Artistic Endeavours: Vancouver’s International Dance Festival and other spring events. By Stephanie Trembath, Life and Style Editor round this time of year, students A= faced with a bittersweet agenda, caught up in warnier weather promises, and in-between the relief of midterms, and prepping for exams. While I find the fall semester much easier to deal with (thanks to the combined effects of rain and daylight savings) spring semesters are not quite as easy to burrow into the books; which is why I hold promises over my own head to accomplish essays and study. If I do “A” I will receive “B”. Perfect, it’s a math lesson and motivating all at the same time. Everyone needs a break from the books, or a reward for good marks, or something to instigate a sense of relief and recovery over the weekend. There are a few sweet treats and annual events coming to Vancouver this spring, so whether you deserve a break or are looking for something to splurge on after a semester of all-nighters and studying, Vancouver has more than just bars and good restaurants to offer. For those artistic souls who may be craving some inspiration or for those of you who want to experience something new on a Saturday evening other than a night at the pub, or dinner with friends at the trademarked “Earls” on Friday after work. 1) The Vancouver International © Dance Festival: Hosted at Yale towns Roundhouse, VIDF showcases the talent from dance companies all over the world, including Vancouver, Montreal, Spain, Japan, and Switzerland. Tickets 2) 3) ec enitilnc for performances may be a little pricy for students, but the first theatre event is free with your purchase of a $3 membership card. The VIDF runs from March 1-19. Performances at The Clutch: Vancouver’s contemporary theatre always has a wide selection of playwrights and events going on, but this spring George Orwell’s dystopic “1984” is taking the stage. We all had to read it in high school, and while I prefer Orwell’s dry writing style, this is a chance to see his story performed live if you didn’t enjoy the novel. “1984” is performed at The Clutch from March 24 — April 3, with two for one tickets opening night. Wonderland: If you have a soft spot for dance, the Royal Winnipeg ballet is showcasing Wonderland; a ballet all about Alice’s adventures. The stage is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with performances from March 24 - March 26. Cheap seats are $62. le aastyie Cookie-cutter culture: How to be unique in a commercial driven world By Stephanie Trembath, Life and Style Editor hile fashion is a mode of cultural and artistic expression, it is also subject to the commercialization of ideas so that the artistry and beauty of the pieces and ideas of the designer are usually lost or, more realistically, unattainable to the middle class Madame. The world will keep turning regardless of our action here on earth, but money drives the economy, so if you’re not producing any value or earning a profit, maintaining a comfortable and healthy existence is impossible. Sure, you could survive on the streets, living off the pennies people toss into your cap and scavenging food and other recycled items from garbage’s or the salvation army, but the capitalist society’s mantra revolves around money; making it, spending it, abusing it, or squandering it. Many designers and aspiring fashionista’s disregard the ridiculous trends and fads that circulate the fashion industry, and opt to stick to their own inspirations. Unfortunately, these designer pieces are usually way out of price range and, for the average babe on a budget, it is easier to shop at H&M and other standard labels than it is to design your own outfit. The time, effort and money it takes to create one personalized shirt doesn’t compare to the funky piece you will pick up at Urban Outfitters, Aritzia, or Old Navy. The marketing strategies and mass production used by large labels makes it easier and cheaper to purchase the same shirt as the girl sitting in front of you, so unless you are a babe with a ton of time on your hands, you unfortunately wind up looking like everyone else. Cookie-cutters; those who lack originality or distinction, and look or dress the same. Seemingly impossible to escape as you may like you are able to classify ever brazen babe that struts down the street by what she is wearing, and had the misfortune of wearing similar outfits and exact pieces as your friends. I personally hate when this happens, although I cannot help it. Fashion, like any form of art, is driven by the constant integration of inspiration and collaboration with others; drawing ideas from other people and designers, trying new things, and rehashing the past are all involved in how __ we construct newer forms of art. Fashion is just one small piece of this artistic framework. Fashion is like a revolving door; it starts off in one place, but eventually winds up coming full circle. While following the latest trend or hot piece/ color of the month that has spontaneously taken over the cover of VOGUE or ELLE is a great way to start building your own signature style, fashion is about doing your own thing and rocking out the same pieces that make you unique from anyone else. Bright red, coral orange, and turquoise appear to be the “hot colors” this spring; while bold yellows and greens were the “It” thing last season, there is a completely new turnover each year to get the middle class consumer to buy more newer, better, brighter brands and colors. Remember, money makes the world go round. I spotted a pair of bright cherry red pants in this month’s VOGUE, which oddly enough, I already own. Three years ago I bought an atrociously bright pair of skinny jeans at Miss Sixty, which were “out” for the last two years and are now “in style”. My bright coral orange wallet, which hasn’t attracted any attention for the last three or so years, all of a sudden is the “it” piece of my spring collection. This clever idea, which is utilized by many commercial industries, of churning colors on the color wheel from super popular and trendy, to outcast and ugly, is merely one more way to get you to spend more of your hard earned money. While many large companies advocate against a cookie-cutter clan, and try to sell the idea of individuality, such as Urban Outfitters, this is just another tactic to sell their clothes. The idea of individualism is much more enticing, and comes with a higher price. To create your own signature style, and be the outlandish and unique individual you want to share with the world, pick your own signature pieces and your own key colors to express yourself.