DU Clarion Volume 124 Issue 14

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VOLUME 124, ISSUE 14

SMITH-ARAGON ELECTED USG PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

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On April 28, Morgan Smith and Darylann Aragon were elected as president and vice president of USG

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MONTGOMERY IN THE PROFESSIONAL LIGHT

COULD PUBLIC TUITION IN COLORADO BE FREE?

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CHERRY CRICKET IS BACK 8 AND BETTER THAN EVER pa g e

“THE HANDMAID’S TALE:” A FAITHFUL ADAPTATION

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| NEWS

President of College Republicans resigns

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n the midst of Undergraduate Student Government (USG) elections that took place during the week of April 23, one of DU’s student organizations faced internal conflict resulting in the resignation of the president, who served just six days.

Former President Dustin Weilbach released a letter of resignation to his fellow College Republicans and the Clarion on April 26, the night of the USG debate.

College Republicans did not respond for a statement.

Founded in 1892, College Republicans is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most active student organizations.

DU College Republicans hold meetings every Thursday in Room 214 of Margery Reed Hall at 6:30 p.m.

More information will be released online as it becomes available.

Sasha Kandrach | News Editor

ABOUT US

Photo courtesy of Connor W. Davis

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

JOHN POE, Editor-in-Chief RYAN NINESLING, Executive Editor SASHA KANDRACH, News Editor BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED, Sports Editor The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.”

Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion.

Reproduction of The Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of The Clarion is prohibited. The opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation.

The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.

HOW TO JOIN

The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the Driscoll Underground. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.

GRACE CARSON, Opinions Editor SYDNEY KAPP, Lifestyles Editor MADELINE ZANN, Entertainment Editor DUSTIN AMICK, Photo/Video Editor TARYN ALLEN, Copy Editor MADISON HELLER, Copy Editor OLIVIA HYDE, Social Media Director ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser

CONTRIBUTING STAFF CLAIRE BOGGS JUSTIN CYGAN GRACE HOUSER RUTH HOLLENBACK NICOLE JOHNSON DREW KORT DANIEL LORENZO CHRIS LUGG ANNMARIE MARLOW MAYA PIÑON DANIELA SANTOS TAYLOR SIENKIEWICZ ISAAC VARGAS

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NEWS

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DU Service & Change hosts fifth annual Day of Action

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U Service & Change (DUSC), a student organization dedicated to “engaging the DU community in diverse opportunities that facilitate positive change for the greater public good,” held its Fifth Annual Day of Action on Saturday, April 29. The Day of Action, hosted on DU’s campus, provides a day-long college experience for Colorado elementary school students and their families, to provide the opportunity for students to learn more about college.

The event was led by 78 DU

students who volunteered to help with the event by leading tours around campus and answering questions. Furthermore, 11 student organizations hosted demonstrations about their groups and what they do on campus.

Despite the snow, 176 elementary students and 149 parents attended the event, from Johnson Elementary, Cheltenham Elementary and Greenwood Academy.

Ashley Edinger, president of DUSC, spoke as to why she believes having this event is so important. “As a first-generation

college student, it was incredible to take a larger role in the 5th Annual Day of Action,” Edinger said. “There was a little boy who ran around during our lunch time activities dressed in a giant bowtie and goofy glasses, and his smile made everything worth it.”

She continued, “For these students and parents, Day of Action gives them an idea that college could be an option for them, despite the fact that most of these students are from demographic groups highly underrepresented in higher education. When I was

growing up, I never thought I would make it to college. When you come from a group that’s underrepresented in higher education, it’s hard to see yourself in college, to see that college is a possibility, and that you are worthy of going to college. That’s what this day is all about. Making sure these students and parents know that they belong in college, and that we want to help them get there if that’s the path they would like to journey.”

Grace Carson | Opinions Editor

Photo courtesy of Lai He

People’s Climate March calls for change

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Photo courtesy of The Denver Channel

n April 29, The People’s Climate March took place in different locations across the country as people marched as a call for political action on climate change and environmental destruction across the world.

California, New York, Massachusetts and many other states played host to countless people marching, but the chapter that garnered the most national attention was Washington D.C., where thousands attended. Inclement weather conditions heavily stifled participation in the Colorado sister march, but hundreds still showed on Saturday morning to gather in Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.

The People’s Climate March occurred nationwide for many reasons.

Only one week before was Earth Day (April 22), a celebration of the planet, and its accompanying March for Science across the country.

As a public rally and march, it was working off the success of the original People’s Climate March in New York City in September. The rally was also fueled by the passion ignited at the Women’s March in January,

which, according to The Washington Post, was “likely the largest single-day demonstration in recorded U.S. history.”

Quartz Media shared that this weekend’s People’s Climate March was significantly more political than those of a similar nature in the past. Not only did the march purposefully coincide with President Trump’s first 100 days in office, but many participants in Washington D.C. marched passionately to the White House, directly addressing the Trump Administration.

In recent days, according to CNN, President Trump has continued to sign Executive Orders that cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and encourage further oil drilling and roll back environmental regulations from the Obama Administration.

The People’s Climate March gained national attention for environmental threats and has continued the trend of increased progressive liberal activism. .since President Trump entered office.

Taryn Allen | Copy Editor

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SMITH-ARAGON ELECTED TO USG

Photo courtesy of Cam Welch Photography

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week after campaigning for all Undergraduate Student Government (USG) positions began, President-elect Morgan Smith and Vice President-elect Darylann Aragon were both exhausted and desperately in need of a nap. However, their excitement to transition into their new roles radiated off of them, despite the campaign fatigue. While the USG election cycle only spanned over the week of April 23, the process of planning their campaign and writing their platform had occurred for months, finally culminating in their win and opportunity to move forward with their new administration.

“Over the past few months, we sat down multiple times a week . . . and that’s where conversations with student leaders came about and meeting with athletes and fraternity and sorority leaders and LLC freshmen and everyone in between came in,” said Smith, a public policy and economics double major with a minor in leadership.

Before that could even happen, both of them had to decide to even be interested in running. Even though Smith and Aragon have been involved on campus vis a vis multiple organizations for the past few years, neither of them had really considered executive administration to be a possibility until this year.

After returning from study abroad, both became involved with student leaders on campus who encouraged them to run. They were

Photo courtesy of Cam Welch Photography

Photo courtesy of Cam Welch Photography

also inspired to contribute in any way they could to being part of the solution after witnessing the events occuring on campus during Fall Quarter from afar.

The two have known each other since they were freshmen, but have grown closer through their conversations about policy and their mutual love of DU, culminating in each planning to ask the other to be the other’s running mate.

“At the end of the day, I think it was just both of us knowing how much we love this place,” Aragon said. Aragon is majoring in international business with minors in sociolegal studies and leadership.

“To have seen from abroad what was happening on campus and what the climate looked like here, we said we need to step up and do something about this.”

Smith and Aragon’s platform revolves around four major tenets: student voice and presence, community unity and inclusivity, campus reform and placing DU at the heart of Denver. Each principle is backed up with specific policy solutions, including creating a Leaders Assembly made up of all leaders and presidents of student organizations, recognizing the Joint Council of Student Alliances, creating a student advocacy team in conjunction with the Sturm College of Law and working with the administration to connect DU to the greater Denver community.

“Every moment was calculated in the sense that we weren’t going

to offer an idea without a solution,” Aragon said. “That’s the way Morgan and I work best and that’s the way we want our Senate to work. We can complain and we can crowdsource and we can think about ideas, but none of that solves problems. Finding solutions and testing them is what does, so that was critical in the way we wrote our platform.”

The Leaders Assembly—which is one of their solutions for increasing student presence in USG—in particular is Smith and Aragon’s first priority after being sworn in during week seven. The plan is for the Assembly to meet the first time during week eight as a precursor to next year’s meetings. That, along with appointing their cabinets and deciding senators to oversee committees, is the goal for the last few weeks of the school year.

Moving into next year, their top priorities besides the Leaders Assembly are working on the student advocacy team and getting the ball rolling on a conversation surrounding DU’s mascot as early as possible.

DU, of course, has been without a mascot for a number of years and both expect that conversation to not only be controversial, but lengthy.

The student advocacy team is inspired by American University’s student advocacy center and would act as a resource for students navigating any part of DU’s legal or conduct system, including Title IX. While their platform is full of legislative specifics, the underlying current is involving students and

creating a place passionate students to make change.

“I want every student on this campus to have an answer to the question , ‘What does USG do?’ I want every student on this campus to know that, and that requires everything we’ve laid out in our platform,” Smith said. “It’s about elevating students and their solutions to campus issues and events and understanding that USG is our hub on campus, or should be, for student voice on our campus.”

Smith and Aragon will not be doing this alone. The duo will be joined by the 16 senators who were also elected in this cycle, as well as their appointed cabinet members and any other members of the student body who make their voices heard. As it will be a collaborative effort, Aragon wants to make sure that credit is given where credit’s due.

“We are the figureheads,” she said. “One of our biggest goals and my biggest goals is making sure that praise and thanks are given where they are due.”

Not every goal will be accomplished nor every problem fixed, but Smith and Aragon aim to effectively resolve as much as possible and to ensure that the solutions they create are sustainable past their tenure. For now, they’re just excited to get started and for their lives to calm down for at least a week before being sworn in.

Madeline Zann | Entertainment Editor

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SPORTS | 5

Pioneers down Marquette 18-6 in road victory

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he No. 2 DU Pioneers men’s lacrosse team extended their winning-streak to six, with a 18-6 victory over the University of Marquette Golden Eagles in the final game of the 2017 regular season on Saturday, April 29 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Freshman attack Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) dominated DU’s leaderboard with seven points on four goals and three assists. Sophomore midfielder Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch)

scored four goals. Senior captain and 2016 Tewaaraton finalist and 2017 Tewaaraton nominee Connor Cannizzaro (Cazenovia, New York) added a hat trick.

Denver (11-2, 6-0 BIG EAST) opened up the slate, outscoring (6-7, 2-4 BIG EAST) Marquette 4-2. Momentum carried over into the second quarter as senior midfielder Tyler Pace (Coquitlam, British Columbia) sparked a four-goal run for the Pioneers 51 seconds into the quarter. Denver would go

on to outscore the Golden Eagles 6-1 heading into intermission.

Marquette regrouped in the third quarter, slowing DU’s pace and exchanging two goals apiece.

Denver closed out the fourth quarter on another four-goal run, sparked

by Walker, to outscore the Golden Eagles 4-2 and clinch the “W”.

Tewaaraton nominee Trevor Baptiste (Denville, New Jersey) was successful with 18-of-26 faceoffs and scored one goal on the afternoon.

Sophomore goalie Alex Ready (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) made 12 saves during his 58 minutes between the pipes before he was substituted for freshman Josh Matte (Issaquah, Washington), who manned the final duration.

Denver will face Marquette for the second consecutive time in five days on Thursday, May 4 in Providence, R.I. in the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinal. Faceoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Sasha Kandrach | News Editor

Dustin Amick | Clarion

Korte, men’s golf record season-low scores

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he Denver men’s golf squad hit the road again, competing at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City on April 15-16. The tournament was held at the Finkbine Golf Course, a par 72 layout that plays 7,186 yards and includes a unique island green design for its par-3 13th hole. Competitors were scheduled to play 36 holes on Saturday and the final 18 on Sunday, but a weather delay on Saturday pushed the final holes of round two to Sunday.

Junior Chris Korte (Littleton, Colorado), despite unfavorable conditions, shot a round one even par and was two-under on his afternoon loop when the rain hit. He was in contention on the individual leaderboard going into day two.

“Today’s conditions were tough with the wind and some late rain,” Korte said late on Saturday.

“I felt great about today though, especially on the greens.”

Freshman Isaac Petersilie (Colorado Springs, Colorado) shot a one-over par 73 in the morning on Saturday and followed it up with a four-over 76 in round two.

Senior Petter Mikalsen (Stavanger, Norway) played a couple of solid rounds as well, shooting 73-74 and three-over par. He sat in a tie for 58th going into the final round.

After finishing up the last six holes of round two in even par on

Sunday morning, Korte was still within striking distance on the individual leaderboard.

The Pioneers turned in their lowest team score of the season in the final round of the invitational on Sunday. Collectively, the squad carded an even par 288, and this would catapult them to a finish in seventh position.

Junior Jake Kelly (Littleton, Colorado) was in red figures with a one-under par 71, and Korte and Mikalsen carded a pair of even par 72s. Petersilie wasn’t far behind shooting a solid one-over 73. Korte would finish in a tie for sixth individually, and this was his first top-10 finish this year. His three-round total was 214, two-under par.

“At one point we were six-under and it was great to see this team really get it going,” Head Coach Erik Billinger said. “Even par as a team today is impressive with how windy it was out there. I’m very proud of how focused they played.”

Solid contributions from the youngster Petersilie and continued veteran leadership from Mikalsen, Korte and Kelly have the team trending in the right direction as they head to Newton, Kansas to play in the Summit League Championship May 1-2.

Drew Kort | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of DU men’s tennis Facebook

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Jim Montgomery interviewing with Florida Panthers

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U hockey Head Coach Jim Montgomery’s services are in high demand in the hockey world, as the Pioneers’ bench boss is set to interview with the NHL’s Florida Panthers. After leading DU to the program’s eighth national championship in only his fourth season behind the bench, Montgomery’s winning pedigree is attracting professional-level attention.

It’s very rare that NCAA head coaches make the jump to the same position in the NHL, as it has only occurred three times before. After winning two championships in the USHL with the

Dubuque Fighting Saints and one in the NCAA with DU, Montgomery has the rare resume to do so.

“In life there are only so many opportunities, and you have to listen,” Montgomery told the Denver Post. “But it’s going to have to take the perfect situation for me to leave Denver. There is no indication from Florida that I’m their No. 1 guy — or No. 2 or No. 3 guy. I’m just going to sit and talk with them.”

Despite Montgomery signing a new five year contract with the Pioneers last summer, the pact includes an NHL “out” clause which frees the coach to pursue NHL level jobs.

The 2016-17 DU roster fea- own their rights. Gambrell was tured two Panthers prospects drafted by the San Jose Sharks in first-round freshman center in the second round, while Terry Henrik Borgstrom (Helsinki, Fin- was selected in the fifth round by land) and fifth-round senior goal- the Anaheim Ducks. tender Evan Cowley (Evergreen).

There may be no better time for If Montgomery accepted the Pan- Montgomery to capitalize on his thers job, or any other position coaching successes and advance outside of DU, Borgstrom and to the NHL ranks after building several other teammates would the Pioneers into champions once be hard-pressed to consider turn- again. However, the domino effect ing pro this offseason. surrounding current players and Sophomore talents Dylan prospective recruits alike, along Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Wash- with the absence of the program’s ington) and Troy Terry (High- leader in Montgomery, would be lands Ranch) would be prime a devastating blow. candidates to sign entry-level contracts with the NHL clubs that Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of DU men’s hockey Facebook

DU men’s tennis crowned Summit League champs

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he DU men’s tennis team captured the Summit League Championship for the fourth consecutive year when they defeated the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) 4-1 on April 29 in Indianapolis.

Denver earned the doubles point, as the combination of senior Diogo Rocha (Lisbon, Portugal) and junior Jesse Ruder-Hook (Denver), as well as the duo of freshman Pedro Fernandez Del Valle (Newport Beach, California) and Wyatt Lovera (Miami, Florida), each won their competitions 6-3.

The No. 87-ranked combination of seniors Alex Gasson (Alton, United Kingdom) and Yannik James (St. Georges, Grenada) was leading 5-4 when play was halted.

James was named Summit League Player of the Year for men’s tennis on April 27 after another excellent season in crimson and gold. Capping a legendary career, James finished his career undefeated in Summit League play, going 17-0 overall and 3-0

in 2017. He recorded a pair of No. 1 singles wins this season.

The Pioneers closed out the day quickly in the singles competition, only surrendering one point overall. Del Valle, Ruder-Hook and Rocha recorded victories, earning DU three more points to clinch the conference championship 4-1. Both Del Valle and Rocha earned wins in only two sets.

The accolades continued to pour in for DU, as Head Coach Ricardo Rubio took home Coach of the Year honors for the conference in only his second season with the program.

DU’s men’s tennis is still undefeated in the Summit League, posting a 28-0 all-time record in conference play. Denver is 13-12 overall this season and will play next in the 2017 NCAA Tournament by virtue of their conference title. The tournament will take place on May 18-29 in Athens, Georgia.

Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of DU men’s tennis Facebook

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SPORTS | 7

The Big Leagues: Broncos add speed in draft

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he Denver Broncos continued a busy 2017 off-season by selecting eight players in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Selecting six offensive standouts, Denver addressed several weaknesses which plagued the team in last year’s playoff-less season.

Round 1 (20), Garett Bolles, Offensive Tackle, University of Utah: Bolles possesses unique athleticism for an offensive tackle. Already 25 years old, he is an older rookie with less room to grow, but he is expected to be more NFL-ready than most players. He will compete immediately for the Broncos’ vacant left tackle position. NFL Comparable: Ricky Wagner, Minnesota Vikings Round 2 (51), Demarcus Walker, Defensive End, Florida State: With 25 sacks over his last two seasons, Walker has a penchant for getting after the quarterback, though he may be more of a run-stuffer in Denver. Playing a similar game to Denver’s Derek Wolfe, the rookie will serve as a key rotational piece on the defensive

line. NFL Comparable: Datone Jones, Minnesota Vikings Round 3 (82), Carlos Henderson, Wide Receiver, Louisiana Tech: Sorely missing a third option in the passing game last season, Denver should let Henderson vie for playing time early with 4.46 speed, as well as a nose for the end-zone with an NCAA-leading 19 scores last season. He is a playmaker after the catch, forcing 48 missed tackles last season. No other receiver has had more than 33 in the past 3 years. NFL Comparable: Golden Tate, Detroit Lions Round 3 (101), Brendan Langley, Cornerback, Lamar College: Langley is an unrefined project at corner who originally played for the University of Georgia before transferring to a smaller school for more playing time.

He has good size (6-foot) and speed (4.43). He’ll likely slot in as Denver’s fifth or sixth corner and contribute on special teams. NFL Comparable: Eric Rowe, New England Patriots Round 5 (145), Jake Butt, Tight End, University of Mich-

igan: Having torn his ACL in a New Year’s Eve bowl game, Butt was projected to be picked closer to the third round before his injury. Although not overly athletic or an outstanding blocker, he is a mismatch for most NFL linebackers and a superb route runner. NFL Comparable: Zach Miller, Chicago Bears Round 5 (172), Isaiah McKenzie, Wide Receiver, University of Georgia: A 5-foot-7 speedster, McKenzie is a gadget player who specializes in returning the ball. He had five punt return touchdowns in three years, while also posting four rushing scores and seven receiving. NFL Comparable: Taylor Gabriel, Atlanta Falcons Round 6 (203), De’Angelo Henderson, Running Back, Coastal Carolina: Having scored a touchdown in 35 straight games, Henderson has a nose for the endzone despite also being 5-foot-7. He made 73 receptions over the last two years, which is where the scat back could carve himself a niche in Denver.

NFL Comparable: Branden Oliver, Los Angeles Chargers

Round 7 (253), Chad Kelly, Quarterback, University of Mississippi: Off the field incidents have been plentiful for the talented quarterback, as have injuries (both knees, wrist). As a mobile passer with a quick release, he will fight to win the third quarterback spot. NFL Comparable: Johnny Manziel, Free Agent Denver helped shore up their offensive line with Bolles, added to their defensive trenches with Walker and loaded up on speedy, agile offensive skill players. After getting burned by Tyreek Hill’s running, receiving and return ability last season, and watching Jordan Norwood and Khaliff Raymond struggle with returns, it’s clear Denver valued playmaking dynamos in this draft. Henderson can return kickoffs, Langley returns punts and McKenzie can do both.

The Broncos will report for training camp in late July or early August to prepare for their first preseason game on August 10 against the Chicago Bears.

Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Clarion

Women’s tennis captures Summit League title

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or the fourth year in a 6-3 and 6-0 sets. Slattery downed row, the DU women’s her opponent in two 6-1 sets, tennis team took home the while Mok rounded out the day’s Summit League Champi- competition with a pair of domionship. Denver earned the cham- nating 6-0 set wins. pionship with a 4-0 victory over A few days earlier, Slattery University of South Dakota on was named the Summit League April 29 in Indianapolis.

Player of the Year on April 27. She DU won the doubles compe- finished 6-0 in Summit League tition cleanly, as all three teams singles competitions, while also refused to give up a point. The posting a 6-0 record in doubles No. 15-ranked duo of junior Julia with her partner O’Loughlin.

O’Loughlin (Highland Beach, Head Coach Christian ThompFlorida) and senior Maureen son brought home Summit League Slattery (Newport News, Vir- Coach of the Year honors after guidginia) won their set 6-0, as did ing her team to a perfect inner-consophomore Bianca Mok (Boise, ference season. Denver dominated Idaho) and senior Morgan Barn- the league, outscoring opponents hill (Austin, Texas). Freshman in the regular season 42-0. It was Claire Koke (Calgary, Alberta) and the second consecutive season she senior Sonja Radosevic (Miami, brought home the award.

Florida) were leading their match The Pioneers also earned 5-0 when the competition was an automatic berth for the 2017 called off early.

NCAA Tournament, which will The No. 1-3 singles compet- take place May 12-14 and 18-29 in itors finished first, allowing the Athens, Georgia.

Pioneers to clinch the 4-0 win.

O’Loughlin earned her victory in Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of DU women’s tennis Facebook

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PIONEER FUNNIES

Is Mike Johnston next to deliver free college tuition?

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n April 12, 2017, the state of New York became the first state to offer free four-year college tuition to any public New York university. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made the program a legislative priority that has both supporters and dissenters of the recent development. An array of political figures and voices have been calling for free higher education in the country, and this passing of the Excelsior Scholarship, the name of the new program, could serve as a turning point in that debate.

Colorado has produced its own line-up of political advocates for education reform, one of them being former state legislator Mike Johnston. Proven to be instrumental in pursuing an educational agenda throughout his political career, Johnston sponsored the READ Act in 2012, which provided $20 million to school districts for additional literacy support programs. Additionally, he served as an education adviser on the 2008 presidential campaign for Barack Obama, was elected for two terms in the state senate

and most notably, he co-sponsored the ASSET Bill (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) in 2013, which grants in-state tuition for students in the country illegally who graduate from Colorado high schools.

With his extensive political achievements in the state of Colorado, Johnston is hoping to take it even further after announcing, earlier this year, his bid to run for Colorado governor in 2018. At his announcement, Johnston promised to provide two years of debt-free college or job training to residents who serve the state. With the recent news coming out of New York, the momentum could carry out into other states hoping to do the same. The Excelsior Scholarship could be the political push needed to pass legislature that politicians like Johnston have advocated for a long time.

In an interview with Westword following his announcement to run, they asked him about the most important issues in the race for governor in 2018.

He said, “I think the most important one is, how do we

make sure Colorado is in a position to help drive the new economy and not be dragged behind the old one?� A commitment to offering free higher education could be the necessary measure to equip the state with the resources it needs to stay ahead of the curve.

For years, the state of Colorado has ranked in the top states for most educated, fastest growing and the best for labor supply. However, with the national accolades comes a commitment to further pro-

Grace Carson | Clarion

gressing and developing our economic and educational programs. Johnston has already placed his bid for governor in 2018, and soon other potential candidates will do the same.

Whether Coloradans feel that the state is in good standing or not is up to them. Whether they feel Johnston is the man for the job will also be up to them. New York has made its move, and only time will tell if Colorado will be up next.

Isaac Vargas | Contributing Writer

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OPINIONS | 9

Legality has become the new morality in America

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s the outrage over the United Airlines flight disaster has begun to settle, people begin to push the issue to the back of their minds as they continue along with their lives. The images of a man being beaten and dragged down the aisle of a plane start to fade and become less important as new issues arise in the news.

Late Night hosts have reached the end of the gamut of one liners and analogies at United’s expense, and any further stories about the event begin to lose their luster.

Such is the case with the news cycle, especially with those stories of public corporate disgrace. Many companies over the past few years have endured scandals, some coming out of them critically wounded, others taking a hit for some time before returning to acceptable levels.

Mylan, the company infamously responsible for raising the price of the EpiPen by over 600%, has largely returned to normal operations after a period of public backlash. These examples of corporate misconduct could be

said to have been rationalized by the idea that if it’s within the realm of legality, there is a moral justification implied as well.

But a larger microcosm of the problem exists well after an issue leaves the public eye.

How should the legal system be involved in cases such as these?

What kind of punishments or disciplines should be put forward for these types of cases?

How should the morality of cases such as these be decided?

The common theme that runs through each one of these cases, and most prominently for United Airlines, is that of technical legality. The debate that followed this incident was not one of morality and punishment and justice, but whether or not United Airlines had walked the tightrope of their legal right to remove a passenger in such a way. Similarly, he debate that followed Mylan’s case centered on whether a company was within their right to charge whatever the market would bear in the case of life saving product.

It doesn’t take a court and jury to see that kneeing a man in

the face after boarding a plane isn’t morally right. You don’t need to read pages of Federal Aviation Administration flight regulations and documents of congressional air travel laws to know that an unconscious man being dragged by his arms off a plane is morally questionable.

A law degree isn’t necessary to feel threatened and uneasy by the power that Mylan holds over many patients with prohibitively expensive drug prices.

The corporate law structure is a constantly evolving entity.

There are a multitude of moving parts of lobbyists, committee meetings, congressional voting and hearings and, of course, political donations. The landscape of the regulations for an industry may be significantly different 10 years in the future than they are today. Indeed, the guidelines that United Airlines is required to follow for bumping passengers today are much different than they were ten years ago, changing the amount of money required to be offered and the rights of seated passengers.

When discussions of corporate malfeasance surface in the news, there is a fundamental flaw in approaching the argument solely from the viewpoint of technical legality. The landscape of an industry changes.

The specific of its laws and statutes are in a constant state of flux and gradual evolution.

Our inner conscience, our sense of higher morality and our emotional appeal to basic right and wrong, however, does not operate on these same principles.

This is not a petition to blindly assign blame or righteousness, or to not be informed on all different facets of an issue. A judge, jury and court, will eventually decide legality.

The American public, through the press, through freedom of expression, must hold corporations to a higher standard of morality. The initial emotion that strikes us when a situations morality is incongruent with our conscience is what drives change.

This distinction becomes vital in preventing events like these from happening.

Chris Lugg | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Connor W. Davis

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| OPINIONS

PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:

What’s your favorite study song?

“My favorite study currently is Love Stinks by the J Geils Band.”

David Fain, Freshman

“My favorite study song is Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie.”

Marlo Provorse, Sophomore

“My favorite study song is Yes by LMFAO.” Emma Maceachern, Sophomore

“‘Kings of Summer (feat. Quinn XCII).’”

Zachary Golden, Senior

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The Grind: Cherry Cricke t

I

n November, the Cherry Creek neighborhood lost one of its favorite restaurants, the staple Cherry Cricket.

The night before Thanksgiving, the old building caught fire in the midst of its dinner rush in a way that they didn’t even notice until the fire had reached the roof. This, unfortunately, led to its closure.

But the story has a happy ending; after fixing the damage and remodeling the old bathrooms and tile floors, the Cherry Cricket re-opened earlier this month. Naturally, the Clarion had to dive right in and test if the place still held its usual charm.

Unsurprisingly, it did. The restaurant held its old charm through and through, and one wouldn’t suspect they were new on the block again. Still holding its same rustic sports bar vibe, the Cherry Cricket luckily did not lose its ceiling hockey rink, which is signed by iconic athletes such as twotime Super Bowl Champion John Elway.

Business also seemed virtually unaffected by the recent closure, as the burger joint was clearly not forgotten

in its five months of closure.

The Friday lunch rush had the place packed with people, all chattering about the past week and their weekend agendas, making the setting a little on the louder side. Despite the packed dining area, the service was quick and the waitress was very personable in doling out her menu suggestions.

After snagging a table beside the bar and underneath the aforementioned hockey rink ceiling, the menu was perused for some tasty appetizers.

The fried mac n’ cheese bites ($6.50) were quickly decided upon, and this reviewer highly recommends dipping them in the ranch they come for some added flavor to the dish.

The waitress suggested a build-your-own burger, as the specialty of the Cherry Cricket is the customization of one’s own burger. The waitress recommended cream cheese on the cricket burger, with jam and jalapenos on the side to add on, as well. According to her, “Once you go cream cheese, you’ll never go back.”

If you are one for spice, take the waitress’s recommendation and try the jalapenos.

Madison Heller | Clarion

This reviewer prefers food of a milder palate due to past experience with a hot chili pepper and decided on the quarter pound Little Cricket Burger ($6.50) with provolone cheese ($1.00), a fried egg ($0.75) and raspberry jam ($1.00) as the toppings. Be warned: burgers do not come with fries at the Cherry Cricket, but splurging on a basket for the table is a worthwhile investment ($4.00).

Usually, this reviewer is not one to branch outside the box. I prefer more traditional burgers, with the simple lettuce-and-avocado combination, but I threw caution to the wind to funkify the burger.

Admittedly a little skeptical but willing to try, the fried egg and jam burger exceeded all expectations. Layering on a thick layer of jam is a must, as it is a sweet and slightly chilled complement to the warm beef.

Another fair warning, the fried egg can burst at any given moment, so be prepared for the flood. This reviewer was not, but it was not an issue that affected the taste in anyway. The yolk splattered all over, meaning the burger was

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eaten in record speed: under three minutes to completion.

This reviewer also recommends ordering an ice cold glass of Coca-Cola to wash down the delectable sweetness of the jam burger. A few fries to polish off the tank will set you straight for a content, full stomach.

The Cherry Cricket is a casual, tasty burger joint in the heart of Cherry Creek. If you haven’t been before, it is a must-dine for the neighborhood and is not an outing to be regretted. I suggest venturing out of your comfort zone with burger toppings, even asking a server for a recommendation.

If you have been, you know it is an experience worth repeating.

4/5 stars Suggestions: Cricket Burger with customized toppings (jam, fried egg), fried mac n’ cheese, CocaCola Location: 2461 E 2nd Avenue, Denver Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. everyday Madison Heller | Copy Editor

Madison Heller | Clarion

The Grind: Boxca r Coffee Roast ers B

oxcar coffee roasters is originally a Boulder gem whose Denver translation hits high marks for style, and pretty good marks for coffee. A visit to the Boxcar website will entice you into a visit with promises of life-changing pastries. While this may be true of their Boulder location, their location tucked into the downtown art district offers beverages and biscotti and that’s about it.

My hopes were high and my sights set on a really good cappuccino, I was surprised to find that much of what Boxcar Roasters has to offer is the location that it is in.

This Denver branch is housed in The Source, a converted warehouse space that serves as a hub for local pop-ups within the art district that breathes millennial spirit. Amongst the exposed brick and metal rafters, the Boxcar Roasters pop-up is sandwiched in between a street taco restaurant and an artisan cheese storefront with a bakery and flower shop

right across the way. There is a massive seating area in the middle of the space that encourages window shopping while you enjoy your drink.

If Boxcar Roasters was the reason for your trip to this gem in the art district, they would deliver with a good cup at a reasonable price. The baristas take the time to pour each latte and cappuccino with the signature leaf design ensuring a photo worthy caffeine fix. A huge plus for this location is that they offer vegan milk options.

Every one of the three people in line in front of me asked for their drink with almond milk, to which the baristas happily complied.

Boxcar Roasters offers the standard selection of espresso beverages, but they do have their own take on coffee classics with a Root Beer Latte. If you are wondering how root beer tastes in latte form, I would say the best description is that it tastes like a melted root beer float. A super sweet option for the more adven-

turous customer, and perhaps one who strays away from the bitterness of traditional coffee drinks, the Root Beer Latte was good but too sweet for my palate.

Overall, I would give Boxcar Roasters four stars and recommend giving it a try. The Root Beer Latte is a unique menu item and their prices are reasonable.

Plus, it is easy to make an expe-

Claire Boggs | Clarion

rience out of your trip by taking a walk to the bakery right across the retail space to pair your coffee with a unique treat like a pistachio-chocolate pastry. Boxcar is definitely a coffee house that screams cool, but I find myself tracing my affinity more towards their choice of venue rather than the menu items themselves.

Claire Boggs | Contributing Writer

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DU VIEW

(Clockwise from top left) 1. Ashten Scheller 2.Nicole Johnson 3. Grace Houser 4. Ashten Scheller 5. Grace Houser

ok, so my subs really aren't gourmet and we're not french either. my subs just taste a little better, that's all! I wanted to call it jimmy john's tasty sandwiches, but my mom told me to stick with gourmet.

Regardless of what she thinks, freaky fast is where it's at. I hope you love 'em as much as i do! peace!

Established in Charleston, IL in 1983 to add to students GPA and general dating ability.

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Same ingredients and price of the sub or club without the bread.

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Medium rare choice roast beef, mayo, lettuce & tomato.

Fresh housemade tuna, mixed with celery, onions, and our tasty sauce, sliced cucumber, lettuce & tomato.

(My tuna rocks! Sprouts* optional) Fresh sliced turkey breast, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

The original (Sprouts* optional)

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ham & cheese Roast beef Tuna salad Turkey breast Salami, capicola, cheese Double provolone

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The original Italian sub with genoa salami, provolone, capicola, onion, lettuce, tomato, & a real tasty Italian vinaigrette. (Hot peppers by request)

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Layers of provolone cheese separated by real avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (Truly a gourmet sub not for vegetarians only, Sprouts* optional) Bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo!

(My B.L.T. rocks)

or th ig e JJ ina ’S l

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★ sides ★

IM MYS ★ ★ M(BOXESINOFI HAJLF SANDWICHEES)S ★ U N CH ★ BOX LPLATTERS ★ Y T , ★ PAR UR NOTICE T WHA ER 24 HO WE PREFU CALL , WE’LLHADO PPEN! BUT IF YON TO MAKE IT WE CA DELIVERY ORDERS may include a delivery charge.

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freebies (subs & clubs only) Onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, sliced cucumber, hot peppers, dijon, Jimmy Mustard, yellow mustard, oil & vinegar, oregano, sprouts*

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Choice roast beef, smoked ham, provolone cheese, Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

#9 ITALIAN NIGHT CLUB®

Genoa salami, Italian capicola, smoked ham, and provolone cheese all topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo & our homemade Italian vinaigrette.

(Order it with hot peppers)

#10 HUNTER’S CLUB®

A full 1/4 pound of medium rare roast beef, provolone, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

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Sliced turkey breast, real wood smoked ham, provolone, and tons of lettuce, tomato & mayo!

(A very traditional, yet always exceptional classic!)

★ Soda Pop ★ Real potato chips or jumbo kosher dill pickle

My club sandwiches have twice the meat or cheese, try it on my fresh baked thick sliced 7-grain bread or my famous homemade French bread! Tell us when you order!

Sprouts* optional Fresh baked turkey breast, provolone cheese, avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato and mayo!

#12 BEACH CLUB®

#13 GOURMET VEGGIE CLUB® Double provolone, real avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (Try it on my 7-grain whole wheat bread. This veggie sandwich is really yummy! Sprouts* optional)

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Roast beef, turkey breast, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

An American classic!

#15 CLUB TUNA®

THE J.J. GARGANTUAN® The original gutbuhstuh! Genoa salami, sliced smoked ham, capicola, roast beef, turkey & provolone, jammed into one of our homemade French buns, then smothered with onions, mayo, lettuce, tomato & our homemade Italian vinaigrette.

The same as our #3 Totally Tuna except this one has a lot more. Housemade tuna salad, provolone, sliced cucumber, lettuce & tomato. (Sprouts* optional)

#16 CLUB LULU®

Sliced turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (JJ's original turkey & bacon club)

#17 ULTIMATE PORKER™ Real wood smoked ham and bacon with lettuce, tomato & mayo! (This one rocks!)

WE DELIVER! 7 DAYS A WEEK TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM

"YOUR MOM WANTS YOU TO EAT AT JIMMY JOHN'S!" ® *WARNING: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ADVISES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER-COOKED SPROUTS POSES A HEALTH RISK TO EVERYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY TO THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. THE CONSUMPTION OF RAW SPROUTS MAY RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ©1985, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We Reserve The Right To Make Any Menu Changes.

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ENTERTAINMENT | 1 3

“The Handmaid’s Tale” a beautiful adaptation Photo courtesy of Indiewire

O

n Wednesday, April 26, Hulu released the first three episodes of their new, highly anticipated television show “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Based on the 1986 novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, the Hulu adaptation takes the original novel and brings it to visually stunning fruition. The novel itself is critically acclaimed, but good source material doesn’t always result in a good adaptation (see: the 1990 movie adaptation of the same novel).

However, the case of “The Handmaid’s Tale” could not be more opposite.

The novel and the show tell the story of a world where an extremist, conservative Christian government has taken over the United States, calling it Gilead. Women no longer have the right to read or own property and those few women who are fertile are handmaids—“wombs with two legs,” Offred (Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”) calls them.

The main character and the narrator, Offred is a handmaid in the home of a powerful commander (Joseph Fiennes, “American Horror Story”) who is supposed to impregnate her since his wife (Yvonne Strahovski, “Dexter”) is supposedly infertile. Women in this world are chattel, all relegated to specific roles.

The show is narrated by Offred, her sarcastic and acerbic narration showing a sharp, intelligent woman who refuses to fully submit but also realizes that to survive and somehow find her way back to her young daughter she has to play her role convincingly. However, unlike the book, which is limited by the constraints of Offred’s first person narration, the show moves beyond what Offred

can see to delve deeper into the trappings of Gilead. When Atwood wrote the novel, she created a world that fascinated readers and the show’s exploration of Gilead only makes it stronger. Flashbacks to Offred’s life before with her husband and daughter and best friend Moira (Samira Wiley, “Orange Is The New Black”) show how this totalitarian state came to be.

Outside of the narration, not much is actually said between the characters; they all meticulously follow the script of their world. Instead, everything is interpreted through glances and movements. Moss and Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”), who plays Offred’s fellow handmaid Ofglen, are masters of this.

Moss’s constant hesitation as she carefully measures every word she says makes the viewer just as fearful as she is. In the third episode, Ofglen spends much of the episode physically unable to speak, but Bledel is able to effectively communicate the character’s fear and pain and desperation only through her body language, to a chilling effect. Both women are restricted by this new world’s customs, their clothing and their fear of being killed, and they find other ways to communicate.

It’s the show’s sense of humor that really makes it resonate. Desperation and fear are palpable in nearly every scene, but the few moments of levity, albeit very dark levity, draw the viewer in and make it seem more human. Of course, these moments are typically followed by something brutal, but the almost absurd appearances of a Prius or the use of a Simple Minds song or a sarcastic comment by Offred serve to show that Offred has not given

up hope. But it also serves as a reminder that this is based off our world, and that this—or something like it—is what can happen when we’re not paying attention. However, in the long run, it’s a show about hope and survival, and humor and memories of her previous life are how Offred survives.

Every second of the show is as meticulously crafted as all of Offred’s responses and it shows.

The show is visually beautiful, the soundtrack is haunting, the sets simultaneously alien and familiar and the costumes pretty

much perfect. It is a faithful adaption of the novel but has its own life beyond the book, changing and rearranging where the showrunners see fit. In the end, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is so far one of the best new shows of the year.

Episodes are available every Wednesday on Hulu for the rest of the 10 episode run.

Madeline Zann | Entertainment Editor Photo courtesy of Indiewire

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Protest art evolving in Trump era

W

ith tumultuous political times comes great art. Think of the 1960s and the art and music that came out as a response to the Civil Rights Movement, the sexual revolution and of course, the Vietnam War became enshrined into American culture and our collective zeitgeist.

In today’s tumultuous times where protests again fill the streets and there is a general unease in the social and political world, once again the industries of art and entertainment have responded with great works.

It started back in 2016, with the release of rapper YG’s song, “FDT” (F•ck Donald Trump). The song, which criticizes then presidential candidate Donald Trump’s policies, became a rally cry for the anthem searching young, left-rap listening audience. Kendrick Lamar’s hit single, “Alright,” off his 2015 album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” also became somewhat of a protest anthem as it gained usage by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Post Trump’s election, further music, especially on the hip-hop side of the spectrum, has continued to

both explicitly target the president’s politics, as well as other social and political issues in the country that are relevant to the genre’s diverse, young audience. Back in November of 2016, the legendary, socially conscious hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest released their final album: “We Got it From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service.” The album touches on today’s relevant social issues, such as institutional racism, police brutality and gentrification. It also directly criticized the president’s policies, with the protest hymn “We the people…” In April of 2017, New York MC Joey Bada$$ released his second studio album “ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$,” which explored, at times overwhelmingly, themes of political angst.

Outside of hip-hop, other musicians such as Fiona Apple, with her song “Tiny Hands,” and “Locker Room Talk” by Cold War Kids specifically target the president, and in the Cold War Kids’ case, his comments regarding women.

Beyond music, contemporary artists such as Rirkit Tirvavanija have specifically created work in response to the 2016 election.

His collage piece, “the tyranny of

Photo courtesy of The Verge

common sense has reached its final stage,” was made using a collage of New York Times articles on the presidential campaign directly following the election. Street artist Shepard Fairey (creator of the famous Obama “Hope” campaign poster) and Ai Weiwei recently teamed up to launch a series of artwork (printed on limited edition skateboard decks) “commemorating” Trump’s first 100 days in office.

Maybe the piece of recent protest art that has found a place the most in American hearts is the bronze statue “Fearless Girl,” by artist Kristen Visbal. The 50 inch statue depicts a small girl, chin up, in defiance to the “Charging Bull”

wall street statue. The statue has been granted a year long residence, but many hope for its permanent installation. The statue isn’t a direct response to anyone or anything, but instead represents within it a defiance by those marginalized or oppressed in this country.

Protest art is American art, as a country based in the ideals of free expression, its continued proliferation and creation is pure patriotism.

It does not seem that the politically motivated/protest art movement is letting up soon, and the immediate future will be an interesting time for artistic expression.

Justin Cygan | Staff Writer

Red Rocks season offers a promising lineup

S

ummer is at the tips of our fingers and, once again, Red Rocks is delivering with great shows that match everyone’s tastes. To help begin the search for the ideal show, here are a handful of shows to consider for one’s warm, sunny endeavors.

Photo courtesy of Mid by Northwest

Phoenix – June 7 - $39.95 Indie-pop fans can rejoice as France’s Phoenix returns to the mile-high state. Having recently released their first single in fouryears, “J-Boy” continues the band’s familiar 80’s synth-pop grooves and builds anticipation for an upcoming album. Their organically upbeat sound is a perfect companion to the dazzling views at this iconic amphitheater.

Film on the Rocks: The Fifth Element – June 19 - $15 A recipe for a good time, each film proceeds with a concert and a local comedian. The schedule is out now and Luc Besson’s “The Fifth Element” is one sci-fi fans cannot miss. Starring Bruce Willis (“Die Hard”) at his prime, this eccentric 1997 sci-fi classic is the perfect cure for movie fans awaiting an original tale.

It is especially good to watch in preparation for Besson’s next space opera, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.”

Dave Chappelle July 15 - $59.50

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Coming back from hiatus, Dave Chappelle returns to the standup game after releasing two specials on Netflix. Given the political climate of today, it will be interesting nonetheless to

hear what Chappelle will bring to the conversation. For fans of the comedy legend or of provocative humor, Chappelle’s set is sure to be one to keep the audience on their toes.

The Head & The Heart – Aug. 3 - $35 A second show has been added from this band and it is not difficult to understand their popular demand. These alternative folk-rockers will keep spirits high as they create a light-hearted and mellow atmosphere for the audience to forget their worries. The Head & The Heart will also be accompanied

by Grouplove which is another plus. Come prepared to sing your heart out.

Though sold out, these two shows should not be

missed. Re-sale tickets can be found on StubHub.

Gorillaz – Sept. 26 - $170 @ StubHub (SOLD OUT)

A Tribe Called Quest – Aug. 10 - $96.50 @ StubHub

With another show to not miss, the Gorillaz are back and a force to be reckoned with.

Their recently released album, “Humanz” has an impressive line-up of guests that will be fun to see some come by at Red Rocks. Lovers of drowsy party anthems and magnetic synths will not be disappointed with this show. If their numerous released singles are an indication of this upcoming performance, then this visual hip-hop group is one for the books.

Visit the Red Rocks events calendar for more information about tickets, dates and other shows.

Despite Phife Dawg’s unfortunate passing last year, A Tribe Called Quest are still the outstanding powerhouse they were in the 90s. After the 18-year-long wait, the rap group released in Nov. last year their final album, “We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service,” and announced their final tour as well. Their music and performances are always thoughtful comments on society combined with high energy. This show is a once-in-alifetime opportunity to not miss out on. If on the line about going, their Saturday Night Live and Grammy performances may be good indicators of what to expect.

Daniela Santos | Contributing Writer

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ENTERTAINMENT | 1 5

Flobots and Wonderbound dazzle in socially conscious ballet M uch has changed for Denver-based raprock band the Flobots since their “Handlebars” days. Their latest project, “Divisions,” which came to the Newman Center Saturday April 29, is an eye-catching collaboration with Denver dance company Wonderbound that’s also a fresh piece of community-focused art.

“Divisions” is the last show of Wonderbound’s 2016-2017 season and is set to live music from the Flobots’ forthcoming album, “NOENEMIES,” their first since 2012.

Staying true to the band’s M.O., the show is a socially charged exploration of what unites and divides people in our current sociopolitical climate.

“It explores the things that create divisions: fear and othering of people, shaming them for their opinions and who they are . . . even those divisions within ourselves and our own social groups,” said Garrett Ammon, Wonderbound’s artistic director.

The Flobots, who have been on a mission of musical activist projects since 2014, first came in contact with Wonderbound—who are also very activist-oriented—in 2009. This particular project, the first of its kind for either party, has been in the works for two years.

“This is the best work we’ve ever done,” said Flobots MC Stephen “Brer Rabbit” Brackett. “The only shame is that we’ve never worked on anything so hard and yet we don’t get to see it.”

Both groups spoke to the difficulty of putting the show together. With 10 musicians and 12 dancers sharing the stage, it involved not only considerable logistical work but adaptations for both parties involved.

“There are more actual steps to choreograph and light cues than any show we’ve ever done,” said

Ammon. “Dancing to hip-hop means it’s non-stop high energy from beginning to end.”

“We’ve had to stretch our musical stylings and learn to be super precise to fit with the dancers,” said Flobots’ other MC Jamie “Jonny 5” Laurie. “We’re a better band because of it.”

The beauty of the high-energy show lies in this stretching of each group, though. It’s not a Flobots concert or a ballet, and if viewers are looking for the experience of either, they’ll be disappointed.

Instead, audience members should focus on the ways the dancers’ incredible choreography complements the themes of the music, and the charisma of the two MCs, who are given free reign over the stage. Their theatrical passion and interaction with the dancers help mask any awkwardness of putting a rap-rock band in an accompanying role.

While it was at first difficult to zero in on the message of the show, clips from emotionally charged speeches provide a lot of support, as does the gradual realization that there’s no specific issue being raised, as Ammon clarified.

“What’s exciting is that we all agreed to not make a particular statement about a particular issue, just the overall environment of divisiveness and anxiety,” he said.

The highlight of the show was the closing of the first act, in which divisions were literally broken by dancers bringing audience members onstage. What is normally a cheesy trope in live entertainment proved to be poignant here, as it brought the realization that their discomfort was the same that we have to overcome in our own lives, and the joy in seeing them participate was more inspiring than harping on any singular issue would have been.

And for any viewers who would

Photo courtesy of Amanda Tipton

have difficulties understanding how dance can express the ideas being raised, the dancers’ sheer ability, especially that of featured soloists Amy Fogarty and Damien Patterson, was enough to inspire awe, which is exactly what the Flobots were hoping for.

“With dancers, the show contains beauty, not just spectacle,” Brackett said. “And if your message is paired with beauty, it gets past all the politics and headlines, and moves people in a way they can’t fake.”

The music overall was quite fun, with bangers like “Carousel” and “Sleeping Giant” proving to be highlights from the forthcoming album.

While some pieces sounded like they were dialed back a bit for the stage, the string and saxophone features were always intriguing, and the three featured gospel singers were excellent, all of which demonstrated a more expansive, mature sound from the band.

The only thing to be desired, though, was in the sound mixing, which was outdone by the booming acoustics of Gates Concert Hall.

The guitar and bass—which pro-

vided necessary punch for many of the songs—were sometimes barely audible. While the MC’s fast flows were always impressive, their clarity got lost in the hall. This needs to be remedied in order to interpret every word they said and not leave the meaning of the show to simple repeated lines like ”I have never seen you but I’m not your enemy.”

Overall though, the show proves to be a unique, inspiring and joyful experience, which has the potential to truly move all kinds of people.

“At these ballets, I’ve been able to talk to five-year-olds and 95-yearolds who were moved,” said Laurie.

It engages people with a deeper respect for the whole spectrum of activism and proves that it’s about more than just that moment in the march where you hold your fist up.”

The next showing of “Divisions” will be June 17 and 18 at the Arvada Center; tickets can be found at Wonderbound’s website.

“NOENEMIES” drops May 5, and the Flobots are actively pursuing more dance collaborations in the future.

Daniel Lorenzo | Contributing Writer

“Free Fire” embraces its silly premise with confidence

I

magine taking a relatively innocent childhood scenario, a Nerf gun battle, and trading the darts for real bullets. That special brand of borderline awkward violence rife with shouted insults and little accuracy doesn’t seem well-fitted for a film, especially in age where action and crime films are more stylized than ever. However, “Free Fire” takes the concept and runs with it, resulting in a refreshingly simple but original crime story that simultaneously subverts and buys into expectations.

Writer-director Ben Wheatley, who has become a name associated with off-kilter British fare, trades in his usually high-concept storytelling for a barebones approach. It has a rather unassuming plot: all business Justine (Brie Larson, “Room”) sets up a trade between a group of IRA members and a kooky arms dealer. Tensions rise, then explode, and pandemonium ensues. The story is noticeably unimportant here: all of the above exposition happens within 20 minutes of the film’s opening; the rest is pure, unadulterated gun play.

The lack of complicated plot naturally leads to a heavy reliance on characterization, and it’s hit and miss as to whether it works.

Some of the actors are more than game to tackle their roles. Armie Hammer (“The Social Network”) plays against type in a standout role is as hippy hitman Ord, who brings a hilariously aware brand of meta-humor to the proceedings. Similarly funny and electric is Sharlto Copley (“District 9”), whose gun runner Vernon is a pitch-perfect parody of eccentric criminals found in so many genre films. Larson is similarly wonderful per usual, however her character teeters of the edge of hollow, a problem the characters outside of the lead roles are victim to. Since the plot offers little room for character development, the opening needs to flesh out its characters in grand fashion; with such little time, there’s not much opportunity to make the large array of secondary characters extend beyond stock character types.

Wheatley’s direction allows for the weaknesses found in the script to become buried under an exceed-

Photo courtesy of FACT Magazine

ingly fun and ridiculous sideshow of violence, a procession that feels as authentic as it is preposterous.

His style allows for the showcase moments to pop out when they need to elevate the slow feel of the rest of the film, finding twisted humor and beauty in even the most rote of moments.

Ultimately, “Free Fire” feels like an experiment in simplicity; one

that succeeds in its goals of crafting a mindlessly entertaining and different crime film but mostly fails in creating lasting plot moments and characters to elevate its premise.

It’s worth the price of admission for its weird and unique nature alone.

Just leave your brain at the door.

Ryan Ninesling | Executive Editor

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