The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week:
Rod Wallace, Jim Eddy, The Vicissitones, Reena Pang, Lonesome Skeleton Band, Scoops Lively, Luke Jackson, and Ikiryō.

Josie Eli Herman and Michael Alan Herman met while studying theater at Eastern Michigan University. They later married, have acted in numerous plays in the area, and founded the media company Acorn Arts and Entertainment, much of which focuses on creating original audio dramas, also known as fiction podcasts.

It sounds like a storybook tale for this Ann Arbor-based couple—just not the kind that you'd find powering an Acorn Arts-produced narrative. 

Acorn's main audio dramas—The Call of the Void, Silvertongues, and Liminal—combine sci-fi, mystery, and horror (while The Inn at the End of Things is made to put you to sleep using folklore-based tales).

Those award-winning dramas, while set in vastly different milieus, all exist in the same multiverse: the Void.

On Wednesday, March 25, the Hermans left the Void and visited the Ann Arbor District Library's Downtown location for a talk titled "Building a Multiverse: World-Building in Podcasts with Michael Alan Herman and Josie Eli Herman of The Call of the Void."

Below is a video of the couple's talk, which gives a history of multiverses in literature and film—from the 6th-century BCE Greek philosopher Anaximander to modern examples like those in the Marvel Universe(s)—and discusses ways for you to create your own linked-world projects. We also round up numerous interviews with the Hermans—including their 2025 appearance at AADL for a chat titled "The Call of the Void: Learn How to Podcast"—reveal the name of their next podcast, and list three fictional dramas they recommend.

A preview of the theatrical productions happening in Washtenaw County this month, featuring plays by The Purple Rose Theatre Company, the University of Michigan Department of Theatre & Drama, The Encore Musical Theatre Company, The Penny Seats Theatre Company, EMU Theatre, and Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.

The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week:
How to See Know and Fall, Katie Greene, Theo Katzman, The Paul Keller Orchestra, Tumbao Bravo with Paul Vornhagen, and John Holk.

The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week:
Maddy Ringo, Baits, Austen Nordhaus, Jeustan, deegeecee, Tongue, Diont'e Visible, and Jennifer Bloom with Mark Zhu.

The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week:
Supercontinent, Bunkerman, Sleep Tight Tiger, Fragile Death, Mike Green, and 14KT. 

A round-up of recent books from authors with Washtenaw County connections, past and present. We've also highlighted Ann Arbor-area readings and signings when available.

The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week:
Lord Centipede, Annie and Rod Capps, Sigidy, Rabbitology, Lily Talmers, Ryan Gerald, Rohn - Lederman, Plantsgarden, Larkn, and Backwanzus. 

For 30 years, a University of Michigan art exhibit has celebrated the creativity of incarcerated artists.

The Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons highlights the artists’ resilience and the profound impact of their art under the most challenging circumstances.

“There are so many pieces of art created from things that do not traditionally hold significance, from beautiful sculptures made out of soap to portraits in pencil reflecting hardship, isolation, love, and tremendous meaning,” said Mattie Levy, community engagement coordinator for U-M’s Prison Creative Arts Project, in a press release.

“The annual exhibition reminds us of the value of connection and the healing that can be found through art, both inside prison walls and beyond those walls.”

Hosted by the Prison Creative Arts Project, the exhibit runs March 17-31 at Duderstadt Center Gallery on U-M’s North Campus. It features more than 800 works of art created by over 600 artists residing in 26 Michigan prisons.

The University of Michigan produces a tremendous number of major talents in the fields of visual arts, music, film, theater, literature, and more. The various colleges within U-M, as well as several in-house publications, also do a good job of documenting the various creative pursuits of the university's students, teachers, and alumni—if you know where to look.

So, here's a round-up of arts and culture articles and interviews published by various University of Michigan news services and departments over the past few months.