The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom
NEW STUDENT EDITION
Tuesday, September b, 2011 - 5D
The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom NEW STUDENT EDITION Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 5D
The most notable arts
events and exhibits of 2010
BESTVIRALVIDEOSOF2010
By DAILY STAFF I Jan. 5,2011
By DAILY STAFF I Jan. 5, 2011
(Re)Visionary Dances - Feb.
4-7, Power Center
The Dance Department started
off 2010 with a bang, show-
casing its technical virtuosity
and impressive artistic utility
in a concert featuring original
debuts by dance professors Amy
Chavasse, Jessica Fogel and San-
dra Torijano, and as a restaging
of prominent American mod-
ern choreographer Paul Tay-
lor's "Le Sacre du Printemps"
(The Rehearsal). The Univer-
sity Dance Company displayed
a remarkable range of talent as
it tackled works both old and
new. "Le Sacre du Printemps"
was restaged in honor of Tay-
lor's 80th birthday and displayed
a fresh outlook on Taylor's
renowned choreography while
remaining true to the original
work. In addition to commemo-
rating a classic composition, the
company reminded the audience
of its strong voice and original-
ity in the refreshingly innovative
faculty pieces. The concert set
the tone for what turned out to
be an impressive season for the
department.
- ERIN STEELE
The San Francisco Symphony
- March 8, Hill Auditorium
The audience at Hill Auditorium
went wild after the last heav-
enly chord of Gustav Mahler's
massive Second Symphony rang
out. In honor of the composer's
150th birthday, the combined
San Francisco Symphony and
University Musical Society
Choral Union - both Grammy
Award-winning ensembles
- crowded the stage of Hill
Auditorium under the baton
of world-renowned Maestro
Michael Tilson Thomas. Spec-
tacle was the theme: Before the
performance, President Mary
Sue Coleman awarded Tilson
Thomas and the SFS the honor
of UMS Distinguished Artist
Award. Thomas then went on to
lead an army of choir members,
orchestra players and two female
soloists in a masterfully handled
interpretation of Mahler's epic
"Resurrection" symphony. The
conductor brought out all of the
emotional complexities of the
90-minute work - its luscious Projects exhibit. The artist, who
romance, a sense of overwhelm- has a background in sociology,
ing frustration and the religious ' explored the contradictions in
ecstasy of the final choral move- how modern, urban spaces are
ment. planned and used. His thought-
-JOE CADAGIN provoking collages contained
diverse materials: black-and-
A Very Potter Sequel - May white images, cityscape photos,
14-16, Walgreen Drama patterned paper cut into phrases
Center and his own drawings. Themes
of urban decay and inner-city
Fans, cameras and enthusiastic revitalization were also featured
mayhem descended upon sum- in the exhibit. Images of trees
mer's sleepy Studio One last May and grass were often collaged to
to an intoxicating effect. The poke through concrete, reflect-
reason? The highly anticipated ing the blur between urban
"A Very Potter Sequel," a musi- decline and renewal. Kolding
cal martini with a comical twist drew inspiration from Detroit
inspired by the "Harry Potter" for this exhibit, and some of his
series and concocted by Team new collage works featured his
StarKid, a theatrical production own photos of Detroit spaces,
group made up of University making the exhibit of particular
students and alumni. The musi- interest to Detroit-area audienc-
cal was posted on YouTube in es in Ann Arbor.
July, racking up over a million - ADDIE SHRODES
views since that time. 'U' alum
Darren Criss (who has recently Gibson Fleck - Nov. 18-21,
gained fame as Blaine on "Glee") Arthur Miller Theatre
starred as Harry and also wrote
the hit music and lyrics. The While audiences are accustomed
tight bond between the group to experiencing works by Wil-
of writers, producers and actors liam Shakespeare and Richard
stood out like Potter's lightning Rodgers and Oscar Hammer-
bolt scar, so character interac- stein II, as well as other notable
tions rather than punchline names, the School of Music, The-
jokes created soaring laughs. atre & Dance's "Gibson Fleck"
Despite the humor, "AVPS" was reminded University audiences
no parody. The writers shared a that talent can be found at home.
love of "Harry Potter," illustrat- "Gibson Fleck" is an original
ing that the series is a genuine piece of musical theater con-
treasure to our generation. ceived by three musical theatre
-ADDIE SHRODES majors (the book was written by
junior Ali Gordon and music and
UMMA Projects: Jakob lyrics by seniors A. J. Holmes
Kolding - July 31- Oct. 24, and Carlos Valdes). This beauti-
UMMA ful and "homemade" production
incorporated folk rock alongside
Berlin-based Jakob Kolding jux- other more familiar musical the-
taposed urban structures with ater sounds to assist in telling
images of skateboarders and the story of a young man who is
breakdancers in multimedia col- searching for a place of his own.
lages of urbanity for his UMMA - DANIEL CARLIN
1. Antoine Dodson
Every once in a while, a sound
bite comes along that just exists
to be Auto-Tuned. The summer
news clip of Huntsville, Ala.
native Antoine Dodson warning
against bed intruders is a per-
fect example. Dodson's public
service announcement advis-
ing viewers to hide their kids
and wives (and husbands, too)
is almost painfully catchy. His
distinct phrases, like "climbin'
in yo' windows, snatchin' yo'
people up" are funny enough, but
add the enraged body language
and intense eye contact with the
camera and you have a recipe
for Internet stardom. The origi-
nal clip is equally funny, if only
because we've heard the addic-
tive musical version.
Essentially, there isn't anyone
who disliked this video. But if
you did, we gon' find you.
- PROMA KHOSLA
2. Single Ladies Devastation
What's not to love about this
video? It has all the right compo-
nents for a successful and funny
home video, including a catchy
pop song, little kids singing and
dancing and a cute young Asian
boy throwing a fit. As the little
kid instantly goes from jubilant
to wailing when told that he is
not a single lady and shouldn't
sing the song, it's hard not
love every second of the video.
Whether this was really just a
precious family moment caught
on tape or a common occur-
rence for the little boy is hard to
tell. But really, it doesn't matter.
Fake or real - that boy is just too
dang cute. After watching this,
it's clear that everyone should be
allowed to jam out to Beyonct -
single, female or neither.
- LINDSAYHURD
3. This Too Shall Pass
Most viral videos are one-hit
wonders; in time, we forget the
people behind them and move
on. The exact opposite is true
of pop-rock sensation OK Go's
consistently amazing music
videos. "This Too Shall Pass"
not only upholds the brilliance
we've come to expect since "End
Love" and "Here It Goes Again"
but tops it in terms of originality
and execution. The video is one
mesmerizing shot of the band
in a warehouse, surrounded
by a continuous machine that
COREY OF vOUmUBE
eventually splatters the four
musicians with brightly colored
paint. It's nothingshort of trans-
fixing, a feat of physics and cin-
ematography that you can't help
watching through to the end
every time you click on the link.
Other bands could learn from
OK Go's creativity - one thing
we sincerely hope does not pass.
- PROMA KHOSLA
4. Double Rainbow
Two rainbows, one man. And
then, that one man's uncondi-
tional joy at witnessing such a
beautiful thing of nature. The
"Double Rainbow" video was
first uploaded in January and
gained exponential popularity
in the year that followed. Some
loved it, some thought it was
stupid, some overheard it and
thought it was porn. Regard-
less, the "double rainbow guy"
- less commonly known as Paul
Vasquez - became an internet
celebrity and embraced his new-
found fame so much so that he
was interviewed everywhere
from CBS News to "Jimmy Kim-
mel Live" to sex and relation-
ships website nerve.com ("Sex
Advice From The Double Rain-
COURTESY OF YOUTUSE
bow Guy"). At three-and-a-half
minutes, the detailed account of
Vasquez's overzealous reaction
to a double rainbow never gets
old. It's beautiful, all the way.
- PROMA KHOSLA
5. Old Spice Advertising
Campaign
It began with a simple instruc-
tion: "Look at your man, now
back to me." Well, it didn't take
long for all of America to do just
that, and when they looked back,
they liked what they saw. Old
Spice's "Man Your Man Could
Smell Like" campaign - featur-
ingthe beautiful, divine, elegant,
dragon-taming, feral, gentle,
loving, hilarious and muscular
creature that is Isaiah Mustafa
-achieved astonishing hype
from the masses, inspiring one
of the greatest advertising ploys
ever devised. Old Spice was the
first to use new media (what-
ever that is) to interact with its
fans in a genuinely meaningful
way. From the original ads to the
deluge of videos responding to
viewers, Mustafa and Old Spice
conquered the Internet in manly
fashion.
-JAMIE BLOCK
Suddenly Last Summer
a drama by Tennessee Williams
A ge;ng mother will de anything - even the
unthinkable - to save the reputation of her son.
Arthur Miller Theatre - Oct. 6 - 16, 2011
Dept. of Theatre & Drama
The Full Monty
a musical by Terrence McNally & David Yazbek
When the economy fails, a group of men
decide to take matters in their own hands to
make ends meet - but can they go all the way?
Mendelssohn Theatre " Oct. 13 - 23,. 2011
Dept. of Musical Theatre
Falstaff
a comic opera by Giuseppe Verdi
What could possibly go wrong when an over-the-hill
bon vivant solicits two married ladies - Plenty!
Sung in Italian with projected translations.
Power Center e Nov. 10 - 13, 2011
University Opera Theatre
Trumpets & Raspberries
a farce by Dario Fo
When an accidental surgical procedure renders
the richest businessman in Italy with a new look,
he suddenly finds himself accused of kidnapping.
Arthur Miller Theatre . Nov. 17 - 20, 2011
Dept. of Theatre & Drama
The Beaux' Stratagem
a romantic comedy by George Farquhar
The path to love is rarely smooth in this
romp full of misconception and wit.
Power Center " Dec. 8 - 11, 2011
Dept. of Theatre & Drama
Our 2011-2012 U-M School of
Music, Theatre & Dance season
promises superb entertainment
at a great value!
Student tickets are only $10 with ID,
50% Off the regular price! Get
yours now at the League Ticket Office
in the Michigan League. r
The Rake's Progress
an opera by Igor Stravinsky,
W H. Acdn & C. Kallman
Abandoning home &fiancee in search of his
fortune, an adventurerfinds that debauchery
and corruption are fun for only so long.
Sung in English with projected supercitles
Mendelssohn Theatre * Mar. 22 - 25, 2012
University Opera Theatre
Cloud 9
a drama by Caryl Churchill
Sexual identity and politics explored through
the lens of two centuries and one family.
Arthur Miller Theatre
Mar. 29 - Apr. 8, 2012
Dept. of Theatre & Drama
Dancelucent 2012
Dance #1 by guest Lucinda Childs
and new works by faculty Bill DeYoung,
Peter Sparling, and Robin Wilson.
Power Center e Feb. 2 - 5, 2012
University Dance Company
Noises Off
a comedy by Michael Frayn
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong in
this delightful farce about putting on a play.
Mendelssohn Theatre * Feb. 16 - 19, 2012
Dept. of Theatre & Drama