3/17 - Current

march 2017| FREE

MUSIC | ART | CULTURE

E U S S I S ’ WOMEN Conducting Business Washtenaw Women Entrepreneurs, page 8

Screening Innovation Ann Arbor Film Festival celebrates 55, page 14

2017 READERS’ CHOICE

BEST OF

WASHTENAW

VOTE NOW

P5

Slow Motion The album that put her on the map, page 22

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contents

March 2017 vol. 27/no. 03

Innovators 6 Highlighting the talented local women who own businesses

AAFF55 12

The film fest celebrates 55 years of Ann Arbor goodness

By Jeff Milo

18 food:Jamaican Jerk Pit Caribbean spices in Michigan

By Shir Avinadav

17 activism Cultivate Coffee & Tap House gets political

by Cole Bednarski

28 art: new vision UM Gallery gets a makeover

by Louis W. Meldman

23 theater:Spring Theater New plays are sprouting up

by Sandor Slomovits

33 person of interest Student wins MLK award

by Cole Bednarski

35 cannabis Higher State Medicinals owner waxes nostalgic

By Jacq Lantz

37 astrology 38 crossword

ecurrent.com / march 2017   3

Adams Street Publishing Co.  Get your Hibachi on! Sozo Japanese Grill, a fast-casual, Hibachi-style restaurant serving traditional Japanese fare, is now open in the JC Penney wing of Briarwood Mall.  Poke, poke. Ann Arbor Acupuncture, on Packard between Stone School Rd. and East Stadium Blvd., now offers free services during bi-monthly open houses.  Westside Ann Arbor’s Juicy Kitchen is under new ownership. Plans of “new menu items featuring plant based foods, green smoothies, elixirs and healthy treats and will begin hosting regular evening events like dinners with live music. We also plan to bring back prepared meals to go,” according to the website.  Divine doughnuts delivered. Ann Arbor’s famed Washtenaw Dairy is piloting a new doughnut delivery service 9 pm-2 am Fridays and Saturdays. So… you should probably memorize that phone number now (734-662-3244).  Tequila for days. Ann Arbor’s Sabor Latino is now Agave Tequila Bar. Get a taste of scratch cooking with a Latin flair,” as described by the website and a sip or two of a “huge” selection of tequilas.

Women Winemakers of the World

In honor of Women’s History Month Logan will be celebrating women winemakers of the world.

Throughout the month our sommelier Kevin will be selecting amazing wines, all produced by women.

Wines will be featured in our daily wine flights, bottle and glass list.

How do you beat the winter blues?

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) Escape to the South!

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) a hot tub soak

Editorial

Assignment Editor: Cole Bednarski (annarboreditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Hug a Bear Swani Swanigan (sswanigan@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Popcorn, Pure Flix and a shot of pineapple juice Editorial intern: Jacqueline Bull (jbull@adamsstreetpublishing.com) compile calendar entries Contributing Writers: Sandor Slomovits, Louis Meldman, Jeff Milo, Rob Brezsny, Heidi Philpsen, Sandor Slomovits, Tami Sackett, Ken Wachsberger, Nan Bauer, Vic Tanny, Adam Theisen

Digital Media

Saul Jacobs (saul@adamsstreetpublishing.com) play hockey

Art/Production

Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) audio books Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Sleep Designer: Anita Tipton (prodintern@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A Caribbean Beach!

Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Blanket + Couch + Movies

Advertising Sales Catherine Bohr (a2sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Netflix binges Sales Coordinator Jen Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com dreamin’ of my Harley

Administration Available throughout the month of March

Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) chocolate cures everything

Women Winemakers Dinner Five-course tasting menu, paired with five wines made by women Tasting menu $70 Wine flight $50

© 2017 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved.

3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Phone (734) 668-4044, Fax (734) 668-0555.

First class subscriptions $30 a year. Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring communities.

Also publishers of:

115 W Washington St. • Ann Arbor, MI 734.327.2312 • logan-restaurant.com

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Please send ballots to: Current 3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

BEST OF

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Rules: Submit only ONE ballot per person. • You must vote on a minimum of 20 items. • Ballots that do not meet these requirements will be DISQUALIFIED. • No ballot stuffing! • No photocopies! • Vote only for businesses, organization, groups, or people operating in Washtenaw County. • Ballots must be postmarked or received via email by April 20.

Dining & drinking

Greenhouse/Garden Store:

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Italian:

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Place To Throw A Party:

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Pregame Hangeout:

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LGBTQ Bar:

Architectural Salvage:

ecurrent.com / march 2017 5

Looking Good, Feeling Good

Vote online

Haircut:

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Massage Therapy: Day Spa: Skincare: Yoga: Fitness Center: Trainer: Cool Eyewear: Tanning:

Local Color Local Non Profit: Best Charity: Public Servant:

Nail Salon:

Suburban Downtown:

Students Late Night Grub: Delivery Food:

Animal Event:

Cool Pros

Student Hangout:

Real Estate Agent:

Place To Study:

Bank/Credit Union:

Celebrate 21st Bday:

Professor:

Music & Entertainment Street Musician: New Artist/Band: Local Album: DJ/Electronica: Folk/Country: Hip-hop:

Lawyer: Optometrist: Dentist: Doctor: Plastic Surgeon: Veterinarian: Travel Agent: Alternative Health Care: Chiropractor:

Jazz/Blues:

Budtender:

Rock: Open Mic: Live Music Venue: Dance Club:

Art/Theater Best Art Gallery:

Pick-up Bar: Best Cocktail Bar: Karaoke: Bowling Alley:

Museum: Live Theatre: Theatre Troupe: Dance Company: Movie Theater: Artist: Place to Buy Local Art:

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green corner

Home grown

Many want their own vegetable garden, but may be stumped on where to begin. Kitchen Gardening with Master Gardener Carol Brodbeck demystifies home growing. Learn the basics of vegetable gardening: planning the garden, preparing the soil, planting seeds/seedlings, fertilizing, mulching, watering, and controlling pests. Get down in the dirt for health, sustainability, fun or all of the above. —JB

Sunday, March 5. 2pm. Ypsilanti District LibraryWhittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd. 734-482-4110 ypsilibrary.org Free

fyi UMMA offers free membership Anyone can now become a member at The University of Michigan Museum of Art by simply joining online. Registration is simple and members receive benefits such as a 20 percent discount at the UMMA gift shop, invitations to exclusive events, complimentary admission to 63 participating museums and free subscription to the UMMA calendar and magazine. - CB

For more information, visit: http://umma.umich.edu/membership

Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com ecurrent.com / march 2017 7

feature

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Dori Edwards Bloom City Club Founder and Chief Consulting Officer 423 Miller Ave, Ann Arbor bloomcityclub.com | 734-585-0621

Describe your business and why it is unique.

Driven by an excitement for the medicinal cannabis movement, Bloom City Club created a provisioning center that represents the highest standards of the industry; the gold or ‘Ayurvanna’ standard of high grade, pesticide-free, craft/small batch, natural cannabis. Most significantly, they designed a place with patients and people in mind.

Owning a business requires passion and dedication.

What inspires you?

The truth inspires me the most. We have been systematically lied to about the efficacy and safety of cannabis. Now with so much scientific evidence backing up what most “hippies” have known for decades, I want everyone to know the truth so they can decide for themselves what is best for their bodies and their health.

What is the biggest barrier you’ve faced in your career as a woman? The cannabis industry tends to be

much like the rest of the United States and its good ol boy mentality. I’ve had both caregivers and other dispensary owners treat me like I shouldn’t be doing what I’m doing and discourage me. Little do they know that only inspires me to work harder.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of the

women and men I employ. They brighten my day as well as our patients’ day. Bloom hasn’t lost one employee since we opened our doors. We have a fair and fun work environment with lots of incentives and bonuses. I love the fact that I help feed so many families! And I also love that my employees are happy. We encourage our employees to think beyond their current position, dream big and we offer lots of personal and professional development to help them reach those goals.

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Jessica Spilos Jessica’s Skin & Body Apothecary Owner 301 N. Fifth Ave. jessicasapothecary.com | 734-545-4303

Describe your business and why it is unique.

We offer skin treatments that are always customized using high quality products including organic skin care and inhouse made body products. Our spa upholds a standard of no animal testing, no synthetic fragrance, no artificial colorants, no parabens, propylene glycol, or sodium laurel sulphate.

Owning a business requires passion and dedication. What inspires you? The Estheticians

that work at the Apothecary, including myself, thrive on understanding the biochemistry of skin care ingredients (how products interact with the skin cells). Personally, I have also developed a lifelong passion for Aromatherapy and the benefit of Essential Oils and Hydrosols on the skin and for our well being.

What is the biggest barrier you’ve faced in your career as a woman? Being underestimated in

the commitment to my business and the potential for growth and expansion.

What is one surprising fact about you? I used

to live in a tipi (Athens, GA... I was 20)

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Ann Farnham

What is biggest barrier you’ve faced in your career as a woman?

Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop Executive Director 2280 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor a2ptothriftshop.org | 734-996-9155

Being judged and/or underestimated.

What are you most proud of?

The teams of staff and volunteers that I’ve worked with over the years supporting our nonprofit’s mission.

Describe your business and why it is unique.

We are an independent local nonprofit resale shop based in Ann Arbor supporting The Ann Arbor Public Schools, its PTOs and students.

Owning a business requires passion and dedication. What inspires you?

I’m a believer in our mission and a passionate supporter of Ann Arbor Public Schools. My own kids have gone through AAPS both starting from kindergarten. As new immigrants to the US, our Pittsfield Elementary School community became a second, almost surrogate, family for us in the fall of 2001. This continued into our middle school years at Scarlett, building life-long friendships and connections.

What is one surprising fact about you?

I usually cut my hair myself. I have for over 20 years. But maybe that’s not so surprising...

What stereotype about feminine weakness do you think is actually a point of power?

Sensitivity. I believe it allows us to see more complex dimensions of people/situations, as well as to better communicate and problem-solve.

Continued on pg. 10

Laurie Gross Gross Electric President 2232 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor grosselectric.com | 734-665-8676

Describe your business and why it is unique.

Distributor of Electrical Supplies, Decorative & Commercial Lighting.

We are the oldest independent, family owned lighting store in the area. This is our company’s 107th year in business, and our Ann Arbor store’s 50th anniversary.

We are hiring!

Please send resumes to

marybcmassage@gmail.com

What is the biggest barrier you’ve faced in your career as a woman? People who don’t think I know what I’m

talking about because the electrical industry is primarily men & they assume a woman doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

What is one surprising fact about you?

I love cars: fast and sporty. I used to work on my own car.

What piece of advice do you have for women interested in owning their own business?

Go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. It’s a lot of work, but very rewarding!

ecurrent.com / march 2017 9

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Grace Adams Body Conscious Massage Therapy Owner and founder, LMT, BCTMB 2201 Medford Rd, Ann Arbor bodyconsciousmassagetherapy.com | 734-929-5930

Describe your business and why it is unique.

We are a team of highly trained and experienced massage therapists who focus on pain management massage, not just deep relaxation (although we do that too!) We network with doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and many other medical professionals as well as many athletes, coaches and trainers to try and help people truly live pain and stress free lives.

What stereotype about feminine weakness do you think is actually a point of power?

An Ann Arbor Original since 1977

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The idea that having an unrealistic standard for things is something that is often stereotyped in women in the workplace. It is often looked upon as creating more work with little/no pay off. I would argue that all the little things in business are what come together to make up the big picture. When you consciously and intentionally control those little things, you can paint a much clearer, and in my opinion, more attractive picture.

What piece of advice do you have for women interested in owning their own business?

My advice for women interested in owning their own business is simple: Write out your vision, figure out a game plan, and work hard at it every single day. Know that at first, you might be the only one who believes in your vision, and that is ok. If you work hard every day, you will find people who will see it and start to share in your vision, and eventually, will want to be part of it. And what comes next, my friend, is truly magical…

Welcome Spring in Style!

303 Detroit St., Ann Arbor

(In the Marketplace Bldg Across from Argiero’s)

734.995.4222 | collectedworksannarbor.com

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Dina Sheldon A2 Yoga Owner 2030 Commerce Blvd. a2yoga.net | 734-216-4006

Describe your business and why it is unique.

A2 Yoga is unique because although it is a for profit studio, we offer donation based community classes that raise over $5000 yearly helping other non-profits. As a sister duo that run the studio, together we teach with some of Washtenaw County’s best yoga instructors offering over 36 weekly classes and 4 community classes. Ana Patricia founded the studio over 13 yrs ago and I (Dina Sheldon) came on board in 2013.

/NE OF &ODORaS "EST 5 3 &LEA -ARKETS

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of our teachers for rallying around the studio when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It helped our students see that even in the face of a difficult illness, our studio was standing strong. I was especially proud of my yogi sister, Ana, for stepping in when I wasn’t able to be around as much.

What stereotype about feminine weakness do you think is actually a point of power?

Subtleness. Women can be very subtle in seeing things and remembering things. This is actually a point of power because yoga itself isn’t about the “go-go-go power through it�. It’s about working into the deeper realms within yourself. As a teacher, gently and subtly we walk around the room and notice the nuances of individual students and personality. It is with words or subtle adjustments/ modifications that we can assist our students back on the yoga path, both on and off the mat.

What do you believe will be the biggest challenge for the next generation of women?

Recognizing that we don’t have to create change with forceful action. I liken it to the concepts or 3 Tattvas of Yin Yoga. 1) Find your edge - That is find your cause or intention.

2) Resolve to remain still - That is, resolve to ‘subtly’ work to create change. 3) Resolve to do this over a period of time - That is, don’t give up because someone says it can’t be done or it takes longer than you thought it would. Yin is the feminine side. I hope more of us ladies can tap into that side of us, knowingly aware of the feminine.

4REASURE -ART Established 1960

%VERYTHING ON #ONSIGNMENT

www.treasuremart.com 529 Detroit Street • Ann Arbor 734-662-1363 • Office 734-662-9887 ecurrent.com / march 2017   11

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Irene Patalan Collected Works Owner 303 Detroit St #107, Ann Arbor collectedworksannarbor.com | 734-995-4222

vote us If you love us,Studio” “Best Yoga aw! in Washten

Describe your business and why it is unique.

Workshops

March 18, 5-7pm ~ Spring Equinox Partner Yoga (No yoga experience necessary) Check the website for more information!

2030 Commerce Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 a2yoga.net | 734-216-4006

Monday 9:15 – 10:30 AM 9:30 – 10:45 AM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 7:15 – 8:15 PM 7:30 - 8:45 PM Tuesday 9:15 - 10:30 AM 9:30 - 10:30 AM 10:45 - 12:00 PM 11:00 - 12:00 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM Wednesday 9:15 - 10:30 AM 9:30 - 10:30 AM 10:45 - 11:45 AM 11:00 - 12:00 PM 12:00 - 1:00 PM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 7:30 - 8:30 PM 7:30 - 8:45 PM Thursday 9: 15 - 10:30 AM 9:15 - 10:30 AM 6:15 - 7:15 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM Friday 9:15 - 10:30 AM 9:30 - 10:45 AM 12:00 - 1:00 PM 5:30 - 6:30 PM Saturday 8:00 - 9:15AM 9:15 - 10:30 AM 11:00 - 12:15 PM Sunday 9:00 - 10:15 AM 9:15 - 10:15 AM 10:30 - 11:30 AM 10:30 - 11:45 AM 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Classes Vinyasa II Gentle Yoga & Meditation Heart-Centered Hatha Yoga Gentle/Restorative Yoga Vinyasa Classes Vinyasa Hatha (All Levels) Gentle Flow Yoga FREE Community Yoga: Onã Flow Vinyasa (DW) * NIA Hatha Flow Vinyasa Pre-natal Yoga: Mommy Time Classes Heart - Centered Hatha Yoga Vinyasa: PrAna Vinyasa Inspired (All Levels) Yoga Fundamentals/Beginning Yoga NIA Power Hour: Hatha Flow Vinyasa: Movement Flow Ashtanga: Primary Series I/Fundamentals Hatha Flow Hatha: YIN Inspired & Meditation (Beginners welcome) Classes Gentle Yoga & Meditation Vinyasa: Classical Yoga (Preferably no beginners) Vinyasa: Movement Flow Vinyasa Classes Vinyasa Pre-natal Yoga: Mommy Time Power Hour: PrAna Vinyasa Inspired FREE Community Yoga: Onã Flow Vinyasa (DW) * Classes FREE Community Yoga: Ashtanga Primary Series (DW) * Vinyasa I & II Hatha: Traditional Yoga (All Levels) Classes Heart - Centered Hatha Yoga Hatha: Yoga Foundations (Great for beginners) NIA Pre-natal Yoga: Mommy Time FREE Community NIA: NIA (DW) *

Teacher Sandra Dina Carter Natasha Carter Teacher Rachel P. Carter Sarah Ana Megan S. Colleen Wendy Lisa T. Teacher Carter Ana Ouafa Ana Marty Natasha Wendy Sarah Dina Teacher Dina Samantha Lisa Wu Jo Teacher Wendy Lisa T. Sarah Ana Teacher Self Lead Rachel P. Natasha Teacher Dina Carrie Megan S. Dina Ana

* Donations Welcome: CommUNITY Class

NEW students $20/7 Days Unlimited Trial Pass (Washtenaw County residents, starts 1st class visit & must fill-out W² Form)

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Collected Works, in the Marketplace Building in the Kerrytown Neighborhood, is a women’s clothing boutique. We have always been on the look-out for the unusual.

We look for gorgeous fabrics in easy to wear, but beautifully styled apparel. We are so proud to work primarily with small American designers. Our business is celebrating 40 years this year! We are proud of this and honored that our community has supported Collected Works for these many years.

Owning a business requires passion and dedication. What inspires you? I am inspired by

life and living it as an art form. Life is short. Why not look fabulous! I encourage my customers to take the time and celebrate the day.

What is the biggest barrier you’ve faced in your career as a woman? Juggling family and

raising children, while running a business, is always a challenge. Extended family helped along the way and I am grateful for this. When they were young, my kids slept at my feet behind the counter! The crib was in the basement at our first major location. I would nurse my daughter, sitting on the porch of the store, while ordering jewelry. You make it work and have fun.

What piece of advice do you have for women interested in owning their own business? My advice to women who want to go into business is: Yes! Go for it! You can do it. Don’t overthink it, but do be prepared.

Watch your costs.

MARCH 2016

| FREE

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54th ann arbor FILM FESTIVAL

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ecurrent.com / march 2017 13

film

A “reel” take on Ann Arbor Film Fest Current’s Q&A with Executive Director Leslie Raymond

by Heidi Philipsen As a filmmaker - and former freelance film journalist - film festivals and films are my thing. “Obsession” is an understatement. To prove it, I have two film degrees, multiple short films, magazine articles, professional and union organizations memberships and an upcoming debut feature film.

So when Current gave me the chance to have a nice, long chat with Ann Arbor Film Festival Executive Director Leslie Raymond and discuss her take on the best of the best in this year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival (March 21-26), I nearly fell off my seat.

The AAFF’s lore is GLOBAL - yes, I meant to capitalize it - which is no small feat for being one of nearly 4,000 film festivals (and counting) around the world. AAFF remains, as it was from its genesis, ahead of its time and the place to be if you want see the best of the best in experimental and avant-garde cinema.

So read up on all that is to come for this year’s AAFF and garner a glimpse at the special programs, artists and films you won’t want to miss from the perspective of its committed and impassioned Executive Director, Leslie Raymond.

AAFF is known for being experimental. How do you make that accessible for general audiences who have not yet had that cinematic experience?

Leslie: I like to describe [going to our

film festival] as a situation where you think you’re walking into a room, where you expect everyone to speak English, but instead everyone is speaking Chinese. So you’re like “Whoa! I thought everyone would be speaking the same language and I don’t understand anybody.” But you know

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what happens when you go to a foreign country and you don’t speak the language?

You actually can communicate way more than you would think. There are so many other ways to communicate besides words.

Instead of thinking of it as going to the movie theater, pretend that you are going to the art museum. And the kind of work that we show, so much of it has so much affinity with art; whether you see a painting on the wall or whether an abstract painting, modern painting, or something classical, the people who are making the things we show are primarily artists and the kinds of things that we show are springing from, primarily, the fine arts and the museum.

It sounds as though people come prepared to be introduced to new visual forms that they would not see in commercial movie theaters.

I wouldn’t say that people coming through the door necessarily know that, but that’s been my mission to educate and excite them about such cinema. So come with an open mind because the potential rewards are really quite great. I try to encourage people to not think you need to have studied “Experimental Film” or even have seen it before, but to open yourself to it like you do a painting on the wall: You see, you can think about, and have your own ideas – and a conversation about it. It’s almost as much a mirror on your own state of being, as it is an expression of something that the artist made.

This year’s festival is committed to the idea of “Solace, Freedom and Togetherness,” could you expound upon that theme?

We show films that you won’t ever see anything like, really, anywhere else. The kinds of films we show are a premiere showcase for this type of work. It’s not like you can go to the Michigan Theater on another day and see something like it – you just really can’t. And I think that we are showing so many perspectives, so many different types of stories, so many types of ways and means of telling stories that have a very broad variety and diversity of voices.

And so, the other part that comes together with this is the dialogue that you can have while coming together. The potential for the diversity of the experience of watching, each individual film festivalgoer may experience something similar, but also something very different. That space that’s provided for people to talk to each other just becomes that much more rich.

Let’s talk about AAFF and its relationship with the Ann Arbor Community.

The origin of the film festival is the 1960s

by Founder George Manupelli. Obviously, the University of Michigan goes way back way before that, but just looking back to the origins of the festival and the whole cultural milieu of the counter-culture movement people finding new ways to come together that were more communal, and finding new modes of expression and cross-disciplinary collaboration coming out of that same time.

I mean, the Ann Arbor Film Festival was woven from the fabric of that moment and we still feel and practice the roots of our origins.

What’s different for 2017 Staying relevant to its audience

By Shir Avinadav

In its 55th year, The Ann Arbor Film Festival is a paragon for experimental and artbased cinema. In addition to exhibiting thought-provoking, avant-garde films, rarely encountered elsewhere, the festival showcases new approaches to moving image art including innovative screenings, art installations and live performances.

Engaging with diverse audiences

Current’s How To Guide for the 55th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival

Katie McGowan, The Film Festival’s Associate Director of Programs, says this year “visitors can expect a more diverse program,” featuring more multicultural groups with artists and programmers from all over the world in an effort to engage audiences that haven’t connected with the festival previously.

Among new voices is The New Negress Film Society, consciousness-raising art that creates a community of black women filmmakers. Two Society members will screen works by African-American women artists.

Asian representation will take the form of Ellen Zweig’s curation of Video Bureau: Works From an Archive of Chinese Video Art, a live benshi performance (a Japanese artform that accompanies live theater) by Ichiro Kataoki along with A Page of Madness (Teinosuka Kinugasa, 1926), and several other presentations.

By Heidi Philipsen

Changing with the times

The What: The Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF, or A2FF) is the longest running independent and experimental film festival in North America, Internationally recognized as a premier forum for film as an art form, the AAFF receives more than 3,000 submissions annually from over 70 countries and serves as one of a handful of Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the United States. The AAFF is a pioneer of the traveling film festival tour, which each year visits more than 35 theaters, universities, museums and art house cinemas around the world.

The festival, from its inception, has existed in the present and on the cutting edge

Live works, such as Kataoki’s, reflect the festival’s interest with art that takes place off the screen, including a series of auxiliary projects entitled Off The Screen!

McGowan hopes to engage new audiences with the festival, stating that, “This year, we’re trying to inject more fun and levity into the program.”

Andrew Rosinski, founder of DINCA, will feature “fresh video work from today’s young internet and post-internet artists, performative video makers and new media pranksters,” setting the stage for the festival’s exploration of the changing consumption of video art over time.

100 Years of Dada: Dada in Dialogue with the Present, a short film program curated

by John Canciani and Aline Juchler of the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, will examine newer works screening in response to the original Dada films, accentuating the Festival’s keen interest in self-reflexivity and the way experimental cinema is made.

Now in its 55th year, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is as independent and feisty as ever— an eclectic program celebrating global experimental film and a renewed commitment to diversity and community in the avant-garde cinematic experience.

Current brings you the Who, When, What, Where and How to make the most of this year’s Festival, beating strong in the heart of Ann Arbor.

Returning to its core values

The Where: Held at the historic Michigan Theatre and surrounding venues and restaurants along State Street and Liberty Street, the AAFF is a nearly week-long festival of all things artistic, experimental and avant-garde film.

In addition to exhibiting over one-hundred new films in juried competition programs each year, the AAFF presents filmmaker retrospectives, gallery installations, panel discussions, historic and thematic surveys and contemporary artist programs.

Art imitates life

The How: Excited to plan for this year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival, but not sure where to start?

The good news is that, thanks to all of the volunteer screeners dedicated to excellence, the AAFF has whittled those 3,000 some-odd films down to a more palatable number for programming. All you need to do is get your tickets, get ready, show up—and be ready to take in this year’s amazing array of top experimental and avant-garde films from around the world.

Screeners for feature films look for works that take a cerebral approach to storytelling.

Each film undergoes three rounds of viewing scored by two volunteer screeners — a recent revision to the screening process that reimagines the “open forum” that Festival founder George Manupelli originally utilized.

A member of the Festival community, University of Michigan Screen Arts and Cultures Professor and filmmaker, Terri Sarris, credits the festival with her pursuit of creating and teaching film and media. “The festival is known for screening films that ‘live’ primarily outside the mainstream: exhilarating and puzzling films that experiment with both form and content,” Sarris says.

“The festival, from its inception, has existed in the present and on the cutting edge,” says McGowan.

According to Festival Executive Director Leslie Raymond, audiences will “find support and solace” in the festival’s direct communication and expression of stories and experiments. Screenings encourage dialogue among audience members in response to the inventive storytelling that lends itself to the experimental genre.

The Festival plays a role in the larger world of experimental cinema, manifesting political poignancy well beyond Ann Arbor.

March 21-26, 2017 Tickets can be ordered online and are $7-$10; Festival passes are $85-$100 aafilmfest.org

And go to: aafilmfest.org to be dazzled by the overwhelming programming choices. ecurrent.com / march 2017 15

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activism

A NEW Social justice spoken, heard CHOICE IN DIAMONDS How one community organization is lending to the purpose

By Cole Bednarski

With political tensions seemingly higher every day, residents of Washtenaw County are beginning to see public organizations and businesses alike voice both concern and intention looking toward what will undoubtedly be an impassioned American future.

Cultivate Coffee & Tap House,

Ypsilanti’s non-profit beer garden and community stomping ground, is joining the list - taking a stand for social justice and providing a space for the unheard voices of the Southeast Michigan creative spectrum.

This will be done with a month-long calendar the duration of March, inviting local musicians, poets, print artists, photographers, among other contributors to the venue for an equally diverse spread of event content.

“Cultivate has been and will always be about investing in people,” Director Ryan Wallace said. “Cultivate believes that no person or business is neutral, but that we are all either contributing positively or negatively at all times in our community… This recognition causes us to do the difficult work of not just talking, but responding in action.

This series is not ‘The Answer’ or ‘The Final Word’ it’s just one way that one organization is trying to respond; to hold space, to give voice...so that we can be challenged, so that we can grow, and so that we can help build a better city, one that is more equitable.”

For more information and full calendar, check out: cultivateypsi.org/equitablecity

• Friday, March 3, 6-9 pm

“Equal, If You Say So”

The students of Lynne Settles’ art class at Ypsilanti Community High School are creating work to call attention to the social inequalities they see in the world today.

Helping them are Rhea McCauley, activist and niece of Rosa Parks, and Nick Azzaro, the YCS photographer. The topics range from immigration in the United States to women’s rights in Africa, media bias to mass incarceration. They’re translating their messages into illustrations, painting, photographs, sculptures and more for display at Cultivate.

• Monday, March 13, 6-11 pm

LAB GROWN SUPERIOR QUALITY EXCEPTIONAL VALUE BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

OUR DIAMONDS GUARANTEED CONFLICT FREE ECO-FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE CERTIFIED & LASER-INSCRIBED PURE & RARE TOTALLY ETHICAL

Hunger Advocacy Card Writing & Coloring Party

Cultivate’s monthly coloring party takes on an important conversation for March.

The night will be dedicated to urging policymakers to prioritize poverty relief strategies specific to hunger. Cultivate will provide all supplies to write cards to your regional and national leaders on cards designed by local artists. There will be opportunities to learn about the policies that are actively being discussed that will impact the lives of hungry people.

• March 12-18 TED Talks

Join Cultivate this week as they bring in various city leaders and community voices to share their expertise and opinions on topics that are important to the community.

These people have given their lives to building the community in a positive way. You won’t want to miss what they have to say.

• March 19-25

734.761.8120 215 S. MAIN ANN ARBOR MI. 48104 www.urbanjeweler.com

Community Roundtable

Join us for multiple engaging discussions from people who are trying to live out the change we wish to see in our city. They’ll share both their successes and failures and we will have the opportunity to ask questions and dialogue with them.

ecurrent.com / march 2017 17

food Small place, mighty flavor A taste of the Jamaican Jerk Pit

By Shir Avinadav

Despite the blaring welcome, the affable waitstaff and a smattering of customers tucked away at booths and tables harkens a modest repast.

The food matches the uniqueness of the lively setting, with a variety of Caribbean-inspired dishes. Though small in size, the restaurant packs immense flavor with numerous options from which to choose.

What we eat at The Pit

BRING ON THE NEXT ROUND

The fried plantains; tender and cooked to a perfect crisp, provide a satisfying crunch with a slightly tangy hint of sweetness.

Another popular dish, the jerk chicken, is a combination of white and dark meat seasoned with caribbean spices, bathed in a delicious sauce and paired with sauteed vegetables.

And for the adventurous at heart; the curried goat. Simmered with potatoes and carrots for hours, this dish is as tender as it is flavorful.

Both the chicken and goat can be ordered as an indulgent combination meal for two. Patrons are offered the chance to select a spice level, ranging from minimal to extreme heat. The medium, though not very spicy, offers a nice kick that underscores the piquant flavors.

As a side, be sure to try the coco bread — a fluffy, massive bun reminiscent of Hawaiian bread, tinged with sweetness. It’s perfect for sopping up every last bit of flavorful sauce.

Top it all off with a slice of dense coconut cake. Rich in coconut flavor, the sticky, sweet cake is layered with perfectly stiff frosting.

Jamaican Jerk Pit 314 S. Thayer St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (734) - 585 - 5278, www.jamaicanjerkpit.com

Carrying on a true Irish Tradition

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Ann Arbor’s only Irish pub

By M.F. DiBella March 17 commemorates St. Patrick, a fine chap by seemingly all accounts, the Patron Saint of Ireland. Caroline Kaganov, general manager of Conor O’Neill’s for 17 years, and a native Dubliner, explains St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland as a “holy day of obligation. We go to the parade and maybe out for one pint.” In the States, once the calendar flips to March, anyone who ever drank a Guinness or listened to House Of Pain starts going brogue.

Per Caroline, Ireland welcomes all, which is why everyone is Irish (some, authentically) on St. Patty’s Day. This year will be filled with the usual carousing and while Conor’s serves corned beef and cabbage year-round, there are specific St. Patty’s Day protocols to uphold.

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Conor’s offers St. Practice Day on March 11, opening at 10am with Irish music from noon-2am. On March 12, there’s Shamrocks & Shenanigans: a 5-K run with all proceeds going to Mott Children’s Hospital’s Save-A-Heart program. The pub opens at 7am on 3/17, with Irish music throughout the week. march

2017 / ecurrent.com

Feed your inner kid The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum cordially invites all adults to let their inner child out to play for a night.

Take over the museum at A Pint

at the Museum: #Flashback Friday (throwback outfits are highly

encouraged). There will be beer from Ypsi Alehouse, wine from Vinology, grilled cheese from Cheese Street, gourmet hot dogs from Ray’s Red Hots and cookies from Insomnia Cookies.

Explore the museum, play with slime and check out virtual reality and enjoy local eats. —JB

BREWER’S NOTES

Adult-only event. Friday, March 10. 6:30pm. $25-$30. Ann Arbor HandsOn Museum, 220 E. Ann St. 734.995.5439. aahom.org.

Ongoing Wine Night Wednesdays

4pm. Evans Street Station. evansstreetstation.com Free

Try out some new wines. There are half priced bottles of wine. Unfinished bottles can be corked and taken home.

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market 7am. Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market-Kerrytown. a2gov.org Free

It may be getting colder, but this farmer’s market is open year-round.

Tuesdays and Saturdays

Saline Farmer’s Market Sat: 8am. Tue: 3pm. Saline District Library. cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket Free

Saline’s market is open year-round.

1 wednesday Chocolate Bow Class

5:30pm. $35. The Baker’s Nook. thebakersnook.com

Learn how to make a present bow out of chocolate; it’s much faster and not as difficult as the traditional fondant bow. Each person will leave with a finished bow. All supplies are provided.

Hop Focused Beer Tasting 7pm. ABC. arborbrewing.com

ABC’s tribute to hoppy beers and high IBUs. They will present 15 hoppy brews of ABC’s invention and others.

2 thursday Happy Hour Fundraiser 5pm. $35-$45.The Session Room.

The Session Room is serving up a variety of beer samples, Tito’s specialty cocktails, and wine pairings with appetizers. This fundraising dinner benefits One More Moment for late stage cancer warriors. There will also be prizes and giveaways.

7 tuesday Mastering the French Mother Sauces 7pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org Free

Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, this unexpected dry-hopped lager gets its light, citrusy twist from Tettnang Wandarina hops.

MALT HOPS ALC

PILSNER HALLERTAU HERKULES, HALLERTAU MITTLEFRU, TETTNANG MANDARINA

5.5%

IBUs

40

INTRODUCED

Spring 2017

Most sauces stem from basic recipes and techniques. There are five French “Mother Sauces” and this class discusses how to make them.

10 friday Date Night: Surf & Turf 6pm. $50. Fustinis. fustinis.com

Chef Andy is preparing a menu to prove opposites attract. Learn a little about cooking and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Enjoy smoked whitefish benedict, lobster with orange wasabi aioli, beef tenderloin with beer sauce, lump crab and ground sirloin burger, deconstructed oysters rockefeller and lemon cake with warm berry compote.

11 saturday First & Second Process Kombucha Brewing Workshop 10am. $60. Stone Coop Farm, Brighton. stonecoopfarm.com

Learn how to do the first and second fermentation process with live hands-on demonstration, food to sample and plenty of Q&A time.

Registration required.

3-D Purse Cake Class

11am. $50. The Baker’s Nook. thebakersnook.com

Walk away with a beautiful purse made out of a 8’’ round cake. Learn a smooth quilting technique for icing. All supplies are provided.

13 monday Cocktail Class: Pink Drinks that Don’t Suck

7:30pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com

Pink drinks don’t have to be overly sweet or only for women. This class will tackle a wide range of drinks with a diverse array of flavors.

The class will offer history, stories and technique instruction.

Cont’d on p20 ecurrent.com / march 2017 19

Cont’d from p19

14 tuesday Wine Dinner: Michigan Wines

7pm. $45. Downtown Main Martini Bar & Grille.

A five course dinner paired with Michigan’s finest wines. Reservations required.

15 Wednesday Fondant Covered Cake Class

5:30pm. $50. The Baker’s Nook. thebakersnook.com

Master the basics of covering a cake in rolled fondant. Learn the base icing technique, rolling out the fondant and covering the cake.

All supplies are provided.

17 friday Microbrewery St. Patrick’s Day Party 11am. ABC-Microbrewery. arborbrewing.com Free

The microbrewery is celebrating St. Patrick’s day with special brunch and regular menu items. The party will be accompanied with live music by Emerging Soul.

20 monday 2017 Local Food Summit

9am. $40-$50. EMU Student Center. localfoodsummit.org

Attendees will participate in one of six tracks: Racism and Access to Land and Capital, Farm to Institution, Market Development, Farm Worker and Labor Justice, Current Environmental Issues, and Food Justice. Cost of attendance includes breakfast and lunch.

22 wednesday American Comfort Food 6pm. $50. Fustinis. fustinis.com

Watch and learn to create American comfort foods for the spring days that are not quite warm enough. Enjoy corned beef hash, poached eggs, beef stroganoff, chicken pot pie, lasagna bolognese, and pineapple upside down cake.

23 thursday

Kiss Me, I’m Irish

Fresh and Healthy Mexican

Call Dr. Suess, there is about to be lots of green food. They are putting together green food and wine pairings to celebrate the holiday.

Hands-on instruction with lime-marinated grilled shrimp, creamy black beans, shredded chicken sopes with tomatillo sauce, avocado, jicama and orange salad and a pineapple-lime sorbet.

5pm. Joyful Treats Community Development. facebook.com/JoyfulTreatsCDC

St Pat’s at The Session Room

12pm. The Session Room. sessionrooma2.com

Get a taste of Irish magic with slow roasted corned beef and cabbage with all of the traditional fixings. They are also serving a corned beef slider. Get a full belly and head out to The Beer Garden for traditional beer games.

18 saturday The First Roadhouse Special Brunch: A Taste of Ireland 9:30am. $50. Zingerman’s Roadhouse. zingermansroadhouse.com

Zingerman’s is known for their special dinners; enter their first ever special brunch.

This culinary experience will explore highlights of Irish cuisine: boxty with smoked salmon, dublin coddler and irish oats.

19 sunday St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 9am. Northside Grill. northsidegrill.com

To cap off a St. Patty’s weekend, Northside Grill is hosting some irish offerings. They will serve McCann’s oatmeal buttermilk pancakes, a leprechaun omelette, and the complete Irish breakfast an ulster fry.

6:30pm. $70. Sur La Table. surlatable.com

25 saturday New British Cuisine

6pm. $60. Fustinis. fustinis.com

Get hands-on with some british cuisine. Chef Andy is showing the secrets of sugar snap pea soup, pan roasted scallops, welsh rarebit, lamb with herb crust and a deconstructed trifle.

Bell’s Brewery Feature 20 Beers on Tap 6pm. One Under Craft Beer & Eats, Livonia.

Find Bell’s Brewery Feature 20 Beers on Tap event on Facbook.

A rare chance for a huge array of option of Bell’s beers. There will be 20 Bell’s Beers on tap.

27 monday Cocktail Class: Brandy is Dandy

7:30pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com

Learn about spirits made from grain like brandy and cognac, pisco and applejack. Try them out and mix up some cocktails with them. The class will offer history, stories and technique instruction.

28 tuesday Phat Abbot Belgian Tripel Feature Hour 6pm. ABC-Microbrewery. arborbrewing.com

Try out Arbor Brewing’s very own brew, Tripel.

29 wednesday Sugar Egg Class Searchable lists updated daily at

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5:30pm. $35. The Baker’s Nook. thebakersnook.com

Make an easter or spring treat. The Baker’s Nook has made the shells to teach how to mold and carve out a sugar egg. All supplies are provided.

music

Members of Irish punk band Ghost City Searchlight relax (from left): Sian Miller, Tommy Couper, Dave Brandt, Joe Sleep and

Rick Dempsey

Irish-Powered Punk Folk Rock A beer and a whiskey with Ann Arbor’s Ghost City Searchlight

By Tim Malik

It’s always cool to see an Irish influenced band rocking out on St. Patrick’s Day. Ghost City Searchlight raises a little hell and sticks some mud in your eye not just on March 17, but throughout the year.

Current spoke with members Tommy Couper (guitar and vocals), Sian Miller (vocals and crashing things), Joe Sleep (bass), Dave Brandt (guitar and banjo), and Rick Dempsey (drums) about their brand of storytelling music and the Ann Arbor music scene.

Not your mama’s folk music

When people think of punk rock, a vision of ripping guitars filled with distortion and machine gun paced drums comes to mind.

When people think of folk music, they think of melodic acoustic guitars and poetry-like lyrics. Tune down the distortion, change the poetry into narrative lyrics, and keep the energy high (maybe toss back a beer or a shot of whiskey), and you get a feel for Ghost City Searchlight. “We have a lot of punk influences. The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, and Bad Religion are some of our favorite bands.” said Couper. Some of the songs are fast, some are slower, and depending on the song and the night of the performance, the song might be a different speed, but the energy remains high.

Pirate Band and Ghost Lights

“I always liked the ghost light shining down on stage after the bands finished playing. That’s where our name came from.” said Couper. Dave Brandt and Tommy Couper, both aspiring musicians, saw an ad on Craigslist for a pirate themed band. Along with Joe Sleep, they formed a band called the “Stone Crazy Pirates”.

The band even dressed the part— as pirates. “We wanted to start another band with punk and Celtic music.” said Brandt.

With the addition of Miller and Dempsey, Ghost City Searchlight was formed. In the spirit of pirates and bandits, Ghost City Searchlight tells Current that one of their favorite tunes is “Grave Robin Hood”. A snippet of the lyrics are: “He robs from the rich to the poor after the rich are already dead.”

“Lots of fun in our songs!” said Miller.

The Ann Arbor Music Scene and favorite places to play

“There are a lot of cool bands and a lot of folk music in Ann Arbor. We’ve met so many great folk bands.” said Couper. Crazy Wisdom Tea Room is one of the band’s favorite places to play.

“We do a lot of story songs, and Crazy Wisdom Tea Room has a neat vibe.” said Miller. Another one of the band’s favorite venues is the Wolverine State Brewing Company. “We’re a nighttime band; they’re always good to us!” Couper exclaims. “We’re dedicated to playing live music. It would be cool to see more music venues in Ann Arbor”. Ghost City Searchlight has played across Michigan and Ohio. “Putting on a tour is on the horizon,” said Couper.

St. Patrick’s Gig at the Session Room

If Whiskey is your favorite drink, come raise a glass at the Session Room (3685 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor) on March 17, with Ghost City Searchlight. They’ll be playing their hearts out. “You should come see us live for the ridiculous fun we’re having!” said Miller.

For more contact information, check out their facebook page and their website at www.ghostcitysearchlight.com

ecurrent.com / march 2017 21

Photo credit: Zak Bratto

music Stef Chura Local songwriter speeds things up in 2017, “Slow Motion” to SXSW & beyond

By Jeff Milo

S

tef Chura’s been based in Detroit for five years, now, but she got her start in Ypsilanti. The singer/songwriter released her debut LP Messes (on Urinal Cake Records) at the end of January, capping off an exciting year that saw her opening shows for Car Seat Headrest and SAD13’s Sadie Dupuis (also of Speedy Ortiz). Things took off last Spring when indie-tastemakers Pitchfork propped the single, “Slow Motion.”

The album itself has a roil of feedback fringing every corner, with an energizing guitar interweaving its frenetic riffs with Chura’s own singular voice, a cathartic trill coiling in to indelible melodies. Messes came together over a year of spread out sessions at Jim Roll’s studio in Ann Arbor, produced with Fred Thomas (of Saturday Looks Good To Me). These 11 songs started coming together in the summer of 2014, when Chura started collaborating with the band’s current drummer Ryan Clancy.

From Alpena to Ypsi

Chura grew up up in Alpena. While the music scene up there may not be as active as Ypsi’s, Chura nevertheless learned to play guitar at an early age, wrote some songs, and played in a couple bands in high school. When a friend offered a place to live in Ypsilanti in the late 2000’s, she made the move.

One of the first acquaintances Chura made was musician Amber Fellows (of Rebel Kind), who would wind up accompanying Chura’s guitar/ vocals on the xylophone for She just finished her first couple shows around a February tour Ypsilanti, which included with Priests, and Totally Awesome Fest 2009.

“I started with a job at the this month she Ypsilanti Food Co-Op, where scored her first I met (Fellows), and she was really the door-opener official spot at for everyone that I met at sxsw.

Dreamland Theater, and Pat Elkins, Jim Cherewick, Shelley Salant.”

One of the very first Ypsi-area artists that Fellows introduced Chura to was Fred Thomas. Before he moved away to Montreal last year, Thomas recorded and mixed Messes with Chura, and contributed bass parts to all her songs.

A bit of a homecoming

So this month sees sort of a homecoming for the former Ypsiite, when she performs in Ann Arbor on March 4 at the Neutral Zone. “I’m excited to work with Neutral Zone and to support the work they do with teens, getting them interested in music and art.

It’s going to be nice to not play a show in a bar; so much of playing shows becomes too bar-centric.”

Chura’s rise amid the Michigan music scene accelerated in early 2016, when her first single, “Slow Motion” started garnering acclaim online. Somewhere, a tumblr post compared Chura’s unique voice, a trilling declarative range of pretty and gritty, to that of Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo. When the “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” singer noticed that, he invited Chura’s band to join a portion of an already planned tour supporting his album Teens of Denial.

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After moving to Ypsilanti in 2009, Stef Chura formed the friendships that would help her music career flourish.

Now, Chura can flat out shred… But, she often wields these post-grunge feedback squalls through fingerstyle, with frenetic fret work intonated by finger-picking (instead of strumming with a pick). Most folks associate with folk, or maybe exclusively acoustic music. At 13, Chura learned, and eventually started out writing, exclusively on acoustic guitar. She diverted from the typical learner’s route of cycling through cover songs and instead just made up her own stuff; this led to a flourishing of a fingerstyle that would sustain through the shift to the electric guitar.

As we wrapped up our interview, Chura said she was getting ready to obtain a passport, because her band may be headed to Europe soon. Meanwhile, she just finished a February tour with Priests, and this month she scored her first official spot at SXSW. Her band did make it to last year’s SXSW for some after party performances. In fact, she lugged her own PA with her and that allowed her to host a pop-up karaoke program at Molly Soda’s party. If only we had more space, we could tell you more about Chura’s other main gig: Steffyoke! You’ll just have to ask her about it at the Neutral Zone.

“I’m definitely thankful for the scene that I have here,” Chura said. “I do feel like everyone’s supportive and it does feel close-knit. It’s not only about the rent being affordable, I think (Detroit/S.E. Michigan) is a good place, and there’s not anywhere else I’d rather be doing what I’m doing.”

Stef Chura March 4, The Neutral Zone 310 E. Washington, Ann Arbor 734-214-9995 neutral-zone.org

This Ann Arborite is serving up classic rock acoustically.

Grab a beer and settle in with some acoustic jams.

Chey Halliwill

Thursdays Oz’s Guitar Jam

Indie folk music with strong female vocals.

7:30pm. $20. Oz’s Music Store. ozmusic.com

Moderate and pro performers and bassists welcome.

Fridays Live Music at Om of Medicine 8pm. Om of Medicine. omofmedicine.org Free

Relax in the membership lounge and enjoy some tunes.

Sundays Traditional Irish Session 7:30pm. Conor O’Neill’s Pub. conoroneills.com/annarbor

Get surrounded with irish food and music.

1 wednesday Harry Allen, tenor sax

8pm. $5-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

7:30pm. Ypsi Alehouse. ypsialehouse.com Free

Rock Jones

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Rock, blues and country music including guitar, bass and harmonica.

Blues and Brews: Luther “Badman� Keith

8pm. $5. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com

The man with the signature American flag shirt and the album Blues Nation

5 sunday 2pm. Chelsea Alehouse. chelseaalehouse.com

Traditional Celtic music in a casual format. Newcomers are welcome to join in. Also on Mar 19.

6 monday

Athens Creek

“King of the Texas honky-tonk blues.�

Blues and Soul.

3 friday Dick Siegel

8pm. $5-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Ann Arbor singer/songwriter.

Tom Chapin

8pm. $20. Green Wood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

Tom Chapin is highly prolific and respected folk artist with a career spanning 23 albums and 3 Grammys.

Quenadon Release Party 9pm. Club Above. club-above.com

Michigan native EDM artist to release new album.

Sonic Freeway

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

R&B and soul from Detroit.

Folk and country from Toledo.

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10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

8pm. $25. The Ark. theark.org

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Delbert McClinton

An acoustic trio with roots in folk, country and rock.

Electric 6 w/ Residual Kid Friday, March 17, 9 p.m., 18+ , $15 The Blind Pig, 208 1st St. 734-996-8555 blindpigmusic.com

Celtic Jam Session

Seasoned jazz.

9pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

The band’s genre-dabbling and use of synthesizer, horns and tongue-incheek lyrics have spawned a cult following among fans of Andrew W.K., Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal.

The six-piece Detroit-based band gained notoriety in 2003 with their disco-garage rock infused hits “Danger! High Voltage!� and “Gay Bar.�

Since then they’ve come in just shy of releasing one full length every year. Their most recent effort, ‘Fresh Blood For Tired Vampyres,’ debuted in October 2016 and was hailed by critics as “back to basics� record. -KJ

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6pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

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7pm. ABC Microbrewery. arborbrewing.com.

If you’d rather spend your St. Patrick’s Day with big guitars and groove pockets than bagpipes and penny flutes, head down to the Blind Pig on March 17 for a dose of rock and roll with Electric 6.

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Mondays Acoustic Mondays

4 saturday Matt Boylan

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Ongoing

Electric 6, Residual Kid to play Blind Pig St. Patty’s Day

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8 wednesday Music Matters: Battle of the Bands 8pm. Pay-what-you-can. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Ann Arbor area bands compete to be the best and win a slot at Springfest.

9 thursday

Open 7am-3pm, Seven Days a Week.

Pearl Street String Band 5pm. Ypsi Alehouse. ypsialehouse.com Free

An acoustic instrumental band with a hammered dulcimer, fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Also on Mar 23. cont’d on p24

IN WASHTENAW COUNTY IN 2016 "ROADWAY s (at the foot of the Broadway Bridge)

View the full menu at NorthSideGrill.com ecurrent.com / march 2017   23

cont’d from p23

Vulfpunk

Morning Shadows

9pm. $8. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

An evening of Vulfpeck and Daft Punk covers and mashups.

9:30pm. $5. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

A progressive doom band with a psychedelic fuzz group.

Barelyon Band

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Raw and soulful pop rock. Also on Mar 15.

10 friday Mike Vial

6pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Acoustic folk and pop.

Dead Hit, Dirty Deville

9pm. Club Above. club-above.com

Dirty Deville is an Ann Arbor prog/post rock outfit. Dead Hit is also from Ann Arbor and plays rock n’ roll.

Jacob Sigman w/ The Kelseys and Rella

9pm. $7. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

A combination of Motown, soul and contemporary pop influences.

Keller Williams brings ‘ADM’ grooves to Blind Pig It might not be quite springtime yet, but nothing brings out those summer vibes quite like a little bit of jammy bluegrass. Join solo artist Keller Williams at the Blind Pig March 16 for a night of up-tempo grooves.

Keller Williams describes himself as “acoustic dance music” and somehow with his variation of genres - bluegrass, jazz, funk, folk and more - nothing seems more appropriate.

Williams uses live sampling and looping, a technique that’s typically found in Electronic Dance Music, and brings it to an acoustic stage.

Williams has been putting in his touring miles since 1995, making him a favorite among fans of The String Cheese Incident and Perpetual Groove.

Williams is currently touring on his most recent fulllength album, ‘Raw,’ which released Jan. 20. –KJ

An Evening With Keller Williams Thursday, March 16, 8 p.m., 18+, $20 The Blind Pig, 208 1st St. 734-996-8555 · blindpigmusic.com

Brett Mitchell & Ghost

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

“Folky-Indie-Pop-Rock.”

6pm. Unity Vibration Triple Goddess Tasting Room. unityvibrationkombucha.com Free

The tasting room is open for a comfortable environment to sing a song or play a tune.

Karapetyan Brothers Project 8pm. $5-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

A classical trio of two violins and a pianist.

One Love Reggae Band

8pm. $15. The Token Lounge, Westland. thetokenlounge.com

Detroit-natives make up on of the hottest reggae outfits in the midwest.

Blarney’s Castle

8:30pm. $5. Chelsea Alehouse. chelseaalehouse.com

Six music students from WMU banded together to play Western classicism and the folk heritages of Ireland.

Blues and Brews: Bob Murray Band

8pm. $5. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com

Etta James guitarist’s blues band.

12 sunday All About the Trio

4pm. $5-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

The penultimate jazz trio: a bassist, pianist and jazz percussionist.

14 tuesday Jacob Sigman w/ The Kelseys and Rella

8pm. $20. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Music with a reverence for vital American music in R&B and Rock N’ Roll.

15 wednesday Earphorik

9:30pm. $10. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

A prog rock jam band.

16 thursday An Evening with Keller Williams

8pm. $20. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Acoustic dance music.

The Messarounds

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Northern soul.

Chris Canas Band

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Native Michigan blues, soul and funk. A staple at mash.

17 friday Syd Burnham

6pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Acoustic Rock Jams.

Electric 6

9pm. $15. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Detroit-based rock to get in the mood.

Dangerous Pleasure, Blackmail, Thunderbuck Ram & The Farleys 8pm. Maidstone Theatre. facebook.com/maidstonetheatre

A full night of hardcore music ranging from rock to heavy metal.

Elizabeth Cook w/Darrin Bradbury 8pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org

For those looking for something a little less Irish, get a taste of Nashville. Elizabeth Cook is described as a blend of americana, old-school country and bluegrass.

Soul Purpose

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Detroit’s Own Soul Purpose is a five piece band consisting of four musicians and a female vocalist upfront.

18 saturday Robert Johnson

6pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

“King of Delta Blues.”

24

march

8pm. $5. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com

American blues with a rockabilly flavor.

Dueling Pianos

7:30pm. $20-$35. Tecumseh Center for the Arts. thetca.org

A comedy-based high-energy party.

Nobody’s Business

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Swinging rockabilly and roots trio.

20 monday Movses Pogossian, violin

8pm. $5-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

An acclaimed violinist, the youngest ever winner of the USSR National Violin Competition.

22 wednesday Cetan Clawson

9pm. Weber’s Inn. webersinn.com Free

High-octane blues.

11 saturday Open Mic Night

Blues and Brews: Steve Nardella

2017 / ecurrent.com

Reeds-n-Steel

9pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

This Ann Arbor duo puts jazz into blues and blues into rock.

23 thursday The Shelter Dogs

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

This trio plays swing, blues, country and old school rock.

24 friday Livingston Taylor

8pm. $20. Green Wood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

A seasoned musician that feels home in many musical genres (folk, pop, jazz).

Steve Nardella Band

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

An American roots music performer.

25 saturday The Moxie Strings

8:30pm. $12. Chelsea Alehouse. chelseaalehouse.com

An electric cello, 5-string violin, and a mix of world percussionist make a high energy show to showcase their instrumental abilities.

Ann Arbor Film Festival Afterparty 10pm. $0-$8. Club Above. club-above.com

Cap off the AAFF with entertainment from techno collective Matilda and DJ stylings.

Blues and Brews: Root Doctor

8pm. $5. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com

The Invasion

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

British invasion rock and roll.

28 tuesday The Malty-Taskers 7pm. Ypsi Alehouse. ypsialehouse.com Free

A jug band to play old-time acoustic Americana.

Growing up singing in his Mississippi church choir, the lead singer is the soul of the group.

Take a Chance Tuesday w/ Friends with the Weather

Not to Be Trusted: The Reunion

A trio of multi-instrumentalists.

Techno and EDM based out of southeast michigan.

Dan Orcutt

10pm. $15-$18. Necto. necto.com

30 thursday Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers

9pm. $15. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Their music can “make a sprightly young groove doctor out of anyone.” Also on Mar 31.

31 friday

Christine Lavin

8pm. $20. Green Wood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

Her long career has made her a folk-pop fan favorite.

The Terraplanes

10pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Swinging and danceable R&B.

David Roof

6pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Rock and Roots music.

8pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org

29 wednesday 9pm. Mash. mashbar.net Free

Rock, alt folk and jazz.

Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / march 2017 25

26

march

2017 / ecurrent.com

theater

Spring Awakening cast

Spring Theatre at EMU

by Sandor Slomovits

Eastern Michigan University’s theatre department will present two plays in March. Professor Pirooz Aghssa, who was born in Iran but has lived in the U.S. since the age of sixteen and has taught at Eastern Michigan University since 1992, has key roles in both plays. The performance of “The Butterfly” will use his new translation of the play, and he will direct “Spring Awakening.”

Current: Tell us about The Butterfly.

Prof. Aghssa: When I was a kid in Tehran, Bijan Mofid wrote

a play called “The City of Tales” that grew out of the boundaries of theatre and became part of the national consciousness. It feels like a children’s play, but it criticizes the system and the society severely, in a very humorous, and ultimately very dark way. Very like Brecht. And because, even under the Shah, the country was repressive, that was one of the ways that it could have a discussion going.

I never knew “The Butterfly” when I was still in Iran. It’s also in that tradition of a play that on the surface is a children’s play, but it’s really for adults. It’s about that moment in the history of Iran, without ever mentioning it, when there was the possibility for the oil to be nationalized, but then the CIA reinstituted the Shah’s regime and that was it. In the play the butterfly’s confined to this dark underground— symbolic of life in Iran— and is constantly reaching for the sun.

I found a recorded copy in Persian and I was shattered, it was so serious and so moving. But when I read the translation, I thought it was flimsy, it didn’t capture what I’d heard in Persian.

I talked with Patricia Zimmer (EMU Professor of Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young, who will direct the play) who said, “Well, maybe you should re-translate it.” So I did, and it was an amazing exercise for me to put aside the translation that I’d seen and forget about it, and then see, when I hear the Persian, if I capture it in English, what it would sound like. I was not sure if the darker color always came through, but at the auditions for this performance, the people who were reading there instinctively hit upon the darker side.

Cast of The Butterfly Speaking of dark, “Spring Awakening” is no romcom. (Laughter)

Musical theatre has a nervousness about [being too serious]. Even with Sondheim, in a show like “Assassins”, “Oh, let’s insert a comedy bit because it may be getting too much.” But here they didn’t do that. There are moments that are lighter, but that’s because life is a combination of light and dark, but not because somebody Professor Aghssa thought, “Oh, we need a joke or else we’re gonna lose them.” “Spring Awakening” is about how the older generation did not take responsibility for the younger generation, which brought about tragedy. And I love the fact that as heavy as it is, it’s ultimately about choosing life over death.

The first weekend will feature a staged reading of Iranian playwright, Bijan Mofid’s, “The Butterfly,” then “Spring Awakening”, the rock musical, will open on March 31 and run through the first two weekends of April.

ecurrent.com / march 2017 27

art

Check out the exhibitions at the newly remodeled and expanded Stamps Gallery.

New vision, direction, spectacle UM gallery gets a makeover

by Louis W. Meldman, Ph.D. Guests of The Penny Stamps Gallery will witness the remade and remodeled gala and with it a new show, and Director, this March. The brand new, amazing Stamps Gallery comprises 8,000 square feet of exhibition space and is overseen by its internationally renowned new Director, Srimoyee Mitra.

Mitra came to the Stamps School having served as Curator of Contemporary Art at the prestigious Art Gallery of Windsor, Ontario. At the AGW she developed an award-winning series of exhibitions, public programs, publications and inter-gallery partnerships. Mitra earned her BA in drama studies and international studies and her MA in art history from York University (Toronto) and she retains her faculty position at the School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor. She will oversee and organize regular shows by students, faculty and grads, and by local and national and world leaders in art and design.

“I envision a space that is inclusive, lively, expansive, responsive, experimental, robust,” she said, “A collaboration of audiences, community members and creators working to build mutually respectful dialogues and examine the role of creative practices in the 21st Century in order to redesign and imagine a society where people from diverse backgrounds live together learn from one another.”

The Stamps Graduate Thesis Exhibition, “Pathways: 2017 Graduate Thesis Exhibition,” opens on March 10 and runs through April 1, 2017 including a gala, public open-house reception on Friday, March 10, 5-8 pm. It will be a special opening, not only of the show, but for the gallery itself. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and the Stamps faculty, as well as fellow art lovers and community members and hey, maybe even a humble art columnist.

The actual exhibit surveys the work of both the Stamps secondyear MFA and MDes (Master of Integrative Design) graduate students. What’s the difference between art and design? You be the judge. Most impressive is the international valence of the students. Of the six Integrative Design Candidates, two are from India (Mansai Agarwal and Aditi Bidkar), one from Taiwan (KuanTing Ho), one from Korea (Ji Youn Shin) one from Hong Kong (Kai Yu) and one, Elizabeth Vander Veen, is from the exotic realm of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Why is there only one American entry in this half of the exhibit? Who cares! Variance in creativity is just part of the fun.

28

march

2017 / ecurrent.com

arts & culture

PVS )BQQZ )drink specials:

Tuesday-Friday

5-7pm

PUUMFT C T GU SB E MM PGG B Light, Carlsberg,

ue of PBR, Labatt Bl ght, Palm and Bud. Li el st Am Heineken,

[theater]

Monologues from a closet

Clothing can say, and indicate, much more about a person than mere fashion. “Love, Loss & What I Wore,� an exhibition based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, explores the world of contemporary women as the characters reflect on memories, frustrations and aspiration associated with their clothes. Step into the worlds of these witty women with an in-depth look at their expressive wardrobes. Runs through March 4. —JB

Wednesday, March 1. 2pm. $18. Riverside Arts Gallery, 76 N Huron St, Ypsilanti. 734-483-7345. riversidearts.org [film]

Filming through the margins Breaking political and artistic boundaries in film is the purpose of The New Negress Film Society (NNFS), providing new light to marginalized groups through the works of marginalized filmmakers, the organization premieres Penny Stamps: New Negress Film Society, a lecture which coincides with the Ann Arbor Film Festival. The New Negress Film Society formed in response to its first film screening in Brooklyn, which featured short films from a group of emerging black female artists. —JB

Thursday, March 23. 5pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St. 734-668-8397. michtheater.org. Free [art]

Make Art, Not War The University of Michigan School of Social Work is bringing back its Social Justice Arts Festival. The event explores how art can be used as a tool to explore and promote social justice and change. This year’s theme is “In Our Space: Using Art to Name Our Reality.� The festival will feature many different mediums and genres including: photography, painting, sculpture, performance art, poetry, workshops, interactive mediums and digital display. —JB

Saturday, March 18. 12pm. William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center, 1443 Washtenaw Ave. ssw.umich.edu. sswartfest@gmail.com Free

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$3 Bud Light bottles, $4 Jack Daniels, $6.99 Fish & Chips

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ecurrent.com / march 2017   29

arts & culture [education]

Ongoing

Saturday Morning Physics: Casting Light on the Fourth Dimension

[comedy]

Comedy Jamm

8pm. $5. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com

12 of the rising comedic stars in southeast michigan. A variety of beginners and established comics. Wednesdays Mar 1-29.

Saturdays 10:30am. U-M Central Campus, 182 Weiser Hall. saturdaymorningphysics.org. Free

Mar 11: Making Muons Great Again, Mar 18: Isotopic Fingerprinting of Toxic Metals, Mar 25: Particles, Planets and Crystals.

Ladies only Zumba

9:30am. $10-$15. Peachy Fitness. peachyfitness.com Wednesday & Fridays; 9:30-10:30am Saturdays; 8:30-9:30am

Latin-inspired dance fitness.

[health]

Free Community Yoga Class A2Yoga. a2yoga.net.

Tuesdays/11am Vinyasa, Fridays/5:30pm Vinyasa, Saturdays/8am Ashtanga.

Times vary. $7. Goodrich Quality 16.

Goodrichqualitytheaters.com GQT is giving a reason to get out and love movies, even on a Tuesday.

7pm. ABC-Microbrewing. arborbrewing.com Free

The lounge hosts trivia rounds at 7 and 8pm on Wednesday.

chelseafestivals.com

The Sounds & Sights Festival is having an open call for artists.

The application deadline is Mar 24.

PJ’ S

3pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org. Free

12:30pm. $42.USArtQuest. usartquest.com

Bring your own board games or enjoy the ones that they have with some craft beer.

2 thursday

[art]

Text & Image Opening Reception 6pm. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org Free

7pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org. Free

Experiment with the library’s 3D printers.

This opening reception for the exhibit featuring a combination of text and image. The exhibition runs through Mar 25.

[theater]

[theater]

Tim Cavanagh

[film]

3 friday

Set in the late 1940s, this drama follows an inter-racial romance that became an international stir.

RECORDS &USED CDS

The Arcade: A Pointless Improv Jam

7pm. Pay-what-you-can. Pointless Brewery & Theatre. pointlessbrew.com

Play with short-form improv games. Come to watch or come to play. Also on Feb 19.

6 monday

[misc]

Herbal Salve Making 6:30pm. $25. Robin Hills Farm. robinhillsfarm.com

A class on DIY healing herbal salves with dried botanicals like chamomile flowers and comfrey leaf. Students will also get a guide to start making their own at home.

Hundreds of Sealed LPs 2017 / ecurrent.com

8 wednesday

[literary]

Author’s Forum Presents: “Gold Fame Citrus” 5:30pm. Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Free

Claire Vaye Watkins, U-M assistant professor of English, reads from her novel “Gold Fame Citrus.”

[art]

Letterpress Lab

6pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org Free

Learn the basics of letterpress printing using vintage handset type.

[misc]

How Deer Affect Plants, Pollinators and Ecological Processes

6:30pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. lsa.umich.edu/mbg Free

Southeast michigan research has shown that higher deer population means decreased plant abundance and diversity.

Open 10a - 8p 7 Days a Week 300 W. Huron, corner N. First

(734) 623-1951 relaxstation.com

Open 7 Days

617-B PACKARD — NEAR HILL ST.

Check out the stars in a 19th century telescope.

H; (&', ; 7: ; H IË 9>E?9

JAZZ BLUES ROCK SOUL CLASSICAL PUNK FUNK UPSTAIRS FROM PASTRY PEDDLER — 663-3441

Viewing Night

Best of Washtenaw M?DD;H

IBUY-SELL-TRADE-RECYCLEI

march

Acrylic Painting Class

The garden club members will speak on the topics of Korean gardening like container gardens and landscaping with flowering bushes.

Beer and Board Games

SELECTION, QUALITY & PRICE ARE ALWAYS OUR TOP PRIORITIES!!!

30

7 tuesday

9pm. Detroit Observatory. facebook.com/DetroitObservatory. Free

7pm. $8-$10. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Call for Artists

Drawing for Adults: Basics of Portraiture

[art]

4pm. Pointless Brewery & Theatre. pointlessbrew.com Free

7pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. lsa.umich.edu/mbg Free

A United Kingdom

[art]

[art]

This silent film shown in 35mm following the life of a career criminal trying for redemption.

[misc]

Comedy from behind a guitar.

Runs through Mar 4.

Trivia Night

A free class to get back into the swing of things or try out a moderate-level class. Also on Mar 12.

[misc]

8pm. $11-$16. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com

[misc]

1pm. Tiny Buddha Yoga. tinybuddhayoga.com Free

7pm. $8-$10. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Koreen Gardening w/ the Ann Arbor Garden Club

[misc]

3D Printing Lab: Filaments

Thrifty Ticket Tuesday

Free Class Karma Ashtanga

Dragnet Girl

Brush up on your drawing skills and start working on the basics of portraiture.

[misc]

[movie]

[health]

[film]

All skill levels are encouraged to take this class for acrylic techniques like composition, color mixing, blending and highlights and shadows.

1 wednesday

[health]

5 sunday

s6OTED "EST -ASSAGE s7ALK INS 7ELCOME s!PPOINTMENTS !VAILABLE &2%% 0!2+).'

&ULL "ODY -ASSAGE IN )NDIVIDUAL 2OOMS AT OUR 3ECOND ,OCATION

[literary]

An Evening of Poetry and the Written Word

[film]

This poetry and short fiction workshop is open to all writers.

Writers are asked to bring 6 copies of their work.

A showing of “Right Now, Wrong Then” an acclaimed South Korean film.

7pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and TeaRoom. crazywisdom.net Free

[art]

9 thursday

Andrew Logan: The Artistic Adventure 5pm. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org Free

Dubbed “The Wizard of Odd”, Andrew Logan’s work spans the fields of sculpture, theater, pageants, jewelry, and interior design and is considered a scene maker.

[health]

Stress Reducing Relaxation Stations 6:30pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org Free

Korean Cinema NOW 1pm. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

[art]

Colors in Harmony 7pm. EMU Student Center. emich.edu/ois/isa Free

EMU’s biggest international cultural talent and fashion show.

[literary]

Fruit: A Literary Reclamation for the Unseen 7:30pm. Literati. literatibookstore.com Free

This independent communityled reading and dialogue series highlights marginalized voices.

Check their facebook page for the featured reader.

12 sunday

Enjoy a mellow evening of coloring, jigsaw puzzles and playing with Play-Doh.

[health]

[theater]

A run to raise money for UM’s Global Brigades, a non-profit that travels to aid Honduras.

Almost, Maine

7:30pm. $17-$22. Arthur Miller Theatre. a2ct.org

A play told in nine stories of love in a cold Maine town.

[theater]

Matt Braunger

8pm. $11-$16. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com

Actor, writer and comedian from Chicago. Runs through Mar 4.

[art]

10 friday

Off the Screen!

6pm. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org Free

An intermedia series featuring expanded cinema performances, installation, and discussions to accompany the Ann Arbor Film Festival. The exhibition runs through Mar 25.

[misc]

Pirate Swing 2017

7pm. $139. AACTMAD Concourse Hall. pirateswing.com

Two full days of swing dance workshops in celebration of Talk Like a Pirate Day. Costumes are encouraged.

11 saturday

[misc]

Dexter Winter Marketplace 9am. Dexter Senior Center. dextermarket.com Free

Shop and support local vendors with entertainment and refreshments.

Global Brigades 5k

9:30am. $15-$20. Nichols Arboretum. facebook.com/GBUM5k

[misc]

Spring Awakening

10am. $150. Muse Atelier Vintage. museatelier.com

A mini photo session with professional hair and makeup to reveal an inner “pinup or glamazon.”

[health]

2017 Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5k 9:30am. Conor O’Neills. runshamrocks.com

A fun run around downtown Ann Arbor to support Save a Heart.

13 monday

[film]

14 tuesday

[misc]

Plant Propagation

6pm. $15. Robin Hills Farm. robinhillsfarm.com

Learn the basics of plant propagation and many different methods of cultivation.

[misc]

Biodynamic Beekeeping 7pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. lsa.umich.edu/mbg Free

The Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers talk about a natural beekeeping approach to treat the colony as a unit.

[lit]

Elementary, She Read 7pm. Aunt Agatha’s Bookshop. auntagathas.com Free

Vicky Delany launches her new series with a discussion and a signing.

[misc]

Bryan Stevenson represented death row prisoners in Georgia for many years and is now awarded the Wallenberg Medal.

[literary]

Crazy Wisdom Monthly Book Discussion

7pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and TeaRoom. crazywisdom.net Free

This month’s book is “A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, the story of the mother of the Columbine shooter.“

[Misc.]

75 Years of Melodies on Ice 7pm. $10-$30. Ann Arbor Ice Cube. annarborfsc.org

This show celebrates ice shows from its 75 year history.

7pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse. cultivateypsi.com

[film]

East African Safari

7:30pm. $5. Tecumseh Center for the Arts. thetca.org

Award-winning cinematographer, Rick Ray, has traveled to Israel, Bali, Syria, Lebanon, Iceland and many more has brought film from his travels.

16 wednesday

Roll the Dice: A St. Patrick’s Day Tradition Test out the luck of the Irish with some dice games to earn prizes, drink discounts and special surprises. The games will be set to the tune of Celtic Jam, a local band playing traditional Irish and Scottish music. And, of course, a special tap list on the side.

[art]

Kidd Pivot

8pm. $21-$39. Power Center for the Performing Arts. hnmdance.com

[art]

What happens when theater and dance are combined.

1pm. $40. CameraMall. cameramall.com

[misc]

Mastering Composition with Benjamin Weatherston Benjamin Weatherston will go over rules, tips and tricks to elevate photos from just documenting to telling a story.

7pm. $10. Pointless Brewery & Theatre. pointlessbrew.com

7:30pm. Rackham Auditorium. literatibookstore.com Free

The evening features a variety show with the choir and unique silent auction items.

Try out a selection of tabletop games and feel free to bring your own.

Warring yakuza clans stir up trouble and deception for Ichi, in the middle of it all. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

Just Mercy

6:30pm. First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor. annarboryouthchorale.org Free

[misc]

7pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org Free

[theater]

[lit]

Ann Arbor Youth Chorale Silent Auction and Chorale Cabaret Fundraiser

Tabletop Gaming Night

Ichi the Killer

7pm. $8-$10. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

[misc]

HERsay2: We Got Somethin’ to Say Over a dozen female performance artists, visual artists and storytellers have something to say.

17 friday

[misc]

Let’s Get Lucky with Courtney Act & Tatianna 5pm. No cover before 9pm. Necto. necto.com

St. Patty’s day falls on pride night at Necto. They are featuring two acts from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Courtney and Tatianna. They have St Patty’s drink specials all night to go with the festivities.

18 saturday

Beeswax Candle Dipping with UMBees 12pm. AADL-Downtown. aadl.org Free

UMBees are bringing wax from their bees to be made into candles and a screen press to try out. Bring a t-shirt, tote bag etc. if you want to use the screen printing, all of the materials for the candles will be provided.

[misc]

Big Cats’ Night Out: Trivia Night 7:30pm. $15. Tiny Lions Lounge.

An adults-only trivia night with the cats, beer, wine and popcorn.

Guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic drinks as well.

cont’d on p32

ecurrent.com / march 2017 31

cont’d from p31

[misc]

Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show

9am. $0-$5. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. bragannarbor.net

Get into the spring state of mind and find the best local professionals for home and garden improvement. Sign up online for free admission.

19 sunday

[misc]

Ann Arbor Orchid Festival 10am. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. lsa.umich.edu/mbg Free

A two-day orchid celebration with displays, talks, demos and supplies for sale.

20 monday

[film]

The World of Kanako

7pm. $8-$10. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

A noir cop movie of a man trying to solve his daughter’s disappearance. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

arts & culture 22 tuesday

[literary]

Author’s Forum Presents: “A Perfect Life” 5:30pm. Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Free

Eileen Pollack, U-M English professor, reads from her novel “A Perfect Life” joined in conversation by Tim Mckay, U-M professor of physics.

23 wednesday

[literary]

Chevy Stevens and Stephen Mack Jones 7pm. Aunt Agatha’s Bookshop. auntagathas.com Free

Chevy Stevens signs her new thriller “Never Let You Go.” Stephen Mack Jones also signs his debut thriller set in Detroit called “August Snow.”

[art]

[literary]

7pm. Aunt Agatha’s Mystery Bookshop.

Free

[health]

[comedy]

5pm. Om of Medicine. omofmedicine.org Free

Chevey Stevens talks about and signs her newest thriller.

Eddie Ifft

8pm. $11-$16. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com

Quick wit with a heavy dose of adult content. Runs through Mar 25.

25 friday

[misc]

The Immigrants March in Ann Arbor 10am. Federal Building, 200 E. Liberty St.

This stand-alone march to show solidarity with immigrants

Introduction to DSLR Photography with Benjamin Weatherston

[misc]

Master the basics of exposure, digital files, artistic principles, and depth of field.

The first part of a three part series that will cover the entire process of preparing for a longdistance backpacking trip. This first class will go over logistics, planning, packing and equipment.

6:30pm. $40. CameraMall. cameramall.com

26 sunday

Never Let You Go

How-To Backpacking Tutorial 10am. $8-$15. Eddy Discovery Center. robinhillsfarm.com

[lit]

Ypsilanti Comic Con

10am. $3. St Matthews United Methodist Church. yourcomiccon.com

Ypsilanti is hosting their very own Comic Con with comics, toys, action figures, original art, and local publishers.

Support Group: Cannabis As An Exit Drug This support group is for all patients to share experiences and meet others.

28 tuesday

[film]

“Starving the Beast”

5pm. U-M Institute for the Humanities. lsa.umich.edu Free

A documentary screening on the power struggle over America’s public universities.

29 wednesday

[art]

Beginning Watercolor 2pm. YDL-Michigan. ypsilibrary.org Free

A six week watercolor workshop designed for beginners to take them through the basics and then be proficient enough to start and complete their own projects .

30 thursday

[art] Karim Rashid: The Future of Design 5pm. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org Free

Award-winning commercial product designer, Karim Rashid, brings a lecture on the importance of design in everyday life.

[comedy]

David Dyer

8pm. $9-$14. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com

High energy and highly physical comedy. Runs through Apr 1.

Wedding Guide Call to advertise

734.668.4044 32

march

2017 / ecurrent.com

person of interest An award well-deserved Student receives Martin Luther King Jr. Award at Eastern Michigan University

By Cole Bednarski Within every circle is that one guy who always makes new people feel like old friends: always making plans, always smiling, cracking jokes, and lifting the spirits of others. Desmine Robinson is that guy on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

Robinson took a few moments from his day of rally organizing, writing, and furthering his education to tell us a bit about the award and what he’s currently working on.

Tell us about yourself.

Robinson: I always wanted to be a bestselling writer... I now

write self-help: How we can love ourselves and love each other. If we love ourselves, then we are so much more capable of loving and accepting others.

I have a passion for anti-bullying… I was bullied when I was young… and found a voice through humor. (I) began writing about loving people and found that racism is just a big, gigantic form of bullying.

And what are you working on now?

There are some unheard voices on campuses that have a lot to say and want to help.

EMU is not only diverse, it is inclusive. We’re in this together.

I’ve been organizing a diversity and inclusion group on campus to play events for students to meet others from various backgrounds and cultures with discussions on race and identity. I want to bring Republican and Democrat students together. Diversity is an opportunity, but inclusion is that opportunity achieved.

What does winning this award mean to you?

Oh my goodness. It means the world to me. I love the story of Martin Luther King Jr. He was so loving and brave and strong of character. I was live emceeing The Luncheon (an annual EMU student radio program) when the winner was announced... My mouth opened so wide. I was so shocked. But I was emceeing and I had to stay on schedule!

DRINK. EAT. SHOP

Downtown Ypsilanti Scan for map of Downtown!

facebook.com/DAYpsi ecurrent.com / march 2017 33

Cannabis Love in the Canna Kitchen

by Jacq Lantz

Walking into my grandmother’s farmhouse, she always asked: “Have you eaten?” Before any inquiry about the trip, before hi-how-are-yous, first and foremost, you were fed. It was such a gift, to be nourished that way. She was a healer and meals were her medicine.

I soon realized the world was full of conscious healers like this, many of them women, who understood the medicinal value of the gifts given to us by Mother Earth. Next to them I tilled, planted, cooked, and loved. I humbly think I’ve healed folks with the garden at Corner Brewery and the kitchen we built at Standing Rock, and a few spots in between.

Healing properties

It wasn’t a far jump to start pairing this intentional way of growing and cooking with nature’s most prolific healer, the cannabis plant. The benefits - lessening pain, depleting cancer cells, preventing seizures, and alleviating symptoms of some mental illness - seem endless. The more I researched and experimented, the more I became convinced that a combination of cannabis and real food was a prevailing remedy for all manner of maladies. However, My when I first became a MMJ patient, I was grandmother concerned that the would have industry was moving away from the loved them, if further natural methods of she were into growing, harvesting infusing.

I that sort of and thought the market thing. needed some… balance.

Synthetic and natural. New and ancient. Masculine and feminine presences.

Higher State began in 2015, when my husband and I decided to market the edibles we’d been home cooking. We gently infuse healthy fats (local, organic butter and organic coconut oil) with 100% organically grown cannabis, add some amazing ingredients, and - with gratitude and intention - produce edibles in small, made-to-order batches that are delicious.

My grandmother would have loved them, if she were into that sort of thing.

34

march

2017 / ecurrent.com

Jacq Lantz, proprietor of Higher State Medicinals, talks making a splash in a weed world.

Back to the dirt

I expected a little resistance from the cannabis community as a woman breaking into the market. With my little bags of granola, I wondered if I’d be taken seriously; could such a small team produce a consistent, professional product? My fears assuaged, the experience has been remarkable. Many people are looking to move from the lab back to the dirt, and local dispensaries are meeting this demand. Our return to roots couldn’t have come at a better time. With a lot of terrifying, counter-progressive policy

pulsing through our country, this growing consciousness is a return of our focus to the Mother. Cutting chemicals and fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint, and fighting rampant deforestation (hemp, anyone?!) are all coalescing with the marijuana industry in a time when things can often seem the opposite. To be a part of it feels like being on the right side of history.

Higher State Medicinals is a Ypsilanti-based company. Products can be found in area dispensaries.

A little something for the patients…

Chocolate Coconut Cranberry Granola 1 Cup Organic Medicated Coconut oil 2 Cups Organic Rolled Oats 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes 1Cup Slivered Almonds 3tbs Cane or brown sugar 1Cup almond butter 1 Cup flax seed 1/3 Cup local honey 1/3 Cup dark chocolate, roughly chopped 1 Cup cranberries

Preheat oven to 340 degrees In a large bowl, mix oats, coconut flakes, sugar, salt and slivered almonds In a small saucepan over low heat, warm coconut oil, almond butter and honey and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well.

Spread it evenly over two baking sheets, without crowding Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway. Do not overcook, remove when golden brown Let cool a little, then toss with dark chocolate Let cool completely, and toss in cranberries

Enjoy responsibly, and keep out of reach of children and pets!

t 10% discouns n ra te for Ve and Seniors.

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Order online or call ahead for fast pick up

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423 MILLER AVE, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103

bloomcityclub.com ecurrent.com / march 2017   35

photo bomb

Photos By Swani Swanigan

Lauren Tatarsky and Mary Ellen Cain giving great customer service@ Crazy Wisdom Bookstore& Tea Room

Author Cole Lavalais and Marketing Guru Leslie McGraw ­‑­— making their best Trump face @Bookbound Bookstore

Mayor Amanda Edmonds at Groundcover News with Groundcover vendor #56 La Shawn Courtwright near the downtown Ypsi post office

Tammy Coxen, Amas Muhammad and KaTrell Thomas drink slaying @ Black Bartenders Matter in A2

36

march

2017 / ecurrent.com

Malcolm Tulip and Kellie McKee @ the Neutral Zone for Not my President’s Day

March ARIES (March 21-April 19): I predict that you will have earned the title of Master Composter no later than March 26. Not necessarily because you will have packed your food scraps, wilted flowers, coffee grounds, and shredded newspapers in, say, a deluxe dual-chamber tumbling compost bin. But rather because you will have dealt efficiently with the rotting emotions, tattered habits, decrepit melodramas, and trivial nonsense that has accumulated; you will have worked hard to transform all that crap into metaphorical fertilizer for your future growth. Time to get started!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): It’s a good time for you to wield your emotional intelligence with leadership and flair. The people you care about need more of your sensitive influence. Any posse or tribe you’re part of will benefit from your thoughtful intervention. So get out there and build up the group morale, Taurus.

Assert your healing ideals with panache. Tamp down the insidious power of peer pressure and fashionable nonsense. You have a mandate to wake up sleepy allies and activate the dormant potential of collective efforts.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you were ever in your life going to be awarded an honorary PhD from a top university, it would happen in the next few weeks. If there were even a remote possibility that you would someday be given one of those MacArthur Fellowship “genius” grants, now would be the time. Likewise if you had any hopes of being selected as one of “The World’s Sexiest Chameleons” or “The Fastest, Sweetest Talkers on Earth” or “The Planet’s Most Virtuoso Vacillators,” the moment has arrived.

And even if none of those things happen, I’m still pretty sure that your reputation and status will be on the rise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’re wandering into places you’ve always thought you should be wary of or skeptical about. Good for you! As long as you protect your innocence, I encourage you to keep exploring. To my delight, you have also been fantasizing about accomplishments that used to be off-limits. Again, I say: Good for you! As long as

© Copyright 2017 Rob Brezsny

free will astrology

you don’t overreach, I invite you to dream boldly, even brazenly.

And since you seem to be in the mood for big thinking, here are other revolutionary activities to consider: dissolving nonessential wishes; transcending shrunken expectations; escaping the boring past; busting irrelevant taboos.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I did a good job of raising my daughter. She turned out to be a thoughtful, intelligent adult with high integrity and interesting skills. But I’m not sure my parenting would have been as effective if I’d had more kids. I discussed this issue with Nathan, a guy I know. His six offspring are all grown up, too. “How did you do it?” I asked him. “Having just one child was a challenging job for me.” “I’ll tell you my secret,” Nathan told me.

“I’m a bad father. I didn’t work very hard on raising my kids. And now they never let me forget it.”

In the coming weeks and months, Leo, I recommend that you pursue my approach in your chosen field, not Nathan’s. Aim for highquality intensity rather than scattershot quantity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In her poem “Not Anyone Who Says,” Virgo writer Mary Oliver looks down on people who declare, “I’m going to be careful and smart in matters of love.” She disparages the passion of anyone who asserts, “I’m going to choose slowly.” Instead she champions those who are “chosen by something invisible and powerful and uncontrollable and beautiful and possibly even unsuitable.” Here’s my response: Her preferred formula sounds glamorous and dramatic and romantic -- especially the powerful and beautiful part.

But in practice it rarely works out well -- maybe just ten percent of the time -- mostly because of the uncontrollable and unsuitable part. And now is not one of those times for you, Virgo. Be careful and smart in matters of love, and choose slowly.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The poet Rainer Maria Rilke bemoaned the fact that so many of us “squander our sorrows.” Out of self-pity or lazy self-indulgence, we wallow in memories of experiences that didn’t turn out the way we wished they would have. We par-

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your immediate future is too good to be true. Or at least that’s what you, with your famous self-doubt, might be inclined to believe if I told you the truth about the favorable developments that are in the works. Therefore, I have come up with some fake anxieties to keep your worry reflex engaged so it won’t sabotage the real goodies. Beware of dirty limericks and invisible ladders and upside-down rainbows and psychic bunny rabbits. Be on guard against accountants wearing boxing gloves and clowns singing Broadway show tunes in runaway shopping carts and celebrities telling you classified secrets in your dreams.

alyze ourselves with repetitions of depleting thoughts. Here’s an alternative to that approach: We could use our sadness and frustrations to transform ourselves.

We could treat them as fuel to motivate our escape from what doesn’t work, to inspire our determination to rise above what demoralizes and demeans us. I mention this, Libra, because now is an excellent time to do exactly that.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s time for the Bliss Blitz -- a new holiday just for you Scorpios.

To celebrate it properly, get as buoyant as you dare; be greedy for euphoria; launch a sacred quest for pleasure. Ah, but here’s the big question: Can you handle this much relief and release?

Are you strong enough to open yourself to massive outbreaks of educational delight and natural highs? Some of you may not be prepared. You may prefer to remain ensconced in your protective sheath of cool cynicism.

But if you think you can bear the shock of unprecedented exaltation and jubilation, then go ahead and risk it. Experiment with the unruly happiness of the Bliss Blitz.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In his book *The Horologicon,* Mark Forsyth gathered “obscure but necessary” words that he dug out of old dictionaries. One of his discoveries is a perfect fit for you right now. It’s “snudge,” a verb that means to walk around with a pensive look on your face, appearing to be busy or in the midst of productive activity, when in fact you’re just goofing off. I recommend it for two reasons: 1.

It’s important for your mental and physical health that you do a lot

of nothing; that you bless yourself with a healing supply of refreshing emptiness. 2. It’s important for your mental and physical health that you do this on the sly as much as possible; that you avoid being judged or criticized for it by others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I wish your breakfast cereal came in boxes decorated with Matisse and Picasso paintings. I wish songbirds would greet you each morning with sweet tunes. I wish you’d see that you have more power than you realize. I wish you knew how uniquely beautiful you are. I wish you’d get intoxicated with the small miracles that are happening all around you. I wish that when you made a bold move to improve your life, everyone greeted it with curiosity and excitement. And I wish you would let your imagination go half-wild with fascinating fantasies during this, the Capricorn wishing season.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “You’re a different human being to everybody you meet,” says novelist Chuck Palahniuk. Now is an excellent time to contemplate the intricacies and implications of that amazing truth -- and start taking better advantage of how much freedom it gives you. Say the following statements out loud and see how they feel: 1. “My identity isn’t as narrowly circumscribed as I think it is.” 2. “I know at least 200 people, so there must be at least 200 facets to my character.” 3. “I am too complicated to be completely comprehended by any one person.” 4. “Consistency is overrated.”

Homework: What’s the best surprise you could give yourself right now? Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

ecurrent.com / march 2017 37

GOING TO EXTREMES Across 1. Residents of Japan’s third-largest city 8. Business lines?

15. Silicon or copper 16. Churchill’s portrayer on TV’s “The Crown�

17. Junior, e.g.

18. Thing left out 19. Building block 20. Just out 21. Stuff baked in some brownies 22. Not worth ___ 23. Leans to one side 25. Overindulges 27. Got some sack time 28. Oozes (into) 30. To and ___ 31. Writer Shelby who sounds like kind of a heel?

32. Need to pay back 34. Open insults 36. Extremist group, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme 39. Never changing 40. Chemistry suffix 41. Madmen, in Mexico 42. “___ polar bear strolls into a bar ...�

44. Grazing matter 48. Brown-___ 49. Brooks from Tulsa 51. Literary lover 52. One on drugs 53. Tarot card 54. Pull-down target 56. Accusatory words 57. Symbol of a government’s insidious spread 59. “From my perspective�

61. Fossil fuel found on coasts 62. Big name in art glass 63. “The Matrix� film series, e.g.

64. Working hard

38 

  march

Down 1. Muscat residents 2. Crazy like a fox, say 3. “No, No, ___�

4. Twee instruments 5. Comic Killam 6. Unclothed 7. Whole lotta 8. Decline gently, as a hillside 9. Transports to the red carpet 10. Cry at the start of tag 11. Disappointed grunts 12. Follows after someone 13. Chocolate made with hazelnuts 14. Sheryl who was the first player signed to a WNBA team 24. Program supporter 26. Farm vehicle 27. Oklahoma natives 29. Tries to hit, as flies 31. “Breaking Bad� drug lord Gus 33. Letter from Crete 35. Day of the wk. albums come out 36. Screwdriver or WD-40, e.g.

37. Open to question 38. To an extreme degree 39. Least distant 43. “Finally!�

45. Somewhat 46. Cotton cloth 47. Putting on the map?

49. Soviet prison camp 50. Must 53. “Move it!�

55. Toy connected with a movie, e.g.

58. Org. protecting Standing Rock water protestors 60. John Cho character

2017  /  ecurrent.com

for crossword answers, go to ecurrent.com

Š2016 By Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)

crossword

classifieds PAYMENT Payment must be received before an ad can be placed. We accept checks, cash, money orders, and credit cards (MasterCard, American Express, or Visa) Sorry, no refunds. Misprint results in credit toward next ad.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS One (1) free 20-word classified ad per issue. Free ads include noncommercial concerns, free services, products being sold for less than $150.

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DEADLINES Ad copy must be received at NOON on the 15th of the month prior to publication.

CONTACT INFORMATION Mail: Current Classifieds. 1120 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604.

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Fax: 419-244-9871.

Email to: classifieds@adamsstreet publishing.com

for sale 14 K medium sized ladies ring for sale. Made in 1940’s. Center white diamond plus 12 diamonds. 419-699-3398

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Homeward Bound Rescue League OPA: 6 yrs, male, Great Dane Mix Large

I am a great companion dog! I love to ride in the car. My foster mom says that I need a fenced-in yard because I LOVE to play ball! I do fine with dogs, cats, and kids over the age of 10. My favorite thing is a good belly rub!

I cannot wait to find my forever home.

BANDIT: 2 yrs old, male, DSH - Black & White I was given up by my previous owner, through no fault of my own. I am a big boy and my foster mom says that I am super sweet. I get along with dogs and some cats. I do not do well with timid cats, as I tend to intimidate them. I love to play and would do best with older kids. Could you be my forever family? I can’t wait to meet you!

Events GIVE BLOOD - SAVE LIVES! #ChooseYourDay to donate blood. Call 1-800-448-2543 or go to RedCrossBlood. org. Appointments preferred. Walk-ins welcome.

Threshold Choir of Ann Arbor Gift of Song. Loving songs to support you in meeting life’s challenges. Sunday, March 26, 2017 6:30-8:00 pm. Free. Episcopal Church of the Incarnation 3257 Lohr Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Business Opportunity Drive with Uber. No experience is required, but you’ll need a Smartphone. It’s fun and easy. For more information, call: 1-800-354-4313

HELP WANTED Massage Therapist: Currently hiring therapists to work at RelaxStation in downtown Ann Arbor to accommodate our already established clientele. Free parking, flexible hours, great team! 734-623-1951 Give Hope. Become a Foster Parent. Attend a free training today to learn more! For more information: www. judsoncenter.org or 313-255-8272.

EDUCATION Are your children interested in Astronomy? Do they like observing the moon, planets and stars? GO TO: www.youngastronomer.org

Homeward Bound Rescue League

P.O. Box 87591 Canton, MI 48187 homewardboundmi@yahoo.com

To apply for one of our adoptable pets, please fill out an application on our Web site: www.hbrlmi.org If you cannot adopt, please consider making a donation online to help out our furry friends!

now hiring

Announcements

Multiple openings at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, MI. Some positions involve travel (domestic & international). · Transmission Calibration Engineers- develop vehicle drivability, shift quality & fuel economy · Transmission Design Engineers- design transmission components & sub-assemblies · Sr. Scientist- research automated vehicle developments Send resume to: TEMA, Toyota Technical Center, Lacy Harris, 8777 Platt Rd., Saline, MI 48176

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-880-1686 SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-208-6915 to start your application today! call catherine at 734.668.4044 to sell your stuff!

ecurrent.com / march 2017 39

SPRING

* SALE *

50% OFF p.org

iftsho r h t o t p 2 a ww.

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EVERYTHING* in Shop & SHOWCASE Space Saturday, March 25, 9am-6pm

THANK YOU! *No donations, coupons, or additional discounts available during sale

to the generous local community. Donors, shoppers and promoters all supported our funding to the Ann Arbor Public Schools this year!

WE DISTRIBUTED OVER

HELP US GROW $317,000 OUR SUPPORT IN 2017! to AAPS & its PTOs in 2016

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