18 WED • ART “Detroit Now” — As part of the collaborative “Detroit Now” show, Renata Palubinskas’ unusual brand of artwork is a standout. With a bizarre Mark Ryden-meets-Norman Rockwell contextualization, her works are both provoking and sweet. Dick Goody, director of Meadow Brook Art Gallery, says, “We think the work is interesting, challenging and beautiful and we hope art lovers and Detroit lovers will make the trip to all four galleries to see it and purchase it.” (Other participating shows are at detroit contemporary, Detroit Artists Market and Paint Creek Center for the Arts.) See the work at Oakland University (208 Wilson Hall, Rochester). Call 248-370-3005 for more information.
20 FRI • MUSIC SupaGroup — Fronted by guitar-slinging brothers Chris and Benji Lee, this hard-rocking foursome puts the headbang and the butane applause back into rock ’n’ roll. Think guitars raised to the sky in praise of rock gods … think hair … think r-a-w-k. Often compared to the likes of the Supersuckers and Nashville Pussy, the band is dirty, raw fun. At the Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit). Call 313-961-4668 for more information. With the Paybacks and the Star Spangles.
20 FRI • ART RECEPTION Michael Graston: “Mirror Image” — Looking back at 20 years of politics and world affairs, important moments in Canadian (and the world’s, for that matter) history have been frozen by illustrator Michael Graston. Both witty and confessional, this native Canadian’s cartoons have made many folks chuckle through the world’s absurdities; his contributions to the Windsor Star have been deemed invaluable. Graston’s been featured on several Canadian television stations as well as ABC’s “Nightline” — this political cartoonist’s works are much more than a sidebar on a current events page. At the Art Gallery of Windsor (401 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor). Call 519-977-0013 for further details.
20-21 FRI-SAT • COMEDY Comedy Works — Need a laugh? Don’t miss the last few weeks of the Gem Theatre’s very own comedy troupe, the Guild. In line with the popular TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” the Guild uses hilarious situations and off-the-cuff humor to get the crowd rolling. Guided by audience suggestions and role-playing, this two-act performance uses original sketches and impromptu buffoonery to keep you in stitches. At the Gem Theatre (333 Madison Ave., Detroit). Call 313-963-9800 for more information.
21 SAT • MUSIC Nice Device — Let’s give the chick some, folks. Lead singer and rhythm guitar player, Alicia Gbur is not only a hottie, she ain’t afraid to belt out a song. High-toned feminine and sweet, she sings hooky rock songs that are complemented by the mastery of bassist, Zach Shipps (Atomic Numbers, Brendan Benson and the Wellfed Boys). Right off the heels of their latest release, Gotta Get It, Nice Device has really started to complete their sound. Reminiscent of ’80s rock (Pat Benatar and Scandal), this foursome is too clean to be penned into the garage, but are guttural nonetheless. Check ’em out at Small’s (10339 Conant, Hamtramck). Call 313-873-1117 for more information. With the Gore Gore Girls, the Riots and the Avatars (ex-Rael Rean).
25 WED • MUSIC Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Paul Keller Orchestra — Swing, schwing, schming, Bridgewater heats tunes to a sizzle on the grill of her musicality. Case in point: On her last recording, she made Kurt Weill’s “Alabama Song” — gloomy verses and all — into a high-stepping romp. (“Show us the way to the next little boy” indeed. This is one to make the little boys run to her!) Memphis born, and raised in Flint, Bridgewater wowed the New York jazz scene and Broadway, moved to Paris, and re-established herself with American audiences with a string of great recordings over the last decade or so. And speaking of sizzle, the backing of Keller’s big band ought to be a perfect fit. At the Power Center, East Huron and Fletcher, Ann Arbor. Call 734-764-2538 or go to www.tickets.com.
