A&E

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."

Writers continue negotiations

LOS ANGELES -- Hollywood writers entered their second day without a new contract Thursday as the threat of a strike that could paralyze the movie and TV industry loomed.

IU's galleries offer art for everyone

The IU campus is full of museums and galleries displaying the work of students, faculty and prominent artists from around the world. All galleries will be open this weekend and welcoming everyone from graduating students to out-of-town visitors. Here's what you will find:

Chess gains popularity with the help of Hollywood

NEW YORK -- The boys of summer are finally slugging, catching and pitching again. The hoopsters and hockey players are gunning for their championships.

Local band Danagas to break up

Breaking up is hard to do. But the members of the Bloomington band Danagas realized it's time to go their separate ways. The band will play its last show May 3 at Second Story Nightclub, 201 S. College Ave. David Barajas, bass and vocals, said all the band members knew the band's breakup was inevitable. "There was too much thirst in Danagas," Barajas said. "We all wanted to do different things and go different places."

'Ragtime,' 'Fiddler' on Auditorium slate

Nineteen events, including Broadway musicals, ballet performances, folk music and an acrobatic show, will entertain IU Auditorium audiences in the 2001-2002 season. The lineup features shows never before seen in Bloomington and the return of popular productions including "Rent" and the magic of David Copperfield, according to a press release.

Jazz unites local artists

Local professional musicians are calling all music lovers to join them in a jam session.

Festival to promote music, legalization

The Citizens' Alliance for the Legalization of Marijuana will offer an alternative to Little 500 events this weekend with its fifth annual Calmfest Saturday in Dunn Meadow. The goal of the festival is to unite music, community and social action.

Nelly concert short but sweet

Thousands of students went to the IU Auditorium Wednesday to see rapper Nelly perform. Union Board brought the concert to the student body as part of MTV's Campus Invasion. The sold-out concert featured four other bands that played before Nelly took the stage. "I have been rapping for years and have even released a previous album," said Alley Life, a solo artist who opened for Nelly. "I was on a small local label and it was not very successful, but now I'm on Interscope Records, and this is the new me."

'Up-and-coming' bands to help raise funds for philanthropy event

Two rising bands will play at Phi Gamma Delta fraternity's philanthropy event today.

Straight No Chaser members say goodbye to senior singers

Straight No Chaser will say goodbye to its seniors with a farewell performance today. Ben Cohen, Kyle Coffman, Mark Holloway and Michael Landau will leave the group next month.

Local authors discuss craft of writing, inspirations

Creative writing isn't just a class at IU; it's a way of life for some local authors.