Arts Stories & Interviews

19 things to do in Detroit this week (Feb 26-March 4)

By Travis R. Wright on Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 8:36 pm

[
      {
        "name": "Ad - NativeInline - Injected",
        "component": "29509126",
        "insertPoint": "3",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
      },{
        "name": "Real 1 Player (r2) - Inline",
        "component": "29509125",
        "insertPoint": "2/3",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "9"
      }
    ]

Slideshow

19 things to do in Detroit this week (Feb 26-March 4)

THURSDAY, 6Arab Film FestivalShowing movies from Palestine, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and more, this festival is a three-day-long exhibition of foreign films from the Middle East and North Africa. Thursday’s films will be hosted inside of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, and viewers should expect to see two great films. The Forgotten (2012), directed by Ehab Tarabieh, was filmed in Syria and Qatar and is about a refugee in Syria who uses the help of a young smuggler to return back to his childhood home in the Golan Heights in Israel. When I Saw You (2012), directed by Annemarie Jacir, was filmed between Palestine, Jordan, Greece, and UAE. It’s a story that takes place in 1960s Jordan and follows the lives of a young boy and his mother as they live as refugees from Palestine in a refugee camp. These movies will be shown in Arabic with English subtitles, and tickets are sold in “packages” of two films each. Tickets are $10.

Friday, 28 & Saturday, 1Brian CharetteLovers of the sensuous sound of a Hammond organ are in for a treat, as this weekend we’re getting a visit from Grammy-nominated jazz organist Brian Charette. Charette has worked with recording artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan and Lou Donaldson, writes for both Keyboard and DownBeat magazines, and has placed second in DownBeat’s critics poll for “Rising Star: Organ” two years in a row. But he comes to Detroit as a hard-touring bandleader, with his Brian Charette Organ Trio, featuring Jordan Young and Ralph Tope. Audiences can experience this New York jazz ensemble in two settings, with the Friday night gig taking place at the Bronx Bar at 10 p.m., and Saturday night’s show in the spectacular art deco space that is Cliff Bell’s at 9:30 p.m. $10.

SATURDAY, 1Here Come the MummiesNot to be confused with Californian garage punks the Mummies, Here Come the Mummies also takes the stage in full Egyptian mummy garb, though this outfit plays funky R&B. The band members’ true identities are a closely held secret, though it’s believed that there are Grammy winners within the band’s ranks. More importantly, they have really funny names. Mummy Cass and Eddie Mummy are particularly witty. 2011’s Bed, Bath & Behind album was a beauty, but last year’s Cryptic may have bettered it. Expect tunes from all over the 12-year history of the band at The Fillmore in Detroit. Tickets start at $20. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, 28Silents in the CityIn the age of big, chain movie theaters sporting the highest quality sound systems, and every Hollywood blockbuster boasting a soundtrack featuring over-produced chart-toppers, it’s hard to believe that in the not-so-distant-past there were silent films. At the very least, there would be a piano accompaniment and if you were lucky, a full, orchestral score or even vocalists singing offstage. Dialogue however, was totally absent, save for the intertitles that served as narrative. For the curious as well as the nostalgic film buff, Cinema Detroit has curated a comprehensive package of silent classics including The Immigrant by Charlie Chaplin, The Love Nest by Buster Keaton, three short films by George Méliès, and even a “Felix the Cat” cartoon as a palate-cleanser. It’s certainly not IMAX, but the Burton Theatre is allowing inquisitive patrons to experience significant, cinematic achievements. Tickets are $7.

FRIDAY, 28A Violent Embrace book launchIn the art world, too many times critics and scholars are preoccupied with decoding a work of art to find the original “truth” behind it — but what about the reaction that we, the viewer, have when experiencing a work of art? Certainly that’s worth analyzing, whether the artist intended that reaction or not. With her new book A Violent Embrace: Art and Aesthetics After Representation, WSU professor Renée C. Hoogland focuses on just that — proving that art-viewing is no mere passive experience but rather a “violent embrace.” Why does art make us cry? Offend us? Repulse us? The author will be on hand at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit to discuss her work, and the book will be available for purchase as well. The event will start at 6 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested.

SUNDAY, 2The Battle for Summer Slaughter • Allstars Tour The prizes for this Battle of the Bands are coveted slots on the Summer Slaughter tour, the Allstars tour, or both. Therefore, extreme metal and punk bands from all over the area will be gathering in an attempt to impress the judges by being nastier, heavier and crunchier than everyone else. The bill will include Gift Giver, Sycamour, Of Virtue, Boreworm, Athena’s Grace, Forsythe Falls, the Dunwich Horror, and Ethereality, plus many more. The Crofoot says, “With opening slots for the entirety of both the Summer Slaughter and All Stars tours at stake, two lucky bands will go from being just locals, to names we’ll hear for years to come.” See the bands battle this Sunday at the Crofoot. Doors open at 4 p.m. $10 cover charge.

Click to View 19 slides

Tags:

About The Author

Travis R. Wright

Email Travis R. Wright

Scroll to read more Arts Stories & Interviews articles

Newsletters

Join Detroit Metro Times Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.

Also in Arts & Culture

Detroit’s first gallery for disabled artists launches crowdfunding campaign for new studio

By Randiah Camille Green

PASC Artist DeRon Hudson working at the PASC Studio.

Free Will Astrology (June 7-13)

By Rob Brezsny

Michigan Theater to host summer Studio Ghibli film series

By Randiah Camille Green

We love No Face. He’s really not a bad guy in the end.

Wright Museum to host panel discussion for Detroit Hip Hop 50th anniversary weekend

By Randiah Camille Green

Wright Museum to host panel discussion for Detroit Hip Hop 50th anniversary weekend

Digital Issue

June 7, 2023

View more issues