The Owlery

The features blog of The Temple News

Monthly Archive: December 2013

Sunday

29

December 2013

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Acclaimed Philly artist dies

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment

On Thursday, Dec. 26, Philadelphia artist and Lower Merion school teacher Todd Marrone passed away unexpectedly at the age of 39.

Known for his pop-art style, his murals can be seen throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Marrone was also a well loved art teacher for Welsh Valley Middle School. Chris Hall, principal for Welsh Valley, released a statement that school officials will help students process the lost within the upcoming weeks.

He leaves behind his wife Heather and two children.

Marrone last tweeted on Dec. 23, “Get that figgy pudding away from me.”

Sunday

29

December 2013

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In 2014, Shakespeare turns 450

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Theater

Philadelphia has a lot to look forward to in the upcoming New Year, with the opening of places like Venice Beach in Manayunk and the Dilworth Plaza next to city hall. Both projects, however, are not slated to open until the spring/summer.

Luckily, theater and literature fans will have something to celebrate just as the New Year rings in. The entire year of 2014 has been named Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450 in dedication to William Shakespeare. With programs and events occurring throughout 2014, Year of the Bard will kick-off in on January with events, including an exhibit of some of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Shakespeare pieces and items on Jan. 29. Eventually it will cultivate with a large birthday party on April 23 for Shakespeare.

For more information and a list of events visit the Free Library’s website.

Sunday

22

December 2013

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Saves the Day set as Asbury Lanes sees proposal

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Music

A couple months back was the last time I saw Saves the Day. Unfortunately, its set at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer was unceremoniously interrupted by someone in a 7 Seconds hoodie who took issue with the fact that the band had chosen to perform a set comprised largely of newer material. He made this apparent by nearly getting into a physical confrontation with the group’s founder, Chris Conley.

So it is with no shortage of irony that the band’s set at Asbury Lanes, situated on the Jersey Shore, was met with another interruption.

This time it came in the form of a marriage proposal.

In the spirit of giving, Saves the Day is in the midst of embarking on a nine-date acoustic tour. Performing a whole plethora of old songs, rarities and various other deep cuts, it’s a tour that emotional 90’s kids have been clamoring for for quite some time. Joining them on the holiday romp are Jon Simmons of Doylestown, Pa. quintent Balance and Composure and Walter Schriefels of Quicksand and Rival Schools, as well as countless legendary New York Hardcore groups.

Kicking the night off was Simmons.

Simmons powered through a set of originals, covers (including one of Neutral Milk Hotel b-side “Engine”) and Balance and Composure tunes. Specifically from the B&C catalog, he performed “As Planned,” one of the group’s oldest songs, and “Dirty Head,” off their latest record “The Things We Think We’re Missing.”

Schriefels’ set consisted of acoustic arrangements of Quicksand and Rival School songs, as well as of New York Hardcore classics “Start Today,” by Gorilla Biscuits, the hardcore group that he was a part of, and “The Storm,” by legendary straight edge outfit Judge.

Schriefels left the audience with several final words of wisdom.

“If you ever feel like you can’t pee,” Schriefels said. “Play a game of hide and seek, it’ll come right out.”

Saves the Day followed this by proceeding to play pretty much everything.

Three-fourths of the way through the band’s set, a spry, wiry young man was called to the stage, who promptly brought up his girlfriend. After a bit of showmanship, and a confession from his girl that Saves the Day is her favorite band, he popped the question

She said yes.

After playing for nearly an hour-and-a-half, Conley retook the stage, Corona in hand, and led the band in a sloppy and drunken rendition of Weezer’s “El Scorcho.” Borderline euphoric, Conley reemerged on stage for a final time, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, and led the crowd in an entirely unplugged version of “Ten Miles Down,” a fan-favorite off the group’s first record “Can’t Slow Down,” which was released when Conley was just 18.

The madness will resume tonight at The Ottobar in Baltimore, and Sunday at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church. If you were nimble enough to grab a presale ticket, enjoy the insanity.

Thursday

12

December 2013

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Written by , Posted in Around Campus, Living

Therapy Dogs International visited Paley Library this week to provide students with stress relief.

Therapy Dogs International visited Paley Library this week to provide students with stress relief.

Friday

6

December 2013

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Basketball without borders

Written by , Posted in Events, Living

Members of the men’s basketball team recently shared their love of the game with international students.

An informational session included basic drills lead by players, taught the Temple sporting song and basic cheers for students to use when they attend games this season.

“I think it was a great opportunity for the players and international students to come together,” Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications Larry Dougherty said. “The players taught the students the chant. I hope to see more international students at games cheering on the team.”

Head coach of the men’s basketball team Fran Dunphy held an hour-long seminar for several international students this past month. The informational session was lead by a few of the men’s basketball players, who provided instruction about the fundamentals of basketball.

The session was intended to help international students who are unfamiliar with the sport gain an interest. This effort, Dunphy said, aimed to diversify the spectator attendance to include students from different cultural backgrounds.

“I was approached by the international office to run this program, similar to what the football team did,” Dunphy said. “In the class, we talked about basketball in the United States, [and as] an international sport. The players interacted with the international students, showing them everyday drills.”

Fourth year urban studies Ph.D student Fanny Tremblayraci said she “got a kick” out of the seminar, because it brought back memories from her own experience playing basketball. She grew up in Quebec and studied abroad in Taiwan during her undergraduate studies, during which she participated in the sport.

“I really enjoyed the session with Coach Dunphy, the coaching staff and the players,” Tremblayraci said. “I was happily surprised when I saw that we would be doing drills and I really loved it.”

Team members said they enjoyed the seminar as well. Small forward position Nicholas Pendergast helped instruct international students.

“It was really fun,” Pendergast said. “When I was coaching them, the whole group seemed really into it and ready to learn. I would do something like [the seminar] again, because I love teaching people that want to learn more about the game.”

Wednesday

4

December 2013

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Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five calls for Bell Tower Record donations

Written by , Posted in Uncategorized

Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five asked fans to donate to Bell Tower Records via a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The student-run record label, run through Temple’s Media Studies and Production capstone course, is trying to raise $3,000 through giving.temple.edu. As of today, it has reached 8% of its goal. Proceeds would help promote student musicians signed on the label.

Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five recorded its first album with the student-run record label over the summer. In the Facebook post, the band said the money would help produce physical copies of its recordings.

For more information, visit Bell Tower’s fundraising page.

Also check out the in-newsroom performance of Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five.