10 Things to do in Detroit this weekend

Sunday, Dec. 22 War Horse: Based on author Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book of the same name, War Horse is the story of a foal raised by a young man who develops a special human-equine love for the animal. At the outbreak of World War I, the teen’s father sells the horse into service for the British army. Add family squabbles, nerve gas and a few redeeming Krauts and you have the makings of a smash on both Broadway and the West End. A review of the show in Newsday sums up most critics’ sentiments: “To describe War Horse as awesome is to regret the word’s devaluation as praise for a good burger or a pretty haircut.” Fisher Theatre 3011 West Grand Blvd., Detroit 313-872-1000; broadwayindetroit.com Curtain at 1 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.; $40-$120

Saturday, Dec. 21 The Sights Potluck Christmas Waltz: At any point during the year, a Sights show is worth seeing. Eddie Baranek throws every inch of his body and soul into a set, leaving a sweaty puddle as he exits. The Potluck Christmas Waltz is a little bit more special, however. Much like The Band’s Waltz of old, many musicians will get up on stage with the Sights and rattle through songs old and new. It’s like a big, festive open mic/jam/karaoke. There’ll be horns and horny people, all in perfect harmony. It’ll be like a Detroit dive bar version of “We Are the World.” Hooray. Magic Stick 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com Doors at 8 p.m.; $10

Sunday, Dec. 22 The Moscow Ballet: Like television’s A Christmas Story, the ballet classic, The Nutcracker, is a perennial favorite that deserves its fleeting time in the cold winter sun. The story is less important that the grace of the performers and the suite that made Tchaikovsky a household name. Since the 1960s, The Nutcracker has become one of America’s favorite ballet performances, and $4 out of every $10 earned each year is from this show. There’s something to be said for holiday classics. Fox Theatre 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-471-3200; ?olympiaentertainment.com Curtain at 5 p.m.; $28-$122

Saturday, Dec. 21 Santarchy with Haf-Life: For the 13th year, Santarchy will be going on at the Lager House and this year’s bill features Haf-Life, the Mike Hard Band and Plush Deathly. Haf-Life, for the uninitiated, is an industrial metal band in the vein of Rob Zombie. Expect lots of songs about horror movies, hot-rods and chicks. Meanwhile, Mike Hard is the brains behind Thrall and the God Bullies. There are few better front men ever to have come out of anywhere and age hasn’t dulled the man at all. Expect him to get all up in your face and scream. PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com Doors at 9 p.m.; No cover

Friday, Dec. 20 Cirque du Solstice: The Cirque du Womp people are reuniting to put on this special show celebrating the winter solstice. OK, any excuse for a party; we get it. It is, as they put it, “A sacred time of renewal and rebirth, releasing of old patterns which no longer serve you.” Fair enough. What better way to get into the spirit of rebirth than by dancing like loons to cool, electronic music? The bill features Chris B, K@DOG, Disciple, and Ternidup. If you’ve never heard of those guys, fear not. All you have to do is turn up and dance. The solstice will take care of itself. Majestic Theatre 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com Doors at 9 p.m.; $15

Thursday, Dec. 19 Kanye West: Fans waiting for Kanye West’s Michigan date as part of his first solo tour in 5 years had to wait a little longer: the show originally scheduled for Nov. 10 show at The Palace of Auburn Hills had been rescheduled for Dec. 19. West’s critically-acclaimed but decidedly anti-commercial Yeezus released earlier this year was famously minimal (it didn’t even have cover art!), but his live show in support of the album is expected to be over-the-top maximal. Apparently equipment for the elaborate live show was damaged during transportation, resulting in a number of dates getting postponed and some even having to be cancelled. The Palace of Auburn Hills 6 Championship Dr, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (248) 377-0100 Doors at 7 p.m.; $50-$143

Thursday, Dec 19 Third Thursdays at Eastern Market: Great Michigan-made gifts in Shed 5. Also features the last food truck rally of the year and photos with Santa. Also collecting toys for Toys for Tots. Fun for all ages! Eastern Market 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 833-9300 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21 Search the City: After a three-year hiatus, Search the City is back with, as they put it, “New gusto, new faces and a yet-to-be-named follow-up to 2008’s A Fire So Big the Heavens Can See It.” Original members Alex Sheldon (guitar) and James Czech (guitar) are joined by new recruits Chris Jenkins (drums), Joseph Marks (bass) and Travis Bobier (vocals). “Search the City is poised to make their mark once more within the scene, and plan to take their sonic architecture to listeners both new and old.” Danny Stevens of the Audition plus Atavan and the Bronze Way also play. The Pike Room 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac 248-858-9333; thecrofoot.com Doors at 6:30 p.m.; $10-$12

Friday, Dec. 20 Twistin’ Tarantulas: Pistol Pete and his Twistin’ Tarantulas have been taking rockabilly to often unsuspecting Detroit crowds for years now, showing up at neighborhood bars and rowdy festivals and rattling through a set of old school rock ’n’ roll jams blessed with some fine upright bass playing and a few Misfits covers. This show sees them celebrate their 20th anniversary, and the bill also features the Seatbelts and the Orbitsuns, the latter Vinnie Dombroski of Sponge’s cow-punk outfit. The Seatbelts features Rick Mills of the 3-D Invisibles in a trashy punk ensemble. It’s a great bill so get there early. Magic Bag 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale 248-544-3030; themagicbag.com Doors at 8 p.m.; $10

Saturday, Dec. 21 Steel Panther: The masters of comedy hair metal are back — and thank Christ for that. The snow’s starting to fall and we all need a good giggle. Much like Spinal Tap, the joke wouldn’t work if the songs weren’t fabulous and these guys have three albums packed with lewd, crude party metal anthems — and a fourth on the way in April. “Party All Day (Fuck All Night)” remains our fave; a Bon Jovi-esque “woah woah” chorus enhanced by the dumbest lyrics since Slaughter. The craziest thing is they are an only-slightly-exaggerated version of the real thing. Think Warrant with more cussing. The Steel Panther show will be a riot (but not the Riot — that’s another band entirely). mt Royal Oak Music Theatre 318 West 4th St., Royal Oak 248-399-2980; steelpantherrocks.com Doors at 8 p.m.; $15-$20