10.03.13 - VOL. 10, NO. 7
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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
10.03-10.09
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 Taste Think Calendar TGS Play Look Etc.
4 8 10 12 14 20 26 29
Upcoming:
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The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival, featuring 42 poets from all over the country, is back in Bryan for its 3rd annual two-day competition October 4th and 5th.
INTERNS Kathleen Callison Claire Hand Chandler Hodo Olivia Montagna Cheyenne Mueller Catherine Neil Michelle Otero Kaitlin Vickers Dani Wilkins DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Drake Washington
Maroon Weekly is an independent, student-operated publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.
Taste
8 - A new Cajun food joint, The Remnant from Nawlins, fills the void left by Herbert’s closing last year.
Listen 6 - Drake’s Nothing Was
the Same is reviewed as well as new releases by Alan Jackson, Kings of Leon, and The Foreign Exchange.
Look 27 - Brandon gives a rundown of this week’s top 20 box office films.
Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints to typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. Maroon Weekly 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
whiskey myers LIVE AT HURRICANE HARRY’S By Luke Murray Beginning as a trio called Lucky Southern; Cody Cannon, Cody Tate, and John Jeffers teamed up with drummer Jeff Hogg and bassist Gary Brown, moved into the East Texas pines, and dubbed themselves “Whiskey Myers.” Influenced by some of the most legendary southern rock bands of all time— Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Allman Brothers—the boys have made Aggieland a frequent stop on their red dirt tours. Their most recent release, Firewater, debuted in the top 30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and has garnered a lot of radio time around the state with hits such as “Ballad of a Southern Man” and “Guitar Picker.” Although the band started out modestly—playing gigs at small private parties—they’ve foregone their humble beginnings for sold out shows and screaming fans. The quintet, a tight balance of aggression and soul, are known to start out strong with their hard-nosed southern butt-kickery before easing into classic deep-pine blues. Clinging to that diversity, the ever-shifting boys of Whiskey Myers have constructed their band around a deep-seeded passion for keeping their music innovative. Cannon’s gritty vocals—with an unmistakable East-Texas draw—blended with twin-lead guitars and smooth rhythms make for an ensemble straight out of the Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top cookbooks. Catch their show at Hurricane Harry’s on October 4 with Stuart Mann & The Statesboro Revue. Tickets are available at harrys. bcsclubs.com pg 4 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AT THE GRAND STAFFORD By Chandler Hodo
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights (aka JTNL) is still riding on the success of their last album release in 2010. Formed in January of 2007 in Dallas, the band has accomplished some pretty incredible feats. Pardon Me, released in April of 2010, generated a list of accolades, including the Dallas Observers’ Readers’ Pick Best Local CD Release and “Fourth Best Release of 2010” by the Dallas Morning News. The band has played all over the country, most notably at BamaJam, Summerfest, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Voodoo Fest, and SXSW. Tyler, the 24-year-old lead vocalist, thinks the relationship between the performers and audience members determines the success of a concert. “The best shows,” says Tyler, “are those where the band and audience become one. To be honest, I try to make every show like that.” JTNL will be performing at Grand Stafford Theater on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Doors open at 8pm and the band will take the stage at 9pm. Admission is $10 and the show is open to all ages.
#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 “Show us your Aggie ring.” We had so many amazing entries that we had to pick two. We showed you the first one in last week’s paper. Here is the second 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!
@misformagan 10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 5
By Luke Murray
Drake Album: “Nothing Was the Same”
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Rating: Sounds Like: Lil Wayne Tyga Kid Cudi
Recommended Tracks Started from the Bottom Wu-Tang Forever From Time
Track Listing:
Tuscan Leather Furthest Thing Started from the Bottom Wu-Tang Forever Own It Worst Behavior From Time Hold On, We’re Going Home Connect 305 to My City Too Much Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2 pg 6 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
We typically have a love/hate relationship with Drake—but do we love to hate him? Or do we hate to love him? We’ll let you decide. You can’t argue with the fact that Drake has been tearing up the modern hip-hop charts since bursting onto the scene only a few short years ago. His newest album, Nothing Was the Same, showcases his ever-changing versatility in an ensemble of 15 tracks with some help from friends—2 Chainz and JAY Z, among others. Less than a week after its debut, Drake was already getting shout-outs for Album of the Year. We don’t know if that will actually become a reality, but we do know a couple of things about Drake. He likes to hang out with a certain maroonwearing quarterback and he has an unmatched talent for lyricism. Aside from his bromance with Manziel, we know that Drake doesn’t tap into the normal influences and inspirations of typical hip-hop artists today. He digs deeper, re-inventing the wheel. Overall, this album is solid, much like the rest of Drake’s work. Like Manziel, Drake is still maturing at his craft, but he’s taking strides and we dig the progress.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kings of Leon
“Mechanical Bull”
Release Date: Sept. 20, 2013 Speaking of growth and maturing, we can also use similar sentiments about the evolution of this Tennessee-based quartet. Kings of Leon hit a wall after their last album. The major commercial success from their fourth album—which included “Use Somebody” and “Sex On Fire”— was followed by a steep descent into their fifth album, leading to rumors of the group disbanding (Guys, you can’t quit family). Luckily, the four brothers merely took a hiatus after some minor personnel malfunctions within their live show, only to return a few months later with a massive announcement about the upcoming release of Mechanical Bull. Now six albums deep into their career, the group has hit a point of maturity in their songwriting where they balance the heavy-hitting gusto that made them famous with a sense of veteran-ism that’ll keep fans part of the family. Recommended Tracks: Wait for Me, Supersoaker
Alan Jackson
“The Bluegrass Album”
Release Date: Sep. 24, 2013 A legend and an artist seasoned by his years, Alan Jackson has reached the point in his career where he can do no wrong. Alan has never been one to chase the charts; it just so happened that the music he loved to make was music fans wanted to listen to. Now, 30 years into his career, he can produce whatever music he wants—whether people buy it or not. His 15th studio album—not including numerous greatest hits compilations—focuses on a different tendril of Alan’s roots. He takes us to classic time when bluegrass melodies were once the godfather of country. With 14 tracks, you get the same legendary talent and perfection you expect from a seasoned songwriter, but each song brings a different flavor than his typical honky-tonk style. An equal mix of covers and original songs, this album is a musthave for any Jackson fan. Recommended Tracks: Wild and Blue, Ain’t Got Trouble Now
The Foreign Exchange
Release Date: “Love in Flying Sep. 24, 2013 Colors” We’ll call this one our wild card pick of the week. We know these guys have been around a while – eleven years to be exact, but they aren’t one of those bands you find on everybody’s iPod. Dropping their fifth studio album, we like this record because it sticks with the week’s theme of maturing artists. Showing substantial growth since their last release in 2011, The Foreign Exchange released 10 new tracks that aren’t the least bit similar to what they released in 2002. Blending electronica with hip-hop and soulful R&B, we’ve found something we can listen to straight through and never hear the same thing twice—a solid record to round out our coming-of-age picks for the week. Recommended Tracks: Call it Home/Pity, Listen to the Rain 10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 7
By Amanda L. Reynolds
The Remnant 604 Holleman, College Station, 979.220.5799
Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM Sunday CLOSED
Price - $ Cuisine - Cajun/Creole Parking - Private Lot Patio - No Atmosphere - Zero. In a Gas Station Signature Dishes - Gumbo, Sweet Potato Pie
THE REMNANT FROM NAWLINS Is there a hole in your heart since Herbert’s Cajun Cuisine closed? Have no fear: The Remnant from Nawlins is here to fill that void. Located inside a gas station in College Station, Remnant will transport your taste buds to the Cajun capital while keeping your feet planted in Aggieland. Every good Cajun cook has a good gumbo, and the Remnant does not fail to deliver. The chicken and sausage gumbo had a delightful smoke flavor from the abundant amount of sausage. The dark chocolate roux gave the gumbo a nice body, but it also had a strong shrimp flavor and might have possibly been made with seafood stock (just a cautionary warning for those who might have shellfish allergies). No sign of okra or tomatoes, which follows the Cajun gumbo purist rule. Unfo¬rtunately, it was also lacking on the chicken side; we definitely could have used more. There wasn’t a lot of rice either, but we love when the velvety richness of the roux is allowed to shine through and isn’t overpowered by starch. Another Cajun staple is their crawfish etoufee. We’ve had a lot of etoufee throughout the years and this is one of the best that we’ve had. Whole crawfish tails (not pieces) danced in a perfectly seasoned buttery sauce with just the right amount of rice.
$ ($5 - 10) ramen noodle budget $$ ($10-15) part-time job $$$ ($15-20) hard-earned cash $$$$ (Over $20) mommy and daddy are in town
Two not-to-miss items are the mini meat pies and the boudain bites. The made-in-house boudain bites are a combination of rice, beef, and pork rolled into small bite-sized balls and then deep-fried. They might be small in size, but they pack a punch in flavor. The mini meat pies are exactly like the Natchitoches meat pies. If you’ve never sampled this Louisianan luxury food, it’s ground beef with seasoning stuffed in a flaky, crescent-shaped pastry and deep-fried— similar to a meat-filled empanada. While we were waiting for our order, we saw no less than 6 to-go orders of burgers pass by us. Everyone
pg 8 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
who picked them up said they were the best around, and while we didn’t get to taste them personally, surely all those people can’t be wrong.
Co-owner and Chef Willie Richards takes pride in making everything from scratch. We watched him from behind the counter slice onions, batter each individual onion ring, and fry them in front of us. When asked why, he explained that if he prepped his onion rings, such as cutting and refrigerating the raw onions, they wouldn’t taste as good. We also loved the family feeling of the Remnant. While waiting for our food and after already paying, we decided the mini sweet potatoes eyeing us from the basket on the counter were too delicious looking to resist, so we purchased two. Willie said once he swipes your card twice, he considers you family. While we wish the Remnant was located in an actual stand-alone venue so we could enjoy our food immediately after it was prepared, we appreciate the efforts made to ensure the food stays fresh on the ride home. We suggest calling in first, so you don’t have to wait. Everything is made from scratch, so it might take a while to prepare your order.
Taz Indian Cuisine If you have never tasted Indian food, stop everything you’re doing and run down to Taz Indian Cuisine. With a wide selection of menu items and an outstanding lunch buffet, Taz is a must for any spicy food enthusiast. The blended curries in entrees such as the Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are complex and savory. All portions are filling and come with the lightest, freshest naan(bread). Dine in or take out • 2416 Texas Ave S College Station, TX 77840 -- (979) 696-6560 • $$
Budget eats at home Cheap Eats Easy to Make and Easy on Your Green By Dani Wilkins
Rosa’s Tortilla Factory Rosa’s continues to turn out outstanding traditional Mexican cuisine just like they turn out their light and fresh tortillas. Be sure not to miss out on their weekly taco trio special every Tuesday consisting of not one, not two, but three tacos accompanied by rice, beans and a side of their freshly, in-house prepared tortillas. Dine in, take out, or drive through • 710 University Dr E College Station, TX 77840 -- (979) 691-8501 • $-$$
Cenare Italian Restaurant For over three decades now, Cenare has been a versatile, traditional Italian restaurant, perfect for large gatherings or romantic evenings. With an extensive menu featuring multiple variations of chicken, seafood, veal, and pasta dishes, hardly anyone will be able to leave with an empty stomach. But should you finish your meal and still find a little room to spare, Cenare’s desserts--tiramisu, triple chocolate silk cake, chocolate dipped cannoli, and cheesecake--will sate your sweet tooth. Dine in • 404 University Dr E, College Station, TX 77840 -- (979) 696-7311 • $$-$$$
Downtown Uncorked Downtown Uncorked offers those looking to escape the loud, hectic bar scene a quiet relaxing refuge to have a glass of wine and sip away the day’s troubles. Though primarily a wine bar, Downtown Uncorked offers a healthy selection of beers from Miller Lite to Chimay Grand Reserve. The wine bar also serves light appetizers, such as hummus and cheese plates to complement your glass of vino or beer. Choose from a variety of Chardonnays, Merlots, Cabernets, and many more varietals. Don’t feel like you’re up to snuff on your wine knowledge? Let the helpful staff talk you through their wine list and help you select the best glass or bottle. Dine in • 206 W 26th Bryan, TX 77803 -- (979) 823-4837 $$-$$$
Baby Tomato, Arugula, & Goat Cheesey Pizza Caribbean Tiramisu This island inspired spin on an Italian classic will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. It’s like the ultimate staycation! Ingredients: • Lady Fingers • 2 ripe bananas • 1-cup mascarpone cheese • 1/2 cup powdered sugar • 1/4 strong brewed coffee • 1/4 cup dark rum • 1/2 cup chopped chocolate Instructions: 1. Whip the bananas, mascarpone, and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth. 2. Pour together the rum and coffee. Taste tests this portion. 3. In a glass casserole or trifle dish, layer all of your drunken banana goodness like this: Bottom layer: enough coffee/rum dunked ladyfingers to cover the bottom. Be sure to just gently dip the delicate cookies into the coffee/rum mixture--if you leave them for too long, they’ll get soggy. 4. Then, spread enough of the banana mixture to cover the ladyfingers with a hefty coat. Liberally sprinkle the chopped chocolate on top. And then repeat. Ladyfingers, banana mixture, chocolate, repeat. You get the idea. Be sure to douse the top of the layered confection with plenty of chocolate before serving. It’s a quick trip to the tropics, but if you can stand it, let it chill out in the fridge for an hour or two.
You probably doubt this is “budget,” don’t you? How in the world can something so gourmet be easy on the checkbook? TNot only budget friendly, the ingredients for this pizza will allow you to make multiple servings. Ingredients: • 1 pizza dough (Jiffy-brand pizza dough mix or premade crust) • 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or your favorite jarred sauce) • 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled (store brand is a great way to save a few cents!) • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 giant handful of arugula (buy bagged) • Salt and black pepper, to taste Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Roll out pizza dough/place premade dough on pizza stone or baking sheet. Spread an even layer of marinara sauce, leaving an inch around the edges. 3. Spread crumbled goat cheese and cherry tomatoes on top. Sprinkle salt and black pepper. 4. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the dough edges are golden brown. Top with arugula and serve immediately. Four simple steps with a handful of ingredients will have you looking like a top chef way sooner than you expected. And, you don’t have to pay for fancy cooking school. To win over your crowd just a tad bit more, whip together this fantastic 20-minute dessert. The island-inspired spin on an Italian classic will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. It’s like the ultimate stay-cation!
10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 9
Doctor Sleep - by Stephen King
By Cheyenne Mueller
1977’s worldwide phenomenon The Shining tells the story of struggling writer Jack Torrance as a caretaker of the haunted Overlook Hotel. The novel describes the terrifying ordeal he, his wife, Wendy, and young son, Danny, go through while living there. Throughout the years, King had been repeatedly asked what happened to Danny after The Shining and he even became curious himself. Doctor Sleep addresses those questions. On highways stretching across America, a group of people who call themselves “The True Knot,” travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless; their congregation consists of mostly elderly who are married to their RVs. But Dan Torrance knows, and tween Abra Stone learns, The True Knots are quasi-immortal, surviving off “steam” that certain children with the “shining” produce after being slowly tortured to death. Dan has been drifting for decades, haunted by one horrific childhood year at Overlook. He eventually finds refuge in a small New Hampshire town. There, he takes a job at a nursing home where his remaining “shining” power provides the final comfort to the dying. With his unique abilities, Dan becomes “Doctor Sleep.” He soon meets the evanescent Abra Stone. Her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, reignites Dan’s own demons and calls him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival.
Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth? - by Alan Weisman How many humans can the planet hold without capsizing? How strong does the Earth’s ecosystem have to be in order to insure our continued survival? In his travels, Weisman visited numerous countries and cultures to gain a better understanding of the circumstances that might suggest sometimes it’s in our best interest to limit growth. The result is a landmark work of reporting; a devastating, urgent, and, deeply hopeful work. By detailing the effects of our cumulative presence, Countdown uncovers what may be the most practical way of restoring our planet to balance. Weisman shows that he is one of the most engaged journalists at work today, with a message so compelling that it will change how we see our lives and our destiny.
Levels of Life - by Julian Barnes A short book, Barnes’ compiles three narratives centered on love, on flying, and on the loss of love. The first two parts, mainly about ballooning with a possibly fictional story about Sarah Bernhardt and one of her lovers, are standard-Barnes work. The third part is Barnes’ grief narrative, about the death of his wife. Barnes gives an intimate picture of his grief over his wife who passed in 2008. He touches on the realness that death brings to a person. He handles his grief with total honesty, allowing readers a real space to empathize with his experience. It’s not an easy read. Barnes begins with a contemplation of “ballooning” as a metaphor for love raising us to a higher level, but the bulk of the book is about how he has lived with his grief, including his musings on whether he would or will commit suicide.
Harlem Nocturne: Women Artists and Progressive Politics During World War II - by Farah Jasmine Griffin As World War II raged overseas, Harlem was host to a battle of its own. Overflowing with creative and political energy, the neighborhood’s diverse array of artists and activists took advantage of the progressivism during the war years to kick-off a bold culture aimed at winning democracy for all Americans. In Harlem Nocturne, Griffin tells the stories of three black female artists who fueled this historic movement for change: choreographer and dancer Pearl Primus, composer and pianist Mary Lou Williams, and novelist Ann Petry. Pearl Primus performed nightly at the legendary Café Society, where she debuted dances of social protest that drew upon long-buried African traditions and the dances of former slaves in the South. At the same time, Williams was a major figure in the emergence of bebop, premiering her groundbreaking Zodiac Suite at the legendary performance space Town Hall. Ann Petry conveyed the struggles of working-class black women to a national audience with her acclaimed novel The Street, which sold over a million copies—a precedent for a female African American author.
pg 10 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
by
Katie Lea
New methods for Assessing Learning disabilites instills brighter futures We’ve all heard that children are like sponges, eagerly observing and absorbing the world around them. In fact, if you’ve ever had the desire to become fluent in another language as an adult, you’ve probably lamented over the fact that our languagelearning abilities decrease dramatically post-childhood. This is one of the main reasons improving literacy skills in young children is so important; the early years are when they’re most capable of cultivating complex structures such as languages.
Nathan Clemens, an assistant professor of school psychology here at Texas A&M, is the principal investigator of a team of professors including Shana Hagan-Burek and Deborah Simmons, both of whom are professors of special education. Their Early Literacy Measurement Project (ELM), which is a collaborative effort with SMU, will be assessing kindergarten students at risk for reading disabilities over the next four years. They recently received a $1.6 million Institute of Education Services (IES) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, allowing them to monitor over 600 kindergarten students in Texas. This project will help determine which existing child evaluations are already adequately assessing when kindergarten students are at risk for reading problems (which include difficulties with reading, comprehension, accuracy, and fluency). ELM will also help identify other factors and practices that play a role in a young child’s literacy and allow future educators to adjust their learning models to better cope with these issues. Too often, potential reading disabilities go unnoticed until later in life, when they are much more difficult to remedy. While there are plenty of widely used assessments already, Clemens says “we don’t have a lot of information regarding how those measures function for students with reading difficulties. In part, that is what inspired this project.” The research resulting from ELM should help educators discover when a child is struggling with reading or writing earlier, allowing teachers and parents to become involved in finding solutions at a time when children are still in their prime language stage. This will make a world of difference as these kids progress through school.
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10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 11
Thursday, October 3rd Steven Pifer at The Bush School Steven Pifer, Director of Arms Control Initiative and Senior Fellow of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence presents “The Opportunity: Next Steps in Reducing Nuclear Arms” in Allen Building, Rm 1110. The Bush School, TAMU Campus Oct. 3, 2013
Desdemona @ TAMU Black Box Theatre Having slept with Othello’s entire encampment, Desdemona revels in her bawdy tales of conquest. See the drama unfold in TAMU’s new Black Box Theater.Black Box Theatre, TAMU Campus, Oct. 3, 2013, 8 PM
Singer/Songwriter Night at Village Café Singer/Songwriter night offers aspiring musicians a chance to show off their talent. Come out each week to listen to some original music while enjoying your favorite Texas wine or beer. 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Sept. 26, 2013 8 PM FREE
Jason Eady at The Tap Jason Eady, a Mississippi native and Texas transplant, has spent the last seven years in an incubation period undergoing a musical metamorphosis. His journey has led him through lonesome delta blues, inspirational church house harmonies, poetically spun tales of Americana, and into the naked and honest regions of good ole’ country music. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station, Oct. 3, 2013 9 PM
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at Grand Stafford Founded in 2007, JTNL have been showcasing their talent in a big way, with numerous songs airing on a variety of popular television shows. You can catch Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights in Bryan on October 3rd. Doors open at 8, with the concert beginning at 9. 106 S. Main. Bryan, Oct. 3, 2013 9:00 PM $10
Reckless Kelly at Hurricane Harry’s Idaho-born and Oregon-bred brothers Willy and Cody Braun had always felt an undeniable pull toward the Lonestar state. So, they packed up and moved to Austin, Texas where they began their music career as the country/rock/Irishinspired Texas country band Reckless Kelly. 313 College Ave. College Station, Oct. 3, 2013 9 PM $10
Waterboy at the MSC An abused and ridiculed water carrier (Adam Sandler) attacks a football player in a moment of rage and discovers his amazing tackling abilities. After securing a position on the college team, Waterboy imagines people who have done him wrong in the past and funnels his rage into his tackling, making him become a valuable player on the field. MSC, TAMU Campus, Oct. 3, 2013 7 PM FREE
The 12 at 29th St. Studio Brazos Valley TROUPE (Texas Repertory Of Unique Performing Arts & Entertainment) was formed 18 years ago with the intent of putting on productions geared toward the entire family. Their most recent performance, The 12, is a contemporary version of Reginald Rose’s classic drama, 12 Angry Men, and will be showcased at 29th St. Studio. 3705 29th St. Bryan, Oct 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 2013
Sam Riggs & the Night People @ Church St. BBQ Florida-native turned Austinite, Sam Riggs’ powerful lyrics and vocals started turning heads on small scale after an EP release in 2010 and has been on a steady climb ever since. Classic country, like the oldies his grandfather adored, are at the root of Riggs’ music; but he’s slowly layered in elements of rock and the Nashville sound, too. 205 University Dr. College Station, Oct. 3, 2013 10:30 PM
Whiskey Myers at Hurricane Harry’s Showcasing their know-how by constantly rearranging their musical furniture, Whiskey Myers may slip into a comfortable blues/rock frock before revving up the crowd with hard-rock chords and guitar solos that would summon applause from a sold-out arena. Hailing from the Live Music Capital of the World, Stewart Man & The Statesboro Revue keep their music as Southern as their roots. This band is all about travel, good music, good people, and good times and they blend blues and country into rock ‘n’ roll that shakes legs, bones, and souls. 313 College Ave. College Station, Oct. 4, 2013 9 PM $8
Friday, October 4th
Saturday, October 5th
Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival If Hollywood’s underground scene was filled of talented poets and atmosphere, this night would be it, with a lot more panache. Preliminaries begin on Friday at 5:30pm and will feature three rounds of poetry held simultaneously at the Grand Stafford Theater, Revolution Cafe, and Palace Theater. Downtown Bryan, Oct. 4 & 5, 2013
Life in Color at Lake Bryan Lake Bryan has never quite seen anything like this before. Soaring aerial acts, stilt-walker, contortionists, fire shows and cannons make you wonder if you’re at the concert of the millenium or a circus on steroids. With everything blasted in 3D paint, including the performers, it’s an out of the world, dimensional show. Israeli electronic dance
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music producer and DJ, Borgore, will headline the show. 8200 Sandy Point Rd. Bryan, Oct. 5, 2013 7 PM
The Corner Bar and Grill. Head up to the rooftop for a dance party featuring DJ C-Nell. 401 University Dr. College Station, Oct. 6, 2013 10:00 PM FREE
Monday, October 7th
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. 106 S Main St, Bryan Oct. 8, 2013 8:00 PM $8
Pub Quiz at O’bannon’s Test your knowledge and don’t worry about being graded. Instead, sit back with a pint or a cocktail and either play or be a spectator. 103 Boyett Dr. College Station, Oct. 7, 2013 9:00 PM FREE
Salsa Saturdays at Village Café Voted Best Night of Dancing 2011 & 2012, Salsa Saturdays starts with a fun “30-Minute Crash Course Salsa Lesson” at 10pm followed by a hot night of dancing. Come prepared to sweat and to meet new people at this Aggie hot spot! Visit www.mambosentertainment.com/salsasaturdays. html for more details. 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Sept. 14, 2013 8:00 PM $5 Max Stalling at The Tap Texas-based songwriter and Aggie grad, Max Stalling will make his return to one of College Station’s favorite music venues. Stalling never even touched a guitar until grad school, but we’re certainly glad he did. 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. 815 Harvey Rd. College Station, Oct. 5, 2013 9 PM
Sunday, October 6th Mic Check at Revolution Speak your mind or listen to those who do it for you at Mic Check Poetry! Hosted by Revolution Cafe, it’s every Sunday at 8:30pm and free. Break out of your mold and channel your inner artist; whether you cite your own free-form poetry or listen to others recite theirs, you’ll go home inspired. 211B S. Main St. Bryan, Oct. 6, 2013 8:30 PM Sin Party Sundays at The Corner Bar Start your week off right with Sin Party Sundays at
Open Mic Night at Schotzi’s Show off your talent at Schotzi’s open mic night. It’s your chance to be the star of the show or just simply watch from the audience. 205 University Dr. College Station, Oct. 7, 2013 9:30 PM FREE
Breakaway at Texas A&M Non-denominational Breakaway Ministries’ events have already set a record for attendance, and Tuesday’s assembly of worship, inspiration and entertainment will surely set yet another one. For more details check Breakaway Ministries Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/breakawayministries Oct. 8, 2013 9:00 PM FREE
Wednesday, October 9th Trivia Night at Revolution 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. 211B S Main St, Bryan Oct. 7, 2013 9:00 PM
Tuesday, October 8th Craft Cocktails at Grand Stafford Theater Mixing beings at 4:30pm each Tuesday and
Salsa Wednesdays at Village Café 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. 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Oct. 9, 2013 8:00 PM $5
Have an event for our calendar? Submit it at
www.maroonweekly.com
10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 13
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
••••
Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
By Chandler Hodo
A spotlight shines upon a solitary microphone on an otherwise empty stage. An air of restlessness hangs over the evening and a crowd of people sit in the dark, waiting for the moment the first poet will approach the mic. The room is so silent that the sound of Fall crickets clamor for attention in their own autumnal language. Then… the silence is pierced by one voice, commencing one of the largest slam poetry festivals in the Lone Star State.
DOWNTOWN BRYAN, TEXAS OCTOBER 4th & 5th www.miccheckpoetry.org pg 14 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival is back in Bryan for its 3rd annual two-day competition October 4th and 5th. The event will feature 42 poets from all over the country competing for a grand prize of $1200 and the esteemed Texas Grand Slam Poetry Championship title. Preliminaries begin on Friday at 5:30pm and will feature three rounds of poetry held simultaneously at the Grand Stafford Theater, Revolution Cafe, and Palace Theater. The competition will then be narrowed down to 24 semifinalists split onto two different stages--The Grand Stafford and The Village Cafe-- where poets will again compete simultaneously in two 3-minute rounds of poetry until midnight on Friday. The slam concludes Saturday night. The finals will feature the decided top-ten poets who will compete in three, 3-minute rounds of poetry from 7:30-9:30pm. At the end of the night, someone will walk away with the coveted title. In the following pages, we’d like to introduce you to some of the poets performing at this year’s event. We asked them to send us their bios in their own words; some wrote about themselves, some let others write about them. We also interviewed festival organizer Amir Safi. He explained the nature of the unique festival and also gave us some background into what it takes to produce such an epic event.
exclusive interview TGS Director amir safi
By Chris Zebo
This Friday and Saturday, the streets of Downtown Bryan will be flooded in verse as poets from all over the country contend in hopes of taking home the Texas Grand Slam Poetry title. The annual downtown throwdown features 42 slam poets representing the nation. Each poet will take the mic before hundreds of spectators to compete for this year’s title and $1,200 grand prize. This year, the festival coincides with Downtown Bryan’s First Friday revelry, ensuring the event will achieve a record-setting attendance. We caught up with festival organizer Amir Safi last week to get the scoop on this year’s production. MW: For people unfamiliar with the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival, describe what it is; what the experience is like. Safi: This is the 3rd year that Mic Check 501(c)3 will be hosting the Texas Grand Slam (TGS). This year, TGS is hosting 42 poets from California to New York to Bryan, Texas. It will consist of 3 bouts of poetry competitions, where poets will verbally box for the ultimate title: to be The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Champion. What’s the best way to describe the experience? If Shakespeare did a tour of America by foot and wrote about it through 42 different perspectives, he would name that play the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival. MW: Who won last year’s slam? Do you remember what it was about the winner that secured the title for him/her?
Jomar Valentin, Desiree Dallagiacomo, Christopher Fox Graham, Michael Lee, Laura Welsh, Gray, The Fluent One, William Brian Sain, Kaycee Filson, Christopher Michael, J Mase III, Houston Hughes, Don Juan, Ariana Brown
THE PALACE THEATER:
Olivia Slusher, Teddy Mae, Hieu Nguyen, Donney Rose, Rooster, Justin Lamb, Allen Small, Sasha Banks, Sam Cook, Danny Strack, Molly Adams, Jim Dulin, Heart, Lance Hunter
THE GRAND STAFFORD THEATER:
FreeQuency, Ryan McMasters, Chucky Black, Sam Sax, Ms. B, Jordan, Zai, Jacob Dodson, Diamond Mason, Desiree Hooper, Chris Formey, Faylita Hicks, The Klute, Kevin Burke [Format: This First Bout will consist of a 3 minute, a 2 minute, and a 1 minute round of poetry].
SEMIFINALS - Friday Oct. 4 Start time:
The Grand Stafford Theater: 9:00 pm
Safi: The 2011 Texas Grand Slam Poetry Champion was Twain. Twain also finished 3rd in the 2010 Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival. He features a combination of stage presence, talent, and honesty that really speaks to the audience. Not to mention, the man has an abundance of poetry.
The Village Cafe: 10:00 pm
MW: How are the poets judged? Is there a panel? Or is the audience the judge?
[Format: This Semi-Final will consist of two 3 minute rounds of poetry].
Safi: The judges are randomly selected from the audience. We try to pick judges with 0 poetry experience and 0 familiarity with our competitors.
Each stage will have 12 poets competing.
FINALS - Saturday Oct. 5
MW: How many and what kind of award categories are there?
Palace Theater
Safi: The top 10 poets are our finalists. Everyone who makes our finals stage receives a cash prize of $100, unless they place in the Top 3. 3rd place wins $300. 2nd place wins $600. Continued on PG 16 1st place wins a $1200 Grand Prize and a Texas-sized belt buckle.
Start time: 8:00 pm
**DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 pm** The top 10 poets compete for $2800 in prizes. Format: Three 3 minute rounds of poetry.
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
**DOORS OPEN AT 5:00 pm** FIRST ROUND - Friday Oct. 4 REVOLUTION CAFE:
••••
TGS Schedule
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
••••
Continued from PG 15
Meet the Competitors Allen Small
Allen has been writing and performing poetry for over five years. He has been on the 2011 Neo Soul Slam team and the 2012 Killeen Poetry Slam team, which was second at the National Poetry Slam competition. He won the 2013 Austin International Poetry Festival Poetry Slam.
Ariana Brown
Language is my lifeblood. I stand for growth and believe in the God of avocados, libraries and mothers. I am currently ranked 3rd best youth poet in the world. My spirit animal is a turtle, but I’m trying to be a lion. Hello, and amen.
Beatriz Ceja
Born and raised in the border town of Laredo, Texas, Beatriz Ceja’s stage name is Ms. B. She was introduced to spoken word poetry in 2005 and has been in love ever since. Ms. B is the 2013 Laredo Border Slam Champ and hopes to continue to express her poetry about life, love, and society.
Christopher Fox Graham
Christopher Fox Graham is from Sedona, Arizona. He won the Flagstaff Grand Slams in 2004, 2012 and 2013, the 2005 Arizona All-Star Poetry Slam, and was a member of seven Flagstaff National Poetry Slam Teams. He started the Sedona Poetry Slam in 2009 and sponsors the Sedona pg 16 | maroonweekly.com National Poetry Slam Team. | 10.03.13
MW: How many people typically attend? This year’s event coincides with First Friday. So it should be a huge affair. Safi: Typically, we get about 500-600 people in attendance. We recognized the Downtown Bryan Association (DBA) does a magnificent job of promoting the arts on First Friday. It was our goal to combine efforts with them on First Friday to create synergy to further promote the arts. That being said, we expect a much larger audience and recommend for people to get there early so that they can find parking. MW: Behind the scenes, what do you and volunteers have to do throughout the year to make this happen? Safi: We are constantly spreading the word about our event and talking amongst each other, brainstorming ideas of how to improve the event for future years. The thing about festivals is that people are always wowed by the final result; however, it’s the little things and the thankless things that make TGS worthwhile. MW: What advice would you give to poets making their first appearance on stage at this year’s Grand Slam? Safi: 1. Work on your 1 & 2 minute poems. 2. Read the rules. Be familiar with the competition. 3. Talk to people who have competed at TGS before. They probably have some great advice. 4. I’ve seen people who are “a lock” to make Finals get eliminated in Prelims and Semis. I’ve seen people who make Finals stage and it’s their first major slam competition. 5. Respect the stage. Respect your competition. 6. Have fun, you’re at a festival celebrating poetry. 7. Most importantly, trust in your words.
Christopher Micheal
Collecting as many points possible before death, Christopher’s existence is validated by the judgment of strangers. Who cares about the multiple Grand Slam Championships (Austin, Arkansas, Killeen, Rock the Republic)? Life’s a game, got points? When not collecting points, he’s Slam Pappy for theyspeakaustin.org.
Danny Strack
Danny Strack has been performing poetry live for over a decade and has won slam championships at national, regional and local levels. He is the slam master of the Austin Poetry Slam and a five-time member/two-time coach of teams representing Austin at Nationals. He is happy to be alive.
Desirée Hooper
The Fluent One
Diamond Mason
FreeQuency
Don Juan Hutchinson
Hieu Minh Nguyen
Donney Rose
Houston Hughes
Desireé Dallagiacomo teaches writing and performance in New Orleans. She is studying creative writing at the University of New Orleans, where she is the recipient of the Chigazola Poetry Scholarship. She’s the 2013 Southwest Shootout Grand Slam Champion. Buy her iced coffee and she’ll tell you a horrible joke in return.
Desirée is a former collegiate debater and alumnus of The University of Texas. Her writing explores the relationship between personal experience and her academic studies – including neuroscience, philosophy, and politics. She is member of the 2013 Austin B-Sides and readying the release of her first chapbook, Charlie Foxtrot.
“We are all under Diamond Mason’s sorcery; we just don’t know it yet. That is our fault. She is a dynamo of a heart behind a pen. She is marking time with poetry, she is early, and she is waiting for us.” -Christopher “Rooster” Martinez
My name is Don Juan Hutchinson. No really: My name is Don Juan. I’ve been writing poetry my entire life, back when poetry wasn’t cool. I told people I rap(don’t judge me). I got into slam by accident. I went to an open mic event and the host put me in the slam vs. the open mic, and the rest is history.
Donney Rose is a Baton Rouge native and performance poet/teaching artist. Donney has been a member of eight Baton Rouge national slam teams and was also on Baton Rouge’s 2003 Southern Fried Regional’s championship team. In 2012, he was Baton Rouge’s representative for the 2012 Individual World Poetry Slam.
“Live like you know you’re alive.” That’s the motto for twenty-eight year old lyricist Faylita Hicks. After getting her start as a Spoken Word Artist, Hicks is now working on her MFA in Creative Writing at Texas State University. She is the 2009 Austin Grand Slam Champion and two time Austin Women of the World Champion.
Jeremyah Payne is a graduate of Prairie View A&M in computer science. In addition to being a poet, he is a Software Engineer for NASA, a DJ, Videographer, and photographer garnering him the nickname “The Fluent One.” He’s been a member of the Nationally ranked Houston V.I.P. Slam and finished 2nd in the 2012 Texas Grand Slam.
FreeQuency is a Spoken Word Artist in NOLA. A student at Tulane University, FreeQuency is Chair of the Black Arts Festival and a Producer for the Vagina Monologues. An activist for women’s rights and international social justice, FreeQuency spends her time off stage trying to make the world a better place.
Hieu Minh Nguyen is a Twin Cities native. He has represented the Twin Cities at the National Poetry Slam for the last 3 years. He is the author of This Way to the Sugar (Write Bloody Press, 2014).
Houston was introduced to poetry slam in 2006, and by 2010 he had made the finals stage at the Individual World Poetry Slam. In the time between, he won individual recognition at the 2008 College Union Poetry Slam Invitational tournament, led the Hendrix College team to win the Region 12 championship in 2009
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
Faylita Hicks
••••
Desireé Dallagiacomo
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
••••
J Mase III
Justin Lamb
Jacob Dodson
Kaycee Filson
James Church
Kevin Burke
Jim Dulin
The Klute
Jomar Valentin
Lance Hunter
J Mase III is a black/trans poet based in Brooklyn. The creator of Cupid Ain’t @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Poetry Movement, J Mase has toured internationally. An organ donor, he is author of If I Should Die Under the Knife, Tell My Kidney I Was the Fiercest Poet Around.
J acob is a p oet an d p e rform er fr om Au sti n . He is kn own for his hai ku , h is pun s , his erot ic n e s s , his nerdiness, and his gift w rappi n g.
I began slamming in the fall of 2010, and under the guidance of Amir Safi and Bill Moran, I eventually became the 2011 Rock The Republic Slam Champion, placed 8th in TGS in 2012, and made the 2013 Southern Fried Team for Mic Check. I am honored to be one of four poets representing Mic Check in TGS 2013.
I started performing 6 years ago in Ann Arbor, MI. Since then, I have performed in venues throughout the states and I was fortunate enough to go to the CUPSI with the University of Michigan team in 2012. I recently moved to Baton Rouge, and the poetry community in LA. has been the most welcoming and supportive I have experienced.
Jomar is a two-time member of the Austin Neo Soul Slam Team, ranked 4th in the nation in 2010, and a member of the 2011 Austin Poetry Slam Team. He co-coached the 2013 Austin Neo Soul Slam Team and is a regular host at the Austin Poetry Slam. pg 18 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
Justin Lamb is an educator, writer and 2013 National Poetry Slam champion. A three-time member of Team Slam New Orleans (Team SNO), he placed first in the 2012 Slam New Orleans Grand Slam as an individual. Justin released a live performance poetry album in 2013 titled However It Turns Out Is Perfect.
Kaycee Filson is a poet and theatermaker from New Orleans, LA (by way of New York, by way of Philadelphia). She has been performing poetry for a year and a half and is currently holdin’ it down for the ladies on Team Slam New Orleans (SNO). Kaycee dreams of traveling with her one-woman show, BODY Play.
Kevin W. Burke was a member of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Austin Poetry Slam Team, the 2011 Austin Poetry Slam Champion, the 2011 Southwest Shootout Individual Slam Champion, the 2011 Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival Champion, and President of Timber Mouse Publishing.
The Klute: Arizona’s most recognizable voice on the slam poetry circuit. A member of nine teams representing Phoenix at the National Poetry Slam, with three top ten finishes, Jerome du Bois once said of The Klute, “You have one of the blackest hearts I’ve ever had the misfortune to glimpse.”
Lance Hunter is a poet and performance artist from Austin. He has been performing regularly at the Austin Poetry Slam since 2011. He has also been a featured performer at the Spoken & Heard open mic and performed at the Flipside and Burning Man festivals.
MadGray
Sam Sax
Madison Parker
Sasha Banks
Molly Adams
William Brian Sain
Rooster
Zai
I own a small business, Broadway Eventing, LLC. I train jumping horses and travel all over the country competing. I love that writing offers me a venue of self expression that feels unrestricted. I appreciate the raw emotion and honesty behind spoken word.
Gray crumples papers into balls to throw behind him. The papers contain love notes, or apologies. He’s fallen in love and apologized so many times that he can jump off furniture into the balls, like autumn, when trees also attempt the perfect way to say, “I love you, I’m sorry.”
Madison Mae Parker, AKA Teddy Mae, is a local poet and a student at Texas A&M. Still fairly new to slam poetry, she had the opportunity to compete in her first regional slam in New Orleans this summer with Mic Check at Southern Fried Poetry Slam. She considers Mic Check her home.
I started writing as soon as I learned how, and poetry just kind of came along with it. I’ve been doing slam poetry for about four years and grew up in the Baton Rouge poetry scene. I now live in Austin and I am a student at UT.
Christopher “Rooster” Martinez is a poet/ mentor/earthling from the galaxy of San Antonio, Texas, and co-founder of the Blah Blah Blah Poetry Spot. And he loves you. Yes, YOU.
Wordplay is my recess; I have dictionaries in my dimples and thesauruses for teeth. I’ve written a book entitled Polarize, found on lulu.com (it speaks for itself). I’m comfortable in the discomfort of others. That’s probably why slam poetry works for me. As a Christian, social discomfort follows me.
Sam Sax is an mfa candidate at The Michener Center for Writers. He’s the two time Oakland Grand Slam Champion and two time Bay Area Unified Grand Slam Champion.
Sasha Banks is a poet and educator from Ohio, by way of Alaska, by way of Germany, by way of California. She currently lives in Texas and travels the country performing and teaching high school and university students the art of poetry. She studied creative writing at Texas Wesleyan and graduated in 2012.
Born in Oklahoma in a whirlwind of addiction, I write to release repressed thoughts. My drug addiction has turned into an addiction to poetry. I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, but I have just recently put my poetry on stage. I currently live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana teaching high school English.
Pronounced Zay. Zai began writing at the age of 10. She started spitting poetry in Austin at Neo Soul Poetry Lounge in 2008. After only her 2nd poetry competition, Zai made Neo Soul’s slam team and went to The National Poetry Slam, earning 4th in the nation.
TGS | Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
Ryan McMasters
••••
Laura Welsh
Artist Harvest at First Friday Get the in Downtown Goods: Bryan By Dani Wilkins Starting at 5:30pm on Friday, October 4th, a slew of College of Agriculture organization booths, vendors, performers, and crafts for kids will add their own impetus to the already bustling First Friday scene. To kick off the evening, visit one of the many student organization booths to learn more about agriculture or take the kids by the DUFi (Distributed Urban Farm Initiative) garden to make crafts! From 6-8pm, square dancing and contra dancing will get everyone’s feet moving. The Aggie Wranglers will take the stage at 8:30, and then at 10, Texas country band Parker Heights will play until midnight. Pumpkin carving, a petting zoo, and other fun activities will be happening alongside all of the scheduled events. You can also come find Maroon Weekly. We will have our photo booth out in full force. Come get your picture taken with some friends. Artist Harvest gives the Bryan/College Station community the chance to enjoy the beauty of agriculture in all forms—via visual art, performing art, and even some kids art!
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The event will take place in the alleyway to the right of the Village Café and in the St. Andrews Episcopal Church parking lot.
Roadtrips and Getaways Within a Day’s Drive
Day Trip to the Museum District By Dani Wilkins
Sometimes, there is nothing greater than playing tourist in your own town. As many of the BCS community hails from the Houston area, why not take the opportunity to explore a part of town you may overlook as touristy? With over 19 museums in the Houston Museum District, there’s something new exhibiting every month. We’re taking you to three of Houston’s best premier galleries, all within a block of each other, in this Weekender. The Rothko Chapel is the perfect amalgam of intimate sanctuary and breathtaking art. Founded by Houston philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil in 1971, they wanted a place where people of all spiritual backgrounds could find refuge. With over 60,000 visitors each year, there’s hardly a faith or belief that stands unrepresented at this home of contemplation. “The Chapel is a place blessed by the many people who gather there to meditate, to find themselves, and go beyond themselves,” said Dominique de Menil. The inner sanctum features murals by Rothko at the peak of his career. He passed away before the project could be completed, but experts constructed the finished chapel based upon his renderings and instructions. Rothko’s fourteen paintings are somber abstractions. Each of the canvases in the suite is illuminated by natural light, which displays the gradations and subtleties of Rothko’s brushwork. Open 10am-6pm daily, every day of the year, including holidays, admission is free to the public. A change of mediums will lead you to the brightly lit, über modern, and always free Houston Center for Photography, just a street over from the Rothko Chapel. Since it’s beginning, HCP has served as home to countless exhibitions that have helped define the state of modern photography. The current exhibit, Moving/Still: Recent Photographic Work by Texas Artists, runs until the 3rd of November. The majority of artists with pieces in the exhibit hail from Houston and capture daily life in various parts of the Lone Star. HCP’s mission is to “increase society’s understanding of photography” and does so through it’s gorgeous exhibits and various projects. If you have an eye for photography, you have the opportunity to submit works as well as take a photography course of all levels, including youth and masters. Open Wednesday and Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday 11am-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 11am-7pm, except for major holidays. Free parking is available. The Menil Collection, “a museum and neighborhood of art, free of charge always,” is a cultural oasis unlike anything else in the nation. The Menil is a revolving door of ever-changing exhibitions, from antiquities to modern and contemporary art. A full calendar of public programs and events accompany the museum’s exhibitions. Dominique de Menil believed in striking spaces, of which heaping portions of art would rotate the museum’s exhibit space. She never wanted guests to grow tired of the same pieces and for guests to be constantly challenged and contemplative. Open 11am–7pm Wednesday through Sunday, it is always free to tour the main art collection.
pg 20 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
By Cheyenne Mueller Formerly known as Dayglow, Life in Color has become the world’s largest paint party. Starting in 2006 on college campuses in Florida, Dayglow quickly transcended the underground and entered the mainstream party circuit. What started off locally, LIC quickly became a worldwide sensation. Life in Color has grown immensely each and every year in attendance. Life in Color Orlando at the UCF Arena set a new record for the United States, with over 5,500 fans in attendance selling out days before the show!
They kick-started their international tour in 2010 in Cancun and sold out; something they have made into a habit. LIC is exactly what the name suggests: paints of every neon color imaginable are sprayed into the audience, coating white shirts and faces with paint. The crowd becomes a living, pulsing artwork energized through the electronic sounds of dubstep. Life in Color brings in aerial acts, stilt-walkers, contortionists, fire shows, and paint cannons, too. Everywhere you look—including your painted self—a spectacle is transpiring. LIC began their 2013 concert tour in Quebec City, Canada in February. There are sixteen concerts outside of the United States and 22 locally. Total, they’ve sold out over 500 shows in 200 cities worldwide. Their website has countdowns for each approaching concert, getting people amped up, and podcasts are available with music similar to what will be performed at the shows and videos from past LICs. College Station’s very own DJ Get Low and DJ Yoni are opening acts at the local event, and Borgore and David Solano will be headlining. Lake Bryan will be the location for Bryan/ College Station’s Life in Color on October 5th. Tickets range from $35-$250, depending on what tier and amenities you want. Tickets can be purchased at lifeincolor.com. Doors open at 7pm and the party lasts until midnight.
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TEXAS GRAND SLAM
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APPS
4 THAT
3 Apps You Won’t Regret Downloading By Luke Murray
Memoir With everything that’s being thrown at you on a daily basis, it’s easy to see why most people complain about having bad memorization skills. How are we supposed to keep up with things from a year ago when we can’t even remember what we had for breakfast? There’s an app for that. Memoir is designed to take your photos, locations, and social media updates and group them into memories for later viewing. Share and relive last year’s Fourth of July BBQ with your buddies or that concert road-trip you swore you would never forget. Memoir helps to make that possible. Everything that’s logged into your app remains private until you decide to share it with friends. Add photos, edit captions, log notes, or change various aspects of your uploads—all at your fingertips. – FREE Watch Cooking Channel We live and die by the fork. We obsess over, crave, and sometimes even hate to love food. The amount of food-based apps in the app store is borderline ridiculous, seeming to outnumber others 2 to 1. We love food, we aren’t ashamed. But the Cooking Channel took things a step further. They’ve released an app with content available from all of their hit cooking shows. From short clips to full-length episodes, take your visual cookbook with you on the road or around the kitchen on your phone or tablet. Sync your app with your television service provider account to unlock even more content to induce salivation. – FREE Lumosity Mobile You’ve probably seen or heard the commercials for the so-called “brain workout” that takes a bunch of simple games and uses them to improve your cognitive function. Well, they’ve officially made mental exercise even more convenient. Endorsed by everyone from USA Today to the Harvard Business Review, the Lumosity Mobile app provides hands-on mental stimulation right on your mobile device. The in-app profile tracker easily enables you to monitor your progress. Keep an eye on your memory, attentiveness, mental flexibility, speed, and even your problem solving skills with a simple user interface that monitors your daily workouts. Created by neuroscientists using the fundamentals of neuroplasticity, this app helps us to avoid the “use it or lose it” truism and be mindful of our most important asset. – FREE
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE TO GET A FUN, FRESH WORKOUT. We now have on demand workouts delivered fresh to your living room daily via your pc/mac, iPhone/iPad, or television.
Piranha Fitness Studio On Demand Now Online! Go ahead and try us out. $1 Class Pass or $9.95/month
www.piranhafitnessstudio.com
On demand workouts. Your own time. At home.
Brazos Valley Walks By Chandler Hodo The month of October is crawling with benefit walks and runs in the Brazos Valley, providing plenty of opportunities to support your favorite cause and get fit at the same time. Some are geared toward serious runners, while others are family-friendly strolls. You can bring friends and family, fly solo, or even create your own team; however you choose to participate, you will surely be making a difference in the lives of others. Here are a few of fall’s most popular walks, runs, and marathons in the Brazos Valley.
Brazos Valley Heart Walk
The Brazos Valley Heart Walk will take place on October 5, 2013 at 8:30am. The walk was founded by the American Heart Association and benefits/celebrates the lifesaving work the organization does annually. The 2013 walk will be held in honor of H. Frank Simpson, who was 49 years old when he died of a massive heart attack in College Station. Along with the family-friendly three-mile-walk, there will be entertainment, a health expo, and more. Walkers who raise money will be eligible to win prizes, and participation in the event is free of charge. The Brazos Valley Heart Walk will begin at the Texas A&M University Bonfire Memorial on University Drive.
10th Annual Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk
The 10th Annual Buddy Walk, on October 6, 2013 is a one-mile, family-friendly walk in which anyone can participate. The Buddy Walk was originally established by the National Down Syndrome Society in order to promote acceptance of individuals with Down Syndrome and to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. Last year, more than 295,000 people across the nation participated in Buddy Walks, raising over $11.75 million for national advocacy and local programs and services. Registration is open online until October 4 and will also be available on-site the day of the walk. Individual tickets cost $15, and group packages are available. Check-in begins at 11:30am at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater and the walk will commence at 12:30pm. There will also be music and entertainment, fellowship, activities for the kids, silent auction, and a raffle.
5th Annual Buffalo Stampede
The annual Buffalo Stampede, put on by and benefiting the Brazos County Museum of Natural History, is back for its fifth year on Saturday, October 5, 2013. The event is designed for serious runners and includes a half-marathon and a 5K. Both races follow a safe and relatively flat USATF Certified course through parks, neighborhoods, and open country. Registration is $60 for the half-marathon and $30 for the 5K with free admission to the museum included. The event will take place at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History in Bryan, Texas.
By Topher Hawkes Infinity Blade III: ($6.99 on the Apple Store)
Infinity Blade by Chair Entertainment surprised gamers and critics with extraordinary visuals, an innovative and fun control scheme, challenging combat, and role-playing elements. The original has been touted as one of the most popular and highest grossing apps for Apple devices. It is even possible to find a version of the game in the local arcade. Fans of the series no longer have to wait for the next installment as the third game, Infinity Blade III, is now available on the Apple Store for only $6.99. New players won’t have any trouble jumping into the action but might need to do some research to understand all elements of the story. Infinity Blade III pits the protagonist, either Siris or Isa, against heavily-armored, menacing, and usually gigantic opponents in what can be long, challenging, and even drawn-out duels. It’s a lot like Punch Out only with knights. You can block, dodge, and when the opportunity presents itself, slash away. You can even throw in a super combo or use some magic if you feel like it. Performing these actions isn’t difficult. For example, by tapping arrows on the left and right or by holding the shield button in the middle blocks, you can dodge enemy attacks. When your adversary stumbles, swiping across the screen also attacks. Players who are able to predict the next assault can parry by swiping in the direction of the oncoming attack. Blocks and dodges are limited, which makes each successful move more meaningful. Chair Entertainment keeps combat fresh and unpredictable by mixing mid-fight cutscenes with engaging action. To illustrate, sometimes after the enemy staggers, his weapons break. At this point, he interrupts the fight to pull out a completely different set of weapons. While this might seem totally unfair, it forces the player to adapt and readjust to the new attack scheme. The trouble with similar games like Punch Out is that once you know a boss’s pattern it never changes and that boss becomes easy to beat. Infinity Blade III keeps players engaged by switching things up to ensure gamers are ready for anything. Infinity Blade III looks amazing. Even on an iPhone, the visuals are breathtaking and they could rival games on the Xbox 360 or PS3.
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- By Brandon Nowalk -
Don Jon
COMEDY (R)
Rush
ACTION (R)
Don Jon is even shallower than Rush because it pretends to be insightful. The directorial debut of star and writer Joseph GordonLevitt, the film is about a Jersey Shore porn addict meeting two women; first, the most beautiful thing (his words) he’s ever seen in his whole life played by Scarlet Johnasson; second, an older classmate at the night school Johansson makes him attend played by Julianne Moore. Everything about the Moore subplot is pure Sundance quirk, which is to say it looks nothing like real life. But the whole film is really a caricature anyway, all broad types and cheap irony. Jon’s father, Tony Danza, is a meathead, his sister Brie Larson is almost literally always on her phone, Jon’s entire social group is straight off of MTV. Mostly it’s off-putting how much Gordon-Levitt stacks the deck of his character. It’s like he’s afraid to let us think for ourselves.
Rush is the best Ron Howard film in years. Which isn’t saying much, considering the child star turned Oscar-winning director has been toiling away on clunky potboilers like The Da Vinci Code and wannabe prestige pics like Frost Nixon, but I mean that as substantial praise here. Rush is that rare Howard film that isn’t putting on airs. It’s a racing movie about hotheaded rivals, plain and simple. It’s part sports movie, part biopic, and all surface. Pardon the pun, but it’s a rush. Chris Hemsworth plays James Hunt, a notorious party guy on the Formula 3 racing circuit. He’s introduced by sauntering into a hospital stripped to the waist. Before a minute is up, he’s having sex with a nurse played by Natalie Dormer. His rival, Niki Lauda, gets a much different introduction. Played by Daniel Bruehl, Niki’s a smart, engineering-minded racer, the head to Hunt’s heart. We first meet Niki talking about a tragedy that occurred on one particular race in the mid-‘70s. What happens at that fateful race? Do one or both die? But, again, it’s all surface. Sure, there are the requisite nods to emotional development as the kids grow up, but the quippy performances and connect-thedots plot keep everything on a track. This Amadeus Light isn’t organic. It’s paint by numbers. The point isn’t to examine how these famous drivers matured. The point is the visceral thrill of the race, the rumble you can feel in your bones, the bold colors of the cars and the uniforms that keep dazzling your eyes. Everything about the film is designed to appeal to your senses. Rush is a candy store for adults. It may not fill you up for long, but it sure is satisfying at the time. 26 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13 pg 26 pg | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
Saying Goodbye:
Breaking Bad
One of the great modern television dramas has finally come to an end with a spectacular final season. The intense, pulp story of a chemistry professor turned meth cook has seen Bryan Cranston’s Walter White falling further and further, building a drug empire but risking more and more of his humanity in the process. The run-up to the end was a parade of the most depressing television since The Wire ended, but the finale was a strangely triumphant affair, even while Walt’s lung cancer was wearing on him and the cops were hot on his tail. Everything wraps up with a bow, as befits this scientific show, except for one magical parting shot: Walt’s end is predetermined, but the fate of his partner Jesse is anyone’s guess. His curtain call is a strange, invigorating release, and it’s that moment of random chance that seals the finale; a beautiful goodbye it is.
1. 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.)
2. Prisoners
When the daughters of two neighboring families are kidnapped on Thanksgiving, the parents take matters into their own hands, even as the police investigate in this star-studded drama (Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal). R (153 min.)
3. Rush
Beefy Chris Hemsworth squares off with brainy Daniel Bruehl through the ‘70s as they compete in races across the globe. The only thing is, as an opening monologue tells us, there’s a tragedy in their future. R (123 min.)
4. Baggage Claim
As the only unamarried woman in her family, Paula Patton and her friends use their airport connections to cook up a plan to help her find the “one” among her exes across the country. PG-13 (96 min.)
5. Don Jon
Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs, and stars as a Jersey Shore caricature and porn addict who finds actual sex unsatisfying. Enter Scarlett Johansson’s vapid princess and Julianne Moore’s night school classmate. R (90 min.)
6. Insidious: Chapter 2
Patrick Wilson may have gotten his son back from the demonic spirit world, but is it really his son? And why are the demons so intent on possessing him? Rose Byrne co-stars. PG-13 (105 min.)
7. The Family
Robert De Niro plays a gangster in witness protection in small-town France with his wife Michelle Pfeiffer and handler Tommy Lee Jones. But this fish-out-of-water comedy gradually
turns into a violent showdown with his ex-associates. R (110 min.)
8. Instructions not Included An Acapulco playboy is forced to reorient his life when his daughter is left on his doorstep. Then he has to do it all over again when the birth mother shows up in this Spanishlanguage hit. PG-13 (115 min.)
9. We’re the Millers
A road trip comedy about a bunch of outcasts playing an all-American family (Jason Sudeikis as dealer dad, Jennifer Aniston as stripper mom) to sneak into Mexico and retrieve a marijuana package for a quick buck. R (110 min.)
10. The Butler
Forest Whitaker serves as White House butler for eight different presidents (Robin Williams, John Cusack, James Marsden, the list goes on) while his son explores the rise of the Black Panthers. PG-13 (132 min.)
11. 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.)
12. Battle of the Year
In this combination of sports movie and musical, Lost’s Josh Holloway coaches an American breakdancing team as they compete for the top honors at an annual international competition, co-starring Josh Peck and Chris Brown. PG-13 (109 min.)
13. Metallica: Through The Never
The newest Metallica concert doc takes a surreal twist when a roadie played by Dane DeHaan is sent on a mission to pick up a certain item and gradually finds himself hunted by deadly horsemen and more. R (94 min.)
14. Riddick
Vin Diesel’s night-vision superhero (or super-antihero) is back, this time pitting two crews of bounty hunters against each other so he can escape the planet he’s marooned on amid a dangerous swarm of aliens. R (119 min.)
15. Atharintiki Daaredi
The latest blockbuster Indian film is this comedy-drama about the clashing values and intertwining lives of different familial generations as a billionaire deals with his disobedient daughter. Not Rated (170 min.)
16. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
Percy Jackson and his friends must hunt down the Golden Fleece to defeat the rising tide of monsters and restore their sanctuary in this freewheeling Greek mythology/coming-ofage mash-up. PG (106 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. 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.)
19. Blue Jasmine
Cate Blanchett’s real housewife of New York has to move in with her working class adoptive sister Sally Hawkins when her Wall Street ex gets caught by the feds as Woody Allen tours San Francisco. PG-13 (98 min.)
20. The Wizard of Oz
The perennial story of a Kansas farmgirl and her dog getting swept off to a fantastical land of munchkins, talking scarecrows, and wicked witches finally gets the 3D treatment. We’re not in 1939 anymore. PG (101 min.)
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The Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts Art presents
Armitage Gone! Dance in
FORSYTH GALLERIES
Art for All People: American Illustrators at Texas A&M August 2-October 13, 2013 Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm FREE George Woodall and the Art of English Cameo Glass August 2-December 15, 2013 Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm FREE Runyon Cameo Examples and paperweights Permanent Exhibit Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
STARK GALLERIES
Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist Works on Paper by the Artist & His Circle August 29- December 15, 2013
Fables on Global Warming Thursday, October 10 8 pm, Texas A&M Rudder Theatre Tickets $5 Students, $10 General Admission Available at the MSC Box Office Call 979.845.1234 for Tickets 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
dance theatre
It’s Time For
music visual art
It’s Time For Texas A&M
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Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm FREE
GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM access/ABILITY July 15, 2013-September 30,2013 Mon-Sat 9:30am-5 pm Cost: Adults- $9.00 Seniors-$7.00 TAMU & Blinn Students- Free Other college students with ID- $3.00 Youth (6-17)- $3.00 Children (5 and under)- Free
SEAD GALLERY
Becky Phillips Sublime Encounters: Science and Art Collide Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
“Magazine inserts”
i don’t see what the issue is by Matt Jones
Across
Down
1 2014 Olympics city 6 “The Voice” judge Levine 10 Machiavellian Karl 14 C.S. Lewis lion 15 Indian royal 16 Golf tournament, sometimes 17 Expensive dresses 18 Does comic book work 19 Marian, for one 20 Cleans up after a dance, as a janitor might? 23 “It’s a crock!” 24 Abbr. on a road map 25 Stimpson J. Cat’s partner 26 Current that flows between two objects: abbr. (hidden in YES, DEAR) 27 Ranch response 28 Some brews 32 How to get a wanderer to suddenly appear? 35 When some local newscasts start 38 Chatroom chortle 39 Does a desk job 40 Hollow gas pumps? 43 2,000 pounds 44 “... ___ will be done...” 45 Vehicle associated with 50-across 48 Geologic timespan 49 Dien Bien ___, Vietnam 50 Activist Parks 51 Apple drink of the 21st century? 55 Like some tofu 56 Enough to count on one hand 57 “Can I give you ___?” 58 Big-box that’s blue and yellow 59 Strahan’s cohost 60 Come up again 61 Desirable for diets 62 Craft maker’s website 63 “Chasing Pavements” singer
1 Leather seat 2 Bearded Egyptian god 3 Was overly sweet 4 Injures 5 Not ___ many words 6 He gave Jackie her O 7 “The Inferno” poet 8 Cross on a goth kid’s necklace 9 Penny-pinching 10 Mars and Mercury 11 Birthstone for some Scorpios 12 Wedding dress part 13 Culmination 21 Paid players 22 Cheap restaurant 27 __ and Sons 29 Label for Pink Floyd 30 Lab maze runner 31 ‘60s activist org. 32 Real-life catalog in many Seinfeld episodes 33 Beer that means “Sun” 34 How a player could go, as an emphatic announcer might say 35 Airport with a BART connection 36 McKellen of the “X-Men” movies 37 Classic Jaguar 41 Ignorant (of) 42 Barak of Israel 45 ___-ripper (romance novel) 46 Of service 47 “Being and Nothingness” author 49 Crams for exams 50 Got all agitated 51 Boost in price 52 Carpenter’s estimate 53 “___ ain’t broke...” 54 “Fame” actress Irene 55 Chick-___-A �2013 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)
10.03.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 29
Drink Slinger
GET TO KNOW YOUR FAVORITE BCS BARTENDERS
SLINGER OF THE WEEK
Austin Whitis Lupe Tortilla
MW: If you were a drink, what would you be? A: Vegas Bomb: peach schnapps, Malibu coconut, Crown Royal and Red Bull. MW: If you could bar chat with one person who would it be? A: Floyd Mayweather MW: What would you want to talk with him about? A: What is the secret to his greatness? MW: What drink do you think he would ask for? A: Cape Cod MW: What is the worst mixing combination, in your opinion? A: Anything with Peppermint Schnapps MW: What is the most disgusting drink people ask you for? A: Starry night: Peppermint Schnapps, Jagermeister, and Goldschlager MW: If you could only make one drink for the rest of your life what would it be? A: Vegas Bombs. MW: What is your personal favorite drink? A: Whiskey on the rocks
Slinger’s Signature Drink MW: What is your signature drink? A: Sangria
Wine B ra n d y Simple S Fresh Fr yrup uit
pg 30 | maroonweekly.com | 10.03.13
ANSWERS from page 29
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