Wednesday • 6 & 13
The Beatles and Their Impact on Popular Culture
ISSUES & LEARNING
In 1975, John Lennon was quoted as saying, “‘Shame, Shame, Shame’ or ‘Rock Your Baby’ — I’d give my eyetooth to have written that. But I never could, I’m too intellectual, even though I’m not really an intellectual.” Funny, isn’t it, how the father of some of the most important pop music never fully understood the impact he and the three other mop tops had on the world? Local professor-writer-poet M.L. Liebler thinks that Lennon’s mark on history is indelible. In his free class, “The Beatles and Their Impact on Popular Culture,” Liebler takes an informal look at all aspects of the Beatles (songs, films, books, etc.), and contextualizes their importance within pop culture. The lectures will include essays and writings by the Fab Four and seldom-seen video footage. 7 p.m. at the Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill, Birmingham; 248-647-1700.
Friday • 8
Small Packages
THEATER
The firmly established Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck has become one of the last vestiges of professional theater in the metro Detroit area. Due in no small part to its commitment to original works and do-it-yourself flair, this tiny venue always sticks out as “the little theater that could.” Presenting its 17th original comedy, Small Packages, this week, Planet Ant tells the lighthearted tale of two sisters who live life as it really is — not always pretty, but often pretty funny. Directed by Dave Davies, Fridays-Sundays until July 31, at 2357 Caniff Ave., Hamtramck; 313-365-4948.
Friday • 8
The Troubadours
MUSIC
If you were a fan of hardcore punk band the Feisty Cadavers, you might already know about the band’s unusual side project. Enter the Troubadours, a fabulous classical guitar, bass and percussion ensemble that plays a variety of traditional and contemporary world music; it’s tough guys gone romantic. The Cadavers perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by Los Gatos (Latin jazz) at Campus Martius, Woodward Avenue at Monroe Street. Check campusmartiuspark.org for the full schedule of lunchtime and evening performances.
Friday-Saturday • 8-9
Pumpstock
MUSIC
Sean Harrington, infamous party boy and owner of the Town Pump bar in Foxtown, has personified good times-meets-savvy business for years now. Continuing his commitment to the “Ain’t no party like a Deee-troit party” ethos, Harrington brings another one of his signature outdoor rock festivals — Pumpstock — to the D. On Friday, July 8, the Cyril Lords, the Sirens, Broadzilla and Grinder will perform, and on Saturday, July 9, The Elevations, Fortune & Maltese, the Muggs and Spirit of ’76 take the stage. 100 W. Montcalm, Detroit; 313-961-1929.
Saturday • 9
Punk: Attitude
TRANSMISSIONS
Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Don Letts teams up with some of punk rock’s legends for the Independent Film Channel’s Punk: Attitude, a doc about the rise of the punk scene. Through interviews with Henry Rollins, Tommy Ramone, Jim Jarmusch, Legs McNeil (author of Please Kill Me), Thurston Moore, Chrissie Hynde, David Johansen, Jello Biafra and others, Punk: Attitude looks at how the movement incited young people to push the boundaries of fashion, graphics and design, and empowered them to express their individuality in new and energetic ways. Premieres at 10 p.m., Saturday, July 9, on the Independent Film Channel (IFC), with reruns at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14, and 10 p.m., Sunday, July 24.
Saturday • 9
National Conference of Artists Art Party
ART
The National Conference of Artists Michigan Chapter — an organization of African-American visual artists, art educators, art historians, museum personnel, students, collectors and supporters of the arts — hosts its 14th Annual Art Party Gala this week. The event features a live auction and exhibit of visual art by local, national and international artists, and proceeds will help to fund the arts in Michigan. At 6-9 p.m., G.R. N’Namdi Gallery, 66 E. Forest, Detroit; 313-831-8700, grnnamdigallery.com. Donation required.
Saturday • 9
Blues Brothers
FILM
We’re inundated with subpar attempts at slapstick these days, almost always disappointed by the disastrousness of the modern comedy — will someone please admit that Sandra Bullock is mind-numbingly unfunny? That’s why a good dose of classic Aykroyd-Belushi is always in style. As part of its Midnight Movie Series, the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor presents The Blues Brothers, one of the first — and one of the best — flicks to come out of the SNL franchise. 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-668-8480.
Tuesday • 12
MLB All-Star Game
SPORTS
Even for those who aren’t baseball fans, the 2005 MLB All-Star Game is a big deal. Shy of an Olympics commission, it’s unlikely that this many talented athletes will congregate in Detroit (at the same time), ever again. And with great athletes come out-of-towners. When else do we get to show off our up-and-coming downtown area and fancy new stadium? See Pudge, Jeter and all your other favorites at Comerica Park, 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-2255. If you didn’t snag a ticket, catch the game at 8 p.m. on Fox 2 — WJBK-TV.
Wednesday • 13
Shooter Jennings
MUSIC
“I thought everybody’s family was like mine,” says Shooter Jennings, son of country stars Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. “We’d check in and out of hotels and travel all night. Songwriting, shows, stage setups, the band, the bus — all that stuff was normal and I loved it.” Turns out Shooter’s pedigree did more than secure him a spot in the niche group of honky-tonk progeny (such as Bobby Bare Jr. and Hank III); it’s helped perk up the ears of rock ’n’ roll lovers. At the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3030. (Editor’s note: A hundred bucks says if he’s in town, Kid Rock will be there.)
Wednesday-Friday • 13-16
Drawing for Teens
ART/ISSUES & LEARNING
Many teens spend a good portion of the school year counting down the days until summer break. But it doesn’t take long for the “School’s Out” hangover to kick in once they realize they’re bored as hell. Kids looking for an interesting way to spend their precious summer hours might enjoy the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Drawing for Teens classes, Wednesday nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m., July 13-Aug. 31. 117 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-994-8004, ext. 101.
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