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arts
NO SLEEP WILL REALLY MAKE YOU CRAZY IN YOUR PANTS | NOVEMBER 20-NOVEMBER 26, 2003
bookreview
The Da Vinci Code ★★★
By Dan Brown
BY NIK GALLICCHIO | STAFF WRITER
T
he Da Vinci Code is one of the most talked about books in the United States today, topping the New York Times bestseller list for weeks, and it lives up to the hype. Much of its popularity is due to the wide audience it appeals to. There’s art history; there’s suspense. There are guns, fancy cars and a smart, yet (supposedly) beautiful, woman. As if that’s not enough, Brown offers engaging tales that describe traditions within all kinds of faith. The main focus, however, is on Catholic doctrine. Brown relates details of the Catholic Church’s past, enabling the reader to examine the idea of faith. In short, this book is a modern-day quest for the Holy Grail, complete with a knight and an innocent American on the run from the French
police. The Grail in question is not simply a cup; it is a relic wanted by two groups that actually exist: the Opus Dei (an extremely controversial Catholic organization) and the Priory of Sion (a clandestine group that holds a secret able to annihilate tenants of Christianity). Close on the trail of finding this secret are a Harvard art history professor and a French cryptologist. This unlikely pair receives clues relating to the Grail’s location, putting them in danger due to the two aforementioned religious sects. The book has a rich background of religious knowledge. Brown points out that two millennia ago, the people of the world worshipped gods and goddesses, but in today’s society, the emphasis has been placed on gods alone. He suggests that the reasons behind this have more to do with the Catholic faith than one would think. Furthermore, intriguing historical facts are revealed that lead one to think twice about religion. Wherever one’s interests may lie, the facts in this book are great conversation starters. The symbolism of the “conspiracy” that lies at the heart of religious faith is everywhere— Brown points this out especially in Da Vinci’s paintings, and even Disney movies.
The fast-paced action makes the novel hard to put down, and the way Brown shows different viewpoints of all the groups vying for the Grail makes the adventure cinematic. He jumps from scene to scene, focusing on Opus Dei for a chapter and then on the grandmaster of the Priory of Sion in the next. He documents their actions as they all get closer to figuring out the mystery of the Grail. Clues are given to the reader as the characters likewise receive them, which make it easy to connect with the characters’ confusion and frustration when trying to crack the code. However, the dialogue is somewhat forced at times. While relating facts, the speakers lose finesse and the conversations, at times, fail to flow smoothly. Moreover, the suggestion of romance between the Harvard professor and the cute foreign cryptologist is somewhat contrived, and their attraction to each other only appears as an afterthought within the story. Yet Brown deserves a nod for addressing the
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subject of the Holy Grail, a topic so often dominated by the satire of Monty Python. While one may go into the novel with an idea of what the Holy Grail actually is, the reader will end up completely surprised by the end. The Da Vinci Code is a refreshing look at religion. In the world today, faiths are changing along with the times, yet some refuse to alter their beliefs. Both groups are depicted in the novel, along with atheists. Brown forces the audience to rethink the world’s label of “pagan” and suggests examining the facts behind one’s belief system. In the midst of all the religious and skeptical rhetoric, there are still high-quality thrills taking place in the background. Not only is this book worth reading for the adventure, but also for the different angles from which it views the world. Even if the dialogue fails to impress, one can tell that this story has been informed by extensive historical research. The information about faith and the facts that surround how religion has been manipulated throughout the centuries offers incentive to keep on reading. And if that’s not enough, at least by the end you will discover the secret behind Mona Lisa’s smile.
ARTIST CORNER
BY SUZANNE SITRICK | STAFF WRITER
Y
uri Sohn was born in Hawaii and grew up in Australia. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii and then came to the University of Illinois for graduate school in the fall of 1989, where he received a master’s degree in speech communication. Ji Miao is from China. She is a third-year graduate student at the University of Illinois, studying cell and structural biology. Both Yuri and Ji started dancing when they took a class taught by the Dancing Illini. Now they teach for the Dancing Illini. They have also competed together in many dance competitions. How long have you been teaching dance and which types of dance have you taught? Is teaching dance your only job? Yuri: I’ve been teaching for about four years. I’ve taught salsa, swing, cha-cha, nightclub two-step, hustle, meringue and bachata. I am currently teaching intermediate salsa and nightclub two-step for the Dancing Illini on Thursday nights with Ji Miao at Freer Gym. I am also independently teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced salsa, meringue and bachata on Tuesday and Friday nights with Muge Dizen at the McKinley Foundation. I teach dance part
What inspires you to dance? What inspires you to teach dancing? Yuri: What inspires me to dance is that I have a passion for the many elements that go into partner dancing, which is what I concentrate on. I enjoy interacting with the music. I enjoy the ability to express your emotions through movement. I enjoy the combination of art and athleticism involved in dancing. I enjoy the connection you can build with your partner when dancing. Dancing as one with your partner can be incredible. Overall, interacting with your partner and the music through movement is very addictive. I enjoy teaching dancing because it provides an opportunity for me to share my passion. It is a treat to see people enjoy and improve their dancing. Ji: I love the way that dancing is a combination of music, body movement and feeling. You can express your feeling by using your
body according to the music. It’s such a beautiful art that I enjoy watching and experiencing. I love dancing and at the same time I love to help those who want to dance. I am really happy to see that what I could show to my students makes them appreciate the art of the dancing and helps them getting better in dancing. How does the music affect you while you dance? How does the style and rhythm of the different dance types affect you or your mood or emotions while you dance? What is your favorite style of dance? Yuri: The music certainly is a key in inspiring me to dance. I enjoy dancing to music that moves me. The different style and rhythm of the dance types bring out and connect w i t h different moods and emotions from within me. I am most partial to swing (happy and peppy music) and salsa (passionate and sensual) as far as favorite styles of dance, but I also enjoy many other types of dance. It depends on my mood. It can also dictate what style of dance I enjoy most at any particular time. Ji: Music definitely is a crucial factor in dancing. Some (pieces of) music are cheerful and happy, some are playful, some are passionate, etc. I like all types of ballroom and PHOTOS | SUZANNE SITRICK
time. My full-time job is as the head tennis teaching professional for the Champaign Park District. I teach and run the tennis programs all year round. Ji: I started teaching dancing about a year ago with Yuri. Teaching dancing is not my job. I am a third-year graduate student in this University, and my major is cell structural biology. This is my third year in the U.S.
night club dances, and Latin dances such as cha-cha, rumba and salsa are my favorites. Where are the best places in Champaign or Urbana to go dancing? Yuri: Best regular places to go dancing in Champaign are: (for salsa) the Regent on Friday nights and McKinley Foundation on Tuesday nights; (for ballroom) the Regent on Friday nights, before salsa; (for swing) the McKinley Foundation on Thursday nights. Why is dance important to you and what role does dancing play in your life? Yuri: Dance, and in particular partner dancing, allows you to physically interact with great music and a partner. I have an appreciation for movement and therefore dance, which is the art of movement. Dance allows you to be playful, creative and is just so much fun. It allows you to feel better, even if you have had a bad day. To connect with your partner through movement while listening to great music is a wonderful feeling. Dancing plays a huge role in my life. I am drawn to dance, teach dance and learn about dance in my spare time. I am a part of the salsa, swing, ballroom, tango (and other) communities in Champaign-Urbana. Ji: I have loved dancing since I was young. I love to feel the music; I love to express my passion through my body movement. Partner dancing is teamwork; I enjoy the connection shared with my partner. Dancing plays an important role in my life. I spend a big part of my spare time learning, practicing and teaching dancing. It’s hard for me to imagine my life without dancing. For more information visit the Dancing Illini Web site at www.uiuc.edu/ro/dancing.
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calendar
NOVEMBER 20-NOVEMBER 26, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com
“Anna Pottery: Plagiarism as Art” – Reintroduces Illinois to its greatest potters, the brothers Cornwall and Wallace Kirkpatrick, and their Anna Pottery (1859-96). The exhibition focuses on the brothers’ large-scale incised works that obsessively reproduce texts from quirky yet mundane sources like telephone books and corporate reports. Ahead of its time, the Kirkpatricks’ work is a forerunner to the outsider art and pop art of today. Anna Pottery: Plagiarism as Art is on view through Jan 4. “Whistler and Japonisme: Selections from the Permanent Collection” – Marking the 100th anniversary of James McNeill Whistler’s death, this exhibition highlights his works on paper and examines the influence that Japanese woodcuts had on his artistic technique. On display at the Krannert Art Museum through March 28, 2004. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am8pm, Sun 2-5pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3 “Faculty Art Exhibition” – Features the newest work by current faculty in the School of Art and Design. This exhibition, a major event in the Urbana-Champaign art community, is one of the oldest, continuously-running faculty exhibitions in the country. Recent works of painting, sculpture, installation art, photography, glass, graphic design and other media will be on display through Jan 4. Four faculty members will give talks about their work at noon on the following Wednesdays: Dec 3, Kevin Hamilton; Dec 10, Melissa Pokorny; Dec 17, Gerald Guthrie. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm
ON STAGE LISTINGS Elysium on the Prairie, Live Action Roleplaying – Vampires stalk the city streets and struggle for dominance in a world of gothic horror. Create your own character and mingle with dozens of players who portray their own undead alter egos. Each session is another chapter in an ongoing story of triumph, tragedy and betrayal. Friday, “Vampire: The Masquerade” For more information visit: http://ww2.uiuc.edu/ro/elysium/intro.html. Check site for location, 7pm. Hamlet Q1: The First Quarto 1603 – A shorter, actionpacked version of Shakespeare’s play performed with nontraditional gender casting by the University of Illinois New Revels Players. Performances will be held Sat, Dec 6 at 3pm and 7pm and Sun, Dec 7 at 3pm at the McKinley Foundations Westminster Hall, 809 S Fifth St, Champaign, Ill. Tickets are $5 at the door. For reservations, e-mail tllyons@uiuc.edu or call (217) 384-5462. The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre presents 110 Degrees in the Shade. 110 Degrees in the Shade is a musical with score by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt of The Fantastiks fame. It is based on the hit play The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash, who also wrote the book for this show. All rights to this show are administered by TamsWhitmark Music Library, Inc. The Celebration Company production of 110 in the Shade at the Station Theatre will be directed by Jim Dobbs and Music directed by Debra Myers Dobbs. Show dates will be from: Nov 19 through Sun, Nov 23. Wed, Nov 26, CLOSED Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27). Fri, Nov 28 through Sun, Nov 30. Wed, Dec 3 through Sat, Dec 6. All shows are at 8pm. Call (217) 384-4000 for reservations. Ticket prices: Wed 2 for $10, Thu $10, Fri $12, Sat $12, Sun $10 Parkland Theatre presents its 13th annual student show, Out of Order by Ray Cooney. This British farce takes place one fateful night in a London hotel, as a Conservative Government Member of Parliament attempts to have an affair with a secretary of the Opposition. Filled with an odd assortment of characters including a conniving waiter, a suspicious hotel manager, an alert private detective, an angry wife, a furious husband, a bungling secretary, an unconscious nurse and a dead body, nothing is going to go as planned. Performances are Dec 3, 4, 5, 6 at 8pm and Dec 6 and 7 at 3pm. General admission tickets are $8 for adults; student and senior tickets are $5. Call (217) 3512528 for tickets and information or e-mail theatre@parkland.edu. Amasong Winter Concert – “Come Dance and Sing” – Featured music of Ireland,Wales, Canada, Byzantine Chant. Music by historical women, composers and much more. – McKinley Presbyterian Church, 509 S 5th St, Champaign, Dec 6 at 8pm, Dec 7 at 3pm
MIND BODY SPIRIT Sunday Zen Meditation Meeting – Prairie Zen Center, 515 S Prospect, Champaign, NW corner Prospect & Green, enter through door from parking area. Introduction to
Zen Sitting, 10am; Full Schedule: Service at 9 followed by sitting, Dharma Talk at 11 followed by tea until about 12 noon. Can arrive at any of above times, open to all, no experience needed, no cost. For info call 355-8835 or www.prairiezen.org Prairie Sangha for Mindfullness Meditation – Monday evenings from 7:30-9pm and monthly retreats on Sunday. Theravadan (Vipassana) and Tibetan (Vjrayana & Dzogchen) meditation practice. Meets in Urbana. More information call or email Tom at 356-7413 or shayir@soltec.net. www.prairiesangha.org Clear Sky Zen Group – Meets on Thursday evenings in the Geneva Room of the McKinley Foundation. Newcomers to meditation and people of all traditions and faiths are welcome – McKinley Foundation, 809 S Fifth St, 6:25-9pm Formerly-Fat Persons’ Support Group – Free social meeting every Saturday at 2pm at Aroma Cafe, 118 N Neil St, C. For more information contact Jessica Watson at 3534934. Loose Womyn Discussion Section (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be ) – Dec 18, 7pm, we’ll discuss the book Not Your Mothers’ Midlife by Marilyn Kentz and Nancy Alspaugh. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd, Champaign (217) 351-9011
this week Th Nov 20 Wine Tasting 5pm, free Enescu Ensemble 7:30pm, $2-$5 Merce Cunningham Dance Company 7:30pm, $22-$34 Talkback: following the show, free Patron Co-sponsors: Jerald Wray and Dirk Mol Anonymous Corporate Platinum Sponsor:
@
krannert center
Tu Dec 2
Th Dec 4
UI Jazz Band III 7:30pm, $2-$5
Wine Tasting 5pm, free
We Dec 3
UI Jazz Band II 7:30pm, $2-$5
Turtle Island String Quartet: Solstice Celebration 7:30pm, $15-$32 Corporate Silver Sponsor:
UI Percussion Ensemble 7:30pm, $2-$5
Loose Womyn Discussion Section – (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be) – Nov 20 we’ll discuss the book The Right Questions by Debbie Ford. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd, Champaign (217) 3519011. Simplicity Discussion Group – Dec 4, 7pm, we’ll discuss the book Inner Peace for Busy People by Joan Borysenko. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd, Champaign (217) 351-9011. Life Map Workshop – A life map is a collection of visual images, a method of connecting with your intuition, a tool for visualizing your dreams or goals. Come explore life mapping—approaches, uses, and the opportunity to create your own life map. 9:15am-1:00pm on Sat, Dec 6 at McKinley Foundation, C. $45. To register or for information, contact Jo Pauly, MSW, Whole Life Coach at (217) 337-7823 or jopauly@prairienet.org
Some Krannert Center programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, and patron and corporate contributions.
Season Sponsors Coporate Season Underwriters
Support for Krannert Center’s 2003.2004 season is provided in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
KrannertCenter.com 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX 217/333-9714 (TTY) 217/244-SHOW (Fax) 217/244-0549 (Groups) kran-tix@uiuc.edu Ticket Office Open 10am to 6pm daily; on days of performances open 10am through intermission.
Patron Season Sponsors
CAROLE AND JERRY RINGER
KIDS AND FAMILIES Baby Time – Nov 20 – Bring your baby for nursery rhymes, music activities, and play time for little ones. Registration is not required – Douglass Branch Library, 10:30-11am Thursday Arts and Crafts For Kids – Nov 20 – For elementary school-age children. No registration – Douglass Branch Library, 4-5pm Family Reading Night – Nov 20 – Community celebrities will read out loud as part of a statewide celebration planned by the Illinois State Library. No registration – Champaign Public Library, 6:30-8pm Girls, Girls, Girls – Nov 21 – Games, crafts and reading time for girls in kindergarten to fifth grade. No registration – Douglass Branch Library, 4-5pm Storyshop – Nov 26 – Preschoolers with a parent or school group will enjoy weekly stories and activities. Registration is not required – Champaign Public Library, 9:30-10am
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