A&E

Exhibits allow kids' talents to shine

By Jaime Higginbotham · Thursday, March 11,2004 12 a.m.

Artistic skill runs in Samantha Crouch's family. Her father has been drawing since the first time he picked up a crayon, and both her twin and older sisters are painters. It is no surprise Samantha has artistic talent, too.

Galleries in the open air

By Jane Charney · Wednesday, March 10,2004 11:58 p.m.

Whitney Blake's vision of peace is simple. It's a world of quiet, flowers, friendship and love. And throughout March, Bloomington residents and IU students will see Blake's work on a billboard at the corner of Fourth Street and College Avenue. Along with three other local middle-schoolers, 12-year-old Blake won a Youth Art Month student art contest sponsored by Your Art Here.

'David's' restoration nears completion

By Alyson Brodsy and Frances D'Emilio · Tuesday, March 9,2004 11:55 p.m.

FLORENCE, Italy -- After months of meticulous dabbing away at decades of dust and grime, a contested cleaning of Michelangelo's "David" is more than halfway done, and experts insist the restoration has improved the marble masterpiece's appearance.

Students shine in Mini-Play festival

By Lori Snow · Tuesday, March 9,2004 11:51 p.m.

This week, 52 elementary, middle and high school students from around Bloomington will see the results of their hard work as they produce, direct and perform their self-written plays. The event is a part of the 20th annual Mini-Play Festival sponsored by Bloomington Playwrights Project.

Escape to Amsterdam

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Tuesday, March 9,2004 1 a.m.

Don't get me wrong -- I absolutely love the city of København, despite the dismal weather. However, after spending a week by myself in my host family's home (they were skiing in the Italian Alps), I was ready to get out of the house myself. Since just about every other European destination is warmer and cheaper than København, I was faced with a bevy of options. Where to go?

Young Hoosiers learn the violin

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, March 8,2004 11:23 p.m.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. -- The sound of violins can now be heard at a southern Indiana elementary school as three third-graders have started learning to play the instrument as part of a new school program. The school district sought grants from two companies and bought three violins at $400 each to start the program at Springs Valley Elementary School, district superintendent Roger Fisher said.

Foci blends video, dance, music elements in one

By Stacey Laskin · Monday, March 8,2004 11:22 p.m.

Nestled intimately in the dimly lit room, the dozen or so audience members laughed together and traded professional experiences at Windfall Dancers' production of "Foci" Friday. According to the press release, "Foci" is designed to explore the tension between multiple perceptions of the present.

Three comics shake up the market

By Jamie Swhier · Sunday, March 7,2004 11:27 p.m.

Comedian Steve Medley appeared at the Market in the Indiana Memorial Union Friday as part of a night of comedy sponsored by Comedy Caravan. Medley, along with two other comics, performed jokes and skits in front of a full audience. The show included Scott Dunn, who has been on "The Man Show" and was featured on Bob and Tom's latest CD, and Randy Madsen, whose sense of humor caused the only outburst in the night's events. Each performer presented material for about 30 minutes.

Indiana represented in new hip-hop movement

By Eric Tash · Sunday, March 7,2004 11:25 p.m.

Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem all have something in common -- and its not that they are all part of the same record label. They are all from big cities with tremendous exposure. Though Los Angeles, Detroit and New York are known for producing hip-hop's latest and best talent, the Midwest region is just beginning to gain exposure from artists such as Nelly, Kanye West and Twista.

Web site celebrates artists in the Indiana Hip-Hop movement

By Eric Tash · Thursday, March 4,2004 11:18 p.m.

Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem all have something in common -- and its not that they are all part of the same record label. They are all from big cities with tremendous exposure.

Comedian Steve Medley makes his return to Bloomington

By Jamie Swhier · Thursday, March 4,2004 11:16 p.m.

Steve Medley, a former IU Student and current traveling comedian who has opened for such comedy headliners as Jay Leno and Dennis Miller, will be returning to campus this weekend to perform five shows.

'Tonight Show' legend to perform at IU

By -Jenny Kobiela · Thursday, March 4,2004 11:15 p.m.

Jazz legend Doc Severinsen of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" fame will perform with his big band at 8 p.m. tonight at the IU Auditorium. For 30 years, from 1962 to 1992, Severinsen participated in "The Tonight Show" band, first as a lead trumpeter and later as musical director for the show. However, Severinsen's musical career started much early. Born in 1927 in the small town of Arlington, Ore., Severinsen began to take an interest in music after watching his father, Carl Severinsen.

Around The Arts

Thursday, March 4,2004 12:40 a.m.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project will hold auditions for its Dark Alley Series production of "Sex/Death II" from 6 to 9 p.m. today and Friday, March 5 at the Bloomington Playwrights Project in the Lora Shiner Studio on 314 S. Washington St. No monologue necessary. Contact co-producer Gilana Alpert at (812) 336-4396 or email galpert@indiana.edu for more information.

Middle East debates over reality TV

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:38 a.m.

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Reality TV has burst upon the Arab world, drawing huge audiences but firing up conservative outrage over the spectacle of young men and women flirting, hugging and dancing under one roof.Young people from Iraq and Syria to Egypt, Kuwait and Yemen love these variations on "Big Brother" and "American Idol." Some religious scholars and politicians say they're sacrilegious.Things got so heated this week that Saudi-owned MBC TV bowed to pressure from Islamic fundamentalists and the Bahrain Information Ministry and said it will suspend "Al-Rayes," its version of "Big Brother," less than two weeks into the show.

The model standard in American life

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:37 a.m.

Two British supermodels, Twiggy (1960) and Kate Moss (1990), strutted down the runway at five-foot-five and five-foot-seven, weighing less than 100 pounds each. The standard of fashionably thin was set. The standard was to be tall and very slender, with legs up to one's chin.

Opera mezzo soprano Dorothy Cole leaves legacy behind at 71

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:36 a.m.

SEATTLE -- Dorothy Cole, who went from singing for diners on Mount Rainier to an opera career as a Valkyrie, witch, goddess and dozens of other supporting roles with leading companies, is dead at 71.

Designers present collections in Paris

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:35 a.m.

PARIS -- Stars were in John Galliano's eyes for his Wednesday show of luxury, ready--to--wear fashions for Christian Dior-- but they were the Hollywood variety of ages past.

Oscar-nominated director to share movie

By Jacquelyn Janowski · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:34 a.m.

Bill Siegel, co-director of the Oscar-nominated documentary feature, "The Weather Underground," will present the film at 8 p.m. Friday in the Collins Living-Learning Center.

Former IU students help put Indiana on film map

By Jenica Schultz · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:33 a.m.

In the spirit of the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals, Indianapolis is starting a new tradition this weekend with its first annual International Film Festival. The film festival runs Friday through Sunday at the United Artists Circle Centre Theatre at Circle Centre Mall, located at 49 W. Maryland St. in Indianapolis, and will show a wide variety of short and feature films from 13 different nations.

Artistic Option

By Jen Gossman · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:32 a.m.

Before junior Zach Patton registered for his first year at IU, he had never taken any type of art class. In fact, as a freshman, Patton intended to major in biochemistry and cognitive science. Then, during the summer after his freshman year, Patton took a photography course at IU. Not only did this decision inspire him to become a photography major, but it also changed his life and the way he sees the world, he said.