THE SPECTRUM VOL. 69 NO. 18 | OCTOBER 28, 2019
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950
Rocky Horror party brings shadow acting, drag to Buffalo
‘A different art:’ Documetary series highlights community stories
UB football beats Central Michigan, earns second consecutive win
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Students protest School of Engineeing and Applied Sciences partnership with defense contractors Young Democratic Socialists of America protest, some SEAS students oppose BRITTANY GORNY, ALEXANDRA MOYEN NEWS DESK
Students marched to Davis Hall Friday demanding the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences end its partnerships with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are two of SEAS’ 11 gold partners and manufacture defense technologies. Twenty students, including Young Democratic Socialists of America members and engineering students, gathered in the Student Union lobby before walking to Davis Hall to protest the partnerships. SEAS accepts money from these companies, which use UB to recruit students for internships and jobs.
Lockheed Martin weapons were used in the Feb. 21 Yemen bus bombing which killed over 40 people, with at least 29 victims under 15 years old, according to The Guardian. YDSA said Northrop Grumman raised “billions” from its arms deals with the U.S. military and Saudi Arabia. According to its website, Northrop Grumman is “heavily involved in the training and development of Saudi military personnel” and has sold the F-5 Tiger tactical fighter jet (1971), among other things, to Saudi Arabia. YDSA condemned both companies as protesters chanted “UB kills babies” and “A better world is possible” while marching to SEAS Interim Dean Rajan Batta’s office with signs reading “Don’t worry –– they won’t drone-strike your kids!” and “UB takes blood money.” Six students from SEAS opposed YDSA, saying many companies, including Apple and Google, currently have or have had contracts with
BRENTON J. BLANCHET EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Demone Harris is used to bye weeks. He’s had some in Buffalo while playing with the Bulls. He’s had some in Tampa Bay, too, as a former defensive end for the NFL’s Buccaneers. The NFL player was supposed to have a bye week two weeks ago. But instead of getting much-needed rest, he ended up facing some of his toughest competition yet: An unexpected rejection from a team he gave his all. An opportunity to prove himself to make it back in the league. And the most grueling of the three, a missing engagement ring. The former UB football star and ‘18 alum’s whirlwind week wasn’t entirely his fault. In a matter of days, Tampa Bay cut him from its roster with no explanation, his plans to propose to his longtime girlfriend Arianna Marinelli were interrupted after misplacing the engagement ring and he had to prove himself to the Baltimore Ravens to keep his football career alive. But Harris has a good poker face –– something he says Marinelli knows very
Men’s basketball defeats Daemen in exhibition game Bulls win 111-73 in pre-season showing MYAH GONZALEZ, RICHARD LOUIS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR, STAFF WRITER
UB men’s basketball dominated Thursday night with a 111-73 victory against Daemen College during its first and only exhibition game of the season. The defending conference champs played a strong game to prove their new lineup has the skills to make a big impact this season. The win is Jim Whitesell’s first as the Bulls’ head coach. UB’s incredible offensive performance shined with six players scoring in double digits.
Senior forward Gabe Grant and senior guard Antwain Johnson, who both sat last season out due to NCAA transfer rules, celebrated their introductory games in style. Grant led the team in scoring with 19 points and Johnson recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for the night and was three for five from beyond the arc. As for the returners, sophomore forward Jeenathan Williams earned his title as player of the game with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Ronaldo Segu, a sophomore guard, recorded a double-double, 12 points and 14 assists. To top off a great night, his alley-oop pass in the second half to Williams had Alumni Arena in an uproar. The Bulls also brought high-pressure defense throughout the game. They forced 20 turnovers, which they converted for 32 points. The Bulls also earned 9 blocks and
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Baltimore Ravens sign former UB football player before he proposes to fiancee
UBSPECTRUM
alexander Brown / The SpecTrum Sophomore forward joSh mBalla finding hiS way To The painT for a layup.
ceived bad news. The Buccaneers cut him from their roster and didn’t offer him an explanation. He then arrived home devastated and didn’t know what it meant for his future in football or his soon-to-be fiancee. Hours later, a new team called. The Baltimore Ravens. “It was obviously a feeling of relief that
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another NFL team has interest in you,” Harris said. “Because when you’re cut in this business, you’re left in the cold.” Harris didn’t waste time worrying, and started wondering what to do next. But he couldn’t have planned for what was about to happen. Marinelli helped pack Harris’ bag for a
well –– and kept his composure and faith, earning his place on an NFL roster, now with a fiancee in his corner. Harris and Marinelli’s story started sev> SEE RING| PAGE 2 en years ago, long before his days with the Bulls. She even helped pick out the engagement ring in June. Harris assured her he would propose at the end of the football season, but he says he woke up a few weeks ago and decided the wait wasn’t worth it. So he planned a spontaneous, extravagant proposal, including a private room at the Buffalo Chophouse, a suite at the Curtiss Hotel, a party at Marinelli’s friend’s house and a table at the Rec Room. But on Oct. Courtesy of demone harris former uB fooTBall STar demone harriS wiTh fiancee arianna marinelli. harriS Signed wiTh The BalTimore ravenS and propoSed To 15, Harris re- marinelli in The Same week.
2 | Monday, October 28, 2019 FROM PAGE 1
PROTESTS
the Department of Defense. Batta wrote in an email that the two companies also participate in “non-defense related work.” The engineering program relies on the companies’ support, along with support from alumni and other foundations, for students to receive a “well-rounded education,” according to Batta.
NEWS “Such gifts and sponsorships help make possible an array of programs that enhance the student experience,” Batta wrote. “For example, [Engineering Partnership Program] funds help support student clubs, STEM education, experiential learning and efforts to prepare our students for a wide range of careers.” Timothy Dunn, a senior political science major and YDSA secretary, said the two companies promote “imperialism”
through “lobbying” and “building and selling” bombs, and students should avoid working for them. “An engineering degree or any degree from the school can get you jobs at hundreds of different companies,” Dunn said. “You don’t have to choose to work for a company that builds bombs, or sells bombs and kills too often.” Sophia Matla, a junior mechanical and aerospace engineering major, handed out fliers calling YDSA’s argument “hypocritical.” The argument listed various items, including airplanes, remote-operated robots and digital photography, that students likely have used that are maintained by the military. “Just because they make weapon systems doesn’t mean they’re the ones using it,” Matla said. “So why are they protesting people’s jobs, saying the engineering school shouldn’t accept money from these [companies]?” SEAS’ partners donate to UB each year and receive perks in exchange, including their logo on UB’s website, signs at UB
ubspectrum.com events, access to school and student club events and access to the dean, according to UB’s website. Ryan Daniels, a sophomore mechanical aerospace engineering major, said he doesn’t believe SEAS and its students are accepting “blood money” or are war criminals for partnering with defense contractors. He said if SEAS didn’t support these companies, the school would lose a significant amount of funding. “The problem is that those companies make up a significant portion of SEAS’ budget, and by taking away those companies from our engineering school, we’d be cutting our engineering program down to bare bones –– we wouldn’t be getting a quality education anymore,” Daniels said. “It would make UB a lot less competitive on the engineering stage.” Calvin Camodeca-Schmitz, co-chair of YDSA, says UB shouldn’t enable partnerships with these companies and hopes the protest brought the partnerships to students’ attention. “We hope this kicks off a continued campaign for other groups on campus and they will join us in future campaigns on this issue,” Camodeca-Schmitz said. “We hope engineering students saw this and haven’t considered the defense partnerships before and now they are.” Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Vindhya Burugupalli / The Spectrum Students hold up signs and stand outside Davis hall to protest the School of Engineering’s partnership with defense contractors.
the Ravens were still interested in him. So he planned to go home the same day. After arriving at the airport for his flight new flight to Baltimore’s Oct. 16 workout. back to Buffalo, he realized something. She somehow didn’t notice the engageThe ring was missing. ment ring in his suit pocket and sent him He kept his composure, took an Uber off to prove himself. back to the Ravens’ hotel and looked evWith plans to propose on Oct. 18, Harerywhere he could. ris arrived a day before the workout and “At that point, I didn’t really care about barely slept at the Ravens’ team hotel. His football,” Harris said. “Honestly, it was travel schedule restricted him from giving more about her than about football bethe workout his all and he wasn’t sure if cause I wanted that weekend to be so special for her.” He couldn’t find it and left for home without a ring. He says he put the rest in God’s hands. On Oct. 17, a day before the planned proposal, he headed to Tampa to return his Buccaneers playbook. And at 9:45 a.m., he got a text from the Ravens. “It was the director of player personnel. He was like, ‘100%.’ I was like, ‘100% what?’ He said, ‘100% we’re signing you.’” Harris may have been on an NFL team again, but he was still ringless. Less than an hour later, the Ravens called him. This time, it was the news he reCourtesy of Demone Harris Harris signs his contract to join the Baltimore Ravens. ally wanted. FROM PAGE 1
RING
Courtesy of UB Athletics Harris vistited the Bulls on Friday before their Saturday game.
A woman named Yvonne at the team hotel found Harris’ ring hidden in a drawer and turned it in. The Ravens shipped the ring to Buffalo overnight and Harris came back home. This time, nothing was getting in the way of his plans. He and Marinelli went to the private room at the Chophouse and he dropped down on one knee. She said yes. Harris took his story to social media. “I told the story because I hope that it strengthened someone else’s faith and belief that, no matter how bleak a situation [is] that you know there’s hope.”
The Baltimore Ravens’ main Twitter account shared his tweets and he’s earned several hundred likes since. He tracked down Yvonne and gave her $1,000 worth of prepaid gift cards for her good deed. Harris hasn’t had his “fairytale ending” yet, though. He says that only comes on Dec. 8 when he comes home with the Ravens and takes down the Bills. Email: Brenton.Blanchet@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BrentonBlanchet
ubspectrum.com
OPINION
Guerilla Toss makes punk playful on ‘What Would the Odd Do?’ NYC group comes through with its most fun and melodic release yet
ALEX WHETHAM ASST. ARTS EDITOR
EP: ‘What Would the Odd Do?’ Artist: Guerilla Toss Label: NNA Tapes Release Date: Oct. 18 Rating: 8/10 Guerilla Toss has come a long way stylistically since its formation at the beginning of the decade. The band’s breakout record on NNA Tapes, “Gay Disco” saw the group playing a furious combination of danceable rhythms, shrill screams and heavy but textured guitars in 2013. From there, the group signed to DFA Records, where it toned down the noisy aspects of its sound, releasing more melodic, but still driving, dance-punk records like “GT Ultra” and “Twisted Crystal.” Its frenetic yearly album release schedule has seemingly paused for 2019, but the group still found time to return to
Lance Leipold deserves a chance with a Power Five program
JUSTIN WEISS STAFF WRITER
On a sunny Wednesday in early September, UB football players entered an empty UB Stadium for morning practice. There, they were greeted with deafening heavy metal music and crowd noise. The Bulls were preparing for their Saturday night tilt at Beaver Stadium, the third-largest open-air venue in the world. In practice, they readied themselves for the sheer volume of the Penn State crowd. The stunt was designed to simulate the experience playing in University Park, home of the now No.-5 Nittany Lions. To some, this might seem like a nonsensical drill. But to its architect, head coach Lance Leipold, it is an essential component of the preparation process. For this team of two- and three-star recruits to have any chance against a powerhouse like Penn
NNA Tapes and release a new EP, “What Would the Odd Do?” The band originally planned to release the project in November, but saw fit to drop it a month early. As a group, Guerilla Toss’ sound is consistently evolving. “GT Ultra” and “Twisted Crystals” hinted at a more psychedelic direction, and the band fully embraces its sound in “What Would the Odd Do?” When I asked Guerilla Toss singer Kassie Carlson about the EP’s new direction after the band’s show at Sugar City in September, she said “it’s like a painting.” “Maybe one day you paint a picture of a barn, but then you know, you don’t paint a picture of the same barn again. You paint something else a little more abstract, and then maybe the next day you go even more abstract from there,” Carlson said. Her comment reflects the album pretty well; “What Would the Odd Do?” is not like any release the band has put out yet. All five songs on the 19-minute EP are covered in layers of keyboards and synthesizers. Also, Carlson abandons the yelping and screaming that defined her vocal styles on past releases and sings melodically throughout. Carlson sang on songs before, and the band is no stranger to synthesizers, but those elements totally dominate the group’s sound here. The EP’s highlight is “Plants,” which is one of the band’s finest songs to date.
Monday, October 28, 2019 | 3 The track wastes no time in starting as a prominent punk-ish drum-and-bass groove, which drives the song while a whirlwind of keyboards and synthesizers circle the mix. Carlson’s vocal melody
is infectious. The song seems to deal with a person who prefers talking to plants over humans, showcased by lyrics like “In the forest, trees hear more than leaves, They talk to me with electric speech.” The beat never lets up, and it creates an extremely fun, high-energy and psychedelic cut. Other highlights include “Moth Like Me,” a frenetic cut about someone who sees a moth outside their house and sees themselves in it. The lyrics are much more cryptic than on songs like “Plants,” but the chorus’ repetition of “Outside I saw it, it looked just like me, but with purpose,” suggests that the song is about a longing for a simple and driven life. “ W h a t Would the Odd Do?” is at its worst on
songs like the title track. It is far from a bad cut, but the groove, the synthesizer and Carlson’s singing simply aren’t as gripping as the rest of the songs on the album. While it isn’t a full new album, “What Would the Odd Do?” is a satisfying release. The lyrics, while still cryptic as ever, are more personal. The noise has been toned down for a more melodic and psychedelic sound, and the band has adapted to this direction without a hitch. It will be interesting to see whether Guerilla Toss continues to move in this direction on a full length in the future. For now though, “What Would the Odd Do?” is a triumph, and any fan of rock and punk music should not miss it. Email: alex.whetham@ubspectrum.com
Courtesy of nna tapes
State, they need to be prepared for any scenario. Leipold is considered a maestro in the coaching world. But he still hasn’t received an offer from a Power Five school –– the highest level of Division 1-A competition. In recent years, athletic directors have made clear their desire for fervent newcomers over established veterans. Unless someone has prior experience coaching in the NFL or a Power Five school, they will rarely get the opportunity to lead a major college program. Only eight coaches aged 55 or higher have been hired by Power Five schools in the past four seasons, two of which had coached in the NFL and five who coached in the SEC or ACC. Leipold, 55, has received acclaim for his successes at Buffalo and his previous stop, Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater. Chris Vannini of The Athletic ranked Leipold No. 7 among Group of Five head coaches for his ability to “finally get FBS attention at Buffalo.” Leipold, the 2018 MAC Coach of the Year, turned a middling Bulls team into a championship contender. His 2018 roster was replete with NFL talent, including cornerback Cam Lewis, who was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent. From 2007 to 2014, Leipold accumulated a 109-6 record and won six Division III national championships with WisconsinWhitewater, was named D-III Coach of
the Year six times by the American Football Coaches Association and became the quickest coach in NCAA history to 100 career wins. After P.J. Fleck led MAC rival Western Michigan to three straight bowl games, he was rewarded with a handsome contract from Big Ten school Minnesota. After Neal Brown’s success at Troy, including a 42-32 victory over Leipold in the 2018 Dollar General Bowl, he landed a job at West Virginia, a Big 12 powerhouse. Unlike Fleck and Brown, Leipold is on the older side of the coaching spectrum. On the surface, this isn’t a major obstacle. Some of the most prominent signal-callers in college football, including Alabama’s Nick Saban and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, are older than Leipold. However, of the 46 coaches hired by Power 5 schools since 2016, only one –– Dino Babers, of Syracuse University –– came from a Group of Five school and was over the age of 55. In fact, Babers is the only 55-year-old coach in recent memory to get hired directly from a mid-major program (in his case, Bowling Green of the MAC). While major programs continue the trend of hiring fiery, young coaches, Babers has proven to be the exception to the rule — not the rule itself. This was the subject of an article from David Jones of PennLive.com. Contrasting Penn State head coach James Franklin to Buffalo’s Leipold, Jones observed that the two have starkly different coaching methods.
Jones describes Franklin, 47, as “one of the most formidably persuasive people ever unleashed in the college athletic realm,” notching success through “nonstop salesmanship that, like all audacious pitches, defies impediment.” He has gotten recruits “almost by force of will,” rebuilding a once proud program in an ambitiously short period of time. Meanwhile, Leipold has employed a “much more methodical and result-based method” of coaching, one that involves teaching, not selling, as a motivator. “Coaches such as Leipold aren’t sloganeers,” Jones writes. “They won’t inspire headlines or reality shows. They’ll simply motivate their players with gradual proof that their methods work.” Leipold’s resume is impressive, but it’s going to take more than just success at UB to convince skeptical programs to take a gamble on him. That’s because hiring a coach like Leipold only works when his team experiences success. Hiring an enthusiastic 30- or 40-yearold may not always be the shrewdest football move, but these coaches tend to win praise in the media before they even coach a game, making them a compelling option for Power Five programs. While these programs might not come knocking anytime soon, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be. Leipold deserves a shot at the game’s highest level. Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com
SPORTS EDITOR
4 | Monday, October 28, 2019
Political science professor Shawn Donahue shares his two loves: politics and Taylor Swift REILLY MULLEN ASST. WEB EDITOR
A Natural Sciences Complex classroom is packed for a Cases in Civil Liberties class with professor Shawn Donahue, who’s presenting his 17th slide on Allied Structural Steel Company v. Spannaus. Suddenly, the chorus of Taylor Swift’s “22” erupts in the background. Everyone is looking around to see whose AirPods momentarily disconnected. But the 2012 pop classic isn’t coming from the lecture seating. It’s coming from the front of the room. It’s Donahue’s ringtone. Donahue is a legend in the political science department, known for his anecdotal-style lectures and tangent-based bonus questions. Growing up in southern Indiana near Louisville, Kentucky, his parents were small business owners. His interest in politics developed at a young age, when he lived across the street from the town courthouse. He became a Swift fan later, attending his first Swift concert in 2009. Donahue has since met celebrities and politicians alike, had interactions with Bill and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and is on first-name basis with Andrea Swift, Taylor’s mom. But his fascination with Swift isn’t about who she is: it’s about what she sings about.
Volunteer opportunities around Buffalo SAMANTHA VARGAS SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
Students often find themselves with extra time during the week but aren’t sure what to do with it. Many join clubs or pick up extra shifts at their job, but some students need an extra sense of accomplishment. That’s where volunteering comes in. There are many volunteer opportunities across Buffalo, ranging from helping out at food banks to spending time with animals. We’ve compiled a list of organizations that are always looking for new volunteers for those looking to lend a helping hand. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier Child mentors The Big Brother Big Sister program is a nationally recognized organization that pairs adult volunteers with at-risk youth to improve success, confidence and educational goals. Volunteers can work as little as three to five hours a month, as the group offers two types of programs: community-based mentoring and site-based mentoring. Community-based mentoring relies on the volunteer to coordinate activities and time frames with their “little,” which can be as often as they choose. Site-based mentoring refers to volunteers meeting their “littles” in school or in community centers once a week. Volunteers take on the role of older siblings to their assigned child. This gives them the opportunity to have a lasting effect on their formative years.
FEATURES “She writes her songs herself. They weren’t written for her,” Donahue said. “So they’re kind of stories of her life. They’re relatable.” He tries to bring this same relatability factor to his classes. Swifties aren’t usually known to be experts in constitutional law and voting rights, so Donahue’s two passions make for an unlikely combination. But some students aren’t surprised by his music taste. Rachael Braun, a senior political science major, said Donahue is an “interesting character.” “His random tangents and wild stories keep you engaged in his class, while still [helping you] learn something,” Braun said. “Although he isn’t the stereotypical Taylor Swift fan, it isn’t surprising that he is one.” Donahue said students likely describe him as “quirky” but also knowledgeable, as his interest in law has followed him throughout his life. As a boy, he would watch as the local politicians and lawyers went about their business, and dreamt of joining them one day. Donahue earned his B.A. and J.D. from Indiana University, later receiving his M.A. and recently his Ph.D. from Binghamton University. But Donahue realized he didn’t want to be a lawyer. “I didn’t like being a lawyer,” he said. “I didn’t like being around other lawyers. And did I want to do it for the next 30
years? My answer was no.” This realization led him to “Shake It Off ” toward an academic career. The self-proclaimed “Swiftie” will see his 30th ‘T-Swift’ show next year, just past the 10-year aniversary of his first live Swift show. Donahue’s favorite Swift album is “Speak Now,” because it was her first entirely self-written piece. Donahue doesn’t have a single favorite song, but has a favorite song from each of Swift’s albums, with highlights including “Enchanted,” “Love Story” and “Should’ve Said No.” After attending almost 30 concerts –– some in the front row –– Donahue has become familiar with more than just Swift’s music. Donahue has also met other concert regulars, and come to know Andrea Swift well, they always wave when they run into each other at shows.
Courtesy of Shawn Donahue Political science professor Shawn Donahue stands with Taylor Swift’s mom during the St. Louis stop on the “Red Tour.”
Donahue is a T-Swift trivia master. He knows a wide range of facts all the way from Andrea Swift’s cancer battle to who Swift opened for at different concerts in the beginning of her career. Donahue’s interests are far from expected, but show that it doesn’t matter what you pursue, as long as it makes you happy. Matt Rossi, a junior economics major, said Donahue’s overlapping interests bring a refreshing take to political science classes. “Lots of real world political insight from a guy that loves Taylor Swift is not something you see everyday,” Rossi said. Email: reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @ReillyMMullen
unteer to decide how often they are able to work. Volunteers also do not need access to a car, as the program can arrange to have drivers. The program helps the elderly and disabled who are homebound maintain their independence and gives them the opportunity to socialize. The volunteer’s job is to then bring these meals directly into the home, providing food and friendly conversation. SPCA Serving Erie County Volunteering with animals The SPCA is another nationally recognized nonprofit that works to ensure the well-being of animals through animal cruelty investigations, rescues, admissions, care and adoptions. The SPCA offers 17 different volunteer positions with varying levels of contact with the animals. For those who might not want immediate contact with animals but still want to work with the SPCA, they offer positions like working at their animal boutique, as an educational guide or as a greeter at the shelter. Those who are comfortable around animals and have more availability can volunteer in on-site socialization, fostering programs and veterinary assistance. The organization also offers college in-
ternships for those considering a career in animal care or welfare. Habitat for Humanity Building homes for low-income families Habitat for Humanity is the pinnacle of modern volunteer work. Every Ned Flanders-type character has worked with Habitat for Humanity to show how giving they are, and for good reason. Habitat pushes their volunteers to the limit, assigning them to build houses for those in need. This type of work is incred-
Samantha Vargas / The Spectrum Harry is a one-year-old pit bull terrier that is available for adoption at the SPCA. Volunteers can apply to socialize and walk him.
ibly difficult but provides the best kind of payout. All volunteers involved can see how their work has affected individuals right in their community. Those who are interested don’t need any previous construction experience but need to be prepared to learn and put in work. If you aren’t interested in the construction aspect but would still like to be involved, the organization also offers opportunities within their administration team. These jobs work directly with low-income families looking to purchase houses. Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy Cleaning up parks Volunteering to clean up local parks is a great way to enjoy nature while also giving back to the community. The Olmstead Park Conservatory prides itself on beginning entirely with volunteer support. From its buildings to gardens and ponds, every aspect of the park is maintained by volunteers. It invites volunteers to come in groups and work together to help make the parks –– including Delaware Park, Riverside Park and Martin Luther King Jr. Park –– the best they can be.
Meals on Wheels for WNY Food service for the elderly and disabled The Food Bank of Western New York is responsible for a variety of nonprofit organizations that bring fresh produce and warm meals to people in the community who face food insecurity. Meals on Wheels is another popular volunteer opportunity that allows the vol-
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Samantha Vargas / The Spectrum Tigger is a seven-year-old shorthair cat that is available for adoption at the SPCA. Volunteers can apply to work in their cat colony rooms or clean the kennels.
Email: Samantha.Vargas@UBSpectrum.com Twitter: @SamMarieVargas
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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burlesque dancers. The dancers and drag queens performed a dazzling display of routines prior to the screening of the film. A fan-oriented costume extravaganza then opened the main attraction, the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which first aired in 1975, follows the story of a newly engaged couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) as they are forced to spend a stormy night at the castle of an alien –– Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry) –– from planet “Transsexual” in the galaxy of “Transylvania.” Furter, during the course of the couple’s stay, creates the perfect male specimen as a play-thing and exposes Brad and Janet to many sexual adventures and mishaps. Fans knew every line of the film. During the screening, they threw toast, uncooked rice and playing cards onto the stage –– all authentic aspects of the cult-classic film. Burlesque dancer Shia LaGoof and drag
‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ screening brings sexy to the 43year Halloween tradition ISABELLA FORTUNATO STAFF WRITER
Most movie-goers head to theaters with pockets full of smuggled sweets. But on Friday night, the Riviera Theatre provided a different kind of viewing essential for guests. Scott toilet paper. The Riviera Theatre, located in North Tonawanda, hosted its 11th annual “Rocky Horror Picture Show Party” Friday where roughly 1,100 Rocky Horror groupies showed up with “prop bags” in hand for a night of “visual and abysmal” shenanigans. The night, which lasted from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m., included a screening of the film along with shadow actors –– who acted out the film as it was playing –– and
Siddharth Bandhu / The Spectrum Contestants of the costume contest and actors of the Francis Bacon experiment on stage..
Denver-based atmospheric death metal quartet opens up about opening minds JUSTIN WOODMANCY STAFF WRITER
Death metal reigned supreme in Mohawk Place Wednesday while growls, grunts and brutal riffs pulverized the audience. Denver’s Blood Incantation, one of the more innovative modern metal bands, has effortlessly blended psychedelic jams, progressive song structures and punishing riffs since its formation in 2011. The extreme metal quartet is breaking into the mainstream, earning Pitchfork’s Best New Track on Oct. 11 for “Inner Paths (To Outer Space).” Blood Incantation has explored and expanded upon their signature dense and atmospheric sound over the last eight years, and its new album, “Hidden History of the Human Race” releases on Nov. 22 via Dark Descent Records. Before the band took the stage at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place last Wednesday, members discussed their tour with Immolation, the benefits of psychedelic drugs and the upcoming album. The interview, lightly edited for style and length, follows below: The Spectrum: What has it been like sharing the stage with death metal legend Immolation on this tour? Isaac Faulk (drums): Sharing the stage is awesome. I would say that they’re one of the originators of the genre and definitely in the vein of the death metal that we like. Obviously, being on the road with a band that you look up to is awesome, right? I think both bands kind of teach each other things and it has been awesome. Just hearing stories from them about going to Europe and the early ‘90s and stuff, playing
Courtesy of Dark Descent Records The album cover to the band’s newest release,
with crazy bands like Nihilist. It’s been great. TS: Your psychedelic take on death metal has become increasingly grand and spacey with each release. Has this gradual shift been a conscious decision or has the music grown naturally? F: Yeah, it was always kind of the idea to have some of those elements in there. But I think we've just gotten better at it. Paul Reidl (guitar/vocals): Every song basically has gotten crazier. If you were to list them all in chronological order, they each can be expanded upon previously established things in each song. Morris Kolontyrsky (guitar): We’re getting better at integrating those parts into how we write. TS: Who are some of the artists that influence your music? F: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Gong,
queen Jayme Coxx acted as co-hostesses for the opening of the evening, which featured live dance numbers from local troops. The Eye Candy Burlesque Vixens and Ladies of Illusion enticed the crowd with sensual routines that were almost fit for the silver screen. Mounds, a member of the Vixens, performed her first-ever solo routine decorated with vibrant red makeup and her body covered in cherry-red balloons. With a little bit of popping and grooving to “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte, Mounds elegantly stripped down to just a red lacy bikini. Needless to say, she ended that night no longer a solo-performance virgin. Local drag queen Bebe Bvlgari stole the live portion of the show with a compelling number set to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and “River Deep, Mountain High.” She was dressed in a white sequin jumpsuit, feathery robe and large sexy wig. The crowd screamed with excitement when the seasoned queen jumped and split, showcasing her athletic excellence. Mounds and Bvlgari were two of many performers who made the beginning of the night a thrill for fans. Burlesque and drag are the perfect way to start a “Rocky Horror” party, but the only way to end one is with a screening of the film, straight from the reaches of Transylvania itself. Actors from The Francis Bacon Experiment seamlessly mirrored the characters on screen during the film.
Kitaro, Camel, Gorguts, Opeth. K: Other than the obvious ones like Timeghoul and Demilich. F: Newer bands too, like Defeated Sanity are a big inspiration for us. Their EP “Dharmata,” we heard that and we were like, “Wait, what? We have to up our game sufficiently.” So that was a big one. But honestly, a lot of times, it'll be like one riff from a band’s entire discography will be inspirational. It’s such a cool idea that sometimes a whole section or idea of a song will come from just that riff. TS: You’ve mentioned how your new single “Inner Paths” was largely improvised using psychedelics. Could you talk a bit about that experience and how the song came about? F: It kind of just evolved from our jams at practices. We would often just hang out for a few hours at the practice space, drink mate, smoke weed and talk about conspiracies. Chill for a couple hours and then we jam for a little while and then we'll actually work on something. R: You’ve got to get the s----y stuff out of your system so you don't have a bad riff slip into your stream of consciousness. K: We were getting into some stuff, laughing around and talking about all sorts of stuff. And the only song we played was “Inner Paths”. TS: “Inner Paths” has more emphasis on atmosphere than it does on bru-
Monday, October 28, 2019 | 5
Siddharth Bandhu / The Spectrum Jaymee Coxx performs at Riviera theatre.
Fans waited in antici ... pation to pull out their coveted props and sing-along to the ‘70s ballads of the film. The crowd threw rice and toilet paper, sounded noise makers and sprayed water pistols as a ritualistic way of matching the film’s events. For those unaccustomed to the Rocky Horror treatment, there was no need to ache over their smiling faces, because it was easy for anyone to have a good time. The crowd shouted obscenities every time Brad and Janet entered the scene and memorized a script of other phrases like, “Sing it b---h!” and “Don’t touch the hair!” The most crowd-rousing moment was during fan-favorite song “Time Warp” (written by Richard O’Brien), when knowing the dance wasn’t even necessary to join in. Almost every member of the audience jumped to the left, stepped to the right and put their hands on their hips in true Transylvanian style. Underneath the innuendos, props and costumes, the Rocky Horror experience is meant to take participants on a strange journey of acceptance and individuality that will leave any audience members feeling like they’re finally home. Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
tality. Can listeners expect this theme throughout the new album, “Hidden History of the Human Race”? R: Yeah, it was on purpose to make people be like “F--k this.” But then the album comes out and every song is simultaneously more brutal and more atmospheric. TS: If someone had never heard Blood Incantation before, what would you want to tell them before listening to this new record? R: Open your mind, dude. Stop trying to be something and experience something how you want it to be. Just let it be how it is. K: Quit filming. F: Yeah, don’t Snapchat yourself listening to the record. TS: Jeff, why the decision to use a fretless bass? Is there any particular advantage over using a traditional bass? This, as far as I know, is pretty unconventional, especially for death metal. B: I joined the band essentially filling in place for a guy who had played fretless on a previous session. I did want a fretless so I was just open to exploring the different uses of not having frets. It is pretty aliensounding in its tone. You can bend notes a lot more and slide into sections … It’s very unconventional and we’re an unconventional band. TS: If each one of you could sum up the new record in one word, what would it be? R: Sick. F: Epic. B: *Exhales* K: Gargantuan. Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
6 | Monday, October 28, 2019
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ubspectrum.com
‘A different art:’ Documentary series highlights community stories ‘We Tell: Environments of Race and Place’ focuses on power of community media ALEX WHETHAM ASST. ARTS EDITOR
Back-to-back screenings are usually similar. But on Wednesday, Squeaky Wheel challenged this notion, screening everything from a film about unpcoming fatherhood to a film on sheep becoming zombies. The stories themselves sound quite different, but they all focused on a similar theme: community. Squeaky Wheel hosted “We Tell: Environments of Race and Place.” The Wednesday event was part of a traveling exhibition, “We Tell: Fifty Years of Participatory Community Media: On the Frontlines of Politics and Place, 1967-2017.” The exhibition –– curated by Louis Massiah, executive director of the Scribe Video Center, and Patricia Zimmermann –– hopes to use documentaries to “chronicle the hidden histories” in specific communities and highlight “needs for social and political change,” according to Lightbox Film Center. The Squeaky Wheel event focused on “immigration, migration and racial identities unique to a specific environment” and featured six short documentaries, each released between 1967 and 2016. Documentary “Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man” took up 39 minutes of the 91-minute program, but with good reason. The 1975 film detailed the Buffalo Creek Flood of 1972, when a Pittston
Coal Company coal-waste dam collapsed, killing 125 people and leaving 4,000 homeless. Instead of focusing solely on the displaced West Virginia community, the documentary analyzed the cause, Pittston’s reaction –– which insisted it was an “act of God” –– and provided facts condemning the company. Jason Livingston, the project’s research assistant, believes the film’s research-based approach brought a different perspective to the program. “Right now in a lot of the documentary communities, we’re in the middle of a very character-heavy moment, and a story-heavy moment,” Livingston said. “There was something quite refreshing about reckoning with a project that is almost ruthlessly forensic and diagnoses the situation.” “Who I Became,” a contrasting documentary, was more character-focused. The 2003 documentary tells the story of first-generation Cambodian-American Pounloeu Chea’s experience on parole, as he struggled to stay out of prison while awaiting the birth of his first child. The film still emphasized the voice of the community, though. At a Q&A session for the event, Zimmermann explained that the film originated from Vietnamese director Spencer Nakasako. He gave a group of Vietnamese youth equipment and let them make their own films. Chea’s group then created “Who I Became.” Buffalo State media studies student Conrad Burgos Jr. said he attended the program not just because Zimmermann was speaking, but also because of how the various documentaries were made. “They feel different than most narrative stories, or even Netflix stuff,” Burgos said.
alex whetham / The SpecTrum paTricia zimmermann and jaSon livingSTon anSwering queSTionS afTer The Screening.
“And that’s because they’re made with people who the problems actually matter to.” The program’s screening at Squeaky Wheel also marked its New York premiere. Before the screening, Zimmermann explained that she was interested in breaking the binary of art premiering in either New York City or California. “Part of this project, especially as Louis Massiah conceived, was that it’d be national and not be stuck on either coast, that it would represent community groups and community media across the country to show the diversity of America,” Zimmerman said. Curator Ekrem Serdar explained he brought the project to Squeaky Wheel be-
cause the spot is a “significant hub for participatory media.” While none of the stories told related to Buffalo directly, the environmental and community-focused messages were a perfect fit for the city. No matter what year the program selections were released, their messages still rang true. “What’s chilling about the topics in these six programs is that they were urgent 50 years ago, and they’re urgent now,” Zimmerman said. “It shows you how much work needs to be done by people on the ground to take power back and to rewrite the script so that the world can be a place we all want to live in.” Email: Alex.Whetham@ubspectrum.com
Nicole Garcia
Franccesca Spinetti Collado Javier Leiva “I was born in Brooklyn and I was raised there. I [lived] in a bad neighborhood but I adapted. Moving to Queens was more diverse and safer. [I learned how to adapt] because I had Hispanics, I had Tibetans around me, I had Bengalis around me. It was a good experience of living in a diverse place. I know that going to Buffalo was going to be hard for me to get in touch with my Hispanic heritage. It was a struggle for me to find Hispanic friends. So then, I found out about LASA. It keeps me close to my Hispanic roots with the dancing, the vibes of the music, and the food.”
“If I ever need to talk to someone, [Garcia] will say ‘you’re beautiful, you’re gorgeous, you’re this, you’re that, you’ve got this,’ and if I need advice, they will give me advice. I always get advice from her and [the LASA members]. For example, I wouldn’t know anything about a class and they will immediately teach me and take my laptop to help me. They’ll show and teach me everything, it’s such a family-like. We’re always there for each other like she’s my cousin. This is a big family that has a big support system.”
Varnel Fleurisma
“I’m Colombian. Both my parents are from Colombia. I’ve always struggled with identifying myself as Latina because of how light my skin is. [People think] that I’m either not Latina enough or I don’t act a certain type of way that is considered ‘Latina.’ In second grade, people thought that I was Russian but then I got bullied in school once they found out I [was] Hispanic. My mom took me out of my private Catholic school and transferred to public school. Because I was immersed by so much diversity, I got to be who I was.”
“I won't say it's been easy [being Haitian] in Hispanic culture. There are people in our own culture that act toward certain issues and topics, like discrimination against dark-skinned people. I feel like that's the biggest issue that we have right now, where we try to disregard Africa and our African heritage. For me it's discouraging because we go through the same things as black people and Hispanic people to some extent. We go through a lot of discrimination in this country. I feel that we should be more united than [against] each other. I feel like this comes from our pride, where we want to have so much pride in our own self, that it gives us tunnel vision towards finding unity amongst each other. I would love to see [more diversity and unity in our campus].”
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8 | Monday, October 28, 2019
SPORTS
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FROM PAGE 1
BULLS
forced Daemen to shoot at only 39% from the field. UB’s defense should be a point of emphasis throughout the season. For Whitesell, however, their defense was not up to par. “There were times that I was wondering where our defense was.” he says. “I think there were some good stretches of activity, but they strung us out. We have to do a better job with that.” Daemen’s Andrew Sischo gave the Bulls the most trouble. He led Daemen with 28 points and 12 rebounds, accounting for over a third of the team’s total points and nearly a third of rebounds for the night. Players said they see room for improvement before their official season opener. “Sischo was a handful. He was tough.” Grant said, “[We] just have to work on helping each other. Understanding that we got each other and we don’t have to be locked in on one person.”
Alexander Brown / The Spectrum Forward Jeenathan Williams driving to the basket with a Daemen defender on him.
One positive thing Whitesell noticed was his team’s high number of assists. “That’s outstanding because we’re sharing the ball and that’s the way we should play: unselfishly,” Whitesell said. The game was a promising look into a season with a fresh starting lineup and a new head coach. But with a talented roster of new faces, there is no telling who might step up and be the next powerhouse for the Bulls. Three out of four new additions got on the court to show what they could do. “These guys don’t worry about who starts, it’s about who finishes,” Whitesell said. The Bulls will be back in Alumni Arena on Nov. 8 for their season opener against Dartmouth. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Siddharth Bandu / The Spectrum Guard Antwain Johnson leaps to score a dunk.
ALEX LENNEBERG CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A second-quarter sequence during Saturday’s football game gave Buffalo the lead and the Bulls didn’t look back. The Bulls (4-4, 2-2) defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (5-4, 3-2) 43-20 Saturday. The Bulls had a huge second quarter, where they took a sizable lead and broke the game open. The Bulls now have a two-game winning streak, with both wins against conference opponents. After Buffalo forced a quick punt to start the game, redshirt freshman kicker Alex McNulty struck first on a 29-yard field goal. Central Michigan responded immediately, driving 75 yards to take the lead on a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Jonathan Ward. The first quarter ended with the Bulls trailing 7-3 in a strong defensive game from both sides. The momentum swung during the be-
ginning of the second quarter, when two CMU fumbles allowed the Bulls to score twice, turning a 7-3 deficit into a 17-7 lead within minutes. The Bulls started the second quarter in the red zone. Taking advantage of the field position, they immediately scored with junior wide receiver Antonio Nunn’s 8-yard touchdown grab in the back left corner of the endzone, giving the Bulls a 10-7 lead. Chippewas’ running back Ward lost the ball again in the first play of the next drive, setting UB up in a great field position. Sophomore running back Jaret Patterson took advantage and ran for a 15yard touchdown to put the Bulls up 17-7. Patterson’s dominant runs and another back-left-corner touchdown from Nunn gave the Bulls a 24-7 lead with 3:32 left in the second quarter. After a CMU touchdown, redshirt sophomore quarterback Kyle Vantrease threw a screen pass to Patterson, who broke off a 54-yard catch-and-run with sophomore running back Kevin Marks, who earned a
Alexis Heng / The Spectrum The Buffalo Bulls’ running back Jaret Patterson rushes with the ball as the Central Michigan Chippewas close in.
3-yard touchdown and brought UB to a 30-14 lead at the half. Vantrease, in the second half, threw an interception that CMU returned for a
CMU then scored on a 5-yard Kalil Pimpleton touchdown with 3:57 left in the fourth to cut the deficit to 16 points. CMU had the ball with three and a half minutes left, but a 40-yard pick-six from junior linebacker Kadofi Wright put Buffalo up by 23 points with only 2:19 left in the game. This was the first time this year that the Bulls have won consecutive games. With only three penalties Saturday, head coach Lance Leipold was pleased with his team’s effort.
Alexander Brown / The Spectrum Defensive end Taylor Riggins getting a sack on quarterback Quinten Dormady.
touchdown, but referees reversed the call. The Chippewas had another opportunity, but junior defensive end Taylor Riggins’ third-down sack ended the drive. UB then used a strong running attack from Patterson, who had 39 rushing yards on a five-minute drive, to put the team in field-goal position. The third quarter ended with UB up 3314. The Chippewas forced a punt early in the fourth and looked to get back into the game. Senior safety Joey Banks forced his second turnover of the game and had a key interception. A third field goal from McNulty midway through the fourth quarter put the Bulls up 22 points.
“It meant a lot. … The last couple of years, we were first or second in the least amount of penalties,” Leipold said. “We take a lot of pride in our discipline and how we go about it. I think it’s another step in confidence and playing fast.” The Bulls take on Eastern Michigan (44,1-3) on Saturday as they look to extend their current winning streak in Rynearson Stadium. Germain Brown contributed reporting to this article. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com