by Jade Spilka | Jan 18, 2018 | News Slider
Deion Sims, a senior biology major at the University, spoke at the Gathering Tuesday in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Sims opened his message with a personal story from his life that pinpointed the exact moment he realized his privilege. He saw a boy and a pig rummaging through the trash in a third-world country and realized he was put in a position of opportunity from the time he was born. Sims said this privilege was not something he earned. It was freely given to him by chance. He highlighted the fact that each Lipscomb student is privileged and each student has a choice on how to use his or her privilege. “Dr. King used his privilege to put himself in the mess,” Sims said. He offered an unexpected viewpoint to the audience: our privilege comes with a purpose and if we choose to not acknowledge the blessing we have been given, we may not be able to impact the world to our fullest potential. “To deny our privilege is to forfeit our purpose,” Sims said. He then said there were three points students must recognize in relation to their privilege. The first point is to recognize we are privileged. The second is to recognize our privilege is not earned. Lastly, we must realize we have a choice of what to do with our privilege. Once Sims ended his message, Cyrus Eaton offered his own words of encouragement. “The Kingdom of Heaven is locked inside each of you and it is waiting to get out,” Eaton said. Eaton closed with prayer, thanking Jesus that He did not...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 22, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The Barden Bellas have officially graduated college and are off working various jobs apart from each other. However, an opportunity soon arises for them to sing on a tour back together again and compete for a spot to open for DJ Khaled. Like the other Pitch Perfect films, there are many twists and turns on the Bellas’ road to stardom. They are met with fierce competition and the unexpected arrival of Fat Amy’s criminal father. Fat Amy’s father knows of a bank account set aside for her and tries to gain her trust in order to gain access to that account. When Fat Amy realizes his intentions, she cuts off all communication with him, but he then captures the Bellas as hostages on his yacht. Fat Amy and Beca are the only two Bellas not captured, so it is then up to them to save their friends and get back to the tour. As expected for a Pitch Perfect film, the story featured a lot of great vocals and songs. Unexpectedly, however, the storyline was much darker than audiences might anticipate with its unique storyline. The film was enjoyable but did not live up to the last two Pitch Perfect films. None of the Treble Makers were featured, which is a disappointment, and the new cast of male characters was not as entertaining or charming as in the previous two movies. Nevertheless, the film is worthwhile to see in theaters over the holidays. It is fun and has some hilarious quotes, but viewers shouldn’t go in expecting the same level of entertainment that they received from watching the original Pitch Perfect. This film definitely did not follow a typical Pitch Perfect storyline and certainly...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 9, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
“A McCrary Kind of Christmas” returns to Lipscomb tonight at 7 p.m. and will feature musical performances by the McCrary Sisters and some of their musical friends. The four gospel singers — Alfreda, Ann, Deborah, and Regina — make up the famous sister quartet. Their father, Reverand Samuel H. “Sam” McCrary, was one of the founding members of the Fairfield Four. The annual benefit concert will take place in Shamblin Theatre and will have a $10 suggested donation for entry. The McCrary Sisters arranged the event as a means to raise funds for needy Nashville families. These funds will be used to buy gifts and other items for the selected families. Audience members are also encouraged to bring canned goods and unwrapped gifts that can be used as donations. “We just wanted to give back,” Ann McCary told the Tennessean. She and her sisters are all Nashville natives and have a heart for the Nashville community. The National Museum of African-American Music will sponsor the event. The museum is set to open in 2019 in Nashville but is already working to make a change. This concert is one of their many endeavors to support the Nashville...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 1, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Jacob Tremblay stuns audiences with his amazing portrayal of August “Auggie” Pullman in Wonder, the heart-wrenching fictional story of a young boy who was born with Treacher Collins syndrome. The popular film has already grossed over 70 million dollars worldwide and has garnered media attention due to its universal themes of kindness and acceptance. The audience is first introduced to Auggie when his parents decide he should attend a private school near their home in Manhattan. He had previously been homeschooled since kindergarten, but his mother (Julia Roberts) decided the first year of junior high school would be the perfect time to begin his education at a regular school. The principal enlists three students to give Auggie a tour of the school so that he feels at home. The students are nervous to meet him at first, but Jack Will (Noah Jupe), one of the children asked to help, soon begins to build a friendship with Auggie. The film focuses on Auggie’s struggles and his triumphs. It shows how Auggie affects those around him, both the stresses he puts on them due to his condition and the positive impact he has on their lives as well. The film explores not only Auggie’s life but also the lives of his mother, father (Owen Wilson), sister (Izabela Vidovic) and friends he makes at his new school. Wonder is a beautiful story that highlights the beauty that is on the inside. It is an excellent example to adults and children alike to never judge a book by its cover, to always give someone a chance and to accept people as they are. This story is...
by Jade Spilka | Nov 17, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Les Miserables brought in a large crowd to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, for its opening night. The award-winning show made its way to Nashville as a part of the national tour. The musical follows the fictional Jean Valjean on his journey from a prisoner to a successful businessman. The show tracks his sorrows, his moral triumphs and his place in the French Revolution. Valjean’s life is a portrayal of redemption and growth through God and the kindness of God’s people. He exhibits the traits of a forgiven man who is secure in his relationship with God. Les Miserables is an informative production that displays the terrible climate of France during its revolution. It highlights the suffering and injustice of the time and applauds the citizens’ thirst for equality and justice throughout the country. The raw emotion of each scene is touching and has the audience contemplating what is most important in life. There are Christian themes throughout as well as themes of integrity and true love. The messages portrayed throughout the entire show are timeless and can touch any heart no matter the circumstance. The show was creative and elaborate for a traveling production. The actors’ voices were amazing but the acting itself was underwhelming. Many of the songs were vocally astounding but were unequally accompanied by tired acting. Though the acting was dull, the well-designed set was the opposite. The elaborate, French set was dynamic and eye-catching. The war scenes were beautifully crafted and the smooth transitions between scenes kept the audience’s attention. The production was well received by the audience. Most scenes were met with cheering and laughing. The cast was given a standing ovation at the end of the night. It was clear that the show was a...
