Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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Transylvania Students of ‘Sphynx’ Bring the House Down; Introduce New Project

Caroline Host
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Transylvania Students of ‘Sphynx’ Bring the House Down; Introduce New Project

The local band composed of Transylvania students, Sphynx, has done it once again, rocking the night away on Friday, October 6th at Girlsgirlsgirls Burritos. Performing alongside two other local rock bands, Violent Dawn and Topsoil, Sphynx ended the lively night with a thrilling rock discography. Composed of vocalist Zach Drury, lead guitarist Jacob Ranzau, bassist Jacob Young, guitarist Bruno Sieber, and drummer Noah Hamblin – all class of 2024 – Sphynx is a hard rock band with loads of talent, and several new projects underway, some of which were introduced that night. 

As a part of their setlist, Sphynx introduced their new single, ‘Phantoms,’ playing it for the first time. The single will be released on Halloween, on both Spotify and Apple Music. Jacob Ranzau expressed excitement about the new single, commenting “It sounds bigger than our usual stuff.” 

I further asked Jacob Ranzau how he felt about the new territory Sphynx is taking on. The band played a show last weekend in Bowling Green, and they have shows coming up out of state. Read on for an interview with Ranzau on the band’s trajectory:

Guitarist Bruno Sieber zoned in on the music

Caroline: Recently you all have been playing more shows outside of Lexington– how does it feel to be expanding the areas you play?

Jacob Ranzau: It feels pretty great to have the opportunity to play outside of Lexington and spread our music around. Not very many bands get the chance to do something like that, so it’s very exciting. 

Caroline: Which shows are coming up, and what are you most excited about?

Jacob Ranzau: Our next two shows are in Lexington, and we’re most excited for the Halloween show on October 29th at Girlsgirlsgirls Burritos. We’ve got some more out-of-town concerts planned after Christmas, so hopefully we’ll be able to keep the momentum going. 

Sphynx ended the night with their song ‘Atom Bomb,’ off of their recent 2023 album Whispers. While this hasn’t been their closing song their entire time as a band, it has recently been their favorite song to close with. They enjoyed the crowd’s energy as they asked them to sit on the floor, preparing for a mosh pit when the song began. Between the bruises I gained from the mosh pit and the blood on the drums from when Noah Hamblin played with so much fervor, it was a terrific night for the band. 

You can listen to Sphynx on Spotify and Apple Music, and find them on Instagram @sphynxstagram_official.

Artist Talk with Geraldine Ondrizek: “Art, Disbelief and Genetics”

Lyra Duffy
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Artist Talk with Geraldine Ondrizek: “Art, Disbelief and Genetics”

Transylvania’s Morlan Gallery recently featured an exhibition titled “Dis/Belief,” from September 12th through October 6th. The main theme of this display was “Skeptical realities and the power of interrogating assumptions.” Artist Geraldine Ondrizek chose to look closely into how science and skepticism collide within her art. The pieces in Morlan Gallery featured photographs on vellum where she displayed anthropologist Georg Geipel’s measurements for hand and fingerprints. 

During an artist talk on October 12th, Ondrizek highlighted that “Geipel’s measurements were able to identify inherited hand line similarities in identical twins based on embryology.” Within her talk, Ondrizek discussed her personal connection to the study of genetics, which is often integrated into her art, due to her mother and daughter dying of the same genetic anomaly. She brings a maternal light to her work and uses art as a means to ease into the intensity of her topics. 

Ondrizek also discussed how she has been politically active within her work, addressing topics such as the Patriot Act. Ondrizek also uses her creations to explore eugenics, a topic she described herself as always having an interest in due to her family being German and growing up with a Holocaust survivor. Ondrizek’s artwork was later featured in Eugenic Nation, a book by Alexandra Stern. Her piece “Chromosome 17” is shown on the cover of the book; it depicts chromosomes and DNA hand-embroidered on cloth panels. 

She also discussed how her marriage to her Palestinian husband continues to influence her artistic and personal life. She worked with refugees and embroidered the names of one hundred sixty-nine Arabic refugees to raise money for refugee children. One of Ondrizek’s main goals with her work is to avoid putting people in boxes, and for people to further understand the ethics of how we treat people. 

Ondrizek has worked with many scientists and case studies to produce her work; she says her motivation is to show people how genetics work. Scientists needed good graphic communication for their studies and Ondrizek has provided beautiful pieces of artwork to support science.

Scarefest Kills Its 15th Year in the Commonwealth

Maddey Stringfield
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Scarefest Kills Its 15th Year in the Commonwealth

Scarefest has made its haunting return to Lexington for the 15th year in a row. The weekend-long event is a convention that draws in every type of fan of the horror genre. It takes place in the Central Bank Center with the entire space filled with spooky vendors, local businesses, and celebrities who have become icons in the horror genre. 

This year’s headlining celebrities included David Arquette, who played the role of Dewey in the Scream franchise, Dylan McDermott, who starred in American Horror Story: Murder House, and even large parts of the casts from movies such as Friday the 13th and Jaws. Fans of these celebrities waited in incredibly long lines to receive autographs and even photo ops. 

While the stars bring in a huge crowd, most people spend the majority of their time (and money) browsing and shopping from the dozens of vendors at the event. Vendor James Powell, who is a Scarefest veteran taking part in the convention for all 15 years, provided insight into the world of convention sales. 

This year, James had four booths that all sold the same items, Funko Pops. Funko Pops are collectible figures that are made as cartoonish resemblances to whoever, or whatever, they are based on. If you are a fan of anyone or anything in the pop culture world, chances are there is a pop figure made of it, and vendor James Powell will have it. 

James showed off his top shelf figures, one of these figures being an incredibly rare one, the fabled Ghostface from Scream. It is one of the only figures based on the iconic 1990s slasher, making it extremely rare and much sought after. The miniature effigy held a ghoulish $400 price tag. It is interesting to see how members of a niche community, such as one that collects these rare figurines, are willing to pay such high prices to obtain their favorite piece of horror memorabilia at conventions such as Scarefest.

For Whom The Garden Toils

Grantland Phelps
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For Whom The Garden Toils

The Conservation Action Committee (CAC) has recently restarted the garden off Bourbon Avenue. The garden project began during the winter term of last school year, with students spending the day in the Shearer Art Building preparing soil for the seeds to be nurtured in and grown during the semester and summer months.

The CAC was created after a previous conservation committee disbanded. Thus, the Conservation Action Committee was created to be more active on campus, with this garden being a new goal for its members. The committee also hosted a Tree Week event last week and plans to go on many nature hikes throughout the school year. CAC is spearheaded by President Megan Studer, Vice President Morgan Hardigree, Treasurer Max Hankins, and Garden Keeper Sophia Del Val.

The goal for the garden, according to Del Val, is “to create a garden that grows thriving plants and allows for students to enjoy a place in nature.” Currently, the ground is being prepared for planting to be done in the winter semester, with members of the CAC participating in the process of tending the garden and trying to bring beauty and nature back to campus.

 The plan for the harvest is for the crops to be sold in local farmers’ markets, with profits going towards CAC’s budget for the garden and other projects. CAC is also planning on working with other student organizations to make use of the products and distribute them to the campus community.

If any reader is interested in helping CAC with the garden or other projects toward making the campus more environmentally friendly, you can contact Sophia Del Val (sdelval26@transy.edu) for more information.

Photo credit: Caroline Host (chhost27@transy.edu)

My Blade is Fury Premieres at Twelve Lions Film Festival; Interview with Director Jacob Forman.

Nate Brother
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My Blade is Fury Premieres at Twelve Lions Film Festival; Interview with Director Jacob Forman.

On October 1st, My Blade is Fury premiered at the Kentucky Theatre as part of the Regional Showcase of the Twelve Lions Film Festival. The short film, which portrays Terry McDaniel (Avery Logsdon) returning to his childhood home with a broadsword strapped to his back, was directed by Transylvania Senior Jacob Forman. I had the opportunity to sit down with Forman after the premiere to discuss the filmmaking process and the response to the film.

Filmmaking had been a part of Jacob Forman’s life many years before he ever officially released a film. “I’ve been making my own short films since I was little. I would film on VHS camcorders and I would have my Dad edit them on Windows Movie Maker,” said Forman. “I’ve been making films since I was a little kid and I would pick it back up intermittently, but I never really considered it as something I wanted to do with my life until maybe high school.” Before My Blade is Fury, Forman worked on music videos 

with artists such as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Joan Shelley, and Jackie Lynn. But in terms of films, Forman explained that nothing previously came close to the scale of My Blade is Fury. “Everything I have ever done before [Blade] has been self-funded with the budget of a bag of chips and completely for fun.” 

Forman described the moment that Avery Logsdon, who wrote and would eventually star in My Blade is Fury, first pitched the script for the film to him. “I had come to know Avery, but I wasn’t expecting a pitch for a film,” said Forman. “I knew he was someone who wrote a lot of scripts, and everyone would say ‘You should read Avery’s scripts, they’re great,’ but I had never gotten around to it. And I read [Blade], and though he said he tailored it to my sensibilities, I thought it was hilarious and I loved it.” Forman continued to praise Logsdon’s script as the strongest part of the film and gave it credit for the film’s success. Forman submitted the film to the Twelve Lions Film Festival on the advice of one of the cast members of the film, and Forman was very complimentary of the guidance of both people involved in the festival and those in the local filmmaking community through the submission process. 

Speaking on the response to My Blade is Fury that he had seen in the days after the premiere, Forman explained that he had seen, “nothing but very nice things, which I’m happy with. But to a certain extent, I do wish I got more people who I didn’t know telling me they didn’t like it.” Forman expressed gratitude towards his friends and other members of the Transylvania community who had attended the premiere and congratulated him on the film and its success, but expressed anxiety that he was in an echo chamber, especially considering the small Transylvania community. “I almost wonder what would it be like if I had the ability to show it to everybody, and I could get comments like ‘I hated that,’ because that helps keep you in check…So if you read this interview and you want to check out my work and tell me that you hate it or love it, any feedback is great at this point.” Forman hopes that the eventual digital release of My Blade is Fury will help provide some more varied feedback. 

Some of Jacob Forman’s previous work can be found both on his YouTube channel and his Vimeo channel.

Sweet Relief: Medical Fraternity Supports Children’s Miracle Network with Pie

Jack Thomas
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Sweet Relief: Medical Fraternity Supports Children’s Miracle Network with Pie

On the night of October 6th, students may have noticed a frenzy of pies flying around Back Circle. Professors and faculty seemed to have found themselves on the wrong side of a plate of whipped cream. What could have easily been mistaken as a cruel plot of sweet revenge was actually changing the lives of thousands of Kentucky children.

Ryan & Corinne were great sports after I paid to pie them!

That Friday evening, Transylvania’s chapter of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity hosted “Phi De Pie,” an event where community members could pay 5 dollars to pie a professor or faculty member of their choice– Dr. Bob, Dr. Jenkins, Corinne O’Bryan and more were all potential targets for a tart à la carte.

I sat down with senior student Lauren McGarvey, who helped lead the event. She shared that this was a continuation of what used to be the annual “pie-a-professor” event, however, Phi De hasn’t been able to host any large in-person event like this since the Covid-19 pandemic. They were thrilled by how many students stopped by to participate.

Dr. Bob, many pies later…

Of course, it wasn’t all about fun and games– for each pie thrown, the proceeds would go directly towards Kentucky Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Though part of a national organization, the money raised by Phi De would directly benefit children in our home state. It gave all the members of our medical fraternity great joy to be “serving people in our state,” says McGarvey.

A favorite target of the night seemed to be Dr. Bob, a professor of chemistry at Transy since 2007. Though not directly affiliated with Phi De, he considers himself a sort of “informal advisor,” as he teaches nearly all of its members. He was glad to see so many of his students out in Back Circle supporting a great cause. On the pie’s taste, he noted that “it’s good, sweet, and goes right up your nose.”

‘Miss Fine Arts’: Whatever Happened to MFA’s Furry Friend?

Cait Druck
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‘Miss Fine Arts’: Whatever Happened to MFA’s Furry Friend?

In winter 2021, Transy’s student body was united in its love for a small, furry creature: A black cat with a tipped ear and big green eyes appeared during early November in Alumni Plaza, but she was quite timid. Over a few weeks, students began to earn her trust as she spent more time around campus. She frequently spent time around Mitchell Fine Arts near the Rafskeller stairs and the covered walkway leading to the parking lot. Thus, she was christened Mister Fine Arts, soon to become Miss Fine Arts when students realized she was a female cat. By the time the first week of December came to an end, Miss Fine Arts had her own Instagram account to document photos of her escapades around Transy’s campus. Students were encouraged to take photos of her when they saw her and to send them in for the account to post. 

Posts were made from her account supporting the relief effort for the storms in Western Kentucky, as well as making jokes about her tipped ear, students being gone for winter break, and a red hose left in Alumni Plaza for a few days. Her account was quite popular with students. With over 500 followers, Transy students paid close attention to her presence and well-being during the winter months. Miss Fine Arts was brought food and students even built a shelter to keep her safe from inclement weather. 

When students left for winter break, her account posted collected photos for the holidays and encouraged students to get COVID-19 vaccine boosters. However, as students began to return to campus, the black feline was missing in action. Students voiced their concerns, and on January 20th, 2022, a post was made to ease their minds. The post was captioned with an explanation, telling students that she was okay and had been taken in over the winter. She had also been taken to the vet, where she was diagnosed with a few health problems that she was being treated for. Only one more post would be made to her Instagram before it went quiet. The account has received no posts since, and Miss Fine Arts slowly faded from most student’s minds.

Though she has not been seen, this does not mean she is not still loved by the Transy community, and it is my great joy to tell you that Miss Fine Arts is alive and well. She now lives in Gratz Park on the Market Street side. On nice days, you may find her laying on her front porch or even having a little cat nap. If you do see her, she may not let you touch her at first, but if you can get her to approach you, she might let you pet her back. Some of her fur has gone more brown and some strands have even turned white, but her unmistakable green eyes make her easy to identify. 

Just like during her time at Transy, once she begins to recognize you, you won’t be able to walk by without pausing to give her a few pets. I would advise against scratching the sides of her shoulders or the top of her head, as she is not fond of those spots. Nevertheless, she is still the lovable black cat we all grew to love a few short years ago.

The Man on the Corner: A Poet Who Writes for Free

Cait Druck
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The Man on the Corner: A Poet Who Writes for Free

Picture this: you’re walking through downtown Lexington on a lovely fall afternoon. As you stroll down Main Street, you spot a man seated behind a small folding table with a typewriter. As you approach, you read the sign taped to his table. “Poems 4 Free” is written in black ink on a piece of posterboard. 

Curtis Kaiser, 31, is a mechanical engineer in Lexington. A month and a half ago, he decided to take his 1961 typewriter out into the world to write for people. Why he does this, he isn’t quite sure himself, but he went for it. He began writing poetry because he found it to be simple, yet expressive. Despite only coming out to write in Lexington 5 times, he attracts people with ease. 

Passersby flock to his table, waiting for the small pieces of writing from Kaiser, who feels no pressure in his creations. “Nobody is like, poems, I hate poems,” he comments. He will write about any topic you want, from going out to platonic love and your pets. Kaiser writes mainly in groups of rhymed couplets, a set of two lines that may or may not rhyme, putting together 4 lines before reading his work out loud and adding more if asked. He is still learning about poetry but has written a single haiku as a challenge. In fact, the whole act of taking his typewriter out and writing for people is an exercise in his writing ability. “I chose to come out and write for people because it’s a challenge and a way to be creative,” states Kaiser.

His poems are entirely in his own voice and writing style. When asked if there are any poets who inspire him, he responded that he doesn’t read poetry. If another piece of literature that he is reading features poems, he will read those, but he doesn’t seek out other poets’ work. He does this to maintain his voice in his work, rather than write something that emulates another writer. 

His work was always intended to be free, never for purchase. He will refuse payment for his work unless you are quite insistent on tipping him. “I accept tips after I’ve refused three times, sort of like a reverse genie,” he laughed. 

You’ll find Curtis Kaiser on the corner of Main and Upper Streets twice a month, just listen for the clack and ding of a typewriter. Read more about him here through WEKU’s Arts and Culture News.

Dr. Maurice Manning & “The Grinnin’ Possum”

Lyra Duffy
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Dr. Maurice Manning & “The Grinnin’ Possum”

“The Grinnin’ Possum” is a podcast created by Transylvania English professor Maurice Manning. Manning is from Danville, Kentucky, and he claims that his ancestors were some of the earliest settlers of Southeast Kentucky. For that reason, Manning feels he has a deep bond with Kentucky, and he claims that through his podcast, he has broadened his sense of the state. He has a passion for history and seeking the truth, and he integrates that history into his poetry, which serves as the centerpiece of the podcast. Although each poem in each episode is full of history, they also have a silly side, with Manning describing his poems as “humorous, farcical, and outlandish.”

The podcast also focuses on Kentucky folk music, with the main theme of the show having been performed and composed by Manning himself. The locations where the episodes are recorded are also used as instruments. Manning described how he wanted to record his episodes in various settings and to use the sounds of those spaces as an instrument along with his poems. He wanted to give the audience an interactive experience of poetry, something more than just reading the sentences. The podcast visits sites across the state, from the Red River Gorge to the Rock Hill Plantation in Paducah, and Manning integrates the sounds and history of these places into his poetry and music. Manning stated how he’s always wanted to bring art and geography together in this way, but that he couldn’t have done it without his podcast editor Steve Cody. Both Manning and Cody appreciated what the other brought to the table for the podcast to come to life, with Cody working with microphones and sound equipment to make sure they got the best sound from each recording location. Manning described the podcast as his first creative activity that was a truly collaborative effort and said he couldn’t have done it alone.

Perverse Parking in Little Lexington

Owen Schmidt
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Perverse Parking in Little Lexington

A line of shiny, metallic vehicles stretches in lockstep along Bourbon Street under the buzzing of lamplit insects. A vehicular graveyard where make, model and license plate chisel the inscriptions on their automobile tombstones. Elsewhere on the gray-black pavement and white-lined lot, motorist cubicles organize the dormant cars of students with the means of rent for their automobiles, signified by their circular insignia.

Amidst Transylvania University admitting nearly 300 first-year students this Fall, campus space–and not just parking–has become increasingly stretched. In an interview with FOX56, Transylvania Director of Housing and Residence Life Keith Jones II, reported “more than 600 students” as living on campus this year, adding that, “right now we expect to be at about maximum capacity.” This, naturally, impacts the stress on the Transylvania Student Life team but also affects the number of parking spaces available to the entire campus community.

Cafeteria workers, staff, students, university guests, parents, and others visiting campus all struggle to find parking under the current implementation of the parking pass system. One anonymous student attempted to park in the Bourbon Street lot but was blocked by a student physically standing in the space to reserve for themselves. Another anonymous student questioned what value the additional $100 added to the parking pass; no parking was added, no parking lots changed restrictions, and the problem of finding parking remains a perennial concern on campus.

The tempting answer to the issue of parking may be to ‘just build more parking.’ Some members of the administration have contemplated turning the green space next to the triplex housing building on the corner of W. Fifth and Bourbon. If students with cars cannot find spots, the theory purports, then add more parking spots to accommodate those vehicles. This, however, is not the solution.

According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), “building additional parking without managing the existing supply can induce driving and increase the demand for even more parking.” This increased demand for parking arises from the perceived availability and normalcy of automobile usage on campus. Additionally, according to academic research, parking lots contribute to environmental challenges by using massive quantities of energy, polluting rainwater drainage to natural water systems, and reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere thereby intensifying the urban heat island effect. In effect, building more parking spaces harms both the environment and frustrates automobile users.

According to a DPS officer and Dean of Students, Michael Covert, Transylvania plans to use the green space next to the Bourbon Street lot for additional housing. This new development is projected to undergo construction many years in the future and will house ‘independent living’ with apartment-esque suites. The new extension of housing will, naturally, require more parking spaces for students planning on living ‘independently.’ This plan of development, without regard to the thought of parking, proliferates availability and thus allows a greater volume of car parking acceptance at Transylvania.

Some students, such as Alice Beatty, a member of the Conservation Action Committee (CAC) take the approach that, whatever happens, it should be to the effect of lessening car dependency on campus. In fact, incentives for more environmental transportation are readily available on campus, with the student handbook stating that “students are encouraged to bring a bike with them to campus as a model of sustainable transportation,” because, “bicycle permits are free.” Additionally, Transylvania DPS offers transportation to and from certain locations–also free of charge.

One DPS officer even offered the solution that, “There is plenty of parking available.” The Mitchell Fine Arts Center, Campbell, and Kenton lots often have open spots for students to park. The issue, from his point of view, seemed to be that students have parking but choose to not use the spaces which require crossing N. Broadway. To students’ credit, crossing N. Broadway can be a risk with the volume of traffic.

Moving forward, perhaps a renewed interest in the Transylvania Sustainability Initiative is required. A part of sustainable growth for Transylvania means addressing the automobile-centered campus, planning for a sustainable future, and addressing the environmental impact of Transylvania right now. A system of assigned parking to fully use spaces that go unused could be implemented. Maybe a system similar to other universities, such as Auburn and Vanderbilt, that do not allow first-year students to park on campus. Even a revision to the tiered parking system–one which reserves closer spaces for cafeteria and maintenance workers–could also be entertained. Whichever solution is the choice of the university, however, a change to the current system is needed.

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Welcome to The Rambler! We’ve been Transylvania University’s only student-run newspaper since 1915, “breaking the bubble” between our small campus and the Lexington community. We aim to create a place for students to be creative and have a voice, hoping to be an outlet for the passions and opinions of the Transy student body. We’re always excited to hear new ideas, so send us a message if you have suggestions, opinions, or want to write an article yourself; there is always room on our staff for new writers and creatives! Thanks for reading The Rambler :) Print’s not dead!

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