Wednesday February 18, 2004 arts.michigandaily.com artseditor@michigandaily.com RTTS 5 By Melissa Runstrom Daily Arts Writer THE HOTTEST PICKS IN ENTERTAINMENT FROM A DAILY ARTS WRITER S Modest Mouse - Even though they seem to have sold their souls to the horror that is minivan commercials, this band's mix of lulling melodies and often calming vocals interspersed with the lead singer's randomly placed, piercing lyrics remains one of the most unique sounds to join the mainstream record industry in recent years. "Lost in Translation" - Bravo to the Academy for recognizing one of the most visually astounding, well-written and well-acted works of the year. Although "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" will inevitably steal its crowning glory, the nomina- tion honors a level of creativity that seemed to be overlooked in recent Oscar history. According to the Uganda Children's Charity Foundation, more than 1.7 million children have lost at least one parent to AIDS in Uganda. The epidemic kills more than 300 people every day in Uganda alone. Though the country is a step ahead of most sub-Saharan African countries, being the first to implement policies and programs to combat HIV and AIDS, life expectancy has fallen to just 42 years. According to UCCF, 30 percent of Uganda's population was diagnosed with HIV in 1993. In 2002, however, the rate dropped to 5 percent. Unfortunately, this number results as much from the cam- paign to curb new infections as The Children it does from the high mortality of Uganda rate of HIV/AIDS in East Thursday at7 p.m. African countries. To provide and Saturday at support for Ugandan children 8 p.m. orphaned by the outbreak, the Tickets $18-$40 UCCF has put together a AtthePowerCenter unique production of East African song and dance. In the "Tour of Light," showing at the Power Cen- ter this weekend, 20 native Ugandans, aged 8 to 18, dance, sing and play a variety of handmade instru- ments from Ugan- da and other East k) Ben Folds Five - While Ben Folds heads to Hill Auditorium, the music buzz on campus surrounds his wavering solo career. Unfor- tunately, his floundering attempts to gain popularity on his own tarnish the beauty that was Ben Folds Five. Songs such as "Magic" and "Stephen's Last Night in Town" perfectly mesh upbeat . tempos, fun lyrics and poetic verse into one kick-ass musi- cal package. . Dave Chappelle --As a white girl from the rural Midwest, I realize 4 w that I am the butt of many Dave Chappelle jokes. Even still, I am in awe of any man who can create a video like the R. Kelly spoof "I wants to pee on you" and convey humor rather than disgust. Dave, you're my hero. Bum-chika-bum-bum ... bum. C~ourtesy or UMS -Aml African nations. The children are chosen from an orphanage where they were trained to dance as a way to keep their her- itage and culture alive. The disas- trous effect AIDS a population threaten important values and through dance and sc ly for entertainment, tional ways to pass st The performance, 52 ethnic groups w reflecting history a "(The children) help ica and Africa," Ale) director and presider "I wouldn't be do think they could cl UCCF provides enor vantaged children it outreach program,i widowed HIV posit five or more children raise $1 million this said that when she fi THE SPIRIT LIVES UGANDAN GROUP PERFORMS TO HELP FIGHT AIDS nd HIV have had on the adult she knew that "if friends in America could see these s to rob future generations of children perform, they would get involved." J customs that are only recorded The UCCF is a registered nongovernment organ- ong. Though performed primari- ization that provides orphans with food, clothing, singing and dancing are tradi- education and shelter. The program even funds the ories on to new generations. education of seven children in America. Through will highlight each of Uganda's the "Tour of Light," children themselves raise vith specific dance and music money for continued support. They dance and sing nd culture from East Africa. in order to increase awareness and aid. Alexis bridge the gap between Amer- Hefley said that they "bring attention to the devas- xis Hefley, the UCCF executive tating effect that AIDS has." nt, commented. UCCF reports that Uganda has the highest pro- ing what I am doing if I didn't portion of AIDS orphans in the world. The organi- hange the world," she added. zation strives to make the situation in Uganda mous opportunity for the disad- better for all of the children. It is through the serves. Through its community power of traditional song and dance that Hefley it educates kids who live with believes the children convey "a message of hope." ive women who are caring for She described the children on tour as being bright n. The organization has a goal to and cheerful despite the hardships they face. She s year for its programs. Hefley added that they "have a lot of talent and enjoy rst got involved with the UCCF what they are doing." "Monk" - I don't think I have ever seen a Tony Shalhoub performance I didn't like. The man is a genius por- traying quirky characters. With the bevy of crime dramas on televi- sion of late, "Monk" provides viewers with a much-needed reprieve from the typical rape/murder prototype that is "Law & Order." Besides, any show that can entice John Tur- turro to guest star has already won my affection. Courtesy or uM Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Couresy of USA 'Makeover' can't build a winner I. By Kevin Hollifleld Daily Arts Writer Take every home redesign show, change nothing except the budget and put a familiar face in charge. This is the formula for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which started as a special but has become a weekly staple. The show takes ABC's "Extreme Makeover" concept to the homestead, As an engineer in the U. S. Air Force, no telling what all but demolish- ing a family's home and reout- fitting it within a week, a job that would normally take three months. The residents are sequestered while there s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Sundays at 8 p.m. ABC Courtesy of ABC a horde of contractors take over the house. Upon their return, viewers watch as they go nuts about the revo- lutionary kitchen gadgets or sob over the shag carpet. Ty Pennington, easily the most attractive and irritating of TLC's M "Trading Spaces" gang, takes the reins with his own crew, a group of mis- matched eccentrics who enjoying argu- ing with each other, generally slowing down the project at hand. These types of conflicts have, at least in part, made this genre so popular. The classic example of the rogue contractor is evident as Preston Sharp, the "Exteriors/Big Ideas" crewmember, The only thing you can nail Is me. takes a chainsaw to the hedges without approval, disagrees with Constance Ramos, the "Building/Planning" mem- ber, about the new look of the house and is threatened with arrest by the foreman upon removing a lamppost from the yard. The pilot featured the Powers family, who originally moved into their Santa Clara house and furnished it with lawn chairs. While his wife and children were away at a Disneyland vacation, Rodney, the father who was serving with the National Guard in Iraq, returned to lend a hand in planning and remodeling the house. At the end of their vacation, the rest of the family comes home to a tear- ful reunion and a dream house. ABC has promised visits from celebrity guests each week. For exam- ple, former Dodgers manager Tommy LaSorda dropped by on the first episode to christen the Whiffle-ball dia- mond in the backyard. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is a continuation of redecoration reality television, only on a larger scale. The trend started with Bob Vila's "This Old House," the home improvement show that handled one project at a time, giv- ing instruction to potential do-it-your- selfers. Now, practicality has taken a backseat to pure entertainment, focus- ing mainly on the crew's confrontations. In the end, the families are presented with homes having so many posh inno- vations, the average remodeling budget could never pay for them, even though viewers are constantly reminded all the products are available at Sears. you'll work on. (Seriously, we can't tell you. I United States Air Force applied technology is years ahead of what you'll touch in the private sector, and as a new engineer you'll likely be involved at the ground level of new and sometimes classified developments. You'll begin leading and managing within this highly respected group from day one. Find out what's waiting behind the scenes for you in the Air Force today. To request more information, call 1-800-423-USAF or log on to airforce.com. Ai