M0B+ e MichiganDaily - Wee ndt Etc. Magazine Thurstay, March 25, 1999 0 Road-Trip of the Week Graceland tacky, but not as decadent as you've heard The Michigan - Weekend, etc Renovations prepare AZ's grand old theater for the next century March 25: Elvis has left the building / What: Graceland / Where: Memphis, Tenn. / How to get there: Take 1-23 South to 1-475 outside of Toledo. 1-475 will become 1-75, which will then merge into 1-71 South. Follow 1-71 to Louisville, then get on 1-65 South. At the Tennessee border, take 1-40 West then follow the signs for Memphis. Follow 1-40 around town, Graceland is just off exit 5-B. / Where to Stay: Both cheap and expensive hotels line the exit ramp - from the Hilton to Motel 6. ~ How long: 12 hours How Much: $9 for student admission to the mansion. Additionally, an $18 general rate allows visitors to tour the entire premises - including special exhibits on the King's cars and airplanes. By Will Weissert Weekend, etc. Editor MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The includ- ed-in-the-entry-fee audio-tour starts visitors to Graceland off with an introduction seemingly more appro- priate for the life of John F. Kennedy than the story of a hick from nowhere and how he struck it rich. "It began with a young man's dream of a better life," the tape croons. Better life. Hmm. One of fried bananas and peanut butter inside a Cadillac bigger than an New York City efficiency, no? "A life of wealth and a life of music." That's more like it - but we've been here 10 seconds and there's still no mention of gold- lapels, hotdog buns or velvet. And with the proverbial inspira- tional message meter set on high, the 90-minute cassette-guided jaunt through the Presley compound con- tinues - working hard to prove that you really can spell Graceland with- out "t-a-c-k-y." Sure, the tour concedes that Elvis once constructed an indoor, two- story slot-racing track as big as the Angell Hall computing sight in a backyard annex - but it is quick to recover its high-brow approach, assuring that before his death the King wised up and turned it into a classy trophy center. Yes, Graceland still sports a base- MATT DRAKE/Special to the Daily Elvis' parlor room is the first Graceland space visitors confront when touring the mansion. Like most of the rooms in the house, it's smaller than you might expect. By William Nash Daily Arts Writer The Michigan Theater, which was founded in Ann Arbor only a little more than a generation after the University, has joined the long list of Ann Arbor theaters playing the renovation game. Although the expansions don't include stadium seating or cup-hold- ers, as seen in other area construc- tion projects, the Michigan Theater has shelled out a total of $4.4 mil- lion during a three-phase series of renovations. The main objective of the face-lift is to return the theater back to its original glory. In 1928, when the theater was showing silent movies, it was the "biggest" and "best" in Ann Arbor, said theater executive director Ross Collins. Since then, the theater has already had two periods of restoration in 1982 and 1986, but the biggest work is still to be done. Collins said he expects com- pletion by the summer of 2001. The theater's long history is an inspir- ing one; it was only a wrecking ball away from destruction in 1979 when the newly- formed non-profit group the Michigan Theater Foundation stepped in and worked for its preservation. The foundation launched a fundrais- ing campaign that raised more than $400,000 for the theater's preservation from local businesses and individuals. "The community proved that they wanted to preserve the historic theater"' Collins said. "It attracts and brings back parents and out-of-towners for a fun and unique experience." Since its brush with death, the theater has hosted an impressive list of big name artists, performers, films, and just about any other form of entertainment available. Traditionally, it has been a favorite site for veteran artists such as Bob Dylan and Lyle Lovett and for up-and- comers like Hootie and the Blowfish., "You don't start out playing arenas," Collins said. "And some artists prefer to play in the theater setting." Collins recalls Dylan complementing him on the "beauty" of the theater. The Michigan specializes in indepen- dent and off-the-beaten-path films and documentaries, but it also shows some mainstream films such as "Clueless" and the soon-to-be-showing "There's Something About Mary." In order to meet the demands of showing both films and live events, renovation plans include the addi- tion of a new 200-seat theater to accompany the main tleater which now seats more than 1,700. Collins decided to design the new theater in the same traditional decor as the old theater, rather than opting for a modern look. "There is no modernization in terms of appearance," Collins said. "But there will be plenty of interesting things to look at in the new theater." The theater will be a variation on the '20s-style feel of the rest of the building. Currently, construction crews are working to complete the final phase of repair to the facade and balcony of the main theater, and have begun work on the Michigan's new theater. Both the look of the theater and the type of films it shows have attracted a different type of audience than the big- ger chains like Showcase Cinemas, said employee Sangita Baruah. "Every once and a while, when we show something more mainstream, like 'Clueless,' there is a different type of crowd," Baruah said. "I guess you could call our usual crowd 'alternative."' Besides the '20s architecture, the Michigan Theater maintains its old- world appeal by outfitting employees in special "tuxedo suits" and by serving a variety of unusual concessions and refreshments - including beer. Employee John Wyatt said one of the reasons he wanted to work at the theater was for the fringe benefits. "Movies are free and its an easy job;' Wyatt said. He said that the theater is one of few that shows independent films like "Buffalo 66," one of his favorites. Besides the new theater, the Michigan will be undergoing a overhaul of some of the older technological systems. Collins said improvements to the air- conditioning system are some of the more needed renovations. "The air-conditioning systems need to be updated from the 1920s," Collins said. "It is state-of-the-art 1920s tech- nology, but we're almost in the next century." Besides air-conditioning, Collins said the addition of rest rooms will help keep customers comfortable. Renovations to the Michigan Theater join construction efforts being made to its down-the-street neighbor the State Theater and Showcase Cinemas on Carpenter Road. Renovations will sprueup the Mi I BACHE We need you l educational testi people each yea degree in an fie Scorers are Mired weeks. As a reader/eval but relaxed atmc from around Ann diverse group of college graduate; looking ?or suppl Day shifts - 8 Evening shii YOsianI MI i Ballroom Class 5:30; 7:00 Dance 8:00 Sundays. Michigan Union Ballroom ment rumpus room featuring three in-line TV's and a giant lightening- bolt and TCB (for Taking Care of Business) mural on the wall - but the tape also points out that the room was always kept very clean and had more coasters and bottled water on-hand than it did, say, dis- carded cans of pork 'n' beans or toe- nail clippers. Don't misunderstand - Elvis' con- tributions to rock 'n' roll can never be questioned. He all but single-handed- ly invented rock's original sound, mix- ing an R&B foundation with enough guitar, throaty lyrics and pelvic thrust to propel the genre from small-selling Bill Haley and the Comets 45s to an international craze. The King was also a genuinely nice person - donating millions of dollars to Memphis-area charities, often modestly and very publicly poking fun at himself and his image and accepting an Uncle Sam- mandated tour with the Army without a whimper. For all of Elvis' achievements, however, there's no denying that he has come to be known as the cham- pion of the ridiculously decadent - a hick who lived for all that was tacky. Let's not kid ourselves: The man made 31 movies where the only See GRACELAND, Page 11B Elvis read it every single week - so did Colonel Tom Parker. They knew what they were doing. Weekend, etc. Magazine Easy-access top pocket Horseshoe-shaped zipper for easy access orteE It'll carry you a lifetime Summer in Europe. Job interview in D.C. Teach English on Tonga Wedding in Chicago (not yours). Go snowboarding in Utah. 5-year reunion in Ann Arbor.... Check out the Porter at: B" IVOUAC 336 S. State St - Ann Arbor, MI tel. (734) 761-6207 Internal pocketing 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1' 1 1 1 1 1 Fruit and Ice and Everything Nice That's What Smoothies are made of. $1.00 off Any Smoothie Expires 4/30/99 522 E. William (Next to Cottaae Inn) The UMArts Coordinator, UMArts Advisory Board and Michigan League Programming present WEEKEND March 25-28, 1999 To see the amazing array of arts events this weekend, check out The List in today's Daily WEEKEND Magazine! Mrf WEEKEND Afterglow Swing Dance with Del Villarreal at the Michigan League Ballroom Friday, March 26 - 9:30 pm - 1:00 am Food! * Dance lessons (10-11pm)! * Meet performers! Free UM student admission* with proof of attendance at an arts event this weekend. For details and a calendar of events, email , call 764-5123, or check out our web page at http://www.umich.edu/,-~arts *$5 ($3 after 1p} at the door for non UM students and non-participas~ia "TS WEEKEND Padded suspension system Shoulder strap attachments ' o . '' _ i ,.. , r ^5,.. 'fi '%"'Y °Y 'Y R "Y '% "! '+! t 9 '"w "T M" f "iR 'Y 9 '9F _! k .. = -W -.--w -4 - -V -. -* - '* "'8"'1 'Y °Y 'Y R " , " " t 9 " . M O '. Y , "9F ! - ' '{'..,, ,} ..