The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Life & Arts

  • Humboldt Marble Weekend lets the good times roll

    Humboldt Marble Weekend lets the good times roll

    Tropher Reynolds, chief promoter of Humboldt Marble Weekend, got the marble rolling with his inaugural, off-the-beaten-path event.

    46 glassblowers showcased their handcrafted marbles at Humboldt County’s first marble show over the weekend.

    Reynolds, owner of Copious Glass in Eureka, is also one of the participants of Humboldt Marble Weekend.

    “We’re all independent artists,” Reynolds said, “and there are a lot of collectors [in Humboldt].”

    Reynolds, originally from Iowa, says he has travelled around the country for 10 years networking with fellow glassblowers. In due course, he realized Humboldt has a remarkable marble scene that justifies a proper show.

    Humboldt Marble Weekend kickstarted its event with a meet-and-greet party at Siren’s Song Tavern in Eureka on Feb. 8. Marble artists, collectors and hunters from all over the country gathered for an evening of celebration.

    The main marble exhibition and glassblowing demonstrations were held at Redwood Acres in Eureka on Feb. 9 and 10.

    Robin Culbertson, daughter of esteemed glass artist Dinah Hulet, demonstrates her family-taught glassblowing techniques using a bench burner, or glass working torch, outside the event hall. Culbertson prefers making marbles with a bench burner because it offers more precise control over forming her intricate works of art.

    Robin Culbertson demonstrates her marble making techniques at Humboldt Marble Weekend on Feb. 10. Photo by Matthew Hable.

    On the other hand, Ember Sernovitz of Humboldt Glass School favors the furnace.

    “I like it because I get to move than sitting too much,” Sernovitz said.

    The furnace is a heat-resistant container called a crucible that is filled with molten glass. Then, a glassblower dips a rod into the furnace, cools the exterior of molten glass by rolling it onto a flat surface and shapes and cuts them into marbles.

    Ember Sernovitz of Humboldt Glass School behind her booth at Humboldt Marble Weekend on Feb. 10. Photo by Matthew Hable.

    Santa Cruz-based glass artist Kaj Beck, who was an unannounced glassblowing demonstrator at Humboldt Marble Weekend, says he got his start in the field in 1996 when he was offered $60 an hour to make glass pipes.

    “Making marbles was just another product, another option,” Beck said.

    In addition to the marble displays and demonstrations, Humboldt Marble Weekend hosted a marble scavenger hunt on Feb. 11. The interactive event, dubbed “Massive Marble Hunt,” involved four marble hunting Facebook groups that posted clues to the whereabouts of marbles throughout the community. These groups include Humboldt Magical Glass Adventure and Humboldt Heater Hiders & Hunters.

    If the evaluation process proves Humboldt Marble Weekend was in fact a hit, hopefully it will become an annual event.

  • Inked Hearts leaves mark

    Inked Hearts leaves mark

    Tattoo artists and enthusiasts looking for a good time flocked to the Blue Lake Casino last weekend for the ninth annual Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo. Hosted by Amy and Ted Marks from NorCal Tattoo in Arcata, the event featured multiple contests, pageants, local vendors and, of course, plenty of ink.

    Gucci, a 35-year-old carpenter from Monterey, comes to Inked Hearts every year. Inked from head to toe, Gucci does not only come for the tattoos, but to see the friends.

    “I love Inked Hearts,” Gucci said. “It’s nice because everyone gets to know each other. It’s getting better every year.”

    Gucci’s skin sported the pieces which won best black and gray and the best back awards. The trophy was awarded to his artist Juan Gonzalez from Exclusive Ink in Salinas.

    A man who calls himself Gucci shows off his Jackie Robinson tattoo, which won the “Best Black and Grey” award at the Inked Hearts Expo at Blue Lake Casino and Hotel Sapphire Palace on Feb. 4. Gucci’s tattoo was done by artist Juan Gonzalez. Photo by Megan Bender.

    Other awards for the show included best leg, best traditional, best arm, best tribal and best in show. All winners received one-of-a-kind trophies crafted by local artist Ken Beidleman of the Kinetic Sculpture Lab.

    Tattoos were not the only draw for attendees this year. Other events included the hot guy/hot girl contest, the Super Bully Bowl dog pageant and the “hot wings of death” challenge sponsored by Humboldt Hot Sauce.

    During this entertaining spectacle, a group of eight contestants were required to choke down 12 spicy chicken wings in three minutes to compete for a $250 cash prize, a trophy and a $500 gift certificate from NorCal Tattoo.

    Three sweaty, watery-eyed winners took to the challenge. NorCal Tattoo was kind enough to give them each a $500 gift certificate.

    One winner, Bill McBroom, said he wasn’t in it for the money or the tattoos. He plans to give the gift certificate to his daughter.

    “I got the trophy and the bragging rights,” McBroom said. Then, quoting a sign made for him, “Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.”

    Fortuna resident, Nate Peake, 25, came to support McBroom, his girlfriend’s dad. He was very proud of his performance. Peake said he was also excited about the rest of the expo and was maybe planning to get a tattoo while he was there.

    “A lot of phenominal artists are here,” Peake said.

    Beyond providing eclectic events and a haven for tattoo heads, Inked Hearts helped to support the local economy. Ted Marks, owner of NorCal Tattoo and owner of the show, said the event helps support not only Blue Lake Casino and NorCal, but many other local businesses as well.

    “It makes all the tattoo shops see a boom for the next couple of months,” Marks said. “The people who come spend their money in town, a lot of money gets poured back into the community.”

    Marks said this was by far the biggest turnout for Inked Hearts and he was extremely pleased with this year’s event. He is already planning for the 10th anniversary in 2019. This event is important because tattooing means everything to him.

    “It means I get to show what I love,” Marks said. “I get to show the culture that embraced me and didn’t judge me. Being a part of that fuels me and motivates me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

  • Student bands rock The Jam

    Student bands rock The Jam

    Downtown Arcata music venue The Jam was filled with energy and excitement on Feb. 1. Two bands, Dimboi and NASA, both made up of Humboldt State students, performed at a free show for the community. Local residents and students crammed close together to support their peers, sip on cheap beer and enjoy some tunes.

    This event was put on by the local production group, Your Arts and Music Syndicate, or YAMS. The Arcata-based group, headed by Leo Plummer, sponsors local and touring acts and tries to help expand the music scene in Humboldt County.

    Connor West, a HSU music major and an affiliate of YAMS, says the group tries to put on shows that bring some variety to the community.

    “Were the driving force for the local rock scene,” West said. “Arcata has a lot of funk and reggae.”

    The show was opened by local DJ Venus Milk, real name Cherish Alicia, who is a student at College of the Redwoods. The following act was Dimboi, a three-piece band lead by HSU student Sean Bendon. The show was finished by the group NASA, made up of Michael Freire on guitar, Richard Moog on bass and Matthew Peters on drums.

    Both bands were warmly received, clearly having a lot of support in the audience. Many people were there to see Dimboi. The trio had a somewhat dreamy and meloncholy sound, utilizing simple, punchy rhythms combined with dissonant tones.

    Leader and creator of Dimboi, Bendon, originally from Missouri, says he has played shows at The Jam many times and enjoys playing music in Arcata.

    “Its very supportive,” Bendon said. “Everyone is very open-minded.”

    Dimboi on stage at The Jam on Feb. 2. Photo by Conner West.

    Raquel Pena, a HSU kinesiology student with a passion for music, said she came out to see her friends Dimboi, but also knows the bass player in NASA. She really enjoyed her first experience with the second band.

    “It’s my first time listening to them,” Pena said. “I like the danciness.”

    NASA had a more energetic sound, combining garage and surf rock with a smear of punk. The growling vocals and fast-paced rhythms were enough to coax the crowd into dancing and even starting a mosh pit.

    Members of the crowd kept cheering “Jerry! Jerry!” because of the Grateful Dead shirt drummer Peters was wearing.

    NASA guitar player, Freire, is a HSU student who loves living and playing in Arcata.

    “For such a small town, there’s such a good music scene,” Freire said. “And cool, easy going people.”

    Bass guitar player Moog says it was his first time playing at The Jam and he really enjoyed it.

    “Mistakes were made,” Moog said. “But I don’t think anyone noticed them.”

    You can catch Moog’s other band, The Apollo Era, at The Jam on Feb. 15 for their album release party.

    As for NASA, they don’t have another show booked right now, but Freire says there will be more to come.

    “I want to play as many shows as we can,” Freire said. “Because I don’t know if we’ll all be around next semester.”

  • Restaurant review: The Burger Joint

    Restaurant review: The Burger Joint

    One of Arcata’s latest restaurants launched their soft opening on Feb. 1: The Burger Joint.

    Owners Halleh Paymard and Will Hauser have a good thing going. The marquee above the front entrance grabs your attention. Once you’re hooked, you can’t help but scope the scene.

    The front entrance of The Burger Joint in Arcata on Feb 2. Photo by Matthew Hable.

    The decor has a warm industrial chic look. Once you step inside, the ordering counter, lined with about a dozen draft beers, pulls you in. Communal tables and a bustling open kitchen are apparent, too. The spacious patio is perfect for a burger and a beer on a sunny afternoon. As a bonus, two classic arcade games, Street Fighter III and BurgerTime, are located in the back of the restaurant.

    Michelle Pipitone, mother-in-law of co-owner Hauser, is putting together handmade wreaths on the patio. Pipitone says the wreaths are just some of the adornments they plan on adding to the overall aesthetic of the restaurant.

    Burger Joint employee Loren Palmisano suggests one their signature burgers.

    “I recommend The Classic,” Palmisano said.

    The Classic consists of a little over five ounces of grass-fed beef, Loleta cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and house sauce in between Beck’s Bakery buns. The order arrives with a side of coleslaw, as requested, in less than 10 minutes.

    The burger was love at first bite. The juicy, medium-well patty is savory, accentuated by the buttery brioche-like buns. In addition, the vegetables were remarkably fresh. The freshness of the slaw was no exception, but it tasted more like a lightly dressed cabbage salad than your average slaw.

    HSU alumni and lifelong vegetarian Ariana Hendren is impressed with the house-made veggie burger and her side of sweet potato fries.

    “Compared to other veggie burgers I’ve eaten,” Hendren said, referring to the texture of the veggie patty, “it doesn’t feel like it’s about to fall apart.”

    Paymard, who also owns T’s Cafe North in Arcata, looks forward to the grand opening, which will be announced to the public soon.

    Burger Joint is located at 835 J Street in Arcata, right next to Dead Reckoning Tavern and behind North Coast Co-op. For more information, visit facebook.com/theburgerjointarcata.

     

  • Pre-inked

    Pre-inked

    There’s only one place to find fresh hot ink, hot wings, hot girls, hot guys and beautiful bulldogs under one roof this February.

    The Inked Hearts 2018 expo returns for its ninth year on Feb. 1-4 at the Sapphire Palace and Kinetic Lounge at the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. Ted and Amy Marks of NorCal Tattoo in Arcata are hosts of the renowned annual expo that will feature more than 30 famous artists.

    Inked Hearts is Amy Marks’ favorite opportunity to learn from other tattoo artists and reunite with the Inked Hearts family. Marks said this expo gives her the opportunity to bring amazing artists together and into the community.

    “It’s so fun to watch and learn from other artists with so many different styles,” Marks said. “I get excited to see the artists again and it’s like a tattoo family reunion. A lot of the artist say it’s their favorite convention.”

    Inked Hearts 2018 promises more than fun for tattoo artists and enthusiasts. The expo will also present a Wings of Death hot wing eating contest hosted by Humboldt Hot Sauce, a Super Bully Bowl Beauty Pageant and a Hot Girl/Hot Guy contest as part of the four-day festivities.

    Marks said this year’s expo was put together with the help of a new events coordinator at Blue Lake Casino. The result is entertainment for all to enjoy instead of just tattoo enthusiasts.

    Professional tattoo artist of 28 years from Eugene, Oregon, Joshua Carlton, is returning for his fourth Inked Hearts expo. He said attending is always a blast and the Marks’ put on a great show.

    “I have been to literally hundreds of shows all around the world,” Carlton said. “It’s just the right amount of size and charm.”

    First up for entertainment is the Hot Girl and Hot Guy contest on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. Contestants must sign up with a $10 entry fee to be eligible, but do not necessarily need tattoos. Winners receive a $500 cash prize.

    Featured for the first time will be the Wings of Death hot wing eating contest on Feb. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. Marks said Humboldt Hot Sauce has been playing with their sauce and the recipe contains Carolina Reaper peppers and more.

    “It’s our first time doing the hot wing eating contest,” Marks said. “It’s gonna be hot, crazy hot.”

    Also a first for the expo, the Super Bully Bowl Pageant on Feb. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. is open to all who want to sign up their English or French bulldogs for “butt wiggle walks” and more. Spots are limited and there were only five remaining as of Jan. 26.

    More than 30 famous artists from places such as Hawaii, Australia and Italy will be in attendance for onsite tattoos. Marks said some of these artists are typically booked for almost two years at a time at their shops. The convention allows the opportunity for people to come in and get tatted by famous artists on the spot.

    Carlton said he tries to keep his tattooing limited to one per day so he can focus on doing his best work.

    “I do highly detailed realistic work, so each piece takes several hours,” Carlton said.

    According to the Inked Hearts Facebook event page, the first 200 guests on Feb. 2 will receive a free pair of steampunk goggles while supplies last.

    Marks said the experience has something for everyone and anyone interested in tattoos can get a closer look.

    “We are there to tattoo and pierce and there’s tons of entertainment fun for everyone,” Marks said.

    Tickets for the expo can be purchased online or on the Inked Hearts website. Presale tickets are $30 for all events and $10 per day, plus fees. Online fees can be avoided by paying at the Players Club in Blue Lake Casino or at Wildberries Marketplace. Some events are subject to an entry fee to participate.

  • ‘The Shape of Water’ is charming

    ‘The Shape of Water’ is charming

    The Shape of Water is written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. There was a lot of hype leading to the film and it received glowing reviews. It was recently nominated for 13 Oscar awards, making it the most nominated film this year. The film arrived in local theaters a month after national release, and it was worth the wait.

    The lead of the story is Elisa, played by Sally Hawkins, a mute woman who cleans during late hours at Occam Aerospace Research Center with her friend Zelda, played by Octavia Spencer. The center receives a top secret project the scientists must research, a near-human creature no one has ever seen before. By research, they mean torture to see what happens.

    Elisa connects with this amphibian-like animal, and they intimately understand each other without verbal communication. Elisa attempts to rescue the creature with the help of Zelda and her neighbor Giles before the boss of the project catches up to kill the creature.

    It was an exciting and charming story. There are fairy tale elements, like Elisa’s origins. In the beginning, Zelda explains to their superior that she was found by the river as a baby with gill-like scars on her neck and brought to an orphanage.

    With her connection to water and the creature, it was obvious that they were meant to be. This shuts down any beastiality claim, because both of them weren’t humans to begin with. Without the ability to talk, Elisa is still expressive and has a great sexuality to her. She desires love and sex, but doesn’t display her sexuality to the world. If writers are to write a sexy character, it should be for the character and not for the audience, like Elisa.

    Like all fairy tales, there should be a villain, and her boss, Colonel Richard Strickland, played by Michael Shannon, is a decent villain. Strickland is not necessarily maniacal, but he tortures the creature without regret and talks down to everyone around him.

    Strickland goes home in his new car to adoring kids and a loving wife that asks for sex, but he acts like it’s a chore. He clearly has a good life, but has no appreciation for it, making his defeat all the more satisfying.

    If you like fairy tales with more bite than the average Grimms tale, or nostalgia for black and white musicals, this is worth catching before it leaves theaters.

     

  • Theater review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

    Theater review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

    The dark comedy “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward Albee opened this weekend at Fernadale Repertory Theatre. The play, with only a cast of four, managed to leave a big impression on the audience and ended with a well-deserved standing ovation.

    Eureka resident David Cobb, 55, said he felt the cast really brought this story to life and made it believable.

    “It was a psychic punch to the gut,” Cobb said.

    The story takes place entirely in the home of George, a middle-aged history professor, and his wife, Martha. After a party, the two invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey, over for a nightcap and end up exposing them to an alcohol-fueled display of marital drama.

    The three-act play, which ran about three hours, may be long for some, but the clever, provocative dialogue kept it interesting. Met by (often uncomfortable) laughter and shocked gasps from the audience, it was well-directed and captured perfectly the tension of a marriage riddled with resentment and spite.

    All of the actors were a joy to watch. Honey, played by Holly Portman, was adorably meek with well-timed, humorous outbursts. Nick, played by Travis J. Morris, seemed dull at first. Despite that, he became more dynamic as the story progressed, showing his own dark side.

    However, the standouts of this production were Daniel Baer as George and Ruthi Engelke as Martha.

    Those who have seen the 1966 film adaptation starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor would know that the actors had some big shoes to fill. Baer and Engelke did not disappoint and delivered performances as potent as the liquor their characters imbibed.

    A newcomer to the Ferndale Repertory Theatre, Engelke has been involved in theater since the age of four. She said to play the role of Martha, she had to dig deep within herself to find how she identified with the character.

    “It’s like opening up a vein and letting it bleed,” Engleke said.

    “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” will be at Ferndale Repertory Theatre until Feb. 4 and at the Arcata Playhouse Feb. 9 through Feb. 18.

     

  • Movie review: The Post

    Movie review: The Post

    The Post is a well-made film.

    The film is set in the early 1970s and details the leak of the Pentagon Papers. These classified documents revealed 20 years of the U.S. government’s involvement in Vietnam’s government. In addition, the documents uncovered our government’s knowledge of the Vietnam War’s poor state. It was one of the biggest scandals in the U.S. before the Watergate scandal. What’s more is that the Watergate scandal was exposed by writers of The Washington Post.

    After The New York Times published parts of the Pentagon Papers, the Nixon Administration sued them and began threatening other news publications. If they published any classified information from the Pentagon Papers, they would face litigation.

    The film focuses on The Washington Post’s dilemma of whether to publish the Pentagon Papers for the sake of informing readers. The other option is to play it safe and not face litigation from the Nixon Administration.

    Tom Hanks portrays Ben Bradlee, a veteran editor for The Washington Post. Meryl Streep plays Kathrine Graham, who is trying to get used to leading The Washington Post after inheriting the company from her deceased husband.

    Bradlee is eager to publish the Pentagon Papers in protest of the Nixon Administration’s silencing of the press. Meanwhile, Graham must decide if she should risk tanking her family company by allowing them to be published.

    The film starts off slowly. The first half of the film focuses on Graham’s character dealing with the process of going public with The Washington Post. However, the film becomes engaging when the backstory is over. The plot thickens when The Washington Post gets their hands on the Pentagon Papers.

    The strongest part of the film was when the Pentagon Papers were introduced. From there, the film becomes an interesting political thriller. The characters question the legitimacy of the government’s power to censor the press. They also consider what risks they are willing to take in order to inform the public.

    The Post sets a relevant theme of today’s political climate. In particular, the Trump Administration’s manipulation of the press, withholding information from the public and the overall negative attitude towards the press.

    One thing that worried me about the film was that it might have gotten a bit technical with the audience. The film “Spotlight,” while still being a very good film, had a lot of technical terms that might have gone over the heads of average movie goers. However, The Post felt easy enough to follow for the laymen who might not be familiar with journalism terms.

    The cast was excellent in the roles they portrayed. Hanks and Streep did a fantastic job. The side characters were great as well. I was excited to see Bob Odenkirk, who stars in Better Call Saul, in this film. He did an excellent job of portraying his role as writer Ben Bagdikian.

    There are some focusing issues in the beginning, but it picks up in the later part of the film. I would recommend giving The Post a watch.

     

     

  • Dorm-made kombucha is a thing

    Dorm-made kombucha is a thing

    A funky, moldy belch clings desperately to the humid air, evoking a similar funk to a brewery.

    Will Suiter, 18, is an amateur chemist and kombucha connoisseur. He makes kombucha in his HSU dorm room.

    Kombucha, as many of us Humboldt dwellers know, is a trendy probiotic drink brewed with the help of “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast” (SCOBY), similar to the “mother” found in apple cider vinegars.

    The SCOBY appears much like an agar found in a petri dish or perhaps a somewhat slender jellyfish. It houses millions of bacterial colonies that help cultivate kombucha, as well as protecting the elixir from “bad” bacteria that could contaminate it.

    The process itself is deceptively simple, but Suiter says that each nuance in flavor and carbonation is deliberately cultivated from many failed batches.

    “Kombucha is brewed just like wine or beer,” Suiter said. “But instead of just yeast, it’s brewed with bacteria that converts sugar into acid instead of alcohol”.

    Consumers can flavor the beverage any way they want during fermentation.

    “The base of it is essentially a sweet tea,” Suiter said. “Once it’s brewed in a large jar, I add flavorings like ginger, blackberry juice or lemon peels… and transfer it to bottles.”

    Once it’s in the bottles, Suiter lets the kombucha ferment a little bit longer, “which creates carbon dioxide that pressurizes the bottles and makes the kombucha fizzy.”

    Explosion is pretty common, which is due to over-filling the containers or an excess of carbonation when a batch has been fermented for too long.

    “Since I actually brew a lot of kombucha, I have several large glass jars I brew the base tea in so I can reduce risk of everything exploding,” Suiter said.

    The process itself requires several tools that just about anyone can pick up at their local hardware store.

    “Kombucha is really good for you,” Suiter said. “It has tons of vitamin B and probiotics from the bacteria we introduced, which are healthy for your gut.”

    The drink pairs well with a multitude of snacks.

    Suiter said his favorite meal is a “fat slice of pizza with a big glass of some sour kombucha.”

    So if you are in the mood to experience a rather funky new drink, help out your digestive system or follow a trend, maybe reach for a bottle of kombucha.

  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi against angry fans

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi against angry fans

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi was a fun, complex and beautiful movie. When I got home from the theater, I was confused when some of the posts on various sites said that it was the worst movie since the prequels. I haven’t seen the Star Wars prequels, so I didn’t know what they meant. There were a lot of complaints, but some are boiled down to a few key ideas.

    One of the main complaints on these sites involves millennials. The cast in the current movies are more diverse from the first Star Wars movies. According to Vox and Forbes, there is also a concern about The Last Jedi trying to push a political agenda. However, I couldn’t find definitive posts on Reddit backing that claim.

    The closest I found was a video of conservative radio host Alex Jones going off on how The Last Jedi was full of “lesbians” and “It’s the same story over and over again and it’s a formula. It’s state-sponsored. It’s brainwashing.”

    A more frequent concern about The Last Jedi was the disregard of any fan theories and interconnectedness in the story. Any questions about the main characters’ background, namely Rey and Finn, was dismissed as irrelevant. They shouldn’t have to prove that they were related to anyone important in the story in order to be worthy of the fight against evil. It showed that anyone in the vast universe can be important and special.

    Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, even disagreed with director Rian Johnson about his character in movie saying, “He’s not my Luke Skywalker.”

    The Last Jedi showed a more pessimistic Skywalker, filled with regret. Skywalker was also mischievous and caring. It was a realistic development of the character.

    There were a lot of high expectations from fans. The director took numerous risks with the plot line of the story, some good and some flawed. Overall, it’s a decent movie.

  • How to stay dry in Humboldt

    How to stay dry in Humboldt

    The spring semester means rain season and it is likely to stay that way the whole semester. Here are some tips from my local prespective to stay dry in Humboldt.

    1. Get proper rain gear. It’s not fun walking from class to class sopping wet. There are many local stores that carry rain coats and shoes. Even the hardware store has cheap boots. Umbrellas are useful against horizontal rain, but don’t spend too much money on one if you’re prone to losing them.
    2. Keep extra socks in your backpack. Trust me, I regretted not doing this on my way to work when street puddles grew to ponds.
    3. Waterproof. If you don’t have the time or money for new shoes, you can buy a waterproofing spray at shoe stores to spray your old shoes and backpack.
    4. DampRid. Everything gets wet, even when it’s not raining. To prevent mold from growing in your residence, buy DampRid bins to absorb moisture. Put them in the closet, under the bed or in the bathroom. This can be purchased at the hardware store, Bed Bath & Beyond or online.
    5. Plan walkways creatively. It is possible to walk to classes without getting wet. Many buildings have awnings and some trails have trees with enough coverage from the rain. With creative planning, you can walk through buildings and the right pathways to get across campus without getting drenched.
    6. Don’t let the rain trap you inside. The benefit of rain, other than to water plant life, is an excuse to stay inside and lay under 20 blankets to stream the new season of The Magicians on Netflix like me. The outside world doesn’t cease to be as beautiful when it’s cold and wet out. Parks and trails are actually just as fun during the winter as they are in the summer. Rivers flow more and nature looks a little greener. So put on waterproof clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and go outside.

     

  • The heat of the moment

    When Arcata Fire District Chief Justin McDonald saw the black smoke seeping from the suburban home across the street from where he stood, his first instinct wasn’t to assess and respond like his training told him, it was to stop and breathe. McDonald wasn’t too close to the source of the fire that oxygen had become a problem; it was that he was too close to the people involved.

    Not a week prior, McDonald had been in the modest, single-level home himself, sitting at the dining room table enjoying a good meal and conversation with longtime friends. Now, the situation was vastly different- he wasn’t there to borrow tools or to catch up; he was there to do his job.

    “I’ve learned the hard way,” McDonald said. “You’ve got to prepare yourself, because you’re going to go on people that you know. It could be classmates, or maybe even family members, but you have to be ready.”

    McDonald was just 19 when he began volunteer firefighting. At the time it was all about the endorphins that rushed through his system, the excitement that came with running into a burning building. After seven years of volunteering, his feelings changed. Fighting fire was no longer a hobby; it was something McDonald felt he needed to do. McDonald became a career firefighter for the Arcata Fire District in 2001; never once thinking about the repercussions risking his life for others would bring him- his purpose became serving those in the community he’s called home his whole life.

    “I’m definitely the local guy,” McDonald said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone on calls and seen the anxiety of the people instantly drop because they know me. It can be a little stressful because I know them, but they feel comfort in my presence and know I’m there to help.”

    But while there may be added pressure for those he holds near, sometimes the toughest calls are the ones involving strangers. This was the case for a call in July 2010 that McDonald remembers all too well.

    The smoke was thick and pluming through the air as flecks of debris and ash fell from the sky. The front end of the McKinleyville home was engulfed in flames, and as every moment passed, less and less of the house was accessible to rescuers. As firefighters began to grab hoses and assess the damage, McDonald received a report: two individuals were still trapped inside—one, a child, and the other, their grandmother.

    After a quick assessment, McDonald, as acting battalion chief, came up with a plan. Two of the crew quickly took a hose and ran toward the back of the house, where they found a room practically untouched by the fire’s breadth. Once inside, they found the child safely tucked away outside the room, seemingly unharmed. As one firefighter escorted the child out, another went in search of the grandmother, only to find that it was too late.

    “We risk a lot to save a lot, and you risk little to save little. That’s the mantra,” McDonald said. “We are going to risk our lives to perform a rescue, but survivability can be a hard thing to factor. There’s going to be times where we can’t go into a fire, like one that’s throughout the whole house. That’s going to always be really hard for our folks to accept sometimes. Because sometimes, it’s just too dangerous.”

  • Ice skating in Humboldt

    Ice skating in Humboldt

    By | Lauren Shea

    It’s that time of year again. The Humboldt Ice Rink is back in town for winter. The ice rink is decorated for the holidays and holiday music is played for all to enjoy while skating. People of all ages can come and skate at Newburg Park in Fortuna. This is the third year that the Humboldt Ice Committee has brought the temporary ice rink back to Humboldt. The rink is staffed by many community groups who can earn donations to their organization from hours volunteered at the rink. The ice rink is supported by over 70 sponsors from local businesses. There is a snack bar offering all kinds of snacks from candy to hot chocolate. The ice rink is open until Jan. 7, 2018. The cost to rent skates is $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. There is also a new special where people can receive a free pass upon purchasing five rentals for both adults and children. For more information, visit humboldticerink.com.

  • Surfing giants in Humboldt

    Surfing giants in Humboldt

    Waves upwards of 20 feet tossed and turned against the Humboldt coastline this week.

    According to the National Weather Service Marine Forecast, a small craft advisory is also in effect until Sunday afternoon. While the first big swells of the season are already arriving, the winter swell season has merely just begun.

    With more swells and even bigger waves on the way this season, it begs the question:

    How do such massive waves come to be?

    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), water does not actually travel in waves. Waves are merely the transfer of energy, moving from one neighboring water molecule to the next.

    The NOAA says that waves are most commonly generated by wind. Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, start out when changes in temperature produce a change in air pressure. Air then follows its natural path, moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. This movement is referred to as wind.

    As the wind blows across the ocean’s surface, it generates ripples. This happens in a similar way to how ripples are created when you blow over the surface of a cup of water. These ripples increase in intensity to eventually become waves.

    What determines the size of a wave?

    The NOAA says that the size of these waves are determined by three main factors:

    Wind Speed: How fast the wind is blowing.

    Wind Duration: How long the wind blows.

    Fetch: Distance over water that the wind blows in a single direction.

    The biggest waves occur when wind speed is at its highest, wind duration is at its longest and when fetch is long or unlimited.

    There are several other factors that can affect wave size in a certain area, some of those factors include:

    Swell Direction: The direction in which the swell originated from.

    Ocean Floor Topography: Forms or physical features on the ocean floor.

    Tide: Rising and falling tides are caused by a gravitational attraction between the earth, moon and the sun.

    Why are these big waves in Humboldt?

    “It is because the storms that come out of the North Pacific are incredibly powerful,” said Dr. Jeffry Borgeld, Oceanography professor at HSU who specializes in Geological Oceanography. These storms “can be as energetic as a tropical storm, typhoon or a hurricane.”

    Despite the cold, powerful and often unforgiving conditions, there are a few individuals that can be seen bobbing amidst the chaos and gliding over the massive surf.

    HSU psychology student William Doudna is one of them.

    “There’s something very cleansing about surfing that if i don’t do it, i just don’t feel comfortable in my own skin,” said Doudna. “I feel like a better person every time I come out of the water.”

    Video by Michelle Meyers.
  • Multi-talented artists

    Multi-talented artists

     

    By | Juan Herrera

    The art world has no discriminations about who can “join” or become an artist. If someone can randomly put anything together and can technically still be considered art, then anyone who picks up a pencil to draw or crafts to create is technically considered an artist.

    As I passed through the colorful hallway entering the art building I bumped into Adonnis Johnson, junior at HSU, and noticed he had a painting in one hand while juggling a rugby ball in the other.

    “Playing ball while supposedly being an artist, was kind of stressful at first.” Johnson said. “Because in high school not too many of the athletes enjoy’d art or drawing, but I did.”

    DSC_0966_WEB.jpg

    He said that growing up he was always taught to be true to his self no matter what anyone said towards him or about him.

    “At first I was super nervous to share my passion for art,” Johnson said. “But everyone laughed at me and told me they thought it was cool I liked art.”

    Johnson said that he first found his passion for art when he visited his first live art museum. According to Johnson a live art museum is where artists from all around the world come together to either draw, paint, craft, or even weld beautiful pieces of art.

    “I first attempted to draw my freshman year of high school,” Johnson said. “And like most famous past and present artists I sucked bad at first.”

    DSC_0984_WEB.jpg
    Adonnis Johnson showing of his half selfie and half wolf painting in the art building at HSU Photo credit: Juan Herrera

    Johnson said that at first he was discouraged about art but knew he had a great passion for it still. After working on his drawing skills for nearly a year he finally started to notice improvement and get recognition for his art.

    “My parents always taught me to never give up on anything I start,” Johnson said. “So that’s what I did with art, and I guess you could say I’m not that bad.”

    Playing sports practically his whole life and drawing for nearly eight years of it, when asked to choose between the two, if he ever had too, he got shaken up by his own response.

    “Man that would never happen, choosing that would be the hardest thing I’d have to do,” Johnson said. “But honestly i’d probably go with art.”

  • Pippin opens at NCRT

    Pippin opens at NCRT

    By | Lauren Shea

    Fire breathing, aerial silk gymnastics, a snake and a boy finding significance. These are all in the musical Pippin playing at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Eureka.

    The musical is about a boy named Pippin trying to find meaning in his life through death, adventure, sexuality and love. There’s excitement around every corner. It’s set in middle times mix with a circus theme.

    Lily Humphreys, student from Trinidad talked about her thoughts prior to the show.

    “I think it will be weird and I’m excited for that,” Humphreys said.

    It’s the North Coast Repertory Theatre 34th season this year. Pippin is the second show of the season. The NCRT is Eureka’s oldest running live theatre venue. You can donate money to help run the shows and there are also volunteering opportunities for the productions.

    Cassandra Rogers from McKinleyville, shared her thoughts after seeing the show.

    “I knew a little about the show before seeing it because I know someone in the cast,” Rogers said. “I thought it was really good and strange. It was really interesting to see them in a different way and act more provocative in the musical.”

    NCRT encourages imagination through stories and experiencing the human experience and gaining a better understanding of people through theatre.They now are planning to team up with Plays-in-the-Parks during the Summer in Arcata.

    Lilli Ensminger from Eureka, talked about her thoughts before seeing the show.

    “I don’t know much about it,” Ensminger said. “But I think it will be pretty interesting from what I have heard about it.”

    The musical plays on Fridays, Saturdays and the last Sunday show at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the North Coast Repertory Theater. Tickets ares $16-18.

    For more information, visit http://www.ncrt.net.

  • Entertainment for all

    Entertainment for all

    By | Andre Hascall

    One Man’s vision to form a comedy show of five artists, became the Peat Moss Variety Soiree that features many acts. Live at the Eagle House in Eureka, November 30th at 7pm.

    Peat Moss, 28, is a Business Finance major at HSU and works at the Northcoast Horticulture Supply. When he isn’t at working on school work or at NHS, Moss is working on comedy and his show.

    “My grades are affected but I am invested in this show,” Moss said. “Eureka needs it, t brings a lot of culture that the area needs.”

    Moss got his feet wet in the comedy scene in February 2017. He was unsure of doing a comedy show but one of his co-workers wanted him to try it out. That coworker goes by the stage name ‘Dr. Foxmeat’.

    Dr. Foxmeat would perform at open mic nights at the Palm Lounge in the Eureka Inn, every Wednesday night for some time. That open mic night is better know as ‘Open Mikey’. It was and is ran by an HSU Alumni who was also on the Lumberjack news team, his stage name is Nando Molina.

    “Nando gave me my first start at Open Mikey,” Moss said. “He is a paragon of comedy in the area, and we are happy to include him in our November show.”

    Open Mikey has been going on for the last five years, and Moss was lucky enough to perform there in February and a couple times afterward.

    “My first time out I had the jitters bad, but after a few jokes i was good… and by April and May I was in the full swing of things,” Moss said. ” Open Mikey provides comedians with the time to work on routines, its important and Nando provides it.”

    Other than providing the venue and time for comedians to perform. Nando Molina also provides somewhat of a mentor role to those that perform at open mikey.

    “I respect him, when he says its good stuff that’s when I know its good,” Moss said. ” I would compare him to Lorne Michaels from Saturday Night Live.”

    Moss originally set out to create a comedy show of 5 comedians. “A lot of top quality talents wanted to volunteer.” Moss said. With that it became more than a comedy show, with the addition of burlesque dancers, a magician, a band and more.

    “I didn’t put this show together, this show put itself together,” Moss said. “People try to put something like this together and fail, I was trying to make a comedy show and wound up making a Eureka Cirque du Soleil.”

    The band had a huge contribution to the group of performers. They go by the name ‘Black Eyed Susan’ and their lead singer is named Alicia Czech. Before this year, Czech hadn’t performed music in ten years.

    “She has amazing vocals”, Moss said. “The kill it every time they are on stage and they are one of the biggest parts of the show.”

    Black Eyed Susan does covers for songs by musicians such as, Tracy Chapman, Amanda Palmer, The Dressin dolls and more.

    One of the acts involves a mix of burlesque and comedy. That is provided by comedian Megan D’arcy. D’arcy truly is a jack of all trades, being a hair stylist for the group, as well was performing.

    “Her first act she got on a mans lap and asked him how much he thought she had weighed,” Moss said.

    Burlesque is an art form where someone disrobes to a song that is meaningful. And is an empowering aspect of the lives of those that have it as a hobby.

    “It is a big part of these girls lives, they don’t even expect pay because they love their hobby so much,” Moss said. “These girls are down to earth and possibly the nicest people I’ve ever worked with.”

    Adding to that variety a bit more is Marciano the Magnificent. His role is as the magician of the group, but his act calls for a few jokes as well.

    “Marciano also volunteered, to do magic at the show,” Moss said. “He’s got a great slight of hand, he’s funny and can entertain a crowd.”

    This is not the first show put on by Moss, yet this show has some different aspects from the rest.

    “All or past shows have sold out so far,” Moss said. “This will be our biggest event.”

    More information is available at https://peat-moss.weebly.com/

    Tickets available online at https://peat-moss-show.brownpapertickets.com/

  • The celebration of Diwali at Humboldt State

    The celebration of Diwali at Humboldt State

    Video by Sarahi Apaez.

    India’s most significant holiday of the year brought light and blessings to the Kate Buchanan Room and the Humboldt State community.

    Diwali Prakash, or more commonly known as the Festival of Lights transformed the KBR with traditional food and dance. The smell of food prepared by the Indian family owned restaurant Tandoori Bites filled the room as students and community members took on the experience of the festival.

    The story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration vary from region to region but one particular theme remains, the festival is celebrated to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.

    Diwali was last celebrated at Humboldt State in 2014 and made it’s return to campus this year with the help and collaboration of the Asian Desi Pacific Islander Collective, the MultiCultural Center, and HSU faculty.

    Assistant Professor of Child Development Meenal Rana said it is important to celebrate Diwali at HSU in order to bring visibility to a part of the community that is otherwise invisible in the Arcata McKinleyville and Eureka areas.

    “There are community members, and it is important for HSU students, faculty, and staff to have a moment of interaction,” Rana said.

  • The Godmother of wire

    The Godmother of wire

    By | Robert Brown

    Internationally collected and award winning, Godmother of wire sculpture, Elizabeth Berrien opens up her studio to show her latest creations in wire.

    “No one has the body of work that I do, or a track record of fulfilling such big jobs, so I get a lot of them, and it’s fun,” Berrien said.

    BROWN.PROFILE.11.1.2017.IMG_5626
    The Godmother of wire sculpture, Elizabeth Berrien in her studio on C street in Eureka, CA., Oct. 28, 2017. | Robert Brown

    Some of her clients include The BBC, The American Museum of Natural History, The Los Angeles Zoo, Louisville International Airport, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Disney. Her work can be found in Brazil, France, Spain, Sweden, Morocco, Belgium, Australia, China, Japan and in many other countries throughout the world.

    Until recently, wire sculpture was a rare and under-appreciated genre. It started as a folk art thousands of years ago. Ancient Egyptians refined metal and drew wire to create hand-crafted wire jewelry and other useful items. Slovakia invented many wire items that are still in use today such as mouse traps, bird cages, wire baskets, and kitchen utensils.

    “All artists do what they like to look at,” Berrien said. “For me, thats animals. I would have loved to be a zoologist. I have done thousands of wire animals.”

     

    Kung Fu fighter wire sculpture by Elizabeth Berrien.
    Kung Fu fighter wire sculpture by Elizabeth Berrien. | Robert Brown

    By exploring wire for over 50 years, she has developed her own unique style, and brought her pieces up to the level of museum quality.

    “They say it takes 5,000 hours for someone to master an art,” Berrien said. “In my case, it’s more like 95,000 hours, and counting.”

    With the extensive amount of experience and knowledge she has gained from working with wire, Berrien designed and released a free Wire Sculpture Tutorial and Lesson Plan on the internet. They can be found at http://www.wirelady.com/berrienwirehowtopage.html. Today, wire sculpture is taught universally in almost every art school and art curriculum.

    “Every year I push it to somewhere it hasn’t gone before,” Berrien said. “A client will show me what they like, or an example, but it’s up to me how to interpret that into wire.”

    Berrien is currently working on two large pieces. One is a 20-foot tall space shuttle for a space center, and the other is a giant wall piece depicting ferns and wildflowers for Kaiser headquarters in Seattle.

    “By the time I get the 20-foot shuttle done, it will have all of the details, the NASA logo, the American flag, all of the little nuts and bolts, and rivets,” Berrien said. “I feel like a detective sometimes having to figure all of the details out.”

    Wire sculpture comes in 2D, an example would be a flat wall piece, and 3D, which would be a stand alone or hanging piece.

    Meitosis wire sculpture by Elizabeth Berrien.
    Meitosis wire sculpture by Elizabeth Berrien. | Robert Brown

    “In 3D you get different dynamics as you move around, shadows shift and change, you get more depth and emotion,” Berrien said. “Not everyone has the room for a 3D piece, but everyone has wallspace, so 2D is having a nice renaissance right now.”

    Two different forms of wire sculpture, closed and open form, are merged together in Berrien’s abstract piece, Mitosis. The blending of neatness and wildness, to depict the perfect imperfection that is the essence of the human body.

    The one and only rule in wire sculpture that has stuck with Berrien since her high school art teacher announced it in class is, “Don’t put your eye out!”

    “There are no rules,” Berrien said. “A client asks me for a technical piece, a polyhedron, twists/no twists, I just figure it out. There are lots of ways to connect wire together.”

    Clients come with requests that allow her to explore new techniques and methods creating with wire. Her series of Kung Fu fighters for a restaurant in Dubai had Berrien watching hours of Bruce Lee movies in order to get it right.

    “I don’t know if I would have done that if it wasn’t for a client requesting it,” Berrien said. “I really got into it.”

    Berrien’s work can be seen every first Saturday of the month during Arts Alive at 208 C Street in Eureka’s Old Town, and on her website at WireZoo.com.

     

  • Iraq to Humboldt

    Iraq to Humboldt

    By | Andre Hascall

    Being in the military and being in college share a few similarities, according to Marine Combat Veteran Emilio Pena. However, as he said, it is still impossible to compare.

    “In boot camp you get used to being in close quarters with everyone, like the dorms,” Pena said. “You create those bonds with people, being close with them and going about your whole day with them.”

    Pena, better known as ‘E’ to his friends, graduated High school in 2004 and almost immediately enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. Yet his contributions to the USMC were halted for a year when he broke his collarbone shortly after enlisting.

    “I could tell that my recruiter thought that I was faking to get out of what i signed up for,” Pena said. “But once I healed up they sent me to boot camp in San Diego a couple weeks after.”

    Pena says that his favorite food are corndogs. He refers to himself as “super basic” because of this. “We didn’t have full kitchens in the barracks,” Pena said. “So I’m used to eating frozen foods.”

    Spending time at boot camp in San Diego led to Pena getting even more training, this time in North Carolina going to school for the USMC.

    After school, Pena got his first taste of being overseas when he was sent to Japan for two years. “Japan was crazy. It was fun. It was crazy fun,” Pena said.

    Pena spent his time in Japan at an age where many people start their college careers. Pena said it was Japan where he did most of his growth, from a boy to a man.

    “There were plenty of people that were college aged, out and about,” Pena said. “It was great, I was the same age as them but without the homework.”

    Whenever Pena had some free time he made the most of it. Pena said that Japan nightlife is a huge party, every night.

    When specifically talking about Japan, where Pena spent most of his time as an active member of the USMC. Pena says that he made friends for life out there.

    “Once you leave that Environment there is nothing else like that,” Pena said. “I guess it would be similar to being on a sports team.”

    Pena is a fan of sports. ” I like the Sharks, the Yankees and the Raiders,” Pena said. “I love basketball too much to pick a team, I enjoyed watching Charles Barkley play, but I’m a Kevin Garnett fan for life.”

    After his stint in Japan, Pena went back to boot camp in San Diego for a few months, and shortly after spent nine months overseas in Iraq. Tours usually last six months, but Pena left the US early and stayed in Iraq late.

    “I left early and stayed later because of the money, that part made it worth it,” Pena said. “Overseas i got to work with expensive equipment too, so I was constantly flying over Iraq.”

    Fast forwarding to 2014, when Pena started his journey at Humboldt State. The Student Veteran Association was able to help Pena out right away.

    “I was living in my car when I got up here, Kim who runs the SVA saved me” Pena said. “Kim Hall helped me get a place to stay Fall 2014, I still live there now.”

    E even recalled other times when he was able to call on Kim Hall for help, and she delivered. Specifically noting a time that she helped E stay in school, despite Academic Probation.

    “She helped me a couple times,” Pena said.

    Aside from the SVA, Pena used other outlets to get acclimated to the college life. He joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity and has retained relationships through them. But he says most friends he has were made on the court.

    “I started balling at 11 when I got cut from my football team,” Pena said. “Now I play intramural ball on Tuesday nights, as well as Thursdays and Fridays.”

    In his 30’s, Pena says that basketball is the best way for him to get himself to workout. Playing against younger people help out with that.

    “I got 20 years of experience,” Pena said. ” I don’t got the same moves as I used to, but when you know where to be and what to do, you can still put it down.”

    Pena is finished with his bachelors degree in Psychology, but he is staying in Humboldt for a while longer as he works on his GPA. Pena is contemplating going to Grad school, but he will take on these tasks as they come.

    “Hey I’ll try to get my PhD if they let me,” Pena said with a chuckle. “But after that I hope to be a Combat Veteran counselor, and help make a difference.”

    *Emilio Pena and Andre Hascall are both members of Kappa Sigma fraternity

  • Student Veterans gains larger community space

    Student Veterans gains larger community space

    By | Lauren Shea

    The community space for student veterans has grown as the support for student veterans continues.

    The Student Veterans Association cafe is up and running again. The café helps fund activities and events for student veterans. The café resides outside the Veterans office on the lower level of the library.

    The food ranges from coffee to organic food and gluten free options. James Lamping, Forestry Major, talked about the type of food they have at the cafe.

    LSSVA2
    Mural inside the Veterans Office in the Lower Library room 58. Photo credit: Lauren Shea

    “We usually try to have healthier options,” Lamping said. “Once we move into the larger community space, we would like to try to create SVA mason jars for students.”

    Lamping is a U.S. Navy veteran where he spent six years in the service.

    “The biggest off-putting factor of going back to school after the military is the huge age gap,” Lamping said. “Being 28 in college with people much younger than me was tough. It helps to find a common ground with people.”

    The Student Veterans Association not only provides resources for student veterans, but a space to build relationships in a familiar community. They’re closely linked with the Student Veterans Association on the national level. They help to represent student veterans with programs such as the GI Bill and their healthcare and give them the opportunity to be heard and represented as a military population in the government but on a school level.

    “The organization really puts a huge effort into creating awareness of the challenges that veterans go through when transitioning back into civilian life,” Lamping said.

    Lamping had the support of the Veterans Resource Center at his community college.

    “The transition wasn’t that insane to me, but I know people that have come out with PTSD and other mental trauma,” Lamping said. “It’s really important to have that community space where you can talk with people about it.”

    One of their main goals is to create and have a community space for veterans to build a support system in a familiar community. They plan to have a soft opening of the space soon and hope to get grant money in the future to furnish it.

    Some of the activities that the Student Veterans Association have are intramural sports. Last year, they played Dodgeball. This year they’re playing Volleyball. Their team is named the Blue Falcons.

    Myra Hallman, the scribe for the association helps plan some of the events for the student veterans. She is also involved with planning activities in the Outdoor Program.

    “The Outdoor Program really helps vets with getting them outdoors and decompressing,” Hallman said. “We’ve done quite a few different activities. Some of the activities we have are hiking, rafting, kayaking and snowboarding.”

    Kim Hall, the Veterans Program Administrator, helps veterans transition, get enrolled and provide resources for their start at HSU.

    “The program is run mainly by student veterans in the program,” Hall said. “We provide them with the sense of community for people transitioning into civilian life.”

    The Student Veterans Association and the Veterans Transition services are closely tied with the Veterans Resource Center in Eureka.

    “I think the support for veterans is important and the program helps bring awareness to community,” Hall said.

    HSU veterans and students in the community will come together on Veterans Day to honor their services.

     

  • Día de los Muertos at the MCC

    Día de los Muertos at the MCC

    By | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

    Dancing, Mexican food and ephemeral art were all part of the celebration at the multicultural center of HSU last Thursday for the Mexican holiday of Día De Los Muertos. Food was provided free for students by Los Giles and paid for by the multicultural center. Local artist Lilia Valencia Duran created an ephemeral sawdust dye art piece in collaboration with students who wanted to participate. Ballet Folklorico De Humboldt put on a traditional Mexican dance performance. Vice President of the Ballet Folklorico De Humboldt club Daniel Gomez said the dances and attire for the dance performance were from varying parts of Mexican regions including Veracruz, Jalisco and Sinaloa. 

     

  • All-Female Mariachi Flor de Toloache Perform At HSU

    All-Female Mariachi Flor de Toloache Perform At HSU

    By | Robert Brown

    From playing in the subway to performing at mariachi festivals, the all-female band has been nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Ranchera album. Their style is infused with salsa, pop, jazz, hip-hop and rhythm and blues, reinterpreting classic Latin and English language songs.

    Mariachi is a type of folk music that originates from rural Mexico, traditionally performed by Mexican men. Mariachi is passed from generation to generation, and is historically very macho. Feeling a cultural and generational divide, Flor de Toloache set out to create a new type of musical group that represents and empowers women.

    Based in New York City, Flor de Toloache is often gigging three nights a week or more in clubs, theaters, churches and events around the area. The band’s name comes from the toloache flower, which is a moonflower that opens up at night and has been used in love potions since ancient Aztec times in Mexico.

    Shae Fiol, founding member of Flor de Toloache, was born into a culturally mixed family of Cuban and American heritage. Shae is known for her incredible vocal talent and songwriting skills.

    Mireya I. Ramos is of Dominican and Mexican descent, and is a violinist, vocalist, composer and arranger. She founded Flor de Toloache in 2008. Her inspiration is her dad, who was a mariachi and would take her to watch him sing at his gigs and at restaurants when she was growing up.

    Julie “Jewls” Acosta is Dominican, and was trained as a classical trumpeter. She is able to play many different trumpet styles from latin, mariachi, soul, jazz, rock and pop.

    Eunice “Lilo” Aparicio has been playing the guitarron since the age of seven, and provides more than 25 percent of the sound and melody of Flor de Toloache.

    The group played in Humboldt State University’s Van Duzer Theater on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, as part of their Day Of The Dead Tour.