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(09/22/11 2:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local bands with dreams of being heard on the radio may see those dreams realized sooner than expected. WFHB Community Radio will make a greater effort to collect local music and give airplay to local artists by sponsoring the Local Music Collection Drive. The collection will transform supporting local businesses into drop-off zones for musicians to submit their music for review and airtime consideration.“Outside of live performance, local radio is such a great way to get new releases heard and create good buzz in the community about new music,” WFHB Assistant Music Director Nicole O’Neal said. O’Neal, who came up with the idea for the project, said she hopes it will encourage more musicians to consider community and local radio as an option to promote and share their art. This is not the first time WFHB has played local music on its airwaves. The station runs the Local Music Show on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 p.m. in addition to normal play times. “I always wondered why so many musicians did not recognize the opportunity of local radio for airplay, especially in such a community-oriented town,” O’Neal said. The Pharos, a local band, realized the opportunity when the members were able to hear their music played on WFHB’s airwaves last summer. “We were very excited when we heard our music on the radio,” Pharos drummer Nick Huster said. “It was an awesome experience and helped us reach out to a larger audience.”Jim Mansion, WFHB’s music director, said it’s hard to convince local artists to submit their music to the station. He said he hopes the drive will change this.“What it’s about is the ongoing difficulty to get Bloomington bands to send in their music,” Mansion said. “We don’t want the local music scene to lose touch with us.”Music must be submitted in physical form using compact disc, cassette or vinyl record. To be considered for airtime, musicians must make sure their music is not considered offensive or inappropriate for the radio.Drop-off zones are located at the Bishop, Landlocked Music, Max’s Place, Melody Music Shop, Rewind Records & Recording Studio, Rhino’s Youth Center, TD’s Cds and LPs and the Vance Music Center. “We definitely want to hear from everybody,” Mansion said. “WFHB is open to everything.”
(09/14/11 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>One of the oldest fixtures in the Bloomington arts community has taken a broad step into the future. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater celebrated the opening of its newly renovated box office Tuesday. The theater’s renovations have been taking place since July 18. “The previous space didn’t function very well and certainly didn’t highlight the quality and historic nature of the theater,” Executive Director of BCT Management, Inc., Danielle McClelland said. Many Bloomington faithful gathered in the main lobby of the Buskirk to celebrate what many said was a great step forward for the city’s entertainment sector. Mayor Mark Kruzan was also in attendance for the event. He was given the honor of tearing the first ticket of the new box office’s roll, but not before saying a few words about the theater.“I always talk about community commerce and character,” Kruzan said. “This is it.”Kruzan went on to speak about building community character and what a crucial part the Buskirk plays in that. He then revealed a special Twitter message for the theater, which can be seen on the mayor’s account.The box office serves more than 50 organizations with more than 350 events each year. The new renovations will allow the Buskirk to serve them more efficiently than before. “Someone coming into town as a visitor to our old space would get a lesser sense of our community,” McClelland said. “Now, they will get the sense of a highly organized and dynamic community focused on arts and culture.”Buskirk Marketing Director Maarten Bout said the new renovations will make things easier and more efficient for everyone. “It improves traffic flow for people that come into the theater,” Bout said. “We have a lot more room to dynamically advertise for our clients.”Renovations for the space included a concession area, increased space to decrease traffic flow and large television monitors to aid in advertising future events. Architect Christine Matheu, who designed the remainder of the theater, was in charge of the renovations. “It is hard to tell how successful something will be before it has started, but we anticipate that the impact of this will be huge,” Bout said.
(09/14/11 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Cardinal Stage Company continues its goal of bringing critically praised theater acts to Bloomington. The city’s only professional regional theater started its sixth season this year with a production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.”“This is a very powerful story and one of Arthur Miller’s breakout successes,” Marketing Director Eleanor Berman said. Cardinal Stage’s production marks the start of IU’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Themester 2011, “Making War, Making Peace.”“This is our third year collaborating with the College of Arts and Sciences,” Artistic Director Randy White said. “We always try to open with a big-hit drama, and it has gone well for us.”The company has always made it a goal to bring business to downtown Bloomington. Its plays feature Indiana-based actors.The Cardinal Stage Company also takes part in outreach programs, such as its Community Ticket Initiative, which bought 1,000 free tickets to Cardinal shows last season for struggling families, according to the company’s website.“We decided that the American Dream would be our theme, and we ultimately decided that ‘All My Sons’ fit that theme,” White said. “We can now use it as a means to expand our theme throughout the community.”“All My Sons” will be shown at the Waldron Arts Center until Sept. 18. “With any show the Cardinal Stage Company puts on, you can trust that we are showing top-notch quality programs,” Berman said. “This is a must-see play."
(09/08/11 3:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Friends of Art is throwing its first ever-block party at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in front of Pygmalion’s Art Supplies. The organization continues to support the Grunwald Gallery of Art and IU Fine Arts students through a variety of programs and financial assistance. “As funding for arts education dwindles, students are being less exposed to the arts in general,” said Marci Hughes, the Friends of Art Bookshop assistant director. A part of IU since 1968, the group provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to arts students each year.Located within the Fine Arts building, The Friends of Art Bookshop uses its profits to fund annual scholarships.Students affiliated with the art school appreciate the in-building presence of the bookshop.“The store hires many enthusiastic students who are always willing to help customers out,” said fine arts student and junior Kelsee Boland. “It is extremely convenient for students who spend long hours at the Fine Arts Building.”This year, the non-profit organization is looking to increase membership, which consists of students, IU faculty and Bloomington residents.“Our membership is very big but made up of a lot of different populations,” said Colleen McKenna, the Friends of Art Bookshop managing director. “This is a way to take them all and make them a part of the same community.”The block party will feature music by local band Sleeping Bag, live art by IU Faculty and other exhibits. “We are hoping this goes so well that it will be repeated for years to come,” Hughes said. “We just want to raise an awareness for the arts.”Those wishing to become a part of the Friends of Art should submit a membership form on the group’s website. “By providing educational opportunities for students here, I feel we are encouraging arts to continue in our world,” Hughes said.
(09/07/11 3:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Frames on the walls of the Grunwald Gallery of Art depict the last remnants of a lost culture.Formerly the School of Fine Arts Gallery, the newly named space celebrated its late namesake, John Grunwald, with the opening of a new exhibit, “Last Folio: A Photographic Journey with Yuri Dojc.”“Last Folio,” which opened Friday, uses photographs and other visuals to depict the lost culture of Slovak Jews whose lives were destroyed by the Holocaust. “We all strive to leave something behind, a mark after we have left,” Dojc said in reference to his inspiration for attaining his photographs. “But there is almost nothing left of the people whose lives were cut short during the Holocaust.”Dojc and his partner, Katiya Krausova, journeyed through Slovakia to depict the lives of the Holocaust survivors.“I wasn’t sure how easy or difficult this was going to be,” Krausova said. “But it became clear that if we didn’t tell these people’s stories, they would never be told.”The duo said their greatest discovery was a school in Slovakia that had remained untouched since its students and teachers were taken to concentration camps in 1942. “It was a miracle,” Dojc said. “Everything was exactly like it was before.”Dojc photographed many of his findings within the school, including class papers and a large amount of literature.“I felt I had to be very careful with those books,” Dojc said. “They were really the last monuments to the people that owned them.”“Last Folio” is not simply a line of photographs. It is designed to make the viewer travel through a narrow canal that leads to a large circular gallery area. The canal allows viewers to first see the faces of the survivors and then see the remnants they left behind. “Yuri has translated his skills of looking at people into immortalizing these photos in an iconic way,” Krausova said. “Last Folio” can be seen at the Grunwald Gallery until Oct. 1. The event is made possible by a gift from Rita Grunwald, widow of John Grunwald. John Grunwald was a Holocaust survivor from Hungary. He came to the United States in 1950 and earned a degree in economics at IU. He passed away in 2009. Jane Otten, longtime friend of Rita Grunwald, attended the opening as a sign of both interest and support. “I know this show is very important to her,” Otten said. “She found it in New York and wanted very much to bring it here. And she did.”The exhibit was not the only focus of the evening. Those involved were sure to pay homage to the man for whom the art gallery is now named.“We are here because Rita fell in love with these pictures and felt they were the proper tribute to John,” Krausova said. “She has given us all this great gift.”
(09/01/11 5:47pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Starting Sept. 2, the Grunwald Gallery of Art will feature a historical photo gallery of lost photos from the World War II era. “Last Folio: A Photographic Journey with Yuri Dojc” will showcase photographs taken during a journey through communities destroyed by the Holocaust.“The Last Folio” is a poignant exhibition that retraces the history of Slovak Jews who lived during the Holocaust in Slovakia,” said Grunwald Director Betsy Stirratt. “Dojc and his partner, Katya Krausova, embarked on a journey to collect portraits and memories from more than 150 survivors.”In 2006, Dojc found an abandoned school in Bardejov, Slovakia. Its doors had not been opened since 1942. Dojc captured his findings in photographs which include schoolbooks, school reports and a book once owned by his grandfather.Katya Krausova’s “The Last Folio: The Tales of Yuri’s Pictures,” a short documentary on Dojc’s findings, will be shown at 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the IU Cinema. Afterward, a panel discussion with Krausova, Dojc and IU faculty will take place.The documentary and discussion together form the event “War and Memory: A Symposium on the Last Folio.” A public reception will follow the event in the Grunwald Gallery. Professor Jeffrey Veidlinger of the Department of History will join the discussion at the symposium.“The symposium will show the dramatic effect art has on memory and trauma,” Veidlinger said. “I think it is haunting to see something as traumatic as the Holocaust displayed like this.”The exhibit is sponsored by the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, according to IU Home Pages. “Retracing the experiences of our families, and the worlds in which they lived and died, has been an enormously powerful journey that has been emotional and deeply spiritual,” Krausova said.
(09/01/11 1:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Starting Sept. 2, the Grunwald Gallery of Art will feature a historical photo gallery of lost photos from the World War II era. “Last Folio: A Photographic Journey with Yuri Dojc” will showcase photographs taken during a journey through communities destroyed by the Holocaust.“The Last Folio” is a poignant exhibition that retraces the history of Slovak Jews who lived during the Holocaust in Slovakia,” said Grunwald Director Betsy Stirratt. “Dojc and his partner, Katya Krausova, embarked on a journey to collect portraits and memories from more than 150 survivors.”In 2006, Dojc found an abandoned school in Bardejov, Slovakia. Its doors had not been opened since 1942. Dojc captured his findings in photographs which include schoolbooks, school reports and a book once owned by his grandfather.Katya Krausova’s “The Last Folio: The Tales of Yuri’s Pictures,” a short documentary on Dojc’s findings, will be shown at 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the IU Cinema. Afterward, a panel discussion with Krausova, Dojc and IU faculty will take place.The documentary and discussion together form the event “War and Memory: A Symposium on the Last Folio.” A public reception will follow the event in the Grunwald Gallery. Professor Jeffrey Veidlinger of the Department of History will join the discussion at the symposium.“The symposium will show the dramatic effect art has on memory and trauma,” Veidlinger said. “I think it is haunting to see something as traumatic as the Holocaust displayed like this.”The exhibit is sponsored by the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, according to IU Home Pages. “Retracing the experiences of our families, and the worlds in which they lived and died, has been an enormously powerful journey that has been emotional and deeply spiritual,” Krausova said.
(08/30/11 3:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Arts Commission have announced six recipients of the 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards.Of the six candidates chosen from the entire state of Indiana, two were Bloomington residents associated with the Jacobs School of Music, Susann McDonald and Sylvia McNair.“It is my honor to recognize the contributions and dedication these recipients have made to the arts,” Gov. Daniels said in a press release. “Each one is an example of the rich talent Indiana is blessed with.”Since 1973, this biennial award has honored those who have contributed to the arts in and outside of Indiana. Recipients can be individuals, organizations, businesses or communities.McDonald is chairwoman of the Harp Department at the Jacobs School of Music, the largest harp department in the world.McDonald has been working to promote the harp throughout the world. Her work has taken her to places such as Paris, China and Jerusalem.“This award is truly an honor,” McDonald said. “This recognition of my life’s work as a harpist means so much to me.”While studying music in Paris, McDonald became the first American to receive the prestigious Premier Prix de Harpe. She has also been recognized by the World Harp Congress for her international work with the harp.McDonald also serves as artistic director of the World Harp Congress, honorary president of the Association International de la Harp and founder and music director for the USA International Harp Competition.“I have been here for over 30 years now,” McDonald said. “I love my work, because I am working with young people who are very motivated.”Sylvia McNair, an opera singer and lecturer in the Jacobs School Voice Department, was also chosen for the award.“Maybe there has been a mistake?” McNair said in a press release. “In a state full of so many great artists and musicians, this is a huge surprise and a tremendous honor.”McNair is a two-time Grammy Award-winner. The first was in 1993 for a recording of Handel’s “Semele.” The second was in 1996 for her album “The Echoing Air: The Music of Henry Purcell”.She has performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, for Hillary Clinton and for the Supreme Court. McNair could not be reached for further comment, but her agent Janet Jarriel said she felt her client more than deserves this award.“It is fitting for Sylvia to be recognized by Governor Daniels and the Indiana Art Commission,” Jarriel said. “She has championed the arts in Indiana for over two decades and continues to do so.”The Governor’s Art Award is the only award given for arts and culture by the state of Indiana.“We have a wealth of talent from Indiana, much of which goes unnoticed,” Marketing and Communications Director for the IAC Rex Van Zant said. “These awards make sure that the lesser-known talent gets its fair recognition.”The Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony and dinner will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012, at the Ernestine M. Raclin School for the Arts at Indiana University South Bend.“Governor Daniels feels hosting the awards at different places in Indiana is the best way to share something that belongs to the entire state with the entire state,” Van Zant said.
(08/25/11 3:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Lindsay Schroeder has been contributing artwork to the Bloomington community for more than 12 years. Her work has caught the attention of arts fans all through the city and has even proven to be a bit controversial. Her newest work is titled “The Blind Ambition of Lindsay Schroeder, Painting without Glasses.” The IDS sat down with Schroeder to discuss her career, her inspirations and the journey to develop her latest works, which led her to begin painting without glasses to correct her eyesight. IDS: Are you a Bloomington resident? Schroeder: “I’ve lived here since 1999, so 12 years now. I’ve been in over 40 shows since 1997.”IDS: For those unfamiliar with your work, what kind of art do you make?Schroeder: “I do just about everything. Right now I focus on oil painting and watercolors. My style has been described as ‘dark’ and has even been censored before. I got a lot of publicity for that. I don’t think it’s traditional dark art. I call it ‘whimsical surrealism.’”IDS: At what point did you decide to pursue art as a career?Schroeder: “I’ve considered myself an artist since I was a little kid. It’s just something that is in my being. I studied studio art, painting, set design for theatre and art history at IU.” IDS: The main thing we are here to talk about is your latest project — you have been painting without your glasses. How well can you actually see without your glasses?Schroeder: “I can’t see at all without my glasses. My vision is very bad. I’ve had glasses for 23 years now.”IDS: Where did this idea originate?Schroeder: “I wanted to push my boundaries as an artist and try something new. It’s like impressionism. Everything is blurred so the color and the form of what I see really stands out. I liked the way the pieces looked and decided to stick with it.”IDS: How difficult is completing a piece like that? How long does it take?Schroeder: “This style is a lot quicker for me to do than some of my other paintings. Not being worried about how the final piece will look is a big factor in that. Some pieces have taken me years to finish.”IDS: Is this a one-time project or something you look to continue in the future?Schroeder: “This is something that I want to keep doing, absolutely. I hope that people like my work so I do get the chance to do more in the future. This is the most freeing experience I’ve had as a painter because I’m not concerned about what it will look like in the end. It’s just about the technique of the painting.”IDS: Where has some of your art appeared around Bloomington?Schroeder: “I’ve had shows at Lenny’s, Bloomington Bagel Co., Rebecca and Me and at The Venue (Fine Art & Gifts). I have also done shows in Richmond, VA.; Louisville, KY.; and New York City
(10/11/10 2:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Big Sean’s performance Friday at Jake’s Nightclub was the last of his 35 shows on his promotional tour.Dope Couture and openers FreeSol and Mickey Factz played a crucial role in keeping the audience entertained until Big Sean took the stage. What started as a bar scene turned into a club scene as FreeSol’s hip-hop and rock-inspired music pulled audience members from the bar onto the dance floor. Crowd size and intensity increased when Mickey Factz came to the stage. A heckling audience member became a catalyst for his performance, encouraging him to freestyle for the crowd. Before he left the stage, the up-and-coming artist made an announcement that shocked and excited his followers. “I’ll be performing at the BET Hip-Hop Awards this year. Also, Nicki Minaj just asked me to go on tour with her,” Factz said.After a night of endless opening acts, intermissions and technical difficulties, the audience finally saw Big Sean on stage.Sean’s performance consisted of songs from his mix tapes as well as preview songs from his upcoming album, “Finally Famous.” No other act that night was able to get every person in the bar on their feet. Big Sean seemed to be eager to spread knowledge not only of his music, but also of his personal life. He explained to the audience what being “finally famous” really meant to him.“I come from the west side of Detroit. To make it out from that ain’t easy,” Big Sean said to the crowd.Big Sean performed hits such as “What U Doin,” “Million Dollars” and “Supa Dupa Lemonade.” Fans were able to enjoy his stage presence for nearly an hour. “It was a lot of fun,” senior Shanice Franklin said. “Big Sean has a lot of energy.”Big Sean performed two more songs before leaving that night. The audience begged for him to retake the stage, but they were left only with his parting words to end the night.“When you look back on life, all you really have are the best memories,” Big Sean said.
(10/07/10 4:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After Big Boi and Bone Thugs n Harmony, a week of hip-hop concerts continues as Big Sean fans wait for him to take the stage this weekend.Detroit rapper Big Sean will take a big step through Bloomington for a special performance at 9 p.m. Friday at Jake’s Nightclub.After two years of making mix tapes under Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Label, Big Sean will step into the limelight. His debut album, “Finally Famous,” will be released on Nov. 16. “Big Sean is probably one of the biggest rappers no one has heard of,” said senior Dan Dicker, head promoter of the event. Tickets for the concert are still being sold for $15 at Dope Couture. “We definitely anticipate a sell out for this event,” Dicker said.The concert will be hosted by Joby Wright and will feature rapper Mickey Factz and hip-hop rock band Freesol as its opening acts. Scoremore Ill, Fifth Agency and Spread The Groove Entertainment are responsible for bringing the acts to Bloomington.Although the concert is for 21 and older, an all ages meet and greet is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at Dope Couture.Big Sean’s mix tapes, “The Mixtape,” “UKNOWBIGSEAN” and “BIG,” all precede his album and were beneficial to spreading his name.“Last year, a lot of my friends had no idea who he was. Now, more people are familiar with his music,” junior Gabrielle Miller said.
(09/27/10 1:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A local rock group known as The Pharos has just started its journey to become a well-known band in Bloomington.
The band consists of juniors James Reed, Nick Huster and Adam Littman, as well as seniors William Huster and Tom Weikert.
The band’s name was inspired by the Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria,
Egypt, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, manager Nick
Huster said.
Originally known as HD-1, The Pharos began playing at house parties
around Bloomington in October 2009. Since then, they have captured the
interests of students.
“I love that they combine so many instruments, which complements their
music,” junior Rosie Creamers said. “They have such good energy.”
Last summer was an exciting time for the band. They officially changed
their name and began work on the album “Missing Person,” which was
released this month.
The album features all five current members of the band, as well as
former keyboardist Adam Brown. Brown left the group to pursue a music
degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, according to the
band’s website, reverbnation.com.
Though the band is not yet signed by any major record labels, many students have given the album good reviews.
“Their music just makes me feel good. I can listen to that CD without skipping a track,” sophomore Aysia Matz said.
Since the release of the album, the band has been busy promoting it in
various ways. They had a debut gig for their album in Dunn Meadow on
Sept. 10. They were also out chalking and hanging fliers Sunday,
offering free albums to anyone willing to help.
The Pharos have set their future goals high. Each day, they become more focused on getting their music into the public ear.
“A big goal of ours is to play the Bluebird,” vocalist William Huster said. “We’d also love to record a concept album.”
In their quest, The Pharos have found that Bloomington supports its
local artists in more ways than one. Bands around town were always
willing to help them with equipment, finding gigs and reaching fans,
Weikert, the band’s guitarist, said.
The band will play its first bar performance at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 29 at
902’s. They anticipate a decent crowd for an event that they said should
open many doors for them.
“We really want to thank all the fans for giving us a chance,” Reed said.
(09/22/10 10:39pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Trey Songz has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years and for good reason. His music mixes much of what today’s popular R&B music represents with the class of old school rhythm and blues. His latest album “Passion, Pain & Pleasure” has been highly anticipated.The truth is that there are many good tracks on this album. Standouts are “Unusual,” “Made to be Together” and “Please Return My Call.” I either enjoyed a track’s lyrics, its beat or both. It’s hard to ask for much more than that.The track “Bottoms Up” with Nicki Minaj is just awful. Minaj’s voice is the worst thing to happen to music since Shaq’s debut rap album. It can only be compared to the yelps of a whining child. The album is classy but still has several unnecessary sexually explicit moments.The negatives are few and far between here. Even for non-Songz fans, it’s a seriously good album. Without Nicki Minaj, maybe even an A.
(09/21/10 2:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>An increasing number of IU students are taking time from their Thursdays to participate in the IU Ballroom Dance Club. This year, the student-run organization has grown to 150 members. Interest in the club seems to be steadily increasing, senior Sasha Fainberg, marketing and public relations director for the club said in an e-mail.“A primary goal of ours last year was to increase membership, and we’ve certainly met that and exceeded our expectations going into this year,” she said in the e-mail.Each Thursday, the dance club meets to learn new dances as well as socialize and dance freely. Last week, members learned the Mambo and Jive. This week, they will learn the Waltz and Salsa.“I’m looking forward to the Salsa. I love the way it lets you move with your partner,” freshman Lauren Whitson said. Whitson, like many of the club’s members, found out about the club through her ballroom and social dance class.A big problem for the club in the past has been the lack of male participation. However, things seem to be changing as nearly all female members have a male dancing partner this year.Though many members participate for fun and exercise, some decide to challenge themselves by competing with IU Dancesport. Senior Xavier Medina competes with the team and has danced for more than 11 years. “The team is a moderate commitment, and constantly working with the same partner can be strenuous,” Medina said. Yet, he said he feels the commitment of the team depends on how far one wishes to go with their skills.While many people do choose to dance competitively, others said they are there simply for the joy of dancing. Throughout the year, the club will plan several activities and theme nights. “We are planning to move beyond ballroom dancing with collaboration nights with the Swing Club and possibly even having a jazz night,” Fainberg said.
(09/16/10 12:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With what feels like a stranglehold on Hollywood, the 3-D phenomenon that seems to have started from nothing in the past year is everywhere. But the saga of 3-D is actually more than a century old.The first concepts of 3-D technology date back to around 1850 with the invention of the Brewster Stereoscope, a device that improved the original stereoscope and could be used for taking 3-D still images, effectively giving the illusion of depth.Interest in 3-D technology rose exponentially with the invention of the Kinematoscope. This invention expanded upon the stereoscope, making it possible to use 3-D images to create films.The invention itself was not sufficient enough to catch the attention of the filmmakers of the day. That changed when The Lumiere brothers’ film “L’arrivée d’un train à La Ciotat” had audiences afraid a train was coming straight toward them.Though interests were high, the technology was too young to produce 3-D films.By the World War II era, the technology had been converted into 3-D cameras, which were commonly used.Chris Eller, a 3-D specialist in the Advanced Visualization Lab at IU, even mentioned that, contrary to popular belief, many photos taken during World War II were actually shot in 3-D.In the 1950s, movie producers regained interest in 3-D technology. The invention of television kept most families in their homes instead of heading to the movie theaters, and 3-D movies became a gimmick to bring them out again.The plan succeeded, and 3-D entered into its first golden age. Films such as “Bwana Devil,” “Dial M For Murder,” and “Hondo” saw great success due to their three-dimensional appeal. The 1950s produced more than 60 films in 3-D.Eventually, things would fall out due to technological setbacks, mainly because studios found it too expensive to show these films. Polarized glasses, similar to those used today, were used in 1950s theatres and were simply too expensive to produce.Playing these films required two projectors to be perfectly in sync so the viewer would see two images on screen. Viewing conditions in theaters were bad, and viewers often complained of eye fatigue.Due to these issues, 3-D effects faded out of interest by the early 1970s.Yet in what became 3-D’s second golden era, films such as “Jaws 3-D” and “Friday the 13th Part III” brought interest back to the 3-D gimmick. This time period, from the mid-1970s throughout the 1980s, saw several new innovations.Stereovision, an invention by Allan Silliphant and Chris Condon, made it possible to show 3-D films in theaters using only one camera rather than perfectly syncing two different ones.Cardboard 3-D glasses also became popular. They were much cheaper to produce than polarized glasses and allowed viewers see a different image with each eye.And yet the gimmick still failed to catch on and become a staple in the movie industry. Audiences simply weren’t blown away by the effects of the time, and 3-D added little to the overall appeal of films.From the 1990s to today, technology has nearly perfected the crucial aspects of 3-D that will allow it to stick. IMAX theatres capture the interests of many movie-goers. Computer graphics, digital cameras and large format screens all play a role. Technology has finally caught up to the dreams of mankind. James Cameron produced the first IMAX 3D feature film, “Ghosts of the Abyss,” in 2003. He once again revolutionized the 3-D scene in 2009’s “Avatar.” In 2004, “The Polar Express” saw unprecedented success as the first full length 3-D animated film.“3-D is definitely the most important and far-reaching innovation we’ve had in this industry in many years,” said Albrecht Gasteiner, founder of the HDTV-Forum in Switzerland, in an interview with Sharp Electronics.3-D technology’s evolution and ability to come back over the years begs the question whether it is here to stay.In order for it to become a staple in the movie industry, as surround sound and widescreen have, that trend of growth and artistic potential must continue. Just as movies aren’t made just to show the effects of surround sound, they can’t be made just to exhibit 3-D technology.As the road continues for this art, it is clear that no end is in sight. We live in the most promising time for entering the third dimension.
(09/13/10 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Supporters of local singer-songwriter Krista Detor gathered Saturday in anticipation of her newest album, “Chocolate Paper Suites.”Since the release of “Mudshow” in 2006, Detor has gained international recognition as well as recognition by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. At the event, which took place at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Detor performed the entire album, “Chocolate Paper Suites,” for a live audience.“I really enjoyed her last album and am anxious to see how her music has evolved since then,” Bloomington native Jim Calli said.Before Detor came on stage, the audience was entertained by the juggling of Steven Ragatz, an IU graduate and Cirque du Soleil juggler.“He was terrific,” Bloomington resident Carolyn VandeWiele said after his act. “He can do more with his feet and an eye gesture than just about anyone out there.” After a brief intermission, Detor performed each suite, a set of three songs, preceded by interaction with the audience. Between suites, Detor would tell jokes and explain the motivation behind her music. The environment of the night was tranquil and soothing. The audience was lulled into a calm enjoyment of Detor’s music, followed by outbursts of laughter when she spoke to them.Detor said she was pleased with Bloomington’s support not only of her music, but also local talent in general.“Sometimes we don’t know what we’ve got here, but it’s really something great,” she said.Detor’s encore featured performers Dena El-Saffar, Kaia, Janiece Jaffe and Keith Skooglund. Detor’s band for the night featured David Weber, Steve Mascari and Jamey Reid.“Chocolate Paper Suites” will be available online and in stores Sept. 21. Her next appearance in Bloomington will be at her annual holiday show, “Letters Home,” on Dec. 2 at KRC Catering.In the meantime, Detor will be touring to promote the album in various places.“I think people are hungry for the opportunity to showcase this city’s talents,” Bloomington resident Janet Cullen said.
(09/08/10 10:23pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Lyfe Jennings has decided to exit the music industry, but he hasn’t done it before giving his fans one last gift with “I Still Believe.”The essence of what R&B music should be, but sadly has ceased to be, is captured on his 13-track finale. Fans of Jennings can expect his typical mature and laid-back style. Those new to Jennings should be prepared for a journey through a man’s seasoned thoughts and strife.This is album is not about sexual content but more about the inner workings of the relationship between a man and woman. The album flows well from one track to the next, allowing the listener to dive deep into Jennings’ mind. The track, “I Still Believe,” is simply amazing.If anything negative could be said about this album, it is the fact that it will be Jennings’s last. The peaceful calm this music brought when I first heard it cannot be easily duplicated. Lyfe Jennings at least leaves with a reminder to all what the R&B genre is really about.
(09/08/10 10:07pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As the sound of “Remnants” blasts through your speakers, anticipation mounts. What ensues is the dark path through heavy metal fire in Disturbed’s “Asylum.”At times, this album is great. It has everything a Disturbed fan could ask for: heavy riffs, guitar solos, dark lyrics and passionate vocalization from frontman David Draiman. The track “Another Way To Die,” a song written about the dangers of global warming, has great energy.The biggest complaint about the album is the mixed bag of unique sounds with ones that seem recycled from past albums. This comes from someone who listens to Disturbed quite often. The formula for a Disturbed song hasn’t changed much in the three years I have been a fan.One can only hope that Disturbed will continue to reach for new venues in their musical output. This album is still worth listening to for a sound that is full of all the energy and darkness a young punk can stand.
(08/05/10 7:04pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fat Joe is a New York native, a fact he makes clear in each of his raps. The mood of his albums simply reeks of New York gangster rap, and “The Darkside Vol. 1” is no exception.Fans of New York rappers Nas, Notorious B.I.G. or Big Pun might love this album. It is full of the these rappers’ influence with some impressive lyrical moments and lives up to the title “Darkside,” with frequent mentions of drug use and violence — even for a rap album.The album also contains a stellar lineup of features. Trey Songz, R. Kelly, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes turn some average tracks into standouts. Still, the album may be too reliant on collaborations, as the best tracks all have guest appearances.“The Darkside” is by no means the most impressive rap album of the summer. It is worth a listen for that great New York style but suffers from being too average.Not a bad album, but nothing new or overly impressive here.
(07/14/10 10:17pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Like many rap artists, Gucci Mane’s career was pioneered by the release of mixtapes. As is now becoming more common in the hip-hop world, he continues to release mixtapes despite his commercial success. “Mr. Zone 6,” Gucci Mane’ 15th official mixtape, carries on that tradition.Had I never heard a Gucci mixtape before, I would have nothing negative to say about this one. Produced by the award-winning DJ Drama, a legend among mixtape producers, the effort flows well. Appearances by artists such as Yo Gotti and Waka Flocka Flame make for some standout tracks. Among the best are “Georgia’s Most Wanted,” “You Know What It Is” and “Socialite.”However, this duo has created many mixtapes in the past that define what a mixtape should be: creative, explosive and, most importantly, fun. In these aspects, “Mr. Zone 6” falls short. While none are bad, many of the songs are boring compared to Gucci’s other works.Check out “Movie 3-D: The Burrprint!” to witness the best DJ Drama and Gucci Mane can cook up — but “Mr. Zone 6” is still worth a listen.