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The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Arts & Entertainment

2025 The Year of Sequels: The Exciting Return of Fan Favorites

2025 The Year of Sequels: The Exciting Return of Fan Favorites

Casey Budlong, Opinions Editor February 18, 2025

  The year 2025 is shaping up to be a monumental one for moviegoers, especially fans of sequels, reboots, and cinematic universes. With a lineup packed with highly anticipated films, 2025 promises something for everyone. From Marvel enthusiasts and superhero devotees to action lovers, horror fans,...

Photo courtesy TuYo Theatre

Reclaiming the Narrative: “The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” Unpacks the Complexity of Identity

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor February 4, 2025

To watch “The Hispanic/ Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” is to step into a space filled with personal struggles and sweeping political questions. Witten by Bernardo Cubría and directed by Dr. Maria Patrice Amon, this play manages to take a deeply nuanced look into the complexities of identity,...

“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”

“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor December 12, 2024

The Star Wars universe has rediscovered its sweet spot, and “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” is the proof. At a special screening of the new series, which premiered its first two episodes on  Disney+ on December 2, it immediately stood out as a breath of fresh air after some of the franchise’s more...

Director Shaun Heard on ‘Motherf**ker With the Hat’

Director Shaun Heard on ‘Motherf**ker With the Hat’

Saturn Salama, Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor December 6, 2024

As Cal State San Marcos' “Motherf**ker With the Hat” production approached its debut, Director and Professor Shaun Heard shared his thoughts on bringing Stephen Adly Guirgis’ bold play to life. As a professional actor, theatre professor, and former CSUSM student, Heard reflected on the challenges...

Demxntia at his concert in Shanghai

Discovering Demxntia

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor December 6, 2024

Social media can lead you to music that resonates on a deeper level, that feels both familiar and new. For me, that discovery was Demxntia, an artist I stumbled upon thanks to TikTok. Blending R&B, alternative rock, and hip-hop, his music combines an underground edge with emotional depth, reflecting...

Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo)

“Wicked”: A Stunning, Unforgettable Film Adaptation

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 23, 2024

“Wicked”, the long-anticipated movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, has surpassed all expectations. As someone lucky enough to watch the pre-release, I can confidently say “Wicked” is worth the wait. Few characters in pop culture have undergone a transformation as dramatic as the...

Luana Fontes and Vandous Stripling II

The Old Globe’s “As You Like It”

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 20, 2024

The Old Globe kicked off its 2024 Globe for All Tour with a lively, free production of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” directed by Emil Weinstein. The production is touring San Diego County and Tijuana as part of the Old Globe’s annual effort to bring Shakespeare to underserved communities. The...

G-Dragon

G-Dragon Returns with “POWER,” Signaling a New Era in K-Pop

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 8, 2024

After a seven-year hiatus, G-Dragon, the King of K-pop, makes a return with his new single, "POWER," released on October 31, 2024. This marks his first solo project since 2017 and the beginning of a new chapter under the independent label EMPIRE.  In his signature style, G-Dragon immerses himself...

Books for a World on Fire

Books for a World on Fire

Justin Gans, Opinions Editor November 1, 2024

As we near the 2024 Presidential Election and pass the one-year mark of Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, many feel disillusioned about the future. Community organizing and education will be crucial to avoiding the many crises we face. Here is a list of introductory books for some of the...

CSUSM Students Present a Modern Take on Caryl Churchill’s “Vinegar Tom”

CSUSM Students Present a Modern Take on Caryl Churchill’s “Vinegar Tom”

Saturn Salama, Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor October 25, 2024

Last week, CSUSM students performed Carly Churchill’s play “Vinegar Tom” directed by Judy Bauerlein and Shaun Heard.  “Vinegar Tom” opens with a young woman lounging and talking with her lover, who claims he is the devil. This dimly lit and brooding scene, filled with violence towards the...

Clairo at Rady Shell in San Diego

Some Things Just Never Seem to Fade: Clairo Concert Review

Elizabeth Brick, News Editor October 18, 2024

On October 4, Clairo hosted her largest headline show at the Rady Shell in San Diego, drawing an impressive crowd boasting an attendance of around ten thousand. Overall, the concert was fantastic. My long-term goal for the New Year was to attend more concerts, and while I haven’t seen many, I am pleased...

'Wicked' film key art with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (L); 'Wicked' Broadway musical key art (R)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Wicked: A tale of two versions and the anticipation of a film

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 18, 2024

As a fan of “Wicked” since I was a 12-year-old choir kid, it’s hard to believe that the musical has been around for more than two decades. Whether it’s your first time hearing the opening lines of “Defying Gravity” or the hundredth time seeing Glinda descend in her bubble, there is a certain...

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