A&E

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.

Von Lee Theater's future undecided

In May, Kerasotes closed the Von Lee Theater, 517 E. Kirkwood Ave., a long-time home to art and indie films and their fans. Now, people are speculating about the future of the building, which has been thrusting unique films into Bloomington's limelight since the 1920s. One of the best future homes for the deserted theater is IU, some professors say.

Play explores identity, power of language

It doesn't always take guns, airplanes, armies or brute force to win a war. In the case of Great Britain's occupation and overtaking of Ireland in the 19th century, it took words. Irish playwright Brian Friel's "Translations" explores the destructive and healing powers of language, and how one's native tongue shapes one's identity. "Translations" opens at 8 p.m. today at the University Theatre.

Amnesty sponsors concert to raise funds

To raise money for Amnesty International's campaign to strop torture, the IU chapter is sponsoring a free concert 7 p.m. Saturday at Collins Center's Cheshire Cafe. Some of the featured bands include Indiana Trip Factory, Level 9, Manik, Maleeq and the Milwaukee Playboys.

Texas Festival features independent artists, films

What do Quentin Tarantino, Jurassic 5 and the Black Crowes have in common? Right now, absolutely nothing -- but in two weeks, they will all be in Austin, Texas as a part of the South By Southwest Festival.

Institute unites different art forms

The African American Arts Institute has all the components of a good musical. Singers, dancers and musicians from three troupes unite under this title and create performances unlike any other.