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Proof that Ann Arbor still has a viable arts community

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Arts & Culture, Arts and Culture, Downtown Living

Is Forest Juziuk's existence proof of the viability of Ann Arbor's arts community or that Ypsilanti's arts community is not only on the rise but has arrived? Two stories from AnnArbor.com and MarkMaynard.com examine both angles.

Excerpt:

Forest Juziuk is a bit of a Renaissance man. Managing Wazoo Records (336½ South State) by day and upping Ann Arbor�s cultural clout on the side, Juziuk hosts popular experimental film and music events; performs as a DJ, comedian and performance artist; designs posters for the Ann Arbor Soul Club; runs record label Hall of Owls; and has published stories by artist/musician Brent Van Daley.

Juziuk says, �I don�t know exactly what the impetus was� for initially getting involved in the film, performance and music scene. However, he shares a clear vision of what he thinks is lacking from Ann Arbor�s creative scene and how he thinks his events and performances fill a cultural void.

"Ann Arbor is a strange place. It seems like it wants to be a big city, but it really isn�t. We don�t have all of the amenities that they do in a big city,� which include a lot more venues to choose from and more avant garde, experimental happenings. �Part of it is to make Ann Arbor livable for ourselves, by featuring the kinds of acts I want to see and the films I want to see,� he says.

Read the rest of the story here and Mark Maynard's take on it here.