Life & Style: Multimedia Belt

Spring into your summer body
By Haley Schluter
March 31, 2015 - 6:18pm
The tips and tricks that will work to help you spring into a summer body and get in good enough shape to handle whatever happens at Mayfest.

Though it may not feel like it with temperatures still wavering below freezing, spring is on its way and we 'Cuse students are scrambling to get prepared. Spring in Syracuse is a wonderful thing, and not just because it means that we can finally walk to class sans parkas. In the final months of the school year we see tons of fun, outdoor events. From day parties to Mayfest, there are plenty of socially-driven events coming up that we will want to look our best for.

Black Reign re-mixes West Side Story
By TaiSonya Tidwell
March 29, 2015 - 3:17pm
Black Reign Step Team performs Reign Side Story, which is their version of the musical West Side Story, in front of an enthralled crowd on Thursday.

From the crowds' roaring screams, to the echo of leg slaps, claps, and foot stomps, the noise produced at Black Reign's performance matched the amount of students, faculty, and community members who came out to watch it. 

Syracuse University's Black Reign kicked off their 10th year on campus with a step show musical on Thursday. Reign Side Story is Black Reign's very own version of the popular musical West Side Story. 

Living with Lyme disease
By Valerie Crowder
February 27, 2015 - 10:41pm
Despite suffering from chronic Lyme Disease, Manlius resident Sylvia O'Connor raised four daughters, explored creative expression.

It wasn’t that she struggled to remember the names of her daughters’ friends. It wasn’t that she would forget to pick up her children after soccer practice. It wasn’t that she couldn’t remember the current year or how to count coins. It wasn’t that her foggy mind made her the family outcast. For Sylvia O’Connor, the worst part of Lyme disease was the pain, she said.

“Imagine if you slammed your hand into a car door and you could not extract your hand. You’re talking about pain that’s beyond pain — and you’re living with it,” O’Connor said.

'We Got The Beat'
By Julia Olteanu
February 25, 2015 - 12:11pm
DanceWorks paid homage to the '80s during "We Got the Beat," their 29th annual performance.

The entrance of Goldstein Auditorium was decorated with balloons in the shape of boom boxes in preparation for the '80s themed DanceWorks performance "We Got the Beat." As audience members took their seats, the buzz inside the auditorium calmed down as everyone waited for the show to start.

Lights embraced the stage, music started to play and with each dancer’s movement the smell of their hairspray filled the auditorium.

This year’s DanceWorks performance was met with thunderous applause and cheers between each dance and once again at curtain call.

Valentine's Day in college: Expectations vs. Reality
By Haley Schluter
February 13, 2015 - 3:40pm
Commentary: Ladies, you didn't actually think you'd get a dozen roses, right?

College is a breeding ground for your expectations to be completely crushed by the harshness that is reality. When in college, we still have the naivety to expect things that likely won't happen, and the hammer of truth comes down hard when we find out they don't. It's like we are constantly living in one of those "expectation vs reality" memes.

Kombucha: An ancient drink for modern times
By Elizabeth Kahn
January 21, 2015 - 9:57pm
Commentary: The author shares her story of how she came to love a strange, but nutritiously-packed beverage.

Are you looking for a great way to boost your immunity and improve your digestion? If the answer is “yes,” I recommend you try Kombucha (COME – BUCH – CHA). I trained myself to love this odd, fermented fruit drink so I could reap its health benefits and I am confident you can too. It wasn't love at first gulp, but I am proud to be a Kombucha advocate.

Trans*cending Gender
By Nathan McAlone
January 11, 2015 - 4:24pm
Local artists Rhys Harper and Gavin Rouille explore the changing transgender conversation through artwork at the Syracuse Trans*cending Gender exhibit.

There are places in Kaleb Lynch’s North Carolina hometown where he will not go, ever, even with people.

These are places where residents like to sit on their porches in rocking chairs with shotguns, and where good ol’ boys come to hang out at night. Though Lynch’s home is a college town, and the only real “blue” part of the county, these are places he, as a transgender man, isn’t safe or welcome.

“I wouldn't go up there because I just wouldn't do it,” he says.

One Bean To Rule Them All: Syracuse edition
By Dianna Bell
December 10, 2014 - 11:19pm
With three coffee roasters in Syracuse, it can be hard to decide where to get a caffeine fix. Here's a break down of what to expect at each.

Syracuse has three coffee roasters vying for the attention of caffeine addicts across the region, but who serves the best cup?

Freedom of Espresso has four locations sprinkled throughout Syracuse, Liverpool and Fayetteville. The Fayetteville shop, 128 W. Genesee St., is their home base and roasting facility. The pumpkin latte from Freedom was well balanced—I could taste the espresso while still having that hint of sweet. However, the milk was not steamed properly.

Syracuse community comes together for annual holiday concert
By Sarah Brechbill
December 9, 2014 - 8:31pm
The "Holiday at Hendricks" concert filled the halls with the sound of music, from modern melodies to classical tunes.

Before the doors had even opened for Sunday night’s Hendricks Chapel Holiday Concert, a line of people had already formed outside in hopes of grabbing the best seat in the house. A half-hour to go, and every seat was filled. As more people continued filing into the packed chapel, many stood wherever there was room.

A supernatural skeptic's surprise
By Meghan Walsh
November 18, 2014 - 2:44pm
At the 16th annual Canastota Psychic Fair, our reporter sat down with a spiritualist, who knew more about her than she realized possible.

I sit at the table, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Am I supposed to ask a specific question or give a prompt? I’ve never done anything like this before, and frankly, I’m not sure Sally Gewinner — or any of the other psychics in this room—has any supernatural gifts. For the most part, I expect the short blonde woman to say some vague generalizations about what my future holds – landing the job of my dreams or finding Mr. Right. At the same time, I worry that she’ll see something horrible in my future and insist on refunding my money.