Arts & Entertainment

Summer days can be dull and boring when there is nothing to do. That’s why we have compiled a list of faculty book recommendations to read over the summer. Take them to the river, to the pool, to the park or just read them on the couch. In any setting, they are guaranteed entertainment.

“Song Yet Sung” by James McBride

Price: From $4.57 on Amazon.com

The spring semester “Shakespeare Performed” class showcased their efforts in a production of “The Winter’s Tale” last weekend. The class, consisting of 13 students, gave performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Center for the Arts.

The Jazz Orchestra has been busy sharing its music throughout the Midwest this month with a tour, a homecoming concert, a professional recording session and an Iowa Bandmaster’s Association concert.

Comprised of 22 students ranging from first-years to seniors, the Luther College Jazz Orchestra is the top jazz ensemble on campus. Chosen after auditions each fall, the orchestra features guitar, piano, percussion, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, flugel horn, trombone and bass. The group also includes vocalist Annie Kuttler (‘12), violinist Karla Dietmeyer (‘13) and collaborates with Luther’s Vocal Jazz ensemble.

After a canceled trip to Japan last year due to H1N1, the Luther College Concert Band is excited to tour this summer for two and a half weeks. Students will share their love for music with Japanese audiences in auditoriums and schools and, at the same time, immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

For most seniors, the weight of that culminating senior paper was relieved as of April 28. For theatre/dance majors, however, the weight will be lifted May 8 when they present their final showcases of creative work.

Students in the theatre/dance department do not have to write a paper, but instead are invited to communicate with audiences through original and inspired performances.

Stress levels are rising as it gets closer to finals, so why not take a break and return to the fun of your childhood with the “Relive Your Kid Day” carnival? The event is sponsored by the Student Activities Council’s Special Events committee and will be held May 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the library lawn.

The festival will include a variety of games and activities, free food, ‘90s music and several chances to win prizes.

Comedian Pete Holmes brought down the house April 20 amid laughter and applause. As the semester nears its close, students and faculty were able to enjoy a stress-free evening before the chaos of finals begins.

Out of several audiences Holmes has encountered on tour, he was particularly pleased with Luther’s response. After the show, Holmes shared his satisfaction with the performance.

What is art and how offensive can it be before it surpasses that definition? Luther students and six well-known artists from the group Paintallica explored this question with an all-night art workshop April 9 and 10 from 5 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. in the Center for the Arts. The group looked at issues of “offensive art.” Together they created a work that drew a large amount of attention in the following days due to its explicit content.

Paintallica is a set of collaborating artists from around the country whose mission is to make works that are “intentionally confrontational and impulsive,” and “address cultural, psychological and social issues with blunt and unflinching force.”

Spring concert headliners Ingrid Michaelson and Augustana surprised audiences with the differences in their performance sets. The groups drew high ticket sales, but the individual shows appealed to separate crowds.

What do you have burning? The Theatre/Dance Department begs the audience to consider this question at the dance performance “I Have Nothing Burning,” premiering April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Jewel Theatre.

Assistant Professor of Dance and Director Amanda Hamp explained how the title played an important role in the process of creating the piece.

Anoushka Shankar brought an engaging and intriguing show to the Center for Faith and Life April 10. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Committee and the Diversity Council, the talented and Grammy-nominated sitar player, along with the Anoushka Shankar Project, enticed the crowd with a mix of traditional and modern Indian music—a rare opportunity for the Decorah community.

When the famous E*Trade baby commercials first hit television during the Super Bowl game a few years ago, the man behind the baby was a mystery. This mystery man, comedian Pete Holmes, will take the Marty’s stage April 20 at 9 p.m.

SAC Spotlight brings Holmes as one of their last shows of the semester. After several types of bands and performers, a comedian will help round off the year’s list of events.

“We had a really busy and diverse year for Spotlight,” outgoing SAC Spotlight co-chair Jacob Johnson (‘10) said. “Of everything we did this year, we lacked a stand-up comedian.”

Renowned Indian sitar player Anoushka Shankar will perform in the Center for Faith and Life April 10. Shankar will perform with the Anoushka Shankar Project, a non-classical composition endeavor, which includes four accompanying artists.

As the end of the year looms ahead, I hope I am not the only student beginning to feel a combination of spring fever, a case of the Mondays and an urgent desire to graduate. It’s times like these that I find myself wasting a lot of time doing anything other than what I should be. How is one able to waste so much time, you ask?

Spring is well on its way as temperatures gradually rise and snow disappears. Your train of thought may switch from skiing and snowshoeing to hiking and biking. You may find yourself wanting to get out of the stuffy dorms and into the fresh spring air.