Category: Music

REVIEW: Calvin Forbes

Kayla Silverstein

Last night, I walked into the beautiful Museum of Art here, or as I like to call it the UMMA (pronounced OOO-MAHH). I didn’t know much about Mr. Forbes, other than that he was a poet, a good one at that, and a professor. I also knew he liked jazz because I had to look that up for my preview, but that was about it.

Calvin Forbes was probably the funniest and most chill poet I’ve ever met. He oozed jazz – not like the music, but the rhythm of jazz. Even when he wasn’t reading one of his poems and just telling us about his life, he spoke with a lyrical style that came so naturally to him, it was really fantastic to listen to.

His poem topics range mostly from his experiences through childhood, the love he felt for his mother, and the nostalgia he expresses on how times have changed. Growing up in New York, for example, he remembers using the Twin Towers as a landmark that could always help him find his way back to his neighborhood. He walks the streets of NYC with his head down now because the absence of those buildings is too emotional for him. The death of his parents was a similar experience he writes about it, and the love he felt for them is expressed in all of his poems.

It’s funny because when Mr. Forbes first got going, I thought he was a really peaceful kind of man. He seemed to really be at one with himself, know where he’s going, and where he’s been. I do believe that remains true; however, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a deep sadness in Mr. Forbes. He recalls the past with great longing and beautiful memories, and I think he sincerely misses his childhood. His sadness is nothing but expected, as I’m sure he’s been through far more than I have in my 19 years.

All and all, a great poetry reading. The room we were in was the auditorium in the museum, and the sound was so good and the lighting was extremely relaxing. It was a really inspiring night for me, as a writer and a poetry enthusiast. It was my pleasure to hear Calvin Forbes read, and I’d be sure to go to one of his readings again if I had the chance.

REVIEW: Mock Rock 2012

Kayla Silverstein

Oh my goodness. I had such a blast at Mock Rock last night. For those that don’t know, Mock Rock is an annual fundraiser to raise money for several awesome organizations, like student athletes volunteering for social change, Mott’s Children’s Hospital, and a few others I don’t quite remember. The actual event is a variety show, put on by the student athletes, which includes dance numbers, skits, and even a little bit of singing. It was, in a word, amazing.

I’m really bummed because I was so engrossed in what was happening on stage, I completely forgot to take notes on my favorite acts! I do of course remember the men’s swim team – in all their Speedo and fabulous abbed-glory, stripping for all the drooling ladies in the audience. I remember the marching band did an adorable rendition of several Justin Bieber songs while the storyline of the music video was supposed to be how this guy, the actual drum major, couldn’t fit in anywhere at UM, so he decides to try marching band. It was sooo precious (and our drum major is pretty much the cutest thing ever, so that definitely contributed to their overall performance).

Remembering a few others, I know the football/volleyball duo skit was very sweet, the football players being nerds and the volleyball players the pretty, popular crowd all the poor nerds wanted to get with. The cheerleading team…yikes. I don’t know if it was because the lighting was so good on the stage of Hill auditorium and/or because I am used to seeing them from a distance at football games, but it was a little more than brutal to watch. As the girls were hoisted on the shoulders of their stud-ly gentlemen, they shook and swayed until at the last final pose, the music stopped, but their momentum didn’t as the two end-girls actually toppled over. I think I shrieked a little, but was relieved to see the mat beneath them caught their falls – or, at least softened it a smidge. And women’s golf was painful too, unfortunately. They did a sort of- cutesy version of Legally Blonde’s “Bend and Snap” scene; however, the nasty recording and bad acting left a lot to be desired. Thank goodness they’re so good at golf because acting is quite honestly not a good option for any of them.

All in all, a fabulous job and I was so proud to be a wolverine last night, seeing all the dedication the athletes put in to this fundraiser and to their jobs as representatives of the university. It was an amazingly fun night, and I’m so glad I went. I’ll be sure to be there again next year!

REVIEW: Bang, Click, and Falala

Kayla Silverstein

Last night, I went to an outstanding benefit show for Appreciate + Reciprocate, a group of scholarship students who work to raise money to provide more scholarships to those in disadvantaged positions. The performance involved four groups and lasted a very appropriately-designated hour. GROOVE, RhythM Tap ensemble, 58 Greene, and the Harmonettes joined forces to put on a truly awesome display of passion, music, and energy that was well worth my $7.

First of all, let me just say I am the biggest fan of GROOVE there is. Okay, no, I’m sure there are greater fanatics than I, but seriously, GROOVE is the best thing ever. And I’ve seen STOMP, a similar world-renown group that makes instruments out of garbage cans and broom sticks, but GROOVE brings that youthful energy I think STOMP greatly lacks. They left me on the edge of my seat, wanting more after their three or four songs were over. I’m so there for their spring concert.

I’d never seen and/or heard of the group RhythM Tap ensemble, so seeing them for the first time was really awesome. They’re synchronization and athletic abilities were a marvel. I’m totally going to keep an eye out for their future performances.

58 Greene. Why did you choose those songs? Some oldies mixed with who knows what; honestly, I love the a cappella groups on campus and I am a huge fan, over all, of 58 Green and they’re work. However, this performance was simply not their best. I’m sure their concert will be better, and maybe it was just a weird staging, but I was not a big fan of their work last night.

The Harmonettes, on the other hand, were a huge success. I would say that it was one of their best performances I’ve seen. The soloists were talented, but not overbearing, and the song choices were fun, upbeat, and varied enough to hold my attention.

Wintry Mix was a huge success and I’m so proud of my friend who worked diligently to put on the show. The LSA Emergency Student Aid Fund is such an outstanding cause, working to “pay forward” the due respects they’ve earned through their scholarships to attend the University of Michigan. I’ll be sure to look out for any other future events of theirs.

PREVIEW: Wintry Mix by Appreciate and Reciprocate

Kayla Silverstein

Hello friends, nothing to do this Friday night? At 8pm, come support a wonderfully musical presentation featuring multiple groups on campus sponsored by the group Appreciate and Reciprocate. Appreciate and Reciprocate is “a community of Michigan scholarship students devoted to enriching the cycle of giving from which they’ve benefitted” (www.umichappreciate.org). With a sort of “pay it forward” mentality, they work to raise money for the LSA Emergency Student Aid Fund to help Michigan students stay enrolled after experiencing unexpected and difficult circumstances. One of my close friends is part of Appreciate and Reciprocate, and she ensures me that this event is going to be a ton of fun. So come out, enjoy, and support a great cause helping out your fellow students.

Tickets are between $7/$8 and its 8pm-9pm on January 27th. Location TBA – see website later in the week.

PREVIEW: WCBN LIVE

nina.j

University of Michigan’s student radio station is broadcasting a live performance!

Here are the basics:

Woody Goss, Julian Allen, Katie Battistoni– Wednesday, January 18– 8 pm– Work Gallery (306 S.State)– FREE entry!

Here are the details:
WCBN DJ’s Bennett Stein, Cory Levinson, Eleanor Dumouchel, and Shelley Salant present a live musical performance. Details from the WCBN website site describe the event as thus:

“Woody Goss makes a live soundtrack to projected footage from the 2001 film Winged Migration, a documentary showing the migration patterns of birds the world over. Then Woody will be joined by Julian Allen on drums and Katie Battistoni on electric guitar to play songs. All three musicians went through the jazz program at U of M. Katie’s playing is dedicated to the marriage of her twin sister, Julian is playing for what’s left of his innocence, and Woody is playing to world premiere his new secret technique. A magical gathering, indeed!”

Before Wednesday, be sure to check out the Facebook event. Oh, and apparently there will be free WCBN 40th Anniversary Coffee from the Ugly Mug. Can’t miss that!

Keep your eyes open for another upcoming Live WCBN Event at Work Gallery next week:

Living Writers with T. Hetzel–LIVE wsg Zell Distinguished Poet in Residence Naomi Shihab Nye– Wednesday January 25– 8pm– Work Gallery (306 S. State)– FREE entry!

See you there!

Review: Little Women, Big Hearts

Danny Fob

This Friday I got out of work very frustrated and ready to go to bed, but then I walked into Arthur Miller Theater to see the Department of Musical Theatre Studio Production’s Little Women the Musical. As soon as the show started it was like I was taken back to my own childhood as we explored the adventures of the young protagonist Jo March. Her family, consisting of her mother, her three sisters, her father away at war, and the later addition of their friend Laurie, went through both hardship and joy as Jo grows up with a dream of writing. This story is famous and is a piece of classic American literature. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, has inspired and

moved millions of Americans and has led to the production of a movie, a musical, an opera, and a play. It is such a beautiful story and it always gets to me (I saw the opera last year) because I also have three siblings and I often feel like it is the four of us up on stage. Anyway, enough about yours truly.

The show! The music is original, magnificent, and fun. A large portion of the story takes place in Jo’s childhood, and the music reflects that perfectly. It is bouncy, fun, and sort of quirky sometimes like Jo herself. The lyrics are also cleverly written to reflect the youth and innocence so important to the story. All the actors carry out the scenes of adolescence so well. The funniest things happen and they dance around like mad, but they never break character. But of course, they are fantastic. For those who often visit the campus musical theater scene, these actors are locally renowned for great performances and you may recognize their names; Jane Bruce as Jo, Trevor St. John-Gilbert as Professor Bhaer, Ali Gordon, Samantha Massell and Paige Silvester as the sisters, Katherine Thomas as Marmee, and Harry Katzman as Mr. Lawrence (Full Cast). I preferred this version of the show to the opera, but I have a feeling that the reason is because the musical is a little more cheerful. I remember that the opera seemed really depressing and a little slow, whereas this one seemed to moved faster and, though it was sad, it didn’t leave me sad the entire night. I just cried the whole second act with a friend of mine. No big deal.

I was also excited to finally go the Arthur Miller theater. Last time I went there was for freshmen orientation! I enjoyed the set design of the show, being very open with few props. The set allowed for multiple entrances, giving it a much more interactive feel. The audience was also right next to the stage and the theater donates an almost Shakespearian theater style, taking place right among the viewers.

Although this is my not my favorite musical, I did enjoy it very much and I was so glad to go out and support all of the wonderful performers, especially since it will be my last time seeing many of them. This will also be my last art[seen] post for seven months! That’s right folks! I’m studying abroad this winter in Italy at the University of Bologna! Luckily for me, Italian is my major, which means studying abroad is basically required. But don’t worry. If you will miss me, you can see my blog posts every week because I’m moving over to arts, ink. for the semester as an ambassador abroad! So if you are looking for me online, just check out my weekly blog on the arts, ink. website. I’ll be writing about art in Italy, which obviously isn’t that hard to find.

I hope you are all worker harder than I am on exams, because I know I need to crack down. So with that, I begin yet another paper and I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Here’s to a new year and a new country!

Sending you love and light,

Danny Fob

(Coffee is on me if you can name the show that my sign off is from!)

Seriously, read my blog at arts, ink.!