INS

IDE Zack and Miiri Director Kevin Smtih talks about

the humerous side of porn. Style | 11

Photo exhibt reminds students of the hor-rors of the Hiroshima bombing. Style | 12

The Angry Queen plans a makeover for anew and improved Sarah Palin. Style | 13

1 The number ofdays until the2008 PresidentialElection. So whowill it be, BarackObama or JohnMcCain?

Halloween with Panic, DashboardRock Band Live Tour Comes to Patriot Center

A crush of scenesters cladin neon elbow for position by thebarricade. Two girls dressed ass’mores swoon on the floor,singing along with “Our TimeNow” by the Plain White T’s andpledging their devotion to theband with their unblinking eyesand hands clasped over theirhearts. Candy is thrown to theaudience. Product placement isso prominent audience memberswill go home reciting not songlyrics but video gamecommercials. It can mean onlyone thing: the Rock Band LiveTour has come to the PatriotCenter for Halloween.

Las Vegas-based pop-rockers The Cab kicked off thenight with style. Lead guitaristIan Crawford was one of themost talented performers totake the stage all night, fingersflying along the neck of theguitar and stealing impressivesolos from the frets.

The band played energeticnumbers like “I’ll Run,”“Bounce” and “Risky Business.”Though their vocals wereoccasionally weak, theinstruments were strong andThe Cab’s enthusiasm wasinfectious, getting the crowdmore excited than most openingbands can manage.

The Plain White T’s cashedin on this energy, performing a

balanced mix of older pop songslike “Take Me Away” and newermaterial like the endearing“One Two Three Four.”

The Chicago pop-rockersknow how to close a set, savingtheir hits for last. “Hey ThereDelilah,” which everyone claimsto be sick of but secretly stilladores, was performed well andaided by a feminine backingchorus provided by devotedcrowd members.

They followed up theromantic number with the killerpop-punk song “Hate (I ReallyDon’t Like You),” and the energythey carried through their finalnumber created such a good vibethat the rest of their set was leftin the dust.

Between two of the bands’sets, teams of audiencemembers were brought onstageto play Rock Band. Some of thegroups got into it and were funto watch, like the first group ofGeorge Mason Universitystudents who flaunted behind-the-neck guitar skills andunique vocals while tearing up“The Kids In America.” Otherswere painful, like the finalgroup who flailed on a Paramoretrack despite—or perhapsbecause of—the male drummerbeing topless.

Dashboard Confessionalwas next up. The alt-rockersplayed a good set, but theyseemed slightly out of place in alineup of college-aged pop-rockers. Frontman Chris

Carrabba’s vocals were oddlyfeminine at times, but theirdevoted fans didn’t mind andsang along with all their mightto hits like “Hands Down” and“Don’t Wait.” One of the biggesthits of their performance was“These Bones,” a song Carrabbasaid he wrote after reading thenovel Twilight.

A large video screen wasdisplayed behind the bands, andDashboard Confessional was thefirst to take advantage of it. Forsongs like “Thick as Thieves,”card games and explodingfireworks were a nice backdropto the music, effectivelypunctuating some of the songs’emotional themes.

Towards the end of theirperformance, DashboardConfessional brought out a fewmembers of The Cab to helpplay a high-spirited cover ofPink’s “So What,” which broughtthe energy in the room upenough to accommodate theirfinal song, “Stolen.”

But as high as the energylevel was at the end ofDashboard Confessional’s set, itskyrocketed as soon as Panic atthe Disco took the stage inHalloween costumes, grinningand opening with their holidaysong “Trick or Treat.”

The band played a mix ofmaterial from their first andsecond albums. Though therecorded sound of each is vastlydifferent, subtle changes madeto the older material helped it fit

more comfortably in the candy-coated carnival sound the bandhas been pursuing.

“But It’s Better If You Do”morphed into “I Want You(She’s So Heavy)” by the Beatlesand then moved seamlessly intoan audience-led version ofsmash hit “I Write Sins NotTragedies.”

Their set progressed nicely,with highlights including leadsinger Brendon Urie playing asecondary drum kit on “ThatGreen Gentleman” and a strongperformance of “The Day Metthe Night.” The band closed thenight with a dorky dancedemonstration and a well donecover of the Isley Brothers’“Shout.”

As a whole, it was a solidshow. Most of the sets endedabruptly and the instrumentswere overly loud all night long,but the bands gave strongperformances and the crowdseemed pleased. At the end ofthe night, people left the venueclutching Rock Band Live T-shirts and copies of Panic at theDisco’s Halloween single,chatting about which bandmembers they had eye-sex withduring the show and whichsongs were their favorites. Itmay not have been the bestHalloween party on the planetas the MC proclaimed betweensets, but those who attendeddefinitely had a good time.

GRACE KENDALLConnect Mason Director

Comedian AmySedaris’ résumé is as longas it is obscure. How manyother actresses do you knowstar in a hit series one dayand then educate familiesas part of the House RabbitSociety the next?

Whether running acupcake and cheese-ballbusiness out of her NewYork City apartment ormeeting with her amateurcrafts club, The CraftyBeavers, no job is too big ortoo small.

Adding to her full plateof projects, Sedaris, 47, isalso an award winningauthor. Her 2006 New YorkTimes bestseller, I LikeYou: Hospitality Under theInfluence, was recentlyreleased in paperback. Sheappears Friday at theWeinberg Center for theArts in Frederick, Md for aspecial craftsdemonstration, Q&A, andbook signing.

I LikeYou is ahumorousyet well-informedguide tocooking,craftsand theart ofbeing agood

hostess. Itincludes Sedaris’ originalrecipes and crafts as well asthose passed down fromfamily members and herdays of being a girl scout.

“It started off with methinking I wanted to do anart project and I wanted todo it all in my apartment,”said Sedaris. “It neveroccurred to me that it wasgoing to come out andpeople were going to buy it.”

The New York. nativeadded that many of thedishes are melting becausethe book’s photos were shotduring the summer. It’s thiscomical, down to earthapproach that has caughtthe eye of many pro andbeginner cooks. One pagedetails her aunt’s brownierecipe and another listsideal snacks for those withthe munchies.

Aside from tastydishes, I Like You offers anarray of unique arts andcrafts, including apantyhose plant hanger,personalized lighters and aseeing peanut.

“Anything with agooglie eye on it— I'm asucker for those,” saidSedaris.

Sedaris, recentlynamed one ofEntertainment Weekly’s “25Funniest People inAmerica,” also shares morerisqué creations. Lastmonth she made headlines

after an appearance onChelsea Lately where shedemonstrated a vaginalcleansing using ahomemade vagina thatopened to reveal beadsrepresenting “unpleasantsecretions.”

I Like You’s successhas garnered Sedaris afresh group of fans, many ofwhich hope she writes afollow-up. However, Sedarissaid if she ever publishesanother book, it will be“completely different.”

“I like coming in whenI don’t know the world,” shesaid. “And now that I knowthe book world like this . . .I would have to change itup.”

Apart from the bookworld, Sedaris is widelyknown for her role as JerriBlank, the middle aged ex-con who returns to highschool, in the off-the wallseries Strangers withCandy. The show, whichshe co-created with StephenColbert and Paul Dinello,gained a cult-like following

during its three-seasonrun on

ComedyCentral.

“Wedidn’teven knowwe had anaudienceuntil theshowended,” saidSedaris.Strangerswith Candy

was later made into featurefilm and released in 2006.

Sedaris has appearedin several movies (SnowAngels, Dedication) and TVspots (Sex and the City, TheCloser). Recently she playedgoofy Principal Hoffman inNickelodeon’s Gym Teacher:The Movie.

“I prefer smaller roles... I like being a guest star,”said Sedaris. “It feels morelike a job and I like to seehow other people do thingsand take part in that wholeworld.”

Sedaris said that if shewere to take on a majorrole, she would have tocreate the material herself.Coincidentally, that’sexactly what she’s workingon now.

Twentieth Century FoxTV recently inked a dealwith Sedaris to create,write and star in a newcomedy series. The single-camera series will be co-produced by DavidLetterman’s WorldwidePants and directed byfellow Strangers withCandy alumni Paul Dinello.Sedaris is currentlyhammering out details forthe show and plans to fishit to networks in the comingweeks.

KYLE RIDLEYStaff Writer

An Inside Look at the Iraq WarThe Warrior Examines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Warrior, a play writtenby popular playwright JackGilhooley, takes an intimatelook at a part of war that israrely discussed: the aftermath.This Saturday at 8 p.m., GeorgeMason University’s Theater ofthe First Amendment will puton the play for one night only forstudents, faculty and arearesidents in TheaterSpace. Theplay features Marietta Hedgesas Tammy, an Iraq War veteranreturning from her second tourof duty with a severe case ofpost traumatic stress disorder.Throughout The Warrior,Tammy deals with thepossibility of losing herdaughter in a custody battle aswell as the hardship of a brokenmarriage.

Tammy’s struggles arechronicled in a documentarymade by her friend Giselle,played by Mary Lechter, whoprovides voiceovers for thepredominantly one-womanshow.

“We found it to be a verycompelling play in that is was aone-woman show that veryfrankly talked about a topicalissue that I didn’t feel peoplewere talking about enough,”said Director Kevin Murray.“There are women veterans

returning from the warin Iraq who aresuffering from a lot ofsymptom syndromes ...I felt like this playneeded a forum.”

In September2006, The Warrior wasfeatured at CultureProject in New YorkCity during the anti-war Impact Festival.The play was thenchosen from 500entries and went on toFlorida’s BacklotArtsand Theater of theFirst Amendment as awinner in its FirstLight Festival.

In 2007, the playwas also put on inBaltimore for theAlternative RootsFestival and now,direct from itssuccessful tenure at theCapital Fringe and New YorkInternational Fringe Festivals,the play will come to Mason.

“I think it’s safe to say it’snot a very favorable depiction ofGeorge Bush’s policies,” saidMurray, who is also theManaging Director for theTheater of the FirstAmendment. “It has an anti-warsentiment about it, but [Tammy]makes it clear very early on inthe play she will not diss thetroops…It’s interesting that [the

play] has all these differentfacets.”

The Actors Theatre ofLouisville and the Corporationhave commissioned Gilhooley forPublic Broadcasting as well ashaving his plays developed bythe Eugene O’Neill TheaterCenter, Aspen PlaywrightsFestival and SundancePlaywrights Lab among others.Including having numerouspublished works, ExIsles,Gilhooley’s latest play, opened

in January in Ireland.“This man knows about this

type of stuff, but for him to writefrom a woman’s perspectiveabout the battle scars that areinvisible it was very poignantand very telling,” said Murray.

Following the 70-minuteperformance, patrons areinvited to a panel discussion ledby Hedges, Professor CarlosSluzki from the Institute forConflict and Resolution and IraqWar veterans Amy Baxter andAdam Charles Kokesh. Thepost-performance paneldiscussion will be moderated bywriter and activist DavidSwanson.

“It’s really a look at thevarious issues brought up bythis play,” said Murray. “It’s notjust a one trick pony of a play;it’s not war is bad, PSTD isworse; [Tammy] volunteered,she was very patriotic, signed upunder the best intentions andgot caught up in things beyondher control. It takes a lot of hardlooks at a lot of issues.”

Tickets for the play are $15,though a limited number of freestudent tickets are available. Topurchase tickets, or to receive astudent ticket visit the Centerfor the Arts Box Office duringregular hours, charge by phoneat 888-945-2468 or visitwww.tickets.com.

EMILY SHARRERStyle Editor

A Little CookingHere, A Little

Crafting There Amy Sedaris’ Best-seller I Like

You Released on Paperback

style

Want to Go?What's up: Amy Sedaris does crafts, Q&A and book

signingWhen: Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. Where: Weinberg Center for the Arts

20 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701Tickets: $20-$27 Info: www.weinbergcenter.org

10 | MONDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2008

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Dashboad Confessional was one of the headlining bands at the Rock Band Live Tour at the Patriot Center on Halloween.

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Marietta Hedges stars in The Warrior.

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MONDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2008 | 11STYLE

Kevin Smith, the writer and director ofChasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and SilentBob Strike Back, could arguably beconsidered one of the most importantinfluential directors in recent history. Smithcame from the early ’90s with his now-classic Clerks to become an essential indiedirector and has gained popularity since.Smith’s current film, Zack and Miri Make APorno, possibly his most ambitious andcontroversial, might also be one of his best.

“If you scrape away the pornographyand the other trappings of the story, interms of a bunch of people getting togetherto make a porno, it really is kind of how wemade Clerks to some degree. Someknuckleheads who don’t know anything andget together and make a feature” Smith saidof the similarities to his newest film to hisfirst film. “The experience of making Clerks15 years ago definitely informed the plot ofthis movie.”

Smith, a native of New Jersey, isknown for his View Askew films, a series offilms with interconnecting characters,stories and themes that takes place in theGarden State. “The area of New Jersey inwhich I grew up in certainly affected thekind of dialogue I write, fractured, candiddialogue with a lot of vulgarity cause that’show my circle of friends; that’s how wespeak,” said Smith. However, for Smith, it ismore of the people that influenced him thanhis location: “I imagine if I had grown upany place else, it wouldn’t be that muchdifferent, although having my friends thatI’ve had over the course of my life has

certainly influenced me as a filmmaker. ButI can’t say that the great state of NewJersey necessarily influenced that, as muchas the people in New Jersey that I hungaround with definitely influenced it,” saidSmith.

Zack and Miri star Seth Rogen isknown as an excellent improviser, yet Smithis notorious as a director who is not so muchof a fan of ad-libbing. Yet according toSmith, the culmination of both their styleswas not a problem.

“It really combined rather well. I meanat the end of the day, they’re allconsummate professionals who love to actthey all honor the scripts, it’s not like theyall get there and are like ‘well we won’t beneeding this anymore.’”

Rogen’s spontaneous way of comedyseems to have worked well for Smith. “Whenhe makes a joke that’s not there, that wasn’tin the script or ad-libs a line, it sounds likeit’s coming out of the character’s mouth, notSeth’s mouth, so it doesn’t seem likesomeone’s stopping the show to make a jokeor stand out. He’s also good at ad-libbingstuff that propels the story forward. So youwelcome a guy like that cause he’s not justexecuting, he’s elevating,” said Smith.

In many of Smith’s films, there hasbeen an incredible connection betweencharacters. With the characters of Zack andMiri as played by Rogen and ElizabethBanks, this is no exception. “From themoment we sat down to do the first tablereading of the script, it was apparent thattheir chemistry was sickening it was sogood, it was so insane and so thick,” saidSmith. Zack and Miri could quite possibly beput in the pantheon of great connections inSmith films. “Sometimes you work with

actors that just have that wonderful,fantastic chemistry that you don’t even haveto do anything as a director except stay outof the way.” When the two main charactersfinally consummate their relationship,Smith wanted to make it as believable aspossible: “Every movie I’ve ever seen withlove making or intimacy portrayed, it’susually very cheesy.” However in his film, itis quite different. “This isn’t a scene aboutthe act of physical intimacy as much as it isabout the emotional connection betweenthese two people,” said Smith.

“I knew the term ‘porno’ was going toturn off some people.” Zack and Miri hasbeen shocking people with just its name andpromotional materials alone and Smith doesknow that this is a film that may not be foreveryone. “Initially the MPAA gave us a NC-17. Because porno’s in the title, I thinkmaybe they were a bit heavy-handed ingiving us a NC-17,” said Smith.

But Smith assures fans that this is themovie that he wanted. “I got to keepeverything I wanted to keep in the movie.”Even through all the ratings drama, Smith’snext film could be just as controversial. “I’mgoing to do this flick called Red State, thislittle political horror movie that I scriptedright after Zack and Miri. With Red State, Iget to kind of switch genres all together.There [are] no laughs in the moviewhatsoever. On the surface, as it’s written,there [are] no likable characters, everybodydies, it’s dark, there’s no comedy in it. It’slike 180 degrees from not just Zack and MiriMake A Porno, but also every other flick I’veever made.”

Smith has innovated the comedy genre,and it seems like in his promising new batchof films, he will change it once again.

ROSS BONAIMEStaff Writer

Kevin Smith on PornoDirector Talks to Broadside about His Latest Film

When looking at KevinSmith’s newest film, Zack andMiri Make A Porno, it may lookrelatively close to a film fromthe Judd Apatow machine andhis cast of freaks and geeks.This is an easy mistake tomake. Smith’s trademark oftaking an endearing love storyand surrounding it with, asSmith calls it, “dick and fartjokes,” lead him through the’90s with Clerks, Chasing Amy,Mallrats and Dogma. WhileSmith found a cult following,Apatow took this formula andfound almost instant successwith The 40-Year-Old Virgin.Now Smith’s eighth film takesseveral of Apatow’s well-knownconspirators, such as SethRogen and Elizabeth Banks andmakes a film worthy of thesuccess that Smith has so longdeserved.

As the name implies, Zackand Miri, played by Rogen andBanks respectively, are two life-long friends who have the ideato make a dirty movie to help fixtheir financial woes. Theamicable couple along withZack’s coffee-shop co-worker andproducer, represented by CraigRobinson of The Office fame,enlists the help of “actors,” suchas Smith regular Jason Mewesas Lester the Molester, TraciLords as the appropriately-named Bubbles and KatieMorgan, as stripper-turned-pornstar named Stacey. Together,they try to make a movie thatwill solve Zack and Miri’sproblems. Yet the two friendsworry about how the movie willaffect their friendship whentheir looming sex scene togethercomes and what therepercussions of this physicalact could mean for them.

Rogen and Banks arebrilliant together and theirchemistry is palpable. Rogen,whose recent role in PineappleExpress was disappointing, is inhis most heartening andhilarious role since Knocked Up.

Banks however has nevermade a film that is equal partsromantic and comedic and shehas not been this funny sinceThe 40-Year-Old Virgin. Hernewest work in this film, OliverStone’s W. and Definitely,Maybe, proves that she is one ofthe up-and-coming actresses towatch.

The supporting cast iseither hit or miss though. Smithfavorites Jeff Anderson andMewes are fun, as is Robinson,who is brilliantly understated asDelaney. Nevertheless, TraciLords and Ricky Mabe, anotherone of the porno’s stars, seemmore like one-note charactersand not essential in any way,except for a few fleeting laughs.

For years, Smith has beenknown for his vulgar candor andexcellent dialogue, yet lackingwhen it comes to directing.Since his last film, Clerks 2, andhis recent work on the CW’sReaper, he has started to seemmore comfortable directing andit truly works here. While thescript still sounds like Smith’susual banter, he also seemswilling to tell the story withoutwords, instead opting for silenceor a glance that says much morethan he could ever say. Smith’sability to be experimental withboth of these mediums works inhis favor.

The combining of the actorsmade famous by Apatow withthe astounding writing of Smithmakes for a great synergy.Surprisingly, the film is notoverly gratuitous and finds thewarmth within the characters,making the subject matter seemnonchalant. The film looks andfeels like it came from SilentBob himself, thanks to hisfavorite cinematographer DaveKlein. With help from his usualsuspects, plus Rogen and Bankswith their powerhouseperformances, and Smith’s newtake on direction and usual wit,Zack and Miri Make A Porno isone of the funniest films thisyear and a great addition to thealready fantastic library ofSmith’s films.

ROSS BONAIMEStaff Writer

Porn You CanWatch in PublicZack and Miri Create One ofthe Funniest Films This Year

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From left, Elizabeth Banks, Justin Long and Seth Rogen in Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

12 | MONDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2008 STYLE

Students Remember HiroshimaExhibit Features Photos of 1945 Bombings

Shigeko Sasamori told astory that is not heard often.She told a story of war, pain andpeace. A quick glance at thissmall, soft-spoken woman wouldnot lead someone to believe sheis a survivor of the first nuclearattack. But in fact, this quietwoman in her seventies wasonly 13 when the first atomicbomb fell on the Japanese city ofHiroshima.

On the night of Oct. 28,with the help of the Institute forConflict Analysis andResolution, or ICAR, and theConflict Analysis and ResolutionUndergraduate Program atGeorge Mason University,Sasamori told her story and thelife changing events of Aug. 6,1945.

An estimated 140,000Japanese citizens died as aresult of the atom bomb that fellon the cities of Hiroshima andNagasaki. Sasamori was ayoung school girl at the time ofthe bombings. Her survival isunique in that she was within amile radius of the bomb’s releaseand subsequent drop. Sasamorisuffered severe burnsthroughout her body.Fortunately in 1955, a decade

after the bombing, Sasamoritraveled to the United States toundergo a series of surgeriesthat would span 30 operations.Since then, she has experiencedhealth problems as a result ofthe bombings, most recentlythyroid cancer and intestinalcancer. Shecurrently livesin Californiaalong with heronly son andtwo

grandchildren.Sasamoricommits to speakingengagements across the countrythroughout the year.

In cooperation with theHiroshima Peace MemorialMuseum and the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee ofthe National Capital Area, theevening also provided theopportunity for guests to viewan exhibition of the aftermath ofthe bombings of Hiroshima andNagasaki. Photographs blown toa large scale were displayed

throughout the front ballroom ofStudent Union Building II.Horrific and unimaginablepictures taken immediatelyafter the bombing and the daysfollowing brought Sasamori’sstory to those in attendance.Such titles of these photos read:

“The Charred Corpse of Boy”,“Human Shadow Etched inStone”, and “Man Burned OverHis Entire Body”.

When one student askedwhether she was angry aboutwhat happened, Sasamoriresponded, “I never felt anger atAmerican people. I am verythankful for surviving. I amangry for the war.” Though thecoordination of the evening’sevent occurred just three weeksearlier, it attracted students like

Jared Schmitz, a junior studyingConflict Analysis andResolution.

“It’s not every day that youmeet a survivor of theHiroshima and Nagasakibombings,” he said.

Under the leadership ofAndrea Bartoli, PhD of ICAR,Haruka Nakayama, a first-yearMaster’s student in the ICARprogram was able to helporganize the event. Even withthe struggles she had incoordinating the event,Nakayama had a desire toensure the event came tofruition.

“I wanted people to feelsomething from her experience.That was my motivation,” saidBartoli.

The night ended with anoffering of a bookmark toeveryone in the audience. Thegift, which included Japanesesayings with Englishtranslations read: “Beattentive.” “Be intelligent.” “Bereasonable.” “Be responsible.”Sasamori noted that the firststatement of being attentive isthe most important. Sheimpressed upon the importanceof caring for other peoplebecause, “War is no good foranyone,” Sasamori said.

IJEOMA NWATUBroadside Correspondent

John Steinbach spoke at the Hiroshima exhibit.PHOTO BY TEDDY MEYER | ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER

Bloc Party Gets Personal With IntimacyLondon-Based Band Produces Most Dynamic Album Yet

Bloc Party gave littlewarning to fans that they wouldbe releasing a follow up to2007’s A Weekend in the City inAugust. Lead vocalist KeleOkereke and the rest of BlocParty announced through a webchat on Aug. 18 that their newLP Intimacy would be followinga similar digital release formatas Radiohead and Nine InchNails. The only difference wouldbe that Bloc Party would beslapping a price tag on theirdigital release, despite thepopular trend of allowingdownloaders to name their ownprice. The rush release date ofthe album was scheduled for

Aug. 20, while a physical copywas released later into stores onOct. 25. Those who were evenaware of the release could godownload the full album off thebands website for $10.

At Times, Intimacy soundslike the remains from AWeekend in the City. They bothhave the catchy hooks,electrifying riffs and pulse-pumping beats that will keepyou hitting repeat. But Intimacyclearly has a unique feel thatdigresses from the sound ofSilent Alarm that made BlocParty’s rise to fame an easy one.It’s a move that has allowedBloc Party to produce one of itsmost diverse albums yet.

The album starts of withthe eerie resonating intro notes

of the first track “Ares,” which isthen followed by a mash up ofsynthesized sounds backed by arapid drumbeat with a

fluctuating delayed guitar riff.Okereke’s definition of dancerock genre has drastically

changed since Silent Alarm.Bloc Party has crammed somany different elements intoIntimacy that the sound justexplodes out from beginning toend. Okereke has strayed awayfrom the sounds of other moderndance rock bands like FranzFerdinand, and instead, hasopted to resonate with a soundmore like The ChemicalBrothers mixed with Blur. Thisalbums direction is a lot darkerand faster than anything SilentAlarm had to offer. Okereke’svoice is the only thing thatremains the same. His voiceflows effortlessly over thetracks. The chaotic sounds oftracks like “Trojan Horse” and“Mercury” are complimentedwell by Okereke’s high-pitched

wailing. Lyrically, this album isas intimate as the title suggests.“Paralyze me with your kiss,wipe those dirty hands on me.Maybe we’re looking for thesame thing, maybe you’re theone who will complete me,” singsOkereke. Intimacy is basically abreak-up album with the samecliché “I miss you” lyrics thatmost break-up albums have.

“Mercury,” Intimacy’s firstsingle that debuted as a teaserweeks before the rest of albumwas revealed, is definitely theone song that truly defines thenew direction and imageIntimacy is trying to convey. Thesimple, one-phrase repetitivechorus, “my mercury is inretrograde,” appears to be un-original and dull, but the words

dub over the beat of the trackperfectly. “Mercury” starts offsimple, with Okereke belting outthe chorus with his voice beingremixed to sound similar to arecord being scratched on aturntable. The whole song buildsup into a finale of synthesizersand horn blasts that will makeyou question who really isbehind the helm of Bloc Partynow, because this is nothing likewhat we have seen fromOkereke before.

It takes a couple of times toget through Intimacy to fullyappreciate what Bloc Party istrying to do. The mesh of dancerock riffs and club derived beatsbecome infectious after awhile,just give it a chance.

PEARSON JONESInterim Asst. Style Editor

Thanks for reading Broadside!

(Now don’t forget to recycle)

It’s election time and inkeeping with the democratictradition of the ever-expandingand diversifying voting process,I felt it necessary to throw inmy two cents about one aspectof this year’s political race.

First, let me make myselfclear. Tthis column is satireand pretty much a commentaryon all things fashionable,ridiculous and plain odd, sobefore people get their grannypanties in a twist over how Imight be “attacking” a politicalfigurehead without anysympathy or intellectualism Iwill preface simply by saying,“Lighten up and loosen up.”This is just some tough lovefrom a real queen to the newestRepublican princess.

Now, let’s get to the juicytopic on hand: Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin is a hotwoman. Hell, the Alaskangovernor was a former beautypageant runner-up and Godknows somewhere, card-carrying members of the NRAno dobt have some ridiculousPhotoShopped picture of her ina stars and stripes bikiniwinking to the camera with anAK-47 in hand. Why for a shorttime, a brief nano-second really,I was amused with the aspectthat she served to debunkrumors that politics no longerserved as the “Hollywood forUgly people.”

Well, if Ms. Palin is the

pretty person’s politicalrepresentative then I have aprofound problem. First off,Palin is far from the beautypageant days of looking like amixture between a Frenchpoodle and a drag queen.Lately, however, the politicalirritation has “reinvented”herself as an ironclad pit bullwearing a harsh shade of corallipstick.

Speaking of make-up, didyou know the woman spent over$20,000 dollars to get her lipgloss to pop just the right way?Dear God, if your make-uptakes that much work, girl,then spend the money on afacelift and some Botox andpick up some Covergirl from thenearest Walgreens. That’s whatTammy Faye Baker did andlook at how iconic that heavilymascara-ed dame turned out.Furthermore, Palin needs tosimply stop wearing irritatinglyobnoxious shades of lipstick.Listen, I’m as big a fan ofexperimenting with the newestshades of magenta, but try apastel or a neutral shade forJoe the Plumber’s sake.

Also, have you noticed thather outfits are what ProjectRunway contestant, Suede,would call, “wackadoodle”?There’s the red leather jacketshe wore during an interviewwith CBS—just out of curiosity,but since when were politicalfigureheads looking to a 1980s

Eddie Murphy for fashionadvice? Well, if your purposewas to look like the nextpolitical punchline, Palin, thenas a certain infamous bannerread: mission accomplished.

Then there’s the hair. Itboggles my mind. Whoeverthought to themselves, “y’knowwhat, I want to merge a mulletand a beehive into one foulmonstrosity and waste ofstyling product.” Well, I want tomeet this person and theninstruct the pin-up loving card-carrying NRA member to shoot.Sure, the hair is interesting,but it has the same effect on meas Palin’s ultra-conservative1950s rhetoric does: rage.

Lord, if I could just get myhands on Governor Palin—think of all the good I couldaccomplish. Picture this: I’dcoif her hair into a stylish bob,get her into a well fitting v-neckline blouse and somefabulous YSL pants, then finishthe look with a pair of ChristianLoubitin pumps. Imagine it, letit fester in your head, and thendash that fleeting hope with therealization that it will nevercome to pass. Sigh, how muchof a better use of $150,000 isthat? Next stop, Cindy “I OnlyWear Monochromatic Outfits”McCain.

The Angry Queen is writtenby Staff Writer Daniel Pino

Copyright © 2008 Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. 20806412(5)-10/08-GRD

MONDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2008 | 13STYLE

José Parcel’s flamencodance company performed theBallet Flamenco at theConcert Hall on Saturday,Nov. 1. Flamenco dancing is aform of expression thatoriginates from a rhythmicform of accentuation forsinging. It is a contagious,spirited dance that includesthe entire audience’s emotionsand mood. These dances arevery technical forms oftheatrical performances thatare closely tied to the Gypsyspirit. The CompañiaFlamenco José Parcel wasfounded in Madrid, Spain andhas been touring around theworld for many years withtheir vibrant and colorfulmusicians, singers, anddancers. The feeling andintensity that the dancersbrought to the stage resonatedall throughout the ConcertHall on Saturday night.

Parcel has been studyingthe art of dance since he was16 years old and made hisprofessional debut with theBallet de Valencia by MartinVargas. Parcel’s firstchoreographed work wasnamed Te traigo al sur,Miguel. He has toured allacross America with ClaraRomana’s company and theCarmina Burrana show.Parcel also joined the Ballet

Nacional de España where hewas able to interpret workssuch as Medea, Los Tarantos,Fantasia Galaica, and Poeta.Within this ballet company heworked with many masters ofdance and gained anincredible amount ofexperience. Two newproductions of Parcel’s havebeen launched recently, whichinclude a large productionwith scenery and more than20 artists called Espartacoand a smaller performancethat got the chance to travelabroad called Sueños.

The production namedBallet Flamenco is arefreshing taste ofMediterranean culture. Theballet begins with a light andfestive dance with slow bodymovements, defiant steps, andswift arm movements. Theentire company was on stageto start off the evening with“Aire Fresco.” They gave theaudience a taste of their spiritand excitement with partnerdancing while speakingSpanish during certainmoments.

The second danceswitched the mood moretowards a seriousinterpretation of dance.“Soledad” was performed byParcel and was the strongestdance in the entire production.The lighting was intenselyblue while a spotlight was onjust Parcel and the chair he

was posing on. The difficultylevel of this dance was veryhigh and Parcel was able toexecute it to the audience’senjoyment. This dance wasforceful and emotional andended with Parcel back on thechair with the lights turnedoff. The audience wasextremely satisfied withParcel’s movements andaccomplishments during thisdance.

“It was so different thanany other show I have seen,”said sophomore Mary DeRiso.“The solo dance was incrediblycomplex and I could not keepmy eyes off of his swiftmovements.”

Much of theentertainment came from themusicians and the singers too.While the audience’s visionwas transfixed on the talenteddancers, the sound wasinspiring their senses as well.The lighting on the stageemphasized the emotions andimages that the dancers weretrying to depict with theirperformances. The ending ofthe show with “FiestaFlamenco” reinstated the colorand vivacity of the culture offlamenco dancing and,specifically, The BalletFlamenco by José Parcel.

This past Saturday night,the James Lee CommunityTheater in Falls Church turnedinto an acoustic, bluegrasshaven. The D.C. BluegrassUnion presented The InfamousStringdusters, along with theJordan Tice Trio. As the openingact came on, guitarist JordanTice announced that tonight heand bassist Paul Kowert wouldbe playing only as a duet. Thecombination of the steel stringguitar and the upright bassblended together in uniqueharmony. Although the two

were known to play bluegrass, itwas obvious that they were alsofamiliar with jazz and classicaltechniques. Jordan wouldswitch from intricate strummingpatterns to sailing scales, andPaul would pluck a simplebluegrass line, only to pick uphis bow and saw away into somecomplex improvisation.

The two had a bright andoriginal sound. They definitelydid not stick to genericbluegrass melodies. Instead,they explored interesting chordsand harmonies. Sometimes theyplayed the same melodiestogether, making a beautifulcontrasting layer of tones. Never

did one of them take thespotlight.

One thing that amazed theaudience was that Jordan andPaul are both only 21 years old,yet well-accomplished andtalented musicians. They jokedabout their skill during the song“1147,” saying it was the 1,147thsong they wrote. It wouldn’t be asurprise if it was true, sinceeach song they played that nightwas so innovative andentertaining.

After a brief intermission,the Infamous Stringdustersperformed. The large ensembleconsisted of six differentstringed instruments such as a

steel-stringed guitar, slideDobro resonator guitar, uprightbass, banjo, fiddle, andmandolin. The group playedtogether for over an hour,mostly at a fast pace, laughingand smiling the whole time.Most of their songs followedstandard bluegrass progressionsand patterns, yet their energyand skill blew away theaudience. One player alwaysstarted off the song, and theyconstantly switched up singersand soloists.

It was interesting to watchhow each performer varied intheir technique and how theyplayed their instrument. The

banjo player and the Dobroplayer both picked theirinstruments with celerity, yettheir sounds were incrediblydifferent. The banjo had a moretwangy sound and was held likea guitar, while the Dobro playerhad his instrument set up like alap slide guitar.

Between songs, the groupwould joke around a little bit,but they mostly spent theirstage time jamming out. At onepoint, the mandolin player andthe bassist broke apart from thegroup and started a duet,exchanging themes and musicalideas. Then they started theirown extensive solos. The

mandolin player shredded scalesalong the small, miniature neckof his instrument as the bassisthit his instrument in apercussive manner. Afterwards,bassist Travis Bookcomplimented Paul Kowert bysaying, “Playing bass with hispassion is damn nearimpossible.” He felt like hecouldn’t top Paul’s skill, and hejoked about how he was terrifiedto solo. After that, theStringdusters invited JordanTice back on stage for theirencore, allowing each player onefinal solo before wrapping upthe show.

MARIAN MCLAUGHLINStaff Writer

Alaskans, AmericanIndians Celebrate Heritage

With the start of November,most American families arepreparing for a traditionalThanksgiving dinner tocelebrate the Pilgrimssuccessfully surviving their firstwinter in America. However,while it is important torecognize these early settlers,all too often Americans forgetabout the important role NativeAmericans have playedthroughout our nation’s history.

This year, George MasonUniversity will be celebrating itssixth annual Native Americanand Alaskan Heritage month,sponsored by the Office ofDiversity Programs and

Services, by holding variousevents throughout the month ofNovember.

Beginning on Wednesday,Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.,ODPS will be hosting a pre-powwow dance workshop inDewberry Hall. Here, membersof the American Indian andAlaskan Native StudentAssociation, or AIANSA, willteach Mason students abouttraditional music and nativedances. This workshop willprepare Mason students for theSixth Annual Veteran’s Powwowon Monday Nov. 10, which is thelargest to date. Doors open at 12p.m. and the grand entry is at 1

p.m. The powwow lasts until 10p.m. and is free for all. DakotaSchreiner, a senior employee atODPS and member of theLakota at the Cheyenne RiverSioux Tribe in South Dakotasays the “powwow includesnative dancers and vendors andis a way to educate the publicabout a bit of Indian culture anddance.”

“The public is welcome toperform in the dancing,” saidSchreiner.

Rhythmic Dance Group BringsSpanish Culture To Mason

Kristen WhiteBroadside Correspondent

Bluegrass Band Leaves Others In The DustThe Infamous Stringdusters Bring Their Show To Falls Church

Check out what’s happeningfor the rest of the month on

Connect2Mason.com

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Ballet Flamenco performed on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Center For the Arts.

TThhee AAnnggrryy QQuueeeenn...On Sarah Palin

Dancers Give A Festive Show