A&E

Country Runway

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Thursday, April 22,2004 1:59 a.m.

Saturday night at the "Chicken Ranch," a crowd of about 100 people saw the only student runway show this semester. Jesse Deckard, a senior majoring in fashion design through the Individualized Major Program, said goodbye to IU with style. In a rustic setting on the outskirts of Bloomington, friends and family gathered under a white tent to see Deckard's final project, "Because I'm a woman." Before the show started, all of the guests received a free glass of wine. The speculation was present on everyone's face as they looked at the white 50-foot runway bearing the collection name "Esseja Creations." The event was complete with flowers on each table, a cash bar and a decorated runway. Anticipation was hard to contain as old classmates returned to Bloomington to see the show everyone had been talking about.

Playwright Mark Medoff and his muse get primitive on Broadway

By Alyson Brodsy and Mark Kennedy · Thursday, April 22,2004 1:55 a.m.

NEW YORK -- When playwright Mark Medoff first met actress Phyllis Frelich, there was no sign she would soon become his muse. The two ran into each other in 1977 during a writers' workshop at the University of Rhode Island. She was an actress with the National Theatre of the Deaf; he was a hot off-Broadway playwright. It took only 20 minutes before Medoff wanted to write a play for her.

East meets West at Honolulu Academy of Arts exhibit

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 22,2004 1:54 a.m.

HONOLULU -- East and West cross, clash and meld into cityscapes, landscapes, portraits and nudes in an exhibit of works by European masters purchased a century ago by Japanese industrialists and rarely seen outside Japan. "Japan & Paris: Impressionism, Postimpressionism, and the Modern Era," an exhibit of French and Japanese paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is on view at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

A bag for all occasions

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Thursday, April 22,2004 1:49 a.m.

While flipping through my April issue of Vogue, I stumbled across a letter to the editor about one of the most important accessories a woman can have, the handbag. The writer, Jessica Scicchitano, said she never understood the rule of fashion for having one must-have handbag per season. I must say, I completely agree, I have never had one bag for one season. I know there are must-have bags, but one bag -- that is crazy.

Exhibit blends Egyptian, Greek artistic traditions

By Lyssa Rebholz · Wednesday, April 21,2004 1:46 a.m.

Walking in, senior Afriza Mohd feels a bit intimidated by the face of Alexander the Great, whose statue looms overhead. She gasps at the Egyptian mummy lying in the center of a brightly-lit room. But she smiles at the showcase of beaded jewelry, consisting of coiled-snake rings, pendant earrings and beaded necklaces.

Around The Arts

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, April 21,2004 12:33 a.m.

Tom Brokaw's NBC sign-off day set for Dec. 1 NEW YORK --Tom Brokaw's sign-off date as anchor of NBC's top-rated "Nightly News" has been set -- it's Wednesday, Dec. 1. His successor, Brian Williams, will take over as sole anchor the next day, the network announced Monday. Brokaw, 64, announced two years ago he will end his "Nightly News" run shortly after the 2004 presidential election, giving way to longtime heir appar-ent Williams.

Bad dates make for a good read

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Wednesday, April 21,2004 12:31 a.m.

You Have to Kiss a lot of Frogs," the first novel from actress turned writer Laurie Graff, is a hilarious trip through the love life of Karrie Kline, a struggling New York actress living from part to part and man to man.

'Divas' show another coronation for Simpson

By Alyson Brodsy and Nekesa Mumbi Moody · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:42 a.m.

NEW YORK --Even the folks at VH1 admit they didn't really consider Jessica Simpson diva material when they put together their annual "Divas" extravaganza last year. Rick Krim, a VH1 executive vice president, said she didn't seem to appeal to the targeted audience.

Bluegrass lives on

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:41 a.m.

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Hundreds of dedicated bluegrass music fans may have saved a music festival that was slated to end after this year. Last month, Executive Inn Rivermont officials said the third annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots festival would be the last. But many of the 1,200-plus fans who filled the Showroom Lounge Friday and Saturday didn't want the music to stop.

When in Rome...

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Tuesday, April 20,2004 12:38 a.m.

Smelly, chaotic, noisy, beautiful and charming are only a few of the words that can be used to describe Rome; the eternal city is a mixture of old and new world, Catholicism and pagan gods. The bustle that is common to this metropolis was only intensified by the weekend I chose to visit: Easter. After navigating my way to the hotel -- no small feat in the labyrinthine streets -- I set out to see what there is to be seen. As it turns out, in Rome that means the entire city.

RZA composes for 'KiIl Bill' series

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:27 a.m.

NEW YORK --Usually, when a rapper breaks into movies, he's in front of the camera, but that isn't true for WuTang Clan member RZA. RZA, a founding member and main producer of the Wu-Tang Clan, had a different idea -- scoring films. His dreams have come true with the "Kill Bill" films: Director Quentin Tarantino personally picked RZA to compose the music for the two-part saga.

Latin pop star Thalia launches new magazine

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:26 a.m.

NEW YORK-- Latin pop star Thalia, who already has made her mark in the music, fashion and television industries, now wants to add magazine publishing to her resume. A three-issue monthly named Thalia was released by the singer Tuesday during appearances at Grand Central Terminal and at a Kmart. The publication will run two more issues in May and June.

Lost Valentino film found

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, April 19,2004 1:25 a.m.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- A copy of Rudolph Valentino's silent film "Beyond the Rocks" has been found in the Netherlands. Valentino was an Italian-born movie idol who died in 1926 at the age of 30. He was a star in silent movies during the 1920s. Two of Valentino's most famous films are "The Sheik" and "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," both made in 1921.

Little 500 eats

By Suzanna Lindemann and Suzanne Lindemann · Monday, April 19,2004 1:15 a.m.

Indiana may have a harsh winter, but that only makes the warm weather of spring and summer much more exciting. The unseasonably warm weather has had people out and about taking advantage of the sunshine. Because it is so nice, people now look forward to eating outside, and nothing is more popular when eating outdoors than barbeque.

Student designer reflects on past for fashion show

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Friday, April 16,2004 2 a.m.

When a small-town boy from Spencer, Ind., sets his sights on bigger dreams, many would call it impossible. This weekend, Jesse Deckard, a senior majoring in the fashion design program will prove with hard work and determination, anyone's dreams can come true.

Cavemania: Kevin Burke explains primitive man

By Andrew Welfe and Andrew Welfle · Friday, April 16,2004 12:21 a.m.

What does Kevin Burke know about relationships? The answer would be shorter if one asked, 'What doesn't Kevin Burke know about relationships?' Kevin Burke, an IU alumnus, is the star and entire cast of the one-man show "Defending the Caveman." It takes an anti-John Gray approach to relationships. The commercial that has been airing all over Bloomington TV sums up the content of the show.

Gallery presents 10th tea party

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 16,2004 12:13 a.m.

For almost 80 years, the Brown County Art Gallery at 1 Artist Dr. in Nashville, Ind., has been dedicated to education in the arts, cultural advancement and the creation of a greater incentive for the development of creative art and its presentation to the public.

Choral ensemble prepares for diverse spring concert

By Ronni Moore · Friday, April 16,2004 12:12 a.m.

Continuing in the rich tradition and culture of African-American performance and the African American Arts Institute, the African American Choral Ensemble will be presenting its full spring concert this Saturday night. The African American Choral Ensemble was founded in 1975 and continues to be one of the most well-known ensembles at IU, most recently performing at the inauguration of President Adam Herbert Thursday afternoon. However, the ensemble members say their elevated status does come at a price. Eric Johnson, a senior majoring in general studies, said the practices take commitment.

Jazz concert begins celebration

By Laura Kruty · Thursday, April 15,2004 2:14 a.m.

Jazz fans of all ages gathered last night at the IU Auditorium to witness a concert in honor of IU President Adam Herbert. The concert kicked off the inauguration ceremonies for Herbert, who will be officially sworn in Friday.

Lil' Kim charged with perjury

By Alyson Brodsy and Larry Neumeister · Thursday, April 15,2004 2:06 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Lil' Kim, the rapper known for her outrageously revealing outfits and sexually charged lyrics, was charged Wednesday with lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shootout involving her entourage. The 28-year-old star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, turned herself in at federal court, where she was to appear before a judge.