Verb Issue s158 (September 23-29, 2011)

Free weekly

Verb

Sept 23-29, 2011 • Pass it on

Sutherland Plan

$1.6 Million Neighbourhood Revitalization Project Unveiled P4

Pedestrian Mall

Should Downtown Saskatoon Go Car-Free? P9

Moneyball

Brad Pitt Scores With New Baseball Drama P16

Porn Apocalypse

Adult Film Studio Builds ‘End-Of-TheWorld Bunker’ P7

Arctic Monkeys

Chart-topping UK Indie Rockers Coming To The Odeon P11

Photo: Courtesy of Guy Photo: Aroch PH

Local

Page 2

VerbNews.com

U of S Sets New Student Enrolment Record Third Consecutive Year Of Increases Sees Number Of Students Top 20,000 ALEX MACPHERSON

to nearly 20,000.

And the student body is growing SASKATOON, SK — For the in more than size: an influx of interthird year running the Univer- national, Aboriginal and disabled sity of Saskatchewan has expe- students means the population is rienced a jump in enrolment, more diverse as well. meaning more “The universtudents than “The university’s sity’s reputation, ever are flood- reputation … is very good nationally and ing onto campus and growing.” internationally, and into classis very good and -Russell Isinger growing,” says rooms this fall.

More than 100 countries are Registrar Russell Isinger, who atrepresented in the U of S student tributes the increase chiefly to an population now that a 3.5 percent aggressive recruitment effort by enrolment increase has boosted the institution. the number of registered scholars Alex Ferwerda, U of S Students’

Union VP Student Affairs, is well aware of the changing demographic.

“As numbers increase, it changes the makeup of the university and brings a whole new set of challenges,” he says. “We have more constituents to provide services for, [and] we have to create new ways to keep in touch with students.”

Ferwerda believes the exploding population “bring constraints, but also opportunities.”

“Scott [Hitchings, USSU president] and I are putting on a different events this year,” he says, referring to planned campaigns designed to make international

students feel welcome.

Ferwerda names Take a Stand, a campaign against racism, and the

International Student and Study Abroad Centre as conduits of support for international students.

The U of S has also drawn more graduate students this year than in the past, a metric Isinger says is a sound indicator of a school’s reputation as he believes grad students only choose institutions that boast a first-rate faculty and high-quality research facilities.

“We want to be a strong and attractive location for global students [and the recent enrolment boost] is a reflection of the strategy we use to get people here,” he adds.

In its efforts to recruit students from countries all over the world, Isinger thinks the U of S is on par with its competitors, though he admits benchmarking is difficult.

“We’re happy [with the numbers],” he says. “Up over down is always better.”

In order, the top six countries from which international students come to the U of S are China, Nigeria, India, Iran, Bangladesh, and the United States.

The data is encouraging, but Isinger says recruitment is only one piece of the puzzle. “You can’t talk about recruitment without talking about retention. Once you’ve for them at the doorstep, how do you retain them?”

“It’s not enough to attract international students, Aboriginal students, graduate students, students with disabilities, without increasing support for them,” he notes.

The university is enhancing programs that target international, Aboriginal and disabled students, including ESL, Student Health and Counseling and the ISSAC. The U of S is an appealing location, says Isinger, and he hopes to see the trend continue.

Declares Isinger, “The university’s brand is very strong.”

Local

Page 4

VerbNews.com

Sutherland Revitalization Plan Unveiled

$1.6 Million Proposal Seeks To Give Neighbourhood ‘Small Town Atmosphere’ ALEX MACPHERSON

unveiled a $1.6 million plan to rehabilitate Central Avenue, after a S A S K AT O O N , S K — The lengthy gestation during which Sutherland Business Improve- the SBID sought opinions from its ment District has proposed a re- membership, community groups furbishment of Central Avenue and people living in the area. to improve aging infrastructure, The plan seeks to have Cenrevitalize the tral Avenue rearea and return “We hope to make Central surfaced, power the neighbour- Avenue more pedestrian lines moved unhood to its rural friendly.” derground, and roots. more benches -Sheldon Wasylenko and lampposts “Our identity is wrapped around that small town installed along the community’s atmosphere,” says Sheldon Wasyl- main thoroughfare. enko, chair of the SBID. “That’s what The SBID wants to overhaul draws people here.”

Central Avenue between 107th and Wasylenko and the SBID recently 110th street in a series of distinct

Local children enjoy Sutherland’s centennial celebration phases. “It’s a multi-year project,” larger centres,” he says. “It’s the big says Wasylenko. “Phase One is de- box mentality.” fined as [the block between] 109th Darren Hill, City Councillor for to 110 th street. We need to start Ward 1, agrees. “It’s a great plan, a somewhere.” long time coming. Central Avenue “We hope to make Central Av- needs attention paid to it.” enue more pedestrian friendly,” “This will be the first step of it continues Wasylenko, who hopes coming into its own,” adds Hill. the upgrade will attract new busiWasylenko says he wants to see nesses to the area. “We’ve seen the community grow organically larger businesses move away [to] around updated and improved

Photo: Courtesy of the Sutherland Business Improvement District

infrastructure, but admits there are a few goals he is determined to accomplish.

“The [September] Harvest Festival grew and grew; it got so large that we had to export it.” Wasylenko would like to see the festival, which is currently held at the Forestry Farm, return to its original home.

Both the SBID and Hill are sensitive to the area’s distinctive demographic.

“It’s a blended community,” says Hill, “a blend of university students, long time families and also many newcomers to Canada.”

The SBID’s next step is to present their ideas to city council.

Should council approve the plan, work will begin next year. “It’ll certainly have a unique identity, a unique feel,” says Wasylenko, “A small town atmosphere, but a little more current.”

Global

Page 5

VerbNews.com

ePassports Near Canada Going Hi-Tech By 2012 VITTORIO HERNANDEZ

OTTAWA, ON — Passport Canada has announced it will begin to issue high-tech biometric passports by the end of 2012.

The new passports will look the same as the existing version, but will include an electronic chip encoded with the owner’s name, gender, date and place of birth and digital image.

The agency originally announced it would shift to electronic passports in 2004 as part of Ottawa’s National Security Policy, but found it took longer to bring overseas printing of the document back to Canada and develop facial

recognition technology than expected.

The move was also delayed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which required Canadians to have passports to travel south of the border.

Adoption of the WHTI led to a deluge of passport applications between 2007 and 2009, leading Passport Canada to temporarily shelve the planned switch until they could catch up with demand.

Canada is the last of the G8 nations to implement some form of biometric passport.

To date about 350 million ePassports have been issued by 95 countries.

AHN©

PETA Set To Launch Porn Site DIANE ALTER

NORFOLK, VA — Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is set to launch a pornographic website to promote animal rights.

“We’re hoping to reach a whole new audience of people, some of whom will be shocked by graphic images that maybe they didn’t anticipate seeing,” explains Lindsay Rajt, PETA’s associate director of

campaigns.

Visitors to the site will first see pornographic content as well as some of PETA’s previous ad campaigns that featured scantily-clad celebrities.

Users who explore the site further will then be presented with pictures and videos shot undercover of animals being mistreated.

Peta.xxx is set to go live in December, as soon as .xxx domain suffixes become available.

AHN©

Global At A Glance SWITCH HANDS, SNACK LESS — You can lose weight simply by switching your snacking hand, according to a new study. University of Southern California researchers found that people using their non-dominant hand when snacking ate up to 30 percent less and were more aware of what they were eating and how full they felt. The scientists concluded that people snack more out of habit than hunger, and that switching hands breaks the habit. AHN©

LAUGHTER EASES PAIN — Researchers from Oxford University have discovered that laughing for just 15 minutes can increase a person’s pain tolerance as much as 10 percent. Polite chuckles had no effect, only laughter that was relaxed, unforced and hearty enough to crease the eyes and shake the belly.

The exertion of laughing, according to the study, leaves people exhausted and triggers the release of painkilling endorphins in the brain. AHN©

Offbeat

Page 7

VerbNews.com

90-Year-Old Has 50 Children AHN STAFF

Porn Apocalypse Bunker Adult Film Studio Prepares For End Of World DIANE ALTER

VAN NUYS, CA — An adult film company is building a sexthemed “apocalypse bunker” to prepare for the rumoured 2012 end of the world.

Quentin Boyer, spokesperson for Van Nuys porn company Pink Visual, says the 8,200 square foot underground facility will be “far more than a mere bomb shelter”, and

“The bunker will include a rotating centre stage and ‘private fertility chambers’…”

-Pink Visual is designed to allow its occupants to “ride out the 2012 apocalypse in style.”

Pink Visual says the shelter will include multiple fully-stocked bars, “co-ed glass shower decontamination units,” a rotating centre stage and “private fertility chambers,” as well as a sophisticated production studio to allow the company to continue to operate.

Major construction should be completed by September, 2012,

Offbeat At A Glance WORLD’S LONGEST FINGERNAILS — A

Las Vegas woman has claimed the title of world’s longest fingernails. Chris Walton, 45, has not cut her fingernails in 18 years, allowing them to grow to a combined length of 6.02 meters.

Walton, a grandmother and professional singer known as “The Duchess,” said she does her own makeup and household chores, but has to use her knuckles to text. AHN© GUNS AS PRIZES — Weapons were among the prizes awarded to children in a recent radio contest run by Somalia Islamist group al-Shabaab. As prizes in a Koran recitation contest open to kids aged 10-17, the Mogadishu-based Andulus station gave an AK-47 and $700 for first place and an AK-47 and $500 for second. Third place received $400 and two hand grenades. A previous year’s top prize was a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. AHN©

adds Boyer, in order to be stocked in time for the global catastrophe

various prophetic sources predict for December of next year.

AHN©

child from an affair with her mother.

“The best thing God made in RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — A the world was women,” he tells 90-year-old Brazilian farm worker Diario de Natal. has conf irmed “I don’t know that he fathered “The thing that God made all their names,” 50 children with best in the world was admits Luiz, four women. who has more women.”

Luiz Costa de than 100 grand-Luiz Costa de Oliveira children and 30 Oliveira explains that he had 17 children with his first great-grandchildren. wife, another 17 with his second “But I still remember how wonwife, fifteen from an affair with his derful it is to be in bed with a second wife’s sister and one more woman.”

AHN©

Food

Page 8

VerbNews.com

Spinach is an edible flowering plant from the same family as chard, sugar beets and Quinoa.

Spinach is thought to have ■originated in ancient Persia

(modern Iran and neighboring countries) Spinach first appeared in ■England and France in the

14th century, gaining quick popularity as an early spring vegetable, when others were scarce In 1533, Catherine ■de’Medici became queen of

France and insisted spinach be served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as “Florentine”, reflecting Catherine’s birth in Florence, Italy

Dreen's Cuisine Made With Care

Photos: Courtesy of Cory Schewaga

Downtown Café Succeeds With Fresh, Locally-Sourced Dishes ANDREA SCHNELL

When I was single, I always ate out or ordered in. My family teased me, asking how I would reach a guy’s heart without any discernible culinary skills.

Flash forward and I’m happily married to a wonderful cook who has a true gift with spices.

How did I land such a gem?

Because I’m a charming dinner

companion, especially when there can be made vegan, gluten-free, isn’t a looming sink of dirty dishes. nut-free, organic, locally-sourced, The moral? If environmentally you can’t cook "The assortment of friendly and with and hate doing veggies, avocado, greens a healthy topdishes, then you and sticky rice sang in ping of pizzazz had better know to serve at your where the good their wasabi dressing…" party, she’s the -Andrea Schnell one to see. restaurants are!

Dreen’s Catering has always And now Dreen has taken that been a great food option; she is same care and consideration for certainly one of the masters of al- her customers downtown to her ternative catering in Saskatoon.

2nd Avenue café.

If you want delicious food that For example, the Cheese Toast à

Changing the world One number at a time.

la Dreen is three lovely little cakes of almond-crusted goat cheese resting on fresh sautéed spinach, with fruit salsa and a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette. Bright and bold in both flavour and appearance, it’s also very healthy.

“To help your body absorb the nutrients from spinach, you need a little healthy fats and a little bit of acidity,” Dreen explains.

The Avocado Seafood Sushi Salad is a deconstructed and artfully arranged California roll. The assortment of veggies, avocado, greens and sticky rice sang in their wasabi dressing and flirted with their dates of nori, pickled ginger and rice crackers.

Equally charismatic was the Stubble Jumper Steak Sandwich, a ruggedly refined 6-oz Canadian beef steak lounging on Dijon-buttered bread covered only by a luxurious Boursin mushroom sauce and strategically placed grilled onions.

Hand-cut, perfectly seasoned potato wedges and an assortment of fresh fruit completed the scene.

If you're in a hurry, there are also two five-minute options.

The Brown Bag Special features the sandwich and soup of the day plus a cookie for $8.95. The daily rice box is the other quick meal; mine was a much needed hug in the form of chicken-leek fricassee.

While Dreen and her crew seem to sprinkle love into every dish they prepare, in October they will be featuring $2 cake kisses with proceeds supporting breast cancer research.

So if you’re downtown and want to kindle a lunch-date romance, Dreens Cuisine and Eatery is the place to be.

Dreen’s Cuisine

Address: 152 2nd Ave South Hours: 11am to 5pm, Mon to Sat Reservations: 249-0001

Opinion

Page 9

VerbNews.com

Downtown Should Try A Pedestrian Mall

Making A Street Car-Free Could Be Good For Business, People And The City THE EDITORS OF VERB

Saskatoon is Canada’s fastestgrowing city, but we’re still missing something most big cities take for granted: a pedestrian mall.

Nearly every reasonably-sized Canadian city, from Halifax to Vancouver, incorporates a street or district into its core that’s strictly for pedestrian use.

These areas often become vibrant hubs of shopping, arts and after their street went car-free, and entertainment, and we believe the shops lining a new pedestrian Saskatoon would do well to begin mall in Copenhagen saw their revconsidering one. enues increase by We think a “New York recently 25 to 40 percent. good place to implemented car-free From a city’s start would be zones [to reduce] traffic point of view, 21st Street, beaside from the tween 1st and congestion…” higher land val-Verb’s Editors ues and sales 2nd Avenues.

That area of 21st is already amply taxes increased business brings, stocked with businesses and res- the nice thing about pedestrian taurants, boasts wide, tree-lined malls is that it’s cheap and easy sidewalks and even has a mid-block to investigate their feasibility beresting area, the archway-adorned, fore having to make any serious café-esque “Pocket Park” next to lululemon.

As our downtown has plenty of residences (and more being built), a healthy mix of restaurants and retail shops, a slew of transit stops and a large university just across the bridge, Saskatoon already has four of the most important contributors to a pedestrian mall’s success.

And it isn’t just individuals that stand to reap the rewards: studies on the effects of “pedestrianization,” as the process is called, also show benefits for businesses and cities themselves.

People appreciate having somewhere nice to eat, drink, shop and have fun, as evidenced by the massive increase in foot traffic — up to 69 percent — recorded in seven German cities that added car-free zones.

A similar experiment on New York’s Madison Avenue resulted in pedestrian traffic doubling without dropping in nearby areas, indicating that their pedestrian mall didn’t just change people’s walking routes, they actually brought more people to the area.

Local pubs and restaurants could expand their patios and attract more customers with minimal expense; retail stores could use the extra floor space outside to display more goods.

28 of 30 merchants in a Norwich, England study reported more sales

Photo: Courtesy of Galio

commitments.

Cities that have successfully converted an area to pedestrian use typically follow the same game plan: explain the benefits to the area’s merchants to gain their support, collect baseline data about foot traffic and sales and then try a temporary street closure.

If all goes well, the city can then decide how best to adapt the idea to their situation, tinkering with aspects like whether to go car-free just in the day or 24/7, seasonally or year-round, and whether or not

to allow transit vehicles.

“But what about the traffic!”, we can hear you screaming.

Well, In the English and Danish examples, less than half of the vehicles that used to clog the

now-pedestrian-only street reappeared on nearby arteries, and that number actually decreased during peak driving times as more people chose to use transit, walk or bike to the area.

In fact, New York recently implemented car-free zones as a way of reducing the city’s crippling traffic congestion, and has been so happy with the results that similar areas now appear throughout the five boroughs.

In short, we think a pedestrian mall is an idea whose time has come as the cheapest, easiest way to improve Saskatoon’s downtown, and is worth a serious look.

Feature

Page 10

VerbNews.com

Premier Wine Fest Pulling Younger Crowd Fifteenth Annual Event Boasts Even Wider Variety Of Drinks, More Seminars ALEX MACPHERSON

Fine wines get better with age, but the people drinking them keep getting younger.

Premier, Saskatoon’s Fine Wines, Spirits & Specialty Foods Festival, features a large selection of highend wines and spirits and is appealing to a new generation of beverage enthusiasts.

“We’re trying to attract younger people,” says Kathy Specht, sales manager at TCU Place. “There are more wines [this year] because more younger people are drinking

wine, sampling wine, and beginning to like wine.”

Now in its 15th year, the festival boasts steady attendance, but young people are quickly becoming the dominant group. Specht attributes the change the rise of a “cocktail culture,” an increased emphasis on quality over quantity.

“Alcohol is a lot like the fashion industry, and festivals are like the runways of New York,” says James Romanow, a local wine and spirits expert. “It’s when people roll out new products and it’s a chance to try new things that might not be on your radar.”

To fulfill an increased demand

Photo: Courtesy of Premier Saskatchewan’s Fine Wines, Spirits & Specialty Foods Festival

for quality products, the fine wine room has moved to a more prominent location on the main floor this

year. Specht says the room is much and an introduction.” larger and holds a better selection She recommends starting with of expensive wines. white wine before moving to red Younger people didn’t used to and finally spirits for “a better tastbuy bottles priced at $30 or more, ing experience.” she notes, but now it’s far from Romanow agrees: “This is a uncommon. good place for people to dip their Though the festival has an ob- tongues into the wine world, and vious appeals for connoisseurs, a lighthearted approach to eating it’s also a lot of fun, Specht says. and drinking is always a plus.”

“People get dressed up; the festival The festival also features a is a night out for number of other them.”

“This is a party … It’s a events including R o m a n o w good chance to eat, drink a wine seminar takes his alcohol and have fun.” focused on South seriously, but the Australian wines, -James Romanow a winemakers’ festival is another matter. “This is a party,” he says. luncheon and a tasting session “It’s a good chance to eat, drink hosted by a professional wine and have fun.” consultant.

And there are plenty of options The festival runs at TCU Place to choose from. In addition a wide from September 29th through Ocvariety of wines and spirits, Specht tober 1st, and tickets are available at says this year’s selection will include the TCU box office for $40. Once inmany flavoured drinks. “People are side, drink tokens can be purchased tired of vodka and orange juice, of for 60¢ each. Most beverages can rum and coke,” she notes. “They be sampled for one or two tokens; want Mojitos or other cocktails.” top shelf products cost five or more.

The wide variety of alcohol Romanow says he is looking on offer can be intimidating but forward to the festival.

Specht says the festival offers in“It’s a great idea, a way to get experienced drinkers “education excited about wine.”

Arts One

Page 11

VerbNews.com

Arctic Monkeys Ready For The Odeon

Photo: Courtesy of Capital M

UK Rockers Credit Social Media-Savvy Fans For Boosting Their Online Profile MEAGEN THOMAS

mainly Helders in his role as the band’s spokesguy.

UK indie rockers Arctic MonReleasing material direct-to-web keys didn’t need some label’s via YouTube is still novel enough marketing strategy to see all four to be noted, but for all their use of of their albums hit #1 or notch interactive media, they don’t spend the fastest-selling debut for a much time with it themselves.

UK band in history.

“We’re not engaged in social Instead, the four up-and-coming media at all, none us of are on Faceguys from Sheffield, England owe book,” admits Helders. “For me, their success to as a fan, I don’t a fanbase with a “[The fans] were the ones want to know whole lot more putting the songs on the everything about tech savvy than Internet, we didn’t know the band I’m into. the band itself.

There needs to be “ [ T h e f a n s] what we were doing…” a level of privacy.”

-Meagen Thomas were the ones No one is more putting the songs on the Internet. surprised by their enormous popWe didn’t know what we were do- ularity than the band members ing with MP3s; we would burn CDs themselves, who had no idea what with cheap cover art and give them was in store when they started playaway at concerts,” says drummer ing together. Or rather, started Matt Helders. learning how to play.

“A friend put songs on his site “All four of us lived on the same too, it wasn’t a genius plan we had street and it was kinda like a hobby,” or anything.” says Helders of Arctic Monkey’s The band’s video blog lets them almost accidental origins. keep in contact with their fans dur“We didn’t play instruments and ing their time off. It’s also given the we were like ‘you take guitar; you notoriously press-shy band a ‘face’, try the drums’. We’d practice how

to play then play what we could.

Nobody had a single lesson.”

To say their 2006 debut release, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not was a hit is like saying The Beatles were well liked.

The album quickly became the fastest-selling debut in British music history, a record it still holds.

Since the June release of their acclaimed fourth studio album Suck It And See, Arctic Monkeys have been

touring almost non-stop, including a headlining spot at Spain’s Benicàssim music festival along with The Streets, The Strokes and Arcade Fire.

In July, they released the video for the album’s second single, “The Hellcat Spangles Shalalala” — direct to the ‘net of course, via their website.

“On previous albums we’ve done videos that are more traditional, but this video is a collection of footage

by videomakers Focus Creeps, who’ve been documenting and following us around,” says Helders, adding that another video will be dropping sometime in October.

Event Info

Arctic Monkeys Where: The Odeon When: Sept 30 Cost: $41.50 (Ticketmaster)

Psychedelic Art Featured In Two Local Galleries MEAGEN THOMAS

SASKATOON, SK — Psychedelic art meets the absurd in a new exhibition being jointly put on by two local galleries.

Tod Emel, the outgoing AKA director, and David LaRivierre, the current artistic director at PAVED Arts, are co-curating PsycheDADA, which appears in both galleries.

“The title itself tells you what to

expect: ‘psyche’ referencing the history of ’psychedelic’ art movements [and] touching on the history of LSD-based psychedelic research in Saskatchewan, and ‘dada’, an historic movement meant to illustrate absurdity both in the art world and beyond,” explains AKA communications coordinator, Bart Gazzola.

Gazzola describes the videos of one of the show’s artists, NY-based Larry Carlson, as “a high-speed

jump cut leap into a vertiginous Technicolour information overload, animated realizations of the mindbending juxtapositions of his collage work.”

Two of the show’s other artists, Montréal-based Allison Moore and Arthur Desmentreaux, contribute “brilliantly coloured and image dense serigraphs, prints, collages and puppet shows, creating a heady mix of Rabelaisian excess and underground comic trippyness,” adds Emel.

But like any trippy experience, descriptions just don’t do it justice.

“PsycheDADA is one of those shows that must be experienced to be appreciated,” says Gazzola.

Arts & C

Event Info

5 Questions: Yuko

Where: Amigos Cantina When: Oct 1 Cost: $18 (ticketedge.ca)

MEAGEN THOMAS

Yukon Blonde PsycheDADA

Where: AKA Gallery / Paved Arts When: Sept 16 - Oct 1 Cost: Free!

Data Romance Where: Amigos Cantina When: Oct 5 Cost: $8 at the door

Want some coverage for your upcoming event? Email layout@verbnews.com ASAP!

B.C. Rockers Talk Name Change, L Jeff Innes of Yukon Blonde — where else? — on the road.

Western Canadian Music AwardMeagen Thomas: You started nominated B.C. out as Alphababy; rockers Yukon “If we had a mission what prompted Blonde are doing statement it would be the name change a 61-date fall tour ‘F**k The Past’…” to Yukon Blonde? supporting their Jeff Innes: -Jeff Innes We had lost two Fire/Water EP, a tantalizing taste of an LP-to-come members that we originally had in early 2012. Verb caught up with near the beginning of Alphababy, so there’s that. Alphababy’s music had become very dark and jammy, and all we really wanted to do was play some fun pop songs, so we had the opportunity to renew that.

It wasn’t until our friend Jon-Rae Fletcher had pointed out that our aversion to the name was shared that we knew we had to change it.

MT: What’s Yukon Blonde all about?

JI: If we had a mission statement it would be “F**k The Past”, ha ha!

The feeling of total reinvention that we got from the first record is something we cannot forget. It saved our band and friendships.

We did what we wanted then, and we’ll continue to do so as long as we remain a band. As cliché as it sounds, that’s really what we’re all about.

MT: Yukon Blonde has b e e n

Culture

Pages 12, 10, 11 13 VerbNews.com

High-Tech Electro-Indie Duo Data Romance To Play Amigos MEAGEN THOMAS

on Blonde

Photo: Courtesy of the Artist

Life On The Road named among Canada best new acts; who do you admire?

JI:There are too many bands to dub as the best in Canada, and the list would run a mile long. I have the time, but I doubt you have the space!

MT: With such a crazy touring schedule, is there lots of drama on the road?

JI: Oh man! I lost my passport after an amazing show at Lee’s Palace with The Wooden Sky. We had everyone looking for it the next day. We’ve had two replacement drummers come into the States with us. Brandon Aikens of Indian Handcrafts, who we had trained the night before in Barrie for a New York show, and Colin Jones of Red Cedar, who we trained up in Dallas for a couple hours before our SXSW shows.

MT: When do you find time to write and record songs?

JI:For the last year and a half I’ve been recording demos any chance I get. If we’re home for two days, I’ll write a song. If we’re stuck in a Tim Hortons line up that’s an hour-and-a-half, I’ll demo something in the van. It’s really any time and anywhere I can find secluded moments and a power source.

True to their name, electro-indie duo Data Romance has a fondness for deploying their craft through high-tech means.

While touring this summer with the Identity Festival tour, the band asked fans to active the Bluetooth on their phones to instantly receive free songs.

“I think we’re unabashedly nerdy and enthusiastic when it comes to new gadgets and innovations in tech,” says Data Romance singer and lyricist Amy Kirkpatrick, who plays Amigos with her bandmates on the 5th.

“We loved this idea and since no band has ever offered this on a tour before, we were sold on the idea right away.”

“While we have nothing against download cards or QR codes, this is a uniquely direct, with no strings attached, instant way to get content to our fans.”

Instrumentalist/producer Ajay Bhattacharyya and Kirkpatrick, the duo who make up Data Romance, launched their act in 2009 after a chance meeting in their hometown of Victoria, B.C. The pair then moved to Vancouver, Kirkpatrick to use her lighting training at some of the biggest clubs in Vancouver, and Bhattacharyya to study sound design for film.

Kirkpatrick’s lighting experience influenced Data Romance’s highly visual live show, while the effect of Bhattacharyya’s film sound training can be heard in the album’s most intricate tracks.

Kirkpatrick named the band Directed by Alistair Legrand, after a track by Berlin electronic brother of dream pop duo Beach musician, music House’s Victoria p ro du ce r an d “[W]e’re unabashedly Legrand, the vidfounder of BPitch nerdy when it comes to eo is a hypnotic Control music la- new gadgets…” tale of obsession bel Ellen Allien. and regret, feed-Meagen Thomas ing on the interData Romance’s eerie video for their first play between bright spotlights and single from their self-titled EP, The the bold starkness of the dance.

Deep, made a splash in North AmeriData Romance’s anticipated fullcan and international markets. length album is due this winter.

Texts

Page 14

VerbNews.com

This Week’s Topic: Vehicle Tax Last week we asked you if you supported a new vehicle tax proposed by a couple of city councillors. Here’s what you had to say!

Next week’s topic: see page 9 — do you think downtown should

On Topic Vehicle tax? Well I just got me a P.O. BOX in Martensvile to register my vehicle to!

Oh boy more charges

have a pedestrian-only street?

Text FEEDBACK and your thoughts about the topic (or anything else) to 306-881-VERB (8372) and you could see your text printed in next week’s issue! for driving a vehicle, that sounds like a great idea NOT Darren Hill and Pat Lorje misallocate money then ask for

more? Haha i really hope they dont up the vehicle tax! guess im gunna have to start taking the bus i wouldnt mind paying extra for my plates if they fixed the damn potholes!

Vehicle Tax is ridiculous I have several vehicles and don’t feel I should be forced to pay more than I already have to. how much money do they think we make around here i can barely afford to drive my POS car as it is and then i’d have to pay more, no thanks

More taxes? Just what I wanted. Merry f****** Christmas.

Man, I totally want to pay the government MORE money.

Srsly, wtf? Like, this is dumb.

Why is it whenever government wastes all the money we already give them their solution is always to come ask for more??? maybe stop wasting it in the first place and give us a break!!!

Off Topic Re: “‘Fun Police’ In Full Effect On River Sandbar,” Opinion page, September 16th issue

Thank you for shining a spotlight on the policing at Saskatoon Beach. Victimless

crimes do not warrant unaffordable tickets.

Re: “New Rider Stadium Approved By Regina,” Local page, August 26th issue

Cuc the new arena should of been downtown.lile the old arena.because all buses go downtown and everybody can get there Now only place for a new arena is at the university. because all people can get to university And just work together with the university.and cut all the differences between university and others I think the riders staduim should stay were it is cuz cost the city 2 munch money <: /> Im tired of being a farmer And i bet you would be too If you planted a bag of

Texts feathers And not one chicken grew!!!

Give peace a chance.

Bathroom Tissue...

If you have an Issue use the rolls of tissue xD - Jessie K!. if you are late 4 work every single day cuz the bus is late (during the rush hours everyone takes longer 2 dummies) catch the sooner bus 1/2 block from home bike cop stopsme

Page 15

VerbNews.com

.10.00 for no bell! Tell me 2 shower 1nce inwhile . Just got off work! Oh I’m native!

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

I think the Titanic Weekends ad is very insensitive to those who lost their lives on the Titanic.

Wow! There is a heck of alot of people door crashing value village at 9am on a tuesday.

Saskjustice buying out

the impark downtown is ridiculous. They make way more than students so they don’t have to pay for parking?

Tims Horton’s is overrated.

MMMM CHEESE WHIZ AND PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES (MRD+CDD4EVER ) i love fall, i love wearing my pink rubber boots and matching jacket and

scarf and listening to the crunching of all the leaves!

Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.

The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily Verb’s.

Movies

Page 16

VerbNews.com

Enjoyable Moneyball Not Just For Fans Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill A Fantastic On-Screen Pair In Real Life Baseball Drama Moneyball

Runtime: 134 Minutes Rated: PG BILL WINE Even folks who don’t cherish the game should enjoy

Moneyball, though not as much as their baseball-loving friends.

Brad Pitt, who also produced, stars as trailblazing Billy Beane, a real-life ex-baseball player whose on-field career never quite panned out. Beane becomes the general manager of the cash-strapped Oakland Athletics in 2002, just after the team’s talent pool has been drained by richer teams offering its free

agent players lucrative contracts.

Beane employs a new strategy under the guidance of his assistant general manager, an economics whiz from Yale, Peter Brand, played

by Jonah Hill. Brand preaches statistics-driven sabermetrics — the use of data analysis to gauge the fiscal value of baseball attributes — as a way to challenge several of baseball’s most fundamental assumptions and take a revolutionary approach to scouting players.

Their idea is to crunch the numbers and then hire modestly-salaried, frequently-cast-off or injuryprone players who have impressive statistics in newfangled categories, such as OPS: on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

The theory seems to hold water, because although the A’s look dreadful on paper, they suddenly start winning.

Oscar-nominated director Bennett Miller (Capote) likes to tell interviewers that Moneyball is not

Photo: Courtesy of 2011 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc.

a baseball movie. It is and it isn’t, The director does, however, alwhich he demonways maintain an strates by mov- “[The film] includes unconventional, ing things along minimal game footage character-driven swiftly in Act One and plenty of sparklingapproach to the and then slowly in material.

Act Three, when dialogue shop talk….”

The surprising-Bill Wine ly funny screenhe lets the game get away from him somewhat. play, based on a 2003 Michael Lewis nonfiction best-seller, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, is by two gifted scribes, Steve Zaillian (Schindler’s List) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network). They include minimal game footage and plenty of sparkling-dialogue shop talk, which persuasively explains baseball’s particular magic without obscuring the central story.

Robin Wright plays Beane’s wife and Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman is the A’s manager Art Howe, who is constantly at odds with Bean and Brand. But both actors spend most of the game on the bench: this movie belongs to Pitt and Hill.

Charismatic Pitt is excellent in his star turn — assured and technically proficient — as the cocky but vulnerable failed jock and steadfast dreamer who overcomes enormous odds. And Hill, amusing as ever but delightfully deadpan, gets to show us a new serious colour or two in his nerd-out-of-water outing.

For folks who already embrace the game of professional baseball and its endless statistics, this should be a deliriously joyful experience.

This is not the best baseball movie ever made. But it probably is the best movie yet about the business of baseball.

Fascinating baseball-reinvented drama, this Moneyball. We’re not in home run territory, but this is at least a ground-rule double.

AHN©

Movies

Page 17

VerbNews.com

Plenty Of Mindless Violence In Killer Elite Photo: Courtesy of Open Road Films

Forgettable Period Revenge Thriller Offers Solid Action Scenes, Little Else Killer Elite

Runtime: 116 Minutes Rated: 14A BILL WINE “Killing’s easy. Living with it is the hard part.”

So says Danny Bryce, the special ops agent played by Jason Staham in Killer Elite. To which we might add: Making movies is easy. Making them good is the hard part.

Killer Elite — no relation to 1975’s Sam Peckinpah-directed The Killer Elite — is a gritty action thriller about an assassin who retires after a crisis of conscience.

Jason Staham stars as highly skilled mercenary Danny Bryce, a retired Navy SEAL who is summoned

out of retirement in Australia in 1980.

Bryce must rescue his mentor, Hunter, a veteran soldier-of-fortune played by Robert De Niro who has been kidnapped by an exiled, revenge-seeking Dubai sheik.

The sheik demands that Bryce hunt down and kill the three former Special Air Service (SAS) officers responsible for the deaths of his three sons, so Danny must erase three retired operatives in varying ways that are made to look accidental and must get recorded confessions from them before he does them in.

Clive Owen plays one-eyed Spike, a former SAS officer and

rogue agent who’s now the head The car chases, gunfights, and of “The Feather Men,” a shadowy combat scenes are executed with vigilante group dedicated to pro- technical proficiency, but the thetecting former SAS officers. matic connective tissue falls far Debuting director Gary McK- short of being engrossing, barely endry works from holding our attena choppy, unnec- “[T]he events depicted tion between acessarily confusing register as highly illogical, tion flare-ups and script that he co- implausible and not at all conjuring only wrote with Matt minimal tension Sherring, based engaging.” and suspense.

-Bill Wine on the allegedlyAs for the roottrue 1991 novel, The Feather Men, ing interest aspect of the film, it’s by actual former SAS officer Sir muddy at best.

Ranulph Fiennes.

After all, Staham and De Niro, Factual or not, the events de- ostensibly the “heroes” here, are the picted register as highly illogical, characters whose methodical asimplausible and not at all engaging. sassination preparations we follow.

Yet they are hit men hired to kill ex-SAS officers who were merely performing their assigned duties.

It’s Owen’s Spike who really should be the audience’s heroic protagonist.

Statham continues to stick to what he’s good at — and you can call it acting if you want — but veteran De Niro looks like he’s slumming.

As for Owen, he shows up late and doesn’t exactly do any thespian stretching, but at least he makes an impression.

An indifferent, testosterone-rich period thriller, Killer Elite is a standard-issue actioner that only lives up to the first word of its title.

AHN©

Nightlife

Page 18

VerbNews.com

Saturday @ The Colonial Venue

The Colonial on Saturday, September 18th

Playing on Arrival

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Party Rock Anthemâ&#x20AC;? by LMFAO

Music Vibe

Karaoke, dance & Top 40

Regular Gigs

Karaoke ever y night, Beer Pong league on Sundays and Wednesdays, Industry Night Sundays with $3 drinks, $3.50 beers & $12.50 draft pitchers, Wednesdays have $6 pizzas, DJ Adrian every weeknight and DJ Jeff every weekend

Feature Deal

$4.50 flavoured vodka, and $5 imports

Popular Drinks

Highballs with vodka or spiced rum

Something New Photos taken by Patrick Carley (feedback@verbnews.com)

Win a 51-inch Samsung plasma TV by entering the draw daily at the Colonial, and the winner of the Beer Pong league wins a 4-night trip for 2 to Las Vegas to compete for $50,000 in the World Series of Beer Pong

Nightlife

Page 19

VerbNews.com

Tuesday @ The Deuce Venue

The Double Deuce on Tuesday, September 13th

Playing on Arrival

“Sexy & I Know It” by LMFAO (music video remix)

Music Vibe

Dance, house & hip hop

Regular Gig

Urban Flow Fridays featuring hiphop, R&B and reggae music

Feature Deal

$3 Kokanee and Bud Light, $2 highballs from 7–9 PM, $1 draft beer

Popular Drink

Photos taken by Patrick Carley (feedback@verbnews.com)

Vodka highballs

Food of Choice Wings

Wing Notes

29¢ each on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9¢ each on Fridays; Buffalo is the favourite of the 17 available flavours

CHECK OUT ALL OF VERB’S PAST NIGHTLIFE PHOTOS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Music

Page 20

VerbNews.com

Friday 23

HOUSE DJS — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmosphere at 6Twelve. 9pm, 6Twelve Lounge. No cover.

GOLDEN SMOKE W/ BREAKER BREAKER! & FATHER FIGURES — Saskatchewan Indie rock band headlines CFCR FM-Phasis ’11 to celebrate CFCR’s 20 years broadcasting as Saskatoon’s only community radio station.

10pm, Amigos Cantina. $5 at the door.

DAVID FONG — Local pianist, David Fong, plays on the Kinsmen Yamaha S6 Grand, as part of Piano Fridays. 4:30pm, The Bassment.

No cover.

(NEXT WEEK) JAMES MCMURTRY @ AMIGOS CANTINA — James McMurtry

may have a famous father — Terms of Endearment / Lonesome Dove author Larry McMurtry — but the Texan singer rides noone’s coattails. McMurtry is an outstanding rock guitar player, but his greatest strength is his songwriting.

Honest, visceral and raw, his songs are

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

grounded in the traditions of Texas rock, but aren’t afraid to chart new territory. Welding raucous entertainment to lingering reflection, McMurtry employs strong narrative lines and beautiful imagery — musical novels.

McMurtry and his band play Amigos Sept. 30; tickets are $22 (Ticketedge. ca). -Alex MacPherson

JEN LANE & SMOKEKILLER — John Antoniuk AKA Smokekiller comes from the indie-folk side of life, while Jen Lane has a bit more country in her repertoire. Here they perform each other’s music, creating straight ahead rhythms and beautiful harmonies. 9pm, The Bassment. $10 in advance from The Bassment box office or website, or $13 at the door.

DJ AUSTEN ROADZ — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Calgary’s Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy top 40 dance

party every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. DJ CTRL opens. 11pm, béily’s ultralounge. $5 cover.

RIPPERTRAIN — Saskatoon’s Rippertrain rocks the night with alternative and classic rock. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 at the door.

latest album, Lucky Tonight, which features Jay Nowicki. The album is a collaboration of the two performing blues, rock and roots music, live at a sold out show in Winnipeg.

10pm, Lydia’s Pub. Tickets TBD.

DJ ECLECTIC — Local turntable whiz DJ eclectic pumps snappy electronic beats.

8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover.

DJ BIG AYYY — This Saskatoon DJ is the resident county/dance turntabilist at Outlaws.

Mixing alongside DJ Henchman, the pair promises a night of great booty-shaking tunes! 9pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover.

SEVEN STRAIGHT — Local rockers belt out loud grunge and progressive rock. 10pm, The House Tap and Eatery. $5 at the door.

NATALIE STRUCK — Saskatoon pop and folk singer-songwriter performs. 8pm, Prairie Ink Restaurant. Free.

DJ J-MATS & DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock any party, these local crowd favorites have always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. They are sure to have you on the dance floor in no time! 9pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover.

THE GET TOGETHER PRESENTS GRANDTHEFT & TITTSWORTH — These two DJs have played shows all over the world, and are here to celebrate Scratch’s 2nd anniversary. Expect a night of breakbeats, down tempo, funk, soul, modern day club, electronic and more! The Gaff hosts. 10pm, Scratch. $5 cover.

THE STEADIES — The band formerly known as Mobadass presents The Steadies EP Release Party. With special guest Chad Reynolds. 8pm, Louis’ Pub. $15 at Louis’ and Momentum.

ROMI MAYES — Winnipeg’s Romi Mayes is stopping by Saskatoon to promote her

B.C. READ — His whiskey-soaked voice is like 25-year-old scotch: smooth going down, but with plenty of flavor and bite.

9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

PAUL WHO? — DJ Paul Who? will be at The Freehouse as part of the venue’s On Rotation DJ Series. Enjoy your favorite local DJs spinning every Friday and Saturday night.

10 pm, The Spadina Freehouse. No cover.

URBAN JAM — Country western band sings your favorite country tunes. 9pm, Stan’s Place. No cover.

DUELING PIANOS — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge.

No cover until 8, $5 thereafter.

PS I LOVE YOU — Kingston, Ontario’s quickrising indie duo, PS I Love You, is a mixture of grunge, metal and pop. Balkans & Jeans Boots open. 9pm, Walker’s Nightclub. $10 in advance at TicketEdge.ca, $12 at the door.

Saturday 24

HOUSE DJS — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes all night. 9pm, 6Twelve Lounge. No cover.

BOB LOG III W/ MR. FREE & THE SATELLITE FREAKOUTS — Tucson, Arizona’s one man band, Bob Log III headlines CFCR FM-Phasis ’11 to celebrate CFCR’s 20 years broadcasting as Saskatoon’s only community radio station. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. $10 at the door.

JAZZ DIVA SERIES: DARREN SIGESMUND SEXTET FT. ELIANA CUEVAS — Toronto trombonist Darren Sigesmund has assembled an all-star cast of the best Canadian jazz musicians to play his hauntingly beautiful compositions, including Venezuelan born vocalist Eliana Cuevas.

9pm, The Bassment. $16 in advance from The Bassment box office or website, or $20 at the door.

DJ AUSTEN ROADZ — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Calgary’s Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy top 40 dance party every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. DJ CTRL opens. 11pm, béily’s ultralounge. $5 cover.

SATURDAY JAM — Venerable blues jam that has hosted plenty of stars. 3pm, Buds on Broadway. No cover.

RIPPERTRAIN — Saskatoon’s Rippertrain rocks the night with alternative and classic rock. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 at the door.

WHERE’S MY MULLET? — Local rockers

Music

bring down the house with 80’s rock. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. Tickets TBD.

DJ KADE — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant.

No cover.

DJ SUGAR DADDY & DJ J-MATS — Able to rock any party, these local crowd favourites have always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. They are sure to have you on the dance floor in no time! 9pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover.

KINJO BROTHERS — Formed in 2009, the Kinjo Brothers’ music is a blend of acoustic rock and soulful reggae. 10pm, Lydia’s Pub. Tickets TBD. DJ BIG AYYY — This Saskatoon DJ is the resident county/dance turntabilist at Outlaws.

Mixing alongside DJ Henchman, this pair promises a night of great booty-shaking tunes! 9pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover.

REBECCA LASCUE — Rebecca performs an assortment of folk, indie and pop tunes.

8pm, Prairie Ink Restaurant. Free.

FLIPOUT — Vancouver Red Bull 3Style champion Flipout, will be hitting the decks in the main room of Scratch in celebration of the venue’s 2nd anniversary. Featuring The Gaff and Charly Hustle. 10pm, Scratch. $10 at Picatic.com and at the door.

CONKY SHOWPONY AND CRIPPLED WHEEL — These two talented DJs will be sure to make you move it, spinning in the front room of Scratch to celebrate the venue’s 2nd anniversary. 10pm, Scratch. $10 at Picatic.com and at the door.

B.C. READ — His whiskey-soaked voice is like a 25-year-old scotch, smooth going down, but with plenty of flavor and bite.

9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

THE GAFF — Saskatoon’s The Gaff will be at The Freehouse as part of their On Rotation DJ Series. Enjoy your favorite local DJs spinning every Friday and Saturday night.

10 pm, The Spadina Freehouse. No cover.

URBAN JAM — Country western band sings your favorite country tunes. 9pm, Stan’s Place. No cover.

DUELING PIANOS — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge.

No cover until 8, $5 thereafter.

SYDNEY BLUE — Sydney Blue continues to establish herself as one of the top female electronic producers and DJs in the world. She’ll be spinning top 40 and electro, with special guests J.A. DJ and Party Jackers. 7pm, Tequila Nightclub. $10 at Tequila, Swank Shoe Lounge, Ticketmaster and at the door.

Sunday 25

DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock any party, this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. 11pm, béily’s ultralounge. No cover for industry staff, $4 otherwise.

SUNDAY FUNDAY — Local talent Manny Thomson, Jason Hattie and Chad Reynolds will be spinning some quality dance hits every Sunday. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. $5 cover at the door.

DJ KADE — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover.

SUNDAY JAM — The Vangeli’s Sunday Jam is an institution, offering great tunes from

Page 21

VerbNews.com

blues to rock and beyond. 7:30pm, Vangeli’s Tavern. No cover.

Monday 26

ROYCE DA 5’9” — Detroit hip-hop artist performs rap, hip-hop and soul. Royce Da 5’9” is known for collaborating with talent such as Travis Barker and Eminem. Slaughterhouse & Black Action Hero open. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets TBD. DICK MACINNIS — Dick is a singer-songwriter and producer, touring in support of his latest album Everything You’ve Heard About Love which has everything from alternative rock to country. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. No cover.

AWOLNATION — Making tough, hard, passionate music slammed with the most up-to-date hip-hop and electronic dance beats is what defines Awolnation. Performing with guests. 7pm, Louis’ Pub. $17.50 at Ticketmaster, Unionevents.com and Louis’.

DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock any party, this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. Doors 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. No cover.

Tuesday 27

DICK MACINNIS — Dick is a singer-songwriter and producer, touring in support of his latest album Everything You’ve Heard About Love which has everything from alternative rock to country. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. No cover.

DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock any party, this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. 9:30pm, The Double Deuce. $4 cover.

VERB PRESENTS OPEN STAGE — The open stage at Lydia’s has hosted many of Saskatoon’s finest performers, and is a chance for bands, solo artists and even comedians to showcase original material.

9pm, Lydia’s Pub. No cover.

DUB IN THE CLUB — Live DJs play dub step, breaks, fidget and electronic. 10pm, Scratch. $5 cover.

OPEN MIC — Come out to show your talent.

7pm, The Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

Wednesday 28

(NEXT WEEK) NINJASPY @ THE COSMO CIVIC CENTRE — Ninjaspy delights in

doing things no one else has thought of doing. An experimental metal outfit, the three brothers from B.C. plumb ska and reggae for inspiration, channeling classic Caribbean sounds through the sluices of rock and metal. The trio is bent on eradicating lines separating

Photo: Courtesy of the Artist

genre and style: their music is as hard to describe as it is exhilarating, but their greatest strength only becomes apparent onstage. Ninjaspy’s live show gives new shape and contour to the word energetic. Touring in support of their forthcoming EP, No Kata, Ninjaspy plays the Cosmo Centre Sept. 30. Cover is $15. -Alex MacPherson

Music (COMING UP) SARAH SLEAN @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE — Indie darling

Sarah Slean is one of the brightest lights in Canadian music. Already four albums deep in her career, Slean is showing no signs of slowing, with her latest venture — an audacious double album titled Land & Sea — set to be released September 27th. Half upbeat pop, half

Page 22

VerbNews.com

Photo: Courtesy of the Artist

introspective meditation, the record is diverse and dramatic, covering the intellectual territory between unalloyed happiness and deepest despair.

Now on tour in support of the album, the Pickering, Ontario artist plays the Broadway Theatre Nov. 28. Tickets are $30, available from the theatre’s box office. -Alex MacPherson

HUMP WEDNESDAYS — Resident DJ Chris Nore will be spinning all of your favorite songs and requests, every Wednesday night! Doors at 7pm, DJ takes requests at 9pm, 302 Lounge & Discotheque. No cover until 10pm, $3 thereafter.

KARKWA — Polaris-winning Quebec altrockers kick it at the Roxy. Aidan Knight & Miss Daily open. 5:30pm, The Roxy Theatre.

Tickets $12 in advance at Unreal City, The Roxy Theatre and TicketEdge.ca, $15 at the door.

THE COPPERTONE — Ontario native Amanda Zelina performs blues-rock influenced by Fred Mcdowell, Junior Kimborogh and John Lee Hooker. The Dirty Mags open.

10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets TBD.

WHINE UP WEDNESDAYS — A night dedicated to promoting the best in Reggae, Roots, Dancehall, African Beats, Kwaito & Hip Hop. Hosted by Scott Turner & DJ Heywood. 10pm, Scratch. $5 cover.

THE AVENUE RECORDING COMPANY PRESENTS OPEN MIC — Hosted by Chad Reynolds. Sign up and play at this weekly event. 10pm, The Fez on Broadway. No cover.

SEAN VILORIA — Saskatoon singer-songwriter, Sean Viloria, will be performing pop, R&B and reggae. 8pm, The Spadina Freehouse. No cover.

DJ KADE — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant.

No cover.

DUELING PIANOS — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out classic tunes and audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge.

No cover.

THE REAL MCKENZIES — The Real McKenzies are a cross between Robert Burns and the Sex Pistols, playing a mix of rock, punk, folk, and the odd Scottish traditional.

Special guests Lady Deathstryke and Rude City Riot. 8pm, Louis’ Pub. Tickets $14.75 available at Ticketmaster and Louis’.

DR. J ‘SOULED OUT’ — Dr. J spins hot funk and soul every Wednesday night. Doors 9pm, Lydia’s Pub. No cover.

Thursday 29

THE BESNARD LAKES — Montréal based indie rockers perform psychedelic pop tunes. Malajube and The Soft Province open. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets $18 at Ticketedge.ca.

ROYAL WOOD — Singer/songwriter Royal Wood has been compared to Ron Sexsmith and Rufus Wainwright, with songs that are honest and heartrending tales of love, life, and loss. Danielle Duval opens. 9pm, The Bassment. $20 in advance from The Bassment box office or website, or $25 at the door.

DJ JOHN CHA & DJ TWIX — Las Vegas headliner DJ John Cha will be rockin’ the turntables this Thursday night, along with Wired 96.3 DJ TWIX. This week’s “Tight & Bright Glow Thursday” is sure to be huge.

Get your glow on! Doors 4pm, show 10pm, béily’s ultralounge. $5 cover.

BREWSTER AND THE ROOSTERS — Local rockers pump up the party with upbeat 70’s rock and party pop. 10pm, Buds on Broadway. No cover.

MIKE NOWOSELSKI — Saskatoon bass player, Mike Nowoselski, plays a wide variety of tunes from polka to heavy metal.

7pm, Crackers. No cover.

DJ KADE — Saskatoon’s DJ Kade lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant.

No cover.

DJ J-MATS & SUGAR DADDY — Jax resident DJs will be rocking the turntables for Jax Sex-Education Thursdays. Every Thursday night will be filled with passion parties, pole dancing, shadow dancers and much more! 8pm, Jax Niteclub. No cover with valid student ID before 11pm, $5 otherwise.

THE PACK A.D. — Vancouver’s Pack A.D. is a duo that plays an assortment of tribal, blues and punk infected garage-rock. 8pm, Louis’ Pub. $14.75 at Ticketmaster and Louis’.

DJ BIG AYYY — This Saskatoon DJ is the resident country/ dance turntabilist at Outlaws. Mixing alongside DJ Henchman, this pair promises a night of great bootyshaking tunes! 9pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover.

DJ BOBBY TABLES, DJ STIKMAN & MR. MERN — Come start your weekend early at Triple Up Thursdays! With these top 40 dance and electronic DJs, you’ll be shaking it on the dance floor in no time. 8pm, Tequila Nightclub. $3 at the door.

Want your show listed?

Email layout@verbnews.com!

9 3 5 4 1 7 8 2 6

2 7 1 5 8 6 9 3 4

You may be thinking and rethinking over something that’s been bothering you for quite some time. Try to take a step back — some perspective will show it’s not as bad as it seems. AHN©

6 8 4 9 3 2 1 7 5

Pisces (Feb 20–Mar 20)

You may have passed a significant personal milestone recently. Though it could seem unimportant now, its farreaching consequences could amaze you. AHN©

1 5 6 7 4 8 3 9 2

Virgo (Aug 23–Sept 22)

You could be carried away for an exciting and creative outing in the near future.

A surprising treasure that you stumble across may hold the answer to a secret from your past. AHN©

3 4 8 2 5 9 7 6 1

Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 19)

Many new challenges could be just around the corner for you. You may have to deal with ideas that challenge your own assumptions, but you’ve got what it takes to succeed. AHN©

7 9 2 3 6 1 5 4 8

Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)

4 5

5 1 7 6 9 4 2 8 3

New hobbies or interests you have recently become involved in may be earning you some quizzical looks from those who know you best. Disregard any naysayers and enjoy yourself. AHN©

1 2

8 6 9 1 2 3 4 5 7

Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

You may be feeling guilty about an event that happened recently. Talking things through with someone from your inner circle may shed some light on the situation. AHN©

Your life could get a lot more playful and interesting in the near future.

Someone may be urging you to stay the course, but it’s you who has to live with the choices you make. AHN©

4 2 3 8 7 5 6 1 9

Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)

You may be tempted to reveal a secret in order to help someone close to you. Though a noble gesture, involving yourself in others’ business could get tricky. AHN©

3

6 1 3 9 8 7 5 4 2

Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec 21)

6

2 8 4 6 5 3 1 9 7

Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)

4

7 5 9 1 2 4 3 8 6

You could be given an opportunity to be a problem solver this week. Though you may feel uncertain about being put in a position of power and authority, believe in yourself. You can do this. AHN©

5 7 8 2 3 9 6 1 4

Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)

A person close to you may be feeling tense or anxious, and relying on you quite heavily for support. Be sure to have all the facts before advocating any sort of action. AHN©

9 4 2 8 6 1 7 3 5

Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)

Your social life may be kicking up a notch this week. You could be feeling chained to your responsibilities a little too much, so let yourself have some time off to rejuvenate. Enjoy! AHN©

1 3 6 4 7 5 9 2 8

Libra (Sept 23–Oct 23)

Your emotions may have been swinging out of control lately, though it could be hard for you to see. A new hobby might provide a soothing refuge from your whirlwind life. AHN©

3 2 5 7 9 8 4 6 1

Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)

VerbNews.com 4 6 7 3 1 2 8 5 9

Horoscopes

Page 23

8 9 1 5 4 6 2 7 3

Time Out

3 1 9 2 5 8 3 7 6 6 2 7 5 9 4 1 8 9 6 5 7 8 8 9 7 2 3 1 4

Sudoku

Directions: Fill each box with a digit from 1-9, following these conditions: - Each row must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once.

- Each column must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once.

- Each of the nine 3x3 boxes must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once.

8 4

1

5

6

2 1 3 1 6 2 8 7 3

6 2 8 7 6

9 4 3 9 5 8 9 7 4 9 3 5 1 5 4 7 2