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How to navigate the city on your phone or tablet
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Off the bandwagon
The Folk Festival’s finest return to The Ark.
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Animal house
International actors unleash their inner beasts in solo performances at U of M.
,
VOTE!
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contents fyi 5
Learn to “Speak Peace” in your workplace with Rev. Selena
there’s an A2 app for that! 9
Current reviews 10 apps to help navigate the city by Meaghan O’Connor
UM Men’s B-ball team 12
National prominence sparks memories of glory days by Nick Roumel
Correction In the Feb. Issue, the Boersma Travel contact info should have reflected their local number 734-994-6204 or 1-877-7-TRAVEL and address 12 Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor 48104
music feature 18
Neil Woodward and ‘Cats and the Fiddler’ return to The Ark by Sandor Slomovits
perspective: rock 20
Exploring music writing in a digital age by Jeff Milo
march 2013
vol. 24 / no. 3
15 food: in review
Exotic Bakeries is the place for Syrian delights by Joe Saul and Lisa Leutheuser
30 theater: Good People
Performance Network presents Tony nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire by Sandor Slomovits
32 artbeat:
Beasts of the Northern Wild Three-day performance fest explores animal themes by Louis Meldman
Photo by
Andy Roj
35 everything else 23 perspective: folk
Ann Arbor Folk Festival standouts return to The Ark by Jeff Milo
The Steel Wheels journey back to A2 March 23
25 perspective: blues
March is declared “Support Your Local Blues Month!” by Jerry Mack
ecurrent.com / march 2013 3
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fyi
Collette Jacobs cjacobs@ecurrent.com Publisher / Editor in Chief Mark Jacobs mjacobs@ecurrent.com Co-publisher / Chief Financial Officer EDITORIAL Scott Recker scott@ecurrent.com Arts & Entertainment Coordinator Alia Orra editor@ecurrent.com Assignment Editor Julian Garcia calendar@ecurrent.com Calendar Editor Amanda Goldberg agoldberg@ecurrent.com Social media ADVERTISING Aubrey Hornsby ahornsby@adamsstreetpublishing.com Sales Manager Kelly Schwarck kelly@adamsstreetpublishing.com Sales Representative Charles Towne charles@adamsstreetpublishing.com Sales Representative Emily Gibb classifieds@ecurrent.com Classified and Display Advertising ART & PRODUCTION Leah Foley leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com Art Director Kristi Polus kristi@adamsstreetpublishing.com Senior Designer Megan Anderson manderson@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer Sarah Baird production@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer Brittney Koehl adsin@ecurrent.com Graphic Designer
We Can Work It Out
An office environment can be stressful. Tempers often flare among coworkers as pressure mounts from deadlines, reports and job evaluations. (Except here at the Current office—of course, it's always very congenial!) Even though everybody works towards a common goal, different egos and ideas are bound to conflict and, sometimes, emotions lead to confrontation. Well, on Wednesday, March 27 at the People’s Food Co-op, Reverend Selena of the Center of Light is hosting an interactive workshop called “Speaking Peace in Your Workplace” as part of the Healthy Living Series. Reverend Selena will introduce practical methods of communication to optimize cooperation and to help facilitate the flow of creativity and innovation. 7-8:30pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room, 114 South Main St. 734-665-2757. www.crazywisdom.net—JG
Jameson Staneluis jameson@adamsstreetpublishing.com Graphic Designer ADMINISTRATION Robin Armstrong rarmstrong@ecurrent.com Accounting Jan Thomas jthomas@adamsstreetpublishing.com Publisher’s Assistant Michelle Flanagan distribution@ecurrent.com Distribution INTERNS Griffin Messer-Kruse Meaghan O’Connor © 2013 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved. 3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Phone (734) 668-4044, Fax (734) 668-0555. First class subscriptions $28 a year. Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring communities.
Printed on recycled paper
online exclusives Exclusive features at www.ecurrent.com
Facebook - Want to hit the best plays, concerts, and events in Ann Arbor? Like us on Facebook, where we drop great ticket giveaways each week!
Meaghan O’Connor (center) and friends catch Jay Z and Will Smith’s “Fela!” at Music Hall Detroit, with tickets from Current.
Bonnaroo- The Bonnaroo headliners finally dropped! Our music correspondent, Scott, weighs in on this year’s lineup in an online exclusive.
Social Studies- Check out the
scenesters striking poses at the area’s best parties online!
Also publishers of:
Dawn Crawford, Dariann Loynes, Pam Burke, Heidi Fleming from Jackson and Midland, catch Sandra Bernhard at The Ark. ecurrent.com / march 2013 5
Healthy competition by Ned Randolph
Landlocked in the Midwest, this modestly sized yet progressive college town has gradually evolved into a restaurant destination for foodies on the hunt for eclectic and international cuisine. Announcements of new high-end restaurants, offering trendy nuevo and haute cuisine with seasonal menus and locally sourced ingredients, seem to multiple by the week with more than a dozen announced in the last six months. The proliferation of good eateries seems to be received by those in the industry as a boon for all. “I think it feeds on itself,” said Mark Hodesh, whose Mark’s Carts courtyard has “graduated” two food carts that have moved on to brick and mortar restaurants. “If you’re doing something like the person next door it’s competitive, but there are a lot of people and a lot of tastes,” says Hodesh. “If you’re thinking, you’re on your game trying real hard and having original thoughts, you’ll do fine.” For whatever reason, residents here like a good meal more than most — be it the number of two income families, young professionals and college students, or just the availability of places to go. Ann Arborites, according to a market study by the Downtown Development Association, actually dine out at a frequency rate which is 160 percent of the national average. Downtown has gradually transformed itself into a restaurant corridor. In the last three decades, the amount of restaurant business downtown has nearly doubled, from 7 percent of all downtown commerce in 1983 to 13 percent today, according to the latest DDA report. “It’s been growing exponentially over the last 30 years,” says Susan Pollay, DDA executive director who moved to Ann Arbor in 1983. “When I came here, there was not much to recommend about the food. There were some restaurants getting a toehold. Zingerman’s had just started. Real Seafood was open, but there weren’t that many.” Over time, however, diners have been educated to enjoy quality food and ingredients, she says. “Zingerman’s was offering artisanal foods before we had words for it,” she says. “Their fabulous cheeses would inform us: they came from this dairy and specialize in this kind of cheese and came on this kind of bread. Some thought it was expensive but they were teaching us how to appreciate really good food.”
Excellent food became a matter of expectation.
“Our pallets are opened,” she said. Not only is the restaurant scene evolving, but so are local growers. Seasonal menu offerings from local farms are also on the rise. Such “Farm to Table” operations resonate with folks interested in land use planning, green space preservation and support for local farmers, says Pollay. “Arbor Brewing and Vinology and many others have made a commitment to locally source their ingredients, which makes their menus more interesting,” she said. “You can see what is coming in from market, and those of us who go out to eat a lot enjoy the menu changes to match.” A steady demand by local restaurants has created a market for more small local farms, says Grange Chef Brandon Johns. “You can keep a market for small mostly family farmers that are only going to raise 15 pigs at a time, 4 times a year,” he says. “That’s why you pay a premium too. You only have 15 pigs, not 3,000 pigs. You’re feeding them better and they have more room to roam.”
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Local folks are also in a better position to pay more for it. With the University of Michigan as a major employer and economic engine, Ann Arbor’s median household income of $52,711 well exceeds the national average. And the customer base is well educated as over 69 percent of area residents have completed four or more years of college. “Let’s face it, we’re very fortunate. Although we’ve had tough times, we were not hit as hard as a lot of other places in Michigan,” said Maura Thompson of the Main Street Association. “People really look at downtown Ann Arbor as a restaurant destination,” she says. “Restaurant Week is a good example.” Restaurants participating in restaurant week have more than doubled — 21 restaurants participated in June 2009, while 55 restaurants were included in January, she said. With downtown space in high demand, businesses that close don’t stay empty for long. “As many openings as we’ve had this year, I like to think there are more to come,” says Pollay. “I see more being welcomed.”
Food News
^ Vellum: American Nuevo, owned by Peter and his father, John Roumanis, who owns Mediterrano and Carlyle Grill. Offers a high-end seasonal menu, located next to the Raven’s Club in the 200 block of S. Main Street. ^ What Crêpe: Chic French bistro, the third location opened by entrepreneur Paul Jenkins Jr., in the former Squares restaurant on Liberty Street. ^ Isaleta: Mexican restaurant offering small plates, owned by Adam Barus, which has opened next door to Adam’s other popular eatery, Mani Osteria on Liberty Street. ^ Kuroshio: Asian fusion, owned by locals Kenneth and Grace Wang, who moved into the former Champion House after that long standing business closed in January. ^ Slurping Turtle: Chicago based Japanese noodle house owned by award winning chef Takashi Yagihashi of Top Chef Masters fame. The plan is to open sometime this year; space has not been secured yet. ^ The Lunch Room: vegan food cart, which operated at Mark’s Carts courtyard, is opening in Kerrytown Market in the space occupied by Yamato restaurant. Owned by Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo, it is the second cart to “graduate” into a brick and mortar restaurant (the first was Eat, which moved in the Fall of 2011 to 1906 Packard, near East Stadium Boulevard. ^ Mission Management, which owns Jolly Pumpkin, Blue Tractor, Cafe Habana and Grizzly Peak, has added three new ventures: Lena in the space occupied longtime by the Parthenon Restaurant on S. Main Street at Liberty; Mash, a bar and live music venue beneath Blue Tractor on Washington; and a third venture, The Old German, an eatery harkening back to another downtown occupant which folded several years ago, will open in the basement of Grizzly Peak.
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Story Idea Current Hasn’t Covered
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feature
There’s an
A2 App For That Have you ever spent hours looking for a place to park in Ann Arbor on a football Saturday? Suffering from a midnight craving, but have no idea which delivery restaurant to call? Are your kids asking about when you can visit the newest exhibit at the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum? No worries, because there's an app for that! Thanks to smartphone technology, various vendors and local businesses are now capitalizing on the opportunity to better serve Ann Arbor locals by offering apps full of helpful information. Most of the apps featured below are available on-the-go (without a Wi-Fi signal) and are either free or low-cost to you! (Ratings out of five stars: •••• •)
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How to navigate the city on your phone or tablet by Meaghan O’Connor
CheapEats Price: FREE
Rating: ••
Looking for a quick bite? On a tight budget? This app lists various takeout and delivery options in the A2 downtown/campus area. After selecting a restaurant, the app takes you to a “Deal” page, which typically offers a weekly special or app-only deal. You can also view a map of all available options, as well as share the restaurant deals with a friend via email. Although location and phone numbers are provided, the app is quite limited in terms of providing food categories or menu items.
Ann Arbor 3 Art Fairs
1 MLive.com
If you’re one of those people who enjoys checking news headlines on the commute to work, then this app is perfect! As a mobile-friendly version of mlive.com, it offers identical content to what appears online while the interface is easy to read and access on a smartphone. Most of the articles are full-length within the app, but if they’re not, you’ll be directed to the web-version with a link at the bottom. This app also allows you to save stories in a “favorites” folder as well as share them via email, text, Facebook or Twitter. Overall, a very pleasurable and easy way to keep up with both local and national news!
Assuming they update it for this year’s 2013 Art Fair, this app is an excellent way to access information about event sponsors, artists, locations, entertainment and transportation. Although it currently hosts an overview of the 2012 Art Fair, it is clearly very detailed and helpful for guests to utilize during the event. Artists are listed and organized by type of art as well as booth number. You can also pick “favorites” to track the artists you enjoy, as well as view a detailed map of activity and event locations and a schedule of performers.
Price: FREE
Rating: •••• •
Price: FREE
Rating: ••••
Cont’d. on p. 10 ecurrent.com / march 2013 9
feature Cont’d. from p. 11 Ann Arbor
4
Genius Map Price: 99¢ Rating: ••
If you’re looking for something a bit more detailed than Google Maps or the app provided on your smartphone, this offline map offers all the “insider” information you could ever need to get around A2. With large-scale detail, the ability to search quickly and the option to “bookmark” your favorite locations, this easy-access app makes finding your way around town enjoyable and stress-free. Your bookmarks can even be used to remind you where you parked your car—or to share locations with friends! The only major downside to this app is that you can only search by street names, so the usability is quite limited.
Ann Arbor 5 Travel Guides
Price: 99¢ Rating: •••• This offline, easy-access travel guide is the perfect addition to the genius map application listed above. Offering travel categories such as sights, transportation, entertainment, shopping, lodging, and eat/ drink options, this is definitely a full-service A2 app. The interface is a bit dated, although the detailed information about specific local businesses and restaurants is something that even locals will enjoy. The information about entertainment and events really caught my attention—there is so much going on here year-round that even I don’t know about!
Game Day 7 Parking Price: $1.99
Rating: •••
It’s no secret that finding affordable parking on a Michigan Football Saturday is a nearly impossible challenge. This app offers a valuable listing of preferred parking options, whether in a public garage or on a private lawn, as well as a listing of price, address, and distance to the stadium. While the app isn’t updated with the number of day-of spaces available, it does provide information about tailgating, parking rules and off-site shuttle services to and from the stadium. Some spots also offer web links for additional detail and location info.
8 Ann Arbor 107one Price: FREE Rating: •• Loyal to your local radio station, even when you’re not in the car or online? This app offers a live broadcast of A2’s 107.1 FM so that you can enjoy free radio on the go! While the sidebar suggests you can also access a list of blogs and concerts, these categories do not yet appear to be working. You can, however, access a “Recent” section, with the names/artists of the radio lineup and links to purchase the songs on iTunes. A blog, “sweetjack”, is also listed and leads you to a website with local A2 deals.
Ann Arbor Hands On 9 Michigan Radio/ 6 Museum (AAHOM) Your NPR News Station Price: FREE Rating: ••• Need to keep the kids occupied? Check out this app’s listing of upcoming events at the AAHOM, complete with the date/ time, special admission price info, and a preview of the event. The app also offers a map of all museum floors so that you won’t miss any of the suggested highlights. Under the “Exhibits” tab, you’ll find a mobile barcode scanner to use while visiting the museum, which provides access to additional exhibit information online. The additional section also provides contact info, hours of operation and admission prices.
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Price: FREE
Rating: •••• •
With a live broadcast of the Michigan NPR station, this app provides real-time access to the current program offering as well as access to a variety of recent podcasts available on-demand. The app also offers a built-in alarm, so you can schedule the broadcast to begin streaming at a specific time (although the app must remain open and in the clock mode), you have the option to play the podcast while using other features of your smartphone, and you can also visit the full website from a link within the app. The “More” tab lists the full program schedule and allows you to sign up for a newsletter.
University 10 of Michigan
Price: FREE
Rating: •••• •
If you’re a University of Michigan student, or you’re regularly on campus and utilize the bus system, this app is a must-have. The “Magic Bus” section offers estimated bus arrival times so that you know exactly the length of an expected wait. The “Menus” section offers meal selections at all on-campus dining halls, while the “Directory” enables you to search for anyone on the UM listserv. You can also search for various campus locations, view most campus events, access cTools (the student portal), stay informed with current news (from Michigan Radio, MGoBlue athletics, The Michigan Daily, and the U-M Health System), and play recorded lectures via iTunes U.
ecurrent.com / march 2013 11
feature
UM basketball has suffered long enough
It’s time to reestablish the glory days. By Nick Roumel
L
ittle did Ken and I know we were going to see the beginning of the end, as we drove with high hopes to New Orleans. The 1992-1993 Michigan basketball team was the sophomore year for the “Fab Five.” For the second consecutive year, these brash young men earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four, and Ken and I scored tickets to watch them in the Superdome. The year before, as freshman, the Wolverines had improbably reached the NCAA title game. They fell to Duke but “shocked the world,” as Juwan Howard liked to say. A year later, expectations were much higher. As a #1 seed, Michigan was expected to win their bracket and advance to the Four, where they were to battle the legendary Kentucky squad, coached by Rick Pitino. The other bracket matched the equally storied North Carolina and Kansas teams, coached by Dean Smith and Roy Williams. Yet Michigan coach Nick Roumel (r) and Steve Fisher fellow Michigan fan boasted at that Ken take in a game time an NCAA tournament won-
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loss record better than all of them, thanks to his 1989 NCAA championship and trip to the title game the year before. It was one of the most anticipated Final Fours in history. Ken and I engaged in our share of trash talking. On the way down, we saw a series of hand-lettered signs that read “Cat ‘Paws’” with the Kentucky Wildcat paw print logo, signifying a rest stop for Kentucky fans. Ken and I hid our Michigan hats behind our backs, and walked up to the crowd who began to greet us with pro-Kentucky nonsense. Then we simultaneously placed our hats on our heads while
feature
singing “Hail to the Victors.” They chased us away goodnaturedly. Game day for the semi-final arrived. We made our way to our seats in the second deck, a good 9-iron shot away from what we believed to be the basketball court far below. Michigan won an overtime thriller against Kentucky, while the North Carolina Tarheels dispatched Kansas to set up the championship two days later. That final is remembered for Chris Webber’s infamous “time out” call when Michigan had none left but a chance to win on the last possession. But Webber played his heart out despite the last-second gaffe, and many blame Michigan players on the bench for mistakenly urging Webber to make that call. (Michael Talley is seen on video making the “T” sign and then clapping when Webber called the time-out right in front of the Michigan bench.) After the game, Ken and I went to Bourbon Street and mingled with fans and players. I talked to a disconsolate Rob Pelinka, a substitute on that team who has arguably had one of the best post-college careers. (He is a top sports agent, representing Kobe Bryant among others.) Talley, on the other hand, was seemingly drunk and loud, either dulling the pain or not caring. Webber has said he went into hiding after that game, but his role in the Ed Martin money scandal which forever tarnished Michigan’s reputation makes the “time-out” pale by comparison.
Michigan under-achieved after the 1992-1993 tournament despite great teams, and then wallowed in mediocrity after the scandals. Because of that, young fans may think our present fortunes are a new thing. The truth is that Michigan is one of the greatest college basketball programs of all time. ESPN recently ranked Michigan #13 in the country for the last fifty years, despite the scandals and dismal records in the ‘00s. This was based on a point system involving team records, conference titles, and tournament success. Had Michigan not been docked 16 points due to the sanctions and vacated wins, we would have edged Michigan State (#11). Michigan had excellent teams in the ‘60’s—Crisler is still the “House that Cazzie (Russell) built”. The Wolverines reached the NCAA tournament finals in 1976 only to fall to Bob Knight’s undefeated Indiana Hoosiers ( a program ranked #7 overall), for Knight’s first national championship as a coach. Michigan coach John Beilein is returning Michigan to national prominence. This year’s team is a joy to watch. Ken and I still have season tickets together. After many year’s of suffering, perhaps Ken and I will have the opportunity for another tournament road trip.
ecurrent.com / march 2013 13
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food
in review
Exotic Bakeries
1721 Plymouth Rd Courtyard Shops Ann Arbor, MI 734.665.4430 www.exoticbakeries.com M-F 10am - 8pm Sat 11am - 8pm
Syrian delight
Home-style Middle Eastern delicacies at Exotic Bakeries
by Joe Saul and Lisa Leutheuser Kibbeh footballs, enrobed in a thick, creamy red pepperwalnut sauce. “Nobody has this in the United States, except us.” Exotic Bakeries’ red pepper kibbeh is unique and fabulous. It alone would be reason to seek out this restaurant, tucked away in a strip mall near North Campus. But they also have a number of other dishes you won’t find at other Middle Eastern restaurants around here: most area Middle Eastern restaurants are Lebanese, while Exotic Bakeries is Syrian. Even more, they focus on home cooking, serving local dishes from their hometown and other areas, which might not be available even at other Syrian restaurants. Natives of Jisr ash-Shughur, which has suffered much in the current Syrian Civil War, Jinan and Monib el-Khatib didn’t come to Michigan to be restaurateurs. Monib came to get his master’s in urban planning at Eastern, and Jinan, who has formal culinary training including as a French pastry chef, had followed him over. But the economy wasn’t kind, and in 1990, they opened in their current location. They still have the fancy cakes and pastries with a Middle Eastern flair that drive the “Bakery” part of the name (the “Exotic” part is actually a reference to “exotic rivers,” the focus of Monib’s master’s thesis!), but Syrian food has become a major part of their business. It’s no surprise, really, that Syrian cuisine is so varied: it’s been a trade crossroads for millennia. Wherever that happens, you find complexity and innovation as differing culinary traditions meet. What was a bit surprising is how localized Syrian food has apparently remained. You really don’t see that red pepper kibbeh (or the red pepper sfeeha) anywhere besides Jisr ash-Shughur. On the beet babaganoug, Monib commented “All my life, I had never seen this dish, until we visited my sister in law who lives 40 miles away from where we grew up.” Here, though, the el-Khatibs have collected a number of these dishes for your pleasure. (Jinan has also written a cookbook, available on DVD-R.) Pretty much anything in the case can be wrapped up in a pita-bread sandwich, or you can get a combo plate of three items. The menu on the wall lists suggested combinations, but you can make your own. Combo plates are generously sized portions, and smaller appetites will have leftovers. Individual items are also sold by weight or piece, and they’re happy to give taste samples where it’s practical.
Vegetarian
Ajjeh - Eggs, parsley, onions and spices baked into a light spongy custard-like “cake,” kind of like a vegetable souffle. Pleasantly savory on its own, but you can add a thin layer of garlic sauce to the top for a kick. This is one of our personal favorites.
Beet Babaganoug - Steamed beets pureed with tahini, yogurt, garlic, and lemon. The yogurt plus lemon and tahini mellow the strong earthy flavors of the beet enough that even people who are only iffy on beets may enjoy dipping their pita in this surreally bright pink spread. Damascus Lentils - A regional specialty of Damascus, as the name suggests, lentils and pasta are seasoned with lemon and cilantro and topped with crispy pita bits. Pomegranate molasses adds an unexpected sweet note. Makmoor - Eggplant baked until soft, then sauteed with onion, tomato, garlic, and mint The spicing delicate. The eggplant is smooth and creamy with rich tomato flavor. Delicious! Okra - We’d hazard a guess that up here in Michigan, a good portion of the population doesn’t like okra. But here, the okra pieces are firm and not slimy, and the tomatoes give the dish a lovely rich savory flavor. Okra lovers will be happy, and as for everyone else... go with an okra-loving friend and try a bite. Red Pepper S’feena - A Jisr ash-Shughur specialty, this is a round of flat bread spread with sauce made from red bell pepper, walnuts, onions, olive oil and spices and then baked. The red pepper has a light fruity flavor, and the walnuts are a great addition. A great fast to-go item that you can microwave or put in a toaster oven later. Spinach Divine - Spinach cooked down with onions and garlic until it has a creamy texture. Lemon brightens it up, while the roasted garlic adds mellow depth. Topped with walnuts and fried onions. Tomato Burgul - Cracked wheat, steeped in a slightly sweet tomato sauce and served with caramelized onions. This dish follows a basic rule here: if it’s red, it’s good. (Other things are good too, obviously!)
Meat
Chicken Cheese Round - Chicken and feta cheese seasoned with lemon, sumac, baked in bread. This plus some hummus went over well with the young child in our group. Oozee - Almost soft-ball sized puff pastry stuffed with a mild mix rice, peas, and beef seasoned with allspice and cinnamon. Very comforting food. A bit oily when reheated, but oh-so-delicious. One of Lisa’s favorites, and a Damascus regional dish. Pastilla - Chicken, onion, parsley, almonds, and eggs seasoned with saffron and cardamom. When fresh out of the oven, this is divine. Puff pastry does suffer a bit if microwaved. Consider taking some to-go and reheating in a toaster oven.
cont. on pg. 16 ecurrent.com / march 2013 15
food cont. from page 15
ongoing
Red Pepper Kibbeh - Fruity-savory-creamy (but no dairy) red pepper-walnut sauce draped over a ground beef filled bulgur shell (aka “kibbe dough”). Wow! For years this has been Joe’s favorite dish at Exotic Bakeries. Hands down, this was the table favorite. The other Jisr ash-Shughur dish on the menu.
Wednesdays
Desserts
Date Mahmoul - One of the less sweet items in her case. Perfect for those who like just a touch of sweet. Dense cookie shell and date filling work well together. Lisa’s favorite. The pistachio and walnut versions are dusted in confectioners sugar. Syrian Rice Pudding - Unusual whipped texture takes this rice pudding to a whole new level. Delicate, light, sweet, heavenly, or as one of our group put it, “It’s the bomb.” Even if you don’t normally like rice pudding, this is worth trying. Fruit, Nut & Honey Bar - Walnuts and dried fruit sweetened with honey on top of a bottom crust. Sweet, chewy, and nutty. Mocha Mousse Bar - Mocha flavored chocolate cream on a cookie bottom layer and topped with more chocolate. Jinan’s French technique shines here; it’s subtly flavored with a wonderful creamy texture. Orange Truffle - Chocolate and coconut wrapped around a center of soft ganache flavored with some candied orange zest. Very good. Lisa and Joe have been blogging about food in the Ann Arbor area (and points beyond) since 2004. Check them out at www.kitchenchick.com.
Italian Wine Tastings
6-7pm. $25. Paesano Restaurant & Wine Bar, 3411 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-0484. www.paesanosannarbor.com
Indulge in a post-work wine tasting every Wednesday. Five Italian wines will be on hand for sampling, with a mix of tasty appetizers.
Sundays
Themed Brunch Buffet
10am-2pm. $19 adults, $9 kids 12 and under.The Quarter Bistro & Tavern, 300 S. Maple Rd. 734-929-9200. www.thequarterbistro.com
The Quarter Bistro’s chef, Ernest Prokos, has more than 45 years of experience in the kitchen and brings a unique approach to the stove. (“Cook with your heart, make food with your hands” is his motto.) His Sunday brunches are fun, themed four-hour culinary excursions — concepts range from Tex Mex to Morrocan.
4 monday No Shots Allowed
730pm. $35. The Last Word. 301 W. Huron St., 734-276-3215. www.tammystastings.com
Tequila is often associated with fraternity hazing and bad 21st birthdays, but in this class learn the plethora of roles this under-appreciated spirit plays in all types of cocktails. Its sultry, smoky and sophisticated cousin ‘Mezcal’ will also make an appearance.
6 wednesday Cheesemonger’s Choice 7pm. $30. Zingerman’s Events on Fourth.415 N. Fifth Ave. in Kerrytown. 734-633-3663 www.zingermansdeli.com
Come down to Zingerman’s for an evening with a group of incredible cheesemongers, some of the biggest voices in the cheese world from the USA and England. Each monger will pick the one cheese they love most of all and lead a guided tasting where they reveal everything they know about the cheese they picked. Some wine included with the tastings, then a cash bar for wine and beer is open all evening.
7 thursday Crepes - Sweet & Savory 6:30-9pm. $45. Huron High School Room 6219. 2727 Fuller St., 734-994-2040. www.aareced.com
Crepes, a versatile delicacy from France, can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try your hand at making these super thin, unleavened pancakes in both the traditional French style as well as the American method.
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10 sunday A Vegetarian Take on Irish Cooking
12pm. $5-$10. Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor Saline Rd.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Amadeaus Scott will share her recipes for a vegetarian Irish meal. Most traditional Irish dishes are made with just a few basic ingredients, using subtlety and craft to build layers of flavor. All dishes will be vegetarian and vegan versions of recipes will also be provided. Preregistration required.
11 monday Global Stews: New Menu 630-10pm. $80. Ann Arbor Cooks! 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com
Grab your passport! Fight off the cold weather and warm up your belly with these savory, rich, comforting stews from around the globe. The menu includes thai red curry kabocha squash stew, traditional french cassoulet, and osso buco (Italian-braised veal shank).
12 tuesday The Ballymaloe Irish Farm Dinner
7-10pm. $50. Zingerman’s Roadhouse.2501 Jackson Ave. 734-663-3663. www.zingermansroadhouse.com
Mimic the style of The Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, the only culinary school in the world to be located in the middle of it’s own 100 acre organic farm. The school believes in sustainable use of its resources, using only the freshest seasonal produce, and eating local whenever and wherever possible. Zingerman’s will honor the long time Irish institution with a traditional Irish farm dinner.
Go Green For Your Health
6:30-8:30pm. $55. Whole Foods Kitchen at Whole Foods Market. 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., 734-997-7500. www.aareced.com
Join the Green Smoothie revolution and learn how to create a variety of fresh drinks made from greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Understand how to combine the right ingredients to invent drinks that are as healthy as they are scrumptious.
Basic Bread Baking
6-9pm. $49. Huron High School Room 6219, 2727 Fuller St., 734-994-2040. www.aareced.com
Learn how to make artisan bread from professional Steve Meyers. Master the essential skills needed including kneading, rising, mixing, shaping and baking. The class will
Sweet Wine, but not from the Vine
If you thought the Big 400 Maple Festival was all kid’s stuff, think twice — Sandhill Crane Vinyards has a treat for maple lovers over the age of 21. The local vineyard is rolling out the current vintage of Sugar Snow, a limited edition dessert wine fermented and distilled not from grapes, but from local maple sap and syrup. The wine was inspired by an antique recipe discovered by Sandhill’s farmer neighbors, who now contribute the gallons of maple sap required to create this intriguing vino. “We don’t know if anybody else makes such a thing,” says Heather Price, executive director. “It’s sort of a fun, quirky little thing we do.” Sugar Snow will be available along with other sweets made from maple at the winery’s new cafe during the festival, including Sugar Snow Sorbet, a special collaboration with Zingerman’s Creamery. Free. Saturday, March 9 from 11-6pm. Sunday, March 10 from 12-6pm. Sandhill Crane Vineyard, 4724 Walz Rd., Jackson. 517-764-0679. www.sandhillcranevineyards.com. —JS
explore how to add options to make your bread unique and the secrets to rich flavor and perfect, savory texture.
19 tuesday Tamales Party!
630-930pm. $75. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com
Bring a friend or come alone for an exciting evening as the class travels to Mexico! The journey begins with an assortment of tamales and their delicious accompaniments. Wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves, the steamed corn dough is delicious with all types of fillings but takes time as every tamale is lovingly rolled and steamed.
25 monday Flips, Fizzes, Sours and Nogs
730pm. $35. The Last Word, 301 W. Huron St. 734-276-3215. www.tammystastings.com
Many traditional cocktail recipes call for the addition for
an egg white or even a whole egg. Don’t be deterred, the addition of an egg can make a huge difference (in a good way) in a drink’s taste. Join in side by side comparisons, and discuss technique tips for getting the best possible foam.
28 thursday Food as a Path to Health and Healing
7pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, 114 South Main St. 734665-2757. www.crazywisdom.net
Explore the relationship between food, health and healing from the perspective of a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and a visionary pharmacist. Joel Robbins draws on his 20 years of study and practice of Chinese healing arts to discuss how foods are used for longevity, medical therapy and disease prevention. Gail Solway reveals why she shifted her attention away from pharmaceuticals and toward nutrition to understand nutrient depletions and the incredible healing power of food.
Has Green Beer Met It’s Match? by Robyn Cleveland
food
(Barman at The Ravens Club) I’ll let you decide. In keeping with the seasonal/holiday kick I‘ve been on recently, I thought I’d touch on one of my favorite tipples containing Irish whiskey. The Tipperary Cocktail , a lively alternative to Irish Carbombs and food coloring, can be found in the pages of post prohibition era cocktail books in many forms and containing a wide range of ingredients. The version that I used as a starting point, from what I can surmise, was first mentioned in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book (1930). While Craddock is credited as the author, note that the Savoy is a collection of recipes by many different bartenders spanning several decades, so it’s difficult to nail down the exact date of the cocktail’s origin. The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book(1935) states that the drink pre-dates the popular World War I song “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” written in 1912. I find the Savoy version, equal parts Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Green Chartreuse, to be cloying and prefer the modern adaptation from Gary Regan. This is more or less a Manhattan with Chartreuse’s edgy bite of herbal earthiness in place of the bitters (2 oz. whiskey, 1 oz. vermouth, half oz. chartreuse) Regan says to use the wonderful green liqueur for a rinse of the glass. I say, let it soak! Its flavor is not for the faint of heart, but that’s what makes it so exciting. You may have noticed that there aren’t that many good Irish whiskey cocktails out there because it’s flavor tends to be more subdued than scotch, bourbon, or rye. For that, I’ve got you covered with Irish Distillers’ Redbreast 12year, cask strength. Introduced to the U.S. market just over a year ago, it is the only cask strength Irish whisky available. The flavors, due to the fact that it is single pot distilled and non-chill filtered, are full bodied and amazing. Last year’s release comes in at 115.4 proof, so a little goes a long way. Sláinte!
Robyn's Redbreast Tipperary:
1.5 Oz. Redbreast Cask Strength 1 Oz. CINZANO Sweet Vermouth .5 Oz. Green Chartreuse Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir for 30 seconds with cracked ice, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel
ecurrent.com / march 2013 17
music
The past and the future Neil Woodward and Cats and the Fiddler return to The Ark
by Sandor Slomovits When Neil Woodward and the trio called Cats and the Fiddler make their annual return to the Ark on Sunday, March 3, their show will be a complex audio/visual presentation of the past and future of American roots music. The past will be on display in the form of Woodward, who has been performing at the Ark, and throughout Michigan, since the mid 1970s; he’s been designated Michigan’s Troubadour by the State Legislature and is a virtual library of traditional folk music, as well as a virtuoso master of a music store’s worth of stringed and wind instruments. The future will be represented by the three members of CATF, whose combined ages—they’re all still in high school—don’t add up to Woodward’s. But it’s not quite that simple either: that Woodward equals the past, and CATF equals the future. Besides being a storehouse of traditional music, Woodward has, over the years, also added many of his own songs and instrumental tunes to that stock, and continues to create them to this day. He’s at work on a new recording and the evening will definitely not consist of him reprising
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Cats and the Fiddler members Shaun and James Richardson and Carmen Gibes have shared the stage with Neil Woodward for over a decade. This will be their tenth and final Ark show.
Photo by Debra Gibes
old, fossilized material. “I have a pile of true stories and music waiting to be heard,” he says. And while CATF is at the beginning of what will surely be a long and impressive musical journey, they also are no Johnny-come-latelies. Twin brothers, Shaun and James Richardson and their cousin Carmen Gibes have been astounding audiences since they were five years old. Woodward and CATF also have a lot of history together. Shaun began studying fiddle, guitar, mandolin, Dobro and banjo with Woodward when he was just six years old and continued lessons with him for seven years. Shaun, James and Carmen also studied songwriting, arranging and recording with Woodward and the trio has been sharing stages with him for well over a decade. Woodward says, “… these are my children (with all due respect to their families). Imagine how I feel when I see and hear them playing so well, having so much heart for the music, for each other and for the audience.” The evening will also feature several special guests. Step dancer Sheila Graziano, well known in the area as a performer and teacher, and also Woodward’s frequent collaborator will join in on feet, while Brien Ahern (another talented string student of Woodward’s) as well as his longtime collaborator, Gary Weisenburg will add even more instrumental variety. This evening will be Woodward and CATF’s tenth and final Ark show. Shaun says, “This is our last season as Cats and the Fiddler. Our sound has gradually been transforming into the Country/Acoustic genre, so we have been working on our switch from “Cats and the Fiddler” to our new band “Out of the Blue” with new sounds! We don’t plan to stop performing, it’s too much fun!” Neil Woodward plays at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., on March 3. $15. 7:30pm. For more information, call 734-761-1451 or visit www.theark.org.
VU Fest: Velvet Underground Tribute Show Blind Pig / Saturday, March 2
They never sold out a stadium, or cut a gold record, but The Velvet Underground changed rock and roll music. Their sometimes-soft-sometimes-loud take on psychedelic music paved the way for almost every brand of contemporary rock: John Cale’s contemplative ballads set the template for indie, while Lou Reed’s blasting guitars resurface in punk and extreme metal to this day. Now, fifty years after the Velvet Underground’s last record, Squeeze, a collection of local musicians—including Dave Sharp, Fred Thomas, Chuck Mauk and Dan Mulholland—will present an evening of The Velvet Underground’s seminal music. 9:30pm. $10 / $13 under 21. The Blind Pig. 208 S. First St. www.blindpigmusic.com —JS
1 friday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Match by Match Woodruff’s
A2’s own ‘Match by Match’ returns to perform their unique blend of indie folk rock. Their orchestral sound is as much chamber pop as it is acoustic folk, creating a lush soundscape that is entirely their own. 9pm. $5 18+.
Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Eilen Jewell - The Ark
Here’s a young artist who connects with the roots of country, blues and rock without losing herself or descending into mannerism. 8pm. $5.
2 saturday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Corndaddy Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room
Corndaddy’s music harkens back to the glory days of country rock through filters of power pop, bluegrass and British Invasion bombast. 8:30pm. Free.
Howie Day - The Ark
He writes songs imbued with a wide-eyed sense of boundless emotion, and clothes them in gorgeous arrangements that include innovative looping techniques. 8pm. $20.
Jazz, Blues & R&B
Lady Sunshine And The X Band - Guy Hollerin’s Lady Sunshine’s sultry, soulful vocals leads the X Band into the realms of the funkiest blues. 8pm. $5.
3 sunday Country & Bluegrass
Neil Woodward w/ Cats & The Fiddler The Ark
These evenings have become a family tradition for audiences and the performers, offering an update each year on the past, present, and future of traditional American music. 7:30pm. $15.
4 monday Dance & Techno
Factory - Necto Nightclub A2’s best goth, industrial, synthpop with DJ Jinx. 9pm. $1-$3.
Aural Pleasures Dance Party - LIVE
Every Monday Red Bull sponsors Industry Night with rotating musical themes. No cover.
5 tuesday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Dervish - The Ark
The band formed in 1989 under the name Dervish, which was chosen as it related to any group of spiritual people who become enraptured by music. 8pm. $20.
Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Ra Ra Riot - Blind Pig
Hailing from Syracuse, New York, these indie rockers are known for their energetic live shows and constantly evolving chamber pop sound. 9pm. $20 18+.
6 wednesday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop In Fact - Blind Pig
Featuring a live rhythm section with the sexy vocals of Brittany Willis and the electronic beat-making of songwriter Joel Skene, they fuses hip hop, disco and R&B to create the ultimate party music. $5 21+ / $8 18+.
7 thursday Country & Bluegrass
Junior Brown - The Ark
Brown is a one-man musical hot fusion machine, and he’s coming to town with his guitsteel, a unique hybrid contraption that’s part electric guitar and part country steel guitar. 8pm. $25.
Loose Joints - LIVE
DJs Pauze, Dick Jones, & Charles Trees spin it all from funk punk to Motown soul.
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Vote p. 7
music 8 friday Jazz, Blues & R&B
Giraffe Kerrytown Concert House
This group has become a real powerhouse, combining elements of psychedelic rock with hard bop and modal jazz to create a truly unique sound. 8pm. $5-$25.
Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop The Hound’s Below Woodruff’s
These Detroit natives play angular post-punk that combines mature indie pop with soulful ballads and heavy alternative rock. 9pm. $5 $18+.
Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Bob Hausler Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room
Hausler puts his heart and soul into every performance, from the smallest house concert to the largest stage. 8:30pm. Free.
9 saturday Jazz, Blues & R&B
Sumkali & Wisaal Kerrytown Concert House
Two of Michigan’s premier world music groups come together with traditional sounds, rhythms and instruments of Indian, Klezmer, and Arabic music, blending them seamlessly with western harmony and jazz improvisation. 8pm. $5-$25.
Chris Canas Blues Revolution - Guy Hollerin’s
The C2B Revolution has a well blended set of classic covers and funky smooth originals that keep the audience jumping and the party going. 8pm. $5.
Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Mason’s Case - Blind Pig
They use dark riffs and complex song structures to achieve their signature sound. 9:30pm. $7 21+/ $10 18+.
cont. on page 22
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music
music
Photo by Doug Coombe
perspective: rock
In Case You Missed It: Music Writing Lives(?) by Jeff Milo
I’m not a music critic. I don’t intend to be. So many of them don’t know what they’re talking about, yet provide assessments with purported authority. Now, I’m also not a music ‘writer’ because that invites stereotypes as well, some deluded artsy-wordsmith with a chip on his shoulder, like Lester Bangs perceived to be shrouding his jealousy of a rocker’s stardom (itself, perceived to be undeserved,) aspiring to “play live-typewriter” on stage and bask equally in glorifying guitarists. I’m not a columnist either, hopefully not, because they, sometimes, can seem like they know the answer to the question posed in their essays’ intro: What role does music writing play in 2013? What’s the point? You tell me. Music Writing is a treacherous exchange: you—accepting the word of supposedly savvy scribes. The power of shaping musical taste corrupts absolutely. Away from the page, though, scribes are deluded into believing their winding-of-THE-WORD is equal in artistic value to the “piece” or artiste they are dissecting. Music writing, particularly in our blog-age, smacks of legalized libel, eloquently lobbing potshots at pop stars. But now we’re in a world where there are no pop stars, at least not like an Elvis, Madonna or even a Cobain. We follow our own culture gods, there are so many separate sects of musical worship – you could be into easterneuro psyche-rock revivalism while another listener enjoys afrobeat-hybrids of techno-rap from Japan – the computer – twitter – the new chaos of listenership - has torn all worship-systems asunder. And why waste my time following 2013’s ostensible national “pop” stars when I’m already contentedly pleased by and deeply devoted to LOCAL groups of musicians; so many around here are regularly reinventing all the tired ideas we’d had, heretofore of what’s possible in the forms of “pop” or “rock-and-roll” music. You can find the national “pop” stars, on your own. In modern listenership, your own Influences or your current-fav’s define the personal niche you’ve fallen into
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via online realms, i.e. social networks or streaming services. At least, it seems so… Remember, I’m not a “columnist” contending to have an “answer,” but Cover art by Nathaniel Shannon & Jay Morris now, with this share-happy generation, the listener does not come to the music critic, but we come to them…via re-tweets, or mobile-“recommends” … But music writing, however remarkable or useful, is shared…now. And the authority, then, is vested in your friends. Your friend digitally approved of this on the internet, maybe, then, you should check it out too and subsequently consider the art, the band, the album that’s being written about. But if not from me, you’re streaming all the stuff you already know you want to hear anyway, so who are we to tell you what is good?…Spotify, RDIO, Rhapsody… Youtube-it, man. Rip it. Leak it. Hear it. You already found it, who needs a music writer? So, I still don’t have an “answer.” I do know that too much of this “treacherous” enterprise of writing about music has become superficial. Useless lists, fleeting features of transient bands… It’s tricky as ever to keep up these days. So, be wary, then, that ……what we’re writing matters! Be wary as we worship this fickle fad known as Rock. And remember that there are Disinformants among us! Like, say, Ypsi’s wiry, indie, post-hardcore warblers The Disinformants – who release their debut EP March 22nd at Woodruffs. They’ll be joined by contemporaries in the experimental rock format regularly reeling through our local scene, like Congress, Nice Hooves and Detroit’s Golden Torso. ecurrent.com / march 2013 21
music
Animal Collective
Royal Oak Music Theatre/ Friday, March 15
They’re still pretty young, but Animal Collective is looked upon as the godfathers of the contemporary Brooklyn indie-rock scene. In the late 90s, their fuzzy, acid-soaked wall of experimental ambience promoted them to hipster royalty, and ten albums into a storied tenure (the latest being 2012’s Centipede Hz) the four-piece’s psychedelic strangeness has catapulted them to nationwide cult-hereo status. Fittingly, cutting-edge electronic pioneer/mad scientist Dan Deacon opens. $25 general/ $45 reserved. 8pm. Royal Oak Music Hall, 318 W. 4th St. Royal Oak. 248-399-2980. www.royaloakmusictheatre.com —SR
cont. from pg 19
10 sunday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop
Justin Roberts & The Not Ready For Naptime Players - The Ark
Roberts has become an Ark family favorite! Justin and his band, the Not Ready for Naptime Players, dish out intelligent and whimsically rocking music for kids and their parents. 1pm. $12.50.
Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Sharon Shannon - The Ark
This accordionist from Ireland is renowned for her collaborations, not just in Irish traditional music, but through genres from hip-hop to Cajun, country, and classical music. 7:30pm. $30.
11 monday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Swearingen & Kelli The Ark
His voice is rich and uniquely soulful and his contemporary songwriting clearly pays homage to the standout iconic folk-rock-pop artists of the past. 8pm. $20.
12 tuesday Country & Bluegrass
Lindsay Lou And The Flatbellys Wolverine Tap Room
Join the lovely Lindsay Lou for some awesome tunes on LouGrass Tuesdays! 8:30pm.
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13 wednesday Classical & Spiritual
Artemis Quartet Rackham Auditorium
The Artemis Quartet makes its UMS debut with an interesting program that pairs Bach preludes and fugues with Piazzolla tangos that were originally written for a stage play. The program is bookended by two Mendelssohn quartets. 7:30pm. $20-$42.
14 thursday Classical & Spiritual
Anne-Sophie Mutter Hill Auditorium
Accompanied by her longtime recital partner, Lambert Orkis, Mutter offers a performance that gives proof to her reputation as one of very best violin virtuosos. 7:30pm. $10-$75.
FullSet - The Ark
All accomplished young musicians in their own right, the members of FullSet create a stunning and unique sound that is full of energy and innovation, while all the time remaining true to their traditional Irish roots. 8pm. $20
Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
The Appleseed CollectiveBlind PIg
A2’s own mixes bluegrass, Dixieland ditties, swing and transcendent gypsy folk into the cultivated sound that they call their own. 9:30pm. $8- $11.
cont. on pg 24
music
perspective: folk Back in town
by Scott Recker As I reflect on my personal experiences with music festivals, one thing remains constant: the band that blindsides me with a shockwave of sonic cleverness usually sticks out more than the highly anticipated headliner. The annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival continues that pattern. It’s systematic. Every year a band that I’ve never heard of blows me away. Two years ago it was the Spring Standards, last year it was Elephant Revival. And the rad thing is, those up-and-coming acts that play at the AAFF usually come back to the Ark in the next few months. Here is who I am the most excited to see again:
Several bands from this year’s Ann Arbor Folk Festival will return for solo performances — clockwise from top left: Brownbird, Brother Joscephus, Frontier Ruckus and Steel Wheels Photos by Andy Rogers
with their stream-of-consciousness lyrics becoming more poignant and the band further clicking on an instrumental level. And they like to do quirky little side projects, like shoot videos of themselves on the U of M campus playing Legend of Zelda theme songs, which gives them some nerd cred as well. $16. 8pm.
Brown Bird
The Steel Wheels
Saturday, March 23 After the festival concluded with The Head and The Heart delivering a powerhouse set, the couple next to us for a post-fest meal at Tios could only talk about The Steel Wheels. It’s not hard to see why: the old-timey arrangements, effortless harmonies and careful country hooks deliver organic, unforced Americana that lyrically walks on the edge of life and death. Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Virginia-based four-piece is certainly a curveball in a thick roots revival scene. $15. 8pm.
Frontier Ruckus
Friday, April 5 Some up-and-coming bands make a great album, grab some national coverage and fade back into the sea of midlevel hopefuls. Not Frontier Ruckus. Every release from these indiegrass cult heroes — who have been championed by Rolling Stone and Paste — is a clear step forward,
Friday, April 12 In contemporary folk we often see bands borrow, splice and forge various sub-genres, but this duo, with their wildly unpredictable tempos, rhythms and layers, don’t seem to try to fit in anywhere. David Lamb and Morgan Eve Swain are their own musical spectrum, veering from the rich history of the stripped-down bluesy singer-songwriter to a whirlwind of foot-stomping Americana that you’ll find it hard to believe only comes from two people. $15. 8pm.
Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution
Saturday, April 20 It’s either highly appropriate or insanely serendipitous that Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution are booked on 4/20. Mixing 60s feel-good pop rock hooks with the soul-soaked jazz grooves of the Bayou, Joscephus — a character from Brooklyn who seems to be trying to emulate a hypothetical nephew of Dr. John’s who is perpetually stoned — and his energetic band of merry misfits, are always ready to throw down some good-time tunes. They’re a bucket of fun and there’s no one else doing what they do. $20. 8pm. The Ark is located at 316 S. Main St. For more information, call 734-761-1451 or www.theark.org. ecurrent.com / march 2013 23
music Martha Wainwright
16 saturday
The Ark / Monday, March 25
Classical & Spiritual
"I’ve made this record as a motherless child and as a mother. Two things I had never been before. For me, it is a new beginning," Martha Wainwright recently stated about her newest album, Come Home To Mama. And her voice has systematically carried a reflection of both of those circumstances: she holds a weary longing in her melancholy wail, but her vocals also carry a tender audacity for hope. The daughter of folk legends Loundon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, the 36-year-old heiress to the family throne continues to reinvent her progressively rootsy sound by dabbling in catchy pop, feel-good funk and the dark corners of country. $21. 8pm. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. www.theark.org —SR
cont. from page 22
15 friday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop
Digital-Free Discs & Drinks - PJ’s Used Records Check your smart phone or iPod at the door and enjoy a free pre-digital-era cocktail while listening to PJ’s owners Jeff and Marc Taras spin vinyl LPs and stories. Classic cocktails by Tammy’s Tastings. 7pm. Free.
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Boombox - Blind Pig
Electro-dance rockers ‘BoomBox’ incorporate live dance beats with electric guitar and other organic instrumentation to create a sound that is a fusion of funk, jazz and electronica. 9pm. $15 adv. / $20 door.
Classical & Spiritual
Scheherazade Michigan Theater
Let your imagination come alive at this exotic symphonic blend of music inspired by the Arabian Nights and Sufi Romantic poetry. 8pm. $10-$58.
2013 / ecurrent.com
Yo-Yo Ma And The Silk Road Ensemble Hill Auditorium
Founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 1998, the collective is drawn from internationally renowned musicians who share traditions from various cultures and develop and perform new music and multimedia pieces, exploring and expanding contemporary music crossroads. 8pm. $20-$150.
Jazz, Blues & R&B Saints Of Soul Guy Hollerin’s
Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Tim Prosser And Steve Rich Silvio’s Organic Pizza
Prosser (the mandolin maniac) and Rich bring listeners a cornucopia of acoustic folk, pop and originals with voice, guitar and mandolin. Plus - a surprise special guest every time. 7pm. Free.
check us out on
An eight-piece ensemble reminiscent of early Motown, The Saints of Soul have managed to pull together the most skilled and sought after musicians from the north, south, east and west to create a horn-driven collective with a solid and growing fan base. 8pm. $5.
17 sunday Jazz, Blues & R&B
Ellen Rowe Trio Kerrytown Concert House
This month the trio celebrates the music of legendary pianist Dave Brubeck. 2pm. $5-$25.
cont. on page 26
music
perspective: blues Support the blues by Jerry Mack
Every month should have its theme, so I declare March to be “Support Your Local Blues Month." We can’t always count on national touring acts to come to our town for entertainment. Ann Arbor has a multitude of quality local bands and a potent club scene that steadily provides the blues cure for whatever ails you. I have seen all the bands listed below and I would highly recommend that you should too. Let’s see what is on tap this month at our local clubs. Guy Hollerin’s Local Blues & Brews in the Holiday Inn near UM’s campus at Plymouth Rd. & US-23 has just remodeled their restaurant/ music area and are ready to celebrate their fifth year in bringing you the finest local blues and roots acts in SE Michigan on Saturday nights. Lady Sunshine & the X Band performing on the 2nd , are back from a recent trip to Memphis at the National Blues Competition. They are ready to show you why they are big time contenders for such honors. Their selection of “choice” blues, R&B, soul, and funk, covers and originals make them one of the area’s hottest dance bands. Get ready for smokin’ guitar based R&B, gospel and soulful blues when The Chris Canas Blues Revolution hits the stage on the 9th. Canas is one of the hottest guitarists around and backs up his blues licks with heart-felt vocals that testify to his blues dedication. The Saints of Soul on the 16th, deliver an energetic evening of R&B, and funk covers with a 9-piece group hat keeps the dance floor movin’ and groovin’ all night long. The Bluescasters will keep you in “full tilt boogie” mode with jump blues standards on the 23rd. Jimmy McCarty & Mystery Train return on the 30th. McCarty, the master of Motor City blues -rock guitar returns to show how the blues is played, Detroit –style. This month, Live Club on S. First St. provides five live Friday Happy Hours from 6-9pm. Each Friday is guaranteed to help jump start your weekend with a wide variety of dance music and no cover charge. FUBAR roars in on the 1st with rock and soul classics. Drivin’ Sideways rocks around
Local blues and funk stalwarts will burn up Ann Arbor dancefloors with covers and originals in March—counterclockwise from left, Lady Sunshine and Laith al-Saadi.
the country clock with ballads and swing favorites on the 8th and 29th. The Vibratrons turn you on to 60’s psychedelic dance classics on the 15th. Jerry Mack &The Terraplanes drive your blues away with house rockin’ R&B and roots rock-n-roll on the 22th. Mash Bar below the Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery on E. Washington moves into the month with a host of local bands playing blues, roots rock, and rockabilly on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10PM. Robert Johnson Blues Band plays straight ahead blues on the 2nd, 15th, and 30th. Rockabilly standards and pop ballads are covered by Nobody’s Business on the 1st, , and The Canastas on the 9th. The Shelter Dogs, a fun-packed power trio, deliver a blend of jump blues, swing, and rock-nroll on the 16th. Detroit’s rockin’ reptiles, the Alligators, turn in a dues paying blues performance on the 23rd. Chris Canas, will tear it up on Friday the 22nd, and The Terraplanes will take the stage on Friday the 8th. Catch guitar wizard Laith al-Saadi as he heats up the music room with rock, blues, and pop standards every Thursday night. The Tap Room in downtown Ypsilanti hosts an open mic-jam with Brian Brickley and the Martindales every Thursday at 8pm. Its a great place to check out local talent. WCBN-FM, Ann Arbor’s student-run community radio at 88.3 FM thanks you for your generous support of their annual on-air fundraiser in February. The area’s unique alternative experiential radio station is celebrating its 41st anniversary bringing you “a whole spectrum of music at one frequency”. Check ‘em on the radio dial, at 88.3 FM, or on the web at www.wcbn.org. ecurrent.com / march 2013 25
music
cont. from page 24 Classical & Spiritual
Sweet Geriatrics Downtown Library
A unique take on aging through classical music with pianist/ composer Waleed Howrani. 4pm. Free.
18 monday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Rocky Lawrence - The Ark You might say the New Haven, Connecticut-based guitarist Rocky Lawrence plays blues from the Delta—the Connecticut River Delta. But Rocky’s roots in the blues go back to the Midwest and South. 8pm. $15.
19 tuesday Country & Bluegrass
Sara Watkins - The Ark
New music from Nickel Creek’s beloved songwriter and fiddler! More than bluegrass, more than pop, more than alternative, the music of Sara Watkins has grown into something unique. 8pm. $21.
20 wednesday Classical & Spiritual
Suono Mobile USA Kerrytown Concert House
This group is not primarily an ensemble, but rather a kind of think tank, dedicated to developing integrated concert programs and events rather than just growing a repertoire. 8pm. $5-$10.
Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop The Pineapple Army Woodruff’s
Alternative rockers ‘The Pineapple Army’ bring their original brand of indie rock to Woodruff’s for a night of partying and music. 9pm. $5.
21 thursday Jazz, Blues & R&B
America’s Music Project: Blues & Gospel Kerrytown Concert House
Peter Madcat Ruth has established an international reputation and is a champion of the long-standing tradition of the one-man band. He sings and plays harmonica, guitar, highhat, ukulele, jaw harp, banjo, kalimba and penny-whistle. 8pm. $5-$25.
Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop The Alcoholic Oracles Blind Pig
This dysfunctional duo plays acoustic blues with Southern mountain music twang and a punk rock edge. 930pm. $5 21+/ $8 18+.
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22 friday Jazz, Blues & R&B Isosceles Silvio’s Organic Pizza
Tim Berla, Jim Cooney, and Shekinah Errington team up to play classics and originals from the worlds of jazz, folk, country, rock, and more. 7pm. Free.
Larry Fuller Trio Kerrytown Concert House
Fuller has established himself as a world-class jazz pianist firmly rooted in the hard swinging traditions of mainstream jazz. 8pm. $5-$30.
23 saturday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
The Steel Wheels The Ark
On the road and in the studio, The Steel Wheels are tapping into Americana traditions and creating fresh-sounding acoustic fervor. 8pm. $15.
Jazz, Blues & R&B
The Regrettes - Woodruff’s
This female-fronted soul and R&B revival band from Columbus, Ohio aren’t your typical soul-funk band. Their sweaty, late-night floor-filling dance parties are baptized in alcohol and their gritty brand of soul music. 9pm. $5.
24 sunday Ann Arbor School For The Performing Arts Fundraiser Kerrytown Concert House
Enjoy an evening of great music featuring talented students, outstanding faculty and guest artists! Works performed include: Frank Violin Sonata & Beethoven’s Ghost piano trio, Op. 70, Nr.1. 5pm. $5-$30.
25 monday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Martha Wainwright The Ark
The daughter of folk legends Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and sister of acclaimed singer songwriter Rufus Wainwright, Martha is undoubtedly her own person, with her own sense of style, creating her own music with an extraordinary versatile and compelling voice. 8pm. $21.
26 tuesday Acoustic, Folk & Ethnic
Emily Hearn - The Ark
With a charming voice, this 22-year-old singer-songwriter from delivers relevant lyrics over irresistible melodies. 8pm. Free with food donation.
music 27 wednesday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Steddy P & DJ Mauf Blind Pig
Steddy P is not your average rapper and his lyrical content draws inspiration from the out of the ordinary events that occur in his life. 9:30pm. $5 21+ / $8 18+.
Classical & Spiritual
St. Olaf Piano Tour Kerrytown Concert House
Students from St. Olaf College perform an array of solo piano music of the Americas and includes works by Barber, Gershwin, Villa Lobos and more. 8pm. Free, with donations.
28 thursday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down w/ Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside The Ark
Thao Nguyen charms your ears with her fresh style of whimsical lyrics which play along with a folk infused pop. Sallie’s voice has elicited comparisons to classic jazz and blues icons, yet it is stoked with the fire of youth and rebellion; it’s an instrument capable of conveying raw emotion and nuanced artistry in the same breath. 8pm. $15.
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29 friday Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop Mustard Plug - Blind Pig
This veteran third-wave ska revival band brings their energetic brand of ska-punk to A2. 9pm. $12 adv. / $14 door.
30 saturday Country & Bluegrass
Jazz, Blues & R&B
Ben Daniels Band Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room
From their opening song to the finale of their set, this band cuts through with their originality, musicianship, and a sound that spans blues, reggae, hip hop, and even jazz. 8:30pm. Free.
31 sunday
Back Forty - Blind Pig
Back Forty’s last show ever! Don’t miss the party to end all parties with Michigan’s favorite jam-grass group. 930pm. $7 21+/ $10 18+.
events online @ ecurrent.com
Classical & Spiritual
Songs For Survivors Kerrytown Concert House
Alex Kip assembles various University of Michigan musical theatre students, graduates, professors, and local Ann Arbor artists to celebrate cancer survivorship through music. 7pm. $5-$25.
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film Long-term experiment
If you’re into experimental film, the Ann Arbor Film Festival will be right up you’re alley, being the longest running and one of the most respected indie film festivals in the US. With more than 180 films over the span of six days, explores all genres from filmmakers throughout the entire world. Since 1963, the AAFF has been a leading force in experimental film and this year — the 51st annual — will award $20,000 to more than 20 filmmakers. Times and prices to be announced. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. www.aafilmfest.org —SR
2 saturday Wayne’s World and Wayne’s World 2
11pm. $10. State Theater, 233 South State St. 734-761-8667. www.michtheater.org/state
Based on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name, Wayne’s World is a wacky, irreverent pop-culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth.
6 wednesday Surviving Progress
7pm. Free. Elmo’s Hideaway, 220 S. Main St. www.elmoshideaway.com
Ronald Wright, whose bestselling book, A Short History Of Progress inspired this documentary about how past civilizations were destroyed by “progress traps” - alluring technologies and belief systems that serve immediate needs,
but ransom the future. With potent images and illuminating insights from thinkers who have probed genes, brains, and social behavior, this film also poses a challenge: to prove that making apes smarter isn’t an evolutionary dead-end.
9 saturday Glove
2pm. Free. Michigan Theater, 603 Liberty St. 734-668-8397 www.michtheater.org
Kim Sang-nam, a hot-tempered former professional baseball player, is sent to the countryside to coach a team of hearing-impaired players in order to avoid media coverage of his recent involvement in an assault case. At first, Kim has a difficult time imagining how he can teach baseball to a group of boys who can’t hear, but as he spends time with them he starts to believe that they can play the game.
13 wednesday Green Fire
7pm. Free. Elmo’s Hideaway, 220 S. Main. www.elmoshideaway.com
Aldo Leopold is considered the most important conservationist of the 20th century. He is the father of the national wilderness system, wildlife management and ecological restoration. Green Fire explores Leopold’s personal journey of observation and understanding and reveals how his ideas resonate today with people across the entire American landscape, from inner cities to the remotest wildlands.
15 wednesday Fordsom: Faith, Fasting, Football
6pm. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4555 www.aadl.org
This acclaimed 2011 documentary follows a predominantly Arab-American high school football team from a working-class Detroit suburb as they practice for the big game during the last ten days of Ramadan. The filmmakers initially were sent on assignment to Pakistan at the time of the 9/11 attacks to report for CNN. What emerged was a film that artfully combined themes of high school football and post 9/11 America.
16 thursday The Room
Midnight. State Theater, 233 South State St. 734-761-8667. www.michtheater.org/state
A benevolent, friendly, selfless man who greets everyone with a disarming “Hi” discovers that you can’t trust anyone after getting engaged to a manipulative, self-serving siren who seduces his best friend and destroys his life.
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In Another Country
Free. 2pm. Michigan Theater, 603 Liberty St. 734-668-8397 www.michtheater.org
A young film student and her mother run away from the seaside town of Mohang to escape their mounting debt. The young woman begins writing a script for a short film in order to calm her nerves: Three women named Anne appear, and each woman consecutively visits the seaside town of Mohang.
20 wednesday America’s Music Film & Discussion: The Blues And Gospel Music 6:30pm. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4555. www.aadl.org
UM Professor Mark Clague leads a screening and discussion focusing on segments from the films Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues, Episode 1: Feel Like Going Home and Say Amen, Somebody.
26 tuesday Unnatural Causes
6pm. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4555. www.aadl.org
Two episodes from the documentary series Unnatural Causes will be screened at this event: Episode 2: When the Bough Breaks, highlights how racial justice and civic engagement are instruments for improving health and birth outcomes, and Episode 7: Not Just a Paycheck, shows how layoffs, unemployment, and job insecurity have a negative effect on health.
27 wednesday Bitter Pill
Free. 7pm. Elmo’s Hideaway, 220 S. Main. www.elmoshideaway.com
As America desperately seeks the right prescription to cure the ailing field of medicine and provide affordable quality healthcare to all, it stands at the crossroads of two profound socioeconomic philosophical choices. The fundamental choice it has to make is the bitter pill. Unless the nation accepts that bitter medicine and chooses the right path, the present course is certain to lead American healthcare to a dead end.
30 saturday Old Boy
2pm. Free. Michigan Theater, 603 Liberty St. 734-668-8397 www.michtheater.org
Dae-soo is drugged and kidnapped and imprisoned in a private prison for 15 years without explanation. One day, Dae-soo is given sleeping gas. He comes to and finds he has been released. Dae-soo tries to find out who is behind all of this and why.
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theater
Ruth Crawford, Suzi Regan and MaryJo Cuppone chit chat in PNT’s Michigan premiere of “Good People”
A vicious cycle Good People follows the exploitation of the working class by Sandor Slomovits
During the entire month of March, Performance Network is presenting the Michigan premiere of Good People, by David Lindsay-Abaire. Good People, which received a 2011 Tony Award nomination, follows on the heels of Lindsay-Abaire’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning play, Rabbit Hole. In PNT’s production, Suzi Regan, long familiar to local theater goers as both actress and director, plays the lead role of Margie Walsh, a newly fired Dollar Store worker in economic dire straits, while PNT Company Manager, Logan Ricket, makes his professional acting debut in the role of Stevie, the boss who fires her.
GOOD PEOPLE BY
DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE
FEB 21 - MARCH 31
Good People is, among other things, an exploration of class in America.
Regan: It’s about that huge number of people who live in our country who get hooked in minimum wage jobs, can’t support themselves, and the hole just gets deeper and deeper. There’s so many elements that contribute to this, whether it be an illness, an injury, a divorce or a death, a lack of education, which could have been brought on, in my character’s case, by a pregnancy… all these elements contribute to people getting in this black hole. This place, where the play is set, Boston’s “Southie” district, is referred to as a black hole by one of the characters, who got out. The people there not only live from paycheck to paycheck, they’re always on high alert. Logan: Both classes have to do things out of necessity, but ours is life or death. Every decision that is made has to be thought through so thoroughly to make sure that it doesn’t put you in a worse place than you are already are.
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Photo by Liz Picurro
Regan: There’s a certain prejudice— both ways. You’ve got the haves and the have nots, they each have a different toolbox for survival. They talk about comfort, the haves are comfortable, and my character says, “Well we must be those who are uncomfortable then. You think I’m uncomfortable? No, I’m miserable! You look at my surroundings, and I’m just trying to eat.”
There’s a great line in the play. Margie says to Mike (who has made it out of “Southie”) “Yes, you’ve made some wise choices, but you’re wrong if you think everyone has them.”
Regan: Choice is so important through this whole play. One of the reasons Margie stays where she is, is because it’s scary out there. Little does she know that she’s living in a jungle right now.
This is rough stuff, yet there’s humor too.
Logan: It’s hilarious. That’s one of the great things about this play; it does deal with a lot of really difficult situations that respond to what we deal with in society right now, but it also has this quality that allows you to analyze yourself without the playwright smashing you over the head with answers. Regan: If I had to say in one sentence what this play is about, it’s about the buoyancy of the human spirit. The Performance Network is currently running Good People, by David Lindsay-Abaire, through March 31. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays. Times vary. $27-$39. For more information, visit www.performancenetwork.org.
21 thursday Resulting in This
Photos by Tom Steppe
Thurs.-Sat., 8pm. $5. Betty Pease Studio Theater, 1310 North University Court. 734-763-5461. www.umich.edu
A Southern affair
This month, director Kat Walsh brings a Tennessee Williams classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, to life at the University of Michigan's Arthur Miller Theatre. As a story surrounding a wealthy Southern family amid pain, struggle and controversy, this "Southern Gothic masterpiece," promises an abundance of drama, complex characters, and a storyline that will no doubt keep you on the edge of your seat. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. $9-$22. Arthur Miller Theater, 1226 Murfin St. 734-647-3327. www.a2ct.org —MO
Comedy
7 thursday Lynne Koplitz
Thurs., 8pm; Fri. & Sat., 8pm & 10:30pm. $10-$15. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St. 734-9969080. www.aacomedy.com
She is the funniest comedienne in a looooong time, and audiences are lucky to get her back to A2.
14 thursday Jeff Caldwell
Thurs., 8pm; Fri. & Sat., 8pm & 10:30pm. $11-$13. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St. 734-9969080. www.aacomedy.com
Caldwell is known to audiences nationwide as a clean, clever comedian with one of the brightest standup acts around. Whether at a comedy club, theater or a corporate event, Jeff delivers smart, funny jokes on topics ranging from the daily news to the daily grind, subtly tailoring his material to fit any crowd.
21 thursday The Around the Bend Players
8pm. $7. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St. 734-996-9080. www.aacomedy.com
This extremely popular improv comedy troupe from Toledo, Ohio returns with their high energy improvisational theater. A team of actors will perform quick sketches, improvising situations and lines based on suggestions from the audience.
Theater
1 friday The Meaning of Almost of Everything
Lauren B. Morris, both a choreographer and dancer in this exciting performance, examines the intricate yet relatively unknown territory of memory loss diseases. The dance is a journey with six individual female performers who reflect the delicate yet persistent identities of women suffering from memory loss diseases.
28 thursday 33 Variations
Thurs.-Fri., 8pm; Sat., 3pm & 8pm; Sun., 2pm. $27. Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. 734-433-7673. www.purplerosetheatre.org
Musicologist Katherine Brandt races to solve the mystery behind her life's passion -Beethoven's often overlooked "Diabelli Variations." As she digs deep into her investigations, Katherine not only discovers the true meaning behind Beethoven's work but also the other mystery in her life -- her daughter. Alternating between the past and the present, 33 Variations relays how the very dreams that threaten to overcome can also save. Runs though June 1.
theater Carmelita Tropicana
5:15pm. Michigan Theater, 603 Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org
Alina Troyano (aka Carmeltia Tropicana) presents her fusion of performance art and theater using irreverent humor and fantasy to rewrite history. As a bicultural artist, she uses both spoken word and visual art to convey social commentary.
Ariadne auf Naxos
Thurs., 7:30pm; Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Sun., 4pm. $10 student / $20-$26. Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University Dr. 734-763-4220. www.umich.edu
This quirky opera combines slapstick comedy with grandiose, beautiful music and an underlying theme of the competition between high art (opera) and low art (comedy) for the public's attention.
Penny W. Stamps Speaker Series: Carmelita Tropicana
5pm. Free. Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. www.art-design. umich.edu/stamps
Alina Troyano, aka Carmelita Tropicana, straddles the world of performance art and theatre. She uses both spoken language and a visual language that integrates live performance with mutimedia, and costumes of fruit, faux fur, camouflage, and Saran wrap to provide social commentary.
Fri., 8pm; Sat., 3pm & 8pm. $37-$42. Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. 734-433-7673. www.purplerosetheatre.org
Step right up folks and grab a seat for the hilarious and sometimes painful circus that is life! Two men will astound you with their feats of daring and sometimes cowardice as they pratfall their way to the big answers in The Meaning of Almost of Everything. A world premiere comedy by PRTC founder Jeff Daniels, this show questions the nature of our world and the absurdity of it all! Contains adult content.
14 thursday Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Thurs.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. $9-$22. Arthur Miller Theater, 1226 Murfin St. 734-647-3327. www.a2ct.org
The Ann Arbor Civic Theater presents Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, a tale of thwarted longing, spurned love and one very dysfunctional family. Maggie "The Cat" is determined to woo back the love of her husband while her family members expose their untruthfulness. This Southern Gothic masterpiece is arguably Tennessee Williams' finest work.
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artbeat Performing on cue by Louis Meldman
Forget about basketball. The real March Madness runs from March 21 through March 23 on North Campus: “Animal Acts: Beasts of the Northern Wild.” It’s a three-day performance festival and symposium featuring internationally known solo performers whose work explores animal themes. There are no actual animals in the show, but there are scheduled “talk backs” in which moderators talk with the audience and lead discussions. All events are in the easy-to-find, easy-to-park Duderstadt Media Union, with performances in the video studio. On Thursday, March 21, 6:30 to 8:30, is “Post Human,” with performances by Carmelita Tropicana and Joseph Keckler (UM ’04), and a discussion moderated by University of Michigan Art Professor Holly Hughes. There will be an afterparty at the Aut/Bar in Kerrytown, with more performances there. It’s all free and open to the public, although Prof. Hughes urged me to advise readers that there will be provocative adult material. That means that I will be there for sure. On Friday afternoon from 2 to 4:30pm will be “The Last Polar Bear,” demonstrating performance art as environmental activism. Then in the evening, 6:30 to 9:30pm, are performances by Holly Hughes herself and others. Holly again reminded me that all the performances contain adult material and language, and some include nudity. Say hello if you see me there. Hughes is an internationally acclaimed performance artist whose work navigates and rewrites the maps of “identity.” More than political satire, she has positioned herself at the center of America’s culture wars. She is the author of two cult classic books, “Clit Notes: A Sapphic Sampler,” and “O Solo Homo: The New Queer Performance.” She has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ford
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Photo by Valerie Oliveiro
Photo by David Hawe
art
From left: Jess Dobkin’s “Everything I’ve Got”, Deke Weaver’s “Elephant” and Holly Hughes’ “The Dog and Pony Show.” All three artists will take part in “Animal Acts: Beast of the Northern Wild,” a three day performance festival and symposium
Photo courtesy of PictureNewYork LG
Foundation, and the Rockerfeller Foundation, and has won two Obie awards from the Village Voice. Her most recent solo piece was entitled “The Dog and Pony Show (Bring Your Own Pony).” I could go on, but you get the picture. On Saturday there are workshops with the artists. Then from 6:30 to 9:30pm are several performances with our own, recent UM grad – how-does-she-do-it? – Emilia Javanica as emcee. All of these three-day proceedings are being filmed for a documentary, so there will be no late admission to the performances, although there will be intermissions at the evening shows. I was reminded by Ms. Hughes that evening shows in particular are not “family friendly” and not recommended for audiences under 18. If you’re over 18 and want to see something completely different, go and see and hear and experience. I hear that when the film comes out they’re going to have to blindfold the projectionist – ha-ha-a! Time flies when you’re having fun. The Chelsea River Gallery in charming downtown Chelsea is celebrating its 10th year with an exhibition called “no plan B,” showcasing the artists it represents and introducing new artists. The show runs through March 16. The River Gallery keeps doing remarkable things in addition to showcasing, representing and introducing. Like the amazing speaker series it is supporting at the Michigan Theater. On Thursday, March 14, at 5:10 pm, for example, Lynda Barry will talk about her career as a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator and teacher. She’s won awards for her graphic novels, like “The Good Times Are Killing Me,” which was adapted as an off-Broadway play, but we of a certain age know her best for her two-decade hit “Ernie Pook’s Comeek.” Cheers, River Gallery! And here’s to the next ten.
art New Exhibits
1 friday
Nancy Flanagan Comics, Cartoons and Caricatures
5-7pm. Free. Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. 734-480-2787. www.riversidearts.org
Comics aren’t just for the Sunday paper, and cartoons aren’t just for Saturday morning. Riverside Arts Center presents the opening reception for a menagerie of illustrations by Michigan artists. The exhibit will run though Thursday, March 28.
3 sunday In Conversation: El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa with Joe Fusaro
1pm. Free. A. Alfred Tubman Gallery, UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-7640395. www.umma.umich.edu
Senior Education Advisor Joe Fusaro will lead an in-depth gallery exploration of the work of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, who creates flowing surfaces out of bottle caps. Anatsui’s work will be the focus of many smaller events at UMMA.
4 monday
Earth Challenge - People of the Earth: Cultures
12pm. Free. Two Twelve Arts Center. 216 W. Michigan Ave. 734-944-ARTS. www.twotwelvearts.org
This artists challenge was initiated and is sustained by Kathy Campau. The collection of work reflects the idea that cultures and peoples from all corners of the earth influence artists’ creativity. Visit the gallery and cast your vote for People’s Choice 2013.
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events online @ ecurrent.com
8 friday Ruth Gilmore Langs: the MOCEAN Paintings Regular gallery hours. Free. The Ann Arbor Arts Center, 117 W. Liberty St. 734-994-8004. www.annarborartcenter.org
Ruth Gilmore Langs explores her childhood in the Florida Keys through these large, bright and vibrant oil paintings. The exhibit runs through Sunday, April 7.
9 saturday
Michelangelo and the Medici
2-3:30pm. Free. Detroit Institute of Arts. 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-833-7900. www.dia.org
For more than 70 years, photographers have found inspiration for their work from the people, city streets, and automobile culture of Detroit. This exhibition includes select photographers who, through their personal vision and photographic skill, have captured subjects, past and present, specific to Detroit, its changing landscape, architecture and auto industry. This exhibit runs through Sunday, June 16.
10 sunday
Even aliens overfish our seas in UFO by Tanya Kavakoza
Three rings of artistic spectacle
No form of entertainment marries fear and adoration the way a circus does, so it's a shame that fewer troupes pitch big tops in the United States every year. Those still thirsty for freak shows and acrobatics can see Circus, a new art exhibit opening at Gallery Project on March 28th, featuring work by local national and international artists. Circus promises to touch on the spectacles and deceptions in the three ring tradition. Local portrait artist Joe Levickas and aerialist Erin Garber Pearson curated Circus. For those thinking of running away from home and joining a troupe, Pearson will teach a beginner Aerial class at Ann Arbor Aviary. Exhibit runs March 28-May 4th. Opening Reception March 29th, 6-9pm. Gallery Project, 215 South Fourth Ave. 734-997-7012. www.thegalleryproject.com—JS
Design an AHA Workstation
Sundays, March 10-24. 2-8pm. Free. All Hands Active, 525 E. Liberty St. 734-707-8242. www.allhandsactive.com
Help All Hands Active re-design their 10 PC workstations, from clunky gaming devices into efficient interfaces which work with 3D printing and soldering. The re-design will stretch over the course of three workshops.
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14 thursday
Lynda Barry, Accessing the Imaginary
5pm. Free. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-764-0395. www.umma.umich.edu
Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist, painter and all-around Renaissance woman Lynda Barry will give a lecture as part of the Stamps Speaker Series.
19 tuesday Lecture by Arjia Rinpoche 5pm. Free. Helmut Stern Auditorim, UMMA. 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. www.umma.umich.edu
Rinpoche is the former abbot of one of the most famous monasteries in Tibet and a frequent lecturer on Tibetan art. He will discuss the important role that art plays in Tibetan Buddhism. The lecture will follow a brief blessing ceremony in the UMMA Apse.
18th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners
Sun. & Mon., 12-6pm; Tues.-Sat., 10am-7pm. UM Duderstadt Center Gallery, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd. 734-647-7673. www.prisonarts.org
The exhibition sheds light on the talents found behind prison walls and encourages the pub-
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lic to take a second look, inspiring dialogue and awareness. Despite limited resources, exhibition artists create work in a rich range of styles, mediums and themes. Opening reception is March 19, 5:30-8pm. Runs through April 3.
20 wednesday Subverting Modernism: Cass Corridor Revisited
4pm-7pm. EMU University Art Gallery, 900 Oakwood st., Ypsilanti. 734-487-1268. www.art.emich.edu
With a 1960s revolutionary spirit, the Cass Corridor artists, who worked in a run down area near Wayne State University, overthrew Modernism and ushered in Post-Modernism, exploring such themes as industrial and post-industrial Detroit, existential vulnerability, the human need for shelter, the persistence of the life force, and the presence or absence of order in nature. Exhibit runs through Friday, April 26.
26 tuesday Dialogue with Marie Magdalena Campos-Pons 5:30pm. Free. Helmut Stern Auditorium, UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734764-0395. www.umma.umich.edu
Cuban artist Campos-Pons discusses her work in visual and performance art. Dealing
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extensively with the legacy of the African diaspora across the Atlantic. Her work inquires about the continuities of family and traditions as they persist and sustain despite the disruptions of the past, while also exploring how they can define and constrain definitions of selfhood.
29 friday
With my iPhone and Eye 7-9pm. Free. Washington Street Gallery, 306 S. Main St. 734-761-2287. www.wsg-art.com
Nina Hauser has blended traditional photography with fine art for some time. She has touched upon many subjects— from landscapes, to the world as seen by her dog, Theo. Her newest exhibit covers what she calls hybrid photography. Exhibit runs through Sunday, May 5.
30 saturday
“Big Triumph / Majestic Land” 5-8pm. Free. Chelsea River Gallery, 120 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-4330826. www.chelsearivergallery.com
Endi Poskovic’s work is about the real world—he depicts real objects, animals and nature. But it’s surreal as well. His landscapes seem like some-
thing out of pulp sci fi, and he tags his work with hybrid words culled from foreign languages so that his images resemble propaganda posters from another reality. Runs though Saturday, May 11.
ongoing Spiritual Narratives in Paint Washington Street Gallery, 306 S. Main St. 734-761-2287. www.wsg-art.com
Ted Ramsay takes his viewers on a tour of the human condition as the artist sees it through a series of oil figure paintings. He uses strong colors and thick swabs of oil paint to suggest a world on the verge of reality and fantasy. Runs through March 23.
“No Plan B”
Chelsea River Gallery, 120 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-433-0826. www.chelsearivergallery.com
The Chelsea River Gallery’s 10th anniversary exhibit continues, showcasing artists the gallery has represented in the past, and also introducing new contributors. More details on pg. 32. Runs through Saturday, March 16.
everything else 2 saturday Maple Sugaring: Journey To The Sugar Bush
Saturday & Sundays, March2-17, 10am, 11am & 12pm. $3.50 child / $5.50 adult. Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter. www.metroparks.com
See how to tap trees, collect sap and boil it into maple syrup. All-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, with real maple syrup, will be served at the Activity Center from 9am-2pm. Reservations required for the guided tour.
4 monday Meet Author Adam Mansbach
7pm. Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave. 734-662-0600. www.nicolasbooks.com
Bestselling author Adam Mansbach (Go the F**k to Sleep) will be at Nicola’s Books for a signing and discussion of his new fearless novel about the price of revenge, Rage is Back. The return of a notorious graffiti artist with a grudge against a New York City mayoral candidate means only one thing: the greatest graffiti stunt ever seen. In this mind-bending journey through a subterranean world of epic heroes, villains, and eccentrics, Adam Mans-
bach balances an intricately plotted, high-stakes caper with a wildly inventive tale of time travel and shamanism, prodigal fathers and sons, and the hilariously intertwined realms of art, crime, and spirituality.
5 tuesday Book Signing and Talk with Lisa Marie Selow
7pm. Free. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room , 114 South Main St. 734-665-2757. www.crazywisdom.net
Some women try to be June Cleaver, Mother Theresa, or Pollyanna--or, all three at once! Learn how to release your people pleasing, creating better boundaries with others and taking better care of yourself. Lisa, author of A Rebel Chick Mystic’s Guide: Healing Your Spirit with Positive Rebellion, will inspire you to let out more of your sassy, passionate, authentic, creative, and fiery self and ignite your courage, helping you carve out your own path, with your own rules.
6 wednesday Insiders’ View of a Start Up: Year One
5pm. Ann Arbor SPARK Central, 330 East Liberty St. www.michbio.org
Please attend this informative discussion about the experiences that come with creating a
OLD
new biotech company. A panel of three entrepreneurs from local early stage companies will present their perspective on building a company from scratch. Topics will include the path to first funding, recruiting a team, securing intellectual property, and “opening doors” on the launch of operations.
8 friday Keynote Lecture: Donna Brazile
www.lsa.umich.edu/ummnh
Museum visitors are invited to join in a facilitated discussion after visiting the Race: Are we so different? exhibit at the U-M Museum of Natural History from February 9 - May 27. These free Sunday Dialogues are made possible with support from the United Way of Washtenaw County. Space is limited.
12 tuesday Elm Park, 1955
8:30am-10pm. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University. 734-764-6005. www.cew.umich.edu
The Women of Color Task Force (WCTF) at the Center for the Education of Women is proud to present Donna Brazile as the 2013 WCTF Conference keynote speaker. Ms. Brazile is a political strategist and media contributor, a Georgetown University professor, and the Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation on the Democratic National Committee. This keynote presentation is free and open to the public. Please register online.
10 sunday Talking About Race Sunday Dialogues
Sundays, March 10-24. 2-3:30pm. UM Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave. 734-764-0478.
7pm. $15 adult / $12 students. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 734-763-4191. www.UnderstandingRaceProject.org
A2 based storyteller La’Ron Williams combines an adult’s analysis and wisdom with the fully believable wonderment, confusion, and fear he felt as a child growing up in the midst of social upheaval on the south side of Flint. His highly participatory, music-spiced programs present a dynamic blend of original and traditional tales crafted to help promote peaceful conflict resolution, foster cooperation, reveal invisible bias, encourage community, build self-esteem, and deepen our historical understanding of the ideal of American democratic inclusion.
cont. on pg 36
ecurrent.com / march 2013 35
everything else Maple Sugar Festival
Waterloo Recreation Area / Saturday & Sunday, March 9-10
True maple syrup is rare these days—and expensive. In 2010 pure maple syrup was nearly worth its weight in gold. Most of the syrup bought in the United States comes from Quebec, but the sweet, sticky stuff was once harvested right here. The Waterloo Recreational Area will celebrate Michigan’s trunk-tapping history with its Maple Sugar Festival. Visitors will be able to trek into the woods with a frontier expert, who will demonstrate how maple syrup is made—from tapping the tree and collecting the sap, to boiling it down, to pouring it on your pancakes. Maple products will be available for purchase. Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11, 10am-4pm. Free, members / $2 non-members / $5 family non-members. Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry to the Waterloo Recreation Area. Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea. 734-475-3170. www.wnha.org—JS
cont. from pg 35
13 wednesday Introduction to Meditation
5:30pm. Jewel Heart, 1129 Oak Valley Dr. 734-994-3387. www.jewelheart.org
Taking inspiration from the UMMA exhibition Buddhist Thangkas and Treasures: The Walter Koelz Collection, Museum of Anthropology (on view February 23-June 9, 2013), which features these colorful and fascinating paintings often used in Buddhist religious practice, Jewel Heart invites you to come enjoy a hands-on session of guided meditation, including healing visualization techniques. Experience this first-hand the living tradition presented in this exhibition
36
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with a meditation session. No prior experience with meditation or familiarity with Buddhism is required.
14 friday
scholarly work and individual narratives of community members into exhibits that make the information accessible to a wide audience.
15 saturday
Telling Our Own Story: The Complexity of Arab American Identity Representation
Washtenaw Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show
This presentation will use examples from the Arab American National Museum to explore how ethnic museums can foster community collaborations, particularly by using interactive exhibits, and how such museums combine
Find everything you need for remodeling, redecorating and refining your home all under one roof! Visit the website to see locations to see where free tickets are available.
6:30-8pm. Free. UM Rackham Building, 915 E. Washington St. 734-9366678. www.ummsp.lsa.umich.edu
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Fri., 3-9pm; Sat., 10am-7pm; Sun., 11am-5pm. $5 / Free, ages 12 & under. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. 734-9960100. www.bragannarbor.com
19 tuesday Understanding Race Project March Community Conversations: Biases Conscious & Unconscious 6-9pm. EMU, Student Center, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. www.UnderstandingRaceProject.org
Community Conversations are offered as part of the Understanding Race Project, an audience engagement effort launched in support of the Race: Are we so different? exhibit at the U-M Museum of Natural History from February 9-May 27. Come out for an opportunity of deep introspection and community building. Bring an open mind, a friend, and your voice! Dinner will be served.
everything else Jill Abramson Lecture
4:30-6pm. Free. Kahn Auditorium, Biomedical Science Research Bldg, 109 Zina Pitcher Place. 734-764-6005. www.cew.umich.edu
The UM Center for the Education of Women welcomes Ms. Jill Abramson as its 2013 Mullin Welch lecturer. Ms. Abramson is the first woman to be named Executive Editor of the New York Times. Reserve your spot online. Reception to follow the lecture.
20 wednesday Surviving the Dragon: Book signing and talk with Arjia Rinpoche
7pm. Jewel Heart, 1129 Oak Valley Dr. 734-994-3387. www.crazywisdom.net
Rinpoche is one of the highest ranking lamas to flee Tibet. His book Surviving the Dragon: A
Tibetan Lama’s Account of 40 Years Under Chinese Rule is a moving account of his life as well as an insider’s perspective on the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the oppression of the Tibet culture.
Trivia for Cheaters
7pm. LIVE, 102 S 1st St. 734-761-3463. www.826michigan.org
826michigan Presents Trivia for Cheaters will be a fast-paced trivia competition like none other. Teams of four spend a full month soliciting donations for their team -- funds which they will then use to cheat their way through an insanely-difficult round of trivia questions authored by legendary poet and nerd Ray McDaniel and a genuine Jeopardy! champion, 826michigan staff member Amy Wilson. The competition
will also feature between-therounds entertainment from a cast of special guests.
Washtenaw Wanderers Walking Club
7pm. REI Store, 970 West Eisenhower Parkway. www.facebook.com/washtenaw-wanderers
Join the regular monthly meeting of the Washtenaw Wanderers Walking Club for fun, fitness and friendship.
23 saturday Exploring Humanity: A Science and Culture Discovery Day
9am-5pm. U-M Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-764-0478. www.ummnh.org
Explore the science behind some of humanity’s perceived
differences, the diversity of life experiences, and the science and processes behind some of the most delicious foods. Also there’ll be performances and activities by various U-M student groups and a special story by renowned storyteller La’Ron Williams. Performance schedule TBD.
Ann Arbor City Club Annual Flea Market
Sat., 9am-4pm; Sun., 12-4pm. Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. 734-662-3279. www.annarborcityclub.org
Browse everything from antiques, collectibles, art, to electronics, jewelry and so much more. There’ll also be homemade treats at the Chocolate Boutique on site. Everything is half off on Sunday.
ecurrent.com / march 2013 37
crossword Switching Sides Across 1. Jacket summary 6. They deal with the UAW 9. Portmanteau for a piece of eye broccoli 14. Heard 15. Craft for the paranoid 16. Erotica author Nin 17. Popular image manager 19. Watch-crystal holder 20. Reality show about Botoxed Shakespearean actresses? 22. Active Japanese volcano 23. It might get you into more underground stuff 24. Band on Butt-head's shirt 27. Middle school insult 31. Pesters 35. Hand model's appeal? 38. Maintain, as blades 39. Corleone enforcer Luca 40. Influential play for the genre of sci-fi 41. Tim Rice musical with absolutely no influence on sci-fi 43. 1,000-pound Yellowstoner 44. Cargo headed to a dragon's factory? 47. Kept track of 49. Low voice in opera 50. June Carter ___ 51. Drive letters 53. Hotel extra 55. Dentist? 63. Company with a penguin mascot 64. Record of dad getting hit in the crotch, perhaps 65. Hypocritical pejorative when used by millionaire senators born into political families 66. Org. that opposed Medicare in the '60s 67. Page partner 68. Curses 69. Prefix with fire 70. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum city
18. Start ranting 21. Grammarian's correction 24. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" playwright 25. Not straight 26. YOLO popularizer 28. Heart parts 29. Weds follower 30. Uses Prodigy, say 32. Commodore computer introduced in 1985 33. Certain high school outcasts 34. Strip on the lawn 36. Prevent from squeaking 37. Old newspaper the Toledo News ___ 42. Technics SL-1200 ancestor 45. Common caveat in crossword clues 46. Valium manufacturer 48. Minnesota's fourth-largest
Down 1. Something you might be out on 2. Debussy's "Clair de ___" 3. Major in astronomy? 4. Working people's routines 5. Ennui 6. Expert, slangily 7. Some BGSU degrees 8. Release tension, in a way 9. Old Spice spokesman 10. Like the haircut I just got from this old Polish dude that then I had to fix 11. Look wistfully 12. Claims to have a nonexistent girlfriend, say 13. Bag letters
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march
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city 52. Once-again fashionable soulful rock instruments 54. Punch 55. Kunis who voiced Meg Griffin 56. Taking care of something 57. Single-minded captain 58. Roberto Baggio or Gianluigi Buffon, e.g. 59. IRS agent, casually 60. Big name in bloodthirsty
sixteenth-century empire building 61. Martinez who won four World Series rings with the Yankees 62. Big white dude in Tibet 63. Constellation shaped like a coat hanger
for crossword answers, go to ecurrent.com
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style sense
Photo by Natasha Barros Interview by Alia Orra
Amanda Thornton, student, Ann Arbor Amanda's vivid violet hair caught our attention; her confidence kept it. Though she's only 18, she wears her bold, pixie-colored rock star look with conviction. We stopped her in downtown Ann Arbor to talk hair color, bell bottoms and Taylor Momsen. How would you describe your personal style? Comfy with a bit of grunge. We love the purple hair — it's attention-grabbing. What kind of feedback do you get? Mostly positive. A lot of kids come up to me in love with my hair. It's adorable. [I do get some] negative feedback from mostly older, old-fashioned people. I chose the color easily; it's my second favorite color. What places do you like to shop locally? Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, PacSun. What are some style trends that you absolutely hate? '70s huge bell bottom jeans. Where do you get your style inspiration? Tumblr, Nylon magazine, Taylor Momsen, Effy from [the UK TV series] Skin, and the streets of downtown Ann Arbor. What are your style aspirations? My style is always changing, but always has the color black incorporated into it. I just take it day by day and change if I find something I think is lovely.
Come and spa...
201 N. Fourth Ave. 734-327-1000 www.bellaninadayspa.com ecurrent.com / march 2013 39