MichiganDaily.com

Arts Stories for 11-3-2000

The X-Files return, sans Duchovny

If you haven't heard the controversy surrounding "The X-Files" this season, you must be living on Mars. But even then you still might be better informed. To fill you in, last season, Mulder was abducted like so many others before him. And the other shocker was that Scully, like the Virgin Mother, has become miraculously pregnant.

The UPN Friday night lineup packs a sci-fi punch

The UPN network brought two new shows to its line up on Friday nights, "Freedom" and "Level 9." "Freedom" begins with Air Force One missing and all aboard presumed dead, including the President. The United States military gains control of the country by declaring a temporary police state. Then all the branches of the military round up thousands of soldiers for insubordination because they refuse to live in peace without freedom. Four outstanding soldiers band together in the William Jefferson Clinton prison to find their way out and join The Resistance, which is the underground group fighting to restore the country back to an elected government.

U student producers are Absolut funny guys

A show inspired by a bottle of Vodka. Could anything sound like a more appealing way to spend your Friday or Saturday night? Enough said. This weekend's Basement Arts performance, appropriately titled, "Absolut Comedy," promises to be 2 hours of gut-wrenching laughs with a group of extremely talented University students. The free performance, which will be located at the Arena Theatre, will consist of a collection of 5 hilarious one acts.

'High Priestess of Soul' Simone appears at Hill

"High Priestess of Soul" Simone Makes Ann Arbor Appearance It's been over 25 years since her self-imposed exile from the United States, but legendary songstress Nina Simone has done anything but fall out of American musical consciousness. In recent years, contemporary artists such as Lauryn Hill and Talib Kweli have paid homage in verse to a woman who has seen her share of controversy yet continues to express her passions and beliefs through song. For this ability, Nina Simone can be regarded as one of the most dynamic figures to appear in 20th century music.

Band-o-rama bonanza to hit Hill

With the crash of a cymbal and the call of the trumpet, the U's top bands will envelop Hill Auditorium in some spectacular sounds on Saturday night. Long part of Michigan's tradition of musical excellence, the concert, symphony, and marching bands are ready to strut their stuff. This year's Band-O-Rama is something of a milestone with the recent addition of William M. Campbell to the School of Music faculty. A professor of trumpet, Campbell has previously spent 7 years in Italy playing in the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. After teaching at the University of Kansas and performing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he became a faculty member at Ohio State University in 1996. His recent move to Ann Arbor has been an extremely positive experience for Campbell thus far.

Elliot Smith defies the reaper at St. Andrew's

Elliott Smith does not, as a rule, rock out. Most of his songs are mellow if not morose, full of heartache and bad memories that are channeled through sparse acoustic guitar arrangements and Smith's ethereal vocals. The uninformed might even call him a folkie.

Hunter's all new, the Still's all through

In celebration of the release of her third album, "Alive", Lisa Hunter is set to play Ann Arbor's legendary The Ark. The folk rock artist is dressed to leave a mark on the local music scene. She will be getting a little help from her friends as members of The Still back her up on her latest tracks.

11-3-2000