The Kalamazoo College dance company Frelon decided to expand their normally annual showcase to a Fall/Spring split.  Tonight, the talented group showed off their affinity for all things art, not just dance, but also spoken word poetry, music, and interpretive performance.  Frelon extended an invitation to all talented students within the Kalamazoo College community, giving them an opportunity to creatively express themselves in front of an audience in Dalton Theater, Light Fine Arts.  Not only that, but this year Frelon has created a grant to help students in the tricollege area complete any their art-related projects.   This grant was made possible through collaboration with the Arts Council of Kalamazoo (http://www.kalamazooarts.com/).  Katy Ehlert, one of Frelon‘s six senior-directors, says that “the big qualification for it is that these artists have to support Kalamazoo and have an impact on the Kalamazoo community in general.”

The short performance of “Arts, Feets & Beats” was divided into two acts, both of which contained a pleasing amount of every element the show had to offer (dance, song, etc.).  Although I want to avoid critiquing the individual performances, some of them really stood out, especially “Mercy”, choreographed by Katy Ehlert, “Crestfallen Angel”, an original song by Chris Hutchinson, and “Nightingale”, performed by Natalie Brazeau, Laura Fox, and Claire Lindley.

The dance numbers of “Arts, Feets & Beats”, of which there were six, were probably the least interesting aspects of the show, although they were far from boring.  With the exception of the “Mercy” tap number, most of the choreography was amateur ballet mixed with totally unexploited modern Tharpism.  Every time I saw something great and original, it was followed by a jeté or a plié, techniques which some of the dancers couldn’t perform very well, especially in strict unison.  The Frelon directors, Katy Ehlert, Anna Hassan, Kristen Jost, Laura Marshall, Blayne Milbeck, and Marina Takagi, performed in almost every dance.  They’re the directors for good reason: not only are they seniors at Kalamazoo College, but they were also the best dancers on-stage, always keeping positive energy and poise, which made them a real treat to watch.

The second act, which began with a reading by our very own Entertainment Editor Joseph Schafer, was outstanding.  Whether purposefully or not, the ambiance, the lighting, and the physical performances of the second half were much more cohesive than those of the first.  It was as though the pieces had fallen into place, which is not to say that the performances of the first act lacked in any way; it was the act itself that was trumped by its twin.  “I love you guys.  This poem is deep.  It’s about the ocean,” said Schafer, who beat out his second poem in a way that perfectly transitioned into Ben Cooper’s original instrumental “Oklahoma Revisited.”

Furthermore, the second act really utilized the space of Dalton Theater to its advantage.  Specifically, the “Rhinoceros” performance by the Kalamazoo College Theater Department and the song “Nightingale”, performed by those previously mentioned, truly allowed the audience to succumb to the experience and the abstraction of space.  This with the duller tones of the lighting (which deserves much credit) made for a positively eclectic experience.

Like all college student performances, however, “Arts, Feets & Beats” was hurt by its audience, who cat-called, yelled, and screamed out names at every available opportunity.  Although Frelon has a history of eliciting such reaction, it’s still unnecessary.  Whether or not it bolsters the performance and the performers, it cheapens the experience for those who are not screaming and cat-calling.  For example, the last dance “Green Light”, choreographed by Erik Aiken and Blayne Milbeck (another noteworthy performer) was a perfect end to the drabber tone of the second act.  It was upbeat, yet repressive.  It was ecstatic, yet exhausting.  And it was almost ruined by the people behind me.

All in all, “Arts, Feets & Beats” was a worthwhile show which deserves a second performance.  Every performer should be proud of themselves.  Frelon should congratulate itself especially for organizing such a wonderful show for such a wonderful cause.  If you missed “Arts, Feets & Beats”, make sure to see Frelon‘s regular Spring show at Kalamazoo College during Spring of 2010.

The time I have spent defending Tiffany’s Wine Shoppe to friends as more than a just a liquor store finally paid off at the opening night of Zooroona Restaurant and Lounge, a new middle-eastern restaurant in the Tiffany’s Village Plaza on W. Main.  With a long standing appreciation for Tiffany’s deli and selection of cheeses, olive oils and middle-eastern delicacies such as Turkish delight, I was looking forward to seeing what the Mandwee brothers (who own both establishments) would do with a restaurant. I was not let down.

Just stepping in the door transports you entirely away from the strip-mall atmosphere. The central floor space has scattering of intricate lamps above dark tables, backed by a mural and flanked by raised booths with cushion seating around low tables that manage to feel both romantic and comfortable- as though you were having a firelit date in your living room. I appreciated the option of curtaining the booth: it is a bit like being in a department store window. A private corner table is hidden behind a panel of old wooden doors, a touch I found charming. The lighting was bright enough to see your food, but didn’t sacrifice the cosy, intimate quality of the booth. Our service for the evening was friendly and prompt, and with impressive menu knowledge for the first night.

To get the most for the least, so to speak, I recommend gathering some friends and sharing. The appetizer platter for 2-3 comfortably served 4, and at $30 for the plate plus an entree or two to share, you have a $10-15 meal that lets you sample at least 7 or 8 different options. Only the chicken wings disappointed—  an appeal, I guessed, to the stereotype of the skeptical Midwest palette, they were a goopy oddball among otherwise expertly crafted Middle Eastern standards such as kibbeh and falafel, panfried patties of lamb and garbanzo. Ask if you can swap them for something else. The highlight of the “Mazza Collection” (appetizer platter) was the dolmeh: melty-soft grapeleaves stuffed with rice and vegetables. Lemon juice tempered with olive oil lifted the dark, woodsy flavor of the seasonings, and paired with the thin, tangy yogurt sauce, it was an experience akin to walking barefoot along a mountain stream.

The house tray dinner option offered less variety than the appetizers and uneven quality. The dry, rotisserie-cooked shawermah-style beef and chicken options were a let down next to the outrageous juiciness of the chicken kafta kabob, seasoned ground-chicken on a skewer that’s as succulent as an advertisement for a burger might promise. The beef and lamb kabob was a handful of seasonings and a bun away from being that burger: tasty, but the chicken was my first choice. I didn’t sample the lunch menu, but it is competitively priced with area Middle-Eastern restaurants at 6-7$ a sandwich. A kabob wrap would be perfect paired with the chicken lemon rice soup, a bright, creamy wake-your-mouth-up soup that’s a nice warm-up to a meal. Alternatively, try Zooroona’s take on the classic house salad—no dressing options, but you don’t need them with this crunchy, easy to eat, breezy mix of Syrian cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers over mixed greens.

In summary: a great date spot if you bring some gum to combat the garlic breath you’re sure to leave with, romantic and affordable. Perfect for medium sized groups. Keeping my fingers crossed for Zooroona’s success. Hours: Mon-Thurs 11-10pm, Fri-Sat 11-11pm.

One note: despite the word “lounge” prominently displayed on the sign, there are no alcoholic beverages on the menu. Looks like you’ll have to head over to the Tiff after dinner and get one of their endlessly knowledgeable employees to pick out a wine for you.

An unidentified police cruiser was discovered in the yard of 200 Stuart Ave., across from Kalamazoo College Friday afternoon, stuck in the mud with the rear wheels positioned on top of several decorative rocks outlining the garden.  The cruiser appeared to have left the road heading Southeast on West Main Street, leapt the curb on the Stuart side of the property, and went galavanting into the yard, where the car became immobile.  During the incident, the vehicle struck three campaign signs for the upcoming November 3 city-wide elections, including a “Vote Yes for Fairness and Equality” sign in support of Ordinance 1856.  No one appeared hurt in the incident, the police cruiser did not seem damaged, and no other vehicles seemed to be involved.  Two other patrol vehicles and a flat-bed tow truck were called in to assist with the situation.

Leaving school for the day, a college student, Keith Jarrens, stumbled upon the malay soon after its occurrence.  Camera in hand, Mr. Jarrens began photographing the display from the opposite side of West Main.  The two assisting patrol cars fled the scene at the sign of his presence.  In crossing the street to get a better shot of just how close this cop car came to the house–where children are known to have played in the yard–a remaining officer approached Mr. Jarrens.

Though reports are hazy, this officer, who appeared middle aged, and of middle rank, is thought to have been the driver of the vehicle, as he was the only policeperson who remained at the scene with the car.

There was no police line, and no further security forces to secure the premises were present. The exchange between the officer and Mr. Jarrens as transcribed below took place with Mr. Jarrens standing on the sidewalk, and the unidentified officer standing in the garden of the owners of 200 Stuart Ave.

OFFICER: Stop!  I will arrest you.

JARRENS: On what charge?

OFFICER: Obstruction and Interference with Police Matters.

JARRENS: Interfering with what?  The tow truck?  Besides, this sidewalk is public property.

OFFICER: Get out of here.

JARRENS:  Between the two of us, you are the only one who is trespassing on private property.

OFFICER: I said get out of here.  I will arrest you.

JARRENS: Alright, alright, I’m going.

OFFICER: Faster.

JARRENS: I’M GOING

OFFICER: I SAID FASTER

JARRENS: I’M GOING!!!!!!

Upon leaving the scene, none of the campaign signs were restored to their prior, upright position.  The sign stating “Vote Yes for Fairness and Equality” was left face-down in the mud, torn and shredded.  According to a source who did not want to be identified due to their proximity to the incident, two college students returned later that night, around 11:36, and righted the signs as best as they could.