Student directed, written play follows 15-year-old with missing footwear
Gina has lost her shoe, and she must get it back or face dire consequences.
Favorite books for the winter months
There’s something about my reading personality that I didn’t discover until I started writing a weekly column about reading—I tend to be very seasonal with what I like to read when.
Finding the good in bad movies
Last Thursday night I spent the better part of the evening nestled into a chair on the second floor of the Media Center watching “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” in my special topics class about film censorship in the 20th century.
By day, Nate Leonard is a sophomore physics major, avid gamer and Office of Technology Services employee. By night -- on Monday, at least -- he was strutting his stuff on stage in a male beauty pageant.
Asher Roth might “Love College,” and LMFAO might be “In Miami, Bitch,” but who will be on Burdick Field in April to perform for Tigerfest 2010?
The lights go up on the Stephens Hall Theatre stage, and the 26 dancers in the Towson University Dance Company enter, identically dressed in white tutus.
Almost everyone has some sort of collection of odd things to share with people as “claims to fame.” These may be connections to celebrities; they may be stupid human tricks; and they can even be as simple as an extra bone in t
Five percent of students currently enrolled at Towson University are international students, according to the International Student and Scholar Office.
Guest judge Glenn Douglas Packard gives scholarship to competition winner
Towson’s first So You Think You Can Dance? competition kicked off in Paws Thursday night with a surprise guest judge appearance by Glenn Douglas Packard, famous choreographer and star of the VH1 reality series “Brooke Knows Best.”
I’m a guitarist. I really should stick up for my own kind sometimes. But as much as this might fuel the Lead Singer’s Disease problem, vocalists are generally more important to a band for me than anything else.
Three rules to follow when preparing for the interview
During the Fall Career and Internship Fair on Nov. 4, I sat in the University Union waiting for my friend.
Russian guest artists bring movement to “Tanya-Tanya”
In Russian, Povstanze means both “rebel” and “free dance,” according to Rosenberg Distinguished Artist Aleksandra “Sasha” Konnikova.
Twitter and short attention spans can’t replace niche writing
A while back, editor in chief Rachel Fauber claimed in her “From the Editor’s Desk” that “we are witnessing the death of blogs.”
Three injuries cause troupe to pull out from performing
The old saying goes that bad things come in threes.
Although the phenomenon has in no way become something of the past, most stories about arranged, loveless marriages are saved for the relatively distant past.
Sophomore makes short film based on domestic violence
Some electronic media and film students hang around until they get an assignment to shoot their own film. Not Daniel Hess; the sophomore struck out on his own to film “Abuse,” a 20-minute short film about domestic violence.
'2012' doesn't sugarcoat disaster
I have said it before and I will say it again: there are certain movies that you know exactly what you are getting before you even step foot in the theater.
Some Hollywood institutions should just stay the way they are
Despite casting my vote for change a year ago last November (when I voted for breaking with tradition and not having my history final exam be essay-based), there are some things in this world I just can’t bear to have changed.
Hypnotist Roderick Russell performs for crowd of more than 200
Imagine being totally unaware of the fact that you are standing on stage in front of a room filled with people pretending to be a world class dancer doing the Tango or Irish step dance; or that you are at a special taping of “The Jerry Springer Show” and are sharing all of your best friend’s secrets.
Alumnus Kyle Hollingsworth returns to Baltimore to promote album
A young Kyle Hollingsworth and his band were once asked to leave a popular downtown Baltimore bar.
Students boogied down for charity in the Potomac Lounge Saturday night at XTSR’s Boogie for Change dance-a-thon.
TEDxMidAtlantic conference inspires technological world change
I come to you this week a more inspired nerd.
FFHH, Dethklok
Dethklok “Dethalbum II” Williams Street Gotta love when a sophomore release tops a debut. The songs on “Dethalbum II” improve on just about everything presented on 2007’s “The Dethalbum”: the songwriting is more fleshed out, the guitar licks are more grandiose and the bass is actually audible.
It’s something I love to harp on and is the most fickle relationship I have with any aspect of music. Musicianship and technique still leaves me on a case-by-case basis for whether it improves an album or becomes its Achilles’ heel.
In second performance, students portray homeless teenagers dealing with the AIDS crisis in Russia
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the break from the communist hold on Russia, a new wave of drama wasn’t the only thing to emerge from the reformed nation.
The skinny on leggings, how to keep your look tight in tights
I remember when I was younger when I would have to get dressed up, my mom would make me wear tights. I would wear itchy tights and a dress with itchy lace. It was all about the itchiness. Was she trying to punish me?
It’s something I love to harp on and is the most fickle relationship I have with any aspect of music. Musicianship and technique still leaves me on a case-by-case basis for whether it improves an album or becomes its Achilles’ heel.
It’s Friday night; a hot Towson concert is happening, but Paws is quiet and the Towson Center Arena is dark.
Maybe it’s because I’m in college, and I can’t walk through my room without tripping over clothes and my idea of entertaining my friends is yelling at them to “BYOB” and congregate with me at the time and place of my choosing, but does anyone under 40 ever actually use coffee table books for their intended purpose?
In theory, “The Men Who Stare at Goats” should be hands-down the funniest movie you will see between now and the start of next summer’s comedy season; and it’s made all the more frustrating by the fact that it’s not.
It’s a true November miracle that I found time to write this week after devoting an obscene amount of time sorting through the ridiculous number of “(______) For Tigerfest 2010” Facebook groups I’ve been invited to, but time I found.
Billy Gallagher, the WTMD program director better known on-air as “Billy Zero,” has left after 10 months on the job, according to the station’s general manager, Steve Yasko.
I’m a little bit of a Shakespeare fan girl. Give me iambic pentameter and period costumes and I’m practically sold before the opening monologue.
A month ago, a girl walked into class wearing the hottest jacket; she was wearing this black leather biker jacket.
I’m a fan of fake things, it turns out. Fake meat, like that in veggie burgers, is delicious.Fake religions, like Pasta-farianism, are hilarious.
With six months left until Tigerfest 2010, the Campus Activities Board is already at work putting together the largest on-campus concert of the year.
Battle for B-More featured lyrical wordplay, local hip-hop icon
Thursday night at the Battle for B-More Hip-Hop Show the performers and audience members were “Kickin’ it Old Skool” like Jamie Kennedy.
Halloween costume: Halloween is definitely a time for competitive costumes. There are so many ideas out there, from classic vampires to those just plain weird costumes. Here are two ideas: a character from “The Incredibles” or a lifeguard.
Where to go this weekend
Every year, students look forward to Halloween weekend, a series of nights devoted to dressing up, going out and having the best time of their lives.
Candy corn rice crispy treats Candy corn rice crispy treats are a simple way to make your scary movies or Halloween parties all the more festive. So gather your friends, head to the kitchen and prepare for a Halloween delight that combines a favorite holiday candy with a favorite everyday snack.
Shorter days, colorful leaves and a stein that holds almost three draft beers; October may be my favorite month. It’s not too cold yet, I get to spend all month planning a killer costume, but most of all, it is when we Americans celebrate the German festival of Oktoberfest.
In just a few more days, Halloween, the mother of all college non-holiday holidays, will be upon us; and if you’re in the same boat I am, you have no idea what you’ll be wearing come Saturday night.
I took October as an excuse to get into the vast array of horror works that I’ve never been exposed to, which is quite a bit. I love the genre, but never really knew anyone else who was that interested in it outside of slumber parties, so there’s a lot I missed during my formative years.
Theatre students refine skills at haunted attraction
For most Towson students, Halloween happens only once a year. But for theatre majors Siobhan Beckett, Eric Poch and Vince Constantino, Halloween season means transforming into scary zombies and creepy clowns, and getting paid to frighten already terrified customers.
Swords clash. Families feud. Teens find forbidden love. This isn’t a prime time drama or a new movie. It’s one of the most popular love stories in history.
Confession time. I don’t own an iPhone yet. Does that lose me some geek cred? I sure hope not.
Everyone has that old picture that they wish they could burn.
And it makes you wonder, “How drunk was my mom for letting me wear this?”
Funky Butt Brass Band, Evangelista
Funky Butt Brass Band “Cut The Body Loose” Independent Is it wrong to love a band only for the audacity of its name? Well, yes. Good thing the Funky Butt Brass Band backs themselves up with some top-notch New Orleans-style jazz and funk. Their debut album, “Cut The Body Loose” pulls no punches to make an hour of non-stop groove in pursuit of exactly their album’s name.
A few years back, when I was still living in the dorms on campus, I had a discussion with my roommate about The Darkness.
Allegheny Avenue was lined with pick-up trucks and vans Thursday as local farmers and artists sold their wares to those in attendance at the Towson Farmers’ Market.
For many Towson students, weekends begin on Thursday. Students that do not spend their days in the Center for the Arts, that is.
Almost everyone has some sort of collection of odd things to share with people as “claims to fame.” These may be connections to celebrities; they may be stupid human tricks; and they can even be as simple as an extra bone in t
A student participates in a costume contest walk-off during the Campus Activities Board sponsored event “BOOingo!” Look out for The Towerlight’s Halloween issue on stands next Thursday, Oct. 29.
Russian play forces choice between alcohol, sex and television
Alcohol, sex and television may be the most common vices in a college student’s life.
I usually hesitate before playing the “things aren’t like they used to be” card, just because there is often someone within earshot who would be annoyed by a young whippersnapper like me using that phrase (also on the list are declarations of “back in the day” or “when I was a kid”).
Three books give Halloween laughs, thrills
I think we can all agree that Halloween is pretty flipping awesome.
Astro Boy made his first appearance in Japanese manga 57 years ago.
Every now and then a movie comes along that makes it’s audience rise with thunderous applause. Every now and then there is a movie that is more than ‘a little hyped up’, and it ends up exceeding your wildest expectations. For me, one of those films has come: “Where The Wild Things Are”.
Three Towson students spend their weekends working in the 16th century
For most Towson students, the weekend is a time of relaxation after a long week at school.
Sleeping, studying and the occasional party keep many students occupied on Saturday and Sunday.
It’s hard to dislike a success story, and it’s even harder to fault when it comes after a fall from grace or just being dealt a bad hand.
Miniskirts, sequins, leotards, pasties, tights, feathers and more. Wednesday was my first ever drag show. Don’t blame me; I’m from a small town. But by the end of the show I came to three conclusions.
I'm Tyler Waldman. I'm also, as the banner here may key you in, Tyler Tech. I'm also, depending on who you ask or where you know me from, Aresef, RitoRevolto, the Baltinerd or any number of aliases or brands I've donned over the years.
Dance lecturer gives back through what she does best
After 25 years of the same grueling job, some people might consider slowing down.
John Mancini Band, Karmella's Game
John Mancini Band JMB Independent On their debut album, Towson’s own John Mancini Band delivers a strong mix of jam band improvisation laced with a country and jazz flavor. The songs jump swiftly between a sound reminiscent of spaghetti western soundtracks to subtle jazz, which wouldn’t be off place if it came from a Flecktones release.
The Queer Student Union’s bi-annual drag show had about 600 students laughing, singing, dancing, getting lap-dances and screaming “We love pussy” for over two hours in the Chesapeake Rooms of the University Union Wednesday night.
There are not many events that can make one go from smiles, to tears, to anger and frustration all within just a few minutes.
Films that are littered with tear-evoking moments as well as dripping with sadness usually give one of two impressions – when done poorly, it seems like the characters were assembled specifically for the camera; when done skillfully, it appears everything on screen was already going on, and a film crew just happened to show up at the right time to shoot.
This week, “Where The Wild Things Are” opens in theaters, bringing full circle a journey that started when I was in preschool and received a pack of Maurice Sendak books that included “Wild Things,” “In The Night Kitchen” and “Outside Over There.” These books are as much a part of my childhood as “Power Rangers” Halloween costumes, Nerf guns, and “Donkey Kong,” if not more.
I did a massive amount of reading over the summer, as I spent two months on an organic farm in Virginia. After a few weeks, I proclaimed that I would never again read historical fiction because I “just couldn’t take it any more.” And it was all because of one book: “The First Princess of Wales” by Karen Harper.
College is a time of evolution. You’re becoming a well-rounded, highly intelligent, morally sound adult. Well, most of us are.
The Towson Literary Reading Series showed students that working writers and published authors are not mythical creatures, but real people.
Alice in Chains, Polysics
Alice in Chains “Black Gives Way to Blue” Virgin/EMI The last time Alice in Chains released any new music was back in 1999 with two songs on their box set “Music Bank.” In the meantime, they lost their former lead singer, Layne Staley, to an overdose in 2002.
Something about the various musical lists that inevitably come out at the end of the year to commemorate the petty details always makes me stop to wonder about what’s changed in my life since the last deluge of trivia-chronicling.
I was barely five or six years old, but if I close my eyes I can see myself. I plugged it in. I blew on the cartridge. I fiddled with the RF adapter, and I turned it on.
With march for Macy’s only weeks away, the TIGER Marching Band gets into gear
Since the spring of 2008, the Towson University TIGER Marching Band has been booked for their biggest gig yet – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As the clock continues to count down to their big day, the band has been doing what they can to prepare for their time in the national spotlight.
Freshmen start league for fantasy sport
A new hot sport on the Towson campus has student athletes wielding sticks, chasing players and throwing balls. It's not football. It's not soccer. It's not field hockey.
The Pakistani Student Association is formed to show ‘beautiful’ side of country
The recent military offense launched against Taliban and al-Qaida strongholds in Pakistan has put the small South Asian country in the spotlight.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I was quite the nerd in middle and high school (OK, fine, I still am). Part of that entailed the reading of the most embarrassingly geeky genre one could ever possibly sink to: fan fiction.
As shallow of an observation it is to make, “Couples Retreat” could have benefited from a few more “f” words, sight gags and a nice, bold-faced “R” rating to top everything off. No, need to be so family friendly.
For the first couple of months that I wrote this column, I was accused by some of my friends of using it as a forum to go on weekly a diatribe against the “Saw” franchise, of which the fifth installment was set to be released around this time last year.
Camisado, Paramore
Camisado “We’re Waiting” Independent Have you ever wondered exactly how to describe metalcore?Camisado’s “We’re Waiting” has filled that particular niche. “We’re Waiting” follows with so much dedication every facet of the genre, one couldn’t be faulted for guessing a textbook definition was Camisado’s aim.
Not all fun is clean at Family Weekend comedy show
Comedian and magician Derek Hughes enchanted a crowd of almost 300 people in the Potomac Lounge of the University Union Friday night.
When imagining a concert, it’s hard not to envision performers with music stands and sheet music in front of them.
Banned Books Week discusses controversial content, covers
Imagine if “Harry Potter” were removed from public libraries because it promotes the Wicca religion. Imagine University student employees not being permitted to read a book with controversial cover art while in the workplace.
Forget H1N1- use these fashion tips to avoid the real sicknesses plaguing Towson
“Now push it. Ah, push it - push it good. Ah, push it - push it real good. Ah, push it - push it good. Ah, push it - p-push it real good.”
I need to figure a pattern for this. Should I play The Wes Montgomery Trio or Tiësto? Is there a reason picking an album to drive with should be so hard?
Hungarian-born twins rock Concert Hall
The Baltimore Classical Guitar Society hosted The Katona Twins in the Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on Saturday.
Digital rights managment controls Kindle, PSP Go
This just in: Amazon.com can in fact do wrong.
‘Everybody Hates Chris’ writer, actor performs in Chesapeakes
Comedian Owen Smith worked fast in his one-hour performance Wednesday night in the Chesapeake Rooms in the University Union. More than 200 people attended the show, which was sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.
It’s every boy’s dream to be a Bond, which one would you be?
As I made my way across campus the other day, sleeves rolled up and my iPod on shuffle, two things happened simultaneously that made my walk instantly more enjoyable: I passed out of the clearing from under the Lecture Hall only to be met with a gust of wind, after which my iPod jumped to the “James Bond” theme.
The sentiment of “Zombieland” can be summed up in a single moment from the film: as the four main characters sit around a small fire reminiscing about times before the zombie epidemic, the redneck Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) experiences a tender moment and begins to weep, proclaiming that he hadn’t “cried like that since ‘Titanic,’” after which he proceeds to wipe his eyes with a wad of hundred-dollar bills.
I don’t know what it is about the Baltimore Book Festival that ensures the most miserable weather imaginable, but this has been the case for two years running now.
Yury Urnov, a Fulbright Scholar at Towson on a year stay from Russia, in collaboration with the theatre and electronic media and film departments, hosted the first of four screenings of Russian cult films on Saturday.
So I’m a few columns in, and I’ve realized I haven’t properly introduced myself.
Sophomore Billy Saccardi takes his anime appreciation to the next level
Every other day of the week, Billy Saccardi is a sophomore art education major with a love for anime culture. But anime conventions like Tigercon, Towson’s annual convention, provide a very special opportunity for fans like Saccardi.
Animal Collective, Vinny Vegas
Animal Collective “Merriweather Post Pavilion” Domino Records Rarely do so many good ideas find a way to stuff themselves into a single LP. Even more rarely does this completely work. From the open to close on “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” Animal Collective feels just as comfortable on this album to juxtapose Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies next to winding synth arpeggios and thundering drums.
Ah, sushi. What was once an ancient Japanese technique for preserving food has now become the new pizza for college students.
Ever look at a computer-generated face and get kind of creeped out?
Repeat after me: panties are paramount.
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