0 0 0 0 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 I rsta . rr rvrvrv.rc .i rvr u. wr"a