Thursday-Saturday • 6-8
The Rocky Horror Show
Sweet sweet trannie
There are reasons aplenty to don fishnets and bustiers in public: Halloween, S&M parties, Casual Friday, comfort ... But if you need one more, the Meadow Brook Theatre will present the musical "The Rocky Horror Show" for its third consecutive year. Though the venue's nestled in the heartland of suburbia, fans of the cult production can dress up and swim the warm waters of sins of the flesh — a costume competition will be held each night, and winners will be invited to dance the "Time Warp" on stage with the cast. Tickets range from $20 to $40; all tickets are $20 on opening night. At Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester; call 248-377-3300 for more info.
Friday, Saturday • 7, 8
Crofoot Grand Opening
Let the racket begin!
It's the Stick of the north, a kickass rock venue with multiple stages for the just-outside-Detroit set. The Crofoot in Pontiac officially jump starts this weekend, with the not-legal Muldoons supporting Detroit's storied Dirtbombs. On Saturday, the party continues with the launch of 180 degree Saturdays, a DJ/club night that features the "best of the '80s, '90s and modern rock." Note that the Crofoot, whose talent buyer is ex-Majestic man Greg Baise, assures us big things. And the calendar looks damn promising (The Hold Steady and Psychic TV, natch!). The Crofoot, 1 South Saginaw St., Pontiac; call 248-858-9333 or visit thecrofoot.com for more info.
Saturday • 8
Judy Blume
All hail Judy
Are you there, Judy? It's me, and every other woman out there. We bow down to you in legions, grateful that our busts have increased — because, of course, they must. Thanks to four decades of frank coming-of-age tales that incorporate themes like menstruation, masturbation, homosexuality and virgin deflowerings, Blume has faced censors and censure — and undying gratitude from every pubescent reader who thought that she was the only one who felt that way. A new generation of "Blumers" can delight in this latest of the author's books, Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One, which fondly relates the pain and pleasure of grade school sibling rivalry. Blume will read from and sign her book at 1 p.m. at Borders Books, 43075 Crescent Blvd., Novi; 248-347-0780 for more info.
Saturday • 8
Sleeping Beauty
Sedate but saucy
The tale of a towheaded, narcoleptic beauty comes to life (or, close enough — no Pinocchio miracles here) in a marionette ballet set to the score of Vivaldi and Gluck. Fairy enchantments, daring duels and a sensual papier-mâché smooch will tickle the fancy of all-aged audiences. Worth visiting is the attached museum, which houses dozens of puppets used in past performances. The 70-person theater hosts nine puppet shows in the 2007-2008 season; tickets for the year's opening performance are $5 for children, $10 for adults. 2 p.m. at the PuppetArt Theatre, 25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; call 313-961-7777 for more info.
Saturday • 8
Detroit Historical Museum Reopening
Save your filthy lucre
As a testament to the city's former grandeur, the Detroit Historical Museum reopens after a three-week summer hiatus to present six new exhibits — one of which is based on Detroit in the '20s and its stunning building boom. Other new features include Automotive Showplace, which treats automotive design as an American art form, New to the Collection, a showcase of Detroit antiques, oddities and treasures; and Rallying the Home Front: Posters from WWII. To celebrate the (re)opening, there's free admission on the 8th and 9th. At the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1805 for more info.
Saturday • 8
Michele Gibbs and Gloria House
News via poetry
Michele Gibbs merits a spot in historian Robert D.G. Kelley's Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination for her work promoting "a black feminist ideology as a Detroit supporter of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers and a member of the Black Workers Congress." Based in Oaxaca, Mexico, for many years, Gibbs makes annual end-of-summer pilgrimages to the D to share her visual art and poetry. This trip there's an extra edge since she'll also be addressing and displaying a photomontage of the little-covered unrest gripping her adopted state in Mexico. She shares the bill with Detroit poet Gloria House for a program titled "Seasons of Struggle." 6-8 p.m., Bernath Auditorium, David Adamany Undergraduate Library, Wayne State University, Detroit. 313-577-5121.
Saturday • 8
Invisible
At-risk young women
Remember the 2004 Oscar-winning documentary Born into Brothels, where children of Calcutta prostitutes were given cameras to document their lives in slums? In a similar vein, photography from Cristine Baetz will be on display depicting the lives of underprivileged girls in Detroit. Baetz held a photography workshop this summer through philanthropy Alternatives for Girls for high-risk young women (those susceptible to prostitution, gang activities, pregnancy and so on). Their work, which shows snapshot glimpses into their lives, their struggles, is incorporated in the exhibit. An opening reception will be held at the gallery from 5 to 8 p.m.; the exhibit will run through Sept. 28 at Bagley Housing Art Gallery, 2715 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-964-5942.
Sunday • 9
Islamic Fashion Show
Rock that hijab
The runways of Paris and Milan are littered with plunging necklines and ass-bearing skivvies and, in short, there's little in the couture world for the more modestly-attired. This changes, however, with a line of clothing from Paris-based designer Karima Saouli, whose label, La Maison Saouli, presents clothing for Islamic women who are fashion-forward but prefer to remain conservatively dressed. "As Muslim women have become more visible in society — at universities, in the workplace and in the community — there has been an increasing need for elegant yet modest apparel," Saouli says. A fashion show will premiere the successful European brand for the first time in the United States. From 2 to 5 p.m. at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; call 313-582-2266 for further information. The fall line can be seen at www.saouli.eu.
Tuesday • 11
Björk w/M.I.A.
The universe is female
Avant-pop oddball Björk plays at the Fox, performing the dreamy, delicate songs from her 2007 album, Volta. The Icelandic musician's career spans three decades, though she's known more by the common eye for outlandish costumery. Still, she continues to befuddle and enchant listeners the world over. To open is baile-funk pop phenom M.I.A., a British-Sri Lankan performer whose recent release, Kala, made her the new critics' darling. At the Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; call 313-983-6000 for more info.
