Aubrey’s KC Adventures

Aubrey’s Kansas City Adventures

Monarch Glass Studio holds creations that captivate the mind through their dangerous colorful vases to an intricate glass sculpture of a shuttlecock. Each piece is highly individualized by the artist who created it. as he finished making it and set it on the metal sheet to cool off. A small bucket was underneath the sheet filled to the brim with colorful glass pieces no one got a cylinder shaped burn forever etched into their face but it could have easily happened with me driving the rod. origins. The studio makes up the entire that we could look through and collect After I had gathered the glass it BY AUBREY MAKAR A&E COLUMNIST building and the first thing that we did upon arriving was take a tour. All the levels of the building had something our favorites to take home. Each of the pieces were cut from a bigger project that couldn’t be put back into the was time to collect our things because they had some real work to do that didn’t include making small horses or In a small to do with glass blowing even if it was furnace due to color differences. dodging a blazing metal rod. Kimball building on East only to store a few pieces. After taking The next thing I knew I was given gave us the horses and we excitedly Truman Road, a tour of the studio, we observed the a huge metal rod and directed towards accepted them and tried to decide on my friend’s creation of the glass sculptures. the furnace to gather the glass for a names. I named mine Power while my brother, Tyler It was immediately noticeable that different project. The heat was almost friends took Light and District just to Kimball, owns there was a lot of skill involved in this too much as I gathered the courage to commemorate our time in the studio. Monarch Glass craft. They were constantly dealing get the job done. I have no idea how Glass blowing is definitely not Studio where with lighting up a furnace that held the they are able to make these creations one of my talents and I highly admire he makes the most amazing molten glass and the scorched metal with such ease because I was having a anyone who can do it with such pieces that transform molten beams used to gather the glass. hard time trying to hold onto the stick precision and composure. This turned glass into something spectacular. I was able to watch with utter as I twirled it in the liquefied glass. out to be one of my favorite days that

Right when you walk in the door delight as Kimball pulled out a The rod was heavy, and my knees I was able to spend with my friends there is a variety of glass artwork dripping ball of glass out of the fiery shook because of the irrational fear because of the mix of suspense and which immediately captures your furnace and transform it into a small that I was going to brand someone excitement. Some of the most creative attention. There are pieces from pony. The glass was still red with heat with the end of the stick. Thankfully, places are in Downtown Kansas City.

“The Gods of Egypt” PG-13

“The Finest Hours” PG-13

“Zootopia” PG

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ONLINE Go to lejournallive.com for these movie reviews

River Market Offers Something for Everyone This downtown neighborhood The name is pretty self -explanatory. also have shops in the same area as their is the perfect place for weekend exploring. For the lunch or dinner crowd, there are plenty of options. You could stick to the tried and true local chains stands for the farmer’s market. So even if you don’t go on a Saturday morning, you’ll still have the opportunity to buy BY RACHEL ERGOVICH like Bo Lings or Minsky’s. For those their products. MANAGING EDITOR wanting to try something new there There’s more to do in the River is an abundance of restaurants serving Market than just eating and shopping,

Just north of Downtown Kansas international cuisine ranging from though. Take in some local history City, wedged in between I-35 and Mexican and Italian to Ethiopian and at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. If the Missouri River, is a quaint Brazilian. There is no where else in museums aren’t your thing, take in the neighborhood known as the Kansas Kansas City where you can find that beautiful views at a number of unique City River Market. This small area kind of variety. parks in the neighborhood, or bring has a multitude of interesting shops One of the coolest things at the your four-legged furry friend and play and restaurants that are suited to the River Market is the farmer’s market. around in an off-leash park. You may traditional and adventurous alike. The vendors sell both local and even see the new streetcar completing

Spend at least a few hours at the international fruits and vegetables, as one if it’s test runs. River Market. If you’re a morning well as other merchandise. Next to the Plan a trip down to the Kansas person, start your morning with fruit and vegetable booths there are City River Market with some of breakfast. Try The Farmhouse, but people selling baked goods, honey, tea your friends. No matter what make sure to get there before 10 a.m. and spices from all around the world. you’re interested in, you won’t be because it tends to fill up quickly. The Some of the international vendors disappointed. Farmhouse pancakes and fruit are the best pancakes ever.

If you’re not a fan of breakfast food (do those people even exist?), try one of the many coffee shops located in the River Market. Kansas City favorite Quay Coffee will never disappoint. If you’re looking for a coffee house vibe but want some food more substantial than pastries, head to The Opera House Coffee and Food Emporium. (Photo by Sophie Nedelco)

“Full” of Laughs// “Fuller House” brings up old memories from the 1980s hit sitcom.

BY MADISON HEIDE SPORTS EDITOR

To prepare for his role as Jesse Owens, Stephan James trained for months, learning how to emulate the Olympic runner’s technique. (Photo by MCT Campus)

Directionless Movie Falls Short of High Expectations

“Race” doesn’t quite cross the finish movie details the struggles of Owens’ life as well line and achieve the potential that Jesse Owens’s story provides. as the obstacles that were put in the way of the people Hitler detested, who were just trying to compete in the games that they had worked so BY LUCY STOFER hard to get to. REPORTER The Jesse Owens story has many different avenues and groups involved, and the film

“Race” depicts the story of the African tries to cover them all. As a result, this lack of American sprinter, Jesse Owens in the same direction lessens the impact of each part. The style as every other big Hollywood sports movie. movie contains too many subplots that become Owens is portrayed by Stephan James, who is confusing and difficult to follow. For most of the commonly known for his role in “Selma.” Owens movie, the story centers around Owens’ story endured many struggles related to his race and with the historical aspects as a subplot. However racing (note the clever wordplay in the title) in when they reach the games the subplots take over his life before and during his victory at the 1936 the rest of the storyline and Owens gets lost in Berlin Olympics where he won four gold medals, the seemingly random story about a filmmaker broke two world records and matched another. who is attempting to make a propaganda film for “Race” is directed by Stephen Hopkins who also Nazi Germany. directed movies like “Predator 2” and “The Life The Jesse Owens story, paired with the and Death of Peter Sellers”. historical elements of the world at this time,

Owens’ unique story provides a different had the potential to create a beautiful film angle than most sports movies. The 1936 confronting the very real problems that athletes Olympics were held in Nazi Germany in the and all people at the time faced. However, midst of Hitler’s reign, which became a problem “Race” dragged on at a long two hours and 14 when Jewish Americans and African Americans minutes and still left the audience wanting more were preparing to compete in the games. The infomation on Owens and less of the side stories.

Race: Uplifting //

After almost two decades, the revival of “Full House” premiered, leaving fans finally fulfilled with closure. Abundantly cheesy, “Fuller House” reminisces the puns that left us laughing before, with 80’s humor that was adored. But now, the jokes are almost too familiar, like a funny joke told too many times. In Full House’s attempt to have final closure, the sequel series retains a second-rate value to its prequel. It would be almost impossible not to, with eight beloved seasons and a familiar cast. “Fuller House” keeps the esteemed cast, but the reunion is overdone. After an elongated applause for each returning cast member, and a 13 second silence questioning the absence of the Olsen twins, a favorite cast member to most fans of “Full House,” it is understood “Fuller House” will do everything to reprise its original version.

It throws a twist on the original series, instead of three men raising the children, three women come together to raise the next generation of the Tanner family. DJ Tanner Fuller, (Candace Cameron Bure), the oldest daughter in the Tanner family, is recently widowed, and joined by her sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and her best friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber) in helping raise her three sons. The show continually compares itself to its predecessor, matching up both catchphrases and even playing clips from “Full House” side-by-side. It’s almost as if they didn’t change from the adolescence the audience left them in. Although the show may bring back the nostalgia feel, don’t bet on “Fuller House” leaving the impression “Full House” did.

The 1975 Reinvents Their Distinctive Personal Sound

Like the cover of the album itself, “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” is familiar yet new, with a little added color.

BY CHLOE BARRETT A&E EDITOR

The 1975 presents a new sound with their sophomore album, “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it,” released Feb. 26. The album is a mix of genres, drawing on endless influences but with a clear focus on pop and the ‘80s era of music. It is a break from the old, yet with a sound still recognizable to The 1975, making it an enjoyable experience for both new and old fans of the band.

The new sound is clear from the first track, which like the band’s first, self-titled album, begins with a self-titled song. “The 1975” on “I like it when you sleep” features the same lyrics as the previous version of the song, but with completely new production elements. The song is set to a new beat and there is a new effect on lead singer Matt Healy’s voice, immediately cluing the listener into the band’s intentions with the album: to experiment with new harmony between the two. sound across a variety of genres. Other songs even more closely align with

This new sound flows “The 1975” such as “She’s immediately into the next track, American” and “Lostmyhead.” “Love Me,” a song clearly inspired Both featured melodies that by ‘80s funk. Many artists draw closely align with the first inspiration from the ‘80s, but album, and even include a few “Love Me” takes the ‘80s and uses lines that are reminiscent or it to present a strong force running even directly mimic lyrics from through the song. Other songs take the first album, achieving a a softer side of the ‘80s, like “Paris.” sense of familiarity to comfort

“If I Believe You” is also a new those who might be reluctant sound for the band: it’s soulful, with to accept the new direction the choir-like background singing and band is taking. the distinct sound of a saxophone. Diverse // With such an extensive list

“Nana” is also a break from of songs and the wide range of previous sound. It is slower, an ode to Healy’s variety among them, it takes someone who is open grandmother and appears to be The 1975’s first to a lot of different genres to buy the entire album. song with an acoustic guitar. “She Lays Down,” the If you’re that person, the album is definitely worth following and final track, is even more stripped the $11.99 on iTunes. But even those who aren’t as down, with only Healy’s voice and a guitar. adventurous in their music will find at least one song

Despite the new sound of many songs, fans of they like, thanks to the wide variety of songs on the The 1975’s first album will still find familiarity. A few album. Take the time to listen to a bit of each one songs, including “UGH!” are like a bridge between (and don’t be intimidated by the number of songs; the first album and second album, combining the there are some gems at the end). most distinctive aspects of each into songs that find LE JOURNAL March 2016 25