January 29-February 5, 2003

29 WED • ART "The Bewildered Object: New Work by Lucian Pompili" — Bring on the funk, California funk art that is, as in the surreally humorous work of sculptor Lucian Pompili. Birthed from the Rat Bastard Protective Association (a group of artists who, in 1951, mounted the exhibition "Common Art Accumulations" at the Place Bar in San Francisco) the style of funk art combines all kinds of seemingly uncombinable objects. With his early roots in Dada and surrealism, Pompili infuses his works with sexuality, historical references and sophisticated laughs. At Sybaris Gallery (202 E. Third Street, Royal Oak). Call 248-544-3388 for more information. Exhibit runs through March 8.

30 THU • ISSUES & LEARNING Peace with Justice for All Film Fest — Kicking off a three-week film series, the documentary Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq is a sobering look into Iraq’s 10 years of isolation, imposed by the UN and enforced by the United States and Britain. Presented by the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, it’s an examination into the repercussions of embargo and war. With conflict looming, this informative survey into the politically motivated realities that elude us daily is as important as it is hidden. The series at Barth Hall (4800 Woodward, Detroit) continues on the next two Thursdays with films on the controversial School of the Americas and the 2000 presidential election debacle. Call 313-869-8835 for further information.

 

31-1 FRI-SAT • MUSIC Buddy Budson and Ursula Walker — Sure, she can sing up-tempo and then throttle back a bit, but let Ursula Walker sing you a sssslllooowww ballad and don’t be surprised to find yourself leaning forward, losing your workaday equilibrium and lurching head-over-butt to land into the tale she’s telling. Along with hubby and musical partner Buddy Budson at the piano, Walker has been an insufficiently heralded song master in Detroit for decades. Jazz fans of a certain age, of course, associate the Hotel Pontchartrain with the patio P-Jazz summer series of the ’70s and ’80s, and get nostalgic. But the return of regular weekend jazz (7 p.m.-midnight) to the hotel’s Classic Bar & Grille is darn good news. Moreover, as part of the mix, Ursula and Buddy return Feb. 14-15 and 21-22. The hotel is at the foot of Washington Boulevard. Call 313-965-0200.

2 SUN • MUSIC The Temptations celebrate Dennis Edwards’ 60th Birthday — We ain’t too proud to beg you to check out this commemoration. Dennis Edwards, an early lead singer of Motown heroes the Temptations, is turning 60 and his rite of passage simply could not transpire without a good old-fashioned Motor City bang. With special coverage from VH1, and a boatload of surprise guests, the celebration of the life and career of the Grammy award-winning front man is sure to have all the makings of a full-fledged reunion. The songs, the moves and the history will all be there for an evening of fun and fond reflection. At the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts (7878 Brighton Road, Brighton). Call 810-494-9172 for further details.

4 TUE–SUN 9 • THEATER The Jackie Wilson Story (My Heart is Crying, Crying) — Detroit native, silky serenader, hit-maker, on-stage firecracker and universal heartthrob, Jackie Wilson’s meteoric rise to stardom in the 1950s and ’60s was as tragedy-filled as it was fantastic. Now the story of Mr. Excitement is being recast as a high-energy musical in The Jackie Wilson Story (My Heart is Crying, Crying). Starring Chester Gregory II and Melba Moore at the Music Hall (350 Madison Ave., Detroit). Call 248-963-2366 for further information.

5 WED • POETRY Courting the Word Poetry Café — It's not often that poets take over the Detroit Institute of Arts, their rhymes and rhythms coalescing in the air, invisibly glowing masterworks in the halls of art. But in honor of Black History Month, poet and Black Bottom Collective founder Khary Kimani Turner hosts two Wednesday evenings of word jazz (Feb. 5 and 19, 7-9 p.m. each date) featuring Detroit word stylists Derrick "D-Knowledge" Gilbert, Aurora Harris, Michael Ellison, Changa M. Bey, Nicole Wells, Ben Jones, Cassie Poe, Liberty R.O. Daniels and Lauren Nicole. With coffee, desserts and everything in Kresge Court, for $5 at the door, how can you say no? The Detroit Institute of Arts is at 5200 Woodward, Detroit. Call 313-833-7900 for further information.