British Sea Power sets sail

British Sea Power has always been drawn to innovation. In the British band’s eight-year existence, it has sought venues and studios that few would consider suitable for the recording and performance of music. Its music has resounded through slate mines and 19th-century water towers.

The unusual suspects

Break out the leather jacket, let your hair down, and prepare for some serious head-banging, fist pumping and moshing. The Black Dahlia Murder is coming to town and is determined to “spread the gospel of metal.” Metalheads rejoice.

The language of art

(Web Exclusive) Usually you’re not allowed to touch art, let alone take it home for free. Bob Hartzell breaks museum rules. He doesn’t want to alienate the art from viewers; he wants the art to become a part of the community.

Taking on Tarbell

MU professor Steve Weinberg mentions that he’s not yet working on a new book. He says teaching this fall will delay the start of any new projects. Weinberg just spent the past 10 years pouring his energy into his seventh book, Taking on the Trust: The Epic Battle of Ida Tarbell and John D. Rockefeller. During this time, he also completed his eighth book, A Journalism of Humanity: A Candid History of the World’s First Journalism School. But his current favorite, Taking on the Trust, is attracting attention from national book critics.

Buying democracy

Have you found yourself wearing extra-dark sunglasses lately so you don’t have to look petitioners directly in the eyes? I’ve found it helps prevent pestering.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good:

COLOSSAL CALAMARI Scientists in New Zealand defrosted a rare colossal squid found near Antarctica last year. The squid, which was accidentally captured in a trawler’s net, was kept in an enormous frozen box. Colossal squids have eyes more than a foot in diameter and tentacles thicker than human limbs. The two-day defrosting process was broadcast on the Internet via a webcast. Seafood fans everywhere salivated.

Cashing in on signatures

The streets are packed. Clipboards piled high. Pens ready. Curses prepared. The days of friendly activism might be gone. Or perhaps there are just too many people battling for signatures on Columbia’s sidewalks.

Olympic Drama

To protest or not to protest is a big question for this summer’s Beijing Olympics. President Bush recently said of the controversy surrounding the games: “I don’t view the Olympics as a political event. I view it as a sporting event.” Sorry, prez, it’s getting political. And for the 61 MU journalism students who will work as reporting interns at China’s coming out party, this year’s Olympics might be a lesson in more than just sports journalism.

Event of the Week: Freedom Riders

Don’t be surprised if you’re walking down Broadway this Friday and you see maroon blurs whiz past amid chants of “One world, one voice, free Tibet.”

Streetside Chatter: Money for Nothin'

Higher than the rainbow

Jon Stewart has a pressing question: “You ever see the back of a $20 bill ... on weed? Oh, there’s some crazy s—, man. There’s a dude in the bushes. Has he got a gun? I dunno! RED TEAM GO, RED TEAM GO.” This quote from Half Baked conveys how an altered mind-set can inject a cinematic flavor that everybody experiences differently.

Animation variations

This summer, before he returns to wipe the smirk off the Joker’s face in the sure-to-be blockbuster The Dark Knight, Batman is turning Japanese. Batman: Gotham Knight, out July 8, depicts the caped crusader’s adventures between Batman Begins and the upcoming sequel. The direct-to-DVD anthology of six short films is the character’s first foray in Japanese animation, or anime. Movie and anime message boards across the Internet are buzzing with a level of anticipation that rivals that of its theatrical successor.

Stepping out with the stars

Gliding under the chandeliers and across the spacious practice room at Twilight Dance Studio, Ashley Mayer guides Frank Sovich. Sovich, co-owner of Marathon Office Interiors, is one of 10 Dancing with Missouri Stars contestants. As Mayer observes her student, she patiently articulates every movement while watching the dance in the mirror-covered wall. “Quick, quick, slow, slow,” she says in a flowing sequence of spins, dips and footwork. Every step mastered brings the students a step closer to their final performance as they salsa their way to this year’s competition.

Take Two: Deception

(Web Exclusive) Like other thrillers, Deception is filled with twists and turns designed to surprise the audience. Unfortunately, not one of them is actually misleading. The plot revelations are as transparent as the fact that Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman were working for a paycheck on this film — unless it was the multiple sex scenes that drew them in.

Take Two: Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

(Web Exclusive) Comedy lovers all over have been awaiting the triumphant return of Harold and Kumar since their adventure to White Castle in 2004. Unfortunately, their return isn’t as graceful as anticipated. Escape from Guantanamo Bay is a movie that can be bust-a-gut hilarious, but after five minutes, your jaw will drop from the absurd and offensive humor.

The stars come out to play

(Web Exclusive) Dancing with Missouri Stars contestants know more now than they ever thought they would about ballroom dancing. With the fundraiser approaching, they’ve discussed everything from costumes to contestant perks. Read their thoughts on the experience.

The Gift Guide

Summer gift-giving season is upon us. Buying presents doesn’t have to be stressful. Vox has devised a list of the most creative gear to satisfy your loved ones.