Blitz February 2015 by Blitz Weekly

THE TRIBULATION OF JON JONES

SAVING SEAU +

UFC AND DRUGS WHAT DID THE Q:

1950s

TEACH US ABOUT STYLE? A: (LOOK INSIDE)

…AND FINDING ANSWERS

Hint: He’s a Game Changer for Dallas Music And You Need To Know Why

Explore the DFW Food Scene with Steven Doyle WISDOM

CHELSEA HANDLER SHARES HERS

FEBRUARY 2015

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

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2015

FE BRUARY

Blitz

INTELLIGENCE

5 The Not So Secret World of Jon Jones The Champ battles addiction, the league runs for cover 6 The Legacy of Seau The NFL Hall of Fame recognizes a true champion

Publisher Kelly G. Reed Editor-in-Chief C. Craig Patterson Features Director Amber LaFrance Pop Culture Editor Ethan Harmon Sports Editor Lance Rinker Copy Chief Mark Miller Creative Director Jette Stephens Cover Photo Korin Reese

Photo Editor Darryl Briggs Staff Photographers John Breen, Dominic Ceraldi, Jarrod Fresquez, Michael Kolch, Rick Leal, Sandy McAnally Staff Writers Peter Gerstenzang, Keysha Hogan, Martin Iheke, Frank LaCosta, Lance LeVan Contributing Photographers/Artists Molly Crabapple, Jonah Gilmore, Korin Reese Contributing Writers Steven Doyle, Sarah Badran, Erika Hayes, Andrew J. Hewett

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

BLITZ Weekly

P.O. Box 295293, Lewisville, TX 75029 • www.blitzweekly.com Copyright 2015 YK Publishing, LLC. No portion of BLITZ Weekly may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. BLITZ Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. BLITZ Weekly may be distributed only by BLITZ Weekly’s authorized independent contractors or BLITZ Weekly’s authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of BLITZ Weekly, take more than one copy of each BLITZ Weekly issue. Articles printed in this publication may express opinions or views not necessarily the opinions of BLITZ Weekly. The BLITZ Weekly is not responsible for the content or claims of advertisements or editorial in this publication. Story reprints are available for $1 plus postage; call the office at 214-529-7370 to place an order or check our archives at www.blitzweekly.com.

10 Shhh...We’re Not Supposed to Talk About Race Esquire & Rolling Stone writer Peter Gerstanzang delves into why the obvious isn’t so obvious 14 1 Kid to Rule Them All Terrence Spectacle puts on a show for Dallas

Jarrod Fresquez Model: Brenna Griffin Make-Up: Makeup Junkies, INC. - Jai Okoli & George Graham

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This Dude Bowls

Former Ranger John Burkett Abides by His Dream to Bowl Professionally

BY MARK MILLER – MMILLER@BLITZWEEKLYCOM

or as long as he can recall, John Burkett wanted to be a bowler. Not just a highaverage league or local tournament competitor, but a card-carrying member of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. “I just always loved the game and bowled leagues since I was 8-years-old,” the former Texas Rangers pitcher said. “I couldn’t wait to bowl in a league.” He continued that quest until he discovered he could throw a baseball maybe better than a bowling ball. It was as a high school pitcher in Beaver, Pa., when he realized that sport would temporarily move bowling to the background. After 21 years as a professional ballplayer, including parts of 15 in the majors (four with the Rangers), Burkett retired at age 38 in 2003. But, he never gave up on his bowling dreams. Thanks to turning age 50 in November, he’s ready to take on his true heroes in the PBA50 Tour this year. “I’ve been waiting until I’m 50,” said Burkett, who initially learned about bowling from a combination of watching his dad Ken, the pros and teaching himself. “It’s been on my mind for two or three years.” Though he will compete against many of his bowling idols, he still wants to beat them. To prepare for the PBA50, Burkett has worked with Chad Newman, manager of Ballard’s Bowling Solutions Pro Shop at Brunswick Watauga and coach of the University of North Texas club team. Not only has Newman drilled new equipment for Burkett, he also changed his hand span and approach. Burkett put what Newman taught him into practice several times in 2014 including the PBA Summer Swing in Shawnee, Okla., and World Series of Bowling in October in Las Vegas. Though he didn’t win any events, he learned enough to be ready when the PBA50 Tour kicks off in April in Florida. “I don’t expect to win anything but wouldn’t be surprised if I did,” he said. “I have confidence in myself. Sometimes you are good at something but

don’t know until you try. I’m ready to take some bumps and bruises along the way and hopefully I can sneak one in.” This will not be Burkett’s first foray in professional bowling. He’s competed in several events dating back to January 1990 in Pinole, Calif., thanks to a special invitation while with the San Francisco Giants, the team that drafted him in the sixth round (148th overall pick) in 1983. Overall, he pitched in 445 games, starting 423 with a 166-136 record and respectable 4.31 ERA. He was a two-time All-Star – in 1993 as part of a 22-7 record and 3.65 earned run average with the Giants and in 2001 when he went 12-12, 3.01 with the Atlanta Braves. Traded to the Rangers in August 1996, he finished the season 5-2, 4.06 in 10 starts and won his only post-season game against the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series. He went 9-12, 4.56 in 1997, 9-13, 5.68 in 1998, and 9-8, 5.62 in 1999. After two years in Atlanta, he completed his career with two years with the Boston Red Sox. With a wife and three young kids at home, Burkett no longer wanted the nomadic baseball life so he never returned to the sport other than to attend an occasional game. Yet baseball brought Burkett enough fortune for him and his family to comfortably settle into “retirement.” He has lived in Southlake since first coming to Texas in 1996 and in his current home since 2001. Besides returning to his bowling roots, he has spent the past six years with groups that buy, refurbish and sell homes in Pennsylvania and Texas. He also keeps his competitive drive going through casino poker. His attempt at the PBA50 Tour also will help him stay close to games. “I just love competing and bowling has been my favorite sport from the get-go, so to now be able to do it at a level with the greatest bowlers in that age bracket in the world would be a lot of fun,” he said. “I love challenges. I love challenging myself and seeing what I can do with situations, so going against those guys will be fun.”

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

{In-depth}

FEBRUARY 2015

Behind Jon Jones and the UFC’s drug problem It was announced that Ultimate Fighting Championship Light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones had failed a drug test on Dec. 4, 2014 for benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine. Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett confirmed this and said any punishments the commission decided would be discussed after Jones finished rehab. It also was announced that Jones had checked himself into a rehab center. When asked about this instance, UFC President Dana White had the following to say: “I am proud of Jon Jones for making the decision to enter a drug treatment facility. I’m confident that he’ll emerge from this program like the champion he truly is.” After reading this, I am actually extremely disturbed by how they are treating this. You are kidding me, right? Is this REALLY the message we are going to send our fans and the children that tune in to UFC events? Now, UFC athletes are on the same level as pro basketball players and football players; the rules don’t apply to them? This is the same crappy, nepotism-type of decision-making that has plagued the UFC for years. White and the UFC make decisions based on what is right for them and their bottom line instead of just doing what is “right.” As far as the NSAC is concerned: “The NSAC follows the World Anti-Doping Agency code and benzoylecgonine is not banned outof-competition. As a result, the commission was unable to penalize Jones or prevent him from fighting despite knowing of the positive test.” Are you kidding me? I know that I am fairly ignorant of NSAC and WADA’s rules and codes, but you cannot seriously

BY LANCE LEVAN – @LANCELEVAN1

tell me that I can spend the entire year training and coked up, and as long as I have it out of my system 12 hours before fight-time, then everything is good to go? I used to be a law enforcement officer and I am not sure how many of you have ever fought with someone on cocaine or other powerful stimulants like Meth, but they usually don’t feel a lot of pain nor do they give up very easily. Also, they deal with extremely powerful bouts of depression when coming down off of their high. There are documented cases of people getting shot 10-15 times while on stimulants and still walking forward. I think someone who is a professionally-trained fighter, someone who can exert extreme damage on other human beings with their bare hands, elbows, knees and feet should be held to a higher standard than just having them stop their coke-fest at least 12 hours before fight time. And it gets even better. Now we find out that Jones’ stint in rehab lasted all of one entire day. Again, I am not an expert on drugs or drug rehabilitation and I have never been to rehab; but all of the experts that I have checked with say the same thing: You cannot be rehabilitated after ONE day. So, either Jones just did this for publicity reasons and was just trying to make it look good. Or he is in denial and doesn’t think that he has a problem and that rehab is a waste of his time.

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BY LANCE RINKER – @LANCEMRINKER

ALL HERO, ALL HEART

Late Linebacker Junior Seau Headlines the Hall of Fame Class of 2015

ne of the most dominant linebackers in National Football League history was expected to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Jan. 31. Unfortunately, he will not be there for the ceremony as the game he sacrificed his body for over a 20-year career also took his mind, committing suicide on May 2, 2012 at the young age of 43, the result of giving and receiving too many hits. Junior Seau was drafted by his home town San Diego Chargers in the first round, the fifth overall pick, of the 1990 NFL Draft. He quickly became the face of the franchise and not just a popular player in Southern California, but all across the league. He played with the Chargers through the 2002 season, spent 2003-05 with the Miami Dolphins and then signed four-straight one-year contracts with the New England Patriots. He played for the Patriots from 2006-09 and was an integral part in New England’s perfect 2007 regular season, playing in all 16 games and starting four.

“ [He’s the] all-time leader in tackling, but more than stats, his love of the game, his passion for the game, and the high level that he played at a very difficult position. I mean, him, Clay Matthews [Jr.], guys to play as long as they did at that position as well as he did is phenomenal. He is so deserving. I hope it happens.”

If you were to write a story about the perfect way to end your career, Seau’s would definitely be at the top of the list – the only thing missing was the Super Bowl championship. Seau helped lead the Chargers to their only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 49-26, after finishing the 1994 season with an 11-5 record. He also helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl XLII, after going undefeated in the 2007 regular season. If not for a miraculous, legend-making catch by New York Giants receiver David Tyree in the fourth quarter of that game, it is entirely likely Seau would have had his Super Bowl ring. Given when Seau played, the fact he’s as high up the record lists as he is for the position he played is somewhat surprising. He played in an era when offensive production wasn’t as inflated as it is today due to rules limiting what defensive players can do. Nowadays, it is so much easier for linebackers and defensive players to rack up tackles and passes defended statistics because of the nature of the game. You cannot go after the quarterback as much, so you sit and wait to take down the runner or receiver. That is how players such as Luke Kuechly, Stephen Tulloch and even Patrick Willis have been able to make such a name for themselves. Feasting on the easy pickings of ball handlers and not having to do much more on the field other than that.

– New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick on whether Junior Seau is deserving of the NFL Hall of Fame Seau was more than just a man though. He was a part of the smelling salts and get back in there generation of men who would do anything to keep that dream of playing in the NFL alive. The average NFL career barely lasts three years for most players, Seau carved out one hell of a journey over 20. By the time he was finished he had played in the second-most games by a linebacker in NFL history, was a 12-time Pro Bowler, a six-time First-Team All-Pro, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, and arguably is the greatest San Diego Charger to ever wear the uniform. Seau went to those 12 Pro Bowls as a Charger, the most any Charger has been selected in franchise history. Seau also still leads the Chargers all-time in tackles, with 1,478 and averaged 114 tackles per season over his 13-year career with the Chargers. What made Seau such a goliath to have to deal with on the field was his explosive speed and ability to play out of position, and do it well. His speed made him difficult to match up against and his ability to brush by those charged with blocking him allowed him to do things linebackers of his time weren’t thought capable of. Seau was one of the greatest tacklers, technique and pure strength wise, to don an NFL jersey.

“He played the game the way it was meant to be played.” - John Elway

It was not all physical talent that made Seau so desirable to teams and head coaches. His work ethic and strong leadership skills in the locker room made him one of the most coveted players in the NFL. Even after his skills had eroded after two injury-filled years with Miami from 2004-05, he remained a player worth keeping on the roster, as Belichick and the New England Patriots discovered during their undefeated regular season in 2007. The impact he had during his decade-long peak with the Chargers is inherently obvious, but no linebacker has had more seasons (four) with 80 or more tackles and four or more sacks than Seau. Additionally, only one other linebacker of the modern era has just as many seasons (two) with 80 or more tackles, four or more sacks and two or more interceptions than he, London Fletcher during 2001 and 2002 with the St. Louis Rams. Only one other player, safety Rodney Harrison with three, has had more than two seasons of those accomplishments. SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

No offense to any of those players, as they are all great in their own right. But, if they started their careers as early as Seau did when it was required of them to do extra across the board, I just don’t know if we would still view those mentioned above as some of the best linebackers in the game today the way we did with Seau when he was playing. One other thing to mention about Seau is he often had to be the man to carry the weight of an entire defense on his shoulders because he was rarely surrounded by other Pro Bowl talent throughout his career. Seau had that rare quality as a player and as a person to be able to elevate nearly everything about the players and people around him. If that is not the sign of a truly great player, then I’m not sure what is. Praised by teammates for his work ethic and ability to lead. Playing hurt and refusing to leave games when he could barely walk during practice beforehand. Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway summed up Seau this way: “He played the game the way it was meant to be played.”

The Chargers honored Seau by naming him to the Chargers 40th and 50th anniversary teams, which honor the top players and coaches in the team’s history. The Chargers also inducted him into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame on Nov. 27, 2011, as part of Alumni Day ceremonies during a sold-out game against the Denver Broncos. Former Charger and Hall of Famer Dan Fouts introduced Seau before a crowd of nearly 71,000. After Seau’s death, Chargers team President Dean Spanos honored Seau by recognizing his charity work and accomplishments in the San Diego community. “An icon in our community,” Spanos said. “He transcended the game. He wasn’t just a football player, he was so much more.” The Chargers retired Seau’s No. 55 jersey during his public memorial on Sept. 16, 2012, which was the regular-season home opener for the Chargers against the Tennessee Titans.

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From 2000-2011, the Foundation presented an annual award to the individual who exemplifies the mission statement of the Junior Seau Foundation. Here are the winners: 2000 – Legend of the Year – Sid Brooks 2001 – Legend of the Year – Lance Alworth 2002 – Legend of the Year – Sid Gillman 2003 – Legend of the Year – Don Coryell 2004 – Legend of the Year – Marcus Allen 2005 – Legend of the Year – Deacon Jones 2006 – Legend of the Year – Bobby Ross 2007 – Legend of the Year – Warren Moon 2008 – Legend of the Year – Marshall Faulk 2009 – Legend of the Year – Charlie Joiner 2010 – Legend of the Year – John Lynch 2011 – Legend of the Year – Bill Walton In addition, the foundation helped celebrate the 20th Anniversary Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic on March 10-12, 2012, at the La Costa Resort and Spa. There certainly are other linebackers that share in Seau’s tenacity, productivity, and ability to deliver teeth-rattling hits, but Seau stands above the rest. Seau was more than his impressive football accomplishments. His legacy is his Shop with a Jock program, not his 12 Pro Bowl selections and appearances. His legacy is making college a reality with his Scholars of Excellence initiative, not his two Super Bowl appearances.

INFO BOX:

His home area also gave back to Seau after his death by renaming certain buildings in his honor. The Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre and Junior Seau Beach Community Center were renamed posthumously in his honor by the city of Oceanside in July 2012.

“Some rules,” Fouts said, “are made to be broken.”

The San Diego Hall of Champions inducted Seau into the Breitbard Hall of Fame on Feb. 25, 2013, forgoing the normal two-year waiting period after an athlete’s retirement or death.

One of the first things Seau did after beginning his professional career, once he realized he would be in San Diego with the Chargers for a while, was create the Junior Seau Foundation. The foundation’s purpose was to educate and empower youth in the community through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, antijuvenile delinquency efforts, and complimentary educational programs.

After Seau’s death, the HOF’s board of directors was unanimous in accelerating his inclusion in the Class of 2013.

No matter the astonishing career statistics, or the many accolades he won throughout his playing career, none of it truly does Seau justice to illustrate the kind of person he was off the field.

From: San Diego, Calif. 1994, 1995, 1996, Position: Linebacker 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. 2002) Teams: San Diego First-Team All Pro (6) Chargers, Miami (1992, 1993, 1994, Dolphins, New 1996, 1998, 2000) England Patriots Second-Team All Pro College: USC (4) (1991, 1995, 1997, Drafted: 1st Round, 1999) 5th Overall in 1990 NFL 1990s All-Decade Accolades & Awards: Team NFL Defensive Player Super Bowl Rings of the Year (1) (1992) (None) Pro Bowl Selections (12) (1991, 1992, 1993,

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Jonah Gilmore

Visionary Spotlight:

different markets to showcase at W.A.A.S., and it’s all an organic process.

That’s where art is happening now in L.A. and New York.”

“We actually find each other,” she claimed. “Me being a star means the universe kind of synchronizes us into alignment.”

She was the first to take a chance on the “other side of the tracks,” and others are finally noticing she had the right idea. Her goal was to sell remarkable works of art, exposing our city to new and different artists that we would never have been exposed to at more traditional gallery spaces. She wanted to truly support emerging artists and do it her own way.

A troubled past riddled with sexual abuse, drugs and drinking led her to where she is now. As we talked, Adams opened up about her past life as a 20-year-old celebrity makeup artist, struggling with the temptations of working with a slew of A-list celebrities in L.A.

Brandy Michele Adams

She had made it, but couldn’t handle the Hollywood success at such a young age. When she moved back to Dallas kicking and screaming, she didn’t see the same opportunities for a young makeup artist here. “Hair and makeup don’t exist in Dallas like they do out there,” she said. “I didn’t want to be a part of the Neiman Marcus/J.C. Penney’s loop.” She admits she first rented the gallery space south of downtown Dallas because of her grandfather and father, two strong male figures in her life. They own the building right beside her and are in fact her landlords, but she was intent on making the entrepreneurial leap all her own.

BY AMBER LAFRANCE – ALAFRANCE@BLITZWEEKLY.COM

verything about gallery owner Brandy Michele Adams is refreshing and unique. She’s unapologetically herself. She’s a bright beam of creative light in the Dallas art scene. I’ve had several run-ins with the eccentric gallery owner in the last few years, once when she was sporting rhinestone eyebrows, another when she was speeding away from a Deep Ellum nightclub comfortably seated in a friend’s motorcycle sidecar. She’s not afraid to kick it with the kids; in fact she admits she’d rather spend time with teens and young 20-somethings – they get her and she gets them. “No one thinks I’m 37,” she said with a smile. “So why not hang with all of the 20-year-olds.”

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Adams isn’t who comes to mind when you think of a Dallas gallery owner. She’s on a different wave length. She may even be in a different galaxy. Her offbeat, odd personality is magnetic to visual artists and has been the source of her success with her Dallas-based W.A.A.S. Gallery (an acronym for We Are All Stars after all) located at 2722 Logan St. Though Adams showcases local DFW talent in the space, her real passion is to expose Dallas to a wide array of international contemporary art. She travels constantly, seeking out new and interesting artists across the globe. She purposefully throws herself into new environments, locally and internationally, waiting for the right artist to find her. That’s right, she doesn’t intentionally travel to snag up artists in

“I don’t want people thinking that I’m a rich kid from Dallas,” she said. “I want people to buy art from me because I did it. I started W.A.A.S. and I’m hustling.” Adams wasn’t fed from a silver spoon; she had to work for what is now hers. After taking out the money to build the gallery, she and five friends (fellow “stars”) had to renovate the gallery themselves due to budget constraints. She admits she’s a workaholic, someone who pours heart and soul into her work. “I almost died for the arts instead of thriving for them,” she admitted to me during our interview. “I lost 40 pounds. It’s a lot of work…everyone thought I was crazy.” When asked about the non-traditional gallery location, Adams candidly stated that “they do pop-ups in crack areas all the time elsewhere.

“I can’t wait on Dallas,” she stated. “The art market here is run by interior designers. I don’t see artists as just dollars.” Adams works as a confidant and teacher to emerging artists, helping them fine-tune their craft. “ ‘How do we sell it here?’ I ask them. ‘Don’t paint to paint. Paint to sell,’ ” she claimed as she explained to me how she works closely with all artists to help them understand what buyers in Dallas want, while still allowing them to flex their creative muscles. She’s a mentor and a wealth of knowledge. Adams has been able to use her hardships and early-life trauma as a catalyst toward substantial creative growth. She encourages emerging artists she’s working with, like her, to fail repeatedly until they find something that sticks. The beautifullyodd art advocate covered in tattoos and piercings is encouraging people to be themselves without even realizing the full impact she’s making. She and her gallery are a fresh of breath air to the Dallas art scene and we can’t wait to see what she does next. You can visit her gallery and see emerging art alongside successful contemporary artists such as Mr. Brainwash and Hit + Run. You can check out W.A.A.S. Gallery (waasgallery.com) and say hello to Adams in person during the next exhibition featuring neo-abstract expressionist “JMR” (AKA JM Rizzi). The Brooklyn, N.Y.,-based artist will be showcasing contemporary art influenced by hybrid street style and graffiti he grew up surrounded by in his youth. The exhibition will run from Jan. 31-March 14.

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The Situation

Black & White

Molly Crabapple

BY PETER GERSTENZANG PZANG7@OPTONLINE.NET

ou may have noticed in recent months that racial tensions in America have flared up again, turning into what seems like a long, hopeless war. Actually that’s not fair. Iraq seems like a long, hopeless war. The idea of African-American and white people getting along, once a reality, is starting to seem impossible again. People think I’m being paranoid when I say that talk radio stars like Rush Limbaugh seem to be hoping for an all-out racial conflict. Even though he’s done everything on his show to spark one, with the exception of singing “Old Black Joe.” As a result, I decided to speak to various people about the situation. To see if they hold out any hope for all of us getting along someday. After they stopped laughing or asking if this was a rhetorical question, they weighed in

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

on our race recent problems. Like cops firing warning shots...into the chests of black teens. Most feel pretty horrified and hopeless. And the contributors from Fox News aren’t helping. Considering their best suggestion is that people of color should just get a chemical peel and hope for the best. But here goes. The first person I spoke to was a writer and teacher named Nathan who lives outside of Boston. Being bi-racial, he feels the door doesn’t just hit him on the way out, but in, too. And he feels so schizzy about things in America, metaphorically, he doesn’t want to leave the house anymore.

“One of the hardest things I’ve come up against in my life is the idea that I’m not black enough for either black or white people,” he said. “It’s very painful for me because at an early age, I came to believe that what makes us distinctive as humans begins with the way we were born. But most Americans are either too lazy or ill-equipped to learn about you and find out what your commonality might be. They see your face and think they’ve got your story all figured out. “Believe me, both black and white people, for the most part, go with the easiest stereotypes when meeting me or others. I think this

idea spreads to the cops as well, especially lately. Kurt Vonnegut once referred to this as ‘imagination sickness.’ And I think he nailed it. My only hope is that people will start taking the time to know others, individually. Then there may be fewer misunderstandings, shootings, general anger. But, honestly, considering I, as a professor, have been stopped and hassled while driving? What chance does a young black kid who might be a bit mouthy have? It’s a pretty grim future I’m envisioning.” Arch is a young black man I know who is getting a PhD in Philosophy. Unlike the professors I had in that field, who could turn the act of eating eggs into something so incomprehensibly evil, I’ve eaten nothing but Egg Beaters since college, Arch was clear and sensible. He also didn’t make

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Molly Crabapple

me feel like I was part of a chain of genocide that stretched back through history. And didn’t stop until I felt as responsible for the destruction of The Congo as King Leopold. Unlike many older folks, black and white, who tend to view the past as a rosier period, because people read and thought more, Arch isn’t going for that. “I disagree with the idea that TV and mass media is to blame,” he said. “In the days when print used to rule the day, racial perception and advancement was probably at its lowest ebb. Don’t forget, it was television, showing non-violent black folks marching and being attacked by dogs and hoses, that helped the civil rights movement considerably. “One would like to have believed that we, as a nation, should have been able to build on those triumphs. When the Voting Rights Act was passed and busing, as rough as it was, helped or forced kids to integrate. It did for a while. And kids are better off for it. Look at all the white teens now who love hip hop and black culture.” Still, Arch feels like the proliferation of media, where it sometimes seems anyone, even if they’ve just learned to walk upright, can get a TV station, has really stalled our ability to get along together. “Instead of improving things racially,” Arch says, “mass media has really poisoned the well in the past 30 or so years. It’s now so often about tabloid assholes, deniers and haters of all sorts, who slither about, print their hate speech and then rationalize it. As long as they keep saying that racism is not much more than a lapse in manners, people in thrall to TV and radio won’t give real racism any real thought. “Racism is more than just using ugly words or pictures. It’s a mindset. And until the average American is willing to really think about it, we’re going to have more Fergusons, more Staten Islands. Sorry if that sounds kind of hopeless. But pretty often I feel that way. Especially, when you think of how many channels we have now. And freaking satellite radio.”

One of the things that Arch referred to is the new, still-evolving electronic media. It might be talk radio, the paradoxically-named Fox News or stations that seem to be broadcast from a ship floating just off the Jersey shore. And hosted by Snooki. But the supposed objectivity of various stations and their anchors is often at question. For those of us seniors, who remember the notion of fair play in broadcasting, it’s been as scary a transition as flipping through 30 years of Madonna photos. In the 80s, she was young, innocent and pretty. Now she’s got cheek implants, gold teeth and a face so tight from surgery, every time she sits down her eyes snap open. We should have seen this coming. In 1949, the Federal Communications Commission instituted something known as The Fairness Doctrine which required that radio and TV stations give the opposing side its say whenever they editorialized. In 1987, President Reagan vetoed this legislation, which was the beginning of the end of civilized discourse in media. In other words it’s made room for people like Rush Limbaugh. Who can say stuff like there should never be a black James Bond. Partly out of bigotry. But also because he’s taken so many Hydrocodone, he’s furious. Because he hasn’t had a decent bowel movement since Desert Storm. Back in the old days, Limbaugh would have been forced to have someone on his show giving an alternate opinion. But Rush’s opinions, as nuanced and thoughtful as the music of Styx, now go unchallenged. And too many people just let those remarks stand. Even if Rush, himself, has great difficulty standing. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this notion of different kinds of justice for different people, is hearing people you know espousing racist views. Not long after the murder of Trayvon Martin, an old friend, ‘Ted,’ a white musician, said to me these kinds of things happen because kids of color don’t behave well when stopped. That when Ted got stopped in the old days, when he had long hair, he always was “super polite to the powers that be” and drove away with “just a warning.”

I was, as you might imagine, pretty shocked. Teenagers of all sorts tend to talk back. I know. I use to be one. But still, being white, it rarely got me anything but a ticket. And that was from someone in law enforcement. Not a member of the neighborhood watch.

were so knowledgeable. But on the other, there was a distinct feeling among these kids that the decision not to prosecute was inevitable. The news was received with a certain amount of cynical acceptance. An ‘I knew it’ kind of response.

I asked my friend if he was walking across the street to a 7-11 and a George Zimmerman asked him where he was going, how many different expletives would he have used to answer that master of race relations. Ted was silent. Especially when I said we’d both be employing curse words and combinations of curse words that hadn’t even been invented yet. And we’d still live to tell the tale. Ted couldn’t help but sheepishly agree.

That really broke my heart. Kids today are much better informed when I was their age. But I use to think that justice would always prevail. Too many Superman reruns as a kid, I suppose,” Joan said, chuckling mordantly.

Toward the end of my investigation, I spoke to a female, African-American teacher named ‘Joan.’ She teaches English at a major university in Manhattan and due to her discussions in class with her students, she’s gained a perspective on race in America that she found to be as fascinating as it was troubling. “We had a discussion about race the day after the Ferguson verdict, instead of talking about Chaucer,” Joan said. “All my students, black and white, were unhappy about the decision not to take the Brown case to trial. Plus, these kids are so well-versed in the law, they were really surprised that (policeman) Darren Wilson was allowed to testify on his own behalf. As far as any of us know, the accused isn’t supposed to even be at a grand jury investigation. Much less state his case.” Joan said her students’ reaction to Wilson not being indicted was a very ambivalent experience for her. A little like the way I felt when I heard Limbaugh had been caught doctor-shopping for painkillers. I guess it made him seem human to me. But then I thought, would you ever want to get high with Rush Limbaugh? Even if he had the best designer drugs in town? That’s a Zen Koan that would even stump the Dalai Lama. Joan was equally conflicted about her students that day of the discussion. “On one hand,” she said, “I was glad the kids were following the Michael Brown case and

Still, the Professor didn’t have to reach too far back to remember another verdict that seemed like a slam-dunk. And wasn’t. “As I was chiding them for being so resigned,” Joan said, “I suddenly got an image in my mind of the Rodney King beating. I was in college myself at the time. And I thought, surely the fact that there was video of the cops clubbing King was all a jury needed to convict the cops that did it. We all know now that that wasn’t the outcome at all. So, how can I blame these kids for feeling that equal justice for all races isn’t ever a sure thing? “My students feel that the system is rigged. So, as much as I wanted to tell them about truth, justice and the American way, I couldn’t. Because, Superman aside, I don’t think anyone with a brain believes that anymore. Especially when it comes to white cops and supposed African-American perps. Then there are the civilians. How many times has George Zimmerman been arrested since he shot Trayvon Martin? And he’s still not in jail? It’s terrible. And I can’t blame our kids for feeling more and more cynical about the American way. Even in this supposedly-enlightened, brand new century.” I listened carefully. And thought for a while. Never an easy thing for me. I was silent in response. Not even a sarcastic response was forthcoming. And I don’t know who was more disturbed by all that horrible quiet. Joan or me. I then said, ‘all we can do is wait and see, I guess.’ But, finally, even I had to admit it. As answers went? That wasn’t too encouraging. WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

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THREE UT O B A S THING TIFUL A BEAU N WOMA

BRENNA What confuses you the most about men? Their permanent urge to compete with other men. We want to ask you out on a date, how do we approach you? Make me laugh first.

OUR PEDIGREE

D MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2014 BLITZ WEEKLY BLITZIE AWARD “BEST HAMBURGER” 2014 URBAN SPOON “MOST POPULAR HOT DOG” 2013 D MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2013 BLITZ WEEKLY BLITZIE AWARD ‘BEST HOT WINGS” 2013 DALLAS OBSERVER READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2013 DALLAS MORNING NEWS “BEST BURGER IN DFW” 2013 BLITZ WEEKLY “BEST SPOTS TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL” 2013 HOW ABOUT WE “TOP DALLAS DATE SPOT” 2013 CRAVE DFW “BEST DOGS OF DALLAS” 2012 DALLAS MORNING NEWS “BEST BURGER IN DFW” 2012 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST BURGER” 2010 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST GREASY SPOON” 2009 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST NACHOS” 2009 D MAGAZINE “D-BEST HAMBURGER” 2006 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST BURGER” 2006 AOL CITY GUIDE “BEST CHEAP EATS” 2006 AOL CITY GUIDE “BEST LATE NIGHT DINING” 2005 AVID GOLFER MAGAZINE “BEST WINGS” 2004 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HANGOVR THERAPY” 2003 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HOT DOG” 2002 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HAMBURGER” 2002 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST PLACE TO BUY A DOG” 2001 D MAGAZINE “BEST HANGOVER HELPER” 2001 THE MET “BEST BAR FOOD” 2000 D MAGAZINE “BEST WINGS” 2000 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST WINGS” 1998 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HOT DOG” 1994 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST WNGS” 1992

Favorite sports team and why? America, because America.

Jarrod Fresquez Make-Up: Makeup Junkies, INC. - Jai Okoli & George Graham SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

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Way Of The Wunderkind Music has helped Dallasbred prodigy Terrence Spectacle see so much. Now he wants to show us the way. BY SARAH BADRAN SARAH@CULTURE-HYPE.COM

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Korin Reese, Urban Jungle Photography Dallas

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t first glance, there is something undeniably fascinating about Terrence Spectacle. Fortified with a glorious, textured Afro that bounces alongside to the beat of his personality and a birthmark inside of his left eye, this 6-foot-4-inch wanderlust has wisdom far beyond his ripe 20 years of age. Rewind back to kindergarten when he first realized he may be a tad unusual. While being featured in his school play, younger Terrence grabbed everyone’s attention when the spotlight suddenly focused on him. Unable to see, he lifted up his shirt over his head and continued his part as if nothing was off. The whole crowd burst into laughter while Terrance was confused by all the attention. He stole the best moment of the show and Terrence, whose birth name reads Terrence Duane Morris Jr., single-handedly created his first spectacle. Fast forward 10 years and Terrance, now 15, navigated through his early teen angst by channeling music as his dark, secret hobby. He kept to himself, glued to his hands at all times were a standard dictionary, rhyming dictionary and a five-way translator. This is where he developed his large vocabulary, applied it to poetry and perfected it, becoming a big part of his signature rap style. Over the past couple years Terrence Spectacle has been meticulously plotting his rise in the city of Dallas and now is more ready than ever to make waves. This year already is shaping up to be the one when people really discover who Terrence Spectacle is and his role in the changing tide of Dallas music. Just in the first week alone he has already been voted “Best New Artist,” by a panel of Dallas’s most distinguished urban entertainment figures and highlighted as an artist in the Dallas Observer and Central Track. He was recognized alongside his IRAS collective members as “Best New Artist.” IRAS, an acronym for Independent Recording Arts Society, is a nonprofit organization founded by Matthew Winn, Spectacle’s manager, and boasts a roster led by Dallas’ up and coming producers and young hiphop artists. Other artists in this collective include Brandon Fxrd, Kissed Killed, Devy Stonez, Danny Cainco and K. Vation. With the streets buzzing his name, the attention still hasn’t phased him as fame isn’t something he is chasing. “Fame is a byproduct of excitement and living in the moment…My biggest goal of 2015 is just knowing my worth,” he said.

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Spectacle dropped his album NuDallas last summer. When asked the significance of the spelling he simply said “I don’t like e’s.” He released a single last year entitled “Blu Summer,” that justifies his fear of e’s as well. Jokes aside, the project is an animated, fresh look at the themes of love, sex, depression and one’s selfesteem. Combined with his fast, fluidity in rhyme and bouncy beats his fresh, new style is breaking the many stereotypes lingering around the Dallas rap scene.

Spectacle dropped his album NuDallas last summer. When asked the significance of the spelling he simply said,

“I don’t like e’s.”

He describes his sound as a “fusion of sorts,” as he seamlessly infuses electro pop-hip-hop and R&B into his music. His biggest music influences are Michael Jackson and Prince in which he takes from them how to be a true entertainer and how to embrace your inner odd tendencies as an admirable feature. The only way to describe his live performances is an explosion of awesome. In person, he is calm and collected, but once Spectacle steps on stage he creates a mood with his presence that is extremely captivating and his music is so fun that I dare you to try to not to find yourself jumping up and down with him and repeating his infectious, catchy lyrics. It’s apparent through the way he moves on stage how comfortable he is with himself as an artist and it’s admirable to watch him live in the moment. In the last few years Spectacle has been opening for major touring acts such as Big Sean and The Internet, commanding the attention of their supporters and converting them to Spectacle fans. He takes pride in building an organic following through each show. Spectacle has been known to wear ring pops that he loves to throw out during his shows and he always makes time for the young ladies who line up in droves just to have a chance to rub their hands through his irresistible locks of love. Spectacle’s style is just as unique as his personality. He channels his love of anime and manga into what he wears. You can catch him often with Chinese calligraphy written all over his hand and you may even catch him in some traditional ninja gear. At 20, Terrence Spectacle is excited about life and what the future has in store for him. He already knows. His focus is traveling this year and continuing to grow and develop his sound. “For me to be doing what I’m doing is the biggest thrill, learning to overcome fear and be myself,” he said. “Relativity and bravery are important and I want my audience to understand that there are so many people that come from dark places and do bright things.” Keep up with Terrance Spectacle and the IRAS collective at theiras.com. He will be featured at SXSW this year and will continue to perform and tour in Dallas and surrounding cities.

Just for fun… Terrance Spectacle’s Hair Regimen: • Dampen Hair • Moisten with TRESemmé Hydrating Curls Conditioner • Rigorously comb from end to root • Rinse out conditioner • Lather hair with coconut milk • Air dry, shake out and GO!

Korin Reese, Urban Jungle Photography Dallas WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

FEBRUARY 2015

BY STEVEN DOYLE – CRAVEDFW.COM

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NEW, SOON-TO-BE-NEW RESTAURANTS

PLENTIFUL IN DALLAS

here has been a rash of new restaurants that opened recently you need to try out and plenty more to open in the coming months. Let’s take a look at the new hot spots, and peek at what is coming soon.

Clark Food & Wine

Eureka!

Clark Food & Wine opened on Greenville a few months back, and already has proven to be a super new place to not only grab a great bite, but also is a perfect watering hole. The place makes some crazy good cocktails, all chef-driven, and has a beautiful beer and wine selection. There’s plenty of local brews on tap, including Peticolas, Community and Lakewood. The cuisine at Clark is more tapas-style, but hearty and more giving than any shared menu in the city. In addition to the shared plates, you will find a great selection of flatbreads, artisan sandwiches and smoked meats. There also is a pretty damned good crab roll on the menu that will prove haunting. For brunch, try out the smoked fried chicken. Clark Food & Wine Company is located at 1920 Greenville Ave. in Dallas, clarkfoodandwine.com.

Henry’s Majestic has a funny name, but the food is definitely playful. The chef was most recently spotted on television’s Hell’s Kitchen where she did an amazing job representing Dallas. The cocktails and beer are unsurpassed in quality, and the food plays along nicely as well.

Henry’s Majestic

We particularly enjoyed the burger which is blended with a very high-end Japanese beef and bone marrow. If you are unfamiliar, bone marrow tastes like meat jam would, if there was such a beast. This gives the burger an extra rich and intense flavor that no other burger can match. The menu at Henry’s isn’t huge, but runs the gamut of interesting items such as pho, steaks, and interesting sandwiches. A visit to Henry’s definitely will make you grin, and win points on that important date. Located at 4900 McKinney Ave., henrysmajestic.com.

Luscher’s SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Eureka! also has a bone marrow-infused burger, although a bit pricey at 16 bucks. But there are plenty to choose from and a slew of interesting appetizers. With 40 craft beers on tap, this modern gem has a menu that includes ossobuco “riblets,” a breakfast burrito with flat iron steak that is served up all day, and butterscotch rum pudding sprinkled with sea salt for dessert. What is not to love? You can find it at 3700 McKinney Ave., eurekarestaurantgroup.com.

Oso Food & Wine, a seemingly popular moniker for a restaurant this season, is kind of sort of Mediterranean. There is not a bad item on this menu, and definitely is a home run. Oso benefits from the region’s braising techniques and kicked-up flavors. A shining example would be the Lamb Kofta, made with Moroccan spices, and pickled shallots, served with an olive salad and blistered shishitos. The Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates with a piquillo sauce also screams Mediterranean.

C’Viche Tequila Bar already should be open by the time you read this and it is owned and neighbored by the same couple that owns Clark Food & Wine. This will be a bit different, serving up a variety of global ceviches and plenty of tequilas to choose from. This will be fast-casual, so not expensive, with drinks targeted at about $6. Dallas Grilled Cheese Company is another one that already should be open. Think all grilled cheese, all the time. Located in the Bishop Arts section of Oak Cliff, this restaurant is highly anticipated. You’ll find it at 310 W. Seventh St., dallasgrilledcheese.com. Luscher’s is one that has all the foodie types excited. Owned and operated by Bryan Luscher, the owner of The Grape. Luscher’s promises insanely good hot dogs that the chef makes himself and a Chicago-style hot Italian beef sandwich that should make us all happy. Located in Deep Ellum. We already are standing in line.

There are some pretty terrific seafood dishes available, as you would certainly expect. We were taken back with the Grilled Big Eye Tuna, with harissa, grilled eggplant tabouli, and a drizzle. You also find currently a beautiful pan roasted halibut. Oso is located at 11910 Preston Road at Forest Lane (NE corner) next to Tom Thumb, osofoodandwine.com.

Rodeo Goat is the innovative burger joint from Fort Worth that has everyone yapping. It is sincerely one of the best burgers to ever cross my lips and is scheduled to arrive around press time in the Dallas Design District. This is where I learned to love reindeer meat. Yea, it’s that crazy. Look for it at 1926 Market Center Blvd., rodeogoat.com.

TNT Tacos and Tequila is the latest restaurant to pop up in the Quadrangle in Uptown. The menu is modular with tacos such as spicy chicken, burritos, salads and other expected items. Taco fillings include chimichurri beef, pulled pork and vegetarian items such as fried artichoke hearts. Look for a vast assortment of margaritas and a brunch that will make your toes wiggle. Go to 2800 Routh St., tacos-and-tequila.com.

Uchi. I shouldn’t have to say more, but this is where Dallas gets a load of cool delivered straight from Austin. Look for the new Japanese restaurant to open this winter on Maple Ave. near the Stoneleigh Hotel.

We also promised a short list of exciting new restaurants that are coming soon to Dallas:

Eureka! is a new upscale burger joint located

Braindead Brewing will be an extravagant

in Uptown and you are going to love this one. The location is insanely good, at the new 3700 building on McKinney. The lines have already started to form, and on our most recent visit there was a good wait for a seat on a Tuesday evening. The reason they are waiting is because the burgers rock. Hard.

brewpub with some amazing elements. First, it will be opening in Deep Ellum and will be serving great beers. 42 of them on tap to be exact and a dozen of which actually will be made in house. The owners claim they will open this winter. It will be located at 2626 Main St., braindeadbrewing.com.

The chef-owner is Tyson Cole who is an American sushi master. Named one of the Top 10 “Best New Chefs” in 2005 by Food & Wine Magazine, he led a team of Uchi chefs against Chef Masaharu Morimoto on the Food Network program Iron Chef America. He also has been named a semifinalist in 2008, 2009, and 2010 for the James Beard Foundation Award in the category “Best Chef: Southwest.” Uchi will be the toughest reservation in Dallas. With all the exciting restaurants coming, and believe me there are many more than I listed here, Dallas will be elevated to an even greater food city, a destination of which we all may be proud.

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BY ERIKA HAYES – ERIKA@CULTURE-HYPE.COM

e sat calm, cool and collected but his ensemble said it all. The camera zoomed into the crisp, ivory, button-down shirt that peaked above the neckline of his brown, tweed, finely-tailored blazer. Sound like a campaign for J.Crew’s 2015 men’s wear collection? What if I told you that this scene was pulled from the 1955 movie Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean? Style is very unique yet also predictable. Each era has made its own contribution to the evolution of fashion. However, there is one decade that distinguishes itself from the others…the 1950s. This period greatly impacted and widened the scope of individuality. Selfexpression by way of fashion began to take its shape. For these reasons, we pay homage to “The Fabulous Fifties” by revealing eight things we learned from 1950s men’s wear trends.

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1. Less is always more – The 50s taught us that less always is king of the castle when it comes to style. Too many accent pieces can completely kill the look that you want. For example, your simple black blazer, AC/DC print tee and medium wash boot cut jeans were destined to kill the social scene, that is until you decided to throw on your spiked combat boots, pull out your Texas Rangers baseball cap and slide into your black leather biker jacket. In the words of Disney’s Frozen character Elsa, Let it go. Let it go. 2. A dapper suit never will die – Self-proclaimed “bachelor until he dies” (a.k.a. your best bud) has finally found the girl of his dreams and is eloping this weekend and you’re his best man. Forget renting a suit, you can use your own. Who wants to pay $100 for something that they should have in their closet anyway? Can you say a month’s worth of happy hour allowance?

3. Cuffed straight-legged jeans for men are the precursor to this generation’s “menijean” (men + skinny jean = menijean). Why our generation stripped the original tough and sexy style to reveal scrotum hugging, soft and curvy attributes in denim, one will never understand. 4. How to clean-cut preppy it – V-necks, crisp, collared shirts and cardigans, will never go out of style. Mix and match with dark or light wash jeans, slacks, and/or your favorite shorts. 5. Wool and leather bring a look together – The 1950s paved the way for interesting (or at least during that time) garment textures. During colder months such as these, a wool military jacket reigns supreme. Don’t forget the classic leather biker jacket. Let’s face it, without leather jackets, the motorcycle club would be less intimidating and Elvis’ legendary sex appeal would cease to exist.

6. Bow ties are the older more refined cousin of the traditional tie. Just envision an older fine white wine, the longer it sits the better it gets. 7. How to properly layer pieces – When it comes to layering, we learned from the best. Who knew that a collared shirt could stealthily slide under a cashmere sweater and a military jacket? Hey, when you know better, you do better. 8. Wingtip, loafer and saddle shoe mania! Shoes are a peek into your personality. The wingtipped shoes bring the class, while the loafers are your back-up plan just to say that an effort was thrown in, when you are running late to work, church or a nice dinner. Last but not least, who could forget the saddle shoe? Our generation most recently (the last few years) revisited this trend that was a quintessential shoe staple for the 1950s male.

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Chelsea Handler: Bits of Wisdom I went out with a guy who once told me I didn’t need to drink to make myself more fun to be around. I told him, I’m drinking so that you’re more fun to be around. Along with the 97 percent of women who can see, I have never been a fan of redheaded men.

Andrew J. Hewett http://chewednews.blogspot.com/

I have no doubt that my mother’s pregnancy with me was an accident. Mostly because on several occasions, she told me I was an accident.

DON’T CROAK, DRINK A FROG You feeling sick? A cure might be waiting in the South American Andean Mountains. Folks there treat themselves by grinding up and drinking the juice from Telmatobius culeus, a water frog found in remote Lake Titicaca. Blended with carrots, Peruvian maca root and honey, it is used to treat anemia, bronchitis, bones, fatigue, stress and the brain.

My father has a high opinion of his opinion. When I get married, I’m gonna register at Bank of America.

Aquarius: January 20-February 18 Hey it’s your birthday! You’ll get two gifts in the mail: a jar of wrinkle cream and an ad from a funeral home. Pisces: February 19-March 20 The Force is with you. A kid will look at you, scream and then run away yelling “Chewbacca!” Aries: March 21-April 19 This week, like every other week; you’ll have to listen to people addicted to sex. Funny thing is, you have to treat people for something you’ve never had.

WHAT? NO COOKIES WITH THAT? A Berlin newspaper, The Local, reported from Darmstadt, Germany, an unusually-aggressive woman robbed a pharmacy of 100 Euro (about $125 U.S.). Her modus operandi was raising her skirt and distracting the clerk by squirting breast milk in his direction from her “spigots.” TURN HIM INTO DRUMSTICKS? An Oregon judge has ordered Megan Keller to find her bird a new home within a week or face heavy fines. That’s because “Mr. Rooster” was reported six times in five months for disturbing neighbors by crowing. Otherwise, he warned, three citations could cost her up to $1,000. Keller explained why she had a pet rooster, saying when her feathered pet was little she thought he was a she.

Scorpio: October 23-November 21 Your boss will notice the McDonald’s bag on your desk and casually mention how it smells like your future.

Taurus: April 20-May 20 You’ll soon learn that your new Roomba smears dog shit all over the kitchen floor.

Leo: July 23-August 22 Have fun explaining your new nickname: “CumFart.”

Gemini: May 21-June 21 Desperate for work, you’ll go into a shop and ask the owner if he has any jobs to fill. He’ll look you up and down and reply, “Yes, but not for people like…you.”

Virgo: August 23-September 22 You’ll return from your two-week vacation only to discover that your roommate has been shitting in the bathtub while you’ve been gone.

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21 The stars advise that you shouldn’t take the risks that you want to take for the next three months or so.

Cancer: June 22-July 22 You’ll get reprimanded from your boss for saying “It’s a stab in the dark.” According to him it’s a gay euphemism for anal sex.

Libra: September 23-October 22 While trying to show your family a cool website your porn instincts will kick in as you accidentally type in the address to your favorite site.

Capricorn: December 22-January 19 After standing in front of the bathroom mirror it soon will become very clear that you now see the missing link between primates and humans.

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from page to screen

Anime and Its Growing Influence in Hollywood BY ETHAN HARMON EHARMON@BLITZWEEKLY.COM

Anime has been popular in Japan for decades, and although hundreds of shows have made it stateside, very few have retained mainstream popularity. Shows like Speed Racer, Dragonball Z, Naruto, and Attack on Titan all have received mass appeal in the U.S. – with Speed Racer and Dragonball receiving live-action adaptations (the latter being absolutely dreadful). But many shows have remained obscure to those who do not associate with the culture. While some may see anime and the comic book version, manga, as a niche genre, it’s just as popular as American comics and cartoons with just as much influence. First, let’s take a look into the U.S. comic book and cartoon world. When attending a convention, it’s not difficult to spot the cosplayers. For those unfamiliar, cosplay is when fans of a specific character, dress as them and walk around the convention in character. It may seem silly, but long hours and hard work are put into these costumes. While there are tons of people dressed as storm troopers and Batman, there are an equal

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amount of people walking around as Sasuke and Kakashi from Naruto. And it’s not only relegated to dressing up and looking cool. Artists at the conventions sell original pieces and printed art of everyone’s favorite heroes. But if you look closely at the art being sold, a huge amount of the work entails a lot of anime and manga characters, such as Astro Boy and Goku. Of course, anime’s influence does not just stop at the convention scene. Independent creators are creating comics that have a lot of anime flair. Just look at East of West, Tokyo Ghoul, and Rai. Although these stories have a western take on specific genres and story tropes, they all have Japanese-inspired characters and story progression, especially Rai. Even the more mainstream comics from Marvel and DC are incorporating touches of manga-like art in their comics. Hell, Marvel did a cross-over with Attack on Titan, showcasing the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy teaming up with the characters from Attack, battling the evil Female Titan. The silver screen also has seen a lot of changes, with more and more films accepting and incorporating anime tropes. As stated before, both Speed Racer and Dragonball received adaptations, along with Astro Boy. Dragonball Z, Naruto, Madoka Magica, and Neon Genesis: Evangelion films have had limited releases

nationwide, allowing fans to journey to local theaters and view their favorite characters on the big screen. Films from Miyazaki are celebrated and adored worldwide (Spirited Away won an Oscar). Then there are live-action U.S. releases that have increasingly clear anime influence. Don’t believe it? Just take one look at Pacific Rim, which is Guillermo del Toro’s version of a Gundam movie. Or take a look at the end of The Matrix Revolutions (though you may not want to re-watch it), which is basically a fight scene from Dragonball Z. Still not convinced? How about watching The Magnificent Seven or For a Few Dollars More, or, well, any western? Most are based on samurai stories and lore. Although it may be difficult to accept it, anime and manga are incredibly important and have a growing influence on American comics, art, and film. The genre, although seen as “nerdy” or “strange” for the longest time, is seeing a spike in popularity. And while there are a few shows which became mainstream successes, more and more series and manga are being watched by U.S. audiences. If you are a fan, then I don’t need to be the one to tell you how amazing anime can be. If you’re not a fan yet, it’s time to join the growing fan-base, start watching, and take note of its inspiration.

VOL. 8 - ISSUE 1

FEBRUARY 2015

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MONTA ELLIS

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