The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Experiment with daring nail polish shades this season

By EMILIE WILLIAMS | July 16, 2008

Week after week, you have heard me preach about bold colors for summer, and this season's nail shades are no different. Think of the colors you would use to highlight bold terms in your textbook. For those of you who like to keep the bright colors on your toes only, you are in luck, because white nail polishes are also in for summer.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Rain or shine, look divine with these weatherproof tips

By EMILIE WILLIAMS | July 9, 2008

Summer B is officially under way and unfortunately, so are the afternoon thunderstorms.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Intimacy issues can make or break bonds

By ANNIE ANTHONY | July 9, 2008

College is where many people find their sexuality. But what if a couple decides to have a relationship without sex? Can it be done?

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Indie–spensable music: Nonprofit site links bands and fans

By BAILEY PARKE | July 9, 2008

Falling asleep during a concert seems nearly impossible.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Pixar’s latest blockbuster “Wall–E” makes disaster fun

By Allison Griner | July 9, 2008

Self-aware robots rebelling are the stuff of science fiction horror. However, Pixar succeeds at making that the subject of its latest family film, "WALL-E."

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

‘Burnouts in love’ go it alone on new Silver Jews album

By ROBERT HILSON | July 9, 2008

David Berman, you've got to hide your love away.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Go bold with accessories

By EMILIE WILLIAMS | July 2, 2008

Think pink, do blue, be seen in green and say hello to yellow. This summer's shoes and purses are all about vibrant colors.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Experimental Noise:Action Research blends music and mayhem

By SHAW PATTON | July 2, 2008

All rules are out the window when it comes to experimental music. Primal screams, scratchy dialogue, looping riffs and ambient echoes are just some of the sounds at a typical Action Research show.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Rigler’s latest novel sure to please avid Jane Austen fans

By BRIANA O’SULLIVAN | July 2, 2008

If the early 90s sci-fi show "Quantum Leap" and PBS's "Masterpiece Theatre" had a passionate affair, "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler would be their love child.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Solve woes with words

By ANNIE ANTHONY | July 2, 2008

Relationships can drive you mad.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

"Get Smart" goes dull

By Allison Griner | July 2, 2008

The tuxedos, guns and gadgets are back. "Get Smart," a big-screen adaptation of the 1960s show parodying the spy genre, indulges in every James Bond and Pink Panther stereotype to create an enjoyable spoof.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Hippies score on debut

By ROBERT HILSON | July 2, 2008

Fleet Foxes isn't your father's Seattle band. The five-piece Puget pioneers avoid flannel, regularly bathe and - here's the real departure - seem genuinely happy to be alive. These guys have aesthetic taste, favoring 16th century cover artwork over naked babies (Nirvana) and mangy farm animals (Pearl Jam). Of greater importance, the group's brand of Brian Wilson-flavored folk lullaby makes more noise in blogs than in stadiums, a telltale sign that they are out of place and time.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Bonnaroo 2008: Attendees endured show delays, hot weather and rain showers

By LAURA NOVETZKE | June 18, 2008

One after another, cars poured out of the Wal-Mart parking lot in the quaint town of Manchester, Tenn. Thursday morning.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Top picks for fresh summer scents

By TINA WOLFAND | June 18, 2008

Summer is definitely the time of year to be flirtier, especially when it comes to fragrances. I've done some research at Sephora and concocted a list of this summer's must-have scents for guys and girls.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

R.E.M. deliver impressive show, prove they can still rock

By ROBERT HILSON | June 18, 2008

"We are young despite the years we are concern/ We are hope despite the times." So sings Michael Stipe on R.E.M.'s classic "These Days," the band's statement of purpose and a tune that had been rattling in my head a full week prior to an early summer gig at the University of California, Berkeley campus. The song rocks, no questions asked, but it's also slightly cringe-inducing, should you picture it played by three middle-aged hipsters - one frumpy (Peter Buck), one bald (Stipe) and one timelessly nerdy (Mike Mills). It also begs the question, are these guys full of it? Twenty years on, are once-ballsy claims now as hollow as one of Buck's signature Rickenbackers? In short, does R.E.M. still matter?

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Avenue review: The Early Twenties

By SHAW PATTON | June 18, 2008

While you may not run into Soulja Boy on campus, critiquing local musicians can be risky. In the attempt to discover local music and at the suggestion of a fellow writer, below is a local band review.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Music for the Masses: Local musician created own record label, will travel on Warped Tour

By BAILEY PARKE | June 18, 2008

Joe Loffredo leads a double life. By day, he sports a button-down shirt tucked into khaki slacks. By night, he dons a bandana and high-top sneakers.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

“The Incredible Hulk” fails to continue Marvel’s success

By JESSICA METZGER | June 18, 2008

"The Incredible Hulk" is an incredible disappointment. I had such high hopes for this remake after Marvel Studios' success with "Iron Man" and the film's reported box office numbers. True, this version is better than the 2003 "Hulk" but this film is still not up to par with what you would expect from a superhero movie.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

‘Zohan’ delivers stylish, silly humor

By JESSICA METZGER | June 11, 2008

Don't mess with the Sandman. Adam Sandler has done it again with his combination of ridiculous characters, raunchy humor and crazy fight sequences that help make his new flick, "Don't Mess With the Zohan," gut-bustingly funny.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Battling for bike safety: Band, organization work to keep cyclists safe

By BAILEY PARKE | June 11, 2008

James Brown was pacing back and forth nervously waiting for the second call. It was late in the evening on May 5, 2007. He had just finished playing a show in Miami with his band, Battle!, of Gainesville. He was hoping she would be OK.