A&E

'Apollo' can turn amateurs into acts

By Jenica Schultz · Wednesday, Feb. 18,2004 12:53 a.m.

Junior Stephani Parker and senior Alaina Williams will have the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend when they travel to New York City to compete at "Showtime at the Apollo," a singing competition hosted by comedian Mo'Nique. The show is taped for television and viewed by big-name music producers and recorders.

Churches reserve tickets to 'Passion'

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Feb. 17,2004 11:36 p.m.

The anticipation surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is prompting several churches across Indiana to buy up blocks of tickets for the film, and in some cases arrange special screenings. The film is due to be released Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, but at least one church, East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, has arranged for three screenings over the two previous nights.

'Guilty Feet' provides guilty pleasure

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Tuesday, Feb. 17,2004 11:35 p.m.

"Guilty Feet," an unabashedly girly novel by British author Kelly Harte, is a delightful pleasure. Part of the invasion of British penned novels in our post-Bridget Jones world, this is a delightful addition to the genre of Brit chic lit. If the neon pink cover isn't a hint to any unsuspecting male, I don't know what would be. This book is by a girl and for a girl, no doubt about it.

'Boy Gets Girl' teaches some lessons

By Jenica Schultz · Tuesday, Feb. 17,2004 11:32 p.m.

The University Players production of Rebecca Gilman's "Boy Gets Girl" premiered at the Rose Firebay Theatre in the John Waldron Arts Center Friday. The play, dedicated to stalking and issues about the objectification of women, ironically came just in time for Valentine's Day. For the most part, this play was well-acted, but a few things about the play bothered me.

Fashions inspired by exotic landscapes

By Mallory Zalkin · Tuesday, Feb. 17,2004 12:54 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Collections for the fall 2004 season differed in style and designs making them special, but all had similar reoccurring themes. Lavenders and greens were the two hot colors of the runway, while fur, tweed and satin were most popular for fabrics. Although designers used some of the same cuts and fabrics, each designer personalized his or her line with familiar touches reflecting their style. Despite the Indiana native's death last year, Bill Blass is as strong as ever with the talented Michael Vollbracht as his successor. Vollbracht created a collection following Blass's taste for fine apparel.

The sentiments of a culture

By Joelle Petrus · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:18 p.m.

If you have a fetish for old churches like I do, France is an absolute haven. I don't practice a religion personally, but I still have to say the French know how to build a house of God.

Saxophone Cartel more than a brass band

By Laura Glesing · Sunday, Feb. 15,2004 11:15 p.m.

The Saxophone Cartel, a local saxophone sextet, will be featured on 'Live from Bloomington,' a CD which hits shelves later this spring. The cartel' s main focus is on creating a unique sound using an array of different instruments. The brainchild of cartel composer Benjamin Himpel, the group came together in 2003 after Himpel found "very good woodwind players with the right mindsets."

Confessions of a metrosexual

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Welfe · Sunday, Feb. 15,2004 11:13 p.m.

Hello. My name is Andy, and I am a metrosexual. Instead of the wide range of people you may see at an AA meeting, Metrosexuals Anonymous is filled with 20 and 30-something men -- all well-dressed. We sit up straight in the chair, and our coats are either tucked neatly underneath our chairs or hung in the closet by the door.

Modernized 'Les Yeux Noirs' group kicks off Lotus Concert series

By Andrew Welfe and Andrew Welfle · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 11:55 p.m.

There is an old proverb that says, "Variety is the spice of life." And it is true -- someone who enjoys a wide variety of literature is usually better-read than someone who only reads Victorian novels or sports magazines. Many believe someone who loves Italian, Mexican and French food usually fares better than one who eats exclusively at McDonald's.

IU 'After Hours' holds singles' dance

By Jennifer Griffin · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 11:53 p.m.

February is upon us, and love is in the air. As that magical day of romance draws near, couples in Bloomington search for the perfect setting for the most love-filled day of the year. Some buy their significant other flowers, candy or even splurge on dinner at a fancy restaurant.

McFuzz, Horton hear a Hoosier

By Meredith Hahn · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 11:52 p.m.

Every year, many students in the IU Theater and Drama and Music departments journey to New York in the hopes they'll make it big on the stage. The competition is stiff, and the odds are tremendous. But now and then, things fall into place for a few lucky individuals.

Dancing with an edge

By Claire Blaustein · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12:37 a.m.

In the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Room 167, a heated basketball game is being played and the screech of sneakers on polished floors and yelling teammates is audible from the hall. Further down the hall, the ambient noise changes quite a bit. Looking in H169, you see girls donning heels instead of running shoes and boys practicing spins and back steps on the side of the court. It is a meeting of the IU Ballroom Dance Club.

Leading designers debut styles

By Mallory Zalkin · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12:19 a.m.

NEW YORK CITY -- New York City was the place to see and be seen last week when the world's leading fashion designers premiered their fall 2004 collections. This began Friday, Feb. 6 and will end Friday, Feb. 13. This year, New York Fashion Week was sponsored by Olympus, a leading camera manufacturer, instead of Mercedes--Benz, who is keeping their sponsorship at L.A.'s Fashion Week. The turnover brought with it changes, as coordinators put an emphasis on photographers. This season Olympus introduced Stylus Digital, and the new E-1, the industry's first all-digital SLR camera system. The company gave photographers the chance to test out the camera during the runway shows. The semi-annual week-long extravaganza included exciting shows as well as a star-studded guest list. A-line models, celebrities and socialites congregated at the Bryant Park Tents to enjoy cocktails and get an exclusive view of next season's trends as they hit the runway for the first time.

Community kitchen hosts local Valentine's show

By Sarah Kanter · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12:18 a.m.

Al Cobine will lead his 15-piece big band in serenading Valentine's Day sweethearts tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The theater has been rented out by Bloomington's Community Kitchen, a local organization which has been feeding Monroe County's hungry since 1983. Proceeds from the benefit concert will largely go to the Community Kitchen, whose funding comes mostly from private donations. The concert is a first as a Community Kitchen fundraising event, due to a generous donation given by Rosanna Lester, marketing director for CFC, Inc., a local real estate developer. Lester won the use of the theater for one night in a raffle contest and donated the night to the Community Kitchen, a nearly $600 value. "Al Cobine is such a legend, the romantic jazz music will be superbly done," said Community Kitchen board member Margaret Radke.

The beautiful 'Ballad of Baby Doe'

By Claire Blaustein · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 12:04 a.m.

So fleet the works of men, Back to the earth again. Ancient and holy things, Fade like a dream." These lines of poetry written by Charles Kingsley, a 19th century poet, grace the front of the scrim shade that opens "The Ballad of Baby Doe."

Cockburn shares music, politics

By Jessica Dalsing · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 12:01 a.m.

Bruce Cockburn treated his audience to a trip down memory lane with a few curves in it for spice. Cockburn, a musician who stands up for his political beliefs through his music, came to play in Bloomington for a crowd of loyal fans Monday night. Meandering on the Buskirk-Chumley stage, Cockburn played for more than two-and-a-half hours to an enthusiastic community of fans.

Students take a ride on the Comedy Caravan

By Jaime Cohen and Jaimie Cohen · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 12 a.m.

Kevin Burke is no ordinary comic. While he may begin with political and marriage jokes, he transforms himself into a "psychic comic," a talent which he presented to an audience of about 30 people Saturday evening in the Market area of the Indiana Memorial Union.

A supermarket of entertainment

By Julia Balnford and Julia Blanford · Monday, Feb. 9,2004 11:44 p.m.

Amusement parks were always fun as a child. Gymnasts, musicians, magicians and all types of performers lined the walkways, each showing off their craft while kiosks with cheesy toys and balloon characters could be found on every corner. And of course, there was the daily highlight of having your picture taken with various cartoon characters at the park.

Fleck, Meyer piece of banjo heaven

By Josh Kastrinsky · Monday, Feb. 9,2004 11:40 p.m.

Edgar Meyer was not about to let his partner upstage him on his homecoming performance at IU. His musical partner, Bela Fleck, made jokes about Meyer's days at the IU music school. Meyer quickly regained his bearings, though, responding to Fleck, "At least I got in."

Luther Vandross, Beyonce big winners at Grammy Awards

By Alyson Brodsy and Nekesa Mumbi Moody · Monday, Feb. 9,2004 12:41 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Balladeer Luther Vandross, recovering from a stroke, won four Grammys on Sunday including song of the year for "Dance With My Father," and Beyonce earned a record-tying five honors.