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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

Courtesy of Skylar Watkins.

The Revivalists frontman and new dad David Shaw reflects on his solo career

By Sam Shipman, Kasteel Well Staff Writer / February 26, 2025

As frontman for The Revivalists, David Shaw has been crushing live shows for over fifteen years, selling out large venues with their unforgettable indie...

Illustration Rachel Choi

The AP vs. Trump: Fighting for free press—and the future of the U.S.

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Editor / February 26, 2025

How long will it be before I can no longer write opinion pieces about the Trump administration because I won’t have sufficient evidence to do so? How...

Daniel Kish and Anna Stoianova perform Swan Lake at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. (Courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet)

Grand Kyiv Ballet dazzles the stage with Swan Lake

By Allison Po and Hannah Woods / February 26, 2025

The elegant and rhythmic performance of Swan Lake graced the stage of the Emerson Colonial Theatre with dancers of The Grand Kyiv Ballet, a Ukranian ballet...

Graduate guard Trevor Arico drives against the Springfield College Pride on Feb. 25, 2025 (Riley Goldman/ Beacon Staff).

‘You [have] to beat the best to get there anyway’: Men’s basketball defeats Springfield in first round of NEWMAC playoffs

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / February 26, 2025

In their sixth straight playoff appearance, the no. 4-seeded Emerson men’s basketball team triumphed over the Springfield College Pride, 67-50, in the...

EBONI’s ‘Blackout Block Party’ brings food, cards, community, and music to Piano Row

EBONI’s ‘Blackout Block Party’ brings food, cards, community, and music to Piano Row

By Izzy Bryars, Staff Writer / February 26, 2025

The “Blackout Block Party” inside the Piano Row Skybox and the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym was filled with friends, faculty, family,...

Canada upsets USA during star-studded first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament

Canada upsets USA during star-studded first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament

By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / February 26, 2025

Team Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime in the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off championship game at TD Garden on Feb. 20.  This year’s 4 Nations...

A Ukraine war veteran holds a "Defense Intelligence of Ukraine" flag at the Parkman Bandstand on Feb. 23 (Yogev Toby/ Beacon Staff)

Boston marks three years of Ukraine War amid Trump stance shift

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / February 25, 2025

A blue and yellow wave washed over Boston Common Feb. 23 to mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of protesters gathered...

The 2025 Emerson baseball team (Courtesy of Anna Schoenmann).

Emerson baseball eyeing redemption, playoffs in 2025

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / February 24, 2025

Among the flurry of spring sports about to begin competition, the Emerson baseball team is gearing up for a clean slate this year. Junior infielder...

Around 20 protesters gather outside of Ansin building, glueing flyers listing their demands and hand-drawn stickers on the side of the building. (Madalyn Jimiera/ Beacon Staff)

‘Administration is forcing us to escalate.’ Boylston SJP demands revitalized protest policies, financial transparency, and divestment.

By Iselin Bratz, Madalyn Jimiera and Adri Pray / February 21, 2025

Dozens of protesters affiliated with Boylston Students for Justice in Palestine, a group of students advocating for a free Palestine, demonstrated in front...

The Bright Family Screening room in the Paramount Theatre building on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Faculty host screening of ‘The Palestine Exception’ in an attempt to open the conversation about the on-campus climate

By Izzy Bryars, Staff Writer / February 19, 2025

The Department of Journalism hosted a screening of “The Palestine Exception” Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the Bright Family Screening Room in Paramount Center....

Richard Iandoli gives a presentation on past and present LGBTQ+ migration policies (Hannah Brueske/ Beacon Staff).

International Student Affairs emphasizes visibility at LGBTQ+ migrant workshop

By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / February 19, 2025

Come out, come out, wherever you are.  This is the sentiment that attorney Richard Iandoli echoed in his presentation on past, present and future U.S....

Brighton brings creativity and fun with weekly ‘Drinking and Drawing’ event

Brighton brings creativity and fun with weekly ‘Drinking and Drawing’ event

By Hannah Hughes, Staff Writer / February 19, 2025

Inside from the cold, tables full of art supplies fill the wide, open space of Zone 3’s large studio space. Warm from the music, laughter, and people,...

A portrait of Paul Willis by Saoire Duffy. (Courtesy of Paul Willis)

Paul Willis brings hip hop to education, and education to hip hop

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / February 19, 2025

Jamaica Plain native Paul Willis was told to pick one career path—a hip hop artist or an educator: “‘Get your degree, but keep the two worlds separate,’”...

The Emerson men's basketball team honored senior guard Lucas Brenner (#0) and graduate guard Trevor Arico (#5) in a pregame ceremony against Wheaton on Feb. 19, 2025 (Courtesy of Anna Schoenmann).

Men’s basketball falls to Wheaton on senior night

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / February 19, 2025

Following a narrow victory over Springfield College, the Emerson men’s basketball team battled the Wheaton College Lyons in the final home game of the...

A vendor serves soup to customers. (McKenzie Cooper/ Beacon Staff)

Soup Fest is good for the soul, and small businesses too

By McKenzie Cooper, Beacon Staff / February 19, 2025

The Bow Market, a two-story outdoor marketplace in Somerville, is usually filled with small businesses and food vendors who sell homemade trinkets, used...

Boston’s newest bagel shop just popped up

Boston’s newest bagel shop just popped up

By Kristin Barrett, Beacon Correspondent / February 19, 2025

Viral bagel sensation PopUp Bagels, known for its “rip, grip, and dip” style recently opened a location in Boston’s Seaport District. Their official...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Trump thinks drag performers target youths. He’s the real threat.

By Charlie Desjardins, Beacon Contributor / February 19, 2025

Ben Folds, a masterful pianist and singer-songwriter, has soundtracked my life with his acerbic wit and penchant for singing about losers.  As I’ve...

Fenway Park. (Alec Klusza/ File Photo)

Red Sox look to crack first playoff berth in three years after optimistic offseason

By Daniel O’Toole, Staff Writer / February 19, 2025

The Boston Red Sox are back.  Gone are the days of former Chief of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom constructing rosters on cheap deals, trading away...

Illustration Ben Putney

The ex we never dated: Are friendships the real heartbreak?

By Mariam Tsintsadze, Beacon Contributor / February 19, 2025

February is nostalgic. There’s something in the cold air, along with a red heart around Feb. 14 that, if you’re single, makes you question what went...

Illustration Rachel Choi

As international students, we’re living in limbo

By Ella Duggan and Josie Arteaga / February 19, 2025

While most students were out buying last-minute flowers and CVS chocolates for their Valentines last week, international students at Emerson were making...