Skip to Main Content
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

LIVING ARTS

(Courtesy Layla Palmer)

Heart to Hustle: A podcast that highlights unconventional paths to success

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / January 15, 2025

It seems today that all we see in the podcast sphere is businessmen in suits talking about their startups and degrees. Layla Palmer, a senior business...

Festival Director Summer McCall at a Boston Celtic Music Festival event. (Courtesy of Summer McCall)

Calling all Celtic fans: The Boston Celtic Music Festival returns bigger than ever

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / January 15, 2025

Celtic music is found everywhere in Boston, flowing from the Irish pubs all over the city to the concert venues year round. But this weekend, the city’s...

Students working on a set in a visual and media arts course.

Emerson’s VMA major becomes first ARRI-certified film program in New England

By Max Ardrey, Dept. Living Arts Editor / December 28, 2024

Emerson College earned an accreditation with the ARRI Certified Film School Program, a global leader in the development of film equipment and technologies,...

Courtesy of Rae Diep

Romantasy revealed with Sabaa Tahir hosted by upcoming bookstore Lovestruck

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / December 11, 2024

Complete with pink tablecloths, red bookmarks with the words “Sucker for a Slowburn,” and cursive lettering reading “Lovestruck,” the Kennedy...

Courtesy of Joan Marcus

‘SIX,’ the electrifying Renaissance romp, comes to Boston

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / December 11, 2024

“And tonight, Boston, we are … live!” The six cast members flooded the stage and got the audience members to jam along with the opening beats...

Grand Theft Hamlet depicts Shakespeare within the world of Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Hamlet depicts Shakespeare within the world of Grand Theft Auto

By Max Morin, Beacon Correspondent / December 11, 2024
During COVID-19, the 11-year-old video game Grand Theft Auto began to serve a new purpose: a medium to perform Shakespeare.
Born to Hula, 2012. (Kristen Barrett/Beacon Correspondent)

A conversation with Amsterdam-based artist Esiri Erheriene-Essi

By Kristin Barrett / December 6, 2024

English-born artist Esiri Erheriene-Essi seeks to represent cultural capital and the influence of celebrity in her painting, “Born to Hula.” She...

The quiet celestial power of the novel ‘Orbital’

The quiet celestial power of the novel ‘Orbital’

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / December 4, 2024

When Samantha Harvey’s name was announced as the winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, the English author held her head in her hands, taking a moment of...

John Waters at the Coolidge Corner Theatre on Nov. 21. (Courtesy of Iz Indelicato)

An evening with the Pope of Trash at the Coolidge

By Fiona McMahon, Beacon Correspondent / December 4, 2024

After a week-long marathon screening of the artist’s cult classics, Coolidge Corner Theatre presented its 20th Coolidge Award to filmmaker, author,...

Cerise Lim Jacobs, founder of White Snake Projects. (Courtesy of Kathy Wittman)

Ever heard of an activist opera company? White Snake Projects tells new stories through old traditions

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / December 3, 2024

To most Americans, the “holiday season” only refers to one thing. But through the power of opera, Cerise Lim Jacobs hopes to change that. In 2018,...

Tycho performing at The Royale on Nov 11.

Your version of music is outdated—try all new “Tycho at the Royale.”

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / December 3, 2024

Scott Hanson, known as Tycho, is nothing short of an experimental genius pushing the boundaries of ambient and electronic music through hypnotic screen...

Charles Yu signs local author Cynthia Yee's copy of "Interior Chinatown" at the Boston Asian American Film Festival. Yee writes her own column called the Hudson Street Chronicles, a collection of personal essays about growing up in Boston's Chinatown during the '60s. She says the book saved her life. (Bryan Liu/ Beacon Staff)

‘Interior Chinatown’ responds to model minority myth

By Bryan Liu, Living Arts Editor / November 20, 2024

Taiwanese American author Charles Yu’s National Book Award-winning novel, “Interior Chinatown,” lept off the page, literally—he adapted...

From Boston to Nashville and back: Meg Elsier returns eight years and an album later

From Boston to Nashville and back: Meg Elsier returns eight years and an album later

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / November 20, 2024

Most indie artists would try to hide their suburban roots. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Meg Elsier, who grew up in Westborough, Mass., a town 40 minutes...

(Courtesy of Danielle Cohen)

EDC explodes with talent in ‘Wanderlust’ showcase

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 20, 2024
Emerson Dance Company presented “Wanderlust” as their Fall 2024 showcase.
Left to right: Asha Basha Duniani, Abigail C. Onwunali, Nomè SiDone, and Joshua Olumide
Photo by Nile Hawver.

The Ufot Family Cycle unites Boston through theater

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 13, 2024

The audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation, but the play had not yet even begun. They cheered as Nigerian playwright Mfoniso Udofia arrived...

'Here': Three generations from a single perspective

‘Here’: Three generations from a single perspective

By Max Ardrey, Beacon Correspondent / November 13, 2024

Time seems to happen all at once in director Robert Zemeckis’ latest film “Here,” which chronicles the generations of people that have lived in...

An attende browses the Commonwealth Books booth at the International Antiquarian Book Fair on Friday, Nov. 8. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to Hynes Convention Center

By Allison Po, Beacon Correspondent / November 13, 2024

At the 46th annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, readers, collectors, and sellers gathered at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay to...

Courtesy of The Emerson Colonial Theatre

Character of Mystery: Louise Penny releases 19th novel

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 7, 2024

“Three Pines was not on any map and was only ever found by people who had lost their way.”    This was how Louise Penny described the fictional...

Kyle Klein Photo

Princess Polly opens new store on Newbury

By Hannah Woods / November 6, 2024

The fashion brand Princess Polly opened its newest store in Boston on Oct. 27 with customers lining up and down Newbury Street for the in-person shopping...

Album art for “Mad Rap Verses.” See a hidden message? Here’s a hint: the album title is hidden in the illustrations. Image credit to Nick Shea.

$1 portrait artist Nick Shea talks ‘Mad Rap Verses’ album release and Boston DIY scene

By Fiona McMahon, Beacon Correspondent / November 6, 2024
Nick Shea's new album "Mad Rap Verses," featuring tracks like "Jumbalaya" and "Sing a Song," will release on Nov. 16.