15 THU • MUSIC Damo Suzuki — Any music elitist worth his weight in 7-inch vinyls will tell you that the band Can was one of the greatest semi-underground rock bands of all time. So you may want to know that former Can lead singer (and poet) Damo Suzuki is making his way to D-town. Accompanied by lo-fi deity Mick Collins and nothing-if-not-prolific world-beat jazzheads the Immigrant Suns, this evening of off-the-cuff experimentation and unrehearsed genius is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At the Detroit Art Space (101 Baltimore, Detroit). Call 313-664-0445 for more information. Oh, and don’t miss Matt Smith (Outrageous Cherry and THTX), Jim Diamond (the Dirtbombs) and Troy Gregory (the Witches) as a collaborative opening act.
16 FRI • COMEDY Kevin James — Star, writer and director of the popular sitcom King of Queens, Kevin James will be making a rare stand-up comedy appearance at the Detroit Opera House. He has his own brand of hilarious “fat guy” humor, with topics such as bizarre snack food, standing in line at the bank and a how-to lesson on getting more than your fair share of Parmesan cheese from a waiter. With his self-effacing and honest sense of humor, he’s as affable as his Gleason-esque television character, Doug Heffernan. At the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway, Detroit). Call 313-961-3500 for ticket information.
16-18 FRI-SUN • FUN FOR ALL 13th Annual Greektown Arts Festival — Greektown once again bids a belated farewell to Old Man Winter with a three-day outdoor celebration of art, music and food. The event, which offers juried art showcases (including paintings, drawings, glass, ceramics, jewelry and more) and music acts (this year’s will include Larry McCray, Thornetta Davis, Brett Lucas, Blair Urban Folk Collective, Mudpuppy and more) is a fun local tradition. Flanked by a popular casino and some of the finest eateries in town, the Greektown Arts Festival will bring out the desire to eat, drink and be merry in everyone. Check it out in historic Greektown (along Beaubien and Monroe in downtown Detroit). Call 313-963-3357 for more information.
17 SAT • MUSIC Faruq Z. Bey with the Northwoods Improvisers — How to describe Bey? Saxophonist, composer, poet, philosopher, polymath? His ’70s and ’80s sci-fi jazz band, Griot Galaxy, has been more talked about than heard since its breakup, but that may be changing with the release of Live at the D.I.A. 1983 on the local Entropy Stereo label. Meanwhile, Bey has an array of current projects, and his second live recording with the Northwoods is being released concurrently on Entropy Stereo. Bey and the Northwoods guys perform at the release party at Xhedos (240 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale). Call 248-399-3946 for further details.
19 MON • ISSUES & LEARNING Malcolm X Speaks for Himself — In the upcoming lecture-video presentation, “Malcolm X speaks for Himself,” Malcolm X says, “Formerly I spoke for Elijah Muhammad. … I am speaking now from what I think, from what I have seen, from what I have analyzed and the conclusions that I have reached.” Local scholar (and X expert) Paul Lee will present a lecture and a rare 45-minute television interview that was recorded June 8, 1964, shortly after the radical leader’s pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca and a tour of West Africa. In this interview, X speaks candidly about his split with the Nation of Islam and his “broadened” view of race. At the Awkaaba Community Center (8045 Second Ave., Detroit). Call 313-863-2665 for further information.
