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(08/29/07 4:00am)
It takes a lot more than a check, paid for by thousands of dollars in student fees, to bring some of the biggest acts of the year to campus.
And while extravagances such as an endless supply of green M&Ms might not be in the contract, the Carolina Union Activities Board goes through weeks, even months, of meticulous planning to coax various musicians, filmmakers and performers to appear at UNC.
"Many groups really like the energy of a college audience," CUAB President Robert Gurdian said. "Usually those groups care more about their artistry and like the captive audience, but the rate we give them has to be competitive."
Luckily for CUAB, the organization's budget is set early in the school year, and with internationally recognized names such as The Roots among CUAB's offerings last year, the group is not short on cash.
CUAB is in charge of securing an entertainment lineup for Homecoming. The group is still in negotiations for the event, which is slated for the weekend of Nov. 2.
Gurdian said the group does not specify how much money each of CUAB's 16 committees will be allotted for events. Instead, each committee is allowed to work outside of a portioned budget, which Gurdian said can lead to more ambitious ideas for activities.
"All of the money is for everyone," he said.
"We want to encourage each committee to bring artists that people want to see."
Music Committee Chairman Tom Allin said the process of deciding who to bring is a group effort.
"It starts out as a big group discussion," he said. "Everyone throws out ideas, what kind of music they like, what groups they love."
Each CUAB committee is led by a chairman who ultimately serves as a mediator to the discussions. Any student interested in selecting what events the group will bring to UNC is invited to these meetings.
"Even though people are throwing ideas around, the committee chairs keep in mind that we want to bring a diverse range of groups - a nice smattering of things," Allin said.
Devin Conroy, film-committee chairman for CUAB, said the process for selecting films for the "Free Flix" series is similar.
"For the free film series, the process is a mostly democratic one," he said. "After gathering a list of films that is liked amongst the film committee, we go through a series of voting, and in the end, we narrow it down to the short list."
Both Allin and Conroy said dealing with companies that represent the films and musical groups can be more difficult.
"Some companies are understanding and enthusiastic about us being a college group," Allin said. "But I've gotten a few icy cold e-mails that will make you never want to listen to a group's music again."
This year Allin said he hopes to encourage more student involvement with CUAB in both performances and planning.
"At least in terms of our big shows, if I asked for a bigger turnout, we'd violate fire codes," Allin said. "But I hope that people will come to the committee meetings and help bring more student bands to campus."
Students interested in becoming a part of CUAB should visit www.unc.edu/cuab for more information.
"We like everyone to know that they can be a part of bringing these events to campus," Gurdian said.
"There's no reason why everyone shouldn't be a part of it."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/28/07 4:00am)
Harry Belafonte, award-winning singer, actor, producer and humanitarian, was named as the Frey Foundation Distinguished Visiting Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences on Friday.
Belafonte will deliver a lecture, "The Importance of the Arts in America," at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in Memorial Hall.
Presented by the college, Carolina Performing Arts and the departments of communication studies, music and dramatic arts, the lecture will be free to the public. Tickets are available through the Memorial Hall box office.
A winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, Belafonte didn't start his career at the top.
Belafonte was a high school dropout in the 1940s when exposure to the opportunities of the entertainment industry changed the course of his life.
"He was working as a janitor when someone gave him tickets to the American Negro Theater in New York, and he saw an all-black cast in a play about social issues and decided he wanted to do something like that in his life," said Dee Reid, director of communications for the college.
Made famous by songs such as "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," Belafonte received notable attention on the silver screen and Broadway, winning a Tony Award in the 1950s.
Emil Kang, UNC's executive director for the arts, helped select Belafonte for the lecture.
"I had a conversation with Dee Reid, and I mentioned to her that I had heard Harry speak in New York and that it was an incredible session," he said.
While acknowledging Belafonte's achievements in the entertainment field, Reid and Kang said the performer's activity in politics was a large part of the reason he was chosen for the lecture.
Belafonte, who has worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
"Rarely do you find people who are both entertainers and activists who are successful in their field who are known more as an activist than an entertainer," Kang said.
"I also think our society doesn't always have the chance to hear from the artistic world in terms of the politics of our world."
Seeking to bring distinctive leaders in public life to campus, Belafonte will join previous Frey Foundation lecturers such as New York Times columnist Frank Rich and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former president of Brazil.
While Reid said she doesn't know if students will remember "the famous boat song that I know," she said Belafonte's voice still can reach a younger generation.
"His life began as a young adult after World War II, and he's extremely active today," she said.
"That is a lesson students can learn - you can start from nowhere and make a difference and continue to make a difference throughout your life."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/23/07 4:00am)
When it comes to a variety of student theater opportunities, UNC's list is getting even longer.
Musicals, straight plays, improvisation and even one-man shows are already slated to be performed just in the fall semester.
And thanks to a nationwide search conducted by the Counseling and Wellness Services at Campus Health, students now will have an opportunity to tackle theater in a way that could facilitate social change at the University.
As a result of the search, Campus Health found Ben Saypol, previously the assistant director of the University of Colorado-Boulder's interactive theater program.
On Monday, Saypol will hold auditions in search of 15 to 20 UNC students who will form Interactive Theatre Carolina, a project that uses audience participation techniques to promote social justice, health and wellness.
"It's a powerful medium that allows students to engage the issues as part of a story or a narration," Saypol said.
"And because the audience becomes invested in the drama on stage, they're more likely to delve deeply into the issues."
Saypol's vision for the troupe involves working with the actors to brainstorm critical social issues relevant to UNC and writing plays that present those issues in action.
As the group's director, Saypol will use improvisation and question-and-answer portions of his productions for audience members to engage themselves with the characters actors portray on stage.
"We want to respond to the pulse of the campus," he said.
"Something like the breakup in the Pit last year spurred a lot of gender issues - we can work with the (Carolina) Women's Center to create a scene that would be relevant to that."
While some issues the group explores might provoke immediate dialogue between actor and audience, others, Saypol said, could be more difficult.
"There are always sensitive issues," he said.
"It's important for me as a facilitator to create a safe space where people feel comfortable participating in the drama on stage."
Dr. Allen Hamrick O'Barr, director of Counseling and Wellness Services, noticed other universities across the country using interactive theater in their health programs.
"I'd heard that it was a really great initiative," O'Barr said.
"They were introducing students to some pitfalls that they could fall into and making them interested in paying attention to things they may have not otherwise noticed."
And the dialogue about social justice and health issues created between actors and audience members was a perfect fit for CWS.
"I'm hoping it will really become something interesting to students so that they can participate and help the program grow," O'Barr said.
But O'Barr isn't the only one with expectations for the program.
"I have a lot of faith in the medium itself," Saypol said.
"Here at UNC, based on the caliber of student, I don't think I'm going to have any problem getting people to participate."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE AUDITION
Time: By appointment
Location: Student Union Cabaret
Info: campushealth.unc.edu/itc
(08/22/07 4:00am)
Ginger Young won't buy just any kind of artwork for her Chapel Hill gallery.
The Atlanta native's extensive collection of folk art from the American South boasts pieces from some of the most recognized names in the field, but none of these masters have had any formal education in their craft.
And that's just the way Young likes it.
Since 1990, she has been selling unique pieces from more than 65 self-taught Southern artists.
"In my teenage years, I discovered this exciting and compelling movement afoot," Young said.
"All of these talented people were making art right in my backyard, and they were making art just because they felt the compulsion to do so."
Young's gallery - located in her own home - is open to the public by appointment and offers 250 to 300 pieces of her 1,500-piece personal collection.
In addition to only showing art that has been produced by self-taught artists, Young only sells what she knows she can tell buyers something about.
"It's not just selling an item," she said.
"It's a piece of someone's soul."
Because of the personal relationships Young has developed with each artist she represents, she can explain to buyers detailed information about the individual piece and the artist's life.
And it was one of these relationships that spurred Young's "over-the-top enthusiasm" for self-taught artists' works.
While she was in high school, Young began visiting Howard Finster, an artist who brought Southern folk art into the limelight.
"He was a preacher in North Georgia until God spoke to him and told him to make sacred art," Young said.
"He was as pure as they come. Every piece is invested in his spirit."
Young's obsession with self-taught artists didn't stop in high school. She carried it on through college and eventually opened her first home gallery while living in Washington, D.C.
But Young isn't the only person in the area who has taken an interest in self-taught folk artists.
Jon Wilner, executive director of the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, recently featured a local folk artist in the center's main gallery.
"I think it's very important that we encourage all artists to continue their work," he said.
"On my weekly radio show, 'The Arts Spot,' my closing line is the same every week: 'Please explore your own creativity. Art, like sex, is too important to leave to the professionals.'"
Over the years Young has been collecting the works, she said she has seen an overwhelming growth in public interest for these works by "non-professional" artists.
"Now there are whole museums dedicated to this art," Young said.
"It has become so much more mainstream and recognized as a legitimate field of art."
A testament to this is the growing value of many of Young's pieces. Some of the artists Young spent time with in her teenage years have gained worldwide recognition.
"These are people who have been featured in the American Folk Art Museum," Young said.
"It just goes to show that anybody can be an artist if you just kind of liberate yourself to do it. You don't have to wait for that art class."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/21/07 4:00am)
Carolina Union Activities Board President Robert Gurdian said one of his biggest hopes is that the organization will be more recognized by students this school year.
Considering the big names CUAB helped bring to UNC last year - Ben Folds, Lewis Black, The Roots and Spike Lee - one might wonder how this group could go unnoticed.
"I want people to be as excited as I am about what we do," Gurdian said.
"What we do is great and most of the time, people don't know it's us."
The student-run organization is composed of 16 committees that come together to put on more than 100 events each year.
Several times a year, CUAB collaborates with other University organizations, Cat's Cradle in Carrboro and others to arrange events for students and the general public.
Shows like Sufjan Stevens, Wilco and Ben Folds sold a vast majority of tickets to students before they became available to others.
But Gurdian hopes to give equal attention to smaller activities the group offers this year.
"I hope student-led shows are more successful this year," he said.
"The individual committees are ultimately in charge, but I think some of the most important things we do are the student-focused features."
Film Committee Chairman Devin Conroy is hoping to appeal to more students this year by offering two different free movie showings each weekend.
"I like having more than one because people with different tastes can go out and see a free movie each week," Conroy said.
"We're starting out with an award-winning film from Germany and a big summer blockbuster."
In addition to showing films, Conroy also organizes the Student Documentary Shorts Competition, which earned winners' films a spot at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham last year.
But being a student organization does have its pitfalls.
CUAB, which draws its funding completely from student fees, had booked British rock band Kaiser Chiefs for a September show in Memorial Hall, but the group withdrew their booking for a better offer elsewhere, Gurdian said.
"It takes so much prepping to do a show like that," he said.
"We probably won't be able to fill a September spot now, and the earliest we'll be able to do is October or November."
But with Homecoming festivities - another CUAB project- close by, Gurdian said his committees are already working on new events.
"We're putting a new focus on marketing this year," he said.
"This year we're hoping to do a better job of making people know what it is we're doing."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/20/07 4:00am)
It's reasonable to think Aretha Franklin's cancellation of her slated Sept. 13 concert in Memorial Hall could've been disastrous for the Carolina Performing Arts Series.
But when Emil Kang, UNC's executive director for the arts, responded by signing soul musician Al Green in Franklin's place, the performance became one of the first in this season's series to completely sell out.
"At this point in the year, we've sold out more shows than ever before," Kang said.
"And the show that's most popular with students has been Al Green."
Kang said students purchased an unprecedented one-third of tickets to Green's performance.
The Carolina Performing Arts Series, in its third year since Memorial Hall reopened in September 2005, showcases international talents ranging from local symphonies to dance groups from Cambodia.
"We have an amazing lineup this season," said Jennifer Warner, marketing director for Carolina Performing Arts.
"I think one of the things that makes our series so appealing is that there's something for everyone. There isn't a genre that we don't cover."
And Al Green isn't the only name the series can boast about bringing to Chapel Hill.
Yo-Yo Ma, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brazilian star Ceatano Veloso are just a few of the Grammy-winning artists to appear on the Memorial Hall stage this season.
"But we are not necessarily a commercial entertainment venue," Kang said.
"We are about the arts in a very traditional, contemporary sense."
It's this broad view that has allowed the series to showcase the variety of material it has become known for.
And the sellout acts aren't always what one would expect.
Last season, the energetic Dance Brazil company and famed musical Rent were some of the most talked-about performances.
"We're bringing STOMP this year, and it's similar in ways to Rent, so we know it'll be a big hit," Kang said.
"Because Rent did so well with students, we can see that they are starting to realize that things going on here are really special."
And the $10 student price tag to any show might be another reason why the series is selling out fast.
"Going into our third season, students here now recognize us as a regular thing to them," Warner said.
"Memorial Hall isn't a place that's closed to them - it's a place that's been full and lively the entire time they've been here."
With student-ticket sales on the rise, Memorial Hall might become more recognizable this year.
"We are trying to present multi-disciplinary work that's going to engage everyone in this community," Kang said.
"It's not easy to please everyone, but we're trying. And I think we've done a good job so far."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/20/07 4:00am)
If you see someone handing out fliers in the Pit this week dressed as a gorilla, don't be surprised.
(07/19/07 4:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Soundtrack
2 stars
If, amid all the Harry Potter frenzy generated this month, the soundtrack for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" goes unnoticed, it won't be a dirty shame.
But come to think of it, have any of the previous four films' soundtracks created a serious buzz in the music industry? Other than the trademark "Hedwig's Theme" that never fails to decorate the opening sequences of each movie, it seems none of the Potter soundtracks have lived up to the successes of their counterparts.
In the latest film, composer Nicholas Hooper makes some odd mistakes and takes some uncomfortable turns, leaving the album better off for background music in a made-for-television movie.
And this comes as little surprise to those who know his work. Hooper is often categorized as a TV composer, gaining fame from BBC productions.
"Order of the Phoenix's" opening track, "Fireworks," is played while two rebellious characters sabotage the students' exams. The song attempts to 'break the mold' by using an electric guitar to show the unconventional nature of these characters. While it stands out as one of the better on the album, it sets it in a confusing place for continuity early on.
While listeners might hope to be reassured by track two, dedicated to the interesting Professor Umbridge, they are ultimately disappointed.
Hooper seems to have gotten her character all wrong by using cutesy sounds and bouncing notes that only skim the character's outward appearance and ignore her dark core.
John Williams, who composed the score for the second and third Potter films, knew just how to flavor sound for a big-budget series.
And following Williams' scores, Hooper's addition isn't as quintessentially Harry Potter as we have been led to expect from these films.
But in Hooper's defense, "Order of the Phoenix" is far darker than any of the four leading up to it, and the score does reflect that.
So it should come as no surprise that Hooper will compose for the next film, which continues further into the series' darkest moments.
Yet listeners and viewers of the film will hope the composer learns from his mistakes and will be able to bring his next offering out of the confines of the background and into a stand-alone instrumental album.
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(07/19/07 4:00am)
Donning a hat with a UNC logo embroidered on its front, alumnus Paul Edwards accepted applause following the East Coast premiere of his first feature length film, "Fighting Words" on Saturday.
After the Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director spoke to filmgoers in attendance, executive producer Robert Zaytoun, an N.C. attorney, posed the question, "Why aren't more movies made by North Carolinians?"
While the showbiz industry may not be flooded with those from UNC or even the state, Edwards' film inspired some at Saturday's premiere to think that it's only a matter of time.
Yet "Fighting Words," which takes place in Los Angeles and was filmed on location, doesn't outwardly appear to have any ties to the director's alma mater.
But Edwards, who also wrote the screenplay, personally chose the Galaxy Cinema in nearby Cary to host his film's premiere.
"Galaxy Theater is a well known friend of indie films," Edwards said.
"They do a great job of booking independent films from all over the world."
And many might be surprised to hear that the story, about the relationship between a talented but poor poet and a successful publisher harboring a startling secret, was inspired by a group of UNC students more than eight years ago.
Edwards, who heads the UNC Hollywood Media Internship Program, which gives undergraduates summer internships at agencies all over Los Angeles, said "Fighting Words" came as a result of some of these students.
"My inspiration was my first class of interns," Edwards said.
"I especially wanted to write something that would be attractive to their age group."
And it's clear what audience "Fighting Words" is directed to.
With a cast of young, up-and-coming Hollywood talents, Edwards' film surprises audiences through the actors' ability to perform slam poetry - where poets speak their work in creative styles - just as naturally as actual slam poets would.
In addition, real-life spoken word performers showcase their work in between the film's narrative, reminding viewers that the film's roots are embedded in this very real and modern form of vocal expression.
"It's important for people to have a voice of some sort and an emotional outlet," Edwards said.
"I think that in stand up poetry, you can say what you feel ... I think being able to speak out emotionally is a great outlet for getting something done."
"Fighting Words" will continue its run at the Galaxy Cinema this week. And although the film just premiered in the area, Edwards said he is pushing for a DVD release in the fall.
"Younger people like a movie that is passionate and intense, and that's what this is," Edwards said.
"I hope that everyone discovers that poetry isn't like an English class; it's contemporary, funny and over the top - something everyone will enjoy."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(07/19/07 4:00am)
The Carolina Performing Arts Series announced Monday that Aretha Franklin, slated to headline in the season-opening concert Sept. 13 in Memorial Hall, has cancelled her performance.
Replacing The Queen of Soul will be highly regarded gospel, soul, rhythm and blues singer, Al Green.
A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner who holds nine additional Grammies, Green is best known for 70s classics "Let's Stay Together" and "I'm Still In Love With You," among others.
The series has also committed Jazz vocalist Lizz Wright to open for Green.
"We wanted to find an artist that would equal the stature of Aretha, and, frankly, there aren't many of those people," said Emil Kang UNC's executive director for the arts.
"We only had a few options, and we didn't want to go off in a different direction."
Kang said it took a less than a week to book Green and Wright once he was alerted that Franklin had cancelled.
In lieu of the change, Carolina Performing Arts has cancelled its season-opening party for charity that was to take place on the day of Franklin's performance. Refunds will be issued to those who purchased party-package tickets to the events.
Kang said he was not told as to why Franklin cancelled the performance, which marks the third time the songstress has failed to perform in the area, (Franklin cancelled shows at the Koka Booth Ampitheater in Cary in '05 and '06).
"We were crossing our fingers but we weren't entirely surprised," he said.
"But it's the third year of the series, and this is the first time any artist has cancelled on us so far."
And although Carolina Performing Arts has sent out notices to those who purchased tickets for the Franklin concert offering refunds for those who do not wish to see Green for the same price, Kang said few are requesting them.
"Since we announced the change, we've actually gotten a bump in sales," Kang said Tuesday morning.
"At this point, three people have asked for refunds out of 804 seats sold."
The reason is perhaps Green's similarity in regard and longevity to Franklin.
With 34 albums reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts, Green's lengthy career, which began in the 50s, defines him as one of the forefathers of American soul and R&B.
"He's really cool, and not in a stupid way," Kang said.
"And we think from a genre standpoint, people who like Aretha will like Al. Maybe not all, but most will."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(07/12/07 4:00am)
As they say in Hollywood, it's all about who you know.
And it's this understood reality that helps make the entertainment business one of the most difficult to break in to, especially for a recent college graduate.
But the UNC Hollywood Media Summer Internship program hopes to give students the chance to build contacts in showbiz while participating in internships with many well-known companies in the industry.
Paul Edwards, screenwriter, director and University alumnus, is the program's director and has been involved with helping UNC students meet important people in Hollywood ever since the program's creation in 1992.
"It's absolutely crucial for people who want jobs out here to meet people in the industry and make contacts," Edwards said.
"We wanted students to be able to come out here, meet a lot of people and advance quicker. When I came, I knew literally one person."
Edwards, who chooses each student based on an application and a personal interview, places them into tailored internships that are catered to the student's interests and experience.
"There are 11 students in the program this year," Edwards said.
"And I'd say, typically, everyone who wants to stay in Los Angeles finds a job fairly quickly."
Edwards said many graduates of the program have used the connections they made to move up in the industry, and some are giving back to the program by taking in interns themselves.
"The best internships, without a doubt, are with alums," Edwards said.
"There's that automatic Carolina connection, and they are extra conscientious of the students' progress."
Andrew Carlberg, a participant in this summer's program said his love for showbiz started at an early age.
"I can remember watching the Oscars and being fascinated by it," he said.
"When I hit high school, I started to understand how people other than actors were involved, and I realized I wanted to be doing that kind of stuff."
And this summer, working for Beacon Pictures, which has produced blockbusters like "Air Force One" and "Bring it On," Carlberg is coming one step closer to becoming a producer for big feature films.
"I'm dealing with producers all day, learning from some of the best people who are out there in this business," he said.
And the program is not short of experienced teachers in any department.
Edwards himself is a working screenwriter and has recently made his directorial debut in "Fighting Words" a feature-length film that the alumnus also wrote.
Although the film takes place in Los Angeles and centers around a community of slam poets in the area, Edwards said his first group of UNC interns was the source of inspiration.
"I hadn't been around college-age people as much before, and I enjoyed it immensely," Edwards said.
"I wanted to write something that would be attractive to their age group and found something in the spoken word thing that is terrific, cool and artistic."
"Fighting Words" utilizes the talents of actual slam poets in addition to actors and actresses who play realistic characters from all walks of life.
Edwards' film will make its East Coast debut this weekend at the Galaxy Cinema in Cary.
Given Edwards' seemingly impossible start in the industry without any showbiz connections, UNC students involved in the program can see how success in Hollywood is actually possible.
"They all say it's about who you know and it's so true," Carlberg said.
"It's absolutely 100 percent about who you know."
And since the program's mission is to give UNC students a wealth of contacts in this difficult industry, participants are already ahead.
"I can teach these kids in two months what it took me five years to learn," Edwards said.
"This program can easily push them five years deeper into their careers."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
FIGHTING WORDS PREMIERE
Time: Friday, July 13
Location: The Galaxy Cinema, Cary. 770 Cary Towne Blvd.
Info: www.mygalaxycinema.com
(06/28/07 4:00am)
MOVIEREVIEW
A Mighty Heart
2.5 stars
The brutal murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 at the hands of a militant Pakistani group brought greater worldwide attention to terrorist acts committed against Americans abroad.
And it's likely this summer's "A Mighty Heart" - a film about Pearl's kidnapping and the days that follow until his death - will reawaken a bit of that attention.
But the film isn't billed like a Michael Moore documentary - calling for immediate action in response to a great wrongdoing. Nor is it the kind of personal tragedy we're used to.
Instead, "A Mighty Heart" tries to fit into a criteria its timeliness won't warrant.
What results is an awkward docudrama that can't quite figure out what it's trying to accomplish.
Becoming more and more the humanitarian with her every move, Angelina Jolie takes center stage in her role as Pearl's wife - a journalist who struggles to bring her husband home and remains conscious of her political voice throughout those frantic days.
She is, perhaps, the most successful aspect of the film. Through her poignant portrayal of Pearl's wife, the tragedy becomes accessible.
Even the supporting characters are superb; their confusion over Pearl's disappearance only adds to the harrowing reality of the situation.
However, Michael Winterbottom's confused direction turns "A Mighty Heart" away from understanding the relationship between Pearl and his wife and moves it closer towards creating utter chaos for all of the characters involved.
But while the movie begs audiences to appreciate Pearl's life and understand the family's sorrow, the scenes are largely political, and documentary-esque camera work is used.
Although the film owes itself to Mariane Pearl's memoir of her husband, it's Winterbottom's direction that leaves the audience confused as to where he was trying to take it.
Only in the end does it becomes clear that much of the movie was supposed to be about Mariane's ability to recover from the loss of her husband.
Winterbottom seems to have been somewhat attentive to this intention by inserting flashbacks of the Pearls' short life together, which gives viewers a taste - albeit a tiny one - of their relationship.
Still, it's almost frustrating to experience "A Mighty Heart" because, while it is by no means a terribly poor film, the elements that hold it together just don't seem ideal.
The most obvious conclusion is that it was a film made too soon.
Winterbottom has assembled a film that is likely as good as it could've been given the subject matter and its heavy weight.
But viewers will probably wish he could've waited a little longer.
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(06/21/07 4:00am)
Straight off the covers of fashion magazines and New York runways, this summer's hottest trends can be found right on Franklin Street.
And there isn't just one place to find these hot commodities.
Apple Boutique, Modern Times and Uniquities - all located less than a mile from each other - offer anything from jewelry to winter coats and at prices that span an even wider range.
While these high-end boutiques might seem a little pricey for those on a tight budget, each store has its own unique selection of women's clothing, with items available for even the die-hard spendthrift.
"If there's a girl who wants designer jeans, she's going to find the money to spend on them. Period," said Julie Jennings, owner of Uniquities, which has been a part of the Franklin St. shopping experience since 1992.
"There's no reason you can't mix in Target or Old Navy," Jennings said.
"But if she wants a pair of 'Seven' jeans, she's going to buy them."
Jennings' Franklin St. store is probably best known for its wide-selection of designer jeans, which start around $140. Seven for all Mankind, a popular brand, is sold in wide variety at the store.
"We choose things that are going to be popular," Jennings said.
"There are certain things that are universal about trends in fashion magazines."
While Jennings' store might boast the largest selection of jeans around, other similar stores target different trends to attract customers.
"Competition doesn't affect us," said Katie McGinnis, who has worked at University Square's Apple Boutique for several months.
"We send customers to the other stores if they can't find something here, but our brands are so different that we really can't compete."
Apple Boutique, which sells arguably the most expensive items of the Franklin St. boutiques, is smaller than Uniquities but focuses its inventory on a handful of brands, allowing the store to carry more of a designer's entire line.
"We cover all of our bases when buying the clothes we carry," McGinnis said.
"We carry everything from Marc Jacobs, which is something a high-schooler or college student would wear, to Tory Burch, which could be worn by older women."
Modern Times - boasting more than 20 years on Franklin Street - just opened another branch in the University Mall.
"It's really slow on Franklin during the summer," said Sofia Simons, who works at the Franklin St. location part-time.
"Because typically the people that shop here the most are college girls."
Modern Times uses its collection of unique dresses and one-of-a-kind pieces from local designers to draw customers' interests.
And while all the stores might see a dip in sales during the summer months, with many students away for the season, that doesn't stop their owners from filling the racks.
"We're used to the cycle by now," Jennings said.
"For fashion, summer is a teeny season, and though we've still got summer stuff, we're already getting ready for fall."
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
(06/14/07 4:00am)
Think the absence of many UNC students during the summertime empties Chapel Hill of notable arts events?
The organizers of the Long Leaf Opera Festival, the first of its kind in the nation dedicated to opera written and performed in English, would beg to differ.
The festival will be held at UNC's Memorial Hall and other area locations from June 15 to July 1.
"During the summer, people think of Chapel Hill as a sleepy little town," said Randolph Umberger, artistic director for Long Leaf Opera.
"But there's great potential for an arts festival because the arts are so abundant here."
The Chapel Hill-based group will offer master classes, chamber music concerts and several world premiere performances. Many of these events feature nationally recognized names in opera today.
"This festival has been our goal for eight years," Umberger said.
"We wanted for American opera composers to be recognized and for everyone to see the beauty of these pieces."
"Strange Fruit," a world-premiere opera led by North Carolina composer, Chandler Carter, opens the festival Friday.
"The line between something like Andrew Lloyd Webber and American opera is very fine," Umberger said.
"'Strange Fruit,' which is an American opera, is full of jazz, blues and Southern revival music."
The piece tells the story of an interracial relationship taking place in the American South during the 1920s.
"We wanted to bring a piece that would positively influence the community," Umberger said.
"We weren't just looking to tell a story."
Erina Newkirk, a soprano who plays the lead female character in "Strange Fruit" is no stranger to new works, but said there was something special about her character in this production.
"I am able to relate to this character more than any other character I've ever played," Newkirk said.
Dedicated to a culturally diverse company of artists, Long Leaf has assembled an equally diverse repertoire of programming ranging from the themes explored in "Strange Fruit" to "Nora the Nonapus," a world-premiere opera for children about an oddball octopus.
"We are trying to make this family-friendly and create an environment that will embrace the community," Umberger said.
For a national first, one might think Chapel Hill is an odd location to debut an entire opera festival.
But Umberger said it doesn't take much for anyone, anywhere to become interested in English opera.
"The spectacle and heroes and stories of opera are even more attractive when you present them in English," he said.
"You break a barrier for people and allow them to be attracted to these works easily when it's in their own language."
And with many pieces and performers in the festival coming from North Carolina or the South, the festival will hit even closer to home.
"It's wonderful to see how, although there are so many different productions going on, everyone is coming together for the same purpose," Newkirk said.
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
IF?YOU?GO
Time: June 15 - July 1, various times
Location: Memorial Hall, Paul Green Theater, other area locations.
Info: www.longleafopera.org
(05/24/07 4:00am)
MOVIEREVIEW
Shrek the Third
2 stars
Everybody knows some of the best films have come in sets of three.
"The Godfather," "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars" trilogies contain some of the most notable films of all time and have become staples in American cinema since their release.
It's no surprise some producers around the world are following suit and banking in on the potential mega-success of another popular set of three. Where the Shrek films are concerned, the creation of a third installment was almost a no-brainer.
With the previous two Shrek films filling the top slots in highest grossing digitally-animated films of all time and "Shrek the Third" breaking records already, audiences are clearly not tired of the reclusive ogre.
But they should be. At least after "Shrek the Third," which seemed almost thrown together in comparison to its predecessors. Audiences will agree the series' creators haven't offered their best.
While Shrek and Fiona live at the palace with their friends, Prince Charming bands together with other fairy tale villains in attempt to take control of the kingdom. When Shrek goes away, chaos breaks loose and the old friends must come together once again to install the rightful king.
Mike Myers and others reprise their roles in "Shrek the Third," and offer the same caliber of performance as before. But it isn't in the voice acting where this film stumbles into mediocrity.
Where the previous films were consistently clever, entertaining adults and children alike, this offering is merely a loose collection of recycled bathroom humor.
While there are some new plot twists, the narrative is so predictable, adult audiences will wonder if the same team responsible for the previous two even had a say in the creation of this film.
The introduction of Artie, a new central character in the series, had potential as Shrek and his friends traveled to a high school to find the young man.
The environment which revealed itself offered the possibility for a plethora of clever jokes. Instead, the film's creators fell victim to every stereotype of the high school comedy genre.
"Shrek the Third" will most definitely disappoint adult audiences familiar with the spark and entertainment of the previous films yet doubtfully deter children from clinging to the fractured fairy tale.
But with its predecessor's successes and "Shrek the Third's" weekend box office boom, there's no reason to believe people won't see the film. But if the series' producers attempt further sequels, they'd do well to not follow the example of "Shrek the Third's" unfortunate blunders.
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(05/24/07 4:00am)
Perhaps better known for its international art collections, the Ackland Art Museum will open a different kind of exhibit this weekend, bringing locally-based artists to the spotlight.
Although many of the artists hail from other parts of the world, all are UNC art faculty members participating in Ackland's "Practicing Contemporaries," a studio art exhibit that will run at the museum from May 26 until Sept. 9.
In an effort to allow students and community members alike to mingle with the artists, Ackland has compiled various programs to complement the exhibit, which allow for intimate discussions with the artists and bridge academic fields in concordance with studio art.
"There is a misconception that a lot of students and community members recognize us only as teachers," said Jeff Whetstone, a UNC professor whose photographs of caves in East Tennessee will be exhibited.
"The fact is that we are all practicing artists, and teaching is just one part, but doing research and making art is a very vital part of our role here."
Whetstone is just one of 11 artists to showcase their work at Ackland this summer. His pieces, along with several other artists', are making their debut in "Practicing Contemporaries."
Christine Huber, assistant curator of exhibitions, said she hoped the exhibit would inspire dialogue between the artists, their students and members of the community.
"We are very pleased at the effort many of the artists have gone to," Huber said. "They are very pleased for their students to see their work, and many of the artists have gone to a lot of effort to present their newest works."
"Practicing Contemporaries" will feature art in photography, sculpture, prints, drawing, design and other media. While most of the artists will showcase work in their area of teaching, several have explored other mediums for the occasion.
"The art department at UNC, in addition to being very technically capable, is generating a lot of ideas about contemporary life and history," Huber said. "We hope that a lot of other people, not just art students, will be interested and be able to see how broadly available this is."
Whetstone and Huber have both been involved with the "Practicing Contemporaries" exhibit in the past. The Ackland has offered the faculty art exhibit before, most recently in 2005.
"I've done these things before, and Ackland gets great crowds for them," Whetstone said. "It's not necessarily students or University people, it's people from Chapel Hill and Orange County who come out to these gallery talks. It's a great time for us to meet some sophisticated people who are asking difficult questions."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(05/17/07 4:00am)
While regular classes are out for most, the Dirty South Comedy Theater offers many chances to act up in a different kind of class this summer.
And though many UNC students have left Chapel Hill, the Carrboro-based troupe hopes their regularly scheduled shows and improvisation classes will bring new audiences and participants of all ages.
Zach Ward, DSI's executive producer and artistic director, said although the group has been in its current location for only two years, the summer season hasn't seen any dip in audience size or lack of interest in classes.
"In every round of our classes, at least 30 percent are college students," Ward said.
"But they aren't necessarily all UNC students. People have been coming from Virginia and driving up from Wilmington, or further."
DSI, a recognized improvisation theater in the Southeast, has programming of some sort almost every night this summer ranging from beginning improvisation classes to "Mister Diplomat," a show featuring a new story or monologue told by a different local celebrity or musical guest each Friday night.
The performers use the stories told by guests to provide inspiration for scenes of improvisation comedy.
"Any one of our shows are great for people who are just looking for something fun to do," said Jeremy Griffin, an instructor and performer with DSI. "It's a great way to blow off steam, but it's also a great opportunity for people to laugh and have a good time."
Griffin, who teaches multiple classes at DSI, said they are helpful for those looking to enjoy themselves and also improve their performance techniques.
"The intro to improv class I teach right now is appropriate for anybody who has any interest in improv or theater or getting on stage, or even people who want to communicate better," he said. "And although many college students are gone, it really doesn't have an effect on us because our classes attract all kinds of people."
Callie Peck, a UNC graduate who is leading an all-female group of improvisation actors, echoed a similar sentiment about DSI's shows.
"The atmosphere changes based on the kinds of shows we are doing," Peck said. "The shows always change and they aren't geared towards any one kind of person at all."
The group seeks constant variety in content with all of its shows and even offers a "clean" show called "ComedySportz," which is reminiscent of the improvisation games made famous on the television show "Who's Line is it Anyway?"
"A lot of undergrads come to ComedySportz on dates so they don't have to worry about offending their dates," Ward said. "It usually goes really well for them."
Although Ward hasn't changed much of the group's regularly scheduled programming for the summer season, he has begun to offer three- week-long "summer intensive" courses which focus on the fundamentals of improvisation comedy.
"Students coming to take these summer classes and who will be at the theater for our shows are always the same kinds of people who are going to be here during the year," Ward said.
"My goal is to continue to let the students know that we're out there."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
If You Go:
Time: Multiple times weekly.
Location: DSI Comedy Theater,
200 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro.
Info: www.dsicomedytheater.com
(04/16/07 4:00am)
Durham got a whopping dose of reality this weekend as the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in the city's downtown district.
Films, workshops and panels led by elite documentarians were open to the public from Thursday morning to Sunday evening.
Packing 123 films into just four days would have been impossible if not for Durham's Carolina Theatre and the nearby Durham Civic Center.
The two venues housed most of the screenings and, because of their close vicinity to one another, allowed for a communal environment for filmmakers and film aficionados.
"Friday, I saw eight to nine hours of films," UNC senior Sean vonLembke said. "And every one of the films I've seen has had good aspects."
VonLembke was one of 11 UNC students selected as Full Frame Fellows, a program that allows college students interested in documentary filmmaking the opportunity to attend the festival and sit in on panels and workshops with today's most notable documentary filmmakers.
"I just gave my DVD to Michael Moore," said senior Andrew Carlberg, the Carolina Union Activities Board's film and public figures chairman.
Carlberg - along with vonLembke and seniors Natalie Palmer and Hans Vogel - were selected as Fellows for their documentary "Men in Arms," which won CUAB's Student Documentary Shorts Competition in March.
Although the festival was located just minutes from Duke's East Campus, Full Frame drew people of all ages to the Triangle.
Godfrey Cheshire, a N.C. native and former UNC professor, chose to premiere his film, "Moving Midway," at Full Frame.
Filmed near Raleigh, "Moving Midway" centers on physically moving the Midway plantation - a home built before the Civil War that has been in Cheshire's family since its creation - to a nearby location.
"It's important for Southerners to make films about the South," Cheshire said.
"Too often all you see are outsiders commenting on the South, and they often aren't able to get it right."
"Moving Midway" was one of three films festival organizers set aside as part of the Southern Sidebar series, which also featured "Greensboro: Closer to the Truth," which chronicled the 1979 Greensboro massacre.
Many of the documentaries screened, "Moving Midway" included, attempted to raise questions about society, justice and equality in today's world.
"American History X" director Tony Kaye offered "Lake of Fire," which explored the United States' volatile abortion debate. The critically praised film that Kaye spent 15 years making was a favorite with Carlberg, Palmer and vonLembke.
"People underestimate the work that goes into these films," Palmer said. "Documentaries are the most time-consuming because you can't just set up what goes on."
With many events sold-out hours before they began and audiences' engaged participation during question-and-answer sessions, it seemed Full Frame created an ideal environment for anyone interested in filmmaking.
"I think I'm speaking on behalf of the filmmakers here when I say we love this festival," said Marco Williams, director of "Banished," an in-competition documentary also included in the Southern Sidebar series.
As in previous years, Full Frame offered a spectrum of documentaries, this year ranging from learning about the history of the Helvetica font to being exposed to uncensored images of the genocide in Darfur.
"It's amazing because these are all the stories of real people," vonLembke said.
"And they are still great films."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(04/16/07 4:00am)
This weekend, Memorial Hall offered two opportunities to see one of the most renowned dance groups in the world.
On Friday and Saturday night, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performed a tour de force cataloging their growth over the past decades to sold-out crowds.
Twenty-eight dancers of the 30-person company traveled to the hall this weekend to perform two different repertoires each night as a part of the Carolina Performing Arts Series.
The group was created in 1958 by Alvin Ailey to promote the talents of black modern dancers. The company has since been integrated to include dancers from other racial backgrounds.
"I've always felt at home here," said Guillermo Asca, a dancer who has been a part of the company since 1994.
"Diversity has always been a part of my experience since I've grown up with kids from all over."
Through the dances performed Friday night, audience members could see diverse inspirations in the choreography as well.
All of the dances had deep foundations in modern dance, yet each of the pieces fused that tradition with styles as modern as hip hop and as ancient as African dance.
The first piece, "Love Stories," an explosion of energy and expression, was performed to music by Stevie Wonder.
The dance was intended to be a tribute to the company's growth over the years and the Ailey School, the largest dedicated space for dance in the country, Asca said.
"I think the amazing thing is the exceptional amount of talent in each of the dancers," said Emil Kang, UNC's executive director for the arts.
"How they are able to stand out, yet form a collective personality - that's what's rare."
The pieces the company performed were created in different decades of the group's existence, allowing audience members to witness the unwavering degree of talent required across the years to execute the dances.
"I've seen modern dance before," said Wylie Hunter, a UNC-Greensboro sophomore who attended Friday's performance.
"But it's cool to see it on a broad scale like this."
One of the more stand-out aspects of the show was how the choreography allowed each dancer to shine in individual moments, yet still remain a part of the tightly executed ensemble moments.
"This company is very different from others," Asca said.
"It's about individual spirit, not just movement, and I think that is what allows us to be so different from each other."
But perhaps the spirit that reigned most supreme was that of the legendary choreographer himself, Alvin Ailey.
The company concluded both nights in Memorial Hall with Ailey's "Revelations," which has remained the group's signature piece since its creation in 1960.
"When a company like this one is so founder driven and that founder dies, often that company loses its way," Kang said.
"But this one hasn't. It's kept creating and building since then; they haven't gone stale, and the choreography is always fresh and new."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(04/12/07 4:00am)
It's not every day that just about anyone can brush shoulders with renowned filmmakers such as outspoken documentarian Michael Moore and Mira Nair, director of "The Namesake."
But once a year, Durham hosts the internationally recognized Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
Full Frame, now in its 10th year, kicks off today and runs until Sunday night at Durham's Carolina Theatre.
More than 1,100 films from 23 countries were submitted for the festival's 82 competitive slots.
Nancy Buirski, Full Frame's chief executive officer, founder and artistic director, said she chose Durham as the festival's location because of the Triangle's academic community.
"So many people are involved with universities here," she said. "So many people here are interested in the cultural experience that we are offering."
But Full Frame isn't just a series of films being shown in theaters to the general public.
The festival boasts intimate question-and-answer sessions with directors; discussion panels giving audiences a chance to interact with personalities in documentary film; and star-studded events such as the festival's "Power of Ten" series, where notable directors will introduce 10 documentaries that impacted their careers.
UNC senior Andrew Carlberg, the Carolina Union Activities Board's film and public figures chairman, along with fellow seniors Natalie Palmer, Sean vonLembke, and Hans Vogel, earned their documentary, "Men in the Arena," a spot in the festival's repertoire after winning CUAB's Student Documentary Shorts Competition in March.
"Full Frame has given students such a high priority at the festival. They aren't an afterthought," said Gorham "Hap" Kindem, a UNC professor who taught the students.
"They have an incredible opportunity to get their work seen by filmmakers and audiences they would never otherwise be exposed to."
In previous years, The Carolina Theatre's lobby - where Carlberg's film will be playing throughout the festival - and its outdoor plaza have served as a "mingling ground" for audience members, aspiring filmmakers, directors and others involved in creating the festival's films.
"I know I'm planning to go equipped with DVDs of my film for people to take," Carlberg said.
"You never know what student and what professional are going to latch on and form relationships."
Having created the festival with the academic community in mind, Buirski said she hoped the academic opportunities of Full Frame would attract students whether or not they are aspiring filmmakers.
"I encourage students of any subject to take advantage of the panels and workshops we are offering."
Though Full Frame can be pricey - tickets for individual events are $8 with a student ID and $10 without, and weekend passes cost as much as $700 - Carlberg said interacting with filmmakers is invaluable.
"It's really about a group of people coming together and thinking about things greater than themselves," he said. "I can't see how that isn't a great thing."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
Four can't-miss documentaries at Full Frame
TODAY:
"Lake of Fire" Director Tony Kaye ("American History X") spent 15 years piecing together "Lake of Fire," a film that likely will become the definitive documentary about the U.S. abortion debate. (2:15 p.m.)
FRIDAY:
"Angels in the Dust" Documentarian Louise Hogarth continues her exploration of the AIDS issue with "Angels in the Dust," a chronicle of a South African village that cares for afflicted children. (12:15 p.m.)
SATURDAY:
"The Great Happiness Space" Jake Clennell makes his directorial debut with this documentary about Japan's burgeoning male Geisha scene that exposes an underbelly in Japan's modern club culture. (8:15 p.m.)
SUNDAY:
"Forever" Award-winning documentarian Heddy Honigman examines a Parisian cemetery that is the final resting place for many artists and, in turn, explores how art moves and inspires in everyday life. (9:15 a.m.)
For more films, locations, times, dates and pricing, visit fullframefest.org.