This first edition of the semester was not without annoying technical glitches, but the important thing is that we’re back and so very happy about it. This week, correspondent Cassidy Hodges takes us inside the lavishness that is Patton Hall, and Dustin Stout joins the crew to give us the details on the Bell Tower renovation.

“This building is going to have a great impact on our city,” said Belmont president Robert Fisher at the building’s grand opening on Aug. 21.

“[It is] a space where students can discover their purpose and passions in life and be more transformed into all they’re created to be.”

But the green roof isn’t just there for its aesthetic value.  It’s also a refuge for birds, insects, and even some of the plants themselves. For example, the Pepto-Bismol pink Tennessee coneflower was formerly endangered, and the new garden is home to 300 coneflower seedlings.

The plants will also help protect the campus from the “urban heat island” effect, lowering air temperatures during hot summer months by using energy from their surroundings to evaporate water.

“This green roof represents another significant step in Belmont University’s commitment to environmentally sustainable practices,” said Judy Fisher, coordinator of interior construction and exterior landscaping/lighting, in an Aug. 10 news release.

Fisher, the wife of Belmont president Dr. Bob Fisher, worked with landscape architects to choose all of the plants for the roof, said Catherine Spivey, a landscape designer from Hodgson and Douglas, a local firm that worked on the project.

Initial designs for the project included medicinal plants to complement the work of the pharmacy building itself, Spivey said, but as the team began to play around with the university’s concept of an all-perennial garden, they were inspired by the cedar glades of Middle Tennessee.

They created a new design for the garden with “very shallow soil, a lot of limestone rock, and perennials that kind of pop up in grasses,” Spivey said.
However, the team loved the idea of using medicinal plants so much that they added a few non-traditional herbs to their makeshift cedar glade, including St. John’s wort and verbena seedlings.

Although the garden will take roughly two years to develop fully, Spivey said, it already looks good. “It’s definitely filled in more than we could have hoped for.”
The Plant Operations staff is maintaining the green roof, a task made easier by the technology it’s equipped with.

“[The plants] have a sub-ground irrigation system, so it’s pretty slick,” said Mary Weber, Belmont’s landscaping manager.

The roof’s design also allows it to collect some rainwater for use in that irrigation system, another feature that makes the roof unique.

“We started looking at other campuses, and they hadn’t done this yet, so it just kind of evolved into being the largest one on an academic campus, which we were all thrilled about,” Spivey said.  “Belmont [is] on the forefront of trying new things.

Vision: How did you start out?

Miss B.: I was signed to an independent label in D.C. at 14 and took off from there. I’m no longer with them. Actually I have my own company now, an LLC, so basically I’m signed to myself right now.

What was it that got you started down the road of wanting to rap and be in music?

With the poetry, I actually got an idea from a friend. They said, “You’re really good at poetry. Have you ever tried to do your poetry with music, and tried to rap it?” And I was like, “No, I’ve never tried that before.” And they were like, “You know, you should try it,” so I started doing it. I was good at it, and I wrote all the time, so I guess it became a habit to write and to do it with music. But I never, when I was younger, considered it to be a career at all because I was always the smart kid. I always wanted to be the lawyer or the doctor or something like that. People started telling me I was really good at it and I should keep doing it, and it just took over my life.

Do you have a process for when you write?

I get most of my ideas at night, so most of the time when I write it’s always midnight or after, and when I’m writing to music, I have to have the music very loud. It’s a habit. I try to become one with the beat or the instrumental, and then I write from there, so that’s the process when I already have the music. Other times, if I have a story to tell I write the story out first, and then I’ll make the rhyme patterns from there.

Where do you think that rap and hip-hop fit into the Belmont music scene?

It was definitely hard trying to fit in at first, but what I learned from being at Belmont – going on my third year this year – is that students at Belmont just like good music. Whether it’s indie music or pop, or even hip-hop, as long as it’s good music and the artist is talented they appreciate it, so I think that’s how it fits in. As long as you’re good at what you do, and you practice, and you legitimately have talent, I think people come out to your shows and they support your music and really learn to appreciate you as an artist. Belmont’s very critical, so you can’t just be like, “Uh, today I’m going to rap.” It has to be a career.

Who would you say has influenced you? And who do you listen to?

I’m influenced a lot by old female rappers like MC Lyte –  I love her, hands down – and the old Lil’ Kim, before she started getting into the pop realm. Right now, consistently, I listen to Nicki Minaj because as far as female MCs, she’s the artist I compete with – not literally because I’m not at the same level that she is, but I want to be, so it’s like studying your competition. I listen to her a lot. And Drake, I really respect his flow. I kind of use and learn from him as far as how he flows and stuff like that.

What was the last album that you bought?

The last album that I bought was Drake’s Thank Me Later.

And that was a good pick?

Oh, definitely – start to finish.

What do you like about it?

I like the fact that he sings and raps, the double threat is awesome. I think it’s one or two songs that have Auto-Tune on it. A lot of times nowadays these rappers are getting caught up in doing the dance songs and the songs with all the Auto-Tune on it. This album is lyrical. It has substance to it, so you can listen to it, you can learn from it, and it’s really something that makes you think. That’s how rap started out. The purpose of it was to tell stories or to talk about the DJ. It started from people, MCs hyping up their DJ. Drake and Nicki Minaj and the artists that are out now are getting away from doing the dance records and the Auto-Tune and stuff. They’re going back to the actual story telling, and that’s why I like it a lot.

To backtrack a little bit, you were saying that you got signed when you were 14 years old, can you talk a little bit about how that happened?

My sister was actually dating a guy that was in A&R for an independent label out of DC. She introduced me to him, and I rapped for them and they signed me. But you know how they say, “Not every deal is a good deal?” That was the case with me. I was so young, and I was so caught into the fact that I was getting signed and that I was making a little bit of money, for sneakers and food and everything. But the truth is I was too young, I wasn’t prepared enough, I don’t think, but I got some good things out of that with them, I got a lot of shows, I did a lot of compilation CDs with them and their label, video shoots, photo shoots, kind of to just get to know how the game worked. Also, they’re the ones who got me on BET’s 106 & Park and stuff like that, but I left them right after I turned 16.

So you were saying that you’re kind of signed to yourself.

I have my own LLC. It’s Exclusive Records LLC, and it’s basically just an entertainment company that me and my mom started together. That way I can put out music by myself, and just do my own thing without having someone control over me. If I was to get signed with a major label it would be more like a distribution deal between my label and them rather than them signing me as an artist.

You’ve done a lot of shows; is there one that sticks out?

The show that I did for Haiti stuck out a lot. It was an honor to be asked to perform. It was at Belmont. Taylor Swift showed up. I was sitting next to her, and I didn’t even know who she was. I just really thought it was another Belmont kid, and when I got up to perform, she moved up to the front and sat down in front of the stage, and I was just in awe, like, OK, Taylor Swift is here. I’ve done shows for a cause, I’ve done shows for HIV awareness and a lot of different stuff, but Haiti was one of those shows where you really felt like you were doing something. I actually wrote a song particularly for that event, so that made it even more special.

Do you have anything planned for the year?

I’m doing a song that I’m trying to get to Young Money Cash Money, so I’m going to be recording a lot, and this year I plan on assisting other artists at Belmont, whether it’s doing a lot of features, or doing a lot of shows with different artists. This past year I was doing so many shows by myself that people were asking me to do songs and I wasn’t able to do it. This year I’m really going to focus on teamwork with other artists and probably try to get in the Atlanta market a little bit.

Do you have advice for your fellow Belmont artists?

Don’t strive to be famous, don’t strive to make a lot of money, just strive to be a great artist because, in the end, your fans will appreciate your artistry. Your fans will appreciate the songs that you sing that relate to their life more so than the fact that you’re famous. I think a lot of times as students, we kind of get discouraged if this deal doesn’t go through, or if we don’t make the cut for this show, or the showcase. I think if we just strive to be great artists, everything else will be OK.

Instant replay coming to basketball: The biggest advancement to come from the Atlantic Sun’s league meeting this summer was the addition of instant replay to men’s and women’s basketball games. Every Atlantic Sun school will be equipped with technology and resources that allow game officials to utilize instant replay on buzzer-beating shots and other situations.

In a basketball league as tight as the A-Sun, implementation of instant replay is a no-brainer. The process takes a load of pressure off the officials and allows them the opportunity to correct any mistakes.

Coach Ezell rounds out women’s basketball staff: New Belmont women’s basketball coach Brittney Ezell added Marvis Hodges, Carley Peterson and Jonathan Davis to her first-year staff. Hodges has been Ezell’s right hand man since she started her coaching career at Okaloosa Walton Community College. Peterson, a former athlete and graduate assistant at Valdosta State, will serve as the team’s academic coordinator in addition to her duties as assistant coach. Davis is entering his third year as an assistant for the Lady Bruins.

Basketball schedules materialize: For those itching for November and the start of basketball season, this summer brought exciting news about the non-conference opponents Belmont will face this year.

On the women’s side, the Lady Bruins open with a tournament at Winthrop before playing regional foes UT-Martin, Tennessee Tech, and Chattanooga. Belmont also has a Dec. 18 date with Alabama – a school that Belmont beat in overtime last season.

The men’s basketball schedule is slightly more unique. The Bruins open the season on Nov. 16 against the University of Tennessee in Knoxville as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off. The game will be televised on ESPNU. Depending on the outcome of that game, the Bruins will play either Missouri State or Arkansas State in the following round.

In a somewhat bizarre scheduling scenario, the Bruins and the Vols will meet for a second time at Thompson-Boiling Arena on Dec. 23. While the situation isn’t ideal for either side, Vols head coach Bruce Pearl had some nice words to say about the Belmont program.

“With Rick Byrd, they’re one of the best-coached teams in the nation year in and year out,’’ Pearl said in an interview with GoVolsExtra. Pearl learned that the hard way in 2008, when Belmont nearly up-ended Tennessee in a mid-December matchup.

Although a final schedule has not been released from the athletics department, Belmont has also reportedly scheduled games with Miami University (Ohio), Troy, Middle Tennessee, Tennessee State and Alabama State.

Nearly $8 million in upgrades to Rose Park, 10 blocks north of campus, will provide homes for five Belmont sports teams, and the area is expected to be ready for use by spring 2011.

Work at the site began after the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Belmont, a decision that ended the legal battles between the university and a community organization, Organized Neighbors of Edgehill, as well as other Edgehill residents.

Jason Rogers, university counsel and vice president of administration, said he is pleased things are finally coming together.

“I’m looking forward to construction being complete and available for use to the community,” he said.

Rogers said he feels that most Edgehill residents actually support the project and the potential it brings to the community, despite the grassroots opposition that stalled the project.

“We’ve gotten some very positive reactions from the community,” Rogers said. “Many neighbors are excited.”

When completed, the renovations will give both the Edgehill community and the university fields for baseball, softball and soccer that meet NCAA Division I standards.  A new track will also be built at the facility.

Under a 40-year lease agreement, Metro Parks will still own the property.  Edgehill residents will have first priority to the complex, according to the lease. Belmont has said it will schedule events around local schools and community organizations and will try to maintain a schedule that will avoid disturbance to the neighborhood as much as possible.

In making the agreement, Belmont will not only foot the cost of the renovation, but also will pay Metro an additional $50,000 annually. A portion of the money will aid the PTO organizations of the neighborhood’s Carter Lawrence Elementary and Rose Park Middle schools, both of which are magnet schools in the Metro Nashville Public Schools system, and provide full or partial scholarships for high school seniors in the Edgehill area. The remainder will be used for improvements in Metro Parks.

When Rose Park is not in use for scheduled Edgehill or Belmont events, the park will be completely open to the public.
Ideally, construction will be more minor than some in the neighborhood expect, Rogers said. The university will keep local residents informed about the ongoing renovations and what effect that might have in the neighborhood.

Rogers is optimistic the complex will be completed on time and be ready for Bruins baseball and softball games next spring.
“We’re proceeding with the timeline we wanted to pursue when the case got through the court system,” he said.

Price:  $6 through Belmont Central; $8 at the theater with student ID
Location:  Green Hills 16, 3815 Green Hills Village Drive; Hollywood 27, 719 Thompson Lane
There are always new movies coming out.  Seeing one with friends is a great way to spend a Friday night. Belmont Central offers discounts on movie tickets. Also, there are plenty of theaters nearby, the closest two being Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 and Regal Hollywood  27, just off I-65.

2.     Adventure Science Center

Price: $9 with student ID
Location: 800 Fort Negley Blvd.
Learning can be fun (especially without homework).  Experience it for yourself at the Adventure Science Center. It features interactive activities that range from exploring the universe to the music of Queen and Pink Floyd, to seeing how your face will change over time. The best part is that it’s only two miles from campus.

3.     The Frist

Price:  $7 with student ID; free on Thursday and Friday nights with student ID
Location: 919 Broadway
If you’re feeling artsy, you might want to check out the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.  There you can enjoy art exhibits and ArtQuest, a fun interactive art gallery that allows you to create your own art, all within the heart of downtown Nashville, and if you haven’t turned 19 yet, admission is free.

4.  Las Paletas

Price: $2.50
Location: 2907 12th Ave. S.
What could be better than homemade popsicles? At Las Paletas that’s exactly what you get. They have an assortment of flavors, from banana to chocolate coconut. It’s a must visit for Belmont’s newcomers as well as longtime Las Paletas fans.

5.  Ice Skating

Price: $6 and $2 skate rentals
Location: 222 25th Ave. N.
Grab your sweaters and scarves to brave the cold when you head to Centennial Sportsplex. Their year round ice skating rink is a great place to burn off some energy. When you’re done, you can even head over to Centennial Park, a quick walk across the street.

6.  Centennial Park

Price: Free
Location: 2600 West End Ave.
Centennial Park is absolutely free! So, bring a Frisbee to throw with your friends or just lounge on the grass and finish some homework, either way it’s bound to be a good, relaxing time. Centennial Park also features a replica of the Parthenon, which is a great spot to have a mini photo shoot with friends. (And if you want to go inside, admission is just $6.)

7. San Antonio Taco Co.

Price: $1.20 – $6
Location: 416 21st Ave. S.
At San Antonio Taco Co. or SATCO, you’re bound to run into fellow Belmont     students. It’s a popular hangout with all the Mexican food essentials to choose from, such as chips with guacamole, or fajitas. Sit, stay awhile, and have a chat with friends, or grab it to go and enjoy it from the comfort of your dorm.

8.  All Fired Up

Price: $6 to use supplies; pottery pieces start at $3
Location: 1807 21st Ave. S.
If you want to do something creative, try All Fired Up. It’s a local ceramics studio that helps you make and paint your own designs on items that range from $3 to $40. It’s a great place to let out the stresses of school and have a fun time doing it.

9.  Farmer’s Market

Price: Varies
Location: 900 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Looking for cheap deals on literally everything? The Farmer’s Market is the place to go. Haggle for the price you want on fruit, clothes, dishes, rugs, anything! Then check out the monuments and statues of Tennessee’s history because the Farmer’s Market is located next to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

10.Hillwood Strike and Spare

Price: $3-$4.75 per game and $3 shoe rental
Location:  3710 Annex Ave.
Bowling can be a great activity for a large group of friends, and at Hillwood Strike and Spare the price is reasonable, too. The bowling facility also includes a place to play laser tag and rollerblade for an additional fee.

In a metaphorical sense, it’s impossible to see all of Belmont at once, especially from our viewpoint as students. In a rapidly changing environment, it feels as there is seldom a moment to stop and just be at the Belmont that exists right now. Recently while talking to a few friends, we had a moment where we just couldn’t remember if the psychology building had been torn down. Yet it has; in fact, I saw it happen.

A lot happened at Belmont this summer, and it is with these thoughts in mind that this issue is aimed to bring you up to speed.

Over the summer, anyone who stayed on campus saw the Bell Tower get swallowed up in scaffolding, the pharmacy building receive its final touches before it was christened McWhorter Hall, and Patton and Bear House halls fill out that solid two rows of North Lawn dorms. Shoot, even  the Circle K got a makeover (details on page 3.) While we’re taking stock of what’s happened at Belmont on a large scale, we also wanted to let you know where the Vision is.

Last year we plastered a mission statement of sorts on the cover of the August issue. All that we said then still stands. The Vision is here to cover the stories that matter to you. We still want you to tell us what’s on your mind and we’d still love to see you swing by a staff meeting and get involved by taking a story or shooting some pictures or  whatever the case may be.

In this spirit, we’re continuing with our weekly web show, The Week at Belmont. If you haven’t seen it, it’s our tongue-in-cheek news roundup, everything you need to know about the week’s happenings, but laced with humor and random Viking sightings. (Go watch.)

We’re also reaffirming our commitment to timely, relevant coverage both in print and online. If you haven’t been to belmontvision.com, check it out. The Vision in print is monthly, so everything that happens in between goes straight to the web.

Beyond that, look for new recurring features like The Beat ‘n’ Track, a Q&A with Belmont bands and artists. This month we’re kicking things off with Miss B. Also, keep an eye on both the paper and the website for restaurant reviews, concert reviews and news as it happens on campus. We’ve been compiling and planning all summer, so we’re excited to get to it.

Welcome back.

Tartuffe, written by the 17th century comedic playwright, Jean Baptiste Molière, is about an impostor who claims to be a zealous, pious man while boarding at the wealthy Orgon’s home. Instead, he’s a deceiver who tries to swindle Orgon out of the deed of his house by winning the respect of his wife and attempting to marry his daughter. Evening performances, all in Troutt Theater, are at 7:30 p.m . Oct. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9; matinees are at  3 p.m. on Oct. 2, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and Oct. 10.

Troutt Theater will host an entirely different production Oct. 30 when the Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe offers the extravagant Japanese puppet theater known as “ningyo joruri” or bunraku. The troupe trained in Japan with artists who are part of the puppetry troupes that date back to 1684. The Asian Studies Program sponsors this event. Performance time and ticket information will be announced..

The week before Thanksgiving break will be the performance of 33 Variations in the Black Box Theater. 33 Variations is about two different stories that occur 200 years apart in two far off places: America and Austria. It is a dramatic American play written by Moisès Kaufman about what motivates someone to create. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 21; matinees are at 3 p.m. Nov. 13, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 and 20.

The Nashville Ballet will grace the Troutt Theater’s stage with their new ballet based on Anne Frank’s life story. Dr. Mark Volker, a Belmont music faculty member, composed the music. Performances will be Nov. 19-21; times and ticket information will be announced.

The Actor’s Bridge Ensemble and perform Eurydice, playwright Sarah Ruhl’s re-telling of the classic myth. The play presents the story of Orpheus, a popular Greek musician, through the eyes of his wife. The golden ticket of this play? Eurydice “will have an amazing raining elevator and water pool on the set,” said Paul Gatrell, department chair of the theatre and dance department. Evening performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 24, 25 and 26; matinees will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 20, 26 and 27.

The Government Inspector will be on stage in the Black Box Theater in April. The Government Inspector is a satirical play written by Russian and Ukrainian playwright Nikolai Gogol about corrupt officials in a Russian town. They get into a tizzy when they hear an undercover inspector will visit to investigate them. They scramble to make their work seem decent and punishments necessary. Their attempts are interrupted when a mysterious visitor has already checked into the inn.The visitor is not an inspector but a civil servant, Khlestakov, who has a wild imagination. It should be a high-spirited and witty play, the perfect way to end the theatre season. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9, 14 and 15; matinees are at 2 p.m. April 9, 10, 16 and 17.

The dance department will round out the theater and dance department’s season with their annual Dance Production where students will showcase their talent and new techniques. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 29 and 30 and May 1.

Exhibits of work by painter Mike Holsomback and photographer Amy Holmes George are the first in a series of shows in Belmont galleries this fall.

Holsomsback’s show, “Faces and Things: Paintings and Collages,” is on view Sept. 1-Dec. 2 in the Leu Gallery Foyer in the Bunch Library. A reception with the artist is 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8.

“Double Vision: A View of Florence Past & Present” is the title of Holmes’s show, which is on view Sept. 3-24 in the 121 Gallery in the Leu Art Building, and ends with a visit by the artist at a reception from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24.

The new series of paintings by Holsomback takes on the themes of myth and the search for personal identity in the 21st century.

Holsomback, a native of north Georgia and a faculty member at Chattanooga State Community College, is the self-described son of a son of a white sharecropper, as his father’s parents lived in a string of depression era sharecropper shacks.

According to his bio, “It is through his own early veil of poverty, and the illnesses which arise within it, that he has sharpened his vision as a painter. He has seen and participated in the long and often painful journey of southern cultural evolution.”

Photographer Holmes’s work is a project undertaken with the support of a Fulbright grant. In it, she juxtaposes historic images in the Fratelli Alinari in Florence, Italy, with current images to explore ideas of memory, place and history.

Holmes, who lives near Dallas and teaches at the University of North Texas, describes herself as “a collector of things,” many of which appear in her work.
In an artist statement, Holmes said, “Through my photography I investigate the intersections between art and science. I explore memory, place and history via personal encounter and revisitation.”

In addition to the Holsomback and Holmes exhibits, the campus will also host several other art events.

• In collaboration with Belmont’s Spanish program, Jairo Prado, a native of Colombia who has lived and created art in Nashville since the 1960s, will have a showing of his work Sept. 9-24, the Leu Art Gallery Foyer in the library. Prado, along with Belmont students, will also create a collective mural that will be part of the Humanities Symposium in late October.

• “Belmont Then & Now,” a senior capstone project, will be on view in the Leu Gallery Foyer Nov. 8-Dec. 10.  The show will be a photography exhibition of 30 images composed by Belmont’s senior BFA students to present a reminder of what has radically changed and what has essentially remained the same on campus. Following the temporary gallery showing, the images will be put on permanent view in the library.

• Belmont art professor David Ribar will have a show, “Recent Works in Progress,” Oct. 4-28 at Gallery 121 in the Leu Center for Visual Art. There will be a reception with the artist from 5-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4.

• The annual student exhibition is scheduled at Gallery 121 from Nov. 10-30. A reception with the artists is scheduled at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Sometimes, I splashed water on my face; other times, I took a shower. I stumbled into my shorts and T-shirt. I forgot at least one item everyday – either my nametag or my radio or my notebook. Every morning was a struggle. But when I opened the door and sucked in the air, I knew it was time to work.

This summer, I worked six days a week and lived onsite at Camp Widjiwagan here in Nashville. My role as “Warrior Boys Nation Leader” put me in charge of 11 counselors and, at times, upwards of a hundred 8-, 9- and 10-year-olds on a daily basis.

The days were long, but in retrospect seemed to go fast, kind of like life, in general.

Those who have worked at summer camps know the grind that occurs toward the end of the summer. With three weeks left, my thoughts were completely consumed by the finish line. I had filled out enough “think sheets” and behavior forms to last a century (or so it seemed). There was nothing I wanted more than to be kid-free.
Then, one of my co-workers, Commodore, came up with an idea. She suggested we organize a football game on Friday. It would help dilute the monotony of camp life. My nation would hold tryouts, form teams and play a game.

Brilliant.

During the week, two of my counselors coached up their teams in anticipation of Friday. They ran drill after drill under the hot July sun for two days.
Friday came. It was easier to get up that morning. Everybody was excited about the afternoon.

It was finally time. I watched as the kids put into use everything they learned during the week. They all had their game faces on. The coaches yelled words of encouragement from the sideline. My head shot back and forth as moment after moment was filled with suspense.

The play was definitely sloppy; after all, most of the kids were far from even teenage status.

An interception occurred and one side erupted. Then came the game’s first – and only – touchdown.

When the dust settled, there was pure joy on one side and tears on the other. One kid’s face was red with anger and disappointment. His counselor was there with his arm around him.

The game meant nothing. There were no implications – no reward and no gain. Afterwards, everybody got popsicles. But to those involved, it meant the world.
Everything about that steamy afternoon reminded me why I love sports. I love the competition. I love the drive that each athlete or participant possesses. I love the thrill of winning and the agony of defeat.

And most of all, I love the lessons learned from each outcome.

Pierce Greenberg, Vision sports editor,
is a senior journalism major