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Show 4 Friday, March 9,2007 The Missing Link: Observe the making of one of the best fan-made light saber battles on the net at www.ryanvsdorkman.com 797-1769 diversions@statesman.usu.edu I won't grow up; you can make me BY CYNTHIA HARMON Staff Writer v-'&sa Neon monkeys and painted elephants set the scene for cosmic golf at Logan's Funatics, a place where fun is their business. The miniature golf course, also familiarly called the "putt putt" is one of the largest attractions that brings families, daters and college students looking for a break to try a hand at golf in a whole new light, literally. The black light surrounding is what sets this course apart, offering also a Firetruck, a grandfather clock, a classic windmill and loop-de-loop in the course's objectives. Golfers find that in the black light, putting can be challenging in the darker areas, though the main difference is that a victory smile glows in the dark. But beyond the appeal of ajungle-themed golf room, Funatics offers a variety of ways to pass the time. For instance, the hallway displays the proud snapshots of numerous victories, pairs of gamers grinning at their newly-acquired title of Halo Winner of the Month. In each monthly competition, which costs $5 to enter at double elimination stakes, all levels of gamers combat each other in the "Halo rooms" adorned with a couple of couches and a projection screen. As Annelise Zike, the receptionist of Funatics explained, when the Halo rooms are not being used for competitions, people can use them to brush up on their Halo skills, play their own games or even rent out the room to watch movies with friends for about $3 an hour. For those who prefer arcade-style games, Funatics also offers an array of arcade games like Mortal Kombat 3, I used to think 1 was David Baker a grown-up - facial hair, a checkbook/ flannel shirts, taxes, higher education, drooling on a less frequent basis and the like. I'm not. The worst thing is, I think - no, I know - I'm Fresh from not even close. the bakery dabake@cc.usu.edu You see, the other day I caught myself curled in the fetal position, thumb firmly planted in mouth, using the miracle of previous channel to switch between the "Teletubbies" and "Bob the Builder." My puppy dog slippers were the only grown-up thing about the whole scene. What? Puppy dog slippers aren't that grown-up? Damn, it's worse than I thought. But I guess I should have seen this coming. I have lacked the impulse control commonly associated with being a grown-up for sometime now. Kids are famous for doing whatever they feel like - peeing in a gutter, frequently breaking things, throwing tantrums, saying whatever they want - but adults restrain the urges to act in this manner. I do not. Although I haven't peed in the gutter for a few weeks - actually, that had nothing to do with a childish impulse, but that's another story - other symptoms crop up on a daily basis. Due to an unbelievably strong urge to break fragile things, I can no longer go down the aisle in Wal-Mart where they keep the plates and glasses. I just feel like sticking my arms out and running down the aisle, knocking everything off the shelves. Also, I've found as an adult I throw tantrums on a more frequent basis, and they are no small matter anymore. Now I throw bigger tantrums, which have the capacity to destroy entire city blocks if I really get worked up about something like a Denver Broncos' loss, the price of peanut butter or not getting my box of S'mores cereal. I also can't help but notice that it is no longer cute for me to say inappropriate things. Surprisingly, it is just plain inappropriate. This is a big deal for me. You must understand something; 1 haven't developed the filter in my head that screens out inappropriate comments, so, like a 3-year-old, I still say whatever crops up in my nead. If you've been offended by any of the >• FUNATICS see page 5 • CHILDHOOD see page 6 Local band hits the big time St. Boheme heading to Austin for top amateur music expo BY DAVID SWEENEY Stat'f Writer For 10 days, South by Southwest provides an insiders angle of the recording industry, illuminating the underground musician's winding passageway to the top of the rock l n roll pecking order. Beginning today, some 1,300 bands and 10,000 ticket-holders from all over the world will gather in Austin, Texas, for one of the premier amateur music and film expos in the nation. And a USU folk quartet will be among the crowd. St. Boheme is traveling gratis to South by Southwest, courtesy of City Weekly magazine. After winning Showdown to Slammys Feb. 10 at the Depot in Salt Lake City, the Logan band received four festival passes, airfare and lodging - and 1,000 bucks to boot. The platinum passes alone are worth $700 apiece. /f~" Record label cemented deals - and rock star statuses - at South by Southwest for 21 years. For those who aim to self-release and self-promote, the festival doubles as tour-arranging net- work for independent musicians, be they established recording artists or up-and-coming performers. Though South by Southwest brings St. Boheme one step closer to its musical aspirations, the band maintains realistic expectations. St. Boheme doesn't have a slot in the daytime festival lineup but will try to take advantage of Austins renowned evening scene. The city boasts a vibrant nightlife that, from March 9 to 18, will cater especially to the SXSW crowd, said percussionist Phil Lefler. __, To aid their cause, St. Boheme has two tracks on a Utah compilation album ~-—' that will be distributed to everyone at the festival. "We hope to get in contact with the people who will help us help ourselves help them help us," Lefler said, referring to the jumbled process of breaking onto the national stage. In St. Boheme, Lefler rejoins guitarist Matt Cline and bassist Bill Hepworth, formerly of funk-based Hasenpfeffer and the Bomdiggity. The trio forms a familiar nucleus fronted by Beaux Underwood, whose Kentucky bluegrass roots are the cornerstone of St. Boheme's eclectic gypsy-rock style. In a pop-music culture domi- nated by bubble-gummy radio rock and over-produced hip-hop, it's impossible for a talented folk group to not get attention. But getting the industry to buy into an acoustic throwback is a different matter. Underwood said St. Boheme was surprised to win Showdown to Slammys, a three-round, 40-band contest headlined by pop, punk and grunge-metal acts. St. Boheme won the final round by popular vote, ousting hometown bands Alex Boye, The Rubes and Medicine Circus. Underwood was flattered upon hearing the Depot production manager, who extended a personal invitation for repeat performances, had voted for St. Boheme himself. I t holds a lot of water in a venue like that," Underwood said of the distinction. St. Boheme derives its name from Puccini's opera "La Boheme". The budding quartet was nameless unt ;1, faced with the possibility of attending South by Southwest, they chose a name out of necessity. "The name means as little or riuch as you want it to," said Underwood, who's attached a new "sel--identity" to the moniker. After some quick research, Underwood > S T . BOHEME see page 6 |