When Nero, the last emperor of Rome, realized that he has a public relations problem, he summoned Scribonius to write a play that would turn the public opinion of him around immediately. What followed is Amy Freed's "You, Nero," an eye-pleasing spectacle about the events in Nero's palace during the declining years of the Roman Empire as extravagant as the Roman Coliseum itself.
On Tuesday, Andrew Bird will again prove to fans that mastery and untouchable talent are the makeup of success on his new album "Noble Beast." Whistles, violin loops and poetic lyrics will remind us once again why Bird is so good at what he does.
Director Edward Zwick brings us a unique perspective to the Holocaust tragedy in his newest film, "Defiance." Starring Daniel Craig (of "new" James Bond fame) as Tuvia Bielski and Liev Schrieber ("Hamlet," "Mixed Nuts") as Zus Bielski, "Defiance" follows the true story of a group of Russian Jews hiding out in the woods during the height of Nazi aggression in World War II Russia. Tuvia and Zus find themselves taking in more and more refugees until the need for organization arises. Tuvia, much to his brother's chagrin, emerges naturally as the camp's leader.
"Music can noble hints impart, engender fury, kindle love, with unsuspected eloquence can move, and manage all the man with secret art," said Joseph Addison. Music, to anyone, is a language; it communicates a combination of emotion and thought more than words can describe. Through its concentrations on stylistic genres, any person can hear the artist's message. These passionate notes inspire, direct and create lifestyles for up-and-coming bands, like UC Irvine's jazz ensemble Open Fifth, who performed at the Anthill Pub last Thursday.
On Tuesdays, the Irvine Improv has "College Juice Comedy Night." College comedy, as a genre, is similar to normal stand-up comedy, except it tends to pander to the lowest common denominator. Comics delivering to the college crowd rely on their audience being around the age of 21, emboldened by their new drinking privileges – and therefore, just tipsy enough to appreciate an onslaught of racial humor and dick jokes.
From the rural backcountry of Placerville outside of Sacramento comes a musician whose affecting brand of music comes across as simple and serene as his surroundings. His name is Andrew Heringer.
Jennifer Hudson's "Spot Light" suddenly comes to a halt in the Mesa parking structure. It's freezing but there are people huddling together on the gray asphalt of the bottom floor, surrounded by water bottles, backpacks and the remnants of fast food. Some students are on their computers and the rest of the 40 people are standing in front of their audience, a line of cars, moving restlessly to their team captain's counting. It's just after 10 p.m., and most of them hope to leave by 3 a.m.
SUBURBAN OUTFITTER: Back home in the Bay Area, I never thought about shopping for spring and summer clothing until March when, if I were lucky, the temperature would slowly climb to the cool mid-60s. Here in Irvine, however, it's mid-January and a ridiculous 85 degrees. Even though I'm wearing denim cutoffs, I feel like I'm about to pass out as I trudge up a slight slope in Aldrich Park. What does this tell me (besides that I'm ludicrously out of shape)? It's time to shop for the new season.
Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Know: Audrina from "The Hills" is smiling her fake, toothy smile on the red carpet as the paparazzi cameras flash and click like machine guns. It's still difficult for me to wrap my head around the name "Audrina," which sounds like the unfortunate union of the names Christina and Audrey. I suppose it's better than the alternative, "Chrudrey."
Sara Farsakh frantically scribbles notes on the sides of her paper, adding names and places as they come to mind. Behind her, a friend massages her shoulders like she would a boxer about to enter the ring with her toughest yet most anticipated opponent. Farsakh just spent most of the previous day and half the night debating whether she will be able to share this story in public and dreading the path her emotions might take should she choose to do so. Her decision made, all she can do now is stare at the floor and focus intently on keeping her intentions and emotions in check as she waits for the introduction to her first public speech in years. With a few deep breaths and a couple mutters of "bismillahi rahmani rahim" (I begin in the name of Allah, most beneficent, most merciful) under her breath, she begins...
