Photo by Sally Bjork
“This month’s I Spy is the Thelonious Monk mural by Brian Whitfield on Ashley Street,” writes Silvia Ruiz. David Karl identifies it as “the old Del Rio Bar building,” which Dyke McEwan adds is now home to “the Cellar by Grizzly Peak.” The mural honors both Monk and the bar where he sometimes played, writes Kathy Scott. Dan Romanchik credits his wife Sylvia for spotting it, even though “I walk by there all the time—so if I win I’ll have to give the prize to her.”
Janine Hutchinson found “a really nice article” about the mural and former Del Rio Bar co-owner Rick Burgess in Concentrate. “There was always good music, good food, and good conversations to be had at the Del Rio,” says Karl. In the article, the building’s current co-owner and Burgess’s stepdaughter, Chera Piehutkoski, calls the mural “art for the community,” adding, “Anything that brings the art back to our own community is always a good thing.” “I wholeheartedly agree with that,” says Karl. “I’m sure Thelonious Monk would have agreed too.”
Our random drawing winner from 13 correct entries is Marilyn Knepp, who writes, “That’s great! I think this is my third I Spy win.” She is donating her $25 gift to SOS Community Services. To enter this month’s contest, use the image and clue below and send your answer to the email address above.
Hint: Turning 40 | Photo by Sally Bjork
Hey, I Spy fans: Come visit us at the A2 Community Bookfest from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday, November 3!
Calls & Letters, October 2024: Monk didn’t play the Del Rio
Davi Napoleon, whose profile of Thelonious Monk disciple Rick Roe appeared in October, suspected we’d erred on a Monk detail on the Back Page of the same issue: In the I Spy update, we’d said that the jazz great played at the former Del Rio bar. Napoleon was sure he hadn’t—and didn’t think he’d ever played anywhere in town.
She referred us to Roe, whose recollection matches hers: “To my knowledge, Monk never performed in Ann Arbor,” he writes.
