Lifestyle

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 […]
Cheap Eats with Monika Joshi

Lifestyle April 25, 2011 at 6:46 pm 2 comments

In the mood for some authentic Indian food, but not willing to empty your pockets for it? This week, “Cheap Eats” brings you two simple yet appetizing recipes that can zest up your usual diet.
Award-winning documentary to premiere at JC Cinema

Lifestyle April 25, 2011 at 6:41 pm Comments are Disabled

This year’s Academy Awards honored many talented artists and recognized various rising stars in the film industry.
30 Seconds to Mars to perform at the Patriot Center

Lifestyle April 25, 2011 at 6:38 pm Comments are Disabled

“I don’t remember a moment I tried to forget,” croons 30 Seconds to Mars lead singer Jared Leto in the opening seconds of their latest single, “Closer to the Edge.” Since the release of their 2009 album “This is War,” 30 Seconds to Mars has rocked nearly 2 million fans in 30 countries across the globe during their high-energy tours. The L.A. trio came together in 1998 and released their self-titled studio album in 2002 which did poorly according to sales charts. Their 2005 sophomore effort, “A Beautiful Lie,” eclipsed their past failure, selling 3.5 million copies worldwide and becoming certified platinum in the United States. The title single of their third album, “This is War,” reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs chart along with the single “Kings and Queens.” Fresh off the plane from Santiago, Chile, the band recently performed at the inaugural international expansion of Lollapalooza with Kanye West, Deftones and The Killers. On Wednesday night at 7 p.m., the eclectic rock band will perform hits from their three albums at the Patriot Center. Tickets are on sale starting at $32.50.
Dare to resist the war on drugs

Lifestyle April 25, 2011 at 6:37 pm 9 comments

When people are given brownies on April 20, they may be curious as to what the brownies really contain.