On March 26 the Spirit Bar in Nelson was packed full of lovin’ hip-hop fans, who anxiously awaited the arrival of the group “Zion I:” a well-known hip-hop group from Oakland, California.

The night started off with three local DJ’s: DJ Ben Fox, SES and Ben Fresh. They got the crowd pumpin’ while Zion I’s crew were relaxing in the VIP.

Zion I consists of three members: DJ Amplive, Zumbi (who is the rap artist), and Holiday (vocalist).

My friend and I were even lucky enough to meet Zion I and get invited to sit with them in the VIP! Holiday asked us to join them, and once we started talking we got to know that they were super nice people, who love what they do.

Their music focuses on more serious and spiritual subject matter. This group has been together for over ten years now, and has produced numerous CD’s. DJ Amplive is known to have remixed for everyone from Linkin Park to MGMT.

Songs to download first are: “Hit ‘em,” “I love the way she moves,” and “Don’t loose your head.”

For all of those who missed this sick performance, I hope you catch ‘em next time!

Peace.

On March 5, a colourful array of music could be heard filling the ears of many excited students at the Velvet Underground’s live lounge in Nelson, BC. This was the second annual Selkirk College Student’s Union “Battle of the Arts” event. It was a night filled with rockin’ music, live art and a sparkling display of a variety of student visual art.

The night started out with the bands doing their thing, and then a little live art got thrown into the mix.

There were seven groups performing and many people joined in on the live art. The crowd was just going wild for these bands! And the live art was amazing too; watching two to three people at once paint with mad fingers and brushes, given their 20-minute time slot.

The winner of the live art, Sarah Orton, walked away with a $60 gift certificate for Frisco’s restaurant. And the band “Prank Hot,” winner of the Battle of the Bands received a grand prize of $500!

But that’s not all! There was also the display of vivid paintings, sick jewelry, metal creations, and more. Students voted for their favourite exhibit, and Talia Maisonneuve walked away with her grand prize of $200!

Overall, the event was extremely successful and many students showed up to see their fellow peers perform in this ample event.

Thank you to all who participated and came out to the event! Until next year…

I can see textures, shades of grey, shadows, and crisp refreshing edges.
Sometimes I can see smiles, laughs, and cries of anger;
and virtually anything imaginable.
But my favourite visions are those of people themselves.

“Snap.”

This light’s too dull; it doesn’t show the grains of this person’s skin.
It doesn’t show what their really thinking.
It doesn’t show what is beneath their skin.

“Snap.”

That’s better.
I always capture people’s true essences.
This is when their hidden colours really shine through.
This hard edge will always unveil their masked faces.

“Snap.”

Exposed.

Recently the “Vision of Peace Youth Choir” made a performance trip to Vancouver Island. Vision of Peace is a Russian choir involving students ranging from Grade 8 to college. After finally raising enough money thanks to the support of family, friends and sponsors, the Choir had an opportunity to perform with the Victoria Choir and make a CD. The Vision of Peace singers arrived in Victoria on March 20 where the rest of the weekend was to be filled with long practices, activities and the concert performance/CD recording with the Victoria choir.

After arriving Friday night, the Choir had a joint practice with the Victoria Choir. The next morning there was a tour of the Royal BC museum followed by a walk along the harbour. If you have never been to this museum before you are crazy! I highly recommend it; it’s just blooming with Canadian history. We then visited the Victoria ‘Royal London Wax Museum,’ this too was so amazing. The figures looked so real, I could even see veins in their arms. After our busy morning, it was time for another joint practice and than off to perform and record the CD.

Later that evening, a concert called “United in Song” was held at St.Aiden’s church. There was a full house with approximately 400 people attending this performance. After hours of practice since the beginning of the school year, we were hoping it would pay off. And it did, as we received a standing ovation and tore down the house. The Choir is anxiously awaiting the release of our CD, and would like to thank all our supporters.

On Sunday morning the Choir went to the “Interfaith Chapel” of UVIC for our molenya (a prayer service) with the Victoria group. After molenya we returned back to St.Aiden’s church for a Russian dinner held by the Victoria choir. Following dinner and another brief practice, we invited the Victoria Choir to come with us the massive “Crystal Pool.”

The next morning we visited the Victoria Parliament buildings where we were given a tour of the BC Legislature where we were introduced to Katrine Conroy and several other members of parliament. Soon after our tour, we left Victoria to catch our ferry and begin our twelve hour journey back to Castlegar.

This trip was an amazing experience, and the Vision of Peace Youth Choir wishes to thank all our supporters, choir members, choir leaders, family and friends. We are so grateful; we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you so much for letting us spread our music of peace!

2. “I Put on for My City” by: Young Jeezy

3. “Heartless” by: Kanye West

4. “Break Ya Neck” by: Busta Rhymes

5. “Radio Edit” by: Sweatshop Union

6. “Lollipop (remix)” by: Lil Wayne

7. “I’m so paid” by: Akon ft. Lil Wayne

8. “Cookie Jar” by: Gym Class Heroes

9. “Lean like a Cholo” by: Down Aka Kilo

10. “Sugar Cane” by: Joey Stylez ft. Big

Music of any genre can be defined in an infinite number of ways. It can be said to be the process of “arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre.” (www.answers.com) But of course everyone has their view.

For those who don’t know what rap is all about, let me tell you… Rap (in the “Urban dictionary”) is seen as: “A form of music in which a person swiftly rhymes poetry, over a beat. A subgenre of Pop music. Rap is mostly influenced by Hip-hop.” Rap started in the early 70’s in various ghettos of the U.S. The name “rap” derived from people saying “that’s a rap!” at the end of a DJ’s performance. Also rap is generally seen as poetry using rhymes and beats, sometimes with acapella. It is usually stereotyped by using the language slang of “sex, drugs, and violence”. This is not always true, but every artist does have his/her expression in everyway. For example, the word “cholo,” in song number nine is Spanish for Mexican-American Gangster. Whereas maybe previously when listening to this word, people did not know the meaning.

Overall, rap is a very stereotyped genre in music, and is not highly liked. I ask you to give it a chance! Many people judge rap on its stereotype, but now that you know how it was created, it’s really not that bad, so try it out! I strongly suggest these songs for the lovers of our rap and hip-hop icons. Try and give ’em a listen.

http://www.answers.com/topic/musichttp://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=4&term=+rap

The dinner will be held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on:

Saturday February 14, from 5:00-7:00pm

The cost will be $10.00 per person

**Tickets must be bought in advance, please contact Melia at 250-304-8942

Our choir consists of a variety of students ranging from Grade Eight to college level . Right now we have about 30 committed choir members who wish to go on this trip to Victoria. We have been invited to record a CD as we have reached a great calibre of singing with our present choir. As well, the Victoria choir has invited us to perform with them.

We work hard practicing each and every Sunday for hours, as well as other times throughout the year, so that we can put on as many performances as possible. The Vision of Peace Youth Choir sings mostly in the Russian language, as we are a Russian choir, although some songs we learn are in English.

We are looking forward to this amazing opportunity to spread our voices in Victoria. We need all the help we can get in order to raise enough money for our choir to go on this trip! So everyone please come out and enjoy a great spaghetti dinner with your valentine! And while enjoying your dinner, you can think “wow, I am helping their dream come true!”

Happy Valentines Day! xoxo

By: Melia Campos