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(11/02/15 3:07pm)
Among the most common college living experiences are the dorm room and the off-campus house or apartment. Though there are obvious differences between the two, they share something in common: they can easily get messy. Fortunately, there are several solutions to keep things in order.
(01/30/15 4:33pm)
Among the most common college living experiences are the dorm room and the off-campus house or apartment. Though there are obvious differences between the two, they share something in common: They can easily get messy. Fortunately, there are several solutions to keep things in order.
(10/05/14 2:04pm)
Among the most common college living experiences are the dorm room and the off-campus house or apartment. Though there are obvious differences between the two, they share something in common. They can easily get messy. Fortunately, there are several solutions to keep things in order.
(01/24/14 5:00am)
Here are two common college living experiences: the dorm room and the house or apartment. Though there are obvious differences between the two, they share something in common. They can easily get messy.
(10/25/13 2:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Punktoberfest, the second annual two-day, all ages punk music festival kicks off at noon Saturday at Rhino’s Youth Center.The day will begin with live music from bands including the Chode, Buttonhoof, Wringer and Tiny Teeth. Following the afternoon show, a second set will be performed at Rachael’s Café starting at 8 p.m.The set will feature musical acts including Twobandsfromcanada, Frankie and the Witch Fingers and Traveling.The task of booking and coordinating with the bands was left to Mitchell Duncan. Duncan said he is excited to introduce Bloomington to a variety of punk music from all over the U.S.“I picked all the bands I really like and the bands I’m good friends with,” he said. “I also made some mix tapes of most of the bands to get people excited about it.” “There are a lot of out-of-town bands this year, and they’re the ones that people don’t know that well and haven’t heard of, but they’re all really, really good.”Duncan said even though last year’s Punktoberfest was not as successful as he had hoped, he is optimistic for this weekend .He said the interest shown on the Internet and through word of mouth is more than he’s seen in the past.“It seems like more people are going to come this year,” he said. “More people have been talking about it on the Internet, and it’s going to help the event by splitting up the shows, like the one at Rhino’s and then having everyone move to Rachael’s. Last year, I think people got bored with staying at the same place all day.” Along with an expected boost in attendance this year, Duncan said he feels part of the event’s success will come from the talent of the local groups.“I don’t feel like there are tons of bands in Bloomington that are punk, but I feel like most of the bands in Bloomington are good compared to other places that I’ve lived,” he said. “There is a high quality of musicians here.”In addition to the original sounds and performances Punktoberfest has to offer, Duncan said part of the appeal to events like this is the sense of letting loose with other festival-goers and enjoying oneself. “I’ve loved going to DIY music fests since I was a teen, and that’s where I’ve met tons of my friends,” he said. “I think it’s really fun for many people all over to just have a good time and do something all weekend.”Follow reporterOlivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/17/13 2:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Jacob’s School of Music distinguished professor Violette Verdy has a breadth of experience and knowledge dancers can only hope to gain. Hailing from Pont-l’Abbé, France, Verdy launched her career in 1945 as a soloist with Roland Petit’s Les Ballets des Champs Elysées. Eight years later, Verdy made her debut United States tour, leading to an offer from legendary ballet choreographer George Balanchine to join the ranks of the prestigious New York City Ballet as a principal dancer — a career status she maintained for 18 years until her performance retirement in 1976. Verdy said working with George Ballanchine was the culmination of everything she learned from her prior teachers.“He was such a great musician, and he had a sense and a philosophy that gave him an idea of choreography in time, space and, of course, with the music,” Ballanchine said.Upon her retirement, Verdy obtained the coveted position of director of the Paris Opera Ballet and co-director of the Boston Ballet in 1980. Presently, she lends her valuable guidance and instruction to IU ballet students, earning the attention of President Michael McRobbie, who said in a press release Verdy is “an Indiana University treasure.” He also recognized her as the recipient of the President’s Medal for Excellence this past year. Already a recipient of the 2009 French Legion of Honour, Verdy said she was floored to have received the award.“I didn’t think I was the kind of person they would even think of giving a medal to,” Verdy said. “Ballet is a very modest kind of pursuit. We are not publicized like the football players.” Verdy, a distinguished IU professor since 1997, said she enjoys learning about her students on a deeper level, getting to know their strengths and weaknesses and being able to enhance both.“I immediately see what each student needs, and I love to be able to share that with them, make them aware of it and make them work on what they need to in order to save their energy,” Verdy said. “I also love to celebrate their qualities immediately and tell them what they have.”Having worked with hundreds of students at IU, Verdy said she offers two pieces of advice to dancers looking to pursue ballet.The first is to have a strong understanding of one’s ability.“They need to have a clear idea of themselves ... and be informed about themselves to work on the things they need,” Verdy said.The second is to dance from the heart.“They have to love it to bits, and, in a way, they have to love it madly because they are going to be challenged to the core,” Verdy said. “It is an incredibly difficult, wonderful challenge but when they come out of it they are really transcended.”Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/16/13 3:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington has a slew of upcoming shows featuring bands of all styles and genres, with artists hailing from as close as the Hoosier state to as far away as Dublin, Ireland.The Bluebird Nightclub Thursday, Oct. 169 p.m. (21+)Little Green Cars, an indie rock band from Dublin, Ireland, can trace its roots back to a former band, the Revolts, founded in the mid-2000s.Since signing professionally, the band has toured the U.S. and the U.K. progressively, releasing three singles and supporting singer-songwriter Jake Bugg on his European tour.The U.S. leg of the 2013 tour included a performance of their single “Harper Lee” on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”The band has played at the 2013 South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, Coachella, Lollapalooza and Osheaga festival in Montréal.The Bishop BarFriday, Oct. 179:30 p.m. (18+) Punk group the Spits returns to the Bishop with a set from their highly-anticipated, self-titled fifth album.According to the Bishop’s website, the group has a way of balancing ingrained punk practices and the ability to influence the crowd. “Possibly one of the only modern bands to have several of their songs being covered by their contemporaries, The Spits have already done so much, but still have so much more to come, as they continue to influence anyone with a penchant for irresistible punk music, played like there’s nothing to lose,” the website said.Rachael’s Café Wednesday, Oct. 23 7:30 p.m. (All ages)Hailing from Minneapolis is Zoo Animal, a minimalist grunge pop group founded in 2008 with influences such as Patti Smith, the Velvet Underground and Nirvana.In a 2012 article from the Minneapolis City Pages by Jeff Gage, songwriter and Zoo Animal member Holly Newsom is interviewed on Zoo Animal’s latest EP, “Departure.”“The tireless songwriter has responded with an excellent new EP, Departure, a record she claims she didn’t think would go over well because it’s such a change of pace from her previous work,” Gage said. “Now, as Newsom gets ready to take those new songs on the road, she’s learned to a juggle a shifting lineup of musicians.” Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/14/13 6:16pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Here are two common college living experiences: the dorm room and the house or apartment. Though there are obvious differences between the two, they share something in common: They can easily get messy. A room can look cluttered because of an unbalanced stuff-to-space ratio. Add a roommate or two and it can be rather difficult to make that room look livable with two or three beds, desks, dressers and other items each roommate attempts to throw in the mix. Here are some tips to save space along with must-have items found in most department stores.Push your desks together This is an excellent idea for dorm rooms. By pushing both desks side-by-side, you create more space for moving about.Embrace shoe racks For those with handfuls of shoes, stock up on these great space-savers. Different types of shoe racks are on the market, but all of them serve the same purpose — to keep your shoes neatly organized and away from gathering dust on your closet floor.Dresser organization Getting tired of digging for that matching sock? Keep your top-drawer items organized with labeled plastic bins. For jewelry, ties, belts and any other accessories, try plastic accessory trays.Try a stepladder bed standUnlike a typical bed stand, a small stepladder allows for more storage of your favorite items, such as books, as well as your essential alarm clock and lamp.Invest in some under-bed drawers Though it’s not the most glamorous place to put things, the space under your bed allows for extra storage that might be hard to find elsewhere in a dorm. Drawers are great for storing summer-wear during the colder months or just extra sheets and blankets.Textbook storageProper textbook storage is especially important for those renting or wanting to sell their books each semester. In a dorm, try placing bookends on your overhead desk compartment. They’ll help keep your textbooks in excellent condition during a semester of wear and tear. In an apartment or house, a bookcase is the way to go.Get hooked Over-the-door hooks almost seem necessary, especially in winter months when coats and other cold-weather layers need a grab-and-go spot. Hooks can also be used for handbags, keys and towels. Know your laundry options The first, and perhaps most common, route is the mesh hamper, an excellent choice because of its flexible material. These hampers easily fit into any space and fold down when needed. Another option is the wheeled hamper, ideal for those who hate hauling clothing to and from the laundry room.
(10/14/13 12:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“CSA: The Confederate States of America,” a 2004 comedy mockumentary focused on one question — “What if the South won?” — will screen at 7 p.m. at the IU Cinema.Director Kevin Willmott’s film-within-a-film approach provides the viewer with a comedic perspective on what would have been the success of the Confederate army. The film also details political and cultural events of the CSA and makes a point to illuminate the ever-present discrimination in American culture.The film opens as what appears to be a British documentary airing on a Confederate network, with commercial breaks for fictional products and a disclaimer saying content may not be suitable for “servants” or young viewers.Along with narration, the film includes television segments like “Runaways,” a slave-chasing program which parodies popular American police show “COPS.” The film was well-received at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and gained a 78 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The screening is sponsored by The Black Film Center/Archive and the departments of English, history, American studies, communication and culture and African American and African diaspora studies.Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/09/13 3:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local ceramics and pottery artisan Susan Snyder brings European inspiration to the windows of the By Hand Gallery, Oliver Winery, Blue Moon and WonderLab.During her senior year in 1992, the IU ceramics major and Italian minor studied abroad in Faenza, Italy, a bustling ceramics town, Snyder said. “I got on the train and was blown away by the ceramics there. It’s a small town at around 70,000 people, but at the time they had over 100 ceramics studios,” Snyder said.Snyder said she received an 1,100-hour ceramics program in Faenza, coming at a cost of only a few hundred dollars with the rest being paid for by the Italian government.“The program was fantastic,” Snyder said. “I learned not only about throwing on the wheel and making molds and the Italian history of art, but also about Italy in general if I ever wanted to live there.”After finishing her studies in Faenza, Snyder ventured back to her native Bloomington to pursue teaching workshops at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. In 2006, fresh from being featured on HGTV’s “That’s Clever” for her work, she and her husband decided to move to Aberdeen, Scotland.“When I moved to Scotland, I became active in the Scottish Potter’s Guild and ended up being the secretary of that group,” Snyder said. “It was great being able to get involved with different communities of artists there.”Moving back to the States in 2009, Snyder continued her studio work along with teaching workshops. She said she appreciates the strength of Bloomington’s artisan community. “I think Bloomington is a great community for the arts,” Snyder said. “I also feel very lucky that I was also able to be one of the founding members of Local Clay Potter’s Guild. It was the idea of my dealer to invite a couple artists to help her get it started and it’s been wonderful to see how that organization has grown.”Along with building relationships with artist organizations around town, Snyder said she enjoys the personal rewards of teaching her workshop students.“I love the creativity, and ceramics is also very relaxing,” Snyder said. “I think when you’re throwing on the wheel, it’s very centric and helps you to become centered. I enjoy sharing that with students, letting them relax and be creative, explore different techniques.“It’s fun to see them accomplish things that they never thought they could do. That’s very rewarding.”Snyder said if she were to offer advice to those seeking a successful arts career, she would recommend studying the business aspects of artwork. “It’s important that if someone is interested in a career as an artist to also understand the points of having a business background,” Snyder said. “Part of it is creating and making the work, but it’s also important to be aware of promoting the business and managing the business.“There’s a balance, it’s not just the doing.”Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/08/13 3:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Artists from Communion — the acclaimed music label whose bands have
featured at musical festivals like Bonnaroo — will play 8 p.m. Tuesday
at the Bluebird Nightclub.After their successful “Austin to
Boston” 2012 tour, the Communion team is exploring a new venture,
sending artists to multiple US cities.According to a press
release, Communion’s Bluebird show draws inspiration from a series of
music and dance nights at the label’s birthplace, London’s Notting Hill.
Those nights in London launched performances in 15 cities in the United
Kingdom and United States before the Communion show made its way to
Melbourne, Australia. One of the Communion performers is Willy Mason, a New York City-based singer/songwriter. Mason has been in the industry since 2004 and recently performed with folk band Mumford & Sons. Mason said he enjoys working with Communion because of the internal thrill.“I
guess the sense of excitement makes working together a pleasure,” Mason
said. “It’s a new project that everyone’s putting so much care and
attention into.”Mason also said he appreciates Communion’s
roots, starting from simple but elaborate underground performances and
branching into an international, reputable indie label. “One
distinction is growing out of a club night and starting from the most
essential point in music production and interaction, with the audience,”
Mason said.”With pleasing the audience in mind, Mason said he looks forward to his debut Bloomington performance.“Everybody
who talks about Bloomington always has something interesting to say
about it, and I’m curious to see what they’re talking about,” Mason
said.Other Communion artists slated to appear tonight include Rubblebucket, a seven-piece band from Brooklyn, N.Y. Rubblebucket
experienced a busy year in 2012, landing a coveted spot at the music
festival Bonnaroo and an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.Also
performing tonight is Roadkill Ghost Choir, founded in 2010 in DeLand,
Fla., and influenced by the sounds of Wilco, Bob Dylan and Fleetwood
Mac, according to the band’s website.The group finished their
debut EP, “Quiet Light,” with producer Dave Plakon. Mastered in Omaha,
Neb., by Doug Van Sloun, “Quiet Light” was released Sept. 25, 2012.Other musical acts Cosby Sweater, Yact Club DJ’s and New Old Cavalry round out the night’s lineup.Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/04/13 3:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When graduate student Stephanie Poppe isn’t studying, she can be found hoop dancing with other members of the Hudsucker Posse, a local hoop dance and exercise group.Poppe said hoop dancing falls under the category of flow arts, or the connection between the movement of the body and another object. Poppe spoke with the IDS about her experiences with the Hudsucker Posse.IDS Why get involved with the Hudsucker Posse?Stephanie Poppe I first got involved because I went to Indiana’s first flow fest, “Peace Love HOOPINESS,” about two months ago on a whim.I didn’t even know about hooping or flow culture, but I wanted to check out this cool sounding festival that was in Brown County, and I just connected.I met so many lovely people, and somebody gave me my first hoop there. I took a workshop from Clara Kallner about finding your flow, and even though I was awful, she invited me out to the Sunday jams (in Bloomington).I didn’t know anybody there, but I figured people that play with hula hoops were probably good and open-minded, so I checked it out and have been a regular since. IDS What do you enjoy most about hoop dancing and flow arts?Poppe Connecting with another object in space and understanding how to manipulate my body to complement the hoop’s natural motion has really forced me to connect with myself.I’m training to become a designer, and we talk about flow a lot, but it’s more in a work-like setting — how to get to that zen-like state of doing. Hooping has been a way for me to connect with that part of myself, and I feel like it makes me a better designer.It’s also a great cognitive break.I had really been neglecting myself as far as exercise, meditating and letting my mind rest. Hooping is a way to stay physically active with mental rest. I started caring more about myself and my connection to the rest of the world.IDS Elaborate on the exercise part of hooping.Poppe The reason for it being such great exercise is because it really engages your whole body but specifically your core because you have to maintain constant steady movement at the sections of your body that you want the hoop to be.Most people want it on the hips because that’s the most common position. However, you can transition to different moves to engage different parts of your body.It’s always important to stretch before and after. Much like any sport, you don’t want to just jump in with cold muscles because injuries can happen more easily.Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/03/13 3:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Aiming to further explore the arts through collaboration and innovation in performance, the contemporary dance program will merge with the IU Department of Theatre and Drama, according to a press release.Elizabeth Shea, director of the contemporary dance program, said she believes the addition will provide contemporary dance majors with a broadened perspective on the theatrics involved in dance performance. There is a natural partnership between theater and dance — an outlook Shea said she agrees with.“We are performance oriented, sharing and expressing with an audience, and that can be in a big space or an informal space,” Shea said. “There is also the technical side of theater, which dancers desperately need to support them, which includes lighting, scenic design, sound design, and those things go hand-in-hand with both theater and dance.” Shea said she believes the benefits of the new partnership not only cater to the technical aspects of dance that theater provides but also give dance students a chance to relate theater concepts to contemporary movement.“It’s an opportunity for them to see a whole new world of movement and inform their knowledge and career in performing arts,” she said. “The students will be open to a whole new approach to theatricality and a comfort with their use of vocals.”Collectively, the merger is a productive, enhancing union, Shea said. She said the two programs compliment each other in numerous fashions and forecasts favorable outcomes.“This is a really exciting merger,” Shea said. “It’s a good thing for IU. Theater will be strengthened as well as dance.“Usually more is better, and strength in numbers is a very good thing, and pulling the talents of all the students and faculty is good. We expect momentous growth in our new department.”Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(10/02/13 2:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Wonderlab’s latest mini-exhibition, “Nature’s Vampires,” explores the habits of bed bugs with live, magnified views and interactive, touch-screen games, allowing visitors to learn where the creatures would most likely be tucked away. Louise Schlesinger, Wonderlab’s marketing director, said the exhibit provides museum-goers with valuable information on how to prevent and treat bed bug infestations. “There are multiple stops to learn and interact with it,” Schlesinger said. “We also have a video kiosk, which has an interesting video about how dogs sniff out bed bugs. We also just have some background information on them and their adaptations and why they are blood-sucking creatures.”Even though treating bed bug outbreaks is vital, Wonderlab’s Karen Jepson-Innes, associate executive director of exhibits and programs, said people should seek out more information about bed bugs before responding with fear.Jepson-Innes said she believes taking a closer look at the animals with tools like microscopes forms an appreciation for their biological adaptation. “There is a lot of fear associated with this very small insect and as a science museum, it’s important to give information about the biology of this creature and the best way to intervene so families cannot panic and not have so much of a fearful response, but a response based on knowledge,” Jepson-Innes said.Jepson-Innes also said because of these uneducated reactions to the creatures, harsh chemicals are often used against them, which she finds unnecessary.“Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide, so you can make a simple trap using a bit of dry ice,” Jepson-Innes said. “It’s much better to try that and avoid the use of chemicals. A lot of people want to resort to using chemical warfare immediately as a fear response, and often that sort of reaction can be more harmful than the insects themselves.”She said she believes Wonderlab visitors will gain extensive knowledge by taking the time to explore the background of bed bugs and how to properly dispose of them.“From a biological perspective, they are very fascinating creatures,” Jepson-Innes said. “They’re very well-adapted to do what they do and they have a very interesting natural history.”Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/27/13 3:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This summer was busy for Laura Miller and Hannah Morton. The two used the time to brainstorm strategies for creating the on-campus tap dance club, Hoosier Tap Co. Miller and Morton, co-directors, said the group is a great place for experienced tap dancers to unite.“We just realized that since we love dance so much, why not start a tap company?” Morton said.After participating in an advanced tap class at IU, Miller and Morton realized there were no companies or groups at IU focusing on tap dancing. Both said having a group like this on campus is important. “We go to school with so many people,” Morton said. “There has to be other people here that love to tap dance and would love to be a part of this. We just threw the idea out there, and it was so receptive to people and we thought, ‘Yeah, we could make this happen.’”Both Miller and Morton said the semester is off to a fabulous start.“The dancers are incredible,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t trade them for the world, and we just keep getting a lot of opportunities coming our way.”The co-directors said they are planning a performance at this year’s IU Dance Marathon as well as an event in the spring that brings together local musicians and vocalists. “That’s obviously the best thing about dancing — performing for others,” Morton said. “It’s not just coming in here once a week to get to tap together in a hot room, it’s also getting the chance to perform for the community and IU campus and to get our name out there.”Along with performing, Miller said she hopes HTC will bring attention to tap dance.“We want to bring back the knowledge and everybody’s appreciation for tap,” she said. “It’s not always appreciated the way that we would hope, so why not just show what we have.”Morton said tap is slowly gaining recognition again due to shows like “So You Think You Can Dance.” “Getting that kind of publicity from shows like that is really, really great for tap dancers and the art of tap in general,” Morton said.Morton said part of appreciating tap’s artistry is realizing the musicality involved. “It’s so rhythmic, and then you also have dynamics in tap,” she said. “Not very many people understand that you can’t just tap loudly all the time. You have to be attentive to your listener or your audience. You get to be a musician or a percussionist as well as a performer.” Follow dance reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/20/13 2:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If one were to enter the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Thursday at around 5 p.m., one could expect to see a few familiar characters such as Elvis Presley and members of AC/DC sitting on stage in multiple rows of chairs attempting to spell words such as “osteomyelitis” and “paulownia.” If that description doesn’t spell it out, the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee, a popular event at the BCT, is the correct answer. The event allows three-person teams from local businesses and civic groups dressed in their best costume theme to come together and sound it out for a worthy cause — all proceeds benefiting the county’s educational programs. Cyrilla Helm, executive director of the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools, said the event fulfilled its purpose of supporting education.“We’re here to raise money for the children and for education, so that’s just the cause that we support, and we think that it’s just really powerful to wrap in a part of education, which is spelling and literacy, back into our fundraising so people can actually see that it’s all connected,” Helm said.The evening’s winning team, the Super Grovers, hailed from the local public broadcasting station WTIU/WFIU. Holly Thrasher, a colleague working in membership for the station, said the Sesame Street character tribute was an easy team name because of its affiliation with the WTIU broadcast network.“It came from WTIU public television and that everybody kind of recognizes the Grover name,” Thrasher said. “People can rally behind it.”Donning a blue shirt and silky hot pink cape to match the famous furry friend, Thrasher said she hadn’t competed in a spelling bee for at least 25 years and enjoyed reminiscing on her elementary school days.“It was fun to revisit something that I’ve always had a fond memory of,” Thrasher said. “And, I have really smart, fun colleagues, so it was a great time.”In terms of strategizing for the event, Thrasher said her team was made aware of the difficulty of the words beforehand and was highly advised to ask for definitions before spelling the word.“If we revisit this [event] next year, that will probably be our same strategy,” Thrasher said.Along with having a game plan the day of the event, Thrasher said her team members prepared for the bee as much as they could during a hectic time for public broadcasting.“I’ve kind of been thrown into this because it’s been a really busy time for public broadcasting,” Thrasher said. “So, I haven’t had much time to prepare at all, but this was my first time doing this event and my two other teammates have done it before, so they knew what to expect because it was very new to me.”Next to prior experience and serious spelling skills, the Super Grovers secured their win with a Rock Paper Scissors showdown after both teams were unsuccessful in spelling the last few words.Regardless, it seemed the main point of the evening was not to identify a spelling champ but to support the Monroe County School Corporation.“I thought the event went great,” Helm said. “I think we may have made the words just a touch too hard, and there were a lot of people out in round two, which is unfortunate, but that’s the way it happens sometimes.”Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/18/13 2:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ava DuVernay, winner of the Best Director Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, will give a lecture at 3 p.m. Friday at IU Cinema as part of the Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Lecture Series. Several of DuVernay’s films will also be screened throughout the week as part of her lecture. One of her works, “Venus Vs.,” explores tennis champion Venus Williams’ influence in advocating equal pay for both men and women players. It will play at 7 p.m. Thursday at IU Cinema. Another film, Sundance winner “Middle of Nowhere,” focuses on the repercussions of the prison-industrial complex affecting black communities. It will show at 6:30 p.m. Friday. “I Will Follow,” her narrative feature debut centered around moving forward after the loss of a loved one, will be shown Friday at 9:30 p.m. This film earned the approval from film critic Roger Ebert. “In one way or another, every emotion in this wonderful independent film is one I’ve experienced myself,” Ebert said in 2011 on his blog.Not only has DuVernay filmed critically-acclaimed documentaries, but she also founded the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement in 2011, which provides black independent filmmakers with “collaborative, simultaneous, theatrical distribution in multiple markets,” according to its website.In a 2012 New York Times article, DuVernay spoke of this new form of distribution for black independent films and seeking private funding for projects.“It’s not about knocking on closed doors. It’s about building our own house and having our own door,” she said in the article by Carrie Rickey.But even before the awards and AFFRM, DuVernay spent 14 years working as a publicist and film marketer, which led to the 1999 founding of DVA Media + Marketing, providing strategic blueprints for more than 120 television campaigns and films for directing legends such as Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood.Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/16/13 1:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Cinema will screen director Roger Spottiswoode’s Emmy-award winning film “And The Band Played On,” based on the best-selling book by Randy Shilts, tonight at 7 p.m. The film focuses on the tumultuous period of the early 1980s acquired immunodeficiency syndrome crisis, exploring the “mixture of fear and denial in the gay community, early disregard in the American media, apathy by the U.S. government and in-fighting among scientists regarding the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus that leads to AIDS,” according to IU Cinema’s website.Taking place in 1976, the film focuses on Don Francis who works with residents and other doctors on the banks of the Ebola River in Zaire and realizes their untimely deaths are caused by an illness later classified as Ebola hemorrhagic fever.These events lead to his research with HIV and AIDS at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when, five years later, he notices the increasing number of deaths among gay men in major cities. These discoveries incite Francis’ research, leading to his connections with politicians, gay activists and members of the medical community and his effort to spread preventative knowledge. Winning three Emmys including Outstanding Made for Television Movie, the film earned generally positive reviews. New York Times’ critic John O’Connor gave a positive review, saying, the film “adds up to tough and uncommonly courageous television,” Introducing the screening is Bill Darrow, a professor of public health at Florida International University and one of the researchers portrayed by actor Richard Masur in the film.Darrow played a pivotal role in the demonstration of the sexual transmission of the AIDS virus and has been recognized for numerous honors for his scientific contributions.Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/13/13 3:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>According to the U.K.’s Maverick Magazine, singer, songwriter and storyteller Michael On Fire has “a sound and style that epitomizes all that is so good about the Americana genre.” Fortunately for local fans and those in favor of an eclectic mix of folk, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll, the seasoned artist performed at Rachael’s Café Thursday night as part of his U.S. tour. Along with touring, Michael also recently released his 16th and 17th records, “Cadillac Ranch” and “Live In London.”Jerome Assad, Rachael’s Café’s booking manager, said booking Michael was a simple decision because of his respect for the singer. He also said Michael’s sound would be a good fit for the atmosphere at Rachael’s Café.“Michael On Fire is a nationally recognized act and has performed on numerous radio stations and live music TV shows, and we were excited to have someone who fits the kind of mood in terms of ambience musically at Rachael’s,” Assad said.Among Michael’s noted qualities, Assad said the thing that drew him to the vocalist’s sound was his emotion.“He’s not necessarily a provocative sort of artist, but he does put a lot of personal emotion into his music, and obviously a lot of soul,” Assad said.Assad said he had high expectations for the show because of Michael’s ability to keep the audience engaged.“He plays a lengthy, interesting set,” Assad said. “It’s not the kind of thing where someone will be playing for half an hour and you’ll be bored with what you’re listening to. It definitely keeps revolving, especially because the sound can be quite dramatic almost, and it definitely has an inner brevity to it.”Michael On Fire is one of the many musical acts welcomed at the café, and Assad said he believes their upcoming shows will provide customers with a broad spectrum of sounds to sample.“In the coming months, people will be able to enjoy enough surge in quality in terms of what they come to find (at Rachael’s), and they can really embrace Rachael’s Café more,” Assad said.Follow IU Cinema reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.
(09/12/13 1:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A lecture and screening of one of Russia’s most celebrated film directors, Vadim Abdrashitov, will be presented at 3 p.m. Thursday at the IU Cinema. Abdrashitov is the recipient of Russia’s highest artistic honor, the People’s Artist award.Guest lecturer Vladimir Padunov, associate professor in the Department of Slavic Languages at the University of Pittsburgh, will guide the audience through the life and work of Abdrashitov. Notable films directed by Abdrashitov:“Vremya Tantsora” (2003)Larisa (Svetlana Kopylova) returns with her children to reunite with her husband Valeri (Yuri Stepanov) after being away for months. During the welcome-home party, it is obvious Valeri is having an affair with young Katya (Chulpan Khamatova) despite Larisa’s homecoming. Meanwhile, Valeri’s friend Fyodor (Sergei Nikonenko) has relations with nurse Olga (Natalya Loskutova), and Valeri questions if Katya is seeing his friend Andrei (Andrei Yegorov). “Magnetic Storms” (1991)Abdrashitov develops the relationship between Marina (Viktoria Tolstoganova) and Valera (Maksim Avernin), showing what seems to be an unbreakable, romantic bond. From there, the couple’s connection is tested as a series of events unfold, including a gang of street fighters bursting into the couple’s bedroom mid-fight, wedding rings being stolen and escapes from evil.“Parade of the Planets” (1985)After a group of Red Guard veterans are called to participate in military maneuvers at a civilian reserve, and believed to be killed in action, they decide to go on a fantasy adventure before heading home. The veterans visit a town occupied only by beautiful women, and after skinny-dipping, land on a deserted island where they eventually link up with a group of elderly people.Follow IU Cinema reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.