Calvin University Chimes

Explosions in the Sky concert ignites the CFAC Auditorium

Jordan Petersen
May 5, 2017

It is a curious thing to watch an entirely instrumental concert. There are not the same sort of pauses and structures as other shows; there is no singer to thank the crowd for their applause and often...

Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings a night of culture to Calvin College

Jordan Petersen
February 24, 2017

Last Saturday night the world-renown South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed in the CFAC. The event was co-sponsored by the Alumni Office and the Student Activities Office. The Calvin...

“Land Grab” film focuses on innovative financial mogul

Jordan Petersen
February 3, 2017

In partnership with the departments of Economics, Sociology/Social Work, History, Philosophy and Communication Arts & Sciences, SAO showed “Land Grab,” a film that follows the story of John Hantz,...

Indie pop duo Tegan and Sara fill CFAC

Jordan Petersen
October 28, 2016

Canadian indie pop singing duo Tegan and Sara performed in the CFAC on Oct. 19 in the second stop of the second leg of their "Love You to Death" tour. Nashville-based rock artist Torres began the night...

“22, A Million” a symbolic journey for Bon Iver

Jordan Petersen
October 7, 2016

Bon Iver, the primary creative vehicle of Justin Vernon, has returned with the follow-up to their 2011 expansive self-titled album. The new album, titled “22, A Million,” is instantly curious, as each...

Julien Baker performs for sold-out Ladies Literary Club

Jordan Petersen
September 23, 2016

Tennessee singer-songwriter Julien Baker performed to an attentive, sold-out Ladies Literary Club last Thursday evening. The show was in support of her devastatingly emotional debut album “Sprained Ankle,”...

Trump’s political ascension predicted by “Bee Movie”

Jordan Petersen
September 16, 2016

Donald Trump is a possible choice for president, and as we get deeper into the election cycle, it becomes clear that the conditions leading to his rise were predicted in a 2007 film. Not in the Coen Brother’s...

Adia Victoria mixes art and politics

Jordan Petersen
April 27, 2016

Up-and-coming blues-rock artist and cultural critic Adia Victoria performed at Calvin in the Recital Hall last weekend. The event began with a conversation with Adia about a number of topics, including...

Student music project a love letter to Michigan

Jordan Petersen
April 21, 2016

Popular music is built to be universal, and to this end often uses a specific format. Using tools such as the verse-chorus-bridge structure and the human voice, pop music is an accessible art form in terms...

Student music project a love letter to Michigan

Jordan Petersen
April 13, 2016

Popular music is built to be universal, and to this end often uses a specific format. Using tools such as the verse-chorus-bridge structure and the human voice, pop music is an accessible art form in terms...

Do the Grammys still reflect popular culture?

Jordan Petersen
February 25, 2016

Last Monday marked the 58th Grammy Awards, the annual award show that recognizes the best music of the past year in various categories. The night is always full of spectacle, as the music industry’s...

Black History Month and the problem of Hollywood whitewashing

Jordan Petersen
February 25, 2016

Last Friday night Film Arts Committee, in collaboration with MSDO, showed the movie “Straight Outta Compton” in the Recital Hall for Black History Month. The film covers the rise of the prolific hip-hop...

Long-awaited “The Life of Pablo” encapsulates the bizarre existence of Kanye

Jordan Petersen
February 18, 2016

In what was perhaps the most unorthodox album release in music history — complete with name changes, a live-streamed fashion show, last-minute track listing edits and day-of mastering on an ambitious...

Gallant to bring inventive R&B sounds to Calvin

Jordan Petersen
February 14, 2016

Gallant is the newest artist labeled and associated with the new wave of R&B. While his music contains elements of contemporary and new wave R&B including smooth vocals, slow tempos and soul influences,...