Wednesday • 15
Andriessen
MUSIC
Nonconformist Dutch composer Louis Andriessen comes to Ann Arbor this week for a night of unusual fun. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with a nine-minute work for carillon outside of Burton Memorial Tower (881 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor), and continues in the Power Center (121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor). The program will include Andriessen's well-known M is for Man, Music and Mozart, which will be performed live to Peter Greenaway's film-opera, The Death of a Composer: Rosa, A Horse Drama. As part of the show, Ghostly International DJs Aarnio and Twine will sample, loop and mix Andriessen's work with that of the composers who have influenced him over the years. Call 734-764-2538 for ticket information.
Thursday • 16
Bottle of Red and 3 guys named joe
THEATER
The yuk-yuk factor is in full gear this week at the Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. There are two new improv shows: Bottle of Red features queens of the Detroit improv scene, Nancy Hayden and Margaret Edwartowski (both Second City alums) while three guys named joe features X-and-Y chromosomed funny folks Dustin Gardner, Pat Loos and Topher Owen. Who's funnier, the women or the men? You decide at 2357 Caniff, Hamtramck; 313-365-4948. 11 p.m. every Thursday starting Feb. 16. Visit planetant.com for ticket information
Thursday • 16
Game-Making Workshop
ART/COMMUNITY
Game Show Detroit is an interactive exhibit scheduled to appear at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) in June of 2006. To get folks psyched for the summer installation, CAID welcomes Fred Goodman, a game designer and University of Michigan professor emeritus. Goodman will share his experience as a game-maker and will teach interested artists and designers the basic anatomy of games (from the educational to the playful to the purely aesthetically pleasing). Lecture and discussion, 6-9 p.m. at 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd.; 313-899-2243. Side note: CAID is accepting submissions for this show. Visit thecaid.org/artists/artists-opp.asp for more information. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.
Thursday • 16
Odetta
MUSIC
Millions no doubt caught their first glimpse of Odetta in her short, commanding clip in last year's Bob Dylan documentary No Direction Home. With her majestic voice, she was one of the icons of the New York folk scene that Dylan, Joan Baez and others joined. Odetta thinks of herself as conveying the history of the nation, not through battles, but "through the songs that I sing." And as a performing veteran of the 1963 March on Washington, to cite just one example, she's lived plenty of the history she sings. She performs for Black History Month in the Global Thursdays series at the Arab American National Museum, 8 p.m., 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-624-0200 or theaanm.org. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Friday • 17
The Meltdowns
MUSIC
From the boys who brought you the 3-D Invisibles, the Volcanos and the Hellbenders comes a new incarnation: the Meltdowns. This is the seasoned group's first performance, so Night & Day hasn't has a chance to check them out. Instead, we'll give you what frontman Rick Mills has to say about the band: "It's a schizophrenic '60s R&B rock-pop-psyche-garage-punk fusion that forges a brand-new rockin' machine. Wear your dancing shoes and screw your head on tight because the Meltdowns are determined to twist your hips and your wig." The Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668. With the Space Heaters and the Frustrations.
Friday • 17
Beauty, the Sublime and Intensity
ART
Though topics like beauty, the sublime and intensity all have separate links to the world of art, they overlap in some very interesting ways. The Gallery Project's latest exhibition, Beauty, the Sublime and Intensity intermixes the three categories for a multimedia offering that runs the gamut. For example, Betsy Brunner's wearable art garments are an interesting commentary on social pressures to be beautiful, while Bill Hafer's enormous-yet-simple paintings speak volumes about intensity. Other artists include local favorites like Clinton Snider, Matt Blake, Gloria Pritscher and Carly Witmer. Opening reception, 6-9 p.m. at the Gallery Project, 215 S. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-997-7012.
Sunday • 19
Alma Smith
MUSIC
Pianist, singer and educator Alma Smith gets feted at Baker's Keyboard Lounge by the Southeast Michigan Jazz Association for her contributions to the musical community. She played with such local up-and-comers as Wardell ("Twisted") Gray when she was a teen, back in the 1940s; played extended stints in California and Cleveland; and her 15 years at the old Rhinoceros was one of the great runs in the history of Detroit jazz. Smith performs with longtime collaborators, bassist Will Austin and drummer Bert Myrick, plus special guest saxophonist George Benson. Beyond Motown co-author Jim Gallert hosts 2-5 p.m., 20510 Livernois Ave., at Eight Mile, Detroit; 313-345-6300. (Smith and pianist Johnny Allen alternate Tuesdays at Sweet Lorraine's in Southfield; she's there next on Feb. 28.)
Ongoing
Reflections
ART
There's only so much chiffon, lamé, sequins and rhinestones one person can take, but the Reflections exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum takes gaudiness to a palatable place. In partnership with original member of the Supremes Mary Wilson, this fashion and memorabilia exhibit features more than 50 Supremes' costumes and accoutrements. The collection includes the first evening gown Wilson ever purchased and a black-velvet Bob Mackie gown (pictured) worn on the GIT on Broadway TV special in 1969. This exhibition was created by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. At the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1805. Ends Sunday. April 2.
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