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36 Hours in Ireland
By
The Observer
· Friday, Aug. 31, 2012
DUBLIN - Greetings from Dublin, or as the locals call it, BaileÃthaCliath. Saturday marks the Emerald Isle Classic, the kickoff of the Fighting Irish football season. But before Notre Dame squares off against Navy, you have a city to explore. Take advantage of the fact this game is in a European metropolis. You don't need the luck of the Irish to plan out your escapades through the capital of Ireland - we've done all the research on how to do Dublin right, and mapped out your journey from top to bottom. We know where to grab the perfect pint, capture a great view of the city, chow down on some scrumptious nosh, soak in some medieval history, stroll and shop to your heart's content, experience the supreme drinking culture of the city and socialize with the friendly people of Ireland. So check out our perfectly planned itinerary to experience Dublin as a true Irishman would.
Keep Calm and Style On
By
The Observer
· Monday, Aug. 27, 2012
Friday marked the closing of the ever-so-long-awaited first week of school. On that day, I woke up well rested to the sounds of birds chirping and without the help of the unwelcomed marimba chimes of my iPhone alarm. Once I managed to lazily maneuver out of my loft, I began to consider the positive prospect of a day left entirely unscheduled, minus a single hour-long Spanish class standing in my way. With plenty of time to spare before I had to leave my room, I began searching through my closet for an outfit as great as the day before me. I pieced together a look of bright colors, beautiful patterns and feminine cuts. I accessorized with a thin pair of silver hoop earrings, salmon shades and a pair of beaded bohemian sandals. I threw in a touch of confidence before I grabbed my acid-washed denim backpack and headed out the door.
Easy Eats by Claire
By
The Observer
· Monday, Aug. 27, 2012
Let's face it. We all get chronically lazy in the dining hall. Why wouldn't we? The cafeteria is often too busy to bother to try something different, and there's plenty of food already made for us. We either eat the closest thing we find, or go back to the same old stuff. Not anymore. Fellow students, I challenge you to try something new, to find something you didn't know was there and use the dining hall to put your culinary skills to work. Want to feel the creative thrill of make-your-own pizza all the time? It's time to spice things up (literally).
Boys Like B1
By
The Observer
· Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012
After a quiet start with live music from student bands and artists, B1 Block Party headliner Boys Like Girls and opening act Breathe Carolina took the stage to give a musically entertaining and fun show. Though this year's block party was not as visually stunning compared to acts in years past, neither band needed anything more than their good music and engaging personalities to put on a great show.
Download. Listen. Discard
By
The Observer
· Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012
Don't be fooled by the name: Imagine Dragons is not a cheesy kid's cartoon show from the 1990s, nor is it a board game played by balding, four-alarm man-children in the comfort of their parents' basements. It's an alternative band from Las Vegas, and a darn good one too. I didn't stumble upon "Continued Silence," the band's new EP, until last May, but it didn't take long for it to become the soundtrack of my summer. Imagine Dragons' style is diverse and hard to pin down, at times combining folk rock with surprisingly heavy bass lines, but frankly that's what makes the band so enjoyable. The songs "On Top of the World" and "It's Time" are upbeat, yet out of the box, using a variety of instruments, from whistles to ukuleles, in strangely tasteful fashion. My personal favorite track, "Radioactive," has a dubstep-inspired beat that never fails to shake the walls. If you're searching for a great workout song, or just a way to quickly tick off your entire hall staff, find some nice speakers and turn it up. "Continued Silence" is a fresh offering from a band with a lot of potential. I would definitely recommend a download. When I first listened to The Lumineers last March, shortly before the April release of their self-titled album, all I could think was, "Why the heck aren't these guys famous?" Checking YouTube, I discovered that most of their videos had less than 1,000 views, with the only comments coming from rabid hipsters saying things like "This just made me spill my latté," and "If these guys go mainstream, I'll never shower again." Well, not really, but you get the idea. With their album now sitting high on the iTunes top-seller list, the Lumineers have finally hit the big time, and I couldn't be happier. Hailing from Denver, The Lumineers combine the boot-stomping rhythm of Mumford and Sons with thought-provoking lyrics and truly powerful story telling. For instance, "Stubborn Love" is told from the perspective of a young man who can't forget the woman who broke his heart, standing on her porch and refusing to "leave until you come downstairs." The more lighthearted song "Submarines" tells the story of a man who spots a Japanese submarine out at sea and frantically attempts to convince his fellow townsfolk of their imminent danger. His efforts in vain, the narrator gives some parting words about the importance of being trustworthy, saying, "In the end it boils down to credibility/I had none so I will die with the secrets of the sea." If you like Mumford and Sons, or music in general, give The Lumineers a listen. I promise you won't be disappointed. I've listened to plenty of bad music during my life, but Nicki Minaj's new album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" takes the term "unapologetically terrible" to new and exciting extremes. While Nicki's stage antics, weird clothes and an alleged set of buttock injections (that's right, buttock injections) have brought her money and fame, the fact remains that her music is still the audio equivalent of being water boarded. I'll admit it, when "Starships" comes on at a party I'm the obnoxious guy who belts out every word at the top of his lungs. I know for a fact that most girls are fans of the song too, because I can't check Facebook without seeing some photo album titled "Hands up and touch the sky." However, one catchy song can't save this album from being designated the worst of all time. Allow me to explain why. First of all, the beats are uninspired and sometimes downright weird. Second, the song lyrics are often mind-numbingly repetitive and stupid to the point of being funny - musical genius at its absolute finest. My recommendation would be to avoid "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" at all costs. If you do come into contact with the album, remember to wash your hands with copious amounts of soap and cold water.
Keep Calm and Style On
By
The Observer
· Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012
Though summer is coming to a close, the start of school does not mark the season's final hoorah! Summer styles are still out and in full effect all around campus. I've tracked down a few Notre Dame students who are rocking some of summer's biggest trends. Here's the breakdown on why these trends are so hot, why they work so well for your fellow Irish classmates, and how to transform them so that they'll work for you!
Hamlet
By
The Observer
· Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012
Big, big disclaimer at the outset: I am not a theatre scholar. I am not a Shakespeare scholar. In fact, 99 times out of a hundred, I spell "theater" like a real American, "er" instead of "re." In a review of a performance of "Hamlet," one of the greatest works of art in history, my approach is that of an outsider looking in on the spectacle, as I imagine most students at the University who view the play this weekend might be. And as an outsider, with limited knowledge of the nuance and true depth, I can say from simple first-person observation that the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival's final show of the season, "Hamlet," is a fast-moving, visually striking and overall gripping performance. The opening scene of the play sees almost the entire cast on stage for the funeral of King Hamlet, and the physical presences of the different key actors and visual choreography sets the tone for the whole show. Hamlet is physically apart from the rest of the mourners on stage in the scene, and his stature and physical movements fairly portray the uncertainty and self-doubt that torment the classic character. Andy Truschinski, a veteran of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, stars as Hamlet, and does a more than adequate job. He looks and feels the part from start to finish, and the audience feels his internal torment. However, because of the lofted status of the role, it's hard to say he was outstanding. With a character as famous as Hamlet, an actor must truly blow away the audience in order to break away from the pack, and good as Trushinski was, he falls just short of spectacular. Jeff Cummings as the antagonist, Hamlet's uncle and stepfather, King Claudius, steals the show. Cummings is delightfully and powerfully wicked on stage, playing both sides of the character - the sickly-sweet traitor and silently tormented soul - with equal force. Claudius is a character sometimes overlooked in the story, as Hamlet dominates so much of the attention. But in this show, Claudius transforms into the most fascinating and eye-grabbing character in the production. Every time Cummings steps on stage, he commands complete attention and delivers a truly fantastic performance. King Claudius was not the only standout either. Ophelia, Hamlet's lover turned mental case, and Horatio, Hamlet's friend and confidant, are both played with surprising strength and soul. The director, David Bell, deserves praise as well. He has choreography in his background, and it shows in the strongly coordinated scenes. Equally impressive is his choice of setting. The characters are dressed in modern clothes, looking like they're taken out of the 1950's, with the title character being dressed in what prep-school clothes throughout. This makes the show more relatable and gives it a much crisper feel than the flowy, old-timey look of Shakespeare's time might have dictated. Bell's most insightful directorial choices come in his abridging of the play. Though a straight reading of the text might take around four-and-a-half hours, Bell's breakneck-paced version comes through in just under three. This accomplishes two things. First, the play moves along at such a quick pace, the audience is constantly on their toes. There is never a dull moment, never a temptation to drift off. Second, and more artistically important, is it captures in a physical sense the rapid and chaotic nature of the story. Hamlet loses his father, sees his mother marry his uncle, kills his lover's father, enacts a plan of reveng, and dies along with his mother and uncle all within a period of a few months. With a play that moves so quickly and slows down for nothing, the audience truly gets a feel for the hectic series of events. Notre Dame students may not be ready to break down the story for a literary journal, but as far as relatable and palatable plays go, this one is one of the best students will get the chance to see this year.
