Wednesday • 13
The Bravery
AN HONEST MISTAKE
This puppy-dog punk quintet dominated all-age stages and won the black-shirt-and-dirty-Converse set as a bona fide 2005 band du jour. Though its work isn't exactly, um, genre-defining (they sound eerily like the Killers ... odd ...), the singsong melodies of frontman Sam Endicott certainly get kids crowing, going up and down. Just make sure you save your piss breaks for songs from 2007's The Sun and the Moon, which is frightfully contrived, unlike their endearing 2005 debut hit album. All ages are welcome to the 7 p.m. show at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700 for info.
Friday • 15
Bug
BUZZ BUZZ, GIMME YAYO
Theater in Detroit really can't get any wackier, any gayer, any more enjoyable than at the Rigwald Theatre. Just in time for Valentine's Day weekend, like a decision brought down by a misanthrope who romances hatred, the Who Wants Cake theater company brings to the stage the creepy comedy Bug, Tracy Letts' play about two coked-up losers who find love and scabies in a motel room. No seriously, it's kinda sweet. Opens 8 p.m., Friday, February 15, and runs through Monday, March 10. At the Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; visit whowantscaketheatre.com or call 248-556-8581 for reservations or info.
Friday • 15
Benefit for Forest Arms Victims
EMBERS & CHARITY
The five-alarm blaze that flashed through the Forest Arms apartment building last week left one man dead, two people injured and 100 people homeless, many of them Wayne State students. The fire in the building also routed two signature hangouts: Amsterdam Coffee and People's Records (the latter relocated to owner Brad Hales' nearby home). But the fire has brought out charity from the folks behind this benefit, including such groups as A Stowaway and Los Minstrels del Diablo, as well as a DJs milieu, dirty D, Cirque and JOHNb, and the resident DJs of People's Records. Not to mention sideshow entertainment from Tim TV, bellydancing by Chantal and more. From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Atwater Block Brewery, 237 Joseph Campau. $5 suggested minimum donation, all proceeds to individuals and businesses in a moment of need. Info at benefit@alittlebluedot.com.
Friday • 15
Art Fag, Inc.
LIMP HANDSHAKE DEPT.
An art fag, to most, is easy enough to spot: Mix up a bit of art-school pretentiousness, a truckload of self-absorption, Chuck Taylors, six-buck lattes and mouthfuls of obscure art or indie-rock references. But not so the Art Fag Incorporated dudes. As per its MySpace page, Art Fag is "a group of alcoholics pretending to be DJs who, once a month, play terrible music for you to drink and dance to after 2 a.m." For $3, the foursome is sure to offer a spinning catalogue of pop and not-so-pop, dance and otherwise. With a performance by Erik Estrada Blues Enchilada, even the most avid fans of CHiPs and Mexican food ought to be satisfied. The show, they say, is sure to be fun for all ages, "because everyone's standards are lower after 2 a.m." Natch! At the CAID, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-899-2243.
Friday, Saturday • 15, 16
History of the Word
THE INWARD GAZE
The challenge of reconciling your family and school life. The debt you owe to your loved ones and the dues you must pay in society. The fears about your tomorrow mingling in your head with the threats of today. All this hard-to-acknowledge stuff takes center stage in Detroit this week in History of the Word, a hip-hop musical about the lives of six teenagers. It presents a special collaboration between poet Saul Williams, the man known as a "lyrical Hendrix," and this city's young budding poets. Shows are 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Music Hall, 350 Madison Detroit; 313-887-8500.
Saturday • 16
The American Comic Book: A Detroit Perspective
GUFFAWS, CHORTLES
In case you didn't scour our listings closely, you'll note that this American Comic Book showcase has been cookin' in Pontiac since Jan. 19. With comic book paintings and artwork from the '60s to today, work by local comic artists Suzanne Baumann, Matt Busch, Gary Grimshaw and others is displayed. A closing reception for the exhibit will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center, 47 Williams St., Pontiac; for info, call 248-333-7849.
Saturday • 16
Erotic Poetry and Music Festival
LIBIDO AFLUTTER
In its 21st year, the Erotic Poetry and Music Festival can scarcely be called the Dirty Show-lite. As an "eclectic celebration of the erotic arts," a myriad of sexy performances will take the stage, such as ever-infamous performance artist Satori Circus, underrated transgender performer Stephanie Loveless, Lisa Vicious and local filmmaker Natasha Beste of the Detroit Film Center, who'll screen a compilation of erotic visuals. Admission is $8, and part of the proceeds will benefit Paws with a Cause. The show is 21 and over, at 9 p.m. at Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore, Detroit; 313-873-1739.
Saturday • 16
Dirtbombs CD Release
ESSENTIAL, CHIEF
The band graced MT's cover last week. For good reason; the band, in its own weird little-big way, put Detroit rock 'n' roll on the map, again. Yes, it took the Dirtbombs. The new album, which is out this week, is called We Have You Surrounded. And this is its release celebration. Good on it. At the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700 for info.
Saturday • 16
Wild Sweet Orange
UH, ALT ... DUDE
If you want some Wilco without the Wilco, some Bright Eyes without the Bright Eyes, then dig Wild Sweet Orange, an indie rock five-piece with the old "alt country influences" tag. But, no, wait. They're good. No shit. Performing with Manna and the Quail, Chase Pagan and the Great Fiction. At the Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333 for info.
Saturday • 16
Spice Girls
PIQUANT MATRONS
Ageism is cruel. That said, let's indulge: A decade past the Spice Girl prime, Baby Spice should now be known as Baby Momma Spice &mdsash; the 32-year-old's 6-month-old bundle o' love's name is Beau Lee Bunton. So really, is it fair to call oneself a "girl" in this context? Like Golden Girls? Apparently not: The group's world tour is getting short-shifted 'cause Victoria Beckham, née Posh Spice, realized that she outgrew the Girls and is, indeed, an adult. Therefore, this is the last time you'll ever hear the tease-y sexpot fivesome perform, live. Not that it matters. A trip to the video store for the 1997 film Spice World is all you'll ever need to get a fill of Ginger, Baby, Scary, Sporty and Posh. At the Palace of Auburn Hills, 5 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.
