Wednesday • 18
Bob Marley Roots Rock Reggae Festival
MUSIC
Though the music world suffered an enormous loss with the untimely death of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley in 1981, his legacy continues through the hearts, minds and voices of his talented progeny. In honor of their famous father, reggae outfit the Marley Brothers (Ziggy, Stephen, Julian and Damian) are headlining a music tour that touts the cool sounds that their visionary father made world-famous. Irie Irie! See them at Meadow Brook Theatre (on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester) with Common, Toots and the Maytals, Slightly Stoopid and Looner. Call Ticketmaster at 248-645-6666 for ticket information.
Thursday • 19
Omar Tyree
LITERATURE
With a moniker like “The Urban Griot,” author Omar Tyree must have a knack for gritty storytelling. His latest novel, Cold Blooded, is “dedicated to the hustlers, the pimps, the players, the killers and all the women addicted to them.” This decidedly hip-hop novel offers the kind of pulp fiction that embodies the reality of modern-day urban life; it’s been described as fast-paced, edgy and streetwise. Meet the author for a book signing and reading at Borders Books & Music (5601 Mercury Drive, Dearborn) at 7 p.m. Call 313-271-4441 for more information.
Thursday • 19
Detroit City Council
MUSIC
At least one Detroit City Council has got its shit together. See, the all-star funk-rock outfit seems to have settled on a relatively stable lineup. And, just as undeniably as their city government analogs fuss and fight, Tom Potter and company make funk with rock ’n’ roll might. If you haven’t caught the Council live lately, you haven’t witnessed their searing retooled lineup in the heat of debate. Joining longtime Councilmembers Potter, guitarist Mike Walker and drummer Jason “The Nougat” Bonaquist is Soul Clique axeman Duminie DePorres, who adds his inimitable flavor of psychedelic funk licks to the mix. And running his mouth with maximum force and alarming skill is DePorres’ Clique cohort and Detroit rap and funk icon, the Blackman. Between Black and Potter’s verbal jousting, Walker and DePorres’ interlocked riffery and Nougat and the Count’s rock-bottom rhythm, there’s no excuse to not do your civic duty and shake your booty. At the Belmont (10215 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck) with the Blame. Call 313-871-1966 for more information.
Friday-Saturday • 20-21
Jackie Flynn
COMEDY
Twisted and sarcastic, Jackie Flynn is a funnyman on the rise. This ambitious stand-up has been the winner of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition (former winners include Ellen DeGeneres, Dana Carvey and Robin Williams) and has appeared in über-nasty (but side-splittingly hysterical) Farrelly Brothers movies such as Kingpin, There’s Something about Mary and Me, Myself and Irene. Sounds like fun to us. Bust a gut at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase (314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor); call 734-996-9080 for ticket information.
Saturday • 21
Benefit for the Center for Creative Exchange
ART
There are many worthy causes for generous do-gooders to donate their greenbacks to, but few are as worthy as the arts. And Phaedra Robinson, the Detroit-based visual artist, arts educator, curator and arts activist (Ed. note: Robinson is also an MT contributor) has founded a nonprofit arts organization to keep this important enterprise alive. Located in Detroit’s historic Woodbridge District, Robinson’s Center for Creative Exchange is “dedicated to enabling deeper mutual understanding and growth locally and globally through fine, literary and performing art programming, on-site horticulture and the sharing and recycling of resources in a home-like environment of creatively rehabilitated architecture.” A benefit/silent auction and afterglow at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery (located on the first floor of Hannan House, 4750 Woodward Ave., Detroit) will help to raise funds for the fledgling effort. Participating artists include Susan Goethel Campbell, Sandra Cardew, Clinton Snyder, Riva Sayegh and many more. Call 313-833-1300 for further details.
Saturday • 21
Seven Show
ART
Some say that seven is a lucky number. The River’s Edge Gallery, located in Wyandotte’s charming downtown district, has brought together — you got it — seven different artists from all across the globe for a collective art installation that boasts several media, including postcard format artwork from Katherine Johnson of Cape Town, South Africa, and digital landscape photography from Steve Panton of England. Let’s hope the luck holds out at the River’s Edge Gallery (3024 Biddle, Wyandotte); call 734-246-9880 for more information. There will be a meet-the-artist night on Friday, Sept. 17. Show runs until Sept. 30.
Saturday • 21
2nd Annual Eastpointe Cultural Heritage Festival
COMMUNITY
One of the best parts about living in southeast Michigan is the diversity of merrymaking that surrounds us. This weekend, in celebration of this medley of ethnic and cultural diversity, the 2nd Annual Eastpointe Cultural Heritage Festival has put together an impressive program of entertainment, including traditional Indian dancing and music from Sangeeta’s Music & Dance of India, the German folk stepping of the Donauschwaben Dancers, the traditional West African drumming of Kevin Collins & Kuunagna, traditional Irish and Scottish tunes from Alan Cayn, and some early American storytelling from orator Jebediah Smith. Festival-goers will also have a chance to try a variety of ethnic foods and participate in crafts and games from around the world. At East Detroit High School (15501 Couzens, Eastpointe); call 586-445-5080 for more information.
Saturday • 21
4th Annual Country Hoedown
FUN FOR ALL
So summer vacation is coming to an end and the kids are officially out of their gourds with boredom. Get them out of the house (and out of your hair) at the Fourth Annual Country Hoedown in Ann Arbor. Scheduled to take place on the beautiful grounds of the Monaghan Residence, Hoedown-ers can expect a kids’ Olympics, horse and rider demonstrations, a visit from a funny character called Sleepy the Clown and a variety of other goodies, including food, live music, a petting zoo and a four-story tree house for the young ones. The Monaghan Residence is located at 5140 Turtle Drive in Ann Arbor. Call 734-930-3587 for more information; festivities begin at noon.
Sunday • 22
Bad Wizard
MUSIC
There’s something about well-executed stoner rawk that never gets old. Not only does said genre embody the unfettered coolness of the 1970s rock ’n’ roll scene, it offers the kind of heady good times that only a true hedonist could love. New York City’s Bad Wizard is the perfect example of the kind of highfalutin music that only a true rock ’n’ roller could love. Think early Heart meets the MC5. Jam with them at the Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit) with special guest, the Witnesses. Call 313-961-4668 for more information.
