A&E

Chicago film festival highlights world\'s finest

Chicago -- One hundred five feature films from 31 countries screened in two weeks. This is the insane reality of the oldest competitive international film festival in North America -- the Chicago International Film Festival. Its 36th incarnation began with a jam-packed Chicago Theatre applauding the American premiere of Robert Altman's "Dr. T & the Women, " starring Richard Gere, Oct. 6 and concluded Oct. 8.

A journal of a film festival

Although I am a college student with more than just movies on my mind and no transportation at my fingertips, I had the opportunity to attend the opening weekend of the 36th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 5-8. During these four days, I saw 13 movies, shook hands with some of the best directing talent and had a crash course in the world of big league film criticism. The following is my account of this overwhelming celluloid experience.

Around the arts

Union Board's annual Live From Bloomington project will take musical submissions until 5 p.m. Friday. Applications are available in the Union Board office and at the Indiana Memorial Union activities desk. Completed forms should be submitted at the activities desk.

Exhibits

Festival combines music, religion

Screaming "Fall down and praise" into microphones, Sides of the North, a Christian hard rock band from Ohio, was the first to play at the Tau Music Fest at Whip-Poor-Will Lake near Martinsville this weekend.

Jock Jams' one-hit wonders scourge on popular music

"Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof." -- Baha Men, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Who let the dogs out? Who wrote this stupid song? Why do the radio and television stations play it? Why does anyone like it? Why does this song get voted onto TRL? Why am I tempted to whack my television with a baseball bat whenever that video comes on?

Wyclef Jean helps students unwind, have fun

It's midterm week at IU. But if anyone went to the IU Auditorium Sunday night stressed about grades or exams, they didn't leave feeling the same way. They heeded Wyclef's words of wisdom. It doesn't matter. Union Board brought MTV's Campus Invasion Tour to Bloomington, showcasing Black-Eyed Peas, De La Soul and Wyclef Jean. Black-Eyed Peas kicked off the show with a high-energy, bass-bumping set. The group opened their set with "Bringin' It Back," instantly getting the crowd on their feet.

Grammy legend to play Auditorium

Bonnie Raitt, one of the music world's most enduring performers, brings her silky syncopations to the IU Auditorium tonight on her most recent concert tour. Raitt, who has been touring in support of her most recent album for more than two years, has been reaching out to new music lovers at smaller venues such as the Auditorium, as well as playing bigger halls to satisfy her most diehard fans.

The women of antiquity

It's hard to believe that the coins used by a woman in ancient Rome to buy groceries for her family are still feeding a Yugoslavian woman and her family today. Once part of the Roman empire, Yugoslavia is rich in hordes of ancient coins, many of which were buried centuries ago by a warrior who went off to battle, never to return. With the breakdown of authority in Yugoslavia, people are trying any method possible to earn income, and selling ancient coins on the art market is one of the clearest ways to do it.

Words keep women poets in touch

They use rhythm and meter but make no music. They paint a vivid image without a canvas and breathe life into characters without a story. They are the Five Women Poets, a group with a 26-year tradition of writing poetry. The women have monthly meetings at members' houses and an annual public reading. At 8 p.m. Saturday in a small studio in the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., they read poems to an audience of about 50. After each of the six poets read their selections, the audience created a riot of applause that far exceeded one's expectations of 100 hands.

Eroticon focuses on education

Licking edible body paint from a random stranger is generally frowned upon in civilized society. But at the fifth annual Eroticon, attendees will be asked to leave their inhibitions at the door. Axis Nightclub, 419 N. Walnut St., will be awash with throngs of revelers in liquid latex and leather Friday from 9:30 p.m. to the wee hours of the morning.

Wyclef to headline hip-hop lineup

For Wyclef Jean, life seems to be all about moving up in the world. Formerly one-third of The Fugees, the hip-hop visionary is now promoting his successful solo career as well as taking on many extracurricular projects, including his new record label, Clef Records.

Civic Theater brings Moliere to town

The noted French playwright Moliere had a macabre sense of humor. When he started work on "The Imaginary Invalid" in the winter of 1672, he had been struggling with a chronic, hacking cough for years. He knew he was dying.

WFIU clears half-century mark

Sept. 30, 1950 marked a special occasion for the Bloomington campus. It was the birth of a radio station, WFIU 103.7 FM. During October, the station will promote several special events to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Local band has big plans

Cream, King's X and Nirvana were all power trios that started low on the ladder in the dregs of their hometowns. But these bands rose out of their communities to become relatively famous in the history of rock music. The next group trying to claim their success is right here in Bloomington, the Deric Rush Band.

Dylan to return to campus

Robert Zimmerman, raised in Duluth, Minn., took up the guitar and harmonica at an early age. He formed his first band, The Golden Chords, by the time he was a freshman in high school.

Funk-fueled band to perform at Axis

Fishbone will fill Axis, 419 N. Walnut St., with funk Wednesday night, entertaining a crowd of college students after spending time recording with the likes of Perry Farrell, the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Flea, John Fusciante and Chad Smith, Gwen Stefani and George Clinton.

Jazz musician to play Buskirk-Chumley

It's not common for a bassist to serve as frontman in a jazz group. But Christian McBride breaks that mold. The accomplished jazz artist will play with his namesake band 7:30 tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Tickets are $14 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors.

Exhibits

Bloomington welcomes an old friend

Juliana Hatfield will roll into Bloomington at 10:30 p.m. today to play at Second Story, 201 S. College Ave. With ties to Bloomington via former band mates, Blake Babies, John Strohm and Freda Love, Hatfield's show at Second Story is a significant stop on her current tour. Old fans will see how far Hatfield has progressed musically, and new fans will see her two distinct musical personas.