A&E

AIDS play explores friendship

During the past two decades, the AIDS epidemic has taken many lives and left lasting impressions on society. The virus, which attacks the human immune system, has changed attitudes and ideas about sex, sexuality and life. AIDS also is the subject of some of the most haunting and beautiful works of modern art -- especially that of the theater.

Musical to close tonight

Tonight is the last chance to catch this year's national tour of the classic musical "Show Boat" at the IU Auditorium. Based on a novel by Edna Ferber and created for the stage by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, the original "Show Boat" had its debut in 1927 to rave reviews. Set on the Mississippi River in the late 1800s, the crew of the boat, the Cotton Blossom, takes the audience to a bygone day as "Show Boat" follows the lives of Cap'n Andy Hawkes, his wife Parthy and his daughter Magnolia.

Filmmaker Wajda honored in series

Featuring one of the best-known modern Eastern European filmmakers, Andrzej Wajda, a new foreign film series begins today, sponsored by the Polish Studies Center.

Pat McGee Band electrifies Bluebird crowd

Sounds of the acoustic guitar, drums, basses and amazing vocals echoed throughout the Bluebird Nightclub, 216 N. Walnut St., Tuesday night as Pat McGee Band took center stage.

Sweet charity

Red and white balloons waved back and forth in the air, hovering over tables covered in white cloths. A line of adults and students wound around the outer walls, as each visitor got his or her hand stamped with a heart, signifying they had paid for the sweet treats they were about to sample. As children ran back and forth -- on a perpetual sugar high -- a band played the song "Hey Good Lookin'" from the front center of the room at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center, 302 S. College Ave.

High schools join dramatic forces

In what is being publicized as a "historic event," the fourth production of the John Waldron Arts Center Theater Series 2000-2001 will be a joint effort by the drama departments of Bloomington High Schools North and South. It is the first time students of both schools will perform together on the same stage. Two Depression-era plays by American playwright Clifford Odets will be presented, "Waiting For Lefty" and "Awake and Sing." The performances will run 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 17, 23 and 24; and 2 p.m. Feb. 25.

The sweetest, strangest, funniest... Valentine's Day

When he was 17, senior Mike Huang spent Valentine's Day night writing poetry on the sidewalk outside his high school girlfriend's house. His original Valentine's Day plans to take her out had been spoiled that afternoon by an argument with his girlfriend's parents. So he formed a new plan and went to the nearest Wal-Mart, where he bought a jumbo pack of colored street chalk.

Performance to highlight love

Until recently, cabaret was something that only happened in New York or Chicago. Award-winning Chicago actress Candace Johnson brings the art of the cabaret to Bloomington. in the Bloomington Playwrights Project production, "Love, Candy," complete with entertainment, champagne and dessert at 8 p.m. today.

Playwrights Project debuts award-winning 'Outrage'

Another opening, another show. But this was not the case at the Bloomington Playwrights Project, 308 S. Washington St., where the world premiere of "Outrage" opened this weekend. This work runs weekends through Feb. 25.

A cappella groups resurging

A cappella music is not only making a comeback, but also a name for the University.

AIDS musical to educate

Death can inspire life, or so it did for Steve Schalchlin, composer-lyricist-singer-pianist and the mastermind of the musical, "Living in the Bonus Round," which will be performed 7:30 p.m. today at the Whittenberger Auditorium.

Fourwinds Resort pasta bar mediocre

The setting of Fourwinds Resort and Marina, on lovely Lake Monroe, creates the potential for a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day or during the warmer spring season. With large windows overlooking the water and a quiet, pleasant atmosphere, this could be a great place to bring a date. The drawbacks of the restaurant -- located at 9301 Fairfax Road -- are the quality and selection of its food. When we ate here Saturday -- "pasta bar" night -- it was mediocre at best.

Pat McGee to play at Bluebird

I'm trying to get you to open up your sense to all the fine things that tear down the fences/put up by, and kept by those who don't always listen to what father told you they would be missin'./Out and down on this child's intervention/this boy never meant nothing but just to give you all about the passion. - Pat McGee For the Pat McGee Band, it is "all about the passion," devotion for music and for its fans, who have driven it on a meteoric rise through the music industry.

Local band Tintern Abbey looks for breakout show at Kilroy's

Fiber art intriguing at SoFA gallery

The SoFA gallery presents thought-provoking, intriguing and uncommon artwork. This month's exhibit is not an exception.

Alma Azul mixes it up at Second Story

Second Story Night club offered a mix of music and dancing Saturday night, the sound courtesy of Bloomington's Alma Azul.

Tintern Abbey brings funk, folk music

Jenny Appleby, bassist for Tintern Abbey, growled into the microphone midway through the band's three-set performance Thursday at Kilroy's Sports, "You have lost all your clothes, but you can keep your hat on." His words summarized an evening of music that defied a classification into one genre.

Around The Arts

Beyond the Pale presents evening of puppet theater Beyond the Pale Productions will present and evening of puppet theater, including "The Puppet Show of Don Cristobal," "Buster Keaton and the Buddha" and "The Third Pythia of Flin Flon" 8 p.m. Saturday in the Rose Firebay of the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St. Tickets are $9 in advance at TD's CDs & LPs or $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.beyondthepale.org.

City chosen for conductor contest

Bloomington has been chosen from every city in North America for the upcoming Maazel/Vilar Conductors Competition. Maestro Lorin Maazel, the newly appointed artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, will direct the auditions scheduled for December.

Chocolate dreams become reality

It sounds like something out of a chocolate lover's dreams. All-you-can-eat chocolate pies, cakes and cookies. But it's going to be a reality Saturday in Bloomington.