Atlas Magazine: The New Renaissance

The New Renaissance

EDITOR’S NOTE Our cover photo is a recreation of Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” Our version is titled “Girl with a Pearl Nose Ring,” because we feel it best represents the concept that drove the creation of our third issue: The New Renaissance.

Yes, this photo is a recreation, but that doesn’t depreciate its value or limit the creativity behind the idea. It is often said that in modern times no idea is original or new. However, even if this is the case, it doesn’t mean that we should simply stop creating. As students of communication and the arts, Emersonians in particular should use previous writing, films, plays, etc. as inspiration for the work they are creating—not simply write off their own work as something that can never compare to Dostoevsky, Wes Anderson, or Arthur Miller.

By gathering inspiration from our resourceful predecessors, we are creating “The New Renaissance” in an everevolving world. Atlas set out to explore the extents and limits of this New Renaissance by defining new art forms, researching developments in our city, and shedding light on significant changes taking place across the globe. We also took on the challenge of defining what it means to be a modern Renaissance man or women by interviewing self-starting students, forward thinking fashion experts, and multifaceted business men and women of Boston. We even held a Publishing Gala with some of the most innovative publications on campus to share ideas and insights with each other and publishing industry professionals to help create our unique visions.

Through our research we found that creating something new and original can, regardless of common opinion, be accomplished. All it takes is the important ability of understanding all of the little details that come together to create a singular masterpiece. All concepts and creations that come with The New Renaissance are multidimensional and require the extreme attention to detail that comes with building something from the ground up, which Atlas aims to do with each issue.

I couldn’t be more proud to present our third issue. Our dedicated and talented staff worked together to create an innovative and original issue that is truly the product of hard work. I hope you enjoy the issue and that it inspires you to never stop creating.

Best,

Sarah Dwyer

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A LAS magazine

SARAH DWYER Editor-in-Chief LAUREN BISCALDI Managing Editor REBECCA ISENHART Artistic Director ARTS Editor: MAUREEN MCDERMOTT Writers: SARAH DIAMOND, PATRICK DELGADO, ALLISON RACICOT, NEYAT YOHANNES STYLE Editor: CELINA COLBY Writers: JENNIFER ORTAKALES, COURTNEY THARP, RACHAEL MOORE HEALTH Editor: LAUREN BISCALDI Contributing Editor: TARYN BALCHUNAS Writers: CAROLINE CASSARD, ALEXANDRA MAGISTRO, ALEXANDRA FILECCIA CAMPUS Editor: ELIZABETH VENERE Writers: JULIA HIGGINS, ANNA BUCKLEY, CATALINA GAITAN CITY Editor: RAYMOND BELLINGER Writers: VICTORIA MARTINS, JAMIE LOFTUS, NICK DUMONT, CASSIE SCHAUBLE GLOBE Editor: ANITA KALAITZAKIS Writers: BIANCA J. PADRÓ, HAE JI CHO

INDUSTRY Editor: SARAH DWYER Writers: ERIN KAYATA, CHRISTINA BOZSIK DESIGN TEAM Designers: MARISA PERKINS, CHELSEY MOODY, SARAH ROCHA, SAVANNAH KEE, LAUREN BISCALDI PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Editor: JAMIE KAPLAN Assistant Photo Editor: ERIN LOCKE Photographers: ANGELO GENTILE, JOANIE JENKINS, DAVID GALINATO BLOG Editor: BRYANNA CAPPADONA Writers: JULIA DOMMENUCCI , ELSA HSIEH COPYEDITING Head Copyeditor : RACHAEL MOORE Copyeditors: CHRISTINE GRANT, MICHELE DEBCZAK, MEREDITH MANN Marketing Director: GINA PALMERI Treasurer: LIZ COSTEY Secretary: ERIN LOCKE Make-up Artist: NIKKI FRANGELLA THE NEW RENAISSANCE  3

FALL 2012 02 06

Editor’s Note Renaissance Recreations

ARTS 10 12 14

Arts & Entertainment Calendar Creative Collaboration How Far Does the Defintion of Art Gogh?

Digital vs. Film Boston’s Comedy Renaissance

15 16 STYLE 18 22 25 33

Menswear: From Head to Toe Taking Style to the Street Catalogue of Fashion Blogs Couture, Accessible

HEALTH 36 39 40 42

Beauty Remarks: Embracing Imperfections Is Gluten Free the Way to Be? Fun While You Run The Modern Day Plague

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG: atlasmagazine.org

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/atlasmagazine

4  ATLAS MAGAZINE

Photo: ANGELO GENTILE Models: DARIAN CARPENTER AND CLAUDIA MAK Styling: CELINA COLBY Make Up: NIKKI FRANGELLA

CAMPUS 43 45

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DIY: Creating A Major Paradise Lost: A “Democracy of Dance” Big Boss on Campus

CITY 48 50 52 55

A Renaissance in Jamaica Plain Stay or Stray: Boston After Graduation Starting Fresh: How to Tattoo Sneak a Peek at Restaurant Week

GLOBE 56 58 61

Changes Around the Globe LGBTQ Matter Matters Four More Years

INDUSTRY 62 65

Modern Day Renaissance Men and Women Dressing for Your Dream Job

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Special Thanks

ON THE COVER: Girl with the Pearl Nose Ring Model: ELLEN DUFFER Photo: JOANIE JENKINS Make-up: NIKKI FRANGELLA Styling: CELINA COLBY & ERIN LOCKE

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  5

DETAIL ORIENTED

DAVID Do you have what it takes to be a modern day Renaissance man or woman? Find out on page 64.

SELFIE

Photo: JAMIE KAPLAN Model: VICTORIA WANG Styling: CELINA COLBY Make Up: NIKKI FRANGELLA

Check out our style section starting on page 18 to learn how to create a style all your own.

Detail-Oriented David (left): Photo: JAMIE KAPLAN Model: GRAHAM FINLEY Make Up: NIKKI FRANGELLA

STYLE

THE BEST SUPPER Is gluten-free the way to be? Find out on page 39.

Photo: JAMIE KAPLAN Models: (BACK) BRANNAN SMITHWICK, JORDAN RUMMEL, ASTA TALL, KATHLEEN COLLINS AND ELIZA SOLOMON. (FRONT) VICTORIA MARTINS, MARY KENNEDY, CHRISTINA FERRERA, PETE YANNANTUONO AND HOLLY KIRKMAN

ARTS Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

JANUARY

Wednesday

Thursday 3

Marx Brothers Marathon Brattle Theatre, Cambridge About $15 (TBA)

2 Drawing in the Galleries Museum of Fine Arts, every Wednesday.

Free with Museum Admission 9

1

6 Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts $39-$69 (Student Rush Available)

7 Musical Instrument Gallery Talk and Demostration Museum of Fine Arts, Free with Museum Admission

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13

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15

Friday

Saturday 5

Louis C.K Opera House, Boston Jan. 3-5, $45

4 MFA First Fridays (21+) Museum of Fine Arts Jan. 4 and Feb. 1, Free with Museum Admission

10

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Improv Boston Main Stage Cambridge (Improv Boston) $16, ($12 students)

33 Variations Lyric Stage Company Jan. 4 - Feb. 2 $27-$58 (student rush available) 16

17

Emeli Sande Paradise Rock Club, $20

18 School of Rock Boston Butterfly Presents The Garden, Best of Boston Museum of Rock, Middle Smokey Science East Upstairs, Robinson Jan. 1 - Feb. 1 Jan 19 Wilbur Theatre $5+Museum $10 advance, $65-$96 Admission $12 day of

19 School of Rock Boston Presents The Best of Boston Rock Middle East Upstairs, $10 in advance, $12 day of

21 Mario Testino: In Your Face Exhibit Museum of Fine Arts, Oct. Tracy Morgan 23 - Feb. 3 Wilbur Theatre Free with Jan. 19 Museum $45-$62 Admission

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Sister Act Boston Opera House Jan. 22-Feb. 3 $25-$287 (student rush available)

Ellie Goulding House of Blues $35-$45

27 New Kingston’s “Reggae Winter Weekend” with URI, Merrimack Delta Dub Set Middle East Upstairs $10

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30

The Vaccines Paradise Rock Club, $17

Purity Ring Paradise Rock Club, $15

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28 The Christa Gniadek Singer-Songwriter Showcase, The Middle East Upstairs, $10 advance, $15 day of

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Roz Chast, Theories of Everything Sanders Theatre, $65 31 Jersey Boys Wang Theatre and Citi Colonial Theatre Jan. 30-Mar. 3 $34-$129 (student rush available)

Ra Ra Riot Paradise Rock Club, $20 Adam Carolla Wilbur Theatre $37-$47

While you’re making your list of New Year’s resolutions to improve your body and your diet, why not resolve to improve your social life? The beginning of the year is one of the most vibrant times for Boston’s arts and entertainment scene. You can’t make any more excuses with this exhaustive calendar of the who, what, and where of Boston happenings, so throw on your boots and kick off 2013 with some shows, readings, screenings, and festivals. Your brain will thank you.

COMPILED BY THE ARTS SECTION STAFF

A&E Calendar FEBRUARY

Friday 1

Ra Ra Riot

Saturday 2

fun.

Orpheum Theatre, Boston $38-$44

3 American 4 Idiot, Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts Feb.1 - Feb. 3 $37-$67 (student rush available)

5

6 Tiny Furniture Film Screening, Museum of Fine Arts $12 for students, members, $15 for non-students

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8 Mike Birbiglia’s My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts $28-$38

9 Miss Boston and Miss Cambridge 2013 Pageant Boston Park Plaza Hotel Feb. 10, $25-$40

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Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics TD Garden $34-$1,200

Mozart and Bruckner Boston Symphony Hall $30-$114

Disney On Ice Presents Rockin’ Ever After TD Garden $20-$90

Punch Brothers House of Blues $25-$35

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The Lumineers House of Blues $30-$40 17

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Bill Burr The Wilbur Theatre $46 24

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Lady Gaga TD Garden $52 - $177

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Creative Collaboration: Combining Science Art

&

ARE YOU A LEFT-BRAINED PERSON or a rightbrained person? According to popular psychological theory, all people are divided into two groups: the logical, analytical left-brains and the creative, visually-aware right-brains. Brain scanned or not, most people tend to sort themselves into one of those two categories and go on to study either math and science or arts and humanities, which might account for the cultural divide between the two subjects. It’s tempting to argue in favor of one or the other. However, there is a budding trend in the creative community of artists reaching across the divide, combining their imaginative projects with scientific technologies, principles, and theories to create art that is both emotional and thought-provoking.

This movement thrives in Boston, particularly at MIT, where the List Visual Arts Center is showing an exhibit that embraces scientific principles and phenomena.

Titled In the Holocene, this collection of pieces uses art to talk about energy, entropy, matter, cosmic time, consciousness, adaptation and other aspects of the natural world. Berenice Abbott, Robert Barry, Florian Hecker, Iannis Xenakis, and forty other artists have pieces on display, all exploring the same question: If science is about fact, and art is about feeling, then how does someone explain how they feel about certain facts? That is the place where knowledge and creativity intersect, forming a movement of scientific and artistic expression.

The idea is that science and art are different schools of thought with the same goal: the observation and explanation of the world.

The MIT exhibit, which opened in October, is worth a visit for fans of either discipline. The tiny gallery is packed with forty-five different science-themed pieces, the majority of which are overwhelmingly minimalist. Joseph Beuys’ Capri-Batterie, a light bulb socket plugged into a lemon, brings to mind the possibilities of organic energy. Another piece is Kitty Krause’s untitled experiment with ice and ink, which the museum recreates every day. An ice cube loaded with ink is set on the floor of the gallery, and a light bulb is placed on top. As the heat of the bulb melts the ice, the ink pools onto the floor, forming a unique spill pattern every time.

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Some of the more artistic pieces invite close, careful inspection to reveal their meaning. For example, Leonor Antunes’ Chain of Triangles, a spindly bronze sculpture that hangs from the ceiling, was actually inspired by surveyists’ efforts to determine the length of a meter in 18th century France. The Clarke Belt by Trevor Paglen is ostensibly about the ring of satellites trapped above earth’s atmosphere, though at first glance it is simply a large cream canvas. When you stand and stare long enough, the fine white lines start to quiver in your vision like strings. The result is mesmeric, and evocative of satellite signals. Unlike Beuys and Krause, who use scientific objects and technologies to create works of art, Paglen and Antunes use sculpting and painting to talk about science.

The exhibit’s opening night attracted hundreds of people—proof of the concept’s popularity. That night in the Bartos Theater, guests were treated to a special live electroacoustic sound performance from German artist Florian Hecker. The museum will also be using the Bartos to host various screenings and performances through January, when In the Holocene closes.

For all the recent excitement over the relationship between art and science, the blend isn’t exactly new. The two have fit together naturally for centuries, since the days of poet-mathematicians like Plato and Aristotle. It’s sparked the imagination of writers as diverse as Michael Crichton and Mary Shelley, and it is essential to the ef-

“If science is about fact, and art is about feeling, then how does someone explain how they feel about certain facts?” fects and production of any film. Architects cannot build a palace without knowledge of the laws of physics, just as a musician cannot build an instrument without taking acoustics into account. Unfortunately, many scientists and artists seem to forget about this link. Ask an art student to sit through a chemistry lecture and you’ll see the cracks.

Creative types tend to seal themselves off from the world of science, particularly at Emerson, where science courses are almost entirely electives. Thankfully, the school has many science classes that bridge that knowledge gap. ‘DNA and Society,' taught by Dr. Amy Vashlishan Murray, tackles science and creativity head on. Vashlishan Murray teaches about genetics in art culture, and the course helps students reconcile the seemingly opposing aspects of both. As it turns out, the majority of her students are VMA majors. “I think that everyone should have an interest just to be at the level of an informed citizen,” says the professor, “but I realize that not everyone at Emerson is going to become a scientist. It speaks to the value of a liberal arts education that students need some content to convey, and for some people, that may be science.”

Vashlishan Murray is a molecular biologist with a specialization in neurobiology, or “the way that the synapses in the brain communicate with one another.” Rather than taking the expected path of teaching her specialty at a science-heavy school, she chose to bring that knowledge to students who study media and art, in the hope that it would foster a better understanding between the two communities. She admits that the scientific community has difficulty getting their points across. “I think communication by scientists is often inaccessible just by the vocabulary that is used,” she says. “It’s the responsibility of the scientist to communicate their work

in layman's terms, but that isn’t a skill that all scientists have or even consider important. I think science itself is actually creative, but I think that people don’t perceive it that way, maybe because we are taught science as if it were a recipe book or a check-off list. But it really is creative problem-solving on a daily basis.”

As a final project, Vashlishan Murray’s students dream up their own creative pieces that reflect the state of science in civilization, then present them in a panel at the Boston Museum of Science. In 2010, one student memorably synthesized a strain of local H1N1 virus and played the resulting melody on the violin as Swine Flu Chant. Vashlishan Murray says that she hopes that students take away a greater appreciation of science and its beauty, as well as its practical applications in the world.

“They should know enough to be able to ask questions about what’s important to them,” she says. “Everyone encounters science in the doctor’s office, in the grocery store, and in the voting booth through political issues.”

Once students realize this, they are ready to tap into a rich trend in the creative field, where many local and international artists incorporate science into their work.

Some are scientist-artists like the radical Eduardo Kac, who was famous for creating a transgenic glow-in-thedark bunny named Alba. Others use classic techniques such as painting and sculpting to explore scientific ideas, like watercolorist Daniel Kohn. A Bostonian, Kohn is associated with the Broad Institute in Cambridge, where his work is currently on display. This latest set of “data computational” paintings is geometric and cut through with multicolored lines, meant to inspire viewers to muse over the representations of genomes and space.

“My conceit is that I can help [them] do better science,” Kohn told The Scientist in 2008. “They’re not art; they’re thinking drawings. In science, you raise as many questions as you solve. It’s richness is its complexity.

I like being at the crossroads for talking about these things.”

Kohn’s work at the Broad Institute and MIT’s In The Holocene suggest that Boston very well may be considered one of these creative crossroads. Individuals who marry the left and right brain philosophies do both sides a favor, illuminating the beauty and accessibility of science, and the depth and purpose of art. Why limit yourself to using only half of your brain? It takes both to truly understand the world.

SARAH DIAMOND Photos: JOANIE JENKINS

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  13

How Far Does the Definition of Art Gogh?

A Look at New Art Forms

says. O’Keefe has a tiny canvas for his art form but, he AT SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE, you might make the always manages to get the message across effectively. trek to check out the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris When she’s not in class or doing homework, you can for its timeless beauty and the chance to say you saw find Ashleigh Heaton, writing, literature, and publishing a da Vinci in person. But would you go the distance '15, creating new t-shirt designs and uploading them to see a gallery of memes produced in five minutes by to her Redbubble account. a teenager sitting in their Redbubble allows users to bedroom? Or perhaps a wall display and sell their work, of witty tweets? which includes t-shirts, hats, With Internet memes stickers and more. Heaton and social media sites like says, “I like the thought of Twitter on the rise, pop taking an idea and being culture commentators are able to wear it around.” Her starting to explore the idea of ideas range from Avatar: categorizing these platforms The Last Airbender tributes as art. For those who have to Sailor Moon shout outs, been living without Internet selling several hundred shirts access—or otherwise under a since opening her online rock—a meme is a repeated shop in May of 2012. “I idea or image that spreads know my shirts are not as rapidly within a culture or artistic as some of the work fandom. Mike Rugnetta of the on Redbubble, but I definitely PBS Idea Channel says that think shirt design can be memes are people “creating categorized as art,” she says. images and sharing them with In his 1898 essay What strangers for the purpose Is Art?, Russian writer Leo of communicating their Tolstoy says, “The activity experiences.” Twitter also of art is based on the fact spreads ideas quickly. Tweets that a man, receiving through his sense of hearing or are 140 character or less blurbs about anything and sight another man’s expression of feeling, is capable of everything that can be accented by hashtags such as, experiencing the emotion which moved the man who #tweetsareart to make a particular topic trend online. expressed it.” Heaton says, “I Tom O’Keefe, known to his 64,119 followers as “With Internet memes and social think art has to be something @bostontweet has made media sites like Twitter on the people can emotionally connect to, I don’t feel there’s a rigid tweeting his career. He writes rise, pop culture commentators definition.” Straight from the about specials at restaurants are starting to explore the idea of mouths of a 21st century and pubs, hides gift certificates around the city for his followers categorizing these platforms as art.” American college student and a 19th century Russian writer: If to find, tweets pictures of you have an emotion to share, you amazing meals (he could double have the power to be the next da Vinci —or at least the as a food blogger), and even posts wanted ads. O’Keefe next meme-making superstar or Twitter celebrity. So, go doesn’t consider himself artistic in the least, but he out and make a meme, compose a tweet, maybe even might be more of an artist than he thinks. “Given that create a t-shirt design or two; it’s that easy to create Twitter limits you to 140 characters, I feel you have to your own artistic legacy. be more creative in word structure than other social

NEYAT YOHANNES mediums where you can ramble on for paragraphs,” he Meme: MARISA PERKINS

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Digital vs. Film in Boston Movie Theaters THE WAY THAT BOSTONIANS watch movies may be about to change permanently, but many have no idea. One of the area’s largest independent theaters is transferring their traditional film projection to digital. For over a decade, many have predicted digital projection would one day overcome film, and now it seems as if that may become a reality. Boston houses a number of theaters, both mainstream and independent, which serve as a microcosm of the debate. Many theaters in the area have already transferred to digital, some entirely in place of film projection, and soon the way we once watched films may become a thing of the past.

The average filmgoer probably doesn’t think they’d notice the change, but they might be surprised. The difference is simple: rather than projecting reels of celluloid film, theaters project a digital computer file. Those who stand by film projection advocate its aesthetic qualities: the organic look of film carries warmer colors and glossier details than typically cooler digital compositions. As for digital, the picture is clearer and the production methods cheaper, which makes it the preferable choice in an exhibition market consistently seeking the most cost-efficient options.

The Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge is the latest in a growing number of theaters ditching film for digital. For decades, the theater has earned a reputation as one of Boston’s premier independent film exhibitors. While it’s commitment to showcasing smaller-budget features remains intact, the cinema is jumping headfirst into the future by embracing the changing formats.

The Kendall, owned by Landmark Theaters, follows the chain’s movement towards full digital operation nationwide.

Loyalists have stayed true to film even as the form becomes increasingly endangered. “While this, of course, is a reasonable business strategy, it does sadden me quite a bit that this change is occurring,” says Kendall employee and Charlie Nash, media studies

'13. “I obviously want the theater to be as profitable as possible, but I also feel that this alteration is a bit contradictory to independent film in general.”

Some are resisting the change by opting to either utilize both formats or to put emphasis on their film projection. The Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline has found great success in recent years by melding the two approaches. Of the Coolidge’s four screens, two operate solely with digital screens, while the others continue to use film. The theater plans to install digital capabilities into one more of those screens, but will maintain their film equipment to supplement the format rather than replace it.

The Coolidge is one of the area’s most beloved art house theaters, and proof that old-fashioned film projection remains a draw. In September, the theater became the sole Boston venue to screen Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master in 70mm film. The engagement attracted record numbers of viewers and provided the theater’s highest grossing incomes in nearly seven years.

“We are very pleased to be the only Boston-area theatre to get a 70mm print of the film,” says Jesse Hassinger, the Coolidge’s Program Manager, “because not only does it directly tie into our mission, but it is the way that Paul Thomas Anderson intended the film to be shown.”

Filmmakers’ intent may not always pan out, and soon, the options in projection may be further limited for them. Some embrace the change and cite it as yet another inevitable development for the film industry, similar to the transitions from silent to sound or black and white to color. Yet it seems unlikely that film enthusiasts will ever completely relinquish their appreciation for the form, at least as long as the filmmakers who grew up loading 35mm into their cameras continue to do so.

PATRICK DELGADO Photos: GREG KULLBERG AND COURTESY OF KENDALL SQAURE CINEMA

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  15

Please Welcome to the Stage: Boston’s Comedy Renaissance

TODAY, BOSTON IS KNOWN for many things—revolutionary history, curse-addled sports teams, a fine cup of clam chowder—but for the most part, stand-up comedy isn’t one of them. In the 80s and 90s, Boston was a comedy hub that produced some of the best comedians in the industry; now, comedy clubs have fallen by the wayside and aspiring comedians opt to try their luck in nearby New York City, skipping over Boston altogether. But Bostonians won’t give up without a fight. There are still many shows, venues, and performers trying to keep the Boston comedy scene vibrant, hoping to revive the city back to its former comedic luster.

Despite its current underwhelming presence on the national scene, the Boston area is the hometown of many successful comedians including Louis C.K., David Cross, Denis Leary, Marc Maron, Bill Burr, Steven Wright, Lenny Clarke, B.J. Novak, Mike Birbiglia, and Dane Cook. Cook began his career performing at the Beantown Comedy Vault on Boylston Street every Friday night for nearly two years, while the more underground Maron got his start performing at Nick’s Comedy Stop on Warrenton Street.

Stand-up comedians need a tough skin to begin with, but Boston crowds have a notorious history of being loud and outspoken. One slip-up or bad joke could spell disaster for a comic, and Boston fans won’t tolerate mistakes.

However, while Boston’s reputation may get the best of some acts, it’s exactly what others want. In a September interview with the Somerville Scout, Judah Friedlander

of 30 Rock cited Boston as one of his favorite places to perform, saying, “I wish I was up here more.” Mike Bent, a local stand-up comedian, is quick to acknowledge another positive about Boston comedy: “The best aspect is that the asylum is really being run by the inmates—the comics are really directing the way the scene evolves.”

Rob Crean, a local comedian and host of popular shows at Great Scott and the Middle East, points out one possible flaw in Boston’s attempts to be welcoming: “When I started doing comedy here in Boston, I felt like the scene was kind of cold and closed. It took me a long time to feel like I was accepted in the community. I think that’s different now, but we may have pushed the pendulum a bit too far to the other side, though. Now there are a lot of newer comics who are too confident and aren’t as thickskinned as they maybe ought to be.”

Although the majority of well-known clubs are in New York City, such as Carolines, the Comedy Cellar, or the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre for improvisation performers, Boston’s clubs are working hard to make a name for themselves and the city. Bent credits good bookers and room owners with the cultivation of the area’s comedy scene. “The biggest part of the scene is dominated by a more ‘cult’ fan base. Cool, smart and hip acts that would have never had a chance in the boom days have found success in this niche market and probably more big acts are coming out of this scene than even the original Boston comedy scene.” The Middle East, The Burren, and Grandma’s Basement offer free open mic nights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays re-

“There are still many shows, venues, and performers trying to keep the Boston comedy scene vibrant.”

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spectively, where comedy novices are welcome to test the waters of stand-up culture.

With prices for other clubs ranging from $5 to $26, an attempt is being made to make comedy as accessible to as many people in the city as possible. Crean is excited about the changes being made to bring more attention to comedy in the city. Comedians are being given slightly less stage time, but in exchange, more comedians can perform onstage and work out their material. “There are a lot of great and exciting shows going on now. The Comedy Studio is changing their format next year; for the past few years, five nights a week, from Wednesday to Sunday, the format has basically been ten comics doing seven minutes.

It’s now going to be twelve comics doing five minutes on Wednesday and Sunday and seven comics doing ten from Thursday to Saturday. It’s exciting.”

Boston is also contributing in the area of comedy festivals, producing two in a similar vein to the world-renowned Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. The Boston Comedy Festival (BCF) celebrated its 13th anniversary this past September. Although it doesn’t draw as many big-time names as other similar festivals in New York and Los Angeles, it has boasted guest appearances from comedians such as Lewis Black, Joan Rivers, and hometown heroes C.K. and Leary. This year’s festival took place in Davis Square in Somerville, and featured over twenty shows in its ten-day run.

One of Boston’s most promising event is the Women in Comedy Festival (WICF), which is produced by local comedians Michelle Barbera, Elyse Schuerman, and Maria Ciampa. Entering its fifth year, the WICF proves the “women aren’t funny” mindset wrong and closes the gender gap in comedy. Ciampa explains, “Women are gaining respect, and there is still a long way to go. Bookers for local, regional, and national clubs, bookers for comedy festivals that are invite-only, and bookers for late night hold all the power.” Every year over a five-day span, the festival holds twenty-seven shows featuring 225 comedians performing stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy in seven different venues. Everyone—regardess of gender—is welcome to submit their own shows to the festival, and many feature local and internationally known comedians. The festival has included sets and guest spots from known comedians such as Rachel Dratch, Kristen Schaal, Morgan Murphy, Jen Kirkman, and Maria Bamford. Bamford is already scheduled to headline two shows on March 22nd at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge for the 2013 WICF. Boston may never be known as the biggest and best comedy town on the East Coast—after all, there’s no such thing as “Live from Boston, it’s Saturday night!” But with the array of clubs and festivals coming together throughout the city, Boston is fighting to regain its reputation as a training ground for some of the industry’s wryest and most original comedic acts. Regardless of whether names in club’s lineup strike it big or not, high-quality talent can be found all over the city, and both casual and avid comedy fans alike are guaranteed a great night out at any of Boston’s venues.

ALLISON RACICOT Photo: COURTESY OF IMPROV BOSTON

Boston’s Best Comedy Spots: The Back Room at The Burren 247 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville Wednesdays at 10:00pm Cost: Free The Comedy Studio 1238 Massachusetts Ave., 3rd floor, Cambridge Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00pm Cost: $8 Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; $12 Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault (124 Boylston St., Boston) Mondays through Sundays at times varying from 8:00pm to 10:15 pm Cost: $15 Sunday through Thursday, $20 Friday and Saturday Grandma’s Basement (1271 Boylston St., Boston) Wednesdays through Sundays at 9:00pm; Thursday night open mic at 8:00pm Cost: $5; free Thursdays Great Scott (1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston) Fridays at 7:00pm Cost: $5 ImprovBoston (40 Prospect St., Cambridge) Tuesdays through Sundays Cost: Free through $18; student discounts listed at improvboston.com/schedule Middle East Corner Comedy (472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge) Tuesdays at 10pm Cost: Free Nick’s Comedy Stop (100 Warrenton St., Boston) Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:30pm Cost: $12-$26; half-price student discount with valid ID

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  17

STYLE Menswear from Head to Toe IT’S NO SECRET that high-quality men’s fashion can be a huge expense. While menswear trends remain relatively consistent, companies work to create accessible, innovative, designs that push the boundaries between casual and professional. The industry continues to cultivate consumer-conscious designers, creating many options that allow men to develop a distinct personal style, stay current with fashion trends, and feel comfortable from head to toe.

Finding Your Inner Indiana Jones Starting from the top, a hat is the first sign of a cultivated style, whether it’s retro, timeless, snapback, or trilby. A unique hat can be a signature accessory to wear regularly, or it can be a backup when an outfit lacks individuality. People associate specific hat styles with celebrities, professions, and time periods, so hats add a great deal of personality and context to any look. The fedoras Johnny Depp wears contribute to his signature look in that fedoras are known for their distinguished and iconic style. He contrasts that with his disheveled button-downs, grungy boots, and piled-on jewelry. Casual hats like beanies and trucker caps, worn frequently by Ashton Kutcher and Robert Pattinson, are more common and make a less obvious and relaxed fashion statement.

All Tied Up Neckwear is one of the most versatile menswear accessories. Ties don’t have to be just for dressing up; wearing them with casual outfits can pull a look together. A patterned tie can complement a simple denim button-down or a basic tie can polish a flannel. Bowties aren’t just for Harvard professors and band conductors anymore. Guys like Brad Goreski and Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl have taken this trend to the next level by wearing them with contemporary suits and bright colors.

In the winter, scarves add prints and colors to a coat that might need some excitement. Kanye West and Jude Law are masters of accessorizing casual outfits with cool and eclectic scarves. West uses patterns and bright colors while Law gets creative with how he wraps his;

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both are examples of the many options for any desired look. Chunky, knit scarves provide plenty of warmth, while lighter cotton scarves can be layered for a more dynamic approach. Funky, printed scarves are more daring, but will definitely add some spark to outerwear.

A scarf can be tied in a knot around the neck, wrapped several times, or hung loosely without wrapping it.

Continued 

“Everyone loves a man in a sweater.”

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“New applications of old styles are breaking the boundaries between strict and casual.”

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Models: JULIAN ROME, CHRIS VO AND STEVEN PAANANEN Styling: JENNIFER ORTAKLES Photos: DAVID GALNATO

Layer Me Down Everyone loves a man in a sweater. Whether it’s cable knit, Fair Isle, ribbed, or button-down, it adds refinement that is undeniably appealing. Men don’t have to be law students or geeks to wear sweaters either. When celebrities like David Beckham and James Franco wear sweaters, it adds contrast to their otherwise edgy styles. The best thing about a sweater is that it can be worn with jeans or dress pants and is an essential layer with button-downs and suit jackets. Rib-knit sweaters are especially useful for layering because the shirt underneath won’t be bulky under the thick knit. A Fair Isle pattern is perfect for winter with its ski resort style. Cable knit is preppy and classic and sweaters with shawl collars create sophistication while providing added warmth with a higher neckline.

For some guys though, sweaters just aren’t within their comfort zone and a sweatshirt is more likely their day-to-day wear. But a sweatshirt doesn’t have to look sloppy if it’s styled with a little thought. Take a cue from the Dsquared2 fall collection and wear it under a leather jacket, simply pulling the hood outside to make it look more put together. This can work with any style coat; military inspired, denim, or trenches are all great options.

Sharpen up a crew sweatshirt with a collared shirt underneath; a tie is optional for an even classier touch.

I’m On Burgundy?

Every season has its signature color and this season’s is burgundy. This red-violet variation is flattering on most skin tones, making it easy to pull off. From the spring Lanvin collection to the fall Hermés runway, the color has been recently dominating suit trends. When black or navy just isn’t enough of a statement, a burgundy suit is an up-to-date alternative. Worn separately, the jacket and pants are functional pieces to pair with jeans, a sweater, or separates from a complementary colored suit.

Militarize Me Cargo pants are bringing back military style, however, the way the trend is worn is very important. It looks best when the pants are slim-fitting and don’t have too many pockets. Cargo pants are bringing back military style, but

instead of pants straight from boot camp, it is important that they only have military-inspired accents and are modern with a slim fit that is more flattering than the baggy style from the ‘90s. Depending on preference, these pants can be very literal or barely look like cargos at all. The pairs seen at Todd Snyder’s fall 2012 show are closer to dress pants but with large, exposed pockets on the sides. Even denim can come in cargo style with the pockets and horizontal seams across the pant legs, providing a more subtle way to achieve this trend. Cargos look great with a button-down to complete a balanced look, or take it one step further with a suit jacket for flawless style.

Color Pop When it comes to footwear, new applications of old styles are breaking the boundaries between strict and casual. Dress shoes are no longer seen in only brown and black variations of leather. At Cole Haan, neon soles have been transforming brogues and oxfords from mundane to edgy. This look provides professionalism and sophistication but with street style edge. As winter comes full swing, this trend will also be on boots and lace-ups. This look doesn’t have to be color-coordinated, meaning the soles can be a different color from the top and pants of an outfit.

With plenty of options to take style to the next level, men shouldn’t be afraid of playing with new looks and trends. Menswear blogs are a good place to start when looking for inspiration and direction. The Sartorialist showcases every day street style and Urbane Menswear is a combination of street style, inspiration, and interviews to encourage originality in menswear.

These sites post photos that can help a guy figure out what kind of clothes fit his style and what trends he’s comfortable with trying. Stores like H&M, ASOS, and Urban Outfitters carry men’s clothes that are right on trend but won’t be so expensive that he can’t afford his monthly supply of video games.

JENNIFER ORTAKALES

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Photos: DAVID GALINATO AND ANGELO GENTILE Models: KAYLA VANFLEET, LAURA WU, ASHLEIGH HEATON, AARON REICHLIN, DANIEL DRANOFF, JOSEPHINE COOPER, MICHELE DEBCZAK, BRIDGET MORAWSKI, NEYAT YOHANNES, CLAUDIA MAK, AND DARIAN CARPENTER Styling: CELINA COLBY Make up: NIKKI FRANGELLA Hair: ANNA BUCKLEY

IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, fashion has experienced a revolution.

Although the field of expression has been traditionally controlled by the wealthy, styles are beginning to be dictated by the people who are wearing them day-to-day on the street. No longer are trends solely established by designers on the runway or by Anna Wintour in the pages of Vogue. Street style trends are often started by youth subcultures that create a unique style to identify themselves as part of the group.

This style then works itself into mainstream fashion. Many of the latest winter fashion trends originated on the street. Back off, Wintour, this era of fashion belongs to the people. CELINA COLBY

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it to the

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The hippie subculture was a youth movement that began in the United States in the late 1960s as a reaction to the Vietnam War. Although hippies are known for advocating peace, embracing the sexual revolution, and experimenting with drugs, they made some significant contributions to mainstream fashion.

The hippie wardrobe depended greatly on denim, which became a popular everyday fabric in part because of its use in this group. Can’t imagine a life without your favorite pair of jeans? Thank the hippies. Flowing, floral tunics and dresses were also born in the hippie movement.Today, hippie styles can be seen in the ever-popular “boho” look. Maxi dresses, high-low skirts, headpieces, and floral chiffons are all trends that originated on the street in the hippie culture.

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Although preppy clothing seems to be more of a mainstream fad, it did originate with an American subgroup. The prep culture began in wealthy, Northeastern, preparatory schools and colleges. This is the real life Gossip Girl: privileged, well connected, well educated, and impeccably dressed. Preppy fashions were popularized in the 1940s and ‘50s, giving us blazers, ties, knee-highs, and pleated skirts, anything with a sort of “school-girl/boy” image. Before Abercrombie, there were tartan plaids, crisp white button downs, and suspenders. If you’re having trouble visualizing these trends outside of the schoolyard just take a look at the boys of One Direction; they didn’t come up with those letterman and crisp suit jackets all by themselves. This season the stores are full of richly toned blazers and tweeds that harken back to the prep school hallways. Neckties and knee socks have also been making a comeback. Still have those bow headbands from your 2007 Blair Waldorf phase? Pull them out, because prep is back.

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Although it enjoyed a revival when Green Day was cool and Myspace was still a thing, the punk subculture originated in the United States in the late 1970s. It was mainly concerned with individual identity and anti-establishment views, and took on a more aggressive, less self-conscious fight for individuality than the hipsters do. Punk fashion was intended to shock, with mohawk hair, heavy piercings, and shredded garments. Distressed pants and shirts, studs and metal detailing, and band t-shirts are all mainstream fashions popularized by the punk subculture. Converse and Doc Martins were also brought into the fashion world by punk style. This winter, skinny jeans, cool sneakers, studs, and shredded back t-shirts are all courtesy of punk style.

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Anyone familiar with Emerson is also familiar with the hipster culture. This contemporary group represents a consciously non-conforming, pseudo-intellectual, with interests in alternative music, film, and literature. Hipster style is quirky enough to match their unconventional views and lifestyle.

The most recognizable fashion image of a hipster is square, black, wide-rimmed glasses. It also includes big sweaters, high-waisted pants, animal images, and plaid. If it looks like it came from a grandmother, a younger brother, or a thrift store, it’s probably hipster. That floor length, floral dress passed down from your great aunt? Trés hipster chic. This season oxfords, fox and other animal patterns, and big, soft sweaters are all trends brought into mainstream stores via the Instagram photos of the hipster subculture.

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If the term “greaser” gets a John Travolta song stuck in your head, then you’re on the right track.

This subculture originated among working class, young people in the 1950s. Greasers were also associated with street gangs and rebellion. The group is closely linked to fast cars and motorcycles, an interest that heavily influences their style. Denim, and leather jackets are the most iconic pieces of a greaser’s wardrobe, usually with a simple white tee underneath. They also popularized motorcycle jackets, vests, and tight fitting silhouettes. The greaser’s denim jacket and casual white tee are back this season along with biker boots and leather in all shapes and styles. The greaser look can give off a really casual vibe, butMAGAZINE do us all a favor and go easy on the hair gel.

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Glam rock, like punk, is a subculture born out of a love of music. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, artists like David Bowie and Motley Crue created the image of the aggressive, all-out theatrical performer. Think of these people as Lady Gaga’s hardcore cousins. Glam rock style combines the edgy, rough-and-tumble vibe of punk with a glamorous dash of showmanship. The one most essential element of the glam rock wardrobe is shine. Sequins, glitter, metallic--you name it, they wore it. In addition to the heavy shine trend, glam rock popularized spandex leggings, fur accents, and leather; anything that would make people stop and look. Sequins are making a huge comeback for the fall/winter fashion season, as is faux fur, and feathers. So far, no meat dresses have been spotted in stores, but keep your eyes open-this trend knows no bounds.

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Catalogue of Fashion Blogs

FASHION BLOGGERS HAVE BECOME increasingly popular in the last decade alone. They pick up on social trends that large name brands may have bypassed and see style at the street level, observing what people wear day-to-day. Bloggers can influence everyday fashionistas and even advertise for certain designers or products. Hundreds of niche blogs exist to cater to every style need. So how do you choose? Atlas gives you the low-down on some of the most renowned Boston-based style bloggers.

COURTNEY THARP Photos: COURTESY OR BLOGGERS

I Call Her Peggysue

During his senior year at Uniondale High School in New York, 20-year-old Andrew Fulmore knew what he wanted to do: break into the fashion industry. So Fulmore created his blog, I Call Her Peggysue.

“Peggysue is a girl, or a guy, unhinged by fashion constraints and willing to push the limits of the ‘norm’ in fashion,” says Fulmore. “The inspiration was from Rihanna’s song ‘Man Down.’ She says, ‘A little 22 / I call her Peggysue,’ referring to a gun with a pretty and girly name. I love the concept of mixing hard and soft, clean and classic.”

Fulmore describes his style as polished grunge, with a willingness to try anything edgy and daring. His inspiration comes from a wide array of subjects, including Twiggy, Alexander McQueen, and Rihanna.

He started his blog with the mindset that it was his ticket into the fashion industry. “A blog provides a

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platform for regular people to reach worldwide exposure and recognition,” says Fulmore. The published photos from his blog primarily come from Lookbook, a collection of street style photos from around the world. However, Fulmore adds his own commentary to lend some personality to the blog.

Although Fulmore has not designed much himself, he created a shop section of his blog. Visitors can purchase American Apparel clothing from Spreadshirt.com featuring Fulmore’s simple but unique designs. Previous design experience comes from a fashion illustration class he took in high school.

“It was sort of like a lightbulb moment,” says Fulmore. “Fashion illustration entails knowing how the body works and what works on certain bodies. Also, what fashion is about in a nutshell: being fearless and daring and willing to push some buttons with your designs.”

icallherpeggysue.tumblr.com

KRISTEN UEKERMANN Boston Fashionista

Boston Fashionista

Kristen Uekermann, Boston blogger and developmental biology department manager at Harvard University, understands that stilettos do not mesh well with cobblestone streets. Her blog, The Boston Fashionista, aims to dress the modern Bostonian. The blog was born to be a creative outlet for Uekermann, where she could talk to others about her passion, considering her profession doesn’t have much relevance to fashion.

“I started the blog to have conversations with other people who have the same interests that I did; people who were interested in design or fashion or personal style,” says Uekermann, “or people who want to talk about style.”

She takes real world trends and puts them through a Boston filter to make them applicable to her daily life.

For example, Uekermann loved the leather trend this past autumn, but wearing leather pants to work might prove difficult and unprofessional.

“We see some things in a magazine and think that it looks really cool, but may not be able to wear it in everyday life,” says Uekermann. “Most of us work in office professional jobs and we have to wear something appropriate around our colleagues.”

The Boston Fashionista has gained some serious exposure since premiering in March 2011, earning awards such as Best Local Blogger from Boston’s A-List and City/Lifestyle Nominee from Boston Innovation. With a wide array of readers, Uekermann keeps in contact with her followers via Twitter.

“Using Twitter, I can have a lot of real-time conversations with my readers that I find gratifying and useful,” says Uekermann. In fact, Uekermann’s followers usually tweet photos of prospective outfits asking her for approval or suggestions.

“I’ve always been a writer, it’s a part of who I am.

Through [The Boston Fashionista], I’ve met a ton of really wonderful and interesting people,” says Uekermann. “I really consider this blog a success.” hebostonfashionista.com

continued 

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EMILY GEAMAN So Anthro Trendarazzi

“Since I was two, I’ve been totally interested in fashion. It’s always been what I wanted to do,” says Benjamin Glassner, creator of Trendarazzi, a Boston fashion blog. Glassner is a 16-year-old sophomore at The Newman School, an internationally recognized private school in Back Bay. Trendarazzi was his first endeavor in the blogging world after scrapping previous attempts at a collective style blog with posts from other sites. Now, after covering more than 200 events, it has more than 40,000 readers.

“There were a lot of street style blogs, but no one was covering events,” said Glassner. “Not just high fashion events, but philanthropic as well.”

The site was launched in September 2011, when Glassner was only 14, to cover Boston’s Fashion Week.

The articles were his own until he began recruiting friends to write for him.

“I only have 3 writers at the moment,” says Glassner. “But I like choosing people around my age who not only have a passion BENJAMIN for the apparel indusGLASSNER try but also a strong Trendarazzi knowledge of it.”

This upcoming summer, Glassner plans to recruit a writer from Shanghai, whom he met through his school’s extensive international population.

His sense of fashion relies on the runways.

He’s fond of the builtin silhouettes from Alexander McQueen and Victoria Beckham and Raf Simons’ Readyto-Wear collection for Dior.

“I was really a huge fan of the haute couture collection he did for them,” says Glassner. “But I think Ready-to-Wear was a really great interpretation of it in a slightly more accessible way.”

Glassner isn’t finished. He plans to expand Trendarazzi to create an Orange County edition in California. However, with the small pool of Trendarazzi writers and lack of exciting events, he’s having trouble finding enough functions to cover. trendarazzi.com

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So Anthro

Bostonian and Emerson alum, Emily Geaman, started her fashion blog, So Anthro, in April 2011. She was working for The Harvard Common Press at the time and had minimal experience with blogging platforms.

“I started a fashion blog on the side to kind of teach myself that,” says Geaman, who mostly kept up the company blog and wrote press releases. “It kind of became therapeutic, but I didn’t have a clear image of what I wanted it to be.”

Geaman’s friends would joke about her love for the clothing store, Anthropologie, saying she was “so anthro,” and the joke eventually stuck as the theme of her blog. While her blog is not centered solely around Anthropologie clothing, the various sections, such as Home or Beauty, often feature their products.

“Unless I’m in [the photos], I take them,” says Geaman. The photographs on her blog reflect a delicate air about them that coincides with her sense of style.

Some photos offer a detailed layout of an outfit, from the basic sweater to the intricate accessory, and provide prices and brands for the products.

Geaman’s own inspiration primarily trickles in from other New England bloggers. It’s a mix of preppy and hippy and a dash of vintage. For Spring, she’s especially excited to break out her Toms and high-waisted skirts and sprinkle on some lightweight scarves.

“I guess that’s kind of the Emerson hipster in me. It’s developing into an easy New England-esque style,” says Geaman. soanthro.com

COUTURE, ACCESSIBLE Photos: JAMIE KAPLAN AND ERIN LOCKE Models: CEDRINE STREIT AND CHRISTINE CLAYTON Styling: RACHEL MOORE Make Up: NIKKI FRANGELLA

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“Fashion has always had an elite status. Those who make fashion create these rules; the designers create an empire through their visionary style.”

NEWBURY STREET IS THE FASHIONISTA’S haven--store windows display Kate Spade and Burberry boasting $1,000 soft leather bags and even pricier jewel-tone shoes. Many of us can only stand on the sidewalk and gaze longingly through the glass, doing the mental math to see how long we would have to live off of Ramen noodles to afford even half of the price.

Fashion has always had an elite status. Those who make fashion create these rules; the designers create an empire through their visionary style. Oscar de la Renta, Coco Chanel, Prada, and Emilio Pucci are just a few of the dominating presences in the high-class fashion world. But college students, recent grads, and fashionistas who must choose rent over designer bags are only able to walk by those store windows or rip out Vogue advertisements--that’s as close as they can get.

However, the designer look is becoming easier to achieve. High-end designers creating lines for retail stores is not a new concept. Halston did it first for J.C. Penney in 1982, a clothing line in his style at lower prices, but the reception was less than warm. Retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus scoffed at the idea, and many stores began dropping Halston’s higher-end items as though he’d sold out to the mass market. But things have changed since the 1980s, and since then Halston and other designers have found the benefits of creating affordable lines for a larger market.

One of the larger and more successful revivals of Halston’s trend was Isaac Mizrahi for Target in the early 2000s. Affordable clothes and home furnishings boasting the designer name turned out to be beneficial for both Target and Mizrahi. Other successful endeavors of

the past couple years have been Sofia Vergara for Kmart that includes clothing and home furnishings, Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s, which is a flirty feminine clothing line for juniors, and Christian Siriano for Payless. Siriano’s wild patterns and textures have breathed a new life into the retail chain, adding a dose of fashion Payless seemed to be missing.

The most recent addition to the trend is Versace for H&M, a line full of bold prints and chic, black leather dresses in traditional Versace style. Everything from dresses to scarves are featured, with the most expensive items priced at $300 and going down from there. It’s a considerable difference from the thousands of dollars Versace’s products usually cost. Putting together an outfit from the line can cost $100 or less, and there are enough pieces and accessories to really feel like a Versace runway model.

So why does mass marketing a designer name have such a stigma? It is exactly because of the idea of the ‘designer name.’ A label bearing a couture name is special; it’s something not everyone has. If suddenly every fashion diva gets to own a Versace product, fashion takes on the appearance of a commodity. But the fact of the matter is, Versace for H&M is not Versace; it is inspired and touched by the designer, but will not be the same quality. Versace gets to expand their market and their clientele, but there is still something left to be desired for us obligated to spend our money on food and rent to drool over the runway photos on designer websites.

We can get the next best thing, which just so happens to suit us fine.

RACHAEL MOORE

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HEALTH Beauty Remarks: Embracing our ‘Imperfections’ “THE IDEAL BEAUTY IS A FUGITIVE which is never found,” wrote Renaissance woman Marquise de SéVingné in a letter to her daughter. Four hundred years ago, Marquise touched on a concept that is still relevant today, as beauty ideals constantly change.

When it comes to body image, perhaps the most influential period in European history is the Renaissance. The “Renaissance man” emerged during the 14th century, known for his worldly thinking and artistry. Artists such as Da Vinci, Titian, and Michelangelo created works that set the beauty standard for men and women for hundreds of years to follow. Since then, we’ve seen a great shift in body image, moving back and forth between pale skin and corset-like curves in both the 1910s and ‘50s and boyish figures of the ‘20s flapper and ‘60s icon, Twiggy.

Popular culture is constantly adding to an endless list of beauty requirements. In her memoir, Bossypants, Tina Fey says it best: “Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose,hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nineyear-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits.”

An American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery report reveals the widespread impacts of Tina Fey’s cataloged “requirements.” The number of cosmetic surgeries for youth 18 and under has increased by more than 300% from 1997 to 2007. Also due to societal pressures, nearly 65% of American women and girls, aged 25 to 45, are directly affected by unhealthy eating habits, including binge eating, purging, and skipping meals, according to a SELF magazine survey. And according to Time Magazine, nearly 93% of female college students engage in fat shaming.

But women are not the only ones seeking perfection. Often overlooked, men’s body negativity is also on the rise. In their September 2012 issue, GQ Magazine reported that men comprised 5 percent of people suffering from anorexia and bulimia 10 years ago. Today, the numbers reach nearly 20 percent.But from what does this pressure for perfection stem?

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“Over time I grew to see it as proof that I was strong enough to survive something terrible.

Now I’m totally comfortable with my scar, in fact, I’ve grown to love it as a unique part of myself. ”-Celina Colby, style editor

Erin Kayata, journalism ‘16 and Atlas industry writer, says “I feel like there’s a lot of skinny worship on the internet,” referring to images on Tumblr and Pinterest, where tags such as “thinsperation” and “fitsperation” explode with popularity. Matt D’Innocenzo, writing for film and television ‘16, feels that body image pressure for men comes from both “television and the importance of sports in society.” While men don’t necessarily feel pressure to have bodybuilder muscles featured in the media, they do feel an expectation from both other men and womento look fit while not “trying too hard.”

Our peers may have more influence on our body consciousness than we’d thought, and, unknowingly, our high expectations of ourselves can reflect upon those around us. Taryn Balchunas, writing, literature and publishing ‘13 and Atlas contributing health editor, reflects on overcoming her peers’ assumptions about her body: “Being naturally thin, I always felt self-conscious of other people’s awareness of my body, and people assumed that I had an eating disorder when my figure is actually due to my fast metabolism. Once I went through puberty, I realized that my slenderness is a part of myself and came to terms with the fact that this is the way I look, and only I can change that.”

Although women and men receive different body image messages, our insecurities are similar. Nick Holmes, acting ‘16, says, “Acne is one thing that men are surprisingly self-conscious about.” Justin Cordua, writing, literature and publishing ‘16, agrees: “I remember in high school when someone asked me why I didn’t wash my face [because of my acne]. I do wash my face all the time, and I put on creams and use medicine.”

As Cordua reveals, our peers’ criticisms about our bodies stick with us, planting self-conscious thoughts in our minds. Lesley Kinzel, associate editor at xoJane.com argues against body negativity as a whole. In her article “What’s Wrong with Fat-Shaming?” Kinzel addresses what we’ve all been ignoring: “Shame is not a catalyst for change; it is a paralytic. Anyone who has ever carried extreme personal shame knows this. Shame doesn’t make you stronger, nor does it help you to grow, or to be healthy, or to be sane. It keeps you in one place, very, very still.”

Writer and activist Gloria Steinem also brings light to the contagiousness of body shaming. In the 2011 documentary film Miss Representation, Steinem offers enlightening advice. “If you and I, every time we pass a

“A lot of our flaws are in our heads or only matter to us...”

-Rebecca Isenhart, artistic director

mirror, complain about our looks, remember that a girl is watching us and that is what she is learning.”

Body image relies so much on our mental outlook.

Depending upon how many times we check ourselves in the mirror before leaving the house or the amount of money we so easily drop on skin care, hair, or makeup products, it’s fair to note that everyone, regardless of age or gender, is concerned about their appearance to some extent.

Instead of working to fit ideals, it’s important to embrace what makes your beauty different from the mainstream images—a face full of freckles, a funky-shaped birthmark, or your crazy-huge scar. Embracing your imperfections encourages others to do the same.

David Coleman, relationship

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specialist and entertainer known as The Dating Doctor, hosted his yearly “Hooray!” event during orientation, where he invited new Emerson students to “break the ice” by telling their small group about their favorite scar.

Whether the result of a skiing accident, surgery, or from working in a kitchen, no two scars are the same, and each tells a story. Unfortunately, scars are often aspects of our body that we wish to conceal.

Charvelle Holder, broadcast journalism ‘13 has scars that are that resulted from her battle with eczema. “I carry numerous scars with me,” she says. “Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s also the first thing people see

when they look at you. However, I’ve learned to embrace it [my skin] the older I get….I try to be as happy as I can without letting the responses of others affect how I feel about myself.”

Celina Colby, writing, literature and publishing ‘15 and Atlas style editor, can testify to this as she speaks about her own scar. As a result of surviving a major car accident, Celina has a scar across her stomach.

“I used to get made fun of a lot for it, and I was really self-conscious,” she says, “but, over time, I grew to see it as proof that I was strong enough to survive something terrible. Now I’m totally comfortable with my scar; in fact,

“Shame doesn’t make you stronger, nor does it help you to grow, or to be healthy, or to be sane. It keeps you in one place, very, very still.”

-Lesley Kinzel, associate editor at xoJane.com

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I’ve grown to love it as a unique part of myself.”

Rebecca Isenhart, journalism ‘14 and Atlas artistic diretor, was similarly self-conscious about her peers’ thoughts because she has scoliosis. Eventually, she became more comfortable talking about it. “A lot of our flaws are in our heads or only matter to us,” she says.

Strengthening our relationships with ourselves often begins with learning to accept our bodies and all of our individual features that set us apart. Beauty doesn’t have to be an unattainable fugitive, as Marquise de SéVingné suggested during the Renaissance. Ask yourself how you can start a modern Renaissance today and contribute to body positivity. And in the words of Tina Fey, “Always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?”

CAROLINE CASSARD Photos: JAMIE KAPLAN Models: CELINA COLBY, CHARVELLE HOLDER, NISREEN GALLOWAY AND BRANNON SMITHWICK

Is Gluten Free the Way to Be?

FROM PIZZA TO CANNED BAKED BEANS, sausages to fried foods, we live in a gluten-saturated world. We pour dressing on our salads without noticing the wheat added for thickness, or we drink a glass of root beer overlooking that the ingredient modified food starch is derived from wheat. Wheat, rye, and barley, all of which contain the protein gluten, can be found in most meals in the typical American diet, which makes it difficult for people living with a gluten allergy, gluten intolerance, or Celiac Disease.

When Mason Weiser, an intern for Boston’s Weekly Dig, was 13-years-old, he was diagnosed with gluten intolerance. His fatigue and frequent stomachaches stopped when he eliminated gluten from his diet. “[Living gluten free], you have to learn how to cook,” says Weiser, who is now 19, “and you have to develop a taste for cultures in which wheat isn’t the main ingredient.” A lot of Eastern cuisine, including Thai and Indian food, is gluten free because the meals are ricebased. Weiser likes to make quick meals using rice pasta and fresh vegetables, reminiscent of Asian cuisine.

In addition to having a gluten intolerance, it’s also possible to have a gluten allergy, which is an immune response to gluten that can cause skin and gastrointestinal irritation as well as anaphylaxis, according to a handout that Lisa Ferreira, a registered dietitian at Boston University’s Sargent Choice Nutrition Center, gives to students.

A gluten allergy can be life threatening.

Boston resident Emma O’Brien, 23, has a different reaction to gluten. Her body’s autoimmune system damages the lining of the small intestine, which leads to mineral deficiencies. This reaction to gluten is known as Celiac Disease. According to celiaccentral.org, about 3 million Americans suffer from Celiac. Celiac Disease is more severe than gluten intolerance.

Living with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or a gluten allergy makes it hard to “eat-on-the-go.” O’Brien needs to make meals from scratch and carry homemade snacks with her because she can’t just pick up something quick at any convenience store or fast food place.

O’Brien has to think about cross-contamination as well. One time she was babysitting a toddler at his home and decided to eat a spoonful of honey that his family had. “Immediately, the child asks for toast with honey on it—and it hits me,” says O’Brien, “There’s totally gluten in the honey from a knife that touched bread touching the inside of the jar.” She immediately got hiccups and became painfully bloated, vomiting soon after.

Kimberly Dong, project manager and research dietitian at Tufts University says there is a lot of misinformation about gluten, especially now that it is hyped up in the media. Gluten free has turned into a new fad diet that companies are capitalizing on, saying that it is healthier to cut out gluten. “Gluten is the latest fad ‘scapegoat’ these days,” says Dong.

Though it is not necessarily healthier to live gluten free, following a gluten-free diet has forced Weiser to eat healthier. “I can’t really go for fast food anywhere,” says Weiser. “So that cuts off a whole swab of really, really unhealthy food.”

Dong says there is a lot of misinformation surrounding gluten sensitivities—the main misconception is that grains containing gluten are unhealthy. “If people focus on eating whole grain wheat products that are high in dietary fiber and within portions,” says Dong, “it can be a healthy part of one’s diet.”

“Gluten isn’t bad for everyone inherently,” Weiser says, and someone who isn’t gluten intolerant can get the same health benefits from a gluten free diet by just being mindful of what he or she eats. Dong says someone can still get a high amount of calories and unbalanced portion of nutrients without consuming gluten, which can make a gluten free diet unhealthy.

Ferreira says gluten free versions of food sometimes contain more fat than the food made with gluten. “If there is a reason to follow the [gluten free] diet, there is benefit,” says Ferreira. “However, if there is none, following the diet can be an unnecessary challenge on many levels.”

ALEXANDRA FILECCIA

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Fun While You Run: Endurance running with less intimidation

FOR MANY OF US, long distance running has never been, and never will be, an enticing aspect of fitness—especially when the distance is upwards of 3 miles. Organized marathons and half marathons have grown in popularity, striking an array of people’s, from the seriously fit to the inexperienced beginner, interests.

Whether you’re running for, with, or away from someone, it’s easy and entertaining to have some fun while you run.

ALEXANDRA MAGISTRO Photos: ANGELO GENTILE

Tough Mudder

If running through mud, climbing rope ladders, jumping over fire, and squirming under barbed wire fences sounds interesting to you, then sign up for the Tough Mudder. This 10-12 mile run was designed by British Special Forces and is considered the “premier adventure challenge series in the world.” The Tough Mudder run is not for the weak of heart or the athletically challenged-it tests your strength, stamina, and perseverance by placing extreme fitness challenges, like running while carrying a heavy log with your partner, throughout the run. This marathon is so intense that it requires you to have at least one partner to give you a push or urge you on. The run is held all over the world and costs anywhere from $90-$150 to participate, based on how far in advance you register for the event. Discounts are even offered for special circumstances like teams, military, or charity. Not only is this run good for the body, but it’s also good for the soul--its proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project with over 3 million dollars raised to date. toughmudder.com

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Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

The Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure is one of the most accepting races in regards to a wide range of fitness levels. The Susan G. Komen foundation was inspired by a promise between sisters Nancy G. Brinker and Susan G. Komen, and the battle that Komen fought, and eventually lost, to breast cancer. After Komen’s death, her sister was inspired to raise money and awareness for breast cancer; thus, the Susan G. Komen foundation was formed.

The Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5k runs in the world, aiming to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. Participants can walk or run, solo or in a group, in honor of survivors or in memory of those who lost their battle.

Don’t forget to dress yourself in extravagant pink outfits to show your support. komen.org

Run For Your Lives

Forget about survival of the fittest, this race makes you run for your life. Runners participating in Run For Your Lives encounter zombies at every turn. At the start of the race, runners are given a belt with “health flags” attached by velcro. Throughout the course, zombies attempt to steal these health flags, but never fear if they succeed--there are hidden health packs throughout the course. The race also incorporates an obstacle course that you must overcome in order to truly survive the “apocalypse,” so be sure to make allies that can aid you in safely crossing the finish line. Generally a 5k run, there is no definitive set-up, allowing you to make your own course. If running from zombies isn’t your thing, you can instead be a zombie, and transform yourself on race day from a healthy human to a hungry monster.

runforyourlives.com

The Color Run

Branded by many as “The Happiest 5K on the Planet,” the Color Run is more about fun than anything else.

This run requires only two things from its participants: a white shirt must be worn at the starting line, and runners must be “color plastered” at the end of the race. At the start of each new kilometer, runners are showered with a new color dye. At the finish line, runners celebrate with free food and festivities. No training is necessary, as the run emphasizes fun through movement, regardless of how you choose to tackle the distance. The Color Run partners with charities of all kinds to encourage donations and volunteering. Sign-ups cost between $35 and $40, and slots fill up quickly, so be sure to register in advance.

thecolorrun.com

Get Techy: Running Apps for Your Smartphone Seeking help in the training department?

Whether you’re preparing for a marathon or you want to improve your general health, use these handy apps that handle all aspects of training.

iMapMyRun+: Although this app is pricey, at $4.99, it includes an invaluable GPS system that’s helpful in setting distance goals and a lifesaver for the directionally challenged.

There’s also a real-time tracking ability that logs your distance, time, and speed, a training log, and Twitter integration. iHeartRun Free: This app is a less intense, free version of iMapMyRun+ and is the perfect companion for the inexperienced. Like iMapMyRun+, iHeartRun includes a GPS capability to track your runs -- but the coolest aspect of this app is its ability to gauge your heart rate by holding the speaker up to your chest or neck.

Ghost Race: For the competitive among us, Ghost Race provides a surrogate training buddy.

Pitting you against your virtual self, the app records your previous runs of the same course and urges you to beat your best time. The cost for your own competition? $0.99.

IntervalRun: If you’ve recently become inspired to revamp your health and fitness and have no prior history of running, IntervalRun has a “Couch to 5k” feature that boosts your stamina by confusing your body with interval training.

If you want to go beyond running, the app also has Tabata (a strength and cardio interval program) and an 8K plan for a mere $1.99.

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What is the Modern Day Plague?

TO THIS DAY, the amount of death and destruction caused by plagues has yet to be surpassed by any other illness or disease. Atlas staff asked around and speculated on what could be considered a contemporary epidemic that rivals the force of the horrific “Black Death.” Here’s some of the answers we came up with:

“MENINGITIS. I’m a Broadcast Journalism major and I keep hearing about it all over the news.”

-Emi Soda ‘13 “I think today’s ‘Modern Day Plague’ is ANOREXIA. Sure, anorexia and eating disorders have existed before modern day; however, I believe it is being better diagnosed and people are becoming more aware of it.”

-Alexandra Fileccia ‘15 “AIDS is a ‘Modern Day Plague’ nor only in the simple sense that it kills thousands of people per year; it’s also a plague because great nations choose to ignore it.” -Lucas Parolin ‘12 “I think the Modern Day Plague is SUICIDE. There was a recent study saying that suicide is now the leading cause of death in America, taking the place of car crashes.”

-Taryn Balchunas ‘13

Have another suggestion of a ‘Modern Day Plague’? ‘Like’ us on Facebook and comment to tell us what you think.

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Photos: ERIN LOCKE

CAMPUS DIY: Creating A Major

COMPARED TO OTHER college students and even other Emerson students, Emerson sophomore Jamie Emmerman has an unusual major.

“It’s a B.A. in publishing art; the official title is publishing arts: feature writing, photography, and design,” he says.

This unique major is a creation of Emmerman’s varied interests. Emmerman is one of the few students in Emerson’s Individually Designed Interdisciplinary Program (IDIP), also referred to as the “design your own major” program. IDIP students are a rare breed at Emerson, which is understandable given the program’s obscure nature.

According to Dr. Nigel Gibson, the program’s director, only about 10 students enter the program each year, as a result of both the strenuous proposal process and the marketing strategies that surround the program.

“It’s not a program that you see on the website; it’s not central to the school, as the school has distinct programs,” says Dr. Gibson. “You have to design [the major] yourself, so you have to find [the program] yourself.”

Though students who are drawn to Emerson generally come with a specific major in mind, the IDIP is perfect for students whose interests are not confined to one major or program. IDIP essentially allows students to create their own academic path, choosing from courses that come from all Emerson majors. Emmerman’s major, for example, combines courses from 3 different departments: visual media arts (VMA), journalism, and writing, literature, and publishing (WLP). Majors designed by past students include investigative theatre for social change, global activism and advocacy, and politics, performance and social advocacy.

Alicia Lazzaro’s dissatisfaction with her initial major led her to the IDIP. After entering Emerson as a WLP major and then switching to print journalism in her second semester, Lazzaro ‘14 realized she needed to be getting more out of her Emerson education.

“The main reason I looked into IDIP is that we’re spending so much money to go to this school, and so I want to be studying exactly what I want to be doing in the future,” says Lazzaro. “I found [the journalism department] was very centered on ‘news journalism,’

like reporting complex stories. I love fun writing; I love writing reviews, profiles, features, etc, and being a journalism major didn’t give me that.”

After this revelation, Lazzaro looked into adding a publishing minor, but then decided against that after she discovered a love for marketing. With these 3 separate interests, Alicia finally looked into IDIP, and designed a “magazine studies” major perfectly tailored to her educational objectives.

Likewise, Emmerman looked into designing his own major after his experience within the journalism department left him wanting more.

“I came to Emerson as a journalism student, and I love writing. I realized I had this whole creative side that I really wanted to put into my profession,” says Emmerman. To account for this creativity, Emmerman zeroed in on his 3 favorite interests: publishing, photography, and design. Thus, the idea for his major was born, and he entered into the dark, swirling fog that is the IDIP proposal process. “[The application process] actually does require quite a bit of work from students,” explains Dr. Gibson. “It involves coming up with the idea, going through and having a look at what we have and how that idea could be fleshed out, and then coming up with an academic proposal.”

After completing a concrete academic proposal, students must then meet with professors from each department that their new major encompasses. If all departments approve the proposal, it’s then sent off to a review committee. Once the committee gives its approval, the proposal must be sent for a final review from the vice president. If the vice president approves it, the student can begin working toward their new major.

Dr. Gibson further elaborates on the proposal process, saying, “The committees reviewing

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theproposals want to see something original, in the sense that, well, why don’t you take up a minor or double major? That’s going to be a stumbling block for students looking to get into the IDIP.” In his early meetings with the Academic Advising Center, Emmerman faced the double major or minor “stumbling block” himself. “At first, the advising office was like, ‘Well you should just double major in journalism and WLP--the thing about that is you still have take all the required classes,” he explains. “[The academic advisors] want to make sure that you’re really serious about it,” he continues. “A lot of kids are like, ‘Wow, I want to build my own major, that sounds great, I want to take all the classes I want,’ but they don’t really think it through, and the advising office tries to weed this type out.”

To overcome this hurdle, students interested in the IDIP need to have a clear vision of their unique majors. Even after fashioning an idea for a new major, however, there’s no guarantee that the initial proposal will be accepted. Emmerman had to revise his own proposal several times, and ran into a few other problems along the way; abundant class registration issues turned a process that could have taken a few weeks into a long, drawn-out saga. Designing your own major is an intensive and serious process, though it’s wholly worthwhile for students interested in manufacturing a degree for a specific career. “[IDIP] expresses what you are, and what you want to be,” says Dr. Gibson.

Finishing up his explanation of the unique program, Emmerman says, “Journalism and WLP major with a photography minor…it just doesn’t sound as good on paper as publishing arts: feature writing, photography, and design--you know?”

JULIA HIGGINS Photo: JAMIE KAPLAN

Paradise Lost: A Democracy of Dance

their minds throughout the week to clear their thoughts in order to have a clean slate to improvise from. The “jam” then begins, consisting of a 25 to 30 minute session in which the dancers improvise to playlists, live music, beatAS TYLER CATANELLA shuts off the studio lights, a boxing, and sometimes, complete silence. quiet anticipation fills the room. Lit only by two glowing Lately, Catanella is using what he describes as more exit signs, he connects his iPod and lets his playlist “organic electronic sounds.” His song choices come from begin before returning to his seat. 8 chairs are arranged more obscure, contemporary artists such as Four Tet and in a large circle, each filled by one dancer. As the music Jamie Woon. When not using a set playlist, friends are swells, they sit in silence, staring forward, waiting. invited to improvise music with their own instruments.

The song is almost over before one dancer rises Some students also attend these sessions for inspiration and circles gently forward. She is to write poetry or fiction. followed by another, who repeats During this creative process, her movement twice before sliding dancers are sometimes given a story to the floor. Together, the 2 dancers to think of, or a small sequence combine a set of movements, or “phrase” of choreography from sometimes repeated but always which they can repeat, change, and slightly different, following the incorporate as they see fit. According rhythm of the music. to Joshua Barnaby, writing, literature, To an uninformed observer, and publishing ‘13, their focus should it would seem that this was always be their mindset. “It’s not a rehearsal with permanent really about having technique, or choreography. In reality, all of being able to do the most pirouettes what is happening is completely or fouettes. It’s more about having a spontaneous, improvised, and new. quality of music and a willingness to They are seeing Paradise Lost. take chances and connect with others, This 4-year-old organization a willingness to be lost,” said Barnaby. breaks from the mold of a typical This free-form movement occurs dance group by encouraging “It’s more about having a quality in what members refer to as a “safe improvisation through dance, art, of music and a willingness to room;” an environment in which they music, and writing. Its members take chances and connect with will not be judged and are allowed to fall into a wide variety of majors others, a willingness to be lost.” express themselves in a way that is and interests, reflecting the rich – Joshua Barnaby, writing, unique to them.

For Chiara Trentalange, artistic diversity that can be found literature, and publishing ‘13 musical theater ‘14, this involved within the student body.

Catanella, theater education ‘13, recalls when Paradise “teaching [herself] to let go and listen.”

Once the jam session concludes, dancers gather to Lost was created during the spring 2010 semester. “It share something they’d like to focus on or achieve in started as an idea in a dorm room with my best friend the future. It ends the sessions on a positive note, and [Jared Michael Brown, acting ‘13]. We had a collection encourages each member to leave more driven and of music that inspired us, and a huge folder of images of optimistic for the week ahead. urban landscapes, of people struggling. That’s how this Catanella believes that dance is an experience that was born.” can be shared with everyone and not solely for a select, Instead of your typical dance company, Catanella describes Paradise Lost as a collective of artists, including technically trained few. It is when the dancers abandon the rigidity of technical dancing and “play” with the dancers, writers, and musicians. Each person is allowed music that the best jams occur. the freedom to express themselves in whatever medium “It takes an open mind. That’s it. What I love most is they choose, a concept he describes as a “democracy of that we’re not one type of person,” said Catanella. “We dance.”

“It gives us a space to play and a time during the week have all kinds of people dancing, of all different majors, when we can just be free, where no one’s telling us what and I encourage people who aren’t dancers to be a part of it.” to do. It’s kind of nice not to have a teacher or dictator Catanella is working towards showcases for Paradise around that we need to impress. It’s a time for us,” says Lost, in which he hopes to include pre-choreographed and Catanella. improvised sound and movement from dancers, actors, This free time occurs every Saturday morning, when and musicians, and encourages anyone from the Emerson the group meets for a several hours to collaborate community to attend. potential choreography and “jam.” They start by having

CATALINA GAITAN members sit together and share whatever has been on

Photos: COURTESY OF PARADISE LOST

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  45

Big Boss on Campus Emerson students create successful businesses in entrepreneurship class AT EMERSON, Students are given numerous opportunities to call upon their talents and passions for various projects, some of which carry into the real world as jobs or businesses. Though the projects that Emerson students develop are vastly different, ranging from sports apparel to music therapy to DJ companies, there is one unifying element among the businesses that Atlas found: the students all gained a foundation for their companies from Emerson’s entrepreneurship and marketing programs. Creating something from scratch, with the help of their entrepreneurship minors, these students have turned their projects into full-fledged and self-sufficient businesses, and have learned what it’s like to be their own boss.

Hold On Another Day

Four words, one lyric, one message: hold on another day. This is what helped Isabel Thottam, writing for film and television ’13, cope with her depression in high school, as well as what inspired her to create the project, Hold On Another Day. This for-profit organization sells mixed CDs to raise awareness for various campaigns and promotes the idea of using music to help people that are suffering.

Though Thottam came up with the idea for Hold On Another Day in August 2010, she founded the company as a business last year. Thottam said her entrepreneurship class provided her the information and business plan necessary to put her idea into action.

“I feel like it was the kicker I needed,” Thottam said.

“It was the best kind of challenge because I knew I was driven enough to want to do it and that’s what helped so much.”

The first cause that Hold On Another Day supported was Operation Gratitude, a national non-profit that sends care packages to soldiers and wounded veterans at home.

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They did this through their non-political CD, Songs for Soldiers, which features songs that focus on the idea of holding on another day until you are reunited with your friends and family.

The next project for Hold On Another Day is Songs for Project Believe In Me. The CD will feature songs about bullying, ranging from songs by those who were bullied, had friends who were bullied, or were bullied for being a part of the LGBT community. Hold On Another Day will donate one CD for every one they sell to counseling offices in middle and high schools around the country, so any student who comes to discuss their bullying problems will receive a CD that shows them they are not alone.

Thottam’s major also played a large factor in the way she runs her company. Thottam has drawn a parallel between the lessons she has learned in class and the way she can tell stories through her project.

“For me, this is storytelling, because there’s a story for why I’m doing this, there’s a story for why people suffer from depression, there’s a story of how people overcome depression,” Thottam said. “Those are the stories that I want to bring to the community because I want to bring that positive light.”

DJour Entertainment

Six months ago, Nora Jordan’s business, DJour Entertainment, was a student project. Today, it’s her full-time job. Jordan, a marketing communications major with a minor in entrepreneurship, graduated from Emerson last May, and has been promoting her business ever since.

DJour Entertainment is an all-female DJ company Jordan created during her senior year. She got into DJing through her interest in public speaking, various jobs with radio stations, and a DJing job on the Spirit of Boston boat tours. It was there that Jordan became aware of the stigma

placed on female DJs. “People either like it, or they’re shocked by it,” Jordan said. “A lot of women will be like, ‘I’m so proud of you, keep this going.’ I think that there do need to be more women in the industry, because it’s so saturated by men.”

Her primary goal is to not simply be a DJ company, but a DJ brand. Her logo features a set of black headphones and red lips, representing a message of female empowerment.

“There’s no Apple of DJ companies,” Jordan said. “I feel like [my logo is] so unique and so poignant. It’s a brand— its so much more than just a company. With everything I do, I make sure that it’s consistent with the brand.”

Jordan is now working full-time at her business; however, the shift from running DJour as a project to managing it as a full-time job has proved to be trying.

“The transition has been hard recently. It’s so up and down,” Jordan said. “Some days, I’ll be like, ‘Oh my God, this is great. I am getting a few clients, and business is going well,’ and then I won’t get some clients for some time, and I’m like, ‘What do I do? Do I get another job?’”

When Jordan gets lost, she focuses on reading and improving, be it on her knowledge of finance, the technicalities of being an MC, or simply running her own business.

With the first few months of running DJour as a full-time business complete, Jordan determined where she plans to take her company.

“I eventually don’t want to DJ at all; I just want to manage a group of DJ’s and manage a company, so that’s kind of my 5-year-plan,” she said. “I see myself managing this company, growing it, growing the brand, making it a wellknown brand in the city, in New England.”

Quiyk

Matt Lowe, film production ‘13, flew to London this past summer to hand-deliver uniforms to the players in the first ever Quidditch Summer Games. The uniforms were made

by Lowe’s company, Quiyk, and the tournament was held by what Lowe called the “NBA of Quidditch,” the International Quidditch Association.

Quiyk, an apparel company for alternative sports, is run

by Lowe and 3 fellow Emersonians. Quiyk’s aim has always been to provide apparel that allows Quidditch to be taken

seriously as a legitimate sport, so it was fitting for them to provide uniforms for the event in England.

The tournament was held during the last torch lighting ceremony before the 2012 Summer Olympics began in an attempt to raise awareness of Quidditch as a sport. Quiyk provided uniforms for the teams from the United States, Australia, France, and England, which were 4 of the 5 teams in the tournament.

“The thing that we always say when coming up with new ideas is, ‘standardization equals legitimization’—[We want to get] people to take the sport more seriously through standardized uniforms, [through] products that actually help the sport grow, [and] at the same time help people recognize that people are very committed to it and take it seriously,” Lowe said.

Lowe described the process of handling the 1500 piece order as a learning process.

“The volume was a lot to handle, and we did our best to get through it all,” he said. “It was definitely a big summer project.”

Lowe said Quiyk is now gearing up for the spring and the Quidditch World Cup in Florida this coming April. Though 3 of the 4 members of Quiyk are seniors, Lowe said they’re mainly focused on the here and now when it comes to their company.

“The dream would be to keep working on it for another 5 years, get a bigger company interested, and see if they’d be willing to absorb Quiyk or have us as a sub-brand or something like that,” Lowe said. “But that’s going to require growing our market and expanding it to other niche areas as well.” ANNA BUCKLEY Photos: COURTESY OF HOLD ON ANOTHER DAY, DJOUR, AND QUIYK

THE NEW RENAISSANCE  47

CITY The Jamaica Plain Renaissance A COLORFUL MURAL EXPLODES across a concrete back wall deep within the city limits. Mixed with bold lines and shapes, vibrant colors of blue and orange comprise a graphic, tribal street painting depicting the Huraca’n Trio, the three Taino gods of tropical storms. At the center of the mural is the wind goddess, Guabancex, who extends both her arms horizontally to her two male accomplices, the gods of flood and thunder. The piece was designed in 1984 by Puerto Rican professor and artist Rafael Rivera Garcia, whose art focuses on the Taino people, a Hispanic culture indigenous to the Caribbean.

In 2003, the Mayor’s Mural Crew restored the peeling piece to its former glory, highlighting the importance of street aesthetics and art to the neighborhood. But the painting doesn’t reside in a posh area of Cambridge or Back Bay, where many Bostonians would expect to see public art. It’s on the back of the Wholefoods supermarket on 413 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.

It’s no secret that the city of Boston plays favorites with its neighborhoods. Cambridge is known for it’s art and hip culture, while other communities draw in residents with their nightlife, like the student-friendly neighborhood of Allston. Many Bostonians don’t explore the neighborhoods that lie on the Orange Line because of the many negative stereotypes surrounding the adjacent low-income areas.

“I don’t really know why I don’t go out there very much. I guess I just don’t see a reason to,” says Emerson student Adrianna Alfidi.

Others say that JP is too far from downtown, or that there’s nothing there besides houses. But one of Boston’s best kept secrets is one of the less popular wings of the city, the neighborhood that lies after Roxbury on the Orange Line: Jamaica Plain.

However, it wasn’t always that way. The outdated stereotypes that haunt Jamaica Plain have grounds in its rocky history. In the late 1960’s, the city began

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construction on an Interstate-95 highway connection extending from Forest Hills to Back Bay, which lead to mass demolition of the area. Construction continued until community protest prompted Governor Francis Sargent to halt the project in 1969. The unfinished highway left a strip of desolate land that nearly divided Jamaica Plain down the middle, leading to widespread abandonment and vandalizing of properties. It was a physical scar that prevented community growth.

As the property values surrounding the area plummeted, the city took notice and allocated the leftover highway funds to the construction of the Orange Line and Southwest Corridor Park. At the same time, activists aimed to fight redlining and the relocating of low to moderate income families by creating jobs for residents and offering home rehabilitation assistance. The result of both the external and internal neighborhood renovation was a tightly knit, ethnically diverse community that has continued to grow into the modern Jamaica Plain.

Years later, with the addition of Orange Line, JP is only a fifteen minute T ride from Downtown Crossing, and has a lot more art to offer visitors. For instance, in the heart of the South Street shopping district lies another example of unique outdoor art. It’s a street piece commissioned in 2010 by acclaimed artist and environmental sculptor, Beth Galston, The Serpentine Fence.

The fence contains both function and aesthetic. It is a long, purple chain link partition that winds, snakelike, around the perimeter of the South Street Tennis Courts.

It breathes life into a bland, square space.

On her website, Galston writes of the fence: “I wanted to create a signature piece for the site, transforming what was once an ugly barrier into an elegant and beautiful artwork that set the stage for the entire park.” And now, during the day, the park is framed by an avante-garde fence that glistens in the sun, juxtaposed by the linear architecture of the businesses that lie on the other side of the street.

Businesses Mentioned Bukhara Indian Bistro 701 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617) 522-2195

The same area is alive in the evenings every first Thursday of the month. On this day, laughter and music fill the air along the streets of the district as business and galleries prop open their doors to promote local art on the street. The premise is simple: walk down the street and view the art that the community displays for the public while simultaneously supporting local food and business. “First Thursday” was created by the Jamaica Plain Arts Council to help locals promote their work to the community. Go for the street musicians, the unique visual art, or do some shopping and support small businesses. Affordable housing developer and resident of Jamaica Plain Matt Henzy says: “[Jamaica Plain’s culture] was always strong--the Wake Up the Earth festival, Open Studios, Footlight Club, the Franklin Park festivals, lantern parade, the young music scene. These have always been here, maybe stronger now.” He continues: “First Thursdays and the new JP Music Festival are good additions.”

Now, years after the turbulent ‘70s, Centre Street is no longer lined with smashed windows or torched infrastructure. Instead, a trip to South Street reveals the wafting scents of desserts and cigarette clouds from patrons outside the vegan-friendly café, Fiore’s.

Fiore’s Bakery 55 South Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617) 524-9200

And next door, sheltered under cranberry-colored awnings, resides the local grocery co-operative, the Harvest Co-op, where shopHarvest Co-op pers can support the local 57 South Street Boston, MA economy. It’s hip—the main 02130 drag of the neighborhood.

(617) 524-1635 The Centre Street District bustles all day as shoppers run errands or grab food for Blissful Monkey Yoga dinner.It boasts peaceful 663 Centre Street Boston, MA havens of meditation like 02130 Blissful Monkey Yoga, and, (617) 522-4411 just a minute further down the road, unexpected ethnic cuisine like that of the Bukhara Indian Bistro. The neighborhood has plenty to offer residents young and old, and is one of the fastest growing areas in Greater Boston.

VICTORIA MARTINS Photos: SOE LIN AND COURTESY OF BOSTON HERALD

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Stay or Stray?

Boston After Graduation SAMANTHA WOLIN AND HER 2011 EMERSON College class left their commencement ceremony with degrees in their hands, but soon afterwards they would be holding plane tickets instead. Some students moved to Los Angeles to crack into show business; others who studied marketing--like Wolin--migrated to New York to work for the city’s large firms. Wolin was certain of only one thing: she didn’t want to return home to Miami. The rest was undetermined.

Every college student has to lay a path for their life when they graduate, and the toughest decision lies in where they want to build it. Thousands of Boston graduates face this dilemma every year, as there are over 50 colleges in the city’s metropolitan area and over 150,000 students. In fact, the Boston Redevelopment Authority reports that 35 percent of Bostonians are between the ages of 20 and 34, which is the highest rate in the country.

Boston has had difficulty in the past retaining this young population once they graduate from college, which gave it a reputation as a “stepping stone” city. In theory, teens from around the United States come to Boston for school, receive an education, then leave for larger cities after they graduate. Recently, however, statistics are disproving the myth that Boston is just an academic leaping pad: the number of Bostonians between the ages of 20 and 24 increased by 25.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.

One of the key contributors to this continuing growth are non-profits, such as the Future Boston Alliance. Malia Lazu, another Emerson alumni, created the organization in May 2012 with the goal of encouraging students to stay in Boston after they graduate. “One of our main missions is to change the perception that Boston is just a college town. Really, it’s a world class city,” says Emily Catalano, the Alliance’s project manager.

The Alliance’s strategy is to reach out to the city’s

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student population. One way they achieve this is to host ASSEMBLE, a weekly event with local artists and designers that connects students with Boston’s culture.

“We hope to continue to reach out to college students to get them involved in the artists’ creative community and the city,” Catalano says. “Hopefully they will want to stay a part of it when they graduate.”

Community is an idea that’s often discussed in the Alliance’s office, and is absolutely essential to their vision. Catalano believes that students spend so much time on campus that they consider themselves part of their college’s community, but forget that they’re also members of Boston’s community. “When I was a student I felt like I was just in the ‘Emerson Bubble,’ and I think a lot of college students feel like that,” she says, describing this short-sightedness. “The way to change that is by encouraging young people to get involved, whether it’s through their internships or through volunteering opportunities; to just get them excited about the city they’re living in.”

Another organization that helps retain Boston graduates is ONEin3, which was founded by Mayor Thomas Menino in 2004 to address the needs of the city’s growing 20-to34 age demographic. Menino recognized that transitioning from college life to the working world isn’t easy, and in a large college city like Boston, there are thousands of young adults here who find it difficult to adjust. ONEin3 aims to assist these struggling graduates in all facets of life. They provide career services through networking events and internships, civic engagement opportunities such as volunteer efforts and voting information, and housing resources like workshops and helpful online links.

Even seemingly trivial tasks like managing finances can be difficult at first, and ONEin3 is a significant help.

Chloe Ryan, who currently leads ONEin3, says that the 20-to-34 age demographic is critical to Boston’s prosperity. “They are a huge proportion of Boston’s workforce,” she says. “They also bring a lot of creativity

and innovation to Boston, which I think is really important.”

The Future Boston Alliance and ONEin3 employ different strategies to assist young Bostonians, but they both agree that graduates will go where jobs are available, and it’s Boston’s responsibility to provide opportunities for them.

Ryan says the city is helping its startup industry thrive with the budding Innovation District, which is an area located in the South End’s waterfront community.

“The Innovation District houses a ton of incubators, and provides spaces for young entrepreneurs to start their own business,” she says. By creating an environment where startup businesses can thrive, not only will graduates be more inclined to stay in Boston, but the city’s economy will benefit as well.

Catalano believes that Boston distinguishes itself from other large cities by embracing its smaller size instead of overcompensating. “Boston is a great city to make really strong connections with other young professionals and feel like you’re part of a young professional community,” she says. “I think that’s essential for a young person to be a part of, and it’s not easy to do in New York City where you’re one of thousands and thousands of people. As a 23 year-old, you can’t really make that same impact because there are so many others like you.”

Tanya Kropinicki, a 2008 Northeastern University grad, says that Boston’s smaller size is actually one of its most appealing characteristics.

“Boston is a manageable city for a new graduate,” she says. “I personally feel New York or Los Angeles would have been a little overwhelming for me when I was just starting out. Boston felt more conquerable.”

Kropinicki says that graduates who stay in Boston can become big fishes in a small pond, and grads who leave for larger cities are more likely to flounder. In a more contained market like Boston’s, it’s easier for a startup business to become successful because there is less competition. It’s more likely that a company will choose a graduate’s résumé out of a pile of job applications because the stack will be shorter. And, most importantly, a Bostonian has a better chance of having their name known in their respective industry than a New Yorker.

When Wolin and Kropinicki came to Boston, they shared many similarities. They were both transplants from their home state of Florida, they both wanted to enter the marketing field, and they both had to make one of the largest decisions of their lives: whether to stay in Boston after graduation, or leave. After careful consideration, they decided to stay in Boston.

Wolin tapped into the young professional community that Catalano mentioned, and formed connections that

helped her earn an internship at WHDH Channel 7, a local news station. After graduation they offered her an entry level job, and she is currently working towards a position in the sales department.

Kropinicki benefitted from the city’s thriving upstart environment, and founded a Belgian-inspired restaurant on Union Street. The restaurant, called Saus, has become incredibly popular, and was featured in Boston.com’s “Munch Madness 2012,” which is a competition created to determine the best restaurant in the city.

Boston has used nonprofits like the Future Boston Alliance and city programs like ONEin3 to convince college graduates to stay in the city, make their transition as smooth as possible, and help them find success in their careers. The results are evident. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reports that from 2008 to 2010, 45 percent of the region’s civilian labor force was under 35. This makes Boston’s workforce the youngest in the country.

While other cities worry about aging populations, Boston’s prized 20-to34 age demographic has steadily grown. And because a large portion of this group are college graduates, the city’s workforce is one of the most educated in America. This group also brings innovation and creativity to all facets of Boston, whether it’s the economy, the arts, or even the culinary scene, as Kropinicki has done.

But more than anything else, Boston’s young adults provide the city with a promising outlook for years to come. “It’s so important that we reach out to young people and develop these relationships with them,” Catalano says. “Because ultimately, they are the people that are going to change the future of this city.” While other cities worry about aging populations, Boston’s prized 20-to-34 age demographic has steadily grown.

And because a large portion of this group are college graduates, the city’s workforce is one of the most educated in America. This group also brings innovation and creativity to all facets of Boston, whether it’s the economy, the arts, or even the culinary scene, as Kropinicki has done.

But more than anything else, Boston’s young adults provide the city with a promising outlook for years to come. “It’s so important that we reach out to young people and develop these relationships with them,” Catalano says. “Because ultimately, they are the people that are going to change the future of this city.”

NICK DUMONT Photo: COURTESY OF BOSTON GLOBE

“Boston is a great city to make really strong connections with other young professionals and feel like you’re part of a young professional community.”

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Starting Fresh: How to Tattoo ALICIA LAZZARO WEARS THICK-FRAMED glasses, has blonde-brown hair, and knows about tattoos.

Her first and second tattoo she loves, but the third one didn’t go as planned. From the get-go, Lazzaro said she felt confident about the artist because she’d seen work he’d done on friends and co-workers. Lazzaro’s brother drew up the design that would span across her back: a quote that read, “Know and believe in yourself and what others think won’t disturb you,” bordered with intricately woven lily flowers..

“I got what I paid for,” says Lazzaro. She describes a process known as blowing out: when an artist goes too deeply into the skin with the needle, the ink bleeds into fat cells beneath, causing the tattoo to blur almost immediately, a process that normally shows its effects years later. Shortly after the mishap, Lazzaro made plans to get a cover up tattoo.

Spanning each wall of the shop are dozens of pictures of skulls, dragons, and thorned roses outlined in black frames. Music overhead blasts Mos Def, punctuated by the intermittent buzzing of needles. Muffled chat-

BEFORE

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ter from fellow artists murmurs about; it’s 10am, and Stingray Body Art in Allston is just waking up. But in the small room in back, Josh “Chico” Torres is already hard at work. “He really fucked you over,” says Torres of the previous artist as he takes a look at the tattoo. He takes off a baggy sweatshirt to reveal heavily inked and vibrantly colored arms.

Lazzaro kneels in a padded chair, and Torres leans over in a chair and begins to stencil the new tattoo in Sharpie on her upper back. “Tattooing is the most physically and mentally taxing job I’ve ever had,” says Torres. He didn’t expect his love for drawing from a young age would translate into a career in the tattoo world. After a year at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, he dropped out to pursue tattooing more intently. “My personality, in general, is all over the place. My art is the same way.”

Torres explains that he doesn’t like to focus too much on a single genre of tattooing. Dotted lines outline a new flower that will wrap around Lazzaro’s shoulder.

After a short cigarette break, Torres is back for a second go, and begins prep for the actual tattoo. This

NEW TATTOO IN PROGRESS

Stingray Body Art 386 Cambridge St. Allston, MA 02134 (617) 254-0666

“It’s important to choose an artist who’s experienced and excited about the tattoo they’ll be working on.” is just the start; the three-hour-long session is only the first of a number of sessions before the final tattoo is revealed. He sets out six or seven hues of ink and snaps the needle’s cartridge in place. Lazzaro sits relaxed in the chair as Torres begins to outline one of the lily flowers in black. As time passes, Stingray starts to liven up. Artists sit together stenciling out tattoos and the back-and-forth buzzing of needles ensues from every corner of the room.

It’s only when Torres begins the lily flower closest to Lazzaro’s neck that the pain reaches all the way to her fingertips clutching the cushion in front of the chair.

“Everyone experiences pain differently,” says Torres, but some of the most commonly painful places to get tattoos are the collarbone, back of knee, and underarm. Torres’ pattern of needlework and wiping away the excess ink over and over again in a synchronized way that suggests he’s done this motion thousands of time before, even as a young artist.

Crystal clear black lines that outline each flower contrast the blurred lines of the previous tattoo. After another short break, Torres begins to add some color and Lazzaro’s face tenses as the needle goes over sensitive spots. The shadowing of each flower and rich colors will cover the previous tattoo. After the largest corner flower is complete, he takes a step back for perspective, and nods in satisfaction.

“People are smartening up; they’re doing their research,” says Torres. He says it’s important to choose an artist who’s experienced and excited about the tattoo they’ll be working on. With the coloring of the corner flower finished as well as most of the flowers’ outlines, Torres calls it quits for the day. Lazzaro sneaks a peek at the transformation in a floor-length mirror nearby, and her face says it all. “I love it, it looks beautiful,” she says.

Beaming, Lazzaro says she can’t wait to see how it will look when it’s finished.

CASSIE SCHAUBLE Photos: ANGELO GENTILE

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A Sneak Peak of

Restaurant Week

THERE COMES A TIME in every professional’s lifetime that they need to show their stuff. For restaurants in major U.S. cities, restaurateurs get two shots every year to make their mark on foodies old and new.

It’s Restaurant Week: a concept that first appeared as a city-wide promotion for the New York food community in 1992, and has since spread to most of America’s major cities, with big showings in San Francisco, Austin, and Boston. The best high-end eateries in the city discount their food for one week only, offer special promotions, and introduce new dishes all in the interest of luring in the elusive never customer. Twenty years later, the same principles and business model is abided by to keep new people coming in, but the addition of technology to the tradition creates new opportunities for restaurants to soar or sink critically.

It used to be that the opinion of one or two discerning foodies would define a restaurant's reputation for the next calendar year, but the expansion of the food blog-

ging community in the past ten years has opened up the perspectives of shrewd customers and restaurant professionals alike. David Santori of the Boston blog “Frenchie and Yankee” recognizes the importance of critics on a budget with no sway. “Food blogging and its growing influence on diners now offers that much more information about the food scene making it a lot more interesting and richer.” These blogs receive reasonably high traffic and encourage a discussion between readers more so than other media outlets.

This leaves Boston’s best with a unique set of expectations, and they’re all too aware of it. In autumn, owners and chefs begin to plan their menus and promotions to get people in the door come March. A mere stroll through one of Boston’s best eateries, Bergamot, leaves a line of foodies eager to know what’s coming up for this spring’s Restaurant Week Festivities. “Oh, you mean Christmas?” a customer joked on his way in to enjoy

“With only a dozen days to get your attention, Boston’s bringing its A-game this year.”

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Pan-Seared Arctic Char, one of the restaurant’s flagship dishes. “The city becomes this big buffet, it’s amazing.”

The duality of Restaurant Week is a balancing act that requires maintenance of the quality and service their established customers are used to while vying for the attention and taste buds of newcomers. Compounded higher customer traffic than most restaurants will see for the rest of the year, it’s more important than ever for restaurants to plan in advance. For most places, it’s a matter of planning and remaining aware of what will dazzle a customer just a smidgen more than the restaurant next door. Santori notes the immense pressure it puts on an owner. “What mattered to me was the originality of the menu created for that Week in comparison to the regular menu. How did the Chefs shorten their menus? Which dishes did they decide to leave out or keep for Restaurant Week?” he says. In a world tied closer than ever to social media, finding the latest menu updates and fellow foodies’ discerning opinions is a mere click away. Food savants are encouraged to harness the power of social media (especially Twitter) to give chefs and friends opinions and suggestions in real

time with a number of official tweeting accounts and the ubiquitous hashtag #RWBoston.

Stress aside, Restaurant Week is a magical window of discovery for casual diners and fast food mavens alike. For one short window of time, some of the finest food in the country is available at a reduced price with a focus on customers, and those unfamiliar with the restaurant scene can immerse themselves in a whole new level of dining. With only a dozen days to get your attention, Boston’s bringing its A-game this year. A Restaurant Week customer is a different animal from your everyday walk-in, coming armed with research, budgets, and high expectations. There are no medals or ceremonious congratulations at the end of this epic, edible saga--only good eats.

JAMIE LOFTUS Photos: MIKE RITTER AND TIM LLEWELLYN

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GLOBE News In Brief As change carves its way through our history, social topics and practices previously avoided have been brought into the spotlight. This newfound attention has led to the pushing of barriers for equality and independence. Various cultures are revived to put a new spin on things.

Across the goble, many of these changs have taken place over the course of the last 50 years. Take a look!

ANITA KALAITZAKIS

In 2001, ticket sales in Bolivia for lucha libre, or free fights, soared as women took to wrestling. In the past, social taboos prevented women partaking in sports requiring physical prowess. Female wrestling became an official Olympic sport eight years ago, in 2004.

On November 5, Malawi took tentative strides into a territory considered a taboo; the government suspended its laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. Three days later, the laws were re-adopted. The current laws send men to prison for 14 years and women for 5 years if caught engaging in consensual same-sex conduct.

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In April 2011, France banned the wearing of full-face veils, or burqas, in public places. The law deprives Muslim women of their rights, and calls into question, efforts made to incorporate Muslim customs and practices.

Tens of millions of people circumvent Beijing’s ban on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

The Chinese government blocks sites it considers sensitive to the political arena, or is altogether inappropriate.

Lion hunts have been an integral part to the lifestyle of the Maasai tribe of Kenya, which frequents the region straddling the Kenyan-Tanzanian border. Young warriors (or morani) would prove themselves by soaking their spears in the blood of a lion, as a rite of passage in which to demonstrate their manhood. This tradition is now considered illegal.

The Maori tribe of New Zealand use their woodcarving skills and artistry to engrave skin.

Their tattoos, called ‘moko,’ communicated status, ancestry and tribal affiliations. Back in the day, sharpened blades were used to cut and scar designs onto the face. Today, designs are applied using machines.

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The LGBTQ Matters Matter IN 2011, U.S. DIPLOMAT Nathalie Han moved to Guatemala. Two months after her arrival, she met a young woman. As they both became aware of their connection, they pursued a relationship, which lasted close to the end of Han’s diplomatic term in Guatemala. With Han scheduled to move back to the U.S. in 2013, she and her significant other made the decision to go together.

As the paperwork for her girlfriend’s legal entrance to the U.S. was handled, Han knew the process was easier for her than for many others.

“If we were straight, I would be able to sponsor her residency while I do training for 10 months in the U.S. [before my assignment to a new country]. However, because this is not the case, we will need to apply for a special visa, which would allow her an uninterrupted stay in the U.S. This courtesy, however, would not be afforded to someone not in my position,” Han says.

The process could be made easier through pro-gay rights efforts, but it is difficult to tackle issues when the subject matter is not recognized.

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“I do not believe in homosexuality. I do not mean I do not support their cause. I mean I do not believe that homosexuality really exists,” a 79-year-old Korean man, who wishes to remain anonymous, says.

Homosexuality is believed by certain cultures to have originated in the United States as a trend, but history proves this is actually not the case. In the Roman Empire, homosexuality was commonplac; Roman emperors were often homosexual or bisexual, and same-sex relationships were well-practised and celebrated in the empire. Greek teachings suggested elders guide the younger individuals of their gender in sexual matters.

However, traces of homosexuality predate even the Romans. In Sicily, figures of male couples involved in homosexual intercourse were found in Mesolithic rock art from as early as 5,000 B.C. The tomb of royal servants Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum from the 25th century B.C., is one of the traces left behind by what many believe is the first same-sex couple to be recorded by name.

“I do not see what the problem with being gay is,” says Meli Paulson, an Emerson College writing, literature, and publishing major.

Over time, homosexuality began to be seen as a societal and political issue. In 1907, activist leader Adolf Brand outed the imperial chancellor of Germany in an attempt to overturn the outlawing of homosexuality and bestiality but got sued and sentenced to 18 months in prison. In 1832, Russia made it illegal for men to have intercourse with other men. In 1917, however, the October Revolution in Russia repealed it and claimed that “homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships are treated exactly the same by law.”

In the 1930s, gay clubs in Europe were often shut down, and homosexuals were increasingly harassed.

Eleven million people were murdered during the Holocaust, but not all victims were murdered for being Jewish.

At least five million were punished for being gypsies, disabled, or homosexual. During the war, homosexuals in Nazi Europe were sent to concentration camps, used for scientific experiments, or immediately executed.

United States Senator Joseph McCarthy, known for his efforts to hunt communists and spies, targeted gays during the 1950s. It was common for gays to undergo harassment by both the police force and their employers, who would dismiss them on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

Until the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy passed in 1993, being homosexual was reason enough to discharge soldiers, despite the military’s need for more men during times of war. In 1945, U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson ordered a review of the gay discharges during World War II. His goal was to find and reinstate soldiers who got kicked out of the army but who hadn’t been involved in any homosexual acts during their service.

Mere decades ago, homosexuals were sent to asylums for mental insanity and subjected to shock therapy, lobotomies, and other inhumane procedures meant to “cure” them of their sexuality. It took until 1973 for the American Psychiatric Association to eliminate homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder.

Today, certain countries--such as Nigeria and Iran--make homosexuality punishable by death. Iran claims to have

no homosexuality in its nation but offers free sex change surgeries.

Being homosexual and being transgender are very different things. While homosexuals are attracted to members of the same sex, a transgender has nothing to do with sexual preference; being a transgender means an individual feels that he or she is actually a member of the opposite sex.

Correctional rape is also a practice that began based on a misconception. In various regions in Africa, homosexuals, especially lesbians, are raped in efforts to turn those men or women heterosexual. This concept comes from the idea that lesbianism stemmed from a woman simply not knowing the perks of being with a man.

“You can’t ‘turn’ someone [straight],” Paulson says.

Due to anti-gay practices such as correctional rape, it is believed that homosexual diplomats, such as Han, are better off prioritizing their safety rather than their political ambitions. If a diplomat were to be harmed abroad, hostile measures would be called for, exacerbating negative relations between nations or undermining favorable ones.

Despite various regions in the world treating homosexuality as taboo, there are nations that support homosexual rights. Homosexuality in these countries is not treated as a sin or as a factor for shame and dishonor.

“I was in Amsterdam, and it was Gay Pride week.

Everything was rainbow and pink, not just a particular area. It was a huge celebration with thousands of people partaking in the parade and festivities,” says Lisa Fragoso, Ceres Elementary School teacher from Whittier, California, who travels abroad as a leader for People to People Student Ambassadors on her breaks.

Aside from the community’s support of Gay Pride week, the Netherlands permits same-sex marriages and same-sex adoption rights.

In more conservative countries, such as India, homosexuality is hardly ever brought up.

“Everyone tries to suppress the issue [of homosexuality] thinking that it will stop it from happening. Older generations don’t talk about it, and, when kids ask questions about it, they are told that it is a sin,” Ankita Arya, an El Camino College student raised in India, says.

“Although the gay community’s fight for equal rights has paid off, it perhaps isn’t enough yet.”

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Many members of the gay community in Latin America avoid bringing up their sexuality, seeing as homosexuality is plagued with negative connotations in South America.

“Individuality and creativity is discouraged, and in a work setting, a differing opinion to that of a superior’s is considered insubordination and unwelcome dissent. With that said, homosexuality is still seen as a taboo, and people who come out are openly discriminated against.

Nobody I know is really openly gay in fear of bringing shame to the family,” Han says.

Some argue marriage between two individuals of the same gender tarnishes the sanctity of marriage and familial values. Pro-gay individuals argue people like Britney Spears, who was married to a man for less than a week before filing for divorce, and Kim Kardashian, whose heterosexual marriage fell apart in two months, taint the respect for marriage. As homosexual couples willingly accept the responsibilities of parenthood and are considered apt by an adoption institution to provide a good living environment for a child, pro-gay rights individuals argue that same-sex couples who choose to adopt are more likely to take better care of children than some of these children’s heterosexual parents.

2004

Massachusetts legalized gay marriage. By 2008, the state had the lowest divorce rate in the nation.

2008

2009

Connecticut legalized gay marriage.

2010

2011

New Hampshire legalized gay marriage.

Iowa & Vermont legalized gay marriage.

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Civil unions for same-sex couples are allowed in 21 countries, but only 11 countries worldwide perform same-sex marriages. In America, some states legitimize gay marriage, but most states in the U.S. do not perform same-sex marriages.

Although the gay community’s fight for equal rights has paid off, it perhaps isn’t enough yet. Homosexuals still can not apply for a foreign-born spouse’s/domestic partner’s citizenship in the U.S., whereas it is a common process among heterosexual couples with a foreign-born spouse.The majority remains unsatisfied by how much there is still left to do to obtain equal rights, but they are ready and willing to continue fighting.

“As a U.S. bureaucrat, I am grateful my employer has been extremely helpful in terms of assisting LGBT folks like me find ways to have our partners with us. In the U.S., President Obama’s declared support of gay marriage was very groundbreaking in terms of helping us achieve what we need. However, I estimate it’ll be another four years before we can enjoy the rights the Spaniards currently have—assuming that the next president isn’t homophobic,” Han says.

HAE JI CHO Photos: DAVID GALINATO

New York legalized gay marriage

2012

On the day of the 2012 Elections, Maryland, Maine, and Washington State legalized gay marriage. Rhode Island and California now recognize same-sex marriages performed under other jurisdictions.

Four More Years:

What Election Results Mean

THE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE 2012 U.S. elections led to millions of voters lining up in front of polls to make a decision that would affect the next four years of the United States of America. After receiving stickers that read “I voted” and posting pictures of ballots on Instagram and Facebook, most of the world tuned in to see how this historically close election would play out.

This year, campaign talks using the words “economy” and “jobs” redundantly numbed American ears. The strong smell of polls, numbers, and dollar signs emanated from the podium as reelected President Barack Obama and former Republican candidate Mitt Romney debated over whose platform put together the more efficient plan to improve discouraging unemployment rates.

Although the economy was one of the most influential issues for voters in this election, it was not the only decisive one. In fact, a post-election analysis by CNN confirmed Obama’s reelection had a lot to do with his immigration policies.

As a country, we stand on the verge of crucial decisions. The United States seeks diplomacy in its unsettling relations with the Middle East and Asia, and keeps growing in cultural diversity. Foreign policy and immigration are key topics that cannot be ignored, and were not ignored by voters.

With so many issues surrounding the elections, the White House has not provided further information

on the Benghazi attack ending the life of U.S Ambassador Christopher Stevens in Libya, according to The Washington Times. This same source reported, the Pentagon provided a timeline of the Defense Department’s response to the terrorist attack, which took military forces at least 14 hours. The New York Times wrote, the Pentagon has limited capabilities in the Middle East and Africa, which during the attack in Libya delayed military responses.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus made a trip to Benghazi to file an investigation report on the attack and was supposed to deliver it. However, recent scandals leading to his resignation delayed the publication of this report, according to ABC News.

Despite The Daily Beast reporting the White House had not decided how to proceed with the Benghazi attacks, the third presidential debate proved both Obama and Romney have no interest in pursuing military action. In the past, Romney disagreed with this idea, according to The Associated Press. With Iran’s nuclear threats against Israel still on its feet, President Obama is still apprehensive of taking action that could destroy hopes of diplomatic actions.

There continues to be many doubts surrounding the terrorist attacks in Libya that have not been publicized.

Fox News addressed questions the White House has yet to answer. For example, why were pleas to strengthen

“This year, campaign talks using the words ‘economy’ and ‘jobs’ redundantly numbed American ears.”

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security ignored in the first place?

Terrorism has not been a top issue for voters this fall, according to The Associates Press’ “Election Issues Guide.” For the past four years, drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen significantly increased because of Obama’s focus on detaining high-ranking al-Qaeda officials.

However, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported since 2004, between 2,593 to 3,365 people were killed by the CIA in Pakistan, and 474 to 884 of them have been found to be innocent civilians. While these drone attacks are supposed to keep antiAmerican groups from threatening U.S. security, the attacks in Libya are proof terrorism is a relevant issue, and at any moment passions can increase in the Middle East.

High-ranking U.S. military officials agree this is a volatile area, where attacks have been proven to spur quickly and spontaneously.

According to statements made by various news outlets, including The Huffington Post and The New York Times, the public has been misinformed about the drone attacks and the collateral damage caused. During the last presidential debate, both Romney and Obama agreed on the use of drones, posing little space for argument.

Saba Rashid, a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, was born in Rome, Italy but grew up in Pakistan. She moved to America this year, and has avidly followed the presidential elections. She feels the media sensationalizes many things occurring in Pakistan, portraying a view of a country that is not necessarily true.

“I favor Obama because I agree with more of his policies. […] My country is really angry with him for the [death of] Osama Bin Laden, but I personally didn’t have a

problem with it. [However], I feel like a lot of [Americans] are also unaware of how it affected Pakistan. I feel like in the future they should be more aware and understanding of a country,” she says, and added that she is more liberal in politics.

Saba admitted many of her friends in Pakistan are not usually up-to-date with political issues in the United States, and the elections don’t affect them unless there’s an event directly related to Pakistan or Afghanistan.

In contrast, Emerson College Junior Monica de Pinto Ribeiro Hancke, from Lisbon, Portugal, feels Europe was “watching [the U.S. presidential elections] with the eye of a hawk.”

“I really wish the U.S. would step out of the box and genuinely and humbly see how much their campaign matters to the rest of the world.”

Ribeiro says while the U.S is going through tough economic times, so is the rest of the world.

She believes these elections are detrimental to Europe’s economic crisis. “If the U.S. can get back on its feet, so can the rest of the world.”

The election relied on many different voices from people who are passionate about various national and international issues. Immigration is a particular topic concerning voters. Being an immigrant means facing prejudice, hiding from government officials, and sometimes even leading an undocumented life.

Gustavo Guzman, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, knows from second-hand experience what it is like to be an immigrant.

“My dad came here undocumented during the Reagan administration. I have conflicting views on immigrations because I think there should be a limit on [how immigrants come in the U.S.], but I feel like the reason I am here is because my dad broke the law,” he says.

In a way, many immigrants are still doing that today. The New York Times reported on the immigration reprieve the Obama administration began to offer in June 2012. Since 2007, many illegal immigrants can prove their U.S. residential status in hopes of being offered reprieve from deportation. Some are having trouble finding enough documents to support their statements, because of their previous efforts to remain hidden from federal authorities.

In the past, former Governor Romney had conflicting views on immigration. The Denver Post reported Romney’s agreement

“The election relied on many different voices from people who are passionate about various national and international issues.”

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to honor work permits Obama had given to illegal immigrants. However, The Associated Press documented Mitt Romney’s refusal to ever approve Obama’s DREAM Act, a bill offering conditional permanent residency to young immigrants who arrived in the country as children.

According to statements made by Romney during the second presidential debate, the current process is much more difficult than the one in 1986, during Ronald Reagan’s administration, as republicans are no longer in favor of giving amnesty to illegal immigrants in the U.S. The reality that many students with Latino multicultural backgrounds in the U.S. identify themselves with Obama is a generalization, and many times contrasts with older generation of voters. In particular, for CubanAmericans who vote in favor of the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

Joshua Muñoz, a freshman at the New College of Florida in Sarasota, openly supports the U.S. embargo on Cuba. He is a Cuban-Colombian born in Miami, Florida, whose parents migrated to the U.S. around 1977.

“My family favors, like most Cuban families do, the conservative side: Mitt Romney. They don’t know why. My parents don’t speak English, and there’s only one news channel they can watch, which is really conservative and very one-sided. If you ask them why, they’ll say ‘because the news says so,’” Joshua says, in response to how his parents’ views differ from his own.

Joshua identifies himself with the Green Party.

Joshua expressed what these elections ultimately mean to him. Without hesitation he says, “It’s not important at all, actually. I think people should take charge of their own lives. I don’t think it will affect us at all.”

In contrast, Saba admitted she was truly concerned about the economy.

“Employment is an important factor. I have a different perspective now because I am here.”

When college and graduate students cast their ballots, they’re usually concerned about the job market and how practical their majors are. The truth is, the economy was just the tip of the iceberg for the 2012 U.S. presidential candidates. They have national security in their hands, the defense or violation of human rights in countries miles away from home, and are subject to questions from their own people for one final answer to this seemingly simple question: As the U.S. prepares for the next four years, how can we prove to the rest of the world this nation still stands as the “land of the free” and the “home of the brave”?

BIANCA JOANIE PADRÓ-OCASIO Photos: JAMIE KAPLAN AND COURTESY OF FLICKR

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INDUSTRY MODERN DAY

RENAISSANCE MEN & WOMEN THE RENAISSANCE BORE SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, and Michelangelo. These great thinkers were not one dimensional, but instead masters of all trades and influencers of their time. Atlas set out to find modern day Renaissance men and women right here in the city of Boston. These people do not confine themselves to a single occupation, but instead utilize their many talents to the best of their abilities, giving back to the community in the process. Here’s a taste of the most innovative multi-taskers around the city:

MICHAELSCHLOW Born in Brooklyn, NY, Schlow found himself, at the age of fourteen, enthralled by restaurant life as a dishwasher in a kitchen. This experience fostered a love for cooking that landed him a place in the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ. Soon after completing culinary school, Schlow began his career working with Pino Luongo, restaurateur extraordinaire.

Now forty-eight and living in Boston, he is the proud owner of six restaurants, four located in Boston, one in Wellesley, MA; and another in Connecticut at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Radius, one of Boston’s few four-star restaurants, famously serves modern American food. Tico, one of Schlow’s newer projects, serves American cuisine influenced by the spice of Mexico, Spain, and South America. Happy’s serves the hippest quintessential American food with an urban edge. Via Matta brings the taste of Italy to Boston, and Alta Strada aims to create a reasonably priced Italian dining experience. Schlow handles all of these culinary enterprises through his company, Good Essen (Italian for Good Eating), launched in 2006. Through Good Essen, Schlow consults with other companies on culinary ventures such as The Marriott Renaissance.

All of Schlow’s restaurants are highly praised not only by his “guests,” as he calls them, but also by publications such as Food and Wine, Gourmet, and The Boston Globe. Schlow received The James Beard Award of Excellence’s award for “Best Chef in the Northeast,” and Sante’s title “Best Chef in the Country.” Schlow shares his affinity for food and home cooking tricks in his cookbook It’s About Time: Recipes for Everyday Life. “The real success is in finding something you love, and maybe you’ll make a buck or two at the same time,” Schlow advises.

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Other passions of Schlow’s are brought into his dayto-day career, photography and music. Schlow creates a playlist for each of his restaurants. His most recent playlist, viewable on this website. shows his varied taste in music from Neon Trees to Steve Earl. Also an amateur photographer, Schlow takes pictures of food, but is “interested in all aspects of photography.”

“The great part about food, photography, and music is that you never know everything. I am still learning,” he says. Schlow plans to continue learning by adding another Alta Strada in Burlington, MA and a Tico in Washington, DC.

KAYLA HARRITY Kayla Harrity, a bright and bubbly twenty-three-year-old from Auburn, MA fancies herself a professional dabbler.

A year out of Emerson College, Harrity (‘11) has made a name for herself as a Boston TV personality on Dirty Water TV, an actress, a marketing and events coordinator, and The Rookie Bartender at The Greatest Bar. However, it took some innovation, motivation, and a bit of charisma to get her claim to fame.

During her senior year, Harrity worked as an intern at Dirty Water TV, New England’s only nightlife TV show, while producing the Oscars trip for Emerson students.

As an intern at Dirty Water TV, Harrity’s media clips aired on the show, but she still wasn’t offered a full-time position after graduation. “I knew I wanted to be in a city. I didn’t want to leave Boston, even when I didn’t have a job,” says Harrity. So she found a bartending gig at The Greatest Bar, a sports bar and entertainment venue owned by Dirty Water TV. “I could have been a bartender right out of highschool, so I decided to make a YouTube series, The Rookie Bartender,” says Harrity, who applies the skills learned at Emerson to produce, shoot, and edit many of her video clips. Her nightlife presence made a splash in March 2012 when she was hired as a marketing and events coordinator for The Greatest Bar, as well as a reporter on Dirty Water TV. Over the past year, Harrity organized events, such as Fashion Week and movie premiers, at The Greatest Bar. At Dirty Water TV, she interviewed celebs such as Jenny McCarthy, Matt Damon, Mclovin’, Tim Wakefield, and Scott Disick.

Outside Dirty Water TV and The Greatest Bar, Harrity followed her passion for acting.

While interning at Dirty Water TV she was called to audition for Sexting in Suburbia, a Lifetime movie, and landed a speaking role enabling her eligibility for The Actors Screen Guild. Harrity consistently auditioned for more roles and can be seen in the films Early Grave and Ted.

MICHAEL MILLER Michael Miller, a serial entrepreneur of twenty-seven, could not have foreseen his current career when he graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in chemical engineering in 2007. “It was a major accomplishment, because I didn’t like chemical engineering,” says Miller who tried the major because of his interest in math and science. After graduation, Miller landed a job as a continuous improver (a person who works to improve products and services) at Fortune 500 Company Dean Foods. However, Miller soon realized, “I don’t like working for the man,” and that if he didn’t like his job, he should get a new one. Miller soon became his own man by starting two companies: So, Pick a Party and Culture Adapt, both based out of Cambridge, MA. An avid partygoer, Miller started So, Pick a Party

Harrity’s work schedule may seem overwhelming, but she assures us that “A lot of what I do overlaps. When I do something for The Greatest Bar, I bring Dirty Water TV into it,” allowing her to stay organized and see an end goal. “I never know what’s next,” Harrity explains, “but I love it.” Look out for Harrity this coming fall in The Witching Hour with Michael Madson, and hopefully, during this year’s Oscar season, we’ll spot Harrity on the red carpet!

around a year and a half ago to “market entertainment events, sell tickets for events, and throw parties from time to time,” says Miller. So, Pick A Party also helps partythrowers choose venues based on their specific event.

Through So, Pick a Party, Miller exercises his business management, marketing, and web design skills as well as his inherent charisma. At a certain point Miller realized, “there is more to life than partying,” and started to build a new company based on his travel experiences.

Originally from Lyndonville, VT, Miller has traveled to over thirty countries, including Hong Kong and China for business. Miller felt he was “parachuted in” to a lifestyle he was unsure about when he worked in Hong Kong and that experience is what sparked the idea for Culture Adapt. As the president of Culture Adapt, Miller explains, “it is an online community and local campus

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for individuals that want to better understand our culture and accelerate their careers.” Through a multitude of in-person and online classes, including humor and edict, the company teaches students and professionals how to adapt to American culture. The classes, which started in Cambridge in early October 2012, are taught either by trained professionals, or people like Miller who offer personal experience. One of Miller’s favorite classes is “The Art of American Small Talk.” Miller’s ‘renaissance’ qualities are prominent in that he uses all of his skills (or, lack thereof) to his advantage. “The fact [that] I have no experience in education gives me the ability to innovate it,” he says. Culture Adapt is still in its beginning stages, but Miller believes it will continue to grow. In the future, Miller hopes, “Culture Adapt will be the cure to culture shock.”

OLGA LAZITSKAYA

Olga Lazitskaya is driven to spread knowledge and truth as a Fulbright fellow, broadcast journalist, Zumba Fitness instructor, and world traveler. Lazitskaya, at the age of twenty-nine, put her career, her family, and her country on hold to continue her education as a visiting researcher at Emerson College, through Fulbright, an international educational exchange program. “I came to America as a researcher in order to understand a Russian journalist’s situation from an outside perspective,” says Lazitskaya, who graduated from the Amur State University in Russia with a degree in journalism.

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Lazitskaya will never forget the day she decided to become a journalist. “It was a dangerous time for journalists, the country was rebuilding itself,” she says.

“I came home from school one day to find my family gathered around the TV screen with the picture of Vlad Listyev, a famous Russian journalist and the head of ORT TV Channel, surrounded by a black frame. He was killed.” The knowledge of Listyev’s assassination due to his controversial occupation didn’t scare Lazitskaya, but instead motivated her to impact her country through journalism.

From 2008 to July 2012, Lazitskaya worked as a reporter, producer, and presenter for the local station, TV-2 in Siberia. She then traveled to Moscow to work as a news-writer for the national channel, NTV. “The most important thing in professional journalism is working for the viewers, to tell them the truth and to explain the situation,” Lazitskaya says. As an experienced traveler, Lazitskaya feels her journalistic background feeds her love of traveling, because she is able to explore new places and meet new people. She ventured throughout North America and Europe in hopes to gain new perspectives from each place she travels.

Lazitskaya even relates physical fitness to journalism, and is a licensed Zumba Basic and Zumba Toning instructor. “I do Zumba to give people information and share knowledge, not for my own personal gain,” she says. Lazitskaya doesn’t know where she will be at the end of this year—perhaps she will go back to Russia and spread the knowledge she gained in America, or maybe she will enroll for another year at Emerson College. It is up in the air, but Lazitskaya explains, “If you are willing, you can do anything. It is very easy for me to change. I am not scared.”

CHRISTINA BOZSIK Photos: COURTESY OF SOURCES

FROM TIES TO TATTOOS: How to Dress for the Job You Want CHRIS FARAONE WALKS INTO THE LOBBY of his office building wearing jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, and a baseball hat with the brim turned to the back. His short sleeves display the tattoos that line his arms. This isn’t dress down day at the office; it’s a typical day’s attire for Faraone, staff writer for local newspaper The Boston Phoenix.

It’s easy to get stuck on the idea that office dress code must be formal in all situations; however, this is not always the case. A look into several different fields shows that it is essential that your attire reflects your day’s work, whether it be interviewing on the streets or pitching sales in the office.

In The Phoenix office, there is a clear divide in dress between sales staff and editorial staff. “Editorial’s more casual: you pretty much dress how you want. And the sales side has a dress code,” says Faraone, as he lounges in a spare room with his feet on the table. “Most of the editorial staff is in the office long hours, so comfort is definitely first and foremost.”

Long hours are not the only reason that casual dress is a priority. Sometimes blending in with the crowd can be essential for Faraone, who says he’s obtained exclusive information because he wasn’t dressed like a typical reporter.

The sales staff at The Phoenix has a different agenda, which leads to a dress code consisting of professional business attire. Suits, ties, dress pants, and skirts are the norm among sales staff. Even when going for a more casual look, the sales staff tends to stick to dress shirts accompanied by nice jeans. A large portion of the sales staff’s job is handling money and business deals, and it is important to look professional and trustworthy in order to gain the trust of their clients. Due to this, a salesman for The Phoenix, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that he wouldn’t hire someone with visible tattoos. “Actions have consequences,” he says, referring to some of the more noticeable tattoos that have become increasingly popular with time. The same goes for piercings, which are limited to ears. He said that most facial piercings should be outgrown over time and if someone comes in with facial piercings, he questions how professional they are.

John Murphy, a research assistant for an unnamed state representative echoed similar sentiments. “In an office environment, [your clothing] shows that you care about the job and want to put your best self forward,” he says.

However, Murphy also acknowledges that it’s important that your style of dress reflect your job.

Chief photographer for the New England Cable News (NECN), John Stuart, can attest to this. “You

have to dress for the weather and comfort,” he said as he stands outside the State House, filming in a broadcast in the rain. Stuart’s typical attire consists of shorts and collared shirts. Stuart also pointed out that when working behind the scenes, facial piercings and tattoos have little impact on your professional image, as long as they can be covered up when necessary.

Tattoos, piercings, and edgier clothing are also allowed in the more creative industries. Kathleen Black, a designer for Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company, says that designers tend to dress in a more “funky” manner than their publishing counterparts. While tattoos and piercings are not as welcome in other areas, they are more accepted in the arts. However, Black points out that it’s still important to have a sense of professionalism, despite the job you hold.

It is possible to maintain that professionalism while having tattoos and piercings. According to Lindy Raso, a secretary for The Phoenix, some piercings, such as nose studs, have been allowed in sales in the past. Regardless, Janice Checchio, a photo editor for The Phoenix, recommends being able to cover up any sort of body art in order to be discreet. Checchio sports tattoos and a septum piercing, but is able to hide them when necessary. “Cover up tattoos with a watch or a bracelet during a meeting,” suggests a tattooed Statehouse employee who wished to remain anonymous. In this case, camouflage is key. Make sure any body art or piercing can be easily concealed in the workplace.

Overall, your work ensembles depend on what field you’re working in. If you’re hoping to work behind the scenes in film or hitting the streets to interview people, dressing in a comfortable manner is key. However, in fields where you’re constantly presenting yourself to other professionals, such as political communications or marketing, you can count on having to stick to a more conventional office wardrobe. Both Murphy and Faraone admit that despite their casual uniform, they do manage to dress up for certain occasions. Visits to the statehouse or presentations tend to warrant ties from even the most lax of people.

The first step to being taken seriously is dressing like a true professional. It shows that both you and your work are worth any employer’s time. Does this mean that mastering your work ensemble ensures the perfect job? Not quite.

In the end, it’s your quality of work that will help you not only get, but also help you keep a job. “Ultimately, the way people see us, is the product we put out,” says Faraone.

ERIN KAYATA Photo: JOANIE JENKINS

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BEHIND THE SCENES

The entire Atlas staff would like to offer a sincere thank-you to the following people for making this issue a success: Alexis Eckert

Kay Kaplan

Amy & David Isenhart

Kimberly Groves

Anne Marie Reynolds

Laura Wu

Anne Marie Sheehan

LuShang Xu

Artful Comics

Lydia Garcia

Barbara Bozsik

Maria DiPasquale

Carl & MariaBiscaldi

Mckenzie Locke

the catharsis

Neal Biscaldi

Cathleen Stuart

Nikki Frangella

Claude Bartholomew

Olivia Morreale

Cloie Biscaldi

Patricia Fennelly

David Macomber

Petrine O’Halloran

Debra Glasser

Rheanna O’Neil Bellomo

Ed & Betty Wodjeski

Robert & Laurie Dwyer

Frank Kaplan

Ryan Monteiro

Isabel Thottam

Thomas Colby

Jean Garrity

Thread Anthology

Jerald Walker

Undergraduate Students for Publishing

Joan Groves

Whippersnappers

Kathryn Reynolds

The WLP Department

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