Tightly grasping the tool of his trade, Ethan Cummins stares at the canvas that lies before him — eyes trained, unblinking as if he is trying to pull some hidden picture from its depths to the surface. It's something you would expect of a student in an art class. He wanders a few feet to the right, then the left, then crouches down to get an alternate point of view. He is carefully contemplating his next stroke, his next color choice to bring the image in his head to artistic reality.

The twang of a sitar paired with the accompaniment of tabla were a reminder that one can always find beauty in this world. The morning “raga” transported the room to the streets of Kolkata. Tears streamed from the eyes of a few members of the audience, elicited by the harmonic passion flowing from each musician, as they played the tranquil piece.

For African students at the University of Texas at Austin, the phrase “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is easier said than done. There will always be some level of cultural disconnect as they tip-toe across the fine line of being “too African,” or “not American enough.” It’s the epic struggle of wanting to fit in, while trying not to lose the one thing that makes you different. For so long, it seemed that African students were faced with only two options: forsake their African culture and assimilate into American culture or be labeled an outcast for choosing to be African. But by creating the Fest Africa program, the African StudentsAssociation at UT attempts to show that it doesn’t always have to be one or the other.

For African students at the University of Texas at Austin, the phrase “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is easier said than done. There will always be some level of cultural disconnect as they tip-toe across the fine line of being “too African,” or “not American enough.” It’s the epic struggle of wanting to fit in, while trying not to lose the one thing that makes you different. For so long, it seemed that African students were faced with only two options: forsake their African culture and assimilate into American culture or be labeled an outcast for choosing to be African. But by creating the Fest Africa program, the African StudentsAssociation at UT attempts to show that it doesn’t always have to be one or the other.

In reports, the walk is usually described as a 2.5-mile trek.

However, UT journalism professor Gene Burd does not have a GPS, nor does he use an iPhone to calculate the shortest distance from his apartment on Barton Springs Road to the Belo Center for New Media. He knows the streets as avenues for communication, not transportation, and chooses to take the long way around — to look at the City, note its changes, check all of the parking meters for loose change and stop for a chat with a lot attendant by the Capitol.

"The Humbling" was everything I expected and more. Al Pacino (cast as the movie's protagonist, Simon Axler) has never been more captivating — or should I say, convincing (movie joke)? Originally written as a novel by Philip Roth, the screenplay was adapted by Buck Henry and Michal Zebede. Present at the screening of the film Thursday night at the Austin Film Festival at the Paramount Theater, Zebede told the audience that "The Humbling" had been a passion project for Pacino, so he had already been cast to play the part. She added that she took inspiration from Pacino’s life and wrote it into the character.

After its world premiere at the festival last Saturday, “Skin Deep” received the award for Best Narrative Feature. ORANGE talked with Zanetti on her experience during the film’s production.

The 21st annual Austin Film Festival kicked off last Thursday. The festival brought an impressive list of writers and filmmakers to speak at panels. Here are some of the big takeaways.

As a first-year student last fall, I was clueless on how to spend Halloween night amid a city full of activities ranging from haunted houses to comedy shows. Partly because I had class the following morning, I ended up watching my friends doll up for the night, then stalking their cute pictures on my newsfeed. Here are a few guidelines and friendly tips on how to spice up your Halloween night (unless you want to end up at home alone watching Netflix and stuffing your face with candy).

The North Campus community is quiet, mostly home to University of Texas at Austin grad students who are done with the West Campus party culture. Wedged between a red-roofed house and a mini food market on the corner of 31st Street and Speedway, the little gray building is easy to miss in passing. And, although many people may not realize it as they’re driving by, that little gray building is actually a Texas Treasure.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about doing yoga for what I considered the first time, but rave reviews from the Austin Social Cycling community reassured my decision to experience the yoga ride for myself.