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(04/19/05 4:16am)
The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in the heart of D.C., around the title basin of the Potomac River. It is a celebration of Japanese culture and heritage and features events for three weeks planned around the blossoming of these beautiful trees. In 1942, Japan gave the United States these trees as a gift and they stand as a living memorial.\nI am so sad to say that I only have three more weeks in D.C. On April 30th, I will pack my bags and go home to Cleveland, Ohio, a city that has nothing on D.C. My visit to the Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend made it all the more difficult to think about moving away from my favorite place.\nThis is the highest volume of tourists for the season, which makes Metro traveling nearly impossible, but my roommates and I thought it would be a good idea to take the train with everyone else.\nThe clouds finally parted Saturday morning, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We arrived downtown after fighting our way through the crowds of tourists blocking the escalators and Metro doors. Our first stop was the Japanese street fair and Cherry Blossom parade. \nWith the sunshine upon us, we walked from vendor to vendor checking out the Japanese merchandise. Traditional rice bowls and tea sets lined the streets, and the vendors called to us fighting for our attention. We were most interested in the food and quickly breezed through the shopping so we could enjoy our lunch. The next street smelled of teriyaki chicken and tempura fried vegetables. We devoured our lunch and walked to the Cherry Blossom parade. Thousands of families lined the street as balloons, floats, marching bands and the Cherry Blossom Queen cruised down the street. Seeing all the families made me miss my own and I was homesick for a brief moment. \nWe strolled through the streets and made our way to the monuments, where the most beautiful blossoms bloom. Springtime makes the city seem brand new, and I felt like I had so much to discover and enjoy in the sunshine. This was my first Cherry Blossom Festival experience, and my senses we overwhelmed. The delicate blooms look like snow hanging from the tree. From an aerial view, it is impossible to see the ground because the blossoms are so thick. As you look across the water near the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the cherry trees seem endless, and the pink and white blossoms engulf the scenery.\nI was in my own world as I tried to take in as much of scene as possible. The next day, I returned, but went to the other side of the river to Potomac Park East. This side was filled with locals running, walking their dogs and playing with their children. We walked along the water next to men and their sons fishing and barbecuing. Picnicking families lined the grassy park and people sought shade under the heavy cherry blossoms. \nAs we walked back to the car, I couldn't help thinking how sorry I will be to leave this place.
(03/10/05 12:10am)
I can describe my Washington D.C. experience thus far in two words: deeply moving. Though I have been here before I started the Washington Leadership Program, I felt the need to rediscover the city through its museums and memorials. \nI packed my camera, dressed in warm clothing and prepared to fall in love all over again. \nOn our first night, my friends and I took the night tour of the memorials. We lingered in the Lincoln and Washington memorials, staring at their beauty and immensity.\nWe walked along the Mall and past the reflecting pool and came to the World War II memorial. Through the misty darkness, the lights illuminated the beautiful fountains that commemorate our lost war heroes. I had never seen this memorial before, and my eyes welled up with tears.\nI moved slowly through the open structure absorbing its grandeur. Quotes from D-Day lined the walls and paralleled my feelings about Sept. 11 and our soldiers in Iraq. The field of stars represents each fallen soldier. As I stared up at the plaque, I realized the price of my freedom was their lives. As I passed the large fountain in the center of the memorial, I looked back at my friends and saw they were equally moved.\nWe made our way through the World War II memorial and moved down the path to the Vietnam War memorial. If you only see one memorial on your trip to Washington, D.C., you have to see this one. It is a black wall with the names of the deceased soldiers etched into the solid mass. It begins with only a few names on a short slab close to the ground. The slabs get larger and the names grow denser. Large books with the names of family and friends lost to the war start at the top of the monument, and the names are listed chronologically as the men died.\nMy emotions were overwhelming as I thought about the families of these dead soldiers. Each of these men was a father, son, brother or friend to someone. Each of these men had a story stifled by war. \nJust beyond the path were handwritten posters thanking our troops. "We will remember," they read. \nA few of the guys in our group hovered over the posters, reading their touching messages. I looked into their eyes and saw awesome emotion and tears.\nI could not help thinking that this was the perfect way to start my journey.\nOn Jan. 23, I had the privilege to hear Colin Powell speak for his last time as secretary of state. As I waited for Secretary Powell to make his final descent down the State Department steps, I could not help but feel like I was dreaming.\nAs he said his final good-byes, his devoted staff cried tears of admiration. To his right stood his assistants and his undersecretaries. To these men and women, Powell was not only a boss -- he was a friend. His last words to his staff left a lasting impression: "I will never leave you." I saw the tears building in his eyes and, of course, I started to cry.
(01/11/05 4:35am)
It's time to become a real, bona fide adult. Or maybe this is just practice. This semester I will abandon my life at IU to work and study in Washington, D.C. There are two reasons I chose SPEA's Washington Leadership Program: one, because I know it is a true test of my maturity, and two, because it is a true test of my professionalism. These are not the only reasons, however.\nMy main concern was graduating on time. I had absolutely no direction upon my arrival at IU, and I took my time deciding on a major. I finally decided on policy analysis, diving into the interesting subjects and really enjoying my classes. \nDespite the belief that SPEA is a walk in the park compared with other majors, I was working pretty hard. So when all of my friends and roommates decided they were going abroad, I knew I couldn't stick around Bloomington all by myself. I searched high and low for programs that worked with my major and would allow me to graduate on time.\nI pretend to speak French fluently, so although my main focus was on programs in France and French-speaking countries, that idea turned out to be a lost cause. Because I was doing some soul searching freshman and sophomore year and had declared a major at the latest date possible, I couldn't really do any of the programs and graduate on time, and I didn't think my parents wanted to keep paying for my undergraduate education until I turn 25. So when I heard about WLP in one of my classes, I knew it was a perfect fit. I could continue my policy classes, earn a six-credit internship and live in D.C. as a political nerd.\nNow I am preparing to work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. four days a week at the U.S. Department of State. I will be taking two classes with the expectation of an active social life. My real goal is to have lunch with Condoleezza Rice and try to respect the Bush administration. We will see how that one works out. I must confess that there are so many things I am looking forward to other than my job. I am excited to take the Metro to DuPont Circle, one of my favorite places in D.C. and to have some Cosi coffee (it's better than Starbucks). I can't wait to wear my new suits with my fabulous black heels -- I love to play dress-up, and "professional woman" is my favorite role to play.\nThere are so many things in D.C. I have yet to discover. I will be living there for a weeks before my classes and job start, so when you are reading this, I will be taking the Metro around D.C. trying to find new adventures. Farewell Bloomington, I will miss you and Little 5. I will really miss my close friends and our fabulous apartment and my boyfriend, Ari. I know I can always go home, but I am just so ready for D.C.
(09/22/04 3:59am)
From contemporary clean to classic country, students arrive at their new residences ready to fill the space with personality. \nFor many students, decorating their living space is an opportunity to settle into their surroundings while finding their own personal living style. Empty apartments, houses and dorms become an eclectic mix of flair and comfort. \n"(Decorating is) based in ways to create mood by changing surface materials and (are) often reflective of 'trends,'" said Reed Benhamou, professor and chair of the Department of Apparel Merchandise and Interior Design.\nFor junior Rachel Muhlstein, her room in the new Smallwood Plaza apartment complex was a chance to display her "hippie chic" style. With her walls flanked in music posters and album covers, Muhlstein finds her comfort in music.\n"I like my room to be comforting, and I like to surround myself with music at all times," Muhlstein said. "I cannot sleep in a place unless I feel totally comfortable."\nThe colors in her room are a mix of rich earth tones, and the subtle background compliments pictures of her family and friends.\n"The best part of my room is my father's protest flag from the 1970s," Muhlstein said. "My dad is my hero, and he is my inspiration. Whenever I look at that flag, I know I have the ability to make the world a better place." \nMuhlstein found her '70s-inspired bedspread at Target and her light oak finished furniture at Long's Landing, a new and used furniture store at 5167 Indiana 46.\n"Target is the best place to find furniture, accessories and anything else you need for your room or apartment," Muhlstein said.\nMuhlstein's roommate, junior Mindy Shomberg, added her own personal touches to the kitchen.\n"My mother and I love antiques, and we bought a few accents from a local antique market," Shomberg said. \nAntique baskets and food containers adorned the open windows in the large kitchen that overlooks the living room.\nShomberg's grandfather donated the living room furniture, which included a chocolate brown leather couch, dark wood coffee table and modern corner bookshelf. \nJunior Kara Flatté-Hendel chose a feminine look for her uncluttered room. \n"Pink is so soft and pretty," Flatté-Hendel said. "I used flowers around my bed and mirror as accents because I love the outdoors and these make the perfect decoration."\nHer bedspread is light pink as well.\nFlatté-Hendel's furniture is also from Long's Landing.\n"I like Long's Landing because the furniture is appropriately priced and really nice for a college student's room," Flatté-Hendel said. \nStudents can find affordable looks no matter where they shop. Target has accessories and Greetings has posters, colored glass decor, rice paper balls that hang from ceilings as lamps, clocks and other decorative pieces that tie a room together. Resale shops can sometimes contain great finds as well.\nRegardless of where the decor originates, making sure it fits into an individual's lifestyle is an important step to decorating.\n"The most important thing to keep in mind is that your room is a representation of yourself. Be yourself when you are decorating," Muhlstein said.\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.
(05/20/04 1:19am)
With Andrew Lloyd Weber's play "Aspects of Love" as an inspiration, Quarryland Men's Chorus, the only area choir composed predominately of gay and bisexual men, holds its spring concert 7 p.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane. \nChorus manager Jim Johnson said Quarryland found its home in the large arts community in Bloomington.\n"Quarryland provides a sense of community for gay and bi men and their allies through performance experience," Johnson said.\nSince its creation in 2002, Quarryland has gained popularity with the local gay and bisexual community.\n"There are lots of people looking for a social outlet and other opportunities in the arts community," Quarryland director Barry Magee said. "This is something that has a purpose and the members can celebrate that purpose through the chorus."\nAccording to their Web site at www.quarryland.org, the group's mission is "to provide a positive performance-based community for gay and bisexual men and their allies in South Central Indiana. We foster talent, fellowship, pride, and understanding through excellence in vocal music." \nThe group holds performances year round and meets twice a month to practice their music. Entitled "Aspects of Love," the concert features songs from "South Pacific," Weber's "Aspects of Love," and singer Natalie Cole.\n"This concert deals with every aspect of love," Johnson said, "including emotions and the experiences that happen in relationships."\nIn addition to performances by the choir as a whole, the concert features solos and two quartets. Magee describes the quartets as "drastically different."\n"The first quartet is performing songs in French and the other is a barbershop quartet," Magee said.\nLee Chapman, a member of the chorus, wrote two of the songs performed in the concert. \n"Originally, I wrote these to be performed by me and my guitar," Chapman said.\nThe two songs have contrasting messages, one about young love and the other about settling for someone.\n"The first song called 'Your Perfect' was written for my partner on his 50th birthday," Chapman said. "The other is completely not like me. I don't really know what inspired such an evil song."\nThe group concludes every performance with the classic Muppet song "The Rainbow Connection," which debuted in "The Muppet Movie" in 1979.\nThe concert is free and open to the public and offers refreshments provided by BLEU Culinary Arts.\n--Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu
(05/17/04 1:33am)
For the past eight weeks, local Bloomington elementary students and adults have been participating in the School of Dramatic Arts as part of the education program at the Bloomington Playwrights Project.\n"The Spring SODA Showcase" begins tonight as a culmination of what the students have learned in their classes, ranging from acting and playwriting to clowning and magic. The Spring SODA Showcase is an opportunity to see Bloomington Playwrights Project classes show off their acting talents and takes place 7:30 p.m. tonight and Wednesday at 312 S. Washington Street.\nDuring the showcase, the students will perform acting games, improvisation and self-written plays. Each group takes the stage for 15 minutes and its members demonstrate what they have learned over the course of their class.\nSenior Amber Nash is an instructor for the Acting II group, which includes children in fourth through sixth grade. The eight students in Acting II will perform a play they wrote themselves.\n"We started working on the play about three weeks ago," Nash said. "This is just an opportunity to show the parents what we have been doing in our classes."\nThe play is a spoof on the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Instead of swooning over her Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty decides to sue him for breaking and entering, sexual harassment and invasion of privacy. The play is a mock trial with a presiding judge and two lawyers.\n"The kids came up with the concept and took it from there," Nash said. "They all have their set character and they kind of improv the whole thing. It's really cool."\nThe Acting II group will not only perform a play, but also showcase the acting and theater games performed in class each week.\nSODA actor Alex Graham, a fifth grader at Binford Elementary, loves to participate in the acting game aptly titled "Clerk."\n"Someone acts as the clerk of the store and people come up to him and they ask to buy things," Graham said. "We have to improv the whole thing and it is really fun."\nNash said she sees improv as an opportunity for the actors and actresses to get used to thinking on their feet as well as being comfortable as an actor.\nFifth grader Sophie Harris, another SODA actress, has been acting for a long time with the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Harris, who plays Prince Charming's lawyer in the play, said she agreed that "Clerk" is the favorite game among the performers. \n"I like it because we get to make up what we do," Harris said. "It is nice to act in such a laid back atmosphere."\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at \njrcohen@indiana.edu.
(03/29/04 6:03am)
The Coquette fashion show held Friday night at the Indiana Memorial Union was met with excitement, compliments and much success. Months of hard work paid off for Collins resident Ruth Vaca, Union Board committee head Markeyta Martin and all of the student designers involved. \nThe show, sponsored by Collins Living Learning Center, the Union Board and PEOPLE magazine, was a chance for student designers who were not part of the fashion design program to show off their talent in front of seven judges and more than 100 audience members. Five finalists' designs were chosen for the runway show. The student designers had to make all of the clothes themselves without using name brand clothing in their designs. This year's first place winner was Katie Dombek.\nJudges for the show were all seasoned in fashion design and the business aspects of fashion. Apparel Merchandising Professor Deborah Christiansen explained why Dombek was the winner of the contest.\n"Katie was chosen as the winner because she had the total package," Christiansen said. "Her clothes were well-made, creative and realistic, and she chose the right models to wear her clothing."\nJudge Chris Jaimes, a visual merchandiser for Bloomington's Urban Outfitters, agreed with Christiansen.\nDombek said she was inspired by Eastern and Asian Fashion. She titled her collection "Women of the World," which featured designs inspired by French, Asian and American design concepts. \n"My first design -- a navy, pinstripe, three-piece pantsuit was inspired by designer Cynthia Rowley," Dombek explained. "Each design started as something small and turned into something totally different than my first intentions."\nDombek often designs and makes her own clothes. \n"I saw a pair of white linen pants at J. Crew, and they were expensive," Dombek said. "I decided to make them myself and liked them so much that I entered them into the show."\nMusic and Costume Construction Technology Professor Mary K. Grusak felt the models enhanced the experience. \n"The models gave the impression that the clothes were fun," Grusak said. "It lends a lot to the show."\nEach designer had her own concept of design and beauty. Designer Mo Nottingham, a general studies major with a concentration in design, chose all plus-size designs for her collection, titled "Femme Fatale." Nottingham's edgiest design was worn by model Kat Robertson, a local nurse. Robertson sported a harem outfit made of maroon and green sheer material and a head scarf made of organdy and satin.\nSome designers chose to make their clothes appeal to a modern college audience. Freshman designer Hannah Myers called her collection "Urban Heat" and featured popular looks, such as short pleated skirts, tube tops and flip flops. \nDesigner Candy Britton, a senior majoring in telecommunications, received second place in the contest and had a different perspective on her collection, themed "Empowerment." \n"I was tired of seeing girls walking around half naked," Britton said. "I wanted to give women back the power to embrace their inner creativity and nurture themselves."\nEach of Britton's designs was created by hand without a sewing machine, each piece took a day to sew. The pieces were given titles such as "radiance" and "lavishly lavender." Britton's designs received numerous comments from audience members.\n"Her first piece looked like something Carrie from 'Sex and the City' would wear," said Alyssa Kind, a sophomore and audience member.\nThe piece was called "sway," a turquoise, draped jumper with white detail made out of 100 percent polyester.\nThe sponsors of the show were also pleased with the outcome. \n"It was everything I expected and more," Vaca said. "However, this would not be possible without Markeyta and Union Board. I was the producer with the ideas, and she made my ideas happen."\nMartin was pleased with the show as well. \n"I was so nervous, but it turned out better than expected," said Martin. \nWith the success of the show, Vaca said she is planning on recreating the event next year. \n"I have every intention of making it a yearly event."\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.
(03/26/04 5:29am)
The first annual Coquette Fashion show sponsored by Collins Living Learning Center, the Union Board and People magazine kicks off at 8 p.m. tonight in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union. The show is the first campus fashion show that allows non-design majors a chance to display their design skills. \nCoquette is the brainchild of Collins student Ruth Vaca and Union Board committee chair Markeyta Martin. Martin is the head of the Expanding Horizons committee, which caters to students interested in specific majors, including design. Both Vaca and Martin were interested in starting a fashion show for non-majors. Vaca's "Que" project, Collin's mandatory project, and Martin's Union Board backing helped form the show. \nAll of the designers are IU students whose designs are completely original with no brand names. They will be judged on originality, creativity and basic design. Sophomore Alice Broughton, a designer, has been making her own clothing since she was in seventh grade. Tonight, she will be revealing a bathing suit, bustier and pants created from different fabrics.\n"My designs are a collection of clothes I made for the show and clothes I made previously for myself," Broughton said. "Designing for the show gave me a chance to clean out my fabric box."\nBroughton enlisted her friends, freshmen Jessi Lazar and Kasey Branam and sophomore Sara Phillips, as models for the show. \n"Jessi is an awesome seamstress," Lazar said.\nBranam was a member of the Collins community council when the motion to approve the show was passed.\n"We passed this motion because it was new and interesting," Branam said. "We always try to pass projects that are really large and involved because it shows devotion to the cause."\nOut of nine runway design applicants, five will be walking the runway tonight. There were also three portfolio applicants, and one was chosen to be displayed on a table during the show.\nThe show wasn't organized without its share of difficulties. Judges dropped out and computers crashed, but Martin attributes the show's organization to "excellent planning and advertising by an excellent and dedicated committee."\nSophomore Nilaja Neely is among the members of that committee.\n"I am excited to see the outcome and the exotic interesting fashions on the runway," Neely said.\nAnother sponsor is People magazine. Two hundred dollars of advertising was purchased by People and went toward radio spots and extensive pamphlets. \n"People wanted to be involved with this show to support events reflecting the creativity and the real life of IU students," said People magazine correspondent Brigit Wiggins.\nAs prizes, the first place winner will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50. The portfolio entrant will receive $50 as well. \nMartin said she hopes the success of this show will provide a place for next year's Coquette fashion show. "It should be great," Martin said. "This is finally another outlet for students."\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.
(02/24/04 4:14am)
The first annual Coquette Fashion Show presented by the Union Board is underway. The show is a collaboration of Union Board, People magazine and IU students. It will allow non-fashion majors to showcase their creativity through the art of design. \nFreshman Ruth Vaca said something was missing in creative fashion design for non-design majors and thus created the Coquette fashion show. Vaca found her inspiration for the fashion show as a resident of the Collins Living Learning Center. \n"For most people living in Collins, fashion is an identity," Vaca said. \nEach Collins student is required to do a "que project" -- an academic workshop to present to the students and staff, and Vaca chose Coquette as her project. \n"I felt as though this show would bridge the gaps between Collins and the rest of campus," Vaca said.\nShe presented the idea to the Union Board and the Expanding Horizons Committee jumped on the idea. Expanding Horizons is a committee devoted to majors including pre-law, pre-health and design. Committee director Markeyta Martin said she is interested in many fashion-related events including reviving the "Miss IU" pageant.\n"This sort of project brings students together," Martin said. \nStudent area People representative and IU student Brigit Wiggins will collaborate with Martin and Vaca.\n"IU has made fashion a part of the campus and the magazine is interested in reaching to current students interested in fashion," Wiggins said.\nThe application process began Feb. 15 and finalists will be chosen Feb. 24. The process does not actually include any designs; instead it is a simple application that allows the designers to express their desire to be chosen. \nApplicants do not need to be design majors, but the show is only open to IU students. The designers can enter in three different categories: runway (seven finalists), accessories (three to five finalists) and portfolio (three to five finalists), the latter of which is based solely on the designers' drawings. \nThe designers will submit at least three designs and no more than six. Each runway design must be original and the application states they should also be extremely creative. The accessories category includes hats, scarves, purse, jewelry, shoes and other original designs. The accessories will be displayed on large decorated tables during the runway portion of the program. \nThe coordinators advise participants to have models or designers wear the accessories as a way to present the pieces. To enter into the portfolio portion of the contest, designers must submit a portfolio full of original designs, each in a specific category with swatches of material and color schemes. \nThe finalists will compete on the runway at 8 p.m. Mar. 26 in Alumni Hall. As stated on the application, each fashion item will be judged on originality and creativity, but designs must be the original work of the participants; no brand names, no advertisements. Judges will be employees from local stores, design professors and the student body.\n"We want to see how much effort these designers have put into their clothing," Vaca said. "We are interested in how far they will take themselves and their designs and it will be judged with an open mind."\nThe event is completely free and is open to students and the public.\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.
(02/11/04 5:00am)
Kevin Burke is no ordinary comic.\nWhile he may begin with political and marriage jokes, he transforms himself into a "psychic comic," a talent which he presented to an audience of about 30 people Saturday evening in the Market area of the Indiana Memorial Union. \nSaturday marked the second semester premiere of Comedy Caravan, the free comedy show hosted by the Union Board the first Friday of each month. This week's performance also featured comedians Tom Mabe and Matt Holt. \nBurke won the America's Funniest People award on ABC and appeared on major networks such as MTV, Comedy Central and even NBC's "Oprah" show. \nHis routine begins with jokes about his desire to run for Senate, personal dating and marriage tips as well as a variety of quips that keep the audience rolling. \nHe then transforms himself into the "psychic comic" at the end of his act. The audience is finally able to become a part of his hilarious act. Claiming to read minds, Burke performs card tricks and "gets in touch" with the spirit world. He nails every trick, guessing the name of a dead movie star taken out of a plastic bag or the card an audience member picked from the pack. Burke also adds a little improv to his act. \n"My material comes from my own sick and twisted imagination, and performing (at a college) gives me a chance to speak to a brighter, more interested audience," Burke said.\nHe began performing in Chicago and is now involved in a cross-country tour. His stop at IU gave him a chance to perform his material to a predominately college audience.\n"I really enjoyed the show. Most of the jokes were funny and entertaining," freshman Chris Hurst said. \nBurke graduated from IU with a degree from the Theatre and Drama department. As a student and resident assistant in Read Center, Burke took the role as Pseudolus in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."\nAfter he graduated, Burke became a member of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, and he eventually took the material he developed during his years at the circus and tried his hand at stand up comedy. He has been involved in stand up for the past 16 years. \n"Comedy gets you the highest paycheck for not being famous," Burke said. \nSeeing Burke perform was also an opportunity for students to enjoy themselves in an alcohol-free environment.\n"It was good to have something extra to do on a Friday night," freshman Eric Brengle said. "It is nice to have this sort of artistic outlet on campus."\nEvery Comedy Caravan event at the Union is free, and refreshments are provided at no cost. \nBurke said he hopes to come back soon.\n"I know I have something funny to say," Burke said, "and I cannot wait to say it"
(01/12/04 5:56am)
The debut of Tavern Shakespeare in December at Bear's Place was an opportunity to "hang out with a big drunken fat man and his friends," said show director Phil Kasper.\nThe fat man he refers to was Falstaff of Shakespeare's "Henry IV."\nTavern Shakespeare, Kasper's brainchild, was born two-and-a-half months ago out of a need to fill Bloomington's 'Shakespeare voids', Kasper said. \nBefore then, a group called Bloomington Shakespeare Festival performed locally but died out after about two years. \nKarol Stewart, a graduate student in the arts administration program, is helping Kasper to avoid the same pitfalls.\n"We are examining what went wrong with the Bloomington Shakespeare Festival and other festivals that didn't work and learning what makes a show successful for the Bloomington community," Stewart said. "It is important to get a feel for what the community is interested in to determine what will work and what might fail."\nFor Kasper, Tavern Shakespeare is a perfect opportunity to engage in his passion -- every aspect of Shakespeare. The scenes are performed from parts one and two of "Henry IV" and are set in The Boar's Head Tavern. The audience is face to face with Shakespearian characters and can eat and drink along with the cast. \nKasper said the inception of Tavern Shakespeare provides a comfortable environment for audiences to enjoy their food and drink while being entertained. \n"We were able to use the bar as scenery, and it was nice to be performing in a non-theater venue," he said. "I encouraged the cast to play to the audience."\nKasper said since the first night was a test run for the cast, audience size and involvement played a key role in determining a repeat performance. \n"The subject matter drew a sizable audience, and the intimate setting suited the cast," he said.\nIU graduates Dave Cole and Diane Kondrat played the roles of Falstaff and Mistress Quickly, owner of the Boar's Head. IU theatre students Tenaya Hurst as Doll Tearsheet, Falstaff's favorite prostitute, and Kevin Wallskog rounded off the cast.\n"Preparation for this show was very relaxed," Hurst said. "The costumes were simple, and the atmosphere was completely different than a theatre venue." \nHurst has been acting since she was 10, but this was her first time working in 'dinner theatre.'\nHurst said she has found a new affection for Shakespeare in the past few months.\nBoth Kasper and Stewart believe Shakespeare speaks to every generation.\n"It is applicable to contemporary life, contemporary audiences and contemporary artists," Stewart said.\nThe troupe is planning another show in February, most likely at Bear's Place. \nKasper said he hopes to see this grow into a tradition and possibly a summer Shakespeare festival, aiming for a two-show season by the summer.\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu
(11/20/03 5:23am)
With grace, agility and style, Bernadette Pace glides gently through the air. She pulls herself into splits over the trapeze bar and dangles upside down before reaching out her hands in order to be caught. At 60 years old, this trapeze artist lives for free-falling. \nSet in the deep woods of her backyard, Pace practices her art on a genuine highflying trapeze with her local group, the High Flyers. She fell in love with the trapeze in the Denver YMCA in 1970 and has been perfecting her tricks ever since. In 1983, she relocated to Bloomington and knew she could not live without continuing her passion. \n"I was so addicted," Pace said. "I knew I'd just die if I didn't have one." \nShe moved into her new home in 1985 and finally had her wish: a trapeze in her backyard. The platform sits 24 feet high in the trees. From the ladder to the end of the "catcher's position" runs a huge safety net. Safety is Pace's main concern. Most injuries do not occur from falling. Despite thorough wrapping with sports tape, a trapeze artist's hands are most at risk incurring tears from the roughness of the bar.\nAlthough she used to be an unpolished novice, Pace learned her craft through the help of local gymnasts as well as other trapeze artists. Today her backyard boasts a tightrope, trampoline and practice bars. \nWhen seasoned gymnast Janet French walked into Pace's backyard with her then-8-year-old daughter Leah, she became eager to learn how to also use a trapeze. Pace taught both Janet and Leah how to "fly," the term for being on a trapeze, while Janet helped Pace with her flexibility and agility. To Leah, flying for the first time was enticing and intimidating. Just as she was getting used to the feeling, she had a big scare. \n"My timing was off and I had never had that experience before," she said. "The catcher put his hands down and let me fall into the net. For a long time after that, I would not get back up and I just hid in the bathroom." \nLeah, now a junior at IU, has conquered her fears and continues to fly. \nThe Frenches have a unique bond through flying. Hannah, Leah's sister, as well as Hannah's boyfriend, Clint Bobsey, also work with the troupe. Janet saw flying as an opportunity to bring her family together. \n"I knew this was a way for us to spend a lot of quality time," French said. "I just had to wait until (my children) were old enough."\nIt is not only the French family experiencing this kind of bonding. Pace's 9-year-old granddaughter Isabel Branam-Pace is a skilled gymnast as well as a proficient flyer. She learns to do tricks with a spotting line, a technique Pace claims "teaches the kids how to hit the net properly." \nOnce she somewhat understands the feeling of the trick, she is free to do it without the spotter. She shows no signs of fear as she holds her body in perfect alignment preparing her trick. Pace calls out "Isabel, ankles!" and suddenly the 9 year old is dangling 24 feet above the ground only by her ankles. She leans out and is caught by Billy Stafford, a steady catcher for the High Flyers. Suddenly, she is spun into mid-air and re-catches the trapeze bar.\nPace encourages her granddaughter as well as the other young members of the group to take advantage of the time they have and fly as much as they can right now. \n"I tell them 'Go now!'" Pace said. "Once you start up your life you will never have time to do it."\nSince the '90s, some of the Flyers have joined various circuses. Pace herself has worked for the Flying Valentines and many of the other members have joined the Reed Brothers Circus and The Flying Espanas. Pace often encourages her younger members to complete an education before they seek the professional life of a circus member. \nAlthough the members could be as far away as Japan, there is always a sense of family and togetherness for these trapeze artists. \nSteve Mascari, another member of the troupe, worked in Puerto Rico with a troupe that only spoke Spanish. \n"We had problems ordering at dinner because I didn't speak any Spanish," Mascari said. \nThat all changed once the troop got down to business. \n"I got up there and once I understood their signals everything worked," he said.\nFinally, they were speaking the same language. Trapeze artists often become a family unit because of the implicit level of trust. \n"You get to know almost every flyer locally as well as nationally," Mascari said.\nThe High Flyers are preparing for a show in early February in Columbus. In March, they will return to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. They will perform other talents, such as tightrope walking and hand balancing, because the theater is not large enough to hold the highflying trapeze. \nIn the belief that everyone should be able to experience the trapeze, the High Flyers also hold a summer camp every year in Pennsylvania. For eight weeks, campers learn about safety, trust and how to enjoy flying. During the winter months, the High Flyers practice and teach locally at the Rising Star Gymnastics Club, 4719 W. Vernal Pike. \nThe trapeze in Pace's backyard stays up all winter long. Pace has taken the role of a teacher because she wants everyone to experience the joy she finds in flying. After many years of marriage, she and her husband divorced and Pace found herself alone. While some might seek family or religion in similar situations, Pace sought out the trapeze. \n"This is an amazing way to relieve your problems," she said. "I got up there and all my problems were gone."\n-- Contact staff writer Jaimie Cohen at jrcohen@indiana.edu.