Issue 208

Issue 208 // October 27, 2011

reckless kelly @ texas hall of fame

ic bl pu de Re nsi e ei th uid g

ck ll fu

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oct 28

Bud Light Welcomes you to the 37th Annual Renaissance Festival

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contents

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Business Manager Andrea Maynard Editor in Chief Chris Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo

maroonweekly.com // Oct 27, 2011

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Publisher Mick Maynard

Design/Layout Erin McAllister Erin Tanner

onthecover

Reckless Kelly // Exclusive interview with Reckless Kelly. They talk music, inspiration, life.

writers

Autumn Dawson Mara Minsberg Brandon Nowalk Ian Soares Joey Trevino

rocktherepublic

Rock the Republic // Downtown Bryan hosts third annual spectacle of sight and sound.

PHOTOGRAPHER Valorie Clark

localspotlight

DISTRIBUTION Meredith Morse Becca Nelms Erin Tanner

Semantic Showdown // Meet the poets of this years Rock the Republic.

communityspotlight

Restaraunt Review // Mara makes a visit to The Lemon Wedge in Downtown Bryan. See what she thinks.

@themovies

Top 20 picks // See what Brandon has to say about this weeks top 20 box office hits.

INTERNS Britney Holley Moses Kidd Erin McAllister Meredith Morse Erin Tanner

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.

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.

1st copy is FREE, additional copies are $0.50 each Maroon Weekly 216 W. 26th Street ste 29 Bryan, Texas 77803 ph: 979.696.3971 | fax: 281.312.5160 Š Copyright 2011 Legacy Media Inc.

for giveaways and prizes follow us on twitter @maroonweekly www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 3

hot picks

October 13-27

/concert///// // RODNEY PARKER //

calendaroct27-nov9 THURSDAY OCT 27 campus

Grab some of the freshest fruits and vegetables that Texas has to offer at the Farmers Market. 11 a.m.

Thursday at Sbisa Dinning Hall. 979-845-3005.

campus

Join the Arabic and Asian Language Office in welcoming master calligrapher MI Guang Jiang to campus on for a seminar addressing Arabic and Chinese Calligraphy.

5:00 p.m. Thursday at TAMU- Koldus. FREE. 979-845-8901.

Booth. 8 p.m. at Village Café, 210 W 26th St, Bryan.

FREE. 979-703-8514.

performing in DIA. 6:30 p.m.

Friday at TAMU- Wehner Building Room 113.

concert

concert

Reggae Jam rock band, Raspa Grooves will be playing their Bob Marley and Sublime influenced music at La Bodega.

The nine member band encompass a saxophone, trombone, trumpet and more to produce a truly jammin’ sound. 9:00 p.m. Thursday at La Bodega. 102 Church Ave College Station. FREE. 979-691-8226.

Come enjoy a live musical performance from alternative rock power-pop band, Invisible Target. 8:00 p.m. Friday at Zapato’s Cantina. 211 University Drive. College Station.

by Texas County/Red Dirt singer Wade Bowen.

Born and raised in Waco, Bowen’s title track “Try Not To Listen” climbed to the top ten of the Texas Music Chart. He has also collaborated with artists such as Pat Green, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Randy Rogers and more. 9:00 p.m. Friday at Hurricane Harry’s. 313 College Ave. College Station. $10. (see story on next page)

concert Texas country singerTexas based American folk/ songwriter, Rodney country songwriter, Owen Temple, and Americana concert Parker hails from songwriter, Adam Carroll White Crime and The Denton. He has been punk-rock will be playing at Lakeside Wrong Ones, Icehouse with special guest bands from Houston will be FRIDAY OCT 28 creating and sharing Owen Tiner, a College Station playing at Revolution Cafe campus music for a long time.

Time for the biggest Indian native, and Chad Boyd. 8:00 & Bar. Charger Fits, The Come experience his concert event of the Fall semester – p.m. Friday at Lakeside Ex-Optimists and The Shitfits The Village Café hosts DIA 2011! Diwali with India Icehouse. 8200 Sandy Point. will also be performing. 10:00 defined style and talent its ”Live @ the Village” Association will be organized Bryan. $5 after 9p.m. p.m. Friday at Revolution as he takes the stage. singer-songwriter showcase in collaboration with IGSA Café & Bar. 211B S Main

when 10 p.m Thursday

Nov. 3rd

where Church Street BBQ tickets FREE

sponsored by Maroon Weekly, KEOS, and the LaSalle Hotel. This week the featured artist is David

and CRY TAMU. This year DIA will see a whole lot of variety in the show with several popular A&M artists

concert

Hurricane Harry’s will be hosting their Halloween Bash with a performance

Murder Mystery Dinner

@ Messina Hof Winery

By Meredith Morse Amidst the grapes and gallons of wine, a ghastly crime was committed.

A classic case of “whodunit?” On Saturday, October 29, visitors to Messina Hof Winerywill have an opportunity to solve this malicious mystery.

Nothing says Halloween homicide like a delicious three course meal!

For $69.95 a plate, you can enjoy jumbo lump crab meat chowder, a fresh tossed salad, grilled sirloin strip steak, and a classic chess pie, along with all of the ghoulish festivities planned for the evening.

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saturday

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Alongside the creepy cocktails and eerie appetizers, guests to the Bryan vineyard can take part in a Horrific Rap Contest, a Frightening Disguise Challenge, and the Halloween Murder Mystery, all offered during the winery’s Daunting Night of Monsters and Murder.

Beginning at 6:30pm and continuing until every last guest has had his or her fill of wine, food and fright, this evening event at Messina Hof is sure to be a scream. For more information, visit messinahof.com/ october-mmd.php.

St. Bryan.

concert

Reckless Kelly with special

calendaroct27-nov9

guest Backseat Molly is appearing at Texas Hall of Fame. Tickets are available at Cavender’s and The Hall.

10:00 p.m. Friday at Texas Hall of Fame. 2309 FM 2818.

Bryan $12-$15. 979-822-2222.

SATURDAY OCT 29 food+drink

Come celebrate the spookiest time of the year with Messina Hof, during our Halloween Murder Mystery Diner! A monster was murdered! The victim became a ghost and threatened to haunt everyone forever if the murderer wasn’t unveiled quickly…so the monsters investigated the crime and solved whodunit.

6:30 p.m. Friday at Messina Hof Winery. 4545 Old Reliance Road. Bryan. $69.95.

979-778-9463. (see story on previous page)

dance

Every Saturday come to The Village Café for fun complimentary salsa lessons followed by a hot night of salsa dancing. Starts at 8 p.m. at Village Café. 210 W 26th St. Bryan. $5

concert

Electro/Rock/Jam band, Strawberry Jam, whose members are composed of Texas A&M campus musicians will be playing at Revolution Cafe & Bar. The band sticks by their motto: “The world is toast, and we’re just spreadin’ the JAM”. 10:00 p.m. Saturday at Revolution Café & Bar. 211B S Main St. Bryan.

SUNDAY OCT 30 community

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum for the fourth annual Night at the Museum Halloween Event, presented by Atkinson Toyota.

4:00 p.m. Sunday at TAMUGeorge Bush Presidenital Library. FREE.

community

A night of FUN & Fright!

FREE!!! Enjoy a night out with your family in a safe environment! FREE Candy, Fun Games, Trick-orTreating! Costume Contest!

6:00 p.m. Sunday at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark. 2200 Bomber Drive. Bryan. FREE.

concert

Clayton Gardner plays every Sunday night at the Lakeside Icehouse & Grill.

Come enjoy the live music free of charge. 8 p.m. Sunday at Lakeside Icehouse & Grill, 8200 Sandy Point Rd. Bryan.

FREE.

dance

Come visit the Rooftop on Sunday Nights. Service Industry Night Dance Party.

DJ C-Nelly performing.

10 p.m. Sunday at The Corner Bar (Rooftop), 401 University Dr. College Station. FREE

MONDAY OCT 31 poker

A fan of poker are you?

Then join Fox and Hound every week for two serious and seriously fun poker tournaments. Qualify for poker tournaments at various casinos each month by showing your dominance here every week! 7 p.m.

Monday at Fox and Hound, 505 University Dr College Station. 979-846-0211.

bingo

Every Monday night at The Tap before karaoke there is Monday Night Football BINGO. As the game goes along calls we be called out as they happen and if that play is on your card you cross it off to get a BINGO and win free stuff 8 p.m.

Monday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station.

FREE

karaoke

Every Monday night come out to The Tap for karaoke and drink specials all night long. 10 p.m. Monday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station. FREE

concert

Alternative rock band, Dimitri’s Rail, who have been rising to the top of the national rock scene over the past few years will be playing at Hurricane Harry’s. Signal Rising and The Docks will also be performing. 10:00 p.m.

Monday at Hurricane Harry’s. 313 College Ave. College Station.

TUESDAY NOV 1 community

All day profit sharing for a different charity each Tueday at the Village Cafe.

Interested in a profit sharing opportunity? Contact the Village Café at kristy@ thevillagedowntown.com.

concert

Mike Ethan Messick, Ben Morris and Austin Mayse will be playing at 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday at Church Street BBQ. 100 Church Street.

College Station. 979-2680227.

concert

Join J Goodwin each and every Tuesday all semester long. He may be local but he puts on a show. 10 p.m.

Tuesday at Revolution Café and Bar, 211B S Main St. Bryan.

karaoke

Every Tuesday, O’Bannon’s teams up with Absolute Karaoke to bring you the best, and worst, of what College Station has to offer… Karaoke begins at 10 pm and we have

Wade Bowen Halloween Bash @ Hurricane Harry’s

october 28

friday

By Meredith Morse If the idea of trick-or-treating sends you spiraling into a diabetic coma, or if haunted houses aren’t quite your thing, fear not – you can always chase the ghouls away this Halloween weekend with a little good ol’ fashioned Texas twang. On Thursday, October 28, Hurricane Harry’s is hosting a Halloween Bash featuring country singers John David Kent and Wade Bowen.

For the $10 price of admission you can enjoy a night filled with twostepping and boot stomping, along with $1.50 wells, $2.50 long necks, and of course, $3 Hurricanes. As an added incentive, Harry’s is offering a $500 cash prize to the best costume of the night. So gentlemen, try harder than scrawling a Sharpie

across a dirty Hanes T-shirt, and ladies, be sure to don something that your grandmother could tolerate you wearing (or not; it is $500, after all).

Bowen, a Red Dirt singer who has collaborated with many acclaimed artists , such as Pat Green, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Randy Rogers, has his roots firmly planted in the dry Texas soil. Born and raised in Waco, Wade Bowen graduated from Texas Tech and spent the next two years living in the live music capitol of the world, Austin.

Once he finally got his head on straight, he traipsed to College Station to perform at one of the many country music venues that the Brazos Valley had to offer.

And now he’s pairing up with John David Kent, a native Texan who has made a big splash in the country music scene in a relatively short amount of time. After touring with artists like Ben Kweller and Incubus and appearing on Letterman and Conan, Kent transitioned his music toward Southern flavor.

“I like taking the elements of traditional rock and country and blurring the lines,” said Kent. “It’s a very natural evolution for me.”

Hurricane Harry’s will be howling with heel-stompin’ country music this Halloween weekend. Don’t miss out on a chance to hear some of Texas’ best country artists and win $500.

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 5

artistspotlight

Exclusive Interview // Reckless Kelly

By Chris Zebo

Last week we caught up with Reckless Kelly frontman Willy Braun to talk about the band’s new album, Good Luck and True Love. We also talked to Willy about the state of the music industry, about moving to Austin from Idaho to start the band’s career 15 years ago, about Austin as the Southern cradle of the arts, and so much more.

Reckless Kelly will be playing at the Texas Hall of Fame on Friday, October 28.

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artistspotlight MW: Your new record, Good Luck and True Love, is your third self-produced album. It’s also the first album to be released on your own record label, No Big Deal. You’re also managing yourselves now. The band has full creative control over itself. What motivated you to cut everyone out and take the reigns?

Willy: We’ve had a lot of different labels over the years. And the way the industry is moving these days, with digital downloads, and outsourcing stuff, independent labels are doing publicity and radio promotion. We just kinda always wanted to try it out.

It just seemed like right now was the perfect time for people like us to give it a wing. The industry is moving in a way where you can do a lot of stuff on your own.

It’s still a lot of work, but hopefully the rewards will be a little better. And it also gives us creative control over the sound and what we want to put out there.

MW: You allude to this feeling of independence in a song on the new album called “New Moon Over Nashville.” Is that song a tongue-in-cheek critique of the music biz?

Willy: That song’s not really autobiographical or anything. It’s more about the music scene up in Nashville and the music that’s coming out on the radio.

It seems like it’s been over 20 years since there’s been much music coming out of Nashville that I thought was real country music. I’ve just been thinking for several years that at some point it’s gonna go back to a more traditional country sound and the music will get a little better. And it just hasn’t.

There’s a ton of great musicians up in Nashville that nobody really ever hears, unless you’re down in some little bar in Lower Broadway.

So that’s what the song is about. It’s really just kind of a hope, some optimism that some day maybe country radio will start playing real country music again.

MW: It seems like the Texas country scene has always been the renegade in the country music business.

The “outlaw” movement has always had firm roots in Texas. Do you feel that liberty here?

Willy: Yeah. The main difference between Texas and Nashville is that up there it’s largely industry-driven.

It seems like down here the musicians have a lot more control over what they want to do, more of the outlaw approach. A little more of the “our way or the highway” kind of approach.

There is a little bit of industry down here, but it’s mostly centered around live music, honest music, stuff that’s a little more down-to-earth and truer to the people that are singing it.

MW: When you and your brother Cody were up in Oregon before moving to Austin, was that the gravitational pull you felt, the reason you moved here to anchor your career? www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 7

artistspotlight

Willy: I always loved the Texas sound.

My dad turned us on to a lot of Texas artists and singers and songwriters when we were growing up. And so we always knew there was a really cool scene down here. When we were trying to figure out where we were gonna move, we thought about Nashville, and even L.A. and New York. Austin just kept poppin’ up on our list. It really seemed like a good fit for us, and we had never really been down here really, but we just kind of packed up and moved down here and gave it a shot.

And it worked out great for us, for 15 years. Still love it.

Cody and I moved to Oregon from Idaho—that’s where we grew up, in Idaho—and we moved to Oregon mostly because we met a couple guys over there that were into the same type of music we were and they were really good musicians.

We went to Oregon for about a year.

There wasn’t much country music going on over there, especially at the time— kinda right at the end of the grunge movement. The music scene was really angry. We had a hard time finding places to play. So we were only there for about a year, packed up, and moved to Texas.

MW: Did any of the grunge scene have an effect on the rock side of your music?

Willy: Ah, a little bit of it. Our bass

player, Chris, was really into that scene. He was playing for a couple different bands. There was a rock edge that, I guess, came from that.

But for the most part, our sound came from the records we listened to at the time. We really liked that Sun Volt record, Trace. We were listening to Billy Ray Shaver’s Live at Smith’s Olde Bar. A lot of Steve Earle. And for the rock ‘n’ roll we were listening to, it was more like the Stones, the Beatles and Zepplin—more old school stuff.

Of course, growing up in that era, we listened to Pearl Jam and Nirvana and all that stuff, too. But we always kind of wanted to blend country and rock together. It’s been done a thousand times, but we just felt there was a different twist you could put on it.

MW: What’s going on, backstage, in altcountry as a genre right now? Is it still evolving, or is it stagnant?

Willy: It’s hard to say. There are so many new bands coming out and old bands still trying to reinvent the wheel that in some ways it is getting stagnant and a little bit washed out. There’s just a lot of different new music coming out; some of it’s good, and some of it’s just a little bit generic.

We try to just reinvent ourselves a little bit whenever we make a record, but not

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too much to where we stray too much from what people like about us in the first place.

the Cross Canadians and Wade Bowens and guys like us—hasn’t caught on in Austin as it has in the rest of the state.

MW: Do you think pressure from the industry to conform to a sound—to just produce the same radio-friendly stuff that’s made money in the past—is hindering the genre’s growth?

Like you say, it’s a little bit on the hipster side, but Austin’s always been so eclectic that there’s all kinds of music here and a lot of options. People can go out and hear what they wanna hear here. The new red dirt movement has caught on a lot bigger in the rest of the state, and Austin just has enough variety to where it’s a part of it but it’s not the main focus.

Willy: Yeah, that’s the main problem— not just with Nashville radio but radio in general. The people that are running it are kind of aware of the problem; they know it’s stagnant, they know there’s just not a lot of groundbreaking new stuff coming out. There also just scared to just try anything new because it’s still kind of working. And it seems like especially Nashville, the big thing now, you know, if somebody has a song out about fried chicken, then everybody’s writing songs about fried chicken. It’s like, “Oh, that worked.

That was #1.” So everybody writes songs about sailboats now, or whatever the latest big hit is. They just all jump on that bandwagon.

That happens in a lot of genres, but especially in Nashville that’s happening now. Really, I’ve been thinking, for 20 years, that it really can’t get any worse....and along comes “She Thinks My Tractor Looks Sexy,” or “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” (laughing) I never thought it would get that bad.

MW: It happened! It’s not just a dream.

Willy: I was saying the other day, “Boot Scootin’ Boogey” came on somewhere and I was like, “Man, I never really thought I’d look back on this song kind of fondly and think, ‘Well that wasn’t so bad compared to the stuff coming out now.” (laughing) I’d take Billy Ray Cyrus over some of the new dudes that are out on the scene now.

MW: Austin has really changed drastically in less than a decade. It’s the hipster’s kingdom, but there’s still other music buried under the tattoos.

How does country fit into the mix down there nowadays?

Willy: I think the real traditional country is still popular here. The Dale Watsons and Heybale! and the guys down at Donn’s Depot are playing their regular weekly gigs. A lot of the real honky tonk stuff is still alive here. But for some reason, the new wave of the red dirt scene—the Randy Rogers and

MW: New York’s always been the melting pot of culture and Austin is the melting pot of music.

Willy: Yeah, it’s great. About two months ago, I went out and saw a bunch of music. The variety of stuff I saw was incredible. I saw Steve Earle play in a theater here in town, I saw Marcia Ball in a park, went and saw a jazz trio one night, and Alejandro Escovedo— who’s kind of country rock but more old school rock ‘n’ roll—and a couple of other bands—all in a space of about 5 days.

I can’t think of any other place in the world where you can hear that kind of variety and at that quality level.

MW: Does the Austin music stew become an inspiration for the band?

Does it come into the music?

Willy: Yeah. It’s a real motivational place to be. It’s a real artist-friendly town.

There are lot of musicians here, a lot of artsy people, people that are creative. To be able to go out and see so much great music here is definitely an inspiration for me. I’m halfway though a show sometimes just watching people and I can’t wait to get home and pull out my guitar and just write, just because you’re surrounded by creative people and people doing what they do really well.

And the normal people—the civilians, we call them—they treat the artists really well down here. There’s places where you go and you tell people you’re a musician or an artist and you get a feeling they’re not so crazy about that and wouldn’t want you to be dating their daughters. But down here in Austin, they look up to you as opposed to looking down on you.

MW: So...you can date their daughters?

Willy: (Laughing) Sometimes.

calendaroct27-nov9

$2.50 Teas all night long!!

10 p.m. at O’Bannon’s, 103 Boyett St. College Station.

WEDNESDAY NOV 2 dance

Every Wednesday come to The Village Café for Salsa Lessons then at 9:30, following the lesson, the floor is open to dance. Starts at 8 p.m. at Village Café. 210 W 26th St. Bryan. $8/$5

concert

Local singer/songwriter nights will feature Lindsay Harris with friends in a night of showcasing local, independent and acoustic talent in Bryan/College Station. Featuring other local and regional musicians and providing a great and relaxed atmosphere with great music on Wednesday nights at Schotzi’s. This will be the right place to discover new music and experience

the talent of Bryan/College Station & Texas A&M. 10 p.m. Wednesday at Schotzi’s, 205 University Dr. College Station. FREE.

Thursday at Sbisa Dinning Hall. 979-845-3005.

concert

The Village Café hosts its

”Live @ the Village” singersongwriter showcase sponsored by Maroon Weekly, KEOS, and the LaSalle Hotel. This week

the featured artist is Aubrey Hunt. 8 p.m. at Village Café, 210 W 26th St, Bryan. FREE. 979-7038514

concert

Downtown Bryan’s most popular open mic night at Revolutions Cafe and Bar. Free and open to the public.

10:00 p.m. Wednesday at Revolution Café & Bar. 211B S Main Street. Bryan.

FREE. 979-823-4044.

concert

Every Wednesday Night come out to The Tap for Piano Bar with Russell & Mike. 10 p.m.

Wednesday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Road College Station.

979-696-5570

THURSDAY NOV 3 campus

Grab some of the freshest fruits and vegetables that Texas has to offer at the Farmers Market. 11 a.m.

concert Local singer songwriter nights will feature Lindsay Harris with friends in a night of showcasing local, independent and acoustic talent in Bryan/College Station. when 10 p.m.

Wednesday where Schotzi’s, 205 University Drive.

College Station. tickets FREE.

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 9

calendaroct27-nov9 concert

Music Chart 1 // Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Mary Ellen’s Greenhouse 2 // Brandon Rhyder

In the Country 3 // Robert Earl Keen

I Gotta Go 4 // Reckless Kelly

Good Luck and True Love 5 // Max Stalling

6 x 9 Speakers 6 // Josh Abbott Band

My Texas 7 // Kevin Fowler

That Girl 8 // Rosehill

Dream it All Over Again 9 // Kyle Park

Make or Break Me 10 // Eli Young Band

Crazy Girl 11 // Brian Keane

90 miles An Hour 12 // Aaron Watson

Fast Cars Slow Kisses 13 // Stoney LaRue

Velvet 14 // Whiskey Myers

Ballad of a Southern Man 15 // Cody Canada & The Departed

Skyline Radio 16 // Phil Hamilton

You Can Have Me 17 // Curtis Grimes

Doing My Time 18 // Jason Meadows

Go Back There Again 19 // Tejas Brothers

This Little Feeling 20 // Casey Donahew Band

Double-Wide Dream 21 // Kyle Bennett

Here In This Town 22 // John David Kent

Back to the Country 23 // Ryan Turner

Sweet Time 24 // Deryl Dodd

Baby, Where’s my Bottle 25 // Jamie Richards

She’s Cold As That Beer

She’s Drinkin

Rodney Parker will be playing at 10:00 p.m.

Thursday at Church Street BBQ. 100 Church Street.

College Station. 979268-0227.

FRIDAY NOV 4 community

Laugh Out Loud! Election Edition. Hope you ‘elect’ to join us for some ‘pun’y politics! 7:30 p.m.

Friday at Brazos Valley Troupe. 3705 E. 29th Street. Bryan. $8. 979846-4903.

SATURDAY NOV 5 community

A daylong event is planned, with a small town fair ambience at The Museum of the American GI. The museum will open at 10:00 am, admission is free, and the public is invited to enjoy displays, food, and entertainment. As a salute to our veterans, we will showcase the nation’s military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. Groups of re-enactors will gather to recreate thrilling moments from conflicts that span the

centuries. 10 a.m. Saturday at The Museum of the American GI, 19124 So Hwy 6, College Station, FREE, 979-739-4037

followed by a hot night of salsa dancing. Starts at 8 p.m. at Village Café. 210 W 26th St. Bryan. $5

community

concert

Laugh out Loud! Election Edition. Hope you ‘elect’ to join us for some ‘pun’y politics. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Brazos Valley Troupe, 3705 E. 29th Street, Bryan, $8 per seat, 979-846-4903

dance

Every Saturday come to The Village Café for fun complimentary salsa lessons

SUNDAY NOV 6 The Br and Music Director Marcelo Bussiki present Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

Considered by many to be Mendelssohn’s masterpiece, Elijah’s dramatic and moving music words are brought to life on the stage by the joint forces of the Brazos Valley Symphony, the Brazos Valley Chorale, the Texas A&M Century Singers, and continued on pg. 33

Kappa Sigma Hosts Wicked Woods

By Meredith Morse

Halloween is right around the corner, and the scariest fifteen minutes of your life are just down the road.

If you can muster up the courage to face five acres of fright, then bring some flashlights, a coat, a few bags of candy, and an extra pair of jeans, because the brothers of the Mu-Gamma chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity plan to scare the pants right off of you.

the terrifying trails will continue until 3am, or whenever the last group of victims has evacuated their bladders and emptied the premises.

For $8 the first weekend and

festival of fright. All women of Texas A&M are welcome to volunteer as guides through the harrowing trails, and t-shirts will be sold to anyone who wants to bring a bit of the terror back home with them.

$10 the second, courageous visitors can join the men of Kappa Sigma at their annual spook fest, sponsored

by Halloween Express.

Kappa Sigma’s Wicked Woods looks to involve the whole community in their

Since these boys are hoping to both frighten and feed, up to $2 will be taken off of the ticket price with a canned food donation to the Brazos

Wicked Woods

Wicked Woods, the fifth largest haunted trail in the state of Texas, will be open for two weekends, from October 20-22 and October 27-31, for its sixteenth year of operation.

Beginning each night around 8pm, visitors will be led through the meandering and menacing paths of the Wicked Woods, located behind the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at 4466 Raymond Stotzer Parkway (across from the main entrance to Easterwood Airport). Traipses through

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Valley Food Bank at the door on all nights. Proceeds of the event will be donated to various local non-profit organizations. In the past, groups that have benefited have included the Military Heroes Campaign, a group that provides free housing to wounded veterans and their families, student-led Carpool, an organization that provides free nonjudgmental ride home for Aggies, the American Red Cross, and Brazos V a l l e y Food Bank.

Last year, K a p p a S i g m a was able to raise n e a r l y $5,000 for veterans and their families at Ft. Hood and donate over 2,000 pounds of canned goods to the food bank, as well.

Rock the Republic // November 11&12, 2011

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H Fu alf ll - $ -$ 5 65 0

THE INAUGURAL

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION

MARATHON + HALF MARATHON

12.11.11

USATF Certified Race Flat Fast Scenic Live Music After Race Party Register on our site or at the Rec Center during the first week of classes.

BCSMARATHON.COM

Semantic Showdown // Meet the Poets of RTR

By Meredith Morse

A poem begins as a lump in the throat, as a sense of wrongdoing, and in dire hopes that several words scrawled hastily across a crumpled receipt (or used coffee lid/newspaper/stranger’s forearm, whatever is nearest) could somehow help make sense of the world we inhabit. Several nationally acclaimed poets--still in the process of sifting through their own lives amidst the pages of their work--will bring their cherished insights to the streets of Downtown Bryan and share them with audiences at Rock the Republic.

Rock the Republic has drawn in some of the best award-winning poets that spoken word has to offer, and this year is no exception. This year, RTR is bringing back the highly-anticipated Texas All Star Poetry Slam, featuring a haiku competition and a $500 cash prize. Among the artists gracing the stages this November will be internationally renown poets Buddy Wakefield, Kaatalyst Alcindor, Stephen Sargent, and Amoja “The Mo-Man” Sumler.

Buddy Wakefield is the two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion. He has been featured on NPR, the BBC, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and was most recently signed with Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records. After leaving his position as the executive assistant for a biomedical firm in 2001, Buddy sold or gave away everything he owned, relocated to his trusty Honda Civic, and began gracing the North American poetry scene. He still

tours full-time, hyper-emoting through his words for a living. With an inkling for imagery and a fondness for all things cephalopodic, Wakefield delivers a performance that will both comfort and wound.

As a founding member of local spoken word group Mic Check, this year’s RTR organizer Stephen Sargent is no stranger to the stage. As 2006 Bryan/ College Station Slam Champion, 2007 Bryan/College Station Slam Co-Champion, and 2010 Dallas Poetry Grind Grand Slam Champion, Sargent has spilled words all over the streets of BCS. A local favorite, Sargent looks to faith, friends and Whole Foods girls for inspiration.

A self-proclaimed “verbal pimp,” Kataalyst Alcindor is a spoken word artist straight out of the heart of New Orleans. Founding member of Team SNO (Slam New Orleans), Alcindor and his group of linguists recently brought home a national championship. As part of his ongoing Black Manes Tour, Kataalyst will wrap up his verbal assault on the balmy southern states onstage at Rock the Republic.

Although he lays claim to the north, Amoja “The Mo-Man” Sumler cites the South as his source of heart and inspiration. In 2000, “The Mo-Man” added yet another epithet to his collection and took on

the responsibility of being the poetry slam master for Little Rock, AK. “To me, poetry has been and still is concentrated, mood altering, intense and life changing,” says Sumler. He has since helped spoken word and the arts flourish within his community.

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 31

calendaroct27-nov9

concert

Clayton Gardner plays every Sunday night at the Lakeside Icehouse & Grill.

Come enjoy the live music free of charge. 8 p.m. Sunday at Lakeside Icehouse & Grill, 8200 Sandy Point Rd. Bryan.

FREE.

dance

Come visit the Rooftop on Sunday Nights. Service Industry Night Dance Party.

DJ C-Nelly performing.

10 p.m. Sunday at The Corner Bar (Rooftop), 401 University Dr. College Station. FREE

MONDAY NOV 7 poker

A fan of poker are you?

Then join Fox and Hound every week for two serious and seriously fun poker tournaments.

Qualify for poker tournaments at various casinos each month by showing your dominance here every week! 7 p.m.

Monday at Fox and Hound, 505 University Dr College Station. 979-8460211.

bingo

Every Monday night at The Tap before karaoke there is Monday Night Football BINGO. As the game goes along calls we be called out as they happen and if that play is on your card you cross it off to get a BINGO and win free stuff 8 p.m. Monday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station. FREE

karaoke

Every Monday night come out to The Tap for karaoke and drink specials all night long. 10 p.m. Monday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station. FREE

concert Clayton Gardner plays every Sunday night at the Lakeside Icehouse & Grill.

Come enjoy live music. when 8 p.m. Sunday where Lakeside Icehouse, 8200 Sandy Point Rd. Bryan.

TUESDAY NOV 8 community

All day profit sharing for a different charity each Tueday at the Village Cafe.

Interested in a profit sharing opportunity? Contact the Village Café at kristy@ thevillagedowntown.com.

6

sunday

continued from pg. 10 four exciting vocal soloists.

Our collaborative concerts are always a wonderful experience, don’t miss this one! 5 p.m. Sunday at Rudder Auditorium, Texas A&M University, College Station, Ticket are available online or at the MSC Box Office, 979696-6100, http://bvso.org/

food+drink

Messina Hof Winery and Resort, one of the fastest growing award-winning wineries and resorts in Texas, announced the fall schedule for the Aggie “Wine Down” Socials at the Wine Bar. Aggie “Wine Down” Social is a recurring monthly event that takes place the second

Tuesday of each month. It allows current Aggies (age 21 and older) and alumni to trade stories while experiencing the award-winning wine varietals Messina Hof has to offer. 6 p.m. Tuesday at Messina Hof, 4545 Old Reliance Rd.,Bryan, prices vary, 979778-9463 ext. 223, www. messinahof.com

By Britney Holley

Sour Soul is a 4-piece indie/psychedelic rock band from Mexico City. After their successful US tour this year, the band is sweeping through more US cities and building a larger following. Their music blends elements of rock and soul and they’re known for their explosivehigh energy performances. The band released their first debut album, Liquid Sky Divers, in 2009 followed by their highly-anticipated second album L’appel du Vide, produced by a Grammy award winner who produced albums by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and At the Drive In. The experimental sound of their new album, combined

with their uncanny, lively shows and their love for pleasing the crowd has led them on a musical voyage renowned for getting the crowd dancing.

Sour Soul will be sharing the stage with Hydra Melody, a 6-piece, experimental/progressive-rock band from San Antonio that brings a fresh twist to contemporary rock. Compared to Kings of Leon, they blend ancient components of rock with strong Latin and jazz sounds that forges a genre all their own.

Their shows are accented by Latin conga percussion and intricate drum and guitar playing. They’ve toured the US and have shared stages with Blink 182, Chiodos and The Toadies.

You can sample each band’s music online at soursoul. com and myspace.com/thehydramelody.com before you hit Velocity’s dance floor.

9

wednesday

Two bands to bring down the house: one bringing a hydro-powered love of music, the other bringing massive soul power all the way from Mexico City—together on stage in College Station. Hydra Melody and Sour Soul will be performing at Velocity Video Dance Bar for a special show dripping in soul and rock ‘n’ roll.

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 33

communityspotlight

Restaraunt Review // The Lemon Wedge - Bryan

By Mara Minsberg

Locally owned and operated, the Lemon Wedge dishes up fresh delicious food and desserts by a friendly and personal staff. Located in Downtown Bryan, the new restaurant features bright, warm décor. True to its name, the restaurant’s interior is inspired by lemons; there is lemon-themed art hanging throughout and the walls are painted bright in inviting shades of green and yellow.

The space’s vibrant colors are tempered by light wood accents, iron chandeliers, and a quiet ambiance.

When we visited the Lemon Wedge, the space had been decorated to showcase the fall season with great attention to detail: the cloth napkins were in autumn colors, the water goblets had a fall-leaf motif, and there was fall-themed decor displayed throughout the restaurant.

Featuring

different

menus

for

lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, the Lemon Wedge provides a broad assortment of food options at a variety of different price points.

The lunch menu features lighter fare, such as fresh salads, a soup du jour, sandwiches, and home-style entrees, like chicken pot pie and a daily selection of quiche. The dinner menu is more formal,with a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees, such as Muscovy duck, crabstuffed beef filet, crisp panko-crusted tilapia, and ribeye steak.

Sunday brunch is popular at The Lemon Wedge; we visited on a Sunday morning for their abbreviated early breakfast options of made-to-order waffles and omelets, and we observed as they set up an impressive spread for their later brunch, which begins at 11:00am. For $24, their brunch includes breads, omelet and waffle stations, shrimp and salmon, meat

34 // maroon weekly Oct. 27, 2011 www.maroonweekly.com

carving stations, salads, fruits and cheeses, potatoes, sweets—all topped off with a mimosa or glass of champagne.

On other days of the week, the Lemon Wedge has a regular breakfast menu with egg dishes, pancakes, frittatas, and quiches. For dessert, the restaurant is known for its signature pies and cakes, such as its chocolate chess pie and fresh berry tarts.

Depending on the time of day, prices at the Lemon Wedge vary.

Breakfast and lunch prices range from $8-$10, with lunch entrees ringing in at $9-$13. Dinners tend to be more expensive, featuring salads and appetizers for just under $10 and entrees falling in the $12-$28 range. Meat dinner options tend to be more expensive, and while entrée prices are a bit higher than many other local restaurants, the flavor and

presentation are excellent. The Lemon Wedge also offers a full wine list with beer and limited liquor options.

During our visit, the service we received and all interactions with staff were very pleasant and enjoyable. Chef Denise Wood made our breakfast to order and was friendly and personable. She and her staff greeted each guest individually and made conversation with each person about where they were from and how they had heard of The Lemon Wedge. We were extremely impressed with the friendliness and service and enjoyed the welcoming hometown feel of the restaurant.

The Lemon Wedge is located at 308 North Main Street in Downtown Bryan. For more information and for hours of operation, visit their website at the-lemonwedge.com or call (979) 703-4052.

calendaroct27-nov9 Adelitas Way, a Las Vegas rock band, whose music is influnced by artist like STP, Soundgarden, Bon Jovi and Daughtry will be playing at Hurricane Harry’s. Their self-titled debut album was released in July 2009 and spawned the hit single “Invincible,” which climbed to No. 6 on the Active Rock chart. Art of Dying, a Canadian alternative metal band, who have toured with Seether and Disturbed and recently opened for the band Evanescence, will also be performing. 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hurricane Harry’s, 313 College Ave., College Station, $14

karaoke

Every Tuesday, O’Bannon’s teams up with Absolute Karaoke to bring you the best, and worst, of what College Station has to

offer… Karaoke begins at 10 pm and we have $2.50 Teas all night long!! 10 p.m. at O’Bannon’s, 103 Boyett St. College Station.

WEDNESDAY NOV 9 dance

Every Wednesday come to The Village Café for Salsa Lessons then at 9:30, following the lesson, the floor is open to dance.

Starts at 8 p.m. at Village Café. 210 W 26th St. Bryan. $8/$5

concert

The four piece, Mexico City, indie/psych-rock band, Sour Soul, along with Hydra Melody, a pop-rock band from San Antonio, will be performing at Velocity. 9 p.m. Wednesday at Velocity Video Dance Bar, 913 Harvey Rd., College Station, 979-703-1807 (see story on page 33)

concert

Every Wednesday Night come out to The Tap for Piano Bar with Russell & Mike. 10 p.m. Wednesday at The Tap. 815 Harvey Road College Station. 979696-5570

concert Adelitas Way will be playing at Hurricane Harry’s.

Art of Dying, a Canadian alternative metal band, who have toured with Seether and Disturbed and recently opened for the band Evanescence, will also be performing.. when 7 p.m. Tuesday where Hurricane Harry’s. tickets $14.

concert

Local singer/songwriter nights will feature Lindsay Harris with friends in a night of showcasing local, independent and acoustic talent in Bryan/College Station. Providing a great and relaxed atmosphere with great music on Wednesday nights at Schotzi’s. This will be the right place to discover new music, hear different sounds and experience the talent of Bryan/College Station & Texas A&M. 10 p.m.

Wednesday at Schotzi’s, 205 University Dr College Station. FREE.

8

tuesday

concert

Museum Hosts Veteran Exhibit

By Moses Kidd

The Museum of the American GI is holding a celebration for American veterans starting on November 5. Saluting those who’ve served in our armed forces, the museum will showcase exhibits from United States military history from the Revolutionary War until present day. With access to relics of military antiquity, period actors will be wearing genuine uniforms and using authentic equipment in order to resurrect scenes from America’s military past.

From clamoring engines to echoing explosions, the idea behind the event was to feature fully functional US military equipment so that the public could have an authentic historical experience.

Mainly comprised of pieces from the 20th century, the museum’s collection features

memorabilia including uniforms, vehicles, and weapons.

The museum has also accumulated a comprehensive library including training and technical manuals for all equipment, vehicles, and weapons used in the history of American warfare.

Period actors will be performing combat situations veterans once faced in wartime in combination with pyrotechnic simulations bringing spectators face-to-face with the imagery of warfare (but without actual danger).

Aside from the historical exhibits and reenactments, Gulf War Veteran Jeffrey Charles and his band will be playing at 4pm.

Charles joined the Air Force in 1995 and served for over 12 years. Charles’ five-piece band performs covers as well as their

own original music, which is a blend of traditional country, bluegrass, and rock. The veteran has played along country music greats like Casey Donahew, The Cody Johnson Band, and The Locash Cowboys.

(For more information on Jeffrey Charles Band, visit jeffreycharlesband. com.)

The Museum of the American G.I. was established as a nonprofit organization in 2001.

Any veterans present will be given information on veteranrelated services currently available in the Brazos Valley.

All ages are welcome to come eat and watch the demonstrations held all day long. Parking and admission to the ceremony is absolutely free. For more information, visit magicstx.org or call 979-739-4037.

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 35

communityspotlight Love, Protect, Volunteer

By Britney Holley

The Brazos Animal Shelter has been saving, nurturing, and finding homes for stray and unwanted animals in the Brazos Valley for 30 years in hopes of improving the quality of life for animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. Ultimately, their goal has been to enhance the bond that humans and animals share and to protect and promote animal safety, health, and animal welfare.

The BAS is in need of volunteers who are interested in getting involved in the community. There are many ways to get involved and help the Brazos Animal Shelter, including fostering animals that aren’t ready for adoption, lending a hand at the shelter, and helping out at events like Wienerfest or lending support for projects like the PetSmart mobile adoption.

Responsibilities for volunteers that work at the shelter include office work, interacting with cats and dogs through socialization as well as feedings and walkings. Those that choose to become a foster caretaker open their homes and provide temporary housing and care to shelter animals that are sick, injured or young.

The first step to volunteering at BAS is first filling out a volunteer application form and then attending volunteer orientation, which occurs every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm. Orientations for prospective foster parents are every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm.

If you are interested in being a part of the solution to save and protect animals, visit the BAS website at brazosanimalshelter.org.

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what’splaying

By Brandon Nowalk

1Paranormal Activity 3

15

Having exhausted the audience’s appetite for staring at nothing for two hours—twice!—the Paranormal Activity franchise finally has us screaming at something other than stupid husbands.

16The Help

2Real Steel

BattleBots, Hugh Jackman in family mode, a Hollywood kid straight from the Amblin School of Annoying Arts, and Kate from Lost. What could go wrong? You could almost say the lack of humanity is stylistic.

3

Footloose

You can tell Footloose is awesome because Julianne Hough gets teary at a church and shouts at her father, “What are you gonna do, pass another law?!” More fun than the original, and better dancing, too.

4

Three

Musketeers

If you’ve ever wondered what D’Artagnan’s adventures would look like through the eyes of the Resident Evil auteur, wonder no further! The 17th century has never looked more like a movie on cable.

5The Ideas of March

1/2

Clooney’s latest political film is a smooth-talking cutthroat who promises a new way but is mired in the same conventions we’ve seen. Get it? Ryan Gosling’s unremarkable— the perils of overexposure—but everyone else kills.

6

Dolphin Tale

1/2

Soderbergh’s magnum opus.

Compassion courses through this analytical paean to science, a film with scary truths but comforting results: most people, most of the time, do the right thing. Also doctors peel Gwyneth’s face off!

top20 films

The

Contagion

I’m 90% sure Morgan Freeman is trying to take over the Hallmark

Po’ black nannies and the white debutante harpies they raised get up to hilarious antics and learn lessons in this skin-deep, feel-good catharsis. Aunt Jemima has more nuance, and more truth about race in America.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3

Channel. This time he applies his sentimentality to the tail of a disabled dolphin. Every generation gets the Free Willy it deserves.

7

Moneyball

1/2

This sports flick isn’t understated.

Director Bennett Miller’s asleep at the wheel. This is about a revolution, but nothing makes an impression until the genre-mandated climax. On the bright side, Chris Pratt gets to be a hero.

8

Johnny 1/2

English

Reborn

Just when you had forgotten about Rowan Atkinson, they surprise us with a sequel to the James Bond/ Maxwell Smart parody. Hard to blame them, though, as the original was a hit. 2003 was a strange time.

9

The Thing

1/2

A prequel to John Carpenter’s scifi classic, itself a remake of a Howard Hawks film, this version of The Thing doesn’t entirely embarrass its ancestors, delivering solid thrills. But pointlessness is a theme, not an MO.

10

50/50

1/2

A strong cast and nuanced journey save what’s basically, when you get down to it, Terms of Endearment for millennials. Anjelica

Huston is so powerful you can hear Meryl Streep crying to her therapist.

11Courageous

There are plenty of great Christian films out there, just not the ones that call themselves Christian films. Whenever didactic melodrama drowns out style and wit, art doesn’t imitate life. It imitates Lifetime .

12The Lion King

The opening sequence alone is a classic: watercolor mattes, animated rack focus, Zazu Scorsese-style, the title card thud. This Hamlet of the savannah remains transcendent in style and meaning, fart jokes and all.

13Dream House

1/2

It’s like Shutter Island meets The Shining, only awful. Hasn’t the haunted house been through enough without having to endure this series of insulting twists? Even the trailer is like, “Oh, that was a secret?”

14

The Mighty Macs

After Warrior and Moneyball tried—to varying degrees of success— to do the traditional sports movie from new angles, at last someone gives us the same old. This film was too bland for Disney. True story.

17Abduction

Great, now they’re trying to make Taylor Lautner an action star.

Can’t he just stand outside Hollister with his shirt off or something? The E-trade baby is more convincing. And who randomly browses missing persons websites?

18

Drive

1/2

BMW commercial turned into a feature-length thriller. But, oh, what style! Long shots of LA, explosive violence, and killer turns by Albert Brooks and Christina Hendricks practically make you forget how empty it is.

19

Margin Call

1/2

Jenga, the movie! This starstudded indie sees a bank discover how leverage works. And how nothing can’t support a growing tower of blocks forever. How’s that for explaining the Great Recession?

Nobel, please!

20

The Way About the pilgrimage across northern Spain to Santiago that inspires so many, The Way is appropriately shaggy. Sure, it’s held hostage by Freud, but the inspirational travelogue compensates. Directed by Emilio Estevez. Who knew?

www.maroonweekly.com Oct. 27, 2011 maroon weekly // 37

38 // maroon weekly Oct. 27, 2011 www.maroonweekly.com

the lofts

AT W O L F P E N C R E E K