19, 23, 24 WED, SUN, MON • MUSIC Ilona Knopfler — There’s no mistaking where Ilona Knopfler sees her generational roots when you check out the songs on her debut record. Rather than Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Cole Porter, Some Kind of Wonderful, on Mack Avenue Records, is a jazz vocal record that pays tribute to Burt Bacharach, Van Morrison and Nick Drake. And you believe the label promo that says she got turned on to jazz by listening to Diane Schuur and Al Jarreau. Born in Paris, raised in Hong Kong and now based in Atlanta and Paris, Knopfler returns to the area after playing this year’s Ford Detroit International Jazz Fest. She performs Wednesday at the Firefly (207 S. Ashley, Ann Arbor; 734-665-9090), Sunday at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (20510 Livernois, just south of Eight Mile, Detroit; 313-345-6300) and Monday at Memphis Smoke (100 S. Main, at 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak; 248-543-4300).
19-23 WED-SUN •
THEATER Annie — Admit it, even the most callous curmudgeon can get a bit misty on hearing the song “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie. And even little girls who are already rich have an affinity for the little red-haired orphan who escapes poverty and abuse and wins over the heart of a lonely millionaire. … Bring the family to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s Fries Auditorium (32 Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe). Call 313-640-0306 for ticket information.
19-23 WED-SUN •
THEATER Twelfth Night — For those who believe in the madness of love, look no further. The esteemed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London will bring you its first-ever U.S. production of Twelfth Night. This “original practices” version of the play will feature an all-male cast and will give audiences an opportunity to experience Shakespeare as it was performed in the 17th century. At the Michigan Union Ballroom (530 S. State, Ann Arbor). Call 734-764-2538 for ticket information.
23 SUN • COMMUNITY Urban Organic’s Two-Year Anniversary Festival — Put on your Sunday best and get thee to downtown Detroit: Urban Organic (a traveling concert-festival whose function has been to “promote events, products, and art forms that are relevant and inspiring”) will be celebrating its longevity. The event will feature DJs, visual artists and spoken-word artists — plus the faboo song stylings of Jill Scott, Kindred (Ashford and Simpson have nothing on this husband-wife duo!) and Chicago-based soulman Andreus. At Fifth Avenue Downtown (2100 Woodward, inside Comerica Park). Call 313-471-2555 or visit www.urban-organic.net for more information.
24 MON • ISSUES & LEARNING “Martin Luther King’s Nightmare: In His Own Words” — Black Star Community Bookstore and local historian Paul Lee will offer yet another look into the past. The highlight of this presentation is a long-lost 1967 film interview with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that challenges the common wisdom about the man and his view on America. In the interview, King calls the “old optimism” of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech “a little superficial” and speaks instead of the need for “solid realism.” Only 11 months after the interview, King was assassinated. See for yourself at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ (7301 Curtis, Detroit). Call 313-863-BOOK for further details. There’s a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.
