31 THU • THEATER Much Ado About Nothing — The Waterworks Theater Company has been rehearsing diligently for months, and the costumes have gone through their final nips and tucks … bring on the Shakespeare. This 1930s take on a slightly abridged version of the classic Much Ado About Nothing has put the sport back into the sordid. As part of a new Royal Oak tradition, the Shakespeare in the Park series, this is the perfect way to bring a little culture to your life. It runs through Aug. 10 at Starr Jaycee Park (on 13 Mile Road between Crooks and Main) in Royal Oak. Call 248-988-1359 for more information.
1 FRI • MUSIC The Sights — You can’t get much more down-home than the boys of the Sights. And having seen more member changes than the drummer’s spot in Spinal Tap, you’d think that they might be a little worse for the wear. But they’ve still got it — and if you dig their Humble Pie-cum-Zombies approach to slaying a song, this Friday night rock ’n’ roll show will be hard to beat. Oh … and did we mention it’s a paltry $5 to get in? With Thee Shams and soul brothers (and sister) the Elevations. At the Magic Stick (4120 Woodward, Detroit). Call 313-833-9700 for more information.
1-2 FRI-SAT • FILM Beach Blanket Bingo — Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello’s dopey-cool beach-bum ethos has been iconic for almost 40 years now. And what better way to celebrate the warm weather and sunshine than with a campy afternoon of ’60s beach-themed movies? Catch the double feature: Beach Blanket Bingo and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini at the historic Redford Theatre (17360 Lahser, Redford). Shows are Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Get there 30 minutes early for the organ overture. Call 313-383-0133 more information, daddy-o.
1-3 FRI-SUN • MUSIC The Shrine of the Black Madonna Jubilee — A few decades ago, it was hard to imagine a black church where the stained-glass or sculpted Christ sported an afro instead of Euro topping. That the shift seems now unremarkable is in part a testament to a pioneer, the Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr. (later Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman) and the church he founded, the Shrine of the Black Madonna. A force in Detroit and far beyond, the Shrine’s 50th anniversary activities reflect the breadth of its influence. A 6 p.m. Friday symposium (McGregor Auditorium, west of Cass and Ferry on the Wayne State University campus) features lecturers and poets (including the Rev. Charles Adams and poets Naomi Long Madgett and Haki R. Madhubuti); a 9 p.m. Friday poetry slam (at Akwaaba Center, 8045 Second Ave. off Seward) includes music by NIA and Black Bottom Collective. A noon Saturday street renaming ceremony at the church (7625 Linwood) touts poets Ras Baraka and jessica Care moore. There are also a Jubilee African Ball Saturday evening (Masonic Temple, 500 Temple), a Sunday picnic (Belle Isle Casino) and a Sunday evening worship service (at the church). Symposium, street renaming and worship service are free. For ticket prices, additional times and other information call 313-871-1098.
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2 SAT • FUN FOR ALL St. Andrew’s Society’s Highland Games — With the impressive 154th anniversary of its Highland Games (the longest-running Scottish festival of its kind in North America), the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit will offer more fun than a wee look up the kilt. This year’s events will feature Scottish history and pageantry and good old-fashioned Celtic-rousing. Activities include bagpipers, drum competitions, a parade of clans and the annual dance and athletic competitions. Ceilidh, the Glengarry Bhoys and many others entertain. At Greenmead Historic Village (Eight Mile and Newburgh, Livonia). Call 248-593-5064 or visit www.highlandgames.com for more information.
