May 2019 - Current Magazine

MAY 2019| FREE

MUSIC | ART | CULTURE

Ypsi LIVING

PATIO GUIDE

p6

Where to eat, drink, and celebrate spring (finally!) P8

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contents

May 2019 vol. 29 | no. 05

P6 Real Estate: Ypsilanti’s

Normal Park

16 food: Amadeus 20 chef’s corner: Mingxian Pang Chef of Chia Shiang

by Sonny Forest

22 music: Go Rounds

by Jeff Milo

26 theater: Theater Nova’s “Kill Move Paradise”

by Emily Slomovits

28 art: Helen Gotlib’s “Secret Beaches”

by K.A. Letts

33 nvc: How to say “No”

by Lisa Gottlieb

36 person of interest: Cozine Welch

by Mary Gallagher

P8 Patio Guide: Where to eat, drink, and celebrate spring (finally!)

4 biz buzz 5 fyi 17 food events 23 music 29 arts + culture 34 cannabis 37 free will astrology 38 crossword 39 classifieds

Most Read Online 1. Happy Hour Guide

2. Gentrification & Segregation in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti 3. The Art of Paying Attention 4. Introducing Cannabis Concentrates

ecurrent.com / may 2019 3

biz buzz

by Heather Mooney

LA Fitness at Maple Village On the west side of Ann Arbor (155 N. Maple Rd) LA Fitness Signature Club offers many gym standards like group fitness classes, personal training, indoor cycling and an HIIT studio, a kids klub, LA Fitness also offers hot yoga, an indoor pool and sauna. Check out their website for the class schedules, membership rates, to schedule a tour or further details.

Ypsilanti’s Veg-O-Rama opens second location in Canton

Call 734-821-4976 or visit lafitness.com

The local vegetarian/vegan casual food restaurant, Veg-o-rama, opened a second location at 44930 Ford Rd in Canton with the same hours as the original location (533 W. Cross St), Monday through Saturdays from 10am to 10pm. The Canton store is open Sunday from noon to 8pm as well. The restaurant’s mission is to “serve Indo-American ‘Love Food’ packed with interesting flavors, fusion and fresh ingredients,” includes unique options to build your own burger, wrap, sub, or bowl as well as enticing street sides. Drinks, like the tumeric ginger tonic or the beet zing smoothie, compel a stop at the shop. Call 734-544-9707 for the original Ypsilanti location, and 734-335-3952 for the

Canton restaurant. Visit veg-o-rama.com.

Ideal Body Piercing opens in former piercing store with new ownership

Plymouth Nursery new location near Dixboro At the Grand Opening of their latest location (9900 Ann Arbor Rd W. in Plymouth) in March, Dixboro Farmers Market received a sponsorship check from English Gardens to support a future mid-summer movie night on the Dixboro Village Green. In addition the family owned business hosts weekly seminars and monthly Kid’s Club events. Plymouth Nursery is nine acres, at the corner of Ann Arbor Road and Gotfredson, provides nursery basics, a Garden Pharmacy, Patio Furniture Design Center and Outdoor Living Department to help outfit any outdoor living spaces/gardens.

Call 734-453-5500 or visit englishgardens. com/locations/plymouth-ann-arbor

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Former Pangea employee, Josh Campbell (@ piercingsbycampbell) and his partner Jessica Mayes, opened in the Pangea Piercing location under their ownership.

Ideal Body Piercing (211 E Liberty St) opened rather quietly on Valentine’s Day. Campbell’s experience (over a decade of piercing) combined with single-use equipment, provides a clean professional shop . Ideal Body Piercing is open from noon to 8pm everyday offering the same inventory and services as Pangea.

Call 734-997-0608 or visit facebook.com/Idealbodypiercing

Ivey Salon, an Aveda Concept Salon, opens Downtown Ann Arbor Ivey Salon offers a multitude of hair, skin and makeup services, makeup applications, lessons, airbrush, consultations and facials, cut and styles, color, blow outs, hair treatments, beard or bang trims. Sisters Casey Baumeir and Danielle Vaughn, opened the studio with designer Lisa Sauve to create an open community space to visit, grab any product from Aveda’s line of cruelty free, natural products, treat yourself to services or just say hello. Near the corner of E. Huron St. and S. 4th Ave (100 S. Fourth Ave #50).

Call 734-929-2804 or visit iveysalon.com

University of Michigan Credit Union opens Eastside Ann Arbor branch U of M Credit Union recently opened their newest branch located at 2621 Carpenter Road (between Packard and Washtenaw), offering a wide range of services including free budget counseling for all members.

All are welcome to join the not for profit institution.

Call 734-662-8200 or visit umcu.org

Waterhill Music Festival closes The organizers of Waterhill Music Festival, Claire and Paul Tinkerhess, announced online recently that after eight years, and thoughtful reflections, they have decided to end the annual neighborhood festival due to a mix of concern for public safety, personal priorities and, despite the ongoing success and growth of the festival over the years, the lessened neighbor-to-neighbor sensibility and encroaching commercialization. As this story was going to print Scott Newell, owner of Big City Small World, announced that the Water Hill Music Fest Continued will take place in front of his bakery on Sunday, May 5 from 11am-6pm.

Visit waterhill.org

biz buzz

What do you do when it’s too beautiful outside to work?

CONT’D

Payless ShoeSource Closes All U.S. Stores, Impacting Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Both the Briarwood Mall and the Ypsilanti (5677 Roundtree Place) Payless stores are closing along with 2,100 stores nationwide. Clearance and going out of business sales began since the closures were announced. Due to the company’s bankruptcy, all stores nationwide will close after inventory liquidation.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) ENJOY MY LUNCH ON A PATIO.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TAKE A WALK, LEAVE MY PHONE BEHIND.

Editorial

Assignment Editor: Trilby Becker (annarboreditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) RIDE MY BIKE ON THE RIVER TRAIL. Calendar Editor: Heather Mooney (calendar@current.com) REVEL IN IT BY SITTING IN THE SUNSHINE! Staff Writers: Erin Holden and Athena Cocoves.

Contributing Writers: K.A. Letts, Daniel Ackerman, Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini, Lisa Gottleib, Sonny Forest, and Mary Gallagher.

Advertising

Sales: Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) RIDE MY BIKE ON THE RIVER TRAIL. Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MAKE COLD CALLS. Josani Lara (jlara@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CALL OFF WORK SICK. Sales Coordinator Jen Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com GET ON THE HARLEY & RIDE!!

Visit payless.com

City suit

fyi

A group of citizens is suing the City of Ann Arbor, challenging what they claim was the improper rezoning of Morningside’s LowerTown development located on the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane. The site is known to city planners as the 1140 Broadway Lot, now renamed by Morningside Group as Nine99 Condominiums. The property, Master Planned and Zoned for a PUD to support a mixed use urban village, is currently underway as 99-100% residential. The citizen group contends that the site was rezoned to a designation intended for another part of town in order to mimic a PUD, but doing so relieved the developer from meeting the community benefit requirement of a PUD. The benefit requirement of a PUD would have represented 90 units of affordable housing built on site or, in lieu of compliance, $10 million paid into the public affordable housing fund. The plaintiffs claim that rezonings such as this, outside of the intended location, must be stopped because all other near downtown neighborhoods are threatened by this precedent. -TB For more background on this story, see Current’s article Ann Arbor Real Estate is on Fire, published in June 2018.

Digital Media

Digital Media Specialist: Courtney Probert (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TAKE A LONGER LUNCH BREAK AND ENJOY IT OUTSIDE.

Art/Production

Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) LONGER LUNCH BREAKS. Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SMOKE ON THE PATIO. Designers: Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) WALK MY DOG. Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GO FOR A WALK BY WATER. Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SKIPPING THROUGH THE PARK.

Administration

Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TAKE A WALK AT LUNCH BY THE RIVER.

© 2019 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved. 3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Phone (734) 668-4044, Fax (734) 668-0555. First class subscriptions $30 a year.

Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring communities.

Also publishers of: Mature

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ecurrent.com / may 2019 5

Ypsilanti Living I

A Real Look at Ypsilanti Real Estate

By Trilby Becker

t’s no secret that Ann Arbor real estate prices are through the roof, providing middle class families with little choice but to look elsewhere to buy or to rent within their budget. Many are looking to Ypsilanti, across the eastern border of Ann Arbor. But what will they find when they get there? This series examines Ypsilanti real estate in both the City and the Township. We will profile a variety of neighborhoods, looking at homes for sale and for rent, and provide details on pricing, amenities, housing stock, schools, crime and neighborhood vibe.

Why Ypsi?

FAMILY PORTRAIT

Meet the Johnsons

The following are excerpts from a conversation with Heidi Johnson, resident of Normal Park since 2005.

W

e have a family and dog friendly neighborhood with lots of kids playing outside and riding bikes around the block. We feel safe and have a good neighborhood connection- we have each other’s backs! With a strong neighborhood association and active Facebook page, we do lots of different annual events like block parties, a huge yard sale, an ice cream social, and Night of Lights in December where we place bags with candles on our sidewalks and some neighbors open their homes for hot chocolate. Rutherford Pool is a big part of the summer experience for the kids in the neighborhood. We are less than a mile from downtown, easy walking distance to Michigan Avenue and Depot Town, with lots of wonderful shops and restaurants. Our neighborhood is on the 4, 5 and 6 AATA bus lines.

When our kids first started school, the Ypsilanti schools were going through an organizational shift and we decided it was best to send them to Ann Arbor through the School of Choice program. When the Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy and the Ypsilanti International Elementary School opened in 2011, we decided to switch. Both are excellent.

At first we looked (for housing) in Ann Arbor but couldn’t find anything. It ended up being a great experience to get out of Ann Arbor and see a different area. Ypsi is more diverse and working class than Ann Arbor, which makes it more down to earth and easier to resonate with people.

We love it.

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The city of Ypsilanti and adjacent Ypsilanti and Superior Townships have a combined population of 96,000. Affordable home prices support a diverse socioeconomic community that bolsters its official tagline, “Ypsi Real”. Both the City and the Townships offer prospective homebuyers or renters an enticing opportunity. The median home price is $130,000 and the year over year appreciation rate is 10.5%, making Ypsi real estate a solid investment. Lower rents have allowed a diverse retail market to flourish, and there are many restaurants offering ethnic and farm-to-table fare at reasonable prices.

Eastern Michigan University, a cornerstone of the Ypsi economy, and a thriving artists’ community, have given rise to galleries, cooperatives, the Riverside Arts Center, Ypsi Pride, and the DIYpsi crafts fair— a draw for art lovers to purchase fine art and unique crafts. Popular annual attractions include the Beer Festival, Elvisfest, the Ypsi Heritage Festival, and the Thunder Over Michigan airshow, staged by the Yankee Air Museum at the historic Willow Run Airport.

With 12 parks in the City and 30 in the Township, residents have easy access to greenspace. Ford Lake, the Huron River, and the B2B Trail offer additional opportunities to play outdoors. The city boasts some beautiful old housing stock and has the second largest historic district in the state that includes colonials, Victorians, and Italianites, while newly built neighborhoods in Ypsilanti and Superior Townships offer quality modern homes at prices significantly lower than Ann Arbor.

Ypsi’s reputation of being more dangerous than Ann Arbor is partly deserved: crime is 35% higher here than the national average, whereas the crime rate in Ann Arbor is 29% lower than the national average. But crime in Ypsilanti is dropping by 10% a year and is largely concentrated in less affluent neighborhoods and commercial corridors after hours.

Schools

Generally speaking, residents of the City of Ypsilanti attend Ypsilanti Community Schools, and residents of the Township attend Lincoln Consolidated Schools. Part of the Willow Run neighborhood attends Van Buren Public Schools. Average test scores in Ypsilanti public schools are 27% lower than the national average, while high school graduation rates are 7% higher. Alternatively, residents may send their children to Ann Arbor Public Schools that are not at full enrollment through the School of Choice program.

There are also several excellent public charter as well as private schools in the area.

Ypsilanti’s Normal Park neighborhood… normal, but also very special to its residents

Normal Park, Ypsilanti, a neighborhood

known for its tree-lined streets, well The Normal Park maintained older homes and close-knit neighborhood is community. tucked into the heart of downtown Ypsilanti’s west side, and covers the area bounded by Washtenaw Avenue to the north, Congress Street on the south, Mansfield Street on the west, and Summit Street on the east. The streets are canopied by mature oaks, black walnuts and maples, children play on the sidewalks, and residents are seen Normal Park tending their yards. The first homes • 2 bed sales range were built in the late 1800’s to house professors at Michigan State Normal $80-$216K School, a teaching college that was the • Average sale price neighborhood’s namesake. The college for 2 beds $118K later expanded and became what is now Eastern Michigan University.

• 4 bed sales range Another wave of homes was built in $140K-$280K the 1920s, and the last large wave of • Average sale price development took place in the mid $230K 20th century. The homes are in a range of styles, from Colonials, Victorians, • Average of 30 days and Italianites, to ranches, craftsmanon the market style bungalows and Sears kit-homes.

The Normal Park Neighborhood Association was established in 1989 and is the oldest neighborhood association in Ypsilanti. The Association organizes events and protects property values through clean-up campaigns which keep a shine on homes and streets. Dawn Keech, Association President, says her family was worried for her safety when she told them she was moving to Ypsilanti. “They had this idea that Ypsi is scary and dangerous. And sure, there is some crime. But it’s a town full of great people who are genuinely looking out for each other’s best interests. Our closest friends live across the street. We are part of a community instead of isolated within the walls of our houses.”

Taxes in Normal Park are some of the highest in the state.

The City of Ypsilanti has a small tax base, particularly because much of it is taken up by tax exempt churches and Eastern Michigan University. Normal Park’s relatively high home values bears the tax burden, with a $200,000 house owing between $500 and $600 a month in property taxes. A significant amount of money, but the property taxes on a comparible home in Ann Arbor would still be higher because the home would cost two to three times as much.

Renting options

There are a small number of apartment buildings in Normal Park located along Washtenaw Avenue on the northside and Summit St. on the eastside. Scattered throughout the neighborhood, there are a number of duplexes and single family homes available for rent, many of which can be found on Zillow.com and Trulia.com. Studios range from $750 to $900 and one to three-bedroom apartments and houses range from $900 to $1,400 per month.

Bang for the Buck 210 Elm St.

Three bedroom two bathroom Cape Cod home, vinyl siding, 1,452 sq. ft. Lot size 0.21 acres. Built in 1920. Large dining room, eat-in kitchen, wood-burning fireplace.

Wood and carpeted floors. High efficiency furnace and new hot water heater located in the partially finished basement. Covered porch, fenced in yard.

LIST PR $199,9 ICE: 00

Sale pric Summer e: $194,500.

Winter ta taxes $3,506 xes $94.

2009 Pearl St. Three bedroom 1.5 bathroom brick Tudor home, 1,700 sq. ft.

Lot size 0.16 acres. Built in 1932.

Wood floors throughout, cherry cabinets, working fireplace.

Large deck, fenced in yard, two car garage. Central air, newer furnace and full basement.

List pric $274,0 e: 00

Sale pric Summer e: $281,000.

Winter ta taxes $4,102. xes $110 .

Get Your MOO-ve On!

TM

Thinking of BUYING or SELLING your home?

- Local Knowledge - Local Support - Great Results Merrill Guerra, Broker/Owner, has called Ypsilanti home for 19 yrs.

Hablamos Español

RED BARN 1286 Anna J Stepp Dr. | Ypsilanti MI 48197 | 734-881-9300

redbarnrealty.co ecurrent.com / may 2019 7

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PATIO GUIDE Raise your spirits and enjoy some fresh air while visiting one of the city’s best patios. From cozy hideaways to party-perfect courtyards, this is why we love patio season in Washtenaw County.

Must try drink: 3 Dancers.

216 S. State St., Ann Arbor. 734-623-2233.

Savasannarbor.com 9am-midnight, Monday-Friday.

8am-midnight, Saturday and Sunday.

Patio open during nice weather, typically through the middle of October.

Must try dishes: Their world-

Happy Hour: Monday through Friday

1/2 off and the rest of the wine list is 20% off), Paella y Botella Wednesday (paella + select bottle of wine for $65).

renowned Paella and Patatas Bravas.

Peak hours: 6:30-8:30pm.

Size/capacity: 48 guests.

What’s the shade? Their patio is

mostly shaded by sails above the tables.

Aventura 216 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-369-3153. aventuraannarbor.com Patio open during nice weather, typically through the middle of October.

3pm-midnight, Monday-Sunday.

Happy Hour: Monday through

Friday 3-6pm with $5 sangrías, 50% off draft beer, $3 off wines by the glass, $5 amontillado sherry and house vermouth, $5 classic cocktails, $7 speciality cocktails, $1 pintxos, and 25% off select tapas with the purchase of a happy hour beverage.

Sava’s

Where’s the sun? The private back patio faces all directions.

Type of seating: Benches, chairs,

and tables.

Live music and/or special events: Aventura offers special

events and wine tastings that have live music and often flamenco dancers.

9-11am and 3-6pm. 50% off draft beer, 25% off bottled beer, $3 off cocktails, mimosas, and bloody marys, and 25% off small plates with purchase of happy hour beverage.

Must try dish: Steak Bites with juicy grilled

tenderloin pieces, summery watermelon marmalade, creamy feta and pickled watermelon rind with a fresh tricolore salad.

Wash it down with seasonal cocktails, beer or a glass of wine from their award-winning selections.

Peak hours: Happy Hour (Monday through Friday 9-11am and 3-6pm) and weekends!

Size/capacity: About 60 people

(14 tables of 4).

Sun factor: The patio offers gradual shade,

depending on time of day!

Where’s the sun? The patio faces north and

runs east to west.

Type of seating: Tables and chairs.

B A C

Weekly Specials: Sangria Monday

($5 sangria pours), Half-off wine Tuesday (select bottles of wine are

Patio music on Saturdays in June July and August M-live 2019 Best Diner Best Coconut cream pie.

Open 365 days, Mon-Sat 7-9pm • Sun 8-3pm

2080 W. Stadium Blvd.

Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 668-1292

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207 S. Main 734-214-0400

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The unique open-air atmosphere offers a refreshingly distinct venue that keeps the nights hot and the drinks cold!

32 Craft Beers on Tap • Open year round • Full Pizza House Menu

1/2 off drinks & food specials 618 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI

(734) 995-5095 GarageBarAnnArbor.com Subject to change without notice. Happy Hour specials not valid for private parties, special events or game days.

ecurrent.com / may 2019 9

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Now Serving Eggs From CAGE FREE, VEGETARIAN FED HENS, All natural, Gluten FREE Sausage!

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Best Hangover Cure

Dan’s Downtown Tavern

patio opening in may!

(Weather Permitting)

1015 Broadway • 734.995.0965 (at the foot of the Broadway Bridge)

Open 7am-3pm, Seven Days a Week

View the full menu at NorthsideGrill.com

103 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-429-3159. facebook.com/DANSBARS Patio is open during nice weather.

11am-11pm, Monday-Thursday. 11am-1am, Friday. 8am-1am, Saturday.

8am-10pm, Sunday.

What’s special: An early serve liquor and beer Sunday license lets you enjoy a drink in the sunshine before noon.

Seating: Tables for smaller and larger groups.

What’s the shade: The patio sits between two buildings, offering both sun and shade.

Happy hour: From 3-6pm, all 16oz beers are $4 (with some higher ABV beers priced at $5) and special prices for select appetizers.

Must try drinks: Delicious rum drinks, a fantastic wine

and sangria selection, plus 64 beers on draft.

Must try food: Thursday-Saturday, try their special menu, which features ahi tuna, steaks, lobster ravioli, smoked salmon dishes, and a nice selection of salads, including strawberry chicken salad, blueberry goat cheese salad, smoked salmon salad, arugula beet salad, and caesar salad.

Chicken, steak, salmon and smoked salmon can be added to all of the salad.

Live music: Acoustic musicians often frequent the patio.

B A C

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Garage Bar Peak hours: Noon-1pm and

Fresh Forage 5060 Jackson Rd., Suite A. Ann Arbor, MI. 734-887-6655. freshforage.com 11am-8pm, daily.

Patio open through October during restaurant hours.

What’s special: Everything,

with future plans for extended menu hours once they have beer and wine.

They can also turn their bowls into tacos!

6-8pm.

Happy hour: 3-6pm, up to 50% off.

Size/capacity: 24 seats.

Peak hours: 5-7pm.

What’s the shade? Partial

Size/capacity: 126.

shade.

Where’s the sun? The patio

207 S. Main St., Ann Arbor.

734-214-0400. theravensclub.com 4pm-midnight, Monday-Friday.

5pm-midnight, Saturday-Sunday.

Patio open May through the end of September.

Happy hour: 4-6pm. $7 cocktails, $1 off draft beer, $1 off snacks, and $2 off appetizers.

What’s the shade? Partial shade.

faces east.

Where’s the sun? Patio faces east.

Seating: Tables and chairs.

Seating: Comfortable chairs and tables.

Live music and special events: in the works.

Live music: The patio is located next to an art fair live music stag.

B A C

Peak hours: 7-9pm.

The Ravens Club

618 Church St., Ann Arbor. 734-995-5095. garagebarannarbor.com Patio open year round.

3pm-2am, daily.

Size/capacity: 30.

B A C

Featuring one of Michigan’s largest craft beer selections in the area

What’s the shade? Partial

shade.

Where’s the sun? Patio

faces west.

Type of seating: Tables and

chairs.

B A C

Try our new expanded menu featuring Weekends Specials

Seafood Seafood •• Steaks Steaks •• Pasta Pasta Dishes Dishes

We do catering right!

Call us for more info!

103 E. MICHIGAN AVE. SALINE

734.429.3159

ecurrent.com / may 2019 11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday’s Restaurant 2080 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor.

734-668-1292. holidaysrestaurant.com Patio open mid-May through mid-November.

7am-9pm, Monday-Saturday. 8am-3pm, Sunday.

Happy hour: 3-5pm & 8-9pm, $1 off drafts and wine by the glass, and half-off appetizers.

Must try: White Irish

Sangria and hand cut and dipped fish and chips. Or, an Oberon with baby back ribs.

Keep tuned for the patio tower menu, available after Memorial Day.

What’s the shade? Shade until 1:30pm and after 6:30pm, but umbrellas are available all day.

Where’s the sun? Patio

faces north.

Seating: Chairs and tables

with umbrellas and wicker benches for relaxing Live music on Saturdays.

Reservations available.

Brunch menu on Sundays from 10:30am-3pm, plus a Mother’s Day brunch buffet.

Breakfast is served from 9-11am daily, lunch from 11:30am-1:30pm and dinner from 5:30-7:30pm.

Size/capacity: 50.

B A C

Oscar’s Sports and Grill 6877 State Rd., Saline, MI. 734-429-7700. oscarssportsgrill.com 11am-11pm, Monday-Wednesday. 11am-midnight, Thursday-Saturday.

11am-9pm, Sunday.

Patio open spring through fall.

Happy Hour: 3-6:30pm daily and 9pm-close, Monday-

Thursday. Enjoy daily food specials and weekend chef specials.

Peak hours: 4-8pm.

Size/capacity: 40+.

What’s the shade? A canopy and umbrellas are available.

Where’s the sun? Patio faces west.

Seating: Tables and chairs.

Special events: Tuesday Corn Hole Tournament. Trivia on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Bar Bingo on Thursdays.

Reservations: Strongly encouraged.

B A C

Thank You for Voting Us Best Falafel!

Thank You Current Readers for 20 Years of Support!

314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI | 734.995.5060

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Place your order online:

jerusalemgarden.net/order-online

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Ashley’s 338 S. State St., Ann Arbor.

734-996-9191. Ashleys.com 1:30am-2pm, Monday-Saturday.

Noon-midnight, Sunday.

Patio is open through October.

What’s the shade?

Afternoon shade.

Where’s the sun? The patio

faces east.

Seating: Benches.

Peak hours: 4-9pm.

Size/capacity: 24.

ecurrent.com / may 2019 13

Must try: Anything from the delicatessen or the Next Door Café for a sweet treat, but we suggest picking up your favorite cheeses, meats, breads and sweets for a sunny picnic on the patio.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen 420 Detroit St, Ann Arbor. 734-663-3354. zingermansdeli.com 7am-9pm, daily.

Patio view: It’s lovely! Because

the patio is located adjacent to the Deli and nestled behind the Next Door Cafe, the patio is insulated from street traffic.

It’s also very colorful like you’d expect at Zingerman’s and includes a view of some of our edible landscaping. The overlook view from the upper deck is the best!

Type of seating: Tables, chairs, and plenty of shady spots with large umbrellas.

Live music and special events: Special patio events

all summer long. Check out the events calendar at zingermansdeli.com/events.

B A C

@a2ashleys

Original Craft Beer Bar Since 1983

50+ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

338 S. State St. Ann Arbor 734.996.9191 www.ashleys.com

AMERICAN GASTRO-PUB featuring specialty burgers, salads, entrees, hand-rolled pizzas, and a variety of sandwiches on our homemade bread

• CORN HOLE/TACO TUESDAYS • PATIO RESERVATIONS FOR PARTIES AVAILABLE • WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAM ON THE PATIO TV • VOTED ONE OF THE TOP SPORTS BARS IN ANN ARBOR

6877 S State Rd D, Saline, MI 48176 | (734) 429-7700 | oscarssportsgrill.com

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Check out our favorite culinary mavericks exclusively on ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / may 2019 15

food Amadeus Can Sing with Central European Flavor Three decades later, the Viennese-style café ethos continues in Downtown Ann Arbor

By Jeff Glick and Betsy Gimble Just off the bustling corner of Washington and 4th Avenue, Amadeus (122 E Washington) offers a refined experience of Eastern Bloc cuisine in a building from 1876. Juxtaposed with the busy streetscape, the restaurant interior’s European-accented decor complements the classical music wafting through the room.

Somehow quaintly baroque, this atmosphere includes clustered, smaller tables, as expected in a Viennese caf´, figurines perched on wooden shelving lining the walls and portraits showcased in gilded frames. The setting, elegant and classic, foreshadows the fare.

The kielbasa appetizer featured a surprisingly fine grind of meats with a delicate smoke flavor, pleasantly but not overly charred. Another starter, the pierogies, three coin purse-sized dumplings sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs included a savory mushroom version, a farmer’s cheese and potato variety, as well as a pork-filled pocket with acutely chopped fried pork

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and a sweet hint. The mushroom pierogi tasted rich and earthy, while the farmer’s cheese variation suggested a more subdued rural sensibility, with a smooth, velvety texture.

The rolls, with their crusty exteriors with an egg wash glaze encasing a sweet egg dough, indicated a homemade quality not typically represented in most restaurants. he dill pickle soup arrived topped with sprigs of dill, which spotlighted potatoes as the sour soup’s marquee morsel accompanied by ribbons of carrots and the distinct pucker of dill pickle.

The ample wine list exhibits a range of bottles representing vintages from Central and Western Europe that our server was happy to suggest pairings for The calculated plating on all of the dishes visually sang with a considered degree of symmetry, itself paralleling the same attention committed to the restaurant’s interior design. The gala Baki, a pair of cabbage rolls, dressed in a subtle bath of chopped tomatoes, provided a fine complement to the slightly sweet flavored pork filling. The pork cutlet, pounded and tender in a manner echoing that of schnitzel, was also firm, yet not too thin, with crisp edges of light breading and a more tender center of the cut.

Amadeus has been open on Washington in Ann Arbor for over 30 years and during that time has maintained a reputation for elegance and consistency. We truly enjoyed our visits. When seeking a refined, authentic taste of Eastern and Central Europe in Ann Arbor, compose that meal at Amadeus.

1 Wednesday Founders Beer Dinner

6:30pm. $60. The Fillmore Bar & Grill, Dexter. fillmorebarandgrill.com

With six beers and five courses, the evening provides plenty of delectable options to sample, starting with paella, moving to seared pork belly and finishing with raspberry cheesecake.

3 Friday Classic Ann Arbor by the Sidewalk Food Tour 11am. $52. Outside Frita Batidos. bythesidewalk.com

6pm. $75. University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex. h4h.org

Come celebrate 30 years of building communities, homes and hope in Washtenaw County during Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley’s Bid to Build Auction & Celebration!

Sample delicious food and drinks, a live and silent auction with hundreds of items full of local art and experiences.

5 Sunday Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser

1pm. $7 - $15. Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary, Willis. rabbitsanctuary.org

Take a 3-hour guided tour of the Kerrytown district and downtown visiting unique tasting locations. The food samples included are enough for a satisfying lunch. Also on 5/17 and 5/31.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary and Happy Hearts Feline Rescue. Event offers tours, nacho bar, frozen margaritas, music, pinatas, raffles, kids activities and merchandise.

4 Saturday

Cinco De Mayo Bottle Release & HSHV Fundraiser

Opening Day - Saline Farmers Market

8am-noon. Saline Farmers Market. cityofsaline.org Free

Come on down for fresh produce and local goods to the first Saturday Outdoor Summer Farmers Market. Located downtown on S. Ann Arbor St, ½ block south of Michigan Ave.

food

Bid To Build

12pm. Witch’s Hat Brewing Company. witchshatbrewing.com Free

Be the first to taste El Chapo Gose Way, Tequila Barrel Aged Gose in bottles and on tap. This party helps fundraise for the Humane Society of Huron Valley. All well behaved dogs are welcomed! HSHV will have three adoptable dogs on site from noon until 3pm. Plus D & W Street Eatery will serve up delicious tacos!

Food Truck Rallies Get outside for dinner this summer! Ann Arbor Farmers Market Food Truck Rallies take place on the first Wednesday evening of each month, beginning in May. Trucks, carts and more than 100 local vendors will be on site selling plants, cutting boards, artisanal food, coffee and most anything else you can imagine.

Bring a chair, a friend and put on your walking shoes to enjoy good eats and live music. 5-8pm. Wednesday, May 1. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St. 734-794-6255. calendar.a2gov.org Free —EH

Edible Plants Foraging Walk 2pm. $2-5. Eddy Discovery Center, Chelsea. wnha.org

Join Rachel Misfud from Will Forage for Food to look for edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plants and mushrooms on the trails. The walk will be leisurely, but be ready to handle uneven, shrubby or muddy ground.

6 Monday French Macarons 101 with Keegan Rodgers 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. Free

Keegan C. Rodgers, owner of The Lakehouse Bakery in Chelsea, leads a talk on how to make macarons

ecurrent.com / may 2019 17

7 Tuesday 3pm Tea Time

2pm. Manchester District Library. manchesterlibrary.info Free

Drop in tea time offered the first Tuesday of the month. Tea and snacks available for free in the adult reading section of the library. Tea provided by Iceni Tea, LLC of Manchester, MI.

Morocco in May

6:30pm. $60. The Standard Bistro & Larder. thestandardbistro.com

Indulge in a 5-course dinner tour through the Northwestern African Kingdom, featuring dishes such as lamb kefta, harira soup, pilchard, chicken bastilla or lamb tangine and almond briouat.

8 Wednesday Bordeaux’s Sensational 2016 & 2015 Vintages

6:30pm. $40. the WineBar in Plum Market Ann Arbor North Campus. plummarket.com

With over 30 wines, focusing on the best 2016 Bordeaux and many top 2015’s, from classified growths to leading petit chateaux, this tasting will include Château Pedesclaux, Durfort-Vivens, Lagrange, Chasse-Spleen, Villemaurine, and more.

Stranger Veggies with Keegan Rodgers 7pm. Westgate Branch Library. aadl.org Free

From kohlrabi, garlic scapes, okra and root veggies to unusual herbs, learn some new ways to cook or prepare these less common veggies. Keegan will demonstrate and attendees will get to taste some raw veggies too!

11 Saturday Cheesemaking Intensive Workshop 9am. $155. Michigan Folk School. mifolkschool.com

This hands-on intensive class will cover all you need to get started making simple cheeses that are easily created in a home environment. Also on 5/25 it will culminate in a community feast to share food, sample the cheeses and enjoy the friends made working together!

12 Sunday HopCat Ann Arbor Beer Brunch w/ Wolverine Brewing Co. 1pm. $31.80. HopCat. hopcat.com/ann-arbor

Start out with a welcoming beer, Gulo Gulo, India Pale Lager then start in on a three course meal, each one paired with a beer, and finish with dessert and bourbon chocolate barista.

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may

Where the sidewalk ends The Classic Ann Arbor

By The Sidewalk Food Tour is in full swing every weekend. Stroll through the historic Kerrytown district, taking in the architecture while getting to know the owners of favorite establishments, many of which provide food and beverage samples. You’ll receive the equivalent of a full meal from all of these tastings while enjoying the long-awaited springtime weather. $52.

11am-2pm. Every Friday-Sunday through July 28.

117 W. Washington St. 309-857-2071. Bythesidewalk.com —EH

14 Tuesday Engage Over Coffee

8:30am. $0 - $12. Avalon Cafe and Kitchen. engageaffect.com

Hosted at a different location each month, this highly facilitated event is intentionally designed to get you out of your normal comfort zone and typical routine. First time is free!

15 Wednesday Guest Chef Cooking Demos 11am. Ann Arbor Farmers Market. a2gov.org Free

Every third Wednesday through October, Ann Arbor chefs perform cooking demos using seasonal ingredients from the vendors. Meet the chefs and learn how to create yummy recipes using local ingredients.

16 Thursday History and Hops Walking Tour 6pm. $45. Old German. tammystastings.com

Local historian and beer expert Patti Smith will lead a walking and drinking tour of downtown Ann Arbor, starting at the Old German. Along the way, make stops at local breweries/bars to sample their creations.

17 Friday Spring Favorites

11am. $55. Fustini’s. fustinis.com

Sit back, watch, learn and taste at this two hour demonstration class with a caprese salad, beet salad, fresh herb flatbread, balsamic poached bratwurst and baked donuts with ice cream.

Black and White Beer Bash 7pm. $75. The Creature Conservancy. thecreatureconservancy.org

This new spring fundraiser features a presentation highlighting the black & white animals that call the Conservancy home.

A traveling beer tasting will be paired with light bites throughout the facility during the 7-8 pm walk around portion of the event.

2019 / ecurrent.com

18 Saturday Ypsi Food Fight! A Fight for Food Equity

6pm. $50 - $75. Growing Hope, Ypsilanti. growinghope.net

This event is a fun, high energy fundraiser for Growing Hope that engages local restaurants in friendly competition while sharing their talents. Restaurants challenge each other to a Food Fight! Five judges will then taste each of their offerings and will vote for their favorite.

19 Sunday 3rd Annual Ann Arbor Handmade Bike, Brew and Coffee Show 12pm. FITMI. bikefitmi.com Free

A 27 mile mixed surface (mostly gravel roads, a few paved) ride leaves at 12:15pm from the shop. The bike show starts at 2pm. Handmade builders and artisans of bicycle-related gear will be there to show their best!

Cocktail Class: Made in Michigan 2pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com

This class covers a variety of cocktails featuring Michiganmade vodkas, gins, whiskeys and more. Expect a guest distiller, technique instruction and hands-on making of cocktails.

Plus, of course, sampling.

Cirque du Wild Swan!

5pm. $75. Cobblestone Farm & Museum. wildswantheater.org

Support Wild Swan Theater through an imaginative blend of theater, circus, and county fair at their annual fundraiser. Friends of the imaginative and inclusive theater will enjoy a colorful spectacle of dancers, jugglers, and wondrous performers along with sweet and savory treats.

21 Tuesday Nature’s Raw Vegan Spring Detox 7pm. People’s Food Cafe. peoplesfood.coop Free

Your body is always working

to cleanse itself, and you can greatly facilitate this process by lightening your body’s digestive load. Ellen Livingston will show you how you can initiate a powerful all-over detox while you enjoy fresh, juicy, delicious meals and never go hungry.

Cobblestone Farm Market

4-7pm. Cobblestone Farm & Museum. cobblestonefarm.org Free

Start off the season at Cobblestone Farm Market a small local market that promotes sustainable local food. Open now through the end of October every Tuesday. There is live music from 5 - 7pm.

22 Wednesday 7th Annual Wine Tasting & Strolling Buffet 6pm. $49. Karls Cabin, Plymouth. karlscabin.com

Enjoy a smorgasbord of Chef prepared dishes at your leisure while tasting 30 exquisite wines from around the world in a private room.

Smell & Tell | A Taste of Honey

6:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

The taste, smell and mouthfeel of types of honeys are unique and can be enjoyed like fine wines. Using the Honey Flavor and Aroma Wheel, a tool developed by the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center, foster an understanding of how taste, smell and mouthfeel work together to support flavor.

Registration required.

23 Thursday Baby Chicks at the Manchester Farmers Market

3:30-7pm. Chi-Bro Park, Manchester. manchesterfarmmarket.com Free

Come join the Manchester Farmers Market for it’s regular vendors. Each week features something additional, this week is baby chicks and the Manchester Flea Market.

Pittsfield Spring Farmers Market 2-6pm. Prairie Park. pittsfield-mi.gov Free

Enjoy live music, and kids activities weekly plus cooking demos on select dates. Bridge Card, Double Up Food Bucks, and Prescription for Health tokens accepted.

24 Friday Mexican Fiesta

12-2pm. $65. Fustini’s. fustinis.com

Take part in this hands on experience making avocado salsa, fourbean salad, roast chicken tacos and tres leches cake.

26 Sunday Webster Farmers Market

12pm. Crossroads Community Center, Dexter. websterfarmsmarket.org Free

Every Sunday, except the third Sunday of every month, shop for fresh produce, baked goods, and many other delicious goodies from various local vendors. Also on 5/12.

27 Monday Memorial Day Breakfast/ Brunch

Edible Plants Foraging Walk Find out what Mother Nature has to offer as we join Rachel Misfud from Will Forage for Food to look for edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plants and mushrooms on the Discovery Center trails.. The walk will be leisurely, but participants need to be able to handle uneven, shrubby or muddy ground, as the walk may leave the trail to search for these plants. $2 per person or $5 for a family. 2pm.

Sunday, May 5. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Rd. in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea. Advance registration requested at 734-475-3170. wnha.org —HM

31 Friday Cider & Mead Tasting w/ Bee Well 5-7pm. Blue Front Ann Arbor. bfa2.com Free

Stop by for a free tasting featuring cider and mead from BFA2 friends at Bee Well Mead & Cider!

8am. Northside Grill. northsidegrill.com

Start your Memorial Day with holiday classic, Red,White,& Blue Waffles! Devour two waffles with homemade blueberry and strawberry sauces topped off with whipped cream.

29 Wednesday Vegan Cheese

7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

If you thought there was no such thing as delicious vegan cheese, think again! Learn where to buy vegan cheese, see how easy it is to make, take home recipes, and sample an array of cheeses.

30 Thursday Cottage Food Industry: Make Money Selling Your Homemade Food 6pm. $49. Michigan Folk School. mifolkschool.com

Learn how to set up your own cottage-based industry and how it relates to the permaculture concept. Examine which foods you can sell and the requirements for labels and listings. Find out about sales records and how to plug into the network of existing cottage food operations.

Equality on Tap

6pm. Bill’s Beer Garden. billsbeergarden.com Free

Fox Fridays

Are you #ThirstyForEquality? Bill’s Beer Garden is - once again - generously donating $1 to the Jim Toy Community Center for every drink sold, so come out, bring some friends and have a drink, or a few, for a good cause.

6-8pm. Fjallraven Ann Arbor. fjallraven.us Free

Every Friday stop by to unwind with music, food and drinks.

Fjallraven is celebrating their Arctic Fox heritage and supporting their partnership with the Save the Arctic Fox Foundation.

Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / may 2019 19

chef’s corner A peek into the minds of Ann Arbor’s culinary arbiters and their unique perspective on Washtenaw County’s dining and hospitality culture.

Mingxian Pang Owner/Chef, Chia Shiang Interview by Sonny Forrest Ann Arbor’s repute as a locus of high-caliber study lures its share of international talent from across the world map. One of the bright people that ended up sinking roots into Washtenaw county soil, Mingxian Pang carved his gastronomic niche alongside his wife Katherine Li. After the two arrived in America to work for a corporation whose subsequent contraction left them jobless, they opened their restaurant Chia Shiang (2016 Packard). This spiritually Chinese eatery serves from a dense menu comprised of family-style dishes cooked by Pang, while Li runs the front of the house with aplomb.

With translation assistance from a restaurant staffer, Pang discussed the difference between Americanized and authentic Chinese food, emphasizing the artistry inherent in his work.

What’s the biggest difference between Americanized and more authentic Chinese food? The difference between

the two is that Americanized Chinese food lacks artistry. When Chinese people first immigrated to the US, they had to change their food to the taste of Americans, so it’s more commercialized.

Name the most complicated item to prepare on your menu. None of the dishes on the menu are really that time

consuming. What we do is take famous dishes from mainland China and modify them to make it what Chinese people call “family style” dishes for our customers.

Keeping with the menu, what’s the most underrated dish you serve? A lot of the dishes we have are very popular

among the Chinese crowd. However, a lot of Americans don’t understand more of our authentic dishes. I would say Sliced Fish in Szechwan-style sauce.* * The Xi Zhu Yu, or Shuizhu, tastes simultaneously rich and mouth-numbing. It’s a specific sort of joy.

Which dishes do you prepare both at the restaurant and at home? Because of the simplified style of our dishes, we can

usually make anything at home that we make here. The problem comes with materials and time. When we try and replicate a dish at home, it usually takes longer because of the preparation.

What’s the foremost challenge for restaurateurs in Ann Arbor? It’s mostly based on the types of consumers. Since Ann

Arbor is a college town, students tend to be more economical. It can be difficult to balance cost versus quality to fit the consumer.

What’s a common misconception about authentic Chinese-style food? The price. A lot of Americans will come

to a Chinese restaurant and expect to have very inexpensive food.

It’s a stereotype that Americans have toward Chinese food. In reality, it’s a high form of artistry. And there are so many different varieties of Chinese food, it’s such a broad topic that it’s hard to understand. Every single region has its own delicacy. If you eat a different Chinese dish every day for the rest of your life, you’re still not going to be able to sample every Chinese dish.

11am-10pm. Tuesday-Saturday. Noon-10pm. Sunday.

Chia Shang, 2016 Packard. 734-741-0778. chiashangannarbor.com

Interactive, Fun, Practical Tools for Better Communication with Your Spouse or Sweetie Join

Lisa Gottlieb, MSW

Nonviolent Communication Certified Trainer as she leads this informative workshop at

Improve Your Relationship 20

may

2019 / ecurrent.com

Leslie Science Center Sunday June 2, 12:30p-5:30p info and preregistration at

lisagottlieb.com

New Friends & Treasures Found Daily Celebrating 59 years!

www.treasuremart.com 529 Detroit Street • Ann Arbor 734-662-1363 • Office 734-662-9887

Affordable Vet Services Full Medical & Wellness Services Teeth Cleaning • Radiology • Surgery Vaccines • Heartworm & Flea Preventative Comprehensive Laboratory Fully Stocked Pharmacy Prescription Diets • Ultrasound

Affordable Vet Services Dr. Maja Fontichiaro • Dr. Tara Hansen Dr. Paul Glineburg • Dr. Courtney Cutright Dr. Maddy Erba

2117 West Stadium St. | Ann Arbor 734.926.0114 | affordablevetservices.com ecurrent.com / may 2019 21

PHOTO CREDIT: ZAC CLARK

music

Without a label or a manager, the Go Rounds still manage to book 100+ shows a year.

The Go Rounds Find Stability Through Change A conversation with singer/guitarist Graham Parsons about a brand new album

by Jeff Milo

Singer/songwriter Graham Parsons founded this band a decade ago. A time period that represents a third of his life, reinforced by a resiliency brought by his bandmates. Guitarist Mike Savina, bassist Drew Tyner and drummer Adam Danis (the latter has been a member since its inception), each have the patience and fortitude necessary to be part of an independent, label-less, manager-less band that hustles to 100 national tour shows per year in the age of the Internet, balancing the progressive experimental-tilt to hop from rock, to folk-pop, neo-Americana, indie-psychedelia, to ambient-heavy kaleidoscopic-sonic soundscapes.

Compassionate and caring musicians

“Speaking highly of their musicianship is one thing, but also, just as human beings....they are some of the most compassionate and caring people I’ve ever know - my brothers, my family,” said Parsons. “And we know why we’re doing it now; it’s been a journey, that’s a simple way of putting it. But I often think, what were the odds of us coming together? None of us are from Kalamazoo, but we ended up there. Without any one of us in the band, it wouldn’t be what it is…”

Parsons migrated down to Kalamazoo in the late 00’s from the Upper Peninsula. The Go Rounds’ initial output surged from a creative awakening that he, and other Kzoo-area artists had, with the now bygone Double Phelix arts collective, empowering their DIY-spirit, and pushing Parsons to write a surge of eccentric, uptempo rock-inclined songs that always sounded uniquely contemplative, a crooner daydreamily drifting off toward

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2019 / ecurrent.com

beckoning horizons. After three full-length albums, four EPs, and several singles, The Go Rounds just released their most ambitious album to date, titled Whatever You May Be… “There’s lots of music within each song,” Parsons said, putting it lightly. Let’s just say it rewards the headphones-listeners.

Producer/composer Ben Cohen (of Heavy Color) helped produce the album at High Bias Studios in Detroit. He credits the “preproduction” process, making compositional calculations and figuring out the key three elements that each song would need.

“Once we were done (rhythm tracking), we started into the overdubs (with Cohen) and just recorded a ton of sounds. Even within that exploratory creative flurry and freedom, (Cohen) was really good at helping everyone focus on the (ambient) essence,” Parsons explains.

A deeper, further reach

The essence of Whatever invites descriptions like “minimal,” “orchestral,” but also “art-rock,” “electro-operatic,”as well as “candid…” This is a band, unafraid to be a bit darker, heavier, more emotional. “I just feel that the times we’re living in call for a deeper, further reach into the darker, more profound and emotional spaces. I think the Go Rounds will always be wrapped up in something that looks like fun. But if you unwrap it, you’ll find something darker there. Not that we won’t always be an exciting and engaging live band…” But after several years together, they’re able to push the music further “and that deepens the spiritual and emotional context” “We feel blessed with our fans, because I think it’s beyond a single song for them, in terms of simplifying an understanding of our music, everyone who keeps coming back says variations of: ‘…I love that you guys keep changing; I never know what I’m gonna hear…’ I think the majority of our listeners are invested in the longview…(The fans) are our buoy. We let go of the “pillars of success” that society holds up and realized that our power is intrinsic. Despite the trials of this endeavor, I still feel resilient because of the diversity of our experiences and backgrounds.”

The Go Rounds are scheduled to play on Sunday, June 30 at The Ark. Find the new album at: thegorounds.com

Ongoing Mondays Paul Keller Orchestra

7-10pm. $10. Zal Gaz Grotto Club. zalgaz.org

The Paul Keller Orchestra performs GREAT big band jazz every-Monday night. Great food and drinks. Open to the public!

Open Mic Monday with Bobby McManus 8pm. McShane’s Pub, Ypsilanti. mcshanespub.com Free

Anyone is welcome to step up to the stage, so bring your instrument or just enjoy the show!

Wednesdays Wednesday Jams

7-10pm. The Village Tap, Manchester. facebook.com/The-Village-Tap Free

Each week features different local musical acts, sometimes followed by open mic nights.

Wednesday Wines, Rhythm & Brews

8-10pm. Zou Zous Cafe, Chelsea. zouzouscafe.com Free

Every Wednesday enjoy performances from a roster of top local jazz/blues/swing artists.

Open Mic at 734 Brewing

Poets, singers, musicians, and comics come show off your skills every Wednesday. Impress your friends, support performers, or just come to be entertained.

2 Thursday Debashish Bhattacharya

9:30pm. $30 - $40. Blue Llama Jazz Club. bluellamaclub.com

Debashish Bhattacharya’s music, technique and instruments are sine qua non, fusing classic Hindustani ragas with Hawaiian lap steel slide guitar.

Parsonsfield

7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Parsonsfield is a five-piece alt/ folk band from Massachusetts that infuses a rowdy, rock ‘n’ roll spirit into its bluegrass and folk influences, beyond any preconception of what you think banjos and mandolins should sound like.

3 Friday Joey Blanco

7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

Thursdays Bluegrass & Beer Thursdays

Joey Blanco is a hip hop artist from the Washington D.C. area, who will perform songs from his recently released mixtape, Blanco Perico, plus other work reflecting his musical diversity.

Weather permitting, local bluegrass music will be on the patio.

Food and drink specials!

Caleb Curtis, saxophone & Marta Sánchez, piano

6pm. Detroit Street Filling Station. thelunchrooma2.com Free

Skeepers Specials

9pm. Scorekeepers. scorekeepersa2.com Free

Live DJ and drink specials all evening long, so come sip and shake it on the huge dance floor.

Fridays The Leisure Experiment 7-8pm. 88.3 FM. wcbn.org Free

Listen to the music of the “Exotica” genre at the end of each work week. This is the music designed for cocktail parties of the 60’s/Future of the Past.

Saturdays Live Music @ Silvios

7pm. Silvio’s Organic Ristorante e Pizzeria. silviositalianfood.com Free

Come get dinner, drinks and dessert while listening to live music.

Also on Friday nights as well.

Some May musicians include Agenda 21, Steve Rich, Chuck Swanagon and Mary Ann Kirt.

1 Wednesday Londen Beck LIVE

9pm. $5. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Up-and-coming artist London Beck takes the stage at The Pig! Don’t miss this show-stopping performance, also joined by Karissa Bone and Lily Talmers. 18+

music

9pm. 734 Brewing Company, Ypsilanti.

734brewing.com Free

8pm. $10-20. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Caleb Wheeler Curtis and Marta Sanchez will be returning for another spectacular duo performance of original compositions, improvisations and jazz standards showcasing their dynamic and highly developed approaches to saxophone and piano.

Struther at The Ark

Acclaimed American artist Nora Jane Struther, known for her work with the band Party Line, delivers upbeat acoustic songs like “Champion” and “Let’s Go Have Supper”, which will have you dancing, while her more quiet numbers will move you with complexity and honesty.

She has been celebrated by NPR Music, Fresh Air, and Rolling Stone Country for what NPR’s Ann Powers has described as her “quietly powerful narratives.” $20. 8-11pm.

Friday, May 10. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1800.

Theark.org —EH

5 Sunday

7 Tuesday

Tiny Corner Concerts

Joe Jackson

This week’s concert features local musician Brennan Andes & Friends. Check online for each week’s feature act. Also on most Fridays and Saturdays from 7-9pm.

Jackson and the band are stopping by while on their world tour, playing shows throughout the US and Europe. The show covers 40 years worth of material mainly from five select albums released from 1979 to 2019.

5:30pm. Ann Arbor Distilling. annarbordistilling.com Free

7:30pm. $30. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

FORTINBRAS A play by: Lee Blessing, Directed by: Joseph Zettelmaier

4 Saturday Little Traps & Loose Koozies 8pm. Lo-Fi. lofiannarbor.com Free

Come hear local Michigan bands, Little Traps, anxious post-folk and Loose Koozies, slacker country rock, perform live. Sponsored by the AADL’s own Pulp and AAMPS (Ann Arbor Music and Performance Server) projects, capturing local music.

June 13-29th

Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8:00p.m. at West Park, Ann Arbor

Wake Up Jamie

7pm. The Owl, Morning ‘til Night, Milan. themorningowl.com Free

Wake Up Jamie takes over The Owl for a show of acoustic music.

2nd Annual Cuatro de Mayo Party

Tickets: www.pennyseats.org or (734) 926-5346 Supported by:

7pm. $10. Zal Gaz Grotto. hshv.org

Come dance to a live Latin band (with a dance lesson between sets!), delicious food and drinks, a 50/50 raffle and a Pinata Contest! Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

ecurrent.com / may 2019 23

15 Wednesday

music

Chris Canas LIVE

1:15pm. Huron Valley Pace, Ypsilanti.

Free

8 Wednesday

Chris Canas brings his intimate acoustic show of blues, funk and soul to the fine residents at Huron Valley Pace. Come get some y’all.

Matt Gabriel

8pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Listen to singer/songwriter Matt Gabriel from Grand Rapids, MI play songs off his new album “Earth Tones” as well as other folk and blues favorites. Also on 5/10 at 6pm.

Wednesday Night Kirtan

6:30pm. Harmony Collection, Ypsilanti. theharmonycollective.org Free

Kirtan is the practice of mantra in a group with the use of music to enhance the meditation. Both rhythm and melody is used to create an inviting sound so feel free to bring your favorite instrument to add to the atmosphere.

Come early for a free vegetarian/ vegan dinner at 6pm.

9 Thursday Ypsilanti Community Choir Spring Concert 7:30pm. Washtenaw Community College, Towsley Auditorium. ypsicommchoir.org Free

The Ypsilanti Community Choir is a nonprofit volunteer organization that has been bringing quality music to the area for more than 30 years. Come listen to their spring choral concert.

The Rupple Brothers wsg Zindles

7pm. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com Free

Come hear this rare synthesis of folk and a bit of psychedelia creating rare musical currents.

The Zindles are a sibling duo who have been making music together for decades.

10 Friday Ernie Clark & The Magnificent Bastards, Hellbound Drifters & Black Cat Bone 10pm. $5. Ziggy’s, Ypsilanti. ziggysypsi.com

Ernie Clark & The Magnificent Bastards sounds like countryish music with broad strokes of punk, blues, gospel and a hint of spaghetti western Tex-Mex. The Hellbound Drifters Roots country inspired psychedelic rock & roll quartet. Black Cat Bone utilizes bottleneck guitar, harmonica, and drums to deliver their nihilistic version of the American music experience.

Anything but ordinary

Raised in the Magnolia Projects of New Orleans, Jay Electronica left home as a young man to travel from city to city, developing his distinctive voice as a hip hop artist in Atlanta, New York, Baltimore, and Detroit before launching his career through MySpace in 2007. With sophisticated lyrics set against wistful instrumentals, a performance by Jay Electronica is anything but ordinary, so make sure to check out his show at The Blind Pig. If you want to get a sampling of what he’s all about, listen to “Act 1,” where Jay floats lyrics above the score to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. $28.

9pm-2am. Thursday, May 30. The Blind Pig A2, 208 S. 1st St. 734-996-8555. ticketweb.com —EH

11 Saturday The Fab Faux

8pm. $29.50 - $85. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Get ready for the Beatles concert that never happened – until now.

The Fab Faux will perform The Beatles’ 1968 The White Album.

LeLe XO

8pm. Zou Zous Cafe, Chelsea. zouzouscafe.com Free

LeLe XO, an alternative pop artist out of Sterling Heights, MI, recently released her debut minialbum, Aura Season.

Rock the District

5pm. Corner of Maynard & E. William. statestreetdistrict.org Free

Come kick-off the summer with a free outdoor concert. This year’s lineup includes headliner The Motet, with opening acts The Ragbirds & Syd Burnham.

12 Sunday Late Spring Rhapsody Concert

2pm. $5 - $10. Michigan Theater. aaband.org

This late spring concert features guest Christopher Harding, Professor & Chair of Piano, at the UM School of Music Theater & Dance who will perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Marcus Anderson former Prince Saxophonist Live

Jazzmasters Entertainment presents Marcus Anderson who had the honor of being a featured saxophonist with the late, great Prince and his New Power Generation. may

10pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Swing on down for some appalachian bluegrass.

Luke Winslow-King 8pm. $10-12. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Come hear Luke, a New Orleansbased guitarist, singer, composer, producer, and songwriter.

Listen to his eclectic mix that combines Mississippi delta blues, folk music, traditional jazz, and roots rock & roll. 18+

17 Friday

7pm. $40 - $50. Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton. jazzmastersentertainmentgroup.com

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16 Thursday Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers

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13 Monday Chamber Concert

1:30pm. $10. Jewish Community Center. a2so.com

Wind, string and brass soloists and ensembles combine programs to include freshly minted pieces along with time-honored classics. This includes dessert refreshments at each table with a coffee and tea area available at 1:00 pm and during the recital.

Two Troubadours: An Evening Laith Al-Saadi & Jimmy Vivino 8pm. $25-32. The Ark. theark.org

Come for this up close and personal experience with two singer/songwriters and virtuoso guitarists full of American Roots music and classic rock and roll.

14 Tuesday Katie Pederson Music 7pm. Ypsi Alehouse, Ypsilanti. ypsialehouse.com Free

Katie is a locally grown singer and songwriter from Ann Arbor, MI. She has a few albums out and has been touring across the country with her catchy melodies and pop-piano sound.

Stryper

6pm. $25. The Token Lounge, Westland. thetokenlounge.com

Playing since 1983, this Christian metal band celebrates its long tenure with their History Tour.

The Blue Rays Trio 6:30pm. The Grotto. thegrottobar.com Free

This trio features bassist/vocalist Ralph McKee, guitarist/vocalist Peter Holland, and harmonica player Tim Douthit offering up a blend of traditional and modern blues and funk along with some rock.

Midnight Crimson

8pm. Original Gravity Brewing Company, Milan. ogbrewing.com Free

Come kick off the live music on the patio season with this opening, featuring Midnight Crimson.

Happening every Friday through September, check website for each week’s act.

The Tales of Hoffman

7:30ppm. $10-25. Arthur Miller Theater. arboropera.org

Revel in this reimagined production of The Tales of Hoffmann, telling the tale of poet E.T.A. Hoffmann’s unending search for true love, with humor, magic, and Offenbach’s most memorable melodies. Also on 5/18 at 7:30pm and 5/19 at 2:30pm.

18 Saturday Lucy Kaplansky

7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Lucy, a singer/songwriter, puts her own spin on contemporary songwriter folk with warm, powerful vocals and guitar playing that any aficionado could appreciate.

Misericord and Dirtgirl

8pm. $5. Lo-Fi Bar. lofiannarbor.com

Live performances featuring your two favorite local bands, showcasing hard rock and blues inspired original music.

19 Sunday Sound Healing Concert

7pm. $20. Enlightened Soul Center. enlightenedsoulcenter.com

On the 2nd & 3rd Sunday evenings join John Steinbauer’s program called Energy in Motion.

The program includes music from all over the world and rare, therapeutic crystal singing bowls, complementing each other.

Hullabaloo @ Huron River Day Festival Noon. Gallup Park. a2gov.org Free

This outdoor concert features this Michigan based music collective blended with ska, reggae, blues, latin and more. Their set is from 12:15 pm until 1:15 pm at this family friendly event.

21 Tuesday Artist Spotlight: Honeysuckle

7:30pm. The Ark. theark.org Free

Honeysuckle is a progressive folk act that blends older influences and traditional instrumentation with modern effects and inspiration. Nonperishables accepted.

FREE WCCB CONCERT: A Celebration of 40 Years!

7:30pm. Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College.

WCCBand.org Free

The 80-piece Washtenaw Community Concert Band celebrates their 40th season with the premiere of Star-Splitter, a new commissioned work for concert band from composer James Curnow, guest conductor for this special occasion. Refreshments served.

22 Wednesday Curtis Taylor

7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

Enjoy the lyrical and melodic improvisational style of Grammy Award winning trumpeter Curtis Taylor at this special jazz event!

23 Thursday Nomad: The Grant Green Project

7pm. Blue Llama Jazz Club. bluellamaclub.com

This project is a sextet of musicians hailing from Detroit and Ann Arbor who initially came together in October of 2018 to perform Grant Green’s 1965 album “Idle Moments.”

Live Jazz Night Thursdays 6:30pm. Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Plymouth Green. sweetwaterscafe.com Free

Grab some coffee and kick back to weekly live jazz featuring U of M Music School Jazz students.

24 Friday Manuel Valera Trio

8pm. $10-30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Born and raised in Havana, Grammy nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera has become well known in the modern jazz scene as he is a very talented pianist and composer.

29 Wednesday

A club above the rest

Blue Lep Basement Takeover

10pm. The Blue Leprechaun. theblueleprechaun.com Free

Get all the way down, every Wednesday, in the Basement of Blue Lep with Sleezy Hamilton who will be serving up heaters all night long. Food and drink specials too.

Club Above is bringing three very different rock groups to their stage with Eerie Point, a Toledo indie-rock band with blues and alternative influences; Dark Serenity, a hard rock band from Ann Arbor whose self-purported mission is to “make you angry”; and classic rock Czech band Red Baron, paying homage to rock bands from the 70s.

This show will keep you on your toes with its variety of subgenres, and it’s only $5 to get in. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Saturday, May 18. Club Above, 215 N. Main St. booking@club-above.com. club-above.com —EH

25 Saturday Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Live 8pm. $45 - $150. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Ricky Skaggs, 15-time Grammy winner, Grand Ole Opry member and newly-inducted member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, struck his first chords on a mandolin over 50 years ago.

This is a benefit for opening act The Saline Fiddlers, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary of traditional American and Celtic fiddle.

30 Thursday Flotsam & Jetsam

7pm. $20. The Token Lounge, Westland. tokenlounge.com

Catch this American thrash metal and progressive band on their “Let the Chaos Begin” Tour.

31 Friday Ceolsige and Jake Maltby 8pm. Triple Goddess Tasting Room, Ypsilanti. unityvibratoinkombucha.com Free

28 Tuesday Jazz at Haab’s

7:30pm. Haab’s Restaurant, Ypsilanti. haabsrestaurant.com Free

Come and listen to the Depot Town Big Band play the swingin’ tunes of the ‘30s to today on the 4th Tuesday of each month (minus December). Food always available and family friendly.

Ceolsige (aka Kelsey Detering) is a singer/songwriter and musician from Ann Arbor who performs many genres, but nothing means more to her than rock n’ roll.

Royal Garden Trio

6pm. Detroit Street Filling Station. thelunchrooma2.com Free

Hot jazz from Ann Arbor’s original and historic group.

Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra - Season Finale 2pm. Riverside Park. ypsilantisymphony.org Free

All are welcome to “Pops in the Park” celebrating 20 years of music making. Raindate is Sunday 5/26. Sponsored by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission.

26 Sunday Halcyon Sundaze

2pm. Arbor Brewing Company, Ypsilanti. arborbrewing.com Free

Rotating DJs spin lazy summer sounds, deep cuts, and classics, ranging from downtempo beats and breaks to funk, soul and rock & roll, reggae, blues, electronica, all with live art.

Mike Harrington Quartet 11:30am. Blue Llama Jazz Club. bluellamaclub.com Free

Welcome local/regional jazz act the Mike Harrington Quartet for a lazy Sunday jazz brunch.

Participate in a STUDY on Motivational and Cognitive Interventions for ADHD kids!

Our goal is to assess whether different cognitive and motivational interventions (e.g., study skills, memory, attention, self-efficacy) will benefit children with ADHD REQUIREMENTS: • Children age 7-13 • Diagnosis of ADHD Children and parents will join us in our lab and at home for several sessions over a 2 month period.

If you are interested, or would like further information, please contact Dr. Priti Shah’s laboratory at:

734-647-6250

or email us at: umadhdtraining@umich.edu In addition to the motivational and cognitive interventions, children will receive monetary compensation and prizes. ecurrent.com / may 2019 25

theater “Kill Move Paradise” offers dark reflection and wit Four black men analyze their violent lives

and deaths as they await what comes next

By Emily Slomovits Four people, trapped in a waiting room in the afterlife, contemplating their surroundings while grappling with past events that took them there. The premise could easily be mistaken for Sartre’s “No Exit”, but in “Kill Move Paradise”, which opens May 24th at Theatre Nova, the scene takes a darker and more timely turn. Each of the four men in the play are black and have had their lives ripped from them by violence. “It’s a play about black men, the experience of police brutality (state-sanctioned violence) and the demand to be seen, heard and valued as a human being,” says actor Dan Johnson, who, along with Dez Walker, Miles Bond and Jonathan Jones, stars in the production, directed by Diane Hill.

Breaking out of the stereotypes

In “Kill Move Paradise”, the characters are “not capital H heroes - they’re Black men who find themselves in an unimaginable situation and fight to find the best way forward,” says Johnson, adding that he wants “to play Black people - not Black props in a White narrative, not a Black empathy-sink for White characters to learn something from, not Black shorthand for suffering with dignity, not a Black token to relieve White guilt.” Walker agrees. “I am extremely excited to portray the men of my race as more than a drug addict, a thug, an athlete, or any other stereotype,” he explains. “We are the same as any other men. We are your neighbors, your doctors, your lawyers, your mailmen, your teachers. We are human beings.”

Bond is also looking forward to portraying a less stereotypical black man. “It’s the kind of show/writing/representation that I wish I had been exposed to growing up”, he says. The play depicts black men in a more realistic and positive light, but don’t expect a comedy.

“We bring some very heavy and difficult topics into the mix with this play and throw them right at the audience,” says Bond.

“There is no 4th wall separating us from them and neither side can hide from it. There is a list of black men and women that have had their lives taken away so senselessly and it continues every single day. This play explores the ramifications of that from a different perspective and that is always relevant.”

Recasting the narrative of police brutality

Taking on the subject of police violence against black people can be empowering, a way to help control a narrative. “It’s important to be doing this play right now because there is still a problem, a failure to understand, a divide in this country,” says Walker. “My goal is to help at least one person understand the issues that may lie outside of their circle.” Bond sees it similarly. “The challenge for me is being able to reach the audience in a way that provokes thought, to help them be able to take a walk in a pair of shoes that they would not otherwise be able to walk in. That’s what really excites me about it!”

Suggested ticket price is $22. Pay what you can tickets available for those in need. Audiences can walk in the shoes of these four men from May 24th-June 16th at Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. 734-635-8450. theatrenova.org.

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art

Helen Gotlib A visit to the artist’s studio and her “Secret Beaches”

By K.A. Letts

One of the things I love most when writing about contemporary artists in my hometown of Ann Arbor is the opportunity to visit their studios, where the intensely personal work of making art happens. Often seeing an artist in that private context deepens my understanding of their work. My recent visit to the studio of upand-coming printmaker Helen Gotlib helped me to see her work more clearly as a deeply felt expression of her relationship with the natural world.

A native of Ann Arbor and a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she studied printmaking and scientific illustration as an undergraduate, Gotlib brings focused attention and technically accomplished execution to the natural environment that surrounds her studio in the woods outside of Dexter. She and her partner, fellow artist Dylan Strzynski, have lived in a charming, handmade post-and-beam cottage there for the past 5 years, and they share a roomy work space nearby.

Surrounded by woods and wildlife

Gotlib loves her fairy tale setting, surrounded by woods and wildlife. When I visited, she was hard at work, creating a new suite of pieces to show in her upcoming solo exhibit, Secret Beaches, at WSG Gallery. The influence of her environment is apparent in her recently completed, oversize prints, which inventively combine woodblock, intaglio and hand painting techniques. For her piece Water Garden VII, she has taken slices from the trunk of a recently felled, nearby cherry tree, and used them as ad hoc plates, passing them through a press to create oval striated shapes that suggest the deep blue depths of a fish pond like the one outside her studio door.

Gotlib also likes to incorporate impressions of wood grain from industrially produced plywood to suggest natural elements in the landscape. “I like to go to the hardware [store] and look through all the plywood and find what kind of wood will [describe] what I want to show, like water, or sky or grass,” she explains. Her prints usually consist of minimally carved wood block reliefs that lay down fields of color. Dark, densely linear intaglio printing overlays the background color, and often the artist hand paints details in gold leaf. She seldom makes large numbers of prints, preferring to keep editions to less than 20. The large prints that she plans to show in Secret Beaches are even fewer in number. She says of them, “I’ve done three different color combinations and of each color combination I’ve done four, so they’re fairly limited for sure.”

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Helen Gotlib with “Water Garden VII” - woodblock, acrylic paint, india ink and gold leaf on paper. 2018. Photo by K.A. Letts, March 27, 2019.

Printmaking influences

She traces her eclectic process to several influences that have shaped her approach to printmaking. She studied printmaking as an undergraduate with Takeshi Takahara, who has developed an environmentally friendly and non-toxic form of intaglio printing that employs plates made by applying a thin layer of spackle to a panel and carving into it. “I had been working in copper [plates] until about 4 years ago. I ran into Takeshi Takahara before he had a show, and he was telling me about the process. Then I went to his studio to buy a couple of pieces, and he showed me his plates, and I thought ‘that’s a great idea!’ I was moving my studio out of my basement and I didn’t want to work so much with toxic materials.”

She continues, “Also, there’s something so instant about it and the thing about spackle is, you can use it to create different textures within the plate--they look accidental, but they’re not. There’s a beauty to it that I really like.” She also credits her time studying wood block printing in Japan with developing her appreciation for color and for introducing her to new materials, such as the handmade Japanese Gampi paper that she often uses in her work.

Helen Gotlib’s handsome prints serve as an invitation to see nature in our corner of the world with fresh eyes. Her work is shown in galleries and art fairs nationwide, but Secret Beaches will be her first solo show at WSG Gallery. Helen Gotlib’s prints will be on view from April 30 through June 8, with an opening on May 3rd from 7-9. WSG Gallery, 306 S. Main St., is free and open to the public.

734-761-2287. For more information, visit wsg-art.com.

arts & culture Ongoing

Sundays

[health] Yoga In The Liberty Greenhouse

Mondays

7pm. Argus Farm Stop, Liberty St. argusfarmstop.com Free

[dance] Scottish Country Dancing

7:30pm. $5. The “Barn” at Gretchen’s House, Traver Blvd. aactmad.org

Dance jigs, reels, and strathspeys, usually to live music by Susie Lorand and friends. All dances taught. Style is social, not performance oriented, and for all ages. No partner necessary.

Beginners always welcome.

Tuesdays

Saturday Night Live alum Tim Meadows brings his comedic act to The Blind Pig. Perhaps best known for his character “The Ladies Man,” in both the SNL skit and movie of the same title, Meadows earned his improv chops at Chicago’s Second City with Chris Farley, then went on to join the SNL cast for almost ten years doing impressions of O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and many other pop culture figures during the 90s. Meadows’ humor ranges from the silliness of the overly amorous Leon Phelps (the ladies man) to the dry humor we see in film roles like the school principal in Mean Girls. $20 in advance. $25 at the door. 8pm-12am. Saturday, May 25. The Blind Pig A2, 208 S. 1st St. 734-996-8555 ticketweb.com —EH

Meals on Heels Join Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels (YMOW) to celebrate the glamour of the 1920s at Meals on Heels. This year’s event again draws its inspiration from the style and romance of The Great Gatsby, promising a night filled with 1920s fashion, the flavors of spring, and of course, everyone’s swankiest shoes. Seasonal hors d’oeuvres, craft beers and wine will be served while lessons on creating 1920s cocktails and making flower arrangements are taught. Live music provided by Event Jazz and the evening will feature a silent auction of rare whiskeys. $90. 5pm. Thursday, May 16. Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace, 16 S. Washington St. 734-786-8401. ymow.org —HM

6pm. Evenstar’s Chalice, Ypsilanti. evenstarschalice.com Free

Beginners and drop-ins welcome to join sessions around the Realization Process developed

by Judith Blackstone, Ph.D, a body-centered approach to personal and spiritual healing and maturity. Class is by donation and facilitated by Mara Evenstar.

Wednesdays [misc.]

Open Dart Night

Get crafty at the 2019 Ann Arbor Creativity and Making Expo with a chance to exercise the left and right sides of your brain.

Whether you are a creative type or love all things STEM, there’s something for you here: robotics, DIY science experiments, projects, demos from community organizations, and activities brought to you by Brain Monkey and Maker Works— a fun and educational event for all ages. Noon-5pm. Sunday, May 19. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. 5th Ave. 737-327-4200. aadl.org Free —EH

7pm. HOMES Brewery. homesbrewery.com Free

Stop by any Wednesday until midnight and work on perfecting your bullseye.

Thursdays

[misc.]

Thursday Night Trivia with Sporcle Live!

9pm. Ashley’s Ann Arbor. ashleys.com Free

Every Thursday will feature all new questions from a variety of mind-boggling categories.

Winners will receive their share of $50 in prizes. Also on Monday nights at 7pm.

Fridays

11am. YDL-Downtown, Ypsilanti.

Ypsilibrary.org Free

Meditation encourages and develops concentration, clarity, emotional optimism, and positive ways of being. Ypsilanti Open Meditation is weekly drop-in guided meditation every Friday.

Saturdays

[art] The World to Come: Art in the Age of the Anthropocene

Structured around ecological issues, the exhibition presents photography, video, and sculpture that address subjects and themes related to raw materials, disasters, consumption, loss and justice. More than thirty-five international artists respond to dire global and local circumstances with resistance and imagination.

2 Thursday

[lit] Book Launch! Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High with David Pratt 6:30pm. Bookbound. bookboundbookstore.com Free

Celebrate the launch of local author David Pratt’s contemporary, new adult satire. Pratt is a Lambda Literary Award winning author of Bob the Book, as well as Looking for Joey and Wallaçonia. Light refreshments. Signing to follow.

[comedy] Shadow League Show at Pointless Brewery & Theatre

7:30pm. $8. Pointless Brewery & Theatre. pointlessbrew.com

[misc.]

OpinioNation

9pm. E.G. Nick’s of Plymouth. egnicksdtp.com Free

During World War II, most Americans supported the war effort, including those in the film industry. Dan Packer shares the fascinating experiences of Hollywood stars, from leading stars of the 1940s to the future A-listers of the ’50s and ’60s who served in WWII as young unknowns.

11am. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free

[health] Ypsilanti Open Meditation

Get creative

1 Wednesday

[lit] [talks/lectures] Another Take on WWII: The Stars go to War

7:30pm. Yankee Air Museum, Belleville. yankeeairmuseum.org Free

[lit] [misc.]

Realization Process Class

The ladies man

Take in twilight while doing yoga with 200-hour RYT Chelsea Hohn in the greenhouse. While free, a $5 donation is suggested. Please bring your own mat. All levels welcome.

OpinioNation is a survey based game similar to the classic game show Family Feud®. Teams compete to win, based on the popularity of answers.

This weekly show includes some of the best up-and-coming improv talent in the area, featuring the Pointless incubator team, Finance Camp. Guest Groups: Bad Brunchers & Spooky Bones.

CONT’D ON P30

ecurrent.com / may 2019 29

arts & culture [theatre] All My Sons by Arthur Miller

3pm. $23 - $47. Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea. purplerosetheatre.org

How far will a man go to protect his family and his interests? “All My Sons” shows a post-war American family in a spiral of lies, greed, love, and loss. Performances run Wednesday through Sunday until 6/1.

3 Friday

[art] In the Garden: Pottery Inspired

by Nature 5-8pm. Yourist Studio Gallery. youristpottery.com Free

Peruse this garden of earthly delights, for opening night of In the Garden show. Sale runs through June 30. Also on 5/4 from 10am-6pm.

4 Saturday

[lit] Free Comic Book Day

10am. Vault of Midnight. vaultofmidnight.com Free

Vault of Midnight joins forces with local comic shops worldwide to offer free comic books to the masses. Learn everything the comic book medium has to offer.

[lit] How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan 3pm. Crazy Wisdom. crazywisdom.net Free

Join the Michigan Psychedelic Society to talk about Michael Pollan’s book with a short presentation followed by a Q&A discussion. Books will be available for sale.

5 Sunday

[lit] Fifth Avenue Press Book Release Reception: AADL’s Local Publishing Imprint 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. fifthavenue.press Free

Join to hear readings from five new literary works and meet the third group of authors.

[talks/lectures] Man on the Moon: The Lunar Landing Turns 50!

3pm. Saline District Library. salinelibrary.org Free

On July 20, 1969, the lunar module of Apollo 11 landed safely on the Moon in the area known as the Sea of Tranquility. Join physics professor and astronomer Jesse Lee Mason for a presentation on this history-making lunar landing

ROAD TRIP CHICAGO LIVE IN TOLEDO Take a trip to the Glass City for Chicago Live in Concert and chill out to the iconic band’s rock ballads from the 70s and 80s. From “If You Leave Me Now” to “You’re the Inspiration,” Chicago’s hits always have fans singing every word. Opening for Chicago is singer/songwriter Tim Stop, whose latest single “Perfect Fool,” is a huge hit with over 100,000 plays on Spotify. $45-$85. 7:30pm. Friday, May 24. Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, 2700 Broadway St., Toledo, OH. 419-385-5721, Ext. 6001. Purchase tickets through ticketmaster at facebook.com/chicago.official/events —EH

[misc] Bike Ypsi Spring Ride 2019

9am. Recreation Park Complex, Ypsilanti. bike.ypsi.org Free

The Bike Ypsi Spring Ride and Festival starts out your summer of cycling with a choice between 15-mile, 30-mile or 3-mile guided townie rides for all skill levels.

Mechanics will be there to get your bike road-ready, and there will be no shortage of friends and food (after the ride).

[misc.]

MTG Commander at Adventure Ink

11am. Adventure Ink, Milan. adventureink.xyz Free

Casual TCG day at Adventure Ink. Come in and play a couple casual pick up games with your friends and the crew any time all day.

7 Tuesday

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www.mysticnights.info

[misc.]

Business and Community Leaders Mixer

5-7pm. 734 Brewing Company, Ypsilanti. 734brewing.com Free

[art] Knitty Cats

[theatre] [comedy] Morning’s at Seven

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been casting off forever, you’re invited to drop in and get tips from an expert.

Free coffee! Cat company! Every month has a featured project if you’re interested, or you can bring your own.

Morning’s at Seven by Paul Osborn is a comedy about four aging sisters and their domestic and existential crises. It premiered on Broadway in 1939 and was successfully revived several times, most recently to great acclaim in 2002. Come see this comedic exploration of family ties!

5:30pm. $7. Tiny Lions Lounge. hshv.org

Member of the Back Office Studio in Ypsi thebackofficestudio.com

Mary Gabriel’s recent book is set amid the most turbulent social and political period of modern times and tells the story of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting. Gabriel will give a reading and is joined by UMMA director Christina Olsen for a conversation about the art and the lasting impact of these artists.

7:30pm. Oscar’s Sports & Grill, Saline. oscarssportsgrill.com Free Bring a team and meet the challenge - Double Elimination blind draw. Play by official tournament rules with prizes for 1st & 2nd place. Dart competition during the winter months.

May 15 & June 19

5:30pm. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free

Join our friend Olisa Harris on the second Wednesday of every odd month for the Business and Community Leaders Mixer! Work to make lasting connections between established business owners, community leadership, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Light refreshments are provided.

[misc.]

Corn Hole Tournament

a new monthly show exploring mind reading, hypnosis, & beyond!

8 Wednesday

[art] [lit] [talks/lectures] Art, Ideas, & Politics: Ninth Street Women with author Mary Gabriel

9 Thursday

8pm. $12 - $18. Riverside Arts Center. ptdproductions.com

[misc.]

Pitch@WCC 2019

6pm. Washtenaw Community College. ec.wccnet.edu Free

Pitch@WCC encourages students and the community to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and advance business concepts. Come to the Morris Lawrence Building at WCC to watch entrepreneurs pitch their plans for growing their businesses, vote for the audience choice award, and learn about entrepreneurial resources!

[poetry] Open Mic & Share Poetry Series feat Tornado Wine 7pm. Bookbound Bookstore. bookboundbookstore.com Free

Come hear members of the Tornado Wine Poetry group including Janet Cannon, Karen Holman, Jennifer Burd, Doug Smith, Mary Beam, Lakshmi Narayanan, and Josephine Rood. Feel free to share your own work or that of a favorite author.

10 Friday

[film] Cinetopia Film Festival

12pm. $12 - $175. Michigan Theater. cinetopiafestival.org

This annual, curated festival in metro Detroit, features more than 50 of the best feature-length dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals. Cinetopia includes special pre- and post-film events, like discussion panels and Q&A sessions with directors, writers, and actors. Individual and festival passes available. Festival runs through 5/19.

[theatre] [comedy] Trending Now: A sketch comedy show on fads, fashion, and fandom 8pm. $10 - $12. The Back Office Studio. ntgypsi.org

Neighborhood Theatre Group is closing out the season with a brand new sketch comedy show exploring all your favorite trends from all your favorite decades!

Directed by Kristin Anne Danko.

[art] Fractured History: a solo exhibition by Aaron Dworkin and Odds and Ends 6pm. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org Free

Two art openings in one night!

Fractured History: a solo exhibition by Aaron Dworkin, uses the visual language of art to explore and reflect upon the artist’s journey as an entrepreneur, musician, educator, and writer. Odds&Ends is a juried collage exhibition in the 117 Gallery.

11 Saturday

[misc.]

Ann Arbor Bloom Fest

11am. Downtown Ann Arbor. mainstreetannarbor.org Free

Celebrate spring, get out and get downtown! Restaurants and retailers will offer spring themed drinks, eats, special offers, discounts, and more. Live entertainment and flowers everywhere.

[theatre] Boylesque’s Presents: Murder Mystery at the Disco

9pm. $7 - $9. Tap Room Annex Room, Ypsilanti. taproomypsi.com

Come party with Boylesque Drag for their first annual Murder Mystery Party at the Disco. Take a journey with the cast with audience participation, food, drinks and a bunch of comedy and laughter. Hosted by Jadein & Chanel Hunter. Doors at 8pm.

Buy tickets in advance; will sell out.

[misc.] [health] Ypsilanti Color Run 5K

7am. $24.99 - $49.99. Riverside Park, Ypsilanti. thecolorrun.com

The Color Run is a five-kilometer, untimed event. At each kilometer mark, Color Runners, who wear white, are doused in a different colored powder. At the Finish Festival is a party full of music, dancing, photo ops, activity booths, vendors, and more massive color throws.

arts & culture

[art] Paloma Núñez-Regueiro Art Reception

13 Monday

4pm. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Free

Paloma’s printmaking work is an invitation to be still and to contemplate with the eyes of the soul. Art is also available for viewing Monday – Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; during concerts, and by appointment.

12 Sunday

[art] New at UMMA: Oshima Tsumugi Kimono

2pm. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free

Fashioned in the Amami islands of Japan, Oshima Tsumugi silk has long been admired for its understated beauty, incredible softness, and comfortable year-round lightness. This special installation showcases one of the ten exceptional Oshima Tsumugi kimono recently donated to the Museum by Kazuko Miyake.

[art] Workshop: Introduction to Letterpress Printing 11am. $100. Hollander’s. hollanders.com

This one day class offers a chance to experience the basics of letterpress printing. Learn how to hand set type and print your name or a short phrase or poem on a card.

[film] Sneak Preview of Welcome To Commie High!

6:30pm. $12 - $15. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

This screening benefits the production of the documentary film on Community High School in Ann Arbor. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Donald Harrison and crew/cast, then a performance

by Community High School Jazz Ensemble.

[lit] [poetry] Author Event: Morgan Parker Discusses Magical Negro 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

Parker creates a space of witness, airing grievances, and pointing out patterns. Parker will be in conversation with Aisha Sabatini Sloan, Visiting Professor of Creative Nonfiction at U-M’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program.

14 Tuesday

[film] 8 Ball Movie Night: Hectic Knife and Cannibal! The Musical 7pm. 8 Ball Saloon. blindpigmusic.com/8-ball Free

Join the excitement in welcoming writer/director Greg DeLiso as he brings his Troma film, Hectic Knife, for screening at this free Burnout Society Film Club Tromatic Double Feature. Evening includes usual Intermission Trivia and a Q & A session with Hectic Knife’s Greg DeLiso!

[comedy] The Brewery Comedy Tour

7:30pm. $20. Townies Brewery. townies-brewery.business.site

Laughs are on tap for this nationwide tour that has already hit 900 breweries across the U.S. More than a dozen New York and L.A. stand-ups are currently on the road, sampling local fare, local brews and providing the finest and funniest in comedy entertainment.

CONT’D P32

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arts & culture 15 Wednesday

[misc.]

Mystic Nights at the Grotto

8pm. $10 - $50. Zal Gaz Grotto.

mishatuesday.wellattended.com

Join your host, Misha Tuesday, for an immersive exploration beyond reality... into the hidden mysteries that surround us. From the familiar arts of magic and hypnosis, to the mystic realms of mind reading and the supernatural, this show will leave you wondering: what is real, what is illusion, and is there even any difference?

[poetry] Poetry and Music at the Alehouse 7pm. Ypsi Alehouse, Ypsilanti. ypsialehouse.com Free

Enjoy an open mic followed at 7:30 by poetry reading and book signing by Douglas M Smith, the author of Social Work and Other Myths. His poetry has been published in numerous journals and publications. After the poetry, enjoy music for the duration of the evening.

17 Friday

[art] 12th Annual Art Walk

6-9pm. Downtown Tecumseh. downtowntecumseh.com Free

Downtown merchants partner with area artists to bring art into downtown businesses. Stores will have extended hours and refreshments for all to enjoy.

Local artists will be on hand to talk about their work, ranging from pottery to photography to jewelry and more.

[comedy] J-L Cauvin

7:30pm. $12 - $14. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com

J-L Cauvin started out at open mics and quickly developed a knack for it, and was named Washington D.C.’s funniest college student, despite not really being a college student. Don’t miss seeing this quickly rising new comedian. Also at 10pm, plus 5/18 at 7:30pm and 10pm.

18 Saturday

[misc.] [art] 2019 Gardening and DIY Fest 11am. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

Engage in the celebration of gardening and nature. Shop local at this artisan market for handmade clothes, jewelry, bath products, fibers, art, flowers and plants.

Talk to representatives from local organizations like Recycle Ann Arbor, Project Grow, Natural Area Preservation & more.

[misc.]

32nd Annual Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Festival

9am. Riverside Park. mvvc.net Free

Stroll through the park and check out this non-judged car show celebrating all kinds of Volkswagens from originals, restorations, customs, race cars, drag cars, kit cars, dune buggies, trikes, ratrods, and daily beaters.

[misc.]

Ann Arbor Roller Derby 2019 Season Opener 5:30pm. $10-15. Buhr Park. a2derbydimes.org

Come watch two full-length games of flat-track roller derby, complete with concessions, merch and more summer fun!

Doors open at 5:30, first whistle at 6:00. Buy your tickets ahead of time and save money! Kids under 12 get in FREE with paid admission (2 for each paying adult).

[talks/lectures] South Lyon History and Ghost Tour

7-10pm.$15. Downtown South Lyon. eventbrite.com

Storewide Sales, Refreshments, Prizes & Buckets of Fun!!!

Take a walking tour (rain or shine) through some of the history of South Lyon, starting downtown, then walk to the South Lyon Cemetery for a history ghost tour, where many of our towns founders were laid to rest. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared for the weather. Meet at the public parking area behind the North East corner of Lake St & Pontiac Trail.

19 Sunday

[lit] [art] Motor City Comic Con

Serving Ann Arbor’s Beautiful Women Since 1977

303 Detroit St., Suite 107 Ann Arbor

734.995.4222 CollectedWorksAnnArbor.com

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12:30pm. $10 - $40. Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi. motorcitycomiccon.com

Michigan’s largest pop-culture event since 1989, Motor City Comic Con gathers comic book and multimedia dealers from across the country, offering a vast variety of pop-culture merchandise, including comics, art, t-shirts, movie memorabilia, posters and more. Over 300 comic book creators, writers and artists are featured, as well as actors from TV and film. Also on 5/17 and 5/18.

[poetry] Ann Arbor Poetry Open Mic & Features

7pm. Espresso Royale, State St. espressoroyalecoffee.com Free

Ann Arbor Poetry hosts an open mic every 1st and 3rd Sunday, with featured poets, Quinton Robinson & Mojdeh Stoakley this evening.

[misc.]

Finders Keepers @The Chelsea Fairgrounds 10am. Chelsea Community Fair. chelseamich.com Free

Spend the day shopping local boutiques, upscale hand-made, farmhouse decor, mid century modern, harvest tables, wall decor, one-of-a-kind furniture, delicious sweets, food trucks, salvaged finds, trendy clothing boutiques, jewelry, organic products, baby + toddler, live music & more! Something for everyone with food trucks, live music, and vintage camper boutiques.

[art] Westside Art Hop

10am. Eberwhite-Bach area. westsidearthop.com Free

Art Hop is a typically quirky Ann Arbor event. Local artists on the historic West Side open their homes or studios to the public, and up to 50 visiting artists share spaces on neighbors’ porches, garages, yards, in Gretchen’s House Childcare Center, or with local artist-hosts.

21 Tuesday

[lit] Cecile Richards Discusses Her Book Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free

Cecile Richards has been an activist since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. She experienced first-hand the misogyny, sexism, fake news and the ever-looming threat of violence that constantly confront women who challenge authority.

This event includes a signing and books will be for sale.

22 Wednesday

[poetry] [lit] An Evening of Poetry and the Written Word

7pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room. crazywisdom.net Free

Featured writer will be Marilynn Rashid, a senior lecturer in Spanish at Wayne State University.

Her translations of poems by José Jiménez Lozano have appeared in many journals, and she has performed often in readings.

All writers are welcome to read their own or other favorite poetry or short fiction afterward at open mic.

23 Thursday

[lit] Author Event | Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop

7pm. Traverwood Branch Library. aadl.org Free

This new book by journalist Vikki Tobak is an inside look at the work of hip-hop photographers told through their most intimate diaries—their contact sheets.

Featuring rare outtakes from over 100 photoshoots alongside interviews and essays from industry legends, Contact High takes readers on a chronological journey from old-school to alternative hip-hop and from analog to digital photography.

[film] [comedy] Care to Laugh

7pm. $20 - $60. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Big Hearts for Seniors presents AARP’s first original film Care to Laugh, a feature-length documentary following Jesus Trejo, a rising star in the comedy world who is pursuing his dream of success while caring for his aging parents. Transforming adversity into comedy, he uses his life experience as material for his routine.

24 Friday

[poetry] Poetry at Literati: Clayton Eshleman

7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free

Eshleman presents us with a last collection of his poems-mostly recent, a few older. Clayton has published roughly 100 books and chapbooks of original poetry, translations, and nonfiction writings.

25 Saturday

[art] Leather Mask Making Workshop 9am. $164. Michigan Folk School. mifolkschool.com

Learn the basics of wet molding a flat piece of leather, and turning it into a 3D mask. Personalize your project using pattern tracing, leather cutting and coloring, tool embossing, design stamps and acrylic color pens.

[talks/lectures] Ypsilanti’s Soldiers of Liberation Highland Cemetery Walk 1pm. Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti. @pastandpresentlandscapes Free

Join historian Matt Siegfried to learn who the Ypsilanti soldiers were; their life in camp and the racism they faced in the military, the battles they fought, the plantations they liberated and the lives lived in Ypsilanti after the war as you visit the final resting places of nearly two dozen veterans and their families in Ypsilanti’s historic Highland Cemetery.

26 Sunday

nvc

[misc.]

Flower Day

10am. Ann Arbor Farmers Market. calendar.a2gov.org Free

The Sunday Artisan Market offers a special Flower Day, including food trucks, live music, backyard beekeeping tips, gardening how-to advice, kids activities and tons of fun! Growers will offer a wide variety of flowers, plants, bulbs, seeds and seedlings at a great value. Check out the Kerrytown neighborhood businesses hosting flower themed activities too.

29 Wednesday

[lit] The Moth GrandSLAM Championship 7pm. $25-$35. The Ark. theark.org

The Moth is an acclaimed not-forprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling.

This Moth show is the Moth Michigan GrandSLAM Championship-The Moth at its best!

[film] CatVideoFest 2019

7pm. $8.50 - $10.50.

Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

CatVideoFest curates a compilation reel of the latest, best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and classic internet clips. CatVideoFest is only available in theaters and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities.

30 Thursday

[lit] Feisty Women Book Club: Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life 7pm. Brewed Awakenings, Saline. brewedawakeningscafe.com Free

Get together to drink coffee and discuss books written by or about feisty women. This month read Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life

by Jane Sherron De Hart. Books will be available at least a month before the meeting at the reference desk at the Saline District Library.

31 Friday

[theatre] She Kills Monsters

7pm. $7-18. Sponberg Theatre, Ypsilanti. emich.edu

Grieving the loss of her younger sister Tilly, Agnes embarks on an adventure to discover Tilly’s truest self in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. This action-packed dramatic comedy leads Agnes and audiences through a funny, fantastical world of love, loss, friendship, fairies and the occasional homicidal cheerleader. Also on 6/1, 6/7, 6/8 at 7pm and 6/2, 6/9 at 2pm.

TIP OF THE MONTH

How to Say “No”

By Lisa Gottlieb

One of the most difficult things to navigate in social settings is how to gracefully say, “No.” Whether it’s an invitation to a party you don’t want to attend, a date with someone you’re not interested in, a request from someone to help with a task you’d rather avoid, or any other situation where you really don’t want to say ,“Yes,” we often feel stymied because we don’t know how to decline comfortably.

For many women, saying “No” goes against longstanding and slowly changing social norms to please other people, even at our own expense. Because of the expectation that women will acquiesce, saying “No” can risk retaliation, mistreatment, and even violence. For women and men in work situations, complex power dynamics can come into play in a variety of ways.

With Nonviolent Communication (NVC) it’s valuable to look at the underlying need beneath the actual request. For most of us, underneath the obvious ask is our need to be valued, to have companionship, to be cared for and supported.

Saying ‘yes’ to underlying needs

I can say, “No” to an invitation or a favor request from someone and still say, “Yes” to being aware of and respecting their underlying needs.

Next time someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, ask yourself, “In addition to the actual request, what else might this person be needing?” If the request is for help with a chore, maybe the need underneath the request is to feel supported through a transition, or for fairness and equity. If the request is to participate in something the other person sees as enjoyable and you don’t, perhaps the person is looking to meet their needs for companionship, fun, and comfort by going somewhere with another person, instead of alone. Ask yourself how else you may be able to meet or acknowledge these needs without engaging in the unwanted activity.

Taking a moment to touch in with someone else’s needs honors them, while still offering the choice to say “No”, and it creates some room for acceptance, or an opportunity for more dialogue.

ecurrent.com / may 2019 33

cannabis Advocating medical marijuana research for public health A brief overview of the 3rd Annual Hash Bash Panel Series

By Heather Mooney The Hash Bash panel series, held the day after Hash Bash (4/7/19) at the University of Michigan Law School, quickly filled the lecture hall to standing room only, necessitating a larger room next year. Sponsored by the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, the panel series began with a scientific perspective, follwed by a government interlude, before finishing with a public health focus.

Full Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis vs Synthetically Derived Cannabinoids

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Current Cannabis Research

The final panel presented cutting edge information on the latest medical cannabis research, from U-M’s Dr. Daniel Kruger and Dr. Sue Sisley, a principal investigator at the only FDAapproved randomized controlled trial in the world to examine the use of marijuana as treatment for combat veterans with PTSD. The panel closed with Emma Chasen, a patient educator and advocate from Portland, OR explaining the need for education to explain the scientific research to patients.

Dr. Litinas reinforced how safe and effective cannabis is for chronic pain patients, however he stresses that it’s necessary to educate patients to administer the medicine in a systematic and precise way.

The first panel, a fascinating, rather quick yet technical dive into the chemistry, drug toxicity and biology of cannabis, was presented by two U-M professors, Dr. Gus Rosania and Dr. Kevin Boehnke, along with the Medical Director of Om of Medicine, Dr. Evan Litinas.

Speaking of these technicalities in a Q&A style discussion, some highlights follow: Rosania, a chemist and drug toxicity expert, explained in detail the differences of natural versus synthetic cannabis as well as the multitude of contextual influencing variables, including ingestion methods. Cannabis (THC/ CBD) is generally safe and nonlethal, unlike opiates’ serious side effects. Rosania has worked to improve medical curriculum at the undergrad level, offering the first cannabis class at U-M (PharmSci 420), to update the current training and to enlighten future populations of students going into the medical field with evidence based information to integrate medical cannabis into patient treatments, advancing health and science together.

An anesthesiologist, Dr. Boehnke explained that this debate (natural vs. synthetic) is due to the fact that cannabis holds hundreds of different compounds, so the synergism/antagonism often creates more varied effects than perhaps an isolated (synthetic) source. This has not yet been demonstrated in human studies, so it remains a compelling theory until laws become less restrictive so that we can test this empirically. Boehnke astutely pointed out the need to persistently and patiently change the culture, combating decades of demonization of cannabis. To do so he advocates providing doctors with the latest information on medical cannabis.

Dr. Litinas reinforced how safe and effective cannabis is for chronic pain patients, stressing, however, that it’s necessary to educate patients to administer the medicine in a systematic and precise way. Litinas advocates education on what you put into your body, however due to marijuana’s status federally, doctors are limited, creating more problems and denying policy shifts.

34

The Director for the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation, Andrew Brisbo, represented the State, providing the latest Michigan efforts to enact recent recreational legislation. Mr. Brisbo reported that the state will likely be ready before December 2019, while reminding the audience that the State is only one part of the process. Municipalities as well as the US Department of Treasury present added hurdles. An audience question that resonated was the concern of patients being injured on the job and to allow the law to take effect whether or not they would be covered by workmen’s compensation if they test positive for medical marijuana. Brisbo explained that the law is written supporting drug testing by employers, reinforced by the Supreme Court ruling also backing employers.

Re-Integrating Cannabis into Public Health

Dr. Kruger presented on three studies conducted during recent Hash Bashes.

Survey results indicate there are strong reasons for using cannabis, supporting the beliefs that cannabis is much more effective, lower in addictiveness, somewhat lower in cost, lower in side effects and safer than opioids or other pharmaceuticals. In short, people like cannabis better and found it to be an effective substitute for pharmaceutical drugs. More research is needed on medical efficacy, dosages, strains, cannabinoid differentiation, integration and customized medical regimes. Both Kruger and Chasen reiterated that the purpose of public health is to protect people through a harm reduction model, not to perpetuate the historical preoccupation of abstinence when addressing cannabis.

Advocate for Medical Marijuana Research

Panelists suggested that citizens contact US Senator Debbie Dingell (and local representatives) in support of medical cannabis research and removing its Schedule 1 federal status. Dr. Sisley pointed out that citizens must hold the DEA accountable to their 2016 promise to approve other sites than the University of Missouri to provide medical cannabis for research. Taxpayer dollars should fund research on cannabis grown locally, yet currently the US is one of a few countries prohibiting growers from providing cannabis for research. Michigan’s marijuana law includes a set aside fund specifically for research. It would behoove everyone to advocate for these policy changes so that our local economies, educational institutions and communities can competitively partake in the quickly growing production and research of medical cannabis both domestically and worldwide.

ecurrent.com / may 2019 35

person of interest Cozine Welch Writer, teacher, actor, and Restorative Justice advocate

By Mary Gallagher At the age of 17, Cozine Welch was sentenced to serve 22-40 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections. While incarcerated he became the most published writer in the history of The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing. Cozine, released last year, currently co-teaches the Atonement Project and Theater And Incarceration courses at the University of Michigan, programs that focus on restorative justice, reconciliation and atonement, and the role that theater and the arts can play in rehabilitation, Cozine also serves as the new Managing Editor of the Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing.

Why is it important to work with people within, and returning, from the carceral system? It’s one of the few ways

presently to serve an underserved portion of our society, and also allow our society as a whole to better serve itself. The carceral state, as it’s called, is not just incarceration. It’s parole, it’s probation, it’s policies and laws, and it’s the school-to-prison pipeline. Certain segments of the population are conditioned as soon as they get into the sphere of education to serve out a particular set of roles. As far as incarceration is concerned, people who return have to be able to see themselves as more than just a felon. They have to be able to see themselves as a citizen who can contribute, who has a right to contribute .. so they don’t relegate themselves to something that is less than what they have to contribute (to the community).

How do you help people become part of the community again when returning from the prison system? We bring

them to the university campus, we bring them to class, we take them to symposiums and talks and theater shows. We expose them to culture that historically they have been barred from, whether in words or policy or indirectly, and show them people like themselves in that space. We show them how the experiences they have had, the intelligence that they’ve garnered, is applicable to what they can do right now.

What do you see as some of the biggest challenges that people face when returning to the community from the carceral system? One of the problems that I find is the

relationship we have with time. All the things that someone learns in their late teens and in their twenties, I didn’t have the ability

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Cozine Welch is the most published writer in the history of The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing. He currently teaches the Atonement Project and Theater And Incarceration courses at the University of Michigan.

to learn. Intelligence in some sense is based on preservation of yourself, and I was in a place where those weren’t the lessons I needed to survive. So while I’m doing all these things that I’m speaking to you about, I’m also trying to figure out how to develop my interpersonal relationships, how to develop my emotional intelligence... You have to look at what your relationship to time is, and how it can stop being an adversary and start being an assistant.

You’re also an artist and a poet. How do you maintain a balance of work, life, and art? It really comes down to

organizing and structuring the days and the weeks in the midst of a type of chaos. No matter how you structure yourself, we’re so interdependent in this web of everyone else’s actions, motions, plans, and schedules, that you have to find a way to fit yourself in and there’s only so much order you can get out of that. So what helps to keep me going is having some sense of priority of time and attention. That allows me to juggle the six or seven things I find myself having to juggle.

free will astrology © Copyright 2019 Rob Brezsny

MAY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “How prompt we are to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our bodies,” wrote Henry David Thoreau.

“How slow to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our souls!” Your first assignment in the coming days, Aries, is to devote yourself to quenching the hunger and thirst of your soul with the same relentless passion that you normally spend on giving your body the food and drink it craves. This could be challenging. You may be less knowledgeable about what your soul thrives on than what your body loves. So your second assignment is to do extensive research to determine what your soul needs to thrive.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “We must choose between the pain of having to transcend oppressive circumstances, or the pain of perpetual unfulfillment within those oppressive circumstances,” writes mental health strategist Paul John Moscatello. We must opt for “the pain of growth or the pain of decay,” he continues. We must either “embrace the tribulations of realizing our potential, or consent to the slow suicide in complacency.” That’s a bit melodramatic, in my opinion. Most of us do both; we may be successful for a while in transcending oppressive circumstances, but then temporarily lapse back into the pain of unfulfillment. However, there are times when it makes sense to think melodramatically. And I believe now is one of those times for you. In the coming weeks, I hope you will set in motion plans to transcend at least 30 percent of your oppressive circumstances.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You Cancerians can benefit from always having a fertility symbol somewhere in your environment: an icon or image that reminds you to continually refresh your relationship with your own abundant creativity; an inspiring talisman or toy that keeps you alert to the key role your fecund imagination can and should play in nourishing your quest to live a meaningful life; a provocative work of art that spurs you to always ask for more help and guidance from the primal source code that drives you to reinvent yourself. So if you don’t have such a fertility symbol, I invite you to get one. If you do, enhance it with a new accessory.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In my horoscopes, I often speak to you about your personal struggle for liberation and your efforts to express your soul’s code with ever-more ingenuity and completeness. It’s less common that I address your sacred obligation to give back to life for all that life has given to you. I only infrequently discuss how you might engage in activities to help your community or work for the benefit of those less fortunate than you. But now is one of those times when I feel moved to speak of these matters. You are in a phase of your astrological cycle when it’s crucial to perform specific work in behalf of a greater good.

Why crucial? Because your personal well-being in the immediate future depends in part on your efforts to intensify your practical compassion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “We are whiplashed between an arrogant overestimation of ourselves and a servile underestimation of ourselves,” writes educator Parker Palmer. That’s the bad news, Virgo. The good news is that you are in prime position to escape from the whiplash. Cosmic forces are conspiring with your eternal soul to coalesce a well-balanced vision of your true value that’s free of both vain misapprehensions and self-deprecating delusions. Congrats! You’re empowered to understand yourself with a tender objectivity that could at least partially heal lingering wounds. See yourself truly!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The country of Poland awards medals to couples that have stayed married for 50 years. It also gives out medals to members of the armed forces who have served for at least thirty years. But the marriage medal is of higher rank, and is more prestigious. In that spirit, I’d love for you to get a shiny badge or prize to acknowledge your devoted commitment to a sacred task—whether that commitment is to an intimate alliance, a noble quest, or a promise to yourself. It’s time to reward yourself for how hard you’ve worked and how much you’ve given.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I invite you to explore the frontiers of what’s possible for you to experience and accomplish. One exercise that might help: visualize specific future adventures that excite you. Examples? Picture yourself parasailing over the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona, or working to help endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica, or giving a speech to a crowded auditorium on a subject you will someday be an expert in. The more specific your fantasies, the better. Your homework is to generate at least five of these visions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio poet Sylvia Plath wrote, “I admit I desire, / Occasionally, some backtalk / From the mute sky.”

You’ll be wise to borrow the spirit of that mischievous declaration.

Now is a good time to solicit input from the sky, as well as from your allies and friends and favorite animals, and from every other source that might provide you with interesting feedback. I invite you to regard the whole world as your mirror, your counselor, your informant.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In January 1493, the notorious pirate and kidnapper Christopher Columbus was sailing his ship near the land we now call the Dominican Republic. He spotted three creatures he assumed were mermaids. Later he wrote in his log that they were “not half as beautiful as they are painted [by artists].” We know now that the “mermaids” were actually manatees, aquatic mammals with flippers and paddle-shaped tails.

They are in fact quite beautiful in their own way, and would only be judged as homely by a person comparing them to mythical enchantresses. I trust you won’t make a similar mistake, Sagittarius. Evaluate everything and everyone on their own merits, without comparing them to something they’re not.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “I want what we all want,” writes novelist Jonathan Lethem. “To move certain parts of the interior of myself into the exterior world, to see if they can be embraced.”

Even if you haven’t passionately wanted that lately, Capricorn, I’m guessing you will soon. That’s a good thing, because life will be conspiring with you to accomplish it. Your ability to express yourself in ways that are meaningful to you and interesting to other people will be at a peak.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Using algorithms to analyze 300 million facts, a British scientist concluded that April 11, 1954 was the most boring day in history. A Turkish man who would later become a noteworthy engineer was born that day, and Belgium staged a national election. But that’s all. With this non-eventful day as your inspiration, I encourage you to have fun reminiscing about the most boring times in your own past. I think you need a prolonged respite from the stimulating frenzy of your daily rhythm. It’s time to rest and relax in the sweet luxury of nothingness and emptiness.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): *The Blue Room* is a famous Picasso painting from 1901. Saturated with blue hues, it depicts a naked woman taking a bath. More than a century after its creation, scientists used X-rays to discover that there was an earlier painting beneath *The Blue Room* and obscured by it. It shows a man leaning his head against his right hand. Piscean poet Jane Hirshfield says that there are some people who are “like a painting hidden beneath another painting.” More of you Pisceans fit that description than any other sign of the zodiac. You may even be like a painting beneath a painting beneath a painting—to a depth of five or more paintings. Is that a problem? Not necessarily. But it is important to be fully aware of the existence of all the layers. Now is a good time to have a check-in.

Homework: What are the five conditions you’d need in your world in order to feel you were living in utopia? Write FreeWillAstrology.com

ecurrent.com / may 2019 37

crossword Across 1. Hu’s predecessor 6. Rating provider 10. Some briefs 14. He’s rarely himself 15. ___ fixe 16. Castling piece 17. “Look who just showed up!�

19. Tort sort: Abbr.

20. Peak position?

21. Athletes on horseback 23. Barrel next to a cask, maybe 27. ___ port 28. Vehicle to be used later in life 29. Author who coined the words “multicolor,� “tintinnabulation,� and “normality�

30. Kick out 32. Updike short story that takes place in a grocery store 34. Kissing sound 36. Reagan guess: Abbr.

37. “Everything sucks,� initially 38. Landmark Harlem hall 43. Contestant Bergman of “The Challenge: War of the Worlds�

44. Tower’s grp.

45. Elevator guy 47. Old Testament minor prophet 50. Raring to go 52. Show set in labs 53. Coach Hagen 54. Sneaky 56. “She’s getting away!�

58. Strings around the neck 61. Affirmative that sounds like a pronoun 62. Upset with the government?

63. You can build on them, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme 68. Skiing mecca 69. Tim who is roughly the 256th Democrat running in 2020 70. Nintendo villain with a

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W on his cap 71. Compost heap piece 72. Counting-off word 73. Bar none

2019 / ecurrent.com

Down 1. Reggae lover’s god 2. Chill 3. Braves on boards 4. Scribbling in the margin 5. Orange tree spot 6. Activity tracker meas.

7. Get ready for 8. Open up a window, e.g.

9. Lumberjack’s equipment 10. Lift provider 11. Give someone a seat?

12. Senile one 13. Nighttime picture?

18. Glowing reviews 22. The Crimson Tide, familiarly 23. Secretary’s stat.

24. First state to allow women to practice law 25. Tidal type 26. Small songbird 31. “The Godfather� actor 33. Choir voice 35. Yes guitarist Steve 37. Enjoy heartily, as on Thanksgiving 39. Grazing spots 40. Jobs, so to speak 41. Carve into steel 42. First blank in the palindrome “___ to vote, ___!�

46. Second blank in the palindrome “___ to vote, ___!�

47. Wheel covering 48. “Becket� actor 49. Cook with oil 50. Saluting phrase 51. How one might address a couple 55. French 101 book 57. “La Vie En Rose� singer 59. Buddy 60. PDF image, maybe 64. “I can’t decide�

65. Dormitory overseer, briefly 66. French pronoun 67. Our sun

FOR CROSSWORD ANSWERS, GO TO ECURRENT.COM

Š2018 By Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)

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