The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Reviews

  • Something in the sauce: Humboldt Brews

    Something in the sauce: Humboldt Brews

    Humbrews’ wings make students’ stomachs happy 

    Arcata can get fairly chilly once the sun goes down. In response, many flock to Humboldt Brews on Saturday nights for drinks, food and to hang with friends.

    Located on 856 10th St., Humboldt Brews (or Humbrews for short) is a great place to immerse yourself in the Arcata lifestyle. With 25 beers on tap, award winning hot wings and a banquet room/nightclub for shows, there aren’t many places around to get a more complete college town vibe.

    As you walk in, there is an instant feeling of Humboldt State University as many of the patrons are wearing HSU gear while they wait for their drinks. There are sports broadcasts on all televisions with a distinct focus on the Bay Area’s teams like the Golden State Warriors or San Jose Sharks.

    Not too many people yet as its only 7 p.m. but the servers do well in making sure everyone has their drinks filled. Along with a pool table, seating for the restaurant and even some old school arcade games, Humbrews has everything you’d want from a college bar. The bar transforms from a mellow early dinner setting to a more energetic “party” setting as more people start to pile in to escape the cold.

    What better way to warm up from the cool breeze than with hot wings?! Humbrews offers a basket of wings including a side of french fries and some celery as a palate cleanser for $10. The sauces vary depending on the bravery of the customer, but for the fan of traditional wings you can’t go wrong with the hot buffalo sauce. A perfect amount of spicy earns this wing its “award-winning” title as soon as you take a bite.

    Portions are sized reasonably to what you’re paying and you’ll have extra hot buffalo sauce to dip your fries in after. This goes great while treating yourself or watching a game with friends on the large projector screen in the back of the restaurant.

    For those who dare, you can also try Humbrews’ handmade “Suicide Sauce” which is made from many different spices including the notoriously hot “ghost pepper” for an extra $2. Ask for the “Suicide Sauce” on the side to enjoy at your own pace. If you don’t mind sweating through your shirt, this sauce will definitely have you breathing fire.

    Ordering a pound of wings ($12) with a side of “Suicide Sauce” can be fun with a large group as everyone grabs a wing and a dab of sauce to see who can ride the bull without getting kicked off. Wash it down with one of Humbrews’ many beers or ciders. One of the best is from Eureka’s own Humboldt Cider Company called Hibiscus Hemp Cider. A pint of Hibiscus Hemp cider ($6) along with a pound of wings will have you full and feeling good all for under $20.

    Humbrews sets itself apart from other Arcata bars with its variety of quality food choices and upbeat vibe. It is also well lit so you don’t get the creepy, “dingy” feeling that other Arcata bars give off. It’s open daily at 11:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. on most nights. Stop by after class and you might be able to catch happy hour from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. for drink specials.

    Overall, Humbrews is a staple bar for the HSU student or any Arcata resident with its exceptional drink choice and consistently well-made food, not to mention the hottest wing sauce you can find in Humboldt County!

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Less Than Fantastic

    MOVIE REVIEW: Less Than Fantastic

    A weak installment in the Fantastic Beasts franchise

    Coming from a huge Harry Potter fan, I wasn’t looking forward to this revival of the Harry Potter universe. I said my goodbyes senior year of high school when “Deathly Hallows Part 2” came out.

    Now there’s a new story to come out in theaters that not many fans asked for. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was a fun revisit to the universe that showed more characters and creatures that the books only brushed on.

    However, four movies seems an exhausting excuse to delve into a period of the wizarding world that is important but not as pertinent as other stories that haven’t been well explored (still waiting on a story about the Marauders). “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” dips into an important part of wizarding history, but doesn’t have the focus to make it interesting.

    Returning to Newt Scamander and his magical creatures, he is banned from international travel due to the events in the previous film where he was blamed for nearly destroying 1920s New York. Scamander is beckoned to Paris where he believes Tina Goldstein (future wife) is working to find a long lost descendant of a pure-blood family. Grindelwald, the original Voldemort, is also seeking this descendant to use them on his team to conquer the world.

    There are too many plot lines to keep track of and it would be more confusing for those who haven’t watched the previous Fantastic Beasts film. There’s a conflict of Newt Scamander and his love for Tina Goldstein, then there is an added love triangle with Leta Lestrange. There’s a whole story about Credence Barebone, who may or may not be an important descendant and capable of killing Albus Dumbledore. There are a lot of old politics at the Ministry of Magic in multiple countries.

    Then there’s Grindelwald himself. Johnny Depp’s inconsistent accent was the least of the problems. His Grindelwald wasn’t as scathingly evil as Ralph Fiennes’ Voldemort was. Grindelwald was trying to be a more relatable evil, notably when he says that he does not hate the non-magical people. This sounds similar when Donald Trump’s campaigns had him say that he believes that some Mexican people are presumably good people after calling them rapists. Relatable, but doesn’t strike fear.

    Jude Law’s casting as young Albus Dumbledore was a good fit. Not the best, as I was hoping for Domhnall Gleeson but Law had the softness and mischievous nature Dumbledore has.

    The new creatures the film introduced were fascinating, particularly the Chinese Zouwu was adorable and want to see more of than nifflers.

    Otherwise, the film was too long to fit in so much information that wasn’t set up before like in books or maybe on Pottermore. If this was meant to be a five-part series, then it should set up it’s time better and made more accessible for new fans to join the wizarding fandom and not alienate them.

  • Review: No Te Va Gustar: Oh, but you will

    Review: No Te Va Gustar: Oh, but you will

     

    No Te Va Gustar’s most recent work Suenan Las Alarmas has been nominated for Best Rock Album for the upcoming Latin Grammys on Nov. 15.

    It is the band’s eighth nomination in their 20-year history and they are hoping to win their first Latin Grammy. The band started with three high school friends getting together in 1994 in Uruguay but has since grown to nine members.

    “We all share a deep love for The Beatles, Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones,” said No Te Va Gustar Drummer Diego Bartaburu. “Murga, Candombe, and Afro-Uruguayan traditional music are big influences toNo Te Va Gustar translates to “You will not like it,” but if you are a fan of jam bands and alt-rock you will. NTVG has a similar sound to the Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R. Their songs have a driving beat, catchy guitar riffs, and a horns section that keeps you engaged. The opening song on the new album, Y el Mundo Me Comió a Mi, has a sound similar to Audioslave and the energy in the album is palpable.

    “We tour extensively in the Americas because our live show is our biggest strength,” Bartaburu said. “We are a very fun and powerful act, or that’s what we like to think.”

    The song No Deja de Sonar has a hypnotic beat with harmonized chanting and humming drawing the listener in and setting them up for the horns and quick, folky guitar strokes of Los Villanos. The beats of Los Villanos is comparable to The Beatles song, I’ve Just Seen a Face. The emotion of the album is uplifting and jubilant.

    “We just make the music we want to make and represent us in a given moment,” Bartaburu said. “Hopefully people will connect emotionally to it…. From love or the end of it, to social or political issues NTVG’s lyrics cover a broad spectrum of topics.”

    The Latin Grammys will be airing live on Univision at 8 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 15. Tune in to see if NTVG will win for Best Rock Album.

  • Pasta Alla Bolognese recipe

    Pasta Alla Bolognese recipe

    The Bolognese sauce in Pasta Alla Bolognese is typically meat-based, but this version substitutes using different vegetables and herbs. For the meat-lovers out there, ground beef can be added to the sauce if desired. The “Beyond Meat” brand has plant-based burgers that can be used as well, but the recipe below is the one I used and turned out to be super tasty!

    Serves 2-3

    Ingredients:

    • 200g of your preferred spaghetti

    • 2 tbsp olive oil

    • 1 small red onion, finely diced

    • 1-2 garlic cloves (or more if you’re a garlic freak like me), finely diced

    • 1-2 carrots, very finely diced

    • 1 celery stalk, very finely diced

    • 1 or 2 handfuls of shiitake mushrooms, finely diced (optional)

    • 12.5 ounce jar of pasta sauce (garlic & basil store-bought is what I used)

    • Add salt and pepper, for taste.

    Instructions:

    • Boil a large pot of water for the pasta, heat up olive oil in a non-stick skillet.

    • Add diced onion to the pan on low heat, then add in diced carrot and celery. Fry until soft, stirring frequently.

    • Add the garlic and sauté until soft.

    • Once water has come to a boil, add your pasta and cook until al dente. This usually takes 12-14 minutes.

    You can check for this by throwing a noodle at a wooden cabinet door and if it sticks to the wood then it is ready or very close.

    • Add shiitake mushrooms to the pan with veggies once the carrots begin to soften, reduce heat.

    • Mix in your tomato sauce with the vegetable mixture.

    • Drain pasta once cooked thoroughly and mix together the sauce and noodles in a large pan.

    You just made a tasty pasta filled with simple and nutritious ingredients. Enjoy!

  • The morals of Morla

    The morals of Morla

    Independent labeled alternative rock bands from Spain usually do not garner the attention in the U.S that say a band from California or New York tend to. Even the explanation of the band strikes as a hipster retweet but Vetusta Morla is nothing but an exception to this rule.

    Vetusta Morla has been nominated for three Latin Grammy awards this year for their recent album entitled “Mismo Sitio, Distinto Lugar.” These nominations include Mejor Album de Música Alternativa (best alternative music album), Mejor Canción Alternativa – ‘Consejo de Sabios’ (best alternative song) and Mejor Diseño de Empaque (best packaging design or best album cover art).

    Álvaro B. Baglietto has been the longtime bassist for Vetusta Morla and has seen both the highs and lows of working on an independent label.

    “We have always done what we want to do,” Baglietto said. “And we have never had to really have pressure put on us by some record [executive].”

    Baglietto and his bandmates, guitarist Juan Pedro “Pucho” Martin, drummer David Garcia, percussionist Jorge Gonzalez, guitarist Guillermo Galvan and keyboardist Juan Manuel Latorre have known each other since they were young. They grew up in the Tres Cantos neighborhood of Madrid, Spain, and formed the band in 1998.

    “We love Madrid; it’s our city, it’s our base,” Baglietto said. “And hey, maybe will move to Miami, who knows, but we love Madrid, we love the way of life here.”

    Baglietto and his bandmates said music is sacred, and since their creation, Vetusta Morla has been adamant about being independent from any record labels, media companies and celebrity management. Although this has made them into one of the most famous and acclaimed independent artists in Spain, Baglietto and the band don’t really think about themselves in the spotlight.

    “We don’t think about those things that much, we don’t even really talk about it,” Baglietto said. “In the beginning, we just wanted to do music in a honest way and the best that we could.”

    Vetusta Morla’s musical genre is generalized as alternative rock but Baglietto said that the likes and interest of the band and himself vary greatly.

    “The music that I listen to changes all the time,” Baglietto said. “I used to love rock, reggae, jazz, blues.”

    Baglietto says that the evolution of his musical tastes have led him to genres that he has never really listened to before and artists he never previously would have known.

    “Nowadays, I am listening to a lot of rap or hip-hop and it didn’t happen before,” Baglietto said. “I like Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.”

    With 20 plus years of experience under their belt, the band had a lot of time to work on different projects and album concepts. This includes everything from writing and producing the music for a video game entitled “The Rivers of Alice” all the way to writing and producing an album for an AIDs awareness program.

    “For me music is like poetry with a soundtrack and it’s so important,” Baglietto said. “We have to make people think and make people feel and not say something that others have said before.”

     

  • Top 9 Horror Movies

    Top 9 Horror Movies

    It’s Halloween month! That means getting scared, terrified, mortified, traumatized and maybe getting a few laughs. There are a lot of horror movies, but only a few get into the spirit of Halloween. Here is a list of movies in no particular order.

    1. “Cabin in the Woods”

    Without giving away too many spoilers, this is a fresh take on horror such as “Scream” was when it debuted. It is a parody and a love letter to horror and slasher films. It’s not just another rehash of “Evil Dead.” Want to watch all the horror films? Check this out.

    2. “Dead Alive” or “Braindead”

    This is a hard-to-find New Zealand gem directed by Peter Jackson, pre-Lord of the Rings. What would you do if your dear mother died and rose from the dead? Lock her in the basement, I guess, until more people rise from the dead and you just gotta take care of the situation at hand. This movie is so bloody, there’s no way there’s that much red syrup in a body.

    3. “Raw”

    Vegans can be scary. One drop of blood can awaken a thirst (for more than one thing) in a young vegan girl in veterinarian school. Sometimes the hunger can consume you. (No animals were been harmed in the making of this film.)

    4. “Hereditary”

    This recent film is a classic in the making. A series of deaths plague a family, which causes a mother to open unsettling family secrets, some better left unearthed. This family drama clicks all the scary movie tropes: creepy children, possession, the occult and lots of beheadings.

    5. “Cube”

    This came in the 90s, predating the “Saw” franchise. When several strangers wake up in a dangerous maze, they’ll do anything to survive the maze and each other. It’s a Kafka-esque horror flick that puts you in a situation that you know nothing about who’s in charge and why you are there. Plus, there are some good bloody deaths.

    6. “Get Out”

    This is another recent classic that earned Jordan Peele the award for best original script in the 2018 Oscars. This isn’t another remake of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” When the main character visits his girlfriend’s family, there seems to be commentary that is more uncomfortable concerning his race. “Get Out” has great imagery and a tense atmosphere with a bloody crescendo.

    7. “What We Do in The Shadows”

    Before “Thor: Ragnarok,” Taika Waititi did this mockumentary about three vampires living together as thirsty roommates. Hilarity ensues.

    8. “Cannibal! The Musical”

    No list is complete without a musical. From the same people that brought together “The Book of Mormon” and “South Park,” this delightfully bloody story is brought to you by Troma Productions. This company is notoriously raunchy, immature, and politically incorrect. Stab it again, with feeling!

    9. “House of 1000 Corpses”

    Rob Zombie filmed this similarly to one of his music videos with rock n’ roll pacing and redneck serial killers. Don’t go searching for urban legends, this one is real.

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Venom and the half-sticky plot

    MOVIE REVIEW: Venom and the half-sticky plot

    Tom Hardy can’t save this bad boy

    The movie “Upgrade” came out earlier this summer. It was about artificial intelligence taking over a human body, and controlling it to fight like the badass he never was. By the end of the movie, the A.I. took complete control of the body without any humanity left. “Venom” was like Upgrade, except Upgrade was creative on it’s low budget. “Venom” had a limitless Marvel budget, but is not as creative or challenging as it could be.

    Venom is an alien creature, called Symbiote, that bonds with a host and takes over their body. Venom decided to take over the body of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), an investigative journalist that got fired from his job, and dumped by his girlfriend.

    Brock investigated the Life Foundation, and trespassed to prove that they were testing human bonding with the Symbiote. That caused Brock to be infected with Venom, and gain extraordinary strength and fighting abilities. The head of the Life Foundation, Carlton Drake, wanted to find the Symbiote and experiment with it further in hopes of using them to get humans to live in space. Brock and Venom had to get to the Life Foundation to reveal the truth of Drake’s unethical testing.

    What is cool is how Venom looks like he’s engulfing Brock like sticky slime. During fights, Venom transforms his body into different weapons to protect Brock and itself. Brock and Venom often disagree on whether or not to kill and eat the heads of anyone shooting at them. Brock has a good conscience and set of morals he sticks with, even when it violates journalistic standards.

    Everything else about this film is really vague and messy. Venom himself is like an edgy teenager, who wants to fight everyone and eat everything. There’s an extra plot that seems to be immediately forgotten that Venom or the other symbiotes are going to take over Earth, but that gets quickly dismissed.

    The overall plot is a second thought to validate why Venom has to fight guys shooting at him and bite their heads off. Drake is the crazy scientist bad guy, but is rarely expressive enough to commit to the crazy scientist archetype. It seems that Brock wants to go after Drake because he fired him, rather than taking him down for justice. The fighting goes down is too shaky to see, bad guys explode, and Brock accepts Venom as a part of him.

    Most of all, this film doesn’t feature the most important counterpart to Venom: Spiderman. It’s like having a Batman series without The Joker. In the comics, Venom bonds with Spiderman but later bonds with Eddie Brock, who blames Spiderman for ruining his career. Brock’s hatred became a perfect host for Venom to take down Spiderman. Excluding Spiderman from the movie missed an essential part of Eddie Brock/Venom’s origin story.

    “Venom” would be more fun if it was just as violent as the comics are. Venom consuming people’s heads is disappointing (no blood?!?), given the safe PG-13 rating.

    If it were rated R, it would be more violent, and the lack of plot would be more forgiving. “Venom” seems to be a calculated algorithm to target teenage boys, just like 2016’s “Suicide Squad.” There was no passion in this movie — just disappointing beheadings.

  • REVIEW: Humboldt State graced with talent and class

    REVIEW: Humboldt State graced with talent and class

    Five-time Grammy nominated pianist performs at HSU

    On Friday, Sept. 28, five time Grammy nominated pianist, Ursula Oppens, performed for Humboldt State University students.

    “This is my first time up in Northern California, the redwood forest is very beautiful,” Oppens said. “I just wish it was easier to get here.”

    The pieces played were unique, and there was a mixture of modern/contemporary pieces with compositions from the romantic era. Oppens could have performed pieces from famous composers like Beethoven or Mozart, but instead chose to perform pieces from lesser known composers. This helped introduce th/≥≥e composers to the audience.

    The night started with “Winging It” composed by John Corigliano. It is a contemporary piece that was nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for best classical instrument solo piece. Followed up was “Four Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899” composed by Franz Schubert in 1827.

    After a short intermission, “Two Diversions” composed by Elliot Carter. Oppens closed the night with another Franz Schubert composition, “Sonata in A minor, Op. 42, D. 845.”

    Each composition would shift from a sharp, loud pace to a slow and somber pace.

    Oppens showed audience members the talent of her piano playing that she had been practicing since she was five.

    “I started performing in front of an audience when I was 14, I’m always nervous when I’m performing even today,” Oppens said, “But I just push myself to perform and play for the audience.”

     

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Mandy

    Eight and a half percent of the population are red-green colorblind and will not be able to watch Panos Cosmatos’ latest film “Mandy”.

    This stylish, campy horror throwback primarily relies on unnatural red lighting with green flashes, humid amber lights, and ultramarine blue that blend in like watercolors.

    The color palette isn’t the only reason to watch this retro horror film, though. The real calling of this film is for those who are a fan of Nicolas Cage’s quiet moments and signature freak-outs.

    The story follows Red Miller (Nicolas Cage as the main character and color of this film), a lumberjack who lives in a secluded airy cabin with his artsy girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough).

    When an extreme religious cult leader Jeremiah (Linus Roache) finds Mandy, his desire for her is so strong that his cult kidnaps her. When Mandy refuses to be with him, he burns her alive in front of Red. Red will do anything and everything to seek his revenge on everyone responsible for Mandy’s murder.

    This movie has a slow quietness that lingers on its characters, suddenly followed by a loud guitar riff that strums in time with slow-motion shots. The score is a throwback to 80s midnight cult films like “Rock and Rule” and “Pink Floyd: The Wall.” The few animation scenes and some of the backgrounds are reminiscent of “Heavy Metal.”

    This movie has a lot of red to represent the warmth of love, desire and rage. The scenery has been edited to look like nebulous watercolors, with imagery that could represent LSD or an unearthly homeland.

    Everyone’s performance is fantastic. The cult and the motorcycle gang are insane and indulgent enough to question their humanity. Andrea Riseborough as Mandy is mysterious and ethereal. Nicolas Cage brings the tragedy and campiness to the movie. His freak-outs are laughable and satisfying on the extreme ways he comes down on everyone in his way. Want to see Nicolas Cage in a chainsaw duel? He fights a chainsaw with a longer chainsaw.

    “Mandy” is campy, but in a classy way that’s reminiscent of Danish auteur Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive”, “The Neon Demon”). Interestingly, red and blue are the only colors Refn can see. Check out this stylish phantasmagoria at The Minor Theatre in Arcata.

  • Annie’s serves up excellence

    Annie’s serves up excellence

    Located on the 101 North headed out of Eureka, you can spot Annie’s Cambodian Cuisine nestled on the side of the road next to the Sizzlers. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but once you step inside your worries are lessened immensely.

    Annie’s is family owned and a recent winner of North Coast Journal’s 2018 Best of Humboldt award for “Best Chinese Restaurant,” even though Cambodian is in the name of the restaurant.

    Their menu is centered around Cambodian style cuisine but could be considered more of an Asian Fusion of Cambodian,Thai, and Vietnamese food. The interior has an old world ambiance and the art on the walls had a native look.

    My friend Kim Coates and I arrived at 5 p.m. and were greeted by a friendly server. Just as we put in our orders for drinks the place began to fill up quickly with hungry looking customers.

    For drinks we ordered the Jasmine tea ($1.50) and Avocado smoothie ($3.50). The tea was served hot and couldn’t have been smoother and I’m not usually a big tea fan. My friend mentioned I would “stay young and beautiful” if I drank it. Bottoms up!

    The avocado smoothie was exactly how it sounds. In a tall smoothie glass filled to the rim is a green avo slushie with black boba and it tastes like pure avocado heaven. If you’re head over heels for avocado you should try this.

    We ordered the pork spring rolls ($4.75) for an appetizer which was sauteed ground pork, lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, mint, cilantro, carrots and vermicelli noodles, rolled up in rice paper. Pretty basic but the veggies were fresh and deliciously crispy. I will have to try the highly recommended Annie’s cheese puffs on my next visit.

    If you’re trying to warm your tum-tum make sure to try the chicken Tom Yum ($10.95). Served with a side of steamed white rice, Tom Yum is a delicious mushroom and tomato soup with lemongrass, lime leaves, and green onion, topped with fresh basil. It’s a perfect mix of tang and spice that hits your senses as soon as you lift the lid off the steaming hot bowl. The chicken was juicy and filled with flavor.

    A different, yet pleasantly enjoyable dish was the pineapple fried rice ($9.95). I wasn’t sure if the mix would work but I would be put at ease as soon as the taste hit my tongue. The pineapple gives a feeling of authenticity and you could easily be eating a dish traveling in south east Asia.

    The meal would not have been complete without trying the Khmer sticky rice ($4.95) for dessert. The steamed sweet rice is drizzled with a tasty coconut sauce and is served with fresh, perfectly ripened mango slices. These two delicacies together are a force to be reckoned with.

    “Imagine having a stand at every corner selling this stuff for a dollar.” Coates said, “I got so fat living in Asia.”

    I would recommend this restaurant to any hungry people out there looking for some place different. Just bring your appetite and make sure to share plates so you can try more of Annie’s delicious selections.

     

  • “Divergence” dancers amaze audience

    “Divergence” dancers amaze audience

    The audience at the John Van Duzer Theatre were fortunate enough to witness a cacophony of kinetic expression in the form of HSU’s annual spring dance concert on April 15, this year titled “Divergence.”

    Students of intermediate and advanced levels were given an opportunity to work in tandem with other students and alum choreographers. They chose music and themes to collaborate in the creation of 10 beautifully executed dances.

    The performances were varied both thematically and visually, yet all seemed to perfectly complement each other. While some dances were more lighthearted and obviously purely for fun, other performances emphasized the many social issues we as college students and young people have, and may experience in our communities.

    One of the more poignant pieces in the performance was titled “1 in 4. It’s been 5,” a dance deriving some inspiration from the recent #MeToo movement and personal experience, and was choreographed by HSU dance professor and choreographer Kyleigh Carlson.

    Carlson derived much of the performance inspired by her own experiences, and wanted the piece to be as empowering as it was a reflection of the horrible abuse and oppression many women experience in their lives, particularly on college campuses.

    “One in four women on every college campus has been sexually assaulted and it has been five years since my attack,” Carlson said, discussing her title choice for the piece. “I believe in dance as a tool for advocacy and as a healing art form. When combining both of these motivators, I believe it can create real change and that is what inspired me to create this work.”

    The audience was initially confronted by the 12 female dancers walking in unison, illuminated by low-level stage lighting until they reached a spot so far downstage that they seemed nearly atop the front row of the audience.

    They spent a good amount of time there just waiting and looking directly at audience members before delving into more movement. Even throughout their choreography, the dancers continually glared in synchronized confrontation toward the audience, forcing us to pay attention, to watch and to be cognizant of them.

    It was intentional to cast solely female dancers as well, as Carlson wanted to reflect her own experiences and was reflective of them, yet still inclusive of every survivor and their own experiences.

    “It was important to me that while I was creating this piece that it be reflective of my story, and yet give room to allow my dancers to grow and develop their stories and experiences too,” Carlson said. “We opened up to each other during our twice-a- week rehearsals and shared our experiences, creating a safe space and community. The bond was important for performing this piece together as a group of strong unified women on stage.”

    Following “1 in 4. It’s been 5,” was a far more lighthearted piece with dance collective “The Dizzy Delightful Dazzling Dancers,” presenting “Friends on Fire,” a piece inspired by “inspiration itself,” according to choreographer Serena Mann, and all set to the iconic power bop “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

    Dancers whizzed around stage in jazzercise-themed choreography, all while clad in outrageously fabulous multi-colored unitards and leotards.

    After intermission, the audience was entertained by the amazing choreography and dance, both executed by HSU dance major, Austin Silavong. Both of Silavong’s pieces in “Divergence” were selected to represent HSU at the western conference of the American College Dance Association that occurred March 14-17 this year.

    Silavong’s solo performance “Asunder” was inspired by the “forced conformity so many of us adhere to,” Silavong said, and he encouraged viewers to “break free” of these conformities.

    In preparation for both “Divergence” and showcasing his two pieces in the western conference, Silavong had to extensively rehearse for nearly five hours a week with HSU dance professors and “Divergence” faculty advisor, Sharon Butcher.

    “Dance is a discipline,” Silavong said. “Talent is always a bonus, but to really connect, you need to show up and practice.”

  • A Quiet Place

    A Quiet Place

    When the guy from “The Office” makes a horror movie.

    What makes a scary horror film is sound production. A jump scare doesn’t make you jump unless there’s a loud “DUN” at the right moment, but it has to be justified for the story. If the jump scare is abused and happens too frequently, it isn’t scary. Sometimes, silence can be used to induce fear.

    That’s what “A Quiet Place” is about, forced silence for the sake of survival.

    A creature of some sort takes over New York and other major cities and kills any living thing that makes noise. A family must survive in this world silently to live another day.

    Living in this post-apocalyptic world isn’t hard for this working farm family, who grows their own food and fishes for the seemingly, only surviving source of meat, since cows mooing would be the first to die by this creature.

    Lee (John Krasinski) and Evelyn (Emily Blunt) are loving parents that are determined to protect their children, including Evelyn’s unborn child.

    The two children, Regan and Marcus, work with their parents for food and household chores in silence. Regan is deaf and doesn’t hear any small sounds. The whole family communicates by sign language, rarely having the chance to speak aloud.

    The creature they hide from doesn’t have an origin or a story.

    The story starts with these creatures roaming the Earth and seeking sound to kill the noise-maker. It’s a fast six-legged beast with sharp claws like a beetle or a spider. Its exoskeleton is black, shiny and bulletproof. The creature’s face doesn’t appear to have eyes, it rather has a face full of ear drums that picks up the faintest sounds from far away, surrounding a mouth full of jagged teeth like broken nails.

    The family knows when the creature is close by its fast clicking sounds and the way it affects electricity, making lights flicker and disrupting T.V. signals.

    It’s a mixture of the aliens in the movie “Alien” and a conglomerate of creepy bugs that shouldn’t be the size of a car or running super fast. It’s appearance is rare, but the looming fear makes these things terrifying.

    What makes the movie effective is the sound production and the world built around the lack of sound.

    The film opens in a quiet empty store where the family is raiding for medicine. The only food left at the store are chips, crackers and other snack foods that have noisy packaging. The family leaves the store on sandy paths to mute their footsteps that follows all the way to their farm. Their farm is soundproof, from the sandy pathways to egg carton walls to even felt pieces for Monopoly.

    The movie is mostly in silence, with an occasional soft piano score, and it makes any noise disturbance sudden and jarring. The jump scares are met with loud music, but not all the time. Some of the sudden scares are completely silent and they are more scary than the screeching violin or loud “DUN.”

    When the story shifts to Regan’s perspective, the movie is completely silent and it’s almost deafening. The most anxiety-ridden scene was when Evelyn goes into labor.

    Earlier, she’s seen doing her own pediatric diagnostics and sound-proofing the baby crib with a soft lid to cover the coffin-like crib. After accidentally stepping on a nail and making a noise, Evelyn is forced to give birth by herself without screaming in agony as the creature lurks blindly in her house. She’s in labor for a long time as the creature slowly searches for a sound, not being able to see her in the bathtub, trying to give a silent birth as she’s still in pain from the nail in her foot.

    Directed by actor John Krasinski, he gives the spotlight to his real-life wife Emily Blunt. Krasinski is the strong father figure who is determined to find the creature’s weakness and fix his daughter’s hearing aid.

    Blunt is the loving and goofy mother, but is giving a chance to show her strength in her birth and fighting off the creature from her children after her birth.

    This is not just a horror movie, but an apocalyptic movie. It’s a family that is trying to move on after a terrifying event.

    It’s not easy living in silence when you can’t express every emotion and live your childhood in silence. It doesn’t offer a solution or a way to return to ‘normal’ life, silence is their lives.

    As long as you have your family, you can live your life.

  • A bite of the arts: HSU’s 5th annual 24 Hour Play Festival

    A bite of the arts: HSU’s 5th annual 24 Hour Play Festival

    March 24 marked HSU’s fifth annual 24 Hour Play Festival held in the Studio Theater. The 24 Hour Play Festival is an annual event produced by HSU students and faculty where students are given free reign and agency to direct, write and produce scenes that are then performed for the public 24 hours later.

    The play was organized by HSU senior Madison Glee, featuring original works performed and written by HSU students. The festival was overseen by faculty member and HSU production manager Derek Lane.

    “An Unexpected Visit,” written by Robert Matthews and directed by Irma Gill, was a brief scene focusing on a singular, rather peculiar interaction between characters Saint, played by HSU senior Camille Borrowdale, and her Bulgarian counterpart Sveta, played by HSU freshman Zoe Remund.

    The scene saw both women meet seemingly randomly on a bench of an anonymous college campus and having an increasingly strange conversation. Saint soon realizes that Sveta is a relative from the future and the two share a joint before deciding to just hang out and grab lunch.

    “The overall process for ‘An Unexpected Visit’ began at 7:30 last night,” said Borrowdale, fresh off the stage. “The writers [started] working on their scenes and they wrote all night, their scripts were due at six in the morning and then quickly chose from a group of all us actors who they wanted to cast, and then we just started cramming until right before the performance.”

    Memorizing the blocking, choreography and dialogue of a scene in a 12-hour period is no small feat, especially considering the length of their scene, and that Borrowdale and several of her fellow castmates were in multiple, unrelated scenes.

    “Yeah it was pretty frustrating at first trying to memorize all my lines,” Borrowdale continued, “But it’s really rewarding getting off stage after working all day on this and being done!”

    The whole process seemed to be intentionally very impromptu; with an emphasis on the element of surprise.

    “We didn’t audition for this either,” Remund said, who played Sveta the Bulgarian visitor from the future. “Anyone could have been a part of the festival and we stress that anyone of any level of experience can join us.”

  • “The Tenth Muse” moves audience to tears

    “The Tenth Muse” moves audience to tears

    Now playing at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, “The Tenth Muse” deals with issues of women’s rights, religion, racism, caste systems and the destruction of art.

    “This is a very different type of show,” actor Heather Roche-Waldo said. “It really reinforced what I don’t know.”

    The play is part of North Coast Rep’s La Voz project, a partnership with Centro del Pueblo Humboldt. For the next three seasons, the theatre will feature at least one production by a Latinx playwright.

    Director Carol Lang made an excellent choice this season with “The Tenth Muse.” Created by Mexican playwright Tanya Saracho for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the play is set in an 18th-century convent in Mexico and features an all-female cast of characters.

    The story begins when young mestiza servant, Jesusa (Fiva Pula), arrives at the convent. Jesusa was sent to take care of a nun who is going blind. Once inside, she meets her new roommates, Lady Manuela (Sarah Traywick), an entitled socialite, and Tomasita (Amelia Resendez), a timid indigenous girl.

    The three young women discover a play written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and beginning acting it out to pass the time. Jesusa also finds some of Inés’ written music and a lute to play, which is strictly forbidden inside the convent walls.

    During her days, Jesusa tends to the needs of Sor Isabelle (Queena Delany), a somewhat unruly sister who is losing her sight, while Tomasita helps Sor Filmonena (Michelle Purnell) in the kitchen. Sor Rufina (Heather Roche-Waldo) is a skeptical and slightly cold sister, while Mother Superior runs the convent with an iron fist.

    Michelle Purnell (left) as Sor Filmonena and Heather Roche-Waldo as Sor Rufina in “The Tenth Muse.” Photo courtesy of North Coast Repertory Theatre.

    The all-female ensemble was fantastic, each player highlighting the quirks of her character superbly. Pula lit up the stage with her effervescent Jesusa. Delany was a joy to watch as Sor Isabelle, who is clinging onto her last glimpses of music and art left by her beloved sister Juana Inés.

    Denise Ryles played a powerful and frightening Mother Superior. At a climax in the story she commits such a cruel act, audience members gasped and cried. Ryles said she had to find what she liked about the character to be able to play her.

    “The inquisition is really at their door,” Ryles said. “For that particular time and for women in general, that was serious business. She had to be stern in order to protect everyone.”

    “The Tenth Muse” is a must-see, though you may not walk away with a smile. This play makes both audience members and players question their own actions and realities more deeply.

    “I think that’s really important. To push people’s boundaries of comfort in theatre,” ensemble actor Karen Echegaray said. “Because that’s how we learn.”

    “The Tenth Muse” is playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre every weekend through April 7.

  • “Loaded” is packed with a kick

    “Loaded” is packed with a kick

    Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz breaks down the Second Amendment and white supremacy in her new book “Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment.”

    Dunbar-Ortiz spoke at Humboldt State’s Van Duzer Theatre on March 20 about her recent book “Loaded,” which explores the origins of the Second Amendment, white supremacy and how guns have controlled American society.

    Dunbar-Ortiz addressed gun culture, starting with colonial settler’s slave patrols and Indian militias. She said slave patrols developed into the the Ku Klux Klan. In addition, the police were formed by the Ku Klux Klan. In 1916, high school Reserve Officer Training Corps, or ROTC, began.

    “This shooter, Cruz, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was an avid ROTC person,” Dunbar-Oritz said. “He joined the ROTC when he was 11. He was known as the best shooter [and] was honored for that. He had on his ROTC T-shirt and pants when he did the killing. He had become a mad soldier.”

    “In the 1960s, we burned down all of the ROTC buildings on campuses across the country,” Dunbar-Ortiz said. “I participated in some of them. I am proud of it. We got rid of military recruiters in schools.”

    The National Rifle Association supplies ROTC’s with ammunition, weapons and targets.

    “They have some really amazing targets, human forms that can move around,” Dunbar-Oritz said. “They practice this in the school cafeteria. The only mention of this was the military honoring of two ROTC students who died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.”

    “You think of this disconnect between gun violence and militarism,” Dunbar-Ortiz said. “I think it is really important to connect up U.S. militarism. The Indian Wars became the basis for all the foreign wars. They all turn into counter insurgency, that is, attacks on civilians, burning their crops and killing people. Vietnam, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are all examples of this counterinsurgency. We have big responsibilities to do our best to save the world.”

    Irene Vasquez is mastering in natural resources at HSU.

    “It’s good to know the real history and to be appreciative of people who have worked so hard before us, the native people who are leaders,” Vasquez said. “It’s an inspiration for young native scholars and the people who are trying to change the systems to get into the higher roles to help their communities.”

    In 1968, Dunbar-Ortiz helped establish the Women’s Liberation Movement with her group Cell 16 in Boston. Cell 16 was named after the cells of a body.

    Dianna Beeler, a resident of Arcata, came out of great respect for Dunbar-Ortiz.

    “I was in a feminist consciousness raising group during the mid 60s in Los Angeles,” Beeler said. “Dunbar-Ortiz was out front, she was everybody’s hero. It is super to see that she has kept this going over all these decades.”

    The word “sexism” came about during this time.

    “The consciousness raising groups were to make people aware of feminism who had lived under a patriarchal society so long they didn’t know any better,” Beeler said.

    During her time with Cell 16, Dunbar-Ortiz published a periodical with Lisa Leghorn, “No More Fun and Games,” which helped women avoid male involvement that was not productive to the Women’s Liberation Movement.

    Ever since Cell 16, Dunbar-Ortiz has been publishing articles and books on women’s rights, indigenous people of Central and North America and an autobiography titled “Red Dirt: Growing up Okie.”

     

  • “Thoroughbreds” is a richly dark comedy

    “Thoroughbreds” is a richly dark comedy

    People are terrible and horses will take over the world.

    “Thoroughbreds” is the debut film of writer and director Cory Finley. It is about two rich girls plotting their stepfather’s murder, but there’s more to it. It’s less a murder mystery, but a character study on emotions and impulses.

    The character Amanda is an emotionless girl who hasn’t fully outgrown her horse phase. She speaks her mind and is blunt about it, including her lack of emotions. Lily is an emotionally overwhelmed girl who guards herself from hurting others.

    The two were formerly friends until high school separated them, only to be reunited by studying for the SAT’s.

    After taking down their reservations, they become friends again. Lily hates her health-obsessed stepdad who talks down to her and forced her mom to send her to a different boarding school. Amanda casually suggests killing him and Lily’s impulsive mindset kicks into gear to plotting his murder.

    This film doesn’t focus on the girls’ lavish lives. It’s just a perfect background to plot a murder without getting caught. The mansions look big and beautiful to fill in the background of the actors’ symmetrical framing.

    The sound editing and mixing stand out with it’s unsettling and chic percussion. The rhythmic score gave it a constant edge that could lead to a psychotic breakdown, which compliments the impulsiveness of the characters.

    Little sounds fill the scenes that reflect the emotions of the characters. Lily’s tapping of a pen mimics a clock too well, the rowing of her stepdad’s row machine irritates her and the sliding sound is invasive like Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

    The characters aren’t simply rich brats. Even if Amanda doesn’t understand emotions, she is still expressive and her brutal honesty is refreshing. Lily is sympathetic when she feels helpless not standing up to her stepdad yelling at her mom.

    The rest of the cast is good, but the highlight is Anton Yelchin, which was his last film since his death in 2016.

    Lily and Amanda grow by the end of the film, yet whether if it was for their own good is up to you.

  • Queso is king in Loleta

    Queso is king in Loleta

    Nobody is re-imagining one of America’s classic foods as deliciously as the Queso Kings.

    Now and then, life gets hard. Our jobs, our studies, hell, even our passions can wear us out. When it comes to getting away from it all and finding our happy places, there are all sorts of way to do it. One of the ways to de-stress is with some good old comfort food. Sometimes, finding that perfect meal can feel impossible.

    Comfort foodies, your search is over. Nestled in a modest farm town of 750 people lies Humboldt County’s cheesiest secret: Queso Kings Grilled Cheese Bar in Loleta.

    What could be so special about a piece of melted cheese between toasted bread? Queso Kings is delicious, and it won’t hurt your wallet either. Any sandwich on the menu is $7, unless you want a meal, which comes with soup for $11.

    Walking in to the cheese bar there is a chalkboard menu with names like “Mardi Gras,” “Smokin’ Pig” and “After School Special.” Around the corner, cheese samples line the walls, creations from the Loleta Cheese Factory who supplies the grilled cheese bar with their queso, with a variety that will make you happier than a hungry college student at Costco on a Saturday.

    The first was “The Divine Order,” a simple and yummy combination of herb and spice havarti with grilled chicken on rustic country bread. The havarti was gooey, sweet and buttery, pairing perfectly with the chicken. The toast was crunchy and light, but the cheese was just bomb. The “Divine Order” tasted like it was anointed by the pope and kissed by Jesus before it was put into the basket.

    Next up was the “Bay Area Brisket,” made with tender and juicy brisket, roasted garlic jack and smokey cheddar on sliced sourdough. The combination of garlic jack and smoked cheddar brought together a savory flavor that will send your taste buds on a vacation. It is the perfect comfort food with the brisket to top it off, adding an extra layer of flavor and heartiness to the sandwich.

    Next to the “Divine Order,” the brisket was the absolute winner. The gooey jack cheese mixed with the sharpness of the cheddar made that sandwich and you will definitely be going back to get another bite.

  • “A Wrinkle in Time” is passable

    “A Wrinkle in Time” is passable

    Just because a director makes a small, successful movie, doesn’t mean Disney should give them over a hundred million dollars to make another one. Take Ava DuVernay, director of “Selma” and “13th,” for example. The initial success doesn’t guarantee similar success with a big blockbuster film.

    DuVernay’s adaptation of “A Wrinkle in Time” was a big deal as the first black female director with a $103 million budget. Following a renewed interest in the book, an all-star cast and more actors of color in the movie, including the main character Meg, there was plenty of hype for this movie.

    The film begins with a younger Meg and her father Mr. Murray (Chris Pine) having fun in his office while he teaches her physics. This is the only scene establishing their relationship, which is less than what the book reveals. The film then flashes forward to present time depicting her father’s four-year disappearance.

    As the film moves on, Meg struggles with her classes and shuts people out. This is expressed by Meg throwing a ball at a bully’s face after being teased about her dad’s disappearance.

    Later that day, Meg and her adopted brother Charles Wallace meet Mrs. Whatsit, (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), three immortal women from the universe who came to help them find their father. They tell the kids that their father traveled to a different part of the universe using a theory he and their mother had been working on for years. This act is called “tesseract,” where you pinch space to make time travel instantaneous, like wrinkling space and time.

    The three immortal ladies guide Meg, Charles and Meg’s classmate Calvin O’Keefe through the universe to find Mr. Murray.

    Watching the different destinations felt like binging an entire season on Netflix. There was so much going on, and it felt rushed to get to the visuals and the elaborate costume changes of the three Mrs.

    The computer-generated images look obvious and didn’t blend in well with the colorful environments. The different scenes that were filmed to distinguish between the planets looked amazing, notably New Zealand.

    The scene that was filmed in Sequoia Park was brief. If that scene was longer, you could probably guess where in the park they filmed it (Duck Pond? Windstorm Meadow? By the swings?). Also, the ending of the film felt like it came out of nowhere, which shows the overall message of “love defeats evil.” It didn’t make much sense for the story or the characters, except to show Meg’s character arc.

    What DuVernay brought to the movie was good overall, especially with casting the main character as a bi-racial girl interested in physics. Certain scenes appeared more impactful, like when Calvin kept complimenting Meg’s hair, a moment that happens in the book, but felt more heartwarming to see her black curly hair.

    Whether or not this film spawns a franchise to expand on the five-book series, it would be exciting to see a huge Disney franchise with more people of color as the lead.

  • Charlotte’s Web wins hearts

    Charlotte’s Web wins hearts

    Chances are you know about Charlotte’s Web, a bestselling children’s novel. Now that we are grown up, we can return to the days of being read to and tap into the inspiration of animals, language and the importance of community.

    Through the immaculate performance of Charlotte’s Web by Humboldt State students and the HSU theater department, this children’s story flows with laughter, touches you with sadness and sweeps you up and out the door in waves of joy. The cast hopes to bring happiness to families and give people the opportunity to take a break from the chaos of life.

    Director Derek Lane, HSU theater arts lecturer, used the play adaptation of Charlotte’s Web by Joseph Robinette and added his own composition from copyright-free music and lyrics.

    Charlotte is played by Camille Borrowdale, an HSU environmental science major.

    “Charlotte’s story is important,” Borrowdale said. “It’s about sticking together and being there for one another in our scary world.”

    During intermission, the lobby of the HSU Van Duzer Theatre was transformed into a carnival midway from the county fair. There were games and chances for children to win prizes.

    HSU theater major Roman Sanchez is the production manager of Charlotte’s Web and an activist for getting arts into education.

    “This might be some children’s first play,” Sanchez said. “We want to inspire them for a lifetime of the arts.”

    Sanchez believes the domino effect can change the world.

    “The togetherness of rehearsing with the cast and crew was really fun,” HSU zoology student and cast member Rachael Robinson said.

    Veronica Brooks is an HSU double major in theater and anthropology, as well as the costume designer for Charlotte’s Web.

    “Come and see Charlotte’s Web,” Brooks said. “It is happy and rewarding. It will knock your socks off!” .

    Charlotte’s Web continues tonight and tomorrow in the Van Duzer Theatre at 7:30 p.m., as well as a matinee show on Sunday at 10 a.m. You can find more information at centerarts.humboldt.edu.

  • Dog Expo has its day

    Dog Expo has its day

    Longtime dog owners in the community showed off their pooches to raise money for spay and neutering funds on March 4 at the Redwood Acres.

    The 31st annual fundraiser was organized by the Humboldt Dog Obedience Group, also known as HumDOG. The local non-profit was founded in 1978 and provides services to “encourage responsible dog ownership.”

    The event presents an opportunity to meet with various dog breeds, share experiences and advice with fellow dog lovers and prospective dog owners.

    Proceeds from the event benefit the Terri Lockett Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund. Lockett started the spay and neuter fund through HumDOG in 1995 and was known as “the spay and neuter queen” to her friends.

    Tricia Morgan of Eureka said Lockett was passionate about the cause and worked to make spaying and neutering available to anyone.

    “If someone didn’t have money, she would pay for it herself,” Morgan said.

    Since Lockett’s death in 2005, Morgan and the HumDOG members have kept her dream alive. The organization hosts fundraisers, such as DogExpo, and receives funding from grants.

    Morgan, who has now taken the title of “spay and neuter princess,” sported a tiara at the event and performed in multiple demonstrations along with her dog Shylo, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever.

    Numerous families approached the president of HumDOG, Marilyn Backman, and her two Shetland sheepdogs, Indy and Dunnigan.

    “The training and classes we offer really isn’t for the dogs,” Backman said. “It’s more for the humans.”

    Eureka citizen Sara Borok is a dog trainer and owner of Siberian Huskies Karma and Hildy, who race for the Northern Humboldt Sled Dog Team.

    Karma (left) and her daughter Hildy. Photo by Lora Neshovska.

    “We are an urban mushing team,” Borok said. “We sled even without snow.”

    Dogs train up to months at a time prior to their first race. Karma, who is now 10 years old, led Borok on their first race at only nine months old.

    “This is the first year we are going to have other breeds in the team,”

    Anthony Rojas, a history student at Humboldt State University, is a dog fanatic and volunteers at the Sequoia Humane Society. Rojas, along with the society, took part in the Dog Expo on Sunday.

    “It’s a no-kill shelter and I believe everyone deserves a second chance,” Rojas said. “I volunteer here because it’s important to raise awareness for adoption, spaying and neutering.”

  • Rockin’ philanthropic

    Rockin’ philanthropic

    Delta Phi Epsilon Male Beauty Pageant.

    From silly to serious, pageant contestants brought their finest swimsuits, talents and rock and roll air guitars to the Delta Phi Epsilon male beauty pageant on Feb. 24.

    The annual Deepher Dude pageant raised $714.50 this year for the the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, an official partner of Delta Phi Epsilon. The Humboldt State University chapter of the sorority also played a video created by members to uplift women and promote body positivity.

    Kinesiology major Andrew Pedroza, a member of the HSU fraternity Chi Phi, is the 2018 Deepher Dude. Pedroza sang to one of his fraternity brothers in the crowd as his talent. In addition to being crowned Deepher Dude, Pedroza also recieved a hand painted paddle, a ticket to the Delta Phi Epsilon spring formal and bragging rights.

    Pedroza said he was too embarrassed to participate last year, but decided to this year after pep talks from friends and discovering a talent for singing. He said his biggest influence, however, was his girlfriend Stephanie.

    “I did it for my number one fan,” Pedroza said.

    The pageant featured formal wear, swim wear, special talent and Q&A categories for seven contestants to show off in. The pageant theme was rock and roll, and contestants participated in an electrifying air guitar competition.

    Some contestants, such as Tayler Fant and Tracy Wright, performed spoken word as their talents with themes of women empowerment and creative encouragement.

    Wright read an open letter to the man who got his cousin pregnant.

    “You must have an organ donor sticker on your driver’s license, because your heart is missing,” Wright said through tears.

    Fant read two poems, one of which was his own.

    “Why is it always beautiful before the storm, and why do you have to be cold in order to get warm and are we alive before we are born or is that something to leave up to the Lord?” Fant said.

    Others did live tumbling, caught food in their mouths, performed a lip sync and performed a live improvised piano piece in dedication to survivors of anorexia and bulimia.

    Sam Caudill, pageant judge, alumna of Delta Phi Epsilon and the current membership development alumnae advisor, said there was a lot of genuine talents this year.

    “The singing, gymnastics and spoken word all blew me away,” Caudill said. “In the past, the talents have been more comical.”

    Though Pedroza won the crown, two other categories were available to place in. Contestant Colin Slave won Rock ‘n’ Roll King and Fant raised the most money as a contestant.

    All proceeds from the Deepher Dude pageant went to ANAD.

  • Vance Joy pierces hearts in his sophomore album ‘Nation of Two’

    Vance Joy pierces hearts in his sophomore album ‘Nation of Two’

    Australian singer and songwriter James Keogh, also known as Vance Joy, reminds fans he is capable of taking them on an emotionally packed adventure in his sophomore album “Nation of Two.”

    Joy leaves nothing on the table as his heart penetrates your ears.

    Each of the 13 tracks on “Nation of Two” are distinct in their own unique ways as they evolve around the several ways you can experience love. As Joy reflects on the bittersweet memories of his past, he encourages others to reflect on their own.

    Joy’s acoustic guitar, melodic undertones and emotional presence carry you away into a new-age, folk-infused daydream.

    Songs like “Call If You Need Me,” “Take Your Time” and “Bonnie & Clyde” leave listeners thinking about loved ones. Listening to this album brings back deep and unforgettable memories. Music can play a big part in people’s relationships and this album is effective at bringing you closer to your significant other(s).

    The most emotional track is “I’m With You.”

    “And if you need a light, I’ll be the match to your candle. My darling, I’m ready to burst into flames for you,” Vance says.

    If you are the type of person that is willing to sacrifice everything for your significant other(s), this song will hit home.

    If you never gave Joy a listen, imagine The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and Ed Sheeran had a hybrid baby. If you are attempting to rekindle the flame and soak up some tears, then give “Nation of Two” a listen.

  • King Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Black Panther: The Album’ debuted at No.1

    King Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Black Panther: The Album’ debuted at No.1

    Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment released a soundtrack to Marvel’s superhero film Black Panther as a tribute to Black History Month.

    Black Panther: The Album sold 154,000 copies in the first week, building excitement in fans before the film even premiered. The soundtrack debuted at number one in the Billboard charts.

    Although the whole album didn’t appear in the movie, it has many different types of sounds and voices. It goes along with the film’s messages, and all 14 tracks are different featuring Lamar along with Jay Rock, SZA, Schoolboy Q, Anderson .Paak, The Weeknd, Future, Khalid, Mozzy and more.

    The Black Panther album references the movie’s world, Wakanda. Lamar’s verses are written in the point of view of the fictional world’s culture, as well as American culture. Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment created a perfect soundtrack to complement an outstanding film. The Black Panther has created a cultural movement.

    Lamar never seems to disappoint his fans with his talent. He always delivers a work of art. Every track has its own style that is fresh.

    The contributors who put together this diverse soundtrack represent the cast of the film Black Panther. If you listen to the album before watching the film, you will definitely feel a vibe off the movie. It tells a story in a different perspective from each artist featured. The album cover is simple, yet illustrates the meaning behind the Black Panther. The soundtrack is catchy and worth a listen.

    In a tweet on Feb. 11, Lamar expressed his admiration for the creation of the Black Panther soundtrack.

    “Respect to all the artist/producers that allowed me to execute a sound for the soundtrack,” Lamar tweeted. “The concept of producing and composing a project other than my own has always been ideal I appreciate the experience love ones. Continue to be great.”