THU 5/19
Here's a prescription for disaster: It's 8:30 in the morning, and you're late for work. You're done with breakfast but still have to shave, brush your teeth, and phone in to tell your boss about having "car trouble." Attempting all three things at once, you succeed in cutting yourself, getting shaving cream in your mouth, and -- worst of all -- letting your boss hear what's really going on. Such is modern life, and it's captured perfectly in Paul Carnegie's Mr. Busy -- one of the many standout works included in the "31st Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit" at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (1799 SE 17th St. Cswy., Fort Lauderdale).
The 168-piece show is the largest in the school's history and includes everything from computer animation and special effects to photography and fashion design. While Carnegie's piece won Best in Show, it had some heavy competition from Garret Christensen's Smoking (third place), the wrinkly bust of what appears to be a 100-year-old man, lips wrapped happily around a cigarette; Jose Garcia's penciled portrait of Eminem (honorable mention); and Khym Turner's second-place piece, titled (take a deep breath) Infused Performance Is to Let Substantiated Things Give a Formulation That Seems Diminished. Um, what were we talking about? Oh, yeah -- the exhibit runs through May 30. Call 954-463-3000. -- Jason Budjinski
Raga Dolls
Salvation through song
SUN 5/22
When a bus accident killed Metallica's original bass player, Cliff Burton, the remaining members stuck to their guns -- er, guitars -- as testament to the healing power of music. And it's as true for long-haired American rockers as it is for classical Indian musicians. Take, for instance, Swarnalatha, the classical vocalist in the film Morning Raga. After losing her son and a friend in a bus accident, Swarnalatha feels guilty for having survived and gives up on music. But her dead friend's musician son persuades Swarnalatha to get back in the groove, accompanying him with his musical projects. It's sort of like Metallica but with shorter hair. Screenings take place at 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday at Cinema Paradiso (503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-525-FILM. -- Jason Budjinski
