current magazine july 2014

2 july 2014 / ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / july 2014 3

26 film featureSophia Kruz, local Emmy Award winnerby Ann Dwyer

29 artbeatAround town with Alden B. Dowby Louis Meldman

31 art featureArt Immigration: A Deeper Look into Visiting Vendors at the Ann Arbor Street Fairby Molly Schoen

32 Secrets of the PastU of M graduate Celeste Ng returns to A2 with debut novelby Russ Brakefield

36 road trip

38 crossword

online exclusivescurrent

Exclusive features at www.ecurrent.com

contents July 2014 vol. 24 / no.7

Correction: In our June 2014 Readers Choice: Best of Washtenaw County issue, we misspelled the name of the winner of the Best Trainer: Demond Johnson.

The information for the winner of the Best RadioStation category was misprinted. The winner is 91.7 WUOM.

Down on the farmThe most diverse musical festival in the country tore up Tenessee last weekend. Bonnaroo featured sets from Kanye West, Jack White, The Avett Brothers and Elton John (to name a few). Brandon Doriot camped, drank, and [expletive deleted] his way through the filth to get you the scoop on everything Roo.

Report from the Big AppleTake a peek into the Big Apple’s fourth annual Governors Ball Music Festival with a glimpse of what worked, what didn’t and which shows blew our minds.

Mystery, History, Rockabilly.Wanda Jackson performed at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival to a room full of wide eyes and tapping toes, clapping hands and laughter as she sung her heart out and revealed the secrets of her musical and personal past.

Sophia Kruz

Layla Ardalan mixed-media print

Answering the Curtain Call 8 The fall (and rise?) of the Performance Network Theatre

By Ann Dwyer

music feature 21Interview with Billy Joe Shaver

By Alexander Hillbrand

The Art of Surprise 24Talent Among Ann Arbor’s Street Performers

By Katie Sucha

Brewers and Bartenders of Washtenaw County 10

Behind the Scenes with Ann Arbor Brewmasters


Adams Street Publishing Co.

Also publishers of:

Audited by Member

© 2014 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved. 3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Phone (734) 668-4044, Fax (734) 668-0555. First class subscriptions $30 a year. Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring communities.

What’s your favorite MI brewed beer?

Publisher/Editor in ChiefCollette Jacobs ([email protected]) Jolly PumPkin’s Bam Biere

Co-publisher/Chief Financial OfficerMark I. Jacobs ([email protected]) Founders old Curmudgeon

EditorialAssignment Editor: Brandon Bye ([email protected]) Bell’s HoPslam

Arts & Entertainment Coordinator:Joseph Schafer ([email protected])Bell’s oarsman

Art Curator:Jan Thomas ([email protected])i don’t like CraFts tHereFore i don’t like CraFt Beer

Staff writer:Griffin Messer-Kruse ([email protected])Bell’s HoPslamMolly Winer ([email protected])miCHigan… is tHat in germany?

Calendar Editor:Marisa Rubin ([email protected])Wine

Digital Media Specialist:Brandon Doriot ([email protected])tHat’s like asking a FatHer to PiCk His Favorite CHild.... Founder’s kBs

Contributing Writers: Alexander Hillbrand, Ann Dwyer, Molly Schoen, Russ Brakefield , John Beltz Snyderd, Paul Fromm

Art/ProductionProduction Manager: Brittney Koehl ([email protected])Bell’s tWo Hearted ale

Senior Designer:Leah Foley ([email protected])i don’t drink Beer

Graphic Design:Jameson Staneluis ([email protected]) anytHing Bell’sKyle Iwanicki ([email protected]) atWater lagerSara Welborn ([email protected]) redneCk roadkill

AdvertisingSales Manager:Aubrey Hornsby ([email protected])Jameson irisH WHiskey

Sales Coordinator:Molly Davis ([email protected]) Bell’s BlaCk note stoutCustomer Service RepresentativeMartha J. Schmitt ([email protected])sHort’s soFt ParadeSales RepresentativeTara A. Patterson ([email protected])Founders all day iPa

Classifieds:Rachellyn Marsh ([email protected]) Bell’s oBeron

AdministrationAccounting: Robin Armstrong ([email protected])Bell’s HoPslam

Distribution: Michele Flanagan ([email protected])arBor BreWing’s BuzzsaW iPa

^ Local favorite Le Dog has closed its original location at 410 E. Liberty St. But the 306 S. Main St. locale is still cookin’. 734-327-0091

^ Clay Gallery, a 30-year-old ceramics cooperative endeavor, is closing its doors in August and moving online. The gallery space at 335 S. Main St. will house Pangborn Collections, a well-known Detroit design firm and art merchant. The new store, opening this fall, will sell artwork, decorative silk accessories, jewelry and home decor. 734-662-792 claygallery.org ; pangborncollection.com

^ The Chelsea Bakery is now open at 117 S. Main St. in Chelsea. The aptly named Yum family (also owners of The Pinkney Bakery) serves up delicious donuts, muffins, fritters, pretzels, pies, cakes and more. 734-562-2654

^ Women’s clothing boutique Mix opened a new location in Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor last month, in the former Beagle Brain Computer Repair shop. Mix has thrived in Ypsilanti for over four years, selling new and used clothes and accessories for the artistic woman. facebook.com/mixnewandused

^ Recently opened at 2663 Plymouth Rd., Excel Dental provides oral health services for Ann Arborites of all ages. 734-929-9999 excelfamilydentistry.com

^ Zingerman’s Cornman Farms is now open for weddings, parties and dinner events, all with farm fresh catering. 8540 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. 734-619-8100 cornmanfarms.com

^ Red Beauty Bar debuts July 1, offering mobile makeover services and product sales by appointment —whenever, wherever, for the woman on the go. 313-304-3319 redbeautybar.com

^ Matt Choisid, former Borders Ann Arbor attorney and current local business advocate, has launched PriceLocal, a web-sales service allowing consumers to shop for items on Amazon.com and keep the revenue in the community. Clicking the PriceLocal button sends out a request to local merchants to match the Amazon price. 2232 S. Main St. 734-258-7075 getpricelocal.com

^ After 25 years, Marjorie Daniels, Jeff Daniels’s mom, has closed her store, Uptown Antiques & Little Wares at 114 N. Main St. in Chelsea.

^ Get Some Burritos at the corner of Packard and State St., opened in May. 707 Packard St. getsomeburritos.com


When the Performance Network Theater opened on Washington Street in 1981, those involved did not know that they would become Ann Arbor’s elite source for professional theater. But with the sudden May 22 closing, many are now asking why the theater didn’t recognize the financial burden that forced the closing and take action sooner.

The Performance Network’s 19-member Board of Directors decided the theater was no longer financially viable and called for the sudden shutdown. The remaining performances of Richard III were cancelled and staff were asked to leave the Huron Street location immediately.

Although staff jobs have been cut and the upcoming season has been canceled, the company itself has not called it quits. Board President Ron Maurer says there are no plans to declare bankruptcy.

At this time, financial details have not been made available, but the debt estimates range from $250 to $300 thousand. Also unknown is how much of that debt represents unpaid back taxes. The Board members could be responsible for back taxes owed.

Questions and optionsAt a community meeting following the closure, the

Performance Network’s Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch, Artistic Director David Wolber and Associate Development Director Logan Ricket answered questions and assessed options for moving forward. They are currently calling their group Theater NOVA, a separate entity from the PNT.

Artistic Director Erin Sabo was not at the meeting and reportedly will not be working with the group.

“She is moving forward on her own individual path,” Milarch said at the meeting.

It is uncertain how far back the unpaid taxes go or why they were not paid, but a look at the organization’s 990 tax form for the 2010-11 tax year show losses totaling over 300 thousand dollars.

Ricket said during the time he has been working with the company’s finances, he’s assisted Sabo with setting up payment agreements.

“I knew there were a number of payment plans with the IRS and with other vendors that were set up, but

Answering the Curtain Call The fall (and rise?) of the Performance Network Theaterby Ann Dwyer

feature whether they were carried through or not is the problem,” he stated.

Other issues also added to the theater’s financial woes. Earlier in the year, a burst pipe flooded the theater, lobby and offices. Approximately $3000 was the cost to replace the flooring alone.

Also impacting the budget was the loss of funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. In 2013, they received $15,000 from the Council. But in 2014, for the first time in many years of depending on the funding, they received no Council funding.

Costly thy habitTheater companies, in general, rarely run on stable

financial ground. “Finances are tricky. The business can be unpredictable: the economy, the variety of offerings in the area, even the weather can have an effect on ticket sales,” said Suzi Peterson, managing director of the Ann Arbor Civic Theater. “You have to budget conservatively, and hopefully you're pleasantly surprised. We've gotten good at operating on a lean budget.”

The PNT also pays Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) members based on the contract the theater has with the organization. Depending on the performance, the theater must hire a certain number of Equity actors at over $300 per week per actor. The AEA represents thousands of theater actors and designers in the U.S.—much of the top talent in the field.

To offset the debt, both Wolber and Milarch explained that they had been actively finding ways to cut the budget before the closure.

“I was working closely with Erin (Sabo) to at least attack the production budget side of it....We had made about $100,000 worth of cuts,” Milarch said.

Wolber said that they reduced staff size and, he made the decision to step down by July 1.

There is much at stake, depending on how PNT decides to move forward. Milarch proposed two options at the meeting. One, PNT sells off its assets to another theater and uses the funds to settle their debts. They could then start a new theater company, not associated with the PNT.

The second option is to raise funds to become solvent enough to continue as the Performance Network with a new staff and a new board.

Both options come with their own set of advantages and drawbacks. Milarch estimated that starting a new company would cost $200 thousand dollars compared to the nearly $300 thousand it would cost to continue the current company.

Choose to continue as the PNT allows the opportunity to make payments. Disbanding means all debts will be called due immediately.

“It’s when you shut down and when you close up, that’s when people say, ‘Okay, I want my money,’” Wolber told the crowd.

Also at issue is whether it would be feasible to continue using the current PNT space if the company reformed as a different entity. The current lease runs until 2020, and while the normal rent rate is roughly $22 per square foot, the lease cost for the space is $3.50 per square foot.

If the PNT folds, the new landlords, Wickfield Properties, would then not have to honor the lease.

Yet, to move forward as the PNT, as a professional theater, the sole intention of continuing, the group would have to renegotiate the contract with Actors’ Equity. While not impossible, that could be difficult.

“We defaulted on a production and shut down in the middle of a run. Actors’ Equity does not look favorably on that,” Milarch explained.

Just days after the public meeting, Milarch and several members of the theater community met and created a


six-part plan to move the Performance Network Theater forward,.

Their proposal included installing Daniel C. Walker as the Executive Director, Carla Milarch as Artistic Director, Logan Ricket in Public Relations, intern Justin Dietzel and David Wells as resident playwright and bookkeeper.

To further cut costs, a shortened season, from seven plays to six, was proposed.

Cloak and daggerHowever, unbeknownst to many in the theater

community, there was a second proposal chosen unanimously over Milarch and company.

Moving forward, John Manfredi will serve as PNT’s Producing Artistic Director. Suzi Regan will act as Associate Director. Manfredi owns Etico Productions LLC, a theatrical consulting and production company that has partnered with Olympia Entertainment, Palace Sports and Entertainment, Michigan State University and other small professional theaters companies.

As for community supporters of the PNT, the press release stated that Manfredi and the Board would work hard to honor commitments to the patrons, donors and vendors. They warn it will take time, but they have faith that the model implemented will keep the PNT sustainable. What that model is remains uncertain at this time.

“Due to the sensitive nature of negotiations with funders and investors, the sealed bid was delivered confidentially, along with other proposals, to the Board of Directors of the Performance Network Theatre,” according to a letter from the Board.

The Board stated that those who ordered subscriptions would not be disappointed, though details were still forthcoming. The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Tipping Point Theatre, Two Muses Theatre have offered to honor unused tickets of Richard III.”


TeoWatson-Ahilbrandt

Philip Smith

Biercamp

What’s your favorite beer(other than your own)?Oud Bruin, a Flemish brown ale style with plenty of cellar time. Failing that, any IPA that you can smell from across the table.What’s your favorite style to brew and why?I love brewing Dry Stouts, I find the smell of the dark grains in the mash to be intoxicating on par with the aroma of baked oatmeal cookies. Strangest ingredient you’ve ever brewed with?I never expected to put bacon in beer. But here we are and I suppose even stranger things may come to pass.What’s the best piece of advice you cangive to homebrewers?Take lots of notes and make gradual adjustments to your recipes. There are so many great drinks to be brewed, one should suffer no shame in dwelling on a style until it is perfected.

1643 S. State St.Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104734-995-BIER (2437)bier-camp.com

210 S Ashley StAnn Arbor, Michigan 48104billsbeergarden.com

Tuesday - Friday 11am - 7pmSaturday - Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Why do you love beer? Because I’m indecisive. I’m lucky to live in Michigan, where breweries are falling out the windows, so I never have to settle on one brew or style because there’s an entire wall of local products I want to try! You’ll find me walking out with a sixer of 6 unique brews.

Why do you love beer?Beer is more than just a drink for me. I have learned and experienced much since beginning my path as a brewer, and have much to thank beer for. The passion and care that have for my craft is on par with that I give to my friends and family. I brew the beers that I like to drink and I hope others will like them as well. I feel like Biercamp enchanted me the first time I walked through the door and took in the smoky smell of Walter at work. I am very much honored to be brewing my beer to be served with their foods and as such I am pleased to announce that we have registered our beer to be served at the Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Beer Festival this year.

What’s your favorite pairing? IPAs and Thai food (or anything spicy). Most people like to cut the heat of a dish with a light lager, but I drink a crisp, bitter IPA because that it enhances the burn and gets my nose running.

Most annoying question you get asked about beer? “What’s the girliest beer you have?” Everyone’s tastes are different and gender has nothing to do with it. Fruit and wheat beers aren’t feminine, porters and stouts aren’t masculine. I tell them there’s no “women’s beer”, instead it’s a serving size - their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters only get 77% of the portion they do. That normally gets ‘em pretty good.

What beer is your go to Bud Light killer? Depends on what “Bud Light Killer” means. If it’s a beer they need to replace the Buds in their life, the Premium Lager or Gulo Gulo from Wolverine State Brewing right here in Ann Arbor. But sometimes people’s only experi-ence with beer is that type of pale lager domestics, they think they don’t like beer. Not liking beer — not a thing. Replace that water with a yeast infection with Bourbon Peach Kombucha Beer from Unity Vibration in Ypsilanti. Sweet, sour and crisp - it makes those people rethink what beer can be.

Tuesday - Saturday6:30pm - 11pmSunday 5pm - 9pm

Bill’s Beer Garden

continued from pg 17


The Biggest Broil in Townfor finger lickin’, The Manchester Chicken Broil is nothing short of historic. Originally established in 1954 “to give the women the night off from cooking and let the men prepare the meal,” recounts event Co-Chairman Michael Tindall, the broil now serves 10,000 dinners in 4 hours. The staff is comprised of volunteers, and dinner proceeds are fed back into the community for civic project funding. Community members and visitors are invited to join the tradition, enjoy the day outdoors and chow down on a choice chicken dinner. Thursday, July 17. 4-8pm. $9 adv/ $10 day of. Alumni Memorial Field, 220 E. Vernon St., Manchester. 734-320-2620. manchesterchickenbroil.org

Wine WorksA day as well-rounded as a ball of yarn awaits

you at the biannual Sandhill Crane Vineyards Wine & Wool Festival. Sample wines from the vineyard, view yarn and fiber spinning demonstrations, browse vendor booths, grab lunch at Crane Café, bring your knitting and spend a relaxing day with like-minded friends. Event organizer and Vineyard Executive Director Heather Price explains, “I'm a knitter and

spinner so it seemed logical to pull my two worlds together.” Local yarn shop, The Dropped Stitch, co-sponsors the event. Saturday, July 26. 10am-6pm. Free entry and wine tasting. Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Rd., Jackson. 517-764-0679. sandhillcranevineyards.com—MW

food


foodONGOING:Wednesdays Wednesday Wine Tastings 6-7pm. $25 + gratuity. Paesano, 3411 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-0484. paesanosannarbor.com This fun and informal event al-lows you to sample fine Italian wines with tasty appetizers. Ages 21+ .

Wednesdays & Saturdays Ann Arbor Farmers Market 7am-3pm. 315 Detroit St. 734-794-6255. a2gov.org Enjoy a wide variety of prod-ucts from local farmers and artisans.

FridaysGarden Market A’fair7-11am. Ann Arbor Hills Shopping Center, 3010 Washtenaw Ave. 248-336-8360. A new outdoor farmers market springs into action offering shoppers fresh, locally grown produce, flowering plants and more. Fridays through October 31.

1 tuesdayTasting Tuesday: MI Breweries5pm. $15. Beverage Garden , 915 E. Washington St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.orgLearn about beer and the brewing process in this Drag-onmead Brewing craft beer sampling at Top of the Park. Make Your Own Salad Dressings7-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-212-0010. peoplesfood.coop FreeAs part of the People’s Food Co-op Healthy Living Series learn how to make healthy salad dressings with delicious alternatives to oil and vinegar. BBQ Dinner7-9pm. $70. Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave. 734-663-3663. singermansroadhouse.comThis yearly dinner serves up delicious finger-licking Zinger-man’s BBQ.

We Dig Donuts 5:30-9:30pm. $100. Zingerman’s Bake-house, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.comMake light and fluffy yeast-raised donuts, crispy and tender cake doughnuts and delicious fresh glazes.

2 wednesdayWind Down Wednesday: Michigan Wines5pm. $15. Beverage Garden, 915 E. Washington St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.orgWith more than 100 winer-ies, Michigan continues to progress on the national wine scene.

3 thursdayBakehouse American Cookies5:30-9:30pm. $100. BAKE!, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-7255. bakewithzing.comLearn how to make famous Zingerman’s cookies like the classic chocolate chip cookie, Funky Chunky, followed by Snickerdoodles and graham crackers. You’ll leave with several dozen cookies, four recipes and lots of practice. Registration required.

5 saturdayRed, White, and Beaujolais1-4pm. Morgan & York, 1928 Packard Rd. 734-662-0798. morganandyork.com FreeLight, fruity Beaujolais is a great choice if you’re craving a red wine in summertime but don’t want anything too heavy. Sample Domaine Dupeuble and Chateau Thivin to see what they’re all about.

6 sundaySavory Pies1-5pm. $125. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.comIs it dinner or a pastry? Delve into a few of the delicious savory pies found in just about every culture. Empanadas, knishes, pasties and more.

9 wednesdayMore Gluten-Free5:30-9:30pm. $125. Zingerman’s Bakehouse , 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.com Have fun baking with a whole new batch of great gluten-free recipes including cinnamon raisin walnut bread, lemon pound cake, blueberry sour cream muffins and chocolate chip cookies. Note: the facility is not gluten free.

10 thursdayBeer Tasting: Wheats, Wits and Lambics 7-9pm. $25, advance/ $30, day of. Ar-bor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington St. 734-213-1393. arborbrewing.comABC Beer Tastings are a celebration of the rich and varied tastes and traditions of beers from across the globe. Tickets include beer samples, appetizer buffet, tasting notes and entry in a prize drawing.

Twitter Chat: Traveling With Food Twitter. 6-7pm. twitter.com FreeAre we there yet? Road trips are a quintessential part of summer... and so is the snack-ing that goes along with it. Chat about how to prepare and pack tasty, healthy nibblets for traveling. Follow #WFMdish to join the conversation.

11 fridayPizza: The Other American Pie1-5pm. $100. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.comLearn how to make New York style and Chicago style pizza in a wood-fired oven, there will be plenty of samples.

12 saturdayBeat the Heat with Loire Whites1-4pm. Morgan & York, 1928 Packard Rd. 734-662-0798. morganandyork.com FreeThere’s nothing like a cool, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris on a hot summer day. Sample thirst-quenching offerings from Domaine de Reuilly to Domaine Trotereau.

Cooking With Magnificent Ming3pm. Ypsilanti District Library, 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.orgAt this fun food event, families will learn the basics of Chi-nese cooking and etiquette. Participants will roll their own egg roll.

13 sundayHalcyon Sundaze in the Beer Garden2-9pm. ABC Microbrewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. 734-480-2739. arborbrewing.comRotating Halcyon Sound Engineers will be spinning the sweetest of songs reminis-cent of yesteryear, futurefunk, throwback soul and AM Gold. Specialty Halcyon Brew on tap, $1 records, and local artists.

16 wednesdayPopsicles and Potpourris10am-noon. $5. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.eduExplore the many ways that herbs and spices can be used to cool you down on a hot summer day.

18 fridayGrill Master Date Night6:30-10pm. $150 per couple. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-645-1030. annarborcooks.comBack by popular demand. Bring your special someone and have some fun in the kitchen cooking up this fun Grill Master menu.

19 saturdayThe Other White Burgundies1-4pm. Morgan & York, 1928 Packard Rd. 734-662-0798. morganandyork.com FreeThough Chardonnay is usually what people think of when they think of white wines from Burgundy, there are other varietals grown in the region as well. Come on out to see how Aligote and Pinot Gris compare to Chardonnay and Burgundy.

Wholey Whole Grain Pastries8am-noon. $100. Bake!, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-7255. bakewithzing.comLearn how to use whole grain flours to make delicious and nutritious pastries like cin-namon rolls, chocolate chip cookies and biscuits. Registration required.

20 sundayDanish: The Breakfast of Vikings 1-5pm. $125. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.comSail ashore and conquer the mysterious and rich world of Danish dough. Make your own dough and create hand-shaped Danish: almond, cream cheese or fruit filled.

24 thursdaySoft Pretzels 6-9pm. $75. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr. 734-761-2095. bakewithzing.comLearn the secrets to traditional German-style soft pretzels made with lard and dipped in lye. Make the crossed pretzel shape and discuss why a monk decided to have this food be in prayer.

26 saturdayWine & Wool Festival 10am-6pm. Sand Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Rd., Jackson. 517-764-0679. sandhillcranevineyards.comSample wines from the vine-yard, view yarn and fiber spin-ning demonstrations, browse vendor booths and grab lunch.

27 sundayBrewery Tours 1pm. Wolverine State Brewing Co., 2019 S. Stadium Blvd. 734-369-2990. wolverinebeer.com FreeWitness how the magic happens at Wolverine State Brewery with an exclusive behind-the-scenes hop-tastic tour.

29 tuesdayConman Farms’ Summer Harvest 7-9pm. $70. Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave. 734-663-3663. zingermansroadhouse.comThe first Cornman Farms’ din-ner of the year, this summer harvest menu will be filled with fresh summer vegetables and locally produced meats. The produce will all be harvested hours before the dinner. YpsiTasty Pub & Restaurant crawl5-9pm. Ypsi Downtown Farmers Market, Ferris St., Ypsilanti. a2ychamber.chambermaster.comGrowing Hope and the A2Y Chamber of Commerce cel-ebrate area food and drink at locally-owned restaurants and bars around Ypsilanti. Alcohol and non-alcohol options. Regis-tration required.

music


“Just be honest,” says country musician Billy Joe Shaver. “If you’re honest, you’ll be different. And if you’re different, you’ll be good.” The 75-year-old speaks from experience. From driving Nashville’s country music re-naissance in the early seventies to performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 1999, Shaver has forged a career of showman-ship and songwriting that will be displayed at The Ark on Saturday, July 5th.

“I’m a songwriter at heart,” Shaver says. “God blessed me with [the ability] and I’ve done the best I can with it,” writing entire albums for both Waylon Jennings and Wil-lie Nelson—his record for Jennings, Honky Tonk Heroes, reinvigorated the Nashville country music scene when it was released in 1973. “It changed everything around town,” Shaver recounts. “Everybody started wearing blue jeans, whereas before you couldn’t get into some of the clubs without wearing a tie. It all changed. [There were] mostly rock ‘n’ roll clubs around Nashville, not country. Everything changed.”

The album galvanized country music by way of a new subgenre, so-called outlaw country. “I guess for lack of anything else to call it,” Shaver says with a chuckle. “Re-ally more like outcast.” Despite the label, his songs began appearing on albums of legendary musicians like Kris Kristofferson, Patty Loveless, Elvis Presley and Bob Dy-lan. “To me, that’s the greatest gift on earth—for someone to care enough about what you wrote down, and the art that you put forth, to take it and make it their own,” Shaver says. “Just about everybody recorded my songs, so I’m indebted. I’m just happy to be in it.”

This summer Shaver and company set out on a twenty-seven show tour, playing from Texas to New York. “We go

up and down the road in a fifteen-passenger van. We tried the bus for about a month; it didn’t work. We share time driving, the four of us. We sell out these little places we’re playing, sometimes we get a big one and we sell it out, too. Long as I got enough money to get to the next gig, I figure I’m alright,” he half jokes. Shaver’s shows inspire memo-ries of bygone days when good music filled small country haunts not sponsored by major automobile brands or cable TV providers. Backed by a proficient power trio, Shaver wins over crowds with his signature blend of rip-roaring country songs and flippant banter. And you can count on hearing the hits like “Ride Me Down Easy,” “Old Chunk of Coal,” “When Fallen Angels Fly,” “Old Five & Dimers Like Me” and “Georgia on a Fast Train.” “I have to do ‘em,” he says, “because they just keep hollering for ‘em and they ain’t gonna quit till you do,” Shaver says gleefully.

But if you’ve seen him before, don’t hesitate to line up outside The Ark one more time. “It’s a different crowd every night—different chemistry—and it’s all new to me. It’s fun. That’s what makes a good show: a good audience,” he says. It will likely be worth the trip just to hear him talk about the old days. From his time with Willie and Waylon to the “same girl I married three different times,” Shaver uses his frank, lyrical anecdotes to bring his colorful past to life. But regarding the future, he speaks only of the road: “I like everything about it. As long as I got my legs under me, ain’t nothing gonna stop me.”

Billy Joe Shaver, $25, 8pm, Saturday, July 5, The Ark, 316 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

(734) 761-1451. theark.org.

On the RoadAn interview with Billy Joe Shaver Alexander Hillbrand

music

Billy Joe Shaver commands the stage with good ol’ Country grit.


musicMichigan ElvisfestFriday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12 / Historic Depot TownThe Chicago Tribune calls it “one of the best music festivals in the Midwest,” so you’d better believe it will be an old-school rockabilly party. This annual event will bring over ten national Elvis tribute acts, as well as house band The Change of Habit (from Chicago, no less) to Depot Town for one weekend to remind us all of the power of the pelvis. Elvis’s music remains an important cornerstone in the history of pop and rock—this fest will mark a great opportunity to explore his work. Hail to the king! Sets throughout the day both days. $13 Friday, $22 Saturday, $30 both days. Depot Town, Ypsilanti. 734-352-7535. mielvisfest.org—JS

PhishWednesday, July 16 / DTE Energy Music Theatre There aren’t many bands who have been playing gigs with their original members for 30 plus years. Phish, a jam-rock band known for their musical improvisation, the blending of musical genres, and a dedicated fan base, is one of them. With their new album Fuego (though they don’t necessarily need a new album to tour) Phish brings their show to the D, which could include antics equal to the entire band flying above the crowd on a giant hotdog. 7:00pm. $55-$75. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, MI 48348, (248) 377-0100. palacenet.com—BB

Hot Club of DetroitFriday, July 25 / The ArkOriginating in Paris in the early 1930s, Hot Club Jazz, also known as Gypsy Jazz, was first popularized by the Quintette du Hot Club de France, led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grap-pelli. And the style remains popular today. Many jazz groups across the US and Europe continue in the Hot Club tradition. With the customary absence of drums, the guitar and bass are played with a per-cussive, driving rhythm. Hot Club of Detroit features lead and rhythm guitars, bass, saxophone, and an accordion. 8:00pm. $20. The Ark, 316 South Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-761-1451. theark.org—BB

Photo by Anna Webber

music


1 tuesdayJazz, blues & R&bElden Kelly - Grove Stage at Top of the Park With a voice likened to Jeff Buckley and superb guitar technique, Lansing’s Elden Kelly has captivated audiences across the country with his virtuosic songwriting and explorations of jazz, blues, and neo-classical. 5pm. Free

2 wednesdayRock, pop & hip-hopAndrew Bird and the Hands of Glory - Power Center Oft experienced as a one man band, Andrew Bird, whistler extraordinaire and world-class violinist is joined by his band Hands of Glory and Tift Merritt for a genre-bending music lover’s evening of good old folk, bluegrass and country as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. 8pm. $35 - $45.

4 friday

acoustic, folk & ethnicPeter Madcat Ruth - Burns ParkGrammy Award winner and one man band Peter Madcat Ruth. In case of rain, perfor-mances take place at Ann Arbor Senior Center. 1pm. Free

5 saturday

countRy, bluegRassBilly Joe Shaver - The ArkHonky Tonk Hero and country trailblazer Billy Joe Shaver takes the stage. Shaver has ghostwritten songs for musi-cians like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. (See interview p. 21.) 8pm. $25.

7 monday

classical, spiRitualPatrick Macoska - Burton Memorial TowerBring lawn chairs and picnic dinners to Ingalls Mall to enjoy a program of music performed on the third heaviest carillon bell in the world. Following each recital, guests are invited to the 10th floor of the tower for a close-up view of the instrument. 7pm. Free

10 thursday

Rock, pop & hip-hopJackson Browne - Michi-gan TheaterRock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in-ductee Jackson Browne comes to Ann Arbor for one night only. 7:30pm. $59.80 - $210. . 11 friday

Jazz, blues & R&b Elvis Fest - Depot Town The King lives- at least his impersonators and loyal fans

do. The 15th annual Michigan Elvis fest promises a weekend of great tunes and great fun from the days of old time rock ‘n roll. $13 - $30.

12 saturday

countRy, bluegRassNickel Creek - Michigan TheaterTouring on their new album, A Dotted Line, Nickel Creek performs in a one-of-a-kind genre: popular bluegrass. 8pm. $35 - $55.

14 mondayRock, pop & hip-hopInto It. Over It. - Blind PigChicago scenester Evan Thomas Weiss leads a guitar-driven emo revival sensation. 7pm. $12. 18 friday

Jazz, blues & R&bWest Park Music Society - Yellow Barn West Park Music Society writes many of their own songs, and also likes to take classics and arrange them in new and different ways. 7:30pm. $10. 19 saturday

Jazz, blues & R&bLarry Fuller Trio - Kerry-town Concert HousePiano, upright bass and drums complete this world class jazz trio. 8pm. $5 - $30.

24 thursday

acoustic, folk & ethnicAppleseed Collective - Liberty Park PlazaHeadliners of the Ann Arbor Folk Fest and local favorites gaining national renown, The Appleseed Collective kick some bluegrass into high-gear. Part of the Sonic Lunch series. Noon. Free

25 fridayRock, pop & hip-hopHollow & Akimbo - Blind PigAnn Arbor locals and indie pop-rockers Hollow & Akimbo play. 9:30pm. $8.

26 saturdayacoustic, folk & ethnicCattledog Orchestra and Anna Lee’s - Yellow Barn Cattledog Orchestra and Anna Lee’s Company acoustic trio join to share an intimate night of great live music in the Yellow Barn. 7:30pm. $10.

cont, on page 25

More events online at ecurrent.com


Take a walk through Ann Arbor this summer and you’ll find art. While you might stumble upon public art works funded by the city (Shakespeare in the Arb, the Sonic Lunch series, etc.) some of the key people who contribute to this culture of public art aren’t officially affiliated with the city at all. They are Ann Arbor’s street performers.

He is tall, plays the violin, wears a werewolf mask and never breaks character--leave him a tip and he’ll howl in appreciation. He is The Violin Monster. Usually posted up on Liberty and Main, The Violin Monster has made a full-time living performing publicly for the past three years. He says it’s a good city for street performing because it has a compact downtown area and the residents love art and music. He also says that although street performance is a challenging job, it brings him a sense of freedom. “For me it’s a full time commitment to this lifestyle. It’s not a job that I clock in and out of. I have to constantly think of new ways to expand what I’m doing, and with that comes the ability to get out there and do something I love while making people happy.”

And the crowd is certainly happy. The Violin Monster is always surrounded by passersby. Local businesses enjoy the traffic drawn by Ann Arbor’s street performers, too. Sara Van Zandt and Stephanie Wickham work at Four Directions on Main Street, and they say the performers bring a focal point to the downtown area. Arbor Brewing Company even named one of their seasonal beers in honor of the Violin Monster.

Mark Braun, known on the street as Mr. B, is an-other longtime Ann Arbor street performer. Playing boogie woogie and blues piano, Braun has been featured

on NPR’s Mountain Stage and All Things Considered broadcasts. He took to the streets of A2 25 years ago at the Art Fair and recently started a second act called the Joybox Express, which features a mobile upright piano and stage mounted on a custom-built tricycle. His quartet of cyclist-musicians pedals the stage around, pulling over for impromptu interludes. The money they raise benefits organizations that provide access to children’s arts and athletics programs such as Wild Swan Theater of Ann Ar-bor and Early Exposure day camps of the City of Detroit Recreation Department.

Braun says that the element of surprise is one of his fa-vorite parts of being a street performer. “When we play on the streets, we’re playing for people who didn’t necessarily come to you in the way they come to traditional venues where they have expectations. In most street scenarios, people are stumbling across you as some peripheral part of their lives: they’re on their way to work, they’re grocery shopping. They’re not purposefully going out to consume music. I’m playing the same music on the street as I play in the great concert auditoriums, and so people are hearing the same thing, but it’s coming at them through a different filter so that it surprises them, and in some cases it can have a more profound effect because they weren’t antici-pating it.”

This summer, if you’re in the mood to take in some quality music and art, but don’t feel like being cooped up indoors, consider taking a stroll through the city. Around here, you don’t always have to buy tickets or dress up to find art.

The Art of SurpriseTalent Among Ann Arbor’s Street PerformersBy Katie Sucha

Photo by Judy Nanney

music

The Violin Monster serenades from the streets.


music27 sunday

Rock, PoP & HiP-HoPSusan Harrison & the Kalamazoo Puppet Band - Burns ParkSusan’s music is colorful and perfect for kids and adults. She combines pop, jazz, folk and rock in her original songs that are more like musical celebra-tions. 1pm. Free

30 wednesdayRock, PoP & HiP-HoPVance Joy w/ Keri Lynn Roche - Liberty Park Plaza“Riptide” mastermind and brilliant Australian singer-song-writer Vance Joy performs with Metro Detroit indie-rocker Keri Lynn Roche. Part of the Sonic Lunch series. Noon. Free

31 thursdayclassical, sPiRitual Chills and Thrills of Sum-mer - Community ParkWashtenaw Community Concert Band presents its final outdoor program of the summer with selections from Hairspray, Jersey Boys, and Thrillers and several marches including Sousa’s Pride of the Wolverines. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, some seating avail-able. In case of rain, concert will be held in the Atrium of the Morris Lawrence Bldg. 7:30pm. Free

Photo by Judy Nanney

cont, from page 23

Not just print. We're online too!ecurrent.com


film

“She works with women who come from very, very low income, so it’s primarily economic empowerment with her,” Kruz said.

She will also film Sister Fa, a Senegalese rapper based in Berlin. Sister Fa’s music speaks to women’s rights and the fight to end genital mutilation in West Africa.

From the beginning, Kruz’s work has focused on social issues. Her first film was about her father coming out.

“That’s what really got me started and hooked on documentaries. After I finished that, I was like ‘there’s nothing else.’”

Kruz plans to someday run her own production com-pany, working with a small team with whom she can col-laborate creatively.

Of her Emmy-winning film, Kruz says that the appeal of the film is its strong Ann Arbor ties. “I think people will like it because the stories are fun. Just about concerts and music and good experiences.

Learn more about the film maker at sophiakruzproductions.com

Last year, the history of one of Ann Arbor’s oldest concert venues was recorded in the docu-mentary A Space for Music, A Seat For Everyone: 100 Years of UMS Performances in Hill Auditorium. Now the film has won the 2013 Michigan Emmy Award for Best Historical Documentary, and its director, Sophia Kruz, has already begun her next venture. This time she is traveling the world shooting Creating4Change, a documen-tary pointing up the role of art in gender equality.

“The film looks at four different artists from all over the world who are using art to make so-cial change for women in very different ways,” Kruz said, Skyping in from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she is currently filming graffiti artist Panmela Cas-tro, who’s art centers on issues of domestic violence.

Behind The Scenes Kruz, an Ann Arbor native and recent graduate of

the University of Michigan, worked with the University Musical Society until August of last year before taking a job in the national documentary unit of Detroit Public Television.

Rio was not the first stop on Kruz’s world tour. “I was in India for three weeks with my cinematog-

rapher, Meena Singh. We were working with a dancer and choreographer who is using dance to rehabilitate sex-trafficking survivors.”

Kruz plans to visit an American designer from Arkan-sas who works with a group of women in Nairobi, Kenya, helping them gain status as professional tailors. The de-signer then hires the women to construct her clothes for the runway.

And the Award goes to...Sophia KruzBy Ann Dwyer

Sophia shooting on location in Rio de Janerio

Photo by E

lisabete Maisao


film

1 tuesdayAll About EvePart of the Summer Classics Film Series. 7pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.orgBased on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr, All About Eve is a sassy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter).

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 10pm. Rackham Stage, 915 E. Washington St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org FreeNia Vardalos and John Corbett star in this runaway rom-com hit about a shy, young Greek woman who finds herself falling for a tall, handsome, non-Greek American and takes on the hilarious task of convincing her colorful, traditional family to accept him.

2 wednesdayMovie and BBQ: Disney’s Frozen1-6pm. Ypsilanti District Library- Superior, 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.orgWatch Disney’s Frozen and then warm up with some BBQ, hot dogs and games on the lawn.

The Artist10pm. Rackham Stage, 915 E. Washington St. 734-994-4898. a2sf.org FreeWinner of five Academy Awards including best picture and best actor, The Artist gloriously brings the 1920s back to life through rich imagery, acting, and music in a beautiful tribute to the black and white silent film.

3 thursday Star Trek: Into Darkness10pm. Rackham Stage, 915 E. Washington St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org FreeIn this fast paced action film from acclaimed director J.J.... Abrams, the Star Trek saga continues as the USS Enterprise takes Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew deep into space to stop a charismatic terrorist who may not be what he appears.

6 sundayClaymation Puppet Workshop12:30-5:30pm. Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-327-4200. aadl.org FreeLove claymation films? Learn the technique from animator Brad Pattullo. Lunch served.

A Hard Day’s Night Part of the Summer Classics Film Series. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.orgThe Beatles come to life in this silly, sing-a-long band biography. Also Tuesday, July 8 at 7pm.

The Wizard of Oz10pm. Rackham Stage, 915 E. Wash-ington St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.orgTravel over the rainbow with Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and The Cowardly Lion-- but watch out for The Wicked Witch Of The West and her flying monkey minions in this hollywood classic.

9 wednesdayMet Summer Encore: Otello 7pm. Goodrich Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd. 734-623-7469. goodrichqualitytheaters.comVerdi’s take on the Shakespear-ean classic tells a tale of love, loss and deception in the face of racial prejudice.

10 thursdayRiffTrax Live: Sharknado8pm. Goodrich Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd. 734-623-7469. goodrichqualitytheaters.comSharknado, a hilarious movie in and of itself, is commentated by comedians and Mystery Sci-ence Theatre 3000 icons Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy. Also Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30pm.

11 fridaySustainability Film Series and Potluck6pm. Ypsilanti District Library- Michigan Ave., 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org FreeBring a dish to share and enjoy the screening of a sustainable food practice documentary.

13 sundayA Day at the RacesPart of the Summer Classics Film Series. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.orgThe Marx Brothers at their commercial and popular peak. Classic comedy. (Also Tuesday, July 15 at 7pm.)

RSC Live in HD: Henry IV – Part 2 7pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.orgBroadcast live from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Directed by Gregory Doran. King Henry’s health is failing as a second rebellion threatens to surface, but the king is intent on securing his legacy.

16 wednesdayEnchanted Island Met Summer Encore7pm. Goodrich Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd.734-623-7469. goodrichqualitytheaters.com Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and featuring an array of composers, this fantas-tical performance is a rousing contemporary pastiche.

17 thursdayJaws$3. 1 & 7pm. Penn Theatre, 760 Penniman Ave., Plymouth. 734-453-0870. penntheatre.comThe ultimate shark attack, a 1975 classic with a memorable score and memorable screams.

20 sundayClose Encounters of the Third KindPart of the Summer Classics Film Series. 1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.orgSteven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975), his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Also Tuesday, July 22 at 7pm.

22 tuesdayGlen Beck’s We Will Not Conform 8pm. Goodrich Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd. 734-623-7469. goodrichqualitytheaters.com Controversial TV and radio personality Glenn Beck presents We Will Not Conform, a discus-sion of the Common Core edu-cation initiative. Also Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30pm.

24 thursdayJurassic Park$3. 1 & 7pm. Penn Theatre, 760 Pen-niman Ave., Plymouth. 734-453-0870. penntheatre.comRe-experience the magic as Dinosaurs roam and roar in this 1993 Steven Spielberg classic.

25 fridayMovie in the Park: Despicable Me 26:30-11:00pm. Mill Pond Park, Saline. salinechamber.org Free Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to Mill Pond Park. This family-favorite film begins at dusk. 27 sundayThe Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long1:30pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.org Sing to all of your favorite songs as you travel over the rainbow with Dorothy and into the tech-nicolor dream world of Oz. Also Tuesday, July 29 at 7pm.

More events online at ecurrent.com


theater OngOing: SundaysComedy Open Mic Night$5 donation. 8pm. The Mix Studio Theater, 8 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. ChiliChallis.com Chili Chalis UNclub comedy open mic night with Emcee Mark Sweetman.

TuesdaysComedy Open Mic Night8pm. Joey’s Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Rd., Livonia. 734-261-0555. joeyscomedyclub.netEvery Tuesday night, Joey’s hosts” The World’s Greatest Open Mic!” This is where the funny (and not so funny) get their start. You be the judge.

2 wednesdayComplete History of America (abridged) Opening Night Thursdays-Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm; through July 20. The Mix Studio Theater, 8 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. 734-985-0875. emergentarts.com A fast-paced romp through American history, complete with impromptu props, bad accents, cross-dressing and funny hats. $12 General Admission/ $10 Seniors and Students with ID.

4 fridayThe Capitol Steps$40-$55. 5pm. Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org See note to the left.

9 wednesdaySteve Gillespie stand-upJoey’s Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Rd., Livonia. $10-$12; $20-22 with dinner. 8pm. 734-261-0555. joeyscomedyclub.net Hailing from Minneapolis, where after receiving a graduate degree in something or other Steve became really bored and started telling jokes into a micro-phone. Special guest: Heather Jay. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm. Friday and Saturday at 9pm.

10 thursdayRoger’s & Hammerstein’s Carousel Opening Night. The Encore , 3126 Broad St., Dexter. $18-$26. Fridays 6:15 pm, Saturdays 7:15 pm, Sundays 2:15pm runs through August 7. 734-268-6200. theencoretheatre.orgA surreal turn-of-the-century story tells of a robber who gets a second chance at life and love when he meets the daughter that he never knew.

Elektra Opening Night $10. Thursday-Saturday evenings 7pm; runs through July 26. West Park, 215 Chapin St. 734-926-5346. pennyseats.wordpress.comSee note to the left.

11 fridayInto the Wind$5. Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30pm. U of M Department of Dance Betty Pease Studio Theater, 1310 N. University Ct. 734-657-8788. annarbordanceworks.comThis dance, music and poetry performance is inspired by the potential for harnessing wind as a renewable energy resource.

16 wednesdayCool Aide stand-up$10-$12; $20-22 with dinner. 8pm. Joey’s Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Rd., Livonia. 734-261-0555. joeyscomedyclub.netBesides BET Comic View, you might have seen Cool Aide on Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes season 1. Don’t miss this local star on his way to the top. Special guest: Brad Wenzel. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm. Friday and Saturday at 9pm.

18 fridayTreasure Island$10 adults/ $6 children under 12 & seniors. Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday matinee 1pm. For venue updates, visit: ypsiyouththeatre.orgSet sail for Treasure Island. Ypsilanti Youth Theatre presents a swashbucklin’ adventure filled with mischief, mayhem and mutiny. Pirate costume contest for audience members. See website for venue info.

23 wednesdayKevin McCaffrey stand-up$10-$12; $20-22 with dinner. 8pm. Joey’s Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Rd., Livonia. 734-261-0555. joeyscomedyclub.netA monologue writer for The Late Show with David Letter-man, Kevin McCaffrey can also be seen every week on TruTV Presents: World’s Dumbest, commenting on videos of dumb people. Special guest: Mike Trainor. Wednesday and Thurs-day at 8pm. Friday and Saturday at 9pm.

24 thursdayHomesteaders Opening NightThursday, Friday and Saturday eve-ning at 8pm, Sunday 2pm. Carriage House Theatre, 541 Third St. 734-546-6441. carriagehousetheatre.orgIn 1979 on an island in south-east Alaska, Fisherman Neal Raftery returns from a week long stay in town with his deck hand, a New Yorker who calls herself Jake. Jake soon discov-ers she has joined a compli-cated household, whose five troubled inhabitants struggle to come to terms with them-selves, each other, and the past. $10 suggested donation.

Girls who run the world Penny Seats Theatre Company debuts Sophocles’ Elektra, with an all-new cast in a new venue- the outdoor brick promenade at West Park. Translated by Canadian poet and former U of M professor Anne Carson, Elektra will be the Penny Seats’ first presentation of a new translation of a classical work. Set after the Trojan War, in the city of Argos, plots to take down her mother and stepfather. With the help of her brother, Orestes, will avenge her father’s death. Oft compared to the Oedipus Complex, the Elektra Complex is known in Neo-Freudian circles as a girl’s inherent competition with her mother for her father’s love. Directed by Russ Schwartz with local talent Em-ily Caffrey starring as Elektra. Opens Thursday, July 10, runs through Saturday, July 26. 7pm, Thursday-Saturday evenings. $10. West Park, 215 Chapin St. 734-926-5346. pennyseats.wordpress.com—MW

Happy F’n Birthday, AmericaComedy troupe The Capitol Steps gives a far-cical Independence Day performance as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Comprised of ex-Congressional staffers, the troupe, whose tagline is “We put the MOCK in Democracy,” addresses political problems by parodying politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike. Featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS and NPR, The Capitol Steps have recorded 30 albums including their newest, How to Succeed in Congress Without Really Ly-ing. Celebrate Freedom of Speech with this one-night-only comedy show. Friday, July 4. 5pm. $40-$55. Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org—MW

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art

of M from 1968 to 1978 – Michigan’s most volatile years, with riots, sit-ins, lock-ins and, in 1970, the 12-day Black Action Movement strike demanding that 10% of Michigan enrollment be black students. My, how things change. I remember Fleming from the mid-70s, supremely dignified and uniquely able to mollify, placate and see the tumult sub specie aeternitatis. Now that’s dignified! Just four doors down at 426 Thompson is the Institute for Social Research, the leading survey research body in America. It is a dazzling configuration of black and white recti-linear form, imposing, impressive, slightly surreal. Dow designed the interior so that the researchers (all men) had private offices and the support staff (all women) were in a central area without private space. A few short blocks west, at 343 South Fifth Avenue, is the Ann Arbor Dis-trict Library. It evinces Dow’s love of vivid colors and angular arrangements. And it is just as functional and inviting and modern as it was when it opened in 1956. Now head straight north for another few short blocks until you come to the Larcom Municipal Building, 100 North Fifth Avenue, aka City Hall, Court and Police Station. It is an inverted-step pyramid, a cubist version of Wright’s Guggenheim Museum in New York. The new East Wing obscures some of Dow’s original edifice, but I guess that’s “progress.”

Invention of Modern. Dow also designed the gorgeous Bell Pool (1952), the

“Women’s Pool” as we called it, which went coed in 1976. And he created the buildings of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, one of the finest university gardens in the coun-try. Dow was the recipient of the first Frank Lloyd Wright Creativity Award in 1982, and the next year, the year he died, he was named the State of Michigan’s Architect Lau-reate. There are those who wrongly believe that Modern-ism, especially in architecture, is bleak and sterile. But like Duke Ellington said about music, there is only good and bad. Alden Dow was good. He helped invent Mod-ernism which, to people born after the War, may appear pedestrian. Like drunkenness at a fraternity party, it goes unnoticed. But keep your eyes open, and realize that there was a time when it never existed.

Where’s Alden? I knew the name Alden B. Dow because his founda-

tion sponsored so many public radio and television pro-grams. I assumed he was related to Midland, Michigan’s Dow Chemical Corporation, and that he was a honcho or a distant nepotistic legacy. It wasn’t until I saw giant photos of his work featured in a major exhibition at the Cranbrook Art Museum last year that I realized he was no dilettante-philanthropist but a bona fide world-class architect. Subsequently I went on a tour of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio in Midland, Michigan, and it was mind-blowing. It is not only a National Historic Land-mark, it won the Diplome de Grand Prix as the best resi-dential design in the world at the 1937 Paris International Exposition. And Dow’s architectural legacy in Ann Arbor is second only to that of Albert Kahn, designer of Hill Auditorium, Angel Hall, and over a dozen other U of M buildings.

Early Years. Indeed the son of Henry Dow, founder of the world

renowned chemical company, Alden was born in 1904. As a teenager his family took an extended voyage to Ja-pan where he marveled at the Japanese gardens and ar-chitecture. He studied engineering at the University of Michigan, then transferred to Columbia’s School of Archi-tecture. In 1933 Alden studied with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. You can see the influence in Dow’s work, and you can see why Wright called Alden his “spiritual son.” Over 36 years, Dow built 18 buildings in Ann Arbor, and the only structure not still in use is a former Leonard gas station on West Stadium. His most inspired work dates from the mid-1950s to mid-1960s and four of his best are within steps of each other on Central Campus.

Dow Walking Tour. The Fleming Administration Building (503 Thompson)

was named after University of Michigan President Rob-ben Fleming. It is an upright rectilinear structure of light, earthy brick with narrow windows variously arranged so as to remind commentators of a Mondrian painting. Fleming was the miraculously successful President of U

ArtBeat Around Town with Alden B. DowBy Louis Meldman

Photo courtesy of Alden D. Dow Archives

art

Allen B. Dow Home and Studio

Fleming Administration Building, University of Michigan.


art

2 wednesdayWasentha Young gallerY reception5pm. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. 4th Ave. 734-769-2999. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Free Breathtaking and transforma-tive mosaics by Wasentha Young.

5 saturdayexhibition opening: artistic imposition in the photographic portrait11am-5pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu FreeSixteen portraits examine the relationship between photogra-pher and model.

6 sundaysoap and bodYcare craftspeople11am-4pm. The Sunday Artisan Market in Kerrytown, 315 Detroit St. 734-913-9622. artisanmarket.org Free Soap and Bodycare Craftspeo-ple are the featured artists at this week’s Sunday Artisan Market.

7 mondayZentangle basics$30, $6 kit fee. 6:30-9pm. Two Twelve Arts Center, 216 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-944-2787. twotwelvearts.org Learn Zentangle, an art process creating beautiful images through the use of simple pat-terns. If you really dig it, follow up with Beyond the Basics on July 14 and Beyond the Basics II on July 22.

8 tuesdayart studio drop-in$35. 6-8pm. Two Twelve Arts Center, 216 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-944-2787. twotwelvearts.orgBring pieces of your own to work on in-studio and receive guidance and critique from Two Twelve Artists in Residence and fellow classmates. happY art hour$50. 7-9pm. Spotted Dog Winery, 1100 E. Woodland Dr., Saline. 734-944-2787. twotwelvearts.org Two Twelve Arts teams up with Spotted Dog Winery to bring you this fun fantastic art and wine event. Create your own acrylic landscape painting,

while enjoying wine, snacks, and the company of your fel-lows.

11 fridayart in the parkFriday: 11am-8pm. Saturday: 10am-7pm; Sunday: 10am-5pm. Kellogg Park & surrounding area, Plymouth. 734-454-1314. artinthepark.com Free The Plymouth Art Fair show-cases over 400 exhibitors in art, craft and design.

13 sundaymYthical creatures of ann arbor11am-4pm. The Sunday Artisan Market in Kerrytown, 315 Detroit St. 734-913-9622. artisanmarket.org FreeDragons, Fairies, and Were-wolves, OH MY. Street Artist David Zinn and his pal Sluggo will share sidewalk art. Resident Fairyologist, Jonathan Wright will talk all things fairy and hold a story and Q&A ses-sion at 1:30pm. The Amazing Violin Monster will rouse up some music and a scare.

last daY on VieW: three michigan archi-tects: part 2—robert metcalf Noon-6pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu FreeRobert Metcalf has com-pleted over 120 mid-century modern architectural projects in Washtenaw County and the Metro Detroit area, both commercial and domestic. This exhibition specifically highlights the homes that he has built, including his own.

guided tour: design + architecture2pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu Free UMMA docents highlight the architectural design aesthetic of Robert Metcalf.

17 thursdaytoWnie street partY5-9:30pm. E. Washington St. on Ingalls Mall. 734-994-5260. artfair.org FreeThanking Ann Arbor residents for so graciously hosting the Ann Arbor Art Fair each year, The Townie Party offers a fun-filled evening for the whole family where visitors can enjoy terrific music by local bands; grab a bite of Townie grub; enjoy a brew at the Townie Pub; or take a stroll through the Kids Art Fair.

saline potters guild meeting6-8pm. Two Twelve Arts Center, 216 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-944-2787. twotwelvearts.orgPotters gather for information, inspiration and networking.

18 fridayselections from “a future past” bY Wanda nanibush 5-8pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu FreeIndigenous short and experi-mental videos have exploded in the past decade. This selec-tion of films references the history of colonialism through stories about survival, power, resistance, beauty and cultural continuity and transformation.

19 saturdaytopiarY for all ages 2pm. Bloom! Garden Center, 1885 Baker Rd., Dexter. 734-426-6600. bloom-gardens.com Free Topiary- shrubbery clipped into exciting shapes. Come learn how to make your own.

20 sundaydaY after the art fair art fair 11am-4pm. The Sunday Artisan Market in Kerrytown, 315 Detroit St. 734-913- 9622. artisanmarket.org FreeMeet local artists that support themselves solely through your patronage. After a week of the art fair- come hang without the huge crowds. The market provides enough shade, art and fun for the whole family to enjoy.

last daY on VieW: appropriation / collaboration: christian marclaY / harrell fletcher & miranda JulY Noon-5pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu FreeThis exhibition features two key works from different decades: The 90’s and the 00’s; telephones and video, web media and beyond.

guided tour: changing hands2pm UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu Free Explore the basketry, bead-work, textiles, wood, metal-work and stone, as well as contemporary media such as photography, performance and installation art.

24 thursdayshop local daY at the umma store 11am-5pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.eduReceive a free gift and 15% off of your entire purchase at the UMMA Store, from a variety of unique, handcrafted products, including beautiful jewelry, por-celain wares, baskets, textiles and children’s educational toys.

40th annual sights & sounds festiValsThursday, July 24: 6:30pm-8:30pm; Friday, July 25: Noon-11pm; Saturday, July 26: 8am-11pm. Downtown Chelsea. 734-474-9178. chelseafestivals.com FreeDowntown Chelsea hosts this lively fest featuring all forms of art, including awesome live music and a classic car show.

26 saturdaydoWntoWn belleVille artaffair on mainDowntown Belleville, Belleville. 10am Saturday & Sunday. ArtAffaironMain.com FreeBeautiful Downtown Belleville is a tree-lined idyllic location for an art fair, conveniently located between Ann Arbor and De-troit. For two summer days, it will be the setting for Artaffair on Main featuring 100 artists.

art after hours Since November 2013, the University of Michigan Museum of Art has provided art-lovers with more time for free museum education and exploration through the umma fridays after 5 series. On July 18, as the last installment of the successful trial program, the museum will stay open until 8pm. As “a direct result of recent visitor surveys which cited a desire for more evening hours,” says UMMA Director Joseph Rosa, the series answers the community’s call for more access. “We invite the community to explore the museum's galleries and special exhi-bitions—stop by after work, before dinner with the family, or as part of an evening out on the town.” Friday, July 18. 5-8pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu—MW

Photo by Leslia Thompson

Call For Artists: Art Goes Digital Open to artists 18 and older

residing within a 100-mile radius

of Ypsilanti, this show provides a

much needed venue for the grow-

ing field of digital art, and education

for the public about a new form of

artistic expression. Deadline: July

26. Exhibit: Aug 7-23. Riverside Arts

Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti.

734-480-2787. See site for details:

riversidearts.org


art

While the hottest days of summer drive some to take cover in air-conditioned enclaves, others, some 500,000, take to the streets of Ann Arbor in the name of art. Now in its 55th year, from the Townie Party on July 14th to the fair’s closing on the 20th, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair continues its tradition. A quick glance at this year’s ven-dor roster reveals that the majority of artists come from out of state, making packing up shop to head home more challenging for those coming from Washington, Florida or Texas. We wondered: who are these traveling artists, what happens next for them, and what do they make of us Ann Arborites?

From Nicaragua to Ann ArborAfter moving from New York to New Orleans, art-

ist Layla Ardalan (booth A235) pursued a career in two-dimensional mixed media, incorporating “printmaking on handmade paper and fabrics, using other media such as oil pastels and embroidery.” Her travels further provide materials and inspiration for her brightly-colored, textural pieces. Ardalan is next headed to Patagonia and then Japan.

With so much time spent globetrotting, it’s no surprise that Ardalan works only a few select art fairs each year. Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Ardalan will be showing her work in Madison, WI. Thrilled to be re-turning to Michigan, she says that “life on the road is a wonderful way to establish clientele in different parts of the country.”

A Family Affair at the Art FairIn 2012, Doug Wilkerson (booth A214) started Only

Dog Art, LLC with his wife Risa and son Braden. Wilk-erson tried his hand at sculpture and drawing, but inspiration struck when painting a portrait of his dog. Says Wilkerson of his work, “I try to cap-ture the distinctive relationship people have with dogs that elevates them to being members of the family. I like painting in large format to magnify moments and allow an appre-ciation of often unnoticed details.”

This year’s festivities mark the first time that Wilkerson will be ex-hibiting his work at an art fair. He and his family are no strangers to the Fair, though, having attended previously while living in Michi-gan. They’re making a trek from North Carolina for the event—and afterwards, it’s back to the easel. For Doug Wilkerson, art is a full-time gig, with a provision for a “weekly round of disc golf, just for fun.”

Chain Mail, Coast to CoastWhen it comes to art fairs, Elaine Un-

zicker (booth A230) of Ojai, California is something of a Viking. And she could certainly outfit one, touting her chain mail clothing and accessories across the country, exhibiting at 15-18 art shows every year. What makes Ann Arbor stand out from the rest? Unzicker says the great restaurants are an ap-peal, as well as the fairgoers. “The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has a sophisticated clientele with a great love of art,” says Unzicker. “Art collectors from all over the country come to the show.”

Unzicker’s work in chain mail began at Illinois State University, while she was pursuing her MFA. Using different types of metal, Unzicker creates apparel that’s both delicate and strong: dresses, scarves, skirts, gloves, and more.

Every artist’s story is as different as their work. It’s easy to drift from booth to booth, the art displayed like a blur of color and texture. This year, take the time to ask the artist about their process, their work, their history. The real art lies deeper than the canvas.

Art Immigration A Deeper Look into Visiting Vendors at Ann Arbor Street Art Fair By Molly Schoen

Layla Ardalan mixed-media print


current reads

Secrets of the Past U of M graduate Celeste Ng returns to A2 with debut novelBy Russ Brakefield

Diseases of the brain, stories from the heart Local hero Joanne Lord, clinical research coordinator at U of M, shares her experi-ences working with Alzheimer’s patients in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias. Her essay “When Research Becomes a Passion” reveals the importance of connecting to patients on a personal level: how to connect, letting patients know you care, and inevitably, how to say goodbye. “Some people call Alzheimer’s disease the longest goodbye and now I know why,” laments Lord in her personal essay. She refers to her patients as “loved ones,” telling the story of one man who continued to recognize her and smile in her presence while his memory loss set in. Lord’s essay, as well as several others featured in the book, provide sup-port to those affected by individuals with dementia. Available at Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw Ave. 734-973-0846. barnesandnoble.com *Also available for order online through local bookstores.—MW

Celeste Ng’s debut novel Everything I Never Told You is thrilling from the first page: a 16-year-old girl is dead and her family doesn’t know it yet. As the story unfolds, the loss uncovers the precarious threads that hold the Lee family together. Ng’s novel grapples with issues of race and identity, the dynamics of grief, and the many pressures fac-ing an Asian American family in small-town Ohio in the 1970’s. Ng began writing her novel in Ann Arbor during her time as a graduate student in the University of Michi-gan Helen Zell Writers Program. She returns to Ann Arbor on Friday, July 18 for a book launch and reading at Literati Bookstore. Where did the initial inspiration for Everything I Never Told You come from?

The story has its roots in an anecdote my husband told me about when he was a boy and a classmate pushed his little sister into a lake. She was fine, but for some reason that image really stuck in my head. I was thinking about what it must have been like for this girl to fall into the wa-ter, what the brother and sister relationship was like before and also after he pushed her into the lake. What kind of dynamic led him to do that and what would have happened to their family if this girl had not have been saved?

How have your own experiences influenced the writing of this book?

The part of my life that did really make its way into the book was growing up as an Asian American in an area where there really were no other Asians. I was born in a suburb of Pittsburgh and there were very few Asians there when I was growing up. […] It is a really disorienting ex-perience in some ways to grow up visibly different from everyone else around you. That was something that I tried to draw on while writing the book.

One of the reasons I set the book’s place and time pe-riod is because it highlights many of the issues my charac-ters were facing. Those were places where there wouldn’t have been many Asians and a time period were a marriage between an Asian man and a white woman would have been very unusual.

Where do you see those issues now, more than forty years after the setting of the novel?

I think many of those issues are still very much with us. […] We are still talking about racism and how that gets

expressed. We are still talking about what women are allowed to do versus what they are expected to do.

The book also deals with expression—the things we say and the things we withhold from people we love. What role do secrets play in the novel?

Secrets are inherently fasci-nating to us. We love to figure out things that other people don’t know. I settled on the title of the book because […] it speaks to the things people don’t tell each other due to being afraid but also the things that people never tell each other as they don’t realize that people are waiting to hear those words.

Did these themes affect your choice to keep the book in third person or change your ideas about the voice of the novel?

The book originally started off with different sections told by each character. I found that because there was so much that the characters didn’t say to each other, I was covering a lot of ground twice. I eventually realized that I needed this third person omniscient narrator to show what the characters were hiding from each other and how the characters were hearing the same words very differ-ently.

How did your time in the MFA program here in Ann Arbor set you up for the writing life you have now?

I had an amazing experience in the Michigan MFA program. It was a really great fit for me. The faculty are so incredibly generous with their time and brainpower and advice. The experience really was instrumental in shaping my writing and helping me think about how to balance writing as a professional endeavor. I’m really looking for-ward to coming back and reading in Ann Arbor.

Celeste Ng, Friday, July 18, 7pm, Literati Bookstore, 124 E.

Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. (734) 585-5567.

Photo credit: Kevin Day


Ongoing: 9 wednesdayThe Ravens Club Book Club 6pm. The Ravens Club, 207 S. Main St. 734-585-5567. literatibookstore.comFergus Henderson’s The Com-plete Nose to Tail Cookbook, which Anthony Bourdain called “a cult masterpiece” and Jamie Oliver raved as “an essential book for honest cooks” is the fo-cus of the evening. Oh, and 15% off food and drinks. Register by purchasing the book at Literati.

10 thursday Emerging Writers Workshop: Uploads, Downloads, Covers, and Content7-8:45pm. Traverwood Branch: Program Room, 3333 Traverwood Dr. 734-327-4200. aadl.org FreeGetting a book into print (or e-readers) is a challenge. Authors Lara Zielin and Margaret Yang discuss the mechanics of formatting and uploading a book, where to find covers, timing and advanced promotions.

11 fridayLinda Castillo signing 7pm. Aunt Agatha’s, 213 S. 4th Ave. 734-769-1114. Meet author Linda Castillo when she hits town to sign her latest Kate Burkholter mystery, The Dead Will Tell, set in Ohio’s Amish country. Conn Iggulden Reading and Signing7pm. Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave.734-662-0600. nicolasbooks.comThe Wars of the Roses: Storm-bird, explores two families, the Yorks and the Lancasters, during one of the most bloody, brutal periods of British history.

12 saturdayFriends of the Saline District Library10am-Noon. Saline District Library: Brecon Room, 555 N. Maple Rd., Saline. 734-429-5450. saline.lib.mi.usFill a bag with used books for $5 and a second bag for free.

18 fridayCeleste Ng Reading 7pm. Literati Bookstore, 124 E. Washington St. 734-585-5567. literatibookstore.com FreeSee article to the left.

19 saturdayJim Ottaviani Reading 2pm. 3235 Washtenaw Ave. 734-973-0846. barnesandnoble.com Jim Ottaviani presents Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas.

21 mondayGlen Hirshberg Reading and Signing7pm. Literati Bookstore, 124 E. Washington St.734-585-5567. literatibookstore.com Free Literati is pleased to welcome Detroit native Glen Hirshberg, who will read from his latest novel, Motherless Child, a story of two single moms, best friends traveling the backroads of the deep south, trying to save their children, and themselves.

22 tuesdayJenny Milchman Reading and Signing 7pm. Aunt Agatha’s , 213 S. 4th Ave. 734-769-1114. auntagathas.comMeet Mary Higgins Clark Award winner Jenny Milchman when she visits to discuss and sign her new book, Ruin Falls. She’ll be joined by suspense writer Brian Freeman who will present & sign his new thriller The Cold Nowhere. 23 wednesdayAndrew Meredith Reading 7pm. Literati Bookstore, 124 E. Washington St. 734-585-5567. literatibookstore.com FreeThe Removers (on-sale July 15, 2014) is a memoir about how working with the dead breathed life back into a young man in Philadelphia, and repaired the long-strained relationship he had with his father.

25 fridayAlison Foster Reading7pm. Literati Bookstore , 124 E. Washington St. 734-585-5567. literatibookstore.com Free Literati is thrilled to present author and novelist Alyson Foster, who will read from her debut novel, God is an Astronaut. Set in the immediate future of civilian space tourism, the novel unfolds through the emails of one woman whose marriage is crumbling beneath her.

29 tuesdayAfrican American Authors7pm. Ypsilanti District Library- Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org FreeJoining a book group is a great way to meet new people and ex-perience the fun of discussing a book together. Explore the works of great African American Authors in a group setting.

30 wednesdayMystery Lovers Book Group2pm. Ypsilanti District Library- Whittaker: Conference Room 1C, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org FreeJoin other amateur sleuths once a month to discuss mystery novels.

current readsLocaL Reads

More events online at

ecurrent.com


promoting. Players include “moms, college students, doctors, bartend-ers” says Athenya Knocker, but what they all have in common is

strength and determination. Mental fortitude plays just as important a role as physical strength, and the empowering nature and sense of community are rewarding. “There is a reason why ‘Roller derby saved my soul’ is such a popular quote.” Our bouts are fun for all ages and a great commu-

nity event. Kids under 12 are free with a paying adult and they might just make some new role models.”

There are other ways to be-come involved. Referees strap on skates and are in the thick of the mayhem during the jams. For those who want to help out, but

don’t care for the bruises, the group needs non-skating offi-cials (NSOs) and volunteers to help with bout production.

For the truly dedicated, joining the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes doesn’t even require skating experience. Regard-less of skill level, size, age, or what sort of shape you think you’re in, A2D2 will take you in and train you as “Fresh Meat.”

See the Derby Dimes in action at an upcoming bout at Buhr Park, July 12, 5:30pm. $12 advanced; $15 at door.;

kids under 12 free admission. The full season schedule, as well as lots of other information about the organization, the sport and the players, can be found

at a2derbydimes.org

sports

When one thinks of a nonprofit organization, the board members don’t typically have names like Le-thal Bo Peep, Loch Ness Mauler, and Helen Killer. But then, The Ann Arbor Derby Dimes (A2D2) are not your typical nonprofit.

A2D2 celebrated its fourth an-niversary last month, and now con-sists of three teams: The Brawl-stars, Arbor Bruising Company, and Ypsilanti Vigilantes, be-coming a full member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which supplies the offi- cial rules for the league and insurance for players. 2014 has already produced some major milestones for this relatively young organization. According to A2D2 president Scargyle, the Brawlstars have made it into the top 100 teams on Flat Track’s stats page.

For the uninitiated, roller derby is essentially a full-contact race on roller skates. In a jam, the scoring player (jammer) attempts to lap as many opposing players as possible while teammates maneuver aggres-sively to help clear the way. It’s a rough sport, to be sure. “Injuries are not uncommon,” says Athenya Knocker. “That being said, we take a ton of safety precautions and serious injuries are rare.”

Being a Derby Dime also means having a built-in sup-port group. Teammates on the track are also “teammates in life,” emphasizes Lethal Bo Peep. “There have been several occasions where teammates are down on their luck and we are quick to organize funds, cook meals, give rides to injured players.”

This passion for the sport and for each other makes roller derby fun to watch. Despite (or perhaps evidenced by) the playfully clever noms de guerre and gritty fashion, this sport is something the Derby Dimes take very seri-ously, devoting time to training, organizing, traveling and

Ann Arbor Roller DerbyIt’s the JamBy John Beltz Snyder

Ann Arbor Derby Dimes crush the competition.

“Roller derby saved my soul.”


ONGOING:Wednesdays Music Trivia 8:30pm. Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main St. 734-665-2968. conoro-neills.comNot your average trivia night, Conor O’Neill’s quizzes you on all things music.

Thursdays Pittsfield Township Farmers Market3-7pm. Pittsfield Township Farmers Market, 6201 W. Michigan Ave. 734-822-3152. A weekly summer market that features local and regional food and agricultural businesses, artisans and entertainers. Fun for the whole family.

Sundays Sunday for the SunsetThe Yellow Barn , 416 W. Huron St. ouryellowbarn.com FreeCome for the sunset. Bring your instruments and pot luck food. This event honors community, music, art, food and friendship.

Kempf House Museum Guided Tours1-4pm. Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division St. 734-994-4898. kempfhousemuseum.org FreeVisit this 1853 Greek Revival home of German-American musicians Reuben and Pauline Kempf. See Victorian period furnishings, including an 1877 Steinway piano, the first grand in Ann Arbor.

A gearhead's paradiseRiverside Park/ Friday, July 4 - Sunday, July 8When it comes to classic muscle cars, you'd be hard-pressed to find one more iconic than the Chevrolet Camaro. With its wide nose and characteristic rumble, the Camaro is a symbol of the golden age of the American automotive industry—there's a reason why Michael Bay chose the Camaro as the alter-ego for the heroic Transformer Bumblebee. Every year motor-obsessed Michiganders rollout their Chevys for public display, as well as a judged competition, and this year, the 23rd annual Camaro Superfest comes to Ypsi. Last year's fest brought in over 430 of these high-performance beauties, and this year, the goal is 500. Show hours run 8am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Riverside Park, Ypsilanti. 734-368-8726. camarosuperfest.com Free

Rollin on the riverGallup Park/ Sunday, July 13From the Tigris and Euphrates to the Seine or the Thames, every great city on earth is built on a river, and Ann Arbor is no different. Every summer, Washtenaw county residents gather to give praise to the running water on Huron River Day. This year's event will feature live music on the scenic banks as well as food vendors. For the adventurous sort, boats will be available for $5 rental—or free if you're feeling doubly adventurous and ride your bike to the event.12pm. 3000 Fuller Rd. 734-794-6240. a2gov.org Free

Let's talk about death, babyCrazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom/ Saturday, July 19According to the Hagakure, the book of the samurai, a wise man ought to meditate on death daily. OK, so maybe that's a bit dark, but there is some wisdom there—it's important to think about the end of life, as a means of grounding oneself. With that thought in mind, each month Crazy Wisdom hosts a friendly public forum, Death Café, for people to gather together and discuss mortality. The discussion group (NOT a counseling session) gathers people of all ages, races, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. Fitting; many things divide us, but death unites us. Grab some tea and get morbid this month. 114 S. Main St. 734-665-2757. crazywisdom.net Free—JS

everything else

Manchester Fireworks Display - 9:30pm. Carr Park, 600 W. Main St., Manchester. manchestermi.org Free

Wolf Lake Fireworks Show - 9:30pm. Camp Teetonkah, 3710 Burkhart Rd., Jackson. wolflakefireworks.com Free

Jackson Summer Celebration Fireworks Extravaganza - 9:30pm. Cascade Falls Park, 1401 S. Brown St., Jackson. experiencejackson.com/things-to-do/festivals/fire-works Free

Plymouth Township Fireworks - 10pm. Township Park, 46640 Ann Arbor Trai, Plymouth. plymouthtwp.org Free

Dexter Fireworks - 10pm. Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 N. Territorial Rd, Dexter. metroparks.com Free

4th of July Fireworks & EventsThursday, July 3

cont, on page 36


everything else1 tuesday

Community Meeting: Main St. Closure6pm. Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd. 734-794-6140. a2gov.orgThe City of Ann Arbor will hold a meeting to follow up with area residents regarding last season’s Main St. closures during U of M home football games. The meeting takes place in anticipation of the closures again this year.

4 fridayMichigan Camero SuperfestFriday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am. Riverside Park, 5 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. 734-368-8726. camarosu-perfest.comSee note on p. 35

Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade10am. S. State St. and E. William St. a2jaycees.org/parade Free Join the Ann Arbor Jaycees as they host the 24th Annual Fourth of July parade. The parade will feature floats, mu-sical groups, walking groups and many others celebrating this year’s theme: The Heart-beat of America.

Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade11am. The corner of Oakwood and Cross St., Ypsilanti. ypsilantijaycees.com FreeThe 85th Annual Ypsilanti In-dependence Parade has over 50 participating organizations including veterans, marching bands, Elvisfest, local busi-nesses, church groups, live bands and classic cars.

8 tuesdayStewards’ Circle: Estab-lishing A Rain Garden7:30-8:30am. Bruegger’s Bagels, 709 N. University Ave. stewardshipnet-work.org Free Rain gardens alleviate flood-ing, recharge the ground water supply, filter water before it enters local rivers,

provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance the beauty of yards and communities. Learn to incorporate rain gardens into your own landscapes.

11 fridaySaline Celtic FestAll day Friday and Saturday. Adults, $15/youth, $5/kids 12 and under and active military, free. Mill Pond Park, West Bennett St., Saline. saline-celtic.org Celebrate Celtic culture with your family at the 2-day Saline Celtic Festival. Enjoy Scottish and Irish music and dance per-formances and fabulous food. Don’t forget to check out Wee Folks Island for Celtic-themed crafts, face painting, games and a parade. Also on July 12.

Rolling Sculpture Car Show$35 car registry; FREE to spectate. 2-10pm. Main St., E. Liberty St., E. Washington St. mainstreetan-narbor.orgEnjoy the energy of more than 300 exotic, antique, classic and one-of-a-kind cars on Main, Liberty and Washington streets Downtown. Register your car or just come to watch the cruise.

13 sundayHuron River Day Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Rd. 734-794-6240 a2gov.orgSee note on p. 35

15 tuesdayHow to Talk to Plants and Avoid Giving the Impres-sion of Lunacy7-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 734-212-0010. peoplesfood.coop FreeThis popular talk by Linda Diane Feldt as part of the People’s Food Co-op “Healthy Living Series” is about how to tell what a plant needs for healthy growth and reveals easy ways to enhance your plant intuition.

Politics of the Environ-ment, 20147:30-9pm. Matthaei Botanical Gar-

dens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu FreeMike Berkowitz, chapter organizer, and Richard Barron, political committee chair, discuss the coming year’s key races and issues. Join in the discussion and learn how to make a difference in local, state and national elections.

16 wednesdayWild Ones Ann Arbor Chapter6:45-8:30pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu FreeA free monthly program that promotes the use of na-tive plants in gardening and emphasizes the sustainable landscaping movement.

17 thursdayCreate the Style You Crave with Desha Peacock6:30-8pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 7734-451-6691. sweetspotstyle.comJoin LifeSTYLIST, Desha Pea-cock as she teaches you how to create the style you crave on a budget you can afford. $30 includes a free copy of Desha’s new book ($20 value).

19 saturdayEco-Restoration Workdays9am-Noon. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-8528. mbgna.umich.eduEnjoy and learn about the beautiful natural areas at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and contribute to restoration efforts. Registration required. Volunteers under 18 must submit a permission form, un-der 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

roadtrip

DIY LED Origami Light Garland2-3:30pm. Pittsfield Branch Library: Program Room, 2359 Oak Valley Dr. 734-327-4555. aadl.orgCreate a decorative glowing garland for interior decoration or entertaining using LED light strands and origami paper. For adults and teens grade 6 and up.

Moth Celebration 9pm-Midnight. 734-971-6337. ewashtenaw.orgJoin for a slide presentation and looking at live moths. Once it gets dark enough, check out the moth attrac-tors: sheets hung with lights and trees painted with moth bait. More moths come out as the night goes on. All ages welcome. Independence Lake: Beach Center Classroom, 3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake.

20 sundaySingle Fly Tournament 10am. 4 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti. visitypsinow.comThe 4th annual Huron River Single Fly Tournament Pre-sented by Schultz Outfitters and sponsored by Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited. Pick your best fly and fish it till you lose it. Prizes include fly rods, reels, gear, gift certificates and more.

22 tuesdayBuilding Business Rela-tionships Breakfast7:30-9am. $12 members/ $15 prospective members and walk-ins. Brecon Village, 200 Brecon Dr., Saline. salinechamber.orgA great networking oppor-tunity: Come meet and hear from members about their

Willie Nelson and Alison KraussFriday, July 18 / Toledo ZooCountry lovers get ready to go hog wild. Legends Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss unite for the very first time at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. The deep country drawl of outlaw Willie Nelson combined with bluegrass virtuoso Alison Krauss's fiddling will pull at your heart strings. Opening for this dynamic duo is Jason Isbell fromerly of the Drive-By Truckers. Reserved seat tickets: $47-$85. 6:30pm. 2 Hippo Way, Toledo. 419-385-4040. toledozoo.org.

Detroit City FCSunday, July 6 and Friday, July 11 / Cass Technical High SchoolIf you missed out on the presale and sub-sequent public-sale sellout of the August 2 Manchester United vs. Real Madrid game at the Big house, go to Cass Technical High School in Detroit for some local, more intimate, soccer action. Detroit City FC kicks off against the Cincinnati Saints on Sunday, July 6 at 1:00pm and FT. Pitt Regiment (PA) on Friday, July 11 at 7:30pm. Detroit City FC games- $8 in advance/$10 at the gate (Children 5 and under free).

cont, from page 35


everything elseLive, Laugh, YogaAs part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’songoing mind-body retreat series, the Certified Laugh Instructors of Ann Arbor Laughs present a giggly way to get in great shape. Stretch, play and practice deep breath-ing at this easy, happy, stress-relieving fitness class fit for everyone. Friday, July 4. 5pm. Session held on the lawn of the Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org ; laughteryoga.org/english FREE

learning skills for continued health and well-being. Present-ed by Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC). 15 tuesdayHealth Club: Q&A10:30-11:30am. Indigo Forest, 4121 Jackson Rd. 734-994-8010. theindigoforest.com FreeLearn all about natural health remedies as part of the ongo-ing free Natural Health Class Series. All welcome, including children with adults. 21 mondayBlood Pressure Check 10:30-11:30am. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. 734-794-6250. a2gov.org FreeDo you know your numbers? A member of Interim Health Care will be at the Center to take your blood pressure. Free service offered to all seniors.

health

businesses and about what’s going on in the community.

24 thursdayGetting Started with iPad6:30-8:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library: Whittaker: Computer Lab, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org FreeLearn the basic functions, setup and management of the iPad. Bring your fully-charged iPad with your Apple ID and password. Registration required.

26 saturdaySummer Wildflowers2-4pm. County Farm Park: Platt Rd. Entrance. 734-971-6337. ewashtenaw.org FreeJoin naturalist Shawn Sever-ance for an exploration of garden, field and forest habi-tats of County Farm and learn about the summer wildflowers found in the park.

27 sundayStewardship Workday9am-Noon. Furstenberg Nature Area, Fuller Rd. across from Huron High School. stewardshipnetwork.orgJoin in the effort to remove invasive plants at Furstenberg Nature area, featuring some of the most diverse flora any-where in Ann Arbor. Meet in the parking lot near the Native Plant Garden.

Interview with Mary Chastain10am-Noon. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. FreeA video interview of Mary Chastain that includes her im-portant contributions to the art and hobby of hosta breeding. Program also includes a hosta auction. Presented by Hosta Hybridizer Group.

29 tuesdayNet a Job: Employment Resources Online7-8:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library- Whittaker: Computer Lab, 5577 Whit-taker Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org FreeLearn about job-hunting tools available at the Library and over the web. Basic PC, keyboard and mouse skills required.

health events1 tuesdayHealth Club: 4th of July Must Have!10:30am. Indigo Forest, 4121 Jackson Rd. 734-994-8010. theindigoforest.com FreeHolidays are fun, but some-times full of setbacks. Learn how to remedy the sun, sugar tantrums from the kids and hangovers for the adults. Part of the on-going free natural health class series. All wel-come, including adults with children.

4 fridayRetreat: Laughter Yoga with Ann Arbor Laughs5pm. Power Center Lawn, 121 Fletcher St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org FreeSee note above

6 sundayRetreat: Pilates with MOVE Fitness and Wellness5pm. Power Center Lawn, 121 Fletcher St. 734-994-5999. a2sf.org FreeEnjoy a relaxing afternoon Pilates session with MOVE Fitness co-founder Elaine Economou. Please bring your own mat. 8 tuesdayHealth Club: Essential Oils for Emotional Care10:30-11:30am. Indigo Forest, 4121 Jackson Rd. 734-994-8010. theindigoforest.com FreeFrom acute trauma, to anxiety, temper tantrums, or repressed emotional upsets, essential oils can hold the key for recovery. Part of the on-go-ing free Natural Health Class Series. All welcome, including parents with children.

13 sundayHike in a Huron River Floodplain Forest 10am-noon. Parker Mill Park, 4650 Geddes Rd. parks.ewashtenaw.org FreeSpend Huron River day hiking the floodplain forest where Fleming Creek meets the huron River. 14 mondayCatching Your Breath10am-11:30am. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. 734-647-7600. mbgna.umich.edu FreeA free monthly program for caregivers of adults with memory loss. Designed for

23 wednesdayGroup Healing Session with Matthew Gannage7-8pm. $10 suggested donation. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom, 114 S. Main St. 720-421-0405. crazywisdom.netThis short talk followed by group work, guided visualiza-tions, grounding, clearing blocks will help you feel lighter and re-energized. 29 tuesdayHealth Club: EMF’s – Get the Buzz on Electromagnetic Fields10:30-11:30am. Indigo Forest, 4121 Jackson Rd. 734-994-8010. theindigo-forest.com FreeLearn about EMFs and how do you protect yourself and loved ones as part of the continu-ing free Natural Health Class Series. All welcome, including your kids.


crosswordConverse shoesAcross1. Trampoline sound6. Certain white powder, casually10. Teammate of James and Wade14. Put in prison15. State with low alcohol content limits16. Pronoun from way back17. November 24, 1963 assassination victim20. “Dallas” channel21. ___ arthur mountains pizza (as-de-scribed photo-collage Tumblr page)22. Pick23. Fix so that everything breaks your way24. “Found ya!”25. Pairing with vin27. Financial crisis designation32. Car accident evidence33. Chevron competitor37. Have a nasty bug, say38. “Sweet” ancestor41. Emulate Eminem42. Grabs a snooze45. One in a dependent relationship?48. Breakfast in bed, say, that’s almost always eaten in disgust51. Pop singer born in Barbados54. Pop singer born in the Bronx, to fans55. “We ___ the 99 percent!”56. McKellen in a bromance with Patrick Stewart57. Ammo in a harmless shooter58. Test before a Ph.D. program61. Mated for specific traits65. ___ one (beer)66. Site with tech reviews67. Miscalculated68. Half of the first couple69. Popular jams70. Goofily conspicuous

Down1. Smack hard, as a baseball2. A black cat carrying a mirror under a ladder, say3. “Sure seems like it”4. Expression of disinterest5. “Don’t let that male thief get away!”6. Russian republic known for “throat singing”7. Absorbed, as a cost8. Axe9. Deepak with a holistic approach to being very rich10. “Oh, forgot 2 mention ...”11. Butler’s bride12. MLB commissioner Bud13. Waffle18. “Star Wars” president19. Unemotional24. About to get a Ph.D., definitely, if not this year then sometime in the next five26. 1051, to Romans in 105127. Old autocrat28. Merle Haggard or Woody Guthrie29. Some are essential30. Three, to Romans in 201431. Congolese beast that looks like a zebra34. The Dude, Walter, and Donny, e.g., at least as a bowling team35. Mouser of Madrid36. Blade piece?39. Lucky Monkey ink, for short, in Ann

Arbor40. Cold sore relief option43. Lil Wayne’s “___ Carter V”44. Available for a hearing?46. Soothed47. Site of the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash: Abbr.49. Yoink50. Pressed Italian sandwich51. Believer decked out in green, yel-low, and red, often

52. “According to this article ...”53. Very, slangily57. Cats and dogs, e.g.58. Angry puppy’s sound59. Be foul60. It’s totally out of the main-stream62. Light lumber source63. One finished with service64. Fratty sort fo

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style senseTommy Vanicelli Hair Stylist, So F/N Pretty Salon By Taylor Fields

On the second floor of an otherwise undistinguished Washington Street office building, down the hall and through the third door on the right, there is a man with a thick beard, a lot of tattoos, and a pair of shears. When Tommy Vanicelli, the sole owner of the So F/N Pretty hair salon, sat me in his old-style barber chair facing away from the salon mirror you typically face when getting your hair done, I had some reservations. But before long Tommy’s endearing charm and effortlessly personable style set me at ease. It’s easy to see how, despite not being affiliated with a multi-chair hair salon, the man with the beard and shears has been able to secure himself a long list of loyal clients. Do you consider yourself an artist?Yes I am a hair artist. I create my own colors and cuts to make unique one-of-a-kind looks! Have you ever had to break up with a client?I am very close with my clients. No I have never had to break up with a client. I am a patient and understanding man and there’s always a way to find a solution to any hair issue. What’s the most extreme fix-it you’ve had to do?I can’t put a bean on any one extreme fix it because there have been many, but I have doubled my clientele based on fix-its. I strive to do what others can’t do, and restore faith in those clients who have been afflicted with bad hair.

If you were not doing hair, what would you be doing?I don’t know what else I would be doing. I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world. I mean it fulfills all aspects of what I love in life. I get to create my own personal, moveable artwork. I make people happy. I’m my own boss. Oh, and being around gorgeous women doesn’t hurt at all. Where do you see your business in 10 years?In 10 years I see myself still rocking hair and taking names, while teaching young, upcoming stylists the art of hair.

current magazine july 2014

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