Indy's Arts Scene

The Denver Post has picked up The Washington Post's travel piece on what's happening on the cultural scene in Indianapolis.

Check it out here.

Music, Engineering and Technology

The Indiana University Music program at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis has moved into a new phase.

Under a reorganization agreement, the program is now the Department of Music and Arts Technology in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI.

At IUPUI, reports the IUPUI News Bureau, the music program has focused on music technology since 1993 when it offered the nation's first Master of Science degree in Music Technology. All faculty members hired since 1993 have backgrounds in music technology, computer music, Internet-based music instruction, electronic music, multimedia programming, web design and/or Internet performance techniques.

The IUPUI Department of Music and Arts Technology is the only program in the nation to focus on technology as a tool for music performance, music composition, music instruction, and music listening and arts technology.

Simply Halston

A collection of 32 fashions by designer Roy Halston Frowick are on display in the Fashion Arts Gallery of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, through 4 January 2009.

Known best as, "Simply Halston", the designer was born in Iowa in 1932, and grew up in Evansville, Ind. He began his career as a milliner and later designed the hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore at her husband’s inauguration in 1961.

A master of cut, he was a favorite of many celebrities and designed clothes for Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Anjelica Huston and Lauren Bacall. Most of the approximately 32 designs in this exhibition are drawn from the IMA’s fashion arts collection. He died in 1990.

United Way of Central Indiana Hits New Record

According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, United Way of Central Indiana will award more than $25 million in unrestricted giving to human care agencies this year, a new record based on generous giving in 2007.

Despite a sluggish economy, IBJ reports, the distribution is up $1.2 million from the previous year. United Way will start passing along the funds to 103 agencies in its six-county region 1 July.

Scales & Tails Fest

If you have a pet, want to get a pet, or just want to hang out with animals that could be pets -- head over to the Indiana State Museum Saturday (7 June) for (what else?) a "Celebration of Pets".

The 11 a.m.-4 p.m. event, included in museum admission, will feature dogs, cats, birds and reptiles (many of which will be available for adoption!).

Veterinarians and representatives of rescue organizations will introduce the animal friends and talk about pet care and safety. There'll be demonstrations with miniature horses, chicks hatching in incubators, take-home crafts and performances by Silly Safaris Shows.

The museum is downtown in White River State Park.

Has It Really Been 30 Years?

"Grease", the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, plays Friday night (6 June) in the Amphitheater of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis.

Grab your blanket and lawnchairs, pack a picnic and get ready to watch this classic under the stars.

Ticket sales begin and doors open at 6 p.m. for picknicking. The films begin at dusk. Cost is $8 for members of the public, and $3 for IMA members with current membership card (children six and under are admitted free).

"Grease", rated PG, runs 110 minutes. It'll be preceded by a Pepe LePew cartoon ("For Scent-imental Reasons"). Who can resist a double-header like that?

Indianapolis Prize Nominations Sought

The Indianapolis Prize -- the largest individual monetary award for animal conservation in the world -- is given to an individual animal conservationist who has made significant achievements in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species.

The 2008 winner of the Indianapolis Prize is George Schaller Ph.D., senior conservationist for the Wildlife Conservation Society and Vice President of the Panthera Foundation. The previous winner was Dr. George Archibald of the International Crane Foundation.

The nomination process for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize has begun, with nominations accepted until 1 December 2008.

The $100,000 biennial award brings attention to the cause of animal conservation and the men and women who spend their lives saving the world’s endangered species. It is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen recipient.

The Indianapolis Prize was initiated in 2004 by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to inspire local and global communities to celebrate, protect and preserve our natural world through conservation, education and research.

Any individual may nominate a candidate for the Indianapolis Prize. To be accepted as Nominees, individuals must have accomplished a personal achievement or series of achievements that have resulted in a demonstrable positive impact on an animal species or group of species that is likely to improve the species’ likelihood of long-term sustainability.