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26B - The Michigan Daily - Best of Ann Arbor 1999 - Thursday, April 8, 1999
E Best of Ann Arbor Column
AN OPEN LETTER TO A CAPPELLA SINGERS ...
The Michigan Daily - Best of Ann Arlo
AND THE WINNERS ARE
Wile we're naming off the best pop-
ular traditions and legendary local
establishments, let's take a moment to
recognize the fact that there are some
things in this bitch of a town that are not
all that great. Besides bagel shops and
intelligentes fausse, there's a certain fac-
tion of the campus that presents itself all
too plentiful. Namely: a cappella groups.
This city has roughly 150 a cappella
groups that plague concert halls with
their gut-wrenching harmonics. Listen
up, kids: No matter how many times you
arrange "The Longest Time;" it's still the
same friggin' song.
These groups are as varied and diverse
as their music selection isn't.
Representing every model of classifica-
tion, this campus has all-Greek (pseudo)
groups, all-male and all-female groups.
Almost all ethnic groups and racial iden-
tities have ensembles of singers. There
are a cappella cults of religious zealots
and Satanic chanters. I can't wait until the
Nazi Goth Lesbos have their first concert
in the fall.
And I don't have to name them. You
know who they are. We are barraged by
e-mails every day: "Come to
's spring concert to see how
my free time and Daddy's hard-earned,
sweat-induced cash have been flushed
faster than happy hour at Mitch's."
I i I
REC
SPORTS
The University of Michigan
Department of Recreational Sports
INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
INTRAMURALS
} v '" i
ALL-YEAR POINT
CHAMPIONSHIP
FRATERNITY
SORORITY
RESIDENCE HALL
CO-RECREATION
INDEPENDENT - MEN
INDEPENDENT - WOMEN
GRAD/FACULTY/STAFF
0
MARIE HARTWIG
ALL-AROUND
FEMALE
ATHLETE AWARD
Recently, I received an e-mail from an
even more recently ex-ed friend in which
she actually whined ... whined ... that if
we (the readership) didn't come to her
VERY LAST
C ON CE R T '
EVER, we would
awaken the next
morning suffer-
ing from full-,
body legions, and
that a pox would'
be placed on our
homes. I was
impressed not by
her use of coer-
sion and witch- Christopher
craft, but by her Tkaczyk
ability to make
my skin crawl State of
through the nasal t
whine of her s
vomit-inducing
plea. How does one lift a pox?
And if e-mail isn't their ticket to
shame, they resort to the tacky postering
of kiosks, Diag boards, poles and
University doorways with reams of
brightly-colored paper - an obvious
waste to an already over-littered institu-
tion.
Here's the big news, folks: No one
gives a shyte. If such a person did, he
would form a fan club. (I actually know
someone who'd attempted this for
Amazin' Blue. Soon after, he was beaten
by his own mother.)
Do not think me evil. As this column
may protest, it also illustrates my strong
desire for perfection. You see, I adore a
cappella music. But when the quantity
rises, the quality goes down ... way down.
I have heard every one of the 100+ groups
perform, and I can honestly say that I've
only been impressed by one of them. It
should be pointed out here that Amazin'
Blue was among the finalists at last year's
national competition at Carnegie Hall.
Hint: They're good. You're not.
The human voice is the perfect instru-
ment; it's capable of doing things that
man-made instruments cannot. If you've
ever heard Ren6e Fleming sing, you'll
know what I mean. But the same is true
from the opposite end of the spectrum.
Not every song can be re-arranged for the
human voice. This is the reason why
instruments were invented. It makes me
cry when I hear any '80s tune performed
sans accompaniment. Well, it makes me
cry whenever I hear an '80s tune, but
that's another column.
Unfortunately, too many University
students do not completely understand
the art of singing a cappella, and now we
are left to deal with endless renditions of
"Karma Chameleon."
A few weeks ago, I jokingly suggested
that MSA should regulate the a cappella
community to ensure that the quality of
the artform does not diminish. Yes, this
idea borders fascism, but maybe we
could eliminate a few of the yelping choir
boys from the limelight before they burn
themselves with the glow of their own
ego. It might also give the assembly a
constructive agenda.
I think Daily staffers should get
together and form their own group. Let's
see how many different renditions of
"You Can Call Me Al" can be performed
in one nightside by tone-deaf editors.
Jack Schillaci can be our alto soloist.
But maybe that's what is so great about
Ann Arbor. Maybe that's one of the rea-
sons why The Daily can give Ann Arbor
its own "Best of" issue, because there's
such a vast selection. Thanks to
American commercialism and our con-
stant need for excess, you don't have to
settle for just one.
On a positive note: These plentiful
offerings may one day save humanity. In
case ... just in case ... there should be a
long line of fans waiting outside of The
Friars' next sold-out concert, and a riot
should ensue, someone can stand up and
shout: "Stop fighting, everybody! The
Monkey Spankers are performing over at
Rackham Auditorium!" On that day, we
can rest. And enjoy.
- Chris is bitter that he cannot sing
well, but like many a cappella singers,
that hasn't stopped him ... yet.
Az Best Business
Best Art Supplies: Ulrich's Art Supplies
Best Bank: Great Lakes Bank Corp.
Best Bicycle Sales/Repair: Great Lakes Bikes
Best Books: Borders Books and Music
Best CDs: Tower Records
Best Cab Service: Yellow Cab
Best Florist: University Flower Shop
Best Groceries: Meijer
Best Haircut: Noggins
Best Liquor: Campus Corner
Best LandLord: Millie Empedocles
Best Magazines: Borders Books and Music
Best Movie Theater: Showcase Cinemas
Best Men's Clothing: Abercrombie & Fitch
Best New Business: SEE
Best Photocopying: Kinko's
Best Posters: Stairway to Heaven
Best Shoe Store: Mast
Best Tanning Salon: Tanfastic
Best Test Prep: Kaplan
Best Thrift/Used Clothing: Scavenger Hunt
Best Travel Agency: Boersma Travel
Best Sporting Goods: McSports
Best University Fan Apparel: Steve and Barry's
Best Used CDs: Wazoo Records
Best Video Store: Blockbuster Video
Best Women's Clothing: Urban Outfitters
A Best Dating Stuff
Best Date Movie: "Shakespeare In Love"
Best First Date: Going to the Movies
Best Idea for an Unusual Date: Swing Dancing
Best Pick-Up Line: "Nice Shoes, Wanna Fuck?"
Best Place to Break Up: The Diag
Best Place to Meet a Mate: Class
Best Place for Public Sex: Grad Library Stacks
Best Place for a Secret Rendezvous: The Arb
Best Rejection Line: "No"
AZ Best Entertainment
Best Concert in the Past Year: Dave Matthews
Band at the Palace of Auburn Hills
Best Dance Spot: Nectarine Ballroom
Best Local Band: Colonel Sun
Best Local Festival: Ann Arbor Art Fair
Best Radio Station: 102.9 FM, WIQB
A2 Best Restaurants
Best Bagels: Einstein's
Best Bar (Overall): Mitch's
Best Bar Drinks: Scorekeepers
Best Breakfast: Angelo's
Best Burgers: Blimpy Burgers
Best Cheap Beer: Brown Jug
Best Chinese: China Gate
Best Chipatis: Pizza House
Best Coffee: Cava Java
Best Cookies: Mrs. Peabody's
Best Deli: Zingerman's
Best Dinner: Mongolian Barbeque
Best Fries: McDonald's
Best Greasy Spoon: Fleetwood Diner
Best Happy Hour: Touchdown Cafe
Best Hot Dogs: Red Hot Lovers
Best Ice Cream: Stucchis
I
Extensive IM Participation
Athletic Excellence
Positive Attitude
Competitive Spirit
Positive Contribution to
IM Philosophy
EARL RISKEY
ALL-AROUND
MALE
ATHLETE AWARD
There's just something about dining next to the rail road trac
Place for You and Your Folks," and took home "Best Romantic
I
I-
DIVISIONAL
MANAGERS-
OF-THE-YEAR
3.
Outstanding Organization
Encouraged Participation
Successful Participation
Positive Attitude to IM's
CO-RECREATION
INDEPENDENT - WOMEN
INDEPENDENT - MEN
GRAD/FACULTY/STAFF
RESIDENCE HALL
SORORITY
FRATERNITY
..
%':
DIVISIONAL
ATH LETES-
OF-THE-YEAR
Athletic Excellence
Good Sportsmanship
Extensive Participation
Contributed to Quality of
Intramural Program
RESIDENCE HALL
GRAD/FACULTY/STAFF
FRATERNITY
SORORITY
INDEPENDENT - MEN
INDEPENDENT - WOMEN
CO-RECREATION
Best Indian: Shalimar
Best Italian: Palio
Best Korean: Steve's Lunch
Best Late-Night Munchies: Pizza House
Best Low-Calorie Food: Subway
Best Lunch: Amer's
Best Mexican Food: Tio's
Best Micro-brew: Grizzly Peak
Best Middle Eastern: Jerusalem Garden
Best Out-door Eatery: Casa Dominick's
Best Pizza: Pizza House
Best Place ForYou and the Folks: Gandy Dancer
Best Restaurant (Overall): Mongolian Barbeque
Best Romantic Dinner: Gandy Dance
Best Salad: Pizza House
Best Seafood: Real Seafood Company
Best Service: Gratzi
Best Subs: Jimmy John's
Best Sports Bar: Scorekeepers
Best Take-Out: Pizza House
Best Vegetarian: Seva
Best Wings: Mr. Spots
A2 Best of the University
Best Athlete: Louis Bullock
Best Bathroom: Michigan League
Best Blow-Off Course: Psychology 111
Best Building: Angell Hall
Best Co-Op: Henderson House
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
V BE
Best
Best
Best
crashed
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best I
Bestc
Best '
UM-
-_-_
1998-99
\It4T AMUWAL SPOP1S PROGAM
AWAPDS CEEMONY FE
-- The RODNEY GRAMBEA U A WA RDS --
OUTSTANDING MALE and FEMALE
INTRAMURAL OFFICIALS
-- The STEVEN OLSON AWARD --
ROOKIE OFFICIAL-OF-THE-YEAR
USED: DESKS " CHAIRS " COMPUTERS
Dressers " Tables 9 Electronic Goodies
unk Bed Sets Hide-A-Beds -*Stoves And More
ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily
As the weather again gets warm, Nichols Arboretum is once again a favorite campus destination. The Arb won
the "Best Place for a Romantic Rendezvous" and "Best Place to Go In an Altered State" awards.
cIble £tritgun &Pi
Ae An e
1999
A special edition of Weekend, etc. Magazine
Editors: Aaron Rich, Will Weissert
Writers: Matthew Barrett, Chris Cousino, Cortney Dueweke, Jewel Gopwani, Rick
and Will Weissert
Photo Editor: Adriana Yugovich
Photographers: Louis Brown, Kristin Goble, Dhani Jones, Dana Linnane, Kelly McI<
Myers, Daniel O'Donnell, David Rochkind, Nathan Ruffer, Sara Schenck, Adriana '
Cover Photo by Adriana Yugovich
Arts Editors: Jessica Eaton and Christopher Tkaczyk
Editor in Chief: Heather Kamins
j Plymouth Rd. j
3~
C
C
O..
N
C
Monday Noon-5:55pm
Tues.-Thur. Noon-3:55pm
Friday 7:30am-i1:30am
764-2470
Baxter
For Additional Information Contact: Intramural Sports Program, IMSB, 606 E. Hoover, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3717, (734) 763-3562
httpn/www recsnort-umich.edu
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