Four months ago, economics major Aseem Mangaokar (junior) was simply DJing off-campus house parties at Occidental. He now flies around the country with co-DJ and finance major Chris Gavino (junior) —a student at George Mason University— playing shows in front of hundreds of people as part of the duo Hotel Garuda. Though Mangaokar and Gavino met as classmates in Singapore...

Most students will conduct extensive research and write lengthy papers for their senior comprehensive projects. Media Arts and Culture (MAC) seniors do comps a little differently. Because the major has three emphases — screenwriting, production and critical media studies — MAC comps range from video installation exhibits to feature-length screenplays to short narrative films. Over the course of three nights...

Whoops, whistles and wows were frequent during the packed performances of Hyper Xpression's dance showcase last Thursday night. The blossoming dance troupe of 12 women — in only its third year as a group — brought crisp moves, catchy music and vibrant energy to its performance. The hour-long show included 14 numbers that featured traditional latin, contemporary/lyrical and hip-hop dance...

Last spring semester I received a D on an economics exam. My grades were hurting overall and I was having a tough time with most of my classes. I was extremely disappointed, but then the funniest thing happened. After the initial hit from the grade, the first thing that came to my mind was the voice of Batman's trusted butler,...

It does not take an extravagant stage design or over-the-top costumes to create the conditions for a quirky comedy or the touching story of a surreal drama. Living up to the unusual way in which they were promoted, the student stage productions of "The Bald Soprano" and "Far Away" were original, offbeat and, most of all, weird. For its two-night...

Donating to charity has never been easier or more fun. An alternative to a normal Saturday night dinner, Date Night Done Well, an on-campus charity dinner hosted in the Berkus Hall courtyard, allowed couples and friends alike to enjoy entertainment and one another's company for a good cause. The function raised proceeds through a five dollar admission price, buffeted by...

The sole palm tree and smog-fueled Los Angeles sunset glowing over Thorne patio were at odds with the scent of unfamiliar spices, brightly-colored saris and Bollywood music last Friday evening. The occasion was the annual Holi Dinner, hosted by the South Asian Students Association (SASA). In addition to providing free Indian food to the attendees, the event also featured Bollywood...

Very minor spoilers ahead; that said, everybody should see this movie. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is the next installment in Marvel Studio's "Avengers" series line-up. Not only is "Winter Soldier" a better film than the first Captain America film, but it holds its ground as one of the best stand-alone movies in Marvel's ever-expanding Avengers movie universe. Chris Evans...

If anyone asks if I have a Facebook, I tell them I do not. If they somehow find me on Facebook, I refuse their friend requests. It is a forum I use strictly to communicate with friends who live abroad. And to read "Oxy Confessions." When I first began reading the page, I thought of it as a guilty indulgence...

For the first time since its inception in 2010, Occidental's SpringFest will have a true festival aspect. The event on Saturday centers around the concert's headliner, Talib Kweli, best known for his work as half of the New York City-based rap duo Black Star. In addition to the typical evening concert, Programming Board (PB) has added pre-show events that include...