U S 0 0 -W -W )w 4B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 7, 2005 Music Conference rocks the Motor City The Michiga Folk roots take center stage at By Chris Gaerig Daily Arts Writer Motown serves as a foundation for the city's musical institution. Art- ists such as Aretha Franklin and the Supremes put the city on the map, and arena-rock legends KISS even adopted Detroit as their hometown, adding Detroit Rock City to the list of labels on the metropolis. More recently, harboring acts like hip-hop superstar Eminem, rock- country king Kid Rock, blues pio- neers the White Stripes and indie electro-pop powerhouse +/- (Plus/ Minus), Detroit has continued it's musical tradition but hasn't received the respect from the industry it deserves. Despite all of its musical history, Detroit lies in the shadow of New York and L.A. However, the first-ever Motor City Music Conference - also known as MC2 - aspires to reclaim Detroit's credibility while showcasing national and international groups, said MC2 Director Dana Forrester. "We intended initially to have 60 percent national and international and 40 percent local, but really the caliber of the Detroit acts was so great that we ended up going with a 50-50 split," Forrester said. Spanning five days and utiliz- ing numerous Detroit venues such as Cobo Arena, the State Theatre, St. Andrews Hall and The Magic Stick, MC2 will not only witness worldwide acts like Snoop Dogg and Aftermath artist The Game, but will also give local and unsigned groups "This conference is almost demanded by the industry and fans ... it will absolutely be a Detroit event every year. - Dana Forrester Director of Motor City Music Conference such as The Hard Lessons and Dime & Jeremiah the opportunity to meet with record executives and label heads. MC2 is also open to the public for listening, learning and entertain- ment. The conference will have art- ist and producer panels - Dennis Thompson from the group MC5, as well as producer and keynote speak- er Don Was will make appearances - along with exhibits, showrooms and concerts for the public. According to Forrester, daytime activities will include panel discus- sions with producers, agents, publi- cists and other members of the music industry. Additionally, there will be a trade show at the Cobo Expo Cen- ter with music and lifestyle booths. As night falls, there will be more than 500 bands performing at many of COUITESYOF IHE MOTORCIIY MUSICUIoJtCONERiECE The rock group The Hard Lessons will be among the more than 500 bands that will perform at this year's Motor City Music Conference. Detroit's venues, ranging from Hockey- town Cafe to Greektown Casino. The bands are from all genres, ranging from indie rock to blues to hip-hop. Because of the use of so many Detroit venues, MC2 is an enormous undertaking for Detroit but will cre- ate a worldwide awareness for the city, its music and culture. "This conference is almost demanded by the industry and fans ... it will absolutely be a Detroit event every year," she said. "We're putting down for a million- dollar conference on a shoestring," she added. The conference will be as impor- tant to small, unsigned groups as it will be to Detroit and music fans. 40 to 60 independent artists will get the opportunity to meet with an A&R executive and discuss career paths and possible record deals. However, MC2 isn't focused solely on unsigned bands and contemporary artists. Aspects of Detroit's musical history will be discussed at several of the panels and shown in different exhibits, giving insight into the con- ference's placement in Detroit and the current scene's influences. "I think the way we're going to touch on Detroit history (will be) on the first day of our conference. We are doing some legends of hip-hop shows (and) there will be some old- school hip-hop stuff," Forrester said Specialevents are what set MC2 apart from other, similar conferenc- es. Aside from the enormous artist lineup, visual art will be exhibited throughout the event. An artis- tic guitar expose - followed by a silent auction for the works - and other exclusive projects will give the conference a unique and genu- ine feel. The public audience, aside from these special events, will also have access to numerous activities and showrooms. Labels will be display- ing their catalogs in several different areas for fans to peruse. The count- less concerts are also a huge draw from many people. "Fans can see their favorite bands like Moby and Trail of the Dead or new bands that they might never have heard of that are going to be the next big thing," Forrester said. Cobo Expo Center will be filled with skateboard ramps and semi-pro skaters for the fans. Ann Arbor's own Lucky Monkey Tattoos will have a full booth set up for those wishing to get some body art. Also, All Access Music and The Detroit News is organizing free guitar and drums lessons for the public. "On the most basic level, you'll be entertained. On a greater level, you'll learn something," Forrester said. She added that MC2 is an "unprec- edented opportunity" for any group and music lovers alike. It could potentially be one of the greatest col- lections of artists and music industry bigwigs Detroit has ever seen. If MC2 goes off with a minimal number of glitches, it will surely be a staple of Detroit events, and aside from the auto show, could possibly be the largest and most prestigious. The Motor City Music Conference will certainly allow Detroit reclaim its throne in the music industry and gain the respect and recognition it deserves. By Megan Jacobs Daily Arts Writer When University alumni David Allen Grier and Gilda Radner called Ann Arbor their home, each graced the stage of a certain still-standing local venue. Though The Ark, snugly fit in the heart of Main Street, is now mainly home to classic folk acts, both the actor-come- dian and Saturday Night Live alumnni made their mark in the club. The Ark, a small music venue, has opened its doors to local and national artists for the last 40 years and hosts roughly 300 shows per year, with an emphasis on folk roots and acoustic1 sounds. "A lot of people think that folk is mainstream pop of the 1960s, and that's really a small part of folk history," Ark Marketing Director Colleen Murdock said. The Ark strives to promote the music that is self-taught, unstructured and handed down from generation to generation, as well as appeal to multiple age groups. This year, groups performing at The Ark have included Ellis Paul, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Glengarry Bhoys and the University Jazz Ensemble. The Ensemble will be performing tonight at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $15. Acoustic trio Bela Fleck will be per- forming April 13 as part of The Ark's 40th anniversary celebration. Besides the unique sounds that are produced at The Ark, the club is able to provide another type of unusual experi- ence - a meet and greet option after most concerts. Though not all artists agree, the majority are happy to oblige. For music-lovers, this special experience is exciting and rare; LSA sophomore Dave Raven made the most of meeting hippie legend Richie Havens last year. "I brought my parents' Woodstock T-shirt to the concert, and he actually autographed it right in the middle after the show," Raven said. Artists have also been known to sign CDs and ticket stubs, take pictures with MAGAZINE IF WE HADQA MILLIQIN DOLLARS, WE'D PUY YOUA ~GREEN DRES. BU OTAREAL GREE DRES$,. HA$CUE a ' "We want to put on the best show we can. It's also a chance to cultivate new acts and audiences." - Colleen Murdock Marketing Director, The Ark fans and chat with audience members. Open Mic nights are popular, espe- cially as fun, cheap dates - tickets are $3 per person, or $2 for visitors with an annual membership to The Ark. Nearly 100 members of the Ann Arbor community attend Open Mic nights, the same forum that Grier and Radner gained their collegiate comedic experience. For those interested in performing, the process is simple. At 7:30 p.m., everyone who wishes to perform puts his or her name or group act on a slip and 15 acts are randomly chosen to per- form that night. Any group not chosen that week has the opportunity to put two slips in for the next drawing. And while Open Mic nights provide a more regular form of listening and viewing pleasure, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival is The Ark's biggest annual fundraiser. The two-day event is always the last weekend in January. It is a showcase for those The Ark considers phenomenal performers, including rec- ognized artists who help draw crowds as well as some lesser-known performers. "We want to put on the best show we can," Murdock said. "It's also a chance to cultivate new acts and audiences." This year's successful festival head- lined Keb' Mo' and the Indigo Girls, and featured artists such as Jeremy Kit- tel, the Kruger Brothers and Steppin' In It. The festival tickets are $30 and $45. The Ark aims to keep its ticket prices as low as possible, although prices rise if Hill Auditorium or the Michigan Theatre are rented out as venues, or if larger bands who demand more money perform. "Seeing an artist in a small space is worth a somewhat higher ticket price in itself," said Murdock. In the end, prices are determined by how much the market will bear and the artist fee. Supporting The Ark by becoming a member has perks, some of which include advance ticket purchasing and lower ticket prices. There are tiers of membership, starting at $5 per semester (based on the University schedule) and going up to $500. "Memberships are key because tic sales only cover 75 percent of expense Murdock said. Thus, The Ark deper on its loyal concert-goers to help ft the theater and keep ticket prices lov Additionally, only members n purchase alcohol at concession stan although a member may sign in gue to buy as well. The Ark is an all- venue, offering soft drinks, baked go( and popcorn at every show. It may not be as big as the Michit Theatre, or have the newly renova polish of Hill Auditorium, but The/ has a long-standing tradition of acou roots and folk favorites, making it ideal destination for a musical night the town. The Blind Boys of Alabama performed at The Ark - located on Main Stri U Motor City Music Conference MC2 will run April 20-24 at more than 40 venues throughout the Detroit area. Passes can be purchased for $40, $60 and $100. Day passes to the conference and trade show cost $15. Includes more than 500 acts, from local to national and internation- al. Big-ticket performers include Snoop Dogg, The Game and Moby. There will be 40 to 60 independent musicians meeting with A&R executives to discuss possible record deals. Cobo Expo Center will house a skateboarding park, a trade show, Lucky Monkey Tattoos of Ann Arbor and other entertain- ment for conference-goers. More information available at www.motorcitymusic.com. STUDENT AIRFARES STUDY ABROAD Whether you're headed abroad straight from campus or from home, StudentUniverse.com has the lowest airfares to the places where students are studying abroad this summer. Visit StudentUniverse.com for Student Airfares everywhere, from anywhere in the U.S. Sample roundtrip Studen r I. I. Transportaton tax. Ofher taxes and foes nary, depending on the itinerary, and are not incuded. Fares displayed to all other destinations do sot include taxes and teas. Visit StudentUniverse.com for complete roles, Fares are subject to availab 4I StudentUniverse.com Artists performing at the Motor City Music Conference, such as Dime & Jeremi- ah, will perform at venues such as Cobo Expo Center and The Magic Stick.