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(04/28/05 5:23am)
Virtual reality lives in Lindley Hall. Its locked room becomes another world inside the 8-foot cubed square known as the Computer Automated Virtual Environment. \nCreated at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory at the University of Illinois in Chicago, IU's CAVE is one of the many appearing across the country. Featuring three walls and a floor upon which computer generated sights and sounds are projected, CAVE participants experience virtual reality scenarios in real time. Each movement of the active participant triggers the next scene based on the computer program design.\nLarge enough to hold as many as 10 participants, CAVE has become an ever-changing canvas for School of Fine Arts Assistant Professor Margaret Dolinsky and her students. \nAs an artist who focuses mainly on painting and printmaking, Dolinsky said she designs computer art scenarios for CAVE as a way of extending her artistic background.\n"Participants wear glasses with batteries on the side, similar to the old 1950s 3-D glasses, but they're much heavier," said senior Craig Strubing, a former CAVE student. "There's also a joystick, or wand, on a kind of remote control that the user has to navigate through the scenes."
(02/08/05 4:30am)
Composed of 80 or more members, mostly nonmusic majors, the African American Choral Ensemble has vast performance experience. Opening for performers like The Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Charles and performing throughout the area, the ensemble is much in demand.\n"Our biggest challenge is that the group has so much appeal," said Charles Sykes, administrative director of the African American Arts Institute. "There is an extremely high demand for the group, and it takes a lot of work to make the details work."\nTheir next concert, which commemorates Black History Month, will begin at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Education Atrium and will include a variety of spirituals, contemporary gospel music and modern works by African Americans.\n"Our goal for this performance is to expose students, particularly undergraduate and international students, to music they might never have been exposed to," said Coordinator of Diversity and International Programs Nita Levison. "You don't need a ticket. You don't have to go downtown. We're bringing it to you."\nThe event is sponsored by the Office of the Dean, the Committee on Diversity and the Office of Graduate Studies.\n"All our music is about or references black culture," Ensemble Director James Mumford said. "Our group loves music, particularly gospel." \nThe location of the Education building was a major consideration when choosing the venue for the performance, according to School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez.\n"Noontime seemed to be a time when many students congregate in the atrium area," Gonzalez said. "We felt the atrium would be the perfect area, as it is so large and features a balcony to accommodate more people. Students simply walking through the building will be able to stop and enjoy the performance on their breaks."\nThere are three subgroups of the ensemble. Sojourner is a female group named for famed abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Soul-ACE is a men's gospel group. God's Progress, which comprises male and female singers, also will perform.\n"The program will last about 45 minutes," Mumford said. "Each group of the four groups will have the opportunity to perform several songs they've been working on."\nFounded in 1975 as part of the African American Arts Institute, the ensemble functions as both an academic and performance group in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, along with the IU Soul Revue and the African American Dance Company.\n"Most students in ACE don't take the course to get credit," Sykes said. "They take it to fill a social purpose not filled by other courses. They take it because they want to."\nAlthough membership is open to all students on the IUB campus regardless of race, ethnicity and experience, auditions are held once each semester and are required for membership. \n"We don't care what race or ethnicity you are, as long as you like the music we sing and the way we sing it," Mumford said. "We have all different skill and experience levels in our group, from those who have been in choirs for years to those who can't read music. The most important thing (in an audition) is enthusiasm and a desire to be a part of the group."\nAlthough the idea of traveling across campus to the Education building may seem daunting to some, Levison said students, faculty and staff should make the effort.\n"The music is very moving, and people love to hear it," she said. "I'll have people coming up to me and thanking me for weeks afterwards. It's just amazing."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(12/07/04 4:33am)
A birthday cake, a long-lost father and a vacuum cleaner salesman set up the plot for the play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June." Complete with mid-1970s bell bottom pants, and animal heads mounted on the wall, the play transports the audience back 35 years to a time when women had little power.\n"Happy Birthday Wanda June" revolves around the main character, Penelope, and the men in her life. It tackles the issue of what it is to be masculine in a male dominated society. Written by author and playwright Kurt Vonnegut, it turns a bad situation into comic relief while sticking to the issues.\nVonnegut, an Indianapolis native, is most well known for his popular novels, including "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater," "Cat's Cradle" and, perhaps his most famous novel, "Slaughterhouse Five." What most do not know, however, is that Vonnegut tired of novels and decided to try his hand at writing plays.\nOriginally titled "Penelope," Vonnegut struggled with writing the play, describing himself as "a madman who was attempting to extract moonbeams from excrement." Vonnegut revised the play, renamed it, and the show ran off-Broadway for more than a year.\n"Wanda June" opened Friday evening at the Wells-Metz Theatre to a nearly packed house. The sign outside the theater warned of a gunshot being used in the production, only adding to the mystery. The mid-'70s setting for the show was perfectly obvious with oranges, greens, yellows and retro-style modular furniture. The costumes fit the time period perfectly with bell-bottom pants, platform shoes and closely fitting, multi-colored vintage dresses.\nGraduate student Renee Racan's performance as Penelope, the doting mother and lonely wife, was excellent. Her emotions were powerful and written clearly upon her face during her scenes, and her voice was loud and clear, ringing from each corner of the theater.\nWhile Racan's performances were strong, her dialogues with her co-star, graduate student John Armstrong, who plays Penelope's husband, Harold, seemed stilted and awkward. At times she seemed to overact her part as a wronged wife, and toward the end of the show, her pleading seemed half-hearted and superficial.\nPaul, the son of Harold and Penelope, was brilliantly played by sophomore Codey Girten. With his boyish good looks and childlike dimples, Girten was able to successfully pull off his act as a young boy. His temper tantrum scenes were amusing and exactly as a child would act when told something he did not want to hear. While the playbill lists him as a sophomore in college, one could easily see him enrolled in elementary school.\nHoping to win the love of a widowed woman were Penelope's two suitors, Norbert Woodley and Herb Shuttle, played by graduate student Eric Van Tielen and junior Zachary Spicer, respectively. The two men battled brilliantly for the love of Penelope, dealing with both Paul's contempt and Harold's miraculous return from the dead.\nPlaying the confident vacuum cleaner salesman, Spicer was the more impressive of the two suitors. Complete with red, yellow and green plaid pants and oozing confidence, Spicer nearly stole the show with his childish temper tantrum during the second act. Nearly.\nHarold's faithful companion, Looseleaf, played by senior Clay Sanderson, was by far the most comical character of the show. Sanderson's dry humor, commentary on society and "you know what gets me?" catch phrase completely stole the show.\nOne other character merits mentioning. Wanda June, after whom the play is named, was played by sophomore Jennifer Whitney. In the role of a very young girl, complete with blonde curls tied in pigtails and a childishly enthusiastic outlook on life, Whitney's character was both adorable and annoying. Her voice was too perky and high-pitched to be believable, but her childish gullibility was charming.\n"Wanda June," as a whole, was an interesting show. The second act seemed to take much longer than necessary, as much of it was consumed by repetitive dialogue between Harold and Penelope. The play did not seem to mesh with Vonnegut's other works, yet made a mark in its own way. "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" tackled a multitude of topics for a two-hour show, including dealing with death, peace, retaliation and a birthday cake that was never picked up from a bakery.
(11/03/04 4:14am)
Located in Suite 14 on the lower level of a non-descript building on College Avenue, the Bloomington Cooking School is tucked in an out-of the way corner. Anyone searching for it could easily walk by several times without finding it. One could say that the Bloomington Cooking School is one of Bloomington's best kept secrets.\nCo-owner of the BCS Jan Bulla-Baker is an accomplished candy maker. Before becoming involved with the BCS, Bulla-Baker owned the Chocolate Factory, where she created more than 30 flavors of truffles for the Bloomington area. With a unique flair for cooking and a love of chocolate, Bulla-Baker cites her mother's fine taste in food for her interest in cooking.\n"Although I'm trained as an English teacher, when it comes to cooking, I'm self-taught," Bulla-Baker said. "The art of literature and film are not far from the art of cooking."\nPartnered with Bulla-Baker is Chef Matt O' Neill, co-owner of the BCS and owner of the Runcible Spoon. O'Neill, who received his chef training in Ireland, has been owner and chief instructor at the BCS since August 2001. O'Neill has also served as chef and innkeeper at the Walden Inn and authored a cookbook titled "Seasons at the Walden Inn."\n"I retired and came to Bloomington, a city I have always enjoyed and admired, looking to relax," O'Neill said. "After a while, I realized I was too young to retire and began looking into buying into restaurants and the cooking school."\nWhile the Bloomington cooking school itself is small, the local interest in cooking is not.\n"When we first started, we had a small mailing list," O'Neill said. "After partnering with Bloomington Parks and Recreations and Bloomingfoods, we realized that the interest is much larger than we originally thought." \nWith classes offered on every subject from sushi to chocolate mousse, Bulla-Baker said there is something for everyone.\n"We have what we call our core classes, like the salmon, soup or sauce classes, that we know will always be popular," she said. "And we also have special classes for particular seasons or events, like our holiday appetizer class or our Thanksgiving classes."\nFor those prospective students with no prior cooking knowledge, classes ranging from beginner to more advanced levels are offered. \n"We have all types of students, from professionals who are too busy to cook, to kids who enroll in our Young Chefs' class," O'Neill said. "Invest in the class and in one night you can become a relative expert in tarts or truffles in one night."\nAlthough O'Neill himself teaches many of the cooking classes offered, guest chefs often teach classes related to their specialties.\n"We often have guest chefs come in and teach the classes from time to time," Bulla-Baker said. "For example, Kristen Tallent, general manager and pastry chef of Tallent restaurant, will be teaching a chocolate tart class next month."\nWhile to some, the BCS might only offer cooking classes, both O'Neill and Bulla-Baker feel that a greater need in the community is filled.\n"Our classes are a way of sharing," O'Neill said. "It's about improving the quality of life and involving the community."\nA complete list of cooking classes offered is available at the BCS cooking school Web site, www.bloomingtoncookingschool.com. Participants can register for classes by calling BCS at 333-7100 or registering in person at the BCS, located at 115 N. College Ave, Suite 14.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(10/26/04 4:28am)
College students who opt for the vegetarian or vegan life often find themselves tiring of the food available to them. While IU offers some alternatives, many students are left searching for another option. \nThanks to the Bloomington Cooking School students have another choice: to learn to cook for themselves.\n"People are eating out more and more, yet, when they do eat at home, they want to better their cooking skills," said Matt O'Neill, Bloomington Cooking School and Runcible Spoon co-owner. "In one cooking class, they can learn to cook, enjoy a great meal, enjoy social interactions and become relative experts."\nThe cooking school will offer a special presentation at 6 p.m. today teaching vegetarians and vegans, as well as non-vegetarian participants, to use tofu and tempeh in their daily meals. \nBoth tofu and tempeh, the main ingredients in many vegetarian and vegan meals, come from the soybean plant, yet tofu and tempeh are made in very different processes. Tofu is made when fresh, hot soy milk is curdled. Tofu was first used in China around 200 B.C. and continues to remain popular today, according to the U.S. Soyfoods Directory.\nTempeh, on the other hand, is a traditionally Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. Its taste is similar to mushrooms and produces natural antibiotics thought to increase the body's resistance to intestinal infections, according to www.tempeh.info.\n"Bloomington is full of the health-conscious, including vegetarians and vegans," said Jan Bulla-Baker, co-owner of Bloomington Cooking School. "We try to cater to those needs by teaching classes that are specially suited for them."\nPartnered with Bloomingfoods, a local co-op grocery store, the presentation was to be taught by Christie McCloud, kitchen manager of the east Bloomingfoods location. However, because of scheduling problems, senior David Bower, a chef at Runcible Spoon and a vegetarian for five years, will be teaching the class instead.\n"Many are fooled by the myth that being vegetarian or vegan means eating only salads," Bower said. "My goal is to show that vegetarian and vegan foods can be as flavorful and as nutritious as meat and healthy at the same time."\nA recent survey by the Vegetarian Resource Group estimates that 30 to 40 percent of the country's consumers are vegetarian or vegan, proving that Bloomington residents are not alone.\n"We live in a nutritionally and ecologically aware area," O'Neill said. "We try to bring in those who live the lifestyle and who teach not only the techniques, but also the culture of the food."\nWhile stores like Bloomingfoods offer foods that mesh with strict dietary guidelines, many feel local grocery stores are neglecting students' dietary needs.\n"If you go to Kroger and they don't offer vegan cheese or soy milk that you need, fill in a suggestion card or talk to the manager," Bulla-Baker said. "The important thing to remember is that if they do start to carry it, you have to buy it to ensure they will continue to carry it."\nThe event will be held at the Bloomington Cooking School, located at 115 N. College Ave., Ste. 14. Cost for the event is $45, with Bloomingfoods co-op members receiving a $10 discount. For information regarding available spaces, call 333-7100.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(09/22/04 4:08am)
Although it is celebrating its 25th year of theater magic, the Bloomington Playwrights Project isn't throwing itself a party or buying itself presents. It isn't wearing a pointed birthday hat or eating cake and ice cream. Instead, the BPP will be the subject of a documentary created by two-time Emmy winner Bob Risher.\nThe BPP board members purchased the documentary package Sept. 12 at its annual board meeting, auction and dinner, which more than 50 BPP friends attended. Thirty stayed for the auction, which raised more than $5,000 to support the BPP and its mission to produce high quality, original plays. \nRisher, a Bloomington local who has been involved with BPP projects in the past, donated his time and equipment to make the documentary to the auction. His donation became the big-ticket item of the evening with a retail value of $3,000. Bidding for the item started at $1,000, and one board member suggested the board band together and each contribute $200 to purchase Risher's generous gift.\n"(We decided), 'Let's buy this, and this way we can use the short to promote the BPP and its 25th Anniversary,'" said Richard Perez, BPP artistic director.\nTheir bids were successful and Risher, who received his Emmys for past work on documentaries, will be shooting the documentary about the BPP's program and history.\n"For the past year or so we had been looking for something to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and at the same time, tell our story," Tom Schafer, board member, said. "The BPP is a name that a lot of people don't know and we wanted to change that."\nAnxious to share the BPP's history with the public, the board had pursued other avenues to create a documentary, but none came to fruition.\n"We had thought about applying for grants or trying community access television," Schafer said. "Now the documentary will share what about us the community might not be aware of."\nAlthough the exact theme of the BPP documentary is uncertain, BPP board members have an idea they would like to pursue.\n"The documentary will document 25 years of BPP history, its shows, its people and the plays produced," Bob Arnove, BPP board president, said. \nThe board hopes to decide on the final plan and begin filming by their next board meeting, Schaefer said. \n"We really have to thank everyone, local businesses and the University for donating items for our auction," said Rachael Himsel, BPP public relations director. \nWhile some might consider a documentary to be just a video, to the BPP, it will mean more \n"The documentary will capture significant events and the evolution of the BPP," Arnove said. "It's important to have history and important to reveal to the local community and outside world what contributions the BPP is making."\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(09/22/04 4:01am)
While Major League Baseball players have months to prepare for the playoff series, Bloomington Playwrights Project teams get only 24 hours. This weekend the BPP proudly presents its Playoff Series, a baseball-themed fund-raiser. \n"We needed an idea for a profitable fund-raiser," said Sonja Johnson, BPP development director. "(Our artistic director) had done something similar to this with another group, and it was very successful, so we decided to try it."\nNow in its third year, the Playoff Series has proven a productive fund-raiser.\nThe series features nine teams representing Major League Baseball teams. Each Playoff team will have an owner (BPP donor or sponsor), a manager (playwright), a coach (director) and two or three players (actors). \n"The writer will pick the director's name out of a hat, then the director will pick the actors and so on," explained Jenny Rouse, BPP Playoff Series producer. "It is completely random to make sure we don't have unevenly distributed teams."\nAll teams are given a theme, prop and short line of dialogue. They then have 24 hours to write, direct and stage a 10-minute play.\n"The fun thing is that while each team has the same line of dialogue, the theme is subject to interpretation," Rouse said. "Each play is completely different from the previous one."\nThe theme, prop and line of dialogue are hidden from the teams until a press conference Friday reveals them. The press conference is open to the press and public and refreshments will be served.\n"What is the most unique about this show is the enormous amount of teamwork," said Rachael Himsel, BPP public relations director. "To come together and produce a 10-minute show in 24 hours, it's intense teamwork in a short period of time."\nCompared to all the activities available for students in Bloomington, Himsel said she feels the BPP Playoff Series show will be the most unique and exciting. \n"There won't be anything else like this because we'll be showing all new plays," Himsel said. "Nine plays that no one (has) ever seen before -- there's nothing else like it."\nJust as sports teams count on audience support and participation to win the game, the Playoff Series teams will also look to the audience for help. Audience members (or fans) vote for their favorite team at the end of the Series. The winning team and manager will be revealed at a post-game party on Oct. 2. \n"The Playoffs is proof that despite time and pressure, performers can get together and produce something that looks like it's been rehearsed for months," Rouse said in a prepared statement. "It also serves to prove that even when under severe pressure, theater can still be fun and fulfilling."\nNew writers are encouraged to participate, but literary manager and past Playoff Series writer CATrueblood warns those not willing to work hard.\n"It's fun, yes, but a whole lot of work. It's intense. You might be up the entire night working on your piece," he said.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(09/14/04 5:00am)
In ancient Greek mythology, the lotus was a fruit that was said to produce a drug-induced state in those who ate it. The flower was mentioned by Homer in "The Odyssey," "all they wished was to stay in the land of the eaters of lotus/ drowsily nibbling the fruit and forgetting their hopes of return." \nIn a few short days, the streets of downtown Bloomington will fill with people of all ages looking to forget any idea of returning home. The Lotus World Music & Arts Festival returns to Bloomington Wednesday featuring more than 30 performing artists from all over the world. Named for Quinten Lotus Dickey, a gifted folk singer, songwriter and musician from Orange County, Lotus Fest serves as a tribute to a man named an Indiana State Treasure. \nIn its 11th year, Lotus Fest offers many events, both free and ticketed. One such ticketed event will feature the Warsaw Village Band, a Polish band that focuses primarily on preserving traditional Polish music -- with a twist.\n"We use only traditional instruments, but in a modern, strong style," said band member Wojtek Krzak via e-mail. "Although we play on the violin, Polish fiddle, dulcimer and drums, this is not dead music. We put into old instruments a fresh energy."\nSelf-described as a hardcore folk band, the Warsaw Village Band features six musicians ranging in ages from 16 to 25. The band was created as a response to narrow-mindedness, something the band felt would lead to the destruction of human dignity, according to its Web site, www.wvb.terra.pl. Desperately wanting to preserve traditional music, the band traveled the Polish countryside asking help from their elders.\n"They took the trouble and time to teach us because they felt that if we didn't preserve their kind of tradition, then nobody would," a member of the Warsaw Village Band told Folk World magazine. "We saw ourselves as the ones chosen to keep on with Polish musical tradition, the only chance for our traditional music to be continued at all." \nTheir latest album, People's Spring, released in 2002, was chosen as the top folk music album in Germany, the U.S. and Poland in January 2004. \n"In 2003 there was interest from both Lotus Fest and the Chicago World Music Festival to present the Warsaw Village Band," said the band's agent Hugo Rampen via e-mail. "But there wasn't enough interest from other presenters to construct a full tour. So when I came on board in the fall of 2003, I used the original two interested festivals and built a tour around them."\nUsing electronic remixes and traditional instruments, such as the hurdy-gurdy -- an instrument similar to the bagpipes -- and the suka -- a Polish fiddle strummed with the player's fingernails rather than the fingertips -- the band earned international recognition with a recent nomination in the newcomer category of the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards.\n"(The nomination) opened a whole new world for us," Krzak said. "It's amazing how many places we saw and will see because of our music. If you tell me that next year we will play on Mars, I wouldn't be surprised."\nWhile most Bloomington residents are not familiar with traditional Polish music, Krzak believes experience with world music can do more than entertain.\n"World music teaches tolerance and knowledge about nations, ethnic groups and other cultures. It will open your mind to differences. One love. Peace," he said.\nThe Polish Studies Center, 1217 E. Atwater Ave., will hold a buffet reception in honor of the band at 12 p.m. Friday Sept. 17. \n"The purpose of this reception is to give students and community members a chance to meet and talk with these musicians apart from the concert setting," Polish studies Program Assistant Joan Chamberlin said. "If you have friends or colleagues who might be interested, bring them along."\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(09/03/04 4:40am)
Being the daughter of a police officer, the idea of reviewing "The Complaint," a play based on the concepts of racial profiling and police brutality, wasn't exactly tantalizing. I was sure it was going to be full of police-bashing, name-calling dialogue and peppered with doughnut jokes.\nI was wrong.\nThe Bloomington Playwrights Project is located in a small two-section building at 312 S. Washington St. The theater itself, the Timothy J. Wiles stage, was quite small, holding only 48 seats. When I arrived, about 10 people were there. The audience was very diverse and included acting students sharing theater anecdotes, families enjoying a Friday evening show and the play's director, Randy Noojin. By the time the show had started, about 30 people filled the theater. For this show, the theater was divided into three main "mini-sets" -- a cozy living room, a police department office and a surveillance post.\nThe show opened with Sgt. Archer (Frank S. Buczolich) portraying a stereotypical police sergeant -- loud, obnoxious and sneaking several drinks from a silver flask on the sly. Add in Merrill (Emily Goodson), a young, blonde, eager police officer, the story suddenly became more interesting. \nGoodson had to play three different characters and, as if that wasn't hard enough, she did this by speaking in two different accents -- one a sugary sweet southern twang and the second a tough, street smart Coney Islander dialect. Goodson not only managed to play three different characters, each with their own demeanor, but she pulled it off with class, style and skill. She had no problem changing from one character into another with a simple switch of scenery.\nThe scenes between Goodson and Buczolich were filled with excessive profanity -- to the point where it was almost painful -- and risqué sexual undertones only added fuel to the fire. But the pair had a chemistry that made the characters they played more lifelike and credible. The use of the word "darkie" was unnecessary, but spoken many times in conversations between the two. The racist slang evoked winces from several audience members, myself included.\nIn the show, Sgt. Archer is accused of using excessive force, particularly with an instrument that has been recently added to many police forces -- the tazer gun. The function of the tazer gun is to subdue an offender by shocking him or her with an electrical charge. Noojin's use of this particular weapon seems to be intentional, especially with the newspaper articles telling of police brutality using tazers lining the walls outside the theater.\nAndy Alphonse, who plays Gary Williams, is believable as a man who was wronged by Archer; however, his attempts at a British accent were not always successful and at times comical. His scenes with Goodson were almost completely comprised of sexual innuendos, double entendres and an erotic quality that was not always appropriate for the younger members of the audience.\nInvestigating Williams' complaint against Archer is Internal Affairs agent Cliff Bellamy. Mike Engberg, who plays Bellamy, perfectly executed the clipped, by-the-book persona, yet seemed to be slightly over-the-top with his sarcasm and tone. Engberg's overemphasis of Bellamy's attitude was difficult to bear at times, only adding to the stereotype that government officials are overbearing and conceited.\nWith all the serious issues being presented, the show would have been too intense without the much-needed comic relief provided by Williams' best friend Bud Benjamin, played by Patrick D. Murphree. Murphree's facial expressions and tonal inflections were perfectly timed and added a bright spot to the dark comedy.\nOverall, the play was more enjoyable than I had expected. The play was not only thought-provoking, insightful and entertaining, but also a maze of plot twists and turns, shocking revelations and a surprise ending that caught even the most discerning completely unaware.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(08/30/04 5:10am)
The idea of police brutality and use of excessive force has been presented to the public in the form of news stories, fiction and non-fiction books, and now, thanks to the Bloomington Playwrights Project, in the form of a theatrical play.\nSaturday, the BPP proudly presented "The Complaint," its first main-stage series show of the 2004-2005 season. Written by Randy Noojin and directed by Noe Montez, "The Complaint" delves into the world of excessive force by police, entrapment and seduction. Noojin explained his connection to the play, recollecting a run-in with the police. \n"I had an unpleasant incident with a police officer after he stopped me for riding my bicycle on the sidewalk in Iowa. I was treated like a criminal, even though I explained I didn't know the rules." Noojin said. "I felt a lot of anger after that incident and decided to turn it into a play."\nWhen actor Gary Williams files a complaint accusing police Sgt. Archer of using excessive force, Archer reciprocates by sending a beautiful, young undercover cadet to entrap Williams. Then the real question becomes: Who's really playing whom?\n"I related with the character I play in the fact that I'm an actress and my character wanted to become one," said Emily Goodson, an actress who plays multiple roles in the show.\nThe play not only deals with the concept of excessive force, but it also deals with the issue of racial profiling by police.\n"Racial profiling is nothing new, especially in this day and age," said Richard Perez, producing artistic director for the BPP. "However, the show isn't just about black and white; its about how complex the masks we wear are," he said. \nNoojin feels the masks we wear are a direct result of our environment. \n"Depending on who we're with, we wear different masks." \nNoojin's plays have been performed in theaters all over the United States, including Actor's Theatre of Louisville and Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, as well as international performances in Canada and Australia. Another of Noojin's plays, "Unbeatable Harold," was recently turned into a feature film starring Dylan McDermott, Henry Winkler and Charles Dunning.\nMontez raved about how hard the cast worked and even received compliments regarding their efforts. \n"The entire cast came a long way from our first day," Montez said. "I have a friend who works with many prestigious theater companies, and he said he would be happy to have a cast that worked half as hard as this one did. To see where we've come now is impressive."\nFollowing the Saturday performance, playwright Randy Noojin, along with the cast and crew of "The Complaint," held a feedback session and reception.\n"The idea of the feedback session was for the community to come together and discuss the issues that are presented in the play," Perez said. "It's also a great opportunity for the playwright to answer questions about the show and receive audience feedback."\nPerez said there are many ways to get involved with the BPP.\n"We hold auditions for all shows, and we're always looking for technical crew and other positions. It's a great way for people to continue the craft of acting."\nThe play runs at 8 p.m. through Sept. 11 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday performance are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors. Student rush tickets are $5 and available 10 minutes before the performance if seats are available. All performances are at the BPP, 312 S. Washington St., on the Timothy J. Wiles stage. For more information about the Bloomington Playwrights Project, its shows or how to get involved, visit www.newsplay.org or call the BPP at 334-1188.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(04/30/04 4:33am)
Until this point in my life, I never had the experience of attending a poetry reading. I had a stereotypical image in my mind that all poetry readings were held in the basements of dark coffee shops and the readers were young, bongo-playing, beret-wearing "artsy" people. I carried this impression with me until I attended the Runcible Spoon poetry series April 23. It was there that my image of poetry readings was forever changed. I had my doubts that I would enjoy the reading, having a self-inflicted disinterest for poetry. But it didn't take long to see stereotyping people before you meet them often leads to incorrect assumptions. \nInstead of entering a dark, seedy coffeehouse, the room where the readings were held was bright and cheerful, complete with handwritten poetry on the walls and stocked bookshelves. The participants were not dressed in black and not a single one wore a beret. Instead, there were people of all ages and backgrounds gathering to share their love of poetry, and there was a definite sense of camaraderie between the readers. Sitting in a corner in the back of the room, I was approached by several participants, each asking friendly questions and welcoming me to the event.\nTony Brewer, senior editor of Matrix magazine and a featured reader, was one of my favorite readers of the evening. While all featured readers had uniquely original works, I found myself relating more to Brewer's poetry. With references to everything from the Amish to the Gulf War to Jill Behrman, Brewer's readings were more like social commentary over current events than poetry. By simply hearing Brewer's introduction, read by Patricia Coleman, it was apparent that his sense of humor and interests in producing a unique story would make his readings enjoyable. Using tonal inflections and dramatic gestures, Brewer's love of poetry was apparent as he whole-heartedly threw himself into his performance. The fact that Brewer used current events as his inspiration rendered his poetry more realistic and consequential to students, making it less artsy and more personal.\nMy favorite of Brewer's readings was a story about a young Amish girl titled "The Colonists." The poem told the story about the girl being faced with a decision to make: either choose her Amish home or life in the outside world. "The Colonists" may have seemed at first glance to be a simple poem; instead, it was a complex and emotionally thought-provoking poem that still crosses my mind.\nSarah Graub, a graduating senior at IU, was also a featured reader at the event. An avid musician and poet, Graub recently released her first album titled "Stories and Metaphors: Slightly Offtune in 2003." Graub's unique style of integrating music and poetry heavily influenced her performance, as she incorporated the use of a guitar and tambourine into her readings. With a beautiful singing voice and haunting lyrics, Graub's readings were very theatrical, yet not entirely different from the previous one. One poem in particular about a Ku Klux Klan pin she found in her Grandmother's jewelry box struck me as being very flippant. She stated she had written it after being "disturbed" by what she had found. The tone of the poem seemed to be rather upbeat for dealing with such a serious event and conflicting period of history. \nMy overall impression of the poetry series was one of enjoyment. The readings were as unique as the performers presenting them, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. While I did enjoy myself, I don't see myself picking up a pen to try my hand at poetry anytime soon.
(04/23/04 6:15am)
Without Edward Lear, the Runcible spoon would never have become famous. \nRegen Ton, an owner of the Runcible Spoon restaurant in Bloomington, said Lear, a British poet and painter, is credited as the first to coin the term. \nThe term finally gave a name to the sharp-edged fork with three broad, curved prongs in the owl and pussycat story Regen said. \nWithout Lear, the Runcible Spoon, located at 412 E. Sixth St., and the poetry series it hosts might never have existed. \nThe Runcible Spoon Poetry Series and Open Mic will present "A Celebration of Women's History" from 6:50 to 8 p.m. tonight, featuring readers Barbara Swegmon, Shana Ritter, Denise Breeden-Ost and music by singer/songwriter Beth Lodge-Rigal, as well as many others. The Indiana Review, a nonprofit magazine dedicated to showcasing the talents of emerging and established writers, is very proud to sponsor the event, said Lea-ann Bigelow, business manager of the magazine.\n"We became involved with (the series) about a year ago," Bigelow said. "We had originally held our readings in the Borders bookstore, but attendance at the events was lagging, so we decided to look for a warmer, friendlier venue." \nIt was then that Patricia Coleman, poetry series sponsor and member of Five Women Poets, stepped in with a solution.\n"We were looking for a new venue for our readings, and Patricia was attempting to revamp the poetry series, so we ended up helping each other," Bigelow said. "We had a new place to hold readings, and we helped with advertising."\nTony Brewer, senior editor of Matrix Magazine, a nonprofit publication dedicated to the arts, will also be reading tomorrow at the series.\n"I studied poetry at IU, receiving a B.A. in English in 1993 and have been actively performing and promoting poetry ever since, specifically with Matrix, since 1998," Brewer said. "The Runcible Spoon is a great place. The food is great, and the chef, Matt O'Neil, is an accomplished poet himself."\nAccording to www.hartrock.net, a Web site featuring the works of Patricia Coleman and links to Bloomington arts events, the series was originally produced by local poet Dennis Sipe, then taken over by Mary Dezember, from 1993 through 1997. Brewer said Bloomington has always supported poetry and Sipe and Dezember are a huge part of the support.\n"The Runcible Spoon has a long history of supporting poetry in Bloomington. This series is starting up again after a few years on hiatus," Brewer said. "The series is technically the oldest poetry/open mic series in Bloomington."\nAfter the featured readers have concluded, the floor will open and audience members will be able to share their original works or works from their favorite writers. Sign ups begin at 6:50 p.m. \n "It's a great way to be in a friendly environment and air your work," Bigelow said. "Most work doesn't come to life until you've shared it with people, and this is a non-judgmental way to share your work over a great cup of coffee."\nThe poetry series readings are held once a month on every fourth Friday at the Runcible Spoon, unless otherwise announced.\nThe event is sponsored by the Indiana Review, Patricia Coleman and the Bloomington Area Arts Council. For more information, contact the Runcible Spoon at 334-3997 or visit the Indiana Review Web site at www.iub.edu/~inreview/general/events.htm.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(03/12/04 4:26am)
They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. See the amazing performers on the flying trapeze. \nCircuses have always held a certain air of mystery that captivates audiences of all ages. While most would have to travel great distances to see acrobats perform miraculous stunts, residents of Bloomington will be given the chance to experience the magic of trampolines, acrobatics and tumbling first hand.\nThe Bloomington High Flyers will perform at 2 p.m. Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as part of the BCT Family Series sponsored by the BCT and Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.\n"The theater was the ideal setting for the show with its ability to house large numbers of people," Caren Stoll-Hannon, youth services manager of BPR said. "The BCT was very interested in partnering with us to serve the youth of Bloomington."\nThe Bloomington High Flyers is a group of professional performers specializing in hand-balancing, trampolines, acrobatics and web-work. Based in Bloomington, the High Flyers are a circus-like act that has performed not only all over the country, but all over the world.\nSince 1995, the BCT has been the primary venue for many local and national acts in Bloomington, such as Lotus World Music Festival, Jazz from Bloomington and Bloomington MusicWorks. \nOriginally named the Indiana Theater, the BCT was built in 1922 as a movie theater. Since then, the theater has undergone many ownership changes, name changes and modifications. \nAccording the the Buskirk-Chumley's Web site, www.buskirkchumley.org, in 1995, Kerasotes Theaters, Inc., the owners at that time, gave the theater to the Bloomington Area Arts Council for use as a performance theater. It was then that the theater was completely renovated, including the addition of state-of-the-art technical equipment. The theater was also renamed the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in honor of a local family's contributions to the project.\nFollowing the performance, BPR will be holding a workshop for children ages five and up. The cost of the workshop is $1 to cover materials. \n"The workshop will involve many different activities," Pamala Dunscombe, youth services specialist said. "There will be mats for tumbling, and there will be some kind of craft, like face painting, to make it more circus-like."\nTo help keep ticket prices down, the BCT Family Series is sponsored by several private businesses in Bloomington. Along with private sponsorship, the Family Series is also funded by an Arts in Indiana Grant, as a part of the National Endowment for the Arts. \n"Before the Family Series, live entertainment for youth was a niche not being filled," Stoll-Hannon said. "This is an affordable option -- something all families can access. We really have to thank our sponsors for this opportunity." \nTickets for the event are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and may be purchased in advance at the Sunrise Box Office or at the door on the day of the event. For more information about the event, contact the BCT at 323-3020.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(02/19/04 4:31am)
Legislation pertaining to higher education is not normally a top priority for most college students. But for the members of Hoosiers for Higher Education, the 13th annual trip to the Indiana Statehouse to meet with legislators is more than just a field trip.\nHHE members, faculty, staff and students from each of the eight IU campuses will travel to Indianapolis Monday, Feb. 23 to discuss higher education concerns with state legislators. \n"Our members will meet with their local representatives to outline how higher education has affected their lives and the state of Indiana," said Kirk White, director of HHE. "We'll also request continued state support for University appropriations and student financial aid."\nUniversity appropriations will be one of the many topics being discussed with legislators. White said proposed bills, such as the tuition cap bill, could greatly affect student life at any university.\n"With a tuition cap, the university must find the funding somewhere else, whether it comes from product funding or endowments," said Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington. "The state revenues are below projected estimates, and when 55 percent of the budget is education, you have to look at everything."\nEvents will include a legislative briefing and a noon luncheon with state representatives. Participants will then have the opportunity to speak to the representative from their district. While out-of-state students will not have the opportunity to talk to representatives from their home district, they are encouraged to convey their concerns to Gov. Joe Kernan.\n"If volunteers are able to use the hometown connection with legislators, it helps the University," White said.\nDuring the luncheon, IU President Adam Herbert will speak, and Miss Indiana Bryn Chapman, a senior, will sing. \nAlso during the luncheon, HHE will present the Welsh-Bowen Distinguished Public Official Award to an elected government official who has made considerable contributions to higher education and to the school.\nNamed for two former Indiana governors, Otis "Doc" Bowen and Matthew Welsh, the award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship given in the recipients' names to a student attending any IU campus. \nAccording to the group's Web site, HHE and IU suffered a major loss when Don Weaver, former director of state relations, retired last October. After Weaver's retirement, the task of lobbying fell onto the shoulders of multiple IU officials. \n"Don Weaver was a great asset to Indiana University," Welch said. "Fortunately, since his retirement, I don't think they have missed a beat." \nHHE is a statewide organization consisting of more than 10,000 alumni, students, parents and friends of IU. \nEveryone is welcome to participate and HHE strongly encourages students to become involved in the efforts to strengthen the ties between universities and legislators.\n"Groups like HHE are founded to make sure that the voice of Indiana University and its students, is being heard," Welch said. \nHHE is not funded by IU but is funded by the IU Alumni Association and through donations. \n"The most effective way for state legislators to learn about issues is to talk to students, parents and friends of the University," White said. "By talking to those involved, legislators have a much clearer view of the University and why it is such a good investment."\nFor more information on HHE, visit www.indiana.edu/~hhe.
(02/13/04 4:53am)
February is upon us, and love is in the air. As that magical day of romance draws near, couples in Bloomington search for the perfect setting for the most love-filled day of the year. Some buy their significant other flowers, candy or even splurge on dinner at a fancy restaurant. \nHowever, for the majority of the single students, both on and off-campus, Valentine's Day will be just another day. Some will go out with friends suffering the same situation, staging a girls' or guys' night out. Others may sit at home and watch sappy movies on television. \nHistorically, there have not been many activities for singles on Valentine's Day. However, this year Bloomington singles have a new Valentine's Day option to consider.\nIU After Hours will host The Broken Hearts Club Dance from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. tomorrow in the Georgian room of the Indiana Memorial Union. The event is free and open to students, staff and community residents. Mocktails (non alcoholic cocktails) and snacks will be provided.\nWhile the dance seems to be targeted more toward singles, even being labeled as a "broken hearts" dance, it is open to both singles and couples.\n"There is a lot of hype that goes into Valentine's Day," Kathleen Hampton, assistant director of IU After Hours, said. "This gives students an excuse to get dressed up and go out and do something. You never know, you might even meet someone there." \nWith past events, including the annual Student Film Fest, IU Late Night, various concerts and lectures, Union Board and IU After Hours are constantly trying to create more opportunities for students on campus.\n"IU After Hours is just one of the 11 committees that Union Board is comprised of," Scott Wilson, vice president for programming said. "It's one of our newest committees, as it just began in January."\nWhile the Broken Hearts Club dance will be for one night only, the dance is the first of many steps in the creation of a new dance club at IU.\n"We would like to start a dance club. It would be free to students and would meet either weekly or bi-weekly," David Dawson II, IU After Hours director said. "It all really depends on student interest and involvement."\nAll programming sponsored by Union Board -- including the dance -- is funded through portions of the student activity fee paid by students every semester.\n"Of the total student activity fee per semester, Union Board receives a total of $4.68," Wilson said. "(It is) to be divided among four different accounts to be used for specific types of programming."\nFor more information on the Broken Hearts Club Dance, visit www.indiana.edu/union_board.\n"It's just a chance for college singles to come out and have some fun, instead of drowning their woes in a bottle," Dawson said.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.
(02/05/04 5:10am)
An amazing discovery is made in the mathematical field. An answer to a seemingly impossible proof has been found by a woman. Upon further scrutiny, it appears she may have completed the work herself. However, women are not able to complete complex mathematical problems, at least according to male mathematicians in the play "Proof".\n"Proof," a play written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Auburn, considers the stereotypical belief that women are not as capable of mathematical or scientific thought as their male counterparts.\n"The main character, Catherine, and her sister discover notebooks containing a mathematical proof after their father dies," production staffer Tom Shafer said. "One aspect of the play is about proving whether or not Catherine actually wrote the proof herself."\nThe topic of gender biases in the fields of mathematics and science will also be the topic of a panel discussion held at 3:30 p.m tomorrow at the University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union. The discussion is free and open to the public.\nThe program, "Living Proof: Gender Issues in the Math and Sciences," will give students an opportunity to hear from women in both the mathematical and scientific fields speak about their experiences and observations in a typically male-dominated field. \n"In general, I have noticed a good atmosphere among my students," Sima Setayeshgar, assistant professor in the physics department said. "I have two women in my undergraduate classes, and they are very strong. There is a sense of camaraderie between them." \nSetayeshgar will take part in the panel discussion along with Martha Jacobs, director of the Wells-Metz Theatre production of "Proof" and visiting lecturer in the department of theater and drama; Ayelet Lindenstrauss, associate professor in the department of mathematics; Terry Dworkin, dean of the Office of Women's Affairs; Carol Elam, assistant dean from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine; and Chris Ogan, principal investigator for Natural Sciences Foundation Grant. \nWhile the stereotype that women are not as qualified as men to pursue the study of mathematics or science is slowly fading into oblivion, there are some gender biases that still exist. \n"Historically, mathematics departments were all-male, and women are still outnumbered in them," Lindenstrauss said. "But now women are doing good work in mathematics and being recognized for it."\nThe panel will open with each participant's personal background and experiences, followed by a question and answer session. While the panel will mainly discuss women in the math and science fields, all students, regardless of their area of study, are encouraged to attend.\n"Gender bias is a part of all of our experiences. It happens in all fields and can be a very eye-opening experience," Shafer said. \n"Proof" will be presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 6, 7, 9 to 14at the Wells-Metz Theatre. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 and 14. \n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.