Macklemore isn’t coming to Boise State University for the Spring Fling on May 4. He’s going to be at University of Idaho the day before; because the U of I gets everything better than us, right? “U of I has better parties.” “U of I has better Greek Life.” “U of I has a more traditional university feel to it.” Though I’m not personally vindicating them, maybe all of the above statements are true. But WE had Macklemore first. WE had Macklemore on Oct. 18 at the Knitting Factory downtown. And WE may not be better; but neither is U of I. Both Boise State and the University of Idaho have their strong-suits. On May 4, Mike Posner is performing at the Taco Bell Arena. Mike Posner kicks ass and that’s all there is to it. It’s unfair to say either Mike Posner or Macklemore is better at their mutual art-form. Just because Thrift Shop has played on the radio about 1,000 times a day for past few months doesn’t... ...
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Author Archives : Matt Shelar
I'm Matt from Delaware who came to Boise for change. But so far I've gotten more than change out of Boise. I've gotten a few dollar bills.
Quite frequently, Boise State’s Residence Halls have fire drills, as they are expected to have two a semester. And nearly every time these occur, there are murmurs around campus about “who got caught this time.” Rumors saying University Housing and Residence Life is conducting these drills to do room searches for violations have been circulating. But if you have illegal substances in your dorm room, you have to be completely careless with your possessions to get caught having them. “Our primary intent, as with the vast majority of our operations, is to ensure the safety of our residents; we do not go into room expecting to encounter violations,” said Matt Jones, Area Coordinator for the Apartments, Towers and Suites. Naturally, as undergrads, many of us would like to think “the man” is trying to stick it to us. But they’re just doing their jobs; it’s not as if they have some ulterior motive to break students’ spirits. But of course, if you leave something you’re not supposed to have out in... ...
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Apr 18, 2013
Posted
Main Feature, Opinion, Opinion Main Feature
Tagged Boise State, Student Life
Comments 0
Boise State’s third annual prom was held on Sunday, April 7 in the Hatch Ballroom of the Student Union Building. This year’s theme: Phantom of the Opera. Stephen Rhinehart of the French Club was kind enough to do a Q & A with The Arbiter. Q: How many people were in attendance? A: I lost count at 75, but I saw plenty more come in. I’d estimate between 75 and 100 this year. Q: Why was Phantom of the Opera chosen as the theme? A: Each year we choose a different theme that is related to France or French culture. The first year, we just did a general Parisian theme and a Moulin Rouge theme for the second year. The Phantom of the Opera was on our list of themes that we hadn’t yet done so we chose that. Q: What was the purpose of the dance? A: We wanted to host an event that would provide a fun environment for the students of... ...
Read More →Peter Jackson’s adaptation of “The Hobbit” was one of the most anticipated films of 2012; and considering it was a prequel to “Lord of the Rings,” one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, this serves as no surprise to me. With prequels, sequels, and reboots to compete with such as “The Amazing Spiderman,” ““The Bourne Legacy,” “Men in Black 3,” “Paranormal Activity 4,” “Skyfall” and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” to name a few, “The Hobbit” did pretty well. It brought back some very familiar faces (i.e. Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond, and Andy Serkis as Gollum) while adding a few new ones to the mix. Most notable among the new faces were those of Richard Armitage as a very nobly played Thorin Oakenshield and Martin Freeman as a very humble Bilbo Baggins. Additionally, and to the excitement of many fans, “The Hobbit” reprised some of composer Howard Shore’s original music from LOTR. But this was complimented by the new theme song... ...
Read More →Treefort kicks off downtown on Thursday. But for those of us still stuck on campus for classes, the official kick-off to Treefort will take place at the Centennial Amphitheater behind the library and will feature three Treefort bands. One of those bands will be Nick Jaina, an artist from Portland. While Jain’s a solo act he still keeps others in mind—his influences consist of artists like The Beatles, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, and REM. His Chris Martin-like voice backed with peaceful and heartfelt folk music is extremely easy-going; so easy-going, it’s hard to believe a man with such intensity created it. According to Hush Records, “He has run out of money, slept in his car, booked tours from the road, and sacrificed relationships at home for the good of his art.” Five of Jaina’s first six albums were produced by Hush Records, a label out of Portland. His first, however, titled Snakes and Umbrellas was produced by Perilymph Records. While his decade-long tenure with Hush has brought him success, his... ...
Read More →The Treefort Music Fest’s Saturday lineup has plenty of great bands. And fortunately, many of them are playing in the same place. On Saturday, the top five bands I would advise one to see start off in the Owyhee Plaza Hotel’s parking lot, which serves as the event’s Main Stage. Beginning at 5:45 is El Ten Eleven. If you’re a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, there’s a great chance you’ll like these guys. Very mellow. Very indie. Very summer-y. Provided the sun is hot and the beer is cold, you’ll enjoy spending your late afternoon with El Ten Eleven. Next up on the Main Stage at is YACHT. This terrific duo is a personal favorite. With greats like See a Penny, Pick it Up, and Psychic City, you’ll love both the energy and happy-vibes YACHT will give off in a live setting. Right around dark (at 8:45) is The Walkmen. This five-piece band sounds a bit like The Strokes, minus the lead singer who sounds a bit like... ...
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It’s that time again. Once more, Boise State’s administration is attempting to shut the Bronco Confessions Facebook page down. Their claim: they have a trademark on the word “Broncos.” Are you kidding me? Boise State doesn’t tolerate the consumption or possession of alcohol and other drugs. Boise State doesn’t tolerate the smoking of cigarettes. But do they tolerate free speech? On March 1, Rachael Bickerton, director of Trademark Licensing and Enforcement, sent a warning message to the page’s administrator, which was later shared with The Arbiter. According to this message, the university is “not attempting to prevent the right of free speech.” They do, however, “wish to protect the school’s intellectual property assets.” These intentions are somewhat understandable. But at the same time, can the undergrads catch a break on this one? Is the page really that big of a deal? Something of such importance, they feel the need to once more attempt a shut-down? The administrator of Bronco Confessions complied with the original request to change the name of the... ...
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Matt Shelar and Ryan Hoffman Best Actor in a Leading Role Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables Joaquin Phoenix – The Master Denzel Washington – Flight Though this humble genius is in one movie every two or three years, Daniel Day-Lewis has continuously confirmed himself to be one of the best actors ever to live; and if his intense performances don’t make it evident enough, know he is the only actor ever to win three academy awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Upon receiving Sunday’s award, Lewis commended his wife, saying she had lived with many strange men over the years. From the stern Daniel Plainview of “There Will Be Blood” to the compassionate John Proctor of “The Crucible,” this well-calculated and versatile actor has proven himself once again to be a living legend. Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Alan Arkin – Argo Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln Philip Seymour Hoffman... ...
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Boise State is a dry campus. Our campus security and the Boise Police Department enforce this policy. A lesser-known fact about campus security is their willingness to ensure student safety by providing an escort service. By providing such a service, the university actually promotes responsible drinking, despite having a policy that, for student safety reasons, strictly forbids on-campus drinking. This service is (in theory) to be used for students who would like a ride from one end of campus to the other for safety reasons. One possible reason for students to use the service is to get home when they are drunk and might otherwise drive themselves. Though Jo Ann Gilpin, our security operations manager, says it is a very rare occurrence, what procedures are in place to stop students from taking advantage of this service—and thus drinking on campus? Many students attempt to do everything in their power to avoid the fuzz when drunk, let alone call them up to use them as a personal taxi service. But provided... ...
Read More →Nearly 30 eager fans crammed into Hyde Park Books in the North End on Saturday, Jan. 26. Their purpose: Smoke, the short film adaptation of Alan Heathcock’s short story of the same name. This story is part of a Heathcock collective of short stories entitled Volt. Heathcock is a professor in the MFA [Master of Fine Arts] Program at Boise State and his story, adapted for the screen and directed by Cody Gittings and Stephen Heleker, is based loosely on a run-in his grandfather told him when at the age of eight. Gittings and Heleker are both alumni from Boise State. Graduating in 2012, Gittings studied business administration and communications with a certificate in cinema and digital media studies. Heleker graduated with the class of 2011, studying philosophy, communications and English with a creative writing emphasis. This writer/director team claims this is their most ambitious project to date. Essentially, it’s a father-son drama revolving around a dead man, a trek and the iconic cowboy, Roy Rogers. According to Heathcock, the... ...
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Jan 31, 2013
Posted
Arts & Entertainment, Culture Main Feature, Main Feature
Tagged Boise State, Community Events, Student Life
In case you hadn’t noticed, mankind survived its anticipated assassination attempt by nature on Dec. 21, 2012. And though few ACTUALLY expected something to happen on this now-famous day, many of your fellow Broncos had fun toying with the idea. Will Birdsall – junior, international business: “I think it’s always fun when a lot of people get together and make something so completely non-existent fearful.” Jonny Carroll – freshman: “I can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next, honestly. I mean, there’s something new every year.” Maddie Acosta – freshman, physical therapy: “I mean, Boise can’t really get any worse. So I say bring the heat, nature!” Dondi Iannucci – freshman, business: “Back where I’m from [Hawaii] we don’t really get too busy concerning ourselves with things like this. But it’s pretty scary to think about.” Connor Liess – freshman, history: “I’m going to be so upset if this happens again next year.” Nick Scarpelli – freshman, pre-med: “Dude… if the world ended, there’d be like…... ...
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It’s cold and as any Idaho resident will tell you, the winter weather isn’t ending anytime soon. Whether you’re a motorist, a cyclist or a pedestrian on campus, you will most definitely be trying to avoid the freezing temperatures of the season. But when the university is covered in ice and snow, is enough done to keep everyone safe? Snow and ice cover the sidewalks and streets every year and it’s a pain to drive on and just sucks, shouldn’t someone shovel it? Luckily Boise State has a department which takes care of it for us. Winter safety is the handiwork of Transportation and Parking Services (TPS). As Assistant Director Nicole Bandas said, “Our priorities change (in case of heavy snow) because safety is priority number one.” Depending on Mother Nature, said Bandas, the TPS has staff out at anywhere from 3 to 5 a.m., plowing and salting the roads. And according to the department’s “Winter Safety and Precautions,” its goal is to have all main sidewalks safe and accessible... ...
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Jan 22, 2013
Posted
Main Feature, Opinion, Opinion Main Feature
Tagged Boise State, Student Life, Transportation
Are you having a difficult time finding your Christmas spirit this year? Are you tired of the commercialism? Not in the giving mood? Or perhaps feeling a bit too old to believe in stories about Santa and sleigh-rides? Dan Christiansen is a modern-day Santa Claus. He is a local man who has been giving unconditionally for over two decades and plans on doing it for the rest of his life. “When I give,” Christiansen said. “I feel worth in my life.” About twenty years ago, Christiansen lost his wife and children; it was after this that a “very special woman,” as he said, gave him a Santa Claus figurine and told him to study it. So he did. And with it he learned the power of giving. It was after this he, in a very Saint Nick fashion, began decorating the yards of people who did not have the means to do so themselves. Cut to twenty years later, Christiansen was re-married to his “sweetheart” with three children. And he... ...
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Dec 17, 2012
Posted
Arts & Entertainment, Culture Main Feature, Main Feature
Tagged Boise State, Student Life
On Dec. 5, Ned Evett and Tony Furtado displayed their unique musical talents on the Student Union Building’s Brava Stage: Evett with his fretless glass-boarded guitar and Furtado on the banjo. In addition to these, both men played acoustic guitars. Evett Evett performed in a very Dire Straits-esque manner, playing songs from his latest album, Treehouse, which was available for purchase at the event. “I liked the way he played songs about dams breaking in Tennessee, love and other things in life,” said Jordan Lehman, sophomore mechanical engineering major. Evett was originally from Nashville but moved to Boise a while back for his family. Pertaining to songs of love, he said, “It’s always nice to play a love song early in the morning.” Besides songs about his hometown, love and life, Evett also had a song called The Greatest Generation Saved the War From Little Baby Eileen, to which Lehman referred to as, “sort of a little quasi history lesson.” The musician takes pride in his work with his glass-boarded... ...
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Dec 8, 2012
Posted
Arts & Entertainment
On Thursday, Nov. 29 the Student Union Building’s dining area was given a taste of the holiday season. Hang your stockings, people. It’s coming. Phyllis Tincher, performing as a solo artist, played a free concert using her handbells. The event was organized by Amy Rajkovich, Student Union Fine Arts performance program coordinator. “I think it’s pretty fascinating that one person could pull all of this off while keeping the timing down and grabbing the exact correct bell each time,” Manny Wheaton, sophomore mechanical engineering major said. According to Tincher, there were 40 bells. These bells stretched out to three different octaves. Starting off as a child, Tincher was a student of the piano. It was not until 1993 when she was asked to direct a youth choir when she developed interest in the art of handbelling. Tincher originally knew nothing of this instrument, but soon learned the way a handbell table was set up was very similar to the way keys on a piano are set up. Each bell played... ...
Read More →Kicking off this festive time of year for the Fine Art program’s Student Union Performance Series will be Phyllis Tincher with a seasonal demonstration of her handbell skills. The recital will be performed on Thursday, Nov. 29 on the Student Union Building Dining Room Stage. Admission is, as always, free. “It’s an interesting idea because the only time it’s a conventional instrument is during the Christmas season,” said Manny Wheaton, sophomore mechanical engineering major. Because Wheaton only just recently learned of the handbell’s use as a musical instrument, he said he is curious to hear it on Thursday and plans on stopping by. For many, this is one of the busiest times of the year and Shelby Brown, freshman business major, serves as no exception. “I’ll be busy with the semester’s finals coming up and probably won’t be able to make it,” Brown said. “But even knowing that there’s actually a concert dedicated to handbells makes me excited for finals to hurry up and be over so Christmas can be... ...
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Despite Tuesday, Nov. 6 being one of the most important days in America, many members of Boise State’s student body and faculty took time to enjoy the evening by doing what they love: performing music and sharing it with others. The All Campus Band held their fall concert in the Morrison Center. Proceeds went directly to scholarships for our music program. “It’s cool to see both staff and students working in unison. That’s not something you’d ever see in high school,” said Dominic Wargo, freshman business management major. Running the show on this night was the band’s conductor, Joe Tornello Ph. D., of the music department. Though this is Tornello’s second year at the university, he said he is still getting somewhat acclimated to this relatively new band. “We’ve already seen a lot of improvements in the musicians,” Tornello said. The All Campus band is a concert band and are a non-audition group. This means participation is open to all. They focus on playing more at local community events. This... ...
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Nov 12, 2012
Posted
Arts & Entertainment, Sub Feature
Tagged Boise State, Campus Events, Music, Student Life
As a good number of Americans were celebrating Halloween last week, the time of year was being looked at in a different light by many students. A week-long Dia De Los Muertos campus gave student a diverse look at international holidays. “Not a lot of people get a chance to see this side of what many Americans call ‘the Mexican version of Halloween.’ And it’s really nothing like that. It’s more family oriented—more of a celebration,” said Kimber Medellin, freshman chemistry major. Throughout the week of Oct. 29 students may have seen altars set up on the Student Union Building’s Brava Stage. These altars were in place as remembrance of fallen loved ones. These altars were displayed as part of the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. This event was held by the Multicultural Student Services (MSS) Biligual Education Student Organization, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Organizacion de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos, Sigma Lambda Beta and Alpha Pi Sigma. It was also coordinated with help from Guillermo Munoz, Osciel Salazar and Tracy Sedano... ...
Read More →Taking place from Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, the Multicultural Student Services will be celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. “We here at Multicultural Student Services (MSS) and the groups of BESO, SHPE, OELA, Sigma Lambda Beta, Alpha Pi Sigma are interested in educating people about this very special holiday,” Guillermo Munoz of the MSS said. This holiday, which typically takes place in Latin American countries, will be celebrated throughout the duration of the week by the clubs. The groups plan on setting up altars for exhibition in honor of this special time. “The altar is considered the focal point and usually decorated to reflect the deceased’s favorite food, drink and other various items,” Munoz said. In addition to the altars, each group plans to host activities on the Brava Stage of the Student Union Building every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kimber Medellin, freshman chemistry major, said she is, “excited to see that the university has so many versatile groups and is open to broadening... ...
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The Twilight Zone is the new theme for the Interactive Learning Center’s (ILC) Zone Gallery. On Friday, Oct. 19 the ILC revealed the Twilight Zone Gallery where several students displayed various pieces of their art, all in light of the Halloween season. “There is art and then there is fine art,” senior Ray Ellis said. “Fine art is an intellectual look at what art can really do.” Ellis was one of the 15 artists to exhibit a piece at the commencement of The Zone Gallery. His sculpture is titled The Dealer. Kimberly Owens, event coordinator, is a senior visual arts major who works in The Zone. Owens said she believed with Halloween on its way, a Twilight Zone theme would be terrific for an art exhibit. “And where better to put it than the Zone?” Owens asked. She said she was inspired to do this because she grew up watching this classic show and has been catching it on Netflix as of late. Another figure at the event is senior... ...
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