V Magazine UVA Dec. 2009

V

magazine

Winter2010

fashion electric feel

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Vagazin

Editor in Chief: Laura Kost Production Manager: Sara Buchanan Managing Editor: Stephanie Garcia

section editor

Jane Anne Murphy

layout artists Sara Buchanan Leilani Brower Susan Carrai Laura Kost Kelly Malacarne Jennifer Rose Nicole Snyder

fashion

Fashion Editor: Linnea White Assistant Fashion Editor: Alex Cook Art Director: Rachel Swartz

photography

Photography Coordinator: Dan Tarjan Assistant Photography Coordinator: Meredith Mckee Ellie Stanton

business manager Francesca Lochen

staff writers

Janelle Clayton Alex Cook Kristen Davis Caroline Massie Meredith McKee Jane Anne Murphy Chanel Parks

culture&reviews

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falling in love with Charlottesville enjoy the weather outside of town

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One for One

The TOMS shoes phenomenom

Ni Hao Cafe

health&relationships Is Getting Married Later Smarer?

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a look into why many are getting married later in life what is the obsession with vampires these days?

a review of one of the corner’s newest restaurants

The Changing Face of the Corner

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a look into some of corner new additions to the corner

Uptown Downtown

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expand your nightlife to the downtown mall

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Bite Me

around grounds

Dancing a Different Dance

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an engineering student and dance major pair up for a different look into modern dance

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story and photos by Kristen Davis

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4

falling in love with

harlottesville

Another fun place to go with friends is Walnut Creek Park. Just off Old Lynchburg Road, this 480-acre park has much to present. There is a 45 acre stocked lake with 2 acres of beach access, canoe rentals and 15 miles of running, hiking and biking trails, as well as Frisbee golf.

Pack a lunch and enjoy the day away from the dorms!

Fall term is now past its halfway mark and autumn is in full swing. There is no better time to live in Virginia and experience all that it has to offer.

With Charlottesville being ranked as one of the best places to live in the country, we have the best of everything! From lakes to mountains, trails to paved paths, we certainly have it all. Within a 10 mile drive you can leave exams and classes behind and enjoy six places to go to get away from it all.

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Almost every student knows about Observatory Hill. To burn off some post-midterm stress, try jogging on one of O-Hill’s many trails. The environment is surprising considering its close proximity to the University. Boasting 7 miles of moderate single lane trails with rocky, hilly and challenging terrain, it’s sure to melt your worries about grades and test even the seasoned runner or power biker on Grounds.

This is by far one of my favorite places around Cville.

A great way to spend a Saturday is hiking the Saunders-Monticello Trail. This 4 mile round trip hike has plenty of points to picnic, relax and take in the local scenery. Take a day to walk across the hillside of Carter’s Mountain and visit Jefferson’s Monticello. With raised boardwalks and wide gravel trails, this is definitely a fun and local day trip for you and friends. Saunders-Monticello Trail is highly recommended for students who haven’t visited Monticello yet -- so First years, get out your walking shoes!

Join the club.

Do you like rock-climbing, hiking or rafting?

Then Outdoors at UVa has what you’re looking for! Adventures are planned throughout the year so you have ample opportunities to do all the things that you love to do or have always wanted to try. Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced level adventures, there is a place here for every student who has an interest in having fun outside all year long. From biking to bouldering, this club has it all! A 12 month membership is $30 and one semester is $20. For more information, photos from past adventures and current activity offerings visit www.outdoorsatuva.org.

The Rivanna Trail is known in Charlottesville for being a

little complicated. Right now they are adding sections to the almost 20 miles of trails that circumnavigate the city. With paths ranging from easy to moderately difficult, there is a trail for everyone at any level. Offering beautiful open fields, native wildflowers, groves, creeks, exposed rock cliffs and a glimpse of the local wildlife, it’s hard to find a more inclusive outdoor activity. Please steer clear of the proposed sections of the trails until completed; some areas are not well marked and makes it easy to get lost.

one one

TOMS was founded on a simple mission, “With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.” This buyer-empowered company, created in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, has changed the face of economic sustainability. Americans love to buy things, whether The TOMS Shoes it’s chart-topping hits on iTunes Phenomenon or a fancy dinner out; however, TOMS has created a market

by Meredith McKee for people to help children in need just by purchasing shoes.

for

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Parasites transmitted through open sores are the leading cause of disease in developing countries. By wearing shoes, children in need will not only reduce their risk of infection, but will also be able to attend schools with policies requiring shoes. By combining the consumer-driven aspect of the green movement with the American desire for consumption, Blake has created a product that has resulted in unanticipated enthusiasm. The upper portion of the shoe fashions hemp and

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recycled plastic bottles while the sole features recycled rubber.

These simple slippers now come in hundreds of different styles, from the new “Tiny TOMS” to their “Wedding collection,” which features silver metallic uppers.

These comfortable, durable flats have breeched the boundaries of “small business” and entered a world of philanthropy and fashion.

The TOMS movement has exploded across the country, embraced by celebrities and college students alike.

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For those who are looking for a more ad- venturous experience a bit farther outside city limits, Raven’s Roost is just off Skyline D r i ve.

Take your time climbing the rock base a n d relax once you arrive at the observation point.

Soak up the amazing views of the Shenandoah Valley and Torry Mountain. It takes under 35 miles to get there and is well worth the extra mileage. For a special trip, try getting there early to see the sun rise or going later to watch the sun set over the valley. The view is unforgettable.

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If you visit Raven’s Roost, don’t forget to take a visit to Humpback Rock. There is a self-guided trail that leads the hiker through old Appalachian farm builds taking you to The Rocks. Humpback Rock is a huge, exposed, rocky summit of greenstone that is recognizable because of its extreme appearance when compared to the surrounding vegetation-covered peaks. It only takes 45 minutes to ascend the 3,080 summit, making this one of the shorter hikes with the some of the best views in the area.

With all of these choices it’s no wonder why everyone loves Charlottesville. It’s a rare occasion to find one place that offers something for everyone. Alumni visit every year to walk the Lawn and remember the best years of their lives here at the University. They come to bring their family to the place that raised their expectations of quality and to fall in love with Charlottesville all over again.

students alike. Blake and his ambition have been featured in The New York Times, TIME Magazine, People Magazine and even in Vogue, the last word in fashion. The TOMS community has embraced the work of musicians such as Charlottesville’s own Dave Matthews Band, Hansen, artists Gabe Lacktman, Tyler Ramsey, Brandon Boyd and Kristin Jai Klosterman, all to raise awareness of the importance of footwear.

In an effort to expand their market even further, TOMS has

instilled “Campus Clubs” across the nation, including one here at UVa. Kate Wellons, a 4th year club member says, “I joined TOMS Campus Reps so I could learn more about how the company works and help spread their message. I think they have a powerful social business design, combining education about footwear and poverty with a working business that is able to give away shoes.”

After seeing such great success with shoes,TOMS has also expanded their market to apparel,

featuring the t-shirt “I vote. I give blood. I wear TOMS.” It is a simple way of exerting your ability to influence the world.

Help TOMS and children in developing countries by taking one step towards a better tomorrow.

Please visit www.tomsshoes.com for more information.

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In some developing nations, childrend must walk for miles to get to food, clean water and to seek medical help.

Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.

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In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.

Often children can not attend school barefoot.

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Podoconiosis is 100% preventable by wearing shoes.

[

the changing

Face

CORNER

by Alex Cook

of the

As a fourth year, I’ve seen a number of restaurants and stores leave the Corner.

First, Christians Pizza replaced Amigos, whose margaritas I never got a chance to indulge, and Orbits was replaced

by Boylan Heights. O’Neil’s is now another Irish bar, Trinity, set to open soon.

Zydeco is turning into a sushi place and Sublime, the organic juice and food bar, next to Take it Away on Elliewood Avenue, is rumored to being turned into another dumpling hot spot to rival Marcos and Luca downtown. I have a feeling many UVA students would be extremely excited if dumplings were only a walk away from grounds or their apartments.

Now, Flirt, the underwear shop, has left the corner, along with restaurants Mesobs, Martha’s Café, and Just Curry. The building that housed both Mesobs and Just Curry has now been broken into three separate units. One houses an Asian resturant, Ni Hao Cafe.

This place has an amazing lunch special, which includes an entrée, rice and tax for only five dollars. Also, their portions are big so the meal can be transformed into two or three.

After indulging in lunch at Ni Hao Café, head next door to Nuckles Salon.

They offer everything from a haircut for $56, and base color for $75, to Japanese

hair straightening for $600. The hair straightening is a little out of my price range, but having this on their menu shows the versatility of the salon’s offerings and intended customer base. The décor inside is very trendy and the salon itself is small, yet inviting. I’m headed there for my next haircut because Nuckles is located on Wertland Street, which is right behind my apartment (In my next article maybe I will give an update of how my salon experience went!).

Once you’ve got your hair makeover, it’s time to hit the newly revamped bar scene on the corner. My next favorite place is the Biltmore. After closing over the summer to remodel and change management, the Bilt offers a few things other bars don’t. They now have a large outdoor area with a fully stocked Tiki Bar, corn hole, ping-pong, ladder ball, flat screen TVs and video games. If games aren’t your thing, check out the indoor lounge chairs and drink specials. The bar offers specials every night, including survivor hour on Thursdays, Bombs and every happy hour special whenever it rains!

Around ten o’clock you can head across Elliewood Avenue to the new Cantina for live music every night. If you’re still in the mood for drinks, this bar has dollar PBR’s every night.

by Alex Cook

Restaurant Review: Ni Hao Café

This Asian restaurant replaced Just Curry, which moved to the downtown mall. For the first few weeks of the semester, I would pass by on my way back to my apartment in Wertland Square. Each time I would think to myself, “Man I feel bad there is no one in there,” but as time passed more and more students appeared to venture into this foreign place. One day, a friend and I mustered up the courage to try the new Asian eatery, located less than a hundred feet from my apartment.

What attracted us are their everyday $5.00 lunch specials. This includes an entrée, rice and the TAX. Upon entering Ni Hao Café, we sat ourselves near the window and waited for a server. It seemed like quite a long time had passed until we realized there was only one waitress.

Once she arrived, I decided to order a chicken and vegetable dish, while my friend chose General Tso’s chicken, and we shared an order of spring rolls. Happy with our decision we sat back, conversed and watched students pass by. The students were much more interesting than the décor of the restaurant.

As our food was delivered, we were met with very large portions. This meant we could extend our $5.00 further; our lunch could be dinner that night, or a three am snack

or lunch the next day. And for the unemployed college student, leftover Chinese food is always a plus (at least it is one of my personal favorites).

We began with the spring rolls, which were steaming hot when they reached the table. They were very crisp and the sauce that came with them had just the right amount of spice. After enjoying a few bites of the spring rolls, I sampled my entrée. The dish was good and the veggies were fresh with a nice crunch to them.

All in all, I would recommend Ni Hao Café, especially to UVA students, if they are looking for a good quick Chinese meal—if only because this lunch special has the potential to become two or three other meals and in this economy, that’s almost all the motivation you need.

Uptown Downtown

Charlottesville Nightlife Grows Up With a Little Help from Downtown Venues by Murphy By:Jane JaneAnne Anne Murphy

So it’s Thursday night and the weekend (at least for most of us) has begun. You head out to the Corner, the all-too-familiar stretch of sidewalk across from grounds, looking to grab some beverages from the same places that you go every weekend. Biltmore, Buddhist, Virginian, Coupe’s, Three, Boylan or Mellow; these are the general spots hit up by UVA students on any given weekend night. But if you’re like most students, you’ve hit up these fine establishments a few too many times. Maybe the bartenders know your name, maybe you keep running into that awkward hookup from first year, or maybe you’re just tired of the low-key atmosphere presented on the Corner. Whatever your reasoning, it’s definitely time to branch out and find nightlife outside the Corner bubble.

The obvious place to venture is the Downtown Mall, a place where students often seek culinary diversity but usually do not go to satisfy a night on the town. First up is X-Lounge, located by the train tracks in the Glass Building. This sleek downtown restaurant offers delicious and different cocktails and martinis with an atmosphere that transports you to big city life. Though the drinks are more expensive that what you’d pay on the corner, it’s a small price to pay for a strong cocktail, chic setting, and even a DJ on some weekend nights. On the actual mall itself you’ll find different choices. Rapture is a restaurant and bar featuring a lounge and also a dance club area which features DJs and drink specials on the weekends. Like X Lounge, it has a big city vibe and the décor matches its European-Asian fusion menu. Blue Light Grill is well known for its fabulous raw bar, but they also serve up specialty martinis and cocktails that can serve as after-dinner drinks or preview a fun night out.

There’s a long bar to sit at and also seating by the window to check out what’s happening outside on the mall and get in some people watching. If you’re looking for something more low key on the mall, Miller’s is longstanding Charlottesville establishment. Miller’s is your typical wood-paneled, old school bar featuring beer and wine where you’ll meet a special cast of characters. The clientele is truly a reflection of Charlottesville where businessmen in suits rub elbows at the bar with UVA students and hippie types. Miller’s also features live music every night. And as the place where Dave Matthews and his band mates used to play, you might just hear the next big thing playing at Miller’s on a random night.

Another area to try is Belmont, the hidden gem of a neighborhood located a bit further than the downtown mall.

Most people know of the amazing restaurants like Mas and the Local, but now Belmont offers a taste of nightlife as well.

Bel Rio is a fun spot serving dinner but the real attraction is live music almost every night. They feature bands with jazz and soft rock, with a schedule that changes weekly. Some nights the music is exchanged for poetry and prose readings, which is nice if you’re looking for something different. Also in Belmont is Beer Run, a grocery store meets casual restaurant catering to beer enthusiasts. They keep 14 beers on tap, which rotate depending on the season, with many more bottled beers and wine as well. Beer Run has a laid back fun atmosphere with events like free beer tasting, wine tasting and live music on Sundays that all guarantee a great time.

“it’s definitely time to branch out and find nightlife outside the Corner bubble”

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Later

SMARTER?

T

by: Janelle A. Clayton

oday it’s taboo to get married at a young age. It may have been the norm for our grandparents to marry their high school sweethearts -- yet why do they so keenly plead us to take it slow with our significant others?

Is it because they disdain our generation, as it seems to be marked by promiscuity? This view would hardly be surprising with T.V. shows like Gossip Girl, Degrassi, 90210, and Secret Life of the American Teenager support the claim that out generation would have difficulty being faithful to our spouses. These teen dramas all parallel each other by means of pre-marital sex with multiple partners, pregnancy scares, and STD fears. Maybe out grandparents are right in advising us to marry later. Is it the smart thing to do or does it lead to more trouble than we’ve ever imagined?

Whelan writes, “The conventional wisdom holds that if women excel in higher education

study on the

]

fertility

of women

By age 30, 7% of couples were infertile

By age 35, 11% of couples were infertile By age 40, 33% of couples were infertile At age 45, 87% of couples were infertile” http://www.advancedfertility.com/age.htm

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and spend their 20s investing in their careers, men will be intimidated by their accomplishments, women will find it hard to meet a suitable mate, and marriage and childbirth will be unattainable.” Don’t believe it. Women having their mind set on scholarly success and a professional career does not necessarily mean that they will have difficulty finding a spouse who will not be intimidated by their intelligence. In fact, a Harris Interactive poll notes “71% of men who earn in the top 10% for their age groups, or who have a graduate degree, said that a woman’s career or educational success makes her more desirable as a wife, and 68% believe that smart women make better mothers. Not surprisingly, then, 90% of high-achieving men say that they want to marry -- or have already married -- a woman who is as intelligent as they are, or more intelligent.”

It seems that intelligent men desire a more or equally intelligent women because they can contribute to learned conversations, be knowledgeable about effective child rearing practices, find personal success and be proud. When these men search for soulmates, intelligence and professional success seems to be more important than a love spark. Intelligent women also seek successful men as husbands. This shows that today, people wait longer to be married as they wait to finish schooling and secure their careers.

Our generation may be marrying smarter as we are waiting to become mature adults who can handle the responsibilities of marriage. As we wait and work to better ourselves individually in hopes to secure a mate one day, we are shaping ourselves to more favorable spouses. A 1956 survey from the research journal Social Forces found that men ranked a “woman’s maturity and dependable character” as more important than “mutual attraction and love.” This trend seems true for men and women today when they marry later in life, as they wait to gain individual success and search for spouses who have gained a similar or higher level of individual success.

Whelan notes that “between half and threequarters of women in their early 20s reported that they would marry someone they weren’t in love with if all the other desired characteristics were there.” This means that if women desire

ME

BITE

Married

by: Caroline Massie

[

Is Getting

characteristics such as wealth, career stability, social networking skills, popularity, and power, they think that man with said skills is a catch whether or not they love the man.

This gives new light to Kanye West’s song “Gold Digger” in which he discusses women who tell men lies to get at their money and other assets. The song opens with, “She take my money, well I’m in need; Yeah she’s a triflin’ friend indeed; Oh she’s a gold digger…” Maybe this catchy tune should serve as a warning to men to be sure that they know that their partners are attracted to them for the right reasons before making a big commitment to them. Urbandictionary.com defines a “gold digger” as “Any woman whose primary interest in a relationship is material benefits. A woman who cares more about a man’s bank account than she does about the man.”

Maybe what is looked down upon as shallow gold digging will become a marital social norm in the future. Love may have to find new ways to fit into the “agenda” of marriage. In the future, many of us may unconsciously “fall in love” with a significant other because of their societal ranking or job title; does this mean that we are in love or that we have found the form of convenient love that suits our tastes?

Marrying for the guarantee of comfortable living may prove to be beneficial in the social and economic aspects of life, but what health effects does waiting to get hitched actually impose on the couple and their children? Although women are pursuing more advanced education and careers, they are poorly educated about the health effects of delaying having children. Chances for a successful pregnancy declines in women’s early thirties and most women are infertile by the age of forty-three. By age 30, 7% of women are infertile, but by age 45, that number jumps to 87%. According to an article by Emma Young, “Women who delay childbirth until their thirties are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.” Children who are born to older mothers have an increased risk of having genetic abnormalities, including Downs’ Syndrome. Similarly, increased paternal age leads to abnormal sperm, thus, contributing to genetic abnormalities. Unfortunately, waiting to marry leaves couples with difficult decisions pertaining to childbirth.

Waiting to get married may be smart because both partners will be more mature, stand on stable financial bases, and have secured their careers. But this delay may also pose many health affects as older parents are more likely to increase their children’s risk of genetic abnormalities. So whether you plan to wait to profess your undying love to your spouse, plan to marry when your life’s course leads you to your soulmate, or you haven’t put much thought into marriage yet, just know that the right decision is relative to everyone’s unique circumstances.

What is it about pale skin, red lips, and glistening sharp teeth that sucks women into the vampire phenomenon? This look defies the typical definition of beauty -- tan skin, and dark features -- yet vampires are still fascinatingly attractive. They are dangerous to the point of murder, wildly seductive, and intriguingly mysterious. They come out only in the dark of the night and take their victims.

Ok, so vampires are hot, but what’s with the Twilight craze? What is it about Edward Cullen that makes girls swoon?

The recent vampire phenomenon began with The Twilight Saga, then came the True Blood HBO series, and now the new fall CW show – Vampire Diaries. But even before these was Buffy. Buffy the Vampire Slayer began as a movie in 1992 that carried its immense popularity to a TV series that lasted from 1997-2003.

But the trend didn’t even start in the twentieth century – vampires have always been a fascination throughout history.

Vampire literature began in Europe in the eighteenth century with the word “vampire” first appearing in 1745 in Harleian Miscellany’s Travels of Three English Gentlemen, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The word is thought to have originated from Serbia, where earlier reports were made of killing these creatures. The literature developed around

the European folklore created around the evil beings, characterized by dark, ruddy skin, and the ability to possess people’s spirits. Garlic, holy water, and various types of plants were supposed deterrents.

One of the first popular references was Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “Christabel,” published in 1816, that is argued to account the night of a lesbian vampire.

Then, in 1887, Irish author Bram Stoker wrote one of the most successful and well-known pieces of vampire literature that has been written into dozens of movies and made into a cartoon cereal character. Ever heard of Dracula?

What’s more, even Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley (of course), Alexander Dumes, and Emily Bronte include references in their works to the creatures that stalk the night.

In 1954, Richard Matheson published I am Legend, a novel about the last living man after a vampiric bacteria destroyed the rest of the world’s population. This story was made into three movies: The Last Man on Earth (1964) starring Vincent Price, The Omega Man (1971) starring Charlton Heston, and I am Legend (2007) starring Will Smith.

The traits of vampires can be modified for each novel, poem, film, TV show or…cereal box, but the basics remain the same: they have pale, cool skin; they mysteriously appear at night; they do not need oxygen, food or water; and they require human blood for survival. The stereotypes for the purpose of children’s Halloween costumes include fangs, a black cape, coffins, and bats. The vampire may have started out as a terrifying monster, but has evolved to appear in pop culture as being humanlike, even more attractive than the average person in most cases.

The wild popularity of Twilight and True Blood is nothing new: vampires have been a part of literature and pop culture throughout history. They are dark, mysterious, dangerous, and have a way of obtaining any woman they want.

Vampire Obsession

The top ten reasons why women love vampires was featured in a recent article on askmen.com

10. Vampires are loners 9. Vampires require no commitment

Esley Collection Gold Ruffle Dress from Finch - $62 Ali Ra Hot Pink Dress from Duo - $188 Kemestry Pink Belt from Duo - $32 Minuet Silver Ruffle Dress from Finch - $62

during the day 8. Vampires dress well 7. Vampires love necking 6. Vampires are moody 5. Vampires are persuasive 4. Vampires search forever to find “her” 3. Vampires are romantic 2. Vampires are powerful 1. Vampires are bad boys

Dancing a

by Chanel Parks

Can you imagine dancing with immovable legs? Dancers and engineers collaborate this fall to prove that they have an imagination that can withstand busting a move despite physical limitations. A huge production that involves the choreography and building of UVA students, this show will unravel the world where art meets mechanics and motion encounters inability. In an interview with Rose Beauchamp, the Head of Dance here at UVA, she explains how the idea of such a show has been long running and the difficulties of creating a performance with a new perspective on movement.

How was the topic of the show brought to light?

Rose: Two years ago professor Bradford Bennett, Susan Weisner, and Jama Coartney collaborated and experimented with a group of engineering students (It was a class I believe). The engineers built medical devices such as braces, aides, etc. These things were devices that could help those with disabilities. Then the students, led by Susan Wiesner, choreographed small dances based on these restrictions. In dance, choreography restriction can be a very fertile and creative place.

Different

Dance

What do you want the audience to capture from this show?

Rose: We have cosponsored many things like the Bill T. Jones event last fall. We participated in an improvisational event at the museum. Next semester we are working with the music school getting choreographers and composers together. Dance can be a wonderful collaborative agent. For some reason it feels really easy to find ways to work on a multifaceted and interdisciplinary level.

As the show came together, the dancers and the engineers met on a weekly basis to discuss the dynamics of creativity in the show and also on the formations and devices needed for the show. In terms of a rehearsal schedule, the engineers had to create the shapes for the devices before the dancers could start the choreography process.

Hopefully you saw the a huge production this past fall and enjoyed the stellar performances of both the engineers and dancers.

year

I haven’t been a part of any dance performances, so I can only compare to the ones I’ve seen. However I will say that this is the only performance I’ve ever known to involve interdisciplinary cooperation and planning in a University setting, especially between two groups as diverse as dancers and engineers. The engineers have done this show only one year previously, to my knowledge. The project they came up with involved the use of Therabands in order to restrict limb movement (i.e. connecting the forearm to upper arm with strong rubber bands). This year we aim to stray from what has been done before, and connect with a wider variety of disabilities.

Rose: We are talking about some sort of bar that will aid us in moving around the space. Some choreographers are talking about not being able to use their legs at all. Some can’t bend their knees, etc.

Is this the first collaboration that you have had with another department?

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rd

Name: Emily Lee Age: 20 School: College of Arts & Sciences Role in the Show: dancer and choreographer

Compared to past shows you have done, is this show more unique? Is this the first show the Engineers have been involved with?

What are the physical challenges of the dancers?

Rose: We are really interested in exploring ability and disability and what that means in dance. We hope to inspire people with this idea of different ways to look at what is possible in art and ask people to reevaluate what is beautiful and possible.

What about this show are you most excited for?

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st

Anything else you would like us to know?

Name: Kyle Smalkowski Age: 18 School: Engineering Role in the Show: Project Leader Engineering Group: To help design and build the set and costumes that represent the challenges that face the disabled

A random fact: my girlfriend used to dance, and was involved in productions both through school and through outside organizations. However, her severe scoliosis has prevented her from continuing in college. That was my inspiration for getting involved in this project, especially as project leader. I’m excited to see how the message is conveyed through this performance.

What about this show are you most excited for?

What is most challenging about the show?

I’m excited about the idea we settled on - we did a lot of brainstorming (about two or three weeks), and our ideas were vague concepts at best. Finally we settled on something that was primarily an idea for the dance piece itself, which allowed us to work backwards into concrete designs. I can’t wait to see what the dancers do with it.

We are working on a serious time constraint, so a lot of the designs we came up with had to be evaluated for time-completion feasibility. The dancers need a solid design to start choreographing and rehearsing, so we have only a few weeks to build.

It forces us to really get creative and find ways around tight schedules, which is good to get used to in real-world projects.

year

I’m excited to see how I get creative with the movement given the disability I (pretend to) have. Not only is this show significant in the fact that we’re trying to prove that people with disabilities can dance too but also on a personal level I hope to develop more interesting ways of moving, ones that I would not otherwise have stumbled upon had I not been restricted.

What is most challenging about the show?

Definitely the most challenging aspect of the show is the movement itself. In my case, there will be roller skates involved, so the challenge will most likely be to not fall down. I won’t give away how I will be disabled, but there will be body parts I can’t move and/ or bend. I know that there will come a point in choreographing this piece where I will have the urge to cheat and move something that’s not supposed to be able to move by itself, and the challenge is going to be to be true to what this show is about. It’ll be frustrating to have some body parts disabled, but it’s important to realize that there are people who have these disabilities permanently, and for them, there is no way to cheat.

Compared to past shows you have done, is this show more unique?

This show is unique in a lot of ways. We’ve never had a show or piece where disabilities played an active role in the choreography or hindered the movement. I think (or at least I hope) that this show is going to be one of the most inspiring ones we’ll ever do. The message we hope to convey is that regardless of disability dance is for everyone.

Anything else you would like us to know?

This show will be a precursor to AXIS Dance Company that is coming in the spring. AXIS’s dancers include individuals that are paralyzed, and many of their pieces incorporate individuals in wheelchairs.

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Cold temperatures cannot dull the hues of fashion. This winter season, throw off the impending ennui and icy gloom, letting fashion take you on a sensory mindtrip of neon wattage and metallic jolts.

Revel in the cool voltage, an electrocution of the senses.

Incorporate flashes of vibrant colors and charged alloys into your wardrobe to jumpstart any atmosphere with a scintillating sensation.

Neon shines through smokey eyes tonight.

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Esley Collection Gold Ruffle Dress from Finch - $62 Ali Ra Hot Pink Dress from Duo - $188 Kemestry Pink Belt from Duo - $32 Minuet Silver Ruffle Dress from Finch - $62

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Amanda Uprichard Blue Silk Skirt from Spring Street - $149 Ali Ra Neon Yellow High-waisted Skirt from Duo - $164 Paris Black Faux Leather Jacket from Finch - $64 Ali Ra Electric Blue Dress from Duo - $238

Paulnkc Black Sequin Top from Finch - $34

Special thanks to the local Charlottesville clothing stores:

Finch Duo Spring Street

Cagla Oflazer 4th year

AJ Morgan Pink Sunglasses from Duo Maria Blanca Nero Gold Ruffle Dress from Finch - $379

Shoot Locations: McGuffey Park McGuffey Art Center Downtown Mall

Steven Ward Rose Amanin 2nd year Miriam Drammeh 4th year Ashley Mangan 3rd year 3rd year

Blake Tysinger 4th year

Special thanks to make-up artists Joshua Carter (4th year) Brendan Tufts (2nd year) Make-up M.A.C., located at Belk in Fashion Square Mall