ARTS ENTERTAINMENT

Frank Ocean performing at the Pemberton Music Festival in July 2014.

3/5/2024, 12:49pm

Review: Frank Ocean's 'Blonde'

By Bailey Shehan / Guest Contributor

30 million monthly listeners. This seems like a statistic for a newly released album; however, this album is nearly 10 years old. This statistic just reinforces the timelessness of the album “Blonde” by Frank Ocean. “Blond” or “Blonde,” which are the masculine and feminine versions of blonde in French, are what Frank Ocean uses to represent his duality in masculinity and femininity through his world-renowned album that was released on Aug. 20, 2016.  This album surrounds Ocean’s struggle with masculinity and emotions inspired by sexual experiences, heartbreak, loss, duality and trauma through introspective lyrics and unconventional and progressive sounds.

3/5/2024, 12:43pm

Review: Netflix's 'One Day'

By Reagan Gardenhour

Netflix has been releasing original television series consistently over the past few years. Not only is Netflix reliable, but it is also keen to its multiple audiences’ interests. The company creates series that suit several different ideas of entertainment, and one of the most recent examples of this is a show called “One Day” with actors Amika Mod and Leo Woodall. Though it is classified as a romance, it can be enjoyable to everybody. 

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3/5/2024, 12:41pm

Michael W. Smith graces Luhrs with the gospel

By Gabe Rader / Staff Contributor

Michael W. Smith, a Christian contemporary rock artist, played for listeners at the Luhrs Center on Leap Day. Smith has been performing worship and making music for over 30 years but has not lost any pep in his step.

3/5/2024, 12:39pm

We’re still talking about vaginas...

By Allyson Ritchey and Connor Niszczak / Multimedia Director

The Slate has existed on the campus of Shippensburg University for nearly 70 years, and it has not always been pretty.  On Feb. 17, 2009, the assistant Arts & Entertainment editor published a scathing review of an SU production of Eve Hensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” At the time, the monologues were a campus tradition performed each year around Valentine’s Day. Almost exactly 15 years later, members of The Slate staff came across the article while cleaning out cabinets and thought it was appropriate to look at how the words have aged so very poorly.

2/29/2024, 10:11am

'Shangri-la Frontier' review

By Ben Beck / Staff Contributor

About twice a year a new batch of seasonal anime is dumped into anime fans’ recommendations, and it can be hard to sort the good from the bad. “Shangri-la Frontier” joined the ranks in the fall 2023 season and quickly surpassed my expectations. With a tendency to break common tropes and a world that feels new and creative, “Shangri-la Frontier” hits the top of my list for the season.

Netflix's adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" was released Feb. 22.

2/27/2024, 2:15pm

Netflix's attempt at 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' misses the mark

By Adam Beam / Opinion Editor

There is no denying that even those critical of animation cannot deny that the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is one of the greatest television series of all time. From its masterful storytelling, timeless characters, rich world-building and gorgeous animation, it is a series that will transcend generations. So many were worried when Netflix announced that they were going to give it a shot, bringing the world of “Avatar” to live-action. I mean, it worked so well the first time.

'On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan' came to Luhrs on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

2/27/2024, 2:13pm

'On Your Feet' fails to strike a chord

By Adam Beam / Opinion Editor

I will be the first to admit that I am in no way familiar with the music of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. I love “Conga,” and that is really all I know about their discography. Heck, I was not even familiar with the songs of their titular musical, “On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.” However, I was still curious when the show was performed at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

2/21/2024, 9:37am

Review: Noah Kahan's 'Stick Season (Forever)'

By Reagan Gardenhour

Noah Kahan, one of many individuals nominated for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammys, is a folk-alternative musician giving inspiration to many. Kahan is known as an artist who puts his fans’ interests first, digs into his soul to provide fulfilling storylines and utilizes a creative outlet throughout his music. 

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2/21/2024, 9:33am

'Madame Web' must be seen to be believed

By Adam Beam / Opinion Editor

“He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders just before she died.” I wanted to get the joke out of the way, because sadly, this incredible line is not in the finished movie. However, that does not mean there are not plenty more hilariously awful lines to be found in “Madame Web.”

Joey Graziadei is the star of the 28th season of "The Bachelor," which premiered on Jan. 22.

2/13/2024, 9:24pm

'The Bachelor': Leaps, lies and love

By Madi Shively / Guest Contributor

Though my interest in "The Bachelor" series depends on the various ensembles in each season, this season has been an especially entertaining experience only three episodes in. Former "Bachelorette" contestant (and Pennsylvania native) Joey Graziadei made his debut as the 2024 Bachelor three weeks ago, but in my opinion, this season’s entertainment can be credited to the women who are fighting tooth and nail for that final rose.

2/13/2024, 12:35pm

Grace’s Weekly Record: ‘Everything I Know About Love’

By Grace Harbour / Asst. Multimedia Director

If you are looking for an album to listen to this Valentine’s Day, then Laufey’s debut album, “Everything I Know About Love,” is the one for you. With modernized jazz and classical music, Laufey captures the feeling of being a hopeless romantic.

2/13/2024, 12:26pm

Top 10 rom-coms of all time

By Megan Sawka / Ship Life Editor

Some of my favorite movies in the whole world are romantic comedies, or rom-coms. Rom-coms are movies that contain romantic plotlines, but those that are generally light-hearted and humorous. These films are often overlooked in the film world, as they are seen as “chick flicks,” movies that women typically enjoy that men don’t see value in. However, I think that many chick flicks can be valuable to the viewer. Aside from many being genuinely good movies, they are light-hearted and fun and can take your mind off of the bad things happening in the world. Rom-coms are a form of escapism for many of us, including myself. 

The Japanese drum and dance ensemble Drum Tao performed at Luhrs on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

2/13/2024, 12:21pm

Drum Tao is on a roll at Luhrs

By Abbygale Hockenberry / Asst. A&E Editor

Drum Tao, a Japanese drum and dance ensemble, came to the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night and wowed the audience with their remarkable talent. 11 performers played various instruments: taiko drums, shinobue, koto and syamisen. 

2/13/2024, 12:16pm

Luhrs Center cruises through ‘The Change’

By Connor Niszczak / Managing Editor

Have you ever experienced brain fog, saggy breasts or hot flashes? If you answered yes to any of those questions, the Luhrs Center was the place for you Friday night as it welcomed the national tour of “Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change.’”

"Back to the Future: The Musical" opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on August 3, 2023.

2/6/2024, 12:00pm

From screen to stage: 'Back to the Future' musical shines on Broadway

By Adam Beam / Opinion Editor

Of all the movies of the 1980s, none have stood the test of time — pun intended — more than “Back to the Future.” Robert Zemeckis' time-travel classic has been a favorite for nearly 40 years. But despite its legendary status, the series has been dormant since the end of the trilogy back in 1990. However, while we are not getting a new movie anytime soon, the DeLorean has crashed its way onto the stage of the Winter Garden Theatre in “Back to the Future: The Musical.”

Henry Cavill's haircut very much resembled the end of Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil in the 2024 film "Argylle".

2/6/2024, 12:00pm

'Argylle' is worse than kitty litter

By Adam Beam / Opinion Editor

Whatever happened to Matthew Vaugh? I mean obviously he’s still working, but why can’t he make a good movie anymore? “X-Men: First Class” is the best “X-Men” movie and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is one of the best action films of the past decade, but ever since then it’s been dud after dud. 

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1/30/2024, 12:00pm

What was I made for?

By Reagan Gardenhour

What was I made for? This is a question that has haunted humanity for thousands of years, and was recently brought to global attention through the highly rated and successful 2023 film Barbie by Greta Gerwig. Throughout the emotional and humorous movie, a storyline of natural imperfection was perceived by Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (Ken). 

1/30/2024, 12:00pm

Grace’s Weekly Record: ‘Snow Angel’

By Grace Harbour / Asst. Multimedia Director

Reneé Rapp’s debut album “Snow Angel,” released Aug. 18, 2023, is a deep dive into the up-and-coming pop artist’s emotions and experiences. With shimmery pop songs, R&B influenced tracks and powerful ballads, Rapp lets listeners in on the most vulnerable side of her.