Steppin' OWT on the Town

The Soundclash : New Orleans' Premier Beat Battle, Artist Showcase, & Networking Event

-Maison Musique, Feb. 20 9pm $5

Jay-Z Blueprint 3 Tour feat. Young Jeezy & Trey Songz

-New Orleans Arena, Feb. 25 8pm

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

- Mahalia Jackson Theater, Feb.26-27 8pm

Uniquity "Embrace what makes you unique" (local R&B performers)

-Belli Baci Lounge, Feb 27 11pm $5

Visions of Excellence (Art)

-Louisiana State Museum, Through March 3

Spotlight on XU Talent

The Feeling You Get on a Boat in the Middle of Nowhere-Wayne Borders

No land in sight

I’m surprised to know

I’ve made it this far without

Going completely mad or dying.

My mind may be intact,

But my soul is empty.

I have only enough food for stomach.

I felt like dying days ago.

That feeling remains, but

I somehow have made it

For days upon many days

The worse part about my trip from

Beginning, across Nowhere, to End

is the loneliness.

I remain alone.

Sun, blazing upon me bringing dizziness,

I beg you to take my life

as I’ve for days.

I won’t die; it’s as if there is hope.

I was His – Raya Llorens

I Dreamed I was his

And he wanted me.

I dreamed of strong hands

On bare shoulders ,

Skin of oil and dove.

I dreamed of envious eyes

Staring with hatred,

Myself conceited with security.

I was his

And he wanted me.

I dreamed of pink roses,

Of sky tall sunflowers

Laid at my feet

I dreamed of delicate whispers

Of truth and complexity

of meaningful eyes

That yearned only for me

I dreamed I was his

And he wanted me.

Kodak Moments in the Life of an XU Student

Xavierite Anthony Griffith, a senior Chemistry major, has the ability to see things that others cannot. A long –time supporter of the art of Photography, he began his own career about six to eight months ago; going from simply taking pictures to creatively using factors such as lighting and angles to uniquely capture moments. Anthony believes photographs are very important in our lives because they allow us to vividly relive moments and experiences in life that otherwise would have been lost. Also, photographs force us to slow down in life and actually analyze and appreciate the things we often take for granted. For these reasons Griffith takes his camera everywhere (even to class) to make certain that if he catches a moment, he is able to capture it. Anthony advises that you do not need an expensive camera to pursue your interest in photography, but most importantly one must have a passion for art; the camera simply enhances what one already sees. Having an eye for photography is truly a gift; one is able to experience our world in ways that not everyone can, able to see, value, and capture even the simplest things in life.

Steppin' in the Name of MLK

Xavier University of Louisiana celebrates many holidays that are around to express a cause. One important holiday that Xavier University celebrates is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year many events were held to commemorate this holiday but the most memorable was the talent showcase held at Dillard University. The showcase involved a step in which Telycia Peters, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated participated in. Telycia felt as though the unity step was important for the purpose of MLK Day. She said “the unity step was important because it demonstrated to a small population that the animosity that people perceive Greek Organizations to have between each other could be put aside for greater cause. Even though this is a small step, this further proves a point that African Americans of different shades and denominations could put their animosity aside to continue to make Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream a reality.”

Trailblazing Diva

Winnie Mandela

Considered by many as the “Mother of the Nation” of South Africa, Winnie Mandela has lived an extraordinary life. The second wife of Nelson Mandela, she played an integral role in the Antiapartheid Movement. Committing her time and effort to the needs of her community, she became South Africa’s first black professional social welfare worker. Along with her triumphant welfare endeavors, she endured many cruelties, such as unjust imprisonment, banishment and rampant harassment. But through all of these harsh realities, she was able to push forward and bring liberty to hundreds of thousands of South Africans.

Image taken from http://www.finalcall.com/artman/uploads/winnie-m-mandela03-2006-2b.jpg

Poet's Corner: Maya Marie Bass

Open Doors

When I was two, I escaped

the prison of my crib

to the Beloit mall parking lot

just beyond my backyard.

I pulled on my Barbie robe and

put on bunny slippers for a

journey to the fresh air that

teased me through the screen door.

My mother has no idea how I got out;

only that she left her child sleeping and

then a police officer knocked on

her door with her smiling baby.

We used to laugh about it, but

Amber Alerts have taken away the

humor and the days when we

beat back the summer heat

by propping our back doors open.

DIVA Tunes: Lena Horne

Lena Horne, who is a notable singer and actress, was born June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. In 1963 she became a Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Like many African American women in the arts during the early years of her career, she fought what seemed like a never ending battle. She was refused rooms at hotels where she was performing and she was invited to parties only when she was asked to provide entertainment. Lena Horne was a trooper throughout her entire career, which didn’t end until the year 2000. With all of the odds against her, she fought back and eventually reached the pinnacle of her profession. In 1940, she became the first African American to tour with an all white band, which she considers to be the beginning of her success as a singer. Lena Horne has been featured in numerous musicals and films, including her role as Glinda the Good Witch, in The Wiz. She also received a Tony Award for distinguished achievement in the theater for her one-woman Broadway hit Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which opened in 1981.

image take from: http://stylehighclub.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/lenahorne.jpg