FRIDAY OCTOBER 9
Boing
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
The three Michigan-based artists showcased in Boing all share a penchant for unconventional whimsy — hence the irreverent onomatopoeic title (go ahead, say it out loud — Boing!). Sara Joseph creates quirky and fanciful sculptures; Brian Iler paints shiny, happy abstractions; and Ryan Standfest makes eccentric creations in a variety of mediums. The exhibit opens with a reception, from 7 to 9 p.m., and a gallery talk with the artists is on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, 407 Pine St., Rochester; 248-651-4110; on display through Nov. 7.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 9
A Night with Artie Lange
SERIOUS CAUSE FOR GUFFAWS
Our usual notices about comedy shows don't generally start with something as serious as paralysis. But this one does! See, about 10 years ago, a local guy named Adam Niskar accidentally dove into very shallow water at a party. He has been paralyzed ever since. And his family started the Friends for Adam Niskar trust, as a way to help with the sizable and ongoing medical expenses. But recently, Adam's brother Ross was reading funnyman Artie Lange's Too Fat to Fish, and learned that the comic's father also suffered from paralysis. After writing Lange to see if he'd be willing to perform free for a fundraiser for the trust, the Howard Stern sidekick agreed. Not only will this help the Niskar family, it's cause for smiles and laughter for everyone — especially if Lange repeats his infamous "doing coke dressed as a giant pig" story. Interest piqued? Buy a ticket! At 8 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-961-3500; $30-$60 ; afterparty at Small Plates, 1521 Broadway, Detroit.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY OCTOBER 9-10
The Suzanne Farrell Ballet
PRESERVATION EN POINTE
Suzanne Farrell joined the New York City Ballet at the age of 16, the beginning of a legendary 28 year career that ended in 1989. Considered the preeminent dancer of her era, she also served as muse to famed choreographer George Balanchine. The Suzanne Farrell Ballet began as an educational program of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and is now an acclaimed touring company that preserves and promotes Balanchine’s legacy through performance. The Suzanne Farrell Ballet will perform two different programs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a special family performance at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Power Center, 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor; tickets are $10-$48, available at 734-764-2538. Free educational events offered in conjunction with the performances include a conversation with Suzanne Farrell at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, a post-performance panel discussion Friday and a workshop for young students at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Visit ums.org for info.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY OCTOBER 9-11
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village
TRICKS, TREATS & TIMES PAST
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village offers scary, early 20th century frolic for the whole family. Instead of the usual, overly eager historical re-enactors, you'll spy witches, ghouls and the headless horseman as you stroll along a path lit by 800 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. Treats can be snatched at 11 spooky historical stations, and meals and snacks will be available for purchase at Taste of History or the Guild Beer Hall along the way. Come as you are or dress up in your fave eerie getup. Frights each weekend through Oct. 25, at Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; thehenryford.org; $12.75 members, $15 non-members.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10
The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato
TALES FROM THE CRYPTIC
This 10,000-square-foot touring exhibition features 36 men, women and children who naturally mummified in their crypts more than 100 years ago in Guanajuato, Mexico. The exhibit not only details the modern forensic technology used to analyze the mummification process, but also describes what the mummies' lives would've been like (this includes facial reconstructions by a forensic artist), as well as the way they inform the city's contemporary culture. Talk about scary! This is the first time that the mummies, which are on loan from the Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato, will be seen outside of Mexico. Detroit is the first stop on the tour, which kicks off Friday with the Gran Noche de Estreno World Debut, a VIP preview event featuring the former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox. Tickets are $125 per person and $200 per couple. The rest of us poor slobs can pay the regular price of $24.95 starting Saturday at the Detroit Science Center, 5020 John R, Detroit; 313-577-8400; info at detroitsciencecenter.org and accidentalmummies.com.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10
SWAN Silent Art Auction
THE ART OF BIDDING
The Southwest Artists' Network of Detroit (SWAN-Detroit) is a local artist collective committed to promoting art and art education in southwest Detroit. The group provides space for emerging artists to teach, work and exhibit. To raise funds for these worthy efforts, SWAN is holding its first silent art auction featuring such artists as Sergio DeGiusti, Darcel Deneau, Matthew Hanna, Mary Laredo Herbeck, Emily Linn and more. The evening will also include live Latin jazz and flamenco music by Sean Blackman and a performance of the Bomba, an African-Puerto Rican dance form, by BombaRica. From 6 p.m. to midnight at the Ladybug Gallery inside the Whitdell Building, 1250 Hubbard St., Detroit; $5 suggested donation.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10
1928 — The Roaring Scarab
JAZZ BABIES AND BATHTUB GIN
In 2002, the Scarab Club revived its famed costume balls, which were the social event to attend in the first half of the 20th century. This year's ball celebrates 1928, the year the club's permanent location opened. Costumes of the flapper and zoot suit variety are encouraged, but not required. Music will be provided by the Couriers and Bill Meyer, and Union Street will dish up the chow. Two levels of tickets are available — for $81 the Ritz allows you a 7:30 p.m. entrance, strolling supper and open bar, while the $28 Speakeasy ticketholders can arrive at 9 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine. The party rages till 12:30 a.m. at the historic Scarab Club, 217 Farnsworth St., Detroit; 313-831-1250.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY OCTOBER 10-11
Detroit Historical Society Guild Flea Market
HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
This twice-yearly sale, which benefits the Detroit Historical Society, is a boon for packrats and crazed collectors thanks to the veritable treasure trove of items up for grabs at bargain rates. The market includes antiques, vinyl, jewelry, rare collectibles, vintage books and more. And sure, maybe you didn't come in search of an amateur nautical painting, but now that you've seen it … 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Historic Fort Wayne, 6324 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit. Tours of the Fort will also be offered. Admission is free, parking $5, and tours $3. Visit detroithistorical.org for details.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11
Zombie Walk Detroit
BRAINS FOR GRAINS
On the second annual World Zombie Day, put on your best zombie makeup and stroll through Royal Oak to raise food and funds for Gleaners Food Bank. After all, what better way to represent the plight of the hungry than by acting out an insatiable lust for brains? Participants and gawkers are asked to donate some canned goods, money or both, and zombies are asked to stay in character for the duration (you know, groan a lot and feast on the living). Registration begins at 3 p.m. at the Sherman Street parking lot at 11 Mile Road and Sherman, in downtown Royal Oak. Info and pledge forms at zombiewalkdetroit.com.
MONDAY OCTOBER 12
The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later
TRAGIC RECALL
On the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, 100 theaters across the country are performing staged readings of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. The play is the epilogue to The Laramie Project, a work created by the Tectonic Theater Project based on interviews they conducted with residents of Laramie, Wyo., a month after Shepard's death. His murder there in 1998 brought the prejudice faced by LBGT people to center stage in American life, and this follow-up work explores how that act of violence continues to affect the town. The Hillberry Theatre (4743 Cass Ave., Detroit) will give a free performance at 8 p.m., with a pre-glow at 7 p.m. Local theater organizations and LGBT advocacy groups will be on hand to provide info and networking opportunities. Ferndale's Who Wants Cake? Theatre will perform The Laramie Project at 7 p.m. on Sunday and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later on Monday at 8 p.m. at the Ringwald (22742 Woodward Ave., Ferndale). Tickets to each are $30, available at 248-545-5545. All proceeds will benefit the Matthew Shepard Fund.
MONDAY OCTOBER 12
The Horrors
REBIRTH IN BLACK
Three years ago, the Horrors were on the path to short-lived glory neatly wrapped up with a quick crash and burn. Dismissed as little more than prefabricated goth poseurs, the British quintet defied naysayers by changing course midstream with their sophomore effort, the surprisingly acclaimed Primary Colours. Gone is the horror-rock shtick — instead, the Horrors build on influences such as the Psychedelic Furs and the Jesus & Mary Chain to create a brooding and intelligent shoegaze made over for mass pop appeal. The East London hipsters perform in support of the disc with the Crocodiles and the Hounds Below at 8 p.m. at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; $14; all ages.
ONGOING
The Yin & Yang of Photography
THE DUALITY OF SHOOTING
The Yin & Yang of Photography showcases the work of local photographers Patricia Izzo (she's the Yin) and Monte Nagler (he's the Yang). Izzo — recently declared "an artist destined for big things" by American Photo magazine — combines her training in oil painting and photography by hand-painting her subtly nuanced black-and-white photos. Nagler studied with Ansel Adams and extensively writes, teaches and lectures about photography. His works focus on breathtaking natural images and landscapes. The show is on display through Oct. 18, at River's Edge Gallery, 3024 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-246-9880.
