[art]seen – Page 401 – Reviews by University of Michigan student writers about arts and culture on campus & around Ann Arbor.

REVIEW: The Glitch Mob

October 24, 2014October 28, 2014 Gabriella

Love Death Immortality was featured at the show.

The Glitch Mob at Royal Oak Music Theatre on October 22 blew my expectations away for what an electronic music concert can be. As a fan of them since high school, I was excited to get a chance to finally see them live. I discovered upon attending my first show last year (at the same place for a Krewella concert) that electronic music with heavy synthesizers, beats, and oscillators, is a far better listening experience when seen live than when listened to in your headphones or on loud speakers in your house’s basement. There’s so much to take in with regards to what sort of visuals an artist’s visual team will throw up to accompany the music and make your time in the few hours they have with you a total body experience. All senses are activated for the duration of the set, and tonight was an exceptionally well done production all around by the Mob.

Before I go into the main act, I wanted to give a shout out to openers Chrome Sparks and The M Machine. One of the three percussionists of Chrome Sparks gave a big shout out to Ann Arbor as a Michigan grad and noted how cool it was that he was back in the area again. Additionally, they all wore white turtlenecks and white pants in front of their performance stands, reminiscient of the ways in which Kraftwerk uniformly dressed at their shows when they were performing (and they stil do). However, unlike Kraftwerk, they really got into their playing with head bangs and enthusiasm, a large contrast to Kraftwerk’s deadpan stares. The only reason I know about this group who pioneered electronic dance music in the 1970s is because I am taking a class through the RC on electronic music and they have been an integral part of our study.

The M Machine was fun as well, who performed a DJ set while mixing for a dance vibe. I picked up on the beginnings of a track I had heard at the Dirty Bird BBQ in Detroit during Labor Day weekend that is very deep house sounding, but they mixed it up in their own way by adding more layers and complexity to it. My friend mentioned to me during the show that they likely played it as a homage to Claude VonStroke, the owner of Dirty Bird label, who hails from Detroit.

This class has also managed to help me listen more closely to the music I love, and tonight was full of learning opportunities in listening in to how the music is made. I was able to recognize whenever they would open or close a note, or make a note darker or brighter. The common use of oscillators and synthesizers was ever obvious as well, as we have played around with different devices in class to get a sense of the many ways in which to produce electronic sound.

The music off of their new album Love Death Immortality has a musical theme of triumph and victory, which fits in well with their style overall. I couldn’t help but smile and look over at people all around me having a good time swaying to the music. Their stage, called the Blade, featured kick and snare drums they played live while they triggered songs through their manipulation of MPC instruments. While it was difficult to pick out tracks by name because they rarely use vocals, I felt the concert did an awesome job of showcasing the big tracks from this album as well as sounds from their previous work.

I was really glad to take the time to get out of Ann Arbor for a few hours and listen to some great, entertaining music. Thank you, Glitch Mob, for an amazing time!

REVIEW: Autumn Fest – Performance with a Purpose

October 24, 2014October 28, 2014 camsterdam

For a student organization whose motto is “Students Helping Students,” Appreciate + Reciprocate nailed the line-up for their second annual charity variety show. The diversity of artistic talents and cultural backgrounds showcased at Autumn Fest truly was a celebration of human life. Beginning with the notorious Violin Monster, whose unique wolf mask is an inspiration to all humans and wolves alike to pluck, fiddle, and howl to their own tune, Autumn Fest raised awareness to support the talents and dreams of all people, no matter their ethnicity, their interests, or, in the Violin Monster’s case, their species!

Did you know that Michigan has its own Magicians Club? Most people don’t typically think of magic as a form of art, but to perform the trick correctly certainly takes the skill of a deft artist. Isn’t the magic of art the fact that it tricks you into thinking that it is done effortlessly? We think, ‘Van Gogh didn’t spend months on the exact expression of his Self-Portrait. Donna Tartt didn’t take 10 years to write The Goldfinch, a book we devour in 2 days. Gene Kelly didn’t work on his ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ routine 13 hours a day for 2 months.’ Likewise, the magic of art plays a part in the artistic form of Magic. Onstage, the magician brought up 2 audience members. He had them write their names on a certain playing card. Once the card was shuffled into the center of the deck, he snapped his fingers, and *poof* the signed card appeared at the top of the deck. To all of you magicians out there, this is probably very simple. But even after the magician explained his trick, I couldn’t see how he had done it. Perhaps I didn’t want to “see” because to see would be to uncover the illusion, the entertainment factor, the sense of wonderment that is art. The power of art is expressed on two levels: through those who possess the talent and can appreciate when it is performed well, and to those who have no knowledge on the skill and are simply mystified.

Next up were the beauties of the Arabian Dance Ensemble. Their exposed bellies not only sent the powerful and important message that the human body is beautiful in every shape and color, but provided the audience with the chance to fully appreciate the dance style. Set to upbeat drum rhythms, the girls moved their bellies in and out and up and down and in some ways I didn’t know were possible! And it was beautifully inspiring! The fact that a diverse group of girls could come together to celebrate a culture different from their own and most importantly, celebrate the amazing capabilities of the body is one of the greatest things about art. I highly recommend checking out the ensemble when they next perform.

The three a cappella groups were incredible, too! I listened and watched simultaneously, trying to pinpoint each layer of sound on the stage. The vocal cords of our fellow Michiganders are so strong and powerful. Each singer brought their own sound and talents to the group, and I was happy to see how each group let a new soloist take center stage for each song. The beatboxers reminded me that perhaps the human voice is the most diverse of all musical instruments. I really loved how Maize Mirchi, the South Asian a cappella group, combined 2 songs, 1 popular Western piece and 1 South Asian song, together to mix seamlessly into a melodious blend of cultures. They showed that art from all over the globe can bring people together; music is something we all have in common and can touch the human soul in its own way.

Lastly was Groove: “those guys who bang on garbage cans.” Their act celebrated the human drive for innovation, resourcefulness, and that little bit of childhood craziness that rests in our veins, waiting to leap out. Their syncopated beats and choreographed routine made my head bob and my feet drum on the floor below me. They made you want to do what they do – to be spontaneous and go wild in an act of creative freedom. They showed that you don’t need expensive equipments, tools, or supplies to be creative and artistic. You just need to tap into your inner heart and do what you love.

I am very much looking forward to next year’s Autumn Fest, and suggest that everyone explore each of these unique Michigan groups and prepare to be inspired! Perhaps, Appreciate + Reciprocate needs to change their motto to “Students Celebrating Students,” for indeed, that is what Autumn Fest accomplished.

PREVIEW: The Life and Death of Gourmet – The Magazine of Good Living EXHIBITION

October 23, 2014October 28, 2014 Phillip Wachowiak

The joys of cooking need not remain behind the confines of kitchen walls, especially when you can explore the history of a major food magazine: Gourmet.

As the U of M library states “Gourmet illuminated the ‘best of the best’ in categories such as farm to table practices – long before it became fashionable, reviewed top restaurants and chefs, and highlighted the magical integration of fine food with sommeliers, growers, and artists.” In other words, they were the hipsters of food magazines.

Where: Hatcher Graduate Library, 7th Floor Special Collections

When: Now! until November 28th, 10 am – 5 pm each day. For the full schedule check this link.

Cost: Did you really think the library would charge you, a student? Of course not.

REVIEW: Kina Grannis concert

October 22, 2014November 5, 2014 simoka 1 Comment

The concert began when California-based singer Kina Grannis casually walked into the venue. The Blind Pig was empty except for around twenty people. Kina was all smiles and enthusiastic, and when she began to play it was a warming experience the combination of her voice while she played on her acoustic guitar. The lights lit up the floor and she was standing in the middle, right amongst us. Her delightful attitude made the whole audience forget the cold and just want to siddle closer towards the singer and sway along with her tunes. I could only think how lucky I was to see her up close in a pre-concert show. Her voice was natural and, with only the acoustic guitar for accompaniment, it was almost surreal how her performance came to us from the YouTube star we were used to seeing on the computer.

Afterwards followed the main show. Kina Grannis recently married another YouTube singer who goes by the name, Imaginary Future. Her husband was the first to come to the stage, as the opener for her show. Imaginary Future did a charming set of mellow, comforting tunes that really supported the more upbeat songs Kina followed with. The idea of getting married then going on tour together was a really romantic picture. Her husband began the concert with a kind smile and spoke so tenderly about how proud he was to be on tour with Kina. And seeing them play on stage together during the main concert only added to the experience.

To describe the way she sang, it’s easier to just give you the chance to listen to her yourself, and recommend, if you enjoy honest love songs, to see her live. The audience was encouraging and drawn to her music and you could tell the number of people who had been devoted followers of her YouTube presence. The way to becoming a singer has really changed over the years, and Kina demonstrates that. Not only is she a special talent, but she took advantage of a special opportunity to reach millions of people with her music.

REVIEW: Cabaret

October 21, 2014October 28, 2014 musickim

“There was a cabaret, and there was a master of ceremonies… and there was a city called Berlin, in a country called Germany…and it was the end of the world.”

What a line to sum up one of the most conflicting musicals I have ever seen. In just one quote, the entirety of this vibrant, lively, and absorbing performance was brought to an abrupt and somber halt. For the first time, you realize the depth of the storyline you just watched unfold before your eyes. It was at this moment in the musical when I realized I had witnessed yet another life-changing performance by our very own Musical Theatre Department.

On my way to see the play Friday night, I was unsure of what to expect. I have found that not knowing the premise of a performance before seeing it makes for an exciting and spontaneous experience. I much prefer it this way if I am ever given the chance. Thus, you could say I was even the more pleasantly surprised when I came walking out of the theatre Friday grinning and decompressing from an outstanding performance.

The musical starts out with an air of light heartedness and progresses through a whirlwind of emotion until you tumble out the other end questioning the world you live in. Though I must admit much of the symbolism in the show flew over my head, what I did catch on to made me fairly pensive. The story, though it takes place in a lively and vibrant Cabaret, revolves around life in Berlin during the rise of Nazism in Germany. And not to spoil the ending, but each character is left with hard decisions they must make in the face of a challenging political climate.

The personal connections were heartbreaking and invigorating, a reflection of the talent of the actors and their dedication to their characters. All the music was spot on, and I must compliment the leading lady on her role of Sally, a very conflicted and dynamic character throughout the story. What truly struck me as extraordinary was the choreography and stage direction between the many dance numbers. The Cabaret girls had very demanding parts but pulled them off without a hitch, perfectly illustrating their professionalism. I must applaud the wide range of skills held by the performers in singing and dancing as these complex characters in extreme costumes, all while contributing to the greater plot arc. And finally, I must give the show to the Emcee, whose character is essential to pull together the entire musical. His spirit was tangible throughout all 3 hours of the performance, and his voice was superb for the role. The musical’s finale has the Emcee as an essential part, and his role was so convincing that I felt shivers run down by spine as I watched the scene unfold.

All in all, I am so grateful I went out to see this performance. I would highly suggest it to anyone who has the opportunity, and if you understand it to any greater depth than me, I invite you to leave a comment!

PREVIEW: Ryoji Ikeda’s superposition

October 20, 2014October 28, 2014 Tsukumo

Ryoji Ikeda’s superposition brings a Japanese visual and sound artist to prove that art and science can interact. As a part of UMS’s International Theater Series, Ikeda creates a show that combines “synchronized video screens, real-time content feeds, digital sound sculptures, and for the first time in Ikeda’s work, human performers.” (UMS.org)

When: Friday, October 31 at 8pm -and- Saturday, November 1 at 8pm

Where: Power Center for Performing Arts

Tickets range from $12-20 for students, with ID. If you are first-year or sophomore, you are eligible to go to an UMS performance for free thanks to Bert’s Tickets program. Read more about how to claim your Bert’s Ticket and/or use other Student Ticket deals here!