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November 24

Thursday, Dec. 4 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5 p.m. WHERE: The Ellipse, 1600 Constitution Ave. N.W. METRO: Metro Center (red, green and yellow lines) INFO: It ain't Christmas 'til the Bush flicks the switch. See President Bush light the National Christmas Tree.

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News

New artists for cash, not cause

By Jordan Coughenour | November 24

In the eyes of today's politically and socially divided youth, the '60s and '70s were a period of idealistic activism on the part of both the celebrated musical artists and those still struggling in the streets for their craft. People revered composers and performers not only for their talent but also for their ability to make an impact upon the greater society.

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News

'Milk' remakes genre

By Donny T Sheldon | November 24

Gus Van Sant's "Milk," which charts the heartbreaking, yet inspiring life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States, has successfully reinvented the biopic. Over the past five years, Van Sant has been on a morbid, experimental indie kick with the Kurt Cobain reinterpretation "Last Days;" the lost-in-the-snowy-forest, profound albeit pretentious "Gerry" and the minimalist high school shooting story "Elephant.

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News

AU student band rocks D.C. suburbs

By Brittany Horowitz | November 24

Dreams of rock star status might seem like a stretch for some aspiring musicians, but for the band Built for One that fantasy seems a bit more within reach. After winning the first round of Gorilla Productions' Battle of the Bands competition, the five-man band of AU undergrads is heading off to compete in the finals at Jaxx Nightclub in West Springfield, Va.

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News

Smell what Aronofsky's cookin'

By Donny Sheldon | November 24

Darren Aronofsky's latest film, "The Wrestler," has fearlessly dared to explore a realm of storytelling that no other director has in the history of cinema: the professional wrestling industry. "No one's ever done a wrestling picture before," Aronofsky said during an interview with The Eagle.

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News

Heist series' characters fall flat, lack originality

By Michael Conte | November 24

TNT's new series, "Leverage," effectively takes "Ocean's Eleven" and turns it into a series, following five thieves who decide that they work better together than alone. The premise is interesting, the show is suave, and it's pretty good for lighter fare. Their leader, Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton), happened to be an "honest man" in his former life as an insurance agent, until he quit his job because his company wouldn't pay for his son's medical treatments and allowed him to die.

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News

Mannequin's McMahon marvels

By Katrina Casino | November 24

Andrew McMahon is a rock star. You know this because the audience doesn't wait for him to come on stage before they start screaming. For them, the entrance of the artist known as Jack's Mannequin's signature baby grand piano will suffice. The audience was something of an awkward mix, ranging from punk rawk tweens with studded bracelets to their 40-something parents who took them there in a caravan of minivans.

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News

Top Ten Thanksgiving dishes

November 20

With finals approaching and the holidays just around the corner, Thanksgiving has snuck up on us. Forget family, the most important element of Thanksgiving is all the delicious dishes that you didn't have to cook or pay for. The following foods are what The Scene is looking forward to the most on Nov.

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News

Cozy up with affordable comfort food

By Mia Libido | November 20

It is that time of year again. Brisk air, warm blankets, hot cocoa and snuggling followed by turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and Black Friday. I know it well. Not only is it Thanksgiving, but it is also my birthday, my mom's birthday, my grandma's birthday and Christmas.

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News

Franco's star rises with 'Milk'

By Caitlin E Moore | November 20

He's played everything from a stoner drug dealer to a 10th-century lover to a Hollywood icon. He's one of those actors whose name you can't necessarily place but whose face you immediately recognize. James Franco - perhaps best known for his role as Harry Osborn, Peter Parker's best friend in "Spider-Man" - discussed his newest film and his career during a phone interview with The Eagle.

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News

Morality drives RPG quest

By Michael Carusi | November 20

The first "Fable" was a charming game that did not quite live up to its expectations. Lead designer Peter Molyneux promised many more features in the second installment, which lives up to its hype. Even if the morality system has weak spots, "Fable II" an excellent RPG with fun, exciting quests and an epic world.

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News

'Quantum' reveals human in Bond

By Ruben Luong | November 20

Yes, the allure of the beloved Bond, James Bond, may be his smooth skills as an agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service. It may be his jet-setting jaunts as he tracks down vicious villains or his daredevil deeds amid his frequent women-wooing. Yes, Bond is badass - but don't forget, he has feelings, too.

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News

Long-distance love

By Laraine Weschler | November 20

On my friend Emily's 15-minute walk to meet me this morning, five men confessed their love and one proposed marriage. I was not surprised. Relationships are hard enough without the cultural and language barriers one encounters living in another country. Over two years abroad in three different countries, I've had my fair share of awkward, frustrating and liberating experiences.

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News

Calendar

November 20

Thursday, Nov. 20 "Vanitas: Nicholas and Sheila Pye" Noon-6 p.m. WHERE: Curator's Office, 1515 14th St. N.W. METRO: Dupont Circle (red line) INFO: Experience the transience of life and love, before, well, you know. This husband and wife duo takes genre painting to the next level with this video installation, closing Thursday at the most intimidating gallery in the city.

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News

Oscar outcasts: classics-to-be

By Jordan Coughenour | November 17

Much like the scrawny, bespectacled nerd that you and your punk buddies perpetually used as a lunch money-ATM throughout elementary school, movies have a way of eventually coming back to haunt you. The monotonous biopic you couldn't take seriously after watching "Walk Hard" ends up sweeping the Oscars and becoming the film of the year.

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News

Hit films, indies vie for Oscar bid

By Donny T Sheldon and Caitlin Moore | November 17

In a year in which roles ranged from ex-professional wrestlers and 1950s suburban couples to gay rights activists and the iconic Joker, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences certainly has a broad range of choices for the 2009 Oscars. If the "No Country for Old Men" sweep at the 2008 awards is any indication, the Academy is definitely encountering a powerful shift of taste.

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News

Ladyhawke solo falls flat

November 17

Von Iva "Girls On Film" (Von Iva Music) Sounds Like: Disco rock 'n' roll meets girl group soul Von Iva hit the San Francisco music scene in 2004, dabbling in the developing local genre, a hybrid of funk, disco and electro-pop. More than just another girl band, the trio combines lead singer Jillian Iva's soulful vocals with the aggressive accompaniment of her bandmates, Rebecca Kupersmith (keyboards) and Kelly Harris (drums), to form a genre of their own.

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