13 WED • ART "Human Wreck: A Solo Exhibition by Bask" — What’s so exciting about contemporary art is the sense it gives us of that approaching cloud just beyond the horizon, its massive, color-saturated darkness that, before we know it, will be overhead and thrilling us with strange breezes. The show currently at Primary Space Gallery (2750 Yemans, Hamtramck — 313-870-9470), featuring the works of Czech-American artist Bask, fulfills this visionary promise of art. In pieces that combine collage techniques and surreal juxtapositions, while recalling the seductive strokes of advertising and the reductive shocks of propaganda, Bask is the artist as weatherman telling us which way the wind (or the mind) will blow. Through Sept. 27.
16 SAT • FUN FOR ALL Preservation Wayne's Historic Movie Palaces Tour — While many of Detroit’s landmark buildings have fallen into decline, the city has an excellent track record of preserving and restoring its historic theaters. Learn the history of these elegant living mementos at the Annual Historic Movie Palaces Tour. Conducted by Preservation Wayne, metro Detroit’s oldest and largest nonprofit preservation group, the tour will give you the insider’s view of six architectural wonders: the State, Michigan (now a parking garage), Opera House, Music Hall, Gem/Century and Fox theatres. The tour, now in its 15th year, usually sells out, so paid reservations ($30) are highly recommended. Call
313-577-7674 or visit
preservationwayne.org for more info.
15-16 FRI-SAT • MUSIC Sunna Gunnlaugs — Bill Evans’ introspection is an obvious influence in Sunna Gunnlaug’s playing, but so are the expressionistic sides of players like Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock. A thirtysomething Icelandic musician who’s been based in the States since her college days, Gunnlaugs makes her Detroit debut with drummer Scott McLemore and bassist Matt Pavolka, who push her group so swingingly on her recent Live in Europe on the Sunny Sky label. From the Washington Post to the Village Voice, she’s enjoyed a praise fest from the East Coast press.
At the Harlequin Café, 8047 Agnes, Detroit, 313-331-0922.
17 SUN • MUSIC Hank Williams Jr. — Old-timers love his dad, and young punks love his kid — one may wonder, is there enough love for the middle man? Yep. Best known for his beer-heady, countrified songs about shady family traditions and large living, Hank Williams Jr. is a staple of any country-western lover’s diet. See him at Freedom Hill Amphitheater (14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights). Call 586-268-5100 for further details.
18 MON • MUSIC Hanson — In the pop music culture of here today, rehab tomorrow, it is a near-miracle that the kids of Hanson made it through. Say what you will, but for three youngsters who write their own tunes and scored a catchy Jackson Five-esque No. 1 hit "MMMbop," all before graduating high school, props are in order. They are back — a little more facial hair, and a little less bubblegum. Go see them at the Mill Street Entry of Clutch Cargo’s (65 E. Huron, Pontiac). Call 248-333-2362 for more info.
18&25 MON • MUSIC Heineken Jazz Fest Star Quest —The repertoire is about as far from "American Idol" as you can get, but the idea is the same: discover new talent. Emerging jazz groups are swinging their hearts out for WDET-FM DJ Ed Love and musicians Ernie Rodgers and Marion Hayden for $500 and a spot on this year’s Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival. Got a group? Call 313-962-4263 to sign up. Just want to listen in? Check out the quest at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Music Menu Café, 511 Monroe St., in Greektown (313-964-MENU); or hear the finale Monday, Aug. 25, at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois at Eight Mile, Detroit (313-345-6300).
