I wasn’t really a big fan of Coldplay’s title track to their latest album Viva la Vida when it was first featured on the iTunes commercial a few months ago: The song didn’t seem to have much of a hook or rhythm, and my inner elitist is always skeptical of any band that gets compared to Radiohead.

Around eight o’clock Wednesday evening, the anticipation of the crowd gathered in Gaston Hall was palpable — it seemed that many of the assembled students half-expected Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker to vault onto the stage, that impish smile on his face and a freshly-sharpened pencil in his hand.

Bold patterns, bright colors and engaging texture — the makings of any rich and interesting cultural art. The current exhibition at the Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center explodes with the vivacity of Jewish culture while simultaneously acting as a focal point for other efforts of the organization.

This past Monday, Washington, D.C., became home to yet another cupcake bakery when Hello Cupcake opened its doors. Though Georgetown Cupcake has become the favorite amongst students living in the Georgetown area, many students have already expressed a desire to try something new.

Introducing Spanish charm and flavor to Georgetown, Bodega is the new tapas restaurant that opened on M Street in May. Ryan Wolfe, its manager and a veteran of the restaurant business, is confident that Bodega will become a significant part of the local culinary landscape.

One look at the slate of upcoming theatrical performances here on the Hilltop will tell you that Georgetown’s various drama groups are acutely aware that 2008 is an election year. Echoing the political themes of several of last year’s productions, many of the offerings this fall are united by a common interest in issues of race, gender, community and justice.

A tough, pissy brunette who never smiles. A pudgy, soft-spoken, awkward son of suburban parents. A green-eyed, angsty kid with shaggy black hair in need of a trim. And a 40-plus, overweight, shiny-trousers-wearing, ponytailed man with crazy mannerisms and an even crazier personality. Not the typical collection of people you'd group together as members of a rock band.