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Mystery Train: Concordia Theatre takes the audience for a ride on the Orient Express

Tue, 10/18/2022 - 8:30am by christopherporter

Conductor Michele (Chole Haynes) and Monsieur Bouc (Samuel Botzum) enlist the services of detective Hercule Poirot in Concordia Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig’s stage version of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Photo courtesy of Concordia Theatre.

On October 10, the intimate Black Box Theatre at Concordia University was a warehouse full of pianos for a used piano sale. By the end of the month, the 200-seat theater will transport an audience across a winter landscape from Istanbul to central Europe on the legendary Orient Express.

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"North Country" Fare: The 40th-anniversary edition of Jay Stielstra's folk opera sails into The Ark

Mon, 10/10/2022 - 7:00am by christopherporter

Rochelle Clark and Brad Phillips as the young couple Sari and Michael talk things over in front of David Menefee, who plays Old Man, during rehearsals for the 40th-anniversary production of Jay Stielstra's North Country Opera. Photo courtesy of North Country Opera.

Forty years ago, Jay Stielstra was playing his songs to enthusiastic listeners around Ann Arbor, mostly at Mr. Flood’s Party, a bar that once stood on 120 West Liberty. Bouyed by the response to his tunes, the folk singer decided to write some continuity and put them together in a play, North Country Opera.

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"All Rise," All Week: Wynton Marsalis brings his inspiring music and passion for education to Ann Arbor

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 8:00am by christopherporter

Wynton Marsalis performs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Photo by Frank Stewart.

Blues and swing are at the core of every piece Wynton Marsalis composes, every note he plays on his trumpet.

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Tasty Times: Mercury Salad Explores Delectable Life Experiences on “Volume 3” EP

Wed, 09/28/2022 - 3:30pm by strattonl

Mercury Salad's Kurt Bonnell, Brooke Ratliff, and Kyle Kipp include folky and funky flavors on "Volume 3." Photo courtesy of Mercury Salad.

Brooke Ratliff says she’s no good at writing traditional love songs because “they’re either really mushy, or they’re really sad”—so she doesn’t even try on Volume 3, Mercury Salad’s latest EP.

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Local skateboard lifestyle brand Drive Thru launches with a trick-filled short film

Thu, 08/18/2022 - 3:00pm by christopherporter

Skaters take a break on the Diag in front of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library at the University of Michigan. A still from the film Drive Thru, which covers the Washtenaw County skateboarding scene.

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For Stevie—with Love and Squalor: Ann Arbor’s Chirp honors late rodent companion on a funky new single

Thu, 08/11/2022 - 2:00pm by christopherporter

Chirp kicks out the jams, from left to right: bassist Brian Long, singer-guitarist Jay Frydenlund, and guitarist Sam Naples. Photo by Austin S. Grinnell.

After his pet rat passed away, Jay Frydenlund was at a loss for words.

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