News aggregator

Charlie McVickers/Fourth Estate

BY CHARLIE MCVICKERS, STAFF WRITER

Each spring, dance majors at George Mason perform in the annual School of Dance Gala concert at the Center for the Arts. The performance allows students to work with world-renowned choreographers and prepare for a future career in the industry.

This year’s performance falls on Mar. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. The program consisted of four choreographic works: “The Hunt” by Robert Battle, “Cloudline” by Robyn Mineko Williams, “The Fracture of Light” by Yue Yin, and his premier work “Twist” by associate professor at Mason Christopher d’Amboise. Students of all cohorts participated in a year long process to create a performance to remember. 

Preparations for the gala start in August with the dancers’ first residency audition. The initial audition is two hours long, ending with the first cut of the day. Dancers selected for callbacks return to the studios for an additional two hours to workshop material. Casting is finalized soon after. 

If selected for a part, dancers will spend weeks in a residency where students can cultivate meaningful connections with professionals in the industry. This relationship can later lead to future job opportunities. 

Performing is not the only way one can participate in the gala. Senior Sloan Daley was contacted after her audition with an opportunity to be a rehearsal assistant for d’Amboise. 

Throughout the creation process, Daley’s job was to be an extra pair of eyes in the room. She mapped out and learned all aspects of the music in preparation for rehearsals. Additionally, she was in charge of the upkeep of rehearsal footage, which led her to be in contact with the production crew such as lighting and design coordinators. 

As Daley sets out to graduate this spring, she hopes to continue her journey as not just a performer but a choreographer as well. Throughout Daley’s experience of being a rehearsal assistant, she felt she gained confidence in working with different group sizes.

“I have choreographed all four semesters since junior year, and it’s something that in school, I have learned I absolutely love and am interested in,” Daley said. “I’ve definitely never had a cast of twenty-five people, so now working with a group that big, I feel really comfortable with it. Which is something I think is going to help me move forward.”

Charlie McVickers/Fourth Estate

While the students are perfecting their craft in the studios, the production teams are working hard to support the show in different ways. 

The costume department plays a significant role in contributing to the production for the School of Dance. Dance Wardrobe Coordinator, Cat Buchanan is the backbone of the entire costume operation. 

When it comes to making gala costumes, the first step is to receive approval from the original designers. This step is necessary in order for Buchanan to recreate costumes used in the original productions. Buchanan must then create a variation of the original, taking inspiration from the previous costume. In some cases, choreographers will ask her to—instead—create something new. 

In the fall, Buchanan begins shopping for materials that will help build the gala costumes. Next, she starts building garments for each dancer, adjusting them right up until show day. 

Buchanan’s staff includes dance students working as costume shop interns. It is an opportunity students can apply for at the beginning of the fall semester. Through the internship students are taught the craftsmanship and skill of being a dresser by taking part in the creation and alteration process. 

The costume department is in a constant state of production mode. “When it comes to being a costumer/dresser you cannot be a person that needs a scheduled existence,” Buchanan said. “But if you enjoy a big adventure, it’s a lot of fun every day. And you get to work with the most amazing people, and students, it keeps you going.”

The gala is not only a celebration of a year of growth and education, it also represents the dedication these young artists have in shaping their careers within the dance industry.

The School of Dance holds numerous performances throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, presenting works by students, faculty, and world-renowned artists. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at the George Mason Center for the Arts Ticket Office. For more information on this upcoming event, visit the ​​2025 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert site. 

Nylah Mitchell/Fourth Estate

BY NYLAH MITCHELL, COPY EDITOR

Spring break is finally here! Whether you’re planning a solo day trip or a week-long family vacation to New York City (NYC), this checklist recommends only the best places to visit. In this selection are tourist hotspots, as well as beloved local dives. 

Dining

First morning in NYC? Try Flipper’s in Soho for amazing pancakes or visit Maman for a French-inspired breakfast and lunch. Recommended dishes include the Papa’s Breakfast bowl and Rose’s Steak Sandwich, both served with balsamic mixed greens. 

For lunch or dinner, Eataly in Flatiron offers multiple Italian restaurants inside its bustling grocery store. Try La Pizza & La Pasta for simple yet delicious Italian food. The Lo Spaghetto al Pomodoro is “delizioso” topped with parmesan. 

Not in the mood for Italian? Consider Din Tai Fung for Chinese, or Hamachi Sushi 34 for Japanese delicacies. Craving Mexican? Los Tacos No. 1 is a popular yet perfect taco spot. For those with a low spice tolerance, it does lean on the spicier side of tacos, so be warned. Its rival, Tacombi, receives rave reviews from almost every downtown New Yorker around. 

For those who just want a good ol’ burger and fries? Head to 7th Street Burger  for a classic smashed cheeseburger with crispy fries dipped in their house sauce. Want a McDonald’s-inspired ‘Happy Meal’ with Instagram picture-worthy plating? The Happiest Hour is just the place. With a wide variety of bites and burgers, the happiest meal, priced at $22, will get a burger of choice, fries and a cocktail/mocktail, along with a burger keyring souvenir. 

The Go-to Spots

No New York trip is complete without trying an authentic bagel and pizza slice. Pop-up bagels is a cute touristy spot that offers a unique experience with a tub of cream cheese for dipping. Leon’s Bagels is a gem for an artisan bagel with picturesque packaging. Above all, any local deli or bodega will never lead astray; the best bacon, egg and cheese sandwich ever had is at a local deli. 

For pizza, try Rosa’s Pizza, Gotham Pizza and any $1.50 pizza shop for a classic and most gigantic New York slice. Whether a simple cheese, pepperoni or Margherita slice, each will disappear in no time. 

Need to hit a sweet treat? Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a must-visit spot to fulfill such craving. From Lucie serves the best cakes and sea salt chocolate chip cookies. Sugar Hill Creamery in Harlem, a Black-owned and woman-led business, is the tried-and-true spot for ice cream. New Yorkers rave about the What’s Up, Doc?, carrot cake flavor, and the Nunu’s Peach Cobbler flavor. 

Shopping 

Have time to kill and want to stimulate the wandering brain around a bookstore? Rizzoli Bookstore is the place to flip through endless coffee table books. Strand Bookstore, the Corner Bookstore and Shakespeare and Co. are great places for a literary escape. Check out McNally Jackson for classic literature, stationery and curated staff picks to fall back in love with reading. 

For vintage shopping, NYC has countless stores, but L Train Vintage and Tokio7 are top picks for designer finds like Comme Des Garçon and Acne Studios. These spots are perfect to stop by and hunt for cool designer pieces. 

For Viewing Purposes 

For the film buffs, the Paris Theater hosts a number of vintage film screenings with Q&A sessions with film critics and directors. The theater is only footsteps away from Central Park and tickets are sold for $15 for students. To add some reviews for a Letterboxd account, Film at the Lincoln Center screens indie films and is currently running its annual French film festival. Students can purchase tickets for $19. 

In a historic city, visit the 9/11 Museum near the One World Trade Center. At the memorial, interact with artifacts and sacred rubble from the catastrophic event. Students can purchase tickets for $30, and on Mondays, visitors can tour the museum for free between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

No New York City checklist is complete without the inclusion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Venture into several exhibits documenting the periods of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students can purchase tickets for $17. 

Stuck on campus for spring break? Look for opportunities from Mason to New York City. Previously, Mason has offered shuttles to NYC for $30 or less. For more information and ticket inquiries, visit GMU Transportation. 

Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate

BY MICAHI OPPONG, STAFF WRITER 

After winning two of their last four games, the Patriots are currently 23-7 and 14-3 in conference play ahead of their final game of the Atlantic 10 regular season. Losing 70–54 to the VCU Rams on Saturday, Feb. 22, the Patriots allowed the Rams to go on a 15-0 second-half run, losing both the game and first place in the A-10. 

Senior guards Darius Maddox and K.D. Johnson led the team with 12 points, and senior forward Jaylen Haynes nearly notched a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. 

Mason lost the turnover battle, 14-9, and allowed the Rams to shoot over 50% from the field and 40% from three in the second half. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Patriots got back in the win column, holding on for their 16th home win of the season against the Fordham Rams, 74-64. Haynes tied his Mason career high with 25 points and seven rebounds. Maddox followed with 14 points and five rebounds. Both teams combined for 55 fouls and 71 free throw attempts, making it a slow and monotonous watch for fans and players alike. 

“There were a lot of things that I thought were self-sabotaging,” said Mason Head Coach Tony Skinn. “But at the end of the day, we don’t live for individual stuff. We got the win and that’s all that matters.” 

The game started with a quick steal from Maddox, leading to quick points from Haynes–a sign of things to come for his strong performance. The Rams kept the action close throughout the first half with the help of their backcourt duo. 

Mason led 32-24 at halftime, but Fordham opened the second half with an 8–0 run. This woke the Patriots up, sparking a 10–0 run of their own. Mason sealed the win down the stretch with an emphatic steal and dunk by junior guard Brayden O’Connor. Mason held Fordham to just 33.9% shooting from the field and an abysmal 20.7% from the three, with another exceptional defensive performance from senior guard Jared Billups, who finished with eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. 

“He is the heart and soul of us defensively, anchoring our defense in so many ways,” Skinn said. “If anyone doesn’t think that Jared Billups is the Defensive Player of the Year, then they’re just not watching George Mason basketball.” 

Later in the week, on Saturday, Mar. 1, the Patriots went on the road and fell to the Duquesne Dukes, 68–85. Haynes led the team with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Johnson followed with 11 points and three steals. Twenty turnovers and 15 three-pointers from the Dukes proved costly for Mason, marking the most three-pointers they have allowed since 2021. 

Honoring its seniors on Wednesday, Mar. 5, Mason picked up a win on Senior Night, defeating the La Salle Explorers 69-62 and finished undefeated at home in the A-10. O’Connor had the best game of his career, scoring 26 points, dishing five assists, and making all eight of his free throws. Haynes contributed 22 points and ten rebounds, while Maddox scored 17 points and recorded three steals.

“I had a good game tonight because of my teammates”, O’Connor said. “We’re going into the final stretch of the season, in order for us to keep playing at our best, I think everybody has to be at their best.”

The final game of the season is on the road against Richmond on Saturday, Mar. 8. Richmond is  another bottom-three team in the conference, sitting just one game ahead of La Salle with a worse overall record at 10-20. 

“I’d like to finish 15 and 3 in conference play, I’m going to dream that,” Skinn said. “However, we can only control what we can control, teams that want it the most play the best in March. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, you’re going to get the best of everyone”.

With A-10 tournament seeding still at stake, a statement win against Richmond is pivotal heading into championship play.  

The Patriots are ready for deep March basketball and the madness that comes with it, leaving little time to reflect on what has been an historic regular season, including Mason’s first double-bye in school history. 

Mason’s A-10 tournament play begins Friday, Mar. 14, at Capital One Arena, airing exclusively on USA Network. The regular-season finale against the Spiders is set for Saturday, Mar. 8, with tipoff at 6 p.m., broadcasting only on ESPN+.