THURSDAY MARCH 25
Movie Night Alleycat Benefit
LOOKING FOR LANCE ARMSTRONG!
This two-part benefit for the HUB (recently named Michigan's first gold-level bicycle-friendly business by the League of American Bicyclists) features an Alleycat race through the nooks and crannies of the Cass Corridor to the Burton Theatre, where a trio of bicycle-themed films will be screened. The winner of the race can screen the flicks for free and second- and third-place bikers will receive HUB swag. Films include the 1948 Italian classic The Bicycle Thief and the 1986 tale of BMX glory, Rad. A third surprise film rounds out the night (Six Day Bicycle Race perhaps?). Racers meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Hub (3611 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-879-5073) to register; movies begin at 8 p.m. at the Burton Theatre (3420 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-473-9238). Race only is free; movies are $7 advance at the HUB or $10 day of; partake in both for just $7.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 25-28
Uncle Vanya
A STAGNANT LIFE
The renowned Maly Drama Theater of St. Petersburg makes its University Musical Society debut with Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, a masterpiece of unrealized dreams, unfulfilled loves and lethargy predicated on vague regrets. It tells the story of Professor Serebryakov, who, with his young bride Elena, returns to his country estate which has been in the care of his daughter Sonya and his brother-in-law Vanya. Vanya has spent his life sacrificing for Serebryakov's well-being, but the professor's underwhelming presence makes him wonder if he's been wasting his life, a feeling compounded by his sudden love for Elena. The Maly Drama Theatre was founded in Leningrad in 1944, and is internationally recognized as one of the world's preeminent theater troupes. Performances, in Russian with projected English translations, take place at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Power Center, 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-2538; ums.org; $18-$56.
FRIDAY MARCH 26
Center for Yoga Grand Opening
ROCK YOUR CHAKRAS
To celebrate the opening of its new eco-friendly studio in B-ham, Center for Yoga is hosting a 24-hour yoga marathon for yogis new and old. A 3:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed by continuous yoga classes that conclude with a special meditation session at 5:15 p.m. the next day. The family-friendly event also features free vegan eats, massage services, DJs and special giveaways. Get flexible at the Center for Yoga, 555 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-646-7054; centerforyoga.com for schedule; free, but the center will be accepting donations for the Judson Center, a social service agency located in Royal Oak.
FRIDAY MARCH 26
Border Crossing
INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT, EH?
The Canadians head south ... er, we mean north, to join their border buddies at this first annual American Canadian musical mash-up. Representing the Great White North (or Windsor, at least) are mellow folk rockers James O-L and the Villains, Windsor indie rock staples Yellow Wood and electro-pop duo the Peace Leeches. Taking the stage for land of the free and the home of the brave are locals Four Hour Friends, Petal Shop, the Jet Rodriguez and Car Jack, along with Chicago's Lasers & Fast & Shit (actual lasers? No. Trippy light show? Yes!). Welcome the Canucks at 8 p.m. at the Magic Stick and the Majestic Café, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; $6.
FRIDAY MARCH 26
Take a Chance on Rock & Roll Live
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY PICK-SLIDE
The world may be sliding into a dystopian stew of alienation and isolation, where the old standbys of politics and religion have failed us, but one cliché will always comfort: rock 'n' roll, damn it! At least that's the spirit behind this solo installation by artist Tim Hailey, whose large-scale murals proffer arena rock, with its boundless optimism and unbridled enthusiasm, as the alternative utopia we should inhabit (arena-rock heads ought to recognize the title of the exhibit from the Boston song "Feelin' Satisfied"). The opening-cum-dance party is the first event at Public Pool, a brand spanking new art cooperative organized by Stupor zine creator Steve Hughes. Now inhabiting the defunct Design 99 location in Hamtramck, the founding members of Public Pool plan to host a wide range of contemporary art projects, as well as musical performances, readings and burlesque. Take a Chance on Rock & Roll Live takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at Public Pool, 3309 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
FRIDAY MARCH 26
Forgotten
THE DEPRESSION IN SONG
It's a testament to composer Steve Jones — and, to put it very mildly, a disaster for us — that his jazz opera, Forgotten: Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant, is more relevant on this side of the financial meltdown than in 2004 and 2005 when it played here. Class conflicts and complications are set to song in his Depression-era Detroit. Henry Ford, Father Coughlin, the Ford Hunger March and the other figures and events of the day figure into the story of Jones' activist-unionist-minister-broadcaster great uncle Lewis Bradford, whose mysterious 1937 death was reconsidered and deemed a likley homicide as a result of Jones' research for this musical. None of which would matter much if the music didn't do its job — and it does. At 7:30 p.m. at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township; 586-286-2222.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 26-28
A Streetcar Named Desire
AMERICAN GOTHIC
Thanks to the classic 1951 film adaptation, Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play has become so much a part of the collective American consciousness that even people who've never seen it can quote its famous lines. In this Stagecrafters' production, A Streetcar Named Desire is performed faithfully — Stanley's brutal working-class vitality, his wife Stella's marginalized equanimity, her sister Blanche's delusional path into destruction — but with the play's sexual undertones ramped up to new levels. Oh, boy! Performances take place at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak; 248-541-6430; $14 and $16. A talkback featuring Dr. Marc Rosen discussing psychological aspects of the play will take place following Sunday's show. Performances continue through April 11.
SATURDAY MARCH 27
Awesome Color and Tyvek
DON'T FORGET THE MOTOR CITY!
Awesome Color, a trio of Ann Arbor ex-pats, may be hunkered down in Brooklyn, but its blistering rock can't escape the Motor City — the fuzzy guitars, yowling vocals and teenage nihilism owe everything to the Stooges and MC5. On the cusp of releasing its third disc, Massa Hypnos, Awesome Color has paired up with fellow scuzzy Michiganders Tyvek for a month-long tour that concludes with this hometown show. Both bands have a reputation for devastatingly intense live outings, with scorching guitars, thundering drums and untamed onstage antics competing for attention. It's a voluntary thrashing you don't want to miss. Doors at 8 p.m. at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; $7; with special guest the Jovantaes. For info, contact the Crofoot at 248-858-9333 or thecrofoot.com.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 27-28
Black Women Rock! A Tribute to Betty Davis
PROUD TO BE DIFFERENT
Produced by local writer, performer and poet jessica Care moore, Black Women Rock! showcases female artists of color who rock in the style of funk diva and '70s badass rabble-rouser Betty Davis. By providing an alternative image of a rock star, the goal of the event is to inspire young female musicians to seek success on their own terms, rather than conforming to the plasticized stereotypes marketed by the music industry. Saturday night's 8 p.m. concert features performances by moore, New York City-based powerhouse vocalist Imani Uzuri; local rock vixen Steffanie Christi'an and Tamar-Kali, a veteran of New York's Afro-punk scene. On Sunday at 1 p.m., Moore leads a master class featuring the performers and other local artists, including Monica Blaire and Invincible. At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-5800; both events are free.
SUNDAY MARCH 28
Colinpalooza
GROWING MIDTOWN
The second annual Colin Hubbell Memorial Fundraiser remembers Detroit champion Colin Hubbell and benefits the fund established in his memory, which provides financial support to businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to the renewal of the city. The shindig will feature food, music, bowling, an auction and a corn hole tournament. Last year's grant recipients include Good Girls Go to Paris Creperie, Leopold's Books, the Hub, North Cass Community Garden, Luella Hannan Foundation, Noel Night 2009, Mariners Inn and Morningside Community Mural Project. 3 to 7 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre Complex, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; contact the University Cultural Center Association at 313-577-5088 or detroitmidtown.com for info; tickets are $20, $10 ages 16 and under.
TUESDAY MARCH 30
The Black Lips
GARAGE BURNERS
Answer: vomit, a chicken, public urination, fireworks, flaming guitars and band members making out. Question: What are things you may see at a Black Lips show? Atlanta's self-described flower punks may relish the spectacle, but the shenanigans (whether contrived or genuine) can't completely overshadow the quartet's knack for crafting bold, hummable ditties. Their woozy gayroge rock sound is made interesting thanks to flashes of psych, random sound effects and moments of sharp contrast, where catchy choruses devolve into cacophony and odes to reckless debauchery masquerading as sunny pop tunes. The Black Lips perform in support of their fifth studio album, last year's 200 Million Thousand, at 8 p.m. at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; $10 advance, $12 day of; all ages; with Box Elders and Tyvek.
ONGOING
Male/ID
DUDES ON DISPLAY
In Male/ID metro Detroit artists Brian Barr and Andrew Doak, and D.C. artist Al Miner explore how current views on masculinity inform the construction of contemporary male identities. The works, which include paintings, drawings and photography, delve into everything from traditional gender roles and typical signifiers of maleness (beards, muscles, etc.) to new conceptions of maleness and male relationships (think "bromance"). Beyond scrutinizing how society molds its members who rock the Y chromosome, the exhibit also aims to generate a broader discussion about gender as a whole, and how so-called "appropriate" behavior is identified, delineated and regulated. On display through April 24 at the Butcher's Daughter Gallery, 22747 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-808-6536.
