A&E

Student playwright works to bring young audiences to theater

By Ashley Wilson · Friday, March 30,2007 12 a.m.

It’s safe to say that Paul Shoulberg knows a thing or two about writing for the stage. Since joining the Master of Fine Arts in playwriting program three years ago, the 30-year-old Kansas native has written seven full-length plays, a handful of 10-minute pieces and two one-acts – the majority of which have been features as either full-length productions or staged readings. Not bad for a guy who didn’t start writing until he was 23 years old and who, as a high-school student, never once attended a play.

This Weekend in the Jacobs School of Music

By Eric Anderson · Friday, March 30,2007 12 a.m.

Billed by IU’s Jacobs School of Music as “America’s premiere collegiate concert show choir,” the Singing Hoosiers will present its 57th annual Spring Concert on Saturday night at the IU Auditorium.

The reality of reality television

By Lindsey Landis · Friday, March 30,2007 12 a.m.

We’re another two episodes into the eighth cycle of “America’s Next Top Model” and the competition is intensifying. Felicia, better known as “baby Tyra,” and Diana, one of the two plus-sized models, have been eliminated. I interviewed both and they told me the misconceptions the judges construed and where they are now.

Students hold Chinese language, culture festival

By Chelsea Merta · Friday, March 30,2007 12 a.m.

The Chinese Language Program at IU will be hosting its annual Chinese Performance Festival beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Monroe County Public Library auditorium. The family-friendly festival will feature live plays and skits performed by students, as well as student-made video clips.

The Complete Moron's Guide to: Theatrical genres

Friday, March 30,2007 12 a.m.

Bedroom farce – A comedy based on numerous hook-ups between several couples.

Chris O'Riley presents eclectic lineup

By Nick Mills and Nicholas Mills · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

With his soft-spoken voice, pianist Christopher O’Riley asked the audience members at the IU Auditorium Tuesday night about their interest in his performance. He asked whether they came for his renditions of the modern popular music of Radiohead, or his arrangements of pieces from the 20th century classical composer Dmitri Shostakovich. Most of the younger audience was there for Radiohead, with the exception of music students who were there for both. The older audience was there for his renditions of Shostakovich pieces or knew him from his show on National Public Radio, “From the Top.”

John Waldron, local jazz group present concert ‘from the top’

By Jessica Andrews · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

The future of the jazz community in Bloomington will rally this weekend when musicians from Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Edgewood and Jackson Creek high schools team up to offer the community a night of melodic music inspired by a younger generation. The John Waldron Arts Center will host pre-college musicians for their annual concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday as they perform music inspired by NPR’s radio show “From the Top.”

Smithsonian official resigns amid criticism

By Brett Zongker · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

WASHINGTON – The Smithsonian Institution announced Monday that its top official, Secretary Lawrence M. Small, has resigned amid criticism about his spending. Small, the first businessman to run the 160-year-old museum and research complex, resigned over the weekend after more than seven years as secretary. The decision was unanimously accepted Sunday by the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents. “His long service and outstanding service were weighed against the current contrary feelings among some people in the community,” said Roger Sant, chairman of the Smithsonian board’s executive committee.

Focusing on their fortes

By Katrina Loh · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

The sound of opera fills the hallways of the Simon Music Center as students lug awkwardly shaped cases while weaving through crowds. They rush from rehearsals to classes, then to more rehearsals, all in the effort to perfect their craft. The students of the IU Jacobs School of Music are passionate about their work and spend countless hours studying and rehearsing. Sophomore Sarah Taylor, a voice major, said she has encountered a wide range of stereotypes. “People don’t know a lot about us,” Taylor says. “People think that we don’t go out, or that we are nerdy or dorky, or that we don’t have other interests.” There are more than 1,600 music students at IU, yet many students outside the Jacobs school know little about their daily lives. Though the following three students come from different backgrounds, they all share the same level of commitment to their art.

ARTiFACT

Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

What: A Japanese wedding kimono. The kimono was worn by Haruko Torii at her 1933 wedding to Kochitaro Torii and was donated by her niece to the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection.

Novelist Dan Brown wins ‘The Da Vinci Code’ copyright

By Danica Kirka · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

LONDON – Britain’s Court of Appeal rejected a lawsuit Wednesday from two authors who claimed novelist Dan Brown stole their ideas for his blockbuster novel “The Da Vinci Code.”

Marines ban tattoos below elbows, knees to preserve their image

By Thomas Watkins · Thursday, March 29,2007 12 a.m.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Five tattooed skulls stretch from Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton’s right elbow to his wrist, spelling out the word “Death.” He planned to add a tattoo spelling “Life” on his left arm, but that’s on hold because of a Marine policy taking effect Sunday. The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps’ spit-and-polish image.

Stephen Marley takes headlining position from brother Thursday night

By Zack Teibloom · Wednesday, March 28,2007 12 a.m.

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley had top-billing at last year’s Bluebird show, but he’s taking a backseat to his brother, Stephen Marley, Thursday night.. Bluebird promoter junior Aaron Estabrook said Damian Marley doesn’t want it to be mentioned that he’ll be performing as well.

Jacobs violinist channels music, faith

By Katie Ingmire · Wednesday, March 28,2007 12 a.m.

He’s never been a cast member on MTV’s “The Real World” or starred in a Steven Spielberg movie, but IU freshman Peter Vickery knows what it’s like being followed by cameras.

Umbrellas join purses, shoes as important daily accessories

By Melissa Rayworth · Wednesday, March 28,2007 12 a.m.

You’ve got the killer outfit, the perfect shoes, even a chic designer handbag. But when the rain starts to fall, do you reach for a flimsy black umbrella, bought in haste during the last rainstorm? Or, worse, a bulky golf umbrella that came free with your checking account? If so, it’s time to go shopping.

Co-star of ‘Harold & Kumar’ gets guest teaching post at university

By Associated Press · Wednesday, March 28,2007 12 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA – Kumar is going from White Castle to the Ivy League. Kal Penn, known for his role as Kumar Patel in the 2004 cult classic “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” will be a guest instructor at the University of Pennsylvania during the spring 2008 semester, the school announced Monday.

‘Cinderella’ provides fairy-tale ending to ballet season

By Ashley Wilson · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

The IU Ballet Theater has a reputation for presenting ballets that are far from disappointing, and Friday evening’s performance of “Cinderella” was no exception. The imaginative production, which had its world debut in the spring of 2005 and featured the original choreography of professor of music Jacques Cesbron, was both lively and humorous, with choreography that remained true to traditional movements. The opening scene in this three-act ballet takes place inside Cinderella’s house with Cinderella, senior Catherine Wolfson, scrubbing the floors while her two stepsisters and stepmother, Stephanie Lampe, Whitney Huell and Brittany Balthrop respectively, prepare for “The Prince’s Ball.”

Classical pianist O’Riley to perform tonight

Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Christopher O’Riley, a pianist and the host of NPR’s “From the Top” classical-music program, will perform at 8 p.m. today at the IU Auditorium.

An artistic perspective on nature

By Ryan Brown · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

As I looked out my fifth-floor Forest Quad window Saturday afternoon, I saw people running, throwing Frisbees, having picnics and even doing cartwheels. Yes, spring is here, and last weekend showed it’s in full swing. The warm weather brought with it a sense of community and childlike whimsy that is characterized by all the cliche imagery of joy and wonder.

Gibson clashes with professor over ‘Apocalypto’ questions

By Sandy Cohen · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

LOS ANGELES – Mel Gibson exchanged angry words with a university professor who challenged the accuracy of his film “Apocalypto” at an on-campus screening. Gibson was answering questions from the crowd at California State University at Northridge Thursday night when Alicia Estrada, an assistant professor of Central American studies, accused the actor-director of misrepresenting the Mayan culture in the movie. Gibson directed an expletive at the woman, who was removed from the crowd.