Carnival of Madness… - Stamford High School

Arts September 2012
Carnival of Madness…Literally
Evanescence and Chevelle Rock Annual Concert
By: Vanessa Salman
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The eve of August 30th fell upon
from Cavo to Halestorm. The band had an immense
Not just Lee was into the performance, but all of the
concertgoers quite abruptly, as all had been
about of liveliness to their performance, especially
band members (with long hair) were whipping it to
anticipating this show for quite some time. Our
during one of their singles, “Freak Like Me”. You
and fro. Despite the fact that the band is tired of
friends Evanescence had not been in the area for
could easily spot Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee
performing this song, as noted by Lee, they
quite some time, and their presence was overdue.
watching the performance from the sidelines and
performed “Bring me to Life” from their first album,
You could feel the energy within the crowds of
singing along to some of the songs. She surprised the
Fallen. The whole room was screaming and rocking
people scattered in the cozy Mohegan Sun Arena
audience when she joined the band for their soft
out to that song as if it had just come out. Finally, the
long before the show even started. It was quite
song “Break In”. They went out with a bang, as one
group performed “My Immortal” somberly, as it
simple to categorize crowd members: there were the
band member surfed over the crowd!
brought on much emotion onto the crowd. She had
loyal, die hard 1995 fans, the bandwagoners (aren’t
there always?), and then those people who just came
to see a great overall rock show. Five o’clock rolled
the crowd complete her lyrics to lighten up the
Chevelle, a more well-known band, was up next, and
mood.
the crowd absolutely loved them. Despite the fact
that their energy was mellower compared to
around the corner;
Halestorm, there was a lot of cheering coming from
It was time to bring on the Madness!
the crowd. They were so laid back; the bassist was
wearing a sweater and the lead singer kept making
jokes about how he was wearing a plaid button down
Or was it… did Cavo not get the memo? They were
shirt. The energy progressively picked up, especially
the first band up, and despite their attempt to
when the group played hits such as “Send the Pain
promote their new album and pump up the crowd, it
Below” and “Face to the Floor”.
was ultimately an “epic fail.” The crowd paid very
little attention to them, on the count that not many
people were even in the audience yet! Plus, how are
Photo Credit: Vanessa Salman
The time had come for the main act to set foot on the
stage. Evanescence had a solid intro as they
performed “What You Want”, a single from their
Overall, this was quite the show! Each and every
latest self-titled album. The crowd went absolutely
band was great in their own unique way. Some
insane; everyone was on their feet. A grand piano
demonstrated more energy than others, which is why
Next up was Halestorm, a band very similar to
was brought out for “Lithium” and “Lost in
if I were organizing this show, I would have had
Flyleaf. They immediately captivated their audience
Paradise,” (a personal favorite) for Lee to multitask.
Halestorm perform after Chevelle. Headliner
She also played the piano for “My Heart is Broken”,
Evanescence truly captivated the audience and made
which she sang in a lower key than usual.
it a night (of madness) to remember.
you supposed to rock out when the lights are on?
#Awkward.
with their vivacious energy. Lead singer Elizabeth
Hale rocked her shiny black tights, and also truly
rocked the crowd. It was a major jump in excitement
Inside the Mind of a Drama King
The Round Table Interviews Drama Club President Sam Strizver
By: Sophie Koester
Here in Stamford High, we have enormous
dedicate one entire class period to help manage the
was given a costume half my size and all I did was
amounts of talent that no one seems to know much
club, so it’s almost as if I’m taking AP Drama Club
bow, which can get very monotonous after the ninth
(or care much) about. We’ve got rappers, we’ve got
every fourth period. However, as big as the workload
show or so. My favorite role is definitely Leon
painters, and we’ve got actors. In fact, Stamford
might be, being president of such an amazing,
Trotsky from The Variations of a Death of Trotsky.
High’s got over fifty resident actors, including senior
passionate organization is surreal, and I couldn’t ask
It was such a fun role to play, and it was an honor to
Sam Strizver. I had the chance to talk to him about
for anything better.
bring it to the Connecticut Drama
acting, our drama club, and how he fits into it all.
[Association] Festival (CDA). I also
RT: That’s really awesome. And how
Round Table: So, the basics. What’s your name, age,
and art?
was in seventh grade where I was the
acting.
narrator of A Christmas Carol at
right?
Sam: Yes, I’m actually the president.
RT: Oh, rad. What’s it like being president?
Sam: Being president of the drama club is a huge
honor, but it’s also very hard work. I have to
twenty minutes, so I was very
intrigued.
Sam: I hadn’t truly performed until I
Sam: Sam Strizver, seventeen, acting. Well, yeah,
RT: And you’re in Stamford High’s drama club,
got to die about twelve times in
long have you been acting?
RT: Did you do well at the CDA
competition?
Rippowam. However, I took a bunch of
workshops and went to theater camp at
Curtain Call from the age of eight.
Photo Credit: Sarah Wylie
Me: What’s your favorite and least favorite role
you’ve ever played?
Sam: Yes! I was awarded the All Connecticut Cast
Award for excellence in theater and depth of
Sam: My least favorite role must have been the role
character. It was a true honor.
of “Royal Child” in a production of King and I. I
Continued on Next Page
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Arts September 2012
RT: Do you think you’re going to pursue acting in
Sam: Stay tough! The one thing that will happen
Sam: What inspires me to keep acting is not one
college?
when you start acting is failure. You’re going to fail
person, but all the theater people I meet along the
a lot, and you can’t let one failure rip your
way who are just so dedicated and passionate about
confidence to shreds. If you don’t get the part you
what they do. Many of them make little money, but
wanted in the show, don’t take it personally, but take
still bleed and sweat for hours and hours just to
it as an inspiration to work even harder. Being
nourish their hunger for performance and seeing a
confident and learning from yourself is half the
story come to life.
Sam: Definitely. I may be considered “good” in
SHS, but I’m nothing compared to the real world.
Therefore, I’ll need to learn as much as I can about
acting and how to network myself. I’m aware that
acting is a risky profession, but I have to follow my
battle.
passion in life, or else what’s the point?
RT: Thanks so much for the interview, and break a
RT: One last question. Is there anyone who inspires
RT: Agreed. And do you have any advice for new
leg on your future endeavors.
you to keep acting?
actors?
Artists You ‘Ought To Know
By: Leah Hazen
Artist- Genre
Bilal Oliver- Neo Soul
D-WHY - Rap
Imagine Dragons – Indie Rock
Karmin – Pop Rock
Knife Party- Electro-house/ Dubstep
Marina and The Diamonds-Indie pop
Robyn- Europop
Slaughterhouse – Hip-hop
The Spill Canvas – Emo Acoustic
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