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The Question of Sanctuary: Shonibare’s Exhibition in the Rose Art Museum

Content Warning: This article contains mentions of the Holocaust, rape, hate crimes and murder. 

Why you should read Abraham Verghese's Novel, "The Covenant of Water"

Historical fiction, when done right, is an excellent way to bridge the gap between the past and present. This genre can be written from any perspective, ranging from key historical figures to someone living their day-to-day life. Its ability to bring awareness to events or societal problems that impacted people in the past can encourage readers to research related materials in their own time, fostering a creative way to learn. For Brandeis students and staff who want something to read for the summer, especially for those who want to read a different genre, I would recommend “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese. This novel is centered around an Indian-Christian family living on the coast of Kerala and portrays themes that are still relevant today. 

The City Speaks: Humanities Research at Brandeis

On April 30, the Brandeis Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations hosted its spring research symposium. This annual symposium  brings together undergraduates who, with the help of faculty and other student mentors, have the opportunity to present research they have completed on a topic of their choosing. To participate, students  pick their method of research delivery, whether it be an oral presentation, a poster or a multimedia display. The URCC program offers students a range of academic, professional and personal benefits and connects students with faculty mentors to pursue original research or creative projects, often with access to funding, course credit or paid positions. One of the biggest advantages in participating is skill development: Students build strong research, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while also improving their writing and presentation skills. These experiences can help students further along in their academic careers. URCC participation also supports career and graduate school preparation. By working closely with faculty and presenting at events such as the URCC symposium, students gain hands-on experience, mentorship and professional connections that strengthen their resumes and applications. Finally, the program provides tangible support, including grants and fellowships (some up to $5,000), enabling students to focus on meaningful projects across disciplines from the sciences to the arts. URCC is a valuable opportunity to explore your interests deeply, gain real-world experience and stand out academically and professionally.

"One Night Only's" Only Night

On Sunday, April 26, the band “One Night Only” performed their set at Brandeis’ Springfest. The band, made up entirely of Brandeis students, was one of three student openers for Notebook P and Zara Larsson. They performed four covers across their 15-minute set. 

Zara Larsson lights up the stage

This year’s Springfest officially commenced on Sunday, April 26, boasting Swedish singer-songwriter Zara Larsson as the concert’s headliner. Larsson took to the stage after openers Notebook P and student acts, One Night Only, Hazel Drew, Marakosa and disc jockey, JAGA. Hundreds of Brandeis students gathered on Chapels Field to enjoy these performances, jostling to reach the barricade and dancing among friends. After a cloudy morning, the sun managed to peek out just before the student music groups began.

Artistic voice: Brandeis Fine Arts Honors Gallery

Every year at the end of the spring semester, Brandeis University’s Fine Arts Honors program offers an opportunity for students who are passionate and have demonstrated excellence in studio art to create and display their art at the Spingold Theater's art gallery. Their collective projects that have been cultivated throughout the year are a reflection of what they think about art and how they have grown as artists throughout the year. 

Woven Worlds: Exploring the beauty in culture

On April 25, The Intercultural Center held its annual culture showcase “Culture X” in the Levin Ballroom. Culture X is the final show presented by the different culture groups that make up the ICC. This year's theme was “Woven Worlds” which explored the different ways that cultures intersect and also the different ways in which we interact with our own cultures. The showcase featured performances from Brandeis’ expansive collection of culture groups, as well as a performance by a local Waltham group called Africano Waltham, a community-led nonprofit group that is dedicated to supporting African immigrants and their families, as well as connecting families and children to African culture stateside. The African dances were coupled with traditional instruments. The dancers were not only skilled and beautiful in their movements, but the pure joy on their faces translated through to the audience. Their performance was professional and inspiring. The choice to add Africano Waltham as one of the performances of the night highlights the broader scope of the ICC and reinforces the idea that our culture is not just contained to one community, but seeps into the broader world around us. 

The Winter's Tale: Show Review

“The Winter’s Tale”, directed by Naomi Stephenson ’26, was a wonderful mix of drama and comedy, with the first half of the show taking place in the early 1950s, and the second half set in the ’60s. Stephenson did an incredible job of showing the differences in time and featured costume design by Elizabeth Retakh ’28 and set design by Dalya Lessem Elnecave ’28 and Tessa Srebnik ’29. The costume design also helped clarify the character changes, as most of the actors played multiple roles. 

SHEBAD: Band Review

On Friday, April 24, Brandeis’ WBRS hosted SHEBAD for their annual spring concert. The Guelph, Ontario-based band played a setlist of 16 songs, a combination of their most recent album, “Music is the Answer,” their Extended Play “Inner Openings,” single “Inner Rise” and their upcoming album set to come out next spring. The band describes itself as an “indie soul, jazz, fusion, funk band” and is led by singer Claire Voy and instrumentalist Ciccio Spagnolo. The band also features Emil White on keys, sax, bass and vocals; Bella Tian on keys and vocals and Emmitt Leacock on drums. 

El Poder de la Voz, el Cuerpo y Ser Femenino: Art, Resistance and Empowerment on the Hispanic Studies’ Latina Poetry Night

Content Warning: Mention of femicide.

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“Only Us: Photographs” - Eric Neudel Interview

On April 18, the Brandeis Alumni Art Gallery opened the show, “Only Us: Photographs by Eric Neudel ‘69,” a unique exhibition that highlights the profound life of Eric Neudel: teacher, filmmaker and photographer. As a teacher at the Brimmer and May School in Newton, Neudel’s work continues through his students, and his return to Brandeis with this show further integrates him into academic life. I had the opportunity to speak to Neudel about his work in the show before the opening, and I wanted to share some insights from the conversation. 

Actions speak louder than words in “Small Mouth Sounds”

To wrap up the 2025-26 season, Brandeis’ Theater Department took audiences on a calming nature retreat in the world of “Small Mouth Sounds,” a play about six people who engage in a week-long silent retreat. As the week progresses, the flaws of six retreatants are revealed, from extreme anxiety to selfishness and lust. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal for the show and saw it a couple of days before the first performance. Although it was a rehearsal, the show was impressively smooth, with minor hiccups that could easily be corrected by opening night. Seeing “Small Mouth Sounds” with a smaller audience elevated the experience, as the few people watching the retreatants felt even more connected with the characters and the experience of witnessing the silent retreat. There were even moments when  I paused before laughing at some of the jokes in the show because they felt like they would break the immersion. Thankfully, the director Samantha Richert Boehm broke the tension by laughing as well, reminding the reduced audience that, although some moments were distinctly serious, the show’s comedy is just as prominent. 

We Are the Lucky Dudes: My Mom Is Here Band Review

On the night of April 18, Brandeis kicked off its “Art Never Sleeps” event. This showcase was a 24-hour span where different forms of art were displayed, performed and experienced all around campus. During the live music portion of this event, Brandeis was lucky enough to have a performance by the indie pop-rock band My Mom Is Here, a New York City-based group founded by Columbia University graduates, Sam Seiff and Nick Sare. The band is led by lead singer Samantha (Sam) Seiff and her boyfriend Nick Sare, who plays the keys. Before their performance, I had the pleasure to interview lead singer Seiff about the band and how the five of them have started to navigate the music industry.

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The UTC’S “Alice By Heart:” A Chaotic Escape From Reality’s Chaos

For the first time in five years, the Undergraduate Theater Collective put on an open-cast musical — “Alice By Heart.” Anyone who auditioned was guaranteed to at least be in the ensemble, which lowers the initial stakes and creates a fun way for people to get involved in musical theater on campus. “Alice By Heart” was a great choice for the return of open-cast. The musical has a wacky yet deep story, following Alice Spencer — played by Erin Morton ’29 — as she attempts to comfort her dying friend, Alfred — played by Tessa Srebnik ’29 — by retelling “Alice in Wonderland” as they hide in a bunker during a Blitz in England. Of course, as with any story a person recites by heart, parts are skipped or altered, and all the characters from Wonderland become quite upset as their world gets altered by this retelling. Through impossibly fast costume changes, mystical lighting, a set that merged reality with wonderland and an excited cast, it did not take long for the audience to go down the rabbit hole and forget about reality for a moment.

A review of SASA Dance Night at Brandeis

As someone who attended South Asian Student Associations Dance Night, having gone to a few of their and Namaskar’s events. The event helps for people who want to connect with others within the same culture but also want low-stakes. The venue SASA chose Cholmondeley’s in the castle had enough space for people to mingle and socialize. Compared to other campus events, SASA clearly wrote where and when the event was, instead of making it confusing. I had not been to Chum’s previously, and I was easily able to find it as a result of SASA’s advertising.