It took me a total of three days living in Ann Arbor to catch a glimpse of the Violin Monster. Tall, slender, mysterious...howling on the corner of Liberty and Main streets. When I was young, I was always quite terrified of anything in character. The Sturgis Falls parade in my hometown (Cedar Falls, Iowa) was an annually anxious Saturday morning as the beloved Sturgis clown (dressed in bright orange and green) made its rounds. I am certain that these artists are aware of us who are a bit nervous about them. The Sturgis Falls clown always found me, did his or her best to get a rise out of me, perpetuating the fear.
However, my first experience with Ann Arbor's favorite werewolf was a gentle one. I moved to Ann Arbor during the summer of 2012. During my first week of exploring the area's downtown, I saw the Violin Monster crouching down to play a soft tune for a young girl whom he had entranced. It was sweet, to say the least, and I instantly became a werewolf fan.
Earlier this fall, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of Michigan's most-loved street performers, and learned that the story of the Violin Monster was a intricate and complex one. After hearing the Violin Monster's tale, I thought that UNPUBLISHED was a great platform in which to relay such a story, as this blog is meant to define Ann Arbor through a newcomer's experiences. I know that I am not alone when I say that the Violin Monster is an integral part of our downtown community, and my only regret is that he has migrated for the winter season. So, let this interview be one that aspires to send our favorite werewolf off with well-wishes and a "come back soon"!
However, my first experience with Ann Arbor's favorite werewolf was a gentle one. I moved to Ann Arbor during the summer of 2012. During my first week of exploring the area's downtown, I saw the Violin Monster crouching down to play a soft tune for a young girl whom he had entranced. It was sweet, to say the least, and I instantly became a werewolf fan.
Earlier this fall, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of Michigan's most-loved street performers, and learned that the story of the Violin Monster was a intricate and complex one. After hearing the Violin Monster's tale, I thought that UNPUBLISHED was a great platform in which to relay such a story, as this blog is meant to define Ann Arbor through a newcomer's experiences. I know that I am not alone when I say that the Violin Monster is an integral part of our downtown community, and my only regret is that he has migrated for the winter season. So, let this interview be one that aspires to send our favorite werewolf off with well-wishes and a "come back soon"!
Last month, UNPUBLISHED interviewed the owners of Literati Bookstore, which enabled me to sit in on a festive storytime with the Violin Monster. Parents, children and myself learned some things we did not previously know about this werewolf, which included the fact that the Violin Monster happens to be 494 years old. This may not be a shocker to all of the werewolf fans out there, but I was astonished to learn that the Violin Monster was born on October 3rd, 1520 on the isle of Inishmaan in Galway Bay off the coast of Ireland.
While this monster has lived all around the world, he makes sure to mention the fact that he spent time in London, Italy, Germany and much of North America. While his physical features are certainly the most noticeable attributes, one might be surprised to learn that the Violin Monster learned how to play violin while growing up in his village--prior to turning into a werewolf--hundreds of years ago! He has studied this stringed instrument at various points of his life, which has enabled him to take his skill to streets everywhere.
Even though I have had strictly pleasurable encounters with this monster, many might be spooked to know that his biggest challenge of being a werewolf is trying not to eat humans, "it's hard to fight against this natural urge, but I've found that playing the violin calms me and allows me to do so," and while this werewolf considers Ann Arbor home, he admits that the biggest challenge of performing here is keeping his savage instincts at bay.
Admittedly, one of my first questions after hearing these lengthy tales was "why Ann Arbor?" I was so pleased when this tall drink of mystery didn't even hesitate as he said, "I think people in Ann Arbor really value community, and that makes it a wonderful place to live." This, of course, gave me warm and fuzzy feelings because I couldn't agree more with the sentiment. However, I was wondering how it might be particularly this way being a violin-playing werewolf. "I like the adventure it brings to my life. I never know who I might meet, or what opportunity awaits me when I check my e-mail." It might be important to note that up until the Violin Monster left (merely two weeks ago), he was performing for Ignite Ann Arbor, keeping shoppers at Plum Market company, telling stories at Literati Bookstore and of course playing on the corners of Liberty and Main streets. That is one seriously-busy werewolf.
While this monster has lived all around the world, he makes sure to mention the fact that he spent time in London, Italy, Germany and much of North America. While his physical features are certainly the most noticeable attributes, one might be surprised to learn that the Violin Monster learned how to play violin while growing up in his village--prior to turning into a werewolf--hundreds of years ago! He has studied this stringed instrument at various points of his life, which has enabled him to take his skill to streets everywhere.
Even though I have had strictly pleasurable encounters with this monster, many might be spooked to know that his biggest challenge of being a werewolf is trying not to eat humans, "it's hard to fight against this natural urge, but I've found that playing the violin calms me and allows me to do so," and while this werewolf considers Ann Arbor home, he admits that the biggest challenge of performing here is keeping his savage instincts at bay.
Admittedly, one of my first questions after hearing these lengthy tales was "why Ann Arbor?" I was so pleased when this tall drink of mystery didn't even hesitate as he said, "I think people in Ann Arbor really value community, and that makes it a wonderful place to live." This, of course, gave me warm and fuzzy feelings because I couldn't agree more with the sentiment. However, I was wondering how it might be particularly this way being a violin-playing werewolf. "I like the adventure it brings to my life. I never know who I might meet, or what opportunity awaits me when I check my e-mail." It might be important to note that up until the Violin Monster left (merely two weeks ago), he was performing for Ignite Ann Arbor, keeping shoppers at Plum Market company, telling stories at Literati Bookstore and of course playing on the corners of Liberty and Main streets. That is one seriously-busy werewolf.
It is clear that Ann Arbor inhabitants love the Violin Monster as much as he loves this town. "I was at a point in my life where I was wandering around and happened to stumble into Ann Arbor. I quickly fell in love with the town, and decided to make it my home." He has quickly made a name for himself in this community, as there is now an Ann Arbor Brewing Company beer that was made with the werewolf in mind. "The process of Violin Monster Autumn Ale was a collaborative effort between myself, Matt and Rene Greff (owners of ABC), and my good friend Kenny Frost. Kenny actually suggested the idea! We incorporated ingredients from an established werewolf region in mid-Germany and Belgium." The Violin Monster beer can be found at Washington Street's Arbor Brewing Company as well as in local retailer's refrigerators around town. It is most certainly a staple in my fridge as the grueling winter months approach us.
While Ann Arbor's beloved Violin Monster has many local recommendations, he points out that one thing many of us may not know about him is that he is a pinball wizard! When the werewolf returns to town, we can all spy on him as he posts up at Pinball Petes to play his favorite pinball game, Monster Bash.
Beautiful photographs can be found on the Violin Monster's Instagram. To find out where in the world this werewolf is at, check out his Facebook page. AAWWWOOOOOOOOOO!
While Ann Arbor's beloved Violin Monster has many local recommendations, he points out that one thing many of us may not know about him is that he is a pinball wizard! When the werewolf returns to town, we can all spy on him as he posts up at Pinball Petes to play his favorite pinball game, Monster Bash.
Beautiful photographs can be found on the Violin Monster's Instagram. To find out where in the world this werewolf is at, check out his Facebook page. AAWWWOOOOOOOOOO!
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