Friday • 11
DirtyLoveBites
MUSIC
We've said it before, but musical incest is, well, incessant in this town — damn near every rock 'n' roll musician in the D plays in a handful of bands: DirtyLoveBites is yet another example of this frequent practice, touting a former member of A Thousand Times Yes, not to mention folks from the Grande Nationals and the Kingsnakes. This dirty guitar-toned shoegaze-punk-blues (no joke) outfit does its indie, r-a-w-k and guitar hero roots well. At the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668. Betty Marie and Ten Year Drought to open.
Friday • 11
Autumn Response: An All Media Group Exhibition
ART
No gallery appreciates the intellectual contributions an older-but-wiser contingent of creative forces can make to a local art scene quite like the Ellen Kayrod Gallery. And in celebration of this very philosophy the gallery opens Autumn Response: An All Media Group Exhibition, yet another installation of paintings, drawings, collage and sculpture from Detroit-area artists age 60 and over. Opening reception is 12:30-2:30 p.m. at 4750 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1300. Ends Sept. 22.
Saturday • 12
Woodbridge Summerfest
MUSIC
At high noon this Saturday at Detroit's Scripps Park, the LessMores will plug in, amp up and kick off the second annual Woodbridge Summerfest. They'll shake things up at the Motor City Casino Stage — the Main Stage — in the middle of Trumbull, while such resident Woodbridge talents as Alex Israel, Rob Barrett and Andy Toth grace the smaller Electronic Stage that's nestled in the northeast corner of Scripps Park under the pergola. Many of the acts this year have been plucked from the Woodbridge community itself to make for a genuine neighborhood event. Between Selden Street and Grand River Avenue, Trumbull will be barricaded to accommodate the music and booths where artists will be displaying their work. Famished? Wander just off the main thoroughfare and you'll find neighborhood barbecues and Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. Emcee Invincible takes to the main stage for the 9 p.m. headlining set. Visit summerfest2006.blogspot.com for info.
Saturday • 12
Dave Roberts and Anne Fracassa
ART
They've got the thumbs-up from renowned Detroit artist Jerome Ferretti (he curated the show), and that's reason enough to recommend this show by locals Dave Roberts and Anne Fracassa. "They are unlikely candidates for a two-person show, but here they are," says Ferretti. "This is going to be a good one." Let the work speak for itself at the Bohemian National Home, 3009 Tillman St., Detroit; 313-737-6606. Opening reception starts at 9 p.m.
Sunday • 13
Pre-Natal Yoga
COMMUNITY
The modern mom knows that taking it easy while gestating just might not be the best policy for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Pre-natal yoga is great for mom as well as baby, and is the ideal way to keep centered during a sometimes-stressful time. Moms-to-be will build a yoga practice, or modify their existing practice, with the use of blankets and props to help support their changing bodies. Many participants also develop a heightened sensitivity to their bodies and a deeper connection with their unborn babies. Summer sessions begin this week at the House of Yoga, 2965 W. 12 Mile Rd., Ste. 100, Berkley; 248-556-0992.
Sunday • 13
Your Poetry Group
LITERATURE
There are those who read poetry, those who write poetry and those who do both. Your Poetry Group is a get-together for all of the aforementioned communities. Every second Sunday of the month, YPG assembles for a roundtable of poetry reading and discussion — participants can read original or already published works but are asked to limit recitations to five minutes each. In the Friends Room at Dunning-Hough Library, 223 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-369-2798.
Sunday • 13
Wu-Tang Clan
MUSIC
They were less palatable to pasty pop fans than Dr. Dre and his Chronic was back in the '90s, but the Wu-Tang Clan's continued urban cred, martial arts motif and slick-but-restrained beats have kept them hovering near the top of rap music's hot 100 for years now. They are down an Ol' Dirty Bastard, but still not afraid to speak their minds at Chene Park, Atwater and Chene, Detroit; 313-393-7128. Tickets are 35 dollah-dollah bills, y'all.
Sunday • 13
The Church
MUSIC
Uninvited, Like the Clouds, the Church's most recent album, begins with a song that could easily be 20 years old. With its insistent, spidery guitars and Steve Kilbey's languid, bone-dry vocals, "Block" settles onto the impressionistic path the Australian band has followed since debuting in 1981. But there's nothing wrong with that. Americans with even a casual memory of 1980s college radio will recognize "Under the Milky Way," really the Church's only hit. But the trappings of that track — the searching lyrics, plush backgrounds and gentle tug at your heartstrings — exist in nearly everything the band writes. (See Block.) The Church is one of those underrated or even forgotten groups that's more influential — and more vital in the present — than it ever got credit for. Show 'em some love, and relive your undergrad crushes. The band performs mostly acoustic here; Catherine Wheel's Rob Dickinson opens. At the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3030.
Ongoing
Harding Elementary Paint-in
COMMUNITY
Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood has seen its fair share of blight over the years and everything — including the public schools — has suffered. Here's your chance to make a difference: Grab a paintbrush and join the Harding Elementary Paint-In. Volunteers age 18 and older are welcome to help paint the interior of this historic building for the upcoming school year. Painting will take place Monday-Friday, Aug. 14-21, at Harding Elementary, 14450 Burt Rd., Detroit. Call 313-218-0057 for details.
Tuesday • 15
The Dynamics
MUSIC
The name may sound like a '60s or '70s soul outfit, but this a jazz outfit, not that they won't show their kind of soul on their regular Tuesday gig. The veteran here is Rod Hicks, erstwhile bassist for Aretha Franklin and Paul Butterfield (he played Woodstock with "Butter"), not to mention his years playing alongside Teddy Harris Jr. at the old Bomac's (one of the great gigs of recent Detroit jazz history). Complementing Hicks at the core of the group are the astutely fiery drummer Keith Glass and inventive alto saxophonist Cassius Richmond. Musical guests in recent weeks have included Marcus Belgrave, Wendell Harrison and James Carter — only making things more dynamic. Serious musicians and singers are invited to jam and join the fun. At They Say, 267 Joseph Campau, Detroit; 313-446-4682.
Eve Doster is the listings editor of Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected]
