17 minute read
Brave New World
Lisa Chew
"People may or may not say
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what they mean . .. but they
always say something designed to get what they want."
-David Mamet When the publicity package for "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" came sliding under The Cascade office door, how could I help but be intrigued-likely due to those same voyeuristic tendencies in us all that have enticed you into reading this article. This play by David Mamet was playing at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, produced, directed, and acted by exUCFV students ... the perfect theatre article for The Cascade's first issue and a good excuse for me to get a comp. Sexual Perversity was a play that provoked me, confused me and pissed me off. I read Mamet's play in about an hour and immediately decided that I hated it. The characters seemed stereotyped, shallow and lacking in anything that connected with me. Bernie, the asshole, objectifier of women, had not a single redeeming quality, while Joan, the bitter feminist lacked
Pl
any of the positive qualities of a strong woman. Deborah and Danny were the other two characters and while their affair lies ai the center of the play, both characters came across as weak and underdeveloped. I grumbled my way into Vancouver on Friday evening, grabbed a Hooch at the WISE Hall bar and settled down in a decidedly exhausted and unimpressed mood. The Hooch quickly combined with my empty stomach to raise my spirits somewhat. The set seemed nondescript in the dull pre-action lighting; but the large futon bed still grabbed the audience's attention as central to the setting. No doubt this play is about sexuality and· the set unhesitatingly underlined this. (The play began promptly and I laughed and laughed along with many of the others in the audience.) Theatre is like that, sometimes it is an iconoclast, catching you completely offguard. The play consists of a series of vignettes highlighting conversations between various combinations of the four characters. The staging worked very well to accommodate the fast pace and change of location. In fact, the group even won a stage design award at the Kelowna Drama Festival this summer. The musical score for this production has also won accolades, as it is all original compositions by Broek Bosma. The actors are all members of Saucy Eye productions, a company that was formed in order to stage this play at the UCFV Director's Festival last May. The actors are Kasey Kieler, Dena Ashbaugh, Eleanor Spooner, and Scott Tremblay. Each of these actors had a demanding role and was quite capable at their task. Tre~blay however, stole the show as Bernie and perhaps his acting, combined with the direction of Andrew Smith, are what made me suddenly able to find sympathy and depth in Bernie's character. I still don't like this play, but I thoroughly enjoyed the many conversations I had with others about it. I also enjoyed watching the successful ex UCFV students perform it and engage me in this plays themes, hence the contradictions within me, regarding this play. I do think that this play is lacking in accuracy and depth of development for the female characters, but it is still worth _seeing sometime.
............... ........... .It's Always Good To Avoid The Lap Dance .......................... .
Paul F. Becker here. That is why half the walk from my room down no way to win in Las Vegas. tourists are fatter than to the ground floor and "That'll be eight dollars, Perhaps the most debilitat- Marlon Brando. across the casino gaming sir." I gave the driver a ten ing thing about Gonzo jour- The cab pulled up and I area in search of the bar and told him to keep the nalism is the fact that it in- fell into the back seat. with The Special, hidden change, not out of courtesy tends to focus on the non- "Take me to the Imperial costs began to develop. The but more because I didn't fiction; to make reality a Palace please" I managed as Special was an ice cold bot- want to have to wait. greater story than any fie- I dug into my coat for the tle of Corona for a dollar- And of course there was
I tion.....
cigar I had bought earlier. an unbeatable deal-but the tipping act to maintain. It was hand-made in the after a few routine trips I As I moved through the "Taxi, sir?" the porter in- very shop that boxing great soon realized that my beer casino I got yet another quired as I stumbled out of George Foreman and Joe score wasn't so great. Af- chance to see people paythe Club Rio. Of course, a Frazier had stood and ter tipping Leon the bellhop ing to get drunk on weak taxi! I needed a taxi in the smoked fat stogies, perhaps (who always had a scoop on booze, while losing their most obvious way-there contemplating the ever-ap- the hot-spots for the c,ash. I guess that's the was no way I could walk proaching next fight. That evening), Maurice the slots beauty and attraction of back to my room. It was at or the big-ass wad of cash manager (who would tell gambling; my friend Abe least a kilometre away and sitting in their pocket. They you where not to play slots told me that he had a good the air was warm enough to probably tip everyone, I because someone always time getting drunk at the make me sweat just stand- thought to myself, which lucks out and drains ma- $20 bet table, and it only ing; a walk might kill me. would necessitate the large chines, leaving it useless to cost him $1000 (American Mind you, the amount of roll of bills. In Vegas, its the pocket-change gam- funds) .... of course, he alcohol in my system might hip to tip everywhere you bler), and giving the bar- budgeted for that. I budghave been the main reason I was sweating-but I didn't want to think about that for go, as if you have money tender a tip for grabbing eted for a $10 loss and I coming out of your ass. me yet-another cheap beer, was already nearing $8.50, The tipping act can be The Special became less thus my habit of buying the time being. No, a ride overplayed and quite hard than special. A perfect cheap beer and retiring to home was of real importance. Besides, I was in Vegas, and no one walks on the wallet v.-he·" you re- example of Las Vegas ecoally involve yourself. For nomics: a $1 beer will ininstance, during a i1ab1tuctl evitably cost $4. There is
The Lapdance Continues ...
the copy of Enter-tainment tually danced nude on his Today that I had grabbed lap. He was a drunken night in the Imperial Pal- one can find himself get- for journalism's sake. The mess when I saw him. Inace. Actually, it was no dif- ting drunk and losing front cover guaranteed me stead of losing $20 every ferent than this morning or money in a variety of that at a featured movie- half hour on the table, Hans afternoon-Casino's are themes such as: the won- house called HollyWood down and avoid the psyopen 24hrs a day, every derful world of Oz ( the Video I would be able meet chotic nature of the city. I day of the year. The only MGM Grand), the Bahamas a porn star. On the other grabbed my journal as I thing that changes are the (the Flamingo), the streets side of the brochure I saw entered a few notes for my amount of tourist types; the of some inner-city an ad for Talk Of The Town story. The only intelligent kind of people that walk neighborhood (New York which promised that lap note I got was a reminder through the gaming areas New York) and the deepest over the jacket lapels. Now to quote Ht.inter S. someand occasionally stop to tropical jungle (the Mi- I was normal. where in my tale ..... watch some person lose rage). One casino I didn't Las Vegas loves cheese. "KILL THE BODY AND their children's college get to see, as it wasn't com- The elevator opened up THE HEAD WILL DIE" funds. Look dear, that young man is foaming at the mouth and biting his fist. ..
I suppose some people gamble actually believing that they might win. I spied one such individual through my smoked, goldframe glasses. Every serious gambler has one universal characteristic: a casual slump ,in the body accompanied by half-shut eyes that scan the room. These types don't even blink when they get 'up' (a loose gambling term indicating profit). They also fail to wince when they get 'down', most likely because they spend most of their pleted yet, was The Final and I shuffled in with the -Hunter S. Thompson time down wondering Frontier, a fully developed rest of the crowd. Lap from Fear And Loathing when they will actually get Star Trek casino/hotel. dancing ..... now where did In Las Vegas up. I push myself through Apparently, you can walk that sound familiar? Oh Keep your eyes peeled for the gaming area before my around in an atmosphere yeah, now I recalled where the next issue of The Cas' I-can -be- a -wi nn er-too- that seems like an Enter- it had come up. My first cade as it will carry part theory' filtered through the prise's saucer section and evening in Vegas had been two of Paul's tale in which alcoholic haze I had devel- of course, get drunk and filled with crazy stories but he encounters many indioped since taking off from lose money. none more frightening viduals including a disco Vancouver International. The Final Frontier will al- than the events of Han's band called "The Boogie As the glowing gold Coro- low you to truly become vacation. Hans is a young Knights", a whacked-out nas came into focus, I in- Captain Kirk because of the guy out of Vancouver who Taxi driver named Keith evitably ran fnto Willis, lack of discretion directed had arrived a day before and finally ...... Micheal forwho always knew the best towards prostitution in me. He hadn't slept a wink dan! machine to waste my quar- Vegas. Kirk had his ladies when I saw him, which • • • • • •. • ••••••••• • •• ters on (I swear to God Mr. and now you can too be-. meant that he had been The Next Deadline : Becker a here this guy won morning!). $2000 cause streets outside, on the of the Strip are litawake or so. for a solid Hans was 30 hours down big for submissions to ,..,,,,,.e Cascad : :
The game floor is attrac- tie brochures that look al- time and had retreated for .I.. ft • tive, nonetheless, with it's style and spare-no-expense types of decoration. With the rise of theme-park culture in the gambling world, most like The Cascade , but the strip joints. Enticed by feature much more than his limo driver to tour the the occasional penis or swear word. I reached into my pocket and pulled out
zs: Thurs. Sept 18
PAT OUINN:
Kyle Webb
Hey!!!! You Canucks fans out there. I know you're out of the closet again because we got Messier. Everything's just fine and peachy and the Canucks are finally going to win the Cup with "the Moose" in charge. WRONG. I know what it's like, I've f alien into the same trap many times before. They'll never come through for you! Live with it!
With the lineup they have, Stalin himself couldn't "persuade" them to get in shape and play with intensity and grit. Don't get me wrong, the Messier acquisition was a great move. But there's only so much one man can do. The Canucks have some serious problems that new Jersey just won't solve. I, like any other self-respecting sports fan, think I have the answers!!! ·
So here is my Five Step Plan to a leaner, and a lot meaner, Vancouver Canucks team.
Solution #1
Go with a youth movement Pat Quinn, sprinkled with a few of our multitalented stars. Bring in Matthias Ohlond and play him half the game, along with Brad Fecence, our draft pick from this year. These two are young and tough and would learn quickly how to play with
DCFV Hosts
Soccer ornament
UCFV Press Release
Sixteen teams, featuring top collegiate players from British Columbia, Alberta, and Washington State competed in this years 10th annual tournament. The tournament was held Saturday and Sunday at Townsend park in Chilliwack.
As a first time spectator of the UCFV men's soccer team I was very impressed by the skill and athleticism of the players so early on in the season. I was fortunate enough to catch the final game of the men's draw and although they were defeated 1 - 0 by the UCC Sun Demons the game was still exciting. UCFVs Shawn Blakeway was named the tournament's best striker.
In the contest for third and fourth place, the UCFV women Cascades were edged out 1- 0 in sudden-death overtime by Spokane Community College.
UCFVs soccer teams are away for their next few games, but you can check them out Saturday October 4th at Bateman Fields in Abbotsford. Women play at 12 and men play at 2pm. Come on out and show your support.
Anyone interested in writing and reporting on the soccer team for The Cascade please drop by the office A219 or call 854 - 4529.
AKE NOTE!
the big boys if given some ice time.
Solution #2
If you go with the youth then you also have to get rid of some of those f ossils and dead weight that the Canucks are so notorious for. Morzyn is the worst player money can buy and he's slower than a South American tree sloth. Lumme is too inconsistent and underachieving for the amount
Do you like beer and music at a price that is affordable to starving students? Then come on out to the Women's Basketball Back to School Bash Where: Greg's Place, 45844 Yale Road, Chilliwack When: Friday September 19th, before 1 0PM if you like your beer cheap (cost, not taste)
Tickets can be purchased at the door before 10PM OR buy your ticket ahead of time from a UCFV women's basketball player. Look for them selling tickets in the Great Hall by the registration Office. of ice time he gets. Trade him for something, other teams still think he's a decent D-man. Don't give up on Hedican and Adcoin but give them something to worry about with all the shuffling around them and hope they step it up a bit. As for the forwards, can you tell me the difference between a big lineup who grinds and fights like in '94 and today's shrimps that can't hold their own. The former comes two goals from winning the cup and the latter can't make the playoffs.
Solution #3
The St. Louis experiment failed long ago. Get rid of Murzyn's $1.0 million, Lumme's $1.4 million, and Bure's $5 million. What?????, you say BURE!!? That's right. He's whining so let him go. We've got too many stars as it is. Mogilny really cares about winning and so do Messier and Linden. That's why Mogilny gets so mad. The Canucks suck and he's got no one to play with. Well, now , he's got Messier. They both demand more from their team and from themselves and that's the right attitude to have. .Trade Bure for some semi~killed grinders to hit and put the puck in the net when necessary.
Solution #4
Get rid of Kirk McLean. He's old and over the hill. He never was that good anyway. Play Hicskh and Fountain in the nets. With experience one of them will settle in and be a solid stopper.
Solution #5
Fire Tom Renney. He's too willing to hold his stars back from leading by example. He's also the last one to take the blame.
Once Pat Quinn has followed all these steps, I have some words of advice. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" (92/93 season, Canucks 101 pts), or in Pat's case, "it is
broke, so fix it already!"
Amnesty International
Jamie Hellewell letters to various govern-
More than half the men ts and/ or groups member states of the advocating on behalf of a United Nations imprison particular case or inditheir citizens for their victual. political or religious be- Would you like to get liefs, and torture, "disap- involved with, or find out pearances," and execu- more information about tions are widespread. Amnesty International? These practices violate Come to the first meeting human rights, as pro- of UCFV's chapter on Sepclaimed by the United tember 17th at 7:30 in Nations in the Universal Room A226 of the Declaration of Human Abbotsford campus. If Rights, and must be you can't make the meetstopped. ing, but want to be in-
They can be. In coun- valved leave your name try after country, an ever- and number in the Amgrowing number of per- nesty mailbox at Student sons are taking actions to Services. Don't evade stop human rights viola- your responsibilities, join tions and prevent their today. future reoccurrence. Through their efforts, Amnesty International is demonstrating that the world can change, even against overwhelming odds. Work together with us for change.
A Brief Note from the SUS
Student Union Society President's Report
The Student Union would like towelcome all students to UCFV for the 1997 /98 year. Your Student Union is here to assist students in practically all student issues feel free to come in to our office with any concerns or problems (Room 213 a Building).
We will be having Student Union elections sometime in early October and encourage students to run as student representatives.
Ken Dinnery President: UCFV Student Union Society
The protection of human rights may seem to be an overwhelming task. It is, and every individual's contribution is needed. The more voices there are, the stronger the message. There are now more than one million Amnesty members and supporters in 150 countries working on behalf of thousands of victims of human rights violations. Deciding to do nothing is a decision in favour of the continuation of these crimes. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. ( 1963) are worth considering: "This generation will have to repent, not merely for the hateful... actions of the bad people, but also for the appalling silence of the good people." Add your voice to ours.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement independent of any government, political grouping, economic interest or religious creed. Our funding depends on our members and the general public. No money is sought or accepted from governments.
What does joining Amnesty involve? Only your time spent writing
7!00-Wllll 'J, @ndo Up-coming Events
The new Community Women's Center at UCFV would like to welcome everyone back to school and invite all women to drop by and check us out at the Abbotsford campus, room A224. After months of lobbying, the UCFV Board of Governors approved a proposal, brought forward by a group of women from UCFV and the broader community, and designated a space solely for the use of women.
In July, this group held its first annual general meeting and ele~ted members to the first Women's Administrative will be posted on the door soon. Restricted hours for men to access the resource library will also be specified in a notice once determined by WAC.
If you would like to be involved, you can: ·become a member; volunteer to staff our library or reception area; join or start a women-focused committee, project, or support group; attend the meetings; or bring your lunch, hang out and meet other inspiring women. Sept. 12 - meeting of the WAC, 7:00 PM Sept. 25 - Take Back the Night March Oct. 16 - The Clothesline Project. Victims of abuse express their thoughts and feelings by painting a message on a t-shirt. These will be on display for the last two weeks of November and the first week of December. Dec.6 - Vigil to commemorate the Montreal Massacre - opening celebration of Women's Center
