"As One" opera explores a trans woman's journey to find her true voice

Mon, 04/02/2018 - 2:30pm by christopherporter

Those who don't closely follow the opera world may not think of the artform as a medium that addresses issues any less than a century old. But the 2014 opera As One, which will run April 6-7 at the Kerrytown Concert House, addresses one of the biggest social issues in our current public discourse: the experience and rights of transgender people.

A Welcome Return: Theo Katzman at the Blind Pig

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 7:00pm by christopherporter

Theo Katzman's show at The Blind Pig sold out weeks before the show date. When I say that people were excited to see Katzman's return to Ann Arbor, I mean it: The line at The Blind Pig was already snaking its way down the block 20 minutes before doors opened. 

Theo Katzman studied jazz at the University of Michigan in the early 2000s. Since then Katzman has toured with the band Ella Riot, created the trio Love Massive, and released his first album, Romance Without Finance, in 2011. Katzman is also a prominent member of the funk band Vulfpeck, which has toured with Darren Criss and played on The Late Show with Steven Colbert. In 2017, Katzman debuted his latest album, Heartbreak Hits. 

The Unknown Guitarist: Throwaway's Kirsten Carey is in the bag for avant sounds

Thu, 03/15/2018 - 9:00am by christopherporter

Kirsten Carey shreds on guitar like free-jazz icon Derek Bailey.

See Shells: Michigan music MVP Shelley Salant on her new solo LP

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 10:00am by christopherporter

Between all the various ways she's involved in southeast Michigan's music scene, it's almost surprising that Shelley Salant has any time to make music of her own. By our count, Salant is a member of at least four different bands at the moment: Tyvek, Bonny Doon, Chain and the Gang, and The Vitas. She DJs regularly, hosts the Local Music Show on WCBN, and books and promotes numerous shows.

From Bach to Rock: California Guitar Trio at The Ark

Thu, 03/08/2018 - 9:00am by christopherporter

If you are unfamiliar with the artful pyrotechnics of the California Guitar Trio, simply buy a ticket to their upcoming show at The Ark on March 11 and get ready to have your mind blown.

Syncretic Sounds: Tim Haldeman's "Jazz + Film" blends art forms

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 2:45pm by christopherporter

When the Tim Haldeman Quartet assembles at Hathaway’s Hideaway in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 11, to play improvised jazz while films are screened, the musicians will continue a tradition that is most associated with a pioneering soundtrack by trumpeter Miles Davis.

Gaining Experience: A2SO's "Music From Harry Potter"

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 8:30am by christopherporter

“I’m going to have to make you a wand. You can’t be out with me without a wand.” --My son

On more than one occasion, my son has pointed out to me that I’m lucky that he, a teenager, still wants to hang out with me, you know, a mom. With that in mind, as soon as he mentioned that the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra would be at Michigan Theater playing songs from Harry Potter, I pulled out my debit card and secured tickets for the Sunday, March 4, afternoon matinee performance.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder put on a clinic in classic bluegrass at The Ark

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 8:00am by christopherporter

He is just so good. They are all just so good.

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder played The Ark on Saturday, March 3, for a concert to benefit the Breakfast at St. Andrews. And the sold-out crowd enjoyed an absolutely first-rate bluegrass show that transported the spirit of Kentucky fully intact to Ann Arbor.

Cultivate's Songwriter Sunday series demystifies the process

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 10:00am by christopherporter

Many of us wonder what the creative process for an artist is like. How do they come up with ideas for their songs? What inspires them? How do they start to write and compose an original song?

Internal Organ: Ann Arbor Concert Band hails the "King of Instruments" at Hill

Thu, 03/01/2018 - 8:30am by eli

This Sunday, March Fo(u)rth to Hill Auditorium at 2 pm for a very special performance by the Ann Arbor Concert Band, led by conductor, composer, and organist Jim Nissen. We caught up with Nissen to ask a few questions about this weekend's concert -- "The King of Instruments" -- and why band, organ, and Kubrick fans shouldn't miss it.