by Kahwit Tela | Aug 1, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Since The Avengers first assembled on the silver screen in 2012, audiences have been clamoring for certain members of earth’s mightiest heroes to have their feature films. Fans have been especially eager for the Russian femme fatale, Natasha Romanov, aka Black Widow, to have her turn in the spotlight. After spending more than 16 years in development and numerous delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Widow finally was released this summer in theaters as well as premier access streaming via Disney Plus. The film’s setting is a mixture between sequel and interquel as it takes place between Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Following the events in Civil War, Romanov (Scarlett Johansson) is a fugitive and unexpectedly reunites with her estranged younger sister-figure/fellow assassin, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). The tense yet touching reunion is short-lived as a conspiracy involving the Black Widow program — a syndicate that trained female assassins including Romanov and Belova — arises. After spending countless years apart, Natasha and Yelena must put aside their differences to take down General Draykov and his army of Black Widows once and for all. The two sisters can’t do this task alone as they need to form a makeshift team with some of the toughest soldiers Russia has ever known: Their adoptive parents, super soldier Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and veteran Black Widow, Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz). As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)’s first venture into the espionage film genre, Black Widow does an excellent job of recognizing its influences, such as the 007 films, all the while maintaining a slick and...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 15, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Country star and former Lipscomb student Thomas Rhett will be among a star-studded bill of young country hitmakers for “Together: Feeding Nashville,” a benefit concert targeting food insecurity that will be staged August 3 at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin. The benefit concert, presented by Bussin’ With The Boys — the podcast featuring Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and linebacker Will Compton — will be a one-night event to raise funds for the nonprofit that focuses on food availability for those in need. The show will feature performances from modern country artists, including superstars Rhett, Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line. Rhett, who studied communications at Lipscomb before putting his studies away to focus on his music career, landed his first No. 1 single with 2013’s “It Goes Like This.” Since then, Rhett has released five studio albums, headlined four tours, and was nominated for several music awards from the Billboard Music Awards to the Grammy Awards. Other hits have included “Look What God Gave Her,” “Marry Me,” “Crash and Burn” and “Die a Happy Man.” Morris has had such hits as 2016’s Grammy-winning “My Church” (best country solo performance), “I Could Use a Love Song” and “The Bones.” She also is a member of country/americana supergroup The Highwomen along with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. FGL recorded the best-selling digital country single of all time, according to SoundScan, with 11-times platinum breakout “Cruise.” Tyler Hubbard and Bryan Kelley — the members of Florida Georgia Line — have been on a hot streak since their 2012 debut. Their collaboration “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha spent 50 weeks on Billboard’s...
by Camryn Given | Jul 7, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
If you’ve ever decided to take the back roads, you’re no stranger to the iconic scene of cows grazing in pastures along rolling hills. You might have even pulled over to get a closer look at these giant creatures. If you did, you would see animals that are so huge you would imagine them to be nothing but clumsy and overpowering. However, they’re delicate and just calmly graze on the lush grass. The Gentle Barn is the perfect tale of this enigma. There’s no better place to get up close to the animals you’ve always wanted to. It’s a family-owned farm only a quick drive outside of Nashville. From cows to goats to pigs, they’ve got it all. Now, this isn’t a farm like you’ve seen before. The animals aren’t there for milking or food or just to be observed; they are there to be pet and hugged. For an entrance fee of $20, you can actually cross the gate that always separates you from all the animals. Right when you walk in, you’ll find a pasture with a handful of cows who might be enjoying some back rubs or ear scratches or chomping on some grass. The volunteers are more than willing to tell you the background stories for all the animals, but fair warning that some are pretty heart-breaking. One that stood out to me was the story of Lolli, a young goat that lives with her parents at the farm. Lolli was rescued from a neglect situation that left her frostbitten and caused the loss of her back legs. Now, she lives happily at the Gentle...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 6, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of mental illness and self-harm. Comedian and internet personality Bo Burnham makes fun of his own mental stresses caused by COVID-19 in a new Netflix special. “Inside” was used to document Burnham’s own feelings of loss and yearning during the year-plus quarantine. Burnham best summarizes the entirety of 2020 in the opening number of Inside, “Content.” Burnham sings “If you had told me a year ago that I’d be locked inside of my home, I would have told you a year ago: ‘Interesting; now leave me alone’.” Since its release on June 30 Inside has received critical acclaim for its unconventional presentation as well as its off-kilter, yet somewhat sad, approach to mental health during the pandemic. Critics such as Jason Zinoman of The New York Times praised the special and defined it as “a tricky work that for all its boundary-crossing remains, in the end, a comedy in the spirit of neurotic, self-loathing stand-up.” Lipscomb mental health counselor Ashley Dumas, who hasn’t seen the special, emphasizes that it is important and helpful that entertainers like Burnham are using their platforms to discuss issues of mental health. “Sometimes, I think people laugh about serious things because it feels too hard or scary to have real conversations…,” said Dumas Dumas hopes this program and other popular entertainment will help encourage people to admit their vulnerabilities and reach out for help. Dumas is also the assistant director of Lipscomb University’s Counseling Center (UCC) and has been working with college students on mental health issues. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, but the majority of...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 2, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, BREAKING NEWS, News
Nashville’s COVID-19 silence ended in a roaring spectacle on Sunday when Let Freedom Sing! brought fireworks and live music back to Music City. Officials said about 350 thousand spectators attended the event, which began at 4 p.m. and ran until well past 10 p.m. The fireworks were scheduled to start at 9:20 p.m. but were delayed until 10 due to unauthorized people in the explosive danger zone. Police SWAT officers were called to the Bridge Building following reports from the Metro Fire Department of a person on the roof of the building, according to a press release issued from the Metro Police Monday afternoon. A flyover from a police helicopter confirmed the sighting. Officers removed four people from the scene, including one employee of the Bridge Building. Located on the east side of the pedestrian bridge, the Bridge Building was in the firework evacuation zone due to the proximity to the firework launch site and the potential for injury for anyone too close to the explosives. “While the officers were still in the building and the (police) helicopter remained close by, a security guard apparently relayed to an (Nashville Fire Department) employee that he was the last one in the building. Without going through command and without checking with MNPD to ensure officers were out of the building, the message was relayed to start the fireworks show. Command was not advised the show had commenced,” according to the press release. “Due to the close proximity of the professional firework mortar shells and the fallout from detonated fireworks, the eight SWAT members sheltered inside the Bridge Building until the conclusion...
by Rachel Pavelich | Jul 2, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, Fashion, News Slider
Hey friends! It’s been a while, but I hope you’re all having a great summer! Things are finally getting back to normal, and it is wonderful to celebrate the summer with friends! We all have a great reason to celebrate this week, as the 4th is Sunday! With things opening back up and gatherings beginning to occur again, the 4th is a great way to show off your style and your American pride. When I think of patriotic clothing, I think of red, white, and blue, of course! When I was little, my go to Independence day outfit was a Faded Glory flag tee and a pair of jean shorts. While still patriotic, I’ve realized that there are plenty of other ways to express yourself and your love for the US through what you wear on America’s birthday. Red white and blue are still my go-to colors for the day, but a way to modernize it is to mix and match the colors with prints. Try a solid navy top with red and white shorts for a flag look, or blue and white stripes or gingham with a red hair accessory or lipstick. Plenty of stores offer 4th of July themed attire. Target currently has a whole section in the women’s/juniors department of America-themed tees. If you’re going for a cute and casual look, pair one of these with a pair of shorts or a colored athletic skirt. If you’re looking for something to wear more than just on the 4th, Loft is a great option! Their new arrivals feature plenty of red, white, and blue that can fit...
