A&E

Putting together a runway show

In the upcoming months, four seniors in the Individualized Major Fashion Design Program will debut their individual lines, presenting them to fit their unique personalities and inspirations. Themes range from biker, Brazilian birds, a winter in Russia to wealthy women at a country club.

Dance links Native American's roots

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- His arms stretched out like wings, Rudy Vallejo begins his dance to honor the eagle. His feet, clad in soft leather shoes, pound to the drumbeat and chant from a friend. His words, reverent and soft, give honor to a creature whose existence was threatened.

Show pays tribute to Johnny Carson

BURBANK, Calif. -- Jay Leno turned back the clock on "The Tonight Show" with a touching hour-long tribute to Johnny Carson that mixed warm memories from the former host's friends with the more outrageous moments from Carson's three-decade reign as the king of late-night comedy.

'The Aviator' gets a leading 11 Academy Award nominations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- The Howard Hughes epic "The Aviator" led Academy Awards contenders with 11 nominations Tuesday, including best picture, plus acting honors for Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Alan Alda and a directing slot for Martin Scorsese.

Forum discusses race, civil rights

Acting, discussion and open opinion characterized a forum assembled Monday to discuss four major civil rights movements and their continued relevance. The forum was one part of "Unity in Love," a week-long event for the Gamma Nu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in conjunction with the multicultural sorority Theta Nu Xi and the Office of Diversity Education, which all sponsored the gathering. The four movements discussed at the forum were related specifically to African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans.

Contact uses variety of dance styles

Though the audience was small, it didn't stop them from enjoying "Contact," a dance performance at the IU Auditorium. On Sunday night, patrons watched as dancers entertained them with a blend of classical and modern dance styles.

Contact uses variety of dance styles

Though the audience was small, it didn't stop them from enjoying "Contact," a dance performance at the IU Auditorium. On Sunday night, patrons watched as dancers entertained them with a blend of classical and modern dance styles.

Practical advice for a North African study abroad

When I studied in Morocco last semester, I was blind-sided by the differences I noticed there. Over time, I learned to be resourceful in this new culture. The following are my tips for survival while studying in North Africa.

'The Gates' art project takes shape in Central Park

NEW YORK -- It is a vision artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have shared since 1979: thousands of yellow-gold fabric panels suspended above miles of footpaths in Central Park, hung from specially designed "gates" to create meandering passageways with billowing, almost floating ceilings.

'Inside Deep Throat' shown at Sundance

PARK CITY, Utah -- It was shot for $25,000 in just six days. Its male star was a film-crew member shoved in front of the camera as a last-minute replacement. Its director readily conceded it was not even a good movie.

French actress given lead in 'Da Vinci Code'

PARIS -- Winsome French actress Audrey Tautou of "Amelie" fame has been chosen to play Tom Hanks' partner in cracking "The Da Vinci Code" in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel, the newspaper Le Parisien reported Saturday.

Gala guests show appreciation of theater

Silver star balloons, glowing candles, glitter, pictures and play brochures adorned an upstairs room at the John Waldron Arts Center Saturday evening for the Bloomington Playwrights Project's 25th birthday party.

Amy Fortoul holds final show

IU alumnus Amy Fortoul will present her final performance of her autobiographical one-woman show "this IS my BODY" at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.. Proceeds from the show will support Fortoul's upcoming tour.

'Contact' opens Sunday at IU Auditorium

For one night, the IU Auditorium stage will transform into a storyteller's dream. The music of Richard Rogders and Lorenz Hart will mesh with pieces by Piotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky and Georges Bizet to serve as background for three interpretative dance stories. "Contact" also features songs by Dean Martin, Robert Palmer and the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

BPP throws 25th birthday party

Twenty-five years ago, two young men created a venue for the arts, a safe place where they could perfect their craft and showcase their work. Saturday, these two men will be returning to Bloomington for the Silver Season Gala to celebrate 25 years of successful new works.

A runway in Ballantine

IU Auditorium fosters variety in shows

Acrobats, dancers and Broadway musicals will take to the IU Auditorium stage this semester. IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said he hopes the season stuns and excites audiences throughout Bloomington and Indiana.

Around The Arts

Indiana Public Interest Research Group will hold a Tsunami Relief Benefit at 7 p.m. tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Performers will include Jenn Cristy, Paris, Salaam and Sophia Travis. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid the Indian Ocean Relief Effort.

women discover inner author

Award-winning songwriter Beth Lodge-Rigal leans forward and with an excited voice, describes the "ripple effect" she hopes to initiate by teaching the Bloomington branch of classes called Women Writing for (a) Change.

Puppeteers of America president pulls strings in major Broadway productions

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Paul Mesner romps around his studio in shorts and tennis shoes, pointing out the special mouth hinges and weighted eye balls that go into making the perfect puppet.