A RTS The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 3, 1997 - 3D Concert venues rock audiences By Elizabeth Lucas and Philip Son Daily Arts Writers ' Live music may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words "Ann Arbor." Yet this city boasts a number of musical venues that are sure to please fans of rock, jazz, folk or any other type of music. To begin with, Hill Auditorium is located on Central Campus, just across from the Diag. Along with a number of University-related events, Hill Auditorium hosts several concerts each *ear - the auditorium is known for its magnificent acoustics. This past year, Blues Traveler and INXS played stellar shows at Hill, as did University musical groups like Amazin' Blue and the Men's Glee Club. The School of Music also presents numerous free (or inexpensive) events at Hill, including its legendary, and always sold-out, Halloween concert. Ann Arbor's most historic music venue is The Ark. Located at 316 S. #lain St., The Ark offers a varied selec- tion of music: bluegrass, blues, R&B, jazz and folk. This is usually a good place to catch up-and-coming artists in a smaller, less crowded setting. The Ark also co-sponsors the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in January, and the Frog Island festival, which features folk, blues and zydeco artists, in July. Fans of alternative, pop and rock music have several venues to enjoy. The Blind Pig (208 S. First) hosts local bands like South Normal, Getaway Cruiser and the Holy Cows, as well as the occasional major-label musician. Unfortunately, most first-year students can't partake of this excitement, as the Blind Pig has a strict 19-and-over policy. (Fake IDs will get you nowhere - your best bet is to celebrate your 19th birthday in grand style by going to Windsor and then catch- ing a Blind Pig show.) Rick's American Cafe, better known as Rick's (611 Church St.), offers alter- native/rock bands, with the reputation of serving a largely Greek-based clien- tele. Though Rick's is a little on the mainstream side, it's also more accessi- ble, with an 18-and-over policy. A more relaxed setting can be found at the Bird of Paradise (207 S. Ashley St.), a restaurant with live jazz perfor- mances. The Bird of Paradise is classy and comfortable, with a less manic atmosphere than that usually found at Rick's or the Blind Pig. For a truly original concert event, go to the Michigan Theater. This theater (603 E. Liberty) shows classic, foreign and independent movies, but occasion- ally it also hosts concerts. At the Michigan Theater, you're likely to see famous (or soon-to-be famous) artists in a unique, intimate setting. Some past Michigan Theater shows have included BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily Colin Stetson, a graduate of the School of Music, performs avante jazz with has band Transmission at the Blind Pig on June 12. The Blind Pig showcases locally based and nationally known musicians. the Verve Pipe, the Indigo Girls, and Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Ann Arbor isn't far from two other venue sites - Pontiac and Detroit. Pontiac is home to more than the Detroit Lions. The Palace of Auburn Hills, a bas- ketball arena (I-75, exit 81), frequently hosts major-label acts like Phish and the Smashing Pumpkins. Further up the free- way (exit 89) is Pine Knob, an outdoor amphitheater that offers patrons either pavilion or hill seating. Before leaving Michigan, attend at least one concert at Pine Knob - preferably one like the Dave Matthews Band or Counting Crows, where you can dance and smoke various substances all over the hill. Pontiac is also home to Clutch Cargo's (65 E. Huron St. at Mill St.), a smaller venue that hosts trendy new acts like Veruca Salt, Foo Fighters and That Dog. Detroit's music venues are also small clubs, and they feature a variety of artists. St. Andrew's Hall (431 E. Congress) presents famous and not-so- famous alternative/rock musicians, such as Matthew Sweet, Soul Coughing and even Keanu Reeves' band, Dogstar. The State Theatre (2115 Woodward Ave.) hosts similar acts. Though you may not have a car and you may be only 17 or 18, have no fear: good concerts are still within reach. In Ann Arbor, a walk down the street may be all it takes for some rockin' live music. U,' A2 rich in theatrical fare By Christopher Tkaczyk Campus Arts Editor Ann Arbor offers such a wide variety and selection of the- ater that it doesn't compare to any other city in the state. With more than seven performing spaces contained within the city, Ann Arbor theaters and concert halls serve as temples to the theatrical arts. While most of the theater that comes out of Ann Arbor incor- porates the talents of artists and individuals who are associated with the University, there is also a large selection of live per- formance which generates from the non-University aspect of Ann Arbor. The University is considered by many to have one of the best theater departments in the United States. While there is little doubting this claim, it is often overlooked by theater critics and audiences alike when it comes to the amateur theatrical talents of non-theatrical concentrators. Many locals see Ann Arbor as the New York City of the Midwest. This is due largely to the high concer- tration of artistic expression and cre- ativity on its streets and in its build- ings. and Whether the buildings happen to be theaters or lecture halls is up to the per- serve as former. In and out of the classroom, students learn about the theater of life. to the thE And that's what theater is -, a grand interpretation of life that arts moves an audience to think and feel. Even a student who only experi- ences a small handful of productions while enrolled at the University still has the advantage of experiencing life not only as the doer, but also as the thinker - the student who takes what has been learned through the glory of live perfor- mance, and has somehow applied it to life. That is what to take from Ann Arbor's theater. The University's School of Music presents the largest bill of theater in Ann Arbor. This season's schedule includes "The Marriage of Bette and Boo" by Christopher Durang, "Ladyhouse Blues" by Kevin O'Morrison , Shakespeare's "Henry V' Sophocles' Greek drama "Antigone" and "The Best People," written by University alum and creator of the Hopwood Awards, Avery Hopwood. The fall opera will include two one-act productions: "L'enfant et les sortiliges" (The Child's Imaginations) by Maurice Ravel, book by Collette, and "Le Rosingof' (The Nightengale) by Igor Stravinsky, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen. The Dance Department will conduct its spring show with "The Choreography of Geography," a production featuring works by .Merce Cunningham and faculty choreographers. The Department of Musical Theater will present the Stephen Sondheim musical thriller "Sweeney Todd" in the fall, and "West Side Story" in the spring. Tickets for all School of Music productions can be purchased at the League Ticket Office, located in the back of the Michigan League near the Mendelssohn Theater. One of the University's hidden treasures is Basement Arts. While many hear about it, few experience some of the best the- ater in town. Basement Arts is a fully student-run production group that is housed in the Arena Theater, on the ground floor of the Frieze Building. While the Basement Arts productions in the past have all been admission free, last year brought a change when donations became accepted. This group's offer- ings shouldn't be overlooked, especially since the value received by the viewer is rich indeed. Student theater not associated through the School of Music is not as plentiful in Ann Arbor, but among established groups, few compare to the offerings of the groups sponsored by the University Activities Center. UAC sponsors two stu- dent-theater groups comprised of students from all concen- tration areas. MUSKET, UAC's musical theater group, pre- sents two shows each year - one in the fall and one in the Midnight movies give late- might fun By Kristin Long Weekend, Etc. Editor The final hours of a Friday night slowly dwindle to a close. You've had your fill of school for the week, and you are looking for a break. The near- est house party is too far away, and the fraternity scene does not top your list of things to do. There is nothing on televi- sion, and you think you have seen every good movie that is playing at the the- aters - or, then again have you? Two of the campus cinemas, the Michigan Theater and the State Theater, offer a wide array of late night films that exceed ordinary screenings. The selection stems from "Pulp Fiction" to "2001," and the show times begin after the placid have gone to sleep, and just as the wild ones roam the streets (usually around 11:30 p.m.). What makes these screenings unique and exciting is the atmosphere in which the films are shown. The aura of an antique theater that has pre-show organ interludes hardly compares to the stan- dard matinees and early evenings. The Michigan Theater (which turns 70 next year) has the mystique of an old-time moviehouse with its decor of the late 1920s and its acoustics that carry the sounds that make films come alive. Russ Collins, the executive direc- tor at the Michigan Theater, says, "A lot of times students don't realize what a tremendous asset (the Michigan Theater) is. It is one of the best things about going to a late-night show." The selection hardly follows the norm either. Collins says, "We offer an eclectic program of late night films. Instead of the standard monotony of modern features, we offer a wild mix from 'Monty Python' to 'Alien' to 'Clockwork Orange."' The diverse menu changes on a regular basis, and most films at the Michigan play ran- domly and only for a limited time. If classic cinema is not your style, the State runs more recently released films. "Pulp Fiction" and "Scream" have been among those that reign supreme after hours. Films like these that have a long- running appeal to the student popula- tion only run in the late-night spot. Engineering junior Ryan Sockalosky witnessed the 80 millimeter showing of "2001: A Space Odyssey" at the Michigan. "It was a more intimate movie-going experience because it was just me, the movie and other dedicated fans who braved the trek "he said. While many students go in normal attire, some films denote an occasion to get a little bizarre. Collins said that sometimes the Michigan holds a cos- tume or a look-alike contest. When a Marilyn Monroe classic is shown, many fans don Marilyn apparel to accentuate the mood. The mood, however, thrives on the more than clothes. The opportunity to see "Aliens" on the big screen is hardly one to be missed. Nor can one forget seeing "Scream" for the eighth time with fellow fans who long to be scared right before they go to bed. "We want to leave students with some- thing that is a unique part of their University experience," Collings said. Not all endeavors to the theater stay in one's memory as those that occur at unusual times, covering barely-run films. The most avid fans journey into the darkness to experience cinematic excellence at its finest. So maybe some popcorn and a pop do not have the same effects as what ensues after an evening on the party-circuit, but it does offer an experience to witness vintage movies in a classic venue. 14 ri Pd FILE PHOTO Kevin Canze, an employee at the University's Museum of Art, searches for a particular vase in the museum's permanent collection. *Campus-museuCms cultivate the arts spring. Last year, MUSKET showcased ______________ excellent new productions of Kander and Ebb's "Cabaret" and the ever-pop- ular "Jesus Christ Superstar." Students from all concentrations are encouraged to audition and volunteer. /S Another UAC-sponsored group is the Rude Mechanicals. The Rude atrical Mechanicals present two plays each year - one Shakespearean perfor- mance in the fall, and one modern piece in the winter. Expect Shakespeare to haunt the stage of the Mendelssohn the- ater this November when the Mechanicals present "Macbeth." The University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents two Gilbert and Sullivan operettas each year. Composed of University students and area amateur singers, UMGASS's shows prove to be entertaining. The Ann Arbor Civic Theater presents an average of 10 musicals and plays each year in the Mendelssohn Theater and the Ann Arbor Civic Theater, located off-campus near Washtenaw Rd. and 1-23. Not to be overlooked is Ann Arbor's Performance Network, the only professional theater in Ann Arbor that showcases many new plays as well as performance art. The network's season is teeming each year with fresh, exciting performances that com- plement the amateur scene often found at the University. Students get discount rates at some performances, and Thursday nights are usually pay-what-you-can nights. For students wishing to participate onstage, many of the orga- nizations mentioned above welcome new students to contribute their talents and creative energies. For students wishing to audi- tion for School of Music and Basement Arts productions, the Call Board, found on the second floor of the Frieze Building in front of room 2528 is the best place to look for casting calls. For those wishing to join UAC groups, visit Festifall on the Diag early in the term or go to the UAC office in the Union. Look for flyers around campus advertising auditions and productions. By Anitha Chalam and Anna Kovalszki Daily Arts Writers Art. Three letters, a thousand possibili- ties. And here in Ann Arbor, those who choose can experience every diverse possibility known to the art world. The first thought that may come to mind when pondering art might be art museums. Good thought, since the University of Michigan Museum of Art is the second-largest art museum in the state, and boasts one of the most impres- sive collegiate collections in the nation. The art museum houses permanent collections, as well as a number of spe- cial exhibitions throughout the year. Currently on display are two shows, "The Museum Collects: 20th-Century Works on Paper ll," a small but inter- esting show, and "Through the Looking Glass: Sculpture by Fred Sandback," a work in string, affectionately dubbed "the invisible installation." True enough, the thin yarn used by Sandback creates a subtle effect as he outlines delicate geometric shapes, and his con- cept of defining space is noteworthy. Both the Sandback installation and the 20th-century works on paper shows are on display through September. Special exhibitions run for approxi- mately two months at a time, and there are 13 temnorarv shows each calendar show will include 12 paintings from the Museum's permanent collection, with 1i more that will come from museums around the world. Temporary exhibitions are only a small part of the University's Museum of Art, however. The permanent collec- tion is enormous, with only about 2-3 percent on display at any one time..The first floor is devoted to periodic exhibits and permanent galleries of European and American painting and sculpture, from 1300-1900 AD. Well known artists and sculptors like Delacroix, Guercino, Rodin and Whistler represent their respective artistic movements. The 20th century gallery is located on the museum's upper level, as well as Chinese and Japanese galleries. Indian art resides in the apse area located above Sandback's "invisible installation." But for those who enter the Museum and wonder where the ancient Greek and Roman art resides, the answer lies down the street, at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Since many of these pieces have been recovered from site excavations, they are better suited to a museum of archaeology than one of art. Though much smaller than the Museum of Art, the Kelsey Museum also boasts an impressive collection. 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