Category: Arts & Culture

Theatre, says Autumn Rose, a student and featured player in the theatre department’s season opener, Equus, is “a nice escape from reality and it gives you a new perspective on life and other people’s lives.” The Tony award-winning play, an emotionally charged show that deals with issues of spirituality, passion, and obsession, opens Friday in…

When Loverless stepped on to a red-lit stage, there was an intense wail over the crowd. Some were requesting older songs like “50 Dollar Ticket” and “Trying to Avoid Your Love,” and ladies screamed “Elijah, take your shirt off.” In the back of the crowd a high pitched voice yelled: “Dan if you don’t give…

Only a few names in contemporary cinema have me waiting in line on opening day. Michel Gondry was one of those names, until I saw his latest film, La Science des R?ves (The Science of Sleep). I was initially excited about its release, but I left the theater utterly disappointed.

The First Friday Art Walk is an opportunity to explore what local galleries and businesses have to offer as they open their doors from 5-8 p.m. for the monthly event. Six years ago to the month, Andy Verzosa, owner of Aucocisco Gallery, created the First Friday Art Walk as a way for local artists to…

What student body president Andy Bossie said in the Free Press of the campus hate crime also applies to the university’s censorship of Thomas Manning’s paintings: “This is a type of action that needs to be condemned.” This should be considered especially true at a university, an environment that should be the birthplace and environment…

Just off campus on 18 South Street, The Gorham Grind is a comfortable, colorful, community-oriented coffeehouse where customers can not only drink coffee and get free wireless access, but also see USM artists’ and musicians’ work. Every Friday from 5-7 p.m.

Monday, September 18 Hip-Hop Open Mic Night / 9pm / The Big Easy / 55 Market St. / $2 / 21+ / 775-2266 Tuesday, September 19 Drawings and Paintings by William E. Thon / 11am-5pm / June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA / 522 Congress St. / 879-5742 DJs Moshe and Mr.

Late night eating in Portland just got a lot better. Meet Vignola. The Italian-inspired Old Port restaurant serves dinner seven nights a week until midnight and cocktails until close. And unlike most late night grub, Vignola serves up affordable dishes guaranteed to satisfy even the foodies in your entourage.

Although it’s been 35 years since its original release in France, L’Arm?e des Ombres (Army of Shadows), has been sent across the sea to American audiences. It was completely worth the wait. Jean-Pierre Melville, French director of the ’50s and ’60s, was the master of the “gangster” genre, a style of film that mimicked American…

You know how there is this one artist or album that everyone would love if they just gave it a listen? This column addresses those bands and even asks for your suggestions. With the birth of this column, my friends came up to me and demanded that I take on The Decemberists, an indie rock…

Media Whore is a weekly column that offers commentary on the state of popular media. On the 9th of this month, LA’s Daily Breeze website noted, “Gripping drama, fluffy sitcom added to fall line-up.” A similar description could have accurately described what the President, Vice President and other propagandists brought to the 2006 season of…

Picking out clothes when you’re a teenager should be fun; part of self-expression and all that good stuff my guidance counselor told me about. But where I grew up, self expression was out, Abercrombie was in. The year was 1996. It was August before my 6th grade year, and if you weren’t wearing a label,…

Josh Schlesinger Arts and Entertainment Editor Bradley Nowell is dead, get over it. Last Saturday I attended the Badfish concert at the State Theatre. Badfish is a tribute band to reggae/rock legend, Sublime. After hearing a few of Badfish’s songs, a lot of ethical questions started to emerge in to my head.

Angelique Carson Contributing Writer I could feel the energy of the room before I could even sit down. Walking into Corthell Hall on Friday night, September 23rd, I knew my first jazz experience was going to be more than just a toe-tapping good time. As I took my seat in the warm room, I looked…

James Ashworth Arts and Entertainment Editor The Portland Wind Trio will blow open the 2005-2006 Faculty Concert Series with their show “Stolen Jewels: An evening of French Treasures.” The trio will showcase original French pieces played on different instrumentations.

As the lights go down, a strong push of adrenaline fills your veins, and thrusts itself from your lungs. You scream, holler, jump, or dance. The music begins, and the bass pounds through your whole body. Arms raise, while fingers signal the “rock out” sign.

Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Corthell Hall Lawn, Gorham; Fridays, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., near Child Care Services playground, Portland, FMI call 228-8151. Monday, September 26, 2005 The Big Easy: The Big Easy Acoustic Showcase feat. Dominic Lavoie 9pm, $5, 21+ USM – Portland: Gloria S.

I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more Sly Chi! If Tower of Power, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Chicago, and Stevie Wonder had a mass orgy with Phish video taping, Sly Chi would inevitably be their love child. This eight piece ensemble complete with a wailing brass section belts audiences with amazing originals…

Monday, September 19,2005 Sanford Maine Stage Company – Auditions have been extended for Sanford Maine Stage Companyʼs production of Charles Dickens great classic: GREAT EXPECTATIONS, Directed by John Alexander Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *Especially in need are adult men 18-60* Please contact : 207-324-9691 or online at: www.

Since installed in late June, Rockwell Kent continues to light up the Portland Museum of Art. To commemorate Kent’s move to Maine 100 years ago, the museum is running a multi-level exhibit dedicated to the work created by Kent. With visions spanning from Greenland to Alaska to right here in Maine, Kent’s paintings strongly focus…

ALEX VELIGOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER As I walked into the lounge I was hit by a wall of scent – Chanel Crystal to be precise. This scent was a precursor of what was to come when a visitor walks into Bubba’s. It suggests sweet sensuality, with overtones of excitement and sexuality released like a caged woman.

MIRANDA VALENTINE COLUMNIST When the new A and E editor Josh e-mailed and asked me to write a column for this week’s paper, I paused. At graduation, I had fully intended on deciding how I would answer that question by the end of the summer. I just didn’t realize that the end of summer would…

Brooks N’ Dunn, a country band with family ties to Portland, performed Wednesday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center to a sold out crowd. This staffer was fortunate enough to be there. They put on a non-stop, action-packed show, complete with 30-foot blow up props-two of which were cowgirls riding mechanical bulls.

USM is well known for its often sharp and poignant-but not exactly comedic-plays. That changed this weekend, with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” USM’s first full-blown comedy in over two years. The commotion surrounding the University’s production had been growing since tryouts were held last semester; by dress rehearsal this past Wednesday, the five-day performance, held…