When you hear the name David Hasselhoff, what comes to mind? A hot, drunken mess, eating a cheeseburger off of a filthy kitchen floor? Thought so. Now, take a 6,000-mile journey across the Atlantic to Austria, where Hasselhoff, or "The Hoff," is not only a well-recognized television and movie star, he's a platinum selling recording artist with three number one albums, countless hit singles and legends of fans.

Sonoma State welcomed The California Association for Music Education for the Jazz Band Festival at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center on Friday, Jan. 27. The music education students were responsible for putting together all the facets of the festival.

It is no surprise that Meryl Streep won a Golden Globe for her portrayal as the first female British Prime Minister in the film, "The Iron Lady." Through her character, she exposes Margaret Thatcher as suffering from psychosis. Most noteworthy is the clever subtext of the film displaying Thatcher's relationship with her deceased soulmate.

SOPA, or Stop Online Piracy Act, is a bill introduced into The House on Oct. 26, 2011. It ignited a debate throughout the Internet about intellectual property and the overall future of the cyberspace landscape. During the course of the controversy, companies have come out both in support and opposition for the bill.

If the quality of a production is directly related to the talent and dedication of its cast and crew, there are definite high hopes for the upcoming Sonoma State musical, "Oklahoma!" which debuts Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7:30. The show, which originally debuted on Broadway on March 31, 1943, was immensely popular and ran for an unheard of 2,112 performances.

There's a huge gap between what constitutes art versus entertainment. They really don't even go hand-in-hand anymore. Artistry is derived from creativity and a thorough understanding surrounding the usage of a particular medium. Art has the capabilities of transcending generations by inciting change or introducing a new style or idea created through personal revelations and experience.

Coming back to school after a leisurely vacation is probably the least exciting time of the year. But instead of barricading yourself in the dorms for the duration of this raining season, check out a few events offered throughout the next few weeks. ASP and The Scene Presents: "The Norman Magic Experience" Sonoma State introduces renowned magician Norman Ng for a night of stunts, illusions and pure entertainment for "The Norman Magic Experience.

To create staying power, a band or artist has to touch on a style that has yet to have been discovered. Some music entities become popular, sans actual originality and talent, but their fame is often short-lived. It's the hype and trend that lifts them into super-stardom, not their talent, so their mark fails to stand as ever lasting.

Imagine waking up to text from a friend along the lines of, "You got posted on TheDirty.com. Someone is saying you slept with the entire Bengals football team," and though you know the claims are false naturally, mortification is the first emotion to rush in.

"The Sitter" is just another over-the-top comedy chalked-full of suspense and slapstick comedy. The film is typical form for comedian Jonah Hill, but in the best possible way. The unlikely events come one after another, back to back. Jonah Hill, who plays the character Noah, is a riot in this film.

When looking through the graphic novel section of most bookstore, one will most likely find themselves drowned in mangas, or Japanese comics. However, just as comics shouldn't be automatically pushed to the wayside as merely "for kids," American cartoonists shouldn't be marginalized over their more popular Japanese counterpart.

Open on a black stage with nothing but a large volcano on a black table. Thirty seconds later erupts super mega molten hot lava and the speaker begins. On Dec. 8-10, the department of theatre arts and dance put on the third annual "Super Mega Molten Hot Lava.

The late Jaco Pastorius was not only a jazz bassist with an Indian/hippie style, but also an arrogant genius. SSU Jazz Concert Ensembles celebrated what would have been his 60th birthday last Thursday with a warm musical tribute, which filled seats at the Warren auditorium.

Whoa na na, what's her name? Rihanna has done it again. This world-renowned artist has released another successful album, titled "Talk that Talk," and each song is destined to be a hit. Her latest single, "We Found Love," is the perfect dance song, likely to be found in clubs everywhere by New Year's.

Clint Eastwood provides a deep look into the life of J. Edgar Hoover, who during his time was one of the most powerful men in the country. While Leonardo DiCaprio gives a great performance as the infamously intimidating Hoover, Eastwood uses the film to expose us to a more vulnerable side of the FBI director.

The art of dance is a creative, dedicated and passionate experience. The most difficult job of a dancer is to take strength and emotion, and turn it into beauty through movement. On Dec. 1, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance opened their curtains to the "Fall Dance Concert 2011.

Ever thought an album was truly out of this world? Sure, maybe nowadays you would use a phrase like "kick ass" or "awesome," but unfortunately, none of these descriptions can be used to illustrate the alternative/ punk pop group Angels and Airwaves' new album, "Love II.

Apparently, free pizza and promises of laugh-out-loud comedy is the way to draw in a large pack of Seawolves. This past Thursday, the Pub was packed as ASP hosted a free pizza and comedy night for students. The house was full for comedian Marc Yaffee and his guest comic.

Since 2007, the notorious Kardashian family has flooded the media with their wild and extreme personalities on and off the air. It is safe to say that fans everywhere are hooked on the anticipation of what big scandal they might commit next.  Star of the family, Kim Kardashian, earned her fame in 2007 through her sex tape with R&B singer Ray J and has been in the public eye ever since.

From the time she was 6-years old, drawing animals and building houses for her cats out of cardboard boxes, Jenny Harp knew that art was her passion, but she did not always know it was her future. The 26-year-old is now a member of the Sonoma State bachelor of fine arts program.

Journalists sometimes lead tricky lives. Despite popular beliefs, they do not just produce articles and respect deadlines. Paul Kemp's journey laid out in "The Rum Diary" gets the straight to the boozy point. Based on Hunter Stockton Thompson's eponymous bestseller, the story takes place in the 1960s under the hot sunrays of Puerto Rico.

William Shakespeare's original play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is an enthralling tale of love, conflict and magic. On Thursday, Nov. 3, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance performed their opening show of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with nothing but poise and pure talent.

The Decemberists create a new genre of alternative music, presenting a funky folk-pop album titled, "Long Live The King." This is not your typical sound for a Decemberist album, but it could still enjoyable for any fan, only because anyone who enjoys listening to singer Colin Meloy belt his unparalleled lyrics will enjoy it regardless of the content.

The quiet expanse of the Sonoma State Art Gallery allows the art on the walls to fill the room with loud thoughts of supreme creative expression. As of Nov. 3, a new exhibition, housed in the gallery located in the art building on campus by the lakes, is drawing curious onlookers.

There is something extraordinary about getting lost within a work of art, as it has the ability to say so much about life with each individual stroke. On Thursday, Nov. 3, the University Art Gallery at Sonoma State will open their doors for their latest art exhibition, "Absence/Presence: Contemporary Abstraction.

Do you have the time? In a world where time is literally money, there is no such thing as spare time, unless you are filthy rich. The film, "In Time," directed by Andrew Niccol, is an intriguingly suspenseful tale. A young vigilante chooses to follow in his father's footsteps and steal time.