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Controversial play premieres tonight
The Lansing Civic Players present the controversial play “Breaking the Code,” directed by Todd Heywood.
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Modern English
Meghan Elliott knows her slang vocabulary is “rad.” Even if the word is considered “whack” by many slang standards. “Oh, I use ‘rad’ all the time,” the women’s studies and psychology junior said.
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Tape, Mulholland Dr. worth a viewing
This weekend, rather than fight through the crowds to see “Black Hawk Down,” there are some great opportunities to see a pair of really good, smaller movies.
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Wit takes the stage at Boarshead Theater
Boarshead Theater presents “Wit,” a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by Margaret Edson.
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Diverse folk artist is a weekend must-see
Claudia Schmidt is sick of categories she’s been placed under, which is why she coined the term “creative noisemaker.” Schmidt will perform at 8 tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove St., as part of the Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse Concert Series. Schmidt includes many tastes in her sound, using her 12-string guitar and including hymns, poetry, bawdy verse, torch song, satire and the gamut of emotions. “I try to stay open and receptive and keep my radar out and my ears open,” she said.
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Annual blacklist of words released
“You know,” “information superhighway” and “e-trade” are sooo passé.At least according to an online dictionary known as “Banished Words,” created by Lake Superior State University.The dictionary blacklists words it deems too obnoxious to be uttered.The university began accepting nominations for banned words in 1976 as a way to gain name recognition.And since then, people from around the world have sent their submissions to Lake Superior State in hopes the words will make the list, which is launched annually on Jan.
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Monokulators hit Macs tonight
When Harry K. Hairy plays a set with his band, the Monokulators , he’s not himself - literally. “I’ve got costume changes that I like to fool around with,” he said.
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Censored productions mean lost chances at education
It’s perhaps one of the most sacred edicts to my business. “Congress shall make no law...” - the First Amendment. From behind these few words, reporters and editors cry foul over any effort to silence our efforts to report or speak about pretty much whatever we want - especially the actions of government. But censorship is much more dangerous than it sounds.
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Modern cinema comes alive In the Bedroom
A prime example of why modern cinema is not dead has finally arrived in our sleepy little town.
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Entertainment briefs
New music faculty performs tonight The MSU School of Music presents a faculty recital featuring oboe Professor Jan Eberle on the oboe, along with veteran Professor of piano Ralph Votapek, both assisted by Robert Dan, on viola.
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Breaking through barriers
It only took John Rudd two days to rebuild the set for a Lansing Civic Players show forced out of its leased auditorium by the Catholic Church.But it took him nearly a decade to realize he needed a better relationship with his brother. The Lansing Community College architecture student’s brother, David Rudd, is cast as the lead in “Breaking the Code,” set to open Friday at the Hill Center Auditorium in Lansing.
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Point an ecclectic mix of electronica, nature
From the introduction of “Bug (Electric Last Minute)” to the solemn goodbye of “Nowhere,” Cornelius manages to place the right note with each mood of the song and matches themes accordingly on this album. Using the sounds of nature isn’t uncommon, as the flowing of water, the chirping of birds and beetles, the sound of pouring rain and blowing wind are used effectively.
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Mineral a smooth addition to electronica genre
Synthesizers are great. And when they are applied to relaxing groove-based music, only good things can result. The new record by Himawari is electronica that is impossible to dislike. Mixing computer-generated effects with easy going Depeche Mode-influenced rhythms, this album flows like a calm river with the occasional rapid to toss and turn its direction. “The word” is a mesmerizing song that features the passionate and sexy voice of Lena repeating a phrase that, after a couple of listens, becomes perfect. “Chu chu” is a bit hesitant, tossing and turning from mellow confidence to obscure paranoia, all while building toward a powerful conclusion that never comes. Lena’s vocals are strikingly similar to Bj?rk, while the background noise hints at solid dance music at times.
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A Trial by Jury worth a read
Sometimes pressure and indecision can devour the most passive and relaxed individuals.In D. Graham Burnett’s book “A Trial by Jury,” he examines in detail the excruciating process of jury duty in a reputable New York City court.Burnett follows the lives of 12 citizens called in to decide the fate of a man accused of murder.It reads like a memoir as Burnett describes the events that take place in the courtroom and in the jury room, and attempts to understand the thoughts and feelings of his fellow jurors.There isn’t much he holds back, describing in detail how being cooped up and under constant supervision can make even the sanest person break.“We ran the gamut of group dynamics: a clutch of strangers yelled, cursed, rolled on the floor, vomited, whispered, embraced, sobbed and invoked both God and necromancy,” he writes.
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Pie 2 DVD adds predictable making-of banter, fumbling-in-the-dark humor still entertains
Sex is a beautiful thing. Whether or not we all admit it, we love it. And as we all come into our own adulthood, it also happens to be one of the most intriguing and difficult things to contend with.
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Torture-for-dollars business booms because U want it
Many years ago in a galaxy far, far away, I traveled to Japan as an exchange student. While there, I got a nice look at a different culture and gained a whole new respect for people all over the world. There, while hanging out at my host family’s home, we flipped on the television and started watching game shows.
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Dumb movie packs punch with explosives, visuals
I’ve always loved the movie “Point Break.” I don’t care what anybody says, even with Patrick Swayze, the movie rocks.
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Playwright to offer cast tips on Been Taken, film industry
Contemporary American playwright and screenwriter Roger Hedden visits MSU’s Department of Theatre to lecture the cast of his latest play, “Been Taken.” The play debuts next Thursday at the Auditorium’s Arena Theatre.During the visit, Hedden will give telecommunication and theater students advice on the film industry, screenwriting, directing and acting.
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Orange County falls short of funny
There’s an air about the new movie “Orange County” that about 10 to 20 minutes of really funny, funny stuff ended up on the cutting room floor before it got sent out all over America for us to enjoy.
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Fewer viewed latest Survivor conclusion
After months of anticipation, fans of the television series “Survivor” finally found out who would walk away with the $1 million grand prize.But according to the ratings, fewer people tuned in to find out than in the previous two seasons of the hit show.Although the show still continues to be a ratings powerhouse, the figures for the viewership have gone down considerably, especially for the finale.