelessness, and abortion.” Covering the bottom third of the promotional website for Spring Awakening, the content warning for the show reads like the text at the end of a pharmaceutical advertisement. I walked into the main stage […]
Sacred Connection?
Harvard can be a lonely place, and it is easy to get in the habit of judging others in place of seeking true connection. Connecting with other human beings —and with yourself—can take many forms, but the most taboo of these forms is sex. This work is therefore a celebration of true connection between and […]
Artists After Hours
Harvard’s first of four annual staff art shows reveals hidden talents and passionate stories.
Tucked away on the 2nd floor of the Smith Campus Center is the first exhibit of four in-person, diverse collections of multimedia artwork: the Harvard Staff Art Show. Close to 280 pieces from around 185 artists, all Harvard University staff members, were submitted to be displayed in person for this year’s four shows. The first […]
Return of the Mr. Asian Sensation Pageant
Seven dashing contestants valiantly compete for the prestigious title of Mr. Asian Sensation.
On March 23, for the first time in over a decade, the Harvard Radcliffe Chinese Student Association (HRCSA) hosted “Mr. Asian Sensation,” a pageant in which participants answer trivia questions, perform talents, and flaunt their best outfits in a fashion show. Seven contestants, Alan Wang ’24, Aaron Kang ’25, Justin Ji ’26, Jōsh Mysoré ’26, […]
In Poetry, In Love
A heartfelt encounter with the Grolier Poetry Book Shop.
When this is Done And the young become old the old become elders and elders become spirits — and spirits, what can be said of them? – Ifeanyi Menkiti, Coming To America (2022) Nestled between Harvard Book Store and TD Bank on Plympton Street lies the quaint, picturesque Grolier Poetry Book Shop. […]
The Discourse of Art
How the Israel-Palestine conflict on campus has manifested as protest art.
As controversy and tension from the Israel-Palestine conflict have proliferated on campus, so has art. Protest art at Harvard is nothing new—political buttons on display at the Harvard Kennedy School show how button art has been used to spread political and social messages. From installations to creative imagery, the Yard in particular has historically been […]
As Big as the What? The Super Bowl!
A look behind the making of Harvard Housing Day videos.
Barbie’s Dreamhouse or Ken’s Mojo Dojo Quincy House? Is it going to be “Pfoho at your front door” or the Mather gorillas? Will the Whole Foods by the Quad be your newest CVS, or is Cardullo’s still the spot? From River Run to dorm storming, if you are a first-year, you have surely been anxiously […]
IncARTcerated
A look into art created behind bars.
Behind bars, self-expression becomes a luxury. While making art can serve as a means of rehabilitation, allow for emotional release, and act as an empowering force for incarcerated individuals, the prison system all too often denies inmates the right to create. “Beyond Bars: Art from Inside”—an art show on the 10th floor of the Smith […]
Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A novel experience held on the small stage at the Loeb Experimental Theater.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is now running at the Loeb Experimental Theater from Feb. 29 to March 8. With music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, Spelling Bee is a musical comedy about a group of six middle school students competing in, you guessed it, a spelling bee. […]
Allure Akaeze: Miss Pink Succubuss
As a multidisciplinary artist, Allure embodies counterculture and eroticism.
We are sitting near Quincy Grille. Allure Akaeze ’24 wears a raunchy cheetah-print bodysuit, colored neon pink and blue, with midriff and side cutouts. “I like showing skin, y’all,” they laugh. “It’s sexy. I like it. It makes me feel good about myself.” As a multidisciplinary artist, Allure embodies counterculture and eroticism. They are a […]
“The Most Competitive Battle for Yardfest Yet”
A spotlight on this year’s Battle for Yardfest winners.
Last Thursday, the Harvard College Events Board hosted the annual “Battle for Yardfest.” According to the Dean of Students Office website, Yardfest, a Harvard College tradition, is “a giant cookout and festival-style concert. The two winning student bands from Battle for Yardfest…are granted an amazing opportunity to open for the exciting professional headliner.” This year’s […]
Indy Sportsbook: The Oscars
Top picks for select categories in this Sunday’s awards ceremony.
Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean. Be prepared to swipe past a sunset photo from each of these destinations on Instagram every day this week. But if you are sitting at home this Sunday night and need a good distraction from the constant reminders of your friends’ sunny vacations, look no further than the […]
A Walk Through the Fogg
Must-see masterpieces at the oldest of the Harvard Art Museums.
In an inconspicuous building on 32 Quincy Street lies the University’s hidden gem: the Harvard Art Museums. Simply walking into the building is an enchanting experience—the courtyard itself is a work of art. But walking through the museum is an enriching engagement with some of the most important artists and works of art history canon. […]
There Are 366 Days in a Year
A partially true short story that is partially about the leap year.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, incidents, emotions, thematic revelations, etc. are products of the author’s imagination (that she will hopefully one day sell and capitalize upon). Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. (By purely we mean truly, thoroughly, nearing 100%, downright asymptotic!) […]
Perusing Picasso
A new Exhibit at the Fogg Art Museum.
If you are interested in more of Picasso’s prolific style, don’t bother taking the T to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). Instead, just walk a block or so and up a few flights of stairs to the Harvard Art Museums’ third floor, where you can find a new exhibit dedicated entirely to Picasso. This […]
Let’s Talk Sausage
A ranking of HUDS’ sausage options.
Grape pizza and blueberry glazed pork may not be up your alley. Fortunately, Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) hasn’t tried to ruin one food with a creative twist: the fan-favorite breakfast sausage. Although not every dining hall on campus has hot breakfast, every student has gotten the opportunity to experience Harvard sausage in one way […]
Blue Cuban Waters, Blue Man Group, Blue Lipstick
Award-winning actress Annette Bening makes a splash as this year’s Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year.
On Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, Annette Bening was honored as Hasty Pudding’s 74th Woman of the Year (WOY). The Woman of the Year award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ (HPT) oldest honor, bestowed annually on “performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment.” The festivities began with a parade through […]
Nude Beach Dysphoria
At some point in my girlhood, undefined, I drew in a broad breath which I never released. So long I’ve been the lone moon of a solar system forsaken. Acne — pockmarked like a seagull scooped out the pulp of my face, cratered like a sallow gray planet marinating in a toxic atmosphere of discontent. […]
Till Death Do Us Part
A Galentine’s murder mystery story.
Brittany had one hand on the phone, the other on her best friend’s head. But Securitas had come too late—Sarah was dead. … It was a cool February morning, the smell of love in the air. Teddy bears and flowers roamed the Yard, but Sarah didn’t care. A romantic dinner with roses, she’d dream and […]
Harvard Parties Aren’t Dead
How Reverb, Harvard’s underground electronic music group, is redefining Harvard nightlife.
Although Harvard students might disagree about many things, it seems like they all can agree on one: Harvard parties suck. Pre-game in a dorm. Go to a function with mediocre music. Eat Jefe’s or Joe’s. For a school filled with extraordinary talent and people, going out is often an unremarkable experience. Yet one group on […]
Exploring The Attic
A treasure trove of hand-picked vintage clothes.
Nestled on the corner of Mass Ave and Bow Street, The Attic Cambridge peeps out at the semi-basement level. It’s easy for passersby to miss it, but if you know what you’re looking for, it’s worth the trip down. I certainly thought so. This isn’t your average thrift store. Every piece of clothing is hand-picked […]
A Review of Donald Glover’s New Show Mr. and Mrs. Smith
The stylish remake of the blockbuster brings laid-back energy and spy thrills in equal measure.
Loosely based on Doug Liman’s 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Amazon Prime’s new Mr. and Mrs. Smith only really relates to its predecessor by name. The show deviates from the premise of the original, which saw the two stars play a husband and wife unaware that the other is a spy working […]
Barry in the BAFTUB
Hasty Pudding Theatricals debuted their 2024 Man of the Year and 175th production on February 2nd, 2024.
The first ever “BAFTUB” award, a kissing cactus, and a “Murder on the Dancefloor.” These were just some of the many highlights of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ opening night of their 175th production, Heist, Heist, Baby. But before the show began, the group honored their 2024 Man of the Year, Irish actor Barry Keoghan. Keoghan […]
The Unknowable: A Preview of Lowell House Opera’s Upcoming Production
Benjamin T. Rossen’s original operatic ballet is a unique, stunning interplay of music and movement.
The Unknowable: An Operatic Ballet in Two Acts, a stunning original production written by Benjamin T. Rossen ’23, presents a mesmerizing blend of emotion, music, and dance. Premiering on February 10th and 11th at Sanders Theatre, the show dazzles from start to finish. Featuring a diverse cast of performers both from within the Harvard community […]
Winter Blues in Cambridge Hues
An activity guide for winter in Cambridge.
It’s February 2023. The wind creeps under your door, and ice clings to the inside of your window. While there are very few strategies to break the monotony of the spring semester and survive a frostbitten Cambridge, put down the problem sets, delay the interviews, and embrace these activities to beat hibernation and keep your […]
Deconstructing Dé-coll/age
A look into the Harvard Art Museums’ newest exhibition: “Wolf Vostell: Dé-coll/age Is Your Life.”
A loaf of bread, strobe lights, and a hunk of concrete—not every museum exhibit can claim to contain all these objects in one room. But the Harvard Art Museums’ new show, “Wolf Vostell: Dé-coll/age Is Your Life,” can, and does. The exhibition chronologically leads viewers through the development of the work of German artist Wolf […]
Selected Satire Comedy Pieces
LinkedIn I am proud to announce that I have accepted a position as an incoming Summer Analyst in local distribution of petroleum products at ExxonMobil. I want to take the time to thank Dan. Dan, I know you probably aren’t on Linkedin and that you live off the grid to hide from the government. I […]
Intergalactic Entanglement
In a black sea of ephemera, we are falling. Two luminescent bodies swim the midnight landscape. Metallic skeletons push through space-time. Our spacecrafts are diametrically opposed, traveling perpendicular. Some divine being from our ancient past extends her grace. A celestial object flashes in the jeweled sky. The veil of eternal night is lifted. For an […]
When Student Life Is Under Control And Utter Chaos
A new play by Harvard students, for Harvard students.
Before the Harvard Undergraduate Association (HUA), the Harvard Undergraduate Council, known as the “UC,” governed all student affairs until its abrupt abolishment by a student referendum in 2022. Stories of the events that resulted in the UC’s demise have become part of the lore incoming students learn upon being admitted to Harvard. Even so, the […]
CROSSING ENEMY LINES
A Harvard-Yale love story—a creative writing piece.
She is so indulged in revelry that she almost does not realize when her boots dig into someone’s foot in the crowded room. She turns to sincerely apologize before she’s swept into them, narrowly tripping over herself; a split second of a forgettable interaction. Until a hand stabilizes her. “Wow those boots are a bit […]
Sweaters, Scarves, and Harvard Hoodies
A guide to fall fashion at Harvard.
Fall is upon us again, and Harvard students are gearing up to face the cold Boston weather. For most New Englanders, this means basic sweaters, jeans, and boots. Harvard students, however, are notorious for repping their club merch. Whether it is a CS50 t-shirt or a DHA crewneck, students love to boast about their belonging […]
Hamlet at Harvard
Students rush to see a retelling of Shakespeare’s greatest play at Harvard.
Students rush to see a retelling of Shakespeare’s greatest play at Harvard.
A Collegiate Couture
Why famous fashion designers are returning to Harvard students’ style.
In my years spent modeling in the creative capitals of the world, I never lacked inspiration; life working in fashion is hallowed by the haze of an urgent beauty. In New York City, popular restaurants are filled with idyllic voices of artists refining their visions over food with friends. Streets are lined by glass gallery […]
“Heathers: The Musical” Takes Center Stage at Harvard
A review of this month’s student production.
“I just killed my best friend!” “And your worst enemy.” “Same difference.” If you ever wanted to kill your friends (or enemies) while navigating—as Riverdale’s Archie Andrews astutely puts it—“the epic highs and lows of high school,” then Heathers is the perfect production for you. Dear Diary: We attended the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club’s (HRDC) performance […]
A Very Sexy Harvard Halloween
The Top 10 Sexiest Costumes for Halloween 2023.
If you’re trying to relate to recent pop culture trends, or if purple is just your color, you might want to think twice before being a Sexy Devil this Halloween. Instead, shake things up with a Grimace Shake costume. Either be Grimace himself with a full mascot suit that can be found on Amazon, or […]
A Daunting Decision
An original creative writing piece about choosing a concentration.
“Open the door,” they instructed her. “It’s time.” “Yes,” she thought to herself, and nodded although she was afraid. This was perhaps the most important decision of her life. She asked them which door to open, but they insisted she decide. The doors all looked identical from the outside, each one significantly taller than her, […]
The Harvard Procedure
A creative writing piece on Harvard in 50 years.
Even after 50 years, Harvard University has retained its top-ranked reputation. The year is 2073, but humans still make up the student body rather than robots. However, instead of Harvard student-athletes scootering to class, they now can teleport, pleasantly out of our way. While many believed the downfall of humanity would be the rapid development […]
Mike Saatchi: The Prophet
Meet Mike Saatchi, the self-proclaimed pioneer of hypergospel music.
In March 2022, Mike Saatchi released a song titled “i <3 boobies.” The cover art for Saatchi’s “God heals” features an image of Jesus Christ holding an enormous styrofoam cup full of prescription cough syrup. In “keep a Bible,” Saatchi sings, “God keep me insured like Geico.” Mike Saatchi, a 24-year-old rapper, singer, and producer, […]
That Guy Who Sings “Sunroof”
A Review of Harvard’s Crimson Jam.
It’s the first Friday of the semester. The air is tragically hot and smells like First-Years who haven’t quite learned about the importance of deodorant. You guessed it, it’s Crimson Jam. Each year, the Harvard College Events Board (HCEB) organizes a welcome back concert for undergraduate students within the first few weeks back to school. […]
Indy On Repeat: Summer 2023
Our favorite new releases, compiled for your listening pleasure.
This summer, we heard hyped releases from industry giants and excellent new songs from up-and-comers. In case you haven’t had time to catch up on all the fresh music during your internship or off-the-cuff Eurotrip, the Indy has compiled an authoritative list of this summer’s best songs for you. Put this playlist on as you […]
Amazon Essentials
What to bring to college and what to leave behind.
We have all seen the lists of college dorm room must-haves littering the web, but what do you actually need in order to thrive in your eight by eleven square foot luxury hotel room of a dorm? In all honesty, I have no idea, but here I present you with a few of our well-reasoned […]