UAʼs biweekly source for entertainment news The Volume 1 Sc| Issue 4 | Octobere 16,ne 2007 A publication of The Crimson White

2 Dance Alabama! hits Morgan Auditorium jX]\kp in your pocket

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Sign up now on myBama. stay aware. stay alert. stay informed. Contents Staff Editor Corey Craft 2 [email protected]

Dance Alabama! two-steps onto Assistant editor the Morgan Auditorium stage Phil Owen 2 [email protected] Design editor Kathleen Buccleugh Deadstring Brothers play The [email protected] Bama Theatre as part of TCF Art director studentsʼ fi lm production Elliot Knight 5 5 [email protected]

The Crimson White Editor The Huxford Symphony Mike Faulk Orchestra performs Holstʼs [email protected] “The Planets” 10 The Crimson White Managing editor 10 Jessie Patterson [email protected]

Guest column: Marrʼs Field This issueʼs contributors Journal will make you more Matt Abbey attractive Cheryl Hurley 11 Caleb Johnson Tim Neunzig Laura Pitts Adam Smith Drew Taylor In every issue Cover photo: Elliot Knight

4 Scene it, love it; poll 11 Guest column: Cheryl Hurley Page 2 story photo: Elliot Knight

6-7 Biweekly calendar 12 Theatrical previews; DVD picks Page 5 story photo: Contributed 8 Album picks; Whatʼs in your ears? 13 A word from the editor Page 10 story photo: Adam Smith 2 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE

Dance magic dance

BY LAURA PITTS developing and perfecting dance emotion behind the poem.” stop certain movements. THE SCENE CONTRIBUTOR routines. Michalke’s piece began last year Elaine Randant, a junior majoring [email protected] Michalke, a junior majoring in as a project in her Choreography 2 in dance, is the lone star of Michal- dance from Marietta, Ga., has been course. After studying Plath in a lit- ke’s piece. It’s cold inside the walls of Mor- dancing since she was 3 years old. erature class, Michalke became fasci- “The piece is full of weird, person- gan Auditorium, but the bodies “My earliest memory of dance was nated by her poetry. al movement about the emotions felt spinning rhythmically on stage don’t at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, “I want to show more about the with suicide and depression,” Ran- notice. performing as Minnie Mouse,” she poem, not the dancer or the dancing dant said. “It’s all about how you feel The sautés and pirouettes have said. in my routine,” Michalke said. “It’s and the emotion that is displayed.” their body temperatures racing and When Michalke began her search the fi rst time I’ve seen a piece like this Plath and her poetry are layered — adrenaline pumping — a plateau of for a college, Alabama was at the top done at Alabama but I’m sure it’s not the outside presenting the world with excitement bursting on stage, giving of her list. the fi rst in the world. Many poets have one idea and her inner being scream- it all they’ve got. “I auditioned only at Alabama, and had dance put to their poems, some- ing another. They’ve been working for months even then I ended up coming to UA times even during a live reading.” Portraying both aspects of Plath’s — learning the ins and outs of their on an academic scholarship,” Michal- Since the routine is performed with- character and poetry are pivotal to routines, all the while studying and ke said. “UA’s dance program is the out music, one of the biggest chal- Michalke’s piece. That is why some earning their credits for the fall se- best in the Southeast, and I wanted to lenges Michalke has faced is fi nding rehearsals were spent just fi guring out mester. Sleep and social lives are be a part of it.” cues within the poem to start and how to look and express the part. important, but not as important as Michalke is vice president of the passion for the stage that rushes Dance Alabama! and has performed through their veins. in the production for the past fi ve se- They are Dance Alabama!, the mesters. University’s prestigious student-run Her experience each semester hasn’t production, made of both men and changed — it has only strengthened. women, dance majors and non- Michalke has been in the choreog- dance majors. raphy spotlight since spring of her Each piece presented at the fall freshman year. Dance Alabama! production holds “Teaching and developing my a deeper meaning than just fl ashy own dances has been wonderful and lights and electric music. The impor- taught me so much as a dancer and as tance falls on the individual dancers a person,” she said. and student choreographers who work overtime to piece together 10 Dancing to Sylvia Plath minutes of perfection. Michalke’s piece for the fall concert The veteran is a solo piece to a reading of Sylvia Plath’s poem “The Sun People.” Allison Michalke is a Dance Ala- “It’s basically about Plath’s life, bama! student choreographer who which is kind of depressing,” she The Scene | Elliot Knight knows all too well the process of said. “The piece really shows the Dance Alabama! is a student-run production featuring pieces choreographed by dance majors and non-majors. THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | The Scene 3 Freshman perspective together, there is still one main hurdle over which Dance Alabama! choreographers must jump — Josh Henderson is experiencing his fi rst Dance costumes. Alabama!. Whether fl ashy or simple, each choreographer is The freshman majoring in business is not only responsible for piecing together the perfect outfi t performing in the production — he is choreo- to fi nish off their piece. graphing his own piece. “This is one of the most challenging parts of Henderson’s experience in dance began 17 years Dance Alabama!,” Michalke said. “We are college ago when his parents suggested he get involved in kids with little money. We can’t buy something ex- cultural activities at a young age. travagant; instead we have to work with what we “I stuck with it and through high school I par- can.” ticipated in gymnastics,” he said Michalke didn’t want a fl ashy or expensive cos- Henderson will also be performing a solo piece tume for her piece, simply because that’s not how for Dance Alabama! His piece is a lyrical jazz rou- Plath was. Michalke chose a plain tan dress with a tine set to the song “Belief ” by contemporary art- ’50s infl uence for her piece. ist Gavin DeGraw. “On the outside Plath tried to be a homemaker “My character on stage believes in something mom, but she wasn’t that on the inside,” Michalke that I know is out there,” he said. “The whole time said. “On the outside she looked put together, com- I am trying to fund it and just as I get to taste that posed even, but on the inside she was a wreck.” belief I’m pulled away.” For Henderson’s piece, he too wanted some- Henderson will perform his solo at another recit- thing that would help him look the part of the

The Scene | Elliot Knight al following Dance Alabama! and said he hopes to character he’s portraying. His costume consists The student-run production Dance Alabama! runs Oct. 16 through Oct. 19 in get a good staging in during the UA performance. of brown American Eagle shorts and a gray wife Morgan Auditorium. Students can buy tickets to the production for $9. Henderson admits that the choreographing his beater shirt. own piece is stressful. “I don’t feel empty or depressed inside so I’ve “You have to be all dance rehearsals, fi nd time had a hard time developing those feelings on between schoolwork to practice, get the music cues Dance Alabama! fall concert stage,” Randant said. just right and the piece together your costume,” When: Oct. 16 through Oct. 19 Both dancers have relied on the experiences of Henderson said. Where: Morgan Auditorium friends and family to help them understand the Cost: $9 for students, $11 for UA faculty/staff feelings associated with Plath’s poem. Thimbles and thread “Every movement has a certain movement be- and seniors, $13 for adults If choreographers have enough to worry hind it,” Michalke said. “There isn’t a single thing Check out the rest of the story at www.cw.ua.edu. done on stage that doesn’t have a purpose.” about when choosing and piecing all the routines True Radiance Mineral Makeup Boutique & Day Spa The largest mineral makeup selection in the South

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Crimson White Managers Account Executives Graphic Designers Cassie Edwards Brandon Clark Drew Gunn Lindsey Pattillo Advertising Coordinator 348-8041 348-8054 Maria Franco Suzanne Flanagan Advertising Director David Dailey Jeff Haas Nicky Harbaugh Creative Services Manager 348-8735 348-8742 Tamay Shannon Justice Head Classifieds Manager J T Braswell Tomas Nation Hyla DeWitt Jonathon White 348-2670 348-6876 Territory Manager Khalid Al-Qahtani Leigh Anne Landis Ashley Brand Territory Manager 348-6875 4 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE Five must-haves from the ■ Online poll ■ WVUA-FM station manager Scene it, love it This fall is the biggest season in video 1. Deutsche game history. Do you care? 3. Welle — On Comcast ■ Yeah, I'm going to buy every AAA title. 90.7 The Capstone — Of channel 20, for course! It’s my life and should the latest world ■ All I care about is “Super Mario Galaxy.” be part of yours. Campus news, news from sports, talk, music and loads the fatherland. It TIM NEUNZIG ■ There are a few that have caught my eye. I of ticket giveaways. Free PR switches every hour from for all campus organizations English to German. And might pick those up. on the campus calendar. Props sadly, it only airs on week- to everyone working hard and day mornings and Saturday ■ Iʼll be playing “Halo 3” for the next three making it “The Voice of the afternoons. years. I donʼt need any more games. University of Alabama.” E-mail me at [email protected] for more The environment — We only ■ I still have a back catalogue of Dreamcast info. 4. have this one planet. It’s our games Iʼm playing through. space ship. We better upgrade our technology to be more ef- ■ I donʼt play video games. My scooter fi cient and eco-friendly before 2. — This baby we crash! gets me from Submit your answers at www.cw.ua.edu. home to class in 15 minutes, saves Yoga Bliss — Last issueʼs poll: As of Oct. 15, 41 percent me $75 in gas 5. Not to diss the every month free classes in of those who answered the poll think the bars and is getting the Rec, but this local- should stay “open till dawn, dog” on Friday and more and more ly owned Yoga place Saturday nights. Twenty-nine percent are content popular. does it for me. with the 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. closing time, and 13 percent “donʼt care” about the issue.

UAʼs biweekly source for entertainment news Have any quick, affordable costume ideas? The Scene Weʼre looking for original Halloween costumes for a feature to be run in the next issue of The Scene on Oct. 30.

If you have a costume youʼd like to share with the University and donʼt mind being photographed wearing it, send an e- mail to The Scene Editor Corey Craft before Oct. 24. THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | The Scene 5 Deadstring Brothers to play Bama

Students to fi lm Dead- gives students the chance to learn Rare rock ’n’ roll show said. “People think we have it.” about producing a live concert tap- While driving around Nashville, string Brothers concert ing hands on.” comes to Bama Theatre Tenn., eating a sandwich, the lead That course is TCF 350: Ad- singer and guitarist for the Dead- BY PHIL OWEN vanced Television Production. One BY CALEB JOHNSON string Brothers spoke with The THE SCENE CONTRIBUTOR of the students participating is Mon- THE SCENE CONTRIBUTOR Scene about the band’s new album, [email protected] nish Swaim, a senior majoring in [email protected] “Silver Mountain,” and their upcom- telecommunication and fi lm. Swaim ing show at The Bama Theatre. While many around town may see is the artist liaison for the produc- While loud rock ’n’ roll blasted “Silver Mountain” is largely a The Deadstring Brothers concert at tion and has essentially been charged from every house in Kurt Marschke’s result of the band’s time spent in the historic Bama Theatre Wednes- with making sure “the band is on the Detroit neighborhood, he was inside London. The Deadstring Brothers day as just another concert at the same page with the rest of us.” listening to something a little differ- have been on the road for the better venue, that is far from the truth, as Her responsibilities, as well as ent. Delta blues and country music part of the last three years. During a number of students from the UA those of the other students, will interested Marschke more than The this time, the band has played many department of telecommunication change after the performance. Stooges or Alice Cooper. shows in and around London. and fi lm will be on hand fi lming the “Everyone in the class is assigned “We just grew up with that kind In London, the band discovered event for a commercial DVD release a certain song in the set list,” Swaim of music in the house,” he said. a unique music scene that centered as well as a television broadcast. said. “We’re responsible for break- The Deadstring Brothers were around a club in London’s West End “[Bama Theatre manager] David ing that down, transcribing it and also an answer to the garage scene called Heavy Load, where Marschke Allgood and I have been trying to editing it in the multi-camera for- that was happening when the band and the band met pedal steel and collaborate on a project for a couple mat before it goes in processing and formed, Marschke said. guitar player Spencer Cullum. of years,” said TCF instructor Joey post-production.” “I thought, why not start a band Cullum, along with his brother Goodsell in an e-mail about the “I’m Not a Stealer” will be the like that?” he said. Jeff on bass and Patrick Kenneally event, which will be sponsored by song under Swaim’s care. While the music of his hometown on piano and organ, soon became Jim Walter Resources, Hilton Ho- “It’s a very beautiful song,” she may not have infl uenced him as the newest members of The Dead- tels, Pepsi/Buffalo Rock, Oz Music said. “I love it. It’s kind of a ballad much as other music, Marschke said string Brothers. and WVUA-TV. of an outlaw that’s turned his life there is an unconscious Detroit at- Marschke said there is a large “The natural thing was to get around. I was very pleased.” titude that seeps into his music. group of people in England that is TCF students involved,” Goodsell “There’s defi nitely a blue-collar said. “So I designed a course that ■ See TCF, page 9 attitude there that people have,” he ■ See BROS, page 9 The 6 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | Scene 7 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday LECTURE: Pulitzer r CONCERT: Lauren t EVENT: Alcohol y CRIMSON TIDE u EVENT: 36th Annual i CRIMSON TIDE o CONCERT: Huxford p The bar Scene Prize winner Gene Rob- Harbin, euphonium; Awareness Week VOLLEYBALL vs. Kentuck Festival; Ken- VOLLEYBALL vs. Symphony Orchestra erts; 216 Reese Phifer Moody Recital Hall, 4 information fair and ice Kentucky; The CAVE, 7 tuck Park in Northport, Tennessee; The CAVE, featuring the University 4th & 23rd: 248-0255 Hall, 6:30 p.m. p.m. cream bar; Ferguson Plaza, p.m. 9 a.m., runs through Oct. 1:30 p.m. Singers presents “The 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 21. Planets,” Moody Concert www.4thand23rd.net LECTURE: Julie C. Laible EVENT: The Women’s CONCERT: Outforma- CONCERT: Soprano Hall, 7:30 p.m. Big Alʼs: 759-9180 Memorial Lecture on Anti- Resource Center hosts LECTURE: “The Agnos- tion; Jupiter Bar & Grill CRIMSON TIDE Jennifer Cowgill, obo- Catch 22: 344-9347 Racist Scholarship, Educa- the Dating Violence tics” by Wendy Rawlings; FOOTBALL vs. Tennes- ist Shelly Meggison and CONCERT: 103.7 The Cheap Shots: 758-7770 tion, and Social Activism; Candle Light Vigil; Denny 205 Amelia Gayle Gorgas CONCERT: Velcro see; Bryant-Denny Stadi- pianist Pamela Gordon; Q presents Hanson; Chuckʼs Fish: 248-9370 Dr. Jim Scheurich, Graves Chimes, 6:30 p.m. Library, 4 p.m. Pygmies; Rhythm-n-Brews um, kickoff 11:30 a.m. Moody Recital Hall, 2 p.m. Workplay. 8 p.m. Hall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m www.chucksfi sh.com CONCERT: The Dead- LECTURE: Twelve 2007 CONCERT: Silver Creek; Copper Top: 343-6867 DANCE ALABAMA!; string Brothers; Bama McNair Scholars present Rhythm-n-Brews The Crossroads: 553-2566 Morgan Auditorium, 7:30 Theatre, 8 p.m. original research; Heritage Downtown Pub: 750-0008 p.m. Runs through Oct. 19. Room, Ferguson Center, 6 Eganʼs Bar: 758-9413 p.m. www.myspace.com/egansbar HANSON CONCERT: Violinists The Exclusive: 343-6688 Annie Chalex and Peter Filling Station: 752-5985 Rovit, pianist Noel Enge- www.myspace.com/thefi llingstation bretson; Moody Concert Galletteʼs: 758-2010 Hall, 7:30 p.m The Houndstooth: 752-8444 www.houndstoothsportsbar.com Innisfree: 345-1199 www.myspace.com/innisfreepub If you or your organization have any events for the Scene calendar, e-mail Corey Craft at [email protected]. Jackieʼs Lounge: 758-9179 Jazziz Cʼs: 759-2133 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Jupiter Bar & Grill: 248-6611 LECTURE: Dr. Brian [ CRIMSON TIDE ] CRIMSON TIDE \ CRIMSON TIDE a Happy Birthday, s CONCERT: Edward d CONCERT: Univer- f www.jupiteronthestrip.com Atwater of the US VOLLEYBALL vs. SOCCER vs. Tennes- WOMEN’S GOLF, John Cleese! White Vocal Competi- sity of Alabama Honor The Legacy: 366-1215 Geological Survey will pres- Mississippi State; The see; Soccer Stadium, 7 p.m. Ann Rhoads Intercollegiate; tion; Moody Music Hall, Choir; Moody Concert Hall www.legacyonthestrip.com ent “The Orphan Tsunami CAVE, 7 p.m. Northriver Yacht Club, all 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. The Library: 366-0505 of 1700 - A Trans-Pacifi c READING: Bankhead Vis- day through Oct. 28. Detective Story.” Biology CONCERT: The Uni- iting Writers Series featuring CONCERT: Ben Harper Little Willieʼs: 366-0913 Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. versity of Alabama Fac- Alice Notley; Bama Theatre, CRIMSON TIDE and the Innocent Crimi- www.myspace.com/littlewillies ulty Combo featuring 7:30 p.m. MEN’S TENNIS, nals; Alabama Theatre in Mellow Mushroom: 758-0112 THEATRE: saxophonist Chris Merz; Crimson Tide Champion- Birmingham, 8 p.m. www.myspace.com/mellowmush “The Amen Moody Concert Hall, 7:30 CONCERT: Alabama Jazz ships; Tennis Stadium, all roomt_town Corner,” p.m. Ensemble; Moody Concert day through Oct. 28. Allen Bales Hall, 7:30 p.m. Michaelʼs Lounge: 758-9223 Theatre, 7:30 CONCERT: Cross Ca- EVENT: Rocky Horror Mugshots: 391-0572 p.m. Runs nadian Ragweed, Brantley CONCERT: Old Crow Masquerade Ball, including www.myspace.com/mugshotsgrilland through Oct. Gilbert; Jupiter Bar & Grill Medicine Show; Jupiter Bar costume contest; Alabama barlive 28. & Grill Theatre in Birmingham, 7 Rhythm-n-Brews: 750-2992 p.m. www.rhythmnbrews.com CONCERT: American Steveʼs Bar & Billards: 339-0745 Boychoir; Moody Concert Temerson Square Bar: 343-2229 Hall, 7 p.m. Vieux Carre Lounge: 758-8276 The Yellowhammer: 752-6330 CONCERT: Sam Thacker; Jupiter Bar & Grill www.myspace.com/theyellowhammer Happenings of 10.16.07 — 10.29.07 Happenings of 10.16.07 8 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE ■ Album picks | Oct. 16 and 23 ■ Whatʼs in your ears?

Y ALEB OHNSON Oct. 23 B C J ■ Joseph Hall THE SCENE CONTRIBUTOR [email protected] Serj Tankian — “Elect the Dead” Senior, advertising “Elect the Dead” sounds a lot like a Oct. 16 System of a Down album. This is not a bad thing, though. Sys- 1. “Fool in the Rain” Neil Young — “Chrome Dreams II” tem of a Down front- Neil Young compares “Chrome man Serj Tankian plays — Led Zeppelin Dreams II” to his clas- almost every instru- 2. “Time” — Pink Floyd sic album “After the ment on his solo de- Gold Rush.” This is but, which he recorded 3. “Psycho Killer” good news for Young during SOAD’s current — Talking Heads fans who were disap- hiatus, that began in August 2006. Expect pointed with his last hard rock songs with unusual melodies release, “Living with and lyrics about politics, war and oil. War.” “Chrome Dreams II” was recorded with Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina Ryan Adams and the Cardinals — ■ Jamie Tarleton and other Neil Young regulars with vin- “Follow the Lights EP” Junior, marketing tage recording equipment. It should only The most prolifi c songwriter in music add to Young’s impressive legacy. follows up his latest release “Easy Tiger” R.E.M. — “Live” (2 CDs, 1 DVD) with a seven-song EP 1. “The Man in Me” No, this two-disc album is not a new featuring two new — Bob Dylan studio album from the band that put Ath- songs. The EP also ens, Ga., on the map, but it is still worth includes a couple of 2. “Such a Night” your time. “Live” is live studio versions — Dr. John the band’s fi rst live re- of Adams’ songs and a previously unre- lease in its 20-plus year leased recording of the song “Blue Ho- 3. “I Feel Free” — Eric history. This is a must- tel.” Though Adams’ music can be hit Clapton have for any R.E.M. or miss, this EP defi nitely should not be fan. missed.

UAʼs biweekly source for entertainment news Show your school spirit — enter The

The Scene Scene photography contest today! Submit your photos related to the University or the Crimson Tide, and the fi nalists will see their photos published in an upcoming issue of The Scene, with the fi rst-place photo used on the cover.

Send all entries to editor Corey Craft at [email protected] by Nov. 2. Include name, year, major, a brief description of the photo and any relevant contact information. Offi ce of Student Media staff members are ineligible. THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | The Scene 9 ■ TCF ■ BROS Scene critics rate current fi lm releases Continued from page 5 Continued from page 5 Goodsell said much work is re- interested in American blues, coun- Corey Craft Phil Owen quired in putting a production like try, and rock ’n’ roll. Scene Editor Asst. Editor this together. “We’ve got our own scene happen- “The class has done a great job ing over there,” he said. of planning how the fi nal show will Along with three new musicians, look,” he said. “Silver Mountain” also showcases a “Michael Clayton” Goodsell said the production will new vocalist. Masha Marjieh, the lone make use of 12 cameras. female in the band, bursts out from “Eight cameras will have fi xed the background singing lead vocals “The Kingdom” positions with specifi c camera as- on some songs. signments and blocking,” he said. Marschke said he thinks Marjieh’s “And then we’ll have four hand-held voice is just too good to keep in the cameras where the operators will background any longer. “Resident Evil: have the freedom and creativity to “The way her voice sounds now Extinction” capture a moment on stage. After it it sounds like it should be sitting up is all said and done we’ll bring back there,” he said. tapes from all 12 cameras and cut it Even with three new members together.” in the band and shared lead vocals, “Eastern Promises” Part of that end product will be a “Silver Mountain” is not a depar- DVD release, which will include all ture from The Deadstring Brothers’ 14 songs of the performance, along sound. Some critics have compared “The Brave One” with rehearsal footage and a fea- their mixture of loose rock ’n’ roll turette about the band’s background. and blues to “Exile on Main Street”- The other part of the end product era Rolling Stones. will be a one-hour TV special that Marschke is slow to describe the “Shoot ʻem Up” will air on WVUA as well as some band’s sound, but he said “Silver possible ancillary markets. Good- Mountain” sounds like the album he sell said he expects the special will always wanted to make. “3:10 to Yuma” be shopped to European markets, “That’s the kind of vision I had where The Deadstring Brothers are for the band since the beginning,” he well-known. said. 10 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE Huxford explores ‘The Planets’

BY DREW TAYLOR perform at a very high standard,” Mc- Ratledge said though the choir is stands out as a timeless masterpiece. THE SCENE CONTRIBUTOR Creery said. “The orchestra is always not on stage during “The Planets,” “It was a very advanced kind of getting better.” its presence is felt within the move- writing for the era,” Ortiguera said. The Huxford Symphony Orches- ment as it mimics the sounds of an- “It is amazing how relevant it is.” tra, the only student orchestra in the Adding a different gels singing in the distance. The choir For him, Watts said the piece con- state, will continue with its second will sing during the fi nal movement jures vivid images of different plan- concert of the year, performing “The instrument to the mix of the piece titled “Neptune: The ets. Planets,” an orchestral piece written Mystic.” “It sounds like each planet,” Watts in the early 20th century by Gustav Not only is the orchestra playing a Joe Ortiguera, a doctoral student said. “There is one movement called Holst. “The Planets” is considered to new piece for this concert, but it will in the orchestra studying violin, said ‘Mars: The Bringer of War,’ and the be the cornerstone of Holst’s accom- also feature the choral stylings of the he enjoys the University Singers and music really captures the atmosphere University Singers. plishments as a composer. considers it a joy to play with them. of that concept of warcraft and bat- John Ratledge, director of choral The composition is divided into “It’s always fun when it goes be- tle.” activities, who is preparing the vo- seven pieces with each piece repre- yond an orchestration to a collabo- Watts further explained how “The cal arrangements for the University senting a different planet in the solar ration,” Ortiguera said. “We’re very Planets” is a much more complicated Singers for this collaboration, said system. All the planets are named ex- excited to present this.” piece than Beethoven’s “Symphony the addition of a choir to the orches- cept Earth and Pluto, which was not Matt Watts, principal of the or- No. 1,” which the orchestra per- discovered until 1930 and recently tra is a nice change of pace for “The chestra and a doctoral student, said formed at their fi rst concert of the was downgraded to a dwarf planet. Planets.” the fi nal movement of the piece is year Sept. 17. Carlton McCreery, the conductor “[The choir] is like another instru- serene and breathtaking with the ad- “It is a lot more complex than of the orchestra, said the orchestra ment in the orchestra. Beethoven did will be prepared to deliver an excep- it with ‘Fantasia,’” Ratledge said, re- dition of the Singers. Beethoven or even Brahms,” Watts tional performance come the night ferring to the sequence in the Disney “[The choir] has a very ethereal said. of the concert. fi lm that served as an interpretation quality to it,” Watts said. “It’s just cre- Ortiguera describes the style of “I have no doubt the orchestra will of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6.” ating new harmony and sound.” “The Planets” as “19th Century Dol- by Digital” in the way it is played and The importance of ‘The the way it sounds. “There are all of these aural effects Planets’ that encompass the piece,” Ortiguera said. “The Planets” was composed from 1914 to 1916 by acclaimed British composer Gustav Holst. ʻThe Planetsʼ Though “The Planets” is consid- Who: The University of Alabama ered to be his masterpiece, Holst Huxford Symphony Orchestra, with wrote other orchestral compositions, such as “A Winter Idyll,” “Indra” and guests University Singers “Songs of the West.” Holst wrote a When: Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. number of pieces for choir, opera and Where: Moody Concert Hall keyboard, and a number of hymns, as Cost: Free well. Ortiguera made specifi c note that Check out the rest of the story at www. The Scene | Adam Smith though this composition was writ- cw.ua.edu. Some members of the Huxford Symphony Orchestra brass section rehearse for the ensembleʼs performance of “The Planets.” ten 90 years ago, “The Planets” still THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | The Scene 11 ■ Guest column | Cheryl Hurley Submit to MFJ, win fame and fortune Half our mail comes addressed to the who’s-who for University of Ala- to get published? That way, when Marr’s Pond Journal. Marr’s Pond, bama talent. hottie x at party y asks you, “So what the sticky lake of murk with the sad, It’s all of those things and much do you do?”, you can tell them you’re wilting fountain in the middle of it more, but still, half our mail comes a published writer or artist. Now, behind the Ferguson Plaza. No, that’s addressed to Marr’s Pond Journal. didn’t that just make you about 10 not us. But I suppose if you asked any Who’s to blame for such a power- times more appealing? It did. Trust given person on campus, they prob- ful collection of undergraduate talent us. ably couldn’t tell you what we are. Al- being left with such a meek reputa- And the journal’s not just for writ- low me. tion on campus? We could make up ers and visual artists anymore. This “Marr’s Field Journal is the Univer- a lot of excuses, sure, but we learned year we’re including original music sity of Alabama’s only undergraduate quickly that that won’t get us far. We and video. We’re bringing it up to literary and arts magazine … ” That’s have no one to blame but ourselves. speed with the media and technology, what immediately rolls out of my That’s right. We’re taking the and it’s an exciting change. mind from what seems like infi nite blame. But, you see, the thing is, we So, it seems you have every reason repetition. It sounds good on paper, don’t want to have to keep being re- to submit to Marr’s Field Journal and but, really, MFJ is a lot more than sponsible for long. In fact, we feel no reason not to. We can’t wait to that. something as someone else: to look at that once you see the journal, that’ll hear from you and see what you’ve Marr’s Field Journal is where you a girl or a bunch of grapes as some- be all the convincing you’ll need, and got. So grab your bottle of wine and go to read what all those strangers you one else did, if only for a split second, we’ll be off the hook. Once you hold make us something great, and then e- pass on campus write secretly in their long enough to take a photograph. in your own hands the poetry, prose mail it to me at [email protected]. bedrooms late at night, maybe with It’s seeing what we can’t usually see, and art of other students you pass on And for those who prefer to just a bottle of wine. You can use your the inner workings of someone else’s campus everyday, we’re pretty confi - enjoy, get yourself a journal. Visit us imagination. It’s where you who write mind. Maybe it’s made up of kalei- dent you’ll be quickly converted. at www.mfj.ua.edu, order a copy (you secretly in your bedrooms late at night, doscopic swirls, maybe it’s a big splat But we’ve got something else you can use your student account!), and maybe with a bottle of wine, submit of black ink on a fl ushed red canvas. want: Fame! Fortune! A long and fi nd out what you’ve been missing. your creations for those strangers you Whatever it is; it could be anything. healthy life! Well, I’m not terribly pass on campus to read. It’s the MySpace.com of the liter- confi dent I can legally promise you Cheryl Hurley is the editor of Marr’s Field It’s a chance to literally see ary and artistic scene on campus. It’s the last two, but who wouldn’t want Journal. 12 The Scene | October 16, 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE ■ Movie preview: Oct. 19 and 26 ■ DVD picks: Oct. 16 and 23

BY COREY CRAFT new fi lm directed by Ben Affl eck and BY COREY CRAFT Howard Hughes in the 1970s and THE SCENE EDITOR based on the novel by Dennis Le- THE SCENE EDITOR became the center of a media mael- [email protected] hane. It’s a classic detective story in [email protected] strom. Gere is the vein of “Mystic River” (also from good, as is costar Oct. 19 Lehane), and it stars Casey Affl eck, Oct. 16 Alfred Molina, Michelle Monaghan and the always- but the movie To help get everyone in the Hal- reliable Morgan Freeman and Ed One of the biggest movies of the never fi nds its loween spirit, debatably the biggest Harris. I love detective mysteries, and year, Michael Bay’s “Transform- footing, shifting release this week- I hope both Affl ecks fi nally live up to ers,” hits DVD quickly today. One tones left and end is “30 Days their potential with this one. wonders how right and never of Night,” a story And if Bay’s high-oc- deciding if it’s a about vampires you’re in the tane, explosive paranoid drama wreaking havoc in mood to see robot action or a light-hearted “Catch Me If You an Alaskan town in more Halle will translate Can”-style comedy. a period of constant Berry histri- to the small darkness. It’s a great onics (as if screen (or not- Oct. 23 concept, and it’s an- “Monster’s so-small, be- chored by a strong Ball” didn’t cause some of If you like sequels that are ex- cast (including Josh Hartnett, Ben fi ll that dubious quota for at least you have some actly the same as the fi lm that pre- Foster and Danny Huston) and a another decade), you may want to really big TVs). ceded it, look no further than the director, David Slade, coming off check out “Things We Lost in the One may also wonder if the fi lm execrable “Hostel: Part II,” the one of the darkest, most unpleasant Fire,” which teams up this decade’s holds up on repeat viewings, but as fi lm that may have single-handedly movies I’ve ever seen: “Hard Candy.” most undeserving Best Actress win- someone who saw the fi lm twice in killed the “torture horror” genre. I have high hopes for this. ner with the extremely talented Beni- theaters, I will tell you that it does “Hostel: Part II” doesn’t say any- A political thriller from the director cio Del Toro in a story about death not; the action is terrifi c, but one thing the previous fi lm didn’t, apart of “Tsotsi,” “Rendition” is a hot- and drug addiction. Life lessons are can only put up with two-dimen- from a distracting subplot looking button war on terror ensemble drama no doubt learned. sional uninteresting humans for so at the business- about a woman (Reese Witherspoon) long. men who pay to whose Arab-Canadian husband is Oct. 26 Horror fans can fi nally rent the torture and the detained by Hilary Swank fi lm “The Reaping,” added “bonus” the CIA on As the dubious advertisements say but only if they haven’t already that the victims suspicions (in a grammatically incorrect fash- seen “The Exorcist,” “Rosemary’s are now women. of terror- ion), “If it’s Baby” or any of the other religious So now we can ism. The Halloween horror fi lms this look at their na- fi lm costars ... it must be one so liberally ked bodies while Jake Gyllen- SAW.” Must borrows from. they scream and haal as a CIA agent assigned to the it be? I’m This isn’t a bad fl ail and die, right? I wish I could man’s case, Alan Arkin as a govern- not sure that movie; Swank fl ick this movie off. ment offi cial of some sort, and Meryl anyone left is good in a role The independent horror-comedy Streep as the hard-hearted politician “Saw III” begging for another go- standard for this “Fido” is released today as well. willing to detain the man indefi nitely. round, but if you did, here is “Saw sort of mov- It’s an amusing fi lm about a boy Early word has been IV,” somehow picking up the story ie, but it does and his zombie, set in an alternate mixed, as most of the notorious killer Jigsaw again rather meander 1950s where zombies have been moviegoers prob- (surprising after the events of the toward its predictable conclusion. domesticated and work as house- ably won’t appreci- last fi lm). These are the damnedest Still, as far as modern horror fi lms hold servants. With a talented cast ate a civics lesson in things; I don’t like these movies very go, you could do worse. that includes Dylan Baker and Car- place of a story. much, but I still see them all (usually And Richard Gere stars in “The rie-Anne Moss, this is worth check- I’ve been eagerly on DVD). This may be the fi rst one Hoax,” a fl at but interesting fi lm ing out for fans of, say, “Shaun of awaiting “Gone I see in theaters, and do you know about Clifford Irving, an author the Dead” or other humorous takes Baby Gone,” a why? Because if you do, tell me. who wrote a fake autobiography of on the zombie genre.

monday night Football taco night

Tuesday night happy hour El Rincon Latino Bar & Grill THE CRIMSON WHITE October 16, 2007 | The Scene 13 ■ A word from the editor A hit before your mother was born Over the fall break, myself and the missus took some time away from working on this issue of The Scene and we went to the movies. I’m sure all of you who know me have dropped the issue in shock at this point. We mapped out a double-feature, and then saw “Michael Clayton” (a terrifi c fi lm) and “Across the Uni- verse,” director Julie Taymor’s psy- chedelic ’60s musical featuring en- Corey Craft tirely the songs of The Beatles. And when I say “entirely,” I mean [email protected] that the fi lm is centered around this music. The plot takes random hind doing covers of songs. But the detours occasionally to reference problem is — no matter how respect- Beatles songs, and its characters per- ful the band’s intentions — a lot of form covers of some of their most the time, covers just suck. And God well-known music, like “Hey Jude” help those artists who are just trying or “Helter Skelter,” all furthering the to cash in on the names of better art- fi lm’s message of peace and accep- ists. tance and love and all that other hip- You won’t catch me saying that pie nonsense. Madonna tried to cover “American I’ll reserve my judgment of the Pie” with respectful intentions, but I fi lm (as I suspect I’ll be writing a re- don’t even think that song is particu- view for The Crimson White sooner larly great, and it didn’t deserve that. or later — just keep an eye out for it), Britney Spears tried to cover The but the missus hated the movie like Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) the plague. Satisfaction,” and it turned out much “I hated it from the beginning,” like you’d expect. And Hilary Duff, she told me, referring to the fi rst 20 upon covering The Who’s “My Gen- seconds, in which our hero starts eration,” changed a key lyric — from a slower tempo version of “Girl,” “I hope I die before I get old” to “I “and then I warmed up to it a little hope I don’t die before I get old” — bit as it went on. But no. It was still thus completely altering the meaning terrible. And I can’t believe you have of the song. nice things to say about it. Your opin- But it’s not a terrible practice nec- ion as a movie critic is now worthless. essarily. Jimi Hendrix took “All Along Get out of the car, you’re walking the Watchtower” from Bob Dylan, home.” and Dylan thanked him for it. I’m My girlfriend’s opinion of the mov- pretty fond of Jenny Lewis’ cover ie as being of sub-“Norbit” quality of the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle stems from the changes made to The with Care.” That’s scratching the sur- Beatles’ music. Some of the covered face, to say the least. songs have different tempos, different And there have been some damn instrumentations and poor choices as good Beatles covers from artists as to who is singing those songs. Bono varied as Elliott Smith (“Because”), makes a cameo as a Ken Kesey-type Sarah McLachlan (“Blackbird”) LSD guru, and his performance of and Fiona Apple (“Across the Uni- “I Am the Walrus,” for example, is verse”). terrible, as the song is slowed down After seeing the movie, though, and I’m not sure what to make of it. this interests me. What are your fa- (It is kind of cool hearing Joe Cocker vorite covers? What are those covers cover “Come Together,” though.) that you fi nd so abhorrent compared But it led me to consider the con- to the original that they make your cept of covers as a whole. I don’t ears bleed? I’d like to hear from you. need to condescend to you, as I’m Send me an e-mail or comment on sure you understand the reasons be- this story on the CW Web site. THINK CHIC. THINK SOLO. 1520 mcfarland blvd. 205.366.1299 www.soloboutiqueinc.com BRING AD IN FOR 15% OFF TOTAL PURCHASE NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS OR PRIOR PURCHASES OFFER EXPIRES October 1, 2007