A&E

'Divas' show another coronation for Simpson

By Alyson Brodsy and Nekesa Mumbi Moody · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:42 a.m.

NEW YORK --Even the folks at VH1 admit they didn't really consider Jessica Simpson diva material when they put together their annual "Divas" extravaganza last year. Rick Krim, a VH1 executive vice president, said she didn't seem to appeal to the targeted audience.

Bluegrass lives on

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:41 a.m.

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Hundreds of dedicated bluegrass music fans may have saved a music festival that was slated to end after this year. Last month, Executive Inn Rivermont officials said the third annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots festival would be the last. But many of the 1,200-plus fans who filled the Showroom Lounge Friday and Saturday didn't want the music to stop.

When in Rome...

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:38 a.m.

Smelly, chaotic, noisy, beautiful and charming are only a few of the words that can be used to describe Rome; the eternal city is a mixture of old and new world, Catholicism and pagan gods. The bustle that is common to this metropolis was only intensified by the weekend I chose to visit: Easter. After navigating my way to the hotel -- no small feat in the labyrinthine streets -- I set out to see what there is to be seen. As it turns out, in Rome that means the entire city.

RZA composes for 'KiIl Bill' series

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:27 a.m.

NEW YORK --Usually, when a rapper breaks into movies, he's in front of the camera, but that isn't true for WuTang Clan member RZA. RZA, a founding member and main producer of the Wu-Tang Clan, had a different idea -- scoring films. His dreams have come true with the "Kill Bill" films: Director Quentin Tarantino personally picked RZA to compose the music for the two-part saga.

Latin pop star Thalia launches new magazine

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:26 a.m.

NEW YORK-- Latin pop star Thalia, who already has made her mark in the music, fashion and television industries, now wants to add magazine publishing to her resume. A three-issue monthly named Thalia was released by the singer Tuesday during appearances at Grand Central Terminal and at a Kmart. The publication will run two more issues in May and June.

Lost Valentino film found

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:25 a.m.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- A copy of Rudolph Valentino's silent film "Beyond the Rocks" has been found in the Netherlands. Valentino was an Italian-born movie idol who died in 1926 at the age of 30. He was a star in silent movies during the 1920s. Two of Valentino's most famous films are "The Sheik" and "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," both made in 1921.

Little 500 eats

By Suzanna Lindemann and Suzanne Lindemann · Monday, April 19,2004 1:15 a.m.

Indiana may have a harsh winter, but that only makes the warm weather of spring and summer much more exciting. The unseasonably warm weather has had people out and about taking advantage of the sunshine. Because it is so nice, people now look forward to eating outside, and nothing is more popular when eating outdoors than barbeque.

Student designer reflects on past for fashion show

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Friday, April 16,2004 2 a.m.

When a small-town boy from Spencer, Ind., sets his sights on bigger dreams, many would call it impossible. This weekend, Jesse Deckard, a senior majoring in the fashion design program will prove with hard work and determination, anyone's dreams can come true.

Cavemania: Kevin Burke explains primitive man

By Andrew Welfe and Andrew Welfle · Friday, April 16,2004 12:21 a.m.

What does Kevin Burke know about relationships? The answer would be shorter if one asked, 'What doesn't Kevin Burke know about relationships?' Kevin Burke, an IU alumnus, is the star and entire cast of the one-man show "Defending the Caveman." It takes an anti-John Gray approach to relationships. The commercial that has been airing all over Bloomington TV sums up the content of the show.

Gallery presents 10th tea party

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 16,2004 12:13 a.m.

For almost 80 years, the Brown County Art Gallery at 1 Artist Dr. in Nashville, Ind., has been dedicated to education in the arts, cultural advancement and the creation of a greater incentive for the development of creative art and its presentation to the public.

Choral ensemble prepares for diverse spring concert

By Ronni Moore · Friday, April 16,2004 12:12 a.m.

Continuing in the rich tradition and culture of African-American performance and the African American Arts Institute, the African American Choral Ensemble will be presenting its full spring concert this Saturday night. The African American Choral Ensemble was founded in 1975 and continues to be one of the most well-known ensembles at IU, most recently performing at the inauguration of President Adam Herbert Thursday afternoon. However, the ensemble members say their elevated status does come at a price. Eric Johnson, a senior majoring in general studies, said the practices take commitment.

Jazz concert begins celebration

By Laura Kruty · Thursday, April 15,2004 2:14 a.m.

Jazz fans of all ages gathered last night at the IU Auditorium to witness a concert in honor of IU President Adam Herbert. The concert kicked off the inauguration ceremonies for Herbert, who will be officially sworn in Friday.

Lil' Kim charged with perjury

By Alyson Brodsy and Larry Neumeister · Thursday, April 15,2004 2:06 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Lil' Kim, the rapper known for her outrageously revealing outfits and sexually charged lyrics, was charged Wednesday with lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shootout involving her entourage. The 28-year-old star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, turned herself in at federal court, where she was to appear before a judge.

Hitting all the right notes

By Doug Smith · Thursday, April 15,2004 1:55 a.m.

Jazz has a home in Bloomington. Cast and constructed within one of the finest music schools in the nation, it branches out to numerous venues while offering students and residents alike its rhythmic sounds and intimate settings.

Local artwork to showcase I-69 debate

By Alex Moore · Thursday, April 15,2004 1:42 a.m.

For the past year, photographer Will Claytor has been documenting the Southern Indiana terrain between Indianapolis and Evansville, which will be affected by the I-69 interstate highway construction. From 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, visitors to Boxcar Books store and Community Center will be able to view the results of the IU senior's project.

Around The Arts

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 15,2004 1:35 a.m.

The IU Department of Theatre and Drama announced its 2004-2005 season Wednesday with eight shows for the IU and Bloomington communities. Fall semester productions include "Dracula," by Steven Dietz, "Bat Boy, the Musical," by Keythe Farley, "The Cherry Orchard," by Anton Chekhov and "Happy Birthday Wanda June," by Kurt Vonnegut.

You build it -- they will come

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Thursday, April 15,2004 1:30 a.m.

Tommy Hilfiger visits Indianapolis and signs photos. Tommy Hilfiger goes to California, and a runway is built, the stars came out and it looked like a good time. I must admit, saying the Midwesterners are with it is one thing, but where is our party? When they said progress is slow, they meant it. The fashion gods are wearing half smiles, not a full grin. Bloomington is moving into the future, but the progress seems to come only with the force of a Mac truck.

Union Board unveils Canvas

By Jenica Schultz · Wednesday, April 14,2004 1:38 a.m.

With brightly colored student artwork and soulful student, faculty and staff writing, the spring semester issue of Canvas, Union Board's creative arts magazine, made its debut as an insert in Tuesday's edition of the Indiana Daily Student. Earlier this semester, Union Board's "Celebrate the Arts" Committee made a request for submission of student artwork, poetry, short stories and essays. Campus-wide, students sent their work in the hopes it would be selected for publication.

Rare second edition of 'Hamlet' to be auctioned off

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, April 14,2004 12:15 a.m.

BOSTON -- A rare edition of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" could fetch much more than $1 million when it is auctioned at Christie's in New York. The nearly 400-year-old book is one of 19 copies of the 1611 printing known to exist and is the only one remaining in private hands. It was owned by Mary Hyde, Viscountess Eccles, a renowned New Jersey book collector and English literature scholar best known for her extensive Samuel Johnson collection, now at the Houghton Library at Harvard University.

IU Art Museum, SoFA Gallery home to master's students

By Jana Strange · Tuesday, April 13,2004 12:23 a.m.

Two years and countless tubes of paint, pieces of clay and rolls of film later, the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts is saying farewell to another group of masters of fine arts students. For these students, their years at IU culminate with an exhibition of their work at the IU Art Museum or School of Fine Arts Gallery.