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Three senior art majors display their talent
By KEVIN CURTIN


For three VWC artists, the moment of truth has finally arrived with the senior art exhibition entitled Lasting Impressions. For seniors Andrea Talbott, Erika Huebner and Lisa Scolavino, this is the culmination of four years of hard work. "Some of these I did my freshman year," said Talbott, an art and elementary education major, of her pieces on display. Talbott’s work centers mostly on her concentration in painting and ceramics; but she doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into just one or two types of work. "I don’t really have a style," she said. "I do a little bit of everything actually."

Scolavino’s and Huebner’s concentrations both lie in the graphic design field; they both plan on continuing their respective educations in graduate school. For Huebner, this exhibition was her first foray into the realm of abstract art. "I’m trying not to be too critical of myself," she said. "But on the whole I’m happy with them." Scolavino prides herself on the expressive qualities of her pieces. "My work is an expression of my personality," she said. "It’s how I express my feelings and emotions."

When each woman was asked what kind of impact she would like her artwork to have on the viewing public, each answered similarly: "To create a lasting impression, for people to get a sense of who each of the artists is and what each was feeling at the time the pieces were created." Wesleyan’s own art history guru, Dr. Joyce Howell, was on hand for the opening night. She was, to say the least, impressed with the exhibition. "It’s all very strong work, all original," said Howell. The variety of media shows just how strong each of their skills is. "This is a prime example of art as an expression of the artists’ creativity." The senior art exhibition can be seen in Hofheimer Library until April 6.


THE BEAT OF VWC
By CLAYTON MERCURIO


The Bloodhound Gang is back at it again, bringing society some of the rudest, crudest, and most of all, the funniest music you have ever heard. Hurray for Boobies is their latest release and listening to it will probably make you either laugh so hard you’ll bust a vessel, or run for the hills in disgust. But let’s face it, we are living in a society that gets a good chuckle from Mr. Hanky the talking turd. "Their lyrics are taboo and they say what people think," said Dave Thompson, junior at VWC and 96X promotions assistant. "They are a fun group and there is no hidden deep meaning." How can we forget the infamous chorus, "The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire, we don t need no water, let the mother f***er burn," from Fire Water Burn which is on their 1996 release One Fierce Beer Coaster.

With their latest release, and the hit single, "The Bad Touch," we get to do it like they do on the Discovery channel. The Bloodhound Gang is definitely doing something right because they got to the Billboard Top 20 chart earlier this month. Their music has been described by experts and trained professionals as Casio-techno to funky-butt disco-rap to moronic grunt-rock and hip-hop/new-wave/rock/metal symphonies. I think that just about covers everything!

Some of the tracks you will find on Hooray for Boobies include "I Hope You Die, The Inevitable Return Of The Great White Dope, Mama’s Boy, Yummy Down On This, The Ballad of Chasey Lain (yes, it’s the porn star Chasey Lain), Magna Cum Nada, That Cough Came With A Prize and A Lap Dance Is So Much Better When The Stripper is Crying." With tracks like that, you don’t need Adam Sandler or South Park to make you laugh.


Local poet shares her soul with Wesleyan students
By REBECCA DESJARDINS


Sharon Weinstein gave students of Virginia Wesleyan a look into her soul Thursday, March 9 as she read from her poetry collection and upcoming novel. Weinstein began the reading with anecdotes of her family: She reveals how being a supportive wife led to a black eye when she took up racquetball and how she was forced to "adapt to the customs" when she attended a rock concert with her daughter. Then she spoke of teaching experiences, terrifying ski trips, and changing seasons. Weinstein revealed memory after memory and put them together in poems that told her life story.

"My poems are like journeys," says Weinstein, "they tell where I've been or where I’m going." Weinstein’s poems bring out similar emotions among those who hear her read. At the end of the reading, listeners expressed themselves to Weinstein saying, "I wish you could read to me all the time," and, "she puts into words what we think." Weinstein earned her Masters degree at Michigan State University and her doctorate at the University of Utah. She taught at both universities as well as Old Dominion University, The Center for Humanities at Arizona State University, and at Hampton University where she held the chair of University Professor.

Writing has been a part of Weinstein’s life for some time, whether in teaching or keeping a journal. However, she said it wasn’t until 1975 that she began writing "true poetry." Weinstein’s collection of poems, Celebrating Absences, was published in 1995 after she decided to submit her work to publishers. She describes the collection as a book of transformation. Weinstein recently resigned from her teaching position at Norfolk State University and is currently teaching a poetry course on campus for the Adult Studies Program. Adult Studies student Kerry DeMille speaks highly of Weinstein. DeMille said she opens the mind to things you never think of.

"She really makes you work," said DeMille, "It’s a casual atmosphere, but you're doing more than you think." Along with her teaching position at VWC, Weinstein is working on her next book, a novel, entitled Art Lessons. Weinstein also plans to devote more time to her second love, the piano. Weinstein is modest about her skill. She says her poetry is a way to help her through life and is often surprised when others connect so deeply. Weinstein says, "Sometimes the writer is the last to know."


NOW SHOWING:
Mission to Mars
By LINDA ROSS


The latest creation in the science fiction movie category will keep you on the edge of your seat. Under the direction of Brian DePalma, Mission to Mars is an eye-catching movie with outstanding special effects. The film begins in the year 2020 at a picnic in commander Luke Graham’s backyard. A year later, Graham (Don Cheadle) and his team have set up housekeeping on Mars and are making significant progress in finding data. During a thorough investigation of the planet, disaster strikes, killing the entire team except Graham. Next thing you know, the control at the space station back on Earth has sent a new crew up to Mars on a rescue mission to find survivors and any signs of what caused the disaster.

Gary Sinise (also starred in Ransom) plays Jim McConnell, an intelligent man who ends up leading this new pack on their rescue mission. McConnell had done the majority of the research for the mission to Mars, but gave up his career as an astronaut right before his wife Maggie died. McConnell’s crew includes Phil Ohlmyer (Jerry O’Connell), a man obsessed with M&M’s! And the husband-wife duo: Woody Blake (Tim Robbins) and Terri Fisher (Connie Nielson). Blake is the initial commander on the mission. However when tragedy eventually strikes, that’s when McConnell takes over.

Traveling in space for this new crew isn’t necessarily always hard work! They make it look like a lot of fun and games in between all of the challenges. For instance in one scene Blake and Fisher are shown gracefully dancing in air. And then there’s Ohlmyer’s addiction to M&M’s. With no gravity in space, he constructs a model of human DNA with his bite-sized candies. There are a few dull scenes in Mission to Mars as there are in any movie. However, the personalities of the actors is what keeps the moving flowing and grabs the viewer. I would highly recommend this film to anyone, not just sci-fi fanatics. It's got a great story plot, and like I mentioned before, it has tremendous and quite powerful special effects that will keep you glued to your seat!


Student directed one-acts offer a unique learning atmosphere
By MARC MURRAY


Two student-directed one act plays will open in the Studio Theater of the Fine Arts Building on April 2. The April 2 show will be a matinee at 2 p.m., and shows will continue on the evenings of April 3- 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. The show will close on April 9 at 2 p.m. Senior Jon Smith, director of both shows, said that, "the plays are free, even for off-campus people, and all of the themes are modern and very funny. You are guaranteed to leave laughing." The St. Valentines Day Massacre offers a humorous account of two former lovers. VWC junior Josh Snow, and Elsa Wallace, a senior at Tallwood High School, make up the cast for this play. The premise is that these two former lovers have agreed to meet once a year to see how things are going for one another. Snow said "the play is kind of graphic, and was a bit awkward at first." Wallace said that this play, "contained so much emotion, but lasts, at most 25 minutes." The St. Valentines Day Massacre is sure to strike a common chord in the hearts of students. The Whole Shebang, will showcase the talents of sophomore Kim Schone, juniors Seth Brady and Megan Maynard, and seniors, Andrea Provost, Nathan Campbell and Rachel Jacobsen. The Whole Shebang documents the grading of God on his creation of the world.

"This play is not very well known, but it has a lot of comedy that will speak directly to the academic life of Virginia Wesleyan College, particularly graduating students," explained Provost. Smith said that each cast practices three nights a week at separate times. The time commitment for the players is considerable. "As a student director, I am responsible for all the sets, costumes, lighting and direction; a huge time commitment," said Smith. Wallace explained that working with a student director has been a good experience. "You feel like you have more input, because the director is a student," said Wallace.

From all reports, rehearsals are going splendidly, and all involved are very excited. These student-directed one acts offer a unique opportunity for both the director and cast.


"Stuff" your face
By LACY HALL


The No Frill Grill is an accident waiting to happen. Since accidentally is the only way you are going to find it. But find it, you should. No Frill is tucked away on a side street off Colley Avenue in Ghent. Watch carefully or you might miss the door and wander into Naro Expanded Video, which is its bunkmate to the left. I accidentally stumbled into No Frill during an unexpected night out. My tummy was screaming, "gimme some mac n’ cheese woman, I’m hungry!" while my wallet was saying "no hablo ingles." My date, the infamous Vegetarian John, and I wandered into the Wild Monkey restaurant because we had a friend who worked there as a bus boy. We took one look at the prices and decided that friends don’t let friends spend $12 on a pasta dish, even if it does come with garlic bread. Besides John wasn't wearing enough of his organic deodorant to be sitting so close to so many people. Our friend told us to go around the corner to the No Frill Grill. He'd never eaten there, but "other people seem to like it." John and I decided from experience that nine out of ten "other people" usually do know good, cheap cooking.

So on the advice of 1.3 billion possible "other people" we headed over to No Frill Grill. To be honest, No Frill looks sort of dumpy on the outside. The outside is so cluttered that if Fred Sanford drove by in his pick-up truck he’d clench his chest, call for his late wife Elizabeth and have a heart attack thinking of all the things he could steal for his junk yard. The No Frill Grill proves, however that you can’t judge a book by its cover or a hooker by her dress. Just ask Eddie Murphy. The inside resembles that of a Vermont cabin that is doubling as an art museum. With tall ceilings, hanging flower chandeliers, wood furnishings, fresh flowers on every table, and original paintings on the walls the restaurant lends a warm and welcoming feel. No one even seemed to mind that Vegetarian John smelled like a Chinese sweatshop.

We sat at a tall table that was near the bar. I almost exploded with excitement when I realized that Chex Party Mix was a featured item on the bar. Because nothing gets the party bumpin’ like some Chex Party Mix (Charlie Brown and my mom taught me that.) I downed a few handfuls before our waitress had time to come over to take our drink orders. I got a glass of ice water without any problem. But John was struggling with his beverage choice. It seems that with all its glory the No Frill Grill does not offer Hawaiian Punch, so John was a little disappointed but I guess that’s what happens when you go to every restaurant expecting it to be Denny’s. Most of the menu seemed to be dominated by sandwiches and other light entrees going for five bucks and up. John settled on the Grilled Pita Quesadillas for $5.95.

I went a little crazy and got the Turkey Hot Brown for $7.95. It was an open-faced sandwich with smoked turkey smothered in cheese and ale sauce. The entree came with two sides and bacon. Not being one to dig on swine, I told them to send the piggies home, and I’d take care of the rest. I almost had another restaurant orgasm when I noticed crinkly fries on the side menu. Crinkly fries? Oh yeah! I haven’t had crinkly fries since my school days when good eatin’ equaled six tater tots, a fruit cup, and mashed potatoes served up with an ice cream scooper. The crinkly fries were just too much. How could this place get any better? Garlic mashed potatoes? Oh yeah, I’ll have some of that. Black beans? Hook that up there too.

Waiting for our food I suddenly noticed the music, a mix of classic oldies and blues hits. They even played a song I once heard on the Cosby Show when the Huxtable kids did a song and dance routine for the grandparents on their 50th anniversary. I don’t know the name of the song, but little Rudy sure did look cute shaking her groove thang. John then told me that he thought that a guy he knows worked as a bus boy there. Not just any guy though, a dude named Uncle Radar who has green hair and strips down buck naked when he plays in his band. I had to see this. So I headed for the bathroom hoping to get a peak into the kitchen and at Radar’s offering as um er, kitchen help. Instead I just got an eye full of some big fat guy with dreads. The gig was up, so I headed to the bathroom which was quite quaint, I might add, with its little wooden table, and flowery motif. A poster hanging over the sink demonstrated proper handwashing techniques and was just asking to be stolen, but I held myself back.

When I returned to the table our food had arrived. My Turkey Hot Brown was a visual explosion of an edible fiesta. Cheddar cheese, red spices, and heaping mounds of turkey did the lambada on my plate. My food looked so good and festive that I almost thought a senorita would burst through the top and start shaking her bon bon. I even saw John eyeing my food. His heart said, "meat is murder" but the saliva dripping from his mouth said, "go get it tiger, PETA won’t know." The food looked good and tasted even better. And I was pleased to see that the No Frill Grill still utilized the ancient art of serving mashed potatoes with an ice cream scooper. Crazy Martha with the hair net would be proud. Very proud.