Current December 2014

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Talk THE BEST BEANS AND TOP SPOTS IN WASHTENAW COUNTY p.7

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RESTAURANT Bowling REVIEW REvival

2014

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TASTE KITCHEN

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IN THE MAKING

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contents

december 2014 vol. 24 / no.12

Photo by David Myers

z

Holida y

Coffee Talk 7

William Morrison and David Wang

Wis hList N

Photo by Joe Del Tufo

Restaurant Review 19 Taste Kitchen

by Brandon Bye

music feature 25

Interview with George Winston

by Julia Ruedig

z

28 theater feature Gift of the Magi at PNT

by Sandor Slomovits

30 art beat

Holiday show at WSG Gallery Louis Meldman

34 sports

List

2014

New trends in bowling culture Russ Brakefield

current online exclusives Cover Photo by David Myers

DIYpsi

Ann Dwyer gives the the lowdown on Yp silanti’s annu al holiday art fa ir.

Weekly Up Whawt’sriter Jeff

Music n the Milo is o eat nd his b a , e scen e t. Tun is correc ent. urr c e to in Milo’s com for hat’s W Weekly n—a m lu o c Up f o n o curati s and rt e c n o c ews in music n w a n Washte . ty n u Co

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Adams Street Publishing Co. What’s your favorite holiday movie?

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) Polar Express

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) The Big Lebowski

Editorial

Assignment Editor: Brandon Bye (brandon@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Home Alone I and II (double feature) Staff Writer: Rose Carver (rose@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Ernest Saves Christmas

^ New Cafe The Ground Floor Cafe has taken root in Kerrytown at 327 Braun Ct., below The Bar. The cafe serves coffee, sandwiches, paninis, beer, wine and cocktails. Pop-up brunches on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Regular hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm; Saturday 8am to 5pm; Sunday 9am to 5pm. brauncourt.com ^ Glassbox Coffee and Juice closed Owner Jason Friend has closed both Glassbox locations, one on South University and one off Washtenaw Ave. at Arbor Hills.

Calendar Editors: Marisa Rubin (mrubin@adamsstreetpublishing.com) The Nightmare Before Christmas Catherine Bohr (calendar@adamsstreetpublishing.com) rudolf Digital Media Specialist: Saul Jacobs (saul@adamsstreetpublishing.com) The Big Lebowski Contributing Writers: Russell Brakefield, Julia Ruedig, Jeff Milo, Brandon Bye, JJ Jacobson, Sandor Slomovits, Louis Meldman, Will Morrison, David Wang

Art/Production

Creative Director: Margaret Kelly (mkelly@adamsstretpublishing.com) White Christmas Production Manager: Brittney Koehl (adsin@adamsstretpublishing.com) White Christmas Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Polar Express Graphic Design: Chelsie Parton (chelsei@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Elf

Advertising

Sales Manager: Aubrey Hornsby (ahornsby@adamsstreetpublishing.com) The notebook Sales Coordinator: Molly Davis (mdavis@adamsstreetpublishing.com) White Christmas Account executive John Nordlinger (nord@adamsstreetpublishing.com) It’s a Wonderful life Classifieds: Catherine Bohr (classifieds@toledocitypaper.com) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey Version)

Administration

Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledocitypaper.com) A Christmas Story

© 2014 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved.

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

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

Also publishers of:

Mature

Audited by Member

Follow us on Facebook and Twittertwitter.com/ecurrent

^ Stack that Cheese The menu for Ann Arbor’s new Grilled Cheezerie Sandwhich Shoppe is riddled with puns—“You’ve Goat to Have It,” “Goud Chicken,” and “Wing’n it.” The Grilled Cheezerie offers artisan sandwiches with “100% natural” Michigan made ingredients. Along with sandwiches, the restaurant also serves mac’n’cheese, soups, salads, shakes, and desserts. And they deliver! Open Sunday - Wednesday from 11am-11pm, and Thursday - Saturday from 11am4am. 709 Packard St. 734-368-9229. ^ Local hairstylist opens business in Depot Town Ypsilanti’s home-based hair care supplier Original Moxie has opened up a storefront in Depot Town. Owner Rachel Blistein describes herself as “just a regular person with ‘challenging’ hair and a knack for creating truly awesome hair products.” Their products are organic and for all hair types, with a slogan of “Be You-tiful.” Original Moxie is moving to 306 N. River St., Ypsilanti.

734-480-8096. Originalmoxie.com. ^ Raja Rani Reincarnation The owners of A Taste of India have taken over the lease at Raja Rani. The name remains. 400 S. Division St. 734-995-1545. Rajaraniannarbor.com ^ Downtown home and garden owner retires Marc Hodesh has sold his business, Downtown Home & Garden, to Kelly Vore, a long-time store employee. At 70, Hodesh is not taking the traditional retirement route; he will continue working at the store in various capacities.

210 S. Ashley St. 734-662-8122.

Downtownhomeandgarden.com. ^ Beezy’s Dinner & Brinner Beezy’s Cafe is now open until 9pm on Friday and Saturday night, serving dinner and breakfast all day long. Beezy’s Cafe offers simple dishes with all-natural ingredients. Open Monday - Thursday 7am-4pm.

Sunday 10am-4pm. 20 N. Washington St. 734-485-9625. beezyscafe.com. ecurrent.com / december 2014 5

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feature

Coffee

Talk

The best beans and top spots of Washtenaw County

Some coffee specialties from Mighty Good Coffee

By Will Morrison and David Wang

M

N

ow that the trees have dropped their leaves and

the weather has cooled, it’s time to reach for a warm beverage to keep the chill at bay. And with darkness coming an hour earlier, you may also need more than your daily dose of caffeine to keep S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) from setting in. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite coffee shops in Washtenaw County. Whether you’re looking for a elephantine

Songbird Café 2707 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI thesongbirdcafeannarbor.com (734) 761-1555

Tucked in a nondescript strip mall, stepping into Songbird is like entering a different world. Benches upholstered with coffee bags and tasteful decorations give a modern farmhouse feel. The brunch crowd is strong on a Sunday, and there’s a nice buzz in the air. It is a big space with a variety of seating arrangements, from cushy chairs to big tables. Wifi is off on the weekends until 3:00pm, but it is undoubtedly an excellent study spot. Songbird offers a selection of baked goods and all the standard coffee options in addition to specialty drinks. The Rosemary Seasalt latte introduces a fabulous, unique flavor profile—worth trying at least once.

dose of caffeine, or just a sunny, warm (indoor) place to sit, we’ve

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feature Photos by David Myers

Roo’s Roast 1155 Rosewood St., Ann Arbor, MI (734) 222-9202 roosroast.com

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MIGHTY GOOD COFFEE 217 N Main St, Ann Arbor (734) 222-4514 www.mightygoodcoffee.com/

Much more than a spot to grab-and-go on your northern exit from A2, Mighty Good coffee is so good that over 20 area restaurants and businesses have partnered with them—including Mani Osteria, The Ravens Club, and the aforementioned Songbird Cafe. Away from the din of their Seattle-made Slayer espresso machine, the spacious annex, with small tables and communal seating, is a go-to workplace (strong wifi signal) for Northenders and Kerrytown residents looking to avoid the Sweetwaters hustle. From their drip to their craft coffees, the baristas, with the intensity of laboratory postdocs pouring solutions into erlenmeyer flasks, get the most out of their ethically sourced beans.

Roo’s Roast refers to its beans as “Free Speech Coffee,” which is a good indication of the type of coffee shop it is. In fact, signs of the distinctive personality litter the parking lot even before you enter the café. Roo’s is an intensely local company, frequenting area farmer’s markets and distributing its beans to stores and other cafes. The space is small, but there is an impressive number of seats available. The morning crowd tends to be grab and go, but it’s also a nice place to sit down with a laptop. They offer a variety of daily roasts, which you can choose to run through the espresso machine or a pourover cone.

Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea 8074 Main Street, Dexter, MI (734) 253-2344 joeandrosie.com

On the corner of Main and Broad in Dexter, Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea is a great spot to grab a cuppa or a bite to eat. A popular cyclist pit stop, we rode in from Ann Arbor on a crisp Saturday afternoon and found plentiful bike parking. It’s a cozy café, with several tables and a number of wall outlets, making it equally suitable for laptop work or a casual lunch. An impressive teapot collection of all shapes, sizes, and colors adds character while the local art on display creates a warm atmosphere. The drip coffee was flavorful and clearly a step above your average black coffee, but the star of the afternoon was the Honey Lavender Latte—easy on the honey and subtle with the lavender.

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Lab

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505 E Liberty St #300, Ann Arbor, MI (734) 827-2233 labannarbor.com

Lab is an all-in-one wonder on Liberty, offering specialty coffee as well as frozen yogurt and craft beer.

It is rarely empty, with a solid mix of students and professionals. Seating options include a sunny bar by the window, a communal bar in the middle, tables in the back, and a smattering of chairs in the front. Aesop Rock filled the space, and activity from neighboring Tomukun adds to the lively atmosphere. It’s a place to go to be energized and

catch up with a friend over a pourover. Lab knows its coffee, and often features specialty roasters in Michigan. neighboring Tomukun adds to the lively at

Foggy Bottom 7065 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter, MI (734) 424-9630 foggybottomcoffee.com

Foggy Bottom transports you from a sprawling strip mall to a world of mountaineering, giant chess, and colorful furniture. With a fireplace prominently displayed near the front, one gets the sense that this could be a lodge at a down-to-earth ski resort. Aside from the clear alpine theme, the first thing that hits is that this café is large, deceptively so. It houses a library near the back, with an eclectic selection to suit any taste. In addition to a solid selection of food, Foggy Bottom offers up a big drink list, all made from their in-house roasted coffee. Of particular note, the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Mocha is a sweet experience that you won’t find elsewhere.

Ground Floor Cafe A recent addition to the Ann Arbor coffee scene, Ground Floor Café at Braun Court already impresses with its fantastic pourovers, rivaling any coffee shop in the area. The beans are provided by Rowster in Grand Rapids, and Ground Floor knows what to do with them. Much like its bar neighbor upstairs, it has plenty of character. It’s a hip spot, with indie music that Shazaam might not even recognize, and a disco ball to boot. Solid wifi and plenty of tables make Ground Floor a good place to park with a laptop or just hang out with an old friend.

Ugly Mug Café and Roastery 317 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti, MI (734) 484-4684 uglymugypsi.com

Part junk shop, part art installation, and part refurbished warehouse, the Ugly Mug’s name says it all: it’s an eclectic Ypsilanti hodgepodge that you can’t help but love. Grab a seat and take a moment to admire your surroundings. A chalk sketch of a skeleton in a suit admiring a suit being tailored by another skeleton. Wire art depicting nubile torsos in a crucifixion scene.

Did we mention they sell coffee? Try the Sumatran espresso or your choice of made-to-order drip coffees. All coffee is roasted in-house, and if you like what you drink, you can buy beans to take home.

Don’t leave without investigating the large side patio – even though the trees have shed their leaves, you can plot your return in the Spring.

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Susan Kelly

327 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor, MI brauncourt.com

feature

Zou Zou’s Café 101 Main Street, Chelsea, MI (734) 433-4226 zouzoucafe.com

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Comet Coffee

16 Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor, MI (734) 222-0579

Tucked away among the shops of the Nickels Arcade, Comet is Ann Arbor’s specialty coffee gem. The front door is flanked by two small counters and a couple of tables. Walk inside the compact shop and you’ll find yourself greeted with the intoxicating smell of freshly pulled espresso. Take one step forward and you’re in line to order. Check out the day’s menu and choose a drip coffee from some of the country’s best specialty roasters like Ritual, George Howell, Counter Culture, and Parallel. Peruse their selection of home brewing devices while waiting for your drink and absorb the hip tunes floating up to the high ceiling. Have a seat, enjoy the first half of your coffee, take a moment to contemplate life, and then head back out into the world.

Espresso RoyaLe www.espressoroyale.com

With locations in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan – including seven locations in Ann Arbor and East Lansing, Espresso Royale feels like a college town’s consummate coffee shop. The buzz inside Ann Arbor’s Main Street and South U locations was palpable, fueled by a constant flow of college

Espresso Royale is a go-to for those whose productivity peaks with copious white noise generated by constant hustle and bustle and for downtown pedestrians looking for a quick caffeine fix. The menu is anchored by coffee shop staples – including a wide selection of teas – but its selection of espresso drinks and flavored lattes allude to its roots as a traditional Italian-style espresso bar. Try a hazelnut latte for a reminiscent taste of fall.

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Looking for an escape? Head over to downtown Chelsea and grab a cup of coffee and an afternoon sandwich at Zou Zou. If you visit on a weekend, you’ll be joined by cyclists stopping for a break during their afternoon ride or people just back from a hike in the Pinkney Waterloo recreation area. The café’s high ceilings, large windows, and whimsical artwork create an inviting atmosphere, and its menu of sandwiches, pastries, desserts, and crepes make for a full belly. To avoid a food coma and to complete your French experience, make sure to grab a latte and a seat by the widow.

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bra a d a c Abrary/ l y JeweG aller m e G E Liberty St. agem.com abr 205 4-4848, (734) 99

This holiday season, find the right gift at Abracadabra Jewelry and Gem Gallery. We have everything from local artists to international brands and designs. Or you can even customize your own! Visit us today for that uniquely, perfect gift.

A neighborhood door to a world of giving! The Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop, a non-profit resale shop benefiting Ann Arbor Public School students, sells quality donations— clothing, furniture, household items, knick-knacks, art, accessories, vintage items, and more—giving back to your community! Shop, donate and support AAPS!

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From Porters to Pale Ales, Belgians to Browns, Stouts to Sours, The Beer Grotto is the go-to gift shop for that beer lover in your life.

Local bottled beer makes for great stocking stuffers, and growlers and howlers are perfect to satisfy your beer lover’s specific tastes.

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Don’t show up this holiday season empty handed. We at the People’s Food Co-op think that the best gift is the gift of good food. Support a great and local cause by bringing one of our delicious pies made from local ingredients to your next event.

This holiday season provide the gift of friends, family, and food—the 3 essentials for any holiday. Purchase a gift card from Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill in Dexter and you know you are giving the perfect gift. Come in today, and lets create some memories that will last a lifetime.

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Skin s ’ a c i s Jesody & Bothecary p Ave. A 301 N 5th , -4303 m (734) 545sapothecar y.co a ic s jes

Jessica’s Skin and Body Apothecary has the perfect gift for friends and family this holiday season. Show your love with “Relaxing Rose Bath” or one of Jessica’s select bath salts made with pink Himalayan salt and pure essential oils.

Soak, inhale, and relax!

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Espresso R oyale espressor oyale.com

“Baby its cold outside.” Treat a friend to a $35 gift card for just $30. Valid at all Espresso Royale coffee shops. $35 for $30 offer good until Dec 31, 2014.

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tilla Tor y r to c a . d F R swor th 727 W Ell

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Looking for the best gift possible? Choose something delicious. Our corn chips are truly made the traditional way, with only the healthiest and best ingredients. That is why our chips leave your taste buds craving for more!

We at the Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory know that sometimes you can’t beat the gift of good, wholesome food.

LIBABSESYOUTLET G20L St. 5 S. Erie Ohio Toledo, -5000 ll 4 419-25 nklin Park Ma a r F o s n Als Commo & Levis om libbey.c

Libbey glass makes stemware, platters or entertaining sets, with time-tested quality you won’t find anywhere else. Sip in style with holiday-printed glasses, or give the gift of creativity with a craft brew kit.

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Sure, you could give your loved ones another pair of socks this holiday season and receive a complacent “oh, thanks.” Or you could give a gift that warms the feet, heart, and soul by giving the gift of music. For 30 years, PJ’s Records and Used CDs has been a great place to peruse and pick through rare and nostalgic albums, for yourself (holiday shopping isn’t always unselfish) and the music lover in your life.

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Become an Ark member to support enriching entertainment and musical artistry in a venue like no other. Join us!

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Photo Courtesy of Taste Kitchen

Restaurant Review: Taste Kitchen Fresh seafood done right

By Brandon Bye

R

ushing into a restaurant during the first few weeks of its run usually results in long waits, unstudied service, and food still far from hitting its stride. But if you had gone to Taste Kitchen, A2’s latest top-shelf culinary venture, on the same rainy Monday night in mid-October as I did, you would have experienced, for the most part, the opposite. And I would have seen you there. My date and I sat in the 30seat room—colored with grays and browns and maroons, decorated with a few bright mosaics hanging on the walls, some delicate orange lanterns above the bar, and a number of switched-off televisions, all amounting to the feel of a fancy hotel bar—my date and I sat in that 30-seat room alone.

The Setting

The small space and sparse decor allow room for the main event: the food. And to further the focus on food connoisseurship, the short menu features only a few small plates, one seasonal soup, two salads, and a few larger plates—enough variety to choose from while also streamlining back-of-the-house operations.

A few herb starters and some decorative orchids sat between us and the rain-streaked windows, and in lieu of cocktails—their liquor license was pending—we sipped hot Oolong tea.

The trend of charging for bread and butter as if it were an actual dish has finally arrived in A2. However, sometimes it is an actual dish. Before our house-baked sourdough, in-house apple butter, and quinnell of cultured butter topped with a pinch of coarse sea salt hit the table, our server brought two Chinese soup spoons, each filled with buttermilk foam drizzled with lemon oil and garnished with a single microgreen. The airy bite promised our meal would be light, straightforward, and thoughtfully presentational.

There is flash-seared tuna with toasted sesame on chef / co-owner Danny Van’s menu—the pink slices of tuna fanned beside a tasty, if one-dimensional, shaved daikon and carrot salad. Bullseyes of soy-wasabi sauce dot the dish.

Chef Danny has plied his trade from Dallas to Petoskey, most recently slicing fresh hamachi at the now-shuttered Tamaki. As simple and as enjoyable as the tuna course, chef Danny’s salmon and striped sea bass miso soup dropped anchor next. This is a place to eat seafood.

Once you know where your fish came from and how it was caught, the difference is in how fresh it is. While the traditional seafood supply chain takes six days or more to deliver fish from boat to table, Sea to Table, Taste Kitchen’s seafood purveyor, has built their business on delivering seafood next-day, direct from the dock. The only way to get fresher fish is to go down to the dock and buy it yourself.

Hanger steak

Taste Kitchen

521 E. Liberty St. 734-369-4241 11-3pm; 5-10pm, Tuesday-Sunday slightly over-attentive server—we were, after all, her only table—then delivered scallops and hanger steak. A parade of chiffonade orange peels sprinkled across a recessed charger plate which held a bowl of butternut squash, kale, and pan-seared scallops. Hot water poured over the orange peels, releasing an aromatic effect. Together with the rich, buttery scallops, the dish upheld what our amuse bouche promised.

Though chef Danny’s menu features the watery part of the world, the land-based side of the menu is just as refined. While I lament not having a spare stomach—the swordfish dish would have gone to my spare for sure—the butcher’s-favorite hanger steak went down moist and soft at a perfect rare-to-medium-rare. I took it as a good sign when our server didn’t ask how I like it temped. The set: slightly al dente herbed fingerling potatoes, spicy fish-sauce eggplant ragu, and braised kale. Alongside a faintly brushed-on line of cayenne oil, . a tiny portion of mustard seeds nestled together in a dollop of egg yolk. Whether the chef intended it or not—I assume he did—a transformation occurred.

The mustard seeds became caviar—eggs on eggs.

On the topic of eggs, it is often that the light yet rich, cold while warm, soft and crunchy culinary alchemy of the creme brulee calls to me after a fine meal. The slightly bitter, herbaceous flavor of chef Danny’s matcha creme brulee equalled the rest of the meal in terms of sophisticated elegance, but in terms of execution, it lacked. Cracking through the burnt—“brulee” means “burnt” not browned— layer of sugar with your spoon is a requisite part of the creme brulee experience. And call me high maintenance, but how cool would table-service creme brulee torching have been?

But this review should not end unfavorably. Taste Kitchen provides something that Ann Arborites need (perhaps more than winning sports teams and TVs to watch them on). It serves up Grade A seafood in a way that features freshness in a light, straightforward, and thoughtfully presented manner—in short, done right.

Once you know where your fish came from and how it was caught, the difference is in how fresh it is

The Presentation

A small ceramic cup containing warm orange-miso dressing and a small steel pitcher steaming with hot water arrived at the table. Chef Danny and our friendly, if

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food Christmix ABC Brewpub Holiday Beer Tasting

Deck the halls with old-style dopplebocks, Christmas ales, and meads. Festive brews are the highlight of this month’s beer tasting event. Join fellow beer lovers and sample from two dozen featured holiday-styled beers transformed by fruit, herbs, and spices for bolder, heartier, and hoppier flavors. An appetizer buffet and a door prize drawing will also be offered. $25/advance, $30/day of. 7-9pm on Thursday, December 11. 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

1 monday

6 saturday

The Forgotten Whiskey: All About Rye

Cookie Walk

10am. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 120 N. Huron. visitypsinow.com

7:30pm. $45. The Last Word, 301 W. Huron St. 734-276-3215. tammystastings.com/shop

Taste a few samples of rye whiskey and experiment with some cocktails. Registration required.

Grizzly Peak Brewer’s Night

6-9pm. Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., 120 W. Washington St. 734-741-7325. grizzlypeak.net

Get a brewery tour, drink beer and meet the brewers.

FIGJAM Release Party

6-7pm. $10; free for mug club members. ABC Brewpub, 114 E. Washington St. 732-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

The FIGJAM QUADRUPLE has fig undertones, dried fruit flavors and a hint of fresh baked bread. Tickets include beer samples, light snacks and chit chat with one of the brewers.

3 wednesday Best of 2014 with Ari

6:30-8pm. $45. Zingerman’s Events on Fourth, 415 N. Fifth Ave., Kerrytown.

734-663-3400. zingermansdeli.com

Join Zingerman’s for a tasting of the year’s most popular foods, as you listen to story– telling and historical narratives.

Also on December 16.

5 friday

Buy all the home made cookies you need for the holiday season.

Falafel and Film

7-9pm. $12; $10/JCC members.

Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. 734-971-0990. jccannarbor.org

Join in for a falafel dinner followed by a movie and discussion.

7 sunday Annual Holiday Champagne Brunch

Noon. $62.50. Vinology, 110 S. Main St. 734-995-1818. villagecorner.com

Enjoy food, wine and great company at this Ann Arbor Tasters Guild event. Reservations required.

Creamery Tour

2-4pm. $10. Zingerman’s Creamery, 3723 Plaza Dr. 734-929-0500. zingermanscreamery.com

Watch the cheese and gelato makers as they transform local milk into scrumptious treats.

After the tour enjoy a tasting.

10 wednesay Vegetarian Cooking 101 7-8:15pm. $5. Whole Foods, 990 E. Eisenhower. 734-997-7500. wholefoodsmarket.com

See demonstrations on various holiday vegan recipes. Registration required.

Winter Beer Tasting

6-8pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery, 3723 Plaza Dr. 734-929-0500. zingermanscreamery.com

“Strolling” Holiday Wine Tasting

First Friday Shabbat

Sample a variety of over 45 different choices of wine.

Purchase tickets in advance by phone or at the restaurant.

Join in for the tasting of seasonal beers co-hosted by Arbor Brewing.

6:30-9pm. $10; $25/family. Jewish Cultural Society, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. 734-975-9872. jewishculturalsociety.org

Everyone is invited to dinner followed by a Shabbat service including songs, candle lighting, wine and challah.

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december 2014

6-9pm. $55. Terry B’s Restaurant and Bar, 7954 Ann Arbor St., Dexter.

734-426-3727. terrybs.com

11 thursday

Unsure of how to entertain for those Holiday get-togethers?

Booze is the answer. Warm up with some warm spirits and learn how to mix hot and spiced drinks at The Last Word’s holidaythemed cocktail class. Hot toddies, mulled wine, and nogs are sure to take the edge off. Registration required. 7:30pm on Monday, December 15. $45. 301 W. Huron St. tammystasting.com

13 saturday Making Pizzelles

10am-noon. Downtown Home and Garden, 210 S. Ashley St. 734-662-8122. downtownhomeandgarden.com Free

Join in and make Pizzelles!

This traditional Italian waffle cookie will be something special to add to your cookie repertoire.

14 sunday Jazz Brunch

10am-1:30pm. $5. Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Rd., Jackson.

517-764-0679. sandhillcranevineyards.com

Live music and a brunch with special items including Pumpkin Pancakes and Eggs Benedict. Reservations recommended.

Brewing Methods

1-3pm. $30. Zingerman’s Coffee Company, 3723 Plaza Dr. 734-929-6060. zingermanscoffee.com

Learn how to brew a perfect cup of coffee using a variety of brewing methods.

15 monday Holiday Cocktails

7:30-9pm. $45. The Last Word, 301 W. Huron St. 734-276-3215. tammystastings.com/shop

Create some seasonal cocktails including champagne mixed drinks, hot toddies and drinks involving nog. Registration required.

17 wednesday Rat Pad Release

6-9pm. ABC Brewpub, 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

Amateur and professional brewers create beers in the Rat Pad small batch brew system.

18 thursday

Holiday Ales

Jolly Cocktails

Taste some festive beers for the holiday season. There will be two dozen beers to choose from, appetizers and a prize drawing.

Explore winter-warming beverages from the American colonial tradition of Hot Buttered Rum, to the Brandy Alexander, to champagne.

7-9pm. $25/advance, $30/at door.

ABC Brewpub, 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

/ ecurrent.com

7-9:30pm. $65. Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, 8540 Island Lake Rd., Dexter.

734-619-8100. cornmanfarms.com

20 saturday Krampus 2014

8pm. ABC Microbrewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. 734-480-2739. arborbrewing.com

Join in for a not so typical Christmas party. In the legend of the Krampus naughty kids would get threatened with an attack from the Krampus monster instead of the traditional coal in the stocking. Join in for specialty beers and a live DJ for this interesting take on the holiday season.

Ongoing Mondays

Arbor Brewing Happy Hour Monday

11:30am. Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

Every Monday get happy hour prices all day on drinks and happy hour food from 4-6!

Brews and Board Games

5-11pm. Chelsea Alehouse Brewery, 420 N. Main St. #100, Chelsea.

734-475-2337. chelseaalehouse.com

Bring your own board game or learn new ones!

Tuesdays

Take Away Tuesdays

11:30am. Ann Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.com

Enjoy $5 off growler fills when you spend $5. Also take advantage of the happy hour deals

Wednesday

Randall Wednesday

6-9pm. World of Beer, 1300 S. University Ave. 734-913-2430. wobusa.com

Every Wednesday a new flavor is infused through the Randall, a double chamber filter connected to a tap.

Wednesdays and Thursdays Cheap Beer Night

8pm. Circus, 210 S. First St. 734-913-8890. circusannarbor.com

Enjoy cheap beer and Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday.

food

A Culinary History New Year’s Cookies

By JJ Jacobson

If there’s a month for baking, December takes the cake.

Besides fruitcake, Santa Lucia buns, and sweet buttery fruit breads like panettone and stollen, December has a rich legacy of Christmas cookies. But here’s something slightly more unusual: New Year’s cookies.

Versions of this cookie are common in 19th century cookbooks, sometimes called “New-Year Cakes” The taste is reminiscent of traditional Swiss Springerli, and in New England they add a lemon glaze. What stands out in all these is the distinctive flavor of caraway seeds.

Caraway was a popular flavoring for sweet dishes long before Europeans knew of vanilla, which was originally derived from the seedpod of a new world orchid. It’s typical that holiday recipes are retained longer, or change more slowly, than other kinds of foods – they become inviolate because they’re associated with tradition. Even if they have no religious significance, over the years they become the taste of the holiday.

This month’s recipe is an interpretation from Mrs. Elizabeth Fries Ellet’s 1872 New Cyclopaedia of Domestic Economy and Practical Housekeeper : Adapted to All Classes of Society and Comprising Subjects Connected With The Interests Of Every Family: one of many fascinating “whole house” books, including 19th century Domestic, Household or Family ‘Cylclopedias (or Cyclopaedias) in the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive.

Here’s the original

NEW-YEAR’S COOKIES Weigh out a pound of sugar, three-quarters of a pound of butter-stir them to a cream, then add three beaten eggs, a grated nutmeg, two table-spoonfuls of caraway seed, and a pint of flour.

Dissolve a teaspoonful of *saleratus in a teacup of milk, strain and mix it with half a teacup of cider, and stir it into the cookies--then add flour to make them sufficiently stiff to roll out. Bake them as soon as cut into cakes, in a quick oven till a light brown. *Salreratus was a crude and early form of chemical leavening, one step along the way from potash to our modern baking soda and powder. Recipes typically called for it to be mixed with something acid: vinegar, sour milk, or even molasses. That’s the job the hard cider does in this recipe. But, our modern baking soda doesn’t require activation, and it dissolves completely, so there’s no need for the straining step.

ts

dien e r g n I s Cookie something

Yeinaterrp'restation.fuToll 2extepaerispeonocnes of caraway Ne’sw rn the a mode al, use Here rigin ke the o more li

seeds. r of butte 1 stick r a g 2/3c su egg eds 1 large way se le cara o h w p 1-2 ts nutmeg 3/8 tsp our 2/3c fl da aking so b 1 tsp ilk 8 tsp m er ard cid h p ts 4 r u o fl 2c more

ns Dieraet ocvetnioto 375°

fluffy ght and r until li a g u then s Preh , d er an d fluffy the butt light an l ti e n u t Cream r with th d bea egg an c of flou e 3 / th 2 r d e e d tt th A Mix gg/bu e bowl. to the e th d e d p a , ra k a sc dd mil ing sod ooth. A nd bak y till sm fl spices a e ri the b t a Scrape and be mix in. d mixture n a 2c h ug add the er to do e bowl th and cid f o s ew . and sid uniform red bottom st until ju ix htly flou m and on a lig k ic th of flour sheet s che cookie ~ 1/8 in greased a n Roll out o Bake nd cut, brown. board a til light n u s te u ~15 min

Author Bio:

JJ Jacobson is Outreach Librarian and Curator, American Culinary History Collection, at the Special Collections Library of the University of Michigan Library, where she works with the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive.

ecurrent.com / december 2014 21

music

Logo by Jenny Harley

Photo by Doug Coombe

Mittenfest 9 Great tunes and a great cause

By Jeff Milo

Every year more Michigan bands form. And every year, it seems, there’s another farflung festival to attend.

And then, it’s Mittenfest time. Life pauses for a week. All the bands come together. This festival, above all festivals, is the family reunion for the Washtenaw County music scene.

For nine years, as December ends, dozens of local bands have gathered around amps and drum kits, like families gather around fireplaces, toasting and sipping local microbrews. Ugly holiday sweaters dot the crowd gathered for great tunes and a cause: 826michigan.

Listen and Learn

Mittenfest is a 4-day music festival featuring more than 40 local bands, benefiting 826michigan, a non-profit tutorship organization providing educational assistance (primarily with writing) to students in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Detroit. Mittenfest was originally started by local music proponent Brandon Zwagerman as a backyard concert/ homecoming party that could raise a few bucks for the then-fledgling, volunteer-dependent 826michigan. Now, raising more than $100,000 for 826michigan’s vital programming, the festival has grown into a highly anticipated and beloved staple of the Washtenaw music scene.

Mittenfest, in a nutshell

Four days of live music just before the dead of winter, where the overarching cause creates an energy that stokes nostalgia and camaraderie, with eight (or more) bands performing per night—one of which, we’ll bet, will become your new favorite.

22

december

2014 / ecurrent.com

Photo by Doug Coombe

Jeremy Peters (of Quite Scientific Records) has volunteered for several years and he assures that Mittenfest’s goal remains the same: “Have an awesome festival, with awesome bands that have a tie to this awesome Mitten state we all love. Have a great time doing it, and raise a bunch of money for an organization that’s making huge strides in making creative writing and reading fun for kids.”

And, what matters most, says Amanda Uhle, 826michigan’s Executive Director, is providing an event that is “as vital and fun and reflective of our community” as it was when it started in Zwagerman’s back yard, nine years ago.

The future of Mittenfest

“It’s hard to guess at it,” said Peters. “But I know we’ll keep these same ideas. No matter where it is, or what the venue, the feel has to be the same. Whatever happens, we don’t want it to feel stagnant, and we hope we’re putting on a show that you’d want to spend $10 to go to, even if you had no clue it was going toward an awesome cause.

Mittenfest IX – 4 nights of live music (Jan 1 – Jan 4, 2015) at The Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Doors at 7 PM each night ($10 – proceeds benefit 826michigan). For more information and lineup: mittenfest.org Tickets: blindpigmusic.com

ecurrent.com / december 2014 23

music 3 wednesday Trombone Studio Recital 8pm. Walgreen Drama Center, 1226 Murfin Ave. 734-764-0583. music.umich.edu Free

Enjoy members of the University of Michigan Trombone Studio performing solos from Barat, Casterede, Lassen and more.

4 thursday The Appleseed Collective

7:30pm. $15. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

This eclectic blend of swing, bluegrass, folk and jazz is sure to keep you moving all night.

5 friday Vincent York’s Jazzistry Presents a Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

7:30pm. $20. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

This ensemble will entertain you with songs from legends Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Hear tunes including “Oh, Lady Be Good” and “What a Wonderful World”.

Bria Skonberg

7pm. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

313-833-7900. dia.org

Known for classical jazz she has also created a name for herself exploring the styles of hot jazz, soul and electronic.

6 saturday The Sunfires

8:30-10:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net Free

Enjoy original acoustic music with a variety of instruments including a mandolin, guitar and fiddle. This show will keep you groovin’.

Handel’s Messiah

8pm. $10-$36. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave. 734-764-2538. ums.org

Join in for this holiday season tradition that dates back to the founding of UMS and the first concerts during the 1879-1880 season. The performance features the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Grammy Award winning UMS Choral Union and more! Additional performance on December 12 at 2pm.

7 sunday Caroling Around the Piano

4-5pm. Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division St. 734-994-4898. kempfhousemuesum.org

Join in for some carols accompanied by pianist Sue Dempsey.

Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic

december

Start the evening with a showcase from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade fiddlers. Then transition into the performance by the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, a 33 piece string ensemble.

9 tuesday Rossini’s William Tell

7:30pm. $14-$65. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave. 734-764-2538. ums.org

Opera lovers will want to experience this performance of Rossini’s final opera. This concert version will be performed by a 200-member orchestra and a chorus of the Royal Theatre of Turin, an opera house in Italy.

10 wednesday The Ark’s Open Stage

7:30pm. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

Want to be heard? Come for an open stage where you will have the chance to display your talents in front of a live audience. Sign up upon arrival and 15 performers will be selected to play.

11 thursday Suzuki Violin Holiday Concert

12-1pm. University Hospital Main Lobby, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. 734-936-4000. med.umich.edu

Children ages 4-16 from the Ann Arbor Suzuki Institute will share the music that they have been learning. Music will include classical, but will mostly include Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday music. Free.

Over the Rhine

7:30pm. $30. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

An acoustic Christmas show in support of the duo’s new album “Blood Oranges in the Snow”.

12 friday Chris Degnore

8:30-10:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net Free

An acoustic solo show by a great blues player out of the Metro Detroit area.

Season of Light: Kim and Reggie Harris with Maggie

8pm. $15. Greenwood Coffee House, 1001 Green Rd. 734-665-8558. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

This concert will consist of music to celebrate the changing of seasons, respect for nature, freedom, kindness, unity and more.

13 saturday Ghost City Searchlight

2pm. $10; $5/students and seniors.

Saline High School, 1300 Campus

24

Pkwy., Saline. 734-944-0077. salinefiddlers.com

8:30-10:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net

2014 / ecurrent.com

The Bad Plus

December 21 / Cliff Bell’s

From Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite Of Spring” to Freddie Mercury’s “We Are the Champions,” from “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to “My Funny Valentine,” The Bad Plus covers a lot of ground. The trio’s original songs ride the eccentric and oddly rhythmic lead of Dave King’s drum work, constantly reshaping the form and direction of their performances. On tour with their latest album, Inevitable Western, The Bad Plus continues their musical adventure. $25/$30, Sunday, December 21st, doors at 4 and 7 pm; shows at 5 and 8pm, Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, MI 48226, (313) 961-2543.—BB

The Lone Bellow

December 14 / The Ark

Blending soul and folk, and with their flair for gospel, The Lone Bellow’s swelling three-part harmonies set the stage for lead singer/writer Zach Williams, who’s byturns low and high-flying vocals call to mind the likes of Ray LaMontagne and Marcus Mumford.

The Lone Bellow hails from Brooklyn, and their latest album, Then Came The Morning—produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner—comes out in early 2015. $20, Sunday, December 14, 7:30pm, The Ark, 316 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (734) 761-1451.—BB An eclectic blend of Celtic and American folk music which tells stories ranging from being heard around the campfire to personal experiences. Free.

14 sunday All About the Trio: Music of George Gershwin, Part 2

2pm. $5-$25. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 734-769-2999. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

A detailed look at the foundations of jazz with the Ellen Rowe Trio.

16 tuesday Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band 7:30pm. $15. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

Listen to the unique sound of the steel drum, originally made from the tops of old oil drums, by this Ypsilanti based group.

17 wednesday Delbert McClinton

7:30pm. $50. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

If you are a fan of that honkytonk blues you surely will want to catch this act tonight.

18 thursday Mossy Moran

9:30pm. Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main St. 734-665-2968. conoroneills.com

All the way from Ireland this artist will play a mixture of traditional Irish and contemporary music. Also enjoy $3 Car Bomb drinks!

19 friday The RFD Boys

7:30pm. $11. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org

Southeastern Michigan’s own witty bluegrass band is here to play the night away with their impeccable musicianship.

cont. on page 26

music music

Peanuts, Piano, and Pussy Cats George Winston talks inspiration

Photo by Joe del Tufo

By Julia Ruedig

George Winston’s take on Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, will surely be on display at The Ark on December 20, but Guaraldi is only one of Winston’s inspirations—Professor Longhair and Gobijee the cat also shape the pianist’s R&B style.

didn’t feel right or sound right, but over time the R&B thing did.

How did you know that solo piano, as opposed to playing in a band, was your musical path?

I want to do something, just like everybody wants to help out. The next one is called Spring Carousel: A Cancer Research Benefit, benefiting City of Hope –a research center in LA. I just want to do something, you know, and I’m not a very good carpenter so I’ll do a benefit record.

The benefit album happens if there’s music. For example, there’s an EP for the Fukushima disaster and I play several Japanese songs. I’ve thought of Somalia, but I just have no music. I do some Korean pieces. After the wall falls someday there are going to be a lot of refugees, kind of like East Germany in 1989. So I’ll do that benefit album when that happens. The music has to be there ... I do what the music tells me to do. Music is like cats: the song does what it wants to do, not what I tell it to do.

It was 1967 when I heard The Doors first album, which inspired me to play the organ and get into a band.

I played in a couple of bands, but it wasn’t quite right. I hadn’t played for very long. And then in 1971 I heard Fats Waller’s piano recordings from the 20’s and 30’s, and I immediately realized, solo piano, not organ, for me. And then I started playing Vince Guaraldi tunes and made up the folk piano style to compliment the stride piano style.

Mainly what I work on now is New Orleans Rhythm and Blues. Over the last 35 years, that’s been my main influence. I quit playing in ‘77 and in ‘79 I heard Professor Longhair’s recordings. And I said, I gotta start playing.

Having these mentors makes such a difference.

You tour prolifically. I’d love to hear about one of the most memorable places you’ve played.

Dillon, Montana. Just east of Missoula. Their highschool auditorium. I never mic a piano, but usually I mic the acoustic guitar. During sound check I said can you turn the mic down? It wasn’t on. So I went wow, nobody should touch this hall. It’s the best acoustic hall on the planet.

As a pianist that is inspired by nature, do you ever play outside?

Oh, no. I don’t like that. There’s no acoustics and there’s noise. The piano goes out of tune. No, I never play outdoors. If I go to the Grand Canyon, the last thing I want to do is have a piano.

You are well known for playing Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts Soundtrack, but how do you make it your own?

I’m not a jazz pianist. So if Vince Guaraldi has a jazz solo, I’ll have an R&B solo. The way I play, the jazz thing

You’ve done so many albums to benefit causes.

Where do you find inspiration? Does the music come first or does the cause come first?

I noticed the name of your record label is called Dancing Cat Records.

I love cats more than anything. I had a cat that stood up to get his head scratched. The logo is him. His name was Mifffffffffff. I learn everything from cats.

What have cats taught you about piano and performance?

This one cat, Gobijee, was very much part of my right hand. The way her meow chirped, Gobijee just gave me the reason to exist. Just the whole reason, everything. It’s not really expressible. It’s just the reason to play, everything. She didn’t have a meow. So I always say the being I learned the most from did not say one word to me, it was all by example.

George Winston has been supporting local food banks during his tours for a number of years now. Please help support Food Gatherers Ann Arbor by bringing a donation of canned food to the concert. $45, December 20, The Ark, 316 S Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (734) 761-1451, theark.org ecurrent.com / december 2014 25

music

cont. from page 22 cont. from page 24

20 saturday Indian Tabla Music with John Churchville

8:30-10:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net Free

Hear traditional Indian classical from over 2000 years ago and fusion folk played with a tabla, sitar, bansuri, violin and some vocals.

21 sunday Strolling Victorian Caroling

1:30-4pm. University Hospital Patient Care Areas, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. 734-936-4000. med.umich.edu Free

Dressed in 19th century costumes this acappella ensemble will carol around the patient care areas singing a wide variety of holiday favorites.

26

december

26 friday Steve Kovich

8:30-10:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net Free

Gentle acoustic music from a local artist with original songs that tell stories to which everyone can relate.

27 saturday Social Bones

9:30pm. Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main St. 734-665-2968. conoroneills.com

A cover band with a musical catalog of tunes to please the entire crowd!

31 wednesday Greensky Bluegrass

8pm. $25-$35. Royal Oak Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak. 249-399-2980. royaloakmusictheatre.com

Get out your dancing shoes

2014 / ecurrent.com

and get down to some bluegrass this New Years Eve.

Ongoing Tuesdays

Shaun Garth Walker

9:30pm-12am. Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main St. 734-665-2968. conoroneills.com

Pub favorite Shaun Garth Walker plays a variety of music from Johnny Cash to U2. Every Tuesday.

Sundays

Celtic Jam Session

2-4pm. Chelsea Alehouse Brewery, 420 N. Main St., #100, Chelsea.

734-433-5500. chelseaalehouse.com

Stop by to enjoy Celtic music or, if you play, feel free to jump in. The first and third Sunday of the month.

film

Elf at The Michigan Theater

“Hi, this is Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” The rib-tickling tale of the human who was raised as an elf, starring Will Ferrell, comes to the Michigan Theater. A slapstick sense of humor is required, but in the spirit of most holiday classics, prepare yourself for a heart-warming story. As a part of the Family-Friendly Film Series and the Holiday Classic Film Series, Elf shows for free.

First-come, first-served seating. 1:30pm on Sunday, December 14. 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. —RC

1 monday The Promised Land

7pm. $10/adult, $8/student, senior, veteran, $7.50/members. The Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.org

This film is in part of the series ”Martin Scorcese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema.” This film is a 1975 Andrezj Wajda’s adaptation of an 1897 novel by Wladyslaw Stainislaw Reymont. The story concerns three polish laborers of different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds who must overcome their differences and work together. Tickets available at the door or at TicketWeb. com.

The Theory of Everything Visit website for showtimes. $10/ adult, $8/student, senior, veteran, $7.50/members. The Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.org

The extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. Playing through December 4.

3 wednesday From Up On Poppy Hill

7pm. $10/adult, $8/student, senior, veteran, $7.50/members. State Theater, 233 S. State St. 734-761-8667. michtheater.org/state

Part of the The Studio Ghibli Collection: A 30-Year-Retrospective at the State. From Up On Poppy Hill was the winner of Japanese Academy Award of Best Animated Feature. The story begins during preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

6 saturday Animania

6-11pm. North Quad, 2435 North Quad. maizepages.umich.edu Free

Come watch the latest anime with the Japanese Animation Film Society. All events are free and available to the public. Club members will also host panels, talking about the latest new and special topics.

7 sunday Miracle on 34th Street

1:30pm.The State Theater, 233 S. State St. 734-761-8667. michtheater.org/state Free

The heartwarming 1947’s Holiday classic about the real Santa Claus. State Street Area Association’s Holiday Classic Film Series. Rated G. 96 Mins.

10 wednesday The Wind Rises

7pm. Adults/$10, Student, Senior, Veterans/$8. State Theater, 233 S. State St. 734-761-8667. michtheater.org/state

Part of the Studio Ghibli Collection: A 30-Year-Retrospective at the State. In The Wind Rises, Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes. A story on making your dreams a reality. Advance tickets available at ticketweb.com.

ts More event online a m .co ecurrent

13 saturday Guido van de Werve: Nummer Veertien.

Gallery Hours: 11am-5pm TuesdaySaturday; noon-5pm Sunday.

University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. 734-764-7032. umma.umich.edu Free

This dutch artist’s 54-minute film weaves together three stories of journeys away from home.

14 sunday Christmas Truce

1:30pm. Ann Arbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church, 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. 734-487-3307. vfp93.org Free

Veterans for Peace Chapter 93 will co-sponsor a showing of “Joyeux Noel,” a film about the 1914 World War I Christmas Truce. Discussion will follow the film.

15 monday Monday Night Mysteries 6:30-8:30pm. YDL-Michigan, 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti.

734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

A scary movie is shown at the community room of the YDL.

18 thursday Black Cross

7pm. $10. Detroit Film Theatre, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

313-833-3237. dia.org

Poland’s first historical blockbuster, and the single mostviewed Polish film of all time, Black Cross is a fascinating and spectacular tale of political maneuvering and tragic love set

in a period of medieval warfare, depicting the Polish campaign against the invading Order of the Teutonic Knights.

19 friday The King and the Mockingbird

$10. Detroit Film Theatre, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

313-833-7900. dia.org

An animated adventure based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen by renowned French Animator Paul Grimault. Various times can be found online.

Through November 27.

What Dreams May Come 7pm. Jewel Heart Buddhist Center, 1129 Oak Valley Dr. 734-994-3387. jewelheart.org Free

Watch the fantasy drama starring Robin Williams as he explores the mysteries of afterlife.

22 sunday Frozen

2pm. YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

Join the YDL for their Winter Break Movie Matinee. This popular Disney musical will play.

23 monday The Lego Movie

2pm. YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org. Free

As part of the Winter Break Movie Matinees: Watch these pieces come to life in this new animated film. All ages.

ecurrent.com / december 2014 27

theater theater

The Network’s Latest

Gift Of the Magi In conversation with director Suzi Regan and writer Annie Martin

By Sandor Slomovits

Photos by Sara Dean

Phill Harmer (Stage Manager), Alysia Kolascz and Barton Bund bring their study to the stage.

T

he Performance Network is offering a new adaptation of the well-known O. Henry short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” this holiday season. Award-winning, Michigan-based playwright, Annie Martin, wrote the two-person play while PNET’s Artistic Director, Suzi Regan directs this world premiere production. I began by asking Regan how the newly revived Performance Network is doing Regan: We are hanging in there. As you know we have inherited incredible debt. It’s stressful. It isn’t brain surgery but we take this very seriously. We have the desire and knowhow when it comes to making plays, making art. We think the Network and professional theatre are important to Ann Arbor and to Michigan, so we remain optimistic.

Current: How did the play come to be?

Martin: Suzi approached me about trying my hand at a Christmas/Holiday show. I knew the story of the Magi not through the original O. Henry text, but from the Sesame Street version with Bert and Ernie, and there have been other adaptations throughout the years. To be honest, I didn’t know what a Magi was as I was brought up fairly agnostic. So I read the original O. Henry story, liked the concept (although the four page story is rather dated and completely sexist--still sweet and I guess appropriate for the time it was written), and thought “why not.” The challenge of course being how to turn a four page simple story into a full-length play. So in thinking of how to tell the story, I did research on O. Henry, the original story, and also went back to the story of the Magi and the birth of Christ.

Regan: Annie has woven the traditional story into a 1960 adaptation and an adaptation set in 2014. She explores

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Suzi Regan and Annie Martin ready for their premier.

unconditional love and compromise...how this looks in the different time periods, in the different situations. It is not a musical but a play with music. The songs are the transitions. I’ve written several songs for guitar and voice...only a few of them will see the stage, and they will be sung live to both live and pre-recorded guitar.

Martin: The play is three different Christmas Eve scenarios in three different time periods with a man and a woman at the heart of it all. You get the original tale of O. Henry’s from the 1900s, then we shift to a different tale in 1962, an ex-couple seeing each other for the first time, and finally we get to the present and watch a newly married young couple sharing their first Christmas/Hanukkah together with big news and miscommunications all happening during a live retelling of the birth of Christ at a local church. You don’t have to believe in anything but the beauty of the human spirit to enjoy such a timeless classic.

The Gift of the Magi runs through December 21st on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. PNET will also present “This Wonderful Life,” the classic Christmas story, as a one-man play through December 18th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only. $19.50-$39, Performance Network Theatre, 120 E Huron St., (734) 663-0681, performancenetwork.org

4 thursday Opening Night: A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol

7:30pm. $5. Stone Arch Arts and Events, 117 S. Ann Arbor St., Saline.

734-429-1480. salineareaplayers.org

The traditional Dicken’s tale “A Christmas Carol” gets a makeover with the beloved fairy tale characters including Prince Charming, Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, the Queen of Hearts and more! Also on December 5 at 7:30pm, December 6 at 1pm and 3:30pm and December 7 at 3:30pm.

Fuente Ovejuna

7:30pm. $10-$28. Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St. 734-764-0583. music.umich.edu

A drama based on an actual event in a small Spanish town to overcome their oppressor.

Also on December 5 and 6 at 8pm and December 7 at 2pm.

Dance Composition Class Showing

Dance Building, Studio A, 1310 N. University Ct. 3:15 pm.

734-764-0583. music.umich.edu Free

A showcase featuring Freshman and Sophomores in the Composition classes.

Opening Night: Tintypes

7pm. $7-$15. Eastern Michigan University, 124 Quirk Building, Ypsilanti.

734-487-3130. emich.edu

A musical combination of 50 songs from 1880-1920 following the experiences of a Russian immigrant diving into American culture. Also showing December 5 and 6 at 7pm and December 7 at 2pm.

5 friday Closing Weekend: South Pacific

8pm. $20. Players Guild of Dearborn, 21730 Madison St, Dearborn.

313-561-8587. playersguildofdearborn.org

Set during WWII, the tale of two risky love stories making the pairs realize that life is too short to not seize opportunities for happiness. Also showing December 6 at 8pm and December 7 at 2:30pm.

Dance and Related Arts Annual Show

8pm. $7. Dance Building, 1310 N. University Ct. 734-764-0583. music.umich.edu

A collaborative show featuring innovated works by students from many areas of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Tickets will be available for purchase 1 hour prior to the show.

Opening Night: Snow Queen

7:30pm. $8/adult; $5/children.

Children’s Creative Center, 1600 Pauline Blvd. 734-971-2228. a2ct.org

If you enjoyed the movie Frozen you will enjoy this adaptation of the story by Hans Christian Anderson. A young man, Kai, falls under the evil magic of the Snow Queen and the best friend, Gerda, sets out

theater

on an adventure to save him.

Tickets available by phone or at the door. Showtimes also include December 6 at 1pm and 7:30pm and December 7 at 1pm and 3pm.

Opening Night: Pinocchio $12-$16/pre-sale; $14-$18/day of show. Flint Youth Theatre, 1229 E. Kearsley St, Flint Township. 810-2371530. thefim.org

Experience the classic tale, on stage, of the wooden puppet whose dream comes true when he is visited by a fairy godmother. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Saturday December 20 and Sundays at 2:30pm.

Runs through December 21.

6 saturday Too Hot to Handel

7:30pm. $20-$71. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St, Detroit.

313-237-7464. michiganopera.org

A reinvention of Handel’s Messiah fusing jazz and gospel with blues, swing and a touch of scat.

Opening Night: The Nutcracker

$10-$31. The Whiting, 1241 E. Kearsley St., Flint.

810-237-7337. thewhiting.com

Fill your holiday season with dazzling sets, colorful costumes and elegant dancers from New York City’s Dance Collective and the Flint School of Performing Arts. 2pm and 7:30pm on December 6 and 3pm on December 7.

A German Family Christmas

1-4pm. Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division St. 734-994-4898. kempfhousemuesum.org Free

The Kempf House will be decorated to resemble a GermanAmerican family Christmas celebration from the early 1900’s. Enjoy music and holiday cookies. Also on December 7, 13 and 14.

10 wednesday Opening Night: Wicked

8pm. $49-$154. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. 313-2377464. michiganopera.org

The world renowned musical hits the stage and tells the story of Oz from the witches perspective. Runs through January 3.

Check the website for specific dates and times.

This Wonderful Life

The classic 1946 Christmas film comes to life on stage at Performance Network Theatre. This holiday favorite is a one-man theatrical version—star John Lepard transforms into 30-plus characters—of Steve Murray’s original. The 90-minute show runs through December 18. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm. Tickets on sale at PNtheatre.org.

120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, 734-663-0381.

You Can’t Take it With You

The Ypsilanti Theater Company PTD (Petie the Dog) presents the story of the Sycamores and the Kirbys. Tony Kirby and Alice Sycamore’s love is barred by the expectations of their families, coming to a head at an odd and uncomfortable dinner between the two groups. Come along for the ride as the many characters get into strange and entertaining antics. $18 General, $12 Student/Senior. December 4-6 & 11-13 at 8pm. December 7 at 2pm. Riverside Arts Center. 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. riversidearts.org/theater.

Holiday Spectacle

The Fox Theater in Detroit presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze. Performers show off daring acrobatic stunts while dressed as ornaments, angels, and gingerbread men. Toy soldiers march on thin wires above the stage, while reindeer soar above a sparkling holiday landscape.

The performance features an original music score.

December 16 - December 20.

Tickets available online. $50$200. Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00pm, with a matinee performance on Friday and Saturday at 2:00pm.The Fox Theater, 2211 Woodward Avenue, Detroit.

DetroitTheater.org. --RC

11 thursday National Theatre Live: David Hare’s Skylight

7pm. $18-$22. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. ums.org

A special evening featuring a live, broadcast from the National Theatre in London. This play features the story of a teacher who receives a visit from her ex-lover. The pair attempt to rekindle their passionate relationship.

13 saturday Auditions: Lucky Stiff

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, 322 W. Ann St. 734-971-2228. a2ct.org

Want to be in a play? Auditions are being held for the upcoming March production. Check the website for the description of character positions that need to be filled. Also December 14 and 15.

30 thursday Boogie Stomp! the Play

8pm. $35-$100. Performance Network Theatre, 120 E. Huron St. 734-663-0681. pntheatre.org

Two pianos tell the story of boogie woogie and how it came to be through blues, swing, jazz and rock and roll. Over 100 years of music will be covered in this jam packed musical evening. Also showing December 31 at 6pm and 9:45pm.

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artart

Dad’s Bowling Team, Mike Sivak

ArtBeat Holiday Show at the WSG Gallery he WSG Gallery on Main Street is one of the most vibrant art galleries in town, annually presenting a holiday show highlighting the work of visiting artists and a dazzling array of original artwork—jewelry, metalworking, photography, painting, books, cards, glasswork, and ceramics—all perfect for holiday gift giving.

media, assemblage and sculpture. His work has been exhibited in leading venues in southeast Michigan, such as the Scarab Club and the Detroit Institute of Arts. His latest series is “Family Portraits,” mixed media including works that comprise Sivak family photographs (including the cats and other animals), acrylic paint and ink. How about commissioning Mike to create something with your family photos for Christmas and beyond?

Meet the Artists

Couture

By Louis Meldman

T

The artists invited to this year’s WSG Holiday Show are among the most successful and beloved in the region.

There is Marcia Polenburg, the whimsical and engaging ceramicist who often shows her stuff across the street at the Clay Gallery. There is Sherri Nicole Green, the Ypsilanti-based artist and organizer of DIYpsi, the annual indie art fair. Her latest theme is the combination of gardening and books, two of her passions. She turns hollowed-out, waterproofed books into planters for green plants and succulents. Behold the jewelry of Jane Brown, who got into the field in pursuit of a “compulsion” to deconstruct the gifts of ex-boyfriends. Boy, who wouldn’t want to do that? She ends up with a surprising combinations of random beads and odd lengths of chain.

Her collection is called “Changing Direction.” Jane is inspired daily by her interaction with children; she is Director of Early Childhood at the Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Mike Sivak is a distinguished artist with colorful background. He grew up on Detroit’s east side, and put himself through Eastern Michigan University while playing bass in a bluegrass band. He moved to California to pursue music but ended up as a courier in the precious metals industry, flying to New York and the Far East on a regular basis, earning literally millions of frequent flier miles in the process. This enabled him to see the world and the world’s greatest artistic offerings. He hit the lottery, literally, and that allowed him to pursue illustration at the hallowed Art Center College of Design in Pasadena where he earned his MFA. He joined a team who designed 3-D worlds for Stephen Spielberg, IBM, MGM, Aerosmith and David Bowie.

In 2001, Mike moved to Ann Arbor with his wife and large pride of cats. He has continued to explore artistic techniques and media including painting, collage, mixed

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Artist Rebecca Lambers, Ann Arbor’s preeminent couturier, is also invited to the WSG Gallery. Couture is the art of one-of-a-kind dressmaking— incorporating the designer’s aesthetic sensibility, the finest fabrics and master workmanship, all tailored to each client’s unique body and coloring, personality and tastes.

She has been serving select clients from her downtown atelier/studio on East Liberty for over 35 years. Rebecca lives in her country home outside Manchester, where she sews and makes exceptional art objects, including silk flowers and installations. Her work has been showcased at the DIA, profiled in Hour Detroit magazine and at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. In fact the last time I saw Rebecca was at ArtPrize last year, where she stole the show.

It’s hard to buy art for other people, but that’s never stopped me. And if it’s for a loved one you live with, it’ll be there for you to enjoy, too. The WSG holiday gala cum– exhibition opening is on Friday, December 5 at 7:00pm.

There will be a Renaissance recorder quintet playing baroque and chamber music and classical and everything in between. And, of course, there will be wine and cheese and artists and art lovers and the loving vibes they always evoke.

Cheers, All! And Happy Holidays.

WSG Gallery 306 South Main St., Ann Arbor, (734) 761-2287. wsg-art.com. Runs through December 31.

art art

Aldo and I in bed.

A diary in photographs

Jen Davis’s Eleven Years exhibit invites viewers into an intimate examination of body image through self-portraits. Davis’s thought provoking photographs chronicle her relationship with her body, asking questions of beauty and societal conventions.

Davis is a New York based photographer, and her work has traveled nationally and internationally. Running until January 9th at the Institute for Humanities Gallery. Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. Runs through January 9. 202 S. Thayer St. (734) 936-3518. lsa.umich.edu/humanities. Free.—RC 2013. Archival Pigment Print, 20x24 inches

3 wednesday Stuart Davis at Mid-Career: Geography, Democracy and Modernity

6:30pm. Free with museum admission. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

313-833-7900. dia.org

The pioneering American Modernist Stuart Davis used geographical details from iconic American places to create a unique style of abstract painting. Lecture by Davis.

4 thursday Penny W. Stamps: Seth Ellis

5pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. stamps.umich.edu/stamps Free

Seth Ellis is an internationally acclaimed artist and designer.

He makes site-specific narratives that explore the stories inherent in material culture, place, and everyday objects.

His work utilizes the massmanufactured artifacts of Modernist industrial society as the loci of installations combining multimedia experience design, local history, and storytelling to trace the webs that connect local communities across time and space.

Two Twelve Arts Holiday Sale Reception

7-9pm. Two Twelve Arts Center, 216 W. Michigan Ave., Saline.

734-644-2787. twotwelvearts.org Free

Two Twelve affiliated artists will offer a variety of original work for sale. Prices to match all budgets. Sale takes place the 5th through the 13th, 10am-6pm, closed on Sunday.

5 friday 212 Holiday Sale

10am-6pm. Two Twelve Arts Center, 101 S. Ann Arbor St., Saline.

734-994-2787. twotwelvearts.org Free

The artists affiliated with Two Twelve Arts will offer an array of original art for sale. Find the perfect gifts for the holidays!

Closed on December 7.

WSG Gallery Holiday Show Reception 7pm-midnight. WSG Gallery, 306 S. Main St. 734-761-2287. wsg-art.com Free

Come find unique gifts during WSG Gallery’s Holiday Show with many smaller and less expensive works for the holidays by over 30 artists. Meet the artists during Midnight Madness.

Holiday Show runs December 2nd through January 3rd..

6 saturday A German Family Christmas Guided House Tour

1-4pm. Donations appreciated.

Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division St. 734-994-4898. Free

The 19th century Greek Revival Kempf House will be decorated to reflect a German-American musical family’s celebration of Christmas in the early 1900s with a tree, music, and holiday cookies. Sunday December 7th will feature a special carol around the piano with accompanist Sue Dempsey. Saturday & Sunday through December 13.

Ann Arbor Women Artists Holiday Arts & Crafts Show 10am-4pm. AAWA Jackson Square Plaza, 4484 Jackson Rd. Suite 100.

734-662-6671. annarborwomenartists.org Free

More than 20 artists offer a wide variety of items from jewelry to photographs.

7 sunday Heavenly Metal Winter Fashion Show 5pm. $20. Ann Arbor TeaHaus, 204 N. Fourth Ave. heavenlymetal.com

Tea and sweets from Teahaus and fashions from Heavenly Metal. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ann Arbor Film Festival.

Sunday Artisan Market

11am-4pm. Kerrytown District, 315 Detroit St. 734-913-9622. artisanmarket.org Free

Last day of the season to check out over 60 artists and craftspeople working in a wide variety of media including textiles, ceramics, metalwork, glass, painting, drawing, jewelry, woodworking, mixed media, basketry, photography

and more. Good art and great fun!

10 wednesday MA Thesis Exhibition: Meghan Lee & Amanda Zsot 4:30pm-7pm. Ford Gallery at Ford Hall, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. art.emich.edu Free

Reception for these two Eastern Michigan University’s students Masters Thesis work at the Ford Gallery at EMU. Gallery runs from December 8-12.

12 friday Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Sale

5pm-9pm. Yourist Studio Gallery, 1133 Broadway. 734-662-4914. youristpottery.com Free

The Yourist Studio Gallery Holiday Sale opens with a festive preview sale and artists’ reception. The opening features dazzling new work by the Yourist Studio Gallery Resident Artists, delectable refreshments, and lots of good cheer. The sale continues on Saturday 13, 10am-6pm; Sunday 14, from 10am-4pm.

13 saturday D.I.Ypsi Indie Art Fair Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. diypsi.com Free

Check out the best indie artists this area has to offer. Enjoy food and craft beer while shopping.

14 sunday Suspended Moments: Photographs from the David S. Rosen Collection 2-3pm. University Of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. umma.umich.edu Free

Be guided through Rosen’s photographic work, inspired by his work as a pediatrician with specialization is adolescent medicine.

Banner Moments: The National Anthem in American Life

8:30am-11:45pm. Hatcher Graduate Library South, 913 S. University Ave., Audubon Room and Gallery.

734-764-0400. Free

This exhibit’s last day celebrates the bicentennial of the

U.S. National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Art will include the cultural history of the anthem in American Life.

Photography and Cultures of Modernity in Africa

2pm. Free with museum admission.

Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

313-833-7900. dia.org

Okwunodu Ogbechie, Professor of Art History, Department of History of Art and Architecture at the University of California, Santa Barbara lectures on the culture and modernity in the African photography of the 20th century.

15 monday Michigan Life: Watercolor

8am-8pm. Gifts of Art Gallery, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. med.umich.edu/ goa Free

Exhibit opens of LeAnne Mawby Sola, who paints with an appreciation of history and love of the Great Lakes.

Sterling Characters: Silver Jewelry 8am-8pm. Gifts of Art Gallery, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. med.umich.edu/goa Free

Exhibit of Betsy Lehndorff’s silversmith collection opens.

21 sunday Guided Tour: Fred Tomaselli: The Times

2pm-3pm. University Of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. umma.umich.edu Free

Tomaselli’s New York Times Collages bend reality with the surreal, come as you are guided through his exhibited works.

ONGOING

Preserved: The Art of Taxidermy

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays 10am-5pm; Thursdays 10am-7pm; Closed Sunday & Monday. $5. Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History, 3225 4th St., Jackson.

617-787-2320. ellasharp.org

This exhibit explores the art of preparing and mounting the skins of animals for display.

More events online at ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / december 2014 31

literature The A2/ Ypsi Reads Photo by Emma Dodge Hanson

Celebrating U-M’s literary gods December 4

Janus, to ancient Romans, was the god of beginnings and transitions. Nicholas Delbanco, former director of U-M’s Creative Writing MFA Program and the Hopwood Awards Program, now U-M Professor of English and Literature, is retiring. And the local literary community is throwing a party at Rackham Amphitheatre — a daylong symposium called The Janus Faced Habit: The Art of Teaching and the Teaching of Art.

2:00-3:15pm

What We Know: Considering creative writing's recent history as a discipline, the lessons of distinguished writer-teachers, and the challenges of integrating creative and pedagogical practice. In conversation with professors and authors Margaret Lazarus Dean, Miles Harvey, and Jesmyn Ward, moderated by author and essayist Donovan Hohn.

3:30-4:45pm

Write the Future: Addressing innovative new strategies pointing the way toward the evolution of the discipline. In conversation with professors and authors Valerie Laken, William Lychack, and Porter Shreve, moderated by Jer-

emiah Chamberlin.

5:30-6:30pm

Charles Baxter, lauded Midwest author and former director of Michigan’s Creative Writing MFA, and Delbanco share the stage at the Rackham Assembly Hall for a conversation, marking the finale of the daylong symposium.

“The Janus Faced Habit: The Art of Teaching and the Teaching of Art” December 4, 2:00-6:30.

Rackham Amphitheatre, 915 E. Washington St. Free.

734-764-8572.

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december

An insider’s look into a large scale book club

By Sandor Slomovits

A

nn Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads – it sounds like a self-evident statement of fact—and of course it is. With the students and faculty of the U-M, EMU, and Washtenaw Community College alone making up a significant percentage of the area’s population, not to mention the students and staff of the area’s smaller colleges and the public and private elementary, middle and high schools, there is little question that there is a lot of reading going on around here.

But Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads is also the name of a popular and beneficial community-building program established in 2003 by the University of Michigan Life Sciences, Values and Society Program. Since 2004, the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti District Libraries have been coordinating the annual event, with help from the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Public Schools, local bookstores, the Eastern Michigan University Libraries and Washtenaw Community College.

The planning for the year’s Reads begins in the spring with the formation of a screening committee of nine to twelve people, general readers and people from A2, Ypsi, U-M and EMU libraries. The screening committee generates a list of books to consider, the public can also makes suggestions via the Reads website. Over the summer, members of the committee read approximately thirty books and narrow their decision to two books. A final committee of five community members (this year yours truly was invited to serve on that panel) read both books and choose one for the next Reads. Last year the panel chose Ruta Sepetys’s, Between Shades of Gray, not to be confused with E.L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey.

The centerpiece of the Reads is the author event, typically held in the Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College. Ira Lax, who works in Outreach and Neighborhood Services at the Ann Arbor District Library and helps coordinate the Reads says, “The author events have been the highlights for me over the years; it’s where I see the wide readership the book has garnered and how eager people are to engage the author and each other around a single title.” But there are many other public and private events that comprise Reads.

Book clubs focus meetings around the Reads book, college and high school teachers assign the books to their classes, workplaces host discussions about the book, and film societies present films related to the topic of the book. Tim Grimes, Manager of the Community Relations and Marketing Department at AADL who has spearheaded the Reads since its beginning says, “We provide a framework to help people read and discuss these books in their own homes and other settings.”

When Reads ends in late February, most of the books purchased get a second life. A few books are kept in circulation at the libraries, but the majority are donated to area schools where they continue to be read in classes.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, winner of the 2014 Medici Book Club Prize, the L.A. Times Book Prize and a finalist for the Booker Prize was chosen as this year’s selection for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2015 over We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo.

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Ozeki will appear to talk about her book on Wednesday, February 11 from 7 - 8:30 pm at Ann Arbor’s Rackham Auditorium.

Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Reads, aareads.aadl.org

Local Reads Tuesday 2 Zell Visiting Writers Series: Charles Baxter Fiction Reading 6-7pm. University Of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. lsa.umich.edu/english/grad/mfa/ mfaeve.asp Free

UMMA presents Charles Baxter, author of five novels including The Feast of Love, and a former member of U-M’s Department of English MFA program. He will read from his fiction.

Wednesday 3 An Evening of Poetry and Written Word

7-8:45pm.Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. cwpoetrycircle.tumblr.com Free

Katherine Edgren will be the featured reader. Achievements include winning first place in the Writer’s Digest non-rhyming poetry contest, and appeared in the The Year’s Best Writing in 2005. Part of the Crazy Wisdom Writing and Poetry Circle.

The Evolution of Libraries in China

Noon-1pm. Michigan League-Koessler Room, 911 N University Ave. umich.edu Free

This lecture is an overview of the history and current status of libraries in China. It describes the different periods of library developments, from ancient libraries to modern libraries. Dr. Mengziong Liu will be leading the discussion.

Thursday 4 Thursday Morning Book Group

10am. YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti.

734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

The book Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter will be discussed.

Hokusai’s Manga and France’s Descriptive Turn: Reading the Japanese Book in 1860’s Paris

Noon-1pm. U of M School of Social Work Building - Room 1636, 1080 S. University Ave. 734-764-3309. events.umich.edu Free

Emily Eastgate Brink, a doctor in Art History from Stanford, will lead a lecture exploring the early interpretation and popularity of Hokusai’s Manga in 19th century France.

Friday 5 Mark Webster Reading Series

7-8pm. University Of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. umma.umich.edu Free

Remembering the poetry and life of Mark Webster. All readings take place at the Helmut Stern Auditorium. One MFA student of fiction and one of poetry, each introduced by a peer, will read their work.

The Syntax of Witness: A Reading and Discussion

4-6pm. U of M School of Social Work Building - Room 1636, 1080 S. University Ave. 734-764-3309. events.umich.edu Free

Tarfia Faizullah is the Pushcart Prize winning author of Seam, 2012 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award, among many other prizes.

Mark Webster Reading Series

7-8pm. University Of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. umma.umich.edu Free

Remembering the poetry and life of Mark Webster. All readings take place at the Helmut Stern Auditorium. One MFA student of fiction and one of poetry, each introduced by a peer, will read their work.

Fried Walleye and Cherry Pie

6:30-10pm. $75. Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, 8540 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. 734-619-8100. cornmanfarm.com

The inaugural book club dinner will feature a menu featuring Midwestern cuisine. The dinner theme is based on the book by Peggy Wolff titled Fried Walleye and Cherry Pie. Upon registration inform of any dietary restrictions.

Wednesday 10 Poetry Reading and Speed Workshop

6-7pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu Free

Join a poetry reading inspired by nature’s connection to the art of writing verse. Featuring readings by U-M faculty Keith Taylor and Lorna Goodison.

current reads

Poetry Workshop

7-8:45pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. cwpoetrycircle.tumblr.com Free

All writers welcome to share and discuss their poetry or short fiction. Bring about six copies of your work, copies will be returned.

Saturday 13 Author Erin Eveland at Bookbound Bookstore

3pm. Bookbound Bookstore, 1729 Plymouth Rd. 734-369-4345. bookboundbookstore.com Free

Author Erin Eveland will read from her recently released dark fantasy novel, Darkness.

One girl. One boy. And the masters of darkness. See the shadow creatures. They are everywhere. But you can run from the shadows. Or the masters who control them. A book signing will follow.

Wednesday 17 ZingTrain Speaker Series: John U. Bacon

8-9:30am. $50. ZingTrain Training Space, 3723 Plaza Dr. 734-9301919. zingtrain.com

This session explores how Cirque Du Soleil manages creativity in the workplace, with author of the book Cirque Du Soleil: Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All. Register online.

Introduction to Steiner’s Thought

7-9:30pm. Rudolf Steiner House, 1923 Geddes Ave. 734-485-3764.

Free

Great Lakes Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in America presents a discussion of Rudolf Steiner’s How to Know Higher Worlds.

Saturday 19 Crazy Wisdom Book Discussion

7:30-9pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-664-2757. crazywisdom.net Free

All are invited in a discussion of Larry Dossey The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things: Fourteen Natural Steps to Health and Happiness. In the Crazy Wisdom Tea Room.

Tuesday 30 African American Authors Book Discussion Group

7pm. YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti.

734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

Explore the history of African American literature through narratives in this book discussion group.

Wednesday 31 Comics Literary Society

7pm. YDL-Michigan, 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

Come join YDL newest book club as we explore graphic novels, graphic nonfiction and comic strips from different countries and different subcultures.

ONGOING Mondays

Monday Evening Book Group 7pm. YDL-Whittaker: Conference Room 1C, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

Joining a book group is a great way to meet new people and experience the fun of discussing a book together.

Fridays

Mystery Lovers Book Group 2pm. YDL-Whittaker: Conference Room 1C, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org Free

Join other amateur sleuths once a month to discuss mystery novels.

SUNDAYS

Ann Arbor Poetry Slam

8-11pm. $5 Suggested Donation.

Silvio’s Organic Pizza, 715 N. University Ave. 734-985-0736.

Every Sunday Poets are invited to compete in a poetry slam, judged by a randomly chosen audience panel. Program begins and usually ends in a brief poetry open mic and a short set by a featured poet.

ts More event online a m .co ecurrent

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sports

Strikes and Gutters,Ups and Downs New trends in bowling culture in Ann Arbor

By Russ Brakefield

B

The AC has a fresh new look.

efore working on this story most of my bowling inside Colonial Lanes. Conway bounces his answers back knowledge came from exhaustively quoting The Big and forth across the table to his assistant manager, Brad Lebowski in high school. As someone who bowls Slater. “You’ve got two types of bowlers, Conway says, very occasionally, and on such occasions rolls consistent “league bowlers and what we call social bowlers.” Slater double-digit games, I’ve never learned the nuances of the explains that most league bowlers grew up bowling and sport. But as a writer I’m intensely drawn to any place have a great respect for the sport. “And social bowlers,” with a diverse mix of people gathered together at the same Conway says, “well that might be us three going out for time. Even better if that place has galaxies painted on the a night of entertainment with a tad bit of competition carpet and beers on tap. I’ve spent many Friday nights involved.” He smiles. “The age range of our bowlers is touched down in that beautiful universe of neon trying to 2-82. We do all kinds of business here, but our primary understand who these people are, and how bowling brings focus is on people who like to have fun.” Just like over at Bel-Mark, the focus here is on inclusion. them all together.

When I ask Conway, who has twenty-six years in the On a Thursday morning the scene at Bel-Mark Lanes is starkly different. The lights have been turned up and industry, how bowling culture is changing, his face lights up. “Let me show you something” he club music no longer bounces off the says and motions for me to follow. walls. There’s a different clientele, We walk through Cubs’ A.C. dining but the lanes are still busy. Crowding room into the bowling alley and turn a few lanes in the middle of the alley, left through some double doors. On a group of older women watch as one the other side of the doors six beautiful of their own hefts a bright fifteennew lanes run down the middle of a pounder down the lanes. “Those are sharply lit room. Two movie screenthe Early Risers,” says Rick Powell, sized TVs hover over the end of the the laconic but ever-genial manager —Brian Conway, general lanes. Conway wants to know what behind the counter. “The Granny manager of Colonial Lanes I think. He motions to the communal Squares come in at one. That’s a seniors league.” During the course of our conversation booths in front of the lanes and back behind us where a Powell takes breaks to ring up the Early Risers and seems sparkling new event space waits for an incoming party. to know most of them by name. One woman, probably in The “Michigan Suite,” is, admittedly, modern, edgy, and her seventies and carrying a purse that must weigh fifteen impressive.

“League involvement has been suffering for twenty pounds itself, tells Powell that she threw a 221 last week.

“Well that’s just good bowling!” Powell says, shrugging years,” Conway says. “We are looking to expand on social bowling.” Colonial Lanes plans to have fully updated their in praise.

Powell attributes their success to bowling’s wide bar and facilities by August of this year to accommodate appeal. “We have leagues and experiences for everyone,” these changing needs. Conway is still quick to point out he says. “We have school groups in, college students on the importance of the league bowler to their success. the weekends. On Saturday mornings our parking lot is “They are the backbone of the industry,” he says, “but we packed for our Challengers League, a league for bowlers also want to expand to a broader structure of guests.”

On my way out Conway asks me to come back soon with special needs.” A level one coach for USBC, Powell also teaches bowling at EMU. When I ask him about his and bowl a game. He clearly enjoys this type of interaction own game he puts his hand to his right shoulder. “I don’t the most. And I will be back, if not to bowl then to watch bowl anymore,” he says, in a way only someone separated many drastically different types of people converge in a way I seldom see elsewhere. It’s strangely harmonious, from something they care about deeply could.

Later in the day and on the other side of town I have this bowling alley phenomenon. But well, you know, that lunch with general manager Brian Conway at Cub’s A.C kind of ties the room together.

“League involvement has been suffering for twenty years.”

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2014 / ecurrent.com

everything else 39th Annual Saline Holiday Parade 5:30pm. Downtown Saline. salinemainstreet.org Free

Celebrate the holiday season with decorated floats, live music and some holiday surprises.

Holiday Home Tour + Reception

5-11pm. $40. Ladies Literary Society, 218 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti.

734-487-9669. ymow.org

A2 MURAL COMPETITION

Attention all artists with a passion for large scale pieces and a competitive edge: Ann Arbor property development and management company, Oxford Management, invites you to compete in a mural competition. Oxford’s headquarters downtown (210 S. Fifth Ave.) will feature the winners on their southfacing walls. The theme of the mural competition is “creating community,” and the competition is open to any artist or groups of artists currently residing in Michigan. Artists must execute the project in the spring/summer of 2015. Applications are being accepted until January 1st; artists selected will be notified on January 15th.

1 monday Cottage Industry Food, Laws, Farm Production, and Marketing for Sales

7-9pm. $10 suggested donation or trade equivalent. The Gilbert Residence, 203 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti.

Come share your knowledge, experience, questions, and plans for the future of a permaculture network that provides for ourselves, each other, and local life systems.

3 wednesday Zingtrain Speaker Series: Wayne Baker.

8-9:30am. $50. ZingTrain Training Space, 3728 Plaza Dr. 734-930-1919. zingtrain.com

An in-depth exploration of America’s core values through iconic images, personal stories, and colorful anecdotes.

Registration required.

5 friday Midnight Madness

7pm-midnight. Downtown Ann Arbor, 219 S. Main St. mainstreetannarbor.org Free

Stores open late! Holiday sales! Santa Claus and Miss Washtenaw County roaming the sidewalks, entertainment and special savings. Also on November 6.

Chelsea Annual Hometown Holiday

4-10pm. Downtown Chelsea. chelseamich.com Free

A fun filled weekend celebration which marks the beginning of the holiday season.

Festivities kick off with a tree lighting ceremony and the weekend includes visits with Santa, a live nativity scene, holiday activities and entertainment at our many great merchants and historic locations.

Through November 7.

6 saturday Annual Christmas Party

10am-1pm. Downtown Home and Garden, 210 S. Ashley St. 734-662-8122. downtownhomeandgarden.com Free

Everyone loves a good Christmas party! Come and check this annual party out.

Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area Stewardship Workday.

1-4pm. Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area, Turnberry Ln., Pittsfield.

734-794-6627. a2.gov/NAP Free

Come get your hands dirty and help preserve the mature oak-hickory woodland in this diverse area. Cut and remove invasive shrubs like honeysuckle and buckthorn to give native plants a chance to thrive. Participants are to wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Suitable for all ages, but minors must be occupied by a guardian, or contact NAP in advance for a release form.

Barn to Kitchen Soap Making

10am-3pm. $85. Firesign Family Farm, 7500 Trotters Ln., Whitmore Lake.

734-449-0247. firesignfamilyfarm.com

Learn to make soap out of goats milk and other natural ingredients.

Presented by Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.This ticket includes the tour of 6 homes and the First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti. At each house you visit there will be holiday decor, beverages and a appetizers or other menu items from many great Ypsilanti area restaurants. Dessert reception at Ladies Literary Society at 8pm.

7 sunday Oakridge Nature Area Stewardship Workday

1-4pm. Oakridge Nature Area, Northwest corner of Huron Parkway and Glazier Way. 734-794-6627. a2gov.org/NAP Free

Join the team in removing invasive shrubs. Meet in University lot. Wear long pants and closed toe shoes. All ages welcome, minors need a guardian or a signed release form.

9 tuesday Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers

6:30-8:30pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu Free

Open to all beekeepers, bee enthusiasts, and those wanting to learn more about pollinators. Discussion topics include honeybee management, care, and production, as well as work to protect and enhance our local bee population.

Steward’s Circle: Restoration Success Stories!

7:30-8:30pm. Bruegger’s Bagels, 709 N. University Ave. stewardshipnetwork.org Free

Come and share stories of successful lessons learned from current or finished restoration projects. Part of a monthly, informal discussion.

Open to the public.

12 friday Festive Fridays

7-9pm. Main St., 318 S. Main St. mainstreetannarbor.org Free

Embrace the holiday season and come downtown for Ann Arbor’s Festive Fridays. There will be live sidewalk entertainment throughout the Main Street Area. Also on November 19.

13 saturday Eco-Restoration Workday

9am-noon. Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Hts. 734-647-7600. lsa.umich.edu Free

Learn about the nature of Nichols Arboretum as you contribute to restoration efforts. Volunteers under age 18 must submit a permission form prior to participation; those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Holiday Greens Workshop with Ann Arbor Garden Club

10am-noon. $15. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu

Create your own wreath or bring a vase to make a greens arrangement. Materials for a wreath or arrangement provided. Bring your own clippers to trim greens. Brunch follows.

16 tuesday Tales and Travels From Around the Globe

7:30-9pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu Free

Share and inspire us with your travels for this annual HVG program. Send a Powerpoint presentation or 10-15 digital photos to Ed Steinman and tell us about your adventures, near and far. Presented by Sierra Club Huron Valley Group.

20 saturday Eco-Restoration Workday

9am-noon. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-6478528. mbgna.umich.edu Free

Enjoy and learn about the beautiful natural areas at Matthaei Botanical Gardens as you contribute to our restoration efforts. Education and tools provided. Registration required for individuals and groups. Volunteers under age 18 must submit a permission form prior to participation; those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

21 sunday The Moth

6-10pm. The Circus Bar and Billiards, 210 S. First St. 734-913-8890. circusannarbor.com Free

Every third Tuesday, the Moth comes to The Circus. Funny, sad, and true stories are told.

Ages 18+. An NPR event.

26 friday Community Kabbalat Shabbat.

6:30-7:30pm. Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. 734-445-1910. aarecon.org Free

Pizza nosh for children and childcare provided during

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everything else

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services from Services are followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Reservations preferred, especially for pizza and childcare.

30 tuesday Holiday Week Drop In Workshops: Tongue Depressor Puppets

11am-4pm. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. 313-833-7900. dia.org. Free

Use fabric, yarn and felt to turn a tongue depressor into a character worthy of it’own puppet show.

ONGOING SUNDAYS

stand-up comedy class. Followed by Open Mic at 8pm.

TUESDAYS

Aerial Silks Class At Ringstar Studios

6-7pm. $10. Ringstar Studios, 3907 Varsity Dr. a2ringstar.com

This class will explore very basic techniques and poses of aerial silk with an emphasis on strength, flexibility, and body awareness. this popular circus art.

WEDNESDAYS Trivia Night

7pm. Wolverine State Brewing Co., 2019 S. Stadium Blvd. 734-369-2990. wolverinebeer.com Free

An off the beaten path venue for some great pub trivia.

Sunday Afternoon Dharma Service

THURSDAYS

Dharma Service consists of chanting and singing as well as sitting in meditation.

Rebecca Williams reveals your present, past and future.

No appointment necessary.

4-5:30pm. $5 suggested donation.

Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple, 1214 Packard St. 734-761-6520. zenbuddhisttemple.org

Stand-Up Comedy Class 5-7pm. The Mix Studio Theater, 8 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. chilichallis.com

Former staff comedy writer for The Tonight Show, Chili Challis teaches this fantastic

Tarot Readings

6-9pm. $1.50 per minute. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net

ts More event a e onlin .com ecurrent

road trip WATCH PAULA POUNDSTONE MAKE IT UP AS SHE GOES ALONG Sunday, December 13 / Royal Oak Theater

You’ve likely heard her voice on the NPR news quiz “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” She’s the contestant with all the clever, off-the-cuff jokes—wait, wait, that’s all of them. Known for her brand of spontaneous observational humor, Poundstone’s stand-up act first stood up in 1979, and she’s been cracking jokes on stage ever since. Her pre-performance ritual: “I like to shower, because I want to give the crowd the deluxe. I slap on some red lipstick and glance at some notes. I like to have one or two things in my head that I am looking forward to telling the crowd.” Watch her wing it at the Royal Oak Theater on Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm. $29 advance tickets. $35 at the door. 318 W. Fourth Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067, 248-399298. —RC

A Classic Russian Tale Takes the Stage Sunday December 21 / Fox Theater

The Moscow Ballet comes to Detroit’s Fox Theater with a spectacular holiday show, The Great Russian Nutcracker. 122 years after its premiere, this classic ballet features 10-ft tall silk puppets, life-size Matrushka dolls, and a dove of peace with a 20-ft wingspan—modern artistry will grace the stage. And the award-winning dancers, dressed in detailed costumes and interpreting Tchaikovsky’s master score, promise to enchant.

Ticket prices start at $52. Sunday, December 21, 3pm and 7pm.

2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit. For tickets call Ticketmaster at 800-345-7000, or go to www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets. —RC

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health

health events Chelsea Winter Ride

9am. Aberdeen Bike and Fitness, 1175 S. Main St., Chelsea.

517-285-6830. Free

Slow/moderate-paced ride, 35-45 or 55-65 miles, to various destinations. Meet at Aberdeen Bike Fitness.

Tuesday 2

Raw Foods: Navigating Winter with Raw Foods with Ellen Livingston

7-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. Free peoplesfood.coop/news

Livingston will share great tips on staying healthy all winter long. Registration required.

Thursday 4

Red Cross Blood Drive

10am-4pm. WCC Fitness Center, 4833 E. Huron River Dr. redcross.org Free

Join WCC at the American Red Cross Blood Drive in helping out someone in need. Registration required.

Saturday 6

A Day of Solitude and Meditation Practice

9am-4pm. $30 suggested donation.

Michigan Friends Center, 500 Long Lake Rd., Chelsea. 734-475-0942. mfcenter.org

Carol Blotter from the Michigan Friends Center leads this opportunity to enjoy the quiet of the country while practicing sitting and walking meditation. Pre-registration requested.

Health Fair & Holiday Party 9am-2pm. Gyrotonic Tree Town & Pilates Loft Studio, 205 E. Washington. gyrotonictreetown.com Free

Tamara Aprea and Heather Glidden, co-owners of Gyrotonic Tree Town Pilates Loft Studio, invite the whole community to come together around a healthy holiday.

The Heath Fair & Holiday Party will include free talks, classes and demonstrations taking place on the hour from 9am-1pm, or drop in any time from 10am-2pm for other types of activities and goods.

Sunday 7

New Perspectives on Circumcision

1-4:30pm. Michigan League, 911 N. University Ave., Michigan Room on the 2nd Floor. 248-642-5703. ow.ly/CCsxW Free

A free lecture open to the public, featuring talks by experts from diverse medical disciplines, to give a comprehensive understanding about history’s most unusual surgery.

Saturday 13 Time to Walk National Event

11am. People’s Food Co-op, 216 N. Fourth Ave. ava.org Free

The Washtenaw Wanderers and the American Volksport

Association invite you to join a national walk, with clubs from 25 different states all walking at the same time.

Walk starts at the People’s Food Co-op, and goes along the Ann Arbor trail through the city.

One-Day Retreat

9am-5pm. $60. Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple, 1214 Packard St. 734-761-6520. zenbuddhisttemple.org

Sitting and walking meditation, simple manual work, a delicious vegetarian lunch, and rest - an interval of deepening, of slowing down, silence, and mindfulness.

Registration required.

Monday 15

Catching Your Breath

10-11:30am. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-936-8803. alzheimers.med.umich.edu Free

A free monthly program for caregivers of adults with memory loss. Designed for learning skills for continued health and well-being. Registration required.

Tuesday 16

Suicide Prevention and Addiction

7:30-9pm. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center auditorium, 5305 Elliot Dr., Ypsilanti.

734-485-8725. dawnfarm.org/ programs/education-series Free

Raymond Dalton, coordinator of the Dawn Farm Outpatient Program tackles the problem of the alarmingly high prevalence of suicide among people with addiction and people in early recovery.

Learn to recognize potential suicidal thinking and intervene to help.

Friday 26

Free Yoga Class

6-7pm. The Yoga Space, 180 Little Lake Dr. #1. 734-662-9600. yogaspaceannarbor.com Free

Free one hour yoga class for anyone who is interested.

No pre-registration necessary and all equipment is provided.

Photo via Facebook

Monday 1

Climb

Climbing season in the UP is over—unless you’re ice climbing the Pictured Rocks, in which case, hats off to you, you’re intense. But if you’re closer to the new-to-the-sport novice end of the spectrum, you can still chalk up, rope up, and get your climb on throughout the off-season at Planet Rock, Ann Arbor. Passes range from annual ($650 for adults) to day ($17). Gear rental fees run low—$5 shoes, $4 harness— and lessons are available, too. Planet Rock, 82 Aprill Dr., Ann Arbor. (734) 827-2680. planet-rock.com.—BB

S h e op h T

ONGOING Tuesday and Thursdays Callanetics

9:30-10:30am. $12. Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. 734-971-0990. jccannarbor.org

Join in for an hour long workout using all the muscles in the body.

Wednesdays

Coming Out Being Out

5-6:30pm. EMU Porter Building, Room 223/224, Ypsilanti.

734-487-1118. Free

A HIGHER LEVEL OF QUALITY & SERVICE

A safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ students to come together and discuss topics related to gender and sexual identity.

(734) 961-2770 513 W. CROSS STREET YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN 48197

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W W W. T H E S H O P Y P S I . C O M ecurrent.com / december 2014 37

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BEHIND THE MUSIC

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Across 1. Rossignol equipment 5. Sandwich alternative 9. Whaler’s direction 13. Diminish 14. Like U2 15. Parks on a bus 16. Dreamworks film about insects 17. “Anaconda” rapper 19. Sandwich order 20. Operating room?

21. Individually 22. “All About That Bass” singer 26. Put pen to paper 27. Indie ___ (rock snob’s edge) 28. Rings 29. Jack of kiddie’s rhymes 31. Sailor 34. Nobel Peace Center capital city 35. “Fat Bottomed Girls” band 36. Flash alternative 37. “___ kind of a funny story” 38. Some special teams plays 39. Man with a van, likely 40. Phlebotomist’s target 41. Boardroom pointer 42. “Bootylicious” singers 46. Comic Maron with the “WTF” podcast 47. “I heard that one already” 48. Sailor 49. “Baby Got Back” rapper 52. Casino game 53. Wine region 54. Has down cold 55. Toaster brand 56. Joseph McCarthy’s henchman Roy 57. One of Kraftwerk?

58. Season whose shopping time seems to start before Halloween

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42. ___ Maul (sci-fi villain) 43. Hose material 44. Cries of pain 45. Bib covering?

46. Dim sum soup 49. Egg holder 50. Speedy Jaguar 51. Alex and ___ (jewelers) 52. Quagmire

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2014 / ecurrent.com

10

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Down 1. Bunch of bees 2. Yeezy 3. Calculus subject 4. “Oh really? ___ who?”

5. Watch spot 6. Potato preparing device 7. Do some posing?

8. Fraternity letter 9. Camera setting 10. High card 11. Rush order?

12. Rule opposed by Gandhi 14. Absurd 18. “Olympia” painter 20. Plum loco 23. Seat of Hawaii County 24. Building units?

25. Qom home 28. Luau staple 29. Certain Muslim 30. Litter box user 31. Tried 32. Supersized 33. Manhattan location?

35. Call it a day 36. Actor Brolin 38. “Raging Bull” star 39. Flying rate 40. Pest control target 41. Tests with logic questions

38

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for crossword answers, go to ecurrent.com

©2014 By Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)

crossword

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