Archive

Critical Voices: Yuksek, Living on the Edge of Time

Frenchman Pierre-Alexandre Busson, Yuksek’s sole member, admitted that the majority of songs on his romantic Living on the Edge of Time, released on Valentine’s Day, were written all alone in between the wings of a plane or above winding train tracks. As such, the album often comes off a little solemn. The opening lines of “On a Train,” sung out in a Wombats-style Britpop accent, are sad a self-deprecating: “Thanks, I’m fine, but I’ve nothing to give.” With a tone like this, Yuksek’s sophomore official release brings the new era of dance-pop music a darker, TV on the Radio-esqe twist.

By Will Collins February 16, 2012

Editorials

Clara and Vail provide the best vision for GUSA

There are a great many options in this year’s GUSA presidential election, and each one presents quality ideas. But one ticket clearly stands out from the pack with the necessary experience, a practical and ambitious policy platform, and a wider vision for what GUSA can be. Clara Gustafson (SFS ‘13) and Vail Kohnert-Yount (SFS ’13) are that ticket, and a vote for them represents a concrete investment in enhanced student life, a richer academic environment, and a redoubling of Georgetown’s commitment to sustainability and social justice.

By the Editorial Board February 16, 2012

Critical Voices: Tennis, Young and Old

For today’s indie bands, the risk of drowning in a sea of synthesizers and hipster criticism is all too real. Any wrong move results in uncompromising irrelevance, which is followed by the immediate rise of another, similar band to fill the void. Luckily, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, the husband/wife duo that makes up Tennis, have not succumbed to this fate. A career that began on a seven-month sailing expedition along the eastern coast of the United States has begun to blossom into a powerful act which attracted the likes of the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, who produced the more professional Young and Old.

By Kirill Makarenko February 16, 2012

Editorials

D.C. must curtail corporate political influence

On Thursday, Feb. 9, D.C. Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan ruled that the “Fair Elections to Restore Public Trust” initiative, a potential revamping of D.C. campaign finance law, is constitutional and not in conflict with the 2010 Citizens United vs. FEC decision by the Supreme Court. Supporters will now need to collect 22,000 signatures from registered voters in the District before the measure can go before the public in a referendum on election day. The initiative proposes a series of measures that would bring D.C. campaign finance regulations into line with federal regulations. Although the proposed rules do not entirely curtail the insidious influence of money in politics, they represent a step in the right direction for D.C., which currently lags behind many states and the national government in addressing this fundamental problem in American democracy.

By the Editorial Board February 16, 2012

Hoyas set for rematch with Friars in Providence

Providence and Georgetown have headed in vastly different directions since their first meeting. Georgetown has continued their early-season success, while the Friars sit in last place in the Big East.

By Tim Shine February 16, 2012

Sports Sermon: Murky, but promising future for Hoya football

Coupled with the seemingly daily changes to the Big East conference, Georgetown athletics faces perhaps its most difficult and unclear era. However, for the football program, that could signal the restart of continued progress.

By Kevin Joseph February 16, 2012

Tennis wins Big East opener

The Hoyas beat the Panthers 4-2 last season after losing to them in a close 4-3 match in the spring of 2010, and they’ve continued their three-match winning streak by downing them 6-1 at the Alpha Tennis and Fitness Club.

By Melissa Sullivan February 16, 2012

Double Teamed: Reevaluating Cuban talent

While it is completely understandable to have reservations about paying $36 million for a player completely unproven in the MLB, scouts need to start showing some consistency when evaluating these unknown international talents.

By Daniel Kellner February 16, 2012

Hoyas bounce back against Villanova

The win came after a close five-point win over Seton Hall and an 80-38 pummeling by No. 3 UConn.

By Abby Sherburne February 16, 2012

Aramark, union reach contract agreement

After a year of protracted negotiations, representatives of the Georgetown Dining Services union, Unite Here!, and University food services provider Aramark have agreed on a three-year contract.

By Rachel Calvert February 9, 2012

Seven candidates launch GUSA presidency campaigns

The GUSA presidential campaign kicked off this morning at midnight, marking the start of a two-week race.

By Fatima Taskomur February 9, 2012

Pro-choice group provokes complaints

Last Thursday, two Planned Parenthood representatives tabling with H*yas for Choice in Red Square were confronted by a University employee and asked to leave when they could not provide identification as students.

By Vanya Mehta February 9, 2012

SGU holds executive board elections

Wednesday night, voting for the 11 positions—one for each of 11 student group categories—on the first executive board of Georgetown’s Student Group Union finished, with candidates for nine of the spots running uncontested.

By Matthew Weinmann February 9, 2012

Saxa Politica: This is what bureaucracy looks like!

In the press conference for the release of the 2012 Student Life Report, the GUSA President Mike Meaney (SFS ’12) and Vice President Greg Laverriere (COL ’12) were asked when they thought another large-scale, student-driven self-study should be executed.

By Ryan Bellmore February 9, 2012

Dahlgren renovation plans released

On Wednesday, the committee for the renovation of Dahlgren Chapel released specific plans for the improvement of the building, which include moving the baptismal font close to the opening of the church and placing the tabernacle in better view of parishioners.

By Connor Jones February 9, 2012

Features

The Power of Natsu Compels You: Gravitating toward Georgetown’s most spontaneous theater professor

On the set of her new production, Astro Boy and the God of Comics, creator and director Natsu Onoda Power is full of abounding energy, tempered by disciplined focus. The stage is small and rough, with low lighting, an exposed brick-and-pipes wall, and a concrete floor littered with the organized chaos of a production. In the midst of laughter and the occasional missed line, there is a quieter process taking shape. Onoda Power’s collaborative style dominates the scene.

By Julia Tanaka February 9, 2012

Denzel brings down the Safe House

Even when chased by big men with big guns and big cars, Denzel Washington keeps his cool. The actor characteristically brings depth to Daniel Espinosa’s Safe House, the director’s first English-language blockbuster. Starring Ryan Reynolds as a new-to-the-game CIA safe house monitor, and Washington as a rogue agent who ends up under Reynolds’ surveillance, the film sets itself up for sufficiently clever dialogue and often compelling dynamics. By refusing to stick to one genre, Safe House proves a through-and-through action film with the taste of a thriller and the insight of movies that would otherwise hold themselves to a higher artistic standard.

By Will Collins February 9, 2012

Pina dances to life in 3D

3D film seems an odd choice of medium for a tribute to a choreographer. But for director Wim Wender’s tribute to choreographer and dancer Pina Bausch, this effect proves a stunning, effective tool. The ode to the late German choreographer features exquisitely beautiful modern dance numbers and the talent of the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch dancers. Both a celebration of Bausch’s life and an experimentation in 3D film, dance and cinema enthusiasts alike are sure to enjoy Wender’s Pina.

By Lacey Henry February 9, 2012

Weeping for the next generation of art

At first glance, the Contemporary Wing’s venue for its “Next Generation” exhibit appears to be a lone warehouse, surrounded by a gritty combination of chain link fences and forgotten furniture. Boasting a compilation of work by 12 upcoming artists selected by the seasoned masters of the Corcoran’s “30 Americans” collection, this offbeat setting was clearly chosen with edgy content in mind. The pairing of “Next Gen” artists and chain link fences, however, falls flat given the lack of substance in the exhibit itself.

By Julia Lloyd-George February 9, 2012

Trash Talk: America ain’t got talent

On Sunday night, American TV viewers witnessed a clash of titans, as NBC brought together the best of the best in a test of raw talent and unbridled passion. Oh yeah, and the Super Bowl was great too.

By Keaton Hoffman February 9, 2012

Box Office, Baby! Kindergarten commentary

“This scene is unbelievable because my frustration about this taxi cab does not understand where I want to go.” These words were mangled together by two-term governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, who evolved from iron-pumper into action star before he started signing bills. And, if more than 20 people had watched the DVD commentary of his film Total Recall before his election bid, lines like this one could have single-handedly sabotaged his run for office. If only the people of California had known that they were casting their ballots for a man wholly incapable of making a routine DVD commentary track.

By Mark James February 9, 2012

Critical Voices: The Fray, Scars & Stories

Isaac Slade, the lead singer of the Fray, claims that Scars & Stories, the group’s latest release, embodies a “more aggressive” lyrical approach to their music. This might seem strange, given that the group is known for its roots in Christian rock. And while the lyrics do sound more emotionally charged than those in albums past, the band’s continued use of piano as the lead instrument diminishes the potential effect of their newly powerful verses. In spite of this loss of lyrical potential, this new album is the Fray’s most successful LP to date.

By Kirill Makarenko February 9, 2012