Issue 26 - March 25 2004

the newspaper

25 March 2004 Vol. XXVI No. 26

U of T’s Independent Weekly

on the inside •Welcome to the deep freeze • Does U of T need a new stadium? •

Abortion display raises eyebrows, ire by Joe Kerr

WEDGE ISSUE BUREAU

The University of Toronto Students for Life (UTSFL) group held a GAP (Genocide Awareness Project) display at the Sidney Smith building on 17 and 18 March. Boards displaying “GAP Signs,” which are available to pro-life groups through The Center for Bioethical Reform, were used because they “demand discussion [about abortion]” according to Elaine Barber, president of the UTSFL. Pictures displayed on the boards were graphic in nature, and controversial to some.

The event was given the goahead despite a warning from Professor Wayne Sumner UTSFL is a campus group that promotes a pro-life viewpoint. It currently has a mem-

the newspaper bets on

bership base of 150 students and opposes “acts which fail to protect and affirm the dignity of human life.” Hillel at U of T, a Jewish students’ campus organization, has filed a request for an apology both from the UTSFL as well as the university’s administration for allowing the event to be held. Lisa Baumal, head of the Wolfond Centre, said that several students who had seen the display were “upset and offended” over the depiction of Holocaust imagery at the event. Barber says that the UTSFL has no intention of writing an apology to either Hillel or U of T. “We will not give an apology because we cannot apologize for showing the truth,” said Barber in a phone conversation. Also present during the days of the display were pro-choice group representatives, who were on hand to provide their own pamphlets on the issue. Chloe Tunis, a second year student participating on behalf of the prochoice group, says that she and her fellow pro-choice reps were given warning that the “CBR (Center for Bio-ethical Reform) Continued on Page 3

SARAH POLLEY PAGE 4

the newspaper presents

JASON IN COLOUR.

Believe it again. PAGE 6

THE ILLUSTRATION: ROSENA FUNG

Belling the Curve Student wins 8-month fight to have grade changed by Peter Josselyn NEWS BUREAU

Think that your professor got your mark wrong? Don’t keep that rage bottled—launch a complaint. That’s the lesson Michael Malleson, a U of T alumnus, learned from his dealings with the economics department. Malleson was surprised by his final mark in an environmental economics half-course taught by Prof. Matthew Turner (ECO 313H). He wrote the professor a letter to see what had happened, since his mark on the final exam and other assignments added up to 5% more than his final mark.

His mark—and the marks of all students in the class—had been adjusted by 5%. Prof. Turner rejected his complaint: “The fact that Mr. Malleson is accustomed to getting A’s does not mean that he is entitled to them. I handed out a lot of A’s in this class, all to students whose performance was superior to his,” Turner wrote. What the letter does not mention, but which Malleson soon discovered, was that Turner had, after handing back all assignments, decreased all marks in the class by 5%. He claimed that this was to conform with guidelines set out by the Faculty of Arts & Science that state no more than 50% of students in one class can get As and Bs—the marks on the exam were unex-

pectedly high, Turner claimed. Malleson was not satisfied with this result, so he complained to the department. The Associate Chair, François Casas, reviewed the case and sided with Turner. “This completes my review of your appeal and hope it brings this matter to an end,” Casas wrote. Commenting of how grades are a secondary aspect to study Casas ended his letter “As pointed out by Prof. Turner, a university education is meant to teach students how to figure things out.” Malleson was not impressed with this stern rebuke or the assessment, and appealed to economics department chair, who again sided with Turner. Finally, Malleson appealed to the Faculty of Arts & Science in December. By then, Malleson had graduated and was a student at Cambridge University. Amazingly, in early March Malleson received an email from acting Assistant Registrar Paul McCann saying that his mark—and the marks of all students in the class—had been adjusted by 5%. In an interview with the newspaper, McCann was adamant that this does not signify a change in Faculty policy. “It was specific to one class,” he said. “Course instructors take a look at this [whether to adjust marks] throughout the year, but in this case marks were returned to students and changed after,” he said. Profs. Turner and Casas could not be reached for comment. Students interested in the issue can read the Policy on Grading Practices in the student handbook.

Cults: You belong here by Clare Tattersall

FUZZY LOGIC BUREAU

On any given day a cult recruiter could approach you. Cult recruiters do not look any different than you and me. Oftentimes recruiters are students; students who want to be your “friend.” This allows them to walk about the campus undetected. Typically a cult’s headquarters is located off-campus, and the leader sends recruiters on campus to find new members. Until recently, cult activity on university campuses has not been a major concern. In the last few years people have

become more concerned about aggressive recruiting behaviour. People believe aggressive recruiting has increased over the years. Susan Addario, Director of Student Affairs, confirmed that they do receive calls about aggressive recruiting. Student Affairs is inundated with calls in the fall, in the middle of the school term, and around the holidays. “We typically hear from students who are annoyed,” explained Addario. Students are tired of being stopped by people who just want to chat. The conversation inevitably leads to an invitation to a group meeting. Students feel they cannot tell

recruiters to get lost because the recruiters are so polite. Addario rarely hears about serious incidents, though the odd one pops up now and then. Though everyone is at risk of recruitment, some students are more vulnerable than others. According to Addario, “recruiters are trying to pick up people who might be feeling a little lonely, a little isolated, a little unsuccessful.” Students living away from home for the first time, and students struggling with grades and personal issues fall into this category. Most students don’t believe it could happen to them. U of T students appear to be

more susceptible to recruitment than other university students. Unlike Ryerson and York universities, U of T is scattered across a large area. The university is not confined to a couple of large interconnected buildings. Consequently, there is not a strong sense of belonging at U of T. As concern about aggressive recruiting has mounted, U of T has tried to raise student awareness. According to Addario, “the ‘Getting There’ Student Guide provides the best information for students.” The guide warns students that they might encounter some high-pressure religious Continued on Page 3

Everything Is Under Control Ionesco’s Bald Soprano mentioned & Jack or the Submission reviewed by Edward Gebbie ARTS BUREAU

Eugene Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano and Jack or The Submission end their run at Hart House this week, with performances until Saturday. The playwright has always been popular with students, and seems to be enjoying a renaissance in Toronto. This is the second Ionesco production in the city in the past year. While both tackled Ionesco’s classic The Bald Soprano, director Dan Leberg chose to pair Ionesco’s signature piece with the more rarely performed Jack or the Submission. Why the resurgence of interest in these labyrinthine productions? Part of the answer lies in the subject matter. Like most

of Ionesco’s work, Soprano and Jack deal with issues of control, with satire directed at the feckless middle-class and their evil and thoughtless social grasping. Subversion, especially subversion articulated by torrents of nonsense prose (Ionesco’s absurdist calling-card) seems to strike a chord in these regimented times. In any case, Leberg is to be credited with ambition. The programme’s director’s notes mention his desire to “take two one-act plays (with more in common then you’d think) and turn them into the first and second acts of something larger whilst preserving the individual integrity of each piece.” A tall Continued on Page 4

THE PHOTO: COURTESY OF DOUG FLOYD

Some of what we missed: The Bald Soprano

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the newspaper

NEWS & OPINIONS

25 March 2004

the editorial

500 words each

Welcome to the deep freeze

Does U of T need a new stadium?

When is enough enough? The University announced a 2% budget cut across the board this week. What this means for students is more of the same: dirtier buildings, larger classes, less access to professors, and decreased facilities. If this were the first year of budget cuts, this could be passed off as belt-tightening. The second year, separating the wheat from the chaff. The third year, becoming lean. The fourth year, consolidating what’s essential. The fifth year, proving our mettle. But this announcement comes on the heels of over a decade of budget cuts. When will it end? Facilities & Services summarizes the situation well in their Crumbling Foundations report: “We don’t clean windows.” They don’t have the money—budget cuts. They don’t have the money for other things too, like routine maintenance. (They are close to $300 million behind.) Departments are in trouble, too. Class sizes are increasing dramatically. The 500 Words Each columns about a new U of T stadium forget that we may soon need it as a venue for first-year classes. Who’s to blame? First are the provincial and federal governments. While Liberals are gushing over education initiatives in the federal budget, they forget that Paul Martin has never made good on any of his education promises. Even then, the main promise is to help those born after Jan. 2004. It may be helpful, but it’s not what universities need. The Ontario Liberals are even worse. They are making good on their promise to freeze tuition, and universities have been forced to cut their budgets to pay for it. Ontario has the lowest per capita funding anywhere in Canada. Add to that the double cohort—which caused U of T to buy lots of pricy real estate to accommodate increased enrolment—and you have a big problem. Factor in the partially funded tuition freeze, and the financial future of our universities is looking bleak. It’s easy to point the finger at U of T, but they have been boxed into a corner by provincial governments dangerously misguided in their education policy. While supposedly helping students with a tuition freeze, the Ontario Liberals have debased the quality of university education by only partially funding the freeze. A university degree has great value outside of the university, but that value is proportional to the funding that an institution receives. The Liberals at Queen’s Park need to give U of T what it deserves: per capita student funding must be raised to the national average.

What to expect? Dirtier buildings, larger classes, and decreased facilities

Profs need code of conduct, student needs apology Michael Malleson took on U of T and won. Based on what he had to go through to have his marks amended to reflect grades received on assignments, this is a David and Goliath story. The file of correspondence is thick. This is not that shocking, since U of T is known for its slow-paced and intricately-layered bureaucracy. What is surprising is how Malleson was treated by professors and administrators. The replies were not just curt, they were rude and mean-spirited. How is this allowed to happen? Universities are supposed to be places that are accountable—to the public and to students who foot the bill. As shocking as it is to most professors, they actually work for students. The University has only gone halfway to remedy this situation by fixing students’ marks. Now, it’s time to reprimand the professors from the economics department who were rude to a student: Prof. Matthew Turner and Prof. François Casas. There is a student code of conduct that goes beyond the basic principals set down by law. Why not the same for professors?

the newspaper

1 Spadina Crescent: “Kangaroo?! Who did this to you?”

The Varsity Stadium site sits empty. But are you crying about it? —NO—

by Roger Spiers U of T needs many things. It needs more professors, it needs smaller class sizes, it needs more money from the government. It does not need a stadium. Somewhere along the way, U of T got confused and made professional sports part of its mandate. In these cash-strapped times, the university needs to stick to the essentials of an academic education. Don’t build a stadium; fix the libraries, or better yet pay someone to put the books back on the shelf. Let’s look at the real problem: You can build it, but the people won’t come. A look through the newspaper’s archives shows that when we did have a stadium, no one was using it. Attendance at games had dwindled to embarrassingly low numbers. Building a stadium will not change the fact that the only people who care about Varsity Athletics are Varsity athletes. There is nothing wrong with Physical Education. We’re getting fat—we need the spandexclad set to keep us fit. There is something wrong the idea that they need a stadium to keep up with the Joneses—that their education is less about substance and more about public display. Do science students need special laboratories where the masses can cheer them on? It’s laughable. The counter-argument is that it is good for morale. Take a good look at those who promote this idea: note the slightly graying hair and distracted gaze. This is not a logical argument; it is mawkish nostalgia at its worst. Nothing, not even a brand new stadium can bring back the days

when all students wanted to do on a Sunday afternoon was watch football. It’s even easy to point fingers. The main dealmaker behind the scuttled attempt for a stadium funded by the MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment) was U of T Vice-President Jon Dellandrea who was—you guessed it—a former Varsity football star. Dellandrea is an excellent fundraiser, among the best in the country, but even he could not sell this proposal. Richard Florida writes about what cities and communities need to create vibrant culture. Last on his list is professional sports and what goes with them—large arenas and stadiums. Creative people don’t want to watch, they want to participate. The Varsity site should be used to increase athletic facilities that Physical Education students can use as well as students participating in intramural sports. The prime Bloor St. frontage should be used to generate cash for the University and to maintain the facility. An in-depth look at what U of T is trying to accomplish is to create a facility that will be a centre for student life on campus and also a place where the campus can interact with the city. A stadium can no longer fulfill this need. If U of T needs anything on that site, it is more facilities for students that are broadly inclusive. A concrete and steel behemoth built on the premise that thousands of students want to cheer on a select few is offensive. U of T does need a stadium—and the students don’t need a stadium-size debt.

—YES—

by Maciej Mazur

Almost two years after Varsity Stadium was demolished, still nothing has sprung up to fill the void left by its passing. The remainder of the north and south walls encloses the field and its makeshift bleachers, lonely sentinels reflecting on a neglected athletic tradition. A number of failed attempts at initiating the development of new facilities in the Varsity Field area demonstrates a definite lack of commitment to athletics, as well as to the surrounding community by the University of Toronto. UBC’s Thunderbirds play at Thunderbird Stadium. Laurier’s Goldenhawks occupy University Stadium. Our teams compete on the hilly terrain of Varsity Field. Opposing teams must feel like Manchester United visiting the local village for a friendly match. The lack of support from the administration for athletic programs profoundly affects the attitudes of the student body. A lack of fan support at Varsity games is painfully obvious. What promising highschool football or soccer player would seriously consider U of T as a potential destination after getting a sense of the apathy in the air. McGill athletes play at Molson Memorial Stadium, sharing the 20,202-capacity venue with the Montreal Allouettes. They play on FieldTurf ™, a surface I can only imagine in my wildest dreams. Through a partnership with the Toronto Argonauts, the Canadian Soccer Association, and support from various levels of government we could look forward to such a revolutionary facility. A glorious 25,000 capac-

campus comment

ity stadium, and a refurbished Varsity Arena could form the impetus for an invigorated athletics movement at the U of T. By failing to address the eyesore left behind by the demolition of a Bloor St. landmark, the University has also ignored its responsibility to the surrounding community. A rejuvenated Varsity strip would be central to the cultural life of Annex residents. Varsity Stadium hosted countless events over its long tenure at U of T, from concerts to Grey Cups. A new athletic complex would likely continue this great tradition, drawing international soccer matches and other exciting spectacles to enliven the surrounding area. The University of Toronto needs to be a good municipal citizen, and part of that is forming partnerships with local, community sports. Not only do students need a new facility, so does this city. Our Bloor St. eyesore simply does not cut it. U of T talks endlessly about making an appearance on the global stage of “Great Universities”. However they have left athletics out altogether. U of T should not aim to become one of the rah-rah colleges in the US where the only way to get a scholarship is knowing how to throw a ball; but athletics are a central part of any superior institution of higher learning. We should heed that well-known maxim of the ancients: mens sana in corpore sano, a healthy mind in a healthy body. The University of Toronto needs to quickly accomplish a facelift of the Varsity strip, for the surrounding community, to improve student life, and to jump into the higher echelon of schools.

What’s your ideal summer job? Rob, Philosophy & Poli Sci

Jordan, American Studies

Doing campus comment.

Special assistant to the president of the USA.

Jessica, History & Anthropology

Angela, Philosophy & Poli Sci

Teaching English in Barcelona.

Not needing a summer job.

Ellan, Philosophy & Economics

Tanya, Physiology

Founded in 1978 formerly The Independent Weekly Editors Edward Gebbie, Matthew Gloyd, & Peter Josselyn Associate Editors Brenda Cromb, Katie A. Szymanski, & Dora Zhang Board of Directors Rachel Bokhout, Reuben Schwarz & Ivor Tossell Photo Editor Mark Coatsworth Dave Bort, Rosena Fung, Stephen Hay, Joe Kerr, Jason “Kief the Chief” Kieffer, Emma Lawson, Thea Lim, Maciej Mazur, Morgon Mills, Ryan North, Zach Slootsky, Roger Spiers, Clare Tattersall, Denise Wilson. the newspaper is the University of Toronto’s community paper and is published weekly by Planet Publications Inc., a non-profit corporation. Contributions are welcome from all U of T community. Writers old and new can drop by our office every Thursday at 4:30 for story assignments. Letters to the editor should be under 250 words, and writers must include their name and their telephone number.

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editorial: 416.593.1552 advertising: 416.593.1559 fax: 416.593.0552 thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca

Cleaning airplanes.

One that I will be hired for.

Andrea, Art History & English

Leslie, Information Technology

Working at an outdoor pool.

MC-ing and travelling around.

NEWS & OPINIONS

25 March 2004

the newspaper

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The 2004 Hart House Lecture

Jennifer Welsh is at home in the World by Stephen Hay

HART HOUSE BUREAU

“Personally, I’ve wrestled with the question of where I belong,” says Jennifer Welsh, this year’s Hart House lecturer. “I’ve spent a lot of time outside of Canada. I felt very strongly in the nineties that I had to be in Canada to be a Canadian and to be contributing. What I’ve come to see is that’s not necessarily true for me and for a lot of other people as well. Canada is a network of values whose heart is a space north of the 49th parallel, but that extends worldwide.” Now a professor of International Relations at Oxford University, Welsh grew up and got her undergraduate degree in Saskatchewan. From there she won a Rhodes Scholarship, and then worked and studied across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. The nineties were a turbu-

CULTS Continued from Page1 groups on campus, and details the dangers of these groups. It also provides a questionnaire for students. If a student answers “yes” to even one of the statements in the questionnaire, then he/she should seek help. For those students who need help deciphering the guide, Student Affairs provides a staff member to walk them through it. Besides the guide, Student Affairs puts up posters, hands out pamphlets, and talks to students concerned about aggressive recruiting. “Mostly what we try and do is put the information into the hands of people who are at the front lines,” explained Addario. The Campus Chaplain’s Association launched an antirecruitment campaign of its own. It created a workshop

ABORTION Continued from Page1 could gather information for potential lawsuits” in a memo before attending the event. Barber of the UTSFL said that some students had thought their group to be the on-campus representative of the CBR, an American organization. According to her, the UTSFL were

lent decade for her. As a young person at home and abroad she frequently asked herself “where do I belong?” Canada seemed to be asking itself the same question. Coming home, she found a country gripped by the twin crises of the 1995 Quebec referendum and the early days of Free Trade. Preoccupied, Canada and Canadians were turning inward, away from the world. But times have changed. In her latest book, At Home in the World, Canada’s Global Vision for the 21st Century (forthcoming, HarperCollins, 2004), Welsh writes about how Canada and Canadians are stepping out into the world once more. For Welsh, the international arena is about more than just states and treaties: it’s individuals who matter. Moreover, Canadian individuals matter. “Canadians have become very comfortable being global entitled “Too Good to be True: Responding to Aggressive Religious Recruiting.” The workshop teaches students strategies to combat aggressive recruiting. The Campus Chaplain’s Association also offers counseling services to students who feel threatened by certain religious groups. Occasionally cult members want to break away from their mind controlling groups. Despite the hurdles they must overcome, it is attainable. The Campus Chaplain’s Association advises cult members on how to dissociate themselves from their groups but maintains a handsoff approach, as U of T does not assume responsibility for the moral and social behaviour of its students. The association refuses to intervene and remove individuals from cult activity. Cult members must do this for themselves, but this is an increasingly difficult task. only using the purchased displays provided by the GAP as a means of promoting the group’s position on abortion. The event was given the go-ahead to take place in the Sidney Smith building by the Arts and Science faculty despite a warning from Wayne Sumner, University Professor of philosophy noted bio-ethicist. UTSFL warning signs were present that read “Abortion

players -- Canadians themselves. Our citizens are now engaged as citizens in the world, doing things in a very visible way” she says. To drive home her point, she quotes political philosopher Edmund Burke:

road in Saskatchewan, looking at the biggest sky you’ll ever see or on a lake in Algonquin, listening to a loon,” says Welsh, she finds that she needs occasionally to come back to Canada and find grounding. “That land is

Men are not tied to one another by papers and seals. They are led to associate by resemblances, by conformities, by sympathies “We lay too much weight upon the formality of treaties and compacts…. Men are not tied to one another by papers and seals. They are led to associate by resemblances, by conformities, by sympathies.” Welsh is tied to that space north of the 49th parallel, by much more than just the paper and seals of her passport. “Whether it’s standing on a flat

very important to me. The feeling of standing in certain places in Canada roots me very firmly. That is not a rational thing.” As for the question of belonging, Welsh responds, “I no longer feel this tug of war that I felt for over a decade. I’m very at peace now.” Apparently, Canada isn’t the only one at home in the world these days.

Vote, Dammit The following members are eligable to vote in Planet Publications’ editorial elections: Kate Beckett, Spencer Bruce, Gill Cerbu, Derrick Chow, Mark Coatsworth, Andrew Covert, Brenda Cromb, Rosena Fung, Katerina Gligorijevic, Josh Gurfinkel, Stephen Hay, Tiffanie Ing, Sol Israel, Mike Jacques, Joe Kerr, Jason Kieffer, Tim Kocur, Emma Lawson, Helen Lee, Jenny Lui, Brian Maxwell, Morgon Mills, Peter Mohideen, Ryan North, Stephen Notley, Miyoko Ohtake, Rich Platel, Jeremy Rusinek, Graham F. Scott, Ryan Sloan, Roger Spiers, Katie A. Szymanski, Brent Wilson, Dora Zhang

Voting takes place 1 April, 5 p.m. at 1 Spadina Crescent, Room 245.

If there are any questions, email thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca or phone 416.593.1552 Genocide Pictures Ahead,” as well as signs put up by campus security that warned about the graphic nature of the pictures on display. Sumner had advised the faculty to have the display in an area where passing students would have to choose to view the imagery depicted on the billboards. Sumner believes that there was the potential to offend passing students and faculty with

the “horrific” imagery. U of T has recently come under fire from other local pro-life groups, such as the Life Ethics Educational Association (LEEA), which published a report critical of a high school course package published by the U of T Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB) called Engage— Stem Cells. The LEEA contends that the material is biased towards promoting stem cell research.

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JOB POSTINGS

There are three FULL-TIME positions available for the 20042005 year. • TWO Co-Editor positions with specific responsibilities for News and Arts coverage, as well as joint supervision and production of the entire newspaper. These positions will be elected and are open to all applicants. • ONE Business/Advertising Manager responsible for managing Planet Publications Inc. and selling and co-ordinating advertising. This position will be hired by Board of Directors and is open to all applicants. Fax your resumé, cover letter, and 3 clippings of published work if you’re applying for an editorial position to 416-593-0552 or email us at thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca by 28 March 2004. Elections held April 1, 2004. Questions? Give us a call at 416-593-1552, write us an email or drop by the office.

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THE ARTS

the newspaper

25 March 2004

Taking a chance on Canadian film

Johnny Trackstar: Local acoustic superhero rocks politely, but well

LUCK REVIEWED by Brenda Cromb

GENRES WITHIN GENRES BUREAU

I’d never have gone to see Luck if I’d known it was about gambling. The gambling picture (think Rounders) is one of my least favourite genres. It’s always the same: guy innocently enough starts gambling, wins a lot, starts losing, racks up huge debt; plot is resolved with One Last Bet. Throw in a disapproving girl and presto! You have your very own conventional drama! Luckily, Luck distinguishes itself in a couple of ways: one, it’s so Canadian that the One Last Bet involves the final game of the famous 1972 CanadaUSSR hockey series (which is neat, because you already know how the bet is going to come out); two, instead of being coolly obsessed with odds and betting systems and other stuff that’s boring to one who isn’t a gambling aficionado, our hero really believes in the magical forces of luck. Shane is an aspiring writer and lovable loser (Luke Kirby, who’s actually pretty lovable in a role that could easily be incredibly unsympathetic), has it bad for his friend Margaret (Sarah Polley). But he doesn’t know how to tell her, which sends her running off to England and the arms of her ex-boyfriend.

THE PHOTO: ODEON FILMS

Sarah Polley as Margaret in Luck. So after agreeing to feed her cats, Shane goes out with his gambling friends. He usually just tags along, but he starts making bets, because “he just wants not to lose at something.” See, it’s kind of conventionbucking – he doesn’t have a broken heart because of gambling, he’s gambling because of a broken heart! The story is told via voiceover from Shane, with the occasional jump cut to a shot of him telling it at what turns out to be a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting. This isn’t just a bravado move, it works surprisingly well in terms of tension-building.

Anyway, Shane wins a lot, but then he loses even more, winding up deeper in debt with a loanshark in a hockey jersey. Finally he and his friends start book-making. Because when you have a gambling debt, what better way to pay it off than more gambling? The reason they keep making these gambling movies is that you get to watch a character make a fascinating transformation, from average guy to desperate lunatic – this one’s pretty well-shaded. The lure of gambling is easy to understand, but it’s hard to grasp how Shane could get so obsessed

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with winning that he would make increasingly stupid moves. When he starts throwing away a chance at getting out of cold water because he wants to do better than breaking even, you start to want him to get what he deserves as much as you want him to get out of it. Which is, I think, intentional on writer-director Peter Wellington’s part. Luck is not a film for everyone; I don’t think it’s a film for me; but it’s a good film. Luck manages to be just real enough that even a viewer who doesn’t know anything about sports betting is still interested.

IONESCO Continued from Page 1 order, but not an impossible one. Unfortunately, when I attended Saturday’s performance, this grand fusion was not to be. The show started late, with music creating an unsettling feeling while the house lights beamed. When they dimmed, a fat and jolly Englishman, struggling to perform a musichall style dance number, joined us. It’s not in the text, but it hit the right note: sly mockery of institutional figures in a setting that had more to do with the absurd than any other theatrical convention. After a brief pause, we were instructed that one of the cast was ill. The evening would begin with Jack and The Bald Soprano would hopefully follow. Sadly, this did not happen. I hope whoever was feeling under the weather has recovered for this week. It’s a shame that The Bald Soprano didn’t get things started. The more familiar terrain of the play might have helped both director and audience better navigate Jack. As it stood, this was a flawed but worthy production. Much discussion, even in the playbill, concerns Jack’s supposed “unperformability.” Faced with numerous characters emoting in either long monologue or sharp exchange, it’s easy for the actors to lose their way. Ionesco is as heedless of the logistical constraints of people actually having to say his dialogue as Bernard Shaw. Only its gibberish. That’s hard. The natural error of speeding up your words and turning up the screeching was much in evidence here. The broad comic aspects of the play are explored, but in a near-uniform tone: dripping contempt, and loud. The enjoyment of Ionesco’s dialogue generally comes from picking up diction and rhythm within the piece, or finding whatever shards of reason the listener can latch onto. This, and the occasional rude pun, draws the viewer in as a participant. Like the actors, we struggle to find

THE PHOTO: DENISE WILSON

What fresh fellows: Johnny Trackstar think about it all and smile.

attached implications. Also, fear. Friends since elementary school, this group of musicians forwent the usual “I’m a rockstar” crap for our interview, and let me in on dirty secrets of their musical past. Johnny Trackstar did their time toiling in bad rock outfits. After abandoning metal, the lyricist’s first songs were aimed solely at winning the attention of a girl. The appropriately titled “Notice Me” and “Toothpaste” (an attempt

at the Sandler brand of musical comedy), both littered with teen angst, entered the world. Needless to say, their lyrics have matured. The band now weaves insightful stories about meaning to be found in the banal and the everyday. The defining characteristic of their lyrics is the sensitivity and honesty with which they approach the human experience, in the minutiae of relationships, growing up and growing old, loving, leaving and the rest of it. Wow. Precision-rock drumming (Mike) and funk bass (Matt) enhance the lyrical base of the music—Pat writes and delivers all lyrics. The band is harmonious because of their co-evolution as musicians, and their shows have great energy because of their lack of conceit. Their style, which contains elements of Ben Folds Five, Belle and Sebastian and the Weakerthans, has entertained crowds all over Toronto. This past Tuesday, they played a show at The 360; they have also played at the Oasis, Cameron House, B-side and Lee’s Palace. When asked about the Toronto music scene, Pat, Mike and Matt feel that a greater sense of community needs to be reached, with more support for local bands. In line with the band’s relative non-image, they feel that many people involved in the Toronto scene are too pretentious and exclusive for the creation of a thriving musical community. That said, the band clarified that many of the bands they have played with defy this exhausting maintenance of an image, and cited The Brown Hornets and Royal Wood as two Toronto bands that they found refreshingly approachable (and super-talented). Johnny Trackstar released an EP titled Somerset Park in December, and is recording again in June. Check out their show listings and listen to mp3s at johnnytrackstar.com. You won’t be disappointed. I promise. They’re really good.

meaning, even if it is only in verse. Patterns emerge, involving the viewer in a manner unlike the connection found in “conventional” theatre Ham-handed reading undermined this collaborative effort by most of the cast. In this context, their volume is ironically timid. If Jack was made more plaintive, the tone of rudderless melancholy and chaos could have spoken for itself. For example: Father Jack is a doddering old man who disappears from the foreground and rejoins his family throughout the play to intone nonsense verse at his grandson. He’s lost it. But instead of providing pathos for old age, Old Jack is uniformly a leering lecher. This broad interpretation mars the performance. But it’s not all bad. The lighting designed by Jesse Calvert is beautiful, and the stage design is

simple and powerful. The dance numbers, distractingly frantic early on, take shape well. Gavin Enns as Father Robert is perfect, an off-centre Willy Wonka amidst the screams around him, and Eleni Deacon hits many hilarious highs as Jacqueleine. Once she settles down, Danielle Meierhenry as Roberta is a revelation. The final moments with her and Jack onstage restore a hard won order, and her reading is perfect and tragic. From the lone performance I saw of this double bill, one wishes Leberg had the courage to allow the audience into his interpretation more. Meaninglessness is only really meaningless if we don’t give it meaning, you know? Well, Ionesco did, and the audience’s suffocation would have been complete if we were allowed a few seconds more to breathe beforehand.

by Denise Wilson

PRINT MAKING BUREAU

Johnny Trackstar is a Toronto-based band that came together just over a year ago. Pat O’Donnell, with Mike and Matt Stokes, form a lyrical-based acoustic rock band that is deliciously un-pretentious (note to the uber-hip: consider yourself duly warned). Their name is inspired by the Belle and Sebastian song “The Stars of Track and Field,” and wasn’t solidified until a week before their first scheduled concert, when Pat’s mom returned from Myrtle Beach with a t-shirt personalized for him with the band’s temporary name emblazoned across the chest. As teenagers who “just wanted to play rock and roll,” they played with Oshawa-based metal band Cold Mechanical but left quickly due to the stipulation that they limit their wardrobe to black leather and its

They feel that many people involved in the Toronto scene are too pretentious and exclusive for the creation of a thriving musical community.

THE ARTS

25 March 2004

the newspaper

An Open Letter To Pharrell Williams

Hart House Hair Place 

N.E.R.D.’s Fly or Die reviewed

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Remember Pharrell, Phil Spector didn’t throw on a trucker hat and aviator goggles, get up there and shuck and jive. Or if he did (I’m guessing he did, actually) he certainly didn’t show us: he was a producer, dig? I’m not going to write you guys off just yet. You always seem to surprise with one last killer single when I think we’re about done. Bur Fly or Die is added to the increasingly long list of “Bad, Bad, Bad” Neptunes product. Sorry.

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You little punks think you own this town.

U of T’s Independent Weekly

the newspaper

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Pharrell, man. We go a long way back, you and I. Ever since “Got Your Money” and “Caught Out There.” Even that Mase track, honestly. When you started turning up on the records, I wasn’t too bothered. You’d be hiding under a chair or something, pop out and sing the hook. It was novel. But I don’t think anybody realized where it was going. N.E.R.D.’s first record, In Search Of… was supposed to be The Neptunes’ private reel. All the weird, experimental stuff they couldn’t sell to Britney or whoever. It wasn’t entirely successful, but it really worked. After all, the world needs Prince. And if nobody else but you, Pharrell is going to create futuristic sex-funk with a metallic grind, then so be it. There’s a moment in all great N.E.R.D./Neptunes production where the sleaze and electronics overcome everything else on the track. At these points you and Chad are hardly making music anymore, just electro-noise with brushes on the drums. But this stuff sounded like the future, and people took notice. There aren’t many moments like that on Fly Or Die. What happened, Pharrell? Blinded by bling? Jay-Z coming round the house too much,

showing off? Virtually every moment of Fly or Die is marred by what we’ll call “Black Eyed Peas Disease”: anxious to please and maddeningly mid-tempo. Wasn’t this what that Clones record was for? The first track, “Don’t Worry About It” is a note for note “Work It Out” redux. You are spirited Pharrell, and more successful here than in much of what’s to come. But you’re no Beyoncé. “Drill Sergeant” sounds like Belle and Sebastian’s last record, for God’s sake. What is this, children’s music? I know this is pop music. I was fine with the Justin thing. After all, somebody’s got to be Michael Jackson, too. But all the off-centre magic is gone, and where the hell is Shae? He’s on the cover, looking confused, and there’s nary they’re really, really long. Three a verse from that kid anywhere of these songs run at seven inside. He just kind of murmurs, minutes each or more. The best buried deep in the mix. track here, “Wonderful Place,” Maybe this is the problem. is straight ahead Bacharach Instead of rapping, we got 55 blended Dionne Warwick, until minutes of you (no singer) coonearly five minutes in. ing, literally cooing, whatever’s Then, you get heartfelt about on your mind. a mother and a drowning, intonThe humour that graced ing: “She swam for the light/ other releases is gone. Maybe like the Michelin Man/She the N.E.R.D. project just swam with such might.” And he doesn’t have a place in The means it! Neptunes’ bold new world. If you can’t write lyrics, mumThe best moments here are ble about sex. A simple rule of �� quiet and poppy, sounding Pop. Fly Or Die fails even that nearly like St. Etienne. Only test completely.

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by Edward Gebbie

5

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THE BACK PAGE

the newspaper

the crossword

by Morgon Mills

Last Issue’s Solution

Superheroes & other fabulous people Across 1. Ninja Turtles’ foe? 6. Object. 8. Muppet of Star Wars? 11. College next to St. Mike’s? 13. Antitheses of the humanities student? 15. DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-__-TIDO! 16. Washington. Like, not the state. 17. Prefix meaning “again.” 18. ____ whisky. 20. International medical group. 22. Usual partner of guitar, bass, and vocals, in rock. 24. Hero of The Matrix. 25. Where did Churchill keep his ___ies? Up his sleevies! 26. _____ of New York 29. Fate, destiny. 30. Like Dennis, according to Mr. Wilson. 32. Man of steel.

25 March 2004

the comics Jason at University

Read more comics online at www.jasonkieffercomics.com

Jason Kieffer

12. Batman’s female nemesis. 14. What you do if you see the Bogie Man (just ask Edvard Musch). 18. Killing in cold blood. 19. Bullets in general, or shoes in Austin Powers. 21. Pylons. 23. Egyptian sun-god. 27. Big ugly African cow-type thing? 28. Syrup predecessor. 31. “This,” en français.

the newspaper’s guide to spending your time

Down 1. 32-across is “faster than a ________ bullet!” 2. The sun’s 19-down? 3. Buenos ____! 4. Elliot’s “Extraterrestrial” friend. 5. What you hear after “Gentlemen, start your engines!” 7. It grinds flour or pepper (not saws). 9. Rowboat propeller? 10. Like blonde hair on a brunette?

The Soapbox

the five-buck lunch Yung Sing Pastry 22 Baldwin St.

There is nowhere else where five dollars goes as far as at the Yung Sing Pastry shop. Providing students with quality discount fare for thirty years, you can tell that there is history to this successful place. With minimal seating, this is not the place for wining or dining. This is where you go for good food, right away. During the lunchtime rush expect a fast moving line-up well out the door. The pressure to choose quickly when you make it to the counter contrasts the dozens of delicious items before you. For someone who eats meat the choice is easy; pick anything with “pork” in the name. Best are the BBQ pork filled buns, and the “pork rolls,” a football shaped pastry filled with sweet sautéed pork and veggie delights. The curried beef turn-

filling the hours

See The Corporation with Jack Layton!

Thursday, March 25 at The Bloor Cinema. Assurances have been made. The roof of the old Bloor isn’t going to collapse, even when Jack introduces your local NDP Candidates. Don’t place much stock in these facile promises, though: the sheer strength of Layton’s conviction and the awesome power of the film may reduce the Annex to socially conscious dust. Go and find out.

Rosena Fung

by Zach Slootsky over is a good transition between the pork dishes and the lightly cooked, sweet potato tempura. For the vegetarian in all of us, try the Tofu bun. This light hangover cure consists of Yung Sing’s famous bun dough, sandwiching a fluffy piece of seasoned tofu, cooked to perfection. Each item runs you just over a dollar after tax. For five dollars pick four and leave the rest as tip.

Dinosaur Comics

Read more comics online at www.qwantz.com Thanks to Dave Bort.

Ryan North

manage, except when you’re in 8th grade. When this film succeeds, it stings and satisfies. Keep an eye out for the band.

Hey Ladeez Friday March 26 . Is there a critical mass for th

these Toronto-Indie-Dance Nights? They’re being held at Stone’s Place now. Whatever; this one looks good. Live sets from Controller.Controller and Temple Threat, Kissing Booth from Shameless Magazine and DJ sets by Hannah Sung and Kerry Potts. Loot bags, too!

Welcome To The Hart House Lecture This is one of the biggest events at the House Dollhouse this year—and it’s all free. Jennifer Welsh disFriday, March 26 at Innis Town Hall. It’s not th

perfect, but Todd Solondz’s 1995 coming-of-age tale will reduce you to knowing winces. Earnestness and pretension are a frothy mix and hard to

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The Knowledge Navigators Time constraints? Writer’s block? Can’t find the right research materials you need? We can help! The Knowledge Navigators (416) 9609042 Fax (416) 960-0240 customessay@bellnet.ca

cusses citizenship in the 21st century. Get your tickets at the Hall Porters’ Desk. If watching lectures is not exactly your thing, the East Common Room has a video feed and a cash bar.

ARE YOU OR WERE YOU LABELED A ‘SLUT’ IN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL? ARE YOU BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13–100? I AM A PRODUCING A TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY ON THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SLUT AND WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU. PLEASE CONTACT ANDREA AT highschooldoc@hotmail.com or 1-866-344-3655 or 902-444-3655. www.BookSpook.com books buy sell trade Wasaga Beach International Hostel + Guest House $20/ night $125/ week. 1.5 hr. north of Toronto www.ziggysinternational .com 416-712-3131

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the etymology Minion Every evil genius/arch villain has a special relationship with their minions. Even the Wicked Witch of the West had a place for her flying monkeys in her cold, black heart. The most common usage of minion today is found in the American Heritage Dictionary’s first definition of the word: “an obsequious follower or dependant; a sycophant.” Another definition, however, goes back to the origins of the word, meaning “one who is highly esteemed or favoured; a darling.” The word minion came into English in 1501; meaning one’s favourite or darling, from the

by Emma Lawson Middle French word mignon with a similar definition. The Middle French version came from the Old French mignot, probably with either a Celtic or German origin (the Old Irish word min means tender or soft, and the Old High German word minna means love and memory). Minion was used without the disparaging tone until the 17th century, but it’s hard to respect someone who will do anything to keep themselves in your high regard, and so the common usage changed. Still, those flying monkeys would probably be darling to me if they were my minions. [Editor’s Note: Minion is also an Adobe typeface designed by Robert Slimbach in 1990. We know.]

next week: Ballet • The Joke Issue • The return to eight pages • Balmy Spring Air

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