T yil y Friday, March 16, 2012 - 5 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com CONCERT PREVIEW 'Masterworks' to be served up byA2SO Michigan Theater to host fusion of a Shallow, Southern 'GCB' classic and modern By JONATHAN ODDEN Daily Arts Writer For over 80 years, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has brought music to the area through its annual con- Masterorks certs and outreach Tomorrow programs. at 8 p.m. Now in its Michigan Theater 12th year under Con- ductor and Music Director Arie Lipsky, the symphony orchestra will pres- ent "Masterworks" - its fifth main-stage concert of the sea- son - with the hope of bringing masterpieces from the classics together with some of the most lauded compositions from mod- ern composers. "The catalogue of music is so extensive and fascinating that it's quite difficult to choose music for only six concerts in a single season," said Mary Steffek Blaske, executive director of the A2SO. "(Lipsky) is a marvelous music director, though, and he looks at the concert experience a little like a meal with an appe- tizer, main course and dessert." For the "Masterworks" con- cert, the appetizer is the mod- ern classic "Oh, Lois." Part of the award-winning "Metropolis Symphony" - a symphony based on the original Superman com- ics - "Oh, Lois" is about Clark Kent's love interest and Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane. "With an explicit tempo of 'Faster than a speeding bullet,' the four-minute piece just races along," Blaske said. "And under- neath that speed is a wonderful complexity of harmonies and polyrhythmic counterpoints that change the energy and tone of the work." The cause of much of this complexity is one of the most distinctive features in the sym- phony: a flexatone. Looking a little like a steel mousetrap with drumsticks, the flexatone pro- vides a percussion effect similar to manipulating the pitch and intensity of an alarm clock. The sound is cartoonish and dated, COURTESY OF MARY BLASKE Arie Lipsky will conduct A2SO at tomorrow's performance. By RADHIKA MENON Daily Arts Writer "GCB" began making waves early in its conception when its name came under attack from various reli- gious advocacy groups. For- merly titled GCB "Good Chris- tian Bitches," Pilot then altered to Sundaysat10 p.m. "Good Chris- tian Belles" and finally set- tling on simply "GCB," the show offends in more ways than just its name. Operating through exaggerated Southern charm and unrelenting accents, "GCB" reduces every character to a stereotype, presenting them in nothing more than busty blouses, short skirts and forced dialogue. Amanda Vaughn's (Leslie Bibb, "Iron Man") husband dies after his car drives off of a cliff while a lady friend is, ahem, pleasuring him. The very fact that he dies from road head is questionable enough - but wait, there's more! Afterward, Aman- da loses everything (because she doesn't have a job ... of course) and must move back into her mother's mansion in her home- town of Dallas (rough life). How- ever, her return is not received enthusiastically, as it's revealed she was the resident mean girl in high school, and her peers still hold a grudge against teenage Amanda. Soon after arriving, Amanda begins receiving gifts from an anonymous "Secret Admirer," muchtothe dismayofherformer schoolmates: Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies"), Sharon Peacham (Jen- nifer Aspen, "Rodney"), Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols, "24") and Cricket Caruth-Reilly ('U' alum Miriam Shor, "Mildred Pierce"). Carlene, the ringleader, begins to plot her vengeance against Amanda with the help of the gang. Together, they as if lifted directly from the sound effects of a 1930s radio thriller. "The use of the flexatone and, at one point, a whip, challenges the normal 'sound' of a sympho- ny," Blaske said. "But it's excit- ing and creative; and the genius behind the work is our own local celebrity, Michael Daugherty." A professor of Composition in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Daugherty is also one of the most active American composers today. His work - including a three-time Grammy- award-winning 2011 record of the Nashville Symphony's Naxos playing "Metropolis Sympho- ny" - is widely considered to be among the most progressive and original material written for modern choral, orchestral, con- certi, solo and operatic pieces, Blaske explained. In his extensive program notes, Daugherty describes how he uses the Superman metaphor to evoke an American mythol- ogy expressive of the eclectic fusion in sound and culture in mid-to-late 20th century urban America. The symphony, Daugh- erty explains, is a snapshot of America told through one of its most lasting icons. A piece by Camille Saint- Sa6ns follows "Oh, Lois." Most remembered for composing "The Carnival of the Animals" or the operatic "Samson and Delilah," the 19th-century Frenchman also wrote concer- tos for cello, piano and violin. In "Masterworks," Concertmaster Aaron Berofsky will perform Saint-Saens's third and final vio- lin concerto. "Saint-Saens's concerto rivals the most beautiful works in the classical canon," Blaske said. "In its day, it was almost unheard of for such work to come from a French composer, and it has a tremendous romantic core, which Aaron captures with his exceptional work." Berofsky is concertmaster for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and an associate pro- fessor of violin in the School of MT&D. He has performed around the country as a soloist and with chamber ensemble The Chester String Quartet. "(Berofsky) has an amazing tone and talent," Blaske said. "Moreover, he and Maestro Lip- sky have a strong collaborative relationship that helps drive the symphony. His work with Saint- Saens's piece is masterful." After Berofsky's performance and brief break, the orches- tra will preform Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony. First per- formed in 1888, the four move- ments making up the 46-minute piece deal with the themes of providence and salvation. "It's classic Tchaikovsky, with cyclical melodies and strong horn moments," Blaske said. "However, it is by far Tchai- kovsky's most overtly trium- phant symphony. As it flows from a minor to a major key, the optimism is simply infectious." "Oh my God Karen, you can't just ask someone why they're white." sabota; job ani keepin everyn Ror or Ever over th fake T ning of virtual wants charac way of ence he Furt the m: of wor Womer ful, ha tures o on topi life, no these other i episodi of fill-i and dra the for ge Amanda's search for a no Emily Thorne, Kate Austen or d a new home, while also Meredith Grey. g a watchful eye on her The characters are shallow move. caricatures acting in juvenile fashion. Amanda barely grieves for her dead husband before ad head: Best openly pursuing new suitors. Even her children don't seem to worst death? be botheredby the circumstances of their father's death and assimi- late to Texan life almost too easi- ly. The scorned schoolmatesseem rything about "GCB" is to do little else besides plot their he top. From the horribly revenge, a storyline that already exan accents to the don- feels old. cowboy hats and boots by The only redeeming quality is ly every character, "GCB" a potentially promising storyline you to know that these in which Cricket's husband is ters are Southern in every revealed to be gay. Though this the word - and the audi- plotline is eerily reminiscent of ears it loud and clear. a "Brokeback Mountain" type of her, the show exploits ordeal, it could be a site of fan- ost offensive stereotypes tastic character and community sen as a minority group. exploration. Southern communi- n are denigrated to venge- ties are often cited as homopho- teful, gold-digging crea- bic places, and this could provide )bsessed with coming out commentary on the topical sub- in the popularity contestof ject matter. matter the cost. Watching If you're looking for a mind- women interact with each less way to pass the time, then s reminiscent of a staged this is the perfect show. But if e of "The Real Housewives you hope for your shows to carry n-the-blank," with money a bit more depth in character ama as the major themes at and plot development, stay clear efront. These women are of "GCB." Probing the Bobo culture Effort to reboot 'SSX' stumbles down the stretch .. By SHIN HIETFE Daily Arts Writer With the Tony Hawk skate- boarding games declining in popularity, there are few extreme-sports games released anymore. EA hopes to fill SSX the void with "SSX," revi- Xbox 360 talizing a for- and PS3 merly popular EA snowboarding franchise that has lain dormant for the last half decade or so. While "SSX" retains the essence of the series - pulling off gravity-defying tricks in style - it goes in some directions that are detrimental to the game's -lasting appeal. "SSX" throws realism to the wind, letting players get gigan- tic air off of ramps and pull off amazing stunts. Completing tricks gives you points to fill up a "Tricky" meter, and filling the meter will not only let you do even crazier stunts that yield more points, but it also provides infinite boost for racing down the mountain. The goal is to get as many points as you can or to race to the bottom of the track as fast as possible. Both game types are enjoyable at first, as unbelievable-looking tricks can be done with ease, and th boostin ever, a mount treache and ga goingo way to into a fallingt ly frus only co and im sfl if y W Unfo course with t "Survi mode, give yo it dow against obstacl It's eas to slipu so the it safe, jumpsc ever, th 1e sense of speed when the core of "SSX," which is to do ng is extraordinary. How- crazy, unrealistic tricks. While s the difficulty ramps up, the idea of dangerous crevasses ain slopes become more sounds like it adds a sense of ten- erous, adding deadly cliffs sion to the game, really it only ps in the course. When adds unnecessary frustration. off a big ramp, there's no All this doesn't compare to know if you're headed the biggest issue with "SSX," gap, and inadvertently which is the lack of head-to- to your death is extreme- head multiplayer. First off, there trating. This problem is is no split-screen multiplayer, ompounded by the loose which is a terrible oversight, precise controls. as competing with roommates or friends would add lasting appeal. It's no fun Bafflingly, there is no head-to- head online multiplayer either. owboarding Instead, you post your score on a certain course and see how it 'ou can't play compares with other players online. Competing against ran- 'ith friends. dom people's scores isn't com- pelling and doesn't hold much lasting value after finishing the World Tour mode, which won't rtunately, treacherous take more than 10 or so hours. design is emphasized To its.credit, the core game- :he game's new mode, play of "SSX" is still a good time. ve It." In the World Tour Getting huge air, completing a these special events quadruple backflip while doing iu only one task - make an insane trick and barely land- n a course in one piece ing it is awesome and thrilling. the odds of a specific Furthermore, it has a fantas- e, such as ice or darkness. tic soundtrack and is visually ier than the other courses arresting. At the end of the day, up, die and get frustrated, those looking for a new extreme- best method is to play sports game will find a lot to like going slow and taking in "SSX," but the fun probably only as necessary. How- won't last as long as you would his seems antithetical to like. By NICOLE SAVITSKY DailyArts Writer Someone is moving toward you; at first glance, it's indiscern- ible whether the figure is male or female, but, regardless, the jeans are cigarette-leg skinny. The ankle-length cowboy boots on this figure continue the trek, who is also sporting an ironic T-shirt with a plaid, flannel button-down left open and layered on top. Buddy Holly-inspired glasses (not necessarily prescribed for improved vision) and a well-worn leather carry-all satchel complete this air of uncaring. Alas, a hip- ster is approaching. The hipster can be your friend though! Growing up in Manhat- tan and attending an artsy high school taught me quite a bit about what it means to be a hipster, and it's definitely about more than just appearances (though if you can breathe, then your jeans aren't tight enough). That I pre- fer handwriting my class notes in uniquely designed notebooks merely toes the line of hipster- dom; true hipster status would culminate in writing every essay by hand, on recycled, handmade, flower-pressed paper, obviously. Across the pond, a similar ironic lifestyle grows in more meticulously plotted soil - Paris, France. Coined by David Brooks in his comic sociological reflec- tion "Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class And How They Got There," the "Bourgeois- Boheme," or bobos, present a synthesis of the liberal idealism of the 1960s and the self-interest of the 1980s. After spending the second semester of my junior year abroad in Paris, I know the bobos tres well. Even though my New York experiences have desensitized me to the sometimes-shocking exploits of hipsters, I was fas- cinated to see that the Parisian bobo does not fall far from the American Apparel-outfitted tree. The distinction lies in their desire to create a better society mastered the Parisian chic men- byspreadingtheirpersonal tastes tality, combining unique pieces and beliefs. with expensive brand names, Bobos and hipsters share simi- blurring our ability to tell where lar points of view, one being the one ends and the other begins. resentment of mainstream soci- Politics are not a strong point etal conventions applicable to for bobos. Hipsters cannot be dating preferences. The muscu- pinned to one party over another, lar and athletic male ideal is no but the bobo is at once a social longer attractive to chic and cul- liberal and an economic conser- tured bobo women, who instead vative, promoting freedom and seem to prefer the ability to share justice for all, but ignoring eco- apparel with their slender mate. nomic inequalities. One night at "Social Club," a pop- Like hipsters, bobos consider ular and eclectic nightclub for the wealthy to be relatives of Phi- young Parisians, I found myself listines, equipped with money in the thick of romantic scenarios but not with the nose for culture. where traditional rules of attrac- They chew on organic food, tion did not at all apply. don all-natural cottons, but can't seem to live without their iPhones, pondering the road to As Kanye would enlightenment. As the American masses seem say: Got our to be growing weary of hipsters, criticizing young people for join- bobos in Paris. ing a wannabe fringe movement in a post-war era (i.e. beatniks, hippies, punks, etc), the bobo pro- vides a fresh face, and perhaps a Bobos are the tip of Pari- new lifestyle to ultimately attack. sian tastemakers. The best spot The bobo is far less ostracized to bobo-watch is the Ninth for their status as an "other" Arrondissement - citadel of though, receiving a modern and bobo cool. You'll find restaurants less negative connotation. As a created around retro school- fusion of'60s counterculture and room furniture and menus that '80s entrepreneurial material- strum the chords of smart eating, ism, they have created their own rustic sophistication and child- comfortable contortion of capi- hood nostalgia. Most venues are talism, proving that your career modeled around the bobos' deep canbe somethingyou love: agood passion for New York City, with morality for building a decent an artistic decor that's meant to society. evoke vibes of SoHo. While I may not qualify as a Bobo yuppies claim highly total hipster (my favorite beer tolerant views of others and pur- sadly does not include Pabst Blue chase expensive and exotic items, Ribbon), my friends seem to be arguing their aversion to blatant correct in mocking some of my consumption and emphasizing actions and habits. But if being the necessities of life. They feel a hipster means hanging out at for the working class, referring to fashionable coffee shops, indie moneyas ameansto achievetheir rock shows and underground ends rather than considering dance clubs, where do I sign up? affluence as an optimal end itself. For me, the ultimate debate is While I was already in a con- now New York versus Paris: My stant state of awe regarding the home is in the former, my heart in complementary daily fashion the latter. Whether with hipsters showsoccurring on every street, I or bobos, either way I know I'll observed that the bobos had truly feel among friends.