;e The Michigan Daily n A label Mich. can handle By DAVID WATNICK Daily Arts Writer When No Fun Records packed up operations in South America in 2003 and resettled in Ann Arbor, the garage-heavy label couldn't have picked amore fertile hometurf. With word-slurringrock trailblazers ? and the Mysterians and revolutionaries the Stooges, the Detroit area long ago sparked the engine that pow- ered garage-rock out of the garage and into the American music con- sciousness. Now, neo-primitives like the White Stripes and Von Bondies are testament to its ongoing vitality here. But beyond Detroit's marquee acts, the feature that makes the city a firm bastion for the scene is its No Fun record label celebrates 10 years thriving underground. And the No Funlabel, which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary last Friday with a show at The Blind Pig, has been a major contributor in facilitating that burgeoning subterranean move- ment. In an era where litigation-happy, nickel'n'diming media conglomer- ates dominate the recording world, the notion of a record label steeped in music-first principles seems about as obsolete as the idea of an Ameri- can president practicing effective international diplomacy. But that's exactly what No Fun is. "We pretty much stay away from mainstream sounds, or bands mak- ingmusic for the only purpose of get- ting radio play, or getting famous," said Claudia Leo, the label's vice president and drummer for No Fun mainstays The Avatars and the Coro- nados. "We don't have much respect See NO FUN, Page 3B ..., michigandaily.com I Thursday, December 6, 2007 The Daily Arts guide to the best upcoming events - it's everywhere you should be this weekend and why. ON SCREEN The 1997 film "Nappy," the stories of 14 women and their natural hairstyles, will screen tonight for free at 6 p.m. in the Wolverine ABC Room of the Michigan Union. By Lydia Ann Douglas, the film offers an insightful look into everyday culture as reflections of personal identity and the perception of beauty. eep kids away from art," said Ronen Goldstein, an Art and Design senior whose work is on display for the School of Art School of and Design's Sixth Annual Arts and All Student I Exhibition at S the Work: Ann Annual All Arbor gallery S on State Street. Studeiit "It's like a ter- Exhibition rible drug." Take Gold- At Work stein's words Gallery as a warning. Thosg With a mix of h Dec.14 multimedia sensations, you may find yourself wandering around the gallery, surprised and unable to escape the attraction of your peers' paintings, photographs, video and sculp- tures. You'll quietly reassure your- self you'll leave after just one more piece. You - like many of the exhibit- ing artists at the Work gallery - might find yourself addicted to art. But why? Work: Detroit, the new sister gallery to Work: Ann Arbor, explores that question with its "Why - Why we make creative work, from the people who make it" exhibit. The answer at this show can be found within the art itself. A video installation in the base- ment of the AnnArbor gallerytells a story. Projected clips of home video, visible through tiny metal keyholes in a white wall, give the viewer a voyeuristic glimpse into another person's life. This expo- sure evokes feelings and questions about oneself through the lens of another. The installation's setup alludes to the greater reason why students create art. To all but one or two people, the story is blurry and out of focus, but who can squeeze in and press their eye up to a keyhole in the screen can watch the lives of strangers unfold. To those who stand behind the openings with keys dangling from silvery strings above, there is a moment of clar- ity. That's what keeps Art and Design juniors Cassie McQuater and Danielle Davis going. "You throw half of your san- ity into your art, but there are moments of clarity," said Davis, who contributed a painting of a deep-blue Detroit scene with a missing figure hauntingly carved out of the work. "You can go long through peri- ods of nothing and then have this one really great moment that can last you for the next few months," said McQuater, who is displaying a minimalist line drawing of a "frog or turtle guy" laying on pillows at the gallery. Yet for all of the students it seems tobe more thanjust a search for clarity that drives them to cre- ate. Davis said that, like many of her peers, "making art is what you do - you can't help it." "For me, anyway, it's an all-encompassing thing," McQuater said. "It's apur- See WORK, Page 4B ON STAGE Sponsored annually by F.O.K.U.S., "The Remix" is a student-talent showcase designed to unite different people and student groups for the sake of artistic expression. The show will be put on tomorrow in the Michigan Union Ballroom from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event is free. IN CONCERT Rockapella fans, unite! This Saturday at the Blind Pig, the former frontman of Rockapella, Sean Altman, brings his solo comedy act to Ann Arbor in anticipation of his debut album, Taller Than Jesus. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. The show starts at 7 p.m. IN/Daily HOW-TO The hipster workout guide By Kimberly Chou and Matt Emery Daily Arts Writers We all know kugel goes straight to the hips - and you understand that muffin tops happen to hipsters, too. Winter's here and holidays are nigh, which means if you're planning to tuck into Hanukah and Christmas dinners (or have already overloaded on the korma at Diwali), you bet- ter hit the CCRB. Daily Arts' Hipster Workout Guide will push you harder, better, fast- er, stronger - at the gym. THE GEAR * Find shorts that will help you channel Heather Gra- ham (clothed) in "Boogie Nights." Hot shorts with piping are key to achieving a Roller Girl/Roller Boy look. There's this thing called the tap panty at American Apparel that's kind of close, but the ads make us uncom- fortable. * Pair said shorts with tube socks. Sometimes knee- highs make up for the brief- ness of the thigh coverage. Sometimes. " Unitards, leotards, bodysuits or anything one- piece with Lycra that can be found at Salvation Army. * For those willing to sac- rifice vanity for the sake of irony: Try a facemask or protective goggles. But if you're already rockin' a Pre- fontaine-style mustache, be careful that you're not tak- ing it too far. There's a fine line between looking retro and looking stupid. * High top shoes - you'll even get ankle support. Old- school Reeboks with the Vel- cro at the top are great. Nike Dunks will do, too, even though they're not really meant for working out. We had a friend who used to wear these Prada sailing team kicks (don't ask) that were actually pretty funky, but we're, like, above labels. * Sweatbands. Combined with the shorts, you'll look like John McEnroe, saucy temper optional. * Old, decaying band T-shirts. No one will rec- ognize that Andrew Bird shirt except for another hipster hottie. Play this angle up and awkwardly eye-sex another prospective scenester. " No Michigan anything, not even frosh-year dorm shirts. They won't be indie for another 10 years. THE ENTERTAINMENT * Rock the huge mother- fucking headphones. You might even be able to get the volume loud enough to draw casual glances from jealous onlookers. Act like they're not there. You're too good for them anyway. Note: If running outdoors, they will keep your ears warm. And the Neutral Milk Hotel bootlegs will keep your heart warm. * Girl Talk, LCD, obscure old-school hip hop compila- tions. (Insert wit here.) " SEDARIS! SUGGESTED WORKOUTS " Pick the treadmill - it's always in the back of the gym or looking out onto deserted fields. This way, you can get your existential fix while planning your next movie script. Don't be afraid to slip or fall, either. If you do, no one will help you, butyou're total- ly the only one doing it. * Running on the treadmill while smoking Pall Malls or Parliament Lights. This will complicate your health, and may or may not cause you to be kicked out of the North Campus Recreation Building, Central Campus Recreation Building and Intramural Sports Building. * Sidebends. Arm circles. Hip circles. Bicycle kicks. You might need longer shorts for the last one, as with anything that might make the person on the matcnext to you cringe. * Lots of yoga and stretch- ing. Going for that long, sin- ewy Natalie Portman look? You can get there in healthful ways. Sidebends in front of the mirror will let you strengthen your obliques, but aren't so attention-consuming that you can't mentally draft blog posts. Or judge people. AT THE MIC Check out the best student musicians tomorrow night when University Unions and Arts & Programs presents Open Mic Nights Best of the Best Show. Judges picked the best performers from the past three months, and all will be on stage at the Michigan League starting at 8:30 p.m. Free food and drinks will be provided.