The Hoya: The Guide: February 10, 2017

the guide FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

ILLUSTRATION BY MINA LEE/THE HOYA

FEATURED

GUIDE Annual Improv Festival Returns lmprov Fest, hosted by the Georgetown Improv Association every spring, returns to Bulldog Alley.

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Energetic Fun for All Ages “The LEGO Batman Movie” attempts to match its predecessor and succeeds for the most part.

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Tapas and More in Penn Quarter Renowned chef José Andrés is known for serving up authentic dishes, and Jaleo is no exception.

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Big Sean Gets Pensive Rapper Big Sean delivers a cohesive, thoughtful body of work in his latest album, “I Decided.”

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SPORTS Softball Kicks off Season

The Georgetown softball team travels to Florida to compete in the Felsburg Invitational.

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Winning in Washington The surging Washington Wizards are capable of challenging the Cavaliers for top in the East.

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THE HOYA

the guide

friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SHAMAMIAN/THE HOYA

Setting New Records: Vinyl Makes a Comeback John Miller Hoya Staff Writer

As subscription streaming services continue to command a growing share of the global music market, the comeback of another medium is putting a new spin on how people listen to music. In Georgetown and the wider D.C. community, audiophiles are returning to the once-abandoned format of vinyl records.

LPs were the primary format of music distribution from the 1950s until they were overtaken by CDs in the early 1990s.

As the dominant form of music consumption drifts from physical ownership to digital streaming, a special kind of consumer has brought the analog format back to its highest sales level since the late 1980s.

With vinyl sales projected to reach $1 billion in 2017 according to Forbes magazine, vinyl can now be found everywhere from dedicated record stores, such as Smash! Records in Adams Morgan and Georgetown’s own Hill & Dale, to chain retailers, including Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble and Guitar Center.

The latter group of national retailers has not only responded to increased vinyl sales but is also helping to drive the trend, according to Michael White (COL ’19), events director of WGTB, Georgetown’s radio station.

“One factor of vinyl’s new popularity is that brands with a cultural impact, like Urban Outfitters, have decided that it’s cool again,” White said.

Vinyl owes its comeback to more than trendsetting retailers. For many, the experience of owning and listening to analog records is an attractive alternative to streaming. Benjamin Harbert, assistant professor of music in the department of performing arts, values vinyl’s ability to pull listeners away from constantly plugging in to personal devices to enjoy their music actively.

“There are times when it feels good to put a record on, in the same way it feels good to read a book and be unplugged,” Harbert said.

Another factor contributing to vinyl’s appeal is the aspect of ownership. While paying $9.99 per month for unlimited access to millions of songs may be sensible from a financial perspective, physical ownership results in a far more personal connection among listener, artist and media.

“You’re getting a physical piece with artwork that you can take a look at. When you put the record on a turntable, you listen to it in the sequence the artist intended,” Hill & Dale owner Rob Norton said.

Nostalgic consumers are not the only ones who are driving the comeback of the retro medium. Vinyl has potential extending far beyond a sentimental attachment to aesthetics of the past: Many contemporary artists are releasing new music on the format and reissued pressings continue to give old releases new life. Although hunting for records may seem like the nostalgic pursuit of a bygone generation, consumers of all ages are embracing vinyl anew.

“We get teenagers, we get old men — it’s all over the place, which is great. It’s how we like it to be,” Smash! Records employee Matthew Moffatt said.

Steadily gaining a greater market share since 2009, vinyl sales have grown 260 percent since 2009, according to a 2015 Nielsen report. The younger generation of collectors is making it clear there is more to the vinyl revival than nostalgia.

“For a lot of our younger customers, there is nothing to be nostalgic about,” Norton said.

Vinyl, as an all-encompassing listening experience, continues to draw many away from the impersonal convenience of online streaming. Whereas streaming services result in a dematerialization of music, turning recorded sound waves into a binary signal of ones and zeros, vinyl celebrates music in its material form.

“The advantage of owning a physical copy is that I’ll leaf through and stumble across it. There are things I’ve listened to on streaming I’ll never listen to again, or that I think about but can’t remember the name. Streaming is more ephemeral,” Harbert said.

Similarly, digital music — and iTunes in particular — has placed an emphasis on individual tracks, yet the analog form encourages greater, holistic exploration of the album and artist.

“Digitally, if someone mentions a track to you, you just go play it right away. But you just listen to that track. You don’t listen to anything else by the artist, because you don’t have to,” Norton said.

Since its inauguration in 2007, Record Store Day has celebrated independent record stores, labels and the LP format.

An annual event held one Saturday each April, Record Store Day is now celebrated by thousands of fans, artists and record stores worldwide.

“Record Store Day is usually our biggest sales day of the year, and it makes April the biggest sales month of the year. It’s kind of like rolling up the entire holiday season into one day,” Norton said.

Adding to the occasion, associated labels offer limited-edition pressings to be released at select stores nationwide. Un-

SMASH! RECORDS

Founded in 1984, Smash! Records offers preowned records, reissues and new releases for many genres, although the market for used classic rock remains the strongest.

HILL & DALE

Hill & Dale, located in Georgetown, has been driving the comeback of the vinyl medium in the name of an all-encompassing listening experience. fortunately, the popularity and expansion of the event has hurt its novelty.

“It seems like each year a little more crap is produced. The special records are getting less special — it seems,” Moffatt said.

This devaluation is particularly concerning, considering that vinyl’s special, personal qualities are central to its meaning and appeal for collectors. For many, including professor Harbert, vinyl offers the opportunity of discovery away from the “Top 40” contemporary mainstream.

“My first experience with it was digging through my parents’ collection in the basement. It was a place to discover music that wasn’t on the radio or that my friends didn’t listen to. In a sense, it was my own personal stash of cool,” Harbert said.

Although the trove of music offered by subscription services deposits an impossible amount of music at your fingertips, it is not necessarily always for the best when it comes to exploring new genres of music.

“If I gave you a hard drive with 20,000 songs on it, I’m not doing you any favors,” Harbert said. “One of the interesting things about vinyl being a physical object is that records are relics. You can be like an archaeologist and dig through the material culture of generations before and discover things. It’s really interesting to listen and ask ‘Why would somebody like this?’ and to take that question seriously.”

For all of its apparent appeal, there was a period of time between the late 1980s and mid 2000s when a “vinyl revival,” as it has come to be known, would have been almost unthinkable.

“There was a moment in the early ’90s where people were chucking them. Everything felt like it was moving in a particular direction toward digital technologies.

I don’t think there were any media formats that seemed like they would make a comeback,” Harbert said.

Although many retailers have started carrying vinyl to cash in on its recent popularity, dedicated record stores like Smash! have never abandoned the format.

“We saw the decline of vinyl in the late ’80s and rode the birth of the CD, but we never abandoned vinyl. For a period, it shrunk inventory-wise, but we’ve always recognized people care about vinyl,” Moffatt said.

In general terms, there are three types of vinyl for sale: new releases, pre-owned pressings and reissued pressings of old

releases. Hill & Dale does not offer preowned records but sells reissues and new releases in equal number.

“The reissues are sold in equal numbers to new releases, but it’s pretty close,” Norton said.

Meanwhile, Smash! records sells all three and highlights that the market for used records remains strong.

“We make our rent off of used classic rock. That is by far the easiest thing to bring in and the fastest to go,” Moffatt said.

Although the popularity of vinyl has increased dramatically over the past decade, streaming remains the format of the future. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s 2016 State of the Industry overview, an estimated 68 million people globally pay for a music streaming subscription service. Spotify alone has 30 million paying subscribers.

“It’s certainly the future, but the number of people who enjoy analog music and who enjoy some physical product as something they can sit and touch and play, I don’t see that going away anytime soon,” Norton said.

Collecting vinyl is about much more than amassing a collection of music. A vinyl collection, in contrast to a playlist or hard drive, is innately personal and offers a clearer representation of individual music preferences.

“If people are willing to put in the effort to get physical copies, hunting them down, they must be passionate about it. You don’t collect an .MP3, you just download it,” White said.

This unparalleled convenience and access to an ever-increasing catalogue of music is difficult to scoff at: Spotify reports offering over 30 million songs, adding 20,000 new songs each day. However, streaming is a more passive experience both in relation to listening and discovery than vinyl.

“You subscribe, and then someone else is in charge of what you listen to. When you walk into a record store, you are the boss, and you get to design what you want to invest in,” Moffatt said.

For Harbert, there is something innately human about the act of collection — something that reflects our tastes more personally and offers an experience beyond the music itself.

“I think we can see ourselves in the collection. It’s like my son collecting Pokémon cards. He doesn’t know how to play the game; it’s the collecting itself that he’s excited about,” Harbert said. “There’s an aspect of tending to something that’s not just about listening. It’s very satisfying.”

friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

the guide

THE HOYA

B3

High-functioning failure

Alex Mitchell

I Like Signs: Protesting Musings

THE BIG MOON

DUKE UNIVERSITY IMPROV

The Duke University Improv team is one of five teams travelling to Georgetown University to perform at Improv Fest, hosted by the Georgetown Improv Assosication. The event celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.

Student Stars Shine at Improv Fest Eleanor Tolf Hoya Staff Writer

Boasting alumni like Nick Kroll (COL ’01), John Mulaney (COL ’04) and Mike Birbiglia (COL ’00), the Georgetown Improv Association has long established its reputation as a comic authority in the Hoya community. For 21 years, it has provided students with gasps and laughs through its impromptu unexpected humor. On Feb. 10 and 11, Improv Fest, the association’s largest event of the year, is set to bring together college improv groups from across the country for two spectacular nights of innovative comedy.

This year, with two sold-out shows and seven visiting troupes from universities nationwide, the Georgetown Improv Association is confident that the festival will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a bang.

Leavey Center’s Bulldog Alley has been the group’s home for as long as executive producer Thomas Moakley can remember. The 160-person venue will host George Mason University’s Mason Improv Association, Ohio State University’s 8th Floor Improv, Columbia University’s 3rd Wheel Improv, The George Washington University’s ReceSs, Georgetown’s GUerilla Improv, New York University’s After School Special and Duke University Improv, or DUI. Improvisational theater, or “improv,” consists of performers creating scenes

spontaneously, usually after taking prompts from the audience. Improv is a foreign concept to many Hoyas, but Georgetown Improv Association member Megan Howell (COL ’18) says the unique type of performance does not feel as unnatural as many people might expect.

“Each performer has many opportunities to get to know and become friends with each other.”

Thomas MOAKLEY (COL ’18) Executive Producer, Georgetown Improv Association

“Just by nature of trying to come up with some common reality with a partner in a scene, that makes it funny,” Howell said. “Because you have one person who, you know, is thinking, ‘Okay, well, maybe we’re plumbers,’ and the other person is like, ‘But we just love velvet, right.’ And then it becomes two plumbers who are kind of quirky, and then you just stick to that reality.”

Despite its spontaneity, this seemingly offbeat, easy-going fun requires preparation.

“So, when I first joined, I thought, okay, we’re just going to be cuckoo, wacky ... but there’s actually quite a bit of a finesse to it,” Howell said.

The Georgetown Improv Association practices five hours every week and has monthly performances.

“It’s interesting to see that something that seems so fun and lighthearted on stage can actually be quite technical and quite serious, in terms of practice and technique,” Howell said.

During the Improv Fest shows, the audience can expect 20-to-25-minute performances from each school, with the final performance from Georgetown Improv.

Although some groups will choose to perform structured, quick short-form improv, others may opt for free-flowing long-form.

Spectators should not expect a typical night out to the theater.

“We like to get as many people in there as the Leavey Center will allow us, and that makes a really conducive environment to comedy, because, everyone’s kind of jampacked in, and there’s a humor to just being a little near other people,” Howell said.

Bold audience members can volunteer to contribute a word, which the groups can use to form entire scenes. Just like that, you can become part of the action.

For the comedians, the weekend is much more than just the two performances.

“I have been looking forward to having the other teams visit since the end of last year’s Improv Fest because over the course of the weekend, each performer has many opportunities to get to know and become friends with one another,” Moakley said.

Along with the shows and social events, all teams participate in a professionally led workshop as well as a “jam,” in which members mix and perform with other schools.

Mary Clare Plaschke, from NYU’s “After School Special,” shares Moakley’s excitement.

“We like this improv festival so much we will willingly sit five hours on a bus for it.

This is probably the only thing I’ll sit on a bus for five hours for,” Plaschke said.

She remarked on the joy of sharing such a unique hobby with new people and bringing her team’s unique qualifications to new audiences.

“One of our members Ryan just got a new hat that he’s going to perform with,” Plaschke said. “So we’re really excited about that, and you should be too.”

As with most improv shows, there is no script to follow or promises about what to expect. Each show is completely unique.

“What I can tell you is what has happened in the past: attendees are scrunched together in a dark, slightly too warm room, without leg room or easy egress,” Moakley said. “But soon, they’ll forget about all that, because they’ll either be captivated by laughter and the comedy on stage or be trying to figure out why the rest of the audience could possibly enjoy any of this.”

8TH FLOOR IMPROV COMEDY GROUP

A

s a hip young man in contemporary America, I am “with it.” I enjoy Kendrick Lamar. I think Chance the Rapper is a cool guy. Senator Elizabeth Warren both inspires me and makes me very hungry — though I think that second thing may be unrelated — I will look into that. Like many modern millennials, I have recently found myself attending a number of political gatherings throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area. People are angry, and they want me to be angry too. And to that I say, “AGGGHHHHHHHHH, IIIAAMMMANGRRYYY,” as well.

Protests are vitally important, especially in times when our civil liberties are being trampled upon or threatened. That being said, they can be very confusing.

Although most individuals join political gatherings for good and worthy causes, I am often there simply because I find the protestors’ rhythmic chanting oddly charming.

To compound my confusion, there are often many signs. These signs are usually vague and offer very little direction or instruction. “This is what democracy looks like!” is less a directive, and more a meditation on an individual’s present surroundings. So, in light of my confusion, I have produced a few useful protest tips.

Note: This is not an endorsement of protest. I will always advocate for one key approach to life: conformity. CONFORM, CONFORM, CONFORM. If you do not join, you risk being trampled. You may even find yourself standing sign-less in a growing, growling mass of individuals. Suddenly, they are stamping their hooves and exhaling through their distended nostrils. Next thing you know, everyone has decided to make a charge for the river — actually, those are water buffalo. I am thinking of water buffalo. Do NOT attend a protest of water buffalo. Attend a protest of people. But, I digress — here are my protest tips!

Like many modern millenials, I have recently found myself at a number of political gatherings.

Protest Tip #1: People love rhymes!

Rhymes: dancing, but with words. From “peace in the Middle East” to “yeast in the Middle East,” — copyright, Damascus Bread Co., 1968 — rhymes are a catchy and effective way to spread a message. So, before attending a protest, take time to jot down some fun protest rhymes. Here are a few you can steal if you are in need!

“U.S. out of the Midwest!” Useful in the event that we need to occupy Minn., or Des Moines, Iowa.

“Don’t be a bone, let Beyoncé come home!” Just in case the United States government deports Beyoncé for questionable ties to North Korea — it could happen.

“Don’t get slappy, save my pappy!” One of my favorites, this chant assumes that the American government has introduced a slap-based corporal punishment system and that my father has somehow become entangled with some sort of criminal misdoing. I will keep you updated, but this could become very useful one day.

Protest Tip #2: A protest does not substitute for cardiovascular exercise.

A march may sound like a great place to get out and do some light cardio, but this is definitely not the case. Although I typically associate hundreds of brightly dressed individuals meeting in a park with a mass yoga session or communitywide dance class, a protest is more or less the opposite of those things. Actually, the protest is primarily a chanting affair. Jogging or running will likely be associated with tear gas; A simple rule for tear gas that I like to keep in mind is: “Police like tear gas, people do not like tear gas.” This can be remembered with the fun rhyme: “You have tear gas, oh? Well, let me say, I — OUCH, MY FACE, MY EYES, MY EVERYTHING, DEAR GOD.” Protest Tip #3: Invest in hats!

With the introduction of the pussyhat at the Women’s March on Washington, hats have reentered the fray as potent protest tools. This is delightful news for hat enthusiasts. However, it is important that you consider what hat you will be wearing for a protest. A pussyhat is very useful for a women’s march but maybe less so for a feline-phobia awareness event. Keep these tips in mind as you select your politically motivated headgear.

I hope you have found these protest tips helpful. And remember: I can always be contacted for more advice. On that note, I sign off. Happy chanting and happy marching! To advocacy and beyond!

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IMPROV ASSOCIATION

Alex Mitchell is a junior in the College.

HIGH-FUNCTIONING FAILURE appears every other Friday.

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the guide

THE HOYA

feature

Friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

This week’S TOP FIVE

Top Five Super Bowl LI Commercials

1

budweiser

Budweiser’s “Born the Hard Way” ad was incredibly popular — in fact, the most-watched Super Bowl ad online this year — and for good reason. The instantly viral hit follows the 17th century journey of the company’s founder, Adolphus Busch, from his hometown of Hamburg, Germany, to the United States. As viewers watch Busch encounter, and rise above, adversity, they are reminded of the immense and inspiring power of globalization.

2 THE GEORGETOWN CHIMES

The Georgetown Chimes is hosting two more showings of its annual a cappella festival, the Cherry Tree Massacre, on Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 in Gaston Hall.

Cherry Tree Massacre: A Continuing Tradition

kathryn baker Hoya Staff Writer

The Cherry Tree Massacre, a four-showing a cappella festival hosted every spring semester by the Georgetown Chimes, returned last weekend with a diverse set of performances by both Georgetown University a cappella groups and guest performers.

Started in 1974, the Cherry Tree Massacre tradition started when neophyte John O’Grady (COL ‘74) developed the idea to save the Chimes from financial difficulties. Often a point of speculation, the show’s namesake was meant to intrigue audiences and draw them to the show, a method which has worked now for 33 years.

“The [Cherry Tree Massacre] anchors the Chimes in its role and in its identity as a fixture of the university,” Chimes Ephus John Labossiere (COL ’16) said. “When people think of Georgetown, they think of Cherry Tree, and, when they think of Cherry Tree, they think of Chimes.”

The show spans four weekends and showcases both a cappella’s past and future. Host group the Chimes will be accompanied by other Georgetown groups, such as the Phantoms, Gracenotes, Superfood, Resonant Essence Live, Chamber Singers, Saxatones and the Capital Gs. Guest groups include the Univeristy of Virginia’s New Dominions, Duke University’s Speak of the Devil and Boston College’s Heightsmen, among others.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Chimes opened up the festivities with endearing renditions of “We Meet” and “Who Loves You,” two pieces from the Four Seasons’ repertoire. Then, the Georgetown Gracenotes followed, stunning the audience with a sultry rendition of “Death of a Bachelor,”

by Panic! at the Disco.

Immediately from the start of their performance, the Heightsmen, wowed the crowd with their soulful voices, tight harmonies and barbershop style. Their performances of “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys, “Me & Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul and “60 Minute Man” by Billy Ward and The Dominoes energized the crowd and put smiles on everyone’s faces.

The New Dominions closed out the first half of the show with a mashup of “In the Name of Love” by Martin Garrix and “How Deep is Your Love” by Calvin Harris, as well as a sultry performance of Ariana Grande’s “Into You” that built from start to finish.

Following the intermission, the Chimes put their singing skills to good use with a comedic Chimes tradition detailing, “If I were not a Georgetown Chime, I wonder what I’d be.” The interlude was followed by the Phantoms, which was the only coed Georgetown group to perform that night. For its performance, the Phantoms chose to juxtapose the sweet sounds of “You’re Just Too Good to Be True” with the upbeat jaunty “Proud Mary,” a classic by Tina Turner.

Treble in Paradise, an all-female group from American University, was the last of the guest groups to perform. The group stuck to a theme of female empowerment with a set list featuring songs by Little Mix and Beyoncé.

The Chimes ended the night with a variety of songs that were equally uplifting and poetic. The sonorous harmonies of “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera were sweetly juxtaposed with a lighthearted rendition of

“Strangers Like Me,” which most cartoon devotees will remember from “Tarzan,” the Disney animated classic .

This year’s senior quartet, another Chimes tradition, consisted of a soulful and flawless execution of the classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” The strong voices of Alex Nickel, Bryan Renslo, Dylan Convoy and John Labossiere rang out across Gaston Hall in perfect unison, capturing the vivacious essence of the night’s festivities. “It’s such a sublime moment of standing there on stage with three guys who I’ve shared so much with over the past 3½ years,” Labossiere said.

A unique, almost enchanting, rendition of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” served as the Chimes’ last performance of the night. The Chimes combined soft and powerful voices to create a rich sound, responsible for ending the night in perfect harmony.

It is no surprise that the Cherry Tree Massacre was such a success, given the hours of preparation required to put it up. Preparations for the event usually begin a year in advance and involve collaboration between past and present Chimes members, while also involving some members of the Georgetown community. Having transitioned into being a full-fledged business, the Chimes oversee its own credit card payments, taxes and ticket distribution in an effort to further streamline the planning process.

The Chimes practiced five to six days a week for an hour-and-a-half each night, receiving feedback from alumni and faculty.

“It was really hard practicing. I was exhausted for two weeks leading up to the show, and we practiced almost every night,” Neophyte Jake Gile (COL ’20) said.

Being a Chime implies more than just performing. It means becoming part of a brotherhood and bonding over an ineffable love of music. As the saying goes, once you’re a Chime, you’re a Chime for life. The Cherry Tree Massacre is more than just a celebration of a cappella; it is a celebration of the Chimes’ history, Chimes alumni and the future of the Chimes to come.

It is for this reason that it can take up to a year for a neophyte to be inducted as an official member of the group.

“The reason it’s such a long process is that there’s a lot to understand, but it makes what it means to be a part of the group worth that much more when you finally get in,” Gile said.

The Chimes’ initiation process is about entering a community. While learning Chimes history and the group’s historically acclaimed, though ever-growing, repertoire, neophytes reach out to at least 70 alumni in order to truly understand the ethos of being a Chime.

“When you rise through the ranks and get to the level of a Chime, you get the tie with three stripes. The three-stripe tie means that you are a member for life,” Labossiere said.

While the Chimes prides itself on its legacy, it simultaneously looks forward to embracing new challenges, ideas and inspirations in order to add to its rich tradition. Current members recognize that the Chimes of 71 years ago are not the exact same Chimes of today and look forward to seeing how the group continues to grow in the future.

The Cherry Tree Massacre has two more performances Feb. 11 and Feb. 25.

BUDWEISER

84 Lumber

84 Lumber also touches on the provocative and poignant theme of immigration in its Super Bowl ad this year, following a mother and daughter’s “symbolic migrant journey towards becoming legal American citizens.” Though the majority of the ad reflects on the challenge of migrants, its conclusion conveys a message of hope as the family reaches and crosses through a wooden gate, welcoming them to their new home. Though the full ad was banned from air, the uncut version of the ad, spanning nearly six minutes, can be viewed online.

84 LUMBER

3

Buick

Buick’s Super Bowl ad has also garnered major buzz, for its two celebrity cameos and refreshing addition of humor to more notably serious Super Bowl commercial content. Featuring Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton and supermodel Miranda Kerr, the lighthearted advertisement unfolds in a simple setting — a children’s football game — yet manages to derive major entertainment value.

4

BUICK

Airbnb

With a minimalist yet remarkably thought-provoking commercial, Airbnb is yet another company whose Super Bowl ad vocalizes a strong stance on the current sociopolitical sphere. Titled “We Accept,” the simple advertisement rapidly intercuts a series of faces, from individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds, ages and genders. Though the ad is simple, its effect is profound, emphasizing the necessity of inclusion in today’s often divisive society.

AIRBNB

5

Audi

In its 2017 Super Bowl ad “Daughter,” Audi delivers a strong feminist message to viewers, choosing to promote its brand in a more subtle light. In the commercial, a father questions gender inequities and how they may affect his daughter and their parent-child relationship. As it concludes with the father and daughter headed to their Audi, it reflects the literal drive of women — and their immense potential and progress.

AUDI

Photo of the Week | Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

NEW DOMINIONS

The University of Virginia New Dominions performed at the festival last weekend with a highenergy set list featuring hits by Calvin Harris and Ariana Grande.

SARAH WRIGHT/THE HOYA

the guide

friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

THE HOYA

Restaurant REVIEW

ON TAP

Delectable Spanish Flavors by Andrés JALEO

B5

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480 7th St. NW | Cuisine: Spanish | $$$ Dani Guerrero Hoya Staff Writer

Culinary innovator José Andrés strives for perfection in each of his 27 award-winning restaurants around the country and the world. Famous for his avant-garde cuisine, Andrés established Jaleo in Penn Quarter to celebrate his Spanish roots.

Employing daring creativity in elevating his favorite childhood dishes, Jaleo’s chef and owner delivers “authentic Spain with finesse” through a series of beautifully presented, scrumptious creations.

This homely setting first opened its doors in 1993 and is now celebrating 24 years of innovation of regional Spanish fare. As diners walk past the glass-paved foosball tables and beehivepatterned walls, they become fully immersed in the whimsical atmosphere Andrés has created in honor of his lively homeland.

My party started off with an excellent selection of Spanish hams — including legendary 48-month cured, acorn-fed iberico ($22) — freerange pork chorizo ($12), and paprika and garlic tenderloin ($15).

Some exceptional tapas followed our luscious tasting. The torta Pascualete ($26) featured four pieces of toasted pan de cristal spread with silky quince paste, fig jam and raw sheep’s milk cheese.

The aceitunas rellenas, house-made stuffed olives with anchovies and roasted piquillo peppers ($7.50), were a simple yet fabulous appetizer.

A small section of the menu, titled “José’s Way,” offers a fresh take on traditional Spanish market fare. The ensaladilla rusa ($15.50) elevates a Spanish culinary rite of passage — tangy potato salad with tuna, peas and mayonnaise — with an unexpected salty note of trout roe. A Catalonian delight, the coca con erizos de mar ($24) features crusty pan de cristal topped with sea urchin.

The gazpacho de remolacha ($10) is foolproof: chilled beets and tomatoes give it a unique fresh-

ness, while goat cheese and pistachios create a luscious texture. For those feeling adventurous, try the ensalada con queso ($9): mixed greens topped with a thick crust of melted idiazábal cheese.

As the menu wisely states, “Frying is overrated … yeah right,” Jaleo’s fried bites embody Andrés’ passion for innovating fried foods. The fried potatoes with tomato sauce and aioli ($7.50) and the ibérico ham fritters ($12) are bound to satisfy those craving a little spice. The bacon-wrapped dates with apple-mustard sauce ($7) are a true delight, offering a heightened, sophisticated version of pigs-in-a-blanket.

Although its sharing portions might be as extravagant in price as they are in flavor, Jaleo remains one of the jewels in Penn Quarter delicious meals.

For those craving heftier portions, the secreto iberico ($60) is the perfect sharing plate, featuring skirt steak from black-footed ibérico pork. On the other hand, those seeking various smaller plates should try any of Andrés’ tasting menus. The Jaleo Experience ($70 per person) offers a tour of Spain’s traditional and modern tapas. Jose’s Way ($95) invites diners to “eat like José” by presenting them with a selection of the chef’s top culinary tapas. The Spanish Sips ($30) allows guests to enjoy a selection of Spanish wines and beverages to pair to any of the tasting menus.

Andrés recalls his experiences as a young boy helping his father cook paella by offering costumers the paella valenciana ($45), with classic rabbit, chicken and green beans. The large dish is meant to be shared among friends, much like in Andrés’ gatherings back in Spain. The black fideo with calamari, squid ink and octopus ($48) competes with the paella for the title of supreme main dish.

Jaleo has also substantially expanded its cocktail offering in the last few years. A nod to Spain’s craze for gin and tonic, Andrés has added eight feature choices made with varying tonic waters and aromatic herbs. José’s Choice ($14) is one of the classic interpretations, featuring lemon and juniper. The London Dry ($14) is as piercing as its name suggests, with mint, grapefruit, lemon and white pepper.

For diners who manage to make it to dessert, do not miss the chewy olive oil ice cream on pink grapefruit ($8). The flan al estilo de mama ($8) is a nostalgic look at a childhood desert. Its custard and Catalan cream foam go perfectly with a carajillo ($8) — espresso with a splash of Spanish brandy that is sure to leave daring palates spellbound.

Although its sharing portions might be as extravagant in price as they are in flavor, Jaleo remains one of the jewels in Penn Quarter and offers one of D.C.’s most consistently delicious meals. Although more expensive than other eateries, the quality of the food will make for a memorable experience worthy of the price tag.

An ideal location for students and young professionals, Jaleo offers a relaxed ambiance to enjoy a very serious meal, filled with flavor discoveries and cultural enrichment.

Along with its signature tapas, superb sangria and a wide selection of unique Spanish creations, Jaleo proves an exciting yet reliable destination. In Andrés’ words, “[Spain]’s tradition and whimsy all in one bite.”

Anna Jorgensen and Jackie Liang

T

The New Emissary In Town

he third wave of coffee first emerged as a movement that conceives of this drink as a craft from bean to brew.

Now that coffeehouses have embraced the third wave coffee movement and it has become all the rage, it may be hard for coffeelovers to find these sprouting coffeehouses, let alone distinguish the best among them.

Especially in neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, where cafes seem to flank every street, finding a place that suits most needs — Wi-Fi, good seating, actual food service or even just high-quality coffee — proves to be quite an endeavor. However, a recent addition to Dupont Circle fulfills all of those needs and is worthy of recognition — Emissary.

Inspired by the Swedish notion of “fika,” which focuses on drinking coffee as an opportunity to contemplate and savor the moment alone or in the company of friends, Emissary provides ample seating within its spacious interior to do just that. Although the decor is not entirely warm and cozy, Emissary is sleek and clean in its design: The front of the house is open to natural lighting through large windows and the rooms in the back are intimately lit against the exposed brick and darkened wood fixtures. The free Wi-Fi, power outlets and sizable capacity lets visitors settle down to work, study or just relax.

What truly distinguishes Emissary from other coffee houses is its great ambition: combining a coffeehouse, a restaurant and a bar under the same roof.

JALEO

Founded in 1993 by internationally acclaimed culinary inventor José Andrés, Jaleo aims at recreating the vibrant Spanish culture in the form of a whimsical atmosphere, beehive-patterned walls, scrumptious tapas and superb sangria.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Cheesy Innovation Nestled Downtown GCDC



1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW | Cuisine: American | $ Christian Paz Hoya Staff Writer

A haven for vegetarians and cheese lovers on a budget, GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar offers a vast array of twists on the classic grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.

Tucked away in a nook just a block from the White House, this family-owned establishment provides a healthy balance between hearty and affordable meals, offering traditional menu picks as well as a “Build Your Own” sandwich option. It offers lunch and dinner options, as well as a weekend menu combining the most popular weekday lunch and dinner offerings.

Like any establishment with a large millennial clientele, GCDC offers gluten-free bread options for all its sandwiches.

A small, lively locale, GCDC was established in April 2014 by a D.C. lawyer, Bruce Klores, after waiting 10 years to make his lifelong dream a reality. Limited by the time he dedicated to his law practice, Klores was unable to deliver comfort food the way he wanted until his son, Steven, an aspiring musician at the time, paused his career to help his father open up a grilled cheese bar.

This spot is bustling with activity from a younger crowd of local professionals and college students. Patrons can usually find a seat at the bar toward the front of the establishment when the traditional seating area in the back of the restaurant is full. It also offers outdoor seating with heaters, though these tend to remain closed during the winter season.

Lunch options include international options such as the “Kim-Cheese-Steak,” a mix of cheddar cheese, kimchi, spicy sauce and roast beef on white bread, and the “District Cemita,” a zesty combination of pepper jack cheese, chorizo, avocado and spicy salsa also on white bread. Guests can also add a small side of small macaroni and cheese or tater tots in addition to their sandwiches.

For tater tot lovers, GCDC offers variations of the classic dish, including the “Loaded Tots,” classic tater tots showered in a generous mixture of cheddar sauce, bacon, jalapenos, pico de

What truly distinguishes Emissary from other coffee houses is its great ambition: combining a coffeehouse, a restaurant and a bar under the same roof. Especially exceptional is just how well Emissary excels in each of these ventures.

Owner Elias Hengst, himself a Georgetown graduate (GRD ’99), has a long history in the food industry. His first business venture dates back to 1998 when he met Constantine Stavropoulos, with whom he eventually co-founded his first coffeehouse, Tryst, in the hip Adams Morgan neighborhood.

Eventually moving on to different enterprises — including opening a yoga studio above Emissary — that usually happen to be restaurant bars, Hengst’s newest project might be the culmination of his career thus far.

Showing extreme polish in its execution, service at Emissary is beyond that of a normal coffeehouse, with phenomenal presentation of both food and drink. Brought directly to your table, notable menu options are the teas and pour over coffees served on wooden platters and the vegetarian meals.

All are offered at reasonable prices in spite of their extravagant plating. Emissary’s seasonal, modernist fare will remind you that it has the direction of a fine restaurant but also excellent coffee.

Showing extreme polish in its execution, service at Emissary is beyond that of a normal coffeehouse, with phenomenal presentation of both food and drink. gcdc

GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar on Pennsylvania Ave. offers vegetarians and cheese lovers a delicious and unique twist on cheesy American classics. gallo and GCDC sauce, as well as the “Chili Tots,” potatoes blanketed in homemade veggie chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream and jalapenos.

After dark, GCDC’s menu expands to include heartier platters, shareable dishes, craft beers and cocktails. Each sandwich comes with a small side of the guest’s choice, generally under $15 per sandwich. Patrons can choose among zesty tomato soup, a house salad, tater tots, coleslaw or macaroni and cheese to pair with one of 10 sandwich options.

Among these dinner sandwich platters are the “Mushroom Melt,” the “Fig and Prosciutto,” and the “Carolina BBQ.” The first is a vegetarian option, while the latter are standard homestyle dishes. Both come with a choice of a side dish.

The “Mushroom Melt” ($13) is a compact grilled cheese sandwich, stuffed with sauteed wild mushrooms, caramelized onions and truffle oil, sandwiched between two slices of buttered wheat bread. Here, the caramelized onions ooze a sweet juice into the toasted slices of bread without creating a soggy loaf. The mushrooms’ flavor blends with the sharp cheddar to tickle the taste buds without overwatering the mouth.

The “Fig and Prosciutto” ($14) combines two types of cheese, goat and mozzarella, with

chopped dates and fig jam, layered with prosciutto and served on wheat bread. This sandwich benefits from a sweet and salty base.

The “Carolina BBQ” ($14) is a heavier option, with grilled cheddar cheese mixed along with macaroni and cheese. Barbecue pulled pork, bacon and jalapeños are layered on top of the cheese blend and pulled together by two slices of buttered white bread.

The flagship shareable dish is surely the “Lobster Mac & Cheese” ($14), a take on the original macaroni and cheese spruced up by layers of parmesan-cream-covered lobster meat and a blend of four cheddar cheeses. Garlicparmesan bread crumbs top this dense dish for presentation.

Pair any of these meals with the coleslaw side for a refreshingly cool break between cheesy bites. Though these dishes tend to dry out the palate because of the sheer amount of cheese served between toasty bread, servers will check in repeatedly and offer water refills out of pitchers resembling wine bottles.

For a cheesy delight, visit this joint at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a break between 3 and 4 p.m., and weekends, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m..

$ = $1-$9 | $$ = $10-$19 | $$$ = $20-$29 | $$$$ = $30+

Emissary offers a tightly focused coffee menu, with traditional espresso drinks and pour over coffees. Many coffeehouses are now serving coffee from Counter Culture, one of the premier coffee providers in the area since the company’s arrival to D.C. in 2004. Accompanied by a training center in Adams Morgan, their “cupping events,” or coffee tastings, are free for vendors and guests alike every Friday morning at 10 a.m. Providing a center for vendors to train their baristas in the basic crafts of coffee — espresso making, milk frothing and pour overs — you can expect high standards with any vendor of Counter Culture.

As the baristas at Emissary are trained so thoroughly and scrupulously, they are sure to know how to serve up your favorite drink.

Emissary is located in Dupont Circle; accessible through the Dupont Circle Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle, it is a three-minute walk from the Dupont Metro stop.

Every Friday at 10 a.m., Counter Culture offers cupping events located in their D.C. regional training center at 3504 13th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Anna Jorgensen and Jackie Liang are sophomores in the College. ON TAP appears every other Friday.

B6

the guide

THE HOYA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

MOVIE REVIEW

WARNER ANIMATION GROUP

After 2014’s hugely successful “The LEGO Movie,” “The LEGO Batman Movie” tries to capture the same free-wheeling, irreverent humor while incorporating a grittier, edgier perspective. Though the film succeeds on many fronts, it lacks the same effortless heart and emotion of its franchise predecessor.

The LEGO Batman Movie Starring: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis Directed By: Chris McKay AUSTIN HONG Hoya Staff Writer

“The LEGO Batman Movie” is a hilarious, excellently animated film. However, despite its best efforts, it falls short in comparison to the narrative brilliance of the original. Three years ago, “The LEGO Movie” amazed audiences and reached worldwide critical acclaim.

With its tongue-in-cheek pop numbers, meta references and a captivating plot, “The LEGO Movie” seamlessly generated animated crossdemographic appeal, usually reserved for Disney and Pixar productions. Warner Animation Group’s first production in 11 years, the film featured innovative animation technology.

With “The LEGO Batman Movie,” audiences can witness the same technology in action with Will Arnett as Batman. The new film doubles down on everything that made “The LEGO Movie” great, above and beyond its predecessor. While the first was a funny film, “The LEGO Batman Movie” seems packed with visual gags, double entendres and outside references. The movie leans on the main character, exploiting its storied cinematic past to draw laughs from every generation in the audience — even featuring a small live-action clip of the

Adam West version of “Batman.” Following the footsteps of its predecessor’s pop hit “Everything is Awesome,” the film offers various musical numbers. The jokes are well-crafted, preventing a tedious dynamic.

“The LEGO Batman Movie” stands on its own as both a comedy animation and a Batman film.

The animation is perfect for the film.

Much like its predecessor, “The LEGO Batman Movie” masterfully uses LEGO bricks to create fun, bright and varied sets and characters. The film presents universally connectable bricks that create a continually changing world, reordered by Batman and his “master building” skillset. Overall, it adds to the film’s imaginative, hopeful nature — everything is possible in this world, where giant robots are quickly built out of spare

As You Like It KATHRYN BAKER Hoya Staff Writer

Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, the Folger Theater’s edgy rendition of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” draws the audience out of its seats and into the mysterious Forest of Arden — a place where lovers, fools and refugees gather to escape the cruel and unwelcoming world that awaits them. Full of life and wonder, Folger’s modern interpretation of this Shakespearean classic explores the complexities of romance, leaving the audience ready to unleash their inner lover and release their inhibitions.

The show — running until March 7 — follows Rosalind (Lindsay Alexandra Carter), a young girl who is banished from the royal court by her uncle due to a feud between him and Rosalind’s father. With her best friend and cousin, Celia (Antoinette Robinson), and the court’s fool, Touchstone (Aaron Krohn), Rosalind flees to the Forest of Arden where she assumes a new identity as a male. There she encounters Orlando (Lorenzo Roberts), a strapping young man who has fled home to escape his brother’s murderous plots against him. Rosalind is instantly enamored with Orlando, but maintains her guise as a man to protect her heart. She soon discovers the depths of Orlando’s love. The play explores lovers’ quarrels, complex family relationships and modern troubadours.

Full of life and wonder, Folger’s modern interpretation of this Shakespearean classic explores the complexities of romance.

“As You Like It” is a Shakespearean outlier because of its lack of a central dilemma. The cast and crew at Folger’s Theater expand on the show’s unconventionality by incorporating multifaceted musical performances, eccentric costumes and contemporary body language to make the show more engaging for today’s audiences.

For the most part, the show adheres to a mellow, folksy aesthetic. This look is evident in Cidney Forkpah’s costumes. Rosalind dons a simple red vest over a baby blue button-down for her male guise, Celia sports a classic floral peasant dress, Phoebe wears pink overalls and Sylvius is clad in a blue denim jacket and ascot. The only two deviants are Orlando, whose suave yet alter-

 pieces knocked from falling buildings.

However, the film feels slightly empty in a way that “The LEGO Movie” never did. While packed with fun, entertaining sequences, “The LEGO Batman Movie” lacks the heart that kept “The LEGO Movie” smooth and effortless. While Batman’s heartening family narrative is sure to captivate, the general plot feels weak and underdeveloped, relying too heavily on visual gags. However, the film acknowledges this deficiency with skillful self-referential humor. Surprisingly, the film’s emotional high point rests in the Joker’s arc, as he realizes he wants Batman’s attention and spends the film trying to get it. The film’s shift in director and writing staff may be behind its major flaws, losing the talented Phil Lord and Christopher Miller duo, which did the original film. While the movie fails to live up to the greatness of “The LEGO Movie,” it remains superior to most animated films.

“The LEGO Batman Movie” follows a darker, edgier path than its predecessor. While battles, explosions and bombs are constant, the film’s tone remains innocent and good-humored for all audiences to enjoy. Still, the main characters are placed in constant danger, which can upset some of the younger viewers.

The movie’s polished style shines through its star-studded voiceovers. Will Arnett flawlessly portrays Batman, capturing both the comedic and stern nature behind the enigmatic hero. Zach Galifianakis is unrecognizable as the Joker, playing a surprisingly tender and lovable version of the character. Michael Cera as a bumbling, lovable Robin steals the movie. Rounding out the main cast are Rosario Dawson as Commissioner Gordon’s daughter Barbara and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred.

Overall, the film is all you can ask for as a follow up to “The LEGO Movie.” It stands on its own as both a comedy animation and a Batman film. However, it understands its roots a little too well. It sets to imitate its predecessor, almost to a fault.

It found what resonated with audiences in the original LEGO film, and hit those beats again, stronger and more frequently.

It walks the careful line between satire and homage, a tightrope that too many “Batman” films have failed to achieve. The movie may not always succeed in execution and finesse, but its heartwarming and ebullient message is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.

THEATER REVIEW



native look reflects his poeticism and confidence, and Touchstone, who is outfitted in garish bright suits that match his colorful personality.

“As You Like It” transports the audience to a magical place where people think with their hearts and not their minds.

The musical numbers add to the rustic, calming atmosphere. Although the original play is not a musical, Folger’s rendition features original numbers by Heather Christian. While each number ranges in theme, the blues and folk styles remain consistent.

In one of the final songs, the actors’ voices unite in perfect harmony while the sounds of subtle guitar, piano and harmonica — all played by the actors — ring out across the theater. The number is the perfect bridge between the joyous wedding scene and Rosalind’s charming ending dialogue, in which she breaks the fourth wall to recount her gratitude to the audience for attending and humorously announces that she hopes they enjoyed the show.

For those unfamiliar with the show, it may prove difficult to follow. However, the thespians resolve this issue by juxtaposing Shakespeare’s words with modern-day mannerisms and vocal tones. The character who best employs this method is Celia, who delivers her monologues with playful confidence and informality. By softening their tones and delivering the complex prose in a casual manner, actors help the audience absorb the plot and participate in the mischief of Arden.

While “As You Like It” features a supreme cast, it is undoubtedly Rosalind who rules the show from start to finish. The beauty in Carter’s performance relies on her development of Rosalind’s duality. While Rosalind conveys an air of strength and impenetrability, Carter gradually reveals the character’s underlying timidity. Rosalind is an extremely relatable character who reminds audiences of the importance of emotion and openness.

With “As You Like It,” Folger Theatre provides a valuable commentary on love and life. It transports the audience to a magical place where people think with their hearts and not their mind. It offers the humbling reminder that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

COURTESY TERESA WOOD

Folger Theater’s dazzling rendition of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” is sure to be accessible to all audience members with its updated take on an old classic.

the guide

friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Apocalipstick

THE HOYA

MUSIC

album review

Cherry Glazerr

B7

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New Releases

AURORA JOHNSON Special to The Hoya

When listening to “Apocalipstick,” listeners cannot help but wonder if Cherry Glazerr had any inkling as to just how timely its Inauguration Day release would be. The album’s first single “Told You I’d Be with the Guys” is a catchy solidarity anthem with a killer hook about transitioning from a lone wolf to a member of a strong lady pack.

The whole album is subdued “riot grrrl,” a little more The Runaways than Bikini Kill. It is a catchy, pop rock album that sometimes gets loud enough to be political punk, but never quite gets that angry.

The album itself is full of heavy guitar, sick synthesizers by Sasami Ashworth — who gets the chance to showcase her French horn skills — clean drumming by Tabor Allen and catchy riffs that signal a total graduation from Cherry Glazerr’s origins as a high school band signed to California indie imprint Burger Records.

Clementine Creevy, vocalist, frontwoman and sole remaining member of Cherry Glazerr’s original lineup, lends her signature femme vocals to the album.

From her soft hypnotic crooning on “Nuclear Bomb” to her amped-up shrieks on “Sip O’ Poison,” a fast-paced track about sexual assault, Creevy keeps her vocals high-pitched and unabashedly girly. Maybe Cherry Glazerr is not totally ready to abandon its teenage image, or maybe girl bands simply do not have to get as sonically loud to be heard anymore.

“Apocalipstick” certainly has its fair share of girl power anthems, but not every track is so pointedly about smashing the patriarchy.

“Trash People” is a lighter, beachy jam about the grungy artist lifestyle, with Creevy in the chorus singing: “We wear our underpants three days in a row / My room smells like an ashtray.” The song is simultaneously self-deprecating and self-loving; after all, “art is love and love is sloppy.”

“Only Kid on the Block” is the most tangible link to the band’s last release, “Haxel Princess.” The track is reminiscent of the band’s 2014 single “Had Ten Dollaz.” The lyrics, however, sound like they were written from an entirely different place. When Creevy sings about “acting professional, when I’m nothing but a self-conscious child,” her newfound self-awareness as an artist shines

interscope records

IMAGINE DRAGONS ‘BELIEVER’

BURGER RECORDS

Replete with heavy guitar synthesizers, clean drumming and captivating riffs, Cherry Glazerr’s latest album “Apocalipstick” could well be classified as political punk. through. She does not just write about stepping on toes making music in a male-dominated industry. Instead, she acknowledges her own insecurities about maintaining creative control and asserting her savvy in the industry as a 19-year-old woman.

“Apocalipstick” was produced by Joe Chicarelli, who has also worked with White Stripes, The Shins and The Strokes, and Carlos de la Garza, who has also worked with Bleached, M83, Tegan and Sara. The producers certainly bring their own flavors to the overall sound of the album. If nothing else, the album is chock full of fast, loud rock ‘n’ roll that blurs the line between silly and serious.

Creevy often talks about her undying love of Patti Smith, and you can definitely detect ’70s rock influence across the album. Psychedelic synth, a staple of the Los Angeles garage rock scene, is most apparent in “Moon Dust,” a moderately ominous track about a drug trip. “Lucid

Dreams” has a similar sonic quality, with heavy synth and a hypnotic bassline, but with vulnerable lyrics that reflect a reluctant coming-of-age.

“Nuclear Bomb,” the slowest track on the album, is a grunge ballad that sounds like something Courtney Love would sing. Still, the instrumentals on the album sounds far tighter and cleaner than “Haxel Princess” by far, demonstrating the band’s growth and maturation.

The album’s opening of “Instagratification,” a song about the narcissism of modern social media-obsessed society, sums up the band’s attitude best. The album embodies a snarky self-aware childishness embraced by the line: “I’m a hypocrite / At least I know it.” Cherry Glazerr is poised to ascend to indie-rock superstardom. Judging from “Apocalipstick,” the band is almost ready to grow up, but is self-admittedly just not quite there yet.

Album review

I Decided.

Big Sean

Nick Harrison Hoya Staff Writer

Detroit rapper Big Sean has consistently produced music that reflects on both the demanding nature of the rap industry and his own hard work and struggle toward success. In this sense, “I Decided.,” his fourth studio album, is reminiscent of his past work. However, his latest album is unique in that the songs and interludes connect to form an overarching narrative, in which Big Sean is given another chance at life.

To understand the concept of the album, start at the album cover. The cover art for “I Decided.” shows two men standing in front of their driveways, parallel to one another. Big Sean explained on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” that the men represent his present-day self and an older version of him, which is fitting, given that the album opens with a monologue by an elderly man. The man laments how he has remained in the same job all of his life and has a poor relationship with his family. He likely represents the older, alternate version of Big Sean — a Big Sean who has not lived life to its fullest.

The introduction transitions into “Light,” an

 optimistic song that begins with ringing bells and relaxed electric piano chords. Big Sean seems to suggest that his alternate self has been reborn and is now inspired to live life differently. He raps, “Spent my whole life trying to find the light that’s at the end of the tunnel / I should have realized it was inside,” suggesting that he and others should live in the moment to bring out their true potentials.

Like Big Sean’s past albums, “I Decided.” contains songs designed to be stand-alone hits, but most still relate to the album’s larger thematic messages.

The album is filled with messages about Big Sean trying to live life to his best ability. On “Voices In My Head / Stick To The Plan,” Big Sean raps

GOOD MUSIC

Growing as a musical artist, Detroit rapper Big Sean shows a strong desire to inspire personal growth in his listeners through his fourth studio album “I Decided.”

personalized pieces of advice to himself, saying, “Stay focused / Pay attention who you getting close with.”

He also rethinks what he wants in romantic relationships. On “Halfway Off the Balcony,” he reflects on his past romantic endeavors, rapping, “I realized when it comes to girls that chemistry means way more than anatomy.” Big Sean’s motivational messages can seem somewhat obvious at times, but he speaks with intense conviction.

Even skeptical listeners will likely feel inspired.

Although Big Sean wants to motivate others to live to their fullest potentials, he admits he has his own flaws and is working toward selfimprovement. “Halfway Off the Balcony” ends in a scene in which Big Sean ignores a phone call from his mother, suggesting that he is neglecting his relationships with loved ones. This critical self-reflection helps Big Sean provide listeners with advice without seeming too selfrighteous.

On “Sunday Morning Jetpack,” Big Sean takes time to reminisce about childhood memories with his family, using them to lift his spirits up — like a jetpack. At the end of the song, Big Sean finally answers his mother’s telephone call, leading to the next track, “Inspire Me,” an ode to his mother.

Like Big Sean’s past albums, “I Decided.” contains songs designed to be stand-alone hits, but most still relate to the album’s larger thematic messages. “Bounce Back” is a fun, catchy song that is likely to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Big Sean’s message about bouncing back from his failures is key to his life philosophy.

“Sacrifices” also has qualities that make it destined for popularity, such as a beat from producer Metro Boomin that is sure to stick in listeners’ heads as well as guest verses from members of Atlanta rap group Migos. However, the track also connects to the album’s central message of working hard to live one’s best life, as Big Sean and Migos describe the sacrifices they have had to make to become successful in the music industry.

The final song, “Bigger Than Me,” is a standout of the album. Big Sean raps over a captivating looped vocal sample and explains his realization that his love for his family and his hometown, Detroit, is a more powerful motivator for him than money.

The album concludes with a conversation between Big Sean and his mother that summarizes his main message. They say how they love each other, and Big Sean’s mother admits that she lives vicariously through him. Sean says that he feels like he is living life a second time, only this time, he is correcting his mistakes and fulfilling his dreams.

Big Sean certainly wants to inspire personal growth in his listeners, and his latest album shows that he is growing as a musical artist. “I Decided.” has stronger lyrics, more memorable production, and is more cohesive than his past efforts. It presents two alternate ways to live life: passively, or in the moment and to the fullest. It

is up to each person to make the decision, and the album makes it clear to listeners what Big Sean has decided on for himself.

Imagine Dragons is a consistent creator of forceful, feel-good anthems, and its latest release “Believer” is by no means an exception. The powerful piece features a prominent drum line, incorporating clapping and cascading vocals to produce an almost cinematic sound. Lead vocalist Dan Reynolds’ powerhouse vocals stand out on the single as he delivers a notably catchy and climactic hook. The band’s overarching message is just as powerful as its music, and their newest hit is sure to inspire with its story of overcoming adversity to become a true “Believer.”

COLUMBIA RECORDS

Depeche mode ‘Where’s the revolution’ British group Depeche Mode just dropped its first track in four years, and fans of the long-established electronic band are more excited than ever for the upcoming studio album, “Spirit.” “Where’s the Revolution” opens with with a mysterious, sci-fi-inspired instrumental sound, intermingled with low, layered vocals. It quickly launches into a powerful outcry, advocating for protest in its catchy hook. The lyrics are ever-relevant, saying, “You’ve been pissed on / For too long / Your rights abused / Your views refused.”

rgf productions

Fetty Wap feat. Monty ‘Way you are’ New hip-hop release “Way You Are” has all of the makings of a Fetty Wap smash hit: the rapper’s distinctive vocal style, an ultra-catchy hook and a guest appearance from Remy Boyz member Monty.

The single is perfectly timed for warm weather with its upbeat and summery sound intrinsic to Fetty Wap’s music.

“Way You Are” is a sure-to-be party hit, encouraging listeners to get up and dance.

capitol records

Cold war kids ‘love is mystical’ Long Beach-based indie-rock band Cold War Kids recently released “Love is Mystical,” a single from their upcoming — and sixth — studio album, “L.A. Divine.” The upbeat track is said to be reflective of the album’s overall theme and sound: optimistic, romantic and hard to forget. Even the music video for “Love is Mystical” is sweet and quirky — just like the Cold War Kids itself. With a strong hook and sharp vocals, it may just be the album’s standout hit.

B8

sports

THE HOYA

friDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

tennis

At the buzzer

Wizards Prep for Playoff Run Hoyas to Play in Yates Opener

T

en games into the season, the Washington Wizards seemed destined to repeat mediocrity.

They sat at a disappointing 2-8, dampening the excitement around a rejuvenated roster led by newly hired Head Coach Scott Brooks.

However, the Wizards have lately been the hottest team in the NBA, boasting a 28-13 record over their last 41 games, including a 17-game home win streak prior to their loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Much like the Houston Rockets, an active offseason left fans expecting a competitive team but. perhaps, not to this level.

In addition to bringing in Brooks, the Wizards improved their depth by signing guard Trey Burke and center Jason Smith while resigning guard Bradley Beal to a $130 million fiveyear extension.

An active offseason had Wizards fans expecting a competitive team, but not to this extent.

Despite the roster improvements, the Wizards’ success can be attributed to something much greater: They are finally unlocking talent on the roster that had been dormant the past few seasons.

It is no secret that guard John Wall is the Wizards’ best player. The four-time all-star player currently averages a career-best 10.4 assists per game while shooting a career-best 46 percent from the floor. Wall has long been the quickest player in the league, but this season has refocused his speed to force defenders to commit and set up his teammates. His selflessness is not only reflected in his assist totals but also in the shooting percentages of his teammates.

Forward Otto Porter is

averaging a blistering 47 percent from three — first in the association — after shooting 37 percent last season. Porter has matched his shooting from deep, with career bests from the floor and the charity stripe at 54 percent and 77 percent. Rounding his game out with a modest 6.6 rebounds per game, Porter has been a major contributor to the Wizards’ success.

Evan Couture The complement to Porter’s development has been the health of Beal. The fifth-year Florida product missed 27 games last season due to injury and has yet to stay healthy for an entire season. Because of the questions surrounding his health, the move to resign Beal was perceived as a bit of a gamble for Washington. So far, the gamble has paid off as Beal averages a career high 22.2 points per game on 47 percent from the floor and 39 percent from deep. Much like Porter, Beal has also been a major beneficiary of Wall’s athleticism and vision.

Behind the leadership of their talented backcourt, the Wizards’ role players have quietly improved their game to help spark such mid-season success.

Center Marcin Gortat averages a career-high 11.5 rebounds per game to match 60 percent shooting from the floor. Burke is seeing a resurgence in his shooting with a scorching 42 percent from deep. This success comes without center Ian Mahinmi, a notorious rim protector who has appeared in only one game this season.

Of course, none of this is possible without the presence of a new head coach.

Brooks, who boasted a 338207 record during his time

in Oklahoma City, helped develop guard Russell Westbrook and forward Kevin Durant into perennial All-NBA players. His experience with the Thunder has undoubtedly contributed to the success of John Wall and the growth of Otto Porter. Brooks brings with him playoff experience, including a trip to the NBA finals in 2012. He has made Washington the cohesive unit it is today, something that never came to fruition under previous Head Coach Randy Wittman who was fired after five seasons and a 131-199 record.

The Wizards have only made the playoffs twice in the last eight seasons and have not made the conference finals since 1979. The talent has been there but was never properly harnessed. This season has the potential to change that, as the Wizards join the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors in the fight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

For the first time as teammates, John Wall and Bradley Beal have found the pieces to make a deep playoff run.

It remains to be seen how far Wall and a healthy Beal can take this team, but, for the first time as teammates, the star-studded backcourt has found the missing pieces necessary to make a playoff run. No one will choose the Wizards over the Cavaliers to make the finals, but, with the talent on the roster and Brooks at the helm, the Wizards are finally taking steps in the right direction.

Madeline Auerbach Hoya Staff Writer

After completing two weekends of regular season play on the road, the Georgetown men’s and women’s tennis teams will compete in matches in the Washington, D.C., area this weekend. This past Wednesday, the men’s team defeated Morgan State in a 6-1 finish at the Arlington YMCA. Georgetown (2-2) went into its matchup with Morgan State (1-6) coming off a 6-1 loss to Boston College (1-2). Against Boston College, the teams split doubles matches to begin play, but the Eagles pulled off a victory in a tiebreaker to win the third doubles match and capture the first point of the contest. The Eagles went on to win five out of the six singles matches.

“Hopefully our guys at home with their fans, they can play with a little more fire.”

GORDIE ERNST Head Coach

“That’s what we’ve been talking about a lot, because losses like Saturday to BC … they’re just kind of inexcusable in ways,” Head Coach Gordie Ernst said. “You know, I feel we’re a better team, but I always tip my hat to teams that want it more and pull off the upset, always.”

Georgetown and Morgan State had gone back and forth in recent years in competition.

Last season, the Bears defeated the Hoyas 3-2. The previous year, Georgetown downed Morgan State 4-1. In both matchups, the team that won

the doubles point triumphed in the match as a whole.

This year, Georgetown started off strong with victories in the first and second doubles slots to clinch the first points of the match. Junior Mac Rechan and senior Jordan Portner dominated with a 6-1 doubles victory, while sophomore Will Sharton and senior Yannik Mahlangu won 6-3.

The Hoyas went on to take five out of six singles matches.

Junior Peter Beatty was the sole Hoya to suffer a loss in singles play, losing to Morgan State junior Jeremy Field. Georgetown sophomore Michael Chen, Mahlangu, senior Jack Murphy, junior Ryan McElvenny and junior Bart Panarese also secured victories in singles play.

Next, the men’s team will take on the Monmouth Hawks (0-5) on Saturday Feb. 11 at Yates Field House. Most recently, Monmouth suffered a shutout, courtesy of Notre Dame (4-2) in a 7-0 loss. Last year, Georgetown edged over Monmouth in a close 4-3 victory.

“They’re good,” Ernst said.

“They’re a good team to play, a good schedule, they have scholarships … But hopefully our guys at home with their fans, they can play with a little more fire, because BC was about as flat as I’ve ever coached a team in my career, you know.”

The women’s team (1-1) wrapped up play last weekend with a loss to Harvard (3-4).

Even though Georgetown won the doubles point, Harvard ultimately downed the Hoyas in a tight 4-3 finish.

Despite senior Victoire Saperstein, junior Drew Spinosa and sophomore Cecilia Lynham all picking up the first sets in their games, Harvard’s number one singles player went on to defeat Saperstein in a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 result. Only

Lynham and Spinosa went on to win in singles play, as Saperstein, Nakagawa, junior Sara Swift and sophomore Sydney Goodson lost.

“I feel we’re a better team, but I always tip my hat to teams that want it more.”

GORDIE ERNST Head Coach

“They outplayed us in a couple of positions,” Ernst said. “Their top three were just lights out. I mean they just played so well, especially Victoire’s girl in the third set. She raised her level … I haven’t seen a girl play that well against Victoire I think ever.”

Ernst specifically praised Spinosa for her performance against the Crimson.

“She’s a very, very unique player … She’s the quintessential fighter … She goes out on the court, she gets into a streak and that’s what you need at the Division I level, and it’s awesome.”

The women’s team will look to take back its winning record against Massachusetts (3-1) at the Arlington YMCA on Feb. 10. The Minutewomen began their 2017 campaign with a victory over Quinnipiac (3-2) in a dominant 6-1 fashion. After dropping a match to Brown (2-1) on Feb. 3, UMass came surging back to defeat Farleigh Dickinson (1-1) 5-2 on Feb. 5.

The women’s team will take on UMass at the Arlington YMCA at 11 a.m. on Feb. 10. The men’s team will play at Yates Field House at 4 p.m. the next day against Monmouth.

Evan Couture is a junior in the McDonough School of Business. At The buzzer appears every other Friday.

swimming & diving

GU Set for Season Finale mary burke

Hoya Staff Writer

With three weeks in between its latest competitions, the Georgetown swimming and diving team has been granted ample training time to improve upon its loss to the Drexel Dragons on Jan. 21. This weekend, the team travels to face the Providence Friars for the team’s last tune-up before the Big East Championships.

The meet marks the Hoyas’ first and only one-on-one meet with a conference opponent.

The change of pace in practice has reflected the shift in team mentality.

“We’ve reached the point in our season where we’re focused a lot more on speed,” Head Coach Jack Leavitt said.

“We did a lot of work throughout the year building up our endurance as much as we possibly can, and now we’re just trying to swim as fast as we possibly can.”

Senior and team captain Will Leach echoed Leavitt’s statements and emphasized a greater attention to detail — touching up and refining certain techniques to prepare for the postseason.

“We’re looking much more at the details than we are the big picture and overall times,” Leavitt said.

Last year, both the men’s and women’s teams defeated Providence at home, but Leavitt says the focus this year is on technique and precision rather than the final result.

“The final time and even overall score isn’t necessarily as important as if we are doing the right things in our races in terms of getting in and out of our turns, getting off the blocks well, power, pacing our races,” Leavitt said. “Things like that are going to be much more important because ultimately this is a dress rehearsal for the Big East Championship at the end of the season.”

Georgetown has spent much of the season competing against tough, nonconfer-

ence opponents to prepare for the Big East championship.

The Hoyas have not raced against a Big East foe since the fall semester.

“We haven’t swum against a Big East opponent since November, so we are really excited to get back and see if we’ve done enough of the right kind of stuff to be there at the end of the conference,” said Leavitt.

The team anticipates the overnight trip to be both a bonding experience and a chance to compare themselves with other athletes within the conference.

“We are focusing on what we need to get done and using it as an opportunity to race in every aspect while focusing on the little things,” Leavitt said of

the team’s weekend road trip.

“It’s a chance to race a good opponent while looking forward to the Big East.”

The competition this weekend also affords Georgetown an opportunity to fine tune its relay races and perfect its starts.

“We are making sure we are really good at exchanges.

Those are the biggest amount of points at Big East and disqualifications there are detrimental,” Leach said “Everyone has just really worked so hard this season. All of the races are going to be fun to watch, to see what we have done.”

The meet takes place in Providence, R.I., and is scheduled to start Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

COURTESY GUHOYAS

Senior Yannik Mahlangu and the rest of the Georgetown men’s tennis team host Monmouth at Yates Field House on Saturday at 4 p.m.

track & field

Runners Prep for 4 Meets Dan baldwin Hoya Staff Writer

COURTESY GUHOYAS

Senior diver Jared Cooper-Vespa prepares for his final regular season meet this weekend at Providence.

The No. 23 Georgetown women’s and men’s indoor track and field teams attempt to build momentum moving forward into the season as they compete in two separate invitational meets. On Friday, both squads plan to send some student-athletes to compete in the Fastrack National Invitational in Staten Island, N.Y., while others travel to Ames, Iowa for the Iowa State Classic.

Saturday, both teams will regroup and have a select group of athletes compete at the second day of the Iowa State Classic with some athletes heading to the Liberty Elite Invitational in Lynchburg, Va., and the Valentine Invitational in Boston.

The previous weekend, the Hoyas allowed younger runners to gain more experience in the Scarlet and White Invitational.

Freshman Kenny Rowe stepped up in the men’s 400-meter event and finished in ninth place over-

all, clocking in at 49.06 seconds.

In the men’s mile, graduate student Michael Clevenger recorded a time of 4:03.41, placing him third place overall. Junior Charles Cooper followed Clevenger through the finish line as he captured fifth place with a time of 4:04.39. Sophomore Spencer Brown rounded out the top three for the Hoyas, claiming 10th place with 4:10.67.

Junior Kennedy Weisner’s emergence this year has been critical to the Hoyas’ early season success. Weisner ran a second place time of 4:39.69 in the women’s mile at the Penn State National Invitational meet. This time — a personal record of five seconds — shows the enormity of her improvement from last year.

Junior Jody-Ann Knight continues to anchor the sprinting contingent of the team. Knight claimed fifth place in the women’s 200m dash by completing the event in 25.11 seconds. Knight has consistently performed at a

high level, evidenced by her strong showing at the Nittany Lion Challenge earlier this season. Knight finished in third place in the women’s 400m dash with a time of 58.62 seconds.

Georgetown looks to sophomore Joe White to continue his dominant form this weekend. At the Penn State National Invitational, White was a key component of the men’s first place Distance Medley Relay team. White ran a split of 1:48.10 in the 800m leg of the relay.

Junior Jonathan Green, the 2015 cross-country All-American, has started to take form lately. Green had two top five performances at the Penn State National Invitational. In the mile, he finished in fifth place, crossing the line at 4:08.1 in addition to a fourth-place finish in the men’s 3000m with a time of 8:20.26.

After this weekend’s schedule, the Hoyas will regroup and move on to the Alex Wilson Invitational and the Penn State Tune-Up next weekend.

SPORTS

friDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

THE HOYA

MEN’S BASKETBALL

SOFTBALL

GU Set for Conference Rematch MARQUETTE, from B10

— they’re going to go on a run and we just have to make sure when that happens we try to get good offensive possessions down on the other end,” Thompson said.

Georgetown’s defense stresses the importance of limiting three-point opportunities and holding its opponents to an average of 32 percent three-point shooting, ranking No. 2 in the conference. Expect junior guard Jonathan Mulmore to play a majority of the game, as his

speed and agility will likely be called upon to guard against efficient Golden Eagle shooters.

Against Villanova, Georgetown struggled to find scoring from its bench, as five bench players combined for nine points in the loss. However, starters Pryor and junior guard LJ Peak were the sole Hoyas to reach the double-digit point mark, scoring 20 and 21 points, respectively. In order to counter Marquette’s explosive offense, Georgetown’s role players must step up and contribute consistently to the offense.

Marquette’s defense has also caused concerns for teams, as it averages a conference-leading 7.6 steals per game, which helps preserve a positive turnover margin for the team. In comparison, the Hoyas average 5.6 steals per game — which ranks last in the conference — while sporting a negative 1.1 turnover margin.

“They’re likely going to be mixing up defenses, so we’re going to have to be ready for multiple defenses.

We just got to find a way to try to — and I know most people haven’t been suc-

cessful so far — to slow them down a little bit,” Thompson said.

With the Big East Tournament approaching, Thompson recognizes there are multiple areas of improvement for his team in order to prepare for the challenges ahead.

“We just have to work on us. As difficult as your opponent is, we still have to keep improving as Georgetown,” Thompson said.

Tipoff is set for 12 p.m.

Saturday at the Verizon Center. The game will be televised on Fox.

B9

COURTESY GUHOYAS

Senior first baseman Alessandra Gargicevich-Alemeida drove in 13 runs for the Hoyas last season.

Squad Prepares For Invitational SOFTBALL, from B10

DERRICK ARTHUR/THE HOYA

Sophomore forward Marcus Derrickson contributes 8.8 points per game while grabbing 4.3 rebounds and distributing 1.6 assists per game. Derrickson has started 12 games and has appereared in 21 contests this season.

The Analyst

“Obviously the college game is much more challenging than anything our freshmen have experienced in the past, so we know there’s going to be a learning curve, but we like where we are right now,” Conlan said of her freshmen pitchers.

The Blue and Gray open this season as part of a strong tournament field hosted by Florida International University — a tournament team this past season. Conlan emphasized the point of this travel was to give the team experience playing against multiple conferences and enjoy some warmth in the southern part of the country.

“The way I build the schedule is to try and find challenges and some places that are fun to travel to as well. We play an eclectic schedule and we play a lot of different teams from many different conferences, and I think that prepares us well for the Big East confer-

ence,” Conlan said.

Georgetown opens the tournament on Friday against Rutgers, a Big Ten squad, and will face the host FIU of Conference USA later on that day. On Saturday, the Georgetown repeats the same two matchups and ends the tournament facing another C-USA foe in Memphis. Conlan stressed the importance of carrying over their preparation and execution from their practices to the diamond this weekend, especially in the circle.

“We’re going to go as far as our pitching takes us,” Conlan said. “I think our pitching has to keep us in ball games, and I think we have a strong offensive lineup right now. I know we can score some runs and play clean defense, so if we put those three things together, that’s where we’ll have success.”

The Hoyas’ first game on Friday is set for 10 a.m. against Rutgers and will be followed by a matchup against the hosting FIU Panthers at 4 p.m.

woMen’s basketball

Catch Involves Hoyas to Build on Successful Season Skill Over Luck PIRATES, from B10

ANALYST, from B10

But this one catch seemed to make up for every missed opportunity earlier in the game.

On Monday evening, Edelman humbly admitted on “The Tonight Show” that the catch was “70 percent luck.” He even critiqued his route running during the play.

There is a tendency when we mortals are graced with an out-of-this-world highlight to factor a significant amount of what we call “luck” into the success of the event. In an attempt to downplay the shock value of an individual’s athletic talent, we cite a little luck — being in the right place at the right time, a miracle, etc. — as the force that truly put together such an awesome play.

We cite luck to downplay the shock value of an individual’s athletic talent.

In an attempt to maintain humility, or perhaps to illustrate his own shock, Edelman himself fell into this unfair practice.

But consider Edelman: a lifelong professional athlete who has dedicated almost every day to catching footballs. He is one of the few on this earth who possesses the combination of body type, work ethic and athletic ability to compete as an elite member of the NFL. Core strength, concentration, hand-eye coordination, familiarity with the trajectory of a thrown football, impeccable footwork, balance and speed all factored into Edelman’s ability to snag Brady’s low pass.

Superhuman?

Probably. Incredible? Definitely.

Shocking? Obviously.

But lucky?

I do not buy it for a second.

Back during New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s rookie season, the idea that a catch was “a miracle” received just as much credit as Beckham’s athletic ability when he made his famous one-handed catch against the Cowboys.

Soon after the catch, however, the public learned that Beckham had practiced this wild catch, not only during the pregame warm up leading up to the game, but also as a high school and college student. According to quotes that appeared in the weeks following the catch, Beckham’s high school and college coaches begged him to catch with two hands, as his acrobatic receptions became routine.

In other words, Beckham’s catch was not luck, not a miracle and not an accident. It was the product of years of practice.

While Edelman did not practice the “ankle catch” on any sort of regular basis like Beckham did with his one-handed catch, the Beckham phenomenon illustrates an important aspect of sports — especially catching a football — that is often easy to forget.

Not every throw during organized team activities, training camps and pregame warm-ups is a perfect spiral. And no receiver who is incapable of making acrobatic, highlight reel worthy receptions makes a name for himself in the NFL. Edelman said his catch was “70 percent luck,” but that does not mean any lucky athlete could have made that catch. Let us give him and other athletes who have made incredible grabs the credit that they well deserve.

Great catches are hardly lucky; they are a product of talent and work.

lineup change, notching a team-high 19 points. “[It was] just to give Ty an opportunity, she did a great job out there,” Adomako said.

“That was it, you’ve got to give Ty an opportunity, and also get Dorothy ready to get ready to go, and show them a little something different as well,” Howard said of the switch.

Another Georgetown reserve, junior guard Mykia Jones, made a big impact with 20 points, including 5-of-7 three-point shooting, in the team’s previous contest against Seton

Hall.

After Friday’s game, the Hoyas will travel to New York City to face the Red Storm. St. John’s defeated Georgetown in last season’s Big East tournament quarterfinals and prevailed again, 71-66, when the teams played Jan. 13.

Last season’s Red Storm team graduated two guards — Aliyyah Handford and Danaejah Grant — who were both selected in the 2016 WNBA Draft, but the team has come back strong this season.

Senior forward Jade Walker leads her team with 14.3 points per game, but St. John’s focuses most on its defense. The Red Storm

rank No. 1 in the Big East in points allowed per game, opponent field goal percentage and opponent three-point field goal percentage.

The Hoyas are focused on their own defense after they allowed the Bluejays to hit nine three-pointers Sunday.

“Help and recover,” Howard said. “Help each other. I think that’s the biggest thing. We have to have each other’s back. …

We’ll continue to work at it. And it’ll be a preparation week, getting ready to go play Seton Hall and St. John’s, so hopefully we can get back on a winning track up there.”

With just six games remaining on their Big East schedule, the Hoyas could be looking ahead to the Big East tournament and a possible additional postseason tournament.

Still, they are focused on the present as they make their final push.

“Well, we got two big ones coming at Seton Hall and St. John’s, we need those two,” Adomako said.

“Finish out the conference strong.”

Georgetown tips off against Seton Hall on Friday at 7 p.m. and against St. John’s on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games will be televised on the Big East Digital Network.

DERRICK ARTHUR/THE HOYA

Sophomore Dionna White, right, averages 16 points per game on 35.8 percent field goal shooting to complement her 5.2 rebounds per game. White has started in all 21 of Georgetown’s games this season.

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball Georgetown (13-12) vs. Marquette (15-9) Saturday, 12:00 p.m. EST Verizon Center

FRIDAY, FEBR UARY 10, 2017

TALKING POINTS

SWIM & DIVE The Georgetown swimming and diving team close out their regular season at Providence on Saturday.

See B8

“

NUMBERS GAME

As difficult as your opponent is, we still have to keep improving as Georgetown.”

HEAD COACH JOHN THOMPSON III

MEN’S BASKETBALL

2

The number of consecutive Big East games the men’s basketball team has lost after winning three straight.

SOFTBALL

GU Starts New Season in Florida CAMERON PERALES Hoya Staff Writer

FILE PHOTO: DERRICK ARTHUR/THE HOYA

Graduate student guard and leading scorer Rodney Pryor, left, averages 18.2 points per game to complement his five rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Pryor has started all 25 of Georgetown’s games this season.

Hoyas Look to Bounce Back at Home SEAN HOFFMAN Hoya Staff Writer

After dropping two consecutive Big East games, the Georgetown men’s basketball team once again finds itself near the bottom of the conference standings. With six games remaining, the Hoyas have the opportunity to make a jump in the standings as they host the Marquette Golden Eagles this Saturday at the Verizon Center.

On Tuesday night, Georgetown (13-12, 4-8 Big East) put itself in a position to make a statement in the conference against No. 2 Villanova (232, 10-2 Big East). The Hoyas erased a 15-point deficit to cut the lead to two with two minutes in the game. How-

ever, Georgetown failed to come up with defensive stops to win. The reigning champions remained undefeated at home this season, handing the Blue and Gray a 75-64 defeat.

“We got down big. I liked the way our guys fought to get back in the game, and then we just didn’t get over the hump at the very end,” Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III said.

The Golden Eagles (15-9, 6-6 Big East) enter Saturday’s contest after watching their own comeback bid fall short against the No. 22 Butler Bulldogs (19-5, 8-4 Big East), losing in a close margin 6865 at home.

Georgetown kicked off its conference schedule at Mar-

THE ANALYST

quette earlier in December, suffering a 76-66 loss. Freshman guard Markus Howard scored a game-high 23 points for the Golden Eagles and referred to the Hoyas’ defense as “lazy” in a postgame interview with Fox Sports 1.

In the first matchup, Georgetown had15 turnovers — an area that has plagued the team all season. While graduate student guard and leading scorer Rodney Pryor finished with 23 points in the contest, he also committed a team-high four turnovers.

To improve their chances of winning, the Hoyas must limit their turnovers and be efficient on offense.

Marquette’s high-powered offense — which ranks second in the Big East with 82.9

PAT CONLAN Head Coach

The biggest contribution will come from the team’s new additions to the circle, as freshmen Anna Brooks Pacha and Katie Vannicola shore up the team’s rotation and provide some much- needed depth and talent for the Hoyas. Conlan said she has high expectations for her new pitchers, who both come off highly successful high school careers, leading their respective teams to contention for state championships.

See SOFTBALL, B9

Team Begins 2-Game Road Trip Hoya Staff Writer

Amanda Christovich

Edelman’s Catch, More Than Luck

A

See MARQUETTE, B9

“What we’ve done in the past and what we’re going to do next year has no bearing on where we are right now.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

TYLER PARK

fter weeks of agonizingly mediocre and predictable football, Super Bowl LI rewarded us with what many are calling the greatest Super Bowl ever.

We were graced with the largest comeback and the first overtime in Super Bowl history, as well as two-point conversions, an onside kick attempt and more than one superhuman catch.

Never mind that the champions were the New England Patriots — as much as the majority of the country was rooting against them — the game was too great to not appreciate.

One of the game’s most memorable moments was Patriots receiver Julian Edelman’s unbelievable acrobatic fourth quarter catch, a highlight now

points per game — relies heavily on its perimeter shooters. The Golden Eagles boast the conference’s best three-point percentage at 42.4 percent. Howard’s 51.9 percent three-point percentage ranks first in the conference and junior guard Andrew Rowsey’s 47.2 percent ranks fourth.

Thompson acknowledged his opponent’s ability to shoot threes, and he emphasized the importance of preventing the Golden Eagles from developing an offensive rhythm.

“They’re going to go on a run. With the way they’re put together — with their shooters and scoring

The Georgetown softball team, coming off a tough 2015-2016 season, is ready to leave the 9-35 season behind and move into a new year.

This weekend, the Hoyas travel to Miami, to play in the Felsberg Invitational. This season’s squad brings back nine starters and adds seven new faces, creating a blend of experience and talent that Head Coach Pat Conlan has been looking to create by developing a mindset of preparedness in her players over the offseason.

“I think the mindset is that it’s always a clean slate,” Conlan said. “What we’ve done in the past and what we’re going to do next year has no bearing on where we are right now. I think our preparation began at the end of last year. We had a fantastic offseason and fall workouts for our kids, getting strong in the weight room,” Senior catcher Gabriela Elvina — a perennial starter behind the plate — has emerged as a team leader this season. Elvina has started more than 40 games the past two seasons, posting a career high .384 on base percentage and a stellar .978 fielding percentage last season. Coach Conlan expects Elvina to have a big year for Georgetown, and stated that it will start with her leadership.

“We have a nice blend of newcomers and returners, Gabby Elvina is a senior for us this year and she’s been a great leader for us behind the plate for four years, so we’re looking for her to have a standout senior year,” Conlan said.

Coach Conlan also emphasized that the younger

members of the team will be taking on larger roles this season. Specifically, sophomores Mallory Belknap and Theresa Kane are stepping into the role of starters at second base and center field, respectively, as well as alternating the leadoff spot in the lineup.

“Mallory Belknap was a starter as a freshman and will take over at second base for us, and Theresa Kane will man center field for us, and between her and [Belknap] they will be somewhere around our leadoff spots, so they’ll be our tone setters,” Conlan said.

being considered the Patriots’ very own “helmet catch,” referencing New York Giants’ David Tyree’s catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIII. At 1st-and-10 on the Patriots’ own 36, Edelman snagged the football just centimeters from the ground. The catch was so unbelievable that the Falcons challenged the completed pass to no avail. Edelman’s talented hands successfully kept the football from grazing the grass, and every replay confirmed it.

The catch marked the first successful connection between Edelman and Brady. For the first three quarters, the two seemed dysfunctional and were unable to complete even the most routine passes.

See ANALYST, B9

After splitting two home games last week, the Georgetown women’s basketball team prepares for a final push toward the postseason, beginning with a two-game road trip this weekend.

The Hoyas (14-8, 6-6 Big East) take on the Seton Hall Pirates (11-13, 4-9 Big East) this Friday at 7 p.m. before facing the St. John’s Red Storm (16-8, 8-5 Big East) on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The road trip offers Georgetown the opportunity to bounce back from a 67-59 loss to Creighton (17-6, 11-2 Big East) last Sunday.

“We’ll just get back into the gym, watch film and try to adjust and get ready for the next games because we have two tough ones coming up too,” junior forward Cynthia Petke said after Sunday’s loss.

The Hoyas have been focusing on improving their three-point shooting for the final stretch of the season. They made three of their 14 long-range attempts against the Bluejays, and currently rank ninth out of 10 Big East teams with a 31.2 percent three-point shooting per-

centage. “[We’re going to] get back in the gym and continue to work at it,” Associate Head Coach James Howard said. “We took some threes out there that normally we knock down a few more, and I think that was the difference in the game when you look at the box [score].”

“We’ll just get back into the gym, watch film and try to adjust.”

CYNTHIA PETKE JUNIOR FORWARD

The Hoyas made a change in their starting lineup for Sunday’s game, inserting senior guard Tyshell King to replace junior guard Dorothy Adomako. Adomako, the team’s second-leading scorer at 14.2 points per game, has started 77 of her 79 career games in her three seasons, but she did not seem to resent the See PIRATES, B9

Visit us online at thehoya.com/sports

DERRICK ARTHUR/THE HOYA

Junior guard DiDi Burton scores 6.3 points per game on 35.1 percent field goal shooting.