N&D Center

Wednesday • 17

Figure Fixers’ European Showcase

ETC

Unless you’ve experienced the all-day pinching of an unforgiving elastic strap or a poke to the ta ta from a weathered underwire, you have no idea of the importance of a well-fitting bra. Weary bra-wearin’ locals will be pleased to know, however, that the Figure Fixers of Metro Detroit say that they can rescue their raw skin with a bra-fitting event that is dedicated to finding the right underwear for the right gal. Whether it’s discovering the perfect bra for that backless black dress, or simply buying the skivvies that best complement your figure, this intimate event will provide a showcase of the season’s best European collections, light refreshments and a private fitting session. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bra~Vo Intimates, 517 S. Washington, Royal Oak; 248-582-7286.

Thursday • 18

Detroit’s Top Ten

ART

They’ve done the clothes. They’ve done the vinyl. Now it’s time for the art. This week, Pure Detroit will enter the ranks of “art gallery”: Its inaugural exhibit, Detroit’s Top Ten, will spotlight New York-based artist Esteban Chavez. Especially interested supporters of the arts can attend the preview party on Nov. 18 ($50 per person), and the usual suspects can check out the opening party on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Pure Detroit in the Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-872-0188. This installation will be on display in the Fisher Building lobby until Dec. 31.

Thursday, Saturday & Monday • 18, 20, 22

The Pixies

MUSIC

Meet Frank Black, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering: They are the Pixies and they changed the world of music. But we suspect many of you already knew that their punk-surf-pop songs were some of the most important music to come out in the 1990s. After all, their reunion shows have been selling out all over the world. The historically quarrelsome Boston foursome has apparently put the diffs behind and will grace Motown for three shows. At the State Theatre, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit, on Thursday, Nov. 18, and Monday, Nov. 22; and at the Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, on Saturday, Nov. 20. Call 248-645-6666 for tickets.

Friday • 19

Faruq Z. Bey with the Northwoods Improvisers

MUSIC

Detroiter Faruq Z. Bey and the
Mt. Pleasant-based Northwoods Improvisers achieve a dizzying synergy. They may share influences (Sun Ra, hypnotic ostinatos, etc.) and goals (raising musical hell, achieving transcendence etc.), but there was no guarantee that their collaborations would catch fire as they have these last four years. As on the new CD (AUZAR on Entropy Stereo), this gig features Bey, Mike Carey and Skeeter Shelton as a sax section that could double as a battering ram. Guest trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez, from Dallas, will join in. At the Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-769-2999.

Friday • 19

Mark Mothersbaugh: Beautiful Mutants
Tour 2004

ART

While touring the world with his new wave art-rock band, DEVO, Mark Mothersbaugh spent downtime making postcard art to send to friends. Ever since, creating art has become somewhat of an obsessive habit for him. And even though his works were originally intended for personal use only, Mothersbaugh’s critically acclaimed solo shows have been on the road since the 1980s. His latest installation, Beautiful Mutants, will showcase his haunting photographic symmetrical creations and “corrected” imagery at Gallery 212 (Vitosha Guest House), 1917 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3009.

Friday • 19

The Wizard of Oz

THEATER

L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wizard of Oz, has taken on a few incarnations over the years, but local director and theater devotee York Griffith’s most recent interpretation of the fantastical story is one to check out. Truer to the classic children’s book published in 1900 than the slightly vanilla 1939 movie version, Griffith’s unusual take on the popular tale returns after a successful run at the Planet Ant Theatre last winter. Performances will be at the Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee, Detroit. Call the Planet Ant Theatre for ticket information at 313-365-4948. Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 19.

Saturday • 20

Dead Composers Society

MUSIC

For symphony fans ages 25 to 45, the Dead Composers Society is all about camaraderie and fun. After a feast of yummy hors d’oeuvres, some drinks and a bit of stimulating conversation, members can enjoy Tchaikovsky and Chopin courtesy of the Ann Arbor Symphony. At the Original Cottage Inn, 512 E. William St., Ann Arbor; 734-994-4801. Tickets are $30 per person; mingle begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday • 20

Kirk Lightsey

MUSIC

Detroit-born pianist Kirk Lightsey has had lengthy stints as a sideman for Chet Baker and Dexter Gordon, among others, not to mention several years with the much-missed Leaders collective. But it’s as a leader that he really lets loose. His latest disc, The Nights of Bradley’s on Sunnyside, reaffirms his hard-swinging elegance at the 88s. We should expect no less for a rare homecoming gig at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300.

Saturday • 20

Psychic TV

MUSIC

One reason, in six miniature chapters, not to miss Psychic TV: 1) Genesis P-Orridge, who; 2) as a 10-year-old in 1960, claimed he was visited by witches and told he was a magickal boy; 3) married punk aesthetics with electronics and medievalism in the 1970s and created Throbbing Gristle; 4) in the 1980s, gave acid house pop definition with “Godstar,” a song that transfigured the afterlife of dead Rolling Stone Brian Jones into an ecstatic dance; 5) had brushes with Aleister Crowley, Jim Jones, Timothy Leary and William Burroughs along the way; 6) still haunts living history by continuing to turn whatever light he finds in the darkness into words and music. At the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700.

Sunday • 21

Urban Organic 3-year Anniversary

MUSIC

For years now, the concert/festival Urban Organic has been bringing the progressive music and art lovers in the D out to celebrate our city’s diverse music scene. The movement — a renaissance in its own rite — has spotlighted worthies such as Amp Fiddler and KRS-One, and will celebrate anniversary No. 3 with an evening of vendors, DJs, visual and spoken-word artists, and performances from Eric Roberson and Zzaje, a nine-piece funk jazz band from Chicago. At Fifth Avenue Downtown (inside Comerica Park), 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit. For information, call Urban Organic at 313-832-2477.