Displayed through April 7 at the third floor gallery, the exhibit aimed to showcase work from South Asian artists that emphasizes this year’s theme of the conference, “Reclaiming Roots.” 

In the 22 years of hosting SAYI, a national intercollegiate conference for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean students at Yale, this is the first art exhibit that has been included amongst the conference’s usual lineup of a fashion show, workshops and panelists.

According to SAYI Director Aly Moosa ‘25, the theme is inspired by global changes in politics, society and the economy to encourage participants to question and reconsider their identity.

“The art exhibit is a testament to recognize that there’s so many different ways of exploring identity,” said Moosa. “Specifically with this conference, it’s giving people the avenue to confront what identity means to them, challenge that, agree with it, disagree with it.”

The exhibition includes work from middle school students to graduate students to professional artists, showcasing a diverse range of experiences. 

Moosa and Nithya Guthikonda ’26 proposed the idea of this exhibit, as well as the plan to include New Haven public school students and give them an opportunity to engage in the conference.

“I thought it would be interesting to think about what it would mean for different people across ages to think about what reclaiming roots meant to them,” said Moosa. “To see the art not only as a conduit to explore that meaning, but also see it as a timeline.”

Four works were created by students at New Haven’s Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, including two kiln-fired ceramics inspired by the ceramics used by Afghan women as water jugs and two hand-painted self-portraits that were digital photos.

Guthikonda explained her process behind selecting the art and artists to be featured in the exhibit. She said she wanted the exhibit to be reflective of the emotional impact of the project, emphasizing the intimacy and vulnerability of the artists’ work.

She added that in displaying these artworks was “so much more” about the artist than their artwork. 

In her curatorial vision, Guthikonda included testimonies and personal statements written by the artists to emphasize their unique individual experiences with “reclaiming” their roots.

“Reclaiming roots is about being comfortable in your South Asian identity in a world that is sort of defining what South Asia is for you,” said Hanan Yousuf ‘26, panel curator for SAYI.

A diverse array of mediums was incorporated in the exhibit, including a series of photographs, a quilt made from used pants, shirts and gamchas and a video installation.

The assortment of various artistic media reflected the diversity of ages, perspectives and timelines captured by the art. Yousuf said that these qualities made for an immersive viewer-experience.

“We’re understanding the past and our present so that we can further the future as well,” said Yousuf.

Guthikonda connected personally to prominent Indian photographer Sunil Gupta’s video installation titled “Love Undetectable.” The piece features a series of interviews of three queer Indian women speaking directly to the viewer.

“They’re looking at you, and saying the word ‘you,’ in the present tense, and that brings you into the narrative,” said Guthikonda.

The exhibit also aims to represent people from across the South Asian diaspora, including those of Indo-Caribbean students — a decision that motivated SAYI to reach out to the House.

“We reached out to the House to host our exhibition here, as the House is not only representative of  Caribbean students, but it’s also a safe haven for multiple people of identities,” said Moosa.

On Sunday, April 6, SAYI hosted a workshop for curator Indira Abiskaroon to give a talk on how art spaces and galleries can better include and center South Asian and Indo-Caribbean work. 

Currently working as the curatorial assistant of modern and contemporary art at the Brooklyn Museum, she said that it’s difficult to achieve visibility without the tokenization of people. 

“The art world has yet to succeed in achieving true inclusivity,” said Abiskaroon.

She remarked on how a shared place of origin does not necessarily lead to shared beliefs; South Asians are not a monolith, she said, despite their art frequently being lumped together in art spaces.

Abiskaroon explained the “hierarchy” of Asian identities and said that East Asian art is often more prioritized in exhibit features. Oftentimes, she said, this led to exhibits focused on Asian Americans to center on East Asian diasporas.  

Fielding questions from the audience, Abiskaroon said that as a curator, she looks to build personal relationships with South Asian and Indo-Caribbean artists. 

She described this partnership as a “mutual investment,” through which both parties could work together to change the exploitative practices of galleries.  

Guthikonda stated she designed the exhibit to give each story its own voice. She personalized the exhibit for each of the artists to emphasize the different cultures within the South Asian diaspora. 

Moosa hopes the art exhibit will be expanded in future conferences to make space for Indo-Carribeans and other communities that are “entangled” in the South Asian diaspora. 

“I hope that this art exhibit is one of many for the future of SAYI, and I hope that this conference, this year, sets a precedent of recognizing what other forms of programming that we can include and the different audiences that we can include in those programming,” said Moosa. 

Formed by South Asian student leaders at Yale and Columbia, the conference was named the South Asian Millennials Conference before eventually adopting its current name. 

The post “It’s an uprooting and a reclaiming of our roots”: South Asian Youth Initiative opens exhibition at Af-Am House appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Bundy has served in his role since 2002 and is the longest-serving dean in school history. He will continue to serve as both dean and artistic director for the School of Drama for the 2025-26 season. 

“The opportunity to create things that invite people to entertain significant propositions and complexity with joy and empathy and understanding is a tremendous privilege,” said Bundy. “I’m going to enjoy that right through June 30, 2026.”

According to Bundy, it seemed like a “good moment” to announce his plans for stepping down, as the final year of his tenure coincides with the 100th year of dramatic arts at Yale. He also said that the construction plans for the new Dramatic Arts Building are currently being finalized.

The early retirement notice also gives the Provost’s Office the opportunity to begin the search for his successor. 

Chantal Rodriguez, associate dean of the School of Drama, said that it will be “difficult” to find someone to fill Bundy’s position. However, she said that the school is undergoing a time of transition into the next chapter of the school.

“I think it’ll be a great opportunity to engage with a new vision for the arts, and I hope it will be inspiring as well to the students,” said Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez emphasized the impact of Bundy’s legacy on the School of Drama, particularly with the financial aid offered by the school. Under his leadership in 2021, a $150 million donation from entertainment magnate David Geffen enabled the School of Drama to become tuition-free in perpetuity, beginning in the 2021-22 academic year. 

“He’s really been focused on equity and accessibility, to make sure that the school can become and continues to be accessible,” said Rodriguez. 

According to Bundy, his favorite part of his job has been witnessing students achieve a standard of work that is the hallmark of the School of Drama. 

“Those kinds of breakthroughs are absolutely thrilling,” Bundy said. “They’re kind of the proof of the pudding.”

Following his retirement, Bundy said that he will remain dedicated to theater at Yale and plans to continue teaching at the Yale College, as well as the School of Drama following his retirement. Currently, Bundy teaches “Acting Shakespeare” to undergraduates in the fall and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. 

Prior to Yale, he served as the artistic director of Great Lakes Theater Festival, as well as the associate producing director of the Acting Company in New York City. According to Bundy, his work at Yale is a combination of directing and engaging in training at the “highest level.” 

A 1995 graduate of the School of Drama, Bundy acknowledged that his experience as a student equipped him for the challenges of the job.

“I wanted to have the opportunity to change other people’s lives the way mine had been changed,” Bundy said.

Florie Seery, associate dean of the School of Drama and managing director of the Yale Repertory Theatre, has worked with Bundy since taking on her position in 2020. She said that the shared leadership model fosters the collaborative relationship between deans.

“He very much is a believer in listening to the ideas in the room,” said Seery. 

Rodriguez has worked alongside Bundy since her appointment as assistant dean in 2016. A year later, she became associate dean and most recently was invited to become the associate artistic director of the Yale Rep. 

During her time, she said, Bundy expanded the decanal team from three to five people. 

Working with him both creatively, as well as overseeing diversity and inclusion initiatives together, Rodriguez said that she has seen him work in the capacity of multiple roles: director, dean and teacher.

Both Seery and Rodriguez described Bundy as someone who is extremely dedicated to and invested in the school, as well as the Rep. 

“He’s an amazing leader who really can see the big picture of the school and the Rep,” said Rodriguez.

Bundy spends an “incredible” amount of time and energy dedicated to maintaining both communities. This, she said, is driven by his deep passion and understanding for the art form, as well as training theater professionals. 

Seery emphasized the difficulty for hiring someone to fulfill the positions of dean of the School of Drama and artistic director of the Yale Rep. The role would require someone who is both artistically talented and competent to lead the school. 

The School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre are yet to announce who would fill Bundy’s position. 

 “While everyone is replaceable, he’s going to be hard to replace,” said Seery. 

The new Dramatic Arts Building is set to finish in summer 2029. 

The post After 23 years of leadership, James Bundy DRA ’95 to step down from David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theater appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Known for multiple bestselling young adult, or YA, fantasy series, including “Shadow and Bone,” “Six of Crows” and “Ninth House,” Bardugo returned to her alma mater to conduct research for the third book of the “Ninth House” trilogy, which takes place at Yale. While on campus, Pauli Murray College hosted Bardugo for tea on March 5.

Speaking to a packed room, Bardugo offered advice for aspiring writers and shared insights into her creative process and the setbacks that have shaped her personal growth. 

“Especially when it comes to making art, you have to fail at it. You have to sit with the discomfort of that everyday,” Bardugo said.

Bardugo admitted that she did not publish her first book until 15 years after she graduated, and she spent much of that time “trying to write a book and failing.” Yet Bardugo believes this experience of failing is essential to the creative journey.

Bardugo emphasized the process of writing rather than the result. She saw failure as “a sign that I was trying to do something big and difficult and exciting.”

Although Bardugo admitted she wasn’t the best student at Yale — often cramming the night before exams — she said that her process as a writer differs. Writing, she said, is a process that cannot be rushed.

“I think that anything worth doing, you can’t do it the night before it’s due,” Bardugo said.

Bardugo’s time at Yale allowed her to build the foundations for her future expertise, she told students. According to Bardugo, the learning process for artists — years of practice, false starts and mistakes — is less talked about than the final product.

During her time at Yale, Bardugo was involved in the performing arts. A self-dubbed “theater nerd,” Bardugo acted in various plays and participated in a campus improv group, which “brought me out of my shell.”

“I had been a really outgoing kid, and then junior high and high school beat that out of me,” said Bardugo. “I became much more nervous, and I feel like being in that improv group gave my audacity back to me, and it really turned out to be an amazing skill for being an author.”

Her time at Yale influenced the plot of “Ninth House,” a dark fantasy novel that takes readers on an occult journey through Yale’s secret societies. Bardugo did not know about the existence of societies until she was a student at Yale, where she was a member of the secret society, Wolf’s Head.

As someone “obsessed with magic,” she said, Bardugo had a gut feeling about attending Yale. Throughout her time at Yale, she was fascinated by the secrets of the institution that reveal themselves “if you’re willing to dig a little bit deeper.” 

“I visited Yale in the dead of winter when I was figuring out where to go to school, and it was cold and miserable, and I absolutely loved it,” Bardugo said.

Bardugo fondly remembers that everyone she met was “full of passion.” Being in a secret society allowed her to meet people from various backgrounds, she said. 

Apart from the “fancy dinners and fancy house,” Bardugo cherishes the friends she has made through society, some of whom she is still in close contact with.

This process of forming a community through telling stories is deeply important to Bardugo.

“We live in a world that is largely devoid of ritual and these sort of shared communal moments where we come together and we celebrate together,” reflected Bardugo.

Yet Bardugo does not solely depict a rose-tinted image of Yale. Bardugo’s novel “Ninth House” grapples with the elitism, class division and injustices that undergird Yale’s institutional privilege.

Describing feelings of “class anxiety,” Bardugo remembered being overwhelmed by the extent of wealth and power that she encountered.

“When I came here, I really felt like there was a language that everyone else spoke that I didn’t, and I still feel the echoes of that today,” said Bardugo.

Bardugo seeks to capture both the positive and negative sides of Yale’s “history, lore, and enchantment” in her novels, so she regularly returns to campus to conduct research.

Bardugo had been an associate fellow of Pauli Murray since 2021. Bardugo was researching for the “Ninth House” series during the pandemic, and the staff of Pauli Murray aided her through restrictions that were in place due to COVID-19, said Suzette Courtmanche, senior administrative assistant of Pauli Murray College.

Professor Tina Lu, head of Pauli Murray College and a fan of Bardugo’s works, praised Bardugo for her creativity.

“There’s a constant stream of amazing things falling out of her pen from her brain,” Lu said.

Many attendees were also long-time fans of Bardugo’s works. Julia Levy ’25, a staff reporter at the News, said that she first read Bardugo’s novel “Six of Crows” when it was published in 2015.

“‘Six of Crows’ was on the list for my city’s Troybery program for middle school students. It’s lovely seeing her now that I go to Yale and knowing that she went here too,” Levy said. 

According to Levy, the genre of young adult fantasy started to receive more mainstream attention when she was in middle school. Young adult novels published at this time marked a shift in stories and themes presented to younger audiences. 

“Six of Crows” was “fundamental in redefining the [young adult] genre,” said Levy.

Theresa Fu ’28, who grew up reading Bardugo’s books and watching the Netflix adaptations, said that it was “invigorating” for her to see the creative force behind these works.

“Learning about her timeline as a writer was inspiring because she’s felt like such a constant throughout my childhood, but she also faced setbacks and had to persevere for her craft,” Fu said.

Currently, Bardugo is working on the third and final installment of the “Ninth House” series.

“We’re going to be pivoting back to the societies and to a new location that is tied deeply to the history of this place,” said Bardugo, about her upcoming book. “It’s going to be a big book, and it’s gonna have a pretty, I guess the Hollywood term would be explosive.

Pauli Murray College is located on 130 Prospect St.

The post “Embrace discomfort” and brace for the extraordinary: Leigh Bardugo ’97 speaks at Pauli Murray College Tea appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Lopez, best known for his work in “Frozen” and the “Book of Mormon,” has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards — all at least twice. In a light-hearted, laughter-filled evening on campus, Lopez discussed his hit songs, including “Let It Go” from Frozen and Coco’s “Remember Me,” as well as his creative process.

“I try to confront ugly truths in all these shows, like difficult things, but I didn’t want to leave people with this impression of ugliness,” he told the audience. “I do believe that the world is essentially a place where you can be happy.”

Lopez aims to bring humor and sincerity to his songs. During the talk, he serenaded the audience with one of the first riffs he worked on in his childhood.

Lopez said he strives to strike a balance between comedy and storytelling in musical theater. In the “Book of Mormon,” he combines outrageous humor with deeper themes, like faith and doubt.

“I thought if I could write a show that makes people feel something and make them laugh, bringing elements of spoof and a serious, emotional story, then I could do something that hasn’t been done yet,” said Lopez.

Lopez emphasized the importance of being involved in the storytelling process to create songs that feel natural and fresh. He said that being part of the core production team has enabled him to make decisions about characters and the storyline to produce meaningful songs.

He shared the process of developing characters and stories and discussed the evolution of Elsa and Anna in “Frozen.”

“We made Anna the wild child. She’s the younger one anyway. It makes more sense,” he joked. “The younger siblings are always a little less looked after.”

Dramatalk coordinator Adam Buchsbaum ’27, who moderated the conversation, prepared questions that centered on Lopez’s distinct skill sets as a composer. Buchsbaum said he wanted to provide students with Lopez’s “unique perspective” and insight into the process of musical theater writing and composition.

Lopez recalled fond memories of his Yale days. His connection to his alma mater remains strong as he mentors undergraduate students for the Shen Curriculum for Musical Theater at Yale’s Department of Music. 

In an interview with the News, Lopez urged Yale students to learn to work collaboratively with others. Much of his projects are jointly produced: he has worked on projects like “South Park” and “Book of Mormon” with creators Matt Stone and Trey Partner, as well as “Frozen” with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

“Yale students tend to be very high achievers and fiercely individual, and there might be some sense that you have to do everything yourself,” Lopez said. “But in terms of the arts, and especially in theater and film, it’s all about … having the kind of relationships where the whole is bigger than the sum of the parts.”

Lopez is also a proud alumni of the a cappella group, Spizzwinks. Following the talk, Lopez attended a Spizzwink rehearsal.

Clark Wu ‘27, a member of the Spizzwinks, said that he gained more appreciation for the art of musical composition after listening to Lopez’s talk.

“Hearing Robert Lopez actually speak and crack jokes and all that gave me a deeper appreciation for his own process and his views on the power of music and the power of his ideas about heart,” Wu said.

Lopez is the only double Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards winner in history. 

The post The brain behind musical hits in Frozen, Coco and more: Robert Lopez ’97 speaks at Dramatalk appeared first on Yale Daily News.

The keynote panel was part of the larger symposium “Building a Planetary Solution: Regenerative Architectural Strategies for a Planet in Crisis,” which took place from Feb. 20-22 at the School of Architecture.

“We are really trying to get at the ways in which the material means and methods … that are engaged when we make buildings and, more importantly, cities might be transformed from forces of planetary damage and predation into mean of restoring the climate, social equality and opportunity,” said architect Alan Organschi ARC ’88, senior critic at the School of Architecture. 

Organized by Organschi, the symposium consisted of a series of panels and lectures on the social, economic and environmental impacts of the building sector.

Organschi acted as the panel moderator, directing questions at Berke, McInnis and Julie Zimmerman, the inaugural vice provost for Planetary Solutions.

The University’s own sustainability efforts were also at the center of the panel discussion and became a subject of critique. 

As a professor of green engineering, Zimmerman emphasized the importance of forming lasting connections across disciplines in order to promote innovations in sustainable technologies. Her work established the “Twelve Principles of Green Engineering,” a framework that outlines how to make chemical processes greener. 

“Anyone who’s been around Yale knows the saying, ‘Yale is full of lots of stars, but no constellations.’ We talked about Planetary Solutions as a constellation factory. Not only do we want to connect people on campus across disciplines, but we want to connect people on campus to people that are off campus,” said Zimmerman.

Forming “constellations” — meaningful and productive conversations — across disciplines was a major theme in the panel and symposium at large.

Organschi said he wanted the symposium to encompass the social and economic impacts of the building industry to create a “much broader discussion about society.”

“We could have a conference that really, putatively was about building materials, and the next thing we knew it was about the planet,” said Organschi.

According to Berke, Yale could do more to catch “low-hanging fruit.” Berke pointed to the wasted energy and money spent heating empty buildings.

“I don’t think we are careful enough, cautious enough, wise enough when we plan the buildings we are going to build,” said Berke.

Organschi expressed a similar concern for the “growth-oriented” and “consumption-oriented” economy under which the University operates.

Many of the questions regarding the University’s sustainability efforts were directed towards McInnis.

One audience member asked McInnis how cuts in federal funding could potentially impact upcoming plans to construct additional lab spaces and a Thermal Utilities Plant on Science Hill, as well as other sustainable efforts currently in the works. 

McInnis responded by addressing the potential impact of recent federal funding cuts and proposed increased taxation to the University endowment. She predicted that there may be projects that do not come to fruition due to funding issues. 

“We’re not gonna stop buildings mid-course. But of our 10 to 15 year plan, probably some things are gonna have to get delayed, and there might be some things we ultimately can’t afford to do. So you have to make choices,” said McInnis.

Nevertheless, Organschi remains hopeful for the future of sustainability at Yale. He praised the “enormous capacity” and “incredible programs” of professors and researchers.

According to Organschi, recent challenges to sustainability are opportunities for the University to grow and lead the effort.

“I think this new political crisis we are facing is an incredible opportunity for Yale to pull itself together as an institution with this incredible breadth of capacity, knowledge, research power, all of these things, to start to really push back against these forces we see as really deleterious to the planet,” said Organschi.

The Yale School of Architecture is located at 180 York St.

The post Yale School of Architecture Symposium examines Yale’s architectural strategies, shortcomings and sustainability plans appeared first on Yale Daily News.

The conference ran from Thursday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 23, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Yale Dominican Students Association. 

Guests such as Saturday Night Live’s Marcello Hernandez and Baseball Hall of Fame recipient David Ortiz spoke with hundreds of students from colleges around the country. In addition to lectures and more informal fireside chats, attendees participated in writing and dance workshops and a gala at the Afro-American Cultural Center on Friday night. 

“It was always important for us to cater to different people and to represent different aspects of the Dominican Republic,” said Isabel Garrigo Mejia ’27, the conference’s speaker outreach coordinator. 

The event was orchestrated by a team from Yale’s Dominican Students Association, including Garrigo Mejia, Finance Chair Alejandra Mendez ’26, Marketing Chair Charlize León Mata ’26 and Logistics Team Michaell Santos Paulino ’26 and Demetrius Profic ’27. 

Given the conference’s location at an academic institution, Garrigo Mejia emphasized the importance of recruiting speakers from a variety of careers and backgrounds. This manifested in panels on the arts, architecture, international relations and voter mobilization. 

The conference also focused on domestic and international politics through featured panels with José Blanco, the Dominican ambassador to the United Nations, and Carolina Mejía, the first female mayor of Santo Domingo. 

With about 100 students purchasing the three-day conference pass, Garrigo Mejia underscored the significance of opening a space for students to not only hear from successful Dominicans but also strengthen their community. 

“The message that was repeated the most by speakers was to not forget about the Dominican Republic,” said Garrigo Mejia, “We are the people who have to give back.”

Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernandez drew one of the largest crowds at the conference to his fireside chat on Friday. Staying true to his comedic flair, he introduced himself in Spanish by asking the audience to raise their hands if they only spoke English. When no one raised their hand, he tried again in English, earning a few more laughs.

Hernandez, who initially went to college to play D3 soccer, spoke about his journey to discovering his love for comedy during the talk. He emphasized the importance of his Dominican “tigueraje,” or audacity to always pursue his dreams. 

“Everyone was captivated by what he was saying, but he had a nice touch of humor and an overall levity to what he said. Nothing was too serious, but he also gave really good advice,” said Sydney Mitchell ’27, who attended Hernandez’s talk. 

Touching on his Dominican heritage, Hernandez spoke about his desire to share his Latin American identity and culture with his audience through comedy. He described Latinos as a resilient group of people who are not easily offended, saying that they could take the humor. 

Another theme of the conversation was the centrality of family to Hernandez’s success — particularly his mom. He spoke about her as his driving force and motivation always and shared his wish to give back to his mom after all of her sacrifices for his own success. 

In another fireside chat, David Ortiz, former Red Sox player and Hall of Famer, similarly touched upon staying true to his values throughout his career. Recognizing his family’s role in his success, he spoke of his desire to give back to his community and he looked forward to the future of the young crowd at the panel.

Myah Salazar Salvador ’28, a first-year liaison of Yale’s Dominican Students Association, attended several events at the conference, including the fireside chats with Hernandez and Ortiz.

Salazar Salvador felt it was important to hear from Dominican voices like Hernandez and Ortiz, in particular considering the stigma against Dominicans from within the Latino community.

“I have heard before to not let anybody dim your light. I’ve never heard before to not let anybody dim your Dominican light,” she said. “It was empowering to be told from inspiring people that the Dominican voice does matter, even though it’s not the dominant voice in the room. So that’s why you have to speak up on it even more.”

Saudi Garcia, the founder of the Dominican Students Association at Brown, gave the conference’s keynote speech on Friday night. Garrigo Mejia said Garcia seemed like the perfect fit for the address, given that she, too, had been a Dominican student not so long ago.

Garrigo Mejia, herself an international student, shared that she felt the conference had brought together international Dominican students with those from the diaspora. She continued by describing her personal experience with the Dominican Student Association upon arriving at Yale. 

“Every Friday, the Dominican Students Association hosts a Domino Chat. I remember walking in for the first time and I was very nervous coming here,” said Garrigo Mejia, “I walked in and I was like, ‘This is exactly like back home.’”

Maintaining the connection between the Dominican Republic and students in the United States remains a goal of the National Dominican Students Conference, co-directors Karla Perdomo Núñez ’26 and Darcy Ovalles ’26 said in a joint statement.

The event was sponsored by La Casa Cultural at Yale, among fourteen other sponsors. 

Karla Cortes contributed reporting.

The post Marcello Hernandez, David Ortiz and more inspire Yalies at this year’s National Dominican Student Conference appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Valentine’s Day might be the perfect excuse to run away from your problems by running into someone’s arms — no matter how toxic they are. You’ll get some character development from it … or become emotionally unavailable like the rest of us.

Here is what your love horoscope says about you:

Aries

You’ve been lacking your usual courage recently, but now is not the time to be shy. Stop playing eye tag in your econ lecture and holla at ya boy (or whoever your crush is). 

Taurus

You’ve been unsuccessfully pursuing romantic connections and neglecting your friends in the process. Remember love in a friendship is just as important as any other relationship. Plan a Galentine’s party to remind your friends they’re appreciated.

Gemini

Sign yourself up to get a clown escort from Fifth Humor. You need the company this weekend and the reminder that your love life is a joke. 

Cancer

Stay off of social media this weekend. You need to curb your habit of spending Valentine’s Day alone and judging romantic posts online. You can’t complain about other people’s relationships when you aren’t in one yourself.

Leo

You currently lack romantic prospects so you’ll have to live vicariously through your favorite rom-coms. You love being the main character more than being with someone else anyway.

Virgo

You don’t actually want a relationship because you can’t find the ‘perfect’ partner. However, you can make the perfect soundtrack. Listen to your favorite songs while making up romantic scenarios in your head. 

Libra

If you’re debating whether or not to post your long-term, low commitment, on/off situationship on Instagram this Valentine’s Day, please don’t. There’s no need to make the humiliation public. Everyone is already judging you privately. 

Scorpio

You have your sights set on someone, but aim for a subtler approach rather than your usual forward flirtation. Try serenading them with an epic love song, or if you can’t hold a tune, send them a singing Valentine.

Sagittarius

You’re already preparing to party hard this weekend to forget your ex. Unfortunately, blacking out will not make them come back. Stop chasing after validation and try self-love instead.

Capricorn

You’re wondering whether you should start seeing someone, but you should be seeing the backs of your eyelids instead. You’ve pulled too many all-nighters cramming for midterms and all that Celsius is definitely going to catch up to you — it may be the only thing stopping your heart this Valentine’s Day.

Aquarius

Although this is your season, try not to make it all about you. Too much individualism will leave you lonely, but don’t fret. Surely you have a steamy romance novel to keep you company.

Pisces

Don’t lower your standards just because someone gives you a bit of attention. You’ll regret it when all of your friends keep telling you “As long as you’re happy.” Translation: they’re ugly and your friends know you deserve better. Listen to them.

The post Valentine’s horoscopes appeared first on Yale Daily News.

As the lights dimmed, the close-knit space transformed to spotlight a variety of performances from Indigenous students and faculty. From live music to poetry to comedy performances, the Indigenous Arts Night showcased an array of artistic and cultural expression. 

“I think it’s an opportunity to share the diverse and wonderful talent that people have,” said Matthew Makomenaw, assistant dean of Yale College and director of the Native American Cultural Center.

Arts Night featured performances from Yale Dabke, an Arabian dance group at Yale, as well as Indigiprov — Yale’s premier Indigenous comedy-improv group. As a member of Indigiprov, Dean Makomenaw wanted the audience to laugh and enjoy a sense of community brought on by the celebratory night. 

The inaugural celebration, which began before COVID-19, has since been revived and continues as an annual performance. Even with moments of laughter and enthusiastic crowd work, this year’s event held a tone of sincerity included in the two featured films.

NACC Arts Liaison Naima Blano-Norberg ’25 produced one of the films presented at arts night. Her film documented a collection of memories from her trip on a Indigenous Peace and Dignity Journey, a seventh month Intercontinental Prayer Run from Alaska to Argentina. Blano-Norberg joined natives on the run for two months from Washington to Arizona. 

Blanco-Norberg also organized Arts Night for the second year in a row and said that the celebratory event aims to bring together Indigenous artists, performers and art makers in one space.

“Over the two years, I’ve seen a lot more Indigenous art makers come through the space who are willing to showcase their art and it’s really beautiful,” she said. “Often you don’t see indigenous art makers showcasing their work in Yale spaces.” 

She said that she is grateful to the NACC for providing this artistic outlet for Indigenous students. Hopefully, more artists will be involved in future events, she added. 

Arti Dixon, an Indigenous drummer and musician, was accompanied by senior lecturer Jay Gitlin on the piano for their rendition of “What is This Thing Called Love?” by Yale alumnus Cole Porter, class of 1913.

Some student performers were returning performers from last year’s stage. 

Pianist Jairus Rhoades ’26 performed an original composition inspired by a Samoan hymn and  Tinikling, a traditional Filipino folk dance. He has grown more comfortable sharing his identity, he said, by combining his heritage with his background in classical music.

“Part of rediscovering my native identity while I’m away from home is engaging in sharing it with people, and how I choose to share it,” Rhoades said. “Usually I try to combine that with my background in music, and I think that I could use any opportunity, especially one as welcoming of an audience as like at Indigenous Arts Nights.” 

This year’s celebration marked Helen Shanefield ’26’s third year performing Hula. Shanefield has been dancing this performance-style for several years.

In contrast to her previous solo performances, Shanefield danced alongside Kamalu Ogata ’25 to the song “Hula O Makee” by Genoa Keawe. 

“I’ve been dancing Hula for many years at home, so I really appreciated this opportunity for all of us being able to showcase our different cultural performances from indigenous nations around the US and the world,” Shanefield said.

Her extensive background in hula dancing helped her teach the choreography to her dance partner. During intermission, Shanefield invited audience members to join her onstage as she led a step by step tutorial.

Shanefield said that she was excited about the future growth of Indigenous Arts Night and the involvement of more people in Pacific Islander art forms at Yale. She plans to start teaching hula workshops alongside La’ikū Layaoen ’28, another hula dancer. 

Blanco-Norberg feels fortunate to be able to contribute to this impactful space at Yale that honors Indigenous heritage and acknowledges the land’s history while simultaneously enabling people to be themselves. 

“I think students definitely have to carve their own way, especially Indigenous students,” said Blanco-Norberg. “The NACC provides a platform, but I think it’s the students who really drive the force in creating spaces like this and cultivating the artwork and the performances to fill them with life.” 

The NACC is located on 26 High St.

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Jeong was invited to give a “DramaTalk,” an event hosted by the Yale Dramatic Association, or Dramat. More than 250 people had registered on Yale Connect for the talk, and many stood in line on the waitlist.

Jeong is best known for his comedic work in “Knocked Up,” “The Hangover,” “Community,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Masked Singer.” Throughout the talk, Jeong flaunted his signature wit, while fielding questions from the audience, as well as moderator Adam Buchsbaum ’27. 

“I’m paid an enormous amount of money to be stupid, and it’s amazing,” Jeong said when reflecting on his role as a judge of the Masked Singer. 

With the seats packed, audience members sat on the floor in front of the stage and some stood on the balcony.  For many students in the audience, the story of the physician-turned-actor resonated with their struggle between creative and conventional career tracks. 

Buchsbaum, the DramaTalk coordinator, said that he was looking forward to hearing about Jeong’s career pivot. 

“I’m really excited to hear about his career, particularly in switching from medicine to comedy, especially within the context of this as an educational experience for a lot of students,” said Buchsbaum. “And I know many people here who have these phenomenal creative outputs, but they’re also studying STEM.”  

Once Buchsbaum introduced Jeong to the audience, the actor received a warm welcome of applause. He immediately jumped into action and jokingly picked on a student, Elizabeth Richards ’28, who cheered after he told the audience he was from North Carolina. 

When Richards told him she lived near Greensboro, Jeong joked that she was his daughter. According to Richards, her father is a “huge fan” of Jeong, and she couldn’t wait to tell her dad. 

“Ken is phenomenal. He’s been so enthusiastic and wonderful,” Buchsbaum, who organized the event, stated. “When I emailed him, he sent back emojis, and then a GIF of himself putting up heart hands. And the whole time he’s been really enthusiastic about coming.” 

During the talk, Jeong explained his connection to Yale and spoke about visiting Yale to accompany his wife, Tran Ho ’94, for her class reunions. 

“I had passed out at Branford Courtyard in ’04” he said, recalling a photo taken of him while he was inebriated in true “Hangover” fashion. “I love it here.”

During the talk, he recognized that his wife’s support played a crucial role in his decision to pursue acting full-time. He described “The Hangover” as a “cathartic” film for him to act in, as his wife was undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer during the time. 

While filming, Jeong said, he told himself to follow the opposite of his instincts. Normally, he would prepare intensely and intentionally for his roles. “But for ‘The Hangover,’ there was no thought.” 

Jeong emphasized the importance of family support and the camaraderie among actors on “The Hangover” set, which, he said, also applied to the other casts he has worked with. He said that the “Community” text thread is still very active. 

“My career legacy is seen in text chains,” he said jokingly. 

Jeong described his role on the show as Señor Chang as his “conservatory.” He said that working alongside the series creator and showrunner, Dan Harmon, had helped him grow as an actor. To fans in the audience, he teased the film adaptation of “Community.” 

During the Q&A, when a student asked Jeong about how to choose a career at such an early age and how to set goals to limit distraction from other paths, he encouraged them to persist. 

“This is not the end game,” said Jeong about college. “You know, this is just chapter one. This is act one of your script. And it’s okay to have this almost overwhelming embarrassment of choices to go through.” 

When Jeong was asked if he regretted beginning his career in medicine and instead wished to pursue drama from the onset, he responded: no. 

According to Jeong, his medical background helped him assist a woman suffering a petit mal seizure mid-performance during a comedy show in Phoenix. 

Jeong left the audience with one final piece of advice. 

“The one thing I encourage everyone to do is to find art in whatever you do,” said Jeong. “Find art in your science, find art in your global policy. Find art everywhere you go.” 

Jeong is a licensed physician in California. 

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Mercury has been in retrograde since Nov. 15, causing all sorts of mishap and miscommunication just in time for the end of the semester. That’s why you accidentally got into an argument with your great-uncle at Thanksgiving dinner. He thought you asked who he voted for in the presidential election, but you just wanted him to pass the gravy. 

Hopefully there won’t be a rematch at Christmas since Mercury will return to its normal orbit on Dec. 15. Brighter, jollier days may be up ahead. 

This is what your holiday horoscope says about you:

Aries

Make the Grinch proud and steal the show at your next holiday party by getting plastered. Although drinking too much eggnog is a slippery slope, it’s highly encouraged since it’s the only thing that’ll be warming you up this winter. 

Taurus

The holiday season is about spending time with family and being grateful for their presence in our lives, but your presence isn’t the gift you think it is. Make sure to especially thank your loved ones for dealing with your stubbornness all year. 

Gemini

It appears the 12 grapes you ate during last New Year’s celebration have not worked. Now you’re panicking because not even the Yale Marriage Pact could find someone to keep up with your dual personalities. Better luck next year!

Cancer

No one has let you on aux in over a month, and rightfully so. You’ve been insufferable since the beginning of November because you always play Christmas music too early. There’s only so many times someone can listen to Mariah Carey before they lose their minds and the Christmas spirit.

Leo

You overspent on Black Friday by splurging on items that were only 10 percent off and now you have no money left to buy gifts for your friends. Once again you’ll be flaking out of Secret Santa in a Scrooge-like fashion. Ba humbug! You should really fix this habit as part of your New Year’s resolution.

Virgo

Put down the advent calendar, and try deep breathing exercises. You’re taking away holiday cheer by obsessing over minor details like the fact that it barely snows anymore. Relax. You can’t control climate change, so don’t let it control you. Use your extensive planning skills to create your own winter wonderland at home. 

Libra

It’s a good idea for you to invest in proper winter gear even though you’re in denial about the seasons changing. Don’t let the New Englanders in basketball shorts fool you. There’s no use in trying to manifest warmer weather by wearing crop tops. I promise, you’re still a baddie even if you’re all bundled up. 

Scorpio

Rather than wondering who is going to kiss you under the mistletoe, you should reflect on whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year. And no, not that kind of naughty. Don’t focus on that when you should be making amends with the people you’ve done wrong. 

Sagittarius

You love this time of year because it gives you an excuse to watch your favorite Hallmark movies while being judged slightly less than normal. If you ever get bored of the same plot, try Netflix instead. They use the same actors, but Lacey Chabert is really spicing things up in Hot Frosty.

Capricorn

You hate going home for the holidays because it means forced social interactions with distant relatives you have nothing in common with. I recommend stuffing your face with sugar cookies to avoid having to speak to your weird cousins. (Spoiler alert, they don’t actually care that you go to Yale.)

Aquarius

Cuffing season has surprisingly led to some happy endings, but not for you. Looks like you’ll be spending this winter cold and alone. Or maybe not? Your hometown hookup – otherwise known as the ghost of Christmas past — might come back to haunt you.

Pisces

You like December, not because of the holidays, but because you’ve been waiting for the most important day of the year when Spotify wrapped is released. You use the “data” to psychoanalyze yourself and others, but that diagnosis is not valid. Ask Santa for therapy instead!

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