A&E

'Blast!' brings music and dance to IU

Cast members can't explain what makes "Blast!" such a unique and powerful show. It could be the magical blend of so many different genres of performing arts. Cast members dance, sing, do flips and even hang suspended by wires, all while playing their instruments. Costumes and lighting only add to the effect.

Around the Arts

Homunculus, a five-piece band formed at IU and including IU alumni, will perform at 10 p.m. tonight at the Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St.

Local jazz violinist to play

Recent IU graduate and jazz violinist Sara Caswell will perform selections from her debut album today at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., at 5:30 p.m. She will be accompanied by her sister, Rachel Caswell, on vocals, Jack Helsey on bass and Pat Harbison on trumpet. Admission is $5 at the door.

Raitt to give campus 'something to talk about'

Blues legend Bonnie Raitt will bring her signature twang and slide guitar to campus next month. Union Board booked the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the IU Auditorium. Available at all local Ticketmaster locations, tickets run from $25 to $40, with a $5 discount for students.

We're not in Kansas anymore

Showalter Fountain a traditional target of vandalism

The rioting crowd that surrounded Showalter Fountain Sunday not only tore the bronze fish from their moorings, but dismantled the last remaining original sculpture. Kathy Foster, curator of 19th and 20th century art at IU, reacted with dismay. "I just groaned," she said. "I knew we didn't have any spare fish."

Exhibits

Lilly Library, Fine Arts Plaza, east Seventh Street. "Were Off to See the Wizard: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900-2000" commemorates the 100th anniversary of L. Frank Baums childrens classic, on exhibit through Sept. 23. Tours available Fridays at 2 p.m. or by arrangement. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Call 855-2452.

Avant garde jazz to come to Bloomington

Eponine Cuervo-Moll would like to expand popular definitions of music and the human body.

South African explores both sides of racism

Since the dawn of dramatic writing, the craft of playwriting has called upon authors to create characters and situations drawn from life. A playwright seeks to hold a mirror up to society, reflecting the often simultaneous beauty and baseness of humanity.

Playwright visits campus

Athol Fugard, an internationally renowned playwright, will visit IU from Sept. 10-23. The author, whose works first spoke out against apartheid in South Africa in a dramatic, very public arena, will make two public appearances, as well as hold a workshop for students of acting and directing. He will also teach four sessions of an honors course on his plays.

Blue Moon Revue to play at City Grill

Blending funk with southern rock, the Blue Moon Revue will play at 10 p.m. Friday at the City Grille, 216 S. College Ave. The cover charge is $3.

Asian film series begins

The East Asian Studies Center is sponsoring a series of films. Admission is free to see films from Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, which will be shown at 7:15 tonight in Fine Arts 102.

Newcomer to promote album

"I think it's the finest work I've ever done … it's a little darker, a little edgier …" This is how Carrie Newcomer describes her latest album, The Age of Possibility, for which she is currently touring. The tour kicks off a two-month, 60-date stint with a concert at 8 p.m. Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The performance is being filmed by WTIU for an hour-long PBS special.

Jazz Fables begins new fall season

Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., swung to the sounds of Jazz Fables 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The 11-year-old tradition continues Thursdays this fall with a variety of local and regional musicians gathering to jam for a dedicated and diverse crowd.

Free jazz concert raises awareness of music community

The Jazz from Bloomington All-Stars concert Tuesday night displayed exactly what jazz music is all about. It was an informal jam session that relied completely upon improvisation, making it extremely personal in nature as if the performers were communicating with the audience with each note.

Around the arts

City Lights begins third year

After a summer of discussions, decisions and weekend film screenings, the City Lights film series begins its third year of presenting free screenings of classic and world cinema at 7 p.m. Friday with a presentation of "Steamboat Bill Jr." and "Safety Last," two silent films from the 1920s.

The joy of opera

This summer, a grandmother took her son, daughter-in-law and 4-year-old grandchild to the Musical Arts Center to see "The Barber of Seville." Knowing the grandson would not be able to sit through it, they decided that they'd leave an hour after it started and they'd come see it again another night.

Around the Arts

Indiana Dance Theater will hold auditions for its 2000-2001 season from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Monroe County YMCA, 2125 S. Highland Ave. The audition will include ballet, modern and jazz. Those interested are encouraged to bring their resume of dance training and experience. For more information, contact Diane Weidenbener at 335-1472.

Young musicians gain exposure on 'From the Top' now on WFIU

Young athletes are aired on television. Young writers are published in sections of the Sunday newspapers. And now, young classical musicians are broadcast throughout the airwaves here in Indiana.