A&E

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.

Exhibits

Actress returns in 'Never Again'

Jill Clayburgh is awaiting the 2001 release of her latest movie, "Never Again," a romantic comedy. But the actress is no stranger to leading film roles. Clayburgh is best known for her portrayal of Erica Benton, a woman who struggles to find her identity and rebuild her life after her husband divorces her, in 1978's "An Unmarried Woman."

Exhibits

Clinton blends funk, rock to delight crowd at Axis

With a 23-person army at his back, George Clinton attacked Axis, 419 N. Walnut St., with a ferocity Wednesday night, rocking the packed crowd for almost four continuous hours.

Mini-film festival recognizes movies against Blaxploitation

Around 1967 and 1968, a group of African American filmmakers with similar ideas about the questioning of black existence in America found themselves in the fledgling film program at UCLA.

'Les Miserables' still casts magical spell

While many might not realize it, the musical sensation "Les Miserables" is more than 20 years old. But the musical version by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Shonberg, as timeless as Victor Hugo's novel, does not seem to be losing any luster.

Backstage set for revolution

At 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, "Les Miserables" stage manager Bryan Landrine runs through the IU Auditorium, watching stagehands assemble the set for the thousandth time. Landrine and his crew have only seven hours to make sure the set is assembled before curtain.

George Clinton to play Axis nightclub

Happiness cannot be bought, but for $23, temporary bliss can be purchased. George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic stop by Axis, 419 N. Walnut St., tonight at 9 p.m., bringing a 22-person band, an entourage of help and no opening act, giving the Godfather of Funk plenty of time to tear the roof off of Axis.

Motorcycle gang looks to heaven

The bushy beards, the bellies, the blue jeans and the black leather vests covered in emblem patches created an intimidating presence. Their motorcycles lined the sidewalk. Mingling with these bikers were men wearing khakis and button-down shirts, women in dresses and skirt-and-blouse ensembles. Everyone in the Rose Firebay Room of the John Waldon Arts Center that day have two things in common: They are all friends of Rich Remsberg, and they were all there to celebrate his book release.