26 WED–31 SUN • ART Rock photos by Charlie Auringer — David Bowie pre-Ziggy Stardust, Keith Richards with a smooth face, Alice Cooper on a funky bed before stardom knocked him upside the head — Metro Times design director Charlie Auringer was there. As photographer for legendary Creem Magazine from 1969 to 1975, his infallible eye saw the historic shows and private moments of Dee-troit rock history. "Rock Photos," a selection of the results, is on display in Royal Oak's Café 317 (317 S. Washington; call 248-548-0080) where you can down a beautiful omelet while checking out Dylan, Jagger, Seger, Cocker, et al. Hours 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, plus 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday.
27 THU • MUSIC Robert Randolph & the Family Band — Robert Randolph claims a steel guitar saved his soul. His deep gospel roots and outstanding touch have made him one of the instrument’s contemporary masters, as he blends traditional spirituals with blues standards. Backed by the Family Band (which includes his cousins, Marcus Randolph and Danyel (cq) Morgan as a rhythm section and John Ginty on Hammond B-3) the show will be a revelation for gospel and blues devotees alike. It all happens at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; call 248-544-3030 for details.
27 THU • MUSIC Jeremy Kittel — Farmington Hills’ Stars in the Park series brings National Scottish Fiddle Champion Jeremy Kittel to Heritage Park (Farmington Road, just south of 11 Mile Road; call 248-473-1857). Expect an evening of traditional Scottish music, jazz and pop classics under the stars.
28 FRI • MUSIC Mystery Girl & Clone Defects — The Defects don’t try to inspire great bouts of intellectual musings or self-reflection. Instead, the band aims to kick your ass with Pabst Blue Ribbon-driven, power-chord bursts of rock ’n’ roll. With a sound and style rooted in all the glory of Detroit Punk City the Defects hit like Ralph "Sonny" Barger’s Harley on an all-night run. Front man Timmy Vulgar puts on a show that any bystander won’t soon forget. Destroy your intellect by getting hip to the Clone Defects Saturday at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; call 313-961-4688 for information.
29 SAT • MUSIC James Carter — A performer of disarming appeal, Detroit-born James Carter can own the room with any member of the saxophone family. Whether he is reading a slap-tongued riot act on the tenor, breezing through gypsy-flavored lines on the soprano or parading through New Orleans street jazz, Carter is every bit as charismatic as he is masterful. He will perform two shows (8 and 10 p.m.) at the Gem Theatre (333 Madison Ave., Detroit; call 313-963-9800) as part of the Jazz at the Gem series.
30 SUN • BARFLY Dollar Drinks at the WAB — There is something almost sublimely suburban about a Sunday night at the Woodward Avenue Brewery (22646 Woodward, Ferndale; call 248-546-3696). The fashionable crowd listens to college faves on the jukebox while engaging in some lively post-college chatter, all while sucking down the Georgies. Ah, summertime.
