Time Traveler Records: Hidden Gem of Akron 12-01-16

By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor

November 30, 2016

Time Traveler Records is by far my favorite record store in Akron and it’s just about 10 minutes away from campus. You should shop at local businesses in order to give back to the community members that make Akron unique instead of going to bigger chain businesses. At Time Traveler Records, there is an impres...

BLU Jazz +: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-10-16

By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor

November 9, 2016

Think of BLU Jazz + as a fancier version of your usual club hangout with your crew. This club is located in downtown Akron, so it is quite accessible for UA students. BLU Jazz + is known for its quality live jazz performances in a modern venue setting with “state-of-the-art stage, sound, and l...

Opeth draws 1,100 to Goodyear Theatre

By Preston Davis, pmd24@zips.uakron.edu

October 10, 2016

Hordes of metal fans gathered in Akron to enjoy Swedish metal band Opeth perform music from its “Sorceress World Tour” last Saturday night, Oct. 8. The band released its latest album (and 12th studio album) “Sorceress” on Sept. 30 to near-universal acclaim and embarked on a tour that will take ...

Touchdown Music Fest

By Preston Davis, Writer

September 7, 2016

The Touchdown Music Fest kicked off its first year at the Lee R. Jackson track and field complex Saturday afternoon to a crowd of over five hundred students, alumni, and community members. The planned-to-be-annual music fest featured live performances by alternative-rock legends Soul Asylum, Akron-base...

A rockin’ Earth Day

By George Dunlap, Writer

April 25, 2016

To celebrate Earth Day, the Zips Programming Network (ZPN) hosted Rock and Recycle on April 21 with featured bands Scenic Route and Spirit of the Bear. At the event, which ran from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., ZPN showed students how they can sustain the environment for the future. Attendees enjoyed making various...

Flashback to the 90s

By Preston Davis, Writer

April 4, 2016

The Nine Deeez Nite band took over the Student Union Ballroom on March 31, entertaining students with pop culture from the 90s. The event started at 8 p.m. and was organized by The University of Akron’s Residence Hall Programming Board (RHPB) with technical assistance from the Zips Programming Network...

Akron gives ‘Big Love’ to community

By Preston Davis, writer

March 16, 2016

In its third year, the Big Love Fest of Akron filled Summit Artspace with a family-friendly celebration of the community’s art, music, dance, food, spirituality, and connection. Big Love was held March 12 from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. In prior years, the festival was held at Musica, but the growing...

First Open Mic Night at Union

By Sofia Syed, Arts & Life Editor

March 7, 2016

Students were given the chance to perform songs, skits, dances, poetry, and stand-up comedy for Open Mic Night in the Student Union Starbucks Lounge last Wednesday, March 2. This event was hosted by Z-TV, a multiple Emmy Award winning producer of broadcast television programming at UA. This is...

Jazz Group “Blue Pi” Entertains Crowd in the Student Union for the Conclusion of Black History Month

By Paul Clifford, Writer

March 2, 2016

The jazz group Blue Pi gave a stellar performance in the Student Union on Monday evening, Feb. 29 to conclude Black History Month. The group is composed of musicians Kofi (piano), Jay (saxophone), and Rob (percussion). The University of Akron hosted several events throughout February to celebrate...

Canadian musician makes his Akron debut

By Sofia, Arts & Life Editor

February 22, 2016

“It’s a lot of hard work and some great music. That's what people want,” said musician Mike Edel. Edel is an indie folk singer-songwriter from British Columbia who is making his debut in Akron as a part of his 2016 U.S. Winter Tour of the Mid-West. He will be performing his most recent album,...

Empowering through poetry

By George Dunlap, Writer

February 17, 2016

“I’ll be by your side, scribbling love with a pink crayon all over their picket signs,” were the final words of Asia Samon’s heartfelt tribute poem to his sister, Carla Cassandra Samson, entitled “Pink Crayons.” ​On Feb. 15, poets Asia Samson and Jollan Aurelio performed at The University...

Music with a message

By Brooke Griffin, Student Writer

February 10, 2016

Music is nothing without meaning behind the message. Music is a display of an artist’s ability to showcase the world a bit of what’s happening in the current time. The day before her Super Bowl performance this past Sunday, Beyoncé broke the internet once again with her latest video “Formation.�...

Choral Fest hits all the right notes

By John Rachal, Writer

February 8, 2016

Several local high school choirs were invited to The University of Akron to participate in the annual Vocal-Choral Festival on Feb. 3 at E.J. Thomas Hall. The Vocal-Choral Festival allowed over 200 high school students to experience life on campus for a day and see what it’s like to be a part of...

Synchronizing passion into career

By Jaclyn Scarborough, Writer

October 21, 2015

The University of Akron’s School of Music hosted a career day in Guzzetta Recital Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for prospective students, parents, and even current students hoping to change majors. The day started with a welcome from Ann Usher, director of the School of Music, who presented attende...

UA gets jazzed up

By Julie Mullet, Writer

October 14, 2015

Guzzetta Recital Hall was filled with relaxing sounds of the saxophone, bass, guitar, and many more instruments on Oct. 13. This past Tuesday marked the night of UA’s School of Music small jazz group performances. The show consisted of two separate jazz groups, each performing four songs. Th...

PigPen comes to E.J. Thomas Hall

By Samantha Hickey, News Editor

September 21, 2015

In spite of a lukewarm audience, PigPen Theatre Co. instantly brought life to E.J. Thomas’s Stage Door when they stepped on stage on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The band’s unique sound, humor, and smooth transitions from instrument to instrument, often mid-song, captured the audience’s attention alm...

UA professor plays classical guitar pieces in recital

By Spencer Skolnick, Writer

April 21, 2015

People who attended UA faculty guitarist James Marron’s performance got to escape the stress of school and work by listening to classical music from other countries. Marron, the professor of UA School of Music’s popular “Bach to Rock” class, performed last Wednesday, April 15, in Guzzetta...

Student choreographed “Spring into Dance” performed

By Elizabeth Zumbach, Arts & Life Writer

April 6, 2015

The Terpsichore Dance club presented “Spring into Dance” in the Paul A. Daum Theater in Kolbe Hall from April 2 through 4 at 7:30 p.m. “Spring into Dance” showcased a wide range of dance styles, costumes, and musical choices. The pieces varied from the Serbian inspired piece, “Exhibits:...

Principal clarinetist showcases talent at UA

By Jaclyn Scarborough, Arts & Life Writer

April 6, 2015

UA’s School of Music hosted guest clarinetist Nathan Williams and pianist Colette Valentine on April 1 at Guzzetta Hall. Williams and Valentine gave a free concert to the public, and performed various pieces including works by Schubert and Mozart and more modern pieces like “Bug” by Bruno Mantovani...

Send a song to your valentine

By Sofia Syed, Arts & Life Editor

February 12, 2015

UA’s Trombone Association wants to bring the spontaneity back into Valentine’s Day by offering a different kind of valentine. For only $25, a tuxedo- clad trombone trio will serenade your sweetheart. Trombone valentines will be available to order until Friday on Feb. 13. Each valentine comes with...

Shakespeare Company performs at UA campus

By Elizabeth Fleagle, Writer

August 4, 2014

The University of Akron’s Shrank Hall was put to great use this summer, as it has become home to Akron’s own Rubber City Shakespeare Company. In its second season, Rubber City Shakespeare Company performed two classic Shakespeare plays. Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet were performed by...

UA performs patriotic celebration

By Alicia Finch, Editor-in-Chief

July 9, 2014

This year marks the 200th anniversary of our nation’s national anthem, along with the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. The University of Akron threw a celebration of America’s history with a concert of patriotic favorites by the Summer Symphonic Band. “Born again to each genera...

Girl About Campus: How to be cool at a concert

April 23, 2013

Helen Dauka There’s a thin line between keeping the beat and going into a full on awkward bop-dance. The thin line continues when trying to sing along. Too much and you’re the crazy fangirl. Too little and it looks like you’re pretending to know the words. All types are at concerts from the first tim...

UA JazzFest kicks off

March 21, 2013

Sydney Laubscher Whether you like the big band sound or smooth undertones, the premiere of the four-day JazzFest, held in the Guzzetta Recital Hall, was the place to be on Tuesday. Students, directors and professors alike expressed their love for jazz and live performance for the twelfth consecutive year...

Audition announcement: Tuning In

February 19, 2013

Beau Brown Auditions for the original musical “Tuning In” will be held on Saturday, March 9. Singers, actors and dancers are all sought for the show, which will have its world premiere at E.J. Thomas Hall in August 2013. This brand-new musical involves the story of a nostalgic radio station in southern Ohio that is owned and opera...

Introducing: Bethesda

January 31, 2013

Beau Brown Many local musicians have tried to make it big in the music industry; few have succeeded. But for the new, budding band, Bethesda, this dream is well within reach. Composed of several talented musicians hailing from Akron and the surrounding Kent area, Bethesda is a band that is “more ...

My New Year’s resolutions

December 6, 2012

Written by: Abigail Chaff I never really cared enough to make New Year’s resolutions. What’s the point of pretending that I’m going to change, I figure, when I have that little voice in the back of my head telling me that I’ll never follow through? So this year, I’m going to put out my re...

Canton Lights Up

November 20, 2012

Written by: Beau Brown Downtown Canton was lit up on Friday night. There were no explosions or fires, but rather a sprightly young musician named Lights. Lights Poxleitner, a 25-year-old recording artist from Toronto, Canada, held her second concert in Northeast Ohio this year in the nearby city ...

AcapaROOza gathers for second annual concert

November 13, 2012

Written by: Forrest Dukes The University of Akron hosted an a capella concert to benefit soldiers on Sunday. The concert, held by The University of Akron in Leigh Hall, was the second annual AcapaROOza by Rhythm & Roos. In honor of Veterans Day, the audience at the door was asked to give donation...

Collage 2012

November 8, 2012

Written by: Rachel Ake Witnessing a truly spectacular musical performance is a rare occasion; witnessing it at your very own college is a gift. The audience that attended Collage 2012! on Thursday evening at E.J. Thomas Hall was lucky enough to escape the gloom of the weather and be a part of a once...

RIP to the CD

October 30, 2012

Written by: Eric Warsinskey How many of you remember the days of spending hours scouring the CD section at Best Buy, Target or your local music store? Those days are long gone, thanks to the onset of the digital age. CD players have become electronic endangered species, and MP3 players, iPods, iPhones a...

Human trafficking: not just in the movies

October 18, 2012

Written by: Alexandra Didato The other day I was listening to the radio in my car and was appalled by a song that came on one of Akron’s “hit” radio stations: “Whistle” by Flo Rida. Have you heard it? The chorus goes like this: “Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby / Let me know / ...

Acoustix sound resonates in Akron

September 18, 2012

Written by: Beau Brown If you enjoy a relaxing, social atmosphere while sitting back and enjoying live acoustic music and sipping on an ice-cold drink, then say hello, ladies and gentlemen, to The AcoustiX Cafe. Located on Canton Road in Akron, The AcoustiX Cafe has been open for about a year and...

Diego Val performs for University students

September 13, 2012

Written by: Alex Didato The Rock the Roo Lunchtime Series continued this week with a performance featuring Latin pop singer Diego Val. Residents and commuters alike gathered outside on the E.J. Thomas Hall plaza to enjoy Val's soulful and smooth rhythmic style. Val, who has opened for groups such ...

Musicians score silent film

September 6, 2012

Written by: Zaina Salem On August 16, eighteen musicians from around the area gathered at the Akron Art Museum to watch their creations come to life. Each musician had two weeks to score a three-to-five-minute section of the 1920 silent film, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari." The final production, an event...

Palliative center celebrates its birthday

September 5, 2012

Written by: Beau Brown Few people are aware of the world-renowned Palliative Care Center located right around the corner at Akron Children's Hospital. The Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center has been improving the lives of children for the past ten years. Palliative care is designed...

Greek life rocks out to Billboard hits

April 18, 2012

Written by: Tricia Cooke & Ashley Rastetter This year marked the 79th annual Songfest for the Greek community. This year’s Songfest theme was Billboard Hits by the Zips. The goal behind this event is to promote Greek unity and philanthropic excellence. This year, the Songfest philanthropy was once again Camp Qual...

Vinyl vs. digital: Question explored in area surrounding UA

November 9, 2011

By: Emily Poor The music industry has undergone a huge transformation in the past century, especially in recording music. The popular formats have transitioned from vinyl records to cassettes to compact discs, and now to digital music. But is this change in technology beneficial to the music indust...

Akron native brings unorthodox music philosophy full circle

October 4, 2011

By: Ian Schwarber On a rainy afternoon in Akron, it isn’t hard to imagine why Ralph Carney moved away to San Francisco over 20 years ago. At the same time, it is easy to understand why he still calls Akron home and returns here as much as possible. “There is a dismal beauty that inhabits Akron m...

Digital music and movies: Death throes of an industry

September 6, 2011

By: Russ Friend Illegal downloading is rampant. It has gutted a bloated and corrupted music industry. Many artists have lost careers in the process, preventing them from buying their favorite hair care products and reigniting an 80’s revolution. An owner should not feel guilty for copying/ripping ...