Airing live from Los Angeles, this years MTV Video Music Awards will be hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on Sept. 12 at 9 p.m.

The Tony Award-winning and Grammy-nominated musical “The Color Purple” will take the stage at John R. Emens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. today. This performance marks the start of this year’s Artist Series, showcasing famous musicals and performances for free for Ball State students.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel written by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, “The Color Purple” tells the story of Celie, who becomes the backbone of her impoverished community by overcoming life’s obstacles and finding her true voice. Set over a 40-year time period in …

A traditional Muslim iftar dinner is being held Friday night at the Christian Campus House to bring together people of both faiths in a cultural experience.

Indiana Public Radio and Gallery 308 will be the hosts for a preview art show today from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will feature art work from well-known local artists, including Ball State alumnus Jim Davis.
“The idea is for people to get a really close look at the artwork so they can see the size and colors in detail,” IPR outreach coordinator Carol Trimmer said.
These one-of-a-kind, framed works of art were donated by 14 artists to help support IPR, which is a noncommercial public radio station. The artwork will …

Over the next few weeks, students will delve into their academic studies. By the time October hits, they may even try to remind themselves why they chose to enroll in college.
That’s when the weekend arrives.
For most Ball State students, the time will come to escape from their academic hardships by going home to visit family and friends or sitting in their residence halls wondering what Ball State’s campus has to offer them. Some may even become bold enough to go on a journey off campus to find something fun to …

The unsolved 2008 murder of Ball State employee Garth Rector will never become a cold case if his family and friends can help it. They are trying to raise awareness for other violent crimes by organizing a concert and memorial walk in his honor.
Garth Fest, an outdoor concert organized by Rector’s family and friends, will take place Sunday at Morrow’s Meadow in Yorktown at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 and will feature local musical talents Cook and Belle, Seth Cook, Remedy, Reminisce Band, and Greg and Heather Rhodes. Carter’s Nearly …

Downtown Muncie has many things to celebrate. The downtown nightlife has expanded considerably in the last few years. The school year is almost over and summer is about to begin. Downtown Development decided this weekend was the perfect time to introduce the first-ever Downtown Pub Crawl for Millions.

Orff wrote “Carmina Burana” in Germany during the 1930s. He wanted to create a musical experience that would represent the basics of the human experience. He used the the ancient concept of the Wheel of Fortune to tell the musical story in a cyclical way. The show begins and ends with the piece “O Fortuna.”

Springfest 2010 will go all weekend starting today at 11 a.m. at the Water Bowl in Muncie. Armogida said this year’s festival is expected to have 3,000 to 5,000 people. The event will feature sets by 47 bands from all across the country on three stages. People of all ages can stop by for a day or camp out through Sunday.

Circle K International will be holding its second annual Riley Benefit Show at Ball State University from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom. There will be seven bands performing, a silent art auction and desserts for $3. All proceeds will benefit Riley Hospital for Children.