Winter 2015 V. 5 Issue 2
Raising the (food) bar Local restaurant creates a combination of old and new
A Mermaid’s
Tail
A look into the underwater world of professional mermaiding
The next big star Student musician stands out in Nashville’s music scene
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table of CONTENTS
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Interested in more? See content online at portandmain.com. @portandmainmag
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P&M, Winter 2015
Port & Main Magazine
@portandmainmag
Letter from the Editor
& staff
port main
contributing writers Lauren Hunt Whitney Roberts Ashleigh Balsamo Mike Dolzer
Contributing Photographers Hannah Peterson David Bittner Maddie Eagen Alexandra DeAngelis
advertising staff Blake Harvey Interested in advertising? 540-568-6127 portads@gmail.com
Dear reader, It’s time for round two. After diving head first into the magazine world last semester with a fall issue, we’re excited to bring you the second edition of Port & Main for the 2014-15 school year. My team of lovely ladies and I wanted to give you an eclectic mix of human interest and helpful information you can use during your stay here in the ‘Burg. From mermaids to fine dining to rising country music superstars, this edition has it all. Or, well, those things at least. Bringing this publication (or any publication) to you is something I’ve always hoped to accomplish. This is for you.
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Story | Lauren Hunt Photography | David Bittner and Hannah Peterson
Under the
Sea Hannah Burgess gives up her legs to live her dreams of becoming a mermaid 4
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On any given day, the University Recreation Center’s pool is filled with students and faculty starting their morning off with a few laps. But on this day, the pool’s only occupant is a mermaid named Nova Sirène. She dips under the water and kicks several times. Her tail slaps the surface of the water as she sends herself from one end of the pool to the other before surfacing in the deep end. Bubbles trail behind her and float to the top, leaving a fizzing wake behind her. The lifeguard on duty, Hannah Houston, a graduate assistant for the aquatics department, watches with her arms draped over her red rescue tube. She’s never seen a mermaid in the pool before. “The guy that was supposed to be the lifeguard on duty right now is running late, so I got put in here,” Houston says. “Honestly, I’m kind of glad he’s running late. It gives me the chance to do something different and this is really cool.” Nova is filming some scenes for a short film titled “Siren” about two star-crossed lovers: a mermaid named Sirene and a park ranger named Jack who meet and fall in love despite their obvious differences, but both succumb to a tragic end. Nova’s bleach-blonde hair fans out around her shoulders as she bobs at the side of the pool waiting for directions from senior media arts
and design major and “Siren” director Adam Sidelko. Green and white scales painted above her eyes glint in the florescent lights. She rests the fin of her tail on the bottom of the pool and the tips sway back and forth in the current. “Okay, Hannah’s first line, take one,” Sidelko says as he gives a decisive clap in front of the camera lens. “3 ... 2 … 1 … Action.” Nova takes a deep breath and dips under the water before surfacing again and staring intently into the camera. “I’ve been waiting for you, Jack,” she says. When she’s out of the water and at JMU, Nova is a sophomore international affairs major named Hannah Burgess. “I’ve always loved mermaids more than the next kid,” Burgess says. “When I was a kid I would put my legs into one pant leg and go swimming. I’m not sure why my parents let me do that, but they did.” She began mermaiding two years ago when her mother gave her a spandex tail with a blue and green scale print. Burgess was first inspired to take her love of mermaids to a professional level after seeing pictures of
“When I was a kid I would put my legs into one pant leg and go swimming.” P&M, Winter 2015 5
“I love being a mythical creature. It’s a chance for me to create magic for people and bring some magic back into the world.”
professional mermaids on Tumblr. “It seemed like they were just totally free and didn’t care what anyone else thought,” she said. “It just kind of took the fantasy someone has a child and brings it to your adult life.” Now, Burgess finds herself the subject of those photos. “I love being a mythical creature,” she said. “It’s a chance for me to create magic for people and bring some magic back into the world. It’s nice for people to see something so innocent and beautiful.” That magic comes from the tail. Arguably the most important part of the transformation, tails are custom made for each mermaid. Tail sculptors take measurements of a mermaid’s hips, legs and waist so that the tail fits more like a second skin than a costume.
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The anatomy of a tail consists of a fluke, where the legs are, which leads into a monofin. A monofin is similar to two scuba fins connected at the heels. Silicone tails start off as liquid silicone rubber that are poured into resin molds to shape the tails and make sheets of scales that match the measurements of the mermaid. Once the resin cures, the tail is assembled and enters the painting stage. Silicone is not a paintable material, so tail artists must use various pigments and thinners to color the silicone. On average, silicone tails take five to 10 weeks to complete. Burgess’s tail, blue down the length of the fluke with a gold tail outlined in teal, weighs in at 23 pounds and makes her usual 5’3” frame eight feet long after it’s on. But for the challenges it brings in length and weight on land, it makes up for in the water, sending her 20 feet
below the surface with just a few powerful kicks. “A mermaid tail is like a trademark for certain mermaids,” Burgess says. The colors and patterns are usually just as individual as the mermaids themselves. “People recognize me because of my tail.” Back at the pool, she sits by the edge and covers her legs in coconut oil. Without it, the silicone of the tail can stick to the skin and leave a razor-burn like rash, or worse, rip the tail. She dips the tail in the water and then folds it over itself before sliding her feet into the monofin. She pulls and adjusts it before moving into deeper water to pull it up the rest of the way. It’s similar to putting on tights. “It’s a lot easier [in the water],” she says. Her tail glimmers and flicks through the water as she moves. “But I think I put too much coconut oil on. It’s a little slimy.” Her tail has just undergone a minor repair job to fix a rip in the seam from wear and tear over the three years that it’s been in use. As she’s sitting on the side of the pool and adjusting the top of the tail, she sits up and squeals. “I ripped it!” she says. “I put a hole in the back!” Thankfully, it’s not noticeable. Ranging from $1,200 (which Burgess paid for her tail) to more than $2,700, mermaids have to take proper care of them. They must be cleaned after every use with vinegar if the tail has been in water that contains organic matter, or baking soda diluted in bathwater if the tail was in chlorine. Careful
cleaning of the tail can help it last up to five years before it needs to be retired and recycled. Burgess’s mermaiding career includes providing entertainment for children’s parties, underwater modeling and short films like “Siren.” She’s turned what started out as a hobby into a part-time job, getting paid around $100 per hour for parties and appearances and around $75 per hour for modeling and other events. But to her, it’s not about the money. “When I’m swimming in my tail I feel like a real mermaid,” Burgess says. “I mean, I don’t really think I’m a mermaid and can breathe underwater or anything, but when you’re in the tail, it just helps the illusion. It makes you feel more powerful.” Not to mention irresistible. “Sirene, I need to know what you did to Hank,” says Jack, played by Jordan Clifford, a senior media arts and design major. He’s crouched over the edge of the pool, staring into Nova’s eyes. She gives him a knowing smile before shushing him. “Join me, Jack,” she says. She reaches up and cups his face before pulling him into the water. “Cut! Perfect!” Sidelko yells from behind the camera and gives a final, solid clap. “And we’re done! That’s a wrap!”
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Photography | Hannah Peterson
get.your . fill @
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P&M, 20152015 P&M, Fall Winter
An herbivore and an omnivore review selections from one of Harrisonburg’s newest restaurants
Herbivore
Review | Whitney Roberts When Food.Bar.Food opened downtown, I was eager to check it out. As a vegetarian, I’m always looking for new places in town that offer a wide variety of choices. Luckily, Food.Bar.Food’s menu was exceptionally accommodating. I was able to order an appetizer, a main dish and dessert. To start with, I ordered the black bean and goat cheese hummus. I thought that the black beans and goat cheese would serve as a chunky garnish on the hummus, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were nicely whipped together to form a thick consistency. At $6, the hummus was slightly overpriced, but it I think it was well worth it and I could see myself ordering it again. For my main dish, there were several vegetarian options. However, I decided on the smoked tomato soup. The soup came with a grilled cheese on sourdough Pullman bread with veggies and mozzarella cheese curd. I’ve never had a grilled cheese with veggies in it before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The caramelized onions, chopped, and diced squash were a lovely addition to the cheese and complemented it well. Naturally, I dipped the grilled cheese into the soup. The pairing was delightful. The smoky flavors in the tomato soup were rich, vibrant and slightly spicy. The smoked tomato soup and grilled cheese combination was only $11 and I would recommend it to anyone looking for comfort food with a twist. For dessert, I had the chocolate cardamom cake with coffee syrup and pistachio toffee. Food.Bar.Food changes its dessert menu weekly, but I certainly hope this one makes a return. The pistachio toffee was very flavorful, but was a little bit too sticky. However, the chocolate cake went well with the toffee and the coffee syrup brought the flavors together without making it too sweet. All of the desserts on the menu were very reasonably priced at $5-$6 each. I thought each of my menu selections were unique and enjoyable. Considering the price and portion sizes, I could definitely see myself going back to Food.Bar.Food again very soon.
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Omnivore
Review | Ashleigh Balsamo From the moment I stepped inside, I knew Food.Bar.Food was going to be an overall good experience. The modern décor and friendly hostess immediately set the bar high, and luckily the food didn’t fall short of my expectations. I ordered the grilled rosemary foccacia as an appetizer and got way more than I thought I would. While $9 may seem a bit pricey for some starter bread, this dish came with mushrooms, basil, cheese and olive oil drizzled on top, making it filling with plenty to share. The flavors complemented each other very nicely. The bread was cooked to perfection and had a slight crunch on the outside while remaining warm and doughy on the inside. As a bread lover, I would definitely order this dish again. For dinner I ordered the Harris ranch tri tip steak, which was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. This steak came atop skillet potatoes and mixed veggies and gets a 10/10 for presentation alone. The steak was marinated and covered in miso-bacon vinaigrette, which made it juicy and enhanced all of the natural flavors while adding a touch of its own. The veggies were grilled and seasoned nicely, complimenting the steak well. While the portion was a little bit smaller than I was expecting, it was reasonable for $12 and left me feeling satisfied rather than overstuffed. My third course came as a bit of a shock because I am not a sweets person, but dessert was actually my favorite part of the entire meal. I had the pumpkin whoopie pie with cream cheese frosting, and it was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. The flavor was intense but not overpowering — sweet but not too sweet — and overall a great way to end a great meal. At $5, it was the most reasonably priced item on my bill and worth every penny. Unfortunately, this dessert is a temporary fall item, but here’s hoping that it will make a comeback even when it isn’t in season. I left Food.Bar.Food feeling very content. I wasn’t so full that I was feeling sick (which happens too often when I leave restaurants) but was satisfied with the three-course meal I had just eaten. From the great food, moderate portions and friendly wait staff, I was extremely pleased with my trip and can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.
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FOOD.BAR.FOOD 126 W. Bruce St. Harrisonburg, Virginia P&M, Winter 2015 13
Alexis Keene is leading a double life. At JMU, she’s a senior communication studies major. But she’s also an exceedingly accomplished country musician with a stage name and massive fan following. Despite her made-for-TV life, she still remembers where she came from. “Everyone in middle school could always hear my singing in choir because my voice had a [southern] twang,” she says. “That’s when I knew that I had my own voice and I wanted to pursue [singing].” When she got her first guitar in freshman year of high school, she decided to become an artist. To become an artist, she knew that she needed a platform — but even artists have parents. “I wanted to post my first YouTube video of me singing ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’ by Taylor Swift, but my mom wouldn’t let me use my real name on the Internet,” she says. “I used [my nickname] “Lexie,” and then “Hayden,” which is my middle name. That’s how Lexie Hayden started.” Once that was taken care of, Keene’s stardom rose rapidly. Her music is available on iTunes, Pandora and a host of other sources. Even more impressive, the Lexie Hayden YouTube channel has almost 2.5 million views and more than 10,000 subscribers. She was able to turn that following into larger accomplishments. In 2013 and 2014, she played on Jiiffy Lube Live’s VIP stage in Bristow, Virginia, a smaller side stage adjacent to the massive main pavilion. This past summer, she performed before superstar Miranda Lambert, and the previous summer she pre-opened for “The Voice’s” Blake Shelton. Before her back-to-back Jiffy Lube Live stints, she played at the 2012 South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. “It was a Washington D.C.-based showcase at SXSW, so I got to miss three days of school and they were the best days of my life,” Keene says. She says she gained a lot of momentum at SXSW, and she continues to succeed in ways that she never even thought were possible. Over the summer she lived in Nashville and sang on “The Bobby Bones Show.” “That was one of the biggest things to ever happen to me in my entire life,” she says. “I was an intern at the show, and someone told Bobby that I could sing, so one day he told me to sing on-air 14
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and I did. All my friends and family were driving to work and when they turned on their radio I was singing — it was incredible.” Her ascension to fame didn’t end there. “I got to open for Bobby Bones’s parody band at a concert some time later,” she says. “Bobby’s band that night was playing with [famous country singers] Craig Campbell and Gary Allan.” Bones let her sing on air frequently after that, and one time, she was even allowed to sing an original song, “Set Me Free.” Aside from performing, songwriting is her other passion. Her 2013 song “Rainin’ on a Wednesday” exemplifies her writing style as well as her voice. The lyrics have an innocent yet romantic vibe similar to Taylor Swift’s earlier work. Her voice itself is noticeably accentuated by the signature twang that made her stand out all those years ago: “It’s 1 a.m. and you’re not dreamin’ I’m in bed but I’m not sleepin’ When you get into your car Only thing you see is headlights As they lead you to my porch light” Keene knows just how to stand out in an extremely competitive industry. “You just have to contact people and be persistent,” she says. She also always has a slew of new projects in the pipeline. She has a new album coming out in early 2015 — a follow-up to her four-track EP “Feels Like Home” — with some music produced by Austin Bello from the pop punk band Forever the Sickest Kids. The album will have “Rainin’ on a Wednesday” on it, the unreleased “Set Me Free,” and three brand new original songs. Keene plans on moving to Nashville after graduation to immerse herself in the country music scene. While continuing to perform and write songs, she also hopes to land a job as a writer for Country Music Television, for a radio station in Nashville or anything that involves writing about country music. Keene, who’s trying to balance college, career and her dreams, has a nugget of wisdom to share with others who have big aspirations. “Put yourself out there and go where your work takes you, don’t ever think things are too far out of reach.”
A little bit of
Story | Mike Dolzer Photography | Maddie Eagen and Alexandra DeAngelis
southern twang
JMU senior Alexis Keene has been making it big in the country music world
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