It’s that time of year again, where the holiday spirit of joy and cheer is in the air.  Where it’s inevitable to avoid Christmas carols or decorations for miles on end. This time of year also means there’s an insane amount of Christmas stories being told. Sonoma State University’s “The Bluebird” is one of those stories.

In a time where racism and sexism have taken ahold of America, hip-hop steps in to offer strength. Hip-hop has always been a window into the lives of those less fortunate, of the disenfranchised and of those in need. As of late, hip-hop has been a driving force in promoting social equality in America. It’s been molded into a medium that wants to offer hope to people of color and women, letting them know that their voices should and will be heard. With dark times approaching, Common’s “Black America Again” aims to offer faith and hope in a moment where everything seems lost.

Dance has been often looked at as an art form where storytelling can run rampant, where movement is the expression of one’s personality, of one’s soul. That’s what the emphasis of this years Fall Dance Concert was all about. The pieces were meant to be emotional, meant to have the audience be emotionally invested in the dancers, hence the subtitle of “Heart & Soul.” The choreographers and dancers slaved over their pieces with the hopes of connecting with the audience.

If there is one thing that “Jane the Virgin” is known for, its anxiety attacks. This season premiere was no different and it didn’t disappoint. After its jaw dropping season finale last year, “Jane the Virgin” returns stronger than ever with strong performances and witty and heartwarming writing.

“Rise of the Tomb Raider” is a tale that transpires in a world where discovery is around the corner. Ancient tombs are chiseled into mountainsides, crypts are hidden in gorges and the remnants of a civilization long passed are scattered throughout the landscapes. Wildlife, both dangerous and peaceful, inhabit the piercing cold in this Siberian adventure. “Rise of the Tomb Raider” is Lara Croft’s finest and most entertaining adventure yet, one that’s sense of wonder and discovery overcomes its flaws.

The one thing that everyone on this earth loves to do is laugh, and if there’s one person that knows this best it’s Brooke Tansley.  Tansley is responsible for Sonoma Laughfest, taking place Oct. 20-23. Tansley is executive producer of the second annual Sonoma Laughfest, a comedy festival that brings over a 100 comedians together from across the nation into one affordable experience for the community.

Ty Dolla Sign’s “Campaign” is like vanilla ice cream. It’s generic tasting and really doesn’t bring anything new or unique to the table. It isn’t anything exciting like Rocky Road or Chunky Monkey. “Campaign” feels like somewhere I’ve treaded before, which is a shame because Ty Dolla Sign does have the talent to create good music. 

Usher has spent the better part of the last decade being one of the biggest R&B artists in the world. However, many die-hard fans of Usher would argue most of that decade was met with mundane and mediocre music. No one can blame them, Usher’s “Confessions” really put Usher at the forefront of R&B and was an impeccable album that stands as Usher’s best. 

“The Get Down” is unlike anything people might be expecting. It’s a fairytale through and through, and has enough charm and soul to make the wait for part two unbearable.

As sweat drips from his forehead, he slowly raises his hands in the air. His heart feels like it’s about to explode. Tears emerge as he begins to wonder whether or not he’ll live to see tomorrow. “Please, I’m not poison. I’m not poison, I’m just a boy from the hood that wants to do good,” he tells the police officer. He’s scared for his life, but then again, what young African- American wouldn’t be if a police officer pulled out his weapon. This is the image that Jay-Z paints on his song, “Spiritual.”

One of the hottest emerging artists in 2016 has been Tory Lanez. The Toronto rapper and singer has been making his way into mainstream music since the release of his hit lead single “Say It.” Many fans were expecting something grand with Lanez’s debut album, “I Told You.” Unfortunately, they’ll be listening to one of the most disappointing albums of 2016 so far.