Hover Boards: a new Way of Getting around
Best Happy Hour countdown
Burlesque Show comes to Mobile
DUE SOUTH fall 2015 • vol. 5, issue 1
trends • culture • events
Wild Fire Coast
is Spreading through the Gulf page 24
Every Saturday &Sunday
99c NIBBLERZ
PLUS HALF OFF
MILKSHAKES Valid at the Airport Boulevard location only Near Providence Hospital
NOW HIRING AT ALL LOCATIONS
Any scene, whether music or movie, thrives when each member is as dedicated as the next.” – Teddie Taylor see page 22 for more
DueSouthUSA.com Editor-in-Chief Jordan Knox Assistant Editor Shannon House duesouth@southalabama.edu starters 6 Q & A: Mira Rosenthal 7 Calendar 8 New + Noteworthy agenda: 10 Happy Hour
Your guide to the best drinks in town
12 Cafe del Rio
New restaurant opens on the causeway
18 Hover Boards
This new trend has students ditching their bikes and skateboards
28 Mobile Writers Guild The local writing group open to all.
34 Ice Skating Rink This limited time attraction is sure to please
On The Cover Taylor Roberts
by Teddie Taylor
features 14 20 22 30
Drew Hall Former USA student turns film degree into Hollywood production company.
Jereme Jones Former Jaguar leaves his mark on South Alabama.
On The Cover
Local band gets a face-lift Native to the South, Wild Fire is spreading across the Gulf Coast.
Burlesque Troupe A new show makes its way to Mobile and is sure to be a new crowd favorite.
Due South is published twice per academic year – once in the fall and once in the spring. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by Due South. Due South is a production of USA Student Media, and does not necessarily reflect the views of The University of South Alabama’s administration.
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EDiTOR-in-CHiEF JoRdan knoX
ASSiSTAnT EDiTOR SHannon HouSe
ADVERTiSinG MAnAGER CHRISTIna WeRneR
ADViSER JoHn SeLLeRS
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Letter from the
Editor
T
he University of South Alabama was established in 1963 and began with just one building. Now, more than fifty years later, we are bigger and better than ever. Just last year our enrollment reached an all-time high: 16,055. When compared to Alabama (36,155) or Auburn (25,912), it doesn’t seem like much. But as the years go by, our university continues to grow. With enrollment growing all the time it can be hard to keep students informed with the happenings of Mobile life. Found in this issue are some of the latest and greatest attractions Mobile has to offer. From ice skating to concerts, Mobile has it all. There’s something for everyone in our city and we here at Due South are dedicated to helping you stay entertained.
Jordan Knox Editor-in-Chief, Due South
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starters
inTERViEW
CALEnDAR
Q&a
innOVATiOnS
Mira Rosenthal an interview by Jordan Knox
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ira Rosenthal is the new Director of Creative Writing here at USA. She is originally from northern California but has since moved to the South. Rosenthal has published several books and has been featured in more than fifty publications. Her latest book, “The Local World,” was published in 2011. She describes her work as traditional but she says she loves reading what younger generations are publishing.
Q: What books have fortified you as a writer? a: i find that there are certain companion books for each project, books that will get me going and help me feel that the whole crazy enterprise is, in fact, possible. i have my own stable of authors, often contemporary poets of an older generation, such as Yusef Komunyakaa, Ellen Bryant Voigt, Galway Kinnell, Eavan Boland--the list could go on.
Q: Where did you teach before coming to uSa? a: i have taught at a number of places, including Stanford and, most recently, Cornell College, where i was the 2015 Distinguished Visiting Writer. in addition to poetry, i teach literary translation, creative nonfiction, and literature.
Q: What are you working on now? a: A new book of poems. You can find links to some of them on my website. i’m also translating two books from Polish, The Book of Rotations by Tomasz Rozycki and White Chairs by Krystyna Dabrowska.
Q: What is it about poetry that you love so much? a: i love the feeling of getting inside the mental and emotional state of someone else. Data shows that literature increases our empathy--and my reading experience confirms it. As William Carlos Williams famously said, “it is difficult to get the news from poems yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.” Q: after having published several books, how much time goes into writing and publishing a work? a: When asked how long it took him to write a poem, Richard Wilbur replied, “Long enough.” i agree.
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration? a: At the moment, from travel, oak trees, love, public sadnesses perpetuated in the media, the infrastructure of transportation across the U.S., and what it means to raise daughters in the current climate of violence toward women.
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interview
calendar
innovations
starters
save the dates...
community events
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December
USA Choir and Chorale Holiday Concert
The University of South Alabama Concert Choir and University Chorale invite you to the Holiday Choral Concert. Conducted byDr. Laura Moore.
7:30 p.m. Recital Hall of the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center January
Duo Faculty Piano Recital
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Elfapalooza
Come play in the snow, take your picture with Santa Claus and shop for last minute Christmas gifts at the Christmas market.
February
USA Symphony Band Ensemble
9
No classes!
March
13
The Early Phase: Special Chamber Music Concert 7:30 p.m.Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cathedral Square
7:30 p.m.Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
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January
Steve Reich at 80
Mardi Gras Holiday
Music from Russia and Spain. Robert Holm and Jasmin Arakawa, pianists
February
19
December
February
19-26
USA Theatre “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
Based on the popular TV show, this musical promises to entertain and educate! Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
11-12
BUKU Music and art project
March
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
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Michael Phillips and William H. Petersen conduct a winter concert
Over fifty artists come together for a two day music festival. Tickets $150.
Cherish the Ladies and Mobile’s Celtic ensemble, Mithril perform in a musical spectacular.
7:30 p.m. Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
New Orleans
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Saenger Theatre.
March
14-20
Spring Break No classes!
April
G. Love & Special Sauce at the Soul Kitchen
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G. Love and Special Sauce is an alternative rock band from Philadelphia. Tickets $25. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Soul Kitchen
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April
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Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore Presented by USA Opera & Musical Theatre. Directed by Thomas L. Rowell. $15 general admission and $10 for USA students 7:30 p.m. Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
starters
interview
calendar
innovations
new+noteworthy Local ingenuity
Dapper Deliveries is a new local company that will deliver food from some of your favorite Mobile restaurants and bring it right to your front door! Alex Moore, born Mobilian, came up with this idea after realizing his favorite restaurant didn’t deliver. Thus, Dapper Deliveries was born. Brick Pit, Via Emilia, Mellow Mushroom, Gambino Brothers, Sabor a Mexico, Ollie’s Mediterranean Grill and Orleans Cafe are all on the list of restaurants you can now have delivered to your home. Alex Moore
Campus
In 2015 there were more than 2,794 reported cases Shut out Human of human trafficking in the United States. USA hosted a “Shut Out Human Trafficking” week in November in order to raise awareness of this issue. The week included “two keynote speakers, a film entitled “Not My Life,” an open forum led by community professionals, a fair trade market exhibit and a “Shut Out Human Trafficking” tailgate at the Dec. 5 Jags football game to close the week.” (SouthAlabama.edu) To learn more about this issue you can visit www.TraffickingResourcecenter.org.
Trafficking
World
The co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, announced on Dec. 2 that he would be donating 99 percent of his Facebook shares to charities across the globe which is worth over $45 billion. The donations will occur throughout his lifetime through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, LLC. { 08
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Mobile news
Republican candidate, Ben Carson, speaks at free rally, hosted at USA Mitchell Center Nov. 19. The event marked his third visit to Mobile during his campaign. More than 1,000 people attended.
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Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings is one of the more popular sports bars in Mobile for their sheer quantity of Tvs to catch the big games. When you should go: Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. And a Late Night happy hour from 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. What you get: $3 well drinks, $3 draft pints, $3.50 margaritas, $3.50 Jack and Coke, $3 regular beers.
Picklefish voted “Best college Bar” in the 2015 nappies Reader’s choice awards, Picklefish serves up delectable, homemade pizza and offers over 60 beers on draft. They also have daily lunch specials as low as $4.99.
4.
When you should go: Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Go on Thursday night from 9 p.m.-11p.m. for $5 all you can drink beer. What you get: Half off draft prices and $3 wines.
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Text by Jordan Knox and Shannon House Photos by Jordan Knox
Ollie’s
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With daily food, drink, and hookah specials, Ollie’s is as affordable as it is delicious. When you should go: Tuesday or Thursday for BOGO hookah and $5 drinks like a Liquid Marijuana or a Dirty Girl Scout What you get: Daily specials like half off drinks and buy one get one for a penny.
3.
Mellow Mushroom Mellow Mushroom has two locations in Mobile: one by campus on old Shell and one in Midtown. They have over 30 beers on tap but if you prefer something a little stronger try the Grateful Dead. When you should go: Monday through Friday 3 p.m. 6 p.m. and all day Sunday What you get: Half off select pints, $1 off bottled beer , $1 off wine by the glass and $3 wells.
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Montego’s Montego’s is quickly becoming a Mobile staple. They have two locations (Dauphin St. downtown and an airport location) The airport location offers daily drink and food specials such as $12.95 for all-you-can-eat tacos on Tuesdays. They have an outdoor seating area and often offer live music. With 0ver 40 different beers on tap and several micro brews, there is something here for everyone. When you should go: Everyday from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. On Sunday they offer $4 draft beers, $6 bloody marys and $8 bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. What you get: $2 domestic bottles, $5 margaritas on the rocks and $4 selected drafts. They also offer $3 tacos (shrimp, pork, chicken or fish). our favorite dish: Fish Tacos The fish tacos come with four tortilla shells. Each one is filled with blackened or fried whitefish and topped with cilantro lime sour cream, marinated grilled pineapple, their Island Slaw and a drizzle of Caribbean Glaze or Coconut Curry sauce. The tacos come with one side. (We recommend the seasoned waffle fries.) $11.95. our favorite drink: caribbean Bliss Served on ice. Blue Chair Coconut Spiced Rum, Blue Chair White Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine. $8.
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1.
Wintzell’s Wintzell’s is a Mobile tradition that has its roots all the way back to 1938. Their fresh and local seafood sets them apart from the many other seafood restaurants in Mobile. like Montego’s their happy hour includes food specials, including half off on a dozen raw oysters and $5 appetizers like fried pickles or wings.
When you should go: Everyday from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Go on Saturday and Sunday for $5 bottomless mimosas. What you get: $2 select domestic pints. $3.50 Blue Moon (specials on pilsners & pitchers too). $3 house red/white, $3 wells. Half off a dozen raw oysters ($7.50), $5 appetizers: wings, fried dill pickles, fried green beans, and buffalo shrimp. Our favorite dish: Redfish Bienville A generous helping of blackened redfish and jumbo Gulf shrimp heaped on top of Cajun rice and topped with a creamy alfredo sauce tossed with shrimp and crab meat. $24.99. For a more affordable option, try the Southern Crab Cake BLT. $10.99. our favorite drink: Dragon Drink Cruzan Dark and Light Rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, grenadine and for $2 more, you can add a Cruzan 151 floater. Once you finish the drink, you get to take the cup home with you! $8.99
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Drew Hall & Frame29 Former USA student becomes Hollywood producer Text and photos by Teddie Taylor
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f you roam the roads of West Mobile, you may discover a robin egg blue building with “MudBrick Studios” above the massive front doors. Once inside, in the huge foyer, the walls are decorated with signed records, movie posters and photos from film sets. A few steps forward, in a café area, there is a coffee contraption reminiscent of a steampunk invention. Minutes after bumping into Drew Hall rounding a corner, the setting makes sense. Inside his office, Hall has a poster from a Toadies and Helmet concert, Star Wars comics and sci-fi prop guns. The Mobile location has transformed into a busy Hollywood film studio, complete with soundstage, green screen and a staff that isn’t afraid to use light bulbs as lightsabers. Hall, 37, graduated from The University of South Alabama with a degree in film and television. Since then, he created a filmmaking com-
pany, written, directed and produced movies, and, most of all, maintained his roots in Mobile. Though his company, Frame29 Films, based in Hollywood, California, Hall, his wife and daughter still reside in Mobile. His wife, Sara, is a costume designer and fellow USA graduate. Hall started Frame29 Films with Horst Sarubin, who attended USA before relocating to New Zealand to pursue his dream of transforming his ideas into films. The self-proclaimed “nerds” share a love of all things Star Wars and cinema. Hall and Sarubin recently returned to Mobile from Santa Monica, California, where they attended the 2015 American Film Market on behalf of their film, “Aether: The Rise of Specter.” The project, an indescribable melt of steampunk and futuristic aviation, with underlying messages of classism and oil reliance, is one Frame29 is nursing into its full potential. Hall and Sarubin have mentioned during separate interviews that they have not felt enchanted and floored
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by a film in a while; they hope “Aether” will be that film. Hall, surprisingly, has developed a fan base in South Korea, where his film “Convergence” was screened during the Midnight Passion program at the 2015 Busan Film Festival. Before Frame29 or South Korea, Hall was a South Alabama Jaguar making films with his friends and serving coffee at Carpe Diem. It was through coffee that he first met Eva Golson. After weeks of “flirting” with her at Carpe Diem’s location in the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, Hall furthered his interest in film and eventually secured his first job on a set as a personal assistant. “I drove by and I said, ‘Is this what you want to do?’ and he said, ‘I don’t know,’” Golson recalled recently. “And about a week or two later I went over to set and asked, ‘Is this what you want to do?’ and he said ‘Yes it is and I know what it is I want to do.’” Many years later, Hall refers to Golson as his “film mom” and attributes his success to her confidence in
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him. Sarubin refers to Golson by the same nickname. Through her work at the Mobile Film Office and Hall’s projects in the city, Mobile is steadily on the rise as a location for big-budget productions. Hall credits the USA Department of Communication professors Dr. Steve Rockwell and Dr. Richard Ward with guiding him and giving him freedom to explore his passion during his years as a student. “He has been spectacularly successful in being able to make feature films here in Mobile. There are very few people who are able to get the industry to meet them on their terms,” Ward said. With his own family and his Frame29 film family, Hall is as devoted to his career and to the cinema hopefuls surrounding him as possible. Any scene, whether music or movie, thrives when each member is as dedicated as the next. In the Mobile filmmaking scene, Drew is a teacher and a student. As the craft and technology continue to evolve, Hall’s career could be one to watch on the big screen.
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Cafe del Rio brings fresh new flavor to the Causeway Text and photos by Shannon House
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obile’s Causeway has always been known for its seafood restaurants, until now. Cafe Del Rio is an authentic tex-mex restaurant that opened on Nov. 2 in the old Tacky Jack’s building. According to their General Manager David Earnest, the Causeway location is the first outside of Texas and the fifth location in the U.S. Their delicious tex-mex offerings, drink
specials, and downstairs “Cantina Del Rio” provide customers with the full dining experience. One of the many reasons Cafe Del Rio is different from other local mexican restaurants is their dedication to quality and fresh ingredients. On your way to be seated, you’ll pass by a room where employees make handmade tortillas fresh to order. These tortillas are used for some of their entrees as well as in the complimentary dish served to your table with butter and honey. Besides these
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delectable tortillas, Cafe Del Rio also serves up daily-made marinated fajita chicken and beef and fresh pico de gallo. Their signature dish is the Cafe Del Rio for Two. With this massive meal, customers get a half rack of made in house ribs, fried bacon-wrapped shrimp, beef and/or chicken fajitas, rice, refried beans or charro beans, and grilled vegetables. Other standouts from the menu include the crawfish enchiladas and their stuffed jalapenos. For the sweet
Earnest
tooths, Cafe Del Rio has fresh sopapilla cheesecake and flan as well as free soft serve ice cream for patrons. Margaritas are a staple at mexican restaurants, and Cafe Del Rio doesn’t disappoint. The Del Rio Swirl is a huge frozen blue margarita with a swirl of sangria. Mondays-Fridays from 4-6 p.m. you can catch their Happy Hour specials like $3.50 frozen or on the rocks margaritas, $3 domestic draft beers, and $3.50 imported draft beers. Besides great food and drink specials, Cafe Del Rio’s building itself is a sight to behold. The downstairs Cantina Del Rio (which has a free taco bar from 4-6 p.m.) houses live music acts Wednesdays-Saturdays. Patrons who sit in
the climate-controlled patio will get beautiful views of Mobile bay rain or shine. And for the busy nights with longer waits, Cafe Del Rio has a food truck parked outside for waiting customers that mainly serves appetizers. Earnest also mentioned that Cafe Del Rio will be working on an outside stage for future music acts as well as adding shuffleboard and a pool table to the Cantina Del Rio. Beyond great food in a great location, Cafe del Rio offers some of the best service in Mobile. On average, customers only wait about 7-11 minutes after ordering for piping hot entrees according to Earnest. Cafe del Rio is a sister company to the Causeway’s newly opened Ralph and Kacoo’s.
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BYE BYE BICYCLEs Find out why students are ditching their old set of wheels
Text and photos by Brianna Ervin
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ay goodbye to skateboards and bikes! There is a new mode of transportation that has students eager to ditch their old set of wheels. Many students can’t resist buying the mini Segway, commonly called a hover board. No matter the brand or nickname, this new electric board is equipped with lights, speakers and a sleek design that provides a brand new way to get around. “When I first saw this thing on Instagram, I knew I had to have one. It was unlike anything I’d ever used before and it looked cool and stylish,” according to Johnnell Myers, a senior at USA. Like many other students, Myers was quick to order his hover board to use on campus instead of walking or riding a bike. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve seen this device. It’s popularity grew when several celebrities were seen using them. Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Nick Jonas, Nicki Minaj and several NBA players showed off this new mode of transportation. Anytime someone uploads a video or picture of the hover board, viewers usually want to know two things: What is it called and where can I buy one? There are multiple brands of hover boards. Sky Walker, IO Hawk, and
PhunkeeDuck are some of the most popular. Many people are ordering them from Amazon, Ebay, or from manufacturers’ websites. The boards can also be purchased at many malls and Walmart has started selling them as well. Hover boards can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending upon its brand and features. After doing some research, Myers purchased a white Sky Walker for $600. He uses his hover board to commute to campus, get from one class to the next, and move through the grocery store. Because the hover board is still new, many places don’t have rules or regulations for them. “As of now, there are no rules on them and it’s not large enough of an issue to explore,” according to Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Michael Mitchell. The hover board is not a skate board, bike or scooter. It’s in its own category and is becoming more popular. Currently, there are many students who have them. However, this time next year the percentage of people who have them could triple. At that point it may become an issue to explore. According to mechanical engineering Assistant Professor Carlos Montalvo, these devices are controlled by an electric motor, sensors, body weight and by the movement of the rider’s feet. For example, if you want your left foot to go forward then place your
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weight onto your left foot. If you want your right foot to go forward, place your weight onto your right foot. If you want your whole body to go forward, simply distribute your weight evenly on both feet and lean slightly forward. For backing up, just lean backward. Hover boards take approximately two to three hours to fully charge and can be used from five hours to a couple of days on one charge, depending on the brand used. Generally, the hover board includes a power button, charging port and lights. Some versions provide blue-tooth, wireless speakers, flashing lights, bigger tires and more. USA student Rodriez Craig decided to get a hover board after seeing celebrities use them online and noticed that his friends were also using them. “Why walk when you don’t have to?” Craig said. “When I first got my hover board, it took me a few hours to learn to balance myself on it. Before I could use it in public, I played with it inside for about a week. Once you get the hang of it, it’s not that bad. After a few weeks I was even able to do tricks on it.” More people will undoubtedly want a hover board because it’s so new. People will continue to be infatuated by it – at least for a while. Montalvo believes that although the hover board is a mode of transportation, it’s also a novelty. He said he believes it is yet to be determined if it will remain popular.
Johnnell Myers performing a trick on his hover board
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The Jereme Jones Story From childhood dream to all-star athelete Text by D’Ambro Chatman
“I
knew at an early age that my son was talented,” says Rickey Jones, 6-foot-1 quarterback for the Alabama State University from 1987-1991. “When he was 9-years-old I would have him run college routes, and he would catch the ball with his hands!” USA graduate Jereme Jones inherited all of his father’s athletic traits, but one — his height. The former Jaguar receiver never let his 5-6 height deter him. “I was in the second grade when I first started playing football, and I quit because I didn’t like the contact,” Jereme smiles and stares at the floor while wearing a USA Jaguars shirt that shows off his 7.5 percent of body fat and muscular definition. “I played again when I was in the fifth grade for the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Wildcats. I played quarterback because I was the fastest on the team and we didn’t throw the ball.” Jones would not quit football again. Jereme entered the ninth grade at McGill Toolen High School in Mobile, AL. That year he realized that he
would not be as tall as his father. Nevertheless, Steve Savarese, then head coach at McGill Toolen, named Jones a starter on the varsity team. Savarese bragged on Jones saying, “If I did get on Jereme, I’m sure I did not have to do it twice! Jereme’s parents raised him well, and he was always trying to do the right thing.” Jereme went on to help get his team to the fourth round of the play-
I played quarterback because I was the fastest on the team.” -Jereme Jones offs his junior year, which he finished with 11 touchdowns. That summer he went to a USA Jaguar’s football camp. “I almost didn’t go because I didn’t have the money to pay for the $25 entry fee,” says Jones, “but my cousin came, picked me up and took me.” Jones was offered a scholarship on the spot after dominating the one-on-one drills. Jereme’s college career was even more successful. Jones set a school record with 45 receptions, seven touchdowns, 513 yards and 631 allpurpose yards in 2012. He finished his college career with 142 receptions
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and 14 touchdowns. Amazingly, six of his touchdowns came from “fade routes,” a play designed to throw the ball up to taller receivers so they can jump over shorter defenders. Despite Jereme’s accomplishments he still needed to have a great pro-day to make it to the NFL. “NFL coaches will take the bigger player every time. They feel like they can teach them to be fast, but they can’t teach someone to be tall,” he explained. The most important event at Jereme’s pro-day is the 40-yard-dash. Because of his size he would need to run it at 4.4 seconds, but that wouldn’t happen. Jereme ran 4.76. “When I saw him run that 4.7,” says Rickey Jones, “I knew it was going to be hard for him to get picked up.” But the Jacksonville Jaguars showed interest, deciding only later they didn’t need him. “I feel like I’m still successful,” says Jereme. “A lot of people can’t do what I’ve done at this height and at the level I did it at.” Jereme returned to McGill Toolen to coach the wide receivers, and he still trains for the NFL, hoping that a team will see his potential. “God didn’t give me this ability for nothing,” Jones proclaimed.
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Wild Fire
is spreading through the Gulf coast Text and photos by Teddie Taylor
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athercist, a seasoned Gulf Coast rock group, has been engulfed by Wild Fire. After years of albums, touring and lineup changes, the group has settled on a new name and decided on a fresh start with a new bassist and a drummer who is a former Jaguar. Split between Gulfport, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, Wild Fire has abandoned its Cathercist years and plans to bring something new to the scene. The old
band’s music was taken down from iTunes and Spotify and, as singer Zack Sawyer said, they want people to remember them for their upcoming music and not for past work. Having played with well-known rock outfits like Papa Roach and Periphery, Cathercist developed a fan base that voted them Favorite Rock/Alternative Band at the 2015 Covey Awards. “I know that one year I mentioned them as one of the highlights of, probably, the second day of BayFest,” Lawrence Specker,
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entertainment reporter for the Mobile Press-Register, of Cathercist’s performance recalled. Vocalist Sawyer and guitarist Taylor Roberts were constants in Cathercist after they left other projects to collaborate in 2010. Over the years, though, they saw drummers and bassists come and go; finding four people with the same drive to succeed and give everything to a band was a process. “With the new band, there are no past members!” Sawyer joked. Now, two albums later, they have rebranded with bassist Tyler Voss and drummer Cameron Alidor. Cameron, a University of South Alabama Department of
Music alumnus who had opportunities to join the band but was always involved with other music projects. Not strangers to one another, it didn’t take long for the added members to find their footing, and for the band to see this lineup was something special. The four are dedicated to the success of Wild Fire and on Nov. 6, at their show with fellow local bands StrongFold and Love The Hate, they unveiled the new name. At their first show as Wild Fire, old fans were more than happy to make the switch. Not only do these veteran Cathercist listeners have a new group to follow, but the Gulf Coast has another rock group to watch.
(Left) From left to right - Cameron Alidor, Taylor Roberts, Zack Sawyer and Tyler Voss. (Right) Taylor Roberts
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“They’re one of the few people actually busting their humps in our scene,” said Tony Peppers, a broadcast journalism student at The University of South Alabama and executive producer at babetalk.tv. “They were one of my first shows and still remain one of my favorites.” Earlier, on Nov. 5, the group released their first song, “Villain,” and uploaded a lyric video in homage to Batman’s Joker on YouTube. Garnering more than 10,000 views in a week, it’s safe to say the
band has found success in the new direction. “Blowing up the mystery and all the pretty things, light flame to fuse and sparks will fly,” Sawyer sings. The words perfectly describe the intentions of the band—to use this beginning to rise like the flames of a wildfire and allow something real and raw to grow where Cathercist once existed. An unidentifiable cross between hard rock, alternative and hardcore, Wild Fire has emerged a band as roaring and energetic as
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its name suggests. In total opposition to the usual country or beach influence that has dominated the Gulf Coast, Wilf Fire is certainly the band in which the rock/metal community can invest its time. “Whether they want to call us hard rock or metal or not enough of another, I would rather them just say we’re Wild Fire and go along with it,” Alidor said. The album, expected in early 2016, sees the band embark on a journey to expand this sound. “Villain” is enough to pique the interest of the dedicated rock fan and to make them want more. If the remaining songs of the album are similar, the Coast could
proudly give the music world yet another act. “It’s not safe anymore,” said Voss. “It’s more mature,” Roberts said of the forthcoming album. “You-can-only-get-it-from-us kind of a thing and that’s what we like about it. It just sounds more mature, like we’re growing as musicians together.” The next year promises to be a time of work and growth for Wild Fire. From an album release to a tour, it will be hard to live in or between the cities these performers call home and to ignore them. As their name guarantees, Wild Fire could be impossible to extinguish.
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The Student Guide to International Travel n o i t i d e k a e r b g Sprin Text by Jasmine Reynolds
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ired of the same old destinations? Every spring during that small week long window of vacation from taking notes, reading novels and quizzes there is a haven of fun and adventure called: Spring Break. This is the week where young adults and teens lose their minds having fun. Even the most reserved individual somehow manages to lose their sense of morals and decides to let go of their inhibitions. This is the most popular time of year when teens have decided to jump off their third story balcony and plunge into a pool hundreds of feet below them all because of a simple alcohol infused dare. The whole week is reminiscent of the 2012 hit movie “Project X.” That’s all fine and dandy, but as you age and your gut begins to spill
over with the countless alcohol infused nights that were never tended to after a smorgasbord of fun and frill, sometimes you want something more adventurous and not so monotonous. So how about you web browse for a destination and plan ahead for a week of adventure? Planning ahead can get you eating fresh, steamy buttered croissants in a Paris bistro that you arrived to on a bike after a morning at the flower shop. Planning ahead can have you zip lining in the Netherlands. Planning ahead can have you waking up at the Giraffe Manor in Africa, where giraffes will google at you through your bedroom window and await a safari adventure, after breakfast prepared by a world renowned chef. Sounds better than the regular Thirsty Thursday routine, right?
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Get a passport or visa now. You always have the chance of running into trouble but at least you will have plenty of time to prepare and take the next actions, if needed. According to U.S. Passports and International Travel, “As of (Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015), we are processing routine applications in approximately 4-5 weeks from the time of application.” With spring break coming up, you have just enough time to take a passport photo at your local Walgreens, CVS or post office. (You can also get an expedited passport or visa just in case you’re the typical college students who waits until the last minute.)
Kick boring to the curb! The next step is to Google great destinations that you can travel to for cheap. I mean: Literally type into Google: Destinations I can travel to for cheap. The first article has 10 destinations including $1 beds in Cambodia. Choose randomly, but avoid anywhere that may have a war going on or may hate American travelers. Just choose smart.
Use your resources! It’s 2015. All the travel apps and websites that offer bundle deals are incredible ways to travel on a dime. Websites like Groupon and LivingSocial have bundle deals that include roundtrip airfare and prices for double occupancy to international destinations like the Northern Lights and backpacking in Ireland. Imagine you and your best friend paying $500 each to take a safari?
Know when to book! Certain times of year are obviously going to be more traveled than others. Check your school schedule and type in the dates and see if taking a four-day trip would be more beneficial than taking a seven-day trip. The best tip is for domestic travelers to book flights 57 days in advance and for international travelers its best to book 100 days in advance (Hoium.com).
Patience is key! Don’t be afraid to take multiple layovers in multiple cities or destinations. Take trains and buses to get you from one destination to the next.
Give me your money, honey! Make sure you are somewhat knowledgeable about the exchange rates. Go to your local bank branch to inquire.
Have fun, and enjoy your new adventure!
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burlesque troupe dances into
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Text by Benjamin McKay Photos courtesy of Camellia Bay Burlesque Facebook
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t’s Friday night, you could go about your usual routine: go to dinner, go see a movie, or maybe grab a drink with your friends. If you’re tired of the same-old thing, you could switch it up by checking out the newest sensation bursting onto the downtown Mobile scene. The Camellia Bay Burlesque troupe started holding auditions back in June. The troupe was formed and had started practicing their routines within a month.
The troupe now consists of leader Tekillya Sunrise, Emerald Jade, Bettie Buzzkill, Sera Nade, and their newest member, Brandi Alexander. Their first show was Nov. 13, 2015, and I happened to be in attendance. Camellia Bay’s resident songbird, Sera Nade, said, “I decided I wanted to get into burlesque the minute I watched my first show last year, which was at Alchemy, the same place we had our first show,” Nade recalled. “I saw the Bad Girls of Burlesque, a troupe from New Orleans, and I fell in love! They were sexy, classy, seductive, and vivacious. They were perfect.”
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The show inspired her to combine her newfound passion of burlesque with her long-rooted passion in singing. “I am the only singer in the troupe. I have been singing ever since kindergarten.” As a personal witness to the set of pipes on this bombshell, I can confirm that it has definitely paid off. Though she is also an enticing dancer, she admitted that, “as of the next show, I will only be singing in my solo acts. I am no longer dancing, because singing is by far my biggest passion. I want to put all my focus on my voice.” That focus really paid off. Adding
live vocals to the set made the girls’ first performance a true show-stopper. The first show not only sold out online, but completely packed the upstairs of Alchemy Tavern downtown. “We were all nervous and excited about our first show together, but we were actually blown away by the amount of support we received. It meant the world to us and made us incredibly excited about future shows!” Sera Nade said. Of course, no group is complete without one thing: teamwork. “We get along well as a group,” Nade explained. “We’re always looking out for each other and suggesting new ideas
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to make every costume and performance better.” Aside from forming themselves from the ground up, these incredibly talented showgirls are responsible for all of the creative choices behind their shows. “Song choice, choreography, and even our costumes are a group effort. We all worked together to choose what songs best fit our personalities, what kind of characters we wanted to be on stage, and how we wanted to make our costumes reflect them,” Nade said. Though they clearly don’t have a problem doing it all on their own, they wouldn’t mind eventually having a crew to help out with things like choreography, hair and makeup, or costumes. “We definitely hope to grow enough to hire people to help. A lot goes into preparation for a show, so,
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the more help, the better!” Sera Nade explained. With the success of their first show, that might not be too far off. In fact, after adding member Brandi Alexander, the troupe is still growing! “We are auditioning for more talent, and our next show will be midJanuary,” Tekillya Sunrise informed me. Mark your calendars, because these ladies are on a roll. The troupe continues to grow in numbers, which means we can only expect their shows to get better and better. If you want to learn more about the troupe or keep yourself informed with their latest updates, visit the Camellia Bay Burlesque Facebook page. With what they have put together and shown us so far, trust me, you will definitely want to see the sass and class the Camellia Bay girls are going to keep bringing to Mobile.
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Bettie Buzzkill during the debut performance due south 33 }} {{ 33 due south
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Text and photos by Shannon House
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f you’re looking for something different to do in Mobile, The Airbus Group has just the entertainment for you. Riverside Ice, located in Cooper Riverside Park next to the Mobile Convention Center, is an ice-skating rink open for all ages. The outside rink, which is the first ice skating rink in Mobile, gives skaters gorgeous views of downtown Mobile including the Mobile Convention Center, the RSA Battle House Tower, and Mobile Bay. Next to the rink’s entrance, skaters can also enjoy snacks in between skating from a local food truck that offers among other things, funnel cakes. Riverside Ice is highly affordable for students with an admittance fee of $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12. This fee includes the cost to rent skates. If you’re new to ice-skating, Riverside Ice offers public and private skating lessons so you can master the ice. When Riverside Ice first opened in November, the weather was in the mid-70s
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per Mobile’s temperamental weather. This caused parts of the rink to melt; however, skaters still showed up and partook in the icy fun. Despite this hiccup, the City of Mobile reported that over 6,000 people have already visited the rink. Now that we’ve reached December, weather conditions are steadily getting colder, the ice is starting to freeze again, and skaters are sure to return. Riverside Ice is open Mondays-Thursdays 11a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sundays noon to 8 p.m. According to the City of Mobile’s Facebook page, Santa will be making appearances at Riverside Ice on December 5, 12 and 19 from noon until 4 p.m. If you plan on going, take note that Riverside Ice will close early on December 1 and 3 at 5 p.m., Christmas Eve at 4 p.m., and all day on Christmas. Whether you’re going on a date, hanging out with friends, or spending time with family, Riverside Ice is the place to go. Make sure to visit before Riverside Ice closes on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
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