Verb Issue s191 (May 25-31, 2012)

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May 25–31, 2012 • Pass it on

Verb

Zeus

This Canadian Four-Piece Talks Hot Tunes, Busting Visions P11

Wall, Mulcair Feud

Randy Travis

MIB 3

The Seven ‘Weirdos’

Breakdown: Issue Reveals Canada’s East-West Divide P2

Smith Falters In Third Installment P15

Country Music Legend Reflects On 25 Years In The Business P12 The Personalities Who Ruin Everything P7 Photo: courtesy of Derek Branscombe

Section Local Page 2

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

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Mulcair, Wall’s Feud Is Hurting The NDP

Political Scrap Over Resource Revenue Reflects Canada’s East-West Divide Alex J MacPherson

reporters: “Here’s someone who wants to be the national leader Saskatoon, SK — The ongo- who, for the sake of politics, I think, ing sparring match between the would risk the economic advantage premier and the leader of the of the country.” federal New Democratic party, McGrane thinks Mulcair’s diconducted on Twitter and in agnosis of “Dutch Disease” — an media scrums, has pushed the economic phenomenon where inprovincial NDP creased resource “between a rock “Saskatchewan’s [NDP] revenue causes a and hard place,” are not interested in currency to spike, says one expert giving credence to the devaluing exports on S as k atc h and hurting nonewan politics. premier’s … attack…” resource sectors -John Nilson — is an “extremely “The NDP, provincially, has absolutely nothing to theoretical” problem masking a win in this situation,” says David serious issue.

McGrane, a professor of political “There appears to possibly be studies at the University of Sas- an imbalance within our economy katchewan. between the manufacturing sector Earlier this month Premier Brad and resource sector,” he explains.

Wall attacked Thomas Mulcair’s “The resource sector seems to be claim that the nation’s reliance on taking over as our main economic resource revenue — particularly driver, and that, I think, has set up the energy sector — has caused a bit of an east-west dynamic [and] the dollar to spike, making exports tapped into some of the latent reless profitable and gouging the gionalism that’s in Canada.” manufacturing industry. Wall told McGrane says the provincial

wing of the NDP, which is currently without a leader, would do well to avoid the fray. “[T]hey have really nothing to gain by coming out to the defence of Mulcair,” he states. “On the other hand, they don’t want to be seen as disagreeing with Mulcair either.

I think they just want to make this whole issue go away.”

Both sides of the argument carry risks, McGrane explains: if the NDP supports Mulcair, it could be branded as anti-Saskatchewan.

Conversely, any attempt to discredit the federal leader could alienate voters turned off by the perception of squabbling and internal strife.

Since Dwain Lingenfelter lost his Regina seat in the last provincial election, Saskatchewan’s NDP has been headed by interim leader John Nilson, who, McGrane says, will probably avoid making a stand.

“Nilson’s a pretty smart guy, and he’s not going to want to tie the hands of any future leader by making some sort of declaration

Photo: courtesy of Matt Jiggins and Brad Wall Facebook

Thomas Mulcair (l) and Brad Wall’s feud reflects east-west divide radically in favour of Brad Wall or on economic policy is an attempt radically in favour of Mulcair,” he to remedy the federal NDP’s “exstates. tremely weak economic credenIn an e-mail, Nilson stressed his tials.” Wall, he says, is employing party’s commitment to “critical “one of the best ways to get popular discussion on our ever-evolving in Saskatchewan politics”: picking economy” and explained that “Sas- a fight with Ottawa. katchewan’s New Democrats are “If [Wall] wants to get anything not interested in giving credence out of this, he wants the people to the premier’s political attack [on of Saskatchewan to be saying …

Mulcair] via social media.” Nilson fo- ‘Look at Brad Wall on the national cused on the state of the provincial stage defending our interests,’” says and national economies without McGrane. “It definitely worked in taking a position on Mulcair. the last provincial election.”

McGrane says Mulcair’s focus Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section

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Local

Page 4

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Surgery Wait Times Drop Across Province SK Initiative On Track To Conduct Operations Within Three-Month Window Alex J MacPherson

province were performed within the current one year target window, saskatoon, SK — Broken and 88 percent inside six months. hip? Shattered knee? Don’t worry “When you look at the 97 perabout it: a new report from the cent completion rate and the deprovincial government suggests crease in number of patients and that long waiting the percentage times are a thing “I think we were very of patients who of the past. have been waitsuccessful in the past According to year.” ing over the 12 the Saskatchewan month mark, I -Mark Wyatt think we were Surgical Initiative Year Two Report, the comprehen- very successful in the past year,” sive program is on track to ensure says Mark Wyatt, executive direcmost patients receive surgery with- tor of the Saskatchewan Surgical in three months by 2014.

Initiative.

The most recent data shows that Since its inception in March 2010, 97 percent of all surgeries in the the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative

has cut the number of patients waiting more than a year by 77 percent, from 3,997 to 914.

The number of patients waiting more than six months has fallen 58 percent, from 9,875 to 4,517.

“Our goal moves now to a six month target,” Wyatt explains, “and while we’ve had good success during the first two years, the targets continue to be challenging.”

Wyatt says cutting the target will be difficult because it involves streamlining almost every aspect of the healthcare system, not just the traditional bottlenecks — orthopaedics in Regina and otolaryngology (ear, nose, throat) in Saskatoon.

Increasing operating theatre efficiency is an important component of the program, but surgeries cannot be performed unless adequate recovery beds are available.

“When we look at the dimensions of the initiative, we talk about sooner, safer, and smarter,” Wyatt says.

“A lot of the issues the public is most focused on are around the sooner part of it, reducing wait times, and that’s absolutely critical … but the challenge when we look forward is how do we sustain those shorter wait times.”

The “safer” element is simple.

Mistakes mean time, money and serious risks; eliminating them makes the system more efficient.

The “smarter” component is dealt with by an online specialist directory, faster access to day

Photo: courtesy of Damien Gabrielson

surgeries and third-party CT scans, training for extra operating room

nurses, a new system to manage operating room schedules and supplies, and patient “pathways” that streamline care for patients with hip, knee or spine problems, as well as those with prostate cancer or urogynecological problems.

A pathway, Wyatt explains, is about “looking at a patient’s journey from the time they are referred by a family physician as a potential surgical candidate right through to the end of their care … and looking at all the different steps along that pathway as to how you can improve the patient experience and look for more effective and efficient ways of providing care.”

The Surgical Initiative received $60.5 million in the latest provincial budget, which is expected to provide an additional 4,000 surgeries and reduce the maximum wait time to six months.

By 2014 the target wait time is three months.

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Global

Page 5

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Spicy Food Can Protect Against Heart Disease Adam Hawboldt

hong kong, china — Along with lowering your blood pressure and aiding in weight loss, scientists have discovered that spicy food might also protect against heart disease.

Stress Ups Social

Antsy Men, Women React Same Adam Hawboldt

under the stress of public speaking and by having to complete a freiburg, germany — Men difficult mental math test, while the who are stressed out become other half were given a stress-free more social and are likelier to group read along and some simple trust others and share resources, counting exercises. new research has revealed.

After they were finished, all of This finding flies in the face of the test subjects played a series of previous studies trust and sharing that suggested “[M]en also show social games, as well as men under stress approach behavior as a … a roll-of-the-dice take a “fight-or- consequence of stress.” gambling game flight” approach to gauge how -Bernadette von Dawans aggressively risky and tend to become more aggressive, while they were. The participants’ heart women were likelier to display a rate and cortisol (a stress hormone) “tend-and-befriend” behaviour, and levels were also monitored. reach out to others.

Despite stereotypes, researchers “Apparently men also show so- found that stress made the men cial approach behaviour as a direct kinder, gentler and more friendly. consequence of stress,” says study The study didn’t compare male researcher Bernadette von Dawans, and female stress-coping mechaof the University of Freiburg in Ger- nisms, but researchers say their many. findings reveal that the “tend-andVon Dawans and her team exam- befriend” strategy of stress manined 67 males from the University agement isn’t exclusively female. of Zurich. Half of them were put Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Global At A Glance World’s Second tallest — The tall-

est broadcast tower in the world has officially opened. Standing at 634 metres high, the Tokyo Sky Tree is officially the second tallest man-made structure,

behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (829m). The Sky Tree is expected to draw nearly 32 million visitors a year — that’s more than Tokyo Disneyland. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

New research out of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has examined the effect of capsaicinoids — a compound that gives jalapeños and cayenne peppers their heat — on hamsters, feeding both a high-cholesterol diet, but only half via spicy food.

The spicy food eaters had lower levels of low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol, and the capsaicinoids blocked the gene responsible for making your arteries contract, allowing more blood to flow to the heart.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Global

Page 6

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Parents Happier

Having Kids Ups Contentment Adam Hawboldt

riverside, ca — To have or not to have children, that is the question.

And the answer, well, that depends on how happy and fulfilling a life you want to live.

According to researchers from the University of California, Riverside, the University of British Columbia and Stanford University, parents have greater levels of happiness than those without children.

“We are not saying that parenting makes people happy, but that parenthood is associated with happiness and meaning,” explains Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of psychology at UC Riverside. “Contrary to repeated scholarly and media pronouncements, people may find solace that parenthood and child care may actually be linked to feelings of happiness and meaning in life.”

Researchers conducted studies on 186 participants, testing whether parents were happier overall than their childless peers, whether parents felt better moment to moment than non-parents and whether parents experienced

more positive feelings when taking care of their kids.

The answers to all these tests were yes. Researchers believe the consistency of these findings “provides strong evidence challenging the widely held perception that children are associated with reduced well-being.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Skinny Jeans Can Cause Pain Adam Hawboldt

“It’s a disorder that occurs when one of the nerves that runs in the Baltimore, MD — Zac Efron outer part of a thigh gets comwears them, Mila Kunis wears them pressed,” Boyle tells ABC News. and, chances are every hipster you These symptoms are often know has at least one pair of them worse in people who wear high in their closet. heels with skinny Yessiree, any “[Wearing skinny jeans jeans because of way you slice it, can cause] tingling, the way the pelskinny jeans are numbness and pain…” vis tilts, which can back in fashion. increase the pres-Adam Hawboldt sure.

And according to recent studies, that’s not necessarily Boyle warns that if you are exa good thing. periencing pain but choosing to Dr. Karen Boyle, a surgeon at the ignore it, you face permanent nerve Greater Baltimore Medical Centre, damage. Options for alleviating any claims the trendy clothing choice health issues associated with skinny can cause “meralgia paresthetica” jeans include purchasing jeans that — a disorder that causes tingling, have added lycra, which gives them numbness and pain in the upper more stretch. legs.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Global At A Glance eat, drink, work — Professional

women drink more than those with manual jobs, claims new studies. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that women with high-profile careers drink a bottle of wine a week, or

roughly 11.2 units of alcohol, compared to female cleaners, who drink around 6.2 units. While a bottle of wine is not extravagant, some researchers caution against using booze to reduce stress.

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Offbeat

Page 7

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Seven ‘Weirdos’ Who Ruin It All Adam Hawboldt

Two Flies Per Bathroom

Beijing Unveils New Public Washroom Rules Adam Hawboldt

beijing, china — New regulations in Beijing stipulate that public bathrooms can have no more than two flies per stall.

And we’re not talking about pants zippers here. No, we’re talking actual buzzing, pesky house flies.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment issued the rule as part of a “new standard for public toilet management.”

Xie Guomin, the official responsible for the initiative, says the twofly rule was not compulsory, but was a new benchmark to improve

Boy, 14, Conducts Orchestra Adam Hawboldt

“It’s hard because I have to find the way to communicate, or somecaracas, venezuela— José times tell off kids who are much Ángel Salazar, a 14-year-old from older than me,” he admits to the Ve n e z u e l a , i s Guardian. “I guess quite possibly the “[The musicians] are they are forcing youngest orches- forcing me to be better.” me to be better.” tra conductor in “I am not sure I -José Ángel Salazar am the youngest,” the world.

Salazar was recently appointed he says of his “youngest” designato direct the Venezuelan Youth Or- tion. “Maybe there is a younger chestra, which consists of 70 to 80 conductor in some small town musicians — half of whom are older somewhere else.” than him.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Beijing’s notoriously dirty public bathrooms.

Along with the two-fly rule, public bathrooms in Beijing will also be held up to new odor standards as well as restrictions on the number of pieces of rubbish you can discard (no more than two).

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

were those who swear loudly, followed closely by ones who easily Pullman, wa — Research- become angered at the slightest ers have identified seven specific grievance, and those who have types of people who can spoil poor personal hygiene. anything from a The research shopping trip to “Researchers have was conducted a restaurant meal identified seven specific

by Joel Anaya, for others. majortypes of people who can aingsenior A recent study in hospitality co n d u c te d a t spoil anything…” business man-Adam Hawboldt agement at the Washington State University on so-called “customer university. He examined over 200 service sabotage” has listed the instances of frustrated customers types of problematic customers, at various online commenting sites. and they read like a bizarre Snow “Customers don’t just go to a White and the Seven Dwarfs cast restaurant to enjoy a burger,” exlist: dopey, grumpy, smelly, pushy, plains Anaya. “They go to have a stubborn, inconsiderate and rude. good time.”

The most common offenders Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Offbeat At A Glance $4.4M jersey — Babe Ruth is no strang-

er to records. The former New York Yankee held the major league homerun record from ‘21-’74 and is the only man to have hit 40 home runs in more

than 10 seasons. And the Bambino has broken another record: a jersey he wore sold for more than $4.4 million, a record for any item of sports memorabilia.

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Food

Page 8

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

On and off the cob it’s delicious — corn is tasty, and has some tasty facts, too.

800 million tons of ■cornAbout are produced every year

Griffin: Great Takeaway For All

One bushel of corn will ■sweeten more than 400 cans

Adam Hawboldt

around the world

of Coca-Cola

also known as maize, ■wasCorn, first grown as a crop around 7,000 years ago in present-day Mexico

average ear of corn has ■16The rows and approximately 800 kernels

corn to produce etha■nolUsing is gaining popularity as a renewable fuel resource

Photos: courtesy of Adam Hawboldt

Tasty Vegan, Gluten-Free Items Will Keep You Coming Back As I write this, Alex J. MacPherson is alternating between writing about a rock and roll band and complaining that he can’t eat cake.

See, my Verb colleague has coeliac disease, which means the poor bugger has a rather difficult time eating gluten. Lucky for Alex, though, there is an excellent place here in town that caters to his needs.

Located on 8th Street (next to bean and corn salad with cumin Jysk), the Griffin Takeaway special- lime dressing a try. Yep: good izes in gluten-free food, so if you’re choice! Beefed up with red onallergic to this strange and specific ions, carrots and peppers, this protein yet have salad was fresh an overwhelm- “The tangy lime offset and the dressing ing urge to scarf the warm nutty taste of was simply perdown a brownie cumin…” fect. The tangy cheesecake, you lime offset the -Adam Hawboldt warm nutty taste should probably stop by this little niche-in-the-wall. of cumin and really gave this dish Same goes if you have a han- some well-balanced zip. kering for toffee chocolate cheese After the salad came the sandpuffs or crème brûlée or a scone, wiches. Unable to settle on just whatever — at Griffin Takeaway it’s one, I thought I’d give two a try: all gluten-free. Me, I’m not allergic the Barbecue Pulled Pork and the to anything of the sort, but I’d heard Cheese-a-tarian. the food at Griffin is excellent so Let’s start with the pulled pork. the other day I stopped by to pick Served on gluten-free bread, this up some lunch. sandwich was sweat and meaty Now, the soup and salad options and filling. The bread was spectacuchange daily, but when I went there lar, and the red onion and grated the soup was loaded with olives cheddar cheese that was mixed in and white beans, and was savoury, with the meat really added a new hearty and delicious — everything and delicious dimension to an old good comfort food should be. favourite.

After that was I gave the black For the Cheese-a-tarian, I went

with focaccia bread (which was not gluten free.)

Made from a mixture of orange cheddar, aged smoked cheddar, cream cheese and feta, the filling for this sandwich was absolutely mouthwatering: sharp, smoky, creamy and salty. Toss some garlic mayo and tomato in the mix and you have one heckuva delectable meal.

I finished with a haystack cookie — which, by all accounts (I shared with my co-workers — and by shared, I mean they stole pieces) was incredibly chocolatey.

So whether you can eat gluten or you can’t, do yourself a favour and check out Griffin Takeway. Cozy, comfort food for all: you can’t go wrong.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Griffin Takeaway

Address: #10 3311 8th Street East Hours: Monday to Friday: 10am-7pm Reservations: 933-3385

Opinion

Page 9

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

We Think All Drugs Should Be Legalized

Our Ultimate Goal In Revamping Policy Includes Regulation, Removing Stigma The Editors of Verb

and corrections).

That’s a heaping sum for such This is the final installment of a three-part an ineffective policy, so why not series pertaining to Canada’s ineffec- try something different? Why not tive war on drugs, in which we examine legalize drugs and tax them like we what our revamped drug policy should do for alcohol or cigarettes? look like.

Not only would we seriously SASKATOON, SK — As we’ve reduce our enforcement budget, previously discussed, we think but if we levied a “sin tax” on the that Canada needs to reimagine tens of billions of dollars in illicit its drug policy in order to make drug sales every year, well, let’s just it as effective as possible — our say we’d have a lot more money current hard-line not only stuffs floating around in our federal and our jails with people who don’t provincial budgets. deserve to be there, but also How much? One source, the doesn’t work to magazine BC Busiwean users off “The demand for drugs ness, estimates their addictions. … will always exist, but that the BC mariAnd that’s why the supply of illegal drugs juana trade alone we think that lebrings in nearly galizing drugs is does not have to.” $7.5 billion a year.

-Verb’s editors By legalizing and the way to go.

We’ve already argued for the taxing marijuana, federal and procomplete decriminalization of vincial governments would stand personal possession based on the to make hundreds of millions, desuccessful policy Portugal imple- pending on how heavy-handed mented in 2003. the taxes were.

We have also stated that once And please remember, that’s drugs are decriminalized, super- just by legalizing weed in BC. Imagvised injection sites should open in ine the untold economic benefits every major city across the county, of taxing all drugs all across the while jail terms for personal pos- country. session of narcotics should be Consider how much good regueradicated in favour of therapy lation of the drug industry would and treatment. bring. First, we believe that the Ultimately, however, these are number of deaths would decrease. simply foundational steps neces- If the government was responsible sary to achieve our end vision. You for the drug trade, the standards of see, if we rush things too quickly quality and safety would increase and try to change everything all greatly (they aren’t going to want at once, we run the very high and anyone to get sick or worse on a very real risk of straining our rela- bad trip). tions with America to the point of rupture.

Sure, in an ideal world no external force should dictate what we do, but the U.S. is one of our biggest trading partners and we need to approach the situation pragmatically.

So let’s revamp our drug policy piecemeal, show our southern neighbours that the liberalization of drugs makes both dollars and sense, and then move to what we think is a logical drug policy, one that includes the legalization and regulation of all drugs. Such a policy would allow us to reap myriad benefits — both fiscal and social.

Let’s start with the fiscal. According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, the illegal drug trade sets the government back an estimated $8.2 billion annually. Of that, $2.3 billion is spent on enforcement (this includes policing, courts

What’s more, legalizing and regulating the drug trade would decrease the presence of organized crime in Canada.

It’s no great secret that a criminalized drug market creates a vacuum in which organized crimes exists and thrives. But if you get rid of that vacuum, you also get rid of the money that is the lifeblood of these organizations and starve them into submission.

It worked when America repealed prohibition, and it could work for us.

The demand for drugs, illegal or legal, will always exist, but the supply of illegal drugs does not have

to. Through legalization, regulation and taxation, we can tear drugs out of the violent underworld, remove the stigma, and bring the industry

(along with its billions of dollars in revenue) out into to open — where it belongs.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Feature

Page 10

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Saskatoon Blitz! Bigger, Better Than Ever

Billy West, Tom Grummett And More Will Be On Hand At Third Annual Comicon Sebastien Dangerfield

Saskatoon, SK — After Laura Petrishen-Ha graduated from university she didn’t know what to do.

With no jobs on the horizon, it seemed like the former University of Saskatchewan student was just sitting around, waiting, so she decided to do something about that.

“I started up a little anime club,” she laughs. “I used Kijiji. I let strangers come to my house. That was just crazy.”

Perhaps, but nearly three years later Petrishen-Ha’s little club has blossomed into a full-blown

business, the Saskatoon Love Love again. So much so that SLLAG Inc. Anime Group Inc., and is currently has moved to a multi-room format preparing to put on its third an- at the Saskatoon Inn. nual Saskatoon Blitz! — the only “We’re trying to have a nice vacomicon in the riety of things to province.

“There will be a lot of cool make sure people “The first year stuff … that you can’t get get a little bit of we just did a small in Saskatoon right now.” everything,” says anime event, but Petrishen-Ha. -Laura Petrishen-Ha there was a lot of “Hopefully interest from the comic book com- we’re giving fans what they want munity,” explains Petrishen-Ha. here in Saskatoon.”

“So I decided to put the two toAnd if the lineup for this year’s gether and make a comicon. Like, event is any indication, there’ll be a a real comicon. That was held at little something there for everyone.

Prairieland Park. The venue was for If you’re a fan of mainstream car700 and 683 people showed up.” toons, voice actor Billy West (Stimpy This year the Blitz! has grown yet on The Ren & Stimpy Show, Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg and Zapp Brannigan, among others, on Futurama, and both Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in the movie Space Jam) will be on hand.

If it’s comic books you like, Tom Grummett will be in attendance.

Grummett is well known for his work on titles such as The Adventures of Superman, X-Men Forever and Superboy. For the video game junkies there’ll be an appearance by voice actor Spike Spencer (Saints Row: The Third), lovers of anime can chat with Terri Doty (Fairy Tail, Romeo X Juliet), and fantasy fans can see painter Mike Sass (World of Warcraft, Dungeons and Dragons) do his thing.

And the list goes on. But the convention is more than a host of special guests showing up and wandering around. The Saskatoon Blitz! will also feature more than 14 hours of activities and events, including an anime screening room, a costume contest, a dance, an art jam, games, performances and interactive panels.

“We’re going to be running two panel rooms simultaneously,” explains Petrishen-Ha. “Our special guests will be giving presentations … and you’ll have the chance to ask them open questions.”

Photo: courtesy of Saskatoon Blitz.

Along with this, there will also be a large vendor room.

“There will be a lot of cool stuff to buy that you can’t get in Saskatoon right now,” says Pertrishen-Ha. “So if you’re a big geek and like to collect stuff, it’s probably a really good place to be.”

The Saskatoon Blitz! will run from approximately 9 AM-11 PM on June 9th at the Saskatoon Inn. Tickets are on sale now at Next Level Game Exchange, 8th Street Books and Comics, Amazing Stories, Unreal City and online at www. sllag.info.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Arts One

Page 11

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Rockers Zeus Just Keep Getting Better

Photo: courtesy of Derek Branscombe and Chris Marshall

Canadian Foursome Talks Hot Tunes, Recording Tracks And Busting Visions Alex J MacPherson

record the album.”

The calculated approach apSaskatoon, SK — Making a pears to work. Busting Visions is good sophomore record is, noto- more polished than its predecesriously, difficult. Countless bands sor without sacrificing any of the have faded into obscurity after raw energy that made Say Us great. following a promising debut Crackling with electricity, Busting with a dud. But Visions marries not Zeus: they’re “We play for keeps. We’re sp ik y guit ar s , only getting bet- one of those bands that piano flourishes ter. and cagey arcan’t fake it.”

“I think the obrangements with -Carlin Nicholson the songwriting jective was to do something that did more, for sure,” trio of Nicholson, Mike O’Brien and says Carlin Nicholson, one of the Neil Quin. band’s three multi-instrumentalists.

“It’s great,” Nicholson says of the “That’s probably always the objec- band’s songwriting approach. “You tive of a band making a second have the other guy to work off of, record — it’s better in as many ways and you’re stoked about his songs as possible — but as to the dif- and he’s stoked about your songs. ferences between the two, it was Before you know it, you’ve got a few interesting because the first album, songs and the album starts to take we didn’t know we were making shape. I feel like we’ve got another an album for a band called Zeus.” five or six albums just as good as The band’s lineup crystallized the first and second, partly because during the Say Us sessions. What we have a lot of backlogged songs.” began as a loose conglomeration And while Busting Visions is at of friends and family members its core a songwriting experiment, produced a dedicated four-piece it doesn’t sound like one. Nicholrock band. Their debut, Say Us, was son, O’Brien, and Quin tend to work subsequently nominated for the alone, but their songs are rinsed Polaris Prize. through a common filter before “At the time we didn’t really the tape starts to roll. If Say Us was a know what was going down,” statement, Busting Visions is a quesNicholson laughs. “We were really tion: how can the rudiments of rock truly just having fun, but when it & roll be updated, modernized and was time to make this one we had energized? been a band for two years already.

“If somebody has an idea, no There’s a definite difference there, matter how silly or crazy it is, it it was a more calculated move for always gets entertained,” Nicholus to go into the studio as Zeus and son explains. “There’s this idea that

we’re trying to keep loyal to some certain sound we stumbled across on the first record; the combination of guys that it took to create that sound and put those songs together, that’s the more important thing.”

Coherence is the unmistakable sign of a growing rock & roll band, and while Busting Visions is obviously the product of four individuals working together, Nicholson thinks the production process is as important as anything else.

“We record our own records, complete control over what they

sound like,” he says. “We could take a Britney Spears song and record it as our band and it would sound right at home on the record.”

We will probably never know whether this is true, but Nicholson has a point. Only complete control over the process can give a rock band complete control over their sound. And that process isn’t going to slow down any time soon. Because the band has three songwriters, finished tracks tend to pile up.

“Even we speak right now,” Nicholson says, “we have six or seven songs we’re all talking about

recording.”

“We play for keeps,” laughs Nicholson, before turning serious.

“We’re one of those bands that can’t fake it. If we can’t communicate the emotion in the right way when we’re playing the song it won’t happen.”

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Event Info

Zeus

Where: Amigos Cantina When: June 1 Cost: $13 @ Ticketedge.ca

Fashion, Design Festival Celebrates Local Style fashion industry and one of the most prominent designers to Saskatoon, SK — The inau- emerge from Saskatoon. King has gural Saskatoon Fashion and De- been living in Calgary for several sign Festival is the public face of years, but is planning a move back a growing movement to promote to Saskatoon, and thinks the lothe local fashion cal industry has industry — one “Fashion is everywhere grown dramatiof the city’s best but it’s kind of been cally since her kept secrets. departure. downplayed in “It is really just “Before I left to legitimize the Saskatchewan.” things were pick-Candace Fox ing up,” King exindustry here,” says Candace Fox, the festival’s plains. “A lot of people are actually press representative. “Fashion is moving back to Saskatchewan, so everywhere but it’s kind of been there are a few new designers in downplayed in Saskatchewan. We town. People are working in the don’t really have an organization industry and finding work. I’ve been that promotes it.” at it for over seven years. Starting The opening event is a fashion out, I didn’t have anybody to talk show by Rebecca King, a pillar of to, I didn’t know any other designer the western Canadian independent in the city.”

ArtsSect &C

Alex J MacPherson

Photo: courtesy of Harvey Miedreich

King’s work adds a modern twist to traditional ideas. Informed by 18th century menswear, particularly military uniforms, she creates coats and dresses for women that are as beautiful as they are functional. Her fall line, which will be unveiled at the show, includes twenty different looks centred on a colour palette of burnt orange and tobacco brown.

“In the past I’ve kind of jumped around, but there’s definitely a colour influence in this line,” she says.

The Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival also includes a Mix & Match Marketplace for local designers to show their products and an outdoor fashion show featuring six designers and live entertainment.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Five Qs With Rand

Country Music Legend Reflects O

changed?

Randy Travis: I like that term, A quarter century is a long time a quarter century. I hadn’t heard to be in the music business, but that one before. That really makes Randy Travis knows all about its me feel like I’ve been here a long ups and downs. His debut album, time. It used to be this simple: we Storms of Life, was record an album, released in 1986; “[I]f I can’t ever get airplay put the singles this year Travis again I’m sitting in a good out, promotions is releasing two place.” staff calls radio, records and givthey play it, and -Randy Travis then we go out ing more than 80 concerts. Verb caught up with Travis there and tour. It’s so different now, in Texas to chat about why he keeps through the computer world we working, and the Grand Ole Opry. live in now. The amount of younger Alex J MacPherson: In a quar- people within the business making ter century, how has the business records, it’s amazing how many people are closer to 20 than they are 40.

AJM: But despite the changes, you seem fairly comfortable these days.

RT: I’m fortunate, I’m sitting in a real comfortable place. Yeah, I’m not getting that kind of airplay anymore, but I was fortunate enough to find songs that were what people would call signature songs … if I can’t ever get airplay again I’m sitting in a good place.

AJM: You’ve got a heap of new projects on the go — what’s the appeal of working so hard?

RT: I like to work. I like to do continual things, new things as years go by … I can’t sit around and do nothing … somebody asked me about retiring and I said, “what would I do?” You’ve got to do something, and for me I’m real fortunate: what I do as a Alex J MacPherson

Culture tion Pages PH, PH PH PH–PH, ‘PH VerbNews.com

Pages 12, 13 Pages 10, May 25–31, ‘1211 VerbNews.com

Young Artist Explores Life’s Trials In Thoughtful Exhibit Overcome Alex J MacPherson

dy Travis

Photo: courtesy of the artist

On Past 25 Years living I love it. That time onstage for me is so special.

AJM: You’ve received plenty of accolades, but I understand you’re most proud of your induction into the Grand Ole Opry.

RT: The Opry is special to many, many people in this business. You walk on that stage and it feels different than any other I have been on in my whole life. It’s probably because of the history there, the people who have stood there and sang on that stage, people I grew up listening to and grew up singing their music. It’s a big honour to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry … I always told people I just wanted to make a living writing and singing. As this all started it went way, way beyond anything I had ever thought about.

AJM: What do you hope the audience takes away from your shows?

RT: A lot of things! If you look at the songs, certain songs mean more to some people. For me, “He Walked on Water” takes me back to my grandfather and my grandmother, and it seems to do the same thing to a lot of people I have met through these years. At the end of a performance I want to feel like that audience has left there, heard those songs they wanted to hear, and I want to feel like I’ve done the best possible job that I can do as a singer.

Feedback? Text it to 306881-8372.

… overcoming things.”

McWhirter needed an outlet, Saskatoon, SK — Jane Reväe and she found it on the canvas.

McWhirter didn’t plan to become “I feel like art helped me express an artist; it just happened. myself,” she explains.

And she “It gave me wouldn’t have it “I feel like art helped me something to do any other way. express myself. It gave me with my time.”

M c W h i r t e r , something to do…”

She has dabwho is 22, discovble d in many -Jane Reväe McWhirter forms, from paintered art through Saskatoon Community Youth Arts ing and sculpture to multimedia Programming (SCYAP), a local or- confessionals, but McWhirter’s best ganization dedicated to promoting work is a series of female portraits. art among young people deemed Informed by her own experi“at risk.” ences, the women McWhirter paints At first, McWhirter was skeptical; are not so much individuals as they she saw art as something to kill time are vehicles for emotion. with, not a valuable end in itself.

A little less than two years of hard work transformed her “silly sketches” into fully realized works Overcome of art.

Where: SCYAP Gallery Now, the up-and-coming young When: Now ‘til June 2 artist is preparing her first solo ex- Cost: Free! hibition, the aptly-titled Overcome. Saskatoon Fashion & “It was also for people who had a troubled past,” she says of SCYAP. Design Festival “I used to have problems with Where: Various locations May 31 – June 3 drinking and stuff like that, and had When: More info: www.saskfashion.com been in a bunch of stupid relationRandy Travis ships,” she continues.

“I went through a bunch of stu- Where: Dakota Dunes Casino June 5 pid things in my teenage years. It When: Cost: $75 @ Dakota Dunes Box Office touched up on art, and it touched Want some coverage for your upcoming up on making [my] life better and event? Email layout@verbnews.com ASAP!

Event Info

“A lot of it is in the expression,” she says.

“A lot of their expressions are [drawn from] how I felt or how I feel,” she adds.

“I put them in different moods, so if people see them maybe they’ll know exactly how she feels.”

Overcome will be on display at the SCYAP Gallery from now until June 2nd.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Photo: courtesy of Jane McWhirter

Section Movies

Page Page 14PH

May PH25–31, PH–PH, ‘12‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com

Dafoe Captivating In The Hunter Melodramatic Plot Prevents Character Study From Taking Off The Hunter

Runtime: 100 Minutes Rated: 14A Adam Hawboldt If Willem Dafoe can do one thing better than most, it’s play a character full of creepy, wiry menace.

Think about his Sergeant Elias in Platoon or his Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ. There’s something about those characters that pulls you in yet keeps you slightly unsettled. Something edgy and personal and profound.

It’s what Dafoe does best, and he’s at it again in The Hunter, which is currently being screened at Roxy Theatre.

Directed by Daniel Nettheim, the movie is about a mercenary named Martin David (Dafoe) who is sent by Red Leaf, a military biotech corporation, to backwoods Tasmania.

His mission? Track down, kill and harvest the organs of a Tasmanian tiger — which isn’t so much a tiger as it is a dog-like carnivorous marsupial with a striped tail and back.

Oh, and apparently it’s the last of family whose patriarch has gone its kind on Earth. missing. Normally a cool-as-ice Red Leaf doesn’t care, though. mercenary, the more time Martin Extinction and eco-system be spends with the family the more damned, the his stony heart company wants “Whenever we’re begins to thaw. the toxin the tiger watching just Dafoe …

As his attachuses to paralyze The Hunter is terrific…” ment to the family its prey, and they mounts, unfore-Adam Hawboldt s e e n d a n g e r s want it now. So off Martin flies to Hobart, Tasma- and obstacles begin to sprout up. nia’s capital, posing as a scientist There’s the good-ol’ local boys, while a secret light-weight sniper the ruggedness of the terrain, the rifle lays nestled in his backpack. He viciousness of the animal and, fisets up base camp at a dilapidated nally, rival hunters. farmhouse, where he stays with a Yes, rival hunters. What happens

Photo: courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

is, Red Leaf grows impatient and decides to pit hunter against hunter in a race for the prize. It’s a nasty situation that, on the surface, seems like it would hold promise for a lot of explosive action.

The thing is, there isn’t much big action in this film. Instead, it’s more of a human study, a slowburning, intimate character piece that really allows Dafoe to showcase his immense and diverse talents — especially when it comes to nonverbal acting.

As Martin’s feeling are largely internalized in the film, the weight

of Dafoe’s performance rests more on his body language and facial expressions than dialogue, and he pulls it off effortlessly.

Whenever we’re watching just Dafoe move around the rocky wilderness, The Hunter is terrific — mesmerizing, even.

But once we get back into civilization, that’s when the film starts to go off the rails.

Down in the real world, the film has too little focus, too many clichés: there are the burly locals who think Martin in an environmentalist there to undermine the logging industry; there’s Martin’s attraction to the mother of the family he’s staying with; then there are her precocious kids that you’ve seen in dozens of other movies.

Basically, down there among the people, there’s more melodrama than a movie like this should contain.

That’s not to say The Hunter is a bad movie. As a character study, while Martin is on the hunt, it’s actually quite good.

Too bad he keeps getting pulled back into civilization.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section Movies

Page Page 15PH

May PH25–31, PH–PH, ‘12‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com

Men In Black Is Back, And Not That Good

Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Brolin Shines While Smith And Jones Falter In Franchise’s Third Installment Men in Black 3

Runtime: 106 Minutes Rated: PG Adam Hawboldt You have to admit, there are some damn fine movie trilogies out there.

There’s Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance/Oldboy/Sympathy for Lady Vengeance), Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars/ For a Few Dollars More/The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), the original Star Wars trilogy, the Godfather trilogy.

The list goes on.

But nowhere on that list of damn-fine trilogies will you find the Men in Black franchise.

Sure the first one, which debuted 15 years ago, was zippy and fresh and funny and cool. But Men in Black II was so bad that most viewers wished they’d had their minds wiped with one of those “neuralizing” flash stick thingamajigs the agents use.

As for Men in Black 3, well, it’s not nearly has horrawful (yes, I just combined horrible and awful) as the second installment, but it’s leagues away from being as good as the 1997 original.

In fact, even when zinging along

at its highest point, MIB 3 still feels nails it. His bemused twang in his like a futile attempt to repackage voice, his reticent demeanour, even whatever lightning and magic his facial expressions are so much they’d found in like Tommy Lee the first flick.

“As a young agent K, Josh Jones it’s borderThat doesn’t Brolin … is spot on. He line creepy. mean the movie is simply nails it.”

The bad — bad — just that it’s both Will Smith -Adam Hawboldt ( Inde p endence not overly good.

But more on the vices and virtues Day, I, Robot) and Tommy Lee Jones of this film in a minute. For now, (The Fugitive, No Country for Old let’s take a quick look at plot.

Men) were basically sleep walking Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, through their roles. Sure Smith was MIB 3 reunites Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as agents J and K. Again they’re charged with saving the Earth. This time, though, there’s a bit of a time travel twist.

Interstellar assassin Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) escapes from a correctional facility on the moon and steals a time-travel doohickey.

His plan is simple: travel back to 1969, kill the young agent K (Josh Brolin) and set off a temporal reaction that will echo into a present day destruction of Earth by Boris’ alien race.

Naturally, agent J is sent back in time to stop this from happening.

Ultimately though, is MIB 3 worth watching?

To answer that, let’s pay homage to Leone’s trilogy and break this film down into the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

The good — as a young agent K, Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men, True Grit) is spot on. He simply

his usual charming self and Jones still plays cantankerous well, but neither one of them seemed to be enjoying themselves. Oh, and on top of that, the 3D format Sonnenfeld used didn’t do much to enhance the film.

The ugly — it’s no secret this script went through a lot of writers before it was finalized, but somewhere along the way they must’ve

took the comedy writer’s draft and burned it.

There were plenty of opportunity for laughs here, but the problem is, unlike the original MIB, the laughs never seem to come.

So with all that said, my advice is this: sure, watch Men in Black 3, but only if you have nothing better to do.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Texts

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May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

This Week: War On Drugs Part 2 Last week we asked what you thought about our proposed first steps in changing Canada’s drug policy, and here’s what you had to say.

Next week’s topic: see page 9

On Topic War on Drugs - As a survivor of both a drunk driver and the Saskatoon drug scene. I prescribe to the AsIan solution summary exicution - their numbers are impressive, China drug use down 95% in four years, Malaysia drunk driving down 95% 8n two years. There has been little burden to the tax payers.

Their econimies are booming. Tey have almost no crime or social problems.

An example worth following, I think.

Shifting our focus from hardline policies to something that promotes rehabilitation just makes sense. Good luck getting the government to ok putting safe injection sites everywhere

— what do you think about legalizing all drugs? 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! aren’t they shutting down the one in van?

Right giving addicts more access to drugs is not the solution to curbing the widespread use of drugs in our country.

This will only make things worse. The threat of punishment is the only thing that’ll work.

Insite has been a fantastic program and we should definitely have it here. Halting the spread of diseases from injection drugs and giving addicts a safe, healthy place to get high with medical staff on hand is a key first step to getting someone off drugs.

Guess what: when things are crappy and you don’t have access to information on therapies, rehab, etc., it takes a lot to seek it out. Having something like Insite offers a key place to go.

I dont understand how giving someone with a drug problem even better access to drugs cuts down on the issues. It doesn’t make sence.

That’s what I want my tax money to go to gettin a junkie high!

I will never suport a gov’t or newspaper who supports this!

Help with rehab!

Sure bring an insite centre but where are you going to put it here? I don’t want to have anything like that near my house or my kids school. Outskirts maybe? An interesting proposition and worth looking at but needs more thought.

Yes! Insite has worked wonders in the DTES in Vancouver and is definitely something we should be embracing across the country. If only Harper wasn’t so bullheaded we could make progress on helping others in this country.

LOL like Wall and conservatives are going to let us build an insite here getreal.

Off Topic Re: “We Think Civic Events Should Be Secular,” Opinion page, May 4th issue

Does being a multicultural country mean that we have to embrace everyone else’s culture but our own? Canada needs to get a backbone and stop being the spineless jellyfish that it is and stand up for things that make us Canadian and/or Christian.

Re: “We Think Civic Events Should Be Secular,” Opinion page, May 4th issue

(Off topic - civic events should be secular) Why is this even a topic for debate?

Leave the magic pixie dust, rain dances and rituals at home.

There is no place for it at a civic event. You wanna pray at a public event. Go ahead, it’s your right. But it’s my right to point out how ridiculous whatever space zombie cult it is you belong to and openly mock you. No, I won’t respect your belief in fairy tales and I don’t care if you’re offended. ALL RELIGIONS HURT SOCIETY!!!

Re: “We Think Civic Events Should Be Secular,” Opinion page, May 4th issue

Look, no one is saying Christians are terrible people we’re just saying we dont’ want to be subjected to a Christian prayer at a public, non-Christian event. And denigrating Christians for being religious isn’t the way to go, either - people aren’t stupid for finding comfort in a god. They’re stupid if you use a power outside of yourself to justify or promote hate/violence, and that can certainly be done without invoking any kind of deity.

Re: “We Think Civic Events Should Be Secular,” Opinion page, May 4th issue

For information Obama had soldiers burn Christian bibles in 2010 in fear of Muslims. Anyway, it’s interesting to see how many of you get so worked up about Christians. I’ll pray for you.

Re: “Pill Helps You Stay Sober,” Global page, May 18th issue

A pill that keeps you

sober longer? They should sell them at bars they could make alot more money if people can drink more.

Re: “Pill Helps You Stay Sober,” Global page, May 18th issue

They should make a pill that makes heavy drinkers extremly sick if they consume alcohol that would help wean heavy drinkers off the bottle.

Re: “Needle Pain,” Global page, May 18th issue

needle pain - I would believe it. The first time I had blood taken I was watching and ended up getting woozy and passing out in the reception area.

Since then I have never looked and don’t get woozy and pass out.

Re: “Fist Pump First,” Offbeat page, May 18th issue

Fist pump first: he probably holds the record for biggest douchebag.

Re: “What You Read Influences Your Behaviour,” Global page, May 18th issue

Adam I totally agree you do become what you read! My question have you read 50 Shades of Grey? Kari.

How long do you think it will take for the Establishment to realize that the “Occupy Movement” and “The Vancouver Riots” and “The Montreal Students’ Uproar” and “Nonparticipation by Youths during elections” are all signs of Youth activism based on their loss of trust and confidence in the system? I suggest that our Youth are legitimately questioning why they should sacrifice to get us out of the economic

Texts hole we’re in; the very hole that the spoiled brat boomers ahead of them created. Dennis Hall Doctors! They spend their whole lives studying and working on human physiology and they never see some simple basic governing systems principles. I suspect they’re just way too focussed on their pharmacy as treatments and cures.

To whoever texted about bus drivers not being able to drive worth spit obviously does not realize what it is like to drive 8 hours a day with losers cutting in front of the bus all day long.

Before you criticize, try to realize what stress another driver is under on a daily basis.

I think people should stop freaking out on bus drivers. Nobodys perfect in their job all the time, and they get u to ur destination safely.

So Maurice Vellacott thinks that the bullying laws should apply to the fetus? Really? How do you bully a fetus?

All you’re trying to do is reopen the abortion debate Muarice.

Why don’t you do something for your constituents besides push your extremist

Page 17

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

crap on everyone.

Right to choose!

Velacot is a reprehensible human being. Don’t have a uterus? GTFO of mine. He’s trolling the people of SK by trying to restart a debate that even Harper (doing something great for once) has clearly stated he’s not interested in revisiting.

Hey Maurice: STFU! Just saw the Theo Fleury movie so sad what that pervert Graham James did to him. Child molesters should be locked up for life in cell with no windows!

No matter what kind of names you call us Christians ( crazy twisted sick etc. ) we love you no matter what.

I’d just like to thank the Nightlife section for getting me dumped turns out your NEVER safe to cheat FB stock tanking suck it Zuckerberg you’re overrated, a thief and deserve to loose ur billions.

WHY not have clothing optional outdoor Pools that is where the Nakeds At? Montreal protests are inspiring. A disenfranchised

generation is making their voice heard. We should be celebrating them, not openly rebuking. Don’t let a few bad apples (i.e. the ones who vandalise/harm others, throw stones) be your picture of the protestors. There are many, many others who are working hard to make their beliefs known, subscribe to the outrageous laws imposed by the government, and incite change.

I think the downtown bus terminal should be smoke free I’m sick of breathing in 2nd hand smoke while I wait for the bus. Anybody agree or disagree?

When push comes to shove EVERYBODY can get a little DOWNtown! “The lights are so much brighter. You can forget all your troubles forget all your cares!”

Just as small people apparently live big lives; big people apparently live small lives. Don’t get foolee by the posers!

New E.I. regs are gonna fail in Sask.

Employers here never ever hire smarter, better educated or more experienced than themselves! Its a greedy control thing.

Slinkies are the new lemurs, who were the

new kittens? Internet video fads are crazy and addictive New Great Gatsby trailer looks atrotcious i’m so disapointed it’s gonna suck.

Everytime DOWNtown person txts I hear Petula Clark lyrics in my head. Somehow, me thinks they arent talking about the same place :) Did we win millions yet you guys? I didn’t hear if we’re rich.

Miss me?

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

Nightlife

Page 18

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Friday @ 6Twelve Venue

6Twelve Lounge on Friday, May 18th

Location Photos courtesy of Patrick Carley (feedback@verbnews.com)

612 Spadina Crescent East

Playing on Arrival

Lamb’s “Butterfly Effect”

Music Vibe

Lounge, electric, world beat

Regular Gigs

DJ Quadrant Khan on Fridays and Saturdays, and DJ Eclectic on Sundays

Popular Drink

Manhattan: Knob Creek bourbon, Italian vermouth and Angostura bitters

Food of Choice

Filet mignon — 6-, 8- or 10-ounce cut, with your choice of baked potato, herb whipped potato or risotto

Something New

New homegrown drinks: Yellow Grass Caesars, Candle Lake Ice Tea, Maple Creek Old Fashioned, Regina’s Royal Cocktail and Rosetown Martini. Also: head on down to check out Eclectic Sundays, featuring music from this summer’s top festivals, including Shambhala, Sasquatch and Coachella

Nightlife

Page 19

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Thursday @ Joe’s Venue

Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 17th

Location

345 2nd Ave N

Playing on Arrival NHL playoffs

Regular Gigs

All sporting events, and standup comedy hosted by Dez Reed on Thursday and Friday nights, kicking off at 8pm

Feature Deal 35¢ wings

Popular Drink

Great Western products

Food of Choice Wings

Wing Notes

35¢ on Thursdays; of the 26 available flavours, lemon pepper is the favourite

Something New

The deck is being renovated, so come down and check it out Photos courtesy of Patrick Carley (feedback@verbnews.com)

Music

Page 20

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Friday 25

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

Rah Rah — This indie six-piece from Regina is hitting the road again. Don’t miss them when they roll though Saskatoon. Also appearing will be local act the Young Benjamins. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets $13, available at www.ticketedge.ca

(NEXT WEEK) THE DARCYS @ AMIGOS cantina — Intense: that’s probably

the best word to describe this Toronto band, whose songs are brooding and atmospheric with serious indie rock sensibilities. Consisting of Jason Couse, Wes Marskell, Mike le Riche and Dave Hurlow, the band has a sound

Photo: courtesy of the artist

reminiscent of Radiohead (in their Kid A days). Their latest album, AJA, is a modern, track-for-track reinterpretation of Steely Dan’s 1977 record, Aja. These guys will be opening for Zeus at Amigos on June 1st; tickets are $13 (www.ticketedge.ca) -Adam Hawboldt.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Piano Fridays: Dennis Borycki — Feel like taking in some smooth jazz stylings? Come check out this talented musician tickle the ivories of the Kinsman Yamaha S6 grand piano.

4:30pm, The Bassment. No cover.

The Stone Frigate Big Band Swing Dance — Playing the music of the ‘30s and ‘40s, Stone Frigate Big Band pump out the hits of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

9pm, The Bassment. Cover $12/15.

Austen Roadz — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy top 40 dance party along with DJ Ash Money every Friday night. Happy Hour 4pm, Beily’s UltraLounge. $5 cover after 9pm.

Chimo Chordsmen — Don’t miss Saskatoon’s premier Barber Shop Chorus when they return to Broadway Theatre. 7:30 pm, Broadway Theatre. Tickets $22 adults, $17 students.

Gong Show — Come and enjoy one of Saskatoon’s premier party bands.

These guys play hits from the past

three decades while filling the dead air with a wicked sense of humour.

10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover.

DJ Eclectic — Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps snappy electronic beats. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover.

DJ Sugar Daddy & DJJ-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.

On Rotation DJ Series: Conrad Devine — Come out and enjoy this hip local DJ as he hops and spins late into the night. 10pm, Spadina Freehouse. No cover.

Jett Run — Come get your classic rock/country fill with this local band.

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 8pm, $5 thereafter.

BlueStack — If you dig well-written, well-played rock and roll, you might want to come check out this local band. 9pm, Louis’ Pub. Tickets $15, available in advance at Jupiter, on Broadway Ave.

Enjoy Your Pumas– Come check out this fresh indie pop rock four-piece from Winnipeg. Also performing are local bands Fistcuffs and Gunner & Smith. 9pm, Vangelis Tavern. Cover $5.

Young James — This Saskatchewan folk alt-rock band is all kinds of good. They’ll be performing along with Alice Kos. 10pm, Lydia’s Pub. Cover $5.

Saturday 26

DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around!

8pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. $5 cover; ladies in free before 11pm.

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

Dr. J — Combining the best of old school funk, boogie and hip hop, this local DJ is always a pleasure to listen to. 8pm, Prairie Ink. No cover.

Adaline — A wildly talented electric alt-pop singer/musician from Toronto, Adaline creates elegant, catchy songs. She’s also been known to collaborate closely with Hawksley Workman. Also appearing will be Jom Comyn and Sarah Farthing. 10pm, Amigos Cantina. Tickets available at the door.

Tr anscontinental Blues Band — Formed in the spring of 2009, this local band plays a variety of eclectic blues and covers artist from Etta James to B.B. King. 9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

Piano Series: Chris Andrew, Michael Cain Piano Duo — Two great jazz pianists — one from Calgary, the other from Brandon — come together for a night of pure magic .

9pm, The Bassment. Tickets$16/20.

Music

Austen Roadz — With over 25 years of DJ experience, Austen Roadz throws down a high-energy top 40 dance party along with DJ CTRL every Saturday night. Drinks & appies 4pm, Beily’s UltraLounge. $5 cover after 9pm.

Chimo Chordsmen — Don’t miss Saskatoon’s premier Barber Shop Chorus when they return to Broadway. 2pm, Broadway Theatre. Tickets $22 adults, $17 students.

Gong Show — Come and enjoy one of Saskatoon’s premier party bands.

These guys play hits from the past three decades while filling the dead air with a wicked sense of humour.

10pm, Buds on Broadway. $6 cover.

Exit Strategy, Putrid Soul, Agony Spawn, Thrakken, Grimace — In the mood for some damn heavy music? You won’t want to miss this show. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway.

Tickets $10.

All Mighty Voice — Playing upright bass, guitars, piano and organ with glorious four part harmonies, this band is all the talk of Prince Albert. 8pm, Gillian’s House. For more information visit www.gilliansnider. com DJ Kade — Saskatoon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm, The Hose & Hydrant. No cover.

DJ J-Mats & DJ Sugar Daddy — 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.

Malika Sellami — WIth an eclectic folk sound that combines infectious melodies and creative instrumentation, this local musician is back in town and putting on a show that’s bound to please. 10pm, Lydia’s Pub. $5 cover.

Alan Doyle — After nearly 20 years with Great Big Sea, Newfoundland’s Alan Doyle is striking out on his own.

He’ll be playing songs from his debut solo album, Boy on Bridge, along with all your Great Big Sea favourites. Dustin Bentall is the special guest. 8pm, The Odeon Events Centre.

Tickets $33.50, available at www. ticketmaster.ca DJ BIG AYYY & DJ HENCHMAN — Round up your friends ‘cause there’s no better country rock party around!

8pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. Saskatoon’s Most Wanted. $5 cover.

Leslie Stanwyck and Johnny Sinclair — Stop by and give this talented acoustic pop duo a listen.

You won’t be disappointed. 8pm, Prairie Ink. No cover.

A Night at the Movies — The Saskatoon Brass Band will be presenting a program of music inspired by films

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May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com

like the Pink Panther, Star Wars and The Magnificent Seven. The maestro is Terry Heckman. 7pm, Roxy Theatre. $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Tickets available at the Roxy.

Tr anscontinental Blues Band — Formed in the spring of 2009, this local band plays a variety of eclectic blues and cover artist from

Etta James to B.B. King. 9pm, Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

DJ on Rotation: Dr. J — Come check out this local DJ as he spins the kind of beats that’ll get you up and moving. 10pm, The Spadina Freehouse. No cover.

Dueling Pianos — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King belt out

(NEXT WEEK) FEEDING FICTION @ THE FEZ on broadway — If high-energy,

heavy prog rock appeals to your musical sensibilities, then you might want to check out this local band, whose aggressive sound echoes Tool, Coheed and Audioslave. With deep lyrics, powerful melodies and songs that

Photo: courtesy of the artist

are as heavy as they are catchy, this up-and-coming act is looking to make some noise and gain some new fans, something they’ve been doing since debuting in 2008. Feeding Fiction will be rocking the Fez on June 1st. Tickets TBD. -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Music

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May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com classic tunes an- audience requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. 10pm, Staqatto Piano Lounge. No cover until 8pm, $5 thereafter.

Ian Carey — Want to hear some of the freshest, most unique electro house out there? Come check out Ian Carey. He’s sold over a million records and ripped up clubs in more than 50 countries, working with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Timbaland, to name a few, along the way. 8pm, Tequila Nightclub. Tickets TBD. Jenny with Rory Borealis — Come on out for a night of kickass music. 8pm, Vangelis Tavern. Cover $5.

(COMING UP) LEONARD COHEN @ CREDIT UNION CENTRE — Singer, songwriter,

poet, novelist, companion of the Order of Canada, member of the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ordained Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk — and that’s just the tip of the Leonard Cohen iceberg. The man who Lou Reed once

Photo: courtesy of the artist

said belongs to the “highest and most influential echelon of songwriters” is coming to Saskatoon; he’s playing the Credit Union Centre on November 20th.

Tickets are $93.75–$276.50 for floor seats, $34.50–$154 for stands seating.

-Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Sunday 27

Saskatoon’s Original Industry Night — Hosted by DJ Sugar Daddy; this crowd favourite has always been known to break the latest and greatest tracks in multiple genres. Drinks & appies 4pm, Beily’s UltraLounge. $4 cover after 9pm; no cover for industry staff.

One Human Family Gospel Choir of Saskatoon — Eric Dozier, the former director of the prestigious Harlem Gospel Choir, returns to Broadway for this matinee show. 2:30pm, Broadway Theatre.

Tickets $17.

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 29

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.

Open Mic — Come out to show your talent.7pm, The Somewhere Else Pub. No cover.

Wednesday 30

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

Saskatoon Symphony: Suite Beethoven — The final concert of the season features Beethoven’s String Quartet in C minor. 2:30pm, Delta Bessborough Hotel. Tickets $15, available at www.tcutickets.ca

Latin Dance Night — Danza Morena Latin Dance Academy hosts dance lessons and then a free for all Latin Dance Party to show your stuff!

Lessons 8:30pm, Beily’s UltraLounge. $8 couples; $5 singles.

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

Arkells — Hot off their Juno award for Group of the Year, this kickass rock band from Hamilton is coming to town to knock your socks off. Also performing will be The Maine and Lydia. 6pm, Louis’ Pub. Tickets $26, available at www.ticketmaster.ca Apocalyptica — Since forming in the early ‘90s, this Finnish orchestral rock band has released seven albums, each marked with their own distinct, ethereal sound. 7pm, The Odeon Events Centre. Tickets $34.75, available at www.ticketmaster.ca DJ Heywood and Scott Turner — Come down and check out two wildly talented locals as they spin the night away. 10pm, Scratch.

SUNDAY JAM — The Vangelis Sunday Jam is an institution, offering great tunes from blues to rock and beyond. 7:30pm, Vangelis Tavern. No cover.

Monday 28

DJ SUGAR DADDY — Able to rock

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

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

WILD WEST WEDNESDAY — This is Saskatoon’s top Industry Night, hosted by DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman. 9pm, Outlaws Country Rock Bar. Saskatoon’s Most Wanted. $4 cover; no cover for industry staff.

Stephen McGuire — A guy, his guitar and some darn good music.

That’s what this talented Irish-born musician has to offer. 8pm, Rock Creek Tap and Grill. No cover.

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.

WHY NOT WEDNESDAYS — This

week featuring local artist Natalie Struck. 9pm, Spadina Freehouse. 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.

Thursday 31

Jazz Jam: Richard Haubrich Trio — In the mood to make some music with a professional band? If so, take a stop by The Bassement. Bring an instrument or simply come to sing at this jazz jam. 9pm, The Bassment.

Cover $5.

The Duo — Stop by Saskatchewan’s largest musical competition. There’s loads of awesome music to go around. 7:30pm, Broadway Theatre.

Tickets $12.

The Fundamentals — Touring with ska legend Chris Murray, this seven-piece echoes 1960s Jamaica, with roots firmly planted in the traditions of early ska, rocksteady and reggae 10pm, Buds on Broadway.

Cover $6.

Throwback Thursdays — Come experience the best in retro funk, soul, reggae and rock, provided by Dr. J. 8pm, Earls. No cover.

Hip Hop Night — Hosted by Ease, this is a night of live performances, rap battles and DJs with $150 in prizes to be won. Don’t miss it. 9pm, The Fez on Broadway. No cover.

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

DJ Sugar Daddy & DJ J-Mats — Local DJs J-Mats and Sugar Daddy will be rocking the turntables to get you dancing on the dance floor! Every Thursday night will be filled with passion parties, pole dancing, shadow dancers and much more! 8pm, Jax Niteclub. $5 cover, free cover with student ID before 11pm.

Bomb Beats — What do you get when you put two breakbeat pioneers (Klen and Mr. Fudge) together with four turntables and 500 pounds of wax? A stellar night of music, that’s what. 8pm, Tequila Nightclub. Tickets TBD. Johnny Broadway Record Club — Here’s your chance to be a DJ. Show up with your own records, or select from those at Vangelis and play three consecutive songs. 10pm, Vangelis Tavern. Cover $5.

Want your show listed?

Email layout@verbnews.com!

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7 1 5 6 4 9 8 2 3

Your patience might be in short supply this week, dear Pisces. If you find yourself ready to snap at someone or something, take a step back, count to 10, and remember that patience is a virtue.

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Pisces (Feb 20–Mar 20)

This may or may not come as shocking news, but society isn’t right about everything. So this week, dear Virgo, take some time to ponder all the social values you take at face value.

Looks like this could be a whacky week for you, dear Aquarius. If something wildly out of the ordinary occurs, don’t turn your back on it . Now is the time to be spontaneous.

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Virgo (Aug 23–Sept 22)

We all know you take pride in your appearance, dear Leo, but it’s the stuff below the surface that’s more important.

Work on who you are as a person. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did.

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Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 19)

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Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)

Your mental powers are peaking this week, dear Capricorn. No matter what you do, you’ll be able to get your point across. Times like these are few and far between, so put them to good use.

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Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

Challenges are everywhere, dear Cancer. They confront us all the time in myriad ways, so expect something to challenge you this week. How you deal with it will depend entirely on your outlook.

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Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)

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Alright, dear Sagittarius, here’s what it all boils down to this week: have the courage to stand by your convictions. But also be willing to dialogue with those around you. Who knows what you might learn.

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Buckle your seatbelt and get a firm grasp on the holy-crap handles, dear Gemini: this week threatens to be quite a ride. This could result in surprising adventures, both good and bad.

Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec 21)

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Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)

Try not to be all “me, me, me” this week, dear Scorpio. Lose yourself in the hot, wet steam of life. You might find there’s much more to things than meets the unobserving eye.

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Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)

Forrest Gump was wrong, dear Taurus: life isn’t like a box of chocolates. Life is like a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. This week the choice of how to deal is up to you, Taurus, so choose wisely.

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Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)

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Have you been thinking about switching things up lately? If so, go ahead and do it — there’s no time like the present.

Not only will a shake-up reinvigorate you, it will also open your eyes to new things.

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Libra (Sept 23–Oct 23)

Oh, Aries! What a week you have in store. Not only should your mood be brighter than usual, but your energy levels may evoke envy in quite a few people.

Put yourself in the position to enjoy life.

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Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)

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Horoscopes

May 25–31, ‘12 VerbNews.com 1 3 6 2 4 7 9 8 5

Time Out

Page 23

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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.

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

4 1 3 6 1 7 4 2 8