Bard on the Beach is about the experience, not the production

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June 27, 2016

RGB Bard on the Beach – David Cooper & Emily Cooper — Beautiful costumes and wonderful acting couldn't make up for a mediocre adaptation.

With its 27th season in full swing, patrons new and old alike have been lining up in front of the wrought iron fences and white tents to see the players of Bard on the Beach. With two of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet on the mainstage, the season was anticipated to be a good one.

While the costumes were gorgeous, the opening night of Romeo and Juliet did not wow. The production failed to differentiate itself from other retellings of this evergreen story. When a story has been told as many times and in as many different ways as Romeo and Juliet, you had better have something new to offer spectators if you are looking for the standing ovation.

Everyone is familiar with the plot of Romeo and Juliet: two young and foolish lovers end up dead because of their actions. This traditional interpretation of the text exuded a staleness that many productions of this play have been plagued with. Not a lot can be said about the production because it fails to stand out from other adaptations. What saved the performance was the unbelievably charismatic cast. Despite the lacklustre adaptation, the cast delivered a beautiful performance by engaging with the audience and delivering the emotion and humour needed to balance this tragic story.

But this mediocre production begs the question: why do we bother with Bard on the Beach? And to this, the answer is simple. Bard on the Beach is about the experience, not the individual productions.

Located on the edge of Vanier Park in Vancouver, the set always includes a big opening so that patrons can catch a glimpse of the cityscape, the beach, and setting sun during evening performances. While this can lead to a chilly performance, it also creates a truly unique backdrop for classic stories.

The Bard village located in between the two stages and entrance also adds to the undeniably comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. The concession sells local wine and beer and a variety of tasty snacks, but it’s the beautiful twinkling lights and flower arrangements that make intermission feel more like a whirlwind patio pitstop than a break between acts.

I have been attending plays at Bard on the Beach for years, and there are a few that have wowed me, but there have been many others that have felt underwhelming and stale. And yet, I return every year — and I can’t imagine a summer without a trip to Vanier Park to indulge in one of these performances. I don’t come for the performance, I come for the intriguing venue and dedicated staff.

Not every play we see needs to be a life-changing one. . . mediocre productions won’t ruin the whole experience. There is a very rewarding feeling you get when you let yourself indulge in cultural experiences like theatre. The local theatre program has prided itself on being a not-for-profit source of education for patrons, and it has undoubtedly contributed to the cultural growth of Vancouver over the years. So give Bard a chance this summer, even if the play doesn’t do it for you, the ambiance and atmosphere will satisfy.

FOOD FIGHT: Vegans and carnivores can eat together at Wild Rice

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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RGB Food fight - Yelin Gemma Lee — Don’t let size deceive you. The polenta fries are not for the faint of heart.

Wild Rice Market Bistro is a spacious and modern-chic Asian-fusion restaurant in River Market (810 Quayside Drive, #122). What I love about Wild Rice is that they pride themselves on using fresh, local, and organic ingredients to create their unique recipes inspired by East meets West. It can be a little on the pricey side for students, but you can easily make it work by going with friends and splitting various main dishes — a lot of them are hefty portions.

The menu is ever so convenient for vegans, offering a plethora of dishes to choose from, including appetizers and desserts. You don’t have to worry about anyone at the table being unhappy here: they can order anything, from the infamous Peking duck tacos to a refreshing spicy tofu wrap.

The polenta fries were quite good, well-seasoned, and crispy, but I’m not sure if I would order them again. At almost a dollar per fry, it was way too pricy for the awkward grittiness of fried cornmeal. They were also horrifyingly filling; do not underestimate this tiny bowl and try to eat them on your own as an appetizer unless you want to suffer.

The spicy chicken kung po can be made vegan with tofu instead of the chicken, and it’s amazing, featuring thin rice noodles coated in a phenomenal coconut peanut sauce. I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed because in the menu it said “spicy,” but the dish was simply mild and nutty instead. This dish is the size of a small infant, so this is one to share with a table. I barely dented the bowl before tapping out, thanks to the fucking polenta fries.

The curried steam buns let me down because of the out-of-place texture of a certain tougher root vegetable inside the bun. The vegan butter “chicken” was just a butter chicken sauce with vegetables accompanied by rice, and was quite mediocre.

Now let’s talk about the noteworthy creative and seasonal cocktails. Some of my favourite drinks are from here. The crushed velvet is a perfect berry bliss, sitting comfortably in between sweet and tart. The lotus cocktail is tropical and fresh. I’m not going to outright say that I would drink a pitcher of each anytime soon, but I’m not going to deny that offer, either.

Mentally throw all the dessert options in the trash except for one precious gemstone of a dessert: the decadent Callebaut chocolate pyramid. My soul is still exclaiming about this. It was hands down the best dessert I’ve ever had, and boy, I’ve had many.

The pyramid is made up of a silky smooth light pudding with a thin chocolate layer at the bottom and sea salt on the top. It comes with wine-poached pears which go masterfully with the chocolate pyramid, bringing together the elegant flavour combo of wine, fruit, and chocolate.

Wild Rice has its winning dishes and meh dishes, but it’s definitely more positive than not. The atmosphere is great: family-friendly and chic at the same time, which God knows is a sick illusion. The service is helpful and professional, and the open kitchen adds to the element of the home-like vibe the owner clearly wanted to depict.

YouTube’s new cyberbullying policy is screwing over its users

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n YouTube, anyone can make a name for themselves with hard work, good ideas, and a little bit of luck. However, the site is changing its policies in a way that might mean the end of your favourite YouTubers.

Recently, the site updated their harassment and cyberbullying policy, defining harassment as “deliberately posting content in order to humiliate someone” and “making hurtful and negative comments/videos about another person,” among other statements.

While the prevention of cyberbullying is certainly a big issue and should be handled delicately, this vague terminology is not the way to go about it. Maybe I’m just a cynic, but this policy will do nothing but censor original content and dismantle a huge portion of the YouTube community.

Many of the biggest stars on the platform have made a living from videos criticizing public figures. For instance, the Fine Brothers, with over 14 million subscribers, create daily ‘reaction’ videos, such as “Kids react to Donald Trump,” or “Elders React to Kim Kardashian,” in which they film various groups reacting to videos of public figures. These videos certainly could fall under the new policy, and their creators could potentially face takedown notices should Trump or Kardashian be offended by them.

While no takedown notices have been filed against the Fine Brothers yet, up-and-coming YouTube personality RiceGum, with over 2.3 million subscribers, recently had a video of his taken down for supposed ‘copyright violation.’ The video in question was entitled “The Next Jacob Sartorius (GIRL VERSION),” in which the 19-year-old comedian criticized the Instagram account of Alabama Barker, the 10-year-old daughter of Blink-182’s Travis Barker.

In the video, RiceGum comments that Alabama wears “quite a bit of makeup for her age,” and sarcastically claims, “Wow, they grow up so fast, already learning how to, you know, arch their back a little bit, kinda, you know, poke out the behind area.” The comedian also notes that Instagram’s Terms of Use state that one must be at least 13 years old to have an account.

In response, Travis Barker had the video removed for what he claimed were copyright violations, and blasted the YouTuber on Instagram, with a picture of RiceGum and the caption, “this lame is about to take the biggest fuckin L in history. […] Any leads on where this #pedafile [sic] lives please DM me.”

Whether or not you agree with RiceGum’s opinion isn’t the point. Instead, it’s that Barker claimed copyright violation where there was none and has threatened him personally — and for what? Saying what was on his mind?

The connection between this case and YouTube’s new harassment policies is that if the reported lawsuit sticks and Barker also files complaints against RiceGum for harassment under the new guidelines, or even claims he promoted hate speech against his daughter, it would make it all the easier for the YouTuber to be permanently removed from the site. An easy ‘three strikes’ against his account, and he’s out for good!

So, despite YouTube’s best efforts to promote a safe and happy environment for its users, the company is writing policies that hurt creators. YouTube has become as popular as it is because of original content: because of teenagers in their bedrooms armed with camcorders and something to say, because of cats doing adorable and hilarious cat things, and because of creatives who use it as an outlet for music, makeup tutorials, or video game “let’s plays.”

The moment we allow our voices to be squashed by larger, more powerful corporate media is the moment YouTube loses its heart.

Video games do not cause real-world aggression

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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By: Vincent Justin Mitra, Peak Associate

Video games have gone from being spoken of in the same breath as pocket protectors and thick glasses to becoming a pastime enjoyed shamelessly by much of the modern world. However, they still face a lot of vocal opposition, primarily on the topic of violence. So, do violent video games cause real-world aggression and teach gunplay to children?

No. They don’t.

One concern is that violent video games will cause players to confuse the video game world with reality, due to how realistic games now look. Applying this argument to, for example, driving a car, reveals its absurdity. Both have you sitting, holding a controller, viewing through a screen displaying numbers and data, and being much more capable and powerful than you otherwise would be. Plus, when you’re driving a car, the world you see looks really, really lifelike. Yet there is no widespread concern of people sprinting down the highway after confusing the realistic ‘graphics’ of driving a car with the real pedestrian world.

I imagine those likely to truly confuse video games and reality are generally those who have existing mental conditions or face other external factors that might lead them to confuse reality with any number of other things anyways.

The other major concern is that violent video games train children to kill. This is contradicted by the 2012 independent game Receiver. Rather than the standard point-and-click to shoot, and pressing ‘R’ to reload, the game tasks the player with manually pressing one button to eject the magazine, another button to load a bullet, another to turn the safety on or off, and so on.

Many players, upon facing the difficulty involved in actually performing the steps required to reload a gun (something most other games do automatically), were immediately turned off by the game and chose to play something else. Games don’t train children to kill. They train children to click.

Playing Call of Duty does not transform someone into a dangerous super-soldier, any more than Sonic Adventure 2 makes me good at track and field. A recent study published by the American Psychological Association (APA) sought to research the validity of previous tests on violent video games and the believed increase in aggressive behaviour.

Institute researchers found that earlier studies used complex, twitchy, tactical games for the ‘violent game’ test, while the games used for the control group were short, two-dimensional games with a slower pace and simple controls. Due to the multiple differences between the games played by the test group and control group, the tests were found by researchers to be unequal and more or less invalid.

In their own tests, the APA had each group play identical games with only the level of violence and gore throttled up or down. They found that it was not the level of violence in the games that was creating the greater aggression found in the early experiments, but rather the level of frustration caused by the games.

In the early experiments, it was found in both the test and control groups that those who were familiar with complex video games were found to be calmer, while those less familiar with video games were found to be more frustrated and aggressive.

The level of fear and anger directed at video games is the same fear and anger that, in the past, was directed at other dangers to society, such as television, movies, rock and roll music, Shakespeare, Beethoven, books, and the printing press, before each were vindicated by the passing of time.

I don’t know what we’ll be angry and afraid of next, but I’m sure all the cool kids will be super into it.

Top picks for song of the summer

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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By: Tamara Connor, Jamal Dumas, Max James Hill, Courtney Miller, Nathan Ross, and Jessica Whitesel

When that gentle breeze rolls through Vancouver and you find yourself on the beach surrounded by people with sun-kissed skin, or on a patio with friends sipping fruity cocktails through curly straws, you know that it’s finally summer. And of course, with every summer comes a song of the summer.

You know, that one soundtrack that captures your whole summer within four minutes? Well, if you haven’t found your summer song yet, do not fret! We at The Peak have created a playlist of the songs we feel best capture summer 2016.

“Good Grief” – Bastille

Jessica Whitesel, Arts Editor

A good song of the summer needs to be good for the three “B”s: beer, brunches, and beaches. This song can do that. The fun and updated ’80s sound is perfect for brunch: it’s uptempo enough that it can get you excited and put a mimosa in your hand, but not so excited that you get up and ask who’s down for some shots. That’s what also makes it good for backyard beer and chilling on the beach. It’s catchy enough that you can even pick up the lyrics quickly and belt it out in the car on your next road trip. I’ve already lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this song since it was released mid-June. It’s that good.

“Too Good” – Drake feat. Rihanna

Jamal Dumas, Print News Editor

Pop music comes and goes just as fast as the summer sun, but if one song has stuck with me, it’s “Too Good.” Drake’s latest features none other than Rihanna. Following their fire duet on “Work,” the pair explores the unspoken tensions between them over a pulsating tropical beat. If done by less versatile artists, this track would be a bore, but the production infuses it with a boundless energy that will make those scorching restless summer days perfect. It feels like a retread of Drake’s 2011 masterpiece “Take Care,” but instead of the haunting melody there, “Too Good” finds the optimism in difficult emotional terrain.

“Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” – Adele

Tamara Connor, Features Editor

For a song to be the song of the summer, it has to be something that makes you want to belt it out as you zoom down the highway to the beach. It has to be a song that soundtracks everything you want your summer to be. Adele’s latest does just that. “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” is about letting go of the past, wishing those who have wronged you nothing but the best, and letting yourself be free. As a recent survivor of a messy breakup, Adele’s song is what I’m jamming to this summer as I dance with my new bae, drink cocktails, and watch the sunset from the beach.

“Sad But True” – David Vertesi

Nathan Ross, Web News Editor

Just because it’s summer and the sun is out doesn’t mean that every day is meant for living it up. If you’re anything like me, David Vertesi’s new album Sad Dad Cruise Ship perfectly sums up what you’re about. Bounce along to the catchy beat underneath some heartbreaking lyrics on the track “Sad But True,” and remember that sometimes it’s just as acceptable to boogie into the abyss as it is to just stare into it. The upbeat guitar chords really help save face when, just like Vertesi, you just gotta pour yourself a drink.

“T-Shirt” – Thomas Rhett

Courtney Miller, Peak Associate

I dare you to find a more summery theme than hanging out on a patio with someone and getting laid. Add in that other person looking sexy in your T-shirt — a killer visual and the perfect conception of summer madness. Some people will be turned off by the “country” tag, but you know what? Aside from a little twang in Rhett’s voice, this track would not be out of place on top 40 radio. It’s upbeat, great for dancing, amazing to sing along with — it’s an ultimate summertime tune. That’s what makes it the perfect song of the summer.

“Sorry” – Beyoncé

Max James Hill, Editor-in-Chief

This year, my summer is all about self-love, and no one does self-love better than Bey. “Sorry” is both a perfect kiss-off to the haters and a powerful commitment to enjoying life in spite of adversity — everything that makes Lemonade the best pop album of the year is on full display here, from the technicolor beats to the effortless delivery to the endlessly quotable verses. It’s fierce and it’s fabulous, just like you. So for all those who want to make your summer a bummer: middle fingers up, put ’em hands high.

Songs of the summer!

Fitness goals you’re likely to achieve this summer

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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Pay $99.99 a month to work out in a gym clouded by a mist of other people’s sweat.

Take a yoga class where you are instructed to perform acts that are actually impossible.

Play some League of Legends. . . Hey, it’s a sport now!

Become a fucking Power Ranger!

Peak Comics: Peers

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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The best and worst washrooms of SFU Burnaby and Vancouver

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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SFU Burnaby and Vancouver have a diverse selection of vicinities for ladies to do the ol’ one and two. Between the surprising number of seemingly un-potty-trained students and explosive water pressures, choosing a bathroom that’s the right fit for you can be tough.

As an experienced explorer of the SFU bathroom landscape, it is my duty to bestow unto you my knowledge of how to best answer the call of nature. You can find the merit of each bathroom expressed as a clear, concise numerical value at the end of each review.

Blusson Hall 9000 and 10000 levels

These rooms are dimly lit, exuding a relaxing and at times romantic atmosphere. Unfortunately, it takes too much muscle power to flush the toilets, and the sinks’ splash-zone radius reaches at least five miles in all directions.

67/100

West Mall Centre women’s multi-stall

There’s a slightly retro vibe at work here, and the bright lighting makes this a great place to touch up your makeup, work on homework, or find salvation. The stalls can be a little squishy, though.

78.3/100

West Mall Centre individual washroom

The ‘60s mod aesthetic of this room is both fun and a little scary. It’s very spacious, but you may get dizzy from the black and white checkered tile design. Pro tip: Do not make this the venue for your next acid trip. It will probably go very wrong.

87.7809/100

AQ 3000 level multi-stall

With this bathroom’s seafoam colour pallette and modern aesthetic, it is definitely in the running for SFU’s best-designed bathroom. Additionally, the rooms are spacious and provide users with excellent acoustics — a very fitting space for jam sessions or choir concerts.

906/100

Harbour Centre 1000 level near-the-study-area multi-stall

Don’t let its normal appearance fool you: this washroom has an average toilet seat splatter-to-non-splatter ratio of 4:2 and faucets that are liable to induce third-degree burns. Its prime location means it is prone to heavy traffic. It is best to abstain from these stalls during rush times — the 20–30 minute mark of every hour — to avoid lineups, accidents, and slippery conditions.

-18/100

Harbour Centre 1000 level near-the-study-area individual washroom

Is there a secret stash of meth hidden within the walls of this room? I’m not sure, but I definitely wouldn’t rule out the possibility. This single room is vaguely reminiscent of the setting of the first Saw movie. Though I wouldn’t recommend it for regular use due to its tense atmosphere, if you’re finding your menstrual cycle to be particularly painful one day and need somewhere to go die slowly on the floor, this place will keep you out of the way of other people.

(-4)(8) + 14×5 + -(7×4)42/100

Harbour Centre 2000 level multi-stall

This one is all white. Rest assured that you haven’t suddenly entered heaven or that white room from 2001: A Space Odyssey, it’s just a really white bathroom. Though there isn’t anything wrong about this one, there isn’t anything right about it either — it completely lacks personality and pizzazz. One might say it’s the plain oatmeal of SFU washrooms.

40π72/100

Maggie Benston down from Higher Grounds multi-stall

This squishy mouse hole can be tough to find and tough to use. I do not recommend it to anyone whose body circumference exceeds seven inches. Do not use unless absolutely necessary.

-6(e)/100

Maggie Benston across from SFU Bookstore multi-stall

Is this washroom even open? I don’t know, but I do know that it wasn’t there for me when I needed it the most, and can therefore deduce that it is unreliable. There is enough room to practice cartwheeling in there, though.

φ/100

If SFU was more like Hogwarts . . .

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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Taking the stairs to class would be far more forgiving on your knees.

Participation marks would suddenly become the most entertaining part of class.

School administration might actually work to ensure the safety of their students from predators.

The Peak newspaper would actually be cool to look at.

Top three things about the Tim Hortons that will grind your gears

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EIC

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June 27, 2016

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1) Choosing the wrong line

At peak hours, choosing the correct lineup at Tim Hortons is an exercise in economic game theory. There are multiple things to consider: who’s at the till, how many people are in line, how many of said people are in groups, and the lunar orbit. There is nothing more frustrating than standing in line desperate for that double-double while the line beside you zips by to get their sugary snacks.

2) Getting passed over while waiting for your food

I’m sure we’ve all experienced this. You’ve ordered your chicken chipotle melt, or whatever weird new concoction they’ve decided to push this month. You get your slip of paper, and find out you’re number 100. Then you’re told to wait to the side and stand there until your number is called. You’d expect the numbers to follow some sort of chronological order, but you would be dead wrong. After a while, every number from 101 to 150 is called, and you’re left standing there silently judging every person who decided to order chilli, feeling like the last kid picked in gym class.

3) Not getting a sleeve with your coffee

Ultimately, the most egregious error made by Tim Hortons employees is the fact that they don’t just give you a sleeve with your coffee. This is not a difficult concept to grasp. Coffee is hot. I need something to shield my hands so I don’t get third-degree burns walking to class. I shouldn’t have to ask for a sleeve. It’s my God-given right to have a sleeve with my coffee.