A&E

Brothers play stage brothers in dark comedy ‘True West’

Expect to see 30 stolen toasters and two drunken men flailing a golf club in “True West,” the Bloomington Playwrights Project’s upcoming production, Friday at the John Waldron Arts Center Rose Firebay Theater. The BPP and Gunstar Productions have teamed up to put on the play by Sam Shepard, which explores themes of identity and the tenuous nature of personal reality.This dark comedy revolves around the brothers’ sibling rivalry and eventual role reversal.

Tranny roadshow to stop in Bloomington

The Tranny Roadshow starts its tour this week with a stop in Bloomington on Friday. The performance group consists of six transgender performers bringing a range of talent, including Dallas-Marie Spitzer, an acoustic folk-rock musician; Kit Yan, a slam poet; and Adelaide Windsome, a puppeteer who infuses politically charged viewpoints into her puppets.The Tranny Roadshow began in 2005 when organizer Jamez Terry and his co-organizer, who uses the stage name Kelly Shortandqueer, created the performance group.  Now, Terry wants to show audiences the diversity of the transgender community.

Spider-man and Obama appear together in comic

WASHINGTON – Spider-Man has a new sidekick: the president-elect.Barack Obama collected Spider-Man comics as a child, so Marvel Comics wanted to give him a “shout-out back” by featuring him in a bonus story, said Joe Quesada, Marvel’s editor-in-chief.

You’re in it, but do you appreciate it?

Entertainment is all around us. Cliche, right? But the statement is true nonetheless. Whether it’s Mario Kart we’re playing or the Ray Lamontagne CD we’re listening to, we cannot help but be encompassed by the very essence of entertainment.  

Art in Guatemalan dress styles

I was in Guatemala for the entirety of winter break, and the moment I exited the airport there something seemed different.The crowd surrounding the exit gates of the airport was punctuated with women in traditional dress.

Museum’s ‘Coffeehouse Nights’ features free music, food, drink

Visitors at the IU Art Museum silently contemplate the artwork in its stoic halls during the day, and in the early evening, the lights usually shut off as the museum closes. But this month, the museum will stay open until 9 p.m. for Coffeehouse Nights, a series of three lively nights of coffee, art, dance and music.

Baker still cookin’ up jazz

If jazz were an IQ test, David Baker would be a genius.As awards for his jazz and teaching mastery pile up, Baker, a distinguished professor of music and chairman of the jazz department, remains a humble, influential and respected figure in the jazz world.  

MFA students’ exhibit features traditional and experimental pieces

A tire swing and urban-inspired prints will be among the works displayed at the School of Fine Arts Gallery, which begins its schedule of student exhibits this spring with the Printmaking and MFA Painting exhibition.From today through Jan. 24, the SoFA Gallery will showcase work from graduate students in the printmaking and painting programs.

“No Danger” highlights paper planes

“No Danger,” a new exhibition at the School of Fine Arts Gallery, challenges negative attitudes toward flight through creative interpretations on a classic childhood toy: the paper airplane.

A new year, a new you

Two words: popcorn shirts.No, don’t worry. Those bubbly, one-size-fits-all blouses from the late 90s are not back in style. I am sure you remember that so-called “fashion statement,” which had a starting size fit for a doll, yet had limitless stretch.

Ex-pro dancer teaches Bloomington ballroom dance moves

Feeling awkward on the dance floor comes about as naturally for most people as getting sweaty palms in front of someone they like. But if there’s one time-tested method for overcoming shyness both on the dance floor and in romance, it’s learning ballroom dancing.Dance instructor Margot Scholz teaches one-hour classes in ballroom dancing from 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays at the John Waldron Arts Center and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays at the Bloomington Adult Community Center.  

Audience is left ‘Senseless’

Magic was in the air Saturday night as illusionist BJ Harris performed his faith-based show “Senseless” at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. As part of the North Central Church of Christ’s Youth Conference, he entertained the audience with a display of mind tricks, sleight of hand and escape acts, giving a short speech before the finale about his philosophy of life and magic.

Robin Williams to perform new set at IU Auditorium

Robin Williams, famous comedian and actor, will hit the IU Auditorium stage March 26 at 8 p.m., the University announced Friday morning.

Rising magician to perform at Buskirk

Audiences at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater will be treated with the illusions of BJ Harris on Saturday, where he will bring his unique brand of stagecraft to Bloomington and perform his show “Senseless.”

NYC’s Met searches for opera hopefuls

The Metropolitan Opera National Council will audition new opera talent at IU’s Musical Arts Center Saturday at 1 p.m.

An American turned French returns home

PARIS – How did I get here? I’m at the end of my 16-week stay in Paris, and I can’t believe it’s actually time to leave. I remember seeing for the first time the bedroom that has become part of my temporary home.

IU alumnus shoots fashion photos for popular blog

Fashion is not about trends. It is not about wearing what’s popular or copying the celebrities. Fashion is expressing who you are through the clothing you wear and looking cool while doing it.

IU’s SNC spreads holiday cheer

IU’s Straight No Chaser members kept the audience in the holiday spirit as they performed their winter concert Dec. 12 at the IU Auditorium.

Around the Arts

The War on Drugs comes to B-town

Like a silver rocket barreling down a dusty Highway 61, Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs will blow through Bloomington at 10 p.m. Friday at Bear’s Place, playing their third show of a short seven-stop tour. Tickets cost $6.