J.IV Entertainment

Zimmerman's
Still Knockin'

lile your average radio lis-
ener is likelier to hear a Bob
Dylan cover than one sung by
Mr. Zimmerman himself, it
only proves his widespread influence and
almost mystical status among today's mu-
sicians.
Whether it's "Lay Lady Lay" by Ministry
or "Like a Rolling Stone" by the Stones,
young and old alike owe him a debt for sin-
glehandedly raising lyric writing above sim-
pleminded "I wanna hold your hand"
sentiment.
The poet himself will perform at the
Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor Wednes-
day, a week before his 55th birthday.
Like that of all great artists, Dylan's ca-
reer can be measured in periods. In the ear-
ly '60s, he was the prototypical coffeehouse
folkie, a hippie Woody Guthrie singing elo-
quent, baffling poetry to simple acoustic
guitar. By 1965, he was plugged in, irritat-
ing fans at the legendary Newport Folk Fes-
tival and creating long-reaching classics
like "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde
on Blonde."
Next came the motorcycle accident that
some believe permanently altered his voice
and mind, then a long association with The
Band and (many say) mediocrity.
By the early '80s, Dylan was a born-again
Christian, recording lesser-known master-
pieces ("Gotta Serve Somebody," "Sweet-
heart Like You") and soon after reportedly
abandoning his new-found faith. In 1987,
he toured with Tom Petty and the Heart-
breakers as his backing band and became
a Traveling Wilbury with Petty, George
Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison.

Wt

Mother s Day Tea
with the Israel
Lyric Trio

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The trio will Perform Ladino,
Yiddish and Israeli works
about the magical city of
Jerusalem. Morn and Grand-
ma are admitted free with a
photo of their children or the
real thing. Maple-Drake JCC.
(810)661-1000.

Sun., 3:30 p.m.

After more panned albums, Dylan hit
a new stride with 1989's "Oh Mercy"
and, soon after the Gulf War, performed
a savage rendition of "Masters of War"
at the Grammys. His slurred acceptance
speech for a Lifetime Achievement
Award that same night was an all-time -
Grammy moment to remember.
Then, the landmark concert at Madi-
son Square Garden celebrating 30 years
of Dylan recordings; it saw Sinead
O'Connor booed, gave an older crowd its
first glimpse of Pearl Jam and reestab-
lished the honoree's credibility as he
turned in an eloquent performance. He
stopped mumbling throwaway versions
of his classics in concert and found a sol-
id backing band with which to tour. In
fact, his brief set was one of the true sur-
prises at Woodstock '94. When a re-
newed Dylan finally appeared on MTV's
"Unplugged" that year, it seemed as if
he had come full circle.
While news about his latest tour is a
mystery, early reports have called it one
of his best in recent years. Dylan will
have a band with him and perform both
acoustic and electric material. Classics
like "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and
"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" are being
reworked but are also receiving the rev-
erential treatment they deserve. Not giv-
en to between-song banter or extensive
interviews, Dylan, as always, is keeping
his next direction a secret. It will surely be
an interesting new chapter in an already
twisted, brilliant career.

—

MOT at
the JCC

The Si and Muriel Israel Concert
presents baritone Mark Von-
drak, lyric soprano Maria
Cimarelli and pianist Kevin
Bylsma from MOT. They'll sing
Rogers and Hammerstein,
Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd
Webber. Maple-Drake JCC.
(810) 661-7636.

Mon., 2 p.m.

Todd Wicks

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The former Robert
Allen Zimmerman
turns 55 on May 24.

Bob Dylan comes to the Michigan
Theater in Ann Arbor with Ahnee on
Thesday, May 14. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
Reserved seats are $35 and $45. He will
appear 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Pine
Knob. Tickets are $12.50 and $25. Call
(810) 645-6666 for tickets for both shows.

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Baggage

Local actor and first-time play-
wright Chuck O'Connor pre-
Currently writing a screenplay', sents his hilarious tragedy with
based on the memoirs of a Holo::.; an all-Detroit cast, through May
caust survi-vor, local playwright: 26. Generic Productions, 1515
and critic Rachel Urist will speak Broadway, Detroit. (313) 965-
on "Memories of Shtetl Life in 1515.
Pre-War Eastern Europe." Ann
Arbor District Lthrary, 343 S. 5th,
Wed.-Sat . 3 8 p.m • • 3
(313) 994-2352.

Sun., 3 p.m.

Tues. 12 10-1 p.m.

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