Arts & Entertainment

Auburn-Opelika Tourism's art gallery: Where community meets creativity

By Betsy Nearn | Lifestyle Writer | January 2

As cold, dreary weather sets into the South, visitors and locals alike escape into the bold, bright colors of Auburn-Opelika Tourism’s art gallery on North Gay Street. Over 20 artists contributed roughly 150 paintings to share stories and encapsulate the beauty found within the local community.

A backstage look at AubFest

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | December 28

Auburn’s own DIY music festival AubFest had its seventh successful edition from Oct. 3 to 5, uniting the community with music performed by over 30 regional bands. Starting as a simple idea by an Auburn University student, Ashley Spencer, the festival is now a non-profit event and has quickly blossomed into a beloved, biannual tradition. However many attendees do not realize the amount of hard work that Auburn University students dedicate to the festival.

A collection of illustrated icons and names representing various musicians, including sunglasses, stage outfits and musical instruments.

The storied history of performance arts on the Plains

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | December 21

For over a century, Auburn has hosted some of the most impactful and culturally significant singers and performers in the nation. As the local artistic scene blooms now more than ever, The Plainsman takes a look back at the most notable cultural events from Auburn’s long history with performing arts.

10000 HZ Records in Opelika, Ala., hands out posters of the new album 'Everybody Scream' by Florence and the Machine the evening of Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.

10,000 Hz builds community through listening parties

By Layla Hyatt | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | December 20

From a display stand in the corner of a coffee shop to a brick and mortar store, record store 10,000 Hz has built community in the Auburn-Opelika area through music. These events serve to build community through music. In the Auburn-Opelika area, where record stores are scarce, 10,000 Hz has filled this hole by uniting listeners of all backgrounds.

AU Players: An organization focused on theatre and friendship

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | December 20

Auburn University Players (AU Players) is a student-run club that immerses its members into the world of theatre, whether they’re majoring in it or not. Students are able to join at any point of the year with just an annual fee of $15.

The game that broke the internet: A review of 'Hollow Knight: Silksong'

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | December 15

After years of waiting by excited fans, "Hollow Knight: Silksong," the sequel to the acclaimed "Hollow Knight," was released by indie developer Team Cherry on Sept. 4. The game was so highly anticipated that it crashed Steam, a widely-used platform hosting thousands of video games. After years of "Silksong tomorrow" jokes and theorizing, fans across the globe descended upon Steam all at once. As a Hollow Knight fan, I, too, coveted my chance to play "Hollow Knight: Silksong" with bated breath until I finally got the opportunity. Through all this excitement, however, we must ask ourselves: Is it worth the hype?

Lunar Parque members Sally Little, John Evans, Zavier Shaw and Harry Downes. Photo contributed by Lunar Parque.

The 512 cultivates a haven for DIY music

By Jennifer Santiago | Newsletter Editor | December 15

Located on Mary Lane, The 512 is a DIY music venue created by Auburn students in 2022. What started as a Halloween party at a townhouse has transformed into a community center and hub for live music in east Alabama.

Twelve zodiac signs are illustrated, each represented by symbolic images and colors arranged in a grid format.

Musical horoscopes: What's your perfect song?

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | December 15

Music is a unifying thing, songs have feelings and they're often written in the starts. Here's what your perfect album would be based on your zodiac sign. These horoscopes are meant to be pure satire and offer songs that you or your friends may enjoy.

A row of brick buildings with arched windows and a blue portable restroom along a street lined with black bollards.

Lights, camera, action! Boxcar, calling all film fans

By Sam Bainter | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | December 10

Boxcar, located in downtown Opelika, is a nonprofit establishment opening in early 2026 that will primarily screen unique films from a variety of genres. It will have a cinema, a lounge area and a bar, while showcasing other forms of art through live performance.

Student musician Walter Lloyd stands happily with guitar.

Encouraging human connection: Student musician Walter Lloyd

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | December 9

For Walter Lloyd, 23, music has always been about more than lyrics or rhyme; it's been about inspiring feelings and connections between people. Lloyd is a commercial music major at Auburn University and has been making music for the past ten years. During this time, he’s really been able to figure out his sound and reason behind songwriting.

Two cartoon turkeys, one black and one purple, joyfully dance beside large, bold red letters spelling "FREE BIRDS" against a light purple background.

'We're taking turkey off the menu' — A review of 'Free Birds'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 27

The 2013 film “Free Birds,” details the adventures of two talking turkeys, Reggie (Owen Wilson) and Jake (Woody Harrelson) who travel back in time to the year 1621, with the goal of stopping turkey from being served at the first Thanksgiving feast. Reggie and Jake meet a slew of turkey friends when they travel back in time. Reggie also develops a crush on Jenny (Amy Poehler), a charming turkey from 1621. Reggie, Jake and the turkeys they meet in 1621 work to fight a group of colonists hunting them for the first Thanksgiving feast.

A large popcorn bucket sits prominently in front of a movie screen, with a filmstrip curling around it.

Thanksgiving movie guide: New films to see in theaters

By Katie Gibson | Lifestyle Writer | November 25

Thanksgiving is a time that students can finally kick up their feet and relax before finals season comes into full swing. November is typically a time when major movies come out. Do you want to go enjoy a cinematic production on the big screen, while munching on extremely-buttered popcorn and sipping a cold soda? Maybe this sounds appealing, but you have no idea what movie ticket to buy. Luckily for you, I have created a guide of the top three highly-anticipated movie releases that Auburn students will be making sure they go see this Thanksgiving break. In no particular order, here are the must-see movie releases to enjoy this holiday season.

Santa Claus sits on a chair surrounded by poinsettias, with a campus backdrop and people walking by.

Christmas countdown with Auburn's Letters to Santa program

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 17

With the holidays rapidly approaching, excitement is ramping up for Auburn’s unique Christmas traditions that celebrate community and spread joy through various events. Among the most popular is Letters to Santa, a program that allows children from Auburn and surrounding areas to send letters to Santa Claus and receive a letter in return. For several years, the city of Auburn has sponsored this program for children every holiday season.

A bustling indoor market features shoppers browsing handmade jewelry displays and vintage goods, with a festive atmosphere highlighted by chandeliers and decorations.

Moore's Mill Christmas pop-up returns with holiday spirit

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | November 16

On Nov. 16, a line formed outside of the Moore’s Mill Club, as excited buyers and browsers waited for its highly anticipated Christmas market pop-up. Open to the public, the market welcomed people from every corner of the community, as attendees browsed and bought handmade and vintage goods from local vendors.

A bald man in glasses gestures while seated in front of a computer in an audio studio environment.

STEM side of music composition

By Lizzie McGlynn | Lifestyle Writer | November 7

In the world of modern composition, technology is no longer an add-on to music; it is a core part of how it is created, taught and performed. At Auburn University, that reality is shaping a growing program where students learn to blend artistry with innovation. Lee Johnson, professor of composition, has seen firsthand how much technology has become inseparable from the craft.

Graphic of a black cat in an orange pumpkin costume and a ghost.

Halloween on the Plains: How student organizations are celebrating this year

By Chloe Glass | Lifestyle Writer | October 31

Student organizations have been getting into the spooky spirit by hosting events across campus this week on the Plains. Whether it's showing off the best costume, embracing the frightening festivities or carving pumpkins, Auburn has plenty of events open to students and the community.

Sammy Elfanbaum, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Post Sex Nachos, performs the headlining set at AubFest VII on Saturday, Oct. 4.

AubFest VII presents a weekend of art, music and fun

By Jennifer Santiago | Newsletter Editor and Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | October 5

From Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, AubFest hosted an estimated 1,200 attendees for its seventh edition at the local ATV park, Boggin’ On The Plains. Tickets for the biannual festival’s largest year yet sold for $30 online and included access to camping, food trucks, retail vendors and over 30 performances and the headliner, Post Sex Nachos.

Botanic's Got Talent season three winner

Fourth time's a charm: Botanic's Got Talent kicks off once again this October

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | October 1

Botanic's Got Talent, a talent show featuring the Auburn-Opelika community, has returned for its fourth season. This competition will take place at Botanic's Patio Bar throughout the fall, with the public encouraged to watch performances.

Amped up for AubFest: Upcoming DIY music festival is back and bigger than ever

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | September 26

The seventh edition of AubFest will return from Oct. 3 to 5 at Boggin’ On The Plains, a local ATV recreation park. Hosted twice a year, the local DIY, music festival highlights regional bands and performers of all backgrounds and genres, while offering a place where the community can come together.

Turning over a new leaf: The Artist’s Harvest Exhibition begins this October

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | September 15

From Oct. 1 until Nov. 4, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) will hold its first-ever Artist's Harvest Exhibition, an opportunity for local artists to showcase their artwork and express their love for Halloween and the fall season. A reception and market, where these JDCAC-affiliated artists can sell their pieces and gain exposure in the world of creativity, will also take place on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.