Talia Levine
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Articles by Talia Levine
Spring Weekend 2026 performances deliver mixed bag to Main Green
On April 25, students flocked to the Main Green for an afternoon of food trucks, flashing stage lights and live music. Hosted by the Brown Concert Agency, the annual Spring Weekend festival — a one-day event since 2024 — showcased a variety of acts ranging from synth-pop to retro-soul. While underwhelming at times, performances by Isabella Lovestory, BunnaB, Magdalena Bay and Thee Sacred Souls were ultimately enough to keep students engaged.
‘Noah Kahan: Out of Body’ artfully contextualizes Vermont songwriter’s music
Moments of vulnerability both humanize the artist and destigmatize discussion around mental health. Courtesy of Netflix Released on April 13, “Noah Kahan: Out of Body” is a masterfully crafted film that establishes how the star found his way in the music industry. Available to stream on Netflix, the documentary follows Noah Kahan as he returns to his hometown to reflect on his music, which is heavily influenced by his time growing up in rural Vermont.
‘Prisoners of Love: Until the Sun of Freedom’ fills The Bell Gallery with stories from Palestinian political prisoners
Walking into the List Art Center, visitors are bathed in fuchsia light shining through the doors and windows onto a series of steel panels. Affixed to the panels are pen and ink illustrations made by the late grandfather of artist Ruanne Abou-Rahme. The glowing entryway is a part of artists Basel Abbas and Abou-Rahme’s exhibition entitled “Prisoners of Love: Until the Sun of Freedom,” now on display in the List’s Bell Gallery.
‘Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen’ is actually very good
Although “Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen” includes some supernatural elements, the realistic elements are at the root of the show’s horror. Courtesy of Netflix When viewers start Netflix’s new series, “Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen,” they know that catastrophe is on the horizon. What they don’t know is that they are in for a horror show that is meticulously cinematic and brimming with symbolism. Created by Haley Z.
Rich with drama, sex and Ozempic, ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ premiere shows promise
Over the years, reality TV fans have met “Real Housewives” from all over the world. But on Thursday, Bravo brought the reality show to the Ocean State. “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” premiered April 2, introducing a cast of Providence- and Cranston-based wealthy women. For anyone familiar with the series, it should come as no surprise that the latest installment of the “Real Housewives” series — steeped in drama, sex, Ozempic and so, so much alcohol — is nauseatingly captivating.
Arlo Parks’s sound blossoms in new album
The 12-track indie-alternative record captures the freedom and escapism of city nightlife. Few artists are able to paint a genuine picture of the excitement and uncertainty that often accompany young adulthood and queerness. But on Friday, acclaimed British singer-songwriter Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho, who goes by the name Arlo Parks, did just that with her third studio album, “Ambiguous Desire.” The 12-track indie-alternative record captures the freedom and escapism of city nightlife.
Thee Sacred Souls, Magdalena Bay, BunnaB, Isabella Lovestory to perform at Spring Weekend 2026
Thee Sacred Souls, Magdalena Bay, BunnaB, Isabella Lovestory and Undertow Brass Band will perform at Spring Weekend 2026, the Brown Concert Agency announced at midnight on Friday during the BCA’s annual Spring Weekend lineup release party. This year’s one-day concert will take place on Saturday, April 25. This year’s lineup is almost a year in the making, the three co-presidents of BCA — Cole Francis ’26, Peri Ferguson ’26 and Thomas Seidel ’26 — told The Herald.
The ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ is only worthwhile for dedicated fans
Viewers are brought back to the original set as Miley Cyrus reminisces about her time on the show. Last week, Disney released the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” on Disney+ and Hulu. Apart from a few wholesome moments and a great original song debut, most of the special is a messy assortment of interviews and forced sentimental moments that elicit very little nostalgia unless the viewer is a diehard “Hannah Montana” fan.
Despite Conan O’Brien’s distasteful hosting, 98th Academy Awards remain potent political platform
Conan O’Brien's hosting was redeemed by speeches from the winners. While the Academy Awards are a celebration of film, they are also one of the few moments when Hollywood has the opportunity to present itself as a socially serious American institution. Unfortunately, the ill-advised decision to have Conan O’Brien host the 98th Academy Awards, aired live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theater, undercut much of that ambition.
Ensemble’s ‘Fun Home’ is exactly what college theater should be
This past weekend, Ensemble Theatre at Brown transformed the Fishman Studio in the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts into a funeral home, a historic Pennsylvania house, an art studio and an Oberlin College dorm for their heartwrenching production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Fun Home.” The show was exactly what college theater should be.
Netflix’s ‘Vladimir’ juxtaposes tension, thrill, ethics of consent
To say a piece of media left one utterly aghast is both a compliment of the highest degree and a genuine insult. But Netflix’s recently released show “Vladimir” — which is as scintillating as it is disturbing — leaves viewers feeling shameful, sensual and with a deep sense of trepidation. The limited series, which was released March 5, is an eight-episode adaptation of Julia May Jonas’s book of the same name.
‘Wicked’ at PPAC was wickedly wonderful
Last week, the national touring cast of “Wicked” descended upon the Providence Performing Arts Center, where they will remain until March 22. The cast’s dynamic performance complemented an already fantastic show, doing the classic justice. The 2003 musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” The book is a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” which was adapted into a film in 1939.
‘The Secret Agent’ is a poignant display of persecution during Brazil’s military dictatorship
Released in theaters late November and on streaming services earlier this week, “The Secret Agent” is a gripping political thriller that doubles as an unflinching meditation on life under military dictatorship. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and set in 1979 during the bloody Brazilian military dictatorship, the Portuguese-language film — with English subtitles — fuses paranoia and memory to present a story that often feels closer to horror than history.
Second installment of ‘Bridgerton’ season four offers redemption from disappointing first half
This past Thursday, Netflix released the latest installment of its hit show, “Bridgerton,” and despite a rougher start to the fourth season, the show’s creators had a relieving redemption. The first half of the season ended with quite the cliffhanger: Benedict (Luke Thompson), swept away by a steamy stairwell hookup, asked Sophie (Yerin Ha) to be his mistress. Reasonably, Sophie stops talking to Benedict.
Mumford and Sons’s newest album, ‘Prizefighter,’ is a melancholy but merry masterpiece
Released on Feb. 20, Mumford and Sons’s newest album “Prizefighter” runs just under 50 minutes and is the culmination of the band’s sound. The album’s release — a mere 11 months after the band’s fifth studio album — is nothing short of a masterpiece. Each of the five collaborations not only add auditory diversity to the album, but they keep the listener grounded in the relatable lyrics.
‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ is as absurd as it is entertaining
On Feb. 12, Netflix released their latest bingeworthy show, “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.” Created by Lisa McGee, the eight-episode series rivals the success of her previous work “Derry Girls.” A combination of humor, thriller and romance, the show is set against the stunningly vibrant backdrop of present-day Northern Ireland.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance equal parts political statement, dance party
While some may have tuned in to the Super Bowl on Sunday night to watch the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots, others were there for halftime headliner Bad Bunny. This year, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, became the first fully Spanish-language artist to headline the halftime show. This was Bad Bunny’s second Super Bowl performance — he was a guest during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
‘Closer to Happy’ by Joseph is lively, vulnerable
Joseph — a duo from Portland, Oregon consisting of sisters Natalie and Meegan Closner — released their latest album, “Closer to Happy,” on Friday. After multiple viral hits and performances at both the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and The Tonight Show, the group’s previous work left big shoes to fill — but their latest release perfectly delivers a heartfelt ode on what it means to be human.
68th Grammy Awards heavy on political commentary, rich with electric performances
Often considered the most prestigious honor in music, the Grammy Awards are cultural crowning achievements given to a small selection of talented musicians. On Sunday, viewers tuned in from around the world to watch the 68th Grammy Awards live from Los Angeles. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the sixth and final time — because, in his words, he believes in term limits — the show was funny, apart from the painfully scripted teleprompters.
‘Bridgerton’ season four offers uninspired romance, mediocre social commentary
Watching the latest installment in Netflix’s hit show, “Bridgerton” viewers cannot help but be reminded — constantly — of an age-old fairytale: Cinderella. Although “Bridgerton” does not feature any carriages turning into pumpkins, the main storyline of the season is tritely reminiscent of the classic Disney film.
Grammys 2026: The Herald’s picks for four top prizes
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are set to air live from Los Angeles this Sunday, bringing together some of the most talented singers and songwriters in the industry — including three Brown alums nominated for best arrangement, instruments and vocals. The Herald determined which artists truly deserve the biggest awards of the night, otherwise known as the “Big Four”: album of the year, record of the year, best new artist and song of the year.
At RISD Museum’s ‘Tours for Tots,’ kids channel their inner Monet
On any given day, visitors at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum can walk through the European Galleries and see the works of Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Pablo Picasso hanging on the walls. This past Saturday, a herd of three to five-year-olds sat among those masterpieces observing Monet’s “The Seine at Giverny.” As a part of the “Tours for Tots” program, the museum welcomed children into the gallery to sketch what they saw in Monet’s vibrant blues and green painting.
‘Nuremberg’ transports viewers into the mind of man who befriended Nazis
Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe), the second most powerful Nazi official, at the Nuremberg Trials. This performance is one of the standout roles of Crowe’s storied career. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. After Hitler’s second in command is imprisoned in May 1945, an American psychiatrist arrives in Europe tasked with ensuring that the prisoner, along with other Nazi leaders, are mentally fit to stand trial — and that none of them die by suicide before that time.
Through PPL exhibit, artists find new meaning in books amid censorship
Tucked away in a far-off corner of the Providence Public Library is the Updike Room. Visitors poking their heads in will immediately notice the large antique printing press filling the center of the space. The press serves, in part, as the inspiration for a group art exhibition entitled “Turn the Page,” which opened in the Updike Room in early October and will be on display until Jan. 31.
‘Death by Lighting’ memorializes riveting, often-forgotten presidential assassination
Based on the 2011 book “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard, the show has been lauded for its accurate portrayal of the assassination. Courtesy of Netflix Of the four presidential assassinations in United States history, only two — those of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy — have withstood the test of time and pervaded modern discourse. The murders of William McKinley and James Garfield are often left in the past.
Two years after Lindemann opened, BAI seeks to increase student access
One year after the Lindemann Performing Arts Center opened its doors in October 2023, a handful of student groups expressed frustration with the Brown Arts Institute after struggling to book the new space. But since then, the BAI has been making a “concerted effort” to accommodate student performances, BAI’s Senior Director of Administration and Operations Chira DelSesto said in an interview with The Herald.
New lecture series launches with talk on how Mary Elizabeth Sharpe P’45 beautified Brown
Inside the paneled drawing room of Rochambeau House — now home to both the Departments of Hispanic Studies and French and Francophone Studies — dozens of Brown and Providence community members gathered Thursday evening for the launch of “Picturing the Past,” a new lecture series by University Curator Nicole Wholean. The series aims to “connect members of the Brown community with our Brown Portrait Collection and the rich institutional history it embodies,” Wholean explained.
‘Hadestown’ shines with political relevance
Over the weekend, the touring cast of the Tony and Grammy award-winning musical “Hadestown” performed the fan-favorite show at the Providence Performing Arts Center. From the cast’s first entrance to the show’s final notes, “Hadestown” embodies the best of musical theater. For two-and-a-half hours, the musical’s compelling storytelling and emotionally complex characters deftly swept up viewers in a tale of love and heartbreak.
‘Nobody Wants This’ is the perfect Jewish rom-com
On Oct. 23, Netflix released the second season of its hit television series “Nobody Wants This.” Following Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody), the rom-com’s authentic and nuanced take on 21st-century dating is a breath of fresh air. Their main obstacle? Noah is a rabbi, while Joanne is an agnostic sex podcaster.
Vestal virgins, a garage goddess, Plato: Something on the Green’s 24-hour plays are as funny as ever
On Saturday evening, students eagerly filed into TF Green Hall, hoping to catch a showing of one of Something On The Green’s 24-hour plays — which are written, cast, directed and performed within a single 24-hour period. This year’s iteration consisted of five short plays, all of which were inane in the best way.
‘The Thursday Murder Club’ offers new perspective on aging
Released last month, Netflix’s star-studded crime comedy “The Thursday Murder Club” is well worth the watch. The film is based on the first installment of Richard Osman’s best-selling murder-mystery series, and even though the film maintains many of the book’s original plot points, some key changes in the movie have been met with disappointment from many readers. The film is set at Coopers Chase, a luxury retirement community on a grand English estate.
FINNEAS and Ashe collaborate on ‘The Dream,’ a beautiful modernization of retro aesthetics
On Friday, four-piece band The Favors released their debut album, “The Dream.” Two of the band’s members are frequent collaborators Ashlyn Rae Willson and Finneas Baird O’Connell — known mononymically as Ashe and FINNEAS, respectively. As its name suggests, the 12-track album has a dreamlike sound, with the musical prowess of its creators on display since the release of their very first single, “The Little Mess You Made,” on June 6.
‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ finale is the ending we’ve all been waiting for
This summer, fans of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” have been anxiously awaiting the series finale in the hope that it would finally end the never-ending online debate of Team Conrad versus Team Jeremiah. Viewers, rejoice. The ending you have all been waiting for has finally arrived — and in great fashion.
King Princess claims her spot in the queer music industry with ‘Girl Violence’
Released just last Friday, King Princess’s third studio album, “Girl Violence,” fits perfectly into her discography. The singer, born Mikaela Straus, is known for their lesbian-centric pop tracks. The recently released record is by far her most personal work yet, written during a “full ego death” — the end of a long-term relationship, separating from her label and a move from Los Angeles to Brooklyn. With a runtime of just over half an hour, “Girl Violence” is the queer music that 2025 needs.
Berkshire Bank, Brookline Bank announce post-merger name: Beacon Bank
When the parent corporations of Berkshire Bank and Brookline Bank complete their planned merger later this year, the banks will become known by a new name. Beacon Bank & Trust, or just Beacon Bank, will become the name after the deal is completed within the next few weeks, the companies announced. This name was chosen to reflect a shared vision of "guidance, strength, and a promise of stability — core principles that the legacy institutions have upheld for generations," company officials said.
Stay out of the water: Algae blooms in Brookline, Newton pose health risk
Health officials are warning residents to avoid the water of Brookline Reservoir and Crystal Lake in Newton because of algae blooms. Both bodies of water have blooms of a blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria, according to Brookline and Newton health officials. This algae bloom can produce toxins that make human and pet contact with the water dangerous, said Brookline town health officials.
Online grocer pays $865K after violating Mass. employee protections
The self-proclaimed "Largest Online Asian Supermarket" in America agreed to pay $865,000 to settle allegations of worker misclassification and violations of Massachusetts sick time law. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced this settlement with Weee!, which allows over 160 affected workers to get restitution. Weee! is an online Asian supermarket that employs drivers to complete online delivery services.
Sen. Markey aims to raise minimum wage for some school jobs
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey proposed new legislation that would establish a nationwide minimum wage for paraprofessional and education support staff. The measure would set wages at a minimum of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour. "They are a critical part of our education infrastructure, and we must invest in them the way they invest in our students, their families, and their communities," Markey said in a statement.
Endangered sea turtles released on coast of Cape Cod
Six endangered sea turtles are back in the ocean off the coast of Cape Cod after months of rehab for "life-threatening medical conditions." In their third release of the season, the New England Aquarium returned the sea turtles to the Nantucket Sound.
Healey calls for a 'swift resolution' to public defender pay dispute
Governor Maura Healey called Wednesday for a "swift resolution" to the legal and financial dilemma that is allowing some criminal defendants to be released from custody because they have no legal representation. The Supreme Judicial Court invoked the Lavallee Protocol earlier this month as public defenders continue to decline cases in Massachusetts because of a pay dispute.
State Street pays severance to 900 employees amid pivot toward AI
Boston-based financial giant State Street is undertaking a $100 million "operating model transformation" that involves paying severance to 900 former employees. In the corporation's recent earnings report, State Street announced its repositioning charge from the second quarter. During an investor call, company leadership said it was part of a plan incorporating AI and other internal improvement efforts.
Boston Legacy FC signs second player for forthcoming franchise
Boston Legacy FC has signed its second player. Aïssata Traoré will join the team as the first player from Mali to join the National Women's Soccer League. Starting for the NWSL 2026 season, newly formed Boston Legacy FC will join the league as the 15th team. Their first signed player is Annie Karich, an American midfielder. Traoré, a 27-year-old forward from Bamako, was called up to the Mali senior women's national team in 2018.
Million dollar lottery tickets drawn in two Massachusetts locations
Editorial Standards ⓘ Two tickets purchased in Massachusetts won $1 million in Wednesday's Powerball drawing. One of the winning tickets was sold at the Market Basket in Fitchburg and the other at the Country Farms in Leominster, according to the Massachusetts Lottery. Both of the tickets matched the first five numbers but did not match the Powerball, which is required to win the full jackpot. The stores that sold the winning tickets will each receive a $10,000 bonus.
Much of Red Line closing Thursday night through Sunday for maintenance
Part of the Red Line will close from Thursday night through Sunday as the MBTA performs "regular, planned maintenance work." The MBTA said the closure between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and continue through the end of service on Sunday. During this closure, shuttle buses will replace Red Line service, including a stop at South Station where passengers can access the commuter rail. Those who use the shuttles are urged to plan for extra travel time.
Antisemitism an 'escalating problem' in Mass. schools, report finds
Antisemitism is a harmful issue on the rise in Massachusetts, according to a draft report from a bipartisan statehouse commission, which discusses the impact of the hate in public schools and offers recommendations. This "pervasive and escalating problem" is present across Massachusetts K-12 schools, according to the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism.
Suspect accused of hurling explosives released after court hearing
MARY. YEAH, MARIA. YOU KNOW, IT ALL HAPPENED HERE ON CATHERINE STREET LATE MORNING. NO ONE WAS HURT. BUT NEIGHBORS TELL US IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE IT WAS LOUD. IT WAS LOUD. I KNEW IT WASN’T FIREWORKS. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN ACTUAL BOMB. IT WASN’T FIREWORKS. RATHER EXPLOSIVES. HOUSEMATES SAY RICHARD DUPRE, WHO LIVES AT THIS GROUP HOME ON CATHERINE STREET, WAS SETTING HALF STICKS OF DYNAMITE ON FIRE AND TOSSING THEM ONTO THE PORCH AND INTO THE YARD. A NEIGHBOR CAPTURED AUDIO OF ONE OF THE EXPLOSIONS ON HER PHONE.
Over 2 dozen Mass. beaches closed ahead of July 4th
Going into the 4th of July weekend, over 2 dozen Massachusetts beaches are closed, most due to unsafe bacteria levels. According to the Massachusetts Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard, 21 of the 26 beaches closed as of midday Thursday were due to bacterial exceedance and two were reported to have harmful cyanobacteria blooms. Half of the closed beaches are freshwater, shutting down ponds, lakes, and other inland bodies of water.
15-year-old arrested on gun possession charges in Hull, Mass.
Officers responding to reports of a stolen moped arrested a teenager carrying a loaded gun on Tuesday, according to Hull police. Hull police responded to a 911 call at 11:01 a.m. on Tuesday, answering a report that a moped had been stolen from a home on Bay Street. According to the department, an officer noticed a person in the area pushing a blue moped that matched the description given by the caller.
Multiple Cape Cod towns adjust beach policies ahead of July 4
Several Cape Cod towns are making safety adjustments for the Fourth of July to quell concerns surrounding rowdy holiday-goers. In years prior, Dennis beaches saw a dramatic increase in dangerous behaviors, including violence, drug usage, binge drinking and disorderly conduct on the holiday, police said. Last year, Dennis implemented new regulations that brought the calls for service down by 75% and arrests to zero.
Behind the scenes of Musical Forum’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
When Yaffa Segal ’25 first listened to a recording of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” she was hooked. With its small cast and comedic tempo, the musical was “everything I loved for a show at Brown,” said Segal, who directed the show for the student group Musical Forum early this month. The musical, which made its Broadway debut in 2005, tells the story of six socially awkward pre-teens as they embark on a journey of self discovery at a spelling bee.
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