A&E

Cassoulet a comfort food for coldest winter nights

"Remind me where it is you attend school?" my California acquaintances inquire during my bi-annual sojourns home to the West coast. After five years of replying "Indiana," the abbreviated responses have remained static: in summer, "Hot!" and in winter, "Cold!" The utterances are typically delivered with the force of profound revelation accompanied by the smirking condescension of an older sibling informing a younger sibling there is no Santa Claus."

Hoosiers nominated for Grammys

Two of the 500 nominees seated in the crowd at the Grammys Feb. 21 can call themselves Hoosiers. Joshua Bell and Ronald Cohen, alumnus and professor, respectively, have been recognized as the movers of today's music scene, worthy of a chance of receiving one of modern music's highest honors. Bell is nominated for one award, Cohen for two.

Local Exhibits

Bloomington Playwrights presents holiday production

The Bloomington Playwrights Project will kick off the holiday season with a production of "Merry Elementary," a play that touches on the true meaning of the holiday season, among a number of other themes.

University Players offer 'verbal boxing match'

Competition. The word has been used for centuries to describe manliness, with the victor claiming power and the loser reduced to a pitiful wretch. The throes of competition is the topic the University Players will battle this weekend. With a cast of three, "Never Swim Alone," by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor, tells the story of two men who have been friends since childhood and competitors for just as long.

Gala to feature holiday music

The cast of the All New Broadway Cabaret Holiday Gala will bring the spirit of the season to the Brown County Playhouse this weekend.

Awaiting another season of 'Survivor,' reality TV

How can we sum up 2000 without mentioning the national obsession that is "Survivor?" How can we not recall Richard's strategizing, Rudy's homophobia, Colleen's loveliness and Susan's "rat vs. snake" rant? Aren't we glad the year is almost over, so we can soon revisit that madness when "Survivor: The Australian Outback" airs Jan. 28?

International films soar while Hollywood snores

The year 2000 has been one of the worst quality-wise in the history of the multiplex. One highly anticipated Hollywood work after another has proven to disappoint, from the snooze-inducing mediocrity of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" to the cliched likes of Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous."

A Boxing Day special with a piquant punch

Along with the trimming of the tree, the four-hour long Christmas-morning gift opening ritual and the carols played by my sister on our old upright piano, one of the most stable memories of my childhood Christmases is that of my mother bursting into tears on Boxing Day.

Pumpkins shake up Metro

CHICAGO -- In a year that has seen numerous rock bands fold, with nary a note to be heard again except in the ever-present future box set, The Smashing Pumpkins held court one final time in the club that gave them the first of many big breaks, the Metro.

Around The Arts

Cartoonist finds fame in NYC

Your fingers turn the pages of a crisp, hot-off-the-presses issue of the Bloomington Independent.

'Nutcracker' ballet to open tonight

It's that time of the year again. Holiday festivities fill the hours and the Christmas spirit pervades the air.

'Indepedence' production features all-female cast

"Independence," an all-female play by Lee Blessing, opens this Friday and plays through next Saturday in the T300 Studio Theatre. The production is the first of many for the ensemble.

Band young, but determined

With its enthusiastic and youthful atmosphere, Bloomington has long held the tradition of being a breeding ground for original music.

Fate on local band's side

With its enthusiastic and youthful atmosphere, Bloomington has long held the tradition of being a breeding ground for original music. From the reputable School of Music to legendary venues such as the Bluebird, the area is rich in artistic resources and has spawned more than a few bands in its day. Rich Hardesty enjoys the success of being called Indiana's top independent artist and will soon make the move from Bloomington, where he has spent most of his successful musical career.

Band reaches crossroads

With its enthusiastic and youthful atmosphere, Bloomington has long held the tradition of being a breeding ground for original music. From the reputable School of Music to legendary venues such as The Bluebird, the area is rich in artistic resources and has spawned more than a few bands in its day.

Singer keeps upbeat attitude

He's recorded six CDs and made countless live compilations. He packs college bars in Bloomington, West Lafayette, Evansville and Indianapolis. His tunes are among the most frequently played on local jukeboxes, and his show was once responsible for setting a world record for the largest amount of Jagermeister sold in one night.

Store offers unique, local music

There is a place where magazines, CDs and boxes tower far above what physics should allow. This place is TD's CDs & LPs, 322 E. Kirkwood Ave., and, though it disregards the most basic law of physics, is not well known by most people.

Widespread Panic to play at Auditorium

Tuesday night, Widespread Panic will take the IU Auditorium stage for a concert of high energy jam rock music.