Author: nina.j

PREVIEW: Word of Mouth Story GRAND SLAM

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That time is here! The Word of Mouth GRAND SLAM.
The final event of the year is taking place at the usual spot on the usual day at the usual time:
The Work Gallery, 306 State St.–Friday, April 6th– 6 pm

Spring is here and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. In honor of the mom’s who we so love and who inspire many a good story, the theme of this month’s event if “Moms.” And yes, be certain to check the accompanying graphics because they are FUNNY, and artista  extraodinaire Hannah Hillier rocks, and they make me think of moms (and people who love their moms).
Story tellers include past winners and runner-ups who will battle it out for the ultimate story-telling title of the year. We are bound to have a solid line-up of veteran raconteurs who are sure to deliver. Also, this means that if you hesitate from attending because you have stage-fright, don’t worry! There’s no risk this time that your name will be called out of the hat. So sit back, and enjoy! Our lovely MC of the night is Davey C– don’t miss him in action.
So come and join us one last time this year. Free food, live music, great company, and good old stories about Moms.
See you there!

Word of Mouth

PREVIEW: Festifools

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FestiFools

Ever been walking in downtown Ann Arbor in April and all of a sudden been accosted by a horde of gargantuan, raging puppet heads? That would be FestiFools— unless some other wild force is taking the town that we don’t know about.

“FestiFools is a non-profit production of the STARTProject, a University of Michigan LLoyd Hall Scholars Program initiative.” Several years ago, professor Mark Tucker incorporated the age old idea of puppet theater into his LHSP class “Art in Public Spaces,” in which 20 non-art majors crafted gigantic puppets and took them to the streets of Ann Arbor. Today, other departments of the university and townies of all kinds are invited to work in groups or individually to craft puppets for the parade (specific qualifications for entry enumerated on the website). Now, the community event has an affiliation with the city of Ann Arbor beyond the boundaries of the university.

Inspired by Italy’s Carnevale di Viareggio,the parade makes political and social commentary through the use of puppetry. According to their creed, “FestiFools brings students and community volunteers together to create unique public art that is free and accessible to everyone. Specifically, we make huge-mongous papier-mâché puppets and march them around downtown Ann Arbor on a Sunday early in April.”

Last year was FestiFool’s sixth year running, but it was the first year they included FoolMoon. Puppets take the street by moonlight. In Keeping with LSA’s Winter 2012 theme semester, the theme of this year’s FullMoon parade is “Language.” Every Sunday for the past month, build-your-own Luminary workshops have been taking place at Workantile on Main St in preparation for the midnight promenade. On Sunday March, 25th, the UMMA held a workshop as well. There are instructions on how to make a luminary as well as info on the closest spots to town to buy a kit- if you feel inspired to get crafty- on the Festifools website.

Don’t miss this whimsical, comical, fantasmic parade of art and joy that is unique to Ann Arbor.

Click here to get to the Festifools YouTube channel and watch some funky videos from last year’s parade.

And check out the FestiFools website for more information, and some light comedy. They’ve got a pretty decent sense of humor.

APRIL 3, 2011 (4:00-5:00PM) // ANN ARBOR'S ANNUAL STREET FESTIVAL OF HUGE PUPPETS & RANDOM ACTS OF APRIL FOOLISHNESS

REVIEW: The Steel Wheels

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The Steel Wheels at The Ark

On Thursday night, I did two things that every dignified, rising adult Ann Arbor-ite should do: have a tasteful glass of wine with an Italian dinner at a restaurant on Main Street and see a show at The Ark. The glass of wine being because I recently turned 21 and a friend’s uncle was in town and treated us to a fancy meal, hadn’t had a drink at a swanky restaurant yet. The show at The Ark because, its my third year at U of M and I’ve never set foot in the famous concert house. Following dessert, we crossed the street and entered into an evening of blues and bluegrass that was absolute entertainment. As part of their album release tour. The Steel Wheels were in Ann Arbor, all the way from Appalachia, bringing sounds and songs of the mountains. Think “O Brother Where Art Thou?” with a modern twist;  a younger Old Crow Medicine Show, though no less soulful.

The Steel Wheels have produced six albums in their seven year run together. Band members include Trent Wagler, Jay Lapp, Brian Dickel, and Eric Brubaker.  Of the four, the only locally sourced musician was Jay Lapp, who, half way through the show gave an adorable shout out to his wife and baby daughter who were in the audience. Their instruments ranged from bass, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, a stomping stick, and a stomping block. But best of all, in my opinion, were the a Capella renditions. One of the charming things about the performance was that all four musicians shared one centrally-hung microphone, so when they sang in unison they had to lean together and be close. Their harmonies were pitch perfect! The band mates shared a heart felt energy for one another that was evident throughout the entire show. And hose musicians were workin’! Sweating profusely through their neatly buttoned up oxfords, suspenders, and cowboy boots they entertained the entire crowd of folks for ours on end.

To get a taste of what I experienced- minus the wine and fancy Italian dinner- check out The Steel Wheels! Either listen to a taste of their newest album, Lay Down Lay Low, on their Soundcloud. My favorite songs are Endure, Rain in the Valley, and the one that shares the name of album title. Fun facts about the song  Halfway to Heaven and Nola’s First Dance: they named after The Steel Wheel’s specialty coffee blend and Jay Lapp’s daughter respectively. How precious.

Do all that and enjoy, or, just cut to the chase and watch their most famous song, Red Wing.

The main act was prefaced by an equally talented group called Honey Honey. Another band absolutely worth clicking on. Another bluesy-bluegrass group, Honey Honey made a great appetizer for the harmonies that were to follow. Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, who appear to be a duo in more than just a musical way, performed perfectly, accompanied by a bassist and drummer in their traveling band. Funny thing about their gig, the lady singer sprained her ankle and had to sit throughout the very danceable performance. Somehow though, she still looked stunning and absolutely captured the audiences hearts, mine included. Last year I saw Alice Glass of Crystal Castles rock out with a crutch on stage and it was awesome. Turns out the crutch is the most underestimated prop.

Check out Ohio, my favorite from their repertoire of the evening.

PREVIEW: East Quad Palooza

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For those of you who ever have experience the magic of East Quad…

The “O” and the “H”

Lounging in the courtyard

(Stealing cereal boxes fromt he cafeteria)

The labyrinth of a basement

The Carl Cohen Reading Room, the Benz, or The Greene Lounge late, late at night

The Half-ass or the Half-way

Lunch tables and language coffee hours

The 70’s motel carpet

The smell of wood and books in the professors’ offices

The audible sound of plumbing in every room in the building

And so many more fond and unique memories of the special building…

Join your East Quad fellows for a night of remember it all

Friday, March 30th, 5-8 pm

The Green Lounge in East Quad

Poetry, memories, food

REVIEW: The Prison Creative Arts Project

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The Prison Creative Arts Project

You may have friends around campus who are involved in “PCAP.” And seems that people who are rave about it. My sophomore year roommate took the course and now subsequently works for the on-campus organization. The experience nearly changed her entire course of study from medicine to social work. Last spring,  I attended her final project exhibition. It took place at a prison in Jackson, Michigan where she and a partner had been working for the entire semester to create  a play.. I will never forget walking in the courtyard of the jail to a small class room near the cafeteria where a group of incarcerated, middle aged men perform a play they had spent four months writing. These men had very clearly grown to admire and value my 5’2” roommate as a mentor and guide. The experience was, needless to say, incredibly formative and powerful.

PCAP is offered at UofM as both a course through the Department of English Language and Literature and by the School of Art and Design.  The course, led by professor and curator Buzz Alexander, trains students to facilitate workshops in the arts in state prisons, juvenile facilities, or Detroit high schools. Mediums include creative writing, theater,  dance, mural, music, photography, quilt making, and video. His wife, Janie Paul, teaches a corollary course through the Art school which is geared specifically toward instructing in the visual arts. Since is genesis in 1990, PCAP has facilitated hundreds of workshops and has garnered huge success in its mission.

“Our process is respect and a spirit of collaboration in which vulnerability, risk, and improvisation lead to discovery.”

“We make possible spaces in which the voices and visions of the incarcerated can be expressed.”

“We believe that everyone has the capacity to create art”

“Art is necessary for individual and societal growth, connection, and survival”

“Art should be accessible to all”

Most of the incarcerated participants in the workshops have never explored the arts provided. This, to me, is unbelievable, because hen you see the work it appears to be profoundly professional. There is a quality of depth and emotion in these pieces that communicates a potent sense of experience. Two years in a row, this exhibit has been one in which I truly lose myself in the gallery, absolutely entangled in the grit of the celebrated creations. To read bios of some of these artists, or artists from previous years, as well as see and read samples of their work, check out the PCAP website and click on “Gallery.” There, you will also find more information the current exhibit as well as related programs that you can be involved in.

There are several important events happening on campus this week as a part of the culmination of another year of the organization’s hard work. These presentations are incredibly powerful, so don’t miss them! And if you don’t make it in time, at least take a stroll through the gallery in the Dude. The artwork is truly impressive (it is also for sale!) and will surely move you deeply as a witness.

The 17th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners

March 20-April 4, 2012
U-M Duderstadt Center Gallery
Gallery Hours: Sunday-Monday 12pm-6p, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm

Closing Reception to be held at 5:30 pm on April 4th, 2012

The Michigan Review of Prison Creative Writing: Book Reading and Release Celebration

Friday, March 23rd 2012

7-9 pm

Pendleton Room of The Michigan League

The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing, Vol. 4: On the Corner of Nihilism and Hope

“Join us as we enjoy selections of the beautiful and unabashed poetry, prose, and fiction of Michigan’s best incarcerated writers. We come together to celebrate and honor the talent and vision of these hidden voices. Friends, family members, and advocates will be reading on behalf of their incarcerated loved ones.”

Youth Speak

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

1-3 pm

Wolverine Room in The Michigan Union

“Please join us as a group of Detroit youth come together to discuss serious issues of urban living. It will be a facilitated dialogue with these bright young leaders about the challenges they face, and then an open discussion with all in attendance about these same challenges.”

Artists Panel

Sunday, march 25th, 2012

3-5 pm

Duderstadt Center Gallery

“Join us as a panel of formerly incarcerated artists discuss the works in this year’s show and the process of creating art behind bars. The event is moderated by U-M School of Art and Design Professor Janie Paul.”

Below are some snapshots from this year’s exhibit

PREVIEW: Intersections at the Rabbit Hole

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Intersections at the Rabbit Hole

The U of M Department of Dance and Rackham Graduate School present a unique, contemporary dance performance called Intersections at the Rabbit Hole. This work stands as Tracy Halloran Pearson’s final thesis in her study of the field of choreography. As a Master’s in Fine Arts candidate, and-not to mention-my ballet teacher, this show is bound to be a creative exposition of talent and hard work. The show will be held at a venue in downtown Detroit. This will be the first time a Master’s candidate from the Department of Dance will have their thesis performance off campus.

About the representations explored in the piece, the press release says:

“Intersections At The Rabbit Hole draws on themes from the classic children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It creates a world that explores female identity formation by investigating the personal experiences of the Choreographer and her six dancers. The performance focuses on themes of childhood memories, sibling relationships, the growing confidence as one passes from adolescents to adulthood, and the impact of unique personal experiences on artistic identity.”

Tracy Halloran Pearson has been preparing this particular work since last July. She first conducted research in New York City, then returned to Ann Arbor where she held an audition at the start of the school year for undergraduates in the department. The pieces within this work are either a solo or a duets inspired by the specific personalities of the dancers who perform them. The creative process is an expression of the way in which fellow dancers influence the choreographer’s personal experience of movement. The black box theater in which the show is performed is “The Rabbit Hole;” the interaction among the artists is the “Intersection.”

Intersections At The Rabbit Hole draws on themes from the classic children’s
book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It creates a world that explores female
identity formation by investigating the personal experiences of the Choreographer-
suggest you use your name and her six dancers. The performance focuses on themes
of childhood memories, sibling relationships, the growing confidence as one passes
from adolescents to adulthood, and the impact of unique personal experiences on
artistic identity. This will be the first time a Master’s candidate from the
Department of Dance will have their thesis performance off campus and in the city
of Detroit.

Saturday, March 17

6 pm and 8:30 pm

1515 Broadway, in Detroit

$10 adults, $5 students

(The theater is quite small; to book tickets in advance contact Tracy Pearson at tehallor@umich.edu)