10 <strong>the</strong> <strong>current</strong>November 2010Karaoke is a great stress-relieverby Dani PostBruno Mars hits <strong>the</strong> big time with ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’by Timothy LongA vibrant 25-year-old Hawaiian nativeis stealing <strong>the</strong> hearts of women allaround <strong>the</strong> world with romantic lyrics,a sweet voice and his smooth attitude.Bruno Mars escalates to <strong>the</strong> forefront ofpop music as a solo artist with <strong>the</strong> releaseof his debut album “Doo-Wops &Hooligans.”Mars found <strong>the</strong> top of music chartsby collaborating with Travis McCoy in“Billionaire” and B.o.B. in “Nothin’ onYou.” He’s now decisively moved to hisown digs, but he still invites a few friendsto <strong>the</strong> share in <strong>the</strong> party that is his debutalbum. As hinted by <strong>the</strong> album title,Mars invites a new generation to explore1950s style doo-wop, reggae, and R&Bby introducing his version (every songNeed a change of pace, a break from<strong>the</strong> norm, want to shine like a star?Thursday nights at The Office Bar andGrill in Gladstone is <strong>the</strong> place to be.Kelli Hiatt tends bar by trade, and inher free time she loves sing her favoritecountry songs. On this October nightshe sang, “Walk” by Lorrie Morgan. Shegot up on stage like a pro and laid down<strong>the</strong> lyrics as if <strong>the</strong>y flowed through herveins. As Hiatt wrapped up <strong>the</strong> tune, <strong>the</strong>crowd went wild, clapping and whoopingand hollering as if she were Morganherself. Hiatt said she has been singingsince she was a schoolgirl. In high schoolshe took number one in her state choirperformance. She has been singing karaokefor about four years now and findsThe Office her favorite place to perform.“Karaoke is a stress reliever and it’sjust fun,” Hiatt said.Cliff Stotler, ano<strong>the</strong>r regular at karaokenight, also plays harmonica and is<strong>current</strong>ly obtaining his M.A. in psychologyand his B.A. in juvenile justice atPark University.“I have been coming to karaoke herfor about two years now and love to getup on stage and throw down some oldschool Hip Hop,” he said. His favoritesong to sing is “Sabotage” by <strong>the</strong> BeastieBoys. Hip Hop, Hippity Hop Uh-HipHop Hippity Hop. Look out, Beasties,you may have some competition.Bo Anderson is <strong>the</strong> karaoke DJ forThe Office. He’s been singing karaokeis written in part by Bruno Mars) for allto hear.The first solo single, “Just <strong>the</strong> WayYou Are” is <strong>the</strong> peak of <strong>the</strong> album. Thesingle topped <strong>the</strong> charts by drawing inlisteners with heart-warming lyrics, pianobackground and bumping beat. Thetrack shows <strong>the</strong> amazing vocal rangeof Mars, which exceeds most male artist’sin <strong>the</strong> industry. Bruno Mars bringslovers toge<strong>the</strong>r singing, “Her eyes, hereyes make <strong>the</strong> stars look like <strong>the</strong>y’re notshining/ Her lips, her lips, I’d kiss <strong>the</strong>mall day if she’d let me.” Filled with <strong>the</strong>sememorable lyrics, <strong>the</strong> timelessness of“Just The Way You Are” makes it a balladfor our generation, comparing to <strong>the</strong>likes of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.”In “Grenade” Mars remarks that hewill go to <strong>the</strong> ends of <strong>the</strong> earth for <strong>the</strong>for 20 years.“I enjoyed it so much I decided to become<strong>the</strong> Karaoke DJ,” he said. For <strong>the</strong>past 17 years, Bo has been doing karaokeand DJ gigs all over Kansas City. Hewon $1,000 in a karaoke contest singing“Minnie <strong>the</strong> Moocher” in his early days.His all-time favorite song to sing is “Justa Gigolo.” Bo loves to sing and enjoysall extremes of music. He <strong>current</strong>ly has88,000 songs on file and has sung 2 to 3thousand of <strong>the</strong>m over <strong>the</strong> years. Bo alsodoes a charity event for <strong>the</strong> mentally disabledadults every 3 to 4 months.“I just love socializing, singing andhaving fun with <strong>the</strong> crowd,” he said.Kevin Montgomery is a graduateof MCC who earned his B.A. in music.With that in mind, he comes to The Of-one he loves. This track pulls off a MichaelJackson tone and attitude, andanyone who has fought and failed in arelationship will feel Mars’ heart andemotions throughout this song and to<strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> album.“Our First Time” is an R&B/reggaecross that melts <strong>the</strong> hearts of lovers likeJ. Holiday’s “Bed.” “The Lazy Song” explainshow many of us feel when we haveworked ourselves to <strong>the</strong> bone and needa mental day off from <strong>the</strong> world. Marsdraws us into his story with an amazingvoice in a new type of style among today’sartists. “Marry You” proves BrunoMars is capable of taking a genre of musicthat many young people may thinkis antiquated and make it appealing bytaking doo-wop to <strong>the</strong> next level.“Talking to <strong>the</strong> Moon,” molded withfice on karaoke night for o<strong>the</strong>r reasons.Although Montgomery does not participatein <strong>the</strong> singing, he enjoys makingfun of his friends who try.“I have been watching Bo’s shows foreight years. I love Bo’s shows. This is <strong>the</strong>perfect place to socialize and hang outwith my friends,” Montgomery said.Everyone is nervous <strong>the</strong> first coupleof times <strong>the</strong>y get up on stage, singers say.After a few songs go by, though, <strong>the</strong> environmentbecomes an extended family.Karaoke accepts all kinds of peopleand genres of music. It is a way to escape<strong>the</strong> humdrum of day-to-day living andget out <strong>the</strong>re and show off.The Office is at 6825 N. Oak Trafficway.piano and organ overtones, carries <strong>the</strong>voice of Mars to ano<strong>the</strong>r level, giving evidenceto his emotions. “Runaway Baby”carries a fast-paced catchy rap tone tokeep listeners moving. “Count on Me”suggests what it is like to be a friend ofBruno Mars, as a “Lean on Me”-typesong that should bring friends toge<strong>the</strong>r.“Liquor Store Blues” featuring DamianMarley to “The O<strong>the</strong>r Side” featuringCee Lo Green and B.o.B. each evokelisteners to try <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side of musicaway from mainstream for a bit and enjoy.“Doo-Wops & Hooligans” keeps uswanting more, as it takes a bold stepaway from mainstream pop.LIT FEST from 3novel, and <strong>the</strong> readers say “I appreciateAmerica so much more after reading <strong>the</strong>book. Manivong also works at Fox 4 in<strong>the</strong> Creative Service Department as Senior-Writer.The Literary Festival gets great supportfrom <strong>the</strong> campus and <strong>the</strong> community.With <strong>the</strong> diverse group of writersthat attend and <strong>the</strong> activities, anticipationfor next year’s event is higher thanever before.Satterfield attributed <strong>the</strong> success of<strong>the</strong> festival to major support from MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan. Shealso collaborated with creative writinginstructor Terri Lowry, Directorof Teaching and Learning SupportLinda Nelson, Humanities DivisionChair Diana Grahn, English instructorJan Rog, and Jill Ladas andMike Ekey of <strong>the</strong> marketing team.CHIEFS from 12divisional rivals <strong>the</strong> Oakland Raidersand <strong>the</strong> Denver Broncos. If <strong>the</strong>Chiefs can continue to show <strong>the</strong>same consistency on offense as<strong>the</strong>y have on defense—and with <strong>the</strong>irremaining opponents combined recordssitting a meager 31-39—Kansas Citycould be AFC West Champions for <strong>the</strong><strong>current</strong>@mcckc.edufirst time since 2003.
November 2010Tee off at Fred Arbanas Golfby Josh O’HoraEveryone drives by it on <strong>the</strong>ir way to <strong>the</strong>MCC-Longview Campus, but few noticethat a pristine golf courselies directly adjacent toLongview’s Rec Center.Since opening in 1986,<strong>the</strong> Jackson County Parks &Recreation’s Fred ArbanasGolf Course has grown dramaticallyand now featuresa 9-hole, par-3 course topair with an 18-hole championshipcourse.Fred Arbanas offerscompetitive greens fees,which run $25 to walk 18holes or $39 to play it with a cart. After a $1.4<strong>the</strong> <strong>current</strong> 11million green renovation, which transformed<strong>the</strong> greens into two-tiered beauties, <strong>the</strong> price isreasonable.If you played one of <strong>the</strong> 36,000-38,000rounds that Fred Arbanasaverages annually, <strong>the</strong>nyou know that playingalongside Longview Lakeand avoiding potholebunkers is a privilege. Teetimes start at 6 a.m. in <strong>the</strong>summer and 7:33 a.m. inspring and summer seasons,and <strong>the</strong>y fill up fast.Josh O’Hora/The Current If time is an issue, FredFred Arbanas Golf lies across Longview Arbanas offers a beautifulRd. from <strong>the</strong> Rec Center.driving range. It costs $5for a small bucket of ballsand $8 for a large bucket.COMMENTS from 7from a bureaucracy. We will obviously have tothink about traffic control and organization toour “lot” (I propose something very similar to<strong>the</strong> existing set up). But by doing this we areshowing Longview that <strong>the</strong>re (1) is enough spaceto alter <strong>the</strong> parking (2) <strong>the</strong> approximate numberof spaces needed to be added. (3) That this planis agreed upon by <strong>the</strong> students, practical, and thatattendance among o<strong>the</strong>r things will be improved.www.longview<strong>current</strong>.org