Diwali highlights South Asian culture
Nora Heink
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
The South Asian Society performed its annual Diwali celebration the weekend before Thanksgiving, providing a welcome respite from the cold weather, bare trees and dark evenings of Cincinnati’s late autumn weather.
In Indian and South Asian culture, the end of fall is marked by Diwali, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the legendary Lord Rama’s return home after 14 years of banishment. The holiday is called the Festival of Lights after the lamps that were lit in celebration of Lord Rama’s arrival, as well as the triumph of good over evil, or light over darkness.
Senior Dhwani Mehta, SAS president, said that the goal of the Diwali event at Xavier is to connect students and the community with different cultures. “Diwali is a time of celebration as well as a means of bringing people together to educate and entertain,” said Mehta. “It gives people a chance to experience something new.”
The fourth annual Diwali show, entitled “The Evolution of Dance,” showcased several varieties of Indian dance—each stunning and technically complex—and culminated in a fusion dance that combined the energetic flow of traditional dance with contemporary and hip-hop styles.
The event was choreographed and performed entirely by students. Mehta estimated that dancers spent around 50 hours practicing their dances and choreographers put in even more time to perfect the movements for each dance.
The sold-out show emphasized the diversity of different dance styles amid the unity of South Asian culture. Each dance was introduced with a brief overview given by the emcees, senior Matt O’Reilly and sophomore Alex Kotch, both of whom cracked a few jokes while the dancers recovered for the next presentation.
In addition to the dancing, SAS warmed eventgoers who arrived before the show with a full Indian buffet, provided by Amol Indian Cuisine. The spread featured delicious Indian favorites such as saag paneer, curry and naan.
The event also included an appearance by F.A.C.E.S., the Filipino-American Cultural Enlightenment Society, who performed the Princess Dance, a traditional courtship dance in which dancers must move their feet nimbly over bamboo poles.
Dr. Hem Raj Joshi, professor of mathematics and SAS’s endearing faculty advisor, closed the event by encouraging all present to continue exploring the cultural opportunities available at Xavier. Citing the university’s function as a place of learning and wider experience, Joshi also asked the audience to spread the word about these opportunities to family and friends.
In its fifth year as a club at Xavier, SAS has enjoyed nothing but an enthusiastic response from the university—a response that keeps the group working hard to produce shows like Diwali and the spectacular spring dance competition, Midwest Masala. “Without students’ support, none of this would be possible,” said Mehta, “and whatever we give to Xavier is what we’re getting back.”
A testament to the group’s success is its diverse membership. Mehta said that while most large universities with bigger South Asian populations sponsor clubs like SAS, they tend to be homogeneous and less effective at promoting culture. Of the 39 dancers in Xavier’s Diwali show, less than half have a South Asian heritage. “It just goes to show the openness of the Xavier campus and that people are ready to learn,” said Mehta.
“It’s shocking in a great way that so many people get involved,” said senior Lindsey Baron. Baron has danced in Midwest Masala and Diwali shows over the past two years. “I would have never experienced this otherwise.”
Mehta said that SAS has already begun preparing for this year’s must-see Midwest Masala. Following the success of last month’s movie night, the club is also planning to hold another cultural film event. SAS will also be hosting a Diwali DVD viewing party for all of those who couldn’t get a ticket to the event.
Faylor, famed alum to perform at Cintas
Felipe Garcia-Wasnich
Staff Writer
In a country plagued by an economic crisis, comedian Michael Palascak embraces perpetually being down on his luck by with witticisms about living at home, the failings of a degree in English and asking his parents for money.
“A lot of people feel bad about asking their parents for money. I do not,” he jokes. “The only time I feel bad is if they are already asleep.”
For someone that conveys an image of failure and unemployment, Palascak is quite a success in the comedy world.
He has been recognized, among other things, as Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago 2008 Stand-Up Critic’s Pick” and performed on Comedy Central’s “Live At Gotham.”
Palascak has also been lauded by the cable comedy world. He won both HBO’s Comedy Festival “Lucky 21” and Comedy Central’s “Open Mic Fight: Chicago.”
Palascak, a 2004 Xavier graduate, will be taking his brand of slacker-friendly dry comedy to the James and Caroline Duff Banquet Center in the Cintas Center this Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
Those in attendance should expect quips that range from the price of books in Canada and finding out his girlfriend was single on Myspace, to small town high school football.
The opening comic, current Xavier junior and winner of “Funniest Person in Cincinnati” contest, Reid Faylor described Palascak’s comedy as dry, witty and relevant to current college students.
Faylor explained in jumbled detail about how he was approached to perform with Palascak.
“I got a phone call from Mike Dunn over at the Cintas Center and I guess I look very good on paper.”
Faylor went on to ramble almost incoherently. “Actually, we just talked. I look good on word paper. Or words. I’m sorry. Please don’t print that.
Actually do print it, including the line about not printing it.”
Clearly Palascak’s opening act for Saturday is as much in need of self-editing as Palascak is of a permanent job.
Student tickets are available in advance for $6 with All Card. Faculty and staff tickets can be purchased for $8 in advance and general admission tickets are available for $10. All tickets will be $10 at the door.
The Newswire’s Etiquette Series, X-mas Edition: Holiday dos & dont’s to live by
Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editor
It’s that time of year again, the time where the country overdoses on
holiday cheer and sugary treats. A time for Christmas cookies, presents and
peace on earth.
In accordance with this, it’s time for another exciting edition of the etiquette series: the Christmas edition.
Get ready to learn etiquette concerning gift giving, seasons’ greetings,
when it’s appropriate to break out your fiber-optic tree and when you
absolutely have to put your tinsel away.
Holiday Greetings
The appropriate greetings for this season are often debated, as it is politically
correct to simply wish people “Happy Holidays.”
This is the safe bet and I do not discourage people from using this.
However, you are not wishing someone ill will when you wish them a ‘Merry Christmas,’ so do not shy away from holiday greetings.
As a long time celebrant of Christmas, if someone wished me a ‘Happy Hannukah’ I would probably deem it the most awesome occurance of my holiday season.
Gift Giving
Now, I know that college students like to pinch their pennies, so gift-giving
can be confusing and costly.
Your first responsibility is to purchase gifts for your immediate family, which includes your parental units, siblings, grandparents, etc. The next important gift-giving responsibility is to god children or whomever’s name you draw from the grab bag that year.
Of course, do not forget significant others!
When it comes to friends gift giving can get a bit tricky. There is nothing more embarrassing than receiving a gift from a friend when you have nothing to give them in return.
It’s not rude to ask friends if you are exchanging gifts or not. If you are incredibly popular and can’t afford to buy all your friends gifts, another option is to give homemade gifts. They will truly appreciate them!
It’s also nice to give your roommates a little something– they do put up with you all year long.
Whether the gift is a batch of cookies or a beautiful scarf, it’s important to show friends that you truly care about them.
Decorations
There is a constant debate about when it is appropriate to break out the Christmas
decorations. The general consensus is that the beginning of November is far
too early.
Turkeys have yet to be slaughtered for Thanksgiving, which means it’s too early for Frosty, Rudolph and friends.
The most appropriate time is after Thanksgiving. Feel free to shop ‘til you drop, break out the Christmas music and decorations, and mentally prepare yourself for the holiday season.
For those of you who really like to wait, Dec. 1 is the next acceptable time. If you wait longer, people will think you are a Scrooge. Don’t be afraid to bask in all the decorative glory of the holiday.
Removing Decorations
As far as ending the holiday season, there is nothing more depressing than taking
down beautiful decorations or throwing out the Christmas tree, so feel free
to delay this sad, sad event as long as you’d like.
There is such a thing as taking down your decorations too soon. Anytime before the new year makes it look like you only like the hype before Christmas and then don’t care about it once it’s gone.
Christmas is really about the spirit of giving, not receiving. So keep the happy spirit around!
An appropriate time to take down the decorations is around Jan. 3.
Leaving them up too long, however, makes you look like you are either lazy or just really in love with Christmas, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but eventually the decorations must go.
If you must, you can wait until the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6, (when the wise men arrive) to take down all the decorations.
So, there you have it. Some lovely holiday dos and don’ts from your friendly etiquette expert. And to paraphrase Andy Williams, happy holidays to all!
Midseason TV cuts and reprieves
Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editor
After a only few months on air network executives are evaluating ratings and making cuts in their lineups. Some shows are doing well and ratings indicate they could make it through a whole season, others have already been canceled and a few are struggling in the middle. These shows are in-between having enough ratings to be considered safe for the rest of the season, and having such scant ratings they can be canceled.
“Fringe”
It seems that J.J. Abrams’ latest sci-fi juggernaut has delivered as promised.
“Fringe” is currently safe and a full 22 episodes have been ordered
by the Fox network. Ratings during November sweeps were a little over nine million.
“The Mentalist”
On a network that is already awash in procedural crime shows, the latest incarnation
of crime- driven drama, “The Mentalist,” has been picked up for
a full season on CBS. This show offers a serious take on the same premise as
USA’s “Psych.” Both follow a detective who is so astute he
can pretend to be a psychic and blow people away with his eerily accurate observations.
The title psychic, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), teams up with a homicide unit
to put his powers of observation to good use.
“Lipstick Jungle”
Although NBC originally canceled the second season of “Lipstick Jungle,”
fans’ outcry has given the network pause. The ultimate fate of the show
has yet to be decided, but NBC will air the four remaining episodes that have
been shot. “Lipstick Jungle” featured the “Sex and the City-esque”
adventures of three girlfriends living in New York City.
The show will return Dec. 5 in a new timeslot, 9 p.m. However, the last episodes will not be shown consecutively. Fans can look for the next episode on the Dec. 5, then the show will skip a week and air Dec. 12, with the final two episodes airing Jan. 2 and 9 in 2009. Unless ratings dramatically improve, a feat that seems unlikely with this erratic schedule, it looks like it’s curtains for “Lipstick Jungle.”
“Life on Mars”
A personal favorite, “Life on Mars” has been given a few more tries
to connect with audiences. ABC has ordered four more episodes of this new series,
bringing the total up to 17, only a few episodes short of a full season.
“Life on Mars” features a modern New York cop who was hit by a car and has time-traveled back to the early 1970’s. Or has he? It remains unclear whether detective Sam Tyler has actually time-traveled or if his trip has all been a delusion.
The order for more episodes demonstrates that the network is gaining confidence in the show and its ability to gain viewers. Although “Life on Mars” was airing in the 10 p.m. timeslot after “Grey’s Anatomy,” look for it on Wednesdays in the new year, airing at 10 p.m. after “Lost.” ABC is counting on the sci-fi themes of “Life on Mars” to mesh with “Lost’s” own mysteries for high ratings.
“My Own Worst Enemy”
Although “My Own Worst Enemy” was touted by NBC as one of its best
new shows, viewership has been meager at best. The show has been canceled after
only shooting nine episodes. “My Own Worst Enemy” featured a man
caught between two very different personas: one a lovable family man, the other
a lethal government spy. This Christian Slater vehicle was awarded the timeslot
after “Heroes” in the hope that loyal “Heroes” viewers
would stay tuned for “My Own Worst Enemy.” However, ratings bottomed
out at 4.3 million viewers before NBC pulled the plug. The network has not announced
whether episodes that have already been shot will air or if something else will
take over the timeslot.
“Pushing Daisies”
Although ABC has not officially announced that “Pushing Daisies”
will be canceled, things look dim for this brilliant show. ABC has announced
that they will not order additional episodes beyond the 13 they had previously
committed to for this season. “Pushing Daisies” explored the strange
life of a man who can bring the dead back to life with a single touch. After
being interrupted last year during the writers’ strike, the show has not
established a large enough audience to stay alive. Perhaps this show would have
fared better on cable rather than as mainstream network television.
Briefs
First Friday Shuttle
Catch the First Friday Shuttle and enjoy fun times at Newport on the Levee. Buses will leave Bellarmine at 8:00, 9:15, 10:30, and 11:45 p.m. Buses will leave Newport at 8:30, 9:45, 11:00 p.m., 12:30, and 2:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. The shuttle is free to all Xavier students. Those who miss the last shuttle are responsible for finding their own transportation.
Senior Sweater Party
Hey, seniors! Join the Senior Board and Legacy Fund for a Chrismtas Sweater party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at Dana’s. $2 donations will be collected at the door to benefit the Shriner’s Hospital.
Nutcracker Tickets
Get tickets to the Dec. 12 showing of the Nutcracker Ballet at the Aronoff Center downtown starting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. in the GSC. Tickets are $10 and include transportation to and from the Aronoff.
