Following Broome County Arts Council’s rebrand in 2023, this month’s art walk continues to combat the “there’s nothing to do in Binghamton, NY” stereotype as an array of emerging artists take the stage. If you’re looking to explore Binghamton’s creative scene, here are some exhibitions to check out.

Sept. 5 to Sept. 27 at Cooperative Gallery 213 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (213 State Street) 

Founded in 2000 to provide gallery space for member artists, Cooperative Gallery 213 hosts workshops and presents public events in addition to exhibiting member artists’ work. The gallery is self-run and is fully staffed and maintained by members who contribute their time and creativity to the space.

Its newest exhibit, “Herizon’s Back in Town,” celebrates the 50th anniversary of Herizon — a women and lesbian social space that ran from 1975 to 1991 in Binghamton, NY. The club promoted visual art and performances, while allowing women to organize and promote anti-war campaigns, HIV/AIDS awareness and women’s reproductive rights. “Herizon’s Back in Town” features artists Judy Salton and MaryRose, who recreated the look of the old Herizon bar.

Sept. 5 to Sept. 27 at BCAC Artisan Gallery (223 State Street) 

The exhibition titled “Nocturne” features a collection of oil paintings by Sarah Tietje-Mietz, whose “work is heavily influenced by cityscapes and architecture.” Tietje-Mietz focuses on capturing emotion and personal experiences evoked by each scene, exploring how night distorts linear structures in places of light.

In addition to First Friday exhibitions, BCAC Artisan Gallery holds special events including lectures, workshops, demonstrations, live music and poetry.

Sept. 5 to Sept. 27 at BCAC Art Path Gallery (223 State Street) 

Another exhibition at the BCAC Art Path Gallery, a collection of plein air paintings by Richard Henry, will be on display. This style of French painting involves painting outdoors, capturing natural light and colors. Richard’s art style is uniquely American, ranging from depictions of urban scenes to New England landscapes.

Sept. 1 to Oct. 11 at BCAC Artful Child Gallery (223 State Street) 

Aimed at highlighting young artists, the Artful Child Gallery showcases art from children ages four to 16 every two months. All works of art are displayed at the gallery, including paintings, photography, illustrations and sculptures.

This month, the gallery is hosting 13-year-old Josie Kelly in her very first showcase.

Sept. 5 to Oct. 1 at The Bundy Museum (129 Main Street) 

Located at The Bundy Museum’s third-floor art gallery, “Pareidolia’s Intended Consequences” highlights artist Jerry Macdonell. Featuring monochromatic paintings, the exhibit is framed around “pareidolia,” or the tendency to impose meaning on an object when there is none.

The works are intended to be up to interpretation, allowing viewers to experience pareidolia. Macdonell paints from sight, occasionally leaving borders semi-defined and adding his own creative input.

Sept. 5 to Oct. 1 at Just Breathe Cannabis Dispensary (75 Court Street) 

Kathleen Yonkin’s “Pigments on Paper” is on display at The Exhale Gallery, located at Just Breathe Cannabis Dispensary. The work is a series of mixed-media designs that include watercolor, oil pastels, acrylic, and ink.

An American rapper, singer and songwriter from the Bronx, A Boogie, 29, born Artist Julius Dubose, is known for smash hits “Drowning (feat. Kodak Black)” and “Look Back at It.”

He started rapping as early as 12 years old after listening to artists like Kanye West and 50 Cent and went on to release his debut studio album “The Bigger Artist” in 2017, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. His sophomore album, “Hoodie SZN,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and his third and fourth albums peaked at No. 2 and No. 6, respectively. In 2018, he won Best New Artist at the BET Awards.

In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in the University’s Art Museum, Atticus Fauci, the Student Association’s vice president for programming and a junior majoring in economics, said that the festival portion of Spring Fling, which is set for May 3, will occur from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on both the Dickinson Quad and Peace Quad.

Fauci, who said that was the SA Programming Board’s first time holding a press conference for Spring Fling, described why it was at the Art Museum.

“The Binghamton University Art Museum reached out to us about this cool, creative idea about holding a press conference,” Fauci said. “We work closely with them all the time, so we were thinking this was a fun and creative way. Students keep asking SAPB to come up with new, creative marketing for our events, and when the Binghamton University Art Museum presented this [to] us, we thought it was a phenomenal idea.”

The concert, which is free for all, will open at 5:45 p.m. and be held in parking lot F1, which is near the West Gym. A Boogie is set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Fauci added that the proceeds from the fall concert, which featured NLE Choppa and Baby Tate, were the only reason they were able to have A Boogie as this year’s headliner.

“We knew that our headliner is a very important staple in the music community for New York,” said Madison Perdue, the SAPB’s vice concerts chair and a junior majoring in business administration. “We wanted to provide the best for our community.”

LatinX Festival

The LatinX festival, hosted this year by Ariana Velez, the community engagement coordinator and a junior majoring in biology, will be held at Binghamton High School on April 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. An opportunity for high school students in Binghamton to prepare them for college and allow them to see and engage with the wealth of multicultural opportunities the University offers.

“Our LatinX festival aims to celebrate the rich LatinX culture and, more importantly, promote higher education opportunities for students in the Binghamton community,” wrote Alexandra Tabora, LASU’s co-public relations officer and a senior majoring in English.

“This event was started by our alum Jahmal to support BIPOC students in Binghamton, and each year, we remain committed to continuing this initiative, as it reflects the values that LASU holds dear,” she added.

Palabras 

Palabras, hosted by Isabella Florentino, the La Voz coordinator and a junior majoring in business administration, is a semesterly art showcase that is a highlight of LASU’s programming. An open mic night that celebrates culture through art and storytelling, it is inspired by The Nuyorican Poet Café, a cultural icon of New York City’s Lower East Side that has created a space to celebrate poetry, art and music. Here at BU, Palabras strives to provide an open space for students of color to showcase their different forms of art.

“Students should attend Palabras because it offers a unique opportunity to connect with others, gain inspiration from diverse perspectives, and explore the power of expression in shaping identity and community,” Tabora wrote.

The event will also feature a guest speaker, who will be announced soon.

Nuestra Belleza y Nuestro Galán Latinx

This annual pageant, meant to highlight the diversity and richness of Latin American culture, will be hosted this semester by Jiene Feng, a junior majoring in psychology who serves as LASU’s vice president.

“This vibrant event showcases contestants who embody confidence, charisma, and cultural pride, competing in categories such as formal wear, talent, and Q&A,” Tabora wrote. “More than just a competition, the pageant highlights the diversity and richness of Latin America, fostering unity and empowerment within the community. We invite all interested people to join us every year through performances, fashion, and storytelling. Nuestra Belleza y Nuestro Galán Latinx honors heritage while inspiring the next generation of Latinx leaders here at BU.”

The pageant shines a spotlight on communities often overlooked, highlighting the unique cultural history of each Latin American country. The event features fashion, games and talent shows and is lots of fun for both contestants and attendees.

Multicultural Extravaganza

Hosted by Thomas Crowe, LASU’s events coordinator and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, this is a multicultural experience where students represent different Latin American countries. Through showcasing different talents and aspects of the country of their choosing, this event is a great way to learn about the cultures of different countries and support peers.

“People should go because it’s a great way to learn the culture of a different country and see an entertaining show performed by your peers,” Tabora wrote. “People should care because now more than ever it is important to celebrate cultures from different countries around the world and pageant provides a way for people to take part and celebrate it.”

Celebrating different cultures is an extremely important component of campus life, and LASU provides a variety of opportunities for students to not only celebrate culture but also give back to the community.

An American actor and author from Dobbs Ferry, New York, Greenfield is most known for his roles as Schmidt from the award-winning sitcom “New Girl” and Dave Johnson in “The Neighborhood.”

The event, which will be held for the first time in the Broome County Forum Theatre on Washington Street in Downtown Binghamton, will be held on April 9. It will be hosted and moderated by Ryan Vaughan Ph.D ‘06, an adjunct professor of English.

Attendees will be treated to a night of Greenfield’s stories, insights into the film industry and a live Q&A session.

“It seems to me that nearly the entire student body of Binghamton has at one point or another been exposed to the ‘New Girl’ series during their college development,” Robert Camlet, SAPB’s comedy chair and a senior majoring in art and design, wrote in an email. “It’s almost as if it’s a rite of passage for Binghamton students to binge watch ‘New Girl’ during their freshman year. Schmidt, governmentally known as Max Greenfield, is the epitome of this show, with by far the most quotable lines.”

“We thought it would only be fitting to have someone as highly regarded as Max Greenfield grace Binghamton with his beautiful presence,” he added. “We are so beyond excited to provide this experience for the Binghamton student body.”

Tickets are available for purchase starting at $14.99 for students and $24.99 for the general public.

At this event, 10 students will work on large drawings capturing still-life arrangements for 24 hours. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to observe the artists and to cast their vote for the winner of the People’s Prize.

Two cash prizes will be awarded — the Jury Prize, for $500, is voted on by arts faculty, and the People’s Prize, for $250, is decided by observers. The department purchased a basket of art supplies from the Art Co-op, a student-run art supply store, which will be awarded to a participant.

All of the participants will receive goods donated by one of their many sponsors — Golden Artist Colors, Paul & Sons Pizza, Strange Brew Cafe, Black Coffee Roasting Company, Harpur’s Edge, the School of the Arts, the Department of Art and Design and the Art Co-op.

Jordan Kornreich, a lecturer in the Department of Art and Design, is helping to coordinate the event for a second year and sees it as a way to build community among artists and nonartists alike.

“Community is important for artists because of how it can establish support for like-minded creative types,” Kornreich wrote in an email. “Art stems from the individual’s general impulse to make something; sometimes an artistic community serves as a supportive factor for professional practicing artists. These kinds of communities also serve part of the public who may not feel an impulsive need to make something but find it essential to engage with the product of one’s artistic impulse. Some people like to make art, others may not while still having a deep appreciation for art.”

With an emphasis on creating this community, the Art Co-op has been asked to assemble the supplies for each contestant as well as formulate a prize supply box. Aubrey Abramson, the co-op’s vice president and a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law, has been diligently working with fellow student volunteers to prepare for the event.

“The Art Co-op is important because we provide affordable art supplies to students and residents of the Greater Binghamton area,” Abramson wrote in an email. “As a nonprofit, we prioritize accessibility and providing to the local community. With direct connection with the fine arts community at Binghamton, we can communicate with students and faculty to best help events such as this happen. We are so excited to be involved in Drawathon and provide such an amazing opportunity for talented students to get together and create beautiful art.”

The Draw-A-Thon is a unique event that happens at Binghamton University, with its doors open for 24 hours straight and allowing the opportunity to watch art being made live. This event is a great opportunity for any students to drop in and see what the Art Department is like, all while supporting a good cause.

“In the Garden of Z,” is a new, all-female play written by Sean and Jelizaveta Robinson. Studying the issue of propaganda through the eyes of a 17-year-old Russian girl named Sabina, the production will follow her as she responds to the Ukraine war and examines how the nature of propaganda and ideology can divide communities.

Director James Michalec MA ‘13, the founder of Face It! Theatre, discussed central themes that will be explored throughout the play.

“It deals with very heavy material such as violence, colonization, imperialism, ideology and what happens when ideologies are carried to an extreme,” Michalec said. “One of the brilliant things that’s in this play is that we have these strands of those things coming together, weaving themselves together with our current crisis of the Ukraine war. In that sense it makes the play extremely relevant.”

Michalec has added his own creative touches to the play — including a violin solo by Andy Chadwick, 37, of Binghamton, and a dance routine choreographed by Ania Nikulina, a research assistant professor of German and Russian studies and a lecturer of theatre.

Face It! Theatre’s productions deal with current issues that affect everybody, and this play will be no different. Dori Ganisin of Binghamton, who will be playing the role of Ludmilla — Sabina’s mother and a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin — described how the play’s issue of propaganda is personal and relevant for many people.

“It really does point out that it’s not just Russia that has propaganda, it’s the U.S. as well,” Ganisin said. “And we can see it in the political scene right now — the mudslinging and the lies, you don’t know what to believe anymore, so I think that is really important for people to see.”

Dana Malikova-Buralkiyeva, the actress playing Olga, a Russian journalist, also takes this play personally. A current first-year graduate student studying political science, she spent the past seven years working with Russian propaganda through journalism in her home country of Kazakhstan.

“I fight Russian propaganda and I take war in Ukraine very personally because that means a lot especially on a human level to me,” Malikova-Buralkiyeva said. “When I heard about this play I wanted to be involved somehow. Things went this way that I’m playing a journalist, which is my actual major. This is a play about Russian propaganda and this is what I’ve been living for [the] last three years.”

Face It! Theatre is constantly looking for new material to work with, and “In the Garden of Z” perfectly applies to the company’s mission with its relevance to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Michalec said that because the company is a social justice and political theater, the current conditions that people are living in are what drives the company to continue putting on productions.

Nina Varano of Endwell, the actress playing Agnessa, discussed the importance of a play about the Ukraine war.

“Just putting it on,” Varano said. “Even for people who don’t see it, I think it’s important that people see that there are already artistic cultural movements like this that are happening, that are relevant now.”

Alexandra Blum, the actress playing Sabina and a senior majoring in theatre, expressed what she hopes people will get out of the upcoming production.

“I just really hope that people come with an open mind, an open heart and are able to hear every character out,” Blum said. “Because every single character is fighting for something, and there’s something deeper within them that makes them do that. It’s good to see how the nature of people come about, how these problems arise and how they affect the general public.”

Like all of Face It! Theatre’s productions, “In the Garden of Z” will be free to the public. The play will be performed at the First Congregational Church Theatre on Nov. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.

Kurt Warner MA ‘13 has taken the struggles of his personal life and turned them into a message of resilience in his new book “Victory in Every Fall: The Antaeus Approach to Overcome Disabilities.”

A psychotherapist and mental health advocate, Warner details his journey in overcoming his obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and traumatic brain injury. Reflecting on his time at BU, Warner shares how his experiences and life challenges shaped his journey. A book meant to offer a message of hope and strength for readers, “Victory in Every Fall” has a simple message — every fall is a chance to rise stronger.

When asked about his inspiration for the book, Warner reflected on his desire to help others who may be going through challenges. As a licensed social worker and therapist, Warner works with people facing immense obstacles every day. Warner himself struggles with his health, shaping not just his writing but his experiences as well.

“I see a lot of people go through a lot of difficult challenges all the time,” Warner said. “I know that I have experienced my own. I thought that by discussing the ones that I’ve struggled with, I could inductively give concepts that might help other people deal with theirs.”

Warner recalled his time at BU as a critical period for his own growth, and it is reflected in the book. The chapter “Antaeus at College” specifically details navigating mental health challenges as a student.

“I was very grateful to a lot of my professors,” Warner said. “They were always compassionate and wonderful when I would discuss it with them. One of whom I would say, Brian Flynn over in the social work department, he was incredibly helpful and understanding whenever I was having the issues I was having.”

The story that inspired “Victory in Every Fall” is the Greek myth of Antaeus, a giant whose strength came from his mother, the Earth. Each time he was thrown down in his wrestling matches, he rose stronger than before, as long as he touched the ground. This myth is the pillar of the book, a story that Warner uses to show that hardship leads to greater strength should you let it.

To Warner, resilience is not just coming back from hardship — it is rising again and becoming stronger. His experiences with mental health issues have shaped his view that these struggles can become sources of strength rather than obstacles. With this lens, every difficulty is an opportunity to grow, much like Antaeus gaining strength each time he was wrestled down. Throughout the book, Warner emphasizes one strategy for overcoming struggle — humility.

“The humility to say, you know, ‘I can’t do this all on my own,’” Warner said. “’I need help. I need to talk about it. I need to be open.’ And that alone lifts the weight and gives a strength that I think is immeasurable.”

Warner explained how this approach helped him navigate obstacles, including a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to walk or talk, as well as the compulsions of OCD and the depression of bipolar disorder. By leaning on his support systems, Warner was able to find strength at his most vulnerable.

He said the act of writing allowed him not only to heal but also to share his story in the hopes of helping others. Looking ahead, Warner continues to make helping others his mission, both through his work as a social worker and his writing projects.

Warner hopes “Victory in Every Fall” will inspire students and faculty to find strength in their challenges. By sharing his story of resilience, Warner wants others to see that no matter how difficult life is, there is always a way to rise stronger.

This December, the Anderson Center will welcome the Kingdom Choir — a group of London-based singers led by founder, conductor and gospel tutor Karen Muriel Cecile Gibson, also known as “Britain’s Godmother of Gospel.”

The tour, titled “A Kingdom Christmas,” is a North American-based tour. Binghamton is their second-to-last stop on a cross-continent journey from Los Angeles to Montreal to New York.

The Kingdom Choir has been traveling around the world for over 20 years, becoming known for their warm performances and impressive sound. They have been featured on BBC, CNN, ITV Good Morning Britain, ABC Good Morning America and Reuters TV, and have been highly sought out by other artists for collaboration. When performing, the group wants to emphasize unity within the British Gospel community while sharing their voices.

The Kingdom Choir had a show-stopping performance of “Stand by Me” that was broadcast worldwide during the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 and has been drawing in audiences since. The concert they will bring to Binghamton will consist of Christmas classics, like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” as well as their original renditions of traditional gospel classics.

“All art is incredibly important to us as humans,” Gibson wrote in an email. “However, there is something about the music, particularly the singing voice that is so immediate. The voice is our instrument and with it we communicate, connect and articulate in an instant.”

The Kingdom Choir is particularly dedicated to sharing the gospel, with a focus on the good in the world all while spreading the magic of music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when they had to take a break from live performances, the Kingdom Choir turned to social media to share their music and accumulated thousands of likes, all to emphasize the power of music in times of need.

The Kingdom Choir also loves to see audience participation and wants to see attendees getting involved and feeling touched by the music during the performance.

“Music connects us together,” Gibson wrote. “When we sing or enjoy music together, something changes amongst us. The shared experience of music is more important than we know. I have watched choirs become family, young children learn a sense of self-esteem and joy through singing.”

The Kingdom Choir is set to perform on Dec. 14. Tickets can be purchased on the Anderson Center’s website. Student tickets are discounted at $10.

The event is open to all community members, and this year, tickets can be purchased at the door, $10 for adults and $5 for children. Food and dessert are included with the entry fee and any donations will be used to purchase school supplies for students in the Dominican Republic. Last year, donations purchased 230 backpacks for children in need.

The event will feature Hispanic music, dancing and food. The food served, including rice, chicken beans and traditional desserts like tres leches cake, will be made by community members or local Hispanic restaurants. Throughout the night, organizations like Binghamton University’s Dominican Student Association and Empower Federal Credit Union will be tabling to provide information about their goals and about Hispanic culture and history.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Many national organizations, like the Library of Congress and the National Gallery of Art, come together to pay tribute to the many generations of Hispanic Americans who have enriched American culture and society. Throughout the month, communities nationwide celebrate and take pride in their Hispanic American heritage.

The event is organized by Edward Marte, 27, of Binghamton. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Marte was a translator for other Hispanic students growing up and is passionate about Hispanic culture. He has been at the forefront of this event since 2022 when he realized Binghamton had no Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. He does the event’s promotion and outreach and brings chefs together.

Since then, he has worked to continue the event every year and increase the number of attendees. In the past, Rosario has also put together events to celebrate the Dominican Republic’s Independence Day and a multicultural night at East Middle School.

“In 2023 I organized the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations within two weeks,” Rosario wrote in an email. “Where approximately around 200 people between local members and students from Binghamton University attended. As I [continue] to [work] in the community my goal is to contribute and continue organizing community events.”

Each year, Rosario looks to highlight the hard work and contributions that Hispanic Americans have brought to the community.

“People should care about this event because [it’s] organized to bring the community together,” Rosario wrote. “My favorite part of the event is to see the community get together and also to see how they are willing to support me in any event that I organize for the community.”

The event will be held on Oct. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 347 Prospect St.

Baby Tate, formerly Yung Baby Tate, is an Atlanta-based artist known for eclectic hip-hop, rap, pop and R&B tracks. Tate, 28, was the singer, rapper, songwriter, producer and engineer for her debut project, “ROYGBIV.”

The concert will be held Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Events Center.

General admission tickets are available for purchase starting at $19.99 for students, and floor tickets will start at $24.99.

This is a breaking story, and it will be updated.

The Student Association Programming Board is set to bring singer, songwriter and actor Ross Lynch to Binghamton University. The event will take place on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Center and include an interview, a Q&A session and a subsequent performance by Lynch.

Promoted as “An Evening with Ross Lynch” as part of their Insights series, the Instagram post announcing the event told students to “expect behind-the-scenes stories, career highlights, and maybe even a sneak peek into what’s next. Other events in the series included featured guests Giancarlo Esposito and Rainn Wilson.

Melissa Dalton, the SAPB’s insights chair and a senior majoring in biology, described the most exciting aspect of hosting Lynch.

“Students can look forward to seeing one of their favorite childhood stars at this event,” Dalton wrote. “We grew up watching Ross Lynch on Disney Channel and listening to his music. I think it is exciting that we are coming full circle with him as young adults.”

After his Disney career, where he starred in “Austin & Ally” and “Teen Beach Movie,” Lynch pursued other acting opportunities. He eventually landed a role as Jeffrey Dahmer in the 2017 film “My Friend Dahmer,” and a year later, the role of Harvey Kinkle in Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.”

Alongside his acting career, Lynch began to pursue music as a guitarist and vocalist for R5 — which split in 2018 when he and his brother, Rocky Lynch, started their duo band, THE DRIVER ERA.

Atticus Fauci, the vice president for programming and a junior majoring in economics, shared how the board decided to bring Lynch to BU.

“We heard the student body last semester when Ross and his band’s name kept coming up,” Fauci wrote. “There were a lot of comments on Instagram posts and he was mentioned a lot in our surveys. We then looked into if he was an option and he was. The deciding factor was the 15 minute acoustic performance, something new to excite the student body.”

Booking an event of this caliber requires intense coordination between multiple parties and months of planning. Fauci explained that the board’s process includes scouting potential options through United Talent Agency and releasing an interest survey where students can vote on which guest they prefer to see. The SAPB then compares the potential guests’ availability, pricing and more, while taking the survey into account. Once they’ve settled on a speaker, the SAPB consults lawyers to review the contracts and begins to promote the event.

The board has hosted several events with guest speakers, though Dalton wrote that Lynch adds a uniqueness to the series.

“This event is different compared to some of the other celebrity guests the insights team has brought to Bing because it brings a sense of nostalgia,” Dalton wrote. “Giancarlo Esposito and Rainn Wilson are both incredible entertainers who gave us such interesting perspectives but these are celebrities we recognize in our adult lives. Ross Lynch is someone we can all remember watching and idolizing from such a young age.”

As of Thursday morning, the event was sold out.

The Feminist Collective is hosting Take Back the Night, an annual event designed for community gathering and standing in solidarity with survivors. Events were planned from April 15 to April 25.

Take Back the Night was created for students to stand in solidarity with women and victims of sexual abuse. Organizers aim to foster a healing environment on campus where sexual assault survivors can share their experiences and be heard.

The first event, “Line the Spine,” was held on April 15 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the campus community wrote positive messages in chalk along the spine aimed at supporting victims of interpersonal violence. Isabelle Beatus, the Feminist Collective’s vice president and a senior double-majoring in political science and sociology, explained how “Line the Spine” impacts students.

“We get together, often with students coming and going throughout the day and call out the University directly,” Beatus wrote. “We write the harrowing statistics about sexual violence on this campus, the role Greek life plays in the perpetuating of this violence and rape culture on this campus and get to draw people’s attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

The week’s second event was a meeting held on April 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., where participants made posters for an annual rally. It will be followed by “Sexual Experiences Discussion: Ask Anything,” on April 19 at 7:30 p.m., which aims to destigmatize sex and relationships by hosting a sex-positive educational workshop that highlights consent and clarity.

Aleena Paulson, the president of the Feminist Collective and a junior majoring in political science, described the campaign’s goals.

“Our biggest priority during Take Back the Night is creating an environment that listens to survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence,” Paulson wrote. “The event aims to center survivors through their experiences, rather than creating a sense of blame and guilt.”

Organizers also intended to pressure the University to provide access to resources for sexual assault survivors, which would ensure accountability and help survivors feel safe in order to mend the mainstream misogynistic culture that is seen on campus. Beatus explained what resources they are asking the University to provide.

“[Feminist Collective] is demanding that the University expand mental health counseling services to make it more accessible to all students and generally more consistent,” Beatus wrote. “Additionally, we are demanding the expansion of the VARCC and Title IX services.”

Paulson explained the struggle survivors often face when speaking out about their experiences.

“There are many institutional factors that limit a survivor’s ability to receive the justice they deserve,” Paulson wrote. “There is a fervent culture of misogyny and rape on this campus that often goes untamed due to institutional priorities. If you doubt the rate at which your peers at [BU] are experiencing sexual assault, I implore you to look at @shareyourstorybing, which has over 800 reported cases of interpersonal violence.”

The main Take Back the Night event will be the “Rally and Survivor Speak Out,” which will be held on April 25 on the Peace Quad at 5:45 p.m. Last year, the rally began with speeches from Feminist Collective members, who were followed by Haley Roma, the assistant director of education and training at the Crime Victims Assistance Center, who spoke on where survivors can access resources for sexual and interpersonal related crimes. Shortly after, E-Board members led the march across campus and ended the event by returning to the University Union Undergrounds to lead a session where survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence had a safe space to speak out on their stories.

Paulson described what she hopes this year’s Take Back the Night will bring to the campus community.

“Justice on this campus seems impossible,” Paulson wrote. “But we hope survivors can find solidarity among a group of peers that are ready to listen and be there for them through Take Back the Night.”

Putting a twist on a classic film noir mystery in this raucous comedy, Cider Mill Stage’s Bold Local Artists of the Southern Tier (BLAST) will be performing Patrick Barlow’s stage production adaptation of Hitchcock’s absurdist 1935 film “The 39 Steps,” opening on Friday, April 5.

Cider Mill Stage is a community center in which local artists work together to hone and promote their art. Located at 2 Nanticoke Ave. Endicott, NY, the company centers art, community and diversity in performances with various ambassadors working on their specific form of performance, including BLAST. Kate Murray, 60, of Binghamton and executive director of BLAST and stage director of “The 39 Steps,” alongside her co-director Bill Murray, explained that BLAST specializes in comedies and musicals. The Cider Mill Stage is also open to various genres for public audiences to enjoy throughout the year.

“It can often be challenging to find a safe space at a reasonable price to perform or produce work for the general public, and we are honored to be able to do that for so many great artists,” Murray wrote in an email.

“The 39 Steps” is a dark comedy adapted from a screenplay written by Alfred Hitchcock, which leans into the dark comedy genre that the screenwriter is known for. According to the press release publicized by Cider Mill Stage, the show combines a bit of mystery and intrigue with slap-stick comedy to create a lighthearted yet thrilling production. The play centers around a murder mystery in which an unknown woman is found dead in the protagonist’s — Richard Hannay (Adam Holley) — apartment. With a cast of just four actors who portray multiple characters, the show focuses on a small group working within themselves to solve the death of the mysterious woman.

“Four main actors play up to 150 different characters,” Murray wrote. “Lots of comedic sight gags and physical comedy needed to be practiced. There are scenes when the two clown characters change accents, hats, clothes and personalities right in front of the audience.”

Murray highlighted the range of characters included in the show despite the seemingly small cast, explaining that this stage production allows the actors and directors to create scenes that include complex movement while prioritizing audience engagement. The humor of the show is intertwined with the eccentric behavior of the characters and the hovering notion of a mystery that must still be solved.

Adam Holley, 45, of Binghamton, NY and the actor portraying Richard Hanney, described the spontaneity of life that is displayed through this play.

“The show is about an ordinary man loving his humdrum life, who then gets caught up in a whirlwind adventure full of spies, mysterious women and danger,” Holley wrote in an email. “I loved the process of finding new moments and comedic bits with my fellow cast mates. It’s truly been a joy to work with them. I hope the audience leaves … exhausted from laughter.”

Murray expressed her hopes for how the audience would react to “The 39 Steps.”

“It is always an honor to work with actors and technicians and then see how the audience reacts to the final project,” Murray wrote. “This one is rather avant-garde, so the audiences are in for a treat that they may not expect. It is our hope that the audience will be totally entertained, and we suspect that they will leave smiling knowing that BLAST cared enough to show them a good fun time.”

With both serious and unserious undertones, the opposition within the plot gives way to a view of human life that includes both tragedy and comedy, highlighting the importance in working with your fellow humans.

The show will be performed on April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinee performances on April 7 and 14 at 2:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at cidermillstage.com or by calling the box office at 607-321-9630.

The winners will be rewarded a first place prize of $500, second place of $250 and a third place prize of a gift basket filled with $100 worth of art supplies, sponsored by the BU Art Co-op. The judges selecting the winners of first and third place will be Sarah Nance, assistant professor of integrated practice for the department of art and design, DeCarlo Logan and Frank Change, both lecturers of art and design. The “popular vote” determines second place, meaning that the viewers who attend the marathon can decide who comes in second.

Samantha Ballin, an art and design student advisory committee member, Art Co-op representative and a senior double-majoring in art and design and English, will be helping to run this event. Ballin described her inspiration for the 24-hour Drawing Marathon.

“We were inspired by Professor [Blažo Kovačevič, former assistant professor of art and design]’s marathon (he left this past summer) and wanted to recreate a similar event,” Ballin wrote. “I participated in the marathon last year, and it is truly incomparable to anything.”

Ballin continued to express her reasoning for having the Art Co-op sponsor this event.

“As a member of the committee and president of the Co-op, I thought it would be great for the Co-op to sponsor the marathon,” Ballin wrote. “The Art Co-op is a great resource for anyone inspired in creating art and I wanted to bring more exposure to it.”

According to Madison Mark, a senior double-majoring in social work and art and design, a food drive will be held during the Drawing Marathon in FA 356 where contestants would be able to fuel up on some food and rest before completing the challenge. The nonperishable donation initiative helps ease the severe shortage of food in Binghamton’s pantries. The goal of planning this drive is to be able to improve the lives of individuals in need and strengthen ties between the University and the community.

Mark expressed her anticipation toward participating in the event and continued to discuss how she will attempt to remain focused throughout the marathon.

“While I primarily identify as a painter, dedicating 24 hours solely to charcoal work will improve my overall artistic capabilities,” Mark wrote. “Throughout the marathon my drive to persist will be fueled by the collective energy of my peers, accompanied by music and copious amounts of caffeine — thanks to our sponsorship from Celcius. Additionally, as nonperishable donations accumulate, this can serve as another motivator for the artists to persevere.”

Ballin discussed potential audience expectations for the Drawing Marathon and predicted the audience to be amazed in the pieces of artwork that will be created. She also continued to express her excitement for what the attendees could expect.

“I think the audience will be amazed at the art that will be produced,” Ballin wrote. “[Twenty-four] hours sounds like a lot of time, but when completing a piece that large it really isn’t. We had such a strong application pool to choose from, and I know I am eager to see the final pieces.”

Ruchi Shah, a senior majoring in business administration, expressed her opinions on the Drawing Marathon.

“I expect there to be a lot of creativity and gifted talents by my fellow peers and participants,” Shah wrote. “The main thing I am looking forward to seeing is the participants actually enduring this challenge.”

The Drawing Marathon is free and open to the public. At the event, donations will be taken for the food drive.

The Cider Mill Stage will soon put on “The Outsider,” a satirical comedy commenting on the current political climate in America, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4.

Paul Slade Smith’s comedy “The Outsider” follows Ned Newley, an incompetent candidate running for governor despite his underwhelming lack of credentials. Although he is incapacitated by fear of public speaking and suffers plummeting poll numbers, Newley is unexpectedly forced into a role he knows nearly nothing about and his staff is now responsible for the impossible task of keeping him in office. Critics have previously praised “The Outsider” for its refreshingly witty take on an “entirely possible” hypothetical in today’s society.

Kate Murray, executive director for Bold Local Actors of the Southern Tier (BLAST) and the stage director for “The Outsider,” further explained the type of humor featured in the show.

“This show is very witty, and we have worked hard to make sure the full meaning of the dialogue is portrayed well,” Murray wrote in an email. “Even though the play is hysterically funny, it is also very intelligent and based on circumstances that could actually occur when a candidate is running for office.”

Murray went on to mention how the casting impacted the show.

“I have to say that I am particularly proud of the casting of this show because everyone fits their role so perfectly,” Murray wrote.

The cast of “The Outsider” stars seven different actors and actresses who bring together years of experience and versatile backgrounds to enhance the production, from stand-up comedy to producing. Some characters include Arthur Vance played by John Montgomery, a successful political consultant spearheading Newley’s campaign, and Louise Peakes played by Stefanie Jump, an optimistic assistant who helps Newley as he adjusts to his new position.

Gary Neal Hansen, 63, of Binghamton, who plays Ned Newley, described his experience portraying an unusually introverted character working in such a public profession. Newley, who is only capable of doing important policy work behind the scenes, embodies the enigma of whether citizens prefer competence or charisma from their leaders.

“In playing any role, the actors have to find inside themselves the feelings that the characters are experiencing,” Hansen wrote in an email. “I’ve never been an elected official, but feelings of being shy and timid and scared are pretty easy to find.”

Hansen also mentioned the effort put into portraying these intense feelings.

“The next step is harder, though — finding ways to communicate those emotions in one’s use of words and actions and expressions,” Hansen wrote. “Those feelings of shyness and fear are generally ones people try to hide. I have found it a good challenge to try to express them instead.”

Jump, 34, of Friendsville, Pennsylvania and actress who portrays Louise in “The Outsider,” elaborated on the themes of feeling out of place in “The Outsider” — both physically and emotionally.

“A line in the play is ‘we all feel like outsiders sometimes, don’t we,’ and Louise is that outsider, not only in this new job she’s in, but also in life,” Jump wrote in an email. “She has no idea what is going on half of the time, and she especially has no experience in government, but she always has a smile on her face … Louise shows us that with a little determination and confidence, we can overcome that feeling of being an ‘outsider.’”

The show takes place on a set replicating the actual governor’s office located in Albany, New York. Most of the set was handbuilt by set designer and master carpenter Sonny DeWitt, 45, of Johnson City, to be as accurate as possible. For added authenticity, DeWitt even painted a wood grain effect on the stage floor by hand with the help of his assistant Isaac Weber, 35, of Binghamton.

As someone who is actively involved with several other production companies in the area, DeWitt emphasized the special connection between the team at Cider Mill Stage. From start to finish, DeWitt communicated with director Murray about the vision for the show.

“It’s the people [who make it special],” DeWitt said in a phone interview. “They have a great team. There’s a great, accepting culture there.”

Although working in politics is high pressure and even higher stakes, Murray hopes that the audience will not only be entertained but also leave with a new perspective on government and democracy.

“‘The Outsider’ is for everyone, no matter what your political affiliation is,” Murray wrote. “The characters are so engaging and charming that you can’t help but root for the underdog and admire the leaders. This is really a good show that will make you think and laugh and hopefully go out and vote the next time there’s an election.”

Hansen agreed with Murray and elaborated on the potential takeaways from seeing the performance.

“I hope audiences have a lot of fun and laughter,” Hansen wrote. “It’s a very, very funny play, and I hope people get pulled away from the real world and just get fully entertained the way they can when watching live theatre.”

“The Outsider” will be performed at Cider Mill Stage from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4. Tickets are $10 for students when purchased with a valid student ID and $28 for all other viewers.