---

Media Relations

Events at Indiana University

April 13-27, 2006

The production of Mamma Mia! is now playing at the IU Auditorium

April 13-14 at 8 p.m. and April 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., IU Auditorium, Bloomington -- A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. A trip down the aisle you'll never forget! And the best part? The entire story is told through the songs of '70s supergroup ABBA! Over 20 million people have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! ABBA's timeless songs propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Hits like "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Knowing Me, Knowing You" and "Take a Chance on Me" combine to give you a near-perfect theatre experience. Tickets are $34.50-$57.50 for the public and $17.50-$37.50 for students. For more information, visit http://www.iuauditorium.com or call 812-855-1103.

IU School of Music at IUPUI presents: The Urban Drum Ensemble
April 13, 7:30 p.m., IT Building, Room 152, 535 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis -- Join us for an evening of great Afro-Cuban, rock and jazz drumming. Tickets will be $5 at the door. For more information, visit http://www.music.iupui.edu.

Jacobs School of Music Opera Theater presents Carmen
April 14 and 15, 8 p.m., Musical Arts Center, Bloomington -- Deemed today to be the most famous opera in the world, Carmen, by Georges Bizet, was originally described by critics as "immoral" and "low," and its slightly Latin music was resisted. The stunning Spanish gypsy Carmen, who is as passionate in her loves as she is for her freedom, seduces a young corporal and convinces him to leave his current sweetheart and desert his regiment. She soon leaves him for a flashy and roguish toreador. Passions boil to a tragic ending as Carmen tries to join the victorious bullfighter in the arena after her discarded lover fails to convince her to return. Tickets are $15-35 ($10-20 students). Call 812-855-2255 or for tickets, 812-855-4733. For more information, visit http://music.indiana.edu/opera.

Discover the Talents of Famed Watercolorist Robert Lostutter

April 14 , 5 to 8 p.m., Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis -- The technical skills of Robert Lostutter will entertain, enlighten and amaze gallery visitors. Lostutter is one of the finest watercolorists working today. The show will provide the viewer a glimpse into the development of this accomplished artist. How is it possible to create such brilliant, flawlessly detailed watercolors? Until now this is a process the artist has actively kept out of the public eye. This exhibit will offer a unique opportunity to witness a master's technical approach and process to one of the most delicate of all mediums, large-scale watercolor. View 50 of the artist's works and hear him speak about his artistic craft during the opening reception and lecture April 14. The exhibition will remain open through May 28. It will then travel to The Chicago Cultural Center from July 28 through September 24. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The Herron Galleries are open daily from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m.. Public parking is available in the IUPUI garage west of Herron. For more information, call (317) 278.9419.

AAAI spring concert series celebrates transitions in ensembles' direction
April 14, 8 p.m., Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington -- The African American Arts Institute's annual spring concert series began April 1 with the African American Dance Company's spring performance. The African American Choral Ensemble performed a farewell concert for long-time choral director James Mumford on April 8, and the IU Soul Revue will get down during Little 500 weekend on April 14. Each concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. All adult tickets are $15. Tickets for seniors, children and students are $10, and there is a special advanced IU student rate of $5. Tickets are available now at the Sunrise Box Office, which is adjacent to the theater. The African American Dance Company's concert theme, "Moving the Movement: Dancing Liberation," examines the phenomena of resilience of African descendants throughout the world and honors the role of dance and music in this struggle. For more information, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~aaai/.

A Chorus Line

April 14, 15, 17-22, 7:30 p.m., Ruth N. Halls Theatre, Bloomington -- A Chorus Line delighted audiences on Broadway for more than 15 years while examining the way relationships shape our lives in a world where we are defined by our work. Bursting with excitement and energetic dancing, the musical spotlights the audition process and the inner lives of dancers. Director George Pinney writes, "First opening in 1975 and winning a Tony for best musical, A Chorus Line is a celebration of the life of the actor, singer and dancer. Not always joyous, the musical takes an intricate look into the lives of Broadway gypsies and what they did for love." The vibrancy of this incredible show is as strong as ever. Make sure not to miss your chance to see the musical that will always be "one singular sensation." For more information, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr or call 812-855-1103.

Union Board presents: Wilco in concert
April 17, 8 p.m., IU Auditorium, Bloomington -- This contemporary American rock band was originally known for its alternative country roots. It is now mostly known for its rock or alternative rock style. Ticket prices are $27 for students and $35 for non-students. Student ticket holders will be required to show a valid IU Bloomington ID when entering this event. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. For more information, email concerts@indiana.edu.

Dawn Upshaw live
April 19-21, 8 p.m., IU Auditorium, Bloomington -- Soprano Dawn Upshaw has been dubbed "a very modern muse" for the number of composers whose works she has inspired. In addition to sparking composer creativity, Upshaw sings the classics with grace and beauty. From Bach and Mozart to Sondheim and Gershwin, her repertoire spans centuries. Upshaw's immense talent and unique ability to connect with her audience have made her a favorite -- especially with students who populate her frequent master classes. This will be an evening to remember. Tickets are $12.50-$37.50. For more information visit http://iuauditorium.com or call 812-855-1103.

Jacobs School of Music ballet at the BCT
April 19-20, 8 p.m., Buskirk Chumley Theatre, Bloomington -- This evening of newly choreographed works will be performed by dancers from the IU Ballet Department. Pieces will include music from classical to contemporary. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://music.indiana.edu.

William Ruckelshaus to speak at IU on April 19
April 19, symposium begins at 1 p.m. and the panel discussion begins at 2:15 p.m., Wells-Metz Theatre, 275 N. Jordan Ave., Bloomington -- In recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency, Indiana University is taking the unique step of creating a carbon grove to honor one of the EPA's former leaders. The Ruckelshaus Carbon Grove was planted by students on April 1 in appreciation of the April 19 lecture by the EPA's first administrator, William Ruckelshaus. The grove is sponsored by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Research and Teaching Preserve on the IU Bloomington campus. The Ruckelshaus Carbon Grove was inspired by the April 19 symposium, featuring a lecture by Ruckelshaus. He will speak about how to sustain environmental protection in the face of population and economic growth, particularly in democracies around the world. Following that will be a panel discussion of Ruckelshaus' address and related issues in environmental policy. In addition to Ruckelshaus, the panel will include: Marcus Peacock, current deputy administrator at EPA; Bernard D. Goldstein, M.D., former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, an environmental health specialist, and a former officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and assistant administrator for research and development at EPA; and Paul Portney, dean of the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona in Tucson and former president of Resources for the Future. Both events are free and open to the public.

Renowned poet and scholar Mari Evans
April 20, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., IUPUI campus in Cavanaugh Hall, Room 508, Indianapolis -- The IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, Department of Communication Studies presents renowned poet and scholar Mari Evans at a brown-bag lunch discussion on her latest book. All are invited to attend. For more information, visit http://www.liberalarts.iupui.edu.

IU Little 500 bicycle races

Women's race: April 21, 4 p.m., Armstrong Stadium, Bloomington
Men's race: April 22, 2 p.m., Armstrong Stadium, Bloomington -- The Little 500 features a 200-lap men's race and a 100-lap women's race on a quarter-mile cinder track. Entrants are given one-speed Roadmaster bicycles which must meet rigid specifications. Teams are made up of as many as four riders. The riders treat the race much like a running relay -- when one rider is tired, s/he exchanges the bicycle with a teammate. The Little 500 is much more than a bike race. It is the biggest intramural event on campus and the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Going into its 52nd year, the Little 500 boasts a tradition like few other college events. More than 20,000 people attend the men's and women's races every year, with the proceeds used for working-student scholarships at Indiana University. For more information, visit http://iusf.bloomington.com.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
April 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., IUPUI Library lawn, Indianapolis -- The 15th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is an annual run/walk benefiting the treatment and awareness of breast cancer. This event is hosted by IUPUI. Ceremonies take place on the IUPUI lawn. For information on how to be a part of Team Jaguars please contact Marty Posch at mposch@iupui.edu or go to http://www.komenindy.org.

Art exhibit reveals the process behind the piece
Now through April 28, various times, Whitewater Hall enclosed gallery, IU East, Richmond -- The process of creating art is usually left behind on the artist's floor when the finished pieces are displayed in galleries. India Cruse-Griffin will share her approach to creating her mixed-media artwork in "The Other Side of Me." As part of the exhibit, Cruse-Griffin will include her unique sketches, along with new work and art she has created just for herself. She has worked on the project with gallery curator Ed Thornburg. Through a show that includes the step-by-step process, India hopes to teach viewers the importance of creation, not just the finished product. Cruse-Griffin is well known for her creative use of color and texture. Her mixed media artwork includes bold colors, shapes and patterns that tell stories of love, pride, visual culture and spirit of community. Cruse-Griffin's art pieces have been on display at the Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery in Minneapolis, the Richmond Art Museum and the IUPUI Cultural Arts Gallery in Indianapolis. A reception will be held at 7 p.m. on April 12 in the gallery. There is no charge for the exhibit. The gallery is open to visitors from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment on the weekends. For more information on the artist or the exhibit, please call curator Ed Thornburg at 765-973-8605.

Black Spirit: Works on Paper by Eldzier Cortor
Now through May 7, Hexagon Gallery, IU Art Museum, Bloomington -- This exhibition, comprised of 18 prints in a wide variety of media and three early drawings, explores the African American painter/printmaker Eldzier Cortor's interpretation of the Black American experience -- from his WPA-period portrayal of the working class on Chicago's South Side, to his study of African retentions in the former slave cultures of the U.S. South and Caribbean, to his focus on the allegorical black female figure in his later works. The exhibition, which highlights the artist's thematic and stylistic evolution over almost 50 years, is presented in conjunction with IU's interdisciplinary conference, "Variations on Blackness." For more information, visit http://www.artmuseum.iu.edu.

Talking Shoes
Ongoing, Mathers Museum of World Cultures, Bloomington -- This Children's Gallery exhibit features hands-on activities and shoes from around the world. "Talking Shoes" explores how shoes can reveal much about their makers and wearers. Native American beaded moccasins, sandals from the Republic of Congo, felt shoes from Tibet, and wooden shoes from the Netherlands and Surinam are just a few highlighted artifacts in the exhibit, which features hands-on activities for younger visitors. The exhibit was developed by students in IU's Anthropology A403/Introduction to Museum Studies class during spring semester 2004-05. The students worked with staff at the Mathers Museum to select shoes from the museum's collections, research and write the exhibit labels, prepare the artifacts for display, design the case lay-outs, and install the exhibit. For more information, or to schedule a guided group tour, please call 812-855-6873 or e-mail mathers@indiana.edu.

African Photos on Exhibit in Indianapolis Opening
Now through May 7, various times, Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delware St., Indianapolis -- Jamila Martin re-evaluated the importance of life after her friend and fellow South Bend native Katie McCloskey died in the World Trade Center on 9-11. Martin said Katie had the correct perspective on life. "Katie wanted to experience life, to live in New York City, drive a red Mustang and see the Statue of Liberty from her office," Martin said. She did all that. There was more to do for Martin, more to life. She quit her job in Grand Rapids and moved back and settled into living in South Bend. The next turn brought her to IU South Bend to study photography. Yet, school was not enough. She wanted to use her natural ability to work with children and her love of art. Her skills and love took her for three months to teach photography in South Africa. Her exhibit of photographs and the photos of her South African students are on display until May 7. For more information, visit http://www.harrisoncenter.org.

Printmaker Ying looks for Elemental Truths

Now through May 7, various times, IU Kokomo Art Gallery, Kokomo -- A selection of large-scale fine art prints by Taiwanese artist Hui-Chu Ying is on display now. An associate professor in the University of Akron (Ohio) Myers School of Art, Ying combines several techniques in her work -- screenprinting, woodcut monotype, relief printing, and paint and pencil on paper. Dorothy Shinn, arts reviewer for the Akron Beacon Journal, wrote that the artist often applies several layers of silkscreening to an individual panel, mimicking the "layers and layers of ideas and meaning ... embedded in Ying's imagery." Ying's solo exhibition at IU Kokomo will present pieces from three series of work. Inspired by The I-Ching or The Book of Changes, the six panels in Elements of Energy represent metal, water, sun, wood, fire and earth. Admission to all IU Kokomo Art Gallery exhibitions and events is free. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays until 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Call 765-455-9523 or visit http://www.iuk.edu/gallery.

Renaissance Faire offers amazing family fun
April 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., IU Kokomo, Kokomo -- See high-flying swords, Indian clubs, flaming stakes, and maybe an audience member or two, when the Amazing Budabi Brothers of Minnesota present extraordinary feats of juggling at the Indiana University Kokomo Renaissance Faire. The open-air festival promises lots of family fun including puppet shows, a storyteller, bocce ball and chess challenges, sword fighting, belly dancing and a birthday cake to celebrate the 442nd anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. Shakespeare lived and wrote in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, during a boom period for European arts and thought, known as the Renaissance. The IU Kokomo Renaissance Faire brings together games, sports, music and refreshments that might have been seen at an English festival or market of that time. Even the refreshments offered will evoke a bygone era. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for youth, ages 2-18. IU Kokomo students will be admitted free with a university ID. All parking is free. For more information on the IU Kokomo Renaissance Faire, contact Washburn via email at bonnykatews@aol.com or by phone at 765-438-9688 or 765-689-7570.

---

---