It’s no secret that the metal music genre has predominantly been one that caters to men. It could be stereotyping to also group metal with long hair, Flying V electric guitars, and inaudible lyrics.

But for Italian metal group Lacuna Coil, although they may certainly have a fair share of long hair and hard-hitting guitar riffs, what really sets them apart is raven-haired, fuel-charged vocalist Cristina Scabbia.

Scabbia has had no trouble fitting into the historically male-dominated genre. In fact, she’s viewed ..read more

Dear Weal Sex;

My boyfriend and I have been talking about fetishes. He told me about one where he wants to drink beer from my vagina. Can I get some sort of infection from that? I am just really freaked out by this.

-Scared and confused

Dear Scared and Confused;

A: Now I am not a doctor, but considering one of beer’s main ingredients is yeast, I would strongly suggest avoiding your boyfriend’s request. Granting him this fantasy most likely will tamper with the ..read more

Calgary’s art community is buzzing over the city’s newest art initiative, the Watershed+ project.

British art duo Tristan Surtees and Charles Blanc are leading the visual language project in an effort to bring awareness and attention to Calgary’s water supply by utilizing artists to turn watersheds into art canvas.

With the project in its early stages, the organizers are looking for art students who may be interested in this City of Calgary mentorship program.

Surtees and Blanc began with the City of Calgary ..read more

While walking from class to class or building to building on the SAIT campus it is nearly impossible to not see a piece of art.

No matter what it is, a simple painting, a mural, or a sculpture there is a story behind its creation and a reason for its display.

The artwork around campus is not only a way for artists to connect with the community, but also a reflection of SAIT’s history.

What are now referred to as SAIT and ACAD, ..read more

It seems like Simple Plan broke into the pop-punk scene ages ago. Oh wait, they did.

They started out in 1999, alongside the likes of pop-punk mainstays Sum 41, Blink 182, and Good Charlotte, and hit the charts with their debut album, No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, the French-Canadian group have solidified their name in the Canadian music scene with their anthemic pop tunes and fun-loving nature. With their new album, Get Your Heart On, the Juno ..read more

“It’s tough times right now.”

JB Brubaker is one-fifth of American metal-core band, August Burns Red.

“It’s no secret that people buying music is down,” says Brubaker. “It’s down every year, and ticket sales are down for shows across the board.”

Despite the decline, Brubaker insists metal shows in Canada have never suffered.

“As a country, [Canada] seems to be a little more focused on the arts than some other countries, in particular, the United States,” he says.

The Pennsylvania Christian band is part of ..read more

Artistic abilities are being nurtured in Calgary’s homeless population with the help of donated cameras and a photo exhibit on the Central Library’s new art wall.

Running Feb. 3–28, the Arts Society of Calgary’s ‘A Moment in Time’ exhibit is part of the This Is My City series which aims to nurture the creativity of Calgarians.

The event features work from the Calgary homeless community.

At first glance, the exhibit appears like a collage of mismatched images.  A more thorough viewing, however, shows ..read more

Seven second-year SAIT film and video production students are putting together a documentary to bring awareness to the very real dilemma many young people are faced with; a quarter-life crisis.

The crew is looking for people to share personal stories that might help other young people struggling to find direction in their lives.

SAIT counselor and registered psychologist Danica Heidebrecht said typical symptoms of a quarter-life crisis, or “transition” as she calls it include exploring new romantic relationships, learning more about who ..read more

Local hip-hop artist Daniel Bennett, who performs under the name Transit, has been classified under dozens of controversial sub genres, but he is simply looking for people to stop classifying and open their minds.

Bennett took the name Transit from a memorable incident while still living in his hometown of Victoria.

“I convinced someone not to take their life on a city bus when I was 16,” he says.

“The bus number was 22.”

Naming his most recent album 22, released Nov. 11 2011, ..read more

“Maybe some artists reach this point and become safer more refined imitations of themselves. We’re not interested. So…we’ve decided that this upcoming tour will be the last tour of the chapter. It’s not the end…But it’s the last one for a while.” –Excerpt from The Low Anthem’s announcement on their web site.

Back in September, Providence, Rhode Island indie folk band, The Low Anthem, gave the impression of an indefinite hiatus after their current tour. Though it seems the band was only ..read more

SAIT’s extra-curricular programs allows students the chance to become published writers, to ski on snow-capped mountains and, thanks to a new addition, “drop the bass” in front of hundreds of people while a wall of lasers flash behind.

The Beat Drop school of DJing is currently hosting its winter semester of DJ courses at SAIT’s resident bar the Gateway.

The best part? SAIT students receive a 25 per cent discount.

Because of the commercial success of artists like Rusko and Avicii, and the ..read more

2011 was a year of animal-prints, ugly man-hats, infinity scarves, Toms, fake glasses and glitter. While some of these styles may be here for good, most of them have been tossed out of the window in order to make way for the new trends of 2012.

In: Abstract Artsy Prints Out: Animal Prints

PETA put up with this trend, despite the fact that it unintentionally promoted animal abuse. Many of the collections that came out in 2011 featured Cruella Deville-esq coats, replica snakeskin ..read more

“What’s an English bastard like you doing my country?” was the first question Theo Sims was asked by a hostile Irish nationalist named Dominic Crickaid. Sims was enrolled in art school at the time and was busy hosting a party before he was blindsided by the wielding hostility.

“What’s a feignin’ bastard like you doing in my kitchen?” retorted Sims. Miraculously, the conversation didn’t turn to blows. Instead, the two discussed their respective cultures and histories. Sims said he would prefer ..read more

Email your questions to: wealsex@gmail.com

Q: A bit of a TMI question, but I can never get guys to finish from blowjobs. I don’t think I’m bad at them. I’m pretty experienced and the guys always seem pretty wowed by my performance, but I’d like to get ‘er done, if you know what I mean. Any tips?

-Bad In Bed? Or at least Blow?

A: First of all a TMI question is a non-existent phrase when referring to our column, ..read more

When it comes to music for having “relations” to, the names of classic crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Teddy Pendegrass and Barry White are usually what come to mind.

This music is a far cry from the kind found in most nightclubs, where the music can often soar above 120 beats per minute and the sound is frenzied and glitchy.

However, many electronic music may actually take your sex life to a whole different level you never dreamt possible. Here are my ..read more

Make a deal with your roommate or just don’t do it

There is a definite art to college hook-ups; this is especially true when they take place in close proximity to a roommate.

“I never had sex in a dorm room, but I did do a lot of other stuff. Fingers were in places they shouldn’t have been,” said SAIT Petroleum Engineering grad Marina Hoernig.

“It never bothered my roommate though because she was usually busy doing the same thing, you know, ..read more

It can be a tricky bond, the friendship between a woman and a man. More often than not, lying beneath this particular rapport is sexual tension, creating a platform for the ever-complicated scenario of becoming friends with benefits. Unlike the movies, these relationships rarely form into an epic love story.

The scenario can arise from a multitude of situations. Your friend could be blessed with the chiseled good looks of a young Brad Pitt, or the sultry presence of Megan Fox ..read more

I worked retail at Chinook Centre for a year and now hate holiday shopping with a fiery passion.

People get angry and irritable, and the gift selection available is often repetitive and unoriginal.

I decided to find the best local shopping hotspots around the city, where you can find a variety of personalized quirky holiday gifts for your pickiest gift-recipients.

The Rocket

The Rocket, owned by custom T-shirt company Bang On, has been an underground treasure-trove for years. Located in Kensington and on 17 ..read more

Vancouver co-ed five-piece mainstay Mother Mother have proven once again they can revamp their sound, with latest effort, Eureka. With a heavier approach than their two previous releases, the indie pop-rock group consistently turns heads with dynamic, female-versus-male vocals.

Originally thought of as a “long-shot,” Eureka was mixed by big name Vancouverite Mike Fraser of AC/DC and Metallica fame. The new record also received special treatment from the band’s vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Ryan Guldemond, who took on a new role ..read more

Six years ago, Canadian basketball was put on the map when Victoria, BC native Steve Nash became the first ever Canadian to win the NBA’s MVP award.

Since then, basketball has been on the rise north of the border and there is reason for Canadian basketball fans to be excited about the program’s future.

This ..read more

Despite what Dr. Hook says, The Sheepdogs didn’t need “blue-eyed groupies,” “cocaine Katy,” or “all kinds of pills” to land on the cover of Rolling Stone.

Last August, Saskatoon band The Sheepdogs became the first unsigned act to be featured on one of the world’s most recognized magazines.

The small Canadian band accomplished the feat thanks to the help of more than 1.5 million people across the globe who voted in Rolling Stone’s Choose the Cover competition.

“I never thought I would ever ..read more

Each month in the heart of Kensington, the Market Collective helps local artists get recognized.

Founded by Angela Dione and Angel Guerra, just days after meeting one another over breakfast in 2008, the Market Collective (MC) has been a stepping stone for Calgary’s young artistic and musical talent.

“It has proven to be a great starting ground for musicians and artists,” says Guerra. “We receive upwards of 40–60 emails weekly from local artists requesting to show at the Market Collective.”

Lindsay Saunders, a ..read more

Don’t forget to fill out our quick and painless Sex Survey! Click the link on the right side of your page to fill us in on all your sexy habits (anonymously, of course).

Q: I’m a first year student and I have very few (girl) friends. Life is boring without a girlfriend: help me! -—Desperate 5: First year of college can be a different field when it comes to meeting someone of the opposite sex—especially when you spot someone from afar that you ..read more

On October 28, Tom Waits released his new album Bad As Me, his first studio effort of new material since 2004’s, Real Gone.

While there are many who waited eagerly for this release and think Waits is one of the most influential artists of all time (he is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), there are many reading with no idea who Tom Waits is.

My first experience with Tom Waits was in the early 90s. My dad ..read more

There’s something classy about seeing someone with a long stem held gracefully between their fingers, bold flavours and aromas filling their glass.

As long as that dainty sip isn’t followed by a round of shooters.

Once consumed only by royals and those of the church, wine has never lost its association to the aura of higher class.  For many students the sophisticated libation can offer a hit to fading bank accounts at semester’s end.

The Weal spoke to the experts to find the ..read more

The Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) is holding its bi-annual Show and Sale, Nov. 24–26. The ACAD Students’ Association hosts the event to showcase student work each November and March.

“The show is always all student work,” says ACADSA vice-president academic Ryan Tang.

“We’ll have work from every different department, about 11 departments.”

The show and sale features work in mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, glass and drawing.

ACAD students volunteer for the event in order to showcase their talents.

“Students all ..read more

Vancouver based trio Hey Ocean!, composed of lead vocalist Ashleigh Ball, guitarist David Beckingham and bassist Dave Vertesi, may battle it out when it comes to creating their sound, but the outcome results in nothing but positivity.

“We are all extremely different, it makes things crazy but also very rewarding,” said Vertesi.

Many may have heard Ball’s voice without realizing it.

The singer is as a vocal actress, lending her voice to television and film projects such as Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and ..read more

Labelled one of the buzz-worthiest indie albums of 2011, tUnE-yArDs’ w h o k i l l, is a unique and eclectic sound, paired with one hell of a powerful voice. Although it may not be for every taste, there is no denying that front-woman Merrill Garbus is one talented lady.

As the musical project of Garbus, a multi-instrumentalist, she’s been known to command the stage with her showmanship and complexity with instruments, all while layering her voice during her ..read more

The city will soon be up in smoke with the return of Tommy Chong to Calgary.

Much like the man himself, the Canadian’s comedy is iconic and synonymous with marijuana culture. Over the past 40 years, Chong has garnered laughs and rave reviews for poking fun at the stoner experience, such as accidentally eating a roach on the last toke or a giggly red-eyed encounter with cops, all while keeping it relatable and funny for audience members who have never smoked-up.

“All ..read more

Lindsay Lohan was hauled off to prison on Nov. 7 for once again violating her parole.  It is astonishing how many times the above statement has been written in the past four or five years, but yes the Lohan circus marches on.

Here is a woman who, when not completely black-out drunk or higher than a 747, is beautiful, talented and has had plenty of resources at her disposal to become a major star.

Amazingly, she has managed to flush it all ..read more

Lights, born Valerie Anne Poxleitner, has been a Canadian music mainstay since releasing her 2009 gold-selling album, The Listening. Maintaining a strong presence, Lights has released her second album, Siberia, and is breaking the rules and changing her sound with new influences.

As a female, it can be tough to be taken seriously in the music industry. However, Lights is breaking the boundaries.

“People see a girl with a pretty face and want to assume that she’s all manufactured and made up,” ..read more