A&E

Rockin' in the NCAA: John Mellencamp to put on free Final Four concert

INDIANAPOLIS -- Growing up near Indiana University, John Mellencamp couldn't help but become a big college basketball fan. So big, in fact, that as part of the NCAA's Final Four weekend here he's headlining a free outdoor concert Sunday -- one expected to draw up to 100,000 people. Mellencamp, whose "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." is featured in commercials promoting this year's NCAA tournament, agreed to perform largely because of his relationship with former IU president Myles Brand, who now heads the NCAA.

SIDEWALK RUNWAY

Bloomington...and all that jazz

The lights dim and a sea of colored luminescent lights flood the busied café. The musicians take stage -- rhythm in the back and horns, trumpet and saxophone up front. The ensemble rustles its music then turns to the sax player who begins to snap his fingers. The room is silent save the uniform tapping of the feet to the recognized beat. The foot is understood. After the count off, the horns blare and the players begin to craft their musical art. For the players in The Mike Epstein Quintet, a local IU student jazz combo, this musical ritual embodies their typical Friday night.

TREASURE!

TREASURE! -- Dora the Explorer (right, kneeling) and her friends investigate the treasure chest that holds all of their party supplies. But just around the corner are the Pirate Piggies with a plan to steal the treasure chest. Dora's Pirate Adventure is showing at the IU Auditorium through tonight.

How the Internet jumped the shark

Do you remember the television show "Punky Brewster?" Have you ever wondered what it would be like if good ol' Punky grew up and became a doctor, only to be forced to come to terms with the death of her old neighbor Betty Johnson?

BEATBOXING

Drag pageant draws crowd

During the first round question-and-answer session of the 15th annual Miss Gay IU drag pageant, contestant Naomi Divine answered with, "We're here, we're queer, we're proud and we're gonna live for it." Her response captured the mood of the event, which was hosted by OUT, IU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Union, Friday at the IU Auditorium.

Buck Owens, country music star famed for 'Act Naturally,' dies

LOS ANGELES - Singer Buck Owens, the flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped the sound of country music with hits like "Act Naturally" and brought the genre to TV on the long-running "Hee Haw," died Saturday at the age of 76. Owens died at his home in Bakersfield, Calif., said family spokesman Jim Shaw. The cause of death was not immediately known. Owens had undergone throat cancer surgery in 1993 and was hospitalized with pneumonia in 1997.

Event showcases sounds, sights of Southeast Asia

A unique event titled "Finding Resonance: Sounds and Chronicles From the World We Walk In" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the John Waldron Arts Center located at 122 S. Walnut St. Produced by IU senior Zak Rosen, the evening will feature sound collages, audio documentaries and other sound compilations.

Beat boxer brings talents to Bloomington

Beat box actor Yuri Lane will be performing his narrative drama "From Tel Aviv to Ramallah" at 8 p.m. tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The performance, which debuted in 2003 at the New York City Hip-Hop Theater Festival, has been on tour ever since, showing primarily at festivals and on college campuses.

Students invited to InMotion Dance company workshop this weekend

Tick. Tick. Boom. The InMotion Dance Explosion Workshop 2006 will detonate in rhythm at 11 a.m. Sunday in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation room 169 and end at 4 p.m. Dancers ages 15 and older are welcome. The full workshop will cost $15, and a half-day is $10.

Actor's passion to rise in 'Our Country's Good' tonight

Korean drama craze reaches United States

HONOLULU - It's become a daily ritual for Gayle Stephens. She often laughs and cries while getting her daily fix. She's even tried to get her family hooked. Stephens loves Korean dramas. She is among a growing number of Americans with no connection to Korean culture who say the shows are a more compelling and wholesome alternative to the usual daytime programming on American TV. And retail giants are also starting to tune in. "I like the fact that they're cleaner, they're not as smutty as the American dramas," said Stephens, a 32-year-old black woman who grew up in Durham, N.C. "I didn't think I would enjoy watching, but I really got caught up in it. It's very engaging," she said.

SOUTH AMERICAN DESSERTS

NBA star's art on display

DURHAM, N.C. - Four-time NFL Pro Bowler Calvin Hill never had any trouble interesting his young son in sports. It took a little longer for basketball star Grant Hill to develop his father's passion for art. "I did grow up in a household with a lot of art," the Orlando Magic's forward says. "I guess at the time, I didn't really appreciate it or realize it did have an effect on me." It was obvious to all who watched Hill lead Duke University to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1991 and 1992 that, like his father, a career as a professional athlete awaited once his college days were over. Calvin Hill, who played for three NFL teams, and wife Janet took young Grant to museums and galleries, but Calvin Hill wasn't sure if his son would buy art that wasn't merely decorative.

CHILLIN'

The Greeks have lost their marbles

Greece had them first, but Britain is screaming, "finders, keepers!" It's like two children bickering over their favorite toys. There are a lot of tears and hurt feelings, but the solution is really quite simple. The ownership of the Elgin Marbles has been debated for almost 200 years. The Elgin Marbles is a collection of statues and pieces of the frieze, the panel that once surrounded the top of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Most of the surviving pieces are divided between the museums in Athens and Britain, with others spread throughout eight of Europe's greatest art museums. Athens wants them all for its own museum, which is being constructed with the hope that it will be completed in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Stay aglow in the snow

SIDEWALK RUNWAY

On their toes

Despite the chill that has pervaded Bloomington throughout the past week, with the advent of spring, the anticipation of warmer days ahead promise the excitement of new beginnings to both students and faculty. The IU Ballet Theatre is no exception. This weekend, the company will present "From Bournonville to Balanchine: An Evening of Legendary Ballets," a selection of three well-known pieces: the classical "Paquita," the modern American "Who Cares?" and the festive and vivacious "Napoli." This production represents an interdepartmental collaboration, as each segment will be danced by the students of the Ballet Department of the Jacobs School of Music and accompanied by guest conductor Ronald Zollman and the IU Symphony Orchestra. The world-renowned ballets featured in this performance have been performed internationally, but have been given a new energy and enthusiasm by the dancers and production staff of this year's Spring Ballet.