theconcordian Volume 31 Issue 25
INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY. SINCE 1983.
March 18, 2014
Choose your CSU
? See executive candidates Pages 3-5 Photo by Keith Race
In this issue // life arts
music
Trendy looks for spring p. 8
Terrific tunes close Lousy year for basketball p. 16 to home p.15
Looking to the sky for art p.10
We tell your stories. Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian
sports
opinions
Be kind, remake with care p. 19
theconcordian.com
news 2
//
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
write to the editor: news@theconcordian.com
CITY MiLos kovACeviC interim co-news editor
>> POLICE BUST ANTI-POLICE MARCH
Montreal’s 18th annual march against police brutality ended quite quickly. Authorities marched out minutes after commencement to kettle and ultimately detain 288 participants. The CBC reported that the authorities declared the march illegal because organizers did not provide them with a march itinerary.
>>
POLICE CRACKDOWN ON CELLULAR DRIVERS BEGINS Despite frigid weather that saw some parts of the route drop to -20 C thousands of revellers were not deterred from participating in Sunday’s St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Montreal. CTV reports that attendance at the iconic event this year included, amongst others, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and Quebec Liberal leader Philippe Couillard.
Selling sex: countdown to a better model Concordia holds panel to discuss the challenges of how to best move forward MiLos kovACeviC interim co-news editor
Four experts convened on Tuesday at a Concordia-organized event to weigh in and argue for and against various models Canada could take up in response to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court declaring the country’s prostitution laws unconstitutional. The panel discussion, entitled “Canada’s Decriminalization of Prostitution: What’s Next?” and moderated by McGill law professor Alana Klein, featured Robyn Maynard, outreach worker at Montreal’s Stella; Stan Burditt, founder of Men Against Sex Trafficking; Sarah Mah of the Asian Woman’s Coalition Ending Prostitution; and Terri-Jean Bedford, former sex-worker and current dominatrix, activist, and one of the individuals who successfully challenged and overturned the prostitution laws last December. The main event, divided between opening statements and a debate on panelist viewpoints, made apparent that while both sides agreed to the fundamentals – such as the ineffectual nature of erstwhile legislation and a lack of safety for practitioners – the devil was in the details. Broadly speaking, Bedford and
Maynard argued for decriminalization as the best way of bringing agency to sex workers and tearing down the walls of stigma and silence surrounding the world’s oldest trade. For Bedford, state-sanctioned legislation and not state-regulation of consenting acts between adults was the road to empowerment. “In all the work that we’ve been doing to combat violence against sex workers, the laws have been a major impediment for people’s ability to defend themselves,” said Maynard about past legislative attempts to ban the practice. In particular, they referred to New Zealand’s decriminalization methods as a model Canada could emulate. The ability to publicly organize, negotiate, and run services, they explained, would facilitate safety standards and workspace regulations. Prostitutes should not be seen as browbeaten, helpless individuals, and neither should their clients be perceived as automatic predators. Why, they asked, is selling one’s body for sex considered degrading, while selling it for all other forms of paid labour fully accepted? In one emotional moment, Bedford recalled how sex is often bought by those who couldn’t get it by other means. “A lot of men need us to be their
>>
ST.PATRICK S SUCCESS IN MONTREAL
The next six months will see Montreal’s yellow metro line, covering Parc Jean-Drapeau and Longeuil, closed completely on weekends for tunnel repairs in a move that will surely tax the patience and nerves of commuters. The Montreal Gazette reports that in addition to the regular routes ferrying passengers to and from the South Shore, the STM will provide additional shuttle busses in place of metro service.
>>
LATE SPRING FOR MONTREAL
According to Environment Canada, a cold spell will prolong winter in Montreal for the next several weeks with seasonally low temperatures and another potential snowfall lurking on the horizon. CJAD News reports the culprit as being the “polar vortex” that struck much of Canada and the northern United States last month.
Campus // news
voice,” said Bedford, calling sex as much therapeutic as it is carnal. Mah and Burditt on the other hand see prostitution as inherently immoral, asymmetric in power, and abusive, particularly towards minorities and those without recourse to justice. “We know that the women who are trafficked are overwhelmingly women of colour, poor women, and women from Third World countries,” said Mah, defining it as ‘entrenched racism and sexism’ beholden to pimps and criminals. Both defended the so-called Nordic Model, a Swedish-born method that legalizes the selling but not buying of sexual services as a way to provide redress and compensation to those exploited while continuing to outlaw the actions of their exploiters. “Prostitution is a form of men’s violence against women and is an expression of extreme gender inequality,” Burditt stated. Thus, he says, rather than giving them legal validity, “the proceeds of [exploitation], such as money, cars, and property, should be seized and the money used to fund programs used to help the recovery of those impacted. [The traffickers] should be designated as criminal organizations, because that’s exactly what they are.” “Our group advocates for the abolition of prostitution as a pro-
foundly racist form of violence against women and we formed to build awareness around the harms of prostitution,” said Mah. Overall, as one commenter pointed out afterwards, the differences were between systems that encouraged economic and social incentives for a safe, willing, and orderly transaction of sex, versus a system punishing violent and illegal activity which denied the majority of sex workers their autonomy. “We need to remind the public that sex worker’s voices need to be at the heart of this,” said Maynard about the difference in opinion. “It is not fair to sacrifice the lives of sex workers … as the way to achieve gender equality.” Though mostly even toned and empirical there were moments of emotion, most noticeably toward the end, and particularly by Bedford, who normally sported the steely confidence that has seen her fight on behalf of sex workers for two decades. The event, preceded by finger food and drinks, was capped off by a question and answer session featuring several high-caliber questions from the audience and an opportunity for the audience to purchase literature related to the discussion, as well as participate in a book signing by Bedford.
student politics // news
Updates from your Concordia Student Union Requests, proposals and file conversions for the digital age evAn sCAMMeLL staff writer
The Concordia Student Union met on March 12 in the CSU lounge on the 7th floor to discuss and make decisions about upcoming projects, requests, and proposals at Concordia University. In total there were three items removed from the consent agenda including the finance committee report due to insufficient information regarding the 2014-15 budget. However, according to President Shepard, by May’s meeting there will be more details available. The temporary measures committee, established to mediate recent interactions between members deemed to be negatively affecting council morale, was tabled indefinitely, practically guaranteeing its disbandment. CSU president Melissa Kate Wheeler requested that the discus-
sion about the Java U space be tabled until the next meeting due to insufficient information and planning on the issue at the time. A majority vote sided with Wheeler, pushing the discussion until next month’s meeting. An update on the Hive project at the Loyola campus suggested that a project manager be hired for the advancement of the project. A majority vote was in favor of the request. The meeting also addressed vacancies on several committees. There were two vacancies on the finance committee, one vacancy on the Loyola committee, and one on the Sustainability committee. Justin Caruso, a councillor currently on the Loyola committee, offered to be a representative for the sustainability committee and was accepted. Michael Richardson, a councillor who was absent due to family reasons, was nominated twice by other councillors for one of the vacant positions on the Finance committee. A proposal by a Quebec firm re-
quested funding from the CSU for a research project involving the legal obligations of student council. The CSU found the request was valid and held potential value to their organization and said further inquiries into the project would be held in order to make a final decision regarding the CSU’s participation. Due to the upcoming Quebec elections in April, a proposal for the mobilization of youth voters was put forth. One representative suggested a video be made in order to inform, specifically Concordia students, about the importance of voting. Concordia put forth a motion requesting that the CSU share its archives with the university. There was some resistance to this request as councillors expressed their opinion that the school not have complete access to their files. Gene Morrow, VP academic and advocacy, pointed out that all of the CSU’s documents are copyrighted and that any information they considered to be confidential could be held within
their legal power. In the end the motion passed and negotiations with university archives, an entity separate from the university administration itself, can now commence. Another motion involving the backup of all Concordia files, as well as the conversion of paper files into digital format, was discussed. Morrow expressed that “having something like this is absolutely crucial,” emphasizing that a move to a digital culture is necessary. The approximate cost of the project would amount to around $63,000. Morrow suggested that CommVault be considered a good candidate for this project. Finally, a motion asking for the creation of easily accessible statistics and efficacy rates of student services such as HOJO and Legal Aid was proposed. Council said it would discuss and examine the issue further. The next CSU Council meeting will take place on Wednesday April 9.
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
//
3
Candidates // news
experience CSU meliSSa Payette PreSident Why do you think your affiliation is the best for Concordia? “We are eight people who [are] dedicated, passionate, and willing to spend countless sleepless nights working towards making Concordia the best place it can possibly be for its students.” Above all things, what does the Experience team stand for? “We collectively believe in and stand for; honesty, responsibility, unity, inclusivity, rationality and realism and we understand that the idea of a Concordia community lies in accepting student differences and celebrating that diversity. We want to collaborate and build strong projects that benefit all faculties. We want to know what students truly want from their Concordia experience, and bring greater awareness about the Union to its student body. It’s time for students to own their experience.”
SCott Carr VP FinanCe Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “Currently CSU VP Finance, I have an in-depth understanding of every aspect of the role, and I actually study finance; there are a lot of technical skills required for this job and I would have trouble believing that a non-finance student could successfully complete the role.” Strength & Weakness? “My biggest strength is the fact that I’ve already done it before. I won’t need to go through training and I know what is required in order to get the most of every dollar of student money. My weakness is what work is most important.”
alex mCCUlloCh VP loyola Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
maylen Cytryn VP ClUbS & internal aFFairS Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I truly want to help students. [I am] currently a councillor on the CSU Clubs and Space Committee and have tried my best to contact as many clubs as possible to discuss with them their needs from CSU.” Strength & Weakness? “My greatest strength is my passion. I do not take on a project unless I am deeply passionate about it, and once I begin the job, I work tirelessly to make it perfect, which brings me to my greatest weakness: my need for perfection.”
KriStina roUrKe VP external & mobilization Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I have a creative and open mind that wants to collaborate with Concordia students to bring new projects, interesting and inspiring speakers and support innovative ideas. I am here for students and want to celebrate our differences by empowering equality, respect and fairness.” Strength & weakness? “I am a doer , I am a hard worker and am passionate for whatever I take on. My weakness is that I sometimes get caught up in the small stuff and have trouble letting go.”
Sabrina Jorrin VP StUdent liFe Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
“As a student who pays for tuition and living costs, I know the importance of realizing the services provided to us by our university. With my background in communications I can help bring awareness to these services.”
“Votes for me means votes for someone who will stop at nothing to ensure you enjoy your university experience. If elected I would like to collaborate between faculties to host brand new events that would attract a wider range of Concordia students”
Strength & weakness? “I would say my biggest strength is my positive attitude, which brings me to my weakness, [I] sometimes having trouble [saying] no.”
Strength & Weakness “My biggest strength is my dedication. My biggest weakness is my want to do everything myself.”
Cameron tiSShaW VP aCademiC & adVoCaCy
toShimi mUniz loSoS VP SUStainability
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
“I am a passionate academic, my goal is to attend graduate school and study Alzheimer’s disease. I truly care about the education that we receive and Concordia, and I am committed to finding innovative ways to enrich and improve our educational experience.”
“I understand that the position is about more than being responsible in executing green initiatives. I believe I can make the significant changes needed that will allow Concordia to become more sustainable; environmentally, socially and financially.”
Strength & weakness “My greatest strength is my ability to act as an intermediary between diverse parties with opposing views. My weakness is that I sometimes take on too many projects.”
Strength & weakness “My biggest strength is my empathy. My weakness is my spontaneous personality.”
Voting for the Concordia Student Union 2014 elections will take place March 25, 26, & 27.
NATION MiLos kovACeviC interim co-news editor
>> TEENAGE SELFHARM SHARPLY SPIKES
There has been a record number of teenagers entering Canada’s emergency rooms with self-inflicted injuries and suicidal thoughts, according to the CBC. The rise in selfharm (predominantly cutting) has been attributed to a rise in teenage anxiety, yet doctors also report many aren’t suffering from classical psychiatric disorders, leaving health experts unsure as to what is causing the spike and how to contain it with their often-limited resources.
>> HUGE LOTTERY WIN AWAITS
The CBC has reported a $50million lottery ticket has been sold in Langley, B.C., and now the one year countdown to claim the amount has begun. The lucky winner has yet to come forward and claim their prize. The biggest lottery win in Canadian history was a $54million jackpot in Alberta, in 2005.
>> CANADA
JOINS SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA In protest of interference in Ukrainian affairs, Canada enacted travel bans, asset freezes, and sanctions against senior Russian officials and the Russian government. The continuing unrest that has seen the Crimea hold a successful referendum to secede Ukraine, a move that the Canadian government has said they will not recognize, according to the CBC. Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be meeting with the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada in order to determine if additional measures are required.
>> AVALANCHES
CLAIM VICTIMS ACROSS CANADA A spate of avalanches struck across Western Canada last week, leading to the deaths of seven individuals. Victims include a Montreal father and son who left their hotel for a tobogganing run and never returned. The Calgary Herald reported Parks Canada as saying it would review how it communicated avalanche warnings to the public so that such tragedies do not occur again.
4
//
theconcordian
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
Campus // news
WORLD
Community matters
MiLos kovACeviC interim co-news editor
>> PARIS: CITY
OF LOVE, CITY OF SMOG The CBC has reported that France has enacted new rules limiting drivers to using their cars on alternate days, after the smog levels in the city reached dangerously unhealthy levels. While the political opposition and car lobbyists are criticizing the move as pointless, rushed, and ill thought-out, the government has replied by offering free public transportation and electric cars to citizens. The last such restrictions were tried in October 1997 — and lasted one day.
benJamin PrUnty PreSident
Kate Soad VP ClUbS & internal aFFairS-
Why do you think your affiliation is the best for Concordia?
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
“Our team is 100 per cent cohesive, there is not a single weak spot, and I am confident in saying that every single candidate is highly qualified for their positions. As President I can proudly say that our members compliment each other and accentuate one another’s strengths. Committed and passionate, I prioritize putting collective student needs first, and my team echoes this very loudly.”
“I am highly organized and truly care for the success and well being of others. By supporting feelevy groups and increasing relevancy of the CSU as a student leader, I can ensure cross-faculty development within the university.”
Above all things, what does the Community Matters team stand for?
“My weakness is my humbleness which lead to people underestimating my experience and qualifications. My strength is my passion.”
“We stand for a facilitator CSU; one that shares resources and information transparently; that never works alone, but always in collaboration with as many groups as possible; and whose projects and vision are informed by direct student-consultation.”
Gabriel VelaSCo VP loyola
>> RUSSIANS PROTEST WAR Up to 50,000 people converged on Moscow over the weekend to protest against the looming threat of war, according to AFP news, a day before the Crimea was to hold a referendum deciding on whether its future belonged with Ukraine or Russia. This comes during reports of the seizure of a town in Ukraine by the Russian military and a build-up of troops in neighbouring Belarus.
heather naGy VP FinanCe Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “My priority is to once and for all demystify our student finances by making IT easy to understand financial statements and budgets as well as financial committee minutes. I hope to rebuild confidence in the membership and public at large of the CSU’s finances.”
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “Student’s spaces, services as well as student-run sustainable and affordable food is what I commit to bring to Loyola. As a Loyola student who has been actively working on developing a better food system for several years, I am confident that my knowledge and experience is unique.” Strength & weakness “Both my greatest strength and weakness is that I am a visionary.”
Strength & weakness “My strength is bringing together people that hold different ideas. My weakness is my humorous, self-deprecating attitude.”
>> CURLING
TRIFECTA AT OLYMPICS The 2014 Paralympic Winter games in Sochi, Russia, came to a close on Sunday afternoon. The Toronto Star reports that Canada was in third place in the gold medal count and fourth in total, at 16. Added to their top finish at the men’s and women’s Olympic games, Canada becomes the first country ever to win gold at all three curling tournaments.
Strength and weakness
anthony GaroUSFlaiS-aUGer VP external & mobilization Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I want to develop exciting campaigns on campus, and bring leading individuals working around issues affecting our generation such as climate change, growing income inequalities, and eroding civil liberties. I also want to use CSU resources to help other student groups reach as many students as possible.”
CharleS boUraSSa VP StUdent liFe Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I feel I already have a strong presence on campus, and I am engaged with various student groups, associations and faculties. My overall goal is to bridge the gap between social and academic events on campus.” Strength & weakness “Biggest strength: I love meeting new people, and get along well with others. Biggest weakness: I work too much.”
Strength and weakness
>> BABY HATCH
ON HOLD IN CHINA Reuters has reported that a facility to create a safe place for anonymous parents to drop off their newborn children in the Chinese city of Guangzhou was put on hold this week after the amount of infants overwhelmed the facility’s resources. The “baby hatch” pilot-program, available in some twenty Chinese cities, was created to improve the prospects of children who are abandoned, often because of physical or mental handicaps.
“My greatest strength is my experience with external groups. My weakness is that I hard on myself.”
JeSSiCa Cabana VP SUStainability
terry WilKinGS VP aCademiC & adVoCaCy Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “My priorities lie in making use of privileged institutional information to directly support students. I firmly believe undergraduate students want to have meaningful participation in academic governance, which is why I helped organize Concordia Student Congress.”
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I am passionate, driven and have tangible ideas to make our university more sustainable. I’ve gained experience in sustainability through my employment, education and volunteering engagements at Concordia. I want to implement a student-run, cooperative café, the Loyola Greenhouse project and make sustainable initiatives more accessible to students.” Strength & weakness “My greatest strength and weakness are the same thing—that I care.”
Tuesday, MARCH 18, 2014
CSUnited
//
5
Campus // news
Independent Chuck Wilson President
Jon Kim President
Simon Dansereau VP Clubs & Internal
Why do you think your affiliation is the best for Concordia? “Our team best represents the Concordia student body, and the diversity that makes Concordia special. We have representatives from every faculty, and we all come from very different backgrounds, which allows us to look at what the union should be in very different ways. We’re not really part of the political scene in the school, but we still are very involved in the Concordia community.”
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I wish to foster and encourage Concordia’s diversity by promoting club activities and growing student space, and to empower every student to make their experience here what they dream it to be.”
Above all things, what does the CSUnited team stand for?
Strength & weakness “My greatest strength is my indomitable and effective work ethic, nothing can stop me! My weakness is my difficulty approaching people in large crowds, but I feel I make up for it by being very approachable.”
“Above all things we stand for diversity and creativity.”
Mathieu Guertin VP External & Mobilization Alicia Chan VP Finance Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “I’ve been managing Queer Concordia’s financial endeavors since Fall 2012, in the Fall of 2013 I became Queer Concordia’s first Financial Coordinator. I constructed a system of financial organization that can be easily understood and is implementable for my successor, and developed a system of financial accountability for the board.”
Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you? “As a student I missed a lot of events regarding orientation and frosh. I want to create more awareness for these activities because I believe they are moments where new students make friends and start making positive bonds with others which will increase their involvement in the university.” Strength & weakness “My weakness is that I am not familiar with politics, but my strength is that I can learn anything.”
Strength & weakness “My biggest strength is my objectivity, my biggest weakness is that I am uncomfortable talking from a personal standpoint.”
Charles-Eric Sum VP Student Life Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
Niki Fronesca VP Loyola Why do you think you affiliation is the best for Concordia? “I see Loyola as being a blank canvas where the ideas generated will be able to create a plan for a campus that is more dynamic, involved and part of Concordia as a whole. I’m motivated to put into action the ideas that are feasible and brought forth by students, and I genuinely want to help connect the two campuses.”
“As a student I missed a lot of events regarding orientation and frosh. I want to create more awareness for these activities because I believe they are moments where new students make friends and start making positive bonds with others which will increase their involvement in the university.” Strength & weakness “My weakness is that I am not familiar with politics, but my strength is that I can learn anything.”
Strength & weakness “My biggest strength is my hard work ethic, my weakness is that I sometimes take on too many activities.”
Bailey Watson VP Sustainability Why do you think Concordia students should vote for you?
Mareike Michele VP Academic & Advocacy Not available for questioning.
“Growing up in a First Nations culture, the idea of interconnectedness between all of the earth’s creatures and our tasks as humans to maintain a balance that has taken billions of years to establish, has been something that has become deeply embedded in my psyche and guides my everyday decisions. My focus will be to support existing sustainable student groups by providing them with the resources, initiatives and collaborations they need.” Strength & weakness “My strength is my creativity and adaptability, my weakness is that I am shy.”
Why do you think you make the best President for Concordia students? “I think I am the best candidate for president because of my extensive qualifications, networks within the university, and ability to bring together both sides of an issue. I’ve held positions as a student representative throughout the university, which collectively has given me the legal, financial, and leadership skills to effectively direct the CSU executive. Besides my involvement in student politics, I’ve also experienced Concordia from the perspective of an uninvolved student, a TA, and a staff member. Combined, it’s given me a lot of insight into what students expect from their union and their university, as well as how the University bureaucracy approaches different issues.” Why did you choose to run independently? “While being an independent candidate certainly has its disadvantages when campaigning, the lack of “us versus them” mentality is a clear advantage to a presidential candidate in a non-slate system. I am not on one particular team I am on everyone’s team.” Above all things, what do you stand for? “Inclusivity and legitimacy.”
Michael Abbott VP Sustainability [Not Pictured] Why do you think you would make the best VP Sustainability for Concordia students? “My key driving force in running for VP Sustainability lies in developing positive environmental planning via research, practice and hypotheses. I advocate for individual empowerment via sustainable mobility and local food policies.” Why did you choose to run independently? “Running independently is an amazing challenge. I was not expecting the amount of courage needed to stand solo and promote my ideas. I chose to run solo because I was tired of not being aware and feeling distanced from a student union that I belong to.”
6
//
TUesDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
life
write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com Campaign // Life
Five days later, the homeless still need your attention Annual 5 days for the Homeless campaign sees modest success, but mostly indifference wAYne RADfoRD Contributor
From Sunday March 9 to Friday March 14, Concordia students took a courageous stand by sleeping on the sidewalk outside the Hall building at the Sir George Williams campus. They lived outside, 24/7, for five days through cold, damp, and inclement weather as part of a nationwide campaign to raise funds and awareness for homeless — specifically to benefit Chez Dora and Dans La Rue in Montreal. Sleeping through cold temperatures, almost withering indifference and even a snap blizzard tested their resolve at times. Once established on campus, many students had questions for the participants about homelessness in Montreal, the campaign and the volunteers’ commitment to follow through on the entire week. “The storm on Wednesday was pretty rough. With the drop in temperature, and the thick snow, you begin to wonder just how anyone would survive out here for long without shelter,” said one student taking part — a grim reminder that Montreal’s homeless are often caught outside without the option of heat or shelter in very hostile conditions that can lead to ill health and hypothermia. “After two or three days of eating and sleeping poorly, your mind gets foggy on goodwill, coffee and doughnuts. Good judgment can become impaired. Long-term, this can cause more problems as consequences compound with poor diet, and health,” said Josh Redler,
Concordia alumni and organizer for the Montreal event. But despite the weather, the biggest problem the group encountered this week was indifference. The majority of passersby simply ignored the appeal, despite volunteers being dressed in fluorescent orange. Hard to ignore, politely persistent, and willing to discuss the problem of homelessness with anyone who would stop to ask about the campaign, there were many hours that passed by without a single individual stopping to inquire about the group and their activities. “One of the biggest problems for the homeless is that people ignore your presence. After awhile, you begin to actually feel like you are invisible — even though you are hiding in plain sight,”explained Redler. Thankfully, there were students, members of the public, and even faculty who did take a moment to stop, chat and inquire about the campaign. Those that did were 100 per cent supportive of the group’s efforts. Some supporters brought food, clothes and donations during the five day effort. Redler was cautiously optimistic about this year’s event. Although overall donations were down this year there was a significant show of support from parties who did take interest. “It’s a process, a progression. If we can improve, year over year, then we know we are making a difference. The organizations we support depend on fundraising efforts like this, in order to meet their objectives of helping people out of these circumstances.” Ongoing donations will continue to benefit Chez Dora and Dans La Rue for the rest of the
month of March. You can donate online, by visiting 5days.ca Can’t spare a buck? “Take a moment to acknowledge the homeless. You may be the only caring person they
encounter all day. They may be encountering a temporary, or long-term setback, but whatever their circumstances, they deserve the same consideration and respect as neighbours and part of our community,” Redler said.
alisha hussey
poses with the Clothing and sleeping bag she uses to proteCt herself from the harsh winter nights in montreal, marCh 13, 2014. she is partiCipating in 5 days for the homeless, an awareness event put on outside ConCordia university where people spend five days and nights on the street to raise money for people with no homes. photo by Keith raCe.
Campus // Life
Concordia to have a new cultural student group The Montreal Youth italian-Canadian Association is eager to spread italian culture ation Italians have not fully maintained their cultural roots. This is the sentiment that has led sABRinA giAnCioPPi the Montreal Youth Italian-Canadian Association Life editor (MYICA), a non-profit, non-partisan association, to join the roster of student groups at Concordia. “We thought of no better way to get in touch Montreal has a widespread Italian community and, as a result, many second and third-gener- with the young generation of Montrealers than starting a university group,” says executive member and Concordia student, Nicholas La Monaca. “The cultural diversity at Concordia is astonishing, and creating a student group whose objective is to promote cultural modernity among the student body seemed like a perfect match.” MYICA has made it their mission to encourage younger ItalianCanadians to not only be connected to their heritage but to keep in touch with Italy’s modniCholas la monaCa to the left of the myiCa exeCutive team. ernization.
“Any form of culture should always be maintained,” says La Monaca. “The Italian culture in Montreal seems to have slowly come to a halt [and] it appears as though the knowledge of Italian culture had not gone past the late ‘90s.” MYICA is also pushing to change the perception of Italian-Quebecers. “There are stereotypes on what it is to be Italian that need to be erased,” explains La Monaca. However, MYICA feels that the Italian community is in the right place for a “fresh and modern update on what it’s like to be a contemporary Italian.” The Canadian Italian Association (CIA), an already established student group in Concordia’s Student Union, welcomes MYICA with open arms and foresees a collaboration on future events at the university. “Our mandate differs from the simple fact that we are a city-wide association and that our network and events are not limited to Concordia and the student body,” says La Monaca. “We look forward to collaborating with forward-thinking and positive individuals and organizations that believe in the unity of all Italians.” La Monaca explains how MYICA is not exclusive to Italians. “We are open and extremely welcoming to
anyone who wishes to be a part of this cultural movement or simply interested by it.” MYICA will be hosting their launch event, Cibo di Strata, which translates to street food, on March 28 at the Casa D’Italia at 6 p.m. They have decided to commemorate a recent addition in Montreal cuisine — food trucks — but putting a MYICA twist on it, demonstrating street food done in an Italian way. “Cibo di Strada will showcase popular culinary trends that branch out from three different parts of Italy, the northern, central and southern regions, in which we will promote through our local Montreal,” says La Monaca. Tickets for the event are $20 and with that guests can sample three dishes: La Piadina, Panino di Porchetta and un Arancino. “Of course, with that comes wine, coffee and who can forget, gelato,” says La Monaca. MYICA is in the final stages of its approval to be granted official status as a student club at Concordia. Once granted official status, MYICA will offer Concordia students member discounts on their events and the opportunity to be an active part of the city-wide association. For more information visit myica.ca or check out their Facebook page facebook. com/gomyica.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
//
7
Profile // Life
Dress like Harvey Specter without breaking the bank How an online menswear business can help you suit up Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Contributor
If what ZZ Top sang is true (and I never question ZZ Top), every girl is crazy about a sharp-dressed man. And, if she has her way, Concordia student Nathalie Kaprielian will be the one dressing them. Her online menswear venture, SuitingIt, sells designer suits for less, offering brand names at discounted prices to men who find themselves at the intersection of style-savvy and bud-
Concordia student Nathalie Kaprielian’s new start-up SuitingIt, will have any man looking sharp.
get-conscious. The idea for the business first came to Kaprielian as a case of shopping fatigue, although she wasn’t shopping for herself. “I have a lot of guy friends who trust my taste, I guess you could say, and they have a lot of events that they go to. So every weekend I was getting bothered by them, [having to] tag along to the mall, or to wherever it is that they trusted me to take them,” she said. “And they always wanted quality products, but for less. So I kind of always knew where to go and where to find the right things without breaking their budget.” Leveraging her fashion acuity and her parents’ connections to designer brands (they also work in menswear), Kaprielian launched the test version of the e-commerce business on Feb. 14. In doing so, Kaprielian joined sites such as Beyond The Rack and Montreal-based Frank & Oak in betting that male style mavens will be attracted by the prices and by the simplicity of buying online. Like Beyond The Rack, the site will function using flash sales, with the selection of suits rotating on a weekly basis. If a particular model is not selling, it will be pulled off the virtual rack. And, since Kaprielian’s getting the surplus from bulk orders, once it’s gone, it’s gone. “When you buy in bulk you manage to get all these great deals. And yes, we’re getting up-to-date fashion, up-todate designer wear, but it’s really odds and ends. That’s why we manage to sell for that low,” she said. Even though her parents have worked in men’s apparel for the past 17 years, Kaprielian said her father had reservations at seeing her following in his footsteps. “It kind of drains me out a little bit because it’s constantly like, ‘Oh, why are you
making this move? Don’t do it that way. Oh no, this is too risky, back off’. But you know what? You have to fall in order to get back up and to do it the right way. Just like he did it back in the day, you know?” she said. And speaking of Harvey Specter, that high-flying lawyer from the aptly named television show Suits? He’s the perfect example of that sharp-dressed man, said Kaprielian. “The suits that he pulls off…they’re classic and they’re timeless. If an actual person like that existed, that would be great!” she laughed.
Kaprielian’s three style do’s and don’ts for students -Don’t supersize your suit. “I mean, the shoulders have to fit. Some guys, they’re just floating in it!” -Do wear your pants to your belly button. “I know it’s uncomfortable, but it just looks better. Or else it just ends up looking baggy.” -Do have your suit tailored. “Usually the suit manufacturers make it such that you can either open it up an inch or take it in an inch so I think this is very important to consider and to use — you can take it to the seamstress and she will do it for you!”
Health // Life
McGill students strut to raise awareness for anorexia All shapes and sizes take part in the ‘Heels to Heal’ fashion show Brenda Raftlova Contributor
Once upon a time, there was a teenage girl with low self-esteem. She lived in a body that she was unhappy with because it did not fit the popular standards of thinness and beauty. Having to deal with this every day, she finally decided to take matters in her own hands. As anyone trying to lose weight, she changed her diet and cut her portion sizes. But after a few weeks of daily salads, she surrendered and experienced her first binge. However, bingeing was the least of her problems because what would follow was way worse. Purging became an everyday reality. As terrifying as it seems, this is not a movie script, but the real life story of Annie Lalande. A second year medical student at McGill University, Lalande battled eating disorders for almost five years.Now fully recovered, she is passionate about reaching out to others who have been affected, directly or indirectly, by anorexia nervosa and bulimia. “Eating disorders are a very common problem,” says Lalande. “We all know someone. Since I started talking about it, I had friends of mine coming up to me who either had eating disorders or had the idea of go-
ing there. It’s such a taboo. People don’t talk about it. And they should.” To raise awareness, Lalande, together with the Medical Student Society (MSS) and Med-P/Dent-P Student Association (MDSA) are organizing a fashion show entitled “Heels to Heal”. For the third year in a row, this non-profit event is also dedicated to collecting funds for Anorexia and Bulimia Quebec (ANEB), an organization offering immediate, free professional help for anyone impacted by eating disorders. Last year, the fashion show attracted over 300 people and was able to raise $3,000. This year, they are aiming higher. “The event will be much bigger compared to the one held in 2013,” says Marie-Noël Nguyet, one of the organizers of “Heels to Heal.” “We have more designers, more models, more speakers and more entertainment.” The show will begin with a cocktail reception where guests will be able to socialize and network with other attendees while also being entertained by a charismatic magician. Dr. Danielle Taddeo, a pediatrician at the adolescent medical clinic of the CHU SainteJustine, will then give a word of welcome and explanation regarding the event, which will then be followed by the fashion show. “The designers participating in the project are all students from College Lasalle and Marie-Victorin,” says Nguyen. “All the clothing they will be showing has been designed on a voluntary basis to help the cause. And we are helping them back by supporting their work, which you will be able to purchase at
the end of the show.” “Heels to Heal” is not your usual fashion show with unrealistically thin models clomping along in expensive dresses. On the contrary, each model is different and unique in their own way. “When we were choosing the models, we were looking for all types of body shapes and heights,” says Nguyen. “Tall girls, short girls, voluptuous girls, and male models too. We want to promote all kinds of beauty. It’s all about diversity and accepting each other.” A fashion show like “Heels to Heal” is also a show of hope, organized to prove that there is help out there available and you should not be afraid to seek it out. “The help I got was really great,” says Lalande. “It really changed the way I perceive myself and really helped me grow. And even though it was a really terrible time in my life, I don’t think I’d ever take it back. It shaped me, and made me a better and stronger person. And I can now talk about it.” Heels to Heal takes place on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Espace Reunion, 6610 Hutchinson Street, Outremont. Tickets are $15 in advance (contact Marie-Noël Nguyen 514-886-6247) or $20 at the door. All money raised will be donated to Anorexia and Bulimia Quebec.
Co-founders of the med/dent fashion show lande (left) and Myriam Labossière (right).
annie la-
8
//
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
Beauty Both bold and muted beauty trends are in for spring Elizabeth Tomaras Copy editor
This winter has been unbearably harsh, with last-minute snow storms and that dreaded polar vortex. But fret not, for our suffering has not gone without consideration as we will soon see a transition in weather, bringing forth warmer days. With the change in forecast comes a change in routine and I do mean beauty routine. Spring allows for fresh looks from head to toe so let’s get started. Let’s take it from the top, literally. In terms of hair, thick headbands were spotted on the runways, from Balenciaga to Valentino. Both design houses adorned models’ heads with bands covered in studs and knots. Then there was Lupita Nyong’o who, on the other end of the spectrum, wore a pretty, dainty, diamond headband at the Oscars. Whether your inspiration comes from fashion week or awards night, this trend is on point so get your head in the game. With the emergence of spring, cool girl hair — meaning I-woke-up-like-this waves — is also making its debut. Warm temperatures mean air-drying your hair becomes easier and playing with your natural texture is a departure from the structured looks we tend to go for during the colder months. Now, it’s time to give face. All that glitters is definitely gold. Lashes, eyelids and eyebrows were gilded at Gucci and Dior and
even a gold-painted part in models’ hair was spotted at Dries Van Noten. Want to add a touch of glimmer to your eyes? Urban Decay’s eyeshadow in “Half Baked” gives you the Midas touch. An unsurprising trend was the use of a pastel palette on eyes, lips and nails. This is a more traditional way of interpreting spring, in terms of beauty, and shades of light pink, baby blue and lavender were seen on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, and Holly Fulton, respectively. If you prefer to play up your pout, the season’s brightest trend is orange lips. Numerous designers opted for this sunny shade which is also obvious for spring but refreshing at the same time. It is the easiest way to elevate your look, day or night. One of MAC’s best-selling shades, “Lady Danger,” is an orangey-red that flatters most complexions. As of late, plenty of emphasis has been placed on nails — just try going through your Instagram feed without spotting a killer pair of claws. Rita Remark who works for Essie Canada and was seen painting nails backstage during Toronto Fashion Week, curated spring’s top manicures. They were demure, simple but not boring, and a departure from the crazy nail art we’ve been seeing (which she says is so 2013). Pale colours or nude polishes were forerunners, whether they were opaque or sheer, and either matte and shiny finishes completed the neutral nails. And there you have it, folks. Designers, makeup artists and celebrities gave us a clean slate to start the upcoming season. With these trends in your beauty arsenal, you’ll be shining brighter than the extra hour of daylight.
Fashion // Life
Fa s h i o n A fashion report on the wild trends for spring clothing Belinda Anidjar Staff writer
As the warm weather approaches, that lingering desire to turn over a new leaf pervades our thoughts as our closets crave a new look. This spring calls for risk-taking as last year’s trends travel to bolder grounds and take on a wilder personality. Nargisse Akyuz, local Montreal designer for fashion label, Nisse, takes us through each of these fashion trends, offering advice on how to wear them and telling us her own opinion of these statement makers. The Crop Top Your blouse shrunk in the wash? Don’t fret. It happens to be the latest spring 2014 fashion trend. From Jill Stuart to Vivienne Tam, the crop top is this season’s favourite child. Whether worn with a full skirt or high waisted pants, it dominated the runways, provoking multiple street style imitations. According to Akyuz, “the crop top is a stylish statement this season.” Pop Art Eager to take your wardrobe to bolder territory? The pop art trend demands your attention. According to Oscar Wilde, “you can either be a work of art or wear one.” This spring, you’re invited to embody this quote with pop art designs that give ordinary prints like stripes and polka dots a run for their money. Reigning at Prada and Chanel, these designs remind us
of the powerful connection between fashion and art. “Pop art can be a form to communicate,” says Akyuz. “I love hidden messages in apparel. It’s like a story that I’m telling you just by wearing it.” Fringe Dropped your dress in the shredder? No need to panic. Fringe happens to be the latest spring trend to rule the runways of designers such as Altuzarra and Emilio Pucci. Say goodbye to last year’s feminine frills and release your inner cowgirl as fringe takes center stage. With the ‘90s resurrection, it should come as no surprise that distressed dressing is being translated through a variety of forms, from ripped jeans to Great Gatsby fringe dresses. Akyuz describes herself as a big fan of the fringe trend. “Fringe is always sexy and their appearance is like a feast of movement,” she says. Head-To-Toe White If you happen to be a classist, head-totoe white is calling your name. In a city like Montreal where the weather is unpredictable and a sudden downpour can annihilate your look, this trend may seem daunting, but there’s nothing more refreshing than the clean and minimalist quality of a head-to-toe white outfit. Akyuz suggests updating this look with extra volume and feminine details. Using white throughout her new spring 2014 collection, she describes it as “a breath of fresh air.” The collection combines flowy white skirts juxtaposed with structured pieces and dashes of colour. “I was inspired by the highly structured with whimsical softness and the flow of whirling dervishes,” she says. Are you inspired? Ready to play with the latest spring trends? On your mark, get set, shop.
arts
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
//
9
write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com film // ARTs
Need for Speed is fast, just not too furious
The silver screen adaptation of the video game takes us into the world of muscle car-racing eRik TRUDeL Contributor
W
ith Breaking Bad ending last fall, Aaron Paul had a lighter schedule and with it came Need for Speed, a movie supported mostly by exotic cars and scenery. Despite Paul’s acting credentials, the movie isn’t exactly a masterpiece. In 1994, Electronic Arts introduced its first entry into the racing video game market with Need for Speed. The more recent game in the franchise, Need for Speed: Rivals, became the 20th title in the series to be released. Started in 1998, the Hot Pursuit subseries then had new installments both in 2002 and then in 2010. This subseries is now the universe in which the latest movie by Scott Waugh takes place. Struggling through financial issues, Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul) and his crew agree to a business proposition with ex-NASCAR champion Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). The partnership goes awry when one of their own is killed in a car crash orchestrated by Brewster. Marshall is then framed for the fatal crash and winds up in prison. Two years later, Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) aids Marshall in getting his redemption, ultimately leading to challenging Brewster in a race. This race is sponsored by Monarch (Michael Keaton), an ex-racer in charge of the De Leon
race, an annual invitation-only event held in California for the six best racers in the US, where Brewster and Marshall face off while law enforcement pursues the racers. When it comes to the acting, Paul is really invested in his character, while Cooper fits the bill as a remorseless racer. Keaton’s character adds humour to the film and his role as Monarch, the overly excited and slightly crazy overseer, nails the performance. Poots’ character, though, is confus-
ing, trusting Marshall at the drop of a hat and never questioning any event. The weakest point of the acting is in the supporting cast. It is terrible: they are corny, forgettable and stereotypical. Who are Brewster’s stooges? Why is there not a single car driving near the coastline? How does a character get access to army and police helicopters? Why are the police officers not using spike strips? These plot holes and acting deficiencies serve as the main criti-
exotiC Cars, intense aCtions and real Car Crashes are just some of the defining moments in need For speed. photo Courtesy of walt disney piCtures.
cism against Need for Speed. With that being said, the movie takes elements from the Hot Pursuit subseries and translates them to the silver screen making the experience enjoyable for fans of the franchise, while not alienating a new audience. Need for Speed takes the viewer across the United States to a scenic view of the Pacific Ocean. The movie illustrates the beautiful scenery: the canyon, the country, the forests and the mountains, which will surely cause those who played the games to take a trip down memory lane. Waugh had good ideas for directing; cockpit views and overhead shots at an angle are filmed several times. Need for Speed showcases impressive crashes and stunts. Each impact is real and no CGI was used to create the scenes. This realism serves as a message: speed kills and so does stupidity. The score by Nathan Furst is a suitable original soundtrack for this movie and the song selection, including a track by Linkin Park, is decent. However, the cover songs by Aloe Blacc in the movie’s song selection are butchered and bring little to no value to the score. For what it’s worth, Need for Speed is alright if you can ignore the plot holes and bad supporting cast. One thing is for sure though, it is better than half of the Fast and Furious franchise. you can catch Need for Speed in theatres nationwide.
visual Arts // ARTs
Quite pretty on the inside and for all to see Art and science come together in Illustrating Medicine nATAsHA TAggART online editor
If you’ve taken classes in biology or medicine, you have undoubtedly come across hundreds of illustrations showing different parts of the human body. What probably did not cross your mind is the fact that someone drew these illustrations by hand, maybe a half-century ago. One of the illustrators could have been Dorothy Foster Chubb or Nancy Joy, who are having their work celebrated in Illustrating Medicine, an exhibit showcasing original artwork created for Grant’s An Atlas Of Anatomy, published in 1943. The atlas is a textbook for medical students and professionals worldwide, known for its detailed anatomy illustrations. Since 1943, it has been republished a dozen times and remains one of the most used textbooks in the field. Unlike other anatomy books including Gray’s Anatomy, which organizes the anatomy by system,
Grant’s Atlas was one of the first to show the body by region. Readers looking for information about a particular area of the body, such as the skull, would be able to see all the details of the skeletal, muscular and circulatory systems in one chapter or diagram. The exhibit is displayed in the same order as the first editions of the atlas, starting with the upper limbs and abdomen, to the pelvis and lower limbs, ending with the vertebrae, head and cranial nerves. Illustrating Medicine shows a few dozen of Chubb’s and Joy’s original artworks, and a
‘behind-the-scenes’ into their process and collaboration with Dr. Grant. In order to cut costs in production and make the book affordable, Grant’s Atlas did not publish its illustrations with the same amount of detail as the originals. The exhibit is an opportunity to see the works in full detail as they were created, with expert precision and accuracy. Most of the sketches were based on photographs of dissections, which were then traced and consequently made into drawings. The illustrations were made using different techniques including carbon dust, line drawing
illustrating mediCine showCases the beauty Contained not on the outside, but the inside, literally. photo by natasha taggart.
and black and white watercolour painting, with each artist sticking to their prefered method. Line drawings often depict bones and venous systems while carbon dust is especially effective for demonstrating muscles and fatty tissues. Illustrations of anatomy have proved to be more useful than photographs as it allows the reader to see through the different systems. Unlike in a photo, drawings allow you to see the bones, muscles and circulatory system. The artists can play up important elements by using different techniques with highlights and shading. The highlights are key when a specialist is referring to them while performing a dissection. Looking closely at the drawings, it is difficult to process that someone was able to sketch out intricate details of the human body with such precision. Several illustrations are so realistic that it’s hard not to feel squeamish, but overall they are presented in a way that simply makes you feel in awe of the artists’ talent. Whether or not you are familiar with illustrating, you quickly develop an immense appreciation for the work that went into the drawings and the time it takes to illustrate medicine. Illustrating Medicine is displayed at the loyola Campus CJ building media Gallery until may 1. For more information, visit coms. concordia.ca/illustrating-medicine.html.
10
//
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
Visual arts // arts
Don’t look up at the starry night — look down The Astronomy Legacy Project is working to preserve pictures of our galaxy on our screens Robin Stanford Staff writer
Looking up at a starry sky, it is easy to get lost in the immensity of it. When using a telescope of sufficient strength, every planet and galaxy becomes a unique and beautiful entity. For over 120 years these images have been recorded on glass plates. The Astronomy Legacy Project (ALP) aims to give the public access to over hundreds of thousands of plates online at no cost. To reach its goals, however, it needs the public’s help. Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is a non-profit, educational organization committed to bringing the ALP to life. Founded in 1998 on a former NASA tracking site in North Carolina, the organization soon began exploring the possibility of archiving astronomical plates. According to ALP’s principal investigator, Dr. Michael Castelaz, the collection of plates began with a gift of over 20,000 plates from a retiring professor. Since the initial donation, the archive is now home to over 220,000 plates with more being received from institutions across the continent. The contents of these plates range from surfaces of planets to nebulas. Although the current offerings are in low resolution, one cannot help but be mesmerized by the intensity of the images. Halley’s comet racing through the sky is as impactful through a black and white photograph as it is seen in person. Perhaps the most striking of these is a photograph in colour of two galaxies colliding. The
star systems themselves appear red and yellow against a blue backdrop. Although physical motion cannot be captured in such a format, the plate feels emotionally charged and timeless. As it was clear that ALP was privy to something so significant yet fragile, special care was taken to address the challenges that could prevent its longevity. The immediate issue presented was how to preserve these images both in the short and long-term. Storage for the physical plates was possible in an unused building on the site, which NASA helped bring to archival standards. One problem persisted — how to save these images for further use and enjoyment. As all the plates stored at the facility are unique, should one break, the images are gone forever. The ALP’s current project is to individually digitize these plates so as to preserve them for
the long run. This will not be easy as there is no standardized format for the glass plates. They range in size from a few inches to two feet and can be rectangular or circular. Since they all differ, many machines that may be used to digitize the images would be ill-equipped for this purpose. Currently, the ALP does have a machine donated by NASA that is capable of transferring one plate per hour. At this rate it would take over 100 years to digitize the plates they currently have during which time some specimens would be lost forever. To speed up the process PARI has turned to crowdfunding to try to raise $60,000 for a more effective scanner, the OPTEK 463 VSM. When asked of the benefits of pursuing this funding source, Dr. Castelaz stated that the fundraiser is a great way to let people know about the project.
Crowdfunding, as opposed to government funding, allows for the immediate feedback of donors according to the director of the Astronomical Photographic Archive, (where the plates are stored), Thurburn Barker. Furthermore, appealing to the populous avoids issues such as the fiscal climate or political whims which may make government funding unavailable. Since the public aspect of the project is present in every element, the turn to the community for support becomes logical. Public participation is a small request for such a wealth of free, public information for us and for future generations. For more information about PARI and the Astronomy Legacy Project visit pari. edu. To view the current crowdfund visit indiegogo.com/projects/astronomy-legacyproject.
PARI has initiated a crowd-funding drive that will help make historic images of the night sky available via the Internet to the general public, scientists and students worldwide.
Dance // arts
Romancing stones — the story of love, madness and art The neoclassical ballet, Rodin/Claudel, traces the famous sculptors lives and torrid love affair Cristiana Iulia Ilea Contributor
The empty stage was eagerly waiting for the much anticipated show to start. The grandiose images of Rodin and Claudel hovering as backdrops for the stage filled the atmosphere of Théâtre Maisonneuve with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity, inciting the audience to imagine what could possibly come next. This month, Les Grands Ballets de Montreal is restaging Rodin/Claudel, a neoclassical ballet conceived by Canadian choreographer Peter Quanz. This theatrical fusion of classical, academic ballet with contemporary concepts tells a story of passion, obsession and betrayal portrayed by the tumultuous lives of French sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel. Aside from the titular characters, Quanz also uses a 12-member ensemble composed of six men and six women that embody the sculptures made by the two artists, and at the same time, the inflections of their feelings to revive this fervent story. The famous 19th century sculptors meet in Paris in 1883 when Rodin is 43 and Claudel 19. Passionate about sculpture, she is sent by her father to Paris to study art. As women aren’t allowed to enroll in the Ecole des Beaux Arts at this time, she rents a studio shared with other sculptresses. Later she becomes an assistant and muse to Rodin. The intense love affair that forcefully blooms between them lasts for years, yet Rodin refuses to leave his other companion who bears him a son and who later becomes
his wife. As Rodin becomes more and more successful, Claudel, suffering disappointment in love and in her artistic path, sinks into poverty and gradually descends into madness — she spends the last 30 years of her life in an asylum. The dancers wear period costumes with a touch of modernity, such as extravagant coloured dresses and suits, and costumes suggesting the paradisiacal nude covering the carefully carved bodies of the “sculptures.” Beginning with the first scene, the décor impresses by its simplicity and neoclassical features. It is composed of a long white box that changes its position from scene to scene and a wall of lights that changes its minimalistic pattern. Both are used to evoke the place where the characters are found (in a room, in the woods). Using less rigid, more flowing contemporary movements filling each corner of the stage, the dancers immerse the audience in the real-life love story of Rodin and Claudel governed by very well chosen music. Berlioz, Debussy, Ravel, Satie and Poulenc highlight with great precision the emotions and feelings of the characters and also of the dancers. However, very talented dancers, interesting plot and the best of romantic, impressionistic and avant-garde music is not enough to fully encourage the artistic capabilities of the dancers. Despite the free, contemporary style of the talented dancers, their movements lacked rigour, precision, and rhythm. So here, it seems as though the story takes precedence over the choreography and dance, that comes second. The end of the show, marked by a metaphoric denouement of this unconventional love
story, excited the audience who got up from their seats to applaud the gifted dancers, and passionately shout “Bravo!” Except for that one gentleman who was roused from a deep sleep by their applause — all of a sudden, he enthu-
siastically joined the audience shouting “Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!” just to get in on the action. Les Grands Ballet de Montreal’s Rodin/ Claudel runs until March 22 at Théâtre Maisonneuve.
French sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel’s torrid romance and art is depicted in the form of “Sculptures.” Photo courtesy of Les Grands Ballet de Montreal.
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
//
11
Film // arts
Much ado about sex and von Trier Nymph()maniac is the explicit story of a sexaddict Elijah Bukreev Staff writer
The least you could say about Nymph() maniac is that it isn’t boring. It is also extremely hard to watch, but then, it’s made by Lars von Trier, which should tell you something about its nature. Political correctness is a foreign notion to the provocateur extraordinaire, who has been described by at least one of his actors as a “dangerous” man. Von Trier is one with a twisted sense of humour, although you can never be sure if he’s joking. Three years ago, during an interview for his previous film, Melancholia, he pointed at his two stars and declared: “My next film is a porn film with those two.” They laughed. The interviewer laughed. The audiences laughed. And then, von Trier went ahead and made the film. Nymph()maniac, the conclusive title in the Danish director’s Depression Trilogy, has been divided into two volumes, each two hours long. The story itself is fragmented into eight chapters, one of them made in black-and-white. Charlotte Gainsbourg, who plays the main character, has starred in a total of four von Trier films, from which one might conclude that she enjoys physical and emotional distress. That makes her a suitable choice for the role of Joe, a hopeless sex-addict who, at the beginning of Volume One, is found unconscious in a deserted alleyway by a caring middle-aged man out on an evening walk. He brings her back to consciousness and takes her home with him. He is appalled that a woman would get treated the way she did — she seems to have been severely beaten up, her face all bloodied and bruise-laden. Joe thinks otherwise. She believes the beating was well-deserved; “I’m a bad human being,” is one of the first things
she says. Her benefactor begs for an explanation, and that’s how the story gets started. The two films give an account of Joe’s life and addiction, told in her own words. Some of it you’d wish wasn’t told in her own words. Joe speaks her mind with a disarming openness, casually making use of questionable language. Her host introduces himself as Seligman (“What a fucking ridiculous name”). He listens with interest as she rambles about her “cold bitch” of a mother, her polymorphous perversity (“I discovered my cunt at two years old”), her early experiences with sex (she loses her virginity at age 15), and later ones, all which grow increasingly harrowing. The timeline takes us back and forth between past and present, as causes and consequences are exposed. The story takes place in an unnamed European city which is, judging by some accents, likely to be situated in the UK. The reason why it’s hard to tell is because very little context is given — we barely ever see any exterior shots. Most of the first film takes place behind closed doors, in bedrooms especially. The main action consists in the conversation between Joe and Seligman (played by Stellan Skarsgård), which shapes the structure of the films and takes place over the course of a whole night. Imagine 1001 Nights as a bleak sexual fantasy and you might get an idea of what to expect. Skarsgård and Gainsbourg have an interesting chemistry together. Their characters are polar opposites: she is a nymphomaniac, he is by his own admission an asexual virgin. She tells a story, he comments on it using his vast cultural knowledge, which covers all topics except sex. He brings interesting and often amusing insights to the table, finding analogies between Joe’s story and music, literature, even fishing. However, the conversation often tends to get overly rhetorical. You lose the sense that these are two living people: they become more like one-dimensional mouthpieces for the ideas von Trier wants to communicate. Some of these have no place in Nymph()maniac.
For instance, Seligman says he is an antiZionist (“which is not the same as being anti-Semitic, despite what some people would have you believe.”) for no other reason than that von Trier has taken a vow of silence after famously getting into trouble for claiming he was a Nazi, and is now expressing himself through his characters. Another way the movie falters is by its casting. Having different actors play the same characters is a hard trick to pull off. In Volume One, the younger Joe and her first lover Jerome are played by Stacy Martin and Shia Labeouf (in a very unexpected role). In Volume Two, they are played by Gainsbourg and Michael Pas. When the switch happens, you’re immediately pulled out of the story, and keep wondering whether you’re really watching the same characters, especially given that some of their behaviour also goes through a change. Nymph()maniac is set apart first of all by its content, but also by its style. Von Trier uses shaky-cam, low-key acting and non-simulated sexual intercourse — which comes off as too much of a gimmick — and in Volume One that feels distracting. However, if you watch both volumes in one sitting, you might notice that by the time Volume Two has started, you’ve grown more comfortable with the rules set up by the director in the cinematic world he’s created, and are more able to appreciate the story for what it’s worth. Of the film, Skarsgård has said, “After a while, a penis entering an orifice is as natural as food entering your mouth,” and he’s right. Volume Two also features much more violence. Be warned, there are scenes of a sadomasochist nature, and they look and feel authentic. One can only hope they’re not. Jamie Bell stars as some kind of a shady pain-therapist. He’s maddeningly calm and methodical in his ‘work’. He knows exactly what he wants, and he gets it without losing his temper. We have preconceived notions of what a sadist must look and behave like, and Bell’s character is none of these things. It is a quietly horrifying performance, lightyears away from his breakthrough role as
Billy Elliot in 2000. So, are von Trier’s latest films pornographic? Let’s look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of the term. The definition starts with saying that “movies, pictures, magazines, etc., that show or describe naked people or sex in a very open and direct way” are pornography, which applies to Nymph()maniac. But then, the goal of pornography is “to cause sexual excitement,” which doesn’t apply as much. The two movies are unthinkably explicit. You could say that the movies contain sex, but it would be more accurate to say that the sex contains the movies. There, you have every variety of it, and this is the censored version. One can only guess what must have been left on the cutting-room floor. Sex is instrumental in telling this story, but is it meant to arouse its audience? The two films are dark, disturbing and fittingly depressing. It’s hard to imagine anyone getting off on them. Yet Nymph()maniac has its share of pleasures. There are moments of absolute and much needed hilarity, like a scenestealing performance by Uma Thurman as a heartbroken woman whose husband has mistaken Joe’s sexual lust for love and decided to move in with her. Thurman’s character impulsively decides to take her sons on a visit to their father’s newly adopted habitat and shows them the “whoring bed”. The editing of both movies is ingenious. There’s a sense of liberation from formulaic narrative structures that makes Nymph()maniac feel like a satanic rendition of a Terrence Malick film. In 2011, Malick and von Trier both had films at the Cannes Film Festival: the former made The Tree of Life, which shows the creation of Earth, and the latter made Melancholia, about its destruction. Both directors make use of religious undertones, classical music, and roaming camera moves. Their styles are not that distant, but their worldviews — irreconcilable. Malick offers hope, von Trier only cynicism. To each his own. Nymph()maniac opens in theatres nationwide on March 21.
Comprising two volumes, Nymph()maniac stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Shia Labeouf, Willem dafoe and Uma Thurman. Photo by Christian Geisnaes
12
//
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
Opinion // arts
Personals Literary characters seek love Humbert Humbert aka Humbert the Hound aka HH — Lolita I am said to resemble some crooner or actor chap: clean-cut jaw, muscular hand, deep sonorous voice, broad shoulder. Features females find fetching. Alas, Humbert the Heartthrob’s heart beats for nimble nymphets. In parks, playgrounds and prose, I eye pale pubescent girls with matted eyelashes. Desperate, dreamy Humbert in search of his riviera romance. Give me the slightly feline outline of a cheekbone, the slenderness of a downy limb — oh how the lone voyager, the nympholept, aches. One must truly be an artist and a madman, a creature of infinite melancholy, to distinguish beauty amidst a tangle of thorns. Potential partners, find me by the nearest playground... -Hanna-Joy Farooq
Marvin, the Paranoid Android — The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they tell me to write a wanted ad. Call that job satisfaction? Cause I don’t. You can’t blame Sirius Cybernetics Corporation for making androids with Genuine People Personalities. I’m a personality prototype. You can tell, can’t you? No, don’t even bother answering. I’m 50,000 times more intelligent than you and even I don’t know the answer. I think you ought to know I’m feeling very depressed. I could calculate your chance of a response, but you won’t like it. -Robin Stanford and Veronique Rosa
Hermione Granger — Harry Potter You knew it. I knew it. Even J. K. Rowling, who brought me and Ron together, knew it. Weasley couldn’t keep up with me. It was a mistake marrying a wizard that couldn’t do a Levitation Charm spell without my help, innit? I mean, even our pets couldn’t get along — I have Crookshanks (you must be a cat lover, by the way) and Weasley had a rat! Enough about that Weasley. My name is Hermione and I am a graduate (with Outstanding grades in NEWTS) of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. My interests include reading about Arithmancy, perfecting non-verbal and wandless magic and managing S.P.E.W., an organization I founded to defend the rights of houseelves. I also have very long, very bushy hair — if you’re into that. People who hate mudbloods may not apply. -Roa Abdel-Gawad
Sookie Stackhouse — The Southern Vampire Mysteries Hey y’all. My name’s Sookie and I’m a proud Southern belle from Bon Temps, Louisiana. When I’m not waitressing at Merlotte’s, I like spending time with my, um, friends. I like my man the way I like my wine, aged (over 200-years-old). I also don’t like the type of man that stares at himself in a mirror (it’s even better if they have no reflection). I’m just looking for the kind of man that can down a bottle of beer (or a TrueBlood, I don’t judge). -Alex Lau
The Riddler — Batman: Arkham Universe
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Rodya — Crime and Punishment
aka
What is written but seldom honest, glanced over but never read and desperate while bringing hope? The answer is quite simple, and if you think you’ve got it right, maybe you’re looking at the right place. As long as you understand that you’ll never be as smart as I am, things will go just fine. If you’re interested, you can find all the clues I leave behind, collect a few hundred worthless trinkets and throw off Gotham’s best detective off course for a few hundred hours. Don’t call me, I’ll call you. -Jocelyn Beaudet
I’m a former student on a budget but I am an extraordinary person. I am an intense man seeking an understanding soul. My hobbies include lying on decrepit old sofas in crass apartments for hours on end, contemplating my superiority to average human beings and plotting murder. I am in desperate need of a confidant, someone willing to overlook my faults and occasionally read to me from the Bible, (I particularly enjoy the bits on the resurrection of Lazarus). I need someone to love my damaged soul and lead me to repent. If interested, do not waste a second, for as one of the truly great, I am condemned to a great sense of sadness during my time upon earth. -Hanna-Joy Farooq
Gollum — The Lord of the Rings Hello, lovely ladies. My name is Gollum and I am seeking a companion, preferably female, to accompany me on my brooding days. Let me tell you, lurking in caves and getting low vitamin D is no fun, so why not cheer me up? I am small, have incredibly beautiful periwinkle blue eyes, and apart from the fact that I am hairless I am, on the whole, quite likeable and very easy to entertain. I love to fish, that’s about it. Oh, and gold. Don’t be fooled by my physical appearance which may seem unimpressive. In my creator’s books, Aragorn once said, “His malice gives him a strength hardly to be imagined.” So, are there any lovely ladies out there who wish to share their lives with an easy to entertain creature, who would rather stop speaking to himself in the third person due to loneliness? -Olivia Ranger-Enns
The Joker — Batman: Arkham City It’s all quite funny when you think about it all. Me? Applying for a singles ad? I must be completely insane! But maybe that’s why you’re reading this in the first place, aren’t you? Can’t you feel it, deep inside you? The madness creeping inside, like meeting a stranger that completely changes your life. Gives you purpose and brings you that one glittering star in the night. In the middle of a carnival, like a glittering ferris wheel in the middle of carnival, softly singing to you while you ponder why, oh why it is you went the way you did? If this sounds like you, then by all means apply, the dental plan is phenomenal, but doesn’t cover injuries by superheroes in silly costumes and named after a specific flying rodent. By all means apply, you’ll make a killing from Gotham’s finest, and walk out with a grin so wide your teeth will fall right off. -Jocelyn Beaudet
Festival // arts
Matters of the art makes art that matters Concordia’s student-run festival, Art Matters, is creating a most creative buzz once again Alex Lau Contributor
For its 14th edition, Art Matters is continuing the tradition of showcasing the best that Concordia’s studentartists has to offer. The festival is the largest studentrun art festival in Canada, and is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best art exhibition ventures. Founded in 2000, Art Matters features open houses, multidisciplinary performances and a good ol’ yearly party. On the roster this year are exhibits on the realm of the internet (Deinviting Don Lothario), immersions in auditory world (Stirrup, Hammer & Anvil), a live performance addressing the “contemporary artifact” (Future Perfect), reexaminations of postmodernity (Hot Fun) and utopian/dystopian science fiction (Childhood’s End). Of course, be sure not to miss the festival’s closing party on Saturday. Art Matters holds the exhibits at varying locations throughout Montreal until March 22. For a more complete list of events, visit artmattersfestival.org.
One Night of ______ opened last week with theatrical, dance and musical performances (right). This week, Art Matters continues with exhibits of varying themes and disciplines, including Childhood’s End (left). Photos by Natalia Lara Díaz-Berrio.
music
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
//
13
write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com
Profile // MUsiC
Post Tropical will get rid of your winter blues James vincent McMorrow embarks on a north American tour with his latest album nATHALie LAfLAMMe Production manager
J
ames Vincent McMorrow is excited. The Irish singer/songwriter, who originally caught the world’s attention with his cover of Steve Windwood’s “Higher Love,” has just embarked on his most extensive North American tour to date, something he has been looking forward to for a long time. “The idea of playing shows in North America is incredibly romantic. There’s this idea of being in a bus or being in a van and just hauling ass between places,” McMorrow said. “It doesn’t matter whether [you’re performing in front of] 20 people or 200 or 2,000, just the idea of it is compelling…there’s something great and vast [about North America] that you can’t get anywhere else in the world.” On the tour, which began on March 16 in Hollywood, CA, McMorrow is performing songs from both his first record, Early in the Morning, and his second record, Post Tropical, which was released in January. McMorrow’s second record, Post Tropical, is completely different from his first, leaving behind the acoustic guitar and piano, and instead replacing them with a layering of many new, electronic instruments, like keyboards and percussions. His signature haunting falsetto, of course, remains. This change in style has made performing live more dynamic. “It’s live touring and playing shows the way I always wanted to play shows. This is really me doing exactly what I always wanted to do,” he said.
McMorrow built Early in the Morning from scratch. He wrote, produced, and recorded the album in a house in Ireland, with no help whatsoever. The second record was recorded and produced in a studio in Texas. Having a team who worked with him to create Post Tropical made the experience fantastic for McMorrow. “I like working for myself in certain instances, but I think the more people that can add something, the better,” McMorrow said. “Everyone who worked on the record did things I feel like I couldn’t do, and they opened up my musical world to different sounds and different textures that I might not have considered.” McMorrow knew from the beginning that Post Tropical would be very different from his first record. “It sounds really silly but I’ve had [Post Tropical] in my head for a really long time, and none of the sounds on it were, you know, just me and a guitar,” McMorrow said. “They were these vaguely surreal sounding and quite hard to find sounds, so it was important that I try all these instruments and really discover what everything amounted to.” Although both albums are very different, they come together perfectly when performed live, something McMorrow was pleasantly surprised by. “What was really unexpected and really compelling to me was how songs from the first record folded so beautifully into those newer textures and those newer sounds,” McMorrow said. “It was really supple, and that was brilliant.“ Throughout the years, McMorrow’s writing process has remained relatively the same.
“I start up with an idea I’m really excited about it. Then I live with it for a little while, before I really make it into something that is an actual song,” McMorrow explained. “Then I spend another two to three months yelling at a page, and I feel like it’s never going to work, and suddenly something clicks, and I can hear it.” In order to write, McMorrow has to work alone, surrounded by instruments, for months at a time. “No matter how many times I do it I still get to that point where I think it isn’t going to work. Even though I know historically that it will work,” McMorrow said. “I’ve persisted and given myself the headaches and kind of moved through it and gotten to the end. Every single time feels like the first time, which is really strange I think.” By working alone, McMorrow can experiment knowing that no one will be able to tell him that they do not like the music he is creating. “If no one is around to tell you that something is crazy, then it’s not crazy!” McMorrow said. “For a moment to be able to just sit in a room and not have anybody question that idea…for you to be able to pursue it, and then realize for yourself whether or not it works, personally, I thrive on that.” Sometimes, McMorrow finds it helpful to write songs on his drum kit. It was the first instrument that he learned to play (he now plays eight or nine, he’s lost track), and certain nostalgia comes from playing on it. “There’s a certain sense of ‘this is where it all began’ whenever I sit behind a drum kit, which I really love,” McMorrow said. “I tend to sit behind the drums and record myself for
two to three hours and then listen back to it, then I hear little patterns. A lot of songs have come out of those sessions.” McMorrow is not interested in defining his music, or in conveying a particular message. “I want to make music that resonates with me. I can hear the intent and the purpose in it, but I’m not interested in defining it, if that makes any sense,” McMorrow said. “I just know that it’s there, and that it matters to me. If I’m not messing around and I’m not faking it, then when people hear it, they’ll know that I’m not messing around and that I’m not faking it. That’s really the goal, to try and make the most beautiful and the most profound thing that I could imagine.” This is not the first time that McMorrow will be performing in Montreal. He remembers a particularly stressful show at the Osheaga Arts & Music festival two years ago, on a day where, typical of Montreal, it was pouring rain. McMorrow remembers being worried that he and his band would not be able to play, since it was raining so hard that the stage had become soaking wet, making it dangerous to perform. “It stopped raining maybe an hour before we played…we played and the sun stayed out. And then we walked off stage, packed up our gear, and then five minutes later the rain came back…it was one of those moments when someone was smiling down on us,” McMorrow said. He’s excited to be returning to Montreal. This time, thankfully, he will be playing an indoor venue. James Vincent mcmorrow will be performing at Club Soda on april 3.
“it’s live touring and playing shows the way i always wanted to play shows.This is really me doing exactly what i always wanted to do.” -James vincent McMorrow
james vinCent mCmorrow has just embarKed on his largest north ameriCan tour to date, performing songs from both eArly in the morning and post tropicAl.
14
//
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Mixtape // music
Spring Mixtape Side A: “Love in Springtime”
Side B: “Spring Heartbreak”
1. “White Winter Hymnal” - Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
1. “Another Spring” - Nina Simone - Nina Simone and Piano
2. “Love is A Place” - Metric - Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
2. “Piledriver Waltz” - Alex Turner - Submarine EP
3. “Here Comes the Sun” - The Beatles - Abbey Road
3. “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most” - Ella Fitzgerald - Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!
4. “April In Paris” - Thad Jones - The Magnificent Thad Jones 5. “Exercises In Free Love” - Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona 6. “Looks Just Like The Sun” - Broken Social Scene -You Forgot It in People
Compiled by Paul Traunero Staff writer
4. “Walk in the Park” - Beach House - Teen Dream 5. “Stormy Weather” - Billie Holiday - An Evening with Billie Holiday 6. “Spring Song” - Mose Allison - Back Country Suite
7. “Scenic World” - Beirut - Lon Gisland With spring fast approaching, The Concordian compiled a mixtape that reflects our love-hate relationship with the season. Countless love songs have been written about the springtime, but spring can also be a time for heartbreak and transition. As we impatiently watch the months of heavy snow slowly melt away, we also see all that discarded trash begin to surface. As we stop to smell the flowers, we can’t help but get a whiff of unpleasantness; it’s this duality of the season that has inspired artists and musicians alike for years. So clutch your lover tight and bask in the optimism of Side A: “Love in Springtime” and when things aren’t looking so rosy, flip to Side B: “Spring Heartbreak,” for the sludgy remains of a long winter.
8. “Time of the Season” - The Zombies Odessey and Oracle 9. “Taste Of The Sun” - Meat Puppets - No Joke! 10. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” - Simon and Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
7. “Ain’t No Sunshine” - Bill Withers - Just as I Am 8. “Spring Is Here” - Chet Baker - Deep in a Dream 9. “Rainy Weather Blues” - Bessie Smith -The Complete Columbia Recordings 10. “The Park” - Feist - The Reminder
Quickspins // music
Quick Spins
Metronomy - Love Letters (Because/ Elektra; 2014)
Skrillex - Recess (OWSLA; 2014)
The Olympic Symphonium - Chance To Fate (Forward Music Group; 2014)
Imogen Heap - Sparks (RCA; 2014)
Since their 2011 studio release, Metronomy have been consistently writing and touring. In an interview with NME , multi-instrumental frontman and lyricist Joseph Mount said that their fourth and latest album, Love Letters, is probably their best yet. Lyrically, Mount’s prowess is undeniable, but sonically, the album does not necessarily bring anything new to their electronic alt-pop repertoire. The album’s makeup are the Metronomy signatures: drum machines, synth-keyboards, subtle funk-infused bass lines and Mount’s achingly endearing British accent. Love Letters ditches the experimental, sunny vibe found on their aptly named third album The English Riviera, and opt for a more stripped down, minimalist sound that borders on classic 1960s pop. Despite the lack of musical innovation, the album does carry some instant favourites; “I’m Aquarius” and “Reservoir” amongst others showcases the familiar Metronomy lyrical wit and ‘can’t-get-it-out-of-myhead’ melodic catchiness that will resonate with fans of the British alt-pop quartet.
This is by far Skrillex’s best work to date. Sonny Moore, stage name Skrillex, has achieved huge success in the last two years, but this is the first piece of music that truly stands out as a masterpiece in the 26-year-old electronic music producer’s repertoire. There are significantly less collaborations with other artists, which is a shift from his previous productions. Regardless, the album still boasts some impressive cameos like Chance the Rapper. Despite having released a ton of material since he emerged on the electronic scene, this is Skrillex’s first full length studio album. The wide variety of electronic genres like deep house and experimental EDM are interwoven to build the album and allow for Recess to sound like an experimental work of art. The tracks are not all pure dubstep dance tracks though; many of them stray from this specific form of EDM. The final few tracks off the album take an unexpected turn, but deliver on every level. Needless to say, this album will be the anthem to our summer parties and road-trips.
After emerging from New Brunswick’s growing music scene almost a decade ago, The Olympic Symphonium have brought their harmonic indie-folk sound across Canada and the Atlantic. For their fourth studio album, the three-piece collective enlisted the help of musician/composer/producer Joshua Van Tassel to create some of their most introspective lyrics and melodies to date. Touching mostly on heavier existential themes involving loss and religion, Chance To Fate is gracefully melancholic. The album opener “Seize The Day” sets up the tone for the rest of the 10 tracks with relaxed, crooning vocals and a soothing guitar chord progression to match. Chance To Fate comes impossibly close to personifying in sound that feeling you get when a long trip comes to a natural, satisfying end, and you’re just about ready for familiar, comforting surroundings that only home can provide.
Back in 2011, eclectic singer-songwriter Imogen Heap asked her fans to help her write her fourth studio album. The album, entitled Sparks, was released on March 3, and is the perfect update to her amazing sound. The album brings the same hauntingly beautiful voice, layering, and harmonies that put her on the map, yet with a more upbeat, different touch. While some of the songs on the album, like “You Know Where To Find Me” are reminiscent of “Goodnight And Go,” others, like “Xizi She Knows” are completely different, and bring an exotic new twist to Heap’s music. Heap collaborated with Deadmau5 for her song “Telemiscommunications,” and the unlikely duo’s work is beautiful and catchy. “Neglected Space” is spooky and haunting, with Heap narrating to music, almost sounding like she is reading a poem. Those who fell in love with Heap’s hit songs “Speeding Cars” and “Hide and Seek” will definitely appreciate Sparks.
Trial track: “I’m Aquarius”
Trial Track: “Fire Away”
Trial Track: “No Saving Grace”
Trial Track: “You Know Where To Find Me”
7/10
- Jessica Romera
11/10
- Jonathan Cohen
7/10
- Jessica Romera
9/10
- Nathalie Laflamme
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
//
15
Local // MUsiC
There’s no place like home: Montreal’s music scene why we should choose local musicians and smaller venues viCToRiA kenDRiCk Contributor
W
ith the season of countless music festivals looming closer on the horizon, evidenced in the recent unveiling of the star-studded lineups for Osheaga, Rockfest, and HEAVY MONTREAL, it’s getting tough to ignore the big names that will shortly be gracing the province’s main stages. It’s no secret, however, that Quebec is home to an impressive arsenal of local musicians. In fact, the flourishing local circuit offers an experience entirely unique from anything an international touring band at large venues can hope to accomplish. Playing locally and regularly acts as a golden opportunity for lesser-known artists’ personalities to shine through, onstage and off. Although touring bands do often mingle with fans before and after shows, there’s a constant divide between being a ‘fan’ and being a ‘friend’. Local bands have the ability to bridge that gap, reaching out to the audience on a level much more intimate than their out-of-town counterparts. Montreal-based band Apache Kingdom boasts a killer indie sound backed by a sweeter-than-sorbet collective personality, engaging regularly with audience members
on a familiar level. “In an over-saturated market of artists, musicians and creators,” states guitarist and frontman Jesse Smith, “bonding with your audience on a personal level is one of the only ways to concretely make a connection with them that transcends your medium.” Apache Kingdom’s flawless hospitality, paired with their charming versatility and bevy of earworm grooves, makes them easy to love and harder to forget. In most business ventures, location plays an insurmountable role in the overall splendor of a local show, baiting music fans out of the Bell Center and into Montreal’s most cozy and charismatic venues. Garage/soul sextet Killawail frequently haunt the well-hidden and expertly crafted M-Bar located in Montreal’s Latin Quarter, and bring down the roof with a largerthan-life horn section and some downright groovy beats, mimicked in the bar’s signature laid-back and classy, if somewhat unconventional, décor. Those on the other side of the fourth wall, a.k.a bands that live and play in Montreal, such as brilliant rock’n’roll collective Café Racer, possess an unquestionable home advantage. The band dishes out a wide variety of tracks, keeping the set list as vibrant as its style. Frontman Myles Hildebrand, having performed a patchwork quilt of gigs away from home as well as on his own turf, acknowledges the allure of the local scene, “playing a local show is always the best, you just can’t match the energy your friends bring to a show.”
This vivacity never fails to manifest itself in Café Racer’s performances. After all, the band is notorious for putting on some pretty sanguine and spirited shows. “We certainly feed off a rambunctious crowd,” adds Hildebrand. The home advantage of Montreal also translates into a larger selection of opportunities for up-and-comers. Homegrown poppunkers Emborne Drive recently opened for YouTube darling Alex Goot, to the pleasure of their rapidly-expanding fan base. “It means a lot to have people from Gatineau coming to Montreal for shows,” says singer and guitarist Cameron Ramsay. “It definitely offers some encouragement.” With an EP in the works and a deal with Outbreak Records under their belts, members of Emborne Drive are poised for success, and are quickly becoming a permanent installment on the local circuit. Of course, concerts always come at a price, literally, but it warrants mentioning that local shows are notoriously pocket friendly. Not only are the tickets themselves way cheaper than those of most big-time touring bands, booze and merchandise are actually affordable. For audiophiles everywhere, more pocket money translates into more outings, a huge plus for concert-goers. To put it frankly, those who belong to the music-crazed fandemonium, those who are constantly on the lookout for the ‘next big thing’, need look no further. With a cultural scene as rich and abundant as Montreal’s, the greatest concert experiences are often right under our noses.
AMAnDA L. sHoRe editor-in-chief
>> Lady Gaga gets gagged on At a recent performance, Lady Gaga was vomited on and then humped by performance artist Millie Brown, reports Rolling Stone. Gaga told Rolling Stone that this was art and “therefore worth it.” She compared the performance to the ideas of Martin Luther King and Andy Warhol, stating that, “Sometimes things that are really strange can save the world.” She clarified, however that she did not mean that vomit was going to change the world but that it was about respecting people as artists.
>> Celebrity moms to hawk healthcare Mothers of celebrities like Jonah Hill, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and Jennifer Lopez are being featured in a video that promotes enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, reports Rolling Stone. The video, entitled #YourMomCares, shows the mothers of these celebrities telling stories about their children and encouraging people to sign up so as not to give their own mothers “a nervous breakdown.” At the end of the video, Michelle Obama appears and states, “We nag because we love you.”
>> Sorry girls, Justin’s jewels will be censored A judge ruled on Tuesday that videos of Justin Bieber in police custody that show him partially naked will be released, however his genitalia will be blacked out. According to The Globe and Mail the videos include clips of him giving a urine sample at a Miami jail in January. In compliance with Florida’s broad public records law, once evidence, including photographs and videos are given to the defence, they become public record. Nonetheless, the judge ruled that Bieber had the right to a certain amount of dignity. Three clips will be released immediately and the others will be held until technicians finish blocking out Bieber’s naughty bits.
>> Arcade Fire frontman weighs in on Quebec politics
montreal-based indie band, apaChe Kingdom, performing at l’alize bar . smaller venues allow loCal aCts to interaCt more easily with fans. photo by jesse smith.
Win Butler, frontman for the band Arcade Fire, told CBC News that given his experience with France, secularism is not a good option for the province to pursue. “I’ve spent a lot of time in France, and I don’t think that France is necessarily [the country] I would model my charter of anything after, because they have some major race problems and some major conflict there,” Butler told CBC. Pauline Marois has often cited the France model as inspiration for the creation of her secular charter. Despite Butler’s wariness of the avenue Quebec is possibly headed down, he is optimistic about Quebec’s future and has no plans to live anywhere else anytime soon.
sports 16
//
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com Basketball // sPoRTs
Seasons end earlier than expected for Stingers Concordia’s men and women’s basketball teams fall in the Rseq semi-finals CAseY DULson staff writer
B
oth Concordia Stingers basketball teams didn’t end their seasons the way they had hoped, as both teams failed to make the finals after strong seasons the year before. Women’s basketball review Last season, the women’s basketball team made it to the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) finals only to lose to their rivals, the McGill Martlets. This year they finished in second place with a record of 11-5 but lost in the semi-finals to the UQÀM Citadins. The Stingers opened the RSEQ season, in a matchup against the Citadins. They had the lead for the first two quarters but blew it in the second half and only scored 13 points. They were unfortunately upset by their opponents by a score of 53-42. The Stingers’ best player was forward Marilyse Roy-Viau who scored 18 points in the defeat. After the defeat to the Citadins, the Stingers would win their home opener versus Bishops and also win over Laval, however they lost to the McGill Martlets. The Stingers found their winning way during the annual Concordia Adidas Tournament back in December, where they faced Memorial, Laurier and Queens. The Stingers won the tournament, which included a beat down of Queens University by a score of
86-34. Keith Pruden, the Stingers head coach, thought it was their best game of the season. The Stingers faced UQÀM at home to start the second half of the season in the Breast Cancer Awareness game and pulled off a 67-54 win. However, the next day, they lost to UQÀM on their homecourt 57-43. After that loss, the Stingers went on a six-game winning streak and then lost two games to UQÀM and Laval. The Stingers ended the RSEQ regular season with two wins before losing to UQÀM in the semi-finals by a score of 59-48. This season for the Stingers saw them have success against the McGill Martlets as they beat them three out of four times. However, they were not so lucky with the Citadins, as they had a 1-4 record against them.
Pruden thought the team was “good overall” a score of 77-70 on Nov. 29. These victories also included a nail-biter victhis season, but had a “disappointing result in [the] playoffs.” He stated that they have to im- tory over their rivals, the McGill Redmen. The prove on their shooting next year, something Stingers went 2-5 after the win which included two losses to end the regular season. that weakened them this season. “We were a young team that started imThe Stingers bid adieu to point guard Ashley Clarke and guard Alex Boudreau, who are mature and young and developed in personal growth as a team throughout the season,” said graduating this season. My MVP for the women’s team is a Kaylah head coach John Dore. Post, who ended the season leading the Barrett who led the RSEQ in scoring and steals. RSEQ in scoring, will be looked upon next year men’s basketball season review Last season, the men’s basketball team lost to along with teammate Adam Chmielewski to lead the Bishop’s Gaiters in their semi-final, ending the Stingers to a RSEQ championship. My men’s basketball MVP is Adam a two-year RSEQ championship winning streak. This season, the Stingers finished in third place Chmielewski. He was the heart and soul of the with a record of 8-8, losing to the Gaiters in the team — if he had a bad game, the team usually had a bad game. semi-finals. The men’s basketball team had a regular season that brought them some highs and lows. However, their struggles taught them what it means to be a team. The Stingers lost two great players from last year’s squad in Evens Laroche and Kyle Desmarais. The team added eight new players this year including Mukiya Post and Mike Fosu. The Stingers opened the RSEQ regular season with three losses to UQÀM, McGill and Bishops. They never gave up though, as they then won six straight league games, beginjean-andre moussignaC. PHOTOS BY BRIANNA THICKE ning with their first win over Laval by
opinion // sPoRTs
Optimism for the future for Stingers football program Concordia is in-transition with a new coach and new faces heading into next season TiM LAzieR Assistant sports editor
N
o varsity team has undergone more turmoil in the past couple of seasons than Concordia’s football team. Two years ago, the Stingers had to forfeit two wins due to an ineligible player and finished the season 2-6-1. This year, the Stingers finished last in their Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) division and reached new lows, going 0-8. They were only one of three teams in the country to go winless this past season and were fourth in points allowed. The recent struggles for the football team is an unfortunate trend, as the last time the Stingers had a winning season was in 2008 when they went 5-3. Two bright spots for the Stingers this past season was the play of linebacker Max Caron and slotback Kris Bastien. In November, both were named to the Quebec university all-star team and both are highly regarded Canadian Football League (CFL) prospects by the Scouting Bureau for the upcoming draft. Another bright spot for the Stingers football team is that six of its players were invited to
the Montreal CFL combine that Concordia will host on Wednesday, March 19. These players include linebackers Travis Bent and Alexandre Lemire, defensive ends Eric Noivo and Jonathan Langma, defensive tackle Shaquille Armstrong, centre Frederik Landry-Simard and slotback Michael Harrington. It was not the way that former head coach Gerry McGrath had imagined his retirement, but the records only show half the truth. In such a strong division that includes powerhouses like Laval, Montreal and Sherbrooke, the Stingers’ strongest asset was their tenacity. Every game this year the Stingers fought to the final whistle, and it is this drive that gives Stingers fans optimism for the future. In three out of their eight games, the Stingers lost by eight points or less. With a couple better bounces, some of their results could have looked very different. Now, a new era has begun for Concordia football. Led by former Stinger and new head coach, Mickey Donovan, spirits are high for next season. Donovan, 33, brings new energy to the program and an energetic personality that will surely rub off on his players. McGrath will forever be a household name for Concordia football as he led the Stingers onto the field for 14 seasons as head coach. Though most players agree
on how much McGrath meant to the Stingers during the offseason to bounce back next year. There is more work to be done, but Donovan program, it was simply time for a change. The coaching staff has already made strides has brought a new attitude to the Stingers team. in improving their squad for next year. In Janu- Expect a rejuvenated and hungry squad when ary, one of Quebec’s top quarterbacks signed a they take to the field next season. letter of intent meaning that, according to the Concordia’s Department of Recreation and Athletics, Jérémie Mongeon-Duby, who played for Cégep StJean-sur-Richelieu, has committed to Concordia for next fall. Along with Mongeon-Duby, the Stingers have recruited three players from Cégep Édouard Montpetit. Alexandre Renaud, Mickael Côté and Louis-Simon Bossé will all join the Stingers this August. To say that the Stingers football season was a struggle, would be an understatement. The silverlining is that they made the necessary changes looKing ahead after winless season. PHOTO BY BRIANNA THICKE
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
soccer // sPoRTs
Men’s soccer season comes to a close stingers lose 3-1 in spirited quarterfinal of the indoor league sAM oBRAnD Contributor
The Concordia Stingers men’s soccer club faced their final strike in their indoor season on Sunday evening, as the team fell short to local rivals, the McGill Redmen, in the quarterfinal playoff round. Prior to Sunday’s match, the Redmen had defeated the Stingers three times in both the winter and fall seasons. The game began with a very tight back-andforth defensive battle wherein both squads met high pressure from all angles over the pitch.
Mid-way through the first half, McGill forced a turnover, which led to Redmen forward Sebastian Munro netting the game’s first goal. After the goal, the scoring chances picked up as both teams had several close-range chances. Moments before the end of the first half, Stingers midfielder Jose Prida finished a crossing play and picked the top right corner to tie the match at one. Following the high-tempo first half, the Redmen came out and took control of the game. McGill midfielders William Hoyle and Julien Marlatt capitalized on two defensive breakdowns and made it 3-1 for the Redmen. The two goals gave McGill a strong cushion for the rest of the game and handed the Redmen the
ConCordia falls to Cross-City rival in Quarter final on sunday. PHOTO BY BRIANNA THICKE
victory. ‘’I thought our effort was going to come through in the beginning of the game, but we just didn’t bring it,’’ said Stingers head coach, Greg Sutton. ‘’In the second half, we started to come out with a better intensity and presence towards dictating the game and after a few sloppy goals, that could kill you.’’ The game itself was very close and was played with an outstanding amount of pressure by both teams. The two defensive collapses put the Stingers in a tough scenario to bounce back from. Regarding his clubs’ composure after their effort, Sutton said that Concordia couldn’t capitalize on crucial chances, which led to their defeat. ‘’We had our chances. We hit the post on numerous occasions where we could have put them away, but we didn’t execute, it’s frustrating, it’s hard to keep the composure,’’ said Sutton. ‘’When you dig yourself in a hole like that it’s hard to come out of.’’ The loss marks the end of the Stingers winter season, but Sutton is optimistic looking towards the future. ‘’We’ve made some progressions in the right way. The results may not have shown it, but our team has grown and we’re becoming a better team. It’ll take more consistency to get where we want to go,’’ Sutton said. Regardless of the team’s shortcoming, Sutton is going to strive to keep competing and get his team to a more competitive level. ‘’We’re going to continue to work and we’ll bring in some new recruits to help get us to that level that we want to be at. We’re looking forward to the fall,’’ said Sutton. The Stingers’ effort towards a brighter future and a better season will restart just after the summer.
opinion // sPoRTs
You’re a woman sports reporter?! Being a female in a male dominated profession has its disadvantages BRonTÉ JAMes The Brunswickan (University of new Brunswick)
FREDERICTON (CUP) — The conversation is always the same.“So what is your job?” to which I answer, “I am the sports editor at The Brunswickan.” “Oh really?! That’s awesome. Don’t see many girls who can talk sports. Good for you.” Really, people? First of all, that statement is rife with inaccuracy. Kate Beirness is a host for TSN SportsCentre, Erin Hawksworth is on Sportsnet Canada, Shelby Blackley is the Canadian University Press sports editor and well, here I am, sports editor of The Brunswickan — that’s only to name a few females in the world of sports. It’s not all that unusual to see women stepping onto the court, turf or rink and leading the interviews. Don’t get me wrong, I am well aware there is a dominant male presence in sports coverage — and in my skirt and blazer I stand out — but I just look at it as a challenge that I eagerly accept. One of the many reasons I enjoy covering sports is that I have played many over the years and it has been a crucial part of my life – physically, mentally and socially. Pair this with my desire to write, and boom, I’ve found a lifelong career. Now, many people enter the sports writing ring for their own reasons, but there is always one common factor: we are passionate about the
game and want to talk about it. This is true for world of broadcast? Or is just a “pretty face”? In McCourt’s article she quotes a statistic that print, television or radio. You would think the mere love for sport doesn’t surprise me, which makes it all the worse: would be enough, but sadly it isn’t the case. Men, “According to a 2012 study from The Institute for for the most part — don’t worry, I am not con- Diversity and Ethics in Sport, at 150 newspapers demning all of you — see women as struggling to and websites around the country, 90.4 per cent grasp concepts, missing key plays or not under- of sports editors were men and 88.3 per cent of standing the dynamics, and have an abundance sports reporters were men.” There are advantages to being a female in of other reasons as to why they shouldn’t be right sports journalism — female athletes are at ease in the action and covering games. Prime example? When you type in “women with me sooner than with a man, and men don’t and sports journalism” into Google, the first hit mind talking to me — but it’s being dubbed a “feis “40 Hottest Sports Reporters.” We aren’t be- male sports reporter” rather than “sports reporting taken seriously. “Well, that list could include er” like my male counterparts that hits home. I am female and I am a sports journalist, but men too!” people say. Sorry, you’re wrong, only one does not have relevance over the other; they women. Scarlett McCourt even wrote a piece on Dai- are just two ways I can describe myself. It’s 2014, lywildcat.com entitled “Women still have a long people. Try not to seem so surprised when I can discuss last night’s hockey game without just way to go in sports journalism.” There is clearly an issue that needs to be ad- saying, “I really liked the jerseys.” dressed. Another prime example is the phrase “You have a face for broadcast.” Although it is meant as a compliment, it can be misconstrued — a “face” for broadcast? What about my experience in soccer translating to word? What about my ability to befriend people who give me tips on a lead? What about my ability to write a 1,000-word piece in less than an hour and be proud to have my name on the byline? Does any of this matter in the PHOTO BY CITY COLLEGE NORWICH (FLICKR)
//
17
Sports in the News CHRis CoRDeLLA staff writer
sAMAnTHA MiLeTo sports editor
>> NFL FREE AGENT FRENZY
Only a few days into NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos have made a big splash, with three key signings. According to Sports Illustrated, they signed safety T.J. Ward to a four-year, $23 million contract, with $14 million guaranteed. They also signed former New England Patriot cornerback Aqib Talib to a six-year, $57 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed. Lastly Denver signed defensive end Demarcus Ware, who had just been released by the Dallas Cowboys, to a three-year, $30 million contract, with $20 million guaranteed. Denver’s rival, the New England Patriots, also got into the mix in free agency. Having lost Talib to Denver, they needed a replacement. So, they signed cornerback Darrelle Revis to a one-year, $12 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This came just after Revis was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To view all the free agent signings go to NFL.com
>> IMPACT STILL WINLESS
The Montreal Impact took on the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night in Houston. The only goal was scored in the 40th minute, by Houston forward Will Bruin, whose shot hit Impact defender Eric Miller before going into the net. The Impact are now 0-2 to start the season and they will play again next Saturday against the Seattle Sounders, in their home.
>> MARCH MADNESS Everything is just about set for one of basketball’s biggest tournaments. NCAA basketball’s March Madness begins on Thursday, March 20. Florida, Virginia, Arizona and Wichita State are all number one seeds heading into the tournament. The only thing left to determine are the play-in games – teams who must win to enter the tournament – on Tuesday and Wednesday. Albany vs. Mount St. Mary’s, North Carolina State vs. Xavier, Cal Poly vs. Texas Southern and Iowa State vs. Tennessee are the four play-in games, reports the Chicago Tribune.
>> HABS COMPLETE COMEBACK
The Montreal Canadiens were down 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators with under four minutes to play on Saturday night, but the remaining fans at the Bell Centre got an unexpected surprise from the home team. In three and a half minutes, the Habs scored three goals to complete the comeback, the tying goal coming with just 0.3 seconds left in the game and then won it 5-4 in overtime. Lars Eller made it 4-2 at 16:38 of the third period, and captain Brian Gionta made it 4-3 less than a minute later. At 19:59, defenceman PK Subban fed David Desharnais on the power play to tie the game at four. Defenceman Francis Bouillon then scored the overtime winner, on a play the Senators thought should have been blown dead, as they thought goaltender Robin Lehner had froze the puck before Canadiens’ forward Max Pacioretty poked it free to Boullion.
opinions
18
//
Tuesday, MaRCH 18, 2014
write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com
editorial // oPinions
Longer hours for public transportation, not for bars students in Montreal would benefit from extended metro times
On March 6, Montreal media announced that Mayor Denis Coderre had proposed extending last call until 6 a.m. One of the reasons cited, was Coderre’s concern for the safety of drinkers, (CBC News, March 6, 2014). For students and other budget-conscious individuals, longer bar hours would mean they would have the option of taking public transportation rather than a cab or their own car. It would also negate those instances where drinkers wander around aimlessly until the metro opens because they can’t afford a cab or are too drunk to drive.
It also stands to reason that when people have time on their hands, are revved up on alcohol, while waiting to take the metro home, that they might engage in risky behaviour that could result in a trip to the emergency room. If bars were open later, it would give drinkers a place to stay where there is less of a chance that they will do something that will get them hurt. On the other hand, if bars are open later there is a greater chance that individuals will be encouraged to spend more money and thus save nothing by waiting for the metro to open. Furthermore, there is a good chance that people will consume more than their usual amount of alcohol if bars are kept open later, which is both detrimental to their health
and impacts their decision making capabilities which may get them in trouble. Instead, what would help keep intoxicated trouble makers and cash-strapped individuals off the street at 3 a.m. is for the metro to stay open later. At the moment, the metro stops running at most stations shortly after midnight on weekdays and shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturdays. Buses sometimes run a little longer but it depends where you are in the city. For example, the 24 which accesses downtown and NDG stops running around 2 a.m. This is problematic because it is around these times that most people begin their night. There is an all-night service but it is only in select areas and not as accessible to bargoers as the metro. It therefore makes more sense to extend the hours of the metro and
some buses to accommodate drinkers rather than keep the bars open late. If safety is an issue as Coderre says, than safe transportation available for longer periods of time should be the priority and not longer bar hours. This is also a proposition the CSU and the university administration should consider undertaking. It would be beneficial for students, not only for those who are drinking, but also for those students who take advantage of the library’s 24 hour service, for public transportation to be available all night. Rather than encourage a proposal that would see students staying up late, drinking more and spending more money, the university and the CSU should advocate for a safer, financially smart alternative to Coderre’s plan.
social // oPinions
Bilingualism will be Quebec’s saving grace why one student believes that our linguistic differences should ultimately unite us geoRge Menexis staff writer
Q
uebec is a province of political strife. I think that’s been made obvious in recent months. As long as I can remember, English and French were seen as two different species of people in Quebec. They mostly live together peacefully, but when push comes to shove, it’s always French pitted against English. That is why Quebec is stalled as it watches its neighbouring provinces flourish. In Quebec, there are a few who laugh at what is going on, deeming it ridiculous and childish. They laugh at the OQLF and their mission, they laugh at the so called Charter of Values that will supposedly unite Quebec, and they laugh at the anglophones who refuse to learn French. These are the bilingual citizens; and with any luck, they’re the ones that will save Quebec. Quebec has been blessed with an opportunity: we are a French province within an English country, with an enormous allophone population. These are factors that are blissfully ignored by closed-minded, unilingual people that bring this province down. They fail to see the potential that Quebec could have. Imagine a Quebec where everyone embraced bilingualism, and where everyone would speak two languages. Is this difficult to achieve? Absolutely not. I learned to speak English, French, and Greek before going to elementary school. I didn’t know or cared why (or how) I knew three languages, I just knew them. It was only when I got older that I realized what knowing more than one language could mean. I was marketing myself without even
knowing it. It has also allowed me to look at the political situation in Quebec from a neutral eye and try to understand the mindset of the ongoing conflict, and how it can be resolved without another referendum. “As Canada teeters on the verge of fracturing, I am sometimes subject to fits of sentiment about this cockeyed country I grew up in and still call home. Impatient with our two founding races, I wonder why, instead of constantly picking at the scabs of their differences, they couldn’t learn to celebrate what binds them together,” wrote esteemed Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler, a Montrealer with a particular interest in Quebec’s
language policies, in his book Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! Requiem for a Divided Country. Anyone who has grown up and lived in Quebec loves Quebec. They’ll always complain about it, though. But despite the oppression felt by both sides, they still call it home. So for people that are trying to make it something it’s not, why not just let it be? Let Quebec flourish in two languages, and let us anglophones live in peace. Quebec will always be unique, whether it’s a country or a part of Canada. Every allophone and anglophone living in Quebec would kid themselves if they said Quebec didn’t have their own unique culture. However, this unique
culture is also the drive behind separatist Quebecers. Sure, maybe Quebec was meant to be a country. But after having preserved the French language, and even having it flourish within Canada, separating now would only be a greedy, idealist win that would ruin Quebec. I can’t stand watching the province I grew up in be consumed by so much negativity towards the so called other side. Instead, let’s encourage everyone to learn Canada’s two official languages and watch this province flourish. Lead by example and who knows, maybe the rest of Canada will speak French one day.
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
//
19
Culture // opinions
Cultural misappropriation is too present in fashion A non-Native wearing a headdress because it “looks cool” is anything but respectful Jessica Deer Contributor
W
hether it’s a fashion designer feeling “inspired” by Native culture or a celebrity slapping on some war paint and feathers, it seems like the practice of misappropriating Indigenous cultures is growing across a vast majority of industries. The latest culprit of the ongoing headdresswearing hipster epidemic is Christina Fallin, the daughter of Oklahoma’s governor. Last week, Fallin joined the likes of Karlie Kloss, Khloe Kardashian, Lana Del Rey, Gwen Stefani, Russell Brand, Harry Styles, and many other celebrities who donned a feather headdress and posted a picture of it to their social media accounts. In a statement Fallin released after removing the picture from both Facebook and Instagram, she defended her actions and asked critics to “please forgive us if we innocently adorn ourselves with your beautiful things. We do so with the utmost respect.” Appropriation, or the act of adopting or representing certain elements of another culture, happens everywhere. Unfortunately, there is a greater amount of ignorance among Canadians and Americans when it comes to problems with misappropriation involving Indigenous cultures. However, as Native Appropriations blogger, Adrienne Keene, pointed out, what makes Fallin’s actions different from most is that it does not stem from pure ignorance. She blatantly labeled her post “Appropriate Culturation” and is therefore well aware of the concept of cultural appropriation, and knew it would be controversial. There is absolutely
nothing respectful about that. In a nutshell, all that her “apology” demonstrated was white privilege, a colonial sense of entitlement and an example of the oppression that Indigenous people continue to face today. If Indigenous people are expressing how they are offended by these types of actions and stereotyped imagery, then accept that, apologize, and don’t repeat similar actions. Do not tell us
that you know better about what is and isn’t offensive to us. Furthermore, our anger is far more than an oversight in cultural sensitivity. In her statement, Fallin mentions how she is “eternally grateful” for coming into contact with “Native American culture” growing up in Oklahoma. Which element of Native American culture does she mean?
There is an undeniable ignorance regarding Native cultural symbols. Photo by “4 colors” Native Arts Gallery, Flickr
There is no universal “Native American culture.” In Canada alone, we have over 50 distinct nations and over 360 First Nations communities, each with its own unique language, culture and traditions. The stereotypical feathered headdress or war bonnet typically worn by various Plains nations is not a staple in every nation’s regalia. There isn’t a single garment or item that can adequately represent Indigenous identity as a whole. Fallin referred to a headdress as being a beautiful thing. It is okay to find our things aesthetically pleasing, because they are. However, admiration is not an excusable justification for wearing an item that is normally restricted to a specific culture. If non-Natives admire a culture and want to show respect, learn about that culture. If non-Natives love Native fashion, spare a social media uproar by showing support for Indigenous designers by purchasing authentic Native swag rather than buying cheap knock-offs from stores like Forever 21. While something like fashion may seem frivolous to many, wearing a headdress just because it looks cool is not only disrespectful to the nations that do wear headdresses for ceremonial purposes, but it also contributes to a fictionalized “pan-Indian” view of all Indigenous cultures. This undermines the diversity of all Indigenous people in Canada and the US. All our distinct nations become a one-dimensional and fictionalized representation that is rooted in colonial ideology, without our consultation. Not only is it offensive and hurtful, but has dangerous implications for our identities and an understanding by Canadians of who we are, the social, political and economic issues that we face, how we are treated by the government and society, and most importantly, ourselves.
Film // opinions
Proper attention needed for movie reboots and remakes Filmmakers need to tread lightly when reinventing and reintroducing old material Alex Dimeglio Staff writer
Recently, I watched the trailer for what is now the third remake of Annie and I’ve got to say, despite having an amazing cast, (aside from Cameron Diaz, who is just painful to watch because she takes the word annoying to a whole new level), this movie looks like an empty remake with nothing original to offer. It also clearly resembles every other “inspirational movie” made in the last decade. I am not excited at all about this film, because it looks like it’s going to have the exact same effect as the Karate Kid reboot, where film producers just hope families will flock to the cinema and make them millions of dollars without really offering them anything exciting in return. When I consider the amount of scripts floating around Hollywood at this very moment involving remakes and reboots, it brings a tear to my eye. It shows us how unwilling Hollywood is to take chances with scripts featuring original ideas. Let’s face it: movie producers hate taking chances on movies that may or may not make large sums of money. However, I don’t consider remakes and reboots to be a bad thing. In fact, I believe they exist for the sole purpose of introducing the concept of classic cinema to today’s younger
generation of filmgoers, whose eyes roll and minds begin to wander at the very mention of a black and white or “old” movie. Now, this isn’t supposed to come off as me telling Hollywood to remake every single movie that comprises the American Film Institute’s “100 Greatest Movies” list, due to the fact that most of the time, the remake doesn’t capture the essence of the original. Or, in some cases, is just plain awful. I’m looking at you Gus Van Sant, and your pathetic “shot for shot” remake of Psycho starring Vince Vaughn. This is me saying that some films could actually benefit from being remade because of emerging technologies in cinema. Additionally, you can use fresh eyes to give life to an old script, where a contemporary filmmaker has the chance to improve upon the original. In order for filmmakers to be successful with their remakes and reboots, they must first develop a thorough understanding of the original. Understanding the source material allows you to maintain a sense of the magic that the original film had. That said, I believe originality is also a key component. Adding your own personal touches to the major themes of the original film will offer fans of the old film a whole new experience. This way, it acts as a love letter to the film it’s based on, while entertaining the younger generation through more relatable material. This will give the movie a platform to stand on its own. Sometimes a movie just needs to be re-
made because the look of it just doesn’t match up to the emotion being portrayed on-screen before your eyes. For instance, King Kong by Peter Jackson was superior to the original in my eyes because the special effects truly added to the story. They enabled a more human look for the ape, so you truly sympathized with him. Both JJ Abrams’ Star Trek and Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are two
other remade films that I felt were far superior compared to the originals, because the newly added visual effects really made me feel like I was walking through my imagination. We should embrace remakes and reboots because who knows, they might help you love and appreciate something that you once hated. Although, if you producers touch any of our favourites in a bad way, I promise that will be the last thing you ever do.
Sometimes it’s better to just leave a “classic” movie be. Photo by JeepersMedia, Flickr
20
//
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Letters // ETC
Letters to the editor Fee levies shouldn’t be a faculty issue Concordia is a remarkable school, beyond the classrooms, because we have such a strong sense of community. The vibrancy of campus life here is apparent in ways I have not seen at any other school. A central component of the unique nature of Concordia, is our relationship to fee levy groups. These groups bind us together, support us, and enrich our education and experience at university. However, they are under threat by the per-faculty fee levy referendum question. By treating fee levies as a faculty issue, we ignore the fact that people benefit from these groups regardless of their faculty. Currently, we vote yearly as a school on whether we will support fee levy increases. If people want to opt out of these fees, they are free to do so. However, if a faculty were to opt out, they would switch the orientation to an opt-in system, where people must be individually solicited for their donations. These fee levy groups would no longer be just student funded service, interest, and advocacy groups. They would be charities. Further, one could ask, would these organizations stop providing services to faculties that opt out? Would Gender Advocacy stop providing support for assault victims of those student bodies? Would People’s Potato or the Greenhouse start demanding transcripts proving what department we belong to? Would CUTV, The Link, CJLO, or The Concordian refuse news and entertainment to those students? No, because that isn’t how these groups work. However, they would be pushed to divert funds and resources away from providing services that make Concordia such a fantastic place, to ensure their now precarious survival. Andrew Weizman Per-Faculty Fee Levy No Campaign Undergrad at School of Community and Public Affairs
Vote ‘No’ to per-faculty fee-levy referendum Vote ‘No’ to Per-Faculty Fee Levy Referendums in Upcoming Election: In the upcoming CSU elections, students will be asked to vote on a proposal for per-faculty fee levy referendums. As a Concordia student who has gained so much from fee levy groups over the years, I am very concerned by the devastating effect this proposal will have on the vibrancy of our university. Fee levy groups like the People’s Potato, QPIRG Concordia, Le Frigo Vert, and many more, play an essential role in creating an environment where students can become engaged in their campus and in the greater Montreal community. These groups are run by and for students. They provide a host of services, events, and campaigns that directly benefit students of all faculties, who both access the groups’ services and participate in their events, while gaining invaluable learning experiences as volunteers, board members, and employees at these organizations. Of course, not every student will access the services of every fee levy group while at Concordia – some people will get involved with the Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program, but may never access the peer support service offered by the Center for Gender Advocacy. They may want to get their hands dirty at the Concordia Greenhouse or listen to CJLO radio, but they might never take in a free documentary on Monday night at Cinema Politica or participate in QPIRG’s community-university research exchange project. It is this diversity of interest, however, that makes Concordia an exciting place to study – and the support we give to this diversity is what makes our community strong. The proposed per-faculty fee levy referendums will put the strength of our community and the stability of fee levy groups at stake. By allowing per-faculty referendums instead of united student referendums, fee levy group funding will be compromised and students will be falsely divided and prevented from accessing these amazing organizations. I urge Concordia students to support a united and vibrant campus community and to vote ‘NO’ to the perfaculty fee levy referendums on March 25, 26, and 27. Fiona Ainsworth studies chemistry at Concordia and is a collective member at Le Frigo Vert.
Chuck Wilson for CSU President For the past four years I have had the pleasure of getting to know Chuck Wilson as a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. Since the day we met, I have had the utmost respect for his knowledge, work ethic and passion. I wholeheartedly believe there could not be a better candidate for CSU President. The one thing that unites all Concordia students is our desire for a great education. Chuck was a Senator for two years, has been a department student representative and has sat on a variety of academic
committees. He takes it upon himself to listen to students, identify their concerns then find the most effective way to make a positive impact on our programs, spaces, and resources. Chuck knows how to improve our academic curriculum, rights and experience because he’s been doing it for years. I worked alongside Chuck as an Engineering and Computer Science Association (ECA) executive last year. In his role as VP Finance, Chuck was determined to make sure every single penny was accounted for. His work was the foundation for a complete overhaul in the ECA’s financial structure. Once his mandate was over he stuck around to oversee the changes the whole way through. Because of his work, the ECA’s finances will be easier to manage and thus spent more effectively for years to come. Chuck cares about the things that matter. Our executive team decided that it was critical for the ECA to become legally accredited in an effort to secure its future. Chuck was key in creating and executing the ‘VOTE YES’ campaign. This campaign saw 1,675 of our approximately 3,400 student members voting in favour of the referendum. There was a 50 per cent voter turnout and 96 per cent of those ballots were in favour. The results speak for themselves. Sometimes it seems like Chuck knows everything. You need a robot? Chuck will build one. You have a technical issue? Chuck will fix it. You need a balanced budget? Call on Chuck. You need a drummer? Chuck can rock out. An updated policy, a website, help understanding circuit systems? Chuck’s your man. But, the really awesome thing about Chuck is when he doesn’t know something he tackles the challenge head on and doesn’t quit until an acceptable solution is reached. All the while, keeping a beard-framed smile. It’s easy to make promises, but it’s a lot harder to fulfill them. Chuck doesn’t talk about doing things. #chuckdoesthings Allison Hipgrave
Fine art students: vote no Dear Editor: As a fellow student I would like to reach out to all Concordia students, but particularly students in Fine Arts. In the upcoming CSU elections there will be a question that asks whether or not you agree with per-faculty fee levy referendums. It’s important for people to know the full impact of this question, and why voting ‘NO’ is so important. For those that don’t know, the Art Matters Festival is a fee levy group. We couldn’t do what we do without the stability and funding provided by a stable fee levy. With it, Art Matters has become a renowned and unique arts festival in North America. Fine Arts students should know that the exact same people who were pushing for the current per-faculty fee levy referendum also tried to push for an immediate 20 per cent cut to Art Matters funding (as well as five other fee levy groups) by asking for John Molson School of Business students to opt-out en masse. This was done without any consultation or discussion with the people directly concerned. Per-faculty fee levy referendums have the potential to destroy the sense of community at Concordia that fee levy groups and related projects cultivate. Art Matters is not exclusive to the Fine Arts, it is for the Concordia community at large, just like the Sustainable Business Conference is something Fine Arts students and all students can attend and learn from. After all, Art Matters is called “Art Matters” because it is not solely for other artists, but for everyone. I feel Fine Arts students in particular should be coming out in large numbers in the upcoming CSU elections, to defend Art Matters, to defend fee levy groups, and to defend the values of a Concordia community. Please visit www.ConcordiaCommunity.org for more information. Thank you, Coey Kerr Faculty of Fine Arts, BFA
A better Loyola A Better Loyola In the past two years my frustration with the limited food options on the Loyola campus has been increasing exponentially. If I wasn’t able to bring a lunch to school, I was forced with the daunting decision of purchasing a salty, frozen soup, a heavily processed and prepackaged sugar laden muffin form Chartwells, or possibly a flavourless, vegetable-less helping of lentils or pasta from the free lunch. Having daydreamed of fresh, home-cooked, sustainable food options in a welcoming, comfortable space I decided I needed to find an answer to my dilemma. I heard of the Concordia Food Coalition (CFC)
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
conference and Transitions, and decided to venture to the downtown campus with the hope of meeting like-minded people, people who cared about healthy, sustainable food. That day changed the rest of my student life at Concordia. That was the day I met Gabriel Velasco (as well as many other wonderful new friends). I immediately became involved with the CFC, and along with Gabriel, decided to start meeting at the Loyola campus to assemble a crew that would try to change the current food system situation. Gabriel is a passionate, level-headed, easygoing guy, who truly wants to make a substantial (and sustainable) difference in our Concordia community. Learning how much headway had already been made with the Hive Café, I was impressed to say the least. Loyola is a barren food wasteland, and he and the rest of the Community Matters team intend to change that. In the short time I’ve come to know some of the members of this team, my faith in sustainable food options at a university has been renewed. The Hive café project this team will make happen is just a small piece of the puzzle they intend to construct over the next year. With plans for a greenhouse and another café in the hall building, they have their work cut out for them. I have complete faith that these changes will be made and that the progress this team will incur will bring Concordia back to the community it has strayed from in the past couple of years. Gabriel, and the rest of the team, has a deep understanding of how important community and solidarity are to making these projects realities. I implore you to go out and vote for Gabriel for VP Loyola (and the rest of the Community matters team) his focus and drive will not wane, changes will be made, and Concordia will be one giant step closer to a healthier, richer student body. Paige Hilderman
JMSB students not united on fee-levies I started an undergrad in accountancy this January, and I already love being a John Molson School of Business (JMSB) student. I’m also voting ‘NO’ to per-faculty fee levy referendums in the upcoming CSU elections (March 25-27). When I learned that the referendum was happening, and that some students in my faculty pushed for it at the last minute, I was quite shocked. Never did any of the proponents of this issue make the case properly to JMSB students about why this was so urgent. I would like to state for the record that JMSB students are not united on this issue. Many of us are glad that fee levy groups exist and we access their services regularly, whether that be the Concordia Volunteers Abroad Program or the People’s Potato. These groups are part of what makes Concordia so great and I’m proud to support them. Plus, groups like Le Frigo Vert, CJLO and the Sustainability Action Fund have a positive impact on the Montreal community at large, and build the reputation of our university as vibrant and dynamic. Fee levy groups offer all students volunteer, internship and job opportunities, as well as the experience of running a not-forprofit corporation. The years of work that have gone into building these resources will be undermined with per-faculty fee levy referendums. We all could lose so much. Community means supporting things even if you don’t always directly benefit from it. We do so because we know that building community support systems build better societies. Per-faculty fee levy referendums destroy this idea in favour of a cold ideological vision that says, “If I don’t directly benefit, I don’t care.” The existence of projects like CASA Cares and the Sustainable Business Group’s, Business Beyond Tomorrow Conference, which are fundamentally premised on the idea of social responsibility, prove that JMSB embraces an ideology in support of community. I’m glad that within JMSB there’s a sense that we are part of a larger community and contribute to it. CASA Cares, JMSB cares, and I feel the overwhelming majority of Concordia students care as well. We should stay united as students in defense of services that mutually benefit us all, and make Concordia an interesting place to learn. I encourage my fellow JMSB students, and all students at Concordia, to vote ‘NO’ to per-faculty fee levy referendums and to visit ConcordiaCommunity.org for more information on this important issue. Laura Macdonald, Accountancy, John Molson School of Business (JMSB)
‘Vote No’ I’m writing to my fellow students in all faculties to strongly urge all Concordia undergrads to vote ‘NO’ to per-faculty fee levy referendums during the CSU elections on March 25-27. I don’t usually get involved with elections so directly, or even write letters like this, but the specific ballot question about fee levy groups is an unfair attack on the integrity of some incredible organizations that I know well like the Center for Gender Advocacy and QPIRG Concordia that, along with other fee levy groups, are very accountable to students while doing great campus and community organizing work. I even joined the “Vote No” committee last week, and it’s been great to
//
21
Letters // ETC
work with students from all faculties. Our committee includes the active participation of students from Arts & Science, Fine Arts, the John Molson School of Business and Engineering and Computer Science. In other words, our committee represents student unity, not the divisions that happen with per-faculty referendums. I feel our committee represents the potential of what students from all faculties can accomplish when we work together. Students should check out ConcordiaCommunity.org, the website of the “Vote No” campaign for more details. Maintaining student unity when it comes to fee levy groups is an important way to maintain the strength of Concordia’s student community as a whole. Thien Viet Quan Fine Arts
All students benefit from fee levy groups All students benefit from Fee-Levy groups: Vote ‘No’ for the Per-Faculty Fee Levy Referendum Question After reading last week’s issue of The Link about the upcoming vote on having per-faculty fee levy referendums (Vol. 34, Issue 23: “Stronger Together” and “No Remuneration Without Representation”), it only confirms my thoughts. The articles were written by a John Molson School of Business (JMSB) and Arts & Science student, showing that these fee levy groups are available for everyone, no matter one’s degree or faculty. In the article in favour of fee levy groups, I thought the following quote was pertinent: “Fee levy groups also provide benefits to all students outside of the diverse services, events and campaigns they already offer in the way of volunteer, internship, job and mentorship opportunities. Participation in a fee levy group means hands-on experience in running a not-for-profit corporation, which is an immensely valuable experience for any student to have.” This is especially true for me being an international student at Concordia in the Geography, Planning & Environment department for the past three years and now working as the CURE Coordinator for the Winter 2014 term. I’ve had many opportunities to volunteer with several on-campus organizations, whether it’s helping do bake sales for Sustainable Concordia or getting signatures for the Concordia Food Coalition’s (CFC) fee levy question, and now have the chance to actually be paid by Concordia University under the Work-Study Program grant. Its article shows that students from all faculties do actually work together – for example, JMSB students have been board members or staffers at Art Matters, the Centre for Gender Advocacy, CUTV, the Community Solidarity Co-op Bookstore, Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program, The Concordian, QPIRG Concordia, the Sustainability Action Fund and Sustainable Concordia. Supporting fee levy groups is agreeing with the idea that we, students of Concordia University, are part of a larger community. In any community, individuals might not use all of the services that are offered; not everyone watches CUTV or a Cinema Politica film on Mondays, listens to CJLO, volunteers abroad with CVAP, or uses the Centre for Gender Advocacy, however, that doesn’t mean these are not important resources to have. We should still support all the 17 different fee levy groups and the various services they provide since these last improve the lives of not only students but also the lives of other members of the community. Hopefully you will all agree with me on this point. Students should get informed before signing or voting for things, and make sure they realise the consequences these decisions engender – remember, vote ‘NO’ at the upcoming per-faculty fee levy referendum between the 25-27 of March. William Butcher The Community-University Research Exchange (CURE) Coordinator (as of Winter 2014)
Benjamin Prunty for CSU President Letter of Endorsement for Benjamin Prunty for President I fully support Benjamin Prunty and his team, Community Matters, for CSU executive next year. Having worked with him recently as a main organizer for the Concordia Transitions conference, I know that he is the best candidate for the job. Last October, Benjamin proposed an idea for a student conference that would build momentum towards change in the food system at Concordia. With Benjamin as our leader, we were an incredibly effective team. Concordia Transitions – building a food system from farm to plate – was a huge success because of Benjamin’s leadership, hard work, and dedication. Student government should not only initiate change, but finish what they start. It’s not an easy task but Benjamin has proven that he is very much capable of doing so. This is really why my vote is going to Community Matters. Above all, I want a student government that follows through with projects, ideas and represents what students want and need. I believe Benjamin Prunty and his team are organized, well intentioned, incredibly smart and innovative. A qualified team with a leader you can count on. Alix Tabet
22
//
Tuesday, march 18, 2014
Letters // ETC
Community Matters for CSU
A call to vote “NO”
It is with pleasure that I write to express my political support of the Community Matters team running in the CSU Elections. My experience with three specific representatives exemplifies why this team has the skills to deliver their promises: Benjamin Prunty was a spectacular asset to ASFA in 2012-2013. His commitment to transparency and ability to ask challenging questions made him a strong voice for all students. As a member of CSU Sustainability Committee, I see Benjamin as an inspiring leader, presenting interesting projects through passionate communication. He democratically utilizes the committee by allowing us to express opinions and concerns. Having attended many events where Benjamin has publicly spoken on important issues, I can attest that he is a talented orator and informed on many scales. I believe Benjamin’s valuable experience paired with humble presidential qualities resonate with what the Concordia student body deserves for the upcoming year. Charles Bourassa demonstrates exceptional initiative on ASFA Council, being enthusiastic and motivated even when facing majority opposition. He has exemplified fortitude in thinking outside the box and persevering important topics – even forming and chairing ad-hoc committees to deal with contentious issues. Charles also sits on the CSU Sustainability Committee. Through this I learned of his strong values in education as academics and student engagement experiences. Charles possesses the unique quality of seeing the big picture and recognizing smaller flaws within the overall structure – this type of intuition is integral as a leader. Jessica Cabana is a kind, well-rounded student. Representing LCSA on ASFA Council, she takes it upon herself to pursue individual projects performing research, later presenting her findings to council – this type of drive has the capacity to make major contributions in student-government. Outside of politics, Jessica is a Coordinator at Sustainable Concordia where I am actively involved as an intern. She maintains excellent relationships with peers and supervisors due to her outstanding level of professionalism which has gained her respect and admiration. Jessica has a wealth of knowledge and large sustainable networking base. I admire all team members’ sustainable profiles and accomplished reputations: the aptitudes of these students shine brightly individually, and I can only anxiously anticipate their intellectual capacities as a team. Concordia is a community that needs capable leaders to ensure all needs are heard, therefore, I formally endorse Community Matters as I wholly believe this team has the strength to unwaveringly serve our student body. Meghan Lamb ASFA Chairperson
Upcoming referendum on per-faculty fee levies: A call to vote “NO” I am sympathetic to students who may have found themselves discovering a host of fees for initiatives that they have not had the fortune of learning about beforehand. However, this does not mean that the work that these groups are doing is not worth supporting. It is ironic that one complaint about fee levy groups is the lack of outreach, yet if this question passes, groups will have to consider limiting access to and/or flat out exclude certain students from partaking in their services and activities. The upcoming referendum question on per-faculty fee levies is not the way to address concerns about fee levies, because the work that these groups do is invaluable to the Concordia experience for many students. Many people come to this university because of the wide range of opportunities and experiences that fee levies provide, and I urge students to recognize how this contributes to the strength and vibrancy of Concordia’s campus. The opportunity to volunteer and work at the Concordia Greenhouse is the reason I chose to remain at Concordia when I transferred from Studio Arts to Environmental Science. Since my arrival at the university in 2007, my student experience has been tremendously enriched with experiential learning, in such fields as horticulture and urban agriculture, collective management, and popular education. I have also been able to host hundreds of volunteers from all faculties, provide internship opportunities, and learn to host workshops to share what I had learned. This is all thanks to the Greenhouse. But last year, due to lack of funding, the Greenhouse was on the verge of closing down. Thankfully, we were fortunate enough to obtain funding through a fee levy, making it possible for us to not only continue offering amazing and unique opportunities to Concordia students, but to consistently plan and develop towards an even more exciting future. This would not be possible without the security that fee levy funding provides. It is this consideration for the future that is absent from the vision of those who would divide fee levies per faculty. Consequently, I would urge students to vote down this referendum question so that we may have the opportunity to thoughtfully work together in addressing the concerns that you may have about fee levy groups. This is the vision that we propose: working together to forge a thriving student community full of diverse and thrilling growing opportunities.
Why ‘Community Matters’ Why ‘Community Matters’ Community Matters. Let’s stop and think about these words for a minute. These are some pretty important buzzworthy words that are being tossed around by almost every platform. So, you have to ask yourself, which team actually has the ability to represent a community you want Concordia to look like? For me, the answer is glaring. We should be represented by a team that understands what it takes to implement, and has had experience in leading, community movements and making concrete steps in bettering the lives of students on campus. Through their tireless efforts, the members of Community Matters have made everlasting contributions to the structure of student life on both campuses already. In my view, it only makes sense to see them continue this amazing work to make our university a space that represents who we are. They have all, in one way or another, contributed (and, in many cases, founded) very important work at People’s Potato, Divest Concordia, Concordia Food Coalition, Sustainable Concordia, The Hive Café, as well as a number of other amazing groups that fill the pages of this teams impressive CV. We are hearing a lot about what other candidates plan to do for our community once elected, but the Community Matters team has already planted the seeds of their platform and it will be exciting to see these initiatives grow and mature. As you may have heard, there is also a referendum question put to ballot during these elections. A question asking whether you would like to see the decisions surrounding fee levy group funding be changed from its current state to a per-faculty vote was presented to the union for consideration. If passed, this decision will have profoundly negative effects on the way these student organizations operate, and in some cases, they may cease to exist entirely. Community Matters envisions a strong student community that is collaborative and gives each student the autonomy to engage in whichever way they wish. This includes having the opportunity to join any group or activity no matter what faculty you are in. So, instead of playing into these divisive politics they are even more motivated to work with fee levy groups in order to make sure every student on campus has the same enjoyable experience. This is the definition of leading. This is the result of experience, and this is why the decision is simple. Vote Community Matters! Mark Underwood
Stefanie Dimitrovas
Jessica Cabana for VP Sustainability It is my absolute pleasure to endorse Jessica Cabana’s candidacy for the position of VP Sustainability for the Concordia Student Union because of her dedication for long-lasting sustainability on campus, her strong leadership skills, and never-ending quest for pushing the conceptions of what it means for our university to be sustainable. To begin, Jessica’s sustainability portfolio is packed with experiences that render her the most qualified candidate currently running for the position. She is the current office coordinator for Sustainable Concordia, has acted as VP Sustainability for the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability Student Association for two consecutive mandates, currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Sustainability Action Fund, and has sat on numerous committees within the Arts and Science Federation of Associations. Jessica also regularly attends the ASFA sustainability committee meetings on behalf of Sustainable Concordia, despite not being an elected committee member, in order to share resources and insights. This year, it became increasingly relevant for Concordia food systems to be re-evaluated in order to create alternatives to food production and distribution, and offer more sustainable and affordable food options to the student body. As such, Jessica has been tirelessly working on replacing Java U with a student-run café, raising a whopping $14,000 towards its implementation. She is also a founding director of the Concordia Food Coalition, a brilliant non-profit organization whose goal is to revitalize Concordia food systems, and won the ‘Sustainability Champions Award’ just last week. Taken together, Jessica’s selflessness, expertise, and knowledge have greatly contributed to bettering sustainability practices on campus, and building a strong network of sustainable leaders driven by a common goal. I believe that she has already effectively demonstrated her ability to fulfill the duties of VP Sustainability, and I cannot imagine just how much more she will achieve once elected. Jessica is a visionary, dedicated to improving YOUR oncampus food systems and implementing sustainable policies. On that note, I implore you to choose wisely on March 25-26-27, and vote for a VP Sustainability who lives and breathes sustainability, and cares what you’ll be eating next. Janice La Giorgia, President of the Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association and Vice President of the Concordia Garnet Key Honors Society
word search // eTC
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Vol. 31 Issue 25 Letʼs face it: history can be a tedious, boring subject. Unless, of course, you have a dirty mind. The Comedy Networkʼs show @ midnight came up with the idea of trending #erotic history, where non-prudish viewers take the names of well known historical events and sex them up a bit. The results, punny and perverted as can be, are hilarious.
Amanda L. Shore Editor-in-Chief editor@theconcordian.com Nathalie Laflamme Production manager production@theconcordian.com Sloane Montgomery News editor Milos Kovacevic Interim co-news editor news@theconcordian.com Sabrina Giancioppi Life editor life@theconcordian.com Roa Abdel-Gawad Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com
@KateQFunny The Moan-of-Lisa #EroticHistory @MikeFalzone Science has narrowed the first horny person down to either Adam or Eve #EroticHistory @amyvorpahl The Nailing of Jesus #erotichistory @gianmolina Double D-Day #EroticHistory @Eden_Eats The Boobonic Plague #EroticHistory
Jessica Romera Music editor music@theconcordian.com
Keister Rump Bubblebutt Moneymaker Bonbon Arse
Kaboose Buns Ghettobooty Badonkadonk Peach
Elizabeth Tomaras Christina Rowan Milos Kovacevic Copy editors copy@theconcordian.com
@TheRossEverett The Gettysburg Undress #EroticHistory
Besher Al Maleh Marilla Steuter-Martin Production assistants
@MikeCatherwood The Boston Tea Bag party #EroticHistory
Milos Kovacevic Assistant News editor
@WilliamAder The Midnight Rides of Paul Revere #EroticHistory
Angela De Cicco Assistant Life editor Jocelyn Beaudet Assistant Arts editor
@thethermals MLK’s “I Have A Wet Dream” Speech #EroticHistory
Jonathan Cohen Assistant Music editor
@MaraWritesStuff Alexander the Great In Bed #EroticHistory
Tim Lazier Assistant Sports editor Marco Saveriano Assistant Opinions editor
@johnwessling She Wants The D-Day #erotichistory
Editorial office 7141 Sherbrooke St. Building CC-Rm 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6
@JMScomedy George Washington Popping the Cherry Tree #EroticHistory
514-848-2424 ext. 7499 (Editor-in-Chief)
@the_real_IVXX Spanish Fly Inquisition #erotichistory
@Iceman91321 #erotichistory Pearl necklace Harbor. @Im_willy Atomic bombings of Hiroshemale & Nagasock it to me #erotichistory
Keith Race Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com
Jennifer Kwan Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com
@almadrigal BBWWII #erotichistory
@haha_briang Signing of the Dickleration of Independence #EroticHistory
Lindsay Richardson Interim Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com
Natasha Taggart Online editor online@theconcordian.com
@joeldovev The US pulls out, then back in, then out, then in and out and in and out of Vietnam. #EroticHistory
@tarweasle The first man on the poon #EroticHistory
Samantha Mileto Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com
Stand out and get recognized!
Co-Curricular Record Start your Co-Curricular Record TODAY and get involved!
ccr.concordia.ca
Pascale Cardin Business manager business@theconcordian.com Tyson Lowrie Cindy Lopez Ruben Bastien Board of directors directors@theconcordian.com
Contributors George Menexis, Jessica Deer, Alex Dimeglio, Chris Cordella, Casey Dulson, Sam Obrand, Paul Traunero, Victoria Kendrick, Alex Lau,Erik Trudel, Cristiana Iulia Ilea, Elijah Bukreev, Robin Stanford, Wayne Radford, Brenda Raftlova, Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo, Belinda Anidjar, Evan Scammell, Veronique Rosa, Olivia Ranger-Enns
theconcordian
Concordiaʼs weekly, independent student newspaper.
Events of the Week Art:
Art Matters @ Throughout Montreal until March 21 Cabezón @ MAI until March 22 Noble, Jin, Friesen and Flannigan @ FOFA until March 28 Déviant Élixir @ BBAM! until March 28 Oscillations of the Visible @ Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery until April 12 Automatic Ruins @ OBORO until April 12 Expatria @ Espacio Mexico until April 18 Illustrating Medicine @ Media Gallery until May 1 Peter Doig: No Foreign Lands @ MMFA until May 4
Theatre:
Rodin/Claudel @ Les Grands Ballet until March 22 Motherhouse @ Centaur Theatre until March 23 The Balding @ Mainline Theatre until March 23 Glengarry Glen Ross @ Segal Centre until March 30
Music:
Dave Rizk Duo @ Bily Kun March 18 Motherhouse @ Corona Theatre March 18 Seb Black with Eddie Paul @ Casa del Popolo March 20 The Neighborhood with Kitten and Born Casual @ Metropolis March 21 Bend Sinister @ Casa del Popolo March 22 Real Estate with Pure Heat and X @ Il Motore March 22
Université d’Ottawa
|
University of Ottawa
Fuel your passion for the arts. Thinking about pursuing graduate studies? Already applied? Come and explore your program of interest and meet a potential thesis supervisor. Travel grants available.
www.discoveruOttawa.ca under “Meet with us”