Thursday & Saturday • 3 & 5
Computer Recycling Days
COMMUNITY
Technology giveth and technology taketh away: Though home computers have helped to make the world better, the refuse created by their unwanted parts has become a serious problem. No shit. In fact, many used computers find their way to landfills, but what many people don't know is that these seemingly harmless contraptions contain such hazardous materials as lead, mercury, cadmium (a known carcinogen) and hexavalent chromium (shown to cause high blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease and nerve and brain damage in animals). Help avoid the further poisoning of the earth by recycling your old computer at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, 3111 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-964-3900.
Thursday-Sunday • 3-6
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
THEATER
Those who were there say that Billie Holiday's last days on earth were sorrowful at best. The haunting jazz singer — whose tragic childhood, storied addiction battles and transcendent vocals made her one of the most cherished yet misunderstood artists of all time — is honored this week in Ontario. Considered to be some of the best work of Canadian actress, singer and playwright Leslie McCurdy, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill tells the singer's life story through song and monologue. Directed by Mark Lefebvre, it also features pianist Chris Borshuk, who plays Holiday's personal accompanist Jimmy Powers. At Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich St., Windsor; 519-255-7600.
Friday • 4
Our Rivers, Our Lakes
ART
The Grosse Pointe Artists Association premieres the fourth annual Our Rivers, Our Lakes exhibition this week. The juried event features works inspired by settings along the lakes and rivers of Michigan and Ontario, as well as information and videos from the Nature Conservancy, Lake Michigan Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Belle Isle Marsh and various other nature organizations. At the Grosse Pointe Art Center, 1005 Maryland St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-821-1848. Opening reception is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Runs until Sept. 2.
Friday • 4
Motor
MUSIC
Few electronic groups of late have pushed the pedal as hard and fast as Motor, a duo made up of Bryan Black and Olivier Grasset. Since 2003, the London-based pair has released original material, done blue-chip remixes — including tracks by Depeche Mode, Throbbing Gristle, Marilyn Manson and T. Raumschmiere — and launched such side projects as XLover, Drugbeat and the Sick. Their newly released full-length, Klunk, is being hailed as a high-speed industrial techno vs. acid electro-house masterpiece. Some of the world's darkest and loudest club spaces have been playing the single, "Black Powder," for months. (An aside to Prince fans: When back home in Minneapolis, Bryan Black did sound design for the tiny dancer at Paisley Park studios.) Motor roars into the Motor City this Friday. Also appearing: Austrian-cum-Texan Brian Aneurysm. The show is a special combo edition of Vault and Sex & Sedition, and features DJ support from Ghostly's Ryan Elliott and Dethlab DJs. At Oslo, 1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-963-0300; $10.
Saturday • 5
Lebanon Medical Relief
COMMUNITY
Can't believe the strife in Lebanon? Want to do something but just don't feel like you can help? Well, here's your chance: The National Arab American Medical Association and A.C.C.E.S.S. Community Health and Research Center are hosting a benefit dinner that will help to raise funds for much-needed medical supplies for thousands of wounded and displaced Lebanese civilians. Tickets range from $100 to $1,500 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, 6220 Miller Rd., Dearborn. Call A.C.C.E.S.S. at 313-216-2200 for information.
Saturday • 5
Highland Games
FUN FOR ALL
Promising a haggis-load of fun, this year's Highland Games will feature all things grand, Celtic and mirthful. There are bagpipe competitions, super-manly heavy athletic competitions like the Stone Put (similar to a modern day shot put but with a 22-pound stone picked from a local river), storytelling, Highland dancing, clan parades, genealogy and clan tents, and tons of family-friendly entertainment. Maybe you could pick up a couple of Gaelic phrases too. At Historic Greenmead Village, Livonia. Call 248-593-5064 or visit highlandgames.com for more information.
Sunday • 6
Dub Magazine's 2006 Custom Auto Show and Concert
FUN FOR ALL/MUSIC
Car customization is not just for retro-obsessed grease geeks anymore. In fact, the pastime has reached crazy heights — TV programs about the methodology abound, popular mechanics are like a new breed of rock star, and no matter how bad the economy gets, people still scrape together the dough to pimp out their cars. Celebrate the art of showing off at Dub Magazine's Custom Auto Show where there'll be cars so chopped, dropped, bejeweled and tricked out, you'll want to take out a second mortgage and sell the Taurus. At Cobo Arena, 301 Civic Center Dr.; Detroit; 313-983-6616.
Monday • 7
Gnarls Barkley
MUSIC
Raising the bar just the way their Peach State brethren Outkast did, Gnarls Barkley is the ultra-deserving flavor of the summer. The brainchild of Danger Mouse (also known as Brian Burton and producer for the computer-animated rock band, Gorillaz) and Cee-lo, a neo-soul singer, Gnarls Barkley resists easy classification. In fact, this dynamic duo annihilates the lines that separate rock 'n' roll, hip hop, soul, ethnic, retro and alternative music. Know this: The direction of pop music will change for the better because of these guys. At the State Theatre, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5450. Peeping Tom to open.
Wednesday • 9
9th Annual Urban Garden Tour
COMMUNITY
Be kind to yourself and take a tour through the hidden gardens of Detroit. This year's tour will feature multiple routes, including the Belle Isle Botanical Society's teaching garden (where some 3,000 children visit yearly), the 4-H gardens on Detroit's east side and the American Indian Health and Family Services garden in southwest Detroit. Tours will leave from the Catherine Ferguson Academy, 2750 Selden St., Detroit. Call 313-237-8736, early registration recommended.
Eve Doster is the listings editor of Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected]
