The Concordian Vol. 31 Issue 18

theconcordian Volume 31 Issue 18

Independent student newspaper at Concordia University. Since 1983.

January 21, 2014

Should fans have their say or should they stay away?

Does fan input help or hinder art?

The Concordian debates p. 7

In this issue // news life

music

Being queer in academia p. 3

Maica Mia launch Tight win for Stingers’ Get the shot, not new album p. 9 the flu p. 13 basketball p.11

Why not do-ityourself? p. 5

We tell your stories. Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian

sports

opinions

theconcordian.com

news //

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Tuesday, january 21, 2014

Write to the editor: news@theconcordian.com

CITY

Campus // news

Lawsuit against CSU still unsolved Communication with CFS has not improved regardless of legal procedure

Tim Weyrenowski Co-news editor

>> Felino, the Quebec-built car

Paula Monroy Staff writer

As a result of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) failing to comply with the de-federation of the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and

other universities across Canada, a deadlock has occurred.

Lawsuits presented against the CFS remain ignored despite the wish of student unions to cease their membership.

“The CFS refuses to acknowledge the clear, undeniable validity of our de-federation referendum passed in

The Quebec-built car, the Felino, will be unveiled at the Montreal International Auto Show, which runs until Jan. 26. According to the CBC, the Felino is a race car that took more than four years to create, and is the opus of Montreal race car driver, Antoine Bessette.

The Felino cB7 is a prototype, but will be manufactured in “very limited numbers” next summer, writes Josee Paquet for Auto123. com. It will sell for approx. $100, 000, and features a unique styling and lightweight composite body (fibreglass and carbon fibre), not to mention a V8 engine rated at 500+ horsepower.

>>

Radical Lev Tahor Sect Flee Montreal

According to CBC News, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish group, Lev Tahor, have fled Quebec and are living in Southern Ontario after their court hearing last November. Children living in the ultraOrthodox sect in Quebec were allegedly medicated with melatonin to control their behaviour.

They were apparently married off at 14, and could not do simple arithmetic. A social worker has testified that she is afraid that if the children were placed under youth protection, their parents might commit suicide.

>>

Frost pimps girlfriend

Twenty-nine year old Jahmane Bolton, who is better known as Montreal rapper Frost, was recently tried in court for attempting to prostitute his ex-girlfriend, according to Paul Cherry, Crime Reporter for the Montreal Gazette. The woman allegedly met Bolton when he was broke, and offered to help support him, however “little by little she became the exclusive property of Jahmane Bolton and she danced exclusively for him,” noted Quebec Judge Jean-Pierre Boyer, before sentencing him to a fouryear prison term.

Cfs still won’t respond to protestors. Photo by Ben Prunty.

2009,” CSU President Melissa Kate Wheeler told The Concordian.

In November 2013, a caravan of students from former Quebec member unions headed to Ottawa in order to manifest their non-conformity with the CFS at its annual National General Meeting held at Gatineau’s Best Western Plus Hotel.

Although dialogue between the protestors and the CFS was not attained, other universities took part in the protest, among which figured the Graduate Student Union of University of Toronto (GSU) and the undergraduate student union of the University of British ColumbiaOkanagan.

Since 2009, it is estimated that 15 schools from across Canada have requested to cease their membership by referendum – 10 of these schools are from Quebec.

The CSU is currently being sued for over $1 million in unpaid fees, according to the CFS’ Acknowledgement of Debt Agreement. An accusation the CSU has found to be invalid because it was filed months after CFS made changes in its by-

law back in 2009.

When asked if communication with the organization has improved, Wheeler’s response was negative, “Unless you count my yelling at them through a megaphone, I have not been in contact with any administrator of the CFS throughout the entirety of my mandate.”

The CFS dates from 1981, the year it was founded when the Association of Students Council and the National Union of Students in Canada merged officially. Its responsibility is to represent students nationwide under the premise of universal post-secondary access.

Additionally, student representatives are expected to get involved and acquire lobbying techniques while at the same time advancing in the attainment of the different CFS campaigns.

However, for the last decade university students have been protesting against what some students are calling a “lack of transparency and democracy” for not letting them leave regardless of having followed the required procedure.

National // news

Feds want to double international students Conservatives announce new $5 million a year strategy Jane Lytvynenko Ottawa Bureau Chief

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TTAWA (CUP) — Canadian university classrooms could have twice the international students in the next eight years. On Jan. 15, the Conservatives announced a strategy to double the amount of researchers and students coming from abroad. The program centers around $5 million per year in funding primarily going toward branding and marketing. The funding was approved as a part of the Economic Action Plan last year.

Minister of International Trade Ed Fast announced the program at Ryerson University. Fast said in a press release that in addition to the marketing money, “the strategy will provide $13 million over two years to the Globalink program of Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization that fosters innovation through research and training programs.” The initiative will focus

on six key regions: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, North Africa and the Middle East and Vietnam.

While critics say an increase in international students is a positive overall goal, they add there needs to be more details on the program.

Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, says the newly announced strategy needs to be better thought out to be successful.

“There are lots of reasons why you might want to increase the number of international students, but lets be explicit about what they are and work backwards from there,” says Usher, adding there is no clear purpose for doubling international students.

Usher says the document presented by Fast should not be called a strategy. He wondered whether provinces and educational institutions were consulted when putting together the plan.

“The only goal I can see is double the number of incoming students,” he says. “I don’t know why that number was picked and if you don’t know why the number was picked you’ll have a hard time justifying it.”

Dan Harris, the NDP post-secondary education critic, said the idea of doubling international students in Canada is not a bad one.

“They [international students] make an important part of the student body in Canada and help provide resources to universities through tuition fees,” said Harris.

He added the government needs to ensure the resources and support are there for the new international students, many of whom face a culture shock when coming to Canada. Gary Slater, associate vice-president international at the University of Ottawa, says new students often have a language barrier and have to deal with different methods of teaching from what they’re used to.

Harris echoed Slater’s concern with resources for international students, saying, “We have to make sure they succeed and we have no problems arise from a larger student body.” He added that universities will need additional funds to provide adequate programming for the new students, something that’s not currently outlined in the strategy.

Slater said that because education is a provincial matter, the federal government can only hope the numbers double as projected.

The rest of the work falls on the provinces, some of which have a hard time recruiting international students.

“We have to recognize that a

national policy like that will be differently seen in the French and the English world,” said Slater, pointing out that Quebec has a harder time recruiting international students. “It’s much easier to recruit students that want to study in English than in French. We have to work hard if we want to keep a linguistic balance in the country.”

Slater said while Canada has a great post-secondary education system, it has to compete with the USA. That’s where the $5-million yearly initiative for advertising comes in.

“The number one thing the federal government can do is give Canada a good reputation outside the country,” said Slater. “It’s a marketing issue to a large extent.”

According to Harris, Canada also needs to ensure there is an easy way to immigrate for international students who decide to stay.

“We should be putting a focus on making sure there is a path to immigration and family reunification,” he says.

Whether the students stay or go back, Slater said anyone studying in Canada is an asset for the country. Those moving back often forge strong links with the institution they studied in, while students who immigrate contribute to the economy.

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

ConU’s president speaks openly to students about being gay, then and now Marilla Steuter-Martin Staff writer

“The first time I went anywhere as a gay person…it was 1984. I was 22-years-old and I was going to my first meeting at the Lesbian and Gay Student Union at the University of Virginia. I was absolutely terrified.”

At a talk organized by Queer Concordia on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Concordia President Alan Shepard reflected on his experiences being openly gay in life and in academia.

“Flash-forward about five years after that – with many adventures in between – I was the president of the Lesbian and Gay Student Union, which if you told me in 1984, it would have seemed as far-fetched as emigrating to Quebec and becoming university president,” said Shepard.

He began his speech, directed at an assembly of approximately 50 students and community members, by joking about being one of the few openly gay presidents in Canada. Shepard then recounted a series of personal stories, some light-hearted, some poignant. He spoke candidly about his early life growing up in a small town in the Midwestern United States, his coming-out process and his role as a parent.

“If you had said to me at 23, ‘Will you have kids? Will you have

tendees praising Shepard’s openness and candour.

“I was positively surprised how personal he was with us,” said Marie-Lisa Porten, events coordinator at Queer Concordia. “It’s one thing to be out, it’s another thing to talk to students about ‘this is how I met my partner and

we adopted two kids’.”

After the talk, Shepard stayed to speak with students and receive feedback.

“I feel Concordia is a very accepting community,” said Jade Legault, a board member at Queer Concordia. “Having you as president is very empowering.”

Milos Kovacevic Assistant news editor

>> Quebec

Charter hearings begin

>> Teen nearly manages to get pipe bomb past airport security

Alan Shepard shared his experiences with the Concordia community Photo by Marilla Steuter-Martin.

CSU // NEWS

CSU in conflict over finalizing plans for Java U Council cannot seem to agree on plans for requested student co-op

A special council meeting was convened on Jan. 15 with three points on the agenda, the most

NATION

The public finally has a chance to speak their minds on the loudest, most controversial piece of Quebec politicking in years as public hearings on Quebec’s Bill 60, the proposed charter of secular values, began this week in Quebec City.

Politicians and creators of the bill listened to opinions from both supporters and rejecters of the legislation. If it were voted in, the bill would, amongst other things, ban the wearing of conspicuous religious items by state employees, including large crucifixes, headscarves, and turbans.

Amanda L. Shore Editor-in-chief

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Campus // news

Queer Concordia hosts Dr. Alan Shepard a partner of a long time? Will you have financial stability? Will you have professional recognition and success’? All those things that, to various degrees, people want, I would have been pretty discouraged,” he said.

The talk was very well received, with organizers and at-

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prominent being the discussion of plans for utilizing the Java U space.

In the CSU byelections, held in November of last year, the student body voted that following the cessation of the CSU’s contract with Java U, that the space be used for a cooperative café or restaurant.

On Jan. 8, in order to effect the referendum, council passed a motion requiring CUSACorp to allow their lease with Java U to expire and to pursue options for erecting a cooperative run business in the space.

The CSU is mandated to uphold the desires of students as expressed

in a referendum and consequently CUSACorp, the division of the CSU responsible for managing external revenue streams, was tasked with coming up with a plan for the eventual vacant space.

At the special council meeting, CUSAcorp presented council with two options for creating a co-café, both of which involved soliciting business proposals from students.

In the first option, CUSACorp proposed holding a “Collaborative Co-op Competition.” This competition would be structured much like a case competition wherein students who have an idea for a co-op would present their business proposal to judges from different faculties.

The second option, entitled “Collaborative Direct Implementation,” would involve the collaboration of CUSACorp, the Referendum Oversight Committee and interested parties in creating and running a coop café.

During closed session, council voted to pursue the second option.

Unfortunately, that was all the progress that was made. Further progress was halted due to disagreements over the wording of the motion that would direct CUSACorp in implementing the “Collaborative Direct Implementation” plan.

When Edmonton airport security screeners discovered a pipe bomb in an Alberta teen’s luggage, three less-than sensible decisions were made. Screeners initially wanted to give Skylar Murphy, 18, his pipe bomb back, until more sensible coworkers stepped in. As it was, Murphy was allowed to continue to his flight, with police only finding out about it days later. Global News reported that Murphy said he made the bomb to blow up a family shed and forgot it was in the bag he was taking to the airport. Although the incident took place in September, it is only now that the public is hearing about it, and has raised very real concerns about the state of airport security in the country.

>> Chris Hadfield is coming to your television and your radio Chris Hadfield, retired astronaut, celebrity, and Canada’s most famous spaceman, has worked out a deal to become a recurring contributor with the CBC. The arrangement would see him frequently pitch in with views and commentary on everything from The National to the radio waves of CBC Radio One. Hadfield gained fame and a large following by bringing his love of space and science to social media. He was also the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, and the first Canadian to perform a spacewalk.

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theconcordian

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

Retraction // news

WORLD Milos Kovacevic Assistant news editor

>> Last Japanese WW2 holdout dies The last Imperial Japanese holdout – a member of the army who refused to believe the Second World War had ended – died on Thursday, January 16 at age 91, according to the CBC. For nearly 30 years, Hiroo Onoda considered tales of Japan’s surrender to be propaganda and hid out in the Philippine jungles waging guerrilla warfare. It wasn’t until 1974, when his old commander was located and brought to him to rescind the order, that he finally came out of hiding. He later became head of a children’s nature school and wrote a book about his experiences. According to the Daily Mail, he was the world’s last formally trained ninja.

>> Gay propaganda not welcome at Sochi Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed concerns over Russia’s recent and controversial legislation penalizing peddling of “pedophilia and homosexuality” to minors by stating gays are welcome to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, but only if they leave “the children in peace,” says Global News. The Russian leader said that while gays should feel “at ease,” they cannot express their sexual views to minors. The law, ostensibly aimed at improving child rights, has been criticized for marginalizing and discriminating against sexual minorities.

>> Lethal injection takes nearly 30 minutes to kill murderer An Ohio prison facility’s lethal injection execution of convicted U.S. murderer and rapist, Dennis McGuire, took a turn for the worst when the intravenous doses of sedatives and opiates lengthened his death to nearly half an hour. CBC News reports that McGuire was reported as gasping and convulsing painfully before he finally expired, by the shocked relatives and family members watching. The U.S. has taken to creative solutions for its lethal injections ever since European suppliers ceased selling barbiturates normally used in executions.

The Concordian regrets that there were unintentional similarities between Kalina Laframboise’s article, “Dissent continues to grow for Bill 60,” published Dec. 20 by the Canadian University Press and Tim Weynerowski’s article, “Concordia University denounces Bill 60,” published on Jan. 7 in The Concordian.

The following are the two paragraphs in question from the Jan.7 article.

“As the third and last English university to publicly denounce the Parti Québécois’ proposed legislation, Concordia University to the Quebec Charter of Secular Values (Bill 60) with a letter from president Alan Shepard and a joint statement issued on Dec. 18 by the Senate Steering Committee and Board Executive Committee.”

“Both universities take issue with certain key elements of the proposed Charter which include prohibiting civil servants from wearing ostentatious religious symbols and limiting time off for religious reasons.”

We have printed the entirety of Ms. Laframboise’s article below.

Dissent continues to grow for Bill 60 Jamais deux sans trois — never two without three Kalina Laframboise Quebec Bureau Chief

MONTREAL (CUP) — Concordia University is the third and last English university in Quebec to publicly denounce the charter of secularism proposed by the Parti Québécois.

The university released a detailed statement on Wednesday (Dec. 18), outlining why the institution could not support the PQ’s proposed legislation that aims to separate church and state. It states that current circumstances, recruitment and retention, and the autonomy of the university is at stake should Bill 60 pass into law.

“Universities and their employees are not government agents,” reads the statement. “The freedom to teach, to carry out research, and indeed to criticize the state are fundamental elements of that autonomy.”

Quebec has only three English universities: McGill University and Concordia located in Montreal, and Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke. McGill was the first postsecondary institution to criticize the provincial government’s plan in late September while Bishop’s passed a resolution in October condemning the charter.

Concordia wants the PQ to radically amend its legislation taking issue with “certain key elements” which includes prohibiting civil servants — such as professors and administration — from wearing “ostentatious” religious symbols and limiting time off for religious reasons.

“The prohibition against visible religious symbols would affect our more than 7,000 full- and part-time employees,” reads the statement. “Many of whom are also students at the university and who depend on their employment as research and teaching assistants to help pay for their educations.”

The university believes it is too diverse for the charter not to be divisive — Bill 60 puts the future Concordia has at risk.

The statement comes after months of deliberation by the university bodies including calls for input from students, professors and staff of the community to submit directly to the university’s president, Alan Shepard. It is the largest English post-secondary institution in Quebec with enrolment surpassing 40,000 students.

However, the statement is a joint announcement from the Board of Governors, Senate and various associations within the university including the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). Both student associations denounced the move months ago and have been present at anticharter rallies in the downtown core of Montreal.

James Tyler Vaccaro, vice-president clubs and internal affairs of the CSU, agreed with the process initiated by Concordia.

“Dr. Shepard did a great job of asking for input from the different parts of the Concordia community,” said Vaccaro. “The stance developed with the Senate and the Board of Governors speaks to the deeply ingrained values that make up Concordia.”

The PQ is accepted submissions on Bill 60 from citizens of Quebec and public bodies until Friday, Dec. 20, to be considered before the National Assembly in January, yet the response since early December has been overwhelmingly negative.

Bill 60 seeks to amend the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms by outlining a framework for reasonable accommodations on religious grounds. The PQ also wants to prohibit civil servants from wearing religious garb — such as niqabs, turbans and hijab — while working. The charter is meant to promote secularism in Quebec yet has created a division amongst citizens since September.

A slew of CÉGEPs and universities publicly said they could not support Bill 60 including the Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal — tradi-

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tionally a PQ stronghold. Hospitals, unions and school boards in Montreal have also criticized the proposed legislation. Criticism has also come from outside of Quebec, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, leader of the official opposition Thomas Mulcair, Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau and Green party leader Elizabeth May. The dissent has even reached individuals who share a fundamental belief with the PQ: a sovereign Quebec. Former Bloc Québécois MP Maria Mourani, who now sits as an Independent in the House of Commons due to her disagreement with the charter,

publicly announced on Wednesday (Dec. 18) that she no longer supports the sovereignty movement.

“The flagship of sovereignty is nothing like it was before,” wrote Mourani in an open letter.

“There are still a few independentist leaders who advocate an inclusive vision of the Quebec identity, but they are clearly on the fringe.”

Mourani went so far as to imply that the PQ has not only lost sight of protecting Quebecers but that Canada protects Quebec’s distinct identity better than the provincial government does.

life

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

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Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com

Mental health // Life

Join the conversation: #Let’sTalk, text, tweet for a good cause Bell Mobility campaign brings home the issue of mental illness Barbara Madimenos Contributor

Talking, texting, tweeting, Facebook sharing — who doesn’t do this on a daily basis?

These forms of communication through social media and the virtual world have become part of people’s daily lives. It’s so nat-

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On January 28, for every text message sent or long distance call made by a subscriber*, Bell will donate 5 ¢ more for initiatives helping the millions of Canadians affected by mental illness. bell.ca/letstalk #BellLetsTalk *Regular long distance and text message charges apply

ural to interconnect in this way that it’s an almost automatic part of our daily routines.

In effect, the fact that so many people do it is what drives Bell Mobility’s ingenious initiative in relieving the stigma and raising funds for mental health in Canada.

On Jan. 28, Bell will be donating five cents for every text message, long distance call, tweet (#BellLetsTalk) and Facebook share of the company’s Let’s Talk image. This will add to their current fund of $62,043,289.30, which is being used to help raise awareness for mental health.

Clara Hughes, national spokesperson for mental health and Canada’s very own sixtime Olympic medalist is leading the pack again, and has been doing so since 2010. “We all have family members, friends or colleagues who will experience mental illness or we may struggle ourselves, as I have, yet most people impacted still won’t seek support because they fear admitting they need help,� Hughes explains on Bell’s website.

Oliver Aveline, an English literature student at Concordia, agrees with the initiative, “I see any attempt to help relieve the stigma is a step in the right direction. The concept is pretty genius too.�

While nearly a quarter of the Canadian population suffer from some form of mental illness, two thirds of them suffer in silence, in fear of being rejected from society. By limiting themselves from alleviating their

pain, their issues worsen, thus sweeping the problems under the rug, so to speak, until there is no more room left to cover the problem up. “I think that people are aware but do not know how to handle it,� says Stephanie Moutzouris, a science student at Concordia. “They would see someone with a mental illness as having a problem or being weird.

If not explicitly told that this person has a condition, they would have no explanation for behavioral patterns and would not have enough knowledge to see the traits of a mentally ill person, just someone who is odd.�

According to Gabriella Szabo, the health promotion specialist at Concordia University, one in five Canadians are affected by some form of mental illness. Whether it be related to anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, schizophrenia, you name it, having 20 per cent of the population experience such an issue is something to consider.

Nevertheless, “there is hope with proper treatment,� she says. “Some people see accessing mental health services as a sign of weakness or something to be embarrassed about,� Szabo explains. “I encourage everyone to view accessing mental health support as just another calculated, strategic, and efficient tool to make you more successful in your academic, professional, and personal life.

Going to see your professor, reading your

Upcoming Workshops Manage your Mental Health workshops February 10-February 13 1:00-2:00pm at Counselling and Development office Room H-440 Henry F. Hall Building, Sir George William Campus Let’s Talk: Mental Health and Wellness Fair February 12 11:00-3:00pm Abe and Harriet Gold Atrium of the Engineering Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV Building), Sir George Williams Campus A Fair of the Heart February 14 11:00-3:00pm Mezzanine of the Henry F. Hall Building, Sir George Williams Campus

textbooks, joining a study group; mental health support is just another tool to ensure your success.�

In an effort to support students and other members of the Concordia community who may be struggling with mental health issues, Concordia will be holding several workshops, fairs and activities from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14.

Culture // Life

Make do and mend: falling in love with the DIY trend No longer just for the thrifty and creative Lindsay Richardson Assistant opinions editor

In a society dominated by a desire for immediacy and a reliance on ready-made products, it is surprising that large groups of men and women are taking the time to adopt a resourceful and creative lifestyle through DIY (“Do it yourself�) projects.

What was once considered by cool kids to be a thrifty, last-resort, or “poor� way of living has now resurfaced as an undeniable cache in the domains of fashion, art, and home decor.

Wikipedia defines DIY as “a method of building, modifying, or repairing something without the aid of experts or professionals,� the opposite of the “easy way out.� Successfully completing a project usually requires time and a well-stocked supply closet.

The term, put into common use in the 1950s, encompasses every possible medium: clothing, furniture, art, even cooking. For some modern DIYers, the passion transcended childhood, when machines like “The Bedazzler� made it easy to transform drab, run-ofthe-mill department store clothing into unique, wearable pieces of art. Taking on these types of projects allows people to customize and

personalize everyday items, and gives them the opportunity to add sentimental value to items that are worth nothing monetarily.

However, when most products are readily available in-store or online, the fundamental question is: why DIY? What is it about labourintensive, old-timey arts and crafts projects that attract such a diverse crowd of people? “It is the thrill of creating, experimenting and designing that I enjoy the most when I DIY,� said Mara Richardson, a specialty blogger at Wise Women Montreal and owner of Cherry on Top Designs, a company that makes custom decor items for children’s rooms. “I think it is becoming so popular due to the fact a lot of people are on a budget,� explained Richardson. “So whether you find

a treasure on the side of the road, recycle something you already own or buy something second-hand, you have the upper hand to creating something all your own.�

Creating DIY goods is a cost-effective way to decorate your home, a subtle way to reject consumerism and the mass consumption of everyday products. At any given time, there are items sitting in thrift shops, flea markets, or around the home that require a little TLC and will cost pennies to transform. It is a sustainable way of life, since items are essentially being recycled and repurposed instead of being thrown out.

Many DIYers appreciate the restorative and transformative value of their pieces.

Aside from the strong sense of community and connection with other crafters, there is

an undeniable allure in owning something that is unique. The positive mental effects of completing a project are what make it such a fulfilling hobby.It can allow any given person the opportunity to use both the hands and the brain, and deepens one’s appreciation for the things that we own, and the tools that allow us to transform them.

DIYers also adopt perhaps one of the most important qualities a person can have: the courage to screw up. “It is both material and mental satisfaction owning something that you created from start to finish, a lot of times overcoming obstacles throughout that were unexpected, and surpassing them,� said Richardson.

Diy blogger mara richardson for wise women montreal shows the quick steps in turning nothing into something. Photo by mara richardson

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Tuesday, january 21, 2014

How-to // Life

Choose to host at the next friendly get-together How to tighten the wallet and still throw a fabulous dinner party Christine Beaton Contributor

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ou’ve finished all of your assignments, you’re sitting down to enjoy a budget-friendly bowl of instant ramen and you get a text: huge party at one of the hottest (and most expensive) clubs in Montreal and all of your friends are going.

You check your bank account, realize you don’t even have enough money to buy a Red Bull, and come to the sad realization that you won’t be attending the night’s festivities. As students, we’ve all been in that dreaded situation.

However, there are student-friendly ways of getting together with all of your friends that will cost little to no money at all. The solution? Throw a dinner party.

Gone are the days when dinner parties were reserved for awkward family get-togethers and your great-aunt Ruth’s bridge club. Dinner parties are cheap, effective, and more intimate than a bar setting, and I’m going to guide you through the steps to have one of your own.

1) Planning Every good party takes a bit of planning, and dinner parties are no exception. Make a guestlist and stick to it. Easiest way to send out invitations? Electronically, of course.

Because it’s eco-friendly, free, and effective.

Ask a couple of your closest friends if they wouldn’t mind helping you out in order to make your party a hit. Adding a theme makes it more fun for your guests and helps with your decoration choices. A simple black-and-white theme can transform a dull party into an elegant night with friends.

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2) Decorations With more and more websites like Pinterest and Craft Gawker popping up every week online, making simple decorations for a party has never been easier. Paint twigs and sticks you find outside and put them in a simple water glass with a coloured ribbon wrapped around it for an easy centerpiece.

If you have a couple of Mason jars lying around, throw some tea lights (which can be found at a dollar store in a pack of 25) in them and place around the dining area and kitchen to create a mellow mood lighting.

If you’re worried about messes and want to add a little panache to your seating area, cover your furniture with cheap cotton fabric, in keeping with your theme, and all of those little crumbs and spills will be that much easier to clean up. Decorate plastic cups using nail polish — it comes prepackaged with its own brush and dries quickly.

3) Food I’ve always been a fan of a good, oldfashioned potluck. With a potluck, you don’t end up going over budget making sure all of your guests have full tummies. Make a list of the courses you intend to serve — appetizers, salad, soup, main course, dessert — and save them in a Google Doc that everyone attending has access to. This makes it easy for people to see what others are bring-

ing and also cuts down on an inevitable abundance of chips. All of those black plastic Chinese food containers can suddenly be put to good use by displaying appetizers or holding cutlery. If potluck isn’t your style, there are still ways to keep your dinner fun and have your guests feel like they’re doing their part. A make-your-own-pizza party is a great way to allow guests to be as creative as they like. Pick up a package of frozen, pre-made pizza crusts, some veggies, pepperoni and cheese at the grocery store, lay it out on a table or counter and let your party experiment with different toppings.

4) Drinks The easiest way for you to satisfy your guests’ needs in regards to drinks is to ask them to supply their own. There’s nothing wrong with a good old BYOB. If you want to serve wine with dinner, pick up a box of wine — they’re not all bad, but if it’s undrinkable, turning it into a spritzer with some Sprite or carbonated water is a good way to save the day. All of a sudden your cheap wine becomes a bit classier. Always have options for people who don’t drink alcohol; whether it’s a couple of bottles of soda, ice water or a homemade punch.

There you have it! A couple of elegant ways to throw a party on a student-friendly budget.

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arts

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

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Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com Opinion // arts

Killing the creative voice for fanservice

The fandom ­— A force too hard to ignore

The only voices that are really heard are those of the dissatisfied

The fans have spoken: we want in on the creative action

Jocelyn Beaudet Assistant arts editor

Everybody’s a critic when it comes to our favorite TV shows, movies, comics and even novels. Databases like IMDB and animedb are flooded with user reviews, ranging from a few words to several paragraphs; all this to say that fans have a voice.

The disturbing trend however, is that this voice has now begun shaping our sequels, new episodes and latest issues — in many cases fans are now influencing the development of the media we consume. This is a problem, and a very big one at that.

There’s a very clear breach of artistic vision being perpetrated by having fans actively alter the course of someone else’s ideas for the sake of retaining revenue from the source.

While some artists have made some decidedly questionable choices in the direction of their work — the Star Wars prequels for example — having fans directly involved in the process diminishes the value that these artists have in the expression and production of their material.

The result is having a project marred by a vocal minority, rather than pleasing a silent majority — people who don’t feel the need to change the direction of any particu-

lar piece of art will continue to sit by and consume it without a peep.

What would the “Mona Lisa” look like if everyone had their say? Where would the incredible Spiderman be if fans decided where Peter Parker ended up? How different would Lord of the Rings be if fans had a say in the direction?

Questions like these speak for themselves and easily make up one of the reasons to leave fans outside of the creative process. Whether it’s classic paintings, cult followed comic books, epic novels, or amazing TV series, these forms of media require tremendous amounts of work, and carefully calculated budgets, something that fans seldom consider when pitching their ideas for these changes.

Advent Children, a Final Fantasy movie made for fans, reinforces the point itself.

The movie grossed terribly at the box office, and viewers not familiar with the franchise found themselves confused and simply taking in the sights.

While the movie did its best to accommodate a new audience, and was by no means a horrible experience, it failed to capture the same whimsy that those who enjoyed the original game had felt. The experience felt shallow, and some fans even found themselves unmoved by something so deliberately crafted by and for one another.

The artistic process is sacred, and while fans are definitely capable of wonderful, creative ideas, these are diamonds in the rough, buried in a sea of horrible fanfiction that should remain in the darker corners of the Internet.

Saturn De Los Angeles Staff writer

The development of the creative process in contemporary art can stagnate and even stay dry without the participation of fans in some form. They establish a community who not only rally and support the artists, but also help in pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Art is seen as an outlet of expression, whether that be a movie, a series, a video game, a song or even a comic book. It can pose a statement, provoke an emotion, or even prompt a call to action.

When people encounter a creative work and like it, they reach out to others who share the same interests. Some fans may even pursue activities to express that appreciation, including fan art, cosplay, creative fiction, and a variety of social events. This leads to the creation of communities that go beyond geographical boundaries.

This may just be how fan-­run anime conventions began to take shape over the past several decades,­ and within these congregations, creative people like voice actors, illustrators and musicians ­are noticed by production studios.

Free! Iwatobi Swim Club is a slice-­of-­life anime about a group of high school students who collectively want to start a swimming

club. In early 2013, a brief clip of what would become the show was leaked on social media.

The clip went viral in a short time for its ubiquitous content — attractively built guys with amazing hair and oddly effeminate names.

The clip turned heads and provoked buzz by online fans. The buzz prompted Kyoto Animation, a production studio in Japan known for producing stellar animated work such as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star, to develop and broadcast a 12-­episode television series based on the clip.

Hitting a little closer to home, the podcast “Welcome to Night Vale,” produced by Commonplace Books in New York, is also a show that has developed a loyal online following in a short time. The comedy series about the small creepy desert town as told from a community radio host became a runaway hit, combining humour and a sly dash of social commentary.

The successful series is now reeling with a potential spin­off literary novel in the works.

The podcast has also provoked complex and, at times, intense online discussion that intersects gender, sexual orientation, race and representation.

These two examples are a few of many instances of how dedicated and involved these fandoms can be in expressing their appreciation,­ distaste or criticism for a piece of creative work.

Indeed, fans are the driving force for contemporary art. Fandom may not yet be the most efficient machine, but it is something that we cannot just set aside. They are as important as the artists themselves in keeping the stream of creativity going.

Photo by Wade M, Flickr

Agree with one of our writers? Disagree? Visit theconcordian.com and voice your opinion.

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Tuesday, january 21, 2014

Conference// arts

Tech culture explored in ‘Art and the Digital’ The Concordia Undergraduate Journal of Art History holds their yearly conference this week Olivia Ranger-Enns Staff writer

W

ho says there is nowhere to go in January on a cold, Montreal evening?

The third annual Concordia University Undergraduate Art History Conference will be held this week, and this year’s title is “Art and the Digital.” The conference promises to identify, discuss and refer to the marriage of anything technological to everything artistic.

The theme addresses modern-day issues and tackles head-scratching questions such as authorship, the impact of social networking on the dissemination of images and the everchanging role of the contemporary artist.

The Concordian spoke to Clinton Glenn, the external coordinator of the conference.

Glenn pinpointed the importance of technology.

“Technology is increasingly playing a role in our everyday lives,” said Glenn. “We are connected from the time we wake up until we go to sleep. The theme of “Art and the Digital” looks at the ways that artists are informed by technology and its impact on subjective experience.”

Glenn argued that technology has left a deep footprint on art and the way art is created.

“For example, photography has in a sense been democratized — we all have a camera and we can all be photographers. Previously one would have had to have money and training to work in a dark room,” added Glenn.

Attendees will be treated to a variety of shows with projects such as “Ecology: Recycled Landscapes,” “The Robotic Action Painter as Artist” and “Problems with Digitizing Propaganda: Memory, Experience, and Power.”

Having started three years ago, the goal of the event is to present students with the opportunity to showcase their art as well as for academics to voice their insights on the subject.

“As an art historian, I am used to writing in a sort of solitary bubble, and very few people get to read what I produce,” explained Glenn. “This conference is a great way to break out of that solitariness that comes with being an academic. It is also a great experience for art history students applying to graduate schools.”

Another reason to get out the mitts and boots and head over to the conference is the keynote speech. This year, the keynote speech will be given by Kent Monkman. The prominent artist, of Cree ancestry, dabbles in painting, film, video, performance and installation art. Well represented in the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Monkman can only be described as fresh wind stirring the art world. His paintings, bright in colours such as royal purples, harlequin greens and Crayola yellows, are emotionally stirring.

In much of Monkman’s work, art mirrors emotions, such as in “Struggle for Balance” which depicts an inflamed, damaged car, people in a fight, and an archangel coming to the rescue.

Additionally, Monkman’s films are politi-

cal, with social commentaries that never shy away from criticism and introspection.

The conference will feature lectures and presentations from leading art historians and students from universities across Canada and the U.S.. It promises to be a valuable educa-

tional event for all students.

“Art and the Digital” will be held on Jan. 24 - 25 in the York Amphitheatre of the EV building (EV 1.605). For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit cujah.org/conference.

Keynote speaker Kent Monkman is the artist behind this video installation, composed of five large projections, which offers a contemporary re-interpretation of a traditional Aboriginal ritual featuring the Berdashe, that special male figure whose gender-bending behaviour and very existence astonished and appalled many explorers of the American West. Photos by: Guy L’Heureux and Walter Williams

Film // arts

Forget all the talk about Paris; see Rome and die The Great Beauty is a story of reflection, and an ode to the Italian capital Elijah Bukreev Contributor

The most sumptuous, sophisticated and emotionally fulfilling walk you’ll ever take through Rome, without setting foot in Italy’s magical capital, The Great Beauty more than earns its title.

Your guide will be Jep Gambardella, an ag-

ing socialite who once wrote a book so incredible, he’s been living off its success ever since.

He hasn’t really been doing anything in a long time — he’s mostly living the sweet life, or as Italians call it, “la dolce vita.”

A relentless bon vivant, Gambardella throws parties at his apartment, which faces the Coliseum. Other days find him wandering the streets, reflecting on his life and experiences. Sometimes, he stops and stares intensely; the audience is then shown what he’s thinking. These are sights worth documenting.

Images to make you ask yourself how a man with such a vision never wrote another novel.

You won’t be the only one to wonder; this is a question the protagonist keeps getting from

his friends. He seems elusive. His answers suggest the same thing: he has no idea where all this time went. He has just celebrated his 65th birthday, which has filled him with both ennui and a sudden feeling of urgency. He no longer feels free to do things that do not bring him pleasure.

Because the film is impressionistic, conveying feelings by scenes connected thematically if not narratively, The Great Beauty is a challenge to describe. It is unconcerned with storylines, antagonists or a plot as we know it.

The director takes the free flow of consciousness and musicality of a Terrence Malick film, and infuses it with Felliniesque caricatures.

The end result is spellbinding, combining

Living off the success of his only novel, Jep Gambardella has spent his life indulging in its pleasures. But things change on his 65th birthday, when he recognizes another kind of beauty. Photo courtesy of Janus Films.

spirituality with farce. In a different film, it would have been odd to see Apple products share the screen with ancient monuments.

Not here. The Great Beauty is never dissonant — its strength lies in its contrasts. There is an underlying sadness to its humour, and a comicality to its sorrow.

While Toni Servillo, who plays the lead role with dignity and charm, is undeniably a strong presence, he never obstructs the way, speaks too much, or takes up too much screen time — he is there when we need him to be.

The real star, however, is Rome. The city fills you with the sort of epiphany you get from encountering art in nature that is so overwhelmingly soulful, it is at once allencompassing and far out of reach. So all you can do is stand and look. It’s useless to try to capture the moment. You just know it’s there, and soon won’t be. Perhaps that’s what kills the Asian tourist who collapses in the film’s stunning prologue, having seemingly encountered too much beauty to handle while sightseeing.

But don’t worry, you’ll come out of The Great Beauty safe and satisfied. At 2 hours and 20 minutes, it is long, and yet the end still comes all too soon.

The film recently won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and is nominated for an Oscar in the same category. The film is directed by Paolo Sorrentino (This Must Be The Place), who has made one of the finest films of 2013, and certainly the best to come out of Italy in years. Watch him closely. We may have a new great director on our hands.

The Great Beauty opens in Quebec theatres on Jan. 24.

music

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com

Profile // music

Maica Mia dive into new territory with upcoming album The Mtl musicians discuss experimental sound on Des Era Jessica Romera Music editor

Since the band’s inception nearly two years ago, Maica Mia has undergone some major group reconfigurations. What was initially a duo consisting of Concordia graduate student Maica Armata and Jonny Paradise, has now developed into a three-piece and at times a four-or even five-piece collective of dedicated friends and musicians.

“Now it’s definitely a full band,” said Armata, the band’s vocalist and guitarist. “We’ve got a bigger template to work with.”

Having enlisted Godspeed You! Black Emperor bassist Mauro Pezzente, the band will be releasing Des Era, the follow-up to their debut album, Sparcity Blues.

“When you throw in another perspective, it’s also kind of nice,” Armata said. The album

features almost an hour of experimental rock sounds and instrumentation over five tracks.

“We’re exploring new territory,” explained Armata. According to the songstress, the album is “a lot more heavy, a lot more intense, a lot more rock.”

The record’s first single, “Eugene,” showcases equally each individual member’s playing in a spectral manner: the track builds up slowly with intensity and transforms itself into a cataclysmic sequence of percussion, guitar and bass.

Like “Eugene,” “Wish” is eight minutes of transcendental instrumentals with just the right amount of guitar feedback reverberating from the amplifiers.

“There’s a lot more layers involved,” noted Armata of the album. “It’s definitely a lot more experimental rock.”

Des Era is laced with ethereal instrumental qualities, paired with Armata’s soulfully textured vocals. On the title track, Armata’s selfdescribed “non-conventional” guitar playing is featured prominently alongside Paradise’s steady drumming.

Since The Concordian last spoke with Maica Mia, before the Pop Montreal festival in Sep-

tember, they have gone on to play several other festivals including M for Montreal. Despite each member balancing bandwork with non-musical endeavours, the trio have been anxiously awaiting the release of their new album.

“We’re working on getting our ducks lined up for the album launch,” laughed Armata.

The album, which officially drops on Jan. 28, will be available through electronic download and on vinyl as well.

“I just think that there’s something very romantic about [vinyl],” she said. “If in a thousand years, somebody could find a record, and

find an artefact of this time, I think that is so precious.”

Maica Mia will be performing at La Sala Rossa for their album launch on Jan. 24 with guests Ought, Essaie Pas, and DJ Babi Audi.

Editor Picks // music

The Concordian editors share their best winter anthems Photo by Melissa Romera

Find out what songs get us through the cold days

C

asandra De Masi, Opinions Editor: It’s January, a.k.a. the ugly part of winter where the pretty, twinkling holiday decorations that lit up my soul have now been stored away in dark closets, only to see the light of day in a year. The one thing that always helps me through tough seasons and long semesters is music. I’ve been listening to a lot of old school Coldplay, Rush of Blood To The Head era, some of Lorde’s Pure Heroine, Kodaline, and even some Rizzle Kicks. I won’t lie; One Direction’s “Story of My Life” is totally my strawberry jam. I have no explanation for this erratic and random selection.

Jennifer Kwan, Graphics Editor: It’s winter time! Gloomy and ugly. It’s the season that makes me want to take a three-hour nap when I get home after school every day. Ever since the semester began, my stress and procrastination levels are not doing well. To calm myself down, I tend to listen to instrumental music specifically music box like any Studio Ghibli soundtracks by Joe Hisaishi while I go take my nap. My favorites are “Carrying You” from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, “Path of the Wind” and “My Neighbor Totoro” from My Neighbor Totoro.

Roa Abdel-Gawad, Arts Editor: I don’t get sad during the winter; I get angry at our stingy sun. So instead of music that calms the nerves, I choose to listen to tracks that overwhelm my rage with a fury all their own. I need gritty vocals, loud sax solos and mad (pun intended) guitar riffs. This is when anything by Led Zeppelin usually helps. I also reinterpret Melissa Etheridge’s “Come To My Window” as an ode to the above-mentioned sun. Sometimes, even old school ‘90s hip hop will do. Who doesn’t want to ‘fight the power?’

Christina Rowan, Copy editor: For me, the winter season means that I’ll be experiencing a high of holiday spirit and New Year’s festivities, followed by a low of getting back into my routine of school and work. Without the Christmas holiday to look forward to, winter and snow are just a huge annoyance.

So the only music I tend to listen to and have time for is the radio. Right now, the hits I’m really feeling are “Do What U Want” by Lady Gaga, “Wait For Me” by Kings of Leon, and “Team” by Lorde.

Amanda L. Shore, Editor-in-Chief: The winter makes me lonely. Maybe it’s the lack of vitamin D or the frigid temperature, but either way winter makes me feel blue. To counteract these feelings I like to listen to upbeat rock anthems like Florence + the

Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over,” or Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.”

Samantha Mileto, Sports Editor: “It’s a Beautiful Day” by Michael Bublé, though it’s not a holiday or winter anthem, is a song with an up-tempo beat and cheery lyrics which are a great way to forget about the cold weather and icy streets. It doesn’t hurt that this Canadian heartthrob is easy on the eyes and can oh-so easily sweep you off your feet with his voice.

Sabrina Giancioppi, Life Editor: Music is one of the only things that helps me through these tougher winter days. I tend to have the most erratic moods this time of year so it is fitting that I have a song to match each of them. When I’m feeling:

Romantic: “Bonfire Heart” by James Blunt. Cheerful: “The Walker” by Fitz and the Tantrums. Depressed: “Say Something”

by Great Big World and Christina Aguilera.

Lustful: “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys. A cover song: “Dancing On My Own”

by Kings of Leon (originally by Robyn). A guilty pleasure: “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” by Celia Cruz Natasha Taggart, Online Editor: Lately I’ve been listening to music from my iPod, which hasn’t been updated with new songs in about three years. The result of this has been an interesting mix of pop, alternative

rock and heavy metal (from when I was emo in 2010), which seem to be doing a good job of getting rid of the winter blahs.

Some stand-out hits include “Cherub Rock”

by Smashing Pumpkins, “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, In Flames’ entire Come Clarity album, especially “Crawl Through Knives” and “Come Clarity” and Sean Kingston’s “Letting Go.” Jessica Romera, Music Editor: There’s a couple of things that get me through Montreal’s unapologetic winter months: giant knit sweaters, uncontrollable amounts of coffee, Disney movie marathons with my sister, and a good playlist. My go-to songs here would be “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes, Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From The Storm,” and “Black Flies” by Ben Howard. Apparently winter has me feeling all folksy. A recent addition: of Half Moon Run’s entire Dark Eyes album. Definitely check that one out.

Elizabeth Tomaras, Copy Editor: Ernest Greene, better known as Washed Out, has been my warmth during this excruciatingly cold season. I listened to everything, from High Times to Paracosm a few weeks ago and those chillwave beats have been swirling inside my mind since. His songs are something I would listen to while sitting on a beach, feeling the glow of the sun resting on my shoulders, breathing in the ocean air.

That’s all I need to get through winter.

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Tuesday, january 21, 2014

tertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling fart jokes.” Ouch.

8. “Monster” - Kanye West Feat. Jay Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj. and Bon Iver This Kanye West video was damned by critics for being both misogynistic and disturbing. People were outraged over the portrayal of dead and dismembered models. Kanye fought back, saying “it is an art piece and it shall be taken as such.”

Jessica romera Music editor

>> Stage collapses at Luke Bryan concert Country music sensation Luke Bryan’s concert stage collapsed in Columbus, Ohio, last week, postponing the country star’s next scheduled performance, according to Rolling Stone. The stage reportedly collapsed after the show, injuring and sending several members of the crew to the hospital. TMZ reported that the accident occurred after “a forklift reportedly crashed into a portion of the stage.” Bryan, who won artist of the year at the 2013 American Country Awards, has a string of upcoming tour dates to perform.

>> Queen guitarist gets a clean bill of health after a prostate cancer scare Following a health scare in 2013, Queen guitarist Brian May has been given the “all-clear” for prostate cancer after a series of tests, as reported in The Guardian. Upon receiving the good news, May wrote in his blog that he celebrated in the studio with a cup of tea. Recently, May has been spending time in the studio with fellow Queen drummer and bandmate Roger Taylor for a possible release of unfinished material dating back to recording sessions from the 1980s.

May also wrote that he “can’t help but feel a buzz. I’m energised again. It’s nice to be putting the Queen hat on again for a while. This year will be interesting, to say the least.”

Top 10 Most

Controversial Music Videos

Compiled by Marco Saveriano 10. “I’m a Slave 4 U” - Britney Spears This steamy video caused a stir among parents of young fans. It showed a sweat-drenched Britney writhing around sexily as her dancers surround her, breathing heavily. This solidified Britney’s transformation from girl-next-door to sex icon.

9. “Alejandro” - Lady Gaga Lady Gaga caused a stir due to blasphemous imagery in this video, which portrayed Gaga dressed in a latex nun’s habit while swallowing a rosary, prompting Katy Perry to tweet (though not mentioning Gaga’s name): “Using blasphemy as en-

7. “Dirrty” - Christina Aguilera feat. Redman The name says it all: this video is “dirrty.” It has everything from mud wrestlers and “furries” to Thai sex-tourism posters and X-Tina in a bikini and assless chaps. After its release, music stations had to air a warning before playing it due to its extremely sexual content.

6. “Stan” - Eminem feat. Dido This video is told through the letters of a crazed Eminem fan who gets increasingly upset when his idol doesn’t respond to him. It becomes clear that he has a scary obsession; he even goes so far as to tie up his pregnant girlfriend and put her in the trunk of his car, which he eventually drives off a bridge.

5. “Cocoon” - Björk This video features a naked Björk dancing around with strings coming out of her nipples before wrapping herself in a cocoon. For Björk? Completely normal. For us? Too much. It was banned from airing on prime-time TV for obvious reasons.

Top 10 // music

4. “Born Free” - M.I.A. Two words: Ginger genocide. People didn’t take too kindly to redheads being rounded up and killed, regardless of what message M.I.A was trying to send. Though many applauded the singer’s creative and unapologetic vision, the graphic subject matter lead to the nine-minute video being banned from YouTube.

3. “Justify My Love” - Madonna This list could’ve easily been composed solely of Madonna videos: “Erotica,” “Like A Prayer,” “American Life,” she’s definitely not afraid of controversy. Like several of her videos, this one was banned from airing on MTV due to its nudity and highly-sexual themes, including sadomasochism, voyeurism, and scenes of Madonna with another woman.

2. “Smack My B*tch Up” - The Prodigy This first-person perspective video portrays someone’s wild night out , which consists of snorting cocaine, visiting a strip club, drunk driving, and having sex with a stripper. At the end of the video, the protagonist is finally revealed: it’s a woman.

It was banned from TV in most countries, but due to massive demand, finally found its way onto late-night music shows.

1. “(s)AINT” - Marilyn Manson Where to start with this video. Full-frontal nudity, oral sex, bondage, drug use — Manson snorts cocaine off a Bible and uses a rosary to shoot heroin — masturbation, self-harm, the list goes on. Marilyn Manson is known to be shocking, but this might go too far.

Quick Spins // music

Quick Spins

>> The Church of Yeezus takes off It would appear that The Church of Yeezus, or Yeezianity, is indeed a new, real religion. According to Noisey, the founder of the religion based on rap sensation Kanye West would like to remain anonymous because he “fears that any name-association with the religion will ruin its goal to help people anonymously.” The religion is based on five essential pillars including “No human being’s right to express themselves must ever be repressed.” As of now, West has not commented on the religion that bears his name.

>>Lady Gaga’s music no longer blacklisted in China Since 2011, many of Lady Gaga’s tracks have been banned by the Chinese government due to the fact that they posed a threat to “national cultural security.”

However, NME reports that her most recent album, ARTPOP, has been in its entirety approved, lifting the Chinese Ministry of Culture’s ban. The pop star has tweeted that she now hopes she can “come to perform.” Other songs blacklisted in the include material from Beyonce and Katy Perry and Take That reports NME.

Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes (Columbia Records; 2014)

James Vincent McMorrow Post Tropical (Vagrant; 2014)

The Crystal Method- The Crystal Method (Tiny e ;2014)

Bruce Springsteen’s 18th studio album, High Hopes, is a blend of the new and old. Adding to the album is Rage Against the Machine’s guitarist Tom Morello, whose talents are criminally underutilized. The Boss’ album is mainly an assortment of covers and rearrangements of his previous work and while a reimagining of original works can be controversial amongst fans, the possible blow to Springsteen’s legacy is avoided by the fact that none of his greatest hits are featured on the new album. All but the most knowledgeable of fans will struggle to identify more than a handful of these back-catalogue diamonds in the rough.

Springsteen’s decision to give these works a second chance instead of rehashing hits is a bold yet interesting approach for this type of project.

Musically varying from Celtic to disco-inspired rhythms and arranged with masterfully composed lyrics makes this one of the best albums that the Boss has put out in recent memory.

In the four years since the release of his debut album, Early In The Morning, the Irish singersongwriter has transformed from a modest Bon Iver imitation into a bold, self-assured artist.

Shedding all but his distinct falsetto, McMorrow found inspiration in hip-hop for his sophomore album. He explains on his website: “I wanted to give this record the feel and movement of the hip-hop records that I love,” admitting that he “re-recorded every single part of the N.E.R.D album, apart from the vocals, just for the joy of it”.

The multilayered sound on Post Tropical reflects his love of R&B and pop, wrapped in a pulsing electronic atmosphere. Lyrically, the album draws on the theme of strength and nature, hinting at his folk beginnings.

Post Tropical is playful and confident, boasting a slick production, strong songwriting and fusion genre, and it’s sure to expand McMorrow’s audience.

The Crystal Method is the new self-titled release from the American electronic duo composed of Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan. Since their debut in the mid-90s, The Crystal Method have put out a slew of albums, making this eponymous release their fifth to date.

Initially the album was set to be released in 2013, but was pushed back to Jan. 14, because Kirkland needed to undergo brain surgery, according to Rolling Stone. Over a week prior to the official release, the album was set as a free stream on The Hype Machine website, allowing fans to get a full listen. The album itself is truly a work of art: the complexity involved in electronic music is well mixed with organic instruments to give a unique final touch. What really stands out on The Crystal Method is how they tried to incorporate new-school synthetic sounds with organic instrumentation to give an almost rock-electro effect. It sounds like a futuristic band trying to bring something vintage to the table.

Trial Track: “The Ghost of Tom Joad”

Trial Track: “Gold”

Trial Track: “Emulator”

7.5/10

--Justinas Staskevicius

9/10

-- Paul Traunero

8/10

--Jonathan Cohen

sports

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

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Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com

Women’s Basketball // sports

Concordia pulls through in tight win vs. Rouge et Or The Stingers women’s basketball team go 2-0 this weekend against Laval in home-and-home series Casey Dulson Staff writer

Concordia’s women’s basketball team went into Saturday’s rematch against the Rouge et Or after a dominant 22-point win over Laval in Quebec City on Thursday night. The game on Saturday was a different story, as the Laval team proved to be a tougher test for Concordia, who edged out a 58-50 win.

The Stingers dominated the backboards, getting 42 rebounds in an exciting game that provided 14 lead changes. The Stingers also won the battle of turnovers as the Rouge et Or committed 18 turnovers in the loss. Concordia shot just over 30 per cent from the field, which is one of their lowest of the season. The good news was that the Stingers were clutch from the free throw line as they made 10 out of 11 attempts.

The Stingers started the game with a 4-0 run thanks to two early baskets by forward Marilyse Roy-Viau. However, Laval quickly responded with three baskets of their own.

The first quarter ended 8-7 for the Stingers, Concordia’s lowest scoring quarter of the season.

The Rouge et Or jumped out to a fast start in the second quarter with a three pointer by forward Genevieve Derome. The Stingers would take the lead back with a basket by Viau, and had a 5-0 run which also included a three-pointer by point guard Ashley Clarke. Laval would then get two late three-pointers by forward Justine GuayBilodeau to tie the game at 25-25 heading into halftime.

Concordia’s guard, Kaylah Barrett, would score the first basket of the third quarter with a layup. However, just like they had all game, Laval stormed back with two straight baskets by Rouge et Or forward, Jannie Jacques, giving Laval the two-point lead two minutes in. The two teams battled back and forth, setting up a thrilling finish. Barrett’s jump shot with 42 seconds left would be the difference maker at this point in the game, as the Stingers went into the fourth quarter up by just two points, 40-38.

It was three minutes into the final quarter before either team could score a basket.

Laval finally scored first, tying the game from a basket by forward Raphaëlle Côté.

Fortunately for the Stingers, that was as close as Laval got. Two straight three pointers by Roy-Viau and Stingers guard Alex

Boudreau would put the Stingers out in front and eventually seal the victory.

“We did not play well but we found a way to get it done that’s all that really matters at this stage in the season,” said Concordia’s head coach Keith Pruden.

Things got a little rough at the end of the

game as Stingers centre, Serginha Estime, was kicked out late in the fourth quarter for allegedly biting Laval forward, Gabrielle Girard, on the arm.

The next test for the 5-3 Stingers will be a big one as they host the 6-0 McGill Redmen on Thursday, at home.

Stingers have perfect weekend against the Rouge et Or. Photo by Brianna Thicke

Men’s basketball // sports

Stingers earn come-from-behind win vs. Rouge et Or The men’s basketball team remains unbeaten since their Nov. 21 loss to the McGill Redmen Casey Dulson Staff writer

After winning 73-63 in the first match of the home-and-home series on Thursday night against the Laval Rouge et Or, the Concordia Stingers men’s basketball team pulled off a 62-57 comeback win at the Concordia gym on Saturday afternoon.

Both the Rouge et Or and the Stingers played great defence as each team did not commit many turnovers.

Laval got the first basket of the game with a two-pointer by guard Hugues Ryan.

The Stingers would respond a minute later with a three-pointer by guard Jean-Andre Moussignac to give Concordia a 3-2 lead.

However, that was the only time the Stingers would lead until the 2:11 mark of the fourth quarter. Boris Hadzimuratovic led the Rouge et Or with six points in the first quarter to help Laval to a 18-14 lead after one.

The Stingers got the first basket of the second quarter by forward Mike Fosu. A couple of seconds later Zach Brisebois would tie the game with his first of five successful free throws in the second quarter. However, forward Antoine Guilard would get Laval’s first basket of the quarter and give them back the lead. Guard Karl Demers-Belanger led the

Rouge et Or with seven points in the second quarter to give Laval a 33-24 lead heading into halftime. Down 47-34 with 34 seconds left in the third quarter, a Mukiya Post field goal would get the Stingers within 10 points with one quarter left to play.

Fosu led the Stingers with nine points in the fourth quarter, helping Concordia with the come-from-behind victory. Down by five at the 4:55 mark, the Stingers cued the comeback. Less than three minutes later, Concordia got only their second lead of the game, thanks to a three-pointer by point guard Adam Chmielewski, putting the Stingers up 58-55. Chmielewski and Post’s two free throw baskets each clinched the win for the Stingers in the dying seconds of the game. Laval only got one basket the last five minutes of the game as the Stingers played great defence, blocking the Laval shooting lines.

Four out of the five Concordia starters had double digit points. The leading scorer was Fosu, who had 15 points in the win.

Chmielewski had 12 points with eight rebounds.

Moussignac said that every game has a “moment of truth” and he describes the comeback as that moment.

Chmielewski said that their big guys were key in the win on Saturday, but was humble about his performance, saying, “it

wasn’t great except for the fourth quarter.”

But Stingers head coach John Dore had kinder words for Chmielewski, saying he is one of the best point guards in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports league.

“When the game is on the line, Adam is there,” Dore said. “[It was a] gutsy win for us as we were

down the whole game and fought back to win,” Dore said about the team’s overall performance. “We executed very well [today].”

The Stingers’ next game is against their town rivals, the McGill Redmen, on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. on home court.

Stingers have won seven games in a row after win at home. Photo by Brianna Thicke

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Campus // sports

Sports in the Outdoor rink to be built at Loyola News ASFA VP of Social Affairs says an outdoor rink will benefit Concordia students Andrew Davis Contributor Chris Cordella Staff writer

>> Broncos are off to New Jersey

The Denver Broncos are advancing to the Super Bowl after a 26-16 victory over the visiting New England Patriots. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning completed nearly 75 per cent of his passes with 400 yards passing and two touchdowns. He connected with eight different receivers. Receivers Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas combined for 219 yards. The Denver defence stepped up big Sunday afternoon. They held New England to three points in the first half and came up with two big sacks when the Patriots were threatening down the field to keep them out of scoring position. The Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, had solid numbers but a lot of it came in the fourth quarter. Brady also had crucial plays where receivers were open but wasn’t able to put the ball in their hands. The Patriots defence couldn’t get off the field and were dealt a huge blow when their best cornerback Aqib Talib left the game with a rib injury and didn’t return.

>> Seattle advances to first Super Bowl since 2006

It was very much a tale of two halves in the NFC championship game in Seattle. The San Francisco 49ers had a great first half and held Seattle to only a field goal and had a 10-3 lead going into half time. Yet in the second half, the Seahawks offence woke up with three field goals and two touchdowns and held the 49ers to only a touchdown. The final score was 23-17 Seahawks. The turnover differential was a big advantage for the Seahawks. They forced two interceptions on 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, and a fumble. Both number one seeds from the NFC and AFC will square off in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Broncos will be heading to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999, when they last won a championship. Seattle’s last appearance was in 2006 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

>> Saturday Night Fight

The Bell Centre was not the home of the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. Instead, it played host to two Montreal fighters, Lucien Bute taking on Jean Pascal. Pascal controlled the pace the majority of the fight. But in the 11th and 12th round, knowing he needed a knockout to win, Lucien Bute came at Pascal with a flurry of punches and put in more damage to Pascal in those two rounds compared to the first ten. Pascal did keep his ground long enough to survive the rounds and won the fight by decision.

The Applied Human Sciences Student Association (AHSCSA) is working in collaboration with the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) and the Concordia Student Union (CSU) to build a skating rink on the football field at the Loyola campus.

The project is an AHSCSA initiative, and is designed, according to its proposal, “to promote and create a sense of belonging and community for Concordia students, faculty and staff.”

As written in the proposal, “The Applied Human Sciences Student Association wants to promote leadership, active participation, and sense of community and inspire current and future Concordia students to plan, lead, and manage projects and events, and to take initiatives in being an active member of the Concordia community.”

The proposed skating rink would be located on Concordia’s turf field in the end zone closest to the Department of Recreation and Athletics building. The rink would measure 60 feet by 120 feet, and would be enclosed by wooden hockey boards.

The project has already received the support of numerous Concordia groups and departments, including the Athletics and Recreation Department, the Dean of Students Office, Gerry Barrette, (Concordia property manager), Loyola Campus Residence, ASFA, and CSU. Plans have already been made for maintenance, scheduling, emergency protocol, and security.

Sean Nolan, Vice President of Social Affairs for ASFA, is one of the co-founders of the project.

“In September, AHSC president Krzysiek Kmiecik approached me about having a rink

on campus and we have been working on the project together since,” said Nolan.

Nolan is very confident that the rink will be beneficial for Concordia students.

“I believe this outdoor rink project would really benefit Concordia students, especially those living in the residences on Loyola Campus,” he said. “With this rink, we can organize skating events for all Concordia students, as well as make residence life a bit more entertaining.”

Nolan is also hopeful that the rink will be equipped with an outdoor sound system, so that participants can enjoy music while they skate.

CJLO has also stated that they are interested in broadcasting live from the skating rink.

“Other recreational projects revolving around this rink would be night time skating events where students would be able to skate around the rink and enjoy music,” said Nolan.

“Furthermore, we are looking into providing

hot chocolate and coffee for skaters.”

The rink will also benefit Concordia’s student-athletes, according to the proposal.

“The rink will provide an opportunity for the Concordia Stinger student-athletes to get involved on a voluntary or paid work basis.

There will also be opportunity for student and student-athlete interaction, community building, and reinforcing student support for the Stingers.”

There is also the possibility of involving both the men’s and women’s hockey teams in providing skating lessons and animating activities. Hockey tournaments will also be organized

by Nolan.

According to Nolan, the rink will begin to be built as of Tuesday, Jan.21, now that Montreal is expecting some colder weather.

“It’s been a pretty bad year for outdoor rinks in Montreal with all this warm January weather we’ve been having,” said Nolan.

Concordia will have a new outdoor rink built for its students. Photo by Keith Race

Tournament // sports

Concordia hosts annual tournament Sports tournament triggers lasting memories for many of its members Andrew Maggio Staff writer

There’s something inherently special about a sports tournament. The competition, the camaraderie, the excitement of measuring oneself against an unknown opponent, all packaged into a weekend that shapes a young athlete’s fond memories of his or her favourite game.

In a town full of sports tournaments, there are always a few that stand out above the rest. In the high school sports landscape, the Loyola-Ed Meagher Sports Tournament is a tournament that has brought many memories to its organizers and participants.

The tournament, now in its 44th year, is named after long-time Loyola teacher, coach, and administrator, Ed Meagher, who started the tournament as a way to promote high school sports in Montreal.

To honour the contributions of Meagher, who passed away in 1995, Concordia University re-named their arena the Ed Meagher Arena in January of 2000.

The arena, along with the Concordia gym, will play host to various high school basketball and hockey teams from around the city including, among others, College Regina Assumpta, Loyola High School, Selwyn House, and West Island College, from

Monday, Jan. 20 to Saturday, Jan. 25.

Meagher’s son, Richard, who is a teacher and former administrator at Loyola High School, spoke fondly of those memories of some of the early tournaments he shared with his late father.

“The very first memory that comes to me, year after year, is that of young men with beards, some with babies in tow, descending upon the rink in the early years to take on our baby-faced 15- and 16-yearolds,” said Meagher, “In the early 1970s, teams from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and often Ontario had 18- and 19-year-olds and while Loyola never won the tournament in those early days we gave them some tough competition, and they always went away impressed with the Loyola teams they faced.”

“This was the weekend my dad looked forward to most — and that has certainly stuck with me and in a way I feel that he is still living the tournament through me,” he added.

The tournament has grown over the years and has attracted more and more media attention with each passing year.

“Most participants consider the Loyola tournament to be the best in the city, and probably the best they will attend during their high school career,” said Meagher. “It is the tournament everyone wants to attend, and hopefully win. The number one thing

I would say everyone walks away with, especially those who win the gold medal, is a memory for life.

“I was fortunate to win the Juvenile hockey gold medal playing for St. Andrews College of Aurora, Ontario way back in 1978,” continued Meagher. “I can remember standing on the blue line and having the gold medal placed around my neck like it was only yesterday — but that was 36 years ago. That memory and experience has been ingrained in me for life.”

Roberto Mormina, currently a forward with the Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team and a Loyola High School grad, can attest to how special the tournament was for young athletes from across the province and county.

“The Ed Meagher sports tournament remains to this day one of the most impassioned sporting experiences of my amateur career,” said Mormina. “The sights and sounds of a building filled with your friends and your teachers, cheering and chanting with pride, drove me to better myself and to put on the greatest performance I could.

This tournament, above all others, was personal. This was our home and we all knew that no one was going to raise that trophy but us. It was exhilarating.”

For more information on the history of the tournament and the tournament schedules, visit: www.loyola.ca/tournament.

opinions

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

Editorial // opinons

Let’s talk about talking about our mental health issues Will the financial and psychological support be available when needed?

O

n Jan. 6, Bell launched its “Let’s Talk” campaign which aims to weaken the stigma surrounding mental health problems through donations to health organizations and promoting open dialogue. Partners for Mental Health has also been campaigning to get people to open up about mental health issues as well as encouraging people to get help through their TV commercials.

In other words, two Canadian companies are lobbying for citizens to open up about their struggles with mental health and to find help. But finding help for mental health problems, especially as a student, isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Concordia Counselling and Development offers students a limited number of personal counselling sessions, between 10 and 12, lasting one hour each.

That is, if you can get an appointment.

For a first-time appointment, the first opening the downtown campus has (as of the printing of this article) is in three weeks. There is slightly more availability at Loyola.

If a student suffers from a mental health issue that requires medication, Concordia offers “short-term psychiatric services,” and then students are referred to external resources.

External mental health resources, such as psychologists, are covered by the CSU Health Plan up to a maximum of $75 per visit, $400 a year. Additionally, the psychologist must be licensed, therefore a visit to a therapist or social worker would not be covered. Furthermore, Quebec Medicare

only covers psychiatric services provided by a general practitioner, not a psychologist or therapist.

According to the Montreal Therapy Centre website, their therapy sessions range from $50 to $110 per session.

Depending on an individual student’s needs, they may not be able to afford all the help they need. It may also be difficult for students to find time in their schedules to accommodate the limited availability of psychologists.

There are options out there for students who need help, but they need to be pretty determined to get it in a timely and financially sustainable manner. For instance, the CSU Health Plan requires that students pay up front in full and then submit a claim to get reimbursed. This takes time — time and money a student may not have depending on their financial situation. Additionally, in

order to get an appointment a student must have a flexible schedule or else go out looking for a psychologist that has availabilities that accommodate the student’s schedule.

This could mean traveling across the city to get to a psychologist with the appropriate vacancy.

Lastly, not every psychologist is suited for every patient. A person dealing with mental health issues needs to be comfortable with whomever they are talking to.

This presents another hurdle in finding the help one may need.

It is all well and good to encourage people struggling with mental health problems to seek help but it needs to be recognized that the demand for mental health services often outweighs what the community can provide. What is needed is more resources for supporting mental health at both the campus level and the community level.

Health // opinions

An affordable shot at a healthy and protected season Flu shot is a good idea for university students Alix Clara Haeberle-Savard Contributor

F

ever, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, congestion, and a cough?

Why not throw in some vomiting and diarrhea to top it off. In case you’re wondering what horrible illness causes these symptoms, it’s the flu.Thankfully, a vaccine is readily available to protect us from this unpleasant and potentially deadly virus. As a busy student with no time to waste on being sick, I was one of the first in line to receive it at my local pharmacy back in early November.

Over the past week, health officials have noted an increase of a particularly virulent form of the flu, known as H1N1. In fact, CBC reported that 90 per cent of this year’s flu cases in Quebec have been caused by H1N1, which translates into 960 cases, 300 of which required hospitalization. Furthermore, Global News reported the deaths of one Quebecer, two Torontonians, two Nova Scotians, and ten Albertans.

Perhaps most alarming is that H1N1 is often found in individuals under 25 years of age and causes particularly severe symptoms and complications, such as rapidlyprogressing and life-threatening pneumonia.

According to the World Health Organization, when compared to the seasonal flu, a higher number of H1N1 deaths occurred in previously healthy individuals.

Gabriella Szabo, a Health Promotion Specialist at Concordia University Health Services, believes that the flu vaccination is a

good idea for Concordia students.

“University students are particularly at risk to catch H1N1 because they are in close and constant contact with each other, whether in class, in the elevators, or in the metro,” she said.

Getting the flu shot also helps students avoid missing classes and being forced to play catch up while keeping up with new material.

“With the flu, you’re likely to be in bed for a week, followed by lingering fatigue for two to three weeks. This is enough to force a student to drop all their classes for the semester,” Szabo said.

Immunization is also a question of social responsibility towards people who are especially vulnerable, such as the young or elderly, as well as some classmates. This is where the idea of herd immunity plays a role; getting vaccinated in order to prevent an outbreak or spread of a virus that can affect those who are more susceptible to illness.

“We have students battling various health conditions such as cancer or HIV, making them especially at risk to catch the flu and to suffer serious complications from it; our duty is to minimize their risk of exposure,” Szabo said.

While Szabo acknowledged that the vaccine is not 100 per cent effective, she pointed out that it is meant to fill in the gaps left by the absence of good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing. However, in the event that a vaccinated individual catches the flu, their stronger immune response will result in milder symptoms and a lower risk of complications.

“It’s not too late to get the shot, as the peak of the flu season hasn’t arrived yet.

Students can call us starting Jan. 22 to book an appointment, or they can call their local

CLSC anytime,” Szabo said.

The vaccine is free for people who are deemed at risk due to age or health status, as well as for those in close contact with them.

For students who do not fit in any of these categories, the Concordia Health and Dental

Plan covers 80 per cent of the cost of the shot ($20 at Concordia Health Services.)

When considering the potentially disastrous consequences of this not-so-benign illness, it is safe to say that the $4 copay is change well spent.

Photo by Military Health on Flickr

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theconcordian

Tuesday, january 21, 2014

Relationships // opinions

To date or not to date in university Would you rather be single and ready to mingle or fabulously committed to a significant other

P r o s Daniele Iannarone Contributor

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aking the shift from high school, to college, and then university in the span of just three years is a big jump.

School becomes more serious and students need to adapt and manage their time accordingly. While in university, students mature from young adult to adult alongside experiencing the transition from being in school to having a career, which leaves the question: to date or not to date?

Many single university students may wonder how students in relationships can find time to devote to their significant other while coping with the stresses of school and work. Being in a relationship does mean that you are going to spend time with your significant other, but that does not mean it has to be detrimental to one’s grades or motivation when it comes to school.

I have been in a relationship for a little over a year, and I am now in my second semester at Concordia.

Before Concordia, I attended Dawson College, and in my first two semesters at Dawson, while I was single, my marks were decent. However, during my final two semesters at Dawson, while I was in a relationship, my marks were actually much better. Even now, at Concordia, I manage my time accordingly so that I can balance school, homework, work, friends and a relationship, (maybe I sacrifice a bit of sleep, but not too much.)

How do I do this? Simple. I make sure that two nights a week, usually Friday and Saturday, are strictly devoted to going out and seeing my friends and/or girlfriend — we also happen to have the same friends which is an advantage.

I work weekends during the day, which leaves weekday evenings for homework.

I also see my girlfriend during my breaks when I’m at school and whenever I can spare some time. I have a busy schedule, yes, but I’m able to manage it.

In retrospect, if students don’t spend time going to see their partner, chances are they’ll probably spend it going to bars with friends, and for me, I can honestly say that I don’t go out any more now than I did when I was single.

Obviously it depends on the person you’re dating, but in a strong relationship, dating can definitely serve as extra motivation to do well in school and to get your work done on time so you can permit yourself to see your significant other.

Partners work together to try to eliminate each other’s bad tendencies and encourage a healthy and responsible life. This includes helping each other alleviate stress and boost morale.

A study conducted by the Journal of American College Health in 2010 in Cincinnati, OH, looked at single men and women, versus men and women in a committed relationship during their college studies to determine whether being single or being in a relationship correlated with higher rates of depression or alcohol use.

According to the study, men in relationships show slightly more depressive symptoms than single men, but the gap is not substantial. The study also concluded that students involved in relationships have stronger mental health.

For these reasons, dating is not only manageable in university, but an advantage. If you date the right person, your experience will be that much better. Isn’t that what relationships are for? To encourage and motivate each other to be the best that you can be?

Plus, who doesn’t enjoy spending time with someone you really like.

C o n s Nathalie laflamme Production manager

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ove. Relationship. Boyfriend. Girlfriend. University. Which of these words doesn’t belong?

Dating is great, and school is great, but how can we know if they work well together?

Relationships, and everything they entail, are crucial life experiences. Even when they end badly, we learn from them. Dating while in school can be quite tricky, and can bring forth a lot of challenges. Some people can overcome them, while others can’t.

I have been in a relationship with the same person for almost five years now — since my fourth year of high school. Although I am definitely not the same person that I was back then, being in a relationship has worked for me.

I am the happiest when I’m in a relationship; but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any cons to being half of a couple.

During the past two years that I’ve been studying at Concordia, I have noticed that there are many things that aren’t so great about having a boyfriend during school.

First, one must deal with the main part of every relationship: falling in love. For some, this can have a negative impact on one’s education. Whether you’ve experienced it yourself or seen it in the movies, the symptoms of falling in love are always the same: you can’t sleep, can’t eat, constantly daydream about the person you care about, and generally can’t concentrate on anything, least of all your school work. All you want to do is spend time with the person you have met, and everything else comes second. This can, evidently, have a negative impact on your grades and extracurricular activities.

Second, being in a relationship changes

your social life — something that is very important to most college students. For example, going out to bars with your single girlfriends. This can become an awkward experience because it means that you can’t hook up with people you meet in bars — something that I am sure most people would consider a bad thing if you’re in a relationship. You may also feel the need to mention to every guy you speak to that you have a boyfriend right off the bat, so as not to accidentally lead them on, which can also be awkward. As the night drags on, you’ll most likely be stuck drinking alone as your friends meet single hotties.

Third, there’s always the possibility that a relationship will end and this is a risk that people have to be willing to take when throwing themselves into the depths of love and lust. When serious relationships end, it doesn’t matter whether you were broken up with or if you decided to end it, at the end of the day, you will both be heartbroken. Just like the beginning of a relationship, the end of one can have a serious impact on your life. The symptoms of heartbreak can make studying, and even going to class, very difficult to accomplish, and can have a negative impact on your grades.

Being in a relationship works well for me, but that doesn’t mean that it is always easy.

Relationships mean taking risks, and having to make sacrifices. All people and relationships are different; some may be a little more dramatic than others.

Your priorities may also affect whether a relationship in university would work for you. If you are set on going out every few days, or if you spend all of your time studying, relationships may not be right for you during university.

Still, only you can know for sure. I think that the only way of finding out what makes you happy and successful in your studies is to try it out and see for yourself.

What’s your take on the subject? Send a letter to the editor at opinions@theconcordian.com if you have something to add to the discussion on relationships.

Social interaction // opinons

Why street harassement needs to be dealt with accordingly Lindsay Richardson Opinions assistant

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man in Philadelphia has been notoriously dubbed “the Swiss Cheese Pervert” after pulling up next to unsuspecting women on the street, masturbating with a slice of Swiss cheese, and trying to solicit sex in exchange for money.

In response, women seem to have run scared, (figuratively) boarded up their windows, and kept their children inside. Men have taken to social media to make light of the situation and laugh it off. Enter jokes about “Philadelphia” brand cream cheese and suddenly violation is absolutely hilarious.

So while men like the Swiss Cheese Pervert are at large, getting off on exposing themselves and harassing women, it begs the question: where has everyone else hidden their balls?

This article is calling for a shift in mentality: the population needs to stop believing that this is a natural or normal social encounter.

The previous example is obviously a sensational one, but women are indirectly violated

by comments and unwanted stares every day. Though there is no definite way to stop street harassment from happening, the person on the receiving end should feel confident enough to speak up and make a fuss when being publically objectified.

At the very least, the act of shutting down unwanted advances is self-affirming and cathartic. Keeping silent, walking away, and internalizing the frustration is, in most cases, the wrong thing to do. It perpetuates the belief that women’s bodies are merely a source of entertainment for men, and that they have the right to freely comment on or criticize them. “[Silence] provides validation for any nonconsensual sexual interaction, so I think it’s very important for people to call that stuff out,” said Julie Michaud, administrative coordinator at Concordia’s Centre for Gender Advocacy.

“It’s not OK, it’s not cute, it’s not flirtatious... it’s aggressive and threatening,” she said.

The intent of this piece is by no means to discriminate or victim-blame, but to draw attention to the fact that scores of people disregard these transgressions and pass them off as a “necessary evil” that complements urban living.

It is understandably an emotionally-trying and challenging situation for a woman to be in, and it’s absolutely ridiculous that they are

faced with these encounters to begin with.

Not everyone can harness the confidence and the cojones to shoot down someone infringing on personal boundaries. Besides, safety is always paramount; no one would expect a woman to call out a gang of guys past midnight on a deserted street.

However, predators will take advantage of the situation if they feel that someone is easily intimidated, so under the right circumstances, just yelling out “stop” or another expletive of choice provides a great feeling of release and satisfaction, and also makes the harasser more obvious to the public eye.

The onus is not only on women to speak up. Men share an equal responsibility.

“The thing that is most powerful is for men to call it out, because those behaviours are often encouraged and read as normal in a male social situations,” Michaud said.

Unfortunately, they can’t always be counted upon to do so. When there is a social norm in place, like that concerning street harassment, people adapt to it and are less likely to take a stand.

Ultimately, women should be able to stand up and tell perverts where to stick it (a fridge, in the case of the Swiss Cheese Pervert) and feel good about doing so. Though an outward, societal change is ideal, we can only work on personally developing an inner strength to help deal with the “macho” nonsense.

Fitness // opinions

Lifting the division between sexes Why gender-neutral gyms promote healthy co-existence Krystina Scenna Contributor

Everybody wants to feel a sense of acceptance and validation in any setting they are in, especially when it comes to exercising in a gym.

Concordia’s Le Gym and Le Centre are close-to-home examples of gyms where males and females of all body types can go to lead healthy and active lifestyles, and do so in a safe and welcoming environment.

Gyms are a safe haven for many. However, when the gym’s space is being managed in an unfair and biased manner to please one demographic, there is definitely an issue.

In a recent Vancouver Sun article about a downtown Vancouver gym eliminating its women-only section, Karen Tankard, a longtime member of the Steve Nash Fitness World Sports Club, disagreed with the gym’s intentions.

“They have advertised a women’s-only section, they have sold memberships and now to start eliminating them, I think they have some explaining to do,” Tankard told The Vancouver Sun. She also mentioned that the monopolization of gym equipment and the uncomfortable stares men would give women are the main reasons behind having a women-only section.

Spokesperson for Steve Nash Fitness, Colleen Kirk, explained the reasoning behind eliminating the women-only section.

“As part of our mission to provide the best fitness experience possible, we listen to feedback from our members and strive to constantly evolve our fitness facilities. The member base of this club has asked for a more open and inclusive training area that is gender neutral,” Kirk said, according to The Vancouver Sun. The more respect people have for others at the gym, regardless of gender, makes for a healthier and more positive environment to work out in. The unity of genders is a positive factor to be exposed to in the gym because it enables people to do something that is vital to society: co-exist. After all, humans are social beings, therefore it is our innate need to ex-

ist in harmony with one another. It’s all about learning how to share space respectfully.

In another case, Peter Lloyd, writer for The Daily Mail, wrote an article back in April about suing his local gym, The Kentish Town Sports Centre, in London. He disagreed with the fact that men were banned during certain hours in the day to make women comfortable while exercising.

“Forcing men — whether 70-year-old pensioners or 13-year-old boys who attend with their mothers — to leave a room because of their gender, rather than their behaviour, is degrading,” Lloyd said in his Daily Mail online piece.

I can empathize with women who are uncomfortable about exercising in front of men. If inappropriate behaviour is an issue, a gym’s administration should act accordingly and remedy the situation privately.

However, it is unacceptable to not allow someone in at certain times during the day.

To omit one gender from a public space solely because their presence is making people feel uncomfortable is immoral and discriminatory. It also impedes on a person’s fitness goals and limits their time of being active.

In the case of the Kentish Town Sports Centre, the men who signed up paid the same rate that the women did, so why should men be allotted less hours? This is an example of what occurs when we start sectioning off a public space that is meant to be shared.

Back at Concordia, Catherine Ferriter, a monitor at Le Gym, encourages students to ask for help on bettering the various techniques in order to make working out safer and efficient. What follows is a space of dedicated people who are eager to workout and teach each other instead of worrying about who is staring at them.

If each person focuses on their workout, and is respectful in doing so, they will be disciplined enough to block out any distractions around them in order to make their time at the gym worthwhile.

Tuesday, Jan 21 2014 Vol. 31 Issue 18 Amanda L. Shore Editor-in-Chief editor@theconcordian.com Nathalie Laflamme Production manager production@theconcordian.com Tim Weynerowski Sloane Montgomery News editors news@theconcordian.com Sabrina Giancioppi Life editor life@theconcordian.com Roa Abdel-Gawad Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com Jessica Romera Music editor music@theconcordian.com Samantha Mileto Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com Casandra De Masi Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com Keith Race Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com Natasha Taggart Online editor online@theconcordian.com Jennifer Kwan Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com Elizabeth Tomaras Christina Rowan Milos Kovacevic Copy editors copy@theconcordian.com Marilla Steuter-Martin Besher Al Maleh Philippe Labreque Production assistants 7141 Sherbrooke St. Building CC-Rm 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 514-848-2424 ext. 7499 (Editor-in-Chief) Pascale Cardin Business manager business@theconcordian.com Tyson Lowrie Cindy Lopez Ruben Bastien Board of directors directors@theconcordian.com Contributors Paula Monroy, Lindsay Richardson, Barbara Madimenos, Christine Beaton, Elijah Bukreev, Olivia Ranger-Enns, Saturn De Los Angeles, Jocelyn Beaudet, Marco Saveriano, Casey Dulson, Andrew Davis,Andrew Maggio, Chris Cordella, Christopher Scott, Daniele Iannarone, Krystina Scenna, Alix Clara Haeberle-Savard, Justinas Staskevicius, Paul Traunero, Jonathan Cohen

theconcordian

Calling out the “cat-callers”

Concordia’s weekly, independent student newspaper.

ART:

Death is Short, Life is Long @ Galerie Lock until Feb.4 Birds of Prey @ FOFA until Feb. 14 In the Night Room @ Articule until Feb. 23

THEATRE:

To Be: In Concert @ Kaleidoscope Theatre Jan. 23 Wake, Butterfly @ Bain St. Michel until Jan. 25 Me, Myself & Eye @ MainLine Theatre until Jan. 25 All My Sons @ Players’ Theatre until Feb. 1 The Drowsy Chaperone @ Moyse Hall until Feb. 1 Bhopal @ Segal Centre until Feb. 2

MUSIC:

Serge Fortin @ Le Divan Orange Jan.21 The Luyas @ Le Divan Orange Jan.23 J.Cole with BAS @ Metropolis Jan.23 Maica Mia with Ought, Essaie Pas, DJ Babi Audi @ La Sala Rossa Jan.24 Dr. Dog @ Cabaret du Mile End Jan.29 Olenka Krakus @ The Living Womb Jan.30 Monogrenade @ La Tulipe Feb.5 Igloofest @ Old Port of Montreal until Feb.8

OTHER:

Avram Finkelstein @ Canadian Centre For Architecture Jan. 23 Artist’s Talk @ Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery Jan. 23 The Beginning & Taksim Commune @ Cinema Politica Jan. 27