A&E

Free jazz concert raises awareness of music community

The Jazz from Bloomington All-Stars concert Tuesday night displayed exactly what jazz music is all about. It was an informal jam session that relied completely upon improvisation, making it extremely personal in nature as if the performers were communicating with the audience with each note.

Around the arts

City Lights begins third year

After a summer of discussions, decisions and weekend film screenings, the City Lights film series begins its third year of presenting free screenings of classic and world cinema at 7 p.m. Friday with a presentation of "Steamboat Bill Jr." and "Safety Last," two silent films from the 1920s.

The joy of opera

This summer, a grandmother took her son, daughter-in-law and 4-year-old grandchild to the Musical Arts Center to see "The Barber of Seville." Knowing the grandson would not be able to sit through it, they decided that they'd leave an hour after it started and they'd come see it again another night.

Around the Arts

Indiana Dance Theater will hold auditions for its 2000-2001 season from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Monroe County YMCA, 2125 S. Highland Ave. The audition will include ballet, modern and jazz. Those interested are encouraged to bring their resume of dance training and experience. For more information, contact Diane Weidenbener at 335-1472.

Young musicians gain exposure on 'From the Top' now on WFIU

Young athletes are aired on television. Young writers are published in sections of the Sunday newspapers. And now, young classical musicians are broadcast throughout the airwaves here in Indiana.

Phoenix Theatre shows modern greats

Jazz From Bloomington highlights area talent at benefit concert

The Jazz From Bloomington All-Stars, an ensemble composed of professors and other established performers, will play today at T.I.S. Music Shop, 1424 E. Third St. The concert is to publicize the group, which is devoted to attracting accomplished jazz artists to the Bloomington region.

Exhibit to examine Vietnam War

The Vietnam War has made an unforgettable imprint on American society.

Arts festival returns to Bloomington

People strolled along Fourth Street Saturday and Sunday, between Dunn and Lincoln streets, jostling and gawking at the wares spread out in the booths lining both sides of the street. It was a timeless scene, one replayed in every marketplace since the beginning of trade among humankind. During the past 24 years, the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts has been a cornucopia of arts and crafts which heralds the end of summer in Bloomington.

Guitar virtuoso to rock Bluebird

Stained glass artist amazes with unique creations

Jacques Bachelier lives in Nashville, Ind., and like many Nashville residents, he grew up in a serene countryside where stone was quarried. But no, it wasn't South Central Indiana. Bachelier actually grew up in Tours, France; a town in the Loire Valley. Bachelier, a stained glass artist, wears a tan beret that looks like burlap. With the beret, he might be mistaken for a French painter, a career path he once considered. How did he become a stained glass artist? Following him from his boyhood in the Loire Valley, to engineering school to life as an a artist, it becomes apparent that his early exposure to both ornate cathedrals and engineering have left him with a unique ability to use engineering to achieve beautiful art.

Mellencamp comes home

John Mellencamp's free performance in Woodlawn Field Thursday drew a crowd of fans, both students and community members. "I think it was pretty good," he said in a press conference following the show. "It was pretty hot, but nothing like Nashville was."

Mellencamp to play free concert today

After recent surprise appearances in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and several other cities, John Mellencamp is bringing what has been called his "Good Samaritan Tour" closer to home. It was announced Tuesday the Seymour, Ind., native will play a free concert at 1 p.m. today in Woodlawn Field, located at the intersection of 10th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.

Local bands a jammin' success on Walnut

The Jammin' On Walnut musical extravaganza Tuesday night was exactly what it was expected to be: jammin' all night and a lot more. The event consisted of local and regional bands performing at three different locations: Axis, 419 S. Walnut, Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut, and Kilroy's Sports, 319 N. Walnut. The net proceeds of this event were donated to Shelter Inc.

Jazz virtuoso David Baker returns to Bear's Place

Professor David Baker will take the stage once again at 5:30 p.m. today at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St, at the Jazz Fables concert series. Baker will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Jazz Fables series, which has played at Bear's almost every week since its conception in September 1989.

Mellencamp to play free concert on campus

John Mellencamp fancies himself a Good Samaritan. The Seymour native announced Tuesday he'll give a free acoustic performance at 1 p.m. Thursday in Woodlawn Field, at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and 10th Street. Mellencamp has been performing free, impromptu concerts throughout the month of August as part of his Good Samaritan Tour. He announces the concerts on his Web site, mellencamp.com, a few days in advance and has played in Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Boston. Though attendance has varied, a recent show in Chicago drew in 15,000 for his hour-long set. The Bloomington performance will be the last of the tour, according to his Web site.

Junior realizes his lifelong dream of being cast in 'Rent'

The only thing missing is the glass slipper. Junior Justin Johnston is living out his lifelong dream of being an entertainer in what he calls "a Cinderella story." After pursuing a major in telecommunications and a minor in music at IU for three years, he is leaving Bloomington to join the national touring company of the Tony Award-winning musical "Rent."

Gallery starts year with new exhibits

Two new exhibitions will be featured in the School of Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit, which opened last Friday will continue until Oct. 6. Featured are "Old Stories," paintings by Nancy Morgan-Barnes, and Robert Barnes' "Lunch Bags." The exhibit will kick off with an opening reception from 7-9 p.m. Friday in the SoFA Gallery.

Exhibits

IU Art Museum 'Works of Eugene Goudin, Paul Signac, Jacob Jordaens and Matthias Stom are being displayed on loan from U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Steven Green. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon through 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 855-5445.