A&E

A cappella group seeks members

Local a cappella group Straight No Chaser is looking for some new faces.

'Full Frontal' offers more than just stand-up

Don't let the name scare you. The members of Full Frontal Comedy, an IU improvisation troupe founded in 1994, do not perform sans clothes. The name, as it turns out, is more indicative of their brand of comedy.

Opie Taylor's should fix flaws

Opie Taylor's, 212 N. Walnut St., calls itself a Bloomington tradition, and indeed it is. The atmosphere is perfect for grabbing a burger and a beer while you watch ESPN. But it won't be the best burger in town, by any means. We were seated on stools at a high table, which was somewhat wobbly. We found that to eat, we had to do a balancing act, of sorts.

Concert honors Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr., a leader in the civil rights movement, sparked celebration at the School of Music Friday. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the celebration displayed a history of music through spirituals and protest songs of the civil rights movement. The emotionally charged performance was presented by the IU School of Music in conjunction with the African American Arts Institute. The program consisted of a diverse collection of songs that exemplified the broad range of music encompassed by the African-American tradition. James Mumford, director of the African-American Choral Ensemble, said he was proud to be part of an honorable cause. "There is no better way to pay tribute to Dr. King," Mumford said. "Music is a universal language and transcends all boundaries."

Around the arts

The IMAX theater at White River State Park will be closed Jan. 16 to July 15 during construction of the new Indiana State Museum building. The following IMAX films will be shown until Jan. 15: "Fantasia 2000," "Across the Sea of Time" and "TREX:Back to the Cretaceous."

Around the arts

Shows canceled at Auer Concert Hall The "Sundays at Auer Hall" chamber music recital, scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, has been canceled. Other cancellations at Auer Concert Hall are "Bassonfest," originally scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, and a faculty recital featuring assistant professor Alan Bennett and professor Leonard Hokanson, scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday. Comedy Caravan brings comics to Bloomington This week's Comedy Caravan at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St., features Tim Slagle from Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis and Doug Daum from Comedy House in Little Rock, Ark. Performances are 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. Cost is $7. For more information, call 339-3460.

Cassoulet a comfort food for coldest winter nights

"Remind me where it is you attend school?" my California acquaintances inquire during my bi-annual sojourns home to the West coast. After five years of replying "Indiana," the abbreviated responses have remained static: in summer, "Hot!" and in winter, "Cold!" The utterances are typically delivered with the force of profound revelation accompanied by the smirking condescension of an older sibling informing a younger sibling there is no Santa Claus."

Hoosiers nominated for Grammys

Two of the 500 nominees seated in the crowd at the Grammys Feb. 21 can call themselves Hoosiers. Joshua Bell and Ronald Cohen, alumnus and professor, respectively, have been recognized as the movers of today's music scene, worthy of a chance of receiving one of modern music's highest honors. Bell is nominated for one award, Cohen for two.

Local Exhibits

Bloomington Playwrights presents holiday production

The Bloomington Playwrights Project will kick off the holiday season with a production of "Merry Elementary," a play that touches on the true meaning of the holiday season, among a number of other themes.

University Players offer 'verbal boxing match'

Competition. The word has been used for centuries to describe manliness, with the victor claiming power and the loser reduced to a pitiful wretch. The throes of competition is the topic the University Players will battle this weekend. With a cast of three, "Never Swim Alone," by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor, tells the story of two men who have been friends since childhood and competitors for just as long.

Gala to feature holiday music

The cast of the All New Broadway Cabaret Holiday Gala will bring the spirit of the season to the Brown County Playhouse this weekend.

Awaiting another season of 'Survivor,' reality TV

How can we sum up 2000 without mentioning the national obsession that is "Survivor?" How can we not recall Richard's strategizing, Rudy's homophobia, Colleen's loveliness and Susan's "rat vs. snake" rant? Aren't we glad the year is almost over, so we can soon revisit that madness when "Survivor: The Australian Outback" airs Jan. 28?

International films soar while Hollywood snores

The year 2000 has been one of the worst quality-wise in the history of the multiplex. One highly anticipated Hollywood work after another has proven to disappoint, from the snooze-inducing mediocrity of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" to the cliched likes of Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous."

A Boxing Day special with a piquant punch

Along with the trimming of the tree, the four-hour long Christmas-morning gift opening ritual and the carols played by my sister on our old upright piano, one of the most stable memories of my childhood Christmases is that of my mother bursting into tears on Boxing Day.

Pumpkins shake up Metro

CHICAGO -- In a year that has seen numerous rock bands fold, with nary a note to be heard again except in the ever-present future box set, The Smashing Pumpkins held court one final time in the club that gave them the first of many big breaks, the Metro.

Around The Arts

Cartoonist finds fame in NYC

Your fingers turn the pages of a crisp, hot-off-the-presses issue of the Bloomington Independent.

'Nutcracker' ballet to open tonight

It's that time of the year again. Holiday festivities fill the hours and the Christmas spirit pervades the air.

'Indepedence' production features all-female cast

"Independence," an all-female play by Lee Blessing, opens this Friday and plays through next Saturday in the T300 Studio Theatre. The production is the first of many for the ensemble.