November 26 2009

EU has a new prez.

He’s Belgian! In the news on p. 3

Lights, camera, 1 Spadina.

On the set of When Love is Not Enough: the Lois Wilson Story on the inside!

the newspaper

University of Toronto’s Independent Weekly

CFS pens letter to Ontario Government The Day of Action student protests to drop tuition fees continue to exert influence over two weeks later. On November 19, the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) presented its first set of recommendations to the Ontario post-secondary education secretariat.

CFS-Ontario, an organization that represents more than 300,000 post-secondary students across the province, has divided its recommendations into categories for minor and major changes to make education more accessible. A series of submissions is set to be released over the next few weeks, with topics including credit transfer, financial aid, funding, and regional issues. This first installment deals with ancillary and tuition fees.

Riding on the Day of Action successes, CFS-Ontario focussed its attention on the province’s

high tuition fees, debt loads, and youth unemployment. With most jobs requiring some post-secondary training, accessible education is paramount, according to CFS. When the Liberals froze tuition for two years, they capped future increases at an average of five percent annually. The recommendations call for an end to those increases and a plan to gradually reduce tuition costs. All the recommendations are based on publicly available data.

“We believe that education is a right,” said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of CFS-Ontario.

“This is a historic opportunity for the way we view post-secondary education and how it plays a role in strengthening the economy.”

“We have received the CFS report and we are reviewing it,” said Patrice Butterfield, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. “The

Continued on page 3

CUPE ratifies

Courses will continue without interruption DAN CRAIG

ALEX NURSALL

AMY STUPAVSKY

November 26, 2009

Vol. XXXII N0. 13

Victory just out of reach The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team jumped at the chance but could not get the jump on Brock at last Saturday’s game. The Blues put up a good fight, but were always just a little bit behind the play and ultimately lost 2-1.

CUPE local 3902 announced today, November 19, that 93% of their membership voted to ratify their new contract with the U of T administration.

The dispute over wages, benefits and job security for U of T’s sessional lecturers lead the union to threaten a strike on November 9th that would have crippled a number of courses being taught by CUPE members. In the early hours of the morning on November 8th, a tentative agreement was reached and then recommended to the CUPE membership to be ratified.

The vote, which happened from last Monday through Wednesday on campus, finally put to rest any worries of classes being interrupted by striking lecturers.

UTSU AGM sparks debate on future at U of T

UTSU staff urge students to get involved via Commission meetings UTSU held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, November 19 to discuss upcoming plans and policies, go over the past year’s finances, and respond to students’ concerns.

Both union-members and unaffiliated

students showed up in large numbers for a chance to communicate directly with their elected representatives.

UTSU President Sandy Hudson went over the major initiatives undertaken in 2008-2009 — such as Drop Fees, International Student Orientation, and the Sustainability Com-

mission — and listed the goals which UTSU hopes to meet in the coming year—namely, two Xpression Against Oppression Weeks, increased funding for nearly three hundred clubs, a campaign to ban bottled water on

Continued on page 3

TEJAS PARASHER

TEJAS PARASHER

Adnan Najmi, VP Internal and University Affairs, responds to a question regarding public access to the UTSU’s policies and bylaws.

the editorial

2

November 26, 2009

U of T alum unleashes political firestorm

BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES

Adds one more to the list of several reasons to get the hell out of Afghanistan DAN CRAIG Last week, senior Canadian foreign service employee, and former U of T International Relations student, Richard Colvin, “blew the whistle” on the Canadian government’s lack of response to several reports of detainees being abused at the hands of Afghan security and intelligence forces.

The reason that Canadian government complacency is so scandalous is two-fold: a. Canada officially supports the government that is carrying out these atrocities and b. we also provide them with large quantities of prisoners, who more often than not are completely innocent or useless for intelligence purposes and thus set free.

So far, amid calls for public inquiries, the PMO’s reaction has been to attack the character and credibility of Colvin, who, unfortunately for his accusers, has a spotless record and has been upwardly mobile through difficult offices in Sri Lanka, the Palestinian Territories and later Afghanistan. Also, Colvin’s testimony is only a small part of what is turning into a flood of allegations of rape and torture

in Afghan prisons.

Revelations about detainee abuses were mainstream news-worthy in 2007, but the Red Cross and other human rights groups have been warning about how normal it is to torture or be tortured in Afghanistan for the past few decades. In a country run by warlords, the ability to kidnap and torture people is political currency. Only rhetoricians or naive warmongers could think that Afghan security forces aren’t abusing detainees.

And yet, here we are, the true north strong and free, committed to getting shot at and blown up in the 21st century’s longest running quagmire: Pledged to protect the government of a corrupt president who won a UN-certified rigged election.

Karzai is most likely closely linked to the drug-trade and various ragtag warlords, but he’s our guy so we risk life and limb to protect him.

In full support of a government that recently re-awarded the right of Afghan husbands to rape their wives. As if the plight of women’s rights in Afghanistan wasn’t already something to be proud of since the 2001 invasion.

Sworn an oath to be target practice for all manner of ambush, sniper, and explosive attacks, whether suicide or otherwise. If it’s not the Taliban, it is probably some communication mix-up between American officers hopped up on amphetamines. These days, it’s more likely the Taliban to blame because they are, as escalating violence indicates, as strong as ever since the initial invasion. Eight years of fighting is average for them.

After taking all of this into account, I cannot see how anyone would want our soldiers to stay in a war zone such as this for another month, let alone until the 2011 deadline the Conservatives have committed to. And we don’t need to feel bad about not being successful, we are in good company throughout history.

The Soviet Union was stuck in Afghanistan for almost a decade, and they didn’t wear the human rights kiddy-gloves. They levelled whole towns and villages. Soviet tanks and helicopters unapologetically ravaged the country side as civilian deaths shot towards the 1 million mark. All of this in the name of breaking the back of a Mujahideen

insurgency that wouldn’t go away.

Their tactics, though seemingly effective (and what some people wish our Western coalition troops would adopt), eventually got the Soviets nowhere against clever guerrilla opponents in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.

The British Empire tried to take Afghanistan at least three times prior to the Soviets, and they ultimately failed despite being famous for their relatively successful colonies. If you wish to go back even further in history, Alexander the Great had to keep backtracking, burning crops and villages as his insurgent opponents kept resurfacing despite these harsh measures of an ancient warfare variety. Those mountain rebels threw spears rather than Stinger missiles, but the parallels are didactic.

And yet here we are, the normally-humble Canadian Armed Forces, with trivial support from the American Forces for the last 6 years, trying to accomplish what some of the greatest military powers in world history have not. I think we should get an E for Effort, a full 10 marks for participation, but ultimately we should have dropped this course.

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Free Pool & Comedy SUNDAY Canadian Forces on patrol in Afghanistan. These arrid mountains are just one example of the rugged terrain that makes life easier for guerillas (the mice), but a lot more difficult for conventional infantry (the cats). Canada plans to withdraw their troops by 2011. Dan Craig thinks that is too far away.

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the news

November 26, 2009

UTSU AGM cont’d from page 1 campus, and a revitalized Taskforce on Racism.

In light of recent developments like the Flat Fee Proposal and the Towards 2030 Plan, this year’s AGM also focused on a sense of growing discrepancy between the university administration and the general student-body. During a panel discussion, Adam Awad, VP University Affairs, pointed out a gradual devaluation of the undergraduate experience at U of T. Both Awad and Hudson said that the administration’s zeal to turn U of T into a completely research institution is bringing increased corporate involvement in university affairs, and diverting attention from undergraduate-based academics.

“There is nothing wrong with universities becoming economically and commercially viable,” said Awad. “But when they begin to sacrifice programs that foster critical thinking in favour of those which merely appease corporations and donors, they are going against their essential founding principles.”

Awad went on to give already visible examples of this—such as the suspension of the History and Philosophy of Education program at OISE, the proposal to affiliate the Transitional Year Program (TYP) with Woodsworth College, and the fact that the Department for Near and Middle Eastern Studies still does not have a Professor of Arabic Literature.

Student response to the discussion revealed that there were doubts about whether UTSU is equipped to respond to such changes in a fair and balanced

manner. Students cited concerns that the organization’s current structure and agenda are not faithful to the larger university community.

“Colleges increasingly prefer to organize events and deal with issues on their own,” said James Finley, a council-member from St. Michael’s.

“They feel that UTSU is incapable of understanding their individual concerns. I, personally, have yet to see anything tangible on UTSU’s part that shows they are eager to either mend or develop relationships with the colleges which comprise their constituents.”

Similarly, University College student Graeme Maitland maintained that UTSU’s administrative workings are often too cliquey and opaque for those not affiliated with the organization. He requested that union policies be posted online, so that transparency can be guaranteed to all members of the U of T community.

UTSU members and unaffiliated students disclaimed such criticisms as unfair. “It isn’t completely realistic for any single body to represent all 41,000 undergraduates,” said Daniella Kyei, VP Equity. “But we really are trying our best. We make ourselves much more visible than before, get as much feedback as we can, and regularly visit different colleges and faculties.”

Kyei recommended that students attend the various Commission meetings to express their concerns.

“In fact, I encourage people to get actively involved. It’s very irresponsible of us to complain and bicker amongst ourselves while the administration is busy making such sweeping changes.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED AT UTSU The AGM is essentially a chance for any full-time undergraduate to be kept up-to-date with the workings of the student union. Whatever issues arise, both during the AGM and in general, are then taken up individually by one of UTSU’s five Commissions.

All full-time undergraduates are encouraged to attend Commission Meetings, so they can have a direct say in the student union’s major decisions. These meetings occur regularly; their dates, locations, and times can be found both online and in the UTSU member handbook and dayplanner. The Equity Commission meets 1:30pm on December 2 at 12 Hart House Circle. Visit the ‘About UTSU’ page on utsu.ca for more information on how to get involved.

CFS cont’d from page 1 government is committed to Ontario students having access to a high-quality post-secondary education.”

As an example of this commitment, Butterfield noted the government’s 2006 decision to implement a regulated tuition fee framework “to ensure that postsecondary education in Ontario is

3 accessible, affordable, and of top quality.”

Butterfield also stressed that institutions cannot raise tuition levels without participating in Student Access Guarantee, a ministry initiative that ensures institutions provide students with additional financial assistance.

The current tuition framework will expire at the end of this academic year. The secretariat is currently looking at options for a new funding framework in 2010.

President E... who?

AMY STUPAVSKY The world knows very little about Herman Van Rompuy. The newlyminted EU President is quiet, unassuming, and writes Flemish haikus.

He served as Prime Minister of Belgium for just short of a year before European leaders chose him over high-profile candidates, like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as the first president of the European Union.

“It was a safe choice,” said Prof.

Jeffrey Kopstein, Director of the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at the Munk Centre. “Between France and Germany, Belgium is the compromise.”

The wallflowers have won out against the popular contenders. The 27-nation organization voted in an equally obscure EU Foreign Minister in the form of Catherine Ashton, a member of Britain’s Labour Party and former anti-nuclear activist, who has never been elected to public office. She was the EU Trade Commissioner for the past year.

The EU created the new posts as outlined in the Lisbon Treaty, which will take effect on December 1.

Europe made a conscious decision to select a low-profile president. EU heavyweights France and Germany did not support Blair’s bid, despite his ability to boost Europe’s influence on environmental and trade issues.

“It’s a sign that Europe’s leaders view these offices as leadership by

negotiation, not inspiration,” said Kopstein. “The indispensable skill is not the ability to give speeches, but to broker powerful deals.”

Kopstein also highlighted the strategic benefit. Van Rompuy lies centre-right politically and Ashton is centre-left, ensuring political balance.

Critics have upbraided the EU for its unambitious choices, who, they say, will do little to promote Europe worldwide.

While Van Rompuy may lack Blair’s panache, Kopstein believes he may galvanize transatlantic relations as well as any high-profile pick. He is a known atlanticist, and Belgium is the epicentre of the EU and NATO. The treaty is ambiguous about what the president’s duties entail, apart from promoting European integration.

According to Kopstein, at this point it is premature to speculate about what Van Rompuy will accomplish.

“The pre-Lisbon presidencies rotated every six months,” he said. “With rapid changes, it’s sometimes hard to get things done. The purpose of this treaty was to make the EU more governable. We’ll see what happens.”

As foreign minister, Ashton will control the EU’s annual € 7 billion foreign aid budget, head a diplomatic corps, and promote the EU’s interests.

Time will tell how these non-entities show their chops on the global stage.

the brief the campus Registration has opened up for the 2010 Health and Human Rights Conference (HHRights).

Tickets are currently being sold for $10 (students). There are also many opportunities to get involved or volunteer.

Visit: www.hhrights.ca the local The TTC will be selling tickets instead of bulk tokens to reduce hoarding before the Jan. 3 fare increase.

Since the announcement of the fare increase, token sales have been reduced to five per purchase, although they can still be purchased without a limit from vending machines.

Adam Giambrone, TTC Chair, says that the TTC is losing an estimated $5 million from token hoarding. the world With upcoming elections, the politically volatile Nuba Mountains in central Sudan is facing a critical time. In 2005, the ex-rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) signed a peace deal for autonomy for the largely Christian south from Muslim north. Two million people died and four million were displaced before the deal was reached. A referendum on full southern independence is set for January, 2011. Although the SPLM/A currently controls Nuba, it lies firmly in the northern territory. Debates rage on over who will control the land. The International Crisis Group has called the area “the next Darfur.” the weird Britain’s etiquette authorities claim that exchanging kisses on the cheek is more hygienic than shaking hands. With this in mind, the current swine flu pandemic should not deter people from kissing under the mistletoe this holiday season!

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the inside

4

November 26, 2009

“ the campus comment ” It’s Always Something the newspaper asks: if you could choose any essay topic, what would you write on?

“Don’t take my photo yet. I’m not sure I can come up with a witty response.”

Bryan, 2nd year Medicine

“I’d write something about kumquats.”

Jessie, Geography

“I wouldn’t write anything.”

Abdul, Health Sciences

“Well, I’m interested in theories of taste. Maybe about allergies, and how they interact with conceptions of food and conceptions of the body.”

Chris, victory lap Philosophy

Gilda’s Club raises money for cancer with laughs MIKI SATO The 8th annual It’s Always Something variety show took place on November 23 at the swanky Princess of Wales Theatre. The sold-out show was an evening full of comedy, music, and dance by some of the biggest names in Canadian talent.

Beloved comedian Russell Peters flew in to town especially for the event, hosting for his third consecutive year.

Entertaining the black-tied crowd with some new racial jokes, Russell intro-

The performers, who all donated their time for It’s Always Something, mentioned throughout the evening that they felt honoured to be part of such a great event in support of such a great cause.

Comedian and writer, Irwin Barker, partway through his stand-up, reminded the audience that he is still fighting the disease to this day, but stated that “cancer cannot touch the spirit... humour and creativity.”

Gilda’s Club is named after late comedienne Gilda Radner, who is well-known for her sketch comedy on Saturday

“Cancer cannot touch the spirit...” duced a stellar lineup of Canadian celebs - including Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Sean Cullen and Divine Brown - who all performed in support of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto.

Steven Page (formerly of The Barenaked Ladies) treated the audience with “something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue” Page told the newspaper that his new album, set to be released in Spring 2010, “will be a bit of everything - folk, alternative, rock...”

During his set, Page recalled visiting his friend, and Barenaked Ladies band member, Kevin Hearn, at Gilda’s when he had leukemia.

Night Live in the 70s. Radner’s death from ovarian cancer increased awareness of the disease and encouraged earlier detection. “It’s always something” was a catchphrase from her beloved SNL character, Roseanne Roseannadanna, and also the title of her memoirs.

Gilda’s Club provides free emotional and social support for men, women, children, teens - and their friends and families - who are living with cancer. Canadian artists in support of the non-profit organization come back year after year to lend their voices and talents to this great cause.

For more information, visit www.gildasclubtoronto.org.

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VISIT US IN THE MAP ROOM AT HART HOUSE! CHECK OUT FREE LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES! GO TO WWW.CIUT.FM FOR MORE INFO

November 26, 2009

the inside

The stage was set. Apparently 1 Spadina looks like a good, ol’-fashioned hospital.

PHOTOS BY ALEX NURSALL

The hallowed halls of 1 Spadina Cresent have been home to many things: a hospital, an eye bank, the UofT art department, and the newspaper offices, but recently it also became the setting for the made-for-TV movie When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story. Starring Winona Ryder and Barry Pepper, the movie focuses on Lois Wilson, one of the creators of Alcoholics Anonymous. Editors Helene Goderis and Alex Nursall went star-gazing (or set-gazing, to put it more accurately) on the first floor to check out the action.

Canadian/American dual-citizen director, John Kent Harrison (top right) takes a break to pose for the camera. When Love is Not Enough is a period piece that takes place in the 1940s, so 1 Spadina was a natural fit. After four days of working, 1 Spadina was dressed up to look like a hospital. They filmed for 2 days over the weekend, and then they were gone.

5

the science the science

6

November 26, 2009

Tim Ryan celebrates Darwin’s 200th and Thiru goes DNA CSI TIM RYAN Before the modern scientific era, there existed a class of scientists whose expertise knew no boundaries. They would seamlessly transition between fields and subspecialties, shortly after which they would produce a brainchild that would evolve into a scientific law. Aristotle, Newton, Galelei, the list goes on, but since Charles Darwin, no one has since matched his contributions to the natural and social sciences; on politics, religion and philosophy and on art and cultural relations.

Darwin is approaching a pair of milestones, his 200th birthday will be celebrated in February of 2010, but more importantly 2009 marks the 150th anniversary of his most influential work, the theory of evolution by natural selection. His work was published after twenty years of theorizing and field work in On the Origin of Species.

The theory was born during a period of stark creationism and immediately sparked controversy.

Essentially, Darwin was refuting the Book of Genesis, inferring that there were no seven days of creation, that Adam and Eve were imaginary and that Noah and his species didn’t need an ark because there was no flood. His

idea was one of simplicity, that complex organisms emerge from a series of accumulated modifications, each one of which increases the organism’s chance of survival and reproduction. Darwin called this “descent with modification” and not “evolution”. He only used the word “evolve” once in his book; it was the last word.

Darwin backed his theory with numerous principles never before presented to the scientific community. He employed genetic variation as the vehicle for natural selection; that as organisms increase in complexity over time, natural selection has a wider variety of traits to work with. Speciation, although difficult to observe because it takes many generations, can be observed among several plants, amphibian and fish species and is the crown jewel of Darwin’s theory.

A good example of this is the females of a cichlid fish species that vary genetically in their preferences for males who are coloured red and blue. Red males inhabit the lower depths of Lake Victoria in Africa while the blue males remain close to the surface. Females with a matching preference follow either red or blue males, essentially splitting the population, forcing the single species to split

into two.

150 years later, Darwin’s theory of evolution is still going strong; he has even convinced the Pope of the evolution of a single species (although the Pope draws the line at speciation). Nonetheless, it still has firepower. Happy Birthday Charles!

THIRU SHATHASIVAM Everyone has their list of favourite TV shows, and mine is composed primarily of medical and crime drama shows (though Glee is one of my guilty pleasures), such as Law & Order: SVU. In last week’s episode, Detective Benson was accused of murdering a notorious biker gang member based on DNA analysis of blood found on the murder weapon. However, it later became evident that she was framed using DNA garnered from discarded cutleries.

“Now wait a minute! DNA analysis was performed with blood samples, not saliva,” you may think. Apparently the DNA evidence was fabricated, using common laboratory techniques.

Despite their disclaimer, the episodes often have resemblances to real events (i.e.

Mayor Spitzer and the prostitution ring). My inquisitive nature (nerd!) led me to seek the original scientific sources.

As it turns out, four scientists based in Israel led by Dr. Dan Frumkin, recently published how DNA evidence can be engineered, with or without a source of DNA containing tissue.

In the first scenario, DNA was extracted from biological samples, such as hair strands or dry saliva from cigarette butts, and amplified in quantity using a standard technique called whole genome amplification. Next, blood was collected from another participant and spun to remove white blood cells, the only source of DNA in blood. Finally, the amplified DNA was simply mixed to the resulting blood sample.

Since red blood cells do not contain DNA, all the genetic material present was artificially created.

Furthermore, the researchers demonstrated that if the DNA fingerprint of an individual is already known then biological samples become redundant.

DNA can easily be synthesized using sequences present in databases such as Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which contains the profiles of convicted felons.

In either case, when the artificial samples were analyzed by an independent forensic lab they failed to recognize the samples as manufactured.

Considering the simplicity of their methods, Dr. Frumkin, the lead researcher on the project, worries about the possibility of DNA evidence forgeries.

But there may be a solution to avoid the unraveling of our criminal justice system. Nucleix, Ltd. has just developed a technique for DNA authentication based on the methylation differences between real DNA and synthesized DNA. Specifically, fake DNA lacks the addition of methyl groups (a molecule consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms: -CH3), which functions to inactivate genes within cells.

It must just be a coincidence that Nucleix, Ltd. was cofounded by Dr. Frumkin and another scientist involved in the original project.

Join us for a dramatic reading of Dickensí timeless classic

A Christmas Carol Special Guest readers: Ralph Benmergui, TV & Radio Host, Journalist Bob McDonald, TV & Radio Host, Journalist David Gardner, TV & Theatre Actor Allie Hughes, Singer, Songwriter, Actor

All proceeds to the UofT Food & Clothing Bank

December 9th, 2009 - 7:00pm The Great Hall @ Hart House General Admission: $21 ($15 for students) Tickets available at the UofTtix Box Ofäce www.uofttix.ca or 416-978-8849

the arts

November 26, 2009

7

Themes & Variations in architecture Devo still kicking Three decades of Jeremy Sturgess designs at the Eric Arthur Gallery

80s sensations play through 2 albums in 2 nights

CAILIN SMART

WILL MARTIN

The Faculty of Architecture is a little outside most students’ daily campus route, but this month, the exhibit “Themes and Variations,” featuring work by Alberta architect Jeremy Sturgess, just might attract the curious and architecturally-inclined to the building’s Eric Arthur Gallery.

Sturgess, a Calgary-based architect and graduate of U of T’s Architecture program, has won numerous awards - including the Governor-General’s award - for his innovative and sustainable designs since the beginning of his career in the ‘70s. Over the years, he has garnered recognition as one of the country’s best talents in the field - working on everything, from theatres and houses to parks and subway stations.

Architect Kevin Harrison, assisted by student David Tyl, (both of whom work in Sturgess’s office), assisted curator Geoffrey Simmins in the compilation of the exhibit.

“Jeremy Sturgess designs buildings known for their striking forms and their dramatic use of colour,” says Simmins, who is currently working on a book about Sturgess’s designs entitled Full Spectrum. “Although [Sturgess is] known especially for houses, he has also designed many other different types of buildings, something that this exhibition intends to convey.”

The exhibit is composed mainly of large photos “intended to evoke the whole buildings by means of evocative fragments, in striking photographs by Robert Lemermeyer,” says Simmins. The first collection of photographs are of the Theatre Junction at the Grand in

Bam. Devo. Fuck, what a lovely opportunity to see a classic band play two of their classic albums, and a lovely way to spruce up a Monday and Tuesay - two notoriously shitty days. First up on Monday was Q: Are We Not Men A: We are Devo! The Brian Eno-produced record is an absolute triumph, and to hear it played live in its entirety is an occasion not to be missed.

If man has indeed devolved, it’s damn hard to tell, as the album sounds mighty good thirty years down the road. Coming out in classic Devo jumpsuits and hopping up and down in unison at the end of the opening track Uncontrollable Urge, it felt like Star Wars and Jimmy Carter all over again (truly a better time to be alive).

I’m reluctant to apply labels like ‘post-punk’ or ‘new-wave’ because they’re simply better than that. It just sounds like Devo, and that’s all one can say.

For a band who looks fucking ancient, they sound as crisp and tight

as they did in 1978, and play with the energy of - well something with quite a bit of energy - the Dyson, maybe.

They are old though. Watching Mark Motherbaugh hop into the crowd and attempt to get back on stage with the assistance of a stage-hand looked terrifyingly like an orderly helping your father out of a seltzer bath.

And when they did rip off the jumpsuits, Gerry Casale struggled to get it off his ankles like an old man racing towards a prostitute. If anything though, the disconnect between sound and appearance only made it better.

Maybe it was the quart of rye, maybe it was the half-quart of mushrooms, but the first night seemed distinctly better.

The second show lacked the same enthusiasm, as they seemed to be simply going through the motions for Freedom of Choice.

No matter, the songs were impeccable and Girl U Want is just brilliant no matter what.

All said, it was a: (insert Are We Not Men pun here).

A pair of patrons browse various pictures of Jeremy Sturgess’ work.

Calgary, Alberta. The Theatre’s design focuses on paradoxes between shadow and light, old and new.

One room’s old paint-flaked ceiling is juxtaposed with a wall of modern mirror design. Another room marries decaying brick walls with structured metal beams. “The lobby was left fragmentary and incomplete deliberately, to show the ways that the building had been treated in the nearly hundred years since it was built,” says Simmins.

The exhibit displays an array of designs including The Water Center, an LRT Station, as well as a house on Bowen Island. Sturgess’s most characteristic architectural elements are large windows and

sturdy elaborate metal beams. His designs are futuristic and grand, and his love of colour is expressed through the fuschias and bright greens of the exhibit’s walls.

The exhibit’s success comes from its multimedia element. Besides photographs and models, there is also a video projector, a television playing an interview and plans of some of the designs, “to display the whole dynamic process of architecture,” says Simmins. “We were thinking of the viewer. We wanted to get people excited about architecture.”

Jeremy Sturgess: Themes and Variations runs through December 12 at The Eric Arthur Gallery (230 College St.). Admission: Free.

Devo: As famous for their hats and suits as they are for their music.

St. Mike’s does West Side Story Sharks and Jets rumble at the Betty Oliphant Theatre Schiffon, eyeliner, tight pants, and colourful dresses are scattered around inside the Betty Oliphant Theatre at the final dress rehearsal for the St. Michael’s College production of the broadway classic, West Side Story. Actors run through lines and orchestra members practise the show’s musical score, before a row of dresses lowers onto the stage recreating the set of a charming New York City boutique.

The Tony-award winning production, and popular 1961 film featuring Natalie Wood, is being presented by St. Michael’s College Student Union and SMC Theatre.

West Side Story is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in 1950s Manhattan, where two rival gangs, The Sharks and The Jets, do everything they can to keep lovebirds, Tony and Maria, apart.

The sweet and naive Maria is played by Amanda Indovina, who says this isn’t her first time in this role; the psychology undergrad also took part in a high school production of West Side Story. She notes that her favourite part of being in the show is “the adrenaline of being on stage.”

Alex Morrow, an English major at U of T plays Tony, the boy “looking for something more.” Morrow looks forward to performing his favourite scene, “right after the rumble, where Tony dies in Maria’s arms.”

Director Shak Haq encourages people to come to the show and see “the amazing talent that the students have to offer.”

St. Michael’s College’s production of West Side Story runs from November 26 - 28 at Betty Oliphant Theatre (404 Jarvis St.) Tickets are $15/$12 students, and can be purchased at www.uofttix.ca.

Sharks girls getting dolled up at final dress rehearsal.

MIKI SATO

MIKI SATO

The orchestra runs through another one of those catchy tunes.

8

November 26, 2009

the crossword Across 1. Quaker Oats product 3. Male sibling 6. Murder professionally 9. Atoll 11. Detect via the nose 12. Competent 16. Torment 18. Feast 19. Irish revolutionary organization 20. Fall back 21. Place 23. Pine or traffic 24. Begin 27. Sports network 30. Data 31. Packs it in 32. Storm

Down 1. Ancient flute like instrument 2. Trivial 4. Australian gem 5. Ask for 7. “Cogito ergo ___” 8. Malaise 10. Ease the load of 13. Contusions 14. Sources 15. Ginger ___ (Christmas biscuits) 17. Attack 18. Awful 20. Palindrome beginning with “R” 22. Smallest 25. Asphalt 26. Electronics company 28. At a distance 29. Solid

ANDREW GYORKOS

Last week’s answers are posted on our website, thenewspaper.ca.

First complete crossword gets a free drink on us!

MIKE WINTERS

the comics