Sparkling sequins, bright colors light up Fashion Week runway

By: Amanda Batchelor / Staff Writer It was all about the bright colors and crazy sequins at this year’s Miami Fashion Week. Soho Studios in downtown Miami was packed from Monday to this past Sunday as fashion designers, buyers, models and the press came out from all around the world. The runway shows officially began March 19. The events of the week consisted of an opening cocktail reception, in which the press introduced designers from the Dominican Republic, a business seminar, a trends and retail seminar and additional cocktail receptions. “My favorite part was seeing the event come all together in the end. My bosses, co-workers and I have been working on this event for…

Album quality, talent defines success in hyped hip-hop world

By: Jonathan Ramos / Moment of Clarity I get into arguments with people all the time about music, and while at times it can be interesting, sometimes it can be perturbing. Hip-hop is so subjective that even the most farcical statement is made regularly. I have heard dudes recently say things like, “Big L is not that good,” or “Jay-Z is overrated.” And the list goes on, because it is inevitable that people make the most ridiculous opinions and stick by them. All of those statements are tolerable to an extent, because at some point you just don’t argue with people when they won’t listen. People have favorite rappers and opinions that I accept and…

The Decemberists dish out first concept album

By: Chris Towers / Pop & Circumstance Well, Colin Meloy finally did what he’s been threatening to do for four albums. On their latest album, The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists have put it all together musically and thematically for their first true “concept album.” Through The Decemberists’ first four albums, Meloy’s overly verbose and prog-inspired folk songs conjured images of Jethro Tull and Tommy, especially on 2006’s The Crane Wife’s two epic song suites. Meloy has always had a knack for telling stories, and the band behind him has really turned into an impressive rock outfit that knows how to follow these stories and change their mood and atmosphere. While The Crane Wife seemed…

Electronic music festival draws eclectic, global crowd

By: Chris Necuze / Editor In Chief With beats that could be heard miles away and crowds of people so vast that they appear to be a sea of heads, the Ultra Music Festival invaded Miami and brought every fan of electronic dance music out of hiding for two days of hardcore partying. The festival, now in its 11th year, drew both a local and international crowd; its organizers are calling it the most successful Ultra ever. Nearly 70,000 followers of trance made the yearly pilgrimage to downtown Miami’s Bicentennial Park, which serves as the genre’s Mecca throughout the Winter Music Conference, a week-long electronic music event held in the city. The flagship closing event,…

Greeks aid Special Olympics

By: Amanda Batchelor / Greek Life Just a couple of weeks after some of the men of the Interfraternity Council participated in a track and field event for the Special Olympics, they helped out again at the Miami Area Special Games Competition, where they were accompanied by members of the Multicultural Greek Council and Panhellenic Council. About 31 Greeks participated in the event, where they helped coach the soccer players, took on water-boy responsibilities and refereed tennis games. “Greek attendance for the second Special Olympics event more than doubled from the first event, and the Special Olympics staff members knew we were Greeks from FIU without even having to ask. IFC President Mario Medina got…

Filmmakers expose child slavery in Uganda

By: Meena Rupani / Contributing Writer In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers journeyed to Africa and began their fight to save children from being abducted and used as child soldiers in Uganda. As a result, they created the documentary, “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” aiming to bring awareness and opening the eyes of people all around the world. Today, the Invisible Children Organization is present in cities nationwide and has recently started a chapter at FIU. Dorian Santos, president of the Invisible Children chapter at the University, developed the chapter along with the assistance of her sorority in the Fall of 2007. Santos’ main goal is to spread the word about the organization and…