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(11/03/03 5:50am)
You could hear the music from blocks away.\nIt played for 36 straight hours without any hesitation. Everyone was on their feet, doing their best not to let exhaustion set in.\nFor the participants of Dance Marathon this weekend, it wasn't hard to stay focused. \n"Every now and then I caught myself getting sleepy," dancer and sophomore Annie Place said. "But after a little caffeine and a good meal, I was ready to go."\nMembers at this year's event raised more than $400,000, the second year in a row they accomplished the feat. All proceeds of the fund-raiser go to support the everyday functions of the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.\nDance Marathon, in its 13th year at IU, took place from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. All participants were up dancing, playing games and interacting with the Riley kids.\nFor those involved with Dance Marathon, the No. 1 priority is helping the children of Riley.\n"We work hard because it's for these kids," morale committee member and junior Amanda Balanoff said. "The more money we raise, the more we can do to help them."\nThere were plenty of activities for everyone at the event. Participants played basketball, ping-pong, four-square and football throughout the days and nights. Fifteen different bands performed and many were there to make speeches.\nJust when it seemed like nothing was happening and spirits were faltering, something special would happen. Cheers erupted and participants gathered by the stage. A Riley patient and family would then burst through the crowd and up onto stage.\nThe Vises, of Yorktown, Ind., were one family who took the stage to tell their story of how Riley and Dance Marathon have touched their lives. Accompanied by her husband and three children, Jenni Vise told of how her son, Alex, faced a life threatening lung disorder at a young age. After treatment at Riley, Alex is now healthy and enjoying the third grade. \n"We love coming to Dance Marathon every year," Jenni Vise said. "You all mean so much to us and are a reason why we have such an amazing story."\nThe marathon's participants said the stories told by Riley families were meaningful to them.\n"When I hear what (Riley patients) have gone through it really makes me think," Place said. "I'm just glad I have the opportunity to help."\nThere was much to do for the Riley patients and their families that came to support the dancers. While the kids weren't with their parents or playing with one another, they were interacting with students.\nSaturday morning there was a special trick-or-treat session for the kids. The top 30 fund-raisers stood around the gym to pass out candy. This year, two of the participants each raised more than $2,500.\n"It's really a way for the kids to meet some of the members," fund-raising director and senior Rachel Auerbach said. "All of (the members) put in a lot of time and effort to raise money."\nWith the exception of the early morning hours, the visiting area at the HPER was crowded with IU students and staff to show their support.\nDance Marathon weekend is not the only time for members to interact with Riley kids. Participants had several opportunities to travel to the hospital in Indianapolis in order to meet the children and doctors and take tours of the hospital.\n"It's a great experience because it gives the dancers a chance to see where their time and effort goes," vice president of development and senior McKay Freed-Brown said.\nWhile the main event takes place over one weekend, there is much more time and effort that goes into the planning of Dance Marathon. Each member has to raise a minimum of $200 to qualify for the weekend.\nExecutive and committee members put in countless hours trying to ensure a successful weekend. \n"Each of the executive committee members could spend their days just working on Dance Marathon," president and senior Stacy England said. "This is a full-time job, but we love it and wouldn't change it for the world."\nWhile this year's Dance Marathon just ended, planning for next year's will begin soon.\n"It's truly a year-long process," Freed-Brown said. "But we do it to help these kids get the treatment they need."\n-- Contact staff writer Alex Pappas at aspappas@indiana.edu.
(10/31/03 6:44am)
When "Eye of the Tiger" begins to play over the loudspeaker each year and all the dancers come running out on the floor, Stacie England's heart stops, but all of her nerves are calm.\nEngland, IU Dance Marathon president, along with all the other participants in this weekend's 36-hour "marathon," have put in countless hours to ensure a successful event.\nAnd they said they're sure this year's 13th-annual event will go off without a hitch.\nDance Marathon kicks off at 8 p.m. tonight at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.\nThe benefit will be filled with entertainment for all participants, including many of the families which proceeds are raised for. All donations go to assist the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.\nThis year, 15 Riley children and their families will be in attendance.\nBecause the event overlaps with Halloween this year, the kids will have a special trick-or-treat session throughout the HPER Saturday morning, England said.\n"We have a bunch of activities for (the dancers) to do like 'Name That Tune' and our own version of 'Singled Out,'" morale committee member Amy Schroeder said. "It's a long weekend and we need to keep everyone interested."\nDave and Ray, Mike and Joe, and Josh Perry are just a few of the 15 bands that agreed to play for the cause. Each group will be performing free of charge and will play either half-hour or one-hour sets at different times over the weekend.\nWhen they aren't out on the dance floor, participants will be eating or involved with all kinds of games. Kilroy's, Roly Poly and Buffa Louie's have donated food for the weekend. \nSeveral people have been invited to come speak at the event, including many previous and current Riley patients.\n"I'm going to talk about how much Dance Marathon helps the hospital and my experience at Riley," said Stacie Thornburgh, a 20-year-old patient.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig and IU President Adam Herbert also plan to give speeches. McKaig is scheduled to speak at midnight Friday and Herbert at 3:45 p.m. Saturday.\nVisitors are encouraged to come see Dance Marathon participants any time free of charge.\n"It's really great to see my friends who aren't part of (Dance Marathon) come out and visit," special events committee member Jacalu Robson said. "It shows that people really care about our cause."\nMany organizations around campus, including fraternities, sororities and the IU Student Foundation will be making their donations over the weekend to boost the grand total. Individual contributions still can be made by cash or check all the way up until the closing ceremony at 8 a.m. Sunday.\nAt that time, the closing ceremony will commence and this year's earnings will be announced.\n"How much money we raised is not nearly as important as the satisfaction from knowing that we've put on an event that allowed wonderful children to come to a college campus and get a taste of what their futures can be," England said. "It's our job to help make sure that these kids have a future."\n-- Contact staff writer Alex Pappas at aspappas@indiana.edu.
(10/30/03 6:29am)
For the past 13 years, IU Dance Marathon has worked to raise money for the kids of the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. This weekend, Dance Marathon will announce its donation results the members worked to produce this year.\nIn 1991, Dance Marathon's first year of existence, the event raised nearly $11,000. Last year, the event produced just over $415,000. \nThe patients at Riley depend on Dance Marathon not only for the money, but also to know somebody is out there fighting for their cause.\n"The children that we try to raise money for are amazing," Dance Marathon President and senior Stacy England said. "A lot of them have been coming (to Dance Marathon) for years and years and become a part of our family."\nOlivia Puzzello and Stacy Thornburgh are two of those children who have become important to the Dance Marathon family.\nOlivia Puzzello is an eight year old living in Bloomington. Just before she turned six months old, she was diagnosed with lissencephaly at Riley. Lissencephaly, the scientific term for "smooth brain," is a chromosome malfunction that causes the brain to appear smooth on the surface.\nUnable to walk or talk, Olivia is able to make facial expressions. Her mother, Katherine Sherwood-Puzzello, said Olivia's brain capacity is comparable to that of an infant between one and five months. But she can communicate how she is feeling to her loved ones.\n"She smiles when she's happy and cries when she's upset," Sherwood-Puzzello said. "I know how she feels by the expressions on her face."\nShortly after Olivia was diagnosed, the doctors told Sherwood-Puzzello and her husband, Paul, that they didn't expect her to live past the age of two.\n"They told us to take her home and love her," she said. "Now she's eight and the normal life expectancy is five years old. We are grateful for that."\nTwenty-year-old Riley patient Stacie Thornburgh has been coming to Bloomington to participate in Dance Marathon activities for the past 12 years. She suffers from a long list of heart, lung and brain problems, including hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. \nThese illnesses have impaired Thornburgh her entire life. She has constant asthma and lost the use of her left arm from cerebral palsy. Her case of hydrocephalus causes an abnormal buildup of liquid on her brain. Effects of this condition include headache, nausea, vomiting and occasional blurred vision.\nOne visit a month to Riley in the winter and one every couple months in the summer is typical for Thornburgh. But she said she keeps a positive attitude.\n"I'm the 'Riley Re-Run,'" she said. "I'm in and out of Riley like a revolving door."\nThis past June, Thornburgh graduated from Arlington High School in Indianapolis and said she hopes to move out of her parents' place and in with her sisters shortly. \nJust recently she started an online support group for kids with illnesses and disabilities.\nEngland said Dance Marathon is not just for the 15 families that hope to attend the event this weekend; it's for the hundreds of ailing children that need treatment at Riley each year.\n"We work for them," she said. "They are the inspiration and motivation." \n-- Contact staff writer Alex Pappas at apappas@indiana.edu.
(10/16/03 6:09am)
Just over 30 years ago, not a single winery existed in Indiana. Today, the state is home to 25 different wineries, three of which are located in or near Bloomington. The Oliver Winery, Butler Winery and Brown County Winery are all places where students can indulge in an unusual atmosphere of wine tasting and relaxation.\nStudents are no strangers to Oliver Winery and its engaging gardens and picnic area. Located a few miles north of campus on Ind. 37, the winery has been attracting patrons both young and old since its opening in 1972.\nWilliam Oliver, IU law professor, began making wine for his own pleasure in the early 1960s. His children and their neighborhood friends would stomp grapes in his basement to begin the process. Over the past three decades, the winery has become somewhat of a tradition for students in Bloomington.\n"I come here a couple times a year with my friends," said senior Dan Hannis. "And if the weather is good when my parents come to visit, I try to find time to bring them out."\nThe Oliver Winery, named one of the top 12 wineries to visit in the United States by the Wall Street Journal, boasts 15 dry, semi-sweet and sweet varieties. The winery claims everyone can find a wine worth savoring.\n"We give our customers anywhere from seven to nine complimentary samples," said Sherry Fisher, director of marketing and promotions for Oliver. "This makes them more likely to buy the wine they prefer."\nThe students enjoy the complimentary tastes as well.\n"The free samples are great because then you know what you do and don't like," said senior Christopher Jensen.\nIn addition to daily complimentary wine tasting for those of legal age, the Oliver Winery offers free tours Friday through Sunday every half-hour. The tours give an array of information about the history of the winery and the wine making process. \n"All of the staff members are wine experts, and they educate the customers during tours and wine tasting so they can get a full understanding," Fisher said.\nThe picnic and pond area cover several acres, making it the place to relax with friends or read a book over a freshly-uncorked bottle. The winery offers the option to organize small parties and corporate meetings with at least 30 days notice. \nIn addition, students on a tight budget can appreciate the economic prices afforded by the aged grape factory. The cheapest bottle Oliver Winery offers is a little more than $7 and the most expensive is less than $20.\nJust across the highway, 100+ acres of vineyards are harvested yearly. Oliver mainly produces wine from those vineyards, but varieties acquired from outside sources will occasionally be sold as well. In the past, Oliver has produced more than 100,000 gallons of wine per year.\nBut Oliver isn't the only place around Bloomington where one can get complimentary sampling of wine and relaxation, however. Both the Butler Winery and Brown County Winery are well within reasonable distance from campus.\nButler Winery, established in 1983, has an in-town tasting room and sales shop located at 1022 N. College Ave. Complimentary samples, wine by the glass or bottle, are available in Butler's tasting room. It also offers plenty of outdoor seating and a variety of snacks that are perfect for picnics.\nThe Butler vineyards lie 10 minutes outside of town, at 6200 E. Robinson Rd. The winery offers free tours of the grounds and cellar, but visitors are free to walk the grounds if they prefer. Prices are reasonable and discounts are available if purchasing multiple bottles. \nWith a tasting room in Nashville and a winery in nearby Gnaw Bone, Ind., the Brown County Winery offers the same amenities as the others, but doesn't attract many student customers. \n"We get some students, but we also get many tourists passing through, and also the locals of Brown County like to come in," said Cynthia Schrodt, owner of Brown County Winery, which was established in 1985.\nAll bottles of wine here are under $10 and on many days visitors can view actual wine production through two large windows.\nIU's Creative Learning Center, located at the Indiana Memorial Union, has also tapped into the wine-tasting trend. It now offers a non-credit course about the intricacies of wine. Students in the course learn about the various kinds of grapes that make each wine along with methods of buying and serving wine. It's one of several classes now offered by the CLC for a small fee, and its purpose is to give students the opportunity to get away from their typically crowded and predictable schedules.\nThese wineries offer a place for students to relax and hang out with friends in a unique atmosphere.\nBut many students appreciate the wineries for another reason altogether. As Hannis said, "It's nice that they sell alcohol-to-go on Sundays," Hannis said. "That's something you can't get from liquor stores and other places in the state of Indiana."\n-- Contact staff writer Alex Pappas at aspappas@indiana.edu.
(10/09/03 4:00am)
It's called "Roots Reggae Rock," and the band that made this breed of rock-infused reggae ubiquitous calls itself Natty Nation. Tonight at 10 p.m., five members of this up-and-coming band will take the stage at Uncle Fester's House of Blooze to share their unique sounds and pass along what they feel is bridging the gap between not just reggae and rock, but between all types of music.\nStraight from Madison, Wis., Natty Nation has been together since the mid-'90s after a few of the members were victims of another group's break-up, Arawak Jah. Demetrius Wainwright's on bass, Aaron Konkol's on keyboards, Peter Johnson and Paul Willis play drums and percussion and Stefan Truesdell rounds them out with guitar. Wainwright, Konkol and Truesdell take care of the vocals.\nNatty Nation, who has opened for groups as popular as A Tribe Called Quest, say they play their music to inspire the unity of people from all different cultures of the world -- hence the moniker "Natty Nation." They also play to spread the ideas of Jah, the Rastafarian word for God, by ensuring that no negativity exists in their music. They've performed in nearly 30 states since banding together more than eight years ago and hope to someday tour internationally at venues in Europe, Japan and possibly South America.\nAlthough Natty Nation has been influenced mainly by the rock sounds of Jimi Hendrix and the reggae vibe of Bob Marley, they feel many other types of music can relate to theirs.\n"Our music has many other elements," Truesdell says. "We are influenced by soul, hip-hop, metal, funk, drum and bass and jazz."\nThe positive reviews of Natty Nation that come from all types of college and city newspapers around the country have increased their popularity at a significant rate. The Chicago Sun-Times calls them, "A blazing live act -- the group performs conscious roots-style reggae, blended with a hard rock edge." And radio personality Professor Skank of KDHX-FM in St. Louis says, "Natty Nation is truly one of America's best reggae bands … as they play conscious roots with a rock 'n roll edge."\nUnlike many bands in today's music world, the members of Natty Nation are very close with one another. Before they formed Natty Nation, most of them had known each other for nearly 10 years.\n"We consider each other family," Truesdell says. "(We are) brothers of the struggle."\nIn 2001 the band came upon serious tragedy when they lost their lead vocalist, Jeffrey Maxwell, to cancer. They overcame his death by doing their best to put things into perspective and focusing more on the big picture. Konkol was added to the band when Maxwell could no longer perform, and a brand-new aspect came to their sound.\nThe band continued to center on what they were trying to accomplish when Maxwell had to leave. Staying true to that idea two years later, fame and fortune don't seem to be at the top of Natty Nation's list of priorities either, as they say no show is too small for them.\n"We're not really trying to make a new category as much as put our influence in what we do," Truesdell says. "We like to spread a positive vibe towards everyone who listens to our music." \nInatty in Jah Music, the band's newest album, was dedicated to the memory of Maxwell and it features bits and pieces from his past interviews. This album, like those in Natty Nation's past, is inspired by spontaneity and everyday events that occur in the real world. \n"Hold on Strong," which focuses on overcrowding of prisons, is one song featured on the album. Soon after the release of Inatty in Jah Music, Natty Nation began working hard on a new album and they hope it can be released within the next few months.
(10/08/03 10:49pm)
It's called "Roots Reggae Rock," and the band that made this breed of rock-infused reggae ubiquitous calls itself Natty Nation. Tonight at 10 p.m., five members of this up-and-coming band will take the stage at Uncle Fester's House of Blooze to share their unique sounds and pass along what they feel is bridging the gap between not just reggae and rock, but between all types of music.\nStraight from Madison, Wis., Natty Nation has been together since the mid-'90s after a few of the members were victims of another group's break-up, Arawak Jah. Demetrius Wainwright's on bass, Aaron Konkol's on keyboards, Peter Johnson and Paul Willis play drums and percussion and Stefan Truesdell rounds them out with guitar. Wainwright, Konkol and Truesdell take care of the vocals.\nNatty Nation, who has opened for groups as popular as A Tribe Called Quest, say they play their music to inspire the unity of people from all different cultures of the world -- hence the moniker "Natty Nation." They also play to spread the ideas of Jah, the Rastafarian word for God, by ensuring that no negativity exists in their music. They've performed in nearly 30 states since banding together more than eight years ago and hope to someday tour internationally at venues in Europe, Japan and possibly South America.\nAlthough Natty Nation has been influenced mainly by the rock sounds of Jimi Hendrix and the reggae vibe of Bob Marley, they feel many other types of music can relate to theirs.\n"Our music has many other elements," Truesdell says. "We are influenced by soul, hip-hop, metal, funk, drum and bass and jazz."\nThe positive reviews of Natty Nation that come from all types of college and city newspapers around the country have increased their popularity at a significant rate. The Chicago Sun-Times calls them, "A blazing live act -- the group performs conscious roots-style reggae, blended with a hard rock edge." And radio personality Professor Skank of KDHX-FM in St. Louis says, "Natty Nation is truly one of America's best reggae bands … as they play conscious roots with a rock 'n roll edge."\nUnlike many bands in today's music world, the members of Natty Nation are very close with one another. Before they formed Natty Nation, most of them had known each other for nearly 10 years.\n"We consider each other family," Truesdell says. "(We are) brothers of the struggle."\nIn 2001 the band came upon serious tragedy when they lost their lead vocalist, Jeffrey Maxwell, to cancer. They overcame his death by doing their best to put things into perspective and focusing more on the big picture. Konkol was added to the band when Maxwell could no longer perform, and a brand-new aspect came to their sound.\nThe band continued to center on what they were trying to accomplish when Maxwell had to leave. Staying true to that idea two years later, fame and fortune don't seem to be at the top of Natty Nation's list of priorities either, as they say no show is too small for them.\n"We're not really trying to make a new category as much as put our influence in what we do," Truesdell says. "We like to spread a positive vibe towards everyone who listens to our music." \nInatty in Jah Music, the band's newest album, was dedicated to the memory of Maxwell and it features bits and pieces from his past interviews. This album, like those in Natty Nation's past, is inspired by spontaneity and everyday events that occur in the real world. \n"Hold on Strong," which focuses on overcrowding of prisons, is one song featured on the album. Soon after the release of Inatty in Jah Music, Natty Nation began working hard on a new album and they hope it can be released within the next few months.
(10/08/03 5:18am)
Dancing, games and staying awake are what's in store for those planning to keep their eyes wide open for 36 hours straight. The IU Dance Marathon is coming soon.\nThe event, which takes place at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 31, and conclude at 8 a.m. on Nov. 2.\nSince its start in 1991, Dance Marathon, an annual benefit for Riley Children's Hospital, has done nothing but grow in popularity. In its first year of existence, it was able to raise $10,900. Since then, the total has increased each year, with last year's donations topping over $415,000. \nThe goal this year is to beat last year's record, said Stacy England, president of Dance Marathon. But she said it would be tough with many corporations struggling economically.\nEngland said with the economy performing the way it has in recent years, not as many companies have been able to donate as much as they would like. This has only pushed Dance Marathon members to work even harder each year.\n"We don't talk about totals," England said. "We work hard … and continue to promote our event, but we don't talk about final outcomes." \nThe benefit was inspired by the death of 18-year-old AIDS victim Ryan White. All proceeds from the weekend go to the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center.\nDance Marathon Coordinator for the Riley Children's Foundation Katherine Cain said last year $250,000 went to research and development of infectious diseases. Other proceeds go to doctors' salaries of those specifically involved in the infectious diseases department.\nThe annual date auction, maybe the most amusing of all Dance Marathon fundraising activities, takes place this Thursday at Kilroy's Sports Bar and Grill. Twenty men and women will take the stage at 9 p.m. to be auctioned off into a crowd of complete strangers. Those up for sale include various IU athletes and cheerleaders. Malik from MTV's "Real World: Back to New York" will act as MC for the event.\nOther activities to raise funds include a kiosk at the College Mall located between Old Navy and Payless ShoeSource and canning outside of various Kroger and Wal-Mart stores throughout Indiana. \n"Everything we collect makes a difference," said Rachel Auerbach, director of fundraising for Dance Marathon. "These activities are one of the main reasons why we have been so successful in raising funds year-in and year-out."\nBut it's not just dancing and games throughout the course of the 36-hour weekend. Many recovering children from Riley Children's Hospital come with their families to support the students who have worked so hard for the cause.\n"The kids come down and have a great time with the participants of the marathon," Vice President of Development McKay Freed-Brown said. "It's great to actually meet the kids we are trying to help."\nDance Marathon is still looking to raise more before the festivities are over. Donations can be made, students can raise money to become dancers or committee members, alumni are always welcome to volunteer their services and Dance Marathon is always looking for new corporate sponsors.\nFor the members, it's all about being relentless. Many could spend an entire day just preparing for the benefit.\n"This is the best thing I have gotten involved with since coming to college," Morale member Amanda Balanoff said. "When we see those kids, we know it's worth every bit of time put in."\n-- Contact staff writer Alex Pappas at aspappas@indiana.edu.
(10/02/03 4:00am)
Rumor has it that IU tailgates don't live up to those found on other Big Ten campuses like Purdue or Michigan. A close friend from high school might tell you, "Man, we had the most out of control tailgate last weekend! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at the game!"\nThen you think to yourself, "Yeah, tailgating's fun, but I don't remember going to any football games."\nThe truth is, tailgating at other schools is not necessarily crazier, it just involves more people that actually care about the game. At IU, the talent of the team seems meaningless to students. But regardless of the team's performance, IU has a solid tradition of beer guzzling, barbequing and wasting tickets (often for fear of getting arrested for vomiting on neighboring patrons).\nIU tailgating has seen some fun times in the past. Who can forget Homecoming 2001? The heavy morning rain created a "mudfest" comparable to that of Woodstock '94. The students, along with many alumni, were covering their beers as they jumped, swam and seemingly bathed in the mud puddles.\nIU football opened their home schedule Sept. 13 against Indiana State University and the tailgate crowd, while not exactly wall-to-wall, managed to maintain plenty of craziness and Hoosier pride.\nOn this particular game day, trucks and SUVs start filing into the tailgating area across the street from Memorial Stadium around 9 a.m. By noon, there's a noticeable crowd, and by game time, all one sees is a sea of crimson and cream.\n"As soon as I woke up this morning I was on my way over here (to the tailgating fields) with everything I needed. It's cool to see the crowd grow as the day moves on," says senior Kevin Fitzgerald.\nAs the not-so-calm early afternoon turns into evening, the students become a bit rowdy. The tables, originally set up to hold food and condiments, are now being drenched in beer and converted to slip-n-sides as people stand around and cheer. Several tackle football games ensue, and just minutes after the IU Police Department comes by to break them up, the games fire back up all over again.\n"I'm having a blast out here," says junior John Kretchmar, sporting IU colors and aviator sunglasses. "I make it to as many of these (tailgates) as I can. I've been doing this since I was a freshman."\nEven Pizza Express gets into the mix. Around 2 p.m. that afternoon, the notorious Pizza Express Man comes cruising through the fields in the company van. Everybody cheers and fights for position as he drives by throwing out plastic cups containing colored condoms.\nIU tailgates are regulated by the IUPD. Before the season started, no new rules or regulations were implemented by campus police or the IU Athletic Department -- but that isn't to say officers aren't hard at work.\n"We made several arrests on Saturday (Sept. 13)," says IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. "Tailgating has really become a derogatory term here at IU. It used to be only positive. Ever since the grass fields have opened, tailgates have been invaded by TVs, kegs and people urinating openly."\nThe athletic department, however, is optimistic about the tailgating situation after the season's opening day.\n"Any problems at the tailgate were internal," says Kit Klingelhoffer, associate athletic director. Regarding the tailgating procedures, Klingelhoffer says "we don't have set rules. However, one rule that we do enforce is that no kegs are allowed anywhere at the tailgate."\nYet after exploring the tailgating methods of other Big Ten schools like Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State, a similar set of rules or regulations that must be followed simply aren't evident.\n"There are no 'guidelines' for what should or shouldn't happen at a tailgate," says Bruce Madej, director of media relations for the University of Michigan's athletic department. When asked about students and alumni getting too out of control before and during the game, Madej says Michigan tailgaters "treat their parking areas as they would their home."\nStudents at other Big Ten schools admit that their tailgates aren't as crazy as they're cracked up to be.\nBob Miller, a senior at the University of Wisconsin, claims that UW's tailgates are fun, but not the biggest thing on campus. \n"Yeah, I have a great time at our tailgates, but it's not like people are running around naked or tipping over the port-a-lets," Miller says.\nWhile many believe that tailgating at IU is as cool as rearranging your sock drawer and believe Indiana's tradition has no business being compared to other Big Ten schools, the fact is that it's not as bad as many believe. The first home football game proved, with a respectable tailgating crowd, Hoosiers know how to have a good time. The only football they may care about, however, is the unruly pick-up game that stays close to the beer.
(10/01/03 9:28pm)
Rumor has it that IU tailgates don't live up to those found on other Big Ten campuses like Purdue or Michigan. A close friend from high school might tell you, "Man, we had the most out of control tailgate last weekend! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at the game!"\nThen you think to yourself, "Yeah, tailgating's fun, but I don't remember going to any football games."\nThe truth is, tailgating at other schools is not necessarily crazier, it just involves more people that actually care about the game. At IU, the talent of the team seems meaningless to students. But regardless of the team's performance, IU has a solid tradition of beer guzzling, barbequing and wasting tickets (often for fear of getting arrested for vomiting on neighboring patrons).\nIU tailgating has seen some fun times in the past. Who can forget Homecoming 2001? The heavy morning rain created a "mudfest" comparable to that of Woodstock '94. The students, along with many alumni, were covering their beers as they jumped, swam and seemingly bathed in the mud puddles.\nIU football opened their home schedule Sept. 13 against Indiana State University and the tailgate crowd, while not exactly wall-to-wall, managed to maintain plenty of craziness and Hoosier pride.\nOn this particular game day, trucks and SUVs start filing into the tailgating area across the street from Memorial Stadium around 9 a.m. By noon, there's a noticeable crowd, and by game time, all one sees is a sea of crimson and cream.\n"As soon as I woke up this morning I was on my way over here (to the tailgating fields) with everything I needed. It's cool to see the crowd grow as the day moves on," says senior Kevin Fitzgerald.\nAs the not-so-calm early afternoon turns into evening, the students become a bit rowdy. The tables, originally set up to hold food and condiments, are now being drenched in beer and converted to slip-n-sides as people stand around and cheer. Several tackle football games ensue, and just minutes after the IU Police Department comes by to break them up, the games fire back up all over again.\n"I'm having a blast out here," says junior John Kretchmar, sporting IU colors and aviator sunglasses. "I make it to as many of these (tailgates) as I can. I've been doing this since I was a freshman."\nEven Pizza Express gets into the mix. Around 2 p.m. that afternoon, the notorious Pizza Express Man comes cruising through the fields in the company van. Everybody cheers and fights for position as he drives by throwing out plastic cups containing colored condoms.\nIU tailgates are regulated by the IUPD. Before the season started, no new rules or regulations were implemented by campus police or the IU Athletic Department -- but that isn't to say officers aren't hard at work.\n"We made several arrests on Saturday (Sept. 13)," says IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. "Tailgating has really become a derogatory term here at IU. It used to be only positive. Ever since the grass fields have opened, tailgates have been invaded by TVs, kegs and people urinating openly."\nThe athletic department, however, is optimistic about the tailgating situation after the season's opening day.\n"Any problems at the tailgate were internal," says Kit Klingelhoffer, associate athletic director. Regarding the tailgating procedures, Klingelhoffer says "we don't have set rules. However, one rule that we do enforce is that no kegs are allowed anywhere at the tailgate."\nYet after exploring the tailgating methods of other Big Ten schools like Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State, a similar set of rules or regulations that must be followed simply aren't evident.\n"There are no 'guidelines' for what should or shouldn't happen at a tailgate," says Bruce Madej, director of media relations for the University of Michigan's athletic department. When asked about students and alumni getting too out of control before and during the game, Madej says Michigan tailgaters "treat their parking areas as they would their home."\nStudents at other Big Ten schools admit that their tailgates aren't as crazy as they're cracked up to be.\nBob Miller, a senior at the University of Wisconsin, claims that UW's tailgates are fun, but not the biggest thing on campus. \n"Yeah, I have a great time at our tailgates, but it's not like people are running around naked or tipping over the port-a-lets," Miller says.\nWhile many believe that tailgating at IU is as cool as rearranging your sock drawer and believe Indiana's tradition has no business being compared to other Big Ten schools, the fact is that it's not as bad as many believe. The first home football game proved, with a respectable tailgating crowd, Hoosiers know how to have a good time. The only football they may care about, however, is the unruly pick-up game that stays close to the beer.
(09/18/03 4:00am)
The girls of Lezbend, a popular new DJ group out of Warsaw, Poland are taking Eastern Europe by storm, and on Sept. 11, the trio hit the sleepy Midwestern U.S. with a bang. After playing shows in Chicago, Cincinnati and Evansville, Lezbend is coming to Axis this Saturday at 9 p.m.\nLezbend, formed in June 2002, plays what is known as "progressive house music." This kind of hard music is not typically expected out of an exclusively female DJ group, and, according to the group's U.S. publicist, is the primary reason why they have enjoyed early success.\n"It's fun, energetic and non-violent," says Charles Bolanis, the exclusive promoter for Lezbend, of the group's grooves. "It's good-paced music that is great to get out and dance to."\nAxis, which has been striving to book more international groups, is very excited about Lezbend's upcoming performance.\n"They're going to play two different sets, which will hopefully keep our Saturday night crowd excited," says Axis Assistant Manager Rudy Davenport. \nThe girls of Lezbend, Joanna Osiecka, Eliza Krakowka and Agnieszka Trzeciak are not just members of a DJ group. They all went to college and now lead normal, young-adult lives with day jobs. Those day jobs come before spinning right now, but they may not have to for much longer. \nJoanna, who graduated with a degree in economics from Warsaw University, currently works as a brand ambassador for British American Tobacco. She says she prefers to play all types of music to intrigue a crowd and keep them interested throughout the show's duration.\n"We provide a lot of different styles of music in one set, which is something that many groups can't offer," Joanna says.\nBefore becoming a significant part of Lezbend, Joanna spent most of her nights on the other side of the DJ booth window in the clubs of Warsaw.\n"After four or five years of being a regular at these places [Warsaw clubs], I decided to do it myself," Joanna says.\nEliza, the youngest member of Lezbend, was born in Warsaw, but spent much of her childhood in France. Although she holds degrees in advertising and economics, her sole interest throughout life has been music. She was first inspired to enter the booth by Tomek, who she says is the hottest DJ in Poland as well as a personal friend. \nEliza also performs solo shows throughout Warsaw when she's not spinning with Lezbend.\nAgnieszka -- Aga for short -- comes from southern Poland. After earning a degree in communications, Aga moved to Warsaw, where she hoped to land a job in a film studio doing advertising and television production. On top of being a member of Lezbend and a solo DJ, Aga is the sole female member of Decadance, another well known DJ group in Poland.\nIt was all coincidence that the girls scored an opportunity to spin in the States. In November of 2002, Bolanis was in Poland visiting with friends he had worked with as a student representing IU in 1998.\n"We were at a club and I found out that Joanna was part of the same organization me and my friends were," Bolanis says. "So I went and talked to her for a little while and we hit it off right away. I said to her, 'Wouldn't it be great if you guys came and played the United States?' Her eyes lit up and the rest was history."\nLezbend's trademark is a numbering system. During every show Joanna wears the number "1." Eliza wears the number "2" and Aga wears the number "3." The numbers exist is to add a flare of mystery to their performance -- but that's as deep as the meaning goes. Nevertheless, many friends and fans in Europe choose to refer to each girl by their number instead of name.\nAfter the tour is over, Lezbend will evaluate their experience on tour and look to further build their name throughout Europe. They hope to make it back to the U.S., expanding to performance venues outside of the Midwest.\n"If the opportunity is there, I want these girls to come back and play the U.S. several more times," Bolanis says. \nBut with a name like Lezbend, the real question on everyone's minds is the girls' sexual orientation. And Bolanis isn't talking.\n"These girls are using their sexuality as a marketing tool and it works great," he says. "But if you want to know if they are lesbians, you're just going to have to come to the show to find out"
(09/17/03 10:13pm)
The girls of Lezbend, a popular new DJ group out of Warsaw, Poland are taking Eastern Europe by storm, and on Sept. 11, the trio hit the sleepy Midwestern U.S. with a bang. After playing shows in Chicago, Cincinnati and Evansville, Lezbend is coming to Axis this Saturday at 9 p.m.\nLezbend, formed in June 2002, plays what is known as "progressive house music." This kind of hard music is not typically expected out of an exclusively female DJ group, and, according to the group's U.S. publicist, is the primary reason why they have enjoyed early success.\n"It's fun, energetic and non-violent," says Charles Bolanis, the exclusive promoter for Lezbend, of the group's grooves. "It's good-paced music that is great to get out and dance to."\nAxis, which has been striving to book more international groups, is very excited about Lezbend's upcoming performance.\n"They're going to play two different sets, which will hopefully keep our Saturday night crowd excited," says Axis Assistant Manager Rudy Davenport. \nThe girls of Lezbend, Joanna Osiecka, Eliza Krakowka and Agnieszka Trzeciak are not just members of a DJ group. They all went to college and now lead normal, young-adult lives with day jobs. Those day jobs come before spinning right now, but they may not have to for much longer. \nJoanna, who graduated with a degree in economics from Warsaw University, currently works as a brand ambassador for British American Tobacco. She says she prefers to play all types of music to intrigue a crowd and keep them interested throughout the show's duration.\n"We provide a lot of different styles of music in one set, which is something that many groups can't offer," Joanna says.\nBefore becoming a significant part of Lezbend, Joanna spent most of her nights on the other side of the DJ booth window in the clubs of Warsaw.\n"After four or five years of being a regular at these places [Warsaw clubs], I decided to do it myself," Joanna says.\nEliza, the youngest member of Lezbend, was born in Warsaw, but spent much of her childhood in France. Although she holds degrees in advertising and economics, her sole interest throughout life has been music. She was first inspired to enter the booth by Tomek, who she says is the hottest DJ in Poland as well as a personal friend. \nEliza also performs solo shows throughout Warsaw when she's not spinning with Lezbend.\nAgnieszka -- Aga for short -- comes from southern Poland. After earning a degree in communications, Aga moved to Warsaw, where she hoped to land a job in a film studio doing advertising and television production. On top of being a member of Lezbend and a solo DJ, Aga is the sole female member of Decadance, another well known DJ group in Poland.\nIt was all coincidence that the girls scored an opportunity to spin in the States. In November of 2002, Bolanis was in Poland visiting with friends he had worked with as a student representing IU in 1998.\n"We were at a club and I found out that Joanna was part of the same organization me and my friends were," Bolanis says. "So I went and talked to her for a little while and we hit it off right away. I said to her, 'Wouldn't it be great if you guys came and played the United States?' Her eyes lit up and the rest was history."\nLezbend's trademark is a numbering system. During every show Joanna wears the number "1." Eliza wears the number "2" and Aga wears the number "3." The numbers exist is to add a flare of mystery to their performance -- but that's as deep as the meaning goes. Nevertheless, many friends and fans in Europe choose to refer to each girl by their number instead of name.\nAfter the tour is over, Lezbend will evaluate their experience on tour and look to further build their name throughout Europe. They hope to make it back to the U.S., expanding to performance venues outside of the Midwest.\n"If the opportunity is there, I want these girls to come back and play the U.S. several more times," Bolanis says. \nBut with a name like Lezbend, the real question on everyone's minds is the girls' sexual orientation. And Bolanis isn't talking.\n"These girls are using their sexuality as a marketing tool and it works great," he says. "But if you want to know if they are lesbians, you're just going to have to come to the show to find out"