Scene

News

Student feels more American than ever in the City of Lights

By Yaniv Nahon | September 13

If anyone reading this is even remotely considering going to Paris at any point in your lives, do it. Do it for as long as possible, and spend much of that trip simply walking the streets. I think the measure of a beautiful city is not what you can do inside of its buildings, but how you feel simply standing outside and looking at them. In that sense, the only word I can use to describe Paris is awe. The juxtaposition of a city this old and a city this alive still has not ceased to amaze me, and I hope it never will. Just walking through the streets and looking up is enough to make me thankful I missed Welcome Week. Almost.

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News

ABC brings new family of superheroes to the suburbs

By Emily Guilfoil | September 13

Every fall television season, there are a few new shows that look like the next big hit. Last year, ABC had “Modern Family,” one of the best new shows of the past few years. It somehow managed to make the stale, overused family sitcom format funny and, even more surprisingly, original. “FlashForward” also premiered on ABC last fall, which many people expected to be a huge hit and a worthy successor to “Lost.” Flash forward one year and it rests in a graveyard of canceled TV shows doomed to be forgotten. This year, one of the most anticipated new shows is ABC’s “No Ordinary Family.” The basic premise is that an ordinary family (see what they did there?) goes on a trip to South America. Things get interesting when their plane crashes into the Amazon River and each member of the family gains superpowers. It combines the family-centered premise of “Modern Family” and the science fiction twist in the vein of “FlashForward”.

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News

D.C. home to more than just politicans

September 13

In the entertainment world, there are many celebrities who became famous because of where they’re from — “Jersey Shore,” anyone? In other cases, there are celebrities who jump start their career based on where they’re from (“In West Philadelphia / born and raised,” as Will Smith would say.) But as AU students, we only care about those that happen to represent D.C. Here are a few legends, celebrities and up-and-comers who are the pride of the nation’s capital.

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News

Math rock adds up to confusion

By Stephan Cho | September 13

The math rock subgenre can be seen as the wilder identical twin of post-rock. Whereas the latter uses a variety of instruments to conjure soothing melodies and wispy, neo-classical ballads, math rock uses the same method to create chaos with its irregular rhythm and highly unusual sound, like entropy through musical expression. Both subgenres stem from the underground rock scene of the 1980s when bands strived to make their individual sound more unique and fine-tuned. And although they both thrived on their experimental nature and made their indelible mark in coming decades with a wide range of influential bands, math rock arguably had more of an impact on the culture of rock music as a whole.

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News

‘Machete’ cuts out weekend competition with B-movie thrills, bloody vengeance

By Geoffrey Beebe | September 13

If you want to enjoy a deep, compelling movie that explores the depths of the human soul, then you should not go see “Machete.” This is the B-movie of B-movies, with a plethora of high-profile Hollywood actors excelling at making a movie that does not take itself seriously in any capacity. Robert DeNiro, Lindsay Lohan, Jeff Fahey (Captain Lapidus from “Lost”), Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal and Jessica Alba are among the well-known actors and actresses who appear throughout the film.

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News

Old Town offers quaint getaway full of delicious desserts and dining

By Kelly Holliday | September 13

It’s hard to imagine that a town that offers great food, unique boutiques and an incredible waterfront is just several (OK, 15) Metro stops from AU, but Alexandria’s historic Old Town is just the place. Merely minutes away from the King Street blue line Metro stop, there is a bevy of quaint cafés and bakeries to satisfy the hungriest foodie and enough boutiques to fill the shopaholic’s fashion quota of the month. If you have a free Saturday before finals, be sure to check out these can’t-miss destinations in Old Town Alexandria.

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News

D.C. ticket vendors provide best tools to find local shows

By Maggie Hollander | September 13

Here in D.C., finding out when and where concerts are taking place can be harder than one would hope. Especially for those who are newer to the city (freshman, transfer students, recent coma patients), the District’s somewhat limited music scene can take time to figure out. But never fear — The Scene is here to help guide you through this difficult time. With a little Internet savvy and determination, you too can be spending your nights in a mosh pit instead of studying. What is procrastination if not an opportunity in disguise? Though in the past we’ve provided you with the best venues to check out, these are all the important ways to actually get the tickets you need — no more huddling outside of will call, hoping there are a couple left.

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News

Chuck Brown revives go-go

By Jill Wheeler | September 13

When most people hear go-go, they think white knee-high boots and short dresses, but that’s not go-go at all. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, go-gos were clubs, and in the D.C. area, go-go became a musical genre and a way of life characterized as a fusion of funk, hip-hop, and R&B with a strong community following. For many years, groups tried to take it out of the D.C. area, but it never caught on anywhere like it had in its birthplace.

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News

AU students buck trends, bring style back to school

By Faith Sagaille | August 29

Textbooks aren’t the only pricey items under students’ arms this fall. The Scene takes to the streets to see how fashionable students get in vogue. But not all great fashion costs a fortune! From style blogs to Chanel, chic scholars share their tips on how to stay classy for class.

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News

Visa woes highlight hidden hurdles for abroad students

By Olivia Stitilis | August 29

The phrase “four-letter word” should be pretty basic: a word with four letters. However, most often we associate the phrase with words lacking positive connotations. Well, here is another four-letter word — not usually on that understood list — but one which I can confidently say I would be happy to never hear or speak of again: V-I-S-A.

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News

Communication, awareness key to safe sex practices

By Tara Culp-Ressler | August 29

We’re Tara and Ryan, and we want to take The Eagle’s sex column in a new direction this year. That’s why we’re offering a semester’s worth of relationship advice from straight, queer-friendly, Christian-conservative, über-liberal feminist and humble perspectives.

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News

Eastern Market offers up foreign, domestic fancies

By Jordan D'Eri | August 29

If you were to ask almost anyone in the United States what they think of when they think of D.C., you’ll probably get answers like “corrupt politicians,” “monuments” or “my eighth grade fieldtrip.”

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News

TeenNick HALO Awards honors American University freshman

By Stephanie Jaar | August 29

Leah was a senior at Smithtown High School West when she became one of the first four winners of the inaugural TeenNick HALO Awards, for her role as the founder of a girl’s scoliosis support group in her hometown of Smithtown, N.Y.

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News

Top 9 off-beat media depictions of D.C. show city’s other side

By Michael W. Richardson | August 29

Most media about D.C. focuses on Congress or the President, for the simple reason that those are the things that most people think about when they think of D.C. And admittedly, that is a lot of it. But some movies, TV shows and songs try to find their own angle, for better or for worse. Here are nine of the most notable depictions of Washington, D.C.

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News

Is there a rock star in your class?

By Maggie Hollander | August 29

Politicians, news personalities, do-gooders, sure — but rock stars? Rock stars love sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, not sitting in class, right? Not necessarily. That kid sitting next to you in class, regardless of whether he or she is majoring in music, may one day be a famous musician. In fact, some of the great musicians of contemporary rock and hip-hop were true wonks — nerds first and foremost, with a bent for great music.

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News

Go-go represents District’s local musical flavor, style

By Stephan Cho | August 29

Go-go is an offshoot of funk that has been a cultural mainstay in the District since the late ‘70s. The genre is a unique off-shoot of funk — in today’s context, you can hear hints of the upcoming hip-hop craze, while maintaining the classic rhythms of R&B and danceable beats of ‘50’s pop. And in D.C., its value is sacrosanct.

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News

AU Farmers Market brings fresh, eco-friendly foods straight to hungry students

By Kelly Holliday | August 29

Carl Paladino really wants you to try his sorbet. When AU students are hurrying to make their next class on Wednesday afternoons, Paladino, vice president of distribution at Micha’s Sorbet, calls out to anyone and everyone to try a free sample. To a texting passerby, Paladino exclaims, “You know what would go good with that phone? A free sample! Come and get your free sample of sorbet!”

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