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FEATURES

A capella group Ladies First performs Spring Olympic show this Saturday

Dan Julian
April 26, 2002

Prior to this year, the twelve members of the female a capella group Ladies First had little information regarding its history. All the girls knew was that the group was a subset of the MSU Women’s Glee Club and that it started after the Spartan Dischords. But after the first coach, or director, read an article about the group last year, she decided to contact the group and tell the whole story. “She called us and basically told us where we came from and we were able to get a hold of some of the women who were in the first group (in 1984),” said Katie Stachlewitz, an interdisciplinary humanities senior, and president of Ladies First. Stachlewitz said many of those premier performers of the singing group will be at the performance Saturday night at the Pasant Theatre. The group also upgraded from 10 to 12 members, plus a coach, this year.

FEATURES

These tunes will make study hours bearable

I consider myself an appreciator of “real” music. None of that crap with synchronized dancing and lyrics that makes me want to eat sewage and swallow shards of glass at the same time. Instead, what makes me happy are bands that make a true effort, complete with playing their own instruments and creating songs that hold some true meaning. And now that it’s officially time to sit and stare at months and months of notes taken while you were half-asleep and try to make sense of them, it’s more important than ever to choose your study music wisely. First of all, many people have issues listening to music with lyrics, because they start getting into it and read the same page over and over again.

FEATURES

Exercise, dog walking, massages may help ease the finals pain - or not

Leslie Escobar
April 26, 2002

Late hours filled with coffee, cigarettes and other kinds of stress relievers are anything but uncommon during finals week. And it’s tempting to fill those gaps between studying with treks to the bar or the liquor store for a few hours of sweet, bottled escape. But for those who want to make it through finals week sober and in as good as shape as they can be, other forms of stress relief exist. “Stress is additive, meaning if you do things like not eat right, stay up late and drink more than you should, it takes away from your ability to study,” kinesiology Professor James Pivarnik said.“You might think some of these things are relieving stress, but be careful with it.

FEATURES

Happily Ever After leaves U smiling

Tanee Elston
April 26, 2002

Riverwalk Theatre’s production of “Happily Ever After & After,” directed by Bob Gras, is a best bet for family fun this weekend. The play is a compilation of several familiar tales such as “The Elves & The Shoemaker”, “The Golden Goose”, “Snow White & Rose-Red” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Gras said this is the third installment of a “Happily Ever After & After,” at Riverwalk Theatre. “Riverwalk has always put together children’s theater,” Gras said.

FEATURES

Harmonica Buzz is worth the trip

Dan Julian
April 26, 2002

Catch a rising folk artist tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove St., as part of the Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse concert series. Okemos-based Harmonica Buzz will perform, with special guests John Price and Jill Messing as part of a benefit for Ten Pound Fiddle. Harmonica Buzz will be promoting its new disc, “Long Way to Memphis,” which pays tribute to DeFord Bailey, an early black country star who played the Grand Ole Opry from 1925 to 1941. Jeff Sunden developed the idea for the album, which features contributions from a plethora of local artists.

FEATURES

Earths Lament blends nature, dance

Tanee Elston
April 26, 2002

Never underestimate the power of dance.Creativity can address social issues and the environment, as proven by the Greater Lansing Ballet Company’s production of “Earth’s Lament.”Barbara Banasikowski Smith, the ballet’s artistic director and choreographer, said she put the show together to celebrate Earth Day.The premiere consists of original choreography and illustrates how art reflects life and how it and science co-exist.

FEATURES

Grand Ledge Opera House hosts unique concert

Aja Carmichael
April 26, 2002

Audience members that will attend the concert Thursday at the Grand Ledge Opera House should expect healing of mind, body and soul. John Two-Hawks and Manach, both previously solo artists, are healing souls internationally with their debut album “Traditions,” which is an album inspired by Celtic and American Indian music. Two-Hawks, a mid-Michigan native, and Manach, an Ireland resident, finished there album in two months after meeting each other. “We really got down to business,” said Two-Hawks. With 15 years of music experience between them, the two accent each other’s music with a freestyle form.

FEATURES

Band plays honest rock on latest disc

Dan Julian
April 25, 2002

The organ is an instrument that can make or break a band’s sound. It’s a sound some bands use way too much - to the point where you want to pull the plug and throw it out the window. And although reagan?

FEATURES

Entangled

Drew Harmon
April 25, 2002

Spins a web, any size, catches crooks just like flies. But can he capture millions of moviegoers and their pocket money? On May 3, the highly-anticipated and much-debated “Spider-Man” movie finally will make its way to theaters all across America, with help from MSU alumnus and director, Sam Raimi.

FEATURES

Weekend guide

Friday • J&K Steamboat Line presents Retro Cruise at Grand River Park, 2951 Grand River Ave.

FEATURES

Record is amazing in many ways

Dan Julian
April 25, 2002

If the objective of Calliope is to approach each of its albums from slightly different angles, it reaches that goal with flying colors on its fourth record - arguably its best. Instead of basing a majority of its songs on samples that flood some of its earlier records, the band takes more of a stripped-down route and throws in samples only occasionally. The result is a beautiful collection of relaxing tunes that bring to mind artists such as Beck (ala “Mutations”), Bedhead, The For Carnation or Pink Floyd. What makes this band so fantastic isn’t the complex instrumental performance, it’s the mood and the song writing.

FEATURES

Mothers Day reveals dysfunction of love

Tanee Elston
April 24, 2002

Family always should provide a safe haven from life’s pressures, but sometimes, as in the BoarsHead production of “Mother’s Day,” close relatives can cause more harm than good. “Mother’s Day,” by Jeff Baron, focuses on the main character Estelle (Carmen Decker), who’s the backbone of the family.

FEATURES

Murder by Numbers too easily calculated

Drew Harmon
April 24, 2002

Wow, this really is it. The last movie review I’ll write for The State News. The last time I ever will have to go to a movie that I don’t want to see, and the last time I ever will get a chance to bitch about it. I’m excited, and I’m a little sad.

FEATURES

Athlete comes through with decent third record

It’s easy to give up on the idea of athletes trying their hands at a music career. Remember in 1993 when Shaquille O’Neal released “Shaq Diesel”? Jack McDowell (aka Black Jack) was a Cy Young Award winning pitcher for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, and even though he throws some wild pitches on his band’s third album, it deserves a listen. From the predictable swoon of “Olivia Mae” to the straightforward rockin’ “The Grave,” the entire album screams bar band. It’s not all bad, and there are driving songs that flow nicely, like “Just Like Them” and “Wedded Show.” But some of the songs, such as “Hey Man” are just wrong, sounding way too much like the Wallflowers or Foo Fighters rip-offs. “Long Drag” sounds like Eve 6 in ten years, while “One Down” and “The Grave” could easily pass as B-sides to Eagle Eye Cherry and Elastica (minus the female voice), respectively. McDowell’s guitar work carries a backbone of indie-rock appeal and a generous amount of the solos have strong Pixies influences. His voice weakens the overall effort largely because it’s so monotone.

FEATURES

GVSB returns to roots

Dan Julian
April 23, 2002

It’s sorely and horribly unfair.New York-based Girls Against Boys, in my opinion the most underrated band out there, doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.