6A Entertainment Friday September 11,1998 Jayhawk Music Festival to rock concert-goers at Clinton Lake By Augustus Anthony Diazza Kansan staff writer For the first time, the singing, dancing and crowd surfing of the Jayhawk music Festival will take place on a Saturday rather than a Sunday. The gates at the fourth annual festival will open at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Clinton Lake State Park. Jacki Becker, vice president of Pipeline productions, said there were several reasons why the day was changed. "It's better for the guys in the fraternity to have the next day to clean up," Becker said. Hecker said it also would be better for students who attend to have the next day to rest. The parking system for this year's event also has changed. That system will not be used tomorrow, Becker said. Park workers have spent time clear-ing enough space for cars to be able to park close to the venue, Becker said. Last year, a bus-shuttle system transported people from Free State High School to the event. The cost of parking will be $5 per car, and the profits will be donated to Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife. closer you'll be," Becker said. "The earlier you get there, the Ticket prices also have increased from $17.50 to $18.50. Becker said prices increased because there were six major-label touring acts on the bill. Incipus will be the opening act Saturday and is scheduled to play from 12:20 to 1 p.m. β€œIt’s the finest talent we have ever had for Jayhawk Music Festival, therefore warranting the higher ticket prices,” Becker said. The headline act is Everclear, and the group is scheduled to appear from 5:05 to 6:25 p.m. The last scheduled band is The Pharcyne, which will play from 6:45 to 8 p.m. MUSIC FEST GEAR Prohibited items: bottles, coolers, cameras, food and wallets with chains What you can bring: blankets The Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the radio station 105.9 KLZR worked together to present the event. Kappa Sigma will donate the proffits from the festival to the following charities: Douglas County AIDS Project, Health Care Access, Douglas County Red Cross and the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife. The Lazer will employ some of its Audience members crowd surf at the third annual Jayhawk Music Festival. The fourth Jayhawk Music Festival will take place tomorrow at Clinton Lake State Park. Photo by Eric B. Howell / KANSAN DJs in introducing the acts. "We're really excited to be involved," said Jeff Peterson, Lazer DJ. "It's a good chance for us to mingle with new and old KU students." The promoters of the event expect attendance to be similar to last year's 10,000 people. The National Weather Service in Topeka forecasted sunny skies with Booze-free greek party set for tonight Planners fill event with prizes, sports By Sarah Hale Kansan staff writer In an effort to teach new fraternity and sorority members that partying and drinking do not always go hand in hand, an alternative party will be available at Robinson Center tonight. Instead of brochures, lectures or programs on the negative effects of alcohol, organizers have planned games, food, prizes and an underlying message that there are other things to do on a Friday night. Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol, an auxiliary group of the Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic Association, scheduled the event from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Students can enter only through Robinson's west entrance. "It's important to do this at the beginning of the year because it sends a message to the new members," said Jennifer Kinney, assistant director for Greek programs, alcohol and risk management education. "We don't want them to think they're stuck. We want to show them other options." Students can participate in basketball, volleyball and racquetball games, as well as rock climbing and swing dancing. Movies also will be available for those who get tired, and the mascot Baby Jay will make an appearance. Many groups around town donated prizes for the event. Kinney said that GAMMA had enough prizes to give out two per hour. Prizes include a television, a Terry Allen-autographed football and a Roy Williams-autographed basketball. "Kids come to college, and it's a new environment," said Meghan Flannigan, co-chairwoman of GAMMA. "They think that the only thing to do, and the only way to have fun, is to go and drink. And while that is fun, this is an alternative telling them there is something else to do." Although this is the first year for the GAMMA LOCK-IN **Who:** New fraternity and sorority members. When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Where: Robinson Center **What?** Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol is having a party to promote alternatives to drinking. event, GAMMA plans to make it an annual party. Kinney emphasized that the party would not bombard students with information about drinking too much. "We want it to be a positive experience," she said. Reviews From left to right, Edward Norton, Matt Damon and John Turturro play poker in John Dahl's Rounders. Contributed photo Co-star gives Rounders sharp edge Film examines gamblers' scene Kansan movie critic By Jeremy M. Doherty Kansas movie critic In sharp contrast to the louder-is-better mentality found in most movies today, the poker drama Rounders is a film that abounds in small moments of pleasure. One character likes to chew on toothpicks before each round. Another nibbles Oreo cookies, which rattles the nerves of even the toughest of opponents. The aroma of flat beer and cheap cigars lingers in every scene. With a story that's borrowed equally from The Hustler and Martin Scorsese's *Mean Streets*, Rounders unfolds slowly, gathering momentum. At its core, the movie asks some pertinent questions. Is it more important to follow your instincts or to do what will please others best? And what do we owe those friends who are on a fast-track to self-destruction? These are issues faced by Mike McDermott (Matt Damon, in Good Will Hunting mode), a poker genius who, in the film's first scene, blows his law school tuition in a high-stakes game. Months later, he's sworn off the game and committed himself to his studies and his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol). Worm (Edward Norton), Mike's former poker partner who's just been released from prison. Clad in a leather jacket and a varied assortment of paisley shirts, Worm reenters society with a $15,000 gambling debt on his head. Mike at first tries to steer clear of his high-living buddy, but the thrill of the game draws him back to the tables. Trouble arrives in the form of The photogenic Damon is his usual watchable self, but it's the dynamic Norton who propels Rounders. As Worm, the young actor seems to channel the look-how-fast-i can-talk energy of James Woods. This is definitely a character who deserved his own movie. The supporting cast is a film lover's dream. John Turturro has some nice ROUNDERS Kansan rating: *** out of ****** Running time: 2 hours Rated: "R" for prefancy, violence and massive Oree consumption scenes as a semi-retired poker legend who tries to act as a voice of wisdom to Mike. And John Malkovich steals his few moments as a card shark linked to the Russian mafia. There's not much tension in Rounders, and some will accuse director John Dahl of making an undramatic picture. But Dahl is more concerned with how gamblers talk, play and swindle each other on and off the table. Who those who can latch onto the movie's odd rhythm will be delighted. Simon Birch lacks substance Bv Jeremy M. Doherty Kansan movie critic Like the 1996 Robin Williams vehicle, Jack, Simon Birch is about the social trials and prejudices faced by children with disabilities. And like that movie, this new flick does not possess the courage to say anything truly meaningful. As it is with so many movies aimed at kids and their parents, Simon Birch wants to make us laugh and cry. The film is suggested by John Irving's bestselling novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and writer/director Mark Steven Johnson has admitted in press materials to taking away much of the substance from his source. Alas, it succeeds only in hurling vast quantities of syruvym schmaltz at the audience. And how. Irving's book touched on the Vietnam War, religion's fading influence and political hypocrisy. caryportraits. Johnson sets Simon Birch in 1964, but he makes no effort to give any relevance to his background. He stacks the scenes with vintage Kansan rating: ** out of ****** Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Rated: "PG" for mild profanity and sappiness What remains focuses on the friendship of two 12-year-olds, Joe (Joseph Mazzelle) and Simon ( Ian Michael Smith). The former was born out of wedlock, and Simon is afflicted with dwarfism. The pair is viewed as an aberration in the tightly knit, God-fearing town of Gravestown, Maine. cars and R&B tunes, but that's it. Johnson begins his film in the present day as a grown-up Joe (Jim Carrey), looks back fondly on the events of that year. This prologue scene also serves to give away key plot points, such as the death of Joe's mother and the film's ending. Not surprisingly, that move effectively robs Simon Burry of any tension. Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello, left) and Simon Birch ( Ian Michael Smith, right ) share a common bond in Simon Birch. Contributed photo Johnson's attempts at drama here are as obvious as they are shallow. He relies on sugary piano music to accent what should be poignant scenes, and any moment that threatens to create real drama is ruined by badly pop songs. Play mirrors today's struggle The few tolerable moments are provided by Ashley Judd as Joe's loving mother. For some reason, Johnson decides to kill her off in the first hour, and the rest is one overdrawn sitcom gag and moral message after another. Intolerance seen in author's life By Mariana Paiva Kansan staff writer Parallels can be traced between a 19th-Century author and the latest scandals involving the White House. This is one of the issues that Paul Lim, assistant professor of English, said members of the English Alternative Theatre wanted to show the public tonight in their performance of "Gross Indecency β€” the three trials of Oscar Wilde." "There are parallels between the way the legal system went after our own president and Oscar Wilde for things they did in their private life," said Lim, director of the group. "The play raises issues that haven't been resolved after 100 years." The off Broadway show, written by Moises Kaufman, is based on the real story of Oscar Wilde's relationship with a young aristocrat and the three courtroom battles that convicted Wilde of gross The play begins at 8 p.m. tonight at Swarthout auditorium in Murphy Hall. Admission is free. Moreover, it is a piece that talks about the Victorian society's intolerance and persecution to Wilde's art, ideas and sexual orientation. The cast is composed of faculty members, students and Lawrence residents, Lim said. Tonight's performance is only a staged reading version of the play. Charles Whitman, Lawrence resident, plays Oscar Wilde tonight. indecency. He said he learned more about Wilde's life when he interpreted Frank Harris, Wilde's friend, in a production written by Lim. "A staged reading means that we meet only five or six times to practice, and the actors can carry their scripts on stage," Lim said. "It is a quick way to present a play to an audience." "When I saw this play in New York last summer, it suddenly occurred to me that this is a wonderful way to introduce people in Lawrence the life and work of Oscar Wilde," Lim said. Whitman said that the performance had a historical context because besides including parts of the trial documents, it showed how the newspapers of the time treated the case. student groups that want to participate in the project must register with the United Way. Then the groups are matched with project ideas offered by different volunteer agencies, said Wendy Marshall, the Day of Caring coordinator. The event will begin at 1 p.m. with an award presentation at the Lawrence High School Auditorium. Volunteers then will fan out into different parts of the city from 2 to 5 p.m. It will end with a cookout on the northeast lawn of Lawrence High School. ay Pallavi Agarwal Kansan staff writer Last year's Day of Caring had 850 volunteers, 80 percent of whom were KU students, provide services for more than 80 projects, said Cynthia Muckey, chairwoman of the event. Hundreds of University of Kansas students will spend Sunday afternoon painting houses, cleaning parks and stuffing envelopes in the Day of Caring, an annual community service project. Students care enough to spend time helping United Way clean-up Day of Caring is organized by the United Way of Douglas County and kicks off its fund-raising campaign for the year. Many of the participating students belong to student living groups such as sororities, fraternities and scholarship halls, Muckey said. Although groups are participating, individuals are welcome to attend the event. Sunday is also the beginning of the Rock Chalk Revue community service campaign. Several campus living groups compete with each other throughout the year for community service hours, and the event culminates DAY OF CARING What: Day of Caring. Which is: A community service project organized by the United Woman's Peace Corps project organized by the United Way of Douglas County. Where: Begins at Lawrence High School. High School **When:** 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Student groups compete on their own or near with another group. in March with a variety show. Last year's winner for the most community-service hours in the non-paired division was Alpha Xi Delta, and the runner-up was Douthart Scholarship Hall. Alpha Delta pi and Lambda Chi Alpha won the paired division, and the Delta Gamma and Sigma Nu team was the runner-up. Common projects for Day of Caring include yard painting, massmailing of letters, cleaning toys, cutting down trees and cleaning parks, she said. Some students who have participated in the event said they enjoyed helping others and making new friends. Mark Bradshaw, community service chairman for the All-Scholarship Hall Council, said that several dozen students from scholarship halls would be participating in the event. Day of Caring is the largest volunteer project that all the scholarship hallst undertake together, he said. Bradshaw, who participated in the event last year, said Day of Caring was fun because he was able to meet new residents of his hall. "It was an extremely hot day, but in the end ... we enjoyed it," he said.