The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, March 29, 2001
Etc.
Section B • Page 3
On the road again
500-mile bike trek to benefit AIDS care
Bv Katie Nelson
jayplay@kansan.com
jayplay writer
A 500 mile bike ride isn't something David Brahm does regularly.
But from July 9 to July 14, he'll mount his bike and take on the long trek as part of Tanqueray's AIDSRidesUSA.
Although there are four different routes in AIDSRidesUSA, Brahamand four other area residents will take part in the Heartland ride, which goes from Minneapolis to Chicago. On the route, 500 crew members and 1,700 riders will make their way through back roads of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Each rider commits to raise at least $2,500 in pledges. To meet that goal, Braham and Team Sunflower, as they call themselves, are organizing a benefit concert.
"We have four awesome local bands who have donated their time and energy to make this event happen,"
Benefit concert
Brent Berry and the Secondhands, The Revely Trio, Space Pocket, and The Roundups will play at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Cover is $5.
Brahamsaid.
The concert, featuring Brent Berry and the Second hands, the Revely Trio. Space Pocket and The Roundups will start at 8:30 p.m. April 4, at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. The cover will be 85.
Sarah Dehart, a Lawrence senior who is participating in the ride for the first time, said the concert would be rewarding in several ways.
"If you believe in the cause, come for that reason alone, you $$$me a lot to us," she said. "If you want free stuff, bring extra money for rattle tickets and have a chance at a bunch of cool prizes donated by local businesses."
Abike and gift certificates for Tellers, Shalors, Juice Stop, Sugar Town, Free State Glass, Sylas and Maddy's and Lunaria will be awarded as raffle prizes, Braham said.
AIDSRidesUSA is created and produced by Pallotta TeamWorks, a for-profit organization that raises and donates money to AIDS and breast cancer charities.
"Being a part of the AIDSRide is an incredible feeling," Braham said.
Sarah Lawton, Overland Park junior, said she was a return rider.
"It's an amazing journey," she said.
"The attitude on the trip is really what brought me back. It is very supportive. The ride is more about reaching your personal goals than anything else."
Michael Broadfoot of Lawrence. Justin Flatbush of Kansas City, Mo., and crew member Matt Gordon of Kansas City, Kan., will also take part in the ride.
Since 1994, the AIDSides have donated $83.8 million to AIDS care and prevention programs in the nation, according to the Web site aidsride.org. This year, the Heartland ride is expected to raise $5 million. The money goes to non-profit organizations in the Minnesota, Wisconsin and Chicago areas.
"It's a great way to come to terms with what it's like to battle with AIDS," Dehart said. "All of the training and time I spend fund raising gets so frustrating at times. Then I think about it and realize that it's nothing compared to what AIDS victims deal with daily. In that sense, it really puts things into perspective. I'm growing a great deal from the event."
—Edited by Jacob Roddy
Bikers in the AIDSIRidesUSA raise money for non-profit organizations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Chicago for AIDS care and research. Contributed photo
Traci Tullius, Lawrence graduate student, stands in the aftermath of her video and performance project "Never Knew What Hit Her." The exhibit closes today with a final performance at 4:30 in the main gallery of the Art and Design Building. Photo by Jamie Roper/KANSAN
Student displays sense-filled art
By Melissa Bronnenberg
jayplay@kansan.com
Jayplay writer
Traci Tullus wants students to stop and listen to her art.
the Lawrence graduate student's thesis exhibition, "Never Knew What Hit Her," on display at the Art and Design Gallery, is more than just visual art. Tullius has incorporated sound, video and live performances into the exhibit, which explores new genres of art.
Tullius said she thought the noise that comes from the gallery piqued many visitors' interests.
"A lot of people come through the gallery, walking with their heads down. I wanted to do something to make them stop, to make them take it in
orally, as well as visually." Tullius said.
The exhibit closes today with a final. 30-minute performance at 4:30 in the art and design gallery and a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m., which is free and open to the public.
Her video showing endlessly looped footage of empty bus seats did just that. A friend of Tullius made the sound from the video louder and distorted. Tullius said the noise filtered out into the hallway, and she saw students turn around to check it out.
The exhibit is based on what Tullus calls futile activities, such as riding a bus, sweeping fields, or standing absolutely still.
"By using common images only slightly removed from their familiar contexts, the work is placed in the realm of déjà vu...those moments of complete strangeness that are upsetting because they seem so familiar," she said.
Roger Shimomura, professor of art and a member of the thesis committee, pointed out that Tullius' exhibit was one of the first exhibitions to incorporate performance.
The title of the exhibit comes from one of the video presentations in
Performance
A set of bleachers, which Tullus meant for people to sit and watch the exhibit, sits in the middle of the gallery.
- "Never Knew What Hit Her" closes today with a final, 30-minute performance at 4:30 p.m. in the art and design gallery in the Art and Design Building. A closing reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Both are free and open to the public.
"I was eating my lunch in here, and someone asked me if I was part of the exhibit, and I said, 'Sure, everything in here is.'" Tullius said.
which objects are thrown at Tullius' head. The video is edited to show her being hit with the objects repeatedly.
Edited by Melissa Cooley
1993 University of Kansas graduate and pianist Michael Strening Jr. will perform songs from his new album, Stars, at 7 tonight at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Contributed photo
Performing pianist a University grad
By Erinn R. Barcomb
By Erinn R. Barcomb
joyplay@kansan.com
joyplay editor
When Michael Strening Jr., was at the University of Kansas for the first time, he was here to raise hell.
Now, the composer and pianist and part-time substitute teacher in the Chicago public schools is back to perform at his alma mater for the first time at 7 tonight at the Spencer Museum of Art to promote the release of his second album *Stars*.
The 1993 graduate was a history major who hadn't touched the piano since his senior year in high school. Still, his musical interests ranged from Beastie Boys to Beethoven, from Pearl Jam and Nirvana to Chopin.
"I was really just sick of it," he said. "I was partying a lot and lots of other stuff. Although I'm grateful to my parents for making me take piano lessons, it's exciting to be playing because it's on my own terms."
Strening said he had a great time at the University, but he admitted he was a less-than-perfect student.
"It's great to show the music to people who were discouraged with me," he said.
Before a last-minute concert at Aimee's Coffee House on Tuesday, Strening spent time on campus, stopping to visit with former professors like Carl Strikwerda, professor of history and associate dean of CLAS.
Piano Performance by Michael Strening Jr.
Admission is free
6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at
7 tonight at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Admission is free.
6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Borders Books Music Cafe,
700 New Hampshire St.
Listen to Strening's work at www.kansan.com.
"There are students you like for all kinds of reasons," Strikwerda said. "Some are great scholars and others, you just like their personalities. With Michael, I think it was more that I liked his personality."
Experience in and around Lawrence — watching the nesting bald eagles, cycling with friends along the Kaw River and watching the sun come up across Mount Oread — fueled the songs from his first album. Sunrise.
"It's inspired by nature interacting with the city and landscapes," he said. "I enjoy telling stories between my pieces."
Although Strening substitute teaches off and on, he said he would like to make piano his full-time gig.
“It’s exciting to play because I’m coming on my own terms,” he said. “This is something I'm choosing to do now.”
Edited by Joshua Richards