Arts and Entertainment

November 2010
14297

ART

Anton Art Center: The Christmas Market show begins Nov. 19, featuring pieces for sale by Michigan artists. 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens; 586-469-8666; theartcenter.org.

Art Gallery of Windsor (AGW): Munazza Naeem is a local painter and printmaker who has earned her MFA from Wayne State University and whose works will be exhibited in the Betty F. Wilkinson Room. Ends Nov. 14. 401 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor, Ontario; 519-977-0013, artgalleryofwindsor.com.

Artspace II: In Woodcuts of the Arts and Crafts Movement, a collection of prints features European and American artists inspired by Japanese composition and subject matter. Runs Nov. 2-30.  303 E. Maple, Birmingham; 248-258-1540; artspace2.com.

Biddle Gallery: Made in the Mitten is an ongoing multi-media exhibition of works by more than 100 Michigan artists. 2840 Biddle, Wyandotte; 734-281-4779, biddlegallery.com.

Cary Gallery: Paula Zaks’ encaustic paintings will be featured, using hot wax to create her abstract figures. Runs through Nov. 20. 226 Walnut Blvd., Rochester; 248-651-3656.

Detroit Artists Market: Art for the Holidays transforms Detroit Artists Market from a gallery into a winter market, featuring the works of more than 125 local artists. Opens Nov. 12. 4719 Woodward, Detroit; 313-832-8540, detroitartistsmarket.org.

Detroit Institute of Arts: About 120 American and European prints display the world of the imagination in the exhibition In Your Dreams: 500 Years of Imaginary Prints. Works include such artists as Dürer, Picasso, Chagall, and others, presenting a contemporary twist on subjects inspired by each of the artist’s thoughts. • In its new exhibition Fakes, Forgeries, and Mysteries, the DIA examines the authenticity of roughly 50 pieces in its collection. Certain items were found to have been incorrectly attributed to an artist or culture, other pieces are known forgeries with explanations about how the museum reached that conclusion, and others still are mysteries, about which there is no definitive opinion. Begins Nov. 21. 5200 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-7900, dia.org.

David Klein Gallery: Alyssa Monks features her exhibition of new paintings. Through Nov. 27. 163 Townsend, Birmingham; 248-433-3700, dkgallery.com.

Detroit Museum of New Art: Created by 11 Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate students, a multimedia art riddle, presented by MONA, represents an opportunity for viewers to receive cash prizes. The first to solve the riddle will receive $1,000, while three other viewers with incorrect-yet-interesting solutions will receive $100. Nov. 12-Dec. 17. 7 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac; 248-210-7560, detroitmona.com.

Flint Institute of Arts: Unbroken Ties: Dialogues of Cuban Art evokes the everyday reality of the Cuban experience from various artists using painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed-media installations, and photography. Through Jan. 2 in the Hodge Gallery. 1120 E. Kearsley, Flint; 810-234-1695; flintarts.org.

Gallery Project: What’s So Funny runs until Nov. 28. 215 S. Fourth, Ann Arbor; 734-997-7012; thegalleryproject.com.

Grosse Pointe Art Center: Photographers, printmakers, and ceramic artists are represented in Photos, Prints, and Pottery. Runs through Nov. 6. 16900 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe; 313-821-1848, grossepointeartcenter.org.

Lawrence Street Gallery: Artist Tim Marsh opens Nature 2 Nature, featuring his oil-on-canvas explorations of nature. 22620 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-544-0394; lawrencestreetgallery.com.

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD): Spatial City: An Architecture of Idealism is drawn from French regional contemporary art collections and developed with help from Platform and Cultures-France. Through Dec. 30.  4454 Woodward, Detroit; 313-832-6622, mocadetroit.org.

Padzieski Art Gallery: Contemporary Polish Artists runs through Nov. 7. • Artistry and Craftsmanship: A Holiday Market opens Nov. 15. 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-943-3095, DCACarts.org.

Re:View Art Gallery: Coley McLean and Simone DeSousa open a two-person exhibit. Runs Nov. 9-27.  444 W. Willis Units 111 and 112, Detroit; 313-833-9000, reviewcontemporary.com.

River’s Edge Gallery:  A new show opens featuring the paintings, watercolors, and drawings of nature artist Nancy Byrum and maritime artist Leo Kuschel. Runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 1. 3024 Biddle, Wyandotte; 734-246-9880; artattheedge.com.

323 East Gallery: Tom Thewes’ solo exhibition runs through Nov. 11. 323 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 866-756-6538, 323east.com.

UMMA: Simon Dybbroe Møller’s work in UMMA Projects: Simon Dybbroe Møller takes familiar objects and forms and rearranges them into unexpected configurations, changing them into completely different things altogether. Runs Nov. 6-24. • On Beauty and the Everyday: The Prints of James McNeill Whistler runs through Nov. 28. 525 S. State, Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395, umma.umich.edu.

 

CLASSICAL

Chamber Music Society of Detroit: Making its fifth CMSD appearance, the Illinois-based Pacifica Quartet performs Beethoven and Schumann. Also, clarinetist Anthony McGill joins the quartet to play Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B Minor. 8 p.m. Nov. 13. $43-$75 ($25 students). Seligman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Detroit Country Day School, 22305 W. 13 Mile, Beverly Hills; 248-855-6070; comehearcmsd.org.

Cranbrook Music Guild: Comprising two violinists, two violists, a cellist, and a bassist, CutTime Sinfonica gives classical music a modern spin. The Detroit group performs a wide range of pieces by diverse artists, from Beethoven and Bach to Duke Ellington. 8 p.m. Nov. 9. $30. Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-0097, cranbrookmusicguild.org.

Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings: There will be love in the air when retired DSO cellist Debra Fayroian performs Purely Romantic, the second concert in DCWS’ Nightnotes Series. A reception takes place a half-hour before the show. 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5. $22 ($10 students). Hagopian World of Rugs, 850 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-559-2095; detroitchamberwinds.org.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Joana Carnerio takes the podium to lead Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Golijov and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 will also be performed under Carnerio’s direction. Nov. 5-7. $19-$70. • Music Director Leonard Slatkin conducts Rachmaninov’s The Isle of the Dead and Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9. Chinese composer Bright Sheng’s Concerto for Orchestra: Zodiac Tales also makes its world premiere. Nov. 11-14. $19-$123. • Founded during the Middle Ages, the Vienna Boys’ Choir returns to the DSO. The choristers, all 10 to 14 years old, perform Austrian and German pieces, as well as other works from around the world. 8 p.m. Nov. 15. $19-$84. • Sir Andrew Davis conducts Debussy’s Images and Bach and Davis’ Passacaglia. DSO Concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisvert also takes a star turn in Schumann’s Violin Concerto. Nov. 26-28. $19-$123. Orchestra Hall in the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward, Detroit; 313-576-5111, detroitsymphony.org.

Michigan Opera Theatre: Set in Paris in 1830, La Bohème is a tragic drama whose impoverished bohemians confronting love, jealousy, and death. The Italian opera in four acts debuted in 1896 and continues to be widely performed around the world. Nov. 13-21. $29-$121. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-961-3500, motopera.org.

University Musical Society: In 1960, five composers collaborated to launch Ann Arbor’s ONCE Festival, an annual event that allowed musicians’ works to be widely heard. Although the festival stopped running after six years, the remaining original composers will mark its 50th anniversary with ONCE. MORE. At the cost of a 1961 ticket, two concerts will showcase old and new compositions. 8 p.m. Nov. 2. $2. Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. • Named for the English composer Thomas Tallis, The Tallis Scholars are renowned for their Renaissance vocal music. The London ensemble’s program comprises English Renaissance pieces and modern works by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. 8 p.m. Nov. 4. $35-$45. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor. • American pianist Murray Perahia makes his 12th appearance at UMS. Performing for more than 35 years, the Grammy Award-winning musician plays Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. 8 p.m. Nov. 10. $10-$75. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-764-2538, ums.org.

Vivace: The principal violinist for Ann Arbor’s Phoenix String Quartet, Gabriel Bolkosky, plays a diverse program, including Debussy, Kreisler, and Franck. Michelle Cooker, a pianist who has performed with the DSO, joins Bolkosky. 8 p.m. Nov. 20. $23 ($20 members and seniors, $12 students under 18). The Birmingham Temple, 28611 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-788-9338 or 248-661-1348; vivaceseries.org.

 

DANCE

Music Hall: Founded more than 50 years ago, the award-winning Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company strives to highlight tribal and folk traditions in its performances and promote cultural understanding abroad. Named for the Filipino tradition of collaborating for the common good, the troupe espouses cultural pride while uniting the talents of many. 8 p.m. Nov. 2. $30-$50. • The illustrious Bellydance Superstars combine dance elements from Egypt, Turkey, and the U.S. Touring for six years, the group has already made an international name for itself. 8 p.m. Nov. 6. $30-$50. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison, Detroit; 313-887-8500, musichall.org.

Michigan Opera Theatre: Grand Rapids Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker returns to MOT to kick off the holidays. Clara and the Prince battle the Mouse King, dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy, and waltz through their fantastical world in this classic two-act ballet. Nov. 26-28. $29-$121. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-961-3500, motopera.org.

 

 

EVENTS

First Friday Art Walk: Kick the weekend off with a night of art, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres in downtown Northville. On the first Friday of each month, select art galleries are open late, and guests can shop and enjoy art demonstrations. 6-9 p.m. Nov. 4. Downtown Northville; downtownnorthville.com.

Curious George Live: The little monkey who has entertained generations of children takes the stage this month starring in his own live musical production. Watch as he tells the story of helping Chef Pisghetti save his restaurant by winning a world-famous meatball competition while singing and dancing. 7 p.m. Nov. 5. 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Nov. 7. $12-$65. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-471-6611.

Disney Live! Presents Mickey’s Magic Show: Mickey and Minnie Mouse join forces with professional illusionists for a magical production. Watch as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches in a spilt second while Donald, Goofy, Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White will be on hand to assist in the magic. 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 6. $19-$40. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 6 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills; 1-800-745-3000. 

Studio 2010: A look inside the Cranbrook Academy of Art includes the opportunity to meet the students and faculty. The event provides a glimpse into the studios where their work is produced. Nov. 6.  6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Benefactor tickets $450, patron tickets $250, late-night studio pass (9:30-11:30 p.m.) $95. Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum, 39221 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3214, artevents@cranbrook.edu.

An Evening with Tracy Reese: St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is hosting a reception, supper, and fashion show highlighting the designs of Detroit native Tracy Reese. Members of the community will be featured models and include Patricia Nolf and Judie Goodman. The event benefits the hospital’s Cancer Resource and Support Center. 6 p.m. Nov. 12. $75-$150. The Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-858-6146.

Holiday Tables: Themed “A Wardrobe for Your Table,” this annual event kicks off with the Patron Tea. The display, on the first floor of Cranbrook House, offers inspiration for holiday entertaining. Nov. 18-21. Patron Tea is Thursday from 12:30-4 p.m., $50. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m. General admission, $20 individual, $15 for groups of 10 or more. Cranbrook House, 380 Lone Pine Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3149, cranbrook.edu/housegardens.

Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk: The “Treasures of Childhood,” as the 39th annual walk is titled this year, showcases the 110-room Tudor Revival mansion bedecked in holiday finery. Nov. 26-Dec. 22. Mon. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 adult, $12 Oakland University staff and alumni (with I.D.), $5 O-U students (with I.D.), $5 children 17/under with paying adult, free for children 2/under. Seniors receive $5 off Tuesday through Thursday; 2200 N. Squirrel Rd., Rochester; oakland.edu.

Hob Nobble Gobble: Enjoy dinner live entertainment, food, carnival midway games, rides, and more. All proceeds benefit The Parade Company. Nov. 20. Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; theparade.org.

America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 9:20 a.m. Nov. 25. Begins at Mack and Woodward and ends at Woodward and Congress in downtown Detroit; theparade.org.

Gobble Wobble: Entering its fourth year, the event will raise money for CATCH, Sparky Anderson’s charity benefiting pediatric patients. Tickets include open bar, entertainment by the band Good Gravy, and charity raffle. $75. Tickets available online only. 8 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. The Reserve, 325 S. Eton St., Birmingham; wepay.com/tickets/add/835, for questions contact Annualgobblewobble@gmail.com.

 

FILM

Detroit Film Theatre: In the 1954 Japanese film The Seven Samurai, a group of samurai turns helpless farmers into warriors to guard their oft-attacked village. Nov. 6. • Nine Nation Animation features a range of award-winning short films shown at international film festivals. Nov. 6-14. • Written by George Bernard Shaw in 1898, Caesar and Cleopatra is a timeless political love story. The play was staged and filmed in high definition at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2008 and now screens in the U.S. and Canada. Nov. 7. • The 2009 Chinese documentary Last Train Home follows a couple who, like many migrant workers, make the annual trek to their home village for New Year’s. Nov. 12-21. • Based on a book by J.R. Ackerley, the 2009 animated film My Dog Tulip is a charming story about a man and his best friend. Nov. 19-28. • Started by Russian director Sergei Eisenstein in the 1930s, ¡Qué Viva México! was not completed until 1979 when another Russian, Grigori Alexandrov, took the reins. The film portrays Mexican life, beginning with the Maya and ending with modern day. Nov. 20. • Recorded in Milan on May 26, Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold is the latest installment of the World Opera in Cinema series. Sung in German, the opera debuted in 1869 and is a mythic story of gods and goddesses. Nov. 21. • Directed by Frederick Wiseman, the 2010 documentary Boxing Gym shows the character and discipline it takes to be a boxer. Centered on Lord’s Boxing Gym in Austin, the film portrays a place where athletes become family. Nov. 26-28. • American writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) travels to Vienna searching for his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) in The Third Man, but he’s too late. Set after World War II, the British thriller won the 1950 Oscar for best black-and-white cinematography. Nov. 27. Tickets for the World Opera in Cinema screening are $20 ($18 members, students, and seniors). All other tickets are $7.50 ($6.50 members, students, and seniors). 5200 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-7900, dia.org/dft.

Detroit Science Center IMAX: Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, Hubble follows the STS-125, the last shuttle mission to the 20-year-old Hubble Space Telescope. The documentary also explores the Hubble’s history and impact on science. Nov. 2-7, 9-14, 16-21, and 23-28, and 30. • Sea lions, cheetahs, bears, and others take the lead in Animalopolis. The family film uses rhyme, verse, and humor to explain animals in their natural habitats. Nov. 2-7 and 9-12. • Hamzah Jamjoom, a Saudi studying in the U.S., returns home in Arabia. An abbreviated history of the Arabian Peninsula and an introduction to Islam are meant to make Westerners reconsider their conceptions of the Middle East. Nov. 2-7 and 9-12. • Two lost children stumble upon The Candleman one Christmas Eve in the stop-motion film The Light Before Christmas. When their rescuer begins reading them The Night Before Christmas, the children find themselves transported into the story. Nov. 6, 13-14, 16-21, 23-24, 26-28, and 30. • NASCAR, narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, gives a complete picture of NASCAR racing, from the drivers on the track to their lives behind the scenes. See how the sport began and the technology that drives it into the future. Nov. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 26-28. Tickets $13.95 ($11.95 seniors and children, $4 DSC members). 5020 John R, Detroit; 313-577-8400; sciencedetroit.org.

The Redford Theatre: Rose (Rosalind Russell) is determined to see that her daughters, Louise (Natalie Wood) and June (Ann Jillian), make it to the big time in the 1962 Warner Bros. film Gypsy. Performing at the height of the Roaring Twenties, the young women become popular on the burlesque scene. Nov. 5-6. Tickets $4. • The Animation Rarities Festival features 12 cartoons from the 1920s-1950s starring Felix the Cat, Daffy Duck, and other classic characters. Live organ music accompanies two silent animated shorts. Nov. 13. Tickets $5. • The 1940 romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story stars Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord, the eldest daughter in a high-society family, and Cary Grant as C.K. Dexter Haven, Tracy’s first husband. After Dexter arranges for tabloid reporters to cover Tracy and her second marriage, the two end up rekindling their love, but not without a few twists and turns first. Nov. 19-20. Tickets $4. 17360 Lahser, Detroit; 313-537-2560; redfordtheatre.com.

 

MUSEUMS

Arab American National Museum: Hawaii’s Alfred Shaheen: Fabric to Fashion showcases the Lebanese-American engineer responsible for revitalizing Pacific Island/Asian textile traditions.  The exhibit features dozens of examples of Shaheen’s  garments and designs as well as images that shed light on the manufacturing and marketing philosophies.  Through March 13. • Arab Civilization: Our Heritage features Arab contributions to the early world. Ongoing in the Community Courtyard. • Coming to America focuses on Arab immigrants and the culture they brought to the United States. Ongoing in Gallery 1. • Living in America exhibits early Arab-American life. Ongoing exhibit in Gallery 2. • Making an Impact celebrates the stories of Arab-American athletes, organizations, physicians, labor leaders, and entertainers. Ongoing exhibit in Gallery 3. $6 adults; $3 students and seniors. Under 5 free. 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-2266, arabamericanmuseum.org.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Portrayals of Life and Landscapes: The Art of Frank Kelley, Jr. features more than 30 of Kelley’s paintings and will be on display until Dec. 12.  Stories in Stained Glass: The Art of Samuel A. Hodge, a series of intricate and colorful works focusing on three areas of African-American culture and history — musicians, dancers, and freedom advocates — is one of the ongoing exhibits in the Main Level Corridor. • A Is for Africa includes 26 interactive stations making up a 3-D “dictionary” designed for children. Ongoing in the Lower Level Corridor. • And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture is an expansive, evolving exhibit that recounts the 3.5-million-year-old odyssey that began in Africa and ends in Detroit. Ongoing in the Core Exhibition Gallery. • Ring of Genealogy, a work designed by local artist Hubert Massey, depicts the struggles of African-Americans in the United States. Ongoing on the Main Level. • Detroit Performs is a photomontage dedicated to those who have gained national and international prominence in the performing arts. Ongoing in the Main Level Corridor. • Target has initiated a program of Free First Sundays at the museum; general admission at other times is $5-$8. 315 E. Warren, Detroit; 313-494-5800, maah-detroit.org.

Detroit Historical Museum: VeloCity: Detroit’s Need for Speed showcases the ways in which Detroiters have used their need for speed on land, water, air, and other forms of transportation. • The Cougar II is a one-of-a-kind two-door red coupe. It was built in 1963 as a prototype of the Ford Motor Co. • Detroit Trivia includes more than 300 years of Detroit facts, divided into four categories. Questions are based on difficulty and include historic images and artifacts. • Fabulous 5: Detroit’s Beloved Sports Coaches features George “Sparky” Anderson, William “Scotty” Bowman, Chuck Daly, Will Robinson, and Dick Vitale. • Detroit Artists Showcase features John Gelsavage (1909-1988), a Polish-American painter and illustrator from Detroit who spent his career capturing the average working American. • Michigan Senior Olympics was founded in 1979, and the first annual Summer Olympics Game was hosted by the City of Pontiac at the Pontiac Silverdome. The exhibit highlights the inspirational stories of those who take part in the tradition. • Frontiers to Factories is an exhibit that shows what Detroit was like before the advent of automobiles. See how the area changed from a trading-post settlement to the metropolis with millions of residents and factories. • Meier’s Wonderful Clock is on display, and was built to demonstrate the skills of clockmaker Louis Meier Sr. Weighing 2,500 pounds, the clock stands at 15-feet high and 7-feet wide, and was shown at the Michigan State Fair in 1906 and Chicago World’s Fair in 1934. • Detroit’s Official Symbols is an exhibit that explains in-depth symbols throughout the city, such as the city’s own flag. • Glancy Trains are from the collection of Alfred R. Glancy Jr., co-owner of the Empire State Building. His extensive collection is on display at the museum. Also at the museum: Saying I Do: Metro Detroit Weddings, Fabulous 5: Detroit Historic Retailers and WWJ Newsradio 950: 90 Years of Innovation. General admission $4-$6. 5401 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-1805, detroithistorical.org.

Detroit Science Center: Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato makes its world debut in Detroit. The exhibit is a 10,000-square-foot showcase that features 36 never-before-seen mummies. The mummies are on loan from the Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato. • The center offers more than 200 hands-on exhibits that include taking a look into space, and science and physical science displays. Exhibits include a rocket laboratory, fitness-and-nutrition station, as well as a heart-health display. New to the center is the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, which was formerly located at the Novi Expo Center. Ongoing. $11.95-$13.95. 5020 John R, Detroit; detroitsciencecenter.org.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum: City on the Straits is an exhibit that provides snapshots of the ways the Great Lakes and the Detroit River have influenced the region. Artifacts include wood shipping crates, an iron paddlewheel hub from The Northerner, a Great Lakes depth chart, and more. • Life on a Long Ship: Great Lakes Sailors takes a look into the lives of the people who make a living on the Great Lakes. This exhibit also offers a glimpse into the jobs of other crew members, such as the wheelsmen, mates, porters, and engineers. Dossin Great Lakes Museum: Celebrating 50 Years! focuses on the early years and the people who made the museum possible. 100 Strand, Belle Isle, Detroit; 313-833-1805, detroithistorical.org.

Exhibit Museum of Natural History: Relics pays tribute to ingenious gadgets, such as a mirrored ball, rotating galaxy projector, video-projector masks, and more. On display indefinitely. • Collecting for Science: Collections, Science, and Scholarships in the U-M Research Museums showcases collections research at the U-M Museum departments of anthropology, paleontology, zoology, and the herbarium. • Archeology! Current Research in the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology is an ongoing research exhibit that examines the questions that contemporary archeologists ask about the past and the techniques they use to answer them. • Free dinosaur tours at 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Planetarium shows every Sat.-Sun.; planetarium tickets are $5. Admission to the museum is free, but suggested donation is $6. University of Michigan campus, 1109 Geddes, Ann Arbor; 734-764-0478, lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum.

Henry Ford Museum: Heroes of the Sky is a permanent exhibit focusing on adventures in early aviation. • With Liberty and Justice for All highlights four pivotal periods of history, beginning with the American Revolution and ending in the 1960s. Permanent exhibit. • Automobiles in American Life features automotive milestones, including the 15 millionth Model T, as well as the Ford Mustang. Permanent exhibit. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001, thehenryford.org.

Greenfield Village: Nearly 100 historic buildings are here; visit notable attractions such as the birthplace of Henry Ford, Noah Webster’s domicile, and the home of Robert Frost. Open seven days a week. 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. $10-$22. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001, thehenryford.org.

 

MUSIC

Video Games Live: Alongside Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, video games have risen to pop-culture prominence. So why not have a concert based on their classic themes? According to its website, Video Games Live is “an immersive event … featuring the best game music performed by top orchestras and choirs combined with synchronized lighting, video, live action, and audience interactivity.” The New York Times called it a “captivating, proudly bombastic show,” and venues have been selling out. They’ve come a long way since Pong. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. $38.15-$48.40. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-983-6000.

Michael Bolton: Michael Bolton’s career began in the heavy-metal band Blackjack, opening for the likes of Ozzy Osbourne. But with his song titles like “Love Me Tonight,” “Without Your Love,” and “My World Is Empty Without You,” it’s easy to see how the blond crooner became famous for covering “When a Man Loves a Woman.” What’s not so easy to understand is how Bolton came to collaborate with Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo on his latest album, last year’s One World, One Love. 7 p.m. Nov. 5. $56.85-$72.20. MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River, Detroit; 313-237-7711.

Brendan Benson: Benson grew up in Detroit and New Orleans, though you wouldn’t be able to tell from his music, which would be more appropriate in 1970s England (think: Elvis Costello, Wings, ELO). Benson’s brush with mainstream success has been in the shadow of fellow Detroit native Jack White in the band The Raconteurs. But while White is off doing his thing in his various other projects, Benson is out to prove he is a force to be reckoned with on his own. 7 p.m. Nov. 9. $18-$20. The Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

The Temptations: There has been much talk lately about what Detroit will be known as in the coming years. The Motor City assembly lines have turned “green,” and many bands are skipping over the Rock City altogether. But thanks to The Temptations, which still feature founding member Otis Williams, the Motown legacy lives on. 8 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13. $25-$65. Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile, Warren; 586-268-3200.

Kate Nash: Kate Nash is so British she calls people “mate” and talks about guys who are “fit.” It’s as cute as her website, which links to cupcake bakeries, a YouTube video of a snoring duck, and a picture of a baby rabbit. The cuteness continues on her new, aptly titled album, My Best Friend Is You. Sorry, fellas, “friend” is all you’ll ever be; Nash has been in a relationship with fellow Brit-rocker Ryan Jarman, of The Cribs, since 2007. 8 p.m. Nov. 12. $17-$20. The Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

Josh Ritter: If you squint hard enough, you might be able to see a resemblance, but it’s purely coincidental. Josh has no relation to John Ritter, of Three’s Company fame. In fact, Josh was born to two neuroscientists and almost pursued his parents’ career at Oberlin College, before changing his major to American history through narrative folk music. It’s good to see such a bright, young man actually making a career on his college degree. 8 p.m. Nov. 14. $15-$18. The Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

John Mellencamp: Not to be outdone by Courtney Cox, the man known as “Cougar” (long before the network TV show dedicated to fierce felines) released No Better Than This in August. The album of folksy Americana was produced by T Bone Burnett and recorded on vintage equipment in famous places like Sun Studios and the first African-American church in the U.S. Mellencamp has said that he’s no longer interested in being a rock star, and if this is the result, it may be for the best. 6:30. Nov. 19. $53-$105.60. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-983-6000.

Village People: Though its members didn’t meet at the YMCA — “Macho Types Wanted: Must Dance and Have a Moustache,” read an ad in a music trade magazine that would become the catalyst for the Village People — they must’ve felt some sadness when the Y officially axed the last three letters from its name. Don’t expect a shorter version of the eponymous hit song, though. 8 p.m. Nov. 19. $43.55-46.65. MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River, Detroit; 313-237-7711.

Paul Oakenfold: You can thank Paul Oakenfold for Will Smith’s career. As an A&R rep in the ’80s, the British trance DJ signed DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince to Champion Records. Smith’s career has since turned to blockbuster action flicks, but so has Oakenfold’s. His high-octane jams have been featured in The Bourne Identity, Collateral, and The Matrix Reloaded. 9 p.m. Nov. 20. $29-$47.20. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451.

Shawn Colvin: Though Colvin lost to Steve Earle, her 2009 album, Live, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. If you’re interested to know what it’s like to lose to Steve Earle, look for the details in Colvin’s upcoming memoir from Harper Collins. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. $40. The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor; 734-761-1800.

Wolf Parade: Wolf Parade is one of those happy accidents (of the Canadian persuasion, by the way). The band was quickly thrown together by Spencer Krug when he was offered a gig, but had no band or songs to play. Wolf Parade describe their third full-length album, Expo 86, as “a red Ferrari speeding through a dry, sunny desert, creating great billows of dust, with the driver having his/her right hand on the wheel and the other hand jutting out the window giving the “middle finger” to the camera and the surrounding world.” Their words, not ours. 8 p.m. Nov. 24. $18. The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

The Gories: In their seven-year career, Detroit garage punk band The Gories recorded three full-length albums. They broke up in 1993, and many would say too soon. Although the band isn’t a household name — even in some parts of Detroit — the various acts that The Gories inspired (The White Stripes, anyone?) are. After nearly two decades apart, the three-piece group reunited last year and sold out the Majestic Theatre. With that kind of outcome, perhaps an annual tradition has begun. 8 p.m. Nov. 26. $15. The Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

Johnny Mathis: Mathis is a prime example of stamina. As a star athlete in high school, the singer was a track-and-field and basketball star. When Columbia Records discovered 19-year-old Mathis singing at a jazz club, he was forced to choose between a record deal and Olympic tryouts. His athletic endurance has translated well to music, though. The performer has released more than 130 albums and is still a star after 50 years in the biz. 9 p.m. Nov. 27. $60.72-$86.71 (Canadian) The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor, 377 Riverside Dr. E., Windsor; 888-345-5885.

Carrie Underwood: With the exception of maybe Kelly Clarkson, Underwood is one of the most successful American Idol winners. Since taking first place in the show’s fourth season, her first three albums have sold more than 10 million units combined. That’s no small feat for a country girl from Muskogee, Okla. That’s right — Underwood is an Okie from Muscogee. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. $35.50-$55.50. Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

 

THEATER

Fisher Theatre: A 1980s love story about a small-town girl and a big-city rocker in Los Angeles’ most famous club, Rock of Ages features some of the biggest hits of the era, from such groups as Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister, Poison, and more. Nov. 9-21. $45-$132.  3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-872-1000.

Gem Theatre: The holiday-themed sequel to Forever Plaid, the musical show Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings once again follows the ghostly quartet of Frankie, Sparky, Jinx, and Smudge as they return from the afterlife with their own brand of holiday music. Nov. 10-Dec. 31. $22.50-$32.50 333 Madison, Detroit; 313-963-9800, gemtheatre.com.

Hilberry Theatre: Noel Coward’s farce Hay Fever follows the romantic misadventures of the Bliss family. The self-absorbed family members, who have invited unsuspecting romantic prospects along for the ride, find themselves trapped indoors during a rainy weekend in the countryside. Through Dec. 4. $25-$30. • Based on a story about the American dream gone wrong, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men follows the story of George and Lennie, two traveling ranch hands and friends, whose shared dream of owning a ranch comes under fire because of Lennie’s inability to control himself. Through Feb. 5. $25-$30. • William Shakespeare’s classic Richard III follows the disfigured Richard, who uses his brilliance for politics to weave a web of intrigue and danger in his single-minded pursuit of the English throne. Nov. 19-Feb. 25. $25-$30. 4841 Cass, Detroit; 313-577-2972, hilberry.com.

Jewish Ensemble Theatre: Written by Emmy-winning actress/comedienne Judy Gold and playwright Kate Moira Ryan, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother follows Gold’s journey to discover what it means exactly to be a Jewish mother. Nov. 13 and 14. $42-$45. 6600 W. Maple
, West Bloomfield; 248-788-2900, jettheatre.org

Matrix Theatre Company: Matrix segues into its 19th season with an American classic. Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof explores how Southern society deals with alcoholism, homophobia, and other polemic topics. Through Nov. 14. $15. Boll Family YMCA Theatre; 1401 Broadway, Detroit; 313-967-0999, matrixtheatre.org.

Meadow Brook Theatre: Back again for its 29th year, Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, returns to Meadow Brook. The play follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts that haunt him into changing his ways. Nov. 20-Dec. 23. $24-39. 207 Wilson Hall, Oakland University, Rochester; 248-377-3300, mbtheatre.com.

Purple Rose Theatre Company: Jeff Daniels’ 13th drama for his theater takes the stage. Titled Best of Friends, it centers on the unfortunate comedic portrayal of two Michigan couples exploring their friendship. Through Dec. 18. $20-$38. 137 Park St., Chelsea; 734-433-7573, purplerosetheatre.org.

Tipping Point Theatre: A musical comedy about male bonding, Guys on Ice examines the story of a couple of ice-fishing, beer-drinking, Green Bay Packers fans as they try to get their lives in order.  Nov. 18-Jan. 15. $28-$30, Senior citizens 62 and older receive a $2 discount. Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady, Northville; 248-347-0003, tippingpointtheatre.com.