the guide february 22, 2013
the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop
Conquering Ableism Disabled Students Face Institutional Challenges
Mike Birbiglia Talks Comedy and GU G3
An Authentic Experience Black Theatre Ensemble: With Russian Cuisine G8 Storytelling’s New Lens G11
this issue ABOVE AND BEYOND 3 lifestyle feature 6 food&drink 8 soundbite arts & 10 entertainment guideonline
STUDENT PROFILE
ballroom dance | culture shock
ableism: a hidden trial
JOY MA/THE HOYA
Ayokunle Akinmoladun (COL ‘13), an English major who has taken a slightly different path to the Hilltop, takes his own experiences growing up in an inner-city school to be an active participant in assisting disadvantaged youth. Check out our online content to learn more about this inspiring student, whose aspirations include attending law school and taking a year off to work for Teach For America.
mari vanna | d.c. on rye
life plugged in | ‘anatomy of a single girl’
saywhat
“
The thing about Daniel Craig is that he’s what, 62 now? He’s falling apart at the seams.
”
— Hugh Jackman on desiring the role of James’ Bond
the guide Braden McDonald, Executive Editor Victoria Edel, Managing Editor Hunter Main, Copy Chief Zoe Bertrand, Layout Editor Leonel De Velez, Photo Editor Kim Bussing, Deputy Guide Editor Nicole Jarvis, Deputy Guide Editor Emily Manbeck, Deputy Guide Editor Chris Grivas, Deputy Photo Editor Erica Wong, Deputy Photo Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Kennedy Shields, Deputy Layout Editor Ian Tice, Deputy Layout Editor David Chardack, Deputy Copy Editor Shannon Reilly, Deputy Copy Editor Sean Sullivan, Deputy Copy Editor
Danny Funt, Editor-in-Chief Sheena Karkal, Guide Editor Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Braden McDonald at (202) 6873415 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. © 2013. 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
DavidChardack Page 9
“I love it when sandwiches play hard to get. Something about chasing after an elusive sandwich is immensely gratifying to me.”
newreleases ‘ENTERTAINMENT’ | PHOENIX
Don’t let the opening melody fool you; when the beat drops on “Entertainment,” Phoenix’s new single off of the upcoming Bankrupt!, the band is back to their electro-synth ways. “Entertainment” takes Phoenix’s classic formula, a fusion of trilling electronic riffs, runaway drums and introspective lyrics, and revs it up a hundredfold. If “Entertainment” is any indication, Bankrupt! will be the next album to jam out to for all music lovers.
LATIMES.COM
‘ALMOST HOME’ | MARIAH CAREY
Mariah lends her diva status and sultry voice to the Oz the Great and Powerful soundtrack for its first song, “Almost Home.” The up tempo pop piece brings Oz into the twenty-first century, while still allowing Carey’s impressive pipes to shine through. Sadly, even Carey’s angelic voice can’t stop the single from sounding like every other empowering pop ballad on the radio.
RAP-UP.COM
‘NEEDLE’ | BORN RUFFIANS
Born Ruffians is the ultimate who-do-they-sound-like band. Blending Fleet Foxes’ raw, crystalline vocals and dreamy call-and-repeats with guitar riffs reminiscent of the Black Keys, “Needle” manages to neatly combine the best of all its influences and create a unique sound. The best way to describe “Needle” is as new wave folk, but — no matter how you label it — “Needle” is pure gold. BEATSPERMINUTE.COM
lifestyle
Birbigs Brings Laughs to Campus C omedian Mike Birbiglia (COL ’00) is best known for his “Olive Garden Italian” heritage, sleep disorder and love of pizza, but he corresponded with the guide to discuss his comedy and his time at Georgetown. The stand-up comic will return to campus for a week long run of his latest show “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend: Unplugged” Feb. 25 to March 1.
Some of your stand-up references your college years. What about Georgetown do you remember as particularly funny? On My Secret Public Journal LIVE comedy album, I reference my computer science class at GU –– I had to take a science requirement for the core curriculum, so I took computer science thinking it would be easy — and it was not easy. And I barely passed, and it wasn’t funny then but it’s funny now. In terms of Georgetown being funny, I think it’s funny because there are a lot of people doing a lot of different things very seri-
ously. So if you’re not one of those people in that very serious discipline, those people look ridiculous. I’m looking at you, SFS. (Tips cowboy hat in the direction of ICC.)
Your movie Sleepwalk with Me includes flashbacks to your character’s time in college. How did you try to represent Georgetown on screen? I think we called it Trinity College because we didn’t want to try to get the rights to Georgetown’s name because it’s probably a legal quagmire trying to get that. So we used the name “Trinity College” because since there’s like nine of them, one of them agreed to let us use their name. It’s just like a Catholic-sounding name, obviously, and I felt like it got across the same idea. Why did you decide to come back to campus for this week long run? I’ve been meaning to come back for a while to visit John Glavin’s writing class and also to show the movie to Bernie
Cook’s film students. Plus, I used to wait tables at the Tombs, and I worked the door at the D.C. Improv; there’s a lot of reasons I’d like to spend some time in town. Also, I saw the Davis Performing Arts Center on my last visit to Georgetown. It’s a really beautiful space. It’s sort of perfect for this show.
What advice do you have for aspiring Georgetown comedians?
emma hinchliffe Hoya Staff Writer Hole-ga’s.” It’s amazing to me that D.C., which is (a) a college town and (b) a great city period, doesn’t have a decent game plan for pizza. Granted, I’ve heard there are a few places that have popped up recently. That said, I will look around during my visit and try to find a decent place — and if I find one, I will commission them to create a pizza pillow.
I think just write and perform anywhere that anyone will let you. And then work on that for about 10 years and then evaluate whether or not it’s working. Then quit or continue. What is your favorite pizza in D.C.? It’s a really close call because there’s not a lot of great pizza, at least when I was there. When I was there, there was Cappuccino’s and Manny and Olga’s, which my roommates and I called “Crappuccino’s” and “Manny and Butt-
COURTESY EVAN SUNG
FUNNY GUY The College grad has made a name for himself with his innovative stand-up act.
Cupcake Wars and Water Woes At the guide, our staff is known for having strong opinions about pretty much everything. We’re taking stands on the pop culture issues that really matter, from tween stars to the movies that make us smile, from catchy pop songs to the stories that are dominating the Internet.
VICTORIA EDEL/THE HOYA
LITTLE THINGS Georgetown Cupcake doesn’t have the best cupcakes, but they’re still pretty damn good.
Anti Hydration Stations Water is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty. Beauty is an important aspect of life at Georgetown. Every Joe and Jane Hoya puts in honest hours every week in order to maintain his or her glowing skin, majestic physique and sensual walk across campus, but the high standard of magnificence on the Hilltop is being threatened by the shortage of water on campus. This frightening reality is the fault of the Brita Hydration Stations, whose rate of dispensing water is equal to that of a dripping faucet in 14th century Rome. The worst violators are the stations in the Leavey Center, Lauinger Library and ICC. The purpose of these stations is simple: By providing filtered water
across campus, students are more inclined to carry reusable water bottles, knowing that they can be filled with delicious water at any time, thereby reducing the plastic waste caused by nonbiodegradable bottles. We’re looking at you Evian — which, by the way, spells “naive” backwards. No coincidence there. Whoever oversees the upkeep of these so-called “hydration stations” needs to repair those that are lacking in the “flow department,” or Joe and Jane will have to resort to either a life of actively watching the world burn by the flame of Evian bottles, or — even worse — a life of hideousness. Coming Out of the Cupcake Closet There’s something that the editorial board of the guide has to admit to its readers. We’ve known each other for a long time, and it feels right to truly reveal ourselves. It’s not that we weren’t ourselves beforehand, but there is something that we need to share in order to be completely genuine: Georgetown Cupcake is delicious ,and it’s time for the student body to come out publicly and admit it. From the outrageous flavors like Salted Car-
amel Praline to the superb frosting on the Red Velvet, we can’t get enough of these expensive sugar rushes. Take back the gasp that just left your mouth and echoed throughout campus, because we have some things to add to this. First, we acknowledge that Baked & Wired is the best cupcakery in the land — better than Georgetown Cupcake. That cannot be denied. The sizes are bigger, the flavors are better and the atmosphere is more comfortable. Furthermore, we also recognize and admire Sprinkles — an L.A.-based company — for their presence as well. Competition makes for better quality. That being said, it is simply wrong to say that Georgetown Cupcake isn’t delicious. To be honest, when we’re too lazy to walk further down M street, it’s more convenient than it’s competitors. They may be overrated, overpriced and over-the-top with this TLC marketing nonsense, but their products are pleasant to the taste buds and glorious to the stomach, and we need to admit it. Don’t worry — we can honestly say that their coffee is terrible, so we still have that to throw in their glamorous faces.
2.22.13 | the guide | 3
lifestyle DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY Georgetown Ballroom Masters All the Right Moves caitlin desantis Special to The Hoya
M
en and women stand an arm’s are casual gatherings where members length apart, and when the lilt- can practice the new moves they learn ing sound of a Strauss compo- in her technique classes. They also get sition fills the air, these couples come to meet dancers from other colleges in to life and begin waltzing around the the area like The George Washington room. This could be a scene from a pe- University and the University of Maryriod film, except for the fact that the land. The club, which was founded by a dancers are wearing jeans and sneakRussian exchange student in 1995, ers. “It’s almost a throwback to the Vic- welcomes dancers at all levels to learn torian era where people would go to a ballroom dance. The club now consists dance, and the man would ask the lady of about 60 members, mainly newcomfor the dance,” one of the dancers, Amy ers, but plenty of experienced dancers Spohr (NHS ’14) said, “they would dance are involved as well. They learn both standard the waltz and styles like thank each “Every couple dances on their the waltz, other for the own and gets called back on their foxtrot, tandance and own, but we still compete as a go, quicksplit off.” step and When the team.” Latin styles, waltz ends, including the vibe in the — Amy Spohr (NHS ’14) the cha-cha, room quickly rumba, samchanges as the Latin music blares and everyone ba and jive. The group practices five days a week with professional coaches starts dancing the cha-cha. Each weekend the members of the who teach at beginner, intermediate Georgetown University Ballroom Dance and advanced levels. The members agree that masterClub attend socials like these where they can mingle with other college stu- ing ballroom dance requires a lot of time and effort. While there is only dents as they dance the night away. “It’s just two hours of straight danc- one mandatory practice a week, Spohr ing but pure fun,” said club captain Mi- emphasized the importance of going regularly, especially when dancers are chelyne Chavez (SFS ’15). Chavez explained that these events competing. Since ballroom requires a
DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION The dancers pose with Latin world champion team Richardo and Yulia.
4 | the guide | 2.22.13
BUST A MOVE The Ballroom Dance Team dances competitively at many levels and will compete at the Harvard Invitational later this semester. partner it is important to get comfortable dancing with others because one does not want to step on anyone’s feet. “The more you practice, the better you get, so it’s important to go,” she said. While many members enjoy the light-hearted social atmosphere of the gatherings, the club has a more serious competitive side as well. Each semester members participate in two competitions. This semester the club competed in the USA Dance Mid-Atlantic Championships held last weekend in Bethesda, Md., and they plan to compete at the Harvard Invitational later in late March. Referred to as the Team, the club’s competitive members mostly compete at the bronze (beginner) and silver (intermediate) levels, but there is one couple who competes in the open level (above gold), which is for highly experienced dancers. While each couple competes individually, team spirit runs deep among all the competitors. “Every couple dances on their own and gets called back on their own, but
we still compete as a team,” said Spohr. “We cheer for each other even if we are in the same round and we are happy when everyone makes it to the next round.” During this past weekend’s competition, some of Georgetown’s bronze level dancers reached the quarterfinals, and the couple dancing in the open level, Andrew Sue-Ako (who graduated from Princeton in 2010) and Ying Zhang (an employee of the School of Nursing and Health Studies) reached the semifinals. Team member TC Huang (COL ’15) said, “Competitions are somewhat stressful, but still really fun.” Each couple is placed in a heat, and while they know they will be dancing the samba or the jive, the music they will dance to is always a complete surprise. They have just a few seconds to figure out the speed and rhythm of the music before they start dancing. “The beat could be good, it could be bad,” said Spohr. “Maybe you’re not able to hear the music so well, which is a real challenge, and you can get a little choked up.”
lifestyle Huang described competitions as a petitive side of the club can be just as sort of parallel universe, where all the social, if not more so, as the weekend women are in heels and the men are in dance nights. “Through nervous, stressful times, white dress shirts. Only dancers in the open level are required to wear glitzy people bond with each other,” she said. costumes like the ones seen on “Danc- “I see the team right now after this ing with the Stars.” For standard danc- weekend’s past competition, and they es, collegiate-level female dancers must really get along well now — or more so wear long skirts, and for Latin dances, than they did before — because they they wear short skirts. Men must wear had that experience of calming, encouraging and long-sleeved wishing each white button“They really get along well other the best.” downs. AccordThe team is ing to Spohr, the ... because they had that looking forward addition of the experience of calming, to their weekvest has become encouraging and wishing each end trip to Harpopular among vard later this men since her other the best.” semester. Memfreshman year. claim that Even though the — Michelyne Chavez (SFS ‘15) bers competition dancers must allows them to dress according to protocol, they can still express their strengthen the bonds they make during practice and truly form friendships individual style. Members try to balance the social within the group. “You can look at it as, ‘I am stuck and competitive aspect of the club with the normal rigors of being a with these people for four hours,’ or ‘I Georgetown student. Huang says the can get to know these people for four club can take up a lot of time depend- hours,’” said Chavez. “At the end of ing on how involved you become. He the day, the whole point of why we goes to practice just a few times a week compete is to dance all day and to have and tries to his best to go to the social fun. And the most rewarding thing events, but there isn’t always time in for me is seeing my teammates out on the dance floor truly enjoying themhis schedule to do everything. Chavez pointed out that the com- selves.”
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY EMMIE DERBACK
MAD HOT BALLROOM Zach Busch (SFS ’16) and Calanthia Lan Mei (SFS ’15) perform classic Latin style dance during competition.
culture shock
Navigating The 21st Birthday Problem
W
hen I returned to Georgetown from my semester abroad and began this column, I expected a definite period of adjustment to the signature smell of the dining hall, to spending more than five dollars on lunch or to the hours spent in my Lau cubicle. Strangely enough, none of these practicalities has really fazed me. Yesterday I dined on a plateful of Leo’s finest macaroni and cheese and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that I am once again earning money, I don’t seem to have any trouble spending it on food or otherwise. And my cube on Lau 3 is quite comfortable, thank you very much. The weirdest part of my return so far has instead been reassimilating into the Georgetown population. It might sound dramatic, but after spending four months with just eleven other students, navigating basic social interactions on campus was awkward at first — even scary. A Sunday afternoon in the library, the busy hour at Leo’s from noon to 1 p.m., the student section at the Verizon Center and even the sidewalk in front of Healy during rush hour — not
to mention a weekend social gather- being “legal” in Turkey, it was weird ing — seemed overwhelming. I kind of to return to the U.S. lacking this offelt like a freshman again (not that it’s ficial entitlement. This semester, I could probably mark my weekends a bad thing). But I think I’ve caught up: I’m en- not by places traveled or things joying all my classes, the Hoyas have seen but rather by the number of been winning (fingers crossed), and my friends crossing into the great of course it’s been great to be back beyond, i.e. getting their heads among 7,000 of my closest friends. stamped in the finest 21st birthday tradition. The junior class Meanwhile, I’ve discovseems to have been split ered that the junior spring into an arbitrarily assigned social scene presents a dichotomy: those who can trickier challenge than go to the Tombs and those even abroad-returnee synwho cannot. drome: the 21 problem. In the fall, birthdays AudreyWilson AudreyWilson Unfortunately, my late summer birthday — a great passed without much extended celebration. The drinking point of pride throughout my childage in Turkey was a lenient 18, so 21 hood — now places me squarely in the was quite unremarkable. Four of us latter category. And for those of us had birthdays, but these celebrations who remain behind, it seems like the never involved head stamps and cer- magic age is an all-too-frequent topic tainly didn’t end with much drama. of conversation. “Are you 21?” may Rather than crazy nights out, exer- have added some variety to the tracising our newfound privilege more ditional NSO-style icebreakers, but I often involved a glass of wine over definitely don’t have the right answer dinner with our professors — which (or the right ID). I know that turning 21 is only five can sometimes be just as entertainmonths away (things could be worse) ing — than crazy college ragers. So while it wasn’t terribly strange and that the Tombs couldn’t possibly
live up to the hype my “elders” have bestowed upon it (although Country Night does sound like it would be right up my alley and Trivia Night definitely seems like a good time), but that doesn’t soothe the pain of dropping another friend at the top of the stairs at midnight on 36th Street or quash the fear of missing out of some kind of quintessential “Georgetown” experience no matter how crowded or loud or sloppy. I won’t try to pen an eloquent argument for a lower drinking age or even complain too much about the distinctions between the U.S. and the most of the world. After all, maybe all of my friends who are over 21 are the ones missing out on their last chance at free fun. My day will come eventually. But for now, you probably can find me in a townhouse somewhere attempting to sneakily change the song from Macklemore to Garth Brooks.
Audrey Wilson is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. CULTURE SHOCK appears every other Friday in the guide.
2.22.13 | the guide | 5
Ableism: A Hidden Trial
SARAH AMOS Hoya Staff Writer
R
enleigh Spencer (COL ’15) excelled in high school. A natural scholar, he hoped to continue his academic achievements in college so that he could go on to earn a doctoral degree. But as the workload picked up, he would stay up for days in a row to finish a single assignment, sometimes not even finishing it because it did not measure up to his standard of perfection.
“I spent too much time thinking and not enough time doing — at least I know now, through therapy, that I have a problem. I know that I spend too much time and care on my work,” Spencer said. But his perfectionism was not just a product of excessive competitiveness but a manifestation of a learning disability, as well as other mental issues. Spencer first sought help from the Writing Center, which helped him focus a little but still left him unsatisfied with the quality of his work. “I thought my writing skills were that of someone who just wasn’t able to formulate thoughts correctly,” he said. By his freshman spring, he was experiencing severe depression, some weeks lying in bed, catatonic, for a span of days. “It got to the point where I just kind of gave up,” he said. By the time he made an appointment with the Academic Resource Center, he had already finalized plans to take a leave of absence last fall. He is currently being tested for being autistic and manic depressive. He identifies himself as disabled and not neurotypical — a person whose brain functions in a way considered “normal” by society. Still on leave, he said he feels taken care of by his family and friends back home but that the support system Georgetown offers leaves room for improvement.
Ableism
Oppression, prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination against disabled people on the basis of actual or presumed disability.
Definitions courtesy Lydia Brown
“I’m not blaming Georgetown for anything, and Georgetown is doing the best they can within their means,” he said. Yet Spencer believes something could have prevented him falling through system’s cracks. “I feel like there needs to be a more open line of communication between disabled students and the ARC, and disabled students need to feel as though they can advocate for themselves,” Spencer said. “Nobody is really talking to the student.” In Spencer’s case, emails in his inbox piled up during her days of depression. Phone calls went unanswered. “I didn’t really know how to express I wasn’t OK,” Spencer said in reference to his bipolar disorder. “We need to be aggressive in our self-advocacy.” But “coming out” as autistic can be difficult in a culture dominated by perfectionism that perpetuates a neurotypical and able-bodied set of norms. Spencer said he encountered stigma against those with autism — whether being treated as a “problem” or solely in an academic context that ignored the individual. Such bias against disabled people on the basis of their disabilities, whether they are physicall visible or invisible, is known as ableism. “Autism is not a problem; it’s just something that exists,” Spencer said.
Disabled
People who have physical or mental differences in a society where their bodies and ways of thinking, communicating, sensing or moving are not treated as “normal.”
COL ’15
Her counsellor determined she was experiencing test anxiety, but Angel did not feel such a diagnosis was accurate. She took a leave of absence beginning in the fall of 2010, and during that period, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which she identifies as a disability. “One of the things that I was struggling with was anxiety — particularly centered around writing papers — that would just spiral out of control,” Angel said. “I didn’t feel comfortable going to the Writing Center because it was my peers and because I didn’t want to admit how much trouble I was having. … I didn’t want to be seen as crazy or stupid.” Angel sees ableism as part and parcel of the culture on campus. “Even just in terms of the way people talk — ‘I’m not crazy. I’m not stupid. You’re crazy. You’re stupid’ — or the way people are treated when they are labeled as ‘crazy’ or ‘stupid,’” she said of the attitudes she perceived while on the Hilltop. “People act differently toward you at best, or they try to ignore it.” Angel reflected that she perceived the campus as a whole inaccessible in spite of the proclaimed mission of cura personalis. “Because everyone, not only students but also faculty and staff, is so focused on achievements and just getting to the finish line first, there’s not a lot of care taken for what might happen on the way to the finish line,” Angel said.
“My first year at NOVA, I had a 4.0 and everything was going swimmingly, [and] then I came to Georgetown and it was just completely different,” she said. As a transfer student younger than the average freshman, Angel felt that the care she received from Resident Advisors or Orientation Advisors was not on par with that offered to first-time students. “They assume you’ve been to college [and] you know what you’re doing. And in terms of what I needed as a 17-yearold, that wasn’t exactly it,” she said. She made her first appointment at Counseling and Psychiatric Services before final exams in the fall semester.
If her time at CAPS was brief, Angel’s interaction with the Academic Resource Center was briefer still. She said she knew the center existed but was not aware of its ability to accommodate students with psychological disabilities. An office within the division of Student Affairs, the ARC provides academic support for all students, including those with disabilities or facing academic challenges. “I think is important for people to realize that our primary focus is with students,” Jane Holahan, director of the center, said. “So when you think about it, the academic resource center has a
“People treat it like an academic issue when it’s not an academic issue — it’s a cultural issue. We’re being treated like science projects.” He feels like dialogue is the best way to combat ableism, but also thinks that it involves able-bodied and neurotypical people being respectful of disabled students’ space. “Mental health has not been integrated into our philosophy of education,” Spencer said.
Similarly, former student Izzi Angel agreed that Georgetown’s environment does not foster a healthy attitude towards disability. “I feel like for me personally, the culture of perfection and the rampant ableism that goes along with that really inhibited me from getting the help I needed or admitting to people that I needed help,” Angel said. “By the time I did ask for help, it was because things were kind of already in crisis mode.” Angel entered Georgetown in the fall of 2009 at the age of 17, already with a handful of credits under her belt from Northern Virginia Community College.
“It’s not an academic issue — it’s a cultural issue. We’re being treated like science projects.” — Renleigh Spencer
Able-Bodied
People who do not have any physical or sensory disability or mobility impairment.
Neurotypical
People whose brains work in basically the same way as most other people or whose ways of thinking and processing information are considered more or less “normal” by the standards of their society.
similar mission to [Center for Multicul- without a disability, she shares the pertural and Equality Access], the LGBTQ spective with those who do. “As somebody who grew up with a center, where we are an advocacy office brother with a significant disability, I do as well.” In accordance with the Americans understand … discrimination,” Holohan with Disabilities Act and Section 504 said. “I understand how people gawked of the Rehabilitation Act, ARC strives at my brother when he was out in public. to accommodate disabled students in a I understand the feelings you get when way that puts them on a level playing you see that happening.” She said that she does not detect such field with their peers. “There’s a range of accommodations. ableism on campus. Holohan contends that the center There are some students who do not need classroom accommodations — their works within its power to accommodate accommodation may just be that they students, provided they make the first step. need accessible paths,” Holohan said. “One thing I have discovered at GeorgeOften, the ARC will refer students to CAPS, a separate office also within Stu- town … [is] the students who are proacdent Affairs. However, the counselling tive and not afraid to speak up in a way that [says,] ‘These services are under are the difficulHealth Insurance “People act differently ties I’m having’ — Portability and Actoward you at best, or they those are the ones countability Act we can really help medical privacy try to ignore it.” out,” she said. “But laws, so ARC advisers are not legally — Izzi Angel people who are reactive or shutting allowed to check in Former Georgetown Student down or not givwith CAPS to see if ing us the informaa student followed tion, there’s not much we can do to help through with an appointment. “That confidentiality needs to be pre- them out.” Holohan described the center as a served. And I’ll be honest with you: I treat students as young adults,” Holohan said. small but extremely busy office, seeing “I’m going to say this is the student’s re- some students once a week and others sponsibility. They have a choice to make, only once a semester, depending on their and if they believe that going to CAPS respective needs. Whitney Weldon (COL is not in their best interest, that’s their ’15) said that the office would benefit from additional resources. choice.” “Due to the large amount of students Holohan noted that students can grant the ARC permission to communicate who go to the ARC, they should maybe have two other people working in the with their counsellor at the center. But Angel feels the outcome of her department so they can be more flexible college career could have been different about meetings and such when needed,” if the overall structure of Georgetown’s Weldon said. Overall, Weldon thinks the lack of resupport network better accommodated sources devoted to disability access poses disabled students. “I feel like if the culture was differ- the greatest challenge to students. “I think it’s unfortunate that the ent, if there were more resources, if the resources were better known, if the re- school has limited resources and fundsources were more useful, if the resourc- ing to provide the small challenges a dises weren’t stigmatized — like glancing abled person has,” Weldon said. Weldon has a rare bone disease, fibroover your shoulder when you’re coming dysplasia ossificans progressiva, that out of CAPS,” Angel said. Disagreeing with claims that ableism makes walking difficult for her, so she exists at Georgetown, Holohan argued uses a wheelchair for faster and safer that the community is one of under- transportation across campus. Although many campus buildings’ doors are autostanding, not intolerance. “Are some people feeling that people matic, Weldon cannot extend her arm to with disabilities are being looked down press the button to open them. “In order for me to be independent, my upon? That people are being discriminated against? I don’t see that,” Holohan dad donated money to Georgetown to be said. “I will say that in respect to the indi- able to have all of the buildings accessible viduals who might see that, that’s a per- by a key fob,” she said. Holohan noted that physical barriers ception they have, and I have to respect were of great concern for her and that that perception.” Holohan noted that even as a person the ARC works with facilities manage-
Access Needs
The modifications to the typical environment that a person needs in order for that environment to become accessible.
Visibly Disabled
A person whose disability is externally apparent, such as someone in a wheelchair, a little person, someone with Down Syndrome, many blind people or someone with cerebral palsy.
TAKING ACTION Lydia Brown (COL ’15), whose door sports signs about disability awareness, is involved in policy changes on campus. ment when blue buttons for the automatic doors are broken. She said many students do not realize that when they kick or jam the button, it can break the door, hindering the mobility of those that depend on it. “By the time I graduate, I would love to have transformed Georgetown to be very accessible so other disabled students can succeed despite physical challenges,” Weldon said. Angel’s decision to transfer after last semester came after two and a half years of struggling at a place she did not feel provided all her needs. Not all disabled students at Georgetown decide to leave, though they face challenges nonetheless. Lydia Brown (COL ’15), who is autistic and a vocal advocate for disabled people, considered leaving the university. Some of her family members discouraged her from returning to Georgetown after her first year. “I had thoughts about just dropping out of college altogether because I was feeling useless, as though being in the university environment wasn’t conducive to my well-being — that things were unchangeable,” she said. Just last week, one of her professors suggested she transfer to a different school — one that was less challenging academically. The professor even reminded Brown of the upcoming deadline for transferring. “I don’t know if we would have been having that conversation if I were not disabled,” Brown said. Just like any undergraduate student, Brown admits that balancing academics and extracurriculars is trying at times, but she has no plans to leave. “As much as there are things about
Invisibly Disabled
A person whose disability is not apparent, such as someone with dyslexia, a person with schizophrenia, a person with a communication or sensory processing disability or an autistic person.
ALL PHOTOS AMY LEE/THE HOYA
EQUAL ACCESS Many see clear signs of discrimination and stereotyping of disabled students. this school that I find fundamentally problematic — and sometimes outright hostile — that I’d love to see changed, I feel adamantly that it is far more important for me to be here so that I could potentially be a part of effecting change — as well as benefitting from the many positive aspects of being a part of this university,” she said. “I want to be a part of this community.” Spencer is similarly undeterred from accomplishing his goal of coming back to the Hilltop after his leave of absence. He plans on returning next fall and being part of the conversation of ableism on campus — a complex situation that deserves a complex discussion, he said. “I’m definitely coming back,” Spencer said. “I’m getting a degree from Georgetown and it’s going to be on my wall and I’m going to be proud of it.”
Impairment
An impairment is when someone has difficulty doing something that most other people can do easily. Impairment may lead to disability (such as paraplegia) but doesn’t necessarily (such as nearsightedness).
food&drink Babushka-Approved Russian Cuisine
SIMON REDKO Special to The Hoya
MARI VANNA
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ith its large population of international students, Georgetown certainly has many students who are looking for a taste of home. As an ethnic Russian, I have a hard time finding restaurants that can manage to satisfy my palate. Despite an abundance of European and Asian cuisine scattered throughout the city, there are not nearly enough places that make food like my grandmother’s. Located near Dupont Circle a few blocks down Connecticut Avenue, Mari Vanna is nestled among a dozen or so other restaurants. The antique architecture and draping curtains make it stand out. Incidentally, Mari Vanna is named after a Russian grandmother who was famous for inviting visitors to try her homemade meals, so I was hopeful that the rabbit stew would taste just like my babushka made it. Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week, Mari Vanna has an old-fashioned, authentic feel that extends beyond its exterior. The hostess immediately greeted me in Russian, much to the confusion of my other friends. The distressed wallpaper and Russian trinkets were perfectly complemented by the waitresses wearing vintage sundresses. The whole place was very flo-
1141 Connecticut Ave. NW cuisine: Russian price: $$$$ ral and littered with antiques, making it feel like I was dining in the State Hermitage. The restaurant was designed to evoke the sensation of dining in my babushka’s apartment, and even the check was handed to us in a cute grandmother’s purse. A restaurant’s purpose is to make good food, however, not merely to provide a cozy ambiance. Fortunately, the highlight of my experience proved to be the food. To start us off, we were given a cutting board with a variety of breads, sliced radishes and whole stems of green onion elegantly laid out with salt and sunflower oil on the side. After flipping through the clipboard menu with a spoon as its handle, I decided to first order pirozhki, or stuffed pastries. Each pirozhok was savory in its own way — the egg-filled pastry had a notably soft, chewy texture, the meat-filled one had a hearty tenderness and the cabbage pastry had a slight sourness that, although surprising, demands that you take another bite. The smoked fish platter was perfect for sharing, and the different fish contrasted with each other quite nicely. The Atlantic butterfish particularly stood out, as it gave the same, distinct smell one can only find when walking by the ribni (fish) section of a Russian
ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE The smoked fish plate is just one of many creations offered at Mari Vanna’s D.C. location, where they serve up Russian dishes. general store. The entrees were tasty as well, and the beef stroganoff and rabbit stew were particularly memorable for their presentations and flavors. The pot in which the rabbit was served was steaming through the top, and the smell was irresistible. The rabbit itself was juicy in texture, and the hot vegetable stew was wonderfully contrasted by the cool sour cream served on the side. Arguably the best dish was the beef stroganoff. I could swear the meat came from a cow that had been served mushrooms all of its life — it tasted as if the beef had been infused with mushrooms. The addition of mushroom cream sauce and buckwheat made this the item I recommend the most. If there were any negatives, it would be the price and the size of the menu. Mari Vanna’s other locations in New York, L.A., Moscow and St. Petersburg have been
happyhour
around a bit longer and, consequentially, have more items on the menu. Given time, hopefully the D.C. branch will expand its selection of food to the level of its sister locations. Likewise, the pricing is not exactly ideal for a typical college student. This is certainly a place to go for those not-toofrequently occurring special occasions, like when parents drop by. With appetizers ranging from $8 to $20 and entrees exceeding those by about 10 or more dollars, it is hard not to spend around $40 before even getting to drinks. However, this should not deter someone from going, if you are looking for an elegant restaurant where you can try cuisine that’s a little ethnically different, Mari Vanna is the place to go. Or if you are like me and seeking food reminiscent of your grandmother’s cooking, this will no doubt taste like home.
a weekly roundup of some of the best shots, mixes and punches.
Hot Tea Cocktail
The Savoy Daisy
blog.mrslilien.com
foodandwine.com
Fill your favorite mug 3/4 of the way with any black tea. Then add 2 oz. of bourbon, a splash of vanilla extract, one or two spoonfuls of brown sugar and a little bit of half and half, and enjoy.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 2 oz. of Ruby Port, 1 1/4 oz. of rum, 2 tbsp. of lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. of brown sugar and a 1/2 tbsp. of grenadine. Shake, then pour into a martini glass and garnish with an orange twist.
8 | the guide | 2.22.13
A Hidden Gem That’s Worth the Thyme ENG GIN MOE Special to The Hoya
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s a way of celebrating that my friend and I were both without valentines on the actual day, we decided to go out for a fancy dinner where we could both get dressed up. We were insistent on finding a restaurant with a romantic, yet low-key, feel that serves food tasty enough to make up for being single on the day of love. With these criteria, we happily stumbled upon Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro. Rosemary’s is a modest and homey Mediterranean restaurant located a few blocks from Dupont Circle. Shaded by large green trees, the restaurant itself seems tucked away, perfect for an intimate dinner or just a meal with a friend. With its large windows, open space and dark cherry wood furniture, the restaurant has a very warm and inviting ambiance, especially during the night. On each table rests a soft, flickering yellow candle, which provides a relaxing atmosphere for conversation to freely flow. Take note, gentlemen: Rosemary’s is a hidden delight to take your valentine to next year — one where you’ll be able to woo your date without breaking the bank. Rosemary’s is genuinely and authentically Mediterranean, treating its customers not like strangers but like long-lost family members. All of the friendly wait staff spoke Turkish and were kind enough to teach us some phrases. The waiters and waitresses even offered to take our coats and hang them up, just as if we were guests in their home. Besides the offered seating area, the restaurant also had a bar with patrons who were just watching the news and making themselves at home. This is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant with the friendliest people possible. Previously, Rosemary’s won OpenTable. com’s Diners’ Choice Award in both 2011 and 2012. And as expected, the food on the whole was just as enjoyable as the restau-
ROSEMARYSTHYME.COM
SIMPLE EATS Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro offers delicious, classic dishes.
ROSEMARY’S THYME BISTRO 1801 18th St. NW cuisine: Mediterranean price: $$$$ rant’s ambiance. First on the menu for us was delicious homemade bread with garlic paired with olive oil. The bread had a deliciously crunchy crust and a delectably soft center. Only when there was one piece of bread left in the basket did we realize that we were almost too stuffed to eat our actual meals. For our appetizer, we ordered a cured salmon meze. Mezes are traditional Mediterranean dishes meant for sharing with others. The raw salmon was extremely fresh, although its combination of lemon dill sauce and capers was a bit too sour. When the salmon was eaten in combination with the bread, however, it produced a more subtle taste. For my main course, I had the rolled timballo, which is a rolled pasta dish with spinach, red peppers and a variety of cheeses in a tomato sauce. It was beautifully presented; there were two lasagna-type rolls sliced in such a way that the different colorful layers were on display with a dark, rich, tomatored sauce surrounding it. My first taste of this dish, with pieces of the pasta, cheeses and sauce all in one bite, was full of flavor. The saltiness of the cheese contrasted well with the fresh tartness of the tomato sauce. My friend’s dish was equally mouthwatering. She had the grilled chicken breast topped with a great bourbon glaze sauce. Served with angel hair pasta, the dish was almost as good as my timballo. With its filling, homemade bread and generous food portions on large plates, the restaurant’s prices are not very steep. With all the dishes we ordered we had to take half of our main dishes home with us because it was too much food to have at once. Although the leftovers did not taste as good as the meals did in the restaurant — probably from the lack of inviting ambiance — the leftovers were still good enough to enjoy. This restaurant is definitely one that everyone should try. In situations of homesickness or casual romantic dates, Rosemary’s is the perfect destination.
food&drink DC on rye
Hunt for Better Cheddar
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ou wouldn’t believe it, but and text updates, I looked at the I ove it when sandwiches food truck’s schedule daily and I play hard to get. Something even checked her GPS status onabout chasing after an elusive line. But The Big Cheese was alsandwich is immensely gratifying ways one step ahead of me. On a to me, and I had a run-in with one number of occasions, she tweeted sandwich in Georgetown that is last call for the 37th and O stop just moments after I had walked the most elusive of them all. One Thursday afternoon last into class, and even though I was semester, when I was done with tempted to leave, I think everyone my class in Walsh, I went to M in my econ lecture would have noStreet to find something good to ticed if I left class for twenty mineat, something to reward myself utes and came back covered in the for almost getting through the evidence of where I had been — week. On my way back to Harbin, with crumbs all over my shirt and I took the usual shortcut through shiny butter residue on the sides the Village B courtyard, but there of my mouth. In my effort to get was nothing usual about my en- to The Big Cheese in her last mocounter there. As I turned the cor- ments in Georgetown, I timed the ner onto O Street, I stopped dead walk from White-Gravenor to the in my tracks; in front of me sat truck, but I always arrived just as The Big Cheese, a food truck that she revved her engine and pulled specializes in grilled cheese sand- away from the curb. After a few weeks of the most wiches and also boasts a number frustrating game of of accompanying cat and mouse I have items such as tomato ever played, an exsoup and hot apple citraordinary opportuder. A passer-by might nity presented itself: have thought I had class was cancelled, stopped to read the menu, but I was really DavidChardack so I prepared myself for an ambush. As just buying time so I could think through the critical casually as I could, I camped out by the O Street entrance to the decision I had to make. You see, this was my first time Village B courtyard, justifying my I had ever seen The Big Cheese, awkwardness with the prospect and I didn’t know when I would of a sandwich phenomenon. She see her again. My eager taste buds finally rolled around, opened up told me that I was passing up an for business and put my sandwich opportunity that might not pres- — the first — on the grill. After what seemed like an eterent itself again for weeks (or even months). However, my appetite nal pursuit, I decided to order told me that I probably couldn’t the most classic-sounding item handle both a grilled cheese and on the menu, the Full Vermonty. the burrito that I had scraped up A simple composition of cheddar on M Street and that I should wait cheese and sourdough bread — to try this particular sandwich this was the grilled cheese from until the next time the truck rolls my childhood. The fact that I had searched so hard for this sandaround. I make it a habit to never dis- wich made each part taste better. agree with my appetite, so I went My teeth strained the butter-satback to my room to consume my urated bread, eventually tearing burrito. However, I couldn’t stop through to the molten cheese thinking about the grilled cheese inside. Every bite sent more and sandwich that I had turned down more gooey cheddar cascading just moments before. When I fin- over the edges of the sandwich, ished my burrito, I rushed back to which served as the perfect excuse O Street to see if The Big Cheese to slurp the excess molten cheese was still there, but that glorious from around the edges. It took food truck had moved on to serve only a few seconds to polish off the entire thing, but it was worth another lucky D.C. street corner. The chase was on; I entered into every moment of that chase. a pursuit of that sandwich, and I used all my spare time to relent- David Chardack is a freshman in lessly search for The Big Cheese the College. DC ON RYE appears food truck. I signed up for email every other Friday in the guide.
2.22.13 | the guide | 9
arts&entertainment
Graffiti Offers Glimpse Into Conflict
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e often hear of conflicts in the Middle East through the mouths of the extremists and politicians, not those living in the midst of turmoil. Words & Walls, a new book by Adam Heffez (SFS ’11), gives a voice to those overlooked in the conflict: the locals. He has provided a unique window into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by telling his on-the-ground account through the raw, honest visual art of graffiti. The result is a powerful book that illuminates the area in an insightful way. Heffez is a social impact warrior for he faced many obstacles while gathering information to write Walls & Words. In Sderot, an Israeli town bordering the Gaza Strip, he was constantly running into bomb shelters after the alarm signaled 15 seconds before a rocket strikes. In Hebron, he was tear-gassed for allegedly being a Palestinian walking on the roads usually occupied by Israeli extremists. In East Jerusalem, rocks were thrown at him because the residents believed that he was there to challenge them. Heffez has a special interest in the Israe-
li-Palestinian conflict. “Even though I am Jewish, I see Arabs as part of my spiritual and ancestral family,” he said in an interview with The Hoya. “I am an Arabic translator by trade, lived with a Muslim host family in Jordan and, with my father being Egyptian, I find Palestinian culture to be very similar to my own.” While at Georgetown, he studied International Politics and Development, served as the assistant program director of Hands of Peace, an Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution program and worked at the U.S. Department of Justice. During his time abroad in Amman, Jordan, Heffez wanted to fully immerse himself in the community to make a difference; he volunteered at the Collateral Damage Project, which provides relief to Iraqi refugees from war. In the summer of 2010, he was recognized for his international social impact and was awarded the Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace to study at Middlebury College’s Summer Language Institute, where he made use of his proficiency in Arabic. One month after graduating
COURTNEY MASTRANGELO Special to The Hoya
Georgetown in 2011, Heffez was granted the Dorot Fellowship for those influential in the international social impact sector and left for a year’s study in Israeli and Palestinian territories, during which he wrote Walls & Words. “Graffiti is not a monologue — it is a conversation,” said Heffez. “It is one of the few ways that individuals can personalize their surroundings, which are otherwise dictated by war, violence and a struggle of national and territorial identity.” The opus of his time in Israel and Palestine is a collection of 250 pictures of graffiti with accompanying findings based on observations and local interviews. The graffiti messages range from those espousing extremist separation among the peoples to optimist goals for future peace. On a wall near the Parliament in Jerusalem, one graffito said, “Iran is here.” Another in West Jerusalem reads, “Derech eretz [respectful treatment of others] came before the Torah.” In Bethlehem, one read, “Palestine = Berlin,” a hopeful outlook that the barrier between the Palestinians and Israelis will be destroyed, just like the
AMAZON.COM
JUSTICE Words & Walls by Adam Heffez (SFS ’11) looks at street culture to understand the fight for peace in Israel. physical destruction of the Berlin Wall. Heffez’s work shows that many local people are pleading for peace, something the media often forgets to convey. Heffez hopes his work will result in an initiative for more interreligious dialogue, and has upcoming speeches at institutions and schools in the Chicagoland area. The insightful, expressive and powerful book is now available at Amazon.com.
life plugged in
Björk’s Own Brand of Quirky Genius
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ast year, I had one of the best experiences of my life at Bonnaroo. Being able to see some of my favorite bands, bands that I had idolized and obsessed over for years, was truly mindblowing. On Tuesday, this summer’s Bonnaroo lineup was announced, and I tracked it closely. This year’s lineup is spectacular, including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, The Wu Tang Clan, Mumford & Sons, Nas — I could keep going, but there was one artist in particular that caused me to totally freak out. I could not even begin to contain my excitement when I saw that Björk would grace Bonnaroo with her majestic presence. A Reykjavik native, Björk Guðmundsdóttir consistently mixes songs in her native Icelandic with songs in English on her albums. With one of the most prolific and unique career paths in the industry, she’s managed to find a great deal of success as one of the most critically acclaimed artists of her time — despite a general lack of airplay — helped along by her award-winning theatrical performances. Her music is a near-perfect embodiment of her spirit, which is very … how
10 | the guide | 2.22.13
should I put this? It’s weird. Although and always heartfelt message. This voshe started out in a somewhat common cal ability is only strengthened by her form of alt-rock with her first solo album singing technique, which is often imDebut, which spawned the hit “Human provised, allowing her to simply start Behavior,” calling that album normal is and letting her do whatever feels natua huge stretch. It shows the beginnings ral with her voice. My favorite album of her experimental and eclectic fusion of hers, Medúlla, does the best job of of multiple genres, which only grew showing her vocal prowess. Almost comthroughout the rest of her career as she pletely comprised of a cappella arrangecombined rock, jazz, electronic dance, ments, only a few musical instruments classical and folk elements. are used in the entire album Since her first record in 1993, — a bass synthesizer on “Who Björk has blossomed into Is It,” piano on “Ancestors” one of music’s most beloved and a gong on “Pleasure Is freaks, an over eccentric and All Mine.” This album also hugely talented diva conshows her insane ability to stantly showcasing her powconvey potent, contemplative erful somersaulting voice. ZachGordon feelings through music. Look While that voice is what drew to “Oceania” for the perfect me in, I’ve also fallen head over heels for example of this; though initially confusher distinct brand of emotive, thought- ing, the clarity of meaning she achieves ful and experimental music. after just a few listens is astounding. But Björk’s voice is definitely what It’s exactly this type of genius that gives her staying power. It’s hard to de- I love about Björk. Everything she scribe it without using the word pow- does, she does for a specific reason. Everful, but it’s so much more than that. ery word, every note has feeling and The level of passion it carries draws you thought behind it. The way she puts in so much that, when listening to her, I her entire being into her music is somefind myself concentrating on her lyrics, thing I admire, and she creates such a attempting to find her often-profound unique sound that there’s really no
comparing her to anyone else. She’s definitely not for everyone, though, and many have a hard time listening to her. However, I think anyone equipped with an open mind and a willingness to explore new musical territory will become captivated by Björk. Start slowly and listen to a bunch of songs before you rule her out. I gave my brother the same advice and, while he didn’t fall for her instantly, his enjoyment of her music developed more and more until he grew to appreciate her as much as I do.
AN INTRO TO BJÖRK IN 10 SONGS: 1. “Human Behavior” 2. “Army of Me” 3. “Hyperballad” 4. “It’s Oh So Quiet” 5. “All Is Full of Love” 6. “Who Is It?” 7. “Pleasure Is All Mine” 8. “Oceania” 9. “Earth Intruders” 10. “Crystalline” Zach Gordon is a sophomore in the College. LIFE PLUGGED IN appears every Friday in the guide.
arts&entertainment
Snapshots of Identity DENNIS LI Special to The Hoya
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s I sat in the theater waiting for the show to start, a layer of haze began to shroud the room and give the space a surreal feel. It was as if the haze was a shield, designed to protect the world of the story from unprepared outsiders. When the lights finally dimmed, the haze disappeared and I was transported to a place that was broken and forgotten, a crumbling world squatting on the edges of society. For the next two hours, this place and its inhabitants, a series of tragic characters whose hubris defies the reality of their grim situation, mesmerized me. The play “Polaroid Stories” explores the lives of castaways in a no-man’s land. Each character leads a life that for some is a hopeless struggle but for others is a legend in the making. While many plays before have tackled the controversial and difficult themes of homelessness, abuse and drug addiction, what sets this story apart is its connection to Ovid’s epic poem “Metamorphoses.” Opening each scene is a title that combines modernity with antiquity as it guides viewers to the identity of primarily nameless characters. While each takes on labels of deities and heroes, such as Orpheus and Persephone, they are far from perfectly embodying the human condition. Rather, these characters corrupt their given identities and instead weave stories that depict the low points of humanity. For instance, instead of Prometheus searching to steal fire and nobly grant it to mankind, Skinhead Boy, played by Taylor Rasmussen (COL ’16) is desperately searching for drugs to fuel his own addiction. As the story progresses, each character defies reality and, rather than feeling helpless and sorry for themselves instead relish in the creation of their own myths and legends. With escape a distant hope, the characters try to elevate themselves from this wasteland by fashioning themselves into gods, kings, princesses and heroes in their minds. The ensemble adeptly exhibits the show’s many complicated dichotomies: past and present, corruption and innocence, arrogance and humility. Eurydice, played by Natalia Ortiz (COL ’16) melds together prostitution’s stigma with the pureness of being Orpheus’ (Ben Prout (COL ’15)) one true love, while Echo (Aloysia Jean (COL ’16)) serves as a manifestation of hopeless devotion versus using one’s own voice and achieving individuality. What really aided the actors is the level of attention to detail given to the set and other technical aspects. The stage, completely covered in trash, cap-
Dissecting a Book That Just Doesn’t Get It RYAN BACIC Hoya Staff Writer
T
COURTESY BLACK THEATER ENSEMBLE
A TRIP TO NO-MAN’S LAND “Polaroid Stories” takes inspiration from Ovid.
tures the desolation of these characters’ reality as they fall into the waste and become tossed away as remnants of society, all while living in their created fantasy worlds. The constant presence of scars and bruises on their faces also serves as a physical reminder that though they speak highly of themselves, they are far from immortal. One of the most memorable technical details during the show was the use of lighting and smoke to give the illusion of clouds filling the room, tricking the audience into believing that perhaps the characters have managed to escape from their material struggles and find a way to be transported to the golden halls of Mount Olympus. Once the smoke dissipates, however, we are returned once more to the hopeless underworld of their reality. While overall the show is a strong one, criticisms would include the moments when the dialogue is difficult to process and the many stories feel like they are crudely jumbled together. In addition, those unfamiliar with Greek mythology would perhaps miss out on the subtle — and sometimes not so subtle — allusions and connections. That being said, however, Dan Galloway (COL ’13) and the rest of the production team’s direction have managed to craft a complex show that will leave viewers contemplating issues of social justice after the show has ended. Though the play itself features a locationless slum, the story, which borrows from Greek legends to highlight present-day strife, seems right at home in Washington, D.C., a city that has classically boasted palaces on one side of the street and struggling communities on the other. “Polaroid Stories” depicts the struggle of individuals whose hope of freedom is so dim that all there is left to do is relish in their own despair and become the kings and queens of a broken, illusory kingdom.
hough the title may suggest oth- no idea. She argues with her parents erwise — don’t worry, I was fooled, over literally everything for no reason, too — Daria Snadowsky’s Anatomy gets into a huge fight with Guy on their of a Single Girl is no upper-level anat- third date when she brings up the idea omy textbook. Rather, it is the story of marriage and later forces him to go to of one of the great literary heroines of the doctor to be tested for every disease our time, a white college girl curiously on the planet before she’ll agree to have named Dominique and even more curi- sex with him. Romantic, I know. ously nicknamed “Coppertone.” Despite There’s the fact that Coppertone’s the author’s airtight rationale (“She’s entire self-worth is wrapped up in what pale!”), I can’t help but feel as if “Banana this loser frat guy thinks of her. She Boat” would’ve made for a far better hangs on his every word, such as his innickname if we were going for a sun- sightful explanation that “the human screen theme with this. body is eons more advanced than any As the book begins, we find our girl machine we can build.” Coppertone finishing up a summer sesThese Guy gems speak to what is persion after her freshman year at Tulane. haps Anatomy of a Single Girl’s biggest I wondered if Coppertone realizes that flaw: Snadowsky clearly has no idea her horribly what college unathletic kids are like. In school joining fact, the book’s the Big East dialogue outis what essenside of Guy’s tially ended and Copperanatomy of A single girl tone’s suggests our beloved conference. that she really by Daria Snadowsky Anyway, we are has no idea quickly introwhat people duced to Calvin sound like in Brandon, her former RA whom she has general. No one calls babysitting “bratfriend-zoned. sitting.” And besides Managing Editor As it turns out, poor Calvin Brandon Victoria Edel — who as a 6-year-old took is a gosh darn saint, and Coppertone’s every chance to pester her brother Ralph struggle to reconcile his charm with — no one calls throwing up “ralphing” her seemingly nonsensical lack of feel- either. They just don’t. ings for him lies at the center of this Unless you’re named after a suntan legendary tale. In this respect, Snad- lotion, of course, in which case you also owsky appears to employ a bit of under- probably spend time pondering things lying allegory, with Coppertone’s “Boy like, “how many more penises I’ll have Story,” if you will, running parallel to inside me in my lifetime.” the United States’ involvement in the Yes, by the way, I get that The Hoya’s ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. sports editor is not exactly the target America’s hearts have long told us to demographic for this book. But, to be support our allies in Israel, but what do perfectly honest, neither is anyone else. our heads tell us in terms of geopolitical military pragmatism? How far are we willing to go if our heads and hearts are pulling us in different directions? This is the exact problem that Neutrogena faces with the ever-so-sensitive Calvin Brandon. Enter Guy Davies, some random frat guy Aveeno meets interning at a hospital. Let’s call Guy the Iran parallel in this scenario. Or something else, maybe — I failed Map. Hunky as hell, Davies is supposedly the whole package, Having known him for five minutes, she asks him out, and he says yes. Somewhere on the Tulane campus, Calvin’s head explodes. RANDOMHOUSE.BIZ Taking a more serious turn here, though, why Calvin would ever care so FAILING GRADE Anatomy does not much about Banana Boat, frankly, I have accurately represent college social life.
2.22.13 | the guide | 11
bestbets
fanning the flames — olivia hewitt
on campus
GPB MOVIE: ‘argo’ Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ICC Auditorium
Come see one of the year’s best films, directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Argo tells the true story of the CIA’s bold plan to rescue a group of Americans from the Canadian embassy in Tehran during the Iranian hostage crisis. Posing as a Hollywood film crew producing a science fiction film, this escape will have you on the edge of your seat.
‘The Vagina Monologues’ thursday - Saturday, 8 p.m., SUNDAY, 2 p.m. ICC Galleria
Presented by Georgetown’s Take Back the Night in honor of V-Day 2013, this performance of The Vagina Monologues tells the stories of women from all different backgrounds. A portion of the profits will go to V-Day 2013 Spotlight Fund. Tickets are on sale for $10.
oscar watch party sunday, 7:30 p.m. sellinger Lounge
GPB is hosting an Academy Awards viewing party in conjunction with the Georgetown University Turkish Student Association. Spend your Sunday night finding out who will win the highest honors in motion pictures while enjoying baklava and other Turkish treats. The event is free and is a great way to watch the anticipated awards show, while enjoying good food.
‘Dreaming Nicaragua’ screening monday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ICC 107
Help a group of students heading to Nicaragua this spring break to raise funds by attending an event hosted by The Corp. The award winning documentary Dreaming Nicaragua will be screened, a Q&A session will follow and baskets and jewelry will be sold. There will be plenty of food, and tickets are available for $5 at any Corp service and the door.
around town saturday
friday
sunday
The Corcoran Gallery of Art hosts a grand opening for its latest exhibit, “Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s.” The exhibit explores D.C.’s 1980s underground culture and features graffiti, Go-Go music and era memorabilia. “Pump Me Up” displays district history from a local point of view. You’re bound to discover a D.C. you’ve never seen before.
On Saturday night, Terra Rising Records will present “Universal Musicare,” an evening of live music, dancing and entertainment. The festivities benefit YoungWomenDrum.org, a website that creates awareness and support for music education and music therapy programs. We think you’ll enjoy the featured local bands, The Grey Area and Howlin Bends.
Looking to honor the Oscars in glamorous fashion? Georgetown’s Ritz-Carlton is offering the perfect opportunity at its 4th Annual Oscar Watch Party. Consider this your all-access pass — featuring red carpet, flashing lights, cameras, food and entertainment. For $30, we think this is quite a deal for a five-star experience. Purchase tickets in advance!
WHERE: Corcoran Gallery of Art WHEN: 8 p.m. INFO: corcoran.org PRICE: $10.75 METRO: Farragut West
WHERE: Artisphere WHEN: 7:30 p.m. INFO: terrarising.eventbrite.com PRICE: $25 METRO: Rosslyn
WHERE: Ritz-Carlton Georgetown WHEN: 7 p.m. INFO: oscarsdc2013.eventbrite.com PRICE: $30 METRO: Walk
merjan bubernak & connor valaik Special to The Hoya
COVER PHOTO BY AMY LEE