A&E

As seen from last years perfomance, IU Ballet Theater will be showcasing new edgy choreography at the Buskirk Chumley Theater Wednesday evening.

Ballet ‘On the Edge’ features student choreography

By Amy Burke · Monday, Jan. 26,2009 11:47 p.m.

Every song that junior ballet major Ben Delony listens to, he choreographs in his head.Delony and fellow junior ballet major Daniel Morales were selected to be the only student choreographers in the upcoming IU Ballet Theater production of “On the Edge,” which will be presented Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.The name “On the Edge” stems from the location of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in relation to the IU campus and is representative of the new, original choreography and music being performed, Chair of the IU Ballet Department Michel Vernon said.

Ryan Cabrera to perform at the Bluebird

Monday, Jan. 26,2009 12:05 a.m.

Doors open at 8 p.m. tonight at The Bluebird Nightclub for a performance by singer-songwriter Ryan Cabrera. Some of Cabrera’s hits include “On The Way Down,” “I Will Remember You” and “True,” and according to his Web site, Cabrera has sold more than a million records.

Art students use technology, ordinary objects in works

By Jackie Kochell · Sunday, Jan. 25,2009 9:26 p.m.

Challenging traditional beliefs about what belongs in an art gallery, an iPod, rubber bands and a necklace are used to create artwork in a new display at the SoFA Gallery.The Ceramics, Graphic Design, Metals, Sculpture and Textiles Area Show features work from students in those fields created in their courses or spare time.

IU alumnus performs video game music at the Chesh

By Brian Welk · Sunday, Jan. 25,2009 9:24 p.m.

He calls himself “Spiral Cheese Horizon,” and as of now, he’s an up-and-coming artist of a unique sort.Thursday night’s gig at the Cheshire Cafe in Collins Living-Learning Center happened to be his first performance under the stage name, but with a calling card like that, IU alumnus Ryder Timberlake might not be unknown for long.

Hoosier Guitar Idol showcases local talent

By Tyler James Perry · Sunday, Jan. 25,2009 9:23 p.m.

They shredded and squealed, whammied and wailed their way to the top in a contest akin to American Idol.The crowd packed themselves in Friday night at Max’s Place to see the third annual Hoosier Guitar Idol, sponsored by IU’s Business Careers in Entertainment Club.

‘Benjamin Button’ leads Oscar nods

Thursday, Jan. 22,2009 10:03 p.m.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.– One is a grand, sweeping epic, a dazzling technical achievement starring THE A-Lister of all A-Listers.The other is a gritty tale, partly told in subtitled Hindi, with a tiny budget and no known stars that almost didn’t make it to theaters.

Sisters discuss century full of experiences

Thursday, Jan. 22,2009 10:01 p.m.

A story of two unmarried sisters who lived together for 90 years comes to life tonight at the John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium in the Cardinal Stage Company’s production of “Having Our Say,” a stage adaptation of the memoirs of the same name of Sadie and Bessie Delany.Based on their best-selling book, the show tells of the high and low points of the Delany sisters’ long lives.

Brothers trash stage in ‘True West’

By Brent Williamson · Thursday, Jan. 22,2009 9:56 p.m.

A couple of real-life brothers shocked audiences by trashing the stage in their performance of “True West” at the John Waldron Arts Center.Brett and Gabe Gloden played Austin and Lee, two brothers who are fighting over a potential movie deal for one of their screenplays. Austin is a 30-year-old writer who lives with his wife and kids and has a more traditional life, while Lee is a 40-year-old hobo who wanders the desert making a living gambling and stealing.

Comedian Tom Mabe performs Monday evening at Bear's Place. This year marked the 26th year of the Comedy Caravan at Bear's Place, making it the longest running comedy series in America.

Bear’s Place celebrates 26th anniversary with famous prankster

By Tyler James Perry · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2009 9:46 p.m.

Nationally-known comedian Tom Mabe came to Bear’s Place Monday Night to help celebrate the 26th anniversary of Comedy Caravan by doing his signature stand-up routine.One of his albums, “Revenge on the Telemarketers,” was released on Virgin Records and featured pranks he played on telemarketers who called him. The idea was to waste the telemarketer’s time because he said they were wasting his. His new television show on Country Music Television is called “Mabe in America” and features a combination of Mabe’s pranks and comedy routines.

People read banners during the opening reception for "Rock, Rhythm & Soul: The Black Roots of Popular Music" Thursday in the City Hall Showers Building. The traveling exhibit features banners highlighting key points in African American music, and was put together by the IU Archives of African American Music and Culture.

Exhibit explores black roots of pop music

By Ashlee Green · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2009 9:44 p.m.

An exhibit featuring African-American culture as the roots for much of America’s popular music will take place in Bloomington City Hall Atrium through Jan. 26, with a schedule of events including gallery talks and musical performances. The Archives of African-American Music and Culture created “Rock, Rhythm & Soul: The Black Roots of Popular Music,” a traveling exhibit promoting and informing people of the history and roots of black popular music.

Read ‘The Reader’

By Erica Rogers · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2009 9:41 p.m.

Books. The idea of reading them makes some people cringe, but it doesn’t always have to be a negative experience. Although I love watching movies, and I currently have a list five feet long of television programs with which I am keeping up, books have an element that movies and TV will never have.The most recent novel I have read is “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink.

IU arts programs’ reputations are recession-proof

By Yan Zhuang · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 8:27 p.m.

Major Broadway production shutdowns and drastic decreases in symphony ticket prices are just two examples of the immediate effects the struggling economy is having on most arts organizations.But for at least one more year, IU’s theater and music programs have remained financially stable.

Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Gifts relocates

By Bailey Loosemore · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 7:56 p.m.

On Tuesday, Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Gifts moved to a new location in the heart of Bloomington’s downtown art district. The gallery, formerly located on North College Avenue, opened up shop in the Historic Wicks Building on Gallery Row.Jamie Sweany, IU alumna and owner of the Wandering Turtle, opened the gallery in 2003. The gallery features paintings, ceramics, photography, sculptures, jewelry, handmade paper, note cards and artist’s prints, Sweany said. Exhibitors of the gallery include artists and craftspeople from around the world, as well as 100 local and regional artists, Sweany said.

Senior Shyra Collins writes on the "Yes We Can" art project Tuesday afternoon in the main lobby of the Herman B. Wells library.

Traveling art project visits library

By Amanda Bridgman · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 7:53 p.m.

Every chair was quickly occupied at the Herman B Wells Library on Tuesday, causing people to sit together side-by-side on the floor as they applauded, cried and watched history. Diane Dallis, head of undergraduate library services, said she was happy to coordinate an event for students to stop by between classes.

IU African American Choral Ensemble Director and professor Keith McCutchen leads the African American Choral Ensemble during a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday evening at the Buskirk Chumley Theater. The event, titled "The Dream Unfolding..." also included speeches by local leaders including Bloomington mayor Mark Kruzan and Bishop Woodie White.

Choral Ensemble pleases audience at MLK celebration

By Amanda Lowry · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 7:49 p.m.

About 20 speakers and performance groups were on stage Monday evening at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, but one of the audience’s favorites was the IU African-American Choral Ensemble.The ensemble, a group under the umbrella of the African-American Arts Institute and composed of about 35 members, sang three songs: two a cappella African-American spirituals and one South African gospel song.

Predicting Michelle’s inaugural ball look

By Amanda Cochara · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 12:29 a.m.

Inauguration day is finally here. A new era is about to start, but I am not talking about President-elect Barack Obama.Although in his speech today he will likely be full of political statements, the inauguration will also be a night of fashion statements. Michelle Obama is the person on my mind.A lot of us are wondering what the first lady will wear to the inaugural ball. What designer? What cut? What color?I have some suggestions.

Michelle Shocked performs Saturday evening at the Buskirk Chumley Theater. Shoked's stage featured a painting of Audrey Hepburn in the background. and in between songs called the painter to talk to him about it, but got his voice mail the first time.

Michelle Shocked earns standing ovation worth three encores

By Alexandra Brown · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 12:28 a.m.

Screaming, screeching, jumping and singing. Add some blues influences and rock and roll and you have the recipe for a stellar performance that could only be pulled off by a true original. Singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked performed live Saturday night at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Audiences welcomed her with open arms and open ears as she told stories through both spoken word and song.

Keyboardist David Morrin and singer Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson play Saturday evening at The Cinemat. Morrin and Robinson performed a set full of dirges and lamentation.

Musician wings it at packed Cinemat show last Saturday

By Yahya Chaudhry · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 12:24 a.m.

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s tortured lyrics and gentle guitar strumming left audience members somber when he headlined with openers Sam Lowry & the Circumstance and Red Bird on Saturday night at The Cinemat.

Adelaide Windsome of Philadelphia performs "Ballad of the Platypus (Balladypus)" Friday, January 16 at Boxcar Books. Windsome uses animal puppets to illustrate sexual stereotypes.

Tranny Roadshow makes local stop, sparks dialogue

By Risha Kohli · Tuesday, Jan. 20,2009 12:21 a.m.

Six transgender performers spent last week traveling and performing individual pieces throughout the Midwest as part of the Tranny Roadshow, and Friday night they made a stop in Bloomington.Organizer Jamez Terry said he hoped the performances would help people understand the diversity of the transgender community.

Dancers perform while the orchestra plays during "The Community of Dance" dress rehearsals Thursday evening at Ruth N. Halls Theatre. The performance features performances by various groups from the Jacob's School and the Theatre department, as well as works from faculty in various departments from IU.

‘Community of Dance’ features modern movement, specifies no lead dancers

Thursday, Jan. 15,2009 11:16 p.m.

A production six months in the making, “The Community of Dance,” will be slightly different than the typical IU dance performance Friday and Saturday by combining influences from body science, culture, drama and music.The Department of Kinesiology, Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, Department of Theatre and Drama and the Jacobs School of Music are joining forces to put on the IU modern dance program’s annual concert.