UBCevents

Before coming into UBC Theatre’s performance of Macbeth, I was quite curious of how the production would compare with my preconceived understanding of the story. From my experience viewing Shakespeare plays by various theatre troupes, modern interpretations have usually resonated with me more than traditional ones have. Although UBC Theatre’s portrayal of the story was traditional in nature, it pleasantly surprised me with it’s skillfully staged and accurate depictions of this bloody tale.

Sitting in the audience, I felt an odd mix of pity and anger for the character, while lady Macbeth, played by Christine Bortolin, tried to wash the blood from her hands and desperately cried “out spot, out”. Meanwhile, human vulnerability to power and our own mind is clearly illustrated through her husband’s character of Macbeth, played by Alexander Keurvorst.

A twist on the relationship between the witches and Macbeth kept me on my toes until the end of the play, as they appeared in the form of his conflicting conscience. The live bagpipe music throughout the play completely submerged the audience into the story and helped them connect with the characters’ states. The director, Patrick New, made each character in the play memorable, regardless of the role’s scope, making them an invaluable part of the play.

It is fair to say that the story’s most important lessons were inexplicitly yet vividly conveyed to the audience through cleaver twists, scene selection and the wonderful acting of the UBC Theatre troupe. I salute the actors in succeeding to evoke contradicting emotions in the audience that Shakespeare perhaps intended the viewers to feel.

The play is on from now until March 31st at the Frederic Wood Theatre. You can purchase your tickets here.

Lee Johnson, Keyanna Burgher, and Lu Zhang with George Stroumboulopoulos.

For the past two years we’ve been producing weekly videos that highlight upcoming events at UBC. Since January 2011 we’ve had the pleasure of having a regular hosts for our videos – Angela Jung, Lee Johnson, and Keyanna Burgher. It’s the end of the term and we’re looking for a host for the summer months (Lee and Keyanna are heading home, but will be back in September).

The UBCevents host will film minimum one video per week during the summer (May 1st – August 31st) with the opportunity to continue from September – April 2013. The successful applicant will also get access to several special events throughout the year when filming opportunities arise. Time commitment is max. 5 hours per week.

Eligibility:

Applicant must be a current UBC student.

To Apply:

Upload a video of yourself on YouTube expressing why you want to be the next host of UBCevents. Email the link to your video and a short bio to this.week@ubc.ca by Friday, April 20th, 2012.

Please note that this is a volunteer position. The successful candidate will start in the first full week of May.

For questions about the UBCevents Video Host position, please contact this.week@ubc.ca.

Are you talented at Twitter?

This contest is open to all members of the UBC Community: staff, students, faculty, residents, alumni and even people that have a general interest in UBC.

Here are the details:

On March 29th, UBC will host UBC’s Got Talent, a variety show showcasing various talent within the UBC community. Tickets to the event can be purchased at the Bookstore.

Winners receive two tickets valued at ten dollars to the event. They can claim tickets at the box office the day of the event.

Here’s how to play:

• RT @ubcevents whenever we tweet out info about @ubcgottalent and follow us to enter
• One entry per person regardless of the number of tweets.
• We will draw the winner by latest Sunday, March 25th.

Winners: Make sure you check your Twitter Sunday night or Monday morning or we will give away your ticket. You must email info.events@ubc.ca with your name and number.

That’s it! Happy Tweeting!

The UBCevents team headed out to the International Students Association’s Cherry(ty) On Top event. They were in such desperation for a sugar fix that they forget to bring the mic, but they still came away with great reasons for you to check out the event next year.

Learn more about the International Students Association.

Although I am an avid theatre enthusiast, never has a modern production resonated with me, as did yesterday’s performance of Problem Child and The End of Civilization by George F. Walker. The two one act plays directed by Chris Robson are set in the same dingy motel room, which instantly places the audience in line with the characters’ emotions. Immediately enticed by the energy of the actors, I sat glued to my chair and completely engrossed in the stories.

The first of the plays, Problem Child, borderlines between a humorous satire and dark realism of life’s obstacles. A troubled couple awaits a call from a social worker that has control over their future as parents. Each copes in their own way, however the anticipation is taking its toll and unmasks their weaknesses. Scott Button plays R.J, the father who becomes addicted to reality talk shows as a distraction from his own problems. His absurd calls to the networks with advise on improving treatment of people on the shows is a desperate escape from solving his family’s issues.

Meanwhile, his wife Denise, played by Melanie Reich, is struggling to stay sober from alcohol and cooperate with Helen, their social worker. Jordan Kerbs plays Helen’s character, which depicts our rule bound society, blinded by restrictions and clear distinctions of right and wrong. Her inability to think for herself and lack of humility frustrates Denise and hinders the process of child custody. A whirlwind of frantic actions by the parents and their drunk innkeeper played by Matt Reznek opens a comedic side to the story and shows that their love for one another is the only backbone to their existence.

The second play, The End of Civilization, toys with the idea of human vulnerability to oneself. The story revolves around a couple, played by Christine Bortolin and Mitchell Hookey that has come to town in hopes of finding work. Their life, which was the epitome of “normal”, changes drastically in the blink of an eye. The husband’s preoccupation with keeping his dignity in finding meaningful work serves as a catalyst for his own degradation. Through a detective mystery approach, the story reveals the many hidden vulnerabilities of people in their most desperate states. A funny twist on the text and an incredibly emotion driven performance of the actors is astonishingly compelling.

Laugh, cry and feel with the characters from February 9th –February 18th at 7:30pm-9:50pm at the Telus Studio Theatre of the Chan Center.
Tickets are available for purchase here.

The Little Mermaid has always resonated with me. It might be because it’s more than a tragic tale about the plight of a young woman in love. It’s a story about boundaries—a story about overcoming limits and growing up, realizing responsibilities and understanding the inconsistency of love.

Heading into the show, I did not know what to expect as this fairy tale has been adapted so often that the real account undoubtedly lies somewhere at the bottom of a lake. Antonín Dvorák’s Czech masterpiece is darker than the typical Disney tale and, in my opinion, far better.

UBC Opera did not disappoint. The set was magical and yet highly simple, and the costumes dazzled in the light. Kayleigh Harrison warmed the audience with her chilling portrayal of the independent and doomed Rusalka while Scott Brooks brilliantly played her protective, yet caring father, Vodník. A much needed comic relief was provided by Ana Toumine as the frightened kitchen boy and Aaaron Durand, the plump gamekeeper.

Choosing her own fate and defying tradition, Rusalka plunges into the human world only to resurface as a rejected love. In doing so, she grows from an infatuated child into adulthood. The transition is painful but honest, sad but beautiful. It is also a transition that many students make at UBC throughout their four years. Often, it means casting off defunct prejudices and finding the will to walk on our own two feet.

Wanting to dive into a refreshing take on the Little Mermaid? Consider going to the UBC Opera as they recreate the ethereal and magical world of Dvorak’s Rusalka—no packs with an evil witch required!

The UBC Opera will be showing this production February 10^th, 11^th and 12^th and tickets can be purchased here. Student discounts are available.

Sam Sullivan, former Mayor of Vancouver, was a Featured Presenter at the 2012 UBC Student Leadership Conference. Lee caught up with him after this presentation to ask a few questions.

Since Sam Sullivan broke his neck in a skiing accident and became a quadriplegic at age 19 he has had to breakthrough limitations to achieve goals. He spent seven years on welfare and in social housing until he emerged from a period of depression to found six nonprofit societies which have provided quality of life to over 10,000 people with disabilities while raising $20 million.

Sullivan served four terms on Vancouver City Council before being elected Mayor. He started the EcoDensity Initiative, catalyzed the largest increase in social housing in 40 years and set about preparing the city for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He currently organizes Public Salons, supports multiculturalism through the Greeting Fluency Initiative and advocates for urban reform. He has been awarded the nation’s highest honour, the Order of Canada.

We headed to the 2012 Student Leadership Conference and Lee had a chance to sit down with the opening keynote speaker, Sarah Kay.

Sarah Kay holds many titles: poetry teacher, founder and co-director of Project V.O.I.C.E., documentary filmmaker, playwright, singer, songwriter, photographer, and editor for Write Bloody Publishing. Growing up in New York City, Sarah began performing her poetry when she was only fourteen years old, becoming a fixture at the famous Bowery Poetry Club. Since then, Sarah has become one of the most sought-after spoken word performers in North America.Sarah has performed in venues across the country including the United Nations, where she was a featured performer for the launch of the 2004 World Youth Report. That year also marked the launch of Sarah’s Project V.O.I.C.E.; she has since taught Spoken Word Poetry to students of all ages in classrooms and workshops all over the world.

In 2006, Sarah joined the Bowery Poetry Club’s Poetry Slam Team, NYC Urbana, and she was the youngest poet to compete in the 2006 National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas. Sarah was chosen to speak at the 2011 TED Conference, “The Rediscovery of Wonder”, and her video from that performance has captured the attentions of hundreds of thousands of people. She has also performed internationally in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa.

Sarah was featured on the sixth season of the television series Russell Simmons presents HBO Def Poetry Jam, where she performed her poem “Hands.” A published author, Sarah’s work can be found in literary publications such as Foundling Review, Damselfly Press, and decomP, among others.

Keyanna sat down with Mark Brand at the 2012 UBC Student Leadership Conference to chat about why he loves Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and his “breakthrough” moment.

Arriving in Vancouver in 2005, Mark quickly fell in love with East Vancouver and all of its neighborhoods. A Gastown resident, business owner and general fixture since opening his first restaurant, Boneta, in 2007 to smash success within “Canada’s poorest postcodes, roughest block.” Brand has never looked back.

Since then, he has expanded with an award winning cocktail bar, traditional sushi bar, Vancouver focused gallery, locally driven clothing store/line and soon, will breathe new life into the iconic Save On Meats. Mark approaches each project with the firm belief that combining enterprise with social responsibility not only can be successful, but more successful than enterprise alone. Simply put, he loves his neighborhood and the people in it.Website: http://markbrandinc.com/