ARTS Monday, January 30, 1989 The Michigan Daily Page 7 Opossums don't play dead BY JIM PONIEWOZIK T ONIGHT, the Opossums play at Rick's American Cafe. Well, not ex- actly the Opossums - not if you pay attention to the concert calendar posted at Rick's. It refers to them as "Folkminers minus Sam.", The Opossums, however, don't believe that they're "minus' any- thing. Yes, three of the members of the Chelsea-based band used to be in the Folkminers. Yes, they used to be the instrumentalists who put the jangle behind lead singer/songwriter Sam ,,Apides' folk-rock reflections. Yes, .hey reformed under the new name two months ago after Lapides left to pursue his strummings in Boston. But they're not the Folkminers. They're not, they're not, they're not. OK, maybe this sounds like overkill. But when your band is try- ing to form a new identity while be- ing saddled with the history of one of the most-known local bands in recent years - well, sometimes you've got to fight overkill with overkill. "A lot of people liked us (as the Folkminers)," says guitarist/ song- writer Marty Fletcher. "But a lot of people hated us." And toward the end of their previous incarnation, the current Opossums members weren't sure they felt that great about themselves, either. Though their crisp, acoustic/electric, generally midtempo rock sound, along with Lapides' intelligent introspective lyrics won them a lot of respect, it also gave them a tendency to be - as Fletcher puts it - "mopey." "I was talking to (former Joe's Star Lounge owner) Joe Tiboni, and he was really ripping on the Folk- miners... it'd be 12:30 at night and we'd be playing 'Wish You Were Here,"' said Fletcher. The Opossums, on the other hand, are a different animal. As they demonstrated while opening for the Holy Cows last Monday at the Blind Pig, the band had been hiding a steel fist underneath the buckskin glove they played with under Lapides. They opened with "In and Out," a song written by new lead singer/ songwriter/rhythm guitarist Mark Neff, which showed them playing both harder and poppier than they ever did as the Folkminers. The song, and the entire show, showed both Tom Dunham's bass and Randy Sabo's drumming coming across strong and hard, as did Fletcher's ringing electric and powerful twelve-string (no, that's not an oxymoron). The set showcased not only the band's more aggressive style, but also Neff's Irish-Spring- fresh, earnest-but-powerful vocals, as well as his ability to write strong pop songs that are plaintive without being whiny. Neff is not exactly new to the band. A longtime friend of Fletch- See 'sums, Page 9 Bizarre Verge defies disbeli~ef BY BETH COLQUIT ON The Verge is not a traditional sort of play, although given its sub- title, The geography of yearning, one could probably be led to expect anything. It is somewhat surreal, delightfully comical, and wistful with just a little poignancy thrown in for spice. The play opened on a black stage. Except for personal props, like pith helmets and backpacks, there was no set. There were a few times when trees and bushes were necessary, which were provided by members of the stage crew covered in burlap. A stream was represented very creatively by a long, narrow piece of white shimmery material which was rippled from both ends of the stage by two crew members. I found the set to be perfect for the needs of the play, since the vast unexplored wilderness ("terra incognita") did not try to adhere to reality. The principal characters, three 19th century female explorers, began in Africa, then moved to a rainforest jungle, and then to great chasms, snowstorms and ice which one would expect to find in the Himalayas. The journey ended in what was probably a small town somewhere in 1955, specifically "Nicky Paradise's Casino, Bar and Grill." See Verge, Page 8 CLASSIFIED ADS TICKETS S~BUSINESS SERVICES A job that makes you think... You didn't come to U of M thinking it would be eas . Why take a job shelving books at the SGay? Lclfirm is adding to our staff of highly creative marketing research consul- tants. 665 -6063. PLANNING A VACATION or sabbatical? Mature, responsible and experienced house- ,sitter with excellent references. Contact Vir- ginia Archer days 668-7652 eves. 769-7159. GOING PLACES S * break NASSAU/PARADISE IS- From $299.00 Package includes: Roundtrip air, transfers, 7 nights hotel, beach parties, free lunch, cruise, free admission to night- clubs, taxes and more. Cancun packages also available!! Contact Doug 665 -5441, Eric 995-3827 or Kiki 769- 8499. Oranize small group earn a free trip! 1-800-23 -0113 or (20)91-3330. SPRING BREAK air to Aspen $318 roundtrip. Feb 25-March 4. Faber Travel mer of Liberty and Maynard) 769-9011. 42 GOING PLACES PERSONAL ,1 RT TICKET ON NW TO AND FROM +ANYWHERE in U.S. Available ANYTIME '~including Spring Break). $250 o.b.o. 747- DAYTONA BEACH 1,7 nights at the Whitehall Inn: $119. w/trans. 9 $199. On the beach center of strip, poolside bars, daily parties and more. Sign-up deadline for thesow prices: Feb. 4 Call Don: 996- 0348. DETROIT-LOS ANGELES O.W. 2/24 $150 or B.O. Call Linda anytime 747-8373. 'GO SKIING! Cabins w/ fireplace. Resort lo- cated on lake, surrounded by forest. Outdoor .spa. X-skiing. Cozy, romantic getaway at- mosphere. Nidy $38-58. 'traverse City area. (616) 276-9502. IMAGINE YOURSELF parasailing in sunny Cancun..this spring break. Then call John at 995-9276 for the BEST vacation deal around. Don't you deserve it ?? MARCO ISLE., FLA. - On beach, oceanfront apt. 2 bdrm., pool, cable acuzzi. Also 1 ~bdrm., sleeps 4. 813-642-5483. ORIENT SUPERFARES SAVE 30%+ $bangkok fr. $859, Hong Kong fr. $759, SSeofr. $729 Tai ai fr. $751 Tokyo fr. 4 ;$752. REGENY TRAVEL, 209 S. State. Call 665-6122 for details. SOUTH PADRE ISLAND $254 Spring Break-Join us. Alisa 764-1763. SPRING BREAK Acapulco fr. $489. Bahamas fr. $419. Ja- maica fr. $509. Puerto Vallarta fr. $549. Ask ~about ACAPULCO Hotel El Cano SPE- CIAL. REGENCY TRAVEL, 209 S. State. Call 665-6122 for details. '.SPRING BREAK Barefoot Bahamas Cruise Sail 50 ft. Yachts in the Bahamas. Food in- ecluded $435/person. Call Don 769-1845. SPRING BREAK IN CANCUN! from $547 includes roundtrip air, 7 nights * beach front hotel & private a 1 Call Michele 761-5244 or La 769-557 now! Limited space available. CUPID'S HELPER Dearest Carol, Through every tral Our love has he d true Only time will show If we will finish this mile To weather this too Is my single hope Love, Joe P.S. Forever is a long time. The longer the better. CUPIDS are ready to shoot arrows into your loved one's heart! Put a Valentine in the Daily. 764-0557 I 7 X to NY Metro-Laguardia 2/24. Price ne- gotiable-Must sell. Call 761-7460. WANTED-Basketball tickets for MSU, W Iowa, &fll. games. Call 994-0637. WANTED: U-M Basketball tickets. Blue tier only. Call 668-6282. WANTED: one pair of good Blue seats. Call 463-8686. MISCELLANEOUS GREAT PARKING SPACE for rent! Excel- lent location near central campus. Call 769- 8875. ROOMMATES AVAILABLE NOW- 1 rm. in 3-bdrm .Hill & State. Big, pkg. fum. all util., $2B0 til Aug., monthly OK. YTIck X68-8132. ONE ROOM AVAILABLE NOW. .monthly or semester basis. Located on S. Forest. Cheap rent. Call 662-5446 ask for Jeff. OWN ROOM AVAILABLE in 2 bdrm. apt. $200/mo. 415 E. Hoover Apt. 304. Call Jim or Greg at 769-6936. TWO GIRLS seek fall housing. Prefer single rooms. Call 930-0327. Thanksl * * ATTENTION: Supreme Course Tran- . scripts, the LS&A lecture notetaking service, has the following notes avail, at Alpha- grapics Printshops at 715 N. Univ.:Anthro 16f,Astro 101/1 I, Astro 102/112, Bio 100, Bio 224, Bio 325 Chem 123 Comm 103, Comm 202, Econ 201, Econ 2b2, Econ 401, Geog 415 Geol 105 Geol 106, Hist 122, Hist 160, 11ist 161, HArt 102, Poll Sci 101, Poli Sci 140 Poli Sci 353, Physics 126, Physics 140. all 663-6816 for more info. * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * L RUSH TKE RUSH TKE * * TAU KAPPA EPSILON WE-;TER RUSH '89 * * MICH{IGAN UNION BALLROOM * * SUNDAY, JAN.29 5:00-8:00 PM * * MON.-WED. JAN. 30-FEB. 1 7-10 PM * * FEELING LONELY homesick or blue? Sully's has genuine H&hi Bagels from N.Y. AFFORDABLE ANSWER TO OVER- PRICED LECTURE NOTES: 1st Class Notes at Dollar Bill Copying, 611 Church, 665-9200. BioAnthro 161, Chem. 123, Comm. 103, Hist. 122 Hist. of Art 102, $17.00; Hist 160 161 'Po;li. Sci. 140, 353, $14.50; Econ 201, 201, Geology 105, 106, $11.00. ALL KINDS OF FANCY SOAPS. Village Apothecary. 11125S. University. HALF-PRICE SALE at Sully's. All food items half-price after 5 pm and all day Sun- day from Jan. 22 to Jan. 31. MODELS/ACTORS WANTED for TV & print work. M/F. No experience. 663-6398. Michael Jeff reys Model & Talent Agency. FW. MUSICAL BANDS-BORED RECORDS is looking for original/garage music to include on its mid- west compilation roject. Send tape and a brief bio to Bored Records 1908 Salem St., Lafayette, IN 47904. Entries must be post- marked by Feb. 15. TRUMPET AND JAZZ Im rovisation lessons. For more info., call Larryr96-4186. WE NEED A SINGER AND A DRUM- MERi Talented, dedicated. Smiths, Cure, REM, Lemon Drops, Chain, etc. Call 663- 79 17. WANTED: STUDENT PHONATHON CALLERS Part Time Employment PERSONAL GIANT FLEA MARKET Used household items, fumiture, jewelry, vintage clothing, junque, 150 dealers, 6-10 Fri. eve., 10 am-6 pm Sat. & Sun., 214 E. Mlchigan at Park, Downtown Ypsanti, 487-5890, 971-7676. The School of Education will interview students by phone who will be hired to call alumni nationwide for an alumni fundraising phonathon. * Phonathon held Sunday through Thursday, February 14 - March 24, excluding Spring Break " Callers will be expected to work two of the five nights each week with some opportunity for additional hours * $5.00 per hour, incentives, bonus pay, plus great work experience For interviews, call 763-4060 TODAY!!! The University of Michigan is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS FOR: Spring-Summer 1989 Study Abroad Programs are as follows: TICKETS 7:40 PM, Feb. 23 AR LaGuardia RET March 6 at 9:35 AM. $190. 761-5462. ONE ROUND TRIP TICKET - on Conti- nental Airlines. Anywhere on the mainland. Best offer taken. Call Evan 662-0428. ;I. , _ . . . yi PARIS, SPRING Monday January 30, 4:00 P.M. MLB 4th Floor Commons FLORENCE, SUMMER Tuesday January 31, 4:00 P.M. MLB 4th Floor Commons SEVILLE, SUMMER Tuesday January 31, 4:00 P.M. MLB Room B-116 - I U .