ASHLEY N. OWENS - The Spectrum

NEWS

Tomie Arai frames identity

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Dec. 7, 2005

Inspecting a culture as an outsider can be a difficult task, but artist Tomie Arai has the unique ability to simultaneously represent American and Japanese cultures through her personal art.A compilation of Arai's work is currently on exhibit at the CEPA Gallery downtown in a series entitled "Untelling." Embodying two distinct cultures, the artist explores her dual identity through a myriad of artistic forms.As a third-generation Japanese-American, Arai's work is influenced by many cultures, but there is an apparent focus on Japanese and Chinese cultures.On the ground floor of the exhibit, there is an entire room dedicated to the family.

NEWS

Zodiaque puts on stellar performance

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Dec. 5, 2005

After an entire semester of stretching, sweating and rehearsing, the Department of Theatre and Danc presented its 11th annual Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble performance.The performance, according to director William E.

NEWS

'Hairspray' holds over audience

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Nov. 18, 2005

Towering beehives, Afro puffs and teased hair flips were a few of the '60s era hair-do emblems glistening in the musical "Hairspray."The production opened at Shea's Performing Arts Center Thursday and will run through Sunday."Hairspray" is about a young girl trying to change racial segregation in her community.

NEWS

Nothing to kill yourself over

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Oct. 24, 2005

Suicide among young adults is rampant. Director Marc Foster ("Finding Neverland") captures that brutal reality in the thoughts of a suicidal college student in the film "Stay." "Stay" is a suspenseful story about a psychologist's attempt to prevent his patient from committing suicide.

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A frosty treat before winter: Coldstone debuts in Buffalo

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Oct. 17, 2005

You'll find more than banana splits and strawberry shakes at Amherst's new ice cream shop.The Coldstone Creamery, which has already fattened patrons outside of Western New York with its creamy goodness, celebrated its grand opening in the Buffalo area this Saturday with jazz music, clowns and free spoon samples of Coldstone's original "creations."Located on Transit Road in the East View plaza, the Creamery offers smoothies, shakes, malts and many blends of delectable ice cream.

NEWS

Million-dollar men

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Oct. 10, 2005

With Hollywood superstars Matthew McConaughey and Al Pacino, "Two for the Money" isn't a gamble, but an automatic box-office success."Two for the Money" is a sentimental narrative about the sports gambling business intermixed with humorous accounts to keep movie watchers entertained.The film portrays the lives of gamblers and their addictions to alcohol, money and of course, betting.

NEWS

New faces of Buffalo hip-hop

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Oct. 3, 2005

Some of Buffalo's finest in hip-hop joined legendary MC Kool G Rap on Thursday night in the first of a series of hip-hop shows known as the Throwback Series.The series, presented by Black and Blue Arts Entertainment, premiered at The Icon downtown.

NEWS

Color needs contrabassoons

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Sep. 26, 2005

When envisioning an art show, screens, televisions and hosts of instruments are not necessarily the first things that come to mind.The Carnegie Art Center's "Eyes and Ears: Sound Needs Image" exceeds the expectations of a common exhibition.Running through October 22, the display collaborates those different elements of art: sound and image.

NEWS

Making dollars but not sense

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Sep. 19, 2005

While some artists choose to upgrade their album with a re-release and others compile songs in a "best of" composition, some artists re-release to make a quick buck on what was already a successful piece of work.After the success of 50 Cent's "The Massacre" in early 2005, he re-released the album with the suffix "Special Edition."The "Special Edition" is the same as the first album but with the additional track, "Hate It or Love It," a G-Unit Remix.

NEWS

New talent poppin' up

By ASHLEY N. OWENS | Sep. 2, 2005

Who would have ever imagined a small city of less than 15,000 inhabitants would launch one of Interscope Records' newest pop sensations?Kaci Brown, pop vocalist extraordinaire, began her career as a teenager in Sulphur Springs, Texas, 80 miles east of Dallas.