Monday, August 10

In the news:

Q&A: Bruin lends voice to Disney’s ‘Million Dollar Arm’

Walt Disney Pictures’ “Million Dollar Arm” is a showcase of Indian national pride – the true story of two young men from the Indian countryside who get the chance to train for a Major League Baseball tryout. Read more...

Photo: The soundtrack to Walt Disney Pictures’ “Million Dollar Arm” features Gaayatri Kaundinya, who recently graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in ethnomusicology. Kaundinya’s opportunity to sing for the soundtrack came from an internship with film composer A.R. Rahman. (Walt Disney Pictures)


David Sedaris returns to Royce for evening of humorous stories

Author David Sedaris can be found on campus every year, but not as a student. Sedaris, who has been giving readings at UCLA for more than 10 years, will return to Royce Hall Tuesday for his next annual appearance in “An Evening with David Sedaris.” The event will mix a reading of Sedaris’ published personal essays and short stories – from best-sellers such as “Barrel Fever” and “Me Talk Pretty One Day” – with more current material and anecdotes. Read more...

Photo: Coinciding with Tuesday’s “An Evening with David Sedaris,” the Student Committee for the Arts at UCLA and the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA’s annual humor writing contest features three student winners: fourth-year history student Lyndsey Silveira (left), alumna Lexi Cary (middle) and graduate English student Jordan Wingate (right). (Photos courtesy of Meryl Friedman)


Album Review: ‘Ultraviolence’

Leaning against the open door of a vintage car on the cover of her latest album, Lana Del Rey evokes a sense of melancholy and lonely sentiments that reflects the songs of “Ultraviolence.” The third studio album by the songstress, “Ultraviolence” ditches the pop, upbeat energy of her previous albums, “Born to Die” and “Paradise,” for a more moody and mystical taste. Read more...

Photo: (Interscope Records)


Spotlight on LA: Summer Previews

For those of you stuck in summer session or who happen to live nearby, this year’s A&E editors chose to feature some must-see summer events in Los Angeles to fill your days and nights. Read more...



Graduate student Rocco Pucillo sells ‘Imaginary Foe’ to Warner Bros.

Rocco Pucillo can recall the creative writing lessons he was so fond of during his time in grade school. It was there the seed was planted for the career he would come to pursue so passionately. Read more...

Photo: Rocco Pucillo has been involved in various aspects of the film industry for 14 years, most recently selling an undisclosed feature pitch called “Imaginary Foe” to Warner Bros. (Carolyn Francis/Daily Bruin)


Graduate student raps on current events, philosophy

Nigerian rapper and philosophy graduate student Olufemi Taiwo, who performs under the name Femi, woke up one morning with music chords and a melody in his head. Read more...

Photo: Philosophy graduate student Olufemi Taiwo recently released a single, “276 (Bring Back Our Girls),” about the kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls. (Gabrielle Cabalza/Daily Bruin)