Vol. 10, No. 14 by Maroon Weekly

11.20.13 - VOL. 10, NO. 14 - MAROONWEEKLY.COM

attn: High School Seniors

I V E

The Tradition is Texas A&M’s most on-campus off-campus dorm, located across the street from the University. We combine the convenience of a dorm with an unbelievable range of amenities. • • • • • • • • • • •

Unbeatable location - right across the street from campus Your OWN Private Bedroom and sink/vanity area FREE high-speed Internet and utilities included Award winning Residence Life Program Fully furnished suites with mini-fridge and microwave Weekly housekeeping (yes, it’s included!) Full-service dining hall with meal plan options Academic Success Center with study rooms on most floors 24-Hour attached, covered parking garage Fitness center overlooking the pool and campus Lap and volleyball pool

LEASING NOW FOR FALL 2013!

www.livethetradition.com 979.268.9000 • 866.268.3676

contents

11.21-11.27

meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brittany Hicks ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bekah Skinner LAYOUT/DESIGN Sally Franckowiak PHOTOGRAPHY Catherine Neil SALES MANAGER Caleb Holt WRITERS

Topher Hawkes Katie Lea Luke Murray Brandon Nowalk Amanda L. Reynolds

Essentials:

Listen Discover Taste Calendar Play Look Etc.

4 10 11 12 15 18 20

Upcoming:

Watch as Downtown Bryan becomes a winter wonderland all with the flip of a switch at this year’s Lights On! event Friday, November 22 at 6pm.

INTERNS Kathleen Callison Claire Hand Chandler Hodo Olivia Montagna Cheyenne Mueller Catherine Neil Kaitlin Vickers Dani Wilkins DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank

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

Taste Listen 11 - A new sliders joint in 6 - Lady Antebellum

Look 27 - Brandon gives

town is a mouthwatering returns with their highly- a rundown of this week’s top 20 box feast of minis. Venison anticipated album, office films. chili fries? Yes, please. Golden. Will the 7-time Grammy Award winning group sweep the awards again? Read our review.

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 or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. Maroon Weekly 707 Texas #207D College Station, TX 77840 ph: 979.574.3200 | @maroonweekly © Copyright 2013 Campus Press LP

1st copy is FREE, additional copies are $0.50 each

Cody Johnson

BY LUKE MURRAY

LIVE AT HURRICANE HARRY’S Taking big stages like the Houston Rodeo’s Hideout, Chilifest, Steamboat MusicFest, and even the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Cody Johnson has been constructing himself into a household name around the Lone Star and beyond. With chart-topping hits such as “Ride With Me”, “I Don’t Care About You”, and “Diamond in My Pocket”, he solidified himself as a heavyweight on the red dirt circuit.

kind of music, my brand of country music,” said Johnson. “I think it’s a brand that’s been influenced by not just the rough-stock rodeo side or Ted Nugent’s ‘let’s get crazy style’ but also the stand-up-and-sing style, like George Strait and Merle Haggard, and also the wild side of Chris Ledoux. I am who I am and I don’t think you can put a label on it.” Johnson will be the first to tell you that he bears no grudge against Music City and—regardless of his success around red dirt honkytonks—his allegiance is to his music. “It used to be all about ‘We’re from Texas, forget Nashville.’ Well, you’ll never hear me say that. My publishing deal is out of Nashville, my management is split between Nashville and Texas, but we are also booked to play eight other states as well as Canada and Europe this year. I don’t want to pigeonhole myself. When people ask me if I’m Texas or Nashville, I tell them I am Cody Johnson.”

Johnson is preparing for another chapter in his young career with the upcoming release of his third album, Cowboy Like Me. From start to finish, the album has been about creating the most holistic piece of work to his name. “We sat down with about 30 to 40 songs, just being as objective as possible,” said Johnson. “When your songs are like your babies, even the ones that you know aren’t great, you still love. But you have to cut them down and figure out what is best for the album.” Johnson said that, while being a Texas artist, his music is more than typical Texas county. “I am an artist from Texas, proud to be from Texas, but I play my own Catch Johnson at Hurricane Harry’s with Josh Grider on November 22. pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

Masterpieces of Mozart The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra presents their annual fall classical concert, Masterpieces of Mozart, directed by Marcelo Bussiki. The symphony will be collaborating and performing with 250 vocalists from the Texas A&M Century Singers and the Brazos Valley Chorale. As an ode to one of the most revered composers of all time, the groups will perform Mozart’s Requiem in D minor. The mystery surrounding the circumstances of this particular piece has caused much speculation that Mozart may have been composing the Requiem Mass for his own funeral, since it was left unfinished when he died in 1791. Nonetheless, the Requiem is one of the most popular and widely respected compositions among audiences and musicians alike. The Brazos Valley Symphony, Texas A&M Century Singers, and the Brazos Valley Chorale will also perform Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major, which is more commonly known as the Jupiter Symphony. This symphony is Mozart’s longest and final piece, which is said to capture the late composer’s musical genius in each movement.

BY CHANDLER HODO

The performance will take place in Rudder Auditorium on November 24 from 5-7:30pm. Tickets are $34 for general admission and $12 for students.

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 5

By Luke Murray

Lady Antebellum Album: Golden

Release Date: November 11, 2013

Rating: Sounds Like: The Band Perry Keith Urban Little Big Town

Recommended Tracks

Within a few short years, Lady Antebellum went from up-and-comings to selling records achieving platinum status, sweeping every award show that the music industry could offer. Sure, some of that is timing, a lot of it is hard work, but the bare bones of it all is talent.

Downtown Better Off Now Golden

Track Listing:

Get to Me Goodbye Town Nothin’ Like the First Time Downtown Better Off Now It Ain’t Pretty Can’t Stand the Rain Golden Long Teenage Goodbye All for Love Better Man Generation Away

From “Need You Now” to “American Honey”, Lady Antebellum achieved the ideal balance between the vocals of Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley and the instrumentation of Dave Haywood, resulting in seven Grammy awards within three years (five in 2011 alone). For their fourth album (not including their Christmas record), the trio has released 15 brand new tracks and some bonus live and acoustic versions of three previous chart-toppers. From first chord to last, Haywood and the band bring listeners in with a mixture of upbeat melodies and drawn-out powerballads, preaching the gospel of Music City in songs about hard goodbyes, self-reflection, love, and even a little rain.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

Lady Gaga

“Artpop”

Release Date: Nov. 11, 2013 We aren’t afraid to admit that Gaga creeps us out most of the time. From meat dresses to disco sticks, the pop anti-diva embodies the definition of cray. That being said, at the end of the day, making music is a lot about making money, and with sold out shows and chart-topping hits—Gaga has that covered. Her newest album, ARTPOP, showcases yet another chapter of her Bad Romance novel. From psychedelic beats to electronic riffs, the album is all Gaga with some hip-hop thrown into the mix, featuring duets with R. Kelly and T.I. One thing we know, Gaga was born this way and she won’t change for anyone, and there isn’t much change from this album compared to the last—including the album’s co-producer, DJ White Shadow, who was instrumental on Born This Way. Recommended Tracks: Do What U Want, Gypsy

Less Than Jake

“See the Light”

Release Date: Nov. 12, 2013 With more than 20 years in the industry, you would think that a group would have a little more prominence in the biz than these guys (assuming that all their past recordings are as good as this one). In other words, we aren’t long-standing fans of their work, but if it’s all been as good as this release, then we’re curious as to why no one told us about them. Thirteen tracks round out See the Light, an album that is similar to some modern boy bands in a lot of ways, thankfully lacking the glaring, overtly tight jeans. Besides the alternating tempos and solid vocal work, we’re big fans of the brass incorporation within the album (trombone and sax being most obvious, among others). Recommended Tracks: Do the Man, American Idle

Passafire

“Vines”

Release Date: Nov. 12, 2013 Technically, these guys have been around for a while—Vines being their fifth studio endeavor—but their music is far underrated in our opinion. Passafire combines rock and reggae into a unique fusion that puts a new twist on a familiar sound. With rock guitar riffs and bass lines shaken up with a little island flavor, their easy-going style and lyricism makes this 13-track release more than a jam album. It’s a great record to play when you’re in the mood to get down alone in your living room or with friends at a chill party. Recommended Tracks: Earthquake, Man of Wishes maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 7

Get the Goods:

CODY CANADA

BY SARAH DEAN

& THE DEPARTED

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The words “extended hiatus” are often the final nail in a band’s musical coffin. If you mourned the death of Cross Canadian Ragweed when they went their separate ways in 2010, perhaps there was a cure for your CCR blues; from the ashes of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cody Canada & The Departed was born. CCR’s front man wasted no time moving forward. In 2011, the band released This is Indian Land, a record that would reflect the individuality of the band’s new members. Each musician contributed his own thoughts, phrases, verses, and riffs into the mix—together carving out an album that is as much about camaraderie as it is about music. It’s a “15-track buffet of really kick-ass Okie songs,” stated Canada last year. Something he had wanted to do for years, the record featured covers of songs written by Oklahoma songwriters.

to, according to Canada, “let the open at 8pm and tickets can be new stuff percolate.” Showcasing purchased at grandstaffordtheater. the musicianship of every uniquely com. talented member of Cody Canada & The Departed, the new stuff is a raging concoction of red dirt, alternative country, and Southern rock. “Worth The Fight”, with its steady, powerful drum beats, rocking guitar, and sultry, Southerntwanged vocals, shows us Canada Cody Canada & The Departed are is comfortable in his new digs. ready to define themselves within WHAT: CODY CANADA the roughneck industry. They’ve Canada will be joined by openers WHERE: GRAND STAFFORD THEATER sculpted their sound, and the time Uncle Lucius and Foxtrot Uniform at WHEN: NOV. 21 - 8 PM in between records allowed them the Grand Stafford Theater. Doors pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

the scoop

Leopold & His Fiction By Dani Wilkins

It’s the old time, black and white, crackly quality of the band that makes you think you’re in another era, transported back to a 1940’s circus sideshow, watching a barehanded, leotard-clad boxer get some licks on a guitar. Maybe it’s the handlebar mustache of front man Daniel James, or the combination of garage rock, psychedelic festival music, and glitter rock that keep audiences transfixed. What sprung from collaborations made on the road while touring, James found a common vision with the people who played with him along the way. From San Fran to Austin, to LA and beyond, Austin-based Leopold and his Fiction have an infectious energy and showmanship. If you’re a first-timer to a Leopold show, don’t be shy. Perfectly raspy vocals and a minimalist but precise drum kit hold the group together and encourage dancing. Get ready for showmanship and revelry; there will be plenty. Once the group slows down in a set, don’t expect the energy to drop out of the room. Each song seems to have a stripped-down, organic sound that keeps you singing, or, at the very least, swaying along. L&HF will play the Grand Stafford Theater on November 23. For more information about the band and to purchase tickets, visit leopoldandhisfiction.com.

#MWphotocontest Maroon Weekly presents #MWphotocontest. Each week, we’ll announce a theme across our social media channels. The theme, as with most things in life, is open to interpretation. Take a photo which best represents the theme as you interpret it, and our staff will decide which is the best of the best among all entries. If your photo wins, we’ll place it in the upcoming issue of Maroon Weekly. You’ll also win a sweet prize package from our sponsors. Last week, the theme was “Kyle Field Memories” We had so many amazing entries. But here is this week’s winner. Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@maroonweekly). And be on the lookout each week for the new theme so you can start submitting your pics. Also make sure that we are following you so we can see your submissions. Good luck and Gig ‘Em!

@Garymace

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 9

By Cheyenne Mueller

Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World That Made Him BY Joe & David Henry Arguably the single most influential comedian of the second half of the twentieth century, Richard Pryor was the most successful black actor/comedian of his era. Pryor’s performances opened up a new world of possibilities. His childhood in Peoria, Illinois was spent just trying to survive. His mother was a prostitute; his grandmother was in charge of the brothel. Pryor’s home environment created an undeniably unique culture that forced him to evolve into an innovative and outspoken performer. He became a man who attracted admiration and anger in equal parts. A brilliant comedian and an astute judge of what he could get away with, he continually tested boundaries, marrying anger and pathos into art, laying the groundwork for generations of comedians who followed, such as Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Louis C.K. In his biography, Joe and David Henry bring Richard Pryor back to life, man and artist, providing readers with an insightful examination of the world he lived in and the influences that shaped both his private persona and his art.

Freaking Fabulous on a Budget BY Clinton Kelly As a result of their wildly successful season, the Chicago Bears circa 1985 have been idolized, proclaimed to be the best football team ever by their fans. Rich Cohen, a diehard Bears fan himself, describes the 1985 team as “spunky and entertaining, both on and off the field.” He recounts the most memorable events of the season, from the impressive talent of running back Walter Payton, to QB Jim McMahon’s tendency to ignore his coach and make up his own plays while on the field. There was never-ending bickering between coaches and players broadcasted on every visible facet that almost cost the team the Orange Bowl… and then there was the video of the players doing the “Super Bowl Shuffle,” which was released the day after their only loss of the season. Cohen tracked down the coaches and players from this iconic team and asked all of his burning questions. The answers are compiled into the bestselling book about an unlikely team who won the Super Bowl and brought Chicago the championship season they had always dreamed of.

pg 10 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown BY Holly Black Neurologist Sam Harris explores the all-too-common human tendency to lie, and in most cases, the lack of remorse for doing so. Harris claims that by tracing most forms of evil to their origin, a pattern becomes clear – all were birthed from manipulation. Adultery, financial fraud, murder, government corruption, personal betrayals; all require a willingness to deceive. In his book, Harris primarily focuses on the “little white lie” – what we tell ourselves to avoid awkward situations or to spare someone’s feelings with good intentions. Harris argues that we can simplify our lives and radically improve society all by making one small change – tell the truth.

Mickey’s Sliders

201 University Dr. E. 979.703.6002

Sunday - Thursday 11AM - 10PM Friday - Saturday 11AM - 11PM

Price - $$ Cuisine - American Parking - Private lot Patio - No Noise Level: Low Atmosphere: Casual Signature Dishes - Venison Chili

$ ($5 - 10) ramen noodle budget $$ ($10-15) part-time job $$$ ($15-20) hard-earned cash $$$$ (Over $20) mommy and daddy are in town

Mickey’s Makes BiteSize Better By Amanda L. Reynolds Whoever said that good things come in small packages might have visited the newly opened Mickey’s Sliders. Opening a little over a week ago, Mickey’s is taking an artisanal approach to hamburgers and doing it well. Mickey’s is the brainchild of former Chef Tai food truck chef, Miller Hardin, and local businessman, Mickey Wood. These two, combined with executive chef Jose Munoz, have created an impressive list of not-your-average hamburger combinations. Mickey’s offers a total of nine different sliders ranging from the usual cheeseburger with ketchup and pickles to a completely vegetarian slider made from chopped portabello mushrooms topped with spinach, olive tapenade, and a balsamic reduction. We anticipated slices of portabellos or a chunk of the portabello itself to form the “meat” of the veggie slider, but we’re surprised to find the mushrooms chopped and in patty form. When I shared this with Miller, he told us, “That’s what we expected you to expect.” Other options include pulled pork, ground turkey sloppy Joe, and our personal favorite, the Italian—a homemade meatball with marinara and cheese. You might be surprised to discover the best part of Mickey’s Sliders may in fact not even be a slider. They have a venison chili that is absolutely killer. Hearty

portions of ground venison meat with a seasoned chile gravy is the best possible topping for their hand-cut fries. And by hand-cut we don’t mean pushed through a potato slicer, we mean sliced by knife, as you can see the irregularity in their size. Fried portabello strips and fried pickles are a different take on the usual fried appetizers. The fried pickles are actually more akin to the “stacker” sliced pickles, sliced long and thin, running longways, instead of the pickle chips or spears you usually see. One unusual and probably unfamiliar item on their sides list is the potato fritters; trust us, you want to order them. Their venison chili is magically placed in the middle of mashed potatoes, deep-fried, covered in queso, and then served with a side of cilantro cream sauce. Holy moly, they are good. An interesting fact, Miller told us, is that Mickey’s doesn’t have a freezer. So everything at Mickey’s, with the exception of the buns, are made in-house and fresh every day. However, the

bite-size buns are made fresh daily specially for Mickey’s. Also, their bacon-infused ketchup is definitely made from scratch and doesn’t resemble bottled ketchup in any way. Instead, you can expect chunky tomato sauce with more than eight pounds of real bacon bits cooked into it. The black pepper truffle mayonnaise is a not-to-miss sauce, too. The truffle flavor is pronounced and makes an awesome addition to their sliders. Mickey’s has big plans for the future. Appearing soon will be a “Game Changer” that will feature exotic game sliders, which will rotate every two weeks. A few of their planned options are alligator, buffalo, lamb, duck, and...wait for it…shark. There was also a hint of a potential Thanksgiving turkey slider, which we anxiously await. Expect Mickey’s to fulfill your burger cravings any time of the day. Currently open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, Mickey’s will also be serving brunch soon. You’ll soon be able to order a chicken and waffle slider or a crab cake slider in the morning.

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 11

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

Academy for Visual and Performing Arts presents NY Neo-Futurists.

Cody Johnson stops at Hurricane Harry’s on the Texas leg of his tour.

The BVSO will be joined by the Century Singers for Mozart’s Requiem.

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WEEKLY // PICKS WEEK

NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER

27,

2013

FIND MORE AT: WWW.MAROONWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS

decision to part ways, former frontman, Cody Canada, resurfaced with new musicians and mission in mind. With fellow Ragweed bandmate, Jeremy Plato, the two rejoined the musical world with “Cody Canada & The Departed”. Austin-based Uncle Lucius is a rock ‘n’ roll band and pride themselves on the energy of their shows. Foxtrot Uniform is a rock ‘n’ roll, country-infused quartet. GRAND STAFFORD THEATER 106 S Main St, Bryan Nov. 21, 2013 8:00 PM $10

FRIDAY

ANNIE JR. TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS

THURSDAY 11/21 NY NEO-FUTURISTS

New York Neo-Futurists’ signature show, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, consists of 30 short plays in 60 minutes. The audience-driven show gives the crowd the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of plays to determine which will be performed. RUDDER THEATER TAMU Campus, Nov. 21, 2013 8:00 PM

MAX STALLING

Texas-based songwriter and Aggie grad Max Stalling will make his return to one of College Station’s favorite music venues. With a modern style yet vintage feel, Max has released four albums and is still riding on the excitement of a 2010 release, Home to You. THE TAP 815 Harvey, College Station Nov 21, 2013 9:00 PM

CODY CANADA

In the wake of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s

pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

11/22

Presented by Brazos Valley TROUPE, “Annie Jr.” is a shortened, lightened version of the Broadway and silver screen hit, Annie. The production of the show is a cast of local youngsters, of which TROUPE focuses on developing. For more information on TROUPE, the 2013 season, and tickets to this show, check out bvtroupe.com. 29th St. Studio 3705 E. 29th St, Bryan Nov. 22, 2013 7:30 PM

CODY JOHNSON

Inmate-supervisor-turned-red-dirtmusician, Cody Johnson, frontman of the Cody Johnson Band, has had bountiful success with his Texas country ballads. His most recent achievement, the single

“Ride With Me”, hit number 1 on the Texas Music Chart and the Texas Regional Radio Report. Their album, A Cowboy Like Me will be released this winter. Josh Grider opens, and tickets are available online at harrys. bcsclubs.com/events, Cavender’s, and the Aggieland Outfitters on University Dr. HURRICANE HARRY’S 313 College, College Station, Nov. 22, 2013 8:00 PM $10

LIGHTS ON!

Lights On! is an annual event that celebrates the holidays by inviting the community to see the lighting of Downtown Bryan and the holiday tree at Sale Park. This year’s event includes hot chocolate and cookies, live performances, music, a double movie feature, and a special appearance by Santa himself. The best part? The event is free. SALE PARK Downtown Bryan, Nov. 22, 2013 6:00 PM

SATURDAY 11/23 LEOPOLD & HIS FICTION

Rock group Leopold and His Fiction and southern music-inspired group, The Docs, are teaming up to bring the Stafford a night of progressive rock and roll. The show will also feature The Beans, a Houston rock group

who released their debut album in January of 2012. GRAND STAFFORD THEATER 106 S Main St, Bryan Nov. 23, 2013 9:00 PM

www.facebook.com/breakawayministries REED ARENA Nov. 5, 2013 9:00 PM

WEDNESDAY 11/27

FARMER’S MARKET

SALSA WEDNESDAYS

Brazos Valley Farmers Market creates opportunities for the region’s agricultural community to come together with urban residents to share the bounty of our land. DOWNTOWN BRYAN Nov. 23, 2013 8:00 AM

Salsa Wednesdays at the Village Cafe offer an hour and a half professional dance lesson(8pm) followed by a night of dancing from 9:30-12am. A great night to learn new moves or to just let loose on the dance floor! Visit http:// www.mambosentertainment.com/ grouplessons.html for more details. VILLAGE CAFÉ 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Nov. 20, 2013 8:00 PM $8/5

SALSA SATURDAYS

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. VILLAGE CAFÉ 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Nov 2, 2013 8:00 PM $5

SUNDAY MOZART

11/24

Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra will be joined by 250 vocalists from Texas Century Singers and The Brazos Valley Chorale for a concert featuring Mozart’s Requiem and Symphony No. 41 in C major. RUDDER AUDITORIUM TAMU Campus, Nov. 24, 2013 5:00 PM

MIC CHECK POETRY

Speak your mind or listen to those who perform at Mic Check Poetry Slam. Hosted by Revolution Cafe, MCPS is held every Sunday at 8:30 and completely free. Break out of the mold and channel your inner artist; you’ll go home feeling inspired. REVOLUTION 211B S. Main St., Bryan, Nov17, 2013 8:30 PM

MIC CHECK POETRY

PUB QUIZ

Sundays are trivia night at O’Bannon’s, so grab a group of friends to play or just to watch. Check with their Facebook page the day of to find out what the topics will be. O’BANNON’S 103 Boyett, College Station, Nov 17, 2013 9:00 PM

MONDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT

OPEN MIC

Schotzi’s is giving you the chance to show your stuff with Open Mic Night every Monday. Get some $2 liquid courage with wells and domestics all night long! SCHOTZI’S 205 University, College Station, Nov. 18, 2013 9:30 PM

TUESDAY 11/26 11/25 CRAFT COCKTAILS

Monday nights are pretty boring; it’s too early in the week to party and too early in the week to study. So, you’re kind of left with nothing to do but Facebooking, channel surfing, or Netflixing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 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? Well, you can do just that. Every Monday night, Revolution Cafe hosts Trivia Night from 9pm till just before midnight– ending just in time to sleep 8 hours before class on Tuesday. REVOLUTION 211B S Main St, Bryan Nov 18, 2013 9:00 PM

Mixing beings at 4:30pm each Tuesday and continues throughout the evening. Cocktails are expertly crafted by resident mixologist Cody Schilling. His handmade mixers, fresh ingredients, and premium liquors make falling off your bar stool delicious. GRAND STAFFORD THEATER 106 S Main St, Bryan Nov. 19, 2013 8:00 PM $8

BREAKAWAY

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://

SALSA WEDNESDAYS

Have an event for our calendar? Submit it at

www.maroonweekly.com

Design | Branding | Web

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 13

pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

3 APPS YOU WON’T REGRET DOWNLOADING

By Luke Murray

POCKET The beauty of smartphones is their convenience and accessibility. In an instant-gratification-driven society, we want to have an entire universe worth of information at our fingertips. Most smartphone users have come across a webpage, article, video, or important link and thought, “Should I bookmark this? Or should I just email myself the link, so I can read it later?” Here enters the brilliance of Pocket; giving you the ease of storing, accessing, and even sharing the most interesting things you could possibly find online. With a user-friendly interface built around simple organization, convenient layouts, and easy sharing, Pocket just made backtracking the web a whole lot easier. – FREE SUBSTITUTIONS We obsess over food, and that’s probably one of the reasons obesity has reached a belt-busting crisis nationwide. For a lot of people, food allergies, calorie content, or a simple distaste for some flavors and textures makes it difficult to enjoy certain meals. Substitutions has a very straightforward remedy to the issue, offering varieties of substitutions for almost any recipe you could think of. Whether you need to alter your pasta for a health reason or simply want to shake up the flavors in your flambé, Substitutions suggests flavor/low-calorie replacements for every ingredient you could cook up. With a menu that breaks down ingredients into everything ranging from low-cal to low-fat, gluten-free to nut-intolerance, and even ingredients that are good at relieving migraines, Substitutions is a must-have. – $0.99 MOVES Ever tried retracing your steps? How about remembering how long it took you to walk from work to the coffee shop? What about counting calories lost on those trips? No one has time for that. But Moves does. It uses the GPS in your phone to track your daily steps, making it much more convenient than a bracelet or step counter, and let’s be honest—you never take a step without your phone. This app monitors your daily movements, logging each step, and it coordinates statistics between activities. The built-in tracker keeps a tally on the time, distance, and routes you take while walking, running, and even cycling while it also logs your times at rest and picking up on details like when you’re at home or work. It later presents your daily routine in a storyline-like simulation, even keeping an estimated amount of calories you burned over the course of the day, week, and even month. – $1.99

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 15

Lights On! By Cheyenne Mueller

Roadtrips and Getaways Within a Day’s Drive As the holidays draw close, the Christmas-themed festivities are starting to appear. The city of Bryan will be hosting their annual Lights On! event. Lights On! celebrates the holidays by inviting the community to see the lighting of Downtown Bryan and the holiday tree at Gloria Stephan Sale Park, which will be presented by Bryan Mayor Jason Bienski and special guest emcees. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided to all in attendance. There will be live performances from the Salvation Army Band from 6-6:15pm, the Bryan High School Chorale from 6:30-6:45pm, and the Rudder High School Choir from 6:45-7pm. The lighting of Downtown Bryan will commence at 7:15pm. A double movie feature will be held at the Palace and begins around 7:35pm, screening Mickey’s Christmas Carol first and A Christmas Story second. Santa Claus will be available for pictures, and there will also be a station available to write him letters.

Enchanted Rock By Cheyenne Mueller

How often have you said, “I just need a break from life,” or, “I need to get away from my phone for a little bit?” It happens to all of us. Our need to constantly be plugged in can leave us drained and needing a recharge. What better way to escape than to go outside? With the weather cooling down (but not so chilly that you’re forced inside), the outdoors can finally be enjoyable. At Enchanted Rock in Fredricksburg, there are many options for unplugged, outdoor adventures. The park offers primitive backpacking (camping, hiking, technical rock climbing, picnicking, geological study, bird watching) and near-crystal-clear stargazing, thanks to minimal light pollution. Away from the bustle of the city, you’ll be able to view an assortment of wild life, too—deer, lizards, tons of birds, and a snake here and there. Trails are marked with yellow arrows, and access to rock climbing areas are marked with a colored spade. While the distance to the top of Enchanted Rock may appear short, looks can be deceiving; it can be a hard hike. Taking the Summit Trail at a moderate pace will get you to the top in around 45 minutes. At the top, you’ll understand why the Texas Hill Country is called the most beautiful place in Texas. If you’re an inexperienced hiker, it’s suggested to stick to the trail plotted on the map, since it’s a gentle climb to the top. Otherwise, there will be big rocks to climb over if you veer off the trail. If the Summit Trail proves to be too easy, there are two other trails for you to try. There’s a $7 per person entrance fee, and the park opens at 8am. We suggest arriving early. During the park’s peak season (September through May), Enchanted Rock may reach parking capacity, requiring the park to temporarily close on weekends, sometimes as early as 11am. In case you show you up a little late and see flashing yellow signs, which states the park closure, have no fear. Closures usually last about two hours, and the park will reopen when sufficient parking is available. Even though the temperatures should be cooler than the summertime heat, we still advise bringing a hat and sunscreen. The majority of the hiking trails are not shaded, so be mindful of that even in the cooler weather. Though it might be common sense, wear hiking or athletic shoes; this is not a flip flop-friendly park. If you’re interested in staying overnight at the park, camping is tent only. Bathrooms are noted to be clean and have hot water.

The best part? The entire event is free. One of the Brazos Valley’s most anticipated holiday traditions, the 6th annual Lights On! celebration will take place on November 22, 2013. Parking will be available throughout the downtown area. pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

The members at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area ask that you do not disturb plant or animal life, geological features, or Indian or historical artifacts. Rock climbers must check in at park headquarters; route maps and climbing rules are available, and though creeks may seem tempting, there’s no swimming allowed in the Natural Area. Due to heavy weekend visitation numbers and the ongoing drought, potable water at Enchanted Rock is extremely limited. All visitors are encouraged to bring their own drinking water, and campers are encouraged to keep showers to a minimum.

NEW YORK NEO- The Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts FUTURISTS BY CHEYENNE MUELLER

Neo-Futurism does not believe in “the suspension of disbelief.” The idea is to deal with what is going on exactly in the moment; no extraneous thoughts or ideas, the moment is what is important. You are who you are. Your name is your name. You know who you are and what you’ve done. The New York Neo-Futurists’ exploration of the human condition spans through 30 plays in 60 minutes. Their signature show, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, is an audience-driven performance: audience members select which plays are performed and in what order. The actors use their lives to create a unique experience specific to their own personal truths.

presents

New York Neo-Futurists in

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind Neo-Futurism aims to empower and affirm not just the lives of the performers but the lives of the audience members as well. Some acts are funny, some are romantic, some are sad, and some…are just plain weird. Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind opened at Stage Left Theater in Chicago on December 2, 1988. Created and directed by Greg Allen, Neo-Futurism’s unique approach to performance advocates complete awareness and inclusion of the actual world within theatre. Rather than upholding contemporary theatrical conventions of character, setting, plot, and the separation of audience and performer, Neo-Futurism aims to showcase actual life on a stage by eliminating pretense and illusion. The group will perform at Rudder Forum Theater at 8pm on Thursday, November 21.

Thursday, November 21, 2013 8 PM at Texas A&M Rudder Forum Theatre

Tickets $5 Students, $10 General Admission Available at the MSC Box Office Call 979.845.1234 For more information, call 979.847.2787 avpa@tamu.edu v academyarts.tamu.edu w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / AV PA a t TA M U

“This program made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station through the Arts Council of Brazos Valley.”

dance theatre

It’s Time For

music visual art

It’s Time For Texas A&M

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 17

- By Brandon Nowalk -

Dallas Buyers Club DRAMA (R)

Bad Grandpa COMEDY (R)

In Bad Grandpa, Johnny Knoxville dresses up as an old man and teams up with eight-year-old Billy (Jackson Nicoll) for a cross-country road trip full of bad behavior. There’s a surprising amount of plot in this string of pranks. Grandpa’s wife has just died, and Billy’s mom is going to jail. As a result, she drops him off with Grandpa in Nebraska and with instructions to get Billy to his father in North Carolina. The best part about the film is that the audience is in on the joke, laughing at unfortunate passerby who haven’t a clue that the horrors they’re witnessing are really just pranks. Bad Grandpa isn’t just a comedy of manners, outraging people’s delicate sensibilities with Grandpa and son behaving improperly. Because the film is set on the route from Lincoln to Raleigh, it’s focused specifically on the heartland, giving a tour of the kinds of people one might meet. It’s remarkably diverse, and Knoxville’s Grandpa spends half his time praising the beauty of women whose body types aren’t often represented as beautiful on the big screen. Most of the movie has to do with Billy’s parents and grandpa being unfit guardians. Knoxville and Nicoll continually test the denizens of the heartland, with the movie’s the climax set at a Toddlers and Tiaras-type beauty pageant. Nicoll plays a pageant girl whose “talent” is an uproarious pole-dance set to “Cherry Pie”, easily making it one of the most provocative scenes of the year, shocking the pretense of child beauty pageants and throwing vulgarity in pageant moms’ faces. The movie isn’t as provocative throughout its entirety, but that scene is worth the price of admission alone. pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

Matthew McConaughey’s rebirth as a character actor continues with his emaciated performance as a Dallas rodeo fly named Ron Woodroof. Woodroof contracted HIV, eventually drinking and doping himself into full-blown AIDS in the mid-‘80s. Given only 30 days, the stigma from his disease separates him from his work, friends, and even his home, winding up with pneumonia in a Mexican clinic. While in the ward, he gets the idea to start a “buyers club,” selling club memberships to HIV/AIDS patients that will provide them with free, FDA-unapproved treatments. His business partner is drag queen Rayon (Jared Leto), but that doesn’t make Woodroof an LGBT activist. His bad behavior, including all manners of homophobic remarks and expressions quickly turn sour, making this a film showcasing another side of the victims of the AIDS epidemic: gay-bashing straight men.

Blue is the Warmest Color DRAMA (NC-17)

Typically, the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival is given to the director, but this year, the award was bestowed, not only on the director, but also to the two lead actresses. It’s no wonder. Blue is the Warmest Color focuses on the story of a French high school girl, Adéle. Thanks to a blue-haired college girl named Emma, Adéle makes the realization that she’s attracted to women. This film showcases utterly impressive performance, particularly for Adèle Exarchopoulos, who’s at the center of every scene. Its lengthy NC-17 sex scenes have drawn all the attention, but every moment is lived in and drawn out in this three-hour epic, spanning ten formative years. The first half is a triumphant bildungsroman as Adéle talks art and philosophy with a potential boyfriend, a teacher, and eventually Emma, all while discovering herself. The second half goes into typical rom-dram territory, but with Exarchopoulos on screen, it’s sensational nonetheless.

1. Thor: The Dark World

A valuable mystical substance infects Jane (Natalie Portman), so Thor (Chris Hemsworth) brings her to Valhalla while dark elves conspire to retrieve the substance. Also starring Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Rene Russo. PG-13 (112 min.)

2. The Best Man Holiday In this sequel to 1999’s The Best Man, the cast of college friends reunites after 15 years to celebrate Christmas together, where the old jokes, romances, and hard feelings resurface. R (123 min.)

3. Last Vegas

Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Morgan Freeman go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party in this fish-out-of-water comedy. Think The Hangover meets Grumpy Old Men.

4. Free Birds

Just in time for Thanksgiving, two turkeys get the bright idea to travel back in time and prevent turkey from becoming a holiday staple in this cartoon. Voice cast includes Owen Wilson and Amy Poehler. PG (91 min.)

5. Bad Grandpa

Johnny Knoxville gets out the old-age make-up to play an 86-year-old man taking his 8-year-old grandson across the country. Their goal? To prank an unsuspecting populace, like a cross between Borat and Jackass. R (92 min.)

6. Gravity

In this revolutionary 3-D rollercoaster, a space mission gone awry forces astronauts Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to fend for themselves among various space stations and to get back home. PG-13 (90 min.)

7. Ender’s Game

The director of X-Men Origins: Wolverine condenses and regurgitates Orson Scott Card’s compelling young adult novel about a boy genius advancing through strategy school in

order to destroy a potentially invading alien force. PG-13 (114 min.)

8. 12 Years as a Slave

The Toronto Film Festival winner by chic arthouse director Steve McQueen chronicles the abduction of a free northern black man (Chiwetel Ejiofur) and his enslavement for 12 years on southern plantations. R (133 min.)

9. Captain Phillips

Based on a true story, Tom Hanks stars as the captain of a U.S. ship transporting supplies to Kenya when his ship comes under attack by Somali pirates in this journalistic depiction of international institutions colliding. PG-13 (134 min.)

10. About Time

The latest English rom-com-drama from the writer-director of Love Actually is this story about a young man who learns he can time travel within his own life and the woman (Rachel McAdams) he falls in love with. R (123 min.)

11. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Our hero, Flint Lockwood, voiced by Bill Hader, leaves his job when he finds out the machine responsible for the original is still in operation, leading to another avalanche of foods crossed with animals. PG (95 min.)

12. Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey plays a reallife Texan who was diagnosed HIVpositive and begins a ring to fasttrack meds not yet approved by the FDA by importing them from Mexico for HIV-positive Americans. Costarring Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto. R (117 min.)

13. All Is Lost

Robert Redford plays “Our Man,” a survivor of a shipwreck that leaves him stranded on a life raft with diminishing resources as he tries to get home. Directed by JC Chandor (Margin Call). PG-13 (106 min.)

14. Carrie

After getting picked on at school, a young outcast, Carrie, develops telekinetic superpowers. Then one of the girls feels guilty and gets her boyfriend to take Carrie to the prom; the rest is horror history. R (100 min.)

15. Enough Said

Julia Louis-Dreyfus befriends a hippie poet (Catherine Keener) and her exhusband James Gandolfini at the same party. Her relationships with each start to threaten each other. Her college-bound daughter only cranks up her emotions. PG-13 (93 min.)

16. The Book Thief

During World War II a young German girl who likes to steal books bonds with a Jewish refugee hiding from the Nazis in her parents’ basement. Geoffrey Rush stars as the family patriarch. PG-13 (131 min.)

17. Despicable Me 2

The heroic Anti-Villain League hires Steve Carell as a grumbling supervillain turned adoptive father to help fight a new supervillain. Featuring the voices of Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, and Russell Brand. PG (98 min.)

18. The Counselor

Michael Fassbender stars as a lawyer who gets involved in a cartel deal that goes wrong in this hard-bitten, star-studded neo-noir. Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, and Javier Bardem co-star. R (117 min.)

19. Blue is the Warmest Color

The most recent film to win the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival is this story of a French teenager named Adele who falls for a local college student named Emma. NC-17 (179 min.)

20. Planes

Disney goes Pixar with a Cars-style take on a world of sentient planes. Dane Cook as a cropduster dreams of competing in a race around the world.. Brad Garret, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and John Cleese co-star. PG (91 min.)

maroonweekly.com • November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 19

Drink Slinger

GET TO KNOW YOUR FAVORITE BCS BARTENDERS

ANSWERS from page 21

SLINGER OF THE WEEK

EJ Velasco

Dudley’s Draw

MW: If you were a drink, what would you be? EJ: A Cuba Libre. MW: What is the craziest thing you’ve seen while working behind this bar? EJ: A 20-plus person fight between Aggies and Longhorns. Aggies won. MW: If you could bar chat with one person—a celebrity, sport star, anyone—who would it be? What would you want to talk with them about? What drink do you think that person would ask for? EJ: Norman Reedus. We’d talk hobbies and sports. MW: What is your personal favorite drink? EJ: Washington Apple. MW: What is the worst mixing combination? EJ: Anything with Jägermeister or 151. MW: If you could only make one drink for the rest of your life what would it be? EJ: A Roman Coke. MW: What is the most disgusting drink people ask you for? EJ: A Mat Shot: that’s where someone requests to drink all the liquid off of the bar mat that stores all the fallen alcohol.

Slinger’s Signature Drink MW: What is your signature drink? EJ: A Grand Slam.

pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

“Big Time” - freestyle, me-style by Matt Jones

Across 1 “___ luego” 6 Rule opposed by Gandhi 9 Raptor pack? 12 Crop-eating pest 13 Rain-___ (gumball brand) 14 The Alfred P. ___ Foundation (nonprofit institution) 16 ìShame, thatî 18 Beer with a blue ribbon logo 19 Comeback hit of 1988 20 “___ like caviar...” (Marilyn Monroe quote) 21 Long beginning? 22 In an outmoded sense 26 ì___ for ëyakíî 27 Sign of family leadership, maybe 28 “___ Beso” (1962 hit) 29 High-capacity vehicle? 30 Penn in NYC, e.g. 31 One of 140 characters, often 32 Recipe amount 35 Like most dishware 36 Article in Acapulco 37 Wrapped up 38 “Deck the Halls” contraction 39 Many of St. Benedict’s monks 42 Walgreen’s competitor 43 Less tacky 44 Shakers founder 46 ìLetís Build Something Togetherî retailer 47 Item where the middle is automatically marked 50 “It’s ___ Unusual Day” 51 First name in Ugandan dictatorship 52 Theo of “Sons of Anarchy” 53 Existed 54 Bono ___ (U2 lead, early on) 55 City of the Ruhr River Valley

Down 1 Iowa City squad 2 Pithy writer 3 Closes, as a deal 4 Michael’s brother 5 “Battlestar Galactica” role 6 Possible result of a sacrifice 7 PC key 8 She once sat with Barbara and Whoopi 9 Prizes awarded since 1901 10 “Fawlty Towers” character 11 Full of fidgets 14 Like “the house of tomorrow” 15 “Blazing Saddles” villain Hedley 17 City claiming the world’s smallest park 20 Private economy spending gap 23 Frustrated with 24 “Jump!” response 25 Andy’s TV relative 29 Violin attachment 32 Ditch 33 All there is 34 Submitted, as completed homework 35 Worry after a bite 37 Way to count quicker 39 Show with episodes ìPettycoat Injunctionî and ìHis Suit is Hirsuteî 40 Enticing smell 41 Make noise at night 45 Cpls., e.g. 47 Last name in color schemes? 48 Words before a kiss 49 Turn down �2013 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)

November 20, 2013 • MAROON WEEKLY • p 21

pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • November 20, 2013 • maroonweekly.com

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to be the King!

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