It must be tough to be an aspiring singer/songwriter coming from a family full of famous folk singers—you have some pretty big footsteps to follow. But it has its perks, too, as Lucy Wainwright Roche would surely tell you. Finishing off her first year of touring, she opened Friday night for big brother Rufus Wainwright at the 9:30 club to a sold-out crowd, an opportunity not many people in her situation have. But Wainwright Roche, the half-sister of Rufus and Martha Wainwright and daughter of Loudon Wainwright III, was talented and charismatic onstage; her shortcut to what may become fame is certainly deserved. She sang with a strong, confident voice that can reach a remarkably wide range in songs that were charming if not yet complex.
After the enthusiastic reception of his sister, Rufus Wainwright declared that he had “quite an act to follow.” Yet if he actually digs himself as much as he pretends to—he sprinkled the night with comments like “I’m not so simple, but I am gorgeous” and joked that the Iraq War would not have started if he had made it to a pre-invasion protest rather than getting sick—the lack of confidence was a façade.
Wainwright played a fair amount of songs from his 2001 album Poses, such as “Beauty Mark”—about his mother, Kate McGarrigle—“Matinee Idol,” the title song, and “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk.” He repeatedly expressed his displeasure with the current administration, which he called “the reign of terror.” The sentiment was articulated in the lovely song “Going to a Town,” off his 2007 album Release the Stars. Wainwright switched between the piano and acoustic guitar; he is much more proficient at the former instrument, as he acknowledges, strumming at his worn Gibson with a loose hand and no pick.
Though Wainwright is remarkably talented, his unadorned performance rapidly became dull. This was Wainwright’s first solo show in a series meant to supplement his income, as he told the crowd at the beginning of his set. They hardly seemed to care, however. Friday night’s show seemed almost half-hearted on the part of Mr. Wainwright, though definitely not his sister. Fortunately, the audience seemed enthralled simply to be in the Wainwright’s presence, stripped-down though elegant performance notwithstanding.
—Ginia Sweeney, Guest Blogger. Photos by Sam Sweeney, Blog Editor
Headed to the cinema over break? Thinking about seeing the dreamy Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd while you’re there? Well, how about it? Joshua Speiser tries to help you out with a review over on the main site. Decide whether or not that’s how you’re going to spend $6-15, depending on where you go home to.
“Now, she’s going to prove, she’s more than just a pretty face.” Hey, is that the girl with the beret from High School Musical asking J. Simp to sign her face? Oh, how the mighty have…moved sideways?
Major Movie Star comes out in 2008 and stars Jessica Simpson and Olesya Rulin.
Whenever the staff discusses how much people want to know about what goes on behind the scenes at the paper, someone inevitably—and rightly—notes that no one cares about that kind of “inside baseball” info. But PBS has decided that some of its viewers must be interested in the backstory of a college paper and is airing “The Paper,” a documentary about Penn State’s Daily Collegian. From the short preview video, it seems to be a pretty accurate rendition of the day-to-day banality that only ends (for a little while) when we send the paper to the printers, down to the foul-mouthed martyr to the first amendment (doesn’t remind me of anyone) and the self-consciously serious debate over what makes it to the readers. It’s darkly humorous that the clip deals with gay bashing prompted by the Collegian’s decision to run a picture of gay couples engaged in some PDA—something both the Voice and the Hoya have dealt with right here at Georgetown. College papers everywhere face the same prejudices, apparently.
After an appropriate bereavement period for the late Chu’s Cafe, I decided to check out the new restaurant in the old Chu’s location, Tuscany Café. After waiting for half an hour for someone else’s food and having to haggle with the staff to get it switched — “No, miss, you ordered a veggie wrap” — my meatball sub was cold and the meatballs themselves were suspiciously stringy. Nothing could have measured up to an order of crispy beef with steamed dumplings, but Tuscany Café would have been a disappointment even without Chu’s legacy to live up to. If you’re looking for lunch or dinner on Prospect, stick to Booey’s or Bangkok.
Tuscany Café is located at 3261 Prospect Street. Their meatball sub costs $6.45 and is served with potato chips.
The last time Georgetown played Jacksonville University, they had to forfeit the game after an on-court punch provoked pandemonium in Jacksonville’s stands, forcing the teams into the locker rooms for protection. Thirty-eight years later, the Hoyas avenged the loss the old-fashioned way, with an 87-55 hosing of the visiting Dolphins, Anthony Francavilla reports. Next up: the Highlanders of Radford, in the “exam game” at our very own McDonough Arena, on December 15th at 7:30 p.m.
I’m all for reading material in the john, but the Dec. 5 issue of the Stall Seat Journal rubs me the wrong way. Far be it from me to criticize people selflessly performing a public service, and as much as I usually enjoy the SSJ, I’ve got some (hopefully) constructive criticism.
The “Here’s what Hoyas are Saying about the SSJ!!” box has got to go. It contains responses from a survey about the SSJ like “The most unique publication on campus,” “Entertainment while you pee” and “It’s splendid and perfect.” While the SSJ undeniably entertains me while I pee, the SSJ’s splendor and perfection should be allowed to speak for itself.
The SSJ can’t let go of their favorite statistic, that “97% of Hoyas, who choose to drink, eat a meal or snack beforehand.” The underlying implication here is that this is targeting the 3% of Hoyas who don’t eat before drinking. Don’t be a perfectionist, SSJ. Let that 3% learn for themselves—it’s called tough love.
The 3 copies of the SSJ in the bathroom across from my room were crookedly taped with a single vertical piece of masking tape that goes from top to bottom, right over the actual content. Come on, now.
On the plus side, in the suggestions for stress management, someone changed the second “t” in “Try Meditation” to a “c.” (Full disclosure—that someone was me.)
Not sure what to buy your parents this Christmas? For gifts that will both please and impress, check out the Voice’s Top 10 Movies and Albums of 2007. Britney fans, be forewarned: Blackout, despite its fitting title, didn’t make the cut.
Men’s basketball proves that 36 minutes of neck-and-neck play doesn’t mean much if you can’t hold out for the last four minutes, Tony Francavilla reports. Better luck next time, ‘Bama.
President DeGioia’s working groups are taking a dream initiative and making it a reality, with plans for an LGBTQ center opening in fall 2008 well on their way.
Two study days not enough for you? The Voice’s editorial board agrees.
Darfur may be slipping out of the public eye, but that doesn’t mean the atrocities or efforts of groups like STAND have abated. Tim Fernholz tells us what Georgetown’s Student Anti-Genocide Coalition is up to and what the U.S. and Georgetown can do to help.
Got a fever and the only prescription is some delicious Peruvian chicken? Sara Carothers has just the thing for you.
Ira Glass doesn’t have a monopoly on poignant, sometimes humorous vignettes. The Voice staff throws down the gauntlet with some holiday tales of their own.
Questions? Comments? Complaints? Just looking for someone who will listen? Hit up the Voice with any of your concerns. And happy holidays!
Georgetown managed to eek out a less than thrilling win over Fairfield, Tony Francavilla reports. Follow the link to find out how to contain Roy Hibbert, the color of the Hoyas’ new jerseys and why the Hoyas will be shooting thousands of free throws in the gym in the upcoming week.
Vox Populi is the staff blog of the Georgetown Voice, Georgetown University's preeminent newsmagazine since 1969. The opinions expressed in Vox Populi are those of their authors unless specifically stated.
The last time Georgetown played Jacksonville University, they had to forfeit the game after an on-court punch provoked pandemonium in Jacksonville’s stands, forcing the teams into the locker rooms for protection. Thirty-eight years later, the Hoyas avenged the loss the old-fashioned way, 
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