The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-City-Thursday, September 9, 1993 - Page 7
--, Minstrels make their mark
? D Bongo Man, others add color to everyday life

MARY KOUNMaly
Ann Arbor resident Karen Staman tries on an old pair of overalls. Used clothing stores are big draws in A.
Avalanche of acoutrements
available around Ann Arbor

by Jon Altshul
Daily Staff Reporter
As the cultural capital of Michigan,
Ann Arbor has become a haven for
every two-bit vagabond minstrel with a
yearning for quick cash. Indeed, the
prevalence of the quintessential pan-
handling street performer unquestion-
ably adds a refreshing authenticity to
the city's already benign charm.
But while some performers are pro-
fessionals - having woven their own
unique talents since infancy - others
are hustlers - spreading false prophe-
cies and twisted music, so as to gyp
every naive undergraduate out of
daddy's hard-earned dough.
From troubadour to sidewalk pas- - I
tor, the Ann Arbor jongleur culture of-
fers a sampling of wisdom for every
attentive pedestrian.
From the Harmonica Man perched
permanently on the benches next to
Haven Hall to Stoney Burke, the itner-
antanarchistbemoaningpolitical theory
on the Diag benches, the performers
present themselves unabashedly to the
University community. Each is a dis-
tinctly unique advocate of the First
Amendment
Shaky Jake - The great gypsy
giant of Ann Arbor. Utterly bereft of
rhythm, soul, and talent, Jake is nothing
more than acat-calling, pitch-deaf local
icon. With his guitar always hopelessly
out-of-tune and his fingers always too
tight to even press against the frets, he
bangs away inaudibly yelling and r
screaming at every semi-attractive
woman who catches his eye.
Still, his trademark Woolworth's
white sun glasses and tacky pleather "
shoes make Jake a must-see for all State w
Street interlopers. He was once spotted
in the Union, surrounded by a mob of
elementary school kids who mercilessly
pushed pencils and paper upon their
hero. "Yes, that's right kids," he ex-
plained in his raspy moan, "I really am
Ray Charles." Indeed, we all break for . x
Shaky Jake.
The Harmonica Man - A new Local icon Shaky Jake struts his stuf
addition to the Ann Arbor street per-
former scene. The beloved Harmonica
Man has captured the hearts of many a part, he is approachable and honest.
late-night passer-by with his patented, He'll try to blow outa lousy-sound-
nasal-sounding "Good luck in your ing tune on his dilapidated instrument,
classes, now." Like Jake, the "Man" is always failing miserably. Nevertheless,
similarly musically inept, but unlike his you'll fish around your pocket for spare
somewhat aloof guitar playing counter- change simply because he makes no

by Jessie Halladay
and Uz Shaw
'Daily Staff Reporters
You may wonder why poor college students would need
to know where to go shopping. Well, the answer is simple -
CHARGE!!!! Ann Arbor is a place where all tastes can find
something to buy.
There are three major shopping areas in this town of
recycled clothes -State and Liberty Streets, South Univer-
sity and Main Street. They're all within walking distance of
one another, but seem worlds apart. Those who shop the
resale and underground-scene of State and Liberty tend to
steer clear of the preppy, university-wear of South U. and the
swanky shops on Main.
Let's start with the basics. As soon as you hit Ann Arbor
you willhear about Urban Outfitters, located under the State
Theater. On the whole, this store is overpriced but trendy all
the same.And despite what you may think when you walk in,
the clothes are actually new.
Also on State is Marty Walker, for those with a more
straight-laced style. Look for good sales. Other places to
checkouton StateandLiberty are Mast Shoes, the SilverFox
(jewelry) and the Arcade. And for those of you who prefer to
wear someone else's clothes, State is jam-packed with sec-
ond-hand shops (okay, maybe there are three). Their prices
aren't as low as one expects when buying less than new

clothing, but they will do.
Keep heading down Liberty and you will hit the artist's
mecca that is Main Street. Studios and gift boutiques line
both sides of this semi-pretentious district. But if you are
looking for a gift for mom, check it out
Calling all fratmen and sorority women! Pay heed and we
will tell you where to shop -South U. Safe sex is in fashion
and to get the latest styles in sex wear, head to Condom Sense.
There isn'tany sex paraphernalia at Middle Earth, but it's still
an adventure in knick-knack shopping.
Tower Records and Wherehouse Records compete for
your business less than a block apart, so you're contributing
to the competition when you choose one or the other for your
mood music. And don't forget the Village Corner and Hop-
In for those late-night Combos cravings.
If you really must hit the mall, never fear. Briarwood is
only a bus ride away. Just hop on the number six in front of
the Union and you're right there in the heart of the suburban
mall scene. Classics like the Gap, Express, Banana Republic
and the Limited can all be found in this one air-conditioned
and convenient location.
Well, we think this should give you a good idea where
to start. Unless you don't have a job, then the Visa people
know where you should begin. No matter what means you
use, be sure to look for us on the hot sale trail. Happy
hunting!

MICHELLE GUY'
I while sporting those stylish specs.
pretensions of out-doing Miles Davis.
*The Bongo Man - Hands down
Ann Arbor's most talented sdewalk
minstrel. The Bongo Man is a fi'-ure on
the northwest comer of the Diag.
See MINSTREL, Page 9

Off-campus housing is popular option

by Brett Forrest
Daily NSE Editor
Granted, a large majority of students
live inadormitory during their first year
at theUniversity. However, most people
also move out of the residence halls at
some point during their academic ca-
reer - some sooner than others.
Nevertheless, when you do make
the jump to off-campus housing, there
are many ins and outs, a few turns in the
road, and a multitude of pitfalls you
might want to avoid.
As aforementioned, most students
elect to move off campus after their first
year in the dorms.
Fifty-three percentof dorm residents
are first-year students while 26 percent
are sophomores.
Senior Housing Advisor Mary
Perrydore said approximately 20,000
students live off campus.

Many of these students cited a strict
meal regiment, a lack of privacy and a
feeling of confmiement as grievances
that led to their decisions to make the
move out of the dorms.
"I needed more room and a flexible
eating schedule," said LSA junior Raj
Shah, who lived in South Quad two
years ago and off campus last year.
"There's a lot more flexibility living
in a house. There are no quiet hours
either," he added.
But living off campus can also cre-
ate complications as students discard
the homey atmosphere of the dorms and
fend for themselves.
"Upon moving in, our apartment
was not in the shape the rental company
said it would be," LSA sophomore
Hooman Ghanzafari said. "They also
hedged around some of the promises
they made."

When problems such as these arise,
students can turn to the Ann Arbor Ten-
ants Union (AATU) for help.
"We receive 300 calls a month,"
AATU program coordinator Jerri
Schneider said. "We can help in terms
of giving information as to which laws
apply to a certain situation."
Price is often a factor in a student's
decision to stay in University housing
or go elsewhere.
Alan Levy, public relations director
of the University Housing Division,
said a standard double in a University
dorm costs $4,284 for the eight-month
academic year.
According to a survey by the
University's Housing Information Of-
fice, a furnished one-bedroom apart-
ment located in a one-mile radius from
Central Campus averages $772 per
month.

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