All posts filed under: Reviews

‘Newsies’ Review

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By Carsie Mendoza Musical theatre is a big part of my life. From the numerous original cast albums downloaded on my phone and computer to the varied assortment of memorable quotes from Broadway shows that serve as motivation. So when the live-recorded production of Newsies came out in select movie theaters February 16th, 18th, and 22nd, I knew that seeing it was a must. Newsies is a musical based on the New York paperboy strike in 1899 and deals with the harsh realities of that time when children were trying their best to survive by working for companies that had no concern for their well-being. Additionally, it covers something that is becoming ever more relevant in today’s society: the desire to have your voice be heard in a world ruled by elites that only have personal interests and the struggle to keep voices raised when everything is against you. Live-recorded productions of musicals, especially ones that have a huge following like Newsies does, can either be a hit or a miss. On the hit side, …

Folk punk band, AJJ, breaks the stereotype

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Written by Brenda Ortiz, Staff Writer Nestled in a quiet, unassuming street in downtown Los Angeles is the Teragram Ballroom, a one-stage venue known for presenting rock and indie artists. On August 21, the Phoenix-based folk punk band AJJ performed to promote their latest album The Bible 2. Had it not been for the line of technicolor-haired, black bandanna-sporting punks eagerly waiting to enter, it would have been easy to miss. Doors opened at 7:00 p.m. giving show-goers time to purchase band merchandise, sit in the café, and order drinks. The two opening acts, ROAR and John Congleton and the Nighty Nite, began the night by getting the crowd to dance. As the night went on and the crowd rolled in, the scent of weed and cheap beer lingered. One look–or whiff–at them might have lead someone not familiar with the genre expecting chaos. The usual stereotype. However, while the crowd danced non-stop, the entire show felt surprisingly intimate. Perhaps it was the small size of the venue or the candid lyrics that AJJ are known for, …