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Show r Page A1 2 Thursday, November 5, 1992 The Park Record Section A Russian pop music, by JARED COVINGTON Guest writer PCHS student When one imagines Russia, many thoughts come to mind. Among these thoughts are tsars, communism, the ballet, composers, etc. The entertainment portion of Russian culture has always been important, and even though today it may not be in all of its former glory, it is just as important as it was at the time of the great Russian empire. The popular entertainment part of Russian culture has evolved into a creature similar to that of popular (and often times dull) American culture--"Top-40" music, violent movies (of which both Terminator movies are the most popular) and most importantly (to the Russian people) television. When one is at a Russian home, it is usually guaranteed that the television will be on. Many people often times arrange their social calendar sr the.v will be home to see Walt Disney Presents... or one of the Bud Powell disco-era Westerns that are shown. The Russian people of Krasnodar have three stations to choose fromtwo of them arc Russian and one is the Euro-wide Superchannel. Once in a while, a third Russian station will appear, but it was usually experiencing the Russian equivalent of "technical difficulties". The two Russian stations show anything that they can get Since there is no FCC in nnm UUU n if 2j Russia to censor programs, they can show anything. Often times, one can turn on the television and see a scene that A Current Affair would not even show. The stations show anything from Walt Disney to news programs, from Tom and Jerry to American Erotic Theater. The Superchannel has many more shows and much better quality (compared to the Russian stations). In addition to news programs, they show music videos and current movies (at least from the last decade). This station also shows anything, especially when "anything" concerns music: Madonna's concert in Italy (where only people twenty one years old or older were allowed to go),and Prince's "Sexy Mother censored" video (which was banned across , America). On Russian (and European) television, anything goes. ' There is one television show that deserves mention, if for any reason to show how obsessed the Russian people in general are with television. The show is a soap , opera called The Rich Also Cry It 1 is one of the worst shows (by American standards) ever made, but the Russian people love it People cry if they miss it, and the television station had to reschedule its broadcast time because people were leaving work early so they could watch it. When the "star" went to Moscow earlier this year, people spent their life savings so nJQ jouSmS q) n The new Pay Less Drug Stores offer cosmetic consultation by trained cosmeticians. Salt Lake City - 2100 South 23rd East Park City - 950 Iron Horse Drive Grand Opening November 18th at 9 am tv and culture they could make a pilgrimage to see her. The Russian stations also show game shows, news programs, and sit-corns. Besides, if there is anything not shown on television the people can always go to one of the video rental booms on the street and find it (even though most of the tapes are "pirate" copies of third or fourth generation.) Music is also a very important part of popular Russian culture. Most of the music listened to is American "Top-40", or Russian equivalents. Michael Jackson, Madonna and Paula Abdual are very popular, as is dance-oriented music, Rap and Heavy Metal. Classic rock is starting to catch on, as is "Techno", Jazz, Blues and "Alternative" rock, but none of these are very popular yet Many of the Russian music groups sound like American "Top-40" "Top-40" with Russian lyrics. There are many innovative groups starting to form, but they are not usually accepted throughout the former Soviet Union. Tapes are generally bought from vendors on the street and, just as videocassettes, lack quality (in recording and taste) and variety (in artists and titles). Many Russians have not even heard of compact disc players, and most do not own record players, making cassette tapes the most popular recording medium. Popular Russian culture is, mm Drug S faros generally, a copy of trendy American culture. The ballet and the composers are still there, but they do not receive the respect and popularity their home once granted them. It is sad to see trendy American culture embraced so tightly by a country that has given the world so many wonderful artists, dancers and musicians. Ideally, the Russian people will start to discover the more innovative and artistic aspects of American culture, but the people seem to know what they enjoy, and, what they do not Lunch menu Park City School District lunch menu for Nov. 6-13. Friday, Nov. 6 Hamburger with toppings or pizza, fries, apple slices and milk. Monday, Nov. 9 NO SCHOOL Tuesday, Nov. 10 Salad bar or hot dog, roll, seasoned green beans, cookie and milk. Wednesday, Nov. 11 Brunch lunch- ham-and-cheese omelet or hot dog, tater wedge, cinnamon twist, orange slice and milk. Thursday, Nov. 12 Salad bar and or hot dog, fruit muffin, mixed vegetables, chilled peaches and milk. Friday, Nov. 13 Cheeseburger or hot dog, onion rings, com, cinnamon apple and milk. A A 0 Russian family life by MATT ROTH Guest writer PCHS student The Russian family behaves much like any American family. Of course there are many differences, but they are not alien. They're not very different from your next door neighbor. One of the main problems for the families is thinking about the future and the uncertainty of their economic situation. Under communism the families and people were confident of the economic cushion that they sat upon. Now under a form of capitalism they need to save money for any problems in the future. The biggest barrier between their families and American families is an ocean. Their culture and their private lives are infiltrated by Hollywood's stereotypes. Just as many Americans have preconceptions of what Russians are like. Russians have preconceptions of Americans. Because of movies they believe all Americans are rich, beautiful, physically fit, happy and have beautiful teeth. The American influence is unbelievable. Undoubtedly the favorite actor of all the children and teenagers alike is Arnold Schwarznegger. The most popular television channel is an American one, similar to MTV and shows a variety of videos seen in the U.S. The most popular band is the Beatles, closely followed by Metallica. Queen, lid Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix are fairly big, and there is growing market for popdance, and modem rock. The Russian family structure is very much like the American families in the '50s. The men have jobs out of the house while the women stay home and tend to the domestic aspects. The mothers in the family usually cook, do the laundry, clean and go shopping. Most of the children have no chores Thursday - K3 Friday & Saturday .HITMEN. Sunday - BLC0 Monday - SPAGHETTI & PIZZA NIGHT Big Screen Monday Night Football Tuesday - LADIES NIGHT Wednesday - LOCALS NIGHT B tn r TODAY 11:30 am -3:00 pm All items made to order 649-6800 306 Main St. A private club for the benefit of members to LOCAL APPRECIATION NIGIITS Sunday thru Thursday All Night Long Sunday ..jirv 0 Alfredo Night - $7.99 U&P Mnnrtav CD Spaghetti & Pizza -$4.99 Tuesday Casserole Night- $6.99 Wednesday Chicken Night -$7.99 Thursday r i. e e i t7 GO . CO OO or jobs, and therefore rely on their parents for any money. A very large difference between Russian and American cultures is the amount of personal freedom. The adults in Russia are much more concerned about things Americans consider somewhat trivial. Most parents are very worried about their children being out after dark, and therefore there is little night life. Many parents are also completely paranoid about their children catching colds. Children usually live with their parents for a much longer time (thirty isn't uncommon). Family relations appear to be much closer there as well. Unlike the American teenagers seeking independence from their parents very early, Russian families enjoy being close. They are not worried about showing their feelings to each other. Men in the families often kiss each other on the lips without it being considered homosexual. Families often sit down at the end of the day and discuss the day's events that took place A sad thing that is starting to take the place of these discussions is the TV. It has become a very large part of their lives. . The Russian people retain so much of their culture. They take pride in their pasts. Part of this is due to the connection that the families have with each other. Approximately one-third of the children see their grandparents almost every day. The families appreciate what they have. According to American standards, even a well-off Russian family doesn't have very many material items. Even though they have so little they are ready to give so much of themselves away. Thev are so ready to have peace and happiness. UNCALLED FOLK BRUNCH 5" '"v si If ( III USHS 649-5044 306 Main St. Open nightly from 5:30 pm |