Arts & Entertainment

10459

Art

 

 

N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art

Abstract art is more than just a few lines and random blocks of color. To fully absorb the meaning of abstraction, one must understand the process artists use to create their artful messages. The 50 Years of Abstraction exhibits just that – a collection of abstract art pieces to show how this art form has transformed over a half-century. May 9-Sept. 7.

52 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-831-8700; nnamdicenter.org.

 

Fine Art at the Village

In 1980, the Creative Arts Council formed Fine Art at the Village – a juried fine art show, located at the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center. The show includes multiple mediums, such as ceramics, digital prints, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalsmithing, painting, and photography. Aug. 3-4.

104 N. Adams Rd., Rochester; 248-689-8734; fineartatthevillage.com.

 

 

Comedy

 

 

S’More Money S’More Problems

Ferndale’s comedy haven, Go Comedy! debuts S’More Money S’More Problems, its 14th sketch comedy revue. The show takes place over a summer stay at Camp Wikipedia, where campers learn about anything from sex to the joys of the great outdoors. June 20-Aug. 2. $15.

Go Comedy! 261 E. 9 Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-327-0575; gocomedy.net.

 

Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan is one of the top touring comedians in the country today, best known for his numerous appearances on late night TV’s  Letterman and Conan, as well as TV shows and movies. Gaffigan brings “The White Bread Tour” to the Meadow Brook Music Festival. Aug. 2. $15+.

Meadow Brook Music Festival, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester, MI 48309; 248-377-0100; palacenet.com.

 

Jay Mohr

Best known for his role on Saturday Night Live and alongside Tom Cruise in #Jerry Maguire#, Jay Mohr will be in town doing what he does best: stand up comedy. Aug. 17. $30+.

Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980; royaloakmusictheatre.com.

 

 

Festivals

 

 

Concerts and Classic Cars

Botsford Commons Senior Community will host a series of live concerts and classic car shows throughout the summer. Music spans from pop to folk at the free concert series. Various dates through Aug. 22.

21450 Archwood Circle, Farmington Hills; 248-426-6903; botsfordcommons.org.

 

Canton Color Tour Summer Jazz Series

This eight-week series of free evening jazz concerts will feature talented musicians such as Phil Denny, Tim Bowman, and Randy Scott. On Fridays during the series, local restaurants will offer food specials so attendees can munch on Canton cuisine while listening to tunes. July 5-Aug. 23.

Various locations on Ford Road, Canton; 734-394-5360; shopcanton.org.

 

Traverse City Film Festival

Founded by filmmaker and local resident Michael Moore, the Traverse City Film Festival is a charitable and non-profit organization that aims to offer a one-of-a-kind film experience to viewers. The fest brings films and attendees from all over the world to beautiful Traverse. July 30-Aug. 4.

Traverse City; 231-392-1134; traversecityfilmfest.org.

 

33rd Annual Implay City Blueberry Festival

Blueberry lovers unite at this festival celebrating the sweet, nutritious berry. There will be free, live entertainment, children’s activities, food, drinks, and, of course, plenty of blueberry-flavored treats. Aug. 2-3.

Downtown Imlay City; 810-724-1361; imlaycityblueberry.com.

 

Annual Fish Sandwich Festival

Straight from the heart of a small fishing community 36 years ago, Bay Port created the Annual Fish Sandwich festival. Although the festival revolves around Bay Port’s fish sandwich, the festival also includes pony rides, an auction, bingo, and fireworks. Aug. 2-4.

Bay Port; 989-551-9929; bayportchamber.com.

 

12th Annual River Raisin Jazz Festival

This award winning free music festival takes place along the banks of the historic River Raisin and features a collection of gifted jazz musicians, like Eric Darius, Ed Stone, and Bobby Caldwell. Concertgoers are welcome to bring pets, lawn chairs, grills, and their own food, though the concert does offer a food court and beer tent to satisfy all taste buds. Aug. 8-11.

Saint Mary’s Park, 24 W. Elm St., Monroe; 734-457-1030; RiverRaisinJazzFestival.com.

 

Green Cruise

In celebration of environmentally friendly transportation methods, the Green Cruise is an environmentalist’s response to the Dream Cruise. From a Green Parade to different paced bike parades, the Cruise aims to promote human-powered transit. Aug. 10.

E. Nine Mile, Ferndale

 

Ann Arbor Pet Fest

The sixth annual Pet Fest gathers local rescue groups and shelters to help find homes for foster pets. Rescue dogs, cats, snakes, and other animals may be adopted, and local vendors and artisans will sell pet wares. Aug. 10-11.

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-929-6533; annarborpetfest.com.

 

Ribs R&B Jazz Festival

Boasting the title of the largest rib festival in the Midwest, the Rib R&B Jazz Fest promises to be the hottest festival of the summer, with food and music from groups such as the Temptations. Aug. 9-11.

Hart Plaza, Detroit; 1-800-794-7503; ribsrnbjazzfest.com.

 

Milford Memories

Typical activities get a twist at this weekend art and food festival. Look for the blind canoe race — only one member of the team is sans eye mask — and cold butt euchre, which involves parking your tush on a block of ice while playing cards. Kids activities in the day give way to the evening beer tent. Aug. 9-11.

317 Union St., Milford; 248-685-7129; milfordmemories.com.

 

19th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise

What better place to watch classic cars parade down the street than up and down Woodward Avenue? Watch tens of thousands of vintage, classic, and specialty vehicles cruise around the Metro Detroit area at the world’s largest one-day auto event. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along Woodward where you can view the cars and enjoy food and drink. Aug. 17.

Woodward Avenue; woodwarddreamcruise.com.

 

Wine and Food Festival

Meadow Brook Music Festival will host their 13th annual Wine and Food Festival this summer, an expansive array of local and international wines, free food sampling, live music, and much more. Lyle Lovett and his Large Band will perform the Sunday of the festival, and Meadowbrook is offering a bundled ticket package for both events. Aug. 24-25. $10+.

Meadow Brook Music Festival, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester; 248-377-0100; palacenet.com.

 

Arts, Beats, and Eats

Ford’s Royal Oak based festival proudly sports a cultural and unique collective of artists, musicians, and food exhibits from the Metro Detroit area, and the United States. The $3 ($5 after 5 p.m.) admission fee goes towards arts advocacy, the city of Royal Oak, as well as numerous local charities. Aug. 30-Sept. 2.

Royal Oak, MI 48067; 248- 541-7550; artsbeatseats.com.

 

Hot & Spicy Food Festival

What better way to celebrate the summer heat than with a festival dedicated to all things hot? The Hot & Spicy Food Festival features spicy foods, music, dancing, and an Iron Chef Competition, all set against a backdrop of Toronto’s beautiful waterfront. Aug. 30-Sept. 2.

Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., Toronto, Canada; 416-973-4600; Harbourfrontcentre.com.

 

 

Museums

 

 

Arab American National Museum

DIWAN5: The Exhibition presents work by 12 Arab American artists. Some pieces are recent additions, while others have had previous debuts in metro Detroit’s sole Smithsonian Affiliate. Through Sept. 1.

13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-2266; arabamericanmuseum.org.

 

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

•The 31st Annual African World Festival will teem with African foods, vendors, drumming, dance, and more performances yet. Young African culture enthusiasts will rejoice in the children’s Watoto Village. More than 100,000 people attended last year. Aug. 16-18. Free.

• Visions of Our 44th President features 44 unique busts of Pres. Barack Obama, each created from a blank sculpture. It is The Wright Museum’s first national travelling exhibit, which will reside in the museum at the conclusion of its tour. Through Aug. 4.

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service: 1913 – 2013 celebrates the century of academia and community work by women of the international black sisterhood. Through March 31, 2014.

• Interactive storytime for children involves music, dancing and a free book to conclude. 2-4 p.m. Aug. 11.

315 E. Warren, Detroit; 313-494-5800; chwmuseum.org.

 

Cranbrook Institute of Science

Dinosaurs—The Lost World. One of the world’s most significant private fossil collections is currently at Cranbrook. The exhibit will display more than 60 dinosaur skeletons and fossil eggs. Daily through Sept. 1.

Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3200; science.cranbrook.edu.

 

Detroit Historical Museum

Riding the Rails: How Rail Transportation Helped Build Detroit explores rail as a necessity in the daily lives of Detroiters and urbanizing the city itself.  Through Dec.

Heart Soul Detroit presents the stories of the most 50 influential Detroiters and their hometown relationship. The portraits and interviews of the exhibit accompanies the book Heart Soul Detroit: Conversations on the Motor City, which compiles the same legends. Through Sept. 29.

5401 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org.

 

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

A River’s Roar showcases the history of Detroit hydroplane racing. The Gold Cup, the oldest active trophy in motorsports, has been awarded in Belle Isle’s course more than anywhere else. Through April 2014.

100 Strand, Belle Isle, Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org/main/dossin.

 

Greenfield Village

• The Summer Celebration is a mixed bag of short plays, live music, craft demos, and interactive programs. These regular activities are sprinkled throughout the day and the Village, so worry not about missing Tales from Huck Finn or nostalgia-inducing stylings of The Model Three.

• Locally sourced barbeque, brewskis and the Front Street Blues Band are center stage at the backyard-style Local Roots Blues, Brews & Evening Dining BBQ. Vegetarians needn’t fret: Portobello skewers can be devoured in lieu of the bacon-wrapped cobs of corn. Aug. 8. $65.

• The Village totes their Historical Base Ball — that’s right, two words — Games as the purist’s version of the pastime. The 19th-century rules, uniforms, and live music are just like your great-great-granddaddy’s. Every Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 18.

• This month’s edition of Macy’s Second Mondays practically guarantees sunny weather for the little ones. Budding historians can enjoy hands-on activities, storytelling, live music, and Meet the Hobo.

20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; hfmgv.org/village.

 

Henry Ford Museum

Designing Tomorrow: America’s World’s Fairs of the 1930s exposes the impact of Depression-era world’s fairs. The exhibit delves into American curiosity of through 150 artifacts, including Elektro the Moto-Man robot. Through Sept. 2.

20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; thehenryford.org.

 

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Race: Are we so different? suggests race lacks biological basis and is instead related to gender, socioeconomics, religion, and politics. The traveling exhibit is designed to encourage discussion of race as a cultural construct. Through Aug. 11.

University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes, Ann Arbor; 734-764-0478; lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum.

 

 

Music

 

 

Kendrick Lamar

The California-based rapper will come to Detroit this summer to support his major label debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d. city.” His album, which depicts experiences of his life as an inner-city youth, received enough critical acclaim for the industry to consider him the next big name in rap music. Aug. 1. $25+.

The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451.

 

Beach Boys

The Beach Boys plan on bringing some good vibrations to Freedom Hill Amphitheatre. The band has been performing more than 50 years now, and are the voices behind numerous classics. Aug. 2. $16+.

Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, 586-268-9700.

 

Jay Z and Justin Timberlake

It might’ve taken Justin Timberlake six years to release a new album, but this time he’s partnered with Jay Z. The duo have performed together at this year’s Super Bowl and Grammy Awards, and now the modern day living legends will be together in their highly anticipated “Legends of the Summer” tour at Ford Field where the show is expected to sell out. Aug. 6. $40+.

Ford Field, 2000 Brush St. #200, Detroit; 313-262-2000.

 

Lil’ Wayne

Award-winning hip-hop artist Lil’ Wayne has been through a lot in the past several months, mainly a series of seizures that put him into the hospital. But nothing can hold him back from performing, and his recent tour, “2013 America’s Most Wanted Music Festival,” will be hitting Detroit this summer. Special guests will be T.I. and 2 Chainz. Aug. 9. $50+.

Joe Louis Arena, 19 Steve Yzerman Dr., Detroit; 313-396-7000.

 

Kid Rock

Grammy-nominated Detroit rocker Kid Rock is returning home for a string of eight concerts this summer. He decided to sell his tickets at a low price to make his concert more accessible to the public; after all, he believes everyone deserves a fun summer night. The tour is to support his most recent album, Rebel Soul. Aug. 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20. $20.

DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-0100.

 

Depeche Mode

They may have a career spanning over 30 years, but Depeche Mode has no intent to slow down. Their international tour brings the English electronic band to Detroit for a concert supporting their new album Delta Machine. Aug. 22. $27+.

DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-0100.

 

Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkston

While the meaning behind Maroon 5 has never been shared, the group’s idol Billy Joel was let in on the secret. Lead by singer Adam Levine, the band will perform alongside American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson for a summer tour that will be sure to have you singing along to their well-known radio hits.  Aug. 28. $33+.

DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-377-0100.
Maroon 5 image © Copyright A&M Records

 

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Since 1994, Michael Franti & Spearhead have been blending hip-hop beats with sounds of reggae, funk, and soul. Their current “All People Tour” will make a stop at the Royal Oak Music Theatre this fall. Sept. 6. General admission $25+.

Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980.

 

 

Theater

 

 

The Brass Tacks Ensemble presents The Seagull

Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is a play usually performed with a heavy hand, however The Brass Tacks Ensemble like to strip things down to their namesake, brass tacks, and this performance is no different. Join the ensemble as they peer into the lives of Russian summer vacationers on a lake. Aug. 1-3. $15.

Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-769-2999, kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

 

The Redford Theatre

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz brought their comedic relationship to the silver screen in the 1953 comedy The Long, Long Trailer. The two play a newlywed couple, and the wife, Tacy, wants to start their new life together on the road, in a massive trailer. Of course with these two, there are a few bumps along the way. Aug. 9-10. $5.

Containing one of the most famous scores in movie history, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws instilled a deep fear of the ocean into audiences everywhere. In the 1975 film, Roy Schneider and his team go after the monstrous shark that has been terrorizing beaches in Massachusetts. Schneider ad-libbed the most famous and ominous line in the film: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Aug. 23-24. $5.

17360 Lahser Rd., Detroit; 313-537-2560; redfordtheatre.com.

 

Penn Theater

Little Orphan Annie is living a difficult life in a dysfunctional orphanage until her life is forever changed when she finds herself in the home of New York’s wealthiest man, Oliver Warbucks. Annie will warm the hearts of audiences with its humor, song and dance, and with the message that even if life gets rough, the sun will always come out tomorrow. Aug. 1. $3.

The von Trapps are back on the big screen in the classic 1965 film The Sound of Music. When Maria, played by Julie Andrews, comes to aid the Captain von Trapp and his seven children, she is shocked at how strict he runs his household. But with the help of music, she brings warmth back into the home and in the end, helps the family escape Austria to avoid Nazi involvement. Aug. 15. $3.

Caractacus Potts, and eccentric inventor in the early 20th century, can barely make ends meet for his family. He catches a break when he scrounges up enough money to buy a car and turns it into a flying machine in 1968’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. However, a foreign ruler wants it for himself, which causes some trouble for the Potts family. Aug. 22. $3

The Muppet Movie was the first film featuring the Muppets. In this 1979 movie, Kermit travels across the country in attempts to pursue a career in Hollywood. He meets his friends along the way, including Miss Piggy, all who end up making the journey with him. A plethora of cameos make this a fun film for the whole family. Aug. 29. $3.

760 Pennimnan Ave., Plymouth; 734-453-0870; penntheatre.com.

 

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