A&E

Around The Arts

Eighth annual Lotus Festival holds volunteer information meetings Lotus Festival organizers will hold two orientation sessions for anyone interested in volunteering at the world music event in September. The first meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The second will take place 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Buskirk-Chumley. Inquiries can be directed to volunteer@lotusfest.org or to the Lotus Office at 336-6599. The Eighth Lotus Festival, an annual showcase of world music and arts, will be held in Bloomington from Sept. 19 -23.

Village Deli offers a sandwich aternative

With all the sandwich shops surrounding campus, a sub or your "usual" sandwich may be the last thing on your mind when looking for something to eat. But there is a place out there that offers an alternative to the everyday fare. The Village Deli offers classic sandwiches, salads, burgers, and more.

'Madama Butterfly' opens this weekend

"Madama Butterfly" is one of the best known operas today and is performed regularly in opera houses around the world. This classic, which was adapted by Italian maestro Giacomo Puccini from the play of the same name, comes to Bloomington this week as part of the Summer Music Festival. The performances will take place on July 28, 29, Aug. 3 and 4. The orchestra will be conducted by Imre Palló and directed by Mark Clark.

It's all in the crust

I have come to believe that any good home cook should know how to make a pie crust. I am a fool for anything wrapped in pie crust and view it as the little black dress of the culinary world: It serves well at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack-time, and all manner of special occasions dishes. You can fill it with silky custard or savory quiche, pile it high with summer fruit, cut and press it into tiny appetizer tart molds, or fold it over and pinch it closed around spicy meat fillings. Once mastered, there is nothing in this world as useful or satisfying. Of course you can always buy a frozen or refrigerated pie crust, or add water to a mix to cut corners. All are fine in a pinch, but none can compare to the real thing. Homemade pie crust is worth the effort. Best of all, its flaky, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth goodness is composed of almost nothing at all. Everything it is made of is commonly found around the kitchen.

Vines & Wine

When people outside the state think of Southern Indiana, some might not think of the scholarly exploits of the students and faculty at Indiana University. Nor may they think of the social consciousness or the natural beauty of Bloomington. Sadly, a number of misinformed out-of-towners may envision the typical southern Indianan as mountain folk. A one-eyed, one-toothed, deranged senior citizen sitting on his porch in a rocking chair, XXX jug in one hand, shotgun in the other. These are the people who assume that the extent of Southern Indiana libations consist of moonshine and Natural Light. How sorely mistaken they are.

Man Ray Revolving Door prints on display

At first glance, the IU Art Museum's installation of Man Ray's Revolving Door (1926) prints may appear to be nothing but an abstract Rorschach test, subject to free associations and loose interpretations. But after close examination of both the titles and accompanying text the true talent and voice of the early twentieth century artist can be seen and heard. Man Ray, born Emmanuel Radnitzsky, was an American photographer, filmmaker, sculptor and painter, who lived in Paris until the German occupation in 1940. As a young man, Man Ray was influenced and involved in the Dadaist movement and participated in the First International Dada Show held in Paris. The movement was concerned with form, imagery, and color, but most important was the "idea" encompassed in the work.

This Weekend's Calendar events

The Gallery celebrates birthday

On a campus so rich in the visual and performing arts, it is difficult to imagine 33 years ago there was little or no outlet for local painters, potters and sculptors to market their work. "I knew four or five women -- all painters -- who were selling their work from their garages," said Rosemary Fraser, owner of The Gallery, a downtown Bloomington art gallery. "This was a time before art fairs, and there was a big need to create an outlet for these artists."

A living legend

He's been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and three Grammy awards. He's a member of the Jazz Education Hall of Fame, and Down Beat magazine recognized him for lifetime achievement. And now the Indiana Historical Society has bestowed its highest honor, the title of "living legend," upon David Baker, paying homage to one of the finest jazz musicians and instructors to roam the hills of central Indiana.

This Weekend's Calendar events

This Weekend's Calendar events

Effortless Aching: Indiana University's Ballet Dancers

Ballet is an art form that requires its performers to appear effortless in their work. But a 1975 study conducted by Dr. James Nicholas reported that ballet was more demanding, physically and mentally, than football or hockey. According to a three-year study of the dancers of the Boston Ballet Company, 60 to 65 percent of injuries dancers sustain each year are caused by "overuse." Ruth Solomon, formerly a professor of modern dance at IU, conducted the study with Dr. Lyle Micheli.

This Weekend's Calendar events

Legendary Prine to play Indy

Sam Stone will come home to Indianapolis Friday with shattered nerves and a little shrapnel in his knee. Well, not exactly. But John Prine, the prolific song writer who first sung the story of "Sam Stone" 30 years ago will be coming at 8 p.m. Friday to Indianapolis' Murat Theater, 510 N. New Jersey. Tickets range from $30-$51.50.

Fake interviews for fun and profit

Last week it was revealed that an Esquire magazine profile of rock and/or roller Michael Stipe contained numerous intentional fabrications by the author, apparently intended as some sort of post-modern "deconstruction" of the celebrity profile. "How marvelous," I thought as I read the news. "In the past, I have written articles by contacting sources and obtaining facts, like a sucker. Now, here in the space-age 21st century, all bets are off!" I then set about to write my own profile of Mr. Stipe, which appears below. Please note that I did not actually talk to him, or indeed anyone, for this profile. None of the information in the article is even the slightest bit true.

Üt Haus Jazz Band releases 2 CDs

For some folks, jazz is in the blood. Once it's got you, it doesn't let go easily. You have to hear it, you have to play it. You can't stay away for long. For three high school buddies from central Indiana, that has been the case for more than 30 years. Now, those same old friends, who have been playing together since high school but performing publicly with other local musicians since 1990 as the Üt Haus Jazz Band, are celebrating their past so they can get on with the future. They're releasing their first two CD-Rs this week -- Best of the Basement and alt.basement, a compilation of music recorded in their rehearsal space in 1992.

Bloomington Playwrights Project puts on annual 'Shorts' festival

The Bloomington Playwrights Project opened its annual short plays festival "Puttin' On Our Shorts" last Friday. Founded by two IU graduates in 1979, the BPP has for more than 20 years provided Bloomington with an opportunity to see new and experimental theater in an intimate setting, as well as giving budding local playwrights, actors and actresses the chance to hone their skills in a performance setting.

Early Music Festival returns to Bloomington for 8th year

Musicians from all over the world will descend on Bloomington for the next ten days to take part in the Bloomington Early Music Festival. Now in its eighth year, the Early Music Festival will offer Bloomington residents and out-of-town visitors the opportunity to introduce themselves to a sometimes overlooked period of music history. The Festival is being staged in conjunction with the IU School of Music's Early Music Institute.

Former 'Flashdance' star talks about life

Jennifer Beals is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Alex Owens, a welder who moonlights as a barroom dancer, in the immensely popular 1983 film "Flashdance." Her performance netted her a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award for best actress, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

New 'Survivor' crowned

NEW YORK -- Tina Wesson got her $1 million, Colby Donaldson is picking out a new motorcycle -- which she's buying for him -- and CBS has 36.4 million reasons to be thankful for "Survivor."