The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Dandy Warhols’ new album under new label not so dandy

By ROBERT HILSON | Aug. 27, 2008

In terms of sheer size, the only thing larger than "…Earth to the Dandy Warhols…" is Courtney Taylor-Taylor's massive ego. It would be irresponsible to credit the growth of said persona to past experience this kind of megalomania you're born with but those once-coveted Seth Cohen playlist adds and the exposure in 1960s revivalist doc Dig! couldn't have helped matters. Having since mistaken Sundance for the Academy and obscurity for fame, Taylor and his Dandy band shed the limitations of their modest guitar rock orientation, and with this latest paralysis-inducing, hour-plus space jam, permanently shoot to hell any lingering pop flirtations in favor of misfired trance drones, none of which will be featured in a K-Swiss commercial. "Earth" is the kind of brazen kiss off you'd expect from a man with two last names.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Shape up for fall fashion, and toss the shapeless shirts

By REGINA STUZIN | Aug. 27, 2008

Ah, back to school. Remember the days when going back to school meant buying a whole new wardrobe? Returning for another academic year was the perfect reason to go shopping and your perfect excuse for spending money. "It's for school next year" seemed to be one of the few replies that parents actually accepted. In college, it's like no one even cares.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

“Hamlet 2”: A B movie or not a B movie?

By DAVID STUZIN | Aug. 27, 2008

While watching "Hamlet 2," you may be bombarded by a number of questions that seem important. "Who is Steve Coogan?" you might find yourself thinking. "How did a barrage of misfits in Tucson magically learn to act and sing?" and "Why is the funniest joke about Elizabeth Shue, an actress who has been a blip on the blockbuster radar since the late 1990s?" Though these questions may seem minor, they'll consistently make you question the validity and overall merit of the movie at large.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Orchestra regroups after summer tour

Aug. 27, 2008

Their venue burned down in Boone, N.C., They played to a crowd of more than 100. They played to a crowd of less than 10. They were greeted by a shotgun-wielding man in the mountains while attempting to find another venue, a house party thrown by people on house arrest.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local music scene provides excuse to get out of the dorm

By ROBERT HILSON | Aug. 17, 2008

A blustery force of innate headwinds faces every incoming freshman at UF, and that's before you count the crappy weather. For starters, there's the budget deficit strangling the liberal arts program (hope you're good at engineering!) and, for those who get hosed by the lottery system, the impossibility of scoring football tickets without selling a kidney. These challenges may seem daunting but manageable with determination and a spare organ.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Hipp offers avant-garde movies, musicals and plays

By Allison Griner | Aug. 17, 2008

Need something different to do on a Saturday night? The Hippodrome State Theatre is the whole package.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Enjoy quality, ambience at favorite Gainesville eateries

By MARGARITA DELAPAZ | Aug. 17, 2008

Whether you're new to Gainesville or just looking for a new place to eat, Gainesville has a ton of local eats to check out this semester. Make the most of your time here and uncover these Gainesville gems that will give you the best food for your buck.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Look beyond taboos about masturbation

By KIRA PARSE | Aug. 17, 2008

I was having lunch with a friend who is involved in public health, and I decided to get her input on safe sex.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Gainesville clubs feature indie, country, hip-hop and more

By SHAW PATTON | Aug. 17, 2008

Thousands of students are drawn to the streets of downtown and midtown Gainesville every night. They come in droves, staggering out of the student ghetto, fumbling their way from the dorms and cruising out from the various apartment complexes that litter this college town.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

With a little effort, neighbors can become friends

By ALYSSA LETTMAN | Aug. 17, 2008

Dorm room living can be a huge adjustment for many students.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Fashion Attractions: Gainesville boutiques will satisfy shoppers

By BAILEY PARKE | Aug. 17, 2008

For shop-a-holics who like to scour their local shopping mecca for the latest fashion trends, Gainesville has an excellent variety of small boutiques and shops that should satisfy anyone sick of trudging through The Oaks Mall.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Embrace your inner bookworm with this reading list

By JESSICA METZGER | Aug. 17, 2008

Looking for something entertaining to read during your downtime? Here is a book list that can revive your reading agenda for the fall.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Avoid these freshman fashion pitfalls

By STEPHANIE GRANADA | Aug. 17, 2008

Fresh meat.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Maintain style and cash with thrifty shopping

By STEPHANIE GRANADA | Aug. 6, 2008

I want to tell you a secret.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Reznor extends hand that feeds with new album release

By ROBERT HILSON | Aug. 6, 2008

Feeling the pinch yet? Getting squeezed at the pump? Gouged at the grocery store? Not to worry. While Congress waffles over another round of stimulus checks and Sen. John McCain whets the collective petroleum appetite by dangling a gas tax holiday just out of reach of this nation's penny-pinching fingertips, Nine Inch Nails is actually offering a whiff of wallet-sparing practicality.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Lollapalooza ‘08: Music and mayhem in the windy city

By JACK BENGE . Avenue Contributing Writer | Aug. 6, 2008

"We're from Oakland, Calif., but we love Chicago," was the sentiment echoed by Zach Rogue after his band, Rogue Wave, ended their first song for Lollapalooza 2008. As tens of thousands descended upon Grant Park, it was hard to imagine anyone disagreeing with the statement. Lines were long and seat-saving situations grew tense, even downright nasty as the Chicago sun began to set. But these moments couldn't ruin the eventful and eclectic weekend of music.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Kind of a big deal: Local agent creates two–day music festival

By BAILEY PARKE | Aug. 6, 2008

Pat Lavery has done it all. He has played a prominent role in Gainesville's music scene since the late '90s, working his way up from going to shows and meeting bands to working at a local radio station to starting his own booking agency called Glory Days Booking.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

‘Swing Vote’ fails to win over audience with hazy plot

By Allison Griner | Aug. 6, 2008

Just in time for our own election season, "Swing Vote" enters theaters and, like most politicians, tries hard to reflect the thoughts and feelings of the average American.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Codependency doesn’t make couples cute

By KIRA PARSE | Aug. 6, 2008

As part of the follow-up to my first article, I thought I would continue to talk about codependency because if you have full love for yourself, you won't be codependent.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local band proves Kansas kin no ‘wayward son’

By COLLEEN PETTIT | Aug. 4, 2008

Being the son of a famous band member has its perks.