Ah, spring break. As the weather becomes much nicer and student responsibilities fade away, the compulsion grows to draw the curtains, stay inside, and watch hours of TV on end.

This week, you need not binge-watch those dark television programs about the trials of the human spirit, the likes of Mad Men or The Sopranos. It does not do favors for one’s mental health to marathon through The Wire or Breaking Bad. Be deliberate about what you binge-watch.

These not serious, do-or-die, recommendations that necessitate close patience and reverence; these are intended for indulgence and ravenous consumption. Consider these TV shows to be the Cool Ranch Doritos of television, not the immaculate buffet from Sundance Natural Foods; these are empty calories, not necessarily a balanced, healthy meal.

This week, the Emerald recommends some of the best television to binge-watch this spring break.

iZombie is one of those shows that you’ll find on Netflix that has an absurd, yet addictive, plotline. After the main character, Liv, gets bitten in a zombie attack, the trajectory of her life goes awry; her fiancee leaves her, she ends up working in a morgue and she’d (technically) dead. She satiates her undead cravings by feasting on the craniums of those who visit the morgue, which ultimately give her visions of her victims’ lives before their death. She uses this unique upshot of being undead and telepathic to solve the mystery of their murders. While a show called “iZombie” may seem like the kind of program you’d binge-watch in solitude, it’s sure to become your next guilty pleasure. –Jordyn Brown (@TheJordynBrown)

Rick and Morty is a sci-fi comedy show that doesn’t let any actual science get in the way of its hilarious and fast-paced plot. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the show mixes in a perfect amount of crude, clever and dark humor as it follows the adventures of an alcoholic scientist named Rick and his timid grandson Morty. The viewer is softened by an endless barrage of slapstick humor, only to be sucker-punched with some genuine moments of sincerity. The average episode of Rick and Morty can offer an experience for all viewer types, both the relaxed and the observant, as one can turn their brain off and enjoy one hell of a ride, or keep their eyes peeled for all sorts of clues and hidden references littered throughout an episode. The show currently has 21 episodes across two seasons, but they’re enthralling enough to have you drooling for more before you’re even halfway in. –Mathew Brock

Comedy Bang! Bang! has long been the go-to podcast for people who are infinitely more on the pulse of the alt-comedy scene than you. It’s an old classic on the irreverent comedy scene and has spawned a fantastically absurd television show. Scott Aukerman’s twisted take on the talk show format incorporates improv, sketch and unforgettable character work into 25-minute chunks of bliss. Big name guests like Zack Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, and Amy Poehler stretch their comedy chops alongside a rotating cast of insane guests (played by the likes of Paul F. Tompkins, Lauren Lapkus and Andy Daly). Fans of comedy will lose themselves for days in four seasons worth of episodes, often with wildly ambitious bends (like a full musical episode fronted by Tompkins’ Andrew Lloyd Webber, one taking place entirely in the dreams, or a single-camera episode filmed after the show’s editors go on strike). –Chris Berg (@ChrisBerg25)

At first, Bob’s Burgers – especially if you start from season one – might look like another Simpsons-style adult animated family sitcom with more annoying voices and weirder animation than usual. But after four or five episodes, I began to genuinely love these characters. In five and a half seasons (four of them available on Netflix), Bob’s Burgers has done more with its characters than the Simpsons arguably ever has – even the women, whom the Simpsons always neglected but who are as developed and eccentric as the men on Bob’s. Any member of the Belcher family is likely to be your favorite, and the supporting characters are just as interesting (I’m still waiting for the inevitable Teddy spin-off series). Bob’s Burgers isn’t an animated sitcom for people who don’t like animated sitcoms. It’s an animated sitcom for people who love animated sitcoms, but wish they were just a little bit better. –Daniel Bromfield (@bromf3)

Next term the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum of Art will host a new collection of sculptures, drawings, and abstract art illuminating the elegance of the human body in all its diverse forms. All Sizes Fit UO, “a positive body image campaign at the University of Oregon,” will put on its All Sizes Fit art show in an effort to increase body positivity and acceptance through the representation of all sizes through the power of portrayal in art.

Supported by the University Counseling Center, All Sizes Fit is a group that aims to encourage both positive body image, and spark discussion about eating disorders and body dysmorphia. This art show will be a physical manifestation of the group’s efforts to see all bodies in beautiful and artistic ways, and actively engage students in this discussion.

It is open to student work, as they are accepting submissions of art in any medium, as long as it embodies the All Sizes Fit philosophy toward bodies: Attention, Appreciation, Acceptance. Submissions will stay open until March 28th. This collection will express what body positivity means to people all over campus. In addition, the top three pieces of artwork will be awarded Duck Store gift cards of $75, $100, with a grand prize of $150.

After all of the submissions are reviewed, the art show will take place on April 7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. It will display all submissions for those attending to appreciate the different interpretations of body image.

Submit your art for the show here.

The house lights fall, only to be replaced by brighter lights illuminating the stage. The bright colors of costumes bounce off huge video projection screens; a masked stage chorus sings as piercing live gunfire interrupts. Scorched is not your typical play. It is full of fantastical elements and serves as a glimpse into the life-changing reality of war.

With a large cast and crew of about 30 people, Scorched aims to bring audiences in and make them understand the realities of the emotional, physical and mental trauma that those who’ve been affected by war experience every day. More specifically, the play portrays what those overseas in Syria are enduring in the wake of the country’s civil war.

“What [Scorched] does is it takes this interpersonal family conflict and uses it as a setting for the greater issues that come with war, like refugees, war trauma, children suffering from war,” said director Michael Malek Najjar, who spent years going to bat to be able to bring this play to the university level. “And it also deals with what happens when a war is over. How do you go on living after going through something like that? It has many deep issues in it, and we often leave rehearsals weeping.”

The play has been in production since the beginning of fall term, with acting rehearsals beginning at the start of winter term. The hours of practice are necessary in order to bring the play to life in the most historically accurate and emotionally connective way possible.

“There’s no way to do a play like this without [having] a deep sense of empathy for the characters,” Najjar said. “It’s not enough to “act” the play, you have to read survivor accounts, you have to read what’s going on in the war, you have to read testimonies from those who’ve survived and witnessed the war.”

This goes as far as watching the horrific massacres, reading about human rights violations in Syrian jails and having to think about these events as if they were happening to the actors themselves. This type of method acting often leaves the cast shaken and emotional, but with a better understanding of the purpose behind the show.

“My hopes are that [the audience] will go on this emotional journey with the characters and come out the other side empathizing more with people who they may not have and understanding there’s another way out of this, and it doesn’t always have to be dealt with the way we do militarily,” Najjar said.

Scorched is set up so audience members are close, surrounding the stage rather than watching from a distance, and will watch scenes of violence unfold in front of them. While this may leave some feeling uncomfortable or upset, it is an honest truth of what so many people have experienced in their lifetime.

“I don’t want it to feel like a story about ‘over there,’ ” Najjar said. “I want it to feel like it’s happening over here.”

On Friday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., the Women’s Center will be hosting it’s annual Women of Color Lyllye B. Parker Speaker Series, featuring three of “the New Jersey 4”, a group of young gender-nonconforming and lesbian women who are famous for their part in a high-profile case where they were arrested for practicing self defense against a man who catcalled and made physical advances on them. When the three others involved decided to take a plea deal, these four rejected it and instead stood their ground and fought for their case, henceforth becoming The New Jersey 4.

The story with this year’s speakers is one about a group of women who experienced the impact of intersectionality and their experiences with a justice system that many feel did not properly support them when they needed it most.

“I thought it was really important to highlight intersectionality and race and how people who go through that experience life, and how that unfolds with the justice system and the media,” said Akilah Powell, the racial justice coordinator for the Women’s Center.

Powell, along with a few others involved in the planning of the event was first introduced to the case of the NJ4 at a conference she attended where she watched the documentary Out in the Night. The movie paints the picture for viewers of what the NJ4 went through, down to the details of the initial encounter with their harasser to how they were portrayed as a “gang of killer lesbians” by the media while they were enduring their case.

Because of the impact this had on Powell and others at the Women’s Center, the group will also be holding a screening of the film in PLC 180 on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. to encourage those who are interested in the series to gain some background on the issue, since the event will be mostly a Q&A panel discussion.  

“I really hope that a lot of people feel outraged,” said Suzie Barrientos, public relations representative for the Women’s Center.  “Especially when it’s something not a lot of people know about, I want them to feel the same outrage I felt when I first saw this and heard this.”

In honor of Lyllye B. Parker – a former University of Oregon employee who Powell says created an array of opportunities for women of color on campus and paved the way for them to have a real platform to speak – this series brings in more attendees every year to listen to the influential speakers and learn more about the issues they bring to light and the way people can affect positive change in our society. 

“It’s really easy to fall into a bubble that is our community when we don’t reach out,” said Barrientos. “I hope that having that personal experience hearing them and seeing them, that it moves people so that conversation and action can happen. That would be amazing.”

Last night, the 58th Annual Grammy Awards show aired with a few exceptional performances, and a few disappointments. The event aired on CBS, and was made available over its All Access online live stream services before the flood of viewers to the website temporarily crashed its location services. This was in conjunction with some sound issues during Adele’s live performance that caused some frustrations in users being unable to get their proper music fix.

Aside from the few blunders, the night showcased the musical talents of various genres and styles, ranging from a dramatic opener from Taylor Swift with her song “Out of the Woods” to a David Bowie tribute performance by Lady Gaga, featuring a well-executed medley of his greatest hits.

Kendrick Lamar gave a standout performance after winning his first of five Grammys last night, which some are calling “the most intense performance the Grammys have seen.” It began with Lamar in chains, leading the rest of his dancers on stage. Gunshot beats rattled audience members as they launched into “The Blacker the Berry” from this year’s Best Rap Album winner To Pimp A Butterfly. 

We can see his words are literally fire as the cameras pan the stage as he transitions into “Alright” dancing in front of a giant bonfire of flames in the middle of the stage. While he didn’t win all of the nine categories he was nominated for, Lamar’s performance could go down as the most memorable of this year’s show for his powerful statement.

Other notable performances included Alabama Shakes’ soulful performance “Don’t Wanna Fight” which won for Best Rock Performance. There was also a smooth mashup collaboration of Tori Kelly’s “Hollow” and James Bay’s “Let It Go,” as well as a hilarious rap-inspired performance by the cast of Broadway’s Hamilton.

Most of the night consisted of soft, crooning ballads with the occasional performance meant to wake the audience up again. The group Hollywood Vampires had their debut performance complete with chaotic flashing lights, intense face make up and clear rock sound. Audience members may have recognized a few familiar faces from Hollywood Vampires, which includes Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp.

The general feeling in the aftermath of the show was that it was a lackluster show. Rihanna’s highly anticipated performance was a disappointing cancellation and despite a few exceptional performances, most weren’t as engaging as hoped, and some fell very flat (see Adele’s performance having to deal with said audio issues).

However, with some memorable performances and rightful winners of that golden trophy, in the end it still showed the artistry and excitement of why people keep coming back every year and how music brings people together.

Here’s a recap of some of the most notable awards:

Song of the Year: “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

Album of the Year: 1989 – Taylor Swift

Best Rap Album: To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

Best Country Album: Traveller – Chris Stapleton

Best New Artist: Meghan Trainor

Record of the Year: “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

Best Dance Recording: “Where Are U Now” – Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

Best Urban Contemporary Album: Beauty Behind the Madness – The Weeknd

Best Alternative Music Album: Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

Best Rock Performance: “Don’t Wanna Fight” – Alabama Shakes

Best Music Video: “Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift

See a complete list here.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, the movie “How To Be Single” hits theaters with a much needed dose of side-splitting humor and romance reality check, while making its mark as what is sure to become a new rom-com (though light on the “rom”) classic for people to watch with their single friends and a shared bottle of wine.

This film follows the life of a recently single girl named Alice (Dakota Johnson) who has taken a “break” from her long-time college boyfriend in an attempt to “see what’s out there.” Shortly after realizing that maybe she wasn’t ready to be alone, she asks for him back. To her dismay, he has moved on.

Now, Alice has no choice but to face the fact that she is both completely, one-hundred percent single, and also one-hundred percent unprepared to learn how to date again. Luckily, with the help of her hilariously-absurd best friend Robin (Rebel Wilson) she finds herself figuring out what the single life is all about, one sexual escapade and dating blunder at a time.

The best part about this movie is that it takes the typical expectations of a romantic comedy and kicks them right in the head. Starring four excellent female leads, all of whom brilliantly execute their complex characters, this movie makes audiences perk up and then double over laughing at each new story development and interaction.

Rebel Wilson often steals the show with her crude humor and outrageous moments of doing things like “tit punching” her best friend and chugging Pedialyte to cure a hangover, but in a way that is still infinitely more tasteful than her last movie “Pitch Perfect 2.”

This movie actually takes a step in the right direction for women, instead of setting us back.

It also shows different types of “single”: the single woman who is lost in how it all works, the single woman who is ridiculously signed up for 10 dating sites trying to find “the one,” the workaholic woman who insists on her independence and runs from love, and the woman who loves being single, instigating one-night stands and being the perfect wing-woman. What all of these women have in common in this movie is that eventually, they grow to own their relationship statuses and each set out in different paths of (non-cheesy) self-discovery and realize their own individual truths and pursuits of happiness.

How To Be Single is definitely worth the money. It is filled with some brief serious and romantic moments that will fill your heart, as well as many cringe-worthy yet comical twists that so accurately reflect what navigating dating can be like. It appeals to all audiences regardless of the fact that the leads are all women, as was confirmed by the row of guys laughing hysterically with me in the theater.

Contrary to our society’s perceptions of being single, this movie shows that it’s really okay to be on your own, and sometimes it’s honestly more fun that way. If you find yourself free and single this Valentine’s Day, don’t be afraid to buy a ticket for one. Go cry from laughter at a movie by yourself, and treat yourself to a nice dessert afterwards that you won’t have to worry about sharing. Sometimes, being single really pays off, and this movie is proof of that.

Starting today, the University Health Center will be providing students with Valentine’s Day “goodie bags” in an effort to promote sexual health and wellness. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, students can attend the tabling event at the EMU between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to build personal goodie bags full of whatever their hearts desire. 

The UO Health Center is better known by students for providing things like free condoms and dental dams in the jars by each of the doors, but for this, students can expect these supplies to have a special Valentine’s twist: think strawberry flavored dental dams, red male condoms wrapped up to resemble candy suckers, female condoms, finger cots and lube.

“It’s just to get our safer sex supplies out,” said Elisabeth Maxwell, a sexual health promotion specialist in the Health Center. “We tend to do things around the holidays to remind students to use these. We have what we call our ‘condom bar’ and other jars discreetly placed and we actually go through a lot of sexual health supplies. I have to come top [the jars] off every day.”

Maxwell said that just this fall, they began putting male condoms in the Student Recreation Center as well and since then that location goes through about 400 to 600 condoms a week.

“So students are taking them,” Maxwell said. “But we never know for sure if they’re using them so this is just to get the word out again. We sometimes suspect that students come and take them as party favors.”

This tabling event idea was conceived by the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) in an effort to promote sexual health and prevention of STIs and pregnancy. This event also provides an opportunity for those in SHAC or health center representatives to advocate for the other services they provide that are perhaps lesser-known by the majority of students.

“There’s CCare which is where students can get free contraception, and we have the applications here,” Maxwell said.  “It’s based on income so students can qualify for a year’s worth of free contraception; I don’t think a lot of people know about that. Also, all of the free supplies here. We promote it at IntroDUCKtion, but if you don’t use the health services very much you might not know.”

In addition to CCare and the free sexual health supplies, the health center also offers STI testing in its lab, HPV vaccines, and have recently been given a grant from the ASUO to do free HIV testing which it hopes to start promoting during spring term.

The opera Orfeo ed Euridice put on by the School of Music and Dance will open its musical adaptation of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice, directed by Dr. Karen Esquivel this weekend.

The story of Orfeo ed Euridice is a whirlwind of tragedy, adventure and love. The story begins with the two lovers on their wedding day, which is changed in a sick twist of fate when Euridice is bitten by a snake and dies. Devastated by the loss of his new wife, Orfeo pleads with the God of Love (Amore), to let him get her back. Swayed by his adamancy, Amore allows him to make the treacherous journey down through the spheres of the Underworld to retrieve her on one condition: Orfeo cannot look at her until they have completely exited Hades. 

Through the incorporation of the operatic music, intense lighting and special effects, this musical theater experience tells the journey of a Greek demigod who literally goes through Hell and back for love.

The 15-person cast features a select group with vocal performance experience, three of whom are the leads of the play, Orfeo, Euridice and the God of Love. In addition, there is a marriage of music and dance in this performance with the incorporation of some ballet dancers as well. This performance also has a unique twist: all three of the leads (including the male role Orfeo) are played by women.

“It’s what’s called a trouser role,” said Sarah Brauer, who plays Orfeo. “It’s so rare that a mezzo-soprano gets to play the lead in an opera, so I’m just so excited to share this music and to open my heart. This character wears his heart on his sleeve and I feel like it’s such a privilege to be able to step into this character and share that and to sing this gorgeous music.”

Originally, the role was played by a man with a higher range but over the years it has transitioned to typically be a role played by women due to the high vocal range of the character. Brauer said because of the grief and intensity laced within the storyline, many characters like Orfeo have beautiful, moving solos.

“This music is really simple and clean music without a lot of bells and whistles,” said Brauer. “It’s not about the singers showing off, it’s just about the gorgeous beauty of the music. There are so many moments in the music that can make you cry they’re so beautiful.”

Due to production needs, the performance will be held at the Lane Community College stage on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., just a short bus ride from campus.

Tickets can be purchased for the performance here.

Amateur filmmakers and seasoned professionals alike will come together for a night of short film screenings at the Portland’s Young Filmmaker Showcase, an event created by two University of Oregon graduates – Will Cuddy and Zach Feiner.

The Feb. 25 showcase will include a screening of Cuddy and Feiner’s latest short film that’s been a year in the making, Linea, as well as two other short films chosen from a pool of student submissions.

“This is not only to showcase our own work,” said Cuddy. “But to give young filmmakers in Portland an opportunity they might not normally have because of lack of equipment, or simply not having the courage to submit their film to a festival that has professional filmmakers also submitting their work.”

Cuddy and Feiner, both advertising grads, have experience working as student filmmakers. They competed in the UO’s Adrenaline Film Project, an intensive 72-hour film competition in which three student groups are pressed to make a short film. Cuddy first took part in AFP during his junior year when his group’s film, Family Dinner, won both the Audience Award and the Kalb Jury Award – a first in the competition’s history.

The two began working together during their senior year at the UO when their AFP film submission Kill for Her won the Audience Award.

While the showcase is meant to select only a few films to screen, the true purpose behind it is to create a space where young filmmakers and industry pros can network with future collaborators. It also provides a venue for those who are not selected to still exhibit their work. PYFS plans to piece together a trailer for the event that features a shot from each film submission and to post other films in full on Vimeo and Facebook.

“We’re trying to build a community here in Portland,” said Cuddy. “While it’s an honor to be shown at the event itself, we’re not trying to ostracize anyone for not being able to be at the caliber of work we’re looking for.”

As of last week, they had received 25 short film submissions. The deadline to submit is Feb. 12. Those at the PYFS are unsure of whether they will be accepting films from students in cities other than Portland (like Eugene), as they want to keep true to their name. While they are still deciding, they discussed the need for the applicants to at least be planning to work in Portland within the next year.

“The main thing right now is giving filmmakers who are young and new an outlet to show their work to a big audience,” said Feiner. “In Portland too, the best thing you can do as a filmmaker is to build networks in the city. That’s part of what we’ve put into action over the course of the last few weeks with this showcase.”

Feiner says that ideally, they would love to receive up to 75 short film submissions for this first showcase and that those wanting to submit should use this as an opportunity to get their work out there.

“If you’re a young filmmaker or have any real interest in doing real film, more than a lot of other professions, it’s important to take advantage of little opportunities and put your work out into the ether,” said Feiner. “It’s the only way you’re going to explore and get better.”

Editor’s Note: Will Cuddy is a former employee of the Emerald, before graduating from UO in 2014.

As students, crime and the overall safety on campus is a concern we’ve all faced. It’s hard not to when you wake up after a night out to an email alerting everyone of a crime report from a place you had been the night before. Because of this, it’s normal for people who have to walk home alone from a class in the dark to be a bit nervous or wary of their surroundings.

Well, there’s an app for that. Students have created an app called “Companion” with the intent of helping users to feel more secure when walking home alone by allowing users to select a companion to monitor their progress. The app is set up to input a destination and select as many people from your contacts list to be your companions as feels necessary. Your chosen companions will receive a message (even if they don’t have the app) and can accept your request and follow you by GPS on your trip. The front screen also has an “I Feel Nervous” button which will alert your companion, and a “Call Police” button for more dire situations.

“I think it seems like a good way of encouraging accountability among friends,” said Emma Sharp, a member of the Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team (S.W.A.T.) for three terms. “I think that’s the biggest potential for change, is people looking out for each other.”

Read Casey Miller’s “I do not feel safe walking alone at night on campus”

Safety apps like these are created for the purpose of eliminating a very small percentage of crime. UO professor Jennifer Freyd conducted a study that spoke about the myth that stranger attacks are common occurrences. Those who create dialogue about safety on or around campus, like members of S.W.A.T., emphasize that paying attention to the phone in your hand is potentially dangerous, as it leaves you more vulnerable than if you were aware of your surroundings.

“I think there should be a reframing of these apps to be more about being safe with friends and acquaintances and not just about somebody jumping out at you,” said Cassie Smith, a sixth-term S.W.A.T. member.

Both Smith and Sharp agree that security apps like Companion could have more potential if marketed as an app for when you are moving from a public to private place instead. For instance, if you and somebody you met on Tinder wanted to move from a coffee shop to their house for a movie, it would allow the user to show companions their location safely and communicate with a tap of a button if they felt uncomfortable.

“These apps are only useful if people are choosing to use them, but it’s not preventing the likelihood of an issue while walking,” said Kelly McIver, Public Information Officer for the UOPD. “But it creates extra steps in responding to a certain emergency [as compared to just calling]. We would prefer if people take transportation, walk with a friend, call Safe Ride, use our escort system, etc.”

Smith and Sharp also feel that as students, this app could be beneficial if made to cater toward UO’s culture of reporting crimes and high safety measures by including Safe Ride and UOPD numbers as an option as well.

In theory, apps like Companion are great, as they provide a sense of security, especially when we are faced with the vulnerability of walking alone with the risk of crime. But in practice they reflect the need for conversation on how we can make students feel safer in the face of these issues of crime, without the added risk of having to rely solely on an app to do so.