Check out fun stories and music for children of all ages. The Ann Arbor District Library hosts Elizabeth James tonight for its weekly Evening Voyages program. Come hear the gifted storyteller recite her exciting musical adventures. The free show begins at 7 p.m. at The Ann Arbor Library, 343 S. Fifth St. For more information, call 994-2345. Monday February 10, 1997 TanzMusik' captivates in historical performance Artistic movement modernizes classic art ByAnitha Chalam D-y Arts Writer In 1909, poet E T. Martinetti and filends formed a group and began an artistic movement known as Italian Futurism. The Futurists were an inter- esting group for a number of reasons. First was their manifesto, denying the past and demand- ing that the public look at contempo- R rary Italian art. Second was the group's composi- tion - unlike many art move- ments, writers, painters, sculptors and musicians all worked together in a sin- gle group. And third, perhaps because of the group's composition, the Futurists were interested in a crossover of arts - working with paint as well as poetry, or music as well as sculpture, and recognizing that these are two very distinct media. Though their denial of the past was noble, in truth, the Futurists relied on old vocabulary and used it in new ways. This is the essence of modern art: to say or do something new with conventional means. And modern dance is no differ- entfrom any other modern art form. It takes ballet and attempts to bring it back to the earth, removing the shoes, leaving behind the tutus. The dance is grounded, vibrant, passionate, even vio- lent; everything for which the Futurists stogd. On Thursday evening, the University Dance Company brought to stage its modern dance performance, TanzMusik. The dance was accompa- nied by the University Symphony Orchestra, and the combination of the two would have made Martinetti proud. The University brilliantly played EVIEW TanzMusik Power Center Feb. 6, 1997 (i.e. not ballet), Symphony Orchestra the works of estab- lished German composers, very much ballet music, while the Dance Company per- formed in a manner antithetical to what one might expect distinguishing the music and dances as separate, yet at the same time exquisitely interpreting the music. The first piece of the evening was called "Untitled," danced to Franz Scubert's Symphony No. 8 in B Minor. The piece started in silence, with two women running around on stage. As they ran off, the first movement began, featuring male dancers. Throughout the piece the genders remain separate, never dancing together, in keeping with the choreographer's interpretation of the oppositional pulls heard throughout the piece. The departure from ballet was clear, seen especially in the major sections. The dance was smooth, then choppy, clear, then abstruse. The piece came to an end with a single female, standing in the dark- ness, in silence, which was broken by the thundering applause of the audi- ence. The second piece, "Seriouso," now and then was accompanied by Felix Mendelssohn's Variations S6rieuses in D Minor, Op. 54, played on solo piano. In spite of its title, this was a lighthearted and playful piece, analyz- ing love in the 19th and 20th centuries, ending with a look towards the 21st. This short piece was comical, as the audience watched four couples all engaged in the process of yearning and flirtation. The dancers were intriguing, turning such banal activi- ties as jogging, reading the newspaper and talking on the phone into dance. The piece was much enjoyed by the audience as well, which laughed throughout and clapped loudly at the end of the piece. After a brief intermission came an all female number, "Waltzscape," by Stephen Rush. The piece dealt with the introduction of the waltz into 19th cen- tury society, though the waltz was never actually danced in the piece. When originally introduced, the waltz was thought to be shocking and provocative, entirely too passionate for respectable people. Waltzscape takes that passion and celebrates it throughout time, as the women dance in a Caribbean style at some points and even do the acclaimed Roger Rabbit from a decade fondly remem- bered. The piece was comical, like its predecessor, and vibrant, again draw- ing the enthusiastic applause of the Dancers perform in "TanzMusik" at the Power Center. audience. The final piece of the evening was Paul Taylor's "Esplanade." The piece was performed to J. S. Bach's Violin Concerto in E Major and also his D Minor Concerto for Two Violins, featur- ing USO soloists. This dance first pre- miered in 1975 and was loved by critics Futurists, modern dance is oftentinies and audiences alike. The same is true difficult to understand, yet always. nearly 25 years later. Esplanade was a intriguing to see. And just as modern art great success, bringing a remarkable is critical and even somewhat logical'in end to a remarkable evening of music the history of art, so is modern dancet and dance. its own history, making Tanzmusik Like modern art, such as that of the historical significance. 'Comics on Delivery' needs help being funny By Julia Shih Daily Arts Writer "Sometimes you need a plumber, sometimes you need a doctor or a lawyer. But sometimes what you need is a comic to help you deal with your life ...." While listening to the theme song to Comedy Central's new show, "Comics on Delivery" ("COD"), you R can't help but think of one more line that would fit4 perfectly:C Sometimes you New need some humor when you're supposed to be a comedy show. This newest addition to Comedy Central's lineup sends out today's hottest comics to help people with their problems. You can't get a date'? Call 1-800-COMEDIAN. You need a new roommate? Call 1-800-COME- DIAN. They'll solve your problem ... but just don't expect them to be that funny. The concept behind "COD" is a novel one, and it will be interesting to see where the show will go with it. How well will they be able to solve people's E C( w e comic explosion. One can only hope that they'll start getting funny soon. As stand-up comedians need some time before a show to warm up, maybe "COD" also needs a few shows to real- ly get going. The half-hour series debuted not so long ago on Jan. 20, and so far, some of the problems they've already tackled include: helping an unemployed man .VIEW land his dream job as "Chuck E. Comics on Cheese," helping a Delivery recently divorced omedy Central man back onto the pisodes Mon. 10 p.m. dating scene and assisting a man with buying a new car. One of the funnier escapades involves comedian Andy Kindler helping a woman who is possessed by a phobia of birds. Starting with a cooked chicken and progressing to a talking raw one, Kindler slowly eases the woman past her fear of birds while interjecting a large amount of witty and impromptu humor. Other times that "COD" makes view- ers chuckle usually occur after a comic has done a good deed. Their attitude of mock self-importance is amusing, as they declare how helpful they have just been. Moments *. You are welcome to Ash Wednesday Meditative worship for Campus and Community An ecumenical service of Scripture, prayer, silence, meditative singing of music from the Taiz6 Community, imposition of ashes and Holy.Communion Febi ruary 12 7:00 p First Presbyterian Church 1432 Washtenaw Ave. 662-4466 p.m. problems or make people's dreams come true when their only weapon is a great sense of humor? We will soon find out. With an all- star group of comedians that includes Kevin Meaney, Jeff Ross, Chuck Booms, Steve Kightlinger, Andy of inspiration and silliness like this Sometimes you say that it is too needsom hum r erlyin the sea- msonto dismiss this show as crap. when you're homAshe Some other suppsedto e a stories to look supposed to be a for in the future comedy show include Chuck Booms helping talk show host Jerry Springer White, Laura prepare for his day, Susie Essman Kindler, Orlando teaching Florida Panthers' Paul Laus to "Comics on Delivery" are here to help you Maybe someone can help them with theirp helping a 70-year-old woman who loves to dance find a young dance partner. There is a lot of potential for hilari- ty this season on "Comics on Delivery." If all works out as planned, the show should be delivering a truck- load of laughs. So you might just want to tune in. Not only do you get to see some of your favorite comedians interact with people just like you, but with all of your wacked-out problems. 3 problem of not being funny. you also get to witness the bizarre problems and dreams; that people, have. And maybe if you are feeling espe cially inspired after watching this:' show, you can give them a call about; helping you out with one of your: problems. Because as they say in the } theme song, "That's what they're he; for!" Sponsored by the campus ministries and congregations of Campus Chapel, Canterbury House; Ann Arbor Christian Reformed, First Presbyterian, Lord of Light Lutheran and University Reformed churches Jones and Susie Essman, among others, "COD" has enough power for a massive avoid penalties during the game by playing nice and Monique Marvez AN ARMY SCHOLARSHIP COULD HELP YOU THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOL 5' The U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program offers a unique opportunity for financial support to mcd- Iical or osteopathy students. Financial k siinnr)ort inlcludles tuition, hooks, and Recycle the Daily. ...... ....