Rejection–an unpleasant word typically surrounded by a negative feeling. Rejection–an opportunity for growth. Nobody is free from dealing with rejection, and much of the musical community at USM is faced with it right now.
Category: Arts & Culture
From chaos to calm: chanters retreat
On one side of life, there’s a littered freeway, where police cars barrel through the crowded lanes, and an endless flow of stop and go traffic contributes to the grayness floating above the city. On the opposing side all of nature is in unison and a calm blanket cloaks the earth. How does one create a mental bridge from the chaos to the calm? The individuals participating in the women-centered chants, held Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. in the basement of the Honors Building, use song as a bridge to serenity.
Kozy-like Grandma’s
Soup. That’s all we wanted. It’s 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Elise and I are hungry but crippled by foul flu-like symptoms, the source of which she claims to have contracted from me. I sense hostility when she instant-messages me.
Styx fans, rejoice
“Cyclorama” (Sanctuary Records), the latest release from veteran rock group Styx, features a revamped line-up and a classic rock formula that is sure to please. Those established “classic rock” fans will be excited to see the group still has plenty to offer musically. With a mixture of new faces and old, Styx has returned with a clear goal to rock like they used to. With a dwindling market for aging ’70s rock acts, it is great to see bands still capable of making music that rocks without worrying about radio play.
“Old School” fails to make the grade
It would be easy to dismiss the new comedy “Old School” as just another raunchy, thick-headed “Animal House” wannabe, but the idea behind it (whether it is intentional or not) gives it some respectability. However, the film never pretends (or aspires) to be anything beyond what it is, which is an enjoyable and funny, albeit an ultimately uneven, good time at the theater. Serious moviegoers may want to skip this film, but those seeking escapist fun could do a lot worse than this movie.
Yoga-a voyage to peace
How can we keep ourselves healthy? Yoga instructor Amanda Curtis Kezal might suggest taking a few deep breaths and easing yourself into frog position. Frog is just one of the many yoga postures that focuses on deep breathing and awareness of the body and mind. Curtis Kezal,who teaches the only one credit yoga course offered at USM, is a certified Kripalu Yoga instructor.
The Food Connection
My friend and I feel adventurous. The sports bar scene just doesn’t do the trick for two secure young women looking for something new to do. Neither of us has time for an escapade to a foreign land for dinner. The cure to our exotic itch is Indian cuisine at Tandoor on 88 Exchange St.
It may be cliche, but it’s got Pacino
“The Recruit” is a non-event movie that offers nothing new to the spy genre. The filmmakers may think they have a clever plot on their hands, but it is nothing but a re-read of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold,” “Three Days of the Condor” and the recent “Spy Game” molded together to form movie mush. A major theme of this film is deception, but it can’t even deceive us into believing this is a good movie.
Is Phish regressing or are we just maturing?
In the early 90s the world was introduced to a band that fed into young people’s desire to wear homemade clothes, eat burritos, sell jewelry, hacky sack, and most importantly, do a lot of drugs and dance wildly around to music that seemed to have no end. The band that brought us to this crazy state: Phish.
ASS to promote the arts
USMARTASS. Don’t be offended by the logo for the new name of the student group, the Art Student Society (ASS). Look closely and you’ll find multiple acronyms present, all relevant to the subject.
A classic staged reading
It’s the first big show of the Theatre Department’s season and where have all the theatre majors gone? The American College Theater Festival has seduced them to travel to Keene State in New Hampshire to participate in a weekend of competition. The festival is a contributing factor in the Theatre Department’s decision to do a staged reading as opposed to a full production of Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge.”
The Pepper Club and Tom “complete me”
This week Pinkie meets Mr. Cruise for a night on the town and maybe a little dancing to “Old Time Rock and Roll” (“Risky Business”)
And all those jazzy dance moves
Rob Marshall’s “Chicago” is a hot sexy blistering wow of a movie. This musical fuels itself with all that Broadway should be and blasts off directly into the moviegoer’s senses. It’s great songs, amazing choreography and sharp filmmaking attack the viewer from all angles and never lets up.
Beck keeps from slitting his wrists
In 1993 radio stations filled the airways with Beck’s eccentric and catchy tune, “Loser.” The cynical and self-loathing lyrics (“I’m a loser baby / So why don’t you kill me”) had us all singing along and making fun of our own idiosyncrasies. Along with “Loser,” songs like “Beercan,” “Pay No Mind,” and “Soul Sucking Jerk” created a strange but catchy and well-rounded album titled “Mellow Gold.”
A history of “Scandalous Eyes”
How often do you question your beliefs? There was a time not long ago when white men dressed up in black face to entertain the merry masses and sheet music covers displayed oppressive stereotypes of black culture. Black face is a tradition in which travelling minstrel performers painted their face with coal in the early 20th century. This practice, not exclusive to white men, was an unquestioned element in society.
Anybody seen my burrito?
Disco tunes blast as Mick opens the door to Granny’s Burritos on 420 Fore St. We are no longer in 2003, dressed casually in jeans and sweaters, but 1973. Mick is wearing a cream leisure suit with a cherry red polyester shirt. He holds the door for me and says, “Come on in, little lady.
Could it be the nose?
First of all, let’s get the nose out of the way. Is it possible for a piece of prosthetic to improve someone’s acting? Not that Nicole Kidman is a bad actress. In fact she is very good, but in “The Hours” Kidman completely emerges herself into Virginia Woolf and it’s difficult to judge how much the nose helps. Either way, it is a fantastic performance by both.
The Roots: jiggy hip-hop? Not their style
If you thought The Roots couldn’t get any better, then you haven’t heard their latest studio album, “Phrenology.” The Roots go above and beyond the expectations of their fans to create another great musical experience for their listening audience.
Sly Chi: From rural Maine… To Portland… and beyond
What’s a band to do once they’ve conquered Portland? Local groove band Sly Chi sets its sights on overcoming all of New England. Sly Chi, described by friend and sound man Dave Butler as a “smooth moving aura,” is working on moving into the touring circuit.
A “Sly” afterthought
I was nervous, worried about interviewing nine people. A whole band (literally) of strangers and just me–that’s intimidating. Trying to block out the negative thoughts threatening to overwhelm me with anxiety, I reassured myself: “They’re only people, that’s all–just like me–mostly college students, nothing to worry about.” Still though, when I arrived to meet Sly Chi, there was a pit of anxiety brewing within and I was wrestling it for control.
She knows it’s only soup and sandwich, but she likes it
The semester begins, leaving Mick and me with opposite schedules. However, we shuffle plans to meet for an early lunch. Mick and I dart into Latte Caf? and Bistro on 486 Congress St.
Steve complains about nothing to complain about
“Adaptation” is one of the most original motion pictures in history. It is not a film that merely reshapes the art form but attacks it with sharp barbs and hilarious insights while it does so. The whole movie spins brilliant circles that intertwine to create a new cohesive film structure.
USM alumna exhibits character
Although her time allotted to her art is limited, Yankura said, “Teaching is one of the best things that ever happened to me for my work.” Yankura thrives on her role as an instructor and said she has learned a lot in her time teaching. ” I love to be with people who get really excited [about art],” Yankura said. Her current position is somewhat of a dream job. St. Luke’s is a day school for accelerated students, so Yankura’s students are enthusiastic, talented, and motivated.
Steves concedes to the greatness of the Towers
Director Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is the type of successor we all hope for when we go to sequels. Moviegoers have continually been duped into films with titles that include Roman numerals and words like “return,” “revenge” and “bride of” that we almost accept the diminished experience when the trailers begin. A good sequel is rare.