A&E

Alumna targets post-collegiate readers in book

Bloomington-born author Meg Cabot has the Monroe County Public Library to thank for her love of literature. Cabot, who is best known for the famed "Princess Diaries" series, spent much of her childhood in the young adults' section, soaking up books by fellow authors Judy Blume and Jane Austen, according to a press release for Cabot's most recent book. Cabot's latest novel, "Size 14 Is Not Fat Either," was released Tuesday as the second book in her "Pink Mystery" series. "Size 14" chronicles the daily conundrums faced by Heather Wells, heroine of the previous Pink Mystery novel, "Size 12 Is Not Fat." Wells is a former teen pop sensation with a penchant for cracking the occasional murder case.

First IU 'Latexhibition' displays latex art for World AIDS Day

Many condoms will be unwrapped and used this week, but the ones used in the Indiana Memorial Union Solarium Friday will have a unique fate. They will be displayed as works of art for IU's first "Latexhibition." Latexhibition is a display of artwork created with condoms and other latex barrier devices. Latexhibition will be held on World Aids Day "as part of a community wide effort to educate and reflect on the HIV/AIDS epidemic," according to a press release. The idea of Latexhibition began as a project for human sexuality students at San Francisco State University, where IU graduate student Chris Fisher received his master's in human sexuality studies. "The biggest barrier to using condoms and other latex devices is often because of a sense being uncomfortable touching and talking about them," Fisher said.

Workshops Friday, Saturday to show how art can be mental health treatment

Cathi Norton views art as a healing activity. From painting to dancing to writing, she said she values using the artistic world to help those in need. This weekend, that goal will be extended to the community as she co-sponsors the first Art of Mental Health celebration. The event, which includes art exhibits, workshops and a concert, began with a simple idea. Weekly painting classes are held at the Center for Behavioral Health, said Norton, the community relations specialist at the center. These classes allow clients to express themselves artistically while having access to clinicians to discuss the feelings behind their artwork, she said. An annual event came from these classes, in which the public is invited to judge client work, with the winners being featured on note cards sold to the public.

Cruise couch-jumping incident offers inspiration for writer

When Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah Winfrey's couch professing his love for Katie Holmes in May 2005, the nation deemed him insane. However, playwright and IU graduate student Paul Shoulberg used Cruise's antics to perfect the finishing touches of his play, "Reel." The IU Department of Theatre and Drama will open the world premiere of "Reel" at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Wells-Metz Theatre. After working on the set of an independent film as an undergraduate at the University of Kansas, Shoulberg knew he wanted to tell a story on stage about what happens off camera. "Watching Tom Cruise on Oprah, (I realized) these people are absolutely crazy. They're psychopaths," Shoulberg said of celebrities. "These people are really disturbed."

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Chicago holiday bazaar stirs controversy

CHICAGO -- A public Christmas festival is no place for the Christmas story, the city says. Officials have asked organizers of a downtown Christmas festival, the German Christkindlmarket, to reconsider using a movie studio as a sponsor because it is worried ads for its film "The Nativity Story" might offend non-Christians.

IU Poet wins several awards, continues to develop

Mary Ramsay loves to write, but when it comes time to share her work with others, she's more prone to fold up her poem, stuff it in the shirt pocket of the reader and run away in the opposite direction.

IU Ballet Theater to present 'The Nutcracker' this weekend

The IU Ballet Theater will present Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" at the Musical Arts Center this weekend.

Internationally known horn player takes professorship at music school

From a pig farm in western Canada to the bright lights of Broadway, Jeff Nelsen's French horn talent has taken him all over the world. Now the internationally known horn virtuoso has taken a position as an associate professor of music at IU's Jacobs School of Music. Nelsen is currently a visiting associate professor in the school, and he said spending time in this role made the decision to take the faculty position easy.

Artifacts

Help Me, Harlan!

Around the Arts

Police display fake art pieces at exhibition to warn London dealers

Hark, hear the guitars!

Noon Talks offer art museum insight

IU grad named director of Indiana Arts Commission

One of IU's own graduates has been appointed executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission, and he has big plans for making the commission more accessible.

I fought Black Friday, and I won

Everyone has a time of year that's special to them. For some, it's Restless Leg Syndrome Education & Awareness Week; for others, it's Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month. Well, this weekend was my special time.

Center may expand senior art options

Plans are in the works for a Bloomington center where senior citizens can stay active in the arts. On Nov. 19, the director for the National Center for Creative Aging, a New York-based initiative to create arts programming for older adults nationwide, Susan Perlstein, held a workshop at the John Waldron Arts Center to launch a local chapter of the Center for Creative Aging. She presented examples of work that senior citizens have done in creative aging centers around the country.

Jacobs School of Music makes 10 sound investments

The fingers of some of the finest piano students have new reason to tickle the ivories: The Jacobs School of Music has added 10 new Steinway & Sons pianos to its collection. Unlike years past, these pianos are not on loan but were purchased after the school's loan plan with Meridian Music fell through in July.

Music school offers podcasts of student performances in video, audio online

The IU Jacobs School of Music recently inaugurated a free podcasting service from the school's Web site.