Microphone in hand, 21-year-old musician Jada Lynn stood proudly in the spotlight. “Black and Indigenous, my being is resilient,” she sang to the crowd.

The Whole Music Club was filled with passionate voices and powerful words during the End Line 3 Concert on Nov. 5. The American Indian Student Cultural Center’s (AISCC) benefit concert featured a talented lineup of performers and raised awareness about the dangers posed by the Line 3 pipeline. It brought attention to the work Indigenous people are doing in the fight against its construction and raised funds to help support water protectors in northern Minnesota.

AISCC works to expose other students to Native culture, especially because the University rests on Dakota homelands.

“We emphasize that Native people were here before the University, and the University kind of pushed us out, so we don’t really have a space in higher education,” said Maggie Greenleaf, fourth-year student and events coordinator for AISCC. “We have that space for other Native students and Indigenous people to come and hang out, create community, have events and have that feeling of being connected to people that look like you.”

AISCC hosts monthly events, like Frybread Fridays, as well as annual events. Their annual Fall Round Dance is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the St. Paul Student Center. But Greenleaf noted that this benefit concert was special.

Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company, recently completed the replacement of their Line 3 oil pipeline which stretches across Minnesota. In addition to violating Indigenous treaty rights, critics say the completion of the pipeline could further contribute to climate change, increase sex trafficking and risk oil spills that would contaminate essential water sources — including those in which Native people harvest wild rice, an important aspect of Indigenous culture.

This summer, large groups of water protectors gathered in northern Minnesota in opposition to the pipeline’s construction; physical resistance strategies used on the frontlines included actions like blocking roads and water protectors locking themselves to construction equipment. They were met with resistance from police which resulted in hundreds of arrests.

Greenleaf explained that planning for this concert began during the first few weeks of the semester after another board member suggested the idea.

“With all of the arrests that have happened this past summer with protestors, a majority of them being Native, we felt like it would be a good project to contribute money towards their causes,” Greenleaf said.

The concert’s proceeds will be put towards bail funds for arrested water protectors, as well as helping support Camp Migizi, an Indigenous-led, queer and anarchist camp in northern Minnesota standing for Indigenous rights and against the construction of the pipeline. The group is focused on disrupting the work on the frontlines before the pipeline project is complete.

“We will still be here in the cold, in the heat, through the mud and barbed wire, and we ask that you remember us, because the fight for clean water is never over,” they said in an Instagram statement.

Money raised will go towards purchasing winter supplies for the camp to help make them more comfortable during the cold months ahead.

According to Greenleaf, AISCC had multiple goals going into this event. “I think our main goal is bringing awareness to the moves that Native people are making to keep tribal sovereignty and treaty rights,” she said. “We also just want to have fun, meet more people and have exposure to the different student groups.”

AISCC partnered with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), UMN Students for Climate Justice and 365 Green for this event, all of which had tables set up at the show and informational handouts for attendees.

Midori Van Alstine is a second-year student at the University studying biology, society and environment. As a member of SDS, Van Alstein worked with AISCC to help to organize the show.

“Environmental justice is justice for everybody,” Van Alstine said.

In addition to building awareness about Line 3, Van Alstine said they hoped the concert would reach a new crowd of people and encourage them to take action.

“It’s a good way to get people that usually aren’t that involved in activism to come out and actually help with the cause while having fun and learning more about what’s happening,” Van Alstine said

The concert itself brought a great turnout as more and more people filed into The Whole as time went on. Some attendees grabbed a seat in the back and others stood close to the stage, forming a semicircle fleet of Converse, Dr. Martens, flannels and graphic tees.

The setlist of talented performers and upcoming artists, like 21-year-old Lynn, commanded the room’s attention through powerful and intimate prose in musical form. Lynn is a singer, songwriter and producer based in Minneapolis. She said she tends to focus on making R&B music, but her goal is to be like Rihanna and have a song in every genre.

Upon taking the stage, Lynn played instrumental tracks from her iPhone, giving the spotlight to her smooth vocal runs and thoughtful songwriting. Over the course of her set, she captivated the audience with her impressive vocal range and bubbly, confident stage presence.

Lynn said that being a part of this event was important to her in terms of raising awareness, combating ignorance and sharing a healing space with the other artists.

“I’m Indigenous, and Line 3 is destroying our water source, going through a lot of our reservations and taking away our main source of food,” she explained.

She noted the importance of letting people know the pipeline is more disastrous to Native people than beneficial. “What are we gonna do when our main source of water is depleted?” she asked. “Is the money worth our health, our safety?”

AISCC was successful in raising awareness and money, totaling over $3,600 in donations. But Greenleaf also explained that the event highlighted their presence within the campus community.

“It’s just reminding people that we’re here and that we do exist on this campus,” she said. “If you’re gonna talk about Native issues and want to consult actual Native people who are similar to you, we’re here.”

The month of November can often feel like a sort of autumnal limbo, as Halloween is a distant memory and the holiday season looms just around the corner.

But the Twin Cities has plenty of fun end-of-fall happenings to keep you busy this month, and to prolong the coming of winter as much as possible — here’s a list of 15 events and activities to keep on your radar this November.

1. Film Screenings at the Walker Art Center: There are a few upcoming screenings on the calendar at the Walker. “Blue,” a 1993 film by director Derek Jarman, will be shown for free at the Walker Cinema on Thursday, Nov. 11. The film came out months prior to Jarman’s death from AIDS and it recounts his experience with the disease at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

A screening of “Being BeBe” will take place Saturday, Nov. 13 as part of the Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival. This documentary follows the career of locally and nationally renowned drag performer Marshall Ngwa, a.k.a. BeBe Zahara Benet. After starting his career as a performer in Minneapolis, Benet went on to become the first champion of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and created his own productions in New York. There will also be a Q&A with Benet after the screening.

2. Yoga at Union Depot: If you’ve always wanted to try yoga but couldn’t justify going to overpriced classes, head down to Union Depot in St. Paul. They offer free yoga classes multiple times per week, each with a different focus or skill level.

Yoga Sculpt happens every Monday evening, a full-body workout that focuses on toning the major muscle groups. Virtual Noon Yoga takes place on Tuesdays and these intermediate classes provide a relaxing mid-day break. Lastly, Saturday Morning Yoga is offered weekly for a variety of skill levels.

3. Ryan Caraveo: The University’s Whole Music Club will host Ryan Caraveo for a show on Nov. 12. Caraveo’s music lies somewhere on the border between alternative pop and hip-hop, with hits like “Peanut Butter Waffles” amassing over 23 million streams on Spotify. Tickets are only $5 for University of Minnesota students and are available for purchase online.

4. JPEGMAFIA: Fans of JPEGMAFIA hits like “Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot” might be interested in seeing the rapper live. He will be performing at First Avenue on Nov. 12, following the release of his latest project, “LP!”

5. Turkey Trot: The annual Turkey Trot St. Paul 6k and 10k races will be happening Nov. 25. If you are a runner, this is the perfect opportunity to get some mileage in for a good cause: the race will raise money for the Open Door Food Pantry.

6. Pink Sweat$: The R&B artist recently released his debut album, “PINK PLANET,” and fans can catch him at Dinkytown’s own Varsity Theater on Nov. 17.

7. Open Mic Night: The Whole Music Club will hold an open mic night on Nov. 18. Musicians, comedians and other performers are welcome to sign up and showcase their talent.

8. “A Christmas Carol:” If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit a little early, performances of this classic Christmas play will begin at the Guthrie Theatre as soon as Nov. 10.

9. Black Business is Beautiful Market: Black Business is Beautiful Local Markets showcase local Black and Indigenous business owners and business owners of color and their products, like clothing, jewelry, books and more. The markets this month will be held Nov. 13 and Nov. 26, and you can register for a shopping pass and time slot online.

10. Studio Ghibli Movie Marathon: Calling all Studio Ghibli fans! An all-day movie marathon will be happening in Coffman Memorial Union Theater on Nov. 20. Six movies will be played from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., including “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and more. There will also be a themed raffle, games and snacks provided at the event.

11. Drag Brunches: What’s better than brunch, drag shows and bottomless mimosas? Union Rooftop combines all three in their weekend drag brunches. Some themes on the calendar for November include Prince, Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears and more.

12. papa mbye: Presented by Radio K and The Vanguard, Minneapolis-based artist papa mbye will take the 7th St Entry stage on Nov. 11. The rapper caught the attention of local music fans through hits like “IDONTSENDSEX” and “ONLY RIGHT,” and this performance will showcase his recently released EP, “MANG FI.” The show will include sets from a few other artists, including FruitPunchLoverBoy, Huhroon and KWEY.

13. Free Films in Coffman: The University’s Student Unions & Activities will be screening films for free on weekends in Coffman Memorial Union Theater and the St. Paul Student Center Theater. The lineup of movies for the coming weeks includes “Black Widow,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”

14. Beach Bunny: The band will be performing at First Avenue on Nov. 28, accompanied by two Minneapolis-based special guests: miloe and Why Not.

15. Minneapolis Cider Co. College Nights: Nothing beats craft ciders in the fall. Bring your student ID to Minneapolis Cider Co. on Thursdays for College Night and each drink you purchase will get you a free can of cider to take home.

Cinephiles, sci-fi fans and anyone who likes to keep their finger on the pulse of Timothée Chalamet’s ever-expanding filmography have long-awaited the last few weeks in cinema.

Oct. 22 was an important day for some of Hollywood’s biggest names, marking the release of the highly-anticipated “Dune” and “The French Dispatch.” Although different in every sense of the word, both of these films play on a similar sense of escapism in their own way — whether transporting audience members to other planets or immersing them in the whimsical beauty of the small things in life.

Director Denis Villeneuve’s take on “Dune,” the 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, is one of fierce and undaunted intensity. This adaptation’s star-studded cast brings us the story of a universe vastly different from our own. We enter the world of Arrakis, a desert planet rich in an extremely valuable hallucinogen and energy source called “spice.” Arrakis has been colonized by House Harkonnen, who inflict an oppressive regime against the planet’s Indigenous people, the Fremen. The story begins when we find out that the all-powerful emperor has granted governance of Arrakis to the seemingly-more benign House Atreides, headed by Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and their son, Paul (Timothée Chalamet).

The 2.5 hour journey details the not-so-peaceful transfer of power to House Atreides, riddled with epic sword fighting, massive killer sandworms and Paul’s realization that he could embody the arrival of a long-awaited Messiah.

Villeneuve’s film adaptation effectively squelches the novel’s notorious reputation of being “unfilmable.” The plot is slightly difficult to follow at times, especially for those that haven’t read the book. Although there isn’t much background provided, Villeneuve supplements the onslaught of highly-specific plot details with enough intensity and action that the film keeps viewers in a tight grip for the entirety of its running time.

Theater speakers rattle in an impressive effort to relay the film’s booming and ominous score, one that works perfectly in conjunction with the on-screen suspense, but treads close to being overstimulating. Although, perhaps this contributes to what, in my eyes, is the film’s most significant achievement: fully immersing the audience in the “Dune” universe.

There isn’t a moment in which your senses don’t lie on the planet of Arrakis; every audio and visual effect is impressive and intentional, making for a full sensory experience. It’s cognitively stimulating for the entire duration, and will prevent you from taking a breath until the end credits roll. “Dune” was also released on HBO Max, but this film might not be the best fit for a chill night on the couch — the dark, enclosed environment of the theater is the ideal setting to experience this movie in all of its immersive glory. Villeneuve finds great success in taking the audience out of their present reality, and ultimately, what more can we ask of a movie?

Compared to a “Dune” showing, going to see “The French Dispatch” feels like a much needed mental respite. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film is structured as a three-part anthology that provides an inside look at the final issue of The French Dispatch, a Sunday supplement of the Liberty, Kan. Evening Sun newspaper. The Dispatch is essentially a fictionalized version of The New Yorker, covering food, politics and other areas of culture in a fictitious French town called Ennui-sur-Blasé. The whimsical comedy brings three feature stories to life, as told by the journalists who wrote them.

The amount of recognizable names and faces in this movie is right on par with the “Dune” cast — Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton and Timothée Chalamet, to name a few. This movie takes every element of Anderson’s recognizable film style and increases it tenfold; aesthetically, it might be his most “Wes Anderson” movie yet, decorated with a stunning pastel color palette, striking symmetry and plenty of center-frame and overhead shots.

Whereas “Dune” captivates the audience with an overpowering theatrical intensity, “The French Dispatch” feels like a bit of a palette cleanser, as Anderson keeps viewers engaged through the film’s beautiful simplicity. As with many of his other films, action and violence are often integral parts of the plot, but these elements come to life in a light-hearted and comedic fashion. The stark contrast between Anderson’s candy-colored, fairytale-like aesthetics and his dramatic plot points are a crucial element of his best films, and “The French Dispatch” definitely hits this nail on the head.

Much like “Dune,” it’s easy to get lost in “The French Dispatch,” but the two films utilize escapism in a completely different way. “Dune” lets us dream up a different world, a fantasy that we can run away to for the entire 2.5 hours. But at the end of the day, life on Arrakis isn’t all fantasy — issues like colonization and the exploitation of Indigenous people still exist, as they do in our own society.

On the other hand, “The French Dispatch” doesn’t bring us beyond our conceptions of space and time, but it reminds us that a romanticization of the little things in life can feel like an escape from reality in and of itself. Anderson turns a Midwestern newspaper, something so seemingly insignificant, into a fantastic subject of child-like wonder. In doing so, “The French Dispatch” grounds us in the simplistic beauty of life’s small pleasures. Ultimately, “Dune” embodies the endless possibilities of fantasy, but “The French Dispatch” immerses us in the fantasy of everyday life.

Between on-stage combat, sword fighting and lots of Dungeons & Dragons lore, “She Kills Monsters” is more than your average coming-of-age story.

The fourth show of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance season touches on grief, sexuality, identity and truth-telling in a unique way that prioritizes playfulness, finding joy and owning your passions. It runs at the Rarig Center’s Stoll Thrust Theatre Nov. 11-21.

The play tells the story of Agnes, a teenager seeking to learn more about her late younger sister, Tilly, through one of the things she loved most in life: Dungeons & Dragons. Agnes immerses herself in the fantasy world of D&D, full of interesting characters and epic sword fighting, while simultaneously uncovering truths about her sister and the difficult realities of grief.

Grace Hillmyer is a senior at the University working towards her BA in theatre on the performance creation track. Hillmyer is taking on the lead role of Agnes in this production, which she said has been a cathartic journey.

“I’ve had experiences with grief as a young person throughout high school and my college years, and I think that there’s definitely been some really emotional, hard moments in the rehearsal process of moving into this character,” she said, “but I also think it’s been very cathartic in a way.”

Hillmyer noted that the story offers a unique perspective into how people deal with death, especially when it comes to the harder parts of a relationship that they now have to reckon with. “That’s been the most eye opening part, I suppose,” she said. “Seeing the journey of a young woman experiencing grief and working through it in a really unorthodox way.”

The show, originally created by playwright Qui Nguyen, debuted in 2011 and has been performed by many different casts in the years since. Although it is set in the ‘90s, the ideas brought forth in this show still have relevance today.

Doug Scholz-Carlson and Annie Enneking are co-directors of this production. They explained that the play brings to light how things have changed since the ‘90s, as well as how some aspects of society have stayed the same.

Scholz-Carlson said the play depicts several topics that will spark conversation among audience members, such as sexuality and coming out, the use and appropriation of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), disability, body image and more.

“The characters have opinions on them and the playwright has opinions on them, and we present the story, and then the audience gets to talk about all of those things,” Scholz-Carlson said.

Enneking echoed the importance of how this play takes on some serious topics. “One of the things that I’ve learned through this process is the idea that just because there’s something crunchy in the play doesn’t mean you don’t do the play,” she said. “It just means you’re provided an opportunity to have a conversation about it.”

Opening the door to conversation about these issues also involves an important element of on-stage representation in the show, which actor Amber Frederick can speak to specifically.

Frederick is a senior at the University and they are playing the role of Lilith (Lilly) Morningstar in this show. “This is the first queer character I have gotten to play, which feels huge,” Frederick said.

“The story of Lilly is very similar to my own. As a young person, your feelings of attraction and romance can be confusing when they don’t align with your peers,” she said. “For Lilly, who’s growing up in the 1990s in Ohio, this is especially isolating, and to see that story onstage is important to how we conceptualize how special and sacred queer relationships are in our society.”

“She Kills Monsters” is one of five productions in University’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance’s fall season, which marks their return to the stage after nearly two years without in-person performances. For the cast, crew and audience members alike, this show will spark joy and provide a warm “Welcome Back” to live theatre.

“You’re bound to have so much fun with us at the show,” Frederick said. “Come see this energizing, badass, heart-filled production with someone you love.”

Many students remain in their own worlds while bustling through the streets and sidewalks of a college campus, their gaits matching the tempo of whatever song blares through their earbuds.

Music plays a big role in the lives of college students; it can keep you motivated during a study session, help you get up in the morning or supplement your walk between classes. But have you ever wondered what your professors jam out to after a long day of teaching or what tracks set the mood for their daily commutes?

1. “Dying to Believe” by The Beths – Rand Park, Carlson School of Management

Park said this track by the indie pop band from New Zealand is his current favorite. “This live version is from September 2021 and it’s awesome,” he said. “Great lyrics, fairly complex vocal arrangement, excellent guitar and drum interplay. Honestly, I’m listening to this multiple times per day right now.”

2. “Hurt” by Johnny Cash – Michelle Driessen, Department of Chemistry

STEM students might be familiar with Driessen from taking general chemistry courses. Driessen said she has recently been creating Pandora playlists based on Cash’s cover of this track by Nine Inch Nails. “It’s a bit dark, but really showcases his voice,” she said.

3. “Mercy Now” by Mary Gauthier – Regina McCombs, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

McCombs described this song as her “survive-the-pandemic” anthem. “Hard to beat this for relevance,” she said. “It gets to me every single time.”

4. “FaceTime with my Mom (Tonight)” by Bo Burnham – Liza Meredith, Department of Psychology

Whether you’re a psychology major or have explored the department’s electives, chances are you might have had Meredith for an intro psych course. She said this track from Burnham’s comedy special, “Inside,” is her go-to anytime she needs a laugh. “It cracks me up and reminds me how unique the pandemic time period was for all of us in different ways,” she said.

5. “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack – Marvin Marshak, School of Physics and Astronomy

If physics is integral to your field of study, you might have had Marshak for an introductory course. This classic love song is an all-time favorite of his. Marshak said he and his spouse, Anita, included it in their wedding 49 years ago.

6. “El Stupido” by Skirr – Mark Stellmack, Department of Psychology

Stellmack said he’s recently been enjoying this track by the Twin Cities-based band. “It speaks to me with its inspiring tale of the enduring strength and resilience of the human spirit,” he said.

7. “Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac” by Benjamin Britten – John Watkins, Departments of English and History

Watkins’ name might ring a bell for English and History majors from his handful of courses, including Shakespeare, Early Modern Britain and beyond. This 1952 piece composed by Britten is based on the Abraham and Isaac story depicted in the 15th century Chester Mystery Plays. There are many recordings, but Watkins is particularly fond of this early performance by John Hahessy and Peter Pears. “I dare anyone listening to that final bit, with Abraham and the newly spared Isaac singing their prayer of gratitude, not to weep,” Watkins said.

8. “Redemption Song” by Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer – Christopher Terry, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Terry said he’s really digging the Cash and Strummer cover of this Bob Marley classic. “The track is a mash up of just about all of my favorite music things,” he said.

9. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen – Fahima Aziz, Department of Economics

Carlson students may know Aziz from Principles of Microeconomics, one of the school’s required courses. This infamous 6-minute rock ballad is Aziz’s favorite song of all time. She said she appreciates its varying melodic elements, the lyrics and, of course, Freddie Mercury’s astonishing vocal range. “It’ll always be my favorite because of its uniqueness and boldness even in today’s time,” Aziz said.

10. “Desert on the Moon” by Hiromi – Christopher Kauffman, Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Kauffman said he’s a fan of jazz music and is particularly fond of jazz pianist Hiromi. “I had my first date with my wife at a Hiromi concert, and tracks like this one are close to my heart and full of memories,” he said.

11. “Step” by Vampire Weekend – Emilie Snell-Rood, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

Snell-Rood said her all-time favorites depend heavily on context, as her daily soundtrack varies whether she’s working out, writing or driving her 3-year-old home. But for when she wants to relax, this Vampire Weekend track is Snell-Rood’s go-to.

12. “Take This Ring” by Toni Braxton – Elliott Powell, Department of American Studies

Despite being released in 2005, Powell said this track is his current favorite as it was finally put on streaming platforms this month. “One reason why I love this song now is because of pure nostalgia — my friends and I used to dance to it all the time,” he said. But more than that, Powell appreciates the song’s interesting lyrical twist; he describes it as an “anthem of infidelity,” offering a perspective that we don’t usually see in women’s pop music.

Although social media is designed to help us connect with one another, it can often make us feel disconnected from other parts of our lives.

“I just needed to be in reality more than on my phone,” Bre Hess, a fourth-year student,
said. Hess experienced this consequence as a result of her compulsive Snapchat usage.

Between doomscrolling on Twitter and the endless stream of tailored content on our TikTok For You pages, it’s easy to unconsciously rack up hours of screen time.

There are plenty of benefits to using social media: it can be a tool for education, raising awareness and fostering connection – especially during the pandemic. But our relationships with social media can quickly take a turn for the worse and deleting the apps isn’t always a sustainable solution. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to help get your social media habits back on track.

Dr. Kaz Nelson is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School and defines unhealthy habits as “continued use of something despite harmful consequences.”

Unhealthy habits related to social media use aren’t without reason. In fact, Nelson noted the physiological basis for our dependency on social media.

“Humans are evolved to be social creatures and to be plugged into one another in community,” she said. “There’s reason to believe that engaging in social media increases our connectedness, and our brain pays attention to it and sees it as rewarding.”

Nelson explained the unhealthy habits contributing to problematic social media use can be broken down into various categories. The first is having trouble controlling your usage. For example, you might be experiencing cravings or strong urges to engage in social media despite wanting to use it less. Another category has to do with social problems, which could arise when social media use impairs you from completing other tasks or leisure activities.

In terms of curbing these habits, the solutions are nuanced.
“I think many people will find that standard tips, tricks and tools likely represent an oversimplification of problem solving,” Nelson said. “Moderation is the goal, and that’s actually the most difficult thing to achieve for many people.”

One thing Nelson recommends is tapping into body flags, or physical cues that tell us when it’s time to disengage. She explained that being aware of sensations like a sinking feeling in your stomach or a buzzing in your head, could signal a break from scrolling is needed.

“It’s very easy with these screens and virtual environments to dissociate from the body. With practice, the goal is that we can continue to engage in these types of technologies without losing track of the body and its signals,” Nelson said.

The key to improving Hess’ relationship with these platforms was turning off their notifications. She said she did this for Snapchat and it resulted in her using the app far less frequently.

“I stopped obsessively checking my phone for notifications throughout the day because I knew they wouldn’t be there,” she said. “Overall I got less attached to the app, and it’s really freeing.”

Olivia May graduated from the University in 2021. She has accumulated over 9,000 followers on TikTok, where she posts Minnesota-specific lifestyle videos. Once she realized she was constantly refreshing the app to look at her amount of likes, she turned off TikTok notifications entirely.

“If I want to go on TikTok, then I have to make the choice to go on TikTok,” May said. “I felt like I had a little more agency in that way.”

A few years ago, May also removed around 500 followers from her Instagram, which she said helped take her focus away from the numbers and analytics of her account.

“I like the fact that I’m engaging with people that actually care about me,” she said.

Lauren Arthur, a third-year at the University, shared a similar experience with taking control of her Instagram following. Upon realizing she felt she was being judged by certain people, Arthur removed around 1,000 of her followers and unfollowed 200 accounts.

“If you have a bunch of random people following you, you’re putting stuff out there for them to perceive you in a certain way, and not just because it’s something you’re proud of or want to update people on,” she said.

After taking this step, Arthur said her relationship with social media improved.
“I’m posting stuff that I actually care about,” she said. “Nothing I’m posting is to make a reflection of me … the people who I’m letting follow me already know who I am.”

For those looking to curb their problematic social media use, Arthur also recommends taking a short break from the apps to examine your reasons for using them and to focus on those objectives moving forward.

“Think about how you want to use it as a tool for your life,” she said. “For me, the tool I wanted it to be was just to enhance my real life, not my life in the internet world.”

Unscripted and unpredictable, the University of Minnesota’s long-form improv troupe brings a unique kind of performance art to the stage.

Minnesota Long-Form Improv (MLFI) fosters relationships, builds trust and creates a unique connection with audience members through the art of theatrical and off-the-cuff comedy.

In long-form improv, everything is made up on the spot and it all starts with a suggestion from the audience. Performers are tasked by using suggestions to create pieces that are 20–30 minutes long, driven by characters and narrative storytelling.

This year, MLFI shows will occur on the first Friday of each month. The possibilities are endless at these shows, as each of the group’s four teams performs their own piece. Every piece is unique, not only in content but also in structure.

“We teach the first-year team a form called expansion tree, which kind of follows the general format of a 20-minute sitcom episode,” said Claire Nelson, a member of the third-year team. “There’s a lot of different ways that you can occupy the 20 minutes, but you’re just telling a narrative.”

Nelson explained that long-form improv differs from other forms of performance art in that it creates a special kind of connection between performers and audience members.

“I think it’s a way more intimate form of performance. There’s a strong relationship between the audience and the people on stage,” they said. “It’s kind of like everyone’s in on an inside joke together.”

“It’s very unique because the same thing isn’t going to happen twice,” added Alison Davis, president of MLFI and member of the third-year team. “It’s just a very fun experience for both the people on the stage and the people in the audience.”

In order for these connections between performers and the audience to be made, intimate bonds must first be created within the team itself — exactly what MLFI works to accomplish. Jack Callahan serves as MLFI’s marketing coordinator, a co-coach of the first-year team and a member of the third-year team. He said a lot of improv is built off of trust, so team bonding games and other activities to get to know each other are often implemented in rehearsals.

“You have to trust that you’re going to put out an idea and the other person will know where you’re wanting to go with it,” he said.

Besides working to cultivate a strong group dynamic, it can be hard to imagine what goes on at a long-form improv rehearsal. How do you prepare when you don’t know what material you will be performing?

Mandy Billups, a third-year team member who also serves on MLFI’s board, said rehearsals often focus on strengthening the “list of ingredients” that makes for good improv, including things like building relationships and making a space seem real.

“We’ve been working a lot recently on physicality in a space, and then we usually practice either parts of a piece or even do full pieces with a coach” she said.

“It’s just like with sports where you’re doing the exercises and routines that you can use in the show,” Callahan added.

Ultimately, doing improv and being a part of MLFI is important to these folks for a variety of reasons. Here’s a closer look at who these team members are off stage and what this group means to them.

Claire Nelson is majoring in communication studies. She was motivated to audition for MLFI when her high school speech coach recommended it, and she ended up finding improv to be a lot less stressful and a lot more refreshing than high school speech and theatre. Being a part of MLFI has introduced them to a lot of people who are now their close friends, and boosted their confidence in their creative, leadership and storytelling abilities. In the future, she wants to pursue a career in visual media.

Alison Davis is a medical laboratory science major. After doing improv all throughout high school, she had her mind set on getting involved with it when she came to the University. She enjoys improv because, unlike STEM-related subjects, there is no right answer to strive for and no one can tell you you’re doing it wrong. She also didn’t know anyone coming into college, so she found that MLFI was a good opportunity to make new friends. Being in MLFI has improved her communication skills, which she said comes in handy during interviews.

Jack Callahan is studying strategic communications and he’s been doing improv since high school at local theaters in Minneapolis. He has always felt safe in the improv community, so he was looking for an organization like MLFI upon coming to college. From being on the team, he’s learned to trust himself more and that failure can be one of life’s best gifts. In the future, he hopes to move to New York or Chicago to pursue a career in advertising while continuing to do improv on the side.

Mandy Billups is studying biomedical engineering. When she came to college, she felt overwhelmed by all the student groups and professional organizations on campus. But she loved theater in high school and had done some improv, so she decided to give MLFI a chance. She’s found the group has been something she can look forward to without having anything to do with the things that stress her out. In the future, she hopes to go to medical school.

Gennie Krause is majoring in cultural studies and comparative literature. She first tried improv at a summer camp and ended up enjoying it. MLFI has become something she wanted to prioritize because she likes it so much. It makes her happy and has introduced her to a lot of new friends.

A gangster’s safe haven, a speakeasy, a mushroom farm and a discreet underground nightclub: the Wabasha Street Caves have filled many roles over the last century, each with its own haunting history preserved within the sandstone walls.

The caves recently reopened under new ownership and their legacy lives on through tours and events that give visitors a glimpse of eras past. But this history lesson has a chilling twist: from unexplainable whispers to guests from the “other side,” ghost stories and sightings are plentiful at this St. Paul site, making it the perfect place to explore during the month of October.

The man-made caves were originally constructed in the 1800s, when the area was mined for silica to be used in glass manufacturing. Left with a cool, damp interior, the caves were later transformed into a mushroom farm, informally known as Mushroom Valley.

In the early 1930s, construction of the infamous Castle Royal Nightclub began inside the caves. It became a sort of safe haven frequented by Minnesota’s most notorious gangsters, among them John Dillinger, Fred and Arthur “Doc” Barker, “Baby Face” Nelson and others.

But the mobsters no longer run the show at the Wabasha Street Caves. Instead, their stories and history are preserved by the caves’ passionate tour guides, owners and guests who come ready to learn.

Faith Pon, the new owner, purchased the caves at the end of September 2021. She fell in love with the historic site when she started visiting back in the late 90s, and was devastated to find out the caves had closed due to COVID-19. But it inspired her to act.

“I reached out and found out they were for sale, and haven’t really looked back since,” she said. “It was a no brainer for me.”

Since reopening, the caves have brought back some of their traditional events. Historic Cave Tours are offered weekly on Saturdays and Thursdays, and they’re gearing up for their St. Paul Gangster Tour on October 16. The dance floor opens up on Thursday nights for weekly Swing Nights, where live music and swing dancing lessons will be provided. The full event calendar for the caves can be found here.

Right now, they’re also offering the Lost Souls Tour, which focuses solely on ghostly happenings and stories from inside the caves. These will take place on the last three Sundays of October, and they’re a great way to get in the Halloween spirit.

“The caves are definitely haunted,” Donna Bremer, former co-owner of the Wabasha Street Caves, said. “Everybody that’s worked here has had an experience … and we find that the spirits get more active in October for some reason.”

For tour guide Brett Williams, ghostly encounters are an everyday occurrence. “There will be whistling, there will be footsteps, it’s bizarre,” he said. “I’ve never seen ghosts so bold.”

On the Historic Cave Tour, Williams recounted tales of flickering chandeliers, spirits seen walking through walls and other spooky happenings. At one point, he paused to get a better listen in a dark corner of the cave, alleging he had just heard someone tossing stones around behind him.

For those who aren’t interested in the paranormal side of the tour, the caves still have plenty to offer.

“It’s just the most beautiful, inspiring place … I’ve loved it from the minute I walked in the door,” said Deborah Frethem, another of the caves’ tour guides. “The sense of history here emanates from the walls.”

Tammy Miller was visiting from Ohio and attended a tour of the caves one Saturday morning. Miller is interested in history and true crime, and she wanted to learn more about the cave’s history with gangsters.

“I saw that it reopened again, and I was just like, we are going,” Miller said. “I don’t care what the weather is like—whatever we gotta do, we’re coming here.”

Whether it’s the unique history or the ghostly lore that piques your interest, exploring the caves will be an experience you won’t forget.

“It’s all about letting legends live on,” Williams said. “Memories are made here.”

After nearly two years without in-person performances, the lights are back on for the University’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance.

The department recently announced the lineup for their fall performance season. The diverse handful of shows, under a theme of “Return, Restore, Renew,” will work to educate students and audience members alike about social issues and human emotion through performing arts. 

There are four shows on the calendar for the upcoming season, which spans late October through early December. 

“JUNK,” a play by Ayad Akhtar, will run in the Kilburn Arena Theatre Oct. 28-31. Presented by the Guthrie BFA Acting Second Year Company, this show gives the audience a riveting inside look into the financial world of the 1980s.

Running alongside “JUNK” in the Kilburn Arena Theatre is “Alchemy of Desire/Dead-Man’s Blues.” This production will take place Oct. 28-31, and centers around a widow who is uplifted by her community during a time of grief.

“She Kills Monsters,” will run Nov. 11-21 at the Stoll Thrust Theatre. Presented by the BA Performance Program, this play by Qui Nguyen depicts a teenager who set out to learn more about her late sister’s life through the fantastic world of Dungeons & Dragons.

The University’s dance major students will close out the fall performance season with the “University Dance Theatre Fall Dance Show.” Running Dec. 3-5 at the Barbara B. Barker Center for Dance, this show will premiere two new dance films, incorporating choreography from Souleymane Badolo and BRKFST Dance Company.

The Instagram account “goldysjockstrap” has quickly become a prominent name in campus culture — it has over 2,500 followers, to most of whom the owner’s identity remains unknown. Using the text post meme structure that has come to dominate our timelines, the page provides a creative and humorous glimpse into niche aspects of the University experience that you won’t hear about on a campus tour. A&E spoke with the student behind the account about her anonymity, the impact she’s making, her campus hot takes and more.

What sort of information do you disclose to followers about your identity?

My pronouns are she/her, and I’m a first-year Carlson student planning on majoring in either finance or marketing.

Why do you prefer to keep the account anonymous?

I would like to not have it infringe on my professional career going forward. It’s also really nice to walk around and see my followers in public but they don’t know it’s me, which is a really weird but kind of cool experience.

Do any of your followers know your true identity?

Yeah, it’s probably about like 5% of people that follow me, so it’s quite a big chunk. I started the account back in the beginning of July, and by the time the school year started I had probably told like 30 people that were going to the U. After that, I think it just spread a little bit, but the majority of the followers don’t know who I am.

What inspired you to create the account back in July?

There’s this app called Patio, which is sort of like GroupMe but just for the class of 2025. There were jokes going around in there, and I thought it would make for really good content. So, I just started making little Gopher jokes in my notes app. I’ve seen accounts like Barstool Gophers, which is mostly just using other peoples’ content or using meme templates that are really overdone in my eyes. So I was like, okay, I’m gonna make my own.

The account has obviously grown a lot since then, and you have quite the following. What do you think contributed to this success?

A lot of people will repost things on their stories, and then people from the University of Minnesota will see it, engage with it and follow the account. But it’s a lot through word of mouth — there’s been a couple of times in lectures when I’ve heard people talk about the account, or people will text me and say they were walking and heard someone talking about it.

Who are some of your Instagram inspirations?

My favorite meme page is called mybloodyvirginators. It’s like the on_a_downward_spiral account, but more creative.

We’re only a month into your first year on campus, yet it seems like you’ve already become familiar with every corner of the University community. How did you do this so quickly?

I got my broad knowledge of everything by living so close to campus. I grew up in the area, so I went to games all the time and had connections at the U. I’d hear people talk about bars and dorms and things like that, and I think that definitely helped. During Welcome Week, we really got immersed in the culture of being at the U, which was helpful in making all of these memes. I also love eavesdropping, so I just listen in on other people’s conversations and make them into memes sometimes.

What sort of impact do you think this account is having on its followers?

I feel a little bit like a counselor to some of my followers who are high schoolers, or just an honest voice. When you’re in the college admissions process, there’s not a lot of transparency. You can go on student-led tours, but they’re still employed by the University so they’re not telling you what’s really going on for students. There’s obviously accounts like Barstool, but that’s mostly partying and the athletic scene, and less so what’s happening with freshman and the inner workings of the school.

Is it having any impact on you personally?

For almost all of the friends that I’ve made here so far, I’ve made the connection through having that account. We wouldn’t have built that relationship if it wasn’t for chatting over DMs about posts that I make, or people asking to do a small group meetup. I also always have someone to go to for advice, like I can easily use the account to get to someone in every community at the U and ask them a question. It’s really nice.

You share a ton of campus-related opinions on the account, so what are some of your best campus hot takes?

Superblock as a whole is overrated. My favorite dorms are Sanford and Comstock, and then Middlebrook because I like the people there. When I’m in Superblock, I feel like I’m in Edina. Sometimes I’ll go in Pioneer and I’ll get elitist vibes from people. Another hot take is that psychology majors are as bad as business majors. Business majors get a lot of hate, rightfully so, but I’d say that female psychology majors are the equivalent of male business majors in my eyes. It’s like “womansplaining” versus “mansplaining.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.