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THIS WHEEL’S ON FIRE P.12 A tour. An album. A big win.

Dragon Wagon rolls on.

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contents fyi 7

Ann Arbor Summer Fest

green corner 7

Down by the riverside

bizz buzz 8

Business seeds scatter around Chelsea

This wheel’s on fire 10

Dragon Wagon wins Cover of Current Competition

by Scott Recker

food: in review 12

july 2012

vol. 24 / no.7

14 BBQ Odyssey

Current’s hunt for the best barbeque

by Nick Roumel

30 theater: On Golden Pond The Purple Rose recreates a classic

by San Slomovits

33 artbeat

Embarrassment of riches

by Louis Meldman

35 everything else

Foreign romances bring love to the edge

by Joe Saul and Lisa Leutheuser

music feature 22

Guitar virtuoso Adrian Legg’s sound has soul

by David Erik Nelson

perspective: blues 26

Sunshine of your blues

by Jerry Mack

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds play at The Ark on Friday, July 13.

correction In our June 2012 Readers Choice: Best of Washtenaw County, we incorrectly listed the name of the winning Massage Therapist. It is Julia of Relax Station. We also misstated winners for Dining and Drinking categories. The winner of Brew Pub/Micro Brewery is the Jolly Pumpkin, and the Breakfast winner is Northside Grill.

The information for the winner of the Yoga/Pilates category was misprinted. The winner is The Yoga Room/ Christy DeBurton, 765 Archwood Dr., 734-761-8409, www.theyogaroomannarbor.com.

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fyi

Collette Jacobs cjacobs@ecurrent.com Publisher / Editor in Chief Mark Jacobs mjacobs@ecurrent.com Co-publisher / Chief Financial Officer EDITORIAL Scott Recker scott@ecurrent.com Arts & Entertainment Coordinator Alia Orra editor@ecurrent.com Assignment Editor Matt Desmond mattd@ecurrent.com Staff Writer Julian Garcia calendar@ecurrent.com Calendar Editor ADVERTISING Aubrey Hornsby ahornsby@adamsstreetpublishing.com Sales Manager Ryan White ryan@ecurrent.com Sales Representative Heather Sekerak heather@ecurrent.com Sales Representative Kelly Schwarck kelly@ecurrent.com Sales Representative Susan Hayden sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com Sales Coordinator Chase Murphy classifieds@ecurrent.com Classified and Display Advertising ART & PRODUCTION Kristi Polus kristi@adamsstreetpublishing.com Art Director Sarah Baird production@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer Alex Beat abeat@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer Brittney Koehl adsin@ecurrent.com Graphic Designer Jake Ziolkowski Jake@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer

Summer lovin’

If you missed the first couple weeks of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, do not sweat—there’s one more week, from July 1-July 8, to enjoy worldclass musical performances, movies under the stars and many great activities.

Top of the Park presents some of the region’s best music in a wonderful outdoor setting every day this week, with acts Los Gatos, Lightning Love, Thornetta Davis and more. The Capital Steps will bring in Independence Day with a little satire at the Power Center and Cinematic Titanic featuring the original cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on July 5. Children of all ages will have a blast at Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo on the Power Center Lawn at 4pm and 6pm on Sunday, July 1. And everyone will enjoy screening films, Jurassic Park on July 1, Forrest Gump on July 4 or Dirty Dancing on July 8, all outdoors at 10pm. For the complete schedule of dates and times visit the website. Tuesday-Thursday, 6:30pm; Friday-Sunday, 5pm.

Top of the Park: Ingalls Mall, Washington St. between Fletcher and Thayer St. Power Center. www.annarborsummerfestival.org —JG

green corner

ADMINISTRATION Robin Armstrong rarmstrong@ecurrent.com Accounting Daniel Light distribution@ecurrent.com Distribution INTERNS Marisa Rubin mrubin@adamsstreetpublishing.com Office Assistant Jennie Barker intern@ecurrent.com © 2012 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 $28 a year. Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring towns.

Printed on recycled paper

Also publishers of:

Down by the riverside

For 32 years, the annual Huron River Day has served to bring the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County along with non-profits and citizens together to celebrate one of the area’s greatest natural resources and educate about the importance of water quality. On Sunday, July 15 the community can enjoy storytelling, fly fishing demos, a children’s activity tent, live music from Gemini, Juice & Mysty Lyn and the Big Beautiful and a classic small boat show. Get there early to check out “TRI the Huron,” an adventure games triathlon from 7-9am. Canoes and kayaks will be available to rent for $5. If you ride your bike to the event, boat rentals are free! There will also be information displays from several local organizations and local food vendors. 12-4pm. Free. Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Rd. 734-794-6240. www.a2gov.org —JG ecurrent.com / july 2012 7

Business seeds scatter around Chelsea Major investments and openings are in store for downtown Chelsea, heavily adding to the restaurant, nightlife and buy-local scenes. Some very progressive moves will be made in the summer and fall to revitalize the city, seemingly adding something new for people of all tastes.

The Chelsea Alehouse, a microbrewery at 375 N. Main St., is slated to open on September 1. The building is located next to the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company. The 4,200square-foot building, bought by owner/head brewmaster Chris Martinson, will contain the brewing tanks, a kitchen, a dining area with an adjacent outdoor beer garden.

n

n

The old post office located at Village Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of M-52 and Old US-12 may be

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converted into a restaurant. Rene Papo and the Chelsea Post Post House LLC plan to invest $1 million into the property for a restaurant called Bistro 52. The property has been vacant for about three years. n Another business is also set to open in the Shopping Center. Family Farm and Home, a chain of rural-themed department stores, will move into the former Pamida location. The company has started renovations.

Back to the Roots, a fairtrade boutique and cafe, opened at 115 S. Main St. n

Other bizz news

n Cafe Japon, a Japanese restaurant and bakery with a French twist, is closing its 113 E. Liberty St. location. n Tony Sacco’s, a Florida-based coal-oven pizza franchise, recently signed a lease for a space in the Cranbrook Village Shopping Center, located at 890 Eisenhower Parkway.

Along with pizza, the restaurant carries sandwiches, salads, desserts as well as beer and wine.

n Acme Mercantile, which opened in 2002 as a counter to large department stores, will close. Located at 111 W. Liberty, the 900 square-foot building sold anything from candy and magnets to hardware. They will move their business completely online, focusing on larger self-made products such as a line of purses. n Bill’s Beer Garden — which plans to open this Summer in collaboration with Mark’s Carts on Washington Street — has recently been granted a liquor license by the city, yet still awaits state approval.

ecurrent.com / july 2012 9

feature

This wheel’s on fire

Cover

of Cur

Winne

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From 12 bands, our readers narrowed the field to one winner. They’ve toured the country, recorded an album, and now they’re on our cover. It’s good to be Dragon Wagon.

by Scott Recker

On an almost perfect day in early June, we strolled vocals), Fritz McGirr (drums, percussion) and Mike through the nature trails of Bendemere Park with the Bustos (bass). six members of Dragon Wagon. Instruments in hand, “There was never a question,” Sicheneder says of the each casually plucking away, they radiated the same time when the band coalesced into its current, consistent care-free, likable attitude that makes their high-energy line-up. “The second we met, the second we jammed tobluegrass shows freegether, everyone just looked at each wheeling, captivating, other and smiled. We played with “There was never a and, basically, just a a lot of people — a lot of people. question,” (Don) Sicheneder But there was never a question. damn good time. As we were scouting a place Especially when you have times says of the time when the to photograph — while when you will spend days and days being met by waves and together in a stinky van, you want to band coalesced into its confused looks from make sure you like each other.” cyclists and runners — It’s easy to see they’re good current, consistent line-up. they joked, discussed friends. When we find a spot to “The second we met, the upcoming shows and snap some photos, there’s a few of seemed to enjoy each goofy, half-ass, playful burns second we jammed together, those other’s company, which you only spout to people you’re is impressive for a band everyone just looked at each close to (“I hope fresh off a 2,000 mile, I don’t get deer other and smiled.” two week trip. tick,” “You’re a deer tick”), Beginning to roll attempts to get the banjo player Guitarist/vocalist Don Sicheneder and mandolin to pick “Dueling“ by humming it, player Troy Radikin started Dragon Wagon four years and an easy-going vibe, lacking ago. They spent two years swapping players in and out, any sort of tension. but in 2010 they realized they found the group they were looking for with Diana Ladio (fiddle, vocals), Rich Delcamp (banjo,

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Way of the road

feature

Dragon Wagon spent an afternoon with Current at Bendemere Park wandering the trails, taking photos and talking about a recent tour and an upcoming debut album

Most people, they say, are super cool and hospitable at tour stops. But there’s always the volatility that comes with traveling, like a funny little tale of them getting kicked out of a campground in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, for the crime of trying to take a shower.

“That was funny; they were so mad,” Delcamp recalls. “We tried to be nice, but they came up like they watched Cops every single night of their life. They blocked our van in, started yelling at us.

The best line of the whole event, though, ‘We know your kind. You

(l to r) Fritz McGirr, Mike Bustos, Don Sicheneder, Diana Ladio, Rich Delcamp, Troy Radikin

rich musicians come in with all your money and try to rip off the little guy.’”

They weren’t aware that access to the bathroom wasn’t included in the $185 they paid to put up six tents for four hours. So they skipped out, giving up their scenic view of the local power plant. They moved on to New York, and their new hosts couldn’t have been nicer — they gave them food, booze, and camping space.

They even let them use the bathroom.

On July 13 at the Blind Pig, Dragon Wagon will drop its first, full-length, self-titled album. Some bands that feed off of the unpredictability, energy and whimsical turns of live performances struggle in the studio.

They didn’t hit that wall. But that’s because they played by their own rules.

Sticking to their guns

“Once we started doing it ourselves, it wasn’t a problem at all,” Delcamp said. “We weren’t pressed for time. We did it on our own time, when we could. It really helped us to be creative and extrapolate on what we do live and bring that into the studio.

It feels really natural.”

They did a lot of things outside producers might have frowned upon — they took chances, kept it raw, didn’t over-think it and, above all, made sure it wasn’t over-processed.

“We’re an acoustic roots band, and the thing is we’ve done a number of different demos and live CDs and things like that,” says Sicheneder. “But these are the songs that some of us have been playing for four years, and we really picked the best of the best out of the crop and tried to put together one full piece of work.”

After the photo shoot, as everyone heads back to their cars, the band engages in a debate about a situation where they are double booked. The group is split, people flip flop, they take votes, but no one seems overly concerned or raises their voice. There are shoulder shrugs and a recount, and somehow they subtly slide into what appears to be a decision. They get along even when they disagree.

PHOTOS BY: ALEX BEAT

Halfway through the shoot, an older gentlemen stops on the trail, in the background of the photo, nonchalantly staring towards the posed band.

“Make sure you get him in the shot,” someone lightheartedly, yet sarcastically, says.

“Yeah, that’s the dude from Abbey Road,” another member adds.

Everyone laughs; the man looks confused and moves on.

Dragon Wagon had just arrived back from a New York run, and, by the time you are reading this, they’ll be pulling in back home from circling around the Great Lakes — hitting Chicago, Madison, Green Bay — then swooping back down to Ann Arbor via the Upper Peninsula. They get on the road in short bursts, sometimes logging thousands of miles in less than a month. During their “down time” they’ll hit four Michigan cities in a week.

“We like to take shorter tours; get out for a week or two and get back,” Sicheneder says.

ecurrent.com / july 2012 11

food The Ravens Club

in review The Ravens Club Bird is the word

by Joe Saul and Lisa Leutheuser You can’t pigeonhole the food at The Ravens Club. (We’ll try to minimize bird puns going forward.) It’s influenced by historical cooking, but not necessarily the same late 19th century / early 20th century historical roots which inform the décor and the cocktails. The cabbage rolls – a surprise star of the menu – are indeed inspired by early 20th century immigrant menus, and the Russian dressing comes from a 1908 Boston Globe recipe. The gattafura (cheese tart), on the other hand, is a relatively faithful execution of a Genovese recipe from 1570, accompanied by an ancestor of modern pesto, documented in sources as early as 1360.

Chef Dan Vernia uses that tart recipe to make a point about his philosophy. In those times, cookbooks were beginning to have a more regional focus, documenting local cuisine like the gattafura from Genoa, rather than laying out a standard collection of dishes.

Just as you can’t stereotype the inspiration for the Ravens Club’s dishes, you can’t make generalizations about the flavor profile. This isn’t a negative in any way; it’s great when food provokes strong responses, and it’s especially refreshing in a Main Street restaurant, where so many play it safe.

Small Plates

Rabbit Confit: Tender rabbit served on top of a Native American-inspired corn bread, dressed with micro greens and crispy sweet potato crisps, with a small pool of salsa verde that contrasted well with the rich meatiness of the rabbit. We recommend trying this before they rotate the menu. In fact, you might not want to share it.

Genovese Onion Gattafura: This classic pillow of a tart is filled with a rich creamy mass of Cipollini onions blended with caciocavallo (an Italian curd cheese) and bocconcini (a type of mozzarella). Cipollini onions are naturally sweet (for onions), and the long cooking brings that delicate sweetness out even more. Served with an herb-hazelnut sauce (the one from 1360).

Charcuterie: All made in house, and great for a group.

Ours featured a rustic country terrine, which had a intense meaty flavor and pleasing texture; a creamy light chicken liver mousse with phenomenal buttery texture; and a fennel salami. Each of the three had its partisans. Served with olives, radishes, fresh pickle slices, Brinery sauerkraut, and, of course, crackers for the meats.

Entrées

Antelope Ragout Dolceforte: A favorite of most of the group. A tender stew of braised Texas Nilgai antelope in a mole sauce of mild poblano peppers, balsamic vinegar, and chocolate topped with rapini and perfectly cooked saffron papardelle, with deep, rich, layered flavors. (To illustrate

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207 South Main Street Ann Arbor MI 48103 734.214.0400 www.theravensclub.com/ hello@theravensclub.com Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am–1am Friday 11:30am–2am Saturday 10am–2am Sunday 10am–12am Brunch: Saturday/ Sunday10am– 2pm

our earlier point, this is Joe’s favorite dish, but Lisa finds it a bit too heavy and isn’t a fan of antelope.)

Grilled N.Y. Strip Steak: The Ravens Club knows how to make a great steak, and they give it their own distinctive touch by serving the steak over roasted potatoes and topping it with two sunny side up fried quail eggs. (Steak and eggs.

Get it?) Our steak was perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned.

It’s naturally-raised Michigan beef with a bit of “toothiness” that you don’t get from unexercised pent-up cattle, and more beefy flavor. We enjoyed mixing the egg with the potatoes and mopping it up with the sauce.

Braised Beef Shortrib: A fork-tender, meat and potatoes dish. A bit reminiscent of a pot roast, but with the components separated. Mildly-flavored, but that may have been in comparison to the heavy flavors of the antelope. The wedge of dauphinoise potatoes – thinly sliced, then cooked in cream, butter, and a touch of garlic, enhancing their potatoey-ness – was one of the best side dishes ever.

Lamb and Pork Belly Cabbage Rolls: A trio of cabbage rolls stuffed with a mix of lamb sausage, pork belly, and rice, topped by more rice and resting in a pool of lightly spicy arrabiata tomato sauce. The meat-rice filling tends toward the dry side (in spite of the pork belly), but the wonderful blend of Eastern European and Turkish flavors between the rolls and the sauce more than makes up for it.

Another group favorite, this is perhaps Lisa’s top dish. (She once accidentally left her wrapped-up leftover cabbage rolls behind and mourned the loss for two days.)

W. Indies Vegetable Pepper Pot: Though the menu is heavily slanted toward omnivores, the pepper pot dish is an excellent vegan option. This West Indies-inspired ratatouille is served over risotto mixed with plantains and squash.

Mildly herbed tomato sauce ties together the zucchini, eggplant, and onions, which according to Chef Vernia have each been cooked separately, with their own spicing, before being combined. The flavors are rich enough and the rice creamy enough that it’s hard to believe it’s vegan. The spicing reminded us of both Caribbean and North African cuisine.

Dessert

Chocolate-Round the Block: Perfect for sharing between two (or even more) if all you want are a few sweet bites to close your dinner.

Lavender Infused Creme Caramel: This one wins the most contested award. The creme caramel was perfection – delicate, creamy, yet with a bit of firmness.

Presentations, across the board, are lovely, and service was expert and knowledgeable. Ravens Club is also justifiably known for its innovative and historically-inspired mixed drinks. You can treat it as an upscale bar with excellent snacks, or as a special-occasion dinner destination, and you won’t be disappointed either way. ecurrent.com / july 2012 12

3 tuesday Appalachian BBQ Dinner

7-10pm. $50. Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2502 Jackson Ave. 734-663-3663. www.zingermansroadhouse.com

Ann Arbor’s barbecue behemoth is hosting the first BBQ dinner of the season, and will celebrate the foods of American Appalachia. It’s a traditional form of cooking that goes back 15,000 years — find out whether it lives up to the hype.

4 wednesday Ann Arbor Farmers Market

Evenings. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St. 734-794-6255. www.a2gov.org/market

Enjoy lining up for some tasty food cart food while you listen to live music and shop at the various vendor booths. There’s also a beer and wine garden sponsored by a non-profit every week.

7 saturday Saline Farmer’s Market

8am-noon. Saline Farmers Market, Ann Arbor St. and Michigan Ave. 734-429-5450. cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket

Keep it fresh (and local) with a trip to the farmer’s market every Saturday morning.

There’ll be Ann Arbor-area produced cheese, honey, butter, and jams, and lots of fresh pastries (if you’re into eating more than shopping).

10 tuesday Raw Foods: Traveling in the Raw 7-8:30pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. 734-994-9174 peoplesfood.coop

The People’s Food Co-op is sponsoring a lesson by Ellen Livingston that will teach health-conscious foodies how to manage a raw food diet while traveling this summer. Registration is through the People’s Food Co-op website or in the store at 216 N. Fourth Ave.

Summer Soups

6:30-9:30pm. $65. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com

Chilled summer soups are like the savory version of a smoothie — perfect to sip on in these warmer months. Allison shelters will teach vegetable lovers how to whip up sweet corn soup with avocado, fresh watercress bisque with creme fraiche, spiney lobster and mango gaspacho, and Thaisiced watermelon soup.

food

Brew-ha-ha

Beer lovers have something to celebrate – over 450 types of beer at their fingertips. Take in a scenic view while sampling beers from more than 60 different Michigan breweries at the 15th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. In celebration of Michigan Craft Beer Month, those over the age of 21 can drop by and swill their fill on Friday, July 27 from 5-9pm and Saturday, July 28 from 1-6pm. Independent food vendors will be stationed throughout the festival to serve up tasty treats to compliment the vast beer selection. Live music from local bands will provide a diverse and energetic scene at the event, including Current cover stars Dragon Wagon Fri., July 27 at 9pm. (See pg. 10 for their story.) Rain or shine, the event will go on! Fri., $30 adv./$35 gate; Sat. $35 adv./$40 gate.

Designated drivers only pay $5. 5 E Cross St.,Ypsilanti. 734-483-4444. www.michiganbrewersguild.org—AR

11 wednesday Italian Sauces and Condiments

5:30-8:30pm. $54. Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. 734-994-2300. www.wccnet.edu

Francesca Giarraffa guides pasta lovers in an essential Italian lesson — sauces. Learn how to make “amatriciana,” a pancetta and onion tomato sauce for penne, and a prosciutto and peas white sauce for lovers of bow tie pasta (among other tasty ideas).

12 thursday Beer Tasting: Wheats, Wits and Lambics 7-9pm. $25-$30. Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. www.arborbrewing.com

Try the refreshing beers of summer at this installment of the monthly tasting. An appetizer buffet will be on hand so you can practice washing those hors d’oeuvres down with some sour Belgian Lambics. Tickets sell out fast, so buy early.

The Baker’s Pantry: Fat, It’s Where it’s At! 7-8:30pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. 734-994-9174 peoplesfood.coop

People’s Food Co-op’s head baker, Keegan Rodgers, teaches cooks the ins and outs of using creams, butter and oil in baking. The experienced chef will help you go from baking novice to expert.

Cooking With Your CSA Share

6:30-9:30pm. $65. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com

Even if you don’t have a surplus of veggies and fruits from your community supported agriculture share, this class will give you delicious ideas for using blueberries, cherries, the ever-plentiful zucchini.

13 friday Date Night Cooking Class 6:30-10pm. $150/couple.

Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com

Prepare an Asian bento box dinner with your significant other (you can bring along wine to sip while you work). Miso soup, ahi tuna with sesame and napa, and green tea granita are a few of the eats on the menu. Registration through July 11.

14 saturday Jam and Can

1-5pm. $65. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com

Learn how to make preserves, chutneys, and jams with all those extra fruits and veggies you’ve got around the kitchen.

Jalapeno jelly, strawberry apple jam, peach chutney, spiced rasberry reserves, tomato and onion marmalade — it’ll be difficult to decide which to spread on some toast first.

16 monday Gin Say Summer

7:30pm. $35. The Ravens Club, 207 S. Main St. 734-214-0400. www.tammytastings.com

25 wednesday Sushi Session

6:30-8:30pm. $45.

Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. 734-994-2300. www.aareced.com

Learn the secret of rolling perfect sushi from pro Andy Kwon, owner of Biwako Sushi.

You’ll leave the Basic Sushi Rolls class with your delicious seafood and seaweed creations, and also take home your own bamboo rolling mat (so you can try to attempt a Japanese dinner solo).

26 thursday Herbal Wisdom: How to Talk to Plants and Avoid Giving the Impression of Lunacy 7-8:30pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. 734-994-9174 peoplesfood.coop

This class is a long-time favorite of Ann Arbor plant-lovers.

Linda Diane Feldt will teach you how to make your garden grow — by understanding it.

You’ll understand how plants communicate, and why paying close attention is important.

29 sunday

Gin is known as the “official summer spirit” — here’s your chance to test the theory. Try all kinds of gin and cocktails at this tasting.

21 saturday Motor City Bike and Brew Tour

10am-1:30pm. $27.99.

Motor City Tour Co. Parking at 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit 248-850-2563 motorcitybrewtours.com

This 10-mile ride through gritty Detroit’s brewing history is worth the drive north. It’s BYOB — bring your own bike — but the day of history and beer is provided by this oldfashioned cool tour company.

Bike rental available.

Golden Limo Wine Tour 12-5:30pm. $125.

Carson’s American Bistro, 2000 Commonwealth Blvd.

800-300-5151. www.goldenlimo.com

Take a tour around local wineries from the luxury of a limo.

Schedule of events? Sip, eat, recline. Repeat as necessary.

Visit our new website www.ecurrent.com for more events

ecurrent.com / july 2012 13

feature

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Hills, Burroughs in Brighton, and Slows in Detroit, hat’s the best barbeque joint in Washtenaw among others.

County? I assembled a panel of the finest and Each seeker was provided with a personalized most discerning palates, who joined me on a notebook, which included a scoresheet, provided by tour to rank the best brisket, pulled pork, and Thom, modeled after those used by the Kansas City ribs around. We traveled to three or four restaurants per Barbeque Society. Each comestible was to be ranked in day, notebooks and scoresheets in hand, getting down “appearance, taste, and texture,” and given a grade along to the serious business of judging. I proudly call these a ten-point scale, as follows: 1- disqualified; 2 – inedible; 3 intrepid men and women my Odyssey “seekers.”

– bad; 4 – poor; 5 – below average; 6 – average; 7 – above We ate in fancy restaurants, and in a shack so primitive average; 8 – very good; and 9 – excellent. A rarified “10” I half-expected to see a chicken sitting next to me. We was added by Thom, for what he described as “you’d dined on hand crafted dining tables, enjoying microbrewed shove your momma aside to get some.” beer; to sharing a pulled pork sandwich on the trunk lid of my 2007 Dodge Charger.

We improvised after leaving a “takeout only” establishment that A Barbecue Primer had neglected to provide plates People long ago figured out that low, and forks, making do with the slow cooking with smoke not only helped torn tops from the Styrofoam preserve their meat, but tenderized the tougher cuts. The etymology of the container, plastic spoons, and a term is from “barabicu,” a term from sauté pan that magically appeared Caribbean and Florida’s indigenous from someone’s trunk. people, roughly translating as “sacred In one restaurant, we ate fire pit.” Today, worshiping is done in the on a porch area decorated with form of elaborate wood smokers, or the trusty plastic trellises and flowers, and Weber grill. a window shot out with a BB Beef Brisket is a cut from the lower chest of a cow. It is tough pellet. The women’s room had muscle, but when cooked properly, the connective tissue breaks even more plastic flowers, while down and marinates the meat as it cooks. Brisket is the most fickle the men’s featured hockey and of BBQ meats, but when cooked perfectly, it is a tender, unique pin-up posters (“Red” from Mad flavor that makes it a star of Texas and Kansas City BBQ. Men, if you must).

Pork Shoulder is a juicy cut that typically has a rub applied and I had long moments I swore stays in the smoker for half a day. It is commonly shredded I’d become vegan, and painful or “pulled,” often served on sandwiches with coleslaw morning-afters…and times where and sauce.

I’d vowed to build my own smoker.

Pork Ribs, according to BBQ cookbook author Ray

The Rules

We tried to cover every restaurant in and around Washtenaw County (excluding chains) that provided smoked BBQ. We may have missed a couple, or covered one or two that we shouldn’t; but for the most part we hit the right spots.

I did make tough geographic cuts, eliminating Randy’s in Irish

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Lampe, consists of sweeter meat near the bone that is more frequently thought of as BBQ by northerners than those in the BBQ belt. Baby back comes from the top of the hog; meatier spare ribs from the side; and St. Louis style, which are spare ribs from the underside with the cartilage cut out — a little easier to cook well and eat neatly.

Sauces vary. Most casual diners are familiar with the thick and sweet

Kansas City sauce. Other types range from the tomato-less Carolina vinegar sauces which are great on pulled pork, to the no-sauce Memphis dry rubs, and many regional variations in between.

Chicken is not high on the BBQ food chain among true aficionados. With one exception, we did not order any chicken.

feature Ron’s Roadside BBQ 5850 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-665-4967 www.RonsRoadsideBBQ.com

Drive out Pontiac Trail where there is no more city, and South Lyon is not yet on the horizon, and you’ll pass Romanoff’s Catering between Dixboro and North Territorial Roads.

“Romanoff” was long-time owner Roman Philipp, who passed away a few years ago. His son Ron Philipp returned home from the big city to take over the kitchen.

Ron is just your typical, classically-French-trained chef, who used to work with Ina Garten (“The Barefoot Contessa”), ran a critically-acclaimed restaurant in New York (Farmer BBQ), and then returned home to a place that looks like a forgotten roadside chicken shack. But – the food! Oh. My. God. This man not only knows what he’s doing, but is so friendly, so hospitable, and so full of stories, that you want to come and visit again and again.

Forget your big city prices. A full rack of spare ribs are $17.50, with baby backs $2 more. A brisket sandwich is $7, pulled pork $6. Everything was delicious, too.

The beef – yes, all brisket – was very tasty, with excellent texture. The pork was juicy, with a vinegary tartness that needed no sauce to enhance it. Each of these dishes made the top three. And on Ron’s fabulous rolls, you can’t beat a sandwich.

Between baby backs and spare ribs, the latter had the edge in flavor. We also sampled an abundance of excellent side dishes, including a good mac and cheese, a “bonus” pasta salad with pesto, grilled veggies, and Feta; and brownies right out of the oven, which our reviewer Rose said “completely win me over with no argument.”

Photos by Alex Beat

Our favorites: brisket, pulled pork, rolls - and Ron

Zingerman’s Roadhouse 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-663-3663 www.zingermansroadhouse.com

Our favorites: spare ribs, mashed potatoes This venerable eatery was named one of America’s “Top Ten New Barbeque Restaurants” by none other than Bon Appetit magazine, in 2009. James Beard Award-Winning Chef Alex Young’s “Cornman Farms” provides local produce and livestock for most dishes; the spare ribs come from Iowa’s boutique Niman Ranch, and weigh in at $29 for a full rack. The 9-hour pit smoked BBQ beef is described as “front quarter of beef” and is not exclusively brisket. The smokers are on the patio, and the aromas entice diners as they walk from their cars to the restaurant. Yet on the whole, our panel was disappointed

with the Roadhouse, normally one of our favorite local eateries.

The beef was tender but with underwhelming flavor. Patti found it “bland,” and Mike was reminded of a pot roast.

The chopped pork was “whole hog” (not merely shoulder) and it was better. Rose called it “pure porky nirvana.” We also loved the mustard sauce paired with it. While juicy, it came at the expense of a texture that was too uniform, and even “mushy” for some.

The spare ribs looked terrific, with a charred, crunchy crust and rosy smoke ring; they pulled away nicely from the bone with just a little give.

They paired well with Chef Alex’s spicy “Red Rage” sauce. But some found them overcooked.

The collard greens and especially the mashed potatoes starred as sides. Rose crowed, “As a girl who doesn’t fear butter, these mashed potatoes are delicious!” continued on pg. 16

ecurrent.com / july 2012 15

feature Chef Chris' Boogie Woogie BBQ 5589 E. M36, Pinckney, MI 48169 * (810) 231-3400 www.boogiewoogiebbq.com

Our Favorites: cornbread, sauces Today, in the unassuming Hamburg Plaza on M-36, you can park next to Chef Chris’ smokers and enter the world of his modest storefront, decorated with music and Southern memorabilia. Chris’ menu is all BBQ, with two exceptions – his excellent jambalaya and crawfish gumbo (check out the blues musician’s salacious song “Crawfish Gumbo” sometime, if you dare).

The immediate impact of Chef Chris’ BBQ, when presented to our panel, was extremely positive. This looks like BBQ is supposed to. The St. Louis ribs ($19 a slab)

were meaty with an excellent char and dusting of rub. The brisket was lovely, and boasted the requisite pink rim. And the pulled pork featured a variety of sizes and textures, including “bark,” indicating great care in preparation.

The flavor was good. Brandon noted it was the “smokiest” so far. However, all three were a little dry, as if the fat had been rendered out too long.

The brisket also tasted slightly off, demonstrating what a fickle cut of meat it is. All the sauces helped, with good choices among “Texas Hot,” “Memphis Tangy & Sweet,” and “KC Sweet and Smoky.”

Among sides, the collard greens were tasty and the cornbread was the best we had.

James L. Crawford Lodge #322 IBPOEW (“Elk’s Lodge”) “A Fraternal Organization for Members and Guests Only” 220 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 734-761-7172 www.facebook.com/ElksKitchen Ann Arbor’s historic Elks Lodge has been serving some smokin’ hot soul food Thursday-Saturdays, in conjunction with its weekend jazz series.

As I noted in the May Current, Chef Kelli Harden, assisted by Kevin Cook, offer a menu of spare ribs, buttermilk fried chicken, fried catfish, homemade macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, savory black eyed peas, collard greens, and fresh baked corn muffins. Since that article appeared, Chef Kelli has taken a hiatus for a summer gig out of state, but Kevin is still here and has added roasted Michigan beets to the menu.

Although not truly a BBQ restaurant, the Elks’ highlight is the pitsmoked spareribs, slow-cooked on the outdoor smoker. Each one of these meaty monsters has to weigh in at least half a pound, with a serving of three — plus two sides and cornbread — for a mere $12.

Greasing the skids with my membership in the Lodge, Chefs Kelli and Kevin prepared us each a special plate with one spare rib, and a concoction of cornbread topped with honey butter, greens, and hot sauce. My panel was blown away.

Mike said, “Spare ribs were great.

Nice meaty texture, came off the bone easily.” Rosemarie was the most effusive, saying “I would have never thought I would be allowed in here, nor would I have thought they would have food!" Rosemarie also scored the “best snack ever” with a perfect 10 for appearance and taste.

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Photos by Pierre W Photography

Our favorites: #1 ribs, baby!

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Bone Heads BBQ 10256 Willis Road, Willis, Michigan 48191 734-461-9250 www.boneheadsinc.com

Photo by Alex Beat

Bone Heads is so many different things; I don’t know where to start. Their logo is a flaming skull and crossbones figure wearing a chef’s hat, but since “bones” is also a synonym for ribs, the image of human bones in a BBQ restaurant makes me a little uncomfortable. In addition to the pirate motif, Bone Heads’ design ranges from hockey and “pinup posters,” to artificial flowers on the trellis in the indoor patio. (Said patio also included a BB pellet hole in the window, complete with the offending BB still resting on the grille between the panes.)

And don’t get me started on “Nellie” the ghost, who has earned Bone Heads a few visits from paranormal researchers.

The menu is equally discordant, prompting Rose to ask, “Why is there escargot on the menu?!”

And why did BBQ sides include rice pilaf, but no greens?

Although the pickle chips do bring a unique flavor to a BBQ meal.

Despite these bizarre juxtapositions, the St. Louis ribs ($22 a rack) were good. Served with a brown sugar rub and sweet honey sauce, they were pleasantly charred, smoky and tender. The sauce was forgettable to Patti, who lamented, “I tried it three times and couldn’t form an opinion on it.”

The pulled pork did not fare so well. Served pre-mixed with sauce to moisten it, it presented with the “Cheeto-orange color” that Rosemarie noticed. The sides were average (although the pickle chips were a unique addition), with the cornbread getting the most positive comments.

Thom was less sanguine.

He wrote bluntly, “None of this is acceptable.

Yelp reviews written by owners’ children.”

Photo by Alex Beat

Our favorite: St. Louis ribs, cornbread

Biercamp 1643 S. State St. Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 734-995-BIER(2437) www.bier-camp.com

Our favorites: Everything! #1 beef and #1 pork Owners Walt Hansen and Hannah Cheadle have starstudded resumes. Walt, a third generation butcher, went to culinary school in Vancouver, specializing in cured meats.

He worked a stint in New York City, running the charcutier (smoked and cured prepared meats) station, in the kitchen of celebrity chef Mario Batali’s “Del Posto” restaurant.

Hannah, with a degree in merchandising, also spent time in New York, working for Paul McCartney’s daughter Stella. Not bad for a couple of 29-year-olds from Suttons Bay, in rural northern Michigan, who named their place after a “beercamp” both their dads attended in the U.P., where they “cooked great food, drank great beer, and rarely left the cabin.” So Walt and Hannah designed their shop to resemble a cabin, and plan to include their own craft beer someday.

Biercamp’s smoked meat offerings include beef and pork, especially their 16 hour pulled pork and 12 hour slow smoked brisket. These are served at lunchtime on a roll with house made pickles and onions, $5 for the pork and $7 for the brisket. (They also sell a “steamship round” beef sandwich, with a Dijon-horseradish mayo, on Fridays for $7.)

When our panel visited on a recent Saturday, they were sold out of the brisket by 2 PM. “Sold out?” I asked incredulously. “But we are reviewing it, today, for Current magazine!” Hannah looked at Walt. Walt said, “No brisket.

But I just smoked some chuck.”

That smoked chuck drew more “10’s” across the scoresheets than anything else we ate. Finally, I understood what Thom meant when he said you’d “shove your momma aside to get some.”

Their brisket, which we had later, is also amazing. It is tenderized so perfectly, with marbleized meat and fat underneath a crisp charred edge, melting together in a flavor explosion.

Biercamp’s pulled pork is a nice combo of bark and juicy inside bits, premixed with a bit of their excellent peppery sauce. And while Biercamp does not sell traditional BBQ sides, their housemade pickles and pickled green tomatoes were two of the highest rated accompaniments we tasted.

“Obviously,” as Patti concluded, “all made with tender loving care!” continued on pg. 18

ecurrent.com / july 2012 17

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Red Rock Downtown Barbecue 207 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti MI 48197 734-340-2381 www.RedRockYpsi.com

Our favorites: brisket, sides

The newest addition to the BBQ scene, Red Rock opened about a week before we visited. The interior is beautifully designed, sleek brick and wood, and they feature about 20 craft beers on tap, from Michigan and beyond, much to Patti and Ben’s delight. The restaurant has great potential, and despite a couple of kinks on our visit, it should be a mainstay in the Ypsi food scene for years to come.

Unusual on our Odyssey, we had a clear division at Red Rock. Some loved the food, others found it wanting. Of the St. Louis ribs ($23 a rack) Rose said “probably best so far by taste.” Jeff called them “fantastic, with a smoky, incredibly honest flavor.”

Others, however, found them too dry and lean. The inconsistency may have been a consequence of the uneven cooking results obtained when cooking a modest-sized rack, with the ends losing tenderness more rapidly if they are not watched carefully.

We sang of the brisket with a more singular voice. Mike, who had an arm in a sling due to a brief infection, found it “juicy and easy to cut with a fork, important when you have only one useful arm.” However, we were saddened to learn the restaurant had run out of “burnt ends,” dry rubbed brisket ends served as an appetizer, due to their high popularity.

The pork also drew praise, smoky and moist, with great texture; some wished for more flavor. Red Rock’s sides were mostly good, especially the collards and the sweet potato mash, which according to Rose “tasted like pie filling, a good thing in my book.”

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A Taste of Soul (by Biggie’s) 97 Spring St., Ypsilanti MI 48197 734-483-8360 www.biggiesfoods.com

Our favorites: chicken, sides (21 to choose from!)

We expected our first stop on Day 2 to be at Hawkins’ Place, a long-time BBQ/soul food restaurant. Without a web presence, it took our visit to learn that the place had been taken over by Biggie’s, another venerable Ypsi eatery. They could not have been friendlier, and although it seemed that everything that could go wrong with our order did, we ended up with an abundance of hearty good food that will definitely have us coming back.

This is not an eat-in restaurant but a take-out joint. We chatted in the parking lot on a sunny Saturday, waiting for our spare ribs, pulled pork, baked chicken (no brisket), and assortment of sides.

Prices are reasonable; a slab of spare ribs is $20, a pulled pork sandwich $5, and all sides $2.25-$2.50.

The ribs are not smoked, but they are massive and meaty, with a good bite off the bone. Ben said “not quite Memphis BBQ, but not too bad.” They were served swimming in a sauce that Thom wondered if it might be “Open Pit.” The pork was uninspiring, but the chicken was simply amazing. Perfectly seasoned, baked and falling off the bone, the one serving we got was quickly hijacked from Patti, who had ordered it because she was swearing off pork for the day. She managed enough to declare it “simply delicious.”

Many agreed that the best thing here were the sides. The only place to offer turnip greens and braised cabbage, “Soul” also impressed with its candied yams and mac & cheese. These were only a sampling of the 21 side dishes offered on the menu, including sweet potato fries, fried okra, potato salad, red beans and rice, and black eyed peas.

“A Touch of Soul” definitely has promise. A better rib sauce served with a lighter hand, and this place could do some damage.

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Blue Tractor 207 East Washington St., Our favorites: brisket and baby backs

Blue Tractor is a downtown full service restaurant and brew pub, which has recently enhanced its menu with some Asian-influenced touches. Yet at its heart, it is an American themed BBQ joint, with baby backs ($25 a slab with fries and slaw), brisket, pork, beef shoulder, beer can chicken, smoked sausages, and short ribs. Sitting at an outdoor table, having dinner with a cold craft beer and friends, is not a bad thing at all.

We got our usual order of ribs, brisket, pork, and sides. On bringing Photo by Alex our food, our server not only explained Beat the color-coded sauces, but advised which dishes they would best match. The meat was good, generally scoring in the top five in each category. The ribs were well presented, pre-sauced with perhaps a bit too much of the “sweet and spicy,” and pulled away nicely from the bone. The brisket was solid across the board, and paired well with the vinegar and mustard sauces.

(All the sauces were very good; Rosemarie thought Blue Tractor’s were the best overall.) Tractor’s pulled pork was well prepared also. Sides were good, especially the creamy mac and cheese, which prompted Rose to declare “I want to do a mac and cheese odyssey next.”

Blue Tractor’s numbers were pretty good overall, but as we sat looking at each other after dinner, in his inimitable terse way, Thom read us. He commented: “Technically well prepared, but lacking soul.” We generally agreed, yet I have thought much about it since.

Was it fair? What is “soul?” Does BBQ have a je nais se quoi that transcends its presentation and taste?

Satchel’s BBQ 3035 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Photo by Alex Beat

Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (734) 222-4095 www.bluetractor.net

Roy’s BBQ & Burgers 25 Wabash St., Milan MI “Located between the Fire Department and the Z-Force Gym” 734-439-1737

Our favorite: BBQ sauce

As we were finishing at the Blue Tractor, someone asked, “What time does Roy’s close?” I wasn’t worried, as it was only 5:15 on a Saturday, but I called to be sure. “6 PM,” they said. 85 MPH later with no tickets, I arrived as the vanguard 2 minutes before 6 and ordered a $3.95 pulled pork sandwich (they sell no brisket, and ribs are only sold on Friday evenings, no exceptions). Roy’s is a classic diner, and as I watched them sizzle the pork on the flattop grill, I took in the latest NASCAR race on the mounted TV. We had to eat outside, as they were closing. With no tables outside, we put the Styrofoam container on the trunk lid of my car and started dividing the sandwich into wedges.

The little bits of hamburger mixed in with the pork, with a touch of onion, was a result of cooking everything on the same surface over the course of the day. Yet the taste wasn’t bad, or perhaps ratcheted up by the freeloading ingredients.

The creamy coleslaw was a nice foil, and the flavors were all bound together by the sauce, which the cook told us with pride was a homemade secret. It was clearly the most interesting and unique we’d had, more of a thin hot vinegar condiment heavy on the chili and pepper, than a sweet and spicy tomato-base.

Roy’s gives a lot for the money; you can still get a regular burger for a buck, and the Friday night baby back dinner, with potatoes, slaw and Texas toast, is just $9.95. Not so cheap is their secret BBQ sauce – the menu lists it for $20 a gallon.

(734) 971-5100 www.satchelsbbq.com

Our favorites: spare ribs, mustard sauce

Satchel’s was created in 2010 by owner Hugh Morgan to fill what he correctly perceived to be an unjustifiable dearth of local BBQ restaurants. His philosophy is to keep it simple and focused; his slogan, “Don’t overthink it. It’s BBQ.” I want to like this place, which is near my house.

Sometimes it can be delicious and satisfying. But it can also be maddeningly inconsistent.

Entering Satchel’s, walking past the outdoor smoker, is how you would imagine going into a joint down south.

The smell inside is heavenly. Tables are family style with checkered cloths. You order from the counter and your food arrives quickly.

The food looked like BBQ should. The brisket had a nice char and an even color. The pork also looked great, with good sized chunks and excellent texture. The spare ribs ($22 a slab) were the best meat by far, amply sized with impressive char, good spice, and the right amount of give off the bone. Yet all three lacked the excellence of flavor that the looks and texture promised. I wondered if this was an issue with the meat itself,

and whether a switch in purveyors might make a difference, rather than a function of what the cooks were doing.

I learned later, through a coincidental conversation with a friend, that the owner had allegedly gone out of town for the very first time since his restaurant opened – on the very weekend we visited - and reportedly did so very reluctantly. Based on this, I urged the panel to give Satchel’s a second try. We did find the pork and brisket to be better, but overall it did not make a significant difference in their overall scores, nor their rankings relative to the other restaurants. continued on pg.20

ecurrent.com / july 2012 19

The Final Tally

As noted above, we scored on a scale of 1-10, in the sub-categories of appearance, taste, and texture, which were averaged to create an aggregate final result.

BBQ Ribs

Elks Lodge 8.7, Zingerman’s 7.63, Satchel’s 7.61, Blue Tractor 7.22, Ron’s spare ribs/Boogie Woogie 7.17 (tie), Bone Heads 7.05, Red Rock 6.95, A Touch of Soul 6.8, Ron’s baby backs 6.28.

BBQ Beef

Biercamp 9.19, Red Rock 8.17, Ron’s 8.07, Blue Tractor 7.38, Zingerman’s 7.25, Boogie Woogie 6.93, Satchel’s 6.6.

BBQ Pork

Biercamp 8.47, Ron’s 8.22, Red Rock 7.81, Boogie Woogie 7.33, Blue Tractor 7.26; Zingerman’s 6.92; Roy’s 6.79; Satchel’s 6.33; Bone Heads 6.0; A Touch of Soul 5.38.

Individual Sides (top 10)

Ron’s rolls 9.67, Elks cornbread/greens snack 9.0, Red Rock mashed sweet potatoes 8.8, Boogie Woogie cornbread 8.56, Biercamp green Tomatoes/A Touch of Soul yams 8.5 (tie), A Touch of Soul cabbage 8.33, Biercamp pickles 8.31, Zingerman’s mashed potatoes 8.29, A Touch of Soul mac and cheese 8.13.

My Seekers

My panel had quite a few holdovers from our previous Odysseys (Pizza, Beer, and Burger), and a couple of newcomers.

Brandon Johns – Chef at Grange in Ann Arbor, and veteran of many a local restaurant - as well as the Michigan defensive backfield – Brandon knows his pork. He has a butcher’s diagram of a pig tattooed on his forearm.

Thom Martin – Thom likes his cars fast, and his BBQ slow. He is a certified BBQ judge through the Kansas City Barbeque Society (http://www. kcbs.us) and was a terrific guide for us through the Odyssey.

Jeff McCabe – Cofounder, with his wife Lisa Gottlieb, of SELMA Café, Jeff supports local farmers with fourseason hoop houses and microloans, and is dedicated to the effort that 10% of Washtenaw County’s food will soon come from local sources. Jeff “loves

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Aggregate Sides (at least two to qualify)

Biercamp 8.39, Zingerman’s 8.10, Red Rock 7.81, A Touch of Soul 7.69, Boogie Woogie 7.54, Ron’s 7.44, Blue Tractor 7.32, Satchel’s 6.64, Bone Heads 6.12.

Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned

I was personally surprised by the results. I had no idea Elks and Biercamp would stand up so well, that Ron Philipp was doing such serious work in his kitchen, or that a Taste of Soul would be so fun. I was also pleased to see Red Rock come out of the starting gate so well. At the other end, I fully expected Zingerman’s to blow away the competition, given how well they’d done in our Burger Odyssey, not to mention all their national accolades. And I’d thought one of my favorites, Chef Chris, would fare better.

But it all comes down to taste and comfort.

There is something to love at every BBQ joint in our Odyssey. Customers will fiercely defend their favorites. If it has soul for you, that is really the end of the inquiry. In a way, Hugh Morgan, the owner of Satchel’s, has it right: don’t overthink it.

But when you’re dropping upwards of $30 of your hard-earned dollars on a rack, you have to take it seriously. BBQ is part science, part art; perfection and consistency are elusive sirens.

him some BBQ” and frequently tinkers with smoking and curing meats in his garage.

Mike Pitsch – Mike brings his engineer’s technical curiosity to the table, and enjoys a variety of quality foods, but “not Twitter or texting.” He does enjoy long walks on the beach with …

Rosemarie

Pitsch –

Rosemarie was descriptive but precise, as might be expected of a professional health and science writer. Terms like “pure piggy nirvana” and “Cheeto orange” lifted her above her more pedestrian fellow seekers. Rose’s periodic vows to avoid pork or go on a permanent “salad odyssey” proved empty threats.

Patti Smith – “Teacher Patti” is a special education teacher and lifelong beef eater.

She avoids pork, but did try a slab of ribs and was swiftly “smote.”

Thereafter, she stuck to beef and chicken.

Ken “Sky” Walker –

Sky laments the passing of former local BBQ King Jesse Campbell,

a.k.a. “Mr. Rib,” whose “Soul on a Roll” (pulled pork, sauce, coleslaw and cheese) was pure sandwich perfection.

Nick Roumel – Your author, who vacillates between veganism and the caveman diet, has ultimately decided that God would not have made meat taste so good if He intended us to be vegetarian. (You try smoking tofu, Buster.)

New Seekers

Ken Anderson – By day a communications coordinator for the AATA, in his off-time Ken likes to consume all manner of grilled and smoked meats, while studying vintage maps and listening to electronic music.

Ben Strutin - It started for Ben when he pulled fresh, creamy, potatoes out of the soil on a sunny farm, instead of the shelf of a florescent-lit grocery store. From there he volunteered for SELMA Café and joined Jeff’s “Nifty Hoops” team.

The Final Tally

As noted above, we scored on a scale of 1-10, in the sub-categories of appearance, taste, and texture, which were averaged to create an aggregate final result.

BBQ Ribs

Elks Lodge 8.7, Zingerman’s 7.63, Satchel’s 7.61, Blue Tractor 7.22, Ron’s spare ribs/Boogie Woogie 7.17 (tie), Bone Heads 7.05, Red Rock 6.95, A Touch of Soul 6.8, Ron’s baby backs 6.28.

BBQ Beef

Biercamp 9.19, Red Rock 8.17, Ron’s 8.07, Blue Tractor 7.38, Zingerman’s 7.25, Boogie Woogie 6.93, Satchel’s 6.6.

BBQ Pork

Biercamp 8.47, Ron’s 8.22, Red Rock 7.81, Boogie Woogie 7.33, Blue Tractor 7.26; Zingerman’s 6.92; Roy’s 6.79; Satchel’s 6.33; Bone Heads 6.0; A Touch of Soul 5.38.

Individual Sides (top 10)

Ron’s rolls 9.67, Elks cornbread/greens snack 9.0, Red Rock mashed sweet potatoes 8.8, Boogie Woogie cornbread 8.56, Biercamp green Tomatoes/A Touch of Soul yams 8.5 (tie), A Touch of Soul cabbage 8.33, Biercamp pickles 8.31, Zingerman’s mashed potatoes 8.29, A Touch of Soul mac and cheese 8.13.

My Seekers

My panel had quite a few holdovers from our previous Odysseys (Pizza, Beer, and Burger), and a couple of newcomers.

Brandon Johns – Chef at Grange in Ann Arbor, and veteran of many a local restaurant - as well as the Michigan defensive backfield – Brandon knows his pork. He has a butcher’s diagram of a pig tattooed on his forearm.

Thom Martin – Thom likes his cars fast, and his BBQ slow. He is a certified BBQ judge through the Kansas City Barbeque Society (http://www. kcbs.us) and was a terrific guide for us through the Odyssey.

Jeff McCabe – Cofounder, with his wife Lisa Gottlieb, of SELMA Café, Jeff supports local farmers with fourseason hoop houses and microloans, and is dedicated to the effort that 10% of Washtenaw County’s food will soon come from local sources. Jeff “loves

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Aggregate Sides (at least two to qualify)

Biercamp 8.39, Zingerman’s 8.10, Red Rock 7.81, A Touch of Soul 7.69, Boogie Woogie 7.54, Ron’s 7.44, Blue Tractor 7.32, Satchel’s 6.64, Bone Heads 6.12.

feature

Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned

I was personally surprised by the results. I had no idea Elks and Biercamp would stand up so well, that Ron Philipp was doing such serious work in his kitchen, or that a Taste of Soul would be so fun. I was also pleased to see Red Rock come out of the starting gate so well. At the other end, I fully expected Zingerman’s to blow away the competition, given how well they’d done in our Burger Odyssey, not to mention all their national accolades. And I’d thought one of my favorites, Chef Chris, would fare better.

But it all comes down to taste and comfort.

There is something to love at every BBQ joint in our Odyssey. Customers will fiercely defend their favorites. If it has soul for you, that is really the end of the inquiry. In a way, Hugh Morgan, the owner of Satchel’s, has it right: don’t overthink it.

But when you’re dropping upwards of $30 of your hard-earned dollars on a rack, you have to take it seriously. BBQ is part science, part art; perfection and consistency are elusive sirens.

him some BBQ” and frequently tinkers with smoking and curing meats in his garage.

Mike Pitsch – Mike brings his engineer’s technical curiosity to the table, and enjoys a variety of quality foods, but “not Twitter or texting.” He does enjoy long walks on the beach with …

Rosemarie

Pitsch –

Rosemarie was descriptive but precise, as might be expected of a professional health and science writer. Terms like “pure piggy nirvana” and “Cheeto orange” lifted her above her more pedestrian fellow seekers. Rose’s periodic vows to avoid pork or go on a permanent “salad odyssey” proved empty threats.

Patti Smith – “Teacher Patti” is a special education teacher and lifelong beef eater.

She avoids pork, but did try a slab of ribs and was swiftly “smote.”

Thereafter, she stuck to beef and chicken.

Ken “Sky” Walker –

Sky laments the passing of former local BBQ King Jesse Campbell,

a.k.a. “Mr. Rib,” whose “Soul on a Roll” (pulled pork, sauce, coleslaw and cheese) was pure sandwich perfection.

Nick Roumel – Your author, who vacillates between veganism and the caveman diet, has ultimately decided that God would not have made meat taste so good if He intended us to be vegetarian. (You try smoking tofu, Buster.)

New Seekers

Ken Anderson – By day a communications coordinator for the AATA, in his off-time Ken likes to consume all manner of grilled and smoked meats, while studying vintage maps and listening to electronic music.

Ben Strutin - It started for Ben when he pulled fresh, creamy, potatoes out of the soil on a sunny farm, instead of the shelf of a florescent-lit grocery store. From there he volunteered for SELMA Café and joined Jeff’s “Nifty Hoops” team.

ecurrent.com / july 2012 21

music

Fast, slow, it doesn’t matter Guitar virtuoso Adrian Legg’s sound has soul

by Sandor Slomovits

When Adrian Legg returns to the Ark on Monday, July 9 it will be one of many stops on a tour in support of his most recent recording, Slow Guitar. Don’t let that title fool you. It does not mean that we won’t get to hear the full range of virtuosic finger-style guitar playing which Legg has long been famous for. You don’t get voted Guitarist of the Decade by Guitarist magazine and Best Acoustic Fingerstylist four years in a row by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine if you only make use of the low end of the metronome markings. The phrase, “one of the best guitar players in the world,” doesn’t get used in the same sentence as your name if you only play whole notes, no matter how beautifully. Legg himself is certainly not hung up on pace. As he said recently, “Fast, slow, any tempo is fine if the piece has an identity and a soul. Bravura can be fun, but not repeatedly.”

No, there are other reasons for the tempo and timing of this new release. “These guitar pieces are taken from across thirty years of my music composition,” says Legg.

“I wrote them for my own solace and am touched to find that listeners turn to them for the same reasons. The original recordings are scattered over CDs which are out of print or hard to find. It seemed to be time to gather them together, so I took the opportunity to make fresh recordings.” Legg also adds, “There is a practical element to rerecording in that the original takes belong to corporations that have since become different entities with different priorities. I wanted a recording that belonged to us — myself and the people who liked some of the tunes.” Legg’s mastery of technique combined with his apparently boundless musical imagination makes his music impossible to

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categorize. He can, from track to rack, and sometimes within a single piece, sound like Segovia, Leo Kottke, Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder, and even Earl Scruggs or the Chieftains. Besides playing, the British born musician has long engaged in many different activities related to the guitar: composing, teaching, writing books, magazine articles and NPR commentaries, and designing and creating electric and acoustic modifications to the instrument. “I’m still exploring. The steel string guitar is the American instrument; it has served, and evolved with, many cultures and ages, and has a correspondingly huge vernacular. I try to look at it broadly —perhaps as a foreigner it might be easier for me to see the wood.” Legg has been coming to the US for extended tours for more than twenty years. “A tour is usually a hectic tunnel of directions and hotel rooms, ending in jet lag and confusion.” But there are rewards. About the Ark, he says, “Mainly I remember warmth, support and validation, beside which the rigors of the road become insignificant.

I think I might have finally grown up in the Ark and the places like it. I certainly learned that music doesn’t just belong to musicians.”

Adrian Legg returns to The Ark, 316 S. Main St., on Monday, July 9 at 8pm. Tickets are $17.50.

For more info, visit www.theark.org.

Paul Keller Orchestra Grotto Club

Every Monday come out and swing to this 15 piece big band. 8:15pm. $10.

3 tuesday Jazz, Blues & R&B All We Are Saying The Ark

Explore the music of John Lennon through this unique jazz experience with Bill Frisell featuring Tony Scherr, Greg Leisz and Kenny Wollesen.

4 wednesday Jazz, Blues & R&B Jake Reichbart The Earle Restaurant

Michigan ElvisFest

Reichbart is an Ann Arbor jazz institution, delighting audiences for almost 20 years, every Wednesday. 7pm.

Depot Town, Ypsilanti / Friday-Saturday, July 13-14

Put on your blue suede shoes and head to Ypsilanti’s historic Depot Town for the 2012 ElvisFest, the nation’s largest festival dedicated to the King of Rock N’ Roll. The banks of the Huron River at Riverside Park will be overrun with the best Elvis Tribute Artists from around North America performing all weekend long. Plenty of great Elvis memorabilia will be on hand and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels will raffle off a trip for two to Graceland along with other great prizes. For a full schedule of events visit the website. Friday, 5pm-12am;Saturday, 12pm-12am. Fri., $12.50 adv./$15 gate. Sat., $22.50 adv./$25 gate.

Two-day tickets, $30. Depot Town, Ypsilanti. www.mielvisfest.org—JG Marsha Mumm - Vinology

1 sunday

Marsha Gayle performs beautifully on both guitar and piano offering enriched versions of classic “swing” jazz tunes.

6pm.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic Frank Allison Old Town Tavern

Frank has developed his own new style of rhythmic, funky, ukulele music called Koo Koo Music. 8-10pm. Free.

Jazz, Blues & R&B

Becca Stevens - The Ark

Drawing upon pop, jazz and folk, Stevens’ performance will display a combination of head and heart in music. 7:30pm. $15.

$2OFF Total Purchase Present coupon at checkout.

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2 monday Jazz, Blues & R&B

Victor Wooten - The Ark

A member of Grammy-winning group Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Wooten will be displaying his innovation of bass guitar and talent as composer and vocalist. 8pm. $45.

Country & Bluegrass

Lonesome County Circus Bar & Billiards

music Dance & Techno Ishka - Blind Pig

Get up and dance as Ishka gets the party started with clever remixes and top beats. 9:30pm. $10 under 21/$7.

6 friday Jazz, Blues & R&B

Black Hat - Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

This presentation of modern, original poetry by Frankie the K and Caroline Maun is done through jazz, pop and folk music. With a drummer and percussionist pulling it all together, it’s a unique performance of a musical story. 8:30pm. Free.

Martin Simmons Band Mark’s Carts Food Cart Courtyard

Have some fun with soulful blues from the Martin Simmons Band. 7pm. Free.

7 saturday

This group has been putting Michigan bluegrass not just on the map but all over it, with a win at Kentucky’s Renfro Valley Talent Contest (you can’t get much more bluegrass than that), and a recent appearance on the Woodsongs Radio Hour in Lexington. 10:30pm. $5 under 21.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

Ring in Independence Day with this stoner rock band based in the unique Detroit “city with-in a city” of Hamtramck. 10pm. $5.

This four-piece rock group from A2 was formed in the bowels of the Upland House and blends blues, rock, and reggae into their own unique sound.

9:30pm. $10 under 21/$7.

Bison Machine Woodruff’s

5 thursday

8pm. $30.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Frontier Ruckus Liberty Plaza

Through some kind of rare ability, Frontier Ruckus turns memories into melodies and transforms a from-the-insideout examination of their native Michigan into a creaky backporch storytelling session relevant well beyond the Great Lakes. They perform with special guest Chris Bathgate.

12pm. Free.

Donna Holman Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

Enjoy a great vocalist who has shared the stage with Kid Rock, Rascal Flatts and Travis Tritt. 8:30pm. Free.

Dirty Deville - Blind Pig

Gun Lake - Woodruff’s

Cover of Current’s runner up is sure to put on a hell of a show in Ypsi. 10pm. $5.

8 sunday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Eric Kelly Old Town Tavern

Hard drinkin’ and blue collar tunes is what Kelly comes to work for. 8-10pm. Free.

cont. on page 25

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SHOP & DONATE a2ptothriftshop.org

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We offer free furniture pick-up! Call for details.

734-996-9155.

ecurrent.com / july 2012 23

Hold the vermouth?

In defense of a misunderstood part of

i a!

Viva Ital

your favorite cocktails

Cruise down to Yark Fiat to test drive one of our sporty FIAT 500’S and you will receive a $25 GIFT CARD to

PAESANO’S ITALIAN!

See ad on p. 2

24

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2012 / ecurrent.com

x

by Robyn Cleveland (Barman at The Ravens Club) I admit it — I cringe the dusty back bars. when I get an order for a Raise it from the martini sans vermouth. out-of-sight wells.

I don’t blame people Hold the vermouth? for being leery of it — Yes! Hold it close, Vermouth is perhaps one hold it tight, and of the most misunderstood hold it high!

If you find and neglected things feeling lurking behind every bar. yourself But omit it from a martini adventurous, ask bartender and you’re just drinking your chilled gin or vodka with a about it and what they have to offer you. Trust garnish.

The delicate herb and your instinct. If you’re not spice notes can transport happy with the outcome, you to a far off land, a buy your own bottle. Do distant memory, or just some research or talk to a shine a whole new light knowledgeable merchant. on another spirit so subtly You’ll be happy you did. you might not notice if you Just remember, vermouth weren’t paying attention. is best served cold. **Try it on the rocks Most vermouth recipes date back over 200 years with a lemon or orange peel, and are closely-guarded or mix with soda water for secrets for a reason. To lighter refreshment. understand and appreciate the variations can take time Cocktail ideas: Americano: and is best done through The ubiquitous classic experience. Don’t let your · 1 ounce Campari vermouth sit for too long. · 1 ounce sweet vermouth (rosso) Once open, it has a shelf · Top with club soda life and will eventually Instructions: Serve on the rocks become only a shell of its in an old fashioned glass.

Garnish with half an orange former self. Refrigeration slice and optional lemon peel. helps, but the best thing to do is DRINK IT. And Rose: A vintage Parisian cocktail if you find yourself starting unearthed by cocktail historian David Wondrich– to love it, invest in it as you well suited for a summer would anything you love, evening. · 2 ounces dry vermouth and the feeling will grow. · 1 ounce kirsch I'll spare you the full · 1 teaspoon raspberry definition and history of syrup or Chambord · 1 maraschino or brandied vermouth; we have the cherry (optional) internet at our disposal Instructions: Combine vermouth, kirsch, and syrup for that. I merely wish or Chambord in a mixing glass to encourage the growth and fill with ice. Stir well and and understanding of this strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry. black sheep. Free it from

music

Chuck Prophet The Ark / July 29

Chuck Prophet never runs out of gas. He released eight albums as the frontman of Green on Red, then delivered 14 solo albums in 22 years; the most recent being this year’s excellent record, Temple Beautiful. His lightlydistorted, rolling chord progressions and unique arrangements paired with his dark, literate and clever lyrics still have a fresh taste to them. And no one has been able to capture that sort of raw energy in music noir since Lou Reed. Prophet can still do it. $15. 8pm. 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1818. www.theark.org —SR

cont. from pg 23

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

Diana Lawrence & Phoebe Hunt - The Ark

Alternative rock lives on through the contemporary efforts of Evans Blue. 9pm. $12 adv./$14 door.

This genre-jumping fiddler Americana-pop artist will have feet tapping with her mixture of swing, jazz, blues and country. 7:30pm. $15.

Classical & Spiritual

Naked Dance! Kerrytown Concert House

Join in the fun with music including the piano, percussion, flute, clarinet and the saxophone. 4pm. $5-$25.

9 monday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Adrian Legg - The Ark

This performance is sure to dazzle the audience with a combination of country, jazz, folk, rock and classical styles.

He’s been named one of the world’s best acoustic guitarists.

8pm. $7.50.

10 tuesday Classical & Spiritual

Washtenaw Community Concert Band WCC Community Park

This 70 piece concert band is an outdoor concert event with American music ranging from the popular to the patriotic.

7:30pm. Free.

11 wednesday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

James Vincent McMorrow The Ark This Irish songwriter will be presenting his unique arrangements and atmospheric, dense songs. 8pm. $15.

Country & Bluegrass

Relentless Mules Circus Bar & Billiards

Get ready for high energy bluegrass that is, well, relentless!

10:30pm. $5 under 21.

Evans Blue - Blind Pig

12 thursday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

The Deep End - Blind Pig

This four piece rock, jam, and funk group anticipates melting your faces. 9:30pm. $8 under 21/$5.

Scars on 45 - Liberty Plaza With two former professional soccer players it might not come as a surprise that this indie rock band is from Bradford, England. They deliver a unique sound that is accurately called a gentle melodic intensity.

12pm. Free.

13 friday Jazz, Blues & R&B

Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds - The Ark

Take in this nine-piece powerhouse that puts a modern spin on classic soul. 8pm. $15.

Merely Miss Katie Silvio’s Organic Pizza

Merely Miss Katie will bring poetry and music together with her jazz guitar performance.

7pm. Free.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Jason & Ginger - Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

This Americana acoustic duo will be performing barrelhouse blues and soul-stirring ballads.

8:30pm. Free.

Country & Bluegrass

Dragon Wagon - Blind Pig The Cover of Current winners celebrate with a highly anticipated CD Release Party! (See pg. 10) 9:30pm. $10 under 21/$7.

14 saturday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

18 wednesday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Detroit Love Muscle Blind pig

The Good Lovelies The Ark

This all-girl band is the perfect antidote to any gloom or doom feelings with its swinging harmonies and clever songs.

8pm. $15.

Jazz, Blues & R&B Bluescasters Guy Hollerin’s

Continuing on like the bastions of old Motor City rockers, these guys keep it gritty with diesel filled rockin’ and greasy lyrics. 9:30pm. $8 under 21/$5.

20 friday Jazz, Blues & R&B

Rollickin’ blues is served up with cold brews for this hot summer jam. 8pm. $5.

Michéle Ramo Group Kerrytown Concert House This Mediterranean Jazz performance is a unique take on traditional jazz with bass, percussion and more. 8pm. $10-$30.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

The Alejandro O’Leary Band - Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

Hullabaloo - Mark’s Carts Food Cart Courtyard

Get dancing with a performance by high-energy funkjazz-ska band Hullabaloo. 7pm.

Free.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

The White Ravens Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

Enjoy melodic keyboard compositions from this band that has many diverse influences from the honky-tonk to alternative music. 8:30pm. Free.

Come out and enjoy some timeless melodies, big harmonies and rock n’ roll. 8:30pm.

Free.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

The Devil Elvis Show Woodruff’s

Come help Woodruff’s celebrate Elvis Fest in a little twisted and awesome way with Subourbon Son, The Canastas and Sex Police.

Get your feet tapping and start dancing with this performance of driving 2-steps, beautiful waltzes, bluesy Creole songs and more. The music will include fiddles, guitars and Cajun French vocals. 7pm. Free.

15 sunday

21 saturday

Jazz, Blues & R&B

Corey Harris & the Rasta Blues Experience - The Ark This country blues performer will be coming to town with a new release, “Father Son, Mother Earth.” 7:30pm. $20.

Chris Buhalis Old Town Tavern

From Alaska’s whiskey soaked bars to the spark and steel filled auto plants of Detroit, Buhalis’ songs speak of real people in real situations. 8pm. Free.

Sel de Terre Silvio’s Organic Pizza

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Agalloch - Blind Pig

For sixteen years the Pacific Northwest group Agalloch has defined what it means to combine influences from a variety of musical genres into one brooding, colossal, and cinematic sound that provides the soundtrack to existential themes concerning man, nature, loss, and death. 9pm. $12 adv./ $15 door.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

Kedder Avant - Woodruff’s This highly touted indie rock band celebrates their CD Release. 10pm. $5.

cont. on pg 27 ecurrent.com / july 2012 25

music perspective: blues Sunshine of your blues

by Jerry Mack I’ve borrowed the title of the Cream song because Cream borrowed heavily from the blues. Without the blues, Baker, Bruce, and Clapton, would not have reached the lofty status to which they were elevated by the rock media of the time.

The blues has always provided foundation and direction for musicians seeking to discover and apply the dynamics of “feel”, genuineness, and soul to their craft. For non-musicians, it can provide solace, resolution and a testimonial to the good times and the bad. If you seek any of these qualities, check out some of the fine blues music our venues offer this hotter than hot July.

The Ark has a line up of red hot artists, setting the tempo for a great month of music.

Singer Janiva Magness makes her debut at the Ark on the 7th. This SE Michigan native has the voice and drive to express how the blues helped her find redemption and survival. Her story is brought out in a no holds barred performance that’s is hot as it gets with funky blues gyrations, squared off with cool, gospel-sober reflections of life and love. Her latest release Stronger For It contains an intense passion and thankfulness for the vehicle that gives her wings.

Get ready for a night of steamy soulful, rhythm and blues from Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds on the 13th. Singer, Arleigh Kincheloe and harmonicist brother, Jackson found the music magic somewhere between the tangled streets of New York and the inspiring mountains to the west. With strong aspirations and

SE Michigan native Janiva Magness makes her Ark debut this month

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When Buckwheat Zydeco brings native-Louisiana music to town you can’t help but dance

help from cousin Bram on drums, they have assembled a top-notch 8-piece musical juggernaut that has dance party written all over it.

Corey Harris returns to the Ark on the 15th with the Rasta Blues Experience. Together they bring deep, exploratory approach to the different genres African music has influenced. As a student and performer embracing many musical roots, Corey may start out playing Delta blues, solo on guitar, then do songs with tuba, banjo, or a traditional African instrument. Throughout the evening a serious blues band or funky jazzy combo might take precedence. It all works with his masterful arrangements. Corey’s latest release Mississippi To Mali tells the musical story of returning to origins of blues and jazz.

It’s a big time zydeco dance party when Buckwheat Zydeco returns on the 26th. Stanley Dural and company have taken this energetic native-Louisiana music across the country and around the world because people go nuts over it. Check out what zydeco fans know and love about this music.

Guy O’Hollerin’s Local Brews & Blues, at the Holiday Inn near UM’s Campus helps you beat the heat with cool blues happening on Saturday nights.

The Bluescasters will put some boogie woogie jump blues in your shoes on the 14th.

George Bedard & the Kingpins, the popular rockabilly and roots power trio in town, play your favorites on the 21st.

Lady Sunshine & the X Band, Ann Arbor’s premier rhythm & blues review, presents a mid-summer’s night rendezvous with the blues on the 28th.

Lady Sunshine’s soulful vocals always bring good times to the party The Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Top of the Park series holds its big time street party in front of Rackham Auditorium featuring free live music from local bands every night through July 8th. Madcat & Kane perform roots blues with Big Dave Steele and Mark Schimmer on the 1st. The Saints of Soul take you to the crossroads where the blues meets Motown soul on the 6th. Thornetta Davis unleashes her powerful array of blues and soul on the 7th. George Bedard & the Kingpins bring on the grand finale on Sunday the 8th Laith al-Saadi demonstrates guitar pyrotechnics and a wide-range of vocal styles every Monday at Woodruff’s in Depot Town Ypsilanti.

cont. from pg 25 Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Indian Tabla Music Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

Experience an evening of Indian classical, light classical, fusion and folk music that will include the sounds of tabla, sitar and violins with John Churchville. 8:30pm. Free.

Jazz, Blues & R&B

George Bedard and the Kingpins - Guy Hollerin’s

If you like rhythm and bluesy swing, surf, cheap garage thrill music, blues, rock and roll, and a group that is meticulously true to these genres, you’ll love George Bedard and the Kingpins. 8pm. $5.

22 sunday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Timothy Monger Old Town Tavern

His lush baroque-pop song cycle has earned favorable comparisons to Elliot Smith, Electric Light Orchestra and early Bee Gees. 8pm. Free.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Junior Brown - The Ark

This one-man musical machine will be performing with his guit-steel, a unique contraption that’s part electric guitar and part country steel guitar.

7:30pm. $25.

Jazz, Blues & R&B

Manner Effect Kerrytown Concert House This group of diverse musicians will perform everything from standard jazz to neo-soul groove. 7pm. $5-$25.

23 monday Country & Bluegrass

Danny Britt & Marvin Dykhuis - The Ark

This bluegrass and country duet will be performing from its new album, “Two Guys, Two Guitars.” 8pm. $15.

24 tuesday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Rebecca Loebe - The Ark

Nonperishable items will be collected at this Take a Chance Tuesday concert for Food Gatherers as indie folk artist Rebecca Loebe performs. 8pm.

Free.

Visit our new website www.ecurrent.com for more events

cont. on pg 28 ecurrent.com / july 2012 27

music cont. from pg 27

25 wednesday Classical & Spiritual

Week After Art Fair Song Fest Kerrytown Concert House

Join co-founders/artistic directors pianist Kevin Bylsma and soprano Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers for three evenings of vocal music! On Wednesday they present a tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with an evening of German lieder.

8pm. Free.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Teddy Geiger - Blind Pig

Since getting a taste of stardom from his 2006 album “Underage Thinking” as a teenager, Geiger’s music has matured but continues that curious, youthful musical exploration. 8pm. $10 adv./ $12 door.

Country & Bluegrass

Whistle Pigs Circus Bar & Billiards

Country and bluegrass from Illinois, Whistle Pigs will take the stage so don’t miss ‘em!

10:30pm. $5 under 21.

26 thursday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Buck Wheat Zydeco The Ark

With new takes on songs by artists like Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen, the zydeco take on music will be a unique experience. 8pm. $20.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

JD McPherson - Blind Pig

This renaissance man/hepcat seamlessly meshes the old and the new, the primal and the sophisticated, with work that will satisfy traditional American rock ’n’ roll and R&B purists while also exhibiting McPherson’s rarefied gift for mixing and matching disparate stylistic shapes and textures. 9pm. $12.

28

july

Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Liberty Plaza

You may know Mayer Hawthorne better as “Andrew Cohen” if you went to Huron High School. The stage name “Mayer Hawthorne” is a combination of Cohen’s real middle name (Mayer) and the name of the street he grew up on in A2 (Hawthorne Rd). Hawthorne has been touring globally and earning accolades from just about every music publication on earth. 12pm. Free.

Classical & Spiritual

Week After Art Fair Song Fest Kerrytown Concert House

Join co-founders/artistic directors pianist Kevin Bylsma and soprano Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers for three evenings of vocal music! Thursday’s program features a study in contrasts (“Old/New, High/ Low”) among art song repertoire. 8pm. Free.

27 friday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Swimsuit - Mark’s Carts Food Cart Courtyard

Logic & Tayyib Ali Blind Pig

The VMG Tour rolls through A2 with this tag team powerhouse of two up and coming MC’s with conscious flows. 7pm. $12 adv./ $15 door.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Lucciana Costa - The Ark

This album release show will be spotlighting this independent recording artist known for her acoustic talent. 8pm. $15.

Ghost City Searchlight Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

This combination of traditional Celtic and American folk music will tell the story of tall-tales told around the campfire.

8:30pm. Free.

Country & Bluegrass

Cover of Current contest winners take on the 15th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival! (See pg.

10) 9pm.

28 saturday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Classical & Spiritual

This songwriter is blessed with a warm tenor voice. 8:30pm.

Free.

Join co-founders/artistic directors pianist Kevin Bylsma and soprano Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers for three evenings of vocal music! Friday is a noholds-barred night of cabaret.

Bylsma and Rodgers are joined each evening by a number of area star performers. 8pm. $5-$25.

Bliss Silvio’s Organic Pizza

Enjoy this blend of songs from the Beatles to Marley with covers and originals. 7pm. Free.

2012 / ecurrent.com

Bill Edwards Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room

Jazz, Blues & R&B

Tumbao Bravo Kerrytown Concert House

Enjoy the blending of rhythmic Cuban music with classic jazz. 8pm. $5-$25.

Lady Sunshine and the X Band Guy Hollerin’s

Lady Sunshine’s sultry, soulful vocals leads the X Band into the realms of the funkiest blues.

8pm. $5.

Chuck Prophet - The Ark

This mixture of rock grooves and innovative arrangements will also leave you with lyrics to think about later on. 7:30pm. $15-$22.

Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Jason Dennie and Friends Old Town Tavern

Dennie uses ideas that reach out into jazz, blues, bluegrass, celtic, rock & roll, and country to create a unique and energetic voice on acoustic guitar.

8pm. Free

30 monday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic

Slide (ie) - The Ark

Dragon Wagon Riverside Park, Ypsilanti

Spend a Friday evening with music by Swimsuit, a fourpiece, mostly female band that will be performing rock ‘n roll, surf, slide and lo-fi jams. 7pm.

Free.

Week After Art Fair Song Fest Kerrytown Concert House

29 sunday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

This Irish powerhouse band will be presenting its interesting Irish traditional music blended with a modern twist. 8pm. $15.

31 tuesday Jazz, Blues & R&B

Ben Jansson Quartet Kerrytown Concert House

Combining modern harmonic and rhythmic styles, this allstart quartet will be showcasing several new compositions.

8pm. $10-$30.

Hurry!

Get down to Yark and test drive a FIAT 500 to receive a $25 GIFT CARD to

PAESANO’S ITALIAN

before they’re GONE!

See ad on p. 2

1 sunday MASH

$10; free for military personnel and veterans. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

This war comedy details the exploits of military doctors and nurses at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in the Korean War. Between exceptionally gory hospital shifts and countless rounds of martinis, wisecracking surgeons Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Trapper John McIntyre (Elliott Gould) make it their business to undercut the smug, moralistic pretensions of a Bible-thumping Maj. Another screening will take place on Tuesday, July 3 at 7pm.

5 tuesday Cinematic Titanic – Ann Arbor Summer Festival

$25. 6pm. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

Cinematic Titanic is the featurelength movie riffing show from the creator and original cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Like the television series, the live stage show features the same team that first brought the cult-classic series to life: MST3K creators Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu (Crow, Dr. Forrester); J. Elvis Weinstein (Tom Servo, Dr. Erhardt); Frank Conniff (TV’s Frank) and Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester).

7 saturday Marriage Italian Style

Free. 9:30pm. Paesano, 3411 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-0484. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

In the midst of the Second World War, a successful businessman frequents a prostitute and establishes an on-off relationship for several years. They come to an agreement where she becomes his mistress, but he falls for a younger woman. The mistress pretends to be terminally ill and tricks him into marrying her.

8 sunday Yellow Submarine

$10. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor, where psychedelic music videos take precedence over any linear story. What little there is of a plot, however, concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

14 saturday Dazed and Confused

$7. 11:45 pm. State Theater, 233 South St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

Like George Lucas‘ American Graffiti, Richard Linklater‘s Dazed and Confused is an affectionate look at the youth culture of a bygone era. While Lucas took aim at the conservative 1950s, Linklater jumps ahead a

film

generation to the bicentennial year of 1976 to celebrate the joys of beer blasts, pot smoking and Frampton Comes Alive. Set on the last day of the academic year, the film follows the random activities of a sprawling group of Texas high schoolers as they celebrate the arrival of summer.

The Ides of March

Free. 9:30 pm. Paesano, 3411 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-0484. www.paesanosannarbor.com In a storm of a presidential political campaign, a junior campaign manager gets thrown into the mix of deceit, broken promises, sex scandals and the tornado that is dirty politics.

15 sunday To Kill a Mockingbird

$10. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiographical novel was translated to film in 1962, with enduring results. Set in a small Alabama town in the 1930s, the story focuses on scrupulously honest, highly respected lawyer Atticus Finch, magnificently embodied by Gregory Peck.

Finch puts his career on the line when he agrees to represent Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a black man accused of rape.

Cinema Paradiso

Free. 9:30pm. Paesano, 3411 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-0484. www.ecurrent.com.

A postmodern, foreign film about a famous Italian Film Director living in Rome who finds out a fatherly figure from his childhood in a small village has passed away. The film flashes back to his childhood, telling the story of the relationship, then moves to the protagonist visiting his hometown for the first time in 30 years, finding his mentor has left him a gift.

Smart drinking

Instead of sticking your friend with the bill, there is another opportunity to drink and eat for free — and to demonstrate your vast array of random knowledge. Bar Tabs, a new local television show from creators Gabriel Fata and Chris Seelinger, which films at Washtenaw County Chris Seelinger hosts Bar Tabs bars and broadand puts contestants’ trivia skills to the test at various Washtenaw casts on Local On County bars Demand, puts your trivia skills to the test. If a team answers three of five questions correctly — or all five with a shout out — the show picks up the tab. Simple as that. Visit www.facebook.com/bartabsshow to find out when they’re filming. Maybe all of that pop culture wisdom will earn you a few beers and some pizza. —SR

28 saturday The Dark Crystal

$7. 11:45pm. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

Jim Henson‘s fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn’t take place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but like Star Wars it takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. It’s a story of heroism and renewal, told with groundbreaking puppetry, as two young Gelflings redeem their world from the clutches of an evil empire.

29 sunday SING-A-LONG Mary Poppins

$10. 1:30 pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org.

Join in the fun as we step back in time and sing along with Mary, Bert and the gang. A movie host will introduce the film and lead everyone through the interactive props. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite Mary Poppins character – or in a costume inspired by the movie.

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theater

The beginning of the end Purple Rose presents On Golden Pond

by Sandor Slomovits The 1981 movie, On Golden Pond, starring Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda was an enormous success critically and at the box office. It was nominated for ten Oscars, received three, and was seen by millions. The movie was based on a 1979 Broadway play that remains a popular theater classic, and is the Purple Rose Theatre’s summer offering which opened on June 21 and runs through September 1.

Michelle Mountain, a long time favorite of Purple Rose audiences for her many stage appearances there, will be off stage this time and will direct this production.

Everybody’s seen the movie.

How is the play different?

Mountain: Here’s the funny thing. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the whole movie. And now I don’t want to look because I don’t want to subconsciously, or even consciously, repeat it. Our job is to find our own way through the story. I think the text itself is pretty darn close, from what I remember seeing bits of the movie years ago.

Of course, we don’t go swimming, we won’t have a boat, and she can’t do the belly flop thing.

Katherine Hepburn diving into the lake?

Yes, I think that the biggest difference is that we don’t have Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda. (Laughter) But the script is strong enough that while Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda were mega stars in their own right, the story coming through Jan Radcliff and John Peakes, (former Artistic Director and founder of the Boarshead Theatre) is the same story coming through Miss Hepburn and Mr. Fonda. I think the best difference between the play and the movie is that in the play they are right in front of you, so it’s a shared experience in 3D. The movie is wonderful

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but I think there’s going to be beauty in seeing this John Peakes and Jan Radcliff, in story that most rehearsal for their roles as Norman people are probably and Ethel Thayer. going to know pretty well, but breathing it with the actors going through it.

Jane Fonda bought this script specifically so her father and she could play it because it had resonances with their relationship.

What I think the play is about is Norman who is basically done, or thinks he’s done, and then this kid shows up and rejuvenates all of them. This play isn’t an ending. It’s a beginning. It’s a second beginning for all of them. Despite the fact that we know Norman may not be around much longer. He knows it too, and yet he makes those plans to go to California. They’re acknowledging it and still continuing.

The two boys who we double cast in the role of Billy are 14, and Mr. Peakes, who is playing Norman, is in his seventies. That excites me more than anything. We get to learn about the play, but we’ll learn about each other and ourselves through doing it. The process of rehearsing the play is actually what the play is about.

It’s that multi-generational connection that allows everyone to blossom.

On Golden Pond run at the Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea, from June 21 through September 1.

Tickets are $25-$40. For more information, call 734-433-7673 or visit www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Comedy

6 friday

Tiffany Haddish

$12 in advance, $14 at the door. 8:00 and 10:30pm. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 East Liberty. 734-9969080. www.aacomedy.com.

Comedian/actress Tiffany Haddish, who has appeared on shows like “Chelsea Lately” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, will be presenting her edgy comedy routine. Shows on the 6th and 7th.

13 friday Mike Stanley

$10 in advance, $12 at the door. 8pm and 10:30pm. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 East Liberty. 734-9969080. www.aacomedy.com.

Mike Stanley, the winner of “Last Comic Still Standing” in 2011, will be performing his high-energy routine that he showcases all around the country. Last year he won the “Last

Comic Still Standing” comedy competition in Rochester, New York and placed in the top three of “Michigan’s Up and Comers.” He was also crowned the “Canadian Mist Whiskey Comedian of 2006”.

27 friday Rob Little

$12 in advance, $14 at the door. 8pm and 10:30pm. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 East Liberty. 734-9969080. www.aacomedy.com.

Rob Little, who has been featured on shows like “Last Comic Standing” and “Distraction”, will be showcasing his upbeat routine which he performs for colleges and clubs nationwide.

Theater

1 sunday

In the Next Room

$27-$41. 2pm. Performance Network,

120 E. Huron St. 734-663-0681. www.performancenetwork.org.

Commonly referred to as the Vibrator Play, this satirical Victorian Era follows Dr.Givings, who has discovered a device that “gets rid of female hysteria.”

But ironically, he can’t figure out what is bothering his wife.

When she breaks into his office and tries the device herself, this well-written insightful comedy tackles love, desire and equality.

10 tuesday Ventriloquist Vikki Gasko

Free. 2pm. Downtown Library: MultiPurpose Room, 343 South Fifth Ave. 734-327-4200. www.aadl.org.

Ventriloquist Vikki Gasko will be performing the story of Peter Pan on the 10th at 2:00 in the

theater Downtown Library as well as at 7:00 at the Traverwood Branch location in the Program Room. This event is geared for preschool-aged children to grade 5.

13 friday Keep Holding On

Adults-$15 Seniors-$12 Youth-$12 Other- $10. 7:30 pm. The Village Theater, 50400 Cherry Hill Rd. 734-934-5300. www.canton-mi.org/ villagetheater.

A benefit concert for The Partnership for the Arts and People International Inc., will feature nearly 50 performers from across the country with all types of music and dance.

Rent

$15. 8pm. Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix Toledo Rd., Southgate. 734-282-

continued on pg 32

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theater continued from pg 31 4727. www.scponstage.com.

The Southgate Community Players present the towering Broadway (and feature film) smash, a modern day re-working of Puccini’s La Bohème, transplanted to the world of struggling Lower East Side hipsters in the 1990’s, who scrounge for sustenance under the shadow of the HIV epidemic. It’s an ultimately uplifting look at the risks and rewards of the Bohemian lifestyle, with indelible songs that have stood the test of time. July 1314, 20-21; all shows at 8pm.

20 friday Willy Wonka Junior

$5. 7:30pm. The Players Guild of Dearborn. 21730 Madison, Dearborn.

313-561-8587. www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

The Guildlings, the Players Guild of Dearborn’s youth troupe, presents a charming adaptation of the beloved musical classic.

Featuring “Pure Imagination” and all the other hits from the timeless family film, it’s a chilling-and-thrilling tale of loyalty, redemption, and sweet, sweet chocolate. July 20-22, 27-29.

26 thursday She Loves Me

$10. 7pm.West Park Band Shell, between Miller and West Huron. 734-

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Stars from different systems

The Encore Theatre in Dexter will present Fiddler on the Roof, opening July 12th and playing through August 12th. The Encore, founded in 2009 is concluding its fourth season of very high quality musical theater productions with casts consisting of a mix of professional Equity actors and local amateurs. Their production of Fiddler will star Stephen West, renowned opera singer and professor of voice at the University of Michigan. Dan Cooney, one of Encore’s founders, its producing artistic director, and himself a frequent actor in Broadway musicals, will direct. Cooney is especially qualified to direct Fiddler, having toured nationally in a cast with Theodore Bikel, the legendary Broadway star who originated the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and also with Sammy Dallas Bayes, who was Fiddler’s original dance captain on Broadway.

The Encore only seats 122 people, so reserve your tickets early. Times and prices vary.

3126 Broad St., Dexter. 734-268-6200. www.theencoretheatre.org. —SS

276-2832. www.pennyseats.org.

In this classic musical by a trio of Broadway’s best-known creators (Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock, and Joe Masteroff), two workplace rivals spend their days bickering and their nights falling in love as secret pen pals, while their quirky coworkers deal with a spate of other problems. Said to have “one of the best scores... in musical theater,” the show has enjoyed

2012 / ecurrent.com

a well-deserved resurgence in recent years. The show is based on the play “Parfumerie,” by Miklos Laszlo, which was also adapted cinematically three times: “The Shop Around the Corner” with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, “In the Good Old Summertime” with Judy Garland and Van Johnson, and “You’ve Got Mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Visit our new website www.ecurrent.com for more events

art

artbeat

Embarrassment of riches

by Louis Meldman

Karin Wagner Coron’s Wetlands show at WSG is a series of drawings and installations in response to current conditions of native Michigan wetlands.

Blue Dawn - Cherry Hill Nature Preserve, above left, and The Pellico Parcel #2, above right

curator is Celeste Brusati, Professor of History of Art, Women’s Studies, and Art and Design – is that all? She is a world-renowned expert on the visual art and culture of the Netherlands from the fifteenth through the seventeenth centuries, but has assembled a deeply satisfying exhibit of 20th century abstract art. Think Helen Frankenthaler, Kandinsky, Miró, Robert Motherwell and many other heavy hitters. It’s a chance for Professor Brusati to have fun, for the UMMA to show off, and for us to be amazed by “modern” art, some of which was created nearly a century ago.

The second show, Judith Turner: The Flatness of Ambiguity, is an exploration of this American artist’s dynamic photographic renderings of architecture.

Turner’s signature style consists of highly abstract black-andwhite compositions that tease with the ambiguity of light, shadow, and tonality to reveal visual relationships that are not ordinarily apparent. The exhibition will feature 40 works that span Turner’s three-decade career.

Also note that Haroon Mirza’s installation at UMMA is closing on July 22. From London England, Mirza garnered the Golden Lion award as the most important young artist at last year’s Venice Biennale, the world’s most important art happening. This has been Mirza’s first solo exhibit in the United States, and on the closing day at 2pm a UMMA docent will lead a discussion about this show.

Now through August 26 at the charming and oh, so impressive Toledo Museum of Art is Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski. This is the first exhibition since Olitski’s death in 2007 and represents the major periods of his career (mainly the 60’s and 70’s). The show demonstrates why he is considered one of America’s most notable modern painters. More than 30 works are featured, including his signature Color Field paintings. Like his contemporaries, Frankenthaler and Morris Louis, Olitski’s focus was on material and surface, eliminating the illusion of depth. Summer is an auspicious time to visit the TMA because in addition to the splendid permanent collection you can stroll the stunning sculpture garden that wraps around the museum. And mark your calendars now for TMA’s exclusive North American exhibition of Manet portraiture – forty paintings of Jules Olitski’s first exhibition since his 2007 his family, friends and famous figdeath is currently at the Toledo Museum ures of his day , October 7th through of Art through August 26. With Love and January 1st, 2013, after Disregard: Raptureve, top, and Helen which it travels to the Royal Frankenthaler’s Tales of Genji 1, bottom Academy of Arts, London.

Photo: Michael Cullen

The 53rd Ann Arbor Street Art Fair runs this month from July 18 through the 21. If you like crowds, it’s always a mellow mob-scene. Just don’t forget to wear your hat and carry a large water bottle. The art gets better every year (more art, less kitsch), with artists coming from all over the country. One local perennial exhibitor and awardwinner is Karin Wagner Coron. She won’t be in this year’s fest, though, because she’s having a special exhibition at the WSG Gallery on Main, now through June 28th.

The show, called Wetlands, is a series of drawings and installations created in response to current conditions in our native wetlands. I find this series spectacular, a juxtaposition of abstraction and precision. These pieces transport me to a peaceful, awe-inspired tranquility – I guess that’s what nature does and art should. Coron earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Eastern Michigan University and did grad work there in printmaking. Karie is co-owner/manager of Format Framing and Gallery on North Campus with her husband Steve, a triple-threat artist (sculpture, drawing and painting, photography) and the head of the Visual Arts Department at our vaunted Community High School here in Ann Arbor. Lucky them!

The University of Michigan Museum of Art has two shows on now through September 2. The first is the inaugural Flip Your Field exhibit. This will be an ongoing series of exhibitions curated by UM faculty, who will select artwork from the museum’s permanent collection, but outside their field of specialization. The first guest

ecurrent.com / july 2012 33

art

11 wednesday Picasso & Matisse

New Exhibits

1 sunday Flip Your Field: Abstract Art

2pm. University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. www.umma.umich.edu

UMMA’s Flip Your Field project series invites scholars to take a fresh look at the collection by curating a show outside their area of expertise. Celeste Brusati, an expert in the visual art and culture of the Netherlands from the fifteenth through the seventeenth centuries, has gathered a compelling group of twentieth-century abstract work by artists such as Frankenthaler, Kandinsky, Miró, and others.

5 thursday Ann Arbor Women Artists Summer Juried Exhibit Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. 734-480-2787. www.riversidearts.org

The best of 2D and 3D mixedmedia art from AAWA’s membership, with a reception on Saturday, July 7 from 5-7pm.

Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Detroit. 313-833-7900. www.dia.org

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) and Henri Matisse (1869–1954) were ground-breaking visionaries who constantly experimented with techniques and materials. This exhibition features almost all of the works by Picasso and Matisse in the DIA’s prints and drawings collections, showcasing their revolutionary achievements that defined much of 20th-century art.

19 thursday Creature

The Gallery Project, 215 S. Fourth Ave. 734-997-7012. www.thegalleryproject.com

The latest thought-provoking themed exhibition from the Gallery Project, featuring work in multiple media from cutting edge artists. Reception Friday, July 20, 6-9pm.

25 wednesday Motawi in the Making: The History and Science Behind the Art

Downtown Library, 343 S. 5th Ave. 734-327-4555. www.aadl.org.

2012 marks the 20th anniversary of Motawi Tileworks, Ann Arbor’s artisan tile manufacturer. This exhibit explores how Motawi grew from a stall

The little things in life

Observe the abstract qualities of noted American photographer Judith Turner’s work. Her predominant focus on black-and-white architecture displays the ambiguity of light, shadow and tonality in a unique manner. UMMA docents will be leading this exploration of Turner’s distinctive work.

University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State St., Ann Arbor. July 15. 2pm.

734-764-0395. www.umma.museum.com. —AR at the Artisan’s Market to a nationally-known company by blending art, science and technology with hand-craftsmanship. Get an inside look at how Motawi creates and adapts designs, and transforms a lump of clay into a finished tile.

10th Annual Teen Graffiti Art Exhibit

Downtown Library Multi-purpose Room, 343 S. 5th Ave. 734-327-4555. www.aadl.org.

In this annual event held during Ann Arbor’s summer Art Fairs, teens gather in the staff parking lot of the Downtown AADL to try their hand at the art of graffiti. Each young artist receives a four-by-four foot board and a variety of colors of spray paint. The end result of the contest is a display of a multitude of styles and levels of talent for the community to enjoy in this brilliant exhibit.

ongoing

Nature As Spirit

Free. 6-9pm. Gallery Project, 215 South Fourth Ave. 734-997-7012. www.thegalleryproject.com.

A multimedia exhibit in which over 20 locals, regional and national artists explore nature as a source of spirituality in contemporary life. Its mission is to provide a venue for contemporary art that is culturally aware, individualistic, courageous, and thought provoking.

Redshift: Images from the Infrared Spectrum by Gale Nobes

Free. Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway. 734-327-4265. www.aadl.org

This exhibit consists of 25 black & white infrared photographs and is a unique nature photography exhibit by Gale Nobes, Michigan artist, and former chairman of the Muskegon River Watershed

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Council. Nobes’ black and white infrared photography creates images that are at once surreal and evocative of the beauty of the natural world. Open Monday 10 am-9 pm, Tuesday-Friday 9 am-9 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, and Sunday noon-6pm

Illustrating Science: From Anatomy to Zoology Free. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4265. www.

aadl.org.

Science helps us understand our world, but art helps us understand science. This exhibit features illustrations and models from a wide range of scientific fields. From insects to ink, dinosaurs to digital imaging, art and science are more closely linked than you might have thought! Located in the Multipurpose room & lower level display cases. Open Monday 10 am-9 pm, Tuesday-Friday 9 am-9 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, and Sunday noon-6pm.

Seaside Carnival: Paintings by Pat Cardiff

Free. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4265. www.aadl.org.

This exhibit consists of 25 oil paintings on canvas or board.

The purpose of the paintings is to share a strange and wonderful visual experience of an evening spent in an empty, old-time seaside carnival that Pat visited in the Maryland resort town of Ocean city.

Located on the third floor walls. Open Monday 10 am-9 pm, Tuesday-Friday 9 am-9pm, Saturday 9 am -6 pm, and Sunday noon-6 pm.

Visit our new website www.ecurrent.com for more events

ecurrent.com / july 2012 35

everything else 4 wednesday Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K

8am. $26 before July 1/$32 after.

Fourth Ave & Liberty, Downtown. 734213-1033. www.a2firecracker5k.com

Over 2,000 runners will participate in the 11th annual downtown July 4th Run just prior to the parade. The course winds through downtown and the University of Michigan central campus. Overall Male and Female winners will receive an apparel package from New Balance! Runners can pick up packets at the Tortoise & Hare on Plymouth Rd.

22nd Annual Fourth of July Parade

10am. Free. Downtown, Ann Arbor.

734-531-9626. www.a2jaycees.org

The parade will feature floats, walking groups, musical groups, and much more. The parade is an Ann Arbor tradition that shouldn’t be missed! This year’s parade is also open to local children who would like to decorate their bike and ride it in the parade.

Fourth Of July Parade

9am. Cross Street, Downtown Ypsilanti. www.cityofypsilanti.com

Bring the family out to enjoy the annual Fourth of July Parade through downtown Ypsi and Depot Town.

12 thursday Sounds & Sights Thursday Nights

6:30-8:30pm. Free. Main St., Downtown Chelsea. www.chelseafestivals.com

Downtown Chelsea’s popular summer music series, Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights runs through August 16th.

Returning for 2012 is the “SculptureWalk Chelsea”, a self-guided walking tour of 10 juried art pieces which are part of a yearlong community arts project, and the free outdoor SRSLY Cinema movies at dusk on a 48-foot wide screen at the Clocktower. Enjoy live performances by Bill Bynum & Co., Dave Boutette, Isosceles and more. This night’s movie is Sandlot.

10 tuesday National Unicycle Convention

Various Locations, Saline.

248-348-9974. www.naucc2012.com

NAUCC is the Unicycling Society of America’s official national championship. Events take place at several venues around Saline and include freestyle competitions, races, basketball and more. This event will be hosted by the Redford Township Unicycle Club. Visit the website for a full schedule of events and times.

July 10-15.

12 thursday Auto History Night

7-8:30pm. Downtown Library, 343 South Fifth Ave. 734-327-4555. www.aadl.org

Celebrate the history of automobiles when Joseph Jendza (Top Hat John) and Victoria Mobley of the Society of Automotive Historians, visit the Library to discuss classic cars and popular culture. This event is also part of the day-long celebration of the DDA’s opening of, Library Lane, the parking structure next to the Library.

Sounds & Sights Thursday Nights

6:30-8:30pm. Free. Main St., Downtown Chelsea. www.chelseafestivals.com

Enjoy live performances by The Sarah Swanson Band, New Blues Street Project, The Moxie Strings and more. Tonight’s movie is Percy Jackson & The Olympian: The Lightning Thief.

13 friday Saline Celtic Festival

Friday, 5:30pm;Saturday, 9:30am. $10 adv./$15 gate. Millpond Park, 565 West Bennett St., Saline.

734-944-2810. www.salineceltic.org

The Saline Celtic Festival offers music and dance performances on three stages throughout the day, as well as Friday and Saturday evening performances on the Red Dragon Main Stage.

There are also many events for the whole family including a 5K, dance competitions, Wee Folks Island kid’s activities and the Haggis Hurl!

Rolling Sculpture Car Show

2-10pm. Downtown, Ann Arbor. www.mainstreetannarbor.org

More than 400 exotic, antique, classic, concept cars on Main, Liberty, and Washington Street, in the heart of downtown. Hot Rod DJ, Surfer Joe, will be “spinning” all of your favorite, and soon to be favorite, hot rod songs throughout the show.

This show also features a special “Dream Street” exhibition area including educational and race car demonstrations.

14 saturday ‘Imagine a Park’ Block Party

12-5pm. Free. Public Library Lot, Downtown Library, 343 South Fifth Ave. www.a2centralpark.org

Help envision Library Green, a park on the library lot. There’ll be fun for the whole family with music, chess, and guest speakers. Bring a picnic lunch from home or buy one from a neighborhood business.

Summer Photo Safari

1pm. $6 adv./$8 door. $25 family adv./$30 family door. Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd. 734-997-1553. www.lesliesnc.org

Starting in the Critter House, join naturalist, Stefan Szumko, on a guided hike through the Black Pond Woods, the LSNC grounds, prairie, and Project Grow gardens to find wildflowers, fungus, and animals to capture digitally or by using ancient film technology. Bring your own cameras.

16 monday

Meet Author Scott Lasser 7pm. Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave. 734-662-0600. www.nicolasbooks.com

Lasser will be here for a signing and discussion of his novel, “Say Nice Things About Detroit.” David Halpert returns to his hometown of Detroit to escape from his divorce and the death of his son. While there he learns of the shooting of an old girlfriend, Natalie, and her half brother Dirk. As David becomes involved with Natalie’s sister, he will discover that both he and his hometown have reasons to hope.

How To Remove Spyware And Perform Routine Preventive Maintenance

7-8:30pm. Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr. 734-327-4200. www.aadl.org

Mateen Jaffer of Jafferson Computers returns to AADL to discuss ways to ensure online safety and computer security. Learn how to tell if your computer is infected and what free programs are available to clean your computer and boost its performance and Internet speed.

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everything else continued from pg 36

17 tuesday

Walk & Talk: Up Close to Michigan Native Plants

7:30pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. www.lsa.umich.edu

Native plants are central to the design of many of the gardens at Matthaei-Nichols. Connie Crancer, native plant specialist, discusses the resilience of native species and their use in bioswales that manage storm water, formal prairie wildflower gardens, and more.

Meet Author Harry Dolan 7pm. Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave. 734-662-0600. www.nicolasbooks.com

Local author Harry Dolan will be at Nicola’s with the paperback release of his crime novel set in Ann Arbor, “Very Bad Men.” David Loogan is living quietly in Ann Arbor with Detective Elizabeth Waishkey and her daughter Sarah. He’s settled into a quiet routine as editor of the mystery magazine “Gray Streets”-until one day he finds a manuscript outside his door.

19 thursday

Society with a free Windmill Tour. Ride the bus with an on-board guide, walk, run, bike, or drive to three locations within a 5-mile radius, covering windmills and their uses from 1880-2012. Additional activities include tours of a furnished caboose, visiting a 1950s farmhouse and farm with live animals, kids’ activities, entertainment and Kiwanis and Lions Food Wagons. The first 100 kids will get a free wind spinner. Go online to see other tour stops and pick ups.

24 tuesday

The Juliets

Genealogy: 1940 Census Records

7-9pm. Malletts Creek Branch Library, 3090 East Eisenhower Parkway.

734-327-4200. www.aadl.org

On April 2, 2012, the U.S. National Archives released the 1940 census records to the joy of genealogists and historians around the world. Come learn about the 1940 census using online Research tools available at AADL and beyond. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and open 15 minutes before the class start times.

28 saturday

Sounds & Sights Thursday Nights

A Dog Day of Summer

Enjoy live performances by Los Dingos del Norte, Kari Holmes, Dorkestra and more.

The movie for this night is The Devil Wears Prada.

Join the fun with your dog (or dogs) at the second annual Dog Day of Summer. Participate in training clinics, watch herding demonstrations, sign up for doggie contests, give your dog a bath and more.

6:30-8:30pm. Free. Main St., Downtown Chelsea. www.chelseafestivals.com

22 sunday

11am-2pm. $2. Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter. 734-426-8211. www.metroparks.com

Windmill Tour

12-5pm. Free. Railroad Depot Museum, 402 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline.

734-944-0442. www.salinehistory.org

Sounds & Sights Festival

Downtown Chelsea / Thursday, July 26-Saturday, July 28

Downtown Chelsea’s premier cultural event, the Sounds & Sights Festival, will once again celebrate the region’s best art, music, and entertainment. A juried art show with a varied array of regional art will be on display in the Art Market. On Friday, the Chelsea Classic Cruisers car show will feature over 300 classic cars from across the Midwest from 3-8pm. Plus, be sure to catch the popular Pet Parade on Saturday at 9am. The Social & Entertainment Tent is home to the main stage where The Juliets, Bear Lake and The Hard Lessons play on Thursday; Whitey Morgan and the 78’s and Blue River Band play on Friday and Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Johnnies take on Sunday. And the KidsZone will have plenty of activities for children throughout the weekend. Go online for a full schedule of events and activities. Downtown Chelsea.

734-433-2787. www.chelseafestivals.com—JG

Celebrate 25 continuous years of the Saline Area Historical

social studies So far, Ann Arbor Summer Festival has been a blast. Great weather, killer music and fun activities. Tune in for more — it runs through July 8.

Left: Volunteers Diane Scarpace and Michael Solomon collect donations Top Left: Reggae band Taj Weekes & Adowa play free at Top of the Park Above: Beth Cooke (left) and Pam Davies (right) swing a rope for the youngsters

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Meet the Midwives! An open forum to ask questions about the midwives at New Moon Midwifery, home birth, waterbirth, doula support or options in childbirth.

Monday July 9th; repeats every second Monday of the month.

6:30-7:30pm at the Center for Childbearing Year ~ 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Free. For more info call 734-424-0220 or www.newmoonmidwifery.com

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Homebirth Circles, A social gathering and discussion group for families who are considering homebirth, planning a homebirth or have birthed at home.

Sponsored by the Midwives at New Moon Midwifery. Monday July 9th; repeats every second Monday of the month. 7:308:30pm at the Center for the Childbearing Year ~ 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Free. For more info call 734-424-0220 or www.newmoonmidwifery.com

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Education

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HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM HOME. 6 - 8 weeks. ACCREDITED. Get a Diploma. Get a Job! FREE Brochure 1-800-264-8330 www.diplomafromhome.com

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