A&E

Fashion department wows all with“Fall in Love with Erie”

By Sarah Beck Staff writer

The visual fashion merchandising event at E. Lane Boutique was a major success. With much preparation and anticipation, the Mercyhurst fashion students presented their “Fall in Love with Erie” lookbook to the community.

Within the first fifteen minutes of the event, the boutique was packed with eager friends, family and fashion enthusiasts.

The fashion students who participate in this event are a part of the Mercyhurst Fashion Department’s elective, Visual Merchandising.

Available in the fall semester, students in this class learn about many different visual merchandising skills. Projects aim to teach this and include creating a mood board and learning how to properly set up a display to be functional as well as attractive.

This year the visual merchandising class teamed up with a local Erie boutique to create an event that showcased the skills these students have learned. In addition, it also helped to provide students with the opportunity to gain some valuable hands-on learning.

This event is extremely beneficial for not only the fashion students but also the Erie community as it creates a wonderful feature for local businesses.

The process of this project is quite fast-paced and begins with designing a t-shirt to be voted on and chosen as the design for the event.

This year, the t-shirt was designed by two junior Fashion Merchandising majors, Megan Brady and Gabriella Matre.

Whenever an event is planned, there are a lot of different details to manage.

To handle this well, it is important to assign leadership roles and jobs such as the project manager, assistant manager, social media team, ride coordinator, as well as a set up and break down team amongst many other roles.

This year’s project manager was Shannan Gotham, a senior double major in Fashion Merchandising and Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. She also has a minor in Cyber Security.

Gotham was very busy overseeing all parts of the event and making sure everything went smoothly.

Once a boutique that is willing to partner with and host the showcase has been chosen, students begin their hands-on learning by going into the shop and playing with pieces that they want to incorporate into the looks for their displays.

This year, the theme for the event was “Fall in Love with Erie: A Local Erie Lookbook”.

The Visual Merchandising class split into different groups to create five different displays inspired by these local Erie companies: Erie Ale Company, Mozza, Franks Farm Market, The Cork and Andora’s Bubble Tea.

Rachel Lossie, a sophomore Fashion Merchandising major served as the main social media team member for the event.

“We wanted to make sure we focused on local Erie places so that they could be able to incorporate a little bit of our home into the event,” said Lossie.

Assistant Project Manager for the event was Janiece Withers, a senior Fashion Merchandising major with a minor in Creative Writing.

“I was most excited to see how all of our displays correlated together without intentionally doing it,” said Withers. “I think all of our designs have to do with fall; they have to do with being very fashionable but in a way that is comfortable, and I think that each mannequin can display that.”

Once the teams had finished applying all of their acquired classroom skills to their displays, they were ready to open their exhibits and share all of their hard work with the public.

In addition, the event also had some donated raffle baskets from the local companies featured.

“[The local companies] definitely wanted to support Mercyhurst and the fashion department,” junior Fashion Merchandising major Natalie Deutschbauer said.

Individuals who attended the event were able to buy tickets for the raffle baskets and also got a discount coupon for any clothing they purchased while at the event.

Before leaving the showcase, attendees got the chance to vote on their favorite display; the group that won was inspired by the Erie Ale Company.

Lossie was a member of the team with the winning display.

“We did more casual looks to really have some casual brewing company outfits so you’re not too dressed up but that you are still looking cute for your occasion,” Lossie said.

Another member of the winning team was Kelsie McKalip, a sophomore Fashion Merchandising major.

“Having the opportunity to put together outfits was really fun. To experiment with different colors and everything, we had to tie in the red of the donated shirt (by the Erie Ale Company) which was interesting,” said McKalip.

“Fall In Love With Erie: A Local Erie Lookbook” really was a fantastic opportunity for not only the fashion merchandising students but also E. Lane and the community to work together to celebrate collaboration and local talent.

The Mercyhurst Fashion Merchandising Department would like to say a thank you to everyone that made it out to E. Lane Boutique to support the visual merchandising class and all of their hard work.

If you missed the event this year, be sure to check out the next one in the Fall of 2022.

Sarah Beck photo Mercyhurst’s Visual Merchandising class at their presentation of “Fall in Love with Erie: A Local Erie Lookbook” at E. Lane Boutique.

Hurst Hot Take: Halloween (1978)

By Frankie Divincenzo Contributing writer

A Halloween holiday classic, the 1978 independently-produced slasher film “Halloween” was directed by John Carpenter. Staring famous actors and actresses such as Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes and P.J. Soles, the movie eventually became a hit and spawned a film franchise of 11 follow-up films.

“Halloween” is about a sevenyear-old named Michael Myers who brutally murdered his older sister, Judith Myers, on Halloween night in 1963.

Fifteen years later, Michael goes home to Haddonfield, Illinois, and is ready to hunt his stepsister, Laurie Strode.

As he continually proves in intent throughout the film, he will go after anyone who gets in his way.

Even though the Halloween series is a cult classic now, that was not the original expectation.

The budget of the film was $325,000, which was shockingly small. In fact, the budget of the movie was so small that the actors shopped at JC Penney for their costumes.

A documentary for “Halloween” even stated that the movie didn’t really look like a film production.

Carpenter and the other people working on the film basically worked out of a van that was the size of the Mystery Machine from “Scooby-Do.” The script for the original “Halloween” movie only took two weeks to write.

Though “Halloween” is set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, it was shot on location in South Pasadena and Hollywood, California. If you look closely, you can see palm trees in the backgrounds of some shots, like the scene above where Laurie walks Tommy Doyle to the Myers’ house.

The film was also not actually shot in the fall, but in the middle of summer. The crew got bags and bags of leaves and spread them all over the street so that it looked like it was shot in the fall.

It is amazing how such a small budget movie can become a cult classic series that people watch every year.

Arguably, it is one of the many reasons why people love this movie is because the whole cast and crew did not expect its fame whatsoever.

Despite the plot, the movie has unique cinematography. One cool effect is the way the camera is always angled makes it looks like Michael is watching everything

One reason people likely look forward to this movie every year is because it is probably on every list of Halloween-themed movies to watch.

Another reason people like this movie is because of the movie’s older style and uniqueness. It is not over-done or over-shot.

Newer horror movies produced today generally have the same theme whereas “Halloween” somehow scares people in so many different ways that one would not expect to be scared.

Isn’t that the point of a horror movie: to scare the crap out of you? If you enjoy being scared, definitely do not forget to watch “Halloween.”

Even though Halloween is over, I highly recommend this cult classic. For those who do want to start their December holiday cheer on Nov. 1, it is a perfect time to send off the Halloween season with “Halloween.”

The 814: Pressed Books + Coffee + Gifts

By Hannah Brooks Staff writer

Pressed, a coffee-lover and book-lover’s dream all in one, is located at 1535 West 8th Street at Greengarden Place. This business is in a great location just off the Bayfront, near a park, and nestled within a plaza full of other shops that anyone will love.

This convenient location makes a great study spot during the week or a perfect “treat yourself” weekend outing.

Pressed is a one-of-a-kind locally owned and operated bookstore, cafe and gift shop that has been open since April of 2018.

I checked out Pressed’s cafe and bookstore this past week and can say that I am very glad that I did.

Admittedly, I have been wanting to check it out for quite some time and picking up an article about the coffee shop gave me the perfect excuse to go; it worked out splendidly.

The atmosphere was very friendly and welcoming, but it was also quiet enough that it would be easy to be able to focus on reading or schoolwork without a lot of loud background noise.

I tried an iced coffee with a shot of hazelnut and a vegan chocolate chip cookie.

The coffee tasted amazing, and the cookie was giant and also tasted wonderful. In addition to drinks, the cafe also offers a lot of baked goods such as cookies, muffins, macaroons and more.

The cafe has your typical coffee shop offerings: your espressos, brewed coffee, lattes, etc. They also offer teas and milkshakes if you aren’t quite a coffee person.

One thing that really stood out to me was the vast number of flavors that they offer, from your regular hazelnut and vanilla, down to unique flavors such as lavender, raspberry and strawberry.

One thing that I also particularly liked was the names of some of the drinks, such as the “Oreo and Juliet Milkshake” and “Othello Espresso Shake.”

The seasonal flavors also have all sorts of great literary-themed names like “The OutCiders” and “Sleepy Hollow.”

Their featured seasonal drinks have a lot of variety. Some of the drinks featured for the month of October include Butterbeer, Candy Corn, Mars Bar and Almond Joy lattes. The Caramel Apple Cider is a must-try in my opinion.

As mentioned, the bookstore portion of the business is located just one door over from the café, and each can be accessed from the other.

The bookstore offers a very wide range of genres, just a few examples being sci-fi, cookbooks, history, mystery, philosophy and many more.

In addition, there is a kid’s corner that is filled from floor to ceiling with children and young adult books and novels. There is even a tree-house fort for children to read in as well.

According to the Pressed website, boxed sets are always twenty percent off, whether you purchase online or in-person. It is also to be noted that books can be reserved by filling out a form on the Pressed website.

There is also an option for customers to shop online and either pick up at the shop or have books shipped to their homes.

In addition to books, the shop also serves another purpose as a gift shop. If you are looking for a gift for anyone soon, definitely check out Pressed for some cute and unique gifts.

Overall, Pressed is a great spot with a lot to offer. No matter what you get, you’re bound to love it.

I highly recommend checking out this business, which is just one of many local gems that Erie has to offer.

The hours vary by day and the bookstore’s hours are different from the cafe’s hours, so make sure to plan accordingly.

For the most accurate information on hours and menus, one can check out their website at www. pressedbooks.com.

Stay tuned for our next edition of The Merciad to see what The 814 features next!

Contributed photo Pressed Books + Coffee + Gifts is a one-of-a-kind locally owned and operated bookstore, cafe and gift shop that has been open since April of 2018.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens tomorrow in Taylor Little Theatre

By Libby Bullinger Copy editor

After many months of pandemic restrictions, activities are quickly returning to campus; that means that the Mercyhurst Theatre Department is gearing up for its production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

The show is the first that will occur in a more normal setting with a live audience since the beginning of the pandemic, so the cast and crew are even more excited to be performing this classic story with a twist.

Members of the cast are thrilled to be returning to the stage for live theatre with this exciting production.

The MIAC website describes the show as “Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece ensnares two pairs of lovers and rustic troupe of wouldbe actors in an enchanted forest, where a feuding Fairy King and Queen quarrel over a changeling boy.”

Although “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a classic in the Shakespeare cannon, the theatre department has put a few twists on this beloved story for their set of shows.

Junior Public History major Bella Lee, is performing as one of the fairies in the show.

“I am really excited about the way the show is being performed. The ‘60s and Woodstock theme is really neat to me,” said Lee.

The shows are being presented as part of MIAC’s Emerging Artist series, which features student performances around campus including dance, music and of course the theatre productions.

This fun twist on a classic tail will help to intrigue audience members of all backgrounds and theatre knowledge as well as offering a unique return to the theatre after the pandemic.

In terms of COVID-19 protocols, the cast has been working diligently to follow university safety guidelines while in rehearsals.

This means wearing masks and keeping safe distance when possible throughout the process of learning and practicing the play.

However, the cast will be able to take their masks off to showcase their wonderful facial expressions and deliver the full theatre experience during the actual performances.

This exciting news can only occur once the cast has tested negative for COVID-19 through campus testing and they may only remove their face coverings while actively performing and will put them back on once they are offstage.

Senior Psychology major Tori Altsman is portraying the role of Titania the Fairy Queen in this weekend’s performances. This is Altsman’s sixth production with the Mercyhurst Theatre Department, and she is thrilled to be returning to the stage with her peers. “This is my first Shakespeare production, so it has certainly been a challenge, but I am beyond excited,” Altsman said.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is being directed by guest artist Doug Powers, Ph.D., who has worked with Mercyhurst previously on several various productions.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream is arguably Shakespeare’s most accessible play for contemporary audiences,” said Powers in a recent Mercyhurst press release about the show. This makes it the perfect production for anyone in the Mercyhurst community to come and attend.

The performances will take place this upcoming weekend Nov. 4-7 with shows Thursday- Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

The production will take place in the Taylor Little Theatre and MSG is covering the cost of tickets for students, so you can go to the box office and ask them to have MSG pay for your ticket.

Regular adult admission is $15, and senior pricing is set at $10 per ticket.

Make sure to pick up your tickets and gear up for an exciting weekend of shows in Taylor Little Theatre!