The Hoya: The Guide April 5, 2013

the guide april 5, 2013

the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop

The View From the Road Guadalupe Fernandez Photo Essay Contest Winner

Scavenging the District For Springtime Glory G4

Mask & Bauble Wows With ‘Spring Awakening’ G9

Tyler, the Creator’s Lighter Sound

G11

this issue ‘IDOL’ ALUM IS BACK 3 lifestyle feature 6 soundbite 8 food&drink arts & 9 entertainment guideonline

ARCHULETA RELEASES NEW ALBUM

“American Idol” favorite heartthrob David Archuleta has taken a break from his overseas philanthropic work in order to release his sixth album, No Matter How Far. Although it should become an instant fan favorite, Archuleta plays it safe and doesn’t stray from his go-to lovesick songs. Visit thehoya.com to get our perspective on what Archuleta can do to make his style more mature.

aCHORDance| pirating tv shows

The Hoya’s photo essay contest winner, Guadalupe Fernandez, takes us along on the cross-country bike trip she embarked on last summer.

MJSBIGBLOG.COM

d.c. on rye | thaiphoon

DavidChardack Page 8

the strokes | life plugged in

“

saywhat “Me and Johnny Depp had eyeball sex ... We never really talked — we just had eyeball sex.

”

— Ke$ha on meeting Johnny Depp

the guide Braden McDonald, Executive Editor Victoria Edel, Managing Editor Hunter Main, Copy Chief Zoe Bertrand, Layout Editor Leonel De Velez, Photo Editor Kim Bussing, Deputy Guide Editor Nicole Jarvis, Deputy Guide Editor Emily Manbeck, Deputy Guide Editor Alexander Brown, Deputy Photo Editor Chris Grivas, Deputy Photo Editor Erica Wong, Deputy Photo Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Kennedy Shields, Deputy Layout Editor Ian Tice, Deputy Layout Editor David Chardack, Deputy Copy Editor Shannon Reilly, Deputy Copy Editor Sean Sullivan, Deputy Copy Editor

Danny Funt, Editor-in-Chief Sheena Karkal, Guide Editor Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Braden McDonald at (202) 6873415 or email executive@thehoya.com.

General Information THE GUIDE is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to: THE HOYA Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of THE HOYA and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University.

Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of THE HOYA. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors.

THE HOYA does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 2013. THE HOYA, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of THE HOYA Board of Editors. All rights reserved. THE GUIDE is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each.

Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com

“Leo’s — an institution usually associated with culinary shenanigans as opposed to innovations — left me pleasantly surprised.”

newreleases

‘MIRACLE MILE’ | COLD WAR KIDS 

This new track from Cold War Kids will be sure to blow away the last remnants of winter and take us full on into spring. “Miracle Mile” is chock-full of infectious pop melodies and lyrical turnabouts that are sure to win over die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Moreover, the song is a perfect pivot toward the indie pop we’ve come to expect with the arrival of spring and summer.

STEREOGUM.COM

‘GOD MADE THE WORLD’ | COLD CAVE 

This song is beautiful. An ode to the confusion of love and tinged with stereo beats reminiscent of the ’70s and ’80s, this track is a rare, successful blend of old and new. The vocals also stand out, ranging from bombastic sermonizing to the murmured reverence of prayer. Talk remains on whether frontman Wesley Eisold will begin producing again with the rest of the band, but if this is any indication of his solo potential, no one has anything to worry about.

STEREOGUM.COM

‘I LIKE IT SMALL’ | MUDHONEY 

It seems rare to get music that has a sense of humor, but Mudhoney has provided just that with its new single, “I Like It Small.” A moving and catchy tune with enough tongue-in-cheek humor to last a week, the song is the perfect antidote to too much time spent in Lau or foreboding thoughts of weeks full of papers to come.

STEREOGUM.COM

lifestyle

New Singers Seek Recognition V ocal ensembles at Georgetown have a reputation of putting in hard work to showcase their undeniable talent. But the differences among our school’s a cappella groups go beyond the types of music they choose to perform.

In the case of one emerging a cappella group, aCHORDance, its identity has been forming since it started making music almost a year ago, but its philosophy of flexibility remains the same.

A cappella groups have their niche in the Georgetown experience — for example, performances in Sellinger and outside the library on school nights are always a pleasant surprise for students.

The co-founders of aCHORDance, Evan Sterrett (COL ’15) and Shannon Lynch (COL ’14), imagined a group that could partake in these traditions without imposing a large time commitment on its singers.

“I feel like I’m really involved on campus and I didn’t have a lot of extra time to devote to a more serious a cappella group,” Sterrett said. “We wanted something that was more laid-back, with more freedom to do what we wanted to do with the group.”

However, when Lynch reached out to the Department of Performing Arts to learn the requirements of starting a new a cappella group, she was advised against it due to a lack of departmental resources.

“I tried to explain to them that this was going to be a different kind of group.

We’re not going to need a manager or a ton of money. We just want to sing, get together and have fun,” she said.

Without a table at Student Activities Comission fair or a HoyaLink page, aCHORDance was born from the outside marketing efforts of its co-founders.

“Facebook is obviously an awesome tool. That’s how we got a lot of the word out,” Lynch said. “Word of mouth has been huge for our group.”

LINDSAY LEASOR Hoya Staff Writer rently sponsors nine vocal performance groups, and has yet to decide if aCHORDance can be added to the list.

“It is unfortunate that the bureaucracy of it makes it so that the process is long and dragged-out, but hopefully, after this next step, we can finally get the recognition,” said Lynch. “If not, I don’t see us disbanding as a group at all. It’s just going to be a little more difficult than it needs to be to meet and get the word out about our group.”

Regardless of whether they are recognized officially by the university, aCHORDance members plan to continue trying new musical techniques and gaining recognition among the student body.

“We’re looking in the future to switch it up even more. We talked last rehearsal about the possibility of adding an instrument at some point,” she said. “We really want to emphasize that we are flexible and versatile and [that] we can do more than just top-40 pop songs or limit ourselves to a certain genre.”

So far, the group performed the national anthem at a few Hoya sporting events and has a concert planned for later this month. Staying true to its philosophy of flexibility, the group has a tentative set list that contains everything from The Beatles to last year’s popular songs.

“We’re learning a lot as we go through this process,” Sterrett said. “Once we receive university recognition, it will be so much easier to define our group.”

sured by a concern about duplication.

“They want us to be different somehow, but there’s only three major coed a cappella groups on campus, so duplication I really don’t think should be an issue because obviously there are a ton … more singers than are able to fit in three coed a cappella groups,” said Sterrett.

Catharine Maitner (COL’ 15), the dance representative for the Performing Arts Advisory Council, is in charge of new club development.

“While we try to accept as many new

“We really want to emphasize that we are flexible and versatile and [that] we can do more than just top-40 pop songs or limit ourselves to a certain genre.”

— Shannon Lynch (COL ’14) Auditions were held at the beginnings of both semesters this academic year.

“Coming into this, Evan and I wanted to make sure that there was a huge emphasis on the fact that, while we would have auditions, that anyone was welcome because we really wanted to have more of a laid-back atmosphere about our group as a whole,” Lynch said.

The group concluded their spring auditions with a total of 14 members. In corresponding with university departments, aCHORDance members have been pres-

groups as we can, certain space constraints — especially when it comes to rehearsal space — prevents us from granting certain groups benefits,” she wrote in an email. “Also, there is a non-duplication policy that PAAC upholds to prevent the existence of too many of the same types of groups on campus. Therefore, for any new group that applies, whether it be theatre or a cappella, the new group must demonstrate how [it is] different from groups that already exist on campus.”

The Department of Performing Arts cur-

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me? At the guide, our staff is known for having strong opinions about pretty much everything. We’re taking stands on the pop culture issues that really matter, from tween stars to the movies that make us smile, from catchy pop songs to the stories that are dominating the Internet.

T

here are few things we enjoy like a quality television show, but the lack of television access at Georgetown occasionally leads students down unethical roads. Those students aren’t alone, however; Sunday’s premiere of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” is reportedly the world’s most pirated show. We can’t help but wonder if students have considered the ethical ramifications of such a simple and ubiquitous act.

Sure, there’s Netflix and Hulu Plus, but those require a monthly fee that can be a

bit steep for college students who can use that $15 on a couple of Chicken Madnesses or UG Loves. Can students be blamed for resorting to less ethical means of relaxing with their favorite shows when certain websites put the means at their fingertips, free of charge? After all, with no cable package, limited legal online access to shows and the non-studentfriendly prices on iTunes, going down the slightly immoral, free-of-charge road doesn’t seem all that bad to many.

However, what those students neglect to realize is not only are they making those shows lose money, but they’re affecting the shows’ ratings, opening them up to the possibility of being cancelled.

We are encouraged to #WatchLive by small screen actors — a trend started by the cast of “Community” on Twitter.

No matter how much students enjoy sitting down with their favorites, doing so illegally could prematurely end both

the shows themselves and any associated love affairs. By viewing these programs illegally, students might be sabotaging their progress.

But for the shows we’ve really had enough of — for some, it’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” for others, “How I Met Your Mother” (Ted really needs to hurry up and meet the girl with the yellow umbrella) — the shows that are our real guilty pleasures, using illegal websites can bring them closer to their welldeserved end. Used correctly, it could be a tool for getting rid of shows that should no longer be dominating networks and the front page of Hulu but still allowing us to enjoy their demise.

We’re not advocating this questionable tactic when it comes to cancelling shows like “Two and a Half Men” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” but we’ve heard of its usage.

Then, of course, there are the stu-

dents who share their Netflix or HBO Go login information with all their friends.

Sure, someone is paying for the access, but these companies and shows are definitely losing money. They may not ban the number of people who can be logged in, but we’re not sure all of Darnall 5 should be using one account to get their “Game of Thrones” fix.

In the end, pirating is a complicated issue. Students don’t want to spend money on a service that they’ve essentially received for free their entire lives, but also don’t want to doom their favorite sitcoms and dramas to an untimely close. In the end, whether or not you illegally stream or download TV shows depends on your personal ethics. But, all students ought to think before they click on another illegal video.

And when you’re done, catch up on this season of “Parks and Recreation.”

It’s all on Hulu — legally and free.

4.5.13 | the guide | 3

lifestyle rediscovering DC clue by clue

City-Wide Scavenger Hunts Thrill W ith the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C., come warm weather and the cherry blossoms — and this year, at least, Hunt D.C., the largest scavenger hunt in the city.

Sponsored for the third time by United Social Sports, this event combines the best that D.C. has to offer with the added rush of travelling around the city, solving clues and competing with over 2,500 people for prizes.

“We’re hoping to take people sort of on a blind date with D.C.,” Casey Willis, the event organizer, said. “People are in the city every day, coming in for various things, but a lot of times, things that are right underneath your nose go unexplored, and so our goal is to get people out and about and exploring things that they may pass by on a daily basis.”

On Saturday, April 13, participants will have four hours to find as many items and visit as many of the 30 locations on the official Hunt list as possible, based on what they can figure out from the clues given.

Points are scored based on completion of tasks, of which teams notify Quizmasters — the people who created the Hunt — by uploading photos of themselves to a Hunt-specific software system.

“If we tell you to go to one location, once you get there you’ve got to do a certain task and take a picture of yourself or eyour team completing that task at the

WINNER’S CIRCLE The top three teams can win everything from gift certificates to cash.

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jamie slater Hoya Staff Writer

location, which is kind of fun,” Willis said.

“So in real time, you can actually look at all the other contestants and change up your strategy based on what you see other people doing.”

Some of the clues are relatively easy, but many of them require originality and problem-solving skills.

“Some of the clues are things that won’t just be one answer — it’s a kind of creative thing,” Dan Shank, operations manager for USS, said. “And what might be an answer for somebody might not be an answer for other people, or they might not think about it.”

Shank, who participated in the event last year, gave the example of having to take a picture with a man with a gun.

“Police weren’t allowed, [so] you had to be creative, to find a statue with a gun, take a picture with that or find different flyers,” he said.

Hunt D.C. aims to bring awareness to places off the beaten path that the Quizmasters think are worthy of more attention.

“I can’t give away the exact locations because that’s part of the fun,” Willis said, “but it will take you from anything from gyms and restaurants and parks to national monuments … or tourist locations that possibly you wouldn’t have known about ALL PHOTOS COURTESY CASEY WILLIS previously.”

IN THE HUNT Groups follow clues that lead them throughout D.C. in an attempt Participants can score additional points to expose people to aspects of the city they might not otherwise see. by wearing costumes on the day of the event or completing challenges when and definitely worth exploring and visit- cations, are spaced out throughout D.C., including a few in Georgetown. they arrive at a location. Activities range ing.”

“A couple of things might take you Although this year’s nonprofits are a from trivia to spinning the wheel for prizsecret, Hunt D.C. has previously worked into the Georgetown area, which would es to karaoke.

“We’ve got all kinds of fun different with Move for Hunger, a D.C.-based or- be kind of cool,” Shank said. “[Georgechallenges,” Willis said. “Our goal is to ganization that delivers unwanted and town students] might know about that have each location be very different and non-perishable food items to food banks ahead of time, or, being in that area, they have its own character and permight know a clue a little bit sonality while sort of exposing quicker.”

“Our goal is to have each location be people to different things the Because the locations are so very different and have its own character well-spread city has to offer.” throughout the The Hunt is unique in that city, participants can use any and personality.” many of the funds raised, inform of public transportation cluding part of the registration to travel around as quickly — Casey Willis, event organizer and efficiently as possible. fee, go toward local nonprofit organizations that reach out to “This time, we’re going Hunt D.C. or that the Quizmasters want to from people who are moving. Last year, to have a little bit more of a destinaparticipants visited a rooftop garden that tion appeal to it — we’re going to have highlight.

“We are working with about a dozen Bread for the City, an organization that it scattered all throughout the city,” nonprofits, so the goal for the event is that provides D.C. residents in need with such Shank said. “We’re allowing you to some of the stops that are on our hunt resources as food and medical care, built use the Metro … and stuff like that so are actually different nonprofit associa- to promote dialogue about food justice in you can get to places faster [and] find tions,” Willis said. “We try to do all we can Washington. more clues [so] people learn how to The nonprofits, as well as the other lo- get around in a different way that they to build awareness that they’re right here

lifestyle might not have known.”

Hunt D.C. is one of the many events organized by USS, which primarily sponsors casual social sports leagues for adults in the Washington area, ranging from shuffleboard to sand volleyball. The idea for Hunt D.C. originated four years ago with the owner of the company, Robert Albrecht, after his experience with other scavenger hunts in the area.

“A lot of those other scavenger hunts tend to have one overall winner, and it becomes just a race to the finish rather than a fun activity or something [that allows you] to … take your time [and] have fun with some people,” Shank said. “[Albrecht] thought that there was a way to make scavenger hunts that would be more inclusive to allow everybody getting a chance to have fun and everybody to have an opportunity to win.”

At Georgetown, the Big Hunt operates in a similar spirit to Hunt D.C. The Big Hunt, which held its seventh event last October, aims to get freshmen and transfer students acquainted with the city.

“Your first month on campus is spent trying to find your way around and get accustomed to the area. After that month, though, you are so used to Georgetown that you never leave,” Amanda Wynter (COL ’14), the chair of the fall 2012 event, said in an email. “The Big Hunt forces you to get on the metro/bus/take a cab to those places that you only hear upperclassmen talk about.”

For the Big Hunt, points are awarded for visiting destinations, answering questions and completing additional tasks.

Much like Hunt D.C., the accumulation of these points determines the winner.

“The beautiful thing about the Hunt … is that everyone gets a prize. We fundraise and get donations of over $5,000 every year to buy prizes like basketball tickets or dinner at 1789,” Wynter said.

“Everyone, down to the last-place team, gets an awesome prize, along with their newly found knowledge of the district.”

The Big Hunt itself is so popular that the Georgetown Program Board is sponsoring an “Amazing Race: Monuments Edition” April 13. This year, Georgetown Day will also feature a scavenger hunt for everyone — not just freshmen.

“The Georgetown Day Scavenger Hunt will take place all within campus,” Georgetown Day Chair Andi DeBellis (MSB ’14) said in an email. “Tasks will be obscure and fun and incorporate the list of the 101 Things You Should Do While on the Hilltop.”

Much like Hunt D.C., all teams have the chance to win this hunt. “It’s going to be based on a point system. The list is going to be extensive, so it’s going to be a whocan-get-the-most-tasks-done sort of deal,” DeBellis said. “Proof of task completion will be submitted by tweeting a photo.”

The popularity of scavenger hunts in the District can be attributed to the size and diversity of the city, according to

Wynter.

“D.C. is many things: beautiful, historical, lively — but most of all, it is huge.

Well, it is not that big, but it covers a lot more ground than many people ever know,” she said. “There are so many different neighborhoods with different personalities and different vibes. D.C. is perfect because you can tailor a scavenger hunt to the various neighborhoods and really treat them as separate ‘destinations’ instead of one uniform area where you run around searching for the same kinds of things, as on typical scavenger hunts.”

Shank, who participated in Hunt D.C. last summer, spoke highly of his experience.

“We had a chance to do it on a beautiful day, got to interact with a number of different people, got to meet a lot of different teams and people on those teams,” he said. “It’s really entertaining to rush around [and] go to different parts of the city… [and] we actually learned a few things about D.C.” For this year’s Hunt D.C., teams of at least two can register on the United Social Sports website, unitedsocialsports. com. The registration fee is usually $59 per person, but, using the promo code “GHunt,” Georgetown students can save $20 off the price. The registration fee includes a T-shirt, the possibility of winning prizes and a ticket to the afterparty downtown.

The only other requirements are a creative team name and at least one member who is 21 to complete challenges requiring entry into bars.

“It’s really going to be an all-around good time, and there’s going to be a ton of people out there,” Shank said. “It’ll be a great way to meet people and get out into the city.”

WHERE’S THE RUM GONE? Many teams competing in Hunt D.C. dress in fun themed costumes for the day.

culture shock

Taking Advantage of a City in Bloom

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ast Wednesday, I went home for Easter break for the third year in a row. And for the third year in a row, I returned to the Hilltop with a distinct sense of dissatisfaction. Not because I didn’t even crack open a textbook over the extra-long weekend (true) or because I’m too old to participate in a nice egg hunt (also true), but because as soon as I exited the airport, I encountered a painful reality: Spring has not yet arrived in the District.

Sure, it may be perfectly sunny outside and overeager, cherry blossom-seeking tourists may have descended upon the Mall and M Street, but I’m still putting on a puffy coat every morning (a little extreme, I will admit). At this time last week, I was consistently shorts-clad, on the beach and otherwise enjoying the balmy 75-degree weather. Washington, take note, please, for the sake of my sanity.

I might be asking for too much (it could be worse), but I know I can’t be the only one feeling this way. The weather has been taunting us for the last month, and I’m sick of it. I feel like “spring fever” is a phrase as worn out and variable as

“culture shock,” but for me, the concept thing, Google it.) People emerge from has come to represent something quite wherever they’ve been hiding all winter simple: the collective frustration with wearing brighter clothes and far fewer the fact that the calendar reads “April,” layers, there always seems to be someyet we’re still stuck sitting inside instead thing to do, and everyone seems genuinely happy for the first time in a few of out on Healy Lawn.

Spring at Georgetown is usually de- months.

It might sound like a simple equafined by balance: between papers, projects, looming finals and the infinite op- tion, but it’s true: Spring makes everyportunities available for avoiding work; thing better. As a result, I’ve composed a short list of my favorite between an unwillingness things to do in order to avoid for the semester to come spring stress and Lau. (Note to an end and the growing to whatever weather gods deanticipation for Georgesigned the snow shower last town Day and the start of Wednesday: “Spring activisummer; between some do not include snowsemblance of responsibility AudreyWilson ties” AudreyWilson men or hot chocolate). and thoroughly enjoying all The most simple: Get offthat the warmer weather has to offer. Unfortunately, the lingering campus and go outside. It’s really nice chill is tipping the scale in the wrong di- to grab some friends and some food and walk down to the steps of the National rection.

I think that most of my disappoint- Gallery or even just to the waterfront. ment stems from the fact that spring is Confession — due to a combination of D.C.’s best season by far. It really seems spring allergy flare-ups and a strong disto come alive in the spring — and I don’t like of slow-moving groups of tourists, just mean the return of green leaves to I’ve never actually seen the cherry blosthe trees or this year’s impending inva- soms, but I hear they’re also kind of nice.

Start a new exercise regimen. It’s beausion of the 17-year cicadas. (It’s a real

tiful outside! Run to the monuments and beyond! Train for a 10K! For the less ambitious (e.g., me), bike rides are lovely, too.

Alternatively, explore neighborhoods and places you’ve never been before by experimenting your way through The Washington Post’s restaurant list. I’m partial to the “Best Milkshakes,” “Best Cheese Plates” and “Best Burgers” sections.

Leave D.C. entirely since spring weekends provide the best opportunity.

Take a Zipcar for a mini roadtrip. Go backpacking or rafting with Outdoor Ed. Visit a friend at another school. You might miss out on some reading, but you won’t regret it.

Of course, little else compares to the simple joys of a good book, some music, a few friends and a picnic on Healy Beach. Here’s to hoping that by the time this is published, the world has righted itself and that’s where you are reading this now.

Audrey Wilson is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. CULTURE SHOCK appears every other Friday in the guide.

3.15.13 | the guide | 5

Reaching a Higher Ground guadalupe fernandez Photo Essay Contest Winner Last summer, I rode my bike across the country along with three friends from high school to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The trek was in honor of my then-boyfriend’s mother, who had recently passed away due to leukemia. Having no cycling experience whatsoever, we agreed to take the trip of our lives self-supported and call the adventure “Momma Henry’s Trek Across America.” We rode from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge to my front door in Chicago and finished in Georgetown’s Healy Circle. Needless to say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

I wish I could sum up those 72 days with every detail, but I can’t. Just imagine pedalling a 90-pound supply-loaded bike, for an average of eight hours a day — up and down dozens of mountains, on highly transited highways, in the desert, on dirt trails, in the snow, in the rain, in the sun.

And all without any cycling experience.

I learned that you don’t need those fancy Clif energy shots to climb mountains. I had nothing but water (not even lunch) and climbed Boulder Mountain in 2.5 hours.

I learned that heat stroke is no joke. Two days of dehydration took its toll on my body — before I realized the shape I was in, I found myself sprawled next to the highway after two hours I don’t remember. Water is so valuable. It’s rough when, on some of these highways, you don’t have

access to water for over a day’s worth of biking.

Above all, I learned to never doubt the kindness of other people. Along the way, our hosts and even complete strangers reached out and supported us.

The journey made me fall in love with this country and has taught me that it is more exotic than I thought, from the mountains of northern California to the old rail tracks of Missouri and back to D.C. If you think road trips are great, imagine going 10 times more slowly. You notice every detail on the road, in the sky and of the landscape.

It was not easy, but I did it — and I think anyone can, too. I was knocked down a lot on this trip. My bike broke down, I suffered a family tragedy in the first week and spent all my savings and the money from selling my car on food, supplies and repairs. I went through heat exhaustion, snow, hail, bugs, several days without showers, falls, not being able to communicate with the outside world and having no access to a toilet. But I have had some great feelings of accomplishment. There’s nothing like earning a break after reaching your goal for the day or the feeling of zooming down the top of a summit that took hours to pedal up. It makes water taste more delicious, sleep feel so much better and talking to my family and friends so much more valuable. That’s what made the end of this journey so much sweeter.

food&drink

DC on rye

Curing a Sandwich Leave Mai Thai Behind Hangover With PB&J ENG GIN MOE Special to The Hoya

T

hai food has been a staple in my life, from that served at the large, ornate restaurant in my hometown of Yangon, Myanmar to the small, loud and homey eatery nestled under the subway tracks in Queens. When I first tasted Mai Thai, I was worried that its unauthentic, mediocre and expensive dishes were all I would taste for the near future. However, my fears were proven wrong when I discovered Thaiphoon in Dupont Circle.

Surprisingly, the same company owns both Mai Thai and Thaiphoon, but the quality of the food at Thaiphoon knocks the food at Mai Thai out of the park. Located just a few blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro Station, Thaiphoon boasts a warm and welcoming atmosphere in a modern, sleek glass building.

I consider Thaiphoon to be one of my favorite restaurants in Washington, D.C., and it is often my go-to restaurant for a casual meal when my friends and family are visiting; it is also a great location for parties and events.

What makes this place even better is that it is truly a hidden gem. Even during peak dinner times, the restaurant is never completely full, making it pretty easy to secure a table, so reservations aren’t required. The service is prompt and friendly, which adds to the overall friendly ambience.

Thaiphoon is reminiscent of my favorite Thai restaurants. The menu is traditional, with favorites such as spring rolls, hot and sour soup and steamed dumplings. More unique — but still noteworthy — dishes are available, such as the honey ginger duck, a half roasted duck served in a ginger sauce with shitake mushrooms,

ENG GIN MOE FOR THE HOYA

THE REAL DEAL Thaiphoon trumps usual favorites with a truly authentic experience.

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 THAIPHOON 2011 S St. NW cuisine: Thai price: $$$$ scallions and steamed spinach and the Bangkok Sea Breeze — a combination of shrimps, scallops, squids and mussels, stir-fried with celery, onion, scallions and egg in a yellow curry sauce.

The food is equally praiseworthy. Apart from it being relatively inexpensive, meaning that is a great option to get away from Leo’s for, it is both delicious and plentiful. I usually find myself struggling to finish my plate but always end up doing so just because I can’t bear to have wasted any.

A necessary appetizer at any Thai restaurant and something I always make sure to order when I go to Thaiphoon is the papaya salad. The salad is a beautiful arrangement of julienne green papaya, roasted peanuts, tomatoes, carrots and string beans in a spicy, light dressing. My only complaint about this dish is that it could have been more plentiful, but the low price is reflective of the portion given.

For my main dish, I usually order the Pad Thai or the Drunken Noodle. I firmly believe that the true test of a Thai restaurant is how good their Pad Thai is, since it is probably one of the most well-known Thai dishes and therefore usually held to relatively lower standards. Whenever I visit a new Thai venue, I usually order it to see whether or not I will return to that restaurant. Fortunately, Thaiphoon passed with high marks. My second test is how much I enjoy their Drunken Noodle, and my expectations were once again surpassed. The Drunken Noodle is made of wide rice noodles sauteed with meat and mixed with chili, basil leaves and tomatoes. For those who are not big fans of noodles or are on a gluten-free diet, the lemongrass chicken is a dish my mother swears by.

Thaiphoon is a place to bring friends and family to bond over a mutual appreciation for good food. Whatever the occasion, Thaiphoon reminds me of both of my homes and allows me to share my passion for Thai food with the people I have met here.

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topping at Stachowski’s for but when I was ready to eat again, something delicious to eat on I wanted to go to a place where I my way back to Georgetown could eat in a comfortable setting, from Dupont Circle has become a at a reasonable price and where the small tradition for me. If you’ve read food was made from decent, quality my previous columns, you’ve heard ingredients. In short, I needed the about the epic Four-Meat Grinder. least abrasive eating experience pos(I won’t go into the details again.) sible. I could not tell you why that Last week, after a quick trip to the place was Leo’s.

Leo’s surprised me that day.

Dupont Circle area, I stopped by the P Street delicatessen for another When I walked downstairs, I was exsandwich — this time, one with pas- pecting the worst. After two years at boarding school and now one year trami.

Stachowski’s is, above all, a butch- at Georgetown, I have learned this er shop. I am consistently impressed universal rule to institutional dinthat every smoky, sweet or spicy ing halls: the simpler, the better. The flavor in each sandwich is carefully best Leo’s experiences of my time engineered behind the store’s classic here have been the simplest. Think butcher shop counter. Smells of pas- Chicken Finger Thursdays, pepperotrami wafted from the open kitchen, ni pizzas or what I propose to be the and my heart rate sped when the newest addition to the list: peanut butter, jelly and Rice sandwich-maker handKrispies sandwiches. ed me the signature The beauty of a PB&J white paper-wrapped is the flavor — pure, bundle of flavor and deunadulterated and liciousness. I brought it classic in every way. home, excited to write about what I imagined DavidChardack The dense, oily peanut butter contrasts with a would be a phenomthin, sweet layer of jelly so that the enal sandwich.

I hit a brick wall. Weighing in at flavors harmonize and complement about two pounds, Stachowski’s pas- each other perfectly. Decades of extrami sandwich was — and I can’t perimentation have resulted in a believe I’m even writing this — too truly timeless sandwich. Leo’s — an much. It was piled so high with institution usually associated with pastrami that taking each bite was culinary shenanigans as opposed almost painful. As my stomach filled, to innovations — left me pleasantly my pace slowed, and after a few min- surprised.

The addition of Rice Krispies ceutes, the mustard began to seep into the pumpernickel bread, making the real added just the right amount sandwich soggy and difficult to eat. I of texture. As a sandwich whose was only halfway through it when I ingredients are best described as grew so fatigued that I collapsed on creamy and mushy, adding something crunchy was a nice change my bed in a food coma.

I woke up four hours later. The of pace. Chewing the sandwich was mustard from my face had rubbed so much more palatable, as the senoff onto my pillow, my contacts sory combination of chewing the infelt dislodged and uncomfortable dividual Rice Krispies was a pleasant in my eyes, the taste of pastrami addition to the gooey sea of peanut lingered in my mouth and the butter. To boot, the intense (and classcent of Stachowski’s seemed em- sic) flavors of the peanut butter and bedded onto my skin. I was nause- jelly were not even slightly adulterated, my head throbbed and my ated by the mild taste of the cereal.

Somehow, the folks at Leo’s have knees trembled.

It was pretty much a sandwich made an ageless sandwich even more delicious and fun to eat but hangover.

If Stachowski’s could start my without adding any burdensome fascination with Washington, D.C. complications. I’m jealous I didn’t sandwiches, this experience proved come up with the idea myself. that Stachowski’s certainly had the power to take it away — or at least to David Chardack is a freshman in deter it for a day or two. I, of course, the College. DC ON RYE appears was not hungry for another day, every other Friday in the guide.

arts&entertainment HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Students Shine in Controversial Play Lindsay lee Hoya Staff Writer

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ince its release in 2006, the musical “Spring Awakening” has brought controversy to the stage and left amazed audiences in its wake. These aren’t your typical showtunes, and these aren’t your traditional Broadway themes or plot. And with performances starting this Thursday, Mask & Bauble is staging this unconventional Tony Award-nominated musical in the Davis Performing Arts Center.

“Spring Awakening” is a rock musical

by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, complete with handheld microphones and dry ice. It is based on the 1891 German play by the same name and openly discusses controversial topics, such as abortion, masturbation, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide, using soulful ballads, angsty group numbers and poignant dialogue. As you can imagine, these were not easy themes to deal with for collegeaged actors, but the cast pulled it off with incredible maturity and a staggering level of talent. This is made even more impressive by the fact that two of the most difficult roles are taken on by freshmen: Olivia Duff (COL ’16) and Andrew Walker (SFS ’16), who play Wendla Bergman and Moritz Stiefel, respectively.

“Spring Awakening is a coming-of-age story, but it is presented from the perspective and in the language of the adolescents

[who] are coming of age, not their adult ‘oppressors’” Walker said. “The process has been emotionally draining, but you know how important the work you’re doing is and how important it is to tell these characters’ stories, and you just push through it.”

Both of these freshmen give stellar performances despite the difficulties these roles pose. The emphasis of the show is on the troubled and complex characters, which is a trial that director Hannah Hauer-King (COL ’14) was more than ready to handle.

“Character work for this process was challenging but even more so exciting,” Hauer-King said. “It is important not to vilify or simplify any of the characters within the piece. Even the adults who are the source of the children’s anxiety and distress must be seen as tragic characters, a product of a society that limits expression and intimacy.”

Acting opposite Duff and Walker, John Roach (COL ’13) portrays the role of the misunderstood Melchior with an authenticity that is sure to break hearts in multiple scenes.

“Every character is integral in telling this story, and that is a testament to the incredible actors we have working on this show and [Hauer-King’s] brilliant direction,” says Walker.

ALL THAT’S KNOWN The play examines the variety of struggles of a group of students growing up in sexually and intellectually repressive late nineteenth-century Germany.

Kyle O’Donnell (COL ’14), who undertakes the role of Hanschen, echoed these thoughts and described his own character as a self-important, driven and snarky individual. This character poses several unique challenges that stem from his sexual confusion.

“I think the characters excite me most about the work. The characters are com-

ALL PHOTOS ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

FORBIDDEN THOUGHTS Andrew Walker (SFS ’16) and John Roach (COL ’13), pictured left, take on the roles of troubled, sexually curious teenagers Moritz and Melchior. Olivia Duff (COL ’16), pictured right with Roach, plays the innocent Wendla.

plicated and complex — children on the brink of adulthood,” O’Donnell said.

“We can all relate to their struggles with sexuality, love and familial relationships. Hannah has been extraordinary in being our leader through this complicated work.”

Though the space in Poulton is small, the tech crew has made excellent use of their resources with intricate moving panels and several platforms stationed around the stage to create levels. Just as one actor is used to portray many different roles in this production, the pieces of scenery are equally versatile. The proximity of the audience to the stage doesn’t seem to faze the actors, and one may find oneself staring directly into the face of an outraged German teenager during any one of the large group numbers or feel the gust of wind as a cast member rushes on stage from their entrance behind you.

The production team was incredibly resourceful and the fact that the show encompasses the whole theater really amplifies the experience for the audience members.

“Spring Awakening” will take place on Stage III in Poulton Hall April 4 to 6 at 8 p.m., April 7 at 2 p.m. and April 10 to 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for general admission and will be available at performingarts.georgetown.edu.

4.5.13 | the guide | 9

arts&entertainment

What Ever Happened to the Strokes?

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he Strokes’ straightforward guitar riffs, catchy choruses and distorted vocals somehow complement whatever mood I may find myself in. I’ve worn out the songs on Is This It and Room on Fire studying for finals since high school.

I guess that early infatuation with the band’s easy, frank rock is what makes me eagerly anticipate each time it releases a new album. But lately, the Strokes purist in me has only begrudgingly incorporated its new singles onto my Spotify playlists.

Angles, released in 2011, should have been an indication of the new direction the Strokes were headed in, but even then, the band didn’t lose the most important characteristics of its sound. “Call Me Back” was practically bossa nova, but it maintained the characteristic vocal roughness of lead singer Julian Casablancas.

My first thoughts on the newest album, Comedown Machine, were very confused. I was unsettled by Casablancas’ new obsession with high-pitched falsetto.

“Tap Out,” the first song on the album, starts out with piercing guitar and agitated synth. It has an ’80s New Wave feel, especially once the airy vocals begin. The chorus brings a hint of the old sound.

Overall, it introduces an album that’s ,with muffled vocals and dreamy guitar. a light, upbeat change from the usual But “50/50” resurrects the album, and was the one song I felt 100 percent about, Strokes tunes.

“All the Time” begins with clear guitar signaling a change for the better. “50/50” strumming and Casablancas’ open vo- starts off strong with Is This It-like guitar cals. His singing sometimes becomes riffs and the Casablancas sound I’m so musically pleasant, familiar with. Sanddrunken muttering papery vocals come but manages to arback with straightticulate a memoraforward lyrics and ble chorus — “You’re a catchy beat. “Slow livin’ a lie/ You’re Animals” is another THE STROKES living too fast.” The success that incorother members of porates the Strokes’ Comedown Machine the band show off new sound.

A their skills with inclipped chorus adds triguing solos that dimension to this compete with the vocal jumps for at- otherwise laidback, almost jazzy track. tention. With “One Way Trigger,” we’re “Partners in Crime” features twanging back to New Wave — frenzied synth guitar and steady drumming that are and a breathy, high-pitched falsetto that a successfully fresh take on the band’s end up sounding a little schizophrenic. characteristic sound — staccato vocals The song “’80s Comedown Machine” that sound like they came through a puts the breaks on the momentum radio crescendo into broad, staggering the album was building up by just be- phrases — and it has an unforgettable ing sort of average, with atmospheric, bridge. “Happy Ending” mimics this echoic percussion and speech-like vo- in a pleasant yet unremarkable way. cals. The last song on the album, “Call “Chances” finally gets the New Wave emIt Fate, Call It Karma,” is similarly off ulation right by balancing spacey synth

SHEENA KARKAL Hoya Staff Writer

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THESTRUT.COM

UNSENSATIONAL SOUNDS The Strokes’ fail to pull off new musical stylings. with light percussion and simple, fastpaced guitar notes. The vocals are also relatively dazed-sounding, but this time, Casablancas’ falsetto is less breathy and not as unsettling as in other tracks.

Overall, this album has a few gems worthy of the Strokes’ reputation for quality rock like “50/50,” “Slow Animals,” “Partners in Crime” and “Chances.” It attempts to revamp its tone with some inspiration from the ‘80s, but it rarely pulls off the synthesis of its old and new styles.

life plugged in

Celebrating Thirty Years of Red Hot Music

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ost people have one or two personal heroes — people that they look up to as figures to admire and emulate. Up until a year ago, this was the case for me, too; however, now I can safely say I have at least seven heroes — five of whom are musicians, the other two being Theodore Geisel and my grandfather. Now, this may seem strange because I myself am not a musician at all (unless I’m alone in the car) but these artists have been able to speak to me through their music and inspire me in so many ways. All five — Thom York of Radiohead, Björk and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary (better known as Flea) and John Frusciante — have been transformative in both my musical taste and larger world view, but the latter three figures have had huge impacts on my life, not only through their music but also through their personas and life stories.

I’ve been a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan for as long as I can remember. While I was too young to remember the release of One Hot Minute in 1995, their megablockbuster album Californication, in

10 | the guide | 4.5.13

1999, is one of my earliest memories discography and read Scar Tissue, Anof enjoying music made for adults thony Kiedis’ 2004 autobiography.

This decision was one of the more and not the under-10 population. (Although let’s be real: “Hit Me Baby One important ones of my life. Through More Time” was great.) I didn’t have reading it, I truly gained a grasp of the wits to really understand how the the deep and meaningful music these music scene worked when I was seven guys were producing. Knowing the ins (I was behind, I know), so when they re- and outs of their formation and lineleased the highly successful By the Way up over the years, of Kiedis and Flea’s shared childhood and of the three years later, my feeble struggles and problems they 10-year-old mind didn’t quite all faced throughout their make all the connections careers really connected me that this was the same band to the band on a deep level.

— even though my dad had Instead of just hearing some purchased their greatest hits random kids screaming and album. However, there was a turning point in my life in ZachGordon jumping around in their early years, I hear the crazy, 2006, when the band’s first number-one album, Stadium Arcadi- wild lives they lived. I hear the pain um, dropped and its lead single, “Dani of their losses and also their struggles California,” took over the world. I fell with both love and addiction. Knowing in love with the song and, now able to real stories and emotions that put their actually appreciate bands, rediscovered music in context really opened up my all of the older RHCP material I used to eyes to the incredible power it has to aflove so much. A few years later, after fect me.

These three men have lived such inhaving toned down my RHCP fandom for a few years, I decided to revisit this credible lives and produced such potent band that had such a large role in my music for the past 30 years. From their childhood. I went back through their earlier, punk style to their melodic funk

tracks, this is a band that has really made an impact. Through their music and their private lives, they’ve advocated for a freeness of living and an enjoyment of life — something I think everyone can agree with. Picking 15 songs to define this band kills me a little inside, but if I had to choose, I’d narrow down my choices to this selection.

“Around the World” “Give it Away” “Power of Equality” “Fight Like a Brave” “Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky” “Funky Monks” “Scar Tissue” “Quixoticelixer” “Dosed” “Can’t Stop” “Minor Thing” “Charlie” “21st Century” “Desecration Smile” “Did I Let You Know” Zach Gordon is a sophomore in the College. LIFE PLUGGED IN appears every other Friday in the guide.

arts&entertainment

Tyler Creates New Sound DANNY FUNT Hoya Staff Writer

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abelmates have described the scene at a Tyler, The Creator music video as follows: One minute, the rapper/director is going over instructions or staring stoically into the playback monitor, the next minute, he is yelling off-color jokes fit for the fourth-grade playground.

This cross between focus and flippancy — and, more generally, the musician’s struggle with honest artistry and the awkwardness that can follow — is evident from the opening lines of Tyler’s latest album, Wolf. A dreamy melody in the title track leads to a chorus of “f - - - you,” and with that begins a performance that reinforces the reputation of one of hip-hop’s most polarizing young stars.

The Los Angeles rap collective Odd Future gained notoriety in 2010 for wild antics coupled with impressive musicianship. Tyler, The Creator was the mastermind of this movement, and his April 2 release of Wolf is a test of whether the group’s hype will flame out or bring longevity.

Although Tyler’s third studio album belongs in the rap genre, the 22-year-old adamantly reTYLER, THE jects the “rapper” label. Tyler’s selfWolf produced Wolf reflects the diversity of his musical influence, and the result is an experimental hit or miss. Some will note the album’s severe discontinuity, others will praise its ambition at a time when much of rap is drearily formulaic.

Wolf likely lacks a likely radio hit, and much of the album is better suited for headphones than party speakers. Tyler’s sound is an acquired taste: critics find it raw and simplistic, fans appreciate the creativity of rap lyrics over piano chords and neo-jazz. Tyler has expressed concern over how this mellowed sound will affect his rambunctious concerts. The real question isn’t whether a talented performer can adjust, but whether his audience can.

Tyler is at a lyrical crossroads. He is in many ways an overgrown kid only a few years removed from obscurity, yet while Wolf delves into issues like loneliness and loss it is noticeably less dark than its predecessors, Goblin and Bastard. The album is a break from Tyler’s concept-album trilogy about a therapy session, with the psychiatrist leaving Tyler in Wolf to con-

Gory Horror Remake Refreshes Original Film HUNTER MAIN Hoya Staff Writer

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PITCHFORK.COM

CRYING WOLF Tyler has largely left his vulgar Odd Future sound behind. front two alter egos. Although the album’s plot is hard to follow, it allows Tyler’s softer side to emerge.

Gone in Wolf are the lyrics about rape and murder from his earlier works that were accurately labeled “horrorcore,” and in their place are gentle tunes about bicycles, tree houses and romance. Granted, Tyler is still emotionally distraught, but it stems more from challenges of fame than the struggle to get noCREATOR ticed.

Guest appearances are mostly limited to the Odd Future crew, including Grammy-winning singer Frank Ocean, who is regrettably limited on Wolf to a few easy-to-miss vocals. An exception is the collaboration with Pharrell on “Ifhy,” for which Tyler directed one of the most bizarre and creative rap music videos in recent memory.

The gem of the album is “Answer,” a touching track about Tyler’s deadbeat father, recently deceased grandmother and a distant unknown lover.

His longing for these people to pick up their phone is a startling theme for someone known for irreverence, and the slowness and vulnerability of the song make it a standout on Wolf.

Tyler, The Creator has two critically acclaimed albums, a television show and a VH1 Video Music Award, yet he is still obscure to most music fans.

His fan base will savor Wolf and the mainstream won’t hear it — a rough situation for someone pigeonholed as hip-hop and desperate to branch out.

Wolf is a daring venture for Tyler, and the result is artistically successful but without broad appeal. The former, he has said, is all Tyler really wanted.

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nlike The Texas Chainsaw Massacre even falling from the sky. While the amount series, whose endless number of is clearly unrealistic, it doesn’t distract from sequels had already run it into the the more visceral and more disgusting — ground by the time an ill-conceived reboot though hardly more understated — mutihit theaters earlier this year, the Evil Dead lations of the characters’ bodies. Evil Dead movies seemed sacred. A trilogy of ground- doesn’t play these for laughs by any stretch breaking, increasingly humorous films that of the imagination, and some of the mutilaestablished the reputable career of its direc- tions are indeed terrifying, but in a horror tor, Sam Raimi of Spider-Man fame, and cult climate where unseen violence rules, some status of its star, Bruce Campbell, the films’ moments can come across as corny. signature blend of hardcore gore and irrevWhat’s most impressive about Evil Dead, erent absurdity was deemed untouchable however, is how the best scares happen in by anyone else. the least bloody scenes. When the demons It’s a good thing the new Evil Dead didn’t switch to their vessels’ voices and personalities in a final plea for penance (a tactic even try.

Despite its being produced by Raimi and ripped straight from the originals), the charCampbell, this remake is its own animal. acters’ predictably letting down their guard First-time director Fede Alvarez played the is understandable rather than infuriating.

Unlike that of its concept straight — predecessor, the a bunch of kids in setup of Evil Dead the woods, dying at the hands of a is meaty enough demon summoned to justify its characEVIL DEAD from a mysterious ters’ actions and restarring: Jane Levy, Shiloh book, similar to lationships; instead the first Evil Dead, of a carefree college Fernandez, Jessica Lucas and he made the vacation, the purright choice in not pose of the trip to attempting to ape the playful charm and the remote cabin is to help the protagonist’s humor of the sequels. (It can be argued that sister, Mia (played with gusto by Jane Levy), last year’s The Cabin in the Woods was in quit heroin. The gravity of the situation, fact a homage to Evil Dead II — and a more- even before the demons wreak havoc, comthan-adequate one at that). Lead actor Shi- bined with Alvarez’s willingness to subvert loh Fernandez displays none of Campbell’s expectations creates more tension than is over-the-top charm, but he doesn’t need to usually found in most films that are this re— his blandness is a better fit for this type lentlessly bloody.

The script has some problems when of movie.

This doesn’t mean that the movie forgets characters interact post-possession, and its forefathers entirely. Although the details the film, unlike the originals, doesn’t come of its plot differ drastically from The Evil close to transcending its genre, but it would Dead, the movie is full of references to the be unfair to expect it to do so. In his first originals, whether obvious (a sinister tree, feature, Alvarez has done what has recently a weaponized chainsaw) or more subtle (a seemed less and less possible: successfully soon-to-be detached hand), and the claus- remake a classic horror film. trophobic camera work — though modern and smooth — is true to the inventive style of the originals. Cameras still rush through the forest to represent the impending demonic forces, and characters still bleed like they were attached to fire hydrants.

And the blood. A far cry from its brual but clinical treatment in the torture porn genre popular during the mid-2000s and relative nonexistence in the PG-13-rated movies most often produced today, blood is everyROTTENTOMATOES.COM where in Evil Dead: caked on faces, expelled BLOODY FANTASTIC The new Evil Dead from mouths, streaming from limbs and remake is chock full of gore.

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4.5.13 | the guide | 11

bestbets

30 stories above — charlie long

on campus

Zero Dark Thirty Friday & Saturday April 5 & 6, 8 pm & 11 pm ICC Auditorium

The Georgetown Program Board presents Zero Dark Thirty. The film follows Maya (Jessica Chastain), a CIA Operative dedicating her life to seeking out and gaining intelligence on Osama Bin Laden, and leads up to his historic hunt and death by Navy SEAL Team 6 in May 2011.

Find out why this thriller was nominated for five Academy Awards.

spring kickoff concert: calvin harris Saturday April 6, 8 pm mcdonough arena

Calvin Harris will be just as good a bet as any to fill Wiz Khalifa’s shoes when the Scottish DJ takes over McDonough Arena Saturday night. Harris, best known for smash hits like “Feel So Close,” headlines a lineup that’s also set to feature Matt Goldman, DJ Drowzy and Manufactured Superstars.

Hindu student association Holi Festival Sunday April 7, 1:30PM Copley Lawn

As one of the most festive Hindu holidays, Holi marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter. Holi is religiously significant and tells the story of young Prahlad’s devotion and piety to Lord Vishnu. Even if you don’t know the history of Holi, come out and celebrate with great food and friends for a fun and cultural experience.

2013 Samuel dash conference on human rights monday, April 8, 9:30 am gewirz student center at gu law CENTER

Academics and policymakers will lead this series of conversations and debates Monday at GU Law Center, with the role of the International Criminal Court a central topic. Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first prosecutor for the ICC, will be the day’s keynote speaker.

around town saturday

friday

sunday

This engrossing performance from artist Iona Rozeal Brown will transpose elements of her art into a live dance, which incorporates elements of kabuki and noh theater, hip-hop and vogueing. In addition to being an engaging chorographical display, the show will also incorporate live musical accompaniment, which is sure to further confound and entertain audiences.

Participate in the culmination of the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the fireworks show tomorrow evening.

There will be three performance venues, each with live musical performances, as well as water-related festivities to celebrate spring in the District. Sure to be a fantastic capstone for a week of celebration, the waterfront fireworks show is worth a look, even if only from a distance.

For all lovers of Japanese culture and even just those looking for a little more international cultural enrichment, Sunday’s stone lantern lighting ceremony is sure to be a must-visit. Partially sponsored by the National Park Service, the celebration will be more than just a tribute to traditional Japanese culture, as choral groups and the Japanese ambassador are also slated to appear.

WHERE: Corcoran Gallery of Art WHEN: 7 p.m.

INFO: battleofyestermore.eventbrite.com PRICE: Free METRO: Farragut North

WHERE: Southwest Waterfront WHEN: 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

INFO: nationalcherryblossomfestival.org PRICE: Free METRO: Metro Center

WHERE: 15th Street SW and Ohio Drive WHEN: 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

INFO: statesocieties.org PRICE: Free METRO: Chinatown

ryan bacic & JERROD MACFARLANE Hoya Staff Writers

COVER PHOTO BY GUADALUPE FERNANDEZ