Arts & Culture

Virtual Raleigh exhibit features artwork inspired by film noir

"Out of Darkness," a virtual exhibition at Block Gallery in Raleigh, features photographs and videos inspired by film noir, a style of dark Hollywood film.

WXYC DJs keep the music, community flowing 24/7

The staff of WXYC is working to preserve the station's culture and core values amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The student-run radio station has allowed some student DJs to broadcast from home, while others come into the studio alone to broadcast. 

'Catharsis and comfort': UNC artists use music to work through mental health challenges

UNC graduate student Simon Spire captured these tumultuous emotions in his latest song, "Uncomfortable." But there’s brightness desperate to break free, and Spire latches on to the much-needed “light-at-end-of-tunnel” philosophy for all it’s worth. 

Weekly Quiz for the Well-Read News Whiz: Oct. 23

LEVEL Retreat is an oasis for Orange County artists

The LEVEL Retreat, located in southern Chapel Hill, is working to provide local artists with a peaceful and safe space to work. 

'We've been screwed': Local music venues struggle as state restrictions carry on

Chapel Hill bar owners have turned to methods such as livestreaming and GoFundMe to provide entertainment and generate revenue as state restrictions have kept their businesses closed.

Behind the mask: Students share skin care tips for quarantine

Here's how students are adjusting their skin care routines for mask-wearing and quarantine. 

'Fear of Buildings' premieres on the virtual stage through LAB! Theatre Company

LAB! Theatre Company will showcase “Fear of Buildings,” a free virtual production, from Oct. 23-25.  "Fear of Buildings" is a comedy about two characters who run into each other on the street. There is an omniscient presence commenting on what they talk about, who they eventually meet.

Kenan Theatre Company's new play explores sexuality and adolescence in virtual format

Kenan Theatre Company is continuing to provide a safe alternative for theater-goers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their virtual production of Gina Femia’s “The Virtuous Fall of the Girls from Our Lady of Sorrows” will stream on Oct. 23 and 24 with a focus on themes of sexuality, religion and adolescence.

Pumpkin houses and DIY costumes: Students find ways to celebrate Halloween indoors

The spooky spirit is still in the air this season. While there are less people dressed up on Franklin Street, more students have chosen to stay inside to safely celebrate Halloween.

'Halloweentown' to 'Hocus Pocus': Students revisit their favorite Halloween movies

There’s something special about watching Halloween movies and episodes that guided so many people through their childhoods. From "Hocus Pocus" to "Halloweentown," seasonal movies and TV shows take the audience for a ride through the spooky season with beloved characters on the screen. The wide variety of Halloween films across genres is a positive for the movie marathons to come this season, as some people love the Halloween spirit but cannot fathom the suspense of horror movies. 

Chapel Hill artist Kaze4letters releases album celebrating the diversity of Blackness

UNC alumnus and North Carolina artist Kevin “Kaze” Thomas, who goes by Kaze4letters in the music community, hopes his seventh and most recent project, “A Thousand Shades of Black,” will reintroduce people to his music while also celebrating diversity.  

UNC alumnus to make film debut in Film Fest 919

This year’s Film Fest 919 will feature 15 different films, including “Good Samaritans,” in which UNC alumnus Jake Lawler stars alongside his brother and co-writer Conor Lawler, a UNC School of the Arts student. The 12-minute-long film focuses on an interaction between two strangers who debate the topic of homelessness after witnessing a homeless man being abused.

Online Durham art school combines arts and academia

Since4Eva's goal of bridging the gap between artists and the community through low-cost online classes has "taken a life of its own" since the start of the semester. 

Carolina Performing Arts explores art during the pandemic with its "Feedback" program

Carolina Performing Arts is offering a new online program called "Feedback" that explores concepts of arts that are shifting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Save the Music initiative encourages supporting artists and businesses in downtown

If the Save the Music series is successful, the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership hopes for it to continue into November and potentially into the holiday months. The series encourages people to check out local musicians spread across downtown while they eat, shop or stroll. 

UNC ensembles continue making music despite shift to online instruction

With public health safety risks causing classes to move online for the semester, many UNC music ensembles have taken an online format to continue creating music together. With the shift, musicians have also had to adapt to new challenges and learn new skills. 

'It feels like the Twilight Zone': Local comedians adjust to pandemic

Comedians in Chapel Hill are finding new ways to connect and share laughs during the pandemic. Some are organizing Zoom open mics while others are gathering outside and maintaining safety protocols. Groups such as UNC's CHiPs are filming sketches to be shared via YouTube. 

'Higher Ground Conversations' virtual series explores racial injustice in America

The Playmakers Repertory’s latest virtual series, "Higher Ground Conversations," encourages open and direct conversations about racial injustices plaguing the nation.

An eerie echo of today: 'It Can't Happen Here' play to be live streamed from Cat's Cradle

This Sunday, "It Can’t Happen Here" will be live streamed from Cat's Cradle to the homes of audiences at 7 p.m. "It Can’t Happen Here" is a 1935 novel by Sinclair Lewis that was adapted into a play. The novel is a satirical look at the rise of a fascist dictator.