Art fair offers
showcase for
individualists
4
By GAIL HEYMAN
available colors" to work with, he
Everything seems to be specialized sabbage Patch, Superman, and
these days. Doctors who were once blue jean ties are how Nancy Ochsen-
the good ol' country docs that sat on schlager demonstrates her
front porches around the country, are creativity. "Necktie," as she is
now "specialists" in everything from sometimes called, says she started
brains tf sts," who once sold out as a nurse in Ann Arbor fifteen
years ago, making ties during the
everything from etchings to wire ''wild tie craze" and selling them to
sculptures in the art fair, are now doctors.
computer graphic designers, exotic Since then, she says she's created
tie-makers, and raku-fired ocaria many special necktie designs, in-
makers. For these artists, the Ann cluding a bicentennial tie which she
Arbor art fair is a place where they presented at the White House in
:an express their individuality and
expand the meaning of "art." OHECLGR h spr
_ . FOR EXAMPLE, this is the com- ticipating in her 13th Ann
puter age, and Kevin Ball, a junior in Arbor art fair, says she's partial to
the art school, says the fair is giving her
Daily Photo by DARRIAN SMITH him a chance to begin marketing his most popular design - Mickey
Splish Splash computer graphic works. Ball says Mouglas Deih , from New Hampton,
he's thrown aside the traditional Massachusetts, says he usually par-
Fair-goers cool off in the fountain in front of the Michigan Union Thursday. The dip provided relief for the art brush and easle to create psychedelic ticipates only in art fairs along the
fans who sweltered in 80 degree heat. designs with a color monitor and east coast, but this year came to Ann
scanner. This offers him "16.7 million Arbor for the first time to show his
flutes and ocarinas (a wind in-
fa r stru ment) made of raku-fired clay.
Hare Krishnas attract the curious atfair" work appears deceptively sim-
ple," he said, "but ifsa window (on the
(continuedfromPage1) person who said no, the person who was in- fun sometimes. (People start to ask questions) instrument) is even slightly off, the
with a sex life? I have to study," he said. terested, the person who accused us of cheating. and I say 'Come on over to the other side of the scale will be off."
The conversation ends as the Christian and the Krishna wants you to see the truth." table and we'll shave you up.' " This year's fair is the first in Ann
Krishna decide to go their own religious ways. THE MAGAZINES from his rack fly off after a ELLIS SAID that before joining the Krishnas Arbor, also for Paula Everett and Bob
"I'll pray for you," says the Christian. "I'll pray sudden gust of wind and Ellis mutters, "I thought I last year, he was a "straight-A" student at the Lamont. For them, flying fish and
for you too," says the Krishna. brainwashed those magazines to stay." University. "I thought I was going to be a birds are their idea of art. They said
"A LOT OF Christians say, 'Jesus is the only Ellis even has fun with those who ridicule the lawyer," he said. that they've tried various forms of
way. You'll go to hell,' " says Ellis. "That's what Krishnas. "We get big laughs off them," he said. "I was born Jewish, lived in Israel, studied in a folk art but finally settled on their
they said to the Christians in the beginning. We're "But it's not malicious, it's good natured." kibbutz," he said. unique form of animal sculpture
being thrown to the lions." REFERRING to the man who accused the Ellis doesn't think he will ever go back to a more because they "like animals and the
Many people still think we're a cult, but we can Krishnas earlier, he said "It's like 1,001 con- conventional way of life. "When you have a higher great outdoors," and that they're in-
clear it up for everyone who comes," Ellis says. spiracies. They're paranoid." taste, you'll never go back," he said. terested in "fine detail and
He notes the Krishna religion dates back 7,000 "People come up to me and ask, 'does your "American culture may be intricate, but it is naturalistic appearances."
years in India. mother know you're here' or say 'can I help you, bland ... people are turning to Gumby for cultural "BESIDES," Lamont said, "It's
Reflecting on his varied collection of visitors, son?"' enrichment. But our culture is rich in song and fun. It's whimsical."
Ellis says, "That's the way Krishna works. He Ellis admits, though, that sometimes he preys dance and we're offering to share this with Before coming to this festival,
wants you to see all aspects. You've seen the on people's misconceptions. "I have a little bit of people," he said. Everett and Lamont spent five years
TEImaking a living off their creations.
TODAY S ENTERTA NMENT
I
4
a
a
a
Presentations from several local Studio, 302E. Liberty.
11 0.m. organizations dedicated to the per- Herb David instructors and local
Mr. B - S. University and E. Univer- formance and support of folk culture. musicians jam on the front porch of
sity. Freethe Studio until 5 p.m. Free.
Blues and boogie-woogie piano Catons and Classic Comedy Vre rcflAc tgK
master Mark "Mr.g"Brauntrundles Carto Vortex - Graceful Arch Stage, E.
his pianoforte out onto the intersec- -Dooley's, 310Maynard. d University.
tion and plays intermittently until 5 Free balloons for every child who Instrumental jazz quartet comes
p.m. Free. comes to watch these 20 to 40 minute from the Motor City. Free.
Young People's Theater - Graceful excursions into Warner Brothers
Arch Stage, E. University. cartoons and silent comedies. On the
Steve Peterson and Rick Sperling hour, every hour until 6 p.m. Free. . 1:30 p.m.
direct young and grown-up actors in Tracy Lee and the Leonards - Ann Doyle - Michigan Union Stage,
William Lavender's musical The In-. Michigan Union Stage, State Street. State Street.
visible People. Free. Eclectic rock and roll from a quar- Folk from a local
tet of local master musicians. singer/songwriter/guitarist. Free.
11:30 a.m. Featuring dancing by State jitter-
Malini's Classical Dances of India bugging champs Vicki Honeyman and 2 p.*m.
Troupe's CaceflDArchsStagedE. Jim Kruz. Free. O. J. Anderson - Graceful Arch
Troupe - Graceful Arch Stage, E. Stage E. Uniesty.
Unvriy t12:15 Stge,E. University. .
Universi 12:15a p.m. Talented mime performer who will
Malini Srirama leads her local Victoriana Americana - First Bap- take off the make-up tonight for the
stage troupe through a program of tist Church, 502 E. Huron. Cole Porter revue at the Ark.
classical Indian dances. Free. Four local organists perform The Watusies - Rick's Outdoor
No nworks by Sousa, Ives, and other grestTh auis- ck Otdo
Noon American composers. Free. Stage, Church Street.
Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Rock and roll from the band that
Music and Dance - Graceful Arch 1 p.m. has used the most adjectives in the
Stage, E. University. Guitar Music Herb David Guitar history of showbiz. Free.
More eclectic rock from this local
3 p.m. all-star quartet. Free.
Blue Front Persuaders - Michigan
Union State, Stats Street. Bar Time
Rhythm and blues from local
masters. Free. The Apartment - (769-4060) -
Stark Raving Revue - Graceful Arch Rock with the Robert Penn Revue.
Stage, E. University. The Ark - (761-1451) - An Evening
Guitarist Peter Stark and his band with Cole Porter.
close out the Graceful Arch Stage
with an open-ended jam session. The Blind Pig - (996-8555) - Boot-
Free. sie X and the Lovemasters funk it up.
4 p.m. The Earle - (994-0211) - Burgess,
O'Connor, and band.
The Sun Messengers - Rick's Out- Main Street Comedy Showcase -
door Stage, Church Street. (9g9680) - L.A. monologuist Rich
Rock'n'reggae. Free. Shydner.
Mr. Flood's Party - (995-2132) -
5:30 p.m. The Falcons swoop into Flood's.
Juanita McCray and Her Motor City Mountain Jack's - (665-1133) -
Beat - Mr. Flood's Party, 120 W. Jeff Baldori and Bob Gardner make
Liberty. your listening easy.
Detroit blues. Free. The Nectarine Ballroom - (994-
5436) - Steve King and the Dittilies.
b p.m. Rick's American Cafe - (996-2747)
Tracy Lee and the Leonards -Rick's - The Sun Messengers shine.
TrL tagn, th Leonards -Ric U-Club - (763-2236) - Michael Pool
Outdoor Stage, Church Street. plays dance music.