May 28-June 3, 2003

30-1 FRI-SUN • FUN FOR ALL JAMbalaya — Mardi Gras will be a little late this year, folks — at least in Pontiac. So if you missed this year’s festivities down in the Big Easy, or you’d just like to revisit those debauched good times, get on over (beads in tow) to downtown Pontiac for a three-day dose of the fun. Musical acts range include blasts from the past such as Blood, Sweat & Tears and the Kentucky Headhunters, and local acts such as Saoco who will help to re-create the ambience of New Orleans’ Latin Quarter. And we all know it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without the decadent food — so raise your rum runner to the many local restaurants (including Howe’s Bayou, Sweet Georgia Brown, Zef’s Restaurant and others) which will be joining in the spirit of things with a multitude of authentic Louisiana dishes and treats. And don’t miss the Shaka Zulu dancers, the stilt walkers and the funky and affordable art. It’s N’awlins in the comfort of downtown Pontiac. For more information please visit www.pontiacfestivals.com.

31 SAT • MUSIC Cult of the Psychic Fetus — If Elvis really did go to hell for all that pelvic thrusting on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” he’s probably making music that sounds a lot like Cult of the Psychic Fetus. Born of the flatlands of Ohio (which is pretty much like hell, anyway), Cult of the Psychic Fetus are a cornerstone of the “billy”-suffixed world — as in gothabilly and psychobilly. With their curious juxtaposition of classic surf guitar licks and doom-and-gloom wailing vocals, they are oddly enticing — especially on such happy-go-lucky tunes as “Dead Bride” and “Don’t Look In The Basement.” And you thought goths and greasers could never peacefully co-exist. At the Labyrinth (1703 Cass, Detroit) Call 313-438-6153 for more information.

1 SUN • COMMUNITY Motor City Lesbian & Gay Pridefest 2003 — Whoever wants to be gay (or not) and make merry (or Mary) should make plans to play it loud and be proud this Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. on Nine Mile Road in Ferndale — the happenin’ stretch between Woodward Avenue and Allen, that is. Stages and booths and food courts, oh my, will be the setting for a wild line-up of talent that includes folk-blues artist Candye Kane, singer-songwriters Eric Hyman and Liz Larin, the synth-pop duet Justus Boyz, femme-fatale rocker Barbara Payton, Joan Stevenson with the After Midnight Band, national comedian Nick Tarr, and even Beach Blanket Bingo hosted by Trixie DeLuxxe, among many others. After sundown, there’ll be an After-Pride Tea Dance at Q (the club at 141 W. Nine Mile Road) for those who just can’t think of calling it a night.

2 MON • MUSIC Brothers Groove CD release party — Can they continue to play out their admitted goal of “sounding as funky as possible without leaving their brains behind”? And, conversely, can they be their true smart-ass selves (influences from Frank Zappa to James Brown, indeed) without losing that sweaty jam-session aesthetic? Answers are promised with the new CD, So Glad You Came. At Fifth Avenue Billiards (215 W. Fifth Ave., Royal Oak). Call 248-542-9922.