A&E

New book displays local art

The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2004 "Bloomington Sketchbook" Friday night at Gallery North on the Square. "Bloomington Sketchbook" is an art book dedicated to the works of local artists. Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Programs Sara McGoun said the book took two years to organize.

Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard found dead in studio at age 35

NEW YORK -- The rap artist O.D.B., whose unique rhymes, wild lifestyle and incessant legal troubles made him one of the most vivid characters in hip hop, collapsed and died inside a recording studio Saturday. He was 35. O.D.B. complained of chest pains before collapsing at the Manhattan studio, and was dead by the time paramedics arrived, said Gabe Tesoriero, a spokesman for O.D.B.'s record label, Roc-a-Fella Records.

Many TV stations saving 'Private Ryan' over FCC sanctions

NEW YORK -- More than 20 ABC affiliates around the country announced that they wouldn't take part in the network's Veterans Day airing of "Saving Private Ryan," saying the acclaimed film's violence and language could draw sanctions from the Federal Communications Commission.

'Cosmopolitan' captures New York, Paris

A girl kisses her beau on a city street outside a Paris café; a young movie star shares a moment with the camera on her first movie set; and a famous photographer contemplates his work from inside a New York gallery. All these scenes have found their ways into the select collection of photography now on display at the IU Art Museum.

'Polar Express' technology frees actors from their bodies

LOS ANGELES -- Tom Hanks used experimental technology to morph into a little boy, a train conductor, a hobo and Santa Claus for the new Christmas adventure "The Polar Express."

Chekhov's last play opens

Anton Chekhov's last masterpiece, "The Cherry Orchard," which takes place on a Russian estate sustained by an unusually large cherry orchard, opens this weekend at IU's Ruth N. Halls Theatre.

Local high school to take audiences to 'Oklahoma!'

Sixty students took to the stage at Bloomington High School South last weekend, telling the story of "Oklahoma!" through a rendition of songs accompanied by 11 members in the orchestra pit.

Experts give pumpkin carving advice

The most recognizable sign of Halloween is without a doubt a carved pumpkin. Traditionally, the popular pattern is the original jack-o-lantern, but lately people have been switching to more intense designs and trading in their kitchen knives for carving kits.

The Secret to a well-dressed man

Men historically have received the short end of the stick when it comes to fashion in Bloomington. But now with stores like Urbanstylz, J.R. Stallsmith's and MetroWear, men can dress fashionably. Of course, the key to fashionable dress is knowing what to wear and how to wear it. Two of Bloomington's men's fashion retailers -- Branden Johnson, owner of MetroWear and an IU senior, and J.R. Stallsmith, owner of J.R. Stallsmith & Company -- can give residents insight on what's in now, what will be in soon and how to wear it.

La Centerentola, the Italian version of Cinderella, comes to IU

This Friday evening, things are going to lighten up a bit at the Musical Arts Center. No one will collapse to the floor from consumption, and there will be no love left unrequited. In fact, this will be one of your few chances this season to see true love conquer all. Rossini's "Cenerentola" might sound bizarre, but it's nothing more than the story of the little ashen-faced girl Cinderella and her dreams of escaping from the clutches of her evil stepmother and stepsisters.

Relish offers modern innovations for living

Ingredients for living don't have to be traditional, plain or even trendy. Why buy lackluster items when you can buy something luxurious with original style? There's a new store in town where you can find a fresh innovative way to decorate, dress and reinvigorate your way of living. Relish, 204 N. Morton St., provides everything to create a unique, ultra-modern look in clothes and accessories and at home.

Students bond in hip-hop clubs

For them, it's easy to let loose. They just stand in front of a mirror, watching the rhythm of their feet flow with the music. They spin in circles on the floor, and stand up to "pop" their bodies and "jerk" their arms.

Tutto Bene offers sophisticated taste of wine

Around The Arts

Bloomington Playwrights Project stuffs the ballot box On the tails of the national election, The Bloomington Playwrights Project, a nonprofit theater in downtown Bloomington, brings its seasonal fund raiser "Winter Ballot Box Blitz." During the event, the BPP's ensemble of artists will perform 30 ultra-short original plays. "Penis Dialogues," Bob Risher's response to the "Vagina Monologues," will be one of the plays performed.

McGraw wins Song of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - "Live Like You Were Dying," a song that became the biggest hit of Tim McGraw's career, won song of the year at the Country Music Association awards Tuesday night. Written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman, the song spent much of last summer at No. 1.

A traditional Irish breakfast in Dublin

I've been told I talk too much about alcohol in my articles. So during the past two weeks, I tried to figure out why. In Ireland, there are two ways a beverage is served: from a cup or a pint glass. A strong cup of tea seems to melt problems away if you have a cold or if you've lost your job. But the tea shops and coffee shops are not as prevalent as the pubs. I can't help it; so much revolves around the pint.

Famed actor, singer Howard Keel dies at 85

LOS ANGELES--Howard Keel, the broad-shouldered baritone who romanced his way through a series of glittery MGM musicals such as "Kiss Me Kate" and "Annie Get Your Gun" and later revived his career with television's "Dallas," died Sunday. He was 85. Keel died Sunday morning of colon cancer, said` his son, Gunnar.

IU School of Music alumna becomes a star in New York

The world has discovered the IU School of Music's latest superstar. IU Alumna and Indianapolis native Angela M. Brown recently received rave reviews from The New York Times for her debut performance as the lead in New York City's Metropolitan Opera's production of Verdi's "Aida" Friday.

Movement inspires storytelling at BPP

Tonight and Saturday, Nell Weatherwax will let movement take over her body in her improvisational autobiographical show "Dreaming on Your Feet" as part of the Bloomington Playwrights Project's Dark Alley late night series.

Potpourri brings variety of traditions

R. Kelley songs, spirituals and dances will be performed at the African American Arts Institute's A Potpourri of Arts in the African American Tradition at 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the IU Auditorium. All three branches of the AAAI -- IU Soul Revue, African American Choral Ensemble and African American Dance Company -- will perform separately before a finale with all three groups performing to contemporary music by R. Kelley.