Features

Where are First-Years Going for Spring Break?

February 25, 2020 by Chioma Chukwuma

With a school as geographically diverse as Vanderbilt, we knew that y’all would be going all over the place for spring break. So, we asked over 100 Vanderbilt students where they would be going for Spring Break and here are 10 of the top answers:

Florida
- Ft. Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Miami
Chicago
Texas
Jamaica
New Orleans
California
Colorado
Cancun
Nashville
Alabama

The majority of answers said somewhere in South Florida. Make sure to grab a snap with your fellow Commodore if y’all see each other over break!

Indie and Folk Music Lovers: This One’s for You

February 18, 2020 by Kerissa Bryant

Last week I had the opportunity to review Cold War Kids’ and The Wood Brothers’ concerts here in Nashville. Along with some of the highlights from both nights, I’ll also be sharing some songs I think are more than worth a listen (if you’re reading this in a time crunch, song recommendations are at towards the bottom).

The Cold War Kids concert started off with an opening from Overcoats, an electric duo made up of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell. Their beautiful harmonies and feel-good music set the stage for an extraordinary time, and they sound as good live as they do on record. They performed a couple of songs from their latest album “Young” and even debuted a couple from their upcoming album that’ll be released in January. Overcoats commanded the stage with their personality and had the crowd always either laughing or screaming. If you haven’t already heard of them, their last album is worth a search on YouTube.

Cold War Kids was amazing live, as well. If you haven’t already heard of them, the group is an indie/alternative rock band based out of Long Beach, CA. The musicians, who are talented in so many different instruments it’s insane, awed the crowd with their passionate delivery and energetic stage presence. My favorite segment of the night was when they performed some stripped-down versions of several fan-favorites like “Hang Me Up to Dry” and “So Tied Up.” Overall, I’d give the night an 8.5/10.

The Wood Brothers, on the other hand, were a completely different type of sound. This trio has deep roots in folk; I caught them on Valentine’s Day which also happened to be the last stop on their tour. This band makes the kind of music you want to listen to while you ride in a convertible with the windows down in the summer. On top of that, you know they’re something notable because they could keep people on their feet the whole concert without a grand setup, choreography or background singers. Somehow they managed to get that big band sound with only three people, instruments strapped all over them. The funniest part of the night was when Oliver, the lead singer, said that he thought he’d been on tour a little bit less than two weeks and that his wife disagreed, and then his wife yelled out from the crowd, “I CAN COUNT!” I was in awe the entire night, and if you’re into folk music, I bet you’ll be in awe, too.

Some songs to check out by Cold War Kids:

We Used to Vacation
Tricky Devil
Who’s Gonna Love Me Now
Hang Me Up to Dry
4th of July
Fine Fine Fine

Some songs to check out by The Wood Brothers:

One More Day (Live)
Postcards from Hell
Little Bit Sweet
Alabaster
Who the Devil

The Introvert’s Guide to College: V-Day Edition

February 11, 2020 by Chioma Chukwuma

An introvert being in a relationship sounds like an oxymoron.

How does someone who prefers to be by themselves most of the time end up in a situation where they have to be with another person most of the time?

How does an introvert even get to the relationship stage?

I’m no love expert, but for this Valentine’s Day, I’ve picked up a few tips for y’all to work up your nerve to tell that someone how you feel (or… at least think about doing so).

1. Vibe Them Out

A lot of times, people will show you who they are. Vibe them out. Can you actually talk to them or are your conversations a series of awkward silences?

If you find yourself putting in too much work to make it work, maybe you need to reconsider whether this person is for you.

2. Don’t Fear the Answer

No.

Those two letters, or really any another answer that isn’t a yes, is enough to stop someone from telling another person how they feel. This is less about introversion and more about being shy or scared, but it can be easy to let your fear of an answer stop you from saying what you want to say.

This is just college! We’re not in a race or some crazy version of Love Island where you have to be with someone or have someone in your life by a deadline. Say what you want to say and don’t fear the answer.

3. Now What?

Remember life goes on. If you have your eye on a special someone this Valentine’s Day and you’re willing to put in the work to make room for them in your life, just try.

If you don’t, ordering cinnamon sticks and pepperoni pizza and watching Archer is also a very valid way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Either way, I think you’ll find yourself satisfied.

Top 7 Pictures of the Week

February 11, 2020 by Truman McDaniel

**VIBE puts on its yearly show, this year’s was titled VIBE Through Time**

**The Women’s Basketball team defeats Ole Miss at home**

**Commons Ball was a huge success with lots of fun and good food**

**The Women’s team looks forward to their next game against Mizzou**

**VIBE’s show was a huge success and a tear-filled send-off for their three seniors**

**The Men’s Basketball team ends its drought of SEC wins with its victory over LSU**

Commons Ball SparkNotes

February 4, 2020 by Lauren Parker

When: Friday February 7th from 9pm – 12am
Where: Commons Center
Who: All freshman are invited (Rumor is that the food is SO good that many upperclassmen walk all the way to Commons to enjoy the food.)
What: A night filled with food & fun
Theme: First Contact (Outer space)
Type of food: Sushi, Dippin’ Dots, carving station (meats), and more
Type of fun: Silent disco, mechanical bull, karaoke, casino, crafts, & photo booth
Attire: Cocktail wear (People are wearing grays, whites and blacks to go with the outer space theme. There is no official dress code but it is an opportunity to dress up, so have fun with it!)
What should I bring: Yourself and your Vandy ID (a meal swipe is needed to get in)
Still don’t know what to wear? Here’s some inspiration:

Top 7 Pictures of the Week

February 4, 2020 by Truman McDaniel

**#5 Trevor White shoots between the legs of a defender to score Vanderbilt’s 3rd goal against UAH**

**Scotty Pippin Jr. Brings the ball down the court during the game against Florida**

**Josh Peng skates past a defender during Vanderbilt’s 10-2 victory over UAH**

**Vanderbilt’s Cheerleaders cheer on the ‘Dores against Florida**

**Dylan Disu drives the ball to the basket during a tough loss to Florida**

**Owen Boersma fights a UAH defender for the puck during the final game of the season**

**Scotty Pippin Jr. talks with Saban Lee during a timeout in the 2nd half of the Florida game**

The Introvert’s Guide to College: Breaking the Third (Or Fourth, or Fifth) Wall

January 28, 2020 by Chioma Chukwuma

Third-wheeling when you’re with a romantic couple is one of the most awkward things you can experience.

But, third-wheeling, as a stranger, with people who are already friends is something else.

We know that it’s important to put yourself out there, right? You can’t always wait for someone else to approach you and you can’t always sit in silence and be fine with letting life go on without you participating in it.

But when you’re third-wheeling it can be so easy to let the people who already have established friendships talk around you while you sit quietly in the corner, observing it all.

You got to break the “third” wall.

Now, what does that mean?

Normally, the phrase “breaking the fourth wall” refers to when a character addresses the audience in the real world, rather than participating in the fantasy world that the story is taking place in. That character is breaking down the wall that exists between the world they usually exist in and engaging in a new one.

What I’m talking about is breaking the third, or fourth, or fifth wall. However many people are in this group, break into it. Stepping out of the comfortable world that you’re used to, and into what’s actually going on around you.

To break this fourth wall, it means you’re going to have to be uncomfortable. You’re going to have to – and I know this sounds crazy- initiate conversation. Introduce yourself and try to get that conversation ball rolling.

I’m not going to be a hypocrite and pretend that I’ve mastered this. There have been times where I have sat in a group of four people and not said a word as they talked around me simply because I was more comfortable being an observer.

This year though, I am making it a point to break down that third, fourth, or even fifth wall when I can and try to establish new relationships with new people and I invite y’all to try it too.

Top 7 Pictures of the Week

January 28, 2020 by Truman McDaniel

**Saban Lee dribbles past an Alabama defender during Vanderbilt’s loss last Wednesday**

**Vida performs during halftime of the Men’s Basketball game**

**Chelsie Hall works against a Texas A&M defender during the Women’s Basketball loss last Thursday**

**The Vanderbilt Dance teams performs during the men’s game**

**Coach White gives Jordyn Cambridge** **some tips**

**Vida is Vanderbilt’s Premier Latin Dance Group**

**Scotty Pippin Jr. drives to the basket during the Alabama game**

Commons Ball: What to Expect

January 21, 2020 by Kerissa Bryant

You’ve seen the flyers around campus, and for some of you, they’ve even been slipped under your door. The point has been made that Commons Ball is allegedly a big deal. But WHAT THE HECK is it exactly?

I’ve been wondering that myself, so I reached out to one of my upper-classmen friends and was basically told these main points:

absolutely beautiful and elaborate set-up (they transform the Commons dining room and it goes from “ehh” to “ahh,” think Rand’s holiday party in December x10)
there’s a rockin’ dance floor so leave the uncomfortable shoes in your dorm
food = delectable
lots of other fun activities that you can do with friends such as photo booths, silent disco, and karaoke

While they tailor the activities to the theme of the ball each year, it can be assumed that Vandy is going all out Feb. 7 @ 9pm.

I also asked about how important the theme was to this whole shindig, and apparently not many people actually follow it. This year’s theme is basically ∼outer space∼ , so feel free to get your alien on if you can make the cocktail fit work with it, but don’t be stressed if you can’t. The night will be fun regardless of what you wear.

T/DR: Commons Ball will be a blast, so look forward to sharing the night with your friends.

Here’s a transformation picture of Commons Ball from a previous year to get you excited.