Wednesday • 15
Devour the Snow
THEATER
Abe Polsky's rousing courtroom drama, Devour the Snow, is set in the spring of 1847. It recalls factual events from the tragic Donner party expedition, where a failed attempt to cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range resulted in some of the explorers resorting to cannibalism to survive. The action in the courtroom centers on Lewis Keseberg, a German emigrant survivor who sought damages for slanderous accusations made by other survivors. Runs Wednesday-Sunday, March 15-April 9 at Meadow Brook Theatre, campus of Oakland University, Rochester; 248-377-3300.
Wednesday • 15
Little Chefs Cooking Class
FUN FOR ALL
What better way to teach your child about the importance of eating well than to give him the skills to prepare his own food? This class will provide children ages 6-10 with tips on kitchen safety, nutrition information, tasty recipes and the joy of creating a meal. Classes are $38 per student and take place 4:30-6 p.m. every Wednesday, March 15-April 12. Register at the Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park; 248-691-7555, or online at ci.oak-park.mi.us.
Thursday-Friday • 16-17
In Character: Actors Acting
ART
World-renowned art and advertising photographer Howard Schatz premieres his new book In Character: Actors Acting in Detroit (well, Pontiac) this week. The New York-based artist's book is an unusual exploration into the emotive qualities of the face. The series of photographs uses famous actors: Before each shot, Schatz would devise a scenario and ask the actor to extend themselves into an imaginary situation. For example, Schatz said to actor Robert Loggia, "You are a veteran Chicago detective hearing an inconsistency in an overconfident suspect's alibi after a six-hour interrogation." The result? A wry smile. Forty-five of Schatz's photos will be on display, and he will be available for a meet-and-greet at the opening reception, 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the Museum for New Art (MONA), 7 N. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-338-4627. Side note: Schatz will also be giving a lecture at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 16 at the College for Creative Studies (CCS), 201 E. Kirby, Detroit; 313-664-7400.
Friday • 17
Wicked Wisdom
MUSIC
You might be surprised to discover that Jada Pinkett-Smith — the wife of the Fresh Prince himself — is in a metal band. They're called Wicked Wisdom, and — we can't lie — as far as nu-metal goes, this is pretty good stuff. If you're unimpressed with the A-List Hollywood frontwoman with a knack for writing searing lyrics, you'll be blown away by the drumming skills of Fishbone founding member, drummer Phillip Fisher. They've played Ozzfest and opened for Britney Spears — let's see how they like Harpo's. At 14238 Harper, Detroit; 313-824-1700.
Friday • 17
Bookie's Reunion
MUSIC
You know you are getting old when heady punk rock nights of yore are the stuff of nostalgic reminiscing — but that's just what's taking place this weekend — a reunion of the Motor City punk rock scene circa the late '70s and '80s. It's a Bookie's Reunion — a one-night party in honor of the now-defunct Detroit club that had the chutzpah to book the debut Motor City performances of such bands as the Police, the Damned, Ultravox, the Cramps and the Dead Boys. In celebration, a few of the local bands who performed regularly at the storied club will take the stage: Expect music from the Sillies and performances from members of Flirt and Cadillac Kidz. There will also be a photo exhibit of the old Bookie's days courtesy of Deanne. Paycheck's Lounge, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck; 313-874-0909.
Friday-Saturday • 17-18
The Will Rogers Follies
THEATER
It won a bunch of Tonys in the early 1990s, but the Will Rogers Follies is more than a star in the Broadway crown. This sensational show presents the life and career of Will Rogers (1879-1935) in a Ziegfeld-esque display of girls, glitter, song, dance and old-fashioned fun. In the production, Rogers narrates his life through a series of fabulous dance numbers and a fair share of fancy wranglin' and ropin' tricks. 8 p.m. Friday, March 17; and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp; 586-286-2141.
Sunday • 19
Great American Meatout
ISSUES & LEARNING
Even if you are proud meat-eater, why not take a day off and try eating like a herbivore? Celebrate the Great American Meatout, noon-5 p.m., at the Gerry Kulick Community Center in Ferndale with Veggies in Motion, an organization dedicated to the dissemination of vegetarianism. They will offer a variety of food samples, lectures, health screenings and cooking demos for anyone who's interested in cutting back on or eliminating meat from their diet. Admission is $10, students $5, children under 6 and Veggies in Motion members get in free, at 1201 Livernois St., Ferndale; 248-288-6052.
Ongoing
Science Shows You How
ART
Chris Dean's lenticular artwork takes optical trickery and retro coolness to extremes. The Royal Oak artist's approach uses 3-D movement, strong narrative and a sense of humor to make his large-scale works ideal talk pieces. His proclivity for bright colors and strong symbolism make the artist all the more apt for buzz. At CPOP Gallery, 4160 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9901. Ends April 21.
Send comments to [email protected]
