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Laing Lecture
Art History professor Ellen Laing
gives a lecture on "Chinese Women
Painters in the Early 20th Century" at
the Center for Chinese Studies today
from 12 tol in the Lane Hall Com-
mons. You know, where they have
that cool replica of an Oriental sitting
room. Bring a bag lunch. Call 764-
6308.
Attention Potter Fans
If you're not into art with your
lunch, how about a little literature, or
literature for little people? Beatrix
Potter fan Liz Elling, who belongs to
the Beatrix Potter Society of London,
gives a talk about Potter's life as a
farmer, naturalist and and landscape
conservationist. This all has to do with
the fact that it's 100 years since "The
Tale of Peter Rabbit" was published.
The fun takes place from 12:10-1 in
the multipurpose room of the Ann
Arbor Public Library and it's free.
Call 994-2342.
Do the Congo
This weekend at StudioABichinis
Bia Congo, Ann Arbor's traditional
Congolese dance company, presents
their second spring concert. This year's
show is titled "B intsamou BiaCongo,"
or "Dance and Memories. of the
Congo." The group aims to promote
the cultural heritage ofAfrica through
dance anddrum, presenting traditional
rituals ceremonies of birth, death and
everyday life. Performances are Fri-
day and Saturday at 8 p.m., with a
matinee Saturday at 2 p.m., in the
School of Dance building next to the
CCRB. Tickets are $7, $5 for stu-
dents, and are available at the Union
Ticket Office. Call 763-TKTS.
The River Game
"The Crying Game" isn't the only
movie playing at the Michigan The-
ater, though you might think so from
all the hype it's getting. Two much
more accomplished films are playing
right after it. "Winter Light" is an
Ingmar Bergman film dealing with a
Crowes throw Homeric party
backwoods minister and his crisis of
faith (with Bergman, what else is
there). That's at 7:10. Even better is
"A River Runs Through It," Robert
Redford's best film as a director, even
surpassing his extraordinary "Ordi-
nary People." Along with the breath-
taking vistas of the Montana land-
scape, and some subtly powerful nos-
talgic evocations of the bygone fron-
tier, Redford supplies a heartbreaking
voice-overnarration. Maybe the mov-
ies are better off with Redford behind
them, instead, of in them. "A River
Runs Through It" is playing at 9:10.
Get a little J. D.
Judy Davis doesn't have any new
movies out for awhile, but if you
absolutely have to have your J. D. fix
right now and you've seen EVERY-
THING she's been in, how about
renting a little-known made for t. v.
flick called "One Against the Wind."
Davis was nominated for an Emmy
for her volcanic, as usual, portrayal of
a socialite turned resistance worker in
World War II. Watch Judy yell. Watch
Judy charm. Watch Judy tell the Nazis
to fuck off. Why Davis didn't actually
win the Emmy, we don't know for
sure.
by Scott Sterling
Momma, don't let your babies grow up to be Black Crowes. If so, all they're
gonna do is throw Bacchanalian parties in the devil's church for youth gone
wild. Such was the case last Sturday night, as the Crowes transformed Hill
Auditorium into one huge party temple of Homeric proportions.
Emerging from behind a curtain of
CONCERTElights that resembled falling stars (and
The Black Crowes a hypnotizing soundtrack of religious
chanting), the Crowes tore into a blaz-
Hill Auditorium ing version of"No SpeakNo Slave" on
astage that looked like afriendly pirate
ship docked at Mardi Gras. Singer
Chris Robinson and his merry tribe of musical bandits could do no wrong, as
they forged an unforgettable groove trail of good old fashioned rock 'n' roll,
baby.
Chris Robinson is definitely one consummate showman. Yer boy is one
spot-on amalgamation of rock royalty: imagine Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger,
James Brown and Janis Joplin rolled into one impossibly skinny body. He was
the center of attention all night, working the stage with his signature exorcising
demons rain dance and bluesy, ganja-soaked howl (which was in much
abundance, as the Crowes specify that concertgoers can toke down hassle-free
at all of their shows).
They premiered a new song, "The Nowhere Stairs," a roomful o' blues take
on (dare I say it?) 'grunge.' This song boasts one of those timelessly perfect
choruses of a rock classic - the "B lack Dog" of the'90s (It'll be a crime if they
don't record this gem).
Robinson was talking stoner speak all night, most eloquently when he
announced an instrumental song as "The jam, the one that goes into the other
part." This Grateful Dead on Pink Floyd's front porch madcap psychedelic
swirl merged perfectly into an epic version of "Thorn In My Pride." Featuring
ahot harmonica break by Robinson, the song was reminiscent of the days when
Magic Dick and the J. Geils Band would routinely 'Blow your face out.'
While Chris Robinson is the Black Crowes' ringleader, it's his brother Rich
that holds anchors this blues train. He boasts more killer riffs than a young Keith
Richards; and orchestrates the rest of the band. This was most apparent on a
steamy run through of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds." When the rest of the
band looked lost as he kicked into the tune, his glare put everyone right back
on track.
The Crowes rolled out hit after hit, mixing up songs from both their debut
and the amazing "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion." "Jealous
Again," "Bad Luck Blue Eyes" and "Hard To Handle" kept the capacity crowd
on their feet.
They encored with a crunchy "Sometimes Salvation" (marred by a couple
of boneheads fighting, but Chris Robinson put an end to that real quick) and
ended with a sprawling, almost gospel version of "Remedy" (Two points for the
nice body check by bassist Johnny "Bob Probert" Colt on an over-zealous
stage-crasher).
On second thought momma, let your babies go. The world could definitely
use more bashes like this one. The show of the year so far.
More, please.
Davis
n n
Chris Robinson waves . The Black Crowes blew Ann Arbor away Saturday.
Shadows of 'Nanook of the North'
by Sarah Weidman
The notion of the white man bring-
ing his culture and civilization to vul-
nerable territories has returned. In this
case, the Inuits of the Far North are the
beneficiaries, or victims (however you
want to look at it), of the "White Man's
Shadow of the Wolf
Directed by Jacques Dorfmann; written
by Rudy Wurlitzer, Evan Jones; with
Lou Diamond Phillips, Toshiro Mifune
and Donald Sutherland.
Burden." This relationship between
Western civilization values and those of
the Inuit are captured in aglorious land-
scape with believable performances and
lots of fur in "Shadow of the Wolf."
Based on a novel by Yves Theriault,
"Shadow" approaches this racial con-
flict from the perspective of the Inuit.
Their civilization has been invaded by
the villainous white men, and they're
being ripped off. But what do they get in
return? Rifles, alcohol, and tobacco.
They become dependent on the weap-
ons for survival, and the tie between the
two cultures is tightened.
Agaguk (Lou Diamond Phillips) is
the son of Kroomak (Toshiro Mifune),
an Inuit village's Shaman. While his
father cooperates with the white man,
Agaguk becomes increasingly hostile
of their presence and is driven to mur-
der. He and his father can't see eye-to-
eye, a fight ensues, and Agaguk is dis-
owned by his pop. He and his wife
Igiyook (Jennifer Tilly) flee the village
and set up shop alone in the wild tundra.
Igiyook is a tenacious woman with
unwavering opinions and a really dis-
tracting voice. That's Jen Tilly. Delivery
aside, Tilly's character provides depth
to the virtually flat character of Agaguk.
She enlightens him on ability of women
to speak their mind, have babies sitting
up, and save lives in their spare time.
Her strength makes Igiyook the most
impressive character in this man vs.
man vs. nature flick.
It's not that Lou's performance is
bad. Agaguk is a restricting guy. You
know he's got a lot to say, but other than
telling Igiyook she"talkstoo much," he
just won't open up. As Kroomak says
later in a completely unrelated context,
he "finds many ways to say nothing."
...Tilly's character
provides depth... She
enlightens him on
ability of women to
speak their mind, have
babies sitting up, and
save lives in their spare
time.
Donald Sutherland plays Henderson,
the territorial police officer who tries to
schmooze Kroomak and solve the mur-
der mystery. He gives the village liquor
and cigarettes with the hopes of gaining
a confession. His arrival on a jiffied-up
sled complete with brakes and an an-
chor is seen as an intrusion, and
Henderson realizes he's not liked very
much. The mystery goes unsolved.
The fancy sled symbolizes the pres-
ence the white man has created in the
territory.He has come to make changes,
starting with the basics. The true aim of
the settlers, a missionary purpose, is
evidenton several occasions. Bibles are
given out for free at the normally stingy
trading post, small Inuit children walk
while singing religious hymns, and vil-
lage leaders compare the role of the
resurrected Shamans to the story ofJesus.
The subtlety of religious conversions
creates a stronger impression of the white
man's purpose than the sight of an Inuit
playing with a toy airplane.
These are the philosophies behind
the movie. The actual plot follows
Agaguk and Igiyook through the trials
on their own. They brave harsh winters
and fierce animals, yet manage to stick
together. Although their lives are excit-
ing, the plot drags and it's easy to get
bored. Yet through it, there's an odd
sense of mysticism thatkeeps you watch-
ing.
It's clear who the victim is here, and
it isn't the preachin' man. The Inuit
people struggle to retain their culture
while the foreigners try to break it.
"Shadow of the Wolf" makes a strong
statement about change. Some things
should be let alone, including other
people's culture.
SHADOW OF THE WOLF is playing
at Showcase.
Students:
"If your hair isn't becoming to
you, you should be
comin to us."
*6 Stylists *No Waiting
Liberty off State 668-9329
What happened to Lou Diamond Phillips? He's a stand-in for Kevin Costner in "Dances with Shadows of Wolves."
IN THE FACE OF
DANGER!
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