A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE • ARTS Volume 2, Issue 6 July 15/Sept 15, 1988 IBlffff Editor-in-Chief Debra Brehmer Associate Editor Calendar Editor Business Manager Therese Gantz Associate Editor-Music Bobby DuPah From the Editor Associate Editor Nathan Guequierre Dance-the dance form that has no deep cultur­ Photo Editor I recently had the odd experience of attending a master class at the Ko-Thi Dance Company's al roots; while both ballet and African dance Francis Ford studio on 22nd and Wisconsin, and then the have an acknowledged commitment to pre­ next night, attending the PM Ballet's Dance serving a cultural history, modern dance claims Art Direction Factory presentation of four world premieres. to have broken with those ties, moving within No two performances could have been further and responding to the present. Modern Dance, Barb Paulini apart in feel and technique. The Ko-Thi class, still in an early stage of its own evolution, may led by a woman from an African dance com­ be the most confusing of all dance forms and its Ad Manager pany in Chicago, was two hours of heart-racing precepts are perhaps the least well-verbalized Sam Woodburn movement, set to the deafening beat of seven or written about beyond the immediate theo­ drummers in a small, second floor, sweltering retical level. In the following pages, four chor­ (over 100°) studio. The African dance move­ eographers talk about the creative process of Design Assistance ments are so connected to the drumming that it dance. Modern dance in Milwaukee seems to be Don Sefton, Carl Knelson all flows into one mental/physical sensation, emerging from a slump and it may be one of the blending skillful technique with personal ex­ most exciting art forms to start watching. pression. Sales Representatives As long as we're on the subject of dance, as Lisa Mahan, Kathy Corbin, Liz Montgomery The PM Ballet's premieres were also of a work­ most people probably already know, Mary La- shop nature. At the Factory, choreographers dish, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Bal­ are given the chance to develop new works. let, has resigned from her position due to health Typesetting by Ries Graphics Between pieces, the dancers strolled informally reasons. Ladish coordinated the merger be­ Printing by Citizen Publishing around the dance platform, warming up in tween the Milwaukee and Pennsylvania ballet companies and brought Milwaukee its new FRIENDS OF ART MUSCLE front of the audience. For the most part, these dances were set to traditional classical music: Dance Factory. Ladish was an exceptional ad­ Perry & Bobbie Dinkin Brahms, Mendelssohn, etc., but the dances ministrator, who gave boundless energy to the Barbara & Jack Recht seemed removed and disconnected from the art form, and we respect her persistance and Jim Newhouse Peter Goldberg music. Every detail, like the oh-so-sublime success. She said she needs to take time off to Theo Kisch smiles on the dancers faces, was neurotically concentrate on health matters, but that "You Gerald Pelrine affected. It inspired no emotion, simply awe at haven't seen the last of me." Jay Brown Christine Prevetti the technique and orchestration, tension and Richard & Marilyn Radke flow. A final Art Muscle news flash: With this issue, Dennis Hajewsky in addition to our regular free distribution, we Harvey & Lynn Goldstein Robert Johnston But, what the two groups have in common is will begin selling the magazine for $2 on select Polly & Giles Daeger that they both represent a culture and perform newstands in Milwaukee, portions of the state Judith Kuhn and special bookstores nationally. Because the Dorothy Brehmer from a deep historic base. As divergent as they Karen Johnson Boyd are, they both symbolize a society and reveal a magazine disappears from the streets so quick­ Tim Holte/Debra Vest great deal about their respective conditions, be­ ly, it will now be available for purchase Jack & Ellen Weller Arthur & Flora Cohen liefs and idiosyncracies. And what an amazing throughout its entire two-month span. If you Sandra Butler difference it is-art forms that evolve from two still have trouble finding it, subscribe. It's only Jimmy Scharnek distinct cultures! $12 a year or $50 for a five-year Friend of Art Sidney & Elaine Friedman Muscle subscription! This all, finally, brings us around to the focus of To become a FRIEND OF ART MUSCLE, send a this issue of Art Muscle, which is Modern Debra Brehmer check for $50 which entitles you to a 5-year sub­ scription. Art Muscle is published bi-monthly by Art Muscle-Milwaukee, Inc., 909 W. National Ave, P.O. Box 93219, Milwau­ kee, Wl 53203. Third Class postage paid at Milwaukee, Wl 53202 and ad­ ditional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Art Muscle, P.O. Box 93219, Milwaukee, Wl 53203. Entire contents copyright © Art Mus­ cle-Milwaukee, Inc. All rights re­ served, except in reviews. Reproduc­ tions in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Art Muscle is a trademark of Art Muscle-Milwaukee, Inc. Subscriptions rates in continental U.S.: $12 one year; elsewhere, $16 Strange? Why shouldn't it be strange? It is strange. It is all strange. one year. Saul Bellow 2 Art Muscle Art Muscle CONTENTS I.M.I HBHI Cate Deicher 20 fob))/ Blum Debra Loewen 22 Debra Brehmer Diane VanDerhei 24 Francis Ford Robert Dunn 26 Jon Erickson Kate Davy 28 Mark Anderson Mayor John Norquist 31 Tom Bamberger Dan Dance 34 Jim Oblscbniidt Design World 35 John f.nltropp The Parade 37 Jerome Schultz & Sally Kolf 1 DEPARTMENTS AGOG 6 Letters to the Editor 7 Post Facto - Reviews 10 Beyond Video Clone 13 Linear B 14 Walk This Way 16 Ear Muscle 41 Cover: Photograph by Francis Ford page notes excerpted from Zero db. a collection of short stories by Madi­ Calendar 43 son Smartt Bell, Madison Smartt Bell, 1987, Viking Penguin, Inc., NY, NY. A ADVERTISE! /\ call (414)672-8485 3 JWiMlijiJK. m taM®44fr EVERYONE'S MAKING TRACKS TOLEREER ~J& /"•"\^ Now's the perfect time for you to find out ^^m why people with good taste are beating a path to Le Peep. It could be our slightly sinful servings of the most wholesome ingredients ever dished up piping hot for breakfast, brunch or lunch — your choice of over 40 original dishes from our decadent "Panhandled Eggs""' and Seafood Entrees to the bounty of our "Knife 'n Fork Sandwiches'.'™ Or it could be our intimate atmosphere, our refreshingly fast service, or our afford­ able prices. Drop by for a meal today. And find out for yourself why Le Peep is on the inside track for people in the know. Open M-F 6:30a.m.-2:30p.m. • Sat & Sun 7:00a.m.-2:30p.m. 250 E. Wisconsin Ave. 273-PEEP LE BREAKFAST LE BRUNCH LE LUNCH 4 Art Muscle Hair / Cheryl Sunderland Make-up / Jules Photo / Bomer a full service / 2401 N. Maryland 276-7616 AGOG A rts New decorative arts Street. Ladish has been executive di­ is July 20 for registration. For more contemporary painter whose work ex­ curator at MAM rection of the Milwaukee Ballet since information contact Debra Loewen, poses the buried emotions of the Jayne E. Stokes, formerly a consultant 1985. Wild Space, 1363 N. Prospect Ave., American psyche. There is no charge for Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Milwaukee, Wl 229-4617 or 474- for the lecture, other than regular Art Hampshire, has been named assistant IPAAW reorganizes 7398. Museum admission. IPAAW has retired and a new dance curator of decorative arts at the Mil­ Friends of Oriental formed collective of six choreographers has Window works waukee Art Museum. She will orga­ A new non-profit organization, The formed in its place. Teri Carter will be Theatre X is coordinating an exhibi­ nize exhibitions, target acquisitions Friends of the Oriental Theatre, has Artistic Director. Participating artists tion of local artists' works in windows and expand educational programs in been formed to insure the continuing will include Tom Thoreson, Alexa Hol­ of over a dozen buildings in the Histor­ the decorative arts. The Art Museum restoration and preservation of the lywood, Joan Gonwa, Kimm Marks ic Third Ward, in conjunction with the has not had a full-time curator of deco­ Oriental Theater at 2230 N. Farwell and David Figueroa. The groups first Third Ward Block Party to be held Fri­ rative arts since 1981. Ave. The group will organize several performance will be in October. day, Aug. 5. Some of the artists doing fund-raising events each year. Anyone windqws include Deb Fabian and Jim Ladish resigns interested in joining the group should Wild Space workshop Matson, Pat Grace, Demetra Copou- Mary Ladish recently resigned as ex­ call Rick Poplawski or Kevin O'Neill at Wild Space Dance Company will hold los, Roberta Williams, Irene Adam- ecutive director of the Milwaukee Bal­ 276-5140. Members will be entitled to its second annual summer workshop czyk, Leslie Bellavance and Matthew let and co-manager of the Pennsylva­ special screenings. nia and Milwaukee Ballet due to Aug. 4-7 at the Wild Space Farm in Groshek, Bruce Dorow, Gary John undisclosed health problems. Ladish Ixonia. The workshop will include Fischl to lecture Gresl, Mark Lawson, Carri Skoczek, Leslie Fedorchuk and Barbara Rein- recently opened the Dance Factory, dance technique; dance and move­ Eric Fischl will present a lecture at the hart, Stanley Ryan Jones, Sandra the Milwaukee Ballet's alternative ment improvisation; performance/ac­ Milwaukee Art Museum at 7p.m. July Greuel, and Taffnie Bogart. performance space at 710 W. Virginia tions; and music and dance.