An Oscars contingency plan?
As every faithful American television viewer knows, the Oscars are in a bit of a pickle at the moment. With the writer's strike still dragging on and the Oscar broadcast date looming in the near future, Feb. 24, producers are getting antsy. Thus, Academy President Sid Ganis has announced that the Oscars will have a back-up broadcast ready. In his press release, Ganis said the broadcast would include "history and packages of film and concepts that are not normally ones that we would have for the show," as opposed to a traditional star-studded extravaganza. Regardless of the strike's status, viewers are promised that the show will go on, though perhaps not in the form we'd like.
-- by ethan hamlin
Cultural expansion
With the addition of a new student-exchange program in fall 2008 between the University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University art department brings elements of both universities to the Off-Grounds Gallery. The exhibit, "Part I: An Exchange Exhibition Between Two Art Departments," features works from artists at the University and the Chinese University. The works focus on bringing elements of contemporary Chinese culture to the University, including Chinese ink paintings, watercolors and sculptures.The exhibition runs from Jan. 30 through Feb. 29.
-- by stephanie garcia
Kanye West embarks on U.S. tour
Many months after releasing his acclaimed new album Graduation, Mr. West has finally gotten around to organizing a U.S. tour. Dubbed the "Glow in the Dark" tour, the Chicago-based emcee will be bringing a talented set of friends, including Rihanna (author of the hit single "Umbrella"), N.E.R.D. (super-producer Pharell's side project) and Lupe Fiasco (whose new album The Cool placed alongside Graduation as one of tableau's year-end favorites). Dates and venues have yet to be announced, but fans might want to check out pictures of the tour's badass promotional poster (apparently inspired by Star Wars).
-- by ethan hamlin