ARTS

Page 9
Touch a
By Brian Bonet
"We're not a children's museum
as everyone thinks we are," said
Melissa Pletcher, coordinator of
public programs at Ann Arbor's
Hands on Museum.
"We're a museum for people of
all ages."
Right. Then why do I feel like
I'm at recess?
I was a skeptical college student
immersed in a sea of shrimps
running around, lots of them, all
antsy and excited. But it didn't take
long before I realized that these kids
weren't the obnoxious kind,
kicking, biting, scratching, and
whining at one another. Not today.
This bunch of little hoodlums

Friday, June 5, 1987

The Michigan Daily

nd go at
literally had their hands full
exploring and wondering at the
mysteries this accelerated romper
room had to offer.
Over to the left there was a
small group of youngsters flocked
around an area of interest. Maybe
one of them spilled their roll of
lifesavers, I thought.
Wrong. They were gathered
around a submarine-like periscope
which gave those in control a
peering birdseye view of the
museum's second floor. I, on the
otherhand, prefered the stroboscope,
whose animated strobe light effects
left a host of fascinated tots and I
gawking with eyes and mouths
wide open. I was interested. I
was starting to have fun.
Behind me, Kevin Nalu, age

the Hands-On Museum

four, was also having fun checking
out his calorie intake for the day.
Kevin had skipped Lowenbrau with
lunch so he was confident of the
results. Kevin's mother was right at
his side helping him through the
sordid details.
After devouring the first floor
exhibits, a raucous bunch of
munchkins and I galloped our way
up to the second floor. It wasn't
long before little Christopher Wong
was jumping excitedly up and down
with three fingers outstretched
above his head yelling, "THWEE!
THWEE!"
He was engrossed by the
museum's Gravity Wishing Well,
where three pennies were speedily
spiraling around the well's outer
rim. "Wow! Look at them

go-then there!" Wong shouted as
he pointed to the well's bottom
where the one cent pieces
plummeted. Wong repeated the
ritual, this time with four pennies,
then with five. The young man was
a master.
Other third floor highlights
included the Bernouli Ball and the
Bubble Capsule and the hot air
ballon powered by toaster ovens
that were hands on creativity at its
finest. Wow!
Our next stop was the recently
opened third and fourth floors where
an array of fun-filled goodies did
not disappoint our curiousities. Nor
have they disappointed the public.
Since these floors have been made
accesible in March attendace at the
museum has skyrocketed.

The Darkened Light and Optics
gallery, the puzzles and game room,
and the computer room kept in step
with the rest of the museum and
added a satisfying finale to my
Hands On visit.
So after expecting to spend the
day somewhere on Sesame Street I
found myself fully participating in
and enjoying one of Ann Arbor's
most creative secrets that is truly a
treat for people of all ages. So take
a break from the sun and spend an
air conditioned afternoon at Ann
Arbor's Hands on Museum. Who
knows. You might even learn
something.
The Hands-On Museum is
located at 219 East Huron St. For
more information call 995-5439.


By S
An
find as
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Performance Network reaps 'A Fine Harvest'
vsan Sherman in every way possible. gentlman's war compared to the such as the 'Boston Tea Party', the same time," said Moran.
"Most Irish plays simply depict Irish Revolution," said Moran. small attempts to overthrow the A Fine Harvest runsfor the ne
their daily lives," said Moran. "The The play takes place when the ruling English class." Ahree e
Irish play may be as hard to Irish are innately highly dramatic Irish held no doubts about the Moore relied heavily on the rich ree weekends, Thursday throu
a four leaf clover. Every so and emotional, which makes for a success of their Revolution. and Irish theatre.as a source for A Fine Sunday, at 8pm at the Performan
hough, the Performance Net- great stage subject." most of the scenes are set in Irish Harvest. Many of the actors and network, 408 W. Washingto
nds one, performing an Irish A Fine Harvest, a new play pubs, where traditional Irish folk actresses in this production ae pr Tickets are $7.
very other year since 1976. written by Detroit actor William L songs are sung. The most popular Irish, or have lived in Ireland and
ear they will reap A Fine Moore premiered June 4. Moore has Irish folk songs are from this time have a good understanding of every M -chig Dail
t- performed in many of the Irish period, and Moore has incorporated day Irish life and the deep Irishhg D y
es Moran, who has directed plays, and the work formed out of them into his play. The music is heritage. ARTS
of these plays as well as at the culmination of his experiences. woven between scenes, so the "Combining the jolly Irish sense
ic in Detroit, feels that Irish A Fine Harvest takes place during production lies somewhere between of humor with the Revolution gets 763-0379
story is the perfect subject the months preceding the Irish a musical and a drama. At the same a response of laughing and crying at
atre. Irish culture is rich with Revolution of 1798. With the time, the play is a melodramamtic
ngs and a long history of success of the American Revolu- comedy, with English spies trying
theatre. tion, the Irish spirit was risen and to infiltrate the plans of various
actors at the Network have hope for freedom was in the air. towns throughout the countryside.
ed a strong relationship with Unfortunately, the English were "The plot is convoluted and Professional
h community in Michigan determined not to lose again, so twisty, which is very representative
has been extremely support- this revolution was quite bloody. of the time," said Moran. "Many Full Service
hese productions, and helped "The American Revolution was a occurances are similar to events

xt
ugh
ce
n.

Three local bands jam for benefit

By Brian Jarvinen
Have you always thought benefit
concerts were large, expensive, out-
door events in large cities? Well the
Ann Arbor Chapter of Greenpeace
will prove you wrong this Tuesday
when the Blind Pig hosts area bands
The Fugue, The Folkminers, and
Angry Red Planet.
The four dollar donation to
attend will be earmarked for an
original new project the group
plans to complete in Ann Arbor's
West Park. According to local
spokesperson Nancy Bishop, the
project is an "International Garden"
that will feature "plants from a
variety of environments." This
garden will make a "non-verbal"
statement demonstrating how living

things from different environments
can live together. The Greenpeace
volunteers hope to finish the
project in July.
Tuesday's line-up features three
distinct talents. The Fugue is
known for their Grateful Dead style
extended psychedelic jams. One of
the more creative local bands, The
Folkminers combine the acoustic
playing of lead singer Sam Lapides
with standard electric backing. The

last band on the bill, Angry Red
Planet, has been around for a while
playing traditional 1977 style
hardcore, instead of the currently
popular speedcore.
These three bands will provide
an opportunity to make your own
statement on the Blind Pig's dance
floor next Tuesday, and you can
watch your dollars at work right
here in July.

I



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