Life & Culture

‘Beef’ returns with a compelling new season

By Brian Murray, Staff Writer • May 20, 2026

After finding enormous success as a miniseries, Netflix’s “Beef” returned for a second season  April 16, with a different premise and brand-new characters. Creator Lee Sung Jin has again crafted a wildly entertaining narrative with excellent performances, even if it falls short of the first season’s highs.

Senior Splash: alumni reflect on the origins of beloved graduation tradition 40 years later

By Ally Dheeradhada, Assistant Life & Culture Editor • May 15, 2026

One of Ithaca College’s biggest traditions is Senior Splash, when hundreds of graduating seniors jump into the Dillingham Fountains to celebrate the effort and dedication they put into their time at IC. Many students spend their four years thinking about the day they get to jump in the fountains, but few know of the group of friends that started it all: Scott Kunz ’86, Evan Cutler ’86 and Rob Holley ’86. 

How ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ redesigns a classic without losing its flair

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • May 7, 2026

From Meryl Streep’s character screaming at the real Donatella Versace to the Lady Gaga-anointed original soundtrack, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” does not just satisfy fans of the 2006 original with its nostalgia-driven one-liners and reminiscent costumes; it also stands on its own as incredibly witty and entertaining, with emotional twists, exciting cameos and some bones to pick with big billionaires taking over legacy media outlets. 

‘Hokum’ is a fun but flawed folktale

By Riley Jones, Staff Writer • May 5, 2026

Damian McCarthy’s highly anticipated sophomore horror outing “Hokum” released in theaters worldwide May 1. The big question is: does “Hokum” live up to the terrifying reputation of its director? Yes and no.

Michael Jackson biopic lacks substance and soul

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer • May 5, 2026

Antoine Fuqua’s “Michael,” a biopic on the infamous singer, Michael Jackson, provides less substance than a glance at his Wikipedia page. While the casting of his nephew (Jaafar Jackson) to play the singer is intriguing, it does not mask the movie’s overt bias. The movie constantly falls back on its music, but that backing can only go so far. It is a movie without a soul.

Magic, mayhem and misdirection in ‘The Comedy of Errors’

By Andrew Poma, Contributing Writer • May 3, 2026

Directed by Dean Robinson, associate professor of Theatre and Dance Performance, this cartoonishly slapstick rendition of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” leans into the absurdity and campy nature of the classic play. Robinson’s cut of the text is 90 minutes long, providing the already short story with a speedy throughline, but sadly removing some normally memorable moments between the women of the show.

Noah Kahan’s ‘The Great Divide’ steers fans through emotional backroads

By Beatrice Mantel, Assistant Photo Editor • May 2, 2026

Noah Kahan debuted his fourth studio album, “The Great Divide,” on April 24. The raw and emotionally driven instrumental and lyrical choices are what drew fans to Kahan’s music with his previous releases, and this album certainly fulfilled that as well.

‘Dreamgirls’ performance highlights Black excellence through musical storytelling

By Bella Phelps, Contributing Writer • April 30, 2026

Driven by a shared artistic passion, faculty and students at IC joined forces from 2-3:30 p.m. April 25 to fast-track “Dreamgirls” to the Ford Hall stage. In just one week of rehearsal, Cynthia Henderson, a professor of acting at Ithaca College, and Dr. Baruch Whitehead, a professor of music education, brought to life a staged concert of selected songs.

Local creatives weave together art and action with month-long Orozco Gallery exhibit

By Meital Fried, Life & Culture Editor • April 29, 2026

The art pieces hanging on the walls of Orozco Gallery, a pop-up exhibit open on The Commons from April 3 to May 2, are continuously evolving. The nomadic gallery, curated by Colombian-American artist Yen Ospina, primarily highlights the work of Latine fiber artists, bringing perspectives often marginalized in the art world to the center of Ithaca’s business district. 

Weirdness takes center stage at new fringe festival run by IC students

By Ally Dheeradhada, Staff Writer • April 29, 2026

Few know the legend of Old Greeny, a large, serpent-like monster supposedly living in Ithaca’s very own Cayuga Lake. Eyewitnesses of the cryptid have said it to be up to 35 feet in length, with rows of sharp white teeth and a penchant for using them to eat people in or around the lake. 

Fritter the cat wobbles into campus work and well-being

By Elle Wilcox, Contributing Writer • April 28, 2026

Walking into a classroom of Angela Reynolds ’18 is like a cat lover’s social media feed come to life with her cat, Fritter, roaming, or rather, wobbling around.

South Hill Forest Products makes a sweet stride in sustainability efforts

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • April 27, 2026

What started in 2010 with just a few Ithaca College students harvesting local maple syrup and making French toast for their friends brought nearly 360 attendees to this year’s South Hill Forest Products (SHFP) open house April 18. Over the years, this co-curricular organization and company has cultivated a space for the campus and local communities to reconnect with nature and even give back to the land along the way.