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Choosing where to study in Bloomington means knowing how you like to study.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Police responded to a man who was battered, kicked and punched by several males around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday along Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.The 41-year-old male reported three known male subjects engaged the victim in an argument at Peoples Park. After the argument turned physical, the victim said he tried to leave but was followed by the three men, Crider said.After the victim ran into a restaurant, a patron called police. BPD officers met with the man who said his pursuers stole his bag containing electronic devices. The bag was later found in an alley missing an mp3 player, headphones and an undisclosed sum of cash, Crider said.The victim later became uncooperative with detectives and refused to provide additional information, Crider said.The case was active as of Thursday morning.— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Police arrested a 22-year-old man Wednesday night for aggravated battery on the 1200 block of West 12th Street, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.Officers responded to a 41-year-old male with a bloody face and lacerations under his eye and nose at around 11 p.m. The victim reported he was walking in the area when Casey Allen Flynn approached him on bicycle and punched him in the face, Crider said. The victim also claimed Flynn took an undisclosed sum of cash from him.Witnesses said they saw a man riding a bicycle and gave the suspect’s name, but officers could not locate him. The same suspect, identified as Flynn, showed up around 12:30 a.m. at the BPD headquarters to speak with police after someone told him the officers wanted to speak with him, Crider said.Flynn said he was at a friend’s house hanging out when the victim threatened to harm him. Flynn reported that he responded “how would you like that if I said that to you?”Flynn said the victim then attempted to batter him, at which point Flynn tried to act in self-defense by punching the victim until he fell to the ground. Flynn then chose to leave on bike, Crider said.Flynn also denied taking money from the alleged victim, Crider said.Flynn was arrested and preliminarily charged with aggravated battery, Crider said. Robbery charges are pending as of Thursday.— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Police arrested a man in connection with various arson attempts Wednesday, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.Jason McIntosh is suspected of at least two separate March arson incidents in the Kirkwood Avenue and campus area, Crider said. On March 15, a 31-year-old employee of The Venue art gallery on South Grant Street said he observed a male customer, reportedly identified as McIntosh, enter with a black cloth bag and stay a few minutes before leaving. Roughly 10 minutes later, the employee said he noticed the bathroom door was locked. After opening the door, the employee reportedly found a pile of smoldering paint rags in the bathroom. Officers searched for this suspect, but could not locate him.On March 17, a similar arson attempt by a male suspect with a black cloth bag was reported at the Indiana Memorial Union. A second witness happened to be at both the Venue and IMU scenes, Crider said.On March 18, the same Venue employee observed the suspect return to the store. After the employee saw the suspect enter the bathroom, he called the police again. Though a photo array was established, the employee said he was not comfortable making a selection at the time, Crider said.McIntosh denied any arson involvement during a BPD questioning, Crider said.On March 19, a second photo array including both the Venue employee and the second witness from the Venue and IMU arson attempts identified McIntosh. A warrant for McIntosh’s arrest was obtained and served on Wednesday, Crider said.— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Police arrested three individuals in connection with a burglary around 9:30 p.m. last night on the northwest side of town, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.Officers responded to a report of three suspicious males carrying a television near 19th and Washington streets. A complainant gave directions to officers on how to follow the suspects, which led them to identify the group at an apartment through a curtainless window, Crider said.Officers visited the apartment and knocked on the door where they met with a 22-year-old female believed to be the tenant. Suspect Timothy Taylor, who removed the TV from the previous residence, took off on foot at this time. Police were able to detain him, Crider said.Officers believe Taylor and the other suspects, Calvin Berry and David Freeman, were walking in the area and decided to burglarize residences, Crider said. They were knocking on doors to see if residents were home or if their front doors were unlocked. Freeman, who was cooperative with police, said they group took a Playstation 3 console and a Toshiba laptop in addition to the television.The three suspects were then arrested and taken to the Monroe County Jail. Each suspect faces preliminary charges of burglary, but Taylor faces additional charges of theft and resisting arrest.— Jeff LaFave
Ten IU and Bloomington Twitter accounts to follow.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington is crazy about bicycles. And you don’t have to be a Little 500 speedster to appreciate life on two wheels. We’re here to educate you on biking basics, starting in first gear. Try to keep up.“You can get anywhere on campus faster than with any other method of transportation,” Bikesmiths employee Erik Paavola said. “And it saves you a bunch of money.”Paavola said bike shops tend to experience a boom in customer interest during the spring as Bloomington’s weather usually improves from March to mid-April. As a result, many newbies find themselves riding in the streets for the first time, and sharing the road with trucks and buses can be downright intimidating.“People should not necessarily be afraid to ride in the street,” Paavola said. “Ride in the lane. Like, right in the lane. Because it’s your right to do that.”Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is not only dangerous, it’s illegal in Indiana. Bloomington laws designate a “share the road” policy, treating cyclists as equals to motor vehicles. “If you’re going to ride in the street, you’ve got to stop at stop signs and stoplights or people are going to think you’re an asshole,” Paavola said.Once bicyclists and commuters have mastered the laws of the road, the rest is up to preparation.“If you have a rack or panniers on your bike, putting your stuff there will keep you much cooler,” Paavola said. “When you’re carrying your backpack on your bike, you’re going to get really sweaty. It doesn’t allow you to breathe. Getting the backpack off you, initially, is going to be a big help. You don’t need to get to class as fast as you can.”Lastly, the secret to being a happy cyclist is keeping your bike yours. Investing in a quality lock, like the Kryptonite or OnGuard brands, keeps bike thieves at bay. “If you have a bike that you found or bought on Craiglist for $5 or $10, do whatever with it,” Paavola said. “But if you spent any money on your bike, and your bike means something to you and you want to keep that bike, don’t buy a cable lock. Ever.”Brought your bike?Buy a one-time $10 bike permit from IU Parking Operations. This registers your bike so if your ride ends up missing, you can easily file for stolen property with IUPD.Buying a bike? Consider shopping for a refurbished bike at the Bloomington Community Bike Project, where some are $40 to $50. Volunteering your time at the BCBP can not only teach you bike repair skills, but also earn you a bike for free.Beyond bikesIf you don’t care for biking, there are still other options besides walking to navigate campus.Bus serviceFree to students, IU and city buses pick up all around campus. If you live near the stadium, hop on the A or X buses. Residents of North Jordan and the extension can catch the B bus, while those on the south side should ride the D and E buses. City bus route 9 picks up at Wells Library and drops off at the College Mall.DrivingFreshmen are welcome to bring cars to campus, but should keep in mind they’ll most likely be parking at the stadium with an E parking permit. Turning in the housing contract early means D permits near the dorms may also be available for purchase. For more information, visit parking.indiana.edu.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A 68-year-old man was assaulted around 4:30 p.m. Monday when he returned to his apartment on 3000 S. Walnut St., Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.The man entered his apartment to see an individual exit from his bathroom. This intruder then stuck the victim on the head, knocking him unconscious, Crider said.When the man came to consciousness at approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, he noticed his wallet, including his ID, MasterCard and an undisclosed amount of cash, was taken. BPD officers noted a contusion and a small laceration to the victim’s face during his report Tuesday.The case is active and has been forwarded to detectives, but little was known about a suspect description as of Wednesday morning, Crider said.— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU administration is made up of over 100 administrative offices and services, each of which carries out a different task. With so many departments, it’s hard to remember who does what. These are IU’s top three administrators, and here’s what they can do for you.Michael A. McRobbie, presidentMcRobbie was appointed as IU’s 18th president by the IU Board of Trustees on July 1, 2007. As the president, McRobbie is responsible for each of IU’s eight campuses, which has an approximate total budget of $2.7 billion, more than 16,000 faculty and staff and about 100,000 students. McRobbie, a native of Australia, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Queensland and his doctoral degree from the Australian National University. To contact the Office of the President, call 812-855-4613, email iupres@indiana.edu or visit indiana.edu/~pres/.Lauren Robel, provost and executive vice presidentRobel officially took over the provost position on July 1, 2012. The provost serves as the university's "Chief Academic Officer," overseeing and advancing the interests of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education on campus.Robel is the Val Nolan Professor of Law, and served as the dean of the Maurer School of Law from 2003-2011. Robel graduated summa cum laude from Maurer Law and earned her bachelor's degree with honors from Auburn University. The provost office is located in Bryan Hall Room 100. Her email address is provost@indiana.edu.Harold "Pete" Goldsmith, dean of studentsGoldsmith was named dean of students in 2009 after overseeing student affairs and enrollment at Kent State University. He received his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from IU. “The dean of students leads the Division of Students Affairs,” Goldsmith said. “We provide direct support services for students, try to remove barriers for students and provide programs that enhance students’ educational experience.” The dean’s office can be found in the Indiana Memorial Union. His phone number is 812-855-8187 or email iubdos@indiana.edu.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A former employee of Café Django was arrested on North Grant Street for trying to break into the business with a sprinkler head Monday night, police said.The manager of Café Django showed up to the business around 11 p.m. to check on unrelated after-hours matters when the manager found Michael Spencer, 46, trying to break into the building with a sprinkler head, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.When the manager confronted Spencer, who was warned May 13 not to trespass on on the property, the suspect told the manager he needed $5 and asked for the money. When the manager declined, Spencer dropped the sprinkler head and ran away on foot, Crider said.Officers responded to Café Django where they found the sprinkler head and fresh pry marks on the building’s north door, Crider said.Officers then responded to the area of Spencer’s last known address where he was found hiding in the area. At that time, Spencer admitted to trying to break in. He was arrested and preliminarily charged with burglary, Crider said.Spencer has faced charges for two prior burglaries this year, including a March 19 incident where he admitted to breaking through the window of Laundry Works on East Third Street with intent to steal money.— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When it comes to renovations, Nick’s English Hut on Kirkwood Avenue is starting from the ground up. Literally.The iconic IU-themed restaurant started with heavy construction Monday. Owner Gregg Rago and wife Susan Bright were personally ripping out the first-floor bar.“When in doubt, just break it,” Bright said.She was ripping out electrical work and computer wires that had gone obsolete over a decade ago – the electricians that did work before her did not remove their old work.“'Why don’t you get rid of them?'” Bright said rhetorically. “Well, that’s not our job.”Starting at 8 a.m., Bright and “Rags” worked together to completely dismantle the bar, dig up the floor and clean up the unthinkable mess of the elderly bar.The result was a mess of hidden sticky, musty areas under the floor caused by generations of customers.“Yeah, that’s Kahlua,” Bright said. “I put my hand in it and smelled it, that’s Kahlua. It’s been back there awhile.”Even the areas not visible to customers downstairs were starting to age.“It was really beaten up,” Rago said. “It was falling apart. There was stuff in back that…it was gonna die.”Once the residue and mayhem of construction gets cleaned up, Rago said Nick’s will ultimately be a tidier, more sparkling version of the restaurant many Hoosiers still call home. Construction should be finished by late June.Rago said he plans for the new floor to be an epoxied layer of red and black sparkles. The bar, which had previously served its role through crumbling pieces of formica, will be replaced by Indiana timber and quartz.“We’re keeping it as ‘Nick’s’ as possible,” he said.The lower level of the eatery is currently out of commission due to the construction, but customers can still find service upstairs in the Hoosier Room or a section designated for all ages. A makeshift sign placed on Nick’s front door was not able to re-direct all interested patrons.“I stood out at lunch so I could direct traffic to the Hoosier Room,” Bright said. “It’s funny.”In the meantime, Bright and Rago said various pieces of the downstairs Nick’s bar will find new and curious homes. A variety of items will be donated to the Monroe County schools with the purpose of auction and charity fundraising. Some bar supplies will go to “Klinkers,” another wood-based bar in Princeton, Ind.A family friend is even transforming a former beer cooler into a cattle trough.Nick’s was founded in 1927 as a cigarette and candy shop, Rago said. Once prohibition ended, the establishment began to sell alcohol, and eventually became the “English Hut” establishment Kirkwood embraces.“We’ve had a lot of phone calls in the last few weeks,” Bright said. “‘Don’t change anything!’”Monday’s construction started with a thorough dismantling of the bottom section and laborious physical tasks. Come 5:30 p.m., the duo of Bright and Rago would celebrate with – what else – two draft beers in the now open foyer they had created.“I go through all sorts of emotions from sad to happy to excited,” Bright said. “So many people come through here. We’re really gonna put it together for the same character. I’m feeling all the past history now as I’m on my hands and knees.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As the city did the dishes and anticipated a Friday night out May 31, the officers of the Bloomington Police Department sipped coffee and listened to the IU baseball game on the radio. The night shift was ready for roll call and would stick around to see the city’s residents off to bed.Their objective? Keeping Bloomington “a safe and civil city.”An IDS reporter was along for the ride.* * *10 p.m.Officer Jon Hoffmeister has worked the night shift for the entirety of his nine years with BPD. His excitable K-9 companion, Pongo, has joined him for five and is almost ready to retire. Together, they drive the oldest car in the fleet. His 2007 Crown Victoria has driven just more than 106,000 miles, but it has seen better days.“The K-9s just beat these things up,” Hoffmeister says. “There’s gonna be hair in places where hair shouldn’t be.”Before their night truly begins, Hoffmeister and Pongo fill up on gas at a police fuel depot on the west side of town. As “Hoffy” steps out to swipe his government ID card, his first call of the night comes through the scanner.A woman in her 50s has smashed her car through the curb at Village Pantry, going airborne and slashing her tires in the process. Pieces of her lights are still in the parking lot. Witnesses suspect she has been drinking.Hoffmeister is one block away.Moments later, the Ellettsville resident has located the suspect: a silver BMW with a smashed right-rear wheel. The side airbags have deployed. He prepares for a barrage of field tests and calls for backup — his K-9 unit vehicle is not equipped for passengers.“It’s kind of a musical chair thing,” Hoffmeister says with a chuckle. “A lot of the guys don’t like when I get ‘em, because then they have to do ‘em.”After the suspect’s boyfriend arrives on scene, three more squad cars respond to Hoffmeister in the parking lot of Cresent Donuts. Employees and customers alike gawk from the store’s lobby. The woman fails all three field sobriety tests. As officers start to handcuff her, Pongo lets out a round of fierce yelps.“Handcuffs are a trigger,” Hoffmeister says. “He goes nuts when he hears that click. When that first cuff goes on is when fight-or-flight happens.”Hoffy calms Pongo down before returning to the police station to administer paperwork and a breath test for the suspect. This is the woman’s third impaired driving incident, with others on record in 2004 and 2005.After a half-hour of questioning, her BAC test comes back more than the .08 legal limit, and the booking process begins. Patiently and somberly, Hoffmeister goes about his duties.“We’re going to have to handcuff you again to transport you,” he says. “Thank you for being cooperative.”“No,” she says. “Thank you. Thank you for being fair.”Click.11:24 p.m.Sgt. Ryan Pedigo, in his sixth year at BPD, works at his desk just down the hallway from Hoffmeister. The station is quiet after the sun goes down. The loudest noises are the air conditioner and the occasional printer task. Just outside his office, a sign reminds the officers to “train as if your life depended on it.”Between a Friday night, the NCAA regional baseball tournament and a high school track and field meet, the BPD officers have their work cut out for them.Pedigo looks at weather forecasts. Heavy rain and storms are on the way.“Maybe the weather will help us out,” he says. “People don’t like to raise Cain if it’s pouring outside.”Though his night begins peacefully at the desk, Pedigo will eventually find himself battling those same elements of nature.11:45 p.m.Hoffmeister and Pongo have returned to street patrol, this time touring their usual northwest area route. They embark on “the hill,” an area of low-income housing that started as a place for returning Vietnam veterans, but since devolved into an area of crime and poverty.“There’s a lot of good people up here, and then there’s a lot of bad people,” Hoffmeister says. “And the bad people like to prey on the good people, unfortunately.”Hoffy keeps his car slow in the dimly lit neighborhood. Many residents are still out walking from place to place. Quite a few sit on their porch drinking and smoking.A young girl rides her push scooter just before the stroke of midnight.“The parents put the kids on their schedule so they can sleep,” Hoffmeister says with a sigh.Hoffmeister has two children himself. His daughter is 5 years old and understands what he does for a living, but his son is merely 6 months old. Though Hoffmeister has worked the night-shift life for nearly a decade, he stays up after work to eat breakfast and see his kids. After some sleep, he sees them for a bit longer in the afternoon before returning to the night shift.The officer will not eat again until breakfast, as he refuses to dine on shift. The only places open during his time of duty are late-night diners and gas stations.“It’s rough on our bodies,” Hoffmeister admits. “I don’t think a lot of us realize that because it’s routine.”Though the night shift has grown to be Hoffy’s home, the job of being a police officer is demanding regardless of the hour. Hoffmeister responded to a call April 30 along the B-Line Trail that resulted in a suspect committing suicide when presented with a warrant for his arrest.“You gotta get thick,” he says. “You have to be able to look at a dead body or the worst crime in the world and focus.”1:27 a.m.Sgt. Pedigo is in charge.After starting the night with roll call and desk duties, Pedigo hits the streets to patrol where he chooses. He meets with other officers as backup or searches back alleys for the unexpected. With a large coffee in hand, he juggles three walkie-talkies, a laptop, an earpiece and his cell phone, driving judiciously all the while.Pedigo creeps his cruiser through a narrow alley near College Mall. He shines the car’s spotlight into a number of businesses closed for the night. There has been a string of burglaries in the area, but he sees nothing unusual tonight.He carries on to the area of Kirkwood and Walnut streets. The bars will announce last call soon, and the severe thunderstorm front is creeping closer.2:31 a.m.Pedigo said he likes to speak with citizens and students downtown after midnight to educate them. He aims to enforce the law, but says he wants people to know the police are there to help, not get people in trouble.“The guys and gals on this shift, they choose third shift for a reason,” he says.As he drives by a house party, a number of people on the porch stare at his cruiser. A brief worry fills the area. The crowd lowers its drinks and speaks in a hushed voice.Pedigo is not interested tonight. He drives on.“If just by being in the area, the party keeps from being out of control, you’ve accomplished your goal,” he says.The same cannot be said for the Kirkwood Avenue nightlife. A car has struck the retaining wall of the Dunnkirk bar. An SUV has run over a parking meter. A woman is reportedly on the roof of the Upstairs Pub.Yet Pedigo focuses on the tasks immediately nearby. Pedigo drives downtown as the wind picks up and lightning begins to flash.He spots a young woman walking alone on Fourth Street. She is wearing a razor-cut top and short shorts. Thunder cracks nearby. Pedigo angles his cruiser into a parking spot and approaches her.“Can I talk to you real quick?” he asks. “Where are you going? I saw you walking by yourself.”She says she lives a block away. She lives alone, but she’s determined to get there. Pedigo calmly tells her to “hustle” in advance of the storm and lets her go.“Thank you officer,” she says. “I really appreciate you stopping.”Pedigo advances his car to her apartment complex and waits for her to arrive safely.The woman reaches home without incident. She never sees Pedigo again, but the sergeant watches her arrive from the shadows of a nearby alley.As the woman disappears into her apartment complex, the skies open up with force.3:29 a.m.Pedigo searches for information about weather debris while driving west on Kirkwood Avenue. There is reportedly a large tree branch in the road.Looking up, he is seconds away from hitting the massive tree chunk.He swerves the car to the left, collects his breath and parks the cruiser behind the downed piece of nature.“I almost bought it there,” he says with a relieved voice.It is too large to move by himself, so another car comes to direct what little traffic is out in the wee hours of the night.Few people have business in Bloomington at this hour, especially in the violent weather, but every precaution is taken to clear the roads.“There becomes a point in the night where the night crew of people in the city, the people that are night owls, go to bed,” he says. “As the sun comes up, you see the early risers get up and go to work.”But this is the part of the night where Pedigo and his crew have time to thrive, to recollect and step ahead of the game.His uniform dripping from the rain, Pedigo picks up the streets of Bloomington with his bare hands so the morning traffic will have nothing to worry about. He personally removes a trash can from the middle of Walnut Street, then tosses a stray road cone back into its native parking lot.4:05 a.m.The bargoers have gone home, and the city is ready for a brief rest. Hoffmeister and Pongo continue their patrols on the northwest side of town near the hill and the other officers follow suit with their assigned areas.Pedigo returns to headquarters to continue with his paperwork and desk correspondence. When the sun comes up, he will work off-duty security at Kroger, and then return home for “maybe” five or six hours of sleep.Another night has gone by, and BPD’s night shift officers have left the city accessible and open for the next morning. If their job is done right, nobody will notice anything.“When people call us, we must remember that these things are important to them,” Pedigo says. “And it should not be taken lightly.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>What can I say about French robots that hasn’t been said before?Apparently, a lot.Daft Punk has been my favorite band for nearly a decade. In eighth grade, I mistakenly purchased the seminal 2001 album “Discovery” from the bargain bin of a local Karma Records for $3.97. I thought I had overpaid. But after popping the CD into my stereo, I knew this was no mistake. Simply fate.As the only electronic music fan in music-crazy New Palestine, Ind., I took it upon myself to be a living historian of the cyborg duo. And now that the band has released “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk’s first studio album since 2005, it irks me to hear people say the band has “changed.”Especially when they started as a Beach Boys knockoff ensemble.1992: Darlin’ DaysThomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo met in a Paris secondary school and bonded through their love of American pop rock. A third friend, Laurent Brancowitz, joined them to form Darlin’, a band inspired by the Beach Boys song of the same name. Their four-song set was written off by the local newspaper as “daft, punky thrash.” After mixed reviews, the trio split to pursue other interests.Bangalter and “Guy-Man” studied synthesizers and renamed themselves “Daft Punk.”Brancowitz would later become a founding member of “Phoenix,” another huge French music act.1997: Homework After a chance meeting at a 1993 rave at EuroDisney (of all things), Daft Punk released its first single through Soma Quality Recordings. The success of “Alive” led them to sign with Virgin Records in 1996.“Homework,” the duo’s first album, attracted a degree of international attention in 1997 for presenting rave music in a commercial setting. Singles “Da Funk” and “Around the World” remain favorites for DJs to sample due to their easygoing chord progressions.2001: DiscoveryDaft Punk captured attention in a big way with 2001’s “Discovery,” trading away any personal image for the iconic robot suits their fans know and love today. The two haven’t been photographed publicly outside of their suits (or so we assume) since the album’s release. The group channeled video game and 8-bit culture in a big way, as singles “One More Time” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” became genre staples. “Discovery” turned heads with its full-length anime motion picture accompaniment, “Interstella 5555,” which told the story of a blue rock and roll band kidnapped by aliens. The album would later be chosen as the third-best album of the 2000s by Pitchfork music magazine.2005: Human After AllBangalter and Homem-Christo took four years to respond to their international smash-hit album, and the results were less than flattering to many.After “Discovery” gave audiences a gift-wrapped explosion of color and synth, “Human After All” responded with minimalism and existential themes. As if stripping the sound down to two guitars and a drum machine wasn’t enough to alienate some, the robot baby pictured in the “Technologic” video may have scared the rest away.It would be the band’s last new studio album for eight years.2007: Alive 2007Daft Punk responded to this sink in popularity by releasing “Alive 2007,” a live concert featuring remixed cuts from various points in the duo’s career. The late-2007 release won the Grammy for Best Electronic Album in 2009.Some cuts from the unpopular “Human After All,” combined with familiar “Discovery” favorites, managed to win back a few fans with a more dancy juxtaposition.2010: TRON: LegacyAfter Disney announced plans to revamp the iconic “TRON” movie starring Jeff Bridges, it tapped on Daft Punk’s cyborg shoulders to do the soundtrack. Bangalter and “Guy-Man” went into classical music lockdown, organizing an 85-piece orchestra for the cult film remake’s soundtrack.The duo made a cameo in the film as two robotic DJs, playing the hit single “Derezzed” during a club fight scene.2013: Random Access MemoriesAfter finally taking the time off to indulge in music from the 1960s and ‘70s, Daft Punk teamed up with modern hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams and electro legend Nile Rodgers for a trip into retro glory.“Get Lucky,” the lead single for the album released May 21 in the U.S., flourishes with a disco sound the band tends to embrace. However, tracks such as “Giorgio by Moroder,” which channel a spoken-word motif, may tread along the lines previously crossed by 2005’s “Human After All.” And songs like “Touch” are downright psychedelic confusion. AnalysisI’ve stuck with this band through thick and thin, even buying a $30 copy of its generally poo-pooed independent film “Electroma.” Along the way, I’ve seen how Daft Punk is an earnest, honest effort to try something new, even if “something new” is a goofy 8-bit song about working it harder and making it better. The duo just happened to find the fortune of a top 40 single or two along the way. Bangalter and Homem-Christo just enjoy having fun with their music. Then again, would you expect anything less from two Parisian men in robot costumes?
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Following the departure of Vice Provost Sonya Stephens, Dennis Groth has been named interim vice provost for undergraduate education, IU announced Monday afternoon.Provost Lauren Robel announced the appointment, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. A search will begin this summer for a long-term vice provost for undergraduate education, according to a press release.Groth, who has served as associate vice provost for undergraduate education since 2009, oversaw general studies, service-learning, administration of placement and high-stakes exams, lifelong learning through non-credit professional and liberal arts classes, community outreach and information technology support. While associate vice provost, he was also associate dean of undergraduate studies for the School of Informatics and Computing on the Bloomington campus. Earning a doctorate degree in information sciences from IU in 1997, Groth has more than 15 years of experience in the software development industry and has designed and developed systems for health care, pharmaceutical sales and financial services, according to the release. Groth has been recognized by students and colleagues as an outstanding teacher and has received the Trustees Award for Teaching Excellence and teaching awards in informatics and computer science. A farewell reception for Vice Provost Sonya Stephens is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.– Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Provost Lauren Robel announced Friday afternoon she will recommend the appointment of Lesa Hatley Major as interim dean of the School of Journalism. Major, the journalism school’s senior associate dean, will succeed Michael Evans, who will leave June 30 to become provost and vice president of academic affairs of Unity College, according to a press release. “Lesa is an admired teacher, scholar and journalist, with the respect of her colleagues in journalism,” Robel said in the release. “She has already been given responsibility, working closely with Associate Dean Bonnie Brownlee, to lead the transition planning for the school. This has permitted Interim Dean Michael Evans to focus on end-of-year responsibilities as he thinks about the transition to his new position at Unity College.”Associate Dean Bonnie Brownlee said she expects Hatley Major will continue to bring her focus and enthusiasm to the school of journalism.“She is someone who is quite forward-looking and is thinking about the future of our field, a broad field,” Brownlee said. “She’s got the confidence of her colleagues.” In 2006, she earned her Ph.D. in mass communication and public affairs from Louisiana State University, where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the Manship School of Mass Communication. She joined the School of Journalism that same year, instructing graduate and undergraduate courses since. Major’s research has focused on health communication and public policy, as well as studying efforts to strengthen public support for policy changes regarding lung cancer, obesity and mental health. She has also researched news messages about AIDS for African American audiences and creating public support for AIDS interventions.“I am very excited about all of the opportunities ahead of us,” Major said. “I’m really looking forward to working with our faculty, our students, our alumni, our staff, and our colleagues in the College over this next year. I think there will be challenges for us, but I’m really positive and enthusiastic about the opportunities that will appear to us as we move through this next year and the merger.” Major will begin as interim dean on July 1, according to the press release.“Change is difficult for people, however, with change comes all of these opportunities,” Major said. “We’re going to move forward and make sure that we do everything to not only continue and preserve what the school of journalism has done for the last 100 years, but also continue to build programs and work for students. That’s what we do.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When it comes to horror, Bloomington is King."Ghost Brothers of Darkland County," a southern gothic supernatural musical written by Stephen King, will take the IU Auditorium stage October 10, the IU Auditorium announced Friday afternoon."Darkland County" also features music by Bloomington music legend John Mellencamp and touring icon T-Bone Burnett. The IU Auditorium will show the first runs of "Darkland County" before the production leaves for a 20-city nationwide tour. "It is an amazing opportunity to host the cast and creative staff of 'Ghost Brothers' as they rehearse and debut this new musical," IU Auditorium director Doug Booher said in a press release. "This is a rare chance for our audiences to witness a premiere of this scope, and it coming from such a locally (and globally) beloved artist like John Mellencamp makes the experience even more special for Bloomington and IU."The musical combines eerie, suspenseful plot with blues and folk music styles, as the storyline centers around a dysfunctional family living in 1967 Mississippi, according to the press release.Where artists in their golden years often settle for contentment, Stephen King said this musical keeps him and Mellencamp working hard."John can make rock & roll records and I can write books for the rest of our lives," King said. "But that's the safe way to do it, and that's no way to live if you want to stay creative. We were willing to be educated, and at our age, that's an accomplishment." Director Susan Booth said in a press release the musical is "a kind of new age traveling medicine show."“This is a gothic story-driven rock concert,” Booth said. “I want the emphasis to be on this fantastic score and our great singers and how the story advances us from song to song. In most musicals, the songs advance the narrative. With 'Ghost Brothers,' the story will advance the songs.”For more information, visit iuauditorium.com.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU Auditorium pulled back the curtain on its 2013-14 season schedule on Sunday, unveiling a list of crowd favorites while keeping one show top-secret.Prominent additions to the Auditorium’s schedule include the Nashville Symphony, Ballet Hispanico, “Mamma Mia!,” Million Dollar Quartet, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, violinist Itzhak Perlman and “West Side Story.”The limestone venue will also feature the international super-trio Blue Man Group and humorist David Sedaris as returning shows.“As always, we strive to put together a selection of events as diverse and interesting as our audiences, and we are thrilled to be able to announce this amazing list of entertainers, Tony Award-winning Broadway hits and awe-inspiring cultural dance and music,” IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said in a press release. “We’re proud to present yet another season of the highest quality performances.”The Auditorium is also keeping something under wraps for two weeks. According to a press release, the Auditorium will premiere the performance of a brand new musical tour to be announced nationwide May 10. That performance is described as a musical and theatrical collaboration, twisting an eerie and suspenseful plot from past to future, set to an Americana soundtrack with acoustic guitars taking the place of the traditional orchestra.The IU Auditorium will also maintain its holiday staples for next year, billing “Dennis James Hosts Halloween” on Oct. 26, and “Chimes of Christmas” on Dec. 11.For more information regarding shows or ticket prices, visit iuauditorium.com— Jeff LaFave
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The power of music can be a soothing one.On Sunday, April 28, a number of leading Baroque violinists who studied at the Jacobs School of Music will return to benefit the Middle Way House with a special concert at Fairview United Methodist Church, 600 W. Sixth St.The 2 p.m. concert will be a performance of Heinrich Biber’s “Mystery Sonatas,” also known as “The Rosary Sonatas.” The concert is renowned for a technique called “scordatura,” which involves irregular tuning of the violin strings. Each of the 15 sonatas in Biber’s performance cycle is inspired by the praying of the Rosary.Artistic director Janelle Davis said she plans to use Sunday’s event as a tribute to the influential women in her life. “One of the most famous women in history is the Virgin Mary, and it’s the story of Mary’s bravery in the face of adversity that Biber depicts in this sonata cycle,” Davis said. “I’ve been so impressed by the way Middle Way House serves and supports women in hardship. I can’t think of a better fit for this project.”Toby Strout, director of the Middle Way House, said he is thrilled that this event will benefit the House.“What makes this event so special is the opportunity it will afford audience members to honor the special women in their lives,” Davis said. For more information about the concert or the Middle Way House, visit bctboxoffice.com or middlewayhouse.org.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU’s art students are finding their own gallery moments in the heart of dead week and finals season.Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts have been displaying their works in the Grunwald Gallery of Art. The current set of student samples includes printmaking, painting, digital art, graphic design, photography and sculpture.“BFA 5,” the fifth grouping of students presenting their final projects in the gallery will run until April 27, and “MFA 3” will be on display until May 4. The BFA 5 students include, Lareun Wolfer (printmaking), Lance Pruitt (sculpture), Christopher McFarland (photography) and Alexa Scott (graphic design).Pruit, a junior, in the sculpture BFA program, is showing his project that he has been working on since last semester.“It is an installation using film and audio,” he said. “It is addressing the way we construct memories in our head.”The MFA students presenting their works at the Grunwald Gallery are: Aimee Denault (printmaking), Leah Miller (painting), Johnathan Van Tassel (painting), Rose Werr (digital art), and Roslaie Lopez (printmaking). There will also be MFA works at the Indiana University Art Museum of students, Daniel Mrva (painting), James Yount (graphic design), and Joshua McNolty (printmaking).Both series will be recognized with an opening reception on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Live from Bloomington, it’s Saturday Night.Shawn Pelton, a percussionist featured in the Saturday Night Live house band, donated one of his drum kits to the Jacobs School of Music.John Tafoya, chair of the percussion department, said the drum set donated by Pelton will be integrated into the school’s percussion department inventory and will be used by students in various performances,“This is such a wonderful gift,” Tafoya said. “The faculty and students are so grateful to Shawn for this donation and for the time he spent with all of us during his visit. I am so very proud to know that his incredible musical accomplishments are now appreciated throughout the percussion and music world.”After graduating from the Jacobs School in 1985, Pelton toured professionally before being asked to join the musical SNL repertoire in 1992. His black “Drum Machine (DM)” brand kit with Zildjian cymbals, which accompanied some of the world’s most popular musicians, will now call Bloomington home.Pelton, who is known for his for wide range of musical styles, has performed and recorded with Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Carly Simon.“As a working alumnus in the constantly evolving music business, it was inspiring to witness first-hand the world-class depth, broad stylistic range and modern sense of vision within the IU percussion department,” Pelton said. “The percussion faculty is a real dream team that offers everything for an aspiring performer.”Steve Houghton, professor of music in percussion and jazz studies, said Pelton is always invited back to Bloomington. “Shawn has an open invitation to come and work with our students, as he always brings a well-tested approach to making music in today’s marketplace,” Houghton said. “His ‘real life’ tips for playing on SNL every week to performing at the White House in front of the president are always brilliant and hilarious at the same time. He is a generous pro that I want my students to be around whenever possible.”