The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper and alternative press for the Fraser Valley. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting and is overseen by The Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority.The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.
In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief and the corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length and will not print any articles or be a platform for any contributor or contractor who has shared racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content online in any form. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.
The Cascade is published on the traditional, unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples. We are grateful to be able to work and learn on this beautiful land.
Editorial // The Cascade pushes onwards and upwards
Transitions. They can be a time of discomfort, as fresh bulbs push their way up through mounds of earth, reaching for a glimpse of the sun. They, like us at The Cascade, are moving toward something instinctively, without seeing. Some of our former staff are moving on to something new, and current staff step in to fill their shoes. This is my first issue as Editor-in-Chief, and alongside me Cassie joins us as Managing Editor. We’ve both put our blood, sweat, and tears into this paper over the years and I excitedly welcome the new journey as a leader of this paper. I am pushing upwards and onwards with those around me, as we continue on the strong foundation that both Kiara and Catherine have left behind. We hope that like previous seasons at The Cascade, our blossoms will shine just as bright.
Our staff are feeling the transitions of spring, too; welcoming window boxes into their lives, embracing the coming summer months by curating their homes with a fresh bout of decor. As always, our resident environmentalist, Faby, encourages us to care for the air by promoting public transit on page 7. Then, on page 15, take a seat with Tyson Christie to get a peek into his world as a UFV baseball player. Later on, Harpreet takes us on her journey of transition and cultural reconnection on page 8, teaching us that we carry our homes with us wherever we go. We get a blast from the past as Veronica revisits the Little Rascals on page 23. And finally, a window into the ever evolving and dynamic community of artists in Abbotsford as UFV alumnus Camille Candia shares her photographs from Snag in the Valley on page 11. We hope you enjoy.
Darien
Johnsen
NEWS BRIEFS//
Women’s organizations in danger of closure amidst financial cuts
On May 13, the UN Women Humanitarian Action released a new global survey with alarming results. In 2025, it was reported that 90 per cent of the women-led organizations have been impacted by funding cuts, and 47 per cent of these organizations may be forced to close within 6 months. The survey assessed 411 humanitarian and crisis organizations from 44 countries.
Sofia Calltorp, Chief of UN Women, called the situation critical, as many of these organizations were already underfunded before the cuts. Over half of these organizations report having halted services for genderbased violence survivors, and 72 per cent had to reduce their staff.
Recent cuts made by U.S. President Donald Trump through the “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid” executive order and the dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have resulted in obtaining just seven per cent of the $44.79 billion required for global humanitarian aid. The UK is also discussing further funding reductions, which may further worsen the crisis.
Calltorp emphasized how sustaining these organizations is not just a moral obligation, but also an intellectual one.
“Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights, but it is also a strategic imperative.”
Canadian Tire will purchase HBC branding and intellectual property for $ 30 million
The Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) will be paying $30 million dollars to buy Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) assets and intellectual property. This will include their popular branding, stripes, and coat of arms.
CTC announced that they plan to expand and incorporate the HBC brands into their franchise. The brands they will carry in-store include Distinctly Home, Hudson North clothing, and Gluckstein Home.
HBC has been in operation since 1670 — for 355 years. According to the National Geographic, during the colonial era, HBC took advantage of the Indigenous hunters, whom they relied on for beaver pelts.
As one of the last department stores of its time, their closure is both historic and marks an end of an era in Canada.
According to their press release, Greg Hicks, president and CEO of CTC, addressed the unfortunate closures of the department store and how consumers have responded positively to the CTC’s acquisition of company assets and intellectual property.
“Ultimately, customers are at the core of all we do, and by Canadians’ reaction to recent rumours of this news, it is clear they see us as a great home for HBC’s heritage.”
Marching for justice in Hope 400 ostriches set to be culled from B.C. farm
On May 20, protesters and the RCMP were present at Universal Ostrich INC. farms in Edgewood, B.C. over a cull mandated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
On Dec. 31, 2024, a positive test result for H5 avian influenza subtype was confirmed to have affected several ostriches on the farm. This led the CFIA to call for approximately 400 ostriches to be culled from the farm despite local landfill stating that they won’t accept the carcasses, unless there is additional testing done for avian flu by the CFIA.
Owners of Universal Ostrich INC. requested for the Federal Courts to spare the flock hoping that they would be eligible for exemption from the Notice to Dispose the CFIA submitted Jan. 2, 2025. The court dismissed the application on May 13, 2025. At the time of writing, CBC has reported dozens of peaceful protestors on site and several RCMP officers. Police are currently there to prepare for arrests — but according to Global News, whatever happens, the officers want it to be a peaceful exchange; they stated that they respect the protestors’ freedom to express themselves in this matter.
UFV // Professor Profile: “I never had a female philosophy professor”
From friendships to fungi, Anastasia Anderson’s philosophical career
Anastasia Anderon is an associate professor in the philosophy department at UFV and co-coordinator for the Centre for Philosophy for Children.
After working at UFV for the past 27 years, Anderson’s knowledge about teaching philosophy has proved extensive. She shared with The Cascade more about her career, research and working with students at the university, and that what she loves most about teaching is seeing students advance their learning over time.
“One of the things that’s really nice about UFV is that it’s large enough to be diverse, but it’s also small enough that you have the same students over the years and you can see the progress that they’re making.”
Reflecting on what sparked her interest in philosophy, Anderson noted that she has always been naturally curious.
“Even when I went to university as an undergrad … whether I was taking an English course or a psych course, I was looking for the philosophical underpinnings of what we were studying.”
wrote case studies for UNESCO Schools Network, which she will present alongside Dr. Susan T. Gardner this June at SFU.
As one of the world’s oldest disciplines, philosophy has changed significantly over the years. Anderson recalled it being described as a “blood sport” in her student days, highlighting its fierce debates.
“The idea was really to be quick, to be logical and to be ruthless in your criticisms of other people’s arguments, and it could be quite brutal.”
Anderson further explained that philosophy has since evolved into a more collaborative area of study.
“Now there’s more of an understanding that we get further in our philosophical thinking if we incorporate more of a cooperative attitude and less of an idea that it’s a competition where you have to win.”
On May 5, approximately 500 people marched the streets of Hope in honour of Indigenous people who were murdered and remain missing to this day — their names displayed on signs, posters, and T-shirts.
Many of those in attendance wore red to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ People in Canada.
Linda Kay Peters, an Ojibwe and Cree fashion designer and member of Seabird Island Band for over 50 years, spoke at the Memorial Park gathering about one of the victims and the reasoning behind these demonstrations.
“Emily Pike, 14 years old, was found dismembered about a month or so ago. These are not beautiful things to hear but it’s true and that’s why we do these marches.”
Peters shared her lived experiences and highlighted to The Abbotsford News that there are ongoing attempts to create a community-driven search team focused explicitly on Indigenous communities due to the systematic barriers encountered.
The event also brought people together with the resounding drumbeats of Coquihalla Elementary School students, powerful speeches, dancing, and West Shore Canoe Family’s memorable performance.
After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Anderson received her Master of Arts in Philosophy degree and was a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. In addition to teaching, Anderson has since worked as a judge for the BC Ethics Bowl at Simon Fraser University (SFU), the Canadian National Finals of the Ethics Bowl, and as a case writer for the Canadian High School Ethics Bowl. Last fall, Anderson also
Anderson shared that she encountered several challenges as a female student studying philosophy — a traditionally male-dominated field — including an absence of female professors and her ideas often being overlooked in the classroom. While the profession has since welcomed more philosophers of different genders, Anderson believes there is still room for improvement.
“It’s still quite a male-dominated profession, and while I think it’s becoming more inclusive, it’s still a bit of an issue for the discipline.”
When asked why students should consider studying philosophy, Anderson said that philosophy offers unique skills, like critical thinking, argument evaluation, and precise phrasing, that benefit
CAITLYN CARR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 03
students in and beyond their careers.
“I just had a student say to me, and this sounds like it’s a downside of philosophy, but I don’t think it is, he said, ‘a philosophy classroom is the only place where [I don’t feel] like I’m being trained for a job, but I feel like I’m being trained for life.’”
Anderson’s current research has been on the importance of connection, specifically friendships between students. Taking inspiration from both indigenous philosophy and the way strands of fungi
UFV //
work in nature to bring together seemingly isolated plants.
“I’m paying a lot of attention in my research right now [to] the role of our relationships, not just with each other, but with the world as a whole, with other living creatures, the land, and to approach people with friendship.”
While Anderson’s interest was initially in Ancient Greek philosophy, her time as a teacher affirmed a strong passion for the philosophy of education, specifically Philosophy for Children. In 2018, Anderson created UFV’s College of
Arts’ Centre for Philosophical Inquiry with Children, from which the Centre for Philosophy for Children was eventually formed alongside Dr. Anna Cook. The centre has since incorporated many other faculty members from various disciplines, including psychology, mathematics, and English.
With a focus on the Philosophy for Children approach — an educational movement that fosters philosophical thinking in children — Anderson explained that the centre gathers a wide range of people to research children-related topics.
“In creating the research centre, one of the goals was to bring together a bunch of people from different disciplines at UFV who were interested in children, childhood in education, in children’s rights, and in child development, and have us sort of work together under one umbrella.”
Students interested in learning more about philosophy from Anderson can take PHIL 110: “Ethics & Moral Problems” and PHIL 362: “Philosophy of Education” in the upcoming Fall semester.
Dr. Mandigo appointed university president
Change of leadership ushers in new era
RACHEL TAIT
Dr. James Mandigo has a PhD in Education and Recreation, and served at UFV as the provost and vice president academic since 2019. He is the newly appointed president and vice-chancellor.
On Mar. 26, UFV officially announced that Dr. James Mandigo will be taking over the role of president and vice-chancellor once Dr. Joanne MacLean’s term is up in June. Mandigo sat down with The Cascade and reflected on his journey at
UFV and his goals moving forward in his new leadership role.
Mandigo has an extensive background in education and has published 45 peer-reviewed journal articles, among other academic literature. He reflected that part of what first drew him to work at UFV involved their central focus on students.
“It’s clear that UFV has prioritized student learning and student engagement as a really critical piece of who we are. It’s part of our identity and that really inspired me to see that it wasn’t something that the
university was saying they prioritized, but [was] actually doing.”
As Provost and Vice-President Academic, Mandigo has worked on several projects, such as UFV’s 20212026 Integrated Strategic Plan, which outlines the goals of the university and the necessary steps they will take to achieve them.
“When I first arrived, our President MacLean asked me to lead that process for a new integration plan, so I did lots of consultation with the internal community, external community, and with students … and I heard about their dreams and aspirations for this university moving forward.”
He has also worked on the Strategic Enrolment Management Plan (SEM), which breaks down the university’s goals and strategies for anticipated university population growth in the next 10 years.
Mandigo reflected on some of the hardships he heard from students who were having difficulty enrolling in courses on time for graduation and the importance of creating and implementing a successful SEM plan.
“We developed a SEM plan that really tried to identify the entire educational journey of a student even before they [get] to UFV … we want to make sure that they have the supports they need to be successful to complete their journey with us, so that when they move on to the next step of their educational journey, life journey or whatever job/career journey, that they’re fully prepared to tackle that and be successful.”
Back in 2023, Mandigo was the acting president and vice-chancellor when MacLean was on medical leave. He explained how that prior experience helped prepare him for his new position as he learned the importance of being part of an effective team, where everyone took on additional responsibilities to accommodate and support the university fulfilling their mandate.
Mandigo explained that there was a thorough process for choosing the new
university president, emphasizing that the job was a regular posting online that those external to the university could apply for.
A selection committee interviewed candidates for the position and narrowed down the list to a select few. Mandigo reflected on what that experience was like for him.
“I feel like I have a good sense of where we’re at and where we’re going, so I’ve got an advantage over some of the external candidates who didn’t know that. There’s pros and cons to being an internal candidate and I just found the experience to be really invigorating each step of the process.”
He added that he was honoured to be selected as the next university president.
“I felt more and more confident throughout the process that this was a great fit for me and I just hoped that the university saw that I was the right fit for them, and they did. [I’m] really honoured for the opportunity to be chosen to help lead that next step.”
As the new university President, Mandigo plans to continue working with the international organization Ashoka as a changemaker institution and partner with other institutions to learn from each other. He hopes that this project will be successful.
Mandigo said his advice for students is to become engaged on campus. There are many great opportunities for them to gain experience in fields they are passionate about, such as working with professors on research projects and having academic papers published while still being an undergraduate.
“You only get out of your degree what you put into it and there are so many opportunities for you to take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in a way that you’re passionate about … there’s lots of opportunities out there for students to do that and so find your passion, pursue it, embrace that, lean into it, take advantage of all the opportunities that you have. UFV is a really special place.”
May 1 marked the official start date of the newly elected SUS (Student Union Society) team. President Bilal Faisal Faheem met with The Cascade to share his experience on the election process and his plans.
This is Faisal’s third year working at SUS, and he expressed his confidence and excitement regarding the new administration.
“I think we’ve got a great team. Everybody’s very passionate about doing the work that SUS does and amplifying the voices of students.”
With the team starting work right away, several events have already been confirmed for the upcoming semesters including Summer Fest and Kickback. Despite being in the early stages of planning the next Kickback and not yet having a theme, the Marketing and Program & Services teams are already discussing vendors and looking at student feedback from last year.
Faisal commented on last year’s success of Clubs & Associations recruiting new students and showed an interest in repeating the formula.
“They were super happy. They got a lot of new club members from the event because a lot of new students start in the fall and they want to be involved on campus, and do something that they are interested in … Having all the Clubs & Associations at one place where students have to walk through each and every table and they get to talk to so many clubs … that was a great addition.”
Students can also expect Kickback to happen in the same location as last year; the hybrid model of combining the SUB and the parking lot proved effective, according to Faisal. As per student
feedback, SUS is also concentrating on potential restrictions with registration and accessibility factors.
Faisal is confident in the direction he wants to take with his presidency. When asked about his election process, he expressed a sense of relief to be the only candidate for president but also acknowledged the increased accountability he felt to meet the standards he would be held to.
“If there wasn’t a choice, then you would have to stick with that one choice that you get. But then it’s my responsibility to make the most out of it and more.”
When Faisal decided to run for president, he shared that it was because he was passionate about the events SUS runs and
connecting with students. Last year, as vice president of students, he launched the Chai with Bilal project — once a month throughout the whole year, he made himself available to UFV students for questions regarding SUS or UFV, while also offering cookies and chai.
Faisal conveyed his joy and pride at how well the project worked and how it inspired him to continue the tradition as president.
“I thought, ‘How cool would it be if I do that even when I’m the president?’ And out of everyone at SUS, you get the president themselves sitting outside and talking to students and getting into day-to-day conversations and not just
showing up when there’s something big happening.”
Faisal will be available one hour per month this summer semester, and in the fall and winter semesters, it will increase to two hours, since there’s a higher influx of students. The next opportunity to chat with him is May 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Part of the continuance of Chai with Bilal stems from his goal of transparency, something he wants to improve on from past administrations.
“The reason why I want to continue it is so that I can have more transparency. I can have students asking the questions that they want … holding myself accountable or just putting myself out there with the students, that is something that I want to achieve.”
Regarding advocacy projects, Faisal mentioned that making the Fraser Valley Express route 66 more accessible to students is dear to his heart, due in part to personal experience.
“Eight months straight, seven days a week. I used to take that bus, I don’t know how much money I’ve spent on that bus, and it’s bad.”
In closing, Faisal reflected on SUS’s primary objectives and encouraged students to reach out with their thoughts and questions.
“My entire executive team and SUS are here for the UFV students. Our main goal is to build a community and make university life one of the best experiences that any student has. I think SUS has done that for me, and I would like to do that for the rest of the UFV students.”
The information for upcoming events and projects will be available to students through posters, their website, and the SUS Instagram account.
Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade
Batu and Bontuyan: processing the Lapu-Lapu tragedy
Insight on the impact, response, and aftermath of the mass casualty
resistance, showcasing the strength and independence of the Filipino people.
Michael Batu is an associate professor of economics at the University of the Fraser Valley, and Adrian Bontuyan is an academic advisor.
In light of the tragic events that occurred on the evening of Apr. 26, Batu and Bantuyan opened up to The Cascade on the impact on the Filipino community.
Batu recalled that he was on his way to the Lapu-Lapu Festival in South Vancouver with his family. Leaving Abbotsford late, at around 3 p.m., his mother warned him about the dense traffic on Highway 1 — seeing the red lines on his maps app, Batu changed course.
Just two years earlier, in 2023, the provincial government declared Apr. 27 “Lapu-Lapu Day” to commemorate the Filipino hero and the Filipino diaspora in B.C.
“Lapu-Lapu Day is an opportunity to honour Lapu-Lapu as an inspirational Indigenous leader of the Philippines, to learn more about the history of British Columbians of Filipino heritage and to celebrate their contributions to the prosperity of this province.”
Lapu-Lapu fought against the Spanish colonial forces led by Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, in 1521.
Lapu-Lapu is a symbol of colonial
That Saturday, about 100,000 people flocked to the block of Fraser Street and 41st Avenue to gather and enjoy food trucks, a basketball tournament, community service booths, and cultural performances set to take place throughout the day. The event was attended by Premier David Eby, former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, and notably, Black Eyed Peas members Apl.de.Ap and J. Rey Soul, who headlined the block party.
The day resulted in a mass casualty, taking the lives of 11 people from as young as five to 65 years of age, and dozens more were injured. The aftermath of this incident, described as a “car ramming,” has elicited responses from the Filipino community, the City of Vancouver, provincial, and federal governments.
Batu expressed that the people affected by the incident and the Filipino community are still coming to terms with the tragedy, feeling angry, and in denial. Batu said he took time to offer prayer at each of the markers for the deceased.
“Part of the processing on my part was to actually go there.”
Like Batu, Adrian Bontuyan has been channelling the impact of the tragedy into action. Bontuyan organized a vigil at UFV, which took place in the Yurt on
May 2. Bontuyan was supported by his colleagues, and arranged for 11 roses and 11 candles to be displayed. About 20 people attended to offer silent prayers.
“Being able to organize that day of remembrance kind of helped me … People reached out individually, but when I saw people coming together and [being] supportive that made me feel like we’re all supported, right? We’re supporting each other,” said Bontuyan.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) presented a Lapu-Lapu safety review on May 16. Sim emphasized that action was necessary in light of the tragedy.
However, Batu, echoing the sentiments of many — including Bontuyan — cites that Canadian systems and institutions fail people by being reactive, rather than proactive.
“For far too long, our institutions have kicked the can down the road on this issue.”
Batu also criticized the inadequate public safety protocols. The City and VPD in tandem performed a risk assessment for the Lapu-Lapu Festival, which looked at a myriad of factors that may impact public safety, including whether the Filipino community faced any “known threats.”
Batu acknowledged that in Black and brown communities, festivals like these
have high-risk assessments, and violence has become commonplace.
“So what worries me is what happened — what’s still happening — among our black brothers and sisters in other parts of this country, that this has become normalized. That should not be the case.”
Bontuyan expressed fear concerning events that could be held during the upcoming Filipino Heritage Month, which is celebrated annually in June.
“I have really mixed feelings about it. Do I go? … That’s part of the trauma; even though we’re not there, we’re all affected by it.”
Additionally, Bontuyan commented on the narrative shift that has taken place since the tragedy. He remarked on the stereotype of Filipinos as caregivers, and in the wake of Lapu-Lapu, he has seen Filipino people being made visible and cared for by the community in a new way.
“We’ve become visible in a way that — we have so many things to offer to this country beyond being a caregiver or a cleaner … It’s sad that it has to come to this point for us to be visible.”
Both Batu and Bontuyan remain hopeful that the Filipino community and Filipino students at UFV will continue to come together and stand strong as the ramifications of the incident continue to unfold.
KIARA OKONKWO
Memorial for the victims and survivors of the Lapu-Lapu Festival tragedy (Photo by Michael Batu)
SNAPSHOT
Star shine, star night?
So far, 13 entertainers of Hollywood — actors, actresses, singers, and others — have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year. As of early May, the rock band Green Day received a star and so did 98-year-old actress Lisa Lu, making her the oldest star recipient in history. I feel like every week there’s a new post in my feed about a new star, but I think there’s a hole in the honour being distributed. Being nominated and having your name engraved into the streets of Hollywood in recognition of your work is an incredible accomplishment. So, I’d like to make my own nominations and advocate for those notable entertainers who are yet to receive a star. For example, Whitney Houston was a record-breaking, award-winning artist and true humanitarian for over 25 years. There’s also Jim Carrey and Robert De Niro, whose support toward numerous charities and longevity in the industry, to me, prove them worthy of a star too. Maybe I’m jumping the gun, but I think some of the brightest stars are being robbed and we are missing out on a chance to honour those who made significant impact on our artistic world.
BY VERONICA POWELL
Column //
The Environmentalist: A tale of two very different commutes
What notes Canadian cities should take from Milan’s transit system
Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will be comparing the environmental efficiency of public transit systems in Milan, Italy and Abbotsford. This summer I was accepted into a study tour program in Italy, where I currently am. In Milan, I hopped on a tram, transferred to the metro, and arrived downtown in under 20 minutes. In Abbotsford that same trip would’ve taken two buses and over an hour, if the buses were even running. This led me to an interesting realization: in Abbotsford, I have to plan my day around transit; in Milan, I lay out my day with the confidence that public transit will adapt to my plans.
But why take public transit in the first place? Taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45 per cent when compared to driving solo, resulting in improved air quality, less noise pollution, and significant reduction in water and soil pollution in the long-term.
Now, how is Milan’s commute different when compared to Abbotsford? Let’s take a quick look at some statistics.
Milan has an extensive public transport service, which includes metro, tram, buses, and trains. Approximately 57 per cent of all trips in Milan use public transportation, indicating reliance on sustainable commuting options. Milan has one of the highest rates of car ownership in Europe of car ownership, but the city came up with creative solutions. They implemented “Area C,” a congestion charge zone in the city centre, and “Area B,” a broader low emission zone covering about 75 per cent of the city, to reduce traffic and pollution by limiting how many and what types of cars go into certain areas of the city. Even though it sounds drastic, the city hopes to see their emissions cut in half by 2026.
I recognize that comparing a city like Milan with a population of 3.2 million people to our little Abbotsford with only 164,000 inhabitants is unfair, but being
here and seeing the variety of people that use public transit and bikes is astonishing. There seems to be less stigma around using transit here; people from different economic statuses use it. People in full formal work attire are sitting next to a tourist and an old nonna with her groceries in the metro.
I am left with a question that I feel is worth sharing with you, dear reader: how can we make public transit better in Abbotsford? I do not necessarily mean the most logical answer, like having more frequent buses or better planned routes. But in what ways can we make public transit more attractive, comfortable, and efficient? We must find a way to make transit for everyone and not just for those of us who do not own a car.
As the Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
Finding home away from home
Leaving India for Canada made me fear losing my heritage
HARPREET SINGH
Moving from your place of cultural origin can be emotionally disconnecting; for me, this happened when I left my home country in the pursuit of education. I remember how tormenting it was for me to leave my hometown and pack my entire identity into two suitcases. I had a little idea of Canada’s multicultural community, but nothing could truly prepare me for the reality of living so far from home. I expected to feel lonely and struggle emotionally, to miss the vibrant festivals and the presence of my family, and I did.
In addition to this, I thought I would eventually lose the connection to my cultural roots, but what I did not expect was how deeply I would reconnect with my culture in unexpected ways once in Canada — and the distance from my homeland would make me cherish my roots even more.
On my first day in Abbotsford, my excitement for exploring the city was dampened by the rainy weather. As a result of this, I chose to stay inside my room. The next day I explored the city, and I found myself in the quiet streets of Abbotsford. To me they felt completely
opposite to the streets of my hometown, which were filled with people talking with each other and children playing. The contrast between my old life and new reality felt immense.
While wandering the city, I discovered the local Gurdwara. I heard the religious hymns and they gave me a new level of calm I hadn’t felt since arriving; the people at the Gurdwara welcomed me with open arms, and at that moment, I thought of volunteering in the kitchen. People were chanting religious songs while preparing food and this gave me a sense of being at home.
While volunteering, I met people of nice character, and learnted how to wear a turban. I did not know how to wear a turban back home in India, but when I came here, I started feeling more connected to my religious rituals. The Gurdwara was the place that helped me the most in gravitating toward my culture.
Then came the Nagar Kirtan — a form of devotional singing — and I participated in the preparations and execution of the whole ceremony. There I met people who told me religious stories, strengthening my knowledge of my religious roots. Having heard these historical tales, I was able to then share them with my classmates. These events and places have brought me closer to my culture even though I am standing on foreign soil.
Living abroad does not come without its struggles. Sometimes I feel alienated, and at other times I get tired of explaining my identity to my curious classmates. But what I learnt by leaving India is that culture isn’t confined to a place: it is carried in the heart through practice and storytelling. British Columbia gave me the space to rediscover my roots in ways I never imagined, thanks to its diversity and openness. Reflecting on my past, I realisze that my journey was not about leaving my country behind, but instead about learning how to carry it with me wherever I go.
Why you should try dragon fruit
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Trying new food in this economy is risky. What if you spend your hardearned cash hoping for something tasty only to be disappointed? As a picky eater, I get it, but hear me out: dragon fruit.
Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit grows in warmer climates like South America, Mexico, and parts of Asia. Sometimes compared to kiwis, dragon fruit (technically a cactus) is known for its flaming pink skin and unique name, which sounds like something straight out of a high fantasy novel. Trust me, when you’re cutting into its juicy texture on a hot summer day, you’ll feel like royalty.
The best part about dragon fruit? It’s packed with antioxidants which can be effective in preventing heart disease and cancer. Dragon fruit is also prebiotic and rich in fibre which each contribute to a healthy gut, and it’s high in Vitamin C which helps boost your immune system.
Preparing dragon fruit is super easy. You can scoop its insides out with a spoon, or do what I do and chop it into peeled chunks then eat them with a fork. It can also be thrown into various salads, smoothies, bowls, and even desserts. Enjoy!
BY CAITLYN CARR
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
Musings from somewhere in the prairies SNAPSHOT
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Through a series of tiresome events, an early morning flight with a short layover turned into a seven hour drive home with my family.
I hadn’t considered all of the unexpected little details I’d remember from the road trip. I intended to sleep, but instead ended up staring out the window as I listened half-mindedly to the audiobook my sister put on the speakers. I watched the train ride alongside the highway, its colourful boxes cutting across the dual tone landscape, and I wondered if train workers ever get used to the landscape shifting from endless fields to mountains and rainforest.
When my morning grogginess faded, my family was discussing licence plate mottos and learning Quebécois history. We stopped by a Tims and my mom embarrassed my sister by dancing to the country music playing over the radio. We hit the road again, we laughed about always regretting getting an Iced Capp, and collectively frowned at the sound of a small rock hitting the windshield.
Lately, my life has been moving fast. Yet, it was far more rewarding to spend hours with my family than taking an efficient flight. Maybe this is a sign to take it slow this summer.
BY KARA DUNBAR
Media // Bring back fun one-liners
Letterboxd is getting way too pretentious
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
There’s a moment, after the screen in the movie theatre goes black, where everything is silent — when you run through all you’ve just seen and digest the message, the point of everything, the world… Unless you’re one of my friends, that is. Instead of basking in the beauty of a story just told, you’ll find us on our phones opening Letterboxd and searching the movie’s title. We scramble to carve into digital stone the fabulous one-liner we’ve been working on the entire movie. After publishing it we eagerly await the others’ thoughts and feelings, refreshing the app or peering over our shoulders. Needless to say, movie theatre workers hate us — which is ironic, as one of my friends is a Cineplex employee.
I was not raised on the internet and only came into contact with Letterboxd because of my old roommate who was — you guessed it — a film major. The way she talked about it was as if in order to post you had to be this genius film critic, and if you weren’t, you were basically throwing yourself to the wolves. It scared the crap out of me. I immediately thought: well this is all a little too pretentious for me. I was both very wrong and very right.
The New Zealand based co-founders Karl von Randow and Matthew Buchanan debuted Letterboxd in 2011 to bring together the film community and give them a space to journal their thoughts on the film. But it didn’t rise in popularity for nine years. The global pandemic wasn’t good for a lot of things, but for Letterboxd, it was an angel. Suddenly everyone had time to watch movies and become hobbyist film-critics who needed an outlet to share their brilliant views on art.
What made me come around to Letterboxd? Ayo Edebiri. The Bear (2022-) actress became one of my favourite celebrities due to her easy sense of humor in press interviews. Screenshots of her reviews landed on my for you page with things like her line for Anatomy of a Fall (2023) where she wrote, “Well I just saw the greatest acting performance of my life and it was not by Sandra Hüller or a child actor with the cuntiest bangs I’ve ever seen — it was by a dog so —.” She also posted: “I’m in it with my friends so” for her own film Bottoms (2023). Safe to say I realized Letterboxd can be literally whatever you want it to be. I signed up for it pretty soon after.
Unfortunately, after a blissful six
months on this site I’ve begun to realize my original worries were maybe a little more correct than I wanted them to be. As the Arts in Review Editor for The Cascade, I appreciate a good movie review. It’s part of my job. But now when I open Letterboxd, I’m bombarded with long and complex reviews. Where did those funny one-liners go? Where is the absurdism? The true feelings delivered in less than 20 words? If I want a full-blown review analyzing lighting choices and sound mixing, I’ll crack open a newspaper or pull up a YouTube video essay. Not a silly little app on my phone meant to be a film diary.
So this is my plea: bring back the weird reviews. The ones that have almost nothing to do with the movie and instead make me laugh. Who cares if it’s not perfectly written or isn’t a deep thematic analysis. I literally quoted that Elijah Wood The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) wig meme in my reviews for the trilogy. Make Letterboxd fun again, fill it with inside jokes and silly comments, then no one will have to question whether or not they’re “filmbro” enough to download the app.
Illustration by Spencer Wiebe / The Cascade
Lifestyle // Shut the misogyny down!
The rage built to destroy will rebuild the women of today
PRATI KAPOOR
Female rage is the unrestrained expression of a woman’s anger. It’s the rage that’s a witness to every time a woman swallows her tears, conditioned in a cage. It’s the rage that drives the women of today to not just break this cage, but to live for herself and fight for every woman who can’t. That is why I see female rage as revolutionary and holy; it’s the deliberate choice to defy any norms and expectations laid out for them.
I think this rage is the fuel to fight against the suppression women still bear today. Every time a woman puts aside her needs to fit the societal expectations of a good woman, good daughter-in-law, good
wife, or good mother, there might emerge this rage — screaming inside her — telling her it’s unfair. It’s the rage disguised as “it’s okay” and an uncomfortable smile to make others feel at ease.
I find it infuriating how some women live according to their fathers and their husbands instead of living for themselves. When a woman tries to bring her rage to the forefront, it might be considered unfeminine, but I perceive that a woman being the sad damsel in distress is heavily appreciated. I feel like society has always loathed powerful women because they’re scared that they will speak up against societal roles that are expected of them.
Being from South Asia, it’s very common for women to be expected to be
a certain way. It’s gotten better in bigger cities, but along the streets of smaller ones, you can still hear families wanting their daughters to be fair skinned, not too tall, not too educated, quiet, and docile. It’s the generational orthodoxism stringing the women along into believing she isn’t good enough.
I consider myself lucky. I was raised in a household where my parents made sure misogyny didn’t step in. Whether or not I marry isn’t a dinner table conversation until I say so. I am not sold on the narrative that I need a man to have an identity. I feel grateful, but to me that’s the bare minimum — I think that’s how it should be and should have been for every woman. It incites my rage that, to some families, educating their daughter isn’t a priority. But to make her fit a checklist to marry a man, is.
In my case, the frequent cases of sexual violence that make my home city unsafe is one of the reasons why I decided to leave. My dad wouldn’t allow me to go out at late hours by myself — and I don’t blame him. My city is known as the rape capital of India and stands nowhere in conviction rates. It’s panic-striking. I wanted to dream big and not always be afraid and full of rage. The sad part is I am still scared, because women have gone through this and still do.
I feel like society lets men get away with horrible acts against women and similarly justifies their behaviour, while women are instead subject to victim blaming and are told that something about their own behaviour was the reason why something horrible happened to them in the first place.
To me, the ultimate expression of female rage is being independent and living life based on my decisions. Even if it’s bad, I’ll know it’s on me and not influenced by someone whose opinion I didn’t ask for. I understand the privilege of studying, working, and shaping my life into the one I dream of. I am using all my rage to be independent and exceptional enough that no one even dares to dim my light and put me in a cage — because I will not let them. In my opinion, it’s important to be independent and earn your own money because no one will be with you forever but yourself. It gives you not just a sense of financial freedom, but a sense of self. We don’t need to bottle the rage, but let the rage out — scream it loud enough until the patriarchy and misogyny crumble to ashes. If rage brings women to fight against the odds and have an independent sense of self, then I feel the rage is majestic
SNAPSHOT
Short, sweet, and melodic
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of Disney short films. They’re perfect for when I’m feeling overstimulated and my attention span is shot. Since 1921, Disney has created hundreds of short films so there are plenty to choose from. There are classics— my personal favourite being “The Goddess of Spring” (1934), and more modern ones like “Piper” (2016), which is about a little bird gaining the courage to explore the world and hunt for food on a daunting beach.
Most of them are musically-centred and dialogue free so I can shut my brain off, listen to a short melody, and watch adorable animations play across my screen. Who doesn’t love personified flowers and smiling suns? There’s even a whole subgenre collection called “Silly Symphony” (1929-1938) featuring classical music, which is clinically proven to relax the brain. These peaceful, animated shorts with happy endings soothe my mind, ease my anxiety, and remind me that there are still simple pleasures in life to be enjoyed.
BY DARIEN JOHNSEN
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
SNAGGING ART AT SNAG IN THE VALLEY
Live art auction hosts local talent in Open Space
CAMILLE CANDIA & DARIEN JOHNSEN
Art, community, and local spaces; this is what Snag in the Valley, a community-based live art event, is all about. On May 15, Creative Director Ember Muninn collaborated with Downtown Open Space to host the first show in their five part summer series.
Founded by Drew Young, Patryk Drozd, and Nick Pound in 2012, Snag, an art show that aims to elevate local underground talent, invites attendees to watch artists create their own masterpieces over the span of four hours. At the end of the night, the pieces are raffled off and participants have a chance to take them home.
Muninn said that their event aims to showcase and celebrate local art while fostering community.
“The goal here is to elevate the creative community in Abbotsford. We want to support artists. We want to get their names out there, get people interested. We want to bring people together [and] boost our social well-being; get people connected.”
Snag in the Valley will be happening in Abbotsford at Downtown Open Space on the third Thursday of every month through May to September for a total of five events.
This round of Snag featured local talents Susannah White, Jack Hendsbee, Cyrus Siew, Darius Fultz-Zentner, and Thanaporn Roxy Paul.
CREATIVEDIRECTOR
Illustration by Rebeca Marquez / The Cascade
by
Photos
Camille Candia
Photos by Camille Candia
Photos by Camille Candia
Cascade Q&A: Tyson Christie
SHAYLA KIRBY
Tyson Christie is a UFV Baseball infielder/outfielder and an old soul at heart. Christie scored 19 runs in 2024 and was a First Team All-Conference player, helping lead the Cascades to their second ever Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference (CCBC) title. He came back home to UFV as a transfer from Arizona Western with the drive to polish his game and once again play in the warmer, southern states. Off the field, Christie can be found munching on a big bowl of pasta with meat sauce, lifting weights at the gym, or humbling his friends in a game of pool.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what song would you choose?
The song that got me into a lot of music was “Baby Come Back” by Player. It’s an older song; me and my buddies used to listen to it all the time in high school, and it was one of the songs your parents [would] play. If we’re at the lake that’s what you’d hear all the time.
What’s your pre-game routine?
Just kind of talking with the guys … we only play like seven other teams, so talking with them about the pitcher we’re about to face, if we’ve faced them before at all … a bit of banter for a good warm up … batting practice before the game … whatever gets me warmed up and moving right.
How did you first get into baseball?
I’ve been playing for a long time, longer than I can remember … I was playing basketball full time up until about Grade 11, I’d say, and then I got hurt — and I was like basketball is not for me. I wasn’t tall enough and I was better at baseball anyways, so I switched over to that. Out of high school I went down to the states to play [baseball] for Arizona Western. I came back in the spring and started to play for UFV and I’ve been here since winter 2024.
What do you love most about baseball?
It’s a love-hate relationship but … as corny as it sounds, the people I’ve met. A lot of my good friends are from
Volleyball //
baseball … and I have a ton of good memories playing baseball … I’m also a really competitive person, so I like to win and I like to beat other people that I’m playing against.
Would you rather fast forward time or reverse time?
Reverse time … It seemed really fun to grow up in the ‘80s and ‘70s when you didn’t really have anybody watching you. You [could] just go out whenever and technology wasn’t around.
What have you learned here at UFV?
Coming back to UFV, I wasn’t really developed from [the] mental standpoint of the game … Coach [Riley] Jepson, Kyle [Lotzkar], Junior [Deleon], and our trainer Hayes [Parashyn] really allowed me to express myself on the field and learn from my mistakes. Part of our success last year from winning [the championship] was being able to go to the field and having a free mind, and being able to play the game without thinking about anything else that’s going on in your life and having fun.
Do cats make better companions than dogs? Absolutely not.
What have you learned from last season that you are taking into this current season?
How to hit an off speed pitch … I’ve always been a dominant fastball pitch hitter, so coming back from the States, Riley [Jepson] opened me up to hitting more off speed … A lot of the time that’s what I get as a left-handed hitter, I get a lot of change up. So being able to recognize the spin and the off speed has really helped my game.
Who do you look up to the most?
Probably my dad. He’s been a big role model in my life, setting an example … being a quality human no matter what. He’s been a huge part of my life, not just in general, but baseball wise as well … If it wasn’t for him and all the extra work we put in, I don’t think I’d be the same baseball player I am today… I want the relationship that I had with my father with my [future] kids as well.
What does it mean to be a Cascade?
Representing a quality program. Our coaches … they all emphasize representing the program as if you’re always wearing a jersey. So we always, no matter where we are, like to represent ourselves in the highest manner we can, and that goes on the school’s name as well.
Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
Feist gets the call for U21’s
Volleyball Canada invites UFV athlete to training camp
JEFFREY KENNETT
UFV Cascades outside hitter (OH) Mandi Feist was among 18 athletes nationwide named to Volleyball Canada’s U21 training camp roster on May 2, 2025. The camp takes place at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario from July 14 to 19, 2025, and will be led by Laval Rouge et Or head coach Olivier Faucher. Feist spoke with The Cascade about that and more before she leaves on what could be just her first stop this summer.
From training camp at McMaster, 12 invitees will be selected for the U21
NORCECA Panamerican Cup in Costa Rica the following week. NORCECA is the international governing body of volleyball in North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. Canada finished fourth in 2024’s U21 Pan Am in Toronto, Ontario.
Although she has no experience working with Coach Faucher, Feist noted that she has one familiar face on the support staff: assistant Coach Jeff Ross previously guided Feist in her Grade 12 year on Team BC. She said she wasn’t expecting the invitation because of Volleyball Canada’s tendency to stick to athletes they’re more
accustomed with through the national development program.
Feist recognizes that the team is looking for the most competitive practice players for the travel roster to Costa Rica, and she’s focused on displaying the qualities that make her a good teammate on and off the court. All the while, she knows she needs to beat out six other players to play a meaningful role on the team in July.
“The job is not done,” she said.
Feist will be facing competition such as her former teammate and Kelowna, B.C. native Taylor de Boer of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, an NCAA Division
1 program. Élodie Lalonde of the High Point University Panthers and Ella Piskorz of the Pepperdine University Waves were also invited from their Division 1 programs. The 18 athlete roster notably features eight invitees from Canada West. In 2024, Feist played in 15 more matches than her rookie season and 72 more sets, becoming a key part of the serving rotation with 40 Service Aces, the most on the team. She ranked second on the team in total Kills and third in Kills/Set during
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Photo submitted by Tyson Christie
her sophomore campaign, forming a dynamic front row with the Attieh sisters for the top seed Cascades. Feist also piled up 218 digs this past season, second most on the team, making her a valuable asset in the back row as well.
Volleyball Canada has kept tabs on multiple Cascades of late. Outside hitters Lauren and Talia Attieh along with setter Cailin Bitter were invited to Volleyball Canada NextGen tryouts on May 5, 2025.
Feist is hopeful the international experiences will lead to success when the Cascades return this fall.
“It’d be so cool to come back and be a starting squad front row of all Team Canada players.”
Feist grew up playing hockey with her brothers. She didn’t find girl’s hockey overly competitive at that age group, instead deciding to don the goalie pads to
CULTURE
Events //
play in the boy’s division. She claims she was not forced in goal by her brothers and actually enjoyed making big stops. Her older brother, Tyson Feist, spent time with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization in the American Hockey League, while Layton Feist most recently played in the Western Hockey League before joining the MRU Royals in 2024.
Following the NORCECA Pan Am in July, the same U21 roster will represent Canada at the FIVB Volleyball World Championships in August. FIVB is the worldwide governing body of all forms of Volleyball. Canada begins the tournament in Pool A with the likes of Argentina, host nation Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Serbia, and Vietnam.
With her days of stopping pucks long behind her, Feist looks to continue her all-star ascent in Hamilton for what she hopes is the first of three expeditions this summer.
Keirling marks UFV student’s authorial debut
UFV student hosts first author meet-and-greet; talks art, school, and what’s next
KARA DUNBAR
On May 14, Avery Dow-Kenny hosted her first event as a self-published author. The UFV student celebrated the publishing of her debut novel ***Keirling* (2025), with an author meet-and-greet at Clearbrook Library. A table was set in the sunlit foyer, with a few stacks of her novel, bookmarks, and business cards, as well as yellow flowers to round out the display — the presentation speaking to Dow-Kenny’s artistry.
Following the event, after clearing the table, and sitting outside to chat with The Cascade, Dow-Kenny said she felt good about the turnout, seeing more people than expected, selling a number of books, and even taking a photo with a reader. Dow-Kenny started the novel three years ago, but the decision to self-publish came in 2024, during her last semester as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student, inspired by one of her professors.
“I took John Carroll’s English 405, [a] creative writing [and] novel writing class, all his feedback encouraged me in that whole class environment. It’s really what made me have the courage to self-publish it. I put him in the dedications for it. If I didn’t take that class, I probably wouldn’t have tried to publish it.”
Dow-Kenny is an artist of many talents. She not only wrote the book, but also created the cover art, map, and illustrated chapter headings. She also created themed bookmarks, which she handed out during the meet-and-greet. The only part of the
project she out-sourced was the editing. In comparing writing to visual arts, she said, for her, the approach is different.
“Writing is definitely more like I need everything. Like I have 40 page documents. Like this is the plot by bullet point. These are the characters. This is all this. Art is more just like a scribble, figure it out.”
While Dow-Kenny finished her BFA in 2024, she is not done being a student just yet. Now enrolled in the Library and Information Technology (LIBT) diploma program at UFV, she is pursuing library work alongside her creative ventures. Dow-Kenny explained that knowing more about books and libraries has been fun and has helped in the writing process, including giving her inspiration to include a fantasy library in a future project.
Dow-Kenny currently has two more books in the works, with one of the manuscripts recently completed. According to Dow-Kenny, it is currently at around 130,000 words. She is ready for editing, prepared to trim it down before trying to query the project to a literary agent in order to pursue the traditional publishing route. The second book that she has in the works is still in the conceptualization stage, but is inspired by Game of Thrones (2011-2019).
While all of her current works are fantasy, Dow-Kenny says she’s open to branching out of her primary genre, and integrating even more of her visual arts background.
“I’ve had ideas for contemporary fiction
ones, children’s books even. That would be so fun … comics too.”
Wrapping up the interview, the conversation turned back to the focus of the event: Keirling. Dow-Kenny speaks passionately about what she wants readers to take from the book.
“...it’s a lot about learning to overcome traumas because both of the main characters … have lots of traumas they need to work through. So it’s a lot about overcoming traumas, learning to deal with the main character. She’s got [a] PTSD type of trauma … And then it’s also about being brave enough to do the right thing, even if it scares you.”
Keirling is a young adult fantasy novel inspired by Icelandic landscapes, including elemental magic and a bit of romance. The story follows Ryka, a Keirling, which means that she can harness nature’s magic. Her people have been persecuted by the Krafatians for centuries, and now Ryka has been kidnapped by one. On her quest to return home, Ryka is faced with a treacherous landscape and the challenge of learning how to trust and work together with the very Krafatian who kidnapped her before they drive each other to ruin. Keirling is available now on Amazon as well as to borrow from Fraser Valley Regional Public Library.
This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.
Photo by KristinaJ.
It’s a new semester and a new season of life as the weather (hopefully) starts to get warmer. This spring and summer, fashion is all about texture, details, and comfort. As the temperature rises, let’s take a look at five emerging styles that are setting the tone for the upcoming season.
Polka dots
Spots are in this summer in the form of perfectly adorable polka dots. As the weather warms up, combining a polka dot midi sundress with a denim jacket, a sun hat, and flats, creates an outfit that is both elegant and playful. For a more casual look, pair blue and white polka dot pants with a solid white T-shirt and white sneakers. They’re both great ways to wear this timeless classic in the summer months ahead.
Crochet
Crochet is feminine, delicate, and looks great in a wide range of styles such as sundresses, jackets, shoes, and shorts. Pairing a cream crochet bomber jacket with a pair of jeans, white crew neck
T-shirt, and a straw tote bag makes for a nice casual look when out with friends. For evening wear, try a crochet co-ord long sleeve top and matching maxi skirt with wedge heels and a clutch purse.
Linen
A classic style for any warmer climate, linen is an organic and breathable material that keeps its wearer cool and comfortable. Combine a white linen button-down shirt with a matching pair of linen pants and a T-shirt for the ultimate summer look. A linen printed shirt dress with sandals is great for a day at the beach, and a linen floral T-shirt paired with jean shorts adds a touch of summer festivity to an otherwise simple outfit.
Capris
Three-quarter length and versatile for the summer, capris are another timeless piece for warmer weather. Pairing white denim capris with a white lace camisole, a thinly striped blue and white button-down, and brown leather sandals is great for a casual day look. Wearing black capris with a
lace tank top, wedge sandals, a clutch purse, and a linen blazer is structured and dressed up for an evening out.
Feminine
Attention to detail is what makes summer fashion so appealing. Feminine details such as eyelet, lace, florals, and embroidery turn a regular look into something special. Pairing a navy eyelet T-shirt with a pair of denim jeans, a cream baseball cap, and navy tennis shoes is great for going for a walk with friends. Or wear a green and cream embroidered empire waist dress with cream suede sandals, a linen jacket, and a panama hat for the perfect summer date.
There you have it, a compilation of fun styles to wear all summer long. May this summer semester be your most fashionable one yet!
The Cascade Kitchen: The perfect picnic potato egg salad
Ingredients
6-7 boiled mini potatoes, chopped
The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back each week for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca. Nothing hits at a picnic quite like a good, chilled salad, and this healthy potato salad is filling and versatile. Much of this recipe is based on preference — it’s super easy to add in any other flavours or ingredients you desire, and even though it only serves one, it can be easily multiplied to double, triple, or quadruple the serving size if you love it that much!
Serves: 1
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
2 boiled eggs, chopped
Generous splash of white vinegar (white wine also works)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1 tbsp dijon mustard (or more)
Optional additions:
Dill pickles, sweet or regular
Celery
Radishes
Onion
Method
1. In a medium-sized pot with 4 cups of water, boil mini potatoes until just soft enough to fall off a fork — about 10 minutes.
2. In another medium pot with 3 cups of water, boil eggs for about six minutes, until they float to the top.
3. Strain potatoes and allow eggs to fully cool. Once cooled, peel egg shells.
4. Chop potatoes and eggs into about inch-thick pieces, and add to a bowl.
5. In the bowl, add white vinegar or white wine, mayo, chopped green onion, and dijon mustard. This is where you can add any other optional ingredients.
6. Mix all ingredients in the bowl gently.
7. Enjoy it with a burger, other BBQ staples, or simply by itself.
VERONICA POWELL
Photo courtesy of CinnamonKitchn
Crossword // STUDY BREAK
Sudoku //
Horoscopes //
By: Madame LaCarte
Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19
You don’t fall asleep, you pass out — which also means you get no rest, which is why you wake up even more tired. You’re too old for me to teach you sleep hygiene. You know what to do.
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
All your hard work has paid off. Congratulations. You made it. Now what? That’s the problem with finite goals; when accomplished you are left as such. Without purpose.
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
You give, and you give, and you give some more. And now you complain that you are surrounded by takers. Maybe some time alone would do you good. Reflect a little on what the common denominator in all your toxic relationships is.
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
The wax of a candle is the sacrifice required for light. It feels like almost every month you make me find new ways to say you’re burnt out. Make my job easier next month and give it a rest.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
You’re as smothering as a visit to grandma’s after losing a bunch of weight. Unless you also only want to be visited once or twice a year, consider changing your behaviour.
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
The strength you bring to the table is the support of the success of the team. You don’t think people notice, but I do. You are valued.
Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Foxes don’t go to the henhouse for gossip. Foxes don’t follow the henhouse rules. Foxes don’t concern themselves with the politics of the henhouse. When the fox visits the henhouse it is for one thing only. Lunch.
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.” - Alan Watts Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Right now you’re swimming up shit’s creek, but if you keep going you will eventually make it to dry ground — if not you’ll just be floating in endless shit. Carry on.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
I don’t know what you’ve been doing lately, but everything is pointing to you needing to stop and change strategies. Or just change the goal. You know what, scrap the plan completely and start anew.
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
Reconnect with your inner child. Get some ice cream, ride a bike, fly a kite. Nostalgia brings peace.
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
Competition is the death of intimacy. Don’t be like all the other dysfunctional couples out there. Rebel against the norm and fight with your partner and not with your partner… You know what I mean.
Lifestyle // Gardening from your kitchen window
How to grow a flourishing garden when you don’t have any space
ELYSSA ENGLISH
Gardening can be a therapeutic and rewarding practice, helping to reduce stress and improve brain function, but without easy access to outdoor spaces, it can feel out of reach. Many of us live in small apartments or rented rooms, without an inch of outdoor space to call our own. But that doesn’t mean your dreams of sweet greens are unattainable. You just need to think small
There are plants that will happily grow with limited natural lighting and minimal space. All you need is a window, water, soil, and a container to put it in — anything that will hold dirt will work. From bowls to buckets, the decision is yours, so long as it’s the appropriate size for your plants’ expected growth and drainage needs. There is no need for green houses and expensive potting mix. The key to a happy, healthy garden is to simply know your plants and what they need.
By outlining a few low-maintenance plants, this guide hopes to make gardening in your tiny spaces as easy and accessible as possible. From sunny apartment windows to cool, shaded basement suites, here are some plants that will be right at home, in your home.
Herbs
In general, herbs are relatively easy to grow, and will happily sit in small pots on a windowsill. They’re also delicious! Ideal for a kitchen window, basil, lemon balm, oregano, and rosemary, are popular indoor plants. Only water them when the soil becomes dry, and ensure the pots allow for drainage of excess water. They
can be grown and harvested year-round so long as they have sun exposure for at least four hours per day and are kept moderately warm.
Alliums
Green onions can be grown in something as simple as a mason jar with a little bit of water. This can be a great way to extend the life of store-bought green onions as well, allowing you to get two to four more cuttings out of them.
Garlic is another allium that can be grown indoors. While it does require a bit more attention, it’s well worth the reward. Begin by taking a clove of garlic (ideally one already trying to sprout in your pantry) and place it in the refrigerator for about two weeks before potting. The period of chill actually helps encourage growth once planted — weird, I know. Garlic prefers a lot of bright light, so try to place it near a south or west facing window for best results. Garlic tolerates
drier conditions and only needs to be watered once or twice a week.
Greens
If you’re living in a basement or other lowlight locations, leafy greens are the perfect plant companions. Lettuce, spinach, and kale grow surprisingly well with limited light. Most leafy greens also prefer to grow in slightly cooler temperatures (between 10 and 22 degrees celsius). They are also content in fairly shallow pots. Remember to water regularly, but make sure the soil and pots drain well. They like to be hydrated, but not soggy. They are easy to harvest and a delight to eat. What better way to add more greens to your diet, than from your own little garden?
Root Vegetables
This one might surprise you, but you can absolutely grow carrots, beets, and radishes indoors. However, they will
require larger growing containers, at least 30 cm tall, to accommodate their roots and downward growth. They can do well in slightly cooler spaces, comfortable slightly above and below room temperature. Beets and radishes prefer sunnier spaces, with at least six hours of direct light per day, whereas carrots are happier in slightly shadier spaces. Water them often, but minimally, for best results.
Fun fact: there are dozens of variations of carrots and beets, which grow vegetables in all kinds of crazy colours. Try planting Chioggia beets or purple carrots to add more colour to your plate.
Mushrooms
Do you have a humid bathroom with a tiny window? Then you’re in luck! While technically a fungus and not a plant, mushrooms are perfectly acceptable additions to a garden. In recent years, mushroom kits have become a popular home garden trend. The oyster mushroom is my personal favourite. They are so easy and simple to care for, needing only minimal light, some airflow and water, everything else is included in the kit. Most produce two to four large clusters of mushrooms to harvest per box and give you access to fungi that most grocery chains don’t carry.
Small-scale, in-home gardening is a low-risk, high reward kind of hobby. It brings greenery to your space, food to your plate, and a low intensity practice of patience and observation to soothe your mind in a busy world. Regardless of the limitations of your home, there are plants and mushrooms that will thrive alongside you. Happy gardening!
Lifestyle
//
Sad rooms are
outdated
Creating a cozy living space on a student budget
PRATI KAPOOR
Bland rooms with no decor suck, and we deserve better than the seriously sad vibes they give.
The space you live in can affect your emotional health and well-being. Your home is more than a roof over your head - it might be your secret weapon for enhanced wellness. Personally, I am very specific about how my room looks; I need to come home to a welcoming space. For anyone looking to style their room, here’s a guide to decorating with helpful and intentional hints toward better mental health:
Theme
There are many themes you can choose from, such as indie, vintage, and soft girl. While an entirely themed room may be expensive, start small and with a minimalist plan, which will help foster well-being and mental clarity. Decide on a colour palette and choose bedsheets, duvet covers, and furniture pieces accordingly. If you get stuck, go for cooler tones to help simulate a calmer space. You can find affordable options from thrift stores and Walmart.
Greens
Incorporating plants into your space
improves productivity and concentration, and reduces stress. As a student, watering a plant might not make it on your evergrowing to-do list, but a fake plant works just as well. You can find fake flowers to complement your colour palette, and Dollarama can be your go-to place on a budget.
Photos
Having pictures of people you love in your room will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but will also make you feel loved every day. I have a heart-shaped polaroid wall of everyone I love — right in front of my bed. It keeps me grounded and
grateful for the love I have in my life, and reminds me that these people are rooting for me. You don’t need a polaroid camera for this — you can get customized polaroid style prints for around $1 each from London Drugs.
Frames
Depending on your living situation and the size of your room, you can add frames to your wall. They can hold family photos, a vision board, quotes you live by, artwork, or even something random that brings you joy. You can match frames
Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 rug underneath will give you the student edition of a makeup vanity that is low-key cute.
with your colour palette so it’s cohesive and looks intentional instead of chaotic.
Achievements/Hobbies
If you have any hobbies such as sketching, painting, or writing poetry, you can put some of your best pieces on the wall. You can do the same if you have any medals, certificates, or trophies. Showcase the things you’re proud of, but be mindful not to overcrowd.
Neon lights
They never go out of style and luckily, modernized LEDs are budget-friendly. They not only add colour and excitement, but are also aesthetically pleasing. You can even decorate your wall with customized neon signs. And the best part? They help reduce anxiety and stress, and can uplift your mood. You can find affordable and good quality lights from Amazon.
Mirror
A mirror in your room to get ready at before you leave screams self-love. I have a “Shut up, you look pretty” sticker on my mirror for a daily reminder to help me feel confident. You can get small storage cabinets to store your getting ready essentials, like makeup, skincare, and body care. Adding a small stool or chair with a fluffy
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Controlled clutter
Having loads of clutter not only looks unappealing but also overstimulates your brain, causes stress, and makes you less productive. You can get rid of the clutter by slowly donating and discarding anything you don’t use, one pile at a time. Also, there is nothing wrong with hiding the clutter you cannot eliminate. You can find affordable and spacious storage cabinets from Walmart and use over-the-door hooks from Dollar stores.
Prioritize your happiness, not trends
When you are designing your space, ask yourself if you are buying it because it makes you happy or just because it’s trending. Your answer should finalize your purchase. Trends will come and go, but it is your room and it should speak to you and reflect your personality.
Your room should be your comfort space. It is more than likely you’ll get caught up in multiple deadlines, and the rat race that can make us miss out on our day-to-day lives. You never have to spend extravagantly — look for smarter alternatives such as thrift stores. Wait for Black Friday and Boxing Day sales for bigger
purchases, and only splurge occasionally and when it feels right. If you’re going to
survive student life, you might as well do it in a cute room.
Books // For your beach read consideration
Four books to compliment the summer season
KARA DUNBAR
As someone who grew up taking the summer reading club at the library seriously, summer has always been a glorious time of hitting up all the books that I didn’t have time for during the school year. As I have transitioned into adult summers, where time is taken by summer classes and work, my book count has dropped, but the joy I take in the season hasn’t. However you prefer to read — novels on the beach, audiobooks on the road trip, or beach reading near the barbeque — these titles all hold pieces of the coveted summer season.
Factory Summers (2021) by Guy
Delisle
The summer job — a rite of passage for many teenagers and young adults entering the workforce. Starting at the age of 16 cartoonist Guy Delisle worked three summers at a pulp and paper mill in Quebec City. In Factory Summers, he chronicles life in the mill, highlighting the tensions of class and sexism
permitted in this all-male workplace.
A number of factors led to my enjoyment: the story isn’t complicated, its sincerity lends itself to a quiet power, and the art is simple, all black and white cartoons with a splash of yellow highlighting the action. The copy I picked up was translated from French and has inspired me to pick up the travelogues that Delisle has created too. Factory Summers has called me to find the art in the mundanity that makes up the nostalgia of my teenage jobs.
The Summer Pact (2024) by
Emily Giffin
In the wake of a tragedy, a group of unlikely university friends make a pact. 10 years later this pact pulls them together as they embark on a trip that will bring a new direction to each of their lives. Listening to this title as an audiobook is the way to go. This is a story told in three perspectives, with three different narrators, and hearing their stories rather than reading it felt like it was a story told by a friend. I got misty-eyed when the story
came to an end and I had to leave them.
A quick content warning for this book — it deals heavily with themes of grief and suicide.
Everytime I Go on Vacation Someone Dies (2024) by Catherine
Mack
Eleanor Dash only wants to kill off the main character of her best-selling mystery series, never see that one ex of hers again, and get this book tour over with. But as attempts are made on her and her ex’s lives, it becomes clear that she is asking too much.
This murder mystery by a Canadian author plays with formatting, hiding clues in footnotes and manuscript notes to pull readers through the narrative. This is a good book if you’re looking for a light read with enough intrigue to be left questioning the culprit’s identity until the end.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs (2023) by Jamie Loftus
“Hot dogs. Poor people created them. Rich people found a way to charge fifteen
dollars for them.”
This sets the tone for Jamie Loftus’s non-fiction title. In the summer of 2021, Jamie, her ex, and her pets travelled across the United States, eating every hot dog they could. This brazen book is both a travelogue and hot dog history.
The hot dog is a vital piece of summer for me, and this book had me both craving, and ready to swear off, the delicacy. Depending on one’s sensibilities and/ or political leanings, this book could be hilarious or annoying — regardless, it is certainly unashamed.
Whether your summer goal is to escape, unplug, or learn a fun fact or two, there’s a book waiting to be opened this summer. None of this reading has to come with a price tag; all titles here are available at Fraser Valley Regional Library in various formats. So open that book (or the Libby app) and let’s get those summer reading goals done.
arts@ufvcascade.ca
Arts Editor - Anna McCausland
Illustration by Hannah Bricknell
Movies // “You twins?” “Nah we cousins”
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is a love letter to blues music
CAITLYN CARR
Am I the only one drowning in an ocean of reboots? It feels like everywhere I look, all I see are live-action adaptations, revivals of established stories, sequels, remakes, and prequels. Where are all the original screenplays? What happened to authentic stories written not just to top the box office, but to inspire? Well, the search is over.
Directed and written by Ryan Coogler, Sinners (2025) is the best original movie I’ve seen in a long time. The film takes inspiration from Coogler’s uncle, and their shared love for blues music, to bring to life a story of many genres. With a blend of horror, thriller, and drama, this work of historical fiction tells the tale of twin brothers, Smoke and Stack — both played by Michael B. Jordan — who open a juke joint in 1930s Mississippi to get a fresh start from their troubled pasts.
Unsurprisingly, Jordan’s performance in Sinners was truly phenomenal. It’s not easy playing identical twins, but Jordan pulls it off so effectively that there were moments when I forgot each character was being played by one person. Both Smoke and Stack are distinctly entertaining with Smoke being serious, brooding, and badass and Stack being charming, outgoing, and persuasive.
A true dynamic duo, Jordan and Coogler have worked on five movies together including Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed
(2015), Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), with Sinners being the most recent. As a long-time fan of most of the pair’s many projects, Sinners is by far my favourite.
Jordan and Coogler aren’t the only ones from the Black Panther series reuniting for this film. Composed by Ludwig Göransson, this movie’s score is a musical masterpiece. Having secured two Oscars for his work on Black Panther and Oppenheimer (2023), Göransson’s undeniable talent is my favourite part about Sinners. The score features various instruments used in blues music like the harmonica and even a classic 1932 Dobro guitar, which was used to write most of the score. In an interview with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Coogler shared his beliefs on the importance of blues music.
“I realized that there’s an argument to be made that Delta blues music is America’s most important contribution to global popular culture. That music is in everything that we listen to [and] it’s in everything that we like today.”
Scenes where Sinners delves into horror feature more haunting instrumentals including an electric guitar, strings, and powerful orchestras. But the most impressive part about Göransson’s score has to be the way it perfectly encapsulates every aspect of this unique film. Everything from the characters’ struggles of living in the Jim Crow era in America, to the mystical longing of the movie’s vampiric
villain, can be not only heard, but felt. Truly, the music in this film feels like its own character.
Outside of instrumentals, Sinners features a number of talented singers such as Lola Kirke, Jayme Lawson, and acclaimed blues artist, Buddy Guy. However, the star with the most insane vocals has got to be Miles Caton, who portrays Sammie, the twins’ little cousin. The up-and-coming star’s deep moving voice feels like it was simply made to sing the blues.
I could talk about the music in Sinners forever, but for the sake of time, I’ll move on to another enjoyable aspect of this film: its female characters. The two most notable are Mary, played by Hailee Steinfeld, and Annie, played by Wunmi Mosaku. An established celebrity, Steinfeld — known for Pitch Perfect 3 (2017) and Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse (2018) — unsurprisingly delivers a moving performance as Stack’s fiercely passionate love interest.
Mosaku — known for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and Loki (2021-2023) — was no less impressive. In fact, (unless
we’re counting the music as its own character) Annie was by far my favourite. The aspect I enjoyed most about her character was that she effortlessly took charge of tough situations and was deeply respected by the other characters. On another level, it was also refreshing to see a dark-skinned, plus-sized actress portray such a revered and respected love interest instead of just the funny best friend for a change.
The one thing keeping me from giving Sinners five stars is that some scenes were lacking in clarity. I’ve seen the film twice in theatres and there are still some moments when I struggle to understand what is being either said or implied — but hey, at least that gives me an excuse to go watch it again.
One of the best original screenplays I’ve ever seen, Sinners is ultimately a film about freedom. Set in a time where this concept was lacking, it invites viewers to reflect on the path they want to forge for themselves while also celebrating the historical roots of the blues and its crucial impact on modern music.
Photo Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Pictures
Movies //
Bring on the trauma with the latest Final Destination film
Honouring life and embracing death for countless generations
SKY S. TERRONES
‘Holy [redacted], what the actual flying [redacted] just happened?’ That would have been my exact reaction throughout Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025), if I hadn’t known exactly what I was signing up for.
For those who haven’t yet been traumatized by airplane take-offs, logging trucks, rollercoasters, automobile racetracks, and suspension bridges, the Final Destination movies are about a group of people avoiding death set off by the main character’s premonition of their tragic demise. Because no one likes cheaters, Death isn’t happy when they escape and kills off those who managed to evade its clutches, one by one.
They die horribly, of course (worse than in the premonition if you ask me). This is a gory franchise, people!
If you’re looking for an Oscar-worthy horror film, turn around now; this movie isn’t intended to be a cinematic masterpiece, but within its niche, it could still be a fan favourite — or a total flop. So, which was it?
After the last two installments in the franchise, I was weary when they
announced Final Destination: Bloodlines
The films felt borderline ridiculous and leaned too much into the gore, in lieu of the story and characters. Yeah, yeah, I get that I was just talking about how people don’t usually watch these films for their character development — nor should they — but is a minimal amount of coherence and consistency too much to ask for?
Suffice it to say, my standards weren’t sky-high for the new film. However, these expectations grew as soon as I heard the story would delve into the lore of how Death operated in this universe. The film breaks the tradition of the main character having a premonition of their own death and focuses instead on a college student who dreams of her relative’s old premonition — a twist I was surprised they made work.
After seeing the teaser trailer my expectations were at an all-time high. Why? It wasn’t the gruesomeness of the tattooist being pulled by his nose ring to a ceiling fan, no, sir — it was exclusively because the scene featured one of my favourite Air Supply songs ever: “Without You.” Ahh, what a wonderful, heartbreaking, and dreary tune. It’s a perfect song, and I will die on this hill — preferably in a
non-horrifying way. This is a great use of sound and image juxtaposition as they play a relaxed song over the violent and bloody situation. I could think of a million examples of how the Kuleshov Effect is used in music to increase dramatic effect, but my editor is already glaring at me for attempting to turn this into a thesis.
If there’s something this movie does great overall, it’s the soundtrack. For those who’ve seen it, I think we can all agree that the premonition scene is one of the best, and is largely elevated due to the combination of the sound FX matching the rhythm of “Shout” by The Isley Brothers.
Final Destination: Bloodlines leans tonally more into the humorous take of trying to evade death, which makes it a tad campier, but not in a way that takes you out of the story. It’s entertaining, and its pace holds up until the end.
I did miss the more dramatic aspect of it, however. There’s often a lack of reaction and impact that these losses have on the characters — unlike previous installments, in which you can see how much these deaths weigh on the survivors. The only character that seems to have a semblance of this is arguably the movie’s
best character: the grandmother. She has mastered her knowledge of Death’s nastiest tricks because she’s suffered its murderous attempts for years… but this isn’t enough. As much as I like the jokes and lighter tone, I did find myself missing some depth in this film.
Regardless, this movie is worth watching — it’s a good addition to the franchise and holds a beautiful tribute to Candyman himself, Tony Todd. The actor has been a recurring character on the Final Destination franchise and has acted as a herald, explaining Death’s modus operandi to each new targeted group. Final Destination: Bloodlines contextualizes his character, William Bludworth. His final dialogue was not scripted and was the actor’s parting words about life and death, reminding us that life isn’t forever and we should cherish every minute we have left. May you rest in peace, legend.
If you watch this film, prepare to walk out with a brand new perspective on safety hazards and additional trauma that will never go away. Now, if you excuse me, I need to check for the 100th time if I left my kettle plugged in…
Concerts // Spiritbox goes on a North American Tour
NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA
On May 6, the Canadian progressive heavy metal band Spiritbox held a concert at the Vancouver PNE Forum as a part of their Tsunami Sea North American Tour. The evening was packed full of energy and explosive rejoicing as fans swung their heads back and forth to the rhythm of metal bliss, all thanks to the bands’ mighty deliveries on stage. Spiritbox was joined by two additional melodic metalcore bands, American band Dying Wish and British band LOATHE, whose performances preceded Spiritbox’s show. A normal Tuesday evening turned into an unforgettable experience with multiple moments worthy of being appreciated.
Spiritbox’s vocalist Courtney LaPlante was undoubtedly the star of the evening. She indulged fans with her commanding stage presence and fiercely powerful vocal performance, which perfectly transmitted the sheer weight and energy of every song performed. Her vocal fry scream did not disappoint, with the live performance
feeling just as brutal as the studio recorded versions of the songs. The stage was brilliantly assembled, making use of large screens in the background projecting stunning visuals, a pyramid-like structure at the centre for the drums complete with its own set of screens for visuals, and jaw-dropping lighting accentuated by theatrical smoke.
The build-up to Spiritbox’s entrance made the start of the show all the more dramatic. The stage was plunged into darkness moments before the lights turned on again, flickering into a hue of blue once the band members got on stage, and the screen showed the opening visuals with the song’s start. Just as with their newest album release, the concert opened with “Fata Morgana,” its electrifying guitar hum and subsequent roar had fans immediately fired up and mesmerized. With each song, the stage transformed and took on a completely new personality, fitting the mood of each song and complimenting the band’s stage presence. LaPlante didn’t shy away from using all of
the stage, as she constantly moved around to give every fan a chance to witness her elegant yet ethereally intimidating presence up close.
The set list demonstrated Spiritbox’s awareness of its fans’ likes and desires by playing fan favourite songs live, while also structuring the performance in such a way that the thread from one song to another flowed exquisitely. The show slowed down about halfway through, as it played a poem on the large stage screens, its theme and visuals served as the perfect precedent to the featured album’s main song, “Tsunami Sea.”
Nearing the concert’s end, the band took another pause where their founder and guitarist, Michael Stringer, dedicated a speech of gratitude to their fans and commemorated the band’s ex-bassist, Bill Crook, who departed the band in 2022 and passed away in July of 2024.
To close out the concert, LaPlante shared a heartfelt speech about not being alone and staying strong, before playing their song “Ride The Wave,” which shares the
theme of resilience that was present in her speech.
Despite minor hiccups with the stage preparation and wait time after each band took the stage, Spiritbox’s North American Tour was an excellent show. Even more so, the price tag for attending such an event in Vancouver was reasonable, the tickets started at around $75 CAD before fees and rendered a solid four hours of entertainment.
Spiritbox’s music offers listeners an experience that ranges from energetic and light to hard and heavy. Their music serves as an outlet for passionate energy and a way to armour oneself with bravery and positivity — the possibilities are endless. Listening to these songs live triples the excitement and cranks up the power of each piece tenfold. For any and all who are curious to experience it themselves, this concert proves that seeing Spiritbox live is a sure way to get your head banging to the beat.
Metal band from Victoria knows how to deliver an incredible concert
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Column // Cascade Rewind: being a rascal never goes out of style
The Little Rascals is a childhood favourite that doesn’t grow old
VERONICA POWELL
Girls smell weird and leave the toilet seat down… according to the mischief-makers of The Little Rascals (1994). Based on the original short comedy series, Our Gang (1922), audiences tag along with a group of pint-sized boys to watch their smalltown adventures unfold while operating the “He-Man Womun Hater’s Club.”
Director Penelope Spheeris (of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-71) and Wayne’s World (1992)) perfectly captured the imperfections of childhood, each moment heartwarming with humour. Our Gang was an immediate hit in the 1920s, but the 1994 version became the most memorable for viewers. The characters were too unfiltered, quirky, and pure not to love, and the timelessness is worth a watch today. Most of all, it reminds us of the goodness of our childhoods.
The acting is exceptional simply because it doesn’t seem like acting. The kids are sloppy in places — a crack of a smile that is out of character is seen, or when there’s a near-glance at the camera. However, the childlike nature creates a more authentic and effortless performance as their unique personalities make the line between actor and character invisible.
Alfalfa, played by Bug Hall, is a poised boy with a spiky cowlick, who has a pinch-your-heart romance with his devotion to Darla (Brittany Ashton Holmes). Unfortunately he does the one thing that goes against clubhouse rules — falls in love. Darla’s soft voice and doll-eyes melt your heart, but her self-confidence defies the power the boys think they have over her and provides a satisfying dynamic throughout the movie. Waldo “Aloysius” Johnston III, played by Blake Ewing, is the arrogant rich kid who likes to think
he’s the mini dreamboat to Alfalfa’s romantics, but his ego impedes his own charm. However, his retorts are top-tier and emphasizes his silver-spoon attitude.
The line delivery is adorable and welltimed, especially in the characters’ floppy southern accents. Alfalfa’s consistent attempts to impress Darla with verbal love notes are wholesome no matter how much he overestimates his vocabulary or off-key singing voice. Some lines were cliché and super cheesy — “melt like a popsicle on the fourth of July” for example, but it was acceptable from a cherry-pie-and-honeyed Darla.
The comedy never fell short once. Being excited about a dollar and not knowing the number for 9-1-1 are just small things that provide the idealism of adolescence. The boys keep dodging the arrows of daily life, and watching them shoot the arrows is even more entertaining — the club sabotages Alfalfa’s lunch date with Darla by replacing grape juice with sneaker sweat and PB&J sandwiches with kitty litter.
It’s difficult to find anything bad about this film. Not even the unexpected cameo from President Donald Trump. Today, the subject matter might be controversial as it presents a stereotypical gender narrative, and the unrealistic editing can be a turnoff, but the imperfection is necessary to maximize the silly tone.
I get goosebumps at the film’s wonder and innocence of childhood. I wholeheartedly admire the kids’ courage, never afraid to be themselves and face big things — like the isolation and demand of the adult world. They show us life is more enjoyable when living it with others. As the film’s slogan says, mischief loves company.
CHARTS SHUFFLE
Aaron Levy
CIVL’s Aaron Levy welcomes the upcoming touchstones of summer to the Valley with the following fresh picks from the “old” school canon.
Eddie Cochrane“Summertime Blues”
“I’m gonna take two weeks / Gonna have a vacation / I’m gonna take my problem / To the United Nation / Well, I called my Congressman / And he said quote, “I’d like to help you, son / But you’re too young to vote” / Sometimes I wonder / What I’m gonna do... there ain’t no cure…”
Bananarama“Cruel Summer”
One of the classic all time 80’s twinged girl groups — don’t let the name fool you — because this act and their recordings were musically moody and broody. Delivered with the kind of attitude that evokes Austin Powers-esque femme-bots, calmly chanting the instructions of song to their unwitting and vulnerable prey.
Taylor Swift“Cruel Summer”
I can never remember how this song goes when I go through the earworm of it, because ‘cruel’ gets sung through so many notes and syllables that I actually don’t end up having any idea what the words are if I don’t run it back in full beforehand.
Summer Crush“I Missed You”
Local addition to this Shuffle, the Fraser Valley Music Award winning Abbotsford 3 piece punk outfit that once (famously?) performed their hits on video at an emptied out Long and McQuade for CIVL and the Abbotsford Arts Council during the web stream era.
01. CODY LAWLESS Heaven Has a Special Place For You 02. MEN I TRUST Equus Asinus 03. SAYA GRAY SAYA 04. ART D’ECCO Serene Demon
COOTIE CATCHER Shy At First 06. DEVOURS Sports Car Era 07. MARIE DAVIDSON City of Clowns 08. DESTROYER Dan’s Boogie 09. SISTER RAY Believer 10. MAGI MERLIN A Weird Little Dog 11. BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD Forever Howlong 12. PIERRE KWENDERS Tears On The Dance Floor 13. ASAL Missing Something
BUKOLA The Confessions Of An Anti-Social Butterfly 15. BRIA SALMENA Big Dog 16. BELLS LARSEN Blurring Time
CASSIDY WARING If I Had Only Been Better 18. CJ WILEY So Brand New 19. FROG EYES The Open Up 20. CHOSES SAUVAGES Choses Sauvages III
1:00PM 12:00AM Forest Echoes Music Festival @45825 Edmeston Rd, Cultus Lake
3:00PM 5:00PM Farewell Reception for Dr. Joanne MacLean @33844 King Road, Abbotsford, Evered Hall, Student Union Building
12:00PM 5:00PM Fraser Valley Pride @7494 Mary St., Mission
Some of the e vents require tickets, and most are online. If something catches your eye, take to the Internet for more details, including those about any safety measures for in-person events.
