Wednesday • 24
Speedball
MUSIC
You’d be hard-pressed to find a band more associated with muscle car envy and cocksure stage presence than Speedball. But it’s the Motörhead-frenzied sounds and thundering rhythm section that made albums like Do Unto Other Then Split and Drive Like Hell an indelible part of the Detroit rock ’n’ roll sound track in the 1990s. This Thanksgiving Eve — the most spirited bar night of the year — fans of the heady rockers are in for a treat: All four original members of the popular band will reunite at Small’s (10339 Conant, Hamtramck) with Back in Spades and the Lot Six; 313-873-1117.
Wednesday • 24
The Space Heaters
MUSIC
And more for the rock files: The group’s new, but the musicians are seasoned. Sired by the early days of D-town punk, the Space Heaters are Mike Murphy and Dean Bonarek, formerly of the Denizens; Bob Mulrooney and Dave Hannah of the Ramrods; and Pat Shaw, formerly of the Murder City Wrecks. This is only show No. 2 for the old-schoolers, but experts down in Garage Rocksville tells us that their originals whiff of NYC and Detroit punk, while their covers of Curtis Mayfield’s controversial “If There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Gonna Go” and Them’s “Sad Eyes,” are righteous as hell. At the Painted Lady (2930 Jacob St., Hamtramck; 313-874-2991) with the Fondas.
thursday • 25
Thanksgiving Parade Event
FUN FOR ALL
If you are one of those couch potatoes who refuses to attend the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit because of a testy Mother Nature and next-to-impossible parking, you might be surprised to find out that Parade Day doesn’t necessarily have to be a logistical nightmare. The Majestic Café in midtown, for example is a great place to sit back and watch the floats, clowns and marching bands: For $25, guests can buy a VIP pass which will snag them a full breakfast buffet and prime seat with a view of the parade through the café’s front windows. General admission is $16 adults, $8 children — the Majestic’s bowling lanes and pool tables will be open as well. At 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700. Do we see a new family tradition in the making?
Friday-Sunday • 26-28
Wild Lights at the
Detroit Zoo
FUN FOR ALL
Everybody likes the zoo on a warm summer day, but have you tried a stroll through the Detroit Zoo on a brisk winter night, with nothing but the warm light of an illuminated pathway to guide your way? You should. The Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo event will include a variety of fun activities for all ages. Local choirs and bands will perform sounds of the season from the comfort of a warming tent, and the all-new Wild Adventure Simulator ride, Santa’s Late, should be a big hit with the kiddies. At the Detroit Zoo, 8450 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-398-0900.
Saturday • 27
Underground Cult
Movie Nite
FILM
The folks over at Times Stereo are so far ahead of the curve. When it comes to music, visual and performance art, they have basically carved out their very own niche in this town. Their “nearly annual” Underground Cult Movie installation has been a favorite among Motown subterraneans for the past few years and has even traveled to the Galerie de l’ESBAM in Marseille, France. This year’s film series will include celluloid oddities from artists such as Jamie Easter from the punk band Piranhas, Warn Defever (His Name Is Alive), Sarah Burger (Girlee Detroit Collective) and others. The shorts range from clay animation to live-action drama, shadow puppets to found footage. At the new 555 Gallery, 4884 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-894-4202.
Saturday • 27
Demented Are Go
MUSIC
Rockabilly, gothabilly, psychobilly — gore-abilly? No, the former Clinton administration veep hasn’t donned a pomp and picked up an upright; gore-abilly is perhaps the best way to describe the legendary Demented Are Go, a straight-for-the-throat, hard-driving psychobilly band from Britain which plays all its live shows in bloody gore makeup — sorta like the Stray Cats after a horrific car accident. Add to that a delightfully twisted repertoire that includes ditties like “Love Seeps Like a Festering Sore” and “Grandma Under the Stairs” and you’ve got yourself a damn good time. At the Labyrinth, 1701 Cass Ave, Detroit; 313-962-2300.
Saturday • 27
A House Is Not a Home Without a Pet
COMMUNITY
Mike Jacopelli, founder of Hawkeye & Friends, a nonprofit animal rescue, is on a mission. His organization, unlike many other animal rescues, adheres to a no-kill policy, which means they do not turn away or euthanize older, sick or injured animals. Because Hawkeye & Friends provides the medical care the animals need and takes in any animal that cannot be placed in a loving home, they could use a little help disseminating the gospel on animal adoption. This weekend, Hawkeye & Friends will host a dog adoption event called A House is Not A Home Without a Pet at Camp Bow Wow, 1300 Souter, Troy; 248-583-9247. Noon-3 p.m. Get on over there and get yourself a new best friend.
Sunday • 28
MOTOR CITY BLUES
CHALLENGE
MUSIC
Blues musicians from across the globe have come to compete in the Motor City Blues Challenge. And while more than 50 bands battled in the preliminary challenges, only nine competitors are left. One of the finalists, Billy Davis, who was the lead guitarist for Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, was also one of the first guitar teacher of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. At Tenny Street Roadhouse, 22361 West Village Drive, Dearborn; 313-278-3677.
Monday • 29
Detroit Capuchin Soup Kitchen 75th Anniversary Open House
COMMUNITY
The Capuchins’ Rev. Ric Samyn said, “Poverty isn’t just about lack of money or lack of food. It is detachment from the natural world from which all life and wealth flows.” For 75 years, the Detroit Capuchin Soup Kitchen has been bridging the gaps of disillusionment by providing food, clothing, household necessities and emotional support to thousands of people in need. In celebration of the auspicious anniversary, The Soup Kitchen welcomes the public to an open house celebration where interested attendees can learn about the many services this organization offers to those who are down on their luck. From 1- 4 p.m. at the Solanus Center, 1780 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit; 313-579-2100, ext. 185.
Ongoing
Call for Entries: Create Hamtramck 2005
COMMUNITY/ART
Per the request of Mayor Jankowski, the Hamtramck Beautification Commission is back in action. There’s one small problem though: Because of the political tumult and red tape madness that blights the fragile city these days, they have no budget with which to work. Enter Create Hamtramck 2005, an art exhibition fund-raiser scheduled for February 2005. Artists of all media are encouraged to submit their works for display and sale at this homegrown community art sale. Submission guidelines can be found at www.createhamtramck.org or by calling 313-871-6838. Entries must be received by January 14, 2005.
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