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(12/16/13 12:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The L.A.-based folk-rock band Dawes will brave the cold temperatures of Bloomington to perform at 8 p.m. today at the Bluebird Nightclub as part of the Bluebird’s annual WTTS Christmas concert, which benefits Toys for Tots. Dawes is composed of brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, along with Wylie Gelber and Tay Strathairn. The group released their third album, “Stories Don’t End,” this past April. The group recorded “Stories Don’t End” at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Studio in North Carolina with Jaquire King, who has worked with several artists, including Kings of Leon, Norah Jones and Modest Mouse. Taylor Goldsmith, the group’s lead vocalist, said the band wanted to develop their sound even further on their new album, citing the expansion of their musical limits as a reason for choosing to work with Kings. Dave Kubiak, owner of the Bluebird, is expecting a good show despite the fact that many IU students are in the midst of finals week. He said he looks forward to the annual Christmas show every year. “The turnout is usually very good,” Kubiak said. Kubiak, who is also in charge of booking at the Bluebird, said bands that align with the musical style of WTTS, a local indie music station, are typically chosen for the concert.This will be Dawes’s first time performing in Bloomington. “We’re expecting a very good response,” Kubiak said. “It’s gonna be a great show. Everybody’s really excited for it.” Singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson is slated to open for Dawes. “I would just encourage people, along with their ticket, to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots,” Kubiak said.
(04/05/13 2:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Music radiated from the Pourhouse Cafe from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, filling Kirkwood Avenue with percussive, energizing melodies, while patrons enjoyed free music and food. The event, “Teach Me, Congo,” was organized by the Giving Back to Africa Student Association. The proceeds will benefit the youth of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Three musical acts performed throughout the course of the event. Square Peg Round Hole played first, providing a jam-packed Pourhouse with percussive, yet calm and ambient music.An Afro-Cuban music ensemble took the stage next, playing a variety of percussion instruments, including conga drums. The group, comprised mostly of Jacobs School of Music students, also accompanied their Caribbean sound with vocals. “All of us ended up volunteering because this ßis the kind of music we like to play,” ensemble member Andrew McAfee said.The final act to perform, the Sam Hoffman Trio, provided listeners with smooth, calm jazz music.Attendees were encouraged to participate in a silent auction, as well as purchase handcrafted items such as earrings and soap. All of the proceeds will go directly to GBA’s cause.“We are very pleased and very excited (with the final result),” said Sarah McMahon, president of GBASA, “It feels good to see our hard work being paid off.” The Pourhouse Cafe donated the space for the event and provided catering services, McMahon said. The night was also made possible in part by a grant from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, McMahon said. A team of students worked for months to organize the event, McMahon said. Their efforts resulted in a large crowd along with positive feedback by the audience.“I’m totally overwhelmed by how everything is going,” McMahon said. “It could not have been done without the partnership of GBASA and SPEA USA. I’m just so proud of how hard the students worked, and I’m really proud to be president of this organization.”
(02/21/13 4:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the priority deadline of March 10 fast approaching, college students across the nation are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive maximum financial assistance. However, many low-income students who could fill out the FAFSA and attend college don’t, simply because they believe it isn’t worth it, said Bill Stanczykiewicz, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute. Stanczykiewicz is working to refute myths that surround the accessibility of a college education. “There seems to be this tone and tenor that college just isn’t doable,” Stanczykiewicz said. “[Families] hear the news that student loan debt is now larger than consumer debt. They hear about government funding cuts, and they think, ‘Oh, that’s it. No money, can’t go.’ And so we really need to work hard to bust the myths.”Stanczykiewicz said student loans, while possibly dangerous, should not be avoided, likening them to a mortgage. “Just about everyone takes out a mortgage, and people need to look at college loans that way,” he said. “It’s like a mortgage in that you need to manage it well.”In addition, Stanczykiewicz said many universities not only will waive application fees for low-income students but also offer other solutions to help students finance their college educations.“Most colleges have work-study, where you can earn money towards your tuition,” he said. Stanczykiewicz also advises that students not borrow more money than they expect to earn in a year. The need for higher education is becoming more and more imperative in today’s world. According to a recent report by The New York Times, the unemployment rate for job-seekers with only a high school diploma is 8.1 percent, compared to 3.7 percent for workers with at least a bachelor’s degree. Students who are not eligible for work-study or Pell Grant-type assistance still have other ways to help fund their education. The IU Foundation, as well as specific departments and schools within IU, offers scholarships to students based on various qualifications. “The majority of scholarships are administered by schools and campuses,” said Kathy Gutowsky, interim director of strategic planning and communications for the IU Foundation. About half of this scholarship money comes from various corporations and foundations, while the remainder is gift money from alumni, friends and parents. “A donor might make a gift for IU students that come from a specific county, for example,” Gutowsky said. Roy Durnal, director of the Student Services Center, suggests that students minimize the amount of debt they aggregate by completing their degree as soon as possible.“Full-time students at IUB pay a flat fee rate for 12-17 credit hours, so students should work with their academic adviser to maximize that fee rate and take as many classes as possible each semester,” Durnal said. “Students should stay on track and graduate in four years or less. An extra semester or two only adds to the overall cost of your education. Take advantage of the discounted tuition announced by the University and available in the summer of 2013.”Although locating enough funding for college can be challenging, students should exhaust every possible resource at their disposal, Stanczykiewicz said.“The big thing is to believe it’s possible,” Stanczykiewicz said.
(01/25/13 4:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Chinedu Onye looks like an average college student.The senior and former track star can occasionally be spotted donning a Columbia jacket and listening to music. However, beneath his simple and unassuming façade, Onye is an electrifying hip-hop performer known as Jayali.Onye will perform live at 9 p.m. Friday at Max’s Place. The performance is part of “A Festivus for the Rest of Us,” which will include AnnaMarie Hosei and other local musicians. Tickets are $5 at the door and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Trained Eye Arts Center, a local non-profit arts organization that offers both educational and outreach programs to Bloomington artists. Onye’s music is marked by hypnotizing beats and thought-stimulating lyrics. He draws from a wide variety of influences, including jazz, blues, soul and rap.“I would describe (my sound) as classic,” Onye said. “You can listen to it in a car or in a stadium or on a bike ride. It transcends all types of settings.”Jayali said he has been affected by the music of modern artists such as Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West, who manufacture beats “that hit you right in the stomach.”Onye controls nearly every facet of his music-making process from production to engineering to songwriting. “The process starts with being a producer,” Onye said. “I have to lay the beat down. Being an engineer comes next. The engineering ups the quality of the music. I then go onto the writing. Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes its slow. That’s just the way the creative process is.”He says he has grown in many artistic respects. His first performance took place when he was attending high school in Rhode Island. Since then, he has released four EPs. His fifth mix tape, “The My Man Mixtape,” which will be released this Friday, marks the gradual adaptation of Jayali. “My first (EP), you could definitely tell that I wasn’t as comfortable on the microphone as I am now,” Jayali said. “In all three aspects of the creative process I’ve grown immensely, from taking classes on audio engineering and listening to more music to perfect my craft.”Hosei, who is also set to perform at “A Festivus for the the Rest of Us,” has been perfecting her singing voice since she was young. “When I was younger, I taught myself how to sing,” Hosei said. “I looked up to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.”Hosei has played several different venues around Bloomington, and she is especially excited to play Festivus. “(The showcase) is gonna be a pretty awesome event, not only because it’s raising money for the arts, but you get to see good performers playing their own music,” Hosei said. Jayali is also looking forward to the event. “A Festivus for the Rest of Us for me means laughter, which is food for the soul,” Jayali said.
(01/09/13 5:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Broderick is set to charm at 9:30 p.m. today at The Bishop Bar.Lead singer Max Mullen woos listeners with his steady voice and simple but catchy melodies, while the guitar and bass chug along in the background of The Broderick’s songs, giving its music a feeling of alternative rock with a twist.Even the band members have a hard time describing it to their listeners.“Our sound is something that we often have a hard time describing,” Mullen said. “In no way because we think it is over anyone’s head, but rather because it varies somewhat. But that is something we pride ourselves on.”Dan Coleman, a talent buyer for the Bishop, has watched the band grow musically over the years.“Their sound is just pure American rock,” Coleman said. “They don’t cater to trends. They just play rock and play it well, which is a lost art these days.”The group got its start in Vincennes, Ind., but has since evolved after spending time in Bloomington after teaming up with Eric Day, the group’s bassist. Members draw from a plethora of musical genres, which helped them form their sound, Mullen said. “We all listen to a wide variety of music,” Mullen said. “We like rock bands, bands that have a lot of energy and emotion. They don’t have to be blatant in their use of those, but it’s always nice to see. We’re fans of Josh Ritter, and he puts on a great show, same with MMJ and Dr. Dog. Also older greats like Harry Nilsson, John Prine and Bob Dylan.”The Broderick’s music mirrors that of its influences, notably with the band members’ efforts to keep it genuine and simple yet full of emotion. The band’s guitars, bass parts and drums are almost overwhelmingly powerful on some tracks, such as “Wild and Crazy.” Other songs are less energetic but equally sincere.The Broderick has flourished in Bloomington.They grew after nearly selling out its CD release show at The Bishop this fall, Coleman said. “I think new music in Bloomington is always accepted and appreciated,” Mullen said. “With so many great venues in town and an unknown amount of awesome house show venues, there is never a lack of music to create or take in. And that is a very rare thing.”
(12/10/12 3:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This time of year can be very stressful for college students. With finals, figuring out next semester’s classes, applying for internships and numerous other chaotic life events swirling around Hoosiers’ heads, the stress on campus is palpable. However, on Dec. 7, students were able to escape their worries by fingerpainting. The fingerpainting stress relief event took place in the Hutton Honors College Great Room. It is the second year this event has been coordinated by the Extracurricular Programming Committee, and they plan to have the same event next semester. Sarah McMahon, a senior and a member of the committee, helped organize the event.“It’s just kind of an art therapy thing,” McMahon said. “People get so stressed this time of year. This is such a simple way to help relieve it and forget about things that are really weighing you down.” The event featured a performance by the contemporary percussion ensemble Square Peg Round Hole, which is comprised of students from the Jacobs School of Music. McMahon said there has been a very positive reaction to the event. “People usually walk in and just love it,” McMahon said. “It returns them back to their childhood just immediately, with all the bright colors, the fingerpainting and the huge pieces of paper to just to go at it with. It’s a lot of excitement, especially with the live music happening.”McMahon said flyers displayed in both the Hutton Honors College and various locations around campus helped bring students to the event, along with a Facebook page and word of mouth. “This is about the same size (as last year),” McMahon said. “Usually we get a pretty big turn out.” Sara Swan, a junior on the committee, also helped organize the event and was able to take a break from finals and participate.“It seems like people are enjoying it pretty well,” Swan said. “I’m enjoying it.” Freshman Sofia Bertoloni Meli said she participated as a way to relax. “It’s a good way to relieve stress from finals and everything,” Bertoloni Meli said. “I thought it would be fun.”
(11/08/12 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Most Jacobs School of Music classes end in the early evening.However, every Monday from 8 to 10 p.m., cello music still echoes in the halls of the Music Annex.Eighteen cellists, all students of professor Emilio Colon, come together to rehearse. The cellists will perform their first recital of the semester at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Boxcar Books.The group includes undergraduate, graduate and doctoral cello students. Even so, they have been able to form a bond, said graduate student Mika Hood, who belongs to the studio. “You all have some something in common, because we’re all really passionate about the cello,” Hood said. “You get to be friends really quickly.”Hood started playing the cello when she was 10 years old. She followed in the footsteps of her siblings, who all played two instruments growing up. “My mom played me some cello pieces, and I just completely fell in love with the sound,” Hood said. “I instantly knew that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, where she studied with professor Jonathan Ruck.Ruck completed all three of his degrees at the Jacobs School of Music and introduced Hood to Colon. Senior Chas Helge is starting his fourth year with Colon.He started playing cello in kindergarten with the Suzuki Academy’s strings program, and continued playing while growing up in Michigan. “Music was one of the things I enjoyed doing,” Helge said. “If I wanted to give it a shot, I had to give everything I had now.”Like most music students, Helge said he dedicates a great deal of time to practicing.“I would say it’s not only a career choice, but it’s a lifestyle choice,” Helge said. “You’re trying to not only fit in quantity of hours, but quality of hours. You should leave the practice room exhausted.”Cole Tutino, a doctoral student, completed his undergraduate studies at San Jose State University and received a master’s degree from Jacobs. Tutino said he always had an interest in music growing up for the cello in particular.“My grandparents used to take me to orchestra concerts, and there I had my eyes on the cello section,” Tutino said. When he was in sixth grade, his parents finally agreed to give him cello lessons. Like many group members, Tutino said he has a deep musical admiration for Colon. “I like the fire that he brings to every piece of muaally an introverted person, and that comes out in my playing, but he encourages me to really throw myself into the music.”Helge also chimed in with praise for Colon. “The way in which you approach the cello with the bow, to really sustain sound and support your sound, takes a physical tenacity, which also pervades his entire life,” Helge said. “All the things that he does, he does to the fullest. That kind of passion and dedication is something that is very admirable as a performer, and also as a musician and professional.”Helge said groups members hope the performance at Boxcar Books, a non-traditional venue, will be more relaxed than a standard concert and encourage more people to attend.“The idea behind the studio recital is that we haven’t really done this before, but the point is to invite people from outside the classical music realm,” Helge said. “That’s why we’re going to play short pieces and provide a description of what the piece is about.”At the recital, Colon will have each musician speak about the piece they play and the piece’s composer. “You can hear a piece of music and think it’s pretty,” Hood said. “But when you know something about it, and something about the composer, then it makes it that much more interesting to you and you’re much more likely to be engaged.”
(11/05/12 1:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For most of Friday evening, children zealously explored the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology.They ran from exhibit to exhibit, witnessing science and music in action. But for nearly 45 minutes, they sat silent, mesmerized by the University Players’ performance of “Captain Louie.” The program was one of the museum’s First Friday events for which WonderLab reduces admission and features different themes and artists.Andrea Oeding, the museum’s assistant gallery operations manager and the event’s director, said the themes relate to the science of art as well as activities.“It’s been well-received by members,” Oeding said. “They get to try something unique that’s maybe not offered in school and meet the artists up close.”The First Friday events are funded by grants and private donations that allow the Wonderlab to offer the free programs. They will continue through 2013 and, hopefully, longer, Oeding said. “Captain Louie” is a mini-musical based on “The Trip” by Ezra Jack Keats. Kids craned their necks and sat on parents’ shoulders to catch glimpses of the University Players. The group gallivanted around the stage in colorful costumes as they danced and sang.“Captain Louie” is the first children’s play the University Players have performed. Megan Gray, director of “Captain Louie” and a theater education student at IU, brought the idea of performing a children’s musical to the University Players. Since then, “Captain Louie” has been performed at two local elementary schools and the Monroe County Public Library. The University Players have also paired with the Bloomington Playwrights Project’s after-school program.“Bloomington has so many elementary schools that not all of them are able to afford arts programs, or the programs are kind of dwindling,” said Sam Ostrowski, educational outreach director for the University Players and an IDS opinion columnist. “That’s been another main goal — to make sure that kids get that arts experience.”Sara Wagner and her family have attended First Friday events in the past. “We love them,” she said. “It’s really fun, especially the price being what it is.” Senior Charlie Jesseph also performed at the event. He demonstrated how music is connected to science by using a cajón, a box with a thin side of wood that vibrates when struck. Children had the chance to play Jesseph’s makeshift percussion instruments to learn how frequencies and wavelengths work in music.“Every single kid that I’ve played for has had eyes wide open,” Jesseph said. “They’ve been really interested in it. It’s been tons of fun.”
(10/19/12 3:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Ike and Julie Arnove PlayOffs will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and continue Sunday at the Bloomington Playwrights Project.Featuring nine original plays, the event will be written and produced in less than 24 hours. Tickets for the playoffs are $15 and can be purchased at the BCT Box Office. “One of the nice things about the playoffs is that it’s sort of wild theater,” actor and director David Sheehan said. “It’s brand new. It has a kind of frantic element to the whole process.”BPP performs all-original plays. It is the only theater in Indiana dedicated solely to new plays BPP managing director Jessica Reed said. Actors will be divided into teams on Friday. They will receive a prop, a theme and a line of dialogue they must include in their seven to 10 minute play, according to a press release. Playwrights stay up all night writing a script and the actors come to the theater the next day to start rehearsing, Sheehan said. The playoffs are especially challenging due to the time constraint placed on the separate teams. “We honestly have no idea what will happen, and that is part of the fun,” Reed said. “This isn’t supposed to be a serious, well-rehearsed production. It is supposed to be fast paced, amateur and surprising.” The event also brings a different set of actors to the stage. “The atmosphere is definitely distinguishable from other BPP shows because most of the people involved have never acted, written a play or directed,” Reed said. Reed said the event has been going on for ten years. The playoff serves primarily as a fundraiser for the BPP.Mistakes are almost expected, and certainly not frowned upon, Sheehan said.“Because it’s so wild and energetic and coffee-fueled, when things go wrong, it’s ok,” Sheehan said. “That’s part of the fun.”