Aussie dance invades Columbia

The Australian Dance Theatre Company brought a three-evening performance of "Birdbrain" to Columbia’s Dance Center on Nov. 7 through 9. During its 37-year history, the ADT has seen a wide range of styles and directors. When choreographer Garry Stewart became artistic director in 2000, he brought in his own tone and interest in representing alternative works that are fast and technically demanding.
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Murals honor ‘Soundless’ artist

"What if I Were to Remain Here in the Words Forever?" asked the Mexican-American author and activist Tomás Rivera in his poem "Soundless Words." Almost 20 years after his death, these words still resonate—this time through the work of three artists who got together to reflect on the same question and its relevance to today’s social environment.
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Poets get voice at ‘Optic Verse’

The front of the Hokin Annex has become a billboard for poetry by Columbia students. The poems were hanging on the walls as a prelude to "Optic Verse," an opportunity for students to gather in the Annex and share their individual poetry on Nov. 7.
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Spiritfall soars to new heights with Without Words tour

Despite being regarded as one of the finest unsigned alternative/hard rock acts around, California-based Spiritfall continues to remain under the radar and just out of reach of a major-label recording contract. But unlike many bands, rather than sitting at home feeling sorry for themselves, Spiritfall has once again decided to do what they do best: take to the road for a lengthy national tour; the band’s third such outing to date.
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Politically incorrect rhymes, off-kilter beats
Ms. Jade, Jaguares round out latest music releases

MC Paul Barman Paullelujah! (Coup D’Etat)
Are you sick of the slick overwrought hip-hop that permeates radio and MTV? Do you find yourself longing for equally dynamic, sample-laden— yet decidedly more humorous, vulgar, awkward and intellectual—rhymes? Well, Paullelujah! Your prayers have been answered—MC Paul Barman’s first full-length LP is finally on the shelves. And the nerdy, Brown-educated, white, Jewish rapper’s new album has a little bit of everything, including but not limited to NPR-esque overdubs that quote lyrics from his likewise smart and whimsical 2000 EP It’s Very Stimulating.
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Basket exhibit weaves history and art
‘Bamboo Masterworks’ premieres at Field Museum

A new exhibit came to the Field Museum Nov. 16, providing a look into the culture and creativity of the Japanese past. "Bamboo Masterworks: Japanese Baskets from the Lloyd Cotsen Collection," will be featured until Feb. 23, 2003.
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Ex-student takes shots at college life

Only one year out of college at the age of 23, Steve Hofstetter has released Student Body Shots, a book billed as "a sarcastic look at the best 4—6 years of life in college." Many students may know Hofstetter as the award-winning columnist of CollegeHumor.com.
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ABC, CNN meant to be?

A few months ago, Peter Jennings—the storied anchor of ABC’s "World News Tonight"—appeared on CNN’s "Larry King Live" to discuss the particulars of his latest book, In Search of America. It was a peculiar sight: the network news icon appearing on the competition that sliced ABC’s ratings over a 20-year span. But what is remarkable now is an off-the-cuff exchange between the two veterans. In a question posed about Jennings’ contract with Disney-owned ABC, he affirmed his allegiance. "We’re owned [too]," responded King, "Everybody’s owned by somebody," referring to CNN’s parent company AOL Time Warner.
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Marshall Fields’ biography full of facts, no fun

A friend in town from Seattle asked, "What’s the deal with Marshall Field’s?"

"The Fields are like the Nordstroms in Seattle," I answered. "Marshall Field started the department store, then he built the natural history museum, his wife, Mrs. Fields started the cookie place, and he had a brother, Soldier Field—big football guy. They’re basically everything in Chicago."
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