November Issue by Encore

the equations

Ben Varela

the goodly gramarian

16 JOHNOFTHEDEAD 19 20 25 luna says 28

Dear faithful readers,

for the readers

We have spent half a year together so far, and I am so thankful! Thankfulness is such a great feeling, it usually happens when you need it the most and someone comes along and gives you the positive push to ignite the flame inside of you again. This month we give thanks to our featured artists, Ben Varela whose “alagoric iconography” depicts his journey in life and those he is thankful for, The Equations, local power pop band, whose Brotherly Love is a formula for good tunes,and good times. Also we get to know Chef “Jimmy” exe Chef of Cimmarron and founder of Rgv Iron Chef Food Fight I would also like to give thanks to you, our devoted readers, for your avid readership and support. Special thanks to all my family and friends! Art is a living Organism that Must be Nutured in order to grow!!

Sincerely -Daniel Wright

enCORE Staff: PUBLISHER Daniel Reid Wright EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stefania Trimboli COPY EDITOR Joelle Pearson CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT John Justice ART DIRECTOR Daniel Wright CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTORS Jennifer Vasquez Art Rodriquez

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Sketcher Cruise David “GONZO’ Gonzalez John Justice Cale Johnson John Leal CONTACT INFORMATION

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try and I try, ever so hard, ever so diligently, to become a professional and accomplished visual artist. Unfortunately, it has never felt like my calling. I accept that I’m a little too impatient to meticulously perfect every detail of my artistic creations. Still, it’s sad to feel like you’re giving up on a dream. It was during a bout with this artistic hopelessness that I discovered the ancient art of mandala making, and the way they are analogous to life. Mandalas are a very old art form that have significance in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Today, they’re most commonly made by monks (including the Dalai Lama) who painstakingly place thousands of grains of colored sand on a large square board. The board is divided to represent the eight primary directions in which one can travel, much like a compass. A simple shape is created and then repeated in all eight sections of the board. This spinning motion creates a complex interwoven circular shape, which is why the original Sanskrit word mandala literally translates to the word “circle.” I was enthralled by the idea that very simple repeated shapes can create something so intricate and beautiful. It’s a very mathematical process; (A x 8) + (B x 8) + (C x 8) and so on. Even though a completed mandala may look like a very talented artist pored over it for hours with great precision and accuracy, there’s really not that much artistic talent required. Mandalas have a way of growing themselves. Don’t get me wrong, there is a high degree of skill involved in making official religious mandalas such as the ones made by The Dalai Lama and

music

JOHN JUSTICE DISCUSSES THE ART OF

L-I-V-I-N-G

his followers. But the concept of mandala making is very forgiving. There are no wrong shapes, no bad decisions. You just have to feel it. Anything repeated enough times will make a complex pattern. Mandalas speak to me because so many hours of my life have been wasted worrying about making the “right” choices. I always used to wonder what other people would think if I do this or that. But in reality, life is just a series of small choices. Some choices can feel inherently right or wrong, but most of our choices are simple. They can seem insignificant only if we don’t have the right perspective. As we go about our day, we gradually draw more and more small shapes with our choices. Every day our mandalas are slowly growing, larger and larger. When we look back on our life, it can seem so complex and confusing; we may not know how we got to the place we find ourselves in today. We also might hate the patterns we’ve created. But mandalas also illustrate impermanence. When it’s all said and done, even the most complex and beautiful mandalas are erased, wiped clean by their creators. We can start over at any time. There’s no need to feel trapped, or to feel like we have to force ourselves to identify with the shapes we’ve created thus far. Our boards will always be wiped clean now and again by some life-altering event. Don’t worry about the future or dwell on the past, but focus on the shapes you’re creating right this instant. Be proud of them, and from now on, draw your mandala on purpose.

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by SKETCHER CRUISE

I can’t unfold the layers of mystery or piece together the tragedy of history, but I can school on some of the most under-appreciated musicians of the 90s. The Presidents of the United States of America’s (PUSA) selftitled album is one I can never apologize for, though it definitely was not for everybody. The 90s and the grunge era is my favorite musical time period. In the middle of all this angst and depression was PUSA, a band that couldn’t help but make you happy. Their energy was undeniable, and the passion they had for the simple act of playing it was inescapable. They played it on their terms—the two founding members played on a basitar and guitbass. Not familiar with these? Don’t be surprised. Each had three guitar and two bass strings, allowing them to play both guitar and bass simultaneously. It amazes me how they were able to get all that sound out of those instruments, but PUSA believed in teamwork. This worked well for them. Since they were always on the same page their music was always in sync, resulting in a well-polished sound that had the feel and the fun of a garage band. The simple joy they felt making the album is conveyed well. Sure, the lyrics are not the most meaningful, but they leave a lot to the imagination. The album had two commercially successful songs: Lump, a song about the lead singer’s bout with pneumonia, and Peaches, their version of a love song for an old crush. Then there are songs like Boll Weevil. The bass line enters like some old-school funk, and you can’t help but play air bass along. You may find yourself singing until mid-song, when you realize how ridiculous these lyrics are. But you don’t care. PUSA brings listeners back with the opening of Body. Small, nuanced changes thrown at you leave your curiosity piqued. Your patience is rewarded with Back Porch, where your foot starts stomping and you suddenly think the washboard may be the coolest instrument ever. Throw in a jug or two and you have yourself a good old-fashioned hoedown. The album oscillates with ease, and it begs for a listen the whole way through. Skipping around dodges the musical journey PUSA is trying to create. Though this album went triple platinum, I hardly know anybody personally that has owns it. So if you missed it, remember: this album is just flat-out fun. IPS

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Send Album Requests to facebook.com/sketcher.cruise

MUSIC

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Carving a niche and maintaining their roots...

y heart is filled with warmth, and my brain is filled with variations of the Mega Man theme song. No, not because I’ve been reminiscing about my Nintendo-filled childhood, but because I’ve just spent the last few hours with Mercedes-based recording artists, The Equations. By far the most fun-loving group I’ve had the chance to interview, Mibo, Robert, Rigo and Ed have carved out a very original niche in our local music scene. A selfproclaimed mix of power pop, new wave, alternative rock and “sleepycore,” The Equations certainly aren’t confined to just one sound. I’m always impressed that all four members have full-time jobs, yet make the time to come together and create original music. When I asked Robert why he makes such an effort to play music he said, “I love entertaining people, even if I (only) make them laugh ‘cause I look like a fool with the bass, moving around a lot.” It’s this kind of attitude and drive to perform that sets The Equations apart from other local bands. If The Equations were running next to you in the Olympics and you tripped,

MUSIC

there’s a pretty good chance they’d stop to help you up. They’d also, no doubt, make a handful of jokes about themselves running to make you feel better, too. The world is filled with too many bands trying to make it to “the top,” or be someone besides who they really are. The Equations have the courage to be themselves. Not only do they create music full of lyrical depth and artistic expression, but they also manage to sustain a subtle homegrown feeling, and this authentic overtone permeates their tracks. The Equations are definitely a band worth checking out for your self. The unique live environment at their shows will be reward enough for your trip to see them. If you haven’t seen them live, they’ll be playing next at “Fiesta De Los Muertos” on Jackson on November 5th You can also check out a few of their tracks, as well as get your fill of The Equations’ info on Facebook @ facebook.com/ equations. Be on the lookout for their latest album, Prepare To Fire, getting ready to drop in mid-Nov.

Facebook @ facebook.com/equations

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Ben Varela It’s difficult to talk to

about Ben Varela. He’s disinterested in discussing himself—he feels it’s his duty to promote others he has worked with or who have influenced him. This selfless promotion is what makes Varela so interesting; his work reflects these same concepts, and they come alive on his easel. Since arriving in the Rio Grande Valley,

Varela has been a mainstay of the local art scene. He is affiliated with the Narciso Martinez Cultural Center in San Benito and co-curated the exhibit Graphico Popular En Chicago in June 2006. He is also a member of the Harlingen Art Forum and teaches art at UTPA and STC. Varela is known for his unmistakable style, which uses dots and patterns to depict a personal iconography, or

“alagorical iconography”.

They are based on certain events or images that relate to what he is trying to portray in each piece. Varela lights up when discussing these symbols, as they arouse some of the same memories that

he had when creating them. He feels that the “power of the image” gives meaning to his work. Varela uses images ranging from flying turtles to checkered horses, cats, giraffes and “casitas” with faces (giving observers some insight into his cultural background). These images remind Varela of things that, in his mind, personify the subject of his work. Some images Varela uses (and his detectable accent) hint at his New York upbringing. He was born in Brooklyn, and lived there shortly before moving to Puerto Rico with his family. Much of his paintings carry the influences of his childhood in both environments. As he grew older, his father was unconvinced that he should pursue a career in art. So, like any rebellious youngster, Varela set out to Wisconsin to attend art school. Much to his father’s chagrin, Varela’s large abstract print, or monotypes, would eventually be displayed in the Bronx Museum. In the 80s, Varela moved to Chicago and was a member of the respected Mexican Printmaking Workshop. During this period, he made monotypes and worked alongside many prominent artists, like

Carlos Cortez

, that

made a lasting impression on him, through technique and ideology.

After accepting a job in Kingsville, TX doing monotypes, he received his BA in Fine Arts from Texas A&M-Kingsville. Eventually, he received his master’s degree from UTPA Edinburgh in 2005. In most areas Varela visits, he leaves behind some of his work to be displayed for public viewing. In Texas, it was left at the Museum of South Texas History in Corpus Christi. His work acts as breadcrumbs left behind, giving observers a glimpse into where he has been and his influences to that point. Perhaps they are a personal reminder about who he is and where he comes from. Varela remembers the names of acquaintances, places he has been and organizations he’s worked under with an uncanny

accuracy. His remarkable memory aids his impressive efforts at symbolism, making his style and technique unique and his experiments with color inspiring. The small details of Varela’s work make it unique. Perhaps, the artist feels as though the individuals he wishes to promote are the small details that make him who he is. Like his work, which is comprised of small details that make up a whole, he wants his audience to appreciate each of them as much as they do him. After all, each symbol represents a memory, each color a different mood and all represent the influences that make Ben Varela. Like his work, it is all in the details.

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Film

The Jerk Dir: Carl Reiner (1979) The Jerk is the godfather of comedies, centered around the adventures of its lovable but idiotic heroes. It paved the way and served as inspiration for other comedy classics like Joe Dirt, Talladega Nights, and Dumb and Dumber. Steve Martin, in his very first lead role in a feature film, stars as Navin Johnson. Raised believing he is a poor black child (yes, you read that right)of a sharecropping family in St. Louis, he struggles to find his place in the world when he discovers he’s white. Navin decides to step out of his sheltered life and find fame and fortune. The film’s rags to riches to rags story was a box office hit when it was first released, jumpstarting Martin’s acting career. The Jerk deserves its place with other classic comedies of the era, which should never be forgotten. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Dir: Jake Kasdan (2007) Of Judd Apatow’s comedies, Walk Hard is often overlooked, though highly entertaining and underrated. It’s a musical parody lambasting almost every recent musician biopic, most notably Walk the Line and Ray. The film follows Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) throughout his illustrious career in music. Despite his humble beginnings, he rises to top of the charts and becomes one of the greatest figures in rock n’ roll history. The film’s soundtrack is pulled from Dewey’s hits, (impressively performed by Reilly himself), and provide several of the film’s bright spots. The film’s impressive supporting cast and cameos (including Ghostface Killah and Eddie Vedder) don’t hurt either. Though it delves frequently into the slapstick humor popularized by the Naked Gun series and Airplane, Walk Hard is able find its own rhythm and style, distinguishing itself in this comedy subgenre. It will have you laughing and singing along with the on-screen absurdity to the closing credits. Captain Ron Dir: Thom Eberhardt (1992) Don’t let a low critical rating online (21% on Rotten Tomatoes) because, while slightly flawed, Captain Ron is a favorite comedy for many and has gained a large cult following as well. When Martin Harvey (Martin Short) learns he has just inherited a sailing yacht from his uncle, he decides to take his family on a sailing adventure through the Caribbean to Miami, where they’ll sell the boat. However, after discovering the yacht in disrepair, they then learn they will be guided by Captain Ron (Kurt Russell), a local long-haired sea captain with one eye whose decorum and conduct begin to drive the ‘Boss’ (Short) insane. Russell largely carries the film with his outlandish performance as the loveable loser Captain Ron (reminiscent of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow), delivering many hilarious one-liners throughout the film.

Black Dynamite Dir: Scott Sanders (2009) Somewhere between Shaft and Austin Powers, Black Dynamite is a hilarious satire of the blaxploitation films popularized in the 1970s. When Black Dynamite (Arsenio Hall), a former CIA agent, kung fu master, ladies man and the baddest motha’ around, discovers his brother has been killed by local drug gangs, it’s open season on any jive turkey who gets in his way. With his license to kill renewed and a score to settle, Black Dynamite swears to clean up the streets and defend the community against ‘The Man’, no-good drug dealers and kung fu treachery. Keep your eye out for the small, intentional and often hilarious ‘mistakes’. riddling the film as an homage to the genre that the filmmakers are both spoofing and paying tribute to. Shaun of the Dead Dir: Edgar Wright (2004) While initially slipping under the radar in the U.S., this British horror-comedy about a zombie outbreak has become a cult classic that will delight fans of both genres (and inspired many zombiecomedies to follow). Though many London neighborhoods begin slowly slipping into violence and chaos, dimwitted pals Shaun (Simon Pegg) and Ed (Nick Frost) seem oblivious of the news, content to sit on the couch playing video games until the undead are literally breaking down their doors. Shaun finally takes charge to protect his friends, family and recently ex-girlfriend from the oncoming zombie hoard closing in around them, but not before having a nice stop at the local pub for a pint first!

JOHN OF THE DEAD Title: The Forbidden Door Deck: Joko Anwar fuses horror with intrigue in this disturbingly fresh Indonesian film. Dir: Joko Anwar (2009) Cast: Fachry Albar, Marsha Timothy, Ario Bayu, Tio Pakusodewo, Henidar Amroe, Verdi Solaiman, Putri Sukardi, Ade Firza Paloh, Atiqah Hasiholan

When I read about this piece, I immediately sent this to the top of my “must see” list due to its intriguing storyline, expertly executed by Indonesian writer/ director Joko Anwar. While The Forbidden Door suffered limited exposure and won no major awards aside from Special Jury Price at Jakarta International Film Festival 2009, this creative and engaging piece is one of the best horror films I have recently seen—one last decade’s best.. Gambir (Fachry Albar) lives a life that most would dream to live. He is a renowned sculptor, has a beautiful wife and lives comfortably in a beautiful home. Soon enough, Gambir’s life is thrown into shambles when he begins receiving strange pleas for help from an unknown source. Indonesian horrors can be less cliché than the popular horror we receive from other Asian countries, exemplified by The Forbidden Door. Just under two hours in length, pacing was crucial. However, it didn’t suffer the long runtime woes that normally haunt Asian films. The Forbidden Door defied all odds, giving me one enjoyable hell of an experience. The expertly crafted storyline blends horror and drama as Gambir rummages through what seems to be a perfect life. We discover it’s one plagued with abortions and erectile dysfunction, among other lessthan-favorable things (in his eyes). This worsens when he begins receiving odd messages from someone begging for help. They eventually develop into to a plot-changing twist when he comes across a secret organization dealing with masochistic desires—ugly, but engaging. It contains some hard to watch material. While these scenes were not for children’s eyes they were not cheap nor lacking substance, just scenes that can hit very close to home (especially if you’ve ever been a young boy).

The tension builds and builds as Gambir comes closer to solving the mystery behind the organization, leading him to another development that raises interest to supreme levels. This final development delivers one of the most awesome final sequences in any horror film, which takes its sweet time thanks Joko Anwar’s excellence as a filmmaker and leaves the viewer mentally and physically gasping for air. Anwar’s direction compliments his storyline. The beautiful cinematography comes with bright and vibrant colors, a joyful break from the gritty and gloomy cinematography that we usually encounter in Asian horror. The performances are solid and not over-exaggerated, and this played very well into the numerous tension-filled situations thrown into this piece, especially the final sequence. Anwar’s direction is superb. He draws out the scenes and tortures viewers as they observe the tortured, with heavy loads of gore at just the right times. This really could have been a thriller piece based on the story alone, but Anwar ensured otherwise with his spinetingling execution. Overall, The Forbidden Door is a highly recommended Indonesian effort with a storyline that gives us a very unique experience. It’s well-written and with plenty of horror to offset and complement the drama. Anwar’s direction is equally amazing, giving us a full-frontal approach to the well-executed horror sequences that set this film apart from most of what I have seen in recent time.

Rating: 8/10

www.johnofthedead.com

FOOD

Meet Chef Santiago De La Cruz “Jimmy” Executive Chef The Club at Cimarron

Bio: Chef “Jimmy” founded the RGV Iron Chef Food Fight in 2008 to benefit non-profit organizations, and to showcase local chefs and their talents, and promote the restaurants where they work. This year is also the 2nd year he is doing a Cake Decorating Challenge to the event where a few cake decorators come and show off there skills in front of the attending guest as they compete for the Best Cake Decorator of the RGV. Executive Chef De La Cruz has been overseeing the culinary department at The Club at Cimarron since 2007. His style of cuisine is a Mixology of world cuisines. With over 24 years of culinary experience, Chef De La Cruz served as chef for the four-star/fourdiamond Woodlands Resort in the Houston area of Texas, Aberdeen Woods Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa,“The Ultimate Hideout”, in West Texas, and various prestigious Country Clubs in San Antonio. He attended culinary school along with an apprenticeship program with the Texas Chefs Association (TCA) and the nationally accredited American Culinary Federation (ACF). Chef De La Cruz began his career at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, where he studied with the German Certified Executive Chef Paul Rossmeier. Chef De La Cruz continues to add to his experience by keeping up with culinary trends at ACF Chef conferences and continuing education at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). In 2008 & 2010 Chef De La Cruz was awarded a chance to attend and to participate in the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California, where a select few ClubCorp chefs from all over the country go for continuing education and to compete. Chef De La Cruz placed first in one of the two Iron Chef competitions in 2008. He also made his presence felt in 2010 by creating dishes that were admired by the participating top chefs of the company and the instructors of the Culinary Institute. This year 2011 he entered Heinz “Signature Burger Challenge” and was awarded the Most Creative Grand Prize Winner with his dish Bacon Onion Burger with Peach Brulee Skewer.

Chef Jimmy’s well wishes to the 2011 Iron Chef Food Fight Competitors “May all the culinary cooking gods be with each and every one of you chefs. There can only be one champion on this particular day, but putting your best into this competition and letting it shine is something that no one can take away from you. Triumph because it is for a good cause and come back next year and do it all again until you get it right and never stop trying to reach for the top.”

The perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing, this simple compote will add just the right amount of sweetness and tartness to your meal. Fig and Cranberry Compote 1 12oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries (3 1/2 cups) 5oz dried Mission figs, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup) 1/3 cup honey (if you don’t have honey, granulated sugar) 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, figs, honey, cardamom, cinnamon, orange juice and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool. Serve at room temperature. This compote can be made ahead up to 3 days in advance; refrigerate, covered. Bring to room temperate before serving.

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the goodly gramarian

by Joelle Pearson

n 2008, Vampire Weekend (New-York’s favorite prep-schoolers turned musicians) released its much-loved self-titled debut. The latent hipster in me delighted in the music; however, the grammarian in me was befuddled by the lyrics. In their third single, “Oxford Comma,” front man Ezra Koenig sweetly sings: “Who gives a *&%! about an Oxford comma? I’ve seen those English dramas, too. They’re cruel.” I tip my hat to Koenig’s bourgeois reference. It’s true! Most don’t know what an Oxford comma is, and even more people, well, don’t give a *&%! either. After all, it’s just a little comma--why should it matter? Yet this seemingly small mechanical preference is a hotly debated topic amongst editors. When you understand what an Oxford comma is, you’ll understand why you should give a *&%! about it. What is an Oxford Comma? An Oxford comma (also called “serial comma”) is the or last comma separating elements in a list: I like turkey, peanut butter, and Swiss cheese sandwiches. (The comma following “peanut butter” is the Oxford comma). It is very clear, in this sentence, that the speaker enjoys three distinct sandwiches. …And, why should I care? Many publications--such as newspapers —do not use the Oxford comma. They would write the previous example as such: I like turkey, peanut butter and Swiss cheese sandwiches. But here is where the Oxford comma is crucial. Since a comma does not separate “peanut butter” and “Swiss cheese”, does the speaker mean that she enjoys a cheesy, peanut-buttery snack? Of course not! But the lack of comma suggests we could combine the last two list elements. And if she sent this reply to a hostess of a potluck, the hostess will say, “Don’t bother bringing those nasty sounding sandwiches. Your taste offends me.” Employing an Oxford comma would have saved our speaker from humility and our hostess from disgust.

Still not convinced? Joelle Pearson is a freelance writer Consider the following (very possible) example, sent to and the Associate Editor of Austin me from a former professor and technical writer: Woman Magazine. With the Oxford Comma: We invited the strippers, She finds joy in grammar, and yes, Stalin, and JFK. even reads Strunk and White. “What a fun party! I’d love to chat with JFK and Stalin and see some strippers dance.” You can see more of her writing at Without the Oxford Comma: We invited the strippers, Stalin and JFK. flavors.me/joellepearson. “Wait, strippers dressed like Stalin and JFK? Sounds horrifying! I’d rather stay at home tonight.” It’s important to be aware of the trauma that this comma’s absence can cause. Whether you’re writing a term paper or an email, consider what the world would be like without the Oxford comma.

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advice

luna says

dearluna

I have worked hard all my life and I’m able to get myself most of what I want and need. Yet, it is not enough. I just want this icky feeling of not enough to go away. My dear friends, My eyes opened at 4:58 AM this morning and you know, when you have to get up at 6AM every day, getting up late on the weekends is quite the reward. Needless to say, I couldn’t go back to sleep and I felt myself getting very annoyed and upset for being up so early. The only thing that would alleviate this with much success would be a nice, fresh cup of coffee. The house was quiet, an unusual event here because the music is always on and there is always a conversation or two occurring. I fought the instinct to turn on any entertainment appliance and decided to sit with me for a bit. As always, it is in that silence that Wise Spirit speaks to me. I was listening diligently the way I do, because Spirit always has messages, we just have to make time for them. It was then I realized that I have been dissatisfied with my life lately – but how could that be? I have everything I need and more. It is then that the veil was lifted. That feeling of dissatisfaction comes from losing touch with Spirit. Spirit is like a mirror that reflects light, but when it’s dusty, it cannot shine so I got myself up from the space I was in and went for a long walk to dust off my mirror. I dusted it by contemplating how much I have to be grateful for, even when I don’t get everything that I want. I trusted that if I don’t have it, it is not for my best life. Maybe it’s not for my best life NOW. The more I walked, the more I was thankful and the more I dusted. By the end of that long walk, life seemed much brighter and my perspective had changed. I was grateful to be up so early, I was grateful for the time I had with my Divine Self and I was grateful for what I had and didn’t have. It is wise to trust the process of life because we merely see with our limited human eyes but Spirit sees with wise, Divine eyes. So, my dear readers, I suggest that for today, you shed some of the comforts and distractions of your life. Go for a walk, a run, sit under a tree, put your feet in a river, climb a tree, do something to spend time with yourself. Stop thinking and talking, and listen to your Wise Self, your Divine Spirit. Most of all, be grateful for everything that you are. Be open to receive all that is in the world for you: the love, the peace, the guidance, the failures, the triumphs – the abundance of everything good. Remember, the window for this abundance is gratefulness. On this Thanksgiving day, I share one of my favorite recipes from a wonderful Spiritual chef, Iyanla Vanzant. I encourage you to try it:

1 Mind full of positive vision

1 Moment of openness

1 Second of willingness

I am looking forward to reading your thoughts, opinions or questions. In this safe space, know that you are welcome to talk and share about any concerns or issues that life brings. Together, we can learn from each other and help each other understand our Divine truth. You can e-mail me at Lunasays@hotmail.com. 28

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