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(02/07/03 5:05am)
We all remember pictures of Monica Lewinsky during the infamous trial with President Clinton -- Lewinsky in the crowd, vying for a chance to speak to the president, or Lewinsky running away from the paparazzi and frenzied press that pursued her for weeks. But photojournalist David Burnett presented a different view of Lewinsky in his photograph, when he captured her from the side, sipping a Cosmopolitan martini.\nAvid photographers, art lovers and anyone interested now has the opportunity to see the images Burnett has captured on film. His exhibit, "Measures of Time," will be shown through Feb. 27 in the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery. Burnett selected IU as one of the dozen universities with nationally known photojournalism programs where his exhibit will be shown.\n"This all started last year at my 35th college reunion," Burnett said. "My classmates wanted me to assemble an exhibit which incorporated pictures taken since we graduated until the present." \nA graduate of Colorado College, Burnett began working as a freelance photographer for Time magazine, and later Life magazine. Though initially based in Washington D.C., Burnett worked for two years in Vietnam during the war. He then joined the French photo agency Gamma, and continued traveling the world for the agency's news department. \nIn 1975, Burnett co-founded Contact Press Images, in New York, and has since worked for most of the major general interest and photographic magazines in the United States and Europe. Among his many prestigious awards are "Magazine Photographer of the Year" from the Pictures of the Year Competition and the National Press Photographers Association. Today, Burnett continues traveling around the world, producing photographic essays for Time, Fortune, ESPN magazine and many others.\n"Measures of Time" captures much of Burnett's work from the past 30 years. \n"His work ranges anywhere from art and entertainment, to sports, to key moments in history," said Susan Wilhoit, a junior human biology major who attended the opening of the exhibit. \nFrom Bob Marley to Flo Jo, to Bill Gates, Burnett captures a vast span of history and culture in an exhibit of fifty-one photographs. These photographs capture more than just the faces of famous figures in history. \n"A good photo has something that reaches out to you and gets you," Burnett said. "It should touch upon your sensibility, on some emotion, and you should immediately see the human element in the photograph."\nOne photograph on display that garnered such attention was the famous shot of Mary Decker in the 1984 Olympics. The 3000 meter long distance runner was favored for the gold medal, but forced out of the race upon colliding with runner Zola Budd. Burnett was able to capture the injured Decker, with a look of both pain and disappointment in the place where she fell.\n"I had been jammed in at the finish line with all the other photographers, and I only had minimum equipment," Burnett said. "I went to find a quiet place on the track away from the rest of the photographers, and Mary Decker just happened to fall right in front of me."\nLucky students and attendees who were present on the opening day of the exhibit were able to hear this story and many others from Burnett.\n"He really captures the emotions of people that you might not see everyday," said Carrie Johnson, a junior film and history student. "And other pictures you see and wonder 'how did he get that shot'?" \nBurnett was often able to get great shots in just one role of film. \n"He's really the consummate Washington photographer," said Professor Steven Raymer, friend and colleague of Burnett. "If you look at the contact sheet from his pictures of Iatola Khomeini, you see he got three photographs out of that one sheet. That's like hitting the jackpot for a photojournalist."\nFrom black and white to vibrant color, from comical to serious, Burnett's photographs offer a wide variety of people and events to see. \n"There is a power to a still picture that stays in our minds longer than any other form of communication we have," Burnett said.
(02/03/03 5:54am)
Despite the bitter cold and quickly accumulating snow, a large crowd of students and Bloomington residents attended "An Evening of Contemporary Dance" Friday evening. The crowd lined the street, waiting for tickets, in anticipation of viewing the first ever performance from IU dance minors. Though delayed for nearly 20 minutes because of snow, the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre show was almost sold out.\nEstablished in the fall of 2002, the IU dance minor program already has 85 participants. Led by Professor Liz Shea, coordinator of the program, and guided by Gwendolyn Hamm, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Kinesiology, many students are spreading the word about this new minor. \n"Before the dance minor program began, you couldn't really dance at IU if you weren't a ballet major," said Kelly Ferdinand, a junior majoring in English and journalism and minoring in dance. "I've been dancing since I was four years old, and when I came to IU, I could only take some dance classes at the HPER. But the dance minor program has provided a better challenge."\nCatering to all levels of dancers, from novice to advanced, the dance minor program aims to educate while providing performance opportunity. \n"There's not even an audition to be a dance minor," said Lindsay Woodall, a sophomore theater major and dance minor. "You just sign up for the classes that you think are right for your level." \nWoodall chose to become a dance minor in order to further her dance skills.\n"You can take some ballet classes, but being a dance minor allows you to take more diversified classes, like Celtic dance or the History of Dance," said Anjali Sharma, junior majoring in German and minoring in dance. \nThe diversity of modern dance as offered by the dance minor program was demonstrated Friday evening through the six works performed. The program began with "Novelette," choreographed by Shea, with the music played by pianist Kim Carballo. An abstract contemporary work, this piece put into dance the qualities of Francis Poulenc's musical composition "Three Novelettes."\nProfessor Iris Rosa, Director of the IU African American Dance Company, incorporated modern and African dance into her piece, "People of the Earth." Charting the beginning of life in the human form, this piece portrayed cavemen-like dancers in tribal paint and primitive clothing. Beginning and ending with a rain storm, this piece displayed the energy and distinctive movement of African dance.\nDance minors Brittany Crosby, Sarah Gates, and Brittany Snyder danced with sleek lines and flowing skirts in the third piece of the evening, "Undertoad." Choreographed by Diane Buzzell, founder and Artistic Director of the Indiana Dance Theatre, this piece celebrated movement and the art of dance.\nProfessor of theater and drama George Pinney danced along with his students in the fourth piece of the evening, "One Last Tango." Pinney, an Emmy-award-winning and Tony-nominated choreographer, portrayed a choreographer dying of AIDS. With the music of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, Pinney featured dance minor students using ballet, musical theater, and jazz techniques. \nChoreographed by Hamm, "Variations," the fifth selection of the evening, featured dance minors Lori Madl, Sarah Milligan, Erin Romine, Leah Shaheen, Snyder and Salena Watkins. This piece explored change of movement during change of musical form.\n"Between Classes" concluded the program, and was choreographed by Laura Poole. Based on observation of students changing classes at the beginning of fall term, this piece featured students dressed in bright costumes exploring energetic movements. Walkway crossings, the Jordan river, friends meeting, and methods of locomotion were all cues in constructing the piece.\n"I was very pleased with the turnout," Shea said after the program. "The audience was very appreciative. It's so great to see people enjoying modern dance." \nFor more information about the dance minor in the Department of Kinesiology, visit www.indiana.edu/~kines.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
In a world of boy bands, teen pop stars, and manufactured rock groups, it's easy to see how mainstream music has become commercialized. Instead of the plaintive voice of Joan Baez calling for peace and equality, we have Britney Spears calling to "party, party!" If you've grown tired of the MTV scene, head out to the World Folk Festival this Saturday in Bryan Park to experience something completely different.\nBeginning at 3 p.m. and lasting until 8:15 p.m., you can see five diverse musical acts, including several renowned local musicians, for free. The Folk Festival, sponsored by Textillery Weavers, College Mall Barbers/ Roxy Entertainment, and radio station WFHB, will kick off this year's Bloomington Performing Arts Series. The Series events, organized to celebrate the arts and culture of Bloomington, will continue throughout the summer.\nJohn Cate will perform first, displaying his songwriting talents from 3 - 3:45 p.m. Born in Liverpool, England and raised in Boston, Cate is making his third trip through the Bloomington area this year. With his acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter Cate has gained fame for his music, which is now used in the television shows "Touched by an Angel," "The Young and the Restless" and "All My Children." The royalties from these shows enable Cate to do what he loves best -- travel around the country and play his music. He has already had one national album release, "Americana," and is working on a second to be released by September. \nPrepare to dance a jig, as the high-spirited Irish and Celtic group The Rashers take the stage at 4 p.m. Started locally four years ago, The Rashers began dabbling in folk and bluegrass music, but over time have added a Celtic element to their sound. Members Bernie Hannon, Bette Conway, Deb Shebish, Sarah and Bing Smedberg, and Dave Humphries promise a performance of traditional Irish dance tunes, some of which are several centuries old and originally played in Irish dance halls. The group uses authentic instruments in the Donagel style, such as the twin fiddle, the tin whistle, the bouzouki (a giant mandolin), a standard guitar, and the bodhran (Irish drums). \nBe ready for a local legend at 5 p.m., as Tom Roznowski and The Plain Gold Band show off their musical talents. You might know Roznowski, or at least his voice, from the "Hometown Radio Show" which is broadcast Saturday evenings on WFIU. In 1999, Roznowski released a collection of songs on Bell Buckle Records entitled "A Well Traveled Porch." Roznowski is ready to offer some of his new material, which is currently being recorded for his most recent album "Voice Beyond The Hill," during his highly anticipated performance this Saturday. \nNo stranger to the Bloomington area, Carrie Newcomer will break out her acoustic guitar and soulful vocals at 6 p.m. Hailed by many music critics and described by the Washington Post as "...blessed with a rich alto reminiscent of Mary Chapin Carpenters," Newcomer is one performer you won't want to miss. With six albums under her belt, Newcomer has built an outstanding reputation for herself as a musician. Nationally acclaimed writer Barbara Kingsolver has taken notice of her unique talent, and writes in the liner notes of Newcomers latest album, "The Age of Possibility", "These songs are fresh in every way, but they're still and all my friend Carrie: wise, lyrical, invincible, vulnerable, lovely."\nLast but certainly not least, the electric Alma Azul concludes the concert with a performance beginning at 7:15 p.m. Alma Azul has appeared at many different local venues over the past year and added their flavorful "Con e Sol" to the "Live from Bloomington 2001" CD. With their exciting blend of Latin Rock and Salsa music, Alma Azul should go over well with fans of all ages.\nWith the great diversity of musical groups and intimate atmosphere, the World Folk Festival can expose you to talented artists who have a great love for making music. In the words of Carrie Newcomer -- "There is an underground of incredible musicians who comprise a coalition of scrappy individuals who aren't looking for 15 minutes of fame, but rather to come to your town, shake your hand, and hopefully leave you stories, songs and an honest human connection."\nWorld Folk Festival Schedule\n3 - 3:45 p.m.\nJohn Cate Singer/Songwriter \n4 - 4:45 p.m.\nThe Rashers High Spirited Irish and Celtic \n5 - 5:45 p.m. \nTom Roznowski & The Plain Gold Band Americana \n6 - 7 p.m. \nCarrie Newcomer Contemporary Folk \n7:15 - 8:15 p.m. \nAlma Azul Latin Rock & Salsa \nFood and beverages will be available for purchase during the festival. In case of inclement weather, call the weather hotline at (812) 349-3754 for up-to-date information.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Richard Thompson has recorded more than two dozen rock and folk albums since his career began in 1968, but many have never heard of him until now. \nThough he is supported with a small but enthusiastic group of fans, Thompson has never taken the steps to further his musical career to a wider commercial level, always sticking to his guns when it comes to artistic expression. But this expression which Thompson chooses to communicate through his music is really nothing out of the ordinary. Like most music of popular form, Thompson writes chiefly about love, and rarely avoids the common cliches that are littered throughout pop music today.\nThompson's intentions are good, and it seems that he's coming from a genuine place, carefully crafting each of his songs to convey a certain thought or message. His ability on the guitar, both electric and acoustic, as well as the mandolin and hurdy-gurdy, is truly remarkable. \nThompson verges on originality by veering away from typical styles of pop music, incorporating Celtic ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning") and bluegrass ("Cooksferry Queen") influences into his songs.\nBut what seems a promising diversion from mainstream rock and pop falls short of full delivery when really listening to Thompson's voice and lyrics. Thompson possesses a very limited vocal range, both in pitch and emotion. Often, particularly in his slower pieces, Thompson lacks the vocal inflection to communicate any real sense of varying emotion: that is, his voice seriously lacks expression needed for the different subject matter he approaches through his lyrics. When he sings about how he "cared too much" for a certain girl in "The Ghost of You Walks," its hard to believe his sorrow because of the lack of emotion in his voice.\nWhich leads to Richard Thompson's greatest downfall: his lyrics. It is commendable that he writes and performs his own music, but on the whole, Thompson repeatedly uses cliches that invoke nausea from such overuse. In all of his songs, he says nothing new or original about love (his main subject of choice). An old cliche is rehashed in "Waltzings For Dreamers," as Thompson dwells on the refrain's lyrics, that "we're all losers in love." He's not saying anything original or thought provoking about love, nor is he presenting this subject matter in an interesting or original way. \nThe one exception to Thompson's lack of writing ability can be found in "I Feel So Good," where Thompson chronicles the feelings of a criminal newly released from prison. The criminal joyfully sings "I feel so good, I wanna break somebody's heart tonight." Now, as sadistic as it might be, there is something in the human spirit that identifies with one feeling so good that we almost want to hurt someone else. Or maybe Thompson is just speaking from a criminal's deranged point of view. Nonetheless, this brief departure from his altogether bland lyrical ability is intriguing, and makes a listener wish Thompson could have produced all 19 tracks with such creativity and innovation.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
A memorial service was held this past Saturday at Whittenberger Auditorium for Helen Walker, who died after being struck by a drunk driver in May.\n"Don't stop thinking about Helen, or talking about her. If we all do this, the memory of her will live on," said Townsend Teague, close friend and theatrical colleague of the late student. \nWalker was home in her native Texas following the completion of her junior year, and on her way to see a friend. \n"I was lucky enough to know Helen for two years, and she would want us all to celebrate the wonderful life that she lived," Teague said. "Let us gather today to share, enjoy, grieve, and rejoice together."\nFor the first time since the tragic accident, friends and family were able to gather to mourn the loss and share their memories of Walker, who would have been a senior in the technical theater program this fall. \nJunior Ann Aurbach, the event's organizer, is compiling a scrapbook of Walker for her family. Aurbach asked attendees at the service's start to help by donating any pictures or other items for the book. \nWalker, an active member in the theater at IU since her freshman year, served behind the scenes as production manager and technical director for many University and community theater productions. \n"She always worked so hard, she was always prepared for anything … we never had to ask her to do things, because she would already have done them," said Teague, producer of the 2001 B-Town Players, "A Chorus Line."\n Teague and Walker worked closely on many productions, and had planned a meeting to discuss the upcoming theater season when Teague was informed of Walker's sudden death. \n "I couldn't believe she was gone. It didn't seem real to me, because I couldn't imagine a life without Helen," Teague said.\n Bringing Walker's life away from Bloomington to her IU friends, hometown friend Maggie May Jacobs also spoke during the service, offering memories of a life-long friendship. \n "We were best friends since we were 18 months old, and we always took vacations together," Jacobs said. "Helen was one of those people who never lost her childhood sense of fun, and she always saw everything as an opportunity." \n Although Jacobs tried to reflect on Walker's life with a positive outlook, Jacobs became emotional when speaking. \n"[Helen] was so giving and kind," she said. "I say to everyone here -- be happy you've had the opportunity to love someone so special."\n After Teague and Jacobs spoke, Aurbach invited attendees to stand and share their memories of Walker. \nWalker was remembered as outgoing by graduate student Maria Strouse, a friend and fellow stage manager, who spoke about an experience the two shared.\n"My funniest memory of Helen was a night where we stayed up very late to rehearse for our T100 class," said Strouse, referring to an introductory theater course. "Helen and I had to act out a scene from 'A Streetcar Named Desire.' Even though Helen was only about 5-foot-1, she read the macho role of Stanley. There we were, at two-thirty in the morning, Helen screaming 'Stella' at the top of her lungs. That was the kind of person she was … she'd just give her all with utter abandonment, no matter what (the) situation."\nWalker's mother and younger brother also spoke, thanking Walker's friends who had organized the event, for caring so dearly about Helen. \n"Helen loved IU, and it was our privilege, as her parents to give her what she wanted," Theresa Walker said. "We are so proud of her, because in the short time she had, she did what she loved and was surrounded by wonderful people." \nAurbach and other friends and family have organized a collection for Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Walker's name. \nThey will also continue to collect pictures and other memories for the scrapbook of Helen for the Walker family. \n"Helen always put others before her," Strouse said. "(In the theater and in life), there are many stars, but Helen allowed other to be stars. She did everything she could to ensure the success and safety of others. She was a truly amazing person"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
A symphonic world premiere, as well as new traditional and modern choreography, was brought to the Musical Arts Center Friday and Saturday during performances of the Fall Ballet. The evening showcased several IU performers, including associate music professor Emile Naoumoff, the IU Wind Ensemble and the String Academy Chamber Orchestra.\nNow in its 14th year, the Fall Ballet has become a seasonal attraction for IU students and Bloomington community members. \n"This is the first time I've ever seen a ballet," said sophomore Jenny Triplett, a percussion performance major. "I enjoyed it all very much, especially the modern ballet at the end. The combination of the music and the dance was very powerful."\nThe final ballet of the evening was the "Earthdance Concerto," a symphony written by composition professor Don Freund. Freund set about writing a ballet to match Fall Ballet founder Jacques Cesbron's contemporary choreography. Although he only had a few months to compose it, Freund said he embraced the time constraint, which ended up helping his creative process. \n"Jacques and I have collaborated two times previous to this Fall Ballet, so I already had an idea of what he would like musically in my head. The time constraints actually helped to feed the creative process," Freund said. \nThe "Earthdance Concerto" featured Naoumoff as a soloist and was supported by the music school's wind ensemble.\nBesides the much awaited "Earthdance Concerto," three ballets preceded the collaboration. The first ballet of the evening was Vivaldi's "L'estro armonico" with choreography by Virginia Cesbron.\n"With this piece, you see the grammar of ballet," Jacques Cesbron said. "There is a barre in the middle of the stage, and you are able to see what goes on in the classroom." \n"L'estro armonico" featured many of the student ballet dancers and the String Academy Chamber Orchestra.\nThe Fall Ballet was originally accompanied only by piano, but with Jacques Cesbron's initiative, instrumental groups from the music school have been incorporated into the performance. \n"Valse Fantasie," composed by Mikhail Glinka and featuring the neo-classical choreography of George Balanchine, was the second piece in the Fall Ballet. \n"Balanchine was a Russian dancer who came to America in the early 1900s," Cesbron said. "With this piece after the classical choreography of 'L'estro armonico,' you're able to see the change in styles of dance and ballet as time has passed."\nChoreographed by music professor Violette Verdy and composed by Fritz Kreisler and Ernesto Lecuona, "Album" provided yet another style of ballet. It had smaller vignettes of solo dancers, rather than the larger ensembles of the previous pieces.\n"I really liked how you could see such a wide variety of styles in this Fall Ballet," said sophomore horn performance major Jonathan Kuhns. "I had seen 'The Nutcracker' last year, and that really sparked my interest to see more ballet. I think anyone can enjoy ballet if you see it performed as well as the Fall Ballet was performed here"
(11/29/01 4:30am)
It's that time of year again: crowded shopping malls, last minute gift purchases, countless holiday parties, numbingly cold weather and every students favorite -- final exams. With all of these December duties, it's sometimes hard to enjoy the holiday season. But the IU Ballet Theater's production of "The Nutcracker" is a holiday tradition that might alleviate those dull winter blues.\nThe IU Ballet Theater brings enchantment and excitement to its 43rd annual presentation of the beloved classic ballet by Tchaikovsky. Now a Bloomington tradition, "The Nutcracker" explores the world of Little Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Snow Queen and the Sugarplum Fairy. \n"This production is beautiful to watch," said Doricha Sales of the IU Ballet Department. "The sets are exquisite, and each scene outdoes the one before it." The designer of the production, C. David Higgins, is an IU faculty member who teaches set design and has designed ballet and opera scenery for theaters throughout the world. Higgins is know for his detailed, Italian painting style, and Opera News has described him as one of America's finest scenic painters. \n"We're so lucky at this University to have the best of everything -- sets, costumes, the orchestra," said Courtney Fraga, a sophomore ballet major. "This production is very well organized and all the dancers have a high level of maturity."\nJacques Cesbron returns as choreographer for "The Nutcracker." Cesbron has been an IU Professor of Music since 1986, choreographing several ballets including "The Rite of Spring," "Carmina Burana," "Souvenir de Florence," "Time Landscapes" and most recently the Earthdance Concerto, composed by IU Professor of Music Don Freund. \n"The choreography is still classical in style," said Sales, "but it has the same fire and intensity of Cesbron's personal style which Bloomington audiences will recognize." \nThis year's production of "The Nutcracker" will feature many talented dancers from IU's pre-college ballet program, who are from the Bloomington community. \nDuring the evening performances Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, "The Nutcracker" will feature American Ballet Theater stars Julie Kent and José Manuel Carreño in the respective roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. \n"The young IU Ballet Department dancers are given excellent role models to perform with in Ms. Kent and Mr. Carreño," said Sales. "These artists also bring their extreme talent and professionalism to the production, which heightens the level of performance at IU."\nKent, currently one of the worlds most famous ballerinas, has danced with the American Ballet Theater since her apprenticeship there in 1985. \n"She's a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person," said IU freshman ballet major Shannon Stobbe. "She is such an inspiration to all the dancers here at IU." \nKent was the only American to win a medal at the Prix de Lausanne International Ballet Competition in 1986, the same year in which she became a member of the American Ballet Theaters corps de ballet. Appointed as a soloist with the American Ballet Theater in 1990 and a principal dancer in 1993, she has created leading roles in "Americans We," "Baroque Game," "Rigaudon," "States of Grace" and "Without Words," among others. Last April, Kent became the only American to win the Prix Benois de la Danse.\nCarreño won the Gold Medal at the New York International Ballet Competition in 1987 and the Grand Prix at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss., in 1990. Carreño was a member of the English National Ballet in 1990, and a Principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in 1993. Appearing extensively in many lead roles throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States, Carreno joined the American Ballet Theater as a principal dancer in June1995. \n"The Nutcracker" will be performed 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. There will be matinee performances at 3 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2. All performances are held in the Musical Arts Center. Tickets, which are $20-26 for the general public and $18 for IU students, are available at the Musical Arts Center Box Office (open 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday).
(10/05/01 4:32am)
As the alarm clock blasts a warning during the wee hours of the morning, any college student might be tempted to repeatedly hit "snooze." Getting up for a 10 a.m. class can be a huge struggle, not to mention the effort it would take to even think about rolling out of bed for an 8 a.m. lecture. Now imagine that struggle to get moving in the morning after dancing for more than eight hours the previous day. \nWith all the demanding physical and mental aspects that accompany the art of ballet, fellow dancers, roommates and half-sisters Courtney Fraga and Shannon Stobbe try as hard as they can to make it to those 8 a.m. classes. \n"IU has the best ballet program of any college in the country. But we both decided to come here not only for the dancing, but also for the academics," said Shannon, a freshman. \n"You have no choice but to schedule 8 a.m. classes. Our dance schedules, which are in the afternoons and evenings, allow very little time for classes past 11 a.m.," said Courtney, a sophomore dance major, who is also pursuing an outside field degree in elementary education.\nStobbe said she also plans to begin an outside field degree in psychology next year.\n"I am very interested in keeping an outside academic interest like Courtney, but I needed time to adjust to my first year of college. I'm dancing more now than I ever have in the past, with all the classes that we're required to take," Shannon said.\nBoth girls began dancing at five years old and began serious training by 10. Growing up in Detroit, Courtney and Shannon attended regular school during the day, and trained in the evenings. \n"We took part in the Michigan Ballet Theater, in Rochester Hills," Shannon said. "This was a pre-professional program that offered classes, various rehearsals and many performance opportunities.\nWe were dancing six hours a day, and we thought that was a lot. But it's nothing compared to the training at IU."\nAs full time ballet students, Courtney and Shannon begin technique classes at 11 a.m., followed by pointe classes in the afternoon, and start rehearsals for their various performances at 2 p.m. These rehearsals last until 6 p.m. most weeks, but during tech weeks of performances, they can last until 10 p.m. \n"When you're a dancer on a physically demanding schedule, it's really important to get enough sleep and to eat well," Shannon said. "We try as best we can to do that, but it's really hard to stay on a schedule in college, where many students don't adhere to any kind of schedule."\nThese past five weeks have been particularly demanding for Courtney, who is dancing the lead in the "Valse Fantasie", written by Mikhail Glinka. \n"The George Balanchine (choreographer for "Valse Fantasie") is a neo-classic dance piece, and has a lot of modern dance elements. It is the hardest piece I've ever had to dance; it's very physically demanding because you're literally dancing non-stop for 10 minutes. It's like running a marathon," Courtney said. \nWith all their hard work from the past, and the persistent, demanding training of the present, both girls have big hopes for the future. \n"We'll continue to audition (for various ballet companies) as the years go on," Shannon said. "The whole dancing situation is always up in the air, and relies greatly on your continual progress. We'd both like to dance in New York, but we know it will be very difficult and take a lot of work to get there. Ballet, all dance, is so rewarding though, that it's completely worth all the hard work"
(10/05/01 4:28am)
Aesthetic and aural beauty combine Friday and Saturday during the annual Fall Ballet. Presented by the IU Ballet Theater, these performances will encompass a wide variety of dance styles, exhibit choreography by four members of the Ballet Department faculty and feature a new composition by music professor Don Freund.\nJacques Cesbron, ballet professor and choreographer for the "Earthdance Concerto," initiated the first Fall Ballet 14 years ago. \n"Before that time, the Ballet Department only produced 'The Nutcracker' and the Spring Ballet," he said. "We had plenty of time to prepare for these two productions, but we also had a great deal of time in the fall semester which I thought could be filled." \nThe Fall Ballet keeps IU dancers busy during the first semester, with daily rehearsals that can last for up to three hours. Dancers attend a technique class from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. each day, followed by a two hour pointe class and then rehearsal for the Fall Ballet. With only five weeks of rehearsal before their first performance, this demanding schedule is necessary.\nFeaturing the choreography of Violette Verdy, Virginia Cesbron and George Balanchine, the Fall Ballet will present works from Fritz Kreisler, Mikhail Glinka and Antonio Vivaldi. \nCesbron, who is also the choreographer for IU's production of "The Nutcracker," made the decision of using not only pianists, but musicians from the School of Music to accompany the Fall Ballet. \n"We have (here at IU) one of the best music schools in the world," he said. "Why shouldn\'t we use these musicians in combination with our dancers?\"\nThis year, brings a new addition to the Fall Ballet. Composition professor Don Freund will introduce an original composition,"Earthdance Concerto." The fourth selection of the Fall Ballet production, "Earthdance Concerto" combines Freund's powerful composition style with Cesbron's love of modern dance. \n"This is the third ballet I've written for Jacques, though I think this is definitely the best," said Freund. "After Jacques knew what he wanted from a dance standpoint, he approached me with his ideas and asked me to compose a piece around them. Though there are immediate constraints that accomballetpany a collaborative work, these constraints begin to feed the creative process, and actually assist in the composition of the piece."\nFreund and Cesbron have recruited about 60 musicians from the School of Music to accompany the ballet for the "Earthdance Concerto." \nThe piece features a strong woodwind section, and provides a variety of moods and settings which are characteristic of contemporary dance. The "Earthdance Concerto" will also feature associate professor and pianist Emile Naoumoff, who has accompanied the ballet in past years.\n"The Fall Ballet is a performance that showcases many different styles of ballet," said Doricha Sales, Assistant Director of the Pre-College Ballet Program and ballet mistress for the "Earthdance Concerto." \n"It will give the entire audience a nice variety of dance to watch. Even if you've never seen a ballet in your life, this Fall Ballet is extremely beautiful, and anyone can appreciate it."\nThe Fall Ballet will be performed in the Musical Arts Center, Oct. 5th and 6th at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 - $18 ($10 for students) and are available through the Musical Arts Center box office.
(08/31/01 6:16am)
Hundreds of Bloomington residents and students will gather Sunday for Middle Way House's 13th Annual "Night at the Opera." This fundraising event coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Middle Way House, 404 W. Kirkwood Ave., which helps and empowers victims of domestic violence and abuse. \n"Night at the Opera" will feature student vocalists from the IU School of Music. Lyric-coloratura soprano Lisa Williamson serves as Musical Coordinator for this event -- Williamson, while still a student in the IU Music School, has performed throughout the country and most recently made her debut at Carnegie Hall. The students will begin their performance at 6:15 p.m. in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave..\nDistinguished conductor Imre Pallo will serve as both Maestro and Master of Ceremonies for the event. Among the faculty at IU, Pallo remains an internationally renowned and respected conductor. \nGeorge Walker of Bloomington radio station WFIU, who has supported the Middle Way House as the evening's media sponsor, will host the event.\nThe evening will begin with a Silent Auction Preview at 5 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Though reservations must be made in advance for the remainder of the event, the silent auction is open to the public: hot air balloon rides, a Persian carpet, IU opera tickets, Willie Nelson concert tickets and IU football tickets are among the items upon which patrons may bid. \nThe musical performance will begin at 6:15 p.m., with a formal dinner at 8 p.m. at the Waldron Auditorium. \nThe dinner is being catered by Flora Ristorante, 620 W. Fifth St.. \nFirst established as a crisis intervention service to people in Bloomington, the Middle Way House began its crusade to help victims of violence in 1971. Acting as a volunteer organization, the House was quick to respond to the needs of community members: they provided counseling for drug and alcohol abuse, operated a clinic for venereal diseases and created a 24-hour crisis line for people in need of information, support or referral services.\n"Domestic violence is the most repeated, least reported crime in the nation," states the fact sheet provided on the Middle Way House Web site (www.bloomington.in.us/~mwhouse/). "(Domestic violence) is the single most serious cause of injury to women....You are not alone." \nTen years after its inception, the Middle Way House refined its mission statement to focus specifically upon abused women and children. While the 24-hour crisis line continued to operate, the agency additionally opened a domestic violence shelter. This shelter provided safe-housing, case-management and facilitated in-house peer support groups. Later in 1988, the Middle Way opened a Rape Crisis Center, and established a Legal Advocacy Program: this program provides abused women with any legal support they may need and the option of pro bono lawyers. \n"We've had a long history in the Bloomington community, but today in 2001 we are able to provide battered women and children with many options," said Jill Nielsen, fund development coordinator for the Middle Way House and Coordinator of the upcoming "Night at the Opera." \nMiddle Way has an "on-scene advocacy program", which allows area police to contact the House and inform them of any reported abuse situations. \n"Currently we have a comprehensive set of objectives," Nielsen said. "Not only do we help abused women and children, but we also provide assistance for men who may be concerned about an abused partner, or suffering from abuse themselves."\nTickets are $30 for the performance and $30 for the dinner. For reservations, call (812) 333-7404 ext. 200. Tickets for only the performance will also be sold at the door, based on availability. All proceeds will be donated to the Middle Way House.
(08/27/01 4:05am)
Religious leaders gathered in Dunn Meadow Sunday, hoping to attract new freshmen to weekly services. \nOrganized and sponsored by the Campus Religious Leaders Association, the fifth annual Fun In Dunn provided new and old students exposure to the unique and diverse religious groups on campus and in the Bloomington area.\n"Fun in Dunn remains a great way to partner students with their religion of choice, as well as to expose students who aren't as sure of their religious preference (to these organizations) in a nonthreatening way," said Ken Larson, member and association spokesman for the event.\nEvery year, the association invites all area religious groups to reach out to students of all denominations. By supplying plenty of free food, a bike giveaway and sources of information, Fun in Dunn continues to attract many students, Larson said.\nApproaching religion in a large college environment can be overwhelming, but events like "Fun in Dunn" are specially designed for students looking to find a friendly and comfortable religious environment, Larson said. \n"I'm in a Southern Baptist Church back home in Louisville, Ky., so I came here to find a church and people who have similar values," student Jeff Marcilliat said.\nChurches like the Free Methodist Church on Lincoln Street reach out to students and try to give them a home away from home, one parishioner said. \n"Just e-mail or call us," said parishioner Jan Lamm. "We'll give you a free ride to any of our services or activities."\nNondenominational and student-based groups also supplied information at the event. Though churches often have a community of Bloomington residents in addition to students among their congregation, the nondenominational groups at the event exist primarily for the benefit of students.\nGroups such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, The Navigators, Lutheran Student Fellowship, and ConneXion hold weekly group meetings, Bible studies, community service projects and special events for students. From the 400-member IU chapter of the Campus Crusade for Christ to smaller groups such as Fellowship of Collegiate Christians, these student religious groups come in all shapes and sizes. Other groups, such as the Intervarsity Fellowship for Christians of fraternities and sororities, have unique qualities that appeal to students. \n• The IU Christian Fellowship, has four houses on Eighth Street where students of the group can live with one another and run additional activities, such as an upcoming Hawaiian-style luau Sept. 7. \n• Although many standard churches and fellowships set up shop at Fun in Dunn, students were also able to check out faiths that provide alternative religious outlets. One of the churches, the University Baptist Church on Third Street holds a weekly "international wives fellowship." This outreach program helps international students and their families make friends, practice English and adapt to their new Bloomington environment. \n• The Baha'i Faith, an Iranian religion established in 1944, promotes diversity and the elimination of prejudice. Bloomington has its own Baha'i Center, where devotions are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. \n• Soulstice, a Christian a capella group established at IU, allows students to experience religion through music. In the past few years, Soulstice has recorded several CDs with everything from church hymns to contemporary Christian music and original compositions. \n• One of the newest organizations in Bloomington is the Center for University Ministry. Nicknamed the "Left Wing Religion," this inter-denominational ministry relies on a ministry team of six to eight students to assist in planning. There are several University Ministries in Indiana, but the Rev. Rebecca J. Jimenez came to IU two years ago to establish a center in Bloomington. \n"We're big on social justice, women's issues, sweatshop issues and domestic violence," said Jimenez, a doctoral student in the Higher Education State of Affairs and an ordained American Baptist minister. "We work on putting faith into action, on faith development. This is a very inclusive ministry, and we accept many beliefs."\nStudent Dan Gelok used last year's Fun In Dunn to find his religious outlet. Gelok, now a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, found all of the sects represented at the festival helpful and is appreciative of the chance to investigate a variety of options.\n"During my freshman year, I spent two months shopping around for a group that I liked," Gelok said. "Though I decided on the church I'm in now, many other groups were very kind to me and always inviting. You just have to explore your options"
(05/21/01 1:17am)
Bob Dylan is teaching students to speak better English here at IU. Well, at least his songs are. IU senior Adam Balbo has brought the music of Dylan, the Beatles, and many other popular artists to international students as a means of helping them with English pronunciation. \nFrom 4-5 p.m. every Thursday at the Leo R. Dowling International Student Center, 111 S. Jordan Ave., international students and other IU students alike can gather together on a breezy porch overlooking Jordan Avenue to sing "Blowin' in the Wind" and other favorites. Led by the soft-spoken Balbo, who also accompanies participants on his guitar, international students can learn how to improve their English through song.\nBalbo creates a casual and relaxed atmosphere for his international friends during his "Singsong." With his patient teaching and gentle manner of explanation, Balbo generates an intimate setting, acting as a friend and classmate who kindly gives any help needed to students whose first language is not English. While some students discovered the "Singsong" through an e-mail sent by the International Center, others said they heard about it from Balbo himself. A history major who is also heavily involved in Chinese studies, Balbo promoted his program to many of his international friends during the International Center's weekly Chinese conversation hour.\nSe-Yeong Jung, a graduate student from South Korea who is majoring in Chinese studies, said that is how she got involved with the program. Jung quietly asked questions of Adam after the group and then sang a heart-felt rendition of Paul Simon's "Homeward Bound."\n"Adam had asked me if I would like to come," Jung said. "Today is my first time. I enjoyed it very much."\nWhile music is a gift that he now shares with others, Adam Balbo didn't always take his craft seriously. He said in high school he "accidentally started playing guitar." But that accident soon grew into a passion. In college Balbo has not only mastered the guitar, but he has also begun to compose his own music, which he also shares during his "Singsong."\nBalbo said he considers music to play a large role in his life.\n"Its what I do...I consider myself a musician," he said.\nGonzalo Isidro-Bruno, coordinator of activities at the International Student Center, noticed Balbo's talents and kind nature, and inspired him to create the "Singsong."\n"Bruno plans activities for the international students all the time," Balbo said.\nThese activities include weekly conversation hours --sessions where international students teach their language to their peers -- field trips, Salsa dance lessons, International dance parties, and an International Cooking Circle, where students can meet to cook and exchange their best recipes from home.\n"We attend a lot of activities here," says John Hu, a business major from Beijing, China. "It's a good way to make friends."\nAdded as of last week to the long list of the Center's events is Balbo's weekly "Singsong," which will continue to meet every Thursday throughout the month of May and for the first two weeks of June.\nAfter a rendition of "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles during this past Thursday's "Singsong," Balbo performed an original song entitled "Then We Will be Home." While only Balbo sang the first verse, other students quickly learned the melody to chime in with the second and third verses, "Look at the sun set, we will have eyes yet/ Then we will be home"