On the road: The Violin Monster of Ann Arbor is 'monsterizing America'
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."
![Violin_Monster_1.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/07/Violin_Monster_1-thumb-350x232-84184.jpg)
The Violin Monster performs on Main Street in Ann Arbor this summer. He has since migrated to Austin, Texas.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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.
Comments
Natalie McDonathugger
Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.
:)! love this guy
Ann English
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
Those bluegrass open jam nights presumably were in Kentucky, the Bluegrass State; the article doesn't say that Storey didn't pass through it, but apparently he didn't entertain passers-by there. Charlotte is in the western part of North Carolina, where Tennessee borders it (and Kentucky is to the north of Tennessee), but that's as close as he got to the Bluegrass State to perform. Sounds like Austin is as warm as New Zealand now, where it's summertime.
bluecollar
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
Hopefully he finds a new "home" and doesn't return when the weather breaks. This guy does not rock!
Chip Reed
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
Zach can replace Shakey Jake as our lovable icon/mascot. He can play better, at least.
Adam Dickson
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
To each his own! At least he's not occupying Ann Arbor.
nowayjose
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
Couldn't think of a story that interest me less
nowayjose
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.
Clicked only to make my comment about the boring stories a2.com post. I'll let you follow him on facebook
5c0++ H4d13y
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
And yet you clicked on it? I'm sure you'll want to follow him on facebook. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ViolinMonster" rel='nofollow'>http://www.facebook.com/ViolinMonster</a>
Blanch DuBois
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
Hope he finds his way back to the mitten this summer.