THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012
entertainment
HOROSCOPES
Because the stars know things we don't.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today is an 8
The forseeable future is good for making changes at home. Setuj goals for yourself. Pull together as a team. Whistle while you work, and feast after.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is an 8
All of a sudden, everything starts making sense. Old puzzles got solved. Consider your friends' suggestions, but it's okay to turn down an outrageous request.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Today is an 8
A new assignment brings in new revenue, and the temptation to spend it all could arise. Rake in the dough, but count it first. Save some for repairs. Check for changes.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Today is an 8
Today is an 8
You're stronger and more
confident. Meditate on the value
of compassion. Come up with
a new future vision. Others
encourage you to a challenge.
Travel later.
Leo (July 23-Aug.22) Today is a7
Follow through on details for the next few days. Be sensitive to a loved one's wishes. Invent a new story. It's important to show you care. Call home if you're late.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today is a 9
Today is a 9 Things are getting fun. Friends want you to play almost all the time these days. The invitation says "dressy." Invent your own style. New options surface.
Today is an 8
Stay attentive, as new opportunities are worth listening to. Choose wisely. Tune out the static. You and a partner can win. Learn as you teach.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
PAGE 4A
Scorpio (0ct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today is a 9
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.21)
Today is a 9
Work on the chores that you've been avoiding but that you know you really ought to complete. You have a keen sense for finances now. Research the pros and cons before deciding.
Work out strategy with someone who's opinion you value. Logic is only one side. Clarify things by listing the facts. Look at emotional factors, too. New ideas arise.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today is a 9
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18) Today is a 9
When it rains, it pours. Make the most out of publicity. Add efficiency to your work to withstand any storm. Don't gamble or get distracted. Take advantage.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today is a 9
You're entering a romantic phase. Find a quiet place to complete your projects where you're less likely to be disturbed. Avoid risky propositions. Keep your promises.
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Labyrinth
5 Skilllets
9 Half a dance?
12 Lotion additive
13 Fraternal baseball surname
14 Attila, e.g.
15 Unknown people
17 Pismire
18 Evening affair
19 Depend (on)
21 "And this should matter to me ... why?"
22 Object
24 "National Treasure star
27 Chart format
28 Superman's alias
31 Melody
32 Corrodex
33 "Go, team!"
34 Let the cat out of the bag
36 Badly
37 Pale
38 Aristo-
cratic
40 Ego
counter-
part
41 Queently
43 Small
beard
47 Have
bills
48 Puts on
the line
51 “— the
ramparts
…”
52 About
half the
children
53 Tiger
Woods' ex
54 “—
Dalloway!
55 Trade
56 Logical
http://udkne.ws/I5hTSr
CHECK OUT THE ANSWERS
CRYPTOQUIP
FUBG PIS UKNB JI FQZJB JUB
16 Ultra-
modernist
20 Squid
squirt
22 Marquee
datum
23 Command to
Rover
24 "Cash —"
25 Have
something
26 Farmers
27 Bucket
29 "Unh-
unh"
30 Your
35 Feathery
accessory
37 Saws
39 Conse-
crate
40 Charged
bit
41 Leeway
42 Basin
accessory
43 React in
horror
44 Anatomical
tissue
45 Ireland
46 Slave to
cross-
words?
49 Without
delay
50 "CSI"
evidence
A B M K A J B Y J W I G W B Q G Z G M
KAWIUIA ABNZBO, SOB
CQICBQ  OZG-JKY  OPGJKY
Yesterday's Cryptop: WHILE FLOATING ON
SOME RAGING WHITE WATER, MANY OF THE
GUYS WERE FOUND GUILTY OF RAFT-DODGING.
Cryptopin Char Sounds I.
The Kardashian family signs a new TV deal
LOS ANGELES — E! thinks there's even more to keep up with. The network confirmed Tuesday the Kardashian family has signed a three-year deal with it.
The pact gives viewers three more seasons of the network's flagship "Keeping With With the Kardashians," taking the show into Season 9. The deal covers the entire Kardashian litter, including those who don't boast the last name formally. Kim Kardashian, Courtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian Odom, Rob Kardashian, Bruce Jenner, Kristen Kerr, Kendall Kennel and Kylie Jenner
CELEBRITIES
Today's Cryptoquip Clue: S equals U
The apple, it seems, doesn't tall too far from the money-making tree. News of the deal came a day after Ryan Seacrest, whose production company backs "Keeping Up With The Kardashians," inked a deal
and also extends the network first-look deals with the clan for unscripted ideas, concepts and projects.
with Fox to continue on as host of "American Idol." Seacrest has yet to finalize an agreement covering the three years "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" will remain on the air, but likely will as part of an upcoming agreement with E!'s parent company, NBCUniversal.
It's only logical that E! would aim to keep the celebrity family on its roster. "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" has produced hit spinoffs for the network, including "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" and "Khloe and Lamar," which is currently airing. The most recent season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" averaged more than 3 million viewers — a far cry from the less than 1 million it garnered for its premiere when it launched in 2007.
McClatchy-Tribune
The 18-episode seventh season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" premieres May 20.
CHANNELS
Difficulty Level ★★★
SEATTLE — "It's really exciting, intense, nerve-wracking and wonderful—like it's supposed to be," says the infectiously enthusiastic bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding of her life since winning a Grammov last year.
Grammy winner enjoys new fame
4/26
Spalding, whose thrilling new album "Radio Music Society" (Heads Up) came out Tuesday, is having a good time with success. But it's not the trappings she likes
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
MUSIC
such as the fashion shoot she did last year for The New York Times style magazine cover -but the opportunities it affords, such as the luxury of traveling with 12 musicians.
"I don't like putting on makeup and having my picture taken," says the diminutive, photogenic bassist with the double-wide, gaptoethot smile and exploding Afro. "But I do love what it does, like making it more likely we can fill a venue. And I'm grateful."
Raised in Portland and catapulted from student to professor at Boston's Berkley College right after she graduated, the 27-year-old approaches music with supple technique and an open mind. Her new album laces soulful funk and pop with the moving parts of jazz.
The opener, "Radio Song," sets the tone, conjuring the ecstasy of singing along with a new hit on the car radio, even before you know all the words. That sense of discovery imbues the album, as Spalding tumbles forward, often on electric bass, navigating the unexpected twists and turns of her arrangements for horns, synthesizers and, on one song, an African lute. Spalding's songs spill out in long, talky lines.
"I usually write a melody first," she says. "When I'm writing, I don't know the words. Writing for me is very painstaking. It doesn't just flow."
"Radio Song" has a nice hook— appropriately enough, since its subject is the catchy part of a tune you can't help singing along with. "Crowned and Kissed," a sensual, up-tempo romance with a horn fanfare, also has an irresistible
repeated figure. But some of Spalding's songs meander and are carried by the energy and drive of her playing.
“Where’s the hook? — that’s what the label asked, too!” she says, laughing. “I don't think about a hook. If it happens, cool. If it doesn't, I'm not going to barge into what is already existing and cram a hook into it. It's got to happen naturally.”
Spalding's rejection of artifice reflects her jazz background, but the social engagement of her lyrics sets her apart from the too-often-rarefied world of her jazz brothers and sisters. On "Black Gold," she advises a young African American to take pride in himself, even when assaulted by negative messages.
Spalding, who is part Latino, says she felt a lot of "positive reinforcement" growing up, but that it's often missing for boys.
"There needs to be a positive guidance for boys, when they become teens," she says. "For white men, too. To try to instil a sense — 'I'm of value, just because I am.'"
On "Land of the Free," Spalding sings about Cornelius Dupree, a man held 30 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. "Endangered Species" (premiered on Earth Day) decries environmental degradation. Spalding makes a point of mentioning she will be wearing a different "sustainable" (eco-friendly) gown every night on her tour.
Her relentlessly positive outlook — some would call it naively idealistic, but it's undeniably refreshing — draws people to her, often for reasons she finds difficult to understand.
"Some night when we've just played our asses off, someone will come up and say, 'Man, your arms are so sexy.' I try to be nice. But it makes me feel like I'm a spectacle."
But such are the wages of fame.
"I just hope people are able to perceive what we're putting out there — so much beauty to share, with loving, sincere, truthful intention in every note we're playing" she says. "That's what you're paying for."
MOVIES
Director's framing could change films
LAS VEGAS — Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" is preparing to leave the shire.
The director of the Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy previewed 10 minutes of assorted footage Tuesday from his upcoming prequel.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," was filmed in New Zealand using more frames per second than the Hollywood standard. Jackson said in a video introduction that using 48 frames per second produces a smoother image.
The movie could usher in a new era of filmmaking and require film houses across the globe to embrace digital technology.
"The movement feels more real." Jackson said while introducing his film at the CinemaCon convention for theater owners on the Las Vegas Strip. "It's much more gentle on the eyes."
Jackson said the human eye no longer sees individual pictures under the faster speed, but a steady stream of clear images.
Indeed, the footage was vivid,
with grass blades, facial lines and
soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced. The actors looked almost touchable, as if they were performing on stage.
It's unclear what the final product will look like when it's released in December. Jackson said he was still editing the movie and the shared footage included green screens that will eventually be used to add in scenery, action or special effects.
Other digital pioneers are making the same push for higher film speeds. "Avatar" creator James Cameron has promised to shoot the sequel to his science-fiction blockbuster at 48 or 60 frames a second.
Jackson warned the new approach would take time to adjust to. Some bloggers agreed, quickly branding the footage released Tuesday as a failure in digital technology. The critics claimed the unfinished scenes looked like a low-budget TV show.
British actor Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who acquires the evil ring that sets the action of "The Lord of the Rings" in motion.
The footage showed Baggins lost in Gollum's cave. Andy Serkis' portrayal of the strange creature known for his "precious" obsession and speaking in the third person is just as disturbing as it was in the trilogy, with Baggins forced to appeal to Gollum's love of games to survive.
Ian McKellen, repriming the role of the wizard Gandalf, persuades Baggins to leave the shire and join him on his journey. The footage of the hobbit's hometown is stunning, with each color having almost a neon glow.
There were other brief snippets of story. Orlando Bloom, as the elf Legolas, was shown with his character's flowing, blonde hair. McKellen toured an ancient tomb that he surmised once housed someone evil. Trolls engaged in battle.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is the first chapter in Jackson's two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy classic.
Associated Press
The University of Kansas University Theatre presents the Award-winning Musical
Book by George Fourth Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
7:30 p.m. April 20,21,27,28,2012 2:30 p.m. April 22 & 29,2012
Crafton-Prever Theatre
Reserved seat tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices; University Theatre, 846-3823; Lied Center, 846-ARTS, and online at www.ku theatre.com. Tickets are $20 for the public, $19 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students. All major credit cards are accepted. The University Theatre is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee. Tifc University Theatre's 2011-2012 season is sponsored by the KU Credit Union.
KU UNIVERSITY
THEATRE
STUDENT SENATE
KU CREDIT UNION A CENTER FOR CONSERVING FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES