Night and Day

Thursday • 5
Day of Mass Resistance
ISSUES & LEARNING

From the Tune In, Walk Out Dep't: For the increasing number of Americans too dissatisfied and disenchanted with the current administration to stand idly by, the ideal time to use one of those hard-earned sick days is Oct. 5. Organized by worldcantwait.org, this Thursday has been slated as the official Day of Mass Resistance. Organizers hope that peaceful and pervasive acts of resistance will help to repudiate an out-of-control Bush regime. Interested participants should not purchase anything on Oct. 5, and are also encouraged to walk out of school, to refuse to work and to attend one of the mass demonstrations taking place across the country. The local rally starts at 12:30 p.m. at Wayne State University's Gullen Mall. Hit worldcantwait.org for more.

Friday • 6
Lee Brotherton exhibit
ART

Potter Lee Brotherton's passion for natural artifacts and ancient pottery has helped her to fashion an artistic signature all her own. She creates one-of-a-kind wall sculptures, plates and vessels by embedding pieces from her artifact collection into clay composites and then enhancing the works with hand-painted natural designs. Brotherton is a nationally recognized artist and this is her first Michigan show. Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at Swearingen Visions, 118 W. Main St., Northville; 248-347-1642. Exhibit ends Nov. 2.

Friday • 6
Chris Plum & the Administration
MUSIC

Many local rock 'n' roll fans loved hometown guy Chris Plum's melodies when he was in the Neptunes. The adoration continued when the Neptunes turned into Mood Elevator. And when Plum backed Brendan Benson on tour as a Well-Fed Boy, well, it's safe to say that most folks thought Plum had it all figured out. Now that he's got a new thing called Chris Plum & the Administration, the fingers are crossed. Can he wow again? Find out at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668. Girls Gone Mild to open.

Friday-Sunday • 6-8
Oktoberfest at the Zoo
FUN FOR ALL

If you've ever attended an authentic Oktoberfest celebration, you'd know that commemorating the festivity from within the confines of a zoo isn't much of a stretch. Oktoberfest at the Zoo is a three-day celebration featuring German-style food, a beer garden, live entertainment and children's activities. It's a family-friendly way to observe the tradition, not to mention a great excuse to hand over some moola to the struggling Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-398-0900.

Saturday • 7
Marian McPartland and Bill Charlap
MUSIC

Pianist Marian McPartland has had more than 500 duet partners in more than 600 shows since she began her Piano Jazz public radio program back in 1978. We're quite sure that makes her the most profligate serial jazz dueter in history, so seeing her do it live rather than over the airwaves or Internet must have an appeal. All the more so when her partner is one of the most highly regarded young pianists on the scene, Bill Charlap. A past guest on McPartland's show, Charlap has a sensitive touch and harmonic dexterity that have brought comparisons to Bill Evans and Tommy Flanagan. Charlap and McPartland will play sets with their trios and save the four-handed stuff for last. 8:30 p.m. at Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-764-2538.

Saturday-Sunday • 7-8
The New Creation Concert Series
MUSIC

Three cheers for the Psalm:150 Symphony, whose revitalization of the sound and image of symphony music should be admired. Aimed specifically at the urban community, the symphony hopes to engage young adults by changing the way orchestral music is usually presented, thus providing musicians, contemporary composers and music lovers an updated forum to expand their musical horizons. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, at Wayne State Community Arts Auditorium, 450 Ruether Mall, Detroit. Visit psalm150symphony.org for information.

Sunday • 8
Junior Brown
MUSIC

He's a god to the 40-and-over guitar-wonk contingent, but most folks still don't know who the hell this guy in the taco-shaped cowboy hat is. What you should know: Junior Brown is a veteran of the country music scene and his "guit-steel" (one-half Telecaster and one-half steel guitar) is his Purple Heart. His honky tonk-meets-Hendrix style has kept him on the road for several decades. If you ain't seen him yet, well, it's about time. At Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700. Villebillies to open.

Sunday • 8
Trinity Irish Dance Company
DANCE

If the rumors about Irish Lord of the Dance head honcho Michael Flatley are true, and he really does have a penchant for the spring chickens, the Trinity Irish Dance Company is prime real estate. The Irish-American dance company consists of 18- to 25-year-olds and uses a progressive Irish step dance and modern artistic interpretation to put a fresh twist on the once-ubiquitous form of ethnic entertainment. 3 p.m. at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township; 586-286-2141.

Ongoing
Ten Free Trees
COMMUNITY

Trees have a thankless job. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, our leafy pals work to improve life on earth — they provide us with housing materials and myriad varieties of paper goods, they help to prevent flooding and keep our air clean. Show your support for trees by joining the National Arbor Day Foundation. What's more, by signing up you'll get 10 free trees, including two sugar maples, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red oak, silver maple, white dogwood, Washington Hawthorn and two red maples. To receive the goods send a $10 membership contribution to: Autumn Classic Trees, National Arbor Day Foundations, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410 by Oct. 31. Just don't forget to plant them.