A&E

Central Asian nations celebrate spring equinox with Navruz

Representatives of cultures from central Asia united to entertain and educate the Bloomington community Saturday in a celebration of spring. "Navruz" -- a Persian word that means "new day" -- is celebrated by central Asian countries annually, including the former Soviet republics of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and nations such as Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey.

Bloomington poets to take part in global peace event

Today, poets in 200 venues around the world will make an effort toward peace by reading their work. One of those readings will take place in Bloomington. The Leo R. Dowling International Center, 111 S. Jordan Ave. will be host to a poetry reading event entitled "Dialogue Among Civilizations Through Poetry" as part of a weeklong celebration of poetry throughout the world. Organized by graduate student Phil Metres, the reading is meant to comment on peace and humanity through poetry.

Independent artist performs, discusses craft of songwriting

Singer and songwriter Allette Brooks performed live Thursday night for a crowd of about 50 in Collins Center's Cheshire Cafe, playing two one-hour sets. The sets included songs from her latest release, Silicon Valley Rebel, in an event sponsored by Collins Living-Learning Center Arts Council and the IU Women's Student Association.

Chicago-based Polish group to perform Sunday

Students and faculty have a chance to get a taste of the Polish Gorale, or Highlander, culture. From the Polish Highlander's Alliance of America located in Chicago, a group of musicians and dancers will perform songs and dances of the Gorale culture at 3 p.m. Sunday at the University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union. It is free.

Museum to highlight thesis work

The IU Art Museum and the SoFA Gallery will present an exhibition entitled "Masters of Fine Arts: Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibitions." From March 27 to May 6, all the MFA students graduating in May will present their work to the public. The exhibits are presented to benefit the community and the artists by giving the work exposure.

Production's theme: Simplicity

It's not uncommon that when driving to an important event through rural areas, everything will be fine until the car breaks down and the only solution is a small garage in Nowhere, Mo. Under time constraints and deadlines and left in the hands of the all-powerful mechanic is where Frannie and Lee find themselves in Joan Ackermann's "Stanton's Garage," which opens at 7 p.m. today in the T300 Studio Theatre.

Music school honors legendary composer

To pay tribute to the influential composer Benjamin Britten, the School of Music has assembled an eight day celebration -- that began Monday -- to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death.

Book provides tips for young investors

The back cover of "Early to Ri$e" claims it is a book everyone younger than 25 should read. I disagree. The caption should have read "a book that some high school and a few college students should read."

Madonna video disturbs viewer

Girls can wear jeans, cut their hair short, wear shorts and boots, because it\'s OK to be a boy. But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, because you think that being a girl is degrading. But secretly, you\'d love to know what it\'s like, wouldn\'t you. What it feels like for a girl."

Feminist songwriter to perform free show

"It's time to choose to selectively use what we have been given without giving in." - Allette Brooks With that logo imprinted on all of her music, singer and songwriter Allette Brooks has been called a rebel and an inspiration to women, with her politically charged lyrics and independent way of observing and commenting on society as a whole.

Pantera energizes audience

Four metal bands took the stage Sunday night at the Pepsi Coliseum; one bored the crowd, one confused the crowd, and the final two fans left eager to buy tickets for their next tours. Opening the show was New York's Nothingface, which did not stray from the usual formula for hard rock/metal, and attempted to get the crowd active during its five-song set, with little success.

Pantera to bring show to Indianapolis

Ater receiving its fourth Grammy nomination, veteran metal band Pantera will bring its hard-hitting sound to the Pepsi Colosseum in Indianapolis March 18.

'Isn't it Romantic' witty outlook on gender roles

"Isn't it Romantic," began as a simple stream of messages left on Janie Blumberg's answering machine and wove its way into a emotional discourse on friendship, gender roles and the small, intimate details of life Wednesday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Play replicates dialect, costumes with care

The University Theatre audience erupted with applause at the conclusion of the opening night's production of "Translations." But that was only after more than a month of practicing four hours a day, five days a week.

Play deals with balance of careers, search for love

"Sometimes I want to clean up my desk and go out and say, 'Respect me, I'm a respectable grown-up,' and other times I just want to jump into a paper bag and shake and bake myself to death." According to the Princeton Language Institute, those words were spoken by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who wrote "Isn't It Romantic," which will be performed today and tomorrow at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre.

Pianist seeks to inspire

Graduate student Ji-hye Chang is the most recent success story to emerge from the famed School of Music. Chang, who will receive her masters degree in piano performance in May, gave her graduate recital Sunday at Recital Hall.

Cooking easy with preparation, practice

People frequently ask me where I learned to cook, and by their expressions, I imagine they envision a cavern hidden deep under the city. There, a secret, benevolent cabal of home cooks preside, practicing the ancient rites of both spice mingling and time juggling.

Jazz Fables pays tribute to music legend Miles Davis

All jazzed-up and nowhere to go? If an aversion to the swanky atmosphere typically associated with jazz is discouraging to you, try the casual mood of Jazz Fables at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St.

Sexpert

Ladies First wins 2nd at local vocal competition

The Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., came alive Saturday night with voices of a capella groups from universities across the Midwest. Sponsored by IU, the semifinal round of the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella ended with one group continuing to the final step of the competition -- New York City's Lincoln Center in April.