According to director Andrea Hart, this refreshing romantic-comedy has “more depth of talent in the cast on all sides than we have had in a while.”
The zany musical stars seniors Chanel Tilghman, Daniel Goldwyn, junior Sophie Gable-Scheinbaum and sophomore Aaron Tiedemann.

Aaron Tiedemann opens the show as a man who is listening to The Drowsy Chaperone and witnesses the musical as it comes to life before him.
The story then follows Chanel Tilghman and Daniel Goldwyn as Janet Van de Graaff and Robert Martin on the eve of their wedding. A chaperone, designated to keep the couple apart before meeting at the altar, fails at his duty, giving the production its name.

The show even includes a scene where Daniel Goldwyn is forced on stage with a blindfold while dancing on skates.

Oddly enough, the storyline was originally written for a newly wed couple (Janet Van de Graaff and Robert Martin) as a scathing satire of marriage.
Although opening night isn’t until February 3, The Drowsy Chaperone has already brought the community together. Volunteers from both Laney College and the Berkeley Repertory Theater donated both their time and money to create the huge set for this production.

Opening night is Friday, February 3 at 8 p.m. The show runs the following night, Saturday February 4 at 8 p.m., and the following Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. as well. Matinee shows are on Sunday February 5 and 12 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and online at

www.brownpapertickets.com/event/222464.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Some AHS teachers are giving extra credit for attending the performance.

Mostly young people line up around the corner, clad in fishnets, lingerie, corsets, sexy French maids’ costumes, and other scanty attire. Some have V’s written in lipstick on their faces; others just have sheepish or excited expressions.

What are these people looking forward to, on a seemingly normal Saturday night, in little old Albany? They’re waiting to see, and participate in, the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

RHPS is the film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Show, a British rock musical from the 1970s. It spoofs the classic theme of “innocents encounter mad scientist in a castle on a rainy night” with its own sexual spin (transvestites and homosexuality being common themes). This intentionally campy picture quickly became famous for its midnight showings.

In Albany, a costumed cast trained by Barely Legal Productions act out the movie in front of the screen and “sacrifice the virgins” in a short pre-show. To clarify, a “virgin” is someone who has never been to RHPS before. The virgins are graced with a V in red lipstick on their foreheads and are invited up on the stage to dance to “I Like Big Butts.”

Many people are too afraid of this to attend, but senior Claire Fahrner noted, “I wasn’t that embarrassed the first time I went because everyone else on stage felt that way too, and I felt like the audience was totally non-judgmental.”

A midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show involves a lot of audience participation. You’re expected to dance in the aisles for “The Time Warp,” and you for only $2 you can buy a bag with everything you’ll need to fling during the movie, including throwing toast at the line “I’d like to make a toast.”

Over time, the die-hard fans have evolved a mostly obscene dialogue for the audience to yell in response at the screen. This is half the fun, and it takes dozens of showings to learn.

However, describing the experience is very difficult. When asked how to describe RHPS to someone who hasn’t gone, junior Matt Blankenship replied, “I wouldn’t even give them an explanation. I would just say ‘Go.’”

Many Albany students have gone once, and decided to go again, sometimes every single month. Sophomore Cordy Driussi, said, “I wanted to go again because it was intense, but really funny, and you get to do things you wouldn’t normally get to do in a theater, like yell and throw things.”

Driusi insisted, “It’s an experience you have to have. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.”

Fahrner added, “It’s nice that people from all over come to Albany just to see it. Overall, it creates a really safe and comfortable atmosphere.”

The next showing is December 10, so, why don’t you come on up to the lab— and see what’s on the slab?

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and just ponder how much us Albany High students really have. Be grateful for your family, your friends, the teachers who aren’t giving you homework over the four-day weekend, for the food you eat, for the democratic nation we live in. Thank someone, give them a hug, tell someone you appreciate them. Be grateful for the numerous resources available to you, for the people who care about you, and for the pilgrims who settled this continent hundreds of years ago and initiated the happy and delectable holiday we call Thanksgiving.

Some things I know that I am grateful for are butter, sugar, and flour. Although it may seem trivial, these ingredients are essential to almost every delicious recipe I have ever made, and without them, I couldn’t have brought you these addictive, soft yet slightly crunchy, gingersnaps. They are super easy to make, even easier to eat, and with one bite you will be transported into the holiday mood. Coated in sugar and baked until they are the color of dark brown sugar, these cookies will relieve your self-reported stress, while eating them and sharing them with your friends will make many tummies happy. So thank someone, try not to get to anxious, and make these cookies. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ginger Cookies
recipe adapted from “Star’s Desserts” by Emily Luchetti

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 large egg
⅓ cup molasses
2 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cups flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Put ½ cup of the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. With the paddle attachment, cream the butter until it is light and fluffy. Continuing to mix, beat in the egg and then the molasses and mix until incorporated. Refridgerate the dough for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough into ¾ inch balls and roll them in the remaining ½ cup of sugar. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the cookies 2-3 inches apart on the sheet.

Bake the cookies for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown an set around the edges but still soft inside. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then remove them from the baking sheet.

Say thanks and enjoy!

If there’s not an awkward silence, then there is most often a flicker of remembrance. “Wait, ‘Pale kid raps fast.’”

Yes, indeed they do. Watsky’s first break was as a Youtube sensation for his infamous video and rap, ‘Pale kid raps fast.’ The baffling speed and variety at which he spits out thought-provoking puns such as

“Part of me was hoping to be caught up in the moment and to be open to the good and the God in me but I got a lobotomy and I get that I oughtta become a bit of an oddity”, which drew around 14,915,607 views as of November 14^th at 12:47 pm and is still growing. Soon after, Watsky evaporated off the face of the planet. Where did he go? Was his gift wasted on a boring corporate job in a bare office cubicle?

Turns out that Watsky has been very much out of the office. After high school at San Francisco University High, the slam poetry champion went to Emerson College majoring in writing and acting for the screen and stage. During his studies, he continued performing at universities and conferences.

Before graduating in 2010, Watsky released a self-titled album, Watsky. This debut album followed up upon his Youtube video, with its original songs paired with smooth raps. Many songs are under the jazz, pop, and R&B genre, such as “Everything Turns Gold” where Watsky describes his adventures through San Francisco paired with smooth jazz beats.

Watsky quickly ventured to Los Angeles to fully take hold of his career in 2010. He has since then released two more albums. The first was a mash-up album called Guilty Pleasures where he remixed many popular songs such as “Till I Collapse” by Eminem in the song “Fight! Fight! Fight!” with his creative raps trashing his weak competitors.

His latest album is no exception. A New Kind of Sexy, released this past summer, evolves on both past albums. With both remixes and original beats, Watsky amps it up with more insightful, creative subject matter. In one such song, ‘D.A.N.C.E. Remix’, Watsky uses the song ‘D.A.N.C.E.’ by band Justice to look back on his high school days at the memorable dances with a light-hearted, nostalgic feel.

And even with the remix songs, Watsky still keeps to his original roots with songs like ‘There and Back Again’ where the rhymes circulate around partying in San Francisco that only kids from The Bay could understand.

All in all, Watsky is a great find, and for a free download for his newest album, it’s needless to say a bargain. His other albums, Watsky, is available on iTunes for $9.99 and Guilty Pleasures, for a free download on his website, georgewatsky.com. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

How They Met And Other Stories
by David Levithan

How They Met is a collection of short stories about, you guessed it, how people met. Romantic couples, to be precise. What makes these stories different from the millions of other sweet vignettes out there is that fully half are about gay or lesbian teens. Sometimes this is an issue, and sometimes it just feels like a regular boy-meets-girl story, but with two boys.
And the stories don’t just cover how couples meet. The whole course of a relationship is represented: the set-up, the meeting, the moment of realization that you are in love, the fights, the reconciliation, the break-ups, mutually calm or really epicly messy, the regret… and numerous sweet moments in between.

Running through all is a feeling of sweet intangibility, love that can’t quite be expressed in writing because words, for all their eloquence, don’t feel. To be fair, I’ve never personally been able to quite get into Levithan’s writing, but the disconnect works for these stories. The tone isn’t light––some of the stories are really sad and intense––but every one is guarenteed to make the reader go “aawww” with sympathy or appreciation of sweetness.

Overall, How They Met is a great book to sit with for a chapter at the end of a long day, when you just want to get away from the mindless material drive of homework and dullness. It will cheer you up.

These quick treats, with their warming, spicy flavor, epitomize the fall season.

Mix together:

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon allspice, cloves, nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

Stir in:

2 cups pumpkin (canned or fresh pureed)

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

a splash of milk

4 tablespoons butter or oil

If desired, add nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit

Fill cupcake tins (greased or with paper wrappers) halfway. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until centers are no longer liquid (use a toothpick to test).

I recommend icing these, if you have time. ½ cup light sour cream, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1/3 cup confectioners sugar whipped together is delicious. Decorate with sprinkles or fruit (cranberries are perfect seasonal adornments).

Theater Ensemble opened their 2011-2012 season last Thursday with their fall production Anon(ymous), by Naomi Iizuka. Directed by Andrea Hart and produced by Sarah Samonsky, the product of the dedication and commitment of the cast and crew is nothing short of fantastic.

The show is led by senior Pia Mingkwan who plays Anon, a young man who was separated from his mother (sophomore Christina Reyes) in a storm as they tried to escape a devastating war in their home country. Anon becomes a refugee and spends his life on a search for something he cannot quite define. He is lost somewhere between yearning to find his mother and desperately trying to forget his past and simply start anew.

As he wanders, Anon meets an assortment of people, each with his or her own story, each with his or her own past. With each new acquaintance, Anon’s journey is molded in a new direction, he is called by a new name, and he continues to leave behind his identity.

Complementing the compelling plot and the skillful acting are the superb sets, sounds, and lights. Though at first the set looks simple with a few long white drapes framing the actors, they soon transform the stage into a workshop, an ocean, a restaurant, or any of the other places the characters might visit.

Along with the set are the lights, which seamlessly transition from dark and stormy to light, warm, and cheerful. The production is rounded out with a combination of traditional and contemporary music selections alongside live drumming, often creating a sort of heartbeat.

Between drunken townspeople, jealous valley girls, malicious butchers, and alluring goddesses, Anon(ymous) never ceases to entertain. It stirs every emotion imaginable out of its viewers and has a unique way of including the audience in the story.

Anon(ymous) continues next week on Thursday Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday Nov. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. in the AHS Little Theater. Admission is only $7 for students and seniors and $13 for adults.

So, if you haven’t seen it yet, or even if you have and (understandably) want to go a second time, come support these talented students by seeing Anon(ymous). It is a show you truly do not want to miss.

The entire cast is made up of seniors Pia Mingkwan, Daniel Goldwyn, Savannah Miller, Chanel Tilghman, Savannah Cofield-Barner, and Rachel Ozer-Bearson, juniors Autumn Matherly, Calum Ruxton, Frank Luna, and Krystal Swan, sophomores Christina Reyes, Derrick Ford and Isaac Ozer-Bearson, and freshman Tabitha Hunt, Ethan Salzman, and Luna Maria Bowling.

At times hilarious, at times tear inducing, 50/50 is an entertaining and poignant film. Director Jonathan Levine manages to lighten the subject matter, while still retaining emotional depth.

Gordon-Levitt delivers a strong performance as Adam. Rogen, as his unrestrained right-hand man, is comic genius. The on-screen chemistry between the two is probably the best part of the film. It feels raw and realistic.

The movie details Adam’s evolving emotions towards his condition in an honest manner. The taxing effects of cancer on Adam’s relationships are evident throughout the film.

Solid supporting performances come in the form of Matt Frewer and Philip Baker Hall as Mitch and Alan, respectively, cancer patients whom Adam befriends through his chemotherapy. The presence of characters of diverse ages strengthens and livens the movie.

Anjelica Huston as Adam’s overbearing mother and Bryce Dallas Howard, as his therapist, are also entertaining.

Overall, 50/50 is an unexpected delight. Its ability to both make audiences laugh out loud and pack an emotional punch is impressive.

An impressive lineup consisted of classic performers such as Tony Bennett, Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Norah Jones, Beck, and Neil Young himself. Newer talents included the rising Devendra Banhart, Mumford and Sons, and Arcade Fire.

The Bridge School Benefit raises money for the Bridge School in Hillsborough, California. The Youngs created the school in 1986 to “ensure that individuals with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities.” The first student was their son Ben, now 32, who has cerebral palsy.

This mission was apparent throughout the concert. Students of the Bridge School sat in the best seats in the house – onstage. Many of the artists mentioned how the Youngs’ work was an inspiration and song selections were clearly geared towards the benefit’s cause. Shout-outs to particular students personalized the experience, bridging the cause and the music.

The Sunday concert began with Devendra Banhart, followed by Norah Jones and the Little Willies. Next, Beck took the stage, playing “Lost Cause” and other songs from his 2002 album, “Sea Change.” By the time, Mumford and Sons played “Sign No More” and “The Cave,” nearly all audience members were up and clapping along. Santana brought more hesitant dancers to their feet with favorites “Corazon Espinado,” “Maria, Maria,” and “Smooth.”

The sun set with Eddie Vedder’s “I am a Patriot,” and it was dark when the Foo Fighters played the relevant hits “Walk” and “My Hero.” Jumping back half a century in musical history, the transition to Tony Bennett illustrated the range of ages and styles of the performers. Dave Matthews played “You & Me,” before sharing the stage with Marcus Mumford and guitarist Tim Reynolds for a highlight of the concert: a rousing rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” Arcade Fire raised voices with anthem “Wake Up” and “Half Light II (No Celebration).”

Finally, Neil Young claimed the stage. This was hardly his first appearance; he had joined nearly every artist on harmonica or guitar. Watching Neil Young perform his classic “Heart of Gold,” as Ben Young and subsequent Bridge School students looked on, was a powerful experience. It was moments like this that separated the Bridge School Benefit from other concerts. The nine-hour performance closed with “Let’s Get Together” sung by many of the artists, epitomizing the spirit of the concert.

Work like that of the “architects of compassion” Neil and Pegi Young must be expanded. Despite the celebratory nature of the benefit, it was still a definitive call to action. Hopefully, the future will bring more concerts for such worthy causes.

Thousands of vendors like Ferreyra work across the country at new markets that are springing up everywhere, as well as those that have been around for decades.

The opening of the Albany Farmers’ Market in an area already crowded with markets is just one example of this expanding industry. So, is becoming a vendor and/or farmer now a viable career option, or is it still a scene out of Grapes of Wrath?

Ferreyra first became involved with Lone Oak Ranch because his father did construction work for the owner.

A vendor of 11 years, Aaron Betesh began working for Blue Heron Farms in Santa Cruz when a friend told him about the place.

Both men believe farmer’s markets are extremely important. Ferreyra stated, “There is a connection between the food and the people. It is very personal.”

Betesh believes that a vendor’s job is not nearly as important as the availability of quality of food to people “in all walks of life.”

Lone Oak Ranch and Blue Heron Farms have the same customers coming back week after week and both farms typically sell out at any given market. This being said, Betesh observed that because the Albany market is just starting out, it takes longer to sell all the produce.

Additionally, Ferreyra believes that one could make a living from just working as a farmer and vendor, while Betesh stated, “It is tough to make a living off of just this.”

Because of the uncertain nature of farming, Betesh doesn’t think someone could sustain a family and/or save money doing his job. Betesh speculated that most vendors have other work. This would be especially true for farmers and vendors who work for seasonal farms like Blue Heron.

While Betesh is working as a vendor, he loves “getting to see how stoked people are. It is really rewarding in terms of just, like, knowing how happy people are for such a simple thing as food. Personally I have an endless amount of organic food at a very low price and I get to work outside.”

Ferreyra really enjoys how fast-paced the work is and the fact that he is “never in one place.” Also, the uncertainty of how a day will play out makes the work enjoyable.

This being said, it is difficult for him to be away from home so much and to rarely spend time with his friends. Since Betesh attends markets four days a week, he does not share this feeling, but the rushes and fast-paced nature of the work can be challenging for him.

Betesh stated, “One plate of food from the average American family has food that has traveled about 3,000 miles.” Getting fresh, organic food is only one perk of buying from farmer’s markets. Betesh has noticed there is a common misconception that farmer’s markets are really expensive, but in actuality they are very cheap.

He continued, “We’re bringing organic food grown in a very sustainable manner from a small organic farm about 75 miles from here. So, the only thing not green about it is the diesel we have in our truck. Aside from that I think it’s extremely green because we’re bringing food straight to the people.”

Even though the work has its ups and downs, Ferreyra thinks that the industry will continue to expand. Betesh agrees and adds that this is especially true because the markets are an extremely profitable venue for the farms. He noted that there are waiting lists to get stands at many farmers’ markets and Ferreyra stated, “There have been a ridiculous amount of farmers’ markets opening up.”

The more farmers’ markets spread, the more popular they seem to become. People young and old find them enjoyable, fulfilling, and delicious. Honestly, what could be better than getting paid to work with great food, in the sunshine, with great food and while interacting with tons of interesting people?