Blog

By: Trae Christian

Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle preview

A jock, a nerd, an outcast and a popular girl end up in detention and have an unlikely bonding experience. Does this plot sound familiar to you? Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a hilarious mix of The Breakfast Club and Indiana Jones.

This movie features four teenagers who end up playing a video game and getting stuck inside of it in the bodies of the players they chose. Each player has their own strengths and weaknesses that they have to use to their advantage to win the game. In order to get out of the game they must use each other to complete all of the challenges without losing the three lives that are given to each of them – basically, they must finish what Alan from the previous Jumanji movie started. Through each of these challenges, the players end up growing closer together and realize that the only way they can win the game is if they use each other’s strengths to do so.

What made me really enjoy this movie was how funny it was, yet how inspirational it also comes across.  Its message to live your one life to its fullest and embrace other people’s differences is one that never gets old. Another component of this movie that makes it great is all of the talented actors that it features. The cast includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas, and Karen Gillan, as well as a few other lesser known actors that also put on a great performance. It’s no surprise that since the movie was released in December it has achieved extended time in theaters. With such a funny plot and a great cast, it’s almost impossible not to enjoy this remake.

By: Makenzie Theiss

Star Wars: The Last Jedi preview

The Star Wars saga has been around long before the December 15, 2017 release date of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The first Star Wars film was released in 1977 and the movies have consistently been released since then. The Last Jedi is the eighth episode to be released in the trilogy series. In this specific trilogy, there has been episode seven, The Force Awakens (2015), episode eight, The Last Jedi (2017), and there is an episode nine that is speculated to release in 2019.

The Last Jedi continues the story where episode seven left off. The First Order is in full pursuit to have complete reign over the galaxy and to destroy Leia and the Resistance completely. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker encounters an unexpected visitor when Rey discovers where he has been taking solitude. Much to Skywalker’s surprise, Rey displays intense signs of the Force. The plot unfolds over the battle between good and evil and whether the Resistance will be able to stop Kylo Ren, General Hux, and The First Order.

One of the most daunting aspects about sitting down to watch this film can be the fact that there are so many movies before this one and the amount of backstory that leads up to this particular film. However, as a person who has seen all of the Star Wars movies before, this movie is worth seeing regardless of a person’s Star Wars trivia knowledge. The film itself is of excellent quality and boasts a thought-provoking plot. The tangible struggle between good and evil proves for an intriguing and stimulating experience.

May the Force be with you as we Welcome you to the Jungle at our Outdoor Movie Night on Saturday, April 21. Jumanji is showing at 8:30 p.m. and Star Wars: The Last Jedi is showing at 10:30 p.m. on the Commons Lawn!

Written By: Kate Dolan

Colony House is coming back to LU, and they’re better than ever! Since last being at Liberty in 2016, the Tennessee-based indie rock band has been hard at work touring after the release of their sophomore album Only The Lonely. I remember being in the crowd at their show my freshman year during Student Activities’ annual Block Party, and I will never forget the energy. Each song, though I knew every word, was a different experience when it was coming from ten feet away. The guitar riffs were more incredible, the drum solos more soul-rocking, and the retro mic was emitting even smoother vocals than I could have imagined. As the first few notes of each song rang out the crowd would go wild, knowing each song would bring about an enjoyable experience.

Block Party 2016 was not the first time this group had rocked Liberty’s campus. Back in 2011 they performed under a different name, “Caleb”, after the band’s lead singer. Though this band is not explicitly Christian, its roots and messages are clear as they consistently create music that is both hope-giving and raw. Two of the bands front men, Caleb and Will Chapman, are the sons of renowned Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to this talented bunch. The band also includes guitarist Scott Mills, who was good friends with the brothers even before the band came together in 2009. A more recent addition is bassist Parke Cottrell, who added the last factor needed to transform this trio into the band they are today.

In a day and age where uniqueness is hard to come by, Colony House spins a different twist on the popular indie-rock genre. The range of songs on their most recent album go from soft and real ballads like “This Beautiful Life” to more upbeat funky-rock songs like “You & I”. The band is not content to stay in one lane musically, as they always seem to be striving to mix up their sound. Their fresh sounds make for an exciting listening experience that keeps you hooked the entire way through. There is definitely something for everyone when it comes to Colony House.

Colony House will be making their big return to Liberty University on Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Jake Ziegler and the Locals, a local rock group, will be opening the show. Bring your friends, bring your mom, bring anyone that just loves to rock out to the LaHaye Event Space for an unforgettable night with a band that keeps getting bigger and better.

By: Trae Christian & Naomi Bower

Two of our coffee-loving staff members, Trae and Naomi, are back with more coffee reviews! Earlier this year, the duo wrote a post about coffee shops in Lynchburg that they taste-tested. This time, they took their desire for a good cup of joe outside of the 434 and wrote about where they tried coffee on spring break – Trae being in his hometown of Richmond, VA, and Naomi being in Knoxville/Chattanooga, TN. Read below for some of their coffee shop highlights!

Urban Farmhouse

Richmond, VA

Trae’s order: caramel macchiato

Urban Farmhouse is a chain of coffee shops in Richmond, Virginia. This particular one is located in a neighborhood right on the James River, so the drive from my Richmond home to the shop is always something to look forward to. This coffee shop was special because not only did they have an amazing playlist (Clocks by Coldplay is always a yes for me), but their coffee was also delicious. Unlike a lot of coffee shops I’ve spent time at, this one was very spacious. It can sometimes be stressful trying to find a place to sit and get work done in smaller shops. When I went to order my caramel macchiato, my barista was very helpful and made sure that the drink was made just how I like it. I appreciated this because some places tend to use too much caramel, leaving the drink too sweet. The drink was very good, and with the right amount of caramel I was able to enjoy the taste of the coffee. If you are ever in Richmond and want a good place to do homework, Urban Farmhouse is a great spot.

Lamplighter Coffee

Richmond, VA

Trae’s order: cold brew

Lamplighter Coffee is a small coffee shop in downtown Richmond in the fan district. The thing I really liked about this coffee shop was that they offered indoor and outdoor seating. The playlist at Lamplighter had a dark vibe to it and featured King Krule and other interesting artists. I ordered a small cold brew which is one of my favorite drinks to get when I visit a coffee shop for the first time.  The coffee had a sweet and smooth taste that I enjoyed so much I stopped myself from adding cream and sugar (that’s when you know you found a good drink). This is a good coffee shop to go to if you’re in downtown Richmond and want a good cup of coffee to go.

Honeybee Coffee

Knoxville, TN

Naomi’s order: iced vanilla latte

I often find myself ordering vanilla lattes when I’m feeling uncertain, so I like to think I have quite a few under my belt for comparison purposes. The coffee was good, but the atmosphere kept me hanging. Honeybee is in the quaintest downtown area with a perfect view of the Gay Street bridge. Since the shop is found in what I assume is an old townhome, they utilized the house to create more space for the customers. I grabbed my coffee and turned the corner to find another room filled with couches and chairs. Not to mention, the name significantly influenced the aesthetic of the shop. From the yellow accents to the honeycomb shelves, Honeybee lived up to its name. I can’t say I have been anywhere quite like it.

Milk & Honey

Chattanooga, TN

Naomi’s order: milk and honey latte

My friend and I stumbled upon Milk & Honey looking for a quick breakfast before we hit the road. Milk & Honey was nothing short of memorable from the fun employees to the hilarious mascot they created comprised of a cow and bee. This little hole in the wall had a lot to offer, but I knew I had to have my fix of coffee before I left. I decided to try the milk and honey latte because I thought it was only fitting. I know that any coffee in the morning is good coffee, but I’m still dreaming about this latte. I will never know what they did to make something so simple yet so noteworthy, but I will definitely have to find my way back.

By: Kate Dolan

What do you think of when you hear the name TobyMac? I think for me, and many other people my age whose parents listened to stations like KLove and Air1 religiously, I almost feel as if TobyMac raised me. Whenever I hear songs like “Boomin” or “Jesus Freak” I am instantly transported back to morning car rides on the way to school dancing and singing my little heart out. I even remember the first album I downloaded onto my iPod shuffle, and it was TobyMac’s 2007 hit record Portable Sounds. Suffice it to say I was more than a little excited to hear he was coming here, to Liberty University, for a one of a kind concert.

So who is this guy TobyMac, really? If you don’t know the answer to that question, you may not have been at Liberty long enough. Toby Kevin Michael Mckeehan is not only one of the foundational and best known Christian hip-hop artists of our time, but he also is a Liberty Flame and Northern Virginia native. He got his start here at Liberty with a band made up of him and fellow students Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith, eventually calling themselves dcTalk. They went on to win major awards in both the secular and Christian music arenas, but that was just the beginning for TobyMac.

After going solo in 2001, following over a decade with dcTalk, for TobyMac the ball just kept rolling. He broke further into genres and styles virtually untouched in the past by Christian artists, and people loved it. His songs gave people something to dance to that simultaneously gave them messages of hope and faith. From his first solo album Momentum in 2001 all the way to his newly released single “I just need U.”, TobyMac has always found a way to make his music appeal to every generation. It’s the type of music I can play in the car with my grandma and instead of being told to “turn down that racket” I am instead encouraged to turn it up so we can rock out together. He is the type of artist that doesn’t fall behind or become outdated, rather setting the standard for others to follow.

TobyMac was always ahead of the curve, paving ways musically for those to follow him. He made Christian music “cool” and got people talking. He made it onto MTV, to the top of the Billboard charts, and even won seven Grammy awards along the way, but something was different. He was talking about Jesus while doing it.

Come out and see the man, the myth, the legend, TobyMac perform on April 7^th at 7:30 at the Vines Center. This is the kind of concert you don’t want to miss!

Last week, we had our second annual Every Square Inch Conference. If you’re not quite sure of what that is, you can check our preview blog post here for more details. What you really need to know is that the ESI Conference is one of the coolest events our department has the privilege of being a part of each year.

Thursday, we kicked off the two-day conference with a workshop led by Dr. Gregory Alan Thornbury of The King’s College discussing the fragility of faith. After the speaking portion, there was a Q&A time led by Dr. Joshua Chatraw of Liberty’s School of Divinity. That evening, the conference’s highlighted lecture occurred in the Grand Concert Hall of the School of Music. Dr. Thornbury spoke on “Cain, Abel & Kanye: The Gospel & Pop Culture”, and was joined by Liberty’s own Dr. Karen Swallow Prior and Dr. Taylor Worley of Trinity International University.

Friday began with another workshop led by Dr. Thornbury discussing his new biography on Larry Norman. There was time for questions at the end of the workshop, leading to great discussion among the group. That evening, John Mark McMillan closed out the conference by performing a concert in the LaHaye Event Space.

All in all, Every Square Inch Conference was everything it claimed it would be – a two-day event where students and faculty alike were posed with thought-provoking questions and engaging discussion. If you would like to watch the lecture from Thursday night, feel free to do so here.

Student Activities is grateful to be able to partner with Liberty’s Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement to host this important event. We are excited to see what is in store for ESI in the future!

Years ago, two directors imagined a new kind of event at Liberty University. There were not many festivals at Liberty at this point, especially one that focused so heavily on the arts and entertainment realm of the outdoor industry. Because of this, the directors of Student Activities and Outdoor Recreation created the first ever Outdoor Rec Fest. The festival includes a variety of recreational activities and workshops from a photo expo to art and outdoor skills workshops, to music, tasty food, and so much more!

Here is an interview about Outdoor Rec Fest with a Student Activities Supervisor (Kay Torres) and an Outdoor Recreation Manager (Jordan Tatro):

1. What are some events that students can look forward to at Outdoor Rec Fest?

Kay – Student Activities is hosting an outdoor-themed Photo Expo, a Movie Night showing Jumanji, a painting workshop and a photography workshop.

Jordan – Outdoor Recreation is putting on a crash pad competition, wilderness survival skills workshop, bird watching and a backcountry cooking workshop.

2. Tell me your personal favorite highlights of ORF.

K – I love the Photography Workshop because it attracts a specific crowd and the instructors are incredibly talented. The instructors are professionals at Liberty and can teach students of all skill levels.

J – My favorite part of ORF is the Expo on Saturday afternoon. I genuinely enjoy observing the interaction between students and vendors. Students have the opportunity to speak with local professionals about specific outdoor skills and products.

3. What is something new to ORF this year that you are really excited about?

K – Outdoor Yoga is a new event to ORF this year that will take place at Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center. The yoga class will be led by one of Recreation Centers Group Exercise instructors.

J – This year, for the first time ever, we are hosting a Night Hike on Liberty Mountain with s’mores at the end. Also, new vendors will be at the Expo on Saturday afternoon, along with a Fly Casting Competition hosted by local fly shop: Angler’s Lane.

4. What is the overall goal of Outdoor Rec Fest?

K – We love the opportunity to work with Outdoor Recreation because we can attract a different demographic of students that would not normally attend our events.

J – We hope that the students will become aware of the wide variety of activities, trips, and tools that Outdoor Recreation has to offer. We want students to feel welcome to interact with the Outdoor Recreation staff and freely ask questions about outdoor skills. There tends to be an “elitist” culture among outdoor recreationalists, but Outdoor Rec hopes to encourage students of all skill levels to try an activity that is offered this weekend.

5. Why did Student Activities and Outdoor Recreation decide to create a joint festival?

J – SA and OR actually used to both fall under the “Student Activities” department. A few years ago, OR split into its own department, but we still find ways to continue to work together on events. Outdoor Recreation handles the knowledge of the outdoors and loves to share what they have experienced with the student body. Student Activities manages the logistical portion of ORF and adds artistic activities to the fest! We love collaborating on events and hope to attract students from both demographics.
Join us March 9-10 for a weekend filled with festivities – find out more info here!

By: Erin Diaz

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” – Abraham Kuyper

When Abraham Kuyper, Dutch politician and theologian, spoke the words above at his inaugural address at the dedication of the Free University in 1880, he was not aware that his words would be foundational to a movement: Every Square Inch Conference.

Liberty University’s Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, in partnership with Student Activities, is honored to host the second annual “ESI” Conference on March 1^st and 2^nd. The two-day event will be packed with riveting lectures and workshops led by intellectuals, highlighting Dr. Gregory Alan Thornbury, Chancellor of The King’s College and Professor of Philosophy. Thursday night’s lecture, entitled “Cain, Abel, & Kanye: The Gospel & Pop Culture”, will be led by Dr. Thornbury in the Grand Concert Hall. John Mark McMillan, American songwriter and musician, will be joining us Friday evening in the LaHaye Event Space, rounding out the event.

To say that Student Activities is a part of Every Square Inch Conference is nothing short of an honor. Our department has been working tirelessly for years to arrive at the point of hosting an event such as this one. We strive to actively analyze pop culture and its relevance to Christianity, and this conference is the epitome of the cultural engagement we aim for and seek to discuss. To hear from a speaker such as Dr. Thornbury is exciting in itself, but to have the opportunity to also learn from speakers such as Dr. Taylor Worley, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, Dr. Joshua Chatraw and Christopher Misiano is a highlight of the Student Activities spring calendar and the department’s journey thus far.

We look forward to seeing you March 1^st and 2^nd for a stimulating conference that will challenge your perspective and freely give insight to the pop culture/Christianity crossroads we often find ourselves in. For more information about Every Square Inch, visit the event’s website at www.liberty.edu/esi.*

*All events are free of charge for the conference, with the exception of the John Mark McMillan show. Workshops/lectures do require registration and a valid flames pass.

By: Kate Dolan

For decades, Pixar has been the gold standard for quality animated films, and rightfully so. They have released some of the most important, original, and challenging films of the last 20 years. Their most recent and highly anticipated release, Coco, catalogues yet another triumph for Pixar as it manages to give a very familiar story a fresh perspective.

Coco tells a story of a young boy, Miguel, whose passions of becoming a musician are stunted by his family-long tradition against music. In order to prove to everyone he is destined to be a great musician, he travels to the land of the dead to visit his idol and world famous musical genius, Ernesto de la Cruz.

One thing that sets this film apart is the terrific and authentic voice acting, which brings to life this already immensely bright and expansive world of Coco. Lee Unkirch, the film’s director, chose to forego traditional means of casting A-list movie stars to voice the characters. The story is based in Mexico, and as a result, Unkirch decided to select predominantly Latino voice actors. This decision was made to ensure the story would properly reflect its setting and give authenticity to its narrative.

One of the first things I took away from the film after watching it was the endless vibrant landscapes. In my opinion, it may be Pixar’s most visually beautiful film to date. The landscapes not only serve as visual feast, but also complement Miguel’s lively journey towards the expansive world of music. Along the trip, the overarching theme of family tradition is particularly powerful.

However, I would contend that it is in Coco’s softer, quieter moments which lie some of the most emotionally moving scenes of the film. The moments that emphasize the value of family, no matter how broken it is, were especially touching. It is nothing new for Pixar to explore such adult themes in their children’s movies, but to continue to deliver again and again with the utmost quality and respect is something to appreciate.

In closing, Coco is a genuine pleasure to watch. Miguel guides the audience through his unique and crazy world delightfully. The joyful moments are endlessly fun and its tender moments are sincere and lasting. Coco is able to provide the audience with a perspective they may not have experienced without engaging in the film. It is quite a journey and it is worth celebrating this immensely valuable film.

Join us here at Student Activities on Saturday February 17 at 8 and 10 pm in the LaHaye Event Space, and enjoy this colorful, exciting, and moving film. You won’t regret it.