Mellencamp to play Buskirk-Chumley\nJohn Mellencamp is scheduled to perform at a live, nationally televised concert from Bloomington Nov. 11. The program, "Live By Request" on the A&E cable network, will feature Mellencamp and his band performing songs at Bloomington's Buskirk-Chumley Theater.\nMellencamp, who lives just outside Bloomington, recently released a greatest hits album. Viewers will be able to request songs by phone and over the Internet. The show will air from 9 to 11 p.m. EST. It is not yet known whether tickets will be available to the general public, said Danielle McClelland, director of the theater.\n"We're thrilled to be doing it," she said. "This has been the product of two or three months of negotiations to find dates that would work with John's schedule and the production company from A&E."
Bloomington to crown favorite drag queen \nBullwinkle's will crown Miss Gay Bloomington Friday night in its annual drag competition. Local drag personality Vicki St. James will host the event, which will feature performances by 2002's Miss Gay America Sabrina White and several former Miss Gay Bloomingtons. Contestants will be judged on their costumes, performances and interviews. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the competition begins at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Kappa Komedy Show brings BET performer\nThe Legend of Laughter: Komedy Show featuring BET's Michael Blackson will take place at 8 p.m. tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Blackson, a.k.a. Guana's favorite son, is a popular comedian who is featured regularly on BET's "Comic View" series and also appeared in Ice Cube's film "Next Friday." He is known for having pride in the "Motherland Africa" and shows it by appearing in a dashiki for every show. Prior to Blackson's stand up, there will be a "Last Comic Standing" comedy competition. Only three contestants will be able to compete, and the winner will go on to host the event immediately following the show. For more information or if you are interested in competing, e-mail jeramorr@indiana.edu. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets are on sale now at the Sunrise Box Office, located next to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Group to sing with shapes Saturday\nNotes shaped like triangles, circles, squares and diamonds will come to life Saturday during an all-day singing event at the Bloomington Friends Meeting House, located at 3820 Moores Pike. In this traditional form of music, each shape represents a different note. "Fa" is a triangle; "so" is a circle; "la" is a square; and "mi" is a diamond. Shape note singing allows people who don't know how to read music to sight sing. The Bloomington Shape Note Singers will use the "Sacred Harp" as their songbook from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The group encourages the public to attend the event and sing with them, as well as participate in a potluck dinner.
