N&D Center

24 WED • ART The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss — You know you like it on the wall,

You have to dig it in the hall.

To many, Dr. Seuss was a champ,

Seems everybody loved his camp.

From kiddies’ books, to political fodder,

The man who invented the Grinch is
modder

And cooler than every other scribe,

Heck … he even gave reading an ultra cool vibe.

And now we are lucky to see his rare works,

It’s art lovers we are … it’s just one of the perks.

(See The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss at the Art Leaders Gallery (33216 W. 14 Mile, West Bloomfield). Call 248-539-0262 for further information. Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 31.)

24 WED • ART A Tribute in Memory of Herbert Gentry: My Buddy — “I paint what I experience, who I am, in the Black world, especially in America,” said painter Herbert Gentry. Born in 1919 and raised in Harlem, NY, Gentry grew up amid one of the most exciting creative explosions of American history — the Harlem Renaissance. Described as “inherently social, and nearly always peopled,” Gentry’s drawings and paintings can be found in such museums as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden. His work is heavily influenced by jazz music, and as a result has a flowing rhythm and color. Gentry passed away this year, but his images will live with us forever. See this “works on paper” exhibition at the G.R. N’Namdi Gallery (66 E. Forest, Detroit.) Call 313-831-8700 for further information.

26 FRI • MUSIC The Holiday Blues Bash — How can they call it the blues when it is so damn much fun? One part chops and one part heady good times is all you need for a whopper of an evening. On the heels of last year’s rockin’ music revue, local faves the likes of the Bugs Beddow Band, Sweet Claudette, Big Smooth, Luther “Bad Man” Keith, Pete “Blind Dog” Fetter and the Steve Somers Band will wield their guitsteels and blow their horns till they flip your lid. Proceeds from the Bash will help to support the Detroit Music Awards. Be there or be square, brother: George & Harry Blues Café (22048 Michigan Ave., Dearborn). Call 313-359-2799 for more information.

26 FRI • FUN FOR ALL Eighth Annual Kwanzaa Film Fest — In celebration of the seven days of Kwanzaa, the Cinema Café and The DV Studio present a Kwanzaa event for the whole family. Attendees are invited to enjoy daily reflections and dialogue on the seven principles of Kwanzaa (known as Nguzo Saba) and a variety of entertainment from area schools and community groups. Expect a week filled with drumming, dancing, poetry, singing and storytelling. And don’t miss the highlight of the event: an offering of feature films, documentaries and shorts that touch on Afrocentric living. Selected films include: The African Burial Ground (USA, 1994) and Faat-Kine (Senegal, 2000). At the First Unitarian-Universalist Church (4605 Cass Ave., Detroit.) Admission is free, all are welcome. Kwanzaa celebrations begin at 3 p.m. and film screenings are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Ends Friday, Jan. 1. Also at First Unitarian-Universalist Church, Barry Harris performs a Kwanzaa jazz concert, Sunday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. Admission $25 adults, $5 children. Call 313-833-9107 for all church events.

27-28 SAT-SUN • FUN FOR ALL Toy & Hobby Expo — Whether or not you’ve been a good little boy is unimportant when it comes to buying collectibles. Kids (even the rotten ones) from ages 1 to 92 will love the goodies that can be found at the Novi Toy & Hobby Expo. From super cool classic 1950’s paraphernalia to today’s hottest baubles, enthusiasts can bask in the tin and plastic glory of everything from die-cast and model kits to Barbies. Oh! Don’t miss the model railroad displays that are a favorite feature among little boys everywhere. At the Novi Expo Center (43700 Expo Center Drive, Novi). Hours are Saturday, Dec. 27: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 28: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 248-348-5600 for more information.