A&E

Habib Koité kicks off Lotus Festival

Trills of approval from barefoot dancers and audience members filled the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre during every break in the music Wednesday night at the kick-off concert for the Eighth Annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival. Habib Koité and his band Bamada switched flights, stayed in airports for hours and finally made it to Indiana in time to open the world music festival that is dancing on despite seven artist cancellations in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks. Paris Combo and the Gangbé Brass Band were set to send the music world spinning for Wednesday's special reduced-price show until they had to cancel because of travel complications. But judging from the cheers and energy from the audience Wednesday, Koité and Bamada more than filled in.

Out-of-town music talent reaches Bloomington

As the temperature rises, an array of musical talent from around the country -- and across the Atlantic -- promises to heat up Bloomington even more this week. Music lovers of all ages should find something to strike their fancy, whatever their taste might be.

Brain Surgeons to operate in Bloomington this weekend

You might not have ever heard of the Brain Surgeons, but chances are you know one of their predecessors. The Surgeons are fronted by ex-Blue Oyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard, who also wrote the bulk of the famed '70s arena rock giant's catalogue.

Dance troupe combines music, motion

Gathered in a tight clump in the center of the dance floor, the 25 members of dance company In Motion press their bodies together, forward, around and sharply back to the front again during a rehearsal. This formation is one of many in the company's opening piece, "Music," which they will perform in an upcoming performance at Willkie Auditorium.

Buskirk-Chumley to open for public viewing

Few, if any, Bloomington residents have seen the backstage area of the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre -- unless they've performed in a community production or logged hours moving and painting sets. But this weekend, IU Musical Arts Center manager and longtime Buskirk enthusiast Ted Jones will open the theater in its entirety to the public.

Üt Haus celebrates 12 years

"Jazz is my adventure," famed musician Thelonius Monk once said. For the Üt Haus Jazz Band, this genre of music has created just that sort of unique adventure. Combining their love of jazz and endearing friendship, the four IU alumni have been performing, composing and entertaining for the past twelve years.

'Carmina burana' returns to MAC after 10 years

"Carmina burana" is coming back to IU after 10 years. The ballet, which had its premiere at IU in 1991, is being presented by the School of Music at the Musical Arts Center this weekend. The production will feature a full orchestra, 150 choral members and more than 35 dancers.

Arts Week a 'cultural gem'

Working to bridge various aspects of the performing arts, Bloomington's 18th annual Arts Week celebration will begin today and run through March 2. The week-long celebration's opening reception is at 6 p.m. tonight in the new Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre foyer.

Waldron to present twist of 'Hamlet'

For lovers of Shakespeare, the John Waldron Arts Center's latest play could be considered either sacrilege or genius. "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" is a comedic twist on the Bard's classic tragedy, "Hamlet."

Savory recipes

FOOLPROOF CHEESE FONDUE FOR FRIENDS 2 large garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 14-ounce can evaporated milk 4 cups (2 8-ounce packages) Italian or 4-cheese blend shredded cheese 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Final curtain falls on University Theatre

Simultaneous feelings of sadness and joy soared through the University Theatre as the curtains closed after the final performance of "Waiting for Godot" Saturday. The lights will be dimmed and the doors will be closed until the theater's renovation, which will occur in the next few years. The fate of the room that has served as the University Theatre is uncertain, but it might reopen as a lecture hall.

Best-selling author receives award at IU

Jean Auel, an award winning and best selling author, sparked an evening of excitement for many in Bloomington, Thursday. The Center for Research into the Anthropological Foundations of Technology (CRAFT) presented Auel with an outstanding craftsmanship award, while promoting its new research center just north of campus, which is expected to be done in a year.

Criticism of 'A Beautiful Mind' irks filmmakers

LOS ANGELES -- The makers of "A Beautiful Mind" have objected to what they say is a whisper campaign to hurt the Oscar chances of their movie, which is up for eight Academy Awards including best picture.

Music of Angels

Amid the harsh noise of blaring brass and clashing violin that ricochet through the music school, the gentle strumming of Elzbieta Szmyt's harp seems to be the music of angels. As uncluttered and pure as the music she plays, Szmyt smiles and welcomes guests and students alike into her studio, a space adorned with a simple Japanese print in shades of rose and cream and posters from the numerous harp events she has performed in worldwide. Szmyt is an assistant professor of music and the director of the Pre-College Harp Program in IU's harp department, which is the largest in the world. She has performed internationally, including at the World Harp Congresses in Denmark and Prague. Szymt teaches students ranging in age from 6 to late 20's and travels around the world performing and teaching at master classes.

Six IU singers take home top awards from vocal competition

Voices echoing with operatic arias -- an air or melody in an opera, cantata or oratorio, especially for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment -- rang through the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in the 33rd West Palm Beach Vocal Competition, held this past April in West Palm Beach, Fla. Five of the winners were students from IU and one was an IU alumnus.

World-class trio to perform

For over 40 years the Beaux Arts Trio has provided audiences with precise, exciting and critically acclaimed performances and recordings of chamber music for piano, violin and cello. The founding pianist of the trio, Menahem Pressler, is accompanied by violinist Daniel Hope and cellist Antonio Meneses. Hailing from Britain, Hope was voted Young Artist of the Year 1999 by Germany's two leading music magazines and Classical Performer (of the year) 2001 by London's Evening Standard newspaper. Meneses has performed with top orchestras all over the world, and has won first prize in several international competitions, not the least of which was the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

Fans mourn Lennon anniversary

NEW YORK -- More than two decades after John Lennon was gunned down by a deranged fan, devoted fans of the ex-Beatle gathered Saturday to mourn on the anniversary of his death. Hundreds of people surrounded the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields, an area of Central Park dedicated to Lennon after he was shot in 1980 by Mark David Chapman in front of the nearby Dakota, the luxury apartment building where he lived. They sang Beatles tunes, bobbed their heads to the beat of a band, burned candles and remembered the singer who meant so much to them. "It's a weird thing. It's been your whole life, the Beatles," said Larry Martin, a professional guitarist. "I had older brothers, so from the time I was three or four my earliest memories are of the Beatles." Martin said his decision to attend this year was influenced by the death of George Harrison, who succumbed to lung cancer Nov. 29.

Jazz ensemble to play Buskirk-Chumley

Nationally recognized jazz ensemble The Greg Osby Four will play the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., at 7:30 p.m today. The quartet features Greg Osby on alto and soprano saxophones, Jason Moran on piano, drummer Derrick Phillips and bassist Calvin Jones. The band is touring with songs from Symbols of Light (A Solution), Osby's 11th. album, which is being heralded as his most adventurous release on the Blue Note label.

Artists Row Showcases Local Talent

Dedicated to providing support for local artists, the two-month-old Artists Row art gallery has experienced a great deal of traffic since its June 22nd opening. Local patrons have already exceeded proprietor Mark Stoops' expectations. The infant art gallery, located at 1300 S. Walnut St., has adopted an open-door policy and has vowed to represent local artists, both academics and professionals.

This Weekend's Calendar events