A&E

IU Opera's 'Elixir' to open at MAC

Classic "bel canto" (good singing) is what some would call IU Opera Theater's first production of the 2000-2001 season. Although Gaetano Donizetti, the composer of "The Elixir of Love," is most known for his dramatic works "Don Pasquale" and "Lucia Di Lammermoor," his lighter fare is also highly popular and contains some of his most beloved music.

Vida highlights vocalists at Lotus Fest tonight

This year, more so than ever before, the Lotus Music Festival has managed to attract a high number of world class vocalists. Among the list of vocalists at this year's festival is the group Vida. While many people might not find this name familiar, Vida is a group that has established itself as a force in the world of vocal music. The group will highlight its skills at 9 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 219 E. Fourth St.

'Sylvia' offers light, comedic fare

To finalize this summer's Brown County Playhouse season, the Summer Stock Theatre of more than half a century has chosen to go out laughing. Using two of its former graduate students, a community actress of much repute and a current IU faculty member, IU and the BCP are looking to end its season with fervor and fun.

Lotus Music Festival features world music

The best in the world come together every year at the Lotus Music Festival for a celebration in social, cultural, and musical diversity. This year's festival began Wednesday with a kick-off concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., and will continue through Sunday.

Faculty members honor Coltrane at Jazz Fables

Tenor sax John Coltane started using heroin when he was playing with Miles Davis. Rumor has it, he wanted to be able to continue to practice all through the night.

Wyclef Jean to play in October

Wyclef Jean, the former Fugee bassist turned solo rapper and Grammy-winning producer, will be coming to campus in October.

Festivals help gear up for Oscar season

From Sundance, Cannes, Berlin and Venice to Montreal, Toronto and New York, various films are vying for the attention of distributors and critics.

From ink to celluloid...

Whenever a novel is adapted to celluloid, critics always take to vehement clucking.

Film archive to be displayed at Lilly Library

Despite a renowned faculty of film scholars and its pioneering efforts in film studies in the 1960s, IU has always lacked one significant ingredient other schools strong in film education possess ' a major film archive.

'Sunflower Town' humorous

The Bloomington Playwrights Project opened their 2000-01 season Friday evening with "Sunflower Town" - an ambitious piece from University of Iowa Masters of Fine Arts candidate Kara Hartzler.

'Blast!' excites audience

"Blast!" begins with a lone drummer under a single spotlight on a dark stage. It appears unassuming and simple. But that one drummer becomes two, then three, and suddenly the stage is leaping with the most talented, vibrant musicians ever to perform in Bloomington.

Tone poetry of jazz heard at Bears

Sara Caswell and her band took the stage Thursday at Bear's Place to celebrate her first CD, First Song, recently released on Double Time Records. The concert featured a mix of songs from her CD and old standards.

Kottke gives great acoustic set

Exhibits

Archives of Traditional Music. Library of music from around the world. Hours by appointment. Listening hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in Morrison Hall 120 . Call 855-8631.

'Blast!' brings music and dance to IU

Cast members can't explain what makes "Blast!" such a unique and powerful show. It could be the magical blend of so many different genres of performing arts. Cast members dance, sing, do flips and even hang suspended by wires, all while playing their instruments. Costumes and lighting only add to the effect.

Around the Arts

Homunculus, a five-piece band formed at IU and including IU alumni, will perform at 10 p.m. tonight at the Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St.

Local jazz violinist to play

Recent IU graduate and jazz violinist Sara Caswell will perform selections from her debut album today at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., at 5:30 p.m. She will be accompanied by her sister, Rachel Caswell, on vocals, Jack Helsey on bass and Pat Harbison on trumpet. Admission is $5 at the door.

Raitt to give campus 'something to talk about'

Blues legend Bonnie Raitt will bring her signature twang and slide guitar to campus next month. Union Board booked the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the IU Auditorium. Available at all local Ticketmaster locations, tickets run from $25 to $40, with a $5 discount for students.

We're not in Kansas anymore

Showalter Fountain a traditional target of vandalism

The rioting crowd that surrounded Showalter Fountain Sunday not only tore the bronze fish from their moorings, but dismantled the last remaining original sculpture. Kathy Foster, curator of 19th and 20th century art at IU, reacted with dismay. "I just groaned," she said. "I knew we didn't have any spare fish."