News
Ashley Fraser / Print News Editor
January 16, 2017 news@the-peak.ca
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Ashley Fraser / Print News Editor
news@the-peak.ca
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News
Zach Siddiqui Opinions Editor
January 16, 2017
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6 Opinions
Priti Gill Contributor
HELP WANTED A family of professionals would like to offer a part-time job for January-March. We would like to ask you to look after our kids: start at 8:30 in the morning, take our older 7-year-old daughter to school (5 minutes walk from where we live) and then look after the younger 2.5-year-old boy till 11:30 - 1:30 (can be negotiated). We live in North Vancouver, Central Lonsdale area. If you are interested please message or call me 778-986-6070 or email at alekssubscribe@gmail.com
Zach Siddiqui / Opinions Editor
opinions@the-peak.ca
Opinions
Amanda Rachmat Peak Associate
January 16, 2017
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10 Arts I Had a Dream That You Were Mine
Jessica Whitesel / Arts Editor
arts@the-peak.ca
st uff we l ike & don't l ike
by Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam Batmanglij
Hamilton Leithauser pulled away from his band The Walkmen and joined forces with Rostam Batmanglij — a multi-instrumentalist formerly from Vampire Weekend — to create a brand new, and quite unique musical duo. Their album, I Had a Dream That You Were Mine is hard to categorize in a genre. Boogie rock mixes with bright indie pop to create a fusion of interesting instruments meld seamlessly to complement Leithauser’s crooning voice. Banjos, synthesizers, harmonica, and twinkling piano are all featured as Batmanglij works them together to create an extremely satisfying sound. In a few songs you could definitely taste a bit of Vampire Weekend, such as with the piano melody in “Peaceful Morning” and the floaty mix of voices, piano, and strong drum beats in “When the Truth Is. . .” The best part of this album is that you can dance to it, and maybe even cry to it, with such a range of powerful songs — most focusing on love. You can listen to it “In the graveyards, in the harbors, in the beer halls and the parks,” as Leithauser croons in “When The Truth Is. . .” – RO
4 Your Eyez Only
tHE NIGHT MANAGER Good looking people, even better looking locations, and chilling suspense make The Night Manager an incredible mini-series. Tom Hiddleston plays Jonathan Pine, a seemingly nonthreatening night manager at a hotel in Cairo. It turns out that Pine is a former British soldier and is recruited by British intelligence operative Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to catch Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a ruthless arms dealer. All three actors were recently awarded Golden Globes for their roles, and the series itself was nominated for best mini-series. Another standout is Roper’s androgynous, depressed girlfriend, Jed (Elizabeth Debicki). She eventually learns what Roper is really up to and, of course, falls in love with Pine, the hero come to rescue her. While there are some formulas followed and clichés abused, there are also many unpredictable moments and enough suspense to keep you hooked enough to binge watch all six episodes. – TP
by J. Cole 4 Your Eyez Only, J. Cole’s fourth studio album, is mainly a meditation on the topics of family and the fragility of life. This album, perhaps not as full of “bangers” as his previous album Forest Hills Drive, instead delivers heartfelt and personal messages. As a new father and a friend of recently murdered James McMillan Jr., who also was a father, Cole incorporates the theme of unconditional love for family: “She’s Mine pt. 1 and 2” capture this notion as a tribute to his daughter. Cole reminds listeners to appreciate the little things in life due to the fragility of life — a moment with a loved one or folding clothes for someone to show you care. Topics such as racial profiling also find a way into his raps; “Neighbours” shines a thoughtful light on what impact such assumptions can have on individuals. This concept album is a gritty and real take on the struggles and joys of J. Cole and those around him, yet is artfully produced and successfully spreads his messages through catchy beats and Cole’s smooth rapping. – RO
ForMe+ You by Austin Mahone When the opening track of an album begins with Juicy J rapping “gonna make love at night” expectations are not high. When the other featured artists are Pitbull and 2 Chainz you know you're not sticking around for musical excellence. . . well at least what passes as excellence in 2017. While the list of featured artists almost reads like a who's who of pop royalty in 2008 (2 Chainz didn’t release his first solo album until 2012), the album they are featured in is Austin Mahone’s late December release ForMe+You. However, I don't think that Mahone was informed of it not actually being 2008. The whole album just feels like a terrible #ThrowbackThursday. From the beats that sound like they are straight off of an R. Kelly or Usher album to the genuinely earnest sounding pleas for sex and a deep loving connection (but mostly just sex), it's too much to handle. There isn't really a bright spot on this album, but if I were to pick a least horrible moment it would be that there was only about 30 seconds of Mr. Worldwide. – JW
tHE NIGHT CIRCUS
Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus has been my go to book recommendation since it came out in 2011. The unconventional love story follows Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair from their childhood as they train to battle each other in a contest of magical ability. It’s all very romantic until you remember the loser will die. Originally a National Novel Writing Month endeavour, this is a beautifully written story with a spellbinding (ugh, I’m sorry, I had to) plot. Anyone who’s a fan of magic stories, romances, and/or plots they can’t predict will find a staple to add to their personal library with this book. –JP
THOMAS SANDERS POST-VINE When Vine died, so did Thomas Sanders’ career. Don’t get me wrong, I love him as a person and his six second videos are hilarious, but with the medium dead, Sanders doesn’t stand a chance. I came to this conclusion after watching his latest vlog. In the video, Sanders talks about his love of Disney movies alongside one of his famous characters, The Prince, and a personification of his anxiety. While this had more than enough potential for comedy genius, it fell flat. Super flat. His sense of humour just isn’t cut out for prolonged periods of time. He needed the short time slot. Without it, Thomas Sanders just doesn’t know when to stop. – JP
Arts
PuSh
The 13th year of this diverse festival of performing arts from near and far is once again presenting a variety of innovative dance, theatre, and music to entertain and inspire all types of audiences. PuSh runs from January 16 to February 5 in theatres across Vancouver.
Here are some top festival picks:
Best show for Fringe-ers: Mess January 18–22 — Waterfront Theatre If you love a good, low-tech show about personal struggle, Mess seems like it will be a perfect fit. Caroline Horton brings this story over from England and plays Josephine, a dreamer who wants to put on a play. With her friends Boris and Sistahl, inventive songs, and plenty of humour, Josephine confronts some tough issues such as eating disorders, obsession, and addiction. This show was a huge hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so we’re lucky that it’s crossing the pond to join this festival.
Best chow for classical music lovers: Four Thousand Holes January 16–17, 19–21 — Vancouver Playhouse
January 16, 2017
January 16–17, 19–21 — Vancouver Playhouse
This South African adaptation of Verdi’s operatic adaptation of the Shakespearean classic takes many daring liberties. Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo instead of Scotland, this updated tragedy features machine guns, mines, and a different form of violence. For traditionalists, this contemporary take on one of the Bard’s classic stories will probably not appeal, but for those looking for a radical new take on it, this will not disappoint.
Best show for literary theatre lovers: As I Lay Dying January 19–22, 24–29, 31; February 1–5 — BMO Theatre Centre This experimental adaptation of William Faulkner’s classic novel is presented by Toronto’s Theatre SmithGilmour. The Bundren family’s misfortune is the centre of attention as the children are on a journey to take their mother’s body to be buried in her hometown. During the trip, many characters take up the task of telling the story, and there are plenty of poignant, funny, and tragic moments along the way. Seven actors perform 19 parts in this family pilgrimage on a bare stage. The story and their ability to create the world of the play will have to speak for itself.
Best show for GSWS students: Oil Pressure Vibrator January 17–19 — Studio D at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre If you’re into sex, and exploring all the nuances and weirdness of human sexuality, this is the show for you. South Korea’s Geumhyung Jeong has created a truly original piece of theatre in which she presents her sexual desire for an excavator. That’s right, she wants to do it with a giant piece of machinery. Exploring sexual fantasy like never before, Jeong explains this strange love affair as documentary footage of her training to operate the machine is shown on the screen behind her. It sounds like there will be some self-pleasuring involved as well.
fill a gap in your program
Best show for contemporary dance lovers: FOLK-S Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow February 2–4 — Scotiabank Dance Centre Italy’s Alessandro Sciarroni has taken a traditional Bavarian folk dance, the schuhplattler (shoe beater), to its extreme. In a feat of physical endurance, a group of dancers slap their shoes and legs with their hands in stunning energetic synchronicity. You may feel tired just watching them, but this show looks guaranteed to impress. The rhythm, stamina, and constant motion of these dancers will make you wonder how much they can endure as they take it to the limit.
Best show for film lovers: Portraits in Motion
Best free shows for SFU students: Documentary Film Series
A series of moving images; that’s what a film is, essentially. When slowed down, these images can be powerful, poignant portraits. Germany’s Volker Gerling presents the art of flipbooks as his photographs, taken in quick succession, show a mini movie of the subject. He flips the book on stage under a camera that projects it onto a large screen. While showing the images, he also tells the story behind the photo. Gerling has taken this show across Germany and abroad and audiences are moved beyond their expectations by these intimate moments brought to life.
WRITTEN BY TESSA PERKINS
Best show for open minded Shakespeare fans: Macbeth
Pianist Vicky Chow and percussionist Ben Reimer join forces to perform John Luther Adams’ “Four Thousand Holes,” as well as world premieres from Vincent Ho and Nicole Lizée — the current composer-in-residence at Music on Main. They are sure to provide an impressive display of musical talent. Chow is known for her ability to bring her own style to some of the greats such as John Cage, Steve Reich, and John Zorn. Reimer is known for his innovative and diverse mix of musical styles.
January 24–26 — York Theatre
2017 PREVIEW
INTERNATIONAL PEFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
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January 18, 25; February 1 — Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema Athabasca University has over 850 courses for you to choose from to meet your needs. Monthly start dates of undergraduate courses fit into your
SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts plays host to three different documentaries curated by DOXA’s Dorothy Woodend. The series features a collection of dance shorts (Dance Dance Revolution: Shorts Program, Jan. 18), defining what “normal” life means to different segments of the population (Natural Disorder, Jan. 25), and choir auditions (Wide Open Sky, Feb. 1).
schedule so that you can work at your own pace. Fill the gap and save a semester.
go.athabascau.ca/online-courses open. online. everywhere.
12 Sports
Nick Bondi Sports Editor
Nick Bondi / Sports Editor
sports@the-peak.ca
Sports
January 16, 2017
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Brett Nelson Peak Associate
Nick Bondi Sports Editor
MEMBERSHIP As an SFU student, you subscribe to the Peak Publications Society. With your subscription, you get access to a weekly copy of The Peak filled with news and views of interest to you. Additional privileges of being an SFU student include the opportunity to run and vote for the Peak Publications Society Board of Directors, to place free classified ads, to publish your work and opinions in The Peak, to become eligible to be paid for your contributions, and to apply for a position as an editor or staff member. Your contribution also helps provide jobs and experience for other SFU students, maintain an archive of SFU history
through the eyes of students, maintain a computer lab and web site, and support student journalism across Canada. Students who have paid their tuition fees and do not wish to support their student newspaper may request a membership fee refund from the Business Manger, but MUST provide a copy of their REGISTRATION SUMMARY, RECEIPT, and STUDENT ID between Wednesday, January 4 and Tuesday, January 17 at 5:00 p.m. No refunds will be issued outside of this time frame. Students claiming refunds will lose all privileges of membership for the semester, but membership will resume upon payment of student fees next semester. Questions? Call 778-782-3598.
14 Humour
How TO GOOD NUDE TAKE A
Janis McMath / Humour Editor
humour@the-peak.ca
Humour
January 16, 2017
3.
Pick up a shovel and dig
One of the things I hate about snow is that the sidewalks are a pain in the neck to walk on. Everyone needs to invest in a shovel, get off their flannel-clad butt and dig out the sidewalks around your house. Teamwork makes dreamwork, and my dream is to live in a world where sidewalks actually do their job.
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Layer up with your Lululemon yoga pants
Due of the fact that we don’t get snow often, our wardrobe is typically ill-prepared when it does strike. To protect yourself from getting frostbite in all the wrong places, warm up with every pair of Lululemon yoga pants you own. Put all five pairs of yoga pants to good use by wearing them all at once. Because hey, why wouldn’t you want to help Chip Wilson build another yoga studio in his already massive home by investing in even more useless pairs of yoga pants?
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Flock to social media and complain
Vancouverites are really good at complaining, and what better way to broadcast your disdain for the snow than to be that person on Twitter who is all talk and no action? All of those hot takes should be more than capable of melting the snow.
For the love of Jack Frost, don’t drive
Even when it’s a clear sunny day, driving is still definitely not some people’s strong suit. If this describes you, imagine how much worse it would be driving on a skating rink. Horrific, right? So it’s probably in everyone’s best interest if you stayed off the roads and took public transit or something. Besides, cozying up with strangers on the bus sounds like a really good time!
Mystic Man 25 vs Professor Efff by Reuben Newton
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Become a human Churro
If you feel that all of these ideas are too much to deal with and you just cannot even, it’s fine! Find that Snuggie that you got two Christmases ago, roll yourself into a human churro, and just wait out the snow! Be sure to charge up all your devices so that you can burn your eyes out as you binge watch all the shows that you weren’t able to watch during the regular year! How long can the snow in Vancouver last?
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16 Diversions
Crossword by onlinecrosswords.net
Maia Odegaard / Business Manager
maia@the-peak.ca