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The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn (left) and Former Boston University professor Don Gillis (right). Flynn’s tenure as mayor inspired Gillis to write his book, “The Battle for Boston: How Mayor Ray Flynn and Community Organizers Fought Racism and Downtown Power Brokers,” which will be published May 6. COURTESY OF DON GILLIS

‘It became one city’: Former BU professor’s book explores Mayor Ray Flynn’s impact on Boston

By Lauren Albano, Campus Co-Editor April 7, 2025
From helping set up neighborhood kids with summer jobs to bringing “heroes” from the Boston Celtics to play basketball with them, Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn always leveraged his connections with significant community members to uplift others.
Posters of the films honored at the 2025 Redstone Film Festival. The annual festival is hosted by Boston University’s Department of Film and Television, sponsored by the Sumner Redstone Foundation and features BU student films. PHOTO BY TATE HAM

Meet the films honored at 2025 Redstone Film Festival and the students behind them

By Tate Ham April 7, 2025
Audience members cheered their way through screenings of the films awarded as finalists at the annual Redstone Film Festival Friday. The student films depicted dynamic narratives ranging from identity, end of life, immigration and young adulthood. 

Things to do this week in Boston: April 7-13

By Sophie Shatzky April 7, 2025

Van Gogh Roulin Family Portraits at the Museum of Fine Arts Monday April 7-13, hours vary; Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston Attend the MFA’s recently debuted “Van Gogh: Roulin...

Oli Ruzic as Juliet (left) and Jonathan Sullivan as Romeo (right) in the production of “Romeo and Juliet” produced by the BU Shakespeare Society. The show was directed by sophomore Megan Amato and ran from April 3-5. COURTESY OF ELLIE WATSON

BU Shakespeare Society’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ breathes new life into a classic

By John Tatum April 6, 2025
Everyone knows the story of “Romeo and Juliet”: two star-crossed lovers in fair Verona, deeply enthralled with one another — but torn apart by their family’s feud.
Banners for the Museum of Fine Arts’ Van Gogh exhibition on display outside the museum. The exhibition focuses on Van Gogh’s time in Arles, France, where he formed a friendship with the local postman, Joseph Roulin, and his family. ANGELICA VIVAS/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

First Van Gogh exhibition at MFA in 25 years offers fresh perspective on artist, friendship

By Sophia Bartlett April 2, 2025
“Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” exhibition, which opened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston March 30, is the first exhibition dedicated to Van Gogh at the MFA in 25 years. 
The webpage for John Wilson’s exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Wilson is a former Boston University professor and his exhibit includes memorabilia from BU’s Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. HOLLY GUSTAVSEN/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU joins MFA to honor legacy of artist, educator John Wilson

By Jack Schwed March 31, 2025
John Wilson, born in Roxbury in 1922, was an artist whose work centered mostly around the challenges he faced as a Black American, depicting these issues through paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings.
Mimi Brown as Juror 8 in Boston University’s Stage Troupe’s production of “Twelve Angry Jurors.” The show ran March 27 to March 29 in the Student Theater at Agganis Arena. TALIA LISSAUER/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Stage Troupe stuns beyond a reasonable doubt in ‘Twelve Angry Jurors’

By Paris Hugley March 30, 2025
What is justice? How long does it take for an old man to get down the hall? How do you skillfully stab a man? 
African penguins in their new “retirement home” island at New England Aquarium. The aquarium created this exhibit to provide comfort and specialized care to African penguins, a “critically endangered” species, as they age beyond their expected lifespan. COURTESY OF NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

Six pairs of happy feet hit new ‘retirement home’ for African penguins at New England Aquarium

By Lauren Albano, Campus Co-Editor March 27, 2025
Humans aren’t the only species who need a retirement plan. But for African penguins, that plan doesn’t include a 401(k).
Poster for the Multiple Formats Art Book Fair and Symposium on Boston Center for the Arts website. In a collaboration between Boston University’s School of Visual Arts and the BCA, the Multiple Formats was brought to life this past weekend with more than 150 exhibitors. SARAH CRUZ/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Cultures, creations collide at Boston University’s Multiple Formats Art Book Fair and Symposium

By Ellen Dong March 27, 2025
Books, posters, zines and more lit up the first floor of the Howard Thurman Center Saturday afternoon. 
Paulette Jones, sister of Champion Honoree Raynya Simmons; Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor;Pam Allara, Champion Honoree; Denella Clark, president and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation at the BAA Foundation’s ninth annual Champions Reception. Raynya Simmons, a Boston University College of Communication alum, was honored at the reception March 20 as a person who has continuously given back to the community. COURTESY OF THE BOSTON ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION

BU alum honored at Boston Arts Academy Foundation Champions Reception

By Elaina Fuzi March 27, 2025
Raynya Simmons, a 1990 Boston University College of Communication alum, was honored at the Boston Arts Academy Foundation March 20 as someone who has continuously given back to the community.
The 2025 Boston University College of Fine Arts Carnegie Hall showcase performers. The annual concert in New York City features BU School of Music student performers who are chosen through a rigorous competition and selection process. COURTESY OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

BU musicians, singers take center stage at Carnegie Hall

By Samantha Genzer, City Co-Editor March 25, 2025
The stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City has long been synonymous with musical excellence, and on Tuesday night, a select group of Boston University School of Music students will add their names to the prestigious roster of performers who have graced its halls. 
Boston Ballet in George Balanchine’s “Mozartiana.” The artists of the Boston Ballet opened their “Winter Experience” Thursday night, delivering a bill of four strong performances that combined elements of neoclassical American ballet and modern performance. COURTESY OF ROSALIE O’CONNOR

Boston Ballet’s “Winter Experience” toes the line of classic, contemporary dance

By Karyna Cheung March 25, 2025
The artists of the Boston Ballet opened their Winter Experience Thursday night, delivering a bill of four strong performances that combined elements of neoclassical American ballet and modern performance.
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