Wednesday • 3
David Turnley
ART
Photojournalist David Turnley was acquainted with the term “embed” long before it became a post-9/11 part of the American vernacular. Turnley — whose powerful photographic works have captured both Gulf wars, the war in Kosovo and Ground Zero — is an Ann Arbor native and former staff photographer for the Detroit Free Press. His works will be displayed until Nov. 30 at Oakland Community College, 739 S. Washington, Royal Oak (in the Lila Jones Johnson Theater); 248-246-2633. Reception at 7 p.m. and lecture at 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY • 5
Triptych Myth
MUSIC
As pianist Cooper-Moore tells his life story in as essay on the Web, he heard the music of Ornette Coleman and “there was no going back.” That was 40 years ago when Cooper-Moore was a teenager, but he’s kept going and growing in the various permutations of the free-jazz underground since the 1960s, building a personal style on the foundations of Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk and others. His current trio, Triptych Myth, puts him with drummer Chad Taylor (of the Chicago Underground Duo and related groups) and bassist/tuba player Tom Abbs. At the Detroit Art Space Gallery, 101 E. Baltimore, Detroit; 313-664-0445.
Friday • 5
Jandek on Corwood
FILM
Not since the death of schizophrenic underground icon Wesley Willis has the world of cult music-making experienced such hipster buzz. This is partly due to the directorial efforts of moviemaker Chad Freidrichs and his 89-minute documentary Jandek on Corwood. The film about the enigmatic Houston-based entertainer has nerdy music-philes lining up at art movie houses across the country. This doc investigates the story behind Jandek, a reclusive Texas musician who has released 34 albums in 25 years and whose questionable mental health makes him a one-of-a-kind unsung hero. At the Detroit Film Center, 1227 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-9936. Show time is 7 p.m.
Friday-Sunday • 5-7
A Flea in Her Ear
THEATER
From George Feydou — master of the French boudoir farce — comes A Flea in Her Ear. This classic tale of mistaken identity, tawdry sexual intrigues and (you got it) gossip, will delight audiences and blow up a few, ahem, skirts. Get your ya-yas out with Wayne State University’s presentation of this hysterical play at the Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-577-2972. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Saturday • 6
Tim Conway & Harvey Korman: Together Again
COMEDY
So maybe their hip bones are a bit brittle for the pratfalls, but, folks, the zany antics of The Carol Burnett Show comedic godheads Tim Conway and Harvey Korman are as alive and well as the goofy gents themselves. In a hilarious exercise in nostalgia, the venerable twosome will resurrect many of their best-known characters (Conway’s “Old Man” and Korman’s “Impatient Traveler,” for example) and will dish some new sketches and stand-up routines to boot. At the Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-983-6611.
Friday • 5
Herbie Hancock
MUSIC
When in doubt, go Gershwin, right? It’s not as if Grammy Award-winner Herbie Hancock needed any sort of leg up in the music world, but his 1998 album on Verve Records, Gershwin’s World, was one of those rarefied offerings that explored old territory in a very new way. And when you’re talking about the sacred ground that is a Gershwin tune, this can be tricky. The DSO will welcome Hancock with a performance of songs from his tribute record, as well as some snazzed-up offerings from the Duke Ellington and Hoagy Carmichael catalogs. At the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-576-5100.
Friday-Sunday • 5-7
Haiti’s Bicentennial
COMMUNITY
Ouais! The Haitian Network Group of Detroit (HNGD), will commemorate the bicentennial of Haiti’s independence with 1804-2004 Celebrating a Legacy, a family-friendly program. The three-day celebration commences on Friday, Nov. 5, with an awards banquet and dance at Vladimir’s Banquet Hall, 28124 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-548-3920. Don’t miss the special performance from popular Haitian group Top Vice. Tickets for the banquet are $65 per person and proceeds will go to benefit flood victims in Haiti. On Saturday and Sunday there will be a free conference and lecture series, as well as youth workshops in Haitian drumming, dance, games and storytelling at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren, Detroit; 313-494-5800. Visit hngd.com for further info.
Friday • 5
Reverend Glasseye
MUSIC
Formerly known as Slim Cesna’s Auto Club, Reverend Glasseye is made up of old-timey-inspired, revivalist rock ’n’ rollers whose sense of humor is eclipsed only by their uncanny ability to write a tune. Tongue planted firmly in cheek, this unique fivesome is a group of deft roots musicians and animated performers — truly a sight to see. (Think Blanche on a long, dark mescaline trip.) Get saved at the Belmont, 10215 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck; 313-871-1966.
FRIDAY • 5
Roberta Flack
MUSIC
One might say that the lusty sounds of soul singer Roberta Flack are responsible for more unplanned pregnancies in the 1970s than marijuana, Valium and Peach Ripple combined. In fact, the romantic singer-songwriter’s influence has been so far-reaching that even modern-day artists like the Fugees and Anita Baker credit her as one of their main inspirations. Experience Flack’s pure emotion at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-286-2141.
Ongoing
TopDog/Underdog
THEATER
Rapper/poet Mos Def created the first bit of pop buzz on Topdog/Underdog when he starred in the Broadway version in 2002. Even though the performance received mixed reviews, this contemporary Cain and Abel tale has been well received by audiences everywhere. The story centers around two brothers, Lincoln and Booth, whose troubled past and diametrically opposed ethics create problems of homicidal proportions. This play can be seen Thursdays through Sundays (beginning Friday, Nov. 5) at the Redd Apple Gallery, 227 Iron St., Suite 116, Detroit; 313-567-0712. Runs until Dec. 5.
