Vol. 3. Issue. 4. 16 November 2016
THE SUSS THE COLLEGE VIEW’S ARTS & LIFESTYLE SUPPLEMENT
Arts
Review: Metropolis 2016 BY STEPHEN KEEGAN
T
here it sits, under a crescent moon, Leinster blue spotlights glinting off each individual mirror - the world’s largest disco ball, in the courtyard of the RDS - a signifier of the weekend to come. The place isn’t quite abuzz yet though - it’s a drizzly Thursday night and we’re here for Metropolis’ opening party - three acts in the Shelbourne Hall, the festival’s second stage. In the ball’s place last year was the Arcadia installation where DJs played - but the courtyard is now silent but for the conversation of those ordering at food stalls and huddling under parasols beside Just Eat’s optimistic sunloungers. It feels like the calm before the storm as DJ Kormac takes to the stage to open the weekend for a live AV show. Kormac’s Big Band shows were a guaranteed good time and the Dubliner remains a natural showman even sans brass section. Live drums and guest vocalists keep the energy up as “Everything Around Me” and Irvine Welsh collaboration “Another Screen” get the biggest reactions in a set far more engaging than what was to follow from Mount Kimbie. The English duo’s minimalist post-dubstep is pretty but received with ambivalence until the militaristic beat of closer “Made To Stray” gets the people moving again. Recently The Quietus published a piece entitled “Milestone or Millstone?” on DJ Shadow’s seminal debut Endtroducing, now celebrating its 20th birthday. His first Irish appearance in five years proved without a doubt that it’s
no millstone. It’s new releases that light up the set - Run The Jewels collaboration “Nobody Speak” draws big cheers with the line “flame your crew quicker than Trump fucks his youngest” and Salva’s remix of “Building Steam with a Grain of Salt” introduce Endtroducing’s samples to 2016. Friday marks the start of the festival proper, and Girl Band have been given the preposterously early set time of 5:50 on the Shelbourne Hall. Far too small a crowd witness a scintillating set, their shoegaze and post-punk textures draped over techno structures generating an incredible tension which is never relieved with an obvious riff or drop. Frontman Dara Kiely is a beguiling watch, the tension overtaking him as well as the crowd - to the extent that he has to leave the stage to vomit. Bassist Daniel Fox fills in with a solo of the national anthem before Kiely returns for a heroic finish of “Paul”. Nineteen year-old Novelist took to the intimate stage of the Serpentine Hall and made himself hero by leading us in a chant of “fuck David Cameron”. He’s fea-
Image Credit Page 1:upsetmagazine.com; Page 2: we areredhead pr; Page 3: independent. co.uk; Page 4: bodeganottingham.com; Page 5:Laura Duffy; Page 6: i.emovember.com; Page 7: H&M, Khloe Kardashian Instagram, Female. com; Page 8: redblueyou.co.uk, iceskating.ie, Google Images
2
tured on Skepta’s Mercury-winning Konnichiwa and MCs of his talent are a big reason for Grime’s ascendent year. Not quite “10/10” as he proclaims himself to be yet but his flow will take him places. “Moderat is a very dark show. For everyone’s enjoyment, please do not use flash” read the notice before the Berlin supergroup took to the Main Hall stage. A policy straight from the dancefloors of Berghain and Tresor and the tunes to match. The darkness combined with the sweeping low-end of “Bad Kingdom” and “Rusty Nails” and Sascha Ring’s soulful vocals to both fill and make intimate the vast expanse of the hall. A supreme treat for the club crowd. Trinity Orchestra kicked off Saturday in the Main Hall with a delightful set of David Bowie covers - it was a real treat to see a range of vocalists with differing styles take on greats such as “Starman” and “Sound and Vision”. A nimble medley of “Fame”, “Golden Years” and “Fashion” looked set to be the highlight until Katie Richardson McCrea’s operatic vocals blew us all away in an appropriately intense rendition of “Lazarus” from Bowie’s final album Blackstar. A youthful crowd gathers at the Main Hall for Shura, who is at the vanguard of new young queer pop alongside the likes of Shamir and Years & Years. They’re undoubtably drawn to both the impeccable Mancunian’s
pop credentials and her tacking of subjects like anxiety - discoinflected opener “Nothing’s Real,” about her experience of a panic attack, is a real treat. Onstage she’s unafraid to come out from behind her keys and get up close and personal with the crowd - but not without a lot of very endearing nervous laughter. Klangkarussel’s last minute cancellation pushed Fatima Yamaha to the pre-headliner slot in the Shelbourne Hall, meaning all
“ It feels like the calm before the storm as DJ Kormac takes to the stage to open the weekend” the more got to witness Bas Bron in masterful form. “Borderless II” opened a meticulously crafted live set that built perfectly - by the time the funk bassline of “Love Invaders” kicked in everyone had fully committed themselves to dancing. Bron’s keyboard improvisations stretched each track to new dimensions, teasing the next track. The entire crowd singing along to the synth line of mother of all sleeper hits “What’s A Girl To Do?” was magical and absolutely the moment of the weekend.
Arts
How the world of Black Mirror has become terrifyingly realistic ZAINAB BOLADALE
N
etflix’s season three release of ‘Black Mirror’ welcomed old and new audiences to its glossy yet twisted dystopian world of technological advancements. As our world keeps excelling in inventions that keep us plugged into our own personal virtual realities, the stories told in this season make it easy to imagine them as truths. What makes all three seasons of Black Mirror an intriguing watch is that the characters don’t question their society’s use of technology until they fall victim to it in a nightmarish way. As a viewer, you find yourself being jolted into a frightful realisation of how people can take a creation that is meant for the greater societal good and turn it into something which inevitably gets used for an evil purpose. Just like in the previous two seasons, creator Charlie Brooker hurls us into the anthology horror series with a suspiciously calm first episode. ‘Nosedive’, exhibits a futuristic society which is vaguely familiar. One that is attached to their smartphones,
where individuals seek personal validation through their online accounts and values people based on their ratings, which ranges from one to five stars. In this dystopia, there’s a chilling false sense of happiness as people go above and beyond to be liked in order to receive high online ratings through unfelt acts of kindness. The superficial desensitised nature of this world is shown through the insecure main character, Lacie. As she obsessively attempts to gain a higher online rating which she thinks would result in a happier life amongst the elite, we’re shown how it quickly leads to her downfall. There’s been a growing fear of having online activities leaked to the public which has been topical this decade. “Shut Up and Dance” exploits this fear in a frightful manner. In this episode, people are recorded through their webcams and their online actions are monitored. Once caught doing something illegal, they’re blackmailed into carrying out tasks requested by an organisation of blackmail-
ers. Should they refuse they’re threatened with the consequence of having their secrets sent to all their contacts. This is scary, as it could just as easily happen in this day and age. Unfortunately, previous seasons have proved that Black Mirror only excels when it sticks to simple narratives where characters are individually developed. This makes it easily apparent in how technology has destroyed their lives. ‘Hated in the Nation’, the final episode, was a hit and miss entirely. It tried too hard in how it pushed the agenda of technological terrorism through social media and how it can transcend into the targeting of civilians. Despite the obvious attempts of inspiring technophobia in the unfolding of the story, this episode loses the acclaimed Black Mirror fear factor and instead, felt more like the unravelling of a murder mystery. One of the most talked about episodes this season is ‘San Junipero’. It’s slotted snugly in the middle of the season and it follows the story of two compelling female characters whose lives
become romantically intertwined. Set in the backdrop of the late 80’s, there’s a strangely modern atmosphere to the world around them. As the story develops and we realise that all is not as it seems, the characters themselves are physically not in the world they’re partying in, and that the reality of their own lives are much more complicated. It’s not hard to see why this episode is the most talked about as it heightens our emotions and we go from being nostalgic to feeling sympathy for them as they cling on the little joys they can afford in their lives through escapism. If anything can be said for this season of ‘Black Mirror’, it exemplifies how you can take modern day dilemmas and reflect them back to us in the worst and best ways possible. It highlights the multidimensional nature of technological advancements, all while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The season explores territories the sci-fi franchise regularly touches on, but does it satirically better by warping these ideas in the most chilling way.
3
Arts
Do you know Fangclub? BY STEPHEN KEEGAN
A
ppropriately with a band fronted by a man called Steven King, I catch up with Fangclub at Universal Ireland head offices just before Halloween. They’re on a short break between two legs of their UK tour with Twin Atlantic and Pulled Apart by Horses. “It’s like the dream tour” guitarist Kevin Keane says. “We love those bands already.” It makes sense - both are from the same hard-riffing, no-nonsense rock genepool as Fangclub, who love The Offspring, Nirvana, The Vines and Queens Of The Stone Age, and love what they do. “It was really cool to be on tour with another proper rock band,” Kevin says of their tour with Pretty Vicious, immediately before Twin Atlantic. “We’d never been to the UK before,” adds Steven. “It was quite a big learning curve”. The curve’s been steep for the trio, who formed “organically” just
three years ago after Steve joined forces with “local punk rocker” Kevin and found drummer Dara Coleman at a house party they played at. “For us it felt like a snowball,” Steve says, “because we’re just like a small garage rock band and then we did Toronto (they played the CMW festival there) and then we got this offer (with Universal). Did they envision it moving so quick? “No,” they all exclaim. “We kind of focused on just playing the gigs... I think that’s an important thing to do” says Dara. “It’s important to have a plan but like, think about why you’re doing it.” “Never lose sight of the fun of playing,” Kevin adds. They don’t seem like a band without a plan though - even debut single “Bullet Head” is a sharp two minute shock. New single “Dreamcatcher” from the Coma Happy EP will “appeal to a more general audience,” Dara thinks
- “but it’s still pretty heavy.” Steve grins in agreement. “Bullet Head was sort of the no-brainer, Dreamcatcher I put a little more thought into when I was writing but it still has that huge stupid riff over it. You have to keep it a little bit stupid y’know? They’ve played some convention-style festivals, from the aforementioned CMW to Dublin’s own Hard Working Class Heroes, which they agree are a great help
when you’re up and coming even if they don’t pay. “I think you should be willing to sacrifice the lack of pay because you love it so much,” Kevin says. “Once you know what you’re going in there for - hopefully meet some bands, there’s usually industry people floating about too. I think it’s the best way of doing it.” New EP Coma Happy is out November 18th.
The Crown of Netflix dramas BY BRONWYN O’NEILL
A
s an audience, we’re used to seeing Queen Elizabeth II as an elderly lady in colourful suits surrounded by corgis - but who was she before the big hats? Netflix explores the Queen’s rise to power in their new series, ‘The Crown’. It is reported to be their most expensive production yet with a budget of £100 million. So what did they spend all that money on? The 10 part series follows a young Elizabeth (Claire Foy) as she is thrust into power after her father’s death, and the strain her new title places upon her relationships, especially between her and her husband Prince Philip (Matt Smith). As with all Netflix shows,
4
the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking as well as the intricate set designs and stunning costumes. One of these such costumes includes a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding. The period setting is a breath of fresh air and a welcome relief for anyone who is missing Downton Abbey. The series is a slow burner, focusing on the inner mechanics of The Royal Family, as well as Winston Churchill’s twilight years as Prime Minister. The strained relationship between the young queen and the government is evident as she tries to appease her husband and do her duties as the ruler of Great Britain. The show focuses on the power imbalance between Elizabeth and Philip, as he struggles to
come to terms with his wife being in control. There is also a heavy focus on Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII who abdicated the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson, and the increasingly tense bond between Elizabeth and her younger sister, Margaret. The theme of relationships and the strain power can put on them is prominent throughout the season. Each episode focuses on a new crisis in Elizabeth’s early days as queen, including deadly smog that engulfs London for four days, while also portraying the controversy surrounding her coronation. The cast is extremely strong, as Foy breathes life into an almost untouchable figure as the young queen, making the audience root for her success. Smith’s portrayal
of Prince Phillip, a far cry from his turn as the quirky eleventh Doctor Who, plays the part in such an endearing but unlikable way it is hard to fault. John Lithgow takes the formidable Churchill at the end of his career and portrays the war politician in a completely different light, with Vanessa Kirby taking on the one of the most interesting roles as rebellious younger sister Margaret. It is reported that Netflix has greenlighted six seasons of the show to follow Queen Elizabeth’s rule throughout her entire life. The slow pace may turn viewers off the usually lively Netflix originals, but with patience it is definitely worth the watch.
Scenery — Japan’s greatest contribution to Jazz
Arts
BY BARRY O’SULLIVAN
G
randiose statements require grandiose substantiation, and as such it’s a rare day that I would take such a concept to task. Though it is of little debate as to whether Mr. Ryo Fukui’s 1976 debut would claim right to being his magnum opus, its standing, brilliance and legacy sadly remain largely unrecognised due to a combination of circumstance, geography, timing and that all of ingredients in the sphere of the music world – luck. Earlier this year Fukui passed away and this record is no more celebrated than when he was still alive, with exception to those lucky enough to have stumbled across him. My own discovery came after some late night deep sea diving amongst the rarer jewels of YouTube, and the quest to gather enough coin for a copy of the 2009 vinyl repressing continues. 1970s America was already a generation and a cultural revolution outside of the height of the jazz era and subsequent craze. Stalwarts of the genre were either dead, retired or excavating new and exciting possibilities through the ground-breaking work of jazz fusion, particularly Miles Davis starting with ‘Bitches Brew’. Synthesisers, Middle Eastern scales and even conjunctional philosophies and spiritual movements were getting caught up with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Alice Coltrane. In post-war Japan, a vibrant jazz scene had developed after tours by American musicians in the Pacific arena. At 22, Fukui became a self-taught pianist and made quite a name for himself with his natural ability, improvisational skills and power to transform a blasé, overworked standard into something truly unique and self-moulded. It was only six years
after that ‘Scenery’ was recorded. Beginning with ‘It Could Happen to You’, Fukui grants a placid, serene introduction to the hard bop classic. The chorus sees him playfully dancing around the major scale, creating gorgeous little ornamentations to an otherwise simple chord progression. Next up is ‘I Want to talk About You’ from Coltrane’s 1958 debut which is tackled with impressive, unimposing technical candour while maintaining a strong, fundamentally intimate aesthetic. An aesthetic which is crucial to the feeling of the piece. Never overstepping the fine balance of these two components is the key to Fukui’s brilliance. ‘Scenery’ reaches the apex of its majesty with an original, ‘Early Summer’. The track takes full advantage of over 10 minutes of tape
The frenetic energy of Fukui’s keys lead to some truly dazzling runs that slip in and out of scale to emphasise that sense of urgency and pure emotion pouring out of his fingers up and down every end of the piano. Despite the near chaotic feel of its heights, none of his “Despite the near improvisations or runs feel conchaotic feel of its trived or hollow hearted – this beheights, none of ing a remarkable feat considering that the rhythm, feel and structure his improvisations of the piece never become hosor runs feel tage to Fukui’s wild imagination. contrived or ‘Early Summer’ blends both of the hollow-hearted” albums’ styles perfectly, lending space to the jolly, racing enthusisome furious slaps of chord proasm of the first half and the more gressions that mark themselves as sombre, reflective second half. The title track sees a more the signature melody of the piece. precision-oriented approach Progressively, the climax arrives with a three minute piano solo that as opposed to the broad legato nods off to the rhythm section who sweeps that characterised the first half. Melancholic undertones give take their own bow seamlessly. the track a surface with which to gently guide the listener toward the album’s end. Without any great leaps, runaway solos or spotlight trade-offs between the musicians similar to that of ‘Early Summer’, ‘Scenery’ simply dwindles bit by bit until it is time to say goodnight. Jazz of the 1970s was constantly tripping over itself in continous attempts to emphasise individualistic grand innovation as the next great step in the genre. It most certainly left us with a legacy of the weird and wonderful as well as the groovy and energetic, but irony reigned supreme with the traditional take becoming the masterpiece of the time. ‘Scenery’ is an eclectic mix of jazz through its various eras – bop, cool jazz and of course, modal. Fukui paid homage to them all succinctly while still applying his own temperament across the record, and though the ground remained untouched, this record deserves its place among the finest of the decade. as an ambitious, all-encompassing work making range of the band in full swing as well as a more intimate, solemn passage. Fukui starts on that very note before incorporating the band along with
5
Arts Lifestyle
How to have an Irish Thanksgiving
W
Men’s Health, Mental Health, and Movember
BY MICHELLE MARTIN
hile Thanksgiving may primarily be an American tradition, it shouldn’t stop us from celebrating the holiday’s ideals. There are lots of lessons to be learnt and ways to celebrate. Heck you can even simply treat yourself to a day of guilt-free eating and great food with a Turkey sandwich, or use it as an excuse to post one final pumpkin spice latte picture on Instagram. In today’s culture the day represents much more than an excuse for a food coma, or even its history of Pilgrims and Native Americans working together. It‘s the coming together of people from all walks of life to celebrate a day of acceptance, a day to be grateful, a day to share with each other. How about wishing your USA mates a Happy Thanksgiving this Thursday the 24th. DCU has over 2000 non Irish students many of which are Americans. Away from their family and friends in a country that barely acknowledges a day they grew up with. Can you imagine living alone in a city that didn’t recognise Christmas, watching your friends and family posting on social media? Text your Mam, call your Dad and facetime your stupid little brother just to say cheers. Cheers for the good times and being there for the bad times. Those with a bit of time to spare could give back to the community and help out in a homeless shelter. To some, any warm dinner is as special as a Thanksgiving dinner.
BY ANDREW BYRNE
A
fter almost two years with a beard, last Monday night I decided to root out the old razorblade and reveal the baby face hidden beneath the rugged and manly exterior that so many people have become accustomed to. I signed up to Movember and chose to start growing my moustache from scratch. Of course I had plenty of options to raise funds for health issues relating to men. Prostate cancer and testicular cancer were available through the Movember site to donate specifically for. As I don’t have any direct links
through family members or friends who have suffered with those kinds of cancers I decided instead to raise money for suicide prevention and mental health. I have had multiple people close to me either open up privately about mental health issues and suicidal thoughts or come out publically with their experiences. I myself have had my fair share of depression and the issue itself isn’t treated seriously enough by the leaders of the country, and so this MoBro finally found his cause. A charity which was created in 2003 in Australia, Movember has since blown up across the globe raising over $542 million
dollars worldwide with over 5 million ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sistas’ in 21 countries signed up with the charity. Movember say they are the only charity dedicated to men’s health on a global scale, year round, with over 1,200 projects funded around the globe since its origins. The Movember movement aims to reduce the number of premature male deaths by 25 per cent by 2030 with a vision of having an “everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.” As you may have noticed, the movement has most certainly changed the face of many Irish men, all with the same goal, to help stop men dying too young.
Black Friday Bargains
B
lack Friday is almost upon us, and although primarily an American tradition, it remains one of the biggest dates on the calendar for Irish shoppers. Rachel Farrell takes us through some of this year’s best bargains and her inside tips for managing the day. What started out as a postThanksgiving day shopping flurry has spread across Irish waters in
6
BY RACHEL FARRELL recent years. On Friday, November 25th, hundreds of retailers nationwide will cut prices and provide massive savings, just in time for Christmas. This year, Curry’s have up to 70 per cent off electronics, making it the perfect time to invest in a new laptop for 2017. Expect up to 25 per cent off in high-street stores like New Look and River Island, while larger retailers like Debenhams will
have numerous deals both online and in store. Last year, globe trotters nationwide rejoiced at Ryanair’s €2 European flights offer. Boots has up to 50 per cent off selected lines, making it easy to stock up on cheap Christmas gifts. While many other shops have yet to release details of what bargains can be found, signing up to your favourite retailer’s newsletter is a great way to keep
informed. Shop around online before you head in store so you know what you’re looking for to avoid the havoc. Expect long queues for major retailers, most shops open around 9am and most will be ready when doors open. Many brands will have offers online, despite Cyber Monday, the online version of Black Friday, taking place 3 days later. Have debit cards at the ready.
Lifestyle
KENZO x H&M
The Finest Fixing Sprays
BY AMY LAWLOR
A
jungle inspired collection with bright vivid colours and elaborate animal prints molded into motifs and ruffles is something most people would find peculiar to wear in November. However, this wasn’t the case for the French Fashion house Kenzo, who debuted their wild but wonderful collection in H&M earlier this month. Finding the right designer to fill the shoes of the successful collaboration between H&M and Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing in 2015 was a challenge for Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s creative advisor. The Balmain collection was ‘glamourous,’ ‘glittery’ and ‘gold.’ The dark neutral tones and classic cuts showcased complimented the approaching winter months. This wasn’t the approach H&M’s recent designer collaboration took, leaving fashion enthusiast curious. Instead, the collection went from dark and dull to bright and loud with Kenzo designers, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, at the forefront of the noisy neon parade. Ann-Sofie Johansson chose the dynamic duo to offer customers different
BY AINE MONK
aesthetics and textures to their wardrobes. Queuing from dusk to dawn in freezing temperatures, customers waited patiently outside H&M’S flagship store on College Green, November 3rd, to get a glimpse of the Kenzo collection. After the long anticipated wait the doors opened at 9am greeting customers with Japanese and Russian inspired garment Customers were separated into groups, as only ten people at a time were allowed to view the collection. Each group was given ten minutes to shop through the clothes on display and were limited to buying one type of each item. Regardless of the restrictions in place or the unusual winter designs using animal prints & eye catching colours, the collection sold out quickly. Typically, anything designer is attached to an enormous price tag. The price range of the Kenzo collection although far from the normal designer price bracket could still be considered expensive, with items ranging from €200 upwards.
H
aving your makeup move about is a thing of the past with the use of setting sprays.These magical potions are basically a fine mist that adheres makeup to your face after application, prolonging wear. As someone with particularly oily skin, I really was one for layering when it came to powder, looking like a ghost every time a camera flashed my way. Setting sprays allowed me to ditch powder altogether. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know what is right for you, so I have decided to divulge my personal experience of two of the best: The bargain: Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray This is around the €7 mark and is an absolute godsend for oily specimens. I actually consider it to be a multi-use product, spraying it on my face as a secondary primer before application, spraying some on an eyeshadow brush to intensify
colour and keep loose glitter in place, and for its intended use. This bad boy prolongs my makeup and really blends all the products together. The miracle-worker: Fuschia Makeup Setting Spray This is the best of the best in my opinion. You could honestly go out on an all-nighter and come back looking just as flawless as when you went out the door. I honestly bathe my face in this stuff and it smells amazing. It also freshens up your makeup if you spray it on your face throughout the day, adding a natural finish.
Khloe Kardashian meets Good American Denim
R
eality star Khloe Kardashian and fashion executive Emma Grede launched their new denim collaboration ‘Good American Denim’ last month, alongside their Good American (GA) squad. Good American is a designer jean line created to fit women of all shapes and size, with sizes ranging from 0 to 24. The line which is created to cater for everyone, especially the curvier ladies out there,
BY KATIE GALLAGHER comes in three different styles as promised- ‘Good Legs’ (skinny), ‘Good Waist’ (high waisted) and ‘Good Cuts’ (boyfriend fit). This luxury designer brand is available online and a some Nordstrum stores. Unsurprisingly these denims don’t come cheap with prices starting at $149 ranging all the
way up to $215. However, Khloe said she doesn’t see it as an issue, stating “most women will spend on a fantastic pair of jeans as an investment”. Coming in many different washes, these jeans are very on trend. Crafted from an “amazing fabric which is unbelievably comfortable”, according to Grede in an interview with Nordstrum, she explained that these bottoms are made to flatter every shape. What more could you want from a pair of jeans?
“These jeans are made to fit every shape and size. They’re sexy and flattering, and made to fit you—not the other way around,” Khloe said in the interview. Like anything affiliated with the Kardashian empire these bottoms are no doubt going to sell out, so if you want to keep up with this ‘Kollection’ you better get saving and snap them up fast.
7
Arts Lifestyle
Helping the Homeless BY RACHAEL KELLEGHER
C
hristmas is a time for giving and receiving, however, not all of us are fortunate enough to be in a position to celebrate the festivities of the season. With winter weather a reminder of shorter days and long cold nights, it is important to remember those who do not have a warm house or loved ones to return home to after a long days work. The Shoebox Appeal originally ran by the organisation Team Hope in Ireland, has spent the last eighteen years delivering shoebox gifts to three million children in some of the most remote and poverty-stricken parts of the world. These acts
T
of Dublin. Commuters are being asked to leave their filled shoeboxes at Connolly Luas stop from 7am-7pm on Thursday, December 8th. With over 1,000 families currently homeless in Dublin, we don’t need to look that far to find people who need our help this Christmas. Items such as socks, shower gel and toothpaste, which we take for granted can be a huge gift to those who can not afford such novelties. For a child, colouring markers, a cuddly toy or a photograph of the sender can restore a smile once lost. Give the gift of hope this Christmas, and sponsor a shoe box.
Safe Skating
he ice-skating rinks in Dundrum, Blanchardstown, and the RDS are officially open for business, and with student discounts and safety equipment provided, it could not be easier to walk (or skate) in a Winter Wonderland this coming season. Ice-Skating, would I enjoy it? Well, what’s not to like about it. The ice rinks bring many opportunities; figure skating and ice hockey classes are available in Blanchardstown, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings you can even go ice-skating with Santa Claus himself. With
8
of kindness allow those children who think they have been forgotten to know that they, in fact, have not. From pre-school’s to nursing homes, churches to workplaces, Irish people have been filling shoeboxes with a selection of small gifts, all in the name of putting a smile on a little child’s face. It is such a simple task and for many an enjoyable and rewarding experience. And now with Ireland facing the highest level of homelessness in decades, organisations such as Inner City Helping Homeless have teamed up with Luas to give commuters a chance to do their bit for the homeless people
BY ELAYNA KELLER
Blanchardstown’s student Wednesdays and Dundrum’s general student ticket prices, it has never been cheaper or easier to fall around like an idiot. Okay, but is falling on ice also painful, you say? It is (and that is half the fun). To be sure you don not get hurt and completely embarrass yourself, you can leave the idea of looking cute at home and bring some thick socks and gloves instead. All the ice-skating
rinks recommend that its customers should not wear trailing items of clothing, like scarves or shawls. While falling flat on your bum is hilarious, the thought of you or someone else ending up in A&E is not. They also encourage everyone to stick on a helmet, elbow-pads, and knee-pads, because they know you are going to ultimately make a fool out of yourself too. Lastly, never skate and snapchat, people. Cameras, phones, and iPods are not permitted on the rinks.
The Vegan Student’s Handbook
T
BY AMY ROHU
here was once a time where vegans were stereotyped as socks and sandal wearing tree huggers, who only wore tie-dye and probably grew illegal plants in their basements – but not anymore. The 2016 vegan is impossible to define, with everyone from bodybuilders, and regular folk alike making the shift to a plant-based diet. Not only is it good for your health, the environment, and animals, but being a vegan is also very friendly on your purse, which makes it a great option for students. Here are some handy tips to get you started if you are interested in taking the plunge, or if you are already a vegan hopefully you will feel even more inspired. Do your research With any diet and lifestyle change you must do research and know your stuff when it comes to vitamins and minerals, you do not want to be missing out on anything, especially in these cold winter months. Luckily the internet is a hive of information and you can see just how simple being a vegan is, all while getting your vitamins. Plan your meals, make a list and do a shop Planning your meals in advance is such a great way to save money and ensures you do not skip meals. Websites such as Rosanna Davison Nutrition or The Happy Pear are full of simple meal ideas that also keep in the fridge for a few days, so you will be fed all week. Vegan food is everywhere in the supermarkets and because there is no raw meat involved you can eat it all raw. However, they are super easy to cook too. Start small The easiest way to make the change is by transitioning yourself over time. Pick up a carton of chocolate soya milk next time you are in the campus gym (It’s delish) and start small. Eat more fruit and veg and less meat and eventually you will start to notice your skin is clearer, your energy is improving and you will hopefully stop falling asleep in lectures (well, we can hope anyway).