Wednesday • 27
Faces of Spirit
ART
There's no denying the human form. Each generation of artists, from the Romans to the Impressionists, has framed it uniquely. And Detroit artists Judith Sheldon and Baba Issa Abramaleem continue this tradition with the exhibit Faces of Spirit. In paintings, wooden carvings and fabric collages, Sheldon and Abramaleem tease out the underlying diversity in the faces of everyday people. And considering that the exhibit's audience is likely comprised of average joes and janes, visitors to the exhibit may begin to feel less like visitors and more like participants. Who knew? Out of diversity comes a unifying experience for all. Runs until Friday, Dec. 1, at Focus: HOPE Gallery, inside the Center for Advanced Technologies, 1400 Oakman Blvd., Detroit; 313-494-4376.
Thursday • 28
Dracula
DANCE
The last time ballet looked scary to Night & Day, we were 3 years old and wearing rubber training pants under our tutus. But the Detroit Opera House's most recent presentation of Dracula is likely to put the fright back into dance. Performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, this jaw-dropping interpretation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel includes expressive dance, special effects and modern costuming to breathe new life into a classic tale. The ballet is set to the music of Gustav Mahler (excerpts from symphonies No. 1, No. 2 and No. 9) and runs Thursday, Sept. 28 - Sunday Oct. 1, at 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-237-7464. Tickets are $28-$100.
Thursday • 28
Bad Brains: Live at CBGB (1982)
FILM/MUSIC
In certain circles, they're considered the most significant hardcore band of all time, for reasons both political and musical. Undeniably, Bad Brains held court in the Reagan-era punk scene. And now the Corktown Tavern revisits the glory days of their hardcore-reggae-ska with a screening of the new concert DVD, Bad Brains: Live at CBGB (1982). The doc offers rarely seen concert footage from the Hardcore Festival, which took place at the famed CBGB during Christmas of 1982, and the film features 17 tracks and bonus material, including a series of 1982 interviews. Rubber Milk Orchestra to perform afterward at 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5103. Cover is $3.
Thursday • 28
Lasting Foundations: Architecture in Africa
ART
What better way to know a people than to see how they go about their day-to-day lives? The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History's new exhibit, Lasting Foundations: Architecture in Africa — a collection of more than 120 photographs and artifacts from 13 different countries — will give visitors a rare glimpse into the captivating structures found in west, east, central and southern Africa. Museum president Elsie McCabe says of their latest installation, "We believe that the African-American community will experience great pride in the beauty and cultural relevance. We hope that it will enable all viewers to learn about this relatively unknown art form from Africa." Runs Thursday, Sept. 29, through Friday, Dec. 15, at 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-5800.
Friday-Sunday • 29-1
Fall Harvest Days
FUN FOR ALL
Skip the tired cider mill routine and get yourself to Greenfield Village — now these guys know how to ring in all things autumnal. Fall Harvest Days are a weekend-long offering of such family-friendly activities as harvest dance performances, field plowing demonstrations, apple butter churning and craft making. On Saturday, Sept. 30, there will be an old-fashioned farmers market where visitors can get perennials, produce, pumpkins, meats, poultry and more. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-271-1620.
Saturday • 30
Etta James
MUSIC
Her 1961 hit, "At Last" has long been a go-to song for newlyweds' first dances, but Etta James' career stretches long before and long after that song made its way into the American songbook. The guttural chanteuse toured with Johnny "Guitar" Watson throughout the 1950s and has continued to tour and make records, influencing jazz and pop music still today. At the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313-963-7622.
Saturday • 30
An Evening with Jeff Daniels
MUSIC/COMEDY
Despite his Hollywood success, Jeff Daniels keeps his feet on the ground (good ol' Michigan ground). Daniels grew up in Chelsea and chose to raise his family there too. So we can count on Jeff to nail our Midwest sensibilities and to home in on just what it is that makes us Michiganders so goddamn hilarious. Daniels brings his guitar and comedic wit to Clinton Township to share a few of his favorite tunes. His song titles include, "The Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues" and "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too." 8 p.m. at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 800-585-3737; tickets are $35-$45.
Saturday • 30
We Like You Humans 4
FUNDRAISER
Family and friends of Beau Gangnier, a local DJ and promoter who died of a drug overdose last spring, have come together to celebrate his life spent in the Detroit electronic dance scene. Gangnier was also known as the Kandyman, and was affiliated with Hazard-S, a dance party crew throwing underground events in Detroit since the 1990s. A cast of techno, house, IDM, drum 'n' bass and electro heads — including Otto Von Shirach, Jimmy Edgar and Kero — will all perform live at the memorial, dubbed "We Like You Humans 4." Featured DJs include Mike Huckaby, Driving Soul, Norm Talley, Punisher, Dilemma, Darkcube, Jeremy Nida and others. Live video provided by Disassembly and Kero. All money from the event will go to the Gangnier family. Expect the party to go deep into Sunday. At Finite Gallery, 2233 Brooklyn St. (at Plum Street), Detroit; 313-727-1201.
Saturday • 30
The Balloonatic
FILM/MUSIC
Welsh organist Byron Jones will be in town to play accompaniment on the historic Redford Theatre's 1928 Barton pipe organ. Known to aficionados as "The Welsh Wizard," Jones is considered a sought-after talent in theater organ circles. And the film he'll accompany is another delight, the 1923 silent film, The Balloonatic, starring Buster Keaton. The film, from Keaton's fruitful years working under Joseph M. Schenck, was written by Keaton with gag writer Eddie Cline. Those with a taste to see the work of Keaton's finest gag-writer, Clyde Bruckman, need only wait a week to see the Stooges short Dizzy Pilots as part of the theater's Three Stooges festival. At 8 p.m. at 17360 Lahser Rd., Detroit; 313-537-2560.
Saturday • 30
Cowboy My Indian Feed Your Horse
MUSIC
Expect a party where the hosts and performers will be channeling extraterrestrials when the Tesh Club's Seth Troxler and Lee Curtiss throw a "magic time rave" to celebrate their birthdays. Blowing up in all-night-all-day New York and Berlin party scenes, these two suburban future-hippies each had a track on the recent Fabric 27 mix CD from Audion (aka Matthew Dear). Troxler, who turns a whopping 21, and Curtiss, 28, produce trippy minimal techno with a devilish grin, perfect for pansexual dance floors that seemingly undulate, quiver and squirm without end. Also appearing is Butane, Baltimore's Ben Pariss and Tesh Club resident John Clees. The event is a dress-up affair: Troxler says proper attire is "as you would wear to a 5-year-old's party" and the proper attitude is "fun." Unleash your inner child at Oslo, 1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Eve Doster is the listings editor of Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected]
