PREVIEW: Consent by De-Zine Release Party

Consent. Relationships. Although these two topics occupy a certain space on university campuses, Valentine’s Day makes these subjects more relevant than ever. SAPAC — the sexual assault prevention and awareness center of the University of Michigan — will be addressing these topics through a zine that has compiled student art and written work showcasing these topics. The release party will be celebrating the publication of this zine.

SAPAC has been working all year to compile this zine of artwork and poetry, and is proud to celebrate its release. Come support SAPAC and attend the event! Details are on the image above, but also in text below!

Details
When: Monday, February 13th
Time: 7:00 to 9:00PM
Location: North Quad Room 2435

REVIEW: David Zinn Workshop

Photo courtesy of Viral Forest

The Ann Arbor District Library hosted local artist and University of Michigan alum David Zinn for his workshop—Drawing from Your Imagination with David Zinn—on January 5th in order to share his artistic techniques with those who attended. Although Zinn is well-known for his chalk and charcoal works on city streets and buildings, this artist used the Thursday afternoon to delve into the creative thought process of his artwork.

The workshop took place in the library’s multi-purpose room, located in the basement. I arrived five minutes past one and found myself in a room bustling with locals both young and old, all enthusiastic to hear from the artist. After they found their seats and chatter hummed down to faint whispers, Zinn introduced himself to us through light jokes and references. His words were accompanied by a slideshow of his latest street art pieces, which were certainly entertaining to look at.

One of the works that Zinn featured in his slideshow. Photo courtesy of Demilked

Zinn’s introduction eventually transitioned to demonstrations of his creative thought process. The artist first explained to his audience how blank canvases were intimidating to him, as ideas for art were limitless and therefore overwhelming. Having a canvas with a mark, however, gave Zinn a starting point for his ideas, even if that canvas happened to be a sidewalk with a line of grass. Zinn then elaborated this point by having attendees engage in drawing exercises where everyone would make a scribble, swap papers with someone else, and see what they could draw from that scribble. After everyone saw the products of this exercise, Zinn facilitated another drawing exercise where one person would draw on a folded sheet of paper and another person would complete the drawing on the other side. By viewing art that was created from canvases with a mark, everyone, including me, had a better understanding of where Zinn was coming from.

One of the drawings made from the second exercise of the workshop. The top half was drawn by me, while the bottom half was drawn by another attendee

The workshop ended ten minutes after two, with applause from attendees. I was content with what I learned from the workshop, and am considering on attending future workshops by Zinn in the Ann Arbor District Library.
If you happened to miss out on this opportunity with a local artist, be sure to check the AADL website to see when the next David Zinn workshop will be!

PREVIEW: David Zinn Workshop

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A local to Ann Arbor and University of Michigan alum, David Zinn will be holding a workshop at the Ann Arbor District Library this Thursday, the 5th of January. Zinn has been making his mark on the city with artwork through  murals, business logos, posters, and cartoons, but he is well known for the chalk art he makes on the streets and sidewalks of Ann Arbor, Manhattan, and other locations. In recent years, Zinn has recieved global attention from outlets such as Facebook and the Huffington Post. This local artist is now sharing some of his artistic experience through the workshop, Drawing from Your Imagination with David Zinn, where he will be demonstrating illustration techniques with color pencils. Take the opportunity to meet and learn from David Zinn this week, one of Ann Arbor’s local artists!

Details
When: Thursday, January 5th
Time: 1:00 -2:00PM
Location: Ann Arbor District Library, Multi-Purpose Room

Workshop is intended for kids grade six to adults, free admission.

REVIEW: Peter and the Starcatcher

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Photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts

Have you ever wondered what life was like for Peter Pan before he actually was Peter Pan?  How the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell, and Neverland came to be?  How Captain Hook lost his hand?  Your questions are bound to be answered in the tale of Peter and the Starcatcher; directed by Gillian Eaton, assistant directed by Martin McGuire, and musically directed by Brian E. Buckner, James Fischer, and Riley Palmer.

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Jeffrey James Fox as Black Stache (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)

This lighthearted show swept the audience off their feet and into the adventure-filled life of Molly (Kourtney Bell), a young girl who is on a secret mission with her father (David Newman) to destroy what is called “starstuff”.  On Molly’s ship, The Never Land, she comes across three orphans, one of which is unnamed (Brooks Inciardi), and immediately befriends them.  Pirates, island natives, a crocodile, and mayhem are all prevelant throughout the journey.  The story of Peter Pan magically unfolds before your eyes in this easy-to-love show.

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Kourtney Bell as Molly and Brooks Inciardi as Boy (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)

Shows run in the Power Center on December 8 @ 7:30pm, December 9 & 10 @ 8:00pm, and December 11 @ 2:00pm.  Reserved seating is $22 and $28, and students $12 with an ID.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.music.umich.edu/performances_events/productions/2016-2017/starcatcher.htm

 

REVIEW: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele

Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/)

On Wednesday night, the University Musical Society (UMS) had ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro at Hill Auditorium.  Shimabukuro wowed the crowd as he strummed so fast that his hands were a blur.  Him and his bass player Nolan Verner played original songs off of his new album titled Nashville Sessions such as “F Minor”, “Celtic Tune”, and “Blue Haiku”.  They also played popular songs such as the Beatles song “Come Together” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.  Shimabukuro took the stage alone as he paid tribute to Leonard Cohen by playing “Hallelujah”.

Bass player Nolan Verner and ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/)

My friend and I ended up getting the opportunity to meet Jake after the concert and get a picture and autograph.  He was so sweet and extremely down to earth, even thanking us for coming to his concert!  I told him about how I started playing the ukulele a year ago and as I was leaving he said, “Good luck on the uke!”  Definitely an experience that I’ll never forget!

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Upcoming performances through UMS can be found at http://ums.org/season/.

PREVIEW: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele

This Wednesday, November 16, the University Musical Society is bringing ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro to the University of Michigan!  The concert will take place in Hill Auditorium at 7:30pm.

Photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/

Shimabukuro started playing ukulele at the age of four, and now he is doing concerts around the world!  With a four-stringed instrument, he is able to play anything from classical music to popular songs such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.  More information on Jake Shimabukuro can be found at his website: http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/

Photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/

Tickets are on sale for $16.00-$60.00 (depending on the location of the seats) at http://ums.org/performance/jake-shimabukuro/.