11 minute read
A&E
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT York College’s Art Gallery’s New Exhibition
FROM COVER
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Each artist is unique in their own right. For example, Anton Kerkula, one of the Queens-based artists, photographed his “R3-VisioOn3D” project, which focused on the surrealism of architecture and captured the view of building structures. It helped him to create depth and perspective for his audience.
“At its core, this project aims to engage the viewer’s creativity and
Crunchyroll Now Has a Larger Anime Library.
Photo via Crunchyroll
By Niko Balkaran
Sony has merged anime streaming services Crunchyroll and Funimation. As a result, anime that was exclusive to Funimation will now be available to Crunchyroll subscribers.
There will be over 1600 hours and more than 50 new shows on Crunchyroll, according to the press release. Future exclusive content will also begin airing from April 1. Sony also confirmed that current Crunchyroll prices would remain unchanged.
“The best thing I see coming out of this is that now the casual anime watcher won’t need to be paying more for two apps,” said Divad Smith, president of the York’s Anime Club.
This merger means that Sony now controls the world’s largest anime library. Sony bought Crunchyroll last August for over $1 billion from AT&T, according to a Wired article.
Sony said that existing Funimation users would have access to a deal where they can get two months of Crunchyroll Premium for free.
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” said Colin Decker, CEO of Crunchyroll. “Unifying all of our brands and services under the Crunchyroll brand globally enables us to offer more value than ever before as we combine subs, dubs, simulcasts, library, music, movies, manga-all into one subscription.”
Crunchyroll is currently used in over 200 countries and territories and is offered in 10 languages, according to the press release. imagination in order to bring attention to the architecture that often goes unnoticed around them,” Kerkula wrote in his artist statement.
You can find a sneak peek of the exhibition on the York website and pictures from the past Biennials.
York College Art Gallery encourages engagement from the community and plans on bringing more exposure to the arts.
Jeanne Heifetz’s Pre-Occupied 90. Photo Credit: york.cuny.edu
Jenny Foos’ Convulsive Beauty in the Fur Teacup Bar. Photo Credit: york.cuny.edu Dominant Dansby’s Recycling Despair. Photo by Jeliza James
José Carlos Casado’s Hetty is Black & White. Photo by Jeliza James
Anton Kerkula’s R3-VisioOn3D series Building 5. Photo Credit: york.cuny.edu
José Carlos Casado’s Margaret is Black. Photo by Jeliza James
By Ilvea Lezama
At an early age, she knew she was going to make an impact in the world. At the age of seven, she wrote her first poem. By doing so, she manifested what her future would look like.
“I wish I could be a star …. If I was a star, I’d sing beautiful songs and happiness I’d bring.”
Being a star is exactly what our own York Radio Operator and Announcer, Lisa Ray, has been doing. Her journey has been arduous, but that has made her who she is today. In February of 2016, after visiting a NeuroMuscular Specialist following episodes of slurred speech and losing her balance, she was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). What is MS? It is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Before this diagnosis, Ray had gone from physician to physician trying to figure out why this was happening. After countless tests, MRIs, unexplained weakness, etc., no one gave her a justifiable reason why she was feeling the way she was feeling.
Little did she know that that would be the beginning of her story, the story that is making history. Born in Long Island but raised in Jamaica, Queens, Ray defines herself as a warrior. Ray is a radio engineer, editor, host, DJ, poet, singer, writer, comedy promoter, and advocate. While she is a woman who holds many titles, her favorite title is being a mother. All those titles did not come easy to her. Ray was once part of a music group in the 80s alongside two of her friends. The group was called Delicious, and they went on to record two songs produced by American singer-songwriter Teddy Riley. Music runs in her blood; her father was from South Georgia, and he loved soulful music, and her mother was from Puerto Rico and loved to sing in church. She recalls both being great cooks and having freshly cooked meals on the table every day, music always being around the house.
“My mom had an amazing voice,” said Ray. “I remember I used to imitate her when she sang.”
Growing up as the youngest of three siblings, she remembers having a great childhood going to amusement parks, museums, and more. At a young age, she started working with her uncle, a dentist. She assisted him by taking x-rays and making appointments. She has always had the mentality of a hustler. Immediately after high school, she wanted to go to college, but financially it was too much for her and her family as her mom had just become ill.
But Ray did not want to just stay with her high school diploma. Therefore, she signed up as a part-time student at York college while working full-time to pay her way through college. With all the adversities she encountered, she made a name for herself in the finance world by working on Wall Street for 30 years while being a single mother to her son. Unfortunately, after the market crashed in 2008, she was laid off. But Ray did not let that stop her from continuing to make a name for herself. She formerly hosted a radio show in the late eighties on WNWK and is currently co-hosting and producing a radio show that airs once each month on the last Sunday of the month, RADIO1WORLDFESTGLOBAL. This internet show voices and concerns about “global cultural awareness/ acceptance, diversity, tolerance, and inclusion.”
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“I wish I could be a star...If I was a star, I’d sing beautiful songs and happiness I’d bring.” -Lisa Ray
A woman of many talents. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Ray
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As a DJ, an MC, she took all her knowledge, charisma, and positive energy to YCRadio (York College Radio) when she joined in October of 2017 and ever since has been making an impact in the life of the students who intern at the YCRadio. While working at YCRadio, Ray has published her first book of poems. Throughout her life, she has written over fifty poems which you could read in her book Angel’s Heart guided by light sold on amazon. She dedicated this book to her family, who have always supported her. She is also the co-author and contributing author of the book The Reveal: An anthology featuring 10 new authors, also sold on Amazon.
“Writing is therapeutic; it has been a healing process for me, a way to cope,” Ray stated. “Life is poetic,” she said.
After becoming ill with MS, Ray became an angel for the MS community. Her foundation has been a blessing and a voice for everyone in the MS community. She has become an angel with Angels Hearts of Hope Foundation Inc. The mission of her foundation is to know there is still hope.
“I want the world to know not to count us out. We are here. Our goal is to help those who need us, to inspire them,” Ray said. “I say what people wish they could say, God, put me in this position for a reason.”
The foundation provides resources to the MS community, and helps students with MS by providing them with scholarships. She wants to continue fighting for the disabled community. She wants to continue being an advocate for them because the way people with disabilities get treated is unfair. Lisa Ray is a woman of many talents, a woman who has overcome all adversity to still give back to those who need her support. She wants to dedicate this article to her sister Maria Jamie Ray (2/25/62 – 8/24/2021), her sister, her best friend, a woman who became her mother figure when her mother passed away. If you would like to know more about Lisa Ray and her journey as an MS survivor. Visit her foundation’s Facebook page at Angels Hearts for Hope Foundation Inc. and her Instagram page at Thereal_LisaRay.
Five Films to Watch for Women’s History Month
By Tatiana Tait
What are you doing in honor of Women’s History Month to celebrate the women who inspire you? Take the time to indulge in these films, which honor women who have left their mark on the world.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Based on a true story, Hidden Figures starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, is a historical depiction of three women who made a lasting contribution to NASA’s space operation. The film takes place in the 60’s civil rights era, touching on the subjects of racial biases and the sexism these women faced in the workplace. In addition, the story highlights the achievements these women were able to make during an unprecedented time.
Becoming (2020)
Former first lady Michelle Obama reflected on her life in her Netflix documentary Becoming. She sought to impact and build connections with people from all walks of life by sharing her past experiences while inspiring the future.
Knock Down the House (2019)
This Netflix documentary followed four working-class women determined to make a difference for their community. It explored the campaigns of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Paula Jean Swearengin and Amy Vilela during their run for the 2018 midterm elections. All from different cities, but each has a similar mission to help improve their communities and answer the people’s concerns. The film documents the struggles and the strides taken in their journey to elections.
Suffragette (2015)
Suffragette starring Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan takes place in 1912 London, during the women’s suffrage era. It is the story of women who went through great lengths to receive their “God-given right” to vote in their country. The film showed the volatility between women and the government during this time and the sacrifices made by these women who were willing to get what they deserved by any means.
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Waiting to Exhale, starring Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine, Angela Bassett and Lela Rochon, shows a true depiction of sisterhood and what it means to balance family and relationships. Now 27 years since its release, the film has left an impressionable mark on women from all walks of life. Its relatability makes this film worth the watch.
Ray’s foundation’s message is one of hope. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Ray
Netflix Marvel Titles Finds New Home on Disney+
By Kezia Gustave
Disney decided that beginning March 16, all Netflix Marvel shows would no longer be available on Netflix. Instead, they will be transferred to Disney Plus.
Michael Paull, Disney’s president of streaming, announced the move in a press release. He also assured US customers that the platform would continue to evolve.
“We have experienced great success with this on Disney Plus across our global markets and will continue that here in the US as well by offering our consumers not only great content but also a set of features that help ensure a viewing experience most suitable for them and their family,” Paull said in an article by the Verge.
The Disney shows “Luke Cage,” “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Punisher,” “The Defenders,” and “Iron Fist” have been removed from Netflix. Customers will need to wait until mid-March to begin to watch or continue watching these shows.
The company mentioned they would update parental controls during the press release since these seven shows contain violence and inappropriate language unsuitable for children, according to an article by CNBC.
Disney Plus is now the primary platform or app for all Marvel Shows and movies. Although Disney Plus has aimed at children and teens, adult viewers will now have the opportunity to watch Marvel R-rated shows on the same platform.
The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) is standing up against Disney Plus’s decision to include R-rated and TV-MA marvel shows on their platform.
“Disney is already at a competitive advantage with a streaming platform that is the safest one out there for families. Its foray into TV-MA-rated fare will forever tarnish its family-friendly crown,” declared Tim Winter, the president of the PTC, in an article from the Verge.
The Marvel series “Agents of SHIELD” on ABC can be streamed on Disney Plus alongside these six other series.
Shows to Keep an Eye on in April.
Moonknight - Streaming on Disney+.
Bridgerton - Streaming on Netflix.
DMZ - Streaming on HBO Max.
Spy x Family - Streaming on Crunchyroll
