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Month: October 2012

Reinvention of the 1920s gentleman

Written by Alice Tofts on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

It’s not just women’s fashion which has noted a distinguished shift back in time to the decade of opulence and sophistication. Although slightly less impressive than the sequin and tasselled flapper dress that has made its recent revival on the catwalk, male trends have nevertheless incorporated significant features reminiscent of the golden age of the 1920s.

The sophistication of the 1920s has been revived in particular through male suiting. Popular shows such as Boardwalk Empire and the remake of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby have stimulated an appreciation for the sharp and classic style. Valentino and Hackett have included in this season’s collection, double breasted jackets, tweed jackets and waistcoats to be worn under suits. Using the 1920s focus on clean cut silhouettes, designers such as Burberry and Jasper Conran have reinvented the double breasted jacket by introducing leather, fur and more daring colours to the traditional style.

The London Olympics created a surge of sportswear on the Spring/Summer 12/13 catwalks and in high street shops. However, the sportswear trend is now developing to coincide with a 20s twist. Tailored trousers, as modelled by Topshop Unique and V-neck jumpers are examples of this trend. Based upon the emerging less formal attire of the affluent middle class in the 1920s this reinvention of the sportswear trend creates an all-American feel.

Key traits of 20s style are most visible in this season’s accessories. Fringed brogues, hats and walking canes bear strong resemblance to the formal attire of an early twentieth century gentleman. Fedora hats such as the woollen trilby and bowler, which are essential for recreating the motor car era look, are part of Paul Smith’s collection, whilst Burberry has brought up a line of flat-peak caps. Also making an increased appearance on the high street are tasselled loafers. Available in affordable stores such as Topman and ASOS they can be worn casually or with a suit and are a simple way to evoke the effortless charm and sophistication of the 1920s.

Circus Skills

Written by Kate Bullivant on . Posted in Societies.

Circus Skills is a testimony to the large variety of societies on offer at the University of Manchester. Curious at this unconventional past time, I went along to their weekly meeting to find out what Circus Skills actually is. Upon arriving, there was one person riding a unicycle, a group of people learning the diabolo, another group juggling and a few people staggering around with poles balanced on their chin. It was an unusual sight, yet everyone was so welcoming and after a few minutes I found myself  having a go at the ‘Rola Bola’ ( essentially balancing on a board) to the entertainment of onlookers!

I met Adrian Blackburn, this year’s Chair, who explained the diversity of members at the society: “While we do get some very talented new members, most people who join have little to no experience. This doesn’t matter in the slightest – everyone has to start somewhere!” This means associates learn from one another, so it’s a fantastic way to pick up new skills. The session runs for two hours, and the social advantage was obvious; between juggling and spinning plates, groups of people sat down to chat before having a go at one of the many other activities.

However, don’t be misled into thinking they are a group of hobbyists who sit around for two hours, as Adrian told me Circus Skills is teaming up with Student Action to run a workshop for children with learning difficulties. “It’ll likely involve teaching them some basic skills in juggling, plate spinning and a few other things. You don’t have to be particularly talented to do a workshop – as long as you know some basics it’s fine.”

Although Circus Skills is a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people, there is far more to it. “Many of the skills we do, such as unicycling or hula hooping, are great forms of exercise, and juggling is a brilliant way of improving hand-eye coordination. Not only that, but showing that you have interests and commitments outside of what is necessary is never a bad thing, and in this competitive world where most people’s CVs are identical, simply having a unique skill and niche pastime like ours might be what gets you  ahead of the other guy.”

Next time you are in University and have an hour to kill between lectures, why not try Circus Skills? Meet new people, learn new skills, and put something eye catching on your CV.

From Russia with Love

Written by Elizabeth Harper on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

This year sees the staggering 50th anniversary of James Bond and the release of the 23rd film in the 007 franchise, Skyfall. More often than not, Bond films are sites reserved for gadgets, vodka martinis (shaken not stirred), dastardly villains and the inevitability of Bond getting into the knickers of one or more gorgeous girl who looks predictably fabulous in a bikini. As a result of perpetuated Cold War enmities, the former Soviet Union has been an ideal location for Ian Fleming and Bond’s script writers to give us fictional villains and dramatic contestations over oil and diamonds.

Now that we have reached the twenty first century, with the hope that most tensions and Bond-stereotypes can be put aside (despite the recent controversy surrounding the Syria crisis and Pussy Riot), it’s only right for us to acknowledge Russia’s contemporary cultural and artistic importance. After all this is the country that being in the grip of historical and political turbulence has produced literary and artistic giants: Leo Tolstoy, Alexander Pushkin, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Peter Carl Fabergé to name a few. There is no better place to start acknowledging Russia’s increasing relevance than in the emerging Russian fashion industry.

The Spring/Summer collections for 2012 at Moscow Fashion Week will be showing from the 18th-22nd of October. Whilst men have dominated the Russian art, music and literature scenes in times gone by, it is incredibly refreshing to see in the list of designers confirmed at Moscow that the number of women exhibiting outweighs the number of men. Not many of these Russian names are instantly recognisable; in fact the only people I could pick out were Louise Gray, Marios Schwab and Giles Deacon, all well-established Brits who have decided to present their work to the Russian market this month. However, I am un-phased by this lack of familiarity. With exciting and exotic brand names like ‘Olga Kiss’, ‘VIVA VOX’ and ‘Chistovaendourova’, who knows what we’ll be treated to?

As it turns out, Moscow is a burning example of style existing and thriving beyond New York, Paris, London and Milan. Deacon says: “We sell well in the whole of Eastern Europe, there are some really sophisticated ladies there.” Having a flick through the designers’ look books and show montages from fashion weeks past, you can see the kind of woman Moscow attracts. The collections are a celebration of femininity, that are simple but not to the bare extent of minimalism. Designers like Liudumila Norsoyan and Bessarion rely on gentle layering that is elegant and not too heavy handed but, I’m sure, practical enough for the freezing cold temperatures that Russians are accustomed to.

Photo: Avdeev Max (flickr)

Surprising perhaps, is the consistent use of more traditional make up by nearly all of the designers: lips and eyes are accentuated, combined with glossy hair and sophisticated up-dos. There is something almost old-school and classic in the beauty choices for women, and it instantly makes the shows more accessible and less of a challenge to take from the catwalk to everyday life. The shows are, dare I say, less self- indulgent than the big four, they are not trying to prove an artistic point. They truly know how to make a woman look good.

What is also great about Moscow fashion week is that it is a melting pot which consists not only of relatively unknown Russian talent. Eastern European designers hailing from Poland and former Soviet states Belarus and Georgia also come to the city to show their work. Moscow is important for the countries neighbouring it because as a nearby G20 capital, its markets have an increasingly global potential that can never be undervalued.  Other nationalities include Farah Khan from Malaysia and Sitka Semesch from Peru who both produce gorgeous collections on the catwalk that do not get nearly enough exposure outside of Russia. All of these designers have delightfully beautiful work to exhibit, with the same aesthetic at their core: with simplicity and elegance comes a great amount of appeal and desirability.

Moscow is inclusive of a range of talent from all over the world. This transnational feel to the whole occasion is exciting, and gives the city a youthful vibe. Somehow, Moscow has more to offer than the big four: it is less set in its ways, less predictable, less old fashioned.

 

Guild Wars 2 – Review

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Games.

The new challenger on the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) market arrived with a lot to live up to. With Guild Wars 2’s refreshing take on the genre it managed to gain a large following quite quickly.

A new threat has emerged in the world of Tyria: elder dragons and the undead, along with: bandits, rogue factions and even natural disasters. You are a hero of one of five races: Human, Charr (Feline people), Norn (large Nords), Asura (Short elves) and the Sylvari (plant people) that have to banded together to survive.

Compared to World of Warcraft this game has a few interesting takes on the genre, most significant of them all are the dynamic events that occur at random in the game. These events can not only have consequences to the game world, but also have chain events that unfold as the game progresses, and by providing fresh content throughout and after levelling, Guild Wars 2 fully immerses players and provides an ever changing experience.

The new spell mechanics with 5 utility spells of choice and 5 weapon spells allows for interesting gameplay with frequent weapon changes and tactics in combat. The limited, longer cool down spells means more thought has to go into the choice of spells for different situations compared to the large list of spells that the clutter of MMORPGs out there often provide. Bringing dodging and self-healing to PVP creates a more engaging experience.

There are a few shortcomings, notably the lack of endgame player versus environment content and server troubles, but this isn’t surprising for a new MMORPG.

The question is: with fresh mechanics, dynamic events, fulfilling PVP, impressive graphics and a beautiful score by the genius Jeremy Soule, will this game survive long enough? I hope so.

Fable: The Journey

Written by Jack Crutcher on . Posted in Games.

For fans of the Fable franchise so far, Fable: The Journey may prove to be an unwelcome distraction from the timeline they have come to love over the past eight years.

This latest instalment does not continue along the lines of the Ancient Archon bloodline dealt with during the previous three games and instead introduces us to an Albion devoid of an obvious hero. The unlikely Hero-in-waiting turns out to be a clumsy tribesman named Gabriel, who gets lost and happens to stumble across Theresa. As with Theresa other familiar characters from the past games are also common fixtures, including Balverines, Hobbes and Hollowmen. Though fans will be pleased to see these much loved characters of Albion remain in the game, this is where the similarities (perhaps unfortunately) end.

Fable: The Journey is produced for Kinect and is set to disappoint the large number of gamers yet to use this device. The game itself may yet prove to be the saviour of Kinect (if Kinect isn’t the downfall of the franchise first). Simple hand movements will produce satisfying results and using your hands interchangeably will produce either focused attacks (right hand) or attacks over a large area (left hand). The game has lost most of its melee elements however, choosing to focus on magic attacks and the occasional hand-to-hand combat. Though quirky elements have been introduced, such as being able to pick apples from trees and heal your horse. Much of the free roam element is lost as the game nurses you through the storyline, moving from place-to-place as quests are completed, although an Arcade mode lets you re-visit explored areas.

For fans of Fable this game may disappoint, visually and emotionally the game should feel like Fable, but many of the unique elements of the RPG franchise will be lost with the introduction of Kinect.

Manchester Leadership Programme

Written by CharlieBoorman on . Posted in Societies.

The Manchester Leadership Programme, or MLP, provides students with an insight into the qualities and expertise needed to be a leader. The course is weighted at either 10 credits (a purely lecture based or online module) or 20 credits (a lecture based module with volunteer work in the second semester).

The lectures focus around the practical and theoretical aspects of leadership with the MLP drawing high profile speakers from academia, business, sport and the public sector; past speakers include former CEO of Tesco Sir Terry Leahy, Dame Ellen MacArthur, while this year’s speakers comprise of the CEO of a charity, the Head of HR of Unilever, and the mastermind behind the massively successful Olympic games volunteering scheme. Those who have undertaken the programme have found these lectures both invaluable and diverse: ‘it was good to hear the real life experiences of the leaders especially when they were from different backgrounds.’

However, do not be fooled into thinking that the programme is solely centred on leadership: it offers far more than that. The full 20 credit programme actively encourages students to carry out charity work in the local community. Past projects include designing a mural for a school, creating a sensory book for adults with severe learning difficulties, and raising money to decorate and furnish a bedroom for a child with muscular disability. The programme does organise a great deal of charity work for participants, but partakers may do this themselves as long as the work is carried out for a charity or non-profit organisation.

Naturally, the voluntary work is extremely rewarding, and in many ways the MLP can be a life-changing, transformational experience. A former student Lucy Nightingale was so motivated by the programme that in 2010 she founded SL Volunteers based in Sri Lanka: an affordable volunteering opportunity that strives to make positive impacts on communities. Lucy states that the MLP was a great driving force behind this decision, ‘it offered me the confidence to lead people and take risks. It provided me with practical experience and knowledge which I still continue to use at SL Volunteers.’

With today’s saturated job market, the MLP gives students a unique selling point on their CV – as former alumni Rachel Boyce, who found a job within a month of graduation, will attest. ‘My volunteering enabled me to develop a range of skills including communication, leadership, public speaking, budgeting and time management’ – the list goes on!

The MLP is considered so significant by certain schools in the university – for instance the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences – that it is a compulsory part of many degree programmes; however, as long as you have free choice units, the MLP is available to you.

For more information visit: http://www.mlp.manchester.ac.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

The Rise and Fall of The Old Republic

Written by Jonathan Edwards on . Posted in Games.

The MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game to give it its full title) market is very big. In fact, 35 million of us log on regularly in Europe alone, generating a staggering amount of income for the publishers. The enviable position of top dog in this digital world is Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, or WoW, which has 10.2 million players, each paying around $13.99 (£8.66) a month, coming to a monthly total income in the region of £88 Million.

It is then not surprising to learn that other publishers want to get in on what is a hugely profitable market. Many games start with the ambition of charging their players a monthly fee to play, but not very long after launching realise that not many people want to play their game that much, leaving them having to let players access the game for free and trying to entice them into buying cheap trinkets for their avatar as a way of generating income. Whist there is nothing wrong with this system of micro-transactions, it returns only a fraction of the money of a subscription system, and leaves the developers still gazing longingly at the WoWs of this world.

Enter EA/Bioware’s Star Wars: The Old Republic, the latest attempt to tap this enormous market. It first started back in 2005 in a new Bioware studio in Texas and after 6 years and a rumoured $200 Million in development costs, the most expensive videogame ever made The Old Republic launched in December 2011.

It was huge, breaking the records for the fastest growing MMORPG ever, amassing a hefty 1.7 Million players in short order. It was critically praised; well received by players and the phrase “WoW-Killer” was whispered all over the Internet. It seemed destined to keep growing and become one of the world’s leading MMOs. But then the winds changed. The player numbers started to fall with increasing speed, more and more people abandoned the Old Republic, and as if to round off the failure, Bioware has recently announced that large portions of the game will become free-to-play. Next came the questions, was The Old Republic going to go down? Was it because the controls were too complicated? Too much like WoW? Was it the well publicised balancing issue in some of the PvP (Player vs. Player) combat areas?

The answer, in the opinion of this amateur, is no. No, the game will not fail, and for none of those reasons. The reason behind the exodus from The Old Republic is a combination of the long development time and a misunderstanding of the market. In 2005, all of the top MMORPGs on the market were subscription based WoW being the prime example, micro-transactions was virtually unheard of. It was a safe assumption that one could launch a MMORPG in 2005 with monthly subscriptions and if the quality was high enough, succeed. It was, I think, on this line of thought that the project was started, “lets make the largest, most quality driven MMORPG ever, and better yet lets put Bioware on the case”. The problem is that over the 6 years the game was developed, the market changed, but their attitudes didn’t. Nowadays, the subscription-based games are shrinking; with the big games only still there because they have such a huge base of players, whom many are very passionate about their games and wont give them up easily.

But can you imagine World of Warcraft launching today? Without the history the game has, the subscription would be dismal. That doesn’t mean the game will fail – the fact the price structure is wrong does not mean the game is bad, the game is very good, but they could not get away with charging what they tried to in today’s market.

In the end, I think The Old Republic will succeed, and turn a good profit, but it will also serve as an interesting example of how quality is not the only thing that is needed in a successful MMO.

Preview: ‘On the Road’

Written by Joshua Brown on . Posted in Film.

The much-anticipated On the Road is nearly upon us, and despite the excitement that surrounds Walter Salles’ new film there is also a touch of apprehension. This apprehension is understandable when you consider the difficulties in extracting the brilliance of a novel and adapting it for the big screen. This responsibility largely lies with the director, Walter Salles, who has been given the task of translating one of the finest pieces of twentieth century literature. Jack Kerouac’s awe inspiring novel, which is largely based on his own experiences when he took to the road in 1947, helped not only define an era but give an identity to a lost generation. The ‘beat generation’, for those that don’t know, were a group of writers in the 50s that stood against conventional society, instead favouring freedom in sexuality, drugs and modern jazz (a hard concept for most of you to fathom I’m sure).

It is a tale of struggling young writer Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) who’s father has recently passed away and, in the attempt to rid himself of writers block, takes to the road with his newly acquired friend and idol Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund). It is a journey lacking in ideology and morality; instead it is one in search of inspiration, sex and music. The relationship between these two men is at the heart of the story full of extreme highs and extreme lows. Dean Moriarty is the most enigmatic and complex character in Kerouac’s novel, and such an iconic literary figure would pose a great challenge for any actor. Garett Hedlund, however, has been praised for his performance in a film that has been pulled up by some earlier reviewers for lacking direction and for having a feel of self-congratulation. These characteristics could not be further from the truth of Salles’ previous films, such as the Motorcycle Diaries, so it is intriuging to find if these reviewers are right.

This is still a film to keep a sharp eye out for. The trailer teases you in by showing beautiful cinematography of the American landscape mixed with scenes of adventure, resounding in pieces of Kerouac’s phenomenal writing. I highly doubt that the film will match the heights achieved by Kerouac’s novel, but matching those heights is asking the impossible and not a reason to boycott what should be a highly entertaining and exciting film.

Hitchcock biopic set to leave us “Spellbound”

Written by Sophie James on . Posted in Film.

What’s black, white and red all over? The iconic image of one of the world’s greatest and most influential directors, Alfred Hitchcock.

Anyone who has been to the BFI, London this summer, or even been on the web, can’t have missed the image of Alfred Hitchcock fly-posted all over sunny South Bank. The BFI’s summer showcase unveiled restorations of his silent films and announced Vertigo to be Sight & Sound magazine’s greatest film of all time, celebrating that Hitchcock’s films are not only some of the most analyzed and influential in the history of film-making, but simply some of the best.

And last week a new image of the master of suspense graced our Google-searches. At first glance, it’s nothing unusual. Hitchcock stands, with his penguin-like posture, in black and white, suit and tie, fingers interlocked, looking down at us mere mortals in front of a bold, blood-red backdrop. Look again. That isn’t Alfred Hitchcock, but Anthony Hopkins – and that’s not a tie, it’s a knife!

This poster was released last week announcing the upcoming biopic Hitchcock, which will premiere at the opening of the AFI Fest on 1st November 2012. Based on the book “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho”, Hitchcock documents the not so smooth journey through the making of perhaps Hitchcock’s most memorable movie: Psycho. As well as academy award winner Anthony Hopkins, the film also stars Helen Mirren as wife and collaborator Anna Reville, and follows their relationship through the film-making process. Not just stopping there, the film’s star-studded cast goes onto feature Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and Toni Collette.

The question is, how will the film fare amidst the current biopic boom? We’ve definitely been spoilt for choice recently, from figures as diverse as Meryl Streep’s Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady to Joy Division’s Ian Curtis in Anton Corbijn’s Control. What’s more, this trend sees no signs of stopping – with production underway for Mercury, the much-anticipated film with Sacha Baron Cohen depicting Freddie Mercury’s rise to stardom; and last week’s announcement that Natalie Portman will star as Jackie Kennedy Onnassis in the future biopic Jackie.

So could Hitchcock suffer by comparison? Fear not. Everything about Hitchcock screeches major success louder than the iconic motif from the Psycho soundtrack. With an academy-award winning cast and a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin (Black Swan), this film is sure to drown out the competition. What better way to put cinema centre-stage, than to focus on one of the biggest, most influential directors the film industry has ever seen?

Alfred Hitchcock himself said: “A lot of movies are about life, mine are like a slice of cake” and with such a killer combination of cast, crew and subject matter, I think it’s fair to say that this particular movie is set to let us have the whole cake and eat it.

Top 5: Cross-dressing Films

Written by Flora Anderson on . Posted in Film.

5.  She’s the Man

Yes, it may be an unadulterated guilty pleasure, but this take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night features Amanda Bynes at her finest. In a bid to impress her ex-boyfriend she wins a place on the “soccer” team as her “brother” and uses a tampon for a nosebleed along the way.

4. Mulan

Disney’s Chinese heroine takes on the whole Hun army, all whilst dressed as a man. Despite earning the respect of the whole barracks as a soldier, her happy ending, in true Disney style, inevitably arrives when she finds love as a woman, with a really fit guy.

3. Shakespeare in Love

Women couldn’t act on the stage in Shakespeare’s day, leading to Gwyneth Paltrow dressing up as a man dressing up to play a girl and then falling in love with young Willy!  Piling up awards for British film, it also led to Paltrow’s slightly awkward Oscar meltdown.

2. Mrs. Doubtfire

A family classic, Robin Williams’ hilarious performance is still poignantly impassioned for father’s rights. Full of quotable lines (“oooh! it was a drive-by fruiting!”) this film warms the cockles like no other. The prosthetics alone keep this film high up the list.

1.   Some Like It Hot

Two witnesses to a mafia murder, Daphne and Josephine are two men on the run. Bumping into an alcoholic but sexy Marilyn Monroe on the way, they go undercover in an all-female band. This old style comedy is still as “fresh!” and is to be watched for the last line alone

‘Death Watch’

Written by Faye Broadbent on . Posted in Film.

First there was Death Watch. Then, there was Big Brother.

The Cornerhouse has done it again, re-releasing a cult classic which has mysteriously been lost amongst the giants of the cinematic cult scene. Bertrand Tavernier’s Death Watch (1980) is a hybrid of sci-fi noir which has been digitally restored and brought to our local screens. Based on David. G. Crompton’s novel The Unsleeping Eye (1973), Tavernier tells the twisted story of a reality-TV programme. This programme documents the deterioration of terminally ill Katherine (Romy Schneider) by Roddy (Harvey Keitel) through literally having cameras implanted in his eyes.

It seems on first glance that we may have seen this one before. From a sceptical perspective, Death Watch on the surface could be easily viewed as a sinister and ‘eerie’ twist on The Truman Show (1998).  So much so that it does beg the question of whether we are now, in a way, desensitised to this theme of constant surveillance. However, Tavernier’s warped take on the novel is certainly not another poor excuse for a film, as to merely watch the demise of a character. There is no doubt that this cult movie will certainly be reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984 and, to an extent, the concept of the television series Big Brother.

However, give this a chance and be sure to witness an intense performance from Keitel. Tavernier’s gritty take on the novel, shot on the streets of Glasgow, will be beautifully gripping. This hidden, prescient gem should not go under the radar, as it is certainly worth a watch on the screen.

Student 101: the truth about club promoters

Written by Zara Zubeidi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Fallowfield, city centre, Deansgate Locks and The Northern Quarter: it’s not surprising that it’s almost impossible not to bump into a club promoter around campus. But at what point do these people who are, let’s not forget, technically getting paid to deliver a service, become a nuisance?

I know several people that have juggled promotional work with their degree, including my housemate. On countless occasions I have waved her off on a bus towards Fallowfield in the freezing cold to deliver tickets to pre-drinking students and for what, £1 per ticket sale?

I suppose promoting does have the potential to make you profit if you’re lucky on the night, but ultimately, it doesn’t guarantee you an income, and furthermore, is a pretty annoying thing to have to do when you have a final year essay due in the following day.

If you take a look at your newsfeed on Facebook you’ll see another reason as to why many people find promoters annoying. Duplicate messages, private emails and wall posts: promoters will use every opportunity possible to get you to attend their night, often resulting in their audience pressing that fantastic little button titled ‘hide’.

And then comes the issue of bitchiness. Many promoters appear to have an underlying sense of superiority that only hinders their success at selling. Yes, their social network may be slightly bigger than yours (pretty obvious when you’re adding five hundred random Facebook friends who you’ve never met) but real friends are often lost through being mistaken for clients, as one promoter has warned. The things people will do for money and power, eh?

The truth is is that promoters don’t sell the night: its reputation does. Throw in a celebrity appearance and you’re sorted. Only last week I witnessed a promo failure as a result of what I believe was a lack of both branding and incentives. They had the music, free shots and flyers but it wasn’t enough. Manchester is saturated with student club nights and you truly need something unheard of if you fancy setting up your own.

Love or loathe them, you can’t escape promoters at university. Just make sure that you aren’t fooled into thinking that you’re really going to get that £150 bottle of vodka on arrival and a chance to party with Kanye because it probably won’t happen.

Blind Date: Ash and Yasmin

Written by Zara Zubeidi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Yasmin, 21, Mathematics

First impressions?

A confident charmer from the word go.

What did you have to eat?

A falafel burger and chips.

What did you guys talk about?

We spoke about our favourite nights out in Manchester and the type of girls he usually goes for.

If they were an alcoholic beverage which one would they be and why?

A mojito, because he studies languages!

Were there any awkward silences?

No, the conversation ran smoothly and we got on really well!

Rating?

8/10

Finally, hug, kiss or something more?

A hug for now but there’s room for more…

 

 

Ash, 21, Spanish & Portuguese 

First impressions?

She had a lovely smile and was really friendly. A little flirtatious too!

What did you have to eat?

Chicken breast, rice and salad.

What did you guys talk about?

Everything. I just wanted to understand more about who she was.

If they were an alcoholic beverage which one would they be and why?

A glass of expensive wine…classy and sophisticated.

Were there any awkward silences?

There weren’t any silences, just banter!

Rating?

8/10

Finally, hug, kiss or something more?

A kiss on the cheek and she held my hand on the way out…result!

 

Ash and Yasmin ate at The Deaf Institute, Grosvenor Street, Manchester. Thanks to the guys down at Grosvenor Street for getting involved. To check out their menu, gig listings and have a look at what club nights are coming up visit their website www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk

To sign up for blind date please e-mail your name, year of study and course to [email protected] with ‘blind date’ as the subject

Spicy rice and sausage

Written by Emily Clark on . Posted in Food & Drink.

(Adapted from Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course)

This recipe normally uses spiced sausages, like Italian chilli, but it’s perfectly acceptable to use ordinary sausages.  Smoked paprika has a barbecuey flavour that makes this recipe so delicious. The alcohol doesn’t have to be posh; I once used a glass of Strongbow instead of white wine, and it still tasted good!

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

Olive oil, for frying

1 red onion, sliced

1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely sliced

A pack of sausages

1 heaped tsp smoked paprika

200g long grain rice

½ glass white wine (red wine or cider would do)

500ml chicken stock

4 spring onions

1 tomato

Flat leaf parsley (or any other fresh herb)

 

Method:

Add a glug of oil to a heavy-based casserole dish or deep saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft but not coloured. Add the pepper and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Slit the sausage skins and crumble the sausage meat into the pan, then cook over a medium heat for 4–5 minutes until coloured. Add the paprika and mix. Season to taste.

Add the rice and stir well to mix thoroughly and absorb the flavour. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the white wine and scraping any bits stuck to the bottom. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 15–20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid almost entirely absorbed.

Remove from the heat, gently fold in the spring onions, tomato and parsley and serve.

Year abroad: Gran Canaria

Written by Zara Zubeidi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Holly Turberfield, student at The University of Manchester studying Spanish and Portuguese, has just returned from her year abroad. She takes us through her journey from university student to Gran Canarian language assistant through the Comenius teaching scheme.

How did you feel on the day you left for Gran Canaria?

I felt so overwhelmed, from wanting to cry because I was that scared about living in another country, to feeling excited walking past the beach front bars playing Latino music.

Describe a typical day in the school you were teaching.

A typical day would involve around four hours work where I would take half the class into my own classroom. I had full control. My class focused on their oral ability, so I had to plan my own topics to encourage them to speak. Sometimes it was embarrassing because the younger ones would not understand, or it would just make me cringe to hear them speaking amongst themselves in Spanish about me (some good, some bad!)

Did you learn anything new?

I learnt so much, from building my confidence by having to stand in front of a foreign class, to taking up hobbies like surfing. It’s a totally different lifestyle. Most importantly, I learnt how to cook, which has had the biggest affect on my lifestyle. From living with people from all around the world, I’ve learnt that buying a packet meal from Sainsburys is not the way forward!

What was the highlight of your time abroad?

Making friends from all around the world and learning about different cultures. I’ve since visited friends in Germany and Italy who I met on my year abroad and we will be friends for a lifetime.

Did you notice a big difference between the student culture of Gran Canaria to that of the UK?

The nightlife was totally reversed. Compared to going out in England around 10pm until 3am and then getting cheesy chips at the kebab shop, I would be going out around 2am until 8am and getting black coffee and croissants on the beach afterwards.

I could rock up to a club in jeans and flats and have the best night- something I definitely preferred in comparison to the usual fake hair, eyelashes, boobs and fake tan here in Manchester!

How did you feel about returning to Manchester?

I felt prepared with regards to my language skills and confident that I wanted to finish my degree. My experience in Gran Canaria was so beneficial that I’m planning to further my language next year by completing a Masters out there.

60 seconds with…Kelby McNally

Written by Zara Zubeidi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Tell us about your role at Closer and what it involves.

My role at Closer is the Acting Associate Editor for Closer Online. We are a small team of just two and so I work very closely with the editor to decide what makes it on to the site (and what doesn’t!)

Writing news, style, diet, health and real life stories is part of our every day routine, but we also head out on interviews and events on a weekly basis to try and secure exclusive content for Closeronline.co.uk.

Working on the diets also means that we get to work with real life women that have lost weight with us, motivating them to keep it up and letting them show off their amazing results in both the magazine and online.

Social networking is a big part of our role here too – making sure our Facebook and Twitter followers are kept up to date with the goings on!

What’s the best thing about your job?

Interviews and events are great perks to my job – I get to meet a lot of interesting people and go to events that I wouldn’t have even dreamed existed before my role here. We’re very lucky in that respect.

And the worst?

There isn’t much I don’t like about my job to be honest, but if I was to pick the worst thing, it would be that there just aren’t enough hours in the day! Keeping a website up to date daily is a tough job and so there isn’t a day that goes by that we’re not rushed off of our feet.

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to enter the magazine industry?

Experience, experience, experience! When starting off in the industry it’s all about getting the relevant experience and meeting the right people. Do as many work placements as you can and be nice to everyone! Make tea, sit in the fashion cupboard, photocopy a million magazine spreads – you might find it tedious at the time, but do it with conviction and a smile on your face and we’ll remember you! Your hard work will pay off in the end.

Visit closeronline.co.uk

It’s my party, and I’ll play Shaggy if I want to

Written by Tom Ingham on . Posted in Music.

A person’s music collection is a very personal thing; a whole source of feelings, emotions and special memories. However, there comes a time when these cherished songs are thrust into the spotlight and put to public trial. At one time or another, whether it’s with flatmates or at a dinner party, someone is required to provide music to fill those awkward pockets of empty conversation. The question is, are we brave enough to step forward and be that provider with the knowledge that we’re housing the greatest hits of a certain Shania Twain!

For most people a guilty pleasure is something terribly unfashionable and cheesy (take any power ballad), or it’s a song choice you wouldn’t associate with a certain person i.e. a plasterer who happens to enjoy a bit of Donna Summers after work. So by those guidelines, I should never take my iPod to a social situation again. But I do, and I do so with pride.

Doing a quick shuffle on my iPod, the first five artists are; Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, The Libertines, Barry White and Jane’s Addiction. In just four turns, the sexual walrus that is Barry White has been brought to attention. As a mild mannered, 19 year old, white mancunian this may seem a bit odd – even silly. But I say to you that there is nothing wrong with toe tapping to ‘Let The Music Play’ on the bus, this is one pleasure that I have no guilt in admitting. So what I say to you good people is embrace all music, don’t tell people it’s your mum’s Ultravox CD, be proud of all your tastes. I admit, Bazza isn’t the best, but if you happen to run into a Barry-aficionado of the opposite sex in a bar you’re quids in! You say guilty pleasure, I say well-rounded.

The Manchester Weekender 2012: the definitive guide

Written by Harriet Hill-Payne on . Posted in Arts.

Thursday 11th October

Thursday Lates with Kirsty Almeida at Manchester Art Gallery

The opening event of the Manchester weekender promises to be a night to remember as singer-songwriter Kirsty Almeida brings some jazz and soul to Manchester Art Gallery. Taking its’ cue from The First Cut, the paper-themed exhibition currently running at the gallery, wander through a forest of paper trees to Almeida, who will serenade you in a one-off, unmissable performance.

Friday 12th October

Songs of the Caged Bird at People’s History Museum

In collaboration with the Royal Northern, composer-pianist George King brings a new jazz song-cycle, performed by Doreen Edwards, to the People’s History Museum. With multiple ticketing options, the experience can be as simple as  listening to the music, or can be coupled with a walking tour of Manchester, exploring the city’s relationship with the civil rights movement. Though the best tickets are admittedly pricey, this investigation into the Manchester’s past marries human stories, an architectural tour and some extraordinary vocals – surely worth the expense.

Brief Encounter Film Night at 1830 Warehouse

This particular love story has endured for a reason, and for one night only you can catch it screened in MOSI’s 1830 Warehouse, the first railway warehouse – surely the perfect setting. Follow up with a ’40s themed night at Gorilla, and dance the night away to some age-old classics, played on wind-up gramophones.

Saturday 13th October

David Shrigley: Show & Tell at Cornerhouse

Though initial  (free) tickets are sold out, there will be a rerelease so you will still have the chance to catch David Shrigley discussing his new major exhibition at Cornerhouse. The talk will not take a traditional format, but promises to be an inventive exploration of his work and working methods, offering some insight into the mind of one of the most popular artists working today.

Up Then Brave Women at the Black Lion

It was not just the unions who campaigned for social change – women drastically changed the way in which England was run, with the fight for the right to vote. Come and find out more of Manchester’s role in this defining movement of history and the debt we owe to the socialists, trade-unionists and women who campaigned so hard for something we now take for granted.

 

Sunday 14th October

Manchester Poetry at the Royal Exchange

Let Manchester Guided Tours tell you the stories of the buildings you normally wouldn’t look twice at, in a poetical guided city tour designed to communicate the wealth of history that can be found in Manchester’s every-day architecture.

The Flaneurs’ Guide to the Northern Quarter

Choose one from four walking tours, devised by the Northern Quarter Stories team, and stroll the streets of the NQ learning as you go. If you fancy listening to some musings on the ‘Tribes of the NQ,’ or ‘NQ for Sale,’ this is the walk for you – and you even get some cake thrown it. Get down to the NQ for a sherry-fuelled saunter that shouldn’t be missed.

 

All weekend:

Hockney to Hogarth: A Rake’s Progress at the Whitworth

Drawing on Hogarth’s 18th-century images of London, David Hockney’s set of 16 etchings take their inspiration from his first trip to New York in 1961. Come and wonder at how much, and perhaps more interestingly at how little, we have changed.

 

Increasing gap between rich and poor universities, study reveals

Written by David Burch on . Posted in News.

New figures show there is a wide and increasing gap between the finances of UK universities.

In 2010-11, gross income per full-time equivalent student income per student ranged from over £65,000 at Cambridge to just £7,050 at Edge Hill University, with the national average being under £15,000. A funding inequality that is greater than the gap between private and state schools.

Liverpool Hope University’s Roger Brown, who published these findings, believes this inequality is only set to increase as the government cuts off funding to research that is not deemed “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” by the ‘Research Assessment Exercise’ (RAE).

This could mean universities that don’t place a greater emphasis on research risk losing vital funds increasing the gap between the richest and poorest. Brown has also revealed university wealth is highly concentrated, with the research-led Russell Group’s 24 members, including the University of Manchester, owning 52% of the sector’s assets.

The amount spent per student also varies widely. Oxford spent an average of over £11,000 per student in 2009/10, Cambridge £8,600, with the national average being just £3,400.

The University of Manchester fairs well with regard to spending per student, having recently been ranked 8.23 out of 10 by the Guardian’s 2013 University guide – the 8th best figure in the country. Salford University ranks at 3.99, slightly higher than Manchester Metropolitan University’s score of 3 (the 9th lowest of 119 universities they measured).

However, this figure does not show how much of that money is being spent on research rather than, for example, undergraduate teaching.

Brown worries that as university fees treble this year, students don’t know whether their money is being spent on providing a “genuinely excellent education” or to just plug the shortfall in the research budget because of the government’s cutbacks in education spending (as the Chair of University College London has admitted considering – an action the president of the National Union of Students described as “intolerable”).

“Universities are sold on status rather than educational effectiveness”, so in order to create a fairer system Brown recommends universities provide evidence of how staff research benefits student learning – something which universities are currently not required to do.

Azealia Banks

Written by Lydia Paver on . Posted in Music.

Miss Banks bounces onto the aqua-lit Academy stage on the highly anticipated opening night of her Fantasea tour. Sporting a light-up Swarovski crystal bralet, the relative newcom

er started with ‘Out of Space’, which unsurprisingly, few audience members were familiar with. Despite initial microphone issues, the 21 year old managed to well and truly energise the diverse crowd of young teens, student ravers and middle aged house/hip-hop lovers.

Leaving DJ Cozmo to improvise and the audience in a state of perplexity, she then fled the stage. To our relief, Azealia reappeared to perform ‘Fierce’ with support artist Zebra Katz. With lyrics that run at 100mph, the Harlem rapper delivers line after line with unique precision; it really was amazing to witness her cut-throat lyrical style firsthand.

Miss Banks leaves the stage for the third time, forcing us to endure a performance by one of her backing dancers, ‘Bambi’.  The dance act did very little in providing entertainment, as it diverged drastically from the energy-pumped performances that defined the Fantasea set. The Caribbean-influenced ‘Jumanji’ signalled her re-entrance, followed by a performance of the popular hit ‘L8R’.

The crowd went wild for her performances of ‘1991’ and ‘Luxury’, but perhaps the best reception from the crowd came during “The Azealia Banks Anthem”- ‘Liquorice’.  ‘Esta Noche’ resulted in an alcohol induced rendition of the sampled chorus to ‘Get It On… Tonite’, from the 90’s R&B classic by Montell Jordan. The well-known ‘212’ provided the finale, with the sold out venue throwing cups, removing shirts and screaming “I guess that cunt getting eaten” in unison before bursting out of the venue, desperate for the cold mancunian air.