Wednesday • 30
Wednesday Night
Prayer Meeting
SHOPPING/PARTY
Even secularists can enjoy this not-exactly-religious gathering at the Motor City Brewing Works. Hosted by local artist Graem Whyte, this soon-to-be Wednesday night ritual will play host to a variety of events, and kicks off with everybody’s favorite summer pastime: a garage sale. So bring your old stuff (there will be tables set up for those who wish to sell goods) or a pocket full o’ cash to invest in your newest treasures and throw back a couple delicious micro-brews or a glass of MCBW’s homemade wine. At the Motor City Brewing Works (470 W. Canfield, Detroit). As Whyte says: “Worship at the Church of Beer.” Amen to that. Call 313-832-2700 for more information.
Wednesday • 30
The Toy Castle
FUN FOR ALL
It’s three weeks into summer vacation and the kids are already bored out of their minds, right? Well why not bring the weary little rascals to The Toy Castle, a live children’s show that features such kid-friendly characters as a Tin Soldier, a floppy rag doll, a Ballerina and some clowns. Through the magic of ballet, The Toy Castle will offer eight seven-minute shows that encourage kids to use their imaginations. At the Meadow Brook Theatre (on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester); call 248-645-6666 for ticket info.
Thursday • 1
Brew & View with
Eternal Sunshine Of
the Spotless Mind
FILM
If you missed the first run of Charlie Kaufman’s critically-acclaimed opus, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or if you just can’t wait until it goes to DVD to see it again, then make your way to downtown Ferndale. As part of the Magic Bag’s weekly Brew & View series, moviephiles and suds-lovers can enjoy this oddball love story in the relaxed atmosphere of the Magic Bag (22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale). Call 248-544-3030 for more information. Popcorn optional.
Thursday • 1
Three Tall Men
MUSIC
As if to recapture the cool fun of summer night bar-hopping, Three Tall Men, a trifecta of local DJs (who just happen to all be well over 6 feet tall) have taken over Thursdays on the West Side. Bringing an eclectic mix of new wave, synth pop, glam, punk, hip hop, electro and some good old-fashioned rock ’n’ rock, they delight listeners who bask in the Asian elegance of Detroit’s own Buddha Lounge. This sake-addled, sushi-filled evening of sophisticated fun just might be for you. At the Buddha Lounge (21633 W. 8 Mile, Detroit); call 313-535-4664 for more information. Try a $3 sake martini — it’s the best rice buzz you will ever get!
Thursday • 1
Chris Richards
MUSIC
Says Metro Times reviewer Mike Murphy of songwriter Chris Richards’ latest release, “While some of the hooks aren’t quite strong enough to land in the hearts and minds of die-hard members of the power pop generation (those are mighty tough nuts to crack) … the lyrics cleverly and poignantly explore the caverns of love and loss that we’ve all come to expect of fertile pop.” Richards, who will celebrate the release of his new album, Mystery Spot, this week, has been likened to everyone from Marshall Crenshaw to the Who. See him at the Hard Rock Café (45 Monroe St., Detroit); call 313-964-7625 for more information.
Thursday-Monday • 1-5
Comerica TasteFest
FUN FOR ALL
So everybody knows that Detroit’s annual TasteFest brings together some of the finest big-name and local music acts, but did you know that the tunes are just one facet of this Detroit gem? So much more than an outdoor concert, this five-day event will include an amazing mélange of food and drink from more than 40 local restaurants as well as other enticing to-dos such as the Lawry’s Live! Cooking Caravan, an interactive cooking show that offers great grilling ideas; Barnyard Express, a petting zoo for the little ones; and an extreme in-line, skateboard and BMX show from the folks at Modern Skate & Surf. In the New Center Area of Detroit (Grand Blvd. at Woodward); visit www.tastefest.com for more information on this family event.
Friday • 2
Starving Artists Crew
MUSIC
White boy rappers the Starving Artists Crew will be in Ann Arbor this weekend, dishing up an all-night offering of their own brand of throwback emcee work. Their latest album, Up Pops the Sac, on Fat Beats records, homes in on hip hop’s most basic nuances: the effed-up interludes, the phat breaks and the party people’s call to arms. Heeeaaaay! At the Blind Pig (208 S. First St., Ann Arbor) with Thes One and DJ Phyzix. Call 734-996-8555.
Friday & Saturday • 2-3
J. R. Remick
COMEDY
As the creator of the side-splitting character, the King Pin of Rock ’n’ Bowl (Elvis Presley, the bowler), comedian J.R. Remick has made a name for himself on the local stand-up circuit. Remick, whose funny repertoire of impressions and character voices has kept him gigging for the last 15 years, has had roles in movies such as the Billy Crystal-directed 61*. Support local talent while having a laugh at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase (314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor); call 734-996-9080 for ticket information.
Saturday • 3
They Might Be Giants
MUSIC
What better proof of coolness is there than a Rhino Records release of one’s catalog of music? Nerd rockers John Linnell and John Flansburgh, also known as They Might Be Giants, know all about the virtues of such an honor, as they released Dial-A-Song, a 20-year retrospective on Rhino, back in 2002. Often referred to as some of the brainiest rock ’n’ rollers of all time, this much-ballyhooed duo has carved out their own niche in popular music with clever songcraft and a refreshing dedication to supplying hungry ears with something unique. See them at the Power Center (121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor); call 734-764-2538 for tickets.
Ongoing
Saarinen House and Garden Tour
COMMUNITY
Everybody needs a summer stroll now and then. Maybe the neighborhood has gotten a little boring, or maybe city-living has caged you in with its concrete tundra; either way, a tour through the beautiful Saarinen House and its gardens is a lovely way to spend a summer day. The house, built in 1930 is a beautiful example of the chic Art Deco style that defined the era while the luscious gardens are an olfactory delight! Walk-in tours on Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tours begin at the Cranbrook Museum of Art (39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills); call 248-645-3361 for more information.
