The University News

Attention aspiring actors: Auditions!

Kelley Dunn • November 30, 2007

Shakespeare wasn't lying when he said "All the world's a stage." For the next few weeks, at least, all of Saint Louis University will be, as auditions are held for SLU Theatre's spring season and for feminist group Una's upcoming V-Day shows. Two shows will be performed as a part of V-Day: "The Vagina Monologues" and "A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer.

Decking the Cupples House halls

Derrick Neuner • November 30, 2007

'Tis the season for the tannenbaum. Saint Louis University will have its own outdoor Christmas tree for the first time this year. The tree is located outside the historic Samuel Cupple's House on campus. The lighting of the tree will take place on Wednesday, Dec.

The Eagles soar back into music industry

Tim Elliott • November 30, 2007

When it comes to the Eagles, people from Generation Y tend to go one of two ways. The "con" camp frowns upon them because the band churned out one corny soft rock staple after another and would be satisfied if they never had to hear "Hotel California" again.

Hives new album Black and White

Kristen Mommers • November 30, 2007

Sweden's beloved rock 'n' roll band has done it again. Three years after their last release, Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope, 2004) The Hives have released a new album, The Black And White Album (Interscope, Nov. 15), which proved well worth the wait. The Hives approached things differently with this album, as the band decided to work with multiple producers.

On the inside: Look ma, I’m a penguin!

Kelley Dunn • November 30, 2007

When I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. It was my calling. I used a perfectly functional plastic stethoscope to listen to my cat's breathing patterns which, after thorough testing, I deduced to be stable. I even got practice with my friend's albino rabbit, opening up the possibility of future work with exotic animals.

No Country for Old Men looks to be Oscar-ready

Landon Burris • November 30, 2007

The Coen brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) have just come out with yet another masterpiece, and just in time for Oscar season. Their new film, No Country For Old Men (based off of the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name), revolves around a satchel containing $2 million that is found by an everyman from West Texas, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin, American Gangster) after a drug deal gone awry.

Winter Showcase in Motion

KATIE LEWIS • November 30, 2007

Life is not a GAP commercial, but the members of Phases of Motion are intent upon bringing back dance breaks. The dance group will perform Saturday, Dec. 1, in Xavier Theatre in their hour-long Winter Showcase. Special guest performers include Bare Naked Statues, Melody of Praise Gospel Ensemble and dancers from the Indian Student Association.

Nobody Likes a Quitter gives life advice

Carly Doenges • November 30, 2007

"Dan Dunn is a maniac. If you see him coming your way, for the love of God, buy him a drink and listen to some of his stories." This enticing description of Dunn, given by "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" creator Rob McElhenny at the beginning of Dunn's book Nobody Likes a Quitter (and Other Reasons to Avoid Rehab), proves itself an accurate summary of the novel's mood.

The Spill Canvas proves to be a band to look out for

[email protected] • November 30, 2007

Musically charged and lyrically sound-these two phrases aptly describe South Dakota's claim to fame, the alternative rock band The Spill Canvas. The Spill Canvas is led by singer Nick Thomas, who grew up in South Dakota and had a gift for music. According to the band's official website, Thomas began recording his first song at age 15, which was financed by his father.

‘Hedda Gabler’ is impressive, if uneven, version of Ibsen’s classic

Jared Walsh • November 16, 2007

"Hedda Gabler" is the story of a spider. Everything and everyone who comes close to the spider becomes caught in her web. Spinning and twisting, controlling all that she touches, the spider is sick in the head. Cold and calculating, the spider manipulates everyone in her way.

Kevin Smith chronicles life in the fast lane, or lack thereof

Carly Doenges • November 16, 2007

Don't think the title is misleading-Kevin Smith's life really is boring. Not mind-numbingly, fall-asleep-in-class boring, but definitely not as glamorous as one would expect from a well-known Hollywood director. Smith's new book, My Boring-Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith (Oct.

Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden hope to gain following with new album

[email protected] • November 16, 2007

The name Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden can conjure up images of yodeling and goat-calls. For this Seattle band, however, mountaintops and farm animals couldn't be further from the truth. "I met [keyboardist] Nick [Danielson] when we both lived in the same building," Tucker said.