Your Magazine Vol. 3 Issue 3: November 2013 by Your Magazine

november 2013

Volume 3 Issue 3

alone with people

Quinn Marcus on her film debut.

ramen roundup

Boston’s noodles that will bowl you over.

elizabeth keiser: Bobbi Brown’s right hand lady gives Your Mag an inside look at Emerson’s hidden gem.

Cheater confessions

Students expose their dark dating pasts.

staff picks:

oscar movies Gravity will make you feel small in the best way possible, and cause you several well-needed existential crises. claudia mak, Asst. Editor-in- Chief

The visuals and simplicity in Gravity blew me away. That said, I officially never want to go to space. Sienna mintz, Living Editor

I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. Blue Jasmine was Woody Allen at his absolute best. MATT MULLEN, Asst. Managing Editor

If a movie makes me laugh to the point I almost pee my pants, it is clearly a winner. Best animated picture, watch out. hanna perrin, YMtv Director

This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an Oscar prediction, but the cinematography is incredible and the chemistry between Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke brought their relationship out of the movie and into reality. Kathy Collins, Photo Director

from the Editors October was pretty dreadful. A capstone project due, internship three days a week, and work on the weekends left little room for me-time. Luckily, as always, Your Mag was there to help. And that’s the spirit of each issue of Your Mag. We are a publication dedicated to getting you through those “all work and no play” kind of days. So this November we want you to shake off those mid semester stresses before you plan for your trips home, or if you’re like Claudia, someone else’s home. Check out a way to buy the best trends online without the stress of the terrifying fitting room, discover the best ramen the the city of Boston has to offer, and enjoy a sneak peak at the always hilarious Quinn Marcus’ Alone With People. Cause if you’re at all like me, that week at home will consist of three things: family, food, and sleep.

Home is pretty far away for me. With Chicago out of reach, and my demanding cats at my apartment, I’m not planning on going very far for Thanksgiving. I am so incredibly thankful for my wonderful boyfriend and his family for accommodating my insatiable hunger for turkey and potatoes in Maine this holiday. It’s always great to know that when I can’t make it home to my family, I have people here who I can consider my family out east. I am also so thankful for our fantastic staff and their hard work. We continue to make our magazine better and better every month; if I were any more impressed I’d implode. But, I’ll save the imploding for my tummy during my embarrassing gluttony this holiday. :)

Emily Tannenbaum Editor-in-Chief

CLAUDIA MAK Assistant Editor-in-Chief

YOUR MAGAZINE Volume 3 Issue 3 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013 Emily Tannenbaum Editor-in-Chief ELijah Clark ginsberg Creative Director

CLAUDIA MAK Asst. Editor-in-Chief

olivia jacobini Managing Editor

BEKAH SKOPIL Design Director

kathy collins Photo Director

Daniel lemar Romance Editor

andrea palagi Style Editor

Sienna mintz Living Editor

Cedrine streit A&E Editor

caitlyn budnick Head Copy Editor

Megan Tripp & madeline bilis Blog Editors

Melanie mcfayden Marketing Director

matthew mullen Asst. Managing Editor

TUBAO NGUYEN Head Stylist

Chen xu & hannah perrin YMtv Directors

Layout Designers david galinato, madison fishman, megan tripp, elise sabbag, amber cunningham

Copyeditors devan norman, morgan metz, janella angeles, megan tripp, jacquelyn marr, madeline bilis, julia loewenthal, molly legrow, christabel frye, elise sabbag, olivia jacobini

Marketing elise mesa, jamie iannace, kinsey minschke, rebecca fluhr, kelsey johnson, tracy parco, lia brouillard, camila oriol, brianna martinielli, leigha morris, esther glasionov, max cherry, natalie benjamin, stella sanguansin, nikolai jackowski

YMtv amanda gomez, lindsay gualtieri, ashley juranich, terrena scannell, meghin hewitt, rory mccann, william vickroy, stephanie pumilia, jaime toscano, alexanrda james, tatiana ochoa, andy keys

EDITORIAL CREDITS: GALVIN-ized headwear 450 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA galvinizedhats.com

jack wills 179 Newbury St. Boston, MA jackwills.com

j. press & york st. 82 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge, MA jpressonline.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ROMANCE

6 Thankful for Romance by Brielle Sullivan 8 Erotic Lit Online by Samantha Hval 13 Love Types by Ava Marinelli 14 Six Red Flags by Hannah Perrin

STYLE

16 DIY: Dangling Mason Jar Lights by Sienna Mintz 18 Beaux Chapeaux 25 The Perfect Plum Lip by Antonia DePace 26 The Beacon Street Years 32 Bringing Trendy Back by Andrea Palagi 34 A Sidewalk Near You by Emily Lacroix

LIVING

35 After Hours by Matt Mullen 36 Lookout for These Lookouts by Jennifer Leahy 38 Wake Up, Work Out by Victoria Hulbert 40 Beantown Backpackers by Madeline Bilis

26 38

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

47 Echosmith Review by Jake Dmochowski 50 The Sketchbook Project by Pim Phongsirivech 52 Kanye West Preview by Caroline Glass 53 S.H.I.E.L.D. by Michael Mahin 54 November Playlist

FEATURED 10 cheater confessions by Danny LeMar

22 ALL DOLLED UP

by Emily Tannenbaum

42 ramen roundup by Sienna Mintz

44 Alone With People by Joanne Paquin

Thankful for romance

text by brielle sullivan photo by maya rafie models: jake dmochowski & maddie kawalek

This Turkey Day, count your reasons for romance, not your calories. Sometimes we get so absorbed in the drama and chaos of relationships that we forget just how special having a partner can be. It’s easy to take your partner for granted, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it seems like the perfect time to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend just how much you appreciate, love, and cherish him or her. Try to be thankful for even the small things - maybe you appreciate that your partner is a great cook or maybe that he or she is really good at foot massages. For all those single ladies and gentlemen, you can be thankful too- thankful for romance: the mystery, the chase, and the fun is also something to value because no matter what it leads to, it can be a good experience and

memory. Rejection and heartbreak can make love seem like something you do not want on your plate. But those challenges are worth the risk because one day, a venture will turn into a chance well taken. Romance can be overwhelming and aggravating but it can also be an amazing source of comfort. Acknowledging that you are thankful for even the seemingly insignificant aspects will help keep the love in your relationship alive. Romance, love, lust, whatever you choose to call it; there is something to be thankful for this November. We at Your Mag’s Romance section already love love, so we wanted to hear from all of you!

“Being in a long distance relationship is hard, especially when we’re separated by 350 miles! But I’m thankful that even though we are separated, she will always make time to be there for me. I love having a support system where I know I’ll always have a shoulder to lean on and she’ll have mine in return.” -Josh Warner ‘16 “In my relationship, I’m most thankful for my boyfriend, Matt, helping me become my own person. Before he was in my life (granted, this was middle school), I wasn’t confident at all. I was overly concerned with what people thought of me and just fitting in with everyone else. Since we’ve been together, Matt has helped me find the things about myself that make me an individual. This has allowed me to figure out what my biggest dreams are and has given me the confidence to go after them. We really have grown and changed together, and I wouldn’t give that up for the world. He really is my best friend.” -Jen Currier ‘16 “I know it is really clichéd but I’m honestly most thankful for the fact that I found my fiancé. I found the guy who will be my best friend for the rest of my life. Plus it doesn’t hurt that he is especially cute!” -Morgan Metz ‘14

novmeber 2013

“It was fun to casually date this summer even if none of it led to a serious relationship. It was nice to meet new people and put myself out there. I met some pretty cool guys and I am thankful that I got to know some of them. Romance can be messy, but it can also be super exciting and fun.” - Michael Mahin ‘15

“To be frank, my view on romance isn’t the best in the world. I think it can be a pain in the ass a lot of the time. Albeit my experience for the most part hasn’t been the best, sometimes it’s nice just to be in love and fall for someone, to sort of have a connection with someone that’s just a bit more special than usual. Really strong relationships can be hard to find, and sometimes it’s not easy to find a guy to fall for, but when you find someone who just feels right it can be really special, and makes you happy. So, for me, I am thankful that love exists and that one day I know I will hopefully find it for myself.” -Alex Ayer ’16 “I’m thankful for the fact that even though my boyfriend is so far away at the Castle, I know that he’s still always there for me. He still makes me feel safe even from another country.” -Madeleine Beimford ‘16 “I’m thankful for my boyfriend’s sense of humor, unconditional love, and patience. Probably the best example of why I love him so much was when I pouted around his apartment for an hour because I couldn’t pick something to watch on Netflix and instead of getting mad or annoyed, he just watched me act like an idiot and chuckled and teased me. When I finally picked Portlandia, he kissed me on my forehead and said, ‘Good job, butthead, you made a damn decision,’ with a sarcastic and weirdly sweet tone.” -Maddy Stewart ‘16 “I am thankful I am not in a relationship. I’ve been through the ups and downs… and now I have more respect for my own self. So coming out of a relationship I think I am thankful for finding my true self.” -Alicia Vinci ‘16 romance

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erotic online literature

text by samantha hval photo by kathy collins

Internet browsing never looked so hot. Maybe you want to explore your sexuality. Maybe you want to work your way up to the visual stuff. Maybe you’re just looking for a little fun! There’s always a reason to enjoy some erotic literature, and when you’re a poor college student, you don’t always have the money to buy your next Fabio-adorned romance novel or Playboy magazine. That’s where the Internet comes in. These five sites represent the best erotica reading out there for your reading pleasure. Now you know where to go and how to find your kind of erotic literature online. Happy reading!

Literotica

One of the most popular erotic literature sites today, writers have been able to submit their own stories since 1998. That means that Literotica has thousands of stories, and it’s extremely rare for stories to have bad grammar or spelling. However, if you are only interested in literature, there’s still something for you because they list stories by category and you can search by tags for prose with something particularly juicy or geared towards your gender and sexuality.

The Erotic Woman

Contrary to the name, theeroticwoman.com targets all genders and sexualities. It has stories by content type (group, kinky, lesbian, etc.) along with photos, poetry, video, and excerpts. If you check out their advanced search, you can enter key words and phrases that you want included in the story, words you don’t, and under which specific category you want it from. This site prides itself on how specific its search engine can go, so use it to your full advantage!

Archive of Our Own

Archieveofourown.com is a website focused primarily on fandom (the community that follows a show, movie, etc.) literature, so you can read about your favorite couple or characters that never got together. They cover everything so you won’t be disappointed. They have ratings from

general audiences to explicit; labels for what type of relationship is depicted; warnings for rape, character death, or underage sex; and whether or not the story is completed. This is great if you want to explore erotic literature, but don’t want to delve into the hardcore stuff just yet. You can also search for specific characters, fandoms, tags, authors, languages, word count, and so much more.

Nifty

Nifty.org is almost Kara’s LBGT equivalent. It caters specifically to bisexuals, lesbians, the transgender community, and gay men. Basically, no matter what or whom you’re into, you can probably enjoy this site. They may not have pictures or movies to choose from, but there are subcategories (bondage, celebrity, college, romance, etc.) under each category of sexual orientation, so you will find what you’re looking for. And you know what the best part is? This site uses proper grammar consistently.

KAra’s porn for women

Karaslinks.com is a website dedicated solely to women, mostly heterosexual. It’s great because it caters only to women, so it has everything you ladies might need, from fiction, articles, and movies to pictures of sculpted men. If you’re looking to drop a little cash, you can shop for toys too. Also, the erotic fiction has accompanying pictures. So, if you need a visual to turn you on, Kara’s got you covered.

romance

novmeber 2013

cheater confessions

text by danny lemar photos by rory mccann model: andrea sweeney

Honest, open, and totally anonymous

There are two sides to every story. We have all heard from someone who has been cheated on, and had their heart broken. But what about the cheater? Because these people are labeled as the faceless villains of the relationship, their

explanations usually go unheard, buried beneath preconceived judgments based on that defining moment. Here, some Emerson students provide the other halves to complete their stories.

“I had been dating the most perfect guy for all four years of high school. We were going to different colleges, but both were on the east coast and only a few hours apart. We had mutually agreed at the end of the summer to do the long distance thing. Well, he agreed. I don’t know why I said was okay with it, when there was a small part of me that really wasn’t sure. The first party I went to, a guy I had spent the night talking to kissed me. I was drunk but that kiss sobered me up so fast. I felt so guilty. It felt like my boyfriend was at the party and had seen everything. But the next day it was like it never happened. And now that I can look back at it, I wished something had, because I got away without any consequences and did it again. Except this time, I went further with that guy. And from photos I was tagged in on Facebook, my boyfriend found out. He called me and we had the longest phone conversation I’ve ever had, ending with us agreeing to break up. This time, I knew I was sure I wanted out, but I wish I could have saved him the time and pain by telling him that earlier. He hasn’t talked to me in two years. Friends told me that he hasn’t dated anyone since then, which makes me feel so horrible. That was my first real relationship, and it makes me really sad to think about, that something that was so great went so wrong. I wish things had gone differently. I wish I had done things differently.”

- Caught on Facebook

“I cheated on my boyfriend after a few months of dating. I was assigned to work closely with someone from my internship. There was no denying that there was something between the two of us, something that I didn’t have with my boyfriend. So one night, when my boyfriend was home for the weekend, I went over to this guy’s apartment. It was seriously bad. We didn’t have to talk about it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and what I was going to tell my boyfriend. When we were back in the same place, I told him that something happened with someone else. He stopped me and told me he didn’t want to know. It was something I was desperately trying to get off of my chest, but he didn’t want to hear it. He could tell that I was sorry, so we left it at that. After that time I noticed that he seemed sad some of the time and he held my hand less. But now that some time has passed and we’ve overcome more obstacles, he seems to trust me more. We’re still together and I can’t imagine ever doing something like that again.”

- intrigued at internship

romance

“There is an idea surrounding gay men that they have totally open relationships, and no one belongs to anyone. My first boyfriend didn’t believe in this. We started dating after meeting through mutual friends. He didn’t go to Emerson, which seemed to affect things between us. Every time he would come pick me up from the dorms, it was like he was intimidated to be around this many gay people. He would freak out if there was a picture of me with my friends on Facebook and would text me being like, tell me if something is going on. I had to calm him down and was always saying things like, ‘You have nothing to worry about,’ and ‘I would never do that to you.’ But one night I did. We had just had a fight about something stupid – I can’t even remember what it was now – and I was venting to my friend in his room. One thing led to another and yes, I did cheat on my boyfriend. I wish I could say that I regretted it and wish I could take it back, but I don’t think that’s true. I think I needed that to realize that I didn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who had insecurities about everything and didn’t trust me. So I ended things with him and we’re still friends, even though I never told him about that night. No, I’m not proud of that. But I am happier now than I was with him.”

- better off

“I still haven’t told my boyfriend that I cheated on him with my ex. I didn’t plan on it, and I didn’t do it to spite my current boyfriend; it just happened. I know that telling him is the right thing to do, but I don’t think I can handle hurting him like that. I don’t want to make him feel worse than I do about it, because I feel really guilty and hate myself so much. But I think that I’m supposed to feel this way about myself, that I’m supposed to hate myself.”

- secret keeper

“I don’t think I cheated on her. I think that college, especially one like Emerson, helped me find out something new about myself, and it just wasn’t for her.” “If you ask my ex-girlfriend, she’ll tell you that I was always gay, and I was the biggest mistake she ever made. But if you ask me, I know that I’m bisexual, and I found that out my first few weeks of Emerson. The guys at this school are just so attractive, but so are the girls. So going home to the suburbs of Nowhere, America for Thanksgiving break, I felt like I was straddling two different worlds. My old friends and I got drunk on wine and played truth or dare. Everyone kept laughing and saying, ‘Emerson’s where all the gay guys are,’ and my girlfriend thought it was the hilarious. So she dared me to kiss our gay friend. And I did. Everything changed after that. She broke up with me (via text message) and outed me to everyone I knew. Years later, it doesn’t matter as much as I thought it did then. I don’t think I cheated on her. I think that college, especially one like Emerson, helped me find out something new about myself, and it just wasn’t for her.”

- ‘burbia bisexual

novmeber 2013

lots of love

text by ava marinelli

Which one is right for you? Here at YourMag, we love a lot of things: Sex and the City, Ben&Jerry’s, our families, and our significant others, just to name a few. But we love them all in different ways. Did you know there are actually names for these different types of love? According to C.S. Lewis, there are four main forms of love. He uses four Greek words to describe the different kinds of sappy feelings we feel towards the important people in our life. Since a life without love isn’t much of a life at all, here are the different types you will encounter. Love comes in all shapes, sizes, labels, and kinds. Seek out what you need most in your life. College is an amazing place to foster all types of relationships. Don’t be afraid to soak up all the love you can find!

storge: affection

Storge is used to describe a love that is rooted in familiarity. This love is most often used to describe the love between family members. Everyone has that one uncle who makes the same three terrible jokes at family functions, or the grandma that has the same delicious cookies every time you visit. Families with those members seem to stay the same no matter how many times you see them or the number of years that pass. Familiarity is often an underrated trait that we most often don’t realize we miss until we go somewhere like college; when that closeness is no longer present we start to miss it. Don’t forget to give your family members, immediate and extended, a call every once and a while to keep that storge love kindled!

AGAPE: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Agape is the love we all want to find one day. It’s a love that transcends time, hardships, circumstance… everything. Agape love isn’t the

kind of thing that is found; it’s something that is cultivated. It takes time and energy and effort. Agape is something to aspire to. You never know though…maybe the eros love you have with your college sweetheart will turn into agape love one day. If you’re feeling ready for that kind of commitment and dedication, nurture the relationship you have now. Build on the solid foundation found in eros and further the love, respect, trust, and friendship that’s already happening. Maybe you’ll turn into that perfect love story we all are hoping for.

PHILEO: FRIENDSHIP

Phileo is a love between friends. You know what I’m talking about – your have that one friend that you’re so close to that people confuse you for siblings… or occasionally lovers. It might develop out of that friendship that began with an instant bond over a shared love. Perhaps you see a new face in the dining hall and notice their awesome Doctor Who apparel. You compliment this Whovian’s shirt, and you two hit it off instantly. From that

moment on, you consider each other friends. Some of the best relationships start out as phileo and bloom into something much more. So, if you’re looking for some good ol’ phileo lovin, don’t be afraid to approach someone you think you might have something in common with! Sit next to him in class, snag a table with her at the Max, or talk to them in the elevator. Having the confidence to just go up and introduce yourself is a great start to seeking out a phileocentric relationship.

EROS: ROMANCE

Eros love is pretty self-explanatory. It’s that fluttery feeling in your tummy, the spark when you touch, the magic of your first kiss… it’s being in love. If you’re looking for eros love, keep your mind open – Boston is a vibrant college city. Sure you might find someone in your class or club, but there are thousands of other people in the city. Be adventurous! Check out museums or events that interest you. Chances are you’ll run into someone else who has similar interests.

romance

novmeber 2013

six “red” flags

text by hannah perrin

Hold on for the ride of your love life! The worst part about dating is breaking up. You go out with a person and those few dates turn into a real relationship. You are in love, happy, and nothing could go wrong. But then, out of nowhere, the person of your dreams breaks your heart. Cue Taylor Swift, chocolate, and lots and lots of tissues. Yes, everyone hates break ups, whether they happen to you, to your friends, or to the celebrity couple you live vicariously through. The very worst part of a break up isn’t the actual ending of the relationship, though. It is remembering every conversation and every date and trying to figure out where the signs were to warn you. Fear no more: here are six red flags of a destined-to-be-derailed relationship. With these acting as your seatbelts, you will know if this relationship is even worth pursuing by the first few dates. Cut the long lines of heartbreak and get ready for the roller coaster of romance.

1. If he takes a call from his mom 3. If on the first date, he's already in a relationship...with his mother. It’s not cute – it’s weird. Most “Mama’s Boys” are only looking for someone just like their mother. Do you want to date a guy who is with you because you remind him of his mommy? No, no you do not.

2. If

4. If she talks badly about a friend

on the first date, she is a drama queen. You go to Emerson; you don’t have time to become famous, save the world, and deal with her #FirstWorldProblems. Besides, if she is so open to talk bad about her “friend” so early on, do you really want to risk what will be said about you if you break up? Go home and realize she is definitely not worth the chance of getting a bad reputation.

5. If

he orders for you, plans the date with no leeway and without consulting you, or comments on what you should have worn—he’s too controlling. It’s not cute or romantic. Even less obvious signs of his inner control freak should be taken as red flags, because while the signs seem small now, he will become more controlling the more dates you go on. Who wants to date someone that doesn’t even give them the opportunity to choose? If he has to have his way, let him have it... as a single guy.

6. If her phone is a third-wheel on

the date, you’re never going to be alone with her. If you can leave the table without saying anything, go to the restroom, and come back like nothing happened, it’s a red flag. She’s the type to tweet during intercourse and no one wants that. End it early so you don’t waste more nights being the only one talking and repeating everything you say because she was too busy Instragramming to listen to you. You deserve someone who will Instagram you, not ignore you. romance

she looks in every reflective surface to check her appearance, she's too high-maintenance. Sure, her need for attention could be entertaining for a few dates, but after that you are in it for the long haul. Do you really want to be in a committed relationship with a girl who needs you to cut her steak for her when you go out? Plus, high-maintenance girls have a special talent where you can never break up with them. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible. But right when you start accepting the relationship and realizing she isn’t so bad, she breaks your heart. Then you can’t imagine life without her and all 10 million of her needs. It’s witchcraft. Spot the signs of a highmaintenance witch early and save yourself the trouble.

he doesn't ask you any questions, he is just looking for a hook up. Sure, a quickie may sound good when you’re lonely, but it won’t feel good when you wake up the next morning, still alone. If you’re looking for a relationship, a nightcap on the first date is not the way to go. You have a lot to say and if he is not interested enough to ask you, he is not worth the heartache. In these wise words of Kelly Clarkson, “Oh, no I do not hook up, I go slow. So if you want me, I don’t come cheap. Keep your hand in my hand and your heart on your sleeve.”

DIY:

Dangling Mason Jar Lights

text & photos by sienna mintz

The only things these mason jar Edison lights are missing are a couple of beards and a six-pack of PBR tall boys. Hipster-dom aside, this project is a creative way to use retro hardware and kitchenware to create a truly unique light fixture. And the best part is that once you’re done, you’ll be able to bask in the warm light with a mason jar of Kombucha, Mate, or whatever your hip little heart desires.

Materials

☐☐ One electrical light bulb hanging chord. If money’s no obstacle, opt for this metallic chord from West Elm for $39. If you’re on a budget, pick up the IKEA version in black or white for $5.3 ☐☐ One Edison blubs. You can order from Amazon for $5 or pick one up for $12 per bulb at Urban Outfitters. ☐☐ One narrow mouth mason jar, large enough to fit your Edison bulb, with some wiggle room. Pick up a dozen at Michael’s or Bed Bath & Beyond (we love the Limited Edition set for $11) and use the leftovers as

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MATERIALS

glasses. ☐☐ One hammer ☐☐ One large, sharp nail ☐☐ One ceiling hook.

Instructions

1. Remove the umbrella-like plastic attachment screwed on to the fixture at the end of your chord. 2. With the lid secured onto the jar, use a pencil to draw a small circle just slightly larger than the hole where the bulb screws into. 3. Using your hammer and nail, puncture holes around the circle, close together, and pop the center disc out easily. Then remove the lid

from your jar. 4. Place the fixture into the hole, so that the bulb will screw in underneath the lid. 5. Screw the umbrella light attachment back onto the fixture, securing it in the hole in the lid. 6. Screw in your light bulb. 7. Twist your mason jar to the lid, with the light bulb inside. 8. Screw the hook into your ceiling and drape the chord through, giving more or less slack depending on the look you’re going for. Alternatively, you can drape your chord over a bookshelf, curtain rod, or tree branch. Get creative!

4&5

7&8 style

photography: kelsey davis models: brittney andrews serena kassow alexandra james goldy levy makeup: tu bao nguyen marisa robinson

hats: galvin-ized headwear

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c amel Beret with Taupe Felt Feather

g Gold Spikes on Headband old and Black Swirl with

style

c ranberry fedora

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ed and black wool beret with gold spikes

style

novmeber 2013

artistry assistant sonia gentilucci, beauty team artist elizabeth keiser, artistry assistant lisa maloney

all dolled up:

a profile on bobbi brown’s right hand gal

text by emily tannenbaum

From a counter in Bloomingdales to Education Executive of the Northeast, Elizabeth Keiser has navigated the competitive waters of the Makeup Industry.

When you first meet Elizabeth Keiser, a vivacious blonde with the gruff rasp of Chelsea Handler, her warmth and down-to-earth personality is infectious. After rising through the ranks of the world renowned brand, Bobbi Brown, her position with the company allows her to travel throughout the North East, training Bobbi’s brand representatives and the students of The Bobbi Brown Program in Makeup Artistry. Her knowledge of the industry and talent for beauty is only matched by her confidence in her charges, creating a learning experience that allows her pupils to form their own voices as makeup artists. Keiser spoke with Your Magazine to share how being tenacious in any field can propel you anywhere you want to go and let us in on Emerson’s best kept secret. Keiser had spent her life studying dance. However, after graduating from UMass Amherst, she came to the conclusion that a dance career may not be in her future. “Growing up I always had an interest in makeup and fashion. I had a background in dance and loved the theatrics and the glamour of it all,” Keiser says. Deciding she needed to find an artistic outlet, she began working at a counter for a small makeup brand,

despite having little experience. She fell in love with the industry and soon a brand right across the cosmetic floor: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. “Bobbi Brown’s philosophy that women want to look like themselves only prettier and more confident, is something that resonated with me from the start,” Keiser says, “This mantra is embedded in everything we do as a brand from the products she launches, the visuals you see at

“Growing up I always had an interest in makeup and fashion.” counter and how we teach our artists to sell what’s right for a women not just a trendy look or hot product of the moment.” After making it clear she was interested in working for the brand, she was recruited by Bobbi. Keiser’s desire to work for the “it” brand was obvious to all at the Bobbi Brown counter and they were delighted to welcome her. The next years would seem like a dream. “From the start of my career through the ten years I have been with the brand I have always felt that I was a part of

something bigger. To not only make women look better but to feel better, is a very empowering thing.” Keiser quickly grew with the brand moving from sales to manager at the counter, where her team’s sales record was second only to New York’s. Her mind for the business may have been a surprise for Keiser, but higher ups at the company took notice. She was moved to New Jersey soon after to open Bobbi Brown’s first retail store. As Bobbi Brown lives in New Jersey and has an office in the store, Keiser was able to form a lasting relationship with the makeup guru. “I will never forget the first time I had the opportunity to do Bobbi’s makeup. My hand was shaking and I remember she stopped and asked me if I was nervous,” Keiser says, “ummm of course I was nervous! Obviously seeing that I was totally intimidated she made it a point to make me feel more comfortable and used the opportunity to teach instead of making me feel lesser then. I learned so much that day not only about makeup artistry but about how to treat others.” In this business, relationships are everything. Through her spirit and tenacity, Keiser has been given style

photos from bobbi brown’s makeup manual novmeber 2013

many opportunities with the brand. “I have had the pleasure of assisting Bobbi on three of her books. These opportunities were life changing for me in terms of how much I was able to grow as an artist by working so closely with the master herself,” Keiser says. “I have also had the pleasure of working alongside Bobbi and our amazing artistry team at NYFW for the past five years. Some of my favorite shows to do are Rachel Roy, Tibi and Elie Tahari.” Despite being a successful makeup artist in her own right (Keiser works as a freelance artist in the New England area), it is her knowledge of the industry as a business that has propelled her success. What did she have to say about the makeup industry as a whole? “The word that comes to mind is competitive,” Keiser says. “New brands are constantly coming to market and it is so important for the heritage brands to stay relevant and modern without losing sight of their original intent.” In other words, whether you are working as a freelancer or for a company, you must stay true to your brand. Her advice to perspective makeup artists: “be open and be nice,” Keiser says! “The best artists are humble and appreciate that there are always different tips and techniques to take away no matter how long you have been in the industry.” So take

as much advice as you can, try new techniques, and embrace change in whatever industry you decide to enter. Sounds like a great teacher, no? Although it’s somewhat of an unknown course around Emerson, each summer students can take three courses under Keiser’s direction. Week One: The Basics. Learn what each brush is for, how to match skin tone with foundation, and many other applications. It’s an intense week that will leave even those who’ve never

“Be open and nice” touched makeup with the confidence to enter the next stage of training. Week Two: Advanced Makeup Artistry. The second week is designed to introduce artists to different levels of the makeup industry. Editorial designs, runway shows, and bridal are all packed into five six-hour days. And lastly, Week Three: The Business of Makeup. In this final stage you learn amount different aspects of the industry and how to start your own career. By the end you’ve put together a business plan to launch you in the right direction. You can take one or all three, depending on your needs and interests. For more information

email professor Mary Harkins (mary_harkins@emerson.edu). “The Bobbi Brown Program in Makeup Artistry at Emerson started about 5 years ago out of Bobbi’s desire to offer makeup classes to inspire and teach her techniques to aspiring artists everywhere. I love the fact that the course is open to both Emerson students and the public as it creates a diverse learning environment and each class is specifically tailored to the group. The course is an incredible way for someone explores their creativity and interest in makeup, learn valuable industry tips, and enhance their artistry skill set.” With Keiser leading the program as head mentor and Emerson Professor Mary Harkins working as an adviser, the three week intensive program covers a broad range of skills. Interestingly, this past summer only four Emersonians took part in the program. The rest of the makeup coterie was filled with artists from all over who traveled to Boston to learn from the school of Bobbi Brown. Two were even in the process of launching their own makeup lines. So, for all you costume design majors or all around makeup lovers (we’re looking at you, Fashion Society), this may be the summer to try something new. After all, as Emerson alum Bobbi Brown says, “Confidence is everything but a little makeup never hurt”

The perfect plum lip

text by antonia depace photos by emma fishman model: serena kassow

This fall, the classic red lip is turning to the dark side with fashionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest craze: the plum lip. The shades of plum lipstick can vary from dark burgundy to a deep, blackened purple. Such a diverse color spectrum makes it difficult to choose what other makeup to pair with a plum lip. Follow these directions to create the perfect plum lip makeover for the fall season.

PREPARATION

When planning to wear a bold color lip, it is best to make sure that your lips are moisturized and smooth. Before putting on the lipstick, gently exfoliate your lips and moisturize with a plain lip balm. Make sure to do this at least ten minutes prior to applying the lipstick.

LIPS

Deep plum. This shade should either be a deep burgundy or a very dark purple. Apply it right from the tube to get a more intense shade. A bit of clear gloss is optional if you want to add some shine, however, keeping your lips matte will also pull off the look.

FOUNDATION

Apply foundation as normal. Make sure to cover up those dark circles with a concealer brush by gently patting foundation near the tear duct and bottom lid.

BRONZER

Use a light brown or dark taupe bronzer to balance out the intensity of the plum lip and give a natural tan look. Apply in circular motions.

EYELINER

Use a black liquid or gel liner to thinly line your lid in order to define the eyes. Apply a small wing at the end to make it look more glamorous.

MASCARA

Use a non-volumizing black mascara to lightly define the lashes so that they are bold, but do not over power the intense lip color.

EYE SHADOW

Eye shadow is not necessary with a dark lip; however, it can be applied for contrast in a natural light eye shadow to bring out your lips. Do not wear dark eye shadow with a dark lip. Think contrast.

BLUSH

style

Blush is not recommended for a dark lip. However, if your skin is a porcelain tone, you can use a small amount of a light pink blush to add color to the cheeks.

The Beacon photography: kathy collins models: andrea sweeny graham finley richard canal tinius makeup: tu bao nguyen rhianna reinmuth megan nicholson styling: olivia post adele grubb

For much of its history, Emerson College was located on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. This month, we’re celebrating the locales– as well as the style– of this bygone era in our history.

Street Years

Richard: York St. University Fleece Blazer, York St. Stripe Pierson Oxford, J. Press Stripe Knit Tie, J. Press Tartan Trousers. Andrea: Jack Wills Betsworth Wool Cape, Jack Wills Latchmere Cardigan, Jack Wills Highmoor Shirt, Jack Wills Skirt. Graham: York St. Shaggy Dog Sweater, York St. Mather Oxford, J. Press Olive Grouse Tie, J. Press Devon & Dorset Schoolboy Muffler, Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Chinos.

York St. Shaggy Dog Sweater, York St. Pierson Oxford, J. Press Calhoun College Schoolboy Scarf, Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Chinos

Jack Wills Keeston Peacoat, Jack Wills Borrowby Dress

York St. Shaggy Dog Sweater, York St. Mather Oxford, J. Press Olive Grouse Tie, J. Press Devon & Dorset Schoolboy Muffler, Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Chinos

BRINGING TRENDY BACK

text by andrea palagi illustration by eric rosati

Boston becomes the new style headqurters.

novmeber 2013

Are you tired of living in one of the country’s most unfashionable cities? Are you bored with the same old seasonal trends promoted by every major retailer? Do you just want more from your shopping experience? Well, you are not alone. Sam Sisakhti, founder of the online independent fashion retailer UsTrendy, felt the standard online shopping scene was getting a bit stale. So after realizing that he was never going to be tall enough to be Michael Jordan, his first dream, Sisakhti decided to freshen things up stylistically, by creating UsTrendy. com, an online independent fashion retailer based out of the unfashionable City of Boston. When he first got the idea to start UsTrendy, many people told Sisakhti that in order for his business to be successful he would have to start up in a city like New York or risk being a fashionable failure. However, acknowledging the truth behind Boston’s inclination towards Red Sox hats and zip up hoodies, Sisakhti urges doubters to look at Newbury Street—one of the biggest tourist hot spots when it comes to fashion retail and rising trends, right in the heart of Boston. Today, Sisakhti’s own success with UsTrendy proves that running his business out of Boston was a smart business choice for Sisakhti. “Today, UsTrendy is the largest independent fashion website out

there showing that you can take fashion to Boston and still be successful,” he says. “Largest” is putting it lightly; UsTrendy.com is home to the creations of over 16,000 talented international designers from 100 countries worldwide. The website gets over one million hits each month. Proving others wrong was only part of what caused Sisakhti to start UsTrendy.

“Today, UsTrendy is the largest independent fashion website out there showing that you can take fashion to Boston and still be successful.” The true moment of inspiration for this project came during a guys trip to Las Vegas in 2008. On the trip, Sisakhti met up with one of his childhood buddies who had moved to L.A. several years earlier to be the next big fashion designer and failed. Noticing that his friend’s struggle was shared by many hopeful designers and realizing that chances to make it big in the fashion world are few and far between—we aren’t

all born McQueens—Sisakhti started thinking. His thoughts turned into a plan, a plan developed into a pitch, and a pitch transformed into a global fashion phenomenon that Sisakhti hopes will empower the online retail customer and bridge the gap between producer and consumer. Here’s how it works: Designers from all around the world submit their portfolios online to UsTrendy design competitions, any and all are welcome to submit. These competitions, rather than being judged by a few elite stockholders gathered around a board meeting table wearing black suits with brown socks, are judged by regular customers who vote on their favorite lines based on their personal styles. Once a winner is chosen, UsTrendy helps the winning designers fund and coordinate the production process for their items which are then sold on the UsTrendy website to the same customers who voted for the lines in the first place. In addition to the opportunities it gives to designers, this fashion forward democratic process also benefits the UsTrendy customer. Anyone shopping on UsTrendy.com can browse with ease without having to worry about walking into a room wearing an UsTrendy piece and seeing someone wearing the exact same thing, (the horror!). Instead, UsTrendy pieces are specialized, the ideas behind them being both

personal and unique. In addition to maintaining a sense of individual style, the customer also has the opportunity to dictate what styles should be promoted on the site by voting for their favorite designers. Enough is enough with the everyonewearing-the-same-pleather-leggingsbecause-the-fashion-elite-said-so status quo. We’re all old enough to start picking out our own clothes, and UsTrendy agrees. Because of its unusual design background, UsTrendy isn’t like the typical online store that carries the same things found every other online store’s website. All of UsTrendy’s clothing is uniquely and exclusively designed by aspiring designers who have style tastes that range from velvet and leather with studs to cotton and chiffon pastels with lace. Searching on UsTrendy for the perfect style is an instant Cinderella moment for shoppers—finding the one that fits you and only you is the glass slipper to end all glass slippers.

If you want to be more than just an UsTrendy shopper but don’t have quite enough of an artistic flare to design your own line, there are local job opportunities to be a fashion promoter for the UsTrendy brand. This job offers young fashionistas the chance to assist with event merchandising and marketing activities as well as representing the UsTrendy brand at exclusive Boston fashion events. You can also join the UsTrendy Fashion Street Team and become an ambassador for the brand by hitting the streets with giveaways, promotional material and a plethora of UsTrendy brand knowledge. Sisakhti brought UsTrendy to Boston with every intention of weaving his business into the lives of city locals. Beyond offering a revolutionary shopping experience, UsTrendy also hosts various fashion events that are open to the public. Most recently, on October 26th UsTrendy collaborated with Her Campus to put on a fashion show featuring UsTrendy pieces at

The Estate in downtown Boston. Sisakhti feels that fashion forward events like this are key in changing Boston’s worst dressed reputation. With such fierce competition in the world of fashion design—as seen on Project Runway, Launch My Line, and The Fashion Show—UsTrendy evens the playing field for aspiring designers and creates a unique relationship between designers and buyers that is something the fashion world has never seen before. So now we must ask ourselves, why should big brands like H&M and Forever 21 dictate what the season’s fashions will be? We are the shoppers and in the name of democracy, we should have a voice in what will and will not be popular from one season to the next. Who better to ask than the consumer? Who better to answer than young up-and-coming designers? Sam Sisakhti couldn’t think of anyone better, and neither can we.

style

fashion week on the streets text by emily lacroix photo by matt park model: emily smith

Some Fashion Week trends are more wearable than others, and easily find their way from the runway to the streets. Giant rounded shoulders as seen in Narcisco Rodriguez and Tibi shows for fall 2013 New York Fashion Week? We’re not expecting to see (or wear) those anytime soon. But the chic, slouchy pants that showed up all over NYFW? Now that we can do. What we are now calling “slouchy” pants, have been around as “harem pants” for years, drifting in and out of style. Famed Parisian designer Paul Poiret was the first to display the look on runways in 1911, alongside other Middle Eastern garb including caftans and turbans, and began what was known as an “orientalist” movement on the runways of the time. At the time, Western women were used to tight, uncomfortable clothing, and were highly interested in this new, loose-fitting and comfortable fashion trend. The original look billowed out at the ankle, and was full like a skirt. The look has gotten an update for the runways of today, featuring a high waist, dropped crotch, full hips and thighs, and tapered leg. Seen on the runway, Calvin Klein’s navy blue version of slouchy pants sit high on the model’s waist, cinched in with a large-buckled belt. Klein still used a cropped length which has been very popular throughout 2013. He paired the pants with a tight fitting navy blue leather tank top, creating a sexy yet laid back dynamic for the outfit. This look fits perfectly with the Klein aesthetic of the “clean,

style

comfortable professional.” Prabal Gurung opted for a longer pant, almost covering the model’s feet. A billowing white and red shirt is covered by a cobalt blue blazer, making the outfit feel much cozier and layered, creating a more winter-ready aesthetic. With so much volume, the look becomes very heavy. We prefer a more tailored top with these pants. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s fashion house, The Row, got the winter version of slouchy pants right in their fall 2013 runway show. Their black pants are made of a lighter fabric than Klein’s or Gurung’s which give them a less heavy feel. They pair the pants with an exquisitely tailored asymmetrical black wool jacket that cinches in at the waist, still giving the model shape. You can adjust these pants for different street style looks. For a cozy fall look, wear wool slouchy pants with a large, belted sweater and booties. Harem pants can be worn into the evening with a form fitting cropped shirt which reveals just a little bit of skin making this loose fitting piece a little sexier. Add brightly colored pumps to vamp up the look a little more, and wear your hair up to show more of your neck. For a professional look, pair flowy pants with a tailored, tucked in oxford shirt and blazer and nude heels. Slouchy pants are a great piece that can easily be taken from laid back to professional, once you know how to wear them! Hopefully now you have the confidence to go out and buy a pair.

after hours

text by matt mullen photo by carina allen

Lei Zhenchuan is an Emerson student by day and an advertising producer by night. Be it a performance, a piece of writing, or a film, the ultimate goal of most artists is to have their work be seen by as many people as possible. This past summer, film production major Lei Zhenchuan ’16 accomplished what many can only dream of: his work was seen by one billion people. As part of an intensive partnership with the Chinese government, Zhenchuan produces nationally broadcast commercials. By day he is like every other Emerson student, but by night he is a powerful commercial producer. Because of his high-ranking position, and the fact that all media in China is government owned and therefore under censorship laws, Zhenchuan is protective about many of the details of his job. But he did explain how it all began. While in high school in Northern China, Zhenchuan won an advertising festival and got the chance to work alongside a distinguished advertiser in China, who became Zhenchuan’s mentor. With his mentor’s guidance, Zhenchuan soon joined the team of Shooting Gallery Asia, a prominent Shanghai media company, as a freelance filmmaker. Soon after beginning, Zhenchuan and a former colleague began singlehandedly producing several nationally broadcast commercials. This summer was Zhenchuan’s biggest: a Volkswagen commercial, directed by the famous Chinese director, Lu Chuan. “Our partnership stands in the Chinese advertising industry as one of the best group of advertising producers,” Zhenchuan says of him and his colleague. According to Zhenchuan, the total production time for

a commercial takes about two months. He is on board for the entire process, beginning with pre-production, which includes scheduling, crew calls, and location scouting. All the film shooting takes place in China, so Zhenchuan works remotely—he’s up most nights doing work while it’s daytime in China. While the commercial is actually being shot, Zhenchuan keeps everyone in line, on schedule, and, especially, on budget. Finally, he oversees the entire post-production process of the commercial. “I have to sit in with the editor to make sure everything serves our clients’ demands,” he says. Is it hard to balance being a student and working in such a competitive industry? “Not very hard, to be honest,” says Zhenchuan. “Especially with Emerson’s class schedule—which seems to leave me a lot of free time to work on sets, my own projects and jobs—I think I’ve learned a lot from a good combination of class and practice.” The only aspect he laments is the lack of time he gets to spend with his family back home. “When I’m back I’ll have to be flown to different parts of the country a lot for the job. I spent about three weeks out of approximately four months during the summer with my family and I do feel kind of bad for that.” While he finds his commercial work engaging and challenging, Zhenchuan says he fantasizes about a career in feature film production. “I’ve met the most creative, innovative, and amazing people during the past few years working as a producer,” he says. “However, I always hoped to be working in the film industry. Getting a job on some features would be fantastic.”

living

text by jennifer leahy photos by nydia hartono

Look Out For These Lookouts Think you love Boston? Check out the best spots to catch a glimpse of the skyline and you’ll be swooning like never before.

novmeber 2013

For students with a little time to spare in the name of a beautiful view, head to Piano Row and take the elevator up to the 13th floor, which boasts amazing views of the Common and the city beyond. Study while enjoying the view of the State House’s golden roof peeping out from behind the trees on the Common. Or, whip up a meal for some friends on the common room stove and enjoy the food with a stunning backdrop.

Most Emersonians know their way around the Prudential Center, but few have ventured to the top. On the 50th floor of the Prudential is the Skywalk Observatory, the only observatory in New England with a 360-degree view of Boston. Show your student ID and you’ll be able to get $2 off the $15 ticket price. Two floors above the observatory is the restaurant, Top of the Hub. Here, you can enjoy the view and amazing (though pricey) food.

A quick T-ride away on the green line’s C train is the Corey Hill Outlook Park. Once you get off at Washington Square, it is just a short walk up the hill, and the scene

from the top will make the trek well worth it. From this hilltop, you can see both Boston and Cambridge at no cost other than price of the T.

If the sight of glistening water is more to your taste look no further than the view from the Boston University Bridge that crosses the Charles River. The bridge is easily accessible for any Emerson student with access to the T;

the bridge is on the B green line at the Boston University West stop. The bridge looks over the Charles River, and lets you watch the idyllic sailboats and kayakers glide over the water and all of this is set against the city skyline.

Take the silver line to the World Trade Center for an easy walk to Fan Pier. Fan Pier is a great place to see the waterfront offset by the city skyline. As you walk along the pier, day or night, the full scope of the city is absolutely breathtaking. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to spend the day at Fan Pier; the

area is full of things to do, whether it is splurging in the many surrounding shops or eating at one of the popular restaurants. Or if you want to save some money, enjoy the HarborWalk with its unobstructed views of downtown to East Boston and on a clear day, the Harbor Islands.

Boston is a city full of amazing sights, so why not take the time to absorb it all and enjoy the city you have chosen to be your home? At the very least youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll score a new Facebook profile picture and rack up those ever-important Instagram likes. living

wake up, work out

text by victoria hulbert photos by kathleen collins

The November Project is a grassroots fitness group that makes 6 a.m. the highlight of your day. A group of Emerson students stand huddled together in the Little Building residence hall lobby, wearing various colors of spandex. The confused and distraught look on most faces gives away what they are thinking. How did I get here? What in the world have I gotten myself into? It’s 6:15 on a chilly Monday morning and the group sets out into the city, the sun just barely rising and the mist still settled heavy on the tops of the buildings. A quick-paced jog led by Orrin Whalen ’14, brings the group to the piano in the Common, today’s secret meeting spot posted on Twitter the night before. A much larger pack of spandex-clad men and women stand close to the piano, some stretching, others chatting and catching up. The energy level is high, almost buzzing. Conversations are halted when a very tall man with a wild mustache climbs onto a brick ledge behind the piano and shouts, “How many of you are here today from Emerson College?” Hands sprinkled through the crowd shoot up. “Well let me tell you,” he starts, a loud voice booming through the otherwise quiet Common. “We have the most fucking fun out of anyone in Boston at this time of the morning!” The group cheers huddles closer, energy buzzes louder. The November Project was started by two friends and Northeastern Rowing Team alumni, Bojan Mandaric and Brogan Graham. It was an idea for exercise, for staying committed, and for creating a community. Both men agreed that when the winter months rolled around it became increasingly more difficult to stay motivated to work out. The November Project became a goal to stick to just that: consistent exercise even when it’s cold. Today, it’s a year-round movement, a free and open to the public exercise group. Founded in Boston in 2011, the project is now motivating three cities in

the U.S. and one in Canada. The Boston November Project meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 a.m. in a different location throughout the city. Unless you live more than six miles from the designated morning’s location, the November Project urges you run or bike to get there. Monday mornings take place at a secret location blasted via Twitter the night before. The Wednesday workout goes down at the Harvard University football stadium bleachers and the group meets on Fridays at Summit Hill in Brookline. Each workout lasts approximately 45 minutes and leaves you feeling sore and accomplished for at least 3 days afterward. Oh, and it’s weatherproof. Whether rain, snow, 70% humidity, they’ll be there at 6:30 a.m. “Alright!” Bojan Mandaric, cofounder and man with the mustache is still yelling. The sun is now out, businessmen mill about the streets headed for a coffee before work. “We are doing circuit training today. We’ll work through burpies, planks, and high knees – fifty seconds of intense workout and ten seconds of rest.” He’s jumping up and down now, as are many people, as if the excitement is almost too much to handle. The group is formed around the circular flowerbed next to the piano, separated with women on one side and men on the other. “Are you ready?” The crowd yells back, in unison, “Fuck yeah!” “Go!” With that, a flurry of bright colors and flailing limbs break out into the first fifty seconds of burpies. Jump up, down into push up position, jump up, and clap. The gravel on the cement scatters as hands and sneakers quickly scrape the ground. There’s no rhythm, each person moves at his or her own individual pace. It works because it’s chaotic. It works because the rules are simple. Fifty seconds. Go as fast or as slow as

“It’s made me more of a committed person...”

novmeber 2013

you can. Just don’t stop. “I first got involved during finals of my junior year,” says Orrin Whalen ‘14, who first heard about The November Project from Kristen McGill, the boot camp instructor at the Emerson College gym. “It’s made me more of a committed person and also taught me to understand the importance of community. Everyone [in The November Project] is so friendly and it truly does start your day off right.” Whalen is wearing the trademark and homemade November Project t-shirt created with black spray paint and a stencil. It’s a sure sign of a regular participant. This past October, the Boston November Project dedicated every Monday’s workout to a location in close proximity to one of Boston’s universities or colleges, including BU, BC, Northeastern, Tufts, and Emerson. The November Project blog says it was “a callout to which school will represent the best during the cooler temps in October.” For Whalen, it’s been fun seeing other Emerson students get involved. “Sometimes I get the ‘you’re a

nutso’ look when I say we meet at 6:30am but the true adventurist will immediately jump on the idea and think it is so cool. I say to everyone to at least try it once for they don’t know till they try.” Nearly 10 rounds of each circuit later, the 15 Emerson students that stood huddled cold and confused in the lobby that morning, now lay around on the cement. Chests are heaving, the invigoration that comes with an early morning workout just beginning to set in. “At the end of the day the work out is for you,” says Whalen. “But ultimately it’s most important to share it with everyone else.” High fives are given all around and the chatting starts up again. The buzzing of energy is still there, only slightly subdued. There’s almost a contentedness about it, the feeling of accomplishment, of another good workout to start what should be another good week. Friends give sweaty hugs, shoes are tied tighter and bikes are unlocked. Happy faces leave the Common that morning headed for whatever else the world may throw their way. living

text by madeline bilis

Beantown backpackers

novmeber 2013

Travelers from all corners of the earth congregate in the lobby of the Boston branch of Hostelling International, located just down the street from Emerson at 19 Stuart St. Some lounge in comfy chairs glancing at Boston travel guidebooks while others come and go, rolling suitcases behind them. The newly renovated HI-Boston boasts 484 beds. Modern décor and a small café and bakery make for a hip atmosphere. A blackboard near the entrance lists the events for the day: A Fenway Park tour, an ICA visit, a free comedy show, and a Central Square bar crawl.

HI-Boston is certified in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) and is consistently rated 4 to 4.5 stars on sites like hostelworld.com, hostels.com, yelp.com, and tripadvisor.com. A Bostonian might take the city for granted and not give its rich history or quirky attractions the attention they deserve. However, the travelers staying at HI-Boston are eager to explore and share their stories. A few of them sat down with Your Mag to give us their take on the city that we call home.

“I’m surprised that people in Boston are so friendly. I had heard American people weren’t very nice.”

Andrew, Devon, England “I feel safer walking around in Boston than I do in D.C. I really like the city’s lowkey feel and the younger population here.”

Carla, Washington D.C

“This is the first place I’ve been to in the U.S. The people here are friendly and the city is clean, but the food is not fresh. I miss the food from home.”

Flavia, Brazil

Top Three Favorite Destinations: Fenway Park The Freedom Trail Quincy Market

“Bostonians are friendly people compared to the British. I’m not saying British people aren’t friendly, but strangers don’t talk to each other in the U.K.”

Duncan, Oxford, England

“People aren’t dressed like they are in France. Here, people look much more casual in jeans and t-shirts. They don’t pay attention to dressing. Many more people in Boston wear baseball caps even when the sun isn’t shining. That is strange.”

Pierre, Marseilles, France

“It’s a very fit city. I always see people exercising. It’s different than home because the skies in Boston are very blue. In Shanghai the skies are often grey.”

Min, Shanghai, China “Boston is a small town compared to New York City. It’s clean but a little too expensive. The food isn’t great. I actually like the restaurants in my country better. The chicken and meats here are genetically modified.”

Omar, Saudi Arabia

“This city is so easy to get around. People on the streets have given me very clear directions. The tourism here is definitely more established than other cities in the U.S and Boston’s history is so interesting.”

Johnny, Melbourne, Australia

living

RAMEN Round-up

text by sienna mintz illustration by pim phongsirivech

ra·men [ˈräm n]–A Japanese noodle soup made with long, thin, wavy noodles and often served with sliced pork, dried seaweed, green onions, and egg. Almost every region in Japan has its own variation. When you went off to college, you might have expected—looked forward to, even—snacking on Top Ramen until the day you walked off that stage, degree in hand. Not in Boston. This city is home to some of the best, hand-crafted, and creative ramen you’ll find outside of Japan. Here’s a list of some of the best, so you can spare yourself the misfortune of slurping that 15-cent garbage.

INAKA

This traditional ramen bar in Allston, complete with a hanging Japanese kitty banner, serves traditional ramen with all the fixins. The noodles, which are perfectly chewy, are made by hand in Cambridge. Don’t forget to sprinkle on some Shichimi, a smoky, sesame seed infused spice blend dating back to the 17th century. 72 Brighton Avenue Boston, MA 02134 Tue-Thu 11 am–10 pm Fri-Sun 11 am–11 pm

UNI

Second dinner gets a makeover with the weekend only, late night ramen menu at Uni Sashimi Bar, located near Kenmore. For a mere ten bucks (this place usually has four ‘dollar signs’ on Yelp!), you can chow down on award-winning chef, Ken Oringer’s, handmade ramen. The Umami Ramen is topped with barbequed unagi (that’s eel), daikon, scallion, enoki (thin white mushrooms), nori, and a two-hour egg. That’s right, a two-hour egg. If that’s not enough to get you in the door then you’re probably better off with the store-bought junk. novmeber 2013

370 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 Ramen served: Fri-Sat 11 pm–2 am

PIKAICHI

For a much less glam but just as much “yum” ramen experience, head to the back entrance of the Super 88 Market at Packards Corner (off the B Line). Enter the door off of the parking lot and you’ll find a dimly lit room filled with heaping bowls of ramen and the kind of slurping you were expressly told not to partake in when you were a kid. The spicy miso ramen is out of this world, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If your taste buds are on the wimpier side, the traditional miso ramen packs a lot of flavor too. Either way, the thick noodles and crunchy corn make for a hearty bowl of amazing ramen that’s not to be missed. 1 Brighton Avenue Boston, MA 02134 Mon-Sun 11:30 am–4 pm, 5pm-9pm

BOSTON RAMEN NOODLE COMPANY

These all sound good, but the options above require you to get out of your PJs, which is sometimes just too much to ask. Boston Ramen Noodle Company has your back, hand delivering ramen right to your door. Forget the daikon and nori; this non-traditional ramen is served with anything from corn flaked fried chicken tenders with miso mayo to Manila clams with a Thai curry coconut broth. This wacky take on Boston’s latest food trend is available for delivery in the South End, Back Bay, and Fenway, and yes, there is a catch. If you want to get your chopsticks (or hands, we won’t tell) on some of this ramen, you’ll have to sign up for the email list and to be notified when BRNC is open for business. http://www.bostonramenco.com/

living

novmeber 2013

alone with people

text by joanne paquin photo courtsey of alone with people

“Andie has it all: loving parents, a cooler older sister, and a boyfriend. Now all she has to do is tell them she’s gay.” stories from Chasing Ballerinas are explored. When she wrote the movie she, used a more creative license with what people had originally said, and what had originally occurred. She wanted the movie to be more engaging, and using a creative license eased the amount of work it would have taken to make the film true to life. But despite these differences between her film and show, both are similar in the sense that they deal with the same themes and emotions. Despite the fact that the experiences aren’t exactly the same, the themes and emotions are, and Quinn uses that similarity to aid her in role of Andie. She has a definite connection to her character because she’s been working with the material for her one-woman show for so long. “And Drew Van Steenbergen is an amazing director,” she said, “So when I didn’t know, he did. He didn’t even grow up as a lesbian in the South and he knew exactly how she felt.” It’s sad that people have to experience these particular feelings, though. Feelings of fear, solitude, confusion and discomfort are prominent among people confronting their sexuality. And it shouldn’t be. Quinn believes that there are many people who are uncomfortable with their sexuality, and it’s a prevalent situation all over the world. “I think it’s a hard thing to be young and different, and dealing with that alone is a very tough thing to do,” Quinn says. She titled her movie Alone With People, as a way to describe the feelings of Andie and of herself. It’s how she felt in the closet in high school, and despite the numerous friends and family she had in her life, she felt they didn’t know who she really was. She felt very much alone. What should we do about this though? People should not have to feel so alone when they are surrounded by those who care about them. Marcus says, “I think if we talk about it more, and make it not such a taboo topic, people will be more knowledgeable on the subject and less closed-minded.” Quinn has heard a few stories of more people coming out in high school these days, and

arts & entertainment

Who doesn’t love a good movie? Whether it’s action packed, a chick flick, or a grotesque horror show, if it’s a good story, people are going to enjoy it. So how does a film about a girl named Andie growing up gay in Georgia sound? This particular film explores how Andie handles being a lesbian in the south in only way she feels she can, by being secretly in love with all of her sister’s friends, having a boyfriend, so no one can suspect her of being gay, and watching the L Word. She doesn’t feel ready to talk about her sexuality with her family and friends because she worries they might disown her if they knew she was a lesbian. Since she’s too afraid to confide this secret with anyone she knows, she finds comfort in a therapist who leads her to realize that before she can expect anyone to accept her, she needs to first accept herself. Sounds like a worthwhile movie, don’t you think? I definitely did, and so does Quinn Marcus ‘13. Quinn is an Emerson alum who graduated earlier this year. During her time at Emerson, she produced a onewoman show called Chasing Ballerinas. This performance was a compilation of personal, non-fiction stories about growing up gay in the South, as well as coming out. When a good friend of hers, and Emerson alum, Drew Van Steenbergen ‘11, saw the show, he wanted to make it into a short film. The two of them were sitting in Dunkin’ Donuts on the corner of Boylston and Tremont, after Drew had seen her one-woman show. He was telling her of his plans to make a short film over the summer and Quinn instantly wanted to get in on the action. “I don’t like to be left out of anything,” Quinn says, “So I said I would write one.” After contemplating what this film should be about, Drew suggested they adapt Chasing Ballerinas, and that Quinn should play the lead. She instantly agreed and says, “I think the best thing I could ever do for my career and my life is to just do what Drew says.” So Marcus not only wrote the screenplay, but she starred in the film as well. Talk about multitasking! The film is a fictionalized adaptation of her show, where a few

other kids being cool with it, and she thinks that there are going to be a lot more of these stories to be told in coming years. Society is turning into a place of open mindedness and understanding, and Quinn thinks movies like Alone With People will keep moving society’s progress forward. I completely agree. Alone With People will definitely help with the general acceptance of those of different sexualities, and will also help create a greater awareness of what some youth have to undergo, because the movie isn’t really about nonacceptance. It’s more about what it is like for someone gay to come out in a positive environment. It’s not about family members not accepting their children, or peers making fun of homosexuals. This particular film focuses on accepting oneself, because it shows that it is hard for Andie to accept herself. Quinn says, “For me, coming out is in two stages. Coming out to everyone you know and coming out to yourself. This film focuses on Andie being okay with herself.” The idea is pretty cool as it is not the typical perspective that accompanies stories about coming out that tends to plague the media. Stories of non-acceptance, taunts, jeers, and general cruelty likely add to the fear of coming out, even though that’s not always the situation. Quinn deters these stereotypical conceptions in her film, and offers advice to anyone who may be in a situation similar to that of her main character. Her advice is, “This part of your life is very hard right now, but it doesn’t last forever. Even if you don’t feel comfortable or safe coming out right now, it’s okay. There’s no rush or expiration date. Everyone is different and everyone comes out at their own pace. You’ll know when it’s right for you. And that might not be until college or even after college. But it’s no one else’s business

novmeber 2013

but your own.” This film is sure to rock with such a cool, insightful screenwriter and actress, and a very talented, passionate crew. This is Quinn’s first film and she loved the entire process. She has never worked on a film before, and never even considered it something she was interested in being involved with. But she is so glad she did and loved the entire process. She wishes she could do it forever. “The best part was the people: finding the actors and working with them and living in the same house as the crew all week. We all got so close.” She considered the idea of being able to work so close with people on a single project a very romantic thing. Everyone on set was thinking about the same thing, and working hard to pull it off. And then it ends. Quinn said she met many people she will keep in touch with, but knows it will never be the same. “The ten days of shooting Alone With People was the hardest work I’ve ever done, and the most fun I’ve ever had.” She also expressed great pleasure when it came to the editing process. “The movie is being edited by the EMMY Award Winning editor of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse and we’re very excited about that!” Though the date has not been selected yet, be sure to check out Alone With People when it is released. Not only are there going to be several premieres in Georgia, where the movie was filmed, but Marucs said they will, “have a premiere in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and hopefully at Emerson!” For more information, visti the film’s Kickstarter page at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/75571646/alonewith-people, their Tumblr, http://lfcproductions.tumblr. com and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ alonewithpeople.

photo from icaboston.com

review:

Echosmith

text by jake dmochowski photos courtesy of echosmmith

Van Halen. The Beach Boys. Kings of Leon. Oasis. The greatest sibling bands of rock ‘n’ roll. Enter Echosmith, the new all-sibling band from Southern California on the eve of their debut album, Talking Dreams. Composed of Graham, Sydney, Noah, and Jamie, the four Sierota siblings have been making music together since they were young but only formed Echosmith in 2009. In 2012, Echosmith signed with Warner Brother Records and their first single “Tonight We’re Making History” was featured during the 2012 Summer Olympics. In the time between the band’s inception and Talking Dreams, Echosmith released a host of cover songs, including “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons and “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele. Echosmith performed in the first half of the 2013 Vans Warped Tour and opened for big-name artists like Twenty One Pilots and Neon Trees. The Sierota siblings opened for Owl City during their 2013 Midsummer Station tour and three songs off Talking Dreams were also featured during ESPN’s June broadcasting. As one of Alternative Press’ 2013 “100 Bands

to Watch,” we expect a lot from Talking Dreams. But do they deliver? Let’s start at the beginning. The album opens with a wistful synth lick, broken by a full-band explosion, like a dive into a flat pool. Reminiscent of older M83 and newer The Wombats, the opening track “Come Together” is an apology and resolution that introduces the recurring themes of running away and of fire. “We are gonna come together now, we are gonna run together,” sings Sydney powerfully during the chorus, showing off her vocal prowess through her impressive slow vibrato and vocal harmonies. We are also introduced to the authoritative male voices of brothers Noah and Jaime throughout this track. Next, we hear the upbeat song “Let’s Love.” This track is interesting in that it features a conversation between a male and female voice; something we have seen before from Gotye and Kimbra in the hit “Somebody That I Used to Know.” In the final chorus, Sydney and the boys sing together, “Let’s love while we’re arts & entertainment

novmeber 2013

young,” a phrase printed on Echosmith t-shirts. This upbeat music continues in their third track, “Cool Kids,” though the lyrics are heart wrenching. Sydney paints a picture of an outsider and her attempts to fit in, “I wish that I could be like the cool kids, ‘cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in,” she sings with angst. This song showed something new about the band, drawing a connection to Passion Pit’s 2012 record Gossamer. Although catchy and pleasant to listen to, nothing jumps out or surprises the listener during the first three songs. However, as soon as you hit the fourth track, “March Into the Sun,” one’s mind is changed instantly. Jamie’s acoustic guitar starts out the song, with Sydney’s reverberated “hey’s” and “oh’s.” “March Into the Sun” tells a story of young love with “no drinks in sight” and living with a “natural high.” The chorus features an awesome vocal melody and a cool electric guitar lead. The part that stands out the most is the bridge, where the tempo cuts in half and then enters a clap track with a low male chant in the background below Sydney’s emotional “march into the sun” line.

This track gives the listener the impression that Echosmith falls into the post-post-emo genre. When the emo movement began, it characterized itself with heavier music and confessional-type lyrics. In the mid-2000’s, post-emo emerged, and was characterized with the same expressive lyrics, but with artsier and calmer music. Post-post-emo is still being defined and characterized today as lyrically reminiscent of the original emo, but with much softer music and quieter, hushed singing, with still bursts of energy found in post-emo. Some examples would be Taylor Swift or Bon Iver. Echosmith, falls most safely into this genre. Though Echosmith defines itself as an indie pop band, the differences between post-post-emo and indie pop are thin. Indie pop usually includes more skilled and creative instrumentation. (The UK band “The Smiths” is the quintessential indie pop band, for reference.) Echosmith leaves the creativity and experimentation to Sydney’s vocals, taking them out of a distinct indie pop outfit. After we are struck by the magic of “March Into the Sun,” one becomes uplifted by “Come With Me.”

This song is about contradictions, love and hate, submission and dominance, “I’ll take you away, if you let me,” “I’ll cover your soul with my body, give me your heart.” This song features different instrumentation than we have previously heard on Talking Dreams, including a cool mandolin or banjolike instrument, and a fuzzy bass that we are used to hearing from more experimental bands like Muse. Soon after, we are transported into the poetic mind of Sydney through “Bright.” This track has brilliant imagery about the universe and her place in it, “Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me? I think you and the moon and Neptune got it right,” The feeling of the song reminds us of a Taylor Swift or The Civil Wars song. This gentle track shows a different, calmer, more introspective Echosmith. Next is the title track, “Talking Dreams.” Sydney carefully crafts beautiful rhymes in this song, “You’ve got green eyes, I’ve got sunrise”, and we finally hear a fun bass line from Noah, reminiscent of one out of a Kings of Leon song. The music video released for this song was the third off the record (following “Come Together” and “Cool Kids”). The video captures the excitement of the song as Echosmith leads a group of attractive young people on bikes through a valley and eventually to a Echosmith show in front of a barn. Fantastic. After “Talking Dreams,” we reach three songs, “Tell Her You Love Her,” “Ran Off In the Night,” and “Nothing’s Wrong,” that seem to tell two sides of one story. In “Tell Her You Love Her,” Sydney gives advice to a man about how to treat a woman, “When she says she needs you, tell her you need her too” But in the chorus, Sydney arduously tells the man not to “run away before you tell her you love her.” “Ran Off In the Night,” one of the more indie songs on Talking Dreams, nostalgically tells of a story of “love at first sight.” With the end of “Ran Off In the Night,” we musically reach the end of the second part of the album, but not the story. “Nothing’s Wrong,” one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album, tells of what

happened to the woman after the man ran away. She is clearly upset, but decides that she should not sulk in her sadness, “What is she to do? Wait for the whole world to burn?” This is a proud song about a broken woman walking “like there’s nothing wrong.” In the next track, “The Safest Place,” Echosmith keeps the energy they built in “Nothing’s Wrong.” This is satisfying to the listener because one finally hears some experimentation with instrumentation and vocal melodies and harmonies. The energy drops in the final track, “Surround You,” but it works very well given the two previously energized songs. “Surround You” is a beautiful, structure-less acoustic song. The build-up halfway through the song is wonderful, a crescendo finally leading to a climax. The final words on will always give you chills, “All I heard, all that sound, never thought love could be found.” These lines alone give closure to all the problems Sydney has described. Overall, Talking Dreams features good music with meaningful lyrics. However, the Sierota brothers take few risks in their chord progressions, rhythms, and melodies and Sydney does not take as many risks as one would like to hear out of such a strong female lead. As most songs do not come to big climaxes like we are used to in today’s music it tends to get slow at times, making it potentially boring to listen to without something else going on. Talking Dreams is a great companion album. It is one that you could easily listen to during a walk to class, and sounds appropriate for a movie or sports trailer or montage; it even does make a pretty good sex soundtrack. Being Echosmith’s debut album after all, it will be interesting to see how they progress and hopefully become more comfortable with taking risks in the future. Echosmith’s debut album Talking Dreams was released by Warner Bros. Records on Oct. 8, 2013 and the band will be touring this fall starting on Sept. 14, 2013 in San Pedro, California and ending on Nov. 2, 2013 in New York City.

“The album opens with a wistful synth lick, broken by a full-band explosion, like a dive into a flatpool.”

arts & entertainment

The Sketchbook Project

text by pim phongsirivech photo from the sketchbook project

“It’s like a taco truck but with sketchbooks!” –The Sketchbook Project Here’s the chance to partake in a travelling exhibition of sketchbooks from all parts of the world. Simply fill out a sketchbook and send your doodles on a tour. From the beanbag in your dorm room to Melbourne, to New Orleans, and finally to the Brooklyn Art Library, your sketchbook can travel, be seen, touched, flipped through, admired, scoffed at, appreciated, and chuckled at by thousands of people.

A little taste of how this Project came to be:

Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, ‘Art House’ is a company that organizes art projects around the world, bringing together artists on a global scale. Art House was founded in 2006 in Atlanta and it relocated to New York City in 2009. They have coordinated various wacky projects such as the ‘Sunday Swap: 50 Things To Do’ where participants compile a list (and illustrations) of fifty things to accomplish in the coming year, submit it to Sketchbook Project and receive (through the mail) a unique list of 50 things you could do from a total stranger. ‘The Meal – Documenting A Global Snack’ is another popular free project where participants photograph a meal, do with the photograph what they wish (edit it, filter it, leave it etc.) and submit it online. The idea of this is to capture the diversity of culture and creativity, tied together with a simple photograph to create a place where ‘4000 people sit down together to share a meal’. Among these projects, the most distinguished is The Sketchbook Project. Created by Steven Peterman and Shane Zucker, the Sketchbook Project consists of tens of thousands of sketchbooks created by participants around the world travelling on a sketchbook mobile (think food truck but with sketchbooks) through the U.S. This project novmeber 2013

is open to everyone of any age from anywhere.

How the Sketchbook Project works in 30 words: Receive sketchbook  Sketch away  Mail sketchbook back to Sketchbook Project headquarters  Sketchbook travels via Sketchbook Mobile  Sketchbook gets stored in the Brooklyn Art Library collection. [See ‘nuts and bolts’ section for detailed information]

Is this the project for you?

This is not the place for the “But I’m not an artist!” excuse. This project has received entries from photographers, poets, and even writers. The term “sketchbook” is used loosely where your imagination is concerned: if you added some degree of creativity (whether it is a couple Aztec scribbles down the sides or a touch of your little cousin’s crayon on the corners) to these blank pages, it qualifies as a sketchbook. If you have ever picked up a pen and drawn a makeshift Henna tattoo on the back of your hand, this is the project for you. If you have ever found yourself scribbling endless spirals on the edge of your notepad, this is also for you. If you have ever fantasized about showing the world your art without vandalizing or inhaling spray paint fumes, this is for definitely you. Also, the sketchbooks are made of 100% recycled paper so if you are a lovely, environmentally conscious being, this project is dedicated to you. The Sketchbook Project allows you to channel your inner van Gogh and to let your creativity run wild. Let the left side of your brain take a break. Once the right side of your brain has demonstrated its capabilities, its illustrations will be mailed to Sketchbook Project headquarters in Brooklyn, where its creations will either

embark on a journey to various cities across the U.S. or sail the seas to Melbourne, Australia. With this in mind, below are the technicalities and a step-by-step plan on how you can participate:

The Nuts and Bolts, The “But How Does This Work,” and The “So What Do I Do?”

arts & entertainment

1. Visit thesketchbookproject.com. The sign up deadline is December 31st (the earlier you sign up the better so you have more time for your sketchbook!) 2. Click “Buy a Sketchbook” for either $25 or $60 (more specificities online, but essentially the $60 allows for your sketchbook to be digitally tracked. If you’re intrigued by the $60 make sure you read Step 8.) 3. Choose one theme or category that your sketchbook will be under (keep in mind that these themes are used LOOSELY. You can even pick ‘Undecided’ if you’re feeling rebellious). Some of this year’s themes: “Strange Neighbors”, “Accidents”, “Found!”, “Dudes and latitudes”, “First aid kit”, “Atlas of…”, “Greetings from…”, “This is not about you”, “This is not about me”, “Undecided”. 4. The sketchbook arrives in your mailbox. 5. Draw. Paint. Spray. Scribble. Doodle. Write. Stick. Cut. Fold. Rip. Scrunch. Scratch. Glue. Do with it as you please. 6. Mail your sketchbook back to Brooklyn, NY, postmarked BEFORE JAN. 15! (You are all immensely busy with papers, projects, presentations, rehearsals, and

whatnot but this is NOT a deadline you can shimmy out of. Postmark by Jan. 15 otherwise your sketchbook will not be included). 7. Wait patiently as the sketchbook project people work their magic. 8. Stalk your sketchbook on tour through the Sketchbook Project Digital Library. (Track the stats – “Number of Views”, “Number of Checkouts” – online. This is available if you choose the $60 sketchbook option) Relish the likes and comments from viewers. 9. After your sketchbook finishes its road trip, it will be permanently stored in its new home: the sketchbook collection at the Brooklyn Arts Library, Williamsburg, NY. 10. Buy a Greyhound ticket to visit your sketchbook next year. 11. Feel super accomplished. You’ve made your mark. For more examples of previous sketchbooks, visit the Sketchbook Project Digital Library where you can fan-girl over how mind-bogglingly creative the sketchbooks are and leave endearing comments: www.sketchbookproject. com/library/ If the Sketchbook Project doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can explore and participate in other art projects by logging onto www.sketchbookproject.com/ projects to check out what other quirky projects Art House is organizing.

Preview:

Kanye west

text by caroline glass photo courtesy: def jam

He is something of an enigma these days. He is one half of Kimye, father of North, and interrupter of Taylor Swift. We all know whom I’m talking about: Kanye West. Through all his controversies, nonsensical tweets, and exceedingly narcissistic interviews, Kanye has remained one of today’s most popular rappers. His latest album, Yeezus, which dropped this June, received rave reviews from critics and a place of honor in many Spotify summer playlists. And soon, Kanye will be bringing his new album, and hopefully some of his own, live to Boston. That’s right, our man Yeezy, along with “Swimming Pools” singer Kendrick Lamar, will be hitting up TD Garden on Nov. 17. Yeezus debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and sold 327,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Though the style of music varies from Kanye’s usual radio-friendly hits, his fans adapted to the change, making Yeezus his sixth album to debut at number one. There was no top radio hit from the album, which is odd considering how big of a star he is. However, he has said in several interviews that this was intentional, as he feels, being the narcissist he is, that he has outgrown the radio and is big enough to make it on his own. This tour will be his first single tour in five years, guaranteeing that it will be larger than life. However, it is unclear as to which songs Kanye will feature in his set.

novmeber 2013

Most of his biggest hits like “Gold Digger,” “All of the Lights,” and “Clique” are collaborations with other artists. Given these songs’ popularity and universality, it should probably be assumed that they would be incorporated into the show. Yet, it has been rumored that Kanye may just feature songs from his album. Regardless, his shows are known for their length and complexity, in which he takes his songs and changes them into 10-minute affairs. Hopefully, this theme will continue into the Yeezus tour. Accompanying Kanye is newly popular Kendrick Lamar, who only recently came onto the rap scene with his album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Off the album comes hit songs like “Swimming Pools” (known famously as the “Drank” song,) “Bitch Don’t Kill my Vibe,” and “The Recipe.” Lamar was just in town for Boston Calling, and was cited by many sources as one of the best acts of the show. Boston is very excited for round two. Whether you are someone who just missed the chance to purchase tickets to the now sold out show or are a lucky one who got in, we are all excited to see how he man, the myth, the legend: Kanye West, will hold up to the high expectations of the crowd.

“S.H.I.E.L.D.”

text by michael mahin photo courtesy: abc

Whedon’s latest hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer which lasted a remarkable 7 seasons. Additionally, the series has continued to receive some of the most overwhelmingly positive reviews and notices for a TV show ever; it was featured on TV Guide's, Empire's, and Time Magazine's lists of the Greatest Television Shows of All Time. Of course, Buffy featured many of the characteristics we have come to associate with a Whedon project: a superhuman protagonist, strong female characters, and a distinctly Whedion mix of verbal comedy, horror, and action set pieces. His other TV projects haven't nearly met the same measure of success. Though his Buffy-spinoff Angel lasted five seasons, the show consistently drew low ratings, especially when compared to its sister show. Whedon's sci-fi western opera Firefly didn't even reach the conclusion of its first season before being cancelled by Fox network, only airing a total of eleven episodes. And last project Dollhouse was met with fairly tepid reviews and was cancelled after two seasons. His recent commercial film success has seemed to reinvigorate the cult and geek favorite, whose S.H.I.E.L.D. is going strong. While ratings for the pilot have been extraordinarily high, reviews have been positive, too. Newsday gave the show a perfect score, claiming: “As with 'The Avengers,' Whedon's ear and sensibilities match the material perfectly.” Even some of the more lukewarm reviews held promise for the show's future; The Hollywood Reporter said, “The pilot is one of those goodnot-great propositions that many pilots are, particularly those trying to establish a complex world.” S.H.I.E.L.D could be a gigantic hit for Whedon over the next few years. Hopefully viewers think so too.

arts & entertainment

Coming off of the commercial success of The Avengers and the critical fanfare of Much Ado About Nothing, Joss Whedon, film and television's denizen geek fanboy and self-proclaimed feminist, is certainly having a pretty good couple of years. The tradition continues with Whedon's latest TV venture, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premiered on ABC on September 24th, 2013. The series opened to 12.12 million viewers, making it the biggest network debut in four years). A seemingly critical and commercial Fall Favorite, Whedon has a potential hit on his hands. Let's hope the show stays that way. S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel comics after which the show is named, concerns agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) as he puts together a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to take on strange new cases. S.H.I.E.L.D is a law-enforcement and espionage agency that brings together the minds, and skills, of a diverse array of block ops specialists, computer geniuses, and scientists. The team consists of Melinda (Ming-Na Wen), a pilot and weapons expert; Grant (Brett Dalton), a black ops specialist; Skye (Chloe Bennet), a computer hacker; Leo (Iain Caestecker), a weapons technology specialist; and Jemma (Elizabeth Henstridge), a scientist. The first episode sees the group investigating a mysterious group known as the Rising Tide, which forces their paths to cross with a man who has acquired superhuman powers. Whedon has already made his name on his superhero, and superhuman, characters. The Avengers, his 2012 bigbudget summer blockbuster, broke box office records, having the biggest opening weekend in North America. Though his film success has been fairly consistent of late, Whedon's TV career has been relatively patchy. His most successful, and most acclaimed, venture was 1997's

november playlist photo by nydia hartono

Just like Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather, the second half of the semester can become a little unpredictable and hectic. Yet, do not fear, November is a month full of celebration; beginning with El Dia de Los Muertos and ending with Thanksgiving. A&E invites you to reflect, relax and rejoice with our November playlist; featuring select songs from iconic artists touring this month, or have albums that have recently or will soon drop.

novmeber 2013

“jerk ribs” Kelis

“Higher than the sun” Keane

“smug” Polica

“THE STING” Gabriella Cilmi

“blood balloons” Polar Bear Club

“we both go down together” Colin Meloy

“mission bells” Matt Nathanson

“Keep it loose, keep it tight” Amos Lee

“Take me over” Cut Copy

“blue skies again” Jessica Lea Mayfield

“good one” The Green

“Pretty boy” Young Galaxy

“Retrograde” James Blake

“FEATHERSTONE” The Paper Kites

“i try” Macy Gray

“veronica” Elvis Costello

“TINY DANCER” Elton John

“RIGHT DOWN THE LINE” Bonnie Raitt

“Wing$” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“california” Mazzy Stars

“mirror” Justin Timberlake

“tHe truth” Dr. Dog

“ANTIPHON” Midlake

“CIty swan” Neko Case

“scream” Chris Cornell

“March into the sun” Echosmith

“all of the lights” Kanye West

“hope of a lifetime” The Milk Carton Kids

a&e