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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Editor

Amelia is a computational biology and linguistics junior from DFW. She is currently the Life&Arts editor and has previously worked as a reporter. When she’s not in the newsroom, Amelia enjoys watching films and exploring Austin.

All content by Amelia Engstrom
Texas native Chance Peña performs on the T-Mobile stage at his first Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 4, 2024.

Chance Peña talks Texas roots, playing one of the biggest festivals in home state

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Editor October 4, 2024

At eight years old, Chance Peña bought his first guitar and soon started playing at bars around his hometown of Tyler, Texas. At 15 years old, Peña competed on season 9 of “The Voice,” starting his...

Austin City Limit attendees pose in front of the iconic flag poles that are erected each year in Zilker Park on October 6, 2023.

Letter from the Editor: ACL, Austin’s ultimate third place

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Editor September 30, 2024

Every evening, Austinites gather their pets, picnic blankets and spike ball sets and head to Zilker Park for respite after a long day. They chat with family and friends as the sunset’s colors melt into...

Hook 'Em walks down Bevo Blvd. during the parade held before kickoff for the Texas football game vs. Colorado State on Aug. 31, 2024.

Tailgating tradition Bevo Blvd evokes nostalgia among Texas football fans, provides free fun before home game

Amelia Engstrom and Minza Mirza September 3, 2024

In the late 70s, Sherry Millington and her roommate’s tailgating tradition involved a station wagon, ice chests full of beers and camaraderie. Now, returning to UT for the first football game of the...

Mars (blue wig), a fan of Japanese vocaloid artist Kikuo, poses for a portrait with other fans before his set at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre Sunday. Along with many others, Mars cosplayed as Hatsune Miku, a vocalic voicebank character that Kikuo incorporates into his videos and music.

Japanese Vocaloid artist Kikuo talks AI-based music, encouraging audience creativity

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Editor September 1, 2024

Japanese Vocaloid artist Kikuo set off on his 15 country tour Aug. 1 and visited ACL Live on Friday night. Vocaloid, the basis of Kikuo’s music since 2003, utilizes an AI-based technology that combines...

UT medical student one step closer to physician, honors mother’s story with Dell Med white coat ceremony

UT medical student one step closer to physician, honors mother’s story with Dell Med white coat ceremony

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Editor August 23, 2024

As the white medical coat settled onto her shoulders for the first time, Fatema Dohadwala took one step closer to her lifelong dream — becoming a physician.  “As a first generation student, (going...

BLK ODYSSY poses for a portrait outside of Orb Studios on July 10 before a listening session for his upcoming album '1-800-FANTASY.'

Austin-based artist BLK ODYSSY talks cinematic songwriting, reflects on NPR Tiny Desk concert

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor July 12, 2024

“As a writer, I tend to tell stories more than write songs,” Austin-based, alt-pop artist BLK ODYSSY told The Daily Texan in an interview about his upcoming tour and album. After establishing himself...

Maymester memories: Longhorns share favorite moments from study abroad

Maymester memories: Longhorns share favorite moments from study abroad

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor June 10, 2024

For those who want to experience new places and cultures through study abroad but don’t have a whole semester to spare, a three-week Maymester proves a great option. This year, over 800 students in 38...

‘Austintatious’ original artists, UT alumni return to restore mural after defacing

‘Austintatious’ original artists, UT alumni return to restore mural after defacing

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor April 3, 2024

With paint-splattered shirts, acrylic colors and over fifty years of friendship, artists Kerry Awn, Tommy Bauman and Rick Turner set off to restore the vibrant hues and rich culture of the “Austintatious”...

R&B singer and rapper Audrey Nuna performs her SXSW set at the Empire Garage on Friday, March 13, 2024.

Q&A: Rapper, R&B singer Audrey Nuna talks visualizing her sound

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 17, 2024

The vibrations of heavy bass and a jumping crowd filled Empire Garage for the second night of the Jaded FRIENDS:FOREVER showcase at SXSW on Friday. Audrey Nuna, R&B singer and rapper, dominated the...

Pop-R&B artist Chloe Tang stands for a portrait at the Austin Convention Center Skyway during SXSW on Thursday.

Q&A: R&B artist Chloe Tang talks classical background, musical freedom, experience as AAPI artist

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 15, 2024

Hailing from Los Angeles, R&B artist Chloe Tang brings her empowering lyrics and 2000s-inspired melodies to South by Southwest’s Jaded showcase on Friday. The Daily Texan sat down with the artist...

Noah Faulkner, also known as Pedal Steel Noah, opens for the SXSW Music Opening Party on March 12, 2024. He performs with his father Jay Faulkner (left) and his brother Nate Faulkner (right).

Austinite 16-year-old takes on SXSW with pedal steel guitar

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 13, 2024

Clad in a suave all black ensemble, cowboy hat and Crocs, Noah Faulkner took to the stage of Palm Door on Sixth on Tuesday. The twang of the pedal steel guitar floated through the air marking Noah’s...

Courtesy of Differ Media

Q&A: Austin class action, sexual assault case management lawsuit documentary premieres at SXSW

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 12, 2024

Content warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault and sexual violence. The documentary “An Army of Women” follows the class-action lawsuit filed by 15 sexual assault survivors...

UT graduate Aaditya Ranjit, MACH Transit co-founder and chief operating officer presents "Magnetizing Mobility: The Journey to Maglev in the US" at the SXSW Pitch on March 9, 2024. MACH transit is looking to introduce their new maglev technology platform to U.S. markets to revolutionize public transportation, supply chain and high speed cinematography.

UT student, alum magnetic levitation technology startup takes on SXSW student pitch competition

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 10, 2024

Friction and cost remain two of the limiting factors of high speed public transit. A group of five UT students and alumni seek to address both of these variables with their startup MACH Transit. MACH...

Courtesy of Hadley Hillel

Q&A: Director of Chappell Roan’s ‘Casual’ music video discusses symbolism

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor March 10, 2024

Originally premiering in March 2023 on YouTube, the music video for Chappell Roan’s song “Casual” acts as one of 19 music videos in the South by Southwest 2024 music video lineup. The music video...

Olivia Rodrigo performs at the Moody Center in Austin, TX on Feb. 28, 2024. The stop in Austin was Rodrigo's fourth on the GUTS World Tour.

Olivia Rodrigo proves performance prowess with GUTS tour at Moody Center

Amelia Engstrom and Flora Farr March 1, 2024

“I don’t think growing up is so scary after all. It gets better with every passing year, so cheers to that,” Olivia Rodrigo said to her Moody Center audience on Wednesday. A week after her 21st birthday,...

‘Mean Girls:’ a musical rendition of a cult classic without the bite

‘Mean Girls:’ a musical rendition of a cult classic without the bite

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts Desk Editor January 19, 2024

The latest iteration of Mean Girls arrives in theaters to satiate nostalgia for the 2004 cult classic, but brings a little more to the table. With timid commentary and failed attempts at accommodating...

Jack Munro practices at Austin Pickle Ranch on Nov. 15, 2023.

Jack Munro goes pro, signs with Major League Pickleball

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter November 16, 2023

After a baseball accident left his dominant arm in a sling, then 10-year-old Jack Munro took up pickleball to satisfy his athletic energy.  “As soon as I got the sling off, I said, ‘Screw baseball,...

Laufey performs at the Paramount Theater during her “Bewitched” Tour on Nov. 10, 2023.

Liveshot: Laufey celebrates first Grammy nomination with Austin, delivers spellbinding pop-jazz performance

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter November 12, 2023

“I especially love Austin now because this will forever be the city where I found out that I received a Grammy nomination,” Laufey said to the crowd at Paramount Theatre on Friday. In addition to her...

Dr. Vivek Murphy (left) and Matthew McConaughey (right) speak about college students’ mental health as a part of the U.S. Surgeon General’s College Tour on Nov. 8, 2023.

U.S. Surgeon General, Matthew McConaughey talk loneliness epidemic at UT stop of ‘We Are Made to Connect’ tour

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter November 8, 2023

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stopped by the Forty Acres on Wednesday for his “We Are Made to Connect” college tour, promoting the value of strengthening relationships in the midst of a “loneliness...

John Mayer performs at the Moody Center on Nov. 1, 2023, on his "SOLO" tour.

Liveshot: John Mayer’s Solo tour captivates Moody Center with musical prowess, heartfelt nostalgia

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter November 5, 2023

“Eventually, we could do a set one day of hit, hit, hit, hit, but I’m not there yet,”  said John Mayer in the video of his Nov. 27, 2005 interview playing on the center screen at the Moody Center....

Jeremy Zucker performs at Emo’s for the second stop of his “is nothing sacred?” tour on Oct. 26, 2023.

Liveshot: Jeremy Zucker’s ‘Is Nothing Sacred? The Tour’ transports audience to pastoral paradise

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 30, 2023

The vibrant hues of wildflowers peppered the green grass adorning Emo’s stage on Thursday as Jeremy Zucker on his “Is Nothing Sacred? the Tour” paid Austin a visit.  Known for his introspective...

Five spooktacular nonprofits to support this Halloween season

Five spooktacular nonprofits to support this Halloween season

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 30, 2023

Spooky season brings a fun time for sweets and scares but can also be a great opportunity for service. The Daily Texan compiled a list of Halloween nonprofits to either support directly or spread the word...

Night Market gives students a taste of Taiwan

Night Market gives students a taste of Taiwan

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 23, 2023

The smell of Taiwanese street food, a sea of chatter and palpable energy filled UT’s main mall Friday night as the Taiwanese American Student Association’s Night Market brought a taste of Taiwan to...

Q&A: Singer-Songwriter Sam MacPherson on latest EP Powerlines, opening for Is Nothing Scared? Tour

Q&A: Singer-Songwriter Sam MacPherson on latest EP Powerlines, opening for Is Nothing Scared? Tour

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 22, 2023

After completing his first headlining tour in May, singer-songwriter Sam MacPherson now brings his authentic lyrics and soothing sound as an opener for Jeremy Zucker’s Is Nothing Sacred? Tour. Ahead...

UT students restart ice skating club, hope to compete in future

UT students restart ice skating club, hope to compete in future

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 5, 2023

Nervously taking the ice, David Dang looks to the audience where his team members cheer him on from the stands; a feeling of happiness washes over him. Willing himself to not think too hard about his performance,...

Joji performs at the Moody Center in Austin, TX on Oct. 3, 2023.

Liveshot: Chaotic energy of Joji’s Pandemonium Tour livens Austin Moody Center

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 5, 2023

A shot of a man clad in an oversized camo shirt, black Nike joggers and a baseball cap blinks onto the screens of the Moody Center. As techno music begins, the figure whips around to reveal himself. Cameras...

Liveshot: Tate McRae’s stage presence, youthful energy charm Austin audience

Liveshot: Tate McRae’s stage presence, youthful energy charm Austin audience

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter October 1, 2023

From the dark, a screen flashes on, showing glimpses of indistinguishable movement. Suddenly, the audience speeds down a runway, watching the world go by through a plane window. A silhouette of Canadian...

Outdoor activities around Austin to welcome the fall season

Outdoor activities around Austin to welcome the fall season

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 27, 2023

With pumpkin spice season here, Austin boasts a variety of activities and events to get into the fall state of mind. The Daily Texan compiled a list of can’t-miss outdoor fall activities to romanticize...

The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Douglas Kinney Frost and Soprano Leah Crocetto perform at the Bates Recital Hall on September 24th, 2023. The UTSO performed Clarice’s Assad’s, Baião ‘n Blues a world premiere commissioned by KMFA 89.5.

UT symphony orchestra concert sets tone for upcoming season

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 25, 2023

With a wave of the conductor’s baton and powerful strikes of bows, Bates Recital Hall quickly filled with evocative melodies. On Sept. 24, the Butler School of Music’s symphony orchestra set their...

Liveshot: Bruno Major brings enchanting R&B, intimate performance to Mohawk Austin

Liveshot: Bruno Major brings enchanting R&B, intimate performance to Mohawk Austin

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 24, 2023

The gold lights decorating the Mohawk Austin’s stage cut to black, and the anticipation of the roaring crowd grew uncontrollable. With the strum of a guitar and return of blinding light, Bruno Major...

Olivia Rodrigo’s pop-rock sophomore album delivers tightened sound and powerful narrative

Olivia Rodrigo’s pop-rock sophomore album delivers tightened sound and powerful narrative

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 11, 2023

The two-year wait for breakout star Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album is finally over. Following the wild success of her first album, SOUR, the stakes proved outlandishly high. Rodrigo meets anticipation...

Top 6 boba spots in Austin

Top 6 boba spots in Austin

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 6, 2023

The Daily Texan compiled a list of must-try boba shops around Austin. Whether you’re a boba lover or looking to try something new, these six boba shops are sure to satisfy.    ChiCha San Chen (吃茶三千)...

‘Choose Love,’ Netflix’s latest interactive rom-com, arrives choppy, disengaging

‘Choose Love,’ Netflix’s latest interactive rom-com, arrives choppy, disengaging

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter September 3, 2023

Welcome to the life of Cami (Laura Marano), a recording engineer with a stable job and steady boyfriend, ready to start the next chapter of her life. When faced with the choice between long-term boyfriend,...

Diego Duan serves Uyghur-style Xianjang kabobs to a customer at Camino Alamo BBQ on Guadalupe Street in Austin, TX on Aug 31, 2023.

The road to freedom: Camino Alamo BBQ

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter August 31, 2023

Food holds more than just flavors — it also holds history. For Diego Duan, owner and operator of Camino Alamo BBQ, his Uyghur-style skewers represent his road to freedom. A barbeque enthusiast, Duan...

Students study at the new Foxtrot location on Guadalupe St. in Austin, TX on August 28th, 2023. The location officially opened on August 26th.

Grand opening of Foxtrot on Guadalupe Street welcomes University life

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter August 28, 2023

The hustle and bustle of The Drag meets its newest addition: The latest Foxtrot storefront opened Saturday, Aug. 26 on Guadalupe Street. Foxtrot, a Chicago-based company, started as an E-commerce grocery...

Best eats within walking distance of campus

Best eats within walking distance of campus

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter August 23, 2023

As the semester begins and classes start to pick up, finding convenient meals sits at the top of many students’ priority lists. Luckily, campus boasts a number of places to eat during quick breaks between...

How UT's collection of 3,000 strains of algae facilitate education worldwide

How UT’s collection of 3,000 strains of algae facilitate education worldwide

Amelia Engstrom, Senior Life&Arts Reporter August 21, 2023

Just as a library holds rows of books, room 17 of the Biological Laboratories building shelters rows of flasks. They may appear to contain just liquid, but the contents of the flasks are very much alive,...

70 días y 4,000 millas después: Texas 4000 construye comunidad, difunde conciencia y recauda dinero para la investigación del cáncer

70 días y 4,000 millas después: Texas 4000 construye comunidad, difunde conciencia y recauda dinero para la investigación del cáncer

Amelia Engstrom and Hannah Garza August 8, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 31 de julio por Amelia Engstrom y fue traducido al español por Hannah Garza. Cuando Beril Saygin, estudiante de último año de biología...

UT Global Medical Training ofrece a los estudiantes de pre-salud experiencia clínica y cultural en Centroamérica

UT Global Medical Training ofrece a los estudiantes de pre-salud experiencia clínica y cultural en Centroamérica

Amelia Engstrom and Hannah Garza August 2, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 24 de julio por Amelia Engstrom y fue traducido al español por Hannah Garza. Los pacientes forman una fila fuera de la puerta mientras...

70 days and 4,000 miles later: Texas 4000 builds community, spreads awareness, raises money for cancer research

70 days and 4,000 miles later: Texas 4000 builds community, spreads awareness, raises money for cancer research

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter July 31, 2023

As Beril Saygin, biology and Plan II senior, crosses the finish line of her bike ride from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska, alongside her teammates, she’s not just biking for herself. “I’m riding...

UT Global Medical Training provides pre-health students with clinical, cultural experience in Central America

UT Global Medical Training provides pre-health students with clinical, cultural experience in Central America

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts General Reporter July 24, 2023

Patients form a line out the door as they await care at a local Panama clinic. Biology senior Kristina Fan gives stickers to the child on her lap to keep him calm while his mother explains his symptoms...

Mockumentary ‘Theater Camp’ creates humorous, endearing glimpse into heart of theater

Mockumentary ‘Theater Camp’ creates humorous, endearing glimpse into heart of theater

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter July 23, 2023

“Theater Camp” transports viewers to Camp AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, home to the hopes, dreams and hearts of thespian campers. Co-directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman,...

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ season two brings new depth

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ season two brings new depth

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts General Reporter July 16, 2023

After a year’s wait, viewers return to Cousins Beach, where the trials and tribulations of a teenage love triangle continue in the second season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Following the same...

New UT staff pickleball league facilitates community within the University ecosystem

New UT staff pickleball league facilitates community within the University ecosystem

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter July 10, 2023

Standing at the ready on the 20-by-44-foot court with paddle in hand, Joe Wise, senior assistant director of intramural sports, felt nervous to play his first pickleball match.  “I was worried about...

Physician, cartoonist Dr. Grace Farris uses graphic medicine to educate, connect

Physician, cartoonist Dr. Grace Farris uses graphic medicine to educate, connect

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts General Reporter July 3, 2023

The sign reading “wet tissues” outside the wet tissues lab at Dell Seton Medical Center certainly does not imply a room full of wet wipes or used Kleenex. Despite this, Dr. Grace Farris chuckles at...

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Cactus Cafe’s Songwriters’ Open Mic cultivates community between musicians

Amelia Engstrom, Life&Arts General Reporter June 26, 2023

A microphone, a ukulele and an open stage. Seven years later, those three things remain the same for Sophia Molina, whose first live performance was a Sam Smith cover at a school talent show. Now a mechanical...

Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team prepares for national championship

Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team prepares for national championship

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter April 10, 2023

Anxiously waiting inside the head of the lion, Ana Marcela Cantu listens for the beat of the tanggu to begin performing her first competitive lion dance with her teammates. “Going to (the) competition,...

Singer-songwriter Jenna Raine on release of new single “Stupid Cupid,” upcoming music, performing with Joshua Bassett

Singer-songwriter Jenna Raine on release of new single “Stupid Cupid,” upcoming music, performing with Joshua Bassett

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter April 3, 2023

Texas-born singer-songwriter Jenna Raine hopped on board The Complicated Tour as an opener for Joshua Bassett, performing from Friday to Wednesday for the tour’s Texas leg, Nashville and Atlanta shows....

Student artist Jessica Nguyen takes chance on future in art

Student artist Jessica Nguyen takes chance on future in art

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter March 31, 2023

Leaving the rush of college life in America, a trip across the Atlantic Ocean led Jessica Nguyen to experience the leisure of Aix-en-Provence, France. During her semester abroad, Nguyen spent her days...

Match Day 2023 dictates futures of Dell Med students, students across US

Match Day 2023 dictates futures of Dell Med students, students across US

Amelia Engstrom, General Life&Arts Reporter March 29, 2023

After a sleepless night, Darsh Shah, fourth-year Dell Medical School student, opened his laptop to an email that could potentially change the trajectory of his career in medicine. Thankfully, the message...

‘The future of barbecue meats’: Austin-based BioBQ works towards lab-cultured meat

‘The future of barbecue meats’: Austin-based BioBQ works towards lab-cultured meat

Amelia Engstrom, General Life & Arts Reporter March 5, 2023

Ever since Dr. Katie Kam stopped eating meat in 1990, she said conversations with her non-vegetarian friends and family about becoming vegan brought a common theme to light. “They're less concerned...

Emily Nguyen stands inside of Tapioca House on Feb. 28, 2023. Nguyen painted the murals inside the boba shop.

Student artist grows art business through sales at Tapioca House

Amelia Engstrom, General Life & Arts Reporter March 3, 2023

Frequenting local boba shop Tapioca House left student artist Emily Nguyen with more than a place to satisfy her boba fix, but also a home for her art business. “(The owner, Thuc Pham) just recognized...

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