Zachary Storey, who achieved local fame this past year for playing his violin on the streets of Ann Arbor in a werewolf mask, has taken his show on the road.

In these chilly winter months, Storey — better known as the Violin Monster of Ann Arbor — is fiddling his way across the country, seeking refuge in warmer locales.

Or as he puts it, "monsterizing America."

"Michigan winters are pretty harsh, and the inclement weather lasts for at least five months. So I knew if I was seriously serious about doing this, I'd have to travel when it got too cold for my fiddlin' fingers," he writes. "And I am seriously serious. About being a werewolf. And playing the violin."

Storey, who took up busking full time in June, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to support his travels, and so far he's about halfway toward meeting his goal of raising $2,000 by Jan. 11.

According to his Kickstarter page, he embarked on his journey at the end of October, and so far he's entertained passers-by in Boston, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta and New Orleans. He's currently in Austin, Texas, where temperatures are hovering in the 60s.

"Some really cool stuff has happened along the way, too," Storey writes. "My picture was taken for the Boston Globe, I performed for the Occupy Wall Street protesters, met some amazing musicians at bluegrass open jam nights, I've been featured on numerous blogs, and talented photographers have shot some spectacular images of me."

Storey is using a wide range of social media platforms to share photos, videos and stories of his travels. You can follow the Violin Monster on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr. He also is posting tunes on SoundCloud and is putting out a limited edition CD.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.