A&E

Finding the way to say "I Love You"

This Valentine's Day, resist the temptation of red and pink picture frames, heart-shaped jewelry boxes, chocolates and a dozen roses -- items that clutter the mall throughout February. Instead, make your own present for loved ones and give them something they can't find anywhere else. "Although store-bought presents can be meaningful, nothing is as personal as a homemade gift," said The Latest Glaze co-owner Mary Jo Benedict. After 25 years of marriage, Benedict said she has made and received countless presents.

Around the Arts Weekend

Senior explores many interests

Carol Yuan's name might not sound familiar, but the senior is on her way to becoming one of the most well-known student musicians on campus.

Symphony orchestra to perform at MAC

Going into a symphony orchestra performance, one wouldn't normally expect music that can be described as "weird," "grotesque" or "unusual." But when the IU Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 8 p.m. today at the Musical Arts Center, the music will be just that, at least according to the people who will be playing it.

Around The Arts

Kilroy's bachelor auction to raise money for RileyKilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut St., will sponsor a bachelor auction tonight to raise money for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Bachelors will include former soccer player and alumnus Dennis Fadeski, Interfraternity Council President senior Ben Schmidt and B97 General Manager Arthur Angotti Jr. The preliminary round begins at 8 p.m., and bidding will begin at 9. Cover charge is $1.

Alumna authors book, teaches belly dancing

Belly dancing gave IU grad Donna Carlton a new career. "I was working at a desk job, and I was really unhappy," Carlton said. " So a friend got me interested in Middle Eastern dance." Carlton now teaches a Middle Eastern dance class at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and has written a book called "Looking for Little Egypt."

Chocolate confections

My grumpy, cynical side longs to dismiss Valentine's Day as the Madison Avenue-produced frenzy of fluff I know it to be. But the strength of my testy convictions is curiously and invariably out-muscled each Feb. 14 by my softer, squishier side. After all, how could a winter's day dedicated to the sanctioned consumption of chocolate be all bad?

'Faust' opera struggles

With a red glow reflected off the curtain of the Musical Arts Center, the Philharmonic Orchestra began the somber prelude to "Faust" by Gounod under the baton of maestro Imre Pallo. Slowly, the curtain rose for the Saturday evening performance of the French opera about the dangers of lust and temptation.

Alpha Kappa Alpha 'angels' entertain IMU crowd

Models for the Alpha Kappa Alpha annual fashion show stepped out in style Thursday before a packed audience in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall. The show was a creative combination of trendy clothes, hot choreography and club music. Music from Destiny's Child, Madonna, Jay-Z, Outkast and Mystikal was featured during and in between the fashion sets, which helped the audience get into the show.

'Oedipus' mesmerizing despite flaws

From the moment the house opened Friday evening at the University Theatre, a sense of horror filled the space. Hollow sounds of eminent doom echoed as the audience waited for "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles to begin the first of its eight performances for the Department of Theatre and Drama. This production of "Oedipus" was frightening and awe-inspiring to watch, but a few elements did not flow with the production of the play.

Drag show to aid student groups

Sometimes a costume mask is more than a mask. "We all wear masks everywhere we go," said senior Jason Jones, president of OUT. "But behind the masks, we are all people. We should celebrate our uniqueness, but realize what we all have in common."

'Faust' opera to open at MAC

The opera "Faust" contains beautiful melodies, grandiose sets, sword fights and a pitched battle between good and evil.

Author Discusses

The sound of familiar but not quite placeable classical music crackles through the speakers at Planned Television Arts, a New York-based promotion company. Minutes tick by as the clock moves closer to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Relaxing sounds of violins and horns become the background music for an ever-growing number of men and women waiting at the other end of telephone lines. Finally, an overly happy and somewhat artificial-sounding woman delivers an introduction.

The Vagina Monologues

Slowly, it dawned on me that nothing was more important than stopping violence toward women -- that the desecration of women indicated the failure of human beings to honor and protect life and that this failing would, if we did not correct it, be the end of us all. -- Eve Ensler, introduction to "The Vagina Monologues."

Hot off the runway

"Good morning, models." "Good morning, Charlie." "Charlie's Angels" is just one of the themed sections of this year's Alpha Kappa Alpha fashion show, 7:30 p.m. today in Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union.

IU Swing Club offers dance instruction

Monday, Jan. 22, students and community members gathered at the Indiana Memorial Union for the IU Swing Club's Call-Out meeting.

University Theatre to bring 'Oedipus' to life

Twenty-four centuries before Freud developed his theories, the ancient Greeks tapped into human psychology in the most public of places -- the theater. The most popular form of entertainment for the Greeks, playwrights such as Aeschylus, Euripides and Aristophanes brought the human condition to the foreground with their plays about the history and religion of their culture.

Recital features student talent

The IU Chamber Orchestra will make its first public appearance at 8 p.m. today at Auer Hall. The recital is free and open to the public. The orchestra will be conducted by violin professor Paul Biss. A chamber orchestra is different from a normal-sized orchestra. Biss said the difference lies in both the size of the orchestra and the tone of the music. "A chamber orchestra is a smaller one. Here, the music becomes more intimate," Biss said.

Around the Arts

Vertical Horizon creates contest to promote new CD NEW YORK -- To complement the release of Vertical Horizon's third single, "Best I Ever Had," the band wants to hear their listeners' "best they ever had" romance stories. Radio stations across the country will listen to these stories, and all callers will win a special edition of Vertical Horizon's album and be registered for a grand prize trip to New York for a romantic weekend getaway.

Local Exhibits

IU Art Museum, "An Ancient Muse: Classical Themes in Old Master and Modern Prints from the Thimme Collection" and "The Fine Art of Conservation: An Homage to Danae Thimme" exhibits on display until March 4. "Contemporary Sculpture from Malaysia" exhibit on display until April 1. Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free public tours available at 2 p.m. Saturday. For information on group tours, call 855-1045. For information on special exhibits and events, call 855-IUAM. For general information, call 855-5445.