“Wherever we go, however we dress, no means no, and yes means yes.”

This chant was heard by anyone near downtown on Thursday evening by a group of people wearing dresses, skirts, fishnets, and bras, all yelling and walking to fight for a cause. Who were these people? They were participants of the first ever SlutWalk of Iowa City. As soon as I heard about this new opportunity for public expression, I knew I wanted to get involved.

The SlutWalk is a movement that began on April 3, 2011 in Toronto, according to Christina Carberry, the president of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance student organization. On this day, police said that the best way for a woman to keep from being victimized is to ‘avoid dressing like a slut.” Since then, hundreds of thousands of women have taken to the streets to argue against this mindset. People now take action to stand up against the culture that blames the victims for the crimes against them.

“I think Iowa City is the perfect place for it because there is contradiction for wanting women to be sexual and then shaming them for it,” said Nicole Loisi, a UI 2011 graduate.

This opportunity to support this cause meant a lot to some students and community members. Melanie Harrison, a UI senior, and Chloe Brigl, a UI freshman, went to support their friend/sister, Maggie Brigl, a UI senior, who is a rape victim.

“I was really happy that we were going to bring awareness,” said Chloe Brigl.

 “No more victim-blaming, no more slut-shaming.”

The event began at College Green Park with an introductory speech, a skit, and then directions on what we, the participants, should chant and where to go. The group of around eighty people was then lead down the street to the pedestrian mall, curving throughout downtown, and returned back to College Green while screaming and carrying signs.

Upon arriving back to where it began, a series of speakers shared their perspectives and opinions on the movement and issues related to it. It was really inspiring to hear how some of them were directly affected by sexual abuse and how they are overcoming it.

“I want to create a culture in which female sexuality is appreciated rather than shamed,” said Carberry.

A representative from local advocacy group, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, spoke along with the owner of a new business, The Tool Box, a sex-positive shop that opened downtown last fall. Hannah Altman from Cornell spoke considering she participated in the feminist conference and organized the Philadelphia SlutWalk. Another speaker was Kate Vohs, a former FMLA member who knows a lot about the issues involved.

There were three hundred people confirmed planned attendance on the facebook event page, so Carberry thought around two hundred would come. However, she was still pleased with the number of people who showed their faces at the park.

“I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the people who came – they were fantastic,” said Carberry.

The SlutWalk movement is the start for a new generation of feminists. Participants believe this movement is at a good time in history because there are still issues within society dealing with the term “slut” and how it is used. A sexual double standard still exists for women. There have been debates over calling a woman “slut” for believing in or using contraceptives, let alone having it covered under health insurance. Laws have been proposed that would cut funding for programs that help women and children with health care with lower income. Women who have premarital sex are frowned upon and told that if you save yourself, you are more valued. Men have it in their heads that if a woman puts out, that means she is not good girlfriend material. Finally, the number of sexual partners isn’t a big concern for men, but for women it is a huge deal.

“We are not excluding male rape victims but I don’t think they experience the same victim blaming even though their experience is just as horrific,” said Loisi.

The movement fights against equating a woman’s morality for their sexual actions and opinions as well as her choice to wear revealing or seductive clothing. A part of society thinks if a woman wears something scandalous and then gets harassed and assaulted, it was her own fault.

“The length of my skirt doesn’t change my worth.”

Carberry is a senior at the University of Iowa who is graduating in a couple weeks with an American Studies degree with a concentration and minors in Sociology and Political Science. Before declaring her major, she was passionate about women’s issues. Now, her studies have informed and shaped the way she talks about them.

“I’m generally interested in social change and social movements, which is why I chose the areas of study I did,” said Carberry.

Carberry initially thought to bring a SlutWalk to Iowa City when she participated in the Des Moines SlutWalk last July. She decided to go after discovering her mutual facebook friends were RSVPing to it.

“It’s definitely the reason I felt like I could bring SlutWalk to Iowa City-I don’t know if I would’ve felt like I knew enough about it to bring it to this community if I hadn’t already been to a SlutWalk and seen how everything went down,” said Carberry, “I’m really interested in the topic of sex-positivity in general, so I  thought bringing an already well-known movement to Iowa city would be a great way to raise awareness and get other people fired up about the issue.”

Margaret Vohs, Kat Williams, and Kate Canter helped Carberry organize the Iowa City movement. There were different efforts they had to take. They had to coordinate with speakers, find ways to market the event, send press releases to local news outlets, get permits from the city, ask for support of other local groups, find a date that would work well, and get general logisitics figured out.

“It was a lot of work, but we had a solid team of four or five of us who’d meet every week in addition to our normal group meetings, and that made the process easier,” said Carberry.

Around ten members of FMLA and other interested students helped with organizational efforts.

Williams was motivated to get involved with the SlutWalk because of her experience in India. The cultural differences there involved women’s clothing; they were not allowed to wear shorts or many clothes that showed a lot of skin. After running in shorts one of the days, she was harassed by a group of men so much that she feared for her life.

“We’re protesting a wide range of things, it’s important to pay attention to sexual assault because that leads to more things like rape,” said Williams.

Because this is a topic that people should take time out of their day for, Williams was a little disappointed with the amount of people who showed up. She thought the day went very well, she just had high expectations after talking to a lot of people and not seeing them there.

Carberry plans to move to Minneapolis after graduation, but hopes the remaining FMLA members do the event again next year. She encourages people to bring awareness by talking with people and changing their thoughts on the topic. The negativity affects everyone of all genders and sexualities.

“Instead of getting mad, I want to take action,” she said.

 “Join together, free our lives, no one will be victimized.”

The funny thing is, when I left College Green Park thinking about all that I heard and now support, a truck honked at me because I was wearing a skirt—how more ironic could the day end?

So how can you make your 2012 summer the best ever? Make a bucket list and knock down every single item…or at least try.

1. Go on a vacation – Okay, so chances are you blew all of your money on Spring Break. But with summer just around the corner (which means you will probably be working more than you do now) you can make all that money back and blow it all again on another trip! But this time, try something different. Why not take a roadtrip to Kansas City? Or fly to New York? With the weather the best all year, there’s never a better time to traverse the U.S. and explore places you’ve never been to.

2. Cross something off your actual bucket list – Go skydiving (props to you if you do, that sounds terrifying). Swim naked in a neighbor’s pool. Hook up with that hot older neighbor you’ve always dreamed about. Anything you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time to.

3. Train for something – Practice for a marathon (or a half). Improve your back swing. Shave a minute off your mile time. Summer gives you way more free time (well, for some people) and  the weather allows for you to be outside way more than normal. You may as well do one productive thing this summer.

4. Catch up on things you’ve missed – The news. Books you heard were really good. Your favorite T.V. show. Or start a new T.V. show (let me reccomend Revenge to you). With school being so busy, there’s probably something you always meant to read, or see, or do and just forgot about it. Take all the free time you have and finish it.

5. Drink - I can’t think of anything better than a nice cold margarita (or beer, if that’s what you’re into) on a hot day.

But most of all, just enjoy the three months you have off from school. And with this nice weather I can’t think of anything better.

Images from simplyrecipes.com and sodahead.com

Molly's Cupcakes...Yum!

… your allergies are slowly killing you. Now where is that handy Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer?

… you have begun to plan out your life for the next few years #RegistrationProbz

… upon planning out your life, you have realized how quickly time flies. Timeflies had it right… Never Grow Up.

… you found out Molly’s Cupcakes is coming to IC! Now you can split your paycheck between there AND Yotopia!

…you are ready for some warm weather. Stunner shades and sandals anyone?

Image from www.mollyscupcakes.com

7pm (doors at 6): FUN. with Sleeper Agent @ Blue Moose – $15 **SOLD OUT**

9pm: One Night Stand @ Yacht Club – $3

Tuesday April 10

9pm: Goldenboy with Collaquialisms feat Nole Octopus @ The Mill – $8

10pm: Flight School Dance Party @ Yacht Club – $1 **21 & up**

Wednesday April 11

NO EVENTS

Thursday April 12

8pm (doors at 7): Andre Nickatina with Mumbls @ Blue Moose – $15

9pm: Briar Rabbit @ The Mill – $8

10pm: Acapella Showcase @ Burge Hall (Carnival Room) – FREE

10pm: CAB presents Underworld Awakening @ IMU (Illinois Room) – $2 Admission $1 Refreshments

1opm: Soul Dance Party & Mixology @ Gabe’s -$1 **21 & up**

Friday April 13

9pm: Paul Thorn with Grand Tetons @ The Mill – $15

10pm (doors @ 9): Nugget + Gilbe @ Yacht Club – $7

10pm: CAB presents Underworld Awakening @ IMU (Illinois Room) – $2 Admission $1 Refresments

10pm(doors at 9): Dubstep For Dummies @ Gabe’s – $5

Saturday April 14

5:30am ( game @ 12:05): Cubs vs Cardinals Roadtrip @ Wrigley Field – Roundtrip Tickets $45

8pm: Slip Silo & Koplant No with Reldnips + Mr. Ting @ Blue Moose – $5

8pm: Pieta Brown: This Land Is Your Music @ The Mill – $15

9pm (doors at 9) Family Groove Company + Chasing Shade @ Gabe’s – $8

10pm (doors @ 9:30): David Zollo with Jesse White Band @ Yacht Club – $6

Midnight: The Room @ Englert Theatre – UI students FREE / Public – $3

10pm: CAB presents Underworld Awakening @ IMU (Illinois Room) – $2 Admission $1 Refreshments

Sunday April 15

6pm (doors at 5:30) Deal’s Gone Bad @ Gabe’s – $10

“]

Image From: Slope Media Group [slopemedia.org

Let me start by just saying this: neither this nor any review can fully do fun. justice when compared to seeing them perform a live show. I write this piece from The Java House in Iowa City, a mere block and half from The Blue Moose Taphouse, where this time tomorrow night, fun. will be performing in front of a very familiar and packed-out venue. I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform at that particular venue twice in the past 4 years, as well as once more at the University of Iowa Memorial Union. Every time, they have exceeded my expectations on every level and blown away audience after audience with their exuberant and elevated passion for making music that they love for people they love. In short, if you consider yourself a fan of fun., you are doing yourself no favors by holding back on that $20 ticket. Though their current tour is sold out at nearly every show from here on out, you best have your wallet ready they next time they announce a show near you.

Now, let’s attempt to meander our way through this new album of theirs, Some Nights.

Two and a half years ago, fun. exploded onto the indie pop-rock scene with Aim and Ignite (2009), a refreshing take on a very familiar genre of music. The album’s success would grow and grow as fans spread the word and Nate & Co., toured around the world. Then, with thousands upon thousands of people clamoring for Nate, Andrew, and Jack to up the ante and release a second record, the guys got together and recorded what Sound and Vision Magazine has called “that rare modern album that you want to set loud, keep loud, and sing along at the top of your lungs.”

And I’ll be damned if that isn’t exactly what I’ve been doing with Some Nights, even before it was technically released. (Disclaimer: I did not in fact pirate the album. I would’ve tossed my laptop out the goddamn window before I let myself do that. Fun.’s label, Fueled by Ramen, had the album streaming on Soundcloud and on fun.’s website for the entire week before it was released. Totally legit, I swear)

I rest my case. But, I’ve got plenty more to say about the album, that’s for sure.

Despite the fact that this record has been on loop in my headphones for weeks, I’ll admit (with some chagrin) that I still haven’t been able to provide even myself with a comprehensive track-by-track commentary, much less enlighten you wonderful people with such insight. However, I have managed to pinpoint  a few of the more outstanding aspects about the album as a whole, as well as come up with a general critique on my favorite tracks. So, here goes:

Much like, Aim and Ignite, this record tends to lean in a lyrically philosophical direction, albeit with a common vernacular that is both refreshing and engaging. Like all bands approaching the creation of their sophomore album, they had to be tenacious and precise. Each track manages to bring with it a new perspective, whether it be instrumental or lyrical; and with that, fun. has put together a successful transfusion of lyrical potency and instrumental diversity that is at once filled with both mellow energy and passionate determination. It’s clear that the creative trio behind fun. wanted to push themselves with Some Nights, focusing heavily on layered instrumentation and bringing in different aspects of each of their backgrounds with various, successful outfits. The record is distinctively pop-rock, but it also has elements of grunge, jazz, soul, anthem rock, and even choral arrangements.

The title track, “Some Nights,” both introduces and encompasses the concept of soul-searching, a theme that runs in and out of each track, almost like a narrative thread that connects the audience to the band in a way that only fun. can seem to manage. The song is an anthem; it’s beat-driven and  clap-able; it’s simple and straightforward to sing along to; and it kicks ass when played at high volume.

Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?

“We Are Young” features the wonderfully sultry Janelle Monae, and was the first single to be released off the album. And in all honesty, if you’re reading this review, you’ve heard the song. You’ve fallen in love with it. You’ve heard it overplayed, stopped listening to it, and then heard it at some bar and fell in love all over again. So I’m just going to tell you I’m right there with you, and leave you with this:

Tonight, we are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun

One of the most outstanding tracks on the album for me was “It Gets Better.” I really saw this song as a turning point on the record. It showcases the different elements of each bandmember’s background with bands they were in before fun. came along. The Format, Anathello, and Steel Train all shone through in little ways, and yet it still maintained that poppy ever-so-uniquely fun. feel to it. I wouldn’t by any means say that this was my favorite song on the album, but it definitely piqued my curiosity and kept me listening.

Another big turning point for me was the horn section-heavy “One Foot.” Nate let out a bit more of his Format-angsty side with the vocals here, lending a beautiful edge to his voice that suitable complimented the percussive, repetitively stomping beat that led the song. It makes sense, given how the chorus goes:

I put one foot in front of the other one.
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die.

Now, I wouldn’t say that I can call any particular song on the album bad, per se. I really love the band too much to do that. Plus, I really can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the creation of Some Nights, which includes the strange turns they may have taken at times. But I will say that, out of all the songs on the record, “One Foot” was probably my least favorite. It was just slightly repetitive, and a little too circular for me to go 100% on.

All in all, Some Nights proved to be not only a solid sophomore album for fun., but a fantastic predecessor for what is sure to come. Since I saw them open for Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday back in 2009, they have exploded onto the music scene with a mushroom cloud to boot. There’s no turning back now, not for these guys. With every tour date sold out from now until… well, pretty much whenever, it’s clear that there is a huge future for fun. And trust me, you’re going to want to be a part of it. So if you haven’t picked up your copy of Some Nights yet, go do it right now. Like, stop reading, go to iTunes, and buy the CD.

And to the rest of you, I’ll sign off with this one last piece of advice: don’t let fun. out of your sight.

Happy Easter Sunday! (If you don't celebrate Easter, CaityPerri and The Hook Up hope you have a fabulous Sunday!)

Caitlin Scott and Perri Mayer

… you will be dying Easter eggs this weekend. Time to put that Pinterest board to use!

… you cannot wait to finally see Leo in all his glory on the big screen. Live under a rock and haven’t seen the redone trailer?!

… you voted for student government elections! As obnoxious as those neon shirts migh be, you gotta admit, they served their purpose. And the party names this year? Clever!

… you have know idea how to dress for the weather. Time to layer!!

… you are pumped for FUN. to come to Iowa City! Wanna see what The Hook Up stands for? Check it out here!

Image from: www.mccormick.com