A&E

Ex-pro dancer teaches Bloomington ballroom dance moves

Feeling awkward on the dance floor comes about as naturally for most people as getting sweaty palms in front of someone they like. But if there’s one time-tested method for overcoming shyness both on the dance floor and in romance, it’s learning ballroom dancing.Dance instructor Margot Scholz teaches one-hour classes in ballroom dancing from 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays at the John Waldron Arts Center and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays at the Bloomington Adult Community Center.  

Audience is left ‘Senseless’

Magic was in the air Saturday night as illusionist BJ Harris performed his faith-based show “Senseless” at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. As part of the North Central Church of Christ’s Youth Conference, he entertained the audience with a display of mind tricks, sleight of hand and escape acts, giving a short speech before the finale about his philosophy of life and magic.

Robin Williams to perform new set at IU Auditorium

Robin Williams, famous comedian and actor, will hit the IU Auditorium stage March 26 at 8 p.m., the University announced Friday morning.

Rising magician to perform at Buskirk

Audiences at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater will be treated with the illusions of BJ Harris on Saturday, where he will bring his unique brand of stagecraft to Bloomington and perform his show “Senseless.”

NYC’s Met searches for opera hopefuls

The Metropolitan Opera National Council will audition new opera talent at IU’s Musical Arts Center Saturday at 1 p.m.

An American turned French returns home

PARIS – How did I get here? I’m at the end of my 16-week stay in Paris, and I can’t believe it’s actually time to leave. I remember seeing for the first time the bedroom that has become part of my temporary home.

IU alumnus shoots fashion photos for popular blog

Fashion is not about trends. It is not about wearing what’s popular or copying the celebrities. Fashion is expressing who you are through the clothing you wear and looking cool while doing it.

IU’s SNC spreads holiday cheer

IU’s Straight No Chaser members kept the audience in the holiday spirit as they performed their winter concert Dec. 12 at the IU Auditorium.

Around the Arts

The War on Drugs comes to B-town

Like a silver rocket barreling down a dusty Highway 61, Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs will blow through Bloomington at 10 p.m. Friday at Bear’s Place, playing their third show of a short seven-stop tour. Tickets cost $6.

Singing loud for all to hear

Both young and old, friends and family joined together Wednesday to hear Christmas carols and melodies at “Chimes of Christmas” at the IU Auditorium.

Looking good in ’09

Last week, I gave you five surefire ways to improve your style for the New Year. Well, that was just the first half of my fashion guidance. I’m back with my final fashion column of the semester to give you five more ways to look better in ’09.

Dance majors take stage in senior project

A new generation of IU contemporary dance majors has been working for the past four years, and now, in an exhibition at the John Waldron Arts Center titled “Roots and Wings,” the students are ready to show what they have learned.

Gift card exchange

While gift cards are traditionally used at the store from which they were purchased, Landlocked Music will now accept cards from any major chain store that sells media items.

Portable pieces of art

Indiana weather. Let’s face it – we are all used to it by now. But I, quite frankly, am getting sick of it. Unprecedented rain, ice storms and snow have all weathered this campus in December alone and we, as students, are left to deal with it. So far this semester, the weather alone has personally claimed three of my notebooks, a textbook and my usual positive disposition to make it to class on time.

My Top Five Christmas Movies

This week, in honor of Christmastime, I have decided to put together a list of my favorite Christmas movies.

Concert helps collect boxes of toys for children

The rain continued to pour outside the Bluebird Nightclub Tuesday night, but the toys kept pouring inside for the annual WTTS-FM  Toys for Tots Christmas Concert.

‘Chimes of Christmas’ rings in holiday season at Auditorium

Not even Ebenezer Scrooge would pass up the melodies of the instrumental and singing groups from the Jacobs School of Music performing “Chimes of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. at the IU Auditorium.

Hear them ring

Bells are jingling and chestnuts are roasting. That’s right, it’s time for some jolly holiday music. Every store will be playing holiday compilation albums, and Wal-Mart will soon be setting up for Valentine’s Day.

Fashion: Why so many fall in love with it

As a business major, I’m often asked by readers and friends why I’m so passionate about the fashion industry.