The Concordian Fall 2014 Issue 10 by The Concordian

November 4, 2014. Volume 32

Issue 10

Independent student newspaper at Concordia University. Since 1983.

theconcordian

News p.4-5

Denouncing austerity Photo by Keith Race

In this issue

LIFE

p.6

Titillate your taste buds

ARTS

p.9

Concordiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doodle master

MUSIC

p.13

Move with The Frisky Kids

SPORTS

p.18

Stingers win Shrine Bowl

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

OPINIONS

p.21

Breaking the BDSM taboo

theconcordian.com

news 2

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Write to the editor: news@theconcordian.com

CITY Jess Kenwood Assistant news editor

>> Low turnout

for school board elections Voter turnout for Quebec school board elections on Nov. 3 averaged 5 per cent of eligible voters. Education Minister Yves Bolduc expressed his disappointment, saying that there will be major changes to how schools are run in Quebec, according to CTV News. He has not stated what those changes will be, but said that all options are on the table right now but that no decisions have been made concerning how to fix Quebec’s many issues surrounding education. The English School Board was satisfied with their turnout, which hovered at around 20 per cent of eligible voters who cast their ballots on Sunday.

>> PETA protest at Schwartz

Three members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stood in front of Montreal’s famous deli Schwartz for a Halloween-themed protest last Friday. The three women painted their bodies to resemble muscles and blood, holding signs that read “Flesh is Flesh: Go Vegan,” according to Global News. PETA has become known for using vulgar tactics to demonstrate the unfair treatment of animals and this time the goal was to raise awareness to the billions of animals raised for food production. Schwartz owners, including Celine Dion, have not commented on the protest.

>> Magnotta trial

delves into mental illness On Monday, the Magnotta trial took a break from its all too common gory photos, videos, and witness recounts of events to discuss Luka Magnotta’s mental health. Speculation over Magnotta’s mental health has existed for as long as he was identified as a suspect in the murder and dismemberment of Concordia student Jun Lin. On Monday, the court heard from Magnotta’s family doctor who stated that Magnotta suffers from schizophrenia and manic depression, according to CBC. Magnotta complained of a vast array of issues since he began seeing Dr. Allan Tan in 2003, including hearing voices and paranoia. Tan also testified that Magnotta’s psychiatrist had made the diagnosis before Tan began treating him.

Campus // news

Concordia’s new vegetable playground Labour of love sees organic and healthy come to a university near you Milos Kovacevic News editor

ast Wednesday, Oct. 29, was the opening of Concordia’s Farmers’ Market, a unique outlet for students to purchase and learn about what they eat. Founders Kasha Paprocki and Alejandra Melian-Morse say the event went extremely well for something that wasn’t even on the drawing board before the semester. The two say the idea, supervised by Dr. Satoshi Ikeda, an anthropology professor with a devoted streak to food initiatives like the Hive Café, the Greenhouse, and the Food Coalition, came about from a deep respect and love for quality produce. “I decided I wanted to do it through the Social Economies Food Internship that’s offered through the Anthropology and Sociology program, and I came up with the idea and came to Satoshi. Kasha was taking the food classes this year and we were talking about it and she got really excited about it too, so we approached him for a partner project.” The Farmers’ Market, looking to become Concordia’s own Jean Talon Market, was put together on a relatively modest timeline beginning at the start of the semester with the opening deadline slated for Oct. 29. Paprocki and Melian-Morse began working on it right away; they joke their volunteering hours were complete after about ‘two weeks.’ They obtained consultation and

advice from organizers and the food markets of UQAM and McGill for the how-tos and arranged for space with Concordia. The hardest step was directly contacting and building a relationship with the farmers who would be the linchpins of their plan. Simultaneously they launched a marketing campaign. This amount of work was steep for two full-time students, but the duo were helped by volunteers, some of whom needed to satisfy a volunteering course component. Paprocki and Melian-Morse say their varied skills and help was invaluable. “It was pretty stressful, especially since before we had the opening on [Oct. 29], we decided to have a sample market day three weeks beforehand,” said Melian-Morse of their pre-opening. “I was in contact with the farmers and Alejandra was responsible for the administration [and] applying for funding,” said Paprocki. “It all turned out well in the end and the farmers were really happy.” For funding, the Farmers’ Market obtained the necessary capital through student funding opportunities like the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) and from the Concordia Council for Student Life. This community funding means the money is there, but the effort remains a labour of love. “We don’t feel comfortable taking student’s money and paying ourselves,” said Melian-Morse, who did concede that the future may see paid positions be created if demand grows.

Melian-Morse said the seasonal beat to which the market marches on makes winter logistics problematic, but one which is highly beneficial to both producers and buyers. “Since we’re a full-year market, and we’re indoor, it’s very attractive [to the farmers],” said Melian-Morse, listing the seasonal items—at the moment, mostly root vegetables— available. “There’s also an amazing baker that has this massive table out with baguettes and croissants,” waxes Paprocki. “And there’s pie.” The two are happy with the results, but see no need to limit the ambition. “We’re going to start having workshops every week; different types of cooking, classes, or just info sessions on local organic food or

food movements. We’d love to make the Farmer’s Market as much as of a learning experience as possible.” Already they’re hoping for better and bigger placement for next year, perhaps in the Library building or the EV building. With winter coming, the girls are tackling the problem of securing a variety of produce from greenhouse operators. Maintaining locality and organic produce will be restricting, but they’re confident they can do it by learning from past attempts like one that saw a summer-only market fail from lack of patronage. “I think the prices are very affordable,” she continues, saying they’re roughly equivalent to what organic food would be in supermarkets. “Unless you’re eating Kraft Dinner,” chimes Melian-Morse.

Photo courtesy of Concordia’s Farmers’ Market.

Campus // news

Think you can be a CSU councillor? Nomination period starts for upcoming byelections, referendum Milos Kovacevic News editor

The Concordia Student Union (CSU) is holding its nomination period from Nov. 4 to Nov. 7 for the open councillor positions to sit on the CSU’S board of directors as student representatives of their individual faculties. This time, the available slots include one seat for each Arts and Science, Independent Students, and Engineering representatives. Three additional seats are up

for grabs for John Molson after two left because they were unable to meet their time commitments. The Fine Arts councillor positions, however, are already filled, which as CSU President Ben Prunty says is pleasantly unusual. “I think that it’s really awesome there are no spots open for Fine Arts students. It’s the first time in years that we haven’t pretty much called by-elections specifically for Fine Arts students. It feels good to turn the page and [that] Fine Arts feels engaged in the union again.” Though it is unclear how the campaigns will play out, if the last

few years are anything to go by there may be tight competition for the spots. “Often people hand in the paperwork on the last day,” said Prunty. The upcoming byelection will also see ten referendum questions presented to the student body, tackling everything from austerity and Concordia’s daycare to the final ratification of funds used to create and run the Hive Cafe and fee levies. The International and Ethnic Association Council of Concordia is an international student asso-

ciation run by the CSU, and this vote will see whether they are to be completely separated from the CSU. The councillor campaigns will stretch from Nov. 11 to Nov. 24, afterwhich the actual byelections themselves will be held in the last week of the month. If you’re interested in putting your name in a hat, the nomination forms can be found at the CSU offices or from the Chief Electoral Officer at H-462-3. These forms must be submitted in person by the nominee. Deadline is 6:00 p.m. by Nov. 7.

Retraction: The Oct. 28 article on the GSA General Assembly contained several factual errors: The positions for contention were VP Mobilization and VP Academic & Advocacy, which became empty after April. They did not sit ‘empty during the winter semester.’ There was no vote on GSA accreditation, but a report on the progress of the “Yes!” accreditation campaign. Jon Summers ran for VP Mobilization, not VP External. Likewise, Trevor Smith ran for VP Academic & Advocacy, not VP Mobilization, and this position was the only one contested. The Concordian regrets these errors.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Geography Association given abrupt deadline for move to a smaller office Milos Kovacevic News editor

hat started as a request by Concordia’s Geography Undergraduate Student Society to turn a small unused space into a cafe has resulted in the university initiating a room change, leaving the group surprised and unsure of how they will be able to conduct their affairs. The trouble began when GUSS, noticing their former office on the 12th floor of the Hall Building lay empty and approached the university with ideas on turning it into a studentrun cafe. “We had an idea of making it a little more geography-minded, supplying fair trade, etc. Unfortunately, we put efforts towards that and it didn’t really pan out,” said Pete Johnston, VP External of GUSS. “We were looking at working within what was legitimate and confining it to whatever was in the rules for the lease of space.” He said the university declined because of a lack of running water, and regulations over office space and health. While this may have settled matters, they soon received another

“

GUSS President, Kristen HirschPearson, said there had been prior discussion with their department about a possible switch, but nothing final or concrete. “The reason why the department felt strongly about getting us back on the 12th floor is because this [current office] wasn’t space they could protect in the future. If we move to the 12th floor, they can guarantee that space for us.” Throughout, it appears UPA wasn’t aware of the developments, and Pearson says they were not notified of the changes. “[The university was] talking to us about bringing us closer to our students, that it would be best for the interests of our students, but in my opinion the students were never consulted and the fact that we were abruptly told to leave the space without consulting our membership.” He originally believed the school’s reason for the room change was related to its desire to lease it. As it turned out at a department meeting discussing the issue, department Chair Monica Mulren-

Were there to be extra space just kicking around you would never have been relocated, and we wouldn’t have this discussion now ... but its just no the case now.

-Peter

and sister society UPA last used the space together three years ago, but Johnson says both organizations have grown since then and it would now be impossible to jam a dozen people for meetings, not to mention furniture and necessary electronics like computers with specialized department software. He also wonders why, if space is the issue, the school isn’t doing anything about empty next-door offices.

Morden

nan explained the matter was primarily a space issue, especially a seeming prioritization of the university’s commitments for research and PhD purposes. “There’s a commitment from the university to find space,” said Mulrennan. “We are really maxed out on space.” She said the university was trying to find space, but that space exclusivity would have to take a hit “We asked that we consult the student membership to find out what to do next,” said Johnson, who said they would convene a General Assembly in the time available to them—the university eventually agreed to a transition after the exam period—and hold a consultation. “The two student associations...are probably the last on the department and the dean’s list in terms of relocation. It wasn’t the original intent for [GUSS] to be moved over there—it was the intent given the size of the room and its utility for a researcher with grad students,” said Associate Dean of Academic Facilities Peter Morden during the meeting. “Were there to be extra space just kicking around you would never have been relocated, and we wouldn’t have had this discussion now … but its just not the case now.”

Campus // news

GSA accreditation campaign successful Thirty-eight per cent of elligible graduate students turned out to vote Gregory Todaro Copy editor

he Graduate Students Association (GSA) has just been voted as the official, legal voice of Concordia’s graduate students. More than 2,000 graduate students voted yes in the election which started on Oct. 14 and ended on Oct. 27—a total of 38.05 per cent of Concordia’s eligible graduate-student voters. The final result was announced on Nov. 3. Tallied both by paper ballot and online, students showed overwhelming support for the GSA’s accreditation campaign, voting 91.48 per cent in favour.

This means that the GSA now has more legal standing when representing Concordia’s graduate students on both an institutional and provincial level. Students were able to vote in one of two methods; either by ballot or online for ease of submission. “We had polling clerks who visited, I would say, almost all of the graduate student classes,” said Eric Chevrier, president of elections for the GSA’s accreditation. “We probably went to about 85 per cent of the classes that were attended by graduate students.” For those classes that the polling clerks could not visit, online voting provided a chance for those students to vote on this issue.

“There’s a number of graduate students that are either at [their] dissertation process or doing comprehensive exams who were still able to vote through the online process,” said Chevrier. Chevrier also said that precautions were taken in order to prevent students from double voting. The “Yes!” campaign, encouraging graduate students to vote in favour of accreditation, was backed by the GSA. This isn’t the first time that the GSA has tried to gain accreditation, and according to Chevrier, it has not been easy. “There were accreditation tries of the GSA that did end up in failure,” he said, “because they didn’t obtain the numbers that were necessary. … This time, we

Event // news

The world is their oyster, but it’s a tight fit response informing them that their current office in the TD building above the bank on Guy St., which they share with the Urban Planning Association (UPA), would be vacated, and GUSS would find itself back in its old office. Johnson described their old room as being effectively half the size of their current one, estimated at 11 square meters. Both GUSS

made sure we had specific tactics to attract students to vote,” he added. Now that Concordia’s graduate students have voted in favour of accreditation, the GSA will begin the process to legally represent them. “We obtained the proper number of votes for the GSA to be accredited,” said Chevrier. “Now the process is [that] the GSA will take this information and, with the Dean of Students, send it to the [government], and the Ministry will then approve the accreditation.” “I don’t think it’ll change the organization and its daily functioning, but basically it does make the union stronger in the way that it is the official voice of the graduate students.”

NATION Jess Kenwood Assistant news editor

>> Canada bars

visa in fight against Ebola at home Canada is the second nation to bar visas for residents in countries where Ebola is widespread, according to The Globe and Mail. The decision was announced Friday, Oct. 31 and became effective immediately, despite heavy criticism worldwide including from the World Health Organization. One criticism is that this suspension of visas directly violates the International Health Regulations, regulations that Canada helped draft after the SARS outbreak in 2003. There are only three countries to date that are considered “widespread” for Ebola: Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. This decision closely follows Australia’s decision to ban visas—the first in the world—on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

>> experts

catalogue Parliament Hill Bullet holes The bullet damage from the attack on Parliament Hill began being catalogued on Monday, Nov. 3, to decide whether to repair damage or preserve it for its historical value, according to the National Post. Heritage experts at Public Works and Government Services are working with House of Commons curator Johanna Mizgala to assess the damage and determine which would be most appropriate. They have decided that any damage that could cause a susceptibility to further deterioration would need to be repaired. The rest, however, is still uncertain. There have been mixed reactions from members of Parliament.

>> Instagram ads coming to Canada Instagram users in Canada will soon be seeing advertisements. Warnings that advertisements will soon appear have already been set up on the app, according to CBC. This comes after the decision to begin advertising in the U.S. about a year ago and in the U.K. last September. Instagram has also begun using video ads in the U.S. which eventually should be expected in Canada. Instagram was acquired by Facebook in a $1 billion deal in April 2012 and claims it has 200 million users, having shared over 20 billion photos and averaging 60 million photo shares a day.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

WORLD Jess Kenwood Assistant news editor

>> Brittany

Maynard ends her life as planned The terminally ill woman who planned to end her life to advocate for the right to die with dignity stuck to her plan and took her last breath on Saturday. Brittany Maynard, 29, suffered from brain cancer and was given six months to live. She moved from California to Oregon where the Death With Dignity Law allows doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs, although they cannot administer them. Maynard ended her life surrounded by loved ones on Nov. 1 despite her claim that she might delay the date.

>> World Trade Center is open Thirteen years after 9/11, the World Trade Center opened on Monday, Nov. 3, when publishing company Conde Nest began their move into the New York City building, according to the National Post. The 104-storey Manhattan building is the tallest in the United States and stands in place of the twin towers that went down in flames on Sept. 11, 2001. After years of political, financial and legal bickering and eight years of construction, the World Trade Center, in all its 541-metre-high glory, is finally an official part of New York City’s skyline—a bittersweet moment for New Yorkers who can finally begin to look forward.

City // news

Up in arms over anti-austerity Montrealers unite to protest further austerity cuts from the Couillard government Milos Kovacevic News editor

familiar sight presented itself in downtown Montreal on Friday as tens of thousands showed their displeasure with provincial austerity cuts. At the protest, students weren’t the only marchers, but were rather joined by professionals, unions members, and public servants. Concordia’s contingent to the morning protest commenced at the Sir George Williams campus before joining the main group at the McGill University Roddick gates. Colourfully dressed in costumes as befit the occasion and the event entitled “Austerity: A Horror Story,” all assembled were protesting against the large cuts in spending by Liberal Premier Philippe Couillard. “I think it went really well,”

said Concordia Student Union (CSU) President Benjamin Prunty, who noted the comparably large turnout. “It’s not quite the same as tuition,” he said, referencing the 2012-13 protests that saw hundreds of thousands of people protest against cuts to the education sector. “When the university is looking to cut 180 positions and [is] losing $16 million–and that’s only in one year, obviously the year before they lost more–it’s really easy for students to realize this is affecting them in a real way, and not only that, it will be affecting them in the future.” Sustainable Concordia’s (SC) External Coordinator, Mike Finck, also agreed that the event was a marked success. “I think [the event] was very successful on the amount of people who came out on such short notice and looking across who was represented.” he said. Beside the CSU and SC were

representatives from a dozen Concordia student organizations across most faculties. Labour unions like Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia (TRAC) and the Concordia Undergraduate Part-time Faculty Association (CUPFA) were also present. “The government is not prioritizing the public sector, and so the public sector needs to remind the government … why they exist--which is to provide support for citizens,” said Prunty. Many of the labour contracts at Concordia and Quebec as a whole are up for renegotiation next year, and he says austerity won’t be lost on the negotiators. “This is all very top-down. We’re told this is the case, we have no choice, and things are compartmentalized,” said Prunty, who disputes the idea of austerity as the only course of action and without alternative discourses.

Photo by Michelle Gamage

“We have cuts to the public sector, and low and behold, there’s also tax cuts here to certain parts of the private sector or certain parts of the financial sector.” Prunty would like the university to take a clear stance on the austerity measures coming from the provincial government. “When you’re making cuts to education instead of to other places, you’re affecting the people who really need it most. It doesn’t make any sense to me when there’s so many opportunities,” said Concordia student and protester Alejandra MelianMorse. “We’re struggling, and we’re individuals, not huge corporations.” “The key, really, is to not feel disempowered by this message being constantly pushed down and that we’re always hearing from the figures we see as authorities. The only answer is to start the conversation ourselves,” said Prunty.

Photo by Michelle Gamage

>> UN climate panel talk climate change The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on Sunday, Nov. 2, claiming that global warming is causing sea levels to rise, warming oceans, melting glaciers and Arctic sea ice and more frequent and intense heat waves, according to The Guardian. A United Nations (UN) climate panel explained that greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) must be cut to zero by 2100 to limit risks of irreversible damage. They also explained that it is possible to keep climate change in check at manageable costs and that it should be a responsibility of the governments to enforce a decrease in GHGs in order to stop the global temperature from increasing over the two degree Celsius temperature rise mark.

Photo by Keith Race

Two different protests took place on Oct. 31 which denounced the government’s continued cuts to the public sector. Over 10,000 people took part in the morning march, while hundreds attended the 9 p.m protest.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

City // NEWS

Tens of thousands take to the streets in protest Oct. 31

Photo by Keith Race

Photo by Michelle Gamage

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014

life

Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com

Food // Life

The best and worst of Taste MTL Our round-up of this week’s featured restaurant menus

The third annual Taste MTL week is upon us—from Oct. 30 until Nov. 9, some of Montreal’s most revered and creative restaurants offer tasting menus at either $19, $29, or $39, allowing even the most frugal of us to dine like Kings and Queens. Here are some of our favourite and least favourite of this year’s offerings. ______

I was seeing stars in the best possible way. My friend had the orange-infused “mega macaron,” which was equally superb. A special shoutout goes to the beautifully-crafted cocktails at La Société, which were not included in the tasting menu but definitely worth the extra investment. La Société is located at 1415 de la Montagne St. _____

Laika - $19 - 6.5/10

La Société - $29 - 9/10

Sara Baron-Goodman Life editor

Sara Baron-Goodman Life editor his new French-style bistro, attached to Hotel Leows Vogue, promises to transport patrons to Paris while never straying from the heart of Montreal. Its creative take on classic Continental dishes could certainly impress even Parisian standards. I started with the octopus terrine, garnished with chorizo and piperade (a concoction made from peppers and tomato). The octopus was tender and flavourful, and the chorizo and piperade gave the dish a nice Spanish zest. The portion was small, but the flavour was big. My dining partners both tried the spiced pumpkin soup appetizer, which was deliciously rich and creamy, and served piping hot. Next, I had the roasted squab served with butternut squash puree, wild mushroom ragout, and a pinot noir reduction. This was my first experience with squab, and while the flavour was nice, there wasn’t enough meat on this bird’s bones for my liking. The velvety butternut squash and meaty mushrooms, all drizzled in the decadent pinot noir reduction, more than made up for what was lacking in the squab. The combination was rich and absolutely heavenly. For dessert, I opted for the pain perdu, served over warm creme anglaise, and topped with foie gras ice cream, salted caramel bits and pistachios. After the first bite,

hipster staple on St-Laurent Blvd., Laika is part lounge, part café, part restaurant. Its Taste MTL menu was creative in theory, with hints of Asian-inspiration, but nothing memorable in practice. I started with the ricotta crostini with chanterelle mushrooms, garnished with arugula. It was good, with the earthy mushrooms balancing the lightness of the ricotta, but the crostini was a little soggy. I’ve made a better version at home. My friends started with the lobster bisque, which was thick, creamy, and extremely rich. We each decided to order a different one of the three main courses offered, so we could all try everything. I had the seared tuna, drizzled with sunflower oil and served with pickled red onions and roasted potatoes. The tuna was slightly too well-done, and could have benefitted from a sauce with a little more oomph. The potatoes and onions were more flavourful than the fish. One of my friends ordered the beef bavette, which was served atop a cold edamame and rice salad. The meat was tender and cooked nicely, and the salad was interesting but would have been nicer served warm. It somehow just didn’t quite go with the hearty meat. A third friend had the risotto with roasted carrots, radicchio, and green apple. This was by far the best dish of the night. The apple and radicchio added an

Squab at La Société. Photo by Michelle Gamage.

Orange crème brulée at Laika. Photo by Sara Baron-Goodman.

unexpected burst of flavour to the risotto, balancing out the richness of the dish with a fresh fruity punch. For dessert, I had the orange crème brulée. The top was perfectly torched and the crème was nice and fluffy, but the orange flavour was slightly too overpowering for the dish, and made it all a bit too sweet. My friends had the cheesecake, served with wild berry coulis. It was a nice, classic dessert. Good, but ultimately nothing earth-shattering.

like to share, but not much more than that.

Laika is located at 4040 St-Laurent Blvd. _____

ou probably don’t know about L’Alexia. Hell, I did not even know about this place, situated at 1021 Fleury St., North of our wonderful city, before randomly choosing it from the numerous participants of Taste MTL. Proximity notwithstanding, L’Alexia is one restaurant you really want to try out. With its simple yet elegant ambiance, L’Alexia offers a somewhat modest menu for Taste MTL, including food inspired by the Mediterranean regions of Greece, Portugal and Italy. In its simplicity, L’Alexia provides delicious plates that are all about the little details. From fresh fish served with homemade pesto to lamb cooked with coffee and black garlic, its Taste MTL menu has something for every kind of customer (except maybe for vegetarians). Adding to the pleasurable experience was the fact that the staff was kind and attentive to our needs. Sarah, our delightful waitress, was obviously very busy but still managed to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The only thing that could be considered a negative point was the fact that it was a bit too hot in the restaurant. I guess it is bound to happen when you get a relatively small establishment fully packed with hungry customers. You have probably never heard of L’Alexia—you would probably never just walk in on a whim—nonetheless, you definitely need to overlook your cocooning winter habits and venture to Fleury St. to discover this hidden gem. You won’t regret the little expedition.

Taverne F par Ferreira $29 - 7.5/10 Frédéric T. Muckle Arts editor

amed after its well-known Portuguese chef Carlos Ferreira, Taverne F offers Mediterranean delicacies to its customers. Thriving on tapas-style small portions and numerous plates, Taverne F’s Taste MTL menu was designed for people willing to share. This may be a horrifying thought for Joey Tribbiani and like-minded individuals, but for groups of friends willing to try out a variety of plates, the formula works beautifully. Still, it seemed that the menu, including grilled octopus, cod cakes, and Alentejanastyle pork with clams, among other things was more focused on its variety than on the quality of the individual plates. Don’t get me wrong, the food was good and the experience was really enjoyable. The restaurant looked good, the service was fine and the general atmosphere was nice. They even had a screen showing you the kitchen, Big Brother-style. However, nothing was impressive. For such a well-known restaurant, one would hope that the food would be wonderful, not just good. It may be that an efficient marketing campaign makes us think that such an establishment lives up to higher standards, but in the end, the Taverne F Taste MTL experience was pleasant for people who

Dessert at Taverne F. Photo by Frédéric T. Muckle.

Taverne F par Ferreira is situated at 1485 Jeanne-Mance St. _____

L’Alexia – $29 - 9/10 Frédéric T. Muckle Arts editor

L’Alexia is situated at 1021 Fleury St.

Photo from L’Alexia’s Facebook page.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014

Event // Life

Knit-o-thon for Montreal’s homeless Join SAF’s heartwarming initiative to make scarves for those in need as the weather turns colder Robin Stanford Staff writer

ith winter’s icy embrace right around the corner, Sustainability Action Fund Concordia’s (SAF) latest drive will leave you with a warm heart. On Nov. 6, from 12 to 6 p.m., the SAF will be holding a knit-o-thon in the SAF office, located at 2070 Mackay St., in room EN-300. The goal is to knit 50 scarves to distribute among the homeless. This initiative grew organically out of the organization’s focus on social sustainability. According to Ariel Dabora, SAF’s financial vice president, various SAF members have been volunteering with the Benedict Labre House since the beginning of session. The Benedict Labre House is a day centre for the homeless focusing on providing hot meals, food bags, clothing, and hot

showers to those in need. Organized through Hillel, these visits to the Benedict Labre House every Tuesday have been instrumental to the initiative. During this period, SAF members have “been building relationships and seeing that it is getting colder out,” said Dabora. From this initial observation the concept for the knit-o-thon was born. The event itself will be as much like a knitting circle as a marathon event. Students are welcome to stop by for as long or as little time as they wish. Volunteer instructors will be on hand to aid novice knitters in their first creations. Yarn and needles will likewise be provided. Experts are also welcome to stop by to help, and chat over the food spread provided. This will allow not only the production of scarves, but a wonderful opportunity to meet other knitters. It is estimated that the scarves themselves will take longer than the time provided to finish. Participants will be able to take their work home with them. A collec-

tion box, situated outside of the SAF office, will be available to collect all finished products and loaned materials. Participants are asked to bring them back, if possible, by Tuesday Nov. 11. All completed scarves will be delivered to the Benedict Labre House. It is hoped, as the initiative grows, that deliveries may be made to other shelters in the Montreal area as well. Although the first initiative of its kind, this knit-o-thon will most certainly not be

the last. Dabora hopes that students’ responses will be such that similar events can be held periodically, perhaps as frequently as once a month. For students, the knit-o-thon provides an excuse to step back from the rush of the midterm season, socialize, learn new skills, and help those in need. For more information on the event visit “SAF presents: Knit-O-Thon” on Facebook.

Technology // Life

The terrifying truth of online advertising Targeted ads dig into your private life to sell you things Jocelyn Beaudet Online editor

n this day and age, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been using the Internet for a number of years. Much like our real lives, the digital content we consume is often riddled with or interrupted by advertisements for products that we don’t necessarily need. What’s different about the online world though, is that these ads are tailored for you, dear user. When you’re watching TV and a Budweiser ad rolls around, it’s got a specific target demographic audience. The truth is, though, that not everyone who views this ad is part of that demographic. The online world functions quite differently. The ads you see are a result of what is—in grossly simplified terms—an aggregated amount of data based on your browsing practices. Every search you make identifies with certain key words that are collected and then fed back to you. Advertisers can promote their products to a very specific demographic with a much higher conversion rate than they would using traditional media like radio and television, and at a much lower cost too. Better yet, websites that choose to display these ads can earn revenue by doing so, to help pay for their cost of maintenance or to pocket the money. The earnings are fairly low for smaller websites, but busier sites like Facebook can earn a pretty penny off of your reading space. If you’ve browsed deeper, there’s no doubt that you’ve landed on pages so completely riddled with ads that the content was almost entirely inaccessible.

From overlays on top of text to misleading links for downloads, or just your general obnoxious video that pops out of nowhere, ads are everywhere online. Some of these are directly related to advertisers, while others cautiously hide malicious software that can log your actions to other third party sources, including leaking your passwords. With this being said, if you’re anything like me and you’re completely sick of seeing this content, know that there are solutions for trimming the fat off of these cluttered, messy pages. Add-ons for browsers like Chrome and Firefox exist, most notably AdBlock+, which allow you to completely block the ads off of many websites. While this may significantly improve your browsing experience, it’s always important to consider that these ads may be the only thing keeping smaller, independent websites alive. Luckily, these add-ons allow you to let certain domains show you advertisements. Another annoyance is what are known as “toolbars.” These browser extensions that add little tidbits of code to your browser, often disguising themselves as “search helpers” or “download accelerators,” are often riddled with code that has no purpose other than to pepper you with even more advertisements, making your browsing experience significantly slower and far less enjoyable. There are work-arounds though! For Firefox users, you can use the “addons” button from your menu to manage your extensions, and remove those pesky search bars. Chrome users can type “about:plugins” in their URL bar to see a list of installed plugins and extensions that may be plaguing them. Advertisers will always try to get a step ahead. Considering how much exposure we have to ads in the first place, it’s good to have just a little more control over what we see, and how.

Illustration by Marie-Pier LaRose

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014

Column // Life

Mim meets Montreal: Halloween edition Episode 5: In which Mim does Halloween the Montreal way

of Halloween candy. Only at 1:30 a.m. did we finally rock up to the intended destination: Metropolis on Ste-Catherine St. for a Halloween event called First Kontakt. All kinds of creatures lurked out in front, but inside, it was another world. I admit, the night was a little hazy. I met a moose, may have been hit on by a gangster and (I think) was insulted by a zombie. Despite

Mim Kempson Staff writer

there being hundreds of people (perhaps over a thousand), I managed to bump into a university friend in the middle of the dance floor. Engulfed by a sea of people dressed as villains, sinister creatures, something sexual or something deceased, I felt like I was at the centre of post-apocalyptic madness. Luckily I got home in one piece. Just.

People sprinted for taxis like animals chasing after prey. A girl literally bared her teeth at me as she told me to get lost— “this is mine.” It was so hard to find an available cab that I didn’t get home until 5 a.m. I hear that the after party went past 7 a.m., so in that respect my evening was apparently pretty civilized. Montreal, you sure know how to Halloween.

y Halloween started off with some good ol’ grocery shopping where I was served by a partially decapitated checkout chick. A corpse bride unpacked a box of long-life milk, a mime served me at the deli counter, and an Elizabethan Queen offered me a cheese sample. Like many other stores on Mount Royal Avenue, the supermarket had been transformed into something dungeonesque with spider webs, bats, pumpkins and skulls, but it was the costumes that impressed me the most. On the way home I came close to death. I walked past him—the Grimm Reaper, that is—standing in front of a dépanneur. He held a scythe in one hand and a diet Coke in the other. Further down the street I passed a witch with five animal children trailing behind her and then a sailor smoking casually on the corner. When night fell the kids came out. I could hear the trick-or-treaters from the eighth storey of my apartment building. Later in the evening, I went to my friend’s on the tenth floor to transform myself into something non-human. The day before, we found out that we happened to be dressing as the same thing: a pale, white-haired, stripey-suited Beetlejuice. What were the chances? We are both from Melbourne (but had met in the apartment elevator one evening in September), so perhaps it was some spooky telepathic Australian thing that only happens on Halloween. Although we were going to separate parties, we decided to get ready together. Sharing grey hair spray, white face paint and three metres of pinstriped fabric we created two very different Beetlejuices. Just before midnight my flapper friend showed up with gin and a deadly amount

Mim dressed as Beetlejuice for Halloween, mimicking the movie’s trademark pinstripes. Photo by Jenna Haverfield.

Let’s talk about sex

Screw the five date rule—Just do it, or don’t Sara baron-goodman Life editor

was recently having a conversation with a potential male suitor, whose idea of getting to know each other consisted of a round of 20 questions, which culminated in him asking me “what my rules are for dating” more specifically, for a first date. In his defence, I think he was trying to play by the book and be “respectful” so that he knew my boundaries, but the

feminist rage within me boiled up and I told him that that was a stupid question and I wasn’t a character in bloody Sex and the City, before stomping off to get myself another drink. For some reason, this fairly innocent question touched a nerve. I don’t believe in strict “dating” rules—I don’t live in a “lookin’ for love in all the wrong places” style sitcom, and I think that just as every two people are different, so are our interactions and chemistry in situational circumstances involving the getting together (sexually or not) of any said people. Sometimes, the fire will just be there from the get-go, and if both parties are consenting adults, I see no reason why they should hold themselves back from following their carnal instincts.

On the other hand, sometimes that spark just isn’t there, and maybe it’ll warm up in time, or maybe it won’t. Bottom line is, do it if you both want to do it, don’t if you don’t. Know your boundaries in any given situation, but don’t set blanket boundaries based on something a chick flick once preached. The idea that your potential partner won’t respect you in the morning if you “give in” right away is absolutely ludicrous, and if that’s the case, then let me tell you that person doesn’t deserve your respect either. It takes two to tango. The entire concept of “giving in” or “giving it up” has a predatorial and misogynistic air to it that doesn’t seem congruent with our supposedly egalitarian society, or rather, the ideal egalitar-

Sex // Life

ian society I wish we lived in. Sex isn’t a non-renewable resource; your sex powers aren’t going to dry up if you do it too early on in a relationship or too much or with too many people. Shocking, I know. If anything, it’ll just keep getting better over time. Likewise, if you don’t want to sleep with someone—whether it’s the first date or your wedding night—then don’t do it. The point that I’m trying to drive home here is that it’s asinine to put a general timestamp on when you “should” start becoming physically intimate with a new person. A person’s worth is not measured by how hard it is to get them into bed, and it’s quite frankly ridiculous for society to insinuate otherwise.

arts

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com

Campus // arts

Fellow student brings doodling to a whole other level Concordia student Amanda Mizera-Latkowska represented Canada in international doodling contest Émilie Berthier Contributor

Concordia student Amanda Mizera-Latkowska had never taken part in such a contest before, but she got past her nerves and decided to go for it. What was this important international contest about? The noble and very stylish art of doodling. Mizera-Latkowska represented Canada in the final stage of Red Bull Doodle Art, in Cape Town, South Africa. From Oct. 24 to 26, her artwork was exposed as part of World Design Capital 2014. In May, the energy drink company challenged university students from 27 different countries to create their best doodle. Mizera-Latkowska first heard about the event through one of her friends, who encouraged her to participate. When she created her art piece, Mizera-Latkowska was listening to her favourite songs, like “You Got To Go” by Above and Beyond. She explained that music has always influenced everything she draws. “In art, there’s nothing you could ever ruin. It will just transform into something new, so that’s something I learned with time and I guess it started somewhere and it ended up growing and growing,” she said. Her drawing is extremely detailed. Its

centerpiece is a girl, whose outline was inspired by The Little Mermaid’s Ariel. She is surrounded by many intricate elements, such as waves, diamonds, feathers, a moon and a raven. Mizera-Latkowska explained that they all represented the girl’s thoughts. It was a way for her to represent how everyone has weird things going on in their minds: “some of them make sense, some of them don’t,” she said. For Camille Dumont-Masson, Red Bull student brand manager, it was no surprise that Mizera-Latkowska came in first place in Canada. “She doodled something that was close to her and her world, and didn’t go for what she thought Red Bull expected from the winner, and that’s what the contest was all about,” she said. “Her artwork was really outstanding. Not only did she manage to attract a lot of social media attention, which is a great sign of a successful art piece, she really doodled something unique.” The doodles were judged based on their creativity and style, but also on the amount of Facebook “likes” they received. The fact that so many people showed their appreciation and support towards her art was, as she put it, unexpected yet very encouraging. As a national winner, Mizera-Latkowska was invited to spend a few days in Cape Town, where all the finalists’ doodles were to be exhibited in the

Global Design Gallery from Oct. 24 to 26. Cape Town was this year’s World Design Capital, a title given to cities which use design for social, cultural and economic development. To showcase the drawings, interactive and personalized modules were created by Red Bull’s design branch, each one meant to represent the participant’s country. Mizera-Latkowska’s doodle was displayed in the shape of an Inukshuk— which are man-made landmarks built by First Nations people in the Arctic Circle—and placed inside a snow globe. Snow swirled inside the globe when visitors pressed a red button attached to the structure. “They literally go big or go home,” said Mizera-Latkowska about the Red Bull company. She also explained how this trip was about so much more than the initial contest, it was also about celebrating art and discovering the local culture. The participants were invited to visit the city and learn more about its history, all the while feeling at home. MizeraLatkowska recalled the warm welcome with which they were greeted at the airport, the overjoyed Red Bull representatives hugging them. “Red Bull is really all about creating lifetime memories for students and enhance their university experience,” said Dumont-Masson about the company. Mizera-Latkowska drew her doodle by

hand, with a fine point Sharpie. It is her favourite method, but meeting the other artists in Cape Town has made her want to try different medium. “Everyone has a different style, and they all have their different inspiration as well, so it was cool how we all clicked and fed off each other,” she explained, recalling with a smile how they all bonded. “They were all so amazing. Some of them really blew my mind.” Mizera-Latkowska graduated from Vanier College in 2008 with a DEC in Graphic Design. She is currently studying psychology at Concordia. She decided to pursue her studies in a different field, partly because she has always been passionate about the brain, body language and kinetics. She also believes she can pursue her art and learn on her own, as long as she remains determined. This contest has given this young artist the inspiration to continue and strive towards her goals. Having a few ongoing projects on the side—friends in her entourage have asked her to create and paint personalized designs in their houses—she said, “Anyone can do anything they want, as long as they put their mind to it.” For more information on the Red Bull Doodle Art contest and the numerous doodles created, visit redbulldoodleart. com.

Mizera-Latkowska went all the way to South Africa to represent Canada in the Red Bull Doodle Art contest. Here she poses with her doodle and the installation representing Canada.

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

Film // arts

Dealing with fame and dementia with the Birdman Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) brings you into the insanity of a has-been Bashir Rifai Staff writer

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a dark comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, starring Michael Keaton in the title role, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts. The film tells the story of a has-been Hollywood actor, Riggan Thomson, who was well-known in his youth for playing the superhero Birdman in a franchise of the same name. The actor attempts to reinvigorate his career by directing and starring in a Broadway play, and struggles to deal with his obsessive quest for relevance as an actor and the seemingly crazy task of directing a play. Thomson, fighting to remain relevant in a world that appears to have surpassed him, is almost incapable of understanding the evolution of fame in the 21st century. His predicament is brilliantly explained to him by his daughter/assistant Sam, played by Emma Stone. The former addict angrily explains to her father that his lack of visibility in the evolution of humanity’s methods of social interaction and social media is indicative of his failure to remain pertinent. As the film progresses, Thompson’s character seems to become more complex. The former star not only attempts to remain relevant, he also seeks validation for his past and present work. This is highlighted when he develops split personality disor-

der and his alter ego, Birdman, becomes a self-aware critic of the washed-up actor’s failures, taunting him with memories of his former glory. The average viewer might not seem likely to relate to the story, when taken at face value. However, as the film progresses, the story transforms into a thought-provoking

commentary on the human condition in the 21st century. How do we explain our quest for “followers” or “likes” on social media accounts? Why do we even have such accounts? Is it perhaps our attempt to be recognized in today’s world? Our attempt to assure ourselves that we exist? As a film, Birdman is a triumph in the

Birdman or (The unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is Iñárritu’s fifth full-lenght movie.

art of storytelling. By placing the storyline in a dingy, small Broadway theatre, the director is successful in capturing the claustrophobic and chaotic nature of Thomson’s universe. The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, who snagged the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Gravity (2013), assists in highlighting the character’s struggle with suspension from reality. The film is brilliantly shot in extended sequences, which make it appear as if it consists of one continuous take, reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope (1948), which was shot in a similar style. That being said, the real inspiration for the way Birdman was shot is undoubtedly derived from Stanley Kubrick’s style, namely in The Shining (1980). This is evident in the numerous tracking sequences and the close-up shots of the actors. However, the absolute indication of the subtle nod to The Shining is the pattern of the carpet in the Brooklyn theatre where the story takes place, identical to the iconic and mesmerizing carpet in Kubrick’s classic horror film. It is rare for a film to have a near-perfect combination of all its various elements. Under the direction of Iñárritu, the acting, the dialogues, and the cinematography help to create a masterpiece. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is not one to be missed. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) premiered in theatres on Oct. 31.

Opinion // arts

When sexy does not mean sexist A video game female character that won’t fall under the usual typecast

Laura Marchand Opinions editor

Sometimes, it feels like women in video games might as well be oil and water. No matter how much you stir and stir, you’ll always see them ever-so-slightly separate. If it’s done right, it doesn’t sell; and there’s seemingly no consequences if it’s not. Recently, a game with a female lead has been gaining a lot of attention, for all the wrong reasons. Bayonetta 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the action game Bayonetta, stars the titular witch Bayonetta as she fights off demons and angels alike to save her fellow witch comrade Jeanne from the depths of hell. We have a female protagonist literally fighting heaven and hell, and kicking ass while doing it. So, what’s the problem? Bayonetta is—to put it mildly—a sexual character. Her clothes are tight. She licks her lips. The items that give her boosts are lollipops. And perhaps most damning is that Bayonetta’s power comes from her hair, and all of her powers are centred around it, including her clothing. The more powerful the attacks, the less clothes Bayonetta will have. And as I write it, I realize that to an outside observer Bayonetta probably seems like a disgusting male fantasy. Let me tell you why you’re wrong. First of all, let’s look at the problem with women and video games: sexuality is often

forced upon the characters. We have charac- is to be saved. the male power fantasy. ters that are clearly not outwardly sexual in Bayonetta owns her sexuality, and even I am firmly of the opinion that if there were their actions—warriors and princesses, aver- better, she has weaponized it. She’s placed more female protagonists, Bayonetta wouldn’t age women and superheroes—who are boiled guns on her high heels, and when Bayonetta be a problem. It’s admittedly unfortunate that down to nothing but their sexuality. Chain- loses her clothing—which is never a focus, one of the first popular female protagonists is mail bikinis are standard, and often women through the camera or otherwise—you know sexual, but this does not make Bayonetta sexare introduced with a long shot on their chest you’re about to be in for a world of pain. She ist. If you want strong female protagonists that or their behinds. Even their pain is sexualized: actively fights men who represent heavenly don’t need to be sexy to kick ass, then support when they are hurt they don’t scream, they ideals (known as Lumen Sages). As if this games like Beyond Good and Evil, Remember moan—sensually. I’ve seen more than one weren’t enough, there’s plenty of evidence Me, Mirror’s Edge and Hyrule Warriors (which, game where a woman is hurt or in a fight, that Bayonetta lies somewhere on the queer out of a playable cast of 16 characters, has a and comes out of it with far less clothing than spectrum, especially where Jeanne is con- female majority of nine women). they went in with. cerned—and did I mention that two people of If you want more women in video games, Contrast that to Bayonetta. Bayonetta colour are her comrades-in-arms in Bayonetta great! But that responsibility doesn’t lie with doesn’t have anything thrust upon her; she 2? Or that the character was designed by a Bayonetta’s creators: it’s on you, and your owns her sexuality, and she chooses to show queer woman? The entire game is a subver- wallet. You need to put your money where it off. The game very rarely resorts to unsa- sion of the traditional video game dynamic of your mouth is. voury camera shots, and when it does, you can tell Bayonetta is almost aware of it, usually with a small smile or a wink in the direction of the viewer. For perhaps the first time, a female character has been made sexual without being a sexual object. In any other game, even if there was a sexual character, she would not be the hero. Bayonetta even has a stubbled, white male adventurer character named Luka—and they make fun of him constantly. He’s shown to be a dork living out the male fantasy, more than once swooping in to “save” Bayonetta, only to fall flat on his face. Bayonetta, simply put, Bayonotta (left) and Jeanne (right) are the main female protagonists of the Bayonetta 2 video game. is never in a position where she

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

Web series // arts

Web-series about a struggling band proves hilarious They don’t have much talent, good ideas or even a band name, but that’s what makes them funny Elijah Bukreev Contributor

“The music, man. It’s time to get serious about the music.” So starts The High Note, a not-so-serious new web-series that centers on five young Montrealers who decide to unite their efforts and form a band. Most of their time together is spent drinking and trying to determine a band name, going through suggestions such as Grass Grass, or Reverse Centaur, which comes up three times. Their talent is limited, ideas preposterous and attitude far from winning, but that’s what makes them entertaining to watch. Characters who are unaware that they’re losers are an eternal feeding ground for comedy writers. There’s Neil, an ex-ice skater whose only shot at fame was starring in a production of Barbie on Ice: The Magic of Pegasus; Sage, a wannabe who can’t settle on a style, yet claims to be a trendsetter; Dani, an enthusiastic outsider who doesn’t have much to contribute besides epileptic dance moves; and Mel, who joined the group looking for a release for anger, but doesn’t seem to have any. Other characters will be introduced in the course of the six-episode series, most certainly as awkward or obnoxious as the rest. The people we see are believable, because the actors believe in their characters. When we do hear their music, what’s surprising is how tolerable it actually is. The

The High Note is a web-series about a lovable yet not-so-talented group of friends trying to make it as a band, and failing at it.

High Note could have been a slapstick comedy routine about people who are just plain bad at what they do, but it is more nuanced. It doesn’t go for easy laughs, settling for a deadpan kind of humour and atmosphere inspired by TV series such as The Office. It could also fit in the mockumentary category, showing naturalistic scenes of dialogue intermixed with interviews of main characters. Much of it feels spontaneous, unrehearsed, but the series was scripted and shot in several takes. The tone, sound effects and editing style are often dissonant, as they should be, because this is a story of

things not working out and it must be felt throughout. This is a first web-series for director Holly Brace-Lavoie and producer Kelly Walker, who have a background in theatre. It was shot over the summer with a voluntary cast and crew, and is fully self-financed. Asked how such a show would fare commercially, Brace-Lavoie and Walker burst out laughing. “We’re not expecting to break even. This is purely for fun.” In fact, all involved seemed to have had a great time working on the project, which showcases a lively dynamic. The High Note has a charming and

fun-loving quality that’s hard to resist. Unsurprisingly, the show is also semiautobiographical, and while the whole thing is slightly over-the-top, you may recognize yourself or others in it. Brace-Lavoie suggests that the series was made as a therapy of sorts. It never hurts to poke fun at yourself, like when you take a pause in the middle of a sentence and start laughing because you realize you’re not making any sense. Episode 1 of The High Note web-series launches online on Nov. 5, on thehighnoteseries.com.

Film festival // arts

Cinemania celebrates its 20-year anniversary The francophone film festival will be screening the best of what France and Belgium have to offer Johanna Pellus Contributor

inemania, the francophone film festival, is back and celebrates its 20th edition with an extended program of 55 films, all with English subtitles, and special guests. Screenings will include 33 premieres that the chief programmer Guilhem Caillard defined as “the best of French and Belgian cinema,” at the festival’s press conference on Oct. 28. His goal is to screen films with

big names as well as rising stars. Each film will display different aspects of the vibrant French-language film industry. Seven of the films that will be screened at the festival were featured at the Cannes Film Festival this year and three were in the running for an award: Bertrand Bonello’s Saint-Laurent, a profile of the famed fashion designer starring Gaspard Ulliel in the title role; Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s Deux jours, une nuit, a drama with Marion Cotillard as a factory worker trying to save her job; and Olivier Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria, an account of the relationship between an aging actress (Juliette Binoche) and her

assistant (Kristen Stewart). One of the highlights in the lineup is Volker Schlöndorff’s masterpiece, Diplomatie. For its Canadian premiere, Diplomatie will enjoy a special presentation on Sunday to honour the performance of the actors. The film recounts the 1944 historic duel between General Dietrich von Choltitz (Niels Arestrup), who prepares to execute Hitler’s direct orders to destroy Paris, and Swedish consul Raoul Nordling (André Dussollier). Gemma Bovery will open the festival on Thursday. This modern version of Gustave Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary, starring Fabrice Luchini, will be presented by direc-

Niels arestrup and André Dussollier in Diplomatie, Volker Schlöndorff’s movie presnted this year at the Cinemania festival.

tor Anne Fontaine (Coco avant Chanel) at the Opening Gala at the Imperial Cinema. Other guests will be present, such as Adèle Haenel, for the gala screening of Les Combattants - Love at first fight next week. Aged 25, the French actress gained an instant iconic reputation and a César award, the highest film honour in France, for Suzanne in 2013. Her career will be celebrated at the Cinémathèque québécoise with two movies, Naissance des pieuvres (2007) and Les Diables (2002). Party Girl, winner of Caméra d’Or and the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes 2014, will close the festival on Nov. 16. Angélique Litzenburger performs in a semi-autobiographical role of her life of entertaining men in a seedy bar near the French-German border. She will be in attendance with Samuel Theis, who is one of the co-directors as well as her son, in real life and on the screen. Cinemania’s guest of honour will be Lambert Wilson. A special tribute will celebrate his career with a retrospective of nine films, including Five Days One Summer (1982), co-starring Sean Connery, at the Cinémathèque québécoise. His international career was prolific and as a reflection of his altruistic and compassionate nature, Des hommes et des dieux (2010) and Hiver 54, l’abbé Pierre (1989) are two must-see French movies. The 20th Cinemania film festival will take place Nov. 6 to 16 at the Imperial Cinema, Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Parc. For tickets and information, visit festivalcinemania.com.

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

Theatre // arts

Belles Soeurs: The Musical hits all the right notes

The importance of Michel Tremblay’s classic does not get lost in translation in this English adaptation Bashir Rifai Staff writer

Based on the popular play of the same name by an icon of Quebec theatre, Michel Tremblay, Belles Soeurs: The Musical, set in Montreal during the ‘60s, tells the story of Germaine Lauzon. The working-class, Catholic housewife, who lives in the neighbourhood of Plateau-Mont Royal, has her life turned upside down when she wins a million “stamps” which she can trade in for a large number of consumer products in a catalogue, such as pots, pans and even “light-weight aluminum chairs!” To help her paste the stamps (and to brag extensively about her win), Germaine decides to throw a party for the women in her neighbourhood. She also forcibly enlists the help of her teenage daughter Linda Lauzon, who’s only concern is that she’s going to miss out on meeting her boyfriend at a nightclub, just to contrib-

ute to her mother getting what Lindadescribes as “cheap shit.” The night takes an unexpected turn with an unwelcome visit from Germaine’s sister, Pierrette Guerin, a “modern” woman branded as somewhat of a floozy by the rest of the neighbourhood. The result is a thoroughly entertaining story of resentment, seething jealousy, betrayal, love and acceptance. Deceptively simple, Belles Soeurs is in reality a brilliant reflection of the profound transformation in Quebec society at the time. Written in 1965, the story subtly reflects the secularization of Quebec better known as the Quiet Revolution, which is embodied perfectly in the inter-generational clash of the all female cast: Germaine and her neighbours represent the role of traditional, respectable Catholic women; Germaine’s sister Pierrette represents what is arguably a pioneer, stuck in between both worlds; and her daughter Linda, the young hopeful woman, who does not see herself bound by her mother’s archaic view of the role and behaviour of women

in modern society. While the story is distinctly from Quebec, a wider audience can relate to it. With underlying tones of feminism, the women of all generations are in no way depicted as weak or docile. They are strong and opinionated, each holding on to and defending their societal viewpoints. The roles of Pierrette and especially that of Linda reflect a wider wave of feminism (the demand for equality, the availability of “the pill,” etc.) that was sweeping not just Quebec but the Western world as a whole during that time. The music by Daniel Bélanger, adapted to English by Neil Bartram, presents a solid effort at communicating the message behind the story. While the musical numbers are a hit-and-miss, as is the case with any musical, they were performed beautifully by the cast under the musical direction of Chris Barillaro. For me personally, the standout musical number was “Ashamed,” performed by the very funny and talented Lisa Horner playing the part of one of Ger-

maine’s neighbours, Lisette De Courval. Lisette, being slightly better-off that the rest of her neighbours, hilariously expressed her shame concerning how her neighbours were not as sophisticated and cultured as she viewed herself to be, using her one trip to Europe, which she called “a beautiful country,” to portray her superiority. Belles Soeurs: The Musical is a funny, well-acted and thought-provoking adaptation of the classic play by Michel Tremblay. While none of the musical numbers stood out as being as groundbreaking as the original work itself, and the decision to adapt the play into a musical did not necessarily contribute anything significant to the work, it in no way diminished it either. Overall, a highly recommended, entertaining experience that takes audiences back in time to a Quebec that is unrecognizable to the millennial generation. Belles Soeurs: The Musical, is playing at the Segal Theatre through Nov. 16th. For more information, visit segalcentre.com.

Exhibit // arts

A peek into an alternate reality at VAV gallery Beyond The Frame explores the relationship between art, space and its audience Frédéric T. Muckle Arts editor

It starts as an artist’s idea; then, through a complex creative process, the idea finally rests upon a canvas, there for anyone to see and interpret. But what if the fourth wall was shattered, bringing reality and art together? The exhibit, Beyond The Frame, on display at the VAV gallery until Nov. 7, explores

this bi-dimensionality with the work of three Concordia artists. Jonathan Theroux, Rihab Essayh, and Milo Flores have come together to create a peek into the alternate reality from the artists’ imagination. Using drawing and other mediums, they transformed the art gallery into an experimental installation studying the relationship between art and its viewers. It goes into the actual meaning and prominence of this said relationship and what the public can bring to the artwork. A forest of black and white columns,

weirdly evocating Beetlejuice’s stockings, welcomes you in the gallery space. Complemented by drawings, objects encouraging participation of the public and a surrealist video, the exhibit makes you wonder what is actually going on in this small, enclosed world. According to the exhibit’s description, “the artist-curators all take up notions surrounding self, however within the expanded field of the exhibition, the works happen as a result of a viewer’s own experience.” The exhibition really imposes a strong

impression of being in an alternate reality. It is safe to assume that everyone passing by the gallery this week will have a very different interpretation of the exhibit. What Beyond The Frame represents is the way art can actually be present outside the traditional canvas and how we, as the public, actually are intermingled with it. Beyond The Frame is presented at the VAV gallery situated at 1395 René-Lévesque Boul. until Nov. 7. For more information, visit vavgallery.concordia.ca.

music

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com

Profile // music

No more acrobatics for The Frisky Kids Searching for the true meaning of rock n’ roll, this local band found love and rebellion Mia pearson Music editor

he Frisky Kids were born rebelling. On the far West side of Montreal, in a Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue basement, Calum Dowbiggin Glew and Matisse Gill were busy paying off noise complaint tickets—the result of plugging in to write their cool cocktail of catchy tunes. They drew from the clean pop sound of ‘60s Beatles and Kinks, but their sound also reflects the dirtier energy of garage rockers like Ty Segall, Tame Impala, and The Strokes. Appropriately, their songs are quite frisky. Neighbours might not have appreciated the lively tunes rattling the homes of the above dwellers, but The Frisky Kids have garnered much attention lately and landed the seventh spot on the CBC Rock Your Campus competition.They ascended the ranks with their bubbly songs, but may have gotten extra attention because bassist “[Gill] is a sex symbol in New Zealand. He’s on every magazine,” Glew joked. Staying true to the nature of rock n’ roll, the trio isn’t as clean cut as they appear on stage; with dress shirts and the

occasional tie. “In one of our videos, me and [Gill] and our old drummer [are] showering together. We got a lot of negative reaction to that,” said Glew. “Whenever people tell us to do something, we’re kind of like kids, and we don’t do it or we do it the opposite way. It’s kind of childish—it’s to piss them off. I don’t know why that would make anybody strictly uncomfortable—and Matisse, he’s definitely arm candy, so we’ve gotta advertise what we got. Like The Black Lips, you know, how they kiss on stage.” “It’s an essential part of rock ‘n’ roll. People forget that—it’s not about controversy anymore,” he continued. “It’s all about going on and doing a good set [now]. Rock and roll … it’s supposed to be a bit rebellious … If you can’t even have a shower scene together, [that] feels really bizarre.” In addition to an intimate brotherly love for each other (as well as promoting water conservation), Glew and Gill, and new drummer Alex Paul, were attracted to the feeling of camaraderie and love bubbling from the music scene—especially at the shows of Mac DeMarco, Ty Segall, The Black Lips, and King Khan. “We were going to a lot of these garage rock shows where people were just

going nuts, like, dancing but not really moshing, because it’s not absolutely violent,” Glew said. “Kind of just dancing really close together—getting up on stage, jumping off stage, getting back on stage—it felt like that’s what rock ‘n’ roll used to be, and now it’s just not. So we really wanted to go in that vein of thinking: really fun live shows.” The frontmen bound around during their show and try to cook up a feeling full of zest and love. Tightly packed in a happy bouncing crowd at a concert, Glew feels closer to what rock was meant to be—rebellious. The band sometimes rocks too hard, though: “One night we were going to our hometown of Hudson to play this music festival. We kind of got drunk the night before [the show] and we were climbing our old primary school. We did a jump— it was a little reckless because our drummer broke his leg that night. The day after, we had to play, and it was just me and [Gill]. It was a pretty crazy night!” Glew has given-up on pursuing acrobatic endeavors since then, but when it comes to pursuing girls and playing the field, the band admits that they fall short. The Frisky Kids, Glew explained, aren’t very frisky at all. “It’s kind of an ironic name, too, be-

cause we’re not frisky. When we thought of ‘frisky’, it meant ‘really forthcoming with girls’, which our circle [of friends] knows we’re not like that. It was a kind of joke,” Glew said. Glew and Gill felt at odds with the club scene that swept-up their friends throughout teenagehood. The top 40 songs with their repetitive rhythms didn’t do it for these musicians.Their song, “All the Girls,” isn’t about scoring big under the revolving disco ball, it’s “actually about the guys who do get all the girls, and all the girls who go to all the guys— that’s not us. It’s kind of a disassociation with the club scene,” Glew said. Luckily the band chose the name that they did. They had started off by calling themselves ‘The Herpes’: “we were like ‘well, this is just stupid and it’s going to creep people out,’” the guitarist said. Who knows, maybe if they’d stuck with ‘The Herpes’ they would have scared away those people making noise complaints. On a final note, Glew adds: “Vote Liberal. Eat local. And god bless the Queen.” The Frisky Kids play Divan Orange Dec. 4 with The Beaches. For more information on The Frisky Kids, check out Facebook.com/TheFriskyKids

From Left: bassist Matisse Gill, drummer Alex Paul, and guitarist/vocalist Calum Dowbiggin Glew. Catch the band on tour this summer.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Q&A // music

Q&A with Joy Division & New Order’s Peter Hook Hook answers questions about his musical past, current shows, and the revisiting of classic songs Oneida Crawford Staff writer

It is difficult to know where to start when discussing an individual whose contributions to the history of music have been incredibly influential. That being said, Peter Hook is one such individual. If you are familiar with iconic British post punk band Joy Division and the subsequent alternative sounds of New Order, or the bands Monaco, Man Ray and The Light, then you have been privy to the brilliant work of Peter Hook. From playing bass guitar in Joy Division and New Order to starting his own nightclub and creating a Master’s program in Music at the University of Central Lancashire, Hook continues to engage in many facets of the industry. He is currently on tour with The Light, which includes members who form the band Monaco, as well as his own son. Peter Hook and The Light will be performing songs from the New Order albums: Low Life(1985) and Brotherhood (1986) and will be opening their sets with selected works from Joy Division. They are not to be missed. The Concordian (C): I know you played Joy Division albums on tour before, so what inspired you to tour again, playing New Order material specifically? Peter Hook (PH): It’s all been part of a process, really. I plan to play every track that I’ve ever recorded before I shuffle up to join [deceased] Ian, Rob and Tony upstairs. It began when I saw that Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream was planning to play Screamadelica live back in 2010 that I had the idea of performing Unknown Pleasures as well. The gig sold out in just a few minutes, which was amazing, so we added a second night. That really was supposed to be it, but then we were invited to come and play all around the world, to some truly great audiences. When

I saw that people were enjoying it, we decided to progress the show and perform the second album, Closer, live. We followed this by performing the last Joy Division album release, Still, live which meant that we had then played every single Joy Division song live once again. As we had played all of this material, going on to perform the first two New Order albums was the next step in the journey of this project. Now we’ve come to perform the next two albums, Low Life and Brotherhood, and the singles from New Order from 1983 to 1987. That includes some great material including “Confusion,” “True Faith,” “Bizarre Love Triangle” as well as the lesser known and lesser heard album tracks like “Let’s Go.” I am very proud of the members of The Light and I think they do a great job in performing this material live. C: Were other members of New Order interested in touring with you? Or did you set out to do a solo tour? PH: I have to stress that it’s not a solo tour, the band (Pottsy, Kehoe and Andy Poole) are all people who were in Monaco with me, and because I’m doing vocals, my son, Jack, fills in and doubles up on bass duties with me. It’s called Peter Hook and The Light, but I would much prefer it to be called just The Light. However, the nature of what we’re doing, playing the back catalogue means that its becomes necessary to use my name. C: Are you finding younger or older audiences at your shows? I realize this probably depends on what material you are choosing to play, as in old vs. new albums. PH: Not really, in fact if anything you find that the Joy Division audiences tend to have a greater make-up of young people than the New Order albums we are playing, but both attract a mixed crowd which is testament to the ongoing influence of both bands. Joy Division does seem to hold a greater fasci-

nation with young people if anything. I’m surprised in a lot of ways at the amount of Joy Division t-shirts that we see at the gigs, more than New Order even at the New Order gigs.

scene in England shift?

PH: Ideas come to me all the time, on the road, at home, but yes to work properly and write new material you do need to allocate time and also get into the right mindset. It is something that has been lost with the advent of technology, sitting in a room as a band and knocking out ideas on your instruments. That was how we always worked with Joy Division and in New Order prior to sequencers, drum machines and technology coming in. There are advantages in the use of technology, but for pure songwriting, I do believe the best results come from jamming with band members on ideas.

PH: There have been so many changes, not only in England, but across the world since I started out—that [is] a difficult question to answer. You have to take into account technology and the Internet, the nature of the industry and how it has changed, the decline of vinyl and CDs as a mass market product (which I don’t believe has been replaced by downloads) and much much more. I suppose The Hacienda did inspire the advent of dance music in the U.K. but there were other factors and influential people championing dance music throughout the ‘80s. Now it has become the staple of the charts where all music seems to owe a debt to house music. Yet bands are still current and exist alongside dance music, and there are even live dance acts like Underworld and The Prodigy. There’s so many new developments, but in a lot of ways, performing live, gigs and club events are relatively the same arts they always were; just in the modern day and modern versions of them.

C: A lot of bands have cited you, New Order and Joy Division as inspiration for their own music and material. So, do you ever listen to music and hear your influence or similarities in sound?

C: I know you’ve dabbled in electronic genres, but a lot of your work is considered to have a more new wave, rock/pop sound. Is there a genre of music you prefer to listen to? Is there a genre you prefer to perform?

PH: Being an inspiration to other bands is quite funny really. It’s a great compliment but sometimes I hear it and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes it is really apparent like with White Lies and Interpol, but other times bands are compared to us and I don’t really see it. Nonetheless, I still find it hugely ingratiating to have been in two bands that have shaped the course of popular music over the past thirty years. It is always good when people cite you and say you’ve had a positive effect on their lives.

PH: I listen to a lot of dance music at home for DJing and also make dance music as Man Ray with Phil Murphy but also listen to bands and hip-hop. I really do have diverse tastes, from Metronomy, to The National to Drake. I tend to listen to things at the gym three mornings a week, so I get through a lot there. As for playing live, I think I’m very much in the band/rock bracket although with the New Order material, a lot of it is electronic. As a DJ, I play a lot of upfront dance music and classics, so I have a foot in both camps really.

C: As a musician, do you find you need to be in a specific space or mindset to work? Can you write on tour or do you need to be at home?

C: From playing in bands years ago in Manchester, to creating house music inspired by the Hacienda, how have you seen the music

Peter Hook and The Light play Club Soda Monday, on Nov. 10.

Peter Hook and The Light will be playing Joy Division and New Order classic songs at Club Soda on Monday Nov. 10. Photo by Craige Barker.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Profile // music

Jan Dutler busks to liven up Montreal’s streets The musician performs solo by looping harmonica, beatboxing, percussion, ukulele and vocals Justinas Staskevicius Staff writer

Walk down Ste-Catherine St. on almost any day and you’ll see someone playing guitar, their case open, asking for change in exchange for a melody to brighten your day. Climb the stairs out of Guy-Concordia metro or pass by Place Jacques-Cartier and you’ll probably see something similar, maybe with a different face or instrument. While we’re all guilty of ignoring some of these music makers at one point or another, some buskers simply demand attention; buskers like Jan Dutler. His act, called Caravonica, is a one-man band. Using a looper, Dutler combines harmonica, beatboxing, percussion, ukulele, trombone and vocals to create his music live on the street corner or stage. The 28-year-old multi-instrumentalist, who sings in multiple languages, is from a small town in Switzerland called Hütten, which has “more cows than people,” according to Dutler. His music career started when he joined a marching band as a percussionist in 1996 at the age of 10.

“I nearly stopped playing music when I was 15, but then a friend handed me an AC/DC tape and I thought, ‘Drums are actually a cool instrument,’” Dutler said. After spending a few years playing covers of metal songs with his friends, he shifted his focus entirely in his early 20s. “I got into Blues and played in other bands, that’s when I started to play harmonica,” Dutler said, “ I’m a bit of a fanatic about harmonicas. I think I have about 30.” Not simply a collector, Dutler explained that “every song is in a different key and what most people don’t know that there are different tunings than just the Blues Harmonica,” said the musician. “The different harmonicas open whole other dimensions.” Shortly after discovering the harmonica, Dutler was introduced to the artist who inspires his current performance. “A friend showed me the music of a guy called Son Of Dave,” Dutler said, “I was blown away by just one person with his harmonica, boxing beats with his mouth, shaking a tambourine or a rattle, and stamping his foot. Recording everything in a loop pedal.”

From there, Dutler built a specialized tact him in person or through Facebook suitcase, which doubles as his drum kit, for ukulele and harmonica lesson or to just and hit the road as a performer. Most re- “meet up and have a jam.” cently, he passed through New Zealand, Australia, Massachusetts and even played If you want to see Dutler in action you at this year’s Halifax International Busker can catch him at Le Dépanneur Café at Festival in July, and Prince Edward Island’s 206 Rue Bernard Ouest, every Saturday Busker Festival in August. at 11 a.m., or at Marché Jean-Talon on “While traveling in Nova Scotia, New- Saturday and Sunday afternoons. foundland and P.E.I, people kept telling me how awesome Montreal and Quebec is,” Dutler said. “This, and the fact that I want to learn more about performing, [is what] brought me here.” Caravonica will be in Montreal for the foreseeable future, as Dutler is currently taking classes at Francine Côté’s Clown and Comedy School. “I like the idea of one-man entertaining. It’s fascinating and challenging,” he said. Dutler hopes that his music inspires others to “play music in the streets, share art in public spaces and try different instruments.” Anyone wishing to try Jan Dutler strums the ukulele. Photo by Justinas different instruments can con- Staskevicius.

Quick Spins // music

Quick Spins

Bass Drum of Death - Rip This (Innovative Leisure; 2014)

The Twilight Sad - Nobody Wants To Be Here and Nobody Wants To Leave (Fat Cat Records; 2014)

Allo Darlin’ - We Come From the Same Place (Slumberland: 2014)

The Budos Band - Burnt Offering (Daptone; 2014)

For first-time listeners of Bass Drum of Death, you’ll first be slapped by John Barrett’s guitar which has overdrive cranked to 11. That’s exactly how all of Rip This sounds—it’s completely driven by glass shattering heavy guitar that only occasionally pauses to let this infamous “bass drum” be heard. Rip This rips your eardrums apart in a good way: Barrett’s boyish punk vocals are angry enough to ascend the brawny guitar’s distortion, and on a song like “Sin Is In 10,” Barrett adds some cute and mean harmonies. He has an inimitable knack for writing an album full of the catchiest tunes in town, and has established an instantly recognizable sound. However, BBoD’s sound hasn’t changed whatsoever since 2011’s GB City or 2013’s self titled album. Barrett plays it way too safe throughout, sticking to the same song formula, which leaves the songs one dimensional and hard to tell apart. Instead of being all about the chase, Barrett should come up with catchy licks, add some atmospheric wailing guitars, or, like, hire a flute player for good measure.

The Twilight Sad’s fourth LP to date, Nobody Wants To Be Here and Nobody Wants To Leave sees the disintegration of a toxic relationship. The Scottish three-piece start off with “There’s A Girl In The Corner,” highlighting feelings of isolation and setting a somber tone for the rest of the album. The shoegaze style of guitar playing and reverb is at the forefront of most of the tracks, along with a darkly brooding melancholia. Comparisons to The Cure are easily felt on tracks like “It Never Was The Same” and “I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want” with frontman James Graham’s echoey vocals. Though a raw display of human emotion is felt through the deep basslines and percussion, the album’s gloom can become overwhelming, and at times suffocatingly so. Ultimately, there is no resolution for this downward spiral of a relationship, but The Twilight Sad manage to accurately capture every moment of this cruel twist of fate.

Fresh from Australia, Allo Darlin’s We Come From the Same Place was released Oct. 6 on Slumberland Records. We Come From the Same Place starts with a relaxing ukulele and guitar ballad. Then, it gradually progresses from a few fun and gentle tracks to a slightly punk-esque vibe, especially noticeable on track seven, “Half Heart Necklace.” Singer-songwriter Elizabeth Morris’ charming vocals are clear and calming, with a subtle twang of her Aussie accent. The lyrics tell stories of love, travelling, and nostalgia. While the album overall is slightly repetitive and thus not terribly exciting in that sense, it is worth a listen for those who enjoy simpler indie-folk, or singer-songwriter tunes. We Come From the Same Place is highly recommended to fans of bands like This is Ivy League and Laura Marling for similarities in style.

Marked as a clear departure from The Budos Band’s previous three enumerated self-titled releases, Burnt Offerings introduces an unexpected genre into the band’s instrumental afro-funk mix: doom metal. Drawing clear influence from psychedelic rock and early heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath and Pentagram, Burnt Offerings is spooky, funky and savage. Its distorted guitar, heavy metal drumming and eerie organ add a primordial and almost occult vibe to the band’s signature afro-funk horns, while a funky bass that underlines the album. While still borrowing from their signature Fela Kuti-inspired jazz funk style, the The Budos Band have expanded their sound to better reflect their live show and full-band dynamic. Though some purists may be turned off by the new direction, Burnt Offerings is a refreshingly passionate vision from a band that has been playing it safe for far too long.

Trial Track: “For Blood”

Trial Track: “I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want”

Trial Track: “We Come From the Same Place”

Trial Track: “The Sticks”

7/10

- Mia Pearson

6/10

- Jessica Romera

5/10

- Oneida Crawford

8/10

- Paul Traunero

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

JOIN THE CONCORDIAN’S FAMILY : ASSISTANT EDITORS WANTED Seeing your name in print is only half the fun; if you want to get the full newsroom experience, here’s your chance! Assistants will have a variety of tasks, including working closely with section editors to find story ideas, writing stories weekly, gaining first hand editing experience, and working with writers. Assistants will also be asked to attend weekly story board meetings on Sundays as well as production nights on Mondays.

Although no experience is necessary, applicants who have

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written for The Concordian or who have relevant experience in journalism are preferred. For more information, please contact section editors (contact information is located on the inside back cover of The Concordian). To apply, please submit a CV, a letter of intent and three samples of journalistic work to applications@theconcordian. com before Nov. 14. In the subject line, please include the position that you are applying for.

Assistant news editor (2 positions, compensated) Assistant life editor (1 position) Assistant arts editor (1 position) Assistant music editor (1 position) Assistant sports editor (1 position) Assistant opinions editor (1 position)

If you’d like to get to know the team, come on by our weekly story board meetings on Sundays at 3 p.m. in CC-431 at the Loyola campus. Hope to see you there!

theconcordian.com

sports

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com Profile // sports

Coaching staff welcomes a winner Women’s hockey team adds four-time Olympian Julie Chu as an assistant coach Tim Lazier Sports editor

What does an Olympian and professional hockey player do with her four Olympic and nine World Championship medals? “I go to bed with all of them,” chuckled Julie Chu. “No, that would be creepy.” Chu, 32, was named an assistant coach for Concordia’s women’s hockey team late last month, and she brings along quite the pedigree. Growing up in Fairfield, Connecticut and learning to lace up her skates by the time she was eight, Chu could never have imagined where hockey would take her. “Mostly because girls’ hockey was non-existent when I started to play,” said Chu. “I was the only girl on a boys team and often could go through an entire season without seeing another girl hockey player.” Learning to play hockey with her brother and his friends, hockey was a pastime, albeit, one that she was very good at. Then when Chu was 16-yearsold, women’s hockey was recognized as an Olympic sport and she knew what she wanted to do. “[In 1998], I watched women’s hockey become an Olympic sport and my world changed,” said Chu. “Suddenly, I could

have dreams of going to the Olympics. And fortunately, with a lot of hard work and many things falling into place, I have been able to participate in four Olympic games.” Since she was 20, Chu has been an Olympic athlete. That statement alone is an unbelievable accomplishment, one that Chu does not take for granted. “It’s been an incredible journey that sometimes I can’t believe I have been so fortunate to experience,” said Chu. Two of her favourite moments as an Olympian occurred back in 2002 at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The first was when she pulled on her jersey with “U.S.A.” scrawled across the front for the first time. Years of vigorous work and daydreaming about this moment had finally paid off. The second was when she took part in her first opening ceremonies. “I have always been a fan of the Olympics and watching as the athletes marched into the stadium has always given me goosebumps. So being able to do it myself was an unbelievable experience,” said Chu. By the end of her most recent Olympic adventures, in Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympics, Chu was given an honour that even she did not expect. The day after team U.S.A. lost to Canada in the gold medal game, Chu found out that she had been

Chu’s hockey adventure has taken her all over the world. Photo by Dylan Coulter.

nominated by her fellow Olympians to be the flagbearer for the closing ceremonies. “It’s been months since the Olympics and I still can’t process it. I’ve always thought it would be incredible to carry my nation’s flag, but it wasn’t something I aspired to [do], because it wasn’t really on my radar of possibilities,” said Chu. While representing her country in Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver and Sochi, Chu learned to hone her craft. For that, she attended Harvard from 2002-07 and played for the Crimson. The prestigious university was much more than a place to earn a degree and play hockey. Harvard taught Chu life lessons that she carries with her to this day. “The thing I learned most at Harvard was our team concept of ‘team first.’ It is the idea that each one of us as individuals has an important role on the team,” explained Chu. “It’s a culture that acknowledges the importance of individual roles, but puts the emphasis on the team success. I think it’s a mentality that can be used in all areas of life.” During her five years at Harvard, Chu would become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and eventual captain of her Crimson team. After graduating in 2007, that’s when Chu took to the idea of coaching as a possible career. That year Chu took an assistant coaching job with the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

and realized that, even after her playing days are over, hockey will be a big part of her future. “There were not many days that were actually work, because I was enjoying myself so much,” said Chu. Between her own playing career, multiple coaching stints and training for her Olympic squad; Chu wanted a place to settle. She had been training in Montreal over this past summer and reached out to Les Lawton, Concordia’s women’s hockey head coach. “I wanted to work with a team that was eager to learn and willing to work hard. The women’s team here is definitely committed to getting to the next level, which makes coaching fun,” said Chu. “For me, I just want to bring great energy to the team atmosphere and share what I’ve learned in my years playing with the national team or coaching on various teams with the players.” Understandably overshadowed by her Olympic success, Chu also donned her American jersey at the World Championship level and is currently playing for the Montreal Stars in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. While she’s not sure about competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Chu is definitely looking forward to her time as an honourary Concordia Stinger.

With 13 international medals, Chu is a proven winner. Photo by Doug Pensinger.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Football // sports

Concordia captures Shrine Bowl Stingers rally and win on a last-minute field goal to beat McGill 30-28 in their final home game Casey Dulson Staff writer

he Stingers hosted their downtown rivals, the McGill Redmen, in the 27th annual Shrine Bowl on Saturday. It was the second meeting for these two teams this season as the Stingers won the last meeting decisively, 41-12. Saturday’s game was a lot different as Stingers trailed for most of the game and would need a last-second field goal by kicker Keegan Treloar to get the win. On their opening drive, the Stingers went down the field and ended the drive with a 13-yard field goal by Treloar. The Redmen, on their opening drive, would take the lead with a one-yard touchdown by their running back Raphael Casey. The second quarter was a scoring explosion. The Redmen increased their lead on a one-yard touchdown run by another Redmen running back, Pelle Jorgen. The Stingers, on their next drive, went down the field and quarterback François Dessureault connected with wide receiver Shayne Stinson four times on the drive. Stingers running back, Oliver Dupont would get a three-yard touchdown run to cut the Redmen lead to four points. Concordia’s special teams would come up big on the kickoff as McGill’s kick returner, Kenny Baye fumbled the ball in the end zone and Stinger Jordan McLaren recovered it for a touchdown. The Stingers scored 15 points in 11 seconds and took a 22-18 lead into halftime. The Redmen started with the football to start the third quarter and on their opening drive they would get a single point due to a 50-yard touchback by punter Remi Bertellin. The Redmen, on their next drive, cruised down the field thanks to the play of their quarterback and true freshman, Joel Houle, who capped off the drive with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. Concordia would get their first points of the final quarter on a 15-yard field goal by Treloar. The Redmen coaches made an interesting move and gave up a safety to

make it just a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Stingers took advantage of McGill’s coaching decision as they moved the ball down the field. With 45 seconds left, Treloar kicked a 45-yarder to clinch the victory. “I knew it was good once it left my foot,” said Treloar after his game-winning kick. Head Coach Mickey Donovan completed his first year with the team and was happy with the results, but says there’s still a lot of work to do. “It was a character win as we did not play our best,” said Donovan. “It was a good first year but we want to improve, and with a 5-3 record we are just middle of the pack.” The Stingers ended the regular season in fourth place and will face Laval next week in the playoffs.

The Stingers ended the season in dramatic fashion and rallied late to beat the Redmen. Photos by Andrej Ivanov.

Upcoming Stingers games COME CHECK OUT THE CONCORDIA STINGERS IN ACTION ON HOME TURF ! Women’s Basketball

Men’s Hockey

Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 PM VS Laval

Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 PM VS Nipissing

at Loyola

at Ed Meagher Arena

Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 PM VS Nipissing at Ed Meagher Arena

Men’s Basketball

Men’s Rugby

Thursday, Nov. 6, at 8 PM VS Laval

Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 PM VS Montreal

at Loyola

MORE INFO AT STINGERS.CA

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Women’s hockey // sports

Convincing first win of the season Women’s hockey team set the pace against the Carleton Ravens Tim Lazier Sports editor

here’s nothing like the comforts of home to help a team get back on track. In their home opener on Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Ed Meagher Arena, Concordia’s women’s hockey team beat the visiting Carleton Ravens 4-2 to capture their first win of the season. Having lost their first two games of the season, the Stingers came out ready to prove that their squad was better than their record indicated. Concordia jumped on the board within the first two minutes

and would not give up the lead for the rest of the game. Stingers centre Alexandria D’Onofrio notched her first goal of the season and beat Ravens goaltender Tamber Tisdale to give the home team the early 1-0 lead. Thanks to Concordia’s relentless attack, Tisdale’s workload was about to get a whole lot heavier. Just under seven minutes into the game, the maroon and gold scored their second goal of the game off the stick of Danielle Scarlett on a Stingers power play. By the end of the first period, the Stingers had fired 11 shots at their opponent’s goal. The second period was defined by the constant parade of players heading to the penalty box. In the second, there were a

Sherrard recorded a goal and a penalty on Sunday. Photo by Brianna thicke.

total of nine two-minute minors between the two teams. Just over four minutes in, the Ravens capitalized on one of their four power play opportunities in the period. Carleton forward Sidney Weiss put the visiting team on the scoreboard and cut Concordia’s lead to just one. To the home crowd’s delight, that’s as close as the Ravens came to ruining the Stinger’s home opener. Midway through the period, Concordia regained their two-goal advantage off a shot by Devon Thompson, giving her team a 3-1 lead. By the end of the second period, the Stingers had momentum and were outshooting the Ravens 19-11 in the contest. Concordia’s final goal came from center Alyssa Sherrard with 12 minutes left in the game. The fifth-year veteran scored her second goal of the season and gave the Stingers a commanding 4-1 lead. Although the Ravens would respond shortly after with their second goal of the day, the game was already decided. While she wasn’t tested very much in the first two periods of the game, Concordia’s goalie Briar Bache had to be sharp for her team in the final period of play. The Ravens refused to quit and put up a fight until the very end in Sunday’s matinee. The Ravens took it to the Stingers and outshot them 15-7 in the third. But Bache stood tall until the final whistle and ended the day with an impressive 24-save performance. With the win, the women’s team improved to 1-1-1 on the season and moved into third place in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) division.

Men’s hockey // sports

Concordia lets game get away The Stingers squandered a two-goal lead and lost to the Gaels 4-2 Elias Laradi Staff writer

The Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team was looking to end their losing streak when they hosted the Gaels from Queen’s University on Saturday, Nov.1. The first period started fast as both teams went on the attack, looking for the opening goal. As the period carried on, the game looked like it was going to be a physical battle, both teams dishing out big hits. Six minutes into the period, the Gaels got a power play opportunity when Concordia’s Victor Provencher got called for roughing. Although the Gaels pushed hard and took lots of shots, they couldn’t beat Concordia’s starting goalie Robin Billingham. Billingham played extremely well in the first period and stopped every shot he faced. The Stingers killed the penalty and got their own chance on the power play several minutes later. As hard as the Stingers pushed, throwing everything on net, Gaels goalie Chris Clarke stopped every shot he faced on the man advantage. The Gaels managed to kill the penalty and the first period finished 0-0. Going into the second period, Concordia had the slight edge and opened the scoring right away. Stingers forward Marc-Olivier Brouillard got a great pass from defenceman Alex Macdonald and fired a shot past Clarke for the 1-0 lead.

The Stingers added to their lead shortly head coach Kevin Figsby was frustrated with after when Captain Olivier Hinse went in his team after the unfortunate outcome. alone and got the puck past Clarke for the “Our power play wasn’t working. We got 2-0 lead. It looked like Concordia was on discouraged which is really rare [and] after their way to snapping their two-game losing that third goal, it just seemed like we lost the streak, but the Gaels didn’t give up. will to play. It’s disappointing because we Queen’s forward Darcy Greenway cut were going hard and they’re a really good the lead to 2-1 halfway through the second hockey team,” said Figsby. and put the Stingers back on their heels. The Much like his coach, Hinse was dispirgoal seemed to stun the Stingers and they ited when describing the loss. started to play a rougher, more undisciplined “I think we played hard. We got a bad game. Stingers forward Antoine Houde-Ca- bounce and after we had a bad attitude, ron got called for roughing and the Gaels which never happens. We are not a team quickly capitalized on the man advantage, that gives up and it’s not the attitude we tying the game 2-2. want. We will work hard because we want For the rest of the period, it was all to win again.” Queen’s as the Stingers kept getting into penalty trouble. On another power play, Gaels forward Brett Foy tipped a shot past Billingham and gave his team the 3-2 lead. In the third period, as hard as they tried, the Stingers couldn’t get another puck past Clarke. The Gaels added one more goal early in the period and then their goalie did the rest. Stingers side couldn’t keep up. Photo by Evgenia Choros. Concordia’s

Sports in the News tim lazier Sports editor

>> A Giant Dynasty It seems that if it’s Halloween, there’s a good chance that there’s a parade going on in San Francisco, at least in recent years anyways. The San Francisco Giants were crowned champions on Wednesday, Oct. 29 after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game seven of the World Series. It’s the third championship for the Giants in the past five years. The story of the game, and for most of the postseason, was about the unhittable performance of Giants ace Madison Bumgarner. The World Series MVP came in and recorded five scoreless innings to preserve San Francisco’s 3-2 win. Bumgarner had a record of 4-1 this postseason with an earned run average of 1.03. If the Giants organization can keep their core players together, there may be a lot more championship parades in San Francisco’s future.

>> Hoops season is here

If it felt like the NBA’s regular season took forever to get here, imagine how impatient Cleveland fans must have felt. LeBron James has returned to Cleveland and with him comes his signature chalk-tossing entrance and a rejuvenated Cavaliers team. Between James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the sports fans of Cleveland can finally get excited about one of their teams. The defending champions, San Antonio Spurs, look to hold off a tough Western conference in their road back to the finals. Between the L.A. Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, it won’t be an easy task for the Spurs. On the other side, the Chicago Bulls and the aforementioned Cavaliers are expected to be at the top of the Eastern conference. However, if the injuryprone Rose is back at 100 per cent health, Chicago may overtake LeBron’s Cavs as the team to beat. Also, after last season’s surprising trip to the playoffs, the Raptors’ fan base, better known as the Northern Uprising, expects nothing less this out of their team this year.

>> Clinched Down 14-7 in Sunday’s showdown against the Toronto Argonauts in the fourth quarter, the Montreal Alouettes completed the comeback and won 17-14. In the process, the Als clinched a playoff spot and improved to 9-8 on the season. An unbelievable accomplishment considering they started the season 1-7. Now, the Als are the hottest team in the CFL, having won six straight games. Next week, they head to Hamilton to play the Tiger-Cats and close out the season. Although they’ve already punched their ticket to the playoffs, next week’s match will decide which team wins the Eastern conference and gets a first round bye.

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

opinions Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

Editorial // opinions

Mismanaging space and fighting over the remains Recent incident highlights how ConU maintains its offices

t all started as what seemed like thoughtful, positive idea. Concordia’s Geography Undergraduate Student Society (GUSS) thought that their old, now unused office space—located on the 12th floor of the Hall building—could be put to better use by being turned into a student-run cafe. This seemingly harmless recommendation coincided with what was to be a university drive to increase space efficiency. In the end, they didn’t get their

coffee room: it would become their office, with their larger space destined for those with higher priority. They were occupying a space in the TD building, above the bank on Guy St. They were sharing this with the Urban Planning Association (UPA). UPA will also have to move to the old, smaller office space. Both groups used to share the old space in the Hall building, but have since grown, with 14 members currently between them. At a meeting this week, the groups were told that the space they were currently using could not be guaranteed in light of space priorities for a long list of funded researchers, graduate students,

and so on. The university replied by stating that it had staff overflowing, that this situation was not intentional, and that the situation was being optimized for the sake of space equity. That may be true, and it is well known that Concordia is hampered in its extent. GUSS executives found this hard to believe. According to them, many of Concordia’s spaces in the TD building are empty. The school’s position is that they do not consider these usable spaces, but they also do not consider them worthy of repair for the purpose of renting them out. In the light of the university’s present austerity situation, the entire moti-

vation is to do more with less. Unused space, then, is to be minimized, and letting space deteriorate until it is effectively useless is egregious. If something is considered inefficient to renovate for the sake of renting, not enough is being done to preserve and maintain. Even more worrying: what does this say about the current state of Concordia’s infrastructure? How many parts of the campus are falling behind and are in eventual risk of deterioration? So much for wanting to turn a seemingly unused space into something everyone could enjoy. Sorry, GUSS. Looks like you might have to consider a coffee cart instead.

Food // opinions

A tip from the service industry: be kind, unwind From yelling to tipping, remember your resto etiquette Frédéric T. Muckle Arts editor

We all have a story about annoying or hopeless restaurant service. From lack of service to just straight-up bad food, there are a whole lot of things that can go wrong when you try to have a good time out. In those dreadful moments, people are often awfully quick about releasing their wrath on the head of the server. Now, have you ever put yourself in this person’s shoes? It may seem simple—and somewhat innocent—to ask people to use a bit of empathy when going to restaurants. However, there are numerous things we may or may not realize when tasting a not-so-delicious crème brulé. As with anyone in any work environment, restaurant employees are sometimes stressed out, overworked and in a rush. It may not only be the food service industry and it is true that nobody’s life is likely to be on the line, but you’d be surprised at the pressure put upon the shoulders of most restaurant employees. That does not mean that rude behavior is justified. And it is true that working with the public means accepting the unpredictability of our fellow demanding humans. Still, when asking for more ice in your drink, an extra napkin or their opinion on the current weather, it is necessary to realize how this person may not be able to satisfy your demands in a split second. As a customer, it is important to get that we are rarely the one and only client asking for

Tipping is only one facet of restaurant etiquette. Taking the time to understand the pressures on your suerver and not yelling at them will make everyone’s restaurant experience better. Photo by Lea Latumahina on Flickr. our server’s attention. Also, yelling at the person serving you a plate a food will not necessarily correct every wrong that you had to suffer through. Yes, you are the paying customer and yes, you are entitled to decent service. However, this person dressed as a penguin is not to be considered your personal butler. It may sound stupid, but servers are people too. Another hot topic is tipping. Some people have the habit of leaving no tip when experiencing a bad moment in a restaurant. Showing your discontent is in your rights, but by leaving nothing on the table, you

are punishing those restaurant employees much more than you would think. Talking about the specific situation of Quebec, the tip is often split between the whole staff. Did you notice the young busboy running to get you a clean plate? Or the barmaid having to produce the drinks of a fully-packed, thirsty restaurant? Even the kitchen often gets a share of the tip of some establishments. Also, by leaving no tip, you’re actually making your waiter pay for serving you. It is a rarely-known facet of the tip system, but the government asks waiters to declare a minimum of 8 per cent of the employee

sales. So, following this rule, a waiter that would receive no tip whatsoever would have to pay 8 per cent of what he sold to his customers. Does it seem right to you that someone serving you ends up paying to do so? It does not mean that you should be happy and complacent with any bad restaurant employees you meet; it just means that 8 per cent should become the new norm for minimum tipping, especially when it means simply putting one more loonie or two on the table. In the end, in restaurants as well as in life in general, putting ourselves in another person’s shoes always helps.

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

Sex // opinions

Fifty Shades of misrepresentation Mainstream media and Jian Ghomeshi don’t represent Kinksters anonymous

With the recent events surrounding Jian Ghomeshi, and the popularity of the erotic fantasy novel Fifty Shades of Grey, I would like to take some time to clarify and demystify some popular misconceptions regarding BDSM. Foremost, I would like to clarify that I am neither condemning nor defending Jian Ghomeshi, nor his actions. The purpose here is to introduce you to BDSM, and elucidate some of the big misconceptions that mainstream media has created. BDSM stands for “Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, Sadism & Masochism”. Usually, people in the BDSM world refer to themselves as Kinksters, because they are into kinkier forms of sexual play (yes, it is play). But does an unconventional sexual preference mean that it is violent, non-consensual, and utterly disrespectfully done? Not at all! It actually splits into three categories of people: Dominants, Submissives and Switches. Dominants—doms, or dommes—are the ones who will take control in the sexual play, and are usually the ones giving and saying what to do. Submissives (subs) are the ones who receive and are told what to do. Switches are those who can swing between being Sub and Dom.

Within each category, there are spectrums. them, and, yes, even the leather/PVC suits stops. Even if the Dom/me has most of the A switch can have predominantly submis- that most people associate with BDSM. control, the sub retains the most important sive or dominant tendencies. Subs can be But there are three important things to control of all: saying when it stops. more or less submissive. And, naturally, remember. First of all, there is a mutual reSo the takeaway messages are these: 1) Dom/mes can be more or less dominant. spect between partners: making sure that a relationship, be it kinky or not, is based And all of that is more than okay, because both parties are consenting and comfort- on respect; 2) everyone has different denot everyone likes the same stuff. able is not a given, it’s an obligation. Fur- grees of tolerance and those who have Fifty Shades of Grey’s male protago- thermore, after the deed is done, there is a more should be flexible; 3) beating somenist, Christian Grey, wants Ana to sign a period of aftercare. Meaning, the Dom/me one against their will is NOT kinky, that’s contract. Signing a contract is not unusual will tend to the Sub’s needs or pains and abuse. when people are not in a committed rela- talk to them about what the experience tionship (although one like the one in Fifty was like. They don’t just leave them there If you are interested in discovering a litShades is highly unlikely). It sets the soft in the end—far from it! Last, but certainly tle bit more about a BDSM relationship limits (an activity that may become some- not least, is the safe word (or signal). When based on respect, a good movie to watch thing the person is comfortable with) and the safe word is said by the sub, everything is The Secretary. hard limits (the activity will never happen). Usually, in a BDSM relationship, the sub sets the limits as to how far the play will go. It is good to have someone that you are sexually compatible with and has the same tolerance levels as you, because it makes the sexual experience more pleasant for everyone. What goes on in a BDSM relationship can be as mild as spanking, biting and pinning down all the way to tying someone up (sometimes intricately, might I add), BDSM is an activity that is often misunderstood, misrepresented and vilified. Photo by Javier Pais on Flickr. dripping hot wax on

Culture // opinions

Gingerbread cookie argument is half-baked Holiday cookies aren’t a symbol of the patriarchy robin stanford Staff writer

You can tell a lot about someone by how they eat their gingerbread figures. Some torture them in warm milk, others dismember them, leaving only the head and torso, and others see them as a representation of the patriarchy. Australia’s Organic Food & Wine Deli, in Melbourne, Australia has been in the news with their “organic genderless gingerbread figures” which also happen to be vegan. Many news reports have been asking if this is, perhaps, the most politically correct cookie ever. Although presented in the media as being one solitary issue, this story demonstrates two distinct concerns, one more pressing than the other. First, as ridiculed by some, these cookies are both organic and vegan. As reported in The Independent on Oct. 21, “they are organic and vegan too, so this is really a cookie you can eat with peace of mind that its deliciousness is coming at a cost to no-one.” Trivializing such issues is disrespectful and potentially dangerous. As pointed out by Concordia film studies major and vegan Kristi Kouchakji: “It’s not just about catering to political or ethi-

cal vegans, it’s also about accessibility for people with intolerances, allergies, or who keep Kosher.” She further points to personal experience of the children of friends who may “go into anaphylactic shock if they eat eggs.” Kouchakji in not alone in these concerns. It should be noted that Concordia student-run organizations, such as The Hive Co-op and Café X, carry vegan foods. It is perhaps the second aspect of this story that is most jarring. Store owner, Jeanette Taylor, has gone on record with The Herald Sun as stating that “it’s just a bit of fun and it’s more about not offending people by writing man”. Although presented as lighthearted, Taylor’s concern about offending a potential client is somewhat bizarre. Anyone who has worked in retail for a long enough period of time will attest to the fact that it is impossible to please 100% of customers. Undoubtedly, the naming of the product is due to a complaint or conversation where the “gender” of the gingerbread cookie, or similar item was discussed. However, this is ridiculous. It should be acknowledged that the patriarchy does cause significant harm to both men and women. An example of this is the difference in pay earned in jobs traditionally held by women as opposed those held by men—an issue of concern in Quebec to this day. Further examples of the patriarchy at work may be seen in the social codification of gender norms, the instances of sexual violence towards

women, and a variety of social injustices throughout time and cultures. These larger issues should be addressed and worked on. Although an argument can be made that gingerbread men reinforce these problems, it would be difficult to make. People are not that serious about gin-

The Organic Food & Wine Deli

gerbread men. If they were, the fact that one is eating a representation of a human being would be problematic in itself. Perhaps it’s time to take a step back, grab a glass of milk, and have a cookie. If the gingerbread man is the embodiment of the patriarchy there is only one solution to it: bite its head off.

Melbourne, Australia,

faced both support and criticism

online after advertising their cookies as genderless and vegan. Photo by zee-bra on reddit.

Tuesday, november 4, 2014

CSU // opinions

The Student Congress will fight for you A brand new CSU initiative for student governance

Terry Wilkins CSU VP Academics and Advocacy

oncordia University is a gargantuan institution. It is made up of committees, sub-committees, boards, working groups, councils, various service departments, and entire offices working under people such as the President, the Provost, or the Dean of Students. Each of these actors and bodies

interacts with others, working towards fulfilling Concordia’s mission of quality higher education. Where do students fit into this equation? Trying to navigate the bureaucratic maze of Concordia to get anything done—whether it be faculty, staff, or student—results in a common sentiment of frustration and disenfranchisement. If students’ concerns are to become part of Concordia’s big debates, on the agenda, or at the very least more than forgotten footnotes, we need to harness our intrinsic asset: using our power in numbers towards collective action. Student associations that try to raise valid issues over learning conditions get atomized in the decision making process. Our participation in academic governance

at Concordia resembles a cacophony of alarm bells. Given our siloed experiences, our genuine concerns on a diversity of issues are rarely meaningfully acknowledged before being disposed of or abandoned. This alienating process renders student input as symbolic at best, tokenized at worst. Challenges naturally arise in advancing a unified discourse by the CSU when it has a mandate to represent over 30,000 students in four faculties, made up of over 45 departments. Additionally, students are more locally represented by faculty and departmental students groups who also aim to better student conditions in and out of the classroom. However, a distinct gap of proximity to students among our various political units—all of which interface with Concor-

“

Our participation in academic governance at Concordia resembles a cacophony of alarm bells.

- Terry Wilkins, CSU VP Academics and Advocacy

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dia’s academic governance structure at various levels—clearly exists. The configuration currently in place makes creating a comprehensible ‘student agenda’ difficult. This hurdle in student democracy explains our generally reactive approach to positive change in our academic experience. Within the present arrangement, the CSU occupies a significant space between senior administration and students. Our ability to advocate on a myriad of issues that impact our learning environment is extremely difficult without a channel for direct participation from the numerous student associations that inhabit Concordia’s landscape. The need to decentralize the CSU in vocalizing student interests in this circumstance is real. Bringing together students from departments and faculties themselves remains an underlying imperative. By giving an opportunity for students to come together in conversation, the Concordia Student Congress aims to achieve this audacious task. Through hearing from one another from our respective department or faculty, our ability to coordinate positions becomes less of a burden. Each ‘political unit’ can send a del-

egation. Delegations are made up of any number of students, as decided internally by the various students associations. Congress will operate on a one-delegation onevote system, so whatever the size of your department or faculty, each will carry equal weight. Even the CSU. Any position adopted by Congress requires a general consensus of 90 per cent. Avoiding polarization and getting to the core of what we can all agree on. That said, any motion passed at Congress can be understood as having an overwhelming level of support from all students. To prevent larger faculties from bullying smaller ones, a faculty veto mechanism is in place. Whereby if an entire faculty’s delegation votes against a proposal it cannot be adopted. How can the Congress claim to represent an undivided student body if a whole faculty disagrees? In the backdrop of cuts being made to the academic sector and public sector more generally, it becomes increasingly important for students to stand in solidarity with each other to defend our collective interests. Simply put: if we won’t, who will? Sharing concrete concerns that cut across the university is the first step in coordinating ourselves around basic needs and wants. Ideally, from coming to understand the situation facing students beyond our immediate locality, we can begin to establish a baseline student position on campus. Many proposals were adopted at the previous Student Congress, ranging from Intellectual Property Policy and student space, to representation in governance and midsemester teaching evaluations. Although not all the demands made by students at Congress were heard, some are being acted on, such as a pilot project in the Winter for mid-semester evaluations for professors. At the end of the day, we’re all students, the object of the university’s mission and the core of its policies—but our specific intellectual domain is an afterthought. The purpose of the Concordia Student Congress is to collaborate on issues of academic advocacy. If we value interdisciplinary learning, then why not hold interdisciplinary dialogue? To join a delegation at the upcoming Congress, contact your student association, email congress@csu.qc.ca or join the “Concordia Student Congress - Fall 2014/15” Facebook event for information. Terry Wilkins is the CSU VP Academics and Advocacy, and is closely involved with the CSU’s Student Congress initiative.

Letter // opinions

Tuesday,

November 4, 2014

Vol. 32 Issue 10 The internet is a strange place. No one knows that better than Alex, a cashier from Target who stumbled into internet fame. Why? No one’s quite sure. Maybe it’s his dashing good looks, or the gentle way he bagged your things. Either way, Twitter is in love with #alexfromtarget.

@RaginBotanist “I’m still not sure who I’m voting for tomorrow; none of the politicians have made strong statements on #alexfromtarget yet.” @JakePierceRyan “I’m genuinely concerned for #alexfromtarget Is he alive? “ @eeunicewooo “My god this #alexfromtarget is so funny oh god I’m dying I love/hate this world. I guess I’m part of the “scandom”?” @Swaaarr “How to be famous in less than 24 hours: Be hot. #alexfromtarget” @ElChapoAX “Alex bout to be getting mad head under the bleachers at football games #alexfromtarget” @LifeWithErick “THIS IS SAD THO. #alexfromtarget” @mrmedina “Why on God’s green earth is #AlexFromTarget a thing that exist and is being covered by the news?” @ph21707 “I wonder what influence #alexfromtarget will have on earnings next quarter and ultimately their stock price.” @arielnano “Real talk but like if #AlexFromTarget were female y’all wouldn’t be making fun of his ‘angles’ nor ignoring the fact that it’s a CREEPSHOT.” @MarcEnsign “To all of the social media gurus out there...#alexfromtarget is further proof that none of you have a clue as to what you’re doing.” @FunRossGeller “Forget about #AlexFromTarget, what about #GuntherFromCentralPerk?!” @Dillon_Witt “Next thing you know there’s gonna be an #alexfromtarget flappy bird game” @chloebridges “I’m not gonna pretend like I didn’t read some #alexfromtarget fanfic today. Cause I did and it was hilarious and I regret nothing” @MikaelaCobban “IM DONE THOUGHT THE PICTURE OF HIM WAS CRAZY NOW THIS LORD HELP THESE PEOPLE #alexfromtarget SICK PEOPLE GOT ISSUES”

After reading your editorial regarding transparency at the CSU, I felt the need to chime in regarding some of the assertions that have been made. As the newly appointed council chairperson, my list of responsibilities is often a challenge, and can (occasionally) be nebulous as well. For instance, the responsibility of alerting student media about the locations and times of council meetings is indisputably mine. A moment before being made aware of your editorial, I had just finished spending over an hour with the CSU’s IT coordinator going over various email issues, including the group email for media which has been used for years now. A new email provider this year has meant quite a bit of transition, and although I have been using the same public media sendout list, it was revealed, upon examination, that a typo in The Concordian’s contact email upon transferring email addresses was the source of the problem. I can assure everyone that this has been rectified. Even councillors have had difficulty receiving emails promptly, but such is often the nature of an IT overhaul, which will greatly simplify communication once the hiccups are corrected. On the subject of unposted minutes, I would like to begin by saying I have had the great fortune of beginning my stint as chairperson by receiving hands-on training and guidance from my predecessor, Nick Cuillerier. During his time as chairperson, Nick went above and beyond for the sake of councillors, executives and all students, by taking on the job rigorously with great professionalism. This has included, it seems, posting minutes to the CSU website, a task outlined by the CSU as reserved for the council secretary. I do not wish to point any fingers at anyone at all regarding roles in previous administrations, far from it. I simply wish to indicate that in this respect, the transition left it unclear to me that a change in traditionally allotted responsibilities had taken place, and that the chairperson has been the person overseeing the public availability of minutes. Regardless, I have already rectified the issue of minutes on the website, and will continue to ensure their availability. I should also like to point out a factual error in your reporting. The claim that “The CSU has also not posted any minutes since 2012” is incorrect on a perplexing level, given how easily one can simply access all the 2012, 2013 and 2014 minutes of meetings, uploaded punctually by my predecessor, on the CSU website. For me to receive a dose of reality regarding the extent of my role is one thing, but Nick Cuillerier was nothing if not procedurally rigorous, which the history clearly demonstrates. I have a great deal of empathy for those who may have felt excluded or incapable of fully participating in their university’s democratic process. The Concordian does the student population a service by pointing out where gaps in accountability present themselves, and these will continue to be addressed. However, I would like to end by saying that the blaming of these hiccups on an amorphous CSU entity left me troubled upon reading. As you pointed out, the reasons for these oversights could have been numerous, yet rather than contacting me or the secretary to clarify what may have been (and, in fact, are) minor oversights, the entirety of the CSU has been painted as neglectful and opaque. I find this problematic, and say this as someone who sought the position of chairperson in order to contribute to a team of executives and councillors that have been putting forth excellent initiatives. From defending students’ rights on a variety of fronts, to launching student run co-op cafés (actually reviving the Hive in the process!) to an excellent orientation and engaging guest speakers, and the many great things to come, this year’s CSU deserves praise for its dynamism and dedication at the very least, and certainly not blame for bureaucratic inconsistencies outside of their purview. Mat Forget Chairperson - Concordia Student Union

Nathalie Laflamme Editor-in-Chief editor@theconcordian.com Michelle Gamage Production manager production@theconcordian.com Milos Kovacevic News editor news@theconcordian.com Jess Kenwood Assistant news editor Sara Baron-Goodman Life editor life@theconcordian.com Frederic T. Muckle Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com Mia Pearson Music editor music@theconcordian.com Tim Lazier Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com Laura Marchand Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com Keith Race Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com Andrej Ivanov Assistant photo editor Jocelyn Beaudet Online editor online@theconcordian.com Marie-Pier LaRose Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com Gregory Todaro Emily Gaudet Marilla Steuter-Martin Copy editors copy@theconcordian.com Christina Rowan Natasha Taggart Marilla Steuter-Martin Production assistants Editorial office 7141 Sherbrooke St. Building CC-Rm 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 514-848-2424 ext. 7499 (Editor-in-Chief) Marc-Antoine Cardin Business manager business@theconcordian.com William Atsaidis Advertising manager advertising@theconcordian.com Tyson Lowrie Jacob Serebin Ruben Bastien Board of directors directors@theconcordian.com

CORRECTION: In Issue 9 of The Concordian, the editorial, entitled “Please help us to help you, CSU” stated that “the CSU has also not posted any minutes since 2012”. The CSU only stopped posting minutes to the website this year. The Concordian intended to write “budgets” and not “minutes”. The Concordian regrets the error.

Contributors

Robin Stanford, Mim Kempson, Bashir Rifai, Emilie Berthier, Elijah Bukreev, Johanna Pellus, Oneida Crawford, Justinas Staskevicius, Jessica Romera, Paul Traunero, Casey Dulson, Elais Laradi, Thierry Tardif, Terry Wilkins

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Concordia’s weekly, independent student newspaper.

EVENTS

Have a good week ! Film Film Cinema Politica : Concerning Violence, Concordia University - Nov. 10 Cinemania film festival - Nov. 6 to Nov. 16

Theather Theatre Belles Soeurs : The Musical, Segal Centre - Until Nov. 26

Other Other Sin Burlesque City, The Wiggle Room - Nov. 8

Music Music

Caribou, Metropolis - Nov. 10 Mac DeMarco w/ Connan Mockasin, The Rialto Theatre - Nov. 5 Twin Forks, Cabaret du Mile End - Nov. 6 Elisa Ambrogio, Bar le Ritz - Nov. 9 The Bug, Cabaret Underworld - Nov. 5

Exhibition Exhibition

Beyond the Frame, VAV gallery - Until Nov. 7

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