M&C Mar 23

WEDNESDAY | 3.23.2016 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 59, Issue 8

WHAT’S

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INSIDE

SWL HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT B1

FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS REVIEW

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Face in the m ace

Hashtag #ODU to see your face in the m ace

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mace & Crown Mace & Crown is a newspaper published by and written for the students of Old Dominion once a week throughout each semester and once in the summer. Originally founded in 1930 as The High Hat, the paper became the Mace & Crown in 1961.The Mace & Crown is a primarily self-supporting newspaper, maintaining journalistic independence from the university. All views expressed in this collegiate paper are those of the author, not of the University, Mace & Crown or the editors.

EDITORIAL BOARD Amy Poulter Editor-in-Chief editorinchief @maceandcrown.com Stef Wasko Copy Editor swask002@odu.edu

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor technology@maceandcrown. com Matt O’Brien Sports Editor sports@maceandcrown. com

Jonah Grinkewitz News Editor news@maceandcrown.com

Sabrina Brooks Senior Graphic Designer sbroo029@odu.edu

Adam Flores Arts & Entertainment Editor artsandentertainment@ maceandcrown.com

Jason Kazi Asst. Digital Editor Advertising Manager advertising@maceandcrown. com

Joshua Boone Photography Editor photo@maceandcrown. com

Jugal Patel Digital Editor jpate016@odu.edu

STAFF WRITERS Alex Brooks Shannon Jay Ben Maxie Zachary Moeller George Plank Elizabeth Proffitt Megan Snyder

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STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jonathan Harding Shamon Jones Jomar Pablo

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NEWS

For even more campus crime information, visit maceandcrown.com.

CRIME LOG

LOCAL NEWS DAN A HELLER N A MED INTERIM DE A N OF A RT S A ND LE T TER S Dana Heller, the outgoing chair of ODU’s Department of English, has been selected to serve as the interim Dean of the College of Arts and Letters beginning July 25, 2016. The former dean since 2010, Charles Wilson, announced his resignation last month.

Heller has taught at ODU since 1990 and has led the Department of English for six years.

MARCH 4 A assault incident was reported at this approximate location on March 4th at 2:07 a.m.

MARCH 2 A hit and run was reported to have occurred on March 2 between 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

CIT Y COUNCIL A PPROV ES THREE NE W PROPOSA L S FOR BEER LOV ER S Norfolk City Council has unanimously approved three new proposals that will expand craft beer options in the city. Bearded Bird Brewing Company will open in Norfolk’s NEON district. In addition, plans to expand the sale of six-packs and growlers were approved for The Barrel Room and Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie. Cure will also be expanding into two adjacent suites, and will begin hosting trivia, karaoke and open mic nights.

GOV. McAULIFFE ANNOUNCES TH AT A DP WILL BRING 1,800 JOBS TO NORFOLK The governor announced that ADP will invest $32.5 million to create 1,800 “high-paying” jobs in Norfolk. Mayor Paul Fraim called the decision to bring ADP to Norfolk the largest economic development announcement for the area in this generation. McAuliffe also said that the state will award $5 million for the project and an additional $1.8 million towards new employees.

ODU S TUDENT ENTREPRENEUR S FINISH THIRD AT SLOA N CONFERENCE A trio of graduate students from ODU finished third in a worldwide business case competition at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston.

Rohit Dalal, Alexandra Iqbal, and Fatou Diouf were among three finalist teams picked out of more than 40 in the 10th annual conference that attracts business leaders from across the sports industry. The competition involved proposing a solution to a challenging business issue related to sports.

MARCH 8 A robbery incident was reported at this approximate location on March 8 between 1:25 a.m. - 1:40 a.m.

Courtesy of Mace and Crown

Date/ Time Occurred

Location

03/03/2016

03/02/2016 3:00PM - 03/03/2016 10:30AM

1000 Blk. W. 45th Street - Village 2

Larceny

16-ODU-00302

Active 03/04/2016

03/02/2016

03/02/2016 9:30AM - 7:00PM

1400 Blk. W. 42nd Street

Hit and Run - Property Damage

16-ODU-00298

Active 03/03/2016

03/03/2016

03/03/2016 12:30PM - 12:45PM

4400 Blk. Elkhorn Ave. - Mills Godwin Building

Disorderly Conduct

16-ODU-00300

Active 03/04/2016

03/03/2016

03/03/2016 1:30PM - 3:30PM

1700 Blk. W. 48th Street

Larceny

16-ODU-00301

Active 03/04/2016

03/03/2016

03/03/2016 5:14PM

1000 Blk. W. 43rd Street - Village 5

Disorderly Conduct

16-ODU-00303

Active 03/04/2016

03/04/2016

03/04/2016 2:07AM

1000 Blk. 45th Street

Assault - Simple

16-ODU-00305

Inactive 03/07/2016

03/06/2016

03/06/2016 1:40PM - 1:45 PM

4300 Blk. Elkhorn Ave - Garage A

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00311

Active 03/07/2016

03/06/2016

03/06/2016 1:40PM - 1:45 PM

4300 Blk. Elkhorn Ave - Garage A

Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

16-ODU-00311

Active 03/07/2016

03/06/2016

03/06/2016 3:51PM

4400 Blk. Monarch Way - ODU Bookstore

Larceny

16-ODU-00310

Active 03/07/2016

03/08/2016

03/08/2016 1:25AM - 1:40AM

3800 Blk. Hampton Blvd.

Robbery

16-ODU-00315

Investigation by other Agency 03/09/2016

03/08/2016

03/08/2016 9:13PM

4400 Blk. Killam Ave. - Village Lot 2

Brandishing a Firearm

16-ODU-00316

Clear by Arrest 03/09/2016

03/12/2016

03/11/2016 11:00PM 03/12/2016 3:00AM

1000 Blk. W. 41st Street - Village 10

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00319

Active 03/14/2016

03/16/2016

03/13/2016 1:00PM - 03/14/2016 2:00PM

1200 Blk. 43rd Street

Fraud

16-ODU-00332

Active 03/17/2016

03/14/2016

03/14/2016 5:30PM

1000 Blk. 49th Street - Rogers Main

Narcotics Violation

16-ODU-00323

Judicial referral 03/15/2016

03/14/2016

03/14/2016 6:45PM - 9:25PM

4200 Blk. Killam Ave - Village Lot 3

Hit and Run - Property Damage

16-ODU-00322

Active 03/15/2016

03/15/2016

03/15/2016 10:00PM

1000 Blk. 43rd Street - Village 8

Tamper with Fire Alarm

16-ODU-00331

Clear by Arrest 03/16/2016

03/15/2016

03/15/2016 10:00PM

1000 Blk. 43rd Street - Village 8

Narcotics Violation

16-ODU-00331

Clear by Arrest 03/16/2016

03/15/2016

03/15/2016 12:19AM

1700 Blk. 48th Street - Whitehurst Hall

Narcotics Violation

16-ODU-00325

Clear by Arrest 03/16/2016

03/15/2016

03/15/2016 3:20AM

1300 Blk. Melrose Pkwy

Tampering with automobile

16-ODU-00326

Active 03/16/2016

03/15/2016

03/15/2016 7:45AM - 5:59PM

1000 Blk. W. 39th Street

Hit and Run - Property Damage

16-ODU-00329

Active 03/16/2016

03/16/2016

03/16/2016 12:00PM-1:00PM

1300 Blk. 49th Street

Larceny

16-ODU-00333

Active 03/17/2016

Date/ Time Reported

Category

Incident Number

Disposition

FOR MORE CRIME INFORMATION, VISIT MACEANDCROWN.COM/INTERACTIVE-CRIME-LOG

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NEWS

For more pictures of B-Class Stripper's bacon products, visit maceandcrown.com

Jolie-Laide Photography, La Luna et Les Etoiles Art

Bacon Startup ‘B-Class Strippers’ Sizzles into Business Jason Kazi Staff Writer Old Dominion University business management student Janay Brown has always had a passion for two things in life–cooking and bacon. With her new startup company ‘B-Class Strippers,’ supported

by ODU’s Strome Entrepreneurial Center, she offers a unique, flavored twist to the much-loved breakfast staple.

When asked how she came up with her company’s name, Brown said, “Everyone asks me that. I didn’t want to do something cliché like ‘Nay’s Flavored Bacon’ or ‘Janay’s Bacon.’ I wanted something that would click to people’s minds and actually catch their attention. I came up with that because I realized that bacon comes in strips. Doesn’t that

make each individual strip, a stripper?”

Originally from Northern Virginia, Brown was watching profes-

asked her class to come up with a business idea for extra credit. Brown went over the top and brought her entire class a delectable assortment

careful to adhere to FDA guidelines, get her food license, etc. Her mother often had to go to the grocery store to get the things she needed and oth-

“Starting next year I’m going to start pushing it more here on campus because now I’ll be able to make the bacon on a weekly basis instead of just during breaks” -- Janay Brown, founder and owner of B-Class Strippers sional chefs grill and wrap different foods in bacon on the Food Network when she came up with her business idea. She thought of infusing flavors into the meat product by marinating before baking them in an oven. Later in her senior year of high school, her business management professor

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of flavored bacon. The next thing she knew, she was getting e-mails and texts from all of her classmates asking for more.

Until recently, Brown could only prepare her specialty food product during breaks at her family’s kitchen in Northern Virginia. She had to be

erwise help her with production of the strips.

Brown found kitchen space, however, in the Hampton Roads area, and starting in September, she will be preparing her bacon at Yummy Goodness Catering Kitchen. The community kitchen’s Facebook

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page describes itself as a “women owned and operated local small business located in Virginia Beach, with a passion for supporting local growers, artisans, and other small businesses wherever possible.”

The kitchen is the first of its kind in Hampton Roads and hosts two other specialty food product businesses.

She plans to design new labelled packaging over the summer, in time for the new academic year.

“Starting next year I’m going to start pushing it more here on campus because now I’ll be able to make the bacon on a weekly basis instead of just during breaks,” Brown said.

Each type of flavored bacon (except for deep-fried) is drenched in a homemade secret recipe for 72 hours and then put into a refrigerator to marinate. The strips are then

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NEWS

Look out for our next “Best of” competition in April placed on a baking sheet, put it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, baked for 20-25 minutes and then packaged. Brown’s company, “BClass Strippers,” currently offers bacon addicts over 15 different flavors including “Sweetie M” (Sweet Maple), “Yaki Mama“ (Teriyaki) and“Hot Sugah“ (Caramel). Bacon aficionados can purchase packages ranging from eight to 51 strips.

Brown also sells bacon salt, bacon butter and mini bacon shot glasses.

“Right now, I’m focusing on [business to consumer], but in the future I do plan to start another company expanding my line to other products like sausage,” Brown said. “I’m going to do another business that will be [business to busi-

An exterior view of Yummy Goodness Catering Company’s facility.

Courtesy: Facebook

A selection of products that B-Class Strippers offers - bacon shots, bacon salt and caramel-flavored bacon (left to right)

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ness], so selling to restaurants.”

Brown said she has contemplated launching her own porkcentric food truck. She isn’t sure if she wants to open a food truck or a restaurant when her company gets bigger, but leans toward opening a restaurant as it has always been a passion of hers. Each dish would have flavored pork integrated into its recipe.

This is the first company of its type in Virginia. There are two companies nationwide with similar target markets.

You can visit B-Class Strippers on their website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Jolie-Laide Photography, La Luna et Les Etoiles Art

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NEWS

Follow the News section on Twitter: @ ODU_MACENEWS

Ken Catania Discusses Sea Predators and Neurology at ODU Lecture Ben Maxie Staff Writer

Ken Catania’s research includes electric eels, as pictured here.

As part of the Lytton J. Musselman Natural History Lecture, ODU hosted predatory biologist and neurologist Ken Catania. Catania has studied the neuroscience and behavior of numerous predators, and his talk centered on his investigation of electric eels, water shrews, tentacled snakes and star-nosed moles.

Throughout the evening, Catania focused on the hunting strategies of electric eels. He said he hoped to overturn the belief that these animals use their abilities in an unsophisticated way.

“They don’t have an electric caveman club,” Catania said.

Electric eels use a modified muscle to generate an electric current, which the eels use as a short-range taser in the water. Catania said while the high-voltage taser effect was known, he studied a more subtle, lower-voltage sensory effect, “a sort of electrical radar system,” he said.

Catania found another previously unknown behavior of electric eels.

They can make potential prey convulse involuntarily to check if they’re

alive. Catania noticed this after seeing strange double blasts of electricity before the eels actually attacked their prey.

Catania also discovered a neverbefore-seen technique used by eels to hunt tougher prey. The eels push the positive end of their electricity organ, which is near the head, toward the negative end in the tail. By curling up, the eels significantly multiply the strength of their electric field, Catania said. This sent Catania’s electricity measurements off the scale, while also exhausting the eel’s tougher prey.

A mystery which still eludes scientists is the exact molecular basis for how the mammalian sense of touch works– a cell-by-cell understanding of how the brain processes touch.

Catania studies this by way of the star-nosed mole, a species local to this area, particularly in the Great Dismal Swamp. A region of the starnosed mole’s nose, about the size of a fingertip, has up to five times more sensory fibers as the entire human hand, Catania said.

Catania made new discoveries by studying European water shrews-small swimming mice. Work with water shrews had previously lead

to the discovery of direct electrical connection nerve synapses, a major step forward in neuroscience. Catania discovered star-nosed moles. When swimming, even in total darkness, water shrews can outmaneuver their aquatic prey. Water shrews have a large part of their brains devoted to processing information coming from their whiskers, resulting in an essentially instant response to feeling something around the face.

It was also discovered during Catania’s studies that water shrews are the only mammals with sense of smell while underwater. They do this by blowing bubbles through the snout, then breathing the air back in once the bubble contacts prey.

Catania also studied tentacled snakes, freshwater aquatic ambush predators that specialize in catching fish too fast for other predators. He explained that fish could escape an ambush in around 25 milliseconds, seemingly instantaneous to a human observer. Catania showed that these snakes catch these fish by predictive strikes, a phenomenon he found to be instinctual rather than learned.

Everything Seniors Need to Know About Graduation Jason Kazi Staff Writer Seniors: You only have just six weeks till graduation. The Mace has compiled everything you need to know about the ceremony.

CEREMONIES: This year, much like years past, there will be three ceremonies to mark spring graduations. On Friday, May 6, the College of Arts and Letters ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

On Saturday, May 7, the Colleges of Engineering and Technology, College of Health Science and College of Sciences ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. and later that day, the College of Business and the College of Education’s ceremony will take place at 2 p.m.

TICKETS: For students who registered prior to the regular deadline of March 10, 2016, your tickets will be available for pickup beginning on Friday, April 8 at noon at the Webb Center Information Desk. Historically, participants have been given seven individual tickets, however the number of tickets is determined by the number of students participating in the ceremonies.

Those participating in the ceremony do not need a ticket. Tickets will be available for pickup through Friday, April 29.

The Webb Center Information Desk operates throughout the week, in the evenings and over weekends.

Distance learning students have the option of picking up tickets during the aforementioned time period or between Wednesday, May 4 and Saturday, May 7 at a time and location that will be sent out via email to your

school account.

REGALIA: Haven’t purchased or rented your cap and gown yet? It’s not too late!

The bookstore and student startup GradWyse are two options for purchasing or renting your cap and gown.

Supported by the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, GradWyse offers students the opportunity to rent their cap and gown for as little as $19.98 or purchase their cap and gown for as little as $39.98. The bookstore’s

OTHER INFORMATION: All students are required to complete the Senior Assessment, which is sent via email to students who register for the ceremony on time. Students are also encouraged to keep their CareerLink account updated.

Students participating in the 9 a.m. ceremony are expected to report to the North Mall in Webb Center by 8:15 a.m. Students participating in the 2 p.m. ceremony are expected to report to the North Mall in Webb Center by 1:15 p.m. Students participating in the 4 p.m. ceremony are expected to report to the North Mall in Webb Center by 3:15 p.m.

The ceremony will start with a

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EXTRA TICKETS: Extra tickets are not available for the ceremonies and it is against university policy to sell tickets. The Big Blue Room will have a live stream of the ceremonies and, space-permitting, guests in the Big Blue Room may be asked to move into the arena, prior to the start of the ceremony.

newly-designed gowns have a seal on the top left chest. However, if you will be wearing any type of stole, you won’t be able to see the seal during the ceremony.

march from the Webb Center to the Ted Center via Kaufman Mall. The actual ceremony lasts approximately two and a half hours -- depending on total number of participating students -- and you will be asked to come to the stage to have your photo taken, name announced and to receive your personal congratulation and alumni certificate. Your diploma will be mailed to your personal address approximately six weeks after the ceremony.

Gradimages, the authorized vendor for the ceremonies, will be photographing the entire ceremony and proofs will be sent to all participating students. Family and guests are welcome to photograph the event as long as they don’t disrupt the flow of the ceremony.

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BITS OF A&E F. LUDWIG DIEHN CHOR A LE CONCERT The F. Ludwig Diehn Chorale present “Here We Are!” in a concert of chorale favorites conducted by Nancy Klein with accompanist Bobbie KeslerCorleto. The performance will take place on March 29, 7:30 p.m. at ODU’s Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts.

WOMEN’S CENTER FILM SCREENINGS Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick’s “The Hunting Ground” is an award-winning documentary focused on the realities of sexual violence on college campuses today. A film screening will take place at ODU’s University Theater on Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. A screening of Dick’s other film, “The Invisible War,” will take place on Apr. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in ODU’s Batten Arts & Letters, rm. 1012.

‘SHAKESPE ARE FOUR HUNDRED Y E A R S AF TER: A PUBLIC E V ENT’ April 2016 will mark the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare.

For this occasion, ODU has organized a week-long, campus-wide, city-wide, multi-faceted event on the idea of “Shakespeare 400 Years After” from Apr. 13-20. Performative offerings, academic deliberations, readings by noted poets and art and music presentations will highlight the event.

‘SHAKESPE A RE A ND OUR TIMES’ CONFERENCE

MONARCHS EXPRESS THEMSELVES AT OPEN MIC NIGHT Anika Williams Contributing Writer Great vibes circulated through Borjo Coffeehouse Wednesday evening.

The small and charming coffee shop on Monarch Way hosted an open mic night held by the ODU organization Success Without Limitations (SWL).

This event was part of SWL Week, a week of events sponsored by the organization to bring awareness to their group and its efforts. They cosponsored the positive, intimate event with Mo Boombox, an entertainment company founded by ODU students Abel Girma and James Spears.

The open mic night had a great turnout of eager listeners of poetry and music. The student performers covered various topics in their chosen art forms, including love and relationships, a man’s perspective, racial identity and societal frustrations.

nary stage and poured their hearts out for the audience. Their words flowed with passion and feeling as they performed songs and spoken word they wrote from their mind, heart and soul.

Student Wesley Dildy amazed the room with the performance of a poem he had written just five minutes before as an example of the talent Monarchs possess.“A lot of them were nervous to begin but got into a rhythm and wanted to perform again,” Edmonds said.

The congregation of supportive students had their phones out and ready to capture moments sparking their interest to share on social media. Like a collective close-knit family, those in attendance conversed in-between performances among the sweet and lyrical background music.

Many students expressed an intense interest for the expression of creative minds covering their thoughts, fears and wishes. There isn’t a consistent

...witness the conveyance of emotions of all kinds...

The president of SWL, Kenneisha Edmonds, hosted the event with her positive attitude and inviting, free spirit. Over the course of the night, she encouraged and brought energy to the growing crowd of students and regular Borjo patrons, mingling among them in-between performances.

The performers took to the imagi-

platform for poetry known in the local area, so any event allowing those interested to enjoy artistic delivery and witness the conveyance of emotions of all kinds is highly valued and accepted.

The night was filled with laughter, networking and an abundance of snaps and claps.

ODU students unleash themselves upon the mic at Borjo’s Open Mic Night.

Photos by Joshua Boone

Participants at SWL's open mic night held at Borjo Coffeehouse on Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2016.

Photo by Joshua Boone

In the context of the week-long, multifaceted investigation of Shakespeare’s continued presence in our cultural landscape, this three-day conference, April 14-16, at ODU will probe contemporary manifestations of the Bard.

To mark the 400th anniversary of the playwright’s death, we will seek his footprint as we question the early colonial mindset in the 21st century.

‘MUCH A DO FES TIVA L: SHA KESPE ARE’S LEG AC Y’ ODU’s Goode Theater, University Theater, Brock Commons and Diehn Fine and Performing Arts join the conversation on Shakespeare, considering the continuing impact of Shakespeare today. The commemoration includes performances, workshops and exhibitions within the theatre festival’s “Much Ado Festival: Shakespeare’s Legacy” taking place April 14-17.

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E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MUSIC MINUTE Hell YES!

I’ll Listen to it Twice, Even.

ADAM FLORES, A&E EDITOR

We’re Getting There...

Eh...

Face Palm.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ‘This Unruly Mess I’ve Made’

Courtesy of Macklemore

Fans of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis caught a first listen of “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made” last August when the track, in collaboration with Ed Sheeran, “Growing Up,” was released.

The cut, dedicated to the Seattle rapper’s daughter, was then followed up with “Downtown,” an eccentric track featuring Eric McNally and rap veterans Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Mellie Mel. “Kevin,” a track which confronts addiction, saw Macklemore and Lewis joined by newcomer Leon Bridges in a live take at the American Music Awards.

Macklemore released a dramatic

album trailer for “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made” which dropped on Feb. 26. He explained how the new album came together and his motivation for making the new music.

While working in the studio, Macklemore explained, “There is creativity for validation, and there is creativity for survival.” He detailed how he had to leave Seattle and go to “the middle of nowhere” to find inspiration and “[make] music not because we had to, but because we got to.”

The new album’s cover sports a captivating title and picture of a hand with a lit match, perhaps suggesting the inciting of his provocative mes-

sage upon social culture.

Within the controversial track “White Privilege II,” Macklemore continues the ongoing dialogue of racism and furthermore, the white appropriation of hip-hop. “This is a culture that came from pain and oppression. It was the byproduct [of white oppression],” Macklemore said.

Macklemore and Lewis’ sophomore effort in “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made” falls short in hype and energy.

Musically, the simplistic arrangements leave too much open space, and tracks lay flat in the final mix.

The Rubens ‘Hoops’

Released on Mar. 4, “Hoops” is The Rubens’ follow-up to their successful eponymous debut album which premiered back in September 2012. The alternative rock outfit, which hails from Menangle, South New Wales, Australia, found domestic bliss and is trying to repeat their performance and continue the success they have achieved.

The band consists of frontman and guitarist Sam Margin, lead guitarist Zaac Margin, keyboardist and backing vocalist Elliot Margin, William Zeglis on bass and drummer Scott Baldwin.

Back in May 2015, The Rubens gave a glimpse of “Hoops” by releasing the lead single, “Hallelujah.” The track paves the way for the rest of the album to sonically resonate in a continual, psychedelic retro soundscape, letting the listener fall into its emotional themes.

The self-titled follow-up single reached No. 25 on the Aria Singles Chart in 2015 and was voted No. 1 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2015 held on Australia Day, Jan. 26, 2016.

After the single’s Hottest 100 success, it reentered the charts and peaked at No. 9 on the Aria Singles Chart in

February 2016.

“Hoops” is a compilation of gritty, mid-tempo tracks exploring the doldrums and negativities of life, yet bringing them to light with more positive introspection. “Cut Me Loose” slightly changes the overall feel of the record, inspiring a floor-stomping effect with its organ padding, simplistic blues guitar riffs and Margin’s bluesy vocals.

“Hoops” seldom moves out of the musical comfort zone the group sets for themselves. Each track is predictable in production, giving little to the listener for any pleasant surprises.

Courtesy of Ivy League Records

Von Zimmer

‘Freddie’s Extra Teeth’

Courtesy of Tasty Treat Records

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South Dakota-based songwriter Von Zimmer’s “Freddie’s Extra Teeth” is a collection of indie-grunge tracks released back on Dec. 22. A raw mix of the neighborhood garage band aesthetic mixed with ambient background samples and an occasional synth line or pad, the new record tries to achieve the rock sound all while going for the indie-vibe.

The album’s unique name is in reference to late, legendary Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. Freddie supposedly never had his extra teeth removed because he was afraid of losing his ability to sing high notes.

Von Zimmer sought to title his CD on the premise this was “a great sign of dedication” similarly capturing his invested passion for music.

As the album’s liner notes state, the aspiring musician is from an area “where the corn rarely complains about the noise from recording.” This album has no in-between. It will have the listener complaining about the noise or hailing it as a significant raw piece from small-town Americana.

Right from the opening track, “The End of the World,” the record maintains a monotonistic persistence showing no musical variance. An oc-

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casional keyboard line or pad tries to compliment and lift a lifeless chord progression.

Vocally, lyrics are hard to decipher and understand. When they are clean to hear, the ideas are random, jumping from one context to another.

Drums sound less than appealing, guitars maintain an edge of running though a cheap, tabletop amp and bass lines mimic guitar chords with no creative inventiveness.

“Freddie’s Extra Teeth” is better served as a raw cassette demo of rough mixes rather than a serious exploration of sonic youth.

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The 1975 Return With ‘I Like It When You Sleep…’

Elizabeth Proffitt Staff Writer It’s been three years of change for British band The 1975. After a successful debut album, they’ve changed aesthetically and musically, and it can be seen in their sophomore follow-up, “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It,” which dropped on Feb. 26. The new record also premiered at No. 1

thesizers and airy vocals. The song is a perfect summary for the entire album.

“I Like It When You Sleep…” is a mix of different musical elements combined, with fast-paced pop tracks like “Love Me.” A departure from their typically more mellow sound, the track is a nod to “Fame” era Bowie, criticizing the affects of fame on the band and celebrities in general.

Fans of songs like “Chocolate”

...burst flamboyantly from black and white to vivid color.

Courtesy of Dirty Hit

on the Billboard 200 chart.

Aesthetically speaking, the Manchester natives have managed to burst flamboyantly from black and white to vivid color. Their aesthetic changes mirror their musical ones, with a more upbeat vibe that latches on to the hedonism of the ‘80s, but still manages to sound uniquely their own.

Easing fans into their new sound, the album begins with a reprisal of “The 1975,” which also opened their previous album. The low-fi, spacey sound lures the listener in with syn-

from their last self-titled album will also appreciate songs like “UGH!” and “The Sound,” which have the same dance-like hooks which made them successful on mainstream radio stations in the past.

Lead singer Matty Healy croons about lost love in “Somebody Else” and “A Change of Heart.” The songs are a modern twist on classic ‘80s breakup songs with sad lyrics and a good beat. Both tracks deal with the fallout of failed relationships and awkward encounters between exlovers.

Aside from their pop-infused tracks, the band uses a gospel choir and mellow trumpets to back Healy in “If I Believe You,” adding to the soulful theme of the song centered on feeling lost in the world.

Not straying too far from their somber roots, the band has multiple songs about personal subjects. The song “Nana,” acoustic and intimate, is about the death of Healy’s grandmother.

Healy also touches on his mother’s bout of postpartum depression in “She Lays Down.” Also acoustic in nature, the song’s stripped-down style lends to the sentimentality of the relationship he shares with his mother.

Regardless of all the changes the band have been making, the fans’ responses have been positive. This album still manages to feel uniquely like The 1975 that the audience has always known, just with a flourish of synthesizers and pink.

The 1975 is currently touring Europe. When they start the North American leg of their tour next month they will be making a stop at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on June 13.

Organic Lifestyle Group Broccoli City to Hold 4th Annual Festival in D.C. Jason Kazi Staff Writer The 4th annual Broccoli City Festival will return to Gateway DC Pavilion on Saturday, Apr. 30, 2016 from 12-10 p.m. Along with headliners Future and Jhené Aiko, performers include The Internet, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, BJ the Chicago Kid, Sango of the Soulection Collective and more.

Atlanta-based hip-hop recording artist Future has been taking the scene with his mixtape with superstar Drake being released last fall followed up by a fourth studio album, “EVOL,” which was released on Feb. 5 via DJ Khaled’s new Beats 1 radio show--

“We The Best.”

Complex reported earlier this year, “While Drake dominated the annual commercial metrics, it was Future who truly advanced rap songcraft and best represented the state of the culture.”

Originally from Los Angeles, Jhené Aiko gained notoriety in the music scene following her 2013 EP “Sail Out” featuring singles “3:16 AM,” “Bed Peace” and “The Worst.” The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop album chart.

Festival attendees can expect a selection of attractions such as a full-service organic juice bar, a pop-

up market featuring eco-friendly vendors, fully stocked bars, a live art installation led by No Kings DC, acupuncture and massages and a restaurant park offering the city’s best cuisines. New features include a redesigned venue offering an enhanced festival experience.

“Since we launched on Earth Day

The programs utilize innovative solutions to create higher standards of environmental sustainability, education and access to quality food and shelter.

At the time of this publication, roundtrip Amtrak tickets to the festival from Norfolk to Union Station in Washington, D.C. start at $86 roundtrip with a 10 percent discount

...eco-friendly vendors, fully stocked bars... in 2013, BC Fest has showcased the most groundbreaking artists in music and empowered over 20 thousand millennials to become change agents in their community,” Broccoli City

Music is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together...”

—Broccoli City co-founder Brandon McEachern The Mace & Crown

co-founder Brandon McEachern said.

“Music is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together, so we’re confident this lineup does just that and look forward to delivering another impactful event.”

Limited general admission passes remain available through BCFestival.com with prices starting at $59.

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A limited number of free tickets are also available to those who participate in the Power of One campaign.

Participants will sign up for volunteer opportunities and earn one Power of One priority pass to the festival in exchange.

Broccoli City is an organization that is committed to using its platform to engage and activate thousands of millennials from around the world.

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available for active duty military members. Greyhound tickets to the festival from Norfolk to Washington D.C. are currently $46 roundtrip.

For additional information, visit BCFestival.com and look for Mace & Crown’s coverage at maceandcrown. com after the festival for a wrap-up and review.

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Arts &

Watch trailers of this week’s featured movies on our website

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MOVIE MINUTE Mind Blown

A Must See

Add to my Queue

MEGAN SNYDER

Well, there goes 2 hours of my life

Straight to DVD

‘This Isn’t Funny’

2015 | Unrated | 86 min.

They met by accident—no, literally. When Jamie Thompson (Paul Ashton) crashed his bike into Eliot Anderson’s (Katie Page) car, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. That came later after Jamie, in search of his insurance claim, witnessed Eliot perform a moderately successful stand-up bit about her run-in with the cyclist.

Little did either of them know that their roadside skirmish would result in a romantic relationship in “This Isn’t Funny.”

But with his charming Australian accent and sexy stubble, Jamie brings with him a fear of commitment and

his famous fight-or-flight instinct.

Not to be outdone, Eliot comes with her smart sense of humor, Zooey Deschanel bangs, one general anxiety disorder and a distant father who suddenly wants back into her life.

What could go wrong?

Ashton and Page, who co-wrote the screenplay and star in the web series, “Don’t Try This at Home,” certainly deliver on the promise of their brazenly named title. Unfortunately, “This Isn’t Funny” is just that. The only aspect of this film that deserves even a lazy chuckle is the transitional black-and-white, stand-up footage

performed by real-life funny people such as Beth Stelling. But if audiences wanted that, there’s a whole Netflix category for it.

That’s not to say this solid 2.5star rated Netflix-and-chill gem falls completely flat. Fans of the genre will swoon over Ashton and Page’s on-screen chemistry as well as the energizing realism with which they portray their struggling 20-something characters.

This film is available on Netflix and iTunes.

‘Dope’

2015 | R | 103 min.

Malcolm (Shameik Moore) doesn’t fit in. A Harvard hopeful, this precocious high school senior knows that his very blackness puts him at a disadvantage. A self-proclaimed geek and ‘90s hip hop fanatic, his community doesn’t accept him either. So when a chance meeting lands Malcolm and his best friends at an exclusive house party, he thinks things are starting to look up. That is until a rival gang shoots the place up.

Unbeknownst to him, Malcolm is sent running for his life with $10,000 worth of MDMA in his backpack.

When he arrives at school the next day, Malcolm discovers the drugs,

along with a hand gun, and receives a phone call from a mysterious third party. In a series of hilarious twists, Malcolm must avoid the cops and the Bloods, all while trying to make his college interview appointment in the comedy-drama “Dope.”

Part social commentary, part coming-of-age tale, “Dope” is as eyeopening and culturally relevant as it is tender and witty. Produced by Forest Whitaker, Pharrell Williams and Sean Combs, the film features stars like Zoë Kravitz, Chanel Iman and Blake Anderson in supporting roles.

Rightfully so though, Moore received the nomination for Best Young Actor

‘Piku’

2015 | Unrated | 123 min.

After her mother’s death, Piku (Deepika Padukone) struggles to juggle her career as an architect with the responsibilities of taking care of her aging father (Amitabh Bachchan), who suffers from chronic constipation. His ailment is the topic of much of his ramblings to Piku’s absolute embarrassment. A workaholic, Piku is always running late and regularly abuses her taxi drivers who often get into accidents as a result of her incessant shouting.

In the hopes of convincing his daughter not to sell their historic

family home in Kolkata, Piku’s father demands to visit the estate, but the workers at the driving company refuse to provide their services. To preserve his business relationship with one of his best paying clients, however, the owner, Rana (Irrfan Khan), offers to take Piku and her father on the 40-hour journey himself, in spite of his own family drama.

Winner of Best Film at the 2016 Filmfare Awards, “Piku” was praised worldwide for its simplicity and heart, but received most of its acclaim from the Hindi-speaking community, as

it is told primarily in a broken form of the language. This foreign film, nonetheless, explores the familiar yet rarely examined and dynamic relationship between a disabled parent and his grown child.

Some of “Piku’s” aforementioned heart may be lost in translation, but with sweeping shots of the Delhi and Mumbai landscapes and a colorful set design, American audiences can still indulge in this exotic flick and enjoy its transcontinental themes.

This film is available on Netflix.

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at the 2016 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards.

“Dope” strategically balances the unsettling truth of life in the crimeridden L.A. suburb known as “the Bottoms” with frequent moments of comedic relief but not for the audience’s sake. Told from Malcolm’s point of view, the lightheartedness invoked when discussing the tragic deaths of innocent neighbors feels authentic, like a coping mechanism Malcolm must’ve developed as a product of violence.

This film is available on Netflix.

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Arts &

For more A&E news, visit maceandcrown. com/category/artsentertainment

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

FUTURE RETROISM

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The ‘World’s Finest’ Team Up Before ‘Dawn of Justice’ George Plank Staff Writer There are some things that go perfectly together. Peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter and bananas and for those that have a peanut allergy, Batman and Superman. The pair has appeared together in “World’s Finest” comics as early as 1941, so many people have been justifiably disappointed to not see the two together in a feature-length film. On Mar. 25, 2016, their wishes will be granted with the release of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

Over the past several years, fans of the duo have had to satisfy their longing with the made-for-TV movie called, “The Batman Superman Movie: World’s Finest” released in 1997.

Following the success of the 1989 Tim Burton “Batman” film, Warner Brothers partnered with the FOX Network to create an animated series based on the caped crusader. Toward the end of its run, “Batman: The Animated Series” planned a crossover with another Warner Brothers production based on a DC Comics character, “Superman: The Animated Series.” What resulted was an hour-long crossover special featuring characters from both series.

The movie opens with the Joker and Harley Quinn stealing a statue from an antiques shop in Gotham. With the aid of the Batcomputer, Batman determines the statue was made from solid kryptonite, Superman’s only known weakness. Knowing the Joker has something big planned, Batman absconds to Metropolis to do busi-

ness as Bruce Wayne.

The Joker manages to forcefully arrange a meeting with Superman’s adversary, Lex Luthor. The Joker offers to kill Superman in exchange for a large sum of money. Luthor agrees begrudgingly, but insists that he cannot be connected to the Joker in any way.

Batman, trying to find the Joker before he causes any trouble, infiltrates a Metropolis nightclub to interrogate a mob boss. Superman intervenes and uses his x-ray vision to peer behind Batman’s mask to reveal Batman’s secret identity. In turn, Batman places a tracking device on Superman’s cape, and he follows the Man of Steel back to Clark Kent’s apartment.

After a failed attempt to kill Superman, Luthor loses faith in the Joker and threatens him at gunpoint. The Joker quickly turns the tables, tak-

ing Luthor captive and stealing one of LexCorp’s prototype jets. Batman and Superman work as a team to bring down the jet and defeat the Joker.

The art style of the special directly mimicked the comic book series. The character designs and color schemes rang true to the spirit of their respective series.

Many of the actors who lent their voice to the TV film have become synonymous with the characters themselves. Batman is voiced by Kevin Conroy who went on to play the Caped Crusader in the “Arkham” series of video games. Superman is voiced by Tim Daly who currently has a reoccurring role on the show “Madam Secretary.” The Joker is voiced by Mark Hamill, of “Star Wars” fame, and he too reprised his role for the first two “Arkham” games.

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Fans have demanded a Batman v Superman movie ever since they first saw these characters separately on the big screen. The Will Smith film, “I Am Legend,” even had a mock poster for a World’s Finest movie hidden in the backdrop of a destroyed city, mocking the possibility that we may never have gotten one at all.

Even though it has been 20 years since this crime-fighting team first appeared on film together, fans around the world are ready to see the two fight it out in an all-new film. Though the viewing public finally gets to see the “Dawn of Justice” on March 25, it’s not a bad idea to look back and see where the sun first rose on the “World’s Finest” super team.

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Arts &

Watch Gotham on Mondays at 8 p.m. on Fox

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

‘The Girl You Lost’ Sheds New Light on the Typical Murder Mystery Lindsey Lanham Contributing Writer

Courtesy of Fox

Before the Dark Knight in FOX’s Gotham George Plank Staff Writer There has been no escape from comic books in the media recently.

Superhero movies have proven to be some of the highest grossing films, and television quickly followed suit.

Marvel aired “Agents of Shield” and “Agent Carter” in an effort to build their universes while DC Comics flooded the airwaves with their properties like, “Arrow,” “Constantine,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl.”

All of DC’s shows thus far have their characters in the height of their escapades, except for FOX’s response to superheroes, “Gotham.”

Batman is considered one of the big three of DC Comics. He is one of the most recognizably costumed heroes of all time. At this point, more people know his origin story than people know who the current speaker of the house is. Most are aware Batman became the avenging crusader he is today because his parents were murdered in front of him as a child. “Gotham” tells the audience what happened immediately after that event.

“Gotham” follows the journey of

a young Bruce Wayne as he tries to uncover the truth about his parents’ murder. In the pursuit of information, he befriends detective James Gordon, future police commissioner of Gotham City. The show is just as much Gordon’s tale as it is Bruce’s. When he joins the Gotham police, the force is corrupt and a majority of the officers have dealings with the local mob.

In season one, there are multiple crime families in Gotham. The conflict comes from a war brewing between the families as they struggle for supremacy in Gotham. Leading the campaign is Fish Mooney, played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Mooney attempts to overthrow Carmine Falcone, the current Mob Kingpin of Gotham, but in the process causes the rise of one of the most well-known gangsters in the Batman universe– the Penguin.

The show focuses on a young Bruce Wayne and also painstakingly introduces the audience to a majority of the rogues in Batman’s gallery. Oswald Cobblepot, the Penguin, is an underling of Mooney’s Selina Kyle/ Catwoman, who is a teenaged cat burglar. Edward Nygma, the Riddler, is

an analyst at the Gotham City police force.

The show places just as much, if not more, emphasis on the soon-tobe villains as on Bruce and Jim. The second season has been titled “Rise of the Villains” and has hinted at adding more to the show’s already impressive roster. Prior to the mid-season finale, the show hinted at including Mister Freeze among others.

The show often has the audience guessing at what will happen to certain characters. For a while, the series followed a red-haired, red herring and had viewers convinced it was actually Batman’s greatest foe, but the theory was quickly shot down and left in the dust.

The show comes, proudly, outside of the actual Batman cannon. As of now, its stories are not true to the comics, nor will they be mentioned in future movies or other television shows. However, it is a fun show to watch. For a casual Batman fan with passable knowledge, it can be fun to guess along with the characters and try to piece things together with Jim Gordon and the GCPD.

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Simone Porter is a teenage mother whose child, at only six months old, is abducted. Though Simone and her husband, Matt, have gone on with their lives, the memory of their daughter has never been forgotten.

Eighteen years later, a girl named Grace shows up and tells Simone she’s her daughter. Suddenly, Simone is thrown into a world where her daughter might be alive, and she now has to find who abducted her daughter.“ The Girl You Lost,” released on Feb. 5, is Kathryn Croft’s fourth psychological thriller. She studied media arts in school with an emphasis in English literature. Kathryn worked in human resources, but then took her love of literature and became a teacher. Soon after, she began writing.

In “The Girl You Lost,” Croft explores a mother’s worst nightmare, losing her child. She lays out a complicated path for Simone Porter to take in order to find out what exactly happened with her daughter.

Kathryn throws in other mothers who have lost their daughters. She also manages to keep the reader on their toes as Simone tries to find her daughter while maintaining a healthy relationship with her husband and boss.

Simone Porter’s husband, Matt, plays a seemingly small background character. He stays in the shadows, but is a solid figure for Simone. Like Simone, he never shows any immediate emotion. Kathryn Croft manages to come up with an intricate plot, but

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her characters have no dynamic.

They all have two emotions: unease and impassiveness.

Though the story has a complicated and well-developed plot, it has a simplistic writing style, not leaving the reader confused as the plot does that itself. Simone stays painstakingly monotone, yet driven. She manages to stay calm even though her supposed daughter has shown up again in her life. Simone comes across as almost puppet-like with her mute reactions and ability to stay stoic even when life-changing events happen.

As the plot grows and Simone Porter finds more clues to the disappearance of her daughter, the story reveals several subplots, which end up connecting in the end. All of the excess characters can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once things start getting pieced together, everything begins to make more sense.

“The Girl You Lost” is an easy, enjoyable read. The plot is interesting enough, with seemingly complicated plot twists and turns to keep the reader entertained as they go through Simone Porter’s story. There’s a constant sense of urgency, each chapter ending with a new surprise twist and the reader waiting to know what will happen next.

The story is simple, keeping the reader interested but never discouraged. Kathryn Croft has done an excellent job in writing an intriguing story exploring what lengths a mother would go to to save her daughter.

The characters can be a bit bland, but fortunately, the plot makes up for it.

It’s a fresh breath on the classic murder mystery.

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Arts &

Visit Nordstrom Rack's new location at Pembroke Mall on Virginia Beach Blvd.

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH STYLE

Ellie Goulding seen at Burberry.

Sienna Miller seen at Ralph Lauren Collection.

Olivia Palermo in Valentino.

Spring Style is About Your Style Kimberly Bering Contributing Writer Pastel colors dictate spring trends, especially after a long, monochromatic winter. Styling various bright colors can be a cheerful way to transition from winter to spring. The chic models and brilliant designers of Vogue, however, disagree. Black, white and grey dominated the streets and runways of the 2016 Fashion Month.

The streets of London, Paris, New York and Milan during their recent fashion weeks were flooded with icons clad in black and white with occasional bright colors. Why do the rich and famous designers, mod-

els and celebrities dress primarily in black and white during the most colorful fashion season of spring?

Coco Chanel, perhaps one of the most iconic designers of all time, explains the concept of wearing black and white the best.

“Women think of all colors except the absence of color,” Chanel said. “I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.”

Well, Chanel said it. Black and white is timeless, chic and elegant.

A well-dressed individual isn’t always defined by being outgoing or daring. Sometimes, the simple and

classy absence of colors is the most reliable method of dressing refined.

We can learn from Chanel, but also tailor her opinion in a personal way: learning to dress for ourselves. Your go-to outfit could be a simple white T-shirt with jeans or a bright, neon top with heels. The point of fashion is to express and create what we feel is beautiful. Everybody has a different perception of fashion, but there is no shame in dressing simple.

Margherita Missonim, a wellknown fashion icon, gave another inspirational quote capitalizing on self-made fashion.

“If you wear things you adore, you

just look better,” she said.

Essentially, if you’re pleased and comfortable in your wardrobe choices, then you’re doing fashion the right way, establishing your own self-satisfaction.

There was a lack of patterns and an excess of monochrome color blocking displayed throughout the inspirational fashion month. Any shade that strayed from the beaten path of black and white was primarily mustard yellow, serene cobalt or a vivid red. But whether your spring style is flaunting pastels from head to toe, or wearing a classy white and black ensemble, nothing is “wrong” to wear, despite

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the season. Fashion is entirely subjective (with the exception of wearing Crocs, which is always a fashion “no-no”). Personalize your style based solely on your preferences: faux fur, T-shirt, sweatpants, trousers or anything else.

With the renewed feelings spring brings, freshening up our outlook on fashion carries into the immaculate season too. Every new trend that rolls around in the month of spring creates a chance for us to capitalize on our personal taste, whether it be black and white or pastels. We should take advice from the professionals, but adhere to our own personal flair.

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Arts &

Be sure to play the 15th Ball Challenge at Topgolf to win!

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

Courtesy: Topgolf

A perspective view of Topgolf's Virginia Beach golf range.

Teeing Off at Topgolf in Virginia Beach Terrod Dillard Contributing Writer If you and your friends ever wanted to get together to golf and laugh at each other’s form, then you might want to check out Topgolf in Virginia Beach.

Topgolf is the latest entertainment venue to open in Hampton Roads.

Their motto, “the ultimate in golf, games, food and fun,” captures the casual, friendly atmosphere.

At Topgolf, parties are placed into separated patios called “bays,” which are stacked on the three levels of the building. These bays are personal, outdoor patios with amenities in-

cluding high-definition televisions and classy furniture, giving an aura of luxury, which makes golfers feel like the top 1 percent.

All guests must have an official lifetime membership card which can be purchased at the registration counter for a one-time cost of $5. The membership card acts as a debit card.

Members allocate money to the card in order to buy time at a bay. Prices range starting from $25 an hour from 9 a.m. to noon, $35 an hour from noon until 5 p.m. and then $45 an hour after 5 p.m. to close.

When your time purchased runs out, the bay will go to someone else.

Bay price is for a full hour of play in

which you can hit as many balls and play as many games as you want.

Games are 20 balls each. It is best to decide beforehand how long your party plans to play, as adding time can get expensive.

Topgolf games claim to embrace the casual side of golf. In general, skill level is insignificant as there is a game to suit anyone and everyone.

The most popular game is Topgolf, which is a spin on the classic golf game and involves players trying to hit the most holes. There are also challenge or contest modes, and there are at least 10 games to choose from. Experienced golfers will have an edge, but first-timers will still have

fun with the close proximity of some of the holes. Clubs for both genders are provided.

The menu is essentially bar food, ranging from shareable appetizers to small entrees. The food is familiar: burgers, flatbreads, wings, sliders, sandwiches, salads and simple deserts. Although the food isn’t particularly unique, it is still full of flavor and more than filling.

Beverages are also the standard of an entertainment venue. Domestic and foreign beers are offered in standard bar sizes, and if you are feeling fancy, there are wines to choose from.

An average beer will cost you $5 and cocktails start off at $9, which are

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typical prices. All other non-alcoholic drinks are Pepsi products and energy drinks such as Red Bull.

Service is hospitable and friendly.

Surprisingly, for a busy Thursday night when all bays were filled, our waitress did not forget to check on us in a timely manner and make sure everything was well. There is potential for slow service, but the staff does well providing for their customers.

Topgolf is an interesting, unique venue with a casual environment, which can fit a family of four or a rowdy group of friends on a night out.

Some budgeting may be needed, but when done right, Topgolf can be a good time and worth the cost.

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M&C| WEDNESDAY | 3.23.2016| MACEANDCROWN.COM

Sports

For updated Monarch sports coverage, visit maceandcrown.com/category/sports/

BY KEITH ALLISON FROM HANOVER, MD, USA (STEPHEN CURRY) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-SA/2.0)], VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

STEPHEN CURRY’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES Lyndsey Fields Contributing Writer “He is the best shooter of all time,” “the most clutch shooter in NBA history,” and “the most dangerous offensive weapon in the game.” These are just a few examples of the high praise Wardell Stephen Curry II has received for his own stellar play as well as his team’s throughout this season. Curry and the Warriors are in hot pursuit of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 record. But for all the praise Steph has received, there have also been critics of his game.

Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson recently

quarters half-court defense. But now they don’t do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I’m concerned,” Robertson said.

Other retired players such as Stephen Jackson (2006-2007, Warriors) and Cedric Ceballos (1993-1994, Suns) have made statements saying their former teams would have beaten this Warriors team.

The Warriors and Curry have heard the noise surrounding their team, and Curry indicated it has been a bit of a nuisance.

“It’s starting to get a little annoying just because it’s kind of unwarranted from across the board,” Curry said.

Curry broke his own 3-pointer record earlier this month against the Oklahoma City Thunder in vintage Curry fashion. He hit a 38.4-foot jumper on Saturday night to win the game and tie the record for most 3-pointers in a game, scoring 12.

He broke his previous record of 286 and currently sits at an incredible 330 with 14 games left to play in the regular season. At this point, it seems the only 3-pointer record Steph has left to break is the most threes in all of history. He currently ranks 25th on that list and is 1,451 threes away from topping current record holder Ray Allen.

The efficiency Curry has displayed

Curry makes a great point because no team or player has been the topic of so much criticism in a season filled with so many spectacular plays and memorable moments. Regardless of all retired NBA legends voicing their criticism, the fact that Curry is having one of the best seasons in NBA history has not changed.

this season is baffling for a person who leaves his mark from primarily jump-shots. Curry in the season is averaging 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 30.7 points per game. He is at 51 percent shooting from the field, 46 percent from 3-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line.

Steph is shooting a higher percentage

of 3-pointers than most players have in total field goal percentage.

That is the thing about Curry though, he is not only lethal from behind the arc but he is even more efficient within it. From 2-point range, he is shooting a stunning 57 percent from the field. If we were to just calculate Curry’s 2-point field goal percentage, he would currently be fourth in field goal percentage, trailing only centers. Curry has taken advantage of the rest of the players in the league, and it has shown in almost every recordable stat. He is on pace to eclipse Wilt Chamberlain’s single season player efficiency rating of 31.84 with his rating of 32.96. Curry has become the one unsolvable equation in this NBA season because no team has had the answer for how to stop him.

He has limitless range so those who do not play up on him (as we saw at the end of the Oklahoma City game) will pay the price for it. Then, he is so good off ball that even when people play him tight, his cutting and screening abilities either create a shot for himself or his teammates. When teams get physical with him, he is undeterred and if fouled, still goes to the free-throw line and knocks them down. He puzzles opposing defenses

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...if you shot an outside shot an hit it, the next time I’m going to be on top of you... commented on Curry saying his high level of play is a product of today’s NBA rules.

“Curry has shot well because of what’s going on in basketball today.

When I played years ago, if you shot an outside shot and hit it, the next time I’m going to be on top of you.

I’m going to pressure you with three-

as much as Michael Jordan did in his best years, which is the scariest aspect. When Jordan dominated the league and went on his back-to-backto-back runs, no one could answer to him and the Bulls, and it seems as though Curry has his team on the same kind of roll.

At the pace the reigning MVP is on, it seems he is head for a NBA championship. No team seems to be able to beat this team in a seven game series-not even the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom many people believed would have won last year’s NBA finals had Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving been healthy. Those same people have grown suspiciously quiet since the Warriors have dominated every form of competition this season. It is appalling because in this season alone, Curry has been more efficient than Michael Jordan in any of his best seasons. It seems like almost a guarantee he will win another MVP award and arguably the most improved player award also. Injuries would be the only thing to slow down Curry and the Warriors, but when healthy, it seems they have no kryptonite.

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M&C| WEDNESDAY | 3.23.2016| MACEANDCROWN.COM

Technology

For more tech news and reviews, visit maceandcrown.com/category/technology/

TECH IN A SEC “ALPHAGO” BES T S WORLD CHAMPION GO PL AY ER The Google DeepMind computer program “AlphaGo” defeated the world champion Lee Sedol in four out of five matches of the ancient Chinese board game go. “AlphaGo” uses a set of neural networks to narrow down the nearly-infinite number of possible moves on a go board and sets a new benchmark for artificial intelligence.

AT&T A ND COMC A S T KILL GIG ABIT INTERNE T Due to the lobbying efforts of AT&T and Comcast, residents in Tennessee will no longer have the opportunity to receive competitive gigabit Internet as part of their electric utilities. Although citizens petitioned to have the option not be part of telecom companies’ faux-monopoly, they were ignored by lawmakers.

$100,000 FOR H ACKING A CHROMEBOOK Doubling down on last year’s reward, Google is offering $100,000 to anyone who can successfully hack one of their Chromebooks. This is in addition to a $1000 bounty for anyone who can bypass their download protection. It follows a common practice of other companies of rewarding “good” hackers for finding security vulnerabilities in their products.

“CRY ENGINE V” L AUNCHES During the 2016 Game Developers Conference, Crytek announced the company is now releasing their latest game engine “CRYENGINE V” to developers on a “pay what you want” basis.

The engine is free to anyone, and those who want to pay can allocate up to 70 percent of the price to Crytek’s “Indie Development Fund,” a grant program for indie games.

Courtesy of Square Enix

FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS Audra Reigle Contributing Writer If you were to put “Final Fantasy” and “Monster Hunter” together, you would get “Final Fantasy Explorers.”

This game sets the player, a customizable explorer, in the world of Libertas.

From there, the explorer sets out on a journey to fight monsters and accomplish quests. The player can catch and collect these monsters by picking up their “atmaliths,” which they drop at the end of a battle. Bosses can be captured, though they require an ability to do so.

A tutorial is built into the game, so it’s not hard to grasp the concepts of the game since it walks you through everything. The game itself is very straightforward, though. The player

goes to pick up a quest, they leave Libertas to go out and complete the quest, and then they return to Libertas at the end to get their reward and repeat the process over again. A player can take one main quest at a time, and they can have up to seven sub-quests to complete while working on their main quests.

At the beginning, traveling to quest locations can be slightly annoying. There are no directional mark-

Paths you can’t go down are blocked off by a purple mist, which is helpful.

Travel becomes significantly easier once you unlock the ability to travel by airship. Once unlocked, the player can board the airship to travel to the next location.

Battles are fairly simple. You can fight as much or as little as you want.

There are no experience points in the game, so if you just want to fight enough to complete the quest, you

...You can fight as much or little as you want... ers to tell you which way to go. The map doesn’t always display except on loading screens, and that’s the main tool to figuring out which way to go.

can. Monsters drop items that can be used for crafting weapons and armor, so fighting them every once in awhile can be beneficial. Death does

not send you back to Libertas. Upon death, you are given two options: be revived at the cost of five minutes on the quest timer or return to Libertas.

If the former option is chosen, the player is revived with full HP and AP. Overall, the game is decent at best.

It’s fun for a few hours, but eventually gets boring. The selection of weapons and armor to buy in the store is lacking, but if you craft your own in the workshop, using the materials picked up on quests, you can make more overpowered weapons. The Black Mage class also feels overpowered as you’ll be able to kill most monsters with ease, which isn’t the most exciting aspect. It’s great if you’re a casual gamer, but if you’re looking for something with more of a challenge, it may not be your cup of tea.

NIKE “H Y PER A DA P T” At the Nike Innovation Summit, shoemaker Nike announced the “HyperAdapt 1.0,” Nike’s “self-tying” shoe.

Once teased as part of a “Back to the Future” tie-in last year, HyperAdapt will be able to tighten just as they are put on. They are set to launch during the 2016 holiday season.

Courtesy of YouTube

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Technology

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Courtesy: GDC 2016 Convention

Virtual Reality News, Game Developer Panels and Awards at Game Developer Conference 2016 Ross Reelachart Technology Editor The Game Developers Conferences (GDC) was held from March 14 to 18 this year, and there were quite a few interesting stories and insights to come out of the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers. Like many industry gatherings, the GDC is a forum for professionals to give and attend lectures, panels, tutorials and discussions in the hopes of networking and learning from each other.

Since it began in 1988, the GDC has gradually grown from a small gathering in a San Jose living room into a massive convention in San Francisco with over 26,000 attendees currently and the Game Developers Choice Awards.

Here are some noteworthy news to come from GDC 2016.

Virtual Reality Hardware The GDC is not only a place for industry professionals to gather

and network, but it is also a venue to showcase upcoming hardware and software for both consumers and developers.

This year, there were two new entrants to the growing virtual reality niche of the video game world. Sony announced the official launch of its own VR headset, “PlayStation VR,” set for release in October 2016 at a price of $399. Originally known as “Project Morpheus” during development, the new PlayStation VR aims to be a true competitor in the VR market. Not only will PlayStation VR be compatible with existing PlayStation consoles, but its price is substantially lower than both the Oculus Rift ($600) and the HTC Vive ($800).

Sulon Technologies, a Canadian virtual reality company, also revealed its own VR headset, the “Sulon Q.” While there is no word on its price yet, Sulon is aiming to deliver a headset that comes pre-packed with all the necessary hardware to make it fully functional, as opposed to the

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HTC Vive or Oculus Rift which require a fairly high-end computer to work properly. Not only that, but the Sulon Q is supposedly completely wire-free and will allow for both virtual reality and augmented reality.

Insightful Panels While most of the industry networking takes place on a more private and personal level during GDC, attendees can gain some insight into the inner workings during the many panels and discussions held over the course of the conference. It is during these panels the community and industry can learn about some of the trends in video games and game development today.

During one panel, founder of independent developer Spry Fox, Daniel Cook, made a case against the common notion of separating the gaming community into “core” gamers and “casual gamers.” He argued that in a $99.3 billion industry, catering to very small demographic of “core” gamers was just not worth it. When he asked his audience if

they owned 10 or more games on Steam, Cook said “you don’t matter” and “you are novelty seekers” who were the “smallest demographic in gaming.” While a harsh-sounding argument, his fellow panelists were in agreement. They came to the consensus that dividing the community also divided the ability of creators to make good games, as they were faced with the false obstacle of designing for ill-defined “tribes” of gamers.

However, during another panel, a somewhat oppositional argument arose from the Independent Games Summit, which featured a number of well-known indie developers, including the makers of “Goat Simulator,” “Sanctum” and “The Magic Circle.”

The panelists’ starting point was the notion of an “indiepocalype,” which was the idea that the current indie market is becoming overcrowded and preventing good games from getting attention. After sharing some of their own sales figures and personal experiences, the panelists concluded that the “indiepocalypse” is

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overblown, but not wrong. The current indie game market is suffering from a growth period in which developers are unsure of what will succeed and what won’t and what techniques and features foster success. Counter to Daniel Cook’s assertion, the most successful indie games tended to be “unique” and “high-concept.”

Witcher 3 Wins Big The official list of winners and nominees was released for the 16th annual Game Developers Choice Awards. As categories were voted on by fellow game developers, it was little surprise that smaller, independent games won most of the awards. Interactive crime fiction game “Her Story” won both the Innovation Award, Best Narrative and Best Handheld/Mobile Game. But the biggest winner was CD Projeckt RED’s “The Witcher 3”, which won yet another Game of the Year award.

With this award, “The Witcher 3” is officially the most awarded game of all time with 251 Game of the Year wins.

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The Places You Will Go

Eve Wiebicke Sarah Eure Contributing Writers Think of all the places you go in a week: your college campus, the gas station, drug store, grocery store, shopping mall, restaurants, bars, maybe even a job interview. Now imagine if while you were shopping, getting lunch, trying to land

that perfect job. What if while doing these normal everyday activities, most people there looked at you and saw Christopher Harper-Mercer?

Remember him? He’s the 26-yearold Caucasian male who killed nine people at an Oregon college on Oct. 1, 2015. But you are nothing like him! You are a young white male in his mid-twenties. Aren’t you the same?

Now imagine because of people’s

preconceived ideas, you now have to be more careful while traveling alone, going out at night and walking to your car. You may not get that great summer job you were hoping for either, even though you thought you did well during the interview.

Don’t expect to meet anyone new without having to explain that you are nothing like Christopher Harper-Mercer.

Just because you are also a Cau-

Creative

casian male around the same age does not make you a mass murderer.

Why do some assume people of Islamic faith are the same as terrorists we have seen and heard about on the news? In turn, those people then discriminate against Islamic individuals. This reality is unfair when considering how small a population radical Muslims truly are.

The next time you, or someone you know, makes a prejudiced

comment or discriminate towards someone who appears to be Muslim, stop for a second and think about how that would feel it you were being judged by such a broad brush. Grouping all individuals of similar demographics is misinformed and ultimately wrong.

Submit your creative pieces to the Creative Enclave by emailing editorinchief@maceandcrown.com.

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