the guide october 5, 2012
the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop
DCC on a Budget
Alums Lead Way To Education Equality
G4
Neeson Saves The Day in ‘Taken 2’ G14
An Intergalactic Journey With Muse
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this issue 3 lifestyle 5 food&drink endless summer | women lead
No meal plan? No problem. From meticulously prepared American burgers to traditional Ethiopian, the District is a foodie’s paradise. Luckily, the best and most authentic eateries easily fit a tight budget. This issue contains a college kid’s guide to cheap food — whether it’s served in one of D.C.’s awesome and affordable restaurants or cooked in the comfort of your own kitchen.
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arts & entertainment behind the screens | muse
nextissue FILLING THE VACANCY
EUGENE ANG FOR THE HOYA
COVER PHOTO BY ARIEL POURMORADY
soundbite
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Find out more about J.K. Rowling’s new book, The Casual Vacancy in next week’s issue of the guide. While it isn’t anywhere close to her magical claim to fame, this novel, filled with dark humor and political intrigue, is just as good.
the guide Sarah Kaplan, Executive Editor Steven Piccione, Managing Editor Leonel De Velez, Photo Editor Emory Wellman, Layout Editor Hunter Main, Copy Chief Zachary Gordon, Deputy Guide Editor Nicole Jarvis, Deputy Guide Editor Sheena Karkal, Deputy Guide Editor Bethany Imondi, Contributing Guide Editor Chris Grivas, Deputy Photo Editor Zoe Bertrand, Deputy Layout Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Kyle Hunter, Deputy Layout Editor Shannon Reilly, Deputy Copy Editor Jamie Slater, Deputy Copy Editor Sean Sullivan, Deputy Copy Editor
Connor Gregoire, Editor-in-Chief Victoria Edel, Guide Editor
Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Sarah Kaplan at (202) 687-3415 or email executive@thehoya.com. General Information THE GUIDE is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to: THE HOYA Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of THE HOYA and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University. Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of THE HOYA. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors. THE HOYA does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 2012. THE HOYA, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of THE HOYA Board of Editors. All rights reserved. THE GUIDE is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each. Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com
AllieDoughty Page 13
Really, Ke$ha? Do you actually know what it feels like to be Sean Combs? Because the last time I checked, he has talent, style and a record company on top of a music career about which he could legitimately boast.
omglol :* :) :/ :O
STRIP TEASE Channing Tatum has opened a bar in NOLA called Saints and Sinners, saying he will “put on a good show” there. Yes. Just Yes. HAPPILY EVER AFTER Anne Hathaway married boyfriend Adam Shulman this past Sunday. Cheers to the Genovian royal family! UNHAPPY REUNION Rihanna and Chris Brown met up in a club bathroom this weekend. Let’s just hope that it was to tell him how horrible he is.
GROSS OUT Simon Cowell is a big fan of sheep placenta facials. Yes, they’re exactly what they sound like. No animals were harmed in this OMG LOL.
saywhat?
“
Off with her head! Off with her head!
”
— Nicki Minaj, to Mariah Carey during a fight at the “American Idol” auditions
lifestyle
Editors’ Picks “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
No Doubt
From Gwen Stefani’s badass attitude to clever lyrics that lodge themselves permanently in your head, we’d be hard-pressed to find something we don’t like about No Doubt. Naturally, we were thrilled when they released their new album. The review in the guide of Push and Shove can be found exclusively at thehoya.com.
This music video is one of those rare gems that somehow manages to become funnier the more you watch it. One of the most ridiculous videos currently clogging up your newsfeed, “Thrift Shop” is completely absurd and incredibly addicting. And we certainly can’t get enough of it. THISSONGISSICK.COM
MYFREECONCERT.COM
Twitter: @YourAwayMessage
THEFW.COM
Don’t deny the fact that your away message on AIM at some point in the seventh grade was something along the lines of: “baYbEe ur all that I wAnT. im finding it hard to bELiEVE we’re in ~*hEAVeN*~ missin’ u…” Thankfully, you can relive your awkward phase through this uproariously funny Twitter account dedicated to those embarrassing away messages that you have been trying to forget since middle school.
Kate McKinnon
Could “Saturday Night Live” have found its new Kristen Wiig? It’s practically blasphemous to even consider a replacement for the queen of comedy, but “SNL” cast member Kate McKinnon quickly won over our hearts with her utterly perfect impression of Ann Romney. We cannot wait to see more irreverent sketch comedy from our new favorite this Saturday night. THEGROUNDMAG.COM
surviving endless summer
Inside Jokes: Becoming a Part of La Familia With Humor
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wo weeks into my study abroad in Costa Rica, I fully understood a joke that a native Tican — the local slang for Costa Rican — told to other Ticans. It had been a kind of depressing journey to that point I’ve been trying my hardest to spend as much time as I can conversing in Spanish with my host family and the relatives who come over to visit, and while I am generally able to follow the conversation, humor often slips by me. Maybe it’s the timing of the delivery or the play on words that jokes normally entail, but several times, I’ve found myself laughing politely at what I knew was a joke based solely on the reactions of the others in the conversation. And let me tell you, laughing awkwardly at a joke you didn’t actually understand is really uncomfortable (less uncomfortable than just sitting there looking dumb, but that’s beside the point.) To be honest, the inability to understand and share humor is probably the biggest way I’ve encountered culture shock since I arrived in Costa Rica. While no one in my family actually thinks I’m funny, I
derive immense pleasure from bad diate family the most. While I’ve puns, gentle sarcasm and generally never been considered particularly witty by my relatives, my younger terrible jokes. Unfortunately, my current grasp brother is known for his rather ludiof the Spanish language is barely crous sense of humor. This normally enough for me to make it through manifests itself in telling me dumb an entire mealtime conversation, jokes, trying to get me to participate much less demonstrate my — not in skits and, my particular least favery — sharp wit. Because they can’t vorite, making up half-hour-long roll their eyes at my bad jokes, I feel nonsensical raps. Still, none of these like my host relatives are missing a things annoy me nearly as much as I pretend they do, and I significant aspect of don’t really know what my winning personalto do with myself withity. I’m sure they’ve out someone to bother/ realized how much of entertain me with cona nerd I am based on stant laughs in my nahow much time I spend tive language. doing my homework MariahByrne Sure, the other every day. (They also American students in assume that all the time I spend on my computer is time my program and I partake in our spent arduously working, although share of chuckles. In fact, one of the that is simply just not true.) I fear, other kids has defined his role in however, that they will never truly the group as the designated teller understand how much of a dork this of bad jokes. Yet there is a very noAmerican exchange student is. And ticeable difference between humor I’m weirdly proud of my dorkiness. I among friends and humor shared by one’s family. I can see and hear the assume it’s endearing. My inability to share a sense of reactions of my host family memhumor with my host family is also bers when one of them says or does what has made me miss my imme- something particularly hilarious.
The laughter they share reflects not only the humor of the moment but a deeper sense of joy and love for one another; that’s something I really miss about being at home, and something I really want to be a part of here. Two weeks in, however, I got to laugh with my host family for the first time, and it was awesome. As my host parents, who are both in their 60s, and I prepared the table, my 31-year-old host sister regaled us with how her 9-year-old son woke up this morning with a crick in his back. She told him to stretch himself out by sitting in a chair and pivoting around his spine. When he turned one way, some of his vertebrae cracked. When he turned the other way, he farted, apparently pretty loudly. And because flatulence is funny in every language, I finally understood what was going on. Nothing brings a family together like a well-timed fart. Mariah Byrne is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. SURVIVING ENDLESS SUMMER appears every other Friday in the guide.
10.5.12 | the guide | 3
lifestyle WOMEN LEAD WITH BIG DREAMS Empowering Through Education and Opportunity CASEY GUNKEL Special to the Hoya
S
ometimes, a jolt of caffeine is all it takes to spark a great idea. At least that was true for Claire Naylor (SFS ’11) and Claire Charamnac (SFS ’11), who conceived their leadership development organization Women LEAD while studying for midterms over coffee from Uncommon Grounds during their junior year. Based on Naylor’s and Charamnac’s shared passion for promoting gender equality, Women LEAD provides leadership training and entrepreneurship opportunities for young women in Kathmandu, Nepal. “We knew that there were other young women around the globe who had passions and visions but simply were not being listened to,” Charamnac said. “We wanted to create an organization that
would give them the tools to succeed.” The decision to establish a nonprofit in Kathmandu was inspired by Naylor’s upbringing in a rural Nepalese village. As a schoolgirl, Naylor had witnessed firsthand the overwhelming gender inequality in this impoverished country, where 60 percent of women are illiterate and a third of girls aged 15 to 19 are already married. A self-described “passionate feminist,” Charamnac shared many of Naylor’s opinions and was inspired to act upon them after hearing stories about her friend’s childhood experience. Together, Naylor and Charamnac decided to create an organization dedicated to fostering the development of young women leaders in Naylor’s hometown of Kathmandu, where there had never
AMY LEE FOR THE HOYA
BIG DREAMS Naylor and Charamnac help provide young women in Kathmandu, Nepal, with opportunities in leadership and entrepreneurship through Women LEAD.
4 | the guide | 10.5.12
before been a program like the one they munity. Graduates of Women LEAD’s school leadership program have gone had in mind. In their junior year, Naylor and on to teach their peers — both girls Charamnac applied for a grant from and boys — at local schools about the Davis Projects for Peace, which awards leadership skills they learned and the $10,000 to students who design sustain- confidence they gained through the course. able grassroots proj“We operate ects that promote “We knew that there were other with a pay-it-forpeace in various communities. Unyoung women around the globe ward mentality,” Charamnac said. fortunately for the who had passions and vision two Georgetown ju“We hope that the but simply were not being niors, political turyoung women will moil and instability listened to. We wanted to creat use the skills that throughout Nepal have equipped an organization that would give we rendered their tarthem with to imthem the tools to succeed.” get area unsafe and prove their comprevented them munities.” from receiving the — Claire Charamnac (SFS ’11) Although the grant in 2010. organization has Undeterred, the helped over 150 entrepreneurial pair applied for a young Nepalese women since May $1,000 grant later in their junior year 2011, fundraising is still proving to be that enabled them to travel to Nepal a challenge for Naylor and Charamnac over the summer of 2010 to run a short because both founders are relatively pilot project that would ultimately young. serve as the core of their organiza“Being bold and taking risks in the tion. During this two-week leadership business world is strongly encouraged,” course, Naylor and Charamnac sought Charamnac said. “But being seen as to foster the confidence and motiva- risky in the nonprofit world isn’t always tion of 28 young women living in or so favorable.” near Kathmandu. Women LEAD also struggles to con“Watching these girls discover their vince parents in Nepalese communities voices and their own abilities to lead that their daughters’ educations are their peers inspires us and makes us equally as important as their sons’. The feel like we really are making a differ- organization must keep fees for parents ence,” Charamnac explained. as low as possible because many families After witnessing the transformative believe that leadership training for their effects that their pilot program had daughters has little value. upon the girls, Naylor and Charamnac But Charmnac expressed confidence reapplied for the Projects for Peace in her organization’s future growth. grant after returning to the United “[Naylor] and I have very big dreams for States. This time, the duo won the Women LEAD,” she said. $10,000 grant, which they used to offiIn the next few years, the two co-foundcially found Women LEAD after gradu- ers want to make Women LEAD sustainating in May 2011. able and reputable both at home in the Although the two-week intensive U.S. and in Kathmandu. But in terms of leadership development course for their goals for the long run, Charamnac young women that debuted the sum- and Naylor hope to set up Women LEAD mer of their junior year remains at programs in various countries around the core of Women LEAD, the organi- the globe. zation has expanded greatly since its “Nepal isn’t the only country that founding in 2011. Naylor and Charam- suffers from gender discrimination,” nac, along with their on-site program Charamnac explained. “The context manager Sonu Shakya, have since changes in each country, but the fact retrained over 150 young girls, making a mains that leadership development for tremendous impact on the local com- young women is needed everywhere.”
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BEASTLY BURGErs Thunder Burger Thunder Burger & Bar on M Street allows patrons to stay safely inside the Georgetown bubble while its edgy decor — including leather chairs and animal-print upholstery — gives the restaurant more of a U-Street feel. This is a great place if you’re looking to create your own burger masterpiece. Burgers can be ordered with a variety of toppings, ranging from the typical tomato, onions and mushrooms to more distinctive toppings like pineapple salsa and foie gras. No matter what you choose, make sure to include the homemade remoulade which is basically mayonnaise with a ton of amazing spices. If you’d prefer to leave the burger building to the masters, Thunder Burger offers a wide selection of amusingly named and delicious options. A personal favorite is the Pig in a Cow Suit, a beef burger topped with BBQ pork . Thunder Burger’s only drawback is the unreliable service; I was once forgotten by the hostess and waited over thirty minutes to get seated. But once your plate arrives in front of you, I think you’ll agree that Thunder Burger’s dishes are worth the wait. This franchise, which started in D.C., is located in Dupont Circle and offers a quick and delicious lunch after trick-or-treating on Embassy Row or browsing the Phillips Collection. Though BGR advertises “the one burger YOU MUST HAVE before you die,” the sides that come with it make this place distinctive. Make sure to order any of the tasty fries. The Orange Standard sweet potato fries are very popular, while the Green Standard asparagus fries — simple, grilled, delicious asparagus spears — offer a healthy option that is a little more out of the box. The Veggie Burger — a unique blend of brown rice, oats, black beans and molasses — will satisfy any vegetarian and is good enough to tempt even the staunchest carnivore. Combine it with the asparagus fries, and you have a guilt-free meal.
BGR The Burger Joint 6 | the guide | 10.5.12
Good Stuff Eatery This kitschy, diner-esque joint might be the best burger place in D.C. The creamy milkshakes and addictive fries make a trip over to Capitol Hill well worth the Metro fare, even if, for whatever reason, you don’t like burgers. That being said, the burgers are awesome. The classic Farmhouse Burger sticks to basics but still includes Good Stuff Sauce, a mysterious substance that makes your mouth say “Weeeee!” Get patriotic with the Prez Obama Burger, which includes applewood bacon, onion marmalade and horseradish mayo, or healthy with the Michelle Melt, which features a turkey burger and a whole wheat bun. Any of the burgers can “Shun the Bun” and be wrapped in lettuce, so all your gluten-free friends can come along. If you’re crazy — I mean, if you’re vegetarian — definitely try the ’Shroom burger, composed of a portobello mushroom stuffed with Muenster and cheddar. Your tab might start to add up when you include the rosemary and thyme fries and any of the delectable milkshakes. These are not optional, so make sure to share with your friends.
At this no-fuss restaurant in Rosslyn, the burgers truly shine. The tables have rolls of paper towels in lieu of napkins, and the menu is a list of toppings that you choose from to build your burger. Pick the cheese from options like smoked mozzarella, Vermont white cheddar, Brie and provolone, and add guacamole or a runny egg. Free toppings include grilled onions, charred jalapenos, roasted garlic and some exclusive hot sauces. If you’re searching for guidance, they have suggested combinations — beware the Diablo burger, which is so full of spicy add-ons like jalapenos and “piranha sauce” that it’s only for those with taste buds of steel. The burgers here are enormous, but you won’t be able to resist indulging in the entire thing. They’re perfectly cooked, juicy and rich in flavor. The fries are a perfect complement, but you’ll be so full from the main event that you’ll probably want to split them with a friend. For the over-twenty-one crowd, they’re stocked with a selection of craft beers as well.
Ray’s Hell Burger
Brunch
Vegetarian
Matchbox Chinatown
Everlasting Life Cafe
Matchbox, home of mini-burgers and wood-fired pizza, is not the first place that comes to mind when looking for a good brunch spot, but don’t be too quick to rule it out. The restaurant’s brunch menu is sure to surprise diners with creative takes on brunch classics. The cinnamon rolls, baked in a cast-iron skillet, are the stars of the menu. Every part of these rolls — not just the center — is delectable. The soft, pillow-like treats are filled with ribbons of cinnamon and topped with molten icing that melts down the sides of the pipinghot rolls. If you’re looking for something more savory to start off your morning, brunch at Matchbox also features what the restaurant does best: pizza. Its brunch pizza takes eggs and sausage to a new level with a kick from their spicy chipotle sour cream. It’s a mouthful of different textures that will surely fill you up. Each dish is hearty and satisfying for both your stomach and your wallet. Brunch at Matchbox is definitely worth stopping by before a Georgetown basketball game.
The idea of vegan macaroni and cheese or chicken and waffles might seem sacrilegious, but Everlasting Life Cafe tricks your palate into thinking you are getting the real deal. Located in the Shaw/Howard University neighborhood, this vegan restaurant elevates traditional soul food to healthy heights without affecting flavor. The hot bar menu changes daily, offering options ranging from barbecue tofu and collard greens to shepherd’s pie and orange glazed beets. For less than $12, you can choose two entrees and one side or four sides as your meal. The cinnamon roll boasts the right amount of sweetness without weighing your wallet down.
V Falafel Teaism
V Falafel in Dupont Circle is a hidden gem worth finding. The menu is not very extensive, but the price and quality of the food at the P Street shop make it some of the best falafel in the city. With about $6 in your pocket, you can order a falafel sandwich, which piles five made-to-order chickpea fritters into a warm pita. The falafels are lightly fried but still have plenty of crunchiness. Take advantage of the Mediterranean salad bar by loading up the pita with unlimited toppings, such as hummus, baba ghanoush and yogurt garlic carrots. The speedy and friendly service makes this a preferable, and healthier, alternative to fast-food dining.
Breakfast is Teaism’s cup of tea. The teahouse’s Asian-inspired menu highlights its love of tea and artful use of aromatic spices. Teaism’s French toast, made with a cinnamon-sugarcoated whole-wheat baguette, puts all others to shame. The toasting method caramelizes the sugar but maintains a light and fluffy interior. Scrambled eggs, the quintessential breakfast dish, also receives a wake up call at Teaism by way of a blend of ginger, cilantro and jalapenos. Naturally, tea is the perfect complement to these flavors. Teaism also offers naan covered in a thick layer of brown sugar, which can be dipped in tea for an Asian twist on biscotti. The quaint restaurant requires you to seat yourself, so there’s no need to spend extra on a tip. You may find yourself leaving one, however, because the food is that delicious.
Busboys and Poets Crepes at the Market For those of you still mourning the loss of Crepe Amour, these crepes, located at the historic Eastern Market, are sure to fill the void. Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, there are dozens of fillings and combinations to choose from. All the ingredients are fresh from local vendors — the secret to these goodies. The perfectly thin crepes are crisp around the edges, and the spongy middle aids the pancake as it soaks up the Nutella or cinnamon butter. Crepes start at $4, and the price grows as you add more fillings. Just remember to keep track of your fillings because you must tally up the cost at the end — payment functions on an honor system. The Eastern Market crepes are legendary in the area, so be prepared to wait in line to taste a piece of history.
It is a coffee shop, a poetry club and a restaurant. Although not advertised as such, Busboys and Poets is also a vegetarian’s haven. Whether you’re looking to spend a morning brunching with friends or an evening listening to slam poetry, founder Andy Shallal’s restaurant dishes up food that is both affordable and friendly to meat- and non-meat-eaters alike. To make it easy for diners, menu items are labeled vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. Some of the best options include the vegan nachos with guacamole, the homemade veggie burger with avocado and the arugula and pan-seared basil tofu. At the beginning or the end of the meal, take a moment of pause to feed the mind, body and
10.5.12 | the guide | 7
cheap EATS
Sometimes the best way to save on food is to make your own. Here are some basic and inexpensive recipes you can use to feed yourself and wow your friends.
vegetarian stir fry
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ll good things start with the rich, sweet smell of sauteed onions. If I’ve learned anything from being a vegetarian for more than three years, it is this. Almost any cuisine can be made vegetarian, and almost any vegetarian dish can be as — if not more — satisfying as one with meat. But whatever you do, you’ll start with the onions. From there, you can build the recipe in many different directions. In the mood for Mexican? Toss in garlic, diced bell peppers and carrots and a can each of corn, black beans and tomatoes. Add two tablespoons of cumin and a dash of cayenne pepper and you have chili. If Indian food is more your style, use mushrooms and a can of chickpeas instead of corn and beans, substitute curry powder for some of the cumin and add a can of coconut milk. The tricks to these recipes and all vegetarian food are pretty simple. First, use beans. They’re super cheap and they’ll add heft to what is essentially a glorified salad. Second, spice liberally. Great spices can coerce even your least favorite vegetables into tasting amazing. The last thing to remember is to have fun. The great thing about vegetarian cooking is that recipes are more general suggestions than hard and fast rules. The proportions are not too important, unlike in baking, and, because you’re not using meat, you’re not in any danger of accidentally poisoning your guests if you mess up. Feel free to experiment. But whatever you do, don’t forget the onions.
ingredients 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 large carrots, diced 1/2 cup mushrooms, coarsely chopped 1/2 eggplant, diced in 1/2-inch cubes 1 cup frozen peas
simple rice
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ice is the perfect college food. It’s cheap, delicious, easy to make, easy to reheat and easy to add to a lot of other recipes. Eat it with eggs. Throw in some frozen vegetables for the last few minutes of cooking to instantly steam them and make your meal a little bit healthier. Or just douse it with butter, salt and pepper and go at it with a spoon. While some people grow up eating this staple at practically every meal, cooking rice is an art and can be difficult for the uninitiated. Here’s a simple method to make deliciously fluffy and somehow creamy rice every time.
ingredients 1 cup rice 2 cups water
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1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Measure out the amount of rice you want into a big pot. The rice should fill — at most — only 1/4 of the pot. One handful equals about one serving. (I like to make 2-3 servings at a time, since rice is so quick and easy to heat up later.) Rinse the rice. Fill up the pot with warm water and rub rice between your hands under water. Refresh and repeat a few times. Empty out the last batch of rinse water. Add clean water until it is as far above the rice as the rice is deep. (When you make rice, the ratio should be one part rice to two parts water. I usually eyeball it, but you can measure it out if that makes you more comfortable.) Add salt. I usually put in about a half a teaspoon per serving. Bring the rice to a full boil, then bring down to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook until all water is gone and the rice is moist to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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1 can cannellini beans 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated Pinch of red pepper flakes
Sautee onion in about a tablespoon of olive oil in a large (I mean it — really large) saucepan over medium heat. When the onions become translucent and begins to caramelize, add bell pepper, carrots, mushrooms and eggplant. Cook until eggplant begins to turn brown. Pour soy sauce and orange juice into the pan. Add peas, beans, peanut butter, ginger and pepper flakes. Allow the whole pan to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, until vegetables are cooked through and the sauce begins to thicken. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
toasted coconut chocolate chewies
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hese cookies are gooey on the inside, crispy on the outside, oh-so-chocolately and deliciously full of coconut. Think of them as a rough approximation of the Girl Scouts’ hallmark Samoas. That they’re gluten free is an added bonus for those of us who can’t or choose not to eat gluten. An ideal college-kid recipe, they include a small number of relatively cheap ingredients, although they’re much easier to make if you have parchment paper and a mixer of some sort. You’ll also save money since you don’t have to buy flour or butter, which go into most recipes. They can, however, also easily be made vegan by substituting chia seeds for the eggs.
Recipe adapted slightly from Edible Perspectives Makes 20-22 cookies
ingredients
3 cups sifted powdered sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghirardelli dark chocolate because it happened to be cheapest.)
marinara sauce
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y family has a pretty steadfast Sunday tradition: We buy fresh bagels after Mass, watch football and my mom puts up a pot of sauce. When I came to Georgetown, I was amazed by the number of people who thought that quality tomato sauce could be bought in a jar. Making a delicious marinara is both easy and cheap. Take a page out of my mom’s book and make more than you need; You can always freeze the leftovers to use when you want a quick dinner. The expensive part of this meal is buying the olive oil and dried herbs, but both are one-time investments that will last you through hundreds of pots of sauce. During every other trip to Safeway, you’ll only need to replenish your supply of tomatoes and garlic. Some people may put sugar, onions or other sacrileges into their sauce — I’m looking at you, Ina Garten. Those people are fools. You want to keep this as simple as possible. Once you’ve made your marinara, it can serves as a base for about a million delicious things. Use it to make chicken or eggplant parmigiana. (For the unordained, that just means it has sauce and mozzarella on top.) Buy some fancy tortellini or ravioli and throw sauce over it — it’s basic enough that it won’t be overpowering but delicious enough to dress up an otherwise simple dish of pasta. Fry up some sausage, if that’s your thing, and throw them into the pot of sauce to cook — just make sure you cut down on the salt. Or, go the simple route and boil a pound of rigatoni — my childhood favorite — cover it all in sauce and add a dollop of ricotta. Whatever you choose, believe me: Once you make this, you’ll never buy Prego again.
ingredients 1 can crushed tomatoes 3 Tbsp. olive oil 3 cloves of garlic
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1 Tbsp. dried oregano 1 Tbsp. dried parsley 1 lb pasta, your choice
Mince the garlic. Some people have issues peeling the cloves. Take a large knife, place it flat on top of the cloves and press down hard with the heel of your hand. This will break the peel open and make it a lot easier to get the clove out. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the garlic. Watch the garlic closely because it can burn easily. Give it a few stirs so it’s well mixed with the oil. The smell is amazing during this step, but it is also the point in the process at which everyone will realize what you’re doing and decide that they want pasta too. Once the garlic is lightly golden, add the can of tomatoes. Be quick or the garlic will burn, and the whole thing will not turn out right. For every can of tomatoes you use, add one can-full of water. Bring the sauce to a boil, and then add the salt, pepper, oregano and parsley. Stir the mixture, and then lower the heat and cover.
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1/2 tsp. salt 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut 1 Tbsp. vanilla 3 large egg whites
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment paper, butter the pans vigorously before baking cookies. Toast coconut on an uncoated baking sheet for about five to six minutes, stirring every two minutes or so. Keep a close eye on it, as coconut burns very easily. When the coconut has developed a golden hue, set it aside to cool. Sift together powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add egg whites one at a time, and mix until batter is well-blended and smooth. Add vanilla and mix on medium-high speed (or at maximum arm-muscle power) until the batter starts to thicken and small stiff folds form and remain in the dough as you mix. You will start to notice that it gets more difficult to mix. Carefully fold in the toasted coconut.
Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. The cookies spread a bit, so make sure you leave about 2 inches between each one. Bake cookies for 15 minutes. The cookies will look puffy, crack and have a dull sheen when done. Let the cookies cool completely before removing from the pan so they won’t fall apart.
International Kotobuki
Keren Restaurant Don’t dismiss Keren because of its unassuming exterior. The Eritrean food is both humble and complex, and an incredibly wholehearted and welcoming staff ensures you feel like a special guest at their dinner table. Here, it’s not just a courtesy for your server to ask how your meal is going — he really wants to know. Your mouth might be embarrassingly stuffed with hot and spicy beef tbsi (stew), but you’ll have nothing negative to report. People often confuse Eritrean and Ethiopian styles, but Keren offers heartier food with European influences from its 60 years as an Italian colony. And while other restaurants skimp on vegetables and treat them as simply a side dish, that is not the case at Keren. Meat-eaters should sample something from the tbsi vegetarian platter — it’s impossible to feel like anything is “missing” from this full-bodied variety of stews. Of course, the balanced sourness of the injera bread is incredible mixed with any of the tbsi placed on top. The ful (fava beans pureed with spicy berbera powder) with eggs is also a delicious option for brunch, especially if you are in the mood for something spicy.
Indian food often comes with a pretty big price tag, but Salt and Pepper Grill near Howard University offers genuine dishes from North India and Pakistan in all their glory without burning a hole in your wallet. For appetizers, get the succulent paneer pakora — lightly battered and fried cottage cheese — or flaky samosas — stuffed savory pastries — with mint and tamarind chutneys. As an entree, you can’t go wrong with the chicken tikka masala; both the frequent Indian-food eater and the neophyte will appreciate the perfectly marinated and tender chicken. If you’re feeling adventurous, the vindaloo curry offers a literal trial by fire for your taste buds. Salt and Pepper Grill, however, manages to balance spice with the intricate flavors that traditionally characterize the dish. And of course, the light and pillowy naan smothered with fresh garlic, herbs and ghee (clarified butter) goes well with any option. Finish up your meal with some authentic chai (not that powdered, sugary stuff you get at coffee shops), a harmony of traditional herbs and spices including cardamom, ginger and cloves mixed with black tea and whole milk.
Salt and Pepper Grill 10 | the guide | 10.5.12
While you might have to wait in line on the stairs outside this tiny, second-story restaurant, it’ll be well worth the wait. “Cheap” is not usually a word I welcome when considering raw fish options, but somehow, this place manages to provide fresh sushi-grade seafood at a reasonably low price. It has the added benefit of a menu that sticks to Japanese authenticity. The simple, no-frills decor might explain the affordability, but it in no way detracts from the food. If you’re a sushi-lover, you’ll appreciate the straightforward menu without the flashy names you might see at other Japanese places, not to mention the fact that Kotobuki sticks to the the traditional style of preparing sushi and sashimi. Very few extra ingredients are needed to make such fresh fish stand out. And while fish is clearly the specialty, a selection of appetizers and the option of kamameshi (slowcooked rice with chicken, vegetables or eel) are equally delicious. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the uni (sea urchin sashimi). Finally, try the mochi, a sweet rice-based gelatin and a light indulgence that is a perfect finish to the meal.
Tortilla Cafe specializes in real, homestyle Mexican and Salvadoran dishes that will have everyone from the jaded Southern Californian to the Chipotle-lover thrilled. This small, sparsely decorated restaurant in the heart of Eastern Market is often crowded, especially because it was featured on Guy Fieri’s show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in January 2011. The basics, such as the burritos, quesadillas and flautas, are delicious and filled with perfectly seasoned meat. Try their signature stuffed corn tortillas, known as pupusas. The side of cabbage slaw offers a crunchy texture to complement the melted, gooey goodness of the pupusa. A platter comes with either a cheese or pork pupusa and two sides — my favorites being the perfectly seasoned rice with black beans and the deliciously crisp yucca fries. The cafe also offers a selection of sweeter options. The corn tamales, which have a taste and consistency similar to buttermilk cornbread, are surprisingly rich with sour cream. The fried plantains are delightfully moist and not too sweet, while the horchata, a rice-based beverage, is an uncommon balance of creaminess and sweetness.
Tortilla Cafe
PIZZA
DESSERTS
Manny & Olga’s Pizza
Mr. Yogato
Serving up tasty late night meals at great prices for almost 20 years, Manny & Olga’s Pizza stands out on Wisconsin Avenue despite its basement location. Better than Ledo’s in prices and Domino’s in flavor and quality, Manny & Olga’s serves warm, soft pizzas that balance the large amounts of cheese, sauce and dough and offer plentiful, fresh toppings. The Greek-inspired pizzas, like the White Pizza, Olga’s Favorite and My Big Fat Greek Pizza, are especially delicious. With small custom pies starting at $7.99 and deluxe pizzas starting at $12.99, Manny & Olga’s only provides carryout and delivery, but it is very easy to order over the phone or online. The walk and sometimes lengthy wait are worth it.
Frozen yogurt usually tastes like mediocre ice cream with berries on top but that’s not true at Mr. Yogato, the best yogurt place in D.C. It has toppings ranging from traditional fruit to more nostalgic selections like Fruity Pebbles, Teddy Grahams or gummy bears. Free toppings like honey, chocolate sauce and balsamic vinegar can take your order to the next level. Mr. Yogato also has some of the most enjoyable money-saving deals in the city. You can let the employees stamp your forehead for a 15% discount, answer trivia questions or perform physical tasks for a fun way to save a few bucks on your delicious treat.
Paper Moon What Paper Moon lacks in service, it makes up for with homemade pizza. All made with creamy mozzarella cheese, fresh vegetables and meat, these pies offer a reasonable portion size for one person and arrive at the table right out of the oven. The crust has a subtle crunch, and the sauce possesses the perfect blend of tomato, basil and oregano. Custom pies start at $8.95, and, although Paper Moon offers many unique toppings, stay away from the pricier ones to keep your costs low. The Pizza Margherita and the Pizza Vegetali will satisfy traditionalists, while Pizza Mediterranea, topped with tomato, eggplant and lamb sausage, is perfect for anyone who wants to try a more adventurous pizza.
Sticky Fingers If you are a fan of “Cupcake Wars,” chances are you’ve heard of Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats, the first vegan bakery to win the Food Network competition. Favorites among this shop’s award-winning cupcakes include Strawberry Crème, a vanilla cake with strawberry frosting, and the Bunny Huggers Carrot Cake, which features cream-cheese-style frosting. If savory is more your style, the cafe is for you, with selections including a grilled Daiya sandwich (a vegan grilled cheese) and a tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato and Veganaise tuna melt. Regardless of what you order, everything is dairy-, egg- and trans-fat free, making any meal guilt free.
We, The Pizza This Capitol Hill joint serves up some of the most delicious and unique pizzas in the city. Its cheese and pepperoni pies are simple, yet delicious, but one of its most unique pies is Colletti’s Notorious BBQ Pie, which is covered in pulled pork, onions, cheddar cheese and — of course — barbecue sauce. Other standouts include the White Pie, which is covered in ricotta, fontina, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses with no tomato sauce, and the Spinach & Artichoke Pie, which is improved by the addition of provolone. The Pizza on Tour menu includes pies inspired by places around North America, such as a Mexican pie with lime and cilantro and a New Orleans pie with sausage and Cajun seasonings. These classy, well-crafted pizzas will satisfy even the pickiest palate without leaving a hole in your wallet.
Thomas Sweet We all love ice cream, and there are few places in the city that have better stuff than this Georgetown mainstay. Walk inside, and you’re confronted with a potentially overwhelming list of options ranging from regular and soft serve to frozen yogurt. And, you can ask to have toppings mixed in. Having extensively sampled their selections, I recommend the coconut, coffee Oreo, pistachio or Cookie Monster — chocolate with Oreos and marshmallows. The peanut butter frozen yogurt is also a real treat. Perhaps the best thing about going to T. Sweet’s — besides, of course, the insanely delicious food — is the enormous portions. If you’re a light eater, share a small or medium with a friend. If you like ice cream a lot — and really, who doesn’t? — seize the chance to indulge in a mountain of ice cream.
10.5.12 | the guide | 11
BURGERS Thunder Burger | 3056 M St. NW
INTERNATIONAL Keren Restaurant | 1780 Florida Ave. NW
Good Stuff Eatery | 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE BGR The Burger Joint | 1514 Connecticut Ave NW Ray’s Hell Burger | 1725 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, Va. By Rianna Folds
Kotobuki | 4822 MacArthur Blvd. NW Salt and Pepper Grill | 2632 Georgia Ave. NW Tortilla Cafe | 210 7th St. SE By Sheena Karkal
BRUNCH Matchbox Chinatown | 713 H St. NW
PIZZA We, The Pizza | 305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
VEGETARIAN Everlasting Life Cafe | 2928 Georgia Ave. NW
DESSERTS Mr. Yogato | 1515 17th St. NW
Teaism | 2009 R St. NW Paper Moon | 1073 31st St. NW Crepes at the Market | 7th St. and North Carolina Ave. SE Manny and Olga’s Pizza | 1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW By Elise Widerlite By Emily Manbeck
V Falafel | 2157 P St. NW Busboys and Poets | 2021 14th St. NW By Bethany Imondi
RECIPES Veggie Stir-Fry | By Sarah Kaplan Cooking Rice | By Nikita Buley Tomato Sauce | By Victoria Edel Cookies | By Nikita Buley
Sticky Fingers | 1370 Park Street NW Thomas Sweet | 3214 P St. NW By Victoria Edel Design by Emory Wellman and Jessica Natinsky Cover photos by Eugene Ang, Amy Lee and Ariel Pourmorady Photos by Eugene Ang, Amy Lee, Kayla Noguchi, Richard Oliviera Soens, Ariel Pourmorady, Christie Shelly, Erica Wong and Michelle Xu
arts&entertainment Photos Explore Identity and the Self
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obert Terwilliger, a character on “The Simpsons,” once said, “Committing yourself is a way of finding out who you are. A man finds his identity by identifying.” I found this quote particularly relevant during my visit to the National Gallery of Art’s spectacular new exhibit “The Serial Portrait: Photography and Identity in the Last One Hundred Years.” The collection, found in the west wing of the gallery, is composed of a number of portraits that derive enormous power through a series of photographs that deconstruct and reconstruct both their subjects and contexts. The collection makes a strong case for a more fluid and artistic understanding of identity. One of the things that helped me better view this collection was a new appreciation of visual media in particular photos, acquired from a class I’m taking this semester called “Documentary Storytelling.” Before this class I always presumed — as I believe many do — that photography’s primary role is, as the class’ name would imply, documentation. However, my class and my visit to this collection have pushed me to examine the tension that photography exploits between an impar-
tial rendering of reality and the alternate, constructed reality it actually represents, which depends on context, perspective and artistic elements. Take one of the opening series of portraits: that of Nikki S. Lee. It begins with a self-portrait of the photographer dressed in a graphic tank top with her hair in intricate, waist-length braids. She stands in front of two black men, one in all white with flashy sunglasses and the other in all black with a knitted do-rag. The next photograph shows Lee with another woman on top of her in a highly sexual position, a tattoo just visible on the woman’s lower back. In the next, Lee wears business attire at a well-lit cafe table on a patio with two men in suits. In each of these photos Lee embodies the culture she is capturing, or she captures what we expect to find in each of them. Taken as a collection, the viewer is challenged to decide whether it is possible for each of these photos to be a rendering of reality, capturing who Lee is, or if these photos actually blur and distort our perception of her identity. This series highlights our ability to shape our own identities, especially when we are aware the camera’s eye is upon us.
JERROD MACFARLANE Special to the Hoya
Another series in the exhibit that reinforces this notion is Nan Goldin’s, who photographed her transvestite roommate, Ivy. The most striking photo in this collection was one depicting Ivy leaning in to light the cigarette of a man in a painting. It’s a beautiful photograph that is almost perfectly split in half, drawing a parallel in the viewer’s eye between Ivy and the painted man. The caption next to the photograph speaks to this parallel, hinting at the irony that in a way both Ivy and the painted man are “works of art”. It has everything to do with the nature of identity itself. Maybe the perfect example of this is a Facebook profile. Even the most passive user of Facebook has a profile, which either consciously or unconsciously is highly curated, from the photos to the people we decide to call “friends.” While walking through this exhibit, I couldn’t help but think about how much time I — along with most of my peers — spend shaping identity in this way and the role photography plays in this process. Perhaps the much-reviled “mirror selfie” is an inevitable by-product of a larger cultural perception of portraiture and identity as art.
NGA.ORG
WORK OF ART The exhibit features a series of self-portrait photographs. The serial portraiture collection at the National Gallery is a beautiful and thoughtprovoking exhibit that is well worth the visit. It might even be status worthy.
georgetown babel
Poetic License Not Always Earned
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hile I love catchy tunes as much as the next college student who occasionally just wants to mindlessly listen to music. Sometimes, though, I can’t help myself from wondering what musicians — or lyricists for those singers who can’t write their own songs — are thinking half the time. And no, I’m not really referring to “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis. After all, almost every verse explicitly says, “Where were you when we were getting high?” No mystery there in terms of what triggered those lyrics. I’m thinking more along the lines of songs whose meanings are intended to be a little more obvious but either literally or symbolically don’t make sense. For example, what usually gets me is the first line in the chorus of Edwin McCain’s “I’ll Be,” which says, “I’ll be your crying shoulder.” Maybe I’m just not interpreting this metaphor correctly, but honestly, I
didn’t know that body parts other stead paid attention in high school than eyes could shed tears. The fol- when you were supposed to be readlowing line, “I’ll be love’s suicide,” is ing Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic, at least somewhat poetic but has no you would know that you can’t be a scarlet letter; you wear one because denotative meaning. You may have been able to de- you’ve committed adultery. Maybe duce from the examples that I’ve you’re trying to say that you’re the sin for which someone else given so far that I’m basiis guilty? I still don’t recally married to the ’90s ally follow this logic, but (though lately I’ve been I’m trying to throw you cheating on my Third Eye a bone here because that Blind Pandora station song probably raised your with Mumford & Sons), net worth by a few million so I’ll try to branch out a little bit because Edwin AllieDoughty dollars. You also reference Romeo and Juliet, which McCain’s blunder actutragically ends in suicide, ally reminds me of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” I don’t want to but I won’t even go down that road. Unlike Taylor Swift, however, I judge you, Taylor, because you seem like a reasonably smart girl based have absolutely no respect for Ke$ha. on the massive fortune that you I have yet to hear her sing, rather single-handedly made for yourself. than talk or yell, but even then I’m But maybe if you had taken a break not sure that her lyrics would be up from fending off all of those country to par. Take “Tik Tok,” for instance. boys who broke your heart and in- The songstress claims that she wakes
up feeling like P. Diddy. Really, Ke$ha? Do you actually know what it feels like to be Sean Combs? Because the last time I checked, he has talent, style and a record company on top of a music career about which he could legitimately boast. But, as Noel Gallagher, lead singer of Oasis, once insisted, his crazy lyrics mean something different to each and every one of his fans; we can just conclude that songwriting being a form of artistic liberty that doesn’t need to make sense most of the time. That, and maybe musicians just need a cheap rhyme once in a while because let’s face it: All anyone really wants to be able to do is dance to a good beat and pretend to mouth along to unintelligible lyrics. Allie Doughty is a senior in the College. GEORGETOWN BABEL appears every other Friday in the guide.
10.5.12 | the guide | 13
arts&entertainment behind the screens
Escaping From Lau Into the World of Film
M
idterm season is in full catastrophic alien invasion were to swing, and stress is conse- occur or someone important to me quently starting to consume were under attack, I would be able to my life. Procrastination only serves use my (nonexistent) choreographed to make my impending workload fighting or sword-wielding abilities to and fast-approaching deadlines even save the day. Moreover, following the more daunting. Yet I am still turn- series finale of the TV show “Chuck”, ing to my favorite means of escape I was in shock and had strong emo— watching TV series and films —, tional reactions to the ending for the though I realize they just encourage rest of that day and part of the next. me to delay doing homework. Sorry if I’m starting to sound Although I arguably could use this crazy, but these examples help to time more productively for work and illustrate my point. Whenever I restudying, catching up on my shows late to an entire movie or episode, I and movies does serve a purpose in feel empathetic towards particular my midterm routine, believe it or not. characters and the emotions they Watching a series or film, I manage feel in specific situations or events. to take a break from the reality of my This empathy is part of the reason I, overwhelmingly busy taking in what I just life, and afterward I saw, silently leave can go back to my movie theaters. It is studies in a more remy favorite part of laxed state of mind. my movie-watching You know the scene experience; it gives right before the start me a chance to conof a movie at an AMC EduardoGueiros nect to something to theater, in which the which I would oththree young people erwise be unable to sitting in a row of theater chairs are attach. lifted into a fantastical forest? To me, I understand that the idea of bethis moment symbolizes their en- ing completely absorbed by a series trance into the film they’re watching or a film is weird, but this sensaand it always makes me smile or com- tion is something I enjoy and find ment about how weird it would be to relaxing — whether it brightens my see one of them in real life. It also rep- mood or makes me realize that I resents how I feel when I watch some- could have much bigger problems. thing enjoyable or relatable. In times of stress, which are plentiI find that the experience I have ful at Georgetown, it is important while watching a TV show in my to find things that eliminate stress, room or a film in a theater does more allowing you to not only feel betthan distract me from stress-inducing ter, but to go about your work in a situations or undesired emotional healthier mental state. In my case, states. Instead, for the duration of the a good film or TV show allows me film and even for some time after the to overcome any deadline-related credits stop rolling, I become com- anxiety and, in most cases, enables pletely engulfed in the plot and in the me to perform better academically. lives of the characters. More than just I understand that we go to an audience member, I feel like part Georgetown, and the kid sitting of the story. As stupid as it sounds, I next to you is probably wondering join the action of the story and am if he has a better GPA or is more incapable of doing what the characters volved in the community than you do. Basically, I feel exactly what AMC are, but come on — we’re in the alludes to in its cheesy pre-movie in- prime of our lives. Give yourself tro. a little break and find something After watching any superhero that complements your studies in movie, I notice this deep connection an enjoyable and relaxing way. and relation to the film. For example, after The Avengers, or really any ac- Eduardo Gueiros is a junior in the tion flick that has some trace of an College. BEHIND THE SCREENS apemotionally charged aspect, I left the pears every other Friday in the theater thinking to myself that if a guide.
14 | the guide | 10.5.12
Neeson Saves the Day in Action Sequel VICTORIA NGARE Hoya Staff Writer
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im, played by Maggie Grace, is an director Olivier Megaton brings to life an acAmerican girl who goes on a vacation tion-packed storyline with powerful themes to Paris with her best friend. Desiring such as justice, good and evil and love. to blend in immediately with the locals, they Megaton portrays killing as less of a questrust the first cute Parisian boy they meet. tion of right or wrong and more of a survival However, it turns out that he’s actually work- technique for both the members of the mafia ing with the Albanian mafia in a sex-traffick- and Bryan. This practical way of looking at ing ring. Unfortunately for the criminals, death in the film mirrors the skewed definiKim’s father, Bryan (Liam Neeson), is a trained tion of justice given by kingpin Murad ex-CIA agent who would give Bruce Lee a run Krasniqi (Rade Šerbedžija), the father of for his money in hand-to-hand combat. Bryan one of the men Bryan killed in Taken. kills almost every one of the members of Murad says of justice, “If it gives us the gang and rescues his daughter from the peace, call it what you want.” He and the hands of a Middle Eastern oil tycoon, who Albanians are convinced that Bryan comhas a thing for young, virginal girls. The end. mitted a grave injustice when he killed Well, not quite. their sons, fathers and brothers; howTaken 2 details what ever, from Bryan’s happens when you point of view, anykill several members one who kidnaps of the Albanian mafia and sells girls into and the kingpin deTAKEN 2 sexual slavery decides to get revenge, starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie serves to die. or what he likes to call Megaton does an justice. Your life beGrace, Famke Janssen amazing job creatcomes a living nighting a plotline that mare while you’re on forces viewers to vacation with your family in Istanbul. A father must make the question their own definitions of justice. heart-wrenching decision of whether to save Most of us would define Murad’s quest as his daughter or his ex-wife, a woman he still warranted vengeance; however, when the loves. In Taken 2, Bryan has to pull off the film begins with the backdrop of a funeral same rescue, but this time it’s much more in a small, mountainous Albanian village complicated. The Albanian mafia takes Bry- honoring the men Bryan killed, you are rean and his ex-wife, Lennie (Famke Janssen), minded that even the bad guys are human and attempts to kidnap Kim. In this install- and have loved ones. In essence, you dement, Kim helps rescue her father and then velop sympathy for the people in the film works with him to rescue her mother. The whom you should outright hate. Albanian mafia comes out in full force, preLike any decent action film, good, as pared to dole out its retribution, but Bryan is traditionally defined, always prevails. always one step ahead. Throughout the majority of the film, BryHaving produced action mega-hits such as an, a man who will do anything to protect Colombiana (2011) and Transporters 3 (2008), his family, symbolizes all that is good and right. The Albanians — people who will do anything to make a dollar — represent everything that is wrong with this world. But as the two men face one another in the most honest exchange possible, they are no longer simple representations of good and evil. Instead, they are two fathers, out to protect and stand up for their families. Each believes that justice is on his side. Taken 2 remains true to its origins. In the beginning, this film looks like it will just be take two of Taken. But with some ROTTENTOMATOES.COM unexpected twists of plotline, the director SERIOUS ACTION Director Olivier Megabrings us a film that is wholly different ton brings life to this thriller sequel. from the original in its major themes.
arts&entertainment
Clap Along With Matt and Kim New Releases
ABBY reutzel Hoya Staff Writer
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he Brooklyn-based indie-pop duo Matt and Kim are back with their fourth studio album, Lightning. With only ten tracks, the album is an easy listen filled with feel-good music with a punky twinge. There’s no lack of hand claps, synthesizers, group chanting and triumphant choruses. Matt’s signature vocal style and constant supply of attitude, accompanied by Kim’s aggressive drumming, are still fully present. The album opens on a high note with the first single, “Let’s Go.” One of the best songs on the album, it is very reminiscent of their biggest hit so far, “Daylight.” Chock-full of hand claps and highly energized backing vocals, “Let’s Go” is one of the most cheerful tracks on the album. The second single, “Now,” supplies even more energy than the first, thanks to powerful drumming and a danceable melody. “Tonight” is a track that’s quite reminiscent of ’80s music and acts as quite a pick-me-up, since it is preceded by one of the slower tracks, “I Said.” “It’s Alright” is another highlight and one of the most danceworthy songs they’ve recorded. Overall, this effort is one of Matt and Kim’s best and shows more maturity than anything they’ve previously recorded — but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its low points. Simply put, “Not That Bad” is that bad. The group aims for subtlety but falls short, and then ends up being extremely boring. Sandwiched between two upbeat songs, it pulls the listeners straight out of the groove. The flow of the song is plain and underdeveloped. That’s not to say that all of the slower tracks on the album aren’t good; in fact, “I Said” is one of the band’s better slow tunes.
Emily GRAU
Special to the Hoya
“RIDE” I LANA DEL REY
In some way, this new track off Born to Die: Paradise Edition is just like any other song by Lana Del Rey. You can expect melancholic crooning and her signature drone, but it’s the ethereality and the raw emotion that will keep you hitting the repeat button.
MUUMUSE.COM
“CLOSER” | TEGAN AND SARA
mattandkimmusic.com
LIGHTNING STRIKE Matt and Kim’s new album makes you want to get up and dance With Lightning, Matt and Kim have re-
leased their best album yet and have finally gotten their sound down completely. They manage to create pop music with a dance twist and a punk touch that doesn’t sound mismatched. The lyrics are well developed and interesting, especially thanks to Matt’s energetic and sassy vocals. Kim’s drumming has also improved, carrying each and every song musically. This duo has created one of the best albums of the year, and there’s really no way that a person could listen to this album without feeling compelled to dance.
Straying from their typical indie-pop sound, Tegan and Sara dabble with a more electronic sound in their newest single. While “Closer” is catchy and suitable for a study session pick-me-up, its generic and simplistic lyrics cause it to fall short.
ROLLINGSTONE.COM
“RED” | TAYLOR SWIFT
Heartbroken Hoyas rejoice: Taylor Swift is back with another up-tempo breakup song. “Red,” the third single released off Swift’s upcoming album of the same name, rehashes yet another failed relationship through color-wheel imagery Taylor’s trademark powerful, pop-country sound.
A Major Letdown From Muse
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ith a tendency towards the excessively dramatic, British progressive rock band Muse has been rocking the minds and airwaves of planet Earth since Showbiz debuted in 1999. With its unique and powerful formula, the trio has produced successful albums of symphonic drama and has drawn many comparisons to Queen, Rush and even early Radiohead. Each album it has produced has been bigger, better and more cosmic than the last, but its newest studio creation, The 2nd Law, seems to be a stagnation. Instead of hitting an intergalactic homerun and continuing their steady rise in popularity and stage presence, Muse seems to be riding the coattails of its recent successes and selling itself short. The album takes its title from Newton’s second law of thermodynamics, which is referenced directly numerous times throughout the album. While this concept does help to unify the album and the band’s message, the combination of its
musical style and the overtly scientific overtones of the lyrics lend a certain cheesiness to what could otherwise be really interesting music. My first impression of the album was that it could be the soundtrack to almost any bad dystopian movie. Don’t get me wrong — I love bad sci-fi, but the British computer voice reading the text of Newton’s law on both “The 2nd Law: Unsustainable,” and “The 2nd Law: The Isolated System,” sounds like part of the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” theme song, or a computer voiceover from the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” The root of the band’s issue may indeed be that its message of fighting against “the man” has grown stale. Is it irrelevant? In today’s world of almost constant revolt and revolution, that is an impossibility. But any band can only fall back on the same themes of rebellion and popular resentment so many times before it starts repeating itself. For a band that thrives on being over the top and progressive, these new tracks all
sound like they have been done before. When Muse found mainstream success with “Uprising” off their last album The Resistance, a broader audience started to take notice. Here is a band that was not afraid to be loud and dramatic and unapologetic. Just look at the music video for “Uprising.” Giant plush teddy bears grow monstrous fangs and start terrorizing a city while the band escapes via flatbed truck. It wasn’t even trying to be subtle, and the American and global public loved it. But somehow none of the tracks on The 2nd Law seem to have the same appeal to a broad audience. This is not to say that the band makes no attempts at making changes or adapting to the times. In fact, the band has fully embraced the electronic subgenre dubstep, incorporating the heavy backbeats and bass drops into multiple tracks on the album. It is actually quite a good fit for the band musically, since neither Muse nor dubstep is particularly known for its subtlety.
COUNTRYWEEKLY.com
nicole jarvis Hoya Staff Writer
Consequenceofsound.net
COSMIC LETDOWN Muse’s newest album doesn’t live up to its stellar predecessors.
The 2nd Law is not an entirely bad album by any stretch; lead singer Matt Belamy’s piercing and powerful vocals are still an amazing highlight and “Madness” and “Panic Station” are both catchy and enjoyable tracks, but two tracks and an awesome voice do not a successful album make.
10.5.12 | the guide | 15
bestbets
gardens at the bay, singapore — eugene ang
on campus
LIVE BAND KARAOKE NIGHT Friday, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Sellinger Lounge Start your weekend in the spotlight at the Live Band Karaoke Night. Presented by What’s After Dark, the event will feature free food, drinks and the opportunity to share your vocal talents with your fellow Hoyas. Unwind after midterms week by rocking out to your favorite songs, or just come out to cheer on your friends.
VIRGINIA STATE FAIR Saturday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. — Virginia State Fair Take a break from studying to get your fix of country music, candy apples, petting zoos and tractor pulls. Join Georgetown Program Board to learn how to milk a cow, go bungee jumping or ride the mechanical bull. Indulge your inner child on over 40 carnival rides. A $10 charge from GPB will include admission, transportation and unlimited access to rides.
GPB PRESENTS: “TED”
Saturday, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. — ICC Auditorium Need to de-stress after a week of midterms? Spend the night laughing with friends by coming out to GPB’s showing of Ted — a witty comedy about a talking bear and his best friend tackling the struggles of adulthood. Starring Mark Wahlberg and written by Seth MacFarlane, Ted was one of the funniest movies of the summer, having received a 69 percent rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Vatican II After 50 Years
Thursday, 4 p.m. — Gaston Hall
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, Georgetown is hosting a conference focused on Catholicism and Identity and inter-religious dialogue. This event is free and open to the public; you just have to register at georgetown.edu/vatican-IIdialogue.html.
around town friday
saturday
sunday
Begin your Columbus Day weekend with the Story League’s Story Tournament, where a medley of regionally renowned storytellers and host Sharon Spell will take part in a storytelling competition. The Story Tournament features previous winners facing off against each other in costume. The theme of the night is “tricks.”
Have a great time at Columbia Heights Day. From free morning yoga to a cupcake-eating contest, there’s something for everyone. More than 60 local vendors, nonprofits and businesses will set up shop. The event will also have a petting zoo, a moon bounce and food trucks.
Celebrate Artisphere’s second anniversary with a mix of art and music. The event will feature live musical performances. Don’t miss the highlight of the event: artist Craig Colorusso’s “Sun Boxes,” a dispersal of 20 solar-powered music boxes around Rosslyn in honor of the occasion.
WHERE: 1811 14th St. NW WHEN: Friday, 9 p.m. INFO: storyleague.org PRICE: $12 in advance; $15 at the door METRO: U Street
WHERE: 11th and Kenyon Streets NW WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. INFO: columbiaheightsday.org PRICE: Free METRO: Columbia Heights
WHERE: 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. WHEN: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. INFO: artisphere.com PRICE: Free METRO: Rosslyn
Kim Busson, Caitlin desantis & CarolInE Desantis Special to The Hoya