Month: October 2007

Spotlight on Boston: Thunderdome VIII

One of the biggest dance parties in Boston. This year will be featuring Nick Catchdubs (founder of Fools Gold Records) and Caps N Jones (a recurring favorite of Discobelle). An epic party that just changed locations to a well reviewed spot in the middle of Central Square. Remember to wear a costume!

Eating champion defends his sport

This past Wednesday, I competed for my third year in the annual Sherman Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, the object of the contest was to consume ten hot dogs as quickly as possible. With ease, I was able to accomplish the task in around five minutes and win a mountain bike as my prize. Because of such legends as Kobayashi and Joey Chesunut, competitive eating has finally come to the forefront of public discussion. People are amazed that these participants can eat literally dozens of hot dogs, and are awed by their skill and talent. Some would even consider competitive eating a sport, and a few even say that it should be made an Olympic event.

Former Sudanese slave speaks on campus

Francis Bok, a Sudanese refugee, spoke Tuesday night at a lecture entitled Escape from Slavery, hosted by The David Project and STAND. Bok, who was enslaved for 10 years, shared his experiences, joined by the insights of Dr. Charles Jacobs, president of the David Project and co-founder of the American Anti-slavery Group. About 30 people attended the event.

Students reflect on departing Admin

Assistant Vice President for Students and Enrollment Keenyn McFarlane will leave Brandeis at the end of November. McFarlane, who is the chief assistant to Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy, is in charge of developing the budget for the division. A replacement has yet to be named.

Not Just A Cook

You know, Avram, my grandmother said, when you speak at my funeral I dont want you only to say that I was just a good cook.

Welcome to the Bloc Party

While procrastinating over a midterm paper, my suite-mate and good friend Gustavo was listening towell I wasnt sure what it was at first. What had begun as a myriad of different radio station sound clips soon transformed into the backdrop for a song full of meaningful insight, unusual delivery, and definitely a rock but not really rock feel.

Nostalgic for 90's rock?

First thing you should know about Hum is that they like guitars. A lot. Like most of its peers in the 80s indie rock influenced mid-1990s Chicago rock scene, it favored driving rock songs tempered with heavy feedback and ringing drones.

Hotter in person

Steven Bays has sweat on me. Why would I want Bays' or anyone else's sweat on me? The same reason anyone would want the bodily fluids of his favorite artist on him.

Afro-Brazilian ensemble performs

New York-based ensemble, Ologund put on an eclectic Afro-Brazilian performance yesterday in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. This is just one of many events this weekend for the 8-15-member group.Their performances combine multiple elements, which arose from the African experience of slavery in Brazil and the ritual practices of Bahia, the center of Afro-Brazilian culture. Ologund is a Yoruba word that means in English “the warrior has arrived.”

SPA to hold national conference

This weekend Oct. 19-21, the Student Peace Alliance will host the first annual Student Peace Alliance (SPA) National Conference at Brandeis. The conference, which SPA has been worked on since last April, and will allow students nationwide the chance to bond over the common goal of building peace and creating a U.S. Department of Peace, said organizers.

Journalist discusses MidEast conflict

Its not about real estate its about values.

That was the key message conveyed by Jerusalem Post columnist Amotz Asa-El in a lecture addressing the Israel-Palestinian conflict at the Rapaporte Treasure Hall on Thursday evening.

Harvard Humanist chaplain speaks at Brandeis in Humanist club’s first event

Greg M. Epstein, the Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University, spoke Thursday night in the Lurias at the newly-formed Brandeis Humanists first event. Epstein, an ordained Humanist Rabbi, explained his personal journey to humanism, the movements history, and prospects for the future. Approximately 40 students attended the talk.

“German-Jewish dialogue” presents lecture on Holocaust stories in East Germany

The search for historical truth in the tangled webs of propaganda, nationalism, and Cold War conflicts was the topic of William Niven's talk Thursday night at the Rapaporte Treasure Hall. The British historian spoke about his book The Buchenwald Child and his research into the story of Stefan Jerzy Zweig, a young boy who was submitted to the terrors of Biezanov, Skarzysko-Kamienna Plaszow concentration camps, and finally, Buchenwald death camp.

Student groups present gun petition to President Reinharz

Students Opposing the Decision to Arm (SODA) brought its petition to President Reinharzs office hours Thursday. SODA, composed of members of Democracy for America, the Brandeis Democrats, and Students for a Democratic Society (formally Radical Student Alliance) as well as other activists, sent 30 students to Reinharzs office hours to present their positions.