Latin Jazz Series Showcasing Unique Sound of San Antonio

By Miranda Smith

In the past three months, the Latin Jazz Brunch Series has provided a stimulating experience to both its musicians and listeners.

The event is sponsored by San Antonio’s jazz radio station KRTU based at Trinity University and is coordinate by Henry Brun, a KRTU radio show host.

Brun, 58, was first captivated by jazz while living in Puerto Rico as a boy. He began professionally performing jazz at 11. Since then, he has played around the world, and has performed with his award-winning band for nearly 30 years. For the past 10 years, he has also hosted a Sunday afternoon radio show on KRTU called "the Latin Jazz Brunch."

Ryan Hunter: The Cream Dream

By Isabella Weston

Ryan Hunter, a senior and native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, came to Trinity University seeking a business degree, and fell in love with art instead.

It all happened during a spring break trip to Croatia and Budapest during his junior year. He was so inspired by the street art that he couldn’t help creating some of his own. 

The piece of art he created, dubbed “The Cream Dream,” depicts a waffle cone filled with a bouquet of colorful flowers, some of which are “melting” like ice cream.

Kievan Boudreaux-Bostic: Spreading the Message of Positivity

By Jillian Cready

Kievan Boudreaux-Bostic used to upload rap songs he made to online streaming services and then delete them, as he was embarrassed that his friends would notice. Not anymore.

Having been writing music since he was 10 years old, the Trinity University junior has come a long way. He has just released his latest album, “Priority,” on all major music platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.

“Kiev has been amazing to work with. Our creativity flows effortlessly when we’re together in the studio,” say his producer, collaborator, and friend, Richard Herrera. “Priority” was the first album they collaborated. “We’re transparent with each other on every subject from edits, effects, to royalty rights. I enjoy seeing us both evolve as artists and creatives.”

Camryn Thompson: Unrelenting Passion for Dancing

By Makenna Bentley

Picture this. Lights in the Laurie Auditorium begin to dim. A group of dancers run on stage in black baseball jerseys, and hip hop begins to play. A sudden rush of excitement erupted as the crowd begins to cheer, and the dance begins: sharp clean hits followed by rolling moves. That's right, you are watching Trinity University's only hip hop dance crew, Loon-E.

Camryn Thompson, a junior Political Science major, would be among the dancers. She has been dancing with Loon-E for two years now and participated in many performances including Black History Showcase and Tigerthon.

Maximillian Armitage: An Aspiring Artist

By Erin Crooks

Looking for a new artist to add to your playlist on Spotify? Well, a fellow Trinity student might just be your guy. Maximillian Armitage, a freshman and going by the stage name of “maxgotthetracks,” is an up and coming artist. In just 3 years, he has managed to self produce numerous tracks and create a presence on SoundCloud and Spotify.

When he was 16, Armitage, a Houston native, began watching Battle Rap videos on YouTube. Inspired by freestyle videos, he began to rap over available tracks.

Béatrice Coron Speaks on Creating Art by Cutting Away

 Béatrice Coron showing a paper cut art piece (photo by Nick Smetzer)

By Nick Smetzer

French artist Béatrice Coron demonstrated a peculiar way of telling stories: paper cutting, during a presentation on Tuesday at Trinity University.

“There are a lot of ways to cut paper, as there are a lot of ways to tell stories,” Coron told a small crowd of Trinity students and faculty at the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, as part of the Stieren Guest Artist Series.

Having lived all around the world in places like France, Egypt and China, Coron’s unique personal history mirrored the distinct traditions of her unorthodox art form.

Trinity Student Directs Powerful Performance of "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom"

The two vampire lesbians, La Condesa (left), and Madeleine Astarte (right),
played by Aria Gaston-Panthaki and Sophia Elsadig respectively, casting a spell.
(Photo by Kathryn Gore)

By Sophie Dwyer

Trinity Theatre brought the off-Broadway show Vampire Lesbians of Sodom to campus over the weekend, directed by Trinity junior Sarah Bastos, a Theatre major.

The show focuses on the never-ending lives of two lesbian vampires who continue to meet at different points through time, and how their relationship evolves. While the show contains plenty of comedy, the core meaning lies in the emotion of characters spending eternity as marginalized individuals.

Originally written by American playwright and actor Charles Busch in 1984 with a $36 budget and first performed in a bar, the show’s spirit spoke to Bastos. She said she chose to direct this piece because she “figured that this would be a really fun, really campy, really interesting play to direct.”

Adrien Lavigne: Up and Coming Singer and Song Writer

By Victoria Abad

Adrien Lavigne, 21, ​also known by his artistic name Adri, is starting to build his image as a musician. The Trinity University senior is working hard to put his name out in the music world with an original and multi-style acoustic sound. He is also getting used to the attention his music has brought him.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” he said while fixing his hair during an interview with The Roar. “It’s my first time,” he explained, settling comfortably in the chair. There is no doubt that he will only do more interviews in the near future.​

Lavigne released his first song, "Feel Alone,"​which he wrote, ​on March 2nd on YouTube, his own website and Tunecore, a platform that allows artists to distribute their work through other online retailers such as iTunes and Spotify.

"Taste of Diversity" Slated for April

Left to right: Amulya Deva, Shannon Edmond, and Kezia Nyarko at the meeting
(Photo by Ruthie Rubin)

By Ruthie Rubin

Trinity Diversity Connection will be hosting the annual “Taste of Diversity” event in April, and other student organizations were called upon to contribute at a meeting on Thursday.

Representatives of the Trinity University Sponsored Organizations gathered at the meeting to give updates on their organizations and discuss future events.

Kezia Nyarko, a sophomore majoring in African Studies and French and president of Trinity Diversity Connection, announced that Taste of Diversity will take place in April on the Esplanade. Different cultural groups and organizations on campus will bring foods representing their respective cultures. The event is free and open to all students.

Trinity Theater Presents ​"​Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play"​

Photo caption: The stage of Mr. Burns. 

(Photo by Breton Smith)

By Breton Smith

Trinity Theater’s new production, “Mr. Burns, A Post-electric Play,” had its fourth run
​​last night.

The play is based on Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark comedy that deals with the survivors in a post apocalyptic world, who pass time by re-enacting old Simpsons episodes from memory.
​
Right before the play started, the cast members ​gathered ​on ​stage,​ completely shrouded in darkness. The only source of light ​was a fake ​campfire the actors huddle around. ​Recent pop music ​filled the theater.

From Backstage to Front Stage: Lu​​nar New Year Celebration A Major Undertaking By Trinity Students

Lunar New Year celebration planning committee meeting.
(Photos by Sarah Wysocki)

By Sarah Wysocki

The lights change​d​ from white, to blue, to red. Fans twirl high above the performers' heads. The changing lights highlighted​ different colors of the fans. The dancers move​d​ their fans up and down, creating a colorful wave, astonishing and beautiful.

This is just one of the dazzling performances at the Lunar New Year celebration on Friday. About 700 people, including Trinity students, staff and faculty,​ and San Antonio residents, filled the Laurie Auditorium to watch the show.

All 12 performances were choreographed and performed by Trinity students. These numbers featured art and culture of China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, countries where the Lunar New Year is celebrated.

The Mini 2018 Features Seven Unique Art Pieces

Kristina Reinis explains her artwork to a visitor. 
(photo by Joy Yauger Camp)

By Joy Yauger Camp

Last week, 10 student artists at Trinity University debuted their artwork in a formal exhibition for the first time on campus, said Randy Wallace, 49, the acting Studio Manager here at Trinity University.

A competitively juried annual student exhibition, The Mini 2018 attracted more than 200 visitors on the opening night on Thursday at the Michael and Noémi Neidorff Art Gallery. Wallace said he was “thrilled about it.” He attributed the big turn out to the fact that the show is not a “cookie cutter show,” but showcased seven pieces of unique artwork.

Trinitones and AcaBellas Sing End-of-Year Performance

By Emma Lucero

On Monday, the Trinitones and the AcaBellas, the male and female acapella groups at Trinity, ended this school year with a joint performance in Skyline.

The groups took turns performing their favorite pieces from the semester, including “Come On Eileen” performed by the Trinitones and "Electric Love" performed by the AcaBellas. 

Members of the groups and the audience shed tears as the groups performed songs dedicated to the seniors. The AcaBellas performed a sweet version of “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana to say farewell to the seniors. The performance ended with a joint performance of “Take On Me” by a-ha.

Marcus Rubio: Trinity Alum Turned Experimenting Musician

Marcus Rubio (More Eaze) before performing
Photos by Johnna Guillerman

By Johnna Guillerman

As Marcus Rubio, 28, sets up his computer, a small crowd gathers around to watch. This Trinity alumni, who graduated in 2012, is getting ready to play a set he designed specifically for tonight’s performance.

The show is taking place in Austin, Texas at a bar called Beerland. Though dark and tucked away, it is filled with character. The stage is backgrounded in pink tones, and Elvis Presley busts line the walls.

Before Rubio’s turn, several other artists play sets of music in a genre that some people might not have even heard of--harsh noise. The name gives away the essence of the music, but Beerland is open to new and experimental performers.

Trinity Theater Production Debuts "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

The simplistic stage of Trinity's production of 
A Midsummer Night's dream

Photo by Andrea Acevedo

By Andrea Acevedo

Trinity theater’s production of the Shakespeare classic, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," debuted Friday.

The play, a comedy, was written in the late 16th century. While it has seen countless adaptations, many with extravagant stage design and props, Trinity’s production features minimal stage design. Instead, the show wowed its audience with the acting and light design. The lighting imitated the light effects in a forest, where the play is set.

The acting was also unusual as characters like Hermia and Lysander were played by two actors at once, who said the same lines and synchronized their motions side by side. This made their voices louder and emotions more visible.

"The Mousetrap" Opens at Trinity

Guest artist, Andrew Thornton, performs alongside
Trinity University senior, Brianna Wood.
Photos by Abby Stigler

By Abby Stigler

After six weeks of grueling rehearsal, Agatha Christie’s most famous play was performed on the Trinity stage on Friday, with a bang, as the crowd for the opening night almost filled the Stieren Theatre.

"The Mousetrap" is a classic whodunit with murder and mystery. The play consists of eight characters: newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Ralston and the guests at their manor, including the young and quirky Christopher Wren, the old, grumpy Mrs. Boyle, the former soldier Major Metcalf, and a surprise visitor, Mr. Paravicini.

This production is directed by Dr. Stacey Connelly, who turned the Stieren Theatre stage into the living room of the Monkswell Manor in the 1950’s. The crew’s use of lighting and sound helped to create a mysterious ambiance and keep the identity of the murderer a secret until the very end, ensuring that the play keeps the audience guessing.

“How I Learned To Drive” Opens Trinity Theatre Spring Season

Actors Sarah Tipton and Alaynna Marttala 

sit on stage waiting for the show to start

Photo by Katie Groke

By Katie Groke

Seats were filled up Friday night as Trinity Theatre Department opened its spring season with “How I Learned to Drive.”

More than 70 people came to the show, which was performed in the small black box theater on the second floor of the Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center.

The space was transformed with two seating areas facing each other. A painted road ran in between the seating areas and a swing hung from the ceiling, indicating the play’s themes of driving and loss of youth.

“We put it in the smaller theater for a more intimate setting,” said Rachel Joseph, a Trinity professor and director of the show.