The Concordian

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theconcordian October 30, December 4, 2012 2012

Independent student newspaper at Concordia University. Since 1983.

Volume 30 Issue 15

Heads or tails, CUTV?

A coin toss settled A tied vote during cutv’s generAl Assembly to determine the lAst community member to sit on the provisionAl boArd of directors. photo by mAdelAyne hAjek

Concordia University Television elects a transitional Board of Directors at General Assembly Kalina Laframboise News editor

Concerned staff and community members, students and donors attended an eight-hour long General Assembly to restructure Concordia University Television Saturday. The goal of the GA was to implement a legitimate set of

bylaws and oversee the creation of a provisional Board of Directors. The campus-based television station’s lack of structure has impeded it from moving forward this semester. A rough transitional agreement from the Concordia Student Broadcasting Corporation, copious resignations and interpersonal conflicts coupled with

financial instability led CUTV to lose its footing on already shaky ground this October. With a legally illegitimate provisional BoD and unratified bylaws, volunteers and former staff members of CUTV held meetings to discuss how to rebuild. Following two information sessions, the GA was set for Dec. 1.

Over 40 individuals attended the meeting, chaired by Fine Arts student Alex Matak, to voice their concerns, questions and suggestions. The meeting, which lasted from morning to early evening, provided undergraduate students, volunteers, donors, staff and community members with voting rights.

A temporary set of bylaws was adopted following contention and lack of time to develop a set of guidelines everyone could agree upon. An amendment was made to bylaw 4.1 to include all students who pay a feelevy to CUTV as members. Continued on P. 4

In this issue... life

arts

music

sports

opinions

Best midnight snack spots P. 6

Andrew Searles, funny guy P. 10

We profile Good Old War P. 13

Stingers athletes of the month P. 18

Summing up the best of 2012 P. 21

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

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news Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Got a news tip? news@theconcordian.com

City in brief Presidential remarks: December Q&A CAMpUS

Matthew Guité

ConU president Alan Shepard shares his take on current university matters

>>Moving forward

and they are having a good experience. If they are in any kind of distress, then they will be able to report that and we will hear back from Chinese Family Services. We will be getting feedback as soon as they have conducted those interviews.

The first meeting of Montreal’s new executive committee has been hailed as a collaborative success by its members following the signing of a major contract which would see a reduction in the amount the city pays into blue collar worker pensions. The contract was deemed a “historic agreement” by interim Mayor Michael Applebaum, who hopes to sign similar agreements with other employees, potentially saving Montreal up to $50 million annually. The committee includes members from all of Montreal’s major municipal parties and several independents

>>Hide your iPhone, hide your Android Five minors were arrested last week as part of an ongoing operation by Montreal Police to crack down on cellphone theft. The minors were suspected to be involved in as many as 10 robberies and were between 15 and 17 years old. Operation Match has been in effect since October. Cellphone theft is often a violent crime according to a statement released by the Montreal Police. It is hoped that new measures will help deter smartphone theft. Stolen phones will soon be tracked by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association to prevent them from being reactivated on a different network.

>>That’s your cue The Parti Québécois’ Environment Minister Daniel Breton has announced he will be stepping down following a number of minor but embarrassing incidents from his past coming to light. Some of the charges against Breton from before he became involved in politics include speeding tickets, a ticket for driving with a suspended license, lying on employment insurance forms, not paying his rent and filing his taxes late. Though he at first denied the claims, Breton has since admitted that all the charges are accurate.

>>More taxes!? English public school boards in Quebec may be raising taxes to make up for a shortfall of up to $12 million in the Parti Québécois’ recent budget. At a meeting last week held to discuss the new budget and its potential impact on schools, the idea of raising school taxes was suggested as one way of making up for the deep cuts the new provincial government has made in order to eliminate the deficit. “Boards have to look somewhere to keep their funds up and the school taxes are their discretionary fund,” said Richard Goldfinch, president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers. Officials suggested that the increase could take place off-island, as regions within the city are already at their maximum taxation.

C: If Concordia does decide to bring foreign student recruitment in-house, what would that look like?

Marilla Steuter-Martin Editor-in-chief The Concordian sat down with Concordia President Alan Shepard to look back on the semester and discuss moving forward in the new year. The Concordian: Has the university made any more efforts to contact Chinese students who have had negative experiences with Concordia’s foreign recruitment program? Alan Shepard: We have been working with Chinese Family Services and we’re just about to go out and make contact with the students. We’ll be reaching out to the students who came through the China Recruitment program; there’s about 400 of those students this year. What we really want to ensure is that they are feeling safe, well looked after, that their circumstances are acceptable to them

A.S.: We’re getting pretty close to making a decision. Our choices are to continue to use a foreign recruiter, or build an Asia recruitment team inside our recruitment team. We’d probably have to add to staff and we want to make sure that we get people who have the language capabilities to recruit in Mandarin. We will be working on that right away if we go in that direction. [The decision] will be made by President’s Executive Group, on recommendation from Roger Côté. C: Why is bicameralism between the university Board of Governors and Senate so important to a university structure? A.S.: Universities, we’re not fundamentally businesses, we’re fundamentally societies or communities of people pursuing a common mission. We have a business element. I mean, we can’t be foolish with the funds. They’re taxpayer dollars, they’re student tuition dollars and they are gifts to the university. So you need to be scrupulously careful about what you do with the money. But beyond that we’re a society or community …

and a key voice in that is the Senate, composed of student staff and faculty who are leaders in the academic community, so they need to have a voice. Particularly on academic matters. C: Have any other measures been put into place to facilitate bicameralism? A.S.: I think what you’re going to see now is the action, the practice of it. We’ve put all the framework in place and now what you want to be watching for is ultimately, ‘is it really happening?’. On both sides [there is] a willingness to work together and I’m certainly interested in bicameralism. The legislative pieces are done and it’s actually taking root. That’s good because you get a stronger, healthier university. C: Do you have a specific goal for the upcoming education summit? A.S.: I have a general goal which is that I want to ensure that the university’s voices are heard. I think there’s often a lot of confusion about what universities’ missions are, how they work, how they’re funded and so forth, so clarity is really good. Because I think we have nothing to hide … and I’m really interested in the mission getting through to the general public. It’s important that the people of Quebec understand that universities serve Quebec. We serve students, but we also serve the prosperity of Quebec; social, cultural and economic. C: After your first semester at Concordia, what have you learned?

A.S.: So when you are being recruited for a job like this, you have some sense of what the job will be like, but it’s hard to have a really close sense. You can talk to people, you can read, but I think the key thing that I’ve learned is what a strong and fantastic place it is. And I mean that quite sincerely. I have visited many research centres on campus, I have talked to many students, many alumni, faculty, staff and people in the larger Quebec society. It’s a big, complex place, but it’s got enormous potential. I’ve made it my work in this first semester to get to know the people and the place and I feel like I’ve succeeded in doing that. Madelayne Hajek C: What Photo do youby hope to accomplish next semester?

A.S.: I want to dive deeply into the university’s academic plan and its structural framework and I want for the team to continue to push forward on new initiatives and ongoing ones. I’m working with the team, focusing closely on data; we have a lot of data on how the place works and … in areas where things are going well I want to continue to support those—and in areas where we need to make changes, if the data suggests that, then I want to start making those changes. I also want to make sure that I’m representing Concordia externally. So one of my jobs is to be talking to friends of the university, talking to governments, talking to prospective donors, talking to prospective students, so I want to be out there working on Concordia’s reputation.

CAMpUS

Petitioning for a second CSU byelection Fine Arts students concerned over lack of representation on council Matthew Guité Assistant news editor

A

petition is circulating and calling for a new round of byelections in January to fill the vacant Fine Arts seats on the Concordia Student Union’s council. After the departure of councillor Laura Glover, and the forced resignations of councillors Michael Mercer and Nicolas Martel due to mounting absences, Fine Arts students have been left without representation on council. The most recent byelection did not allow for all three seats to be filled after no one ran for the only seat available, that of former councillor Laura Glover.

Erika Couto, the author of the petition that has garnered close to 250 signatures and VP clubs and services of the Fine Arts Student Alliance, told The Concordian that as well as only having one seat out of three available for elections, the one seat available for Fine Arts students was poorly promoted. “There was very little outreach done to advertise this one open seat,” Couto said. “No visible postering in buildings frequented by Fine Arts students, nothing was sent to the FASA executives to be sent out through our listserv. These were all easy steps that could have been taken to ensure maximum visibility for the open spot.” Couto said that the lack of representation is a concern for her,

considering the CSU deals with millions of dollars in funding and makes vital decisions for the entire undergraduate student body. “What it comes down to is that I know these people, I see them every day,” she said. “I owe it to them to fix a problem when I see it, because I care about them.” At the council meeting where the petition was discussed, a decision was reached to support the petition and look into the issue of holding another vote in January. Though there were questions of where the money would be found, it was decided that the matter would be sent to the financial committee to figure out the technicalities of holding another election.

Nadine Atallah, VP internal and clubs of the CSU said that she was concerned about the lack of representation for Fine Arts students, but that it was not a unique situation. “It’s definitely unfortunate any time that you have a lack of representation or no representation at all for any faculty at council and we should all do our best to do serve those people,” Atallah said, adding that she was pleased to see Fine Arts students interested in representation. “There are also independent students who aren’t represented at all on council, and we’re having a hard time getting independent students out, which is concerning for me as an independent student myself.”


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Nation in A new executive to kick off December brief The Concordia Student Union fills VP academic and advocacy position Con U campus

Robin Della Corte

Kalina Laframboise News editor The Concordia Student Union appointed Hajar El Jahidi to VP academic and advocacy during a regular council meeting last Wednesday. Following a ruling from the Judicial Board, the position of VP academic and advocacy that was tendered for the byelections by concerned councillors was officially closed because it was never legally opened. The decision stated that regulations were not adhered to when council put forth the initial motion, rendering it defunct. In accordance with the CSU bylaws, only the president may appoint someone to an executive position. El Jahidi was the only candidate for the position formerly held by Lucia Gallardo, who stepped down in September due to her inability to resolve her registered student status issue. Since Gallardo’s departure the portfolio of VP academic and advocacy had been split between VP external Simon-Pierre Lauzon and VP sustainability Andrew Roberts. Council, however, expressed concerns over fulfilling the mandate of an executive who was

no longer there. Schubert Laforest, president of the CSU, motioned to appoint El Jahidi for VP academic and advocacy. As of last Monday, El Jahidi underwent training for the position. When asked why Laforest (who was initially opposed to opening the position) had changed his mind, he said it was the “responsible� thing to do and that “it would be detrimental not to� considering the higher education summit to address the governance of post-secondary institutions this February. El Jahidi said she is collaborating with Lauzon to prepare for the higher education summit to ensure that Concordia students have their voices heard. She went on to say the she is hoping to implement CSU tutoring services in the near future as part of her mandate. Furthermore, El Jahidi hopes to use the additional money from VP academic and advocacy’s unused salary to date for student bursaries. “For now I’m mainly getting up to speed with the rest of team and catching up on the work that’s been done since the beginning of the year,�

campus

Byelections allow CSU council to grow Nine additional students from two faculties to fill empty seats Robin Della Corte Assistant news editor The Concordia Student Union held byelections last week to fill the spots and elect new representatives from Arts and Science and the John Molson School of Business. During the voting that took place from Nov. 27 to 29, only 465 Concordia undergraduate students cast their votes. The undergraduate student body is over 30,000. Caroline Bourbonnière, Patrick Lefebvre, Justin Occhionero, Benjamin Prunty, Hardial Rosner, James Vaccaro and Ashley Walling ran to represent Arts and Science on council. With the exception of Occhionero, all candidates were elected. Occhionero only lost by three votes, with 181 in his favour. Anja Rajaonarivelo, Pierre Tardivo Martin and Eugene Gusman were elected to the vacant JMSB seats since there were four open spots during the byelections. Chief Electoral Officer Justin Holland of the CSU confirmed that only approximately 80 votes were cast for JMSB candidates. Gusman stated that he was excited to sit on council but that the lack of interest from the student body and low voter turnout left him feeling disappointed. “I want people to care a little more of what happens around them, whether it’s in school or in Montreal,â€? he said. This concern was also voiced by Prunty, who said he wants to investigate student apathy. “In a lot of ways, participation is

the measure of legitimacy for political or representative bodies and we have to make sure that we are, in fact, legitimate,� said Prunty. “Increasing participation won’t be easy, but it must be done.� For Lefebvre, he hopes to create an initiative to help students with disabilities and reduced mobility attend more school events. “I also want to help create a fund to [...] pay for aides who can help with feeding and bathroom needs of disabled students while at events,� said Lefebvre. CSU President Schubert Laforest stated that he is pleased with the outcome of the byelections. “I’m happy we’ll have a lot of new members, and great representatives representing the Arts and Science faculty,� he said. “But there is still a lot of concern about the Fine Arts faculty not having a representative. It’s something we definitely have to look into,� Laforest added.

>>Shark on the lam The ban on the sale of shark fins in Toronto has been nullified by Ontario Superior Court Judge James Spence. In September, the ban was passed by city council as a bylaw by a vote of 38 to four for environmental and health reasons which members of the Chinese business community questioned. Often used in soup at traditional Chinese weddings, shark fins are considered a delicacy. Those who supported the bylaw stated that the notion of killing sharks only for their fins is inhumane. Spence said that it is not in the city’s mandate to impose bans of such a nature. Hajar El Jahidi, new CSU VP academic and advocacy. photo by madelayne Hajek. said El Jahidi. Similarly, the postponed motion to appoint a John Molson School of Business student to the university’s Senate was approved by council, appointing Melissa Lemieux. “I am ecstatic that JMSB has a representative in time for the December 7 Senate meeting, which is long overdue,� Lemieux said.

Prior to last Wednesday the JMSB faculty lacked undergraduate student representation on Senate, something that is mandatory in accordance with university bylaws. For Lemieux, she hopes that the CSU will amend its bylaws to reflect those of the university regarding undergraduate seats on Senate and hopefully address the lack of independent student representation.

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BYELECTION RESULTS:

)25 ,1)250$7,21 ARTS AND SCIENCE CANDIDATES: Benjamin Prunty - 230 votes James Vaccaro - 218 votes Hardial Rosner - 215 votes Caroline Bourbonnière - 209 votes Patrick Lefebvre - 206 votes Ashley Walling - 184 votes Justin Occhionero - 181 votes JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CANDIDATES: Pierre Tardivo Martin - 45 votes Anja Rajaonarivelo - 39 votes Eugene Gusman - 29 votes

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>>Don’t honk at me A bus driver is in trouble after a heated argument with a pedestrian who refused to move out of the way from the front of his bus. The Saskatoon, B.C. employee was caught on film hurling colourful insults. “I think he did it just to prove a point,� Josh Swejda, a student who filmed the incident told CBC News. “I don’t think he liked the fact that he was honked at, so that’s what started the whole thing.� The bus driver, who asked others to intervene during the incident, has been suspended after the video made an appearance on YouTube due to his behaviour. Three individuals tried to step in with one caught pushing the pedestrian down after the bus drove off. Saskatoon police are now investigating the incident.

>>A first for everything In an oddly green move Saskatchewan is the first province to approve a new procedure of dealing with bodies that involves liquifying the remains. The process, called alkaline hydrolysis, uses a pressurized chamber to reduce the body to liquid and bone. It has been used for medical cadavers and animal remains for years but is now being accepted as an alternative to cremation in Canada, whereas it’s been common practice in certain states for some time. It is similar to cremation but more environmentally friendly since it doesn’t produce smoke.

>>Who let the cat out? The first feline rabies case since 2001 was reported by the New Brunswick Public Health Department last week. According to CBC News, the unvaccinated pet bit its owner after returning to the house and died the following day. Rabies in felines is extremely rare but is often seen in bats, raccoons and skunks. Since it is the first case in a decade, there is no need for panic, according to the president of the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Mary-Ellen Themens. She did emphasize, however, that it is should serve as a reminder that the disease still exists and that precautionary measures are mandatory.


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theconcordian

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

World in brief

CUTV’s future up in the air

Matthew Guité

>>Rock ‘em, sock ‘em, eliminate ‘em Researchers in England are planning to evaluate the possibility of technology rising up to wipe out the human race. Though the concept is often thought of as science fiction, researchers at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk say that the subject must be analyzed with a mature attitude. “The seriousness of these risks is difficult to assess, but that in itself seems a cause for concern, given how much is at stake,” the researchers said in a statement on their website. The theory is that robots will outsmart individuals and the world will find itself at the mercy of them. Subjects of study will include nanotechnology and artificial life.

>>A new status The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to approve an upgrade of Palestine’s status in order to grant it state recognition. The voting finished 138-9 in favour with 41 abstentions, with Canada and the United States both opposed. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the vote was the “last chance to save the two-state solution” with Israel, while Israel’s envoy to the UN said he believes that the move was a step backwards. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird explained before the vote why Canada would vote against the move, saying “We cannot support an initiative that we are firmly convinced will undermine the objective of reaching a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement for both sides.”

>>A game of chance A town in Spain called Alameda has settled on an interesting way to combat their crippling unemployment: a job lottery. A handful of jobs as builders, street sweepers and cleaners are made available every few months to a pool of hundreds who put their names in for a chance to work for a short time. With 34 per cent unemployment in a town of just over 5,500, Mayor Juan Lorenzo Pinera has come up with the lottery as a way of sharing what little work his town hall is able to assign. The national unemployment rate in Spain is 25 per cent, rising to 52 per cent for those younger than 25.

>>Cut your losses and rob a bank A 33-year-old inmate released for budgetary reasons was arrested less than an hour later for trying to rob a bank in Oregon. Christopher Franklin Weaver was released from prison Thursday morning at 11a.m. and police were called to the nearby bank robbery about an hour later. Weaver was in jail for parole violations relating to a sexual abuse conviction but was released along with approximately 30 inmates due to budget cuts. Earlier this year the jail was forced to close 96 beds also for budgetary reasons and since then dozens of inmates have been released on a weekly basis to make room for more dangerous individuals.

About 40 people were in AttendAnce At the cutv gA held sAturdAy. photo by mArie-josée kelly

Continued from cover Due to time constraints and conflicts over the formation of a proposed board of 11 members, a motion was put forth to implement a provisional BoD. The original proposal incorporated a position for a donor and three students, a point that was met with contention from some. CUTV member Julian Ward proposed a board model with more

student representation including four students, four community members and one staff member. This motion was amended to exclude a staff member leading to a final eight members after discord among attendees. Following a secret ballot, the newly implemented provisional BoD consists of four undergraduate students: Emily Campbell, Ward, Michelle Moore and Kian Ettehadieh and four community members: David Widgington, Mikelai Cervera, Anthony Côte and Catherine

Poitras Auger. “Getting things sort of back to normal takes precedence,” Ettehadieh told The Concordian. “We have to address the wide variety of issues going on, whether they are personal, legal or financial.” Two re-counts revealed a tie in the number of votes for Widgington and candidate William Ray. The only proposed solution in the bylaws for such a situation stated that the chairperson could vote. Citing discomfort, Matak opted instead to flip a coin. Therefore, Wid-

gington was appointed as the result of a coin toss. “The priority was to make sure they have a legal board to bring CUTV back on its feet,” said President Schubert Laforest of the Concordia Student Union. “It’s the best outcome given the situation.” While CUTV possesses a legal board, challenges and questions remain. A real BoD must be structured and agreed upon, a future GA must be held to continue going over bylaws, and the payroll is frozen. “As the signing authority on the account, the Concordia Student Broadcasting Corporation froze the payroll. It was not the university,” said Chris Mota, university spokesperson. “The university has not been in touch with members of the station as this is a student fee levy group that needs to work out its own issues.” According to Mota, the university has been monitoring the situation. Angelica Calcagnile, president of the CSBC, told The Concordian that a motion was passed by the CSBC to freeze CUTV’s payroll account on Oct. 30 in light of the legal limbo the station found itself in. “I know that the university had to catch up on that with payroll, but the decision to freeze that account was taken on October 30,” Calcagnile said. “I’m not sure of the exact moment in time in which that happened, but ultimately it was the university that froze the account.”

CAMpUS

Breakdown: potential student centre proposal A look at the contract between the Concordia Student Union and MHpM Kalina Laframboise

News editor

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he Concordian sat down with Patrick Goodwin of MHPM Project Management Inc. to discuss the new contract with the Concordia Student Union in hopes of building a student centre. Here is our breakdown of the next year and the proposal that undergraduate students dished out $97,300 for. THE PROCESS Analysis As part of the plan, MHPM and the CSU will conduct a analysis by surveying students on their wants, needs and current space. In order to move forward and present options, Goodwin emphasized that Concordia’s undergraduate student body plays a huge role in the entire process. “We’re reaching out to students in general who don’t use the facilities as much to see where they stand,” said Goodwin. Report Following

the

needs

analysis,

Goodwin said that a report will be produced for early 2013 and presented to the ad hoc committee organized by the CSU. In consultation with the executive and committee, MHPM will develop options geared to the needs and wants of students. Options Following this, the CSU will present the options to Concordia students and see which choices are well received and which aren’t. According to Goodwin, it’s possible to combine different aspects of the options. “We don’t want to present a slew of options that are confusing, the idea is present different ways of looking at things,” he said. “We also get a bit of a vision of where students want to go.” Preparing for next year Outside of MHPM’s mandate and realm, a referendum could be held for students to decided how to move forward. Furthermore, the CSU and MHPM will work in tandem to provide a roadmap on how to move forward with future student centre initiatives.

THE CHALLENGES Student involvement One of the main obstacles that MHPM and the CSU will face is having students participate in the needs survey and provide their input on a potential student centre. “The CSU wants to get the support but it’s up to the students,” explained Goodwin. “It’s getting the engagement.” Concordia’s undergraduate population is composed of 30,000 students and the goal is to involve as many as possible. Two campuses The mandate and proposal is geared to construct a student centre at Concordia’s downtown Sir George Williams campus while still accommodating the needs of the population at Loyola campus in Notre-Dame-deGrâce. “Our mandate is very much laid out for a student centre at the SGW campus but it is for the entire student body,” Goodwin told The Concordian. Urban setting, lack of space While it is too early to consider

options for a proposed student centre, one possibility that can be ruled out is modifying a building that Concordia already owns. It would be difficult to change a facility that is already in use since the university already has a large student population and a lack of space. “I think there are too many things involved in that,” said Goodwin. “If it is an option, we need some openness from administration on that.” The objective is to find out what students think “how far is too far and what they consider campus to be” so that a location can be found that reflects Concordia student life. However, Goodwin remains optimistic considering MHPM has dealt with Ryerson University in Toronto that also is in the heart of the city. Administration A significant problem of the past is the dealing of the CSU and university administration when it comes to proposing and accepting a student centre plan. According to Goodwin, past proposals failed because students’ needs weren’t taken into consideration or the university presented an offer that received a negative reaction from undergraduate students.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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CON U

A fight for better national health and food policies Discussion addresses downfalls of health-care system and poor eating habits Marie-Josée Kelly Assistant news photographer In an effort to shed light on the difficulties of implementing food policy in the public’s best interest and educate students on the dangers of fast food, the School of Community and Public Affairs Student Association hosted a panel discussion for students last Thursday. As part of SCPASA’s recent initiative to advocate for a better health policy, speakers shared their contributions to the fight for better food policy at the national level and their insight into the issue. Panelists included Dr. Shiv Chop-

ra, a microbiologist and author of Corrupt to the Core: Memoirs of a Health Canada Whistleblower, Bill Jeffery, national co-ordinator of Ottawa’s Centre for Science in the Public Interest and Amanda Sheedy, co-ordinator for Food Secure Canada. “There’s a complete lack of debate in the political discourse in Canada on the issue,” said Anthony Garoufalis-Auger, executive secretary of the SCPASA. “Major strains are on our public healthcare system.” Garoufalis-Auger stressed that the strains are a result of unhealthy and processed food, the backlash

on the environment from mass, industrial farming and the growing global food crisis. About 20 per cent of deaths in countries such as Canada are linked to nutritionrelated illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. The CSPI vows to represent the public’s interest before regulatory and legislative bodies by advocating for the elimination of synthetic trans fats and the reduction of sodium in products. According to Jeffery, a simple reduction in sodium to the level recommended by health experts could help avert the deaths of 14,000 to 16,000 Canadians an-

nually related to heart attacks and strokes. The burden puts a lot of pressure on provincial governments to “fill the void” while the federal government “ignores” the problem. FSC lobbies for a national food policy that addresses food security, climate change and poverty. Its goal is to improve the current food system as an estimated two million people in Canada are ‘food insecure’ and about 800,000 people in Canada visit a food bank every month. “I think it’s a shame, I think it’s an embarrassment that we can’t figure out a way as a society to

feed ourselves,” said Sheedy. Five substances are incorporated illegally into the food supply such as hormones, slaughterhouse waste and antibiotics, that each contribute to disease and untimely death, according to Chopra. “This is not a matter of nutrition, this is not a matter of shortage of food, this is a matter of corruption,” said Chopra. “Big companies are now in charge of our governments.” “In Canada, the greatest hope is Quebec simply because history shows every new idea, every new social change has always been started here.”

CiTy

Concerns over rising tensions

demonstrAtors wAlk through the streets of downtown montreAl lAst thursdAy. photo by writer

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contingent of approximately 50 demonstrators marched in downtown Montreal last Thursday to address concerns related to the federal government’s relations with Iran. Students from Concordia University gathered in front of the Hall building at 12:15 p.m. before they walked to Phillips Square to join other protesters. They expressed concern over the closing of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran and the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa in September. “Those first cuts of diplomatic ties are usually the first steps in cold war that precede actual military intervention,” said Anastasia, a graduate student and one of the organizers of the protest who declined to give her last name. “[A war is] an inevitability, we feel, because of the rhetoric spun by government officials from Western nations and the media. We don’t want another repetition of Iraq or

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Afghanistan, there’s no sense in losing blood.” The group also marched through the Promenades Cathédrale, the McGill metro station and the Eaton Centre chanting “No war on Iran!” “Viva Palestina!” and “Stephen Harper, Peter MacKay, how many kids have you killed today?” They also handed out flyers that referred to the economic sanctions on Iran as a form of aggression that hurts the people and governments involved. “Our currency dropped by

more than 70 per cent and now my father has to pay threefold for my studies in comparison to before,” said Shayesteh Mohammadbeigy, an Iranian student studying at Concordia. The protest ended at McGill’s Macdonald engineering building with slogans condemning the university’s military research funding. “These kinds of mobilizations need to start here because Quebec is usually the centre of social change and progressive thought in Canada,” said Anastasia.

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life 6

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com fooD

The best of Montreal’s midnight snack options Whether it’s pork buns, paninis or shawarma, there’s nothing better than booze and late night food

Big in Japan Sara Baron-Goodman Staff writer

The delecTable pork buns available aT big in Japan. phoTo by sTephanie la leggia

Conveniently nestled on the nightlife stretch of St-Laurent, Big in Japan is the perfect post-party eatery. Japanese food usually insinuates sushi, but the menu at Big in Japan features an entirely different take on the culture’s cuisine. Featuring about 15 options for late-night diners. I would categorize the food as Asian pub fare meets Eat St. I ordered the barbecue pork steamed buns, for $12. It consisted of a pork filet and Japanese cucumber slivers sandwiched between a sticky bun, drenched with a sweet and salty hoisin-type sauce. A small but very spicy Kimchi salad came in a bowl on the side. The sandwich was that perfect combination of sweet and hearty, an an-

chor for a stomach churning in a sea of tequila. The late night menu also features a huge meal-sized bowl of ramen soup with a myriad of vegetables, pork, and a hard-boiled egg floating in it, as well as several meat and rice plates, Japanese style sandwiches, and tuna tartare, none of which cost more than $13. The restaurant also offers an extensive daytime menu, and has a decent selection of beers and sake. The house beer was nice and light, and the Sayuri sake was extremely smooth, though much stronger than I expected. Big in Japan is open daily until 3 a.m., to eat in or take out and is located on 3723 St-Laurent Blvd.

Boustan George Menexis opinions editor There isn’t enough one can say about good food — think about how happy it makes you feel. I’m here to praise one of the greatest culinary legacies in Montreal. A place that stays open for our late, grumbling appetites or our drunken snacking. He’s created a name for himself in the city, and all citizens should thank him for his epic shish taouk in that little hole in the wall on Crescent St. I’m talking about Boustan, of course. Boustan was owned by none other than Imad Smaidi, known to his customers as the infamous Mr. Boustan, for 25 years. He recently sold his establishment to George and Peter Hatzis. At the time, I was extremely worried that this

change might alter the mouth-watering quality of Boustan’s food. However, the new owners have managed to beautifully preserve the Boustan legacy. Sometimes, I can still imagine Mr. Boustan cutting up the meat in the back. What makes this place so great is that it serves some of the most delicious Middle Eastern food in Montreal. The shish taouk, the shawarmas, and the delicious, always glistening, golden garlic potatoes are all spectacular. It is the king of restaurants and I say you haven’t really eaten until you’ve eaten there at least once. Boustan is located on 9832 Crescent St.

bousTan has cemenTed iTs place in monTreal food culTure wiTh iTs cuisine. phoTo from flickr

Joe’s Panini George Menexis opinions editor

Joe’s panini provides plenTiful laTe-nighT snacks for nighT owls. phoTo by madelayne haJek

Joe’s panini may not live up to the Boustan legacy, but only a few blocks away, it has also created a name for itself serving Montrealers some of the best paninis in the city. This may sound farfetched, but as a Montrealer with a voracious appetite, I’m saying with confidence that you aren’t a true Montrealer until you’ve had Joe’s paninis in the wee hours of the morning. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Joe’s Panini takes the words ‘late-night fix’ to another level. No matter what time of day, you’re sure to always have a small line-up upon arrival. That’s fine, because you’ll need a few minutes to decide

on which of the countless paninis to try, all written down on a blackboard above the counter. For your first time, don’t think twice; you must have the Philly cheese sub. Needless to say, all of the other ones are absolutely delightful as well; the spicy-rib panini, the spicy chicken, the egg salad panini, are all great and cost $5.50. Joe’s Panini serves up sandwiches like none else and they have the reputation to prove it. It’s no wonder it’s been around for 35 years. Joe’s Panini, Montrealers thank you. Joe’s Panini is located on 1404 Drummond St.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Drool your heart out at Diablo BBQ Discover a Montreal smokehouse worthy of its name Stephanie La Leggia Life editor Watching the program Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network has been torturous, featuring Southern-style restaurants I could only dream of one day trying — that is until I discovered Smokehouse Diablo BBQ. Once I walked into what felt like a western movie, I knew this joint was worthy of its smokehouse title. Diablo BBQ welcomes you with swinging saloon doors and lures you in with the most wonderful barbecue aroma that fills your lungs and seduces your gut. The room is warm and inviting, filled with western memorabilia of wagon wheels, red velvet curtains, antique lanterns, recycled church pews, walls decorated with handguns and photos of Confederate soldiers plus a lonely wooden armadillo you’ll most likely invite to join you during your meal. “We just try and make it as authentic as possible, everything that we do, we want it to have a rustic, very authentic and nostalgic feel to it,” said co-owner Richard Escaravage. Escaravage and his two partners, Jason Joyal and Raphael Santarosa, have been friends for 20 years before they decided to take a chance and introduce a little Southern love to our cold city. During a road trip two years ago with some friends, Escaravage and Joyal headed to Texas where they fell in love with the culture and cuisine. Wondering why such an authentic smoky, spicy, and sweet flavour didn’t exist back home, they decided to take matters into their own hands and bring a taste of Texas back home with them. Presented with the perfect location in the Latin Quarter and the opportunity to buy equip-

auThenTic souThern flare and delicious dishes can be found wiThin The walls of diablo bbQ. phoTos courTesy of smokehouse diablo bbQ ment, including a smoker all the way from Tennessee, Escaravage and Joyal opened Diablo BBQ and invited Santarosa to join in on the fun. With no real culinary background, Jason travelled to New Orleans and Texas to learn from the locals and dived right in. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, we’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re taking comfort food to a whole new level and putting a twist on traditional barbecue and Southern dishes,” said Santarosa. Drooling over the thought of anything smoked, sauced and battered, I couldn’t help myself from inviting friends to tag along and try as much as we could from the menu. We began our evening with the bite-size popcorn shrimp, their infamous fried pickles that were sliced, fried like chips and absolutely delicious and, to our humourous regret, the breaded jalapeno poppers stuffed with cream cheese. Although we were warned of their level of spiciness, our egos got the best us and led us to a torturous moment of sweat and tears. Thankfully, Diablo BBQ offers an impressive cocktail menu to help cool off a heated tongue.

From tweaked classic cocktails in mason jars, to margaritas served with an upside-down beer in a monster-size glass, to some of Escaravage’s homemade concoctions inspired by his travels, there is a drink for any taste. Impressed with the starters, we had high expectations for the main dishes priced between $12.95 and $25.95. We were definitely not let down. The pulled pork sandwich was perfectly smoked and tender, served with a side of traditional coleslaw and the best corn bread I have ever had. The poutine was a combination of white and sweet potato fries and topped with smoked gravy, a signature dish. The star of the joint were the pork ribs, smoked with hickory wood and covered with their homemade barbecue sauce that was a perfect balance between saltiness and sweetness; we just couldn’t resist asking for some on the side for our fries and corn bread. What threw me over the edge was their sixth deadly sin burger, a burger that won fourth place during Burger Week. It’s so special and exclusive it’s not even on the menu; it’s the kind of thing you just have to know about. One of Joy-

al’s creations, the burger is an eight ounce triple A beef patty topped with provolone cheese, house-smoked bacon, smoked tomato ketchup and cucumber radish relish (all homemade, of course). All that is then put into a grilled pretzel bun and flash fried. Are you drooling yet? Always with the need to satisfy their customers and keep things interesting, Diablo BBQ offers seasonal food and cocktail menus and has recently included a hangover breakfast. I’m talking about waffles with a side of fried chicken. The best part about Diablo BBQ (aside from its succulent menu) is the party ambiance and diverse clientele. From tattooed rockers, to students, to suits, everyone is there to enjoy the food, chug the drinks, hum to the rockabilly music, and party with the owners. “This is a place where you know you could come and relax, eat, fill your gut and be amongst like-minded people,” said Santarosa. “On the weekends it’s a party. So if you scream and yell and have a good time, that’s what it’s about, and we’ll join in with you!” Smokehouse Diablo BBQ is located at 1693A Saint-Denis St.

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Coffee on wheels hits the streets Warm up with a cup of Joe from the mobile Dispatch Coffee truck Rebecca De Carlo Contributor

Like most university students I have come to thrive on coffee. Whether I’m trying to survive a painstakingly long class, pulling an all-nighter or battling the odd hangover, I am always on the lookout for a great cup of coffee that will keep me going through all of my endeavors. So when I heard about the latest addition to the Montreal coffee scene, I knew I had to check it out. Starting Dec. 1, Dispatch Coffee is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “grabbing a quick cup of coffee.” The company is taking a new spin on the food truck idea with a unique mobile espresso bar concept. The truck will be serving high quality, delicious coffee, baked goods and catering services. There will be an array of coffee beans from around North America, including Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters from Calgary, and Montreal-based Kittel Compagnie de café. Different roasters will be featured during different seasons to ensure the best beans are available year-round. Dispatch Coffee is a refreshing new company, in more ways than one. From their original idea of making the comforting ambiance of a cafe mobile to their sensational and interactive website, Dispatch Coffee is creating quite a buzz in Montreal. But what makes Dispatch Coffee so special? The company focuses heavily on the quality of their products. They only source beans roasted and farmed with intense care to maintain quality

control. Along with quality, the experience itself is reason enough to try Dispatch Coffee. There is a particular novelty to a mobile espresso bar. The idea for the mobile espresso bar bloomed from Chrissy Durcak, owner of Dispatch Coffee. She had worked at cafes for a few years and this summer while she was delivering coffee she had the neat idea for a mobile espresso bar. Not only can you get a delicious cup of coffee on the go, Dispatch Coffee also offers a selection of pastries from talented local pastry chefs. The pairing of coffee and baked goods is a classic idea, but Dispatch Coffee tries to keep their products creative, local, and exciting. While the entire menu is mouth watering, Durcak recommends the speculoos cookie coupled with an espresso. This winter, Dispatch Coffee will have a popup shop cafe, keeping their employees and customers warm during the harsh Montreal winter. The truck will be parked indoors at the Nomad Nation, with signs pointing to its location. Dispatch Coffee is also looking to expand their locations this spring so watch out for their truck! Whether you love coffee or need coffee, check out this new and one of a kind addition to the Montreal coffee scene. As of Dec. 1, Dispatch Coffee will be located on 129 Van Horne Ave. until further notice.

Photos courtesy of Dispatch Coffee


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Tuesday, December 4, 2012 CuLTuRe

theconcordian

Pipe Dreams: the man who explored Montreal’s underground Andrew emond shares his explorations with the public Milos Kovacevic Contributor

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ndrew Emond moved to Montreal from Toronto in 2006. Like any urbanite, he sought to get a fuller picture of his new home by visiting landmarks and walking the streets. Then he started discreetly lifting manhole covers. To better learn about Montreal, a city whose skyline is made of high-rises and factories as much as parks and churches, all straining for the sky, he decided to go the opposite way: underground. There, in the maze of sewers and dim tunnels, he began to learn about and curate this hidden aspect of Montreal. With experience in exploring, researching, and photographing various industrial structures — both above and below the surface — coming from previous urban exploration projects, it came naturally. To most people, the subterranean world is a blind-spot on the urban radar. We go about our lives wholly dependent on the network below our feet yet we are unaware of the thousands of kilometers of infrastructure, added over many decades, which lie below our foundations. This is what Emond and those like him seek to illuminate. Emond is an urban explorer, a member of an intrepid community that makes the time to appreciate man-made landscapes. By the most common definition, urban explorers

underground explorer andrew emond sees The ciTy his own way. phoTo by andrew emond search for and study anything industrial, usually structures which are seldom seen or appreciated, such as abandoned or hidden architecture. Part urban explorer, part artist, Emond created a virtual repository for the project, UnderMontreal.com, and began detailing his encounters to the public, whom he encouraged to participate in the idea through online media and interaction. It’s a project of impressive scope, digging deep into the historical and contemporary factors that have made Montreal what it is. He has explored hidden rivers, pushed below by urban sprawl, and written about Montreal’s waste-treatment system. Historically, he’s amassed written records stretching back nearly 150 years. His most impres-

sive experiences have been navigating brick sewers built in the latter half of the 1800s, an architectural feat he considers unique in the city. All the while he’s taken spectacular photos of gigantic sewers, snaking waterways and spooky crevices. His uncommon lifestyle oftentimes causes numerous run-ins with the law. Normally able to explain himself to the authorities, he was once arrested in Toronto for trespassing through their underground network. When you operate in the grey zones of legality, exploring potentially dangerous urban spaces, such consequences come with the job. “It helps to be able to communicate your intent and to have a purpose for doing what

you do that goes beyond ‘because it’s fun and exciting.’” he said. According to Emond, Montreal’s permanent urban explorer community is small. Most come and go, their curiosity sated after a few underground forays. To him, it takes more than curiosity. It takes an addiction to come back time after time and trudge through the many kilometres of winding tunnels – sometimes dead ends – where the ultimate payoff could be a change in architectural aesthetics or a junction different from the one before. “There’s a lot of drudgery and monotony involved in this sort of thing that isn’t for everyone. You can’t go into it expecting to see all kinds of wonderful things or at least you can’t expect to see things without [being] willing to walk several kilometres through featureless sections to get to them,” he said. Now, back in Toronto, he continues to explore, with numerous other projects in the works. UnderMontreal remains dormant, perhaps permanently. It remains an incredible repository of Montreal’s hidden underground and well worth a look. As for urban exploration, “if you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll begin to understand how all this came to be; what was happening above ground at the time, both technologically and socially speaking. You begin to get a bigger sense of how the city’s underground is very much a reflection of its past.” We may not be able to put in the time or find the passion and join in, but thanks to Emond’s efforts to showcase his discoveries, it’s almost like we’re there.

vinTAGe

Step back in time and get lost in a nostalgia shop

Photos courtesy of Kitsch’n Swell

Kitsch’n Swell is not just another frippery Sara Baron-Goodman Staff writer Brimming with quirky relics from decades past, Kitsch’n Swell is a treasure trove waiting to be scavenged. Though sandwiched in the middle of several similar stores, Kitsch’n Swell is as unique as the items it houses, and is not to be missed. Unlike many vintage stores, which can’t seem to stifle the lingering smell of mothballs, Kitsch’n Swell welcomes visitors with the subtle aroma of incense, automatically giving the space a warm feel. The décor is overly cluttered in a completely charming way, with everything from Christian-themed oil paintings to Elvis memorabilia to 1940s feathered caps hanging off the bright walls. Every square inch

of the place oozes with personality, and it feels like each item has a story. Most importantly, this isn’t just another frippery. “Everything we sell is genuine vintage,” said Amélie Thériault, who owns the store with her boyfriend Richard Goulet. All items sold hail from sometime between the 1940s and ‘80s, so you’re not just re-buying a discarded Christmas sweater from three years ago. “We’re constantly searching for interesting items,” said Thériault. She explained that they get their merchandise from a myriad of sources, often enlisting the help of a “picker” who is essentially an expert vintage hunter. Most of their stock comes from within Montreal, but an occasional expedition elsewhere in Canada has proved fruitful. “Some of our prized items are a collection of 600 pairs of pants we found in New Brunswick, all from the 1960s and never worn,”

said Thériault. Another one of their treasures is a slew of 1950s glasses, all completely new, which they retrieved from a closed-down optometrist’s old stock. There are hundreds of pairs of hornrimmed and bejewelled cat-eye frames and, of course, I simply couldn’t resist trying on every single one. The new-old frames are all sold for $124, while ones that were previously owned come in slightly cheaper at $99. Some of my favorite items were the 1960s grey-blue typewriter, still in its original case and the functioning 1940s dial phone. Scrounging around the magazine rack, I rifled through old issues of Life and Paris Match magazines, the oldest of which were from October 1937. Amongst them were some iconic editions, namely the Life issue that came out the week after John F. Kennedy was shot. Of course, there are also plenty of sartorial finds for vintage aficionado—I dare you to leave without a perfectly granny-chic sweater in hand.

Prices vary depending on the item, how old it is and its condition. Generally the clothing seems to fit into the $35 to $60 price range, meaning that these timeless pieces won’t set you back any farther than the average shopping trip to Zara or H&M. Thériault and Goulet opened Kitsch’n Swell five years ago, and have since opened a sister shop, Rokokonut, one door over. In there, you’ll find a similar vibe with a racier edge. Vintage Playboy magazines sit on racks next to gussets and garters, but it also houses a more extensive collection of pants and dresses. Both stores are definitely worth a visit if you’re in the market for kitschy knick-knacks, an authentically retro wardrobe revamp, or if you simply want to take a step back into the days of olde. Kitsch’n Swell is located on 3968 St-Laurent Blvd.


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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

9

ShoppinG

Skip the store hopping and start online shopping The Concordian offers a one-stop holiday gift guide with something for everyone on your list natacha Medeiros Contributor

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ith the holidays just around the corner, it’s nearly time to layer on your winter gear, heat up the car, and find your way to the mall on a Saturday morning. That means driving in circles around a packed parking lot, followed by the slow and awkward drive behind someone walking towards their car. We’ve all been there; going to the mall during the holidays is a nightmare. So this year, it’s time to shake things up. Forget about elbowing your way through the hoards of Christmas shoppers and resist falling into the same gift-giving rut. Instead, curl up with a warm cup of hot cocoa, wrap yourself in a blanket, and turn on your computer, because online shopping beats store hopping any day. Here’s some of the web’s best spots for holiday giving, so you can cross everyone off your list without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.

Any girl would swoon over a gift from shopbop.com. Home to hundreds of designer labels, the site has the perfect selection of shoes, accessories, handbags and clothing for the fashion-savvy woman in your life. Whether she’s been coveting an Alexander McQueen scarf, Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings, or a Tory Burch iPhone case, Shopbop literally has it all. Don’t let the word designer turn you off. Although many of their items have a steep price tag, a lot of the accessories are more than reasonable. They also have a killer sale section. For those who would rather have an original piece of art or handmade jewelry there’s etsy.com. It’s where small business owners go to sell their original products: art, jewelry, clothing, tech gadgets, and more. Plus, the prices are pretty reasonable, making it the perfect option for those on a budget. It’s a wonderful way to support local designers without heading out into the cold. The tech nerd we all know would love a gift from macmall.com. They sell a variety

of computers, tablets, and accessories at discounted prices that would make the perfect gift for your electronic enthusiast. For the beauty-obsessed there’s always sephora.ca. Choose from a variety of pre-made sets that are ready for gifting, or select individual items from some of the industry’s best brands. If choosing makeup is too overwhelming, there’s a huge selection of fragrances, many of which come in convenient holiday sets. Sephora also carries fragrances and skincare for men. For fair-trade gifts that make you feel good about spending your money, visit tenthousandvillages.com. Selling handmade items from artisans in 38 countries, the company is one of the world’s largest fair trade organizations. Pairing designer taste with a student budget doesn’t always work out, except when you log onto beyondtherack.com or gilt.com, where they specialize in selling amazing products at reduced prices. From watches to

Graphic by Jennifer Kwan

bags, sunglasses to home furnishings, there’s something for everyone. Sales are categorized by item and usually last about two to three days. Check in daily for new deals or sign-up for emails to see upcoming bargains. Also, be sure to get your purchase in fast, because like anything else, the good stuff always goes first. If you want to make gift-giving a little more personal, zazzle.com is the perfect site to check out. At Zazzle, you can “make any product, gift or occasion a custom work of art.” From personalized mugs to T-shirts, laptop cases to aprons, everything is customizable. If you’re not sure what to design, they offer shopping by brand, like Harry Potter, DC Comics, and South Park.

Stumped as to what to get the man in your life? Take a look at uncrate.com, a site full of fashion, tech, and gadgets that are as unique as the person you’re buying for. It’s a digital magazine for the young, modern, materialistic man, and it allows you to purchase anything you like with just a click. If you’re still at a loss, check out incrediblethings.com. Although not everything featured on the site are for purchase, you’ll definitely find some interesting ideas. So there you have it, a complete shopping guide that’ll help you shop for everyone on your list. So, skip the mall and hit the web, where there’s sure to be no line ups, no crazy holiday shoppers, and no parking lot blues.

vinTAGe

Go ahead, travel back in time to 1861

This vintage-inspired boutique, located downtown and on the main, is chic inside and out Tania Di palma Contributor

bouTiQue 1861 offers an assorTmenT of Throwback pieces, from eleganT seQuined dresses To flowy, lace-covered blouses and To-die-for bedazzled heels. phoTos by madelayne haJek On Ste-Catherine and St-Laurent — two of Montreal’s trendiest streets — there exists a true girlygirl’s dream; the romantic, vintage-inspired and feminine Boutique 1861. You cannot help but drag yourself into this boudoir-style shop, especially with its one-of-akind clothing, which are all so carefully displayed on their mannequins. Whether it is the accessories, dresses, skirts or blouses, every item is placed in a particular fashion. Owner Castle Ho says that since she was a child, she has always adored Victorian decoration, and has been attracted to intricacy, which inspired her to share such elegant and classic creations with others through her shops. “It was like a dream, I wanted to make these

dreams come true, and bring some magic to life,” said Ho. It comes as no surprise that a woman like Ho, with so much class and elegance, would open these two stylized stores. Upon walking into 1861, you truly feel like you are in woman’s closet in the Victorian era. You could spend hours simply admiring interesting accessory pieces and hand-selected garments. The comfort and design of the store, with its stylish carved loveseats, mirrors and shades of pink and white, all reflect the clothing and accessories in the boutiques. You immediately get the feeling that you are in the Rococo period. They carry pieces from local and international independent designers such as Arti Gogna, Coccolily, Toronto-based designer Jordan de Ruiter,

Pink Martini, Californian label BB Dakota, MINKPINK, Darling from the U.K. and much more. When searching for clothing and accessories with a vintage touch, the goal of 1861 is to make sure that they always find the most affordable and unique items for their clients. They make a constant effort to satisfy their customers and ensure they will leave with something special, without having to worry about breaking the bank. Every piece in this store is so magnificent and chic, priced from $50 to $250. Ho and sales associate Sophia Trozzo insist that building a relationship with their customers, and ensuring clients leave the store with an outfit in which they feel confident is the most rewarding part of their job.

“Our clients are mostly women that love and appreciate fashion, and enjoy being a woman,” Ho said. The glamorous store has many loyal, and fashion-savvy customers, along with new clients who are lured into the boutique by the breathtaking, out-of-the-ordinary window display. “My favourite part would be playing dressup with the clients,” explained Ho. “I had always known that I would not stop loving playing dressup since my first Barbie doll.” 1861 has exclusive and retro-chic designs to suit every woman out there, from more sophisticated pieces to old-world glamour. 1861 is located on Ste-Catherine W. St. and 3670 St-Laurent Blvd.


arts 10

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com

profile

Once upon a dare... a household name in the making Montreal comedian and Concordia graduate Andrew Searles on being a comedian and actor Milos Kovacevic Contributor

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or comedian and Concordia University graduate Andrew Searles it all started with a challenge. One night a friend dared him to open for comics Joey Elias and Ryan Wilner at a John Abbott College comedy show. At the time, he thought it would be a fun experience, nothing more. Now it’s 10 years later and he’s one of our city’s most dynamic comedians, entertaining crowds from coast to coast. For Searles, comedy allows him to be himself, only more so. “I’m on stage, cracking jokes, hitting on girls in the front row, shooting down the jock who’s being a douchebag.” And at the end of it all? “After you do an amazing show, and you get off-stage, they say it’s better than any drug you could ever take in life. The rush you get…nothing beats it.” Searles has worked hard to achieve the success he experiences today. For years he would analyze videotapes of his shows, studying everything to the way the audience reacted to his body language. All his work has made comedy a seamless extension of his personality. “People say we make it easy. People say comedy’s a quick thing, but it takes years to become seasoned.” So what makes a professional comedian? Many things: improvisation, knowledge of crowd psychology and brazen confidence. “You have to be 110 per cent confident you’re ready for what they’re going to say next. I have to show that I’m ready to handle anything that’s being thrown at me.” Despite steadily touring across the country he still maintains strong ties to Montreal’s comedy scene.

“I still go back to open mics to work on new material. Montreal definitely has camaraderie. We all help each other.” Recently back from his latest tour, Andrew isn’t as narrowly defined by his comedy as one would think. He’s also making steady forays into the acting world. In the year and a half since graduating from the John Molson School of Business with a degree in marketing, he has quit his part-time job and is now pursuing acting alongside his comedy. “Acting has always been my main goal, the end result. Comedy was something I fell in to. Between juggling school and comedy and acting, I could only do two out of three.” As his marketing degree was more of a fallback plan, comedy was the option that made the cut. “Now I’m at the point where I can focus on my comedy and my acting. Now I’m ready to push both of them to the next level.” His upcoming projects are as numerous as they are different. In February, as part of Black History Month, he will participating in the second annual run of The Underground Comedy Railroad, a showcase of black Canadian comedic talent. “A lot of black comedy we see is from the U.S. We’re often overshadowed by the American black comedy scene so I think this show is a way of showing off black Canadian comics,” he said. Screen wise, he’ll be featured in a soon-tobe-released web series as well as having some face time in a new Roland Emmerich (director, Independence Day) film alongside some big Hollywood names. With such ambitions, where does he see himself in the future? “I’d like to live in Los Angeles, juggling the comedy and acting careers. And Jessica Alba. Maybe live in a jet at some point and fly around.”

Searles is a JMSB graduate who has broken into the comedy scene. Photo by Norm Edwards

review

The two sides of Alfred Hitchcock Bio-pic Hitchcock gives audience an intimate view of the acclaimed filmmaker and director Isabela Chamon Sasaki Contributor

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omplete with “Hitchcock blondes” and the famous Psycho shower scene, the biopic Hitchcock premiered Nov. 30 at Cineplex Odeon Forum, allowing moviegoers a glimpse at the life of the mastermind behind the 1960 cult classic. Directed by Sacha Gervasi, Hitchcock begins with an unrecognizable Anthony Hopkins as the master of suspense, and Helen Mirren as his wife and right hand, Alma Reville. The film takes the audience behind the scenes of the film Psycho, but also shows the influence Alma had on Hitchcock during that turbulent time. Based on the book by Stephen Rebello, Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, the movie begins after Hitchcock receives some bad reviews about his film North by Northwest. Frustrated, Hitchcock feels that

drastic change is required to convince the critics that he hasn’t lost his touch. When a newspaper published the story of murderer and body snatcher, Ed Gein, Hitchcock is inspired. Hitch, as he liked to be called, developed a small obsession with the bloody story and decided to turn it into a movie. However, Paramount decided they wouldn’t finance the movie so Hitchcock, as a headstrong artist, decided that he would make the movie regardless. He mortgaged his house and started production on Psycho. While the making of his greatest movie is one of the main points of the picture, his

relationship with his wife is also in focus. It is portrayed in a way that is not distracting, but complements the film as a whole, unifying the biography of Hitchcock. Alma was Hitchcock’s friend and counselor and much more than just a wife. However, they had a sexless marriage and thus Hitchcock became obsessed with his consistently blonde leading ladies—since referred to as “Hitchcock blondes.” In the meantime, Alma spent her time with writer Whitfield Cook, which caused Hitchcock a great deal of jealousy. Despite their farfrom-perfect marriage, their relationship is admirable because of the amount of support

and companionship they continued to show each other in spite of infidelity. The remake of the classic shower scene with Janet Leigh was beautifully played by Scarlett Johansson. Considering that it’s one of the most famous scenes in film history, the expectations were high. Johansson’s acting throughout the film was not spectacular—never being quite believable, but that scene in particular was a piece of art. Hitchcock is easy on the eyes; Jeff Cronenweth’s cinematography is just right, using the perfect amount of suspense in each take, the right amount of light and the camera’s velocity when approaching the subject. The photography was never boring or dull. The editing is also at its best; each scene flows naturally to the other. The movie gives the audience a shallow yet elegant depiction of Hitchcock’s life as the infamous director of Psycho and as a husband who argues with his wife, has insecurities and snores at night.


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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

11

exhIBIT

Inquiring into the artistic process and its product

vAv gallery exhibit Queer partnerships looks at the artistic process of collaboration Ariana Trigueros-Corbo Staff writer

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s the semester draws to a close, the VAV gallery at Concordia has launched its final exhibit of 2012, one which will surely encourage discussion. Queer Partnerships, attempts to look at the different shapes human contact and creative collaboration take, while exploring and challenging the artistic conventions of masculinity, singularity and heteronormativity. To this purpose, the exhibit provides an opportunity for the audience to explore both the artistic process and its product. The Queer Partnerships Collective is a group of students assembled by Concordia professor Erin Silver, in the context of her ART398 class, Significant “Others”: Queer Partnerships in Art & Art-Making. Silver paired the students in her class with an artist mentor from Montreal and Toronto, in order to focus attention on the possibilities of queer artistic collaborations.

Behind the scenes in this exhibit, the curatorial efforts put forth are also reflective of a desire to challenge artistic conventions. Clinton Glenn, the exhibit’s curator, is using Queer Partnerships as an experiment for his curatorial statement. Glenn explained that the point of the way he curated this exhibit was to challenge the traditional gallery approach by “destroying the narrative sequence that’s usually present in exhibits.” He plans on scheduling a set number of interventions, affecting the setup of the exhibit and allowing him to analyze how people interact with gallery space. Queer Partnerships is an exhibit that’s expecting a lot of exposure. Its participation in the World Aids Day this past weekend has earned it a lot of attention, both on and off campus. In light of the artists’ engagement in the queer subject matter, this exhibit is, if anything, a great example of how you can use art to advocate knowledge and opinions on given social issues. These pieces are very personal, some even including memorabilia from

Photo by Megan Moore

coming-out stories. Overall, the exhibit has something raw to it that’s very compelling. It says a lot for just how close transparency can bring you to an artist and how it can advocate their overall message,

but there’s nothing sleek or finished about it’s showcasing. You’re simply left with the impression that you are peeking into someone’s innermost thoughts, fears and advocacies, their perpetual work in progress.

TheATre

What does it mean? What is RED ? Award-winning play by writer of Skyfall premiers at Segal Centre Amanda l. Shore Arts editor

What is red?” shouts Mark Rothko, as he begins on another of his impassioned, belligerent speeches. Indeed RED, by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright John Logan, is riddled with so many torrential philosophical speeches that the audience nearly drowns in them. If you can follow Rothko’s vehement rants on the faceted layers of art, his own work and the work of his contemporaries, then you may walk away from RED enlightened. However, you may also leave disappointed, as any person would who experiences as many climaxes in 96 minutes as RED presents, but no real satisfaction. RED, directed by Governor General Award-winning actor and director Martha Henry, takes place over the two-year span in which it took abstract expressionist artist, Mark Rothko, to create a series of large scale murals for Manhattan’s Four Season’s restaurant. The play opens in 1958 as Rothko (played by Randy Hughson) is joined by a young new assistant, Ken (Jesse Aaron Dwyre). A fictionalized account of Rothko’s first attempt to create a space where one might interact and contemplate his artwork, RED portrays Rothko’s struggle with the idea that this project is an insult to his artistic integrity. Throughout the play, Rothko’s notion of art and meaning is challenged by Ken, a dilettante artist with a tragic past. Hughson as Rothko is vivid and enigmatic. His portrayal of Rothko, the aging, frustrated artist struggling with his own significance is three-dimensional and lively. He commands the stage, shadowing the less dynamic Dwyre. Initially, this overpowering seems intentional, juxtaposing the dominant character of Rothko against the submissive

character of Ken. However, when the focus shifts to Ken, as his character begins to come into his own, Dwyre’s emotional portrayal pales in comparison to Hughson and the audience is unable to engage with him as much. The play takes place in a single location, the studio Rothko rented when he was painting the Four Season murals. Eo Sharp has constructed a set that is said to be accurate to the actual studio Rothko used. Indeed, Sharp’s set is reflective of what one would presume an artist’s studio to look like, down to the worn, dirty furniture and the amalgamation of canvases in various stages of completion. There is no intermission and the scene changes are done in a half blackout, flowing seamlessly with the rhythm of the play. Time’s passage is marked by comments pertaining to the progress of the series of murals. Costume changes are, for the most part, done on stage, but with a naturalness that is easily accepted by the audience as organic to the world of the play. Logan has created a philosophically heavy play that seems to serve as a biography of Rothko, an illustration of his methods and mentality. The audience is berated with speeches that preach on all manner of subjects, from the work of Nietzsche, to the reasoning of Pollock, to expostulations on the nature of Rothko’s work and the meaning of the colours red and black. These speeches are thought provoking, but the sheer number of them and the way they are angrily thrown out at the bewildered audience results in the alienation of said audience. Indeed, as the play ran on, the speeches became monotonous and some audience members were seen to be dozing off. “You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting,” quotes Rothko from Rembrandt’s painting “Belshazzar’s Feast.” Verily, Logan’s RED has been weighed and found wanting. RED runs until Dec. 16 at The Segal Centre. For showtimes and ticket information visit segalcentre.org

randy hughSon aS Mark rothko and JeSSe aaron dwyre aS rothko’S aSSiStant, ken.


music 12

tuesday, December 4, 2012

Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com Feature

Log in and get out of your music rut the best online music streaming and referral services to get your ears buzzing

Songza’S “concierge” tailorS playliStS to the day of the week, the liStener’S current mood and activity, while moSt other online muSic Streaming ServiceS rely on uSer-curated content. romain Dompnier Contributor

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ongza, 8tracks, Pandora, GrooveShark and Spotify are companies that encourage listeners to discover music in more relevant, cost-efficient and innovative ways. Together, these five online services attract a cumulative 64 million users to their websites and mobile applications. All are free, but not all are available in Canada — nor are they all legal. Apart from being great services, these products shed light on changing paradigms in the music industry. Their business plans and profitability margins vary greatly, but the underlying truth is how we engage with music and how streaming is becoming more important than buying records. Most of these sites allow you to listen to music you don’t own for free. How is that possible? A compulsory license with groups ASCAP, BMI and SESAC which pay musicians, songwriters and labels fractions of a cent each time their intellectual property is played. No real money can be made from these royalties. Releasing these songs for the world to hear, like and share brings new fans to shows. Each website has their particular way of getting the music you might want to your ears. SONGZA Songza is a relatively old player in the music streaming and recommendation game considering its launch in 2007. But this old dog has learned some new tricks that make it the fastest-growing and most attention-grabbing of the bunch. “The idea here is that we can get you some awesome music without you having to think,” said Songza’s founder and chief executive Elias Roman, when describing what is now known as the music “concierge.” While other sites and apps require the user

to manually choose or assemble the playlist they want to listen to, the “concierge” leads you to a playlist curated by one of their experts and tailored to the time of day and your activity. If it is Tuesday evening, for instance, one might choose “doing homework” from the six activities available for that timeframe. Turns out, a mixture of obscure genres including soft jazz and American primitivism is a perfect, steady and lyricless backdrop to pounding out that paper. Very obscure music can be perfect for very mainstream activities. Songza puts them in touch. What’s most impressive about this company is how consumers have responded. In June 2012, four months after the “concierge” was introduced, Songza was the second most downloaded free app for the iPhone. Seventy days after its launch in Canada in August, one million people north of the border had acquired it. While Songza remains incredibly userfriendly, a couple of snags will no doubt hinder your sing-like-no-one’s-around enjoyment, if even just a little. Say you discover a really great song, which you’re bound to at any given moment, well, Songza hopes you enjoyed it the first time because there is no way to repeat any previously heard song or even parts of the song currently streaming. Blasting any length of pyroclastic flows from outside Wi-Fi range can also cost you some stacks if your cellphone plan is short on data. Available in Canada: Yes Favourite playlists: “Tar Beach Lullabies,” “I’m A Boss,” “Y’all ready for this: ‘90s Jock Jams” 8TRACKS 8tracks is another source of free music streaming, except, this time, the content is user-curated. After registering, the user can start

listening to one of more than 600,000 playlists. Others can embrace their inner DJ, and create a mix containing a minimum of eight tracks uploaded from their own mp3 libraries. Oriented towards social networking, users sometimes try hard to get their choices listened to, commented on and “hearted” (akin to “liking” on Facebook). 8tracks users interact more with each other than on other services, but this is partly by choice. It was featured in TIME’s 2011 list of “50 best websites.” At the entrance, users are greeted by the “cloud:” a collection of trending search tags. Two rounds of choices are made to refine the search. One might pair “lazy” with “chocolate” and end up listening to a playlist of exclusively acoustic covers. 8tracks one-ups Songza’s themed playlists by offering ones assembled by celebrities like Elton John and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The company also offers prizes and media coverage to members who enter their mixtapes into contests. It has been in operation since August 2008, and while founder David Porter held high hopes since the site’s development in 1999, 8tracks hasn’t been as quickly adopted as Pandora or its peer-to-peer predecessor, Napster. Still, it has an average of five million users per month between the site and its smartphone app. Grooveshark is a service which takes 8tracks’ user contribution model to a more extreme level. All of the songs available for streaming come from users rather than record labels. Imagine Limewire with a music recommendation system. Just like its file-sharing predecessors, Grooveshark is currently the subject of lawsuits asking for damages in the millions.

PANDORA AND SPOTIFY Pandora internet radio is the grandfather and poster boy for the music streaming and recommendation market. It is the most used, the most profitable and has arguably the best recommendation system. In 2011, the company made $138 million and its stock began trading on the NYSE. Pandora initially prompts users to choose one song they wish to listen to. That song is analysed according to rhythm syncopation, key tonality, vocal harmonies and instrumental proficiency. Algorithms then produce a series of similar tracks to be played. If a track doesn’t suit your taste, you can give it a thumbs down, further refining future suggestions. Up to this summer, close to 55 million people in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand have had their tastes examined via Pandora. Only those three countries benefit from access, in part because they offer fewer constraining royalty laws. Constraint can also be felt by the user: you may find yourself listening to subtly different versions of the same music you started with. Satisfied listeners can save a playlist, which then becomes a “station” anyone can listen to. Spotify is another service that has acquired mainstream success in the U.S. but is unavailable in Canada. This company has concentrated its effort into seamless streaming rather than recommendation of music. It requires the user to download software which in turn grants them access to Spotify’s entire song library from your device. Think iTunes but free, and with a library 18 millions songs deep and a 2.5 hours-a-week listening limit.

Available in Canada: Yes Favourite playlists: “Folking around” by myang6, “I’ve got the Power” by jmasliah

Available in Canada: No Favorite stations (Pandora): “Wicked station,” “Dubstep radio,” “Smash station”


Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian

tuesday, December 4, 2012

13

proFile

A band that plays together, stays together american folk trio Good old War on tour with Canadian cult musician Xavier rudd Gabriel ellison-Scowcroft Staff writer

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ounded in 2008 in Philadelphia, Good Old War members Keith Goodwin, Daniel Schwartz and Tim Arnold have already released three albums of very listenable indie-folk. The term ‘listenable’ is often associated with the latest top 40 hits, but in this case it is a positive thing. Lead vocalist Schwartz’s clear, clean voice combined with a soft blend of guitar, accordion and keys produces the kind of music you can listen to anywhere, anytime. It is hard to pinpoint what secret ingredient gives their music this kind of feel because there isn’t one instrument or sound that stands out. Their music is more of an amalgamation of sounds that work together to create a warm and consistently pleasant feeling. “The kind of music we play doesn’t really have a genre,” said Schwartz. “We came from a desire to have a kind of positivity and enjoyment in our playing.” And if you needed anything else to complete their resemblance to some of the great folk trios, Good Old War uses three-part harmonies in almost all their songs. “When we started, we based ourselves off of mostly vocal bands like Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Kinks and the Zombies,” said Schwartz. Good Old War has been on tour since the March 2012 release of their third album, Come Back As Rain. “We’ve already played over 200 shows this year,” said Schwartz. “Sometimes it’s a little tiring because you don’t get any personal time whatsoever, but even when it’s at its worst, we’re happy to be here playing music.” Before flying to Vancouver at the end of October, Good Old War was on tour with

good old war have been touring Since march after the releaSe of Come BaCk as Rain but make their montreal debut thiS week. American rock band NEEDTOBREATHE. “Every tour has its own feel because the fans are all different,” said Schwartz. “So far it’s been a totally different vibe with Xavier [Rudd]. The venues are a little smaller, but we like playing in giant places and tiny places. That and Canadian audiences are so much more polite.” Good Old War became good friends with Rudd when they played together in 2010. And what should you expect if you choose to buy tickets to their Dec. 7 show at

Metropolis? You can expect three very talented musicians who will play their hearts out. “One thing people say all the time is that they can see how much fun we have on stage,” said Schwartz. “It’s not about, ‘Hey watch us’, when we’re on stage. It’s about being together, singing together and being happy together. We always hope that the crowd will join in and sing along.” It is the first time Good Old War will be performing in Montreal. It also happens to be the last city on this Canadian tour and poten-

tially the last show for a while. “We’re taking time off after this tour to work on the next album,” said Schwartz. So, if you need some encouragement for exams or just feel like absorbing some good vibes, give Good Old War a proper Montreal welcome when they come to Metropolis. Good Old War plays Metropolis with Xavier Rudd on Friday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $37 to $41.70.

proFile

Award-winning gospel choir to hit Theatre Outremont From CN to the international stage, how Carol Bernard found her groove in gospel paul traunero Staff writer “At CN I had successfully climbed the ladder, maybe even broke some glass ceilings for a black woman,” said Carol Bernard, reminiscing about her past as senior manager at Canadian National Railway. Bernard, born in Montreal to Jamaican parents, has no regrets but it was a long winding road to where she is today: directing Montreal’s Jireh Gospel Choir.

“People are surprised when they learn that my first degree was in mathematics,” said Bernard, who says she sees her educational background as an asset, if not a necessity. “Music is science as well as art. Just like in mathematics, where the answer is right or wrong, the note that a singer sings is either right [on pitch] or wrong.” Her analytical skills have been invaluable for her position with CN as much as choir director. It’s been more than a decade since her

Jireh performed with cirque du Soleil at the montreal Jazz feStival in front of thouSandS.

transition from day-job to living the dream. Bernard was recently informed of her selection as one of Black History Month’s candidates for their 2013 calendar. “Anybody who knew me knew that I was more passionate about gospel music than I was about transporting goods,” explained Bernard. Armed with the knowledge that it was time for her to follow her passion and the skills she gathered along the way, she left her job at CN and has since helped create Montreal’s most authentic and talented gospel choir, Jireh. Named after the Hebrew word for ‘provider’ (in the Bible, ‘Jehovah Jireh’ is used for God, meaning ‘God our Provider’), Jireh Gospel choir provides a dynamic ensemble of top notch vocal talent with a distinct FrenchCanadian flavour. “I don’t want to live anywhere else,” said Bernard of her hometown, Montreal. “I love this city for the people, the food, the unique European/French flavour and the passion for the arts.” But most of all, Bernard feels that Montreal needs Jireh because “so many people here do not consider themselves religious and need to hear the message [of God] through gospel music.” Despite the general trend of people turning away from the church, Jireh is able to transcend the rigid idea of religious music by mixing traditional and contemporary styles, from

jazz, R&B, classical music and even rock. They also perform original compositions, including the song “Quoi qu’il arrive,” which won them the Gospel Music Association of Canada’s Gospel Song of the Year in 2012. “The word ‘religious’ has the connotation of dos and don’ts,” said Bernard, insisting that what gospel music can offer transcends rules. Instead, it offers the listener the experience of “real joy, hope, love and peace.” With Bernard at the helm, Jireh has accomplished more than she could ever have imagined. “[From] performing with Cirque du Soleil at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in front of more than 200,000 people, as well as the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, to producing a platinum selling CD with popular Quebec singer Mario Pelchat,” said Bernard, her face lighting up. But for those who are considering a career in the music industry, Bernard has a warning: “don’t do it unless you are prepared to eat peanut butter sandwiches or mac and cheese. In other words, don’t do it for the money, fame or glory. Do it if you can’t see yourself doing anything else with your life.” Carol Bernard and the Jireh Gospel Choir will appear at ONE: Christmas Gospel Celebration 2012 at Theatre Outremont on Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are 25$ (20$ for students).


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theconcordian

tuesday, December 4, 2012 proFile

New Music Canada: Human Human

indie-pop band previously known as Girl reveals plans for new album andria Caputo Staff writer

andrew Guilbert Staff writer

>>>Tunes on ice

In what is surely one of the most peculiar yet apt combinations of subject and medium, Swedish indie band Shout Out Louds have released their newest single, “Blue Ice,” on a 7” record made entirely of the titular substance. To clarify, it’s more of a DIY project than an actual record, as the only way to get one of these records is to get your hands on one of 10 “ice boxes” given out to select fans. According to the instructional video included with the press release: “In order to be the first to hear Shout Out Louds’ first track from their forthcoming album, [those who got a box] were required to make a record, out of ice.” The “ice boxes” include nothing more than a mold for the record and a bottle of water, which, when left in the freezer for six hours, combine to make a very scratchy sounding recording. The song itself, their first single in three years, is about “fading devotion” according to the press video, and it will be available on their next album in less-proneto-melting mp3, CD and vinyl formats early next year. Those of you interested in ruining your record players can enter to win one of the kits by sending an email to shoutoutlouds@gmail.com with your postal code.

>>>JusT

a maTTer of Time before They seTTled Them

The Black Keys obviously have no problem with their music appearing in ads for anything from Molson beer to Zales’ diamonds… as long as you pay them, that is. Home Depot and Pizza Hut both presumably found this out the hard way last week after the duo’s copyright infringement lawsuits against the companies were settled out of court for undisclosed amounts. The group alleged that “significant portions” of their song “Gold on the Ceiling” had been used by a Pizza Hut ad to sell ‘cheesy bites’ pizza, whereas Home Depot had used “Lonely Boy,” a single off the band’s latest album, El Camino, to sell Ryobi brand power tools. Both claims were filed back in June, when the band’s lawyers claimed the appropriation of the band’s music was “a brazen and improper effort to capitalize on plaintiffs’ hard-earned success.” Formal dismissals of the lawsuits are expected to be filed sometime in January 2013.

>>>unfinished cloThing no. 1

When John Lennon married Yoko Ono back in 1969, she gave him a series of sketches for clothing inspired by Lennon’s body. Now, for some reason, Ono has turned those sketches into a full-fledged clothing line, entitled “Fashions for Men: 1969-2012.” The clothing line includes such mind-boggling items as bottomless pants, a mesh shirt with no shoulders, pants with a hand imprint on the crotch and a $400 bell bra for men. “I was inspired to create ‘Fashions for Men’, amazed at how my man was looking so great. I felt it was a pity if we could not make clothes emphasizing his very sexy bod,” said Ono of her creations. “So, I made this whole series with love for his hot bod and gave it to him as a wedding present. You can imagine how he went wild and fell in love with me even more.” Each piece has limited run of 52 items and the whole lineup can be seen and purchased at clothing retailer Opening Ceremony’s website (openingceremony.us).

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alent, dedication and friendship are what make Montreal’s Human Human a band to look out for in 2013. With their eponymous EP released just a month ago and an appearance at this year’s M for Montreal festival, Human Human wowed the city with a sound reminiscent of ‘80s pop. Human Human, which is comprised of lead singer and songwriter Félix Roy, drummer Olivier Larouche, bassist Maxime St-Jean and guitarist and keyboardist Louis Lupien, have been playing together since their early teens when they were just high school students in St-Bruno. “We’ve been rehearsing in Lupien’s parents’ basement for a long time,” said Larouche. “For a couple of years we were just playing for fun.” Now in their early 20s, the quartet ditched their old name GIRL when they recorded their EP last winter. The band agreed that the name change was necessary. “We ended up with an album that was totally different: the sound, the feeling, the concept,” said Roy. Influenced by some of the most infamous acts of all time, including The Cure, The Smiths and Coldplay, Human Human feels that their sound is true to the organic indie-pop sounds that shaped their youth. “Our album talks a lot about our youth,” said Roy. “Like when we were young and going to high school. Just four really close friends,

playing around.” Though the band writes their music together, Roy writes the lyrics. When asked about songwriting, Larouche said: “Our songwriting process is really natural, we jam from hard rock to jazz, we just have fun.” Eventually, the songs come together to fit their vision. “I would love to be poetic,” said Roy. “But our lyrics are very grounded. Morrissey has always influenced me. When you human human’S new album reminiSceS about childhood Simplicity. read his lyrics, it’s poetic but grounded at the same time, you can don’t fit into the indie-hipster crew of Montreunderstand what he means.” al,” said Larouche. “It’s hard to fit somewhere, Despite being francophone, the band but we have a really nice following of fans in doesn’t have any worries about singing in Montreal.” English. “It wasn’t a choice to sing in English,” Human Human revealed that their fullsaid Larouche. “It just came out that way. We length album, produced by Jace Lasek, who always listened to Brit and American bands.” worked with Patrick Watson and Wolf Parade, Roy added, “We tried singing in French but it should be released next fall. just didn’t work with our sound.” Though they’ve played in Montreal since visit Human Human’s Bandcamp to downthey were teenagers, the band still feels like load their latest EP and like them on Facethey don’t fit into the city’s music scene. “We book for info on upcoming shows.

ColumN

Streams of the week

three of our latest musical discoveries, for your earbuds only Saturn De los angeles Staff writer

THE SLAKADELIqS - “DE- ILLYA KuRYAKI & THE PARAKEET - “SHONEN FECTIvE” MuSIC vIDEO vALDERRAMAS - “uLA uLA” HEARTS” MuSIC vIDEO The Slakadeliqs is the creative offspring of Toronto-based musician Slakah the Beatchild. Grab a dose of this R&B/alternative crossover and it will leave you smiling in no time. “Defective,” their latest music video off The Other Side of Tomorrow, is narrated in a visually pleasing anime-esque sketch animation that complements The Slakadeliqs’ cozy ambience and acoustic beat. The story is about a boy who finds himself trapped in a mysterious world of doodles until he gets sucked into a black hole. The animation was created by Russian animator Qwaqa. The artists’ home page describes The Other Side of Tomorrow as a blend of live instruments, acoustic guitars, flutes, bells, hand drums and flugelhorns. Listening to each intricately-woven fusion in each song is satisfying to the ear. Whatever song you choose, this album is definitely an audio treat that shouldn’t be missed.

Love the sound of funk? Adore the riffs of ‘70s rock? How about a dash of Latin to try out? Illya Kuryaki & The valderramas’ “Ula Ula” will make your body move, jump and wiggle. The mood is really party-esque, but classy. The chorus is so catchy, you might find yourself muttering the lyrics subconsciously. The trumpets complement the bass riffs alongside the rapping. Nostalgic visual montage a la Charlie’s Angels, the music video feels like a nod to ‘60s cinematography. Fondly known as IKV by fans, the namesake is a portmanteau two known icons - Illya Kuryaki from the ‘60s spy comedy television show called The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Colombian soccer superstar Carlo Valderrama. Jasmine Garsd says that they have a strange status in Latin Alternative Rock, explaining that despite having worked with music legend Bootsy Collins and being loved in the underground scene, they’re not getting the props they are due.

Parakeet is a quirky name for a band, especially one that hails from one of the holy lands of rock — London. But don’t let the name fool you. A quick spin of their latest clip, “Shonen Hearts,” and it could take you to headphone nirvana. Directed by U.K.-based animator Maria Cecilia, the music video illustrates the carefree nature of their style, shot in old-school 480p. The riffs will get your head bobbing, the drums will make you start tapping your feet. Bring out the lovely, hypnotic voice in the background and prepare to get lost in a trance. Music news site DIY U.K. talks about the potential of this band: “Parakeet’s output to date is 100% pure gold ... astounding in the sense that it’s difficult to envisage them being topped by anyone else in the distant future.” Probably one of the most mysterious and fascinating bands to have hit the music U.K. scene, Parakeet one band to watch in the coming months.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian mixtape

15

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was the month before christmas,

and all through the malls, the same old songs played, driving us up the walls. It’s that time of year again. Old Saint Nick’s music is filling up the airwaves. You hear it anywhere speakers can be installed, and your uncle probably has a Bing Crosby holiday CD on repeat. While many look forward to the nostalgic pa-rum-pum-pum-pum of the holiday drums, others find themselves irate with the repetitiveness. Luckily, there is such a thing as an original and enjoyable Christmas tune. On Side A you’ll find songs you may not always think of as holiday songs. Having topped the Christmas charts, many are slowly making their way into the books as classics. Side B features songs from popular Christmas movies. It’s a mix of the old and the new. So grab a blanket, some hot cocoa and let the holiday spirit smother you.

Gettin’ Jolly With it Compiled by Casandra De Masi Contributor

Quick spins

SIDE A: Non-traditional Christmas songs

SIDE B: Christmas at the movies

1. The Killer - “Boots” - (RED) Christmas EP 2. Coldplay - “Christmas Lights” Single 3. Goo Goo Dolls - “Better Days” - Let Love In 4. Shakin’ Stevens - “Merry Christmas, Everyone” - Single 5. John & Yoko with Harlem Community Choir - “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”- Single 6. Wham! - “Last Christmas” - Music From the Edge of Heaven 7. Band-Aid - “Do They Know its Christmas?” - Single 8. U2 - “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” - A Very Special Christmas 9. She & Him - “The Christmas Waltz” - A Very She & Him Christmas 10. Train - “Shake Up Christmas” Save Me, San Francisco

11. Judy Garland - “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - Meet Me in St. Louis 12. Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell - “Baby It’s Cold Outside” - ELF 13. Children’s Chorus - “Somewhere in My Memory/O Holy Night” - Home Alone 14. Danny Elfman - “What’s This?” Nightmare Before Christmas 15. Bing Cosby - “White Christmas” Holiday Inn 16. Taylor Momsen - “Where Are You Christmas?” - The Grinch 17. Olivia Olson - “All I Want for Christmas is You” - Love Actually 18. Various artists - “Auld Lang Syne” It’s a Wonderful Life 19. Josh Groban - “Believe” - Polar Express 20. Misfit Toys - “Island of Misfit Toys” - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin Instrumental Tourist (2012; Software Records)

Rihanna - Unapologetic (2012; Def Jam)

Bjork - Bastards (2012; One Little Indian)

Ke$ha - Warrior (2012; RCA)

Instrumental Tourist is a collaboration between two of North America’s best-known drone musicians: Montreal’s Tim Hecker and Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never). Quoted as being “a divorce from any idea or concept,” this album seems to rely too heavily on improvisation, causing the songs to sound more like a senseless jam session without atmosphere rather than showcasing the strengths of these musicians. Hecker’s best work is strongly conceptual, whereas Lopatin seems more interested in relying on the gimmick of his vintage synthesizers than creating something significant. Songs like “GSM I” and “Intrusions” sound like a synthesized massacre, while “GRM Blue II,” though speckled with what seems to be an angry dial-up modem, has something of a freejazz cool to it. Much like a tourist, Instrumental Tourist seems to only skim the surface of its full potential.

After dropping Unapologetic, Rihanna is unrecognizable next to her innocent 16-year-old self that stepped onto the music scene in 2005. The R&B/ pop superstar’s “good girl gone bad” persona continues to evolve, evident just by looking at the racy album cover. Unapologetic starts strong, but then comes “Numb” featuring Eminem. Unlike the pair’s previous collaborative success, “Love the Way You Lie,” this one misses the mark. Chris Brown lends his vocals to “Nobody’s Business,” which also fails to impress, but seems to confirm reconciliation after their 2009 debacle. The Barbadian beauty shows vulnerability in emotional ballads “Stay,” “What Now” and lead single “Diamonds,” a refreshing change from her up-tempo beats. On “No Love Allowed” Rihanna doesn’t hold back her strong Bajan accent, proudly reflecting her Caribbean roots. Yet again, Rihanna has released an album that willno doubt land her many more number-ones.

Bastards comes one year after Bjork released the world’s first ever ‘app album’, Biophilia. The inspirational and technical process of music-making drove her last album, but her newly released material itself has made a comeback as this album’s focal point. Bastards is Bjork’s third remix album. Though the majority of its songs were originally released on Biophilia, Bastards has a very fresh feel and stands independently as an album. Each song is remixed by different artists giving their own take on Bjork’s inimitable sound. Fans of Bjork will be pleased with the wealth of melancholic vocals propelled forward by dynamic and compelling synth. The album’s sound as a whole covers a wide dynamic range; from echoey and ephemeral melodies to hard, driving beats, this album has plenty of depth to it and will deliver beyond the first listen.

Ke$ha has been described by her label’s producer, Dr. Luke, as “irreverent and sassy.” Her debut album Animal sold more than 13 million copies, and her second album, Warrior, hit shelves on Dec. 4. Warrior is the second chapter of that infamous, autotuned voice and those electro-pop beats that defined her first hit album. This time she has added a special genre in the mix — rock. Ke$ha coupled electronica with rock ‘n roll for the majority of her songs. “Gold Trans Am,” “Dirty Love” featuring the legendary Iggy Pop, “Die Young” and “Out Alive” embody her edge and rebelliousness. Surprisingly, Warrior is also big on slow songs, as seen in “Thinking of You” and “Love into the Light.” Despite the covert art which looks like an amateur’s attempt at photoshop, her decision to try something new, without the need for a bottle of Jack, with her sound demonstrates maturity and a boost of musical confidence since her debut.

Trial track: “GRM Blue II

Trial track: “Loveeeeeee Song” (feat. Future)

Trial track: “Sacrifice” (Death Grips remix)

Trial track: “Die Young”

6/10

- Paul Traunero

7/10

- Sabrina Curiale

7.5/10

-Keith Race

7.5/10

-Krystina Scenna


16

tuesday, December 4, 2012

theconcordian

proFile

Matt Mays confronts his “Terminal Romance” iconic maritime singer songwriter reflects on his four year hiatus and latest release meghan o’Neil the aquinian (St. thomas university) FREDERICTON (CUP) — Matt Mays didn’t rush his latest album, Coyote, because he knows the depth of music. He didn’t want to speed up the album if it wasn’t ready. “I talked to someone the other day whose father passed away and he knew he was going to die, he was on his deathbed and he put on the song [‘Chase the Light’] on repeat and he passed away to the song, which is fucking insane. It’s like I did my job. I did my job properly,” said Mays. A few years back, Mays’ music brought him to places as far as Indonesia, California and Mexico. He embarked on his adventure to work on Coyote and to see countries he’d always wanted to visit. Mays recorded in five different studios and the album was released in early September, after a four-year hiatus since Terminal Romance. “Chase the Light” is the last track on Coyote. Mays said it came naturally and meant the most. Last year, Mays got out of a four year relationship with his fiancée. The track is the only mellow tune on the album and he said music has a way of “predicting the future.” “I just feel numb. I still do. I haven’t written a song in a long time. I just feel like I’m going through a shitty time,” said Mays. “I [haven’t] gone longer without writing a song. It [feels] like I’m never going to write a song again. But you have to embrace it, like I know I’ll get back into some sort of groove.” Even though Mays hasn’t been writing recently, this isn’t to say he hasn’t been busy. He will be finishing a cross-Canada tour in Fredericton. His four year hiatus didn’t go without questions from fans, friends and family about when his next album would be released. “If I write a song and I think about it, it sounds that way. But there are songs that come out that you more or less sort of channel, and those are ones I tend to try and keep,” said Mays. “Why it took a long time is that I didn’t want to write any songs like I was thinking about writing them.” Mays said channeling songs is like “sticking an antenna in the air and waiting to see what happens.” Mays hasn’t been “channeling” many

i used to go a month without writing a song and freak out. then all of a sudden, i’ll write five tunes. i’m always thinking on songs ... even though i’m not working on songs. - Matt Mays, musician

matt mayS recorded Coyote in five different StudioS in Several different countrieS before itS Semptember releaSe after a four-year hiatuS.

after a failed engagement, mayS encountered difficulty writing new muSic but knew hiS creativity would return eventually — and it did. songs recently. He speaks openly about his recent breakup and the affect it had on his songwriting. Although he hasn’t been writing, he isn’t discouraged because he knows his writer’s block won’t last forever. “I used to go a month without writing a song and freak out. Then all of a sudden, I’ll write five tunes. I’m always thinking on songs ... even though I’m not working on songs.” This constant dialogue is always going on in his head. He drew a lot of inspiration from the places he traveled to and said he liked the idea of the al-

bum being recorded in so many different places. “The Queen of Portland Street,” brings Mays and his listeners back to his hometown of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. After four albums and being on the road writing Coyote, the track ensures listeners that Mays is the same musician who recorded “City of Lakes” on his self-titled debut album in 2002. The sound of his harmonica carries the rock album back to the Maritimes. “I don’t mind being mainstream or being on the radio, as long as those songs are being channeled,” said Mays. He

said he’d rather have a job as a parking enforcement officer than write songs that sound too planned out. Mays admits he’s had “probably the shittiest year of [his] life,” but he wrote “Chase the Light” when he was in a good place. When he listens to it now, he said he feels like that’s where he is now. “It was the last song on the album and it means alot to me, because I haven’t had the easiest last year or two, and songs have a funny way of predicting the future ... it’s something you can’t even put into words.”


sports

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

17

Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com Profile

Meet Greg Sutton: Concordia’s men’s soccer assistant coach ex Montreal impact goalkeeper on being a pro and a Stinger Kevin Duarte Sports editor It is not surprising to see the names of former professional athletes sprinkled around many Concordia Stingers teams as coaches. One of those names is Greg Sutton, a professional soccer player, who just recently retired from the Montreal Impact in late October. Sutton’s 14-year career as a professional footballer saw him represent teams such as the Chicago Fire, Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls and, finally, the Impact, on two separate occasions. The Hamilton, Ont. native was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 1999 MLS College Draft. In his rookie season, Sutton made his debut, coming on as a substitute against the San Jose Clash on June 19. Sutton kept a clean sheet and earned his first professional victory. Following Chicago, Sutton played for the Montreal Impact when they were still in North America’s second division. Sutton was a fan favourite and collected many awards guarding the Impact’s goal. He won the USL championship in 2004 and was named league MVP in the same

year. Sutton was also named Goalkeeper of the Year for four years in a row, beginning in 2003. “When you get to a place in your game where you are confident, you feel that you can be unbeatable at times,” he said. “I was lucky enough to be rewarded with those accolades. It’s always a nice accomplishment to remember. I’m grateful for those years for sure.” In 2007, he joined Toronto FC in their first season in the MLS. Toronto FC was the first Canadian professional team to make it to North America’s top league. Sutton was happy to be in Toronto as he is now part of Canadian soccer history. A few years later, he found himself back in Montreal, where he would ultimately end his career. Sutton spent the end of the 2011 season on loan with the Impact and later became a permanent member after signing a contract in 2012. During his career, he also had a chance to represent the Canadian National Team 16 times between 2004 and 2009. Sutton made his debut for Canada on Jan. 18, 2004 in a one-nil win against Barbados. He was also included in three of Canada’s Gold Cup squads, a tournament that only involves North American countries. In September 2012, while still a member of the Impact, Sutton joined the Stingers as an assistant coach on the men’s soccer team. The team is currently coached

by Lloyd Barker, a former Impact player himself, who is a good friend of Sutton’s. “Lloyd [Barker] asked me if I would offer some time to the guys,” said Sutton. “I enjoy coaching. Offering your services to coach at the college level is an experience not many people can do as well. I enjoy that aspect of the game.” After a few months with the team, Sutton believes Concordia has a bright future ahead when it comes to soccer. “We’re starting to see more and more players go through the system, but it’s a cycle obviously,” he said. “Hopefully we can continue to grow the team and the game itself at Concordia. When asked about his future behind the Stingers’ bench, Sutton is still unsure about his plans for 2013. “We’ll see, I don’t know. I haven’t made my decision yet,” he said. “If I do comeback, I’d like to continue to improve the game and the team itself. I think we need to start focusing a little bit more on the individual improvement of players and try to get the technical and tactical aspects improved on. It will take dedication from the guys as well.”

Photo from Flickr

caMPuS

Stingers recruit front office talent rSeQ director takes on new role at concordia andrew Maggio Staff writer Concordia University’s athletics department has added a new face on the team, as John Bower will join Concordia University’s athletics department as associate director of student athlete services. Bower, who held the position of director of university sport with the RSEQ, will officially begin his new role with the university on Dec. 17. “I’m pleased [Bower] has agreed to take on this important challenge,” said Director of Recreation and Athletics Katie Sheahan in a statement. “His experience in interuniversity sport administration and development, together with his background in communications, will be a tremendous asset to Concordia’s efforts to provide an outstanding student-athlete experience.” Bower, who also has experience covering university sports as a journalist and broadcaster, is looking forward to the new challenge with the Stingers program.

“I certainly wasn’t looking to leave the RSEQ anytime soon,” said Bower. “I love what I do with the RSEQ, and we’ve had some ups and downs in the last year with eligibility. It was an opportunity that had I not applied for, or accepted once offered, I probably would have ended up regretting not making the leap.” Bower has a wealth of experience in the university ranks, having held positions at the universities of Windsor and Ottawa, as well as a stint with Ontario University Athletics over the 10 years prior to joining the RSEQ in 2010. Bower now joins a solid Concordia program that will call upon that experience and knowledge to help them get to the next level. “This position is going to evolve over time, but I’ll be working directly with the coaches and student athletes, so basically providing support and services to both,” said Bower. “I’ll be looking to work with the coaches to provide them with the best possible resources, be it with eligibility, applying rules, helping set up events around their programs.” “[I’ll also be] a liaison between the coaches and the Academic Center for Excellence to ensure that our student athletes attain the

i certainly wasn’t looking to leave the rSeQ anytime soon. i love what i do with the rSeQ, and we’ve had some ups and downs in the last year with eligibility. it was an opportunity that had i not applied for, or accepted once offered, i probably would have ended up regretting not making the leap. -John Bower

highest possible standards, because for me personally that’s the greatest part of being involved in university sport, it’s the fact that we see these great young people who are able to juggle academics and athletics at the same time, and at the end of the day when they graduate, that’s the most rewarding part of it.” Bower views the position as a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience, but

ultimately its the impact he leaves on others that means the most. “Anything I’ve done in university sports has been to give student athletes the best experience possible. For me, it’s to open doors for young people if they want to learn, if they want to get better, if they want to accumulate a certain set of life skills. That’s what I want to leave behind, to give back to young people.”


18

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

theconcordian

aThleTeS of The MonTh

The Concordian selects the Stingers’ stand-out athletes Kevin Duarte Sports editor MEN’S BASKETBALL - EVENS LAROCHE Concordia men’s basketball team finished the month of November wins three wins and two losses, leaving them in second place in the RSEQ conference behind McGill. Accustomed to being at the top of the league, the team already equalled its loss total from last year in league play. Fifth-year forward Evens Laroche, however, continued his stellar play from last season. In five games this season, Laroche is averaging 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 30.2 minutes per game. He leads the team in steals with 14. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - KAYLAH BARRETT The women’s basketball team is off to a great start this season. After finishing last year with eight wins and eight losses, the Stingers have already equalled half of their wins from last year. Concordia leads the RSEQ conference with four wins and one loss. Kaylah Barrett leads her team with an average of 15.2 points per game, scoring 21 points on two occasions. She’s second on the team with an average of 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. The Brampton, Ont. native has been named PJ’s Pub Athletes of the Week by the athletics department twice in the month.

Kaylah Barrett, women’s BasKetBall. Photo By Celia ste Croix

in seven games. The second-year forward leads the team with six goals, 12 points and 43 penalty minutes.

MEN’S HOCKEY - ETIENNE ARCHAMBAULT

WOMEN’S HOCKEY - EMILIE BOCCHIA

The men’s hockey team continued to struggle during the month of November. In nine games, the team won twice, lost five and lost in overtime twice. It’s been a busy month for the squad as they’ve had to play back-to-back games every weekend and had to travel to Kingston, Toronto, Waterloo and Ottawa. After three goals in October, Etienne Archambault remained consistent, notching three more goals in November. With two assists during the month, he has five points

Despite another month where the Stingers women’s hockey team only managed to secure one victory, the team is definitely headed in the right direction come 2013. One of the players who stood out this past month has been fourth-year winger Emilie Bocchia, who amassed two goals along with three helpers in her team’s seven games. She also added the deciding goal in the 2-1 shootout victory over Carleton on Nov. 16. - David S. Landsman, Concordian staff writer

BianCa Farella, women’s rugBy. Photo By Judy teasdale

MEN’S RUGBY - KIM HAzE VUONG

WOMEN’S RUGBY - BIANCA FARELLA

The men’s rugby team played three games during the month. They reached the finals in the RSEQ conference. After securing first-place in the league with a 39-7 victory against Bishop’s on the final day of the season, Concordia were matched up against Sherbrooke in the semi-finals. The Stingers cruised to the finals and had a chance to defeat rivals McGill at home for the RSEQ championship. Kim Haze Vuong featured prominently in the Bishop’s and Sherbrooke games. Against the Gaiters, the first-year Montreal native scored a try and followed it up with two more against the Vert et Or.

After an RSEQ championship victory at the end of October, the women’s rugby team represented Quebec in the CIS nationals held in Antigonish, N.S. from Nov. 1 to 4. The maroon and gold played three games, two in the group stage and one for the bronze medal. Concordia won one and lost two, claiming fourth place overall. Bianca Farella was named Player of the Game in two of the three games. She had two tries in the first game against Queen’s and two tries against the Alberta Pandas in the bronze medal game. Following the tournament, Farella was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year and an all-Canadian.

hocKey

Disappointing road trip for the Stingers Men’s hockey team drops both games heading into the break Tim lazier Staff writer

C

oncordia was on the road this past weekend as they faced off against the Queen’s Gaels on Friday night and the Toronto Blues on Saturday. It ended up being a disappointing road trip for the Stingers as they lost to Queen’s 3-2 in a shootout, and 7-2 to Toronto. They head into the semester break in ninth place in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario University Athletics League with a 4-10-2 record. On Friday against the Gaels, the Stingers lost a close game but salvaged a point, despite being outplayed. By the end of the first, Queen’s had outshot Concordia 18-5 and led 1-0. The Stingers bounced back with two straight goals by Etienne Archambault

and Philip Richer. The Gaels tied the game 2-2 halfway through the third and it remained that way until the Gaels won it in a shootout. The Stingers were lucky to even get a point against Queen’s, thanks to starting goaltender Loic Boivin. Boivin kept Concordia in the game as he saved 50 out of the 52 shots he faced. The Gaels doubled Concordia’s shot total, as the Stingers only had 26 shots all game. Had the Stingers been able to pull off a win in shootouts, it would have been the perfect ending to Boivin’s impressive performance. Concordia’s final game of the road trip was against the Toronto Blues. The Blues jumped out to an early 2-0 lead halfway through the first. Concordia was able to tie the game with goals by Ben Dubois at the end of the first, and Alexandre Monahan at the start of the second. Just when things seemed to be turning around for the Stingers, the Blues decided to take over. From five minutes into the second period the Blues went on to score five

unanswered goals and cruised to a victory over the Stingers. Even Boivin’s heroics could not help the Stingers in this game. He was pulled shortly into the third period after letting in five goals on 35 shots. Boivin’s replacement, Antonio Mastropietro, could not prevent the Blues offensive attack as he let in two goals on nine shots. Concordia had opportunities but failed to take advantage of them. They peppered the Blues’ goaltender Brett Willows with 33 shots, but only beat him twice.

The power play has been a big problem for the Stingers this season and Saturday night was no different. Concordia went 0-for-3 while Toronto went 2-for-4. The Stingers have a month off for the holiday break before getting back on the ice. Their next game is at Ed Meagher Arena on Jan. 5 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The following day Concordia will play host to the Carleton Ravens at 3 p.m.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian

19

BaSKeTBall

Tough weekend for Stingers basketball at Laval Both Stingers’ women’s and men’s teams suffer tight losses during away games against the rouge et or Kevin Duarte Sports editor

aged to hit two three-pointers, but two Laval free-throws ensured the 50-49 victory.

T

o close out the calendar year, both Stingers basketball teams travelled to Quebec City to face the Laval Rouge et Or on Friday night. The women’s team lost 50-49 in the first game, while the men didn’t fare any better, losing 72-68 in the later game. WOMEn’S GAME The women’s basketball team headed into this encounter with a perfect 4-0 record. The undefeated record was worthy of the number 10 rank in the country. This was the second time Concordia and Laval met this season. On Nov. 15, the Stingers claimed a 64-58 victory against the Rouge et Or at Concordia Gymnasium. The maroon and gold held on after a late fourth quarter collapse. In this game, the Rouge et Or quickly found themselves up 8-2 halfway through the first quarter. The Stingers would battle back and tie the game at 16 points at the end of the first 10 minutes. The second quarter was much of the same. It was mostly a one possession game as both sides traded baskets. The first half ended with the Stingers up 27-26.

Photo by Celia Ste Croix

Concordia’s halftime lead would not last long. The Rouge et Or started to pull away, going on a 13-3 run to end the third quarter. After three quarters, Laval was up 43-32. The 11-point difference was the largest of the game. The Stingers wouldn’t quit in the final frame. Concordia slowly chipped away at their deficit and managed to make it a twopossession game with three minutes to go. With 25 seconds left in the game, ConU was still down by five points. The team man-

MEn’S GAME The men’s basketball team was coming off a one-point loss to McGill last week. They were hoping to get back to winning ways against the Rouge et Or, a team they’ve already defeated 90-62 back on Nov. 15. In this game, both teams were tied after the first quarter, with a 14-14 score. Concordia had a slim lead for most of the frame. Laval kept up with the Stingers thanks to their forward René-Pier Mathieu who scored 10 points for the Rouge et Or. Concordia came out strong in the second quarter, going on a 9-0 run to start the frame. Laval would fight back by holding the Stingers scoreless for four straight minutes. The Rouge et Or had a 29-28 lead going into the break. The game stayed close for most of the third quarter. Halfway through, the home team started to pull ahead. With less than one minute to play in the quarter, Laval had a 10-point lead. The lead would only be eight points after 30 minutes. The Rouge et Or was able to defend this lead throughout the entire fourth quarter. A three-pointer with less than two minutes to play gave Laval a 12-point lead, their largest of the game. The Stingers fought back in the

Photo by Celia Ste Croix

final 60 seconds, holding the Rouge et Or to two points. Unfortunately, ConU’s nine points were insufficient as Laval held on to a 72-68 victory. Both of Concordia’s basketball teams will play their next RSEQ league game on Jan. 10 against McGill. During the break, the women’s team will play as hosts in the Concordia-Reebok Tournament at the end of December. The men’s team will play three exhibition games from Jan. 2 - 5 against American universities.


opinions 20

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

eDiTorial

Say cheese, candidates... or should we say councillors if CSU byelections are a popularity contest what are the votes really based on? The Concordia Student Union byelections have come and gone and, in the wake of it, we can’t help but feel that students really couldn’t care less. A grand total of 465 Concordia students voted in the blessed event which took place Nov. 27 to 29. Needless to say, the turnout wasn’t ideal. Six candidates were elected from Arts and Science of the seven who ran, three from John Molson School of Business and none from Fine Arts. While council has now bulked up some in numbers, the complete lack of interest showed by the majority of the undergraduate student population is really disheartening. There were a number of problems with this round of byelections, namely the fact that it

was not advertised nearly enough and the information out there wasn’t much to go on. While candidate posters could be seen on bulletin boards around campus, it’s hard to believe the CSU put much effort into getting students out to vote. The one candidate who didn’t make the cut lost by three votes. We imagine he’s feeling pretty short-changed right now. Besides the polling itself, we worry about the lack of information available to students about the people they were electing. Seeing someone’s face on a poster and seeing their name on a ballot is not a good enough reason for them to be chosen as the right person for the job. In fact, it makes for decisions based on all the wrong reasons.

Voting for someone purely based on their attractiveness, or the heritage of their last name, or their gender or the glossiness of their poster is not okay. This isn’t the kind of behaviour that should be encouraged or allowed in a society full of disengaged voters. And yet, what other information was given to us? Where were we supposed to read about their platforms and goals, who they were as people and what they wanted to accomplish on council? Where was the candidate debate or speeches put on by the CSU for students’ benefit? If the CSU has the attitude that students don’t care about elections and won’t vote anyway, then, of course no one is going to vote.

If people who actually care about student politics can’t even find information about the candidates, how are students with a passing interest supposed to? The CSU has more power than one might think and the sad truth is that there were likely hundreds if not thousands of students who didn’t even know elections were happening last week. What can be done about this, you ask? We offer no magical solution, but if the union which is supposed to represent students is content to be composed of people who get voted in based on their looks or the catchiness of their name then we have a bigger problem than poor voter turnout. But hey, at least we’ll have the most attractive student union in town.

HoliDay

‘Tis the season to be broke Should our focus be on gifts or on giving? George Menexis opinions editor It’s that time of year again. The first snowfall has passed, the jolly tunes have come out, and, most importantly, preparation has begun for the annual visit from the big man from the North Pole. Christmas trees are up, decorations are set, and Starbucks has officially started serving Christmas in a cup. With this time of year comes something I like to call “the list.” It seems that, year after year, this “list” gets exceedingly long and expensive. I am indeed talking about the Christmas gift list. The grandparents, the parents, the close friends, the siblings — it seems that there is an endless supply of people that you need to get presents for that have us creating a budget worthy of passing through parliament. The stress of having enough time and money can sometimes be unbearable, but anything is better than having that feeling in the pit of your stomach of not coming through with your list. This, my fellow jolly friends, doesn’t sound like a very pleasant start to your Christmas, does it? It sounds like the start of a bad Christmas horror movie. Who would want to experience such stress in what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year? Mark my words, this list is what has ruined everyone’s Christmas spirit. Is this really what Christmas has come to? Spending hundreds of dollars in presents that people may not even want, as a sign of love? The American Research Group recently did a study to determine Americans’ average spending during Christmas this year. A sample 1,100 adults were asked the following question: How much are you going to spend on Christmas

gifts this year? The average was $854. Needless to say, a hefty amount. Call me corny, call me oldfashioned, call me one of those annoying people that always goes against the norm, but no, this isn’t what Christmas is all about. It isn’t about expensive gifts, it isn’t about trends. Well, maybe for the kids it is, but they too need to be taught from a young age that just because they didn’t get the latest Apple product, Christmas can still be the most amazing time of the year. So let’s go back to the basics. Christmas is about family. Family, the way I see it, represents the closest people in your life. It could be your immediate family, it could be your best friends, it could be your dog, if that’s how you feel. As long as you’re happy surrounded by those you love the most, you’ve succeeded in finding the true meaning of Christmas. But what can we do to escape the incessant shopping fueled by Christmas? My past observations of different family traditions have given some pretty good ideas, and here’s the one I like the most: organize a secret Santa gift exchange with the people you always spend Christmas with. This means putting all of your names in a hat, picking out only one name, and buying this person a present. Can we all live with one present? I think so. Put a certain spending limit that everyone must follow for the gifts, and make it reasonably priced because you only have one gift to buy. This way, everyone gets one good, quality

Image by Phil Waheed

gift, instead of 82 gifts that, to put it nicely, can be ‘decorative’. “It’s a great way to save money,” said Amanda Sotos, who will be doing this with her family for a second-straight year. “It’s as exciting as having a bunch of presents all at once.” But what to do with all this extra money? Well, not only is Christmas a time of family, but also a time of giving. Give some of it to those who are less fortunate than you, and I

guarantee you it will be money well spent. I can only hope for the future of this oneof-a-kind holiday that people will start praising the core values that Christmas portrays: love and family. Presents are great, let’s not kid ourselves, but one good gift, as mentioned above, is much better than a great number of bad ones, and your wallet will also end up thanking you in the new year.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian

21

year in revieW

Summing up the highlights of 2012 What has affected Concordia students most this year? The year 2012 is coming to a close, dear friends, and what a year it’s been. From American politics to Montreal soccer, we’ve summed up some of the most interesting events of the past year here.

robin Della Corte assistant news editor In a province that is so often identified by it’s language issues, having an English mayor elected in office was a very symbolic moment for many people around the Montreal area. Michael Applebaum’s election not only shows diversity, but a change in the right direction. After Pauline’s Marois’ election, I was terrified to live in a province where language mattered more than economic and social issues and where putting money towards ‘language police’ was a priority. After Applebaum’s victory against a French-speaking candidate I felt as if, politically and socially, things had changed slightly. Applebaum, being both English and Jewish, was elected, and it seemed as though most of the people in power didn’t care so much as to what language he spoke, but actually what he was going to do to improve our city and have the job done right.

Stephanie la leggia life editor Even with all the warnings and evacuation calls, Hurricane Sandy came as kind of a shock to me. Many underestimated its power and potential level of deconstruction, destroying homes and diminishing people’s lives and belongings to a suitcase. Although I may live in Montreal, I’m a New Yorker at heart, travelling down at least three times year. With family and friends to worry about, I constantly checked CNN for updates. Although the video footages and articles were quite alarming, it wasn’t until I saw photos of the aftermath that the horror of it really hit me; photos of people lined up to get their fill of gas, giant trees in the middle of the street, the destroyed Jersey shore boardwalk, and people’s belonging scat-

Kevin Duarte Sports editor The event that affected me the most in 2012 was the Montreal Impact’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer. To start, I am a diehard football fan... the real one, played with a round ball on the floor. Football, or to make it less confusing, soccer, is an integral part of my life. Right up there with breathing and eating, I’d say. The Impact expansion

Paula rivas Managing editor An event that kept me on the edge of my seat, as odd as it may sound to many people my age, was Obama’s victory in the American elections. The buildup from the presidential debates left my head spinning and I was looking forward to the elections like a child waiting for Christmas Eve. The day of this historic event, I turned off my phone, avoided plans with any of my friends, and watched the CNN

tered about like insignificant pieces of junk. While some simply lost power in their skyscraper apartment building, others were not so lucky. When people think of New York, they narrow their focus to Manhattan, forgetting about the other borroughs and areas that were so badly hit, like Staten Island. Not to mention the damages the hurricane caused in Haiti. The photos of the aftermath and the personal stories of those without a home and insurance really put things in perspective for me. While my biggest concern may have been an assignment due by the end of the week, these survivors had to worry about basic needs like heating and food, needs that we take for granted on a daily basis. You ask me what affected me most this year as 2012 comes to an end, it’s Hurricane Sandy, a hurricane so powerful it stood up against the Big Apple.

into the MLS finally gave me a chance to watch some decent soccer in my hometown. Prior to this year, Montreal was playing in the second tier of North American Soccer, a league that never really meant much at all. This past year, they just finished their first season in North America’s top flight. Fans got a chance to see some world-class players visit Saputo Stadium. More importantly for me, someone who studies the game as a coach, it was the higher quality of the sport that I enjoyed the most.

coverage like a hawk while Wolf Blitzer and other A-team reporters announced the advancement of the polls. My heart jumped with excitement as the state I spent 10 years of my life in, Maryland, turned blue in support for Obama. The blue wave that followed as the hours passed made me swell with pride to again see a glimpse of the United States that I love — not the ugly, homophobic and closed-minded side, but the side that many Canadians unfortunately don’t get to see. I’m talking about a United States that stands up to defend women’s rights when archaic restrictions were being suggested to govern women’s bodies and also to defend Hispanics when immigration laws were threatening to throw out hard-working citizens. My own family was once living illegally as Hispanics in the States and we felt the harsh reality of being treated like second-class citizens. But most of all, to defend an America devoted to the idea that coming together as one is stronger than the idea that every man is out there for themselves. Thanks Obama, you made my year.

Casandra De Masi Staff writer Thousands watched, as did I, as Pauline Marois gave her acceptance speech. She had just become the first female premier of Quebec, and in the same night lived through an alleged assassination attempt. It happened so quickly and it almost overshadowed the election itself. Throughout the election campaign, the wedge between the Franco and the Anglo community became larger and sharper. This was the icing on the spoiled cake. As someone who lives and works in a French community, but was raised in a primarily English household, it puzzled me to see so much emphasis being put on language, with so many other issues at hand. The shooter killed an innocent man that night. Sadly, this is what it took for people to realize that we should band together and focus on things that affect all of us, no matter what language we speak’.


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theconcordian

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 pets

The SPCA is a dog’s best friend Rescuing a pet is not a walk in the park, but it’s the right thing to do Jenna Cocullo Staff writer

J

oan Coull may have just become a dog’s worst enemy on Nov. 27, when she wrote an article published in The Gazette ranting about why she would not want to adopt a pet from the SPCA. For those who don’t know, this organization rescues animals who are unwanted or abandoned by previous owners. It takes a certain kind of person to be willing to take in one of these creatures and it seems to me Coull just wasn’t up to the challenge. In my opinion, putting the SPCA down and implying that someone should not purchase a pet from the organization is like telling them not to adopt a child from an adoption agency because one of the kids might have a learning disability or emotional issues that came from their previous guardians. It is unacceptable and morally wrong. I believe it is our responsibility to take care of animals in need just as much as it is our responsibility to take care of any other living thing in society. I understand what she is getting at when she says “I defend my right to know what kind of animal I am bringing into my family.” However, there are many volunteers at the SPCA who can help potential owners find the right dog to suit their lifestyle and the needs of their family. Furthermore, if the animal of choice does not work out, the SPCA always

has return policies and guarantees. As Nicholas Gilman, executive director of the Montreal SPCA, stated in his response to Coull’s article, “we can guarantee that each animal with preexisting medical issues is covered by our 30day health guarantee. We do allow animals that have untenable behaviour issues to be returned to us.” There are also many animal professionals out there, from veterinarians to dog trainers, who can help with certain health and behavioral issues. Coull claimed that a friend’s dog, who was also purchased at the SPCA, would not stop peeing, her son’s dog used to fight other males and her daughter’s had to be kept in a cage in the garage for most of his life because he used to snap at her kids. Nowhere in her article did she mention that they actually sought out professional help for their dogs. It seems to me they were too lazy to properly train their pets, so they cruelly shoved them in cages or sent them back to where they came from to be put down instead of actually dealing with the issues at hand. I have a lot of respect for the Montreal SPCA and I don’t think they would allow an animal with permanent issues to be adopted. “We evaluate each and every dog placed for adoption for temperament, behaviour and medical issues,” said Gilman. I strongly believe that these poor animals could have integrated better with their new adoptive owners if proper measures had been taken. If you are not willing to put the time and effort in to properly healing and training your dog, then do not bother getting one. What makes me angry is that Coull has reportedly bred puppies twice. If she is not a certified breeder, she has no business bring-

Image by Jennifer Kwan

ing puppies into the world. Who is to say that her puppies won’t end up with behavioral or health issues as well, like the others dogs, and will end up in the SPCA some day. Coull claims that she is “tired of hearing what a terrible person [she is] from holierthan-thou, self-proclaimed animal lovers.” Well I’ve got news for you; I am not one of those animal lovers, but even I can agree

that they are better off if potential owners adopt from the SPCA rather than buying from pet stores, indirectly supporting puppy mills or uncertified breeders. Those creatures have been abandoned and they need to be taken care of by pet owners who will go the extra mile for them. Honestly, if Coull isn’t an animal lover herself, she doesn’t deserve to take care of one.

politics

Everything you say can be used against you

Photo from Flickr

Justin Trudeau being haunted by old comments is only fair Christina Rowan Staff writer

Liberal MP and candidate for Liberal leadership Justin Trudeau has recently been criticized in the news regarding quotes he said around two years ago which are now labelling him as “antiAlbertan.” Here’s what happened: In 2010, Trudeau attended the Télé-Québec television program Les

francs-tireurs (The Straight Shooters) for an interview and said Canada wasn’t doing well “because it’s Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda.” The comments from the interview, especially the above mentioned, set off a reaction from Conservative MPs on Parliament Hill resulting in, what some would call, an exaggerated amount of attention. Trudeau wasn’t running for the position of Liberal leader at the time he said it, making it easier for him to get away with it. Now, all of a sudden, it’s resurfaced, and it’s making headlines. So, is what he said two years ago really relevant in the news now? The truth is, it is... now that he’s in the spotlight and vying to be the Prime Minister of Canada. Being in the public eye has its ups and downs, especially when it comes to politics. Politicians’ words represent who they are as a leader and what they want to achieve with their power. Every single word a politician utters is jotted down and recorded, making the ‘thinking before you speak’ rule absolutely key at all times. Unfortunately, with good press comes bad press. In this case, Trudeau is experiencing some bad press. It appears Conservatives have been putting a lot of effort into looking back and beyond in the Justin Trudeau files to expose some negative dirt on him to the public. Since Trudeau announced that he was running in September, the man has mostly received positive feedback from the public. He’s been called a front-runner time and time again. He’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s son, he’s young and, lest

we forget, handsome; an idealistic political figure. With a reputation like that, he’s a favourite to many, except, of course, the opposition, who now see him as a threat. As the age old saying goes, the only way to bring an enemy down is to make them look bad, in this case by digging deep into their past and finding something juicy to terrorize them with. We’ve seen all kinds of dirt brought up about politicians in the news before, some of the more common ones being affairs, bribes, inappropriate behavior... and the list goes on. Since the issue made headlines last week, Trudeau has appeared in front of the media in Vancouver apologizing, for the second time, for the unintentional offence. “I’m sorry I said what I did. I was wrong to relate the area of the country that [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper is from with the people who live there and the policies that he has that don’t represent the values of most Canadians,” said Trudeau in a public statement. “It was wrong to use a shorthand to say Alberta, when I was really talking about Mr. Harper’s government, and I’m sorry I did that.” Trudeau greeted the reporters happily with a smile on his face, and no visible shame whatsoever, indicating a sense that the matter to him isn’t as serious as the news media is making it. Although the situation may not have worried Trudeau too much, he has officially been warned. Trudeau, I hope you’ve learned your lesson and won’t be making the same mistake in the future. I rest my case.


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Cookies and cream cake!

Marilla Steuter-Martin editor-in-Chief editor@theconcordian.com

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Paula rivaS Managing editor managing@theconcordian.com

The best part about being a December baby — other than the double-whammy of presents and the sweet satisfaction of knowing I’ll never ever have to go to school or work on my birthday — is the ridiculously delicious cookies and cream log cake that my mom always makes for me. This no-bake holiday recipe, plucked straight from the back of a Nabisco cookie box, is easy to make and so downright decadent that it’s probably best you only eat it once a year.

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The ingredients: 2 cups of whipping cream 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 package of Nabisco chocolate wafers (or any other similar cookie) 1 teaspoon of sugar Instructions: Pour the whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract, then use a mixer to beat the cream for two to three

Tuesday, Dec 4, 2012 Vol. 30 Issue 15

elizabeth MacKay

Photo from Flickr

minutes - basically you want to stop when the cream gets thick enough to hold its shape and form stiff peaks. Grab some spoons and a serving plate on which you will assemble your cake. Now the fun part: scoop about a teaspoon of the whipped cream onto a chocolate wafer and squish another wafer on top, making a little cookie sandwich. Keep adding on layers of wafer and cream to create a log and place

it on the serving plate. Build more rows until you have something that vaguely resembles a cake. Use your remaining whipped cream to “ice” the cake and cover any visible chocolate wafer on the top and sides. Refrigerate your final messy masterpiece overnight or for at least four hours. Use chocolate shavings or leftover wafer crumbs to decorate.

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Royal Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is expecting a baby as we’ve recently learned (probably because she and Prince William hugged that one time at the Olympics), and this little piece of news has Twitter raving. Here are the tweets of the week! @BettyFckinWhite: “The big question is whether Kate Middleton’s baby will be a wizard or muggle.” @StupidFootball: “Kate Middleton is pregnant. How long before somebody Photoshops a picture of John Terry climbing out of a window at Buckingham Palace?” @frankieboyle: “Can’t believe Kate Middleton’s pregnant.That cow told me she was on the pill. #royalbaby” @NicCageMatch: “For those of you just joining us, here’s what you missed: the Pope’s tweets got Kate Middleton pregnant.” @ChaseMit: “I just hope Kate Middleton’s fetus is enjoying that nice full head of hair.” @Charles_HRH: “Text from Prince Harry; ‘I would laugh my face off if William and Kate’s baby is ginger.’ Not replying. #royalbaby” @piercemorgan: “Congratulations to every magazine ever for calling Kate Middleton’s pregnancy - especially those who did covers on it 11 months ago.” @curlycomedy: “Happy for Kate Middleton but bummed she will be denied the celebrity joy of naming her baby after a piece of fruit.”

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Staff writerS and contributorS Tsoler Tekeyan, natasha Medeiros, Tania Di Palma, Sara Baron-Goodman, rebecca De Carlo, Milos Kovacevic, isabela Sasaki, ariana Trigueros-Corbo, Paul Traunero, Gabriel ellison Scowcroft, andria Caputo, romain Dompnier, Saturn de los angeles, andrew Guilbert, Casandra De Masi, Krystina Scenna, Tim lazier, andrew Maggio, Jenna Cocullo, Christina rowan.

theconcordian

From our kitchen

Concordia’s weekly, independent student newspaper.


Events of the weeK: Dec. 4 Tuesday +THEATRE - Les Belles Soeurs - 20h - The Segal Centre Wednesday +MUSIC - Radio Radio - 20h - Le Cabaret du Mile End THURSDAY +DANCE - Satrangi: Seven Stories of Light - 20h - Bain St-Michel +MUSIC - Band of Horses - 20h - Metropolis +MUSIC - Diamond Rings - 20h - La Sala Rossa Friday +MUSIC - Make Do and Mend - 19h - Les Katacombes SATURDAY +DANCE - Satrangi: Seven Stories of Light - 20h - Bain St-Michel +MUSIC - Jacques Greene + Doldrums - 22h - Societe des arts technologiques SunDAY +MUSIC - The Faint - 19h30 - Club Soda monDAY +MUSIC - Japandroids + DIIV - 20h - Le Cabaret du Mile End


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