All Entries in the "Arts/Entertainment" Category

Murs finishing tour with Nov. 26 Tucson show

By KYLE WASSON

Once a Los Angeles-based emcee, Murs now calls the Old Pueblo home. He plans a tour wrap-up show at Hotel Congress on Nov. 26.

As the Hip Hop and Love Tour makes its way down the West Coast, Murs’ October release, “Love & Rockets Volume 1: The Transformation” is slowly gaining popularity.

Murs has made a career of crafting words while networking with various artists.

“I like to be the writer,” he said in a telephone interview. “Let someone else give me the music and let me dictate the song.”

Collaborations ranging from 9^th Wonder to Slug (Atmosphere) have produced gem albums like “Murray’s Revenge” and Felt’s “A Tribute to Christina Ricci.”

Murs said his hobbies are reading and writing, while storytelling serves as his direction in songwriting.

“I think the first song I heard was ‘Cinderfella’ by Dana Dane, and I was just really amused with his storytelling abilities,” he said. “I’ve always been a fan of narratives, I read a lot.”

Comic books and an autobiography are his current reading choices.

“I’m reading about 30 or 40 comic books a month,” he said, “and right now I’m reading the Tim Tebow autobiography ‘Through My Eyes.’

The Florida football fan also dabbles with creating his own comic books.

Murs teamed with Josh Blaylock, owner of Devil’s Due Publishing, to craft a comic called “Merch Girl: The Curse of Yumiko Morales.”

“I met Josh in Chicago and, some may say foolishly, convinced him to participate in making a comic book,” Murs said with a chuckle. “We hope to have it out by Comic Con this year.”

Aside from the comics and new album release, Murs has attempted to lay low from the limelight.

Making a switch from Warner Bros. back to an independent label allowed him the fluidity he appreciates in the music-making process.

“There’s just a lot of red tape and bureaucracy involved with the major labels,” he said. “Independent offers a lot more freedom. Either way you can create whatever you like, it just takes more time to get things done on a major label.”

Murs avoids most underground rap; his latest listening ranges from Adele to Kimya Dawson.

“I actually don’t listen to a lot of underground rap,” he said. “I can’t stand most of it. Serengeti and Open Mike are two of the first underground albums I’ve bought in years.”

Murs and company will conclude the Hip Hop and Love Tour on Nov. 26 at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. For more information, call 622-8848 or visit the tour’s website at hiphopandlovetour.com.

Courtesy of Dunn Deal PR

Music review: JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound – ‘Want More’

By KYLE WASSON

Uptown Chicago locals and go-to soul collective JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound deliver a gem with their sophomore album “Want More.”

The group describes their late October release, the first with Bloodshot Records, as post-punk soul but it’s much, much more.

The quartet brings together a heavyweight voice and soulful guitar riffs with mind-tingling bass grooves, Ray-esque keyboard and a deafening barrage of brass.

Brooks’ time spent acting in “Passing Strange,” accompanied by the vision of guitarist and Second City theater director Billy Bungeroth, promises a sweaty yet uplifting experience.

Coincidentally enough, the group played as the on-stage band for Chicago’s production of the Tony Award-winner.

“Want More” invokes the soulful, foot-tapping harmony we expect from a soul-based rock group.

The post-punk aspect of JCBUS is carried out with guitar solos rivaling the delivery of Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, who also played alongside the quartet at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival.

JCBUS is not your ordinary, Sunday afternoon, easy listening jazz. The collection has embraced the recent attention brewing from their release and graced many a grand stage, including the inaugural party of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and performances ranging from Robert Plant to Fitz and the Tantrums and even Peter Bjorn and John.

The eclecticism of JCBUS’ stage presence is addicting. From the belting of the first note to the crash of the last cymbal, Brooks grabs the listener by the ears and doesn’t let go.

My favorite “Want More” tracks include the soulful majesty of “Bad News” and the instant classic “To Love Someone (That Don’t Love You.)”

GRADE: B-

CRACKING WISE: The never-ceasing drip of thoughts

 By DAVID MENDEZ

A few thoughts as I listen to a water leak drip from my ceiling into the pot I typically reserve for oatmeal:

• There’s no real reason that any of the current Republican candidates for president should still be in the race. There are TV stars with greater political potential than most of the cast of misfit toys the GOP has trotted out… though to be honest, my list begins and ends with the cast of “The Muppet Show.”

• Honestly, I’d rather hear that the charred body of Ryan Dunn is running for office than hear that Herman Cain has secured the nomination. Of the two, Dunn would have fewer failed economic policies. Plus, there’s no way his inevitable public flameout could possibly be worse than the last one he went through.

• If you were offended by my Ryan Dunn joke, I defy you to defend a guy who not only drove drunkenly on a public highway, but did so at speeds greater than 100 mph, killing a friend in the passenger seat. Take your time, I’ll wait.

• I think it’s strange that my apartment complex has 10 parking spots for more than 40 units, some of which are double occupancy. I think it’s silly that I need to buy a City of Tucson parking pass to be able to park near my home during the day without incurring fines. I think it’s absurd that parking tickets cost as much as the passes themselves.

• In related news, the bike riding I’m forced to do is starting to do nice things for my legs.

• Fun fact: I learned to ride a bike three years ago, at the tender age of 21. For your convenience, I’ve written a few jokes to use on me: 1. I recently gained proficiency at coloring within the lines. 2. I just stopped needing to wear Velcro shoes. 3. Just last week my parents decided I can sleep in my big-boy bed without wearing rubber pants. Progress!

• I just turned 24. To contrast, Albert Einstein was 25 when he published his theory of relativity; Steve Jobs was 21 when he (along with Steve Wozniak) founded Apple in his parents’ garage; Justin Bieber was 17 when he had his first paternity scandal. It looks like I’ve got some catching up to do.

• According to last issue’s Top 10 by Chloe Deem, I apparently have no business showing myself in public in the clothes I tend to wear. I swear she was looking at me when she wrote that article.

• According to last issue’s Top 10 by Ryan Tsarsis, I apparently have no business showing myself in public in the clothes I keep in my closet. I swear I had no idea he frequented that bar.

• Finally, I recently learned that record labels will stop pressing CDs within the next few years, forcing consumers to pay extra for media they can no longer hold or own in any tangible form. My old Game Boy, my VCR and the National Basketball Association have all poured out a 40 in memory of a fellow obsolete form of entertainment.

Horoscope

By NINA ELLIOTT

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21)

Remember how Ice Cube was all hardcore? And now he’s in the next family comedy about black folks camping? You may think the two are incongruous but he has matured over time. What commitment will you make to mature over time?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 19)

It is easy to rest on your laurels once you’re done mainlining midterms. But honey, you’ve got to think about the future. Lay some groundwork for the short-term goals that lead to the long-term money shot.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Pulled in different directions? Unable to make a commitment? My astrological omens say things are weird for you right now. But that is OK. Pull a Hunter S. Thompson and roll with the madness.

Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)

You need to be as plentitudinous as Picasso because this time of your life is going to be intense. Find the willpower, the discipline, the energy drink, or whatever you need to make “it” a reality.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Do you have friends with whom you share cutting edge things and then they post it on Facebook like they own it? Don’t let that stop you. Go and get it from the source with your fierce badass self!

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Having great taste should blanket over most things in life but sadly it does not. We make mistakes and will continue to do so. What’s important: surround yourself with people who have intelligent and healthy obsessions.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

You are dimly aware that your self-expression may be a little too heavy for others… but this could be all part of your wildly successful “Purple Rain” venture.

Cancer (June 22- July 22)

There’s going to be lots of change in your life: kind of horny and annoying like a teenage boy and kind of emotional and intense like your Mom going through menopause. Accept the changes because they’re going to happen anyway.

Leo (July 23- Aug. 22)

You are cutting corners, running around, doing errands to get to all the good stuff that happens later. As a responsible hedonist, could you be the Henry Miller of the zodiac? All signs point to yes!

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)

“The dude abides,” so chill and mellow out. If you are stressing about a certain situation, relax instead of reacting.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

All those dizzying updates of news and information make it difficult to stay focused. Don’t be afraid to turn off the phone and be old-fashioned for a few minutes.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

There is so much going on, it is difficult to keep track of your business. But you can’t just check out of life. Wake up and smell the creosote. Be here and be now.

Top 10 foods to serve at Thanksgiving

By CELESTE ORENDAIN

If you’re wondering what to cook for Thanksgiving, here are 10 of the most popular foods that Americans serve:

1. Turkey (with gravy on the side)

2. Baked ham

3. Mashed potatoes

4. Sweet potato casserole

5. Stuffing

6. Corn

7. Pumpkin and pecan pie

8. Baked beans and green bean casserole

9. Macaroni and cheese

10. Homemade breads

P.S. Add Alka-Seltzer. Enjoy the holiday!

REVIEW: ‘Uncharted 3′ proves not all developers dream equally

By D.J. ARIZMENDI

If there ever was a console-exclusive game that could unify every gamer, of every genre, of any system, “Uncharted 3” would be that ambassador.

The story is a rather simple one. Players assume the role of thrill-seeking Nathan Drake as he and  his streetwise gang seek treasure that spans across various corners of the globe. It’s a tale that’s as old as it is quintessential.

Though some may perceive the structure trite and contrived, the pace is unarguably hasted and never forgets what it is all about, the adventure.

All the usual suspects return to their respective roles, and all bring their A-game to the table.

None of the performances feel forced, which is rare for a game, and has a caliber that can only be matched overseas from works like the “Yakuza” series. The real stars of this shameless blockbuster are the set pieces and graphics.

Anyone who read my “Batman: Arkham City” article may be experiencing deja-vu from that last sentence, so let me make this clear: U3 has the finest, superlative and most ambitious set design seen in video game history.

The terrain you explore and interact with make ‘Pandora’ look like a bitch.

The worlds explored range from the desert to the sea and everything in-between.

Instead of playing it safe and having these elegant levels stay in one piece, the folks at NaughtyDog have no problem watching their world burn, literally. What you passed by once as a room of beautiful art, becomes a flaming graveyard on the way back.

What helps these astonishing scenes come to life is the blistering detail put into every bit of texture on the screen.

To simply say that the visuals are the premier example of how games should look would be understating it. The graphics in U3 actually represent how games in the next generation should look in terms of constancy.

No matter the scenario, day, night, indoor or outdoor, U3 handles them almost as they were different games. It makes sure that every chapter is as good looking as the last.

While some developers work tirelessly to make their games feel more pragmatic, U3 is unashamedly proud to show it’s gaminess by giving players control over events that any other game would have made into a cutscene. The transitions from gazing eyes to trigger happy hands is so seamless you might forget that you actually get to control the action.

Gameplay remains largely similar since the last outing, but it’s all the small changes that make a major impact.

For instance, you can now throw back grenades if your timing is right and melee combat is now contextual with the environment. Thanks to these enhancements, the combat is flawlessly adaptable and you never get the sense you did something wrong.

That being said, that does not mean you will not die. The difficulty has some sharp spikes, but fortunately the checkpoints are very forgiving and well placed.

If having probably the greatest single player experience is not exciting enough, you can always hook up with your bros in multi-player for either co-op or competitive modes.

The two modes are actually surprisingly deep and offer perks, badges and a leveling system that so many “Call Of Duty” fans have come to adore.

With so many games out this year, I had some doubt that U3 would stick out, but after completing its story and dipping into the multiplayer, I absolutely have no doubt in my heart, mind or soul when I say that “Uncharted 3” truly is the definitive game of this generation.

Grade: A+

Photo Illustration by Miki Jennings

Top 10 things to never wear

ADVICE FOR MEN

By CHLOE DEEM

1. Running shoes. Are you going for a jog in the middle of class? I didn’t think so. Wearing running shoes says your personal style doesn’t go beyond Footlocker. Please invest in shoes not entirely composed of rubber.

2. Cargo pants/shorts. Unless you are hiking a mountain, these are not acceptable. Come on, who needs that many pockets?

3. Visors. The only ones who should wear these wretched forms of headwear are 65-year-old men with erectile dysfunction in Florida.

4. Tank tops. I get it, Arizona is hot. However, a lightweight T-shirt would suffice. If I wanted to see deodorant stuck in your armpit hair, I would ask, bro.

5. White sunglasses. No explanation necessary.

6. Track suits. Oh forgive me, are you a rapper from 1996? No. Just no. I don’t want to hear the swish of your nylon blend fabric every time you walk by.

7. Shirts with metallic decals. Clearly I’m talking about Ed Hardy and Affliction, but by this time we should all know that those are unacceptable, right?

8. Light wash “relaxed fit” jeans. Wearing these tells the female population that your mom still dresses you, you’ve only had sex once (with your red-headed girlfriend from high school) and you used to play the clarinet.

9. The “glimpse” of boxers. I’ll let it slide that you’re still wearing boxers past the age of 18. But, the last thing any girl wants to see is the peekaboo of printed four-leaf clovers, which I can only assume your grandmother got you for Christmas… six years ago.

10. Jean shorts. There are two kinds of “jorts.” The hipster version, most likely a cut-off pair of Levi’s 501s, is acceptable. The baggy kind that toddlers wear is not tolerable for college students. Don’t make your ass look fatter than it already is.

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ADVICE FOR WOMEN

By RYAN TSARSIS

1. Sweatpants. If you’re asking why, you’re probably sitting on a couch and don’t care about how guys look at you. Don’t confuse this with yoga pants, which are attractive “I don’t look like I care, but I secretly want people to stare at my ass” pants.

2. Uggs. It’s Arizona, girls. Being too lazy to strap on gladiators doesn’t give you a practical reason to wear Uggs. Either more women want to look like Eskimos or the cankle population is growing.

3. Hoodies. Why would you hide God’s gift to the world? Hoodies tell a guy, “I’m a virgin and all I do is study.”If you’re cold, wear a cute jacket or a slim-fitting sweater.

4. Pony tails. When a guy fantasizes about you, he doesn’t think about pulling your pony tail. In fact, unless you have a flawless complexion, your pony tail is a complete turn-off.

5. Capris. Let’s be honest here, you’re not gardening or fooling anyone that you haven’t shaven your legs all winter.

6. Empire waist. If you’re not pregnant, you have no argument. Being self-conscious about your mid-section is no reason to look like Little Bo Peep. Buy a sundress. It’s always a good decision. Always.

7. Poofs and bangs. Do you seriously want to look like Snooki? Bangs look bad 99 percent of the time.

8. Tennis shoes. Never, unless you’re at the gym. And don’t say you just got back, or you’re about to go to the gym. Get a pedicure and wear sandals or open-toed shoes. And by the way, no flip flops either.

9. Tube tops/belly shirts. Don’t even think about it, unless you are really confident you can pull it off. If you are in good shape, there are more attractive alternatives.

10. Piercings. (Exceptions: ears, belly button.) A tongue ring is a sexy idea, but you just don’t demand respect with it. Nose rings seem cute, but most noses aren’t cute enough to emphasize.

Festival showcases international cinema

By LAURA BLANDBURG

The Loft Film Festival, now in its second year, will showcase awarding-winning films from all over the world Nov. 10-17. Most films will be making their Arizona premiere.

The Loft Cinema, Tucson’s nonprofit independent art house theater, is already known for showing independent and foreign films. The festival gives organizers a chance to screen more obscure fare.

Jeff Yanc, program director, said it is rare for a movie theater to host its own festival.

The Loft staff attends film festivals year-round to select the schedule. Yanc traveled to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and to the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

At SXSW, Yanc discovered “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.” The documentary showcases the rise of Kevin Clash, the actor/puppeteer behind the beloved Sesame Street character. Puppets Amongus will present a live puppet show before the screening.

Yanc unearthed the Turkish police drama “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” at the Palm Springs festival, a haven for foreign film submissions.

The Loft festival opens with the psychological drama/disaster film “Melancholia” from controversial director Lars von Trier. Before the film, an apocalyptic-themed reception on the Loft patio will give festival-goers an opportunity to mingle.

“Donnie Darko” will celebrate its 10th anniversary with director Richard Kelly in attendance. The cult favorite plays frequently at The Loft. At each screening, a fan appears in costume as Frank, the bunny. No one knows who it is, so keep a look out for him.

Internationally acclaimed actor Udo Kier will receive the first “Lofty” Lifetime Achievement Award. Kier will attend the screening of his new film “House of Boys,” which includes a Q&A session and a career highlight reel.

Local filmmakers will also be on display. An Arizona Short Film Showcase highlights works from across the state.

Oscar nominee and Tucson native Kirby Dick will appear at a Q&A. A screening of “The World According to Kirby Dick” will showcase little-known works that span his career, while a super-short sneak peek will offer a glimpse of his upcoming film.

Individual tickets and festival passes can be purchased online and at the theater’s box office. For more information, visit loftfilmfest.com.

FYI

Loft Film Festival

When: Nov. 10-17

Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tickets: Individual film tickets $8-10, festival pass $75-100

Box office: 795-0844

Details: loftfilmfest.com

Arts Briefs

PCC Jazz in concert

Pima Community College Jazz Improve Combos Concert will be held Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the PCC Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre.

The concert features two jazz groups, each with a rhythm section, several horns and a vocalist. Program selections include Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Girl from Ipanema” and Django Reinhardt’s original

“Django’s Castle” among others.

The concert will be directed by Mike Kuhn, and is formed out of the weekly improvisation class. Kuhn also plays saxophone in a variety of venues around the greater Tucson area.

The Jazz Improv Combo Concert is open to the public. Tickets are available at the Center of the Arts box office for $6 with discounts available. For more information, call 206-6986.

-By Ryan Tsarsis

Memoir 101

What is a memoir? This is a question that will be answered at the weekend workshop Memoir 101: Remembering and Practicing the Basics.

This is designed for writers who want to reinvigorate the fundamentals of memoir craft.

The workshop topics include the definition of memoir, what it must do as a story, and common mistakes; how to recognize memories worth writing about; structuring a memoir; using the reflective narrator that distinguishes memoir from first person fiction, and voice.

The workshop will be held at PCC West Campus, Sentinel Peak building, room J-101 on Friday 6-8 pm, Saturday 9am-5pm (plus writing on your own Saturday) and Sunday 9am-5pm. Registration is held at any campus in person or at the pima website.

The workshop consists of two earned credits.  Cost for Arizona residents is $117 plus $19 fees.

The workshop will be taught my Lisa Dale Norton who is the author of the popular writing book Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir and the Literary memoir Hawk Flies Above: Journey to the Heart of the Sandhills. She teaches memoir writing through the Santa Fe Writing Institute, blogs for The Huffington Post as an expert on story, and consults internationally with writers completing book manuscripts.

For more information contact Meg Files at (520) 206-6084 mfiles@pima.edu or http://www.pima.edu/announcements/201109/Creative-Writing-Workshop-Fall-2011.pdf

-By Vanessa Avila

FACEOFF: The great American pie debate

TEAM NO PIE

By CHLOE DEEM

Thanksgiving is the one day when stuffing your face with carbs is OK. However, pie is not on my list of delicious starch-packed food.

I know pie is the quintessential American dessert, but it’s weird.

It’s not cohesive. The layers don’t “flow.” On top, there’s a weird pattern of crust. The middle has chunks of hard fruit atop a layer of graham cracker.

When you take a bite, pie doesn’t melt in your mouth. It’s like slave labor on your jaw.
It’s the “expected” holiday dessert. I prefer to be more adventurous with my pastries.
Let’s also talk about the texture of a graham cracker crust. It’s like eating a bucket of sand. Just the thought of it makes me cringe.

Pie is also crumbly and messy. My plate looks like a battlefield of apples and brown sugar.

I’m more of a cake person. Between the non-messy bites, frosting and cool decorations, there’s really not much competition.

Cakes also signify the single best day ever, birthdays. Has there ever been a birthday pie? No.
This holiday season, spare yourself from a boring dessert. Break out of the traditional mold. Just say no to pie.

Photo by Leftrick Herd

TEAM PRO PIE

By DAVID MENDEZ

When it comes to desserts, there are only two types of people: Those who like pie and those who don’t function properly.

Sweet, elderly women don’t set out fresh crepes to cool on windowsills. Don McLean didn’t say goodbye to Miss American Flan. Jason Biggs didn’t violate a perfectly innocent pineapple upside-down cake in “American Cake.”

Pie is simple. A bottom layer of pastry, typically made of dough, graham crackers or even crushed Oreo cookies, with a layer of cream or fruit filling above it. On top, another layer of flaky pastry is traditional, though optional — particularly in the case of cream pies.

Its main competitor within the dessert world, cake, relies upon frosting and gimmicks to make itself attractive. Think “photo cakes.”

Worse, diners often waste time by impotently scraping at dried crumbs with their forks, hoping they’ll be able to clump together enough to properly enjoy their birthdays.

It’s a simple truth, not a matter of opinion: If you don’t like pie, you’re wrong.

You are incorrect on a fundamental level. Your decision-making is questionable and you may possibly be a communist.

Long live pie, long live America!

CRACKING WISE: You can’t make this stuff up

By DAVID MENDEZ

I found myself sitting atop the backseat of an open convertible, holding a dozen long-stem roses, sitting next to a girl dressed as a beauty queen.

Throngs of people cheered as the Tucson High School marching band led the car down University Boulevard.

I had no idea what was going on.

A week prior, a friend asked me to do her a favor. She wanted me to accompany her as she spied on an abusive ex while he ate lunch.

I was put off.

For one thing, I’m not into stalking people outside of Facebook.

For another, on my good idea/bad idea scale, this one found a way to skip “bad” and jump all the way to “stupid.”

My friendship with this girl was already rocky.

For months, I kept her company when she was lonely and listened to her complain about her life.

I supported her even after she turned me down to date my roommate.

(I’m still friends with him. “Bros before future psych patients,” after all.)

My grades suffered. My own mental health deteriorated. I was just fed up.

After this favor, I was done with her.

I was late the day of our meeting, from indifference rather than my usual inability to be timely. We waited so she could text someone and collect info while I tapped my foot impatiently.

We hurried down the street while I ranted about her stupid plan, stopping only to help random strangers along the way.

One was an elderly woman who dropped her groceries on the sidewalk. Another was a man whose wallet fell in front of me. I took photos for foreign vacationers with suspiciously bad accents while I vented at her.

But I was stopped in my tracks when a Tucson High drum major, in full uniform, asked me for directions to the coffee shop down the street.

This should have been the moment when a switch went off in my head.

As a recovering band nerd, however, my only thought was “pfft, when I was in high school, I actually paid attention to the director.”

A blowing whistle interrupted my thought.

People rushed at me and cheered. I was hustled into a car’s backseat next to the aforementioned girl in the gown, who told me to smile and wave. I watched, stunned, as people juggled, kids danced and men drove tiny cars in formation.

We turned a corner and the parade stopped. After I exited the car, I was interviewed on camera about why I help strangers.

It turns out the parade was a stunt, part of a marketing campaign for an acne medication. My friend had set me up as a reward for being so nice to her.

The irony stings, even today.

For participating, I was given a bunch of gift cards, a pat on the back and a kick down the street. My friend disappeared in the confusion, having played her part.

I was neither the first nor last person to be in a parade that day. Sipping a beer made possible by one of the gift cards, I reconsidered my position on my friend.

That night, I called her to say thanks. She told me she no longer wanted to be my friend.

Apparently, my anger toward her contrasted poorly with my kindness to random strangers. She had seen the kind of person I “truly was.”

We hung up. I sat there, speechless… for a moment.

The next day, I used my gift cards with a smile on my face, as if they were a reward for months of suffering.

I’ve found nothing on the Internet from this ad campaign. It seems to have disappeared in much the same way my friendship did. I’m OK with both instances.

The lessons here, Pima? Kindness pays off, some friendships are worth as much as a Visa gift card and some stories are so weird they just can’t be made up.

CAMPUS CLUBS: Photo Club focuses on fun, friendship

By LEFTRICK HERD

The Pima Community College Photo Club provides a gathering place for people who love their cameras. Beginner or advanced, members are among friends and photo enthusiasts.

During Wednesday club meetings, members share their photos and give demonstrations on current projects.

There are 35 members, with 10-15 attending the weekly meetings. Cherice Engle and Larry Gaurano chair the meetings as an open, comfortable forum.

“One of the things we do is to have a mentor program for Photo I students or for people who want to learn photography,” Engle said.

The club participates in many community service projects and charitable events, and also photographs the events.

“On a photo walk to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, we went for about four hours with club members and had a lot of fun,” Engle said.

At a recent club meeting, Engle gave a demonstration on laser jet transfer in matte gel medium on wood or metal.

Lisa Jo Roden presented a slide show on the Phone-ography exhibit on display at Tucson’s ArtsEye Gallery.

Roden is one of the showcase artists in the exhibit, which runs through Nov. 30.

The group has a Pima Photo Club Facebook page and a Flicker website where members can post their work. Anyone who comes to meetings regularly will be added as a member.

Twelve club members will attend the 2011 Society for Photographic Education southwest regional conference Nov. 11-13 in Santa Fe, N.M.

The photo club will also host its first scavenger hunt, with the deadline for entries Nov. 30.

Other upcoming activities include a print sale and a photo walk on Mount Lemmon.

The club meets every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Room CG-27 on West Campus. You can also find information at the Pima Photo Club Facebook site.

Members of the Photo Club pose for a group photo while showing off some of the art they created during time spent during a club meeting.

Horoscope

By CHLOE DEEM

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
With this being your time, expect good things to be headed your way. However, don’t become too jaded with all your positive luck.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21)
You will have some trouble on the friendship front. Make sure to have your guard up and trust your gut.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 19)
You might be feeling extra lonely due to personal circumstances, but have no fear. This feeling will soon pass.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You have been quite promiscuous lately. Make sure to act more refined this month, for some negative rumors are sure to be headed your way.

Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)
Forgetting about your problems will not make them go away. Make time for yourself to sort through all your issues and you will feel much better.

Aries (March 21-April 19)
Love is in the air for you, Aries! You are radiating your infectious energy and attracting many suitors. This should be quite an enjoyable time for you.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is an imperative time, when you need to take control over your life and start reaching those goals. They are more attainable than you think.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)
For once, try and let others in your life make the decisions. You tend to be very set in your ways. Be careful, for this could drastically affect the relationships in your life.

Cancer (June 22- July 22)
Some major life changes are headed your way. You need to break free from your everyday routine. Do not be afraid to take a leap of faith when it comes to your career.

Leo (July 23- Aug. 22)
You’ve been lagging in school lately, and the stress of it is beginning to mount. Keep in mind that it is never too late to regroup and prioritize.

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
You must listen to what others say more carefully in order to succeed in your day-to-day happenings. By doing so, people will appreciate your sudden knack for giving advice.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Usually you are very self-serving but it seems lately a new compassionate manner has come over you. People will soon recognize this and you will be rewarded for it.

“The Three Musketeers” a fun steampunk adventure

By APRIL GEORGE

At first glance, it would appear that “The Three Musketeers” is simply a remake of the 1993 Disney film of the same name. While it does follow the same storyline -both are films based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas- this new version does not have the fun-loving, Disney feel of its predecessor.

“Musketeers” features Logan Lerman (“Percy Jackson”) as the idealistic D’Artagnan, a young man who, as the son of a former musketeer, embarks on a journey to Paris to join the King’s Musketeers. Unfortunately, because of a blunder on a previous mission, and some scheming by the wicked Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Waltz) and his hired help Milady (Milla Jovovich), the musketeers have been disbanded.

When Richelieu plots to use the Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) as a scapegoat for a war with England, D’Artagnan recruits Athos (Matthew MacFayden), Porthos (Ray Stevenson) and Aramis (Luke Evans) to stop the treacherous Cardinal.

The film features a star-studded cast as well as several unknown faces. Lerman shines in his breakout role, and Bloom steps out of his traditional pretty-boy, action hero role to give a star turn as the villainous Buckingham. Jovovich is beautifully wicked as the double-crossing, multi-talented Milady, and the rest of the cast does not disappoint.

The film features some pretty cool special effects too. Ranging from epic sword fights and explosions to an airship straight out of steampunk fantasy, “Musketeers” shows that it has footing in the SFX world as well.

Overall, the film is worth a watch, as long as you don’t take into account that the Renaissance time period clashes with the steampunk themes. Wrapped up in a nice little two hour package is a film that takes into account many different tastes and styles. “The Three Musketeers” lives up to expectations, and surpasses the ’93 version as one of the best renditions of Dumas’ novel.

“The Three Musketeers” is playing at all major theaters. It’s rated PG-13 for sequences of violence.

Grade: A+

November brings new music

By ALLIE PEOT

Florence + The Machine: ‘Ceremonials’

“I want my music to sound like throwing yourself out of tree, or off a tall building, or as if you’re being sucked down into the ocean and you can’t breathe,” says Florence Welch, front woman of Florence + the Machine.

If you fall for it, Florence + the Machine’s debut album, ‘Lungs’, was like a dropping out of a sapling. ‘Ceremonials’, their latest release from Universal Records, is like taking flight from a towering oak tree.

With vigor that captured audiences from London to New York, ‘Ceremonials’ bursts forth as a thunderous and shimmering collection of songs. Drawing upon predecessors like PJ Harvey, Kate Bush, the Banshees and U2, the album begs to be played upon a lofty mountaintop or overlooking a tumultuous sea.

Welch plunges bravely into her feverish melodrama on the first track ‘Only If For a Night’. A harp-heavy anthem from a graveyard, Welch indulges in some of her favorite themes: sacrifice and the surreal.

On ‘Shake It Out’ she shamelessly belts “it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake him off”. If it weren’t for the epic sound behind her, it might be hard to believe. “I am done with my graceless heart, so tonight I’m gonna cut it out and restart,” she swells. You won’t doubt her, and that’s half the fun.

‘Lover to Lover’ is a piano-powered, rejoicing romp through gospel and Motown, Florence-style, with searing vocals and endless emotion.

Listen to ‘Ceremonials’ and escape to a world void of the mundane. It is glorious heartbreak, bleeding romance and howling wind.

Brown Bird: ‘Salt for Salt’

Morganeve Swain and David Lamb of Brown Bird layer whistles, tambourines and violins in eerie, stripped-down melodies straight from a shipyard on ‘Salt for Salt’. Deftly skirting around most bland modern-folk, the Rhode Island duo keep it simple and brilliant by sticking to their American roots and drawing inspiration from all over the world.

‘Salt for Salt’, the fifth album from this veteran folk duo, was recorded straight to tape and evokes their raw, energetic live performances. Combining poetry, grinding gypsy percussion, rollicking bluegrass and Turkish melodies, this album carries the Halloween spirit into winter.

Swain’s haunting vocals add warmth and dimension to Lambs’ folksy singing on the single ‘Finger to the Bone’. It’s a song of longing, drudgery, and awakening. Well-timed and catchy, you might indulge in the misery and howl along.

‘Blood of Angels’ is a bubbling and sneering rebellion. “I tried to be good, I was a failure,” sings Lamb, “So I took to taking all the good men down.” Rhythmic and rootsy, its dark harmony and lyrics set it apart. “Don’t come round here spreading sentimental cheer,” warns Swain in the second verse.

Not every song isn’t a gemstone; several are disappointingly vague. Lamb’s crooning occasionally draws too much upon those blue-jean clad bullfrogs of Americana. However, the instrumental track ‘Shiloh’ proves these two have serious collaborative talent and a sense of restraint, making it well worth a listen for the folk or gypsy fan.

For a chilled winter night, or an anecdote for the sticky-sweet holidays, find relief and energy in ‘Salt for Salt’.

Bombay Bicycle Club: ‘A Different Kind of Fix’

The Bombay Bicycle Club runs dangerously close to falling into the sea of indie-pop-rock bands with no outstanding qualities. Except that they’re actually good. Their latest album, A Different Kind of Fix, is a relaxing and dreamy blend of dance, rock, and electronica. Mixing elegant harmonies and dizzying loops inside a sturdy frame of trust, this third release proves that the Bombay Bicycle Club has staying power.

The single ‘Shuffle’ loops piano riffs and spontaneous hand claps behind the most energetic, electric vocals on the album. The rest of the album’s songs feature soft vocals gently climbing up solid, stadium-worthy drumming.

The songs are heavily influenced by dance music, evident in the leading track, ‘How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep’. Part melancholy, part late-summer sweetness, it is tender, yet flexes the strength of the last lone dancer on the floor. You might have heard this song on the ‘Twilight: Eclipse’ Soundtrack, but don’t let that ruin it for you.

‘Your Eyes’ rattles around brilliantly as the stand-out track out on the album, the one you’ll be humming later in the day and rushing back to hear again. Sweeping through cymbals and not-quite-cheerful vocals, it frolics around with a wooden block and rhyming lyrics.

‘What You Want’ pierces the listener with a bare opening lyric repeated – “your flesh and bone” – and a rapt guitar riff. Leaving the listener exposed and empty, it fills back up with a rich and honest love song.

‘A Different Kind of Fix’ is a step up for the Bombay Bicycle Club, and showcases their growing strength as a quartet. Textured and thoughtful, it borders on repetitive, but weaves a desirable spell of sweetness.