A&E

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.

Stellar ‘Big Love’ opening shocks audience

By Kelsey Nash · Monday, March 26,2007 12 a.m.

"Big Love” director John Maness said he thought audiences would be shocked by the show’s openly suggestive content. But he forgot some other things they might be shocked by – the production’s talented actors and top-notch script.

Theme parties: Dress outside the box (or closet)

By Teri Rosenbaum · Monday, March 26,2007 12 a.m.

The walk of shame. Ordering Pizza Express at 3 a.m. and passing out before it arrives. Trying to be the first person to pee on one of those ridiculous $50,000 musical clocks on campus. What do all of these have in common? Well, they were all pretty fun for me last night! Just kidding, there was no way I was going to pass out before I got my cheese bread and ranch. Forget my diet. I stop counting calories when I start losing the ability to count.

Smithsonian’s museums ‘drastically underfunded’

By Brett Zongker · Friday, March 23,2007 12 a.m.

WASHINGTON – The Smithsonian Institution’s eight art museums are “drastically underfunded” and have “seldom lived up to their names,” according to an external review released Wednesday. The voluntary review by a panel of seven prominent museum directors gives recommendations to strengthen each museum and is similar to an external examination of the Smithsonian’s science programs in 2003. The review was adopted by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in January, though it was not released until Wednesday.

McCartney signed to Starbucks label

By Curt Woodward · Friday, March 23,2007 12 a.m.

SEATTLE – Paul McCartney was introduced Wednesday as the first artist signed to Starbucks Corp.’s new record label, lending an iconic nameplate to the coffeehouse giant’s latest entertainment venture. The former Beatle, who made an appearance over a video feed from London at the company’s annual meeting, said he expects to release his next album on Starbucks’ new Hear Music label in early June. McCartney said he was impressed with Hear Music’s push to use Starbucks’ 13,500 retail outlets as part of its sales plan. He also praised the company’s dedication.

The Complete Moron's Guide to: Painting Techniques

Friday, March 23,2007 12 a.m.

With the School of Fine Arts Gallery and IU Art Museum kicking off a round of Bachelor of Fine Arts shows with the Painting and DART reception tonight, we at the Arts desk thought you might like to sound like you know a little something about the finer aspects of painting. Use our clever list of terms to keep you in the know tonight and a calendar of Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts receptions to keep you in SoFA’s social loop.

SoFA hosts BFA, MFA exhibition

By Shannon McEnerney · Friday, March 23,2007 12 a.m.

This evening, the School of Fine Arts Gallery will open its doors to a vibrant exhibit, with murals and colors splashing the canvases. From 7 to 9 p.m., the SoFA Gallery will host a reception for a week-long exhibit of Bachelor of Fine Arts Painting and Digital Art. The exhibit will close on Saturday. Towering canvases line the walls of the painting exhibit, with portraits of people and different scenes.

This Weekend in the IU Jacobs School of Music

By Eric Anderson · Friday, March 23,2007 12 a.m.

Chamber music lovers will have a chance to see one of the nation’s most sought after ensembles at work as the Orion String Quartet takes the Auer Hall stage Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s concert will mark the group’s final appearance as the Jacobs School of Music 2006-07 Quartet in Residence. As a resident artist ensemble, the Orion String Quartet has presented both concerts and master classes during the course of the school year with the goal of “balancing instrumental education … (and) bringing chamber music to the fore,” according to a statement from the school.

Talented poet featured at the JWAC

By Ashley Wilson · Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

David Lehman could have been just another audience member in attendance Tuesday evening to see a poetry reading. After walking casually into the Rose Firebay room at the John Waldron Arts Center, he took a seat in the front row, smiling warmly at whomever he made eye contact with as dozens of people filtered into the performance space. Yet on this night, Lehman was the one doing the talking. Lehman, a respected and accomplished poet, gave a reading of his poems as part of a series called “Writers in Rhythm,” which combines poetry and fiction readings with music performances. The idea behind the series is to bring writers and music rhythms together to expose emerging voices, said Catherine Bowman, director of the creative writing program at IU and founder of the series.

A ‘Rat Pack’ runway: IU student presents his new line

By Kevin Caldwell · Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

His designs are classic, conservative and clean. But their designer, Justin Stutzman, is looking a little rough and like a stranger to sleep. The senior fashion designer is showing his final line Saturday at the John Waldron Arts Center. His reputation of elegance and excellence means everything must be just right, but, Stutzman admits, “I’m going to have to find a way to maybe let a thing or two slide.” “Fickle” is not in his vocabulary, and Stutzman has a distinct vision and mood he wants his audience to feel Saturday: tasteful and intense.

‘Big’ topics confronted in ‘Big Love’ production

By Kelsey Nash · Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

Despite what people might think, the play opening Friday at the Wells-Metz Theatre is not about Mormons on HBO, says the play’s director, John Maness. While the HBO TV series is about a man with three wives, Maness’ “Big Love,” by playwright Charles Mee, is based off an ancient Greek tragedy called “The Suppliant Women,” said Maness, a graduate student.

ARTiFACTS

Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

What: Dolls made by the Seminole people, U.S.

The Shoe Fits

By Eric Anderson · Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

Prokofiev’s magical ballet “Cinderella” returns to the Musical Arts Center stage this weekend. Making this production even more special is the return of Jacobs School of Music alumni Joseph Morrisey and Christopher Nachtrab, who originated the roles of the Prince and the Jester just two years ago. They are the first alumni to have the honor of being guest artists, so they sat down with the Indiana Daily Student to discuss their returns to Bloomington.

BPP’s ‘Empty Sky’ filled with questions

By Katrina Loh · Thursday, March 22,2007 12 a.m.

When playwright Sarah Treem wrote “Empty Sky” she asked herself one question: “What kind of god would ask a father to kill his son?” “I always start writing a play with a question. I want the audience to leave the theater thinking about the questions,” Treem said. Treem’s latest play will cover difficult topics like family, faith and forgiveness. Director Richard Perez said the play covers tough issues that speak to people of all ages.

Vocalist to compete at the Met Sunday

By Eric Anderson · Wednesday, March 21,2007 12 a.m.

If Facebook is any standard, Jacobs School of Music graduate student Jamie Barton is already an established celebrity. There are not only one but two groups in her honor: “Jamie Barton is the most popular girl on Facebook,” which claims she has more wall posts and Facebook gifts than anyone, and the noticeably less-flattering “Jamie Barton steals my lunch money,” which accuses Barton of nothing less than being a “bully who kicks puppies and scares freshmen with wedgies and wet willies.”