Scene

ARTgenda: February

Looking for something to do off Notre Dame's campus this weekend? This Friday, venture out into downtown South Bend for the city's monthly event, First Friday. All year long, on the first Friday of every month, many of South Bend's art galleries, businesses and restaurants stay open late to showcase art exhibitions and live performances. Various restaurants and stores also have menu and shopping specials.

Stars blend warmth and style at Sundance

Winter is perhaps one of the most difficult times of the year to display one's sense of style. The bitter cold can force South Bend inhabitants into a fashion rut, but one way to combat this season's lack of sartorial appeal is to seek inspiration from stars at Sundance Film Festival. Celebrities most often seen sauntering down the streets of Los Angeles in dresses and light jackets are forced to bundle up for the Park City, Utah, weather.

Avett Brothers

For the folk of heart, dreams came true this weekend when the North Carolinian band the Avett Brothers graced South Bend with a performance. The Avett Brothers landed at the Morris Performing Arts Center on the last leg of their January tour this Saturday and were met with enthusiasm, appreciation and an abundance of plaid.

Cold War Kids

For its first album in about two and a half years, Cold War Kids selected Jacquire King to sit behind the boards as its producer. This choice should tell a little bit about the direction in which the band is presumably headed. King's most recent successes have been the pair of Kings of Leon albums "Only by the Night" and "Come Around Sundown," both of which sported a well-burnished studio sheen complete with "arena-ready" hooks that skyrocketed Kings of Leon into superstardom.

Wanderlust: Introduction to Chicago

Sometimes when I'm in one place for too long, I get a little restless. The world starts to feel like a stalled elevator, and I get a bit claustrophobic. No matter how much I love Notre Dame, sometimes I just need to get away. I know that South Bend's limitless array of exciting weekend activities is undeniable, but really, there are only so many busy, snowy and endlessly gray days I can handle in a row. Also, I get bored of eating at the dining hall.

Style Spotter

Name: Sofia Llompart

Iron and Wine returns with a new sound

"Kiss Each Other Clean" is the fourth studio album by folk rock craftsman Sam Beam, the creative force behind Iron & Wine. After releasing a pair of albums and a few EPs that consisted largely of Beam's acoustic strumming and hushed melodies, he teamed up with numerous other musicians for the politically charged "The Shepherd's Dog," released in 2007.

Avett Brothers on the Road to Success

With smooth North Carolinian accents that melt in your ear like apple butter on a biscuit, it's hard not to fall in love with the Avett Brothers at first sound. Watch their charming interviews and you're toast. This band means business and is out to win the hearts of folk lovers all around.

Hollywood's Disease

Have you ever walked out of a movie theater and thought to yourself, "Was that a sequel? Because I'm pretty sure that I've seen (insert actor's name here) playing the same character before."

Snoop D. O. Double G.

Snoop Dogg certainly kept the Fever crowd waiting Wednesday night, but as soon as he took the stage shortly before 11, the packed house forgave him his tardiness. The generation-spanning rapper, and vocal USC fan, stepped into the limelight wearing an extra-large No. 3 Notre Dame football jersey with a large diamond necklace, and for the next 50 minutes few of the 1,200 in attendance had a care in the world.

Ride the Divide Makes the Grade

"Ride the Divide" chronicles the story of three mountain bikers pedaling their way from Banff, Canada, to the Mexican border. The documentary film, directed by Hunter Weeks and Mike Dion, recently won "Best Adventure Film" at the 2010 Vail Film Festival in Colorado.

Full House Now and Then

In 1987, ABC introduced America to the Tanner family. The story revolved around a recently widowed father trying to raise his three daughters with the help of his two best friends, all under one roof. As the family grew through the years, America did as well with the help of Danny's patented father daughter speeches. Scene takes a look at whether the family has heeded its own advice in this "Where are they now?" special.

Weekend Events Calendar

Thursday (Jan. 27): South Bend Roller Girls' Roller Derby

Culture Tantrum

Welcome to the first installment of a weekly column that will explore the grand facets of culture that pop and fizzle around campus. Last semester, I had the privilege of bringing you three artists who were "under the radar" every week. This year, I have been given free reign to discuss the more savory bits of music, television and movies.

Narnia's journey to the big screen revealed in 'The Lion, the Professor and the Movies'

When "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" debuted in theaters in December 2005, Narnia supporters enthusiastically embraced the faithfulness of the movie to C.S. Lewis's original text. Mark Joseph's newly published book, "The Lion, the Professor and the Movies: Narnia's Journey to the Big Screen," describes the efforts of many individuals to adapt C.S. Lewis's beloved children's series into a multi-million dollar film franchise.

Rom-com with Benefits: Kutcher and Portman spice up 'No Strings Attached'

"No Strings Attached" is a romantic comedy for the new decade.

A New Season for the Decemberists

The Decemberists' sixth album, "The King is Dead," has a lighter, more relaxed sound than the previous five. While it is easier, less somber than its predecessors, it is also tethered in depressing Oregon tales. While fitting for a Portland-based band, it can be a burden next to otherwise uplifting music. However, this latest venture is a Broadway musical when compared to the 12-minute murder ballad from "The Crane Wife" in 2006.

Notre Dame Style Spotter: Winter Weather

Snoop Dogg to Take the Stage at Feve

Better known by his world famous moniker Snoop Dogg, Calvin Broadus will take the stage this Wednesday at Club Fever in South Bend. Snoop Dogg, originally known as Snoop Doggy Dogg before he changed his performance name in 1996, has been rapping and acting for more than 20 years. His 1993 debut album "Doggystyle" featured such hit singles as "Gin and Juice" and "Who Am I (What's My Name)" and has been hailed as a classic of the gangsta rap genre. He is currently touring in support of "Malice n Wonderland," his 10th album, and plans to release another studio effort entitled "Doggumentary" in March of this year.

Notre Dame Royalty?

Salacious gossip surrounds the life of a man who grew up behind the stone walls of a vast manor. A peer of Prince Charles who met the likes of Laurence Olivier as a child, Charles Duff, professor of London Theatre at the University of Notre Dame's London Programme, has spent his life in a whirlwind of royal company and theatrical prominence.