N&D Center

Wednesday-Sunday • 26-30

Oliver!

THEATER

Oliver! — the musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist — has been thrilling audiences for years. This tale of a young orphan and his harrowing adventures on the mean streets of 19th century London features such memorable characters as the Artful Dodger, Fagin and Nancy Sykes, and touts some of musical theater’s most famous songs. At the Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-983-6611. Who knew Dickens could be so much fun?

Thursday • 27

Tribute to Tony Fusco

MUSIC

If you knew Tony Fusco, original owner of one of the coolest record shops in metro Detroit — Fun House — you probably thought one of two things: “Why does that guy hate me so much?” or “Damn, am I glad that I am not one of those people that guy hates.” But the truth is, despite the crusty facade, Fusco was a great guy and a fiercely loyal friend. His death a few weeks ago sent shock waves through the Detroit music community, and many local music fans and recordphiles, yet again, laid one of the good ones to rest. Join the Gaza Strippers, 3-D Invisibles and Mitch Manns for a tribute to Fusco at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3030.

Friday-Saturday • 28-29

Ann Arbor Folk Festival

MUSIC

The Ark in Ann Arbor hosts countless folk and roots music acts every year. A favorite locale among performers and fans of Americana music, this week it will welcome to its stage the 28th Annual Folk Festival. This two-day event will star some of the country’s finest blues and folk acts as well as many local up-and-comers. Highlights include the Blind Boys of Alabama, Richard Thompson, Indigo Girls, Keb’ Mo’, and local pickers Steppin’ In It and fiddler Jeremy Kittel. At 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-763-8587.

Friday • 28

Drawing From Life: Steve Mumford in Iraq

ART

So inspired was New York artist Steve Mumford by Winslow Homer’s Civil War paintings, he made four trips to Iraq in 2003 and 2004 to chronicle military and civilian life in that war-torn country. Mumford traveled between Basra, Baghdad, Tikrit, Sammarra and other cities as an embedded journalist and produced hundreds of drawings and paintings that capture the day-to-day happenings of the U.S.-occupied nation. His exhibit, Drawing from Life, will open at the Cranbrook Art Museum, (39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 877-462-7262) on Friday Jan. 28, with an artist’s lecture beginning at 7 p.m. Runs through April 3.

Saturday • 29

Le Minotaure Lives: A Friends’ Tribute to Jacques Karamanoukian

ART

Outsider art, or Art Brut as it is also known, has a cult following throughout the world. But what many people do not know is one of the counter-genre’s innovators, Jacques Karamanoukian, was a Michigander for many years. The Zeitgeist Gallery has put together a tribute to Karamanoukian that features works from European artists including Gerard Sydney, Claudine Goux, Sanfourche, Jaber and others. At the Zeitgeist Gallery, 7 p.m.-midnight, 2661 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-965-9192.

Saturday • 29

Harlem Globetrotters

SPORTS/FUN FOR ALL

Comedy? Athleticism? Freakishly tall men in really short shorts? What’s not to love about the Harlem Globetrotters and their madcap ways? Make way for the goofy b-ball all-stars as they take on the New York Nationals this week at the Palace of Auburn Hills. (We don’t know about you, but our money’s on the Globetrotters.) At 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; for tickets call 248-645-6666.

Saturday • 29

The LimeLight

MUSIC/ART

Once a month, the family-friendly entertainment spot, PuppetART Theater in Detroit, transforms into a full-fledged nightclub. The event, called the LimeLight, opens the theater’s small stage to welcome the unsung talent of local artists and performers. This week, the LimeLight presents the music of Black Planet, an underground funk-rock-rap group and an installation from the artists group Secret Pizza Party. Featured artists will be Andrew DeGuilo and Joshua Dunn. At 25 E. Grand River, Detroit; 313-961-7777.

Saturday • 29

Chubby Checker

MUSIC

Chubby Checker has been beckoning the footloose to dance since the 1950s, and, this week, the plump music icon returns to the D to get us out of our seats again. Performing a showcase of many of his most popular hits, including “Limbo Rock,” “Loddy Lo,” “Dancin’ Party” and, of course, “The Twist,” Checker will help us twist again at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-943-2354.

Sunday • 30

Hip-Hop Conference

MUSIC/COMMUNITY

Are you a Michigan hip-hop artist or supporter? Tired of seeing the local hip-hop scene overlooked by the entertainment industry? Then check out the first locally based conference dedicated to uplifting the Detroit hip-hop community from a grassroots perspective. What makes this conference different from the highly touted Hip-Hop Summit put on by music mogul Russell Simmons and crew, you ask? This get-together will actually involve the viewpoints of b-boys and b-girls, writers and MCs from Michigan. This three-hour conference will provide an open forum to discuss everything from club nights to media to networking, and to offer solutions to the divisiveness of the local scene. At 4 p.m. at the Detroit Beer Co. (second floor), 1529 Broadway; 313-962-1529. Free admission.

Ongoing

New Tiles by Gretchen Kramp

ART

If you’ve been to the Detroit Zoo’s National Amphibian Conservation Center in the past few years, you’ll recognize the work of Gretchen Kramp right away. So popular were her works Kramp was commissioned to create yet another mural for the zoo. Her latest creation, a breathtaking 8-by-10-foot mural at the zoo’s Arctic Ring of Life exhibit, is made from more than 650 matte and iridescent ceramic tiles and depicts a starkly beautiful landscape. Tiles from the Artic mural will be for sale. At the Biddle Gallery, 2840 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-4779.