Arizona Daily Wildcat
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Justyn Dillingham Arts Editor 520•621•3106 arts@wildcat.arizona.edu
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Rock legends hold summit INSIDE Pynchon dabbles in detectives Cheese, coffee hits at festival dailywildcat.com/wildlife
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wednesday, september ,
UA should be happy to have ‘Red Velvet,’ eat it too By Anna Swenson Arizona Daily Wildcat Red Velvet Cupcakery, the new confectionery on University Boulevard , adds a sprinkling of exactly what the UA needed in late night dessert options: class, sophistication and killer cupcakes. So when icy fro-yo in a Styrofoam cup just isn’t working for you, wander past Main Gate Square on the north side of University Boulevard until you are hypnotized by the unmistakable smell of butter cream frosting. The company’s third location, the other two are in Washington, D.C., opened for business Sept. 19. There was skepticism at the sign for a new bakery opening where Salud Spa Bar used to be. While there’s not really such a
Ashlee Salamon/Arizona Daily Wildcat
A row of Southern Belle cupcakes entices customers at Red Velvet Cupcakery located at 943 E. University Blvd.
thing as a bad cupcake, a really good one is hard to find. The small shop is simple and pretty, with bare concrete floors paired with red accents, glass
tables and the cursive Red Velvet logo . The staff is friendly and helpful, and the cupcake CUPCAKES, page B6
Performers at UA pursue arts, follow hearts despite setbacks
Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Above: Ariana Brawley, a dance and communications junior, warms up and stretches during resident artist Sam Watson’s Modern Dance class on Monday in the Ina E. Gittings building. Brawley has been dancing since the age of 12 and realizes that she will probably have to take on a supplementary job in addition to dancing to support herself. Left: Music senior Evan Runyon plays the bass several hours per day to improve his craft.
By Anna Swenson Arizona Daily Wildcat Many of us wanted to be actors or rock stars when we were young. You might have dreamed of being a prima ballerina or the next Justin Timberlake. While most of us moved on to more practical passions, for thousands of students pursuing art at the UA, that dream has never changed. One actress, one dancer, and two musicians all spoke of pursuing passion and creative release. For Evan Runyon, the choice to pursue music wasn’t a childhood dream, but something that came later. “It was more of a lack of any skill in traditional jobs,” he said.“I had no real talent for or interest in computers or administration,” he explained. “I knew I had to do something creative and Emily Jones/Arizona Daily Wildcat
also something self-directed.” The music senior, who plays the string bass several hours per day to improve his craft, plans to attend graduate school on the East Coast when he graduates. Though it is often difficult for classically trained musicians to find work, he has a positive take on his pursuit. “You can’t delude yourself as a musician — it’s always a buyers’ market,” he said. “There are always going to be fewer jobs available than people looking for them.” Runyon’s advice to younger students considering a career in the arts: “Be prepared to really not be truly appreciated by most of society.” When asked if the economic downturn made him re-evaluate his chosen career path, Runyon said that isn’t a concern of his. “One of the most rich times for music in the United States
was the Depression.” What makes all the long hours of practicing, struggling and suffering for his art worth the hard work? “It’s a labor of love,” he explained. “When you do something that is creative for several hours a day, it’s a release. I don’t have to worry about my emotions bottling up inside.” Senior Ryan Slater also spoke of the long-range aspects of his goal of being a professional musician. “I really just started in high school, I picked up the drums and I fell in love with it. I like the way music affected people and I wanted to be a part of it,” he said. The music and business student has a metal band called Silent Bliss, which is releasing its first, six-song ARTISTS, page B6