FEB. 01, 2017
VOLUME 124, ISSUE 4
DU COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF UNDERGRAD STUDENT
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Several memorials were held for first-year student Holly Parsons
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DENVER ATHLETICS CREATES PIONEER POINTS
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MARCH MATTERED
INDIA’S RESTAURANT: A 8 PIO’S FAVORED LOCAL FARE pa g e
HOT HITS TO FUEL YOUR WINTER CARNIVAL WEEK
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DU CLARION
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FEB. 01, 2017
| NEWS
DU mourns loss of undergraduate student
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n Jan. 26, Liliana Rodriguez, Vice Chancellor of Student Life and Inclusive Excellence sent an email to the DU community with news of an undergraduate student’s death. “Earlier this morning, the University received notice about the passing of a residential student,” said Rodriguez in the email. “As the community begins to process this information, please remember that everyone grieves differently and may need different levels of support. Most importantly, be kind, respectful and take care of one another. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require support and encourage others to do the same.”
Rodriguez asked students to reach out to their parents and family and let them know that they are safe. Rodriguez provided a variety of campus resources available to the community. They are listed below for reference. The Health & Counseling Center provides many medical and mental health services. (phone: 303-871-2205; Ritchie Center, 2240 E. Buchtel Blvd., Suite 3N) Employee Assistance Program provides counseling and support for all University of Denver employees. Campus Safety, in addition to 24/7 service on campus, offers training to the community on how to respond to emergency
ABOUT US
situations. (Morgan Sellers, Community Resource Officer; phone: 303-871-6803; edu/ emergency) Ombuds Office is a confidential and informal resource for any campus community member who may be experiencing difficulties navigating their time at the University. (Jenna Brown, Ombuds; phone: 303-871-4712) Chaplain Gary Brower works with all members of the DU community on issues ranging from interfaith dialogue to spiritual care and counseling. (phone: 303-871-4488; Driscoll Student Center, South, 2050 E. Evans Ave.) Pioneers CARE (Communicate, Assess, Refer, Educate) outreach program helps find
solutions for students experiencing academic, social and crisis situations including mental health concerns. (phone: 303-871-2400) Any student concerned about their safety or the safety of others are urged to call 911 or Campus Safety at 303-871-3000. UPDATE: Rodriguez sent an email in the afternoon on Jan. 26 stating that the student’s name was Holly Parsons, a first-year student from Medfield, Mass. A memorial service was held on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 to remember Holly.
John Poe | Business Manager
DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF
JILLIAN QUERI, Editor-in-Chief KELLSIE BRANNEN, Executive Editor JOHN POE, Business Manager SASHA KANDRACH, News 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.
BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED, Sports Editor GRACE CARSON, Opinions Editor SYDNEY KAPP, Lifestyles Editor RYAN NINESLING, 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 CAROLYN ANGIOLLO JUSTIN CYGAN EMILY ELSEY GEORGA FEEK CAITLAN GANNAM DREW KORT DANIEL LORENZO SARA LOUGHRAN ANNMARIE MARLOW GRACE HOUSER MAYA PIÑON JOCELYN ROCKHOLD MADELINE ZANN
DU CLARION
FEB. 01, 2017
NEWS
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DU Board of Trustees votes against divestment
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n email was sent out to the DU community from Chancellor Rebecca Chopp and Board of Trustees Chair Doug Scrivner to update students on the Board’s decision to divest from fossil fuels on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Their decision, the email concluded, was not to divest. The email stated: “Regarding divestment, the Board adopted the task force recommendation that divestment in fossil fuel companies, or any other industry, would not be an effective means of mitigating global warming nor would it be consistent with the endowment’s long-term purpose to provide enduring benefit to present and future students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. Rather, the University of Denver’s great-
est ability to mitigate climate change and foster a sustainable future lies in deploying its core competencies: education, research and the ability to foster informed community discourse and in accelerating its sustainability in its operations.” While the Board of Trustees decided not to divest from fossil fuels, they chose to adopt a policy that addresses the issues of climate change, as well as sustainable development. The email highlighted their new policy: “1) Establishing a revolving ‘green fund’ to investigate new efforts related to sustainability in the operations of the University. The University will create this fund with an initial $5 million and will look for donor support to increase this fund.
2) Further investment in the University’s sustainability efforts, both financially and in terms of human capital, that will include new organizational structures and reporting. 3) Working with the Board of Trustees and investment managers to make available an alternative type of investment vehicle that may offer donors the ability to have their contributions invested in a manner that aligns with their social objectives regarding sustainability.” Divest DU, a student run organization that has been demanding the University’s divestment from fossil fuels for three years, responded to the Board’s decision on Facebook: “Today, in response to three years of student activism from Divest DU and months of
Jillian Queri | Clarion
Jillian Queri | Clarion
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deliberation, Chancellor Chopp and the Board of Trustees announced that they will not pursue fossil fuel divestment as a way to combat climate change. However, our fight is NOT over. We will not stop until the University of Denver commits to full fossil fuel divestment. We are disappointed in this decision but are more fired up and committed than ever to fight for divestment! In light of President Trump’s recent Executive Orders to continue the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipeline projects, it is absolutely unacceptable that our administration has chosen to side with the fossil fuel industry instead of the future of its students.” Grace Carson | Opinions Editor
DU CLARION
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| SPORTS
FEB. 01, 2017
Denver hockey downs Nebraska-Omaha 5-3, 5-0
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n Jan. 27 and 28, the DU hockey team hosted the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) Mavericks. Going into the game, DU was second in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and ranked third in the NCAA. UNO was ranked fourth and 18th, respectively. On Jan. 27, DU defeated UNO 5-3 and on Jan. 28 shutout UNO 5-0. DU is now tied for first in the conference with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The starting line for the Pioneers on Friday night included junior Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) in goal, forwards senior Evan Janssen (Green Bay, Wisconsin), sophomore Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Washington), senior Matt Marcinew (Calgary, Alberta), junior defenseman Tariq Hammond (Calgary, Alberta) and freshman Michael Davies (St. Louis, Missouri). Freshman Chris Oldham was in goal for UNO. Marcinew won the opening faceoff for the Pioneers. Three and a half minutes into the game, Janssen was sent to the penalty box for boarding. 15 seconds into the UNO power play, Mavericks captain, senior Justin Parizek, scored the first goal of the game. Four minutes later, Ortega added another point to the board
Julie Gunderson | Clarion
for UNO, putting the Mavericks up 2-0. DU lost the puck on the line change, allowing UNO to take the fruitful shot. After their disappointing first period, DU found their scoring touch by racking up four goals in the second period, three of which came in two and a half minutes. The first Denver goal came from freshman Tyson McLellan (San Jose, California), his third of the season. Hammond and freshman Kevin Conley (Wausau, Wisconsin) had the assists. The next goal for the Pioneers was a power play goal by freshman Henrik Borgström (Helsinki, Finland), his 13th of the season. Two minutes later, Borgström passed backwards to Gambrell, who was able to fire home Denver’s third goal and put the Pioneers up 3-2. Borgström and Gambrell are currently tied for the most points scored by the Pioneers this season with 25. 40 seconds later, the Pioneers scored yet again when freshman Liam Finlay (Kelowna, British Columbia) tallied his third of the season with assists from Janssen and senior captain Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin). DU ended the second period with a strong 4-2 lead over the visiting Mavericks.
The beginning of the third period was uneventful, but 13 minutes into the period, UNO’s Morelli was sent to the penalty box for holding. Four seconds into the power play, immediately following a faceoff won by Marcinew, Butcher scored a fifth goal for Denver. The final goal of the game was scored by Morelli to bring the final score to 5-3. The Pioneers led in shots on goal, 43 to 29, and in faceoffs, 41 to 20. On Saturday night, the Pioneers completely dominated the Mavericks. UNO made a change in net, starting sophomore Evan Weninger (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). Borgström, Butcher, Gambrell, sophomore defenseman Blake Hillman (Elk River, Minnesota) and sophomore forward Jarid Lukosevicius (Squamish, British Columbia) started for the Pioneers. The first goal came after six minutes from the stick of sophomore Colin Staub (Colorado Springs, Colorado) on a power play. Janssen and Finlay had the assists. Marcinew also scored in the first period with assists from Staub and Butcher, giving Denver an early 2-0 lead. With three and half minutes remaining in the period, sophomore Logan O’Connor (Calgary,
Alberta) scored after his shot from behind the goal was deflected past Weninger and into the net. Senior Evan Ritt (Lakewood, Colorado) was attributed the assist. The Pioneers started the second period on a penalty kill after Janssen was called for slashing at the end of the first. DU continued their impressive special teams play, and UNO was unproductive during their one man advantage. Halfway through the second period, senior Matt VanVoorhis (Edina, Minnesota) scored his first goal of the season with assists from McLellan and Finlay. UNO received a penalty for slashing, and DU scored their fifth and final goal during the power play. It was Staub’s second of the game. Janssen and Finlay had the assists, closing out the second period. In the third period, Jaillet was pulled from goal, and senior Evan Cowley (Evergreen, Colorado) took over. The game finished with a score of 5-0, and DU led with 43 to 22 shots on goal and 28 to 25 faceoffs. Staub was awarded First Star of the Game honors due to his impressive three point game. The Pioneers will face Colorado College on Feb. 10 in Magness Arena. Carolyn Angiollo | Staff Writer
FEB. 01, 2017
DU CLARION
SPORTS | 5
DU athletics ranked No. 7 in Capital One Cup
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U’s men’s athletics were ranked No. 7 in the most recent standings for the Capital One Cup. The standings, which are updated after NCAA championship official results are posted, add points to the individual schools’ in hopes of claiming the end prize of $400,000 combined student-athlete scholarships that are awarded in July. The Capital One Cup splits the program nominations according to gender. The Pioneers men’s athletics are currently in seventh place, sitting with 30 points behind powerhouse schools like Clemson University and Stanford University, who are both tied for first place with 78 points. Remarkably, the Pioneers are by far the smallest institution of the top ten current contenders. With an undergraduate enrollment of a mere 5,758, Denver
is miniscule in comparison to the largest of the competition, where the University of Southern California boasts a thundering student body of 44,000. With 17 varsity athletics on-campus, eight of which are men’s programs, DU further establishes itself as an elite athletic institution despite its size. Recent successes in winning the 2015 NCAA national men’s lacrosse championship, earning a berth to the Frozen Four for the first time since the back-to-back and most recent hockey national championships in 2004-2005, clinching the ski team’s 23 national title and for the first time in program history, men’s soccer remaining undefeated and making an appearance to the College Cup, the Pioneers have created a name for themselves on the national level. Sasha Kandrach | News Editor
Clarion
PIO BIO: Lauren Loven SPORT: Basketball GRADE: Freshman
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Photo courtesy of Denver Athletics
urrently leading all Division-1 freshmen in three-point field goals made (74), freshman guard Lauren Loven has had an instant impact on the DU women’s basketball team. At only 18-years-old and hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona, Loven also ranks third amongst all freshmen scorers in threepoint percentage (42.5 percent). Loven began playing basketball when she was five years old. From there, she went on to join her middle school team, where she fell in love with the sport. She continued to play in high school on both the school team and a travelling club team. Loven played for her high school all four years and currently holds the record for most three pointers scored in a game, in a season and in the state of Arizona. She was also chosen as the team’s Most Valuable Player in her senior year. While competing in a large tournament in high school, Loven was approached by DU coaches. “The coaches brought me on an official visit to show me what it was all about. I saw it and made my decision,” she said. Like many, Loven’s decision to come to DU was an easy one. “I loved the campus and it is a great location because it’s close to home,” she said. “I fell in love with the coaches and staff. The players opened up and welcomed me and I just knew
MAJOR: Undeclared HOME STATE: Arizona this was the place for me.” Loven has transitioned to college smoothly. Her major is currently undeclared, but she enjoys being in the Daniels College of Business and is considering pursuing a degree in international business. When it comes to the transition to college basketball, Loven feels a little different. “It’s really hard and it’s totally different. Competition is higher and every team is so athletic and so good. It’s hard getting used to the faster speed and you have to pay attention to all the details. There really is no easy game,” she said. The shift from high school to college might not have been easy, but the team helped ease the process for Loven. “I’m on my own and I have to figure things out by myself,” she said. “My teammates have helped me out a lot, though, and have helped me to start my new life here. I fit in really well, and there’s a great team chemistry on and off the court.” When Loven is not busy with basketball or schoolwork, she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, shopping and outdoor activities like hiking. “I just want to do my part and do my job when I get the chance so that the outcome for the rest of the team is the best it can be,” she said. Carolyn Angiollo | Staff Writer
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| SPORTS
FEB. 01, 2017
Swimming and diving dominate Air Force
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he Denver Pioneers swimming and diving programs swept the Air Force Academy (AFA) Falcons in the 2017 DU-AFA Spring Eliminator Championships at DU’s El Pomar Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 28. With the victory, the Pioneers recorded seven new records and five NCAA B standard times. The men’s program secured a win in every final of Saturday’s events. The women’s program soundly defeated the Falcons 244-114. Junior Morgan McCormick (Golden, Colorado), senior Amanda Sanders (Superior, Colorado), junior Heidi Bradley (Victoria, British Columbia) and senior Johanna Roas (Munich, Germany) broke the record for the 200 meter medley with a time
of 1:39.52. Roas set the new record for the El Pomar 200 meter freestyle, as she finished first with a time of 1:47.36. Junior Morgan Wice-Roslin (Colorado Springs, Colorado) bested her prior record by 0.03 seconds in the 50 meter freestyle event, clocking in at 22.83. Roas earned her second record of the night in the women’s 200 free relay. In her portion of the opening 50 meter leg, she edged out Wice-Roslin’s time by 0.03 seconds finishing with a time of 22.80. The men’s program dominated Air Force with a final tally of 264-114. The men’s 200 medley relay quartet of junior Anton Loncar
(Hillsboro, Oregon), senior Tim Cottam (Sydney, Australia), redshirt-senior Kyle Robrock (Savage, Minnesota) and freshman Sid Farber (Portland, Oregon) set the El Pomar record, finishing with a time of 1:27.12. In the 200 freestyle, freshman Colin Gilbert (Kamloops, British Columbia) claimed his second victory with a time of 1:39.33. Robrock broke a three-yearold El Pomar record in the 50 freestyle during his leg of the 200 freestyle relay. He had an opening time of 19.91, which teammates Loncar, Cottam and Farber assisted in, finishing the pool record for the relay with a time of 1:19.49. The diving team participated in the Air Force Diving Invita-
tional in Colorado Springs. For the women, freshman Sammy Walker (Los Gatos, California) took 51st in the one meter and 16th in the three meter. On the men’s side, in the one meter preliminaries, sophomore Ryan Reed (Springdale, Arkansas) finished 17th (231.80) and freshman Alex Morgan (Dyer, Indiana) took 18th with a score of 211.55. In the three meter preliminaries, Reed finished 16th and Morgan placed 11th. The Pioneers have this weekend off before travelling to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 2017 Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships on Feb. 15-18. Sasha Kandrach | News Editor
Julie Gunderson | Clarion
Olivia Hyde | Clarion
FEB. 01, 2017
DU CLARION
SPORTS | 7
DU’s Pioneer Points encourages student attendance
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brand-new reward system, Pioneer Points, incentivizes students at DU to attend school-related sporting events. Integrated into the school’s sports programs before the 2016-17 season, the athletics department hopes that the new system will attract more students to Denver sporting events. DU students are able to attend volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, gymnastics and men’s lacrosse games for free with their Pioneer ID card. By swiping this card at each game, students earn a certain amount of Pioneer Points. Basketball games are worth 50 points, volleyball, gymnastics and
soccer are worth 30, while hockey and lacrosse are worth 10. Showing up as an early arrival (one hour before game time) will earn you a bonus of 20 points. Each of these sports also has a double point night, including Feb. 22 when men’s basketball will face the University of Nebraska-Omaha and on March 4 when DU gymnastics is set to host Ohio State University. These points are redeemable for Pioneer swag and merchandise. At 100 points, students can receive a car decal, a water bottle for 300 points, a long-sleeve t-shirt at 500, socks at 700 and finally entry to a raffle for the Ultimate Fan Experience at 1,000. The Ultimate Fan
Experience includes the student’s day before a home series at the box choice of an authentic jersey or a office. If those 200 free tickets run team autographed item, as well as out, $5 tickets are still available at a ceremonial puck drop and dinner the box office before the game. with the team. From watching freshman Although men’s soccer, wom- Henrik Borgstrom (Helsinki, en’s soccer and volleyball have Finland) dangle opponents at DU wrapped up their respective sea- hockey games to seeing freshman sons, there are still plenty of oppor- Lauren Loven (Scottsdale, Aritunities for students to attend DU zona) fill the hoop from the threesporting events in 2017. point line in women’s basketball, There are still three home Denver students have ample hockey games, five home matches opportunities to support their for women’s basketball, three for fellow Pioneers. men’s basketball, nine for men’s You can check your Pioneer lacrosse and four gymnastics meets. Points online under the ticket tab If a student failed to secure a and pick up your prizes from the Golden Ticket to all of this year’s marketing kiosk. hockey games, they can still pick up free student tickets every Wednes- Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor
Gusto Kubiak | Clarion
Men’s golf participates at Arizona Intercollegiate Tournament
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he DU men’s golf squad teed up for the first time since Oct. 29 at the Arizona Intercollegiate tournament in Tucson on Jan. 23 and 24. The tournament was held at the Sewailo Golf Club, which is a par 71 course that plays at a lengthy 7,262 total yards. Players battled blustery conditions and cool temperatures on day one in the desert, but junior Chris Korte (Littleton, Colorado) was able to grind out a team-leading three over par score before play was suspended due to darkness. This was good enough to place him in a tie for fourth and the team in a tie for
eighth going into day two. “Chris [Korte] played great and handled the adverse conditions beautifully,” said Head Coach Erik Billinger. “It was the type of day where you needed to be mentally tough and not beat yourself up when mistakes happen and just keep fighting.” Day two would bring more favorable weather conditions for the golfers, but the Pioneers would ultimately fall in the event standings. Korte struggled closing out round two, tacking on a few bogeys, but would post a third round one under par 70. He carded his best performance of the season and finished tied for
12th individually with a total score of 218 (72-76-70), five over par. He would end up with the most birdies of any player in the field with 14. Senior Petter Mikalsen (Stavanger, Norway) would come on strong in the third round as well, shooting an even par 71, putting him in a tie for 20th individually with a 54-hole score of 221. Freshman Isaac Petersilie (Colorado Springs, Colorado) finished tied for 37th with a total score of 226, and junior Jake Kelley (Littleton, Colorado) and freshman Roy Kang (North Vancouver, British Columbia) each ended tied for 72nd, shooting 237.
The Pioneers finished eleventh out of 18 competing teams with an aggregate score of 898 (304-299-295), 41 strokes behind defending NCAA champion University of Oregon who finished atop the leaderboard. “We still need to put better team scores together and get a better fourth score. Once we do that, we’ll be able to beat any team in the country on any given day,” said Billinger after the final round. The team will compete next at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate on Feb. 17-19 at the Classic Club in Palm Springs, California. Drew Kort | Contributing Writer
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| OPINIONS
FEB. 01, 2017
A student’s perspective on why the Jan. 21 Women’s March mattered
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Photos courtesy of Verena O’Malley
n Jan. 21 of 2017, the day after the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, according to Politics USA, an estimated 2.9 million women and men alike marched in cities throughout the United States, making it the largest protest in U.S. history. I am proud to have been one of the strong women to speak up that day. That morning, upon arriving at the DU station of the light rail, the platform was packed with women, men, children and a lot of pink hats. Every single person there was in support of similar ideals: freedom, equality, women’s rights, feminism and a general request that women be treated as human beings. Not only was the platform packed to the brim, but train after train headed north had no standing room. However, all of that was nothing compared to the scene of down-
town Denver on that day. Streets swelled with people as the city supported and prepared for this massive march. In Denver alone there was an estimated 100,000 people, according to the Denver Post. Young boys held signs stating “These hands will learn respect” and elderly women boasted that they were “nasty grandmas.” The magic was in the signs, the unity, the support of women for other women and the understanding that we are not giving up and will continue to work to have our voices heard, as we have for decades. Along with our sisters and brothers in countless other cities and continents, even in Antarctica, we marched that day to tell the world that we are a powerful and vital part of the world’s population. To explain it to those people that simply don’t understand, I would like to say this day was for
all of us. It was to remind the world that the continued mistreatment of women is not acceptable. Telling half the population what they can do with their bodies is NOT okay: it’s a violation of freedom. Openly objectifying half the population is NOT okay, it’s dehumanizing. It isn’t about one man that said some distasteful things, it’s about the millions of people that dismissed it and supported him anyway. It is about the systemic oppression that teaches girls from a young age that they are not as smart or as capable. One important thing that is left out of most conversations is the signs at the Women’s Marches that read “I’ll see you nice white ladies at the next Black Lives Matter march right?” Although this was an incredible turnout and show of support for women, we have to remember other oppressed groups
PIONEER FUNNIES Photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
that fight every day for their own rights but do not get as much attention or turnout. Some of us may not directly understand what it feels like to be discriminated against for our race or our religion, but we have to acknowledge and fight alongside people that do. When half of the population is underrepresented in government, in corporations and in positions of leadership, we fail to understand or be capable of making decisions on their behalf. We cannot afford to overlook what this election season has represented--a reassurance that sexism and racism are not behind us. On Jan. 21, I marched with millions of women, men, babies, teenagers and dogs who all empowered each other to be brave, work hard and keep fighting. Grace Houser | Contributing Writer
FEB. 01, 2017
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 9
President Trump and administration make major changes to whitehouse.gov
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resident Donald J. Trump has been in office for a few days, but one thing in America has already been subject to significant changes: the White House website. Throughout the transition from the Obama Administration to the Trump Administration, a heavily discussed issue on social media has been alterations to the official U.S. government website. Changes were expected to reflect the new staff and administration, as occurred from President Bush to President Obama, but there have been large amounts of information altered or removed since Inauguration Day. For instance, the Spanish language translation of the site is no longer available. According to
The Guardian, the U.S. currently has more Spanish speakers than Spain, totaling about 41 million native Spanish speakers and 11 million bilingual citizens. Studies estimate that the amount of Spanish speakers in the U.S. will only increase in the years to come. Removing the translation was called temporary by Secretary Sean Spicer, but it is unknown how long a portion of Americans may be unable to read their government’s website. Additionally, the White House website no longer provides information regarding civil rights. According to The Wrap, while the site during Obama’s terms contained tabs such as “Empowerment Through Diversity” and “Fighting Discrimination,” the only mention
of anything related to civil rights is the “Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community” tab. There is also no longer any information or data on the LGBT community, which Obama openly supported. This fact caught the public’s attention, as Trump has negatively regarded LGBTs in the past, and Vice President Mike Pence has done the same, according to TIME. There is also no mention of climate change or global warming located on whitehouse.gov anymore. The site under the Obama Administration had information about his clean energy plan. Trump has been a notorious climate change skeptic since the start of his campaign, and his site now reflects this; the only information about the envi-
ronment involves Trump’s plan to increase American drilling operations, removing environmental regulations to improve the economy and create jobs. After the inauguration, information about the judicial branch of government vanished from the site as well, but it has since been replaced. The changes to the White House website have caused some uproar on social media sites like Facebook among Americans skeptical of Trump, as well as those worried about what his presidency will do for minorities and issues like climate change. There may be updates to the website in the future; check in at whitehouse.gov. Taryn Allen | Copy Editor
Taryn Allen | Clarion
Letter to the Editor:
DU faculty weighs in on refugee ban
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resident Trump ordered a halt to Syrian refugee resettlement and severely curtailed the number of refugee admissions overall. An exception for “religious minorities” is designed to prioritize Christians, despite the fact that the vast majority of vulnerable refugees from Syria are Muslim. The order undermines the ability of the United States to assist refugees in urgent need of a safe home and undercuts our efforts urging border countries to keep their doors open to those fleeing war. The entire order must be resisted by those of us who believe that we, as a wealthy and powerful country founded by immigrants, many of whom were themselves victims of persecution, should continue to care for the world’s most vulnerable. President Trump’s directive is issued in the name of security, but it does nothing to
increase the safety of the U.S.; rather, it stokes the flames of xenophobia, Islamophobia and fear. The U.S. resettlement program is not a sudden movement of people akin to those who fled by foot and by boat from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe. Instead, the U.S. uses a highly secure process involving lengthy interviews and background checks by multiple U.S. intelligence and security agencies, as well as the United Nations (UN), which refers refugees following its own rigorous process. As a U.S. diplomat working on refugees in Turkey, I watched refugees tell their stories and plead for a new life to immigration officials and the UN. Intense vetting is already the reality. A suggestion that we can do much more is pure politics. The resettlement program, already small, is designed to support only the most vulnerable, which typically includes
children, the disabled, LGBT individuals and others subject to persecution. Many are victims of torture and gender-based violence. There is no evidence that curtailing the program will keep out terrorists, but it is certain to prevent families in need from finding durable solutions. This is a time for protest but also a moment for compassion. I am encouraged by acts of love like the recent Refugee’s First Thanksgiving hosted by Denver’s African Community Center, one of three local official resettlement agencies (the International Rescue Committee and Lutheran Family Services are the other two). I am also heartened by DU’s chapter of No Lost Generation, an official student organization that supports refugees here and abroad through advocacy and charity. Refugees in Denver, especially vilified groups like Syrians, are likely feeling fearful and unwelcome. We can do
our part as a campus, a city and as people by continuing to be good and caring neighbors. Contrary to the rhetoric from the Trump administration, refugees strengthen our economy and enrich our society. Moreover, they demonstrate America’s historic embrace of welcoming those in need. Our families too were once “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Let us not forget who we are and where we came from. If you want to do more, getting in touch with DU’s No Lost Generation, (nolostgenerationdu@gmail.com) is a great place to start. Joe Livingston is the Assistant Director for the Office of Career and Professional Development at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is one of several faculty and staff advisors to the “No Lost Generation” group at DU.
DU CLARION
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FEB. 01, 2017
| OPINIONS
PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:
Are you going to Winter Carnival this year? If so, what are you looking forward to?
“Yeah, I’m most excited about skiing for the second time or snowboarding for the first time.”
“I’m not going to Winter Carnival, because I’m going to ski in Steamboat instead with my family.”
Cesar Caraveo, Freshman
Corina Teague, Freshman
“Yeah, and this is actually gonna be my first time snowboarding, so I’m super excited to see how that goes. Hopefully I don’t fall.” Jordan Turner, Freshman
“Yes, I am most excited for hanging out in a hot tub.” Reyn Aubrey, Freshman
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Lucile’s Creole Cafe not worth the hype H
aving worked at a Creole restaurant for many years, my palette for Cajun food is fairly experienced. When I was asked to write a review on Lucile’s, I was very excited. Lucile’s Creole Cafe sits on a quaint street corner, and its tiny parking lot always seems packed, which was a promising sign. Upon entering the building, I immediately noticed all the string and brass instruments hanging on the brick wall—highly reminiscent of a New Orleans atmosphere. The restaurant was open and had a charming ambience; the service was very speedy and the staff provided decent service. Of course, when you go out to eat, it’s all about the food, and I must say that I didn’t think Lucile’s lived up to the hype. Many of my friends told me that it was going to be great, but I didn’t necessarily think that was the case. I ordered some beignets to start, followed by the Eggs Eisenhower (eggs any style, potatoes and/or grits, a buttermilk biscuit and additional choice of protein like sausage, ham or bacon). The biscuit came out first, and it was huge, which is great because I’m all about bang for your buck, but I had to specially order a side
of gravy that tasted okay. I get that they were trying to spice it up with Cajun seasoning, but the gravy just tasted…funky. Once the remainder of my meal arrived, I was slightly disappointed. The bacon was dry and tasteless, the cheese on my scrambled eggs looked like plastic and the potatoes were far too overdone on the spice scale. On top of all that, the ketchup was homemade—I appreciate the effort—but sometimes good old, classic Heinz will do. I think that the food at Lucile’s could be very good and be worth all the positive comments on its Yelp page, but I was less than impressed with my meal at this restaurant. It didn’t help that I was slapped with a $25 check at the end for food that was hardly worth it. Lucile’s Creole Cafe tries to make up for average food at high prices with a pleasant ambience and quick service, but I’m not sure that I will dine at their restaurant again. Overall, I’d give Lucile’s Creole Cafe a 3 out of 5 stars.
Georga Feek | Clarion
Lucile’s Creole Cafe is located at... 999 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210. Georga Feek | Clarion
Georga Feek | Contributing Writer
Spring Art Preview: DAM & MCA Denver S
tarting this February, Denver’s two premier art museums, the Denver Museum of Art (DAM) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), are offering new exhibitions that bring a wide range of artistic views and expressions to the Mile High City.
New at the DAM Mi Tierra On view from Feb. 19 to Oct. 22 Opening Feb. 19, Mi Tierra is an exhibition of 13 different Latinx artists which aims to “express the experiences of contemporary life in the American West,” according to the exhibition’s website. The mixed media exhibition includes video art, digital animation, painting, sculpture, ceramics and more. The artists in the exhibition plan to examine the diverse narratives that exist in the American West regarding migration and the complex layering of cultures. Then, Now, Next: Evolution of an Architec-
tural Icon On view from Feb. 19 to Aug. 31 Celebrating the upcoming renovation of the DAM’s north building, Then, Now, Next: Evolution of an Architectural Icon is an exhibition on the renowned modernist building that was created by architect Gio Ponti. The exhibit examines the building’s history and its soon to be realized future. Through historical photos, original architectural sketches, building models and project renderings, the exhibit will thoroughly attempt to tell the story of the building’s creation and evolution.
New at the MCA The Kids Were Alright: Ryan McGinley On view from Feb. 11 to Aug. 20 The Kids Were Alright is a collection of early photographs from McGinley, who captured the art scene of Lower Manhattan in the late 1990s. The exhibition’s photos “present intimate moments of both exhilaration
and introspection, often within a mundane setting and demonstrate a sweeping range of emotions,” according to the MCA. The photos offer a glimpse into the gritty, hedonistic and often illicit lifestyle of McGinley and his associates in the New York art scene. His photos use a mix of techniques, including flash and direct lighting to invoke a sense of intensity in his photos of the mundane. Basquiat Before Basquiat On view from Feb. 11 to May 7 Jean Michel Basquiat emerged in the ‘80s as a darling of the anti-establishment SoHo art scene. Basquiat Before Basquiat features the entire cache of his works created between 1979 and 1980, when he lived in a small apartment in the East Village with his friend Alexis Adler. The exhibition provides rare insight into the artistic expression of the painter before his mainstream success, focusing on the evolution of his SAMO graffiti tags and wall paintings to his more sustained pieces. The exhi-
bition includes paintings, sculpture, works on paper, notebooks, other ephemera and photographs provided by Adler. Wall Writers: Graffiti in its Innocence On view from Feb. 11 to May 7 The last opening exhibition at the MCA aims to explore the humble beginnings of the world of graffiti and street art. Using high school notebooks of the artists, the first canvases painted, spray paint advertisements, commercial greeting cards and richly documented images of buildings completely covered in spraypainted monikers, the exhibition gives the viewer a detailed peek into the genesis of an artistic movement that has swept the globe and become a mainstay of pop art culture. The exhibition also traces the transfer of the movement from the streets of New York and Philadelphia to the high culture galleries of museums and auction houses. Justin Cygan | Staff Writer
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| LIFESTYLES
The Grind: India’s Restaurant I
ndia’s Restaurant, located on East Hampden Avenue, was voted Best Indian Restaurant in Denver by Westword in 2013, and this reviewer could not agree more. While India’s Restaurant can be difficult to find, the food and experience are worth the adventure. Upon walking into the restaurant, the warm and spicy smells of curry and chai immediately filled my senses and left my mouth watering for the food to come. The location itself is modern, the inside is decorated with traditional Indian decorations, making you feel as if you are in an Indian kitchen yourself. Intricate tapestries and decorative lights adorn the walls and ceiling, and traditional Indian paintings beautify the two rooms and bar. During my visit, the room I was seated in was spacious but not enough to feel to spread out. The restaurant provides a comfortable experience for a dinner party with friends and family or a romantic
Photo of Phoebe Paur Sydneycourtesy Kapp | Clarion
Sydney Kapp | Clarion
destination for a date. Under the soft, glowing lights that created a warm and comfortable ambiance, I started my order. I ordered the Mango Lassi ($3.50), a traditional yogurtbased drink, to start out my meal. It paired perfectly with the vegetarian appetizers of Papri-Pakuri ($6), Samosa ($5) and Aloo Chaat ($5). With the use of the mild sauces provided at the table, the vegetable pastries were an excellent addition to the meal. Next up on the menu was the classic but ever delicious Ticca Masala ($15.95). The steaming hot Tandoori chicken with a thick curry sauce was clearly a good choice. The tender chicken and slight taste of ginger took me straight to India. While I ordered it mild, you can also ask your order to be medium or hot. (Though be warned: adding extra spice to your entree is not to be taken lightly at this esteemed restaurant.) Paired with an order of Naan ($1.95), the meal was exactly what
you’d look for at the first Indian restaurant to come to Denver. Despite having been stuffed to the brim by the meal in front of you, you can’t end the night without having an order of Kheer ($3.95). Kheer, a traditional and popular rice pudding, is served with almonds and raisins. After the spicy meal you just had, the cool, spiced rice dessert is the perfect way to help your mouth recover from the main course. However, another common dessert for those 21 and up at India’s Restaurant is a cup of brandy. The service, though a little slow, was extremely attentive, and I felt taken care of throughout the meal. While the restaurant is on the pricier side, the food deserves nothing less than its listed price. However, for a cheaper option, the lunch buffet has many of the same options as the dinner menu for under $10. For an authentic and delicious Indian experience, there is no better place than India’s Restau-
Sydney Kapp | Clarion
rant. You’ll leave with a full stomach and a craving for curry for weeks afterward. 4/5 stars Indian’s Restaurants is located on 8921 East Hampden Ave. Denver, CO. 80231. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. on Saturday for lunch. Dinner is 5:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 9:45p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. on Sunday. Suggestions: Mango Lassi, Ticca Masala as well as the assorted vegetable appetizers and Kheer.
Sydney Kapp | Lifestyles Editor
FEB. 01, 2017
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Denver designer to hit NY Fashion Week
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enver unfortunately isn’t known for making waves on the national fashion scene. Besides events like Denver Fashion Weekend, not a lot of Denver fashion news makes waves across the country. However, Denver designers such as Crystal Lee are looking to change that. Crystal Lee is behind CRLEE Designs, a brand that makes stunning, laid-back designs for women; Lee is responsible for everything, including the sewing which she does herself. After going back to school at the Art Institute and working dozens of hours a week on design, Lee earned the opportunity to showcase some of her creations at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) this fall.
“I really needed to tap into my creative side. I had the hardest time finding clothes for myself, so I decided to make clothes for myself. I decided to go the Art Institute for design. I had my first show in 2012. I caught the bug—I didn’t know what I was doing, but people responded really well to it, so I pursued it further,” Lee said in a phone interview. “I started making stuff for friends, and that turned into referral, and I started making stuff for their friends or people that reached out to me on social media. It blossomed into this.” Lee takes inspiration from a myriad of things, but first and foremost is the female form. She draws inspiration from the different body types and structures. Music is also a huge source for Lee, as
Photo courtesy of CRLEE designs
Photo courtesy of CRLEE Designs
Pio Personality: Alisa Nelson
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n this week’s Pio Personality, we meet Alisa Nelson, a sophomore at DU. Nelson is majoring in international studies and biology and minoring in chemistry and anthropology. Nelson is very involved on campus. She can be found rowing with the Club Rowing team, working at the Pardee Center, helping at the Newman Center, hanging out with friends and so much more. Nelson is passionate about learning, but her special interest lies in the study of different religions and cultures. Nelson credits her love of learning about different cultures and ideas to her very mobile childhood. She was born in Arlington, Texas and then moved to Liverpool, back to Texas, then to a remote jungle in Ecuador, to Quito (Ecuador’s capital), to Ghana, took a gap year in Senegal and then to Denver to attend school at DU. Alisa claims that moving around so much during her formative years was both a positive and negative experience simultaneously.
she admires hip-hop and its glam“I submitted my stuff, and street aesthetic. However, Denver they got back to me within the is absolutely key to her designs. hour and asked if I wanted a show “I saw a real benefit to Den- in February,” said Lee. “I actually ver’s easiness, kind of laid-back said I wanted to wait until Seplifestyle, the coolness that Denver tember to wait to put some funds has. I like to use really high end and some designs together.” fabrics like silk and things of that Lee is creating an entirely nature, but tie it in with a very new line of designs for NYFW, easy aesthetic—it’s like Denver,” but she will still keep her said Lee. “Silk is my first love easy-going, high-end look. because I’m very big on move- After spending countless hours ment. I feel like anything with a working on designs while also silk blend or silk fibers just gives still keeping a day job, Lee is an a garment life.” absolutely dedicated artist that Lee worked her way up to will surely make Denver proud, a show at NYFW despite also even from hundreds of miles having a day job. After working away. When September finally with one of Denver’s top fashion hits, make sure to scope out photographers, Kevin Alexander, fashion websites to admire Lee’s he suggested she send some of her runway designs. designs to FGFNY, the producers Jocelyn Rockhold | Contributing Writer behind NYFW.
“I was exposed to different cultures, which made me open and more empathetic to other people. Plus, I benefit from all the cognitive perks of speaking different languages since I was younger. On the other hand, there is definitely something to be said, psychologically, about having a permanent home. It was difficult to form my identity because I did not have the comfort of calling one place home. I spent most of my formative years in high school in Ecuador, so it was difficult. I had an American passport, but I really hadn’t lived in the U.S.,” said Nelson. Because Alisa struggled to find her place within the different countries and cultures, she found refuge in her parents’ faith. Her parents are both doctors who traveled with the Protestant church to administer medical care to individuals in the oil-based jungle she lived in, Shell. Alisa wants to pursue a career in global health, which is why her areas of study are all very different, yet fit together quite well.
Although her adventurous upbringing is fascinating and unique, Nelson wishes people would look past her travels and get to know her on a more intimate level. “I wish that people knew that the places I lived is not the most interesting thing about me. There are parts of me that are separate from where I’ve lived,” said Nelson. Intelligent, helpful, considerate and pensive—one always wonders what Nelson is
Photo courtesy of Alisa Nelson
thinking about. Nelson makes a mean banana bread, can create ridiculously intricate braids in anybody’s hair and is wicked good at Hanabi, a Japanese card game that is cooperative rather than competitive. Nelson is level-headed and is always willing to lend a hand or a listening ear. She has a heart of gold and truly inspires everyone she comes in contact with. Maya Pinon | Contributing Writer
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| ENTERTAINMENT “Horizon Zero Dawn” Photo courtesy of Sony
The Nintendo Switch. Photo courtesy of Nintendo
WINTER 2017 VIDEO GAME PREVIEW
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s the post-holiday lull begins to loosen its grip on the video game industry, an unusually promising winter for video game fans looms on the horizon. An exciting lineup of winter releases looks to liven up hiding from the cold with everything from fresh entries in classic franchises to entirely new hardware. February is typically a slow month for gamers, but this year’s offerings look to make this wintry month a memorable one. Coming up first is “For Honor” (Feb. 14), a melee action game that turns the fantasy of battles between knights, samurai and vikings into a gritty reality. Featuring a mixture of a pulpy single-player story and chaos-driven multiplayer combat, the game looks to freshen up the tired hack and slash brand of gameplay. Releasing on the same day is “Sniper Elite 4” (Feb. 14), the first entirely next-gen entry in the popular stealth franchise. Keeping fans on their toes with more complicated environments and a single player campaign branding itself as an atypical World War II story, the sequel seems to be a solid option for those looking for something different from the standard shooter.
For science fiction fans who like their games more on the strategic side, “Halo Wars 2” (Feb. 21) brings back the popular real-time strategy spin on the blockbuster “Halo” franchise for the next generation. Trading in “Halo’s” high-octane gun battles for large-scale tactical warfare, the game aims to capitalize on those looking for a break from a slew of first-person shooters while banking on the popularity of the “Halo” franchise and lore. Closing out the month is the highly anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive “Horizon Zero Dawn” (Feb. 28), the first non-“Killzone” related title from popular developer Guerrilla Games in over a decade. The game has turned many heads in the industry with its eye-popping visuals and unique storyline, which follows a woman struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by robotic creatures. With a sprawling open world and some unique takes on the role-playing genre, “Horizon” looks to cement itself as a breathtaking new franchise for PlayStation, one that will bring some originality to the console’s sequel-heavy library. As if February wasn’t making winter exciting enough already, Nintendo is riding into make March “For Honor” Photo courtesy of Ubisoft
“Breath of the Wild” Photo courtesy of Nintendo
a notable time in video game history. March 3 will see the release of Nintendo’s newest console, the Nintendo Switch. The Switch boasts an impressively innovative design that encourages gaming both in the living room and on-the-go, as the console itself is a tablet-like device that can either be put in a docking station for television use or taken with you as a mobile console. It also features unique, detachable controllers that can be configured for multiple play styles and also used as individual controllers for friends playing together. Headlining the Switch’s release lineup is the long-awaited sequel “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (March 3), the newest entry in the classic “Legend of Zelda” franchise. An ambitious departure from its predecessors, “Breath of the Wild” takes the “Zelda” formula and places it in a massive open-world environment that players are free to explore. The single-player adventure game will attempt to give fans all they’ve come to expect from a “Zelda” story while highlighting the possibilities and power of the Switch. While Nintendo’s newest console and the games accompanying it will surely dominate the month,
fans of classic franchises on other consoles still have something to look forward to. “Ghost Recon Wildlands” (March 7) brings back the once-dominant Tom Clancy franchise to life, sending cooperative play fans into an open world that will see them struggle to take down drug cartels in Bolivia. The first “Ghost Recon” game set in an open world, the game will feature squadbased gameplay that allows players to either play with their friends or control a team of AI (artificial intelligence) soldiers. Also returning is the endlessly popular “Mass Effect” series, with the newest entry “Mass Effect: Andromeda” (March 21), which serves as an all-new story in the series’s expansive universe. Giving players more freedom than ever before, the game will feature a new focus on exploration while maintaining the involved plotlines that series fans know and love. Regardless of what kinds of games one might be a fan of, the winter months are sure to offer something for everyone. It’s never been a better time to hide from the cold.
Ryan Ninesling | Entertainment Editor
“Mass Effect: Andromeda” Photo courtesy of BioWare
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ENTERTAINMENT | 1 5
Connor W. Davis | Clarion
Photo courtesy of HBO
WINTER CARNIVAL PLAYLIST
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U’s greatest tradition is just around the corner, and such an exciting weekend deserves some quality music to accompany it. Whether you are carpooling up to Keystone with your friends, listening to headphones on the DU bus to the resort, or just enjoying the winter festivities on campus, jam out to this playlist for some feel-good tunes.
“Take Me Up” - Coleman Hell “Good Grief” - Bastille “Love On Top” - Beyoncé “Daylight” - Matt and Kim “All Time Low” - Jon Bellion “Cane Shuga” - Glass Animals “Mr. Blue Sky” Electric Light Orchestra “Treehouse” - FIN “Don’t Wanna Know” Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar “Morocco” - Moon Taxi “For Elise” - Saint Motel “Come on Eileen” Dexys Midnight Runners “Stockholm” - Atlas Genius “Disaster” - D.A. Wallach “F.N.T.” - Semisonic Taryn Allen | Copy Editor
HBO’s “Beware of the Slenderman”: The blurred lines between fantasy and reality
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n June of 2009, Eric Knudsen posted a series of black and white images for a photoshop contest to the forum Something Awful. The photographs were of children playing in the woods and on playgrounds, but if you looked closely, standing nearby was a tall, faceless man in a black suit. With the photographs there was a caption, transforming the blurry, pale figure named Slenderman into a myth which, at the fingertips of millions, multiplied into an internet sensation. In the caption, Knudsen wrote, “We didn’t want to go, we didn’t want to kill them, but its persistent silence and outstretched arms horrified and comforted us at the same time.” Five years later, two 12 yearold girls in Waukesha, Wisconsin lured their best friend into the woods and stabbed her 19 times. The victim miraculously survived. The two girls say that it was a sacrifice to Slenderman. On Monday, June 23, HBO released the documentary “Beware of the Slenderman,” which tells the story behind this bizarre case. A large part of the film focuses on the defendants, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, as well as their families. The other part is a study of the motivator behind the crime, Slenderman, and the power the internet can have over today’s youth. Slenderman’s white, empty face has, for years now, been a blank slate open to interpretation and
projection. He is essentially a silent character who has been spoken for by millions—a collaborative urban legend. People use him as a medium through which they can express their fears. In this way, Slenderman is not merely a monster: he is also a companion and a protector. He is a door through which individuals who are rarely acknowledged by those around them enter into a world where people accept them. They need only to believe. For these two Wisconsin girls, Slenderman was far from fictional. He was an omnipotent creature. He was to be feared and also revered. They attempted murder that day in order to become “proxies” of the Slenderman. When asked why she wanted to kill her best friend, Morgan Geyser responded dryly, “It was necessary…I was afraid of what would happen if I didn’t.” Geyser and Weier had convinced themselves that if they didn’t kill this girl, Slenderman would kill them and their families. While interviewing their parents, the film plays home-videos of the defendants, intending to instill within the viewer a similar confusion that the parents were experiencing as they tried to process the incarceration of their sixth-grade daughters. The footage displays two little girls who are happy and loving. They do not appear to display any violent tendencies or psychotic behavior. Their parents insist that all they saw were kids
with active imaginations, like many their age. The documentary is both incredibly fascinating and heartbreaking. Slenderman is a character who speaks to the lonely, the afraid, the misunderstood and the curious. According to the myth, the tall character preys on children, but after observing the following he acquires, it is clear that what he truly preys on is the vulnerability of adolescence. The charge is attempted first-degree murder. Geyser and Weier will be in court again at some point this year. They are being tried as adults despite the best efforts of their lawyers to have them tried as children, so that instead of the sixty-five years in federal prison that they are now facing, they would be released once they turned eighteen. Anissa is being held in a Wisconsin county jail for juveniles, and Morgan is being held at a state hospital where she is being treated for schizophrenia. For some, the line between fantasy and reality is not so easy to make out. In this instance, two girls, both lonely and isolated from their peers, found a common ground: a tall faceless man in a black suit. This commonality clearly strengthened Morgan’s and Anissa’s beliefs, so much so that they brought the horrors of Slenderman to life. AnnMarie Marlow | Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of HBO
Connor W. Davis | Clarion
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| ENTERTAINMENT
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Daniel Lorenzo | Clarion
Zach Brock’s Triptych Trio brings their ecletic charm to DazzleJazz
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enver’s jazz scene was treated to an unique experience on Jan. 29 when renowned violinist Zach Brock and his Triptych Trio made a tour stop at the DazzleJazz club. The group’s performance made for a cerebral and entertaining lowkey show, showcasing a fresh, rarely-heard subgenre of music. DazzleJazz, the group’s venue of choice, was dark, intimate and high-brow—everything one would expect from their mental image of a jazz club. Given its location in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver, with a pricey food menu and an older crowd, it’s a bit inaccessible for the typical Pioneer, but it’s definitely worth the venture for anyone seeking a culturally adventurous night, or perhaps a classy date. This would hold especially true on nights with music as interesting as Zach Brock’s. Comprised of only violin, bass and drums, his ensemble played a complex but engaging brand of
modern jazz centered around the violin that defied categorization. The first set opened with a pair of catchy, laid-back tunes that welcomed listeners in. The latter, called “15” and written in the bizarre time signature of 15/8 (“for all the music nerds out there,” as Brock said), was particularly fun. Brock’s violin playing astounded the entire evening, with neither his technical mastery (he was originally classically trained) nor creativity in improvisation ever lacking. He created harmonically adventurous lines that confounded musical expectations, but they were always punctuated by flashy techniques that led the audience to wonder what other sounds were possible on the violin. The group’s chemistry was remarkable, as well—they seemed to feed off of each other’s energy and started, stopped and moved into solo sections with almost telepathic precision. The music occasionally became too cerebral for the aver-
age listener, though. While jazz fans would have been consistently enthralled, those unfamiliar with the genre might have been put off by some of the more dissonant tunes and the frequent extended bass solos. Granted, this was likely to be expected given the stark, minimalistic and unconventional nature of the ensemble, and it’s to their credit that the lack of a common rhythm instrument (piano, guitar etc.) wasn’t much of a hindrance. Brock and the trio were remarkably cordial afterwards. A quick interview revealed Brock’s connections to Denver—he has family in Fort Collins and is frequently in the area—as well as his passion and vision for his music. “Musicians today are encouraged to be entrepreneurs,” said Brock. “But because of that, so many up-and-coming focused on their social media presence and making a perfect Twitter banner or whatever, when they should really just be focused on their music itself.”
He encouraged young musicians to learn how to play like those who inspire them and by pursuing creativity through keeping a journal. “I’ll still go back to ideas in my notebook from years ago,” he said. In fact, the damper on creativity induced by touring seemed to be the only negative emotion Brock expressed. “Once you get out into the real world and start having shows and engagements, individual practice time gets so much harder to come by,” he said. As if the artist couldn’t become more approachable, Brock even extended the offer of an informal jam session next time he came to town. The night provided a unique insight into the music and personality of a pioneer in the art music world and revealed the DazzleJazz club and the genre of jazz violin to be essentials for culture-savvy Pios to check out. Daniel Lorenzo | Contributing Writer
Daniel Lorenzo | Clarion