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(11/09/08 5:00am)
Concerns are mounting about the future of the UNC arts community as the national economy continues its downward spiral.""If you talk to anyone who manages a budget they'll tell you that they're worried"" said Emil Kang, UNC's Executive Director for the Arts. I'm included; we're worried.""According to the U.S. Department of Labor" the national unemployment rate has risen by 1.7 percent as 2.8 million jobs were lost in the past year. And in North Carolina the unemployment rate increased from 4.7 percent to 7 percent.With the decrease in jobs comes a decrease in disposable income" from which the arts community thrives.""The arts sector" like most sectors that are not financial markets were always lagging behind" Kang said. We are at the mercy of people's disposable income.""Because of the economy"" ticket sales and University endowment earnings are both expected to decrease though Carolina Performing Arts has yet to see any effects of the failing economy.Kang said the organization has generated $1.45 million this year compared to $1.1 million last year.""Unfortunately the arts are about six months behind"" he said. I think we are going to see a lot of worse news over the next couple of years.""Kang said the current economic state will be a factor in the planning of the organization's budget.""We're not immune to the economic impacts" but fortunately we've generated all or most of our revenue for this year" Kang said.Despite increased revenue for Kang's program, the economy has hurt the national arts community.Once-economically viable Broadway powerhouses like Hairspray"" and ""Legally Blonde"" announced October closing dates.But CPA and other local arts organizations could soon be impacted as UNC is expecting budget cuts as high as 5 percent" resulting in $25 million less than the University is currently receiving.CPA receives two-thirds of its funding from the Office of the Provost and one-third from tickets.Aaron Greenwald director of Duke Performances" said the economic crisis will prove to be a challenge for CPA because of its large size compared to the smaller Duke Performances.""You've got to feed it"" he said. Duke Performances is just an organization that requires less feeding.""Since Duke Performances receives all funding from the university" Greenwald said" they aren't currently worried about economic impacts.""We're playing with house money right now"" he said, adding that when funding runs out in four to five years, concerns for Duke Performances will arise.Greenwald said CPA is taking a risk by hosting more costly acts than Duke Performances, noting Duke's effort to keep tickets affordable.I have no doubt that the university and Emil" who's a phenomenal programmer and administrator will be able to surmount that" he said. But I can imagine that it keeps him up at night.""But Kang said decreasing the number of performances CPA hosts will not necessarily alleviate financial pressures.He said fewer acts brought to Memorial Hall limit earning power.""We can't really just turn off the spigot because it won't just shut off"" Kang said. I don't have a crystal ball. That doesn't mean that we're not going to be prudent and careful in our planning in the future.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(10/31/08 4:00am)
Tom Allin knew since this summer that The Avett Brothers were going to be this year's first Homecoming act.But the trio told the Carolina Union Activities Board president they would only come on one condition: The show had to be students only.Well they got their wish.Now Seth and Scott Avett along with their stand-up bassist Bob Crawford are set to take the Memorial Hall stage Sunday in front of 1432 UNC students. The Homecoming performance is a joint effort between CUAB" the Carolina Athletic Association and Student Congress.""This weekend feels like such a homecoming for us as well"" said Seth Avett, the band's guitarist. We're excited about doing a show for the students.""Allin said The Avett Brothers were chosen as the Homecoming act because of their ability to use their heartfelt"" meaningful songs to connect with audiences.""I've never seen a band give so much in every single concert that they play" Allin said.And Seth Avett said he doesn't expect the energy in this show to be any different from others.He said the band brings the same intensity to an intimate show as they do to a show at the largest venue they've ever played.Each night is different. Every single night has its own personality its own memories its own spontaneity" Seth Avett said. I'm sure this one will be no different.""The Avett Brothers are North Carolina natives" currently residing in Concord.Avett said living in a small town in North Carolina has created a stability that is reflected in the band's music.Their newest album" ""The Second Gleam"" was ranked 10th on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart in August.Though they've gained national attention, the band has been playing at local venues like Cat's Cradle, The Cave and Local 506 for about eight years.The energy is just so on the forefront and so everywhere" Seth Avett said. As soon as you pull into town" you can just feel the energy.""Adele Ricciardi" CUAB music committee chairwoman" said the band helps contribute to the type of diversity CUAB wants to bring this year.""We at CUAB do music nonstop and we kind of look for artists that are upcoming"" she said.Allin said The Avett Brothers also have a better name recognition than last year's Homecoming act, Augustana.It's kind of a name that you can just say and people can list off a number of their songs" he said. They're a style of music that doesn't come to UNC often" so I was excited when they did.""Seth Avett said the excitement" energy and electricity that a group of college students brings is priceless.And because of this he said" the group is just as excited to come to Chapel Hill as UNC students are to see The Avett Brothers perform.""It's always a pleasure to be there"" Seth Avett said.There's anticipation on both sides.""
(10/14/08 4:00am)
Jim Ketch lectures students" plays jazz with them directs them and performs for them.Today he's just going to have lunch with them.Ketch along with his colleague Stephen Anderson from the UNC Department of Music and several students" will host ""Lunch with One: One Work of Art" One Expert" One Hour"" today at the Ackland Art Museum.It will be free for students after registering for a free membership to the museum.The program"" ""Jazz Takes a Leap: The Breakthrough Year of 1958"" is presented in conjunction with the museum's Circa 1958 exhibition, which explores art that emerged around the time of the museum's opening.Ketch said it was a period where jazz artists were looking for new avenues of expression.It's an interesting time in which there's sort of a culmination of two decades of really technical and virtuous advance of the music"" he said. It's kind of the advent of a whole new age of musical exploration.""Artists" who had previously played music based on set forms were looking for a more relaxed method of making music in the early 1960s" allowing them to improvise with greater flexibility.""If you think about the turbulent time of the 1960s" there was just a need to create different approaches to musical expression" Ketch said.Ketch and an ensemble will perform pieces that display this monumental shift from set form to free expression, using John Coltrane's fast-moving chords and Miles Davis' slow, cool music as examples.The lecture also will delve into the avant-garde movement, discussing the introduction of jazz without any rules or scales, and listening to the music of Ornette Coleman.The mobile jazz and the free jazz allowed us to realize that we could also draw from emotional expressive pallets rather than just harmonic" melodic and rhythmic palettes that had been previously used" Ketch said.Nic Brown, director of communications at the Ackland, said he was unsure about how many students would attend the lunch, as Fall Break officially starts a few hours later.Hopefully not everybody will have left for Fall Break yet"" Brown said.Despite the uncertainty of student attendance, the museum plans on hosting the lunch, using it to fulfil its duty of relating visual art to the entire campus.‘Lunch with One' is a way for us to bring people into the museum to have a connection in the museum other than just looking at art by yourself"" Brown said. It's important for us to incorporate the visual arts into the life of the whole University.""By getting the music department involved in the Circa 1958 series"" Brown said students are given a chance to explore more than just visual art at the Ackland.""It's a great chance to eat lunch in an art museum and hear from some of the best experts anywhere"" Brown said.ATTEND THE LUNCHTime: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. todayLocation: Ackland Art MuseumInfo: www.ackland.orgContact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(10/09/08 4:00am)
In high school Paarth Mehta had few opportunities to perform the traditional Indian dance he loves so much.But things have changed.Today Mehta is leading UNC's Tar Heel Raas Indian dance team to a nationwide Indian dance competition in Atlanta.Before Mehta came to UNC he said he rarely attended Navratri an Indian festival that celebrates the coming of the fall season.But once at UNC" he instantly came into a group of the same culture where he could dance and celebrate his heritage.""I felt like I knew I was doing something right"" he said.Mehta said he knows his team will be ready for competition this weekend, taking the values his traditional family has instilled to strive for success.It's become someone" do something make some money and that's your life" he said, adding that these values will fuel his energy on stage.The competition has three categories: Fusion, Bhangra and Raas Garba.Four teams will compete in each category and Tar Heel Raas will compete in the Raas Garba category against teams from Austin, Texas and Richmond, Va. and Atlanta.Raas Garba is the traditional dance of the Gujrat region of Western India.The dance differs from Bhangra, which comes from the nearby region of Punjab.There's a regional difference of course and then just the style is different as well"" Mehta said, noting how Raas Garba also uses music from Gujrat rather than Punjab.Most footwork performed by Bhangra dancers involves dancing by kicking their legs in front of their body, while Raas Garba steps are mostly done below the waist.But this weekend when Tar Heel Raas competes, there will be a small link between Raas Garba and Bhangra.Anish Thakkar, normally the UNC Bhangra Elite dohli, the person who provides a bongo-like drum beat, will be playing for Tar Heel Raas. He said playing is an abnormal display of friendship extended from the 12-year veteran group.This campus has so much talent" so much diversity that if we just shared everything it would be so much more enjoyable" he said.Many dancers said Tar Heel Raas gives them a chance to reconnect with their culture.Nirav Lackhani, a member of the group, said dancing allows him to connect with his roots as his parents are from Gujrat.It's actually a traditional dance where my parents are from in India"" he said.But the team isn't just limited to Indian dancers.Britton Baxley, the team's only white member, said being on the team is a great cultural experience.Even in the face of competition, this dance team has become more than just steps and performances for all involved.My core group of friends are these Raas Garba people"" Mehta said. It's become like my family in a sense.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(10/02/08 4:00am)
Learning piano when he was six years old UNC Jazz Band pianist Jake Higgins shared a Kawai grand piano with his mother. Now he's sharing a Steinway with professional jazz pianist Andy Laverne. Along with Higgins students and professionals will unite in performance at 7:30 p.m. today and 4 p.m. Friday in Hill Hall when the UNC Jazz Band performs with the visiting professional jazz pianist. Laverne who is famous for re-harmonizing old compositions will lead the group through four of his own works" including a rendition of Herbie Hancock's ""Watermelon Man.""Students also will play four pieces by other composers such as Thad Jones and George Gershwin.""It's really priceless having great artists come"" said UNC Jazz Band bassist Alex Van Gils. The whole program just kind of kicks up a notch every time one of these artists comes."" UNC jazz professor Jim Ketch" who directs the student ensemble said it's great to be able to bring an external influence into UNC's jazz program" and he hopes that students will be able to craft relationships with these artists. ""You get a little networking in"" he said.Because the music department is so small, and the jazz department is even smaller, Gils said these visits allow students to have a profound experience with artists. Members of the jazz band have even been able to have lunch with artists like Laverne, creating priceless interaction with professionals. Every musician has their different take on what music should be"" Higgins said. The way they look at things affects the way that we begin to look at things."" The UNC Jazz Band brings about two artists per semester to campus" but this is the first time Higgins said he can remember it being a pianist. Because of this" he said he hopes to gain influence from watching Laverne play and interacting with the band. ""I get to watch him play in the band that I play in" and I get to watch how he plays with people that I get to play with" Higgins said. I can try and emulate that."" Ketch said as a director"" he always learns as much as students do when artists visit. ""As soon as you feel like you know it all" you're in real trouble and I just don't have that feeling he said. Gils also said he is excited to absorb the personal playing experience offered by Laverne. A chance to play with people a level above you always pulls you up" Gils said. In some ways you never forget that even after they leave.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(09/29/08 4:00am)
Durham resident Trish Christie used to visit Morehead Planetarium when she was a child.And Saturday afternoon she was able to give a similar experience to her daughter listening to evolution campfire stories and digging through fossils with 16-month-old Lila.The pair attended Morehead Planetarium's free family science day" ""It's Only Human!""" co-presented by the UNC Society of Anthropology Students and the Department of Biology. More than 100 parents and children who attended the event were able to look through the planetarium's exhibits and create their own cave paintings" among other activities.""It's really fun. They've enjoyed all the hands-on things"" Christie said. It gives us something to do that's not too expensive."" Senior Brent Chen" a Planetarium employee who made origami butterflies with attending families" said the best part of the experience was seeing the expression on the children's faces.""They're doing things that they wouldn't ordinarily have access to in their schools"" he said.Agreeing, Christie said schools have limited resources compared to UNC.All the artifacts and stuff — they can't get that at school really"" she said.And though Chen said sometimes young children had a difficult time understanding the topics discussed, such as evolution and the fossil record, he also said they still enjoy the activities.I think they take something away from it and it's a lot of fun doing it"" he said.Families also were able to attend 30-minute shows in Morehead Planetarium's NASA Digital Theater.Adam Miller, a UNC graduate who writes curricula for Morehead Planetarium's camps and events, put on several of Saturday's shows.Miller said it was great to teach children without having to worry about standardized tests, discipline problems or state-based curriculum. It's a real fun job" he said. As an educator" I can focus on what I want the kids to learn."" Saturday" his presentations showed how the eye's cone receptors become tired when looking at purple light and shut down which creates the appearance of green light.He also dimmed the lights and lit a Gummi Bear on fire to show how much energy it contained.Giving presentations to children is exciting and the best part of his day" Miller said.""It's always fun to see that sort of ‘wow' expression on their face.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/08/08 4:00am)
Even after a $22-million renovation Morrison Residence Hall remains one of six dormitories on campus containing potentially cancerous materials.Hinton James Avery Parker Morrison Ehringhaus and Craige residence halls all have asbestos-containing materials in their cinder block walls" which were used during their construction. Most were built in the 1960s.Officials said the asbestos present no immediate health risk.""It isn't a problem"" said Mary Beth Koza, director of environment, health and safety, adding that it just needs to be monitored and maintained.Koza said officials always attempt to remove asbestos during renovations. But at Morrison, where renovations were finished in 2007, officials decided against removing the asbestos-containing materials.Both Koza and Rick Bradley, assistant director for housing, said material was not removed during the renovations because it was beneath many layers of paint.Bradley said it would take extreme action to cause the asbestos to become airborne, such as puncturing or cracking the wall paint.Still, students were warned not to scrape the walls or tape posters to them using anything but 3M Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty.Residents of the six dormitories were warned in an e-mail Thursday from Janet Phillips, asbestos coordinator for the Department of Environment, Health and Safety, that there is asbestos in the wall coatings beneath several layers of paint.Asbestos is a small fiber once used to insulate and fire-proof buildings.Breathing in high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer or other ailments, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA also states that small amounts of asbestos exposure does not usually lead to health problems. But airborne fibers can be inhaled and are more likely to be hazardous.Low levels of asbestos were also found in the floor tiles of Lewis and Stacy residence halls just before students moved in. Morrison resident Cole Anderson said he doesn't think much about the asbestos.I knew it was cancerous" but I figured if it was bad enough they wouldn't have us stay here" he said.Anderson also said he feels the asbestos is not dangerous enough to be removed.Bradley said Thursday's e-mail was intended to be mostly informational, not a warning about immediate health concerns.As long as the paint is in good condition there's no potential health hazard"" Bradley said. The intent of this (e-mail) is to really calm people's fears.""In the event of asbestos release"" Koza said her department is always available to take action.""We can come over" we can do some training we can give you an asbestos 101 awareness class" Koza said.Minor incidents, such as scrapes, would only require vacuuming the room and patching where the chip was created, Koza said.But in a more serious case, she said a certified contractor professionally trained to remove the asbestos would have to be employed.This is not a health risk to anyone that lives in these facilities"" Bradley said. The EHS folks would be quite active if it was the opposite of that. We would be required to do other things than notify people."" Have a concern about asbestos?Call UNC Environment" Health and Safety at 962-5507Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/04/08 4:00am)
One of UNC's largest dormitories has been vandalized to the point that all of its residents could be fined.During the past few weeks Morrison Residence Hall has reported damage to walls and ceilings stolen furniture and destroyed bulletin boards.Community Director Josh Alexander who was unable to comment on the situation because of University policy sent out an e-mail to residents Tuesday warning them that action would be taken if the vandalism continued.Kitchens floor lounges study rooms and game rooms will all be closed if the vandalism continues the e-mail states.Damages highlighted in Alexander's e-mail include a stolen housing department folding table damaged and removed ceiling tiles and a large hole punched into the wall of the game room.Rick Bradley assistant housing communications director said the cost to repair the vandalism will either be passed on to all Morrison residents or if caught to the individuals who were responsible.Ultimately he said costs are reflected in housing price increases.According to the housing department's community living standards policy cases where the individual responsible for vandalism cannot be identified will result in residents of the entire dorm floor wing or suite being held accountable.In most of these situations vandals are not turned in by themselves or other students though police reports are often filed" Bradley said.Sophomore resident Stefano Rivera said he was disappointed that his housing fees might be affected by the vandalism.""Most of us feel like since we're not the ones doing the vandalism" we shouldn't have to pay for certain people doing things that are wrong" he said.Rivera also said that he was surprised the vandalism began only a week and a half after school started.Most campus vandalism is random, and many cases involve alcohol, Bradley said. But it's impossible to know whether or not it was involved in the week's events.Sometimes there's a wave (of vandalism) in a particular building"" he said. It certainly makes the building less desirable and affects the residents that live there.""This isn't the first time Morrison has suffered from vandalism.Last year" a couch in Morrison's 10th floor lobby was vandalized. Each resident on the floor was billed $4.51 to their student account to repair the damages.While Bradley said the hole punched in the game room of Morrison was a more extreme level of vandalism he said the bulletin board destruction and other incidents are typical.Rivera living in a newly renovated eighth-floor super suite" said he hasn't noticed the vandalism other than in Alexander's e-mail.""I think (Morrison) is still fine"" he said. The vandalism hasn't been too extreme.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/29/08 4:00am)
The School of Information and Library Science can now boast the $10 million research portfolio of a world-renowned digital information group.
The Data Intensive Cyber Environments group, recently recruited from University of California-San Diego, collects and organizes large amounts of data and keeps it in the most recent and usable format for use.
DICE's past projects have included earthquake simulation and biomedical brain imaging, but their UNC undertakings will be more academically minded.
"We didn't bring the group here to operate in a similar environment, we brought them in to operate in the academic environment," said José-Marie Griffiths, dean of SILS.
DICE's new initiatives might include genome projects and digital libraries.
When DICE members came to visit UNC in March, Griffiths said, student interest was high.
"The whole atmosphere seemed to be very energetic," said Paul Tooby, community development coordinator for DICE.
Soon, office space was created, salaries were offered, and UNC was able to persuade the world-renowned group to become Tar Heels.
Four members of DICE will remain in San Diego working through a subcontract, but all others will move to North Carolina throughout the year.
"Much of the work at DICE is going to be multi-institutional," Griffiths said. "We felt it was actually going to be good for them."
And much of their work will be collaborative.
DICE will continue to work on old projects from the San Diego Supercomputer Center while taking on new academic initiatives at UNC.
"Our history is more coming from the science community," Tooby said. "This will open up more of the digital library kinds of collaborations."
But Tooby also said DICE was involved with the sharing of their collected information, creating data grids that allow people all over the world to share information in an organized manner.
Members of DICE that do move to North Carolina will be based in Chapel Hill's Renaissance Computing Institute, located on Europa Drive.
"We're excited to have this very well-respected, world-renowned group here," said Karen Green, spokeswoman for RENCI. "We look forward to some exciting collaborations with the DICE group and with SILS in general."
Griffiths said that three members of DICE already are at UNC and are becoming more familiar with the campus atmosphere while continuing to work on their previous projects.
The group is expected to take on their new digital creation projects soon, which Griffiths said will allow SILS to move quickly.
"That will allow us to raise our own sights and our own expectations of our own abilities," she said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/22/08 4:00am)
Ten years ago, Tim Stambaugh sat down in the Weaver Street Market cafe to have a glass of wine and play guitar.
He had no idea he was starting what would become one of Carrboro's most treasured weekly musical events.
After adding guests and an amplification system, the gathering was dubbed "After Hours," and has been going on for more than 10 summers each Thursday night.
"Now there's hundreds of people that come to it," Stambaugh said.
But while the season started in May, this Thursday's performance was one of the last this year.
(04/24/08 4:00am)
Students seeking love advice got their answer Wednesday night, even if it hurt.
"Dating Doctor" David Coleman, the real-life inspiration for the 2005 movie "Hitch," gave dating wisdom to more than 150 students in the Student Union's Great Hall.
"I realize I look a lot more like Kevin James than I do Will Smith," Coleman said. James plays the fumbling love-struck client, while Smith is the suave dating doctor.
He started the two-hour show by telling the audience that he would be honest, even if it sounded harsh.
(04/14/08 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, "Singing along" incorrectly states that Cheylaine Murchison, a junior who opened for musical act, Musiq Soulchild, sang "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Murchison actually performed "Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the errors.
In addition to two backup vocalists, Musiq Soulchild had the help of a near-capacity Memorial Hall crowd that sang with him in unison throughout his show Friday.
The three-time Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist was presented by the Carolina Union Activities Board.
After his band played an introduction, Musiq Soulchild emerged to the sound of nearly 1,400 cheering fans.
Singing favorites from his 2002 album, Juslisen, and 2003's Soulstar, Musiq Soulchild kept the crowd's energy level high throughout the night.
"If you do know the words, please feel free to sing along," he requested several times.
The audience responded - swaying back and forth to the smooth R&B sound.
Jessica Booker, a freshman who attended the show with several friends, said Musiq Soulchild's lyrics are insightful and atypical of R&B.
"She knew all the words - every one of them - before (Musiq Soulchild) could even sing them," said Jeffery Collins, who attended the event with Booker.
Memorial Hall reached its loudest point when Musiq Soulchild began to sing "Teach Me," the singer's most recent hit from his 2007 album, Luvanmusiq.
Although some people had been sitting, nearly the entire crowd jumped to its feet as the song began.
Observing the audience's enthusiasm, Musiq Soulchild grinned.
"The atmosphere that (the performance) created was the most enjoyable part," Booker said.
She said she and her friends were dancing and "vibing" throughout the evening.
Musiq Soulchild accompanied the audience's rendition of the song's chorus - "Show me the way to surrender my heart" - by displaying his vocal range through high-pitched solos.
At one point the vocalist motioned for the band to stop playing while the audience continued to sing a cappella.
Musiq Soulchild's act was coupled with performances from the student group Rare Formula and junior Cheylaine Murchison.
Murchison sang several covers including Alicia Keys' "Fallin'," while Rare Formula presented several short, original compositions.
But much of the crowd did not arrive until the opening acts' performances were finished.
"It's difficult to get up there and be an amateur act," Booker said, adding that the equipment problems Rare Formula experienced brought down its performance.
Students paid $12 to attend the event, a price many said they felt was more than reasonable.
Booker said performances by Grammy-recognized artists are worth more than the price of a ticket.
Toward the end of his set, Musiq Soulchild ran back and forth on the lower platform of the Memorial Hall stage, hugging and shaking hands with members of the audience before waving good night.
"It reminded me of what a great lyricist he is," Booker said. "He's a great performer."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(04/11/08 4:00am)
Freshman Jessamyn Weis had never heard of Musiq Soulchild until her friend Nicole Powell told her to listen to the artist's 2003 album, Soulstar.
She said she instantly became a fan.
Now Weis, along with other attendees, will have a chance to see the three-time Grammy nominated R&B vocalist perform at 8 p.m. today in Memorial Hall. The event is presented by the Carolina Union Activities Board.
"I really like his style. I can listen to it over and over again," Weis said. "A lot of popular songs get old, and I think that he has a longevity."
Marie Monroe, chairwoman of CUAB's performing arts committee, said she has seen Musiq Soulchild before and knows students can expect an exceptional show.
"It's definitely going to be an energetic show. His agent said that he loves performing at colleges," she said, adding that her favorite part of Musiq Soulchild's act was the crowd interaction.
Musiq Soulchild was originally slated to perform last fall but decided to record another album after his 2007 record "Luvanmusiq" soared to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's top 200 chart.
"The date didn't work out in the fall, but they came back at us and said he's available in April, and we took it right away," Monroe said.
She said that since Musiq Soulchild was booked before his recent successes, student tickets are available for only $12.
"I think it's a really good price because it is Musiq. Anywhere else it would probably be triple that," Powell said.
As of Thursday 1,200 tickets had been sold, nearly selling out Memorial Hall's capacity of 1,434 seats.
Monroe said although CUAB has tried to bring a greater diversity of artists to campus, Musiq Soulchild is more mainstream than previously featured R&B artists, such as Chrisette Michele, who performed Feb. 19.
"You can detect blues in the sort of jazzy places in his style," Weis said. "You can tell the different music styles are there."
Adding to that diversity will be student group Rare Formula and UNC junior Cheylaine Murchison, who will open for Musiq Soulchild.
Rare Formula, composed of Eric Sim, Seku Grey and Simone Martin, said they are a group that covers many genres - influenced by artists ranging from Will Smith to Radiohead.
Sim and Grey said they were excited to be opening for such an esteemed artist.
"We thought it would be a good opportunity to show people on campus who we are," Grey said.
Weis and Powell said they are looking forward to seeing Musiq Soulchild's live performance together.
"It's a different feel," Powell said. "It's a different style, but at the same time it's actual R&B."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(04/10/08 4:00am)
More allegations of sexual abuse are surfacing from former patients of retired UNC pediatrician Melvin Levine.
Carmen Durso, the Boston lawyer handling Levine's five pending lawsuits, said he is working with N.C. lawyer Elizabeth Kuniholm to investigate sexual abuse that might have occurred while Levine was employed at UNC from 1985 to 2006.
Levine has been accused of sexually assaulting young patients starting in the late 1960s and into the 1980s while he was in Boston.
"Calls are still coming in," Kuniholm said. "I investigate everyone who calls as soon as I can."
She said most calls were made to verify the charges already brought against Levine rather than to file lawsuits.
She said she was unable to comment on whether any civil action would be taken but is advising clients to contact the medical board if they have concerns.
Levine retired as a full-time practicing pediatrician in 2006 but continued to see patients as an adjunct professor until he voluntarily stopped last week when the most recent allegations surfaced.
He also withdrew his practicing medical license, which is required to legally treat, diagnose or operate on patients.
Durso said he is concerned about UNC's institutional response to the allegations against Levine because the University kept Levine as a full-time professor as lawsuits were filed.
"It's my belief that the people who came to these institutions came there because the institutions were places where they believed their children would get the best possible care," Durso said. "The institutions have an obligation, in my view, to see that a thorough investigation is conducted with regard to Dr. Levine."
At UNC Hospitals, physicians are protected by medical malpractice insurance. Doctors are provided a lawyer in the event of a lawsuit.
"Every lawsuit is going to be different because every lawsuit is an allegation," said Stephanie Crayton, a UNC Hospitals spokeswoman. "It would really depend on what is revealed from an investigation as to what disciplinary actions may or may not occur."
During his career as a pediatrician, Levine helped establish the "All Kinds of Minds" institution, which educates parents and teachers about different styles of learning.
His research focused on the idea that each child needed to be diagnosed without common labels such as attention-deficit disorder.
For his work, Levine received the prestigious C. Anderson Aldrich Award and was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for his child development books.
And with investigations continuing, Durso said UNC Hospitals now has a chance to redeem past actions. "They have an opportunity now to do some part of the right thing."
Senior writer Ted Strong contributed reporting.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/27/08 4:00am)
Slideshow: Dance-off at Memorial Hall
It was a night filled with crowd interaction and intense competition, as host Kel Mitchell's antics helped bring down the house Wednesday in a packed Memorial Hall.
(03/26/08 4:00am)
When Kel Mitchell arrives at UNC and takes the Memorial Hall stage today, he won't be selling "good burgers" with his special sauce. Instead he will be serving up some of the hottest hip-hop dance teams in the state.
The second annual "Show Us What You Got" dance competition, presented by Carolina Union Activities Board, will take place at 7 p.m. tonight in Memorial Hall.
Mitchell, best known for his role in the 1997 movie "Good Burger" and on the Nickelodeon show "Kenan and Kel," said he is excited to be hosting the event for the first time.
"I love speaking at schools. I love giving back to the community, and I love talking to students who aspire to do the same things that I've done," Mitchell said. "It's also great when you talk to the college kids - you guys grew up with me."
Last year's competition was performed in front of a full house at Memorial Hall and was hosted by Black Entertainment Television's Terrence Jenkins.
But this year, Marie Monroe, chairwoman of CUAB's performing arts committee, said the show will be different while still producing the same amount of energy.
"We wanted a different host, but someone that still had name recognition," Monroe said. "Everybody knows Kel for his goofy, fun personality. He was more than happy to do it."
Unlike last year's event, this year's event is on a weeknight, but Monroe said she is optimistic that attendance will be high.
"I'm still hoping to get a very good turnout. We have given away about 700 tickets so far," she said.
The competition isn't limited to groups from UNC; dance groups from all across the state have been invited to fight for the winnings - a $500 prize as well as a trophy.
Groups slated to perform include two of UNC's own - Opeyo! Dancers and Misconception Dance Company - along with others from North Carolina Central University and UNC-Pembroke.
Kareemah Lewis, president of reigning victors Opeyo!, said the audience can expect just as much intensity from the performance this year.
"We're bringing it four times harder. We're challenging ourselves," she said.
Lewis said that if Opeyo! is to win the cash award this year, the team will use the money to improve Opeyo's Youth Dance Workshop and to buy better costumes.
Five judges who work at hip-hop dance studios across the state will critique each competing team and make the final selection.
But Monroe said creativity, crowd appeal, technique and group connectivity will all be necessary to take home the title.
Between the competing teams' performances students can expect to see Mitchell's personas as well as spoofs.
"I'll pull some of those characters out also on stage - I'll bring Ed with me," he said.
Not all of the night's routines will be performed by dance teams. Mitchell said he plans to bring some moves of his own throughout the night.
"I'm nasty on the dance floor," he said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/25/08 5:00am)
When Will Ferrell first appeared on stage Friday night in the Smith Center, he was wearing a Duke sweatshirt.
Boos and hisses erupted from the audience, until Ferrell pulled the sweatshirt over his head to reveal a Carolina blue UNC sweatshirt. Ferrell then began to fight performers dressed as ninjas to the "Mortal Kombat" theme song.
Ferrell was at UNC as part of the "Funny or Die Comedy Tour," presented by "Semi-Pro," a basketball-themed movie starring Ferrell, which opens in theaters Friday.
Attendees paid $45 for tickets, a price many students said was high. But Kyle Slighton, who attended the event, said he didn't mind the cost.
"It was worth it with all the comedians. If it was just Will Ferrell, I would be pretty pissed, but with everybody it was good," he said.
Ferrell acted as the show's host, introducing other featured comedians Zach Galifianakis, Nick Swardson and Demetri Martin between each of his own skits.
Midway through the show, Ferrell appeared as his title character from "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and interviewed men's basketball coach Roy Williams
"I just stand over there and clap and tell everybody to run up and down the court. It looks pretty good," Williams said in response to Ferrell's question about what Williams' coaching duties entailed.
In the middle of the interview, ninjas came on stage and attacked Williams as Ferrell fought them off.
Williams said the ninjas looked like Duke students.
Ferrell asked Williams about Tyler Hansbrough's level of intensity during basketball games.
"I understand his nickname is Psycho. Is that because he has psychological problems?" Ferrell said.
After learning Hansbrough was in attendance, Ferrell acted frightened and told the star forward, "I've got my eye on you, Psycho."
While Ferrell was undoubtedly the headliner, audience members said other performers made the show great.
Martin came on stage playing a jet-black Gibson Les Paul guitar as his comedic drawings were displayed on large screens hanging above each side of the stage constructed on the Smith Center floor.
Swardson complemented Martin's short, witty comedy with more irreverent jokes about college life.
Swardson said he loved to black out from drinking because he wanted to be a detective when he was a child.
"When you wake up, you have a lot of mysteries to solve," he said.
He also talked about when he applied for a job at Taco Bell and was required to fill out a special skills section on the application.
"There's nothing special about me. That's why I'm here," he joked.
Last on stage was Galifianakis, who flashed the audience and danced around stage as Little Orphan Annie. He also performed a stand-up routine while playing piano music.
Graduate student Peter Franzese said the comedians' integration of Williams and other UNC celebrities made the event worth the cost.
"It was a nice little personal touch for campus," he said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/18/08 5:00am)
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled down Saturday night in Memorial Hall, there was nothing but a microphone and a stool on stage.
And for the next three hours, there was nothing but laughter filling the sold-out auditorium.
"Lewis Black and Friends," part of Carolina Union Activities Board's fifth annual Carolina Comedy Festival, featured Black and other well-known comedians performing in front of the all-student crowd.
Junior Austin Tortorici attended the 2006 "Lewis Black and Friends" performance and said he returned this year because Black usually stays on top of current events, making his act different from year to year.
And as typical of Black's style, much of the comic's routine was based on politics, especially poking fun at the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.
"I feel like they've all been president, and I'm ready to move on," Black said.
Throughout his performance, Black's intense comedic delivery and angry tone caused roars of laughter from the audience.
After his act, Black received a standing ovation from attendees who refused to leave. He took the stage again and told one last joke about an accidentally castrated Chapel Hill resident.
The show was hosted by Rory Albanese, co-executive producer of "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central, who performed before Black and others. Many of his jokes appealed to the student audience.
"If you ever want to pee on campus, do it during a basketball game. No one's there," Albanese said.
Albanese also presented students with a peace plan for the Middle East, which included Americans dropping video games, fast food and marijuana on its cities in order to replicate the laziness of American youth in foreign countries.
Rob Riggle and John Oliver, both correspondents featured on "The Daily Show," were new to the show this year.
Riggle told the audience about his hungover flight to Las Vegas, while Oliver spoke about American consumption habits.
Mallory Cash, CUAB's comedy committee chairwoman, said Oliver's and Riggle's styles - one rolling around on the floor and the other kicking the air - brought diversity to the show.
"They all have different styles, but they all have the same love of comedy," she said.
Two students also gave short stand-up performances before the headliners. They were given the chance to perform by winning the Student Stand-Up Competition on Thursday. Freshman Cody Hughes performed, followed by junior Mary Sasson.
Hughes, who is from Flat Rock, joked about his hometown. His performance was complemented by Sasson's comedy about her family's answering machine.
Freshman Christina Serrano said that she enjoyed the two performances and that she was glad they were incorporated into the show.
"I didn't know what to expect," said Serrano, who attended the festival for the first time this year. "I was delightfully surprised."
At the end of the show, Black thanked the audience and praised UNC for hosting the festival.
"There's nothing like this at any other school in the country."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/17/08 5:00am)
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled down Saturday night in Memorial Hall, there was nothing but a microphone and a stool on stage.And for the next three hours, there was nothing but laughter filling the sold-out auditorium.Lewis Black and Friends"" part of Carolina Union Activities Board's fifth annual Carolina Comedy Festival, featured Black and other well-known comedians performing in front of the all-student crowd.Junior Austin Tortorici attended the 2006 Lewis Black and Friends"" performance and said he returned this year because Black usually stays on top of current events" making his act different from year to year.And as typical of Black's style much of the comic's routine was based on politics" especially poking fun at the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.""I feel like they've all been president" and I'm ready to move on" Black said.Throughout his performance, Black's intense comedic delivery and angry tone caused roars of laughter from the audience.After his act, Black received a standing ovation from attendees who refused to leave. He took the stage again and told one last joke about an accidentally castrated Chapel Hill resident.The show was hosted by Rory Albanese, co-executive producer of The Daily Show"" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central"" who performed before Black and others. Many of his jokes appealed to the student audience.""If you ever want to pee on campus" do it during a basketball game. No one's there" Albanese said.Albanese also presented students with a peace plan for the Middle East, which included Americans dropping video games, fast food and marijuana on its cities in order to replicate the laziness of American youth in foreign countries.Rob Riggle and John Oliver, both correspondents featured on The Daily Show"" were new to the show this year.Riggle told the audience about his hungover flight to Las Vegas, while Oliver spoke about American consumption habits.Mallory Cash, CUAB's comedy committee chairwoman, said Oliver's and Riggle's styles - one rolling around on the floor and the other kicking the air - brought diversity to the show.They all have different styles" but they all have the same love of comedy" she said.Two students also gave short stand-up performances before the headliners. They were given the chance to perform by winning the Student Stand-Up Competition on Thursday. Freshman Cody Hughes performed, followed by junior Mary Sasson.Hughes, who is from Flat Rock, joked about his hometown. His performance was complemented by Sasson's comedy about her family's answering machine.Freshman Christina Serrano said that she enjoyed the two performances and that she was glad they were incorporated into the show.I didn't know what to expect"" said Serrano, who attended the festival for the first time this year. I was delightfully surprised.""At the end of the show"" Black thanked the audience and praised UNC for hosting the festival.""There's nothing like this at any other school in the country.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
This year UNC audiences will see a new theatrical interpretation to Eve Ensler's play about women and their vaginas.
"The Vagina Monologues," a two-night event held at 8 p.m. today and 9:40 p.m. Saturday in the Hanes Art Center auditorium, aims to fuel discussion about menstruation, sex, rape and other women's issues.
The play is held annually as part of V-Week, an event that focuses on female sexuality and seeks to raise awareness about violence against women.
But this year the performance's style will change.
First-time director Katherine Wilkinson will have nine women constantly onstage performing, rather than having one actress speaking at a time.
"Our director has a different take on it," said Carla Davis-Castro, co-director of V-Week. "She came into the position with a lot of ideas on how she wanted to do it."
"The Vagina Monologues" was written by Ensler, who interviewed more than 200 women of all backgrounds about a variety of issues dealing with vaginas. She then condensed the interviews into 10 monologues to be performed.
"I am a huge believer of the theater being an entire show and experience," Wilkinson said.
The play also will include streaming video, images and other media in the background that will reflect the mood of the monologue.
"I didn't want it to be girls just reading off cue cards," she said.
Wilkinson also said her vision for "The Vagina Monologues" will have central themes, such as the color red, throughout the play to help the audience follow the story.
Proceeds from the play are donated to the Orange County Rape Crisis Center and the Family Violence Center of Orange County.
And since the OCRCC sees about 400 people per year, including those who have personally experienced rape, as well as their family members and friends, the donation is important for the organization.
"That's just a small percentage of people who have actually experienced sexual violence in Orange County," said Christina Riordan, executive director of OCRCC.
The center uses the proceeds from "The Vagina Monologues" to support the services of the center, including support groups in the community, counseling programs and a 24-hour crisis line.
"We have received and benefitted greatly from 'The Vagina Monologues,'" Riordan said. "It's a really important event. We are delighted to be a part of it."
Wilkinson said when she saw "The Vagina Monologues" last year, it was performed by women reading material from binders, but this year, she said, she wanted the production to have a more dynamic style.
"Every year you have a woman with a different idea," she said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.