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From Checkov to Wu-Tang

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:23 pm Comments are Disabled

In a cutting-edge attempt to create a new and innovative type of performance art, the show “March of the Seagulls” was born. The performance interweaves dramatist Anton Chekhov’s play “The Seagull” with the story of a seagull king trying to create a new form of art to take over the world. Directed by senior theatre major Chris Aldrich, “March of the Seagulls” incorporates dance, theater, film, live music and multimedia through movement-based theater. “The whole idea started out as a joke. Then we actually started having a good time with it,” said Aldrich. “I wanted to create an art form that combined everything I love.” Among the musical influences to the show are Pink Floyd, The Notorious B.I.G., Iron Maiden, Slayer and Wu-Tang Clan. In addition to Chekhov, some of the theater influences include playwrights Bertolt Brecht and Luigi Pirandello. “I wrote [‘March of the Seagulls’], but it has become a collaborative effort among myself, the cast and crew,” said Aldrich. “I wanted a new thing that was different from anything that has been at Mason. It gave us a chance to really break out of the box.” “March of the Seagulls” will be shown in TheaterSpace, located in the […]
Q&A with Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker and star

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:23 pm Comments are Disabled

Film and Media Studies, along with a few other departments premiered the academy award-nominated documentary “Poster Girl” at the Johnson Center cinema Wednesday. The film documents the struggle of an army Iraq war veteran, Robynn Murray, against her debilitating effects of war, including post-tramatic stress disorder. Murray, along with the film’s director Sarah Nesson, sat down before the showing to express their thoughts and feelings. Why do you think “Poster Girl” is an important film? Sara Neeson: I think what’s really great about Robynn is that she personalizes PTSD. She’s making it palatable; she’s helping people understand what it’s like. I think there’s a huge disconnect between what veterans are really going through and what the media shows veterans going through. And so for most people to get to see Robynn, it really helps them understand PTSD and therefore put a face to this horrible issue that we have in our country. Robynn Murray: Given how many veterans are committing suicide — I think it’s 5,000 in a year, which is approximately 18 veterans a day — I think that the information that people are getting, with how we suffer, with how I suffered, it’s not really something that they […]
Students raise awareness about testicular cancer during annual festival

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:20 pm Comments are Disabled

Each year, the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education holds Testival, an event to promote awareness of testicular cancer. Testival takes a humorous approach to educating the students and faculty of George Mason University about testicular cancer. This year’s event entertained and educated the Mason community with games like Penis Plinko, Guess the Gonad, NUTrition, Penis Trivia and Testicular Pursuit. Amongst the fun and games, the event also had serious and educational tables providing support and awareness for those living with cancer and promoting general men’s health. “We’ve had a diverse crowd [of] teachers and faculty, and then some students have come by,” said Erika Zeidler, senior nursing major stationed at the T-shirt table. Unlike other events at Mason, Testival gave T-shirts away on one basis. “I [had] everyone tell me how to give [themselves] a self exam before they got a T-shirt,” Zeidler said as she turned a student back towards the informative tables to learn how to perform the four-step test and receive his free T-shirt. Zeidler felt that the event accomplished what the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education had in mind. “It’s a good community outreach program,” Zeidler said. “It shows people to not […]
Plain White T’s headlines Mason Day

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:18 pm Comments are Disabled

The Plain White T’s performed at Mason Day on Friday. They played some of their hit songs such as “Rhythm of Love,” “Boomerang,” “Our Time Now” and, of course, their Grammy-nominated hit, “Hey There Delilah.” The band started in a garage in Chicago but soon moved on to the local club scene. The band was greatly impacted by rock music, crediting the Beatles as one of their biggest influences. Some other artists they admire include Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, U2, Coldplay, Panic! At the Disco, The Strokes and Jimmy Meet World. When asked about staying grounded with such success, Tom Higgenson, lead singer and guitarist, and Dave Tirio, guitarist and backup vocalist, believe the key is hard work and keeping close friends and family ties. Higgenson said, “we’ve had to work really hard for what we’ve gotten and I think that just makes us appreciate it more and more to not take people for granted.” Tirio agreed saying, “when things come fast for people it just makes them spin out of control.” The Plain White T’s got their big break in 2007 with their song “Hey There Delilah.” The inspiration for the song came when Higgenson met and […]
30 Seconds to Mars rock the Patriot Center

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:15 pm Comments are Disabled

An elaborate stage set up alone — complete with eight flags, two skeletons, two TV screens and a giant white curtain —would make a 30 Seconds to Mars show memorable, but the band was willing to go beyond just putting on a good show Frontman Jared Leto was sure to make the 30 Seconds show at the Patriot Center Wednesday evening something fans and spectators wouldn’t forget. “We’re finally home,” exclaimed Leto, who grew up in the area. “This is a special show.” Special doesn’t even begin to describe the performance 30 Seconds gave; mind-blowing might be closer. Playing a mixture of old and new songs, 30 Seconds didn’t simply play a show — they made the show unforgettable. “There [are] an awful lot of people sitting on their fat asses back there,” Leto addressed fans still sitting in the stands. “This is a 30 Seconds to Mars show!” Spectators who paid extra to be on the floor closer to the band may have been irritated when Leto opened the floor to all fans, instructing security to step aside. However, frustations were cast aside as the lights dimmed and the band played again. The crowd peacefully lost control while Leto […]
‘Malcolm in the Middle’ star a hit

Lifestyle May 2, 2011 at 11:10 pm Comments are Disabled

Free carnival rides, free funnel cakes and free entertainment. What more could you ask for? Mason Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fun on Friday. Hundreds of Mason students gathered in Lot L, eager to see what awaited them. “This day has been amazing!” exclaimed Leslie Steiger, a sophomore majoring in communication and psychology. “The local bands playing are awesome, especially the Funk Mnkyz!” Headlining this year’s Mason Day was American pop rock band Plain White T’s, best known for their smash hit song “Hey There Delilah.” “I waited all night for them to perform ‘Hey There Delilah’ and it was completely worth it,” said Stefanie Juvinel, a junior integrative studies major. “When lead singer Tom Higgenson left the front stage to perform that track with the back row audience in the small back tent, it was surreal.” Other students, however, were not as thrilled with the music selection. “The Plain White T’s are all right, though I am really looking forward to the Wiz Khalifa concert next week,” said Tony Ta, a junior communication major. As part of Mason Day’s entertainment package, rapper Wiz Khalifa will be performing Wednesday at the Patriot Center. The carnival also featured rides […]
Denim Day promotes sexual violence education and prevention

News1 May 2, 2011 at 11:06 pm Comments are Disabled

Denim Day is a rape prevention education campaign, organized by Peace Over Violence, an organization dedicated to preventing sexual violence. This year’s Denim Day was observed last Wednesday.
Presidential task force wraps up forums

News1 May 2, 2011 at 11:05 pm Comments are Disabled

After two open forums for members of the George Mason University community, a meeting with resident advisors and a meeting with resident directors, the Presidential Task Force commissioned to investigate the Mason Police Department’s interaction with students will meet Monday to begin discussion of what will appear in an interim report to President Alan Merten. Communication professor Peter Pober, one of the two co-chairs of the Task Force, said today’s meeting is the first time the group will discuss its findings. After the interim report, due to be sent to Merten by mid- to late May, the Task Force will compile a final report which will be submitted at the end of June. The Task Force engaged resident directors and advisors, and collected 42 written documents outlining interaction with police in addition to hearing 16 to 18 testimonies from members of the Mason community who spoke at the open forums, Pober said. The overwhelming majority of people who spoke at the two open forums expressed concern with the Mason Police Department. Most of the concerns came from students detailing interactions they had with police officers, according to the transcripts. Students at the open forum were given five minutes to speak […]
Mason’s golden ninja

News1 May 2, 2011 at 11:05 pm 1 comment

Many people on campus have met or at least know of Chris Mayernik. Some have seen him biking around; others just instantly spot him in a crowd. Tumblr even has a page dedicated to Mayernik sightings. Unlike most people on campus though, Mayernik has another name, a name more and more people are learning daily — Golden Ninja.
Pilot House number one late-night option

News1 May 2, 2011 at 11:02 pm Comments are Disabled

At George Mason University, students have a multitude of options on campus, ranging from food and alcohol to books and concert tickets. However, in spite of the abundance of choices, it seems that the student body has its favorites, which rarely change. According to an article in The Mason Gazette, chicken tenders and ice cream are the first items students approach when they enter Southside dining hall, though there are some outliers. “I head straight for the cereal bar,” said Holly Klodin, a freshman biology major. “That or the salad bar.” Southside allows students to eat as much as they want for a set price. However, Southside is not a 24-hour facility, which leaves students to seek out alternate dining locations at night. Pilot House, one of the newest places to eat on campus, has surpassed Ike’s as the most popular late-night diner. According to William Fry, director of retail operations for Mason Dining, in the Gazette article, the late-night snack of choice is a slice of cheese pizza or chicken wings. “I like to get cheese pizza and fries,” said Ann Ibraz, a sophomore communication major. “I’m usually up late studying and just need a break.” Mason’s local watering […]