Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers take the stage at Summit Hall Music //Frances Meng-Frecker

By: Lizzie Brown, Staff Reporter and KRXJ Liaison

My peer, photographer, and friend, Francis Meng-Frecker and I arrived at Summit Music Hall Wednesday, October 23, to become acquainted with the music of acclaimed lyricist and band, Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers and their opener Jeffery Lewis & Los Bolts. Frank Lopes Jr, known by his alias Hobo Johnson, and his gang take on the United States and lots of international venues across Europe and Australia on their “Bring Your Mom Tour” to promote their debut full-length album “Rise of Hobo Johnson”, released by Reprise Records this year. Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers made got their first big break at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and have been an internet sensation ever since. 

All of his devoted listeners showed up at the Summit in Denver; packed house knew every single lyric, leaving Hobo lots of room for pauses and interaction with his amped audience. From the second Hobo began his set with “See You Again”, his fans lost it and this symbiotic relationship continued to liven the atmostphere until the very end of the night. Hobo Johnson performed as the perfect frontman. His lyrical timing was superb, especially in “Dear Labels”, though his bars usually end at disjunct moments in the song, this is completely intentional and leaves the listener on edge, anticipating more. His band backed him up with ease. Using rhythmic, intelligent and sometimes soothing instrumentals; the continuity between musicians and frontman totally elevated this musical experience.  

Hobo Johnson demonstrated a heightened understanding of musical composition and stage presence; the audience and band seemed to have an implicit understanding that this night was meant to share in “musical therapy”. Both band and audience collaborated in camaraderie, and we felt real heartfelt joys and sorrows to celebrate and mourn together. It was emotional honestly. Everything from Hobo’s lyrics, to the lights, and the band’s changes in tempo was impressive and, more so, they help Hobo ignite emotions in his audience. I left Summit Music Hall that night feeling understood, feeling a sense of solidarity with the complete strangers I just moshed with. It was an intensely fun and wacky concert that I feel privileged to have attended and I plan to party with these self-acclaimed misfits as soon as they come back to town. I recommend everyone who loves emotion-packed music and a really good time do the same and to seek out Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers’ music! 

Regis University Debate Team Works With Students at Ricardo Flores Magon Academy

Regis University Debate team, 2017 //Regis University

By: Thomas Jones, Staff Reporter

One of the many great aspects of Regis University is its commitment to helping others and strengthening one’s community through the act of service. The Regis University British Parliamentary style Debate Team has shown their commitment to service once again as they continue to engage in community service projects. Last year the Regis Debate Team did volunteer work at Beach Court Elementary School, reading with students to help improve the school’s literacy rating so funding didn’t decrease for the school. This year the Regis team is continuing their commitment to education by starting up a debate program at Ricardo Flores Magon Academy for elementary and middle school students. 

Ricardo Flores Magon Academy (RFMA) is a charter school between 53rdAvenue and 54thAvenue on Lowell Boulevard, just down the street from Regis. RFMA teaches students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The Debate program started by Regis accepts both elementary school and middle school aged children. Communications Professor and Regis Debate team coach, Jon Denzler, put the curriculum together for the debate program at RFMA and is also the instructor of the program at RFMA, which meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM. For the first few weeks of the program the students practiced their public speaking and basic argumentation skills through several activities, such as short impromptu speeches on simple topics like Coke vs. Pepsi, public readings and group work to come up with arguments on a topic. 

In the coming weeks the students will begin to learn a specific style of debate known as Lincoln-Douglas debate. This is a one v. one debate with the side agreeing with the topic known as the Affirmative side and the side disagreeing with the topic known as the Negative side; a typical round lasts about forty-five minutes with the speech order being as follows: 

1)   Affirmative first constructive speech – 6 minutes
2)   Cross examination period where the Negative questions the Affirmative – 3 minutes
3)   Negative first rebuttal – 7 minutes
4)   Cross examination period where the Affirmative questions the Negative – 3 minutes
5)   Affirmative first rebuttal – 4 minutes
6)   Negative second rebuttal – 6 minutes
7)   Affirmative second rebuttal – 3 minutes

At this point in time the students are beginning to learn speech structure as well as practicing to give a proper Lincoln-Douglas debate style speech. In the coming months I will be updating with occasional articles as to how the program is doing and how the students development in reference to debate skill is coming.