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Music in Me BY MIRANDA LEON
Sodexo employee shares love of reggae Why do musicians risk it all? Daniel Yeboah, reggae artist and Sodexo employee at Sargent dining hall, says it best himself: “Music is life.” Even though he has worked at Sargent for the past 13 years, Yeboah started out as a musician and plans on always being one. Under the stage name “Atta Ghana Boy,” he is now a member of two different reggae bands, Hydro and Gizzae. Yeboah, a native of Ghana, picked up his first instrument, the African drums, at age 5. Shortly after, Yeboah began composing his own music, performing vocals and playing the bass guitar. He also taught African elementary school children how to play instruments. Eventually, Yeboah became part of an African band, Super High Kings, and traveled all over the world. “In ‘97 we went to Canada … Montreal, Toronto and then we came back to the United States, and we played Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Florida, New York,
Atlanta,” Yeboah said. It was after the concert in Atlanta, Ga., with the Super High Kings that Yeboah risked it all. “When we finished the show the leader (of the band) said we should come back to Ghana before we get paid, but five of us guys decided not to go back because if we went back, the leader was not going to pay us the money we deserve,” Yeboah said. “When the leader becomes leader, he wants to let everybody down. We decided to stay here, you know, and make a different life.” Yeboah lived in Atlanta for nine months until he was asked to relocate to Chicago in 1998 by people in the reggae music business who knew of his work in Africa. Yeboah recalls this offer as “another big change” in his career. Risking it all was worth it in Yeboah’s case. The promotion paid his rent and provided him with a monthly salary. “I started getting in contact with Jamaican bands and other musicians,” Yeboah said. “I started surviving, you know.” One of the musicians Yeboah met upon arriving to Chicago was a Jamaican artist named Doggi. “Doggi was a good singer (but) he’s » See MUSIC IN ME, page 2
Dan Q. Tham and Brian Cacioppo/The Daily Northwestern and Miranda Leon/The Current
@thecurrentnu
INSIDE: Odds & Ends 2 | Columns 3 | Reviews 4
Page 2 | The Current
MUSIC IN ME From page 1
dead. He’s gone now,” Yeboah said. “When I introduced myself to him, I told him I was a musician from Ghana. I said I can talk to some of the few guys I know here. Maybe we can pull some stuff together.” Yeboah and Doggi, along with a few other reggae artists, formed the band called Hydro, which is still active. Yeboah plays the drums and bass guitar for Hydro. He is also drummer
for the award-winning reggae band Gizzae. Both Hydro and Gizzae perform a musical style called “roots reggae,” which Yeboah said incorporates “the fundamental rhythm of reggae music and more feel.” Yeboah said he enjoys reggae music because reggae “talks more about life, it talks about politics and opens your eyes.” Hydro and Gizzae play original music and covers frequently on the weekends around Chicago and the Midwest area, including Indiana and Missouri. Monday through Friday, when Yeboah is not at a gig, you can find him near the desserts
David Q & Fisher A
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Odds & Ends
By SARAH RENSE the current
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counter at Sargent. Yeboah concedes that his first love is music, but he is also passionate about serving others. “I love to serve people … making people happy, providing and seeing the students happy,” Yeboah said. He is also a fan of Sargent’s food. “To me, all the desserts are good,” Yeboah said. “Everything we provide is good stuff.” Kofi Poku, Yeboah’s co-worker at Sargent, praised Yeboah’s commitment to being a chef and musician. “Daniel is a good guy,” Poku said. “We come
David Fisher’s (Weinberg ’98) day job is pretty normal: He owns a professional consulting firm based in Evanston. But every other Monday night, he ditches the suit and tie and opts for a pair of exercise pants and athletic shoes, so he can bounce, kick and punch to the upbeat sounds of Latin music. Fisher is a Zumba instructor at Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Aquatic Center, and as an Irish male, he definitely sticks out. But he’s been a Zumba instructor for almost two years now, and he’s used to the looks. For Fisher, Zumba is simply a fun way to break a sweat doing something that doesn’t even remotely resemble the torture of an elliptical machine. THE CURRENT: What was your first experience with Zumba? DAVID FISHER: My first experience with Zumba was actually at Northwestern. My friend was a Zumba instructor there, and another friend said I should check out a class. So I did. I went, and I felt completely self-conscious and completely out of place. But it was a blast. So I was like, “I should try this again!” … I was hooked. THE CURRENT: How did you decide you wanted to be an instructor? DF: I was going to classes at Northwestern and the YMCA in Evanston, and I kind of became a regular, going in once or twice a week. Some of the instructors approached me
from the same country. ... He is talented. He writes music, plays guitar and plays the drums. He even has his own music studio.” Although Yeboah balances two careers right now, he said he would like to move back to his home country of Ghana in the future and pursue only music. “Music is always going to be me, you know,” Yeboah said. “Music is part of me. You understand me.”
and very good naturedly said, “You should become an instructor. We need instructors.” … I thought it would be hilarious if I was a certified fitness professional, so I was like, “All right, I’ll do it!” THE CURRENT: Who usually attends your classes at Northwestern? DF: It’s a really good mix. … The thing that’s really interesting about Northwestern classes is that they’re very international. It’s the nature of Northwestern. … There are a couple students who don’t speak great English. We can’t talk that well after class, but it’s a great example of the unifying language used in dance. We can have a great class together and jump around and have fun without necessarily being able to speak well together. THE CURRENT: Is the class usually composed of women? DF: It’s mostly women. Usually we have one or two guys, and I always get positive feedback from the guys because they like having a male instructor. But Zumba has definitely always been focused on and marketed to women. The reality is we have a culture that doesn’t make it acceptable for men to dance. … I’m a guy who likes to dance. My girlfriend likes that. In fact, one of our first dates was one of my Zumba classes. THE CURRENT: How do people react when you tell them you’re a Zumba instructor? DF: The guys, when I tell them I’m a
mirandaleon2017@u.northwestern.edu
Zumba instructor, they’ll kind of give me a little good natured ribbing. But I’m like, “Hey, I get to go work out with a bunch of good-looking women.” And they’re like, “Oh, that’s actually really smart.” The women love it. They’ll start telling me all about their Zumba classes and their friends who do it. THE CURRENT: Are people surprised when they see you at a Zumba class? DF: Absolutely. I was traveling once for work, and I was down in Mexico. I went to a Zumba class, and I was the first one who showed up. The teacher didn’t think I was there for the Zumba class. She thought I was just there to work out in the gym or something. I was like, “No, I’m actually here for the class.” She gave me a weird look. I was this pale, white man, sunburned from the beach, and I was like, “No, I’m here to dance.”… There are definitely a lot of people who are surprised by this guy in Zumba pants in the classroom or the gym, but they warm up pretty fast. THE CURRENT: Why Zumba? DF: One of the things I love about it is that it encourages people to get out and move. My mom does Zumba, and she’s in her sixties. She’s not going to bounce around like I do, but she goes and has a great time. We need in our society and in our culture more movement. … That’s why I love Zumba. It’s actually a workout that people look forward to. sarahrense2016@u.northwestern.edu
Source: David Fisher
HERE WE GO AGAIN
JUST DANCE. David Fisher poses with two other SPAC Zumba instructors. Fisher teaches at SPAC every other Monday night.
“I’ve loved her through the years and watched her grow up, and I’ve seen how smart she is and how talented she is. I don’t think people really realize yet what a great singer and writer she really is. She’s just trying to find her own place and wings and learn to fly.” — Singer Dolly Parton defends her goddaughter Miley Cyrus’s recent behavior.
and the nostalgia.” — Rapper Eminem on his new album “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” “There was so much talk about me turning 40 this year and what it felt like to be older. I thought, really? I will show you old!” — Model Heidi Klum explains her Halloween costume to People magazine.
“As much as it is a re-visitation, like this is a different time period in my life. So there’s not gonna be like, continuations of every song or anything like that. To me, it’s more about the vibe
“We’ve known each other and played brothers for five years now, and he feels like a real brother.” — Actor Tom Hiddleston on his friendship with fellow actor Chris Hemsworth.
5 WORDS
— Chanel Vargas
Longtime fans of pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers have truly been “burnin’ up” since the trio confirmed its breakup at the end of October. Having previously canceled their latest tour and parted ways with their record label, it was no surprise that the “Camp Rock” stars decided it was “time for them to fly.” Kevin Jonas told People magazine, “It’s over for now.” Northwestern students give their input on the Jonas Brothers’ final “goodnight and goodbye.” — Chanel Vargas
“Oh, this is an S.O.S.!” — Ally Mutnick
“They were still a thing?”
— Rebecca Ehlers
“What? No more ‘Camp Rock’?” — Mackenzie Broderick
“Burning up for you, baby.” — Steven Montero
“Everyone knows it’s (blank)’s fault.”
— Austin Busch
“Boy-band breakups are so overrated.” — Elizabeth Kim
“They said forever and always.” — Sofia Rada
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Current | Page 3
Columns
On a Budget: Fall leaves brighten up campus MARTINA BARRERAHERNANDEZ
ON A BUDGET COLUMNIST
Everyone told m that I would be amazed by the changing colors of the leaves when I moved to the Midwest. I laughed it off saying I saw seasons in California too and Northwestern would be no different. I could not have been more incorrect. In a matter of days, campus transformed into a whirlwind of red, orange and yellow, and I found myself looking for ways to fully appreciate this change. 1. Take a walk and purposefully step on all the crunchiest leaves. You know you do it anyway, so why not make a sport out of it? Stroll around campus or through Centennial Park with a friend, and let the games begin! Five points for red, two points for orange and one point for yellow: Ready, set, go!
2. Take a really artsy Instagram photo. You’ve been staring at the gorgeous leaves for days, wishing you could share the autumn spectacle with others. So why Source: Harrison Simons not snap a picture to make sure everyone gets to enjoy? Maybe take a panorama of the trees down Sheridan, or do a close-up of your favorite leaf of the day. The caption should be something inspirational about how the falling leaves represent a “new you,” or maybe just stick with some leaf emojis. You better believe that picture is #nofilter.
3. Make a strand of garland to decorate your dorm. If you’re like me, you’ve been collecting pretty leaves for the past few days and watching them accumulate on your desk. Pretty soon, your roommate is going to make you throw them away, so why not craft with them? For garland, gather up as many interesting, ombre leaves as you want Kendall Siewart/ The Current and tie them to string — bakers twine works and looks best! Hang it up in your room as your own little shrine to Demeter. 4. Jump in the leaves. If anyone says you are too old to jump in the leaves, stop talking to them. You do not need that kind of negativity in your life. Get a group of friends together to make a massive pile of leaves perfect for sliding into. (Do not jump in the piles the gardeners have made. Trust me, they won’t like that.) After, head inside for some hot chocolate and help each other pick the leaves from your hair.
Source: Rachel Rogers
5. Simply admire. Shuffle through the leaves scattered on the ground like confetti as you make your way to class and smile, because you know the secret that the fallen leaves hold — winter is just around the corner. martinabarrerahernandez2017@u.northwestern.edu
Martina Barrera-Hernandez/The Current
Pincidents :Oragami Elephant attempt falls short HAYLEY GLATTER
PINTEREST COLUMNIST @ HAYLEYG6994
Inside a creepy, blue, neon light-infested shack on the side of a major road in my hometown works Psychic Mary. I entered her cavern one night a few years ago only to leave without any knowledge of my future and without the $20 I paid her. Psychic Mary did not seem to be in tune with the other world as I had anticipated. I, unlike Psychic Mary, am far more in sync with the supernatural, and have been for years, because of my supreme ability to create the greatest cootie catchers of all time. That’s right: I am basically Raven Baxter minus the visions and plus folded
fortuneteller masterpieces. Unfortunately, my psychic abilities did not lend themselves well to a pin, so I decided to see where my paper folding skills could take me. I settled on attempting an origami elephant because I have a particular affinity for Mr. Snuffleupagus but could not find instructions on how to create an origami Snuffy. In the past, my origami ventures outside of cootie catchers have not proved to be especially successful. The one thing I have learned is that precision is very key when trying to make something out of paper, so I approached this project with a commitment to being as exact as possible. With this attitude, I began the tutorial. I found it to be very user-friendly because it was a video, as opposed to a written explanation. I was able
to rewind and replay different steps that I didn’t catch the first time in order to make sure my elephant would eventually come to fruition. The video itself lasts a little more than 14 minutes, but after about five, I was ready to call it quits. My elephant looked like nothing more than a lopsided triangle with one area resembling an ear. However, all of the sudden, I was instructed to turn my piece of paper over, and there rested something that looked somewhat like an elephant if you closed your left eye and turned your head slightly to the side. After about seven minutes, my paper elephant head fully took shape, and I outfitted my creation with an eye and a smile. The smile looked foolish and out
of place, so I promptly erased it. My elephant would be a stoic creature. When all was said and done, my creation looked more like an elephant with the ears of a beagle than an actual elephant, but I am still pleased with it. I have named my elephant Gordo after the “Lizzie McGuire” character, and hopefully he will bring me some luck in making it through the home stretch of the quarter. haleyglatter2016@u.northwestern.edu
The best condoms on the market TONYA STARR SEX COLUMNIST
Last week, my roommates and I received by mail a mysterious cardboard box containing 500 condoms of six different varieties. It was like Christmas. Turns out they were from a national grassroots movement called the Great American Condom Campaign, which promotes safe, healthy sexual activity among young people. We don’t really know how they got our address, but now that the condoms are here, we don’t much care. There are about a zillion different kinds of condoms out there, so I thought I’d give you a quick breakdown. (Warning: the box only came with Trojan varieties. If you’re looking for something a little less fancy, Durex works too). Truth is, they’re 98 percent effective for preventing unwanted pregnancy and are also one of the strongest and most affordable barriers to sexually transmitted diseases. Our middle school health teachers were not lying to us. If you don’t have some in your desk drawer right now (girls, that means you too), then you better get to CVS. These are my recommendations, from best to worst. 1. Trojan Stimulations Ecstasy Lubricated Condoms Sounds scary, I know. But this condom is lubricated both inside and out and is ribbed on both the base and shaft, which actually feels great for the person being penetrated. The open, bulb-type compartment on the top is bigger on this condom, which gives the penis a lot of room to breathe (or stretch, or whatever it is they do). It’s pricey, but it’s a bang worth your buck. 2. Trojan Her Pleasure Sensations Lubricated Condoms These are apparently “designed from a woman’s perspective” to help heighten her sensation. I don’t know what that means, but they did something right because it actually feels pretty good for her (or for him, I’d assume). The only downside is that the latex is thicker than that on the Ecstasy, so he may feel a decrease in sensitivity. Not a bad call if you want him to last. 3. Trojan Ultra Thin Lubricated Condoms So from what I hear, this is actually superduper thin. More than 25 percent thinner than standard condoms — so the packaging claims. It is thinner, and the man I spoke with said he felt everything — but added that it was pretty tight. It does have a slender shape with a small “reservoir tip” for extra safety, so if your man is on the larger side, he may feel a little constricted. 4. Trojan Fire and Ice Lubricated Condoms Don’t do this. I don’t care how horny or curious you are. If you are trapped on an island with only this condom for your entire life, you’re better off going celibate. This thing is a monster. It says it’s deigned for “more passion and excitement.” Translation: it heats up while you’re doing the deed until your special parts feel like they’re on fire. Then it cools down rapidly, leaving you and your partner shivering and unsatisfied. This degree of special effects is a little over the top. Just chill out (figuratively, of course), and do some good old-fashioned lovemaking with a Trojan original — if those even exist anymore. Moral of the story: Condoms are important. And they’re more accessible — meaning free — now than they ever will be for the rest of your life. So stock up, and get your kicks without the risk. tonyastarr14@gmail.com
THE CURRENT Editor in Chief Annie Bruce Assistant Editor Laken Howard Design Editor Jessica Fang
Hayley Glatter/The Current
Assistant Design Editor Rosalie Chan
Writers Devan Coggan Chanel Vargas Hayley Glatter Sarah Rense Miranda Leon Mackenzie Broderick DJ Oh Martina BarreraHernandez
Page 4 | The Current
Reviews
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Vile fun: ‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa’ DJ OH
MOVIE COLUMNIST
Rundown
This movie will make you wince, cackle and probably throw up a little in your mouth. The infamous “Jackass” series storms the big screen again with another hidden camera comedy flick — this time with the deceptively family-friendly name, “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.” The movie’s plot follows an 84-year-old man named Irving Zisman (played by Johnny Knoxville) and his 8-year-old grandson Billy (played by the 9-year-old Jackson Nicoll) as they travel across the United States to meet Billy’s father. Along the way, the duo embark on a series of increasingly daring and winceinducing public pranks, which include hitting on old ladies playing Bingo at a recreation center, smuggling out food inside pants from a supermarket and a very unnerving scene that takes place in a male strip club. The trailer boasts the authenticity of the pranks, stating, “Real people, real reactions, real messed up.” And the movie lives up to its promises, especially the last one. Profanities, fecal matters, prosthetic genitals and many, many awkward stares fill up this montage of eccentric behavior, and if these things intrigue you, then “Bad Grandpa” is the movie for you. Although “Bad Grandpa” packs a wallop in shock value, viewers expecting the same level of controversial and vulgar stunts as shown in previous “Jackass” movies may be disappointed, as “Bad Grandpa” focuses more on Source: Flickr Creative Commons inducing hilarious reactions from bystanders in bizarre situations. But “Bad Grandpa” BADASS Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll star in the latest enstallement of the “Jackass” movies. The film hit theaters on Oct. 25. presents a more interesting and unique take on stunt pranks that were becoming more and more mundane with each new “Jackass” uncomfortable situations — and he knows its longstanding fans and anyone with a taste At age 42, Johnny Knoxville can still movie. it. And boy, the climactic scene at the beauty for some vulgar, adrenaline-filled action. Its handle being rocketed into a glass wall and The young Jackson Nicoll ingeniously pulls pageant might as well put him on the candihighly original storytelling and the ability to getting punched in the face by an airbag. Let’s off the likable prankster character and plays a date list for the Best Performance of the Year. weave in incredulous and disgusting escahope his body can handle a few more “Jackpivotal role in propelling the unconventional With its gross-out humor and adult pades with solid storyline differentiate “Bad ass” movies. movie. His innocuous baby face makes him themes, “Bad Grandpa” is definitely not for Grandpa” from the low-budget MTV silliness a perfect candidate for duping people into everyone. But this new endeavor will please that it spawned from. dongoh2016@u.northwestern.edu
Justin Bieber reportedly spotted outside a Brazilian brothel Justin Bieber is under fire this week after allegedly sneaking out of a Brazilian brothel draped in a sheet and surrounded by bodyguards. Obviously, this is a huge misunderstanding, and he just wanted to show the Brazilian prostitutes his ghost Halloween costume. Spooky.
The
“Breaking Bad” does comedy The cast and crew of “Breaking Bad” are branching out. Creator Vince Gilligan will make his acting debut on an upcoming episode of “Community,” and Anna Gunn will guest star on “The Mindy Project.” So, expect these normally upbeat comedies to turn dark as Mindy uses her job at the hospital to begin cooking meth, and Troy and Abed bond over murdering a Mexican drug kingpin. “Wolverine” gets a sequel A sequel to this year’s movie “The Wolverine” got the green light yesterday from Twentieth Century Fox. This will mark Hugh Jackman’s eighth time on screen as the hairy mutant. Meanwhile, Marvel continues to dig its heels in and refuses to develop a film starring a woman superhero. Apparently the comics company thinks an eighth appearance by a shirtless Jackman will be enough to satisfy female fans. Blockbuster to close remaining retail stores Blockbuster announced Wednesday it will close its remaining 300 retail stores in the U.S. This tragedy marks the end of an era, but in other news, this means I emerge victorious in the standoff with my local Blockbuster concerning a Mary-Kate and Ashley VHS I may or may not still have under my bed.
The Steam Press: JaneAustenpalooza MACKENZIE BRODERICK BOOK COLUMNIST @BADBRODERICK
Greetings, culture lovers! Sadly, Fifty Shades of Fall has drawn to a close (but be sure to check it out online in case you missed any exciting installments). This week, as the Steam Press continues to explore only the finest literature has to offer, we begin our JaneAustenpalooza. And to start the ball rolling, the Steam Press presents the Three Sexiest Things to Ever Happen in a Jane Austen Novel. Dirty Darcy Dancing This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of “Pride and Prejudice.” That’s right, gentle reader: Darcy has caused women to grow hot under the collar for two centuries now, and he doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Though P&P has an array of sexy scenes to choose from, the one that leaves them all behind is the dance during the Netherfield Ball. During a time when men and women couldn’t exchange greetings without a chaperone, he and Lizzie get down and dirty in the candlelight. Holding hands, exchanging witty banter and getting sweatier than a co-ed at a frat party. Steam Rating: Hot enough to burn your stockings Wet Wandering Willoughby Willoughby is not the hero of “Sense and
Sensibility,” but his bad-boy reputation only serves to heighten the sexiness. Naturally, this tortured soul has nothing better to do than wander around the English countryside during thunderstorms looking for hapless maidens to rescue. When he does find Marianne injured and seemingly doomed on a cliffside, he takes her in his manly arms and carries her home. This knight in shining armor is too good to be true, but hmm. What a way to fall. Steam Rating: Toe-toastingly hot Wentworth’s Words Ah, the love letter — the wet dream of every English major. And the best, steamiest and dreamiest example is found in “Persuasion.” Anticipation only heightens the sexy, as Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth have waited eight years to admit their true feelings to each other. Finally, overcome with his feelings, Wentworth pours his soul into a letter that, amazingly, doesn’t spontaneously combust in a fiery explosion of passion. Sexting ain’t got nothing on these two, who exchange vows of true love so hot they must be illegal. Steam Rating: Warning! Reader may be devoured by the flames In the words of the late-but-great Jonas Brothers, “Baby, who turned the temperature hotter?” Jane Austen, that’s who. Stay tuned for more steam. Follow @BadBroderick on Twitter to get your sexy on. mackenziebroderick2017@u.northwestern.edu
— Devan Coggan Source: Flickr Creative Commons and Mackenzie Broderick