Priest by day, DJ by night

Keough rector Fr. Pete McCormick has talents that can be applied in many places: in the Church, in the dorm, in Campus Ministry — and on the dance floor. McCormick juggles the roles of priest, rector and collar poppin’ disc jockey. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., he earned his Master’s of Divinity at Notre Dame, spent some time as an assistant rector in Dillon Hall and is currently rector of Keough Hall and Associate Director of Vocations. But to those who love to hit the late-night dancing scene, he’s DJ McSwish.

Great humor and music in "The Book of Mormon"

4.5 / 5 shamrocks

Last Friday, I visited Chicago’s Bank of America Theater for a performance of “The Book of Mormon” but I admittedly knew very little going into it. I knew it would be about Mormons and that “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrote the musical — but that’s about it. 

Style Spotter

Sentimental Accessories

Maura Jones, president of Lewis Hall, was spotted near Main Building sporting a stylish ensemble as she took a break from her executive duties to stroll down the quad with a friend. Maura showed off a sweet Cynthia Rowley double-button navy eyelet blazer with three-quarter length sleeves. She kept the blazer casual by pairing it with a simple, white lace-embellished racer-back tank, American Eagle blue jeans with simple monochrome details on the back pockets and camel-colored and leather Steve Madden ballet flats, which are a staple in her closet. 

Scene Interviews Mary Fishman

Director of 'Band of Sisters'

Mary Fishman is an alumna of Notre Dame who recently released “Band of Sisters,” a film about a variety of Catholic nuns in America and how the sisters strive for social justice. The Observer was able to speak with Fishman before the screening of her film in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Thursday. Here are some excerpts from their conversation: 

Beyoncé's documentary diary

 In the wake of her lights out Super Bowl Halftime Show, Beyoncé’s long awaited documentary “Life is but a Dream” premiered on HBO this Saturday. 

Directed by Beyoncé and her pet filmmaker Ed Burke, the film focused on the period between Beyoncé firing her father as a manager and becoming a mother for the first time. It was a testament both to her ideas of parenthood as well as her idea of music as an art form. 

Second City brings laughs to Washington Hall

A bit of a disclaimer: I had absolutely no idea what Second City was prior to Friday night. When I heard they were a comedy/improvisation group— “you know, kind of like SNL” — I had to see it for myself. And I was so glad I went to Washington Hall that night, because Second City easily earned first place in my book. 

Cloud Nothings

Nothing Special at Legends

Cloud Nothings, an indie-rock group consisting of singer-songwriter Dylan Baldi, drummer Jason Gerycz, guitarist Joe Boyer and bassist TJ Duke took to the stage at Legends this past Friday.  

Cloud Nothings entered their performance with no introduction, no acknowledgment of the audience whatsoever, in a fashion that I mistook as enigmatic and possibly exciting. 

This style of “let’s-just-rock-and-roll” with no interaction with the crowd seemed to be a point of focus for Cloud Nothings, as it continued on after the first song, then after the second, then after the third.

Soon enough I began to wonder if they would ever address us. However, they just jammed away, almost refusing to look at us. Instead of being a presence on stage, they appeared engrossed in their instruments. 

See "Side Effects"

“Side Effects” is a diamond in the rough of movies currently in theaters, made up of a compelling storyline among a lot of iffy dramas and outright bad action and comedy flick moments.

Got Soul? Playlist

1.     Mayer Hawthorne - Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out

a.     I remember the first time I heard Mayer Hawthorne. It was my sophomore year and I attended Notre Dame’s kickoff Block Party concert. I was there mainly because I was excited about seeing Guster, but when Mayer Hawthorne came out in his thick-framed glasses and belted soulful songs of love and heartache with his multi-piece band, I was pleasantly surprised. Since then, I have fallen more in love with his music which exudes a 60s soul vibe with its brass accompaniment and catchy choruses.

Nicholas Sparks: The Master of Catharsis

Three generations of women huddled in front of the TV in a small living room, sobbing like there was no tomorrow. As my mom and grandma wept on, I paused for a moment and cursed the man behind this story — darn you, Notre Dame alum Nicholas Sparks, and your films. I was perfectly content not being in touch with my emotions, thank you.

Cupcake Boy: Valentine's Day edition

American capitalism may try to pitch the concept of Valentine’s Day to consumers as one of love and passion to sell flowers, jewelry and cards. But I’m not buying it. The only thing I love come V-Day is sugar and lots of it.

Best movies for Valentine's Day

It’s that time of the year again. Once more, it’s Valentine’s Day, the day of the significant other (or lack thereof). Whether you do or don’t have a special Valentine this year, there is at least always an appropriate romantic movie for you. 

What to do on Valentine's Day if you're single

There seems to be a strict dichotomy in the ways different people celebrate Valentine’s Day. Either you have a significant other to celebrate the day with by going out to a romantic candlelit dinner and exchanging gifts, or you are bemoaning the fact you are spending yet another V-Day alone and single.

'The Americans'

A new show about spying on the stars and stripes

Tonight marks the third episode of the new spy drama “The Americans” on FX, and at this point I’m hooked....

Grammys Fashion

The good, the bad and the crazy

This year’s Grammy Awards had more than its fair share of good ensembles, ones that simply did not work and more than usual “what were they thinking?” looks. Despite the strict dress code of the event, several female celebs managed to get around it and show some (too much?) skin.

The Grammys

Making a stab at relevancy

Let’s be honest, watching the Grammys wasn’t your top priority Sunday night. You checked Twitter every so often to hear about botched acceptance speeches, LL Cool J disses and Justin Timberlake’s hair. But you did not really care that much who won and lost. And you couldn’t help it: You do not respect the award show. Most people don’t. Squeezed between its more powerful Sunday-night brothers the Super Bowl and the Oscars, the Grammy Awards just do not command the attention they should. 

Lent and repent the Domer way

It’s that time of year again. Lent is upon us.

You know the drill: It’s time to give something up or start doing something good that you’ve always been meaning to do.

Back in the day, our parents encouraged us to give up chocolate and TV. They encouraged us to take up prayer before bed and chores around the house.

Thumbs up for Legends stand up

“I was told you guys clam up when we talk about sex...but I'm gonna do it anyway.”

That was said by comedian Andy Haynes at Legends on Saturday.  Haynes followed comic Andrew Santino in the two-hour stand up night. Before I talk about their funniness or unfunniness, let's go over what I realized sitting in the 18-person audience at the show. 

No Love Here

'No Love Lost' Review

Stop me if you've heard this before.

“Here's an artist who has the heart and lyrics that actually speak to you. Here's a guy that people can actually relate to. He's real.”

This is not refreshing to us, and to be quite honest, it's made us weary of listening to anyone new that has been inadvertently channeled our way.

In an arena where standing out has become the norm, where trying to be an individual has become too trying for both the artist and listener, it's often tough to approach something new and expect something even remotely worthwhile.

In comes Joe Budden, with his newest album “No Love Lost.” Budden allows himself yet another platform to truly be himself.

Saturday Night Bieber

As an avid Justin Bieber fan I watched "Saturday Night Live" expecting to see some Justin Timberlake style crossover action. I was sadly disappointed.

The rest of the cast performed spectacularly while not letting Bieber's overly cheesy antics get in the way.

The cold open about the awkward half-hour blackout at the Super Bowl was a great topical way to open the show but from there on it went down hill.

Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi's Debut Novel

Notre Dame's newest addition to the creative writing program faculty, Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi, has many reasons to be happy.  Not only did she receive several literary awards during her time at Brown University, but also she has a newly published work to add to her already-impressive resume.  Her first novel, “Fra Keeler”, was released last fall by independent publisher Dorothy, a publishing project.  Oloomi calls it “two joyful things happening at once.”

Comedy Game Changers

The following is a list of shows that, while not widely adored, redefine the typical definition of a sitcom.

'American Meat': the salsa's greener here

FREE CHIPOTLE, tonight at 7 p.m. in 129 DeBartolo Hall.
Now that I have your attention and your stomach is growling awaiting that delicious and free burrito, I hope that you will seriously consider attending this event, and not just because of the food.    

How I (Still Haven't) Met Your Mother

“Kids, I just remembered some more hilarious and outrageous hijinks with Aunt Lilly/Robin and Uncle Marshall/Barney! Guess you’ll have to wait another year to hear about how I met your mom.”

Ted Mosby, you’re awful at telling stories.

New community values

The NBC comedy “Community” will begin its fourth season today, February 7th, at 8 p.m.

If you spend most of your time on websites like Reddit, Hulu, Tumblr, and Twitter, you are probably aware of “Community.”

Diva Power Rankings

When Super Bowl organizers selected Beyoncé Knowles to perform at Sunday’s halftime show, they weren’t just selecting one of the top performing artists of all time to entertain millions of viewers around the world.

They were selecting a bona-fide diva.

Twenty One Pilots without a Plane

An ocean of telemetronic beats, dubstep drops, banging drums pulsing upwards, breaking into lilting, waving piano and clear vocals.  Genre smashing, hipster rapping, one of MTV’s “13 Artists to Watch in 2013,” Twenty One Pilots put on an incredible show at Legends on Saturday night.  

Cupcake Boy: Super Bowl Extravaganza Edition

Super Bowl Sunday is all about over-the-top extravagance. The bruising Ravens are squaring off against the high-octane 49ers. The host city? None other than boozy, revelry-loving New Orleans. The biggest diva in music, Beyoncé, is set to perform at halftime, perhaps with her former bandmates from Destiny’s Child making an appearance. Corporations are shelling out nearly $4 million for a 30-second advertising spot.

The Massive Mess of "Movie 43"

I don’t know where to begin with “Movie 43.” There is no denying that this is a truly terrible movie, but sticking with that logic would be taking the easy way out of this review. I say this because it was clearly the intention of everyone involved in the project to make one of the crudest and most tasteless films the public has ever seen. 

Valentine's Day vitality

From all red everything to a simple dinner date with friends, I’m breaking down some of the ways to make the best of Valentine’s Day without throwing in the towel, queuing the lower-lip pout and hating the world for 24 hours.