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Vancouver set to celebrate National Aboriginal Day

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EIC
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Git Hayetsk dancers, led by Nisga'a, Tlingit, Tsetsaut, and Tsimshian artist Mike Dangeli, perform for the crowd at Trout Lake.

Metro Vancouver is preparing to celebrate National Aboriginal Day this week with events set to take place across the region.

While the day is acknowledged across Canada, it is not recognized as a statutory holiday within BC, the unceded Coast Salish lands on which the many events are taking place.

According to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, National Aboriginal Day “is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.”

The largest event scheduled for the day, which coincides with the summer solstice on June 21, is part of a cross-country gathering.

Aboriginal Day Live is an annual, national event series taking place across eight cities this year. Vancouver is the province’s featured city, alongside similar events in Halifax, Winnipeg, Montreal, Yellowknife, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Toronto. Organized by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Aboriginal Day Live will be taking place with live local performances and events, as well as being live-streamed on TV, radio, and online.

The main events taking place in Vancouver this year will be mainly at Trout Lake, with some morning opening events at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society nearby.

These events include cultural performances, a sacred fire ceremony, storytellers, dancers, and other entertainers. For families, there will be face painting, craft making, and a commemorative photo booth. The event will also feature a free community lunch, and an evening concert headlined by the JUNO award-winning indie band Digging Roots and other recognizable performers in Aboriginal music and television.

There are many other events taking place during National Aboriginal Day as well, across the many cities of the Lower Mainland.

Burnaby will be hosting their second annual celebration at the Burnaby Civic Square from 4:30 p.m.–7 p.m. There will be traditional performances, dancing, storytelling, and children’s events throughout the evening.

In Abbotsford, there will be an event at the Thunderbird Memorial Square from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. This event will feature storytelling, Pow Wow dancing, and Salish weaving.

Surrey will be hosting their own celebration as well from 2 p.m.–8 p.m. at the Bridgeview Community Centre with the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association. This event will feature singing, dancing, storytelling, activities for kids, traditional sharing and teachings, and traditional food.

In New Westminster, their event will be taking place from 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at the Anvil Centre on Columbia Street. This celebration is said to include “unique programming” to celebrate the cultures of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, including storytelling, drumming, K’uuts’iixuu T’aaxwii traditional dancing, and cultural resource tables.  

In Maple Ridge, the day will be celebrated on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park. This event is taking place for its eighth year, organized in partnership between the Fraser River All Nations Aboriginal Society and the city. This event will include dancing, live music, free food and a farmers market, games, crafts, and ceremonies.

The cities of Richmond, Fort Langley, and Vancouver chose to hold large community events this past weekend to celebrate National Aboriginal Day as well.

Five great podcasts you should listen to

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EIC
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The Way I heard it is hosted by Mike Rowe, best known for hosting Dirty Jobs. (Photo courtesy of Sklmsta)

By: Vincent Justin Mitra

In recent years, it has become harder and harder to find someone who does not know what a podcast is. Podcasts are quickly becoming the next big thing, harkening back to serialized radio programs of the past and combining them with the style of on-demand, self-scheduled entertainment promoted by services like Netflix. There’s an intimidating number of podcasts available about nearly any topic you can imagine.

I listen to a bunch; here are a few of the good ones.

My Dad Wrote a Porno (http://www.mydadwroteaporno.com/)

If one of your parents wrote a series of erotic novels, you’d probably never ever tell anyone ever, and just scream for the rest of your life. Instead, the hosts take a chapter-by-chapter look at Belinda Blinked, by Rocky Flintstone, a novel which dives into the apparently salacious world of the pots and pans industry. The podcast is as hilarious as it is dirty, with much of the humour coming from the hosts finding out just how unfamiliar Flintstone is with seduction or even basic biology.

The Mixed Six (http://www.themixedsix.com/)

In one of my favourite podcasts, hosts Spencer and Caleb combine their love of craft beer and pop culture into a podcast about drinking six beers and talking about six topics. Their rotating list of discussion segments include Dissecting Our Fun, where they talk about a board game and what makes it successful; Binge Binger, in which they discuss the merits of different binge-worthy television shows; and Sportsplainer, where Spencer tries to explain sports things to Caleb, like whether baseball can be saved from its own irrelevance and what exactly March Madness is.

This podcast is smart, witty, and it’ll let you know which kinds of craft beer are good (because some of them are garbage). If you like beer, pop culture, and/or drunken philosophy then you will love this podcast.

The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) (http://www.orbitinghumancircus.com/podcast.html)

I can’t recommend this podcast enough. Written by Julian Koster of Neutral Milk Hotel and part of the Night Vale Presents podcast network, The Orbiting Human Circus follows a young man named Julian the Janitor, a shy employee of the wonderfully-surreal circus located in a ballroom at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

     The first half of each episode follows Julian as he tries to help out backstage, while the second half shifts to the other side of the curtain as the strange and mysterious headline act takes to centre ring. One such act featured a cricket, a translation machine, and the story of a vengeful clockmaker. It’s delightful.

The Way I Heard It, With Mike Rowe (http://mikerowe.com/podcast/)

If you’re looking for a quick and well-spoken bit of history, look no further! Each six-minute episode, hosted by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, looks at a figure of the past and an inspiring story from their life that led them to greatness. These dreamers and visionaries have included people such as the inventor of the Pringles can, the father of Walt Disney, and the founder of Netflix. Often times, Rowe will withhold a key clue to the identity of the person until the very end, revealing it with a satisfying flourish that makes you smile and say, “Hey! I know that person!”

Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids (https://grownupsreadthingstheywroteaskids.com/)

This Canadian podcast travels from town to town and invites listeners and members of the audience to step up to the stage and read something they wrote in their childhood. Often hilarious, the pieces usually include stories, poems, or diary entries that capture a snapshot of past dreams and important moments. Readings have ranged from crying over a broken heart, Indiana Jones fanfiction, asking a girl to prom, coping with the death of a family member, and a story about visiting a planet called Grammar. Returning to these writings as a grown-up allows the reader and the audience to share and reminisce over their awkward formative years, and teaches listeners that there’s no need to be embarrassed about the weird stuff you wrote as a kid.

Hand to God is a hilarious dark comedy

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EIC
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(Image courtesy of The Arts Club)

By: Tessa Perkins

Margery (Jennifer Lines), recently widowed, laments that she can’t sing and her brownies taste like tires. So, she contributes at church the only way she knows how: leading a puppet theatre group. Lines gives a tremendous performance as Margery whose son, Jason (Oliver Castillo), is one of her three puppet theatre students.

     The other two students are Timothy (Mike Gill), who has a thing for Margery, and Jessica (Julie Leung), upon whom Jason has a crush. The story could have easily fallen into the trap of providing too much context and background. Thankfully, it isn’t long before things pick up speed and take a dark turn when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, becomes possessed and speaks of his own accord, sharing Jason’s deepest secrets with Jessica.

     Castillo’s puppetry skills were extraordinary as he switched from his own timid character to the aggressive, raspy-voiced Tyrone and back again with lightning speed. One of the best moments was his “Who’s on first” Abbott and Costello comedy routine with Tyrone. This impressed Jessica and the audience alike. We all roared with laughter when Jessica said, “Did you just make that up yourself?”

     The combination of a wickedly funny script and extremely talented cast made Hand to God a joy to watch. With puppet sex scenes, teacher-pupil sex scenes (Margery has a fling with the much younger Timothy), and innumerable swear words, this is a bold production that doesn’t hold anything back.

     Lines also doesn’t hold back as Margery, a loose cannon who has lost her sense of self and is grasping for anything to keep her grounded. Faced with Pastor Greg’s (Shekhar Paleja) pathetic advances, she turns to bad boy Timothy. They share a wonderfully destructive scene in which Timothy shreds a poster for her as they talk in innuendos. Later, she has an exquisite breakdown in front of Pastor Greg as a bobblehead Jesus looks on.  

     Jessica is another strong character, played with a biting attitude by Leung. She has some great lines such as telling Timothy, “You’re so far back in the closet you’re in Narnia” after he made a gay joke. Her reactions when her puppet is having sex with Tyrone are also spot on as she rolls her eyes and says to Jason, “How long do you think this is gonna go on?”    

     With all the surface-level profanity and dark humour, there are some deeper underlying themes of love and loss. Pastor Greg awkwardly tries to express his love, Margery is grieving lost love, Timothy doesn’t know what love is, and Jason is hoping to experience love for the first time with Jessica.

     Amidst all of this, Tyrone is the driving force of the play, at first seeming to be a character unto himself, and later appearing to be a manifestation of Jason’s grief at the loss of his father and his anger towards his mother. Tyrone’s narration bookends the show as he discusses aspects of human nature and morality, urging us to ponder our motivations for doing what’s right. Do we behave for fear of a higher power, or do we act out when we’re in pain anyway? As Tyrone suggests, maybe our demons can become our saviours, if we learn how to overcome them.

Hand to God is presented by the Arts Club Theatre Company and will be showing until June 25 at the Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. For more information, visit artsclub.com.

Students with Enactus SFU advance social entrepreneurship

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EIC
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Photo courtesy of Enactus SFU

The Enactus SFU team made history this March, sweeping all four categories at the annual regional competition for community outreach and venture projects. The students are part of a global organization that combines social entrepreneurship and innovation to address community problems.

The team has been recognized for the development of its social enterprise projects this year, which include employment opportunities for individuals struggling with addiction, financial literacy programs for at-risk youth, and sustainability initiatives for high school students.

“We didn’t expect to win all four [categories at the regional competition]. It is the first time that it has been done in history, but it was incredible for us to see how far the teams have come,” said the organization’s president and business student Cody de Leijer.

The team also competed at the national competition last month, with one of the regional teams placing second and the national team making it to the semi-finals.

“It’s heartwarming to see how people develop over time, but it is also a testament to the organization,” de Leijer said. “It was great to see the energy that everyone brought [. . .] everyone was extremely excited about our success, everyone kind of bought into that team culture.”

One of the projects highlighted this year is Coast Cards, which turns restaurant coasters into greeting cards and employs recovering addicts. The program has only been running for less than a year, but the success has been substantial, de Leijer noted.

The team’s financial literacy program Count on Me is conducted through a series of workshops that teaches disadvantaged youth budgeting and employment skills. “One of the biggest highlights this year was we added a healthy eating component to the program,” de Leijer said. “Seeing the progress that they had gone through [in] eight weeks or so, it has been absolutely incredible”

Banner Bags encourages high school students to reduce waste going into the landfill by remaking discarded banners into bags in sewing classes. The program is currently in 11 schools in Surrey this year, but the team is also focusing on going national and potentially setting up the program in a downtown Toronto school.

Of the four competition teams, three regional winners presented on Coast Cards and one presented on Count on Me. At nationals, Enactus SFU showcased their work on both projects in addition to Banner Bags.

“We want to try and generate two new social enterprises over the next year. We’re also going to try and transition some projects out so Banner Bags will be self-sustainable on its own,” de Leijer remarked. “Then hopefully we will replace that with two new projects that will be employing people, generating revenue, and overall making a bigger impact on our community.”

“In the next year, I think my vision is to come in and take a lot of risks,” he said. “That unknown is what is going to drive our ingenuity, it’s going to drive our passion, it’s going to drive our innovation over the next year.”

It Comes At Night — horror with an existential twist

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EIC
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(Image courtesy of A24)

By: Alex Bloom

It Comes At Night (directed by Trey Edward Shults) is a gripping horror movie that will leave you feeling deeply disturbed, without quite terrifying you. It isn’t the kind of movie that has you hiding under the sheets, guessing if a monster is lurking under your bed. The film has its own brand of horror: one that teases at what could be and crawls further under your skin as the story unfolds.

     The story follows teenager Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and his parents (played by Joel Edgerton and Carmen Ejogo), as they try to survive a mysterious apocalypse that has forced humanity to the fringes of their former civilization. Almost the entirety of the film takes place in the family’s home, which seems to be far enough away from the city to have escaped most of the chaos of the apocalypse. All the entrances to the home have been boarded up and reinforced, aside from a single red door. Travis’ parents have a rule that this door must remain locked at all times and that no one is to go outside at night unless it is an emergency. Even in the daytime, Travis is told not to venture outside alone, even with his revolver and his dog at his side. No one is allowed to leave without a gas mask and gloves on. It is clear that access to food and water is a struggle and humanity has already turned on itself.

     It is not the plot, however, that sets It Comes At Night apart; it’s the raw realism that the film maintains throughout its runtime. The relationships between the characters are believable, and the choices they make are reasonable. The film captures the ugliness that humans are capable of without glamorizing, judging, or justifying it. Yet the film also highlights human compassion. It is clear that all the choices the characters make are out of love for their own families, even when the results are tragic.

     It Comes At Night redefines the apocalypse genre, cleverly skirting its tropes. It is not just a simple question of Travis and his family’s survival, but an examination of the human condition. It asks the questions of how far we’re willing to go to survive, and at what point does it stop being worth it. What is it that gives meaning to our lives and gives us the will to fight for them?

     It Comes At Night is as beautiful as it is ugly. It is a film that will have you pondering the nature of morality, human beings, and, ultimately, life itself. I can’t recommend this movie enough, even for those who don’t typically like horror. That being said, I will warn that it is extremely upsetting in more ways than one. There were several moments where I felt physically ill watching it.

New Music Friday

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Peak Web
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(Linda Shu / The Peak)

By: Edna Batengas, Ana Maria Mejia Morales, Sera Akdogan, and Neil MacAlister

“2U” – David Guetta, Justin Bieber

Edna Batengas: Wow, David Guetta, haven’t heard that name in a while. It’s been way too long. Glad to see such talented artists collaborating together. Perfect timing for this song to come out. I can already imagine it playing on all my summer road trips.

Ana Maria Mejia Morales: It’s OK, I guess. I expected more from such big names. The lyrics just seem like a bunch of corny metaphors mashed up together. I do expect to hear it on the radio all summer though.

Sera Akdogan: I’ve always been indifferent when it comes to Justin Bieber. If I hear this on the radio, I probably won’t mind. His tracks are always pretty catchy and fun to listen to with friends.

Neil MacAlister: Bieber has at least been trying to push boundaries lately, but this sounds like any other EDM collab he’s ever done. Personally, I think he should just keep doing songs in Spanish, but that’s just me.

 

“Inspired” – Miley Cyrus

EB: I don’t want to have to say this, but I TOLD YOU. Whatever was possessing Miley Cyrus has left her alone and gone to Katy Perry. Keep it up, Miley, you’re doing good.

AMMM: This new Miley is raw and naked. I particularly like the violin in the back of the song. This song is fantastic, if anybody had any doubts about her talent, here is proof.

SA: Miley Cyrus went from drugged-out trainwreck to peaceful hippie child. I can just picture her singing this in a field somewhere cross-legged and barefoot in the grass as the wind gently sways around her. Going back to her father’s country roots, I guess.

NM: Remember when Miley’s music was interesting? I actually miss her Dead Petz era now.

 

“Hey Hey Hey” – Katy Perry

EB: This may come as a surprise to you all, but I’m not a fan of this new Katy Perry. Never thought she was much of a good singer, but her career is just falling before our eyes. Someone stop her.

AMMM: I liked Katy’s classics; they were so catchy, how could you not? I don’t think these new songs are anything like that, they‘re boring, repetitive, and a little bit weird to be honest.

SA: Ugh, no. Make it stop, please. This is so terrible that I can feel my ears bleeding. Am I allowed to press skip on this one?

NM: Every single from Katy’s new album has been progressively worse.

 

“Doing Me” – RAY BLK

EB: This song has such a jolly and upbeat tune. The beginning has a very Grease vibe to it.

AMMM: Who is this woman?! How did I not know about her?! The voice and rhythm is so smooth. It’s one of those hybrid songs; it works at a party, works when you’re home alone.

SA: This song perfectly expresses how I feel about my fashion/appearance. I could definitely listen to this while I get ready in the morning, though it would make me even later than usual, due to all the underwear dancing that this song makes me want to do.

NM: Gorillaz introduced me to Ray BLK, and I’m really glad they did. I love her delivery, she’s got such an original sound. I’m really into this.

 

“Unforgettable” – J Hus Remix

EB: Nope, this remix doesn’t do the original justice. It’s way too slow and dreary, you can’t dance to it. This is sad.

AMMM: What is this? It started with a Caribbean beat, I was hella in, and then it all went down into the doom.

SA: This sounds like it was mixed in somebody’s basement with GarageBand or something. I’m not into the generic beats in the background, and the random mix of different voices doesn’t flow well at all.

NM: Whoa, props to French for connecting with J Hus, I really enjoyed his Common Sense album. He’s got this whole grime/dancehall crossover sound that I’m really into. I think I still prefer the Slim Jxmmi remix, though.

 

“Yellow Light” – Pharrell Williams

EB: LOL, I feel like Pharrell Williams should be the minions’ mascot or spokesperson. I mean, comparing this song to “Happy” from the first movie, I’d give it a 4/10. It’s just not as vibrant and fun as I’d hoped.

AMMM: You know how “Happy” was also in a Despicable Me movie soundtrack? Lets just say Pharrell’s new song is definitely not the equivalent — in a bad way.

SA: Do you remember when Pharrell Williams used to make good music that didn’t appear in children’s movies? Nope, I don’t either.

NM: Pharrell is one of my favourite artists ever, but he really needs to stop doing Despicable Me theme songs. This is garbage.

 

“African Bad Gyal” – WizKid, Chris Brown

EB: I’m a die-hard WizKid fan. This song was legit written for me. He even gave a shout out to Ugandan girls! Finally some recognition for the beautiful African women! Okay, I really don’t know what Chris Brown was even doing on this track. Didn’t bring much.

AMMM: I have no idea who WizKid is, but this song reminded me of my own Latin reggaeton music, so obviously; I LOVED it. I just wanna get up and dance to this, and it does give recognition to the African body so hell yeah! ‘Bout freakin’ time! And wait, where was Chris Brown in all of this?

SA: So . . . I don’t know about you, but I feel slightly violated after listening to this song. It might also be because I hate Chris Brown with every ounce of my being and it repulses me to know that he is included in this.

NM: Wizkid is awesome, I’m glad Drake brought him to my attention. This is a lot of fun. Chris Brown brought nothing to the song, though, and personally, I’d rather just not hear from him anymore.

 

“To the Max” – DJ Khaled, Drake

EB: I love Asahd on the cover of this album! I hope one day someone loves me as much as DJ Khaled loves Asahd. Although I have to admit, this song kinda got boring after listening to it for awhile.

AMMM: I don’t have much of an opinion. It’s OK, it just sits in the background while life happens around you.

SA: I shamelessly love Drake, so this was tolerable at first, but then the song just got progressively more intense and annoying. Kind of reminded me of the sped-up track that plays in the background of a crazy game of Dance Dance Revolution. Very strange.  

NM: “Only say ‘I love you’ just so I can hear it back.” Now that’s a quintessential Drake lyric. It’s no “For Free,” but Khaled and Drake have a decent streak going, and I’m digging the jook influences. Shout-out to Asahd.

 

“Aladdin” – Not3s

EB: I’m failing to understand how this guy is anything like Aladdin. Delusional much? #WasteMyTime2017

AMMM: Don’t understand the name, did he mean to give the song an Arabian-vibe thing? He did not. Keep Aladdin and Jasmine out of this.

SA: No, sir, you do not sound anything like Aladdin, and you will never be “fly” like him — unless, of course, you own a magic carpet. Sorry to disappoint.

NM: This is wavey, that beat is insanely smooth. This reminds me of J Hus, actually. I like it.

“Sorceress” – Jordan Rakei

EB: I really enjoyed this one. So chill, really smooth vocals, good vibes all in all.

AMMM: It does have a good beat and a good voice, but it’s just like other 100 top songs on the radio at the moment. What’s new?

SA: This song is pretty sweet, yet boring, at the same time. Jordan obviously wrote it about me, though.

NM: I’ve never heard of this guy, but I really like his voice. The percussion is neat, too, but this song doesn’t go anywhere.

 

“W.I.L.D” – MY

EB: Girl power track? I mean, it’s OK, I guess. It just lacks originality and it sounds like something Ke$ha would sing

AMMM: Not a fan, too much pop. Way. Too. Much. Pop.

SA: What even. This sounds like every pop song in 2017 ever. When will this end???

NM: I’m getting Paramore vibes from this. It’s alright. Nothing terribly interesting, but I don’t hate it.

 

“Benz Truck” – Lil Peep

EB: Nope. I’m aware that this is a remix, but truth be told, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it either.

AMMM: This is one of the scariest songs I have ever listened to in my life. You know in a horror movie when something bad is going to happen? The beat of this song is what they would use to set the tone.

SA: Only slightly terrifying. This song is creepy and has ruined childhood nursery songs sounds for me.

NM: I tried to get into Lil Peep when he started getting blog attention, but he just sounds like knockoff Bones. The chorus is kinda vibey, but I don’t see myself ever returning to this.

It wouldn’t be summer in Vancouver without Bard on the Beach

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EIC
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(Photo courtesy of Bard on the Beach)

By: Tessa Perkins

There’s nothing quite like taking in a classic Shakespeare play while enjoying the beautiful scenery that is visible through the back of the Bard tent. The festival is a magical combination made of thrilling theatre, stunning location, and unique events. The twenty-eighth season runs from June 1 to September 23.   

     In the mainstage tent, Much Ado About Nothing will take audiences on a journey to 1959 Italy where Beatrice and Benedick are movie stars who resist their mutual attraction. Directed by Bard regular John Murphy, this classic Shakespeare comedy is sure to be a treat as we see if love can prevail amidst chaos and confusion.

     The Winter’s Tale runs in repertory on the mainstage and is directed by Bard’s associate artistic director Dean Paul Gibson. Set in Sicily and Bohemia, this is one of those Shakespeare plays that isn’t quite a tragedy, nor is it a comedy. It’s a bit of both: with family drama, jealousy, mistrust, and banishment, but everything works out in the end. With a mythical atmosphere, talented cast, and veteran director, this is set to be a highlight of the summer.

     In the smaller Bard tent, the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre, The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a story of friendship and loyalty that features clowns, a dog, and plenty of laughs. Directed by Bard artistic associate Scott Bellis, this romantic comedy is perfect for those looking for something light-hearted and fun.

     Also in the Douglas Campbell tent is a modern-day version of The Merchant of Venice directed by Nigel Shawn Williams. This drama focuses on the treatment of outsiders and the dangers of prejudice and revenge. Protagonist Shylock also gets his own play this year with local playwright Mark Leiren-Young’s Shylock. The play has been produced at Bard once before, in 1996, and sees a modern-day actor grapple with this complex character and issues of censorship and political correctness. Shylock, directed by Sherry J. Yoon and starring Warren Kimmel runs September 6–15.    

     Among the special events that take place at Bard is the fireworks night “Bard-B-Q” that includes tickets to Much Ado About Nothing or The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a salmon barbeque, and a prime view of the Celebration of Light. There are also many lectures, forums, talkbacks, family nights, and wine tastings each Wednesday.

Tickets start at only $21, so spend your summer nights at Bard and let the magic of Shakespeare and the majesty of the Vancouver skyline transport you to new places and open your mind to new ideas.

World News Beat

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EIC
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RUSSIA – Hundreds arrested as city-wide protests transpire

Anti-corruption demonstrations were met with hundreds of arrests after police apprehended huge clusters of protesters across Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. The incidents happened while celebrations for Russia Day, the country’s national holiday, were being held. The rallies were sparked when corruption allegations against Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev surfaced. The protests were incited by opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has repeatedly criticized Russian officials through YouTube and other online channels. Navalny was apprehended and detained in his home before he could join the Moscow rally.

With files from BBC News.

UNITED STATES – Trump’s travel ban blocked by court (again)

American court judges have backed a Hawaii ruling preventing the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The ban, which would deny entry to travellers coming from six predominantly Muslim countries, has been revised in the past, only to be blocked several times by court verdicts. US attorney general Jeff Sessions and White House press secretary Sean Spicer have voiced their disagreement with the ruling. Spicer hinted that the appeal court’s ruling on the ban may be later challenged in Supreme Court.

With files from BBC News.

GREECE – Massive earthquake devastates Greek island

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the island of Lesbos in Greece this week. The island’s infrastructure suffered damage while in Vrisa village, ten people were hospitalized after the incident. Vrisa’s population is reported to have taken refuge in tents or hotels. The tremors were also felt in the Turkish city of Istanbul and the Greek capital of Athens. Neither countries are strangers to earthquakes, as fault lines run through the area.

With files from BBC News.

CENTRAL AMERICA – Panama angers Taiwan by switching diplomatic loyalty to China

Panama terminated its diplomatic ties with Taiwan this week and officially formed an economic relationship with China. Though Taiwan considers itself independent, China views the state as a “breakaway province,” according to BBC News. A Taiwanese official said they felt “bullied” by the decision to form the alliance with another country. China, on the other hand, has embraced the decision. Through its Panamanian ties, China can gain greater access to the Panama Canal trade route.

With files from BBC News.

Must-see event: Cinema Paradiso at the Rio Theatre

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Peak Web
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(Linda Shu / The Peak)

By: Ana Maria Mejia Morales

The Rio is celebrating Italian Heritage Month in Vancouver by bringing the absolutely fantastic Italian film, Cinema Paradiso, to its theatre. In a few words, the film is an ode to film itself and life.

     Directed, written by, and even loosely based on Giuseppe Tornatore’s own life, the film narrates the story of a young boy who falls in love with film. As the audience witnesses the boy grow up to become an acclaimed cinematographer, they also witness how the film industry changes and how life works in unexpected ways.  

     The film is absolutely mesmerizing and a must-see for every person who has ever felt connected to a movie. It will stir up feelings in you that you didn’t know you had, and is guaranteed to bring you to tears. I absolutely recommend that you to watch it at The Rio this Tuesday.

 

SFU a big participant in Fraser Valley Walk for ALS

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Peak Web
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Photo courtesy of Gabriel Lynn

By: Aliocha Perriard-Abdoh

Simon Fraser University students demonstrated their commitment to engaging with the community at an event that took place in Abbotsford on June 10 in order to raise funds and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The eleventh annual Fraser Valley Walk for ALS by the ALS Society of BC welcomed over 500 participants this year and raised over $57,000.

SFU Athletics’ own Gregory Saint-Germain filled the walk coordinator position this year, and rallied students from the university to support the event. This is Saint-Germain’s third year as the walk coordinator, and he credits the joy of working with the students as his motivation to make a difference.

“Seeing the students so passionate makes me strive harder to help raise funds to find a cure,” he said.

Students and staff from Athletics and Recreation, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Health and Counselling, as well as the Interfaith Centre all turned out to the event. “The volunteerism and enthusiasm to get involved shown by our SFU staff and students is and has been amazing,” Saint-Germain remarked.

“The walk was a family-oriented day of fun and of recognition to those who suffer ALS as well as the families and loved ones of those affected,” he explained.

Those afflicted with ALS gradually lose movement as the brain is no longer able to communicate voluntary movement to muscles. There are no effective treatments and a cure remains to be found to help those touched by the disease.

The ALS Society of BC has raised over $210,000 for the cause over the course of the past three years.

Saint-Germain noted that Victor Thomas, the director of the SFU Interfaith Centre, was key to the day’s success this year. “He donated the bouncy castle and operated it as well. His willingness to volunteer so much time and effort to the success of this event was phenomenal,” Saint-Germain said.

The event saw a choreographed flash mob, a face painting table which worked by donation, a bouncy castle, a photo booth to capture the memories of the event, live entertainment, and free food.

Saint-Germain said he only hopes that next year’s walk will continue to keep up with the theme of unity, hope, family, and fun.

Aliocha Perriard-Abdoh volunteered at this year’s Fraser Valley Walk for ALS.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society