83 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(09/19/13 3:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Radical historian Peter Linebaugh will be at Boxcar Books at 7 p.m. Friday to present his latest book, “Stop, Thief! The Commons, Enclosures, and Resistance.”In the book of essays, Linebaugh focuses on the history of communism and the major events that played a role in its history. Linebaugh’s essays trace communism back to its origins in 1381 and references influential figures like Karl Marx, Thomas Paine and William Morris. In addition to “Stop, Thief!” Linebaugh has written for the New Left Review and New York University Law Review and Social History. Linebaugh has a Ph.D. in British history from the University of Warwick. Though he has taught across the country, Linebaugh currently teaches in the history department at the University of Toledo in Ohio.For more information about upcoming events at Boxcar Books, visit its website, boxcarbooks.org.— Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/17/13 3:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local musicians run rampant throughout Bloomington, and jazz group Bennett & Stone is a new group hoping to jump in on the action. The trio formed in June and features pianist Mike Stone, vocalist Johnny Bennett and music director and bass player Bobby Scharmann. The group’s style is focused around traditional jazz, primarily songs taken from the Great American Songbook. Bennett said the group strives to play music the audience can enjoy.“We try to play songs that everyone knows,” he said. “We also feature a lot of the legacy that Indiana has, like we play a lot of Hoagy Carmichael.”The group members reside in Bloomington, and Stone is even working on his master’s in piano at the Jacobs School of Music.The group also takes up residencies at multiple venues around town.In addition to weekly stints at Scholars Inn and Café Django, the group has performed at Scenic View, Malibu Grill and the Player’s Pub. They’ve also ventured outside of Bloomington, playing at St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis.Bennett said the group tries to differentiate itself by putting an emphasis on fun in its shows. “No one does what we do,” he said. “We do lots of joking and we’re very interactive with the crowd.”Bennett said the intimate atmosphere the shows set up adds to the overall performance. “We treat the crowd like we’re on a date,” he said. “We try to impress and entertain. It’s entertainment first, music second.”Bennett, who spent the last few months as a touring musician before joining the group, said the group works together naturally and easily. He said the group aims to please a wide range of audience members, and it hopes to do so by selecting songs that range from the 1920s through the ’70s. “We want people to have fun and be entertained and leave in a good mood,” Bennett said. “That’s what brings people back.”Follow reporter Carolyn Crowcroft on Twitter @carol_crowcroft.
(09/17/13 3:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In honor of distinguished professor Janos Starker and his life, the Jacobs School of Music announced Monday it will play host to a special honorary event.The gathering will occur Sept. 22 at the Musical Arts Center.Starker was a child prodigy born in Hungary. During World War II, he survived internment by the Nazi’s.He was known worldwide for his teachings, performances and recordings.He also won a Grammy Award in 1998 for one of his recordings of Bach’s six suites for solo cello.The event is open to the public and will be streamed online via IU Music Live! as well as through WFIU radio.Performers scheduled for the event include violinists William and Alexandra Preucil, cellist Mark Kosower and pianist Shigeo Neriki. There will also be a recorded performance from the late pianist Gyorgy Sebok.Performers will play songs by famous composers such as Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms and Gabriel Fauré.Gwyn Richards, dean of Jacobs, said he looks forward to the event as a way for people to honor Starker’s legacy.“We gather on Sunday to honor a pillar of our school and a leading figure in our field,” Richards said in a press release. This will also be a chance for people to hear from Starker’s family and express their gratitude.“This occasion will provide an opportunity for the many people touched by professor Starker’s life to express their gratitude, to hear from the family and to share with each other,” she said.Starker, who taught cello at Jacobs, passed away April 28, 2013 in a Bloomington hospipce. He was 88 years old.— Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/12/13 1:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Indiana Arts Commission announced musicians John Hiatt and Michael Feinstein will perform at the 2013 Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony.Hiatt, a well-respected singer/songwriter, and Feinstein, a music revivalist most known for his work on the Great American Songbook, have both receieved many accolades throughout their professional careers, including multiple Grammy nominations each.Hiatt and Feinstein will be among four performances at the ceremony, which will be on Sept. 26, at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind.Hiatt is also among one of the honorees at this year’s ceremony. Other award recipients include philanthropist Christel DeHaan, music educator/vocalist Cynthia Hartshorn and Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan.“Traditionally, the awards program has strived to highlight the talents of recipients who are performing artists,” IAC Executive Director Lewis C. Ricci said in a press release.“Such artists as Angela Brown, Sylvia McNair, Menahem Pressler and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir have previously graced the stage and added to the spectacle of this event. We are so honored.” The Governor’s Arts Awards began in 1973 and have been awarded every two years in recognition of individuals’ or organizations’ outstanding achievement in the arts. Past recipients have included novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., sculptor Robert Indiana and songwriter Hoagy Carmichael.— Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/10/13 2:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>TUESDAY“Magnetic Storms”Genre: Foreign LanguageWhen: Tuesday, Sept. 10Time: 7 p.m.This film will be in Russian with English subtitles. Valery’s life is thrown into turmoil after labor strikes break out at the local factory. After his involvement in the strikes and separation from his wife, Valery attempts to put the pieces of his broken life back together.THURSDAY“Time of the Dancer”Genre: Foreign LanguageWhen: Thursday, Sept. 12Time: 7 p.m.This Russian film will include English subtitles. Set in the aftermath of a civil war, returning troops attempt to settle back into their normal lives. Director Vadim Abdrashitov’s film focuses on the irreversible trauma of war and its effect on the lives and interactions of its victims.FRIDAY“Only God Forgives”Genre: DramaWhen: Friday, Sept. 13Time: 6:30 p.m.After appearing in Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive,” Ryan Gosling reunites with the director in this thriller. Gosling stars as Julian, the owner of a boxing club and undercover criminal who works with his mom, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, to avenge the death of his brother. But as he finds out, there are stronger forces working against him.“Bronson”Genre: DramaWhen: Friday, Sept. 13Time: 9:30 p.m.After dreams of robbing a post office go awry, Michael Peterson, played by Tom Hardy — Bane from “The Dark Knight Rises” — ends up serving a seven-year prison sentence. The film follows the progression of Peterson’s life and metamorphosis into infamous criminal Charles Bronson.“Lady Terminator”Genre: ActionWhen: Friday, Sept. 13Time: 11:59 p.m.IU Cinema includes this 1980s Indonesian film in its Midnight Movies series. After awakening the evil spirit of the South Sea Queen, an American anthropologist transforms into Lady Terminator, a vengeful mass murderer with laser eyes and a never-ending supply of ammunition.“Only God Forgives,” “Bronson” and “Lady Terminator” are $3 each. All films, regardless of price, are ticketed. Tickets can be purchased at IU Auditorium Box Office.—Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/09/13 2:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Professor of French and comparative literature Eileen Julien has been named the new director of IU’s Institute for Advanced Study.Julien has been a member of IU’s faculty since 1992, with a career spent exploring and writing about the connections between Africa, Europe and the Americas.Julien has received many awards and accolades throughout her career, including Guggenheim, Fulbright and Bunting Institute fellowship awards. She is also the co-founder of the New Orleans Afrikan Film & Arts Festival.The Institute for Advanced Study, founded in 1981, works to support and encourage new directions of inquiry in all fields, according to an IU press release.Julien said in a release she looks forward to her new position.“I am excited about leading the Institute for Advanced Study,” she said. “I look forward to building on the institute’s traditions and developing new initiatives, particularly in support of recently tenured faculty.” — Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/09/13 1:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Veteran rock musician Paul Collins will perform at the Bishop Bar 9 p.m. Monday, along with opening acts Purple 7 and Triptides. Collins’ performance is part of his Midwest tour, which will take him to 17 locations across the Midwest throughout September.Collins has been performing since the 1970s, when he and fellow musicians Peter Case and Jack Lee formed the band the Nerves. In 1979, Collins formed his own band, the Beat, with Steven Huff, Larry Whitman and Michael Ruiz. The group’s style was compared to musical acts like the Ramones, Blondie and the Dictators. Later renamed Paul Collins’ Beat, the group toured with acts such as the Police, Eddie Money and Huey Lewis, continuing to perform and record into the 1980s. Aside from his bands, Collins also worked at producing and writing music as a solo artist.In 1992, he released his first, self-titled solo album. The album featured appearances and collaborations from artists like Greg Kihn, Cyril Jordan, Jeff Trott and Chuck Prophet. Collins’ last album, “King of Power Pop,” was released in 2010 through Alive Records. For more information on the Bishop and upcoming shows, visit thebishopbar.com.— Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/06/13 2:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indian classical musician Amjad Ali Khan will be the first Artist in Residence at the newly formed School of Global and International Studies.Khan will visit the IU Bloomington campus Sept. 23 thru 27 as a guest of the Madhusudan and Kiran C. Dhar India Studies Program.During his residency, Khan will teach a one-credit-hour course on Indian classical music and culture at the Dhar India Studies Program. The class will run through Sept. 25, concluding with a public demonstration.According to an IU press release, Khan’s course will be very interactive. Students will be taught to understand the concepts of Indian classical music, covering topics such as forms of raga, or melodic modes, and taal, or rhythmic patterns. Michael S. Dodson, director of the Dhar India Studies Program, said in the press release that he was thrilled to have Khan come to IU and work with students.“He comes from a long lineage of hereditary musicians,” Dodson said. “He will demonstrate the way in which the elements of Indian classical music are transferred through the generations and how composition works in a traditional music form.”The residency isn’t the only thing Khan will be doing while in Bloomington. He is also scheduled to perform at the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, along with other members of his family. Khan’s performance is slated for Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.According to the press release, Khan said he looks forward to his time spent in Bloomington and working with IU students. “Through my residency at Indiana University, I would like to reach out to students with experience playing a musical instrument, including voice, from any musical tradition,” Khan said in the press release. “No previous experience with Indian music is necessary. There is room for music beyond technical brilliance and firework mastery.”-Carolyn Crowcroft
(09/04/13 8:53pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local residents can now experience artwork from as near as Bloomington to as far as Japan. The Grunwald Gallery of Art began showing two new exhibits in its gallery Aug. 30., and they will be featured through Oct. 11. “Geist und Form: Ten Painters from Berlin” showcases the work of modern German artists and their unusual interpretations of the various painting styles practiced in Berlin today.Artists that are featured in this installation include Valérie Favre, Bernard Frize, Maarten Janssen and Mark Lammert.The exhibit, curated by Jurriaan Benschop, reflects the present-day attitudes of Berlin painting, according to geistundform.com. In conjunction with the exhibit, several lecturers will speak, including Favre, Lammert and Benschop.Encompassing more of an international artistic scope is the exhibit “Imag(in)ing Science,” which features collaborative pieces between IU faculty in the arts and science departments. Amanda Fong, who works as a public relations assistant at the Grunwald, said there are a number of pieces within this exhibit she thinks students will find particularly moving.One project, created by Michael Hamburger, geological sciences professor, and James Nakagawa, associate professor of photography, was inspired by the earthquakes in Japan. The piece features multiple photos of the destruction caused by the earthquake and a projection of a live seismograph that reads the vibrations within the Grunwald.“If anyone has family in Japan, that one will really strike a chord,” Fong said. “It’s really amazing.”Fong said these venues, which appear very different on paper, work well together and will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience the Grunwald has never really offered before.“It’s nice to see the variance,” she said. “They’re very different shows, and they’re really thought-provoking.” Follow arts editor Carolyn Crowcroft on Twitter @carol_crowcroft.
(09/04/13 4:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On the first Tuesday of every month, the City Hall Atrium echoes with the sounds of ukuleles strumming and voices singing folk songs of Israel and Africa. The Bloomington Peace Choir is singing at its Bloomington Sings Sing-a-Long Lunch Hour at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, where members of the community are invited to join group members in song.Music director Barb Qualls leads the group, occasionally accompanied by her piano or ukulele. She calls off the songs from a list, but as group members request alternate songs be sung, she changes up her plans.Members who walk in after the 11:30 a.m. call time are still welcomed with open arms.“Come on in,” Qualls said. “We need your voices this morning.”The group has been in place for more than three years, founded by Kat Domingo, who passed away in 2011 after a battle with breast cancer.Group president Leah Savion said the group takes pride in the fact that there is no religious or political affiliation, just a desire to sing.“I think that the group is unique in that it’s a community base,” she said. “We stand on our own, and we make our own choices.”The group recruits through public exposure and advertisements, but Savion said the primary way they attract new members is through public performances.“Once you see us on stage and see how much fun we have, it’s really hard to resist,” she said.Recently, the group has performed frequently throughout Bloomington, including several performances at Third Street Park and the Fourth Street Festival.The group selects a variety of spiritual music from around the world, including Israel, Africa, Spain and Liberia. Qualls then arranges the music to fit the skill sets of group members.“Barb is incredibly musical,” Savion said. “She takes a song and arranges it so that it’s our level and maybe pushes us a little bit. It turns out fantastic.”In addition to an eclectic selection of music, the group itself is also made up of many demographics. Savion said the group has members young and old who work in a number of professional fields, including carpentry, mail delivery and education.Barbara Fisher, a relatively new member of the group who began singing with the Peace Choir at the beginning of the Spring 2013 semester, said she loves what the group has added to her life.“Personally, it lifts my spirits,” she said. “I feel love from all these people. It brings me joy.”Savion said the group is always accepting new members, and those interested should not be shy about attending any of the group’s weekly Wednesday rehearsals at Unity Church.“The fact that you don’t need to audition makes everyone feel very welcome,” she said. “We just manage to use voices, whatever they’re capable of doing.“People may not know what singing does to your body and mind, but it really generates the right neurotransmitters in the brain. It’s a terrific replacement for drinking or drugs.”Follow arts editor Carolyn Crowcroft on Twitter @carol_crowcroft.
(08/25/13 9:24pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Buzzing with syncopation, live performances replaced the normal flow of traffic on Grant Street between Fifth and Sixth streets Saturday for Bloomington’s Grant Street Jazz Fest, a celebration honoring jazz music and local musicians.The festival featured performances from several local and regional jazz musicians, beginning at 11 a.m. and lasting well into the evening. Among the performers were the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, the Trio Collective and Mitch Shiner & the Bloomingtones Big Band. The event kicked off in the late morning with a parade that began at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market on W. Kirkwood Avenue and headed down to the main stage at the corner of Sixth and Grant streets. The parade was led by the Bam Bam’s Brass Band, a New Orleans-style funk band that performed a set later in the afternoon. The festival was organized by Jazz from Bloomington, an organization devoted to promoting and preserving jazz through local events and public education, according to the group’s website. Monika Herzig, who performed with her band, the Monika Herzig Acoustic Project, is one of the co-founders of Jazz from Bloomington. She said she loved the reception the festival received from the community last year, which is why the group decided to bring it back. Herzig said Indiana has a rich history of jazz music, with musicians like David Baker and J.J. Johnson from the Hoosier state. She said this festival is a way of honoring that legacy.“Indiana has an incredible jazz legacy that is often overlooked,” she said. “Some of the most prominent jazz players come from Indiana.”Herzig said a more notable jazz musician has a special connection to the Bloomington festival.“Hoagy Carmichael was born just around the corner from where the festival is,” she said. “It’s special to have it as that place.”Peter Kienle, who performed with the Bloomington-based Splinter Group, said the festival is a great rare opportunity for jazz artists.“For the artists, it’s important because it’s a place where we can play and show off,” Kienle said. “For a band like us, we like to play loud, and you can play loud outside.”Kienle said the festival also helps artists connect with fellow musicians and fans of jazz music.“For all the other bands, you can come gather, and you realize how many other people there are in Bloomington who are interested in that stuff,” he said. For Herzig, the festival is a perfect way to honor the unique style found in jazz music.“Jazz is the only style created out of the special melting pot of the States,” she said. “It’s important for a town like Bloomington to have a feature like that.”Follow reporter Carolyn Crowcroft on Twitter @carol_crowcroft
(08/20/13 1:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Throughout the years, Bloomington art galleries have offered local and regional artists venues to display their portfolio of work. These galleries provide Bloomington residents and students another outlet to consume the art and culture the area has to offer. Chelsea Sanders, who works at Blueline Gallery, said the gallery makes it a point to satisfy all of Bloomington’s residents with the artwork it displays.“Half of our artists are either grad students or students, and then we also go for the older, eclectic artists,” she said. “We try to mix it between students but also established artists.”Local galleries offer a variety of artwork on display, from paintings and illustrations to sculptures. Support from the community is part of what keeps these galleries going, Sanders said. “We’ve been doing this for about three years, and the past couple of shows have been 500-plus people for an opening night,” she said.Tova Lesko, manager of By Hand Gallery, said the gallery receives loyal support from the community. She said it’s important to continue to promote the arts in Bloomington.“I feel like a lot of people want to support the arts,” Lesko said. “Us just being here gives them an outlet to do it.”
(04/26/13 2:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Hooshir A Capella performed its spring concert Thursday night in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. About half of the group’s members are Jewish, and the religion features in the group’s performances. The group performs songs by American, Hebrew and Israeli musicians. The group formed in 2006 and has grown in the years since its inauguration. Hooshir performs throughout the year and competes at various competitions across the country. This year, Hooshir was crowned champion at the third Kol HaOlam National Collegiate Jewish A Capella Championship, the group’s first national championship. The group entertained the crowd with renditions of some popular top-40 songs, including David Guetta’s “Titanium,” fun.’s “Some Nights” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The evening’s performance also featured Jewish and Israeli songs “Lecha Dodi,” “Ana Bekoach” and “Shoshanim Atzuvot.”Senior group member Julie Womack said the group is collaborative and encourages input from all members on song options. “At the beginning of the year, each person is asked to come with their own arrangement, whether it is American, Israeli or Jewish,” Womack said. “We then choose our repertoire from that list.”In addition to official performances at ceremonies and functions around campus, the group has also performed spontaneously at venues like Starbucks and the Sample Gates. The group has even put on flash mobs in the past. While a capella groups like Straight No Chaser and Another Round have more of a presence on campus, Womack said what makes Hooshir special is its Jewish ties. “I think the biggest difference between us and other groups is simply the fact that we sing Jewish and Israeli music,” she said. “We’re also supported by Hillel instead of IUAA, like other groups.”Womack said the final performance is an exciting moment in the group’s season, and she hopes the group is able to always put on an exciting, entertaining show.“We have a lot of fun singing and being on stage together,” she said. “Hooshir loves nothing more than spending time together and making music and sharing it with everyone.”– Carolyn Crowcroft
(04/23/13 4:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Long-running Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” will close the IU Auditorium’s 2012-13 season with a two-night run Tuesday and Wednesday.The show, with the backdrop of the 1960s R&B scene, follows the Dreamettes, an up-and-coming girl group that catches a big break after being discovered by an influential talent agent. Tensions flare among the women as their image and organization evolve. The show chronicles the struggles the women face individually and as a group. “Dreamgirls” won numerous awards upon its original 1981 run on Broadway and was nominated for 11 awards at the 1982 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical was later adapted into a motion picture starring Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her role as Effie White. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy in 2007.Cast member Krystal Simpson said she just joined the cast recently as an ensemble member and understudy for Dreamettes members Deena and Lorrell, but she has really enjoyed her time with the cast and crew thus far.“I think the traveling is nice as far as the tour is concerned,” Simpson said. “I really like the glamour of the show. The costumes and makeup are top notch.”Simpson is a junior studying musical theater at Otterbein University in Westminster, Ohio. She said her experience working on “Dreamgirls” has been very different from her college shows, and it’s cool to be involved with a show that’s been popular for so many years.“I think the storyline and music are what make it so timeless,” she said. “As far as the music, there are a lot of songs that people know or are familiar with.”Tickets start at $20 for students and $38 for the general public and can be purchased at the auditorium’s box office or through its website, iuauditorium.com.Simpson said audience members can expect a magical, magnificent theater experience.“It’s a really incredible show,” she said. “Some shows have down moments, but every moment is big with this show. It’s visually captivating, the singing is incredible and the music is really groovy.”
(04/18/13 4:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Assembly Hall was filled Wednesday night with fans, dressed in patterned leggings, fluorescent tanks and other thrift shop-worthy apparel in honor of the Union Board’s official Little 500 concert featuring hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.Macklemore and Lewis hail from Seattle and have collaborated together since 2010. Prior to teaming up with Lewis, Macklemore released EPs, albums and mixtapes as a solo artist. The pair’s independently produced debut album, “The Heist,” was released in October 2012. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind Mumford & Sons’ “Babel,” and has gone on to sell more than 500,000 copies in the United States. Opening the show were fellow hip-hop acts Wale and Talib Kweli. Kweli kicked off the show with a 40-minute set, featuring songs that sampled artists from the Beatles to Nina Simone. Kweli attempted to get the crowd’s energy up early in the show. “This is Little 500,” Kweli yelled out to the crowd. “On the count of three, give me all the noise you got.”He received a generous response from the crowd, which slowly grew in size as his set progressed.Rapper Wale took the stage at about 9 p.m. wearing a Victor Oladipo jersey. Wale’s Hoosier basketball spirit was on huge display as he congratulated the team on an overall successful season.The D.C. rapper and backup musicians and vocalists riled up with an introductory DJ set that featured hit songs such as “We Found Love” by Rihanna, “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida and “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.Wale kept the crowd going by putting his best dance moves on display, even moon walking across the stage at one point while the crowd chanted “go Wale go Wale go.” Wale even ran offstage and down the aisle of the floor seats to get even more up close with concert-goers.Wale’s set ended with an Oladipo chant reminiscent of basketball season, followed by a surprise appearance by Oladipo himself, along with fellow Hoosier Christian Watford. The pair partied along with Wale as he closed his set.Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will continue to tour throughout the year to support their new album, with stops in Missouri, Colorado and Maryland on the way. Macklemore opened his set at 10 p.m. with “Ten Thousand Hours.” Dressed in a fur vest and skinny jeans, Macklemore greeted the audience by saying, “Hoosiers, welcome to the Heist.” Macklemore shed his jacket to reveal a No. 40 Cody Zeller jersey and stated his excitement about being at IU. “This is one show that I’ve been particularly excited for,” he said. After borrowing an audience member’s fur coat, Macklemore broke into his biggest hit, “Thrift Shop.” The crowd erupted in cheers as soon as it started and shouted the song’s lyrics along with the rapper. Before his gay-rights anthem, “Same Love,” Macklemore declared his support for the cause. “I don’t know what you believe,” he said. “But I believe in equality.”Freshman Caela Reis said she was looking forward to the big night, her first Little 500 concert as an IU student.“I’ve been listening to his album all year, and I’ve heard he puts on really good shows,” Reis said. “I always look forward to hearing songs I’ve listened to over and over when they’re performed live. I’m not often a huge rap fan, but his lyrics and the music are incredibly catchy, and he actually has some pretty meaningful songs.”
(04/15/13 2:56am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There’s a saying that art imitates life, and in “Sunday at the Park with George,” art imitated the life of famed artist Georges Seurat and influenced the lives of his family members for generations to come. IU Theatre’s production of “Sunday at the Park with George” kicked off Friday night at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. The musical will be the theater’s last production of the 2012-13 season.“Sunday at the Park with George” tells the story of Seurat as he works on his most notable painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Seurat interacts with many unconventional characters while working on his painting, most importantly rival artist Jules and on-again-off-again lover, Dot. The first act shows how Seurat’s encounters with these people influence his painting. Act II fast-forwards to present day and focuses on Seurat’s great-grandson, an up-and-coming artist who uses modern technology to pay homage to Seurat’s painting. Seurat’s great-grandson, also named George, struggles to find balance between work and a personal life, similar to the struggles Seurat faced. The musical featured many comedic songs that received a warm reception from the audience. In “The Day Off,” Seurat, played by senior Colin Schreier, imitates the dogs he’s sketching and acts out a hypothetical conversation the two could be having, which earned lots of laughter from the weekend audience. The musical balanced out the humor with more dramatic numbers. Seurat and Dot talked about their dissolved love in “We Do Not Belong Together,” and a vision of Dot visits George, telling him to not worry about his critics in “Move On.”Freshman cast member Cameron Mullin said he felt opening night went very well, due in part to all the cast members putting forth their best effort throughout rehearsals and in the live show.“I believe the cast was overjoyed because we have been working so hard to put this show together,” Mullin said. “We were all so excited coming in for our opening night because we were just ready to share our story to the audience.”Masters student and cast member Preston Orr said there were many moments in the show that received unexpected reactions from the audience, which made the performance feel even better. “My favorite moments were the little unexpected things that happened,” Orr said. “Unexpected laughs from the audience, moments of spontaneous applause, a connection with a fellow cast member that feels especially real. It validates the work we’ve done so far and motivates us to keep exploring in the future.”“Sunday at the Park with George” will run at 7:30 p.m April 16 through the 19 and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 20. Tickets can be purchased through the IU Theatre website, theatre.indiana.edu.Mullin said he hopes the energy put forth by the cast and reciprocated by the audience on opening night will continue throughout the rest of the show’s run. “I felt great about the opening night of our show,” he said. “My hopes for the show are that we continue to grow as an ensemble and tell a beautiful story to as many people as we can.”
(04/12/13 2:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Theatre’s final production of the 2012-13 season “Sunday at the Park with George” will begin its run this Friday at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Based on “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” the famous painting by Georges Seurat, the musical tells the story of Seurat as he creates his most notable painting and the obstacles he most overcome to complete his work.The musical is broken up into two acts. The first act focuses on Seurat himself and the personal and mental struggles that face him as he attempts to finish his painting. The second act jumps ahead to 1984, 100 years after Seurat’s painting is completed, and focuses on Seurat’s grandson, also named George. Seurat’s grandson is also an aspiring artist, and the second act focuses on the unveiling of his own artwork. George Pinney, director of the IU Theatre production, said the theater has wanted to put on this musical for years and finally decided to add it as part of the season this year.Pinney said he looked forward to the challenge it would present to the actors.“Musically, it is very difficult, and technically, it is extremely difficult,” Pinney said. “We will be weaving still and video projections throughout the production.”Actors have been rehearsing for the play for about seven weeks. Freshman cast member Elaine Cotter said she and her fellow actors are excited for the premiere.“The rehearsal process has been a blast so far,” Cotter said. “Overall, this show is very difficult both musically and contextually and I think that the cast, crew and directors have worked very hard and we are all ready for an audience.”Fellow cast member and freshman Nick Pappas plays Jules in Act I and Greenberg in Act II. Pappas said he loves the musical, which made preparing for his roles easier. “As it happens, this is one of my favorite musicals, so I was already super familiarized with the material and characters,” he said. “For Jules specifically, it was a lot of posture and voice work. As a typical teenager, I’m kind of a sloucher generally, but Jules has to be an affluent, upright, high-class society member, so keeping that in mind was important.”The show begins its run at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will run through April 20. Tickets cost $15 for students, $20 for seniors and $25 for the general public. Students can receive a $5 discount by presenting their student ID on the day of the performance.Pinney said he believes is cast is ready for an audience and the audience should be prepared to get inside the mind of an artist.“‘Art isn’t easy,’” he said, quoting a song from the show. “The audience will understand the working mind of an artist and will be inspired by the artful score.”
(04/07/13 6:34pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson returned to the IU Auditorium stage for the first time since 2004 for a one-night set Saturday, opened by Pegi Young and the Survivors.The show began at 7:30 p.m. with Young and her band. Their set included songs such as “Love Like Water” and “Number Nine Train,” featuring a harmonica solo from Nelson’s harmonica player, Mickey Rafael. Young also performed “Feel Just Like a Memory,” which her group recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. Nelson and his band, the Family, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. and were greeted by a standing ovation from the nearly full auditorium. “Hello, there,” Nelson said to the crowd. “It’s been a long, long time.”The set opened with “Whiskey River,” and as Nelson and his band began the song, a Texas flag dropped behind them, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.One of Nelson’s most popular songs from the crowd’s standpoint was “Beer for My Horses.” Nelson dropped out of the chorus of the song, “whiskey for my men, beer for my horses,” to allow the audience to shout it back at him. Nelson followed that song with an uninterrupted three-song set, featuring “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Crazy” and his collaboration with blues legend B.B. King, “Night Life.” Nelson’s seamless transitions between each song merited cheers from audience members.One of the more surprising moments of the night was Nelson’s cover of Ray Charles’ hit, “Georgia On My Mind.” The nearly acoustic song, with minimal percussion, featured dim lighting and set a peaceful ambiance throughout the auditorium. Nelson and his group kicked the energy back up with another cover, this time of country singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall’s “I’m a Show Shine Man.” During the song, Nelson took his red bandana from his head and threw it at an audience member in the first few rows. Nelson’s career has spanned more than six decades and has earned him respect from music lovers of all genres. Bloomington resident Rachel Kearney said she has been a fan of Nelson’s for years, even though her taste in music is not entirely in line with Nelson’s style. “I adore music, especially opera and classical music,” Kearney said. “But I love Willie Nelson. His music is from the heart. It tells about his rough life and disappointments. It speaks directly to the heart.”Opportunities to see Nelson in Bloomington are rare, as Nelson’s last performance here was nine years ago. Kearney said she jumped on the opportunity to see Nelson as soon as she found out he would be playing in the Bloomington area.“I’ve followed him for 35 years, and there aren’t many opportunities to see him live here,” she said. “I didn’t want to pass up seeing a legend.”
(04/03/13 3:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, comedian Doug Dreary rocked on his heels and stared out at the audience in front of him after he took the stage a little after 8:30 p.m. at Max’s Place. He led with a joke about his poor penmanship, telling a story about how he was pulled out of class as a kid to improve his handwriting.“I wish that time would have been spent on something with a more promising future,” Dreary said. “Like alchemy or VHS repair.”Laughter echoed throughout the room after Dreary paused to let the line sink in, and with that bit Comic’s Night was off and running. Max’s Place hosts Comic’s Night every Tuesday. The evening offers short sets of stand-up comedy featuring local up-and-coming comedians. Founded by comedian Mike Tucker, the night features several comedians performing five to 10 minute sets of original comedy. The evening is capped off by a headlining comedian, who performs a 20- or 30-minute set.Comedians Kenneth Armstrong and Bob Nugent took over the event a few months ago when Tucker’s career started taking off, and Armstrong said the turnout remains solid for the shows week after week. “When you’re a stand-up comic working in the same crowd all the time, the crowd tends to dwindle because people don’t want to see the same set over again,” he said. “We usually get a good crowd of around 20 to 50 people.”Comics featured in the weekly show are usually from Bloomington, but Armstrong said they are occasionally able to attract comics from larger cities.“People usually contact Bob on Facebook, and mostly all our acts are local or from Indianapolis or Cincinnati,” he said. “They’re usually guys we work with on the road. We all go around doing our own shows and end up becoming friends.”Comics featured in Tuesday’s showcase performed in a variety of styles. Comedian James McIntyre read most of his jokes off of the back of grocery store receipts, while Jon Hancuff passed a list of his jokes around and had audience members call them out at random. Armstrong said the differences in styles and genres between the comics help keep the show exciting and fresh, and that it’s fun to see everyone’s own special style.“It’s always different,” he said. “You don’t know what you’re going to see. All our guys are very personable, likable guys. It helps make the show very personal, and people love it.”With the upcoming Limestone Comedy Festival this summer, featuring up to 40 comedians, nearly 10 of who are local, Armstrong said the future of comedy in Bloomington looks bright.“The comedy scene in Bloomington is really growing right now,” he said. “The Bloomington stand-up scene is as good as the Indianapolis or Louisville scene right now. It’s great for people to come out and support us.”
(03/29/13 3:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local radio station WFHB‘s Women Rule kickoff party Thursday night honored April, Women’s History Month, as well as the station’s 20th anniversary.The event kicked off at 8 p.m. at The Back Door and featured an evening of girl-power entertainment, including music, stand-up comedy and hula hoop routines performed by women. Singer-songwriter Maria Sarah started the show with original songs including “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Indiana,” which are featured on her new EP. Hula hoop troupe the Hudsucker Posse performed routines featuring fluorescent and light-up hula hoops choreographed to hip hop instrumentals. Jenna Epkey, an Indianapolis-area singer and winner of the 2012 Blooming-Tunes songwriting competition, performed new songs while her husband, Tony, provided backup guitar. Other acts included all-girl rock group The Vallures and comedians Allie Vollmer and Melinda Kashner. Cathi Nortion, a WFHB volunteer who helped organize the event, said it was important to have a wide variety of local talent perform as WFHB prides itself on presenting a varied cross-section of local music. “Bloomington is so lucky to have the wonderful performers it does, and so many are generous with their art,” she said. “Everyone was quickly on-board with the show and eager to participate. It’s rewarding to see that.”Kashner said she was interested in performing at the event primarily because of the message the event was representing.“In comedy, there are a lot of ladies-night showcases,” Kashner said. “I’m not a huge fan of categorizing comedy by schtick in this way because it suggests an inherent similarity among all female comics which of course isn’t true, just as it’s not the case for male comics. However, this event is something I’m excited to be a part of because it is a celebration of women first and foremost.”Following the two-hour set of performers, a WFHB-sponsored dance party lasted from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Norton said the purpose of the evening was to honor the work of the station as well as the work of area women.“The goal of the evening is to celebrate what our volunteers, dreamers and community friends have done — taken a dream and built a station from it,” Norton said. “That is the focus of our concert really, to allude to how difficult it can sometimes be heard in our world today, both as women and citizens in general, and demonstrate the artful variety of ways we’ve done it.”