A&E

The sweetest, strangest, funniest... Valentine's Day

When he was 17, senior Mike Huang spent Valentine's Day night writing poetry on the sidewalk outside his high school girlfriend's house. His original Valentine's Day plans to take her out had been spoiled that afternoon by an argument with his girlfriend's parents. So he formed a new plan and went to the nearest Wal-Mart, where he bought a jumbo pack of colored street chalk.

Performance to highlight love

Until recently, cabaret was something that only happened in New York or Chicago. Award-winning Chicago actress Candace Johnson brings the art of the cabaret to Bloomington. in the Bloomington Playwrights Project production, "Love, Candy," complete with entertainment, champagne and dessert at 8 p.m. today.

Playwrights Project debuts award-winning 'Outrage'

Another opening, another show. But this was not the case at the Bloomington Playwrights Project, 308 S. Washington St., where the world premiere of "Outrage" opened this weekend. This work runs weekends through Feb. 25.

A cappella groups resurging

A cappella music is not only making a comeback, but also a name for the University.

AIDS musical to educate

Death can inspire life, or so it did for Steve Schalchlin, composer-lyricist-singer-pianist and the mastermind of the musical, "Living in the Bonus Round," which will be performed 7:30 p.m. today at the Whittenberger Auditorium.

Fourwinds Resort pasta bar mediocre

The setting of Fourwinds Resort and Marina, on lovely Lake Monroe, creates the potential for a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day or during the warmer spring season. With large windows overlooking the water and a quiet, pleasant atmosphere, this could be a great place to bring a date. The drawbacks of the restaurant -- located at 9301 Fairfax Road -- are the quality and selection of its food. When we ate here Saturday -- "pasta bar" night -- it was mediocre at best.

Pat McGee to play at Bluebird

I'm trying to get you to open up your sense to all the fine things that tear down the fences/put up by, and kept by those who don't always listen to what father told you they would be missin'./Out and down on this child's intervention/this boy never meant nothing but just to give you all about the passion. - Pat McGee For the Pat McGee Band, it is "all about the passion," devotion for music and for its fans, who have driven it on a meteoric rise through the music industry.

Local band Tintern Abbey looks for breakout show at Kilroy's

Fiber art intriguing at SoFA gallery

The SoFA gallery presents thought-provoking, intriguing and uncommon artwork. This month's exhibit is not an exception.

Alma Azul mixes it up at Second Story

Second Story Night club offered a mix of music and dancing Saturday night, the sound courtesy of Bloomington's Alma Azul.

Tintern Abbey brings funk, folk music

Jenny Appleby, bassist for Tintern Abbey, growled into the microphone midway through the band's three-set performance Thursday at Kilroy's Sports, "You have lost all your clothes, but you can keep your hat on." His words summarized an evening of music that defied a classification into one genre.

Around The Arts

Beyond the Pale presents evening of puppet theater Beyond the Pale Productions will present and evening of puppet theater, including "The Puppet Show of Don Cristobal," "Buster Keaton and the Buddha" and "The Third Pythia of Flin Flon" 8 p.m. Saturday in the Rose Firebay of the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St. Tickets are $9 in advance at TD's CDs & LPs or $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.beyondthepale.org.

City chosen for conductor contest

Bloomington has been chosen from every city in North America for the upcoming Maazel/Vilar Conductors Competition. Maestro Lorin Maazel, the newly appointed artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, will direct the auditions scheduled for December.

Chocolate dreams become reality

It sounds like something out of a chocolate lover's dreams. All-you-can-eat chocolate pies, cakes and cookies. But it's going to be a reality Saturday in Bloomington.

Finding the way to say "I Love You"

This Valentine's Day, resist the temptation of red and pink picture frames, heart-shaped jewelry boxes, chocolates and a dozen roses -- items that clutter the mall throughout February. Instead, make your own present for loved ones and give them something they can't find anywhere else. "Although store-bought presents can be meaningful, nothing is as personal as a homemade gift," said The Latest Glaze co-owner Mary Jo Benedict. After 25 years of marriage, Benedict said she has made and received countless presents.

Around the Arts Weekend

Senior explores many interests

Carol Yuan's name might not sound familiar, but the senior is on her way to becoming one of the most well-known student musicians on campus.

Symphony orchestra to perform at MAC

Going into a symphony orchestra performance, one wouldn't normally expect music that can be described as "weird," "grotesque" or "unusual." But when the IU Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 8 p.m. today at the Musical Arts Center, the music will be just that, at least according to the people who will be playing it.

Around The Arts

Kilroy's bachelor auction to raise money for RileyKilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut St., will sponsor a bachelor auction tonight to raise money for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Bachelors will include former soccer player and alumnus Dennis Fadeski, Interfraternity Council President senior Ben Schmidt and B97 General Manager Arthur Angotti Jr. The preliminary round begins at 8 p.m., and bidding will begin at 9. Cover charge is $1.

Alumna authors book, teaches belly dancing

Belly dancing gave IU grad Donna Carlton a new career. "I was working at a desk job, and I was really unhappy," Carlton said. " So a friend got me interested in Middle Eastern dance." Carlton now teaches a Middle Eastern dance class at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and has written a book called "Looking for Little Egypt."