Arts & Entertainment

Luther gamers gathered Nov. 7, Friday night in Valders Science Hall for the biggest gaming event of the year: Mega-Lan. The flashing computer screens lit the night with games ranging from Counterstrike to Starcraft to Team Fortress 2. Projectors cast Guitar Hero, Rock Band and Super Smash Bros.

The Theatre/Dance Department had a busy weekend with the opening of its two new productions Nov. 7 and 8 in Jewel Theatre. Both “Square Stories” and “Reign” opened to full houses last Friday and Saturday night.

Sarah Nance (‘09) will present an art show in the Center for the Art’s Gregerson Gallery titled “Embodiment.” Organized by Nance, the show will display artwork created by Luther students. The show will open Nov. 15 and be on display for one week.

The students’ artwork is all centered on the theme of the body.

“All of the artwork will explore the issue of the physical self and how that is experienced by a variety of people,” said Nance.

The Lutheran Festival of Writers, a gathering hosted by Luther College in Nov. 2007, will now be a regular event at Luther every third year. The festival will be funded by an endowment set up as part of Luther’s latest fund-raising campaign. The next festival is planned for the fall of 2010.

Jeremy Messersmith - The Silver City

Ethan Canin, writer of such novels as “For Kings and Planets” and “America America,” visited Luther to give a reading Oct. 29. The event was sponsored by the Luther Center for Ethics and Public Life and the English Department and was held in the Center for Faith and Life’s Recital Hall.

Murs - Murs for President

Making his major label debut, hip hop artist Murs released “Murs for President” at the end of last month. Throughout his most recent release, Murs demonstrates his versatility in witty and overtly political rhymes.

In the spirit of the quickly approaching election, this Lutherology report focuses on the factors that shape how Luther students vote. While a previous Lutherology article focused on societal factors that “push” us towards being liberal or conservative, this one examines factors that influence why students prefer either Barack Obama or John McCain.

Beautiful, picturesque and serene landscapes are among the state characteristics Iowans take pride in, especially during the stunning fall season.

A brand new event took over Marty’s on the night of Oct. 28 when the Student Activity Councils’s Special Events hosted Fall Fest. Tis seasonal celebrations included hot apple cider, frost-your-own pumpkin cookies and live a cappella music.

The Tau Delta Gamma sorority held their biannual fashion show fundraiser in Marty’s Oct. 9. The show raised funds for March of Dimes, the organization’s philanthropy project.

Tau Delta Gamma has hosted biannual fashion shows for at several years.

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

The three brothers from Tennessee have done it again. Kings of Leon continue entertaining their audiences with their fourth album. Only by the Night dropped last month and these boys have a good sound going for them. They move from the ambiance of a dream sequence to the more common rock feel we are used to hearing from Kings of Leon

With a stunning performance from OK Go this fall, students are already getting excited for what is in store for the spring concert at Luther. As hopes and expectations rise for the coming event, one has to wonder exactly what goes into making a show like this happen.

In the midst of the student music ensembles that call Luther college home, a new jazz combo is catching the attention of students. Afro Chicken is a group of Luther musicians that has been performing together since last year.

Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song

Formerly a member of a British punk rock band, Frank Turner has moved away from punk and focused on folk rock for his premier solo album. Coming across like a young Billy Bragg, Turner continues the folk music tradition of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan in his boldness, both vocally and on brazen acoustic guitar.