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

The Thursday Paper

Emerson men's lacrosse players in Dave's Hot Chicken (Merritt Hughes / Beacon Staff)

Left to right: Jacob Goldberg (freshman), Jack Burns (senior), Ethan Corby (junior), Owen Lotti (junior), Brady Fish (freshman), Grant Wilson (senior), Quinn Gardiner (sophomore), Landon Segal (sophomore)

Winner winner, Dave’s Hot Chicken dinner: Emerson men’s lacrosse’s new NIL deal

By Merritt Hughes, Multimedia Managing Editor / December 11, 2024

For the second time in Emerson College’s history, student-athletes will have a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal.  Beginning in January, all...

Courtesy of Rae Diep

Romantasy revealed with Sabaa Tahir hosted by upcoming bookstore Lovestruck

By Danielle Bartholet, Asst. Magazine 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, Asst. Magazine 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...

A 45-foot-tall white spruce in Boston Common is lit up with a fireworks display at the culmination of the annual Holiday Lights display on Dec. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Boston, music stars, and Santa celebrate holiday tree lighting

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / December 6, 2024

Hundreds of people bundled up in thick scarves and fuzzy hats traversed bitter winds and near-freezing temperatures to gather around the 45-foot-tall...

A family poses with The Grinch during the tree lighting event in the Boston Common on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: 83rd annual Tree Lighting ceremony brings holiday lights back to the Boston Common

By Arthur Mansavage, Nick Peace and Bryan Hecht / December 6, 2024
Hundreds gathered in the Boston Common for the annual tree lighting event Thursday evening. See photos captured by...
Graduate guard Trevor Arico (#5) rises up for a jump shot against the Babson Beavers on Wednesday, Dec. 4 (Riley Goldman/ Beacon Staff)

Men’s basketball breaks the dam with 64-62 win over Babson

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Sports Editor & Website Editor / December 4, 2024

After over a month of non-conference opponents, the men’s basketball team took the floor in a conference matchup against the Babson College Beavers—a...

Drake Maye: A start in the making amid the Patriots’ growing pains

Drake Maye: A start in the making amid the Patriots’ growing pains

By Hongyi Ji, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024

In a one-point loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 1, Drake Maye had another terrific performance that boosted the confidence of Patriots fans. Upsides He...

Illustration Rachel Choi

‘Wicked’ shows us the importance of female friendships

By Hannah Hughes, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024
Cynthia Erivo rises on the screen to deliver her final, triumphant high note in “Defying Gravity.” My roommates and I are holding hands, squeezing tight.
Illustration Rachel Choi

Putting the ‘I’ back in holidays

By MacKenzie Zwillman, Beacon Contributor / December 4, 2024

As we enter the holiday season, annual festivities like baking cookies with loved ones and filling the house with decorative knick-knacks are in full...

Is the Bruins' resurgence under Sacco about coaching or luck?

Is the Bruins’ resurgence under Sacco about coaching or luck?

By Anna Knepley, Sports Editor / December 4, 2024

After firing Head Coach Jim Montgomery on Nov. 19, the Bruins front office selected Associate Coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach, and the team is...

Vice President, Student Affairs Christie Anglade. (courtesy Derek Palmer for EmersonToday)

Christie Anglade named Emerson’s next vice president of student affairs

By Sam Shipman, Living Arts Editor / December 4, 2024

Christie Anglade will become the college’s next vice president of Student Affairs beginning Dec. 15, after temporarily serving the position for six...

People pose for a group photo with the tree in the Boston Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

The arrival of Boston Common’s Christmas tree kicks off Boston’s holiday season

By Hannah Woods, Senior Kasteel Well Reporter / December 4, 2024

With umbrellas up and spirits high, attendees braved the pouring rain last Wednesday in anticipation of the arrival of a Christmas tree from Nova Scotia.  The...

(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

The Christmas season begins with annual trellis lighting

By Rina Laby, Dept. City Editor / December 4, 2024

Boston’s annual trellis lighting means Christmas time is here. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park...

A MBTA worker inspects a redline subway car in the Park Street Station on March 21, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Red Line riders left frustrated and lost after final shutdowns to improve tracks

By Madalyn Jimiera, Dept. Campus Editor / December 4, 2024

The MBTA’s Red Line is now free of slow zones for the first time in at least 20 years after the final shutdown of areas from Nov. 17 through Nov. 23,...

The quiet celestial power of the novel ‘Orbital’

The quiet celestial power of the novel ‘Orbital’

By Danielle Bartholet, Asst. Magazine 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, Magazine Editor / 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,...

Uncle Drosselmeyer presents the nutcracker doll to Clara. (Courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet)

The Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Ukrainian culture in its rendition of ‘The Nutcracker’

By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / December 4, 2024

The Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine presented a dazzling production of “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 29 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Founder Oleksandr...

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, Editor-at-Large / December 3, 2024

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