THURSDAY • 7
MILLIONAIRES
INTERNET GINCH OR SENSATIONS?
This trio of foul-mouthed teenaged chicks from L.A. may not have a record deal, but thanks to MySpace, they have legions of fans dancing to their mindless electro-pop in bedrooms across the county. But the repetitive beats are just the background for facilely shocking lyrics that address topics such as parents who hate their music — "What a drag/'Cause I'm the one who fucks your son" — and picking up boys — "I'm really not this blunt/But I know you want my junk." Indeed. With Hypercrush, brokeNCYDE and the Arrival at 6 p.m. in the Pike Room at the Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; 248-858-9333; thecrofoot.com; $10 advance, $12 day of show; all ages.
FRIDAY • 8
GENDER AGENDA
HE, SHE OR OTHER?
The idea of gender as a binary formation with clear-cut boundaries (everyone is either male or female and we all know exactly what that means) has been deconstructed by gender and queer theorists, whose work has redefined gender as a cultural construct that allows for a number of different identities. But then what exactly does it mean to be (or not to be) masculine and feminine in this postmodern world? In Gender Agenda, 21 artists explore that question with works that examine accepted definitions of gender, as well as the myriad and liminal possibilities. At 6-9 p.m. at the Gallery Project, 215 S. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-997-7012; exhibit runs through Sept. 14.
FRIDAY • 8
WORLD HOOP DAY DETROIT
THE HULA HIP-SHAKE!
On the once-in-a-century date of 8/8/08, the world will join together in a joyous celebration of that wonder of ancient engineering and success of modern marketing gurus — the hula-hoop. The event will include lessons, prizes and a hoop jam (whatever that is). No hoop on hand? No worries — you can still represent Detroit in this worldwide effort to achieve fun and fitness with one of the simplest children's toys ever created. At 4 p.m. at the Temple of the American Dream, 17363 Redford St., Detroit; 313-608-4580 or tinyurl.com/5vhusb for more info.
FRIDAY • 8
8-8-8
SAVE THE DAMN STADIUM ALREADY!
A collection of photos by Dave Krieger captures Tiger Stadium in the purgatory that it existed in after the final game but before the recently commenced tear-down. Fans with a turn toward nostalgia can snag one of the beautiful-yet-sad photos for only $88.08, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy. Works by Jerome Ferretti will also be on display. At 7 p.m. at the Bohemian National Home, 3009 Tillman St., Detroit; 313-737-6606; on display through Sept. 9.
FRIDAY • 8
HIEROGLYPHICS
MAD BEATS AND DENIM
Since its inception in the early '90s, hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics has transformed the way underground hip hop reaches audiences, from an award-winning website to "hierocast" Podcasts to a merchandise line plastered with the group's ubiquitous three-eyed logo. The collective is on the road (minus founding member Del the Funky Homosapien) to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their record label Hiero Imperium and to launch their new fashion line for men, Hiero Jeans, which, by the way, will be available for purchase at the show. Outfitting ass at the club? Sweet! With Blue Scholars, Musab, Tanya Morgan and Knobody at the Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-8555; $20.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY • 8-9
DETROIT HOMECOMING WEEKEND
BACK SWING
Friday, there's guitarist Paul Abler, who played with Detroit's key cats before shipping off to New York in 2003 to play with like notables there. His post-move disc Fearless documents his growth as a guy who can really swing and sing in bright single-note runs, making the solo feel like a new song inside the one he started with. His first back-home gig in four years features his Brazilian-born vocalist-wife Yashmin Charnet-Abler. Bossa novas, anyone? The now-Minneapolis-based drummer Dr. Prof. Leonard King, after playing with Abler on Friday, reconvenes his group Oopapada with guitarist Robert Tye and organist Chris Codish on Saturday. We'd talk about all the folks King's played with, but going back to Pigmeat Markham makes for an awfully long list. Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY • 8-10
CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
IRIE, IRIE, IRIE
Of course, they (like you) would rather be enjoying Caribbean Carnival in the Caribbean, but expats, descendants and fellow travelers for years now have been parading and celebrating across North America, from Houston to Toronto — and even at Hart Plaza in Detroit. This year's Motown event includes former Miss America Carole Gist (hosting a pageant at 7:30 p.m. Friday) and a cavalcade of local and international performers who deliver island vibes. Among the headliners: Calypso Rose (a hit-maker since the '60s, Saturday at 10 p.m.) and more recent island chart-toppers Tanto Metro & Devonte (Sunday at 10). Not to be missed is the carnival parade — leaving Jefferson at Chene and headed downtown at 11 a.m. Saturday — in which comely models sport sequined costumes of float-like proportions. A spectacle indeed. More information at myccco.com.
FRIDAY • 8
CHOPPER SHOW DETROIT
OBLIGATORY BIKES, BOOZE, BABES
Chopper Show Detroit focuses on bikes that are built, chop-shopped and just generally transformed into something fucking awesome by the men and women who ride them. Not just a display, but also a celebration of chopper culture, the show will feature art from 20 artists including rock poster artist extraordinaire Mark Arminski, tunes from Jack Oblivian, Apostle TK and more, a fashion show, performances by Foxy Fearle$$ and the Motor City Dolls Revue and barbecued goodies. At 3 p.m. at Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5103; $12.
SATURDAY • 9
THE HUB GRAND OPENING EXTRAVAGANZA
POPPIN' WHEELIES!
We all know that there are plenty of reasons to promote two-wheels as an alternative to four (gas prices, fitness, some book Al Gore wrote, etc.). And the Hub Bicycle Repair and Reuse Center opened just in time to provide for the ever-increasing number of city bikers. An outgrowth of Back Alley Bikes' volunteer youth education program, the Hub does repairs and sells bikes and bike accessories, and then uses the profits to support Back Alley's educational endeavors (adults can take classes now too!). The grand opening party will feature deals on toolkits, helmets, locks and lights, a DJ and refreshments. At 7-10 p.m. at the Hub, 3611 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-879-5073; thehubofdetroit.org.
SATURDAY • 9
URBAN GROOVE HOUSE MUSIC PICNIC AND BACKPACK DRIVE
GROOVE FOR A CAUSE
Now in its third year, the Urban Groove Picnic and Backpack Drive is responsible for outfitting an untold number of young Detroiters in back-to-school gear. A celebration of community as much as a benefit, the picnic features a softball game, grilling and some of Detroit's best house DJs, including Alton Miller, Reggie "Hotmix" Harrell and Anthony "Shake" Shakir. To join in the fun, just bring a backpack full of school supplies, picnic supplies and a mitt. Donated backpacks and school supplies will be given to Bennett and Sherrill elementary schools in Detroit. At 10 a.m. at Belle Isle Shed #19, Detroit. Visit detroithousemusicpicnic.com for more info.
SUNDAY • 10
SINGING IN THE SHOWER
BATHROOM SINGERS UNITE!
After their successful St. Patrick's Day "Danny Boy" sing-along, the folks at A.J.'s Café have decided to get back at all those who refused to participate because they only sing in the shower by giving them a shower to sing in. More than 50 people are expected to don bathing suits (no nudity? What?), step into a specially constructed shower, and belt their hearts out in front of a restaurant full of people. A private pleasure gone public — think these people are exhibitionists? At 2-6 p.m. at A.J.'s Café, 240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-399-3946.
TUESDAY • 12
TOKIO HOTEL
GERMAN DOLLS
After reaching frenzied heights of success in das fatherland, German boy band Tokio Hotel has set its sights on America's hordes of hysterical teenage girls. A mash-up of songs from their first two albums translated into English, rerecorded and released as their third full-length, Scream, has brought them mucho MTV love, L-U-V, and critical acclaim. Their emo-wet glam, combined with the charismatic stage presence of frontman Bill Kaulitz, has the potential to send the boys to the height of stardom — or at least to the No. 1 spot on TRL. At the Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5450; $25; all ages.
