04-03-13 by Maroon Weekly

04.03.13 Issue 247

attn: High School Seniors

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contents

04.04-04.10

meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brittany Hicks BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd ACCOUNT MANAGERS Greg Keith Cody Trimble WRITERS

Luke Murray Brandon Nowalk Amanda L. Reynolds PHOTOGRAPHERS Alana Gonzalez Brittany Hicks Amantha Hons Chelsea Powers CONTRIBUTORS KISS 103.1 KORA 98.3

Essentials:

Chilifest Best Bets Taste Listen Play Look Etc.

6 16 18 20 22 26 29

INTERNS Amy Bauerschlag Derek Favini Alana Gonzalez Amantha Hons Roberto Molar Chelsea Powers Rebekah Skinner

Cover story:

Aaron Watson is no stranger to Aggieland. Luke sat down with him to talk family and music.

DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Caleb Holt

Maroon Weekly is an independent, student-operated publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.

Taste 16 - Sully’s is quickly

becoming an Aggieland staple. We take a look at this year’s “Best New Restaurant.”

Listen 20 - The Strokes new

album is hit or miss. Read a review of the new album and more in this week’s new music reviews.

Look 27 - Brandon offers a rundown of this week’s top 20 box offices films.

Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints to typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. Maroon Weekly 216 W. 26th Street ste 29 Bryan, Texas 77803 ph: 979.574.3200 | @maroonweekly © Copyright 2013 Campus Press LP 1st copy is FREE, additional copies are $0.50 each

Calendar

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 Dinner and Conversation with Dr. Ronan Tynan: The Will is Inside of You @ Memorial Student Center Internationally acclaimed tenor, physician, and Paralympic athlete Dr. Ronan Tynan is the featured speaker for the 2013 Community of Scholars Dinner Event, sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies. A modern day Renaissance man, Dr. Tynan has persevered through numerous challenges. A double amputee below the knees at age 20, he developed into a talented Paralympic athlete, amassing 18 gold medals and 14 world records between 1981 and 1984. Today, he is a sought after motivational speaker while continuing to travel worldwide as a singer. 275 Joe Routt Boulevard , College Station April 4, 2013 5:00 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 5 First Friday feat. These Mad Dogs of Glory & Larynx w/ Taz and Co. @ Grand Stafford Theater Check out Austin rock ‘n rollers These Mad Dogs of Glory opened by College Station staples Larynx Music and Taz and Co. Free the whole night! 106 S Main St, Bryan April 5, 2013 6:00 PM FREE

MSC Town Hall’s Lunchbox Concert Series presents These Mad Dogs of Glory @ Rudder Fountain These Mad Dogs of Glory will be playing a free rock show on campus during your lunch hour! @ Rudder Fountain April 5, 2013 12:00 PM FREE MW First Friday Photo Booth @ Downtown Bryan Tables full of colorful hats, sunglasses, mustaches and even Mickey Mouse hands will be made available to all at Maroon Weekly’s monthly free photobooth. Grab your friends and family take them to First Friday, get your photo snapped looking goofy, and then visit our Facebook page and find your pic! It’s free, too! Main Street, Bryan April 5, 2013 6:00 PM FREE SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Haley Cole Band @ The Tap After having a great time at Chilifest, and if you’re still able to stand up straight, visit the Tap and see Haley Cole perform. The local performer just finished a new album and will play a set to either sober you up or to keep the partying going. 815

Harvey Road, College Station April 6, 2013 9:30 PM Salsa Saturdays @ Village Cafe Voted Best Night of Dancing (2011 & 2012), Salsa Saturdays starts with a fun, “30-Minute Crash Course Salsa Lesson” at 10pm followed by a hot night of dancing. Come prepared to sweat and to meet new people at this Aggie hot spot! Visit www.mambosentertainment. com/salsasaturdays.html for more details. 210 W 26th st, Bryan April 6, 2013 10:00 PM Cost: $5 Signal Rising w/ Wellborn Road, Melovine, & Myra Maybell @ Grand Stafford Theater Signal Rising, the anthemic rock band based in College Station, will play after a host of other rockers (Wellborn Road, progressive rock band, Melovine, and metal band, Myra Maybelle) set the stage on fire. If the stage isn’t in ashes afterwards, Signal Rising will burn it up. 106 S Main St, Bryan April 6, 2013 8:00 PM $8/$10 SUNDAY, APRIL 7 Mystical Tales @ Rudder Theatre The end of the Brazos Valley Symphony season will be magical with a combination of dramatic English, Chinese, and Russian music, a concert based on the Oscar winning film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and a symphonic orchestra inspired by The Arabian Nights. Texas A&M University, College Station April 7, 2013 7:30 PM $12-$39 MONDAY, APRIL 8 Trivia Night @ Revolution Cafe and Bar Monday nights are pretty boring; it’s too early in the week to party and too early in the week to study. What if you could spend a Monday night with a drink in your hand and “study” at the same time without feeling like you’re partying or doing your homework? Every Monday night, Revolution Cafe hosts Trivia Night from 9pm till just before midnight. 211B S Main St, Bryan. April 8, 2013 9:00 PM

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9 Breakaway @ Reed Arena Non-denominational Breakaway Ministries’ events have already set a record for attendance, and Tuesday’s assembly of worship, inspiration and entertainment will surely set yet another one. For more details check Breakaway Ministries Facebook @ http://www.facebook. com/breakawayministries April 9, 2013 9:00 PM FREE Texas Country Tuesday @ Ozona Drink and menu specials and live entertainment provided by 98.3 KORA. Who knows–you might even dance! 520 Harvey Road , College Station April 9, 2013 7:00 PM

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 5

• CHILIFEST • SNOOK, TEXAS • APRIL 6 •

by Lu k

e Mu

rray

Aaron Watson Exclusive Interview:

For more than a decade, Aaron Watson has been making old-fashioned country music the way it was originally intended. The “Honky Tonk Kid,” an Amarillo native, has toured relentlessly around the continental U.S. and has begun adding Europe to his regular tour stops. He sat down with us to talk faith, fans, and family.

MW: Aaron, your album Real Good Time has done well both in Texas and nationally, and it stands as a testament of your career thus far. What makes this record so special? Watson: I’d like to think that throughout my career whatever my current record is has 110% of my best. You can listen back to some of my old ones and they might seem a little amateur compared to where I am now, but at the time it was the best that I could do. I don’t have any regrets about that; you should work at everything you do and try to perfect it as best you can. For this record, though,

it basically all just came together and it came at a crucial time for me and my family. I had planned on going into the studio around November of 2011, but my wife and I lost our fourth child at birth in October. Her name was Julia Grace, and losing her was really hard. That type of thing is a part of life and those things happen, but it’s still really tough to go through. At that point, the last thing on my mind was recording this record. We pushed it back to December, and when that came around I just was not very motivated. I was focused on my family; they had all my love and attention. Around January and February, I finally sat down and tried to write some songs, and I just hit one brick wall after another. I couldn’t write a song to save my life. I wouldn’t say that I started to panic, but I was definitely getting frustrated. I couldn’t even cross a t or dot an i. One night, I had enough: I threw my hands in the air and hung my guitar on the wall. At that point, I just said a simple prayer—basically asking God if this is something that I’m supposed to be doing for a living. I could certainly use his help. I put everything in God’s hands, asking him to give me strength and understanding. I asked him to help me to be strong for my family and that he would continue to take care of us. One day, shortly after that, I woke up really inspired, and I wrote the majority of this record in a very short amount of time. The album basically wrote itself and then basically recorded itself as well. It became the easiest record I have ever been involved with. It was supposed to come out in August of last year, but then something got mixed up with our distribution company. They asked if it could

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be pushed back to the fall, and I was okay with that. Then I realized they scheduled it to release on October 9th, the day before we lost our daughter the year before. That was a tough week for me, but I went out and did all of our CD release shows and tons of interviews. I remember being out on the road on October 10th, 2012. I remember it being around lunch time and almost one year to the second that our baby girl had passed away, and I just wanted to be home. Then I’ll never forget getting a phone call that following Monday saying that we had sold enough albums to be charted in the Top 10 of the U.S. Country charts, and we had taken the number nine spot. To me, that was God’s way of reaffirming that he had me and my family taken care of. Overall, this record has been a blessing to me and my family. I give all the credit to God. MW: That is definitely reflected in your music. You tend to stray away from typical country themes and lean more on your faith. What is that like as a songwriter? Watson: It’s definitely challenging. I’ve come up with some ideas before that would be a great song, but it’s not something I want reflected back on my own personal life or my family. I wouldn’t want someone assuming that some negative song has some truth between me and my wife. There was a song that one of my buddies sent me, and it was an awesome song. It was about this woman who had fallen in love with a man that wasn’t her husband, and I love everything about the song except for the fact that I personally cannot sing it. It would kill me if someone thought I was singing it about my wife.

Sometimes, it is more of a challenge just to keep it mixed up. There’s just enough drinking and cheating songs around without me adding to them. Unless you’ve got something better than “Misery and Gin” by Merle Haggard, you’re beating a dead horse.

chuckle, like what is their definition of big time? Mine must be different; because, to me, I’m living the dream. I’ve got a big tour bus, an incredible band, a big house, and a family that are all taken care of through my music. I’ve got a beautiful wife and three beautiful kids, this is big time for me.

MW: Well, you’re obviously a family man with your wife and three kids, but you spend a lot of time on the road. How are you able to cope with the touring aspect of your job?

MW: To get to that point, you obviously have to generate a loyal fan base. A lot of musicians will perform and then rush off stage. You, however, tend to stick around after shows and thank your fans. Why don’t you think more musicians do that? And why is it so important to you?

Watson: I keep a pretty tight grip on my schedule and I compare it a lot to a fireman’s—a four-on then four-off type of deal. Family is fun, way more fun than music. Both of my boys are in soccer and baseball, they do Taekwondo, they play golf, we go hunting, camping, fishing, and I get to be a part of all of that. My baby girl is in gymnastics and ballet, and she basically gets whatever the heck she wants. I just have a ton of fun with them, and being a dad is the best. I always tell people that my primary job is being a dad and husband. Music is just what pays the bills. I still have a lot of passion for music, but I would quit it tomorrow if that’s what my family needed me to do. I’m sure I’d miss it, but it’s a job. MW: Speaking of it being a job: You played baseball in college before picking up a guitar. If you weren’t making music, what would your ideal job be? Watson: I really don’t know, actually. Once I made up my mind that music was what I wanted to do, I never looked back. I guess if I were to quit music tomorrow, I would run my father-in-law’s trucking company. He’s offered me a job quite a few times, actually. Obviously, I didn’t have the genetics to make it in professional baseball. I just never gave anything else much thought after music. I just hope that I’m doing what God intended me to do, and that’s all. Sometimes people will come up to me and say, “Yeah man, just keep working hard and one day you’ll make the big time.” That usually just makes me

Watson: I think most performers are just lazy. There might be some of them that don’t care. To me, it’s important that my fans know how much I appreciate them. I would rather have 100,000 fans for a lifetime than a million for a couple years. I don’t understand how a musician can play 90 minutes on stage and then not dedicate a little bit of time to hang out at their merch table. It’s not like digging a ditch or something; you’re standing there thanking people for coming out to see you. Where I come from, we just call that laziness. I just think that everything we do should be about the fans. MW: If you had the opportunity to perform or collaborate with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be? Watson: I would say Willie Nelson, but I’ve already done that! I guess I would choose either Ernest Tubb or Merle Haggard. MW: Now that you’ve reached this point—twelve years into your career, you’ve got a solid album out now, you have a loyal fan base—what's next for you? Watson: I just plan on keeping it the same old same old. I would like to get in the studio this summer and have another record out this time next year. I want to keep my fan base supplied with a steady chain of music. I’ll work to maintain my work ethic out on the road, playing my shows, giving 110%, keeping God first, my family second, and treating my fans like royalty.

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04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 7

JASON BOLAND AND THE STRAGGLERS

CODY JOHNSON

Chilifest Friday Night Lineup Kicks Things Off Right by Luke Murray

GARY P. NUNN

One of the biggest events of the spring semester is upon us. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right folks, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for Chilifest! Hosted annually in Snook as an event for camaraderie, boozing, and philanthropy that benefits local charities and community efforts, Chilifest is split into a Friday and Saturday event. Friday nights are solely for Chilifest team members, as they have access to an exclusive concert the night before the main event. Here's the who's who of Chilfest's Friday performers. JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS This band of cowboys and Oklahoma State alumni has been cranking out honky tonk tunes since the late 90s. Boland and his band mates believe in putting all of their cards on the table. In their eyes, an artist has a voice that the public will listen to, and that voice should be brave and sincere... with a does of attitude to boot! Overcoming both personal and health complications earlier in his career, Boland has turned things around and relentlessly packs shows from Texas to the corn belt, generating enough heat to pop a few kernels along the way. CODY JOHNSON The hotshot east Texas young buck is making another Chilifest appearance, this time with a lot more credit under his belt. With another year of live shows and a few more hits filling up dancehalls, Johnson has established himself as a regular on the Texas music circuit. He has a new record coming out in the near future, one that he describes as a little country, a little rodeo rock, and all Cody Johnson. GARY P. NUNN A living legend in his own right, this Texas Hall of Famer has built a career of longevity and he's appreciated by fans and fellow musicians alike. GPN is idolized by fellow Texas musicians for being one of the trailblazers that brought attention to the genre. At nearly 70 years of age, this personification

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of Texas' music history is still bringing his iconic and wholesome style to stages, halls, and bars across the Lone Star on a regular basis. THE CADILLAC THREE Formerly known as The Cadillac Black, these guys pack a six-man punch but stand only as a three piece. Reinvigorating the dying breed known as southern rock, The Cadillac Three write songs steeped in all the grit and attitude expected from a modern day Skynyrd. UNCLE LUCIUS Based out of Austin, Uncle Lucius have made a name for themselves despite being an indie-rock band in an area stained in red dirt. Garnering immense success from their most recent album released last August, they still rely on the fan connection in their epic live shows as the number one strength in their musical career.

THE CADILLAC THREE

BRIAN KEANE Finding his footing in the music business, Brian Keane isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid to ruffle a few feathers with opinions heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashioned into his lyrics. Finally diving into music as a singer-songwriter after testing the waters years prior as a keyboard player, Keane has generated a significant following in a short amount of time. This South Carolina native has been tearing up the scene around Nashville and beyond.

UNCLE LUCIUS

BRIAN KEANE 04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 9

Josh Turner Headlines Chilifest 2013 by Roberto Molar

For many, Josh Turner may only be a double-platinum singer/songwriter and traditional country loyalist. Ever since he burst onto the scene in 2003, Turner’s bluesy ballads and rich baritone have gained him the adulation of millions of fans. But there’s more than meets the ear in the native South Carolinian. A philanthropist, devoted Christian, passionate sports fan, and committed family man, Josh Turner is not just another country crooner. Turner’s newest album, Punching Bag (released last year), is a knockout compilation of the signature songwriting that has made Turner’s voice a hallmark of traditional country. But not everything was lights, camera, action for him in the production of the album. The name of the album reflects a down time in Turner’s life when he felt he was up against the world. He had just had his third child and had been building a writer’s cottage, a cabin to write songs in Tennessee. This wasn’t just another ordinary refuge for solitude and creativity; the cabin was truly a temple of inspiration and insight, a place far from distractions. Turner realizes that inspiration can come in many ways, and soon he found himself writing and brainstorming lyrics from the perspective of a punching bag. But despite going through a period of jabs and uppercuts, he layered the album with a sense of optimism to express that life is hard and out of control sometimes but you always

“

A philanthropist, devoted Christian, passionate sports fan, and committed family man, Josh Turner is not just another country crooner. have to keep punching back. The music created within the cabin would turn out to be his best to date. “Pallbearer”, a gripping song from the release, portrays Turner’s sense of fragility caused by the death of one of his relatives. And many of the other songs on the recent album chronicle an intimate facet of Turner that had only been hinted at in precious releases. Needless to say, Punching Bag has been a huge success for the artist and sets a precedent in Turners decade-long career. Long Black Train (2003), Your Man (2006), Everything is Fine (2007), and Haywire (2010) are regarded by critics as some of the best contemporary country produced within the past decade, as well. He’s won several awards and accolades and been nominated for a Grammy, CMA, and ACM, among others. You can expect hits from those albums and from Punching Bag to be played this year as Turner headlines Chilifest 2013.

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LISTEN 04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 11

• CHILIFEST • SNOOK, TEXAS • APRIL 6 • Arguably one of the best live performers on the Texas music circuit, Kevin Fowler has toured around the world but still calls Texas home. His upcoming performance at Chilifest adds to the list of stops on his stacked tour this spring. He sat down to talk with us about the past, present, and his new album in the near future. MW: A lot of your fans probably don’t know that you tried your hand at rock music before venturing into Texas country. What was that like? And what led to the switch? Fowler: Oh man, you’re digging up some dirt on me now! That was twenty years ago! But it started as me finding some music that would piss my parents off. It was something loud enough to aggravate them. Back then, I was just a guitar player for hire, just playing guitar and singing backup vocals. I would just find anyone that I could land a job with, and most of that was playing rock. Then I started writing songs and they were country songs. I started playing them, and a few years later, here we are. Fourteen years later, we’re still out here doing it. I’ve been lucky enough to make a living out of it. I cannot complain. MW: It seems like every time you turn around in Texas, there is some kind of festival going on. Whether it’s Chilifest, Rio Frio Fest, or Larry Joe Taylor Fest—and Texas musicians like you are constantly packing those events. How crucial are those types of shows to your career? And what sets each of them apart?

Fowler: You know, that is the cool thing about Texas. Only in Texas can mesquite have its own festival, then there’s a crawfish festival, a festival for strawberries, everything has its own festival, with each town having their own yearly thing. It’s really what allows us to do what we do, all these festivals we get to play. They don’t have that everywhere else; it’s a Texas thing. All the dance halls, the festivals, and the regional music are something that doesn’t exist anywhere else. We’ve played all over the world, and I’ll tell you, it’s something that’s special to Texas. MW: How do you get prepared to play shows like that when the crowds are primarily made up of college-age fans? Fowler: Oh man, you just have a few beers and get on with it! When we’re on the job each night, we’re there to throw a party and show everybody a good time. As for getting prepared for it, you just have to find what gets you in the mood. Me and my band, we love playing live, and I think it shows. We have one of the better live shows in the state, and I think it’s because we just love playing live. A lot of my buddies enjoy the writing part or the studio part, and I love the live show part. That’s the reason I got into all this, to play keg parties and bars. I still love playing live. MW: Well, Fowler music is all about boot-stompin’, hell-raisin’, and good times. Coming from the man himself, what is your favorite Kevin Fowler song?

Fowler: Oh man! I’ve got so many of them, you know? “Long Line of Losers” has always been one of my favorites. I always loved that song; it was kind of a gift from the songwriting gods. I love them all, though. Your songs are like your kids. They’re all special to you, and you wouldn’t write them if you didn’t dig them. It’s a weird thing, a man and his songs. MW: Your most recent album, Chippin’ Away, has done really well, including your current single, “Here’s to Me and You.” Are you currently working on a new album? Fowler: Oh yeah, we’re in the studio right now. We’re going back

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by Luke Murray

Kevin Fowler

Exclusive Interview:

old school with this one. We’re doing this on my own label, we’re recording in Austin, we’re using my band on it, and I’m writing all the lyrics myself and with my Texas buddies. Josh Abbott and I wrote one on there, me and Cody Johnson wrote one, Deryl Dodd and Pat Green, too. We’re doing it right here and we’re doing it old school, and I’m really having a fun time making this record. I don’t have anyone telling me to change things or giving me unwanted opinions. It’s just me and my band making music. It’s nice for a change. MW: That’s really what it should be in the first place! Since you’re producing it old school, what can fans expect? Fowler: I think we’ve cut back on the pop type stuff. We spent some time on the last one trying to chase the radio and do a lot of that. This time, we’re just writing a record for the fans. That’s all we’re thinking about; no radio, no press. I’m just trying to make a good record that my fans will dig. MW: Who has had the most musical influence on your career? Fowler: It changes a lot. I’ll get on a Haggard kick for a while, I was on a Dwight Yoakam thing for a while, and then I can go from Buck Owens to Buckcherry. I just love music, and I’m not as genre specific as most songwriters. A lot of my buddies just listen to country, or just Americana, or whatever their style is, and I just listen to everything. If I’m in a party mood, I might throw on a Van Halen record. I’m a channel surfer when it comes to radio, a little bit of everything. MW: What has been the most memorable show you’ve ever played? Fowler: That would have to be the Houston Rodeo. We played that about five years ago with about 62,000 people in the stands. It was just really cool. I remember going there seeing shows, and then there I am on the stage. There are a lot of things that stick with me like that, though. A few years ago, Willie Nelson did a duet with me. That was Willie Nelson singing a song that I wrote in my pickup truck. That’s pretty cool. I’ve been able to do some pretty cool stuff, man.

Corey Smith @ Chilifest

• CHILIFEST • SNOOK, TEXAS • APRIL 6 • by Roberto Molar and Derek Favini

When Corey Smith was a high school student, he always felt like an outcast, unable to find an identity in the small town of Jefferson, Georgia. Behind his six string, Smith discovered a voice that would eventually transport him out of north Georgia and into the spotlight. He was a regular performer in the bar and party scene of Athens, and it was during this time that he discovered a therapeutic aspect of writing music. Songs like “Twenty-One” and” If I Could Do it Again” stem from his college party days, where the threat of the real world was imminently closing in. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Smith settled back in his hometown with family. He also married his college sweetheart and had to two boys. Smith landed a job as a high school teacher, which helped him support his family. But his love of music and performing never faded away. For two years, Smith taught by day and performed by night. When he finally decided to leave his job as a teacher, he had already been playing as many as ten acoustic gigs per month and had three recorded albums under his belt. Throughout his career, Smith has sold over 700,000 show tickets, 250,000 albums, 1.2 million singles; and has grossed $9 million in revenue. Impressive, especially for a former high school teacher who wasn’t signed by a major recording company and who practically made his career on his own. Smith’s newest album, The Broken Record, epitomizes his career and his persona, with music that will capture the ears of first-time listeners and reveal the most sincere self-portrait of the musician to loyal fans.

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• CHILIFEST • SNOOK, TEXAS • APRIL 6 •

Mark Chesnutt @ Chilifest

Mark Chesnutt is no newcomer to the Texas country scene. His national By Amy Bauerschlag debut single, “Too Cold at Home”, was released in 1990 (that’s 23 years ago, older than 99 percent of those attending this year’s Chilfest). Ever since then, his music continues to chart the U.S. Billboard Hot Country charts, making him a staple of country radio play and honky tonks. Chesnutt is known as being one of the purest country vocalists of the past 20 years, and he pulls influence from other legendary country artists, such as George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Hank Jr, and Merle Haggard. With 30 singles on the Billboard charts, 14 number one hits, 23 top ten singles, 4 platinum albums, and 5 gold records, Chesnutt is a country music star studded in accolades. Born in Beaumont, his love for music was ignited by his father’s extensive country record collection. He started learning guitar and drums at age 15 and got his music out there right away—performing in the local club scene. He later moved to Nashville at 17 to pursue his career. Chesnutt has dabbled in crossover covers, too; a song by Aerosmith is one of Chesnutt’s most highly-regarded re-productions. However, he typically sticks to traditional country, and when he’s playing covers, he plays songs by Lefty Frizzel, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Waylon Jennings.

THINK

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 15

MW’s Best Bets | THE MUST-SEE, MUST-DO EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Chilifest

@ Snook, Texas where: when: info:

Snook, Texas April 5 - 6 chilifest.org

It’s time for Chilifest! Hosted annually in Snook as an event for camaraderie, boozing, and philanthropy that benefits local charities and community efforts, Chilifest is split into a Friday and Saturday event. Friday nights are solely for Chilifest team members. Friday Line-up (Exclusive to Chilifest Teams) • Brian Keane • Uncle Lucius • The Cadillac Three • Gary P. Nunn • Cody Johnson • Jason Boland & The Stragglers Saturday Line-up (Open to General Public) • Corey Smith • Kevin Fowler • Mark Chesnutt • Aaron Watson • Josh Turner

pg 16 | maroonweekly.com | 04.03.13

Dr. Ronan Tynan @ MSC

where: Memorial Student Center when: Thursday, April 4 5 p.m.

Phantoms of the Opera @ Rudder Theatre

where: Rudder Theatre when: April 4 -5 7:30 p.m.

Fans of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera are in for a delight as the Phantom lends its spirit to a new world premier at TAMU. Rather than the traditional Broadway show, Neil Berg’s new project, Phantoms of the Opera, is a concert paying tribute to the Broadway titan like nothing you’ve ever seen. Phantoms of the Opera takes a fresh look at the musical and delves into the songs and untold stories behind the theatre presentations and film adaptations. It also boasts some of the biggest names in Phantom of the Opera’s history. This special two-night event gives audience members a chance to see behind the mask of the Broadway classic and a rare look into how the musical manifested, from an originally unsuccessful French novel to the blockbuster we know it as today.

GO TO MAROONWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS FOR MORE

Pull Out Day

@ Rec Backyard where: Rec Backyard when: Tuesday, April 9 5:15 p.m.

Presented by Class Councils (the same people who put on events like Ring Dance and E-Walk), Pull Out Day will take place at the Rec Backyard during a luau-themed event at 5:15pm when all sophomores will gather together dressed in hibiscus flowers and beach shirts. The event is followed by a yell practice at 6:15pm. Just to make sure the class of 2015 is prepped and ready to whoop for the rest of their time at A&M, there will be an Aggie baseball game at Blue Bell Park against Sam Houston State. Students can practice whooping every time something even remotely positive happens on the baseball diamond. Make sure to stop by the Maroon Weekly photo booth. We will be out at the Rec.

Salsa Dancing

MSC ArtFest

@ Village Café

@ MSC Reynolds Gallery where: when: cost:

MSC Reynolds Gallery Month of March FREE

The only student art exhibit displayed in the Reynolds Gallery all year, MSC ArtFest celebrates all artists who competed in the Visual Art Committee’s annual juried exhibition. Entries for this year’s exhibition were accepted up until March 4, and just as students were packing their suntan lotions, bikinis, and beach towels for spring break, word spread of this year’s winners. The winners of this years exhibition are Best of Show: Sarah Stimson for Night Self Portrait II; First Place: Jesse Lane for Desert Blaze;and Second Place: Eric Zheng for A Sketch. Their work, and the work of other Aggie artists who participated this year, will be on display in the gallery for a limited time.

where: when: tickets:

Village Café Weds 8 p.m. Sats 10 p.m. mambosentertainment.com

Voted Best Night of Dancing two years in a row, the Village Cafe’s popular salsa nights are like taking a trip to Latin America in your own backyard. On Wednesday and Saturday nights, the Village dance floor takes a pounding from hundreds of Aggies and locals each week. If you’ve never danced salsa, not to worry: one of the most popular things about salsa at the Village is the lessons offered before each night of dancing. Wednesday nights offer an hour and a half lesson for those who want to learn how to dance. Saturday night begins with a fun (and often hilarious) 30-minute “Crash Course Salsa Lesson” at 10pm. After the lessons on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the dance floor opens up to social dancing.

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 17 03.20.13

GO EAT Sully’s Sports Grill and Bar 1037 Texas Ave 979.703.4072

Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - Midnight Details: Price- $$ Cuisine- American, Sports Bar Parking- Private Lot Patio- Yes Atmosphere-Relaxed, Sports Bar Noise Level- Average-High Dress Code - None

Cost Ratings:

TASTE

by Amanda

L. Reynolds

Located smack in the middle of “chicken row” on Texas Avenue, Sully’s Sports Grill and Bar has much more to offer than just chicken strips. With daily specials, dishes ranging from chicken and waffles to Philly cheese steaks (made with rib-eye beef), and an expansive happy hour from 11:00am-7:00pm, Sully’s has a variety of options to please anyone. As you enter Sully’s, you are greeted by 55 flat-screen televisions. As you approach the counter to order, make sure you check out the monstrous pictures of “The Beast,” a burger composed of 8 beef patties, 8 slices of cheese, and 8 strips of bacon available to anyone with the courage to tackle it. We highly recommend the homemade salsa with roasted tomatoes and jalapenos, cilantro, and undisclosed spices, served with warm, fresh tortilla chips. We know that salsa can be boring sometimes, but this is not one to miss out on! Their homemade queso is also a must, especially when served over their skinny fries and topped with real bacon (you can also add an extra bit of shredded cheese for good measure). Sully’s uses fresh chicken that is hand-battered and perfectly fried, which delivers a delicious crunch while still maintaining its juiciness. Finished with the perfect amount of seasoning salt, Sully’s yields a chicken finger that’s hard to beat. This same preparation goes into their boneless wings and their chicken bites, as well. The boneless wings are topped with your choice of six different variations of buffalo sauce. Our recommendation is the Sully’s Sweet and Smokey Sauce, which has a unique, robust flavor that’s different enough from traditional wing sauce but still carries a sense of familiarity. If you’ve heard of Sully’s, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of their chicken and waffles. Chicken and waffles is a relatively new concoction in the B/CS area; in fact, before last year, you could hardly find the entrée on any menu in town. The dish begins with a fluffy and thick waffle that’s made-to-order, a far cry from the Eggo freezer waffles of youth. It’s then topped with two of their tenders. Served with a side of syrup, we learned there are many ways to eat chicken and waffles, you can souse both your chicken and waffles in syrup, you can request a separate plate and eat your chicken first and save the waffles for dessert, or you can cut them both up to make sure you get maximum flavor of both the sweet and savory flavors in each bite.

$$ ($10 - 15)

Former Aggies Anne and Mark Holubec moved back to the area recently because they felt that Aggieland was “the best place in the world to be.” After being in the franchise restaurant business for some time, Mark was ready to open his own restaurant with his own menu. He takes pride in serving great food to his customers. Everyone who walks through the doors is greeted by Mark or has a tableside visit. The same appreciation is reciprocated by Sully’s customers, who just voted Sully’s as the best new restaurant in this year’s Best of BCS Awards.

$$$ ($15 - 20)

“We are just so extremely proud and grateful to have this bestowed upon us,” said the Holubecs, “It just means so much.”

$ ($5 - 10)

ramen noodle budget part-time job

hard-earned cash

$$$$ (Over $20)

mommy and daddy are in town

VOTED “BEST NEW RESTAURANT” IN BEST OF BCS 2013

pg 18 | maroonweekly.com | 04.03.13

Shiraz Shish Kabob 110 Dominik Dr. 979.694.8385

COLLEGE STATION

Layne’s Chicken Fingers

Chicken fingers are a staple of the Aggie diet, and Layne’s is not only a favorite fry house but an Aggie institution. With two locations (one directly across campus), Layne’s is cheap, fast, and friendly. Dine in or take out • 106 Walton Drive, College Station – 979-976-7633 • 1301 Wellborn Road, College Station – 979-696-6933 • $

Shiraz Shish Kabob is a family owned restaurant opened in 2008 by a Persian and Turkish family who decided to fill a void in Bryan-College Station for good Eastern Mediterranean and Eastern European food.

Naked Fish

The sit-down or take-out restaurant quickly became a staple of classic Persian and Mediterranean specialties. Everything you order is made from scratch; from their delectable hummus and baba gannouj to their artisan flatbread (which is cooked to order and always served hot).

Grub Burger Bar

The newly-remodeled sushi restaurant specializes in, well, naked fish. Their portions are generous, from signature rolls such as the Aggie Roll to a wide selection of cooked entrees. Fans of sashimi, order the salmon. Dine in or take out • 1808 Texas Ave, College Station – 979-485-8888 • $-$$

Their marinated meats, such as their beef and game hen kabobs, are always high-quality cuts and consistently grilled tender and juicy.

Cenari Italian Restaurant

Family-owned and operated, this Italian restaurant is College Station’s version of Downtown Bryan’s Caffe Capri (and that’s because they’re owned by the same family). Classic dishes such as pollo Parmigiana and veal picatta are favorites, while their pasta dishes are just the right size and very reasonably priced. Good luck getting a table during parents’ weekend or graduation weekend. Dine in • 404 University Drive East, College Station – 979- 696-7311 • $-$$

Rudy’s BBQ

As you drive within 20 yards of Rudy’s, you can smell the smoke emanating from their fire pits. Talk about effective advertising. Although it’s a chain, and some would sneer at the thought of corporate BBQ, Rudy’s prides itself on its consistency, oak burning pits (compared to the standard mesquite), and special recipe “Sause” (they spelled it that way even before the Internet ruined the English language). Meats are served by weight and family-style. Dine in or take out • 504 Harvey Road, College Station – 979-696-7383 • $-$$

BRYAN The Village Cafe

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Seven days a week Details: Cuisine - Eastern Mediterranean Pricing - $$ Parking - Plentiful Patio - No Atmosphere - Indoor Grotto w/Fountain Noise - Moderate Dress Code - Casual

Who said burgers had to be mundane? Grub revolutionized the wheel—or burger—with innovative toppings and patties. The VooDoo burger features mushrooms sauteed in absinthe; the Texas Luau is topped with roasted pulled pork and pineapple. They also offer turkey, chicken, and tuna burgers for the calorie and cholesterol conscious. Try their spiked milkshakes if your 21+. Dine in or take out • 980 University Drive East, Suite 400, College Station – 979268-1041• $-$$

Antonio’s

A great place to grab a slice of pizza before, during, or after the Northgate bar crawl. Antonio’s dough is the closest thing to a NY-style pie in the region, with a thin, crispy crust, tangy sauce, and a balanced blend of cheeses. They also offer some intriguing topping combinations, with many pizza-by-theslice concoctions on display tempting your taste buds. Dine in, take out, and delivery• 104 College Main, College Station – 979-260-3535 • $

Blue Baker

Sandwiches, fresh-baked breads, soups, salads, and brick oven pizzas—Blue Baker’s two locations specialize in artisan breads and fresh ingredients. Try the Sourdough Bread Bowl (filled with homemade soup). Bacon lovers, order the B.L.T. Sweet tooths, order any of their cookies. Dress yourself and paint yourself blue for significant discounts on your order (we’re not kidding). Dine in, take out, and delivery • 800 University Drive, College Station – 979268-3096 • 201 Dominik Drive, College Station – 979696-5055 • $

The Village Cafe is adamant about making sure your food is locally sourced from farms, vendors, and even breweries. Most menu items—from sandwiches, wraps, eggs, milk to chicken and wines—are sourced within the Texas border. Equally parts Texas pride and food conscious, the Village serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and local-roasted coffee drinks. Dine in or take out • 210 West 26th Street, Bryan – 979-703-8514 • $-$$

Madden’s Casual Gourmet

Madden’s is what every fine dining experience should be: unpretentious, delicious, and fairly priced. Located in a historic building (built in 1906) in Downtown Bryan, the restaurant shares a space with a home decor boutique. The ambiance is cozy and eclectic, two words that equally describe the food. The tomato bisque with chunks of buffalo mozzarella is so delicious it can purchased in jars to take home (by popular demand); the chocolate, chile, and coffee rubbed beef tenderloin is a Madden’s signature. Dine in • 202 South Bryan Avenue, Bryan – 979-779-2558 • $$$$$$$

Los Molcajetes

A molcajete is a mortar and pestle tool that’s been used since ancient times to grind spices and to prepare salsas and guacamoles. Los Molcajetes is a Mexican restaurant that uses molcajetes beyond their original utility, by preparing and serving their entrees in them, resulting in richer-tasting foods from residues of previous cooking. Sound technical? Let’s put it this way: it’s some pretty darn good Mexican food. Dine in or take out • 725 East Villa Maria Road, Ste. 100, Bryan – 979-775-3104 • $-$$

TASTE

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 19

Album Reviews By Amy Bauerschlag

The Strokes

“Comedown Machine” Released March 25, 2013 The Strokes have released an album that is entirely middle of the road. There seems to be no standouts or downfalls—but those are typically the factors that make an album worth listening to in the first place. Unlike their previous albums, Room on Fire and Is This It, known for effortlessly cool “Reptilia,” “Someday,” “Is This It,” and “Last Nite,” Comedown Machine tries a bit too hard, and unfortunately it’s all for not. It seems the leather-jacket-wearing New Yorkers were in their prime in the nineties and they gave it all they had then (with excellent reception). Now...they may have no fuel left in their engine to burn. Comedown Machine features songs full of “soft-rock” tendencies, edging away from their garage band feel and the energy that made them interesting once upon a time.

Wavves “Afraid of Heights” Released March 26, 2013

Blake Shelton “Based on a True Story…” Released March 26, 2013

Clutch “Earth Rocker” Released March 19, 2013

CHVRCHES “Recover EP” Released March 26, 2013

Known for fuzzed-out beachy slacker rock, Nathan Williams, aka Wavves, has reverted back to the 90s in his newest release, Afraid of Heights. Now producing with Stephen Pope, producer for Rihanna, M.I.A., and Santigold, there are so many more references to pop-punk, 90s alt-rock, and the age when grunge was fashionably—and musically--acceptable. He’s teetered away from the raw noise that was King of the Beach and dove into a polished studio album, taking away from the punchyness that made Wavves make waves.

Blake Shelton’s seventh album release is full of tenacious hooks, rock rhythms, and powerful ballads with a modern twist on the singer’s voice—auto-tune. His overly produced vocals make some of the more serious and attempted manly tunes a little silly and tacky. Yet, to appeal to loyal fans, Shelton’s got that big, bold, bright feel coursing through this new release, too. He has produced an album that still manages to be full of hits yet remain very laid back—an impressive feat.

Clutch has been rocking for 23 years now and is still able to excel at the music that makes them who they are: metal/funk/grunge/hardcore that can only be compared to...well, Clutch! In their tenth album, Earth Rocker, they consistently serve straight-forward rock with a tinge of southern swing. They’ve drifted a bit, as they’ve moved away from the experimental legacy of their career. And that’s not surprising, as this is their first release in four years. They, do, however retain their knack for quality songwriting and lyrical oddities.

Electro-pop Glaswegian trio Chvrches is a gleaming gem from a world of music where every other band is trying to produce songs from a similar perspective. Their sound is full of synth—not unlike many electronic bands these days—but with a mainstream accessibility brought in by lead singer, Lauren Mayberry’s, vitreous, smooth vocals. The newly formed band may still be working out kinks to find exactly what their sound will be, but the direction they’re heading in is looking very, very good.

pg 20 | maroonweekly.com | 04.03.13

THINK

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 21

Pull Out Day @ Rec Backyard by Amy Bauerschlag

where: Rec Backyard when: Tuesday, April 9 5:15 p.m.

PLAY

pg 22 22 || maroonweekly.com maroonweekly.com || 04.03.13 pg

The point at which a Texas A&M student is allowed to yell their first “whoop” freely without any pushup punishment is arguably one of the most gratifying rites of passage any Aggie ever experiences. Whoop strangely becomes one of the most satisfying one-syllable words an Ag will ever utter in their entire academic career. The sophomore class of 2015 gets to officially commemorate this whoop uttering tradition during “Pull Out Day,” the first day that sophomores are officially able to say the five letter word. Presented by Class Councils (the same people who put on events like Ring Dance and E-Walk), Pull Out Day will take place at the Rec Backyard during a luau-themed event at 5:15pm when all sophomores will gather together dressed in hibiscus flowers and beach shirts. The event is followed by a yell practice at 6:15pm. Just to make sure the class of 2015 is prepped and ready to whoop for the rest of their time at A&M, there will be an Aggie baseball game at Blue Bell Park against Sam Houston State. Students can practice whooping every time something even remotely positive happens on the baseball diamond. This is just one of the many noisy traditions students partake in, but whether you can partake as an Ag or just watch them BTHO Sam Houston State, Pull Out Day will be a “WHOOP!” for everyone.

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 23

MW New Reads by

Roberto Molar

Gun Guys: A Road Trip by Dan Baum

Firearms have a special place in American culture. Fire ranges, hunting trips, gun shows, Hollywood’s gun-infested films—guns are everywhere. It’s a reality: Americans love firearms—a fact that perplexes and even horrifies the rest of the notso-trigger-happy country. Gun Guys, a lively and raucous story, is an exploration of America’s love affair with guns. Author Dan Baum shares his experiences as he hits the road to visit some of the 40 percent of Americans who own guns. In Detroit, an autoworker bought a Smith and Wesson after suffering armed robbery. In Kentucky, a couple sees their attendance at a Blue Ridge Mountain 3-Gun Championship as a romantic getaway. Baum also takes a look at the other side of the coin. In New Orleans, he meets a man who was physically disabled by a bullet. In Chicago, he interviews a killer. Along the way, Baum’s prose takes us through gun show and shooting ranges—a unique exploration that seeks to explain how guns can inspire such varied passions and such a divided nation.

Let the Dead Sleep by Heather Graham

Gulp by Mary Roach

This intriguing story is about a special object that causes fear and desire: A century-old bust of a demonic and evil man. It has been stolen from a New Orleans grave and is wanted by collectors and those with wicked intentions. Danni Cafferty inherited an antiques shop from her father. As the owner of the bust visits the shop, Danni makes arrangements to purchase the statue. Then the statue disappears suddenly before she can get a hold of it. As she discovers the owner is dead, Danni also discovers she inherited much more than an antiques shop. Along comes Michael Quinn, a former cop (converted into private investigator) who will try to help Danni find and destroy the malevolent object. Their lives are drawn together as they track the missing statue through New Orleans, in hidden places of the French Quarter, and in secret ceremonies on abandoned plantations.

Roach’s science writing is known for being irresistible, ever-curious, and always best-selling— she has been called America’s funniest science writer, too. In Gulp, Roach takes us through an unforgettable, in-depth tour of our insides with the taboo and surreal questions that characterized her style and subject matter in Stiff and Packing for Mars. Gulp is a must-read read if you have ever asked why is crunchy food so appealing? Why is it so difficult to find words for flavors? Or how much can you eat before your stomach explodes? Scientists tackle these questions, and Roach takes us through a world of taste-test labs, fecal transplants, and even into live and real stomachs to see the last moments of a meal! And if that’s not enough, she also introduces us to murderers, mad scientists, Eskimos, exorcists, rabbis, and terrorists—all in one book about food and our guts.

pg 24 | maroonweekly.com | 04.03.13

Your Survival Instinct is Killing You by Marc Schoen We all have a survival instinct that controls what we do to avoid injury or death—that’s why we’d run out of a burning building or try to dodge a haymaker to our faces. Yet this instinct affects our lives in different ways, as in cases where our instincts react to even non life-threatening incidents of discomfort and stress. Your Survival Instinct is Killing You explains how our brain’s limbic survival instinct moves people toward overeating, prevents insomniacs from sleeping, makes executives unravel under pressure, leads travelers to avoid airplanes, inflames pain, and causes the brokenhearted to reject love forever. This book is an insightful and provocative read in which the author insists that getting your survival instinct stuck in the ON position has grave consequences.

Life After Life by Jill McCorkle McCorkle’s splendid prose and lucid memories makes Life After Life a work of fiction that’s full of wonder. It deftly explores our ability for selfdiscovery, whether in our teens, twenties, thirties, or even in the later stages of our lives. The Pine Haven retirement center—its residents, staff, and neighbors—is populated by multifaceted, true-to-life characters—ones that McCorkle develops with the craftsmanship of a seasoned realist. She introduces us to remarkable human beings, such as a retired grade school teacher who believes everyone has the heart of an eight-year-old; a wellknown towny, who keeps a scrapbook of the town’s murders and atrocious crimes and more. The lives of everyone in Pine Heaven are intertwined in a magical way, and when everyone discovers their connection, it transforms all of them.

live close

live college

Great locationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;walk to class. 3-story townhome villas. Private bedroom & bathrooms. Hardwood-style floors. Individual leases.

c a l l away v i l l a s . c o m 305 Marion Pugh | 979.695 . 230 0

THINK

amenities subject to change

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 25

2013 Community of Scholars Event Presents:

By Derek Favini

Coming into the final academic stretch of the spring semester, some students are left feeling scholastically exhausted. In an attempt to combat mental fatigue, A&M is bringing in motivational speaker Dr. Ronan Tynan to speak at the 2013 Community of Scholars Event. Tynan hopes to lift the spirits of the Aggie community with his amazing life story. The Irishman who now calls America home was born with a deformity of the legs. The physical disability forced Tynan to wear uncomfortable braces until the age of 20, when he became a below-the-knee double amputee. However, Tynan didn’t let this slow him down. In an interview conducted on CBS’s Sunday Morning, Tynan told reporters, “Sometimes, the doors aren’t opened that easy. But push hard enough and you’ll force them open.” It’s this attitude that motivated Tynan to persevere through medical school, earning himself a doctorate in the field of orthopedics. Should the story of Dr. Tynan’s life end there it would already be a happy ending. But for Tynan, this was only the beginning. In the same CBS interview, Tynan gave an inspirational speech where he told attendees, “I revel in the fact that my physical challenges have made me take risks far beyond what I could have ever dreamed or aspired to do.” Without giving away too much of Dr. Tynan’s amazing life, the modern-day Renaissance man’s achievements have made him into a kind of real-life Most Interesting Man in the World. Just a couple of his life achievements include winning a gold and setting multiple world records at the Paralympics and later winning a reality TV talent competition which inspired him to become an internationally acclaimed singer. Tynan will begin his presentation, “The Will Inside of You”, in A&M’s Memorial Student Center at 5pm on April 4. Concluding the three-hour seminar, he will be available for a meet and greet session, with opportunities to purchase his CDs and books.

pg26 26 || maroonweekly.com maroonweekly.com || 04.03.13 04.03.13 pg

Dr. Ronan Tyler @ Memorial Student Center

P TO

Worth it for Stanley Tucci’s cockerspaniel wig alone. PG-13 (114 min.)

13. Silver Linings Playbook

0 2

1/2

Bradley Cooper tries to control his bipolar disorder by preparing for a dance competition with a new friend, the depressed Jennifer Lawrence. Come for the feel-good funny, stay for the electric performances. R (122 min.)

14. Snitch

The Rock goes undercover for the DEA in order to prove his son was framed. Heavy on the dumb action and heavier on the angst, Snitch’ll do, but when are we getting Fast 6? PG-13 (112 min.)

films n

ndo by Bra

Nowalk

Ratings:

Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G - General Audiences. All ages admitted. PG - Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13 - Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. R - Restricted. Under 18 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 - No one under 17 admitted.

Star Ratings: stay home

1. . G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Cobra has taken over the White House and launched a strike on the Joes, so the Rock, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki and the rest fight to clear their name. Busy Channing Tatum briefly co-stars. PG-13 (110 min.)

2. The Croods

1/2

When they have to adapt or die out like the rest of their neighbors, a cartoon family of cavemen journey to greener pastures in this Dreamworks comedy with voices from Nicolas Cage and Emma Stone. PG (98 min.)

3.Tyler Perry’s Temptation

1/2

An ambitious matchmaker who’s taken for granted by her husband starts to fall for a handsome billionaire client in the latest Tyler Perry melodrama co-starring Vanessa Williams and Kim Kardashian. PG-13 (111 min.)

4. Olympus Has Fallen

When the president (Aaron Eckhart) is kidnapped by terrorists, ex-secret service stud Gerard Butler helps security rescue him in this star-studded (Dylan McDermott, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, etc.) actioner. R (120 min.)

5. Oz the Great and Powerful if you’re desperate has moments worth price of admission good stuff don’t miss it

1/2

Casting sleepy James Franco as a charismatic con man is the worst idea since explaining the Wicked Witch, but the real wizard in this movie about movies is splashy genre director Sam Raimi. PG (130 min.)

6. The Host

1/2

Saoirse Ronan somehow manages to help the last human rebels even though she’s the host for a memory-controlling alien parasite in this romantic sci-fi story from the author of Twilight. PG-13 (125 min.)

7. The Call

Promising start when an abductee teams up with a 911-dispatcher. But then the highconcept thriller becomes just another horror flick, the game of wits becomes a game of weapons, and the nail-biter becomes a facepalm. R (94 min.)

8. Admission

1/2

Tina Fey plays a Princeton admissions officer whose life starts to fall apart when a boy who might be her biological son (but doesn’t know it) applies for admission. Paul Rudd and Lily Tomlin co-star. PG-13 (117 min.)

9. Spring Breakers

1/2

Disney-channel pop starlets rob a diner so they can afford to go on Spring Break in Florida, but their MTV saga quickly turns into an arty consideration of the American dream shot in vivid neon. R (94 min.)

10. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Casting Steve Carell as an arrogant magician could have been a neat trick if it worked. But Carell’s too affable, so the black comedy transforms into a cathartic redemption tale instead. That’s not our card. PG-13 (100 min.)

11. Identity Thief

1/2

A fat chick steals a wry guy’s identity in this lazy, old, clunky stereotype vehicle. But it is inspiring to see that even a movie starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman can be unfunny. R (112 min.)

12. Jack the Giant Slayer 1/2

Next to the gritty Hansel and Gretel and Peter Jackson’s obese kid’s book, Bryan Singer’s fairy tale is a slacker’s paradise. How refreshing!

15. Life of Pi

1/2

16. Safe Haven

1/2

A pan-religious boy crosses the Pacific on a lifeboat with a tiger in this New Age light-show that spans the distance from moving triumph to survival guide to thoughtless headache. Is pretty enough? PG (127 min.)

Nicholas Sparks strikes again! Pretty white people get over their sympathetic tragedies and learn to love again. Fans know what they’re getting. To everyone else: You’ve got to look up the twist. It’s hilarious. PG-13 (115 min.)

17. Quartet

Old British actors everyone loves, such as Helen Mirren and Michael Gambon, crack wise and learn to love life again this year. I guess we have 2013’s Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. PG-13 (98 min.)

18. 21 and Over

1/2

The homoeroticism of a movie about guys getting drunk together and losing their clothes might be lost on the target audience, but that’s the only interesting thing about this reheated Hangover 2. R (93 min.)

19. The Place Beyond the 1/2 Pines

Ryan Gosling re-teams with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance as a motorcycle stunt driver who finds out he has a baby and starts robbing banks to provide for his son. R (140 min.)

20. No

1/2

In 1988, Chile held a referendum on its military dictatorship. Should Augusto Pinochet rule for another 8 years, yes or no? Gael Garcia Bernal stars as a Chilean advertising exec who spearheads the titular campaign. R (118 min.)

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 27

@ Rudder Auditorium By Derek Favini

For decades, MSC OPAS has brought world renowned talent to the Brazos Valley, and in their celebratory 40th year, OPAS is having one of its best seasons yet. This season alone, OPAS has brought Broadway and Tony Award winning showmanship to the region, with acts such as the Midtown Men and Catch Me If You Can. They transported audiences with global musical talents, which included performances by Women of Ireland and China’s premier pipa virtuoso, Wu Man. OPAS even brought six-time Emmy Award winning comedy legend Carol Burnett to the Brazos Valley for a special one-night Q-and-A session. Alas, the curtain is soon closing on this celebratory 40th season. But before the lights dim on this season’s star studded performances, OPAS has one more treat to offer. Fans of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera are in for a delight as the Phantom lends its spirit to a new world premier at TAMU. Rather than the traditional Broadway show, Neil Berg’s new project, Phantoms of the Opera, is a concert paying tribute to the Broadway titan like nothing you’ve ever seen. Phantoms of the Opera takes a fresh look at the musical and delves into the songs and untold stories behind the theatre presentations and film adaptations. It also boasts some of the biggest names in Phantom of the Opera’s history. The show will include singing from Brad Little, who is no stranger to the Phantom of the Opera franchise, having donned the mask of the Phantom in over 3,000 shows worldwide. Little is joined on stage by a chorus of 120 members and seven of Broadway’s most acclaimed singers and actors, including Sandra Joseph. Like Little, Joseph is no stranger to Phantom, having portrayed the role of Christine Daae for ten years. This decade of playing Christine has earned Joseph the astonishing title of longest-running leading lady in Broadway’s longest-running show. This special two-night event gives audience members a chance to see behind the mask of the Broadway classic and a rare look into how the musical manifested, from an originally unsuccessful French novel to the blockbuster we know it as today. Tickets for the August 4 and 5 showing are available at mscopas.org. Both shows begin at 7:30pm in A&M’s Rudder Theatre.

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“Hey Hey Hey” --that’s what you’ll say. by Matt Jones Across

Down

1 In the best case scenario 7 Become droopy 10 Rooster 14 Nobel Prize winner Heaney 15 It’s hot in Hanoi 16 Tennis legend Arthur 17 Belly laugh noise 18 Total: abbr. 19 Revolved 20 1990s children’s show about how machines work 23 Warm, so to speak 25 Chennai is there 26 Major time period 27 Anderson or Craven 28 Prof’s helpers 30 Watch sneakily over 32 Naughty by Nature hit 37 Kendrick of “Up in the Air” 38 Commie, back in the day 39 Mounties’ acronym 43 Former alternative to Twinkies 46 Like most Braille readers 49 “The Heart ___ Lonely Hunter” 50 Little troublemaker 51 TV chef Martin 52 In the red 56 Letter-forming dance 58 With 63-across, game with marbles 61 Neighborhood 62 Wedding announcement word 63 See 58-across 67 Falsehoods 68 Part of USNA 69 Guiding principles 70 Officers from DC 71 Before 72 Crowd that has places to be

1 Wednesday substance 2 Steeped stuff 3 “Who stole ___ bucket?” (LOLrus’s query) 4 Missouri River city 5 President of Indonesia for over 30 years 6 Pre-1917 Russian ruler 7 Hall of Fame pitcher Warren 8 Sportscaster Rashad 9 Mob boss John 10 House in Honduras 11 Powerful bird 12 Cinnamon-covered snack 13 Like half of Obama’s family 21 Criticize cleverly 22 “He ___ point, you know” 23 Ja’s opposite 24 Stuart Scott’s employer 27 “___ happen?” 29 Phone downloads 31 Fire setter 33 Jim Bakker mistress Jessica 34 12 months old 35 Green light or thumbs-up 36 One of the “Friends” friends 40 Word after shabby or geek 41 NYC institution 42 Sony handheld 44 It may waft 45 Fall activity 46 One way to be reduced 47 He plays House 48 Poor 53 Crossword puzzle inventor Arthur ___ 54 “Did ___ you say that...” 55 Nine, to a Nicaraguan 57 Term of affection 59 Kyle, the other member of Tenacious D 60 F followers 64 Faux finish? 65 Corrida shout 66 Fast plane, for short

ETC.

04.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 29

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ETC.

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