All the haunts fit to print

It’s not too late to join in on the Halloween madness—but you better hurry, Halloween’s on Thursday, and that doesn’t leave much time to check out some local happenings. Read more...

Last-minute costumes ideas

Halloween is Thursday. That leaves little time to think of an original, clever costume. Well, you’re in luck. I’ve thought of a few quick ideas that won’t break your wallet. Read more...

NYC to Pilsen: the Thrill has not yet gone

When Thrill Jockey Records threw its 10-year anniversary party at the Hot House in Chicago on Oct. 11, the celebration was not only in honor of the musicians but for the woman who made it all happen. Read more...

Sing-Sing not so joyous audience

Looking into the sad eyes of the members of Sing-Sing, it’s hard to resist their rainy, wistful songs. Even though their Brit-pop sound is a bit dated and unoriginal, it’s at times fitting. Read more...

Studio shoots down ‘Phone Booth’

It’s a terrifying prospect: A public telephone rings incessantly on a bustling urban corner. Out of curiosity, you take the phone off the receiver and respond. The gravely voice on the other end tells you a sniper’s rifle is trained on the phone booth: You are in the cross hairs. Hang up, flee or ask for help, and you’re shot. Read more...

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: CINEMA CIRCUIT
For this edition of Cinema Circuit, we uncovered two horror classics and two underrated sequels.

the Birds
Why is The Birds so damn scary? It could be the unnerving fact these little ravenous beasts fly above heads and crowd our feet nearly every moment of the day. That’s probably what director Alfred Hitchcock hoped for when he released this horror classic in 1963. Read more...

The SYGC measures up

Don’t let the name fool you: The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir is not a gospel group. They are, however, an amazing self-described pop-folk band comprised of a few Columbia students. Of the four permanent band members, two are music majors at Columbia. Matthew (aka "Boston") Kerstein and Elia are the songwriters and trade off playing such instruments as guitar, bass and harmonica. Boston and Elia also share vocals with Ellen O’Hayer, a DePaul music major who plays cello, acoustic guitar and electric bass. The band is rounded out by Rutgers University alumni and percussionist Sam Koentopp. Read more...

‘Jackass’ star lives up to rep

A long unkempt beard hid the face of this highly recognizable deviant. He wore a blue and white cap and large dark sunglasses—even though it was dark and rainy outside and he was indoors. Slumping into his chair at the head of the table, Johnny Knoxville pulled off his sunglasses to reveal his exhaustion. Read more...

‘Good as Any’ better than most

Desolation. Disease. Death. These are the abysses lurking within the pages of Timothy A. Westmoreland’s debut short story collection, Good As Any. It may not sound as slaphappy as euphorically drowning yourself in Old Style at George’s on Wabash Avenue. In fact, it’s about as uplifting as a root canal—without the anesthetic. But if you’ve got the emotional stamina to endure eight stories teeming with utterly depressing life experience, you’ll discover a gut-wrenching account of human existence. Read more...

Halloween Events

C33 Space
A number of Columbia groups including the Latino Alliance of Columbia College, Latino Art Beat, Street Level Youth Media and Ruben de Santiago will participate in the Day of the Dead Altar Exhibition at Columbia’s 33 E. Congress Parkway building. Read more...