A&E

Delectable Dipping

By Camilla Saulsbury · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

For those who have let it lapse, Valentine's Day is a celebration worth reviving. Many people, of course, have less than pleasant memories of the day they were left without a sweetheart, a card or worst of all, chocolate. The trick is to transform Valentine's Day into your own day of merriment. I suggest an intimate party of very good friends, lots of fizzy beverages and an armful of favorite videos. And for the ultimate combination of sensual and celebratory events, make it a fondue party.

Cooking with culture

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

From India to Korea, from Malaysia to the Philippines and all the way to Vietnam, the city of Bloomington was able to experience a taste of culture from all of these countries right in their own city.

Middle Way House to benefit from Ladyfest Midwest event

By Lisa Chapman and Lisa J. Chapman · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

A festival that began eight months ago on the west coast hits Bloomington today. Activities for Ladyfest Midwest will encompass women's issues as well as the arts. Workshops will include women's self defense, how to combat "fat oppression," vegetarian/vegan recipe swap, women with disabilities panel discussion, spirituality and gender issues and more. Tickets are available for $15 for the whole weekend or $5 per day, payable by money order in advance, or by cash the day of the festival.

IU students perform in Indianapolis

By J.P. Benitez and JP Benitez · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

In the big city, four IU students are toiling with the "hardest profession in the world." An adult show, with an adult budget and adult demands are being placed on young performers who are meeting the rising bar, as they rehearse for this week's opening of Indianapolis' Civic Theatre's production of "The Secret Garden."

A community united through art

By Caralyn A. Martin · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The newest jewel in IU's crown of arts venues shined Friday night as members of the campus and community joined together to officially welcome Arts Week 2002. The Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center was bustling with activity as anxious parents, students and arts patrons rubbed elbows at the 18th annual Arts Week opening ceremonies. A collaborative effort between the Bloomington community and the University, Arts Week highlights the many arts opportunities and programs offered throughout the year.

Modern dance more than exercise

By Alia Tawil · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Associate Professor Gwendolyn Hamm's students listened attentively from their blue mats as she illustrated an effective breathing technique. "Think about the breath going from the top of the head down to your sternum. Inhale through your nose," Hamm said. Hamm teaches the Advanced Modern Dance class twice a week at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Hamm said modern dance is a rising genre of dance that emphasizes fluidity of movement and abstract choreography.

Olympic organizers hope to hit the right notes

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The 2002 Winter Olympics are all about gold, silver, bronze -- and platinum. Organizers of this year's Olympiad, which kicks off Friday in Salt Lake City, hope that nightly performances by multiplatinum pop music superstars will give the Games a new attitude -- and lure more viewers to give ratings a big boost.

New production based on post-Sept. 11 events

By Adrienne Ball · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

"Afterdark," a new play by Kara Manning, premieres in Bloomington tomorrow night at the Bloomington Plawrights Project. One of the first plays of its kind, "Afterdark" is set in New York City in December 2001. The play depicts everyday urban dwellers including a radio deejay, a drummer, a coffee shop owner and a teenage girl among others who are dealing with their personal lives three months after the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Summer heats up with 'Jazz in July'

By Roseanne Hennessey · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The hum of crickets and air conditioners won't be the only sounds of summer beginning this Friday evening, when the IU Art Museum plays host to local jazz ensemble Marty Hodapp's Swinging Dixie Band. Hodapp's band kicks off the eleventh annual "Jazz in July," when they perform the first of four Friday night jazz concerts during the month of July. "'Jazz in July' started 11 years ago," said Joanna Davis, administrative assistant for development and administration at the IU Art Museum. "It was geared toward introducing people to the Art Museum. It is a fun way for people to come visit, especially those who haven't previously thought about viewing art, but would come and listen to music."

The fine art of clowning

By Alyson Brodsy and Elise LeBlanc · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The strongest man in the world is standing center stage in the lobby of the Bloomington Playwrights Project. He is wearing make-up and a grossly oversized suit jacket. The strongest man in the world is four feet tall and has not graduated from elementary school.

Film epitomizes 'life in turmoil'

Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The Indiana Memorial Union Board's Live from Bloomington Committee will present the film "Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance," with a score performed live by composer Philip Glass and the Philip Glass Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Indiana University Auditorium. "Koyaanisqatsi," a 1983 film directed by Godfrey Reggio, shows contrasting scenes from America's natural and urban landscapes. It was awarded the Audience Award for Best First Feature Film at Filmex, and Glass's score was voted Best Original Film Score by the Los Angeles Film Critics. "'Koyaanisqatsi' is not so much about something, nor does it have a specific meaning or value," Reggio said in a press release. "'Koyaanisqatsi' is, after all, an animated object, an object in moving time, the meaning of which is up to the viewer. Art has no intrinsic meaning. This is its power, its mystery and hence its attraction. Art is free."

'Bathtub Gin' has national influence

By Jackie Corgan · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

An avenue of creativity mixed with pizzazz, spunk and panache. A "bootlegger of ideas, untaxed and unregulated." Something enchantingly mysterious that allows readers to delve into the minds of poets, writers of prose and the like.

Music writer visits campus

By Mike D’Avria · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Many who have become successful sometimes have one great idea and then expand on it. That one idea could be anything, but one needs to know who it caters to and how to get it out to them. Experimenting on one's own and "following your nose" is the foundation of Michael Lydon's philosophy on writing.

Mid Carson July sticks to punk values

By by Katie Cierniak and Katie Cierniak · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Ask what keeps Mid Carson July going, and you'll hear two simple things: "Stubbornness and rebelliousness," says Mike Sullivan, better known as "Skull," a long-time friend who also serves as the band's roadie. "The inability to accept the music scene as it is keeps them going."

Peebles offers advice

By Amy Oringer and Amy Orringer · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

After a year of persistent pursuit, Director of the Black Film Center Archive Audrey McCluskey finally got her man. The esteemed actor, director and writer Melvin Van Peebles agreed to be the first official Artist-in-Residence for the center. In addition to participating in a student workshop, Van Peebles will give a presentation called "Kickin' Science: An Evening with Melvin Van Peebles," 8 p.m. Friday night in Jordan Hall A100. Van Peebles said the title is simply a "slang term" for "talking about life."

African American dance & soul

By Kristen Van Hoesen · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The new Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center provides a long overdue home for the African American Dance Company by providing a modern and innovative new studio for the program. For a long time, the company persevered through the poor conditions that "placed many limitations on the program and on the students," Iris Rosa, the dance company's director and associate professor in the department of African American Studies, said. "But we danced anyway. That's what we had to begin with, and that's what we dealt with," she said.

Feeding the body and mind

By Amanda Moore · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Fridays are wonderful days to wind down just before the weekend. Imagine sitting on a cozy sofa, listening to a live musical performance and watching the world of students pass by through a beautiful picture window. For the last three years, the Leo R. Dowling International Center, 111 S. Jordan Ave., has provided an informal atmosphere for a variety of musical performances.

Benefit to help local non-profits

By Adrienne Ball · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

About three months ago, Phil Kasper, Bloomington resident and volunteer at both the Bloomington Playwrights Project and the Community Kitchen decided he would try to pull together a benefit event that would help both of the needy not-for-profit agencies. "We both recognize the need for it because we both need a great deal of support. I am constantly aware of the needs of the community kitchen. We are in a time of some economic distress and arts organizations are very hard hit when it comes to government funding," Kasper said.

Hip-Hop Congress holds extravaganza

By Cassie Vitali · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

"The winner of tonight's MC Battle by Rappsearch.com is Castro. Let's give it up for all these MCs, though," said Chicago freestyle performer Gridlock, to cap off the opening of Wednesday night's hip-hop event, "Hip-Hop Elements Extravaganza." The event was held by Rappsearch.com and the Hip-Hop Congress at Vertigo, 107 W. Ninth St.

Swept away to the 'South Pacific'

By Meredith Hahn · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

The cacophonous melody of the pit orchestra tuning its instruments. The smell of a fresh playbill held tightly in your hand. The luxurious gaudiness of a fine theatre with its red ascending chair rows and golden, glowing stage. These are the things that make my heart skip a beat each and every time that I go to the theatre. I will be the first to admit it...my name is Meredith Hahn, and I am a theatre junkie. Yes, I save each and every program, ticket stub, and flier. I denounce anyone who would dare be so bold as to put his feet upon the faux velvet seat back in front of him. I have been known to turn any statement into a song cue and burst into a Broadway-style solo the likes of which should never leave the confines of an acoustically sound bathroom. I'm looking for a twelve-step program for this seemingly incurable malady, but until the time I either rid myself of this musical obsession, or wake to find myself with enough talent to make it on old Broadway, I'll just have to do the next best thing; buy a season pass and enjoy the madness!