A Memorable Evening at the Buskirk Chumley Theater

Last night I was among the lucky fans who got to see Sufjan Stevens' sold out show at the Buskirk Chumley Theater downtown. We had all been diligent enough to purchase tickets that sold out in hours, and yesterday evening stood in a line outside the Buskirk long before the show. Stevens' music is hard to describe to someone who has never heard it, because it covers a pretty broad range of styles. Some songs are very triumphant, with brassy instrumentals, while others are wistful ballads accompanied by harp, chimes, and acoustic guitar. But maybe my favorite thing about his sound is his soft, almost whispering voice.

Clearly, I adore this man, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to be standing just a few feet away from the stage during this show. The tour is meant to promote his opening band, Cryptacize, who is also signed to his label, Asthmatic Kitty Records, and to promote his new project, the BQE. The BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) is a creative franchise that incorporates an album, film, comic book, photography, and more. There will be a showing of the film at the Indianapolis Art Museum in November; I hope I'll get to go!

The concert showcased his recent explorations in style, including some pretty ambient and dissonant sounds. It ended with an encore performance of "To Be Alone With You," a soft and very spiritual acoustic tune. When the lights went up, everyone in the theater was beaming, all of us feeling utterly content.

(Below: friends waiting in line for the show)

Found Objects Exhibit Offers Multimedia Arts and Cake

Tonight I went to a really exciting exhibit called Found at The Lodge, a local gallery downtown! My fine arts advisor informed me of it in an e-mail, so I decided to check it out with my roommate, who is also an art-lover. The premise of this show was art made from found or recycled objects. We saw collages, sculptures, recycled fashion art, and video installations. Plus, we got to taste free homemade cakes, baked from a found recipe box!














Aside from the art, there was also a table set up by a co-op organization for artists. At the table they presented several found objects, and their offer was to assist you in any type of art project you would like to do with the objects. For instance, my roommate's idea was to make pinhole cameras out of the objects. She wrote down her idea, and if it is chosen they will help her make it happen!







The Lounge is a venue on Walnut street that anyone can use to exhibit artwork or give a show, but it does come with a fee. I wonder what kind of show it will host next!

Gene Kelly on the Big Screen

Even though it is only Wednesday, it seems that my week has been extremely busy so far; such is college life. Fortunately, last night I got a chance to relax a little bit while watching the classic Gene Kelly film, “Singin’ in the Rain” at the Collins Film Society. To my surprise, I had actually never seen the complete film before. Even more surprising is that Gene Kelly was forty years old when he acted in “Singin’ in the Rain,” not to mention a little bit ill on set. Still, he tapped and twirled like a star in what few people know was raining milk—used for better visibility—and not water.

The Collins Film Society is led by Kate Colvin, a Collins resident, and shows a movie every Tuesday in the Edmonson Coffeehouse. That is, until the very snazzy Collins cinema, complete with a big screen and comfortable seating, is up and running. Active members in the Film Society get to have a say in what will be shown each week. I will be checking the Gnome News, a weekly newsletter email for Collins residents, next Monday to find out which film will be screening next week.

Combating the Common Cold on Campus

Nothing makes you miss home more than when you get sick. At home, there is normally someone to take your temperature and bring you medicine, tea, and other comforts. When I came down with a cold this week, it was nice to know that campus could provide me every remedy needed to nurse me back to health, short of a mother’s goodnight kiss.

1. If you’re feeling the beginnings of a cold—a slight sniffle, a tickle in the throat—remember that there are several places on campus to grab a soothing cup of tea. My top three favorite places to get tea and coffee are at Angles, which is the IU Art Museum Café, at the Commons Café at the Wells Library, and at the Cheshire Café in Collins LLC-Edmonson. Don’t forget, be earth-friendly and supply your own mug!
2. Some cold symptoms call for more serious care; you may need to stop by a Hoosier Cafe and Store and pick up an over-the-counter cold medication. These are located at McNutt, Wright, and Willkie residence halls. Here, you can buy the same products found at most convenience stores, but with your mealpoints!
3. If your cold escalates into something more serious, you might need to see a doctor. The Health Center, located at 10th and Jordan, is the place to go when your symptoms mean missing class. Here, you can come in without an appointment, see a doctor, and pick up a note of illness. Other circumstances, like routine checkups, do require appointments. About 95 percent of the time, students with appointments are seen right on time.

Freshmen Bond During New Student Service Day

Welcome Week is designed to help new students feel better oriented in their new home, however I remember my freshman year Welcome Week as my most disorienting few days of college. I was constantly exchanging introductions with other students and trying to figure out how things worked. Though it was fun, it was not until after all the excitement dwindled a bit that I was able to spend leisurely, quality time with new friends. Now, two Welcome Weeks later, I realize that New Student Service Day would have given me chance to bond with a small group of other students.
When I attended the event this year, I was grouped with five other girls and travelled with them by bus to a Bloomington preschool. Our mission: to clean and paint. We began our journey with some introductions and ice-breaking games. Once we arrived at the preschool and settled into our duties, it felt nice to sit and enjoy a leisurely chat with a few new acquaintances, a contrast to the social marathon that is Welcome Week.

Many people feel very comfortable in the high pace social atmosphere of Welcome Week, but it is great to have a chance to attend a more relaxed social event without having to hide away in the dorm room. Plus, it gives you warm, fuzzy feeling to know that you did some good for someone else. The only drawback: 8 am wake-up call!