A colorful celebration
By Yirssi Bergman
News Editor

The second African Heritage Celebration took place Nov. 2 at the Raider Grille, drawing people of all backgrounds and places.

Majier Chol, president of the African Student Organization, addressed the crowd explaining how in Africa they have all colors: green, yellow, red, white, and black. That was a good representation of the place and the diversity of the people attending the event.

The Grille was full of people. There were numerous African students from countries like Liberia, Burundi, and Kenya. There were also white, black and Hispanic students and staff.

This came particularly alive in the dance floor, where students and staff of all races joined
in dance to traditional African music.

African culture and diversity was celebrated in many forms, from Ethiopian and American food, to the celebration of African dance and song, where students from different African countries showcased the beauty of African dance.

“We tried to have everybody in the organization perform to represent the differences,” Christie Rwakyiga, a member of the student organization, said.

The poem “Africa” was read by Mamu Barry and Alicia Toure.

Barry is in her second year at the AFSO and likes how students come together to have a social time. She said “next year we would like to have more diversity, in
he organization, and in the event.”

Both Barry and Rwakviga believe there were more people in this year’s celebration than in lasts year’s.

“It was good, but next year we have to make it better,“ Rwakviga said.

Lisa Decamp isn’t a student, but came to support some participants.

“It’s nice to see so many people come to learn about the culture,” Decamp said.

Martin Wichar is the vice-president of the African Student Union. The Sudanese student came to the States in 2000 and is majoring in social work. “That’s what we are here for, to teach people about our culture,” Wichar said.

Real life in disguise
Opinion by Sandra Sabrin
Collegiate Staff Writer

A twisted comedy of suspicions and illusions surprisingly turns out to be actual life.
“Private Eyes,” written by Steve Dietz, is a play within a play within a play.

The main idea is the consequences of having an affair. Lisa, played by Jana Veldheer, is
trying out for a play that is directed by Matthew, played by Joshua Bir.

The play does a complete turn and Adrian, played by Travis Lark, runs down the isle and
yells, “Stop, Stop. Take 5!” It turns out that Lisa and Matthew are just in a play and are actually
married. Veldheer , Bir, and Lark had a great connection on stage. Their presence
feels like real life.

This happens a few times before Frank, played by Kristine Gilbert, steps on stage and asks
Matthew, “Is that what really happened?” Frank is Matthew’s psychologist and is trying to
help him overcome his suspicions about his wife and director having an affair.

Veldheer is a great actress. Her ability to change her feelings for both of the main men
seemed like it was really happening.

Each day Matthew comes up with a new lie that he did to confront the two in their forbidden
love affair. Such as; he starts smoking and getting a tattoo. When he tells Frank that he
poisoned Lisa and Adrian and then ran away with the cocktail server at the local café it was
really dynamic.

The cocktail server, Cory, played by Brittany Risner, is actually Adrian’s wife in disguise,
but I didn’t realize the connection right away.

By the end of the play, a private eye steps on stage entering the café. She is searching for
Adrian. The private eye introduces herself to Matthew as Cory. I then realized that she was
the cocktail sever in disguise. Matthew explains his problems to her. Cory tells him that
she can make it all end, she knows exactly what to do.

Adrian meets Lisa and Matthew at the café so they can explain what they have been doing
behind Matthew’s back. Secretly, Matthew knows that Cory has a plan. She comes on stage
and by Adrian’s reaction the audience knows that Cory is his wife.

“I’ve been looking all over for you, honey,” she says pulling out a gun. She points
it at Adrian. She puts the gun at her side, turns around, and starts walking way. Quickly,
she turns and shoots Adrian.

Frank then steps on stage to talk about what will happen to them down the road, but before she can finish Matthew walks down the isle and yells, “Stop!”

Now the audience realizes the play within the play is really written by Matthew.
Matthew’s play is about his struggles going through his wife’s betrayal.

Tom Kaechele did a great job directing“Private Eyes.” The twist and turns it takes
could have been confusing, but Kaechele made it understandable for the audience.

300,000 twinkling lights
by Nicole Hoffman
Collegiate Staff Writer

Fredrik Meijer Garden will be lighting up the 300,000 Christmas lights Nov. 20.
Each year the Garden showcases Christmas and customs from all around the world.

This year 41 different customs are being showcased. Some examples include: Africa, Finland, France, Italy, Russia, and The United States along with many others. Specific customs include poinsettias, the bird tree and Eid Ul-Fitr.

The Garden Holiday Express G-Scale railway featured last year will be back. The G-Scale is “a small scale train display that showcases historical downtown Grand Rapids buildings,” said Rick Jensen from Fredrik Meijer Garden.

A tree will feature antique Victorian ornaments that have been donated over the years by local collectors.“They help decorate the tree each year and usually have new additions to add each year as well,” Jensen said.

The lighting ceremony of the 25 foot tree will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 pm. The evening will also include the Embellish Hand Bell Ensemble, The Original Dickens Carolers, a chance for kids to visit with Santa, and horse drawn carriage rides. “The tree lighting ceremony will
probably attract anywhere from 200 to 500 visitors. It’s our kick off to the exhibition and a great event,” Jensen said.

It will start events that will run from Nov. 20 through January 6. The events that will take place on the 20th will also be available every Tuesday as well as dinner specials at the Taste of Gardens Café. Saturdays provide an opportunity to see live reindeer.

Bashing Pumpkins
Opinion by Ashley VanderLoon
Collegiate Staff Writer

I am repulsed by the new sound of The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as the new style of lead singer Billy Corgan.

Music has always been a large influence in my life, especially The Smashing Pumpkins.

Their music greatly influenced me in a number of ways and I have always considered myself a faithful fan. I am musically open-minded. I enjoy melod-ic influences like the jazzy dynamics of Miles Davis, the old school punk rock sounds of The Ramones, or the way Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of Bush, has enough talent to dismiss negative perceptions towards blatant alternative rock.

After hearing the 12 tracks on The Smashing Pumpkins album “Zeitgeist,” released in July, I thought it was a failed attempt to copy what defines true rock today. I heard depressing rhythm, random chords, and repetitive noise unable to resemble the standard theme of The Smashing Pumpkins, which was imagination. The new lyrics Corgan wrote evoke traditional American views, instead of what once was focused on dreams and the make-believe.

Until now, Corgan was never labeled an idealistic songwriter. I was honestly expecting their comeback to be less horrific. Corgan could have at least come up with a new band name, instead of infringing a negative sound on the legacy of The Smashing Pumpkins.The original members of the band have long ago departed. Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin are the only two original members left. Before “Zeitgeist” took the scene after a seven-year break,

The Smashing Pumpkins have had many honor-able albums that show talent, passion, and cunning poetic verse. A few of my old favorites were: “Gish,” “Siamese Dream,” and the double disk “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.”Their first official album, “Gish,” was produced in 1990, and was named after silent movie heroine, Lillian Gish. The song “Rhinoceros” is one of my personal favorites on the album. The song contains heavy guitar chords and a strong psychedelic calling.

After listening, I can’t help but scream the fanatical chorus over and over again. “She knows, she knows,” the song speaks to me.The album “Siamese Dream” arrived

in 1993, made an amazing im-pression to dreamers like myself, and established a peak in their career. The concluding song on the album titled “Luna” proved to me that maybe ever-lasting love does exist.

“I’ll hear your song, if you want me to. I’ll sing along. It’s a chance I have to take, and break. I packed full of endless musical freedom to become obsessed with. Freedom, expression, and a carefree mentality seemed to be a large part of the 70’s era and they proved that to be true.

“Shakedown 1979, cool kids never had the time, on a live wire right up the street, you and I should meet,” Corgan voiced.

I will be a Smashing Pumpkins fan for the rest of my life, even though Corgan has lost his freethinking ambition.

I will continue to listen to their greatest hits that made the Billboard charts, and the musical genius they brought to the world through their distinctive sounds.

If Corgan ever reads this, I would give him some words of wisdom. Keep singing, Billy. Just don’t lose yourself during your journey.

Speak Out! Have something to say? Sound off to The Collegiate at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com for your tips or views on the current news, sports, arts & entertainment and opinion.