Visit local record stores and shake up your music
Felipe Garcia-Wasnich
Staff Writer
shakeitrecords.com
Shake It Records is located in Northside, which is considered one of Cincinnati’s funkiest neighborhoods.
The music industry was dealt a harsh blow in late 2006 when Tower records closed all of their U.S. stores. The decline of music sales reflected the growing trend toward illegal downloading and a preference of digital over physical product.
With the advent of iTunes and other digital musical sources, independent record stores struggle to keep their heads above the waves of liquidation. However, some local stores refuse to quit.
Everybody’s Records
6106 Montgomery Rd.
Pleasant Ridge, Ohio 45213
(513) 531-4500
The closest record store to Xavier’s campus, Everybody’s Records
has been a part of the local community for over 30 years. With walls that resemble
an angsty teenager’s bedroom populated by promotional posters and rock
memorabilia, Everybody’s has the feel of a classic record store.
The music selection in this audiophile’s treasure trove has something for everyone. Indeed, Everybody’s proves record stores are not just for hipster snobs and aging, tattooed rockers.
An incredibly vast collection of rap on CD and vinyl (new and used) has a heavy prominence within the store. Hip-hop enthusiasts can choose from popular artists such as 50 Cent, or more left of the dial music.
Lovers of rock and punk music also have a plethora of choices. Everybody’s Records seems to hold the most extensive punk selection in the city.
verybody’s solid punk vinyl collection could leave the average customer astonished at the amount of demonic band names that would have otherwise never crossed their mind.
Those interested in Indie, alternative and classic rock have nothing to fear; Everybody’s has a great assortment for them as well. However, the pride of Everybody’s is its prime jazz collection, which goes way beyond staples like Miles Davis and John Coltrane’s albums.
Everybody’s staff members are not stereotypical record store employees. Both forthcoming and friendly they are not just willing to suggest artists or assess albums, but are eager to help clientele, regardless of taste.
Mole’s Record Exchange
111 Calhoun St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
(513) 861-6291
Those daring enough to venture into Bearcat country may have noticed Mole’s
modest sign near the University of Cincinnati’s campus. The store mostly
caters to classic rock enthusiasts, and, while reasonably priced, it can be
surmised that it stays afloat through DVD sales. Many will appreciate the owners
tremendous knowledge of Frank Zappa and similar artists.
Some current artists can be found throughout the tiny store when sifting through
baskets formerly used by the local postal service, but it takes a vast amount
of courage to venture into the back room, where unwanted records go to die.
Shake It Records
4156 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45223
(513) 591-0123
Located in the artistic neighborhood of Northside, Shake It Records is perhaps
the captain of its niche industry. Not only a landmark record store but a record
label and small venue, Shake It is the perfect embodiment of the words “independent
record store.” Aloof, yet incredibly knowledgeable employees roam the
cramped aisle in tight sweaters.
The store’s book collection contains all the essentials for beatniks, artists, rouge musicians and pretentious critics. The division between CDs and vinyls purposefully separates the men from the boys.
The music collection is extensive, including world beat, jazz, punk, alternative, Indie and classical.
Country fans may feel isolated due to their favorite albums’ location in the store, but this could hardly be on purpose.
This store specializes in the obscure. Genres that have generally been rejected by the mainstream can be found in abundance at Shake It.
Those interested in avant-garde rock and electronic music could spend hours on the store’s lower level sifting through albums by Chemical Brothers and Philip Glass. For any left-of-the-dial find, Shake It is certainly top notch.
With frequent in-store shows by touring bands and the enjoyable musty smell, this Northside fixture provides the authentic record store experience.
Parker’s Records & Comics
1222 Suite C Rt. 28, Milford, Ohio 45150
(513) 575-3665
Certainly not worth the half-hour journey, Parker’s is not what its website
indicates. Thrown in among the hair salons and fast food chains of Milford,
it stands as an oasis for any comic book lover who can be suckered into paying
above collector’s price for a shoddy vinyl. No music lover should bother
making the trek.
‘Power Plays’ to be wild ride
Nora Heink
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Erika Bresee
Junior Ann Fiegen and sophomore Lauren Yadlosky during a rehearsal of “The Way of All Fish,” Act I of “Power Plays.” The script for “Power Plays” was written by Second City alums Elaine May and Alan Arkin.
This weekend, Xavier Players presents its fall studio production of “Power Plays.”
The show, directed by professor Cheryl Couch, is a set of three zany, one-act plays by veteran comics Elaine May and Alan Arkin. The play’s absurdist, sketch-comedy humor is a tribute to both writers’ Second City beginnings.
May and Arkin originated the show’s wacky characters when it opened in 1998, performing alongside their daughter and son, respectively. Each sketch delves into the frenzied world of characters obsessed with control and coercion.
“It’s got an amusement park feel to it,” said junior Ann Fiegen, one of the show’s performers. “There’s something for everyone.”
The first act is titled “The Way of All Fish,” and features sophomore
Lauren Yadlosky as a domineering executive and Fiegen as her mousy secretary.
During the act, the duo shares wine and sushi in their office one night, when
the dinner conversation turns into a series of hysterical role-reversals and
startling discoveries.
In the second act entitled “Virtual Reality,” sophomore Alex Craven and freshman Brian Hartzell play two men meeting late at night for unspecified but decidedly shady reasons.
The sketch escalates into frenzied wackiness as the seedy characters get down to business.
The third and most raucous act, “In and Out of the Light,” presents junior Stuart McNeil as a dentist besotted by a new nurse, played by junior Katie Casdorph, working in his office.
Hilarity ensues as the dentist’s son, junior Peter York, and a crazed patient, freshman Zoe Teets, enter the scene. The Players will be performing “Power Plays” for more than just the Xavier and local communities.
Judges representing the American College Theater Festival will be adjudicating this weekend’s production for a potential performance at the organization’s regional festival in January at Saginaw State University and at the Kennedy Center for the spring national festival.
Each year the Players vote on a play to be adjudicated for the festival. Director Cheryl Couch said that students will like the show’s blend of improvisational-styled antics coupled with smart jokes.
“It’s a game,” she said of the production’s fast-paced humor. “And it’s got several different flavors of funny.”
The show runs from Thursday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 16. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Gallagher Studio Theatre. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 the day of the performance.
Master fall fashion with a few pointers
Kathryn Rosenbaum
News Editor
Although the weather may suggest otherwise, we are in the middle of fall. With this comes football, apple pie and, my favorite, fall wardrobes. Fall and early winter wardrobes are my favorite because of their rich colors, textures and the possibility for layering.
It is not cold enough to bundle up with a ski jacket that makes you look like a marshmallow blob, but it should be cool enough to retire the shorts and flip-flops for five or six months.
Put away your sandals for the fall and winter season and wear a real pair of shoes! Also; take note that there is no bigger fashion faux pas than wearing sandals and socks.
As much as I love sundresses, as soon as fall teases us with crisp air, I am ready to find my jackets, boots and sweaters.
Jackets are my favorite fall piece, for both men and women. A signature jacket in a rich jewel tone like purple or ruby (for women), a distinct pattern like plaid or houndstooth, or a heavy texture like wool can make a statement or dress up a casual outfit.
North Face jackets are probably the most stereotypical winter clothing item for college students. I own one myself and can’t argue against them.
However, they are ubiquitous and become a risk to wear to a party, as you might go home with someone else’s black North Face. I do object, however to wearing a North Face and flip-flops simultaneously. This does not make any sense. How is it possible to be both warm enough for flip-flops, yet cold enough to warrant a North Face? If you pull out a North Face, wear real shoes.
Besides jackets and coats, leggings and dresses are popular for women this fall. Leggings can be a tricky trend to wear, so when deciding if leggings are appropriate with an outfit, I follow this rule of thumb: leggings cannot take the place of jeans. Thus, they can’t be worn with the same fitted shirts that are appropriate for jeans.
Many people only break out dresses in the summer with cute sandals. However, fall dresses offer many options to look stylish and cute. I wear dresses because they welcome layering, which is essential for fall. Leggings with dresses are an appropriate combo to stay warm when the weather starts to become cooler.
Lighter dresses do not have to be put away for the fall. As long as the pattern is not too summery and the fabric is not too light, it is possible to layer basic long sleeve shirts or turtlenecks to make them fall-appropriate.
Scarves and boots can also help transform a short dress into an appropriate fall staple.
Men’s trends do not change as dramatically from year to year as do those for women, which makes me happy that I am a girl and can have more options.
If you usually stick to sports jerseys and basketball shorts, a way to dress up a fall wardrobe is with crew neck sweaters in brown or beige. Underneath these sweaters, a collared shirt is usually a good move.
Leather is a popular fabric for fall. However, leather jackets are probably not the most appropriate attire for college-age guys to wear because you run the risk of looking like you stepped out of a time warp.
Being well-dressed is an important skill to have in life. After we leave the Xavier bubble, hoodies and jeans will not impress potential employers and may prohibit future opportunities.
Everyone has a diverse sense of style and need not follow every trend, but no one should have a sloppy or tired wardrobe. Experiment with trends you like and find what works for you.
Oscar contenders coming to a theater near you
Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Ah, the chill of fall in the air and holiday season right around the corner
can mean only one thing in the arts and entertainment world. If you guessed
the over-hyped Hollywood awards scene, then you’re right on target.
With every movie critic hawking his or her favorites for this season’s Oscar nods and analyzing how much cachet a particular movie will have with Academy voters, awards season can sometimes resemble the animosity of say, a presidential election. It seems like I’ve been hearing Oscar buzz associated with every decent movie to come out since mid-July. I mean, isn’t everything in Hollywood political anyway? Does it even matter how good the movie is so long as their Oscar campaign impresses the right people?
While the cynic in me feels comfortable scoffing at the Oscar machine, the movie lover in me can’t help but be excited at the prospect of the holiday film season and the countdown to the Oscars. So, to be taken with a grain of salt, I humbly add my voice to the din of the ‘Oscar buzz.’
“Australia”
The sweeping World War II epic that is “Australia” seems a shoo-in
for the Academy’s short list. Director Baz Luhrmann’s previous films,
“Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Moulin
Rouge!,” otherwise known as the ‘Red Curtain Trilogy’ are
all known for their quirky sensibility. Can Luhrmann’s over-the-top style
capture the elegance and tragedy of WWII?
The film tells the story of a well-bred English woman (Nicole Kidman, former Oscar winner for “The Hours”) and an Australian cowboy (Hugh Jackman) who find themselves caught up in the chaos of WWII when the Japanese attack Australia. A tale of cowboys, war, rugged landscape and beautiful actors evoking the Hollywood glamour of the 1940s. What’s not to love? “Australia” opens in theaters on Nov. 26.
“Gran Torino”
Classic cowboy-turned-director Clint Eastwood offers “Gran Torino”
for the viewing pleasure of audiences and critics alike. As with his last hit,
“Million Dollar Baby,” Eastwood both stars and directs. Echoing
“Crash’s” complicated portrayal of racism in America, “Gran
Torino” is the story of a 78-year-old man (Clint Eastwood) who is a crotchety,
unapologetic racist, but one who also stands up to the gangs harassing his Chinese-American
neighbors.
This may be Eastwood’s last opportunity to win the Best Actor Oscar, as he has said he prefers directing over acting. “Gran Torino” premieres Dec. 17.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
An interpretation of an F. Scott Fitzergerald story of the same name, “The
Curious Case of Benjamin Button” stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages backward.
He’s born a wrinkled old man who becomes more and more youthful as the
film progresses. The film is also similar to Andrew Sean Greer’s 2004
novel “The Confessions of Max Tivoli.”
Brad Pitt’s makeup alone seems worthy of an Oscar, and the Academy traditionally loves roles where attractive actors forego their good looks to get into character. Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett costar. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” opens Dec. 25.
“Defiance”
The theme of fighting back against all odds also gives “Defiance”
a good chance of resonating with critics and Oscar voters. The film is based
on a true story and centers on three brothers (Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber
and Jamie Bell) who hide from the Nazis in the forests of Eastern Europe and
form an underground society.
Despite all odds, this resistance group eventually mounts a military attack
against the Nazis. After Craig’s acclaimed turn as Bond, James Bond in
“Casino Royale” and this weekend’s “Quantum of Solace,”
this emotional role may garner him points with the Academy.
The story of a downtrodden group or character fighting against those in power
is emotionally gripping and seems primed for a Best Picture nod. “Defiance”
opens Dec. 31.
“Doubt”
After rave reviews on Broadway, the Pulitzer-Prize winning play “Doubt”
will be released as a movie this season. The story takes place in the 1960’s
in a Catholic parish where a nun (Meryl Streep) accuses the pastor (Philip Seymour
Hoffman) of abusing a young boy in the parish.
Costar and Academy-Award nominee Amy Adams will be able to flex her dramatic acting chops after a loveable turn in last year’s “Enchanted.”
This film could be a possible nominee in both Acting and Best Picture categories with such a pedigreed cast. Streep has won two Oscars, one in 1980 for “Kramer vs. Kramer” and the other in 1983 for “Sophie’s Choice.”
Hoffman won an Oscar for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in 2006’s “Capote.” “Doubt” opens Dec. 12.
Briefs
1939 Gallery
The Society for Visual Arts invites everyone to stop by to see outstanding student and faculty art on display from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 at 1939 Cleneay Ave. “Vegans Gone Wild” will also be performing.
24-Hour Theater
Want to act/write/direct but don’t have time? Sign up to be a writer, director, or actor for the 24-Hour Theater event sponsored by Xavier Players. The fun begins when scripts are written on the evening of Friday, Nov. 21 and continues until Saturday, Nov. 22 when the plays are performed. Contact Alex Craven at cravena@xavier.edu.
SAS Movie Night
The South Asian Society presents Deepa Mehta’s film “Earth” from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 in the Third Floor Lounge of the Commons. The movie deals with the partition between India and Pakistan in 1947 and the tension between religious sects. A Diwali 2008: The Evolution of Dance ticket will be raffled off.
Cincinnati Museum Special Exhibit
SAC is still providing free tickets and transportation to the China Now exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The exhibit highlights modern Chinese art and culture. Buses will be leaving tentatively at 2 p.m. and returning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. Sign-ups are in the SAC office while space is available.
