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The Michigan Daily I michigandaily.com I Thursday, February 12, 2009
weekend
essentials
Feb. 12 to Feb.15
VT
{ III -°TV
The much-anticipated
HBO comedy "Eastbound
P & Down," co-created by
masters of hilarity Will
Ferrell and Adam McKay
(writer of films "Anchor-
man and "Talladega
Nights"), begins this Sun
day at 10:30 p.m. The
series's hero is a washed-
up ex-professional base-
ball pitcher played by
rising star Danny McBride
("Pineapple Express").
The show chronicles
his efforts to make it
back to the big show.
FLM
If it gets nasty cold this
weekend, then why not
cozy up with a hearty,
healthy laugh at the
expense of the Marx
Brothers? This Monday,
The Michigan Theater's
Screwball Comedies
Series will continue its
legendary laugh-ins at
., a a 7 p.m. with "Night at
the Opera," an arguable
masterpiece in the Marx
. ~canon The "Contract
. scene alone is worth it
CONCERT
Calling all couples out
there: Celebrate Valen-
tine's Day early with My
i Foiky Vaentine, an annu-
al event held at The Ark
featuring performances
by some of Michigan's
- finest married songwrit-
ers. Tickets from $15. But
if folk's not your thing,
head over to the Blind Pig
on Saturday to "dance the
" "passion" with The Love
c ",p,'"Bang!, a special Valen-
tine's Day party hosted
by local dance authority
The Bang! Tickets $8
for those over 21 and
$11 for the young ones.
aming without a good mon," "Lord of the Rings," "Digi- tion of "Dungeons & Dragons" ing. As an additional effort, the think the social aspect of it is
group of players is like mon" and several other card (which, according to several store is strongly pushing board why I like it," Fireman said in
playing in a 'Magic' tour- game franchises. "Magic" is par- annoyed gamers; is just becom- game competitions. On Thurs- reference to his "D&D" habits.
nament without nonbasic lands. ticularly dear to Fireman's heart ing another version of "World day and Sunday nights, anyone Likewise, the store and its
You won't have fun and you'll because it's how he got his start of Warcraft," except on paper). can come in and either demo a many events provide more than
probably be a loser." as a gamer at a very young age. Unsurprisingly, the store has game from the store or bring one just a place for gamers to play.
That's why Joshua Fireman, "My dad actually got me into turned into somewhat of a cen- of their own. They serve a much greater pur-
LSA freshman and avid gamer, is it," Fireman explained. "He tral hub for gamers who go there This whole culture mightcseem pose: bringing gamers together.
thankful to be in Ann Arbor. started playing a little bit after to hang out. strange at first, but one need only "A lot of what we carry is more O N STAG E
"Ann Arbor lets me feel more it came out. And he needed a look at the games themselves social,"saidAlexHorvath,owner
open about playing 'Magic' and play partner, and his four- or to see why they evoke so much of Get Your Game On. "Our big For the fifth weekend
'Dungeons & Dragons' and other five year-old son was a good play devotion from their players. The tournaments, our board games,
activities such as that," he said. partner." Not all gamers games that succeed the most thingslike that.Ithink there's an running, Ann Arbor's
"You feel like less of a nerd when Forthoseseekingopponentsor are those that immerse gamers inherent need in human nature Performance Network
you're doing it at college because partners - whether in games like have pocket in new fantastical worlds while for that social aspect." . Theatre will be perform-
you no longer feel like you're the "Magic," "Warhammer," "D&D," intellectually challenging the Gaming in Ann Arbor is, due ing Tom Stoppard's bril-
only one." video games or evensboard games proteCtors and players. "Magic" has created in large part to Horvath, truly
Fireman isjustone ofthe many - there's no better place to go in numerous fantasy settings from a social event. His store has liant and chilling work,
Ann Arborites who identify with Ann Arbor than Get Your Game decoder rings which the content of the cards become an important meet- "Rosencrantz and Guil-
the elite class of "gamers." Gam- On, the gaming and comic store dr is derived, and "Dungeons & ing place for local gamers. Most denstern are Dead." An
ing is a term with a broad defini- that sits unassumingly at 709 Dragons" features worlds full of of the local groups who play adaptation of "Hamlet"
tion, extending through video Packard Street, just off the State the things its name suggests. But "Magic," "D&D" or one of many
games, board games, card games, Street intersection. don't confuse this emergence into other games meet at the store and a starkly original
figurine games and role-playing The store is a veritable gain- Each day of the week the store imaginary realms with escapism. as strangers and leave as close foray into questions of
games. With so many games to er's paradise. The walls are cov- offers different events and com- These games are merely another friends. Horvath is especially being and the nature of
choose from, gamers often strug- ered with graffiti-esque murals petitions that end up having a outlet for the imagination. After proud of the connections made theatre, this play is one
gle to stick to just one. of Mario and Megaman as well consistentturnout."Magic"com- all, who wouldn't want to take in the store.
Fireman, for example, is cur- as posters of characters and set- petition days have been the most a few hours each day to shoot "We do build an extensive of the great modern dra-
rently involved with "Dungeons tings from magical worlds. The popular, and the store offers a down demons with a crossbow? community, and there are cer- mas. The Performance
& Dragons," "Magic: the Gath- shelves contain every imaginable variety of different tournaments Even so, the fantasy and the tainly plenty of friendships that Network Theatre re-
ering" and "World of Warcraft," object of the gaming world, from for the classic card game. The strategy don't make up the entire have come out of it," he said. "We creates it masterfully.
to name a few. He has also been the latest PlayStation 3 releases store also offers "Warhammer" appeal of gaming. really try to make ita welcoming
through passing phases of "Pok- to the rulebooksuto the latest edi- events that are constantly grow- "I enjoy role-playing, but I See GAMERS, Page 3B Tickets are $12 to $31
with the student dis-
count (call 734.663.0681
for the box office).
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