Arts and Entertainment

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ART

Ariana Gallery: Pieces normally considered to be trash become works of art in the exhibit Trashformations, starting Aug. 28. 119 S. Main, Royal Oak; 248-546-8810, arianagallery.com.

The Art Center: Celebrating Martha Rock Keller’s 50 years in the art business, Remembering the Days features a collection of more than 50 works taken from various periods of the artist’s life. Through Aug. 8. • The 2010 Annual: All Media Exhibition gives the opportunity for 4,000 emerging and existing media artists all over the state to showcase their work. The juror for this year’s exhibition is Mark Nielsen, director of the Slusser Galleries and the Intersections Program at the University of Michigan. Opening reception: Aug. 13, 6-8 p.m. 117 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-994-8004; annarborartcenter.org.

Art Gallery of Windsor (AGW): Elements of Being: Women and the Number 3 is an exhibition that brings together works that, at first glance, are different until digging deeper to find the sameness in each. Through Aug. 22. • The southwestern Ontario-style craft exhibition Masterworks Southwest- connects artists and the public to celebrate craft as an art form. Through Sept. 5.  401 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor, Ontario; 519-977-0013.

Artspace: Anniversary Suite displays a portfolio of prints celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cranbrook Art Academy from the heads of the art departments.  Works are by Daniel Libeskind, Jun Kaneko, Gerhardt Knodel, and Michael Hall — under the supervision of Steve Murakishi. Aug. 3-31.  303 E. Maple, Birmingham; 248-258-1540.

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.

David Klein Gallery: Summer Selections runs until Aug. 31. 163 Townsend, Birmingham; 248-433-3700, dkgallery.com.

Detroit Institute of Arts: Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1550-Present explores 500 years of artwork made by Africans in response to the “varied and dynamic cultural exchanges” with Europeans. Through Aug. 8.  Admission: $8 adults; $6 seniors; $4 ages 6-17; children and members free. Wed.-Thur.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri.: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mon.-Tue. 5200 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-7900, dia.org.

Ellen Kayrod Gallery: • The Seventh Annual Intergenerational Community Exhibition, features works by Itchel Kia Arriaga, Mira Burack, Faina Lerman, Rick Vian, Sue Carmen Vian and Graem Whyte. Aug. 27 until Oct. 8. 4750 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-1300, hannan.org.
Flint Institute of Arts: Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art runs in the Johnson and Rabiah Galleries through Aug. 15. • Recent Acquisitions to the FIA’s Permanent Collection is on display in the Ford Graphics Gallery until Sept. 26. • Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass exhibit runs in the Hodge & Temporary Exhibition Galleries until Aug. 22. 1120 E. Kearsley, Flint; 810-234-1695; flintarts.org.

Gallery Project: Faux Real, created by Sarah Buckius, Lea Bult and Lynn Galberaith, is an exhibit displaying fake and real art that are similar in concept and material. Through Sept. 5. 215 S. Fourth, Ann Arbor; 734-997-7012; thegalleryproject.com.
Halsted Gallery: Summer Sizzle and David Williams run until Aug. 31. 3658 Pheasant Run, Bloomfield Hills; 248-745-0062, halstedgallery.com.

Lawrence Street Gallery: Michigan Sculptor’s Guild features sculpture in different types of media and styles.  Aug. 4-Aug. 28.  Opening reception: Aug. 6 from 6-9 p.m. 22620 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-544-0394; lawrencestreetgallery.com.
Padzieski Art Gallery: From Mocha to Latte: the Arab World runs through Aug. 15. Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan, Dearborn; 313-943-2190, DCACarts.org.

River’s Edge Gallery: Michigan artists Eddie Thiel, Dennis Jacobs, Rudy Salazar III, and Jeremy Hansen show new works through Aug. 31 with a street painting demonstration and citywide wine-tasting to benefit the Josephine Ford Cancer Center Downriver on Aug. 20. • Audrey Poncracz and Ryan G. Hill use the dark-and-light method in paintings to show the act of balancing one’s perceptions with realities in Balancing Act. Through Aug. 13. 3024 Biddle, Wyandotte; 734-246-9880, artattheedge.com, riversedgegallery@wyan.org.
Scarab Club: In the Main Gallery, Balthazar Korab runs until Aug. 15, and Welcome to the Cop Shop starts Aug. 18 and is up until Aug. 29. 217 Farnsworth, Detroit; 313-831-1250, scarabclub.org.

UMMA: Turning Point: Japanese Studio Ceramics in the Mid-20th Century focuses on the creativity and lasting influence of this period in the Japanese studio pottery movement. Closes Aug. 22. • In an exhibit of 44 prints, Sister Corita: The Joyous Revolutionary explores the Catholic nun’s work, from the late 1950s to the “Love” stamp created for the U.S. Postal Service. Through Aug. 15. • Paper representations of the artist’s graphic perspective of North America named On Beauty and the Everyday: The Prints of James McNeill Whistler opens Aug. 21. 525 S. State, Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395, umma.umich.edu.

 

CLASSICAL

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Stuart Chafetz conducts the DSO in “A Night at the Movies,” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Meadow Brook Music Festival, Rochester Hills; 248-377-3300. • In a special performance, the Silk Road Ensemble with cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs cultural music of countries through Europe and Asia using traditional instruments of each country (the DSO doesn’t appear on this program). 7 p.m. Aug. 15. $25-$125. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward, Detroit; 313-576-5111; detroitsymphony.com

 

EVENTS

Orchard Lake Fine Art Show: Entering its eighth year, this annual event has been named among the top 100 art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine three years in a row. Enjoy painting, glass-blowing and watercolor art demonstrations, as well kids’ activities and live entertainment. July 30-Aug. 1. Charter Township of West Bloomfield, streets of Powers and Daly, between 14 and 15 Mile roads, west of Orchard Lake Road; hotworks.org.

Gun and Knife Show: Considered to be the largest gun and knife show in the state, this event also offers military surplus supplies, custom handmade gun cabinets, wild-game jerky, and more. July 31- Aug. 1. Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River, Novi; migunshows.com.

Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise: With or without a classic car, one is welcome to join in all the free festivities. Enjoy a cruise parade, raffle, live entertainment, and children’s activities throughout the day. Noon-6 p.m. Gratiot Avenue, from 14 Mile Road, north of Metropolitan Parkway, to Wellington Crescent and back; ctgratiotcruise.com.

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. Aug. 6. Downtown Northville; downtownnorthville.com.

Summer Fine Arts in the Village: Entertainment, 101 juried artists from around the country, as well as arts and crafts activities are planned. Aug. 7-8. Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams, Rochester Hills; fineartatthevillage.com.
Rubber Stamp Show: A variety of stamping, scrap booking, and paper art products are all on display for purchase. Aug. 7-8. $6-$8. Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River, Novi.

Milford Memories: A weekend filled with artwork, food, entertainment, and family activities. More than 200,000 guests are expected to attend and enjoy Civil War encampment, hot-pepper eating contest, kids’ fishing tournament, canon firing, and more. The event got its name back in 1991 when the festival centered on a musical production called Milford Memories. Aug. 13-15. Downtown Milford, 209 Main St., Milford; milfordmemories.com.

Woodward Dream Cruise: Get in gear for a weekend featuring 40,000 classic cars, muscle cars, street rods, as well as custom and collector autos following the 16-mile route down Woodward Avenue. The Cruise encompasses eight host communities, including Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, and Ferndale. Celebrating its 16th year, this event is considered the world’s largest one-day automotive event of the year. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 21. woodwarddreamcruise.com.
Michigan Renaissance Festival: The RenFest is filled with actors dressed in period costumes, belly dancers, jousting matches, and more. Weekends. Aug. 21-Oct. 3. Weekends. 12500 Dixie Hwy., Holly; michrenfest.com.

Fash Bash Rehash: A benefit for the Detroit Institute of Arts, the evening will celebrate two occasions: The 125th anniversary of the DIA and the grand opening of the new Contemporary Collections at Saks Fifth Avenue in Troy. Festivities include strolling cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, fashion show, and designer personal appearances. Aug. 26. $125 (which includes a 15-percent discount card and $25 SFV gift card). Saks Fifth Avenue, 2901 W. Big Beaver, Troy; 313-833-4025.

 

FILM

Detroit Film Theatre: Mariana Chenillo’s first film, Nora’s Will, begins with a suicide, but becomes a shockingly sweet love story centered on a forgotten photograph. Through Aug. 8. • The French film Wild Grass, by Alain Resnais, portrays the unpredictable chain of events sparked by an ordinary purse burglary using inventive widescreen cinematography. Aug. 6-15. • Father of My Children, directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, provides a realistic perspective into the film industry by focusing on Grégoire, a French film producer dealing with the tribulations of demanding actors, family, and money. Aug. 13-22. • Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor’s documentary Sweetgrass exposes the life of the modern-day cowboy, wrangling sheep and searching for cellular service at the same time. Aug. 20. • Felix Moeller’s film Harlan — In the Shadow of “Jew Süss” describes the life of Veit Harlan, a prominent filmmaker of Nazi Germany. With rare footage and interviews, the film also delineates the effects of Harlan’s anti-Semitic legacy on his family. Aug. 22. • All tickets $6.50-7.50. 5200 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org/dft.

Detroit Science Center IMAX: Arabia depicts the extreme geography, rich history, and intricate culture unfamiliar to many. • Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, Nascar 3D is a thrill ride for all ages, with a touch of history and science included. • Swim alongside wild Dolphins in the waters of the Bahamas and the seas of Patagonia while listening to the narration of Pierce Brosnan and the music of Sting. • Hubble 3D, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, offers a look into how NASA’s astronauts strive to make sense of some of the celestial mysteries of the universe.• Tickets $11.95-13.95. 5020 John R, Detroit; 313-577-8400; detroitsciencecenter.org.

The Redford Theatre: Stanley Kramer’s 1963 comedy classic, It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, details the race to find $350,000 belonging to a deceased con man. With a stellar cast including Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, and Jimmy Durante, the nearly three-hour-long film produces laughs, but effortlessly portrays the evil of greed, too. Aug. 6-7. • A satirical spin on a gallant knight’s tale, 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail plays Aug. 20-21. •  The Laurel and Hardy Film Festival on Aug. 27-28 will feature Sons of the Desert, a 1933 comedy about husbands attempting to lie to their wives, in addition to two short films each night. • All tickets $4-$6. 17360 Lahser, Detroit; 313-537-2560; redfordtheatre.com.

Penn Theatre: Dorothy (Judy Garland) journeys to the Emerald City with a little help from her friends in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. Aug. 5. • Characters play a vicious game of cat and mouse in the animated film An American Tale: Fievel Goes West. Aug. 12. • It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World hilariously depicts the inherent greed present in every person. Aug. 19. • Muppet Treasure Island is a whimsical film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel. Aug. 26. • All shows 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. $3. 760 Penniman, Plymouth; 734-453-0870; penntheatre.com.

 

MUSEUMS

Arab American National Museum: 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. From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup is an exhibit that explores the effects of coffee on the history of the Arab world, as well as its impact on the rest of the world. The exhibit also takes a look at cultural roots, social traditions, and global institutions. Through Aug. 15. North American Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermès Collection is an exhibition of jewelry and historic photographs from the North American nations of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia. Through Aug. 8.  $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: Joe Louis: Hometown Hero, Crowning Glories: States, Style, and Self-Expression, and Who Am I? My DNA Diary all run through the fall. • Celebrating Figurative Art: The Works of Mychael Shane, Zeina Carla Washington, and Denemours L. Lockeet runs through Aug. 22. 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 trains from the collection of Alfred R. Glancy Jr., co-owner of the Empire State Building. His extensive collection is on display at the museum. 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, iron paddlewheel hub from The Northerner, Great Lakes depth chart, and more. • Life on a Long Ship: Great Lakes Sailors takes a look into the lives of the individuals 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 historical 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

Beach Boys: Wouldn’t it be nice if the Beach Boys’ good vibrations could play all summer long? God only knows it would be fun, fun, fun. Original members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are still cruisin’ thanks to Love’s business acumen — he owns the rights to the Beach Boys’ name. It ruins Brian Wilson’s smile just thinking about it. 6 p.m. Aug. 1. $18-$38.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Blitzen Trapper: This Portland-based sextet is riding the crest of its career after releasing Destroyer of the Void, the band’s fifth full-length album, in June. They expand on the experimental folk-rock of their critically acclaimed previous album, 2008’s Furr, with an added dose of prog-rock. Destroyer’s opener and title track is a six-minute romp through the rock ’n’ roll songbook. 8 p.m. Aug. 4. $13-$15. Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

Maroon 5 with Owl City: Maroon 5 went all the way to Switzerland to record their third studio album with famed producer Mutt Lange. And though the album Hands All Over won’t be released until early September, you can expect to hear cuts from it at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5. $25-$46.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Barenaked Ladies with Kris Allen: BNL have been testing new ground ever since founding member Stephen Page left the band last year. He wasn’t just a sideman, either. Page is credited or co-credited for 97 of the 113 songs the band wrote during his tenure. All in Good Time, BNL’s first album without him, dropped in March. We’ve yet to see whether Page’s departure will have the same result as Syd Barrett leaving Pink Floyd, or John Fogerty leaving CCR. 7 p.m. Aug. 10. $28-$48. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Kenny G: The one thing that most people know about Kenny G is that he once held the world record for blowing a single musical note on a saxophone (an E-flat) for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. Usually, though, his smooth jazz consists of many notes played in succession. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. $10-$48.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Kid Rock: Hour Detroit’s 2009 “Detroiter of the Year” plays a three-date set in Clarkston — easy for him, considering the venue is just minutes from his home. Prepare yourself for the most talked-about concert of the summer. 7 p.m. Aug. 13-15. $33.50-$55.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

The Black Keys: Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, the blues revival duo that is the Black Keys, have come a long way from Carney’s Akron, Ohio, basement where they recorded their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2001. Brothers, the Keys’ sixth album, was released in May and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts — their highest position to date. 7 p.m. Aug. 14. $27.50. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451.

Justin Bieber: RT @DetBieberFan: Omg! @justinbieber is finally coming 2 #Detroit! Can’t w8 2 c him perform w/o 140-character limit. PLEASE RETWEET. 7 p.m. Aug. 15. $32.50-$52.50. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

Herbie Hancock: Hancock shocked the music world when he won an Album of the Year Grammy for River: The Joni Letters. It was only the second jazz album to ever receive such distinction. Then again, his spot in history books was pretty much guaranteed as early as 1963, when Hancock became a member of Miles Davis’ “second great quintet.” 8 p.m. Aug. 18. $22-$55. Chene Park Amphitheater, 2600 Atwater, Detroit; 313-393-0292.

Zac Brown Band: If you missed the buzzworthy country rock band when they played for free at Detroit’s Downtown Hoedown recently, here’s your chance to catch a full set. 7 p.m. Aug. 18. $28-$42. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.
Rihanna with Ke$ha: While Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend Chris Brown is denied entry into the United Kingdom because of pleading guilty to assaulting the pop diva, she’s out touring the world and selling out shows. Perhaps she should re-name her tour “Karma.” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22. $27.25-$97.25. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Green Day with A.F.I.: According to Rolling Stone, bands like Green Day — those that headline major summer festivals — sign “exclusivity clauses” stating that they will not play in the proximity of a festival within a certain time frame. For Green Day fans in Chicago, that means dropping $200 to see them at Lollapalooza — an example of why sometimes it pays to live in Detroit. 7 p.m. Aug. 23. $35-$69.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Stone Temple Pilots: The new millennium hasn’t been too kind to STP, one of the best-selling rock acts of the 1990s. Plagued by band drama, and vocalist Scott Weiland’s drug use, the band split in 2003. They regrouped in 2008 for a tour, which spawned a self-titled new album last May. Rolling Stone called it the band’s “most focused album since 1992’s Core.” Aug. 26. Time and price TBA. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-983-6000.

David Gray and Ray LaMontagne: At first glance, David Gray — the Manchester-born, Welsh-bred songwriter — and Ray LaMontagne — the former shoe-factory worker who quit his job to pursue music after hearing a Stephen Stills song — seem like an unlikely pairing. Gray’s piano-driven new-age ballads and impassioned tenor are quite the contrast to LaMontagne’s soulful sandpaper croon and classic rock styling. But it makes sense when you remember that both men began their musical careers as all-acoustic folkies. 7 p.m. Aug. 26. $30-$65. Meadow Brook Music Festival, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-377-0100.

Anita Baker: Baker, a Grosse Pointe resident, recently performed the National Anthem before Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, her rendition was not well received. Shortly after, “Anita Baker” began trending on Twitter, where she was criticized for failing to hit some of the song’s key notes. You can expect material that is better suited for her voice, like the songs that won her eight Grammys, at 8 p.m. Aug. 28. $10-$49.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-8215.

Aerosmith: The Bad Boys from Boston have been on thin ice lately. Lead singer Steven Tyler almost quit Aerosmith altogether last year, and the band was rumored to have begun auditions for his replacement. According to Reuters, Tyler threatened the other members with a lawsuit if they didn’t stop replacement proceedings. What happened next? The band announced a U.S. summer tour, with Tyler fronting. You can expect some interesting chemistry at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31. $49.50-$125. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

 

THEATER

Dearborn Centennial Library: This summer, Henry Ford Community College’s One Act Festival will include Suburbia by Eric Bogosian, directed by Chris Bremer, on Aug. 19-28. The play centers on five young adults who contemplate their unspent potential on a street corner of a suburb. All tickets $7. 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-845-9817.

Purple Rose: Directed by Nathan Mitchell, Marc Camoletti’s classic farce Boeing-Boeing runs through Aug. 28. 137 Park St., Chelsea; 734-433-7673; purplerosetheatre.org.

Ringwald Theatre: Youth acting troupe The Upstart Players will perform their first show, a comedy called Kokonut High Aug. 13-15. 27742 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-399-3727; whowantscaketheatre.com.

Water Works Theatre Company: Royal Oak’s annual Shakespeare in the Park continues in August. Guests are invited to picnic before the remaining performances, which are at 7 p.m. Aug. 5-7 and 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at Starr Jaycee Park. Also, the family production The Commedia King Arthur, by Lane Riosley, runs Aug. 3-4 (7 p.m.) and Aug. 1, 7, and 8 (11 a.m.). 320 W. Seventh St., Royal Oak; 248-399-3727; waterworkstheatre.com.

Send information at least nine weeks in advance to: Listings, Hour Detroit, 117 W. Third St., Royal Oak, MI 48067. By e-mail: editorial@hourdetroit.com. By fax: 248-691-4531.