26-1 WED-SAT • ART A Day in the Life of Africa — A nattily attired banker working at a computer terminal. Female soldiers chatting, AK-47s slung over their shoulders. A group of villagers laughing and shouting as they haul in nets heavy with fish. These are the glimpses of life in Africa that are often overshadowed by the more jaundiced, disturbing and bankable images of war and disaster that crowd the international media. The new photo-documentary project, A Day in the Life of Africa, shows the breadth and depth of African diversity while celebrating Black History Month. It runs through March 1. At the Detroit Public Library (5201 Woodward, Detroit). Call 313-833-1722 for more info.
28 FRI • MUSIC Sky Covington — Performance artist Sky Covington is back from jazz boot camp in New Orleans, where she perfected her skills as a poet and chanteuse and made it out in one piece. She’ll ply her craft in a Black History Month homecoming tribute to Billie Holiday. A four-piece jazz band will accompany Covington as she sings a dozen or so Holiday favorites and performs skits between numbers. Special guests include flutist Venus Lord, enchanting hostess Barujah and Robert Jones on piano. A $12 cover includes a wine-and-cheese reception before the show. Reception is at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9:30 p.m., followed by an open mic. At the Trumbleplex (4210 Trumbull Ave., Detroit). Call 313-832-7952 for further information.
1 MON • MUSIC Bones Maki & the Sun Dodgers — As part of the SOS Community Services of Ypsilanti Benefit, WSDS-AM’s favorite wax-spinning honky-tonker is back. With a voice that bears a vexing resemblance to country music’s long-lost daddy, Hank Williams, and a stage personality that brightens any room, Bones Maki & the Sun Dodgers put the "old" back in old-timey and the spark back into the two-step. At the Ypsilanti Moose Lodge #782 (5500 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti). Call WSDS-AM at 734-983-9737 for further details. With special guests the Gin Palace Jesters.
1 SAT • MUSIC Leon Russell — Still rockin’ four decades later, Leon Russell doesn’t know the meaning of the word "retirement." Having played on or written some of rock ’n’ roll’s most popular songs, Russell has backed up the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan and George Harrison while creating a solo career that has garnered him a spot among pop music’s most cherished. Remember the Carpenters’ "Superstar" or Ray Charles’ "A Song for You"? This often-underrated songwriter, who pens the ditties that fans forever love, still dishes out the goods. At the Magic Bag (22920 Woodward, Ferndale). Call 248-544-3030 for further lowdown.
3 MON • THEATER Lysistrata — As part of a united antiwar movement, dozens of Detroit theatre artists have come together to speak out for peace. Detroit-area actors will participate in the international Lysistrata Project, in which thespians around the world will raise their voices against the war in Iraq by staging readings from the ancient Greek antiwar play, Lysistrata, on the same day. At the Bonstelle Theatre (3424 Woodward Ave, Detroit). Call 313-577-2960 for further information. Anyone interested in making monetary donations or in volunteering as an usher or parking attendant can contact Amy Lynch at 313-577-7899.
