INN-TRODUCING THE NEW: NAVIGATING THE CHANGE AT THE GOLDEN X INN

I think most students can agree that the Inn is one of the best places to be on campus and in Antigonish in general. Not only is it fun with great drinks (especially the beergria), but the energy is also unrivalled on a Wing night or a Friday theme night. It has been deeply missed this semester and I know many StFX students have been eagerly anticipating its reopening. The excitement of this new chapter, however, has been heavily overshadowed by critiques of the recent renovation for the Student’s Union.

Despite the ongoing speculation and debate surrounding the Inn's changes, it is crucial to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the staff and bar managers who have worked tirelessly to keep the establishment operational. Their commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment has been evident in the countless hours spent addressing concerns and adjusting needs to meet the community's needs. 

The benefits of reopening might not be apparent to all students, but they are not lost to the staff. Sam Robinson, one of the Inn's bussers, expressed his excitement for the return of "real wing nights," which has more than one meaning to many employees. While students lost their favourite Wednesday hangout spot, many of the staff reliant on their paycheques from the Inn, to support themselves, had to make do. With less events going on, the staff had their hours considerably cut to make renovations possible.

The Inn was reliant on the involvement of students at the McKay Room events to keep the staff working. Security Coordinator Cameran Macmillan noted how much the Inn staff appreciated everyone who tried to attend pop up wing nights. Supporting the Inn does not just support the Student’s Union, but the people that work for it as well. 

The transition to the McKay room involved a lot of coordination. From set up and tear down to the revision to be successful, it was a huge change not just for students, but staff as well. It was difficult for new employees, and for those recently promoted to adjust to their new positions in an environment where supplies and procedures were not standard. Bar Manager Shani Darrell sought to acknowledge, “the Golden X Inn Staff for their ability to meet such adaptations,” and commend their commitment the Inn team. The re-opening is not just the bar being back, but a return home for employees.

Instead of being angry that the campus’ favourite spot has changed, I believe we should take a moment to appreciate the time that has been invested in making it that much better. A large sum of money has gone into making improvements to ensure our Wednesday nights are safe and enjoyable as possible. It is easy to harp on the negative, but it seems to me that there is a lot of good things to be celebrated as our semester comes to an end. Being a member of the Inn’s team and speaking with my co-workers, I have been able to come up with some highlights. 

To begin, as Cameran put it, “the 360 bar will be a hit.” For students who have yet to see the renovations, I am certain you will not be disappointed. The space is more sophisticated but maintains “subtle nods to the old Inn.” The bar’s position and size will “cut down on wait times,” Sam says. Bartender Brooke Lawrie noted how the shift of the shooter bar to the back corner is more accessible, making it easier to grab a quick drink and keep dancing than at the old Inn. The higher demand for service has also ensured that staff stay busy. In the words of, busser, Cole Bielski “there is definitely a lot more running around,” which is a welcome change at the Inn after the past semester’s lull. Students can also look forward to new events including a study night on Tuesdays, multicultural events, comedy shows as well as a continuation of wing nights, trivia, and sex toy bingo. 

I, in no way, look to undermine the concerns of students regarding the consequences of the renovations. Constructive feedback is valuable, and the ongoing dialogue allows us to work collaboratively towards enhancing the Inn experience for everyone. But I think it is important for us to appreciate the collective efforts that have gone into this endeavour and continue fostering open communication to build a stronger, more positive, and more resilient community around the Inn. 

A Conversation with Alan Syliboy: A Childhood in Mi’kma’ki

On Thursday November 16th, students and members of the community gathered in Barrack Auditorium in Mulroney Hall to attend a unique event hosted by the German 200 class and the StFX German Society. The event was a conversation with Alan Syliboy about his experience and perspective growing up in Mi’kma’ki during the 1950s. The conversation was led by fourth-year students Maia Schisler and Gianluca Abrignani.

            Alan Syliboy is a visual and musical artist who was born and raised in Millbrook First Nation, where he still lives to this day. He is well-known for his visual artwork inspired by the Mi’kmaq petroglyph tradition, as well as his talented band, Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers. Alan has also written multiple children’s books which have all been translated to German by StFX’s German classes. In fact, he just released his newest children’s book, When the Owl Calls Your Name.

            During the conversation, Mr. Syliboy recalled the memories and individuals that had a significant impact on his life growing up. Living in a community with only 30-40 houses, he grew up having a close relationship with his younger brother, Dale, whom he remains close with to this day. His grandmother, whom he described as brilliant and someone who always had her heart in the right place, was also a strong role model in his life.

            When asked about how he got into artwork as a career, he explained how he always drew growing up and consistently got a positive response from others, which served as a big encouragement for him to continue. Mr. Syliboy attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and stated that his goal was not necessarily to graduate, but to gain experience. According to Syliboy, a coffee shop was practically his classroom; he would spend hours of his day there speaking with artists from all around the world.

            This is one of multiple visits that Alan Syliboy has made to StFX over the past several years. On September 29th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, StFX welcomed Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers for a concert that was organized by the German Department. Members of the band include: Alan Syliboy, Evan Syliboy, Hubert Francis, Lukas Pearse, Joanne Hatfield, Aaron Prosper, and Matt Gallant.

You may be wondering why it was a German class that hosted this event, and why they, in particular, are the ones who are actively involved with Indigenous members of the community. Marlis Lade, a German professor at StFX, explained during the event that everyone had a role to play in continuing the contributions towards reconciliation.

Overall, the conversation with Alan Syliboy was incredibly engaging to witness and enjoyed by both the students and members of the community who attended.

Works Cited:

https://alansyliboy.ca/band/

https://alansyliboy.ca/about/

Best Buddies Society: Friendships That Will Last a Lifetime

On November 25, the StFX Best Buddies Society hosted a Christmas party in Coady Dennis Hall. Those who attended enjoyed a Christmas movie, cookie decorating, ornament creating, and colouring. The event was a great way to spend the afternoon getting into the Christmas spirit before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins.

Best Buddies Canada is an organization that builds friendships between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Buddies are paired with one another based on similar interests and meet up at least once a month for some quality one-on-one time.  The organization runs programs across the country in different elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, as well as post-secondary institutions—including here at StFX. Best Buddies is an excellent way to get involved with the school and promote inclusion and acceptance within the community.

The Christmas party was the second group event that the society has hosted this year. On October 29, the Best Buddies society celebrated Halloween with a costume party that consisted of a movie, colouring, and treats. Returning members reunited with their buddies and new members were able to be introduced to one another.

I spoke with a member of the Best Buddies Society, Caroline Kelly, a second-year who has been an active volunteer with Best Buddies Canada since high school. Ms. Kelly spoke about her inspiration for becoming involved with Best Buddies, sharing that “my older sister was involved with Best Buddies in high school so that’s how I got to know the club. I thought it was a cool way to involve myself within my own school community.” She also explained how it can be easy for individuals with intellectual disabilities to feel ostracized in a school setting and wanted to create an inclusive environment for all.

Furthermore, when asked why students at StFX should volunteer with the organization, Kelly explained that it is a great way to get to be involved with the university in a hands-on and personal way. What she loves about Best Buddies at StFX is how you are not only getting to know students at the school, but also individuals within the Antigonish community. “It’s a wider, broader sense of community,” Ms. Kelly stated, “there are so many different people you get to meet. It’s a fun way to get to know people and it feels like you’re involving yourself in a different way compared to other clubs.”

If you are interested in getting involved with the university and members of the Antigonish community, applying to the Best Buddies Society is an excellent way to do so. The meaningful memories you will make and the solid friendships you will form will last a lifetime.

We The North: Madeleine Redfern Shares her Vision for Nunavut’s Future

The average Canadian will likely travel down south, a few times even, before they even think about making a journey up to Canada’s North. But while Nunavut often feels like a far-away land (at least, from the perspective of those who live a day’s trip away from the border), former Iqaluit mayor Madeleine Redfern’s work demonstrates that this feeling of disconnect need not be the case.

On Monday, February 27th, the Mulroney Institute hosted a luncheon to welcome Madeleine Redfern onto StFX campus. Elder Knowledge Keeper Kerry Prosper attended the event, which opened with a land acknowledgement. Organized by Dr. Richard Isnor and Dr. Anna Zuschlag from the Mulroney Institute, the gathering allowed for students and faculty to ask the former mayor questions that enriched their understanding of Nunavut-specific policy issues.

Throughout the lecture, the need to build bridges, whether they be between the different levels of government or between the various isolated communities found throughout the territory, was repeatedly emphasized. As the current Chief Operating Officer at CanArtic Inuit Networks, Madeleine Redfern can be considered a pioneer in developing Nunavut’s fibre-optic connectivity. Such a project will have a transformative effect on Nunavut’s future, and broadening the territory’s internet access is a necessary and foundational step to fuel the development of Nunavut’s infrastructure.

Second-year PGOV student Rory Jakubec brought her background assisting with Dr. Peter Kikkert’s research into the conversation. In describing her experience at the 2022 Search and Rescue (SAR) Roundtable in Iqaluit, Jakubec stressed the pressing need for faster and more efficient communication channels throughout the territories. Redfern shared Jakubec’s concern and remarked that when faulty connectivity becomes an impediment to successful search and rescue missions, the project of building better fibre-optic infrastructure becomes “the difference between life and death.”

However, Redfern also spoke on the fact that “communication is more than fibre optics.” After all, people, not wires nor radio waves, come together and make up the committees and teams committed to problem-solving and policy building. To make her point, she brought up the fact that the public’s access to internet connection (by means of libraries, for example) was closed off during the Covid-19 Pandemic. While the internet itself didn’t go anywhere, coordination between different governmental departments was needed before the public good could become safely accessible again.

Madeleine Redfern has taken on various roles that have improved her community in countless ways. To name just a few of her accomplishments, she is the President of the Tungasuvvingat Inuit Community Centre, co-Founder of the Ottawa Inuit Headstart, and the first Inuk to clerk for the Supreme Court. Her passion for improving the lives of others allows us to enjoy a feeling of optimistic trust for our politicians.

Redfern’s career is also a testament to the value of having politicians who reflect the demographic they serve. As PGOV Professor Dr. Peter Kikkert pointed out, government services work best when they are designed by people who have a link to the community. If Nunavut is to continue developing its social and digital infrastructure along the promising trajectory Redfern has helped place it on, there is a need to invest in the training and employment of as many Inuk people as possible. As Redfern stressed, there is currently no master Inuk employment plan, and this lack of coordination limits effective policy-building and reduces it to mere “separation and less synergy.”

“Nunavut is like Quebec,” says Redfern. In the sense that both regions are distinct from the rest of the country and consequently require unique and creative problem-solving to meet their needs. According to Redfern, “there’s no reason for us to be as poor as we are.” She calls for including educated, skilled and capable Inuk living in Nunavut in government projects. Through collaboration and adequate support, Redfern hopes to mitigate the high crime rate, poor water quality, insufficient healthcare, and other impediments to the development of Nunavut’s infrastructure stemming from a long history of colonization and colonial policies. These changes cannot come soon enough when Nunavut expects unprecedented population growth over the next ten years. If a population explosion were to spring onto Nunavut’s infrastructure as it exists now, the weight of a population boom would surely collapse it.

Spencer Johnson Band, a third-year PGOV student, prompted Redfern to speak on her role as Advisor to the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. “Nunavut’s future can expect transformative technologies,” says Redfern, and federal investments into nuclear energy play a crucial role in actualizing this vision. Additionally, considering Russia’s current expansionist energy, the federal government is directing special and heightened attention to reinforcing Canada’s northern defensive line.

If we want Nunavut’s fibre-optic connectivity and nuclear projects to improve and for the territory to be prepared for an incoming population boom, issues of poverty and inadequate social services that currently impede progress must be addressed. Redfern stresses that while ambitious projects are a priority, work is required in order to pave a smooth runway for the roll-out of such development. The North’s future is cause for optimism, but only if this optimism is matched with hard work, creativity, and passion. That is why we owe gratitude and admiration to a visionary like Madeleine Redfern.

16th Annual German Day

Every year, the German 100 and 200 classes come together to celebrate German Day. The event began in the early 2000s under the guise of Professor Lade, the German professor at the university. The day consist of student-led presentations and many fun activities.

This year, German Day will be taking place Friday, March 31. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will include presentations, a coffee break, and a game of Kahoot. During the coffee break, German pastries will be served for all to enjoy. The activities will be taking place in Coady’s Desmond Oval.

Many distinguished guests are set to partake in the day of festivities, including a representative for the German Embassy in Ottawa. All students are invited to attend. The German classes have spent many a week preparing for the day, which is more than certain to be an interesting one.

The day comes just on the heels of Multilingual Day, another fun day of activities surrounding language and language learning. Both events will celebrate the language courses offered at the university. For all those interested in taking language courses, the events should be informative and encouraging. If able, all should attend.

Student Research Day 2023

Student Research Day is fast approaching, with many interesting poster presentations and oral presentations scheduled, Student Research Day 2023 should be a fun one! Every year, the university hosts a Student Research Day, typically in March towards the end of the academic semester. The aim of the day is to display the research students have been conducting throughout the academic year and throughout the summer with professors. Students from any and all departments have the opportunity to present their research and their findings, either through a poster presentation or through a ten-minute oral presentation.

Students with poster presentations are asked to stay at their poster for the evening and other students, faculty members, and members of the public can come and ask them questions regarding their research. Students with oral presentations will be given ten minutes to present their research topic, findings, and all other relevant information.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, Student Research Day will be this Thursday, March 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in Mulroney Hall, with presentations taking place in three auditoriums simultaneously, beginning with an opening statement by Dr. Richard Isnor. In auditorium 2030, health-related research presentations will take place. The policy and humanities presentations will take place in the Art Gallery and the science presentations will be in auditorium 3024. At the end of the evening, there will be a prize draw for all student researchers as well as closing statements by members of the faculty and administration.

In recent years, there have not been many student research days due to COVID. The last few Student Research Days have been given virtually, and it is safe to say faculty and the administration must be happy the event is being given in person this year.

After Student Research Day, students can stay in Mulroney Hall to attend Elder Albert Marshall’s talk on “Etuaptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing.” The talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is to take place in auditorium 4032. The talk will specifically address Two-Eyed Seeing in the context of climate change. It is sure to be an interesting talk, and all are encouraged to attend!

For more information, you can visit the StFX website’s student research page. If you get the chance, come support fellow students in their presentations. Who knows? You might find yourself inspired to conduct your own research project!

Sources: https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADU5MmFmZmNjLTE1NzMtNDJkNi05YWNhLTJhNTExNzhjMmJlMgAQAGMHVEhEIEpKgitsWREV7pk%3D/sxs/AAMkADU5MmFmZmNjLTE1NzMtNDJkNi05YWNhLTJhNTExNzhjMmJlMgBGAAAAAAD7wczlnG6qRplmsYsnWWCpBwCPjqD0PkZxR4warnzs%2BbPVAAAAAAEMAACPjqD0PkZxR4warnzs%2BbPVAAMqcq9TAAABEgAQACwdAGsJU%2B9Lr2tV%2BmIlIU8%3D

https://www.stfx.ca/research/student-research-opportunities/student-research-day

https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADU5MmFmZmNjLTE1NzMtNDJkNi05YWNhLTJhNTExNzhjMmJlMgAQALW7ruyNxWtFtrXKqnyj5%2BE%3D

Appreciating the StFX Art Gallery’s Newest Exhibit: There is No One Story of Black Girlhood

Students looking to experience a unique and immersive display of artwork need to look no further than the second floor of Mulroney Hall.

In line with Black History Month’s desire to highlight and make space for Black Canadians, the art exhibit “There is No One Story of Black Girlhood” showcases a collection of Rebecca Fisk’s eleven self-portraits highlight the achievements, stories, and culture of African Nova Scotians.

While she was born in Calgary, Rebecca Fisk grew up just a few hours from Antigonish in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Fisk’s self-portraits reflect her experience growing up in a rural, predominantly white community. In one piece, Fisk looks defiantly at the viewer and pulls apart an oreo, presumably in reference to the disparaging slang “oreo” which Fisk describes as “a term used to describe someone who is thought of as being black on the outside and white on the inside.” In another piece, Fisk is again looking directly at the audience and enjoying a bite of watermelon in a piece titled “Watermelon in the Afternoon.” Again, Fisk subverts a racist trope and calls out the tremendous social and historical weight placed on black children.

Throughout Fisk’s self-portraits, there is a theme of resilience in the face of stereotypes, racism, and isolation growing up as a young black girl in rural Nova Scotia. According to the artist, this project is “a cathartic [...confrontation] of the racial prejudice that I have experienced in a healthy way. [...] The images also confront the viewer, forcing them to question their own biases.”

Fisk received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from NSCAD in 1992 and went on to earn her master’s in fine arts from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997. Fans of her work can find it all over Nova Scotia, as it has been exhibited in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Academy, and the Dalhousie Art Gallery. Interestingly, Fisk is a High School art teacher in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia.

The exhibit is being held from February 9th to March 25th in the StFX Art Gallery (located on the second floor of Mulroney Hall) during the afternoons Wednesday to Friday. There is no need to make an appointment or pay an admission fee, but visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks while visiting the gallery.

On Thursday, February 16th, students are welcome to attend a zoom webinar and hear Fisk comment on her work and intended messaging. More information on how to access the link are available on the StFX Art Gallery website. Additionally, special thanks are due to the Jeannine Deveau Education Equity Endownment Fund and Harley and Wendy MacCaull for sponsoring the exhibition.

It goes without being said that the importance of appreciating Black artwork and artists endures beyond the month of February. By reserving a space solely for Black artists and their artwork, the community and student body gain an appreciation for the rich culture and strength of the Black community that hopefully serves as a springboard for further interest throughout the rest of the year.

The exhibit “There is No One Story of Black Girlhood” is a testament to the importance, beauty, and uniqueness of Black artwork. If you happen to have even thirty minutes to spare between midterms, be sure to check it out.

Boygenius Are Back: A Review of Their Three Song Sampler

If you happen to follow Rolling Stone Magazine on any of their social media platforms, you likely experienced an onslaught of promotional images of the music supergroup “boygenius”, comprised of members Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus. The band was featured on the cover of the magazine in February, and the images that plastered the internet might have been familiar to those who were around in the early nineties, or are otherwise avid fans of the band Nirvana, as boygenius recreated their 1994 Rolling Stone cover and aesthetics of the famed photoshoot. 

While many fans viewed the photoshoot as a fun way for boygenius to reinterpret the famous cover, some of the comments on the Rolling Stone’s accounts were negative. One common theme being that many people are still unfamiliar with the band, and with just the one EP under their belt, some felt that their comparison to such a famed band as Nirvana was unjustified. Perhaps many readers do not know who boygenius are either. Well, you’re in luck. The group has just released a three-song sampler in lieu of their first full-length album, “The Record”, and now is the perfect time to start listening to their music.  

For some background, the band is democratically constructed without a distinguishable frontwoman, but the most recognisable name of the group may be Phoebe Bridgers, who has permeated the cultural zeitgeist the most significantly. Her dreamy indie-pop songs infused with raw, and often depressing lyricism have resulted in sold-out arena tours around the world, and collaborations with the likes of Taylor Swift, SZA, Paul McCartney, and the 1975.  

In 2016, Bridgers befriended artists Julien Baker, an indie-rock musician known for her confessional songs with themes of addiction and religion, and Lucy Dacus, a folk-rocker armed with brutally honest depictions of heartbreak, and who, inevitably, has become a mainstay on Spotify’s “sad girl starter pack” playlist. This friendship resulted in their eponymous EP in 2018, which harmonized their three distinct flavours, and secured them into a “supergroup” status. Now, five years later, the band has reunited. Boygenius are back in town. 

The first of their new songs, “$20”, further confirms the group’s nineties alt-rock influences. With its energetic guitar riffs, and imagery of all-night drives, motorcycles, and running out of gas, time, and money, this is the anthem for going on a road trip with your best friends. The track demands you yell along with the Baker’s vocals in unison, and the climax even more so: a satisfying scream from Bridgers, asking “CAN YOU GIVE ME 20 DOLLARS?” Add this song to your summer playlist now, you’ll thank me later.  

Boygenius takes a melancholic turn with their second single “Emily I’m Sorry”. As the title suggests, this Bridgers-dominant track is apologetic and directed at a former lover, Emily. The lyricism represents the frantic negotiating that comes with a failed relationship: “Just take me back to Montréal / I'll get a real job, you'll go back to school / We can burn out in the freezing cold / And just get lost”. Dreamy and repentant, this track ultimately weeps over the kind of love that one gets lost in, for better or worse. 

Rounding out the sampler is the Dacus-led “True Blue”, a term that can be defined as one who is staunch and faithful, and this is the kind of love that is celebrated in the song: “I remember who I am when I’m with you / Your love is tough, your love is tried and true-blue". With ethereal guitars and harmonies from Baker and Bridgers, the composition evokes a sense of peace. The imagery of heat, sun, and summer, especially in opposition with the cold: “You say you’re a winter b**** / But summers in your blood”, thaws out the melancholy of the previous track and makes this depiction of love even sweeter. Boygenius’ “The Record” is out March 31st.  

My Truth

Growing up in a dominated white society has opened my eyes to many truths.

First, I learnt little about my rich African history and heritage
Slavery started in the year...
And Martin Luther King was a... Were the only topics that I remember
Black History, my history-what history?
Nothing deeper, just the same recycled lessons taught over and over again.

Second, I think people sometimes forget that it is still wrong to make assumptions
Like when I speak up and people think I shouldn't because they think I’m not Black
Or when teachers assume that as the only Black student, I’d be okay representing the mass.

Wait, what did you say in class again?
Slavery started in the year...
And Martin Luther King was a...
Because anyone can repeat that; I learnt nothing.

Third,
And the most important truth
Is that I have to keep keeping on
So even though
I still have to deal with racial slurs and racism at school

And I still have to deal with
Sorry
You’re too Black for the white kids
And
You’re way too white for the Black kids

I cannot; I will not be silent
My voice matters; I matter
And it stops mattering the day I become silent
I will continue to walk on the path to my destiny I will continue to live my truth.

Grab your Dancing Shoes!

Over the next couple of months, Antigonish residents can expect several dance recitals and competitions in the Antigonish community. For those looking to check out some local talent, the Antigonish Creative Dance Association will host its annual student choreography showcase on the 25th of February. Expect ballet, hip pop and contemporary pieces and mix of solos, duets, and small groups.

The dance team recently competed in the Atlantic Collegiate Dance Competition. This event was their first dance competition in over three years, since Covid prevented previous competitions from taking place. The event was hosted at the University of New Brunswick, with dancers from across the Atlantic region competing at the university level. The StFX dance team performed both solos and group pieces, with both Isabelle and Makayla winning awards in their solo categories. The dance team also performed a halftime dance at the X-men's basketball game.

If you happen to be staying over the summer, be sure to check out the annual Highland Games happening July 2nd to the 9th. Last year’s festival included parades, dance championships, kilted golf tournaments, Gaelic language and tradition workshops, and tug-of-war competitions. This year’s events are not yet finalized. The dance competitions will be at the pre-premier, open premier, and open championship levels, with the youngest category being 10-12, and the oldest at 19 and over. One of the annual competitions is organized by the Antigonish Highland Dance Association (AHDA), an organization with the goal of promoting and preserving highland dance in the town, they have been hosting annual competitions since 1863.

Visitors can expect performances of the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, the Seann Tribuhas, and the Flora Mcdonald’s Fancy. Awards like the Mary Dundas Memorial Award, New Zealand’s Pre-premier, Wilena Macinnis Penny Award, and the Florence Macmillian Memorial Award are all up for grabs. If you are interested, the festival will be looking for volunteers to help run the Games. Last year, there was also a youth artwork and writing contest for children aged 5-13. Winners of the contest won a free family pass to the Games.

An Awesome Wave

The band alt-J’s debut album, An Awesome Wave, is a musically beautiful representation of European music at that time combined with the unique sound of the growing indie and alternative music genres. Probably stemming from this album, alt-J has a reputation of making scatter-brained music that is not always received positively by listeners. However, each song on the album makes for easy and entertaining listening and regardless of the variety from one song to the other, they still manage to all meet in the middle for a matching aura on the album. Another characteristic of the album that I found very interesting is the cover art. For a little background information, alt-J is the computer key shortcut for delta. While facing a deadline for this album, the band went to google images to find some album art that related to their symbol/logo, the delta. The image on this album cover is the world's largest delta, located on the border of India and Bangladesh. The psychedelic appearance of the delta comes from overlapping three different images taken at different times over the same area. The keyboard player loved the idea of this psychedelic cover art because it was fitting to the style of music they were producing and when looking at the album cover, it was hard for most people to figure out what it actually is. This matched how they viewed their ‘hard-to-pin-down’ abstract style of music.

 The lead off on the album is “Intro”, a majority instrumental track that gets heavy into the drums and guitar chords right off the bat. One lyric from this song goes on about a ‘nod to the canon’ and summarises the idea of this song that it is a ‘nod’ or an acknowledgment of all the musical influence we encounter in our lives. “Tessellate” is about trying to get over a girl by meeting a new one and ‘tessellating’ with her. Leading off with a morbid-esque piano intro that goes into some hard drumbeats, this song stood out to me because of the story and how well it cooperates with the sounds. The singer then goes on to say, ‘triangles are my favourite shape, three points where two lines meet’, talking about the conflicting love triangle he finds himself in as he tries to forget the first girl. My two favourite songs on the album, and easily my favourites by alt-J are “Breezeblocks” and “Ms.” “Breezeblocks” is actually based off of the children's book ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ and plays a part in why I enjoy the song so much; this was a consistent bedtime read when I was growing up and when the movie adaptation came out, really, traumatised younger me. The main premise of “Breezeblocks” is loving someone so much that you want to hurt them, ‘Please don’t go, I'll eat you whole. I love you so.’ Similar to the book and the movie, this song starts off nice and soft, slow, but builds to a heavy and percussive chorus that repeats the same thoughts over and over, like getting stuck in the climax of your emotions. This is interesting to hear because it creates the same sensation, I feel watching the movie as well. “Ms” is one of my personal favourites because it is an easy listen and presents a beautiful collaboration of the singer harmonising with a warm guitar and drum pairing. This song is about not wanting a relationship to end or losing feelings for this person in your life but realising you must let go of these feelings you once had.

Overall, this has been and will continue to be music I have on my daily listening mixes. The storytelling alt-Jbrings to their discography is so refreshing and has made me develop an appreciation for musicians that fight against the mould of typical song writing. I relate to many themes over the course of the album An Awesome Wave, which in my opinion gives listeners a deeper understanding and admiration for the artistry that was put in. It is interesting how the tempo of the songs as the album goes on, moves like a wave; starts calm but is still moving, increases into a heavy, energetic rise that may begin around “Breezeblocks”, a peak of energy at “Fitzpleasure” and then finds itself sinking lower again back to sea level. I choose to give alt-J the benefit of the doubt and believe they built this musical tide on purpose for their magical debut album, An Awesome Wave.

Pride Collection

When The Road Split

My thoughts feel like the ground under my feet: dark and crumbling,

staying in one place because the pieces around them won’t let it move.

I paved the road of reasons that I could never be with a woman.

Reason 1: If a day came where my strength drained with the water in the tub,

only a man and his strong arms could lift my helpless body up.

Reason 2: A son and daughter can be easily made

from a man’s donation to my waiting womb.

Reason 3: The proud titles to bear are Husband and Wife.

There can only be one of each.

The road of reasons started as a sidewalk,

a place to pass while crossing the street.

I was positive I’d patched every crack and gap,

Never thinking about preparing for a sinkhole.

The first time I woke up with my boyfriend in bed

I laid under an invisible blanket of fear,

trapped underneath for no one to hear.

As I looked to the locked brown door across the room

The ground holding me dipped,

I missed a spot - the road had split.

Searching for safety in the words of a friend

Hoping she’d have a life jacket to lend

As I told her the tale she smiled sadly and said,

“Have you considered the chance that you might not like men?”

Yes? No. No, I couldn’t.

After staring at the ruined road I found myself asking a friend

A question I begged myself to not understand,

“How did you know you were a lesbian?”

When the road split

I realized I never truly loved a man.

“No Words”

While I say I don’t have the words, stumbling over best guesses, there isn’t a word that fits her and what she does to me. I feel – Empty? Missing a piece I didn’t know I had. Fulfilled? Sounds like a checkbox complete. Satisfied? Doesn’t begin to touch her. Happy? As if happiness can be contained into the one word.

When she smiles and her whole demeanour changes – something I’ve learned is unintentionally intimate and tender – I feel alive.

My face jumps to a smile, sparkling from the spotlight she’s given me.

While I am lost trying to find the right word, I pull us into moments.

Replaying a montage while music plays over us.

Pulling her into me while we dance in a quiet end of a big bookstore. Not caring who sees us laughing and taking the wrong steps.

Holding hands as she sits as my passenger. Singing at the top of our lungs to every song that comes on, not trying to perfect the tune or get every word right.

Feeling proud while as my grandfather tells her that she’s part of the family.

Laughing and whispering as we attempt to stay quiet in my parent’s house… because at three o’clock in the morning we are passionately talking about our novels’ plot holes.

The almost perfect night I told her “I love you,” that first time. The sky in brilliant gay colours at the end of the dock on the lake, swatting mayflies from swarming us.

Kissing her fiercely between movies at the drive-in in the front seat of the pickup truck. Listening to classic rock only to be interrupted by the flash of headlights and pulling apart to laugh.

Climbing into the blanket fort she made me for my birthday. She sang me “Happy Birthday” in her room and blew out a candle on a cake pop.

Making pancakes for dinner instead of going out drinking. The weather is miserable so we stay in to watch movies.

Convincing her mom to keep the Christmas tree up one more day so we could open presents together for our first big holiday. Listening to her sing as we took all the ornaments off right after.

There are times I know I could never explain how I completely feel, even with the right words.

The feeling of looking into her eyes after whispering those three words, that I fall even harder for her. It felt like a lie I had been keeping from her – not telling her how much I love her – was finally spoken and I felt free. She makes me know deep down that I don’t have to doubt myself anymore. I no longer have to question that I’m queer woman.

Snapshots

A dinner with my dad, filled with unrelenting love and acceptance.

A conversation with a dear friend, met with gentle gratitude and kindness.

A drive with my mum, telling me I was worth waiting for. 

A dance in my dorm, when I found out what love is.

A moment by myself, getting rid of letters meant for a husband.

A reunion that broke the distance, leaving me feeling whole once more.

It Is Worth It

There will come a day

when you look over

to the passenger seat

where your heart

will be looking

back at you.

Domestic Sweetness

One laundry basket

mismatched socks in the drawer

Borrowed sweaters

combine two closets

Sheets changed

three extra pillows to cover.

Two toothbrushes,

sit in a cup by the sink.

Priscilla’s Back on Campus

As many students know, StFX has held many drag shows on campus as part of Pride activities. During the Covid years, many such events were not allowed due to provincial restrictions. However, with restrictions being lifted this year, drag shows are returning to campus. Save the date, because on February 3, 2023, Priscilla, “The Queen of the Highlands,” is returning to campus for a show at the Bloomfield Centre.

As part of a series of Pride events, Priscilla will be performing in the MacKay Room of the SUB. Though Priscilla is the headliner, the show will feature performances by Cleah Cruise, Elle Noir, Regina Fierce, Richard Rockhard, Mike Hunt, Nico Teen, Rosie Cheeks, Rhea Listique, Shayla Shenannigans, Rhett Slutter, and Nate Tuff. The event’s host will be Rouge Fatale. The group of performers are considered “East Coast’s Best Drag.”

The drag show is open to all StFX students, regardless of age, and members of the public 19 years old and up. Students are asked to bring their student IDs as they will be checked at the door. The event will be wet/dry as per the students’ age.

Ticket sales began on January 25 and are available for purchase at the X-Pride table and the GSDA office. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with the possibility of purchasing a table for 8 in advance for $150. However, there are a limited quantity of tables for sale, so get yours quickly!

The event was organized by the GSDA, X-Pride, the Inn, and the Students’ Union. The drag show is sure to attract students and residents alike and will be a blast for all those who choose to attend. Let us hope the groups collaborate again throughout the year to bring us more of these amazing events!

Though Pride month at StFX may be coming to a close, let us continue to organize events like these year-round and build an inclusive environment at the university beyond the month.

hopes for the new year

what if children are just short people, whose opinions really matter

what if their dreams were realized, instead of being shattered

what if young trees are helped to flourish, old ones cherished for their wiseness

what if we enter every home, with good intent and kindness

what if we turn off all our faucets, for those who need a drink

what if each one of us were cautious, to reduce our carbon stink

what if sharks, snails, and elephants were all treated with respect

what if humanity was mostly good, and not always a threat

what if everywhere, everyone could grow old, roam, and live freely

what if we sought friendship in every person, regardless of their being

what if people from other places weren’t stuck with uneasy feelings

what if those who came before us were revered for their teachings 

what if we let people be people, regardless of the labels

what if we love our home and one another, without the need for tables

what if we share with others knowledge and hope that they may not have

what if in 2023 we come together,

I think that would be rad.

Flourishing at the Art Gallery: The Strengthening Resilience Exhibition

Earlier in January, the StFX Art Gallery, in collaboration with Flourish@X, put out an open call for art to be displayed in their upcoming “Strengthening Resilience” exhibition. In a message sent out to the student body, the groups spoke on how mental health experiences, though personal and unique, are “rarely solitary.” Connections with people, places, and shared experiences can help students focus on their surroundings, brighten their outlooks, and feel less alone. The Strengthening Resilience display aims at helping students form these connections and at presenting the experiences fellow students have had with their mental health.

Flourish@X is a health promotion program run through the StFX Health and Counselling Centre. The program supports mental health and promotes well-being on campus through Positive Psychology. It consists of a mix of workshops, events, and activities available on campus that aim to build students’ personal development. Many students may know the organisation through the monthly programming that takes place in the Bloomfield Centre.

With the assistance of Amelia Smith, the StFX Art Gallery curatorial intern, Flourish@X invited students to submit digital photographs of their artwork and/or physical objects that reflected their experiences with mental health in relation to the self, the natural world around us, and the communities with which we surround ourselves. The goal was to create an exhibition that celebrates the connections that continue to influence and strengthen our health journeys.

The dates for submission were January 17-18, with the exhibition running from January 23-27 in the gallery in Mulroney Hall, where the art submissions will be projected on a large-screen format. The event will be a part of StFX’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Visitors will have free admission, and though masking is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

The art displayed in the gallery will also be accessible in the Angus L. MacDonald Library lounge room via an iMac monitor and on the Flourish@X and StFX Art Gallery’s social networking sites, including Instagram and Facebook. The artwork presented in all locations will be featured in a digital format. One aspect that makes this art exhibit even more unique is the featuring of artistic videos, all of which will be two minutes or less.

Students every year face hardships in their individual and academic lives that can impact mental health. It is important to recognize this, and with this new art exhibition, StFX is taking another step in acknowledging and supporting the struggles students experience. If you have a spare 30 minutes, the exhibition is definitely worth checking out to support and connect with fellow students on campus!

Indigenous Art Exhibition

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, an Indigenous art exhibition opened in the MacNeil Gallery in the Schwartz Business School. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the German Society, Friends United, and the Schwartz School of Business. The exhibition features artwork from artists Loretta Gould, Alan Syliboy, David Brooks, Gordon Fiddler, Darren Julian, Shianne Gould, and Gerald Gloade. The German Society spent the better half of Friday, October 28, 2022, setting up the gallery alongside StFX’s former art curator, Bruce Campbell. The art gallery is the 4th collaboration between the German Society at StFX and Friends United.

Preceding the event, members of the public as well as StFX students and staff could purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win one of Mrs. Gould’s paintings. Tickets were 10$ and the proceeds were divided between the breakfast program and Knowledge Keeper Kerry Prosper won the painting. A silent auction was also held for a second Loretta Gould painting. StFX staff member won the auction and the painting.

At the event, members of the German Society presented the artists Mrs. Loretta Gould, who attended the event, and Mr. Alan Syliboy. Mr. Kerry Prosper, StFX’s Knowledge Keeper in residence, spoke about the meaning of the event and reconciliation. Shannon Monk, Mi’kmaq Cultural Tourism Project Manager, also spoke about future projects and the event.

The event started at 5:15 p.m., though guests were welcome to enter the gallery beforehand. Refreshments were provided by Sodexo. After the official opening, guests were welcome to peruse around the gallery, speak to the artists and organizers, as well as have some snacks. The gallery will be open to visitors for the remainder of the academic year and students are encouraged to go view the beautiful artwork on display.

Look out for Bryn Blackwood’s Visit to the ‘Nish

The Antigonish Performing Arts is holding a series of concerts until April 29th. Most concerts will take place at Immaculata Hall on weekend evenings, costing only $5 per seat for students (regular admission is $20.) The upcoming concert will be performed by pianist Bryn Blackwood as part of the Atlantic debut tour. It will take place at 7:30 pm on Monday, November 21st.

Blackwood is an accomplished pianist based in Toronto. Alongside playing, he runs his own private piano studio and teaches at the Lane School of Music. He has won many awards, such as the Paul J. Bourret Memorial Award for Best Performance of the test piece at the 2018 Shean Piano Competition. In 2019, Blackwood won the Eckhart- Gramatte National Music Competition, he placed on CBC’s 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30 List, and won the University of Toronto’s DMA Recital Competition. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Western University and earned his Master’s at McGill University, also in Music. Blackwood is currently completing his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto and working as the pianist for many of the university’s vocal courses.

Earlier this academic year, Blackwood performed at concerts in both Kitchener and Simcoe, Ontario, where he played a solo recital of works by Scriabin, Brahms, Ornstein, and Louie. Previous concerts have taken place in Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia locations. Many were held at universities, including Queens, Lakehead, Calgary, and Mt. Allison.

During the covid lockdowns, he continued to perform on live streams, virtually, and at socially distanced concerts.

Blackwood is most interested in 20th/21st-century music. His StFX concert will mostly feature pieces by Ornstein, whom he also wrote and published his doctoral dissertation about. Ornstein was an experimental composer and pianist who lived from 1895-2002. He published his final sonata at 94, which made him the oldest published composer at that time. Reactions to his compositions were mixed; people would shout and throw things during his early performances, whilst crowds of over 2000 would attend his later ones. As well as using some of his works, Blackwood’s concert will also include pieces by Brian Cherney and Alexander Louie, both of whom are current Canadian composers. Works by Brahms and Scriabin will also be played.

After playing in Antigonish, Blackwood will continue his tour down the East Coast, moving on to Tatamagouche to play at the Grace Jollymore Joyce Arts Centre. The Antigonish Performing Arts Concert series will host its final concert of 2022 on Saturday, December 3rd. Anita Graef and Taylor Furtick will play the cello and piano together. Continuing into 2023, Tracey, Marcel, and Dakota will perform in February (tenor, soprano, and piano), and the Elmer Iseler singers will perform in March (taking place in St Ninian’s Cathedral.)

Interview With Jazz Pianist Michael Kaeshammer

Jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer performed at the university during reading week, on November 10, 2022. The artist performed songs from his latest album, “The Warehouse Sessions”, which was released on October 7, 2022. Prior to his arrival, the Xaverian Weekly was able to secure an interview with the Canadian musician.

After brief introductions, I decided to ask Mr. Kaeshammer about his background.

Isabelle: Firstly, I was wondering what first drew you to the piano and jazz music.

Mr. Kaeshammer: My dad. When I was a kid, he played a lot of ragtime and jazz piano at home and that’s kind of what I knew from an early age on, you know? He didn’t listen to a lot of pop music or rock music. It was all jazz, and then when he sat down at the piano, he played that kind of stuff too. So, it was really, he was the biggest influence for me to actually get into the piano in particular and play boogie-woogie, and blues, and jazz music.

Isabelle: Okay! So, did you always know that you wanted to become a musician?

Mr. Kaeshammer: No. That really, I just loved playing music, but it was the move to Canada when I was 18—I grew up in Germany, in a little town and there was no professional musicians there in my environment, so I wasn’t thinking of pursuing a music career. But, when I moved to Canada, to Vancouver Island, I saw a lot of musicians, playing 5-6 nights a week, in clubs and bars, and realized that, you know, you can actually make a living performing, even before you have a record deal or before you are known, and that’s what made me pursue a career.

Isabelle: That’s great! What inspires your work?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Life, really. You know, I’m at a pointwhere, I mean I love listening to music, to other musicians and records, but they don’t really influence my own work. That was something that might have influenced me when I was younger and still learning the craft, but just life. You know, I’m a very happy person and want to convey that with my music and see the music actually kind of as a vehicle to connect with an audience rather than trying to show them what I can do.

Isabelle: Did anything specific inspire your recent album?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Nothing specific except where I was at, at that point in my life, you know? We just finished another album that’s coming out in March which I wrote throughout the pandemic. And the pandemic itself didn’t influence the writing for that record, but it gave me the time to kind of reflect on family, and life, and things that are important because we’re just, you know, at home for two years and that kind of inspired lyrics for that new album that’s coming out. Reflection, I guess.

Isabelle: So, you mentioned that some artists may have kind of influenced you in the past, but not so much now. Which artists inspired you?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Well, when I was a kid, I listened to, like I was saying, a lot of jazz stuff, like, you know, like a lot of Louie Armstrong or Big Joe Turner, like blues vocalists, and people like Louie Armstrong as a jazz instrumentalist or singer. And then I got into, I was also at the same time when I was in high school, I was into listening to AC/DC or Guns ‘n Roses or whatever was on the radio at that time. And then I kind of explored things that my mom had a huge 45 singles collection of Beatles and [Rolling] Stones, you know, and then you’re growing up and you’re just kind of learning what music is about and song writing. All those artists were really influential, and I love listening to Memphis soul music like Wilson Pickett or Sam Cooke or stuff like that. So, you know, there’s different phases like when you’re growing up that you get interested in and they all kind of shaped how I approach music today.

Isabelle: So, what’s your favourite part of performing?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Connecting with the audience and connecting with the band. For me, it’s, you know, I mean it’s not the most… well, I don’t know how to put it, but there’s more enjoyable things than traveling every day. I mean, it’s great when you go on vacation somewhere, but when you travel every day on the road, it’s fun, but it’s not the most enjoyable part of being on the road. The most enjoyable part is the performance and if I wouldn’t enjoy that as much as I do—because I love being on stage, being in front of an audience—then I probably wouldn’t go on the road. But the connection I can find with an audience is kind of the payoff, right?

Isabelle: Do you have any advice for anyone hoping to become a musician?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Yeah! I think, from what I’ve learned, is there’s really only, you know, two things that have to be done. One is work hard. Like actually really put in more time than someone else on your song writing or on your instrument or singing, whatever it is you do. And be honest with yourself. Stick to your own, to your gut feeling, you know, and the things that make you different are the things that are interesting.

Isabelle: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Mr. Kaeshammer: I’m excited to come to Antigonish, and to play there. And I know there’s a music program there too and the band that is coming with me, I think they’re pretty known in the Maritimes. Tommy Lee’s on bass and Jeff Arsenault on drums. I think people who want to have a good time—and not necessarily like jazz, people don’t have to like jazz or blues to like the show—should come out and have a good time with us!

“The Warehouse Sessions” album is available for purchase on Spotify, Labelstore, and Amazon Canada for all those interested in Michael Kaeshammer’s music. We hope the musician decides to return to StFX for future performances!

The Outside Inn World Premiere

Located just across from the McKinnon Residence, Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre will present The Outside Inn from the 14th-23rd of October.

Coordinators describe the play as “a transformative dark comedy about the mess that makes us human,” promising to be both a comedic and thought-provoking performance. The play opens a window into the fictional lives of Lily (Sharon Bajer) and her husband, Patrick (Elio Zarillo). Both characters have differing opinions on the course their lives are taking. Lily believes that her loving husband, beautiful child, and perfect body make her life complete. In comparison, Patrick is dissatisfied with his life. A day of unexpected events threatens to make or break the two as they struggle to come to terms with each other, their differences, and the challenges they face.

Director Annie Valentina is currently based in Halifax. Previous projects include Kat Sandler’s Yaga and Rose Napoli’s Lo. Her plays often explore transphobia, feminism, and Eastern European identity, relating to her personal experiences. The Outside Inn will reportedly explore themes of illness, death, and body dysmorphia.

Sharon Bajer (playing Lily) has acted in 10 feature films, including Fear X, Hide and Seek, and Scared Silent. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but currently lives in Manitoba. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was forced to take a two-year break from acting. As a survivor, she brings her personal experience with a cancer diagnosis to her role as Lily.

Elio Zarillo (playing Patrick) works as a playwright, director, and actor. They will also be involved in two other premieres this season: Prairie Theatre Exchange’s Voltaire and the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s Narrow Bridge. Although it is only 90 minutes long, this play explores many thought-provoking issues. It will take place at the Bauer theatre on campus, and tickets are discounted for students. Several first-year English students will study the play in class. If you get the chance to watch the play, there will be many other students with whom you can discuss themes and interpretations of the performance afterwards.

To buy tickets to the performance, visit the Festival Antigonish website linked below. Performances take place Friday-Sunday for the first week and Wednesday-Sunday for the second week, starting at 7:30 each evening.

Buy tickets: www.festivalantigonish.ca

StFX Students Without Power Forced to Use Emergency Hand-Crank Speakers to Survive Hurricane Fiona

ANTIGONISH, NS—With Nova Scotia power outages topping almost half a million in the wake of Hurricane Fiona, Antigonish residents have adapted to life without hot water, evenings by candlelight, and meals consisting of canned beans and tuna. It is times such as these that test our resilience and strength of character. StFX students without electricity report harrowing stories of how the power outage tested their abilities to throw an adequate banger.

“Thank goodness my roommate had the foresight to pack an emergency hurricane bag, or I don’t know what we’d be using to get sloshed on a Sunday night,” Ian MacDonald, a local StFX student, said as he broke out the emergency glowsticks for his “Blackout for the Blackout” party while turning his hand-crank speaker. “It’s scary, it’s difficult—but if everyone in the apartment takes turns cranking, we should be able to maintain a solid buzz”.

Another student, Emma Landry, reports, “at any given time, we have a three-month supply of Coldstreams, Smirnoff, Jose Cuervo, and limes on hand. However, if classes don’t resume soon, we may have to resort to just doing shots of Pink Whitney. For the sake of public health and safety, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”Community members are reportedly impressed by the preparedness and tenacity of StFX students. “I just couldn’t believe how seriously they took their hurricane prep. When I saw that the line outside of the NSLC snaked around the block, I knew students were heeding the advice of public officials to stock up on a three-day supply of the essentials,” Sean Mcdowell, a local Antigonish resident, reports.

Classes remain cancelled indefinitely to give students a chance to recuperate from their four-day benders. “We discussed reopening on Tuesday,” an anonymous source from the Dean’s office reports, “but we didn’t want faculty to have to make their commutes just to teach half-empty barely-conscious classrooms.” Professors are also extending due dates to account for how the past week’s partying has made studying near impossible.

At the time of this article’s release, MacDonald’s hand-crank speaker had begun malfunctioning from over-use. Students are forced to sing the lyrics of their favourite Pitbull songs aloud. Let this week go down in StFX’s history as the week that even a hurricane couldn’t cramp our style.