Wednesday-Sunday • 27-1
Dancing in Summer
DANCE
The Ann Arbor dance company Terpsichore's Kitchen (named for the mythological Greek muse of dance) presents an eclectic showcase of seven internationally lauded choreographers. The lineup includes the Brazil-based Lourdes Bastos, who has studied dance with Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey; Detroiter Megan Marie Brunke, whose quirky solo works blend humor and insight with classical technique; and company founder Aimee McDonald-Anderson, celebrating her 10th wear performing "Dancing in the Summer." A "pay what you can" performance will be held 8 p.m. Wednesday. Performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday will be $22; the 8 p.m. Saturday performance will be $25. At the Performance Network, 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-0681.
Wednesday • 27
International Freedom Festival
FUN FOR ALL
It's that time of year again: Throngs of Americans and Canadians will gather on their respective sides of the Detroit River to celebrate international freedom (read: U.S. Independence Day and Canada Day) and watch stuff explode in the sky. There are dozens of ways to celebrate this year's pyrotechnics — from VIP rooftop soirees to street-level barbecues — but one thing's for certain: It's one hell of a show. In conjunction with this year's Detroit River Days, the festival is downtown on the riverfront.
Thursday • 28
Tom Wright book signing
MUSIC/ART
As a photographer and sometimes road manager, Tom Wright snapped the '60s and '70s from a unique perspective. He traveled with bands from the Who to the Stones to the Eagles, and he spent a good bit of time chronicling Detroit during the era of the Grande Ballroom, which he managed for a spell. His work is housed at the University of Texas in Austin, but a sampling has recently been published under the title Roadwork: Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out (written with co-author Susan VanHecke, and published by Hal Leonard). Wright makes the rounds in metro Detroit on Thursday, hitting WCSX and WDET in the morning, and sitting down for a Q&A and book signing with Oakland Press rock scribe Gary Graff at 7 p.m. At Barnes & Noble, 17111 Haggerty Rd., Northville; 248-348-0696.
Thursday • 28
Summer Slaughter Tour
MUSIC
"Decrepit spleen and pancreas I've torn and gutted," growls Muhammed Suiçmez, lead singer of the German death metal band Necrophagist. "I eviscerate stomach and cysts." He's clearly not the only one, though; the group's bowel-churning lyricism is matched by bands Decapitated, Cephalic Carnage, the Faceless, As Blood Runs Black, Beneath the Massacre, Arsis, Ion Dissonance and Cattle Decapitation, who join on the Summer Slaughter tour. Dubbed by founder Ash Alvidsen as "the most extreme tour of the year," the show begins at 3 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700.
Thursday, Friday • 28, 29
Braylon Edwards 2007 Charity Blitz
FUNDRAISER
What shoes would you wear to go bowling with the stars? Steel-toed Manohlos, perhaps? Somehow, the standard fare of scuffed, sweaty rentals don't seem quite fashion-forward enough for a "VIP" event. Still, football player Braylon Edwards of the Cleveland Browns is hosting a charity bowling tournament, inviting a list of almost-A-list celebs (when's the last time that hottie Vivica A. "DUI" Fox was in a blockbuster?) in support of his endowment scholarship fund for student athletes. $45 for general admission and $150 for a VIP pass at Lucky Strike Lanes, 44325 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi. Call 734-697-9447 for more info.
Friday • 29
Larry Coryell Trio
MUSIC
The guitarist's recently issued autobiography, Improvising (Backbeat Books), traces such highpoints of his musical life as the first Chet Atkins records, learning the C major scale, hanging out with Hendrix ... on to being part of the first wave of jazz fusion alongside Herbie Mann, Gary Burton, John McLaughlin and his own Eleventh House group comrades ... on through work with Stephane Grappelli ... on through his column for Guitar Player (who can forget "Harmonizing the Phrygian Mode"?) ... not to mention drugs, divorces and Buddhism ... not quite up to this week when he hits the Firefly, 207 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-665-9090; shows at 9 and 11 p.m.
Friday-Sunday • 29-1
Vinology Crush Event
FUN FOR ALL
The schmancy Ann Arbor wine bar, Vinology, is celebrating its first anniversary with a three-day event that includes everything from aseptic wine tasting to an all-out-Lucy-and-Ethel-style grape stomp. And if getting sloshed and gorging yourself on cheese isn't reason enough to come and play, you can rest assured that your inebriation will serve a greater purpose: A portion of the Crush Event's proceeds will go to Vinology's charity partner, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Vinology is located at 110 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor. 734-222-9841.
Saturday • 30
Asian Festival
FUN FOR ALL
Learn about the Orient (Wait. Isn't that word politically incorrect now?) at the Detroit Zoo's Asian Festival. A sampling of animals from the expansive Asian continent will be spotlighted, along with arts and crafts, pan-Asian cuisine, a Chinese lion dance demonstration and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Flex your crepe paper and glue skills to make a Chinese lantern, a Japanese fan and other fun stuff at the Detroit Zoo, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-541-5717.
Saturday • 30
Blue Moon in June
MUSIC
The CAID, that artistic oasis among dreary urban rubble, is holding a "lunar festival" — complete with a backyard cookout — to benefit the nearby Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Committee. Featuring Zoos of Berlin, the Oscillating Fan Club, Duende!, Dutch Pink, Siddhartha and quite a few more performers, entrance to Blue Moon in June is $5. At the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit; call 313-899-CAID or visit thecaid.org for more information.
Saturday • 30
Spencer Barefield Quartet
MUSIC
Between his work as Oscar Peterson's bassist and the post-9/11 border hassles, Toronto's Dave Young is a less-frequent member of the idiosyncratic guitarist's Barefield's quartet than in the past. One upshot of a week like this when he's on hand is that the band can dig deeper into the Mingus repertoire, which Young explored as a leader on his last disc for the Justin Time label. So you can listen for "Fables of Faubus" and "Nostalgia in Times Square" along with the more familiar "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" and the like. Also on the gig: the earthy saxophonist David McMurray (ask him about his recent White House gig) and multi-groove drummer Djallo Djakate Keita. Jazz Café at Music Hall, Jazz Café at Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313-887-8501; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover: $15; cash bar and food.
Sunday • 1
Through Our Hands African Art & Photography Exhibit
ART
Cheryl Knapp, founder of the nonprofit Through Our Hands, will be displaying African artifacts, clothing and photography taken during her philanthropic stint in Tanzania. The organization has provided food, medicine and education to children and adults in the Boay region of the country. The exhibit will celebrate Through Our Hands' one-year anniversary, and will take place from 1-5 p.m. at Café 1923, 2287 Holbrook, Hamtramck. Call 313-319-8766, or visit throughourhands.org for more information.
