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(03/27/06 5:00am)
Country music artist Dierks Bentley brought audience members to their
feet Sunday night before he even stepped on stage.
After opening act Eric Church finished his set, about 2,100 audience
members roared with applause and rose to their feet as a Dierks Bentley
banner rose behind the stage.
And Troy senior Brad Davison was one of them.
“I’ve been here for four years and this is the first country concert
that I can remember on campus,” Davison said. “I give (Program Board) a
lot of credit for bringing in someone who just won two Grammy’s.”
Bentley energized the crowd from the start and the crowd remained
that way throughout the performance.
Bentley played such hits as, “Lot of Leavin’ Left To Do” and “How Am
I Doin,’” both of which received plenty of audience participation.
During Bentley’s encore, he covered songs by Johnny Cash and Hank
Williams.
Bentley’s set lasted about 75 minutes, while Church played for 50
minutes.
His announcement that he would buy everyone a round of beers if he
kept audience participation high throughout his set had the crowd
roaring.
“I liked how he danced around a lot and got the crowd going,” said
Ashley Gillispie, Lapeer freshman.
Bentley also asked audience members where the after-party was in
between his songs.
“Does anybody got a keg in their apartment or something?” he said.
Ryan Makowski, Macomb senior and Program Board member, said
the group sold about 1,800 tickets prior to the concert, then another
300 at the door.
“He’s not the biggest country star, but we’re pleased with the
turnout,” Makowski said.
There was a broad range of audience members, including many families.
“I actually came with my step-daughter for Dierks Bentley,” said
Laurie Mewkirk, Sanford resident.
Church impressed many audience members with his interaction with the
crowd.
“That’s not the ‘album version,” Church said. “That’s the ‘Eric
Church forgot the words to his own song’ version.”
He also shared with audience members a story about the first beer he
drank, which he stole out of his grandfather’s refrigerator when he was
15-years-old.
“He was really good,” said Julie Coles, Pinckney junior. “He
was very interactive with the audience.”
Church played songs from his upcoming album, including his latest
single, “How ‘Bout You,” which he intertwined with Ram Jam’s hit,
“Black Betty.”
(03/27/06 5:00am)
Benton Harbor sophomore Michelle Brooks did not know what to expect
when she went to the Bovee University Center Saturday night.
(03/24/06 5:00am)
Seven-year-old Alden brought his stuffed reindeer to the Doll Hospital
on Thursday because Comet had a broken antler.
“His foot is even more broken than his antler,” Alden said after
surveying his x-ray. “It’s a good thing they have x-rays.”
Alden was one of about 650 children who participated in the Doll
Hospital program in the past two weeks.
The program, put on by Central Michigan Community Hospital, took
place in 13 area elementary schools starting on March 13 and concludes
today at Vowles Elementary, 1560 S. Watson Road.
CMCH has put on the Doll Hospital for more than 10 years to inform
children of what to expect if they come to the hospital, so they are
not scared their first time.
Farmington Hills senior Courtney Crites and Highland senior Scott
Martin were the Doll Hospital’s student project managers.
There also were five CMU student volunteers who served as doctors in
five stations: registration, blood pressure, heart beat, x-ray and
immunization.
Sammy, 7, said his cat Butterscotch had a fever, but felt better
after getting a shot.
Krissy Rose, a Highland senior, was the volunteer in charge of the
shot station.
“Some of them were really scared,” she said. “But I told them ‘if
your little stuffed animal could do it, you can do it too.’”
Children brought in dolls and stuffed animals with a variety of
ailments. While many suffered from broken arms and legs, Martin said
one child said his dog had leprosy.
“It’s nice to feel you’re making an impact,” Crites said.
(03/24/06 5:00am)
Vowles Elementary School first-grader Lexas McGrew waits in line
Thursday to see the inside of an ambulance after getting her doll
checked at Doll Hospital, which was hosted by Central Michigan
Community Hospital at the Vowles Elementary School cafeteria. Children
were able to bring their dolls to school Thursday to get a checkup by
CMCH volunteers. The CMCH community outreach program is designed to
make children more comfortable with visits to the hospital.
(03/24/06 5:00am)
Honor students proved Thursday night they know about more than just
books.
Around 800 students, faculty and staff attended the sixth annual
Honors Talent Show, a traditional program where at least one Honors
student took part in a variety of 16 acts.
“I was really impressed with the attendance,” said Judy Idema, the
associate director of the Honors Program. “For awhile people were even
standing in the back because there were no were places to sit.”
A variety of acts in the show at Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium
reflected the theme, “The Streets of New York,” including three numbers
taken from the popular Broadway musical “Rent.”
Nine students won top honors with their rendition of “Seasons of
Love.”
Grand Rapids freshman DeMarcus Brooks, Horton junior Ashley Coleman,
Detroit freshman Lance Franklin, Flint junior Peter Gallinat,
Farmington Hills senior Rachel A. Miller, Jenison senior Fred Quillin,
Charlotte junior Tamra Ross, Waterford senior Kevin Smith and Charlotte
junior Ashley Wood came together for the winning performance.
Brooks’ solo was a crowd pleaser.
“I’m happy because I hit the note and they clapped,” he said. “Then
I cracked, but the applause covered it up. It made me feel really good.”
Berkley senior Andy Hatzos placed second for his rendition of
“Cheyenne Anthem” from the musical “Kansas.” First-time performer Nick
Tackett, Illinois junior, placed third for his original song “Make You
See.”
Idema couldn’t say enough about the Honors students’ loyalty and
professionalism.
“Honors students are supportive, not competitive,” she said.
“Everyone’s a family.”
Contestants were judged on a secret panel system where selected
audience members chose their top three acts. The audience then decided
the winner through a student “applause-o-meter.”
Audience members received gift certificates from Celebration Cinema,
4935 E. Pickard Road, and the Central Michigan University Bookstore throughout the show.
“The acts were great, which made it easier to be on stage,” said
Plymouth senior Dan Nikolits, the show’s co-emcee. “There’s always the
chance the audience will kill you.”
Nikolits gave the crowd some comic relief when he dressed up in a
princess costume and sang “I Feel Pretty” from the Broadway hit “West
Side Story.”
Lake Ann junior Josh Mills said he enjoyed the show’s acoustic and
piano acts.
“It was better than I expected,” he said. “I’ve been to it before;
this was different.”
(03/22/06 5:00am)
The secret of writing is to have a subject interesting enough that the
author will do the work to finish it, said children’s author Jeanne
Duprau.
There were more spectators than seats for Duprau’s Monday
presentation in Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
Duprau, who also writes nonfiction books, spoke about her evolution
as a writer and answered questions about her book, “The City of Ember.”
She said she struggled to write fiction until recently in her life.
In the 1980s she began working on a novel about a “dark city” and was
able to develop the story because it was like the ones she loved to
read about as a child.
“What I didn’t realize was my fiction-writer self was really still
10-years-old,” Duprau said.
The three books in the Book of Ember series focus on big existential
questions, she said. Their dark perspective of the future was inspired
by the fear of nuclear warfare Duprau said she witnessed growing up in
the 1950s.
Guy Newland, philosophy and religion professor, contacted Duprau and
organized the event after reading her books.
“The City of Ember has probably been assigned in a lot of classes,
but I think that people’s enthusiasm for it seems to go beyond just
carrying out an assignment,” he said.
Many students stayed after the presentation to get their books
signed by Duprau.
Duprau said issues she cares about appear in her stories even though
she’s not an activist writer.
She said the Book of Ember series addresses citizen apathy, resource
depletion and the possible annihilation of the human race.
Despite the bleak subject matter, Duprau said she always tries to
end her stories on a hopeful note.
Prior to the Book of Ember series, she wrote “The Earth House” which
is about her own experiences with Zen meditation.
She also has written supplementary textbook material and said she
challenged herself by writing short stories for the children’s magazine
“Highlights and Cricket.”
Duprau is currently working on the fourth and final Book of Ember.
She said Tom Hanks’ production company recently considered making “The
City of Ember” into a movie.
Stacee Parker was required to attend the presentation for ENG 381:
Children’s Literature.
The Davison senior has read “The City of Ember” and currently is
reading “The People of Sparks,” the second book in the Book of Ember
series.
Parker said she learned more about the concepts behind the books and
their characters.
“I was amazed by her,” she said.
(03/22/06 5:00am)
Students and faculty don’t have to wait until March 30 to get a look at
what the CMU International Film Festival is all about.
The fourth annual film festival will promote the independent film
“Arc,” which will air in its entirety at 7 p.m. Thursday in Moore Hall
101.
“Arc,” produced by former CMU student Jennifer Schaefer of PowerGirl
Pictures, depicts a former police officer turned drug dealer who
attempts to gain back respect by finding a missing child.
Peter Orlik, broadcast and cinematic arts professor and chairman,
said the free showing will give the audience a feel of what the
festival entails.
“(It) scours the world effectively to present CMU with productions
that are not typically seen in American cinema,” Orlik said. “The
diversity and different techniques of other nations can bring cutting
edge entertainment to Mount Pleasant for very little cost.”
The International Film Festival runs March 30 through April 9 and
will include 30 features from more than a dozen nations.
Some of the films selected by the Central Michigan Film Society
include “Pulled from the Rubble” (United Kingdom), “Justice”
(Netherlands) and “Mardi Gras: In China” (U.S.).
The featured films will range from light comedies, serious
documentaries and even animated productions, said Mark Poindexter,
broadcasting and cinematic arts professor and member of the BCA
executive film committee.
“Contributions from the French Embassy, the (BCA) Film
Society, College of Communications and Fine Arts and Celebration Cinema
(4935 E. Pickard Road) pay for the rights of each of these films,” he
said. “Which in turn allows each production to be exclusive to
Central’s Film Festival.”
The festival also will present a short subject competition April 3
of four films, each around 20 minutes in length.
After viewing the short subject films, audience members vote on best
picture, with the winning picture garnering a cash prize.
Each of the 30 film features will be shown at various locations on
campus, which can be found at www.cmfilmfestival.com.
(03/22/06 5:00am)
As Dewitt junior Scott Harrington makes his way from the Charles V.
Park Library Monday afternoon, St. Clair Shores junior Stephanie Clark
and Manistee junior Shannon Spratto look back at the chalk
advertisement for Harbor Beach senior Dan Nowiski and Lansing junior
Tiffany Jones on the south side of the library. “This is the coolest
chalk job I’ve ever seen,” Spratto said.
(03/22/06 5:00am)
The egg timer is almost out for students who want to participate in
CMU’s Iron Chef.
The upcoming Iron Chef competition is part of the Asian Cultural
Organization’s Night of the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
As of Tuesday morning, no one has signed up to compete. The deadline
to sign up is 5 p.m. today.
Marie Tam, Sterling Heights senior and ACO president, said the more
people who compete to become the Iron Chef, the better the contest will
be.
“It’s something that a lot of people are used to seeing on
television, but it might be something a little different because
students will be using an Asian flair while cooking,” she said.
Tam said Grand Rapids senior Ming Xu is the chef to beat.
“We’re going to call him the Iron Chef,” she said. “He’s known
amongst our group as the cook and he likes to try different creative
recipes.”
Xu, an ACO member, developed the idea for the Iron Chef competition.
“I think my cooking skills are good, but I know there are people out
there that are better,” he said. “It’ll be more fun if you have someone
in mind that you can compete with.”
Xu said food he or his girlfriend cooks means more than meals
prepared in a restaurant.
“It’ll mean more to me to have me or her cook the meal and enjoy the
meal together than just going out and grabbing a bite to eat,” he said.
Xu also encouraged people to sign up for the competition to dispel
some stereotypes about college students.
“This is a way for us as students to get to know each other to know
that students can cook. We don’t just open up a can of Campbell’s soup
and have that for dinner,” he said. “There are college students who do
know how to cook.”
Tam said anyone who wants to sign up for the contest can do so in
the Minority Student Services Office, or at the ACO’s box in the
Student Organization Center, both in the lower level of the Bovee
University Center.
There will be a variety of activities available at the Night of the
Arts, Tam said.
She said the event will include food tasting, arts and crafts,
origami, henna and some games.
“It’s something that’s fun and interesting. It’s something out of
the ordinary,” she said. “There’s a little bit of Asian influence and
you can learn while you’re there.”
(03/22/06 5:00am)
Bellaire freshman Brad Mason didn’t expect the more than 150 people in
Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium to find out what color underwear he
was wearing.
(03/22/06 5:00am)
Six average guys rocked out with acoustic guitars before a packed venue
Tuesday night.
Central Michigan University’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
hosted Battle at the Bin, a “battle of the solo artist” fund-raising
event at The Cabin, 930 W. Broomfield Road.
Featured artists included South Lyon senior Dave Ray, Armada senior
Craig Miller, Port Huron senior Scott Dwyer, Joel Sherrard, Wixom
junior Chelsea Melvin and Mount Pleasant junior Justin Miller.
“I wish they would do more things like this because it brings local
music out and this is where the good stuff is,” said Indiana junior
Craig Story.
Each contestant had a 25-minute set to prove to the packed-Cabin
audience they were the best artist.
Genres consisted of indie acoustic, country and cover songs from
artists like Steve Miller Band and Dashboard Confessional.
Melvin won a $50 gift card to B’s Music Shop, 613 N. Mission St.,
and Dwyer collected a $15 gift certificate to New Moon Records, 1901 S.
Mission St.
The fund-raiser netted nearly $500.
Mount Pleasant senior Charlotte Strawhacker said Tuesday night’s
music was a relieving change from the norm.
“This is different than most nights at the bar,” she said. “There’s
usually just one guy singing – this is a variety.”
Beads were passed around as door prizes in an effort to entice
guests into donating to PRSSA.
Clio graduate student Amber Yaklin said she was attracted to the
Cabin because of its pizza specials.
“I am usually in class right now, but we got out early, so we came
for the pizza,” she said.
Proceeds from the event will go to the PRSSA’s fourth-annual spring
conference, “Destination Public Relations: Landing Your First Real
Job,” March 31 at the Comfort Inn, 2424 S. Mission.
The conference will include students from across Michigan and
will provide students with an opportunity to network with
professionals.
(03/20/06 5:00am)
David Heyl of Mount Pleasant silently protests the Iraq War during a
protest and peace rally Sunday afternoon in downtown Mount Pleasant.
(03/20/06 5:00am)
COMSTOCK PARK – A group of 32 Calkins Hall residents dedicated one day
of their weekend to working at a food bank and touring Grand Rapids.
(03/17/06 5:00am)
Illinois junior Kara Lambert, College Republicans chairwoman,
attempts to maintain order during a meeting Wednesday night in Anspach
166. At the end of the meeting, next year’s leadership was elected.
(03/17/06 5:00am)
Students who don’t mind listening to high-pitched music can do so this
weekend.
A cast of CMU students will perform two operas, “The Old Maid and
the Thief” and “Gianni Schicchi,” at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday in
Staples Family Concert Hall.
“Students should attend both operas because they are comedies suited
for all ages,” said Kimberly Dimond, interim director of music events.
Dimond said students won’t have to worry about not being able to
understand the operas.
“Both operas will be performed in English, which will get rid of any
language barrier,” she said.
Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief” is based on two
women and a destitute man living in the same quarters.
Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” is a sarcastic tale about family
ties and deceit.
There are about 18 singers in both operas and 35 orchestra members.
Mount Pleasant senior Rebecca Hurd will play the role of Zita in
“Gianni Schicchi.”
Hurd has been singing since junior high and performing since high
school.
“Students should expect to hear great singing and see two
entertaining shows,” she said.
Both operas will be directed by Eric Hoy Tucker, assistant music
professor.
Tickets cost $8 for students and senior citizens and $10 for all
others. They will be sold at the door.
(03/17/06 5:00am)
The Student Activity Center’s bowling alley was busier than usual
Wednesday night.
But the added traffic was for a good cause.
Modern Rock 91.5 WMHW hosted its third annual bowl-a-thon to benefit
Relay for Life.
Excitement filled the room as a small group of bowlers made strikes
and won prizes for special categories, including best bowling styles,
highest score and most gutter balls.
Bowlers paid $10 for three games and shoes were free. All proceeds
went to Relay for Life.
Owosso sophomore Kristine Moore, business grants manager for the
station, said a variety of businesses donated prizes for the event.
“It’s a slew of prizes from a variety of places,” she said.
During the “crazy bowl,” participants could try unusual bowling
positions like “granny bowl,” “behind the back” and “sit-down” during
each frame.
Candy, posters and Moore Hall Television and Modern Rock stickers
and pins also were available for bowlers.
Portage freshmen Thomas Wiley said he thought the bowl-a-thon was
money well spent.
Wiley said he often bowls for fun and enjoyed the atmosphere. He
bowled a score of 131 in his first game.
Memphis senior Eileen Letarte, music director for 91.5 and
co-captain of Relay for Life team, organized the event.
She said she was pleased to see everyone enjoying themselves.
“Generally, it’s people that work for the station, but I’m expecting
at least 20 people outside of the staff,” Letarte said.
The amount of money raised from the fund-raiser was not available.
(03/17/06 5:00am)
CMU’s student run television station, Moore Hall TV, earned top honors
for the fifth year in a row as part of the Michigan Association of
Broadcasters Annual Broadcast Excellence Awards.
MHTV won 10 awards, including the College Television Station of the
Year, at the annual conference Tuesday in Lansing.
“This award is a testament to the fact that our students are working
hard to learn their craft,” said Rick Sykes, broadcasting and cinematic
arts professor and MHTV’s News Central 34 adviser.
Modern Rock 91.5, CMU’s student operated radio station also won five
awards, sweeping the large group category by taking first, second and
honorable mention.
More than 200 entries from radio and television stations in 11
different universities across the state took part in the competition.
Entries were judged by a panel of professional radio and television
broadcasters.
“We were very excited for the students and faculty when we heard
they received College Television Station of the Year,” said Peter
Orlik, BCA chairman.
Sykes said the success of the student-run stations are a result of a
collaborative effort.
“What sets CMU apart from everyone else is that we have a dedicated
group of students interesting in learning their craft,” he said. “We
are always striving to create opportunities for students and we work
hard to provide hands-on experience which is unlike most other
institutions.”
WCMU – the professionally operated CMU Public Broadcasting Network –
also won several awards at the conference.
Four awards were given to CMU Public Radio, three of which were
presented to David Nicholas, Public Radio Broadcasting news director,
for two current event stories and a mini-series.
“It is not something that happens everyday, but it is nice to be
recognized for my quality of work,” he said.
The other award was given to Richard Westover, radio staff producer,
for his mini- documentary, “Cultural and Historical Iraq on the Eve of
Election.”
CMU Public Television received one award as Ann Blatte, PBS
development officer, received a merit award for her story, “Journey
from Egypt.”
WCMU Public Broadcasting Network controls six TV and seven radio
stations across the state.
(03/17/06 5:00am)
The “Girls Gone Wild” videos are a disappointment, comedian Eliot Chang
told the audience in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium Thursday night.
Girls simply flashing their breasts at a camera is not that wild, he
said, so he’s going to make his own video – “Amish Girls Gone Wild.”
“There’s no nudity, it’s just two Amish girls by a light switch
going, ‘Ahhh!,’” he said.
This was just one of dozens of hilarious moments throughout Chang’s
65-minute routine, which combined raunchy, explicit jokes with Jerry
Seinfeld-type observations.
The combination of two different styles might be too much for some
comedians, but Chang kept the laughs coming, whether he was commenting
on how birds can possibly get hit by cars or describing his love of
making noise during sex.
Chang brought a light touch to sensitive issues, including racism
and homosexuality.
He challenged the attitudes of those who might expect him to use his
Asian heritage as a source of humor and described the way his white
friends will make sure he doesn’t find an Asian joke offensive before
they laugh at it.
His description of a friend who came out of the closet was one of
the show’s highlights.
“I don’t care where you stick it, where’s the money you owe me?” he
said he told his friend.
At times Chang proved to be a skilled social observer, such as when
he said everyone who listens to rap suddenly thinks they’re thugs –
even people with lisps.
Chang answered the crowd’s demands for raunchy material.
While his bits about bad breast implants and comparing penis sizes
were funny, they also were strangely insightful.
One of the things that worked so well was the boyish enthusiasm
Chang brought to the stage.
He obviously enjoyed himself and was a high-energy performer
throughout, climaxing at the moment he picked up his microphone stand
and swung it around in the air.
Audience members said they appreciated the fact Chang’s material
consisted of more than just ethnic jokes.
“I found it really refreshing that he didn’t rely on being Asian for
comedy,” said Detroit senior Katy Mathieu. “He incorporated himself
into a lot of it; he was all over the stage. If he comes back, I’d
definitely see him again.”
(03/17/06 5:00am)
For some college students, nights at the bar are spent drinking beer
and listening to the music.
(03/15/06 5:00am)
Kaleb Schroeder,4, of Clare, tries to grab an inflatable tube at the
Strykers Marina display during the 4th annual Boat Show on Saturday in
Finch Field House.
