Wednesday • 5
Driving Miss Daisy
THEATER
Set against the changing American South, Driving Miss Daisy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play that became an Academy Award-winning movie, is an important part of America’s literary history. Written by Alfred Uhry, the play examines the strange but beautiful relationship between an elderly Jewish woman living in the South and her African-American driver and friend. This production is part of Celebrating 350, a yearlong national program sponsored by The National Foundation for Jewish Culture. Runs Wednesdays through Sundays until Jan. 30 at the Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester; 248-377-3300.
Thursday-Sunday • 6-9
Health and Self-Improvement Book Sale
LITERATURE & SHOPPING
What better way to keep that New Year’s resolution than to read up on ways to stay physically and mentally fit? This week, the Southfield Public Library’s used bookstore, The Book Cellar, is having a special half-off sale on health and self-improvement books. The store also carries a wide assortment of other books, as well as sheet music, audio and video cassettes, DVDs, CDs, records, books on tape and computer software. At the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Rd., Southfield; 248-796-4200.
Friday • 7
The MadHuban Ensemble
MUSIC
When not touring with his bands, Nomo and the JusThis Trio, saxophonist and composer Dan Bennett takes time to lead the MadHuban Ensemble. Really more of a composers’ collective than anything, the ensemble includes several up-and-coming improvisational musicians such as Ryan Mackstaller, Josef Dias, Jeff Eliassen and other musicians from around the country. Experience some innovative approaches to composition and improvisation at the Canterbury House, 721 E. Huron, Ann Arbor; 734-665-2240.
Friday • 7
W-Vibe
MUSIC
For the first time in many moons, Detroit’s favorite Kraftwerk meets Man or Astro-man? outfit, W-Vibe, will hit the stage. Led by local music wonk Dan Augustine, this ultra-rad band uses electronic tools — including video games and Commodore 64 computers — to make a delightful concoction of unusual tunes. At the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700. Also appearing: The Valentinos, the Whiskey Diaries and Beggars.
Friday • 7
Death of a Salesman
THEATER
The drama and the philosophical pathos of Death of a Salesman make it an important play. Along with Driving Miss Daisy (see above), that makes two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays coming to town this week. Arthur Miller’s American tragedy explores the life of Willy Loman, a simple and flawed man who must come to terms with the legacy he will leave — not the legacy he’d hoped for. At the Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-577-2972.
Friday • 7
Grievous Angel
MUSIC
Good contemporary country music is a bit of a rarity around these parts, but when Grievous Angel’s new album came across Night & Day’s desk, we were impressed. This straightforward foursome with an obvious affinity for folk, country and zydeco, spins excellent melodies and honest songwriting into the perfect musical web. At 7 p.m. in the Music Room at Kensington Community Church, 1825 E. Square Lake Rd., Troy; 248-786-0600.
Friday-Saturday • 7-8
Anti-Freeze Blues Festival
MUSIC
This event gets hotter and hotter all the time, and this year’s Anti-Freeze Blues Festival brings legendary British blues guitar man, Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, as well as local blues bigwigs, RJ’s Rhythm Rockers, Rattlesnake Shake, the Alligators, Lazy Lester, Doug Deming’s Jeweltones and more. Proceeds benefit the Detroit Blues Society. At the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3030.
Saturday • 8
Underground Music Show
MUSIC
Now that the Detroit Art Space has officially closed its doors (RIP), underground and experimental music in this town needs a new home: Enter the Museum of New Art. This gallery in Pontiac will welcome Heart & Hand (artist Jeremy Kallio’s dance-action-electro project), Little Claw (a spaz-noise art-rock band which features Jamie Easter of the Piranhas), Metal Dungeon, Cotton Museum and Dozer for a free concert. Don’t let local noise, electronic and no-wave music perish. At the Museum of New Art, 7 N. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-210-7560.
Saturday • 8
Elvis’ Birthday
MUSIC & FUN FOR ALL
What is it about Elvis? Sure, he was an essential cog in the rock ’n’ roll machinery that set the world afire in the 1950s, but there is something inherently special about a man who can be impersonated by every fat white man in the South and still seem like the coolest man who ever lived. Celebrate the King’s birthday at the Belmont in Hamtramck — expect music, movies and hair pomped high. At 10215 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck; 313-871-1966.
Monday • 10
Transitions/Translations: Innovations in Basketry
ART
If something is boring or considered to be a bit on the unimpressive side, it is often described as being “about as interesting as basket weaving,” but given the chance, basket art can be both fun and interesting, The craft of basketry is actually a beautiful and intricate art form: “Basketry is one of the most dynamic forms of this decade. While some basket makers hew to historical precedents of form, others combine new and old techniques and materials in intensely personal, artistically compelling constructions,” curators Linda Ross and Arlene Selik say. See works from seven of the country’s finest basket weavers at Transitions/Translations: Innovations in Basketry at Washtenaw Community College’s Gallery One, 4800 E. Huron River Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-477-8512. Exhibit ends March 14.
Ongoing
Rumpelstiltskin
THEATER
Community theater offers a great place for children and adults to escape, and this month the Marquis Theatre in Northville presents the classic children’s tale Rumpelstiltskin. The tale about a wily old gnome who turns straw into gold for a very high price makes for a fun night (or day) on the town. Go ahead and bring the whole family (well, no kids under 3) to 135 E. Main St., Northville; 248-349-8110. Performances daily.
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