UK, Okay! Page 6 SK8er Boiz Page 13 Page 15 A Whale of an Album

Volume 57, Issue 20 M AY E D ITION may 1, 2003

THE Uniter T HEUniterO FFICIAL W EEKLY S TUDENT N EWSPAPER OF THE U NIVERSITY OF W INNIPEG

Enns, Manitoba Conservation’s Fire Program Manager. Where forest fires are concerned, the loss of human life is the greatest risk, but forests themselves need fires as a natural way of staying healthy and green. “Environmentally, forests need to have fires,” said University of Winnipeg Forestry graduate Jennifer Joa.“In places like Riding Mountain National Park we’ve let the forest grow more than we should have. Right now it’s basically one big tinder block.” Because the forest here has not been allowed to burn, even under controlled cir- cumstances, there is a great risk that a fire in the future could easily become out of con- trol. The dry and dead trees found in this forest are extremely flammable and would create a massive and dangerous fire. No one has been killed in a Manitoba forest fire for many years and this has to do partly with the fire detection procedures carried out by Manitoba Conservation. When lightning strikes anywhere in Manitoba, it can be monitored on a comput- er screen. Other fires are found through air detection and through reports from the public. Forest fire season in Manitoba usually Fire Prevent Heats Up as begins when the warm weather sets in around mid March or April and lasts until the beginning of September when there is more humidity and precipitation. Camping Season Begins Until this time, Manitoba Conservation claims that most forest fires can be prevent- ed if the public is more aware of the danger BY GINNY COLLINS Manitoba,” said Bob Enns of Manitoba risk. Conservation. “Green acts as a fire retar- According to Manitoba Conservation, involved. When large fires need to be built Campers should be cautious when start- dant but we’re not seeing a lot of that right about 90 per cent of forest fires are caused for projects such as crop burning, a permit ing fires this spring as campgrounds and now.” by human activity. These include campfires, needs to be obtained. When small fires are parks open. So far this year there have been This season, the fires have hit hardest in crop burnings and sparks made by passing built, it needs to be under the right condi- 38 forest fires in Manitoba, some burning as brush areas. These grass fires tend to burn trains. A few fires are caused each year by tions, not in hot, dry and windy locations. much as 5000 acres of woodland and reach- very quickly and cover the largest amount lightning but most are caused unnaturally. “People really need to know how to put ing speeds of 20-30 metres a minute, says of space. The southern part of the province “There is always a human risk during a their fires out properly,” said Enns. Manitoba Conservation. has received more precipitation than the forest fire. One Manitoba home has already “As Smoky the Bear says ‘Only YOU “Right now there is a lot of dryness in north and these dry areas are becoming high burnt down this year because of one,” said can prevent forest fires.’” U Tuition Fees Frozen Again But Burning Issues Still Bother Student Leaders Vice-President Advocate Cathy Hamilton said career employment. cisms. T AMARA that while she is pleased to see the tuition UWSA officials say they are pleased with “I’ve never heard a university say it’s KING freeze, the government needs to take further the extended interest-free period given to stu- enough. Of course universities are going to Features Editor measures to ensure quality education. dent loans. But they say there is a case to be want more. Everyone wants more,” “I think the Canadian Federation of made for extending the deadline – which has McGifford said in a telephone interview in the Students is happy the provincial government now been increased to one year after gradua- week following the announcement. Tuition fees will stay the has decided to freeze tuition fees for another tion – even further. The recent budget sees a tax credit of up same this fall following the year. But the CFS believes the tuition fees “It’s good but more can always be done… to $1,000 for businesses who take on student recent unveiling of the need to be lower,” Hamilton said. I believe it was Diane McGifford who said the interns. UWSA President Chris Minaker said, 2003 provincial budget. The announcement, One of the biggest surprises in the budget freeze can’t last forever,” Hamilton said. however, that the provincial government is which sees fees for most programs set at 1999 is the extension of student loan paybacks. Education Minister Diane McGifford said tackling the wrong issues. levels, is a small cause for celebration for Students now have an extra six months to start she thinks the budget - particularly the freeze, “This is important too. Partnerships are some, but many student leaders say more paying back their student loans without inter- an extended interest free loan period and the important, but until they [government] needs to be done. est charges. This is to help alleviate the bur- tax credit for co-op education- is good news addresses the proper issues of funding and Following the announcement, UWSA den of graduates searching for their first for university students, in spite of the criti- Continued on Page 2

Uniter Publishes Over Summer - page 4 page 2 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter

the uniter

Volume 57, Issue 20 May 1, 2003 news

STAFF Cortney Pachet News Editor Get Some Gender Loving Care at U of W through workshops, a panel discussion and a run concurrently. The panel will consist of BY MICHELLE JONES Tamara King key note address. members of the TG community and family of Features Editor A little Gender Loving Care is coming to The scheduled keynote speaker is Dr. TG individuals. The audience is strongly Jonathan Tan the University of Winnipeg. The two day con- Randi Ettner, a psychologist, president of the encouraged to participate in the discussion. Focus Editor ference, held at the U of W over May long New Health Foundation and author of two Participation for both days is limited. weekend will focus on transgender and trans- books on transgender issues. The day will Registration for Day One costs $50 and is lim- Michelle Kuly sexual issues. wrap-up with two lively performances each ited to 40 professionals. Day Two is $30 for the View and Culture Editor Transgender individuals are people whose with a transgender theme. general public and $12 for students, with a core gender identity does not match their birth Workshop topics will cover such issues as limit of 75 participants. Workshops on Andrew Buck gender. TG people include transsexuals, cross- creating a TG (transgender) Friendly Saturday are also limited, so register early to Sports Editor dressers and those whose gender roles are Environment, hosted by Ettner; Gender Rules, ensure that your first choice can be accommo- ambiguous. It is estimated that about 2 per cent Stereotypes and the Status Quo, hosted by dated. Ginny Collins of the population in North America is trans- Michelle Paquette, a post-operation transsexu- For more information about the conference Beat Reporter gendered. al; Real Lives of Transgendered Individuals, or for registration information, please contact The first day of the conference, May 16, is hosted by lay minister and Rainbow Resource John Stinson at Nine Circles Community Andriy Michalchyshyn for professionals who want to develop skills in Centre staff member Jordan Cantwell; and Health Centre at 940-6000, Randy at Interfaith Photo Editor working with the transgender community. The Navigating a Transition, hosted by Rachel Marriage and Family Institute at 786-9911, or second day, May 17, is open to anyone inter- Morgan, a post-operation transsexual. Michelle, Davis or Craig in the LGBT* Centre Eszti Nagy ested in learning more about transgender issues Each workshop will be 90 minutes and will in 0R13 or call 786-9025. Distribution Manager Stu Reid Production Manager Ted Turner Advertising Manager Remembering Carl between the life of faith and the life of so strongly. Matt Hiebert BY PETER DENTON the Uniter Coordinator action. In many roles, he served his commu- To my delight in what passed for his History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies nity, and his community was as big as his “retirement,” Carl agreed to be my supervi- heart. A man of many metaphors, with a good sor and mentor as I transferred into the min- THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS On Saturday, March 29, Dr. Carl Ridd sense of humour, he could laugh at the flights istry of the United Church. died after a month-long battle with of Riddian rhetoric that sometimes left his Looking back, our conversations now Allison Besel leukemia... audience or his readers convinced there was seem far too short, the topics we agreed to For me as for many others, the news of a profound insight hovering at the edge of explore later only promises not kept, insights Miss Pasjmina Constantinas Carl Ridd’s passing was accompanied by understanding – but not quite present. just beginning to be shared. Scott de Groot shock – at his death, first of all, but also at As an undergraduate in the 1970s, I For myself, I will remember his pas- the speed his athlete’s body and tireless pas- remember my friends exclaiming about this sion, the way he measured his own actions Sam T. Eagle sion succumbed to the leukemia so recently “Ridd” and his courses on the Bible as against what he believed, and the rueful way Phil Heidenreich diagnosed. Literature, or Religious Quest in the Modern he deprecated what others would hail as his There was no chance to say good-bye, Age (inherited from Ken Hamilton, as I accomplishments. His faith led him to find Julie Horbal no chance to go through the ritual of parting recall), among others. His teaching seemed wisdom in unusual places and in unlikely Dan Huyghebaert that is the process of dying, just an ending designed to infuriate the self-righteous, to people – and value in any heart able to be announced, unexpected. puncture the certainties of the narrow-mind- changed. Pleased by the crowds demonstrat- Michelle Jones I suspect Carl would have been embar- ed, and above all to compel by sheer passion ing for peace, he would have been just as Sheri Lamb rassed by all the good-byes and gratitude, and enthusiasm the interest of even the most determined to do what he thought was right because he had little patience for the builders reluctant of students. Every course was an if he was the only person in the demonstra- Jamie McCulloch of empires, including personal empires. eye-opener. tion. Chantille Papko Whether it was in the University as ded- Twenty years later, I found myself There was no chance to say good-bye, Graça Resendes icated teacher and as scholar; in the United inheriting some of these “Ridd courses,” but in a world whose future is threatened for Church of Canada as minister and presbyter; challenged as a teacher to understand the so many reasons, Carl’s last words from hos- Jeff Robson in sports as player, coach, and biggest (often ideas Carl laid out in those few sentences pital remind me there are pragmatic ways for Jenny Western tallest!) fan; or in the community as citizen; allowed in the University Calendar. I have all of his friends to honour his memory: Carl operated out of a sincere interest in peo- watched another generation of students The next time you act from your heart, ple and not a desire for applause. respond with enthusiasm to issues about out of compassion, out of a concern for jus- The Uniter is the official student newspaper of He saw no separation between his life as power and justice and the place of religious tice, or out of a desire for peace, imagine his the University of Winnipeg and is published by a professor and as a citizen, no disconnection belief in society, subjects about which he felt smile – and do it again. the University of Winnipeg Students' Association. The Uniter is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the UWSA. The Uniter is a member of the Canadian Tuition Fees Frozen at Budget at a Glance University Press and Campus Plus Media • Tuition fee freeze has been maintained Services. Submission of articles, letters, pho- for the fourth year in a row. tos and graphics are welcome. Articles should 1999 Levels continued • Operating and program grants be submitted in text or Microsoft Word format Continued from Page 1 ered by government funding. Manitoba’s for 's post-secondary institu- to [email protected]. Deadline for submis- tions have been increased by 2.9 per cent. sions is noon Friday (contact the section's edi- quality of education, until they can step up to “The government must increase baseline tor for more information). Deadline for adver- the plate, I don’t think universities can achieve funding to our universities and colleges,” • Property taxes have been reduced by tisements is noon Friday, six days prior to pub- their full potential,” Minaker said. Louizos said. 1.3 per cent as part of a five-year claw lication. The Uniter reserves the right to refuse The UWSA feels the government needs to Overall, the allotted money for post-sec- back plan for post secondary institutions. address the student loans program as a whole. ondary education takes up 7.2 per cent of the to print submitted material. The Uniter will not The government is allocating funds -yet “The student loans program doesn’t address total provincial budget. • print submissions that are homophobic, misog- to be announced- for the establishment of ynistic, racist or libelous. We also reserve the the needs of students. It’s unacceptable that Finance Minister Greg Selinger said the a University of the North. right to edit for length or style. average debts loads are $25,000. You’re basi- announcement is part of a total government cally taking out a small mortgage,” Minaker package that prioritizes young people. • A capital projects fund of $100 million Contact Us said. “By reducing taxes and debt, balancing the in government money, matched by $100 University of Manitoba Student Union budget and making strategic investments, we million from the private sector has been General Inquiries: 204.786.9790 president Nick Louizos said the tuition freeze are building on our many advantages to ensure established for capital expenditures at Advertising: 204.786.9779 cannot come at the expense of quality educa- Manitoba remains an attractive and affordable Manitoba's universities and colleges. Editors: 204.786.9497 tion. The UMSU President believes there needs province,” Selinger said in a statement released • $22 million has been set aside for the Fax: 204.783.7080 to be a balance between accessible education following the budget announcement. College Expansion Initiative. The goal is Email: [email protected] through fee freezes and quality education, with The recent budget plunges deeper into to increase the number of available seats adequate staffing and programs. province's pockets, increasing spending by 5 in Manitoba's colleges. The Uniter “The tuition freeze is a step in the right per cent to total just over $ 7.3 billion, some of direction. But it’s only a half step. At this point, which comes from the rainy day fund. Almost • $16 million has been set aside for bur- Room ORM14 saries and scholarships. University of Winnipeg universities are under funded. Funding is not 15 per cent of total budget is allocated to edu- Manitoba, R3B 2E9 sufficient and the buck is being passed along to cation and youth. • The interest-free period on student the student,” Louizos said. He notes the recent The province’s priority is healthcare, loans has doubled, increasing from six raise in law school tuition fees as an example according to Selinger. Over 40 per cent of the months to a year. of where students must pick up the tab not cov- budget is slated for healthcare. MAy 1, 2003 page 3 the uniter news

Straight Through the Art NEW JOURNALIsM U of W Hosts Forum to Discuss City’s Woes Sun. March 31, 1:30 a.m. without really lingering or feeling the CORTNEY problem.” and he immediately wanted to get at the P ACHET BY JAMIE MCCULLOCH Urban issues include prejudice, lack guy who’d assaulted him. He was reach- News Editor of green space, inability to read, noise and Walking down Wellington Ave. with ing around two women who were stand- poverty, noted Wells. Helen from the PASS (Patrolling About ing at the door. His vigour only lasted a Aiming to provide a Larger plenary sessions, exchange Safer Streets) program. I spotted a bit of few seconds and he stood back to look at space for Winnipeggers forums and workshops will make up the an altercation inside a home across the us. to voice their concerns majority of the festival schedule. street from a Wellington Ave school. ‘Can we get you to a hospital?’ about urban issues, the Workshops are divided according to par- ‘Did you see that?’ Helen asked Festive Parliament of the Arts takes place ticular art forms, not necessarily the issues ‘What?’ ‘Nah, he’ll be alright,’ said the friend in early May at the University of being discussed, said Wells. ‘That guy just smoked his buddy who’d been hiding around the corner. Winnipeg. Workshops include slam poetry, song in… oh man, again or maybe that’s a dif- I noticed the cruiser pull up, but Similar to events such as Street-Level writing, storytelling and organizing for ferent...’ really didn’t think much of it. Youth Media in Chicago, a program that social change. Playwright Ian Ross, Nicky We tried to get a better look, but they Then a body came from the direc- educates and encourages youth in media Mehta, U of W English professor Debbie spotted us and closed the door blocking tion of the cruiser, in between Helen and arts and self-expression, Festive Schnitzer and Children of the Earth girls our view. I, hitting the assault victim. The victim’s Parliament of the Arts is open to people drum and song group are among the work- ‘Let’s cut around behind the school head scraped the ground, then his shoul- willing to share their artistic abilities and shop facilitators. here.’ ders and back, causing his head to lift up discuss issues affecting city dwellers. A storyteller, Ross’ character Joe As we were coming around the and bounce of the sidewalk. It was then Whether the medium is poetry, story- from Winnipeg provides an example of school, two guys staggered out of the that I noticed the body had a police uni- telling, song, dance, painting or sculpture, addressing social issues through art. house and one started waling on the form on. The victim quickly had cuffs on the festival organizers encourage public “He uses comedy and drama and other. He hit him so hard his head and was put into the cruiser. involvement, regardless of artistic level. presentation to highlight issues of living in bounced off the stucco wall behind him, ‘Wait out here while we straighten Each participant is asked to present their the city and living in the city as an he hit him a second time and the head hit this out,’ said the woman officer who had art for a duration of three minutes at the Aboriginal,” said Wells. the wall again and this time the second knocked the guy to the ground. Her part- event, which takes place May 2 and 3 from The Friday session ends with a show- guy dropped. ner seemed a little unsure of what to do, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ing of Aboriginal filmmaker Colleen ‘Stop fighting, the cops are on the but followed her into the house. Chris Wells, one of the event organiz- Rajotte’s latest film, while the second day way!’ They came out with the aggressor of ers, believes that discussing concerns wraps up with a concert. CBC Radio One Oh crap, we’re running towards a the fight. affecting urban residents through art 990 will broadcast the closing concert from fight again. Okay, I was jogging, hoping ‘Take a walk,’ they told him. allows people to understand the problems the Big Tent live on Culture Shock, hosted this would be resolved before I got there. ‘I thought he was attacking the they encounter and subsequent hurt they by Claudia Garcia de la Huerta, from 5 - 6 We ran up and to the guy on the women in the doorway,’ said the female may experience. p.m. on Sat. May 3. ground, the other had gone back in the officer, wearing a bulletproof vest. Her “We want to allow room for the The Festive Parliament of the Arts is a house. partner did not have one on. They took expression of those wounds,” said Wells, free event, however there is a 300 partici- Another fellow was around the cor- down Helen's name and particulars and stressing the event is not directed at pant limit. Pre-registering is highly recom- ner and he came out when we got there. left with the guy who'd been beaten up. artists, but people with artistic inkling. mended and can be done online at ‘Hey, Are you okay?’ Helen asked Tell me you thought the guy was “Often there is a real quick move to solu- www.FestiveParliamentoftheArts.com or the guy on the ground. She got him up white. tions, or healing and solving problems by phone 786-9362. LGBT* Collective Face Ups and Downs Over Past Year events, Gender Week grew substantially to males from giving blood. Triangle Day. BY SCOTT DE GROOT include a coffeehouse and art show. The “We were a very passive group this Along with Craig Ross, the newly elect- Womyn's Centre initiated a controversial year,” said Jones. “We just sort of sat down ed director of the LGBT* for the 2003-2004 Since Sept. 2002, the LGBT* collective project ‘Writing in the Stalls’ which asked and let everything sort of slide by and didn’t school term, Jones and Rapiz are hoping to has undertaken a variety of successful initia- students to write down their opinions on really make a fuss about anything”. achieve a high level of organization from the tives around campus. Since its foundation in gender in the washrooms. Posters were Nina Fielding, former LGBT* co-direc- get go. They plan to act as a team and 1991, the group has worked towards its man- placed around campus which, at the very tor added, “I feel that we weren’t really uni- encourage more participation of collective date of creating a safe space for queer and least, created dialogue on gender issues. fied on any issues. There were quite a num- members by creating sub-committees to deal queer positive students and staff, providing However, despite these early successes, ber of issues that surfaced throughout the with key issues. students with referral services to counselors the LGBT* was not able to sustain its initial year that the center would be so spilt down “There is definitely a big core of us and other LGBT* organizations, maintain- intensity and events such as pink triangle the middle on we couldn’t really do any- ready for next year,” reflected Fielding on ing a lending library of queer resource mate- day were taken off the agenda. thing.” the coming year. “It’s the fact that there are rial, and promoting queer issues. “I think there were a lot of people real- Jones and Dave Rapiz, poised to at least six of us who are really hardcore, and Under the leadership of co-coordina- ly psyched up at the beginning of the year become the LGBT* co-coordinators next I think that hardcore is the best and only tors Kendra Foster and Chantal Cotton, the and I don’t know whether it was that people year, have learned from the trials and tribu- adjective to describe it.All summer while we LGBT* began the year with high hopes and got burned out or what, but I feel as if things lations of the 2002-2003 term.The duo hopes have the time to rest and collect our aspirations. The collective quickly became quickly dropped off,” commented LGBT* to build on the new ‘Positive Space’ cam- thoughts we can figure out our goals next one of the most visible student groups on co-director Michelle Jones. “The dynamic of paign, increase ‘Coming Out Day’ to a whole year. I think that when we get back in campus holding events such as ‘Coming Out the group went from one that wanted to do week, place more emphasis on transgen- September things are going to be awesome.” Day’. things and wanted to be progressive to one dered issues and take In November, the ninth annual Homo that just wanted to hang out, take a back seat meaningful action Hop was a huge success both as a social and and let someone else do the work.” against the Canadian a fundraiser. Held in the Bulman Centre, the LGBT* members believe it’s partly due Blood Services dis- event quickly reached maximum capacity to such year-end pressures as work sched- criminatory policies. Uniter Classifieds and maintained its title as the largest annual ules, exams, and pending assignments. In the Other planned ini- social on campus. Ticket sales were able to winter term, the LGBT* lacked a cohesive tiatives include The Fight For Canada; Four $24.50 (plus $4.50 shipping) raise thousands of dollars for local non-prof- organizational structure. The collective did increasing collabora- Centuries of Resistance to Cheque payable to David Orchard, it organizations such as the Rainbow not pursue some of the queer rights activism tion between the American Expansionism By David PO Box 1983, Saskatoon, SK, Resource Centre, Nine Circles Community as it has in the past. LGBT* and other Orchard contains chapters on sale S7K 3S5 Health Center, Kali-Shiva and the Fort This year, there was no protest when the groups in the commu- of CN Railways & Ethyl-MMT case; www.davidorchard.com Garry Women’s Centre. Canadian Blood Services returned to the U nity and holding a vigil To order: English: $19.95 French: http://www.davidorchard.com The LGBT* project ‘Gender Week’ of W for their annual blood drive. Previously, with the U of M’s expanded in its fourth year last January. the LGBT* has campaigned against CBS’s Rainbow Pride Mosaic To place a classified ad, call Ted at 786-9779 or e-mail at Although faced with organizational prob- activities on campus in response to the orga- at the Legislature in [email protected] for rates and info. lems and a lack of attendance at some nization’s policy of banning homosexual honour of Pink page 4 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter opfocusinion Extra Extra AUNITER S U MMER

Welcome to the new Uniter Summer edition, this is the first time If you like what you see consider becoming a Uniter contributor, by we’ve done this so hold on for an exciting new adventure. Perhaps it writing for the paper over the summer. It is a great way to get published started as a challenge, or maybe an experiment, either way it has started and practice writing outside of the classroom. What good are all these now. Why publish a campus newspaper in the summer, because the writing skills if not for a venue to display them? Uniter is more than just a student voice, it is a youth voice, a city voice, For the more literary inclined we offer a call for submissions for the an alterative voice that has gone quiet for too many summer months. No July Creative Writing supplement, which will heat up your summer read- more! For April, May, June, and July the Uniter will publish a monthly ing. summer edition. In August two issues will hit the stands in preparation For more information contact us by email at [email protected] or for September, when we will resume weekly publishing. call 786-9790.

In this issue you’ll find features about forest fires, traveling abroad, So stick with us, because here you are with the first summer issue of and all the Uniter news you crave. Don’t forget the View and Culture the University of Winnipeg’s official campus newspaper, the Uniter. section has the listings and reviews you need to stay hip in the face of adversity. The Uniter Staff Welcome to Nineteen Eighty Four American Government. Pull up in our hum- family at the stockholders meeting; probably meeting the night before. Even the President BY SAM T EAGLE mers with CNN taping live and no one can not Osama though. He’s pretty busy checking had some knowledge of it. Yeah he’s not as Knock, Knockin on your front door. Wait touch us. Try and fuck with us? We’ll blow out the girls on the Algarve beaches at the dumb as we’d let you believe, although he a minute, Mike Weir won the Masters? Oh your ass out of the water. That’s right, 21 moment. Yeah, kinda too bad we can’t use did let it slip at a speech in Florida, but we’ll man now weir in trouble. The old stogies at days of war and 11 dead reporters. They him anymore, he was a good student. But he let David Icke tell that story. Augusta were hoping for a waspish guy to refused to tell the truth. They refused to be did the New York job for us. Oh, you thought So listen you communist Eskimos, we’ll win after Tiger destroyed their innate snob- happy with the CNN movie we’re making, we didn’t know about that? Didn’t you notice let you have hockey, but not the NHL; we’re bery towards minorities, but a Canadian? starring the all American girl, Jessica Lynch. that none of the heads of the companies in the destroying that. You can keep Men’s curling, Didn’t they just sit in their boats and Ain’t she a peach. We’ll let her get back to WTC lost their lives that day? Two of them until we figure out how to pay off a bunch of watch us beat up innocent Iraqis? Now her cheerleading competition after we finish spoke on CBC, you must have heard then you to pretend to be American like we did they’re not even going to send their regular the made for TV movie. Oh, but you look saying they just happened to take a cab to with the women. But golf is sacred. We get to peacekeepers to clean up after us. They’re surprised. You didn’t think we were going to work from New Jersey that day instead of the dress in funny clothing, pretend we have going to send ranta bunch of cops! Sending cops let you in on the fun did you? We’ve been company jet making them an hour late for British accents and we don’t have to allow to help educate the new Iraqi police force. doing this for years and we keep getting bet- work. Or the report in the Guardian about the those damn women to play. So, tell that nerdy How the hell can we suppress people when ter at it. How about George Galloway? He heads of the bank of Lisbon in New York, kid from Ontario to give us our green jacket the Canadians insist on educating them? Ok, kinda mentioned that he didn’t like our war, they were called to an emergency board back! that’s it, a plague on them! Well, maybe not a so we managed to find some documents real plague, cause they are pretty close to us connecting him to Saddam. Cause if you’re and all. So, we’ll only kill off a few and then not with us, you’re against us! Apparently blow it out of proportion in the media. That’ll he received about 375,000 British Pounds show them for allowing just anybody to wan- (that’s 875,000 in that monopoly money you der through their customs. Freakin commu- use up there) from Hussein. Now why was nist bastards! Saddam giving that kind of money to a Speaking of communist bastards, we’re politician in Scotland? Ok, we haven’t fig- negotiating with North Korea at the moment. ured out a story for that yet, but give us a Guess where? Beijing! But wait you say, did- day or two. Gawd, with that kind of money n’t the WHO condemn that place? Won’t we Saddam could have bought stocks in the die if we set foot there? Well of course you Bush Oil Company. He could have sat will die if you go there, but not us. We’re the beside Tony Blair and one of the Bin Laden

May 1 – May 3| 8pm Vuelta May 3 | 2pm | matinee AN electrifying AND innovative collaboration FROM TOM STROUD & PETER BINGHAM Gas Station Theatre | 445 River Ave. Adult $22 Senior $17 Student $12 Call WCD @ 452-0229 Ticketmaster 780-3333 WARNING: NUDITY SHOW SPONSORS: 25% DISCOUNT for U of W Students! Tickets must be purchased in advance - call WCD @ 452-0229! ewVIEW WINNIPEG’S CONTEMPORARY DANCERS n MAy 1, 2003 page 5 the uniter opfocusinion The Big Budget Bonanza long-term funding plans from the both the reduce waiting lists. The Budget sets aside According to the CCPA’s Alternative JONATHAN federal and provincial levels of govern- resources to contend with the West Nile Provincial Budget 2003-04, the NDP has TAN ment. The benefits of increased access to virus, should it again become problematic been too fiscally timid, opting for tax-cuts Focus Editor advanced education will be short-lived if this summer. Improving access to Health while increased program spending is clear- tuition is allowed to increase, but said Care in the north as well as repairing and ly needed. Within the context of the bal- The 2003 Manitoba tuition increases are unavoidable without a improving hospital infrastructure. The anced budget legislation, which is viewed Budget was tabled on coherent government strategy to meet reduced criticism that this government has by the CCPA as hollow and useless, the Tuesday, April 22 the fourth budget of increasing costs. These increasing costs faced on Health Care issues since they took government is unable to properly address Manitoba’s NDP government. It increases are being addressed across the country in a office is a reflection that they haven’t the funding needs of the inner-city while at spending in a number of social policy areas way that is harmful to access, through dropped the ball on this one. Whether or the same time appeasing its critics with which the NDP has traditionally champi- increased tuition fees for professional fac- not the provincial health situation can sus- tax-cuts. The Alternative Budget outlines oned including Health Care, Education and ulties and programs like Dentistry and tain an outbreak of SARS is another ques- how increased federal transfers, profits Training, Community Development, and Law. The message that advanced education tion, one that can hopefully be left unan- from Manitoba Hydro and the bending of the Environment. At the same time, the fis- should be accessible is confused if the swered. certain provisions of the balanced budget cal prudence or restraint that the govern- highest paying faculties all double their With preventing disasters in mind, the legislation have given the Doer govern- ment has displayed by adhering to the bal- tuition rates, which would dramatically 2003 Budget commits funds to improving ment some fiscal room to maneuver. anced budget legislation has managed to lower the number of applicants who could our environment and our economy. By However it also cautions that further tax- silence or marginalize many of its tradi- afford the program, forcing many students investing in the ethanol initiative, the gov- cuts threaten the future revenue base of the tional critics. With much speculation going to choose other options in advance. Even in ernment is both assuring cleaner burning province, for a marginal benefit to most tax on in the background about a possible the non-professional faculties, increased gas in Manitoba and another market for payers. The tax-cuts in the budget are spring election, many are calling this an baseline funding would better assure excel- Manitoba’s grain producers. This is impor- aimed at middle income earners and will election budget. Aside from the Canadian lence in university programming despite tant given the difficulties that Canadian result in hundreds of dollars of tax savings Taxpayer’s Association (and whatever the bigger class sizes that enrolment farmers are having with the protectionism for families, but at the same time it perma- group they claim to represent), who were increases bring. The alternative is to let of the Bush administration whose farm nently reduces the revenue base available unhappy that the government did not fur- fees continue to rise, putting more of the subsidies are harming Canadian exports. It for programming. ther erode its revenue base with deeper tax burden on students. is also a step towards achieving the goals At a recent discussion about the NDP cuts, most Manitobans will likely be happy The 2003 Budget does attempt to keep of the Kyoto Accord. The government is government in Manitoba, Professor Joan to re-elect the Doer government to follow Manitoba graduates in the province. It has also working on expanding our hydro pro- Grace from the University of Winnipeg’s through with their budget programs. extended the interest free period for duction facilities to meet future demands, Politics department used the term ‘prag- For students, the budget sends a bit of a Manitoba Student Loans from 6 months to both foreign and domestic. On this front matic idealism’ to describe the motiva- mixed message. It is good for those of us a year. This provision will only apply to the government must be applauded for tions of the Doer government. I think this who struggle with the burden that tuition students who stay in Manitoba for this year their consultations with the Aboriginal is quite a fitting term to describe the 2003 fees place on our cost of living, because the period. The government has also increased communities of the north, something the Budget, the one many are calling an elec- government has continued the tuition funding for tax credits for companies pro- former Tory government neglected to do. If tion budget. The NDP have been making freeze that it put in place in 1999. This viding work placement positions for the projects go forward as planned, the progress in all the areas to which they tuition freeze has corresponded with a sig- practicum students. All of these initiatives Aboriginal communities will be partners in have traditionally committed, however for nificant increase in enrolment at seem well placed to ensure better coopera- the project creating jobs well into the followers of the party, especially those Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions tion between Universities and Colleges and future. Another big development is the further to the left, it is not enough. At the over the past three years. The increased Industry, hopefully the result will be a floodway expansion, which will create same time, the NDP’s cautious fiscal accessibility to advanced education is cer- more integrated and dynamic economy thousands of jobs in the process of making approach and tax-cuts program have man- tainly a good thing, but the caveat is that where employers know that the first place Winnipeg safe from future floods. This is aged to silence and perhaps even attract without an increase in baseline operational to look for new talent is their post-second- being funded partially by the federal gov- their traditional opponents. This balancing grants for these institutions, the sustain- ary institutions. Despite the absence long ernment, who has enjoyed a friendly rela- act has separated the Manitoba NDP from ability of increased access without program term funding strategies for post-secondary tionship with the Doer government since the deficit-ridden party in B.C. and at a deterioration or elimination is in jeopardy. education, the 2003 Budget continues the their strong support for Kyoto ratification. conference in January student journalists As is the case across the country, NDP’s agenda of expanded access and is Community development continues to from across Canada were telling me Manitoba’s universities are suffering from good for students who are currently be an area much in need of government Manitoba had the best provincial govern- aging capital infrastructure, and even enrolled. funding to get worthwhile projects run- ment in the country. One look around at though the Doer government has commit- The province has also increased fund- ning. This budget demonstrates that the Eves, Campbell and Klein and I knew ted over $100 million to address this, it ing for Health Care, an area where they NDP has been consulting with the right they were probably right. With that in may not be enough. Universities are also have benefited significantly from increased stakeholders in developing their priorities, mind lets hope that the idealism of the struggling with increasing operating federal transfers. Health Care has always improved social housing, child care, and NDP is able to carry through the next expenses and the 2.9 per cent increase in been a core issue for the NDP and the lion’s neighbourhood revitalization. However election and then maybe they can stop operating and program grants may not pre- share of the budget is devoted to it, around critics including the Canadian Centre for being so cautious and start getting to work vent cuts. $3 billion. The government is concentrat- Policy Alternatives (CCPA), continue to on the long-term plans for Education, the The pressures on Universities will con- ing on training more nurses as well as view the government as doing too little to Environment and Community tinue to be a struggle in the absence of investing more in diagnostic equipment to address the problems of poverty. Development that are needed. You Call Yourself a Writer? The Uniter is looking for submissions for its first Creative Writing supplement, due out July 2003.

Short story submission should be a maximum 3000 words, while poetry submissions should be a

maximum of 500 words. All submissions are tentatively due June 16.

Queries or comments will be addressed by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling 786-9790. page 6 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter peofeaturesple

Zimbabwe, everywhere,” Leanne said in a recent interview in Winnipeg. Michael Hill, Honorary British Consul to central Canada, said the working holi- daymaker’s visa is aimed particularly to attract young people between the ages of 18 and 27. LondonLondon Calling Calling “It’s intended for people in that age group that wish to tour. It allows them to stay much longer than the original six months period,” Hill said, noting that Canadians are allowed to stay in Britain for six months without any formal docu- mentation accompanying their passports.

Visa Very Useful for Everyone

Hill said the visa benefits both the trav- ellers as well as the government. Shortly after he started his job as British consul six years ago, Hill got a call from a young person, crying.The youth had worked at a pub for a month and then was- n’t paid. The traveller contacted British authorities. What happened to the young person was surprising. “The young person was told to leave the country and was told to go fly a kite,” Hill recalls, noting that without a working visa, this is acceptable. The working holidaymaker’s visa was developed after the British and Canadian governments noted large numbers of young people touring Europe and the numbers of people wanting to work abroad to cover their touring expenses. “My sense is the visa was developed to provide citizens with a good opportunity to travel,” Hill said. Part of the holidaymaker’s visa is the restrictions. The holiday --not the work- must be the focus of the visit. The visa is designed for young people to work in low skill industries. One of the most popular jobs for working holidaymakers is serving. “There are lots of agencies that will help you get serving jobs. The pubs go to them and they hook you up,” Leanne said. “It’s really easy to get jobs. We were on the phone for half and hour and we had five jobs to pick from.” Since living in England can be expen- sive, many pubs offer live-in jobs. Pub life: Many drinking establishments Employees can bunk in residences near in the UK love hiring foreigners. the pubs they work in.

wealth countries, however, have a distinct student Leanne Cuddeford joined around Disappointments, Drawbacks BY TAMARA KING advantage. Canadians, Australians and 40,000 other young commonwealth citizens New Zealanders are among others that two years ago in the UK. Leanne worked One drawback, however, is the low Working in a foreign country can be an qualify for a working holidaymaker’s visa for a month and a half in an English pub wages the pub jobs tend to offer. Leanne impossible feat. Heightened border securi- for the United Kingdom, a permit that before spending four months touring said she made around £180 a week, which ty and strict immigration laws cause allows people between the ages of 17 and Western Europe. The experience is one the works out to roughly $415. headaches for many world-wanderers. 27 to work and travel for up to two years in 23 year-old will never forget. Most of the time, the wages are paid as Especially those without a lot of money. Britain. “It was really cool because I worked a flat rate, meaning there‚s little opportuni- Citizens of certain British common- University of Manitoba management with people from South Africa, Poland, ty for overtime pay. And it’s not common Temptation Australia tage of the southern hemipshere’s summer weather, Mark and his two Canadian travel Reef?” he said. BY TAMARA KING weather. companions were able to save money by The Australian working holiday maker’s Mark found a job stocking shelves in a camping on different beaches. And as he got visa tends to be more restrictive than its British As part of another commonwealth agree- warehouse for a few months to balance the to meet the locals, he was often invited to stay counterpart. Although the Auzzie visa goes up ment, Canadian young people can enjoy up to cost of the touring he wanted to do. at people’s homes, which helped cut costs. to age 30, it includes character and health a year in Australia, working and touring on a “It was working just to earn money while Though his trip didn’t boost his resume, requirements as part of the application. working holidaymaker’s visa. I traveled. Basically, I broke even. I didn’t he said the life experience the trek provided is The visa itself is only valid for one year, Mark Boyachek took advantage of the make money,” he said. priceless. as opposed to two in the UK. It establishes a opportunity during one of his winter’s off Mark found that backpacking and staying His advice: don’t worry about the cost. firm deadline for working; holidaymakers are from farming. He went to Australia’s east in hostels was one of the cheapest way to “How many times in your life are you only allowed to work for three months at one coast from November to April to take advan- travel. Because of the beautiful summer going to be able to dive the Great Barrier job, makeing it more difficult to find work. MAy 1, 2003 page 7 the uniter peofeaturesple to tip in English pubs, so what you are Canada. process of making drastic changes to the offered as a wage is likely what you are And finally, the financing. Although program. According to immigration Web Qualifications for working going to end up earning. working in a pub for a few months before site workpermit.com, the government holidaymaker’s visa: “You can definitely live off it for a setting off can help the process, it likely wants to relax restrictions on the holiday- •You are a Commonwealth citizen, while. We didn’t go out much though,” won’t be enough to fund the whole trip. makers. The revised scheme would allow British Overseas Territories citizen, Leanne said, noting she and her travel “I had to save up way beforehand,” more professionals to work in their field, British Overseas National citizen or companion -- also a young Canadian-- Leanne said. changing the age limit from 27 to 30, as British Overseas citizens. bought food from the grocery store rather But earning several hundred British well as relaxing the amount of work a hol- than restaurants. pounds has its advantages.“Especially with idaymaker can undertake. •You want to come to the UK for an extended holiday and intend to take The other major disadvantage: not the exchange rates, the British pound real- Most holidaymaker’s come from some incidental employment. going out much. Working in a pub requires ly gets you your money’s worth,” Leanne Australia, New Zealand and Canada, so in weekend working, along with working said. an effort to attract extra workers, Britain is •You are single or are married to a lunchtime and dinnertime with a gap in After all the initial pre-trip prepara- also planning to extend the visa to former person who also qualifies as a working the afternoon. tions are done, Leanne recommends doing communist European countries and even- holidaymaker and you plan to take the “You work a lot of split shifts, and your very little planning. tually double the number of holidaymak- working holiday together. days off are usually ers to 80,000. •You do not have any dependent Monday and As it stands, children who are over five years old, or Tuesday,” Leanne high demand who will be five before your holiday is said. workers, like over. All things con- nurses, occupa- sidered, these tional thera- •Your holiday, not your work, is your main reason for your visit. wages are enough pists, radiogra- to supplement a phers and pri- •You can support and accommodate super trek through mary school yourself without help from public Europe. And there teachers, can funds. will undoubtedly be work as profes- numerous week- sionals on the •You do not have any commitments which require a regular salary. ends to party after a working holi- few months of pub day scheme. •You can pay for your onward jour- work. The UK is ney. One of the experiencing a highlights of shortage of IT •You plan to leave the UK at the end Leanne’s entire workers and it of your journey. -source: www.britainincanada.org five-month experi- Leanne Cuddeford, touring central England, with is thought the ence was spending new British friend, Ben Hughes-Martin holidaymaker’s time on the other visa would be Other travel tips: side of a bar’s countertop. Clubbing in She recalls a particular instance in expanded to add IT workers to the list of • Spend all your loose change before Greece more than made up for long week- Florence, Italy, where in the midst of a professions. leaving one country. “It seems so obvi- ends of slaving over beer tap in England. football game, a street erupted sponta- The government said the expansion, ous but I’d often forget to do this and now I have all this loose change from neously -- complete with fireworks and the which would also see changes to the sea- around Europe,” Leanne said. Planning and Preparation European paparazzi-- and she was in the sonal agricultural worker’s scheme, would middle of it all. help meet labour shortages and boost the • Pack light. Leanne admits this point The planning involved in a European “Don’t make a big plan, because it economy. seems obvious, but she disobeyed the excursion is extensive. The working holi- won‚t work. The best things we did were Since the British government’s common warning and ended up throw- daymaker’s visa needs to be applied for always random. It was cool, planning to do announcement last May, changes have not ing out numerous articles of clothing as the backpack grew heavier and heavier four to five weeks in advance, though the things like see the Berlin Wall, but always been put into play. But young Canadians throughout the trip. actual application process is rather leave room for spontaneity.” can still take advantage of the straightforward. Leanne’s application was Commonwealth experience through the • Sleeping bags are recommended, missing a crucial passport photo, but her Changes to Current Legislation working holidaymakers visa. Last year, for the times when the hostels are full. visa only took another two days to around 3,200 Canadians were granted the Hostels are often full in the high season get to her. While current legisla- two-year visa. - July and August - and the reservation policies for hostels varies greatly. Some Plane ticket prices vary a tion allows working holi- For more information on the working don’t accept reservations while others good deal, so checking daymakers to take only holidaymaker’s visa check out require a month’s notice. around takes time. low skilled jobs, the www.britainincanada.org Traveling by train British government is • On the topic of making reserva- around Europe is the in the tions, many of the trains throughout most popular way to see Europe require a reservation, particu- larly the high-speed and sleeping car- the sites, but the Eurorail riage trains. This can cost extra money, pass needs to be anywhere from $12 to $15 a reserva- bought before tion. Your best bet: check ahead. leaving • Health insurance. This point cannot be stressed enough. Just fork out the money, no matter how expensive it seems at the time. The best place for student rates in Travel Cuts.

Spin the working holiday- maker’s visa wheel There are numerous countries that have agreements that allow young Canadians the chance to work abroad. The details differ greatly with each country, so always read the fine print. Some coun- tries include:

• United Kingdom • France • Germany • Holland • Japan • Australia • New Zealand • Sweden • South Korea Live and work in London on a working holidaymaker’s visa and act like a tourist. page 8 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter M Uview S I C & art Knucklehead Speaks Up

BY PHIL HEIDENREICH Records for Little Boots (recently re-released UNITER: Far Out was kind of an obscure bands. on Longshot).Around this time we decided to label for people looking for your stuff in UNITER: What's the music scene like in Unless you think back to the glory days of move Kyle to the front and get a new drum- Canada. What's changed since you've linked Calgary? Is it odd having another big city like bands like DOA, Dayglo Abortions, or the mer, and in 2001 we released Voice Among Us up with Longshot? Edmonton nearby? Forgotten Rebels, Canadian punk rock bands on Whiskey Voice Records (also recently re- CM: Far Out was more obscure when they CM: The music scene in Calgary is up and have had a difficult time trying to achieve released on Longshot). We were touring for started but near the end there was a lot more down...right now it's really good but every national recognition. After nearly ten years, that album when we met Mike Thug from recognition with Against All Authority and couple of years you get an asshole who thinks Calgary streetpunk outfit Knucklehead Longshot at a Wednesday Night Heroes show the Crumbs both doing well.We noticed a dif- he's Mr. Punk and bashes all the bands he's appear to be leading the way in terms of and decided to release the Hostage Radio EP ference right away between the two labels; attracted to or his friends don't like which breaking that trend. It could be because of on his label. Mike works really hard for his bands and makes for a lame clique scene. It's nice to have Internet hype, a solid fan base in Europe and Shortly after that our drummer quit and plugs them with advertising, radio etc.We did- Edmonton so close because we know a bunch the States, or the fact their music is now put we had to part ways with our other guitarist. n't get a lot of that from Far Out...just some of people and bands up there so it's always fun out by Vancouver's well-established Longshot Fortunately we found some replacements bad ads in Maximum Rock and Roll. Still, we going up to play. Their hockey team leaves Music, but more than likely it's their ability to quickly and are now back at it. did get to meet a bunch of cool Americans something to be desired though. combine intelligent, political lyrics with gritty, that we're still friends with. UNITER: What kind of direction do you '77-style punk anthems that's made them so UNITER: How have line up changes UNITER: What do you think of the punk see the band taking in the foreseeable future? popular. I spoke with guitarist Clayton affected your sound? Hostage Radio seems to scene in Canada on a national level? CM: We're currently working on songs for MacNeill about Knucklehead's music and the have faster drums and almost a bit of SoCal CM: I think every year the punk scene our next release and they seem to be more in challenges of being a punk band in Canada. feel to it...at least more than the straight- gets better in Canada, it's just taken ten years the vein of Little Boots. Knucklehead is going ahead streetpunk sound on Little Boots. to reach where it is.There are so many kids lis- to keep putting out the best punk rock we can UNITER: Can you give me a brief history CM: Kyle was our drummer on Little tening to shit like Avril or Simple Plan that and try to play everywhere we're needed. of the band? Boots so the speed and feel was noticeably will eventually get sick of it and want to listen CLAYTON MacNEILL: Knucklehead different when we started working on Voice to something with substance and that’s when Knucklehead plays at the Collective was started in 1994 by me, Kyle, and Matt. We Among Us. Every band changes a little from you start to see your punk scene grow. Bands Cabaret on Wednesday, May 21st. For more on toured around Canada and the U.S. releasing record to record but Kyle has such a unique seem to be touring Canada more but the U.S. the band, check out their website at a few 7"s and an obscure CD. In 1998 we way of playing drums that there is a swing less. If bands start getting more support at www.knucklehead.ca or Longshot Music at hooked up with Florida-based Far Out that's unique to that record. shows, you'll definitely see more touring www.longshotmusic.com The Down & Dirty Art Show BY MISS PASJMINA CONSTANTINAS sage ‘in check’, he anything-but- Life of a Bull Dyke); the sensual and homo- wants all the peo- P R E V I E W average art erotic drawings of Michel Saint Hilaire; and Got plans for the end of the month? ple who are trying show. a very risqué photo project concerning Well, check out the opening of All Together to see the “possi- ALL TOGETHER QUEER Highlights safer sex tips for lesbians and gender- Queer, the annual art show that coincides bilities” in cele- include: the queers by Liz Manning who has been men- with Winnipeg’s Gay Pride Week- this year brating the queer Opening Reception always tasteful toring under the tutelage of Rosie taking place from June 1-8. The Winnipeg movement to Thursday, May 29th- June 16th film director Goodman. All in all, this makes for a very Pride Committee has set the week’s festivi- remember that at Noam Gonick promising opening night reception, which ties to the inspired theme: All Together times things may Label for Artists (Hey! Happy), you would be a fool to miss. Simply a fool! Possible, which loosely translates to “We’re seem “average,” 510 Portage Ave. costume-based So here is the skinny: It starts May 29 at hear, we’re queer, and you can join us any- but they are very performance 8pm at 510 Portage Ave, a.k.a. Label for time ‘cuz gay’n it up is for all kinds of much still queer. artists/video Artists, a.k.a. the label gallery. Pay as you folks!” (Or something to that extent.) As A stunning makers/instal- may (as in donations gratefully accepted). the exhibition’s curator, Kegan McFadden crew of established and emerging local lation artists Shawna Demspey & Lorri There will be refreshments and entertain- has taken it upon himself to put that mes- artists are coming together to make this an Millan (We’re Talking Vulva, A Day in the ment.

Admission: a non-perishable food item, call Piano Nobile Gallery, in Centennial 30, 2003 Inuit art by Jessie Oonark, Oviloo Impressionism In Canadian Art, 1900-1920, GALLERY 667-9960 for more info Concert Hall (555 Main St.) – Until May 3, Tunnillie & others. Contemporary work by until June 8, 2003 2003 “Grey Structure Light” by Michael St. Graham Clarke, Alicia Popoff & others LISTINGS Main/Access Gallery, 21-100 Arthur St – Gallery 3: The Birth Of The Modern: Post- Hilaire nd Until May 3, 2003 Painting and sculpture by Urban Shaman Gallery, A-91 Albert St. – Impressionism In Canadian Art, 1900-1920, Ace Art, 2 floor, 290 McDermot St – Robert Sakowski Plug In Gallery,286 McDermot – Until May Until May 17, 2003 Slap & Tickle: annual until June 8, 2003 Until May 10, 2003 Supplies, 2002/2003, by 31, 2003 Young Winnipeg Artists: Tough, members show, call 942-2647 Martha Street Studio, 11 Martha St – April Galleries 6, 7 & 8: The Group of Seven in Jennifer Stillwell and Machination by smart and ready to rumble JoAnne Balcaen 20 until May 23, 2003 Ewa Tarsia Exhit: Warehouse Artworks, 222 McDermot – Western Canada, until May 18, 2003 Natural Instincts Shaw Gallery, 336 William, 944-9518 – Doug Smith: mixed media pastel, Julie Mezzanine: QIVIUQ: A LEGEND IN Franco-Manitobain Culturel Centre, 340 Original artwork, giclee prints and custom Harris: oil on canvas, Alice Kulyk: pastel, Nunavut Gallery,220 Osborne St. – On now ART, until August 24, 2003 Provencher – April 20 until May 4, 2003 framing Jeff Bergen: acrylic, until May 30, 2003 – sculpture, drawing, prints and wall-hang- Frans Johannes Visscher, call 233-8972 Tuesday, April 29 Dropped Threads 2 @ ings. Featured artists: Bette Woodland, nd Winnipeg Art Gallery (300 Memorial Site Gallery, 55 Arthur St. 2 floor – Until June 7:30pm, tixs $5 @ both McNally Robinson Graffiti Gallery, 109 Higgins Ave – Recent Tom Lovatt, Jessie Oonark and Luke Blvd.) – Free 5-9pm, and Weds. & all day Sat. 30, 2003 in Gallery 1: Tesserae group show locations and at the door the evening of the works by Chad Reeves w/ performances Anguhadluk, March 4 – May 30, 2003 from Indigenous Monk and others Upstairs Gallery, 266 Edmonton – Until May Gallery 2: The Birth Of The Modern: Post- event MAy 1, 2003 page 9 the uniter MOVIESview Gross Out... Pushing the Envelope of 70s Bad Taste Revisited in Corpses BY DAN HUYGHBAERT the film playing in the theater has been to cut to get an R rating for distribution, but regardless, A friend of mine got to see an advance this film has picked up a reputation for the screening of Rob Zombie's directorial debut grotesque. I, for one, did not find the movie to and she called me to tell me that it was the most be particularly disturbing, but a friend of mine disgusting movie she has ever seen, so she fig- suggested that I have been desensitized. This ured it would be right up my alley. might be case, but the amateurishness and low Being a fan of 70s low budget horror films budgets lent a sense of realism to the violence, such as Last House on the Left, Suspiria and emaking theof events on the screen seem more dis- The Hills Have Eyes,I found myself waxing turbing. Texas Chainsaw Massacre had no gore, nostalgic at theHous sight of four 70s college stu- but its suggestiveness of events occurring out- Scene from House of 1,000 Corpses dents.Then they pick up a hitchhiker.Then they side the frame gave it its shock value. And drive up to a dilapidated house. In the rain. On remember the ear being cut off in Reservoir Halloween. With car trouble. You’ve1,000 seen it all Dogs? before. Zombie pays homage to the good old On the other hand, Zombie packages the This Twist is a Twizzler days of unrated movies and loose censorship movie like a music video, watering down the laws by including actors Sid Haid (Spiderbaby), violence and gore with camera tricks such as BY DAN HUYGHBAERT tion as he dispenses little clues throughout the Karen Black (Burnt Offerings) and Bill solarization and shaky video, making the vio- movie, and giving us a couple of good scares. A Moseley (virtually recreatingCorpses his role in Texas lence in the movie easier to swallow. Zombie There are lots of things to like about this film like this can't get by with bad acting and Chainsaw Massacre 2). Yes, we are talking comments on the American fascination with movie, and lots of things to hate about it. The every player in this game passes, decent char- about pushing the envelope of 70s low budget the culture of violence by placing the college film is very predictable, and the premise is stan- acter development allows a hint at deeper exploitation/slasher flick bad taste. Wasn't it kids on a serial killer carnival ride and having dard and very familiar. Ten strangers stranded somethings beneath the surface of each main Pablo Picasso that said "Ah, good taste! What a the main killer in the movie look like Ted in a rainstorm at a motel in the desert, and player. But on the surface, the film is the same dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creative- Nugent on acid wearing a "Burn this Flag" T- someone is killing them one by one, almost old, same old. Been there, done that, GET ON ness." counting them downIdentity by their room numbers. WITH IT! shirt of the Red White and Blue. He has cheer- Stephen King once remarked that if you leaders - symbols of all that is good in America John Cusack is an ex-cop on medical leave Once the twist does come though, can't scare them then go for the gross out, and -, kidnapped and tortured; he lures the college driving Rebecca De Mourney to LA before the film opens up with deeper psychological here Zombie goes way over his own severed kids with a psycho squeaky voiced blonde getting involved in a terrible accident. Ray meanings. Most plot "twists" in Hollywood are head. The plot is stripped down to its bare hitchhiker babe (who happens to be Zombie's Liotta is a cop transporting a multiple murder- actually non-twizzlers, but here the twist is bones so the meat here is all blood, guts and annoying girlfriend) and has the college males er. Amanda Peet is a prostitute with a load of quite ingenious and gets you to think about camerawork. Plot? What plot? Rob Zombie comment, "Those Manson chicks are hot!" Is cash. The motel owner harbours a secret. They everything you have just witnessed. Did you proves himself a worthy horror director; he Zombie serious or is he being self-indulgent? all have something in common, which of course miss any clues? Please do pay attention. The shows us all the tricks of the trade as well as When he gets his girlfriend to recreate the must be found out before they all check out for movie then picks up the pace and you start providing us with enough splatter and gore to beginning of a Manson documentary in which good. Meanwhile an insane killer gets an 11th questioning everything you see. Of course this fill an oil barrel. Scares are painted by the num- Squeaky Fromme proclaims, "When somebody hour hearing before his execution. All of this is is one of those movies where revealing too ber, nothing new and creative here. Zombie needs to be killed, there's no wrong, you do it," somehow connection and you know the damn much will destroy the entire process of viewing does have an eye for gothic images and novelty I tend to agree with the latter. But then again plot twist is coming. it. Part horror movie, part suspense, part bor- T-shirts as well as a taste for witty redneck self-indulgence is the reason those movies were Director James Mangold (Girl, ing, but if you have an eye for detail, this film is humor (is there such a thing?). Be forewarned, made to begin with. Interrupted) does a good job to keep our atten- richly woven and well worth the patience. Movies, Mythology and Muzak A New Wave of Student Filmmakers Bring their Visions to the Screen earned him an Audience Favourite Award at Hannam took his obsession with film from teaching himself and trying everything, MICHELLE the U of W Festival, and if his list of past and the couch to classical mythology and beyond. employing some rather elaborate and inven- KULY upcoming projects is any indication, it won’t Though he follows more orthodox approach- tive techniques as he went along. V & C Editor be long before Winnipeg starts picking up es to filmmaking now, Hannam began by continued on Page 15 what he’s putting down. But making films These days, about dating and ottomans (The Rise and Fall everyone’s a filmmaker. of the Ottoman Empire) is a far cry from First Annual U of W Student Or at least that’s what I Hannam’s original plans. In his first year of figured after the success university, Hannam originally intended to do Film Festival A Success of U of W’s First Annual Student Film an economics degree and considered applying est effort, The Fever of the Western Nile,a Festival. The festival screened over 30 student BY DAN HUYGHBAERT to business schools, but was never particularly beautifully shot dream/vision of the prairies. films, and some were nothing short of fantas- intrigued with the idea.Then he began consid- April 24-26 saw the inaugural Throw in a panel discussion of filmmaking tic. But therein lay my confusion: the U of W ering film school and did some acting, and he University of Winnipeg's Annual Student in Manitoba, the Jury's awards, a is a small university with a film program that eventually found himself enrolled in film Film Festival come and go with success. Filmmaking II class production of Best is only now taking its first toddling steps. classes at U of W. Over 30 short films clocking in at over 6 Friends and the closing reception with Where did these filmmakers develop the orig- Hannam admits, however, he’s loved hours of footage were shown over two FREE wine and beer (Yes you read that inality and enthusiasm evident in the diverse movies and filmmaking for much longer than nights, with a wide range of styles from right so you should have showed up if you films screened from April 24 to 26? he’s been studying them. abstract and experimental to a whodunit didn't) and needless to say it was a fun three No doubt these were a motley crew of film “I’d have to ask my dad, but I think [I (Neil McRae's Something About Murder). days of hobnobbing, film fun and proof pos- enthusiasts whose experience with and love of started making movies] in Grade 4 or 5. Just Awards were given out to the best of the itive that our own University has some film went further than a one year Intro to Film little movies - stop-motion animation with my bunch in the view of the Jury (The Winnipeg amazing filmmakers amongst us. Organizers course. After speaking with Matt Hannam dad’s Sony Handicam. The Penguin vs Free Press' Alison Gillmor, local filmmaker will be back next year so be prepared! and Derek Kroeker, two U of W filmmakers, Plasticine at Castle Grey Skull was my first,” Jeff Erbach, and Dave Barber, programmer my suspicions were confirmed; despite a guise he laughs. “The plasticine knocked off the of Cinematheque). The majority of the JURIED AWARDS of comedy, mythology or economics, every- penguin’s head. But geez, I can’t really entries were shot on MiniDV and a good SCREENPLAY : one’s a filmmaker. remember when I got serious about film. The portion of the students were participants in Meghan Belcher, When Friendships Fail Perhaps what makes a filmmaker great is Handicam got stolen, then we had a shitty Film Studies here at the University, with the an unmitigated talent for seeing the world in EDITING : camera that broke, and my parents weren’t U of W screenings their first exposure to a Stephen Spencer, Hero peculiar terms. On the corner of Academy and really the archivist types.” festival atmosphere. Personal standouts CINEMATOGRAPHY : Niagara, over a slurpee and a bottle of Jones Hannam credits a degree of geek-dom included Jeff Kennedy's The Correspondent, Micheal Siegers, Dinner with Grandma Vanilla Cola, Matt Hannam and I debated his with his continued interest in films, spending a study of guilt and mistaken identity; obsessions and cinematic “vision.” the weekends exclusively at the movie the- Michael Sieger's Dinner With Grandma, DIRECTOR : Micheal Stecky, Bubble “I’ve always been fascinated with people atre. about the horrors of living at home; Derek Canopy who do things no one cares about, people like “I went to movies every weekend grow- Palson's What's Wrong With America; ACTOR : Rob Vilar, Dinner with Grandma me,” Hannam laughs. “I made a movie about ing up. Both nights,” he nods. “And my dad Meghans Belcher's When Friendship's Fail, ACTRESS : Paige Bannister, Fine Wine, a guy obsessed with Muzak – keyboard music wouldn’t let me watch Pulp Fiction, so I a humorous look at two best friends falling Water Bras and Long Lost Letters (Regarding this Jewison). I could make some- bought the screenplay and then I stayed up out; Tim Raffey's Belmont Goes Home, one thing up about what it means; something ‘til 4 in the morning to watch it on Super man's night of stupor: and Matthew FILM : about the electronic takeover of music, but it’s Channel – I watched pretty much every Hannam's Burrito Blues, his ode to the hard Michael Siegers, Dinner With Grandma just about a guy.” straight-to-video movie on Super Channel.” boiled cop. The festival also had an appear- AUDIENCE FAVORITE : But people are already taking note of Lots of teenagers spend years of their ance by deco dawson who screened his lat- Matthew Hannam, Burrito Blues Hannam and his work; his film Burrito Blues lives in pretty much the same manner, but page 10 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter newfeatures journalism Shelter Civilization Civilization, are we really civilized, yes or no? Who are we to judge? Mr.Wendelhas tried to warn us about our ways but we don't hear him talk

— Lyrics from “Mr. Wendel” by Arrested Development.

As an assignment for a course in New Journalism, U of W student Graça Resendes spent the night at a homeless shelter. Here is her story.

“Are you being looked after?” the lady announces. Wondering why I took the professor’s sug- “What?” entering the other side of the intake desk “Here’s your key and your room is just gestion of putting ourselves in the midst of “You can’t take that coffee into the ele- asks, as she hands off two brown paper bags down the hall that way. And you’ll need to a story that we are not familiar with and an vator, you have to finish it here.” to her companion. “These are for those two make this appointment across the street with element of uncomfortable-ness so literally. I “Hey Skyla, there’s coffee upstairs,” who have missed dinner. Where are they?” Welfare at 8:30 tomorrow morning. You’re could have been drinking Mike’s Hard A’Marie sets my inner thoughts to rest. I “No. I need a place to stay.” signed in under provincial and they’ll be Lemonade as research into rave culture take my final gulp of coffee, and toss the “What’s your name?” able to help you out. But they will need to while listening to System 7 instead of take-out cup in the janitorial cart in the hall- “Skyla.* ” know that you’re here so that we can be attending church service outside of my way. Two nearby elevators are in constant use reimbursed. You’ll be able to stay as long as usual baptism, funeral and Easter/Christmas Laughing, A’Marie explains that there is separating the travelers by gender. The you need and you’ll get three meals a day. appearances. a kitchen upstairs that we can make coffee woman juggles another task while sharing a But make sure you show up for the appoint- “Me neither,” picking up the songbook for ourselves. As the elevator door open and laugh with someone on the other side of the ment.” laughing. “Think I sang this in kinder- we walk into the hallway she points out intake desk as the phone buzzes. The shelter receives $26 per client per garten.” where the take out cups are kept before “Hi Kate,* I have someone here that day from the province. A rate unchanged in “Peace be with ya,” uttered through entering into the kitchen. needs to register. Her name is Skyla.” the past 10 years and significantly less than whispers as the crowd is encouraged to “It’s fresh, just made it.” Hanging up the phone she points across the the $40 per client per day given in neigh- engage in controlled participation before “Thanks.” desk, “Skyla, take the elevator on the left to bouring provinces Saskatchewan and being treated with refreshments. “The sugar is behind you.” the seventh floor and have a seat when you Ontario. This covers costs of meals, coffee, “Skyla, do you smoke?” “Thanks.” get off. bedding, utilities, and labour costs. No is shaken while taste testing the cof- “Madrona,* hi.” “What brings you here, Skyla?” “And the chapel?” fee. “Skyla, this is Madrona,” as A’Marie re- “I need a place to stay the night.” “A’Marie, can you show Skyla where “We’re going out for a smoke, wanna enters the room after a brief departure. “I need some information. What part of the chapel is?” come?” “Yeah, we just met.” the city are you from?” “Sniffle, sure. Come this way,” as she “Yeah, sure.” “Good.” “Do I have to give this? I don’t plan on walks towards the elevator. Another sniffle “Britt,* this is Skyla.” “Did you check in today?” going back. I needed to leave.” as self-control immerges with the dissenting “Hi.” “Yeah.” “Do you have any identification?” of the floors and eventually a smile before “Skyla, this is Britt and Leslie.* ” “First time here?” “No.” the elevator door re-opens on the main floor “They called me back.” “Yeah,” anxiously taking a sip of coffee. “Do you know your social insurance and we make our way through a hallway “What did they say?” “So, which room did they give you?” number?” with others. “They are coming to pick me up in the “Not sure” taking the key out of my “No.” We found seats amongst quite a diverse morning at 9:30 to go for coffee and talk.” pocket, “716.” “That’s okay. Do you have a contact crowd, gathering to a set up geared towards “A’Marie, get a lawyer,” gently warning “Across from the TV room?” Madrona person, in case of emergency?” children. It is complete with an overhead her not to deal with Child and Family asks A’Marie. “My brother, Gabriel.” projector for the clothed stick figure draw- Services without one, “Just go down the “Yeah,” she nods, “close, that way. I “Same last name?” ings meant to help the audience follow the street here to legal aid. They didn’t try to haven’t watched TV in ages, maybe “Yes.” preaching. But it’s not helping. The priest mess with me once I got a lawyer. Man, I tonight.” “How do I spell that again?” the woman uses the analogy of going on vacation to a can’t wait to get my kid back and get back I start to think that this TV room might be says, distracted. “A’Marie,* you have a tropical island with palm trees and cleaning to B.C.” the introduction place for my research. message.” out the garage to relate the teaching of the “I can’t believe they called me back Taking into consideration that it’s the night “What?” gospel. Quiet laughter – justifiably - right away,” A’Marie laughs. “I left a mes- of the Academy Awards, I’m sure there will “Someone called for you, I have a mes- emerges within the audience. Talking about sage this morning and who calls you back be people gathered around the television. sage here,” handing a piece of paper across a tropical vacation to a group staying in a on a Sunday? I’ll go and see what they say. “You haven’t been to your room yet?” the half door. “Does it make sense?” shelter. At least they drew the line at passing I want to see my daughter.” “No.” “Yeah,” taking a seat at the hallway around the collection basket. “Yeah, as soon as I get my son back I “That’s all the stuff you came with?” phone while gathering the nerve that is sud- Quick overview of participants that heading back to Alberta,” Jason momentari- A’Marie inquires. denly hidden behind apparent emotions have gathered shatter stereotypical visions ly loses his happy nature and agrees. “The “I needed to get away.” spurred on by the message. of a shelter while others maintain the image. band better not try to mess things up,” giv- “Understand.” “These are the rules, I need you to read The attendee in front barely appears nine- ing A’Marie a supportive embrace while “How are you feeling?” Madrona nods and sign the back of this. No drugs allowed. teen, baseball capped and fit. Jason is often taking one more drag. okay to A’Marie’s question. “Aren’t you due We won’t let you stay if you’re under the smiling and well liked within the crowd “Are you coming?” today?” influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have gathered. “No, I’m going to stay out here for “Yeah.” any medication you leave it here at the “Ah, man!” I don’t want to get up awhile.” “Where are you going?” desk.” again,” protests the man in his tank top and “Okay Skyla, if anyone gives you a hard “Health Sciences Centre.” “But I might need this,” showing my sorrels. time or any trouble you just tell them that “Good.” inhaler. “Shhh! If you don’t keep quiet we’ll you know Jason and let me know,” giving a “Hey Skyla, come with me,” as we walk “Asthma?” have to ask you to leave,” the protester is nod and entering the shelter with A’Marie. down the hallway. Opening the lock to her “Yeah.” informed by a woman, drawing curious Just needing to pause and absorb this room she offers me a seat as she riffles “Okay, you can hold onto that. Do you looks from within the chapel. surreal environment that I’m immersed into through the pocket of her jacket for a ciga- work?” “Poor Skyla!” A’Marie laughs. as I’m missing the comforts of home like rette. “No.” “Did you want to come?” my amaretto cream for my favourite coffee “Ah, fuck!” she said, trying to save a “If you have a job and you are working “No, not really,” answering my own and it’s only been two hours. Feeling a bit broken cigarette. “Well, I have half,” laugh- past 11:30 in the evening, we have a curfew, question of wanting to be here “in the shel- ashamed of how spoiled I really am, I take a ing as she lights it and opens the window to so you will have to let us know.” ter,” instead of A’Marie’s in the chapel— gulp of my cooled coffee and enter back discard the unusable portion. “We’re not “Chapel will be starting in five min- thinking that I should have picked a differ- into the shelter. allowed to smoke up here. We’re not even utes,” a voice on the loud speaker ent topic for my new journalism class. “You can’t take that up there.” allowed hair spray,” motioning to the hair MAy 1, 2003 page 11 the uniter newfeatures journalism

product sitting on the dresser.” handing them over. Sweet grass represents kindness, tobac- enter. No selection, just politely take what “Really?” “Kay, thanks A’Marie.” co for giving thanks, cedar represents the they plate out. Today’s breakfast consists of “Sniffers,” opening a drawer to the Feeling extreme guilty over this persona tree of life and is for driving out negative three pancakes, syrup, butter, two sausages, dresser she lifts out a pair of jeans. “Here, that I have adopted and how I appear to forces, sage represents life giving forces of tea or coffee. No juice. And no one goes up these should fit you.” have fooled A’Marie, I quickly head women. So why, I wonder, does the shelter for seconds, but there is sharing of leftovers Stunned at the unexpected act of gen- towards my room. Scanning my new home provides a chapel, complete with alter, across many of the tables. Conversation erosity I am for moments muted from for the night, I settle in by checking out the pews, songbooks but they cannot offer a does not flow as easily when the shelter speech. I’m dumbfounded! “No, A’Marie, I clothing that A’Marie has given. Two pairs place for a sacred smudge ceremony? It is workers are present. Jaron* fills the silence can’t take these” as I scope her room and of jeans, a purple sweatshirt, and a pair of obviously important to the spirituality, around the table with singing between his quickly grasp how few possessions she has. cotton slacks—amazing how a few items of health, and comfort of these women. “Mr. bites. “Don’t worry about it, I haven’t forgot- clothing can pull a head trip on me as I think Wendel has tried to warn us about our ways “Have a nice day ladies,” when he fin- ten my first time here. And I have lots. I of the excess that is inhabiting my over- but we don't hear him talk.” ishes with his breakfast serenade and we all have some more stuff I dropped off at the flowing closet in my own apartment. Never “And those dreamcatchers—have you exit back upstairs. office the other day, we’ll pick those up in a mind the shoes I have no need for, but was seen them hanging in the windows of that Noise in the TV room entices my curios- bit and you can try those too. They should admiring in the Bay window on the way mall downtown?” ity and I’m surprised to see Macy watching fit you,” she relaxes on the bed and takes here. I’m feeling disgusted and ill with “Which? Portage Place?” television after six years! “They didn’t have another drag from her cigarette. myself. “Yeah, that’s the one. There’s that movie the newspaper. Want to see what they say “So, you had to get away?” The room is cold, not only from the coming out with that name, we’re boy- about my apartment and the woman. “Yeah.” draft from the window—the sheets stamped cotting it. Why that title? It’s going to give Someone broke in while I was out and “Boyfriend problems?” “hospital” assist in the ambiance. I head to our kids the wrong idea about dreamcatch- assaulted a woman there—they broke her “Something like that. I just had to get the TV room thinking that the Academy ers. Dreamcatchers are beautiful things, jaw. The police won’t let me back while away.” Awards would have drawn a crowd but it they protect us and places like Portage Place they’re investigating and until they can talk “Yeah, me too,” taking a final drag from hasn’t. Also uninterested in the Academy exploit that for decoration and profit. They more with her.” her cigarette she gets up, extinguishes it Awards, I settle into the couch and read a don’t understand us. It’s meant to protect Walking home I’m haunted by the peo- against the outer wall of the building and leftover newspaper thinking that I will be our kids while they sleep. That’s why I don’t ple that I met. How easily they shattered disposes of it before resuming her seat on joined shortly, but not a soul shows up. A watch TV—they misrepresent everything. I stereotypes I have read about the homeless. the bed. “The first time I came here was in walk around the corner and down the hall haven’t watched television in six years.” Many of the people I met during the past September. I use to be married. Fifteen exposes where the people have gathered, “Macy, your story is in today’s paper. I sixteen hours didn’t fall into the stereotypi- years. I even had a house and everything,” divided between conversations in the hall- think they’ll have an left over copy of the cal category of drug addict, alcoholic or she laughs. “Never thought I would see way and the kitchen. Sun at the desk downstairs.” mental patient. Some were genuinely hard myself here.” Returning shortly to the kitchen to grab “Hey, Skyla. Hold the elevator,” on their luck, and desperately trying to get “Yeah, me neither.” another coffee, Madrona is still hanging out. A’Marie calls out from the hallway as she their lives back on track. “Drugs. I’ve been in re-hab since.” I Another woman joins us and the entertain- pulls up her boots while waiting for her notice the photographs of the kids hanging ment is glaring outside the window rather meal ticket. along the edges of the dresser mirror, but than at the TV. “Thanks for the clothes,” still stunned A’Marie refrains from speaking of them. “Yo, Madrona, how’s it going?” yells by her generosity the previous night. *Names have been changed for protection “The first night I was here I spent it crying the heavily gelled young girl entering into “No problem.” of privacy. (A’Marie meaning “generous in in my room. But I first went to Osborne the kitchen. “Today’s the day?” “Hope they have juice this morning. adversity.” Madrona meaning “mother.” House before ending up here. First time “Yeah,” smiling and readjusting her Juice would be nice.” Skyla meaning “learned one.” Jason mean- here was in September when I left Jason.* position in the chair. Breakfast mimics an M*A*S*H* mess ing “fearless.” Jaron meaning “singing.” “Jason?” “Well, I’m splittin’ for awhile, gonna tent episode except they punch your meal Macy meaning “enduring.”) “Yeah, I just took off on him. He didn’t hang. Hey man, call me when it happens. ticket for the corresponding meal when you know I was leaving. I just split, needed to They have my number at the desk and I’ll get straightened out. Yeah, and then I run come right down.” into him here six months later.” “It’s quiet?” the elderly lady asks “Wow! That’s weird.” Madrona as she momentary glances out the “He’s too nice sometimes, I couldn’t window and down into the streetscape. handle it,” laughing as she lies on the bed. “Yeah, last night it wasn’t.” “Then I hooked up with an army guy, his “Yeah, lots of sirens, I couldn’t sleep— name was Jason too. He’s mad that I came maybe tonight.” As the room becomes a here this time. He wants me to move in with gathering place for those not wanting to be him. I’m back ‘cause I’m trying to save up alone and where leisurely conversations for my own apartment.” materialize. With minimum wage at $6.50 and that’s if one is lucky to find full time work. Social *** Services allotting $243 a month for a single unit or $351 a month for a four person fam- “Morning. Oh, good there’s coffee ily unit, where and what kind of living con- made,” greeting us as we look out into the ditions can one expect? dark morning sky. “Do you have a job?” “I couldn’t sleep last night.” “No.” “Yeah, me too.” “Did you get a slip for the Welfare “They made us change rooms and I’m office?” not use to this side of the building yet.” “Yeah.” “Still waiting Madrona?” “They’ll help you out. What time?” “Yeah,” she laughs getting up to take a “8:30.” short stroll to the doorway and back. “In the basement there’s a place that you “You’re late now?” can pick out some clothes, whatever you “Due yesterday.” need. That’s all you wore? “You’re first?” “I’m okay, I’m warm enough.” “Um hm.” “Yeah, okay. They call it La Boutique. “You’re new here. Dorothy,* and this is I’ll show you tomorrow if you want. Do you Macy.*” have any towels?” “Skyla —morning.” “No?” “Did you sign in?” “They don’t give you towels to use in “No.” the showers, you get sheets to dry off with. “We need to sign in before they will Careful what you say when you’re outside. give us our meal tickets. Just waiting for her They have speakers out there and can hear to come back.” Macy and I leave to sign in everything.” and come back to our coffees. “Really?” “Yeah, I’m not use to my bed, I miss my “Just be careful.” old bed and my apartment. At home I can “Have you met Doris* yet?” burn sweet grass that always helps me sleep. “No.” My doctor says that I shouldn’t drink so “Old lady, she’s been here for awhile, much of these,” lifting her coffee. “But I think she has Alzheimer’s or something. like it. My grandfather always sets some She might freak on you, don’t worry she sweet grass on the stove at night and lets it yells at everyone. There is a laundry room smoke. He said that it would help the kids down the hall, lets go,” as we exit the room. sleep.” “That’s the laundry room. Hey, Karen*— “Yes,” the elderly woman nods to can I get that garbage bag back there?” Macy’s stories. “This one?” “Sweet grass, tobacco, cedar, and sage. “Yeah, some clothes I dropped off yes- It works. They won’t let us burn some terday that don’t fit anymore,” generously here.” page 12 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter mculture u s i c

I like to make mixed tapes. The impress the maximum amount of ladies drawing together of a stack of my with the minimum amount of effort than favourite albums and assigning their Mix it Up to drive around in your bitchin’ ride and finest tracks to a new harmonious line- crank up some tunes that are guaran- up is a clever catharsis, but the best part Ahh. Driving with the windows down, your crappy tape deck blaring out teed to turn some heads. Here’s what I’ll about this construction of musical your new summer soundtrack…the sweet songs that remind you of be winning them over with on my mixed peace and love is its eventual presenta- backseat makeout sessions and melting ice cream cones. Some of The tape in the chickmobile (1994 Pontiac tion to a friend. The friend might dig it Uniter’s writers stopped to reflect on their own perfect summer mix tape. Sunbird, black, boo yah) this summer. or hate it, but finally there will be some- 1) Start off with the sweet and sensi- thing good to listen to in her car. With tive side. I suggest Lyle Lovett. That this perk in mind, I made a mixed tape used to take me on trips to look at car parts guy’s songs are oozing with charm. And, for a friend about five years ago. It was during my spares in high school. In his girl- shake your thang and sing along to hey, he’s uglier than you to boot, and if deemed too ‘Western’ and since ours friend’s car. This was his pimping song. songs you know and love? he can land Julia Roberts, he’s got to be was a friendship based on irony and No Woman No Cry, Bob Marley- It’s a A hot mix of not-so-familiar tunes doing something right (of course, it is reciprocity, I received a tape entitled classic, but even this can grate if you sing only to cool you off and heat you up. duly noted that she promptly kicked his Not Country! in exchange. Side A the chorus at every possible moment for an Surprisingly, as I learned a few weeks ass to the curb and hooked up with a boasted essential Ani DiFranco like “32 entire summer in cramped camp staff cabins. ago when a friend made me his summer much better lookin’ dude.) Flavours” and “Not a Pretty Girl.” Side Also don’t you dare trying to punk it up. mix, a summer soundtrack of songs that 2) Move to something much cooler. B was heavy on Little Earthquakes era Deep Red Bells, Neko Case - Simply for I've barely heard of seems to be the No offence Lyle, but you’re so ten years Tori Amos.Alternative bands that I had the line “it looks a lot like engine oil / and better way to go. Now, although I am ago. Nowadays, the chicks don’t love never listened to before made up the tastes like being poor and small / and used to counting on the tried and true anyone more than John Mayer. Damn, rest of the tape but in retrospect, these Popsicles in summer." On a related note CanadInns Top 40 mix (insert snorts this guy’s so good looking, I have a pic- are now the hit-makers that I think of Mom says blue Kool-aid is dangerous for and giggles here) to get me through the ture of him in my locker, and I’m a het- most fondly from the mid- to late- children because it looks like antifreeze. summer, this mix has taken over my erosexual! (Of course, I have the added 1990s: Ben Folds Five, Garbage, Dave Mony Mony- Billy Idol- The girl in the stereo and is proving to be a hit thanks benefit of stylin’ the ladies by saying that Mathews Band, the Philosophers Kings, cottage beside us was older and watched to my friend, the mix tape music con- I interviewed John Mayer once, see Jamiroquai, Beck, and Dodgy. The Much Music. So this became my favourite noisseur. Uniter Vol 56, issue 19. haha line up Squirrel Nut Zippers are on there as a summer song when I was five or something, An eclectic mix of old school rap, forms to the right ladies!) recollection of the Swing craze, and my cause, um, ponies are great. Beastie Boys’ "Hey Ladies" and 3) One word: Weakerthans. John K friend generously included cuts from Navajo Rug, Ian Tyson - The man himself Tupac’s "Changes", new-school rap 50 Sampson’s way too cool. He’s got them all-time great musical acts like the may not be terribly inviting, but this folksy Cent’s "Up In Da Club" and Eminem’s poetic lyrics that don’t even rhyme and Violent Femmes and Bobby Darin. I’ll crooner brings to mind falling asleep in the "As The World Turns,” combine with that sweet sensitive voice. And, that admit that I've never bought any car on a warm night while my mom drives us chick rock, Liz Phair "Supernova" and band can rock out with the best of them. albums by any of these people, but in a home from the beach, with sand lodged in Jill Sobile "Supermodel,” punky rock Left and Leaving? I don’t think so, Here new millennium belonging to the CD-R every crevice. Tyson, at least, deserves his Unwritten Law "Holiday" and Sublime and Staying for the Ride is more like it! and the MP3, this nostalgic collection hat. "Date Rape” and slow rock The Flies’ 4) Now, show the ladies how tough remains my most cherished of tapes. I Icarus at Night, Vance Gilbert- Lifetime "Got You Where I Want You" and Ben you are. They gotta know that you’re a like to listen to it in the car too. Winnipeg folk fest veterans, as kids we Folds Five’s "Brick," my new summer real man. Nobody, and I mean nobody’s –Jenny Western would play spin tag in the open space mix has just the right combo of hard tougher than Tom fuckin’ Wilson. behind the main stage once we got sick of and semi-soft that is required for solid Whether it be the rockin’ Junkhouse eating whales tails on the tarps.The goal was summer listening.With this CD, sum- stuff (try the ubercool, Gimme the White Wedding, Billy Idol - a friend and to twirl until you fell over, hopefully collaps- mer will definitely be all good. Love), his meandering solo album (Dig I sang this song the entire 6 or so hour drive ing on each other to lie there as the stars cir- – Julie Horbal it?) or the wicked Blackie & The Rodeo to camp out at Clear Lake. We didn’t know cled overhead. I can still hear this song play- Kings stuff, this guy knows how to growl many of the words, but the shouting must ing in the distance. And the sap begins to better than anyone. Seriously. Listen to have made up for it. flow. Our vision got so blurry we always A proper summer mix tape will acknowl- how low this dude’s voice is; he’s one I’m from the Country,Tracy Byrd - well I thought the garbage cans were couples mak- edge the eighties. A great summer mix tape tough mother. This guy’s so damn cool, am from the country and that’s probably ing out in the poison ivy. Heh, summer. will hug and kiss the eighties. The Clash’s he makes my Fruit of the Looms wet, why I stare. This is not a good choice for – Allison Besel “Rudie Can’t Fail” (1979—close enough) imagine what he can do to a pair of drunken Karaoke. Don’t wear a cowboy hat must make an appearance. “Drinking Brew Hanes Her Way! for Breakfast” is an important component to unless you own at least one cow. It's finally summer in Winnipeg. It's Boys, you’re lucky school’s over and any summer regiment. Some folks who Leaving on a Jet Plane, the Chantal a blistering 17 degrees above zero, the I’m in a generous mood. With my mixed don’t take the making of mix tapes seriously, Kreviazuk version. - to all the girls who like snow has finally melted and you're tape, you’re guaranteed to score and or who like to fashion themselves after the to gently strum their guitars and warble rolling down the pavement in your hot you’ll thank me each and every time. lame John Cusack from High Fidelity, might along beside the campfire, there’s a fine line summer wheels, on your in-lines or on –Jeff Robson opt for “Rock the Casbah” instead. I would between sentimentality and nausea and this foot, stereo on board or Walkman in warn against this; the novelty will soon wear- song could cut the insipid in half and still hand. What could be better to get you off. Some pre-nose job Sting (i.e.: The blow it away. in the spirit of summer than a hot mix Police) is a good choice. “Message in a Making a mixed tape takes time, some- I’m Gonna Be (500 miles), The full of familiar beats that make you thing I usually find is lacking in my life, or Proclaimers- A sweet red-haired farm boy Bottle” is a swell summer tune for late night slurpee drives. Early U2 is a must. Yes, now I’m just too lazy to take the time to make a they make entirely too much money and mixed tape.Turning on the radio, hoping it is wear too many purple sunglasses, but they’re on a good station since changing the dial still forever great. Choices from the band’s requires so much exercise, is all the work I’m third album, War, are solid rock anthems to usually prepared for. Last summer, however, Stylus raise your fists to. “Two Hearts Beat as sick of listening to the same old songs on the One” (please ignore the title), “Like a radio in my car, and not having a CD player, Song...” and/or “New Year’s Day” are my I decided to put some of my fave songs on PROFILE Radio selections. Consider including some songs tape. That way I could sing along in the pri- BySheri Lamb by The Smiths to make friends with cynical vacy of my car (I shudder to think what Simon would say if he heard me).What is on Talking to artists, hearing new music snobs, although U2 has probably the tape I made? Being a country music fan, albums, and profiling the latest shows Host: Sarah Michaelson already scared them away. Some early Beastie Boys will satisfy the stereotypical probably because I love “relationship” songs in Winnipeg is what you get when you Station: CKUW, 95.9 FM and being addicted to love songs since I was tune into Stylus Radio. The show is party-song quotient, “Brass Monkey” and of Sound: Spoken Word course “Fight for your Right” are proper a teeny tiny girl, I recorded some of my modeled after and works in conjunc- favourite songs off my CDs. The songs are tion with Stylus Magazine, a free bi- Time: favourites. An eighties summer mix tape is Tuesdays, 2-3 pm meant to accompany a season full of memo- both slow ones and faster paced, happy ones. monthly music magazine published by On-Air Requests: 774-6877 ries, disappointing or otherwise. Other com- My laziness shines through on Side B when I the UWSA. The music reviews and recorded several songs off the same CD. E-mail: pilations of love, beach, break-up and road interviews happen live on Stylus songs are a part of the reminiscing process Forgetting I do not have a bathtub in my car, Radio, so when you tune in you never [email protected] come September. –Chantille Papko I recorded Lonestar’s ‘Amazed’ (if you’ve know what the “hilarious, crazy, and seen the video you know what I mean). fascinating” guests will say next. Website: www.ckuw.org Reminiscing over my teen years I ended the Stylus Radio is hosted by Sarah Ah, spring has finally arrived in tape with Bon Jovi’s, ‘You Give Love A Bad Michaelson, a UofW student who just completed her third year of English Winnipeg. As you fellas know, all of the Name’.The time-consuming effort it takes to Honours. She is “pumped” about music and loves to talk with people who most gorgeous women in Winnipeg make one of these tapes probably means it share her enthusiasm. According to Sarah each show is an adventure, as she hibernate over the winter, only to may be awhile before I make one again. Like appear in all of their natural splendour tries to represent as many musical genres as she can on every show. Sarah loves most men, I would rather just buy a new CD, before us each spring. Single guys like hearing from listeners during her show, and she welcomes suggestions from lis- listen on the Internet, or flip on the radio, me love this time of year because it that way I can spend my time watching the teners on future directions for the show. offers us the chance to strut our stuff hockey game, instead of working on a time- Stylus Radio will be celebrating its two year anniversary with a “super mega and impress the ladies with our manli- consuming project. (PS – My new car doesn’t anniversary party” on-air May 6th, 2003… so tune in for the fun and surprises! ness. Yup, and there’s no better way to have a tape deck, but a CD player… all that work for nothing!) -Sheri Lamb MAy 1, 2003 page 13 the uniter mculture u s i c standable or explainable. It’s a mind-blend- ing mix of styles and genres that defies description. It starts off with Martin Tielli’s haunting and plaintive song, “Self Serve Gas Station.” It tells of Martin’s days sell- ing gas to drunk and disgruntled truckers in the middle of the night. “Mom and dad are selfless… they don’t do nothing worthless / they just work all day and worry about their son: ‘what went wrong with Martin, is he dumb?” There’s the angry and powerful “Queer,” with its powerful lyrics: “I wish you were there to see it when I scored a hat- trick on the team that called you a fuckin’ queer,” and “Rock Death America;” Dave Bidini’s reaction to critics who would pigeonhole his music. “Someone said we sounded like The Replacements but we’d never be The Beatles or Byrds. / Someone said we should have stayed in the basement instead of littering our noise on the Earth.” And, there’s the haunting “King of the Past,” a tale inspired by a walk Tim Vesely took around Winnipeg in search of Louis Riel’s grave. The songs are timeless, and deal with universal themes of angst and frustration. The album speaks to me on a powerful and personal level. But the sound is just too diverse and difficult for mainstream ears. There will always be a precious few who get it, but isn't that what life as a Canadian has Canadian Credit always been? We seem to constantly strug- gle for identity and understanding. We're a country that wants to be loved by the whole Rheostatics Get Some Well-deserved world, but we’re rarely understood in the same way that we think we understand our- selves. The music of the Rheostatics is as Attention from National Radio hard to define as is our Canadian identity and that's why Whale Music so perfectly BY JEFF ROBSON your favourite record, what record would it heard before or since. The Rheostatics have be?” Listeners and guest panellists were often been called The Most Canadian Band represents in song what it means to be For several weeks on CBC Radio One, invited to nominate what they believed to on Earth, or variations on that theme, and Canadian. This is truly essential Canadian the locally produced and nationally aired be the best “Canadian” album, and the one Whale Music is why. After two wonderful listening. If there’s ever a course on Definitely Not The Opera has been running that the entire nation should listen to. And, but under-appreciated records, Whale Canadian identity, this should be the text- a contest called “Canada Listens.” The much to my delight, this week the grand Music propelled the band to the forefront book. Thanks DNTO, for finally recogniz- premise was simple: If you could invite the prize went to Whale Music by Rheostatics. of Canadian music. ing this invaluable contribution to Canadian entire nation into your basement to listen to This album is like nothing I’ve ever It’s an album that isn’t easily under- music. I give it 10 maple leafs out of 10.

THE UNITER’S PICKS FOR MAY - Compiled by Sheri Lamb listings COFFEHOUSES Sun, May 2-4 – Virtuosi Concerts: at the door. Tuesday, May 20 The with James Keelaghan @ 8pm, tixs Land/Space: An Anthology of Prairie Beethovenfest ’03 with Jane Coop, Candidates. Saturday, May 24 Red Seeds $17/$20 @ Ticketmaster or WECC Speculative Fiction @ 7:30pm, Deborah Academy Coffee, 414 Academy Rd. piano and Andrew Dawes, violin. CD Release Party. Tuesday, May 27 Doors. Monday, May 12 West End Schnitzer launch of The Madwoman in nd th (489-6630) – Every 2 & 4 Monday Tickets: Individually – Adult $26, Senior Leviride, Chrome Yellow, Cone 5. Comedy Night, tixs $3. Saturday, May 17 the Academy: 43 Women Boldly Take each month – Winnipeg Poetry Slam @ $24 and Student $14. Beethovenfest Pass Wednesday, May 28 Soul Survivors Body Winnipeg Labour Choir, tixs $10 at the On the Ivory Tower @ 8pm 8pm, for info call Darek Dawda @ 772- $48, Students $24 Saturday, May 31, 2003 Art presents Strapping Young Lad, tixs door. Friday, May 23 Death By Stereo, McNally Robinson at Portage Place 5166. Ongoing Fridays – Hillbilly Winnipeg Classical Guitar Society: at Ticketmaster. Thursday, May 29 3 Downway and Nicotine @ 8pm, tixs –Friday, May 2 The Burton Trio,Jazz @ Burlesque, Sunday, April 27 Conifera Mathew Peters, Guitar @ 8pm (Student Inches of Blood, The Jet City Fix, VOLI- $12/$15 @ Into The Music, SK8, WECC 6:30pm. Friday, May 9 A Taste Of New Show featuring Cone Five, nowheretogo, Recital @ 7:40pm), tixs: Adult $15, TION, Killer Green. Friday, May 30 and Ticketmaster. Orleans,Traditional Jazz & Blues @ Boat and Andrew Gilbert @ 9pm, tixs $5 Senior $10 and Student $5/At the Door Kinnie Starr. Saturday, May 31 Waking FILM 6:30pm. Friday, May 16 James Harrison, at the door. $25 Eyes, Meligrove Band, Perms, Imperial Piano/Guitar Mix @ 6:30pm. Friday, May Public Library. Cinematheque, 100 Arthur - Call 925- CONCERTS Millennium Centre, 389 Main Street – 23 Sandra Stritz Trio, Contemporary 3457 for more info. May 2 - Just Plain Saturday, May 10, 2003 Camerata Nova The Royal Albert – Thursday, May 8 Singer/Songwriter @ 6:30pm. Thursday, Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main St Folks 7pm, Power & Terror 8:30pm May presents Vox Antiqua, Vox Nova @ 8pm Waking Eyes with Projektor and Paper May 29 Barbara Huck reading & signing (780-3333) – April 26, 29 & May 2, 2003 3 - Power & Terror 7pm, Divine Moon, doors open 9pm, tix $6 Crossroads of the Continent: A History Manitoba Opera presents Lucia di Le Rendezvous - Monday, May 19 The Intervention 9pm of The Forks of the Red & Assiniboine Lammermoor @ 8pm, 7pm and 8pm Music @ 9pm, tixs $15.50 @ all The Zoo/Osborne Village Inn, 160 rd Rivers @ 7:30pm. Friday, May 30 Darcia respectively. Tixs between $20-$66 @ Ticketmaster outlets. Osborne – Ozzys: call 452-9824 for info IMAX, 3 Floor Portage Place – Call Ticketmaster. Wed thru Sun, May 7-11, 956-2400 for show times Senft w/ James Hickerson, 2003 Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Pyramid Cabaret, 176 Fort (957-7777)- Zoo: Friday,May 2, 2003 Stephan Pearcy Contemporary Singer/Songwriter @ The Globe Cinema, 393 Portage Ave. – Rita Joe @ 7:30pm & 2pm on Sunday, Thursday, April 29 Amped (St. with Fabulous Kildonans,Tixs $10 at the 6:30pm. Thursday, June 5 William Coble call 69 GLOBE for show times (validat- Student prices: $11.50-$45.00. Friday & Catherines, ON), The Barrymores, The Village Inn @ 10pm reading & signing Addictions Primer @ Brat Attack.Wednesday, April 30 Grand ed free parking) tixs $7/adults Saturday, May 16/17, 2003 Winnipeg Times Change(d) High and Lonesome 7pm Theft Bus. Thursday, May 1 Lucky Symphony Orchestra: pieces from Club, 234 Main St. (957-0982) – Ongoing READINGS THEATRES S even,website: Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. Sundays: Blues Jam with Big Dave www.feelingluckypunk.com Friday, May McNally Robinson at Grant Park Gas Station Theatre, 445 River (at Monday, May 19, 2003 Nana Mouskouri McLean. Saturday, May 3 Paperbacks, 2 Popes Hill, D.J. Oxide. Saturday, May 3 –Thursday, May 8 Prairie Fire Wordfest Osborne) – May 1 –3, 2003 newVIEW & Harry Belafonte @ 8pm, Friday & Blueprint Gallery, and Mike Trike doors Strongfront.tv Presents: Baby Elena – Part 1 @ 7:30pm, readings by David presents Tom Stroud and Peter Saturday, May 23/24, 2003 Winnipeg at 8pm, tix $6 Saturday, May 17 Robertson-Wood Heart Surgery Bergen, Suzanne Matczuk and Margaret Bingham, 780-3333, Symphony Orchestra: theme from Canadian Country Legend Stew Fundraiser, Billy Jo Green, Killah Green Sweatman. Rebecca Grambo & Dennis Brahms, call 956-2792 Clayton. Manitoba Theatre Centre, 174 Market and guests Tixs $10. Thursday, May 8 Fast launch of Wapusk: White Bear of Ave. – April 17 – May 10, 2003 Richard nd Super Garage. Friday, May 9 Hunnicut West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice the North @ 8pm Friday, May 9 Debra Chaos Chameleon, 2 floor (108 III, for tickets call 942-6537 Osborne) – Ongoing Fridays – DJs and DJ. Co-Op. Saturday, May 10 (783-6918) –Friday, May 9 The Grind Lynn Neufeld,Jazz Trio @ 8pm, Prairie Justrich and Freaky Alien call 475-3328 Wasabi Collective. Wednesday, May 14 Tour featuring Planet Smashers, Big Fire Wordfest – Part II, readings by Pantages Playhouse – Sunday, May 4, for info Supernal and Guests. Thursday, May 15 Wig, Belvedere and Big D & The Kids Patrick O’Connell, Elise Moore and 2003 Family Concert Series: Little Bear Lady Bird Side Show. Saturday, May 17 Table @ 8pm, tixs $15/$18 @ Into The Alissa York @ 7:30pm, Monday, May 12 with Elliot Moose @ 1pm, tixs $22.82 & rd Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, UofW 3 Melanie Doane, tixs $10 in advance/$12 Music, SK8, WECC and Ticketmaster Candas Jane Dorsey and Judy $20.48 @ Ticketmaster floor – call 786-9000 for more info Fri- (all ages). Saturday, May 10 An Evening McCrosky, editors, launch of page 14 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter nationalssports

Henley have been invited to the big leagues, so to speak - the Canadian National "B" Team try-out camp. As it is every year, the camp will be held in Winnipeg at the beginning of May, which is suiting since it's nothing new for the “real home team” Wesmen Wesmen Athletes to be represented at the national level. Wesmen Athletes Although Scarcello is heading to the camp for the first time, Henley, who just completed his final year of University level play, was invited to try- outs last year along with former BestBest inin NationNation Wesmen Jason Dufault. "I think it just speaks volumes for the program," praised Henley, of his now alma mater. "We've got some great coaches and athletes who are dedicated to main- taining the Wesmen commitment to having some of the best athletes in the nation." Henley also feels that his previous encounter with the national team try- out camp has given him some idea of what to expect in hopes of making the U of W proud and securing his success. "I'm going into this year with expe- rience, this time I know how hard I'm going to have to work," said Henley about the advantages of having gone through the camp before. "And it's a huge advantage not hav- ing the nerves as bad (the second time around). You get so nervous walking into this gym to see all the guys you've been watching and hearing about - now I know those guys." Although he was not given a spot on the national roster after last year's try-out camp, Henley ended up on the team and got to know the rest of the athletes fairly well. When the team's starting setter broke his thumb in late June, Henley was called back to Winnipeg and into play from his home in New Westminster, BC. He played with the team and expe- rienced one of the highest levels of play for three weeks, but claims that the try- out camp was an amazing experience in itself - an experience he's looking for- ward to participating in again. "I'd love to make the team under better circumstances this year, but if I don't make it, this is a chance to prac- tice and learn with the best players in the country, to work as hard or harder than you've ever worked before," said Henley. "(The camp) is a group of high intensity, highly motivated players who really love the game and really want to be out there. It was great for me last year, it will be great for me this year and I think it will be great for Shawn, too." Scarcello, a fourth-year Wesmen libero, punched out of last season lead- ing the team in digs with an average of 2.61 per game and pumps out numbers that put him up there with Canada's best - an opportunity that Henley deems nothing other than the greatest of honors. "I can't describe it as anything other than amazing. I mean, wow, to play for Canada - to even be invited. That means that we're three of the top 50 players in Canada and an invite is a BY JULIE HORBAL ended their season significantly earlier over for the year, the year is far from tremendous honor." than last year, finishing the year at No. over for two Wesmen athletes who are Seems as if nothing beats wearing Coming off last year’s unforgettable 6 in Canada West standings. being given a second shot at playing the Red and White. nearly-national champions season, the With a not so spectacular 7-11 some volleyball that will be remem- For a few years these guys have Wesmen men’s volleyball team had a record, the team saw its hopes of a sec- bered by the country. been wearing the Red and White for 2002-03 season that will be equally ond shot at the national title squashed For the second summer in a row, the not-quite national champion remembered. just as quickly as they rose, and the sea- multiple U of W athletes are on their Wesmen and now they've being invited Whether or not they want to son ended on a low note for coaches way to a chance at representing their to give the national Red and White a remember 2002-03 is a different story. and athletes alike. country in their sport of choice. go. Despite a strong effort from the There is a light at the end of this After attending a national mini- After all, if these athletes can't team and a solid effort from more than disappointing tunnel, however. camp earlier this month, volleyball defeat the nation, they might as well a few individual athletes, the Wesmen Although the volleyball season is players Shawn Scarcello and Ryan represent it. MAy 1, 2003 page 15 the uniter skateboardingsports Skate Park Plans Grinding Ahead Without City

“The architects will help us go after “We want to push the city to get off Representatives from the city’s com- ANDREW the big boys.” As reported earlier in The their asses,” he says. Reid’s no stranger to munity services department were not BUCK Uniter, SAW wants to build a 40,000 sq. ft. the political process – he used to work at available for comment. Despite the Sports Editor skate park in a central Winnipeg location. city hall as Coun. Harvey Smith’s execu- uncertainty, SAW is forging ahead in its “I’ve been involved with the skate- tive assistant. “I’ve spoken to the plans for the skate park. Winnipeg is boarding association for a long time,” says Executive Policy Committee about build- “We’re still looking at 40,000 sq. ft.,” one step closer to a new Scatliff, Miller and Murray urban designer ing the park, and the mayor directed the says Reid. “We’re talking going against skateboard park. Bob Somers. “I’m an avid skateboarder city’s administration to work with us. Calgary (and its giant Millenium Skate Skateboarding myself. I’d like to get something done.” “So far they’ve done anything but Park). I’m not interested in building any- Association of Somers has already designed smaller work with us.” thing less than 20,000 sq. ft. Even that is Winnipeg (SAW) executive director Alex parks in the city, but he says those parks Reid says the city produced a report bad. This is going to be the talk of the Reid says the association has retained are built with the needs of beginners in about the future of a skate park, but he country.” Winnipeg architects Scatliff, Miller and mind. has been unable to look at a copy person- SAW is considering several central Murray to draw up a draft for a new skate “Those are little things that help with ally. locations for the park, but a confidential- park. Reid says it’s a big deal because hav- what the city needs, but they can’t do it “It could be a feasibility study, I don’t ity agreement with Scatliff, Miller and ing the firm that does most of the city’s all,” Somers says. “I can see this being a know. (If it’s unsuitable) there’s no way Murray is keeping those locations under contracts on board will add considerable significant urban design for the city.” for me to tell how lame it is.” wraps. political clout. Reid has estimated a $3.5 million cost The lack of communication from the “It won’t be the Forks,” says Reid. “They have political weight,” says to construct and maintain the park, and he city has put Reid on a slow burn, and he’s While he wouldn’t give an exact date, he Reid. “These guys being on our side is big. acknowledges the bulk of that funding hoping SAW’s initiative will kick start an says he hopes to approach the city with a It’s bigger than if someone like Izzy Asper will likely come from the city. effort from the city. draft plan “before the summer.” joined us because these are the people Although he says the mayor has “This pushes them into doing some- Somers thinks the skate park is a proj- who actually do these things.” promised him a skate park will be built, thing. It’s like a political gun to their head. ect too important for the city to pass up Beside creating a draft for the park, Reid says the city’s lack of progress on the They sat on their hands all last year and I on. Scatliff, Miller and Murray can also help issue has been disappointing, and one of haven’t received anything. Their commu- “This is something the city needs to SAW “solicit financial donations from the the reasons behind SAW’s decision to nications skills suck, and I’m trying to be keep youth here,” he says. “We need to big players in town,” says Reid. retain an architecture firm. as nice as possible in saying that.” give them the things they like doing.”

continued from Page 9 Steinbach, but he assures me there are a admits Seinfeld is a huge influence on his make a few movies. employing some rather elaborate and few other funny people out there. They act. Talk about a mixed bag, but all these “My next film…” Hannam muses. “Oh! inventive techniques as he went along. are, of course, in his family. elements combine in his film, stand-up I have to do pre-production and shoot a film “In first year university, I decided I’d “We’re all really funny. We’re always and sketch comedy shows – and it’s damn on Tuesday, after I finish writing up an inter- really try to do it, really make a film,” he doing funny stuff.” funny. view and check in at the radio station and go explains. “I wrote a script…editing was And it’s true. Kroeker is all about the Kroeker’s sketch comedy group, to a job interview...kind of a busy day.” ridiculous, I had this whole mess rigged up comedy, and it turns out filmmaking is Manatee, performed at the CBC in my basement. [The film was for] classi- just something he does on the side. The Comedy Festival and is set to take cal mythology and I was up all night work- Nighter, which screened at the festival, on the Fringe with a choose your ing on it and handed it in the next morn- was made in October 2001, when Kroeker own adventure show, ing. I got like, a 100 per cent, but I still spent two months at the New York Film Civillionaires. And you might want didn’t know how to make a movie.” Academy. He moved straight from to catch him before he takes off, And while he was still trying to figure Steinbach to New York and then moved because Kroeker has plans that are it out, he met Derek Kroeker. to Winnipeg. And while he’s interested in bigger than Winnipeg. “My first memory of Derek was when film, his interests lie primarily in acting “Winnipeg is a good place to get I was working as an extra on a movie and sketch comedy. experience, I mean you just ask some called Desire. He was wearing the pants “I took a class at Prairie Theatre guy, ‘Hey can I go to Rumours and he wore in my movie, Regarding This Exchange with Al Rae,” Kroeker do a five minute bit?’ and he says Jewison…I call them his “showtime” explains. “Ever since then I’ve been ‘yeah, okay,’” Kroeker shrugs, “But pants,” Hannam grins. “They’re flashy – thinking about bits to do, and I’ve sporad- it’s not a good place to stay.” yellow and blue.” ically performed at various outlets. But it With guys like these leading the Yes, he wears funny pants, but that’s not was interesting to start off in New York, it new wave of student filmmakers, all that surprising after you meet him. makes bits more universal.” gone are the stereotypical chain- Especially after he tells you his life ambi- Universality is definitely Kroeker’s smoking-visionaries you might tions. goal. In his first year at U of W he took a expect. In their free time they dj and “I’m going to be a stand-up comedi- combination of conflict resolution, Greek study mythology and ancient soci- an,” he says bluntly. Perhaps a strange and Roman society, and theatre classes. eties, put together sketch shows, NEW 2nd career choice for a small town boy from Then, when I ask him about comedy, he crack some good jokes and oh, yeah, LOCATION! 629 CORYDON AVE. page 16 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter h osports c k e y

The road to the Stanley Cup may soon go through Tennessee. Stanley’s Southern Journey

side of the 49th parallel has been no knowledge of hockey, but then, so to ers, one could argue, are just giving us BY ANDREW BUCK understandable. How dare they take do some Canadians. But enough of what we want. It’s 4:30 p.m. on a Thursday after- our game away from us? them seem to enjoy the game to fill There are without a doubt enough noon, and the atmosphere is electric. Funny thing is, hockey knows no NHL and AHL arenas and support uninformed American hockey fans to The radio stations are buzzing boundaries. Technology is a wonderful their own teams. Many critiques blame fill the Skydome ten times over. But with hype for tonight’s game, a classic thing, and the spread of artificial ice has the NHL’s financial woes on the failure there are also many informed NHL playoff match-up between two allowed “Canada’s game” (actually, if of the NHL’s southern expansion, but American hockey fans. Let’s not punish hardened rivals. Traffic slows to a crawl you want to be specific, it’s really a Calgary’s Pengrove Saddledome has those fans (and Canadian expats who as fans make their way to the down- hybrid of a game created by our thousands of empty seats more often support their local teams) for an eco- town arena.You can feel the heat in the Indigenous people, not our European than not.This year the Ottawa Senators nomic situation they can’t control any air. ancestors) to all sorts of interesting financial situation has made more than we can. And don’t forget – Or, maybe it’s just hot outside. locales. Hockey is now played and Argentina’s toilet-bowl economy look whether they understand what’s going Playoff time in Dallas, Texas, is greeted enjoyed throughout Europe, Asia, and like a sure thing by comparison. on or not, those fans enjoy the game of with the year’s first blast of that infa- the Pacific Rim. As a Winnipegger who likes hock- hockey. Isn’t that what it’s all about? mous Deep South heat. As the temper- Is the southern United States real- ey, it saddened me to see the Jets leave. Maybe hockey is leaving Canada. ature climbs into the high 80s (well into ly that much of a stretch, then? Perhaps But now I recognize owner Barry Or maybe it isn’t. It’s not fair for us to the 90s with the humidity), many of the Texas rarely sees snow, but its bridges Shenkarow’s admission that Winnipeg play dog in a manger and cuss out our most talented men on skates are think- do warn of Bon Jovi-esque “slippery could no longer compete with the rest wealthy neighbours to the south. Chalk ing about pucks, sticks and ice. It’s a when icy” conditions. Indoor skating of the league. Cities like Los Angeles it up to TS. Like my dad always says, life long way from the halcyon days of the arenas are a dime a dozen. Millions and Chicago could eat us for breakfast isn’t fair. Flying Frenchman, but this is the face roller blade, and that’s kind of like skat- and come back for seconds. Put simply, As the playoffs continue, so to will of hockey in the twenty-first century. ing, isn’t it? Winnipeg does not have the deep- the hockey at Dallas’ American Much has been said about the Speaking with a 31-year-old pocketed owners who are willing to Airlines Center,Anaheim’s Arrowhead dearth of hockey’s traditional powers Houstonian weekending in the port absorb annual million-dollar losses for Pond and Houston’s Compaq Center. on the road to Lord Stanley’s prize.The city of Galveston,Texas, I was surprised what amounts to little more than a But there will also be action in Jets and Nordiques have been dead for to learn hockey was in his blood as hobby. Vancouver and Ottawa. nearly 10 years, as Uniter writer Julie much as it is in mine. He had been skat- Why should Dallas, Phoenix and As long as the snow still flies, Horbal reminded us a few months ing since he was a child, and he has sea- Miami be blamed for having wealthy Canada will always raise some of the back, and even original six centers son tickets to the AHL’s Houston owners who are willing to subsidize the world’s best hockey players, but where Montreal, Toronto and Chicago are on Aeros hockey team, a team the city has NHL? It’s not the cities’ fault their res- they play professional hockey is anoth- extended dry spells. supported for decades. Asked why he idents have so much cash to throw er matter altogether. Hockey and other Instead, the Cup has recently been liked hockey, the man simply replied, around. Perhaps these owners are cre- sports are nothing more than business- contested in such hockey hotbeds as “Well, it’s hockey. Why do you like ating an economic black hole, but hey, it es, and they will go where the money is. North Carolina, Miami, and the above- hockey?” takes two to tango, and fans have con- Why would we expect them to do oth- mentioned Dallas. The reaction this Of course, many southerners have tinued to support the league. The own- erwise?