Combined pitch email - April 12

Hey y'all!

I hope you're all doing well as we start our final exams. We only have three weeks left, and then we're done the winter semester. Personally, I am counting down the days until I have a small little break between this semester ending, and the spring semester starting.

If you want to take a pitch, or have a pitch of your own, message the line editor of that section (through email or The Gateway's Slack), and they'll get you all set up!

Without further ado, here's this weeks pitches!

xoxo,

Katie

Announcements

• The final Gateway to Cinema is this Thursday, April 13, at 9:15 p.m.! We'll be watching All Quiet on the Western Front, and it's free for students! Hope to see you all there.

• The Gateway's Annual General Meeting (AGM) is on April 25 at 5:00 p.m., where you can find out who will be on next year's staff, receive volunteer awards, and GSJS members can elect two volunteer representatives! If you're planning on attending, fill out the RSVP form by April 21! And, if you want to become a GSJS member, just fill out this form.

News Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

1. New student demographic data heralds a more equitable, diverse and inclusive U of A

2. U of A student entrepreneur has been named a finalist in the Student Entrepreneur National Competition, presented by HSBC Bank Canada.

3. Machine learning programs predict risk of death based on results from routine hospital tests.

4. Mild fever helps clear infections faster, new study suggests.

5. ‘Milking’ umbilical cord before clamping benefits newborns who are not breathing well, study shows.

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Katie at [email protected] or over Slack!

Plans to extend the Capital Line LRT to Ellerslie, construction to begin spring 2024 The City of Edmonton has recently announced that there are plans to expand the Capital Line LRT from Century Park to Ellerslie, with construction set to begin next Spring. However, many Edmontonians are concerned that this project will either be delayed, or be prioritized over the Valley Line LRT, which is still incomplete.

City of Edmonton considering transferring authority of transit peace officers to police officers In an effort to further combat the issues surrounding transit safety, the city has recently begun considering transferring transit authority over to EPS, instead of the transit peace officers. Some have expressed concern that this will only further decrease accessibility to transit, especially for marginalized groups.

Some Edmonton councillors have been taking to Reddit to answer questions about city updates and initiatives City councillors Andrew Knack and Aaron Paquette recently took to Reddit to answer questions Edmonton residents may have concerning city updates and initiatives. Should UASU councillors and executives follow suit, in an effort to improve accessibility and transparency? Or, should politicians of all kinds stay off social media, and stick to traditional updates instead?

Edmonton’s “One Strong Voice” Campaign to to reduce gender-based violence on transit The city recently launched a new bystander awareness campaign in order to equip transit users on how to approach situations involving gender-based violence. But, some are concerned that this places the responsibility on transit users, as opposed to peace or police officers. However, others think this encourages community responsibility, and allows those in the community to step in, if comfortable, before the police.

Burlap sack: Talus Balls Sculpture Over the long-weekend, someone was climbing the Talus Balls sculpture when they fell in, resulting in fire fighters having to come rescue them. Many people have used this incident as ammunition against the sculpture, which has long been hated in Edmonton for being super ugly.

A&C Pitches

You can reach me at [email protected] or over Slack!

Performance Review: Studio Theatre's The Devils Apr 5 to 15 Timms Centre for the Arts

This is the last play for the Studio Theatre series. This three-hour-long play is based on actual events in the 17th-century town of Loudun, and explores the dangers of a society overrun by hysteria, particularly in a religious context.

Exhibit Review: 2023 Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduation Show: I don't know how but I'm taller April 18 to 29 FAB Gallery: Main and Second Floor

The FAB Gallery will be showcasing the work of this year’s graduating fine arts students at the U of A in celebration of their talents and artistry. This year’s graduation show explores time, growth, and reflection from 18 different artistic perspectives.

Exhibit Review: AFTER THOUGHT: 2023 U of A Senior Print Show April 15 to 29 SNAP Gallery

Similar to the BFA grad show pitch, this exhibit showcases this year's graduating print students at the U of A. If you are able to go to the opening reception on Apr 15, 7:00 p.m., you can potentially get each artist's thoughts on their artwork!

Performance Review: First Gen w/ HAIDEE, & Jillian TreidlerApr 14 The Starlite Room

First Gen, the headliner for this performance, is a local hip hop/jazz rap band. Also performing that night is HAIDEE, a local pop singer-songwriter who recently had a performance for JUNOFEST, and Jillian Treidler, a local singer-songwriter with R&B and bedroom pop vibes.

Performance Review: Pretty Woman the Musical Apr 11-16 Jubilee Auditorium

Based on the 1990 classic film, this Broadway Across Canada production of the musical features music from Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. Check it out to see whether or not the musical is better than the movie.

Check out these A&C columns!

Some Volunteer Favorites:

• The Hobby Hole: Tell us about any unique hobbies you have or give a fresh take on an old favourite. It could be a passion project or an activity you do when you want to lay back, unplug your brain, and watch the hours fly by.

• Eating Edmonton: Write about your favourite (or not-so-favourite) local haunts in this miscellaneous foodie column. A great way to spotlight local restaurants in a time when they really need it!

• Top 5: Top 5 streaming shows, places to cry in public, work-from-home tips...you name it, you can write a Top 5 on it!

• Playlists: Have killer musical taste? Share it on The Gateway with a curated playlist.

Columns from the Culture Part of A&C:

• The First Time: Try something totally new and write about your experience. It could be a cuisine you’ve heard great things about, an unfamiliar type of music, or an activity you've never tried before. Tell us about it all from the POV of a complete novice.

• Gateway to Gastronomy: Know any fun and easy to follow recipes? Share it in this recurring segment.

• Exploring Edmonton: Do you know any cool places around Edmonton that people should visit? Write about them in this new series!

• Brew Crew/Vino Bitches: A fun, short review of your favourite (or not-so-favourite) beers, wines, or other alcoholic beverages of choice.

• Pot Thots: Write about your favourite strains, equipment, dispensaries, and more in our column on the world of legal weed.

Columns for Those with Hot Takes:

• Diss Track: Are there 3-4 songs that grind your gears in the worst way possible? Diss the crap out of them in this column.

• Retro on Retro: Is some classic piece of media on your mind? Reflect on it with the distance of time in this column. Discuss the qualities, staying power, and impact of your favourite old movie, video game, album, book, play, or whatever else!

• Double Take: Love spitting fire-hot takes on pop culture? You and a friend (or foe) can team up to write opposing takes on some piece of art/entertainment/media.

Tech/Nerdy Columns:

• Paddling up the Livestream: Wax lyrical about your favourite livestreams, put us onto some hidden-away gems, or give your hot-takes on livestream culture!

• DatApp: Have an app that’s been a gamechanger? Wax eloquently about it (or a few of your favourites) in this column.

• Comic Stans: Love comics or graphic novels? This column is for you! Highlight your favourite comics and how they might include representation for women and LGBTQIA2S+ people!