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ISSUE 9 oct 23rd, 2008 www.theHvoice.com
FRIDAY NIGHT IN LOWELL:
SUPERMAN & BATMAN
Ultimate VS. culinary CANCER smackdown in Quincy your weekly agenda
Voice Food Guru Chris Lim brings you the full report on the Iron Chefs competition in Quincy Dining Hall
THE BIGGEST ZOMBIE STORY COMPETITION EVER!* Write a short story and eat for free for a full month!
INSIDE electric guitars, senior voices, and Seth Rogen’s films
2 campus buzz
between, after or during class.
VOICES
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this is where you tell the campus what you think
featured Are Cordially blogger You Invited To A Tea
Zehra Hirji
Really? Are we 65 years old?! How often do find yourself invited to tea parties (partays?), wine and cheese shindigs, cocktail parties, and soirées? I’m going to say way more than tailgates, keggers, and other “ragers” of that sort. Why do we prefer to sip tea and pretend that we actually like scones in stodgy clothing rather than revel in the youthful activities of our peers at other institutions? It seems as though Harvard students are too quick to give up on conventional and somewhat age-appropriate social activities in exchange
Party
for classy, sophisticated events, where let’s be honest… we’re not always having that much fun. Does being the best and the brightest mean that we also have to be the mildest and the lamest? This fine alumni weekend here on campus I had the opportunity to share a table with some members of the class of 1963. A man and his wife sat across the table from another alumni couple sipping tea. The man, Rupert something or another, introduced himself and quickly began rattling off his accomplishments, membership in
various organizations, and just how busy he is these days. If it weren’t for the raspy twang of old age I would have been certain it was one of my peers at the end of the table. It’s unlikely that he was acting like a 20 year old and far more likely that we all behave as though we are in our late 60s. Maybe we are too mature, or maybe we are too immature to realize that we are willingly giving up some of the best times of our lives. Just something to consider while you are biting in to your next scone…
SENIOR VOICE!
ALEX RADU ‘08 • Class of ‘08 • Leverett • Economics • Currently @ Morgan Stanley, NY
“One of the best advising resources on campus: your network of peers. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. Take advantage of their insight - especially those who are older than you - and live vicariously through their experiences!
from the EMAILS “I like this new map you added.”
“I would suggest you guys cover some of the amazing a cappella groups around campus.” “Personally, I’d like to read more about parties and events around here... often times I have no idea where to go or what to do”
“More sports, please. We are students, too.”
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LEM SETS...
NEVERMIND THE PROB
100 years of HRDC!
shows festivals culture concerts parties lectures sports
Friday, October 24th
HRDC Centennial Weekend Friday October 24-Sunday October 26 2008 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. To commemorate this occasion, alumni are invited to attend various events during the Centennial Weekend. The centerpiece of these events will be a special alumni performance of Mac Wellman’s The Hyacinth Macaw, directed by visiting director Marcus Stern. This performance will be followed by a Gala Reception. For more information, please visit the Centennial Celebration page.
McCain vs. Obama: Women Thursday, October Health 23rd Issues Thursday, October 23, 2008 6:00 PM John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum Hosted by IOP Featuring: David Blumenthal, Senior Health Advisor to Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator Barack Obama; Gail Wilensky, Senior Health Care Advisor to Republican Presidential Nominee Senator John McCain; Paula Johnson, Executive Director, Connors Center for Women’s Heal Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Alina Salganicoff Vice President, Women’s Health Policy, Kaiser Family Foundation; Sheila Burke (Moderator) Faculty, Harvard Kennedy School
Time to take it easy MFA Course: Zen and Art: A Day of Exploration Saturday, October 25 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts 456 Huntington Ave. Boston Planned in celebration of the exhibition “Zen Mind, Zen Brush: Japanese Ink Paintings from the GitterYelen Collection,” this daylong program addresses Zen Buddhism and its rich visual culture. Members, seniors, and students $50.
Saturday, October 25th
ts n e v e com! e r i o . e m c i t o ou heHv k c e ch www.t at
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What do bestiality, pedophilia and love have in common? *They’re all in the Adam’s Pool House Theatre this weekend!* The Goat: or, Who is Sylvia *Don’t miss the Harvard premier of Edward Albee’s Tony Award-winning play* Martin and Stevie have a perfect life together: successful careers, a loving son, a house in the suburbs; but the discovery that Martin has been having an affair with a goat sends the entire family into a frenzy of outrage and confusion. At once wildly entertaining and profoundly disturbing, Edward Albee’s The Goat: or, Who is Sylvia? explores the nature of love and the meaning of tolerance. *Adams Pool House Theatre* October 23 8:00 PM, October 24 8:00 PM, October 25 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, October 26 2:00 PM Tickets available online, through the Harvard Box Office, through the Student Events Fund, or at the door.
Batman and Superman fight cancer! Friday, October 24 10:00 PM -2:00 AM Lowell Dining Hall
Friday, October 24th
SUPERheroes: Powers and Party for a Purpose All campus dance party fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The party will be held in the Lowell House Dining Hall and will include student group performances by The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers, Expressions Dance Company, and the spinning and singing skillz of Petros! Proceeds to go to The Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute: (www. jimmyfund.org.) Buy your tix at the box office or at the door and dress as your favorite superhero!
4 reviews
listen, read, watch, sing, inhale.
Voice Editor-in-Chief gets on his knees and begs Alex Doubet to finally review some rock; Doubet says OK
Finally, something with electric guitars!
Skeletal Lamping Of Montreal Judging by the first track alone, this album sure doesn’t want you to like it. It doesn’t even care if you do. Of Montreal’s Skeletal Lamping just lays out its music and never gives a second thought to pleasing anyone. But that kind of makes it endearing. Skeletal Lamping is at times annoying, and at times unbearable, but despite all its wanderings, the album always returns to pleasing, pop-laden melodies. You won’t find any big, sugary pop hooks a la Maroon 5 on Skeletal Lamping, but there are some foot pounding songs. “For Our Elegant Caste” is about (I think) bisexuality or something, but goshdarnit, Of Montreal somehow pulls an intriguing track out of
the bizarre. There are some slow tracks, like “Touched Something’s Hollow,” that will bore the snot out of you, but those moments are more than compensated for the odd genius of tracks like the musical journey that is “An Eluardian Instance.” The charming weirdness of Skeletal Lamping does get a bit tiring about halfway through the album. It’s a little overwhelming to listen to so much falsetto and high-pitched synth for so long. Still, I’ll forgive Of Montreal for the sheer creativity exhibited on the album. Though best taken in small doses, Skeletal Lamping is still worth taking.
Listen!
The Punk Playlist 1. 2. 3.
Bonzo Goes to Bitburg – The Ramones Lose This Skin - The Clash Walking Contradiction – Green Day
Black Ice AC/DC
Black Ice is AC/DC in fine form. There are no surprises here, but hey, did you really expect any? I sure didn’t. I just wanted some dirty guitar, heavy bass, and screaming vocals. I got all that I wished for in spades. Everything about this album, from the awesome gothic cover, to the last screeching note screamed rock and roll. Like I said though, there’s not much of an alteration of their course from the boys down under. AC/DC is doing their same old gritty act, and every one of the songs could be dropped into Back in Black and you probably wouldn’t even notice. Not to say that’s a bad thing. I still eat pumpkin
pie even though I know what I’m going to get. Black Ice is kind of like pumpkin pie that rocks your face. Throughout the middle of the album, the songs really pick up, and “War Machine” and “Spoilin’ for a Fight” are particularly fun. The first single off the album, “Rock ‘N Roll Train,” isn’t much to write home about, and I’m a bit confused as to why they chose it. But who am I to say? I’ve never played an instrument in front of thousands of screaming fans wearing a catholic school-girl skirt. I guess AC/DC’s Angus Young has that on me.
Listen!
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols Blitzkrieg Bop - Rob Zombie Huboon Stomp - Devo White Man (In Hammersmith Palais) - The Clash 7 Years Down – Rancid It’s A Rocking World – Joe Strummer Do You Remember Rock n’ Roll Radio – Kiss
What are your fav punk songs?
5 ALBUM REVIEW: Voice Reviewer Matt Sachs explores Stars and their latest album, In our Bedrom After the War
These Stars are relaxing in our bedroom after the war This album is just what you need when you need to lean back and pretend to do homework BY MATT SACHS Hey Voice Readers. I am back for another week trying my hardest to introduce you some of the great bands that are coming out now. I hope, some of you went and checked out the band that was featured in last week’s issue, Ra Ra Riot. If you didn’t, I at least hope that you drop their name at some point to impress your indie friends. I’m going to keep with the indie-pop scene and introduce a band from Canada who recently came out with their fourth studio album. The band is called Stars and their most recent CD is In Our Bedroom after the War. The Toronto-based band formed in 2004 and since then has released four synth-pop, string-based recordings. Front-man Torquil Campbell commented that the songs in In Our Bedroom after the War are connected and follow the story of returning to normalcy after warfare. The CD opens with a nice Euro-techno jam, but the first real song, The Night Starts Here sets the tone for what is to come. The soft voice of singer Amy Millan accompanied by the celestial orchestral sound creates a simple, catchy pop ditty. The back-and-forth vocals of Campbell and Millan are eerily reminiscent of A.C. Newman and Neko Case of The New Por-
The CD opens with a nice Euro-techno jam
nographers (who I might actually do a segment on in the future if you don’t know them). Complete with a classical disco beat and subtle guitar fills, the song is quit enjoyable. From here, the CD flows effortlessly into what some would argue the best song
on the ablum, T a k e Me To The Riot. The piano-based song begins w i t h Campbell’s whispery lyrics, fol-
lowed close behind by Millan’s harmonies. The song opens up with the chorus, which is about as rock based as the CD gets.
From that high point, the CD moves to some slower, R & B inspired songs that remind me slightly of Corinne Bailey Rae or Norah Jones. Equipped with some heavier songs at the end, as well as a mournful piano ballad here and there, In The Bedroom after The War is simply and catchy, just what a need when I just want to lean back in my chair and pretend to do homework. I know some of you may think that the bands that I have covered so far are a little too soft for you. For you, I stay stick around for a little because I will be moving into some heavier, funkier stuff in the weeks to come. And like always, feel free to send comments about any of the bands I have suggested or to make suggestions as to any bands you might want me to cover in the future. Until next week, enjoy.
reviews No new terms this time, but we have some fancy words that mean nothing: “smorgasbord”
Kayne and peace dove fall flat YouTube Review : Kanye West – “Love Lockdown” I’ve been waiting desperately to sound off on Kanye’s latest effort. “Love Lockdown” is an interesting song, and I love it except when I hate it. I’m always turned off by the corniness of the auto tune effect and the sparse piano tinkling, but when the heavy drums kick in, I swoon (not really, but sort of). Somewhere along the line though, the music video for “Love Lockdown” got totally ridiculous. It’s a smorgasbord (yes, I just used that word) of Kanye walking around moodily, African natives dancing and
running with spears, a (I think) spaceship, and girls covered in glowing paint. Make sense? I didn’t think so either.
YouTube Review – Peace Dove Fail – failblog This clip is only 21 seconds long, but it’s well worth watching. If you like clips of epicfails, you know, the newscaster stomping wine and the endless clips of skateboarders racking themselves, this video’s for you. I laughed out loud, even though I was saddened a little inside. Link http://www. youtube.com/ watch?v=liLVAf6ViAg
6 reviews
listen, read, watch, sing, inhale.
THE NEW REPER
Seth Rogen is making a mov about growin and sex. Agai by Zachary Sniderman
Seth Rogen has another movie coming out… to be fair, I don’t actually know that, but it’s a pretty good guess. Where ‘Repertory Theatre’ used to refer to a bunch of artsy-types putting on Shakespeare or Chekhov in an endless Escher-loop, Rogen’s developing a new brand; a ‘new repertory theatre.’ Every couple of months Rogen and his crew of actors throw together some sort of movie that the rest of us will be quoting as icebreakers. Doesn’t make him a bad person, but it is a pattern. Studios understand that it is more profitable to produce sequels than new franchises: established fan bases are better guarantors. And while we might not be seeing ‘Superbadder” or “Knocked Up:
(albeit thematically similar) stories. Are This is good, and this we gonna is also bad. As long as the crew be seeing “Sukeeps telling new stories evperbadder”? eryone wins: they get to make lots of movies, studios get to make a lot of money, and we get something new to watch instead of “Spiderman 8.” But Again” the whole thing sours if we in theatres, Rostart getting more of the same. gen has got the hang of “Knocked Up” looked at growthe whole process. The ing up, unplanned pregnancy, same set of actors sets up that and what it means to be a parfamiliar feeling we get from ent. “Super Bad” looked at watching a sequel. Sure, difgrowing up, drinking, having ferent characters and different sex, and what it means to be plots, but Rogen’s bridged the a friend. “Pineapple Express” gap between the studio decilooked at growing up, smoksion of ‘sequel vs. new franing, and what it means to be chise.’ By keeping the Rogen a friend. Their newest movie, cast fairly constant their mov“Zack and Miri Make a Porno” ies seem like pseudo-sequels will look at – if I had to guess Studies at NYU. Heable is stillto wearing while they’re tell zombie new make-up.
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RTORY THEATER:
s vie ng up in.
– growing up, having sex, and what it means to be a friend. I think things are starting to sound familiar. To be fair, this is a short list and pretty bare-bones summaries, but there does seem to be a thematic gravitational pull with Rogen’s movies. I really want his newest to be great, but I don’t want to watch a rehash of old character types played by the same people again. This is when it turns bad, because then we’re really just watching the same movie again with the same people in it. This was the trouble Ben Stiller got himself into when he and his crew started making their run of movies. “Tropic Thunder” pulled away from the crowd but thanks – in no small part – to a completely fresh batch of actors. It is also part of the problem the highly
stylized Frank Miller might get himself into. “Sin City” was unique, “300” was less unique but held on to the box office. “The Spirit” is coming out now, and frankly, it looks a lot like “Sin City” again. What made his original so startling is in jeopardy of becoming recycled. It’s the problem that absolutely plagues avant gardists: when you do something for the first time it’s original, when you do it again, it isn’t new anymore. So there’s Rogen, sitting at a computer trying to dream up his next project. And the rest of us are waiting to see if this ‘new repertory theatre’ really has anything to do with ‘new.’
8 every zombie counts
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fashion & shopping
Harvard Campus Style Bre
By senior year, I’ve noticed that there are a few general style molds that most Harvard students fall into. Granted, there are de categories can be interpreted with slight differences… but after countless days studying in Lamont, walking through the Yard, interpretation of the basic anatomy of Harvard campus style: Preppy girl:
The preppy girl has a uniform consistency: designer jeans, polo oxford shirts, Tory Burch flats or moccasins. Some other equally viable and frequently-seen options include cashmere cardigans, cable-knit sweaters, Burberry quilted jackets or Barbour jackets. Pearls optional; Longchamp bag necessary. This style is a staple of Harvard campus, year-round.
Slubby Athlete:
One word: Dhas. The slubby athlete is often seen chowing down in the dining hall after practice, with a full-body Harvard sweats outfit. Gym bags are frequently slung around the shoulder.
Late-night/Running-to-class guy/girl:
“Alternative,” yet trendy, girl:
These girls are rebelling against the generic preppiness of most Harvard girls via some combination of unique, mismatched printed tunics or dresses, long scarves draped multiple times around their necks, black American Apparel leggings, beaten-up Converses or flat boots. No oxfords or pearls for them: think instead Olsentwins meet Sienna Miller meet Sam Ronson.
A regular sight is the tired and stressed Harvard student who is pulling yet another allnighter writing that final midterm paper, or the similarly tired and stressed Harvard student who is running to class late because he or she stayed up all night writing that final midterm paper. Standard mode of style here is probably yoga pants or leggings for girls, sweatpants for guys, and a Harvard sweatshirt. Other giveaway details: messy hair, glasses in place of normal contacts, dark circles under the eyes, an omnipresent venti coffee.
Prep
The p patter and g bright a mus some well.
Store Profile: J. Press
It’s unsurprising that J. Press, the established upscale New England men’s clothier, has received so much publicity in the past. As a staple just beyond the square on Mount Auburn Street, many well-known figures who have shopped there (some who continue to shop the helped elevate the fine-tailored store’s reputation as a prominent men’s outfitter. Not only do political figures such as former presidents Bil Gerald Ford, and George Bush, Sr. prefer J.Press-tailored suits, but Hollywood actors like Tommy Lee Jones and Alec Baldwin flock to this the east coast for their herringbone jackets as well. But recent attention on the store has stirred renewed mainstream interest in the company. As a franchise of a four-store incorporat Cambridge J. Press shop was recently featured in the film “21,” starring Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth. Sturgess played a struggling MIT who was paying off his student loans by working in a tailor’s shop. “It was a fun thing for J. Press to be a part of,” said Denis Black, the general manager of the Cambridge store. “The actors and the cr all extremely nice. Kate Bosworth left an autographed Boston University hat here.” Attention came not only from the silver screen but from the tube as well. In several epis the CW show “Gossip Girl,” the character Chuck Bass was spotted by online trend follo wearing a signature J. Press $175 silk polka-dot scarf. “In the next few days, people will have to a list if they want to buy this scarf,” Black said. “The company is virtually running out of the won’t get anymore until around Christmas.” Even with the current surge in publicity, J. Press’s customers need no extraneous reaso classy and traditional look that the company is known for providing. “We have a very loyal, al tomers,” Black revealed. “We don’t get a lot of people off the street that are fashionistas. After would never shop anywhere else.” As a popular destination for many Ivy League shoppers, including Yalies and Princeton rial needs. Their bestsellers among students include tweed jackets, bow ties, and schoolboy m ribbon belt to $2000 for a finely crafted wool suit. Other upscale items include cashmere and c
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eakdown —Irene Yuan
efinitely exceptions, and each of these , and eating in dining halls, here is my “Emo,” yet trendy guy: Basically the same as the alternative yet trendy girl, with the exception of maybe a deep v-neck American Apparel shirt or long striped cardigan for top wear. The long skinny scarf and Converses are a must. Messenger bags are cute and totally in; even cuter and more in are those black square glasses and that Foucault book casually clutched under the arm…
ppy boy:
preppy boy can wear different colors and rns of polo shirts and button-downs all year get away with it because of his clean-shaven, t-eyed, All-American appeal. Nice loafers are st. Northface backpacks are frequent, and e sports team baseball hats are common as
...at Lamont Even in the midst of all the stress surrounding midterms, freshman Olivia Ford managed to look poised and confident while studying in Lamont. Olivia, who hails from Anchorage, Kentucky, describes her style as “classic and feminine.” The stylish southern belle’s secret to staying comfortable and looking cute? She says that great style should be effortless: “My foolproof outfit is jeans, a fitted top, and trendy flats.” —Kate Ma
1.
Vintage blazer, Ralph Lauren, $75 “Blazers are great because they’re so easy to dress up or down.”
2.
Green scarf, vintage store, $4 “I stumbled across this and thought it was really cute.”
3.
White t-shirt, Gap, $12 “A really practical piece.”
4.
Jeans, Seven For All Mankind, $120 “I have a hard time finding jeans that fit just right, but these are perfect—they’re my favorite pair.”
classic ere) have ll Clinton, part of
tion, the T student
5.
Navy flats, Coach, $85 “I really like the hardware on top; it makes these flats unique.”
rew were
sodes of owers o go on em and
spotted...
Photos by Rachel Libeskand
on to return, as many come back for the lmost exclusive collection of devoted cusr they leave here, most of our customers
nians, J. Press caters directly to their sartomufflers. Prices range from a mere $12 for a camelhair overcoats. —Qichen Zhang
Olivia Ford freshman, Lionel
12 a deeper look
it should matter to you, too.
HEAD OF THE CHARLES: Radcliffe holds its own! Voice Editor Kayla Feld gives a behind-the-scenes analysis of last weekend’s British-inspired reggatta
BY KAYLA FELD This weekend was the 44th annual Head of the Charles Regatta. You may have noticed the white tents being set up around the river over the past week. Or perhaps the unusually high prevalence of groups of tall, similarly-outfitted, athletic-looking people guided around the Square by some aggressive loud person half their height. Started by Cambridgside Boat Club in 1965, this British-inspired head-style race has burgeoned since its inception, when fewer than 100 single shells competed. Over 250,000 spectators collect to watch the 8,200+ rowers, competing in almost 1800 separate entries drawn from over 19 countries around the world. Rowers compete in boats ranging from singles (one person, two oars) to
People signed up on Facebook, but never showed up
eights (eight people, plus a coxswain to steer the boat. Each rower has one oar). The race is termed a head-style, where boats are started at 10-15 second intervals and the boat with the fasted time wins. Fewer crashes happened this year (and what can compare to the Peking University boat losing its steering capacity, zig-zaging the river before finally hitting Weeks bridge and sinking), so instead the spectators’ attention was drawn by the excitement of the
races and results. The two-day regatta had an incredible start this year with eight records being set the first day. The heavy winds the next day made such exceptional performance much more difficult to achieve on Sunday. Also, while not the place they aimed for (time penalties), Radcliffe rowers were inspired to see part of our claim
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Have your say!
Have you seen the Head of Charles? to Olympic fame skull by in the doubles race, as Michelle Guerette (silver medal in a single at Beijing) and Caryn Davies (gold medal in the eight event at Bei-
jing) glide d into
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fifth place, despite their limited time practicing together. Radcliffe teams held their own, racing boats overall (not including RAWA, the
a l u m n i boat). Two boats competed in the lightweight eights event (6th and 12th place), as well as two in the championship eights (9th and 25th). On the other side of the river, the Harvard also had some impressive performances. The first lightweight men boat placed third in their event. The heavyweight men placed a boat first in the club eights, 4th in the championship four, and had several other entries in the Championship eights event as well (for a complete list of times and updates, refer to http://regatta2008.hocr.org)
13 It promised to be the greatest thing ever, but no more than 5 students showed up for the silent party
Silent Yard rave party was a bit too silent... BY ALISHA RAMOS It promised to be the greatest thing ever. What could have been more entertaining – and bewildering - than 100-plus freshmen dancing wildly in the middle of Harvard Yard…in complete silence? Absolutely nothing. On Friday night at five o’clock sharp, the Old Yard was supposed to be graced by this spectacular display, known as a “silent rave”, which by definition is more or less a tangle of bodies dancing to inaudible music. The rave was advertised via Facebook, with over 160 students who were listed as “confirmed guests.” The party’s tagline read: “Dance like a fool in front of the entire yard.” The event was supposed to confuse, amuse, and encourage passersby to join in on the fun. The concept of a silent rave is simple: participants gather in one place, don their headphones, turn on their iPods, and dance. Sometimes maniacally, and sometimes in a more mellow, swaying fashion. Ur-
banDictionary.com provides its own definition: “Silent rave: a form of wild dancing where all of the members listen to music through headphones on separate portable music players.” Harvard’s silent rave was not “synchronized” – meaning you could dance your little heart out to MGMT while the girl next to you pops, locks, and drops it to Huey. Or whatever. But the silent rave never happened. At approximately
People signed up on Facebook, but never showed up
5:05PM, the Yard does not seem busier than it usually does on a Friday evening. However, upon closer inspection, a small cluster of six or seven freshmen are spotted near the center of the Yard. With iPods in tow, some of the ravers move and groove freely while others nervously glance around to see if anyone is watching. After about fifteen minutes of awkward dancing
and futile attempts at recruiting new participants, the ravers give up and disperse. “This sucks,” one of them says in frustration. It sucks, indeed. Not the idea of the event, but the fact that no one showed up. With a tinge of disappointment, I left the Silent Rave That Never Was with one simple question: Why? Why, after such a successful Facebook Event campaign and unique idea, did this event crash before it could even fly? The organizer of the event, Danielle Parga ’12, came up with the unique idea of organizing a Harvard silent rave after attending one herself in Union Square in New York City. “I just wanted to bring life to the campus, and give tourists something to see,” Parga says. “It could also unify the class in the middle of the Yard.” Silent raves are nothing like regular clubs or parties, in which the dancers are forced to dance to a certain type of music or to a certain song. “You’re able to dance to your own music, but you’re also not the only fool who’s dancing,” Parga says. When asked why a regular club or dance party won’t do, Parga says that normal parties “usually involve drinking or grinding with some nasty guy.” Girl, I hear you.
14 food & drink Chris Lim Voice Columnist
food column
The smac
IRON CHEF COMPETITI Parents just love to talk about how their collegeage kids can’t take care of themselves. They don’t make their beds in the morning. They leave heaps of books and loose paper on their desks. They never do their laundry; when they do, they are clueless as to how to fold their clothes. True, perhaps. But cooking? Seems to me like we’ve got it down. Last Thursday, the 16th, Quincy House held its Third Biannual Iron Chef Competition during dinner. Six teams of four to five Quincy students cooked feverishly in the center of the spacious dining hall. They each had just under an hour to prepare a dish with one specified ingredient. This season’s ingredient was scallops—a difficult food item to cook well, especially in an interesting way. The teams were given a few days notice, in order that they could prepare a recipe and purchase other ingredients in advance.
Teams prepared the dish for each of the five judges: Paul O’Connell, of Chez Henri; Ted Mayer, HUDS Executive Director; Drew Davis, Quincy House Senior; Merle Bicknell, Director of Facilities at Harvard; and Bob Sargent, of Flora Restaurant. The judges gave some verbal feedback, and then wrote down scores, which were tallied to determine the best dish of the competition. The winning dish was an elegant, flavorful creation— Scallops Wrapped with Bacon, with Caramelized Pear and Butternut Squash Risotto— prepared by Quincy juniors Andres Camacho, Marcelo Cerullo, Carmen Collyns, and Erin Yu (Team Pickled Penguins). My thoughts? I was fortunate to get samples from each of the teams—and overall was quite impressed with all of the dishes. The scallops themselves were cooked well by almost all of the teams (generally not too
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ultimate culinary ckdown in Quincy
ION I was struck by how much I enjoyed the event as whole: it was fun, music was loud, and the food was good
well d o n e, a l though t h a t ’s just my preference), and the flavors were
very nice. If I had to pick a best dish, it would probably be the actual winner. The judges were asked to rate each dish in three categories—Flavor Profile, Plate Presentation, and Complexity & Creativity—and in terms of the first two, the Pickled Penguins’ dish was superior. The scallops and bacon came together excellently, resulting in a delicious, savory flavor; the risotto was impressively well cooked (risotto is extremely difficult), though perhaps not quite rich enough; the caramelized pear might have been my favorite part, adding a strong and incredibly sweet flavor to complement the scallop and bacon. The winning dish also looked beautiful. It was a clean and minimalist presentation—a nicely shaped and colorful mound of risotto in
the center, with a scallop-andbacon skewer and some pear to the side, on a very large, round dish. The balance, both visually and in terms of the actual food, was great. The second place dish, by Team Mermaids, was also quite appealing. To me, its successfulness was so surprising— I cringed when I heard they were serving the scallops in grits (and then again when they mentioned beets)—but the team really made it work. The grits were tasty but not overwhelming, the beet and potato fries were just the right size (fairly small and thin) and their texture was a nice complement to the scallops and grits, and the salad was light and crunchy. The dish was daring—but also tasted good. Each of the dishes and teams are listed below—you can see how the different creations compare. There was everything from Italian (Team Cool as a
Cucumber) to Asian-inspired (Team Gastrophage) to more eclectic (Team Mermaids). Half the teams mixed sweet into savory; the other half did not. On the other hand, three teams incorporated bacon into their dishes, and two took a risk and made risotto. Overall, I was most struck by how much I enjoyed the event as whole. The teams all seemed to be having a good time; other Quincy students watched and listened on curiously; Housemaster Deborah Gerkhe acted as an announcer during the event and roused House spirit; loud music played in the background; and, to reiterate, the food was good. Maybe we can have students cook once a week. Or, more realistically, other Houses can bring a similar competition to their own dining halls (Housemasters take note). IM Iron Chef, anyone?
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Check out the Harvard College Entrepreneurship Forum
Be the new Bill Gates! (eh, don’t drop out) BY KATY MILLER
WHAT I DID LAST WEEK
Attention, future Zuckerbergs and Gates’ of the world (both are drop-outs)! This Saturday, October 25th at 1pm in Boylston’s Fong Auditorium marks The Harvard College Entrepreneurship kickoff i3 (“imagine, invent, impact”) event for the year! It’s a $1000 elevator pitch competition, which is a chance for student entrepreneurs to hear each others’ ideas, find potential partners for their projects, and get some financial support for their ideas. $1000 in cash will be given out as prizes, as determined by both audience participation and a panel of expert Venture Capitalists and Entrepreneurs. The event will also feature free burritos (courtesy of the Voice), and i3 T-Shirts. Come hear about amazing ideas for changing the future from your peers. But what is The Harvard College Entrepreneurship Forum? Founded 2 years ago, it’s a resource for Harvard students who hope to venture into the world of business and nonprofits as entrepreneurs. The i3 ‘Innovation Challenge’ was launched last year as an $80,000 business plan competition. This year, HCEF is expanding it
Amidst an excited hubbub of preRed-Sox victory anticipation and with half a pint of Harpoon IPA spilt down my chest by a generous punter, I watch Ben Kweller take the stage of Boston’s illustrious Paradise Rock Club. Formerly of the punk group Radish, Kweller has taken up the mantle of, and I hate to use this phrase, ‘singer-songwriter’ with gusto.
Racing through his hits one after another the singer, playing a battered, dark acoustic guitar and supported by his tight group of bassist, steel-string guitarist and drummer, jumps around the small stage, now and then hunching over a piano for songs like Thirteen and at other times rocking out to the anthems such as Wasted and Ready. Declaring his love for Boston, saying that it will always have a special place in
the voice PUBLISHER STEVEN R. DUQUE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIRAN PAVIC
The i3 Innovation Challenge is a $80,000 business competition
HCEF is split into four main committees: Events Committee, I3 Committee, the Singapore Trip Committee and the External Relations Committee. There is no comp process; people who join HCEF are put on a committee and can immediately start affecting change within the club, throwing events of their choice, or launching a new program. Interested members should email Tommy Li at ruoguli@fas.
1.Oddee.com An impressive collection of odd news. Where else could you check out “World’s Most Incredible Animal Prosthetics,” “10 Funniest Law-Firm Names,” or “15 Most Insanely Titled Books”?! 2. Passiveaggresivenotes.com Hilarious examples of passive-aggressive notes from roommates, officemates, complete strangers – you name it. 3. Failblog.org Pictures and videos of owned, pwned and fail moments. Prettyy much NSFW. Totally ridiculous. 4. Theonion.com The premiere source of novelty news. Some highlights: “Members Of Twisted Sister Now Willing To Take It,” “Obama Modifies ‘Yes We Can’ Message To Exclude Area Loser,” and “Johnson & Johnson Introduces ‘Nothing But Tears’ Shampoo To Toughen Up Newborns.” 5. Postsecret.blogspot.com An ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard.
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100,000 the number of DNA’s Harvard’s Personal Genome Project wants to put online
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Voice Reporter combines beer, a Sox victory
Ben Kweller’s goofy grin BY HENRY FISHER
to become a full year program, helping people in a pre-idea stage go through the process of idea refinement via large monthly events, culminating in the full business plan competition. In addition to the i3, HCEF has a series of weekly speakers, workshops, and events for meeting other entrepreneurs or brainstorming.
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his heart, as it was where he met his wife, Ben Kweller gives us a goofy grin and plays the haunting opening to the last song of the night, Sundress, prompting a mass sing-a-long. My t-shirt’s beginning to dry out as we leave Paradise and walk out onto an energized Commonwealth Ave; the Red Sox are clawing their way back at the Tampa Bay Rays adding a little bit more of a shine to a fantastic night. EDITORIAL TEAM EXECUTIVE EDITOR KATY MILLER REVIEWS EDITOR ALEX DOUBET FASHION EDITOR ANNA TONG FASHION EDITOR IRENE YAUN CAMPUS BUZZ EDITOR JEFF BENGEL WEEKEND EDITOR ALLISON BAUM PHOTO EDITOR RACHEL LIBESKIND VIDEO EDITOR ALEXA WEST COMIC BY JAMES KOHL PRINTED BY TURLEY PUBLICATIONS
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DEAR
ALLISON
Allison Baum Voice Columnist
A guy I met abroad is terrorizing me with daily IMs and racy pics! Dear Allison, I recently spent some time abroad and became close with my host brother. He was super cute and fun to hang out with but nothing ever happened between us. Since I’ve returned stateside, however, he has been harassing me online- sending me messages every day and even the occasional racy photo. I’ve tried not responding but he persists. It was entertaining at first but now it’s totally creeping me out. How do I get him to stop? Sincerely, Cyber Victim Dear Victim, I hope the pictures are at least somewhat tasteful. If the kid is willingly sending inappropriate pictures of himself into cyberspace, he’s either not the brightest crayon in the box, or he simply has no shame. Since ignoring him hasn’t worked, you’re going to have to tell him how it is—invent an imaginary boyfriend who will cross an ocean to beat him up or tell
him you’re not interested and to please stop. Being direct is the best antidote for a persistent creeper like this one. Dear Allison, My roommate recently started dating this guy and they’re pretty much in love. They’re together all the time and I never see her anymore. Without his realizing it, their relationship has changed her for the worse. He is manipulative, controlling, rude and inconsiderate of her friendships with others. I don’t want to tell her how I really feel about him because I’m worried she’ll hate me, but unless I say something I know that our friendship will never be the same. What should I do? Sincerely, Stuck in the Middle Dear Stuck, Your friend is probably not going to be willing to listen to anything she doesn’t want to hear, so speaking up will only alienate her. The best thing
dying to say “I told you so.”
“How do I deal with being cornered by the d-hall staff?”
you can do is take the whole thing in stride, offer your advice (only if she asks), and lend her a shoulder to cry on when it doesn’t work out. Talking smack about significant others is usually not a good idea, it always comes back to haunt you. Give it some time and you’ll be
i
Dear Allison, The best part about upper class housing so far is that I don’t have to see Domna everyday. The people who work in the dining hall of my house are really nice and friendly, but sometimes I don’t feel like having a ten-minute conversation with them every time I come to grab some food. Sometimes I am hungry and do not want to be distracted or delayed from my food consumption. How do I deal with being cornered by the staff? I want to be nice but sometimes I’ve just gotta eat!
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Sincerely, A Starving Sophomore Dear Starving, The food isn’t going anywhere, and I’m sure it wouldn’t kill you to be polite once in awhile. After all, you only have your precious food because there are dedicated people working all day long in your dining hall. Just try to avoid corners or lingering too long by the salad bar. You don’t have to be overly friendly, but you should smile and cordially respond as you go along your merry way. It’s the least you can do, right?
E-mail Allison! allison@theHvoice.com
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