ARTS Page 7 The Michigan Daily Tuesday, February 7, 1989 Move your iambs Poetry Slam to feature Magic Poetry Band RY AMY KOCH EVER since T.S. Eliot's shocking fragments, poetry has steadily shimmied out of the confines of Shake- spearean couplets and created its own voice, devoid of expected structure or theme. The monthly Poetry Slam, a parody on crusty poetry stereotypes, extends Eliot's innovations tonight with the poetic/musical fusion of the Magic Poetry Band. The Detroit-based Magic Poetry Band is led by poet M.L. Liebler and featuring poet/saxaphonist Faruk Z. Bey, who describe their work as "transcendental poetics accompanied by a cross between jazz, blues, new age, and reggae." Liebler, an English professor at Wayne State Uni- versity, has given several readings in Detroit, Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Canada. In 1987 he read with Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, and Robert Creeley at the River City Reunion in Lawrence, Kansas. He re- cently released a performance poetry cassette with thei Magic Poetry Band entitled Breaking the Voodoo. Faruk Z. Bey is an experimental jazz musician who headlines the Griot Galaxy jazz ensemble. The Poetry Slam, which brings together local and national poets to share their work in a Gong Show - like setting, was started in Chicago in the '70s by Vince Kueter, Marc Smith, and Ron Gillette. With a cliquey poetry scene and a not-too-interested public, the Poetry Slam served as "a hook to get people into po- etry" with judges and magic marker ratings. The Poetry Slam also provides an open mike for locals to display their talent. "I am hoping that a sense of community will develop in Ann Arbor through the Poetry Slam since locals will be exposed to each other, promote one another," said Kueter. T HE MAGIC POETRY BAND will appear at the Poetry Slam tonight at the Old Heidelberg resturaunt, 215 N. Main from 8-11 p.m. Admission is $2. Julius Lester to recount Joanne Constantinides (left) and Daniel Gwirtzman, as Shepherdess and Shepherd in "Pastor- ale," exemplify the energy and colorful costuming of last weekend's production of Viva Stravinsky! Viva'S vimx, vertiginous ,verve leave vivid visions hiS BY KRISTIN JULIUS Leste controversy. T MassachusettsI thor of Loveso Jew , encounte the late '60s whl weekly radio interviews withi and became in Power politics. Lester encou more recently moved from t Massachusetts studies departm conflict with h remains a prof 'journey to PALM partment of Judaic and Near East- ern studies where he had been r is no stranger to teaching concurrently. he University of Tonight, Lester will be speak- professor and au- ing on another conflict - what it ng: Becoming a means to be Black and Jewish. red opposition in "My Journey to Judaism" will fo- en he moderated a cus on Lester's arrival at the deci- show featuring sion to commit to a religion radicals of that era which often seems to pose a evolved in Black conflict of interest. Take Louis Farrakhan, for ex- ntered controversy ample. Lester has recently taken when he was re- issue with the Muslim leader's he University of anti-Semitism and, as a result, has Afro-American come under fire from certain sec- ent as a result of a tors of the Black community. is colleagues. He On his speaking tours, Lester fessor in the De- has encountered opposition from udaism Black students as well, as a result of his statements. The decision to put himself in this position did not come easy for Lester. He is the son of a Methodist minister, has experi-_ mented with Catholic mysticism, and did not convert to Judaism until 1983. Tonight Lester will explore that journey as he exam- ines the way he has meshed two distinct cultures. Hill Street Forum/Great Writers Series will present MY JOUR- NEY TO JUDAISM tonight at 8; p.m. in Green Auditorium at Hil-'' lel (1429 Hill St.). Tickets are $5' and are available at the Hillel Foundation. contain much more than that. It's BY CHERIE CURRY clever, kind of abstract. It probably VISIONS of sugar plums did not dance through my head as I left the last performance of Viva Stravinsky! Instead, the visions more resembled a kaleidoscope - vivid images of dancers in colorful costumes gracing the Power Center stage. Dancers in pastel-colored body suits stretched and twirled like ma- chines; dancers in Vaudeville-style costumes with black and white geometric patterns, polka dots - leave the other designs to the imagination - swiftly moved from left center stage to right center stage while depicting humorous skits; dancers in flowered print, smock dresses covered with red aprons and red bandanas moved militaristically while a ballerina fluttered about; and don't forget the three gymnasts who performed remarkable stunts. I was completely unprepared for this. Certain scenes were disappoint- ing, not because the dancers were inept; on the contrary, they were very skilled and professionally trained. But the combination of tal- ent and commendable choreography created a vast amount of abstractness - an element that was difficult to appreciate. A woman sitting next to me ex- pressed a similar view. "I could be at home watching patterns on televi- sion," she said. "The dancing doesn't won't be appreciated as much if you're not used to this kind of danc- ing." "Pastore," the first act in the sec- ond set of performances, proved to Dancers in pastel-colored body suits stretched and twirled like machines; dancers in Vaudeville-style costumes with black and white geometric patterns, polka dots - leave the other designs to the imagination - swiftly moved from left center stage to right center stage... be more enjoyable. The theme, cen- tering around a hero and heroine dancing blissfully in what was ap- parently Utopia, became more con- crete. This act featured life-sized props, such as sheep and forest trees, carried by hidden dancers dressed in black. The cloud that descended near the stage floor, behind which a dancer represented a god, was equally impressive. A powerful tool used in many of the scenes was a big screen on which larger-than-life sized images ap- peared. The visual imagery, produced at the Center for the Performing Arts and Technology, was a novel con- cept, but at times, the dominating images took away the spotlight from the dancers. Dancing was undoubtedly what Viva Stravinsky! was comprised of, but it would show partiality only to mention that aspect. Music was also an integral part of the production. The scores weren't the most inspira- tional I've heard, but they were pro- ficiently played by members of the Jazz Ensemble and the University Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra played not only well, but originally. The score was often played by different solo in- struments, rather than by the entire orchestra simultaneously. As each instrument was played, the dancers adjusted themselves to the rhythm of the music. The Women's Glee Club also gave a potent performance, par- ticularly at the beginning of the sec- ond act, when one of the members performed an operatic piece. This dancing extravaganza was considerably lengthy, but that didn't hinder the production from being in- geniously creative. After the fire- works finale and generous applause, I took one last look at the gold ge- ometric designs accenting the black stage curtain. Suddenly, everything didn't seem so abstract. I The Cult The Manor Sessions, EP Beggar's Banquet This EP consists of the initial recordings of songs included on the band's 1987 Electric album. The songs, "Love Removal Machine," "Wild Flower," "Electric Ocean," "Outlaw," and "Bad Fun," were all produced by the man behind Love 's boards, Steve Brown. These original recordings show the synthesis be- tween Love's sterling, multi-layered guitar driven songs and Electric's snarling, straight-ahead, almost heavy metal bass and guitar attacks. According to the EP's liner notes, after recording the songs in the summer of1986 with Brown, the band felt, "The recordings did not reflect the hard edge of their music and wanted a cleaner sound." Rick Rubin, of Beastie Boys fame, then contacted the band and asked to produce their next album. The band agreed and re- recorded the songs they had already finished. The rest is, as they say, history. The totally different sound on these original record- ings show how much the re-recorded songs suffered by letting Rubin re-produce them. Even if you thought Electric was one of 1987's best albums, these songs ' are, for the most part, even better. The songs bridge the gap between the great guitar work of Love and thex more explosive power of Electric, "Wild Flower" on this recording is a radically differ- ent song than the one on Electric, but it is still as good in a different way. While on Electric the song appears 7 as a straight ahead, guitar-laiden love song, this version is much more mellow, in the vein of "Revolution" from Love. This take of "Bad Fun" sounds like The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "No Fun" twisted by a de- ranged Bo Diddley beat. It's more raw and exciting: than its Electric counterpart, which seemed too bogged,. down in excess bass. Astbury's vocals are also* raunchier, and Les Warner's drumming is a notch above his playing on the Electric version. Perhaps the best of the five original versions is: "Electric Ocean." The biggest and worst change Rubin and The Cult made in the re-recordings was leaving off its original guitar riff. This brilliant guitar crescendo is certainly one of Duffy's best ever. The song also has a few lyrical and musical changes which show that Rubin did nothing but harm this song while re-produc- ing it. Hopefully all the rumors floating around about a Cult break-up are just that - rumors. But, if The Cult has dissolved, this EP is definitely a worthy swan song for one of the 1980s' best bands. -Bill Yochim CLASSIFIED ADS ' ® HELP WANTED HELP WANTED APARTMENT MANAGER-looking for an honest and hardworking upperclassman or grad student to manage a student complex on a part-time basis. Some maintenance work is required. Send resume to P.O. Box 7072, Ann Arbor 48107. ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR for Camp Courageous, a residential summer camp for ple with mental retardation, located near Toledo, Ohio. A bachelor's degree in related field and/or considerable expe nence in camp programmmg is required. To apply, contact the Camp Irector, 151 N. Michigan, Suite 200 Davis Bldg., Toledo, OH 43624 (41 )242-4412. ATTENTION Some jobs pay well. Some jobs change the world. This job does both. Work for the Michigan Citizens Lobby. Work full/part time. Hrs. 2pm-10 pm. Eam $275/wk. full time. Call 9-5p 663-6824. BABYSITTER NEEDED Less Than 1 mile from Central Campus 747-7333 Call btw. 5- 8. PERFECT FOR STUDENTS! Part time jobs with MAJOR telemarket- ing company working evenings. $5- $8/hour. Flexible hours. Located 2 BLOCKS from Student Union. Call 996-8890. Ask for Mr. Rush THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN De- partment of Dermatology research unit needs volunteers to test new therapies for: hives and eczema. Clinic visits and medication are pro- vided free for eligible persons. Call 313-936- 400for more details. CAMP COUNSELORS - M/F - Outstanding Slim and Trim Down Camps: Tennis, Dance, Slimnastics, WSI, Athletics, Nutri- tion/Dietetics. Age 20+. 7 weeks. CAMP CAMELOT on COLLEGE CAMPUSES at Mass., Penn., Calif. Contact: Michelle Friedman 947 Hewlett Dr., No. Woodmere, N.Y. 11591, 800-421-4321. CAMP COUNSELORS wanted for Camp Courageous, a residential summer camp for people with mental retardation, located near Toledo, Ohio. To apply, contact the Camp Director, 151 N. Michigan Suite 200, Davis Bldg., Toledo, OH 43624 (419)242-4412. CAMP STAFF for Vermont 8-week sister- brother camp. Landsports, swim, sail, a/c, tennis, gymnastics, canoe, dance, and water ski. For information contact CAMP DUN- MORE: 665-6792 or 914-967-4869. GRAND HOTEL Mackinac Island--summer staff positions. Pool, tennis, golf, children's program, gardeners, and carriage drivers. Writefor aplication--Mr. R. Bamwell PO Box 1254 Mackinac Island, MI 49757. HOW MUCH DO YOU WEIGH? If you're an average or overweight freshman man or woman we're interested in learning about your eating habits. Be part of a National Health research project by calling the School of Public Health: 747-0217. $10 paid to each participant. LUNCH RM. SUPERVISORS 11-1 pm; teacher substitutes. Go Like the Wind! School. Supervise Lunch and recess for K-6 students. 1 min. from campus. 747-7422. MICHIGAN UNION Board of Reps: We are looking for 9Bstudents to sit on this advisorCCy board. Help to form your Union/NCC. Applications available at CIC 764-0557 HELP WANTED PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD!!!!! If you find an error in your classified ad, please call the Classified Correction Hotline-764-0557. The Michigan Daily is only responsible for errors in classified ads if notified by 5:00 pm on the first date of publication. THANK YOU ! SUMMER JOBS! CAMP SEQUOIA. NEW YORK STATE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. Cabin Counselor/Instructor and Specialty In- structor positions available in ALL LAND AND WATER SPORTS WSI), TENNIS, WATERSKIING THEATE, ART, EN- GLISH, RIDINd, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MANY MORE. Additional positions avail- able in all facets of KITCHN, DINING ROOM SECRETARIAL AND MAINTE- NANCL. Work available as early as May 1st. For information and aplication, WRITE: SEQUOIA-Mgn., BOX 1045, WOODS- STOCK, NY, 12498 or CALL: (914) 679- 5291. E.O.E. TEMPORARY Part-time Research secretary II or III. Ave. 15 hrs/flexible schedule expe- rienced IBM, Microsoft word. Call 744-3214 School of Public Health. Non-discrim., af- firm. action employer. TEMPORARY WORK Need people for 2 weeks at hospitol pay $6 to $7 per hour after 500 see Jim in Medical Info or call 769-0700 ext. 214. To study alone for the MCAT's is nearly impossible. To study without Stanley H. Kaplan is simply a bad career move. Maybe it's our 50 years of experience. Our small classes and advanced teaching methods. Or a research department that reacts to test changes before most companies even know they exist. Whatever it is, if medicine is in your future, Stanley H. Kaplan can help you start practicing right now r:,.. C..,11 flon rn .. n T ------------------------------------------ B I T -N t"11-% A X-A x A mr. n E'.