by Erin Franklin | Nov 28, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Despite freezing temperatures, Amy Grant, Drew and Ellie Holcomb, Daves Highway and more carried on, spreading Christmas cheer to the Green Hills community with the annual Lighting of the Green concert on Lipscomb’s campus. Grant hosted the event, which also featured choirs from Lipscomb University and Lipscomb Academy, and Ensworth’s a capella group. The campus was filled with Christmas lights, but the “lighting of the green” was saved for the end of the show. The Merry Marketplace in McQuiddy Gym featured pictures with Santa, booths by Pi Delta, AWL (Associated Women for Lipscomb) and more. AWL founding member Mary Nelle Chumley worked the AWL booth tirelessly all night. Chumley has served Lipscomb for nearly 70 years, graduating from the Academy and then going on to major in art at the University. She will turn 90 next spring. “Lighting of the Green was started several years ago by Dr. Lowry, and it’s been a very popular winter event, and it draws quite a crowd every year — this year it’s very cold,” Chumley noted. “So people have been coming in here to our AWL booth to get warm.” Chumley said she thinks the reason Lighting of the Green has been such a success is because it draws in so many people due to the community Lipscomb helps foster. “So many people love Lipscomb and have gone to school here,” Chumley said. “They come and the neighbors come, and so it’s just a popular thing.” Throughout the night, songs such as “Deck the Halls,” “Tennessee Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas is You” filled the air. At the end of...
by Kailey Schuyler | Nov 15, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
The “Into the Jungle” theme brought Pi Delta first place at the ninth annual StompFest. “We worked hard,”said Pi Delta member Meredith Harris. “I think that we were really dedicated during our practices, so we didn’t have to practice as often… but when we were there we were focused.” “We had alumni come back and give us tips about what they did that worked and what didn’t work.” The group had been practicing since September, so they expected everyone’s best performance. “We talked about it before, and we agreed that there [could] be no errors,” said Harris. “I think it was really good. We came off very confident, and I think as long as you are confident it doesn’t matter what your stepping looks like.” Theta Psi snagged second place with a biker theme, and Phi Sigma spies theme claimed third. The other themes included: Phi Nu Lumberjacks, Delta Sigma Cheetah Girls, Delta Omega Magicians, and Sigma Iota Delta JazzerSID. Avery Roland, one of the StompFest coordinators, said she loves to see the progress of the clubs. “Getting to watch the show progress from the first run-through in Collins to their last run-through – that progression is phenomenal.” The audience of the sold-out show displayed plenty of energy, which pleased the show participants. “It is so much fun,” said Delta Sigma member Maggie Woodhouse. “The energy on the stage is literally the most fun thing ever.” “Sometimes it’s really frustrating when you have lock-ins or really long practices, but you have to think about the end goal. Being on stage and seeing all the people watch you and knowing that...
by Anna Rogers | Nov 7, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
This year, Illumination Entertainment, the same studio that brought us the beloved ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, gave its take on Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch.” With its unique theme song by Tyler, the Creator, clever humor, and colorful animation, the film breaks down boundaries of age to entertain parents and kids alike. The classic Christmas story, narrated by Pharrell Williams, is a more kid-friendly spin off of its live-action relative, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” If you’ve seen the other Universal film, you might expect the mean, green, Christmas-stealing monster to be sinister and scary. However, in this adaptation, the animated antihero is easier to digest for younger audiences. Illumination did a great job of showing his disdain for the Whos and the holiday season without creating a character that might haunt them when they leave the theater. The Grinch himself is played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is often seen in darker, more mature productions such as BBC’s “Sherlock” or Marvel’s “Avengers.” The British actor is taken less seriously in this film, and I found his voice much less dramatic when he’s feigning an American accent. The Grinch gets a whole new backstory in this tale, compared to the live-action version. His resentment for the snow and Christmas decorations come from the trauma he experienced growing up in an orphanage, a heavy theme that Universal handles very tastefully. They drop subtle messages about coping with pain and having healthy friendships, which are important lessons delivered simply enough for the film’s intended PG-rated audience. Cindy Lou Who, if you remember, is the character who eventually returns the Grinch’s heart to its normal size....
by Erin Franklin | Oct 28, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The longest-running show in Broadway history is back to TPAC, bringing the classic suspense and haunting music by Andrew Lloyd Webber it is known for. The Gothic romance stars Quentin Oliver Lee as the phantom, commanding all the mystery and wonder the “angel of music” should assume. Eva Tavares is Christine Daae, the gifted vocalist the phantom has taught and bestowed upon the gift of music. Sewanee University graduate Jordan Craig plays Raoul, Christine’s formidable fiance out to put an end to the phantom. Trista Moldovan as Carlotta and David Benoit as Monsieur Firmin bring the comedic relief to the otherwise intense show. Phantom is evocative and spooky, with cobwebs surrounding and covering the stage in the opening scene that is sure to put anyone in the Halloween spirit. But Phantom isn’t just a needed see for the season only. The historical show is one of the most famous and award-winning musicals, winning 70 major theater awards, including seven Tony Awards (including Best Musical) in 1988 and three Olivier Awards in the West End. Total revenues for Phantom exceed the world’s highest-grossing film Avatar ($2.8 billion). An interesting facet of this production in particular is that it hired 75 local Nashville stagehands to load the production into the theatre, and 35 local stagehands were hired for the performance. The most spectacular part of the entire stage production is the chandelier, as this production’s version is especially remarkable and even bigger and more elaborate than in years’ past. Designed by Howard Eaton (who designed the Olympic rings for the London ceremony), the chandelier boasts over 6,000 beads and weighs 1...
by Abbi Scott | Oct 21, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
2016 Lipscomb graduate Patrick Carpenter is making his own mark on the country music industry. The communications major has a wide variety of interests — he coaches football for Franklin high school, served as the student radio sports director while in college, and he recently just returned to get his masters in education at Lipscomb. But music is his passion. He wants to be Brad Paisley. In July, he released his first EP on iTunes — “Coming Back Stronger,” reaching No. 13 on the Singer/Songwriter charts. Available for preorder on iTunes now, his latest single is titled “Baptized by the Whiskey.” The inspiration for this name came after he visited Ethos church– a church that meets at the Cannery Ballroom, a bar and music venue in Nashville that many Lipscomb students attend. One of Carpenter’s friends was baptized at this church, and, after he noticed the unique church setting, he nonchalantly commented she was “baptized by the whiskey.” A few years down the road and the ironic comment became the title of his latest single. Music has always been a very large part of Carpenter’s life. Starting at just the young age of 11, he picked up his first guitar and started playing. But his music journey hasn’t always been easy sailing. “I played for about a month or so, and I wanted to quit,” Carpenter said. “One night I was watching the CMT Crossroads, and I saw Richie Sambora who was the lead guitar player for Bon Jovi playing with them, and I was so impressed. He was so cool and different.” But if Carpenter had to single out just one...
by Ben Davis | Oct 18, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, Galleries, News Slider
Lipscomb welcomed some of the biggest names in Christian music for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards Tuesday for a night of celebrating music and worshiping God. For King and Country kicked off the evening with a performance from their new album Burn the Ships, which just reached No. 7 on the Gospel Music Chart. Joel and Luke Smallbone spoke on the inspiration for the album and how important it is to know when to move on. Despite the heavy topic, the pair hope to create a dynamic show. “Art is meant to be creative and lawless and exciting,” Joel Smallbone said. “Hopefully with the show and with the record you feel that sense.” Ready the full story here. « ‹ of 3 ›...
