VOLUME 152, ISSUE 6, FEBRUARY 2019
Editorial Board
About Us
Editorial Policy
Letters to the Editor
General Operations Manager Luiza Lima
The Brunswickan, in its 152nd year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.
While we endeavour to provide an open forum for a variety of viewpoints and ideas, we may refuse any submission considered by the Editorial Board to be racist, sexist, libellous or in any way discriminatory.
Letters must be submitted by e-mail to editor@thebruns.ca. Include your name, since letters with pseudonyms will not be printed or posted online. Letters must be 500 words at maximum. Deadline for letters is Friday at 5 p.m.
Creative Manager Maria Nazareth Araújo News Editor Alexandre Silberman Arts & Lifestyle Editor Isabelle Leger Magazine Editor Brad Ackerson
Staff Multimedia Editor Cameron Lane Marketing & Sales Coordinator Samantha McCready Copy Editor Natasha Williamson Reporters Ally Buchanan Marlowe Evans Patrick Donovan Photographers Cameron Lane Maria Nazareth Araújo Volunteers Jack Sparks
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We are an autonomous student publication owned and operated by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a nonprofit, independent body. We are also a founding member of the Canadian University Press. Now a magazine, we publish monthly during the academic year with a circulation of 4,000. We publish weekly online at Thebruns.ca.
The opinions and views expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Brunswickan, its Editorial Board or its Board of Directors. All editorial content appearing in The Brunswickan is the property of Brunswickan Publishing Inc. Stories, photographs and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the express, written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.
@Brunswickan Front Page: A student participates in the Rail Jam during Winter Carnival event in early February | Photo by Maria Nazareth Araújo Design by Maria Nazareth Araújo
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News briefs by Alexandre Silberman and Jack Sparks
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by Brad Ackerson
Things to do in Fredericton this month by Brad Ackerson
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Living the comedy dream by Alexandre Silberman
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The Brunswickan needs your help
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Why you should vote in student elections by Alex Roberts
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Celebrating winter wonderland by Maria Nazareth Araujo
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A day in Rome
Women’s hockey: Back and better than ever
by Isabelle Leger
by Jack Sparks
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Best movies coming out in 2019
From the archives by Brad Ackerson
by Maria Nazareth Araujo
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Words by Alexandre Silberman and Jack Sparks
Paul Mazerolle named next UNB president Paul Mazerolle, a pro vice-chancellor at an Australian University, will serve as the University of New Brunswick’s next president and vice-chancellor, the UNB Board of Governors announced last month. Mazerolle, a New Brunswick local, graduated from UNB with a bachelor of arts in sociology in 1989. “We are very pleased to be welcoming Dr. Mazerolle back to our UNB community,” Larry Hachey, chair of the Board of Governors, said in a news release. “He possesses a strong track record in both academia and management, with proven experience leading growth-oriented change and restructuring in a multi-campus environment at Griffith – a well-respected, publicly funded Australian university.” Mazerolle currently serves as pro vice-chancellor of arts, education and law and is the director of the violence research and prevention program at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia. He has held this role since 2009, which includes overseeing more than 400 faculty, 13,000 students, the Queensland College of Art, the Griffith Film School, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and seven research centres. In his current role, Mazerolle has developed experience in matters of reconciliation with Aboriginal communities in Australia and has led community efforts for employment expansion opportunities. “As the landscape in post-secondary education becomes more competitive than ever, we are thrilled as we know he has the expertise and energy to take UNB to the next level,” Hachey said. Following his undergraduate degree at UNB, Mazerolle went on to complete his master’s degree in criminal justice at Northeastern University in 1990 and his doctorate in criminology at the University of Maryland College Park in 1995. The search process for the next UNB president began over a year ago. UNB’s joint nominating committee, tasked with hiring the new president, determined Mazerolle as its finalist to recommend to the Board of Governors. 4
Higgs calls New Brunswick deficit-free in State of the Province Address The province is deficit-free this year and will have balanced budgets for the next two years, Premier Blaine Higgs said during his first State of the Province speech on Jan. 31. Around 800 New Brunswickers and business leaders filled the Fredericton Convention Centre to see Higgs deliver the annual address, presented by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. “Whatever your dream is, you should be able to live it at home, in the place you love, working with the people you love,” Higgs said. “There’s such an opportunity for us to work together with one goal in mind: and that’s rebuilding, fixing and seeing a New Brunswick that brings people home.” Higgs’ plan is to focus on spurring private economic growth to generate tax revenue for services. “Without citizens willing to give, no amount of spending and no amount of doctors could provide the care we need,” he said, speaking of several prolific blood donors. “That’s the sense of a shared mission we want to inspire. That’s the big citizenship our times demand. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach. Every single New Brunswicker can be part of the solution.” Higgs also pledged to continue to fight the federal carbon tax. He said his party has accepted that climate change is real, and can meet emission targets without taxing people more. Higgs promised the Progressive Conservative minority government will have a balanced budget for the current fiscal year. He committed to maintaining a balanced budget every year he and the PCs are in power. “I’m going to be part of raising New Brunswick, and I’m going to be part of bringing our province back on the map,” he said. “People are going to say, ‘what happened to New Brunswick?’ New Brunswick’s on the move.”
The University of New Brunswick campus shut down on Wednesday, Feb. 13 after a major snowstorm brought nearly 30 centimetres of snow to Fredericton before Valentine’s Day. Classes were cancelled due to weather for only the third time this year. Photo by Maria Nazareth Araújo
New Brunswick cancels plans to host Francophonie Games New Brunswick has decided to cancel its plan to host the 2021 Francophonie Games after anticipated costs ballooned to more than seven times the expected price tag. “We understand that this is a very difficult decision for the individuals and the communities who wanted the games to move forward,” Premier Blaine Higgs said at a news conference on Jan. 30. “This was not an easy decision.” The cost of hosting the games soared in November to $113 million from the original $17 million figure used when the province was awarded the the ninth Games of La Francophonie in 2015. A revised estimate put the cost at $80 million. Higgs said the added cost of the games were always going to be a “very steep hill” to climb, and that the pledged support from Ottawa to match funds was not enough. He called for changes to the federal government’s funding formula for major sporting events.
“We could not in good conscience invest more than we had already committed,” Higgs said. He said the province will be naming a representative to begin the cancellation process. The province has already spent $2.65 million on the event so far. The games, which would have brought 3,000 participants to Moncton and Dieppe, are organized by La Francophonie, an international organization of 58 governments with French language ties. New Brunswick and Quebec have “participating government” status within the organization. Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin had previously set a Jan. 30 deadline for trying to develop a plan in collaboration with the federal government to save the event. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal cabinet ministers pledged to match provincial investment in the games but would not cover more.
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Words by Brad Ackerson Note: Here you will find our recommendations for things you can do over the upcoming month to experience some of the best Fredericton has to offer. While this is far from a complete list, we try to provide a well-rounded mix of everything from events to attend, places to go and things to try. Something you’d like to see included in an upcoming edition of Things to Do? Send your suggestions to editor@thebruns.ca!
Feb. 21: ISAO World Of Talent 2019 The UNB International Student Advisor’s Office is hosting its second annual talent show showcasing the talents of international students. Performances will include singing, dancing and instrument playing and will be judged by a panel of guest judges. The show is open to all students and the general public and admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to United Way. There will also be 50/50 raffle during the show in support of United Way. D’Avray Hall, Room 143, 7 - 10 p.m.
Feb. 28: Create over Cocktails Create over Cocktails is an opportunity for people of all artistic skill or experience levels to enjoy a cocktail (or several) while painting and learning from a professional artist, all in a fun, relaxed and non-judgemental environment. The event will take place at the Affirmation Lounge, which is a unique herbal, vegan cocktail bar downtown - the ideal place to get your creative juices flowing! Tickets cost $41 and include guided instructions by an artist, a 16 x 20” ready-to-hang canvas, acrylic paint, and all other necessary items like brushes and easels. It should be noted that drinks are not included in the price of admission and the organizers suggest showing up at least 15 minutes early in order to sign in, claim your seat and purchase drinks. Affirmation Lounge, 385 Mazzuca’s Lane, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
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Mar. 02: She Said Feck 1st Birthday Party Celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of Fredericton-based record label She Said Feck while enjoying drinks, cake and some great music at The Capital! The show will be headlined by the pop-punk stylings of one of the label’s acts, CHIPS. It will also feature performances by local bands Some Dads and Jerry Faye & Band. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Purchasing an advance ticket will also get your name entered in a draw for a $25 gift certificate to The Capital. The Capital Complex, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Mar. 08: Fredericton Craft Beer Festival If you are a frequent reader of Things to Do, you are probably quite aware that events intended to showcase the thriving craft beer scene are pretty much a monthly occurrence in Fredericton. Despite the ever-growing number of beer tasting events in the city, the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival continues to be the biggest and most highly anticipated annual event on the calendar for local beer enthusiasts. Although the beer menu for the festival has not yet been announced at the time of writing, attendees can expect to find a wide range of unique beers from many of the top craft breweries from all over the maritimes. Festival passes start at $59 per person and can be purchased through the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival 2019 Facebook page. Fredericton Convention Centre.
Mar. 19-24: U Sports Curling Championships & Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championships This March, some of Canada’s top curlers will convene in Fredericton for the 2019 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championships. For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, Mixed Doubles is a relatively new form of curling that is quickly rising in popularity and has now become an Olympic sport. It features a very similar ruleset to regular curling, with the most notable exception being that teams consist of only two players, one male and one female. Passes for the full tournament cost $75 each and can be purchased through Curling.ca. For an additional $25 you can also get a pass to the 2019 U Sports Curling Championships which will be held in Fredericton from March 15 - 19. Willie O’Ree Place.
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he inspiration for James Mullinger’s comedy career began on a trip to New Brunswick. When he went to the Water Street Dinner Theatre in Saint John on New Year’s Eve in 2004, along with a girl he was seeing, he was taken aback by the quality of the standup comedy show they saw. “I made a pact that night. I went downstairs to the Water Street Dinner Theatre bathroom, looked in the mirror and said, ‘this is the year you’re going to try stand up,’” Mullinger said. It took him another five months to gather the confidence to try. Mullinger is now an award-winning comedian whose career has boomed since leaving the U.K. to relocate to New Brunswick in early 2014. His wife Pamela grew up on the Kingston Peninsula, a rural area outside of Saint John, and they came back for a slow pace life with their children. The 40-year-old has regular theatre, club and corporate gigs, sells out arenas in the Maritimes and is currently on a cross-country Canadian tour. Mullinger has been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Live Solo Show and a Just For Laughs Best Comedy Show Award. His latest standup special, Almost Canadian, will be released soon on Hulu and Amazon Prime. He is also the subject of a $5-million feature film, The Comedian’s Guide to Survival, where British actor James Buckley plays Mullinger. The movie shows his journey as a struggling comedian, bombing show after show until his passion emerges.
Mullinger wasn’t a popular child growing up in Maidenhead, a town about an hour outside of London, England. He struggled academically, wasn’t good at sports and spent much of his time sitting in his room watching comedy tapes. His path took him into magazine journalism and he eventually started to do stand up gigs at bars on the side. His first crowds were harsh and unforgiving. “I never forget how hard it was starting out, but it’s definitely very cathartic for me to see, to remind myself,” Mullinger said of the film. “It feels like yesterday I was being booed off stage.” The biggest difference between the British and Canadian comedy scenes are the audiences. U.K. bar crowds can be rowdy and aggressive, and can heckle and disrupt shows, he said. Canadian comedy fans are less quick to judge a show. “When you hit a stage in England, those first few seconds are vital,” Mullinger said. “Here, you’ve got a few minutes to graze.” Before doing standup full-time, Mullinger was the comedy editor of the British edition of GQ and has interviewed many well-known actors and comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Amy Schumer. His interview with Seinfeld inspired his decision to come to New Brunswick, when Mullinger asked Seinfeld why he left his show at its cultural peak. “He said, ‘Simple. Because that’s what everyone expected me to do.’ And he said, ‘There’s a good life lesson, James. Make a list of all the things that everyone expects you to do, and do the opposite,’” Mullinger said. His editor job on paper seemed glamourous, but he wasn’t happy with his career and the quality of life for his family in England. A year later he was on a plane to Saint John. Mullinger now enjoys small-town life in Rothesay with his wife and two children, Hunter, 8, and River, 5. He received his Canadian permanent residency in 2015. However, there’s still some changes that take getting used to. “One of the first things is everyone knows everybody here,” he said. “You can’t sit down at a table and start complaining about anything, whether it be a bad meal you had that week, or a bad contractor, because someone at the table will be related to them.” Mullinger said it always surprises him how New Brunswickers complain of a lack of things to do in New Brunswick and say they “hate” living here. He has turned into a promoter for the province on the international stage.
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Mullinger has done shows for New Brunswick Tourism and Destination Canada to tout the Maritimes as a tourism destination to foreign audiences. He also started The Maritime Edit, a quarterly international magazine highlighting life in Atlantic Canada. “When I moved here, I think I thought there would be some compromises, but actually there’s none,” he said. “There’s nothing I miss day-to-day in England.” Mullinger’s comedy pokes fun at the quirks of the Maritimes and his experience adjusting to life in New Brunswick. “It’s a dream for comedians to be the fish out of water,” he said. “Because what we do is notice things.” His persona has evolved to be a “slightly confused Englishman trying to find his way in the Maritimes.” Mullinger said his corporate bookings and big crowds come mostly from word of mouth. People who see his show often recommend him for gigs.
life, you’re about to walk onto that stage and everything else is shut out of your mind and you can only focus on the job at hand,” Mullinger said. He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to make his kids breakfast, drive them to school and go to the YMCA to work out with his wife. He works on the magazine throughout the day, but takes a day off before a gig to review his notes and prepare. While hosting a screening of The Comedian’s Guide to Survival in Fredericton in late January, Mullinger sat backstage cranking out a feature story in time for a meeting with the designer the next morning. “For me the dream is always to make a living doing this,” he said. “To be able to feed a family doing stand up comedy anywhere in the world, let alone here, is a ridiculous dream.” “For me and for what my aspirations are I feel like it doesn’t get better than this.”
“You can be good at something in other places and no one hears about it,” he said. “Here, if people like what you do, they tell people.” Despite his growing success and popular material, Mullinger still has nerves before every show. He used to have some drinks before club shows, but stopped four months ago. He feels his routine is sharper with better improv and crowd work. “One of the things I like so much about stand up, is it’s the only time when no matter what else is going on in your Photo by Sean McGrath
Comedian James Mullinger reacts to a sold-out crowd during a show at Harbour Station in Saint John in 2016. Photo by Joseph Comeau
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Words by Brad Ackerson
With a history that spans well over 100 years, Canada’s oldest official student publication has long served the UNB community, and the city of Fredericton as a whole, by providing accurate, reliable and independent reporting of issues and events both on and off campus. Over the years we have shifted from offering a weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine and daily online content, but the one thing that has remained constant is the fact that everything we produce is released to the public free of charge. “Free� things are never completely free though, are they? This is certainly true for The Brunswickan, which relies almost entirely on student media fees for its survival. The current Brunswickan fee of $2 per term has not increased since 2013 and while this amount was sufficient at the time, rising costs and declining ad revenue have had a significant effect on our day-to-day operations and the quality of content we are able to produce. All media entities have felt this crunch, including our peers at CHSR and The Baron (our sister publication at UNBSJ) who have also required fee increases over the years. This year we are asking you to vote yes during the UNBSU election for a modest $1 fee increase, which would bring us more in line with the fees received by other local student media outlets. The Brunswickan has successfully operated within a tight budget for years, but 2018-19 has proven particularly difficult from a fiscal perspective as we have 12
had to make many cuts to remain afloat. This has included reducing the amount of magazines we are able to print and distribute each month, no longer distributing magazines off-campus to the wider community, reducing employee pay and eliminating positions such as sports editor. Requesting a fee increase is not something we take lightly. We are all students ourselves and understand the frustration of watching fees and tuition increase every year when most of our budgets are already stretched thin. For this reason, we see it as our responsibility to ensure every dollar we receive is used to benefit the student body in some way. This not only means continuing to provide reliable reporting, quality writing and an outlet for students or community members who want to share their stories; it also means bringing you content where you want it and how you want it. This means more articles, videos, podcasts, and so forth released digitally on a daily basis to supplement our monthly print magazine. In addition to asking for your vote to ensure the long term viability of The Brunswickan, we also want to hear your ideas and feedback. What do you want to see more of from The Brunswickan in the future? What did you like or dislike about our work this year or in the past? Send your thoughts, comments, questions or concerns to editor@thebruns.ca and help us bring you the content you want.
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Elected Student Union representatives make important decisions in the Student Union Building. Photo by Jessé Moura
Words by Alex Roberts Chief Returning Officer, UNBSU
We’ve all come to know at least one UNB Student Union member during our time at UNB. But do you know what they do outside of organizing UNB’s lavish events, providing support programs and advocating on behalf of students? Elected Student Union representatives sit on many decision-making bodies at the university. The UNBSU executives are directly involved in voicing the interests of UNB’s student body. Most recently, the Student Union has heavily participated in the discussions surrounding on-campus alcohol and smoking policies.
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At UNB, elected Student Union representatives have access to a $1.8 million budget that they allocate towards various projects focused on the improvement of student life. The Student Union budgets funding for concerts and events, social services (such as SafeRide and their online printing services), ratified clubs and societies and many other student-led initiatives. As a student at UNB, your vote goes towards choosing the representatives that will fund initiatives in your best interest. Elected Student Union representatives create
new and innovative supporting positions to employ all types of students across campus. The UNBSU currently employs over 20 students in part-time and full-time positions. New positions were created just this year to increase representation in areas such as campus events, communications and marketing, supporting the vision of this year’s executive and improving overall student life. Your vote is used to ensure your time at UNB is supported by the most qualified individuals. The Student Union and their representatives have a hand in almost everything that happens on campus, including O-Week, poster fairs, student services, club and society events, concerts, mental health initiatives, sexual assault prevention and major decisions that are made on campus. Therefore it is crucial that you elect a representative you can trust and that will be transparent with you about all campus activities.
meet with provincial and federal ministers to discuss the interests of UNB students. They strive to coordinate events and create lasting relationships with Canadian officials. For example, most recently the SU advocated for the free tuition program to be maintained in New Brunswick after Ontario cancelled their own provincial program. All this information may seem irrelevant to you as one single student at UNB. In reality, the choices that UNB Student Union representatives make will affect you and your experience at UNB. So, if you want to see changes, or want to create a strong system of students who you trust to handle your money and interests, then you need to vote. No questions asked: you have the right to vote, make sure you exercise it. Get to know the candidates, ask questions, do your research, and make your voice heard by voting in your UNB Student Union general elections. If one vote can make a difference, then make sure it’s yours.
The Student Union is also your connection to other governments. SU representatives frequently
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During this time of the year, things can get pretty cold: from the frosty weather to your tired brain studying for midterms. But who says winter only brings woeful experiences? During the first week of February, the UNB Student Union and RBC hosted UNB’s annual winter carnival as a way to bring the campus community together.
to support the primary health care needs of women, children, youth and families. The UNB Ski and Board Club and Crabbe Mountain then collaborated to throw a rail jam in front of the SUB. The snow that fell during the day did not stop snowboard lovers; on the contrary, it only pumped up people’s energy for the winter carnival and added to the wintry atmosphere.
Juno Award-nominated DJ Shaun Frank kicked off the carnival on Feb. 1, performing in concert at the Student Union Building. The concert was the latest in the series of new major events being presented by the UNBSU in the 2018-19 school year.
The carnival was complete with the Après-ski, or a get together at the College Hill Social Club for drinks, giveaways and specials after the rail jam. Members of the UNB community enjoyed the happy hour from 9-11pm.
The next day of winter carnival was a day for the brave. Bridges House hosted their annual polar dip in support of the IWK Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds
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Whether you threw yourself into an outdoor pool in the middle of winter or enjoyed an on-campus concert on a Friday night, we hope you enjoyed Winter Carnival 2019!
Bridges residents feel the wrath of the Polar Dip in support of the IWK Foundation on Feb. 2.
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1 The quad became a paradise for ski lovers and snowboard. BBQ and hot chocolate was available for those who prefered to stay warm and watch the performance.
The polar dip is an annual Bridges House tradition that brings together the UNB community for a good cause. All money received in the event goes towards the IWK Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the urgent priority needs of the IWK Health Centre.
Alongside Shaun Frank, the concert featured Waves, a bank that has performed in several festivals around the globe, including Everafter Music Festival and Riverside Festival. Photo by Ben Case 18
JUNO Award nominee for Dance Recording of the Year, Shaun Frank, was one of the main attractions for the Winter Carnival. He wrote billboard hot 100 #1 hit “Closer,� by the Chainsmokers. Photo by Ben Case
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The Colosseum is one of the most visited touristic spots in Rome. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.
There was one hour until our 45-dollar flight to Rome. My sister, Olivia, seemed unbothered. I eventually got her out of her flat and we walked 10 minutes to the nearest train station. We sat on the train and we waited. We waited and waited, until I realized it had been 30 minutes and the train had yet to move. I’m no mathematician, nor do I excel in physics, but I calculated that even if our train left at that instant we’d miss our flight. They didn’t even let us through security. Our plane had left 20 minutes earlier. We forked out another 300 dollars each for a last-minute flight to Rome - and another 90 dollars each waiting at the bar drinking wine over the next four hours. We were five glasses of wine deep when we realized we had to - again - race for our flight. The gate attendant rolled her eyes at us as we arrived. Once on board, the Spanish security demonstration freaked me out. Wait - weren’t
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we flying from London to Rome? I studied the logo in front of me: “Vueling.” Later I learned it is on a Top Ten Most Dangerous Airlines list. We landed - still tipsy - at 2 a.m. Outside, the train station to the city was closed. Three different men held cardboard signs reading, “Ride to hotel for 20 euros.” We chose the one with a black curled moustache. His van looked like a getaway car in a drug heist. Moustache Man slammed the door behind us, locked it, and left. New risk takers climbed into the van one by one. A headline popped into my head as I counted: “Six people murdered in van.” I’d always wanted to visit Rome. I believe this has to do with being exposed to the Disney Channel at an impressionable age. After watching Lizzie McGuire, I would sing Come Clean alone in my room while dreaming I was riding a moped with a sexy Italian man.
The Fontana Del Tritone (right), or Triton Fountain, is a seventeenth-century fountain created by the Baroque sculpter Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The Vatican City (left) is an independent city-state enclaved within Rome and is considered to be the head of the Catholic Church.
When Olivia was presented with a business opportunity that involved travelling and required the presence of an experienced writer, she reached out to me (I’m in my fourth year of journalism). The deal included five days in Italy. After much discussion, my sister and I decided to visit Rome, Pisa, Florence and Venice. We left on Feb. 27, and I couldn’t wait to escape the sub-zero temperatures in Canada. I packed six sundresses and eight light camisoles. On the plane from Fredericton to London, I sat next to a grey-haired woman. “Did you hear about Rome?”
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Photo depicts a residential buildings in the city centre of Rome.
“No,” I said. “First snowfall in 30 years, it’s unbelievable.” In Rome, I layered on all of my clothes: my cream linen trench coat, baby blue peplum blazer, black leather jacket, a raincoat and a grey wool coat that goes to my calves. I looked like the Michelin Tire Man.
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We came across a busy four-lane road with no traffic lights, only two white lines painted on the asphalt. For 10 minutes we tried to figure out how to cross. Then, as a brunette in business attire strode across without a sideways glance, every single car slammed on their brakes. We tried it - and it worked.
All these years, I had imagined Rome as a sea of grey with the Colosseum in the middle. But the buildings were papaya-sorbet yellow; some had Moroccan ruby shutters, others gumdrop peach and minstrel rose. I was in love and I hadn’t even had my first bite of Italian food.
To de-stress after this ordeal, we went to a café and paid eight dollars for a cup of coffee. Thank god, the food was cheaper. We bought two pouches of flaky dough, one filled with burrata (a cloud of creamy cheese inside a sheath of cheese), the other with a roasted chicken mixture that tasted like delicious Thanksgiving turkey soaked for two days in a broth.
Our missed flight left us with only one day in Rome. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the suggested itinerary. We rushed from sight to sight.
I was told students will often be given a discount on food in Italy. I asked my waiter, hoping my expensive coffee purchase would be made less painful. He said no.
Being a student isn’t advantageous, but foregoing a chair is. If you stand at a hightop table to eat, food is practically 50 per cent off. So there are two prices in Italy, and naive tourists like us are how they make money. We walked out of the café disappointed. My aunts and uncles were assumed to be locals on their trips to Italy. I am brunette with olive skin and have been told that I have a “Roman nose.” My sister is blonde and always has a tan. But her nose is sloped, which is not very european. So I blame my sister, or at least her nose. We might as well have had a flashing neon sign above our heads that said “Tourists.” Olivia put me on navigation duty. Our next stop was the Colosseum and I was certain of my chosen route. But 20 minutes into our journey, I was lost. I looked out the window of the city bus we were on, only to realize we were passing the massive structure. I played it cool. When we got off, I simply led Olivia to the bus on the other side of the road, bringing us back along the route we had just travelled. A thirty minute detour later, she didn’t have a clue. At the Trevi Fountain we had to push through the crowd of tourists to get close. We were surrounded by millennials taking selfies and elders taking pictures with their iPads. No one was looking at this masterpiece that was built
at a time when construction wasn’t simplified with cranes and our technology of today. No wonder Italians hate tourists, I thought. So, I sat down next to some pigeon shit and attempted to study all the details in this work of art. Afterwards, I took an Instagram boomerang whilst throwing a coin in the fountain. A girl can only do so much when trying to deny the society she lives in. After this long day of playing tourist, we went to the nearest place that sold Prosecco, bought two bottles and headed back to our hotel. We were too exhausted to attempt re-entering the city for dinner, so we went to the restaurant downstairs. Our meal: endless amounts of baguette dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Prosciutto and more burrata with a layer of fresh parmesan grilled in butter on top for our appetizer. We then shared two pastas, a carbonara and a Bolognese rigatoni, washed down with a third bottle of wine. We made it back to our room, ready for a good night’s sleep before our early morning train ride to Pisa. This was the moment we realized we had forgotten to see the Spanish Steps. We had walked past them too. Oh, well.
Isabelle Leger poses in front of the Basilica in Vatican City.
The Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi, is the largest Baroque fountain in the city of Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. 23
Several amazing movies brought us to the cinema in 2018, including Marvel’s Black Panther, Gaga’s A Star is Born and Disney’s The Incredibles 2. Heading into a new year at the movies, there are a few things we can be sure about. We can be sure that Avengers: Endgame is going to be a box-office hit like no other. We can be sure of the nostalgia that will be inspired by the remakes of Disney classics Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lion King. We can also be sure that there’ll be something for everyone! Not to leave you out of anything, here is a list of the best 10 movies (in a Media Arts and Cultures student’s opinion) coming out in 2019.
Set in the mid-1990s, this movie follows Captain Marvel on her journey from fighter pilot to intergalactic hero. Captain Marvel stars Brie Larson who has reinvented herself repeatedly throughout her career, from indie darling (Short Term 12) to Oscar-certified serious actress (Room) to director (Unicorn Store). Now, she adds being a superhero to her growing resume.
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Even if you are not a Marvel fan, you have to admit that Avengers: Endgame is one of the most anticipated films of 2019. The movie is Marvel’s 22nd film and will end the current Marvel narrative. What exactly is Black Widow and Captain America’s plan? Where’s Nebula? Why is Tony Stark about to die on the Guardian’s ship? All of these questions will be answered this coming April when Avengers: Endgame premieres in North America.
Perhaps the most anticipated of Disney’s remakes of its animated classics, The Lion King will bring together an amazing cast of voice actors. Donald Glover and Beyoncé (!) voice Simba and Nala; Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are Timon and Pumbaa; Chiwetel Ejiofor voices Scar; and James Earl Jones reprises his role as Mufasa. Simba’s adventures in the jungles of Africa will hit North American cinemas this summer.
Are you an Elton John fan? This is a movie you can’t miss. This British musical drama directed by Dexter Fletcher portrays the early years of Elton John’s singer-songwriter career. The actor Otto Bathurst, who recently played Robin Hood in Robin Hood (2018), stars as Sir Elton. The film Rocketman receives the title from John’s 1972 song of the same name.
One of the most famous franchises in the movie industry is back in 2019. The fourth movie in the franchise is based on the early 90s comic book series. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are swapped out for Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth, costars of Thor: Ragnarok.
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Even though Quentin Tarantino announced his retirement after his 2015 film The Hateful Eight, he’s back with another potential masterpiece! Tarantino is perhaps one of the most famous American directors of all times, so a movie directed by him had to be on this list. The film stars American movie stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
Did you think I was only going to list Marvel superhero movies? Joker is an upcoming American crime film distributed by Warner Bros. that, as the name suggests, is based on the DC Comics character the Joker. It takes a courageous performer to embody a character who has become so thoroughly intertwined with Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Night (2009). The film, however, is meant to be a standalone entry in the DC universe with no connection to the Leto or Ledger films. We will be able to see Joaquin Phoenix’s performance of the DC villain later on in 2019.
Star Wars fans are itching to see the final film in the sequel trilogy. The major cast of Star Wars: Episode XI includes several big names returning to the franchise, such as Billy Dee Williams playing the iconic Lando Calrissian. Episode XI is scheduled to hit theaters in the winter, more specifically in December 2019.
UNB’s Ashley Stratton pushes toward the net during a 2-1 win over Mount Allison Photo by James West for UNB Athletics
Words by Jack Sparks In the years leading up to their final season in 200708 their highest finish in the standings was fourth. Now, in their first season back, head coach Sarah Hilworth has guided a young team to equal that fourth place finish, a testament to the hard work of her coaching staff and players. Hilworth isn’t satisfied though, even with a young group. She knows their potential can take them much further. 28
In an interview with The Brunswickan, Hilworth first talked about her thoughts on the regular season. “The girls have done a really good job of figuring out what it’s like to be a student athlete and what it’s like to compete at the U Sport level in their first year.” She spoke of jumping into a new role in the AUS and trying to prepare against teams in a league that’s new to her. “It’s definitely a challenge,” Hilworth said.
“We’ve done a lot of research and a lot of pre-prepping our players and we do extensive video work and extensive pre-scouts with them. We try and give the most information possible to our athletes before they get out there and compete.” She also spoke to her and her coaching staff’s experience in this regard. “As a staff, we’ve had success at the U Sport or NCAA level, so we know what it takes to be a champion at whatever level we’re thrown into. Our experience as players has really helped us translate it to our players to be a champion and have that championship winning mindset.” The prevailing feeling of the team’s return was that it was good to be back; there wasn’t necessarily a lot of expectations for the first season. “I think people doubted us a little bit,” Hilworth said. “[People were] just kind of happy that we’re back and to see AUS women’s hockey back at UNB was exciting for a lot of people, but I don’t think a lot of people thought we’d do this well this early.”
think it’s that experience that we don’t necessarily have and once we start getting that experience under our belt it’s going to be exciting to see where these kids can go.” Hilworth was overjoyed to learn she had gotten the job as head coach and is proud to be involved in bringing the team back. “It’s such a blessing to be able to bring back a program that means so much to a lot of people.” It was important to her in terms of representation as well. “It’s nice to see women represented playing a sport that Canada loves. It’s just that visual identity of our team being back and doing so well too.” The Brunswickan wishes the girls luck in the playoffs and the student body is so proud to see the return of women’s hockey. No matter their final standings, the women’s hockey team has had an overwhelmingly successful first season back. It shouldn’t have ever left UNB, and it certainly feels like it’s here to stay.
In contrast, Hilworth knew what to expect from her team. “I knew we’d be a top 4 team. I knew we could fit right in right away.” The women’s hockey team finished the season with 13 wins, 11 losses and 4 ties; they further proved they could challenge the three top teams in the league by winning games against all of them. They will face UPEI in the quarterfinals, a team they only lost to once in their final regular season game. Hilworth commented on this tough loss going into the playoffs. “I think UPEI was the hungrier group,” she said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily bad for our group to experience that, because now they know that they are beatable against a team like UPEI. They just try and outwork you and they do a great job of doing that. It’s just a matter of coming back and rebounding against a team we know we can beat.” As is typical of a young team, the large majority of its players are only in their first year of eligibility. Their two leading scorers, Tamina Kehler and Ashley Stratton, are both in their first year, and so is starting goalie Kendra Woodland, who boasts the highest save percentage in the league. The future of women’s hockey at UNB is certainly bright with the young team. “You can’t help but be excited and see the potential with this team,” Hilworth said. “We’re just going to get better and better, and I think we’ll be knocking at that door anytime now. I
UNB goaltender Hailey Martens positions herself to thwart a Mounties attack Photo by James West for UNB Athletics 29
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Words by Brad Ackerson
Each month, we’ll take you back in time with a historic moment from The Brunswickan’s archives. With Winter Carnival 2019 now in the rearview mirror, we thought it would be interesting to take a look back at The Brunswickan’s coverage of some past winter carnivals at UNB and see how the event has changed over the years. While this year’s version seems to have been a success, the same can’t be said for some winter carnivals of the past. Needless to say, this longtime UNB tradition has seen its share of ups and downs, with overspending and vandalism being the two most common issues. The Jan. 15, 1960 edition of The Brunswickan shows that the amount of money spent on winter carnival has always been one the primary pitfalls associated with the event. Coverage focused on the fact that the 1960 Winter Carnival committee had requested and received an increase in the price of event passes to $2.50. However, what winter carnival looked like back then is what we find most interesting. A far cry from a Shaun Frank concert, a performance of the musical Rose Marie headlined the 1960 Winter Carnival. The cost of the production was said to be over $1500. Also, apparently UNB’s winter carnival was considered a big enough deal that it received coverage on national television.
This makes us wonder, what the hell happened in ‘70 and ‘71? Another interesting note is the fact that they had planned some sort of skydiving event but were ultimately forced to cancel it. We can’t imagine why! Finally, we jump ahead to Winter Carnival ‘78 when The Bruns’ post-carnival coverage painted a far less rosy picture. That year’s version was apparently plagued by financial issues, with then-chairperson Barry Newcombe attributing its large deficit to a “lack of experience, rising costs, underbudgeting, unrealistic projections on attendance and consumption of beverages at events, and some mismanagement.” Perhaps giving out free steaks to attendees wasn’t a great idea?
Winter Carnival ‘72 was considered a smashing success, although this should be taken with a small grain of salt considering most of the comments praising the festival were from members of the Student Union or winter carnival committee. With that said, referring to the carnival as a “smashing” success was quite fitting considering the numerous broken windows, chairs and the “assaulted” men’s washrooms during the event. According to the SUB director at the time, Kevin McKinney, the damage done was “not nearly as bad as the past two years.”
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