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(02/11/14 7:07pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In my opinion, there is nothing more Parisian then sitting in a café and disappearing for an hour.Visiting a Parisian café is probably one of the more touristy activities to partake in, along with buying street crêpes. However, there is something to be enjoyed by how relaxed café culture is here.In the United States, if I were to sit down in a restaurant and only order a coffee, I might get a weird look from the waiter. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt that if I sat down somewhere, I had to order food. We don’t just sit and nurse a drink in the States like they do here in Paris.Personally, I think it is because of the tip pressure on waiters.People don’t really tip in Paris. Gratuity is included in the price of a meal. That is why if I were to sit down rather than take my coffee straight at the bar, it will jump in price by a euro. That’s why I have never felt rushed to leave — I am not being pushed out the door to make way for an empty-stomached diner. However there are always exceptions to this rule — tourist traps.I was talking about this with my host mother the other day. We were discussing touristy things to do in Paris on one of my free weekends, and I mentioned Angelina, a place well known for their hot chocolate. She quickly talked me out of it.It’s because the waiters will rush you in and out, she said.At my look of confusion, she continued.Normally a café will not push you because they are not required to turn tables as often as most American restaurants do. However, at a place like Angelina, the employees are severely underpaid, she said. My guess is because they need so many people to keep up with the demand. They either don’t want to or can’t pay them properly.Much like in the U.S., where I have heard waiters can get paid as low as $3 an hour, these waiters would be rushed to increase volume and therefore their pay. American waiters make up the difference by getting tips. I just don’t know what the French do to make up the difference.Since I know we don’t usually tip outside of what’s built in the price, I can only assume that the more customers the waiters serve, the better their pay is.Unfortunately, I don’t think anything will change soon for the plight of the café worker.However, if anything, I have learned one thing. If you want to spend a stereotypically Parisian afternoon sipping coffee, while still being treated well, don’t go anywhere near the tourist traps.Follow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(02/05/14 5:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When I first arrived in France and saw how much bread this country consumed, I had to wonder how people who cannot eat gluten survive here.France is not known to be especially considerate to dietary restrictions, a statement my vegetarian friends here will agree with. For some reason, the word vegetarian to any restaurant will land you a plate of steamed vegetables. That is all.However, I recently found there is also a girl in my program who is allergic to gluten.Bread, the saving grace to a crappy vegetarian meal, was automatically not an option for her. Therefore, I decided I would look into just how gluten-unfriendly Paris is. Of course, there are options that are naturally gluten free. Macarons, a popular and trendy cookie, are made entirely out of egg, sugar and almond flour. However rich bakeries are becoming off these little cookies, I bet they would get boring fast if they were the only thing available.Instead, I wanted to find something that would satisfy that bread craving. Something fluffy and soft, that feels like its made out of wheat flour. Only, it actually isn’t.So I went in search for gluten-free stores in Paris and discovered two things. They are new, but more plentiful than you might think. People will just have to dig a bit more than if they were to go to their local boulangerie. Most importantly, they are not quintessentially French. At least not in my opinion.My group of friends and I were all entranced by the idea of the rare gluten-free food in Paris. After doing a little research, we came across a small Italian grocery store and a new American-style eatery.I taste tested a prepackaged sweet bread from the first store, and sat down for almond cake and a small cupcake at the second. While all were delicious, and made out of some form of rice or almond flour, I was left unsatisfied. When I think of French baked goods, I think of the stereotypical baguette. What I found was something I could have found much easier in the United States.Despite minor disappointments, I did reach my goal. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought all the food I tried was made out of wheat. Also, I keep reminding myself to pull my head out of the tourist mindset. I am American, so eating a cupcake is completely average to me. It might not be so average for a Parisian.Despite their distaste for us, the U.S. is kind of trending here. Maybe the French are getting bored of their baguettes and are heading in our culinary direction.Maybe for them, finding a gluten-free cupcake is a cool new way to eat pastry.— audperki@indiana.edu
(01/29/14 3:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When someone thinks of France, the most likely beverage that comes to mind is wine. I mean, let’s face it. If you went into old-fashioned clip art, I bet the word “France” would pick up cheesy images of wine bottles, wine glasses and a good old beret.Before hunkering down for classes next week, my international school took us to the Loire Valley for a bonding trip. Known for it’s scenic views of castles and countryside, the Loire is a mecca for all things beautiful. My school’s staff delved deeper into the Loire’s history.I was overjoyed when I heard the words “dégustation de vin.” Everyone in the tour bus paused for a minute as we all internally translated it into “wine tasting” and burst into giddy chatter.Imagine that. My first wine tasting was not only in France, but it was also in a castle. After being guided through the castle and its grounds, we settled into Chateau de Nitray’s wine room. Most of us in the room had not varied our wine tastes too far from Franzia, so we were curious to see how to properly taste wine.You always see on the glass bottle things like “notes of grapefruit” or a “subtle smokiness,” but I always wondered if that was actually true. The proprietor at Nitray simplified the process. He said to look for four qualities. “First, use your eyes,” he said. “What color is it.” If it’s red, it is mostly because they left the peel on the grape before fermentation. White grapes were skinned before processing.Then he went down the list. Smell the wine. Swirl the glass, he said. Give the wine air to mature. In other words, balance out the flavors by bringing out those more buried in the drink.I noted that this worked. Especially for the fourth wine he opened. After swirling my glass, it lost some of its sweetness and became a bit earthy. Almost reaching a subtle smokiness.Next, taste the wine and determine if there is saltiness or acidity.And last, ask yourself if there is an aftertaste. This was especially the case for the fourth wine. As weird as it sounds, the smoke really solidified in this step.Smoke in wine — what a weird idea. Maybe the wood in the wine barrels was smoked.Part of me wonders if the finer aspects of wine tasting are all internal. Regardless of what I taste, I cannot forget there is only one main ingredient in wine — grapes. However, it does make me eager to see what makes this one ingredient so complex it invokes these different tastes. I have yet to find out, but I hope to learn soon.Follow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(01/26/14 9:08pm)
Juniors Kristie Qiu, Magnai Davaadagva, Mackenzie Keller and Sasha Souki and sophomore Kenneth Guerra compiled their top 10 pieces of advice when planning an upcoming move.
(01/23/14 4:54am)
Columnist Audrey Perkins gets her first taste of the Paris's culinary culture.
(01/15/14 9:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Now that I am a week away from studying abroad, it is starting to dawn on me that I will be living in Paris for the next four months. To be blunt, I am a serious glutton when it comes to food. So it was no surprise that I picked a gourmet city like Paris. I studied there last summer, and in those brief two weeks the advice, “Audrey, you should stop eating,” became too commonplace for ordinary conversation. As I anticipate my travel, I can only look back on my time there last May and wonder what my upcoming semester will be like. Since I will be living with a host family, I cannot wait to try real French cooking.However, what really occupies my attention is wondering what kind of international food scene the city will have. Since it is an urban area home to many nationalities, I have to wonder what I’ll find. I, for example, will be living near Chinatown, and I’m excited to have access to authentic Chinese food while still being able to find a bread bakery across the street.I remember something my host mother once said in an email. She was commenting on Vietnamese food, as I am half Vietnamese, referencing a dish that seemed deceivingly familiar. “Les Bo-buns,” she said. At first I thought it was some form of meat-filled bread as “bò” is beef in Vietnamese. However when I asked my mother, she said the dish did not exist. With brief research, I found that the French name and Vietnamese name for the food differed.Be that as it may, I am curious to see what other foods will become available to me in Paris, and how they will assimilate into French culture. More specifically, I want to see how food in general is treated as a part of French culture. Not only is it something that keeps us from going hungry, but food also brings families together at meal times. Just how will food be treated in Paris compared to food in America?I cannot wait to find out.Follow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP
(12/16/13 12:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Well, it’s been grand, everyone. The end of the semester has arrived.I thought it was ironic that my last fashion column will run during the one week known for horrible fashion.Finals week is the time in which no one cares how they look because they are most likely sleep deprived, stressed and anxious. If there was ever a time where it was socially acceptable to leave your room in pajamas, with no makeup and without your hair brushed, it is now. So this time, instead of celebrating uncomfortable high fashion and cosmetics, let’s celebrate the sweats that we will inevitably leave the house in this week.While sweats have always had a negative connotation in terms of fashion, I feel like they are having a renaissance. I first noticed this is the Prabal Gurung collection for Target. Then I noticed it in the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection. However, they were not your ordinary sweats. They were cut in a way that they gave the legs a clean line. Personally, I think anyone can rock a pair of sweats so long as they match them well. Knit fabric not only drapes well, but it is good at evening out unflattering lines. However, there are a few cardinal rules. For example, don’t wear sweat suits. Just don’t. However, if the pants are paired with a snug sweater that is form fitting and layered up, the outfit can look both chic and comfortable. This is especially the case now, in the day of the legging. Comfort is in. While designers sketch up pants that drape well and hug almost any body shape, sweatshirts almost always look slouchy, even if they are worn tight.So, with this being said, get comfy and study up. We all have a long week ahead of us, and fortunately, designers allowed us one pardon.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter@AudreyNLP.
(12/11/13 2:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Goodbye, emerald. Welcome “Radiant Orchid.”Pantone, a company known for its color identification system, is known for releasing its annual color of the year. According to a Pantone press release, the color is chosen based on trends found in entertainment, art, travel, etc. Pantone chose this year’s color not only because it is on the opposite side of the color spectrum as last year’s color, “Emerald,” but it also encouraged “expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”“Radiant Orchid,” a fuchsia color, will be seen throughout the year in most design industries, particularly in fashion.The color was featured on Pantone’s Spring 2014 Fashion Color Report. I love this new color, especially because of how versatile it is.Pantone said it will be incorporated into lines like Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy Couture and Yoana Baraschi.However, I think it will be useful outside of just the apparel industry. Sephora, a French makeup company, and Pantone have a partnership. Last year’s green color was not the most flexible of colors in the cosmetic industry, though. Could you imagine a green lipstick?Maybe the green color could be possible on the runway. However, if someone walked around with bright green lipstick on campus, they would likely be judged. Therefore, “Emerald” stayed within the ranks of nail polish and eye shadow. With this year’s cool-toned pink, I anticipate the options.Personally, I think it will be strong on all levels within the cosmetic, apparel and design industries.However, I feel as if this color already existed before Pantone announced its existence. Colors have been minutely changed and altered for ages to create new comestic products of essentially the same color.At lipstick counters, when you find a lipstick, you’re sure to find at least five other tubes with similar colors.Now, colors like green and fuchsia are getting a Pantone makeover.Is there any chance companies are taking existing products, wrapping them in special Pantone packaging and then spiking up the price? It’s like holiday gift sets — companies take already existing products, cheapen them at times, wrap them in pretty packaging and jack up the price. MAC is notorious for doing this.I am eager to take a look at the new Pantone products that come out. I already looked and only found it in cosmetics online, mostly in products that have long existed. I think it is too soon to see it otherwise — the color was only announced a few days ago.Either way, let’s see how “Radiant Orchid” is transformed from an idea into a tangible reality. I want to see what comes of this color.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(12/02/13 4:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Friday after Thanksgiving is known as a major shopping holiday.But according to a study from ShopAdvisor, Black Friday is not the best deal day. In fact, the study found Black Friday was one of the worst sale days of the year in 2011.To illustrate this idea, the study said if Santa purchased 252 toys for his toy-bag on Black Friday, he would have saved $515. However, there were eight other days during which he would have saved more than $1,000. Over the years, I have wondered one thing — wouldn’t Black Friday have a negative effect on profit?It’s not like stores are pumping out older, outdated products. It doesn’t make sense for a store to randomly drop their prices. So, I am left wondering where the discounts are coming from.Starting in late September, the study said prices start to climb. This makes sense. As the holiday season starts, stores can discount products without actually incurring a loss.Not to be discouraging, the study found times in the year when there were good sales. Black Friday was not one of them. The best days for deals hovered around it.Unfortunately, we’ve missed a couple of them — Dec. 1 and the Monday before Thanksgiving.There are still a few to come. Waiting until 14 days before Christmas led to cost saving, according to the study. The last days to wait for are the last two days of the year. This is when retailers try to sweep their shelves for the incoming year.I know it is hard to resist seeing a scratched up price tag. However, Black Friday seems too good to be true. — audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(11/18/13 3:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Finally, it happened.H&M opened last Thursday.I hate to sound like a shopping-obsessed girl who loves clothes, but what can I say — I am one. I wasn’t the only one there. It seemed as if all of Bloomington was there, flooding the fast fashion retailer during opening week.Townies and college women alike paid homage to the opening by grabbing handfuls of clothes and emptying their wallets.For me, this opening meant two things: better clothing found our city, and I have a feeling the dynamics of College Mall are going to change.Based on the long lines heading in to the changing rooms and toward the cash register, I can safely say other stores like Francesca’s and Charlotte Russe have met their match. To quote my roommate, “Wet Seal was dead.”If anyone was in a last-minute need for something for formal or a date before the store opening, they could’ve rushed over to College Mall. However, they would have been limited to a select few stores. But now that H&M is open with better trends, quality and prices, I bet College Mall will have more traffic.Unfortunately, there was one thing lacking.When I discovered H&M was opening Nov. 14, I realized there was a coincidence.French designer Isabel Marant released her H&M collection the same day. I thought, “There is no way that is just a coincidence. The timing was just too perfect.However my next thought was, “The average cost of the collection is $100, so there is no way they will have it here.”I discovered with a sad huff that my second thought was correct. This is Bloomington, where the average customer is a budgeted college student who will not hand over a $100 for a pair of leather pants, no matter how wonderfully designed they are.So in the end, here are my thoughts:Yes, we finally have a mainstreamed store I can afford. However, our market isn’t big enough to support more high profile capsule collections.All in all though, I am eager to see how College Mall will change with the new addition.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(11/11/13 1:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Heavy graphics are taking over retailers, especially fast fashion stores like Forever 21 and Zara. Whether it is the comic book pattern of the Target Phillip Lim collection or the solid black and white patterns in H&M’s holiday look book, bold patterns are in. Currently, windowpane print is the newest pattern popping up in the world of high fashion.Typically, it is identified as a type of minimalist plaid. Seen both in street style as well as on the runway, this trend can be a bit hard to conquer due to how easily it can become overwhelming. However, there is a beauty to windowpane print. It typically is black and white. Other variants will feature a dark navy. However, the effect should still be the same. Since there are only two colors featured, it should be easy to match.I am not sure if it is the sheer boldness of the pattern, but for me, this pattern is intimidating to wear in public. However, the look will be worth the risk. Regardless of what colors are used in your print, here is how to style windowpane so that it isn’t a mess of grid lines.Take a look at the colors used. Mine were black and white. Now, find the color that is the darkest. Use that color with the accompanying garments and accessories. By using a dark color in the majority, the bold factor of the outfit will be subdued and balanced out. Also, if you stick to only two colors, it can be assured that you will not mess up.Take that outfit for a spin. If you are craving color, then after a few trial runs, try to add it in. Personally, I think a red would work perfectly in this. Almost like how a cat eye pairs with a bright red lip.Slip into a red jacket or cardigan or a red blouse. If you are still uncomfortable, try a thin, red belt.Either way, this pattern deserves a slot in everyone’s closet. The 1960s era mod style will give you a clean-cut outfit.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(11/04/13 2:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I know it is a bit early to be talking about holiday makeup, but I figure if stores can sell Christmas decorations now, I can talk about it.Though department stores carry holiday gift sets from major, higher-end companies like MAC, Dior and Bobbi Brown, there are also options at a more affordable price range that are comparable in terms of quality.Eyes Lips Face released its holiday collection at Target, and I must admit it is pretty good in regard to the colors offered and how well the colors appear on the skin.Most products run between $5 and $10, so it’s a good way to try new colors without dropping a fortune on a high-end product.I bought a 32-piece eye shadow pallet for $6.In terms of the packaging, the brand upped its game. The colors are used as mosaic tiles to create a geometric pattern.Personally, I think it is effective to use the product itself as a form of beauty. It makes the product look more expensive than it actually is. The colors are arranged in six color schemes with four types of finishes: matte, luster, glitter and a more textured, flaky glitter. The color payoff varies from color to color.The luster and matte shadows have the best color, and they are rich and almost buttery to the touch.The glitters come in second. They have decent pigmentation, but they are a bit sheer on the skin.The more flaky glitters have almost no color payoff. However, I think they should be used more as a topcoat. A glitter topcoat would be the best way to describe the texture. There is almost no color to the flake glitter shadow, but there is high sparkle.All in all, I would recommend this product. For something that costs less than two drinks at Starbucks, I think this product is worth the money. Follow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(10/28/13 1:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Halloween season launched this past week around campus. However, the main event has yet to come. For those still looking for something to wear and do not want to spend much or any money, here are a few tips. I recently spoke with Mackenzie Keller and Sasha Souki, juniors and fashion design students at IU, and together we came up with a few ideas.Listed below are ideas that can come out of the average woman’s closet. A few ideas require extra costuming purchases; however, none of them are substantial.The first idea was a gypsy.Keller said to pull together a form-fitting, long sleeve shirt with a maxi skirt. Then, pile on some layered scarves and gold jewelry. The bigger, the better.The benefits to this costume? It’s warmer than most. The skirt could disguise layers of leggings. Though the costume will be more conservative than most, it will still be figure flattering since none of the costume will be baggy or bulky.Souki suggested a pirate costume. Take a white button down blouse — this can be made of any material. Then mix it with black leggings and taller boots. For the finishing touches, you can create a vest out of an old T-shirt and tie a scarf into your hair.For the vest, Souki added that you could take the T-shirt and give it a scissor makeover. First, cut along the collar to remove the ribbing. To make the collar drop lower, cut in a “V” shape to allow it to drape down. Then, cut the sleeves along the seams to remove them.Finally, take the front of the shirt and cut vertically down the middle. This will open the shirt into the vest shape.As for me, I suggest you go to Charlotte Russe, Target or Party City. Get some prop accessories. If you want to make sure your costume is more on the obvious side, these accessories are typically cheap and will add a final touch. For example, if you wanted to be a cat, you would only need to get a pair of cat ears. From there, you could pair the accessories with the proper color. I assume most girls have a little black dress. Pair the ears with whatever you choose. Then, take some eyeliner and draw some whiskers. See? Not too complicated.Now, open your closets and get to creating.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(10/21/13 3:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the arrival of fall, I started thinking about investing in a good red lipstick. There is something about cool weather that makes a bold lip look less out of place.As I was looking into new color trends, I remembered something my roommate told me. I am not sure how many people know what carmine is, but it is a natural color derived from a beetle that’s notably used in red food dye. This was the dye my roommate told me was in well-known lipstick brands like MAC and Yves Saint Laurent.I remember her looking at her $35 lipstick as two looks passed through her features. First — disgust. The idea of rubbing a cream filled with bug juice on your mouth is a bit disturbing. The second look on her face was one of acceptance. She gave in and put the tube back into her makeup drawer. Carmine is used because it has one of the highest levels of pigment that can be achieved naturally. People are paying for quality, and if bugs lend the highest quality, so be it.Despite the fact that I acknowledge this, I have to wonder about a few things.I’m curious if there is any other way to accomplish this color without having to resort to using bug-derived ingredients.Call me a wimp, but that idea still grosses me out, no matter how much I try to justify it in my head.Now, all that is left is for me to keep a closer eye on my makeup ingredients. Or I can turn a blind eye and pretend I never heard my roommate tell me that fact.Somehow, despite that little piece of information, I have a feeling there is much worse hiding in my fridge than in my makeup drawer.— audperki@indiana.eduFollow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(10/15/13 4:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Rather than creating a stuffy atmosphere, Emmy Award-winning composer Larry Groupé played video and music clips last night during his lecture in Sweeney Hall.Jacobs professor Jeff Hass introduced Groupé.“There’s a lot to cover,” Hass said. “Our guest will get to the pertinent points of his life in this lecture.”Groupé took the stage after the brief introduction, but his presentation focused more on his music than his life.An accomplished composer, he writes for movies, TV and in the more traditional concert format. Some of his Emmy Award-winning pieces include music from television documentaries “Residue” and “Jonas Salk: Personally Speaking.”For movies and TV, Groupé said the storyline is the song’s skeleton. Based on the plot twists and dialogue, he will adjust the atmosphere the music provides. For concert music, he is free to go wherever his will takes him. Keeping in mind that his audience was full of aspiring music composers, he advised students to open their networks. “Go to film festivals,” Groupé said.Continuing, he said to find the producers that usually loiter around and build relationships. Before his lecture, the IDS got the chance to ask Groupé more about his advice to students, while also hearing about his background and creative process.IDS What goes into composing music? That is to say, what is your creative process?Larry Groupé It depends on the project. If it is a movie or TV series, the storyline is the inspiration.If it is a concert piece, I am coming up with whatever ideas interest me because I am not bound by a script.IDS So in terms of the actual writing process, what goes through your mind when you are creating music?Groupé Whenever I am writing anything, it starts with some small idea. All composing starts with a germ of an idea. IDS You already mentioned the differences between composing for movies, television and traditional concert music. Do you have a preference?Groupé As long as I am writing something new, I like what I am doing.The satisfaction comes from there, and if I can make a living from it, then that’s better.In terms of movies and TV, there’s a deadline. It helps keep everything moving along.IDS Does the script make it harder to compose, since there are plot requirements?Groupé They’re like puzzles musically. I just have to find the best way to solve the puzzle.IDS What would you advise to students trying to get into your industry?Groupé My biggest recommendation would be to meet fellow film students and collaborate with them. You know, try to make a musical score with them. You need to build up relationships with other filmmakers.IDS You have won two Emmy’s. What did that feel like?Groupé It’s always great to win awards. It’s fleeting, though. Awards are always great, but they don’t always represent the heavy lifting you have done in your career path.IDS That sounds a lot like your advice to students as well.Groupé When you are independent you are always taking projects big and small. If you want to gain experience in the beginning, you need to take on all that you can.You need the practice — just to start to refine writing music to picture. I really like what I do. It’s very invigorating.Follow reporter Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(10/14/13 12:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Since its creation decades ago, pleather — fake leather — was known as a cheaper alternative for a more expensive product.However, a negative connotation was also associated with the material since, despite its appearance, it was still a fake product.Textile companies create pleather by bonding polyurethane, a plastic-like substance commonly used for foam insulation, to fabric. Despite the bad reputation, it is used at all price ranges. Recently, I have seen a resurgence in the poly-product, but I noted the former cheap material transformed into a hot trend.Vegan leather is the new name for pleather. I assume the name was created to give the infamous fabric a better connotation. Unfortunately, while I think the name is clever, I’m not buying it.I recently saw a vegan leather jacket in stores, and I noticed the material was the same as that of any other fake leather jacket: polyurethane. Initially when I saw the label I thought the fabric was made out of a more environmentally-friendly material. For me, that is just what the word “vegan” does. Sadly, aside from the name change, vegan leather is not a new product. If you pick up a vegan leather product, compare it to an identical product — likely at half the price, it will be exactly the same. It is not surprising. There are only a few ways to make a fabric look like leather, and all of them use the foam material. So in reality, vegan leather is simply a marketing gimmick. Do not be fooled by the label. The only reason to spend a larger sum of money on fake leather is if it is a higher quality product.Yes, in my opinion there are grades of fake leather. You can either spend a small amount of money and buy something that feels like grainy Tubberware, or you can spend a large amount of money and buy fake leather that is almost equal to its genuine counterpart. Either way, don’t be pulled in by a nice tag bragging about so-called vegan leather. It was made out of a liquefied agent that was solidified and molded. If you want to buy a fake leather jacket because you want a more affordable price, go for it. If you want to buy a fake leather purse because you are against the use of animal leather, go for it. But if you want to buy a pair of leather shoes solely because they are vegan, put them down and walk away. You will waste your money.— audperki@indiana.edu
(10/11/13 6:11pm)
Housing brings unnecessary worrying no matter the time of year. Despite it being the beginning of the semester, the time to think about next year’s housing is slowly approaching.
(10/11/13 4:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Light fog filled the auditorium last night, adding a vintage look to the classic red space. Indistinct accordion music and a man’s crooning voice completed the atmosphere with a southern flair. IU Auditorium opened to a full house Thursday night for the debut of “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County.” Created by trio John Mellencamp, Stephen King and T Bone Burnett, the show offered the audience a blend of blues, blood and boisterous laughter.Before the show, the auditorium’s crimson curtains welcomed the awaiting audience to an empty stage populated solely by a silver-blue spotlight. “Ghost Brothers” is King’s debut in playwriting. Audience members Melanie Malone and Sherry Haynes bought their tickets well in advance for the show. They said they were eager to see King’s work. “We can’t hardly wait,” Malone said.Gesturing to the King book in her handbag, she said, “Got it in my purse just in case I meet him.”King’s success could be heard in the audience’s laughs. While the show is listed as a thriller, the show could be considered more of a supernatural comedy. The story revolves around a triple death that occurred 40 years prior to the start of the performance. Father and brother of two of the deceased, Joe McCandless is scared of seeing history repeat itself in the form of his own two sons. Aside from that malignant topic, the plot featured heaps of perverted and childish humor. A Bloomington local, Mellencamp created the music and lyrics for the production. His work reverberated throughout the auditorium. Not to be confused with a musical, Mellencamp prefers to call “Ghost Brothers” a “play with music,” according to the show’s website. Thirteen years in the making, the show unfolded in great detail, all according to the inspiration of a true story that happened in Indiana. Malone heard about the show’s muse in an edition of the Bloomington Herald-Times. Apparently, the deaths occurred in a “cabin out on Lake Monroe,” she said.The true story eventually became the inspiration behind last night’s piece. Mellencamp is quoted on his website regarding the inspiration.“Two brothers were there late one night with a girl,” Mellencamp said. “They got into an argument; they’d been drinking. One of the brothers hit the other brother with a poker. You know, he didn’t mean to kill him, but he did. And as the girl and the younger brother were driving into town, they lost control of the car on the gravel road, went into the lake — they drowned.”This plot line translated into a play with a rather intimate setting. Rather than focus on an excessive production to match the high profile creators, the play transformed into a low profile show with all cast members on stage, taking turns walking up to the spotlight.This production style suited King’s lyrical style, as well as that of Mellencamp and Burnett. By taking the focus away from the actors’ movement, more focus was put on what was heard. In fact, no one left stage after stepping on in the first scene.Maria Talbert, IU Auditorium’s associate director, is proud of the work that went into last night’s production.“It has been simply amazing to witness everyone,” she said in an email. “From our own local stagehands to the show’s cast, crew, and creative staff — work together to build and rehearse this show.”Cast and crew arrived last Friday to begin the vast set up required to give life to the production. Along with the three names listed above, there was also an all-star cast. Among the 15-member cast is film and TV actor Bruce Greenwood and Tony Award nominee Emily Akinner. They played the older generation of actors on stage.Returning back to the avid fans in the lobby, Haynes said she was seen as a makeshift reviewer by her friends. She said they hope to watch “Ghost Brothers” on its return to IU Auditorium later this month. Tickets are still available for the Oct. 23 show.“They want my feedback,” she said with a laugh.Talbert said she is proud of what she has heard on stage in the last few days. After the success of Thursday’s performance, she said she is excited to welcome an entirely new audience to the second show.“The show has drawn a very wide audience,” Talbert said. “People have been very intrigued by the collaboration of these three incomparable artists.”
(10/10/13 3:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” an original musical created by John Mellencamp, Stephen King and T Bone Burnett, will premiere at 8 p.m. today at IU Auditorium.The show follows the release of an album produced by Burnett that came out earlier this year.The story revolves around Joe McCandless, the only man in a Mississippi town who knows the truth behind a triple murder. After remaining a secret for 40 years, the murders eventually became local legend. However, because of McCandless’s secrecy, his family is in danger.The cast includes 15 actors and a four-piece live band.Maria Talbert, associate director of IU Auditorium, describes the show as a “macabre, southern-gothic supernatural musical.”The musical is not a show for the faint of heart — audience members will be sitting at the edge of their seats, according to the IU Auditorium website. Accompanying the murky plot is a music list labeled as “blues ‘n’ roots.”Directors have worked on the musical for 13 years.Following today’s premiere, it will tour 20 cities throughout the Midwest and Southeast.The musical will return to the auditorium for another performance Oct. 23.Tickets range from $20 to $41 for students with a valid ID.Tickets may be purchased at IUauditorium.com and Ticketmaster.com, as well as at the IU Auditorium Box Office.Talbert said she is excited to open today. Since the cast and crew’s arrival, she said the auditorium has been in a constant “flurry of activity.”“We are looking forward to sharing this unique experience with our patrons,” she said.— Audrey Perkins
(10/10/13 3:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Music played softly in the background at the WIUX station house.It came from the station’s first album.The station resembled a dorm room, with random furniture sprinkled through the rooms and students lounging around. The smell of fried chicken, left over from WIUX’s latest fundraiser, pervaded one of the rooms. Joe Heath, the station manager, sat in the office with eight years of radio experience under his belt. An IU senior, he is proud to say the radio’s latest project, “WIUX Presents: Live from the Black Box,” is entirely student created.“It was a team effort between everyone that was involved,” Heath said. Initially inspired by the work he has seen in other university radio stations, Heath said he wanted to create a massive multimedia package. The new album, which was released today, is part of that package.“The idea was we wanted to present some sort of multimedia performance,” Heath said. “And then be able to put it on the web or put it up and show people what happened.” The package features a live performance, an album utilizing the concert’s recordings of rough rock and soft indie music and a video. Two bands featured are Charlie Patton’s War and The Broderick, both local bands. “Everything that you hear was done in one take,” he said. “I really think it captures the magic that radio wants to capture, which is live performance.”Heath said he could not have done it himself. To help, he brought in WIUX General Manager Bari Finkel along with the entirety of the WIUX crew. Also an IU senior, Finkel said her initial thoughts for the project were enthusiastic.“I totally want to be involved with that,” she said.Finkel said the key to the album’s success is the ability that went into the work. Agreeing with her, Heath said three types of people went into the project — theater students, music majors and radio enthusiasts. “It was really fun,” Finkel said. “These students are unbelievably talented.”Looking back on the concert, she said that despite the long process of getting the concert planned, it all happened in a concentrated, short amount of time, almost like a delayed chain reaction. Heath said the album was a way for him to give back to the people who support the station.Whether it is the two bands that both frequently appear on WIUX airwaves or the sheer amount of work the students put forth, Heath said he wants others to hear how hard everyone worked. “The fun story about it is that it’s 40-plus college kids all coming together not ever doing this,” he said. “It was really rewarding seeing how hard people worked ... and the coolest thing WIUX has done in the last few years — even in the last decade.”