Toledo dance group performs African dance to celebrate Black History Month
Long before you see the ALMA Dance Experience, you hear them. It’s hard to ignore the hand-clapping and the soul-awakening beat of the skin-covered djembe drums. Like their name, ALMA is definitely an experience. Created in 2003, the ALMA Dance Experience is a Toledo-based dance company made up of professional dancers and musicians who specialize in modern and West African dance.
Conan O'Brien prepares to take over 'Tonight Show'
Conan O’Brien is moving up in the world of late-night television. “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” ended a 16-year run with its 2,725th episode on Friday. O’Brien takes over as the host of “The Tonight Show” on June 1, replacing Jay Leno.
There are few dance groups who can convey the black experience through dance; however, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) is a rare exception. Created in 1958 by choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), the AAADT is a primarily black, modern dance group based in New York City.
IC Staff Writer Rick Passmore reveals his 2009 Academy Award predictions
It’s finally here. The day Hollywood and film aficionados have been waiting for. On Sunday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the winners of the Oscars, the most prestigious American film awards. Before you settle down to enjoy the three-hour spectacle, take a moment to review who we feel are the favorites, the underdogs and the winners of the Big Eight of the 81st annual Academy Awards.
It’s tough to stand-out in a movie when your co-stars are Gucci and Prada. But somehow Isla Fisher manages to set herself apart from the labels she so desperately desires, as the adorable, charming and, at times, Carrie Bradshaw reincarnate, shopaholic.
Whether handled with solemnity or brazenness, the truth of our mortality and how we have no choice but to deal with it is an ever-present theme in almost every form of expression in every culture in the world. Originally aired on HBO, “Dead Like Me” tackled this weighty subject with equal doses of dignity and humor, but like so many of the unfortunate characters in the show, it was struck down in its prime.
Before Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, there was Jack Johnson (1878-1946). Nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” Johnson was the first black Heavyweight Champion of the World. Born Arthur John Johnson in Galveston, Texas, Jackson won his first heavyweight title in 1908 when he defeated Canadian world champion Tommy Burns.
I’m afraid I’m not one of those reporters who wisecracks at the foolishness of the Oscar telecast every season, especially since for the last five years I’ve only bothered to watch five minutes or so of the ceremony, then wait for the list of winners to get posted online at midnight.
The history and ongoing legacy of African-American comic book superheroes
Do the names Steel, Lion Man or The Black Panther sound familiar? Unless you’re a comic book aficionado then they probably don’t. Although not as popular as Superman or as profitable as Spiderman, for decades black superheroes have existed in the fictional world of comic books, pushing the boundaries of creative expression and doing their part to erase the stereotypical views of African-Americans.
UT play sheds light on life for blacks in the 1950s
Communism and a coming-of-age heroine are just some of the ingredients getting stirred-up in the stage drama “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” by Lynn Nottage, the latest production by the UT Theatre and Film Department. Ernestine Crump (Briana Rawls), a sheltered 17-year-old black girl, narrates the story of her move in 1950 from the Florida countryside to a Brooklyn apartment with her widowed father Godfrey (Philip Brown) and younger sister Ermina (Naheema Shafau).
Similar to “Taken” and “Quantum of Solace,” “The International” is following a new trend in action thrillers. Sure, the audience can get entertainment, but they have to feel bad too. This thriller has plenty of suspense to keep it from being dull, but it’s also grim, confusing and leaves you wondering where the jokes are.
From the corner of Cedar and Sedgwick Avenue in the South Bronx to the world, hip-hop has blossomed from a street corner pastime to a genre, culture and lifestyle. DJing, break dancing, graffiti art and fashion went hand-in-hand with the emerging culture that would soon become the voice of the inner city.
With new technologies emerging, college radio struggles to remain relevant
Unbeknownst to many students, the second floor of UT’s Student Union houses an audio sanctuary. It is a room of purpose and intriguing presence and a hot bed to music lovers and news seekers alike: the university radio station. Entering the station of WXUT 88.
New coffee shop Caffeini's Coffee on Secor Road hopes to attract UT students and faculty
Starbucks may have some competition, because there’s a new coffee shop in town. Caffeini’s Coffee is the latest addition in what many hope will be the start of attracting outside businesses to the UT community. The coffee shop, located on Secor Road across from Rocket Hall, celebrated it’s grand opening on Feb.
'He's Just Not That Into You' fails to live up to hype
How many A-listers does it take to make a film? Apparently too many. Based on the 2005 bestselling book, “He’s Just Not that Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys,” by Greg Behrendt, the film of the same name seems more like an experiment of how many stars can fit into one movie rather than an onscreen version of the popular book.
Long before The Rolling Stones ever set foot on American soil, and before Eric Clapton picked up a guitar, there was Muddy Waters (1913-1983). Ranked #17 by Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” Muddy Waters is considered the “father of Chicago blues” and one of the greatest bluesmen of all time.
E-cards allow to tell partners they may be infected with an STD
Here’s an e-mail no one wants to receive, and it’s not spam. Thanks to a new Web site, inSpot.org, people can anonymously send e-mails, known as e-cards, to alert their partners they may have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease.
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“We don’t want to be special. We just are.” This last line of Dakota Fanning’s opening narration scene in “Push” immediately sets the tone of the film, as it delivers the message that even those who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances still try to find any way they can to lead ordinary, peaceful lives.
If you’ve been paying attention to the Oscar buzz this month, you may have heard of a British-directed drama about a “Slumdog” orphan from Mumbai accused of cheating on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Although the movie, “Slumdog Millionaire,” already has critics, movie-goers and others in a fuss, I believe it is also affecting the Indian film industry known as “Bollywood.
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IC Staff Writer Rick Passmore’s picks for the best and worst Super Bowl ads
This year’s Super Bowl was quite memorable as the Steelers and Cardinals hit it out late with the Steel City winning their sixth NFL Championship, but the game itself isn’t just known for the play on the field; it’s also known for the commercials on the TV sets across the nation.
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Discussion suggests generational split takes pain away from 'n word'
It’s tough to believe a six-letter word can pack such a powerful punch — well, at least it used to. What once was a dehumanizing and derogatory word used to make blacks feel subservient has slowly evolved into a staple of the African-American vernacular.
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Coming to terms with the realization that the golden era of your life has come and gone is never an easy thing to do, but it takes a man with courage and passion to battle through the hardships to find the light burning at the end of everything. Director Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem for a Dream”) and his most recent take on graphic cinematic storytelling, “The Wrestler,” set the stage for a vivid depiction of a professional wrestler’s life as he goes through the inevitable downfall following the peak of his career.
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Actor and author Hill Harper delivered keynote address at Youth Conference
Education and empowerment were the themes of the day as actor, author and motivational speaker Hill Harper spoke to students this past Saturday as the keynote speaker for the 25th Annual Minority Youth Conference. The event was hosted by the UT Office of Excellence and the UT Joint Committee, and featured various city leaders and Toledo EXCEL alumni.
Stage presence and relatable jokes make Chris Sinchok the 'Last Rocket Standing'
Who would’ve thought laundry and knock-off cereal could be so funny? At last Thursday’s “Last Rocket Standing” it was those seemingly mundane topics with a comedic twist that made Chris Sinchok the “Last Rocket Standing.” Sinchok, a senior majoring in computer science and engineering beat out seven other contestants to take home the prestigious title.
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Club returns from its latest skiing trip to Steamboat Springs, Colo.
While most people loathe the cold weather and snow that accompanies it, this time of year is a skier’s dream. For the UT Ski and Board Club, skiing and snowboarding is fully a way of life. The UT Ski and Board Club was started out of a passion for the outdoors and a desire to give skiers and snowboarders an opportunity and place to hang out with others who share their interests.
Break out the kente cloth and dust off those “Eyes on the Prize” tapes because it’s February and Black History Month is here. Since I was a child I’ve always loved this month. For some reason I can never get enough of the Black History Month celebrations, the old Civil Rights footage and just discovering new and exciting things about black culture.
The trends, music, movies and events that will define today’s generation
Every generation is known for something. The ’80s had Michael Jackson, the ’70s had disco, and the ’60s, well, they had everything. But what will define this generation? What will the youth of today be remembered for? Thirty years from now will future generations look at us as the era of the iPod, and will Miley Cyrus be remembered as a pop culture phenomenon? It’s tough to predict exactly what a generation will be known for, especially when one is still living in the era (surely children growing up in the ’70s never thought the Pet Rock would be a staple of that era).
Author and HIV/AIDS activist Marvelyn Brown discusses book and life with HIV
It’s hard to believe Marvelyn Brown is HIV positive. She’s young, vibrant, beautiful, intelligent and on the outside appears to be perfectly healthy. But looks can be deceiving. Take one look at the 24-year-old beauty and you’d never think of the six to eight horse-size pills she has to take everyday to keep her T-cell count up, or the pounding headaches even extra-strength Tylenol won’t cure, or the nausea, or the constant diarrhea, or the fatigue, or any of the other side-effects that come with HIV.
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Despite decent action scenes and plot, 'Taken' fails to compete with other action flicks
After making its European debut nearly one year ago, “Taken” has finally made its way to the states. With its fast-paced action scenes, lackluster cast and underlying cultural implications, at best the film is an entertaining action flick, sure to keep your mind occupied for 90 minutes.
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Professional dancers 'Greenfield and Bon' performed 'Junk Drawer' at UT
If art is subjective then who knows how one should interpret “Junk Drawer?” On one hand, it’s a conversation between two women, spoken through the language of dance, set against the backdrop of a whimsical, acoustic soundtrack. On of the other hand, it’s a combination of awkward dance moves and offbeat poses performed by two women as they dress and undress, literally and figuratively, sifting through the “junk” in their minds.
'Titanic' stars give Oscar-worthy performances in 'Revolutionary Road'
The 1950s were "a swell time" for those lucky enough to have lived in it. It was a time of prosperity, hope and what we have come to know as the "typical suburban family." But Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") breaks that mindset with the help of Academy Award nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in "Revolutionary Road," a dark, chilling film adaptation of the Richard Yates novel of the same name.
"Slumdog Millionaire" took the cinema world by surprise with its edgy, racy, game show stick em up, thrill ride of a plot. Director Danny Boyle ("The Beach" and "28 Days Later") once again keeps us on the edge of our seats with cutthroat cinematography and a cast that surpasses most Hollywood lineups.
If you're like me, you probably love the smell and flavor of a hearty steak on your plate - to the point that if you can only have one food in the world this would be it. What you probably didn't think about is the less romantic behind-the-scenes story.
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