Artists on The Dark Side?

Rihanna just released her music video for "RockStar 101" featuring guitarist Slash from the rock band Guns N Roses. Like the content in my previous blog, it is clear that Rhianna has completely shed her pop star image however I found some of the images in the video a bit disturbing. I do applaud her for her creativity but this video had some startling images. The one that stood out to me in particular was when Rihanna was down on her knees in a circle with horns on her head.

The circle could represent a pentagram circle and Rihanna is donning horns that could also represent the goat horns of satanic worship. But hey, it could just be me looking too far into images..! Rihanna could just be very smart and simply using extreme images for attention. All could just be fun with abstract...I don't know....

I immediately thought of the images from the Jay-Z "On To The Next One" video and controversy that followed it. YouTube videos popped up all over...you can find one HERE that goes into detail about some of the video's images.


Is the public ready to jump to conclusions to explain things they don't understand?

Desperation Or Female Empowerment?

[WARNING THIS BLOG DEALS WITH SUGGESTIVE CONTENT AND VULGAR LANGUAGE...READER DISGRESSION IS ADVISED]

Let's be honest, unless you live in a cave you have to have come to the conclusion that parts of our society run on the idea that sex sells. The media tends to "sex up" our television shows, magazines, and music and we, the hungry public, take it all in. Some of the most controversial and sexual parts of media involve women. For decades, women have been battling the fine line between being portrayed as innocent verses the role of the sex kitten. Particularly in our pop music culture, women have been scandalized as being too sexy and over the top. But is there a message behind their actions?Are these women actually revealing a more sexual side to raise awareness towards female empowerment or are they trying to build a larger fan base?

Girls Gone Wrong....?

Sexuality is definitely being showcased more-so in recent months. A large amount of attention was brought onto music video content with female songstress and fashionista Lady GaGa's release of her video "Telephone" back in March. The song's video which featured singer and actress Beyonce Knowles showed a scantily clothed GaGa dancing around jail in caution tape and in very sexual situations with other females.The 9 minute video caused a lot of hype in the music industry for the risque scenes shown.

However, according to theatlantic.com, GaGa's video is symbolic to the way that fame has caged her up and left her vulnerable. The jail represents the platform she has been put on by "The Fame Monster" and by being stripped of her clothing is symbolic as if she was being bared before the media.

If we look to pop princess Christina Aguilera who has just released her newest video "Not Myself Tonight", the singer's image is very different than her previous one on her "Back To Basics" album where her image was 1930's inspired. The video has been released with edited and unedited versions. Is Aguilera degrading herself?

Many fans are either shocked by the sudden change of image or a bit upset because of her resemblence to Lady GaGa in the video. Others are looking to Aguilera as further establishing female power and sexual control.

"I watched the unedited version, and I dont really see the video as degrading," said Sophmore Stephanie Diaz. "I dont particularly like the video, because I feel like it is too much from Christina. It's kind of like "Dirrty" meets Lady Gaga, it's just not her. I dont feel the video is degrading because it doesnt show men using women, the women of the video are in charge of their own sexuality and to me that is an empowering message."

The video itself raises many questions about Aguilera's upcoming "Bionic" album. Fans are upfront about their feelings on the song/video combo.

"It's quite a disturbing video, but I don't see the women being degraded." commented Sophmore Jaclyn Light. She explains her distates for certain parts of the video including when the singer seems to be bound and gagged. "I think she is just being way too sexual. It's not even hinting at it, it's full out saying "porno" to me," said Light.

One has to question whether Aguilera's actions are for female empowerment or self gain in a fan base as this is not the first time she has changed her image.Taking a look into Aguilera's history, it seems she was a case of good girl gone bad with her "Dirrty"video. Fans were shocked by this image as well because previous to this image, she was known as the Disney mousketeer and associated with her image in pop hits such as "Genie in the Bottle" and "What A Girl Wants".

Breaking Out From Disney

Aguilera is not the only artist to break out of her good girl image as former Disney star Miley Cyrus is shedding her Hanna Montanah days for a more sexual side. Her new video "Tamed" portrays the teen as a wild bird who cannot be tamed and includes a bit of suggestive choreography. Brittney Spears has also been one of the most publicized cases of changing images in pop culture. Like Cyrus and Aguilera, Spears was also a part of Disney. Former Cheetah Girl Kiely Williams has also released a video which raises questions from fans. Williams' "Spectacular" depicts a woman who gets drunk after partying and doesn't remember anything but having intercourse.

Many fans took their outrage to YouTube coming down on the star for her newly acquired image in the video.

The magnitude of comments ad reactions caused Williams to vlog her own reply stating: "Yes, I still believe in girl power, yes I still believe that young women should stay true to their dreams, stay true to themselves, and their friends. But I also do know a lot of 20 somethings who go out and get a little bit too drunk and go home with a guy whoose name they can't quite remember." said Williams. "It does happen alot and maybe it's something that all we need to talk about."

Are these women seeking attention from fans or just trying to get a message of female empowerment on to young women?

Imagining and Remaining "Fully Devoted"

As a student delicately places her fingers onto the black and white keys of the

piano, the soft notes that emit from the instrument fill the small rehearsal room in om inside Leffler Chapel.

The twinkling sound mirrors the piece written gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Surrounding the pianist stands a diverse choir of her fellow students who begin to sing Franklin’s “Imagine Me” softly. Their voices blend in that magical way that choirs do and some members close their eyes to feel what they are singing about.

As the lyrics “Being strong and not letting people break me down/ You won’t get that joy this time around/ Can you imagine me?” are sung, their voices increase. Once the bridge kicks in the harmonies all begin to build up and as the song continues and everyone in the room can feel the emotions of each and every lyric.

The air is filled with a special energy and the message behind the song is highlighted by the high notes the sopranos hit, the soulful continuous melody of the altos and tenors, and the power behind the bass section. As the song fades out, the emotions that were just evoked still remain. For one second there is an emotional silence until the choir director gives her comments.

This is only one of the many memories I have as a member of Elizabethtown College’s Gospel Choir, Fully Devoted. The emotions I experienced while singing were unlike anything I’ve felt at while at college. Founder and director Rachel Hadrick worked her magic over the voices of the students in choir which allowed us to produce the moving sounds that we were known for on campus.

Having an outlet such as gospel choir was something very special, and unfortunately for the rest of the semester, it will be discontinuing and we are unsure of the direction it will go in the future. Hadrick, who also works in the campus’ Residence Life and Multicultural Affairs, will be leaving Elizabethtown to pursue a master’s degree.

So what is the future for Fully Devoted?

Many members are optimistic about what will happen to the club: “I feel like as long as there is a group of students here on campus who want to sing something that is overflowing with energy, something that not only wakes them up but also gives life to the audience, to sing something that is so different from the music that one normally sings in formal choirs; there is a definite chance for Gospel Choir to start back up again,” said junior member Joseph Klinger, who has been a member since his freshman year.

Junior Shaday Festus who has also been a member of the choir since her freshman year is overall optimistic as well, relying on her faith: “I think fully devoted [has] a future. Rachel Hadrick has done a wonderful job and I believe that we should not be discouraged. We should praise him through song and therefore we will not be ignored because we are more than [able to] conquer."

Klinger preserves the special atmosphere and good nature of the choir within his memories: “One of my best memories from Gospel Choir might be from my sophomore year. It could have been from any number of practices but whenever we would sing this one song, each one of the members would put their heart and soul into it. We would clap, stomp, and sing.”
He explained that members would go beyond the lyrics of the song and do things in the moment:

“They would start making sounds that one might hear in a tribal African spiritual dance outside of Moshi, Tanzania. The sound would almost shake Leffler down to the ground. Every time I would leave choir, no matter what sort of mood I was in getting there, I would always be filled with energy and it was nearly impossible for me to sit still for the next hour.”

Decrease in Members

In years previous, Fully Devoted was a large group of 20 to 30 members. In 2009, the majority of the choir was graduating seniors and this year it seems Fully Devoted has not been as “full” with members as its final rehearsals consisted of 4-6 members.

“I didn't go as often as I wanted to this year, and I'd be so sad if I lost that chance forever,” commented sophomore Claire Sedney who just joined in 2009.

There are many appealing qualities to the choir and yet new membership was lacking.

Festus believes that the choir stands out the most amongst other singing groups on campus: “What one does not realize is the fact that we are not just singing, we are worshiping through song. We are giving our father in heaven the praise that he deserves.”

Klinger points out that size did not affect the current members: “The remaining members formed a small group; a small group that was still filled with passion and energy but no longer enough to shake Leffler to the ground.”

As a solid group, even if the practice wasn’t well attended, no one could deny that the feelings were still present.

Messages to Rachel and Members

Everyone in gospel choir has the utmost respect for Hadrick: “She demonstrated that if you have a passion for something, no matter great or how small that passion is, or how unpopular or how amazing it may appear to be; if you have a passion, you need to pursue it,” said Klinger.

“Her passion for worshiping has influenced not only [me] but others as well,” said Festus, “[She] brought culture, energy and acceptance to Fully Devoted letting each and everyone realize that God does not discriminate.”

Festus also shares a message to the entire group: “Fully Devoted; we have made it through a rough semester but know that our journey has not ended. We must continue to praise him through song. You all have gifts that you should use. I have enjoyed the voice of each and every one of ya'll and know that Fully Devoted will unite again.”

Witch Trials Come to Etown

Deceit, discomfort, and disorder were all brought upon a small town in the period of 1692-1693 when a group of young girls made one simple decision: accuse certain townsfolk of witchcraft. Deceit was present where lies covered a dark reality, discomfort was found as people could not trust one another, and disorder when religious extremism took place over rational thought. That decision gave way to a chain of events that would ultimately cause the executions of 20 people excluding those who died while incarcerated. This dark event in American history has become known as the Salem Witch Trials.

Through the widely known play “The Crucible”, Elizabethtown College’s Theater Department will be going back in time April 15-17, 22, 23, at 8 p.m. and 25 at 2 p.m. to recapture the intense and chaotic period that occurred in Salem, Mass.

Research

In order to get into some of the characters, the actors and actresses are taking the time to connect with their roles which includes a bit of research because unlike most plays, these characters are not fictional. Students receive guidance from director Terri Mastrobuono and the dramaturg Spencer O’Dowd who is an individual assigned to further lay out the details within all aspects the production.

"Spencer O'Dowd, who is from the area in Massachusetts in which the play is set, is our dramaturg. He is our consultant for historical accuracy and is also helping the cast to master a slight New England accent. " said Mastrobuno.

"Actors must also learn how to move like 16th - century people, rather than the casual, modern postures and movements we use now. A big adjustment is limiting hand gestures. We are considering giving those who gesture too much a red "G" to wear on their chests for a day!"

Becoming the Part

In comparison to previous plays done by the theater department, Mastrobuno reflected on what the cast must do in order to prepare for this play in particular: "The play is very intensely emotional and physical. Actors have been instructed in techniques of slapping, choking, pushing, falling, and physicalizing the "fits" that the girls who are supposedly under the spell of witchcraft fall into.

"The actors are being pushed to tap into some very deep and intense emotions and to portray them to the greatest degree possible. In that sense, even though the play is a modern drama, it is very much like playing Shakespeare. It must be larger than life. Or, as large as life can possibly get!"

Theater major Rachel Saul comments on the cast preparations: “During the early rehearsals, Terri gave the entire cast some worksheets with questions to help us become better acquainted with our characters. This worksheet helped me immensely because it forced me to think like Sarah, a character with no description in the script whatsoever.”

Saul related that there was a hint of a connection between her role as Sarah Bibber, one of the young girls who started the accusations that lead to the Salem Witch Trials, and herself: “In real life, Sarah Bibber was also a huge gossip who could make herself suddenly fall into fits to get her way. In that sense, I suppose you could say we both love to act, but for very different reasons.”

Saul’s fellow cast member Laura Robbins finds a deeper connection with her character Mercy Lewis: “In her society she is rather low in the hierarchy of importance and she, like many of the other girls, longs for some kind of power or control, and they find that through the trials.” said the sophomore, “I think anyone can identify with that desire to be more important and to be viewed with respect.”

The Past Influence on the Present

Each actress hopes to portray their roles in a way that influences the audience: “I'm really lucky to be involved in the courtroom scene because I think it's one of the most intense and entertaining. The whole scene just builds and builds until its final high point. I hope that my character adds to that intensity and overall momentum of the scene," commented senior Tammy Bateman who plays Ann Putnam Sr.

Freshman Chinwe Okorie who has only done one other production previously with Elizabethtown College wants the audience to really understand the underlying themes within the play through her character who was a slave brought into Salem: “I hope they see that in the beginning Tituba was just singled out for being different but towards the end she is a strong woman. She knows her true self so she doesn't need to defend herself anymore. From the production, I want the audience to get out that it takes one ludicrous ideology to stir things up…be careful what you say.”

Mixed anticipation comes from students planning on seeing the show: “All I can say is I hope the cast list proves me wrong. There’s some great talent in the cast but I don’t agree with all of the choices that were made,” said a student anonymously, “Some people on that list just might ruin the show…”

Junior Christina Smith is a bit more optimistic about the upcoming show: “I expect the play to be really interesting and well practiced. I’m excited to see it.”

With the controversy that was stirred up in this time period, will this play open new discussions on events in history that followed this trial? How will students on campus receive this play? Doubts as well as excitement are floating around campus, will the play follow through? It seems the cast is working hard to prove the critics wrong.

Mastrobuno addresses some of these questions: "The theme of the show is very relevant and an important one now, in light of how elements of our society are still using fear to scare us into responding to our country's problems. The parallels are strong and a bit scary. I hope the college community will come to see the show for the great story it tells, and leave thinking about how this aspect of our human behavior impacts peoples' lives. These issues are worth examining again and again to give us some sense of how not to repeat the disastrous consequences."