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Best Bets — Oct. 10, 2014

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On Campus

 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Talk

Where: Gaston Hall
When: Friday, 12 p.m.
Info: guevents.georgetown.edu
Price: Free

The African Society of Georgetown will be hosting Nigerian writer and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She will be speaking and answering some student-submitted questions. Students and faculty must bring GU ID, and those not affiliated with Georgetown must bring some form of photo ID. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. and close at 11:45 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-serve.

Mobile Soup Kitchen

Where: Lau steps/Franklin Square
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m./
Info: guevents.georgetown.edu
Price: Free

Interested in community service? Student organization H.O.P.E will be meeting at the Lau steps at 1:30 p.m. and then driving to Franklin Square where they will be serving soup from Leo’s to the homeless. This is an amazing opportunity for students to give back to the wider D.C. community. Participants can expect to return to campus around 3:30 p.m.

Back from Ferguson

Where: ICC 105
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Info: Facebook
Price: Free

The Black Leadership Forum, Center for Social Justice (CSJ) and Program on Justice and Peace will be hosting a conversation led by Dr. David Ragland of Bucknell University. Georgetown students who have returned from participating in the St. Louis protests will also be speaking. A light dinner will be served to all students who attend.

Shabbat on the Lawn

Where: Healy Lawn
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Info: guevents.georgetown.edu
Price: Free

This week is the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and to celebrate, the Jewish community at Georgetown is constructing a traditional sukkah (shelter) on Healy Lawn. This year’s sukkah is designed to call attention to the problem of homelessness in our community. Several members of Georgetown Ministries will offer their thoughts.

Off Campus

Spooky Film Festival

Where: AFI Silver Theatre
When: October 9th – October 18th
Info: spookyfest.com
Price: $12 General Admission; $80 All Fest Pass

The festival presents more than 40 horror works at the AFI Silver Theatre. Anticipated films include the final in the trilogy “V/H/S Viral” and “Exists.” Check out Spooky Fest if you’re looking for a night of scares from the odd and quirky to old-school horror.

Taste of D.C. 2014

Where: Pennsylvania Ave. NW; between 9th and 14th St.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 12-7 p.m.
Info: thetasteofdc.org
Price: $10

More than 40 of D.C.’s best restaurants and food trucks on Restaurant Row will be offerring four menu items, including a “taste of” item for $3 or less, for Taste of D.C. Ben’s World Chili Eating Championship will also feature the legendary Joey Chestnut.

Hispanic Heritage Month at the National Gallery of Art

Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Through October 15th
Info: hispanicheritagemonth.gov/collections
Price: Free

The National Gallery of Art is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15th to Oct. 15th. Displays include Royal Armor from Imperial Spain, Diego Rivera’s Cubist paintings and Picasso features.

Columbus Day Ceremony

Where: Union Station
When: Columbus Day; 10 a.m.
Info: kofc8600.org
Price: Free

Union Station will be hosting its annual ceremony on Columbus Day at the base of its Columbus Memorial Statue. Since 1912, these celebrations have included presentations of divisions from the Knights of Columbus (who host the event), Army and Navy. Be sure to swing by and honor the holiday while enjoying this hub of activity.

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Apps and New Releases — Oct. 10, 2014

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Apps

B5_SleepioSleepio
Free

This app is personalized for your data to create an ideal sleep schedule and help you fall asleep up to 50 percent faster. It works by issuing a test that determines your sleep patterns before giving you exercises and techniques to perform in order to fall asleep. Developed by a sleep scientist from Oxford University, this app is specifically tailored to the individual and achieves its main goal: helping you fall asleep faster. It is customizable and, most importantly, free to download with optional in-app purchases for those users seeking further help.

 

B5_SnapbyGrouponSnap by Groupon
Free

Groupon is a popular app that provides coupons to countless stores, and their new addition Snap makes shopping even more beneficial by providing cashback rewards every time you use the app. All you have to do is browse the offers, use the coupons and send a photo of the receipt to receive the cashback in your account after purchasing. It even has features such as a built-in shopping list to combine all your grocery shopping needs into one place. The simple user interface makes it very easy to send a picture of your receipt and receive the money back within a few days.

B5_SmartnewsSmartnews
Free

When there just isn’t enough time to read the entire newspaper or gather all the facts from a particular story, this app comes in handy to provide the most relevant details of current events in a simple-to-use layout. It is divided into categories such as business, lifestyle, world and sports. Its biggest hook is that there is no loading time, so the news stories are ready to read as soon as they are opened. Push notifications are also available to send headlines as soon as they come out, up to three times per day, so users are always in the loop. In our fast-paced world, this app comes in handy to keep in the know without using too much time to rifle through a paper.

 

New Releases

B7_AwkwardOrdinaryBoys_MCAmusic“Awkward”
The Ordinary Boys
★☆☆☆☆

Originally broken up in 2008, the English indie-rock band has released its first single since the 2007 song “I Luv U.” While the melodic chorus flows well with the prominent guitar and drum parts, the shorter solo verses become overwhelmed by this repetitive and overplayed section. After returning from such a long hiatus, the band is ultimately unable to show off the talent of its individual singers. The voices blend together and drown beneath their weaker unified vocals and a background of blasting music.

B7_EllaHendersonglow“Glow”
Ella Henderson
★★★★☆

“Glow,” the follow up to Ella Henderson’s debut single, “Ghost,” mesmerizes with its dynamic indie melody. Henderson was a finalist on the UK’s “The X Factor,” and she continues to dazzle with her passion and enchanting indie sound. Part of her upcoming debut album, “Chapter One,” the single builds to a powerful chorus in which Ella Henderson channels both her impressive vocal range and her Ellie Goulding-like vibe. Those who enjoy artists like Lana Del Rey or Florence and the Machine will especially love “Glow,” but the song is appealing to anybody looking for an inspirational pick-me-up and some soulful vocals.

B7_DavidGuettaDangerous“Dangerous”
David Guetta
★★★★☆

DJ David Guetta is at it again after hits like “Without You” and “Titanium” with his new single, “Dangerous,” featuring Sam Martin. The synths of “Dangerous” produce a high-energy melody that makes your heart beat with every chord. Even those who are not normally fans of electronic music will appreciate the highquality electric guitar sound of the synthesizers. Sam Martin’s auto-tuned vocals are the perfect complement to the synths and help bring personality to a dynamic electric song. While this isn’t anything wildly new for Guetta, it still manages to hit the spot.

B7_MakeMeWannaThomasRhett“Makes Me Wanna”
Thomas Rhett
★★★☆☆

Rhett is no stranger to the country scene, and his new song “Make Me Wanna” is a testament to his flexibility as a singer and songwriter. Although he keeps the vocals filled with a country twang and the lyrics follow the stereotypical country love theme, Rhett experiments with instrumentals to produce a unique and appealing song. The typical banjo, fiddle and harmonica are exchanged for a fast disco-synth beat. In the slower section this disparity works against the song, as Rhett’s signature country voice doesn’t mesh well with the more prominent electro beat. However, overall, this contrast provides a bizarre yet somehow interesting combination. While the lyrics will satisfy loycal country fans, the modern twist gives it a satisfying update.

 

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Apps & New Releases — Oct. 3, 2014

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Apps

fitscreeennnnFitStar Personal Trainer
Free

Has the stress of midterms led to excessive delivery pizzas? Already starting to worry about the freshman fifteen? Keep healthy and active using FitStar Personal Trainer, a free app that gives you access to hundreds of workout routines that will fit into your busy schedule. Users can also take advantage of the fact that the FitStar Personal Trainer app works in conjunction with the MyFitnessPal app, a highly rated calorie tracker. There’s nothing wrong with a weekly trip to Wisey’s, but this app will help you squeeze in a few extra crunches whenever possible.

gif keyboardGIF Keyboard
Free

GIFs have countless possibilities. Already widely used to jazz up otherwise boring emails, these famous images can now be smoothly added to your texts. When words or emojis just won’t cut it, turn to the new GIF Keyboard app to amp up your messages. This app allows you to select from categories of emotions and offers millions of short clips, ensuring that you will always have the perfect response. GIF Keyboard is compatible with iMessage, WhatsApp, Twitter, Messenger, SnapChat and Email, which means that the right GIF is literally at your fingertips.

ebatesEbates Cash Back & Coupons
Free

College gives you the freedom to buy things on your own, but most of us are on a pretty tight budget. Save some money with this new, free app. Ebates Cash Back & Coupons basically pays you to do what you already love and find very convenient – online shopping. With various offers and discounts, you can save up to 26 percent on your purchase just by creating a free account with the app. You even get an automatic $5 bonus when you make your first purchase. The app syncs with hundreds of popular retailers: from JCPenney to the Home Depot to Sephora. Beyond rebates, Ebates also helps you find great coupons, special offers and free shipping from the stores you already love.

New Releases

carrie-underwood-something-in-the-water“Something in the Water”
Carrie Underwood
★★★★★

Ten years after winning American Idol, Carrie Underwood is still swimming in fame with her fabulous country sound. Her new best-of album “Greatest Hits: Decade #1” comes out Dec. 9. Underwood celebrates this achievement with her passionate, upbeat single “Something in the Water.” The song begins with a fast beat that transitions into a pleasantly slow verse that highlights Underwood’s powerful vocals. The rest of the single picks up momentum and succeeds in capturing the singer’s classic country sound.

Lorde-Yellow-Flicker-Beat-iTunes“Yellow Flicker Beat”
Lorde
★★★☆☆

Taken from the upcoming The Hunger Games soundtrack, this single initially succeeds in delivering a shivering, memorable intensity. Lorde’s famed, sultry voice is complemented by a buzzing chorus that fades into a similarly gripping beat. Unfortunately, the single never challenges Lorde’s vocal range, and it lacks the melodic variety of her hit song “Royals.” The buildup drops into a mediocre chorus, leaving the listener largely unsatisfied.

One_Direction_-_Steal_My_Girl“Steal My Girl”
One Direction
★☆☆☆☆

The infamous boy-band is back with sass in anticipation of their latest album, “Four.” “Steal My Girl” has all of the essentials that make up this pop group’s signature sound. The single begins with a slightly more techno feel than most of the group’s other songs, incorporating staccato vocals with a strong bass-and-piano riff that is topped off with a layer of synthetic beats. It builds into a perfectly harmonized chorus that, while not musically inaccurate, is disappointingly unoriginal: the same standard One Direction package. Loyal One-D fans will immediately swoon, but new fans should beware.

jaden-smith-blue-ocean“Blue Ocean”
Jaden Smith
★★★★☆

Posted on his sister Willow Smith’s SoundCloud account, Jaden Smith’s new song is a surprise to all. The song begins with simple, rather weak vocals that are accompanied by a piano. The next segment of the song shifts into synthetic beats and slowly rapped lyrics that are surprisingly profound for the brother of Willow, whose hit “I Whip My Hair Back and Forth” caused quite the controversy. While some parts of the 7-minute song are stronger than others, it possesses elements of raw experimentation and youthful emotion that somehow manage to captivate the listener.

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Best Bets — Oct. 3, 2014

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On Campus

C Street Brass

When: Today, 1:15 p.m.
Where: McNeir Auditorium, New North Building
Price: Free
Info: cstreetbrass.com

C Street Brass is a lively brass quintet that brings a contemporary twist to classic jazz. Originally from Pittsburg, this funky group of five often combines older styles like jazz with newer genres like dubstep, bringing their sound to the forefront of modern music. Join the talented quintet for this incredible afternoon of complex yet completely free music.

GU Nightclub Opening Party

When: Tonight, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Bulldog Alley
Price: Free
Info: Facebook

GU Nightclub is ready to revive the social scene on campus. Join the new DJ club for a pumped-up night of fun and dance. This musical event provides everybody with free entertainment — a refreshing alternative for those who are growing tired of off-campus weekend activities. All you need is your GOCard, and then you’re ready to party!

Abenomics: How Japan Will Revitalize Its Economy by Empowering Women

When: Oct. 7, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Fisher Colloquium, Rafik B. Hariri Building
Price: Free
Info: Eventbrite

Join Chief Japan Strategist for Goldman Sachs Kathy M. Matsui for an in-depth discussion of Japanese social and economic culture. Matsui will focus on the correlation between gender roles and economic patterns, offering her own advice about how to achieve progress and change. Matsui is an expert in the field of economics and was named one of the “10 Women to Watch in Asia” by the Wall Street Journal.

Lecture by Ardo Hansson, Governor of the Bank of Estonia

When: Oct. 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Executive Conference Room, ICC 700
Price: Free
Info: guevents.georgetown.edu

Ardo Hansson is a prominent figure on the Estonian economic scene. His lecture will offer an expansive look into the financial problems currently facing Europe, analyzing the global economic crisis and how Europe has responded to it. He will discuss how different regions have recovered, shedding light on each country’s method of rehabilitation.

Off Campus

“Driving Miss Daisy”

When: Friday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Ford’s Theater
Price: Starting at $15
Info: fordstheatre.org

Has Ford’s Theater been on your list of historical places to see in Washington, D.C.? Forget just going for a quick tour — make an actual night of it by getting tickets to see “Driving Miss Daisy.” This classic Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores the themes of class differences, cultural boundaries, generation gaps and race through the interactions between the two leads. Tickets are currently being sold online. Don’t miss out! 

“The Devil in His Own Words”

When: Wednesday – Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where: 545 7th St. SE
Price: $15
Info: www.taffetypunk.com/shows

Taffety Punk Theatre Company’s one-man show “The Devil in His Own Words” has already opened to enthusiastic approval. Actor Marcus Kyd portrays Lucifer’s journey from fallen angel to master of hell in an incredibly rich and complex script. The script is composed of cross-century texts from all over the world, promising to do justice to this dense history.

D.C. Palestinian Film and Arts Festival

When: Oct. 2 to Oct. 5
Where: Goethe Institut, 812 7th St. NW
Price: $8 for students, $10 for general admission
Info: dcpfaf.org

This cultural festival features screenings of both short and feature-length films, including “A World Not Ours,” “Where Should the Birds Fly?” and “Suspended in Time.” The event will be running all weekend and is a great chance to get off campus and explore another area of Washington, D.C. Lena Seikaly, an acclaimed jazz vocalist, will be closing out the festival on Sunday night.

(E)merge Art Fair

When: Oct. 2 to Oct. 5
Where: 10 I St. SW
Price: $10 for students, $15 for general admission
Info: emergeartfair.com

The fourth edition (4E?) of this annual exhibit will be held at the Capitol Skyline Hotel this year. The fair helps emerging art professionals from around the globe showcase their work and connect with important collectors and curators here in Washington, D.C. If you like art and want to get an early glimpse at some up-and-coming artists, then this event is the one for you.