…And it is coming true this Thursday night, January 28, 2010 from 8:00-11:00 pm. The dream is materializing thanks to Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Chapter, in conjunction with MESA and UUAP, and U-Club Poetry. A Right to Dream: An Art and Poetry Exhibition! Is an annual symposium that comes together to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tomorrow is the 24th annual MLK Symposium here at the University of Michigan and it promises a venue that is not to be missed, including art from the campus at large, student performers in the open-mic and poetry slam, and two speakers: Jessica Care Moore and Airea “Dee” Mathews. The art and poetry competition winners will be rewarded with over $500 in prizes, including visa gift cards and gift baskets!
This event is a wonderful way to honor the dreams that MLK gave us and to see some of the talent your classmates have to offer. You should definitely show up, especially since there is only a $5 cover charge, $2 of which is being donated to the construction of the MLK Monument in Washington, D.C.
So, details:
What: MLK Symposium-A Right to Dream: An Art and Poetry Exhibition!
When: January 28, 2010 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Pendleton Room, Michigan Union
How Much: $5
Who: Jessica Care Moore, Airea “Dee” Matthews, and UofM Students
I hope to see you there!
And As Always,
This is Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer
…With the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. This Friday and Saturday night, Jan 22 and 23, at 8pm the show begins. Jones has put together a fantastic show commemorating the life of Abraham Lincoln and is bringing it to the Power Center. Fondly Do We Hope…Fervently Do We Pray is a theater experience that should not be missed. The show has promised to have the unique dancing and music that Jones’ company is famous for and to bring us the same visions of peace that people like Lincoln dreamed of. If you do not have tickets yet, I’d suggest that you get on it. They’re going fast and student rush tickets are only $10, so everyone wants them. I’m attending the event on Saturday and there is way too much anticipation. Once again:
Fondly Do We Hope…Fervently Do We Pray
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
Bill T. Jones, artistic director
When: Friday, January 22, 8 pm
Saturday, January 23, 8 pm
Where: Power Center
How much: $10
As always,
This is Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer
What: An exhibit of projects by U of M’s Theatre Design and Production students
When: Opening Reception on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 4:30-6pm
Exhibit will show January 25 – January 30 during gallery hours (12pm-6pm)
Where: Duderstadt Gallery in the Duderstadt Center
For just a short week, the Duderstadt Gallery will be showcasing the work of UM’s BFA Theatre Design and Production students. According to the Duderstadt Center’s website, the students are learning “scenic, costume, lighting design and stage management.” The exhibit will include paper projects completed for design classes as well as realized designs from actual University Production shows. Come enjoy the refreshments at Friday’s reception while discovering all the work that goes on backstage!
On display is the work of: Rachael Albert, Mary Clare Blake-Booth, Michael Bou-Maroun, Jordan Braun, Michelle Bryan, Amalea Chininis, Corey Davis, Kelsy Durkin, Michelle Elias, Elisabeth Griebel, Andrew Hill, Andrés Holder, Mitchell B. Hodges, Rachel Jahn, Craig Kidwell, Corey Lubowich, Elizabeth Lynch, Adam McCarthy, Shawn McCulloch, Sarah Petty, Carolyn Reich, Becca Rothman, Katelyn Rouse, Emily Stromberg, and Marguerite Woodward.
It’s MLK week 2010 and a time to celebrate empowerment and equality. What Martin Luther King Jr. said in his speeches and sermons was powerful and inspiring, but not only for racial equality. His ideas and dreams were about equality for all, including those of the LGBT community. That’s why I’m choosing to attend this event in honor of MLK, though I will be going to other events this month to honor what he’s done for us too.
“Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen” is a documentary of six black transgender men around the US. The movie goes deep into each person’s life and explores their identities as minorities in race, sexuality, and gender. Directed by Kortney Ryan Ziegler, the movie is a groundbreaking look into the equality that MLK dreamed of and how that dream has materialized in today’s America.
What: Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen
When: Wenesday, January 20, 2010 6:00pm
Where: School of Social Work’s Educational Conference Center (ECC), 1st floor, Room 1840 School of Social Work Building (SSWB).
Bonuses: Free! And a Facilitated discussion after the movie.
Happy MLK everyone!
Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer
I had never heard of the Jack and Jill Art Show, but after attending it, I realize it was probably the most fantastic event I’ve attended on campus. I arrived with some new friends from my women’s studies class and was thrilled to see the members of DKR (Drag King Rebellion) waiting outside the doors. After some shrill squeaks on my part and excited jumping, we paid the inexpensive entrance fee of $5 and walked in. Around one wall we saw tables covered in artwork from different females and feminists around campus and Ann Arbor. To name just a few: Olivia Su, Adonia Artega, Charles Lindsay, Laura Irene Wayne, and Sherry Lynn. There were amazing paintings, prints, and drawings covering the tables. During breaks we were able to stand up and look around at them and speak with the artists themselves. I spoke with Sherry Lynn, an artist that brought deconstructed Barbie dolls to the show. They were very interesting works that really attacked the views of femininity that the media puts out. She takes a normal Barbie doll, an offensive image that shapes the way young girls see that bodies, and defaces it into a unique work of art. It’s really amazing to see what she can do with them. For more info visit sherartdoll.blogspot.com
Along with all of the art displayed, the performances were absolutely amazing. Of course DKR performed, a group I’ve seen before and reviewed. They were great, as usual, and really do capture the soul of feminism. It’s about empowerment to be who you are, dressing the way you want, and living the way you want, whether that desire conforms to the gender binary system or not. Throughout the night they danced to many popular songs, including “Larger than Life,” “Cat Walk,” “Let It Be,” “Altar Boys,” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.” Their energy was high, as always, and they pumped up the crowd throughout the night.
There were two spoken word poets, Annie Sajid and Scott Beal. Annie is a poet here at the University of Michigan and she reads at most of the U-Club poetry slams. She read three poems, including “Brazen” a poem about her sister. I’ve seen her perform before and I enjoyed a deep conversation with her and some other poets about our recent works and future endeavors. I really look forward to the next slam to see her again. The other poet, Scott Beal, is an Ann Arbor community member, teacher, poet, and stay at home dad. The poems he read were very gender related and proved to be deep and empowering. His “Assessment of My Masculinity” really showed us how societal views of masculinity and femininity can be skewed and how people can be themselves no matter what others think. His poems were creative, comedic, and deep while conveying this message of empowerment to all of us in the audience.
Laura Irene Wayne's "In Praise of the Goddess"
A group of belly dancers brought a bit of Arabian culture to the scene and showed off their amazing hip action. The group celebrated the beauty of women through cultural and artistic presentation. Another performer, CasMercedes, took the stage. She was another spoken word performer, actually a fabulous rap artist. She’s part of a group called Dope Chic and can be found at youtube.com/dopechiccity. I’m not a big fan of rap, but I respect it for its poetic and cultural origins and I enjoy listening to artists that choose this medium. Cas and this group are famous around the country. She was a great artist.
The only act I haven’t mentioned, because I’ve been saving it, is that of Fiona Chamness. Fiona Chamness… Fiona Chamness. She was absolutely, positively, incredibly, amazing! So great, in fact, that I’ve already requested her friendship on Facebook so that I can hear more of her music. She plays acoustic and sings her own songs in a unique voice that tears at your heartstrings. Her voice is very pure and she’s a master of jumps and note runs. All of the songs that she brought to the show were original and deeply connected with her own emotions and experiences. I loved her, the crowd loved her, the microphone loved her.
Fiona Chamness
The entire night was a success. Artist and performers from all over campus and the city came to show us their wares and to see those of others. The open mc was also successful with a few poets including Annie Sajid and Brandon Wood reciting poems of famous artists, Jack from DKR speaking about her journey to find herself and her gender, and another couple singing a beautiful song with a smoky mountain voice and classic guitar accompaniment.
The F-Word has hosted this event almost every year since 2005 and it has always had a wonderful turn out. Madison Weisburg, the announcer at the show, was very personable and gave marvelous introductions and explanations of what the show was about. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone that likes any form of art. Keep up on events like this through the Arts and Programs Newsletters and the flyers posted all over campus.
I hope you enjoyed this review, and if you went to the show, than I know that you enjoyed yourself.
As always,
This is Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer
Tonight is a night of art and poetry. Finally the semester is starting and I can continue to inform readers about the different art opportunities around campus, including those relating to LGBTQ student groups. Tonight’s event, The Jack and Jill Art Show, was suggested to me by the Arts and Programs New Letter, the Spectrum Center Newsletter, and the LGBT Commission on campus. The art show is being presented by the Women’s Forum and The F-Word, both of which are very active organizations working to reshape the heteronormative views of our ancestors. Tonight they are doing that through art, which I am very excited about.
Tonight’s show will be in the Michigan League, in the Michigan Room from 7-10pm. The newsletter promises snacks and refreshments while listening to performances, open mic performers, and viewing artwork showcases. The show is only $5, which is pretty cheap. You can stop by for five minutes or stay all night. I’m very excited about tonight, especially since the weekend is coming up and this show will be a much needed night out.
So in review:
What: Women’s Forum and The F-Word Present: The Jack and Jill Art Show
Where: Michigan Room in the Michigan League
When: January 14th from 7-10pm
How much: Only $5
I hope to see people of all identities there. This isn’t a feminist club meeting, it is a showcase presenting the talents of female identified artists and performers. It is a show that everyone can enjoy.
