THURSDAY • 30
ARE WE REALLY THE NEW BERLIN?
ICH BIN EIN DETROITER
A panel of planners, architects, designers and urban dwellers, including Gina Reichert of Design 99, Anirban Adhya of Lawrence Tech's Detroit Studio and SYNCH Research Group, and MOCAD Director Luis Croquer, will discuss the new strategies for urban development being implemented in cities across the globe, such as Berlin, where the creative class has contributed to the (re)birth of a vibrant scene. Successful and not-so-successful tactics, and the possibility of applying the ideas to our own strug-gling metropolis, will be analyzed. At 7 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-6622.
FRIDAY • 1
MAY DAY PARTY
SOCIAL CAPITAL
In the United States, we have Labor Day, which is usually associated with (now) smallish parades, back-to-school sales and the end of summer. But the rest of the world has the real workers' holiday: May Day. And it's no coincidence that organizer Brad Duncan has picked this date to hold a fundraiser for next year's U.S Social Forum, to be held in Detroit. The lefty gathering in 2010 will feature talks, work-shops, debates, marches and cultural events. But they need help to pull it off, and Duncan will open his apartment on Friday night for those willing to donate. Entertainment includes Jennie Knaggs and the Sure Shots, singer-songwriter Al Scheurman backed with full band, improvisational pianist Thollem McDonas and the Detroit Free Jazz All-Stars. Starts at 8 p.m. at 1812 Church St., No. 2, Detroit; 734-748-6350.
SATURDAY • 2
IT'S ALL ABOUT C
THE END OF AN ERA
To the dismay of many and the shock of a few (times are tough and the "for sale" sign's been in the window for a year), the venerable CPOP gallery space is closing at the close of its current exhibit, It's All About C. Always intrigu-ing, often controversial, CPOP moved from Royal Oak a decade ago to be next to the Majestic complex, putting innovative and edgy art at the nexus of the Detroit rock scene and boosting the midtown gallery scene. Founder Rick Manore and business partner Tom Thewes were commited to emerging talent. But the young-bloods were always backed up by such major talents as Glenn Barr, Mark Dancey, Niagara and Mark Arminski. Some message boards are in fits, with posts ranging from apoc-alyptic gloom to resigned sadness, and even smug cries of "I told you so." Yet even detrac-tors have to admit that CPOP made a huge splash, ripples of which will continue. And while the space may be no more, the brand is to rock on — with a new CPOP website and other projects involving new media, music and art. "More of a retrenching than a total clos-ing," says Manore. Farewell show features local and national CPOP alumni, such as the aforementioned Niagara, Barr and Dancey, as well as Tyree Guyton, Liz McGrath and many more. Runs through May with a farewell recep-tion Saturday at 6 p.m. at C-Pop, 4160 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9901.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY • 2-3
THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA
GOT YOUR GOAT
Abreact Performance Space may no longer be in the Boydell Building in Bricktown, but the Abreact Theatre Company, in its snug new home above the Park Bar near Grand Circus Park, is producing Edward Albee's "shocking" and "controversial" play The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? Albee is best-known for the gripping, cringe-inducing drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, but he also won awards for this cringe-inducing 2002 comedy about a guy whose life unravels due to his affair — with a goat. Alternately a gagfest and a call to re-examine taboos, The Goat gets into a kink so out-there that even Dan Savage can't get behind it. Featuring Linda Rabin Hammell, Dan Jaroslaw and Josh Campos, and directed by Chris Korte. Performances at 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Additional 8 p.m. performances May 2, 8, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and 5 p.m. matinees on May 3 and 17. At the Gryphon Theatre, above the Park Bar (2040 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-962-2933); $15, $10 with student ID; make reservations at [email protected] or call 313-485-0217 or 313-378-5404; more info at theabreact.com.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY • 2-3
AKFEST 09
AUDIO PORNO!
Before you start thinkin' about sweaty dudes with guts, gray hair and thick fingers lusting creepily over audio equipment like it's Sasha Grey in the flesh, think again. High-end audio is cool now. Look at high-end manufacturer McIntosh — with rock-star audiophile Jack White as an unofficial spokesperson, it's now JackIntosh in certain circles.
The AKFest's a place to go and listen, discover new music and new audio in the latest technologies, from CD and SACD to turntables and digital streaming. Hotel rooms will be fashioned into "exhibit" spaces, and you can bring your own music to test systems, which will vary from modestly priced component stereos to hawk-the-house configurations.
There'll be seminars too — including one all about computer audio; also swap rooms where you can purchase gear, used CDs and LPs. The best Michigan audio dealers such as David Michael Audio (showcasing the killer Luxman/Harbeth combo), East Lansing's Venus Hi-Fi and Royal Oak's legendary Audio Dimensions will be there alongside international manufacturers such as Blue Circle, Naim, Marantz, Manley Labs and the aforementioned McIntosh.
The fast-growing annual fest is produced by the locally based audio message board audiokarma.org, which now boasts around 49,000 members worldwide.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets ($25) at the door only are good for the weekend and Saturday evening's performance by Laith Al-Saadi. Embassy Suites Hotel, 19525 Victor Parkway, Livonia; 734-462-6000.
FRIDAY-MONDAY • 1-4
BAKER'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY
JAZZ TO KEEP JAZZ ALIVE
Baker's celebrates its 75th anniversary under a financial cloud — which a successful weekend can help address. Arizona organist Tony Franks plays Friday with sets at 8 and 10:30 — and a jam session to follow until 2 a.m. Chicago pianist Dan Cray is there Saturday. Cray and his long-standing trio have been hailed by both Jazz Times and All About Jazz as an assertive new voice putting fresh spins on jazz classics (putting his own magic into "That Old Black Magic," for instance). A Detroit jazz mainstay, trumpeter Johnny Trudell and Friends play at 6 p.m. on Sunday, and Claude Black, a Detroit bopper heard mostly in Toledo, is back in the Motor City to finish the extended weekend off on Monday. Baker's Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 313-345-6300.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY • 1-2
MAY DAYS
BOHO EXPLOSION
John Sinclair and the Pinkeye Orchestra host this two-day orgy of Detroit rock, art and poetry, a celebration of the city's stimulating arts community. Friday's offering includes poetry readings courtesy of the Detroit Artists Workshop and music (to name just a few) from Carjack, Oscillating Fan Club, Pink Eye, Marco Polio & the New Vaccines, Black Lodge, the Summer Pledge and Jehovah's Witness Protection Program. Saturday's performers include John Sinclair with Pinkeye, Duende!, Mazinga, Blue Song, Gardens, Red China, Oatmeal and Alan Scheurman. And on display for the two days will be installations by Leni Sinclair, Gary Grimshaw, Carl Lundgren, Glen Allen and more. Doors at 6 p.m. at the Bohemian National Home, 3009 Tillman St., Detroit; $5 each night; all ages.
SATURDAY • 2
PEELANDER Z
POWER RANGER PUNK
This self-described "Japanese action comic punk band" gleefully embraces the kitsch of everything from pro-wrestling to anime to the Power Rangers in order to bring their highintensity antics to the masses. Attired in red, green and yellow skintight jumpsuits, Peelander Z partakes in human bowling and chair-throwing in between energetic two-minute odes to ninjas, karaoke and zombies. The trio takes its highcolored high jinks to the road in support of their latest release, P-Pop-High School with Champions of Breakfast, the Mahonies and Wally J & the Consequences of his Stupid Actions, at 8 p.m. at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave.; 313-833-7665; $8; all ages.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY • 2-3
CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL
DRINKO DE MAYO
While Cinco de Mayo only enjoys limited observance in Mexico, Americans have embraced it wholeheartedly as a "legitimate" reason to skip work and slam margaritas. But this annual festival takes a more family-friendly slant, with vendors selling Mexican grub, a parade and fun run and walk on Sunday, and, our personal favorite, matches at 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday by Detroit's very own lucha libre (free wrestling) company, Revolucha, featuring daredevil top rope moves by masked contenders. (The wrestlers will also be in attendance for an all-day fan fest on Saturday). Festivities take place noon-8 p.m. at Clark Park, located at the corner of Vernor Highway and Clark Street, Detroit; the festival is free, but Revolucha matches are $12 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under.
TUESDAY • 5
PETER BRÖTZMANN DUO
MAINSTREAM MEETS GEYSER
Even fans who've seen saxophonist Peter Brötzmann in previous area visits should be hard-pressed to predict what this one will sound like. Brötzmann's 1968 disc Machine Gun was to Euro free jazz what God Save the Queen was to English punks, and he's usually worked with obviously simpatico caterwaulers (from whatever country). These days he's with drummer Nasheet Waits — hardly a conservative cat, yet with recent gigs with Jason Moran and Fred Hersch, Waits has established himself as one who can color inside and outside the lines whereas Brötzmann's best-known for throwing paint outside the frame. Can't be less than ... interesting? Doors at 7:30, a Bo-House-in-exile show at Edwin Gallery/Loft, 2739 Edwin St., Hamtramck, 313-737-6606; $15 suggested. (German-based pianist Simon Nabatov plays solo at the Edwin at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3.)
