Capilano Courier | Vol. 51, Issue 9.

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 9

JAN. 28-FEB. 10

FEATURES

ARTS & CULTURE

Nasty Women in Comedy

Five Reasons to see Circle Game

PG. 10

PG. 18

Autism and Affinities: Connecting through Film

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

VOL. 51 ISSUE 9 JAN. 28-FEB. 10

COVER: EMMA HARRIS

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30 DAY ENERGY CHALLENGE

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HASSAN PHILLS' BUDDING COMEDY CAREER

Even Writers Get Writer's Block...

News

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Campus Life

CANADA'S NEW DRINKING AND DRIVING LAW

Opinions

10 WOMEN IN COMEDY

Special Feature

12 GLOBAL NARRATIVES: NEW ZEALAND TO CANADA

Columns

13 SCIENCE WORLD RUINED MY CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA

Columns

16 2018 ALBUMS

Reviews

18 REASONS TO SEE CIRCLE GAME

Arts & Culture

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

PRODUCTION MANAGER

NEWS EDITOR

COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

FEATURES EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christine Beyleveldt capcourier@gmail.com

Helen Aikenhead manager.capcourier@gmail.com

Greta Kooy news.capcourier@gmail.com

Annalisse Crosswell associatenews.capcourier@gmail.com

Freya Wasteneys specialfeatures.capcourier@gmail.com

Cynthia Tran Vo artdirector.capcourier@gmail.com

Melissa Gibbons pm.capcourier@gmail.com

Ana Maria Caicedo community.capcourier@gmail.com

Jessica Lio businessmanager.capcourier@gmail.com

Kaileigh Bunting, Carlo Javier, Taylor M. KleineDeters, Mark Mapoles, Devon Simpson, Brian Tuck, Alexis Zygan

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Sheila Arellano arts.capcourier@gmail.com OPINIONS EDITOR

Megan Orr opinions.capcourier@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Fiona Dunnett, Sarah Haglund, Emma Harris, Natalie Heaman, Ryan McDiarmid, Jenny Oakley, Daniel Pauhl EDITOR & COLUMNIST PORTRAITS

Cynthia Tran Vo COLUMNS EDITOR

Rachel D'Sa columns.capcourier@gmail.com

CARTOONIST

Annie Chang

COPY EDITOR

Ashleigh Brink copy.capcourier@gmail.com

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deemed by the collective to exhibit sexism, racism or homophobia. The views expressed by the

​We acknowledge that the work we do and the

contributing writers are not necessarily those of the

institution we serve happens on the unceded territory

Capilano Courier Publishing Society.

of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

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CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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efore I became Editor-in-Chief of the Courier, I relished the idea of writing my bi-weekly editorials.

Then I realized that I’d actually have to come up with a unique topic every issue, and suddenly it seemed a lot more daunting a task than I had originally gambled on.

Having a spot to voice my opinions, or talk about current events, or even just what was on my mind, was an appealing idea. But now it’s Sunday night and this paper is going to production in an hour, and I’m trying to put words on the page in a last-ditch effort to wrap up a production week before the next one starts.

I’ve felt like a bit of an imposter this week, and overwhelmed with choice. No one asks those who write for a living how they combat the dreaded writer’s block, you just have to motor through it. But what do you do when you have too many ideas and you just don’t know which topic to pour your energy into?

Plenty of times throughout my schooling, the notion of choice overload came up — In class and in life. If you read a psychology textbook, you’ll probably read about how if you have 24 varieties of jam on the grocery store shelf, or 200 people just a swipe away on Tinder, you’ll be more likely to freeze up and be unable to make a choice because there are simply too many options laid before you.

I’m bringing up the notion of choice overload now because in the last week I knew the deadline to write my editorial was fast-approaching, and I played with several ideas. But again, when you can write about anything in the world, you can’t write about anything for fear of not delivering.

I toyed with several ideas this week, including the Gillette commercial that took the internet by storm (see our website next week for opinions on the topic). Or the idea of imposter syndrome, which I’m sometimes all too aware of at press conferences like the one I went to on Jan. 23 for the Vancouver Art Gallery. When the guy checking in for his media pass in front of you is representing the CBC and you can tell by the seriously heavy duty camera equipment he’s got with him, you become all-too aware of the fact that you’re student press. But at the end of the day, I couldn’t make a decision, and so here I am telling you about my inability to make a decision, and sometimes that’s because I just don’t want to rock the boat with controversial opinions or because I worry I won’t be able to put my thoughts on paper in a coherent manner.

We all have off weeks. This is one of mine unfortunately. Even writers get writer's block, and for our Valentine's Day issue that will hit stands next, I promise I will deliver something epic.

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Eating Disorders Awareness Week Vancouver Coastal Health offers Open Mic Night in conjunction with the awareness campaign FREYA WASTENEYS FEATURES EDITOR MELISSA GIBBONS PRODUCTION MANAGER Eating disorders come in many forms, and many go undiagnosed or untreated.

Across Canada, the National Initiative for Eating Disorders estimates that upward of one million people are affected, and a Canada-wide surveillance study reveals that disorders are on the rise among youth, with many exhibiting signs of disordered eating.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are

the two most common forms of eating disorders, but each disorder can range in severity, and many more show signs of poor body image. In fact, in British Columbia, the same survey revealed that by 18 years of age, 80 per cent of girls of normal height and weight reported that they would like to weigh less, which paired with other mental disorders can be a precursor to disordered eating.

In an effort to battle this pervasive mental illness, Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) will run from Feb. 1-7. It aims to promote more awareness and support to those lacking the resources under this year’s theme “Eating Disorders Can’t Afford to Wait”. Utilizing #EDAW2019 and #ShowPurpleLove, groups across the country will be participating in educational activities, and sporting the colour purple.

The event organizer, Lisa Shields, is a therapist who works with adults dealing

with eating disorders at Vancouver Coastal Health. “I believe strongly in the healing power of artistic expression and finding voice through the process of creativity,” said Shields. She went on to note that this, paired with early intervention and support can be some of the most effective ways to deal with eating disorders, but the cause can be very subjective. “There’s no one cause for someone to develop an eating disorder.

It is a complex interaction between multiple factors,” she said, pointing to biological, psychological, socio-cultural, predisposed and precipitating factors to name just a few.

To kick off the week, Vancouver Coastal Health Eating Disorders Program has partnered with the EDAW to organize “Open Mic Night: What I Wish I Knew”, which provides a safe space for participants of all ages to creatively share their experience through poetry, music or spoken word. Held on Jan. 31 from 5-8 pm, the event is now

in its second year. Last year, 20 people attended, with six people presenting their own work, and several pieces submitted anonymously. This year, the interest has doubled.

Held at Hood 29 on Main Street, the event is free, and open to all ages. Shields emphasizes that the event is “recovery positive” and is an inclusive space. Of course, in a wellness-based culture that often places an emphasis on appearance and weight, disordered eating behaviours are often perpetuated and complicate recovery.

“The feedback we had from last year’s event was very positive. The individuals who participated expressed gratitude for having a safe space to express thoughts and feelings,” said Shields. “It’s really an opportunity to be creative and be heard in a supportive environment.”

CapU Rides 50th Anniversary Wave, Introduces New Ad Campaign

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Brand Design, the creators of the campaign intend to celebrate the diversity of the campus through creative and colourful advertising. “At the beginning I was very close to the idea, but we had a whole creative and innovative team working on [the campaign],” explained Miles. “It ended up being a collaboration between in-house talent and Ion Brand Design.”

The visual campaign, Miles said, is inspired by the history and people of CapU. “Capilano University opened its doors originally in 1968 as a college, but there is a lot in the story of the process of getting there. Stories go all the way back to 1964,” she said.

Miles believes that the “Stories” campaign will lead to more design work in the future. For now, the creative team behind the advertisements are working towards creating a more visible social media presence. “The online campaign is really important,” said Miles, “it can be shared everywhere and could give interest for

students around the world to come and join the University.”

Advertisements for the campaign appear around campus but can also be seen outside of the University’s grounds on transit, and also digitally and in print.

“Our stories reveal who we are and where we’ve come from,” reads the campaign’s webpage, “… Our campuses are inspired, collaborative and experiential places to learn.”

Topics covered in the “Stories” campaign include the CapU Murals Project, highlights from CapFest and a video gallery that showcases recipients of the Alumni Awards of Excellence and Justin Trudeau’s birthday message to the University.

For more information on CapU’s “Stories” campaign, please visit their website at www.capilanou.ca/about-capu/ get-to-know-us/50-years-of-stories/

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MARGARET DE SILVA

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

released a new advertising campaign titled “Stories” on Jan. 14. The campaign is meant to celebrate “50 years of creativity, growth, discovery, success, pride and cheer at the University” and will run until the end of February.

MELISSA GIBBONS In a creative and narrative way, the PRODUCTION MANAGER campaign explores highlights from CapU’s GRETA KOOY past and present, and looks into its future NEWS EDITOR by featuring a variety of stories centered around the CapU community. Director of Communications and Marketing, Victoria ike anyone celebrating a birthday, Miles, explained that the University has Capilano University wants to keep the celebration going. 2018 marked been working hard at collecting stories since celebrations kicked off last year. the University’s 50th anniversary, and with “Stories are immensely important because it came a series of events that have left a they indicate who we are and where we lingering sense of community on campus.

CapFest, which was held on Sept. 22, come from,” she said. “There are so many 2018, drew in thousands of spectators and exciting and surprising stories about included food, drink, exhibits and musical the progress of the Capilano University community, and I think it’s very important performances from Hey Ocean and Five to share it outside the University with our Alarm Funk. website.”

To keep with the momentum, CapU’s Working with Vancouver-based Ion Communications and Marketing Department

THE CAPILANO COURIER

"Stories” celebrates the University by telling its tales

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Sustainable Resolutions with CapU Works On-campus sustainability program kicks off new year with 30 Day Energy Challenge GRETA KOOY NEWS EDITOR

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

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apU Works’ 30 Day Energy Challenge is putting Capilano University to the test this month, asking faculty, staff and students to participate in a series of sustainabilityminded pledges and challenges. CapU Works, an on-campus program that “promotes sustainability by students, for students and with students,” began launched on Jan. 14, which will run until Feb. 8.

The 30 Day Energy Challenge, part of a larger BC Hydro sustainability initiative, is a month full of events, challenges and prizes set to different energy smart themes. “The 30 Day Energy Challenge is essentially just a campaign to promote energy conservation and teach students different ways that they can make a difference at home and on campus,” said Chantelle Cardin, a CapU student in the Tourism Management program and student coordinator with CapU Works.

Cardin joined forces with another CapU Works student coordinator to turn what was originally two separate events into a full, month-long campaign. “I’ve always been interested in doing environmental work, it’s always been a big passion of mine. I just

thought this would be perfect,” she said.

“Each week we have a pledge that [students] can do,” Cardin explained. In the month’s second week, the “Water Wise Challenge” encouraged students to wash their clothes in cold water and take shorter showers. The third week asked for participants to “Close the Circuit” by unplugging phone chargers.

“For me,” said Cardin, “before I worked for CapU Works, a lot of [this] stuff I didn’t consider as much, but now it’s very eye-opening. We just want that education to be available for students,” she said.

“We get caught up in thinking that we’re just one person and it’s not going to make a difference, but it does. It makes a huge difference.”

Events take place in the CSU Members Centre located in the Library building.

Students, staff and passersby are enticed with information tables, food, prizes and games of Kahoot! “With the energy challenge we also have a photo contest,” said Cardin. “Each week for the pledges that we’ve asked, we’ve also asked people to take a photo and send it to us.” Prizes are awarded each week for the best photo corresponding with that week’s assigned challenge, with a final prize at the end of the month for the best photo from the entire month.

The final week of the 30 Day Energy Challenge runs from Feb. 4-8. The “Keep the Heat Challenge” week promotes energy conservation by encouraging students to wear extra layers instead of turning the dial up on the thermostat and includes a sweater swap event. The final week also ties into the University’s annual Sweater Day. “For

Sweater Day,” said Cardin, “we’ll actually be getting facilities to turn the heat down by two degrees.”

Only four student employees work for CapU Works, which has organized events like last semester’s Winter Market, and Sustainability Week, which is coming up in March. On a campus like CapU’s, it can be difficult to attract a large audience willing to stay and participate in activities - something many organizations are aware of when hosting events. Despite this, the Winter Market had a turnout of over 400 people and even smaller events hosted by the group saw crowds of at least 50.

“We always try to focus on the positive side of sustainability, but with our current

climate… it is very stressful,” said Cardin.

“It’s good to provide these events and opportunities for students to learn a bit more about the differences that they can make.”

For those interested in checking out or participating in the challenges hosted by CapU Works, students are encouraged to visit the CapU Works Facebook page to learn about the schedule of events and activities. Updates can also be found on the organization’s Instagram page, @capusustainability.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHANTELLE CARDIN

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NEWS

Stand Up, Stand Out Hassan Phills talks dropping the ball and grabbing the mic GRETA KOOY NEWS EDITOR

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THE CAPILANO COURIER VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

f you were to look up Hassan Phills online, you’d find that most of what’s written about him almost always has to do with his athletic career. A star athlete, he has played basketball his whole life. Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, he played basketball growing up and would go on to not only play in university, but also coach and work with an organization called Bigger Than Basketball.

“I was really infatuated with the idea of moving out west,” he said. “I really enjoyed the idea of what Vancouver represented. I love basketball, but it was more about what it represented for me, the journey, the people.”

Eventually, he made his way to Vancouver and found a spot on the Capilano University Blues men’s basketball team.

This semester, however, you won’t find Phills playing any games with the Blues. “I’ve really used basketball as a passport to get to something else. Even though it’s a big part of what I am it isn’t who I am,” he said, “There’s more to me than basketball.”

Although he can still be found on the Sportsplex court from time to time, Phills’ new focus is on a different audience, one that he wants to hear laughing. Luckily, he isn’t crowd or camera shy.

Before getting serious with comedy, Phills tried his hand at YouTube, uploading vlog-style videos that captured the life of a student basketball player, his friends, the adventures they go on and everything in between.

His channel, phillinmyself07, has amassed over 2,100 subscribers since being created. Although this is not his main drive now, what was obvious about his YouTube videos was that Phills was a captivating storyteller.

“I’d been doing a lot of the things in my life with a half-assed mentality,” he explained. “Basketball, comedy, YouTube… those are all things I’m passionate about, but if you stretch yourself too thin you’re not really going to excel at anything. That’s how I started to feel with basketball, academics and stand-up comedy.”

Phills had flirted with the idea of becoming a comedian before, but chose at the time to focus on basketball. In his second year of university, a comic friend of his, Ola Dada, encouraged him to give stand-up a more serious try. Phills admired Dada’s hard work ethic, which ultimately would persuade him to focus on comedy. “This was an opportunity to work with someone who is going to open doors, who’s already opening doors for himself. When you’re with someone who’s opening doors like that, you want to get there too before it closes. He’s been a big inspiration and mentor for me,” said Phills.

“First time on stage I was nervous,” explained Phills. “With basketball I was nervous before every game too, but it’s not because I’m scared but because I’m invested.” He recalled his first live performance going really well despite not having anything prepared (although he did run some quick notes by his mom beforehand). The next show, however, didn’t go as well.

“That’s what bit me in the ass,” he said. “I thought I didn’t ever have to prepare. But you’re going to have those nights, you just have to get back on the horse. After that I didn’t go back to doing stand-up comedy for maybe a couple months.”

Once he did though, the ball started rolling. One night at a White Yardie show in Vancouver, Phills got lucky. “They needed a comic in Calgary, I heard the promoter talking about it. They needed someone for their next show the next day. So, I connected with the promoter and flew out there,” he said.

After a successful first night of opening for a headliner, Phills felt even more connected to the craft. “I wanted to be on stage, I wanted to grow, I wanted to learn,” he said. “I enjoyed watching [White Yardie] on stage and started taking notes.” Phills would continue on touring with White Yardie, working on his sets and improving his delivery.

Phills’ comedy, as he explained it, is situational and turns the everyday mundane into a hilarious story, covering all aspects of his life and using his Soundcloud rapper brother as a set feature. Apart from already touring, he has appeared locally at venues like the Comedy MIX, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club and the Comedy Basement at Goldies.

“Stand-up comedy is the exact same hustle as basketball,” said Phills.

“Like open mic [nights]”, he explained, “with basketball, you’re more exhausted after a practice than after a game in most cases. It’s the same with open mics. The days you don’t want to go to the gym or the days you don’t want to practice, it’s the same as the days you don’t want to go do a set, maybe in front of six people or in front of 16 people.”

Phills approaches his comedy game with the same enthusiasm he’s known for on the court. He’s energetic, witty and charming, and shows no signs of slowing down. You won’t see him giving up the ball any time soon, but you will see him grabbing the mic a lot more often.

So, what’s in store for the future? “I can do this for the rest of my life,” he said.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HASSAN PHILLS

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High, Can I Get You a Drink?

Alcohol drunk with power over marijuana users MEGAN ORR OPINIONS EDITOR

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

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arijuana has long had a bad reputation – the drug of the lazy and stupid, while alcohol continues to be consumed with little criticism, although booze can have much more severe effects. The main disparity, that some have pointed out, is that alcohol can be enjoyed socially, without the intention of getting drunk, while marijuana almost invariably leads to getting high (without considering uses of CBD oils or other variants meant for pain management or other such issues). However, when considering the use of either for the purpose of intoxication, weed continually proves to be the healthier and more responsible choice.

This isn’t meant to be a pro-marijuana propaganda piece, rather it's intended to point out the hypocrisy between being drunk and being high. The fact that auntie Megan can get drunk at the dinner table, slur her words while arguing about politics and people just say, “Oh it’s fine, she’s just had too much to drink,” while cousin Connor gets high, falls asleep after dessert and everyone angrily proclaims, “You’re high, aren’t you?”, is incredibly hypocritical. The drunk aunt is far more likely to cause trouble than the sleeping cousin. See the problem?

Alcohol is known to have many adverse effects and that’s not just in making your timid friend a strangely brazen asshole.

Short-term issues such as impaired judgment, dizziness and vomiting are only a small part of the issue. The long-term effects of chronic drinking can be much more severe, with liver, pancreas, central and circulatory system, reproductive, skeletal and immune system issues, as well as increased risks for certain cancers. Additionally, alcohol also can exacerbate other health conditions, such as mental health or digestive issues.

Delays in widespread legalization have made long-term studies for marijuana effects difficult, but some well-documented issues are breathing problems, memory issues, paranoia and even some instances of psychosis. However, marijuana has also been used to help those who suffer from chronic pain, nausea, trouble sleeping, anxiety and appetite concerns. Additionally, marijuana has been found to have many healing properties, particularly in apparently decreasing the spreading of cancer, treating symptoms of PTSD and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's, among many other accolades.

Using either substance in excess is not encouraged. However, alcohol has been deemed to be at least six per cent more addictive than marijuana, according to a 1994 study conducted by epidemiologists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Alcohol also has a much higher risk for death, as found in a review by the medical journal, The Lancet, “For people between the ages of 15

and 49 years old worldwide, alcohol was the leading risk factor for death in 2016”, while the risk for death associated with cannabis is practically non-existent. There seems to be an endless list of all the ways that alcohol is worse for you, yet marijuana still gets a bad reputation.

This could be due to, at least in part, the highly racialized nature of marijuana usage, wherein ethnic minorities are persecuted not for

In the previous issue of the Capilano Courier, the opinions piece "Was CapRocks Really Worth the Cost?" mistakenly read that the money spent on the event came from the Capilano Students' Union (CSU), when in fact it was sponsored.

legitimate crimes, per se, but due to discrimination. This is something that continues today, with a disproportionate number of people of colour serving jail time for minor charges.

Either way, the evidence is clear – marijuana has healing properties and alcohol is deadly.

Obviously that’s a hyperbolic blanket statement, but there is a great deal of truth to it. Whichever your vice is: let's stop the judgement and enjoy in moderation.

ILLUSTRATED BY CYNTHIA TRAN VO

New Year, New You – Are Healthy Resolutions Helping or Hurting Us? Why we should strive to be healthier MARK MAPOLES CONTRIBUTOR

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ur physical and mental health is so important to living a successful life, yet we don’t spend enough time taking care of it. Through fitness and proper dieting, people can live a healthier and happier life and all it takes is 30 minutes a day. That’s about the same time as one episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. So if your New Year’s resolution is to look like Terry Crews, it’s time to start prioritizing health and fitness.

Fitness has huge benefits when it comes to mental health. According to the American Heart Association, “Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger”. As University students, there is a lot of anxiety and stress that emerges daily. For some, the stress and anxiety around deadlines can almost be too much. That’s where exercise can play a key role in staying healthy and handling the pressures of school.

The best thing about fitness is that there is no right way of doing it. Some people walk, some people swim, some people workout.

The important thing is to do something. The goal should be 30 minutes a day, but if that

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How 2019’s diet culture is killing your New Year’s resolutions KAILEIGH BUNTING CONTRIBUTOR

is too difficult, do five minutes a day. Any time spent exercising is time spent investing in a longer and healthier future life.

Dieting is the other way to live a healthier life. Whether it's keeping track of your macros or making the conscious decision to eat vegetables instead of that Mars bar, dieting is important to live a healthy lifestyle.

The US Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes that, “The link between good nutrition and healthy weight, reduced chronic disease risk, and overall health is too important to ignore”. This doesn’t mean you have to give up McDonalds and pizza, but rather be mindful of when your body could use some healthy food to balance out the delicious greasy food.

What now? Try it out and see for yourself.

Take care of your body and mind through fitness and dieting and see how much healthier you’ll feel. If it doesn’t work, at least you tried something different and got to learn something new about how to take care of your body.

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hether your New Year’s was spent getting a good night’s sleep or consisted of no less than six shots of tequila, you probably jumped into January with a few resolutions in mind. With the most common resolutions across North America being to get more exercise (61 per cent), eat better (71 per cent) and lose weight (54 per cent), it's surprising the lack of knowledge the average Canadian has on what it actually looks like to be healthy. Toxic diet culture in society not only kills our New Year’s resolutions but is detrimental to emotional and physical health, as well as our finances.

With one in four Canadians suffering from anxiety disorders and other mental healthrelated issues, the pressure for improvement and the push from big companies such as Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers can not only be overwhelming, but also damaging to one's mental well-being. The expectation to succeed at all your New Year’s resolutions is unrealistic, but also, by not meeting those resolutions, most people will find a decrease in motivation and an increase in stress upon failing to reach their goal – even more than

they might have been feeling before.

In addition to harming your mental wellbeing, your New Year’s resolution could be harming your wallet as well. According to the Globe and Mail, the average fitness centre will see you as “a personal cash register” when trying to sign up for a gym membership or new diet regime. When it comes to physical goals such as exercising more or drinking less, Physiology Today reports that over 80 per cent of resolutions fail by February, leaving goers in the same or worse shape than before.

The reality is, most Canadians are still unclear on what healthy living actually looks like, whether it’s misinformation about the new fad diet of the season, or the time-tried zero carb trend. This healthy living crisis needs to be addressed with more seriousness, and should not be exploited every January.

Ultimately, New Year’s resolutions should focus on educational growth, not setting yourself up for failure.

OPINIONS

Drunk Driving Remains Illegal Impaired driving legislation changes create unnecessary controversy ANNALISSE CROSSWELL ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

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f you’ve seen any social media lately you probably would have noticed a flurry of articles with titles along the lines of “Police can now ask for a breath test in your own home!” The new drinking-and-driving laws that prompted these articles came into effect Dec. 18 of last year, just in time for the holiday season. The changes cover impaired driving for both drugs and alcohol federally, and extend the police’s right

A feminist perspective on the phrase “I’m not like other girls”

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op culture constructed the cliché quote “I'm not like other girls” to perpetuate girl-hate and prevent women from establishing solidarity with each other to overcome patriarchal control of femininity. This phrase is destructive for the female population as it categorizes women into oversimplified tropes of nice girls and bad girls. The stereotypical bad girl portrayed as a promiscuous slut while the nice girl's

be much more likely to be caught simply because of how much more often they are pulled over.

However, this change, like the other changes, is designed to stop loopholes like being able to disguise one’s breath in order to give an officer no suspicion of drunk driving. There are an enormous number of deaths caused by impaired drivers every year, and the focus here should really be on how much safer our roads could be with police allowed more jurisdiction to prevent or punish those that do drive under the influence.

None of us really want police to have any jurisdiction over our lives, but it has to be said that it is also true none of us want to lose loved ones to the asshole who decided to cross the median or wrap his car around a tree. As many social media users have already said, if you don’t drink and drive the changes shouldn’t impact your life at all – and if you do then there is little sympathy to be had.

friendliness is often misconstrued as a sign of romantic interest.

This media environment encourages the notion that women and men cannot be just friends, which results in the formation of the friend zone. When men misinterpret a friendly gesture as a sexual advance, this inevitable desire for romance drives observers to assume two friends of the opposite sex are partners – or vindicates relationship insecurity causing a partner to feel jealous of their girlfriend or boyfriend's friendship with a person of the opposite sex. The formation of the friend zone also indicates an undervaluing of women as friends when there is no potential for sexual partnership. As a result of internalized misogyny women also sometimes use the phrase “I'm not like other girls” to impress future partners – as if they are superior to other women when in competition for finding a long-term partner.

From a young age, the media environment trains its viewers to emulate misogyny – from the playground, to casual conversations at the bar on a Friday night.

The discourse perpetuated by country-pop sensation and teen idol Taylor Swift declares “she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts" in the song “You Belong with Me”. As a result, she is reinforcing the notion that a woman who wears revealing clothing is less worthy in some way. The lyrics not only reflect Swift’s internalized misogyny but also promote slutshaming. They divide the lived-experience of cheerleaders and a band geek, when in reality the cheerleader and band geek are not that different from each other. They both suffer daily from the misogyny deeply rooted in our society.

The songs of our generation define how women perceive themselves and each other.

Girls and women need to stop competing with each other. The destructive quote "I'm not like other girls" suggests that some women are better at attracting the male gaze. Nevertheless, there is a way to uplift a woman without devaluing and bringing another woman down. Recognizing that all women deserve treatment with respect and dignity is a way to step away from destructive phrases and mindset. Striving

for the goals of intersectional feminism requires understanding the similarities and differences between women. To smash the patriarchy, women need to stop allowing over-simplified tropes and clichés to define their character when attracting men.

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ALEXIS ZYGAN CONTRIBUTOR

changes highlights that police can only follow up in this manner with reasonable suspicion and that the individual in question must have reasonable expectation that they will be tested within those two hours. There is still a very real need for evidence to show that an individual was in fact impaired at the time of driving.

The old anecdote, if it can be called that, of being able to go to a bar straight after a drunk driving incident and plead that stress drove you to drink after the fact, is now a thing of the past. Which is the kind of situation that will actually be impacted by the changes and really shouldn’t be cause for concern for the average citizen.

In reality the more controversial aspect of the changes is the new ability for police to demand breathalyzer tests on individuals they pull over without the former need for reasonable suspicion. Now police can test whether an individual is driving drunk just because they already have them pulled over. Given what we already know about the discriminatory practices of police, it is certainly a valid concern that minorities will

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Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place Extradition orders from the US have put Canadian-Chinese relations in peril CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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very year begins with an international scandal, and it seems 2019 is no exception.

Escalating tension between Canada and China has Chinese President Xi Jinping threatening “grave consequences” according to a recently published Forbes article, and it all comes down to Canada fighting someone else’s battles when truthfully, the situation didn’t concern us as a nation, at least until now.

But first, a bit of background. Huawei Telecommunications is a Chinese company that sells consumer electronics,

something that security experts have warned Ottawa about for years, citing cybersecurity risks due to the fact that Beijing can force the company to supply data on its users. That, however, is a whole other issue. On Dec. 1, 2018, the company’s CFO, Meng Wangzhou, was arrested in Vancouver on extradition orders from the United States on grounds of fraud and violating sanctions the United States has against Iran.

Canadian officials should never have seized Wangzhou, considering she didn’t commit any crimes on Canadian soil.

Directly after Wangzhou’s arrest, two Canadians were detained in China, and another, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison in China for drug trafficking, was hastily retried and just over a week ago resentenced to death.

Schellenberg is no innocent, but the fact that he was quickly re-sentenced to death is ringing alarm bells, because it appears to be a ploy to put pressure on Ottawa to

release Wangzhou. However, the two other detainees currently being held in China, Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and consultant Michael Spavor, have some signatories clamouring for their release arguing that it amounts to “hostage diplomacy”, according to a Globe and Mail article.

All Wangzhou’s arrest has served to do is put the target for repercussion squarely on the backs of innocent Canadians, whom our government should prize far more than honouring an extradition agreement, but apparently don’t. According to Asia Correspondent for the Globe and Mail, Nathan VanderKlippe, “no Canadian political leaders, past or present, added their names [to the call for Korvig’s and Spavor’s release]”, despite over a hundred scholars and former diplomats from across the country doing so.

Canada appears to be caught between a rock and a hard place – breaking an extradition agreement with its closest ally

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Misogyny, Pop Culture and the "Friend Zone"

to breathalyze individuals, leading to an unnecessary uproar from concerned citizens.

Social media users, true to their ways of minimally informed opinionated statements, have picked up some of the more charged articles and many are enraged by the changes. The problem being that many of these articles have sensationalized the changes, leaving people under-informed of the reality of what’s new. People seem to be under the impression that police now have undue jurisdiction and seem to have much less concern for the loopholes that could be used by impaired drivers in the past.

Calgary officer Constable Mark Smith took to Facebook to set people straight Jan. 11, with a short article outlining what was already legal for police and how the new legislation impacts this. In the article Smith repeatedly states that “...[police] could always investigate you for impaired driving if [they] found you sitting at a bar or at home after driving.” The change being that it is now illegal to be over the impairment level for a two-hour window after driving.

Smith’s breakdown of the legislative

and southern neighbour, the United States, or provoking another of its closest trading partners and rising superpower, China.

Even though no extradition treaty should be worth more than any number of Canadians detained unlawfully overseas, China is in the wrong for essentially taking Canadian hostages to force Ottawa’s hand.

Whatever course of action Ottawa takes next, they need to consider it very carefully.

Which relationship is worth more? The relationship we have with the United States?

Or with China? Because Canada could soon very well find itself having to make that choice. The 90-day deadline for the United States to order Wangzhou's extradition is looming. Given the steps taken by the Chinese government to put pressure on Canada while Wangzhou is under house arrest in Vancouver, imagine what will happen if her extradition to the United States is ordered.

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autism and affinities Gaining Life Skills and a Way to Connect Through Film

BY BRIAN TUCK ILLUSTRATED BY EMMA HARRIS

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crew members, but beyond being just a cool party trick, my affinity has helped me understand social situations.

Dr. Richard Stock of the Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Capilano University explained that people with autism can use affinities not only to connect with others, but to provide motivation in their lives. “I know this one person who loves movies, but didn’t have any motivation to get out of the house,” said Stock. “But that changed when he met another person who shared his love of film, and now he meets with this person every month to see a movie.”

While people with autism can have special accommodations in elementary school and high school, many do not require, or do not want them in postsecondary. According to Nathan Anderson, Head of the Accessibility Services, the ones who want or need accommodations usually have a second disorder like ADHD, depression or anxiety. He explained that it is because of the affected frontal lobe that they are even more stimulated and have a harder time focusing in very large group gatherings like exams.

Everyone has their quirks, and those of us with autism just perceive things differently. Today I am a general studies student hoping to get into the film program. I still have some difficulty catching sarcasm, and I don’t react in the way one normally would in certain situations, but movies have given me something to hold onto. Whether it’s learning to deal with tough topics like life and death, or how to be a good friend, films like The Lion King and Toy Story have been especially integral to my development. My parents have seen me come a long way. “There are a few things that remain, but most of your tendencies have subsided or not as obvious or they once were,” noted my mother, Kerrie. In the end, those tendencies make me... well, me.

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normal life within society.

When I entered high school, I told a lot of my old classmates and friends that I had autism. They reassured me that that didn’t matter, because they still thought that I was a fun person to be around. It brought a sense of relief to know that there were people who didn’t care about my diagnosis – that there were people who would be my friends no matter what.

But like a lot of people in high school, I was also subjected to bullying. I was relentlessly called “dumb-ass,” or “retard,” by a particular classmate. It got to a point where I no longer wanted to go to school. Despite trying my best to ignore the bullying, I eventually broke down and told my parents about my troubles. They were devastated – it was hard for them to hear that I was suffering. Telling them helped me a little, but not a lot. Eventually I went to the school counsellor, who advised me to keep my parents and friends informed, and not to bottle up my feelings. It was this advice that really got me through high school. Reaching out and making connections saved me, but it was also during this time that I turned once again to the one thing I had loved since I was a kid: movies.

One of the hallmarks of the disorder in all patients is a focused interest in a particular topic or an affinity. It may be harder for people with autism, but Owen Suskind, the subject of the documentary Life, Animated, proves that it’s not impossible. After being diagnosed with regressive autism at the age of three, doctors told Suskind’s parents that he may never talk again. Suskind defied the odds, regained his speech and motor skills, and today he works and lives on his own.

Suskind is not an anomaly. Like Suskind, Jacob Barnett was also diagnosed with regressive autism. But he not only defied the odds, he crushed them. At 10 years old he was a college student, at 13 a published physicist, at 15 he obtained a master’s degree and today he is a PhD student.

In Suskind’s case it’s Disney movies, while for Barnett it’s math and science. It’s through these affinities that both Suskind and Barnett were able to regain their speech, and integrate themselves into society.

One of the misconceptions of autism is that people who have it always want to be alone. While it’s true that I enjoy my alone time, it does not mean that I don’t want to engage with other people. I simply have a harder time when trying to engage in conversations. This is where my affinity comes in. Like Suskind, my affinity is movies, and I’ve learned to use it to help connect with other people. I can name almost any film, the year it was released, the plot, the actors and the

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n a cold October morning in 2002, my parents, Kerrie and Geoff Tuck, entered an office at the Coastal Health building on Esplanade. This was their fourth or fifth visit to the child psychologist after a few observational sessions, and they felt a slew of competing emotions. Looking the couple in the eye, the doctor confirmed what they were prepared to hear – that I, their son, was autistic, albeit mildly. They took it in stride. The confirmation was not devastating, but they were worried. Like most people, they had no clue what the implications of my diagnosis would be, and they felt a pressing uncertainty.

Autism is one of the most common developmental disorders. In fact, one in 66 children are diagnosed in Canada each year. Yet, despite being so prevalent, it is also one of the most misunderstood disorders – thanks to Hollywood portrayals, people tend to think that all autistic people are like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Rain Man. As an elementary school student, I had a lot of typical interests for someone my age. I liked reading, playing on the playground and watching movies. But in Grade 1 there was a shift – I started to get pulled out of class, and taken to see a woman named Phyllis. At the time I didn’t think too much of it. Her office was like a classroom except that there were books, games and posters with emotions on them, and there was nothing about curricular learning.

I actually thought that it was kind of cool because, like a lot of kids my age, there were times when I wouldn’t want to be in class. With Phyllis I would talk about movies and books, and she would talk about social situations, comparing them to scenes from the books and movies. I loved that I could talk about the things that I really liked and she would be there to listen.

As I got older, I started to see doctors outside of school, and began to question what was going on. It wasn’t until I was 12, about to graduate from elementary school, that my parents sat me down to tell me I had a mild case of autism. It explained a lot, but I also felt a little discouraged.

I worried about how it would impact my life.

Each diagnosis is different, falling somewhere along a spectrum from mild to severe. Despite presenting challenges, there are new ways of treating autism. The effort to create more awareness about the disorder is part of changing the commonly held narrative, which is often a factor that prevents those with autism from leading a

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Three women's comedic aspirations and experiences of the industry inside and out

BY CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT

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he Biltmore Cabaret in Mount Pleasant is jam packed. Ten women wearing velvety purple cloaks emerge into the bright pools of light thrown across the stage. A mish mash of hits from the 2000s play and these female comics shake their bodies to the rhythm.

Severely winded by the end of the playlist, these women take a moment to joke about catching their breath, before diving headfirst into an improv routine that has the audience in stitches for the rest of the night.

Being in such a large group of comics, Stacey McLachlan, one of the energetic performers who stands out with goldrimmed glasses, bright pink lipstick and her hair scraped back in a messy bun, said it's like getting to step back and enjoy the show as well as be a part of it. “There’s a sort of beauty in [that] people have got it covered on stage, you can just be enjoying what they’re up to and be dazzled by your fellow players,” she said. Apart from the group she’s with on stage now, she also plays in a duo with fellow Nasty Woman Denea Campbell.

Vancouver’s inaugural Smash Comedy Festival, organized by the Vancouver-based Nasty Women comedic tensome, made its debut at the Biltmore Cabaret on Jan. 24, and over the course of the weekend, this highly energetic festival celebrating women, trans and femme performers has descended on the city.

Jenny Rubé, the brains behind Nasty Women, pulled the all-female group together in July 2017 for a fundraiser at the Firehall Arts Centre, then entered the same group into a 72-hour improv show called the Del Close Marathon in New York before settling into a routine at the Biltmore, which is where they performed the headline act at the start of the Festival. They described themselves as the Spice Girls teamed up with Janet Jackson and Hillary Clinton. Except they’re most unladylike in conversation.

21-year-old Racquel Belmonte, Rubé’s roommate and one of the ten Nasty Women, performed in her high school improv up until Grade 10, but was ignorant to the career potential in comedy. “My parents didn’t really understand it, I didn’t really understand it, but I knew I was good at it,” she said.

Belmonte went to university and gave up on improv, but found that she was miserable

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until she read Tina Fey’s Bossypants.

She thumped herself for giving up on her comedy routine. “I was like, ‘wait, why did you stop? You idiot’,” she said. She went straight back to her routine, even enrolling in a semester of comedic studies at a different university for credit, and now, on top of voice acting which she’s done since she was just 14 years old, Belmonte performs full time.

McLachlan got into comedy four years ago just when she was hitting her groove at work. As the executive editor of Western

Living magazine, with a budding blog about Bruce Springsteen’s entire collection of music and the one and only MasterChef Junior-themed podcast, AfterChef Junior, both on the side, she began looking for another hobby to fulfill her creative aspirations.

“I like to make things and put things out into the world,” she mused. “You know I work in magazines so at the end of the day I like to put out something that I can hold and so… I wanted a hobby that did the same thing as a creative outlet.” During

her university heydays she was the humour writer at SFU’s student-led publication, The Peak, so comedy came naturally and with it the desire to give improv a whirl.

Leah Scheitel, a Calgary-based freelance writer and budding comic, started performing nearly two years ago. “I always enjoyed comedy and humorous writing and I always wanted to be behind the scenes, write the jokes but never tell the jokes, but you’ve got to get some street cred,” she said.

So she studied the act for six months before she braved the stage herself. “It doesn’t

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always have to be your trial and error it can be other people’s trial and error,” she said.

“Every first time you’re going to shit your pants. There’s a video of it, and my leg is visibly shaking.”

“The adrenaline is pumping, you’re hyperventilating a little bit, your stomach’s not feeling great,” McLachlan added.

The first time Scheitel got up on stage with five minutes worth of prepared material her brother had helped her write, the lights blinded her. She thought she’d only perform once, but she described comedy as an addiction. These days she puts herself in the spotlight four nights a week in her local Calgary comedy club and has gone so far as to perform in Vancouver, Edmonton and even Virginia.

“There’s not one person who does comedy regularly who has a show that doesn’t make them think twice about doing this,” said Scheitel, who emphasized that everyone in comedy, even professionals who have been honing their craft for decades, have jokes that fall flat. “[But] it’s a weird power when you have them in the palm of your hand and what you say next will dictate the reaction and it’s kind of nice.” However every audience is different, and a joke that a club full of people would cackle with laughter over in a rural Alberta town might not go down as well in Vancouver, a more progressive city. Even a casual swear word, she admitted, propels a joke much further in the countryside.

Even though comedy has long been a male-dominated industry, and some chilling tales do haunt the internet, Belmonte, McLachlan and Scheitel are all of the opinion that their sojourn into comedy has made them more confident not just in the spotlight, but every day.

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“Being a woman in comedy, you experience things differently to most of the men in comedy. It’s predominantly a male thing and it always has been like a guy’s club,” said Belmonte.

“I have been accused of getting spots just because I am a female to make it a more progressive show or if there are more males on the show I get the spot over other people,” Scheitel added, completely unapologetically. “If that’s the case then great, there should be girls in the show... I shouldn’t apologize for that and the show runners should want to make their shows as diverse as possible.”

“I just blindly, ignorantly walked into [comedy] without being worried about it at all,” said McLachlan. And up on stage, surrounded by female energy, there was nothing but laughs to be had.

Because laughter is the best medicine, proceeds from the last weekend of Smash Comedy Festival’s performances and workshops go towards sending underrepresented kids to improv camp. And where are they going next? “To the moon, baby!” McLachlan laughed.

DISCLAIMER: The Nasty Women later admitted that they are, at this point, unable to send themselves, you or anyone you or they know, to the moon.

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Global Narratives Home is where you make your nest, not where you came from

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n a casual trip to Safeway on a rainy Tuesday morning to grab a few supplies, I looked at my phone to see a message from our Columns Editor. She said that there’s a need for an international perspective this week, and she asked if I would be willing to throw something together. My first thought was that I was rather insulted she thought of me for this piece, but then again I did announce to the entire office that I’m from New

Conspiracy Corner The not-so-secret secrets of Denver International Airport

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’ve never been to Colorado, but if there’s ever a good enough reason for me to go, I’ll be going to Denver.

Out of all the conspiracy theories, the ones surrounding the case of Denver International Airport (DIA) are some of the most fascinating, not only because they’re creepy, but because they’re so visible.

When DIA’s construction began in September 1989, there was already a fully functioning airport – Stapleton International Airport – just outside of downtown Denver.

DIA is in the middle of nowhere, 40 kilometres outside of Denver, 30 kilometres farther away from the city than Stapleton was. The size of the new airport is also extraordinary, because it happens to be larger than the size of Manhattan at over 33,500 acres. It’s the largest airport in North America by total land area and, despite its size, it has fewer runways than the airport it replaced.

Construction was completed in 1995, 16 months behind schedule. This was apparently due to poor project planning and constant changes to the airport’s design.

The final cost of the project was startling to many at US $4.8 billion (roughly $7,908,881,889.76 today), a whopping $2 billion over budget.

Several mysterious claims were made about the airport before it’s official opening on Feb. 28, 1995. Construction workers handling different parts of the project

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Zealand during my first week on the job.

There’s no question, I am an international student and my tuition statements are enough to make you Canadians hold on tightly to your wallets. But I’ve never really thought of myself that way. I moved to Canada at the age of 20 on my own dime, ready to find a job and build some sort of a life for myself.

I definitely wasn’t expecting to stay as long as I have, and yet I never came here to be a tourist. After all, half my family is Canadian and therefore I must have some right to call myself more Canadian than the average immigrant, right?

As far as I see it, there are people who come to Canada – or go to other countries – to engage with people from their home countries, do the touristy stuff like take pictures of the Gastown steam clock and learn as little as possible about the local spots. And then there are people like me – overly invested in their ability to pass as a Canadian, eager to learn about anything that may enhance the ability to pass and ready to leave their homeland behind in the dust.

I’m so invested in this endeavour that I know a little about hockey despite the fact that I hate watching sports and, at least in my early days, insisted that seeing places like Surrey

was a part of knowing the true experience of Greater Vancouver.

So when Rachel fired back at me that I could talk about how I dealt with homesickness from an international student’s perspective, I again shied away from the topic. As far as I’m concerned, Vancouver is home, and homesickness has never been my battle. Even when I first arrived in Vancouver with no friends (aside from one notable roommate who featured in every blog post I wrote at the time), no money, and I subsisted on a combination of ham sandwiches and Pop Tarts. These things never made me miss home, as in New Zealand, though. Instead, they made me wonder where in the world I would find that feeling of home, or, if we’re being honest here, the feeling of belonging that we look for in a home.

When things started to look up six months after I moved to Vancouver, I took a trip to Los Angeles with the aforementioned roommate to celebrate my 21st birthday.

That’s when I started to miss home for the first time – as in Vancouver this time. That was the first time in my life that I truly felt that feeling of being happy to be home after a vacation. It was another year and a half before I started at Capilano University

in order to maintain my life in Canada. I suppose this is what makes the labels feel like they don’t fit.

Because I lived here without much help from, or contact with, my family and friends in New Zealand for two years prior to returning to school, I didn’t want to ask my parents for the tuition money I needed because that would degrade my standing as a person who had moved overseas to make a life in their own right. When I’m referred to as an international student I associate it with kids whose parents are paying their way through school and who don’t have to jump through so many hurdles. This is obviously far from the reality for many international students, but somehow, with a small and accurate label, I find my independent struggle to become a Canadian, and live a life in Canada, being disenfranchised.

mentioned complex underground tunnels and buried buildings, officially extending an invite to the conspiracy theorists. Some believe that these underground areas are actually secret emergency bunkers, built for the protection of the “global elite” in the case of nuclear war or some other apocalyptic event. Others say that hidden below the surface lies a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) concentration camp, or a command centre for the New World Order (which, in a nutshell, is a conspiracy theory that claims that the world’s most powerful people are secretly conspiring to control us).

There are in fact five buildings beneath the airport. After being erected, all five of the buildings were deemed untenable and instead of being torn down or fixed they were buried. Weird, right? The labyrinth tunnels were built for an automated baggage system, one that never really took off and which was eventually completely abandoned Sept. 2005.

So, what about the stuff you can actually see?

Outside the airport stands the almost 10-metre-tall Blue Mustang. Nicknamed “Blucifer”. The horse’s bulging red veins and glowing red eyes are spooky as hell, and the statue has a surprisingly sinister past.

During its creation, Blucifer fell on top of Luis Jiménez, the sculptor’s creator, and ultimately killed him after severing an artery in his leg. Some conspiracy theorists believe the mustang represents the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, a chapter from the Book of Revelations that tells the story of an apocalypse and The Last Judgement.

Inside the airport there are several more ominous and questionable decorative choices. Gargoyles sit watching the baggage claim area, nightmarish murals cover the walls and the airport’s dedication stone is stamped with way too many masonic symbols.

The dedication marker holds the seal of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization that dates as far back as the 1700s and is subject to its fair share of conspiracy theories. The marker is a time capsule to be opened in 2094, 100 years after the original

completion date of the airport. Apart from being conjointly paid for by two Freemason grand lodges in Colorado, the marker is also dated Mar. 19, 1994. Why is that weird?

When totaled, that number becomes 33, which happens to be the highest level one can reach within Freemasonry and is meant to represent perfection. Maybe this coincidence isn’t evil, but it is strange. The marker also reads “New World Airport Commission”, which is an organization that doesn’t exist and doesn’t do anything to help the “New World Order” rumors.

Probably the most well-known aspect of the DIA are the murals. Two of them, titled “In Peace and Harmony with Nature” and “Children of the World Dream of Peace”, being particularly infamous. Artist Leo Tanguma explained that the murals were meant to reflect environmental destruction and the hope for the end of societal violence, but take one look at these murals and you’ll probably think of something else. To many airport travellers, the images depict death, genocide, sadness and pain.

They feature people crying, animals in glass boxes, fire, two small girls in caskets and, arguably the creepiest of all, a gas maskclad soldier holding a machine gun in one hand and a sword stabbing a dove in the other. Is this weird to you yet?

Although the two murals are part of a larger four-part series, which altogether are meant to show the fall of humanity and its reconciliation, by themselves they present a much more hair-raising story that confuses everyone.

Earlier this year, DIA added a new character to its roster – Greg, the talking gargoyle. A spokesperson for the airport told 9News that they “pride themselves on being an airport where you never know what will happen”, which shows that instead of keeping her secrets hush hush, DIA is embracing its macabre reputation. In September 2018, posters appeared in the halls of the airport not-so-

shyly poking fun at the conspiracies, or at least playing along with them. Covering areas under construction, the signs featured yellow hard hats adorned with Illuminati insignia and the words “Construction? Or cover up?”. Another poster showed a body with a reptile’s head that read “What are we doing?” with three choices presented below, one being “Remodelling the lizard people’s lair”.

We may never find out what truly lies beneath the Denver International Airport, or if there is a more meaningful connection between the airport and the Freemasons, but for now there’s enough information out there to keep us on our toes. Has DIA oneupped the conspiracy theorists by turning their skepticism into an ad campaign, or are they hiding in plain sight?

Editor's Note: Global Narratives is a rotating column that features international students and their stories about coming to Canada.

If you're interested in contributing to this space, email Rachel D'Sa at columns.capcourier@gmail.com.

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feel valued. Like my self-determined ideas and opinions have some semblance of merit.

It’s also the very reason that’s made it incredibly difficult for me to write about Killing Eve – arguably my favourite television show from 2018’s myriad of Lessons from Killing Eve offerings. (With deep condolences to Barry, The Good Place, Sharp Objects and Daredevil. Also, Game of Thrones was on hiatus.)

I’ve struggled with writing about Killing Eve because doing so meant delving into the show’s unabashed feminism and I just never felt qualified enough to speak on the topic. It also felt uncomfortable to be taking up space in an already limited platform, especially as a CARLO JAVIER straight cisgender male.

COLUMNIST But I had to write about Killing Eve. It was just that damn good! And of course, I had to pay my respects to the G.O.A.T. Sandra Oh, tuart Hall’s encoding and decoding model is probably the most respectful and the mega-talented Jodie Comer.

On the surface, Killing Eve is a show about of people among all communication two spies: desk-bound MI5 (later MI6) agent theories and it's entirely because of its Eve Polastri (Oh) and Villanelle (Comer), the thesis. Hall posits that the audience of villainous yet unsettlingly endearing assassin any television show plays an active role that Eve has been assigned to track down. in the cultivation of culture, seeing as the It fits the structure of your typical cat and onus is placed squarely on the shoulders mouse spy subgenre, except for one crucial of the audience member in regards to the detail that single-handedly subverts every interpretation of the message that is being preconceived stereotype that I might have communicated. He argues that we – the already had about the spy genre – the two viewers – are responsible for deducing spies at odds are women and not only that, our own respective takes on a particular they’re madly obsessed with each other. piece of content and the decisions we make This diversion from the usual, ruggedly are influenced by the pre-existing social handsome spy in the vein of a James Bond contexts that we carry. or a Jason Bourne is precisely how Killing Hall’s model is my favourite from the Eve is able to operate on multiple levels. many communication theories I studied Yes, it’s high-quality television, but it’s also during my years in academia. It makes me

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of doing the Instagram-able mirror maze, or perhaps ending up on a fail compilation somewhere titled, ‘Young woman with the body of a 60-year-old runs into mirrors for 45 minutes straight trying to escape maze at Science World’. I knew, in my heart, that this would not be like the Science Centre of my childhood, but instead, I let myself be convinced that I could still enjoy it as an adult. Of course, I know better. Everything is a huge disappointment once you’re past 17 years old, but it’s rare to find an experience that is so disheartening that it not only ruins your day but also your body image and childhood all at once. Thanks a lot Bill Nye for making me think that science rules, you liar.

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almost like a sociopolitical lesson plan of sorts. One that educates the masses and more importantly, the decision-makers behind content creation. Stories like these deserve the spotlight, too.

It’s a show that features an Asian woman lead, in the role of a spy, but Eve doesn’t come with the overdone, oversexualized femme fatale characteristics that we’ve seen time and again (especially from female Asian characters). In fact, Eve’s Asian identity never once plays into the narrative of the story. Eve is bubbly and determined, and though she sometimes seems like it, she is by no means superhuman. She works eight-plus hours and struggles to find a healthy worklife balance like the rest of us. She talks shit with her colleagues behind their boss’ back and she sometimes gets tired of the mundane repetition of a packed lunch. She breaks down, and comes back, and repeats. She’s human after all, and the way Oh made Eve so eerily real and relatable might’ve been the biggest acting achievement of the past year.

The same type of humanness is evident with Villanelle. (Other than the fact that she is a stone-cold killer with psychopathic tendencies.) She lives the life that many young people would kill for. She’s a sucker for French high fashion, lives in an apartment that seems to have the perfect balance of rustic and minimalist that has become so trendy with anyone who can afford it, and she’s funny as hell. She’s almost never serious and all she really wants to do is to keep doing her job – that’s the type of stuff I can relate to!

My favourite moment from Killing Eve

happens towards the final stretch of its exhilarating first season when Eve’s husband Niko (Owen McDonnell) finally explodes after episodes of obvious frustration with Eve’s busy schedule and dangerous job. It’s a fascinating eradication of an overdone subplot where the wife is left worrying day and night as the husband gets enveloped by a demanding job. In Killing Eve, it’s the wife who’s working day in and day out, and it’s the husband who’s left at home worrying.

The boiling point and eventual erosion of Eve’s marriage climaxes in an exchange that’s nothing short of resonating.

Eve: “Shout at me, come on.”

Niko: “To make you feel better?”

Eve: “No to make YOU feel better.”

Stuart Hall places tremendous value in our backgrounds, experiences and respective biases as factors to how we interpret the message of a television show. I guess the question now is, what if we learn from television too, and the lessons end up either reshaping or reinforcing our existing biases?

After Killing Eve, I just hope the producers and decision-makers behind the screen can learn a thing or two as well.

ILLUSTRATED BY DANIEL PAUHL

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

CMNS 236: Understanding More Television

mirror maze, didn’t start until Feb. 22. Her response, “Features are upstairs”. We had just been there, and there was nothing. Then she said, “But it’s empty right now”, to which, I asked my initial question again and she confirmed, confusingly, that I was right. They have no feature for another month and a half.

Now to the point: how can Science World still charge full admission while they have no feature exhibit? Everything else is basically just a playground with science facts – an absolute waste of time. We left immediately and headed to a bar. There was no recouping our losses.

If only I had trusted my instincts in this instance. I was lured in by the exciting idea

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laying tourist this weekend, my friend and I went to Science World. I was reluctant to spend the $20+ on admission, but there was a sense of nostalgia that drove me to do it. I have never been to Science World here, but the Science Centre back in Calgary was home to many school field trips and weekend adventures when I was a kid. Additionally, this same friend and I made the trip to Edmonton when we were teenagers to their Science Centre for the first Body Works exhibit in Alberta.

The plinko-like display outside of Science World is nearly identical to the one outside of the Science Centre in Edmonton. I was excited. Who knew what wonders awaited us inside – I’m guessing that the front desk people knew there weren’t any, but decided against warning us about it.

First of all, this place is definitely not meant for two adult women, looking for something exciting to do on a Saturday afternoon. We walked into the main

area, where there were a bunch of interactive games that didn’t appear to be much more interesting than the ones you would find in a doctor’s waiting room. We weren’t wowed, to say the least. The most interesting thing we found was an explicit video about sex, which we didn’t even get to watch because there was a group of pre-teen boys hogging it. I also found out some interesting facts about myself.

I have roughly the same body composition of a woman in her sixties, right down to the dimply bubble butt, front paunch and lopsided breasts, as was depicted in a literal, lifesize golden statue of the female form nearby. Also, I weigh somewhere between a giant beaver and a bighorn sheep. Really just some cool stuff about my body that I wasn’t expecting to have to deal with at Science World.

The two of us, along with all of the young families, featuring screaming children galore, wandered around aimlessly from exhibit to exhibit. I noticed that everything was interactive there, which means that everything is covered in nastyass germs. Any selfrespecting adult in their right mind would not even consider touching anything here.

Snot-nose kids were running around, butting in front of us as we were trying to play the Harry Potter song on the giant Big-style floor keyboard. Again, this is not a place for adults.

I wonder if people thought it was weird that we were choosing to be there? It was.

The real treat was in realizing, after walking around for half an hour going, ‘Is this it?’ repeatedly, that there was no feature exhibit running. When I asked a volunteer, “Are you between feature exhibits right now?”, I already knew the answer. Like a fool, I checked the website too late, while we were standing there after already paying and saw that their Game Changers exhibit ended on Jan. 9 and their next one, on numbers in nature, which was supposed to have a giant

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As I was rubbing my fingers together like a bitchy racoon preparing to write something sarcastic about this event, our Opinions Editor saw it over my shoulder and said how much she’d love to go bake some sourdough. Different strokes.

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STUDIO NIGHTCLUB 8 PM (WEEKLY UNTIL FEB. 5)

I’m trying very hard to not make this about the tasty dip you have with chips but I also have a very bad headache and don’t really want to spend any longer on this than I have to. So instead I’ll leave you with this setup with no actual conclusion about any type of salsa.

BREWCHELLA 2019 CRAFT BEER MARKET 4-6 PM / $5

The only thing more annoying than a bunch of people in a field walking around talking about how much they love “chella” is a bunch of people who smell like beer doing it.

THE RADICALS SCREENING WITH MARIE-FRANCE ROY PATAGONIA VANCOUVER DOORS: 7 PM FILM: 7:30 PM

Snowboarding, environmental activism and beautiful cinematography.

What else would you want? How about a Q&A session following the screening with Patagonia ambassador Marie-France Roy? This sounds sick and you should go.

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

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A DOUGHY KIND OF NIGHT

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JANUARY

FEBRUARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH STARTS TODAY!

ARKELLS: 2019 RALLY CRY TOUR PACIFIC COLISEUM DOORS: 6:30 PM SHOW: 7:30 PM / $40.50-66.00

Have you ever seen our Business Manager? Neither have we. There’s a high chance she’ll be at this show though.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

PROBABLY SOMEBODY’S BASEMENT 3:30 PM

*Tries not to make a statement about the viewership disparity between this event and the CWHL All-Star game that took place on Jan 20.*

RAFIKI SCREENING

VANCITY THEATRE 6:30 PM / PRICES VARY

If you haven’t heard about this film, look it up! It’s making history and looks incredible.

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SHORTS

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Be there or be sucky.

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HERE! FREE!

Come hang and pick up your award if you were nominated for one of the categories.

SCIENCE OF COCKTAILS SCIENCE WORLD 8-11:55 PM / $159-289

And now for your weekly dose of unaffordable, you can go mix cocktails at Science World. Or learn about cocktails? Or drink them? Will confirm later.

TABOO NAUGHTY BUT NICE SHOW VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE 5 PM / $15

Nothing says “adult playground’ like a 5 pm start time.

CANUCKS VS. FLAMES ROGERS ARENA 7 PM / PRICES VARY

They asked me to write a description for this. There’s a hockey game?

Guys, figure it out. This is a you problem.

Assume Form

by James Blake

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CHINATOWN SPRING FESTIVAL PARADE

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Go celebrate Chinese New Year at the annual parade!

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SHORTS: W

e know the playbook when it comes to James Blake. The English singer, songwriter and producer with soulful sensibilities is among the vanguards of electronic music’s resurgence. He’s a master of showcasing the texture in music and is an impressive singer.

And most of all, we know James Blake likes be in his feelings.

Assume Form marks a fairly drastic change of pace for the talented musician, and you can see it right from the get-go. While James Blake’s previous albums feature covers with an obstructed view of his face, Assume Form is a little more open, a little more liberal.

Make no mistake, James Blake is still very much in his feelings with his latest release, and stylistically, his signature still very much permeates throughout the album, but there’s a clear difference here, a sense of hopefulness.

Title track, “Assume Form” is wallop of an opener, working almost like a foreshadowing of the things to come, with James Blake singing, “I’ll be out of my head this time.” The Metro Boomin and Travis Scott-assisted “Mile High” is sure to be a hit in trap and hip-hop circles, and sounds primed and ready for heavy rotation in Christine Beyleveldt’s bevy of go-to Granville nightclubs. In “Barefoot In The Park”, James Blake takes a bit of a step back to showcase the vocal prowess of Spanish singer, ROSALIA. It’s a luscious track that somehow beautifully juxtaposes the elements of flamenco and electronica. Though album highlight “Where’s the Catch?” features your expected killer Andre

3000 verse, it’s the back-to-back two-hit combo of “I’ll Come Too” and “Power On” that truly captures the new stage of James Blake’s impressive career. Both songs evoke an optimism that never really manifested in his previous work. Maybe it’s the result of sustained success, maybe it’s a new leaf, whatever drove James Blake from his sad boy persona to happier times, I’m here for it.

SHORTS

2018 ALBUM REVIEWS

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GRETA KOOY NEWS EDITOR

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f fucking course, this album is titled Love. You can almost hear Michael Bublé sounding out each letter in that fucking inhumanely smooth voice.

Hold on. I just went to the Wikipedia page for this album and it states the title is “stylized as the red heart emoji.” Are you fucking kidding me?

Wikipedia also goes on to mention that this is this gift from god’s 10th studio album, meaning for every other year of my sad, sad pitiful life, Bublé has one-upped every smooth surface or “smooth”-claiming product. On Nov. 16, 2018 Bublé released Love and for a moment, all of our unworthy faces were poreless – utterly smooth.

Oh my god. I just had a minor blackout.

The second paragraph of this Wikipedia article states that Bublé announced this would be his final album, but soon after goes on to mention that these were just tabloid rumours. I’m a slow reader so it took me a while to get to that recovery and to say the least, I could’ve used a warning.

The album kicks off with “When I Fall in Love,” and just as you’d expect, Michael sounds great. Bublé is so great and the fact that he’s a Burnaby kid just gives all the more reason to think so. I’ll have to thank him in-person one day for boosting the value of my house since his Nonni are located just a few houses away. I’m somehow the only person in North Burnaby to have not yet met Michael in-person at my local McDonalds and I’m not ‘lovin’ it.’ For now it’s me, Bublé and my smooth, poreless skin.

hen Leikeli47 says “Only time I double back is when the loop is in my track” during her song, “No Reload”, she’s not playing around. Following the success of Wash & Set (2017), Leikeli47 returned to the studio to attack her next LP, titled Acrylic.

In an already saturated genre of music, Leikeli47 manages to stand out without ever – literally. Cloaked in bandanas and balaclavas, armed with a feisty personality and a pair of hypnotizing eyes, Leikeli47 is here to stand out, and to stay.

In her new album, released in November 2018, the Brooklyn-born rapper leads us through her life while growing up in New York, while also celebrating black lives and womanhood. Acrylic is feminine in all the right places, from a full set on the album’s cover to the fully-loaded lyrics in songs like “Girl Blunt” and “Roll Call”.

The LP’s first track, a sketch titled “Walk-Ins Welcome”, sets the tone immediately. The voice of a biting man who’s dropping a woman off at the nail salon is drowned out by police sirens and followed by the voice of an overly-booked salon tech. What might appear on the surface to be nothing more than a quick sketch about getting your nails done is about far more than that.

Like Wash & Set, Acrylic is a tribute to black women and their experiences. The 19-track album is laced with beautifully-crafted lyrics that demand attention and leave you wanting to know more about the badass behind the mask.

What this album shows us is that Leikeli47 is still growing and finding her voice, but no matter what it’s going to be a strong one.

While she remains, for the most part, in the underground rap scene, she’s beginning to attract the attention she truly deserves.

Anyone who has gotten a full set of Acrylic before knows that it requires a great deal of patience, and Leikeli’s “Full Set” proves that patience pays off.

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

No Reload by Leikeli47

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Love by Michael Bublé

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i see you, i am you

have responded. Her audience has been saying for years that she should publish a book.

Until a year ago, the publishing of her book A sharing of Casey-Jo's was a distant idea. “I hadn’t published a book experience with writing because I didn’t know how, and I let that fear of failure prevent me from doing it. Which is her debut poetry book so stupid! What I really must have been afraid of is succeeding because I had already failed TAYLOR M. KLEINE-DETERS by not trying,” she said with a laugh.

CONTRIBUTOR Working through four years’ worth of writing was a daunting task and Loos started hen asked to give a brief with a 500-page collection which she then introduction to herself Caseypainstakingly whittled down to seven chapters Jo Loos said, “I would say I of meticulously organized contents. Her team am a connector and a lover of humans, life of three friends, Gary Sylvester, art director and nature [as] I spend my time searching and book designer, Rachel Villari, editor and creating connections every day.” In and Vanessa Dong, cover designer and book addition to being one of the hosts on 102.7 illustrator, helped to mould the book into its The Peak’s afternoon radio show, she is a final form. licensed yoga and meditation instructor. She Even the most vulnerable of writing will be adding self-published author to her was included. “If I share my deepest list of concrete accomplishments when her vulnerabilities, within reason and in the right way, from a place of healing, not from a collection of poetry and prose, i see you, i place of an open gaping wound, then perhaps am you, is released on Feb. 1.

The collection of poetry will include four it can affect other people and heal [them] a years of material that she has collected and little bit more. Maybe these are the kinds of conversations you wouldn’t expect to have, was “inspired by every day connections even though they happen daily. There’s so and experiences… by seemingly fleeting much sharing of the highlight-reel,” she said. interactions with people [and] things that Loos has been criticized for oversharing on break [her] out of narcissistic self-involved tendencies.” Her experiences, other people’s social media, but remains firm in her belief that talking about difficult things is necessary experiences, being in love or feeling the lack of love in her life are the tales that and will continue to have hard conversations with people through her platform if she can. pepper the pages of i see you, i am you.

Loos explained writing this book served as “You can never look at somebody and know a way to work through different events and how they feel and what their experience is.

People look at me and say, ‘Oh, you’re a radio reconcile past traumatic experiences.

Loos has been telling stories and writing host! You have a dream job! Everything’s great!’ but I have so many stories and so many for as long as she can remember – yet, experiences, just like everybody. in becoming more vulnerable online and “Happiness is great and necessary but sharing stories on various platforms, people

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Five Reasons to See Circle Game An astonishing event showcasing the reimagined music of Joni Mitchell DEVON SIMPSON CONTRIBUTOR

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he show, Circle Game: Reimagining the Music of Joni Mitchell, running from Jan. 12 to Feb. 9, is a must-see.

Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential female singers and songwriters of her generation. While emanating a presence for social and environmental issues, her eclectic music stylings still charm and inspire everyone. Many current artists have covered her songs and paid tribute to her legacy. This performance is among those compositions paying tribute to the artist, attempting to bridge generations.

This show is a wonderful display of the charm and quaint venues Vancouver has to offer. Granted, Vancouver is no grand metropolis known for theatre, but the local talent and production companies here are well worth checking out. Here are five reasons to go see Circle Game.

The arts community is welcoming and lots of people show up beforehand to chat and it really adds to the experience. The Firehall Arts Centre is a historic venue where you immediately feel immersed into Vancouver culture. Head to the bar, grab

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a decently priced drink and enjoy our city’s quaint art scene for an evening. Talk to some members of the actual cast, chat with fellow attendees or if that is not your thing, go out to the back patio with lights strung in trees and admire a huge mural. There’s also a 50/50 draw with all proceeds going to the Firehall Theatre Society.

The music, of course! The cast who performs this ode to Joni Mitchell takes things to a new level demonstrating the eternal messages of Joni’s iconic songs. A range of upbeat group harmonies to sultry ballads captivated the small audience and kept heads nodding and feet tapping. The classics such as “Yellow Taxi”, “River”, “California” and “A Case of You” were played but each to a different tune, this might frustrate some diehard Joni fans but the remixed versions worked wonders for the show.

The cast members are so talented! Inbetween instrument changes and harmonies that gave the audience goosebumps, the close-up experience made one feel cozy, emotional and at home in the theater. The whole performance is relatable and intimate as the music transports the audience into a musical reality.

The storytelling that takes place is brilliant artistry as it is told through the lyrics of Joni’s songs. The music weaves the story of a young group of friends and their internal battle with love and finding their place in a changing world.

The choreography and mood set by lighting and stage management is enticing and showcases the multi-talented cast in a

ILLUSTRATED BY FIONA DUNNETT

there are so many other emotions that we as humans have… having these discussions can serve as a permission slip for someone who has felt these things to talk about it when before they may have been afraid to” she concluded with confidence.

Loos is hosting a now-sold-out event at the Havana Theatre on Commercial Drive where the small audience may pick up their books, hear her read excerpts from it, meet her creative contributors and even win prizes from local businesses. The other two options

for pick-up are Feb. 4 at Verde Plant Design on Main Street or Feb. 6 at Perverted Ice Cream on Thurlow. The smaller events will be a more casual one-on-one experience where you can pick up your book, have a conversation and support a local business while doing so.

You can purchase tickets to i see you, i am you and RSVP to a pick-up event at linktr.ee/ caseyjoloos and follow her on Instagram or Twitter @caseyjoloos.

wonderful, new light that appeals to new generations.

Whether you love the messages woven into her music, are a huge fan of Joni or are just curious about her music, this show is money well spent and a night out that promises to entertain. If you expect to hear a backstory of Joni Mitchell told through her music, however, this is not what you are going to get. Instead, a wonderful musical experience will greet you as you enter the Firehall Arts Theatre and it will be an amazing performance to enjoy with friends and family.

Tickets for this event can be found for $25 at firehallartscenter.ca.

PHOTOS BY EMILY COOPER

ARTS & CULTURE

A Tribute to Africa

Director of Programming and Producer of Capilano’s Global Roots & Jazz Series, is excited for this performance to showcase jazz from across the world. She explains that “the US kind of owns jazz… but there’s a lot of other jazz happening in the world,” and she feels that “having [Gbolonyo] here is a perfect opportunity.” Typically the tributes feature TAYLOR M. KLEINE-DETERS the Jazz Ensembles, A Band and NightCap CONTRIBUTOR but this year it has expanded to more of the Capilano Jazz ensembles.

“There are four or five extra percussion n Jan. 25 the BlueShore Theatre because it is African music, and a lot of the plays host to A Tribute to Africa, Jazz Faculty volunteered to be part of the part of the Capilano University tribute as well.”

Black hopes the performance Jazz series which is being led by artist-inwill be illuminating for audience members that residence Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo. This tribute may not be familiar with West African music will feature faculty contributions along with traditional pieces and will be played and that Gbolonyo will speak about the pieces by members of CapU’s Jazz Ensemble and as they appear in the cultural context of Ghana notable faculty guests including Brad Turner and West Africa as a whole.

West African music is highly dependent on (trumpet, piano), Dave Robbins (drums), rhythm and traditionally will utilize various Dennis Esson (trombone), Jared Burrows percussion instruments. In addition, the belief (guitar, arrangements) and Steve Kaldestad was that tradition was made to be broken and (saxophone). it was repeatedly.

As the influx of American Fiona Black, the BlueShore Theatre’s

CapU's Global Roots & Jazz Series kicked off the year with the sounds of Africa

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music reached the continent of Africa, its influence spread. Jazz’s greats artists such as Louis Armstrong performed in Ghana and the genre flourished and integrated itself into more traditional African genres giving jazz a Ghanaian flair. The West African influence on jazz is making the genre even more danceable – which seems like an incredibly exciting addition.

Speaking with Margaret Gallagher on CBC Radio in 2015, Gbolonyo says that his first exposure to jazz was theoretical at college in Ghana. He did not have practical experience with the genre until he reached the United States for graduate studies. He explained “rhythm and improvisation hit me straight away. [I] came from a culture where, as a musician, you have two things to be aware of.

Your role as an individual and then the role of the community that you are participating in… [Jazz] gives you the opportunity to bring forward what unique thing you have as an individual, but you have to do that with cognizance of what the community is already doing.”

He explains that “there are three categories of composers…. particularly in jazz. There are those that will emphasize traditional elements, those that will only bring a little of the traditional elements.… then there is the group that falls right in the middle that give equal access and prominence from both sides,” and affirms that he believes the latter is the future of the genre in order for listeners to hear both the past, the present, and glimpse the future of the genre.

Gbolonyo continues to express his belief that as long as rhythm and polyrhythms are a focal point in jazz, the traditions of Africa will be present in the music. He also observes that jazz is far from static and is constantly evolving to include other aspects of genres from around the world. He explains “the more jazz does that the better it becomes,” and states firmly that “music is a way to help us understand each other… the more jazz allows other elements to come the more peaceful we will become.”

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New Vancouver Art Gallery Designed

by Swiss Architecture Firm Unveiled The Chan family’s $40 million private donation is helping the city’s art collection move to a larger facility

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our years after a conceptual design for a new gallery was presented to the public, the Vancouver Art Gallery had some big news that they announced at a press conference at the Rosewood Georgia Hotel on Jan. 23. The final designs were shown off, and the Chan family named as one of the generous donors who are helping the dream of a new gallery become a reality.

The same family that provided $10 million to the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC was named as the donor of the largest single gift bestowed on the arts in British Columbia, an unprecedented $40 million for a new gallery at Larwill Park. The new building, which is on track to open at the park on the intersection of West Georgia and Cambie in 2023, will be named the Chan Centre for the Visual Arts in recognition of their gift.

However, the identity and branding of the Vancouver Art Gallery will remain the same.

“The Vancouver Art Gallery’s new building project fits perfectly into our family’s philosophy, mandate and charitable mission, which is to create equal opportunity for everyone to enjoy and nurture a healthy body, mind and soul,” said Christian Chan.

However, the Chan family’s gift is just a portion of the $350 million the ambitious

building project is estimated to cost by its completion. The Vancouver Art Gallery currently occupies the former provincial courthouse. While it is the fifth largest gallery in Canada, it leaves much of the gallery’s growing permanent collection to be displayed, and the new 300,000 square foot gallery, designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, will double the exhibition space and include two free exhibitions on ground level in an openair courtyard, featuring emerging artists.

Designs for the new gallery show a structure of concrete and steel, glass and wood, drawing on elements of Vancouver’s past as a city of wooden structures and tying in with reality, the glass city it is today.

Currently, the art gallery has raised $135 million through private donations, and the next step will be securing funding from the provincial and federal governments to proceed with the building project. In addition to increasing the exhibition space, the new building will incorporate a theatre and an expansion of the classrooms and educational programs currently offered at the gallery.

“It’s hard to deny the importance of the arts in a world that seems increasingly divided,” said Chan. “The need for broader social dialogue, broader social understanding and enlightened critical thinking is as crucial now as it’s ever been.”

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTOS BY HERZOG & DE MEURON

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CABOOSE

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AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 – FEB.19)

We’d all feel a lot safer if you just stayed at home.

PISCES (FEB. 20 – MARCH 20)

Your best friend secretly hates you. They just need you to climb another rung on the social ladder.

LEO (JULY 24 – AUG. 23)

Dying your hair purple is not a substitute for a personality.

VIRGO (AUG. 24 – SEPT. 23)

You will soon come to the crushing realization that the only thing university has taught you is how to win arguments on the internet.

Try not to take everything so seriously. Especially Taurus. You don’t need that kind of paranoia in your life.

Avoid bacon at all costs.

TAURUS (APRIL 21 – MAY 21)

Don’t trust Cancer. They are out to get you and will stop at nothing.

If they invite you anywhere, take a Libra with you for protection.

GEMINI (MAY 22 – JUNE 21)

It’s time to download Tinder in one last desperate attempt to not be single for Valentine’s day.

Taurus looks like they had a rough week. Do something kind for them – perhaps a moonlit camping trip in the middle of nowhere?

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 – NOV. 22)

Saying “I’m not like the other girls” just confirms that you are, indeed, exactly like the other girls.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23– DEC. 21)

Your fanciful dreams of monetary and personal success will soon be derailed by your abysmal work ethic.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 – JAN. 20)

Bottle up your emotions. It’s not like anybody cares how you feel.

MOPEVATIONAL COMICS FOR SAD PEOPLE. ILLUSTRATED BY ANNIE CHANG @SADTIRIST_

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 9

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LIBRA (SEPT. 24 – OCT. 23)

ARIES (MARCH 21 – APRIL 20)

CANCER (JUNE 22 – JULY 23)

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