8 THU–10 SAT • MUSIC Summersmash — You can analyze happy-go-miserable trends in the innocuous world of indie rock until you’re blue in the Converse, but the fact is things ain’t what they used to be. The good ol’ days (as in mid-’90s) of all-ages basement shows and mix tape love affairs have fallen victim to corporate America. Detroit indie cred might as well have been pronounced DOA when Zoots and the Gold Dollar closed, and Clear Channel started gobbling up shows like Boss Hog at a pork chop convention. But … even though things are bleak at best, the committee of fashionably geekey post-teens of Summersmash have made a valiant effort of rekindling the glory days of indie ethics that will be in sharp contrast to the two sell-out … er, I mean sold-out White Stripes/Srokes shows across town. The fourth annual fest of bespectacled rock will bounce between three venues — the Detroit Contemporary (Thursday), C-Pop Gallery (Friday and Saturday) and the Magic Stick (Saturday) — and host such notables as Pas/Cal, The Detatchment Kit, Judah Johnson, the Icicles, The Love Scene, The Rants and Saturday Looks Good To Me. For complete information look to www.detroitsummersmash.com.
9 FRI • FASHION Fash Bash — As Detroit’s première fashion event and a fund-raiser for the DIA, the Fash Bash has become a major event for Detroit’s stylish upper crust. This year’s theme, Rock the Runway, was produced by Karin Bacon Events (the sister of Kevin) and inspired by the flamboyant trends through rock history. The show plans to integrate fashion with live music and dance in an evening of star-studded fashion for a good cause. Tickets start at $35 and can be ordered though the Fash Bash Hotline at 313-833-6954 or the ever-charitable TicketMaster at 248-645-6666.
9 FRI–11 SUN • FUN FOR ALL Caribbean International Festival — Celebrating the 10th year of these celebrations in Detroit, immigrants from the Caribbean, children of immigrants, children of children of immigrants (etc.), and all manner of tropical wannabes get to revel in the culture of those isles to the south. With steel bands, reggae, calypso, soca, fire-eating, folk dancing, DJs and traditional dishes, there’s a little of everything for three days on Hart Plaza. Highlights include the opening with Miss Jamaica (Friday at 7:45 p.m.), the soca band Traffic from Trinidad (Friday at 10:30 p.m.), singer Rayvon from Barbados (Saturday at 9:45 p.m.) and reggae stars Third World from Jamaican (Sunday at 9:30 p.m.) That’s not to mention the annual carnival parade that leaves Mack and Woodward at 11 a.m. Saturday for the plaza.
10 SAT • FUN FOR ALL Roots of Detroit Festival — A celebration of Detroit arts and culture, the Roots of Detroit Festival will take place in the heart of the city, on E. Milwaukee between Beaubien and Hastings streets, east of Woodward Avenue. The long list of top-drawer performers runs the gamut of sonic styles, including the elusive folk rock from Immigrant Suns Orchestra, fusion-based Jazzhead and groove-heavy DJ Genesis. Activities for the whole family start at 11 a.m. and run throughout the day until 11 p.m. Bogue’s vigorous set at midday (Detroit Art Space Stage, 5 p.m.) promises to be the centerpiece to any rock aficionado’s weekend.
