The Optimist
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The art of Abilene: Museums are alive and well

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Every month, downtown Abilene offers an ArtWalk to celebrate culture and the arts. It is an opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of Abilene and also to discover that our city has a surprisingly large art selection. There are several museums across town and numerous opportunities to get involved in through events and classes. The Grace ... [Read More…]

Mexican standoff: A guide to Mexican cuisine in Abilene

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One of the best parts about Texas cuisine is the availability of a wide variety of Mexican food. Whether it's cheap, American or authentic, Abilene has something to offer for Mexican food lovers of all kinds. However, this variety can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the exact type of Mexican food you're craving. In this issue, we ... [Read More…]

Lea Michele’s ‘Louder’ fails to make noise

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Glee's signature diva Lea Michele released her first solo album, "Louder", this week marking the beginning of her attempt to transfer from the Broadway and TV worlds into a career as a solo artist. Michele grew up on Broadway and is known for her effortless high notes and emotional performances. "Louder" attempts to balance this persona with a ... [Read More…]

Student teams shine in studio premiere

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The ACU Theatre opened "100 Saints You Should Know" in Culp Theatre on Thursday night. The show, classified as a "studio premiere," serves as a platform for students to direct and design a mainstage production. The theatre returns to gritty subject matter, a theme for the current season, after the light-hearted production of "Is He Dead?" ... [Read More…]

‘Frozen’ storm to rage on Broadway

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Disney's latest animated feature, Frozen, instantly became a pop culture icon when it was released last November and has gained popularity ever since. The film, which is loosely based on "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen, was re-vamped several times before it finally became the musical phenomenon we know today. With an ensemble cast of ... [Read More…]

Just your cup of tea: The British musicians we love

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Bad teeth, worse food and abysmal weather. Doctor Who, James Bond and Sherlock. These are just a few of the associations casually tossed at the English like so many cups of hot earl grey tea. Studying abroad in Oxford is a useful way to dispel some of the more farfetched ideas that we tend to hold about the United Kingdom, but there are already ... [Read More…]

The face of Sing Song: Behind ACU’s most iconic expression

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Sing Song is one of ACU's biggest traditions, combining singing, choreography and costumes in a competition that consumes campus for five weeks. Sing Song has many memorable components but one of the most important aspects of the competition is the expression that has come to define the show, commonly known as the Sing Song face. Tom Craig, ... [Read More…]

‘Is He Dead?’ delivers promised comedy

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ACU Theatre's production of "Is He Dead?" promises a "sparkling comedy" and does not fail to deliver. The production, which opened on Feb. 7, is a breath of fresh air after the heavy shows the department performed last semester. "Is He Dead?" is written by Mark Twain and adapted by David Ives. The show is centered around the real painter, ... [Read More…]

Pulse a capella hits the right note

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A capella music has been at the forefront of pop culture in recent years. With Sing-Off winner, Pentatonix, the Barden Bellas of Pitch Perfect, the Dalton Academy Warblers on Glee, and a plethora of a capella covers on YouTube, we have had no shortage of instrument-free pop tunes. The ACU campus, rooted in the a capella tradition because of its ... [Read More…]

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