The University News

Open Studios gives art fans a taste of the creative life

Will Holston • July 17, 2008

Local artists are giving art patrons a unique glimpse inside their creative processes and lives this month. Organized by the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, the Third Annual City Wide Open Studios event began Tuesday, July 15, and lasts until Sunday, July 20.

Chaifetz Arena makes big plans for the year

Kelley Dunn • July 17, 2008

If you hear loud noises emanating from an area of Saint Louis University's campus right next door to the Grand Forest Apartments, hold off before contacting your RA. Chances are, the sound is nothing more than a Billiken sports team taking the court, or adoring fans cheering a political figure on to victory, or even thousands of devoted fans of a famous musician screaming and swooning.

Brightly Colored Socks: Seize the day, if you dare to try

Will Holston • July 17, 2008

As it stands, I have two choices: I can either embrace this "woe is me" attitude and ride the self-pity train to nowhere, or I can take the Billiken by the horns and just let the tarot cards fall where they may. There's a certain type of student you may be familiar with.

Up-and-coming actress laughs her way into the spotlight

Matt Smyser • May 2, 2008

No matter where the young actress' career goes, it's close to certain that Emma Stone will never be able to erase her label as the girl who received a drunken head butt from Jonah Hill in Superbad. Despite the slapstick humor stigma that precedes Stone, it is clear that she doesn't have to rely on head butts or sexual gags to solidify her place in Hollywood.

Local author compiles the best of the worst from the world of film

Landon Burris • May 2, 2008

Kirk J. Lodes is the author of the recent book, Cheesy, Sleazy, Mixed-Up Astro-Zombies: The 100 Worst Actors and Directors of All Time (Publish America, March 24), and a resident of nearby Ballwin, Mo. Though this is the local author's first book, Lodes recently released his second piece of literature: The American Soccer Guide, Vol. 1.

Eclectic showcase takes over Chaifetz

Tim Elliott • May 2, 2008

This year's ambitious Spring Fever concert, themed "Rock, Rap, and Rawhide," featured five admirable acts from a variety of genres. The proceedings got underway at the new Chaifitz Arena promptly at 6 p.m. First up was Tyler Hilton. Hilton plays an acoustic pop style-think John Mayer before his blues-rock phase-that is unlikely to offend.

“Jersey Boys” musical hits the right notes

KATIE LEWIS • May 2, 2008

"Jersey Boys" isn't just for baby boomers. The "True Hollywood Story"-style musical, which grooved into the Fabulous Fox Theatre April 23, will have even the youngest of music lovers out of his or her seat. The standing ovation to the Friday, April 25, performance began before the actors took their final bow.

BSA fashion show struts into BSC

Allison Reilly • May 2, 2008

Time travel has become a reality. For one night only, on Saturday, May 3, the Black Student Alliance is holding "Design of the Decade," a student-run fashion show. The tenth-annual charity show will feature a variety of fashions from the 1920s to the present day.

Psychedelic rock icon to showcase art in local gallery

Will Holston • May 2, 2008

As the lead singer of bands like Jefferson Airplane in the '60s and its spin-off band Jefferson Starship in the '70s and '80s, Grace Slick's songs have topped the Billboard charts and made Rolling Stone's list of the top 500 greatest songs of all time. Now in her late 60s and retired from the music industry, Slick has found acclaim in the art world.

Let Me Explain: That’s what she said

KATIE LEWIS • May 2, 2008

You can have the town; why don't you take it? Allow me to extrapolate. Not only is school nearly out for summer; it's almost out forever. To be done with schooling for life-since not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford graduate school-invites a rush of accomplishment and a ripple of terror.

‘Circus Flora’ spreads fairytale joy

Matt Smyser • May 2, 2008

Those not familiar with "Circus Flora's" creator David Balding might want to picture him as the Walt Disney of St. Louis. Balding has been enchanting residents of St. Louis for more than 20 years. In that time, he has transformed the downtown area into magical worlds only described in bedtime stories or written about in fairy tales.

Q&A with Ingrid Michaelson

Kelley Dunn • May 2, 2008

After being introduced to the music world at the tender age of 4, indie-rock chick Ingrid Michaelson is making a name for herself on her own terms. With her own record label, Cabin 24 Records, and her songs gaining acclaim from Grey's Anatomy and Old Navy sweater-themed commercials, the New Yorker will bring her melodic beats and famous tunes to The Pageant on July 2.