28 The Michigan Daily Weeken4 Mag~azim- ThursdaJanuary 21,1999 0 0 9 The Michigan Daily Weekentd , . : . ,. The TanglIed Web: Little-known sites we think you liike http:/www.weathercom/twc/homepage. twc As much as we all loath to admit it, The Weather Channel is truly one of the simpler pleasures of life. Now, thanks to the Web, the wonders of colorful weather maps, fascinating meteorological phenomena and exciting storm fronts can be downloaded on any computer. The Weather Channel Website is full of news and history dealing with things that get us wet and make us sweaty. Some of the great features of the site include week-long forecasts for virtually any moderately populated city, video of weather patterns and travel updates for both roads and air. Meteorology is no longer such a mystery. -Aaron Rich Shahida Nurullah "Songs Within Me" will feature a Detroit native with an international flair, singing songs close to her heart, such as "Lush Life," Brazilian songs and a selection of show tunes. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. 8 p.m. 769-2999. $10-$25. Taproot Ann Arbor's finest "rap- core"playing live in the Motor City. Sounds like fun. Alvin's, 5756 Cass Ave., Detroit, (313)832-1857. 9 p.m. $5. Vanilla Ice Stop, colloborate and lis- ten. Ice is back - you know the rest! Aww, yeah! Harpo's, 14238 Harper St., Detroit. (313) 824-1700. 8 p.m. THEATER The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man- on-the-Moon Marigolds See Thursday. 7 p.m. The Rainmaker See Thursday. 8 p.m. The Moon Wolf See Thursday. 8 p.m. Students $12; others $15. ALTERNATIVES Annual Book Sale So this is what they do when you don't check out a book for awhile. Hardcovers for $0.50 each and paperbacks for $0.25 a piece. The sale continues through January 25. Ann Arbor. District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Sunday CAMPUS CINEMA The Natural (1984) A young man with the potential to be the greatest baseball player of all time is shot by a psychotic woman. Fifteen years later, he makes it to the pros for his one and only season in the sun only to find corruption and the toughest battle of his life. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 1 p.m. $10. Gods and Monsters See Thursday. 4:45, 7, 9:15 p.m. MUSIC sometimes the name speaks for itself. T.C.'s Speakeasy, 207 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, 483-4470. 8 p.m. $2. Jazz Jam Session Raise the roof and Set ready to jam. Bird of Paradise, 07 S. Ashley, 662-8310. 9 p.m. Free. The Original Brothers and Sisters of Love Do members of the Brady Bunch sing backup? Showing up is the only way to know for sure. Arbor Brewing, 116 E. Washington, 213- 1393. 9 p.m. Free. Vince Junior Books, blues and a warm drink on a Sunday afternoon. It's fantastic. Border's, 515 E. Liberty, 913-1100. 1 p.m. Free. Logan Skelton As part of the Pianists@Kerrytown Series, Professor Skelton will play the works of Bela Bart6k. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. 4 p.m. 769-2999. $5-$25. THEATER The Rainmaker See Thursday. 2 p.m. The Moon Wolf See Thursday. 2 p.m. A LTERNATI VES Annual Book Sale Fill a grocery sack for only $4. The bigger the bag, the better the deal. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Drawings by Delacroix from the University of Michigan Museum of Art The museum offers a free tour of this temporary exhibit. University Museum of Art. 2 p.m. Free. - -- --- ----- -- -- --- Monday CAMPUS CINEMA M (1931) Fritz Lang's chilling study of a serial murderer pursuedrboth by police and the criminal underworld of Berlin, who cynically recognize that child murder is bad for business. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 4:10 p.m. $5.25. - river captain who is struggling to keep his boat running, Steamboat Bill, alive despite competition from a modern boat owned by his rival. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 7 p.m. Free. Gods and Monsters See Thursday. 9:15 p.m. MUSIC Acoustic Open Mic Clear your throat, shake your shouldersuand own the audience. Tap Room, 201 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, 482-5320. 9:30 p.m. Free. Bird of Paradise Orchestra Larry! Larryl Larryl Let's face it, even if Larry Bird returned, the Pistons would still win the title. Oh yeah, and there's some big band, jazz-style stuff invovled too. Bird of Paradise, 207 S. Ashley, 662-8310. 9:00 p.m. $3. Mozart Birthday Concert In this 7th annual bash, the University Chamber Orchestra, directed by Kenneth Kiesler, will perform the overture to "La Clemenza di Tito," the "Posthorn" Serenade, "The Ribbon Trio" and assorted concert arias. Go to this, then e-mail your parents. They will be impressed. Very impressed. Hill Auditorium, 8 p.m. ALTERNATIVES Annual Book Sale See Saturday and Sunday. Michael Connelly Noted author will be signing copies of his latest novel "Angels Flight." Borders, 612 E. Liberty St., 668-7652. 7:30 p.m. Sebastian Matthews University instructor and poet is the featured artist for the Guild House Writers Series. Open mic ses- sion follows. Guild House, 802 Monroe St. 8:30 p.m. - --- ---- -- - --- Tuesday CAMPUS CINEMA Atlantic City (1981) An aging, small-time numbers runner dreams of himself as a ruthless gangster. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 7 p.m. $5.25. DANIEL aDO NEL/Daily Nigh-flying monster truck Bearfoot flew through the air and ripped up the fled at the Pontiac Silverdome. its lunding was not nealy as graceful as Its takeoff. While mOnster truck rallies are not uncomnmon, they are always exciting. Monsters tear up Silverdome floor wit bgh-lyng ct By Matthew Iarritt and Laro Rich Daily Arts Writers PONTIAC - Standing next to the monumental piece of metal that is Grave Digger gives one pause. The vehicle, whose size and strength dwarf any human who stands beside it, scoffs in the face of fear during its death-defying routines. This colossal truck,. that checks in at more than 10,000 pounds and cost more than $150,000 to put together, has devel- oped a large fan base due to its striking success in the world of truck racing. At the Pontiac Silverdome this past Saturday, the Michael Jordan of monster trucks was once again in action in the US. Hot Rod Monster Jam and, to the surprise of no one, took first place honors. Monster truck racing is akin in many people minds to professional wrestling; It is incredibly popular and at the same time a guilty pleasure. The sport involves two gigantic, usual- ly florescent, rigs racing side by side on identical, but separate, courses in a mad dash for the finish line. The field is set up with two major jumps for the drivers, one over a lone car, and the second, the fin- isher, over a mega-quartet of junkyard autos. The racers typically cross the finish line in mid-air for races that generally end within 15 seconds of the start gun. That is to say, 15 seconds of the loud- est, most earth-shaking (literally) noise that any spectator has ever experienced. The long-time fans can be easily picked out by their earplugs or headphones. Unknowing amateurs are unaware of the ear-rattling sounds, and their regrets ring true for days after. Envisioning a jack- hammer in a quiet library would only begin to give newcomers an idea of what they're up against. Saturdays festivities began quietly at the "Pit Party," where fans of all ages met their favorite drivers and sized themselves up against the mighty trucks. The two- hour event took place on the Silverdome floor, allowing fans to grace the same field (albeit a muddy one) as Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders. Autographs, photographs and seismographs were all part of the ground shaking festivities. One of the pit favorites, Gary Bauer, the driver of Nitemare II, explained that breaking into the business doesn't start behind the wheel but rather as part of a truck team. "You have to get to know the geometry of truck," Bauer said . The 16- year veteran of the monster truck circuit showed that his years of experience and under-the-hood education were well- spent as he raced to the night' final four, losing in a controversial photo finish. The monster action began with the night inaugural race involving a clash between racing titans Pony Express and Bearfoot. The race was an eye-opener for fist-timers due to the extreme noise and intensity of the showdown. The spirit was amplified even more when the race's winner, Bearfoot, landed upside down across the finish line. The driver walked away from the wreck but the victory was bittersweet, seeing as the crash finished his truck for the night. The six following first-round races paled in comparison to the event's heart-stopping opener. While the victorious giants rested for their second round matches, fans were treated to the so-called "Quad Wars' and See TRUCKS, Page 11B Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) Buster Great American Blues Jam And Keaton stars as the son of an old Hardly recognizable without bums, Vanilla Ice will be in Gods and Monsters See Thun p.m. MUSIC Blues Jam I can jam therefore attitude like this will make for show. Tap Room, 201 W. Mich Ypsilanti, 482-5320. 9:30 p.rr The Folk Monty Hey wasr nominated for an Oscar ar movie of the year by some last year? It does, howeve some folk music. The Ark, Main St., 761-1451. 8 p. kish Session Jump around! Jl Cross your fingers and maye Pain will show up. Conor O'Nei Main, 665-2968. 9 p.m. Free. A LTERNATIVES Bell Hooks Talented profe critic will speak about the of writing and her new boo "Remembered Rapture." E 612 E. Liberty St., 668-76 Richard Tillinghast Richa Tillinghast and other local share the works of their f writers. All are invited to favorite poems. Ann Arbor Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Wednesd CAMPUS CINEMA Affliction (1998) See what a buzz is about, in this intense d ring Nick Nolte and James Co 233 State St. 7 p.m. Free. Photo courtesy of lion' George of the Jungle consorts with Mrs. David Helfgott? No, it's just Brendon Fraser and Lynn Redgrave in "Gods and Monsters," the latest movie about dead Hollywood directors.