V w V W U U U =NJ -q- W- --W-- --- - - V- w a w 0 w a 8B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend Hagazine - Thursday, November 20, 2003 The Michigan Daily- Weekend Magazine - The Michigan Dai....- ll.ee.end.. azine -. . ': 44,44 \, f .~ 4~ 4~'V~4~ -. -~ 1$ 'V :3', -~ .4 .4 4 444 ~ *~ -'4 -~ 4' 44. 4" F.' 4, 4,04444-4'. - 4 44 r~ 4 ' 4-4,444444' 4-"., V 444 4V 4 ~4 4'4 144 44 444 4 1 '44 By Rebecca Ramsey Daily Weekend Editor '. Congratulations, you've got yourself a date for Saturday night. Now, all you have to do is come up with something inventive for you and this spe- cial someone to do. Easy, right? That may be the case with the tried-and-true dinner and a movie jaunt, but face it: While that plan certainly does not go out of style, it dramatically loses its hip fac- tor after a certain point. It's hard to design a creative night out when you're busy being a student, but that shouldn't give you an excuse to be boring. Whether it's a first date or another night out with your steady of two years, you still want to start the evening with an impressive bang and keep things exciting. A trip to Blockbuster and a bag of popcorn may be a comfy no- brainer, but Ann Arbor offers a selection of perennial dating hot spots that beg to be explored with a partner. So, clear your calendars and plan for a pleasurable out- ing. Here's the ticket. KARAOKE: FOR THE TONE DEAF AND SELF-DEPRECATING Thanks to Cameron Diaz in "My Best Friend's Wedding," it has become socially acceptable to be really, really rotten when rocking the mic. Now virtually immortalized in film as a flirting "do," karaoke can be considered a definite way to snag the affections of your date, even if your voice is more Britney than Christina. Just watch Bill Murray's character in "Lost in Translation;" he is completely enthralled with Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) when she sings a novice rendition of the Pretenders' "Brass in Pocket." Simply put, karaoke is the ultimate ice-breaker for a date. If partaking in an engaging conversation is nerve wracking, why not sing? Karaoke provides couples with the opportunity to come out of their shells and laugh at themselves in a vulnerable situation, which is a promis- ing sign, even though it initially sounds frightening. Still, the question remains: Who sings first? This can be a difficult decision, for one may feel awkward about giving a solo performance and thus submitting oneself to the judgment of his or her date. Or, if your date belts out a fabulous "Respect," you will surely feel like an ass when it's your turn and you cannot carry a tune. To solve this problem, we suggest that you go at it together, as a duet. Be sure to avoid any songs that will immediately cast you as a serious couple - anything from "Grease," Captain and Tenille, Broadway love bal- lads and any Disney song featuring Celine Dion. Stick to safeties such as Motown hits, a la Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye (however, "Let's Get it on" can wait a few dates). Even better than laughing at yourself and/or your date is laughing at the other people who are terrible singers. At the Blind Pig on Main Street, said by many to be the best place for local karaoke, patrons can subject their ears to "American Idol" wannabes and still have a good time. Every Monday, Stoo's Karaoke kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and goes rather strong for the entire evening. Others can opt for karaoke and bowling at both Bel-Mark Lanes and Colonial Lanes Bowling Center. For those couples who wish to get out of Ann Arbor and avoid being caught singing off-key, Ypsilanti prof- fers a number of establishments for singing along to guilty pleasure tunes by Guns N' Roses. The Tap Room on W. Michigan Avenue and Powell's Pub on North Huron Street also feature karaoke nights and practically ensure that you won't be seen by your peers. Let's just hope that you can carry on a good tete- a-tete when the singing is over. Put on your shoes and polish your ball. We're going bowling. GOODNITE GRACIE: FOR THE SAVVY SOPHISTICATE Creatures of habit who are in the know are well familiar with the swanky interior of Goodnite Gracie Jazz and Martini Bar and will surely tell you to bring a date to this locale. The classy decor rich in violet hues, the live perfor- mances and the glitzy bar are chic characteristics that will widen your date's eyes and stir a great impression. When you bring a date here, you are not only showing him or her that you are an aficionado of fine beverages and music, but you are also displaying a maturity that shows you know the "in" places where Ladies Night and dollar pitchers do not reign supreme. At Gracie's, you can leave your worries of extremely inebriated oafs at home, and you are invited to cozy-up in the dimly lit environment. You and your date will feel like the only ones there, or at least, the only ones there who matter. The martini menu alone is worth checking out, even if you aren't a big drinker. The names of the drinks ("French Silk," "Vanilla Sky") will provide a good con- versation and they are quite tasty trifles (try the "Garden of Eden"). If your date is not going as well as you had hoped, you can still treat yourself to a fine libation. However, the drinks here can be on the more potent side, so be careful as to not become too drunk if you are try- ing to make a goc A huge plus ab policy. Instead of crowds of teenage more adult outing days of waiting i I.D. are over; you legality and you connoisseur you h If you like Go Street), and you c lishments suitable Main Street is ano good drink, but it Fo Before the joys account, it must I is definitely not you are an attracti gustatory braggit before you start m When the time JONATHON TRIEST/Daily Goodnite Gracie is "the chic."