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DU hosts Stephenie Meyer Writing Contest

By Daily Universe

- Fri, 10/09/2009 - 11:38
Photo illustration by Jamison Metzger and Marianne Jolley

In 1982, the English Department at San Jose State University sponsored the first Bulwer-Lytton Contest, which the contest’s Web site describes as “a whimsical literary competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels.”

The contest was named after the otherwise eminently forgettable Victorian novelist Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, who opened one book with the line since made famous by Snoopy, “It was a dark and stormy night.”

With grateful acknowledgements to the folks at San Jose State, The Daily Universe and Friday411 have decided to sponsor a writing contest of its own. But since few people on
this campus know who Bulwer-Lytton is, we have decided to sponsor our first Stephenie Meyer
Writing Contest.

Kid Theodore returns to the Provo stage

Thu, 10/08/2009 - 21:13

By PARKER SMITH

Touring the country with your band can be exhausting.  A tire on your 40-foot bus can go flat, gas gets expensive and homeless people seem to be attracted to you wherever you go.

According to the band members of Kid Theodore, these are only a few of the experiences they’ve had on the road since the band formed in Utah four-and-a-half years ago. 

“From the beginning we knew we were going to be a touring band,” said Cole Barnson, one of the guitarists for Kid Theodore. “Since we started, we’ve toured quite a bit. We’ve been all over the U.S. and especially in the West Coast.”

The band is currently located in California but feels at home in Utah.

“That’s where we got our start,” said Brandon McBride, another band member. “It’s like there’s people at our shows that have been our fans for four years.”

International Cinema hosts month of horror

By Jocelyn Bower

- Thu, 10/08/2009 - 21:09

In the spirit of Halloween, BYU’s International Cinema is hosting a horror month featuring scary films from around the world.

Beginning Tuesday, International Cinema will feature themed films which were selected with the intent to chill all viewers.

The International Cinema has hosted special Halloween screenings in the past but this year found so many applicable movies that the usual Halloween themed week was expanded throughout October, said Karmen Smith, secretary to the dean in the College of Humanities.

Carl Sederholm, a professor in the College of Humanities, feels October is a perfect month for the international cinema to feature these genres of international films.

“I think that the scary movie theme is a good one, since most people associate October with fear,” Sederholm said.

Musicians gather for workshop, concert

By Tyler Weaver

- Thu, 10/08/2009 - 20:24

Musicians young and old will flood the city of Springville on Saturday for an opportunity to get together and create the music they love. The Art City Music Fest is an all-day event that will consist of workshops for artists to mingle and share musical talents, followed by a concert in the evening featuring the music created that day.

“This is a grassroots effort to promote independent music, not unlike the Sundance Film Festival in the late ’70s that was created to promote the independent film industry,” said Allen Hughes, a promoter of the event. “Local musicians have the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, from other genres, write and perform a song that they share ownership of.”

The event is the brainchild of Lyle Hadlock, an LDS artist, as an opportunity to foster growth in the local music scene. This year’s theme, “Grow Something Together,” reflects the hope that Hadlock has.

NYC-based theater presents twist of Arthur Miller classic

By Alexandra Hall

- Thu, 10/08/2009 - 20:22

Many times in experimental performance the audience is encouraged to think outside the box. In Theatre Mitu’s production of “Death of a Salesman” the audience must open their minds to think outside their culture, century and hemisphere.

“When you fall in love you feel tiny and huge, you feel completely irrelevant and essential and it is that juncture that to me is the space where art fits in,” said Ruben Polendo, artistic director of Theatre Mitu. “This is our responsibility, to reconcile human needs with the divine.”

New York City-based Theatre Mitu presents its production of Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman” at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday for $11 in the Pardoe Theatre.

'Toy Story 3D' falls flat

Thu, 10/08/2009 - 20:13

By LAUREN SHAW

The grandfather of computer-animation has been reborn. “Toy Story,” the first of a stream of new Disney classics, is once again in theaters with “Toy Story 2” as a double feature in honor of the upcoming “Toy Story 3” release next June. But this time they’re in 3D. Or are they?

Chronicling the life cycle of toys, the two movies delivered a magical 2D experience back in 1995 and 1999: toys overcame fear of replacement and jealousy, escaped from a teen sadist, gave one toy seller a run for his money (literally), and were reunited with their owner for a happily-ever-after ending. With such a unique plot, you’d expect another dimension to fuel the magic more; but it only added a spark here and there. It took removing and replacing the 3D glasses to appreciate the subtle effects, so if subtlety is what the animators were going for, they achieved it.

'Whip It' puts a spin on morals

Thu, 10/08/2009 - 20:12

By KATHRYN ROUNDY

Even now, days later, scenes of Drew Barrymore’s “Whip It” still run through my mind; girls scratching and beating their way around the track. Skaters, bruised and bloody, rise up for another turn. I am astounded by their resilience. But when I really think about it, I am also left to wonder, is this really what our society is coming to?

The movie follows Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page), a confused teenage girl, looking for direction in life. Her mother enrolls her in beauty pageants, but Bliss has other plans in mind. She longs for something more than her hometown of Bodeen, Texas. She soon discovers roller derby and decides to give it a try. Bliss lies about her age to join the team, without her parents’ knowledge, and quickly rises to the top. Her roller derby friends become her new family. But her lifestyle change includes more than she expected and her lies soon catch up with her.

'One Good Man' equals one good movie

By Jason Sweat

- Thu, 10/08/2009 - 19:50

The latest addition to the LDS film line-up, “One Good Man,” is a crystal clear window into life, LDS culture and fatherhood.

“One Good Man” is the latest film written and directed by BYU graduate Christian Vuissa, who also directed “Baptists at Our Barbecue” and “Errand of Angels.” 

For those who are tired of cheesy, exaggerated “Mormon movies” that are amusing but lacking substance, “One Good Man” is a breath of fresh air. It highlights a few comical moments of LDS culture, but also presents an honest look into what life for an LDS father is like.

The movie follows the life of a middle-aged dad who juggles his new calling as a bishop, a difficult job and family issues.

Race to help theater funding

By Sara Tourigny

- Wed, 10/07/2009 - 14:42

Hale Center Theater Orem is sponsoring a race this Saturday for the Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and Education.

There will be two races to choose from: a 5K and 10K. All participants will receive a tech shirt and a pumpkin for finishing the race.

Prices are $20 for the 5k and $30 for the 10K. The registration fee will increase $5 dollars if signed up on the day of the race.

Sean Murphy, race director, said he was excited because this will be their first year putting on this race to benefit the organization.

“The money will to go to scholarships for children to attend acting, vocal and dance class who can’t afford it,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the Hale Theater has high-cost productions and the donations will help keep ticket prices down.

The Hale Center Theater event encourages participants to dress in costumes.

Dance Assembly takes center stage

By Courtney D. Smith

- Tue, 10/06/2009 - 21:12
Photo by Stephanie Rhodes. Students perform a traditional Indian dance during Tuesday's Dance Assembly.

The Marriott Center transformed into center stage for BYU’s Department of Dance assembly on Tuesday.

President Cecil O. Samuelson introduced the Department of Dance at the devotional. He said the Department of Dance is currently the largest and most versatile dance department in the United States.

The assembly featured the theme of celebration of movement and rhythm from various performing groups within the department.

Assembly attendees couldn’t help cheering during each of the unique dance numbers, beginning with a special tap performance to a Michael Buble medley including “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” The dance number slowly built up to fast-pace tap combinations. The audience responded enthusiastically to the quick movement and precision of this catchy dance number.

Competition brings movie magic to college campuses nationwide

By Jason Sweat

- Tue, 10/06/2009 - 20:48

For college students across the country who dream of seeing themselves on the big screen, some businesses are giving them a chance to produce a high quality movie with cutting-edge technology — for free.

Campus MovieFest (CMF) and sponsor AT&T recently launched the ninth annual student film making competition. Students from more than 50 colleges and universities will have the opportunity to have one week’s free access to a Panasonic camcorder, an Apple laptop and AT&T mobile phones in order to produce an original five-minute movie.

CMF began eight years ago when four students at Emory University in Atlanta decided to provide students everything they needed for one week to make a movie. This year, more than 75,000 students will compete for fun, exposure and $400,000 in prizes.

Performers primed for Acoustic Explosion

By Anna Young

- Tue, 10/06/2009 - 14:54
Photo courtesy of Todd Baxter. Dan and Ben Tengelsen play an original song at Yoasis in June.

A band of brothers share their musical talent in an exclusive show tonight, while introducing their friend and musical prodigy.

Acoustic Explosion is featuring the Tengelsen Brothers and Amy Whitcomb in a special edition of the competition.  As brothers who have performed at Acoustic Explosion for more than four years, they are excited to play and feature their friend, Whitcomb. The Tengelsens love to perform and entertain with their music.

Dan and Ben Tengelsen were born to perform.  Since their teenage years these brothers have shared and developed their talents in singing, piano and guitar. Raised in Bozeman, Mont., they claim their start in music came from a lack of anything better to do in their small town.  

Dan Tengelsen, 26, is a graduate student majoring in physics with an emphasis in acoustics.

Fall fashions for BYU's men center around style, warmth

By Rebekah DeMordaunt

- Tue, 10/06/2009 - 14:18
Photo by Spencer Flanagan. Tanner Andre shows off his fall style, where flannel shirts and sneakers are a must.

When temperatures dropped from 85 to the low 40s in one night, many students started reaching for scarves, caps and sweaters.

For some male BYU students, finding those sweaters and a comfortable pair of winter shoes seems to be a problem. Here are a few suggestions to dress for those frigid mornings and sunny afternoons that create Utah’s winter climate.

First piece of advice, as soon as the ground is wet or covered with snow it is high time to put away flip-flops or deep V-necks.

Sam Douglass, an entrepreneur in the textile industry, from Eagle, Idaho, said he opts for leather or corduroy vans.

Blogs: Review — Hi-Glider highlighter

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 13:22

By AMY MCDONALD

Heaven on earth. The basement of the BYU bookstore is an amazing place. It is a sweet and plentiful feast for pen and pencil lovers alike. I spend hours and money down there like it is my purpose. This sector of the universe makes me feel good about being alive. More importantly, it makes me excited to be using them. Seriously, don’t you deserve nice school supplies? I mean, don’t go overboard, but taking down notes in the JSB auditorium comes easily with a smooth-rolling pen. And you might enjoy that extra humanities reading with a highlighter that makes you smile. School supplies: I hope there is never a time when I don’t need/want/buy them.

 

Click here to read the rest of this post at Beyond The Universe.

Skiing, snowboarding film to debut in Orem

By Jason Sweat

- Mon, 10/05/2009 - 17:31
Photo courtesy of Warren Miller Entertainment. A skier performs in a scene from the film “Dynasty.”

 Back country, big air, deep powder, helicopter drop and cliff jumping — all characteristics of Warren Miller movies. This year’s 60th anniversary Warren Miller movie “Dynasty” will be no exception.

The SCERA theatre in Orem is one of only four venues in Utah that will be showing the new Warren Miller film. Warren Miller films have a long tradition of being top of the peak in quality among snowboard and ski movies.