Scene

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Baron von Bling's "Robber Baron of AU"

October 6

The following was sent to the Eagle by an artist who uses the pseudonym Baron von Bling. He composed the song as a parody of the current situation involving president Ladner.

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News

AU Alumnus finds beauty in Styrofoam

By Marissa Chmiola | October 6

According to artist Claudia Vess, Styrofoam is a reflection of our culture; of the items we consume and the products we buy. This is why she makes such extensive use of the medium in her artwork currently featured in the exhibit "CC Vess: Paintings, Prints & Wall Sculpture" at the Landow Gallery in Bethesda.

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News

Wilkinson shines in suspenseful drama

By Marjorie Korn | October 6

In a film much like a modern adaptation of a 19th century British novel, director Julian Fellowes explores the extravagant length to which people will go to protect the truths on which they base their lives. Anne (Emily Watson) and James (Tom Wilkinson) lead seemingly idyllic lives.

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News

But is it art?

By Jennay Ghowrwal | October 3

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for photographer Samantha Wolov, winner of Nerve.com's Emerging Photographer of the Year Award. Wolov, an AU senior majoring in art history, has launched a new Web site to showcase her most recent work: erotic photographs of real people having sex.

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News

Tech bits

October 3

Sony angers Vatican A Sony ad campaign in Italy celebrating the PlayStation's 10th anniversary has angered local Catholics. The ad shows a man wearing a crown of thorns that have been twisted into the shape of circles, X's, triangles and squares, symbols that feature prominently on the PlayStation controller.

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News

Local 'Bastards' create crafty mayhem

By Rebecca Armendariz | October 3

Those in the market for shirts that proclaim self-breast love, well-stitched voodoo dolls or vintage-looking one-of-a-kind skirts were in luck at Saturday's Crafty Bastards arts and crafts fair, sponsored by the Washington City Paper. Over 70 vendors set up shop near the Marie Reed Learning Center on the main strip of Adams Morgan for a day of food, music and general money spending.

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News

A Brit's take on U.S. issues

By LEANA ZBOROVSKY | October 3

At age 21, Zadie Smith wrote her first national bestseller, "White Teeth." Her second novel, "The Autograph Man," debuted in 2002 with much less acclaim than her first. Now her latest novel, "On Beauty," is climbing to the top of the bestsellers list. Smith's appearance at Olsson's Bookstore in Penn Quarter drew over 200 people.

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News

Benson attracts eclectic audience

By Rebecca Armendariz | October 3

Brendan Benson is no newbie when it comes to playing live music. In fact, these days he's kind of lost his sparkle. His emaciated bottom swam under his belt-sucked waist, and his mussed hair and stubbly face hid under the rim of a cap. His scraggly ways didn't affect his performance, however, which was full of heart and perfectly hit high notes.

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News

German subway offers new cast of characters

By Jen Turner | October 3

My life in Berlin at this point consists mostly of comforting little rituals as I find my roots. Every day after German class, a small troupe of students march down to the nearby Tha restaurant and order the same thing. I rip out the crossword from the International Herald Tribune and pretend to know big words.

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News

Wolf Eyes scream their way into the capital

By Chris Moreno | October 3

Wolf Eyes performed at DC9 last Tuesday, treating the District to a night of some of the most abrasive, pain-inducing noise available this side of Chinese opera. When one thinks of conventional music, certain types of rhythms and lyrics might come to mind.

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News

Only a few degrees separate these super '90s bands

By Chris DeWitt | October 3

Though not necessarily a genre unto itself, many of the bands that rose out of the Pacific northwest in the '90s shared a common sound, and even shared some members. For example, Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss also played drums for ex-husband Sam Coomes in Portland, Ore.

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News

The Bard 'Punk'd' by Taffety players

By Kate Molski | October 3

A square of black curtain covered part of the blue cinderblock wall behind a temporary stage at the Black Cat. The drummer and bassist took their positions as the guitarist stepped up to the microphone to proclaim, "We're kind of a cover band. This is an oldie but goodie by William Shakespeare: 'Sonnet 17.

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News

Ladner by the Numbers

October 3

While University President Benjamin Ladner remains under investigation for alleged misuse of funds, the Scene staff felt compelled to brainstorm just how one might spend such ridiculous amounts of cash. $44,000 in alcohol 81,230 cans of Natural Light beer.

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News

Music notes

October 3

Say Hi to Your Mom "Ferocious Mopes" (Euphobia) Sounds Like: Snow Patrol, Bright Eyes C+ One-man bands always sound cool on paper, but paper's not always the reality. Say Hi to Your Mom is Eric Elbogen, a guy from Brooklyn who plays some pretty generic tunes just low budget enough to be called indie.

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News

The hit list

October 3

1. The Cat Empire This funk-soul-hip-hop sextet channels every ounce of funkiness their hometown of Melbourne, Austrialia has to offer. Their single "Hello" is a fast talking horn-driven hip-shaker. Catch them this Thursday at the 9:30 Club. 2. Wallace and Gromit DVD Animated man and dog duo Wallace and Gromit will star in their first feature film "Curse of the Were-Rabbit" this Friday, but Brit-claymation fans can now catch their first three short adventures on DVD for $15.

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News

Gleaming Asian art at Sackler has Midas' touch

By Lindsey Marburger | October 3

Miss summer? Now that the weather is finally starting to get colder, get a taste of the intensity of the sun's gold rays by wallowing in gold of a different form. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but as the Vedas say, "Gold is Immortality". Molded for human usage since at least the sixth millennium B.

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News

Jazz royalty grace Lisner

By Neal Ferkso | September 29

It was supposed to be a concert, but it unfolded like a character study. The first: a fiery black sheep who embraced her upbringing with every note, who lamented her tragedies as if she were performing a grandiose opera. When she looked out and said, "Hi, I'm Martha Wainwright", it had the same tone as a elementary school art teacher, not knowing if kindness and apology were to be extended in equal measure.

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