The Concordian - January 10th 2017 (2)

Concordia University’s weekly, independent student newspaper

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VOLUME 34, ISSUE 15 | TUESDAY, JAN. 10, 2017

theconcordian.com  /theconcordian  @theconcordian

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Education across the globe Comparing five of Concordia’s partnered cities abroad

News p. 2

also in this issue

life

arts

music

sports

Winter travels with Hiding scandal at International Band 2017 Stingers p.8 p.10 launches EP Concordians the Oscars p. 12 sports preview

opinions

p.16

Are you spying on me? p. 19

news

NEWS EDITORS /// news@theconcordian.com SAVANNA CRAIG & NELLY SERANDOUR-AMAR ( @savannacraig @nellsamar03)

CITY IN BRIEF

COVER STORY

Education abroad

NELLY SÉRANDOUR-AMAR CO-NEWS EDITOR Montreal fight involves two deaths An official from the police with the Old Brewery Mission confirmed Sunday that the man killed by police on Friday was in fact a homeless person.

He was taken down by the SPVM after he allegedly stabbed another man, according to CTV News. The Old Brewery Mission’s president and CEO Matthew Pearce said the man was in his late 30s and had been “using our services on and off in an episodic manner since 2005.” The incident happened on Friday at around 2:30 pm in a building at the corner of René-Lévesque Boulevard. and Saint-Urbain Street.

Flooded buildings in Old Montreal Several buildings in Montreal were f looded after a water main broke in the city. The pipe burst Sunday night around 11:30 p.m . near Not re Dame Street and St Hubert Street in Old Montreal. According to CTV News, tremendous amounts of water flowed downhill, pooling on St Antoine Street and spreading about a block east and west. Former Viger train station was damaged as part of the flooding. As of yet, no word has been given as to when the pipe will be fixed.

Fire burns down Laval’s community stores A strip mall was completely burned in Laval after a fire began inside one of the storefronts on René Laennec Boulevard near Lausanne Road. Tony Cerone, the co-owner of Patisserie Vimont, arrived soon after the fire began, according to CTV News. He contacted his partner a little bit after the incident happened to let him know that their store was destroyed.

Firefighters couldn’t save any of the stores, after taking more than six hours to get the fire under control.

Taking a look at some of the universities Concordia has international partnerships with

SAVANNA CRAIG CO-NEWS EDITOR Concordia International will begin offering information sessions for students interested in studying abroad, as the application deadline for the 2017-2018 academic year is Feb. 1.

For those who need help completing their application, Concordia International staff will be available to students on Jan. 18 during a Concordia Student Exchange Program (CSEP) application workshop. Participants are encouraged to stop by the workshop in H-517 at the downtown campus anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Concordia is partnered with 150 universities across 35 countries.

The Concordian has compared the cost of living, education, food and more for five locations.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA University of Western Sydney (UWS) UWS has more than 44,000 students and more than 3,000 staff members, according to the UWS’s official website. The university has seven different campuses with a shuttle bus service to travel to and from them. In a rank conducted by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, UWS was ranked amongst the 78th best university worldwide in 2017.

UWS offers a variety of courses under the subjects of health and medicine, applied and pure sciences, social studies and media, bu sine ss and management, computer and IT, and creative arts and design.

University of New South Wales (UNSW) UNSW has three campuses and was ranked the 46th best university in the world in 2015 by QS World University Rankings. UNSW was also ranked the number one

choice among Australia’s highest employers in 2015 by LinkedIn. More than 52,000 students attend UNSW, including 13,123 international students from more than 120 countries.

Within the nine faculties at UNSW, there are 900 academic degrees offered to students. The nine faculties include the Faculty of Ar ts and Social Sciences, UNSW Business School, UNSW Art and Design, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Built Environment, Science and UNSW Canberra—the Australian Defence Force Academy.

The city of Sydney According to The Economist’s 2015 Safe Cities Index report, Sydney is the sixth safest city in the world. There are many activities and social events for students, including biking along the city’s cycling paths, exploring bushwalking, camping, and sur fing at beaches such as at Bondi Beach. For sports lovers, Western Sydney offers local community competitions you can watch or participate in sports such as cricket, basketball and soccer. Sydney is home to a large number of bars and clubs open 24 hours.

BEIJING, CHINA Communication University of China (CUC) CUC has an enrollment of 15,000 full-time students and approximately 1,000 international students from more than 110 countries around the world. CUC has been ranked the number one university in China for journalism and communication studies, as well as theatre, film and television studies, according to the latest National Discipline Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Education in China.

Renmin University of China

(RUC) RUC is research-oriented with a focus on humanities and social sciences. In 2015, RUC was ranked China’s 26th out of 196 universities by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. RUC has approximately 24,522 students, including 1,113 international students. There are 23 different departments, with a variety of programs amongst each school. Some of them include: Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Chinese Classics, Arts, Foreign Languages, Journalism and Communication, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Public Administration and Policy, Economics, Finance, Law, Marxism Studies, International Studies, Science and the SinoFrench Institute.

The City of Beijing: An inexpensive activity students can participate in are morning sessions of Taichi held in parks across the city, such as in Ritan Park. Those who are looking for a place to drink should visit Sanlitun Bar Street, located just south of the embassy district. It is one of the more popular spots for nightlife in Beijing, open until 2 a.m. Those who plan to stay abroad in China should be mindful that various websites are blocked from use by the Chinese government, such as Facebook and YouTube.

PARIS, FRANCE Institut d'Études Politiques (IEP) de Paris The Paris Institute of Political Studies in English or nicknamed “SciencesPo”—has seven different campuses across France. There is one in Paris, Poitiers, Menton, Dijon, Reims, Le Havre and Nancy.

The same bachelor’s degrees are offered at each campus, allowing students to choose their prefered campus. However, doctoral pro-

grams and master’s degrees are only offered at the Paris campus.

The 2016 World University Rankings rated SciencesPo as the 4th best university for politics and international studies.

Université Panthéon-Sorbonne Also known as Paris 1, this university has a capacity of 1,183 facult y members and 32,564 students. Paris 1 has been rated

by QS World University Rankings as the 228th best university in the world. The same source rated their archeology program as the 12th best worldwide, their history program as the 18th best, their law and legal studies programs as 20th best and their philosophy program as 23rd best.

The City of Paris Paris is filled with many historical gems and beautiful architecture for anyone visiting the city to explore. There are also many markets around the city selling local food, inexpensive books and various second-hand items. While some places for nightlife can be pricey, students should check out La Zorba, an inexpensive bistro opening at 5 a.m., for an early bite or late-night partiers for a drink.

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND University of Iceland (UoI) UoL is one of Iceland’s seven universities, however Concordia only has a par tnership with one—which is in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. The first language taught at UoI is Icelandic, however some programs are offered in English, but mostly at the graduate level. There are a variety of courses offered in English in the engineering and natural sciences, education studies, health sciences, humanities and social sciences department.

JANUARY 10, 2017

The City of Reykjavík Those looking to live in the city should beware that food prices are quite high in Reykjavík, since Iceland imports most of its goods.

In the mid-winter months, there are only four to five hours of solid daylight, while from mid-May to mid-August the sun sets for only a few hours per day—this is called the “midnight sun” by many. For less than $10, those who want to see Reykjavík from the tallest part of Iceland can visit Hallgrímskirkja Church, the tallest building in Reykjavík with

a lookout at the top.

MUNICH, GERMANY Ludwig-MaximiliansUniversität München (LMU) LMU has a faculty of 3,506 and 35,809 students and is recognized as a leading research and academic institution in Europe. QS World University Rankings rated LMU as the 68th best university in the world, ranked as having the 13th best physics and astronomy program and the 33th best faculty of natural science.

Te ch nisch e Unive r sit ät München (TUM) TUM has a staff of 5,675 and 37,483 students with campuses in Munich, Garching and FreisingWeihenstephan. While the university has a research focus, it offers 13 different faculties for students to choose from. QS World University Rankings rated LMU the 60th best university in the world, and ranked it as having the 27th best engineering program and the 30th best faculty in natural science.

The City of Munich:

There are many free activities offered in Munich, such as visiting Olympiapark—the location of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games—and attending their free concerts during the summer months. Daring individuals can also try river surfing.

You can also watch river surfers in Eisbach in downtown Munich.

Although swimming in this river is prohibited, many do not follow this rule. Museums in Munich offer “one euro Sunday” entry, where for just one euro for the day you can marvel at Monet, Rembrandt and Warhol.

Comparing numbers from each location

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NATION IN BRIEF KATYA TEAGUE HEAD COPY EDITOR

Major funding for science initiatives The Canada Foundation for Innovation will be awarding $328 million to 17 of Canada's largest science research labs andinitiatives,announcedfederal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan on Monday. According to The Globe and Mail, the funding is intended to “help keep the lights on” at key national facilities conducting research on a wide range of topics. Among the recipients are the University of Victoria's seafloor observatories, the Amundsen research icebreaker ship and Canada's Genomics Enterprise. Nearly $70 million, the largest single award,willgotoComputeCanada to improve Canadian scientists' access to high-speed computing—a task the organization struggledwithlastyear,according to The Globe and Mail.

Animal cruelty charges against Marineland The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced it was laying six new animal cruelty-related charges against Marineland Canada on Monday, reported CBC News. The new charges involve the park’s mistreatment of elk, red deer and fallow deer, including allowing the animals to be in distress and failing to comply with the appropriate standards of care, according to the same article.

Marineland now faces 11 charges, including those made in November for similar mistreatment of peacocks, guinea hens and American black bears.

*Sydney transit does not offer monthly passes.

Instead, the system charges users for the length of time one is on the transit. Estimates are based on the use of an average commuter in Sydney.

Toronto prepares for impending fentanyl crisis

More information

The first information session will be held on on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Concordia International’s office at 2080 Mackay, Annex X, room 103, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be information sessions hosted at the same place and time on Wednesday, Jan. 11; Thursday, Jan. 12; Tuesday, Jan. 17; Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19. For those who cannot attend in the afternoon, there will be evening sessions held on Monday, Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. * Information for infographs compiled from Expatistan.com and local real estate agencies and travel companies. Some cities have more university partnerships than listed.

Graphics by Florence Yee.

The Toronto Overdose Early Warning and Alert Partnership held its first meeting on Monday as part of the city's effort to prepare for the fentanyl-fuelled opioid crisis that is moving east from British Columbia, according to Global News. “I don't think that we can sit back and be complacent for one moment,” Toronto Mayor John Tory told Global News. While the full extent of this issue in Toronto is still unknown, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, the city's acting medical officer of health, told Global News the number of fentanyl-related deaths in Toronto is on the rise, nearly doubling from 2015 to 2016.

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WORLD IN BRIEF DAVID EASEY OPINIONS EDITOR Donald Trump lashes out at Meryl Streep Last Sunday, actress Meryl Streep was awarded the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globe Awards for her contribution to the world of film. During her acceptance speech, she addressed Donald Trump’s bullying antics during his presidential campaign, according to The Guardian.

She specifically called out his behaviour when he allegedly mocked a disabled reporter back in 2015. In an astonishing t wist of events, the president-elect responded and took aim at Streep on Twitter, calling her “one of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood.”

Syrian president justifies Aleppo bombs This past week, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the bombings in east Aleppo were necessary and justified the intense fighting needed to recapture the strategic city, according to BBC News. Last month, government forces took back the eastern part of the ancient city, after weeks of heavy shelling with estimates suggesting more than 21,000 civilians have been killed in the crossfire, according to the same source. Syria has been the scene of a bloody civil war since 2011, when several rebel groups began openly opposing the al-Assad regime, which held absolute power since 1971 when Hafez al-Assad claimed the presidency.

German leader vows to send back asylum seekers German Chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed to send back migrants in the wake of the Berlin truck attack, according to the Washington Post. The terror attack carried out by Anis Amri—a Tunisian foreigner—killed 12 people and injured 49 at a popular Christmas market on December 19, 2016.

Merkel’s comments come in the wake of national polls suggesting her popularity is dwindling, as elections are approaching later this year. In 2015, Merkel willing received more than one million migrants, which put a strain on the country, according to BBC News.

JANUARY 10, 2017

EVENTS

ASFA announces first winter frosh

“Snowyola” will take place on Jan. 19 at the Loyola Quad The snow-filled Loyola Quad will be the location for next week's Snowyola event. Photo by Savanna Craig.

SAVANNA CRAIG CO-NEWS EDITOR The Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) welcomes Concordia students to “Snowyola,” a winter orientation inviting new and returning students to enjoy music, raffle prizes, food and music at the Loyola Quad on Jan. 19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“It is a reality that the majority of new students miss the chance to attend orientation events organized by the university or their faculty association,” said ASFA vice-president of academic and Loyola affairs Rachel Rammal,

because these events are usually held during the summer months.

She said this can leave students with a small window of opportunity to become accustomed to university life, by meeting new people and making new friends.

Rammal said this event was initially inspired to bring more life to the Loyola campus during the winter and to raise money and knowledge about the issue of homelessness during the winter.

“Our aim is to donate at least 25 per cent of the ticket sales revenue to the Dans la rue foundation,” said Rammal. She added that 100 per cent of the proceeds from their pom-pom hats sales will go to

the Dans la rue organization, which provides aid to homeless at-risk youth.

“We hope that with Snowyola we can help reduce some of the anxiety that comes with starting university for the first time,” said Rammal, describing Snowyola as a carnival-type of event.

By showing up to the event, participants can expect to be accompanied by music, food, beverages and raffle prizes, said Rammal.

She said the event will give students the chance to make new connections and learn more about the different faculty associations, as all faculty associations have been invited. Students will also be able to enjoy Loyola’s transformed, snow-filled campus during the winter.

“With this activity, Snowyola, A SFA wanted to ensure that incoming students are also made to feel comfortable,” said ASFA vice-president of internal affairs and administration Julia Sutera Sardo. “Loyola campus covered in fairy lights with a ton of hot chocolate is definitely a great way for this to be done.”

“For returning students, the situation is a bit different in the sense that, often, many need an

energy boost come the winter semester or feel demoralized after not getting the fall GPA they wanted,” said Rammal. For others, the event can be a “get back to the grind” boost for the second semester, said Rammal.

“With an event that celebrates the new semester like Snowyola, we hope to give students an opportunity to enjoy themselves with their friends before they are submerged with assignments and midterms,” said Rammal.

According to Rammal, the event fully came together halfway through the fall semester. “The Loyola and social committees decided to join their forces and host the event together to maximize the success of Snowyola,” said Rammal.

Sutera Sardo said Snowyola is a precursor to more social events and workshops that will be held in the winter semester. ASFA has been criticized for not being as active as usual on campus during the fall semester, however, Sutera Sardo said ASFA is open to all feedback and critique from students.

“Our goals for the semester are centered around engaging our peers and providing them with various tools and opportunities,” said Sutera Sardo.

Snowyola takes place on Jan. 19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Quad on the Loyola campus.

CAMPUS

From Loyola to SGW for 40 years

Looking back at the Concordia shuttle since its debut in 1976 ADRIAN KNOWLER CONTRIBUTOR Originally proposed in the 1960s as part of the merger between Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, the shuttle was a critical part of the formation of what is now Concordia University.

Administrators at both schools agreed during their negotiations that students needed a way to get to and from classes at the picturesque Loyola campus in the sleepy westend NDG neighbourhood and the SGW campus on De Maisonneuve in downtown Montreal.

According to Desmond O’Neill, longtime manager of Concordia’s shuttle system, the first recorded evidence of the shuttle in action is a photo from 1976 which shows the lone Dodge panel van that would make the journey only a few times per day. Students had to make reservations in advance to make sure they had a seat.

Since those humble beginnings, the shuttle has grown to match the development of the university.

The school now runs four buses

different route every time to bypass construction and traffic. In some cases, this has made the travel time longer.

O’Neill said while he understands riders’ confusion, the the current state of road work in Montreal makes shuttle consistency more difficult than ever. According to The shuttle is 40 years old. Photoby AdrianKnowler. O’Neill, drivers often do not know about road simultaneously from Monday to closures ahead of time and are Friday, with 94 departures per day forced to adjust their routes on the from both the SGW and Loyola fly. He said he wishes the city would campus, according to Concordia’s alert him about construction so that office of property management. he could warn drivers in advance.

Driver-reported passenger data “We do have some contact shows that the shuttle system moved with city government but it’s not 80,000 passengers in September the best,” said O’Neill. “When the 2016, at an average of over 4,000 city does road work, they may not riders per day. know the 100 people or businesses During the 2015-2016 school year, it affects.” over 700,000 Concordia students and According to O’Neill, ideally there faculty members took advantage of would only be a couple of routes that the free system, according to O’Neill. drivers would take but,because of The system isn’t without issues. If constant construction and changing you've taken the shuttle recently, you traffic patterns, bus drivers have to may have noticed the bus taking a utilize up to five alternate routes.

Drivers talk to each other via wireless headsets while en route, updating their colleagues about traffic and construction situations.

O’Neill said he is pleased with how the shuttle service generally meets the needs of its users, but that he’s always open to suggestions from students.

Concordia student and cyclist Ayrton Wakfer wants to see bike racks added to the buses.

“When I bike to Loyola and it starts raining, I know that I’ll have to ride home in the rain,” said Wakfer.

“It would be great if I could put my bike on the front of the shuttle.”

According to O’Neill, the shuttle system plans to install a screen on the Hall building that will indicate the location of all the buses via GPS, and there is talk of adding WiFi capability to the shuttles so students can study during their commute. When Montreal road work calms down in 18 months and these new features are implemented, the Loyola-SGW shuttle is poised to continue its impressive run, now 40 years in the making.

theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

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HEALTH

Keep your health in check with Concordia

Students are able to access on-campus testing for cervical cancer and HPV

Concordia students will have access to on-campus Pap tests through the school’s health services department on Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Students will also be able to renew their birth control prescriptions and test for STIs during their appointments.

Pap tests are procedures that test the cervix for cancer and precancerous conditions, and have been proven to reduce rates of cervical cancer by identifying pre-cancer early, according to the American Cancer Society (ACA). The organization also claims that, in the last 40 years, the death rate from cervical cancer has dropped 50 per cent, largely due to increased testing. Pap tests also test for human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can increase a woman’s risk of developing cancer.

"Quebec actually has the lowest rates of [Pap testing] in Canada, so we of fer tests to women and people with cervixes,” said

Gabriella Szabo, health promotion specialist from Concordia University Health Services. “It is recommended for women over 21 to get them every one to three years, depending on their medical history.” The service is really useful if they aren't up to date with their tests, said Szabo.

Concordia’s health services department will also be organizing Healthy You

at CU infor mation tables on select dates between Jan. 10 to April 11 at the downtown campus.

The information tables are run by health promotion specialists who will be answering questions about health topics including nutrition, stress management, smoking and sexual health. With the

Canadian Association of College and University Student Services claiming that stress is a major threat to students' health and that 89 per cent feel overwhelmed, offering health information may help students manage stress and make healthier decisions. " St udent s c an a sk ab out anything they're worried about," said Szabo. “Maybe they are worried about

Graphic by Marie-Pier La Rose.

eating healthier and want to exercise or they want to learn about stress management or quitting smoking and we'll help them." If students are not ready or at the time do not need to seek advice regarding health questions they can come to Health Services if they have any concerns, said Szabo.

Students who are unable to get tested on Jan. 16 will still have the opportunity to book an appointment on campus and receive a Pap test as part of a full check-up. It is recommended that women aim to book the test during the middle of their cycle, and to avoid intercourse for 24 hours before the appointment.

It is also recommended that douching, spermicides and v ag inal me dic at ions b e avoided for two to three days before the Pap test.

The tests are available by appointment only, and Health Services recommends booking early given the limited number of available spots. Interested students can book an appointment by calling 514-848-2424 extension 3565.

BUTT OUT OF THE 9 METRE SMOKE-FREE ZONE

According to the Government of Quebec’s Tobacco Control Act, smoking and vaping are prohibited within a 9-metre radius of doors, windows that open and building air intakes for all post-secondary educational institutions.

VISIT CONCORDIA.CA/BUTTOUT FOR MORE DETAILS.

9 metres T17-35967

MEGAN HUNT ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

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theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

BUSINESS

Serving meals to the people in need

Montreal restaurant Marché Ferdous, near SGW campus, serves free food to the hungry CHLOË RANALDI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR A Montreal restaurant Marché Ferdous has been giving back to individuals in need.

The small Mediterranean restaurant on the corner of Ste-Catherine Street West and Mackay Street offers a free meal to individuals without sufficient funds. For the past three months, a sign has been taped to its door, which reads: “People with no money welcome to eat for free,” in French and English.

Ala Amiry, the restaurant’s co-owner and Concordia alumnus, said the initiative began when students and homeless people would come by the restaurant hungry and unable to afford a meal.

The restaurant is located near a number of homeless people, who go to the Marché in search of food, said Amiry.

“We decided to provide free food to anyone who needs it and who is hungry, on a regular basis,” said Amiry.

Amiry said they serve a free meal to about four or five people per day but that he expects that number to increase as they gain more recognition.

Marché Ferdous also provides discounts for students looking for an affordable meal near Concordia’s downtown campus.

Amiry said he and his partner, Yahya Hashemi, consider the money spent on

Co-owners of Marché Ferdous Ala Amiry (left), Yahya Hashemi (right).

providing free food for those in need as part of a business cost.

“We also give from our own pockets,” said Amiry when asked how the restaurant funds the program.

He also credited the generous donations from members of the Montreal community for helping with their new program. “Today, a woman came by with an envelope of $80 and another customer donated money to the program after purchasing a meal,” said Amiry.

“As an immigrant from Baghdad in Iraq,

we suffered from the embargo and war,” Amiry explained. “We understand what it is like to suffer and we know the feeling of people in need.”

Amiry said the initiative was largely unnoticed at the start, but the restaurant earned online recognition when customer Sean Jalbert posted on Facebook about the store’s generosity on Jan. 2.

“I would always pass by the restaurant on my way to work but never went inside,” Jalbert said. “I found out what they were doing through

word of mouth from one of my colleagues.”

Jalbert decided to pay a visit to Marché Ferdous to see if the advertisement on their front door was true.

“I told them that I had no money,” said Jalbert. “The workers were very welcoming and did not ask me any questions.”

Jalbert then paid for his meal and then wrote the Facebook post sharing his experience at the Montreal restaurant.

His post has gone viral and received more than 5,000 shares and some 3,000 likes.

“I’m very happy that the restaurant is getting its [well-]deserved recognition for helping the community,” said Jalbert.

He also said he hopes no one takes advantage of the restaurant’s generosity so that it can continue to support members of the community in need.

Marché Ferdous. Photos by Alex Hutchins.

COMMUNITY

Call out for Concordia to support kids Capitalize for Kids invites students to help support children’s mental health

NELLY SERANDOUR-AMAR CO-NEWS EDITOR Capitalize for Kids, a non-profit organization that helps support children’s mental health, is seeking the help from the Concordia community.

As part of their annual conference, the organization is encouraging students from Concordia and other Canadian universities to take part in their Student Challenge, where participants compete in a national por t folio management competition to raise money for programs

related to children’s mental health.

“This is so important because brain and mental health is the number one health issue among children and youth,” said Andrew Barlett, Concordia’s Capitalize for Kids ambassador. "Mental illness affects one in five people, and the chance of depression is increased by three to five times after a traumatic brain injury.”

According to him, this challenge provides students with different opportunities to strengthen their finance and investing acumen and develop important career opportunities, all while raising awareness

and funds for the cause. “I am working to bring together students, faculty, alumni and the Concordia community alike, to give back to the community all while providing a platform for students who are interested in participating in Canada's first charitable national student investors challenge,” Barlett told The Concordian when asked about his role as ambassador.

The conference is conducted by the organization’s annual investors. “Since our first investors conference in 2013, we have raised over $4 million to help solve the toughest challenges in children’s mental

Andrew Barlett, Capitalize for Kids ambassador, is also a Concordia Stingers captain. Photo courtesy of Andrew Barlett.

health,” said Eyal Sequeira, the business development manager at Capitalize for Kids. The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, also known as SickKids, has been their main beneficiary, but he said that as Capitalize for Kids continues to grow alongside SickKids, they will also look to impact other institutions.

“Students will be exposed to the unique blend of professional development and philanthropy,” Bartlett said about the Student Challenge.

“It is not often we see an initiative that adds value for all stakeholders, and [has a] positive social impact.” Barlett, who is also captain of the Concordia Stingers football team, graduated in 2016 with a degree in human relations and is currently in his second semester of the business administration graduate diploma.

This year’s Capitalize for Kids conference will be held on Oct. 18 and 19. “We have secured a few incredible speakers,” said Sequeira. The founder and CEO of Fairfax Financial, Prem Watsa, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Dan Dreyfus from 3G Capital will also be speaking.

“Funny thing about Dan is that he credits his ‘breaking into Wall Street’ to winning a student investment challenge in the late 90s,” Sequeira said.

This year, the student challenge will run from Jan. 16 to April 16. Registration to participate in the student challenge ends on Jan. 15. Concordia students are encouraged to sign up on the organization's website: www.capitakizeforkids.org/challenge.

life

LIFE EDITOR /// life@theconcordian.com DANIELLE GASHER

FESTIVALS

A silver lining for Montreal’s winter-haters Check out these five January events to combat the post-holiday blues

lickr. a from F adisynaliy M y b to o Ph

MINA MAZUMDER ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR Barbegazi Festival Jan. 6 to 8 and Jan. 13 to 15 Barbegazi is a winter sport festival that takes place every year at the Îlot Clark of Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles. The best part about this year’s festival is that it 's free for all in honour of Montreal’s 375th birthday. Activities include snow-skating, fatbiking and winter obstacle courses and challenges. This festival is perfect for all of those winter-sport lovers out there.

Igloofest Every weekend from Jan. 12 to Feb. 19 Going into its 11th year, Igloofest is a popular outdoor music festival that takes place in Montreal’s Old Port. The winter festival goes all out with icy décor, a giant playground and, of

course, electronic music. Many international DJs will be attending the events, including Apparat, Deadlift and Carl Cox. This year, Igloofest is extending its stay for six weekends in honour of Montreal’s birthday. The online price for a regular pass ranges from $15 to $22, depending on whether the purchase is for Thursday, Friday or Saturday events. The festival also sells Igloopasses, which include access to 12 evenings. The online price for an Igloopass is $120.

Fête des neiges Every weekend from Jan. 14 to Feb. 5 Montreal’s Fête des neiges is a family-oriented winter event that aims to help Montrealers enjoy winter a little more. Fête des neiges is located at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Some of the activities include a tube slide, ice ship and zip-lining. There will also be fast-food concession stands and warming areas. An Accropase will give you unlimited

access to the main activities during eight days of the festival, and costs $16 online, or $50 for a package deal. Some other benefits of this membership pass is a discount on various restaurants and free membership to the Stewart Museum and Environment Museum during the weeks of Fête des neiges.

Winter Clubs Fair Jan. 17 The new year, new you kind of craze can also mean that you want to get more involved in university life. Concordia’s clubs fair is the perfect way to get another shot at checking out what’s happening on campus. The Winter Clubs Fair is part of Concordia’s Student Union 2017 Kick-Off week. The event will be held between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the seventh floor of the Hall building. Some of Concordia’s clubs include the African Students Association of Concordia, Best Buddies, Artopia, CARA, Cupcakes for a Cause, Muslim Student Associate

our own newspaper, The Concordian, and so much more. There might be a unique club that is just right for you!

Salon de l’auto Jan. 20 to 29 Montreal’s Auto Show is doing things bigger this year with more manufacturers presenting their products, including Cadillac, Bentley and Mitsubishi. The Auto Show includes the Accelerator Contest and Auto Show Contest, and an attendee can potentially win a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L., which is worth more than $45,000. The winner will be announced on Sunday, Jan. 29. Registration for the test drives are held in Montreal’s Viger Hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Jan. 20 to 29 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 29. The electric cars available for test drives include the Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus EV. The general admission fee is $16, and $13 for students and senior citizens with valid ID.

SCIENCE

Exploring the healthy side with Fardad The science behind drug addiction, and how drugs affect the body FARDAD JABBARY STAFF WRITER

Graphic by Florence Yee.

It's said we are creatures of habit. Sometimes, those habits can turn into addictions. In this edition of The Healthy Side, we are going to explore drug addiction and its real effects on the body.

Drug addiction is an organic disease of the body. Using addictive substances literally changes the brain’s chemistry, leading to a strong physical dependency on them.

The brain is a very complex organ, made up of billions of cells called neurons. The connections between these neurons is what enables us to think, move, feel, act and essentially process every conscious and unconscious intake of environmental stimuli and respond accordingly.

You may have heard that there is electrical current in the brain.

A neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory—that is, it may contribute to exciting the next neuron or inhibiting its excitation. For our purposes, we are going to talk about a well-known excitatory neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine, along with a few other neurotransmitters, is responsible for making you feel good.

Once dopamine is released via transporters

in the producing cell, called the presynaptic cell, it temporarily latches on to the receptors on the surface of its target, called the postsynaptic cell, and causes further actions to occur in that cell.

The dopamine itself is not taken in by the target cell—its binding is temporary and after a short period it is detached and taken back into the presynaptic cell. Substances can affect and alter this natural pathway in three broad ways: 1. Overproduction of dopamine: the opioid family of substances such as heroin and fentanyl stimulate VTA to over-produce dopamine. This rush of abnormally large amounts of dopamine hits the user with a sudden and very strong feeling of euphoria.

An unfortunate side-effect of opioids is slowing down breathing. This can be particularly dangerous if mixed with other substances that also slow down the body such as alcohol, anti-anxiety medications and other opioids.

Current statistics indicate every 19 minutes, someone dies from accidental prescription drug overdose 2. Blockage of the transporters: drugs such as cocaine quickly enter the brain and bind to the transporters on the presynaptic cell, blocking dopamine from being taken back inside. This accumulates large amounts of dopamine in the space between these cells

(called the synaptic cleft) and for longer. Constant presence of larger than normal levels of dopamine in the cleft causes the postsynaptic cell to be hyper-activated, leading to a prolonged feeling of euphoria. This establishes a powerful link between this feeling and the drug – which makes the user want to use it again.

3. Stimulation and blockage: amphetamine family of drugs behave both like opioids and cocaine. In lower dosage, meth acts like cocaine in blocking the uptake of dopamine back to the presynaptic cell. In higher doses, in addition to the blocking effect, meth stimulates the presynaptic cell to release even more dopamine. Because of this dual effect, the accumulation of dopamine in the synaptic cleft becomes extreme, leading to dangerously high hyper-activation of the postsynaptic cell.

This results in an extreme feeling of euphoria making meth incredibly addictive.

Drugs alter how the reward centre communicates with the rest of the brain: affecting emotions, movement, reasoning and decision making. Repeated use of these drugs makes changes to the chemistry of the brain, which eventually prevents the user from experiencing the same euphoria when first using the drug: the user builds tolerance toward the substance.

Fardad is a science student here at Concordia.

8

theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

TRAVEL

Concordians jet-off over the winter break Concordians share their holiday travel experiences and tips

Mexico This Christmas, I wanted to celebrate the holiday differently—and different it was. A friend I met in Montreal last summer invited me to spend some time with her and her family in Mexico, so I decided to go.

Our first stop was my friend's place in Xochimilco, one of Mexico City’s 16 boroughs. I arrived on Dec. 22 and so many family reunions were on the agenda.

In Mexico City, my favourite attraction was the sightseeing from the mirador in the Torre Latinoamericana. This monument used to be Mexico's largest skyscraper at the time of its completion in 1956.

The Plaza de la Constitución and the Monumento de la Revolución are also worth a visit. I walked 20 de Noviembre Street, a street which commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

Although I also visited the del Sol y de la Luna pyramids in the State of Mexico,

the highlight of my trip was definitely visiting the city of Guanajuato. About four hours away from the country’s federal capital, this European-like city is charming at first sight.

On top of having an astonishing landscape, there is an abundance of cafés, restaurants and bars along the charming, narrow streets.

At night, the city livens up even more, with traditional music sung all around the city.

My personal must-sees are the Café Tal, Santo Café and the Monumento al Pípila, which honours the eponymous insurgent of the Mexican Revolution.

The State of Veracruz was also worth the detour. Jalapa and Coatepec are fun for a day or two. I visited the the beach in Chachalacas, which is a more underrated beach, in Veracruz. It could still be worth a visit if you prefer a less touristic experience.

My advice for traveling to Mexico is to learn a bit of Spanish before jetting off, and to get to know the locals while you’re there. The country is so much more than its all-inclusive resorts. People are truly

Amsterdam,

the Netherlands

Amsterdam lives up to its reputation of offering tourists with different budgets, incredible scenery and experiences.

The city centre is laid out as an amphitheatre looking onto what used to be Amsterdam’s port. This part of the city can be visited thoroughly in three days. You should factor in a little more time if you intend on visiting museums such as the Van Gogh Museum which possesses an incredible collection, and the Rijksmuseum embodies Dutch art at its finest. The Anne Frank House is also a great stop, but be sure to reserve tickets online to avoid long lineups for this one.

There is no need for a transit pass in Amsterdam. Sightseeing can be done by walking in between the canals and small streets that are proper to old European cities.

Students can find many affordable hostels in the centre of the city surrounded by pubs and cheap restaurants. One of Amsterdam’s fun experiences is Febo—a fast-food restaurant that serves traditional Dutch snacks to clients via automats. Another surprising singularity, my personal favourite, are the many snack bars that serve tasty waffles topped with fruits or sweets.

The city is also known for its many cafés and the red-light district.

Among the 200 cafés in Amsterdam, the Greenhouse Centrum is a must.

If I have the chance to go back, I would spend more time cycling around.

It was a great experience but be warned that biking on European roads can be tricky. Moreover, the windmills and tulips fields in the countryside would be on my to-do list.

- ELISA BARBIER, STAFF WRITER

Sign of the Moulin Rouge adult club in the Red Light district at the corner of Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Korte Niezel.

Photos by Elisa Barbier.

welcoming people and, unless you get labelled a gringo for not speaking a word of Spanish, they're likely to become your friends and show you around.

- LÉANDRE LAROUCHE, STAFF WRITER

Guanajuato city. Photo

by Léandre Larouche.

Paris, France

The city of lights is a giant maze filled with endless entertainment for tourists and inhabitants alike.

Paris’s most notable spots are spread out between the first and ninth boroughs. Considering a week is needed to properly visit the city, a weekly transit pass is the best option for moving through the city with ease.

When it comes to museums, the Louvre is a must. However, it takes a full day to visit. It is best to arrive early in the morning. The Orsay Museum, Branly and Beaubourg also have interesting collections, from classic French paintings to modern art.

It goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower, the Arc-de-Triomphe, the Sacré-Coeur, the Garnier Opera, the Bastille or the Notre-Dame Cathedral are must-sees. However, the Great Mosque of Paris, whose tea is a treasure, city hall and the Luxembourg Gardens are also great places to explore, and they can sometimes be forgotten.

The city of love is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Therefore, small restaurants outside of touristic sites will be cheaper and are worth the commute. The price of coffee will also change depending on the location.

Brasseries are a good way to experience cheap French cuisine for lunch.

For a true Parisian experience, eat at Mexi&Co at 7:30 p.m., then buy some cheap wine or beer from a grocery store and enjoy it in the Vert-Galant Square while watching boats go by. Bar hopping in the Marais or 11th borough are also good options.

As a resident, nothing makes me enjoy the city more than taking a walk along the Seine at dusk. Bubbles teas during a shopping day at the Defense or Les Halles is also a good way to enjoy a rainy day.

-ELISA BARBIER, STAFF WRITER

Paris’s oldest bridge, “Pont Neuf” with the Eiffel Tower and the dome of the French Institute in the background.

Photos by Elisa Barbier.

arts

ARTS EDITOR /// arts@theconcordian.com TIFFANY LAFLEUR

CINEMA

A look back at some 2016 silver screen successes Despite some rough seas for the film industry, there were some hidden gems ELIJAH BARON STAFF WRITER The year 2016 came and went like a hurricane, leaving many dumbstruck film fans from the unusually high list of casualties within the film industry.

But, as hurricanes do, the year also washed ashore hidden gems and treasures—let’s look at the ones to be most thankful for.

10. Paterson Who, other than Jim Jarmusch, could have made a film this quiet, profound, ironic and heartfelt about a bus driver whose uneventful existence is enriched only by his poetry writing, which, perhaps, no one will ever read? Adam Driver nails the part, making a return to independent filmmaking after becoming a household name for his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This one is about as far from intergalactic warfare as you can get. So if you’re currently feeling any Jedi and superhero fatigue—hop right in.

9. 10 Cloverfield Lane This is a loosely-connected sequel to the 2008 found-footage film, Cloverfield.

No one saw it coming and few wanted it until it was here, yet what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. A tense and claustrophobic mystery-drama, it improves upon the marketing-savvy original on every possible level. It plays out like a feature-length version of a Twilight Zone episode. You walk into it lost and wideeyed, much like the film’s heroine, and even when you think you have the story figured out, you don’t. You never want to blink as you watch John Goodman’s sublimely ambiguous and terrif ying character lead you through the rat maze.

8. Finding Dory Now here’s a sequel that few saw coming but everyone wanted. So did it live up to the original? Maybe not, but, like Monsters University in 2013, it offers a sweet reunion with characters we grew up loving. It’s not so much a continuation as it is a side story, told with the usual winning ingredients of a Pixar film: as-yet-unsurpassed animation and uproarious humour and emotion that creeps up on you before you know it.

7. Hail, Caesar!

This is a Coen brothers film, so you can expect things to be more complicated than they appear. Senselessly over-complicated even, to the continued incredulity of the characters. Whether you want to contemplate the philosophical questions buried within the texture of the film or simply enjoy it as a zany period comedy is entirely up to you. Either way, it is great fun—a loving look at 50s Hollywood in

La La Land, starringEmmaStone and Ryan Gosling, is a revival of the musical genre.

which the Coens contemplate cinema as something of a religion. The cast is simply phenomenal, with George Clooney and Alden Ehrenreich as world-class idiots.

6. Midnight Special Many of last year’s most interesting films are united by a deep-seated nostalgia for cinema’s past. Some take their inspiration from the 50s and 60s. Others, like this one, are a clear throwback to the early Spielberg blockbusters of the late 70s. In other words, the people who are used to saying “They don’t make them like that anymore” must have rested relatively easy. Midnight Special is a smart sci-fi film, one that focuses on human drama instead of becoming a special effects extravaganza. Just the way it should be.

5. The Student A Russian film that hasn’t been seen much yet outside of the festival circuit, The Student offers a brutally honest look at religion in a once-atheist country. Filmed as a simple, if bleak tale of radicalization spreading uncontrollably in a society suspicious of rational thought, the film remains cool-headed and close to life even in its most surreal passages.

4. American Honey

2. Nocturnal Animals

Speaking of cinematic experiences, few were as intensely engrossing and immersive as this one. A nearly threehour epic road trip shared with a group of young outcasts, American Honey feels unscripted, with one choice leading naturally to another. Here’s a world of vibrant colours and infinite possibilities, with freedom-seeking characters who inspire in us a mix of hopelessness and awe. It’s an unusual film, a journey of discovery, a search for belonging in the vast, diverse and strange land that is the United States.

It appears Tom Ford was always meant to be a filmmaker. This second work confirms him as a master of style, a romantic visionary who knows how to imbue stories with his own sensibilities.

It’s a haunting and dreamlike drama, bursting with symbolism and meaningful colours—the work of a perfectionist, who leaves nothing up to chance. At times terrifying and ultimately tragic, it is amplified by a large cast of performers at the height of their power, leaving an indelible impression.

3. The Handmaiden The Korean film industry is one of the most creative, risk-taking and fun-loving in the world, and director Park Chan-wook is rightfully the leader of the flock. This might be the most purely entertaining film he has done, taking devilish pleasure in unraveling the story’s mysteries and deceiving expectations right until the end. Park continues to take inspiration from Hitchcock, while upping the level of violence and sexuality to something rarely seen in Western cinema—almost never gratuitously, of course.

1.

La La Land

This one’s going to be for the ages.

It takes ever ything we—and director Damien Chazelle—appreciate about classic musicals, and rewires it as a bittersweet, old-fashioned story of idealized love and outlandish dreams in modern L.A. The music is stupendous—fantastically joyful at times while deeply melancholic at others—and the visuals are on par. The film conjures the kind of magic we stopped expecting from movies a long time ago. If La La Land doesn’t make you fall in love with movies—and someone dear to you—all over again, perhaps it’s just not meant to be.

10

theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

ARTS OPINION

Swept under the red carpet

When it comes to scandals and sexual assaults, mum’s the word at the Academy Awards ALEXANDRA COLATOSTI SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Awards season is well underway, but critics and fans alike are already predicting who will take home the golden statuettes in February when the 2017 Academy Awards airs.

From Damien Chazelle’s La La Land to Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, the films and performances being considered for Oscar nominations this year are quite diverse.

However, the controversies surrounding some of the potential nominees are being ignored by the Academy, as well as the media.

The Oscars are not new to scandal—just last year, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite dominated social media platforms after the Academy neglected to nominate any actors of colour, prompting many to boycott the show. This year’s debacle? Two potential nominees have been accused of sex crimes and no one seems to be talking about them.

Casey Affleck—brother of Ben Affleck and f ront r unner for the Best Actor award for his role in Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea—has two separate sexual harassment allegations against him, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to Affleck, director of the critically-acclaimed drama The Birth of a Nation, Nate Parker and his longtime co-writer Jean McGianni Celestin were accused of rape back in 1999. According to entertainment website Vulture, Parker was acquitted of all charges, while Celestin was sentenced to two to four years in prison. He ended up only serving a little over a year. Last summer, entertainment magazine Variety was the first to report on the allegations, just as they started promoting their film, which features— SPOILER ALERT—a scene in which a female character is raped.

Critics and moviegoers are questioning how they can watch the film knowing the director has been accused of rape and frankly, so am I. If news of these allegations seems shocking, you’ll be sad to learn that the ignorance of sex crime allegations against male actors has been going on in Hollywood for decades.

According to the New York Times, in 1992 actress Mia Farrow, who was then married to revered director Woody Allen, alleged that their daughter, Dylan, told her she had been sexually assaulted by Allen. That same year, it was revealed that Allen was in a relationship with his step-daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, who was just 19 at the time. They married several years later.

The claims haven’t hurt Allen’s career, though—at 81, he has written and directed nearly 100 films and has worked with some of the best actors in Hollywood.

Earlier this month, a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter with director Bernardo Bertolucci resurfaced in which he confirmed that the use of a butter stick in the rape scene in his film Last Tango in Paris, starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider was not consensual. Schneider, who was a teenager at the time, was not made aware of the fact that Brando

would be using a stick of butter to simulate the rape, and Bertolucci admitted in the interview that he conspired with Brando to keep that information from her, saying: “I wanted her to react as a girl, not as an actress. I wanted her to react humiliated.”

In a 2007 interview with the Daily Mail, Schneider said she “felt a little raped” after filming the scene and did not receive apologies from her director or her co-star.

Schneider went on to work steadily until her death from cancer in 2011, but she certainly did not have the same career as her co-star Brando, who won his second Best Actor award for his work in The Godfather the year after they filmed Last Tango in Paris.

While Schneider did not reveal her true feelings regarding the rape scene until 2007, Brando has been accused of sexual assault by several other women, including actress Jackie Collins, who said Brando pursued a relationship with her when she was still a teenager, according to The Telegraph.

The allegations against Affleck, Allen and Brando speak to a greater issue. When a man—predominantly a white man—is accused or convicted of a sex crime, he can still get work. He can still be on the cover of magazines, he can still be on every late-night talk show.

He can still be a movie star. He can still be elected President of the United States.

Parker, on the other hand, has not been able to escape the backlash and it has affected his film’s box-office success.

Not only are his chances of winning an Oscar now slim to none, The Hollywood Reporter predicted that the film will lose an estimated $10 million for its production company, Fox Searchlight.

Meanwhile, Manchester by the Sea is not poised to lose any money due to the allegations against its main star.

But let’s be blunt—Manchester by the Sea, a film that has been described as an “all-American family drama,” is much more appealing to audiences than Parker’s film, a historical account of slavery and racism in America, written and directed by an African-American director.

There may not be an #OscarsSoWhite hashtag this year and #OscarsSoFullOfMenAccusedOfSexCrimes might be too long for Twitter’s word limit, but it is important, as the consumer, to be conscious of where your money goes.

Your dollars speak volumes. Use them wisely.

Graphic by Florence Yee.

JANUARY 10, 2017

theconcordian

11

WINTER PREVIEW

What to do in Montreal this winter

A quick look at the different activities happening in the city this semester TIFFANY LAFLEUR ARTS EDITOR Winter might have its cold, cold claws firmly clamped down on the city, but that doesn’t mean Montreal’s vibrant arts and culture scene is any less interesting. With winter festivals and activities taking place both inside and outdoors, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s tastes and preferences. Here’s a quick look at some of the things you can look forward to this semester.

Montreal en lumière Back for its 18th year, the Montréal en lumière festival will once again offer a unique program, consisting of outdoor activities, performing arts and gastronomic discoveries. The festival runs from Feb. 18 to March 11, and is one of the largest winter festivals in the world. You won’t want to miss the festival’s biggest event: Nuit blanche on March 4. With more than 200 activities spread out over 100 sites, this Montreal staple will be sure to warm up even the coldest of nights with its eclectic mix of musical and artistic performances. Mother Mother, Regina Spektor and Matt Holubowski are some of the artists set to perform. Not to mention, the metro is open all night, so you can enjoy all manner of activities until the break of dawn.

The FOFA Gallery As Concordia students, we are lucky to have our very own in-house exhibition space. The Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery, located in the EV building, routinely displays pieces from Concordia students and faculty. Admission is free. The gallery has an interesting line-up of exhibitions for the winter semester, starting with Making Spaces, the annual undergraduate student exhibition running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 17. The exhibition, featuring works by Faculty of Fine Arts students, will include performances from Concordia’s department of contemporary dance.

The Concordian would like to congratulate our former photo editor, Andrej Ivanov for winning Photojournalist of the Year at the JHM awards, run by Canadian University Press’. These awards aim to reward the amazing work in student-based publications across Canada. The Concordian was also nominated for three other awards at this year’s JHM’s.

Pictured are some of the photos he submitted in his portfolio to the judges, which were all taken during his time at The Concordian.

Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery Sovereign Acts II, an examination of indigenous cultural dances, will be presented at the gallery from Jan. 21 to April 1. This work delves into the way indigenous dances and practices were performed for international and colonial audiences. It looks at how these performers were faced with the conundrum of maintaining their traditional cultural practices, while also using them as performances intended to please the colonial gaze.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts If the winter blues have got you down, then the next exhibition opening at the MMFA will cheer you up. Chagall: Colour and Music will be on display from Jan. 28 to June 11. Four hundred of Marc Chagall’s paintings, stained glass works, illustrations, photographs and maquettes will be on display. The exhibition will not only show the Russian-French artist's legacy, but will also examine the role music played in Chagall’s art, acting as his inspiration and muse for his modernist works.

Graphic by Thom Bell.

music

Quickspins

MUSIC EDITOR /// music@theconcordian.com SANDRA HERCEGOVÁ

1 KID CUDI

PROFILE

The singer-songwriter perspective

Montreal-based band Blank Sonna discusses new EP and future projects

SANDRA HERCEGOVÁ MUSIC EDITOR After a year and a half of hard work performing at venues and local bars, such as Metropolis and Le Petit Campus, Montrealbased indie band Blank Sonna released their first self-titled EP on Dec 15. It is difficult to characterize this band’s genre, as their music combines a wide variety of beautifully executed sounds. From soft, acoustic rock to classic 80s background melodies, their sound is reminiscent of bands like Radiohead and Arcade Fire.

Blank Sonna’s lineup consists of singer-songwriter Agustin Nicolas Mukdisi, his sister Camila Mukdisi on vocals and keyboards, bassist Remi Baracat, guitarist Simon Tardif and drummer Jordan Markov.

There is a strong sense of multiculturalism within the band, as they each come from different parts of the world. “We blend various influences such as Argentinian, Arabic, Bulgarian and Québécois music,” said Camila.

Agustin said travelling has always influenced the band’s music. As the songwriter of the quintet, he has written most of the song lyrics while on the road. “The landscapes I see when I travel, I hear them in the music,” Agustin said.

“Travelling has played an important role in our music as it gave us experiences that are different from everyday life.”

For instance, Agustin wrote the song "Rescuer" during a trip to Brazil to see Argentina play in the World Cup two years ago. “I went to Brazil with a friend to see the game but we didn’t have any money. All we had was an acoustic guitar and a Peruvian cajón,” a box-shaped percussion instrument, said Agustin. He and his friend decided to play on the streets of Brazil for money. “On the first few days, we started feeling low. We weren’t motivated because we weren’t making enough money and I got sick,” Agustin said.

“Out of nowhere, a girl who was walking by stopped to hear us play and we became friends.

She took us to a hostel and paid for everything and took us out to dinner.” She motivated them again, said Agustin. They continued to play on the streets and ended up making enough

Blank Sonna is a money to go to the game. quintet indie band “Based on w i t h m e m b e r s this experi- from around the ence, I wrote world. Photos by t h e s o n g Pedro Luiz Freire Cardadeiro. ’Rescuer’ because I felt that she rescued us that day,” said Agustin.

Currently, Agustin is in the mountain village Villa General Belgrano in Córdoba, Argentina. It is the hometown of Sofia Bursi, the artist who drew Blank Sonna’s EP cover album. “We spoke together about the album cover, I told her about the idea we had of having a mirror, because one of our songs is called “Reflection” and we wanted a reflection of a soul on the cover,” said Agustin. The reflection is staring at a mirror that leads the way to a colourful forest in contrast to the black and white background. Agustin said what he loves most about the drawing is that it represents all four songs of the album.

When it comes to songwriting, for Blank Sonna, the instrumentation comes first.

“The music is always more important to me,” he said. “The words must fit the music, not the other way around. The song lyrics and titles come last.” Agustin said he will not force himself to write a song. He will start off by playing around with an instrument and naturally sing along.

“There is no formula for songwriting,” he said. “Do whatever works best for you, but never try to imitate anyone.” To remain original, he said it’s important to forget everyone’s music and to do whatever your voice wants to do. “Get carried away and just go with it.”

Blank Sonna performed at Metropolis last spring as part of the Emergenza Battles of the Bands Festival. From now on, however, the band has decided to avoid competitive shows and only perform for fun. “It was great to play at Metropolis but we didn’t enjoy the competitive aspect of the Emergenza Festival, where we had pressure to sell

Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ (Republic Records, 2016) Kid Cudi’s latest album, Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’, is better than Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven which was his painfully awful attempt at punk rock. While this new album is better, that’s not saying much. If you’re a fan of someone moaning for an hour and a half, I’d highly recommend this album.

However, if you’re looking for some substance, you might want to look somewhere else. In terms of sound, the album takes on the new hip-hop trend of atmospheric and moody beats. These soundscapes sound good at first but are repeated and looped throughout almost every song and they get old quick. It’s hard to differentiate the songs on this album as Kid Cudi offers no change in his cadence. It’s as if Cudi just went in the booth, hummed the same melody for a few hours and then left.

11 Trial Track: “Frequency”

3/10

—Alexander Cole, Sports Editor

2 RUN THE JEWELS

Run the Jewels 3 (Mass Appeal, 2016) many tickets to get to the next round. I felt it got in the way of the performance,” said Agustin. Blank Sonna then performed at Le Petit Campus, along with another band from the Emergenza Festival, North of the Border. “The show was completely free of any pressure. We realized how much more fun we had by ourselves and that’s how we will do our next show,” said Agustin.

Agustin said he believes Blank Sonna’s chemistry has improved thanks to all the live performances. “The shows helped us grow as a band,” he said. “There is a definite stronger feeling of togetherness. We’re more on the same page and have a defined sense as to where we are all headed musically.”

Agustin will be heading to Buenos Aires at the end of January to start recording his first solo album. “I have songs that I didn’t think would work with the sound of Blank Sonna,” Agustin said. “I do not want it to sound like the band. I want it to be different.

It’s going to be much more electronic and it won’t have an acoustic drum set.” He will be working alongside music producer Shaw, who also worked on mastering Blank Sonna’s EP. Agustin said he will return to Montreal by the end of February. “We want to do a show to promote the EP upon my return, and our goal as a band would be to add new songs to our album to eventually release an LP when we are ready,” said Agustin.

On Run the Jewels 3, Killer Mike and El-P—the men behind Run the Jewels— string together one of the most inspired rap records of the decade. With Killer Mike’s straightforward lyricism and El-P’s complex, indecipherable flow, the two make a great duo. Killer Mike and El-P’s chemistry is impossible to miss, as both rappers bounce off of each other perfectly. Each song is beautifully crafted, with El-P’s bassheavy production resonating in the background. His beats are ear-shattering and complicated. They take all of the year’s trends in hip-hop and throw them out the window. While the music itself is dark and heavy, it’s made easier to listen to as Killer Mike and El-P’s raps slide like butter over the beats. The songs are catchy, introspective and heavy-hitting. Run the Jewels 3 is everything you’d ever want from a hiphop album and more. It’s an early contender for album of the year.

11 Trial Track: “Legend has it”

10/10

—Alexander Cole, Sports Editor

JANUARY 10, 2017

theconcordian

13

PROFILE

3 CHILDISH GAMBINO

Awaken, My Love!

(Glassnote Records, 2016) Over two years have passed since Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, last released an album. Nothing could have prepared us for Awaken, My Love!. The album is a complete departure from Glover’s signature, introspective bars and witty punchlines. In fact, there is absolutely no rapping on the project—it’s an all-out funk and soul project. The album’s opener, “Me and Your Mama” is a six-minute long rollercoaster, starting off with some airy, atmospheric instrumentation and dialedback female vocals, leading into a heavy funk instrumental. The album’s second track contains an infectious bass line, fantastic drums and a Prince-esque vocal performance from Glover over a twinkling glockenspiel. “California” is the album’s only glaring flaw. Though the instrumental has a nice tropical bounce, the vocal performance is very jarring. Overall, Glover and company deliver a fantastic throwback soul album, filled with lush instrumentals and great vocal performances.

11 Trial track: “Redbone”

8.5/10

—Wesley McLean, Staff Writer

4 J COLE

4 Your Eyez Only (Dreamville, 2016)

This album is not only for your eyes—J Cole’s raw, gripping voice along with his genius rhymes are a blessing to your ears, mind and heart. The intro begins with the sound of a cassette tape being inserted as “For Whom The Bells Tolls” sets a gritty intense mood.

The lyrics of this song can touch a deep emotional spot for all of us as its message is one of universal struggle.

Throughout this album, Cole brings issues of everyday life forth. For instance, in “Immortal,” he raps about young black men caught in the drug war. “Numb the pain cause it’s hard for a felon/In my mind I been cryin’, know it’s wrong, but I’m sellin.’” 4 Your Eyez Only has mellow, trap music beats with powerful words. In “She’s Mine, Pt. 2” he raps about his daughter, saying that “he’s never felt so alive” and asking if he is worthy of this beautiful gift.

One thing is certain—this album is worthy of your time.

11 Trial track: “Change"

8.5/10

—Sandra Hercegová, Music Editor

The History of Gunpowder

This eclectic band has burlesque dancers to accompany them on stage EMILY VIDAL ASSISTANT MUSIC EDITOR The members of The History of Gunpowder aren’t afraid to take risks. Not only is their music a mix of swamp pirate blues and growling vocals, but they have an ostrich as their mascot. The five-piece band has been touring Montreal to promote their most recent album, Stained Glass, Rye and Wax, which was released last May. Alex James Morison, the singer-songwriter, composer, manager, sound engineer and creator of the band, said they've recently added a new and exciting element to their live performances: burlesque dancers.

According to Morison, this makes their shows more visually appealing.

“We want someone to come into our show and not want to have a cigarette the whole time, and not want to get a drink the whole time, and not be able to take their eyes off the stage the entire set,” he said.

Morison initially started the band in Vancouver five years ago. He is now the only remaining original member and has gone through more than 24 different musicians.

It was when he moved to Montreal two years ago that he felt the band really came together.

Quinn Dennehy, a childhood friend of Morison plays drums. Henri Rabalais, the synthesizer and keyboard player, was one of Morison’s first acquaintances in Montreal.

Both Stephan Krims, the upright and electric bass player, and Aleksi Campagne, the violinist and backup vocalist, joined the band a year ago during Morison’s search for more players in his band.

These musicians are the first to have stayed in the group longer than four or five months, said Morison, adding they are also amazing people to work. “They’re my brothers.

They’re the best bandmates I ’ ve eve r h a d , definitely,” said Morison.

The talent of his fellow musicians blows Mor is on away. “My violin player, Aleksi, is just a monster,” said Morison. “I give him so much time just to solo. He’s been playing folk music his whole life and studied jazz in Paris.

Quinn is just like a punk and funk guy, but I make him play things he’s not used to playing. And it’s just a really good line-up of people.”

Four burlesque artists were added to the band’s live shows in November.

Out of the seven

songs in their set the burlesque dancers join in for four of them.

There is Jessica Rae, who isn’t only a burlesque artist but also a performance artist.

“She makes puppets, so she’s making puppets just for this routine,” said Morison. They also have Aria Delanoche, who Morison said is one of the most beautiful and sexy burlesque artists in the city. Fifi Fantome also performs at their shows and, according to Morison, is a mime and circus burlesque freak who is also a wonderful lady. Finally, there’s Sugar Vixen, who Morison said is kind of the rock and roll girl of burlesque. “She’s is all tatted up and crazy,” he said.

Having burlesque artists in their shows has been great so far, said Morison. “It’s been wonderful. [It] shakes things up, gives the audience something beautiful to look at,” he said. “All the girls are great to collaborate with. It really lights up the performance and gives it a new importance.”

The History of Gunpowder will be performing with the burlesque artists at the ShazamFest Winter Carnival in West Barnston, Quebec on Jan. 28. They will share the stage with the band Old Time Honey.

Dennehy, the drummer, is the man behind the band’s strange yet alluring ostrich mascot. The ostrich started out as something nonsensical but later became an emotional outlet for Morison. “I think it’s become an icon for me to direct certain feelings towards,” said Morison. “Some of my songs are about the bastards that exist.

There are a lot of bastards, and it’s good to put a face to them so you can direct things to them.”

Adding new and interesting elements to their live shows is one of the ways the band works to achieve success in the music

industry. “Nothing happens to you unless you make it happen to you,” said Morison.

“The cold truth is you’ve got to work hard for [success] and that’s it. There’s no other way around it.”

The band’s full-length album is set to come out in May or June 2017. “It’s a monster of an album. It’s going to be the longest piece I’ve ever done,” said Morison.

Morison said he really pushed himself musically when creating this album. “There’s a lot of different things I’ve never done before on it—like harp, I’ve never really composed with harp before,” he said, adding he plans to get an all-female backup vocal group to work with him. “I’m doing a lot of new things with this record and exploring new ways of writing songs. I think it’s going to be the best stuff we’ve ever done. It’s going to be a big deal, I think.”

Morison said the band has plans to tour their new album parts of Canada, including Quebec and Ontario as well as Europe.

Until then, expect the unexpected from The History of Gunpowder. You never know who, or what, they will come up with next.

Bandmates of The History of Gunpowder.

Photo by Elizabeth Louise (above).

Drummer Quinn Dennehy in an ostrich costume and singersongwriter Alex James Morison.

Photo by Eloise Huston (below).

14

theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Can musicians succeed without physical CDs? SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Spotify and YouTube have changed the music industry

DAVE TONE STAFF WRITER As more and more consumers choose digital music over physical CDs, music distribution trends are shifting away from physical product sales. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), streaming music online in 2016 amounted for 47 per cent of America’s total recorded music revenue in comparison to physical copy revenue that is equivalent to 20 per cent. In the first six months of 2016, the Nielsen Music 360 Report concluded the number of songs streamed on-demand through audio and video platforms was over 18.6 billion.

Years ago, musicians needed a music label—such as Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment or Universal Music Group to reach a large audience of listeners. The labels had the exclusive means of creating physical albums that would give fans access to their favourite songs. Today, any musician with access to the Internet can upload their own music.

Services such as Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube and SoundCloud allow musicians to release their music online and share it with the world, either for free or for a small fee. This further opens the door for independent recording artists to create and release their art.

With so many artists regularly releasing music, young bands can compete with the world’s talent to be heard.

Do musicians need to create physical versions of their albums to support their project or can they prosper exclusively online? Although digital music has its positive aspects, some artists might argue being present on various online music platforms is not enough.

“We can’t survive through our online presence alone at this stage,” said Jodie Amos, the singer of the UK-based rock group Badow. “Even though social media is really important to us to network with fans, the physical aspect still overrides the digital sales.”

In 2014, country-pop singer Taylor Swift pulled her entire music catalogue from the online music streaming program Spotify, citing low revenue from the platform. “I think there should be an inherent value placed on art,” she said in an interview with Time magazine. “I didn’t see that happening, perception-wise, when I put my music on Spotify.”

Music streaming platforms like Google Play Music and Apple Music offer music as a service you subscribe to, instead of as a product you purchase. A monthly fee allows listeners to stream most of the world’s music collection, while paying musicians for their contribution to the platform. Global marketing research firm Nielsen found that Canadians spent twice as much on music streaming services in 2016 than the year before. They also found that, in Canada, the total amount of audio streams in the first half of the year jumped from 2.1 billion in 2015 to 9.2 billion in 2016.

“People discover bands through streaming now, and those who like what they hear can quickly find out when our next show is happening through our social media,” said Sam Robinson, bassist of Montreal-based rock group Diamond

Tree. “We don’t make any money through streaming, but without uploading our music to streaming sites, we’d be missing out on a large audience and lots of potential new fans.”

CDs were once the main way music was purchased, but sales of CDs have declined steadily since the early 2000s.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), revenue from CD sales in the United States slid down 16.4 per cent in 2016 compared to sales in 2015. In 2000, 942.5 million CDs were sold in the US. In 2015, only 122.9 million CDs were sold.

In addition, creating professional-looking CDs can be costly for a musician or band compared to uploading it online. According to Eve Duplessis, who works at Montreal-based printing company Audiobec, it costs roughly $1,000 to create 500 compact discs sold in full-colour cardboard sleeves. Even then, to reach the widest possible audience, CDs are some time s sold as “pay-what-you-can.”

“I buy CDs to remember the artists I like,” said Montreal-based singer-songwriter Heather Ragnars. “If I like the music I hear at a show, I might buy a CD.” Singer-songwriter Alexandra Roussel said she finds physical media helps form a connection with her audience. “In this day and age, people like to be able to hold things in their hands. It makes for a warmer connection between the artist and their fans,” she said.

Many musicians in Montreal agree having physical copies of their music is a good way to make sales at their shows. According to singer-songwriter Philippe Da Silva, “there’s always one person who wants a physical copy they can hold. Although I believe most of my marketing happens online, I find it important to be able to offer a physical product to those who want it.” Vocal coach Angie Arsenault also believes it’s all about catering to your audience. “If you are a touring band, you should consider having physical merchandise such as CDs and t-shirts to sell to your fans at your shows,” she said. “If you are a YouTube star, perhaps a digital copy of your album is all you need. Personally, I like to have both options available.”

For Room Control bassist Richard Bunze, being able to sell a physical product to a fan is an important part of being a musician. “Anyone can upload their tunes to Bandcamp or Soundcloud, but I still think it’s important to have a tangible piece of your band for someone to take home with them,” he said. “It’s part of the whole package of your band. It’s an extension of your art,” he said.

Graphic by Thom Bell.

JANUARY 10, 2017

theconcordian

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WRITERS WANTED

Wa n t t o g e t y ou r a r tworks published ?

The Concordian is looking for artworks including but not limited to photographs, drawings, poems, creative writing pieces, and digital works. Share your projects with us and the Concordia community!

Send it all to production@theconcordian.com

sports

SPORTS EDITOR /// sports@theconcordian.com ALEXANDER COLE ( @AlexCole_80)

VARSITY

Guide to the Stingers winter 2017 season A look at the second half of Concordia’s hockey and basketball seasons ALEXANDER COLE SPORTS EDITOR A new year is upon us which means a full year of Concordia Stingers sports is on the horizon. During the winter season, two sports stand out at Concordia: hockey and basketball. While our hockey and basketball teams are nearly halfway through their seasons, here is a preview of what you can expect from these teams in the first half of 2017.

1

Women’s Hockey After the first 11 games of the season, the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team is currently sitting at a record of 4-6-1. The team’s slow start can be attributed to the fact the team has had trouble finding the back of the net.

The Stingers scored 30 goals in 11 games and allowed 30, which is unsustainable if they want to win more games. In the Réseau du sports étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) division, the Stingers are ranked fourth out of five teams in goals for and third in goals against.

The Stingers have also had trouble in net as both goaltenders, Briar Bache and Katherine Purchase, have save percentages below 90 per cent, which is typically the standard where goalies should be. Purchase, who is the team’s primary goalie, has a goals against average of 2.77, while Bache has a goals against average of 2.62.

The Stingers, who are currently holding

on to the last playoff spot in their division, will need to pick up their play as two of the league’s top teams—the Université de Montréal Carabins and the McGill Martlets— are in their division.

2

1

Women’s Basketball

The Concordia Stingers women’s basketball team was off to a slow start this season, with a record of 2-4 after five games. However, the Stingers are nowhere close to being out of the playoff race, as they are tied for third in the division with McGillwho also has a record of 2-4.

The team is currently ranked 37th out of 50 teams in U Sports in points per game with 58.7. The Stingers have also struggled in terms of shooting percentage. Their field goal percentage is at 33 per cent, which puts them in 43rd place in the league.

While the team has struggled, the array of veterans and talented players could prove to make a difference in the second half of the season.

Guard Richelle Grégoire is a player to watch as she leads the team in points per game with 16.5. Grégoire has been a force with the Stingers over the last five years and her presence could be a huge factor in the team’s turnaround.

Also, look for fifth-year guards Tamara Pinard-Devos and Marilyse Roy-Viau to make an impact as well in the final stretch of the season, as their veteran presence could provide the team with some leadership down the stretch.

The women’s hockey team had a rough start to the season. Photo

by Alex hutchins.

The women’s basketball team is poised for a strong second half of the season. Photo by Ana Hernandez.

2

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The Stingers men’s hockey team is off to a successful start this season. Photo by Alexander Cole.

The men’s basketball team is one of the best in the RSEQ division.

PhotobyAnaHernandez.

4

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Men’s Hockey

The Stingers men’s hockey team, on the other hand, is off to one of their best starts in years, as the team boasts an 14-5 record through 19 games this season. Thanks to great goaltending from rookie Philippe Cadorette and timely offensive production from captain Olivier Hinse and rookie forward Anthony Deluca, the Stingers have been one of the most impressive teams in the east division this year.

In a division with powerhouses like the Queen’s Golden Gaels, the McGill Redmen and the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes, the Stingers have proved themselves to be a formidable foe and currently sit in third place out of ten teams in the division.

Cadorette, who played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last year, has posted a 2.60 goals against average and a save percentage of 91.6 per cent. He has been in goal for 11 of the team’s 14 wins this season and, since goaltending was an issue last season, his play has made a big difference.

Meanwhile, Hinse has 17 goals and nine assists while Deluca has 16 goals and 12 assists.

If the Stingers keep up their play in the second half of the season, the team will be poised to make a long playoff run.

4

Men’s Basketball

Led by head coach Rastko Popovic, the Concordia Stingers men’s basketball team is currently tied for fourth in the RSEQ division. They have a record of 3-3 and are ted with the UQAM Citadins who also hase a 3-3 record. Laval and McGill are atop the stadings as each have a record of 4-2.

The team is ranked 44th out of 49 in the league in terms of points per game with 68.2. Where the team has really thrived is on defence. The team is ranked second in the league in steals with 11 per game. They have also allowed an average of 72.3 points per game which puts them 10th in the league in that category.

Fourth-year guard Ken Beaulieu has led the team this season with 11.6 points per game and has received support from players like rookie forward Olivier Simon, guard Nicholas Noble, guard Henderson Charles and point guard Ricardo Monge.

If the team’s best players continue to up their offensive production while remaining tight on defence, the Stingers will remain a force to be reckoned with in the later half of the season.

JANUARY 10, 2017

S

An icy part of our culture Exploring the joys of outdoor rinks in the winter time

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PORT

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RECREATION

theconcordian

Rant of the Week

BY ALEXANDER COLE

IS MONTREAL A ?

HOCKEY TOWN The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest franchise in the NHL. Since their inaugural season in 1909, they have won 24 Stanley Cups and, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, are the most scrutinized team in the league.

The Habs fanbase goes crazy at every little thing the team does.

When the team goes on a winning streak, fans are ready to claim the Stanley Cup. When the team loses, fans like myself think the end of the world is near. With such a dedicated and passionate fanbase, you would assume Montreal is a big hockey town. However, this is not the case.

NICHOLAS DI GIOVANNI STAFF WRITER Nothing says Canada like skating on a well-made outdoor hockey rink in bone-chilling temperatures for countless hours. Outdoor rinks are a symbol of Canadian culture and are deeply embedded within Canadian heritage. They have been a staple from generation to generation, and only a Canadian winter without freezing temperatures could cease their existence.

From coast to coast, the young and the old fill up the local outdoor rinks and play never-ending shinny games. Most pick-up games start off the same way: when there are too many players shooting pucks on their own, somebody says, “Sticks in the middle!” Everybody tosses their lumber at centre ice and waits for someone to throw the sticks to each side to make the teams.

It’s a simple process that can get complicated when two friends end up on different sides but want to play with each other. Or, when one side has all the stronger players and the game becomes a one-sided affair.

But that’s what makes these games fun and unique—there is no organization to them, nobody is keeping score and everybody simply plays the sport they love.

When games on outdoor rinks get crowded, players learn how to play with limited space. Having to go through 10 players to score a goal is a lot tougher than going through the standard five players.

Since long-range shots are usually not allowed in outdoor hockey games, passing is a must, and nobody likes a puck hog.

I don’t think Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby learned how to dance through five opponents before dishing off crisp passes just by playing indoors.

Playing organized hockey can get competitive, political and expensive for parents, but when you take it outdoors, anybody can play, no questions asked, as long as they have skates and a stick. More often than not, a player could learn a lot more on the outdoor rink with random

teammates than they will ever learn indoors with a trainer.

Speaking from personal experience, I learned how to properly take a slapshot, shoot tight-angle shots and skate backwards on an outdoor rink.

I even learned how to keep my head up on an outdoor rink, not because I was afraid to get rocked with a hit, but because I loved the fresh air Outdoor rinks can be enjoyed by anyone in my face. Not to mention, and are a great way to learn how to play most outdoor rinks produce hockey. Photos by Nicholas Di Giovanni. beautiful vistas, especially when the sun is setting. That’s definitely something worth keeping your head up for. from each of them. When somebody These outdoor rinks are representa- gets hurt, everybody stops to make sure tive of Canadian culture too. For some, they’re okay. Only once has someone the thought of winter with its snow, frigid got mad at me on the ice, and that was temperatures and short days is terrifying. because I was a kid taking high shots But for hockey players, it means outdoor with a bunch of teenagers around. I hockey. As Canadians, we have found learned my lesson not to take high shots a way to turn dreadful winters into an that day, and every Canadian kid learns exciting pastime. Not many countries can that all-important outdoor hockey lesson say the same. one day too.

The NHL has tried to monopolize our Compared to the rather warm winter heritage with the Winter Classic and a dozen last year that offered limited time for outother outdoor games. The league tries to door rinks, this winter has been a friendly promote them by saying they are going one for ice makers. Young kids had the back to their roots, but I never knew of an opportunity to go to outdoor rinks for outdoor game with referees, a Zamboni most of the holiday break to play a bit of and a perfect sheet of ice. No, nothing beats hockey with their family or friends. But the Canadian-style free-for-all outdoor outdoor rinks transcend more than just game. Nobody will understand what it’s excited kids waiting to shoot pucks for like to play hockey at its roots until they hours on end—they offer an escape for play a true outdoor shinny game. us university students.

Not only is a day at the outdoor rink Getting out on an outdoor rink is a great enjoyable, it’s also a social hub. When you escape for students with busy work and go to the outdoor rink, you may already school schedules. It brings back childhood know most people there, but if not, by the memories and we forget about everything end of the day, you’ve become friends. for a bit. Nothing beats playing hockey while You even become friends with people who freezing your extremities before having to support different hockey teams. Yes, even write a 1500-word essay. that player with the Boston Bruins jersey on.

This semester, whenever you feel I guess it’s the Canadian in us that stressed about school, put everything makes us so nice to each other on the ice. aside and go to the outdoor rink. There’s When two players accidentally bump into no better feeling in the world. each other, you know a sorry is coming

Just look at the recent World Junior Hockey Championships. The tournament was held in Toronto and Montreal, with the majority of the elimination games taking place at the Bell Centre. The Bell Centre, which can seat more than 21,000 people, is always full when the Habs play. However, when Team Canada took on the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals on Jan. 2, the Bell Centre was half-empty, with 10,215 people in attendance, according to the CBC. Games that didn’t feature Team Canada had even lower attendance.

While tournament organizers didn’t give out the exact numbers, pictures of an empty-looking Bell Centre filled my Twitter timeline after each game.

So whyisthis?Whywon’tMontrealers embrace hockey that doesn’t involve the Habs?

First of all, unlike in Toronto, Montrealers aren’t willing to dish out NHL-priced tickets for juniorlevel hockey. According to Montreal Gazette sports columnist Stu Cowan, the cheapest tickets for Team Canada’s quarter-final match were $97.50, which is more expensive than the cheapest Habs tickets, which are about $60 according to vividseats.com.

While these prices are way too high for the average consumer, you would think Montrealers would still be more excited about such a storied tournament taking place in their city. It isn’t everyday you get the opportunity to see high-level international hockey played in your own backyard. However, as far as Montreal is concerned, there has been almost no buzz surrounding this tournament.

As Montrealers, we may be crazy for the Habs but we aren’t so crazy about hockey.

opinions OPINIONS EDITOR /// opinions@theconcordian.com DAVID EASEY

EDITORIAL

Rising from the ashes of 2016 As the confetti fell and the alcohol flowed on New Year’s Eve, many were celebrating the end of a tumultuous year marred by celebrity deaths, terror attacks and a shocking presidential campaign.

Many of us are still in shock, but we must begin to move forward, place our faith in 2017 and hope this year spurs change and prosperity. We must also look to the things we can control, namely things happening on our campus.

So this editorial is taking a list approach, voicing some changes our newspaper wants to see around campus.

1) No more shady student politics In 2016, we saw the Concordia Student Union (CSU) go through some turbulent times, especially when their finance coordinator resigned under allegations of transphobic and queerphobic behaviour.

It’s frustrating because we—the students— supported ACT Together and voted them into the CSU, only to find out we were supporting a nefarious individual. Moving forward, we need to ensure student politicians are properly vetted and that we are asking the right questions. We cannot afford to elect another individual—or

political party for that matter—with toxic skeletons in their closets.

all, we are all key players in this symbiotic relationship.

2) More classes focusing on indigenous issues Concordia offers a wide variety of courses, but oftentimes it can be hard to find a course that focuses mainly on indigenous issues.

Although there are a handful of courses offered by the history department and there is a department of First Peoples studies, we want to see more. The university needs to integrate more courses and hire more First Nations professors who can synthesize their thoughts and experiences in lectures.

4) Divestment from fossil fuels The Concordian has previously reported the university holds investments in the fossil fuel energy sector. Bram Freedman, president of the Concordia Foundation, told the Montreal Gazette in 2014 the university has an endowment—a pool of investments—worth around $130 million, but would not say how much money is invested in the fossil fuel sector. According to Divest Concordia, however, the university invests roughly $11 to 12 million in fossil fuels

and related industries. For years, students have been advocating for the university to wash its hands of this toxic tar and invest in environmentally-friendly sectors. We understand it’s hard to liquidate all holdings of fossil fuel investments, but we also understand the plight of the students, for it’s hard to grapple the fact that our institution is directly involved in a polluting energy sector. We think there should be an open dialogue between the administration and the students who push for divestment so we can create a university we are all proud of, not one that has its hands in the tar sands.

Graphic by Thom Bell.

3) Transparency from the administration Do you all remember the drama regarding international students and how the university tried to increase their tuition? It seems like the university tried to pull a fast one on us, but we—the students—are savvy and were able to campaign and put pressure to block the vote from going through. All we ask is for the administration to be upfront and honest with us, so we don’t get blindsided and have to write angry op-eds. We want to see more of a dialogue between the upper echelons of the bureaucracy and the students—after

WOMEN

A plea for help and patience from all Fighting misogyny one step at a time in an ever-changing climate

MELANIE PROULX STAFF WRITER

Graphic by Florence Yee.

One aspect of being a teacher people don't often talk about is bodily awareness.

In other words, you are conscious of the way people may be perceiving your body and how they may be judging you. The effect

varies from person to person.

As a female teacher working in a male-dominated program, I am incredibly aware of my femininity when I’m up in front of a class. I can’t help but focus on how my clothes fit me and how I've become self-conscious about certain parts of my body. This awareness, to me, is usually neither positive nor negative—it is just there.

However, since Donald Trump won the United States presidential election, I no longer feel this awareness solely in situations where I am surrounded by men. I feel it all the time, and it is no longer a neutral feeling but a negative one. I have become self-conscious of being female.

I carry an invisible weight with me everywhere I go—sometimes it intensifies out of nowhere, like a panic attack. I’ll be at home working and suddenly wonder if my research will be taken less seriously because I am a woman. I’ll hear men debating about abortion and instead of responding rationally like I normally would, I become consumed by rage that people who will never be in that situation are trying to tell me what I can do with my own body. I’ll walk through the halls of my school and hear a male student tell a female student, "you only think that because you're a woman.”

I am tired. I am so very tired. And I succumb to the inescapable thoughts circulating in the darkness of my mind: "I am not a human being…I am a woman.”

I have always been proud to be female.

By being a proud and successful woman, I

always felt I was proving to the world that women can do anything we set our minds to and I never backed out of a fight to prove it.

Now, however, I feel like an injured lioness who needs to retreat in order to heal my battle wounds. I used to feel powerful but now all I feel is overwhelmed, and I wonder if other women and other groups targeted by Trump feel the same—like we're being stripped of our humanity. Or perhaps, we never had it to begin with—it was all an illusion.

Donald Trump sets a precedent for saying and doing atrocious things, such as making blatantly misogynous remarks about women and openly calling Hillary Clinton “a nasty woman.” We need to ban together and say that it is not okay. This is why I ask that, if you see someone being the target of violence, whether verbal or physical—intervene.

If you have a friend who is particularly affected by the events and rhetoric in the U.S, be patient and understanding with them.

In a world where blatant misogyny, racism, xenophobia, homophobia and hate are on the rise, it is more important than ever to accept, love and support each other.

As my greatest fictional hero, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the starship Enterprise in Star Trek the Next Generation once said, "We think we've come so far. Torture of heretics, burning of witches, is all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, suddenly, it threatens to start all over again… vigilance Mr. Worf. That is the price we must continually pay."

JANUARY 10, 2017

theconcordian

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SECURITY

Hey Big Brother, are you listening in?

How the countr y of C anada is quickly b e coming a sur veillance nation IMMANUEL MATTHEWS CONTRIBUTOR It is not uncommon for us Canadians to compare ourselves to our American neighbours. Often, we consider ourselves better off, especially when looking at an issue like national surveillance and privacy concerns for the general population.

In May 2013, American whistleblower Edward Snowden fled to Hong Kong and published an array of classified documents, detailing the American government’s abuse of surveillance power. We scoffed at the unlawfulness of our neighbours to the south, yet are we really any better?

In the past few months alone, two cases of very controversial police action regarding surveillance in Canada were made public. These cases, both occurring in Montreal, have forced many, myself included, to question the power of the police as well as the amount of freedom we think we have.

At the end of October 2016, it became apparent that the mobile phone of La Presse journalist Patrick Lagacé was being tracked for several months prior, by the SPVM—unbeknownst to him—in an attempt to identify some of his sources.

The 24 separate warrants the police issued allowed for them to legally conduct this highly controversial operation.

"The new powers that the police have to surveil Canadians are absolutely horrifying.

They're basically limitless, there's very little oversight and, when that happens, the system will be ripe for abuse, and this is just an example of how it's abused," said Tom Henheffer, the executive director of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) in an interview with CBC News.

The other case occurred in September of last year, when Michael Nguyen, a journalist with the Journal de Montréal journalist had his computer seized by the Quebec provincial police, af ter t hey believed he hacked their website to obtain information about a judge’s abusive behaviour. Nguyen and George Kalogerakis—the managing editor of Le Journal—are strongly condemning the actions taken by the Quebec police via multiple interviews with the media.

“I can tell you that our reporter did not break any laws to get his story,” said Kalogerakis in an interview with the Toronto Star. “We do not break laws at the Journal.

We will contest the validity of the search warrant as far as we can.”

It is completely unacceptable, in my opinion, for the police to conduct themselves in this unethical, privacybreaching manner—not because I am a journalism student, but because I am a human being with morals. The worst part is the police’s actions in the two abovementioned instances were completely legal because they obtained permits from the courts—and that worries me. How much privacy do we really have as Canadians?

While some may argue that journalists should realistically expect some interference

from the police, these incidents of surveillance are deeply disturbing. Journalists are supposed to ask the difficult questions and investigate. How are we supposed to perform our duties when those in power are establishing a state of fear and intimidation?

In Edmonton, for example, the police recently admitted to using International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, also known as “stingrays,” according to CBC News. These devices allow the police to essentially eavesdrop on any cell phone call within range of the device.

This sort of technology breaches privacy and violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Privacy Act

passed, which was adopted in 1983 and serves to protect Canadian citizens from surveillance. It allows the police to easily gain access to the private conversations of any individual, and this is just not right.

Where do we draw the line between security and privacy? I can only imagine what the police will be allowing themselves to do next in the name of surveillance, if we continue on this path.

So far, Canada’s two largest police forces—the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)—are refusing to confirm whether they use these devices, which work by picking up on the cellphone signals

Graphic by Thom Bell.

of people nearby. Both forces declined to comment when questioned by the Toronto Star with regards to their possible use of “stingrays.” The fact they haven’t denied it leads me to believe they may be using this technology, and it is worrisome.

It is our duty as Canadians and citizens of a democracy to question those with power and always fight for our rights and freedoms.

As Edward Snowden said, “Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say.”

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theconcordian

JANUARY 10, 2017

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2. The current issue number 5. One of our writers visited this French country 6. In our editorial, we suggest the school divest from this 8. The title of Childish Gambino's new album 9. This restaurant is giving food to those in need

1. The name of ASFA's winter-themed event 2. The age the Concordia shuttle recently turned 3. Number one on our top films of 2016 list 4 . Band The History of Gunpowder added these to their live shows 7. The first name of our production manager

The Concordian’s team EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CRISTINA SANZA editor@theconcordian.com MANAGING EDITOR GREGORY TODARO managing@theconcordian.com PRODUCTION MANAGER PAULINE SOUMET production@theconcordian.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS PARISA FOROUTAN NEWS EDITORS SAVANNA CRAIG NELLY SÉRANDOUR-AMAR news@theconcordian.com ASSISTANT NEWS EDITORS MEGAN HUNT CHLÖE RANALDI LIFE EDITOR DANIELLE GASHER life@theconcordian.com

ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR MINA MAZUMDER

PHOTO EDITOR ANA HERNANDEZ photo@theconcordian.com

ARTS EDITORS TIFFANY LAFLEUR arts@theconcordian.com

PHOTO ASSISTANT ALEX HUTCHINS

MUSIC EDITOR SANDRA HERCEGOVÁ music@theconcordian.com ASSISTANT MUSIC EDITOR EMILY VIDAL SPORTS EDITOR ALEXANDER COLE sports@theconcordian.com ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR JAMES KIERANS OPINIONS EDITOR DAVID EASEY opinions@theconcordian.com ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR| SANIA MALIK

GRAPHICS EDITOR FLORENCE YEE graphics@theconcordian.com GRAPHIC ASSISTANT THOM BELL HEAD COPY EDITOR KATYA TEAGUE COPY EDITORS KATERINA GANG REBECCA LUGER VALERIA CORI-MANNOCHIO copy@theconcordian.com CONTRIBUTORS Mina Mazumder, Fardad Jabbary, Alex Colatosti, Elijah Baron, David Begay, Nicholas Di Giovanni, Melanie Proulx, Immanuel Matthews, Elisa Barbier, Leandre Larouche

BUSINESS MANAGER ORENZO PORPORINO business@theconcordian.com ADVERTISING MANAGER ORENZO PORPORINO FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@theconcordian.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS NATHALIE LAFLAMME JACOB SEREBIN MILOS KOVACEVIC directors@theconcordian.com

Concordia University’s weekly, independent student newspaper VOL. 34, ISSUE 15 JAN. 10, 2017.

OUR COVER THIS WEEK “Studying Abroad” Graphic by Florence Yee. FOLLOW US ON   COME TO OUR WEEKLY STORY MEETING AT THE LOYOLA CAMPUS CC-431 FRIDAY AT 12 P.M. PITCH. WRITE. EDIT. Editorial office 7141 Sherbrooke St. W Building CC - 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 (514) 848-2424 ext. 7499