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The Michigan Daily Weekend Maga:
14B - The Michigan Daily Weekend Magazine-- Thursday, December 3, 1998
A weekly guide to who's Thursday, Dec. 3
where, what's happening and through
why you need to e there ... Wednesday, Dec. 9
FROM JAMBOREE TO 'JIGGY WIT IT
Like to dance? Ann Arbor's got a lot
Films opening
Psycho Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot remake of the Hitchcock horror exemplar
may be a risky endeavor. At Showcase: 10:50, 11:20, 1:15, 1:45, 3:35, 4:05,
7:05, 7:35, 9:20, 9:50, 11:45, 12:15
Courtesy of Disney/Pixar
A group of bugs chat upon their arrival on Ant island in the latest animated
insect masterpiece, "A Bug's Life," now playing in theaters.
Films holding
***** A Classic
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Fair
* Not Worth Your Time, or Your Money
A Bug's Life**** Kevin Spacey and
Dennis Leary, along with a myriad of
other stars, lend their voices to this
computer-animated insect epic. Whoa,
dej6 vu. At Briarwood: 12, 2:20, 4:50,
7:10, 9:30 At Showcase: 10:40,
11:10, 11:50, 12:50, 1:20, 2:10, 3,
3:30, 4:30, 5;10, 5:40, 6:50, 7:20, 9,
9:30, 11, 11:30
American History X Edward Norton
Mtars in this chilling portrayal of hatred
and violence. At Showcase: 10:20,
12:35
Babe: A Pig In The City The little pork-
er is back. At Briarwood: 10:45, 11:15,
12:55, 1:25, 3:10, 3:40, 5:15, 5:45,
7:15, 8:05, 9:35, 11:40
Celebrity Kenneth Branaugh finally
gets laid in Woody Allen's new film
about blow jobs and bananas. At
Showcase: 10:25, 12:30
Enemy Of The State Will Smith gets
jiggy with Gene Hackman in this con-
spiracy thriller. No euphemism implied,
I hope. At Briarwood: 1:10, 4, 7, 9:50
At Showcase: 10:45, 12:30, 1:30,
3:15, 4:15, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 9:15, 9:45,
. -1 0:15, 12, 12:30
Home For Christmas Ever tried trick-or
-treating on the 24th? You'll get some
weird looks. At Showcase: 10:30,
12:10
Home Fries** No hamburgers in this
film. Nope, none of them. Just fries.
Lots and lots of fries. Fries until the sun
don't shine no more. Fries like your
mama never told you about. Fries until
heckfire freezes over. Fries, fries fries.
At Ann Arbor 1&2: 1:20, 3:20, 5:20,
7:20, 9:20 At Showcase: 10:55, 1,
3:05, 5:20, 7:25, 9:40, 11:50
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
*, Wow, ya still know. Last summer.
That's a long time ago. A bunch of
teenagers get slashed again. That's
impressive. At Briarwood: 1, 3:10,
5:20, 7:40, 10:10 At Showcase:
12:35, 2:45, 5:05, 8, 10:10, 12:25
Meet Joe Black **- Death takes
Brad Pitt's body and has sex with
Claire Forlani. Well, I guess there have
to be some fringe benefits when you're
an eternal harbinger of doom. At
Briarwood: 12:40, 4:20, 8 At
Showcase: 12:45, 4:20, 8:10, 9:25,
11:35
Pleasantville ***A Two '90s teens
bring new life and new perspective to a
fictional '50s TV land. At Briarwood:
1:20, 3:50, 7:30, 10
Ringmaster (No Stars) Hard to believe
that the denizens of Cinci would actu-
ally elect him their mayor, isn't it? At
Showcase: 1:50, 3:45, 5:50, 7:55, 10,
11:55
Rugrats: The Movie ** Nickelodeon
looks for critical acclaim with this ani-
mated masterpiece. At Briarwood:
12:30, 2:30, 4:40, 6:45, 9 At
Showcase: 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12:40,
1:10, 1:40, 2:50, 3:20, 3:50, 5, 5:30,
6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 9:10, 11:15
The Siege *, Hey, isn't that the name
of some ABL hoops team? At
Showcase: 8:15, 10:30, 12:35
Very Bad Things *** Cameron Diaz
and Christian Slater star in this "dark"
comedy - dark denoting the humor's
morbid tone, not the underdone light-
ing. At Showcase: 12:20, 2:40, 5:25,
7:45, 10:05, 12:20
The Waterboy ** Adam Sandler plays
a naive hero with few friends up against
humorous antagonists in a film with a
sports subplot. Originality of storyline
makes quality films. At Ann Arbor 1&2:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 At Showcase: 12:05,
2:15, 3:25, 4:35, 5:35, 6:45, 7:50,
9:05, 9:55, 11:10, 12:10
The Wizard Of Oz ***** Judy
Garland stars in the re-release of the
classic. At Showcase: 11:05, 1:05
Thursday
CAMPUS CINEMA
Life Is Beautiful (1997) The power of
imagination is explored next to the harsh
reality of World War II. Michigan Theater,
603 E. Liberty St. 7 & 9:30 p.m.
MUSIC
Aro Guthrie Long-favorite folk singer
brings his show to Ann Arbor. The Ark,
316 1/2 South Main St., 761-1451. 8
p.m. $17.50 in advance.
Aaron Siegel's Block Ann Arbor jazz quar-
tet. Siegel's the one on the drums.
Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. 4th
Ave., 769-2999.8 p.m. $5.
Derek Trucks Band HORDE blues-jazz
band touring in support of its new C.
Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., 996-8555 or
763-TKTS. 9 p.m. $8 at door.
THEATER
Boom Town Jeff Daniels ("Dumb and
Dumber") wrote and directed this intense
drama that examines three characters
who become entangled amidst their pas-
sion, power and small town politics.
Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park
St., Chelsea. (313) 475-7902. 8 p.m.
$20.
A Christmas Carol If you don't know this
story, you're in trouble. Meadow Brook
Theatre, Rochester. (248) 377-3300. 8
p.m. $25-$36.
The Harem Nutcracker This jazzed-up ver-
sion of the holiday season's ballet classic
is guaranteed to keep you on your toes.
Detroit Opera House. 8 p.m. 764-2538.
$12-$45.
Innocent Thoughts The story of a Jewish
anthropologist and Black lawyer who
work together in political correctness and
power struggles. Performance Network,
408 W. Washington St., 663-0681. 8 p.m.
$12.
Patience A satirical romp abouth milk-
maids and poets, presented by the
University Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North
University Ave., (734)-764-2538. 8 p.m.
$7-14.
Volpone This satiric comedy about cheats
and dupes written by Shakespearean con-
temporary Ben Jonson will make you
laugh until your sides hurt. Power Center,
121 Fletcher St. 763-3333. 8 p.m. $14-
$18.
ALTERNATIVES
3 Dimensions, 2 Scales, 1 Designer
M.F.A Student Staci Kerman's interna-
tionally recognized works of progressive
jewelry, product design and home furnish-
ings will be exhibited in a Master of Fine
Arts Exhibition. Jean Paul Slusser Gallery,
Art and Architecture Bldg. Gallery Hours
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Neil Baldwin Author and executive direc-
tor of the National Book Foundation,
reads from his book "Legends of the
Plumed Serpent: Biography of a Mexican
God." Shaman Drum, 315 S. State St.,
662-7407. 8 p.m.
Gallery Talk: "Thinking on Paper"
Thomas Willette, RC Art History prof.,
will focus his talk on the drawing as a
place for creation and exploration of
ideas. University Museum of Art,
West Gallery, 525 S. State Street.
7:30 p.m.
By Daniel Wolfman
Daily Arts Writer
Though swing dancing seems to be sweep-
ing popular culture in Ann Arbor, alternatives
to that particular dance form remain viable
options for the interested booty-shaker.
A rival to swing - in number of followers
and campus popularity - is classic ballroom
dancing, the nostalgic aura of which reminds
some of past times they never experienced
themselves. Also, some of the University
community have been attracted to square
dancing or Latin salsas.
Geoffrey Blank, an LSA junior and an avid
Latin dancer, laments a relative lack of local
opportunities to salsa. Blank even joked that
upon graduation, he wants to open his own Thanh Tran, an Engineering senior,
Latin dance club. Luckily for fans like Blank, described the allure of ballroom dancing: "I
the Michigan Union-based U Club offers think the appeal of so-called structured danc-
lessons in Latin dance from time to time. Still, ing is that you really feel more connected with
Blank says he can understand a dearth of your partner and
studying."
The idea that dancing is a wonderful stress
reliever is a resounding theme among stu-
dents. "I have a sense of unconsciousness
when I dance, a sense of forgetting about
myself," said LSA senior student Jasmin Rae
Ziegler.
The Ballroom Dance Club offers lessons
every Sunday at the Michigan Union. For
more information and a host of links to other
places offering lessons, check out the club's
Website at www.umich.edu/-umnbdL. The U
Club occasionally offers ballroom lessons (in
addition to swing lessons on Wednesday
nights), and the CCRB also has lessons avail-
able.
Courtesy of Epitaph
The band Offspring, seen here in a photo from their time as early-'90s alt-rockers,
will be appearing in a sold-out show at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit Friday night.
Dan Piraro Author reads from his newly
released novel, "Bizarro Among the
Savages: A Relatively Famous Guy's
Experiences on the Road and in the
Homes of Strangers." Signing to Follow.
Borders, 612 E. Liberty St., 668-7652. 7
p.m.
Derek Walcott Recipient of the 1992
Nobel Prize for literature lectures in the
year-long University Visiting Writers
series. Rackham Amphitheatre, 915 E.
Washington St., 764-6296. 5 p.m.
Friday
CAMPUS CINEMA
Ghost In The Shell (1995) A fascinating
example of Japanese anime, "Ghost" is an
action-packed cyber-thriller. Lorch. 7 p.m.
Free.
The, Trial (1962) Directed by Orson
Welles, Anthony Perkins stars in this
adaptation of the Kafka novel. Michigan
Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.
Spring Festival (1989) This tragicomedy
depicts the events and emotions sur-
rounding the rise of consumerism in
China. Chinese with English subtitles.
Angell Hall, Aud. A. 8 p.m. Free.
Life Is Beautiful (1997) See Thursday.
Mich. 9:30 p.m.
MUSIC
Johnnie Bassett & the Blues Insurgents
Former John Lee Hooker guitarist fronts
his own Detroit based group. Cavern Club,
210 S. First St., Ann Arbor. 332-9900. 10
p.m. $5 at the door.
Michael Cooney Veteran folk singer plays
from experience. The Ark, 316 1/2 S.
Main St., 761-1451. 8 p.m. $12.50.
Maschina Do they ever play anywhere
outside of Ann Arbor? Bling Pig, 208
South First St., 996-8555 or 763-TKTS.
They're baaaaack! This time the venue
is St. Andrew's. Does anyone out
there remember the Cobo Arena
show? This bad boy is sold out. St.
Andrew's Hall, 431 Congress St.,
Detroit. (313) 961-MELT.
University Opera Workshop Students from
the University Opera Theatre Program will
present scenes from various operas,
including arias by Puccini and Verdi.
McIntosh Theatre, School of Music. 7
p.m.
THEATER
Boomtown See Thursday. 8 p.m. $25.
A Christmas Carol See Thursday. 8 p.m
Ghost of the River House Eastern
Michigan University Theatre presents this
play from award-winning Michigan play-
wright Max Bush. Appropriate for ages 7
and up. Quirk Theatre, EMU campus,
Ypsilanti. (734) 487-1221. 2:30 p.m. $5-
12.
The Harlem Nutcracker See Thursday. 8
p.m. $15-$50
the music," he said. "You go to Scorekeeper's
and everyone's pretty much doing their own
thing, but with ballroom or swing, there has to
be a certain level of understanding between
the partners. It's interactive."
LSA junior Sara Helman agreed.
"Ballroom has all these classic moves that one
can incorporate, and you really work closely
with your partner."
Moreover, fans find something attractive
about the stylistic time travel involved with
ballroom dance. It is like revisiting a "bygone
era," Helman said. "There's a fascination with
living that sort of thing out ... artificial nos-
talgia, almost."
An aspect of dance that both Helman and
Tran seemed compelled by is the social inter-
action between dancers, the relationship that
one establishes with another person through
the act of mutual movement. "It's going out
and doing something, as opposed to watching
a movie or something," Tran said. "It's a great
way to meet people."
In fact, the social appeal of dance is cited
by many as a compelling reason to dance.
Barn dances, commonly held by fraternities
and sororities, give students an opportunity to
square dance. David Gracey, an LSA senior,
said of these barn dances that in effect, they
are "date parties in disguise."
Of course there are multitudes of students
who vastly prefer modern dance to ballroom
- believing ballroom too regimented, restric-
tive, and difficult. For these, people tend to
head to places like The Dance Gallery.
Located on Third Street, the dance gallery has
become a mecca for many School of Art stu-
dents and offers classes in
modern dance and ballet,
are the places to be.
"No other dance form
allows a person to express
his or herself in this way,"
Maureen Suter, an LSA
junior, said of the kind of
modern dance moves taught
at places like The Dance
Gallery. "It's a great, beauti-
ful way to express yourself."
Beautiful as these dances may
be, many students never try to learn
to salsa or Jitterbug, fearing the styles
may be too difficult. To a novice, the
idea of throwing oneself into a new form of
dance may appear to be a daunting proposi-
tion, rife with possibilities for embarrassing
missteps.
Many experienced dancers find this to be an
unfortunate misconception. Suter made it
clear that learning these dances is something
anybody can do. "There are benefits of
(dance) to people of different levels of abili-
ty," she said. "There are a lot of moves, but
beginner's would appreciate them."
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innocent Thoughts
p.m.
See Thursday. 8
Patience See Thursday. 8 p.m.
Volpone See Thursday. 8 p.m.
ALTERNATIVES
3 Dimensions, 2 Scales, 1Designer See
Thursday. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Reception
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Mitch Albom Author reads and signs his
novel "Tuesdays with Morrie." Borders,
612 E. Liberty St., 668-7652. 7 p.m.
Gabriele Boccaccini Author cele-
brates the publication of "Beyond the
Essence Hypotest: The Paring of the
Ways between Qumran and Enochic
Judaism." Her novel offers an original
view of the Qumran sect, an ancient
community closely related to the Dead
Sea Scrolls. Shaman Drum, 315 S.
State St., 662-7407. 4 p.m.
Jessica Eaton
V
Writers: Alexandra Arch, Amy Barber, Matthew Barrett, Cortney Dueweke, Debby
Wolfman
Photo Editor: Adriana Yugovich
Photographers: Jessica Johnson, Dana Linnane, Andi Maio, David Rochind
Cover: Ballroom dancing instructors Bob Printer and Lisa Godo dance the night awa
Phone Numbers: Ann Arbor 1 & 2: 761-9700; Briarwood: 480-4555; Fox Village; 994-
8080; Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Showcase: 9738380; State: 761-8667.
Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Late shows at Ann Arbor 1 & 2 and
State are for Friday and Saturday only. Noon and mid-day matinees at Ann Arbor 1 & 2 are
for Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday only; matinees at State are for Saturday and Sunday
only.
The Offspring
Wel , well, well.