Night and Day

FRIDAY JUNE 4
BravoBravo!
OPERA CHIC
Now in its 11th year, BravoBravo! delivers the stylish and swank to raise beaucoup bucks for the Michigan Opera Theatre. This year's fête sports a fashion theme, showcasing Detroit's most underappreciated artistic industry. Besides the see-and-be-scene cachet, the party also features entertainment from Will Sessions, Monica Blaire, Ben Sharkey, Silverghost and DJs Kevin Saunderson, John Johr, Captn20 and Chuck Flask, as well as food and drink from more than 40 local eateries. Last year's event hosted 2,000 movers and shakers and raised more than $180,000 for MOT's artistic and educational programming; this year's shindig is expected to bring in $250,000 from area art lovers. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; 313-237-SING; bravobravo.org; $105.

FRIDAY JUNE 4
Jessica Lea Mayfield
BLEAK BEAUTY
With a deceptively indifferent vocal style, singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield sings of heartbreak, sadness and despair. But the bleak lyrics and near-expressionless delivery only add to the interest sparked by her dark country-folk sound, a dreamy din of hazy reverb and atmospheric guitars. A musical wunderkind, Mayfield began playing in her family's band at the age of 8; by 11 she was writing her own songs; at 15 she had home-recorded her debut EP. Now, at the ripe age of 20, the world-weary Ohio native is slowly creeping into the limelight, thanks to touring gigs with the Avett Brothers and the Black Keys, and her critically lauded debut, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. At 10 p.m. at the Majestic Café, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; $10; with Among the Oak & Ash.

FRIDAY JUNE 4
West of Center
WESTSIDE VISUALS
The Northville Art House continues a nascent tradition with the second annual West of Center, a contemporary multimedia exhibition featuring more than 60 artists from throughout Michigan and the United States. True to its title, the show features eclectic works that veer away from ordinary. The show was juried by master sculptor and former College for Creative Studies sculpture department director Jay Holland. Featured artists include Emily Stokes, Connie Schlegel, Todd Erickson, Barbara Demgen, Mark Chatterley and more. Opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at 215 W. Cady St., Northville; 248-344-0497; displays through June 26.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY JUNE 4-6
Mount Clemens Art Fair
ART FOR THE MASSES
This annual fair boasts a wide array of fine artists displaying everything from jewelry and ceramics to photography and textiles. Along with said offerings, live entertainment streams throughout the weekend, including an aerial yoga demonstration by the lithe and bendable members of the Detroit Fly House on Friday and a performance by Tone & Niche on Saturday. In conjunction with the outdoor fair, the Macomb Place retail space will host a different event each day: Friday, a display of student artwork and postcards; Saturday, a crafters carnival featuring quirky handmade goods; and Sunday, an exhibit of artwork from seven metro Detroit galleries. Activities and entertainment for kids will also take place. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday along Macomb Place in downtown Mount Clemens; visit theartcenter.org for additional info.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY JUNE 4-5
Mary Mack
WILL POLKA FOR CHUCKLES
A former music teacher and polka bandleader, comedian and self-described folk humorist Mary Mack combines musical know-how with a charmingly off-kilter sense of humor. The Minneapolis-based comic delivers quirky stories about family, politics, transgender chickens and her $400 Dodge Neon known as "Street Heat" in a disarmingly child-like voice, occasionally throwing mandolin sing-a-longs into the mix. She's won the California's Funniest Female Contest and appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and NBC's Last Comic Standing. She and her trusty mandolin will rustle up some yuks at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-9080; $8 and $10.

SATURDAY JUNE 5
Kirk Lightsey Homecoming/Marcus Belgrave Birthday
PRESENCE FOR A PRESENT
Pianist Kirk Lightsey's visits to his hometown are few and far between. There was a jazz fest reunion with early '60s Detroit collaborators (Bennie Maupin, Bert Myrick, George Bohanon et al.) a couple years ago, but only a few visits in the last couple decades. So it's a big when Lightsey — whose magnificent chops and hefty imagination were sought out by leaders Yusef Lateef, Chet Baker and Dexter Gordon — returns. What brings him this time is a musical birthday celebration for Marcus Belgrave (with special guest Charlie Gabriel), 8 p.m. at Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, 311 E. Grand River, Detroit; 313-965-8430; artsleague.com; $20, $10 students. (Belgrave and Lightsey are also together on June 17 at Kerrytown in Ann Arbor.)

SATURDAY JUNE 5
Indian Village Home & Garden Tour
MANSIONS, MANORS & MORE, OH MY!
Get an inside look at one of Detroit's most prestigious historic neighborhoods at the Indian Village Home & Garden Tour, a hood comprised of impressive turn-of-the-century homes that once sheltered some of Detroit's most elite citizens. The docent-led tour takes visitors through eight home and garden venues that showcase the eclectic architectural styles found in the Village, from Arts & Crafts to one of the neighborhood's few Victorians. Along with the tour, visitors can enjoy classic car displays, the Indian Village Centennial Garden and the Art Lot, where local artists sell their works. Tours take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets can be purchased at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church (2435 Iroquois St.), Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church (8625 E. Jefferson Ave.) and Detroit Waldorf School (2555 Burns St.) on the day of the event. Further info at 313-922-1736 or historicindianvillage.org; $15 advance, $20 day of tour.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY JUNE 5-6
Red Bull Air Race World Championship
FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET!
An international cadre of flyboy contenders continues to duke it out for worldwide air supremacy during the fourth round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Pilots — including Canada's hometown hero Pete McLeod — fly lightweight racing planes through a low-level aerial track, a feat that requires both speed and precision. Planes can reach speeds of 230 mph, making the race an eye-popping spectacle for attendees on both sides of the river. After this race, officially billed as taking place in Windsor, the battle continues in New York before finishing with three final competitions in Europe. Qualifying flights take place Saturday at noon, the official race flies Sunday at noon. Races can be viewed from four seating areas in Windsor and downtown Detroit. For tickets and further info, visit redbullairrace.com.

SUNDAY JUNE 6
Motor City Pride
HEY, YOUR PRIDE IS SHOWING!
Metro Detroit's LGBT community and its supporters take their pride to the streets for the annual Motor City Pride, a volunteer-run street festival celebrating both the unity of the LGBT community and the integral role that LGBT individuals play in southeastern Michigan. The fest includes vendors, family-friendly activities and a slew of entertainment, including a doggie drag show, a Lambda car display and the Rainbow Room's drag revue, as well as performances by fave party cover band the Killer Flamingos, folk outfit Nervous But Excited and Steffie Loveless & the Dirty Virgins. Motor City Pride takes place from noon to 7 p.m. along 9 Mile Rd., west of Woodward Ave. in downtown Ferndale. Visit motorcitypride.org for info and a schedule of pre-Pride events, including a family picnic, commitment ceremony and golf outing.

SUNDAY JUNE 6
She & Him
SUMMER BREEZE
She & Him is a seemingly unlikely collaboration between doe-eyed actress-singer Zooey Deschanel and singer-songwriter M. Ward. But their sparse and breezy sound with its hint of '60s nostalgia and Laurel Canyon found instant favor with critics and fans alike. With Ward producing and arranging Deschanel's songs, the duo creates an effervescent blend of pop, folk and country complete with sparkling strings, layered harmonies and Deschanel's pretty vocals making even heartache sound enchanting. The pair has released two discs, 2008's Volume One and its aptly titled follow-up, Volume Two, released last March. They perform in support of that sophomore effort with the Chapin Sisters at 7 p.m. at Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980; $24 advance, $29 doors; all ages.

MONDAY JUNE 7
Theatre Classes
AN ACT OF EDUCATION
The Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company continues its commitment to Detroit's theater community with a series of workshops for local acting professionals. The pay-what-you-can classes require no commitment or registration — just show up when a topic is of interest and develop your mad skills with others of your ilk. The June series kicks off with the actor's imagination, a class designed to help actors loosen up and rediscover their ability to "play." The series continues with monologue coaching, introduction to vocal music and an introduction to monologue writing. Classes take place Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m. at 1515 Broadway Theatre, 1515 Broadway, Detroit. For info, contact Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company at 313-268-5074 or magentagiraffe.org.

TUESDAY JUNE 8
Coffee Talk: The Local Economy & Social Justice
TALKING SHOP FOR A CAUSE
Detroit Synergy's informal coffee talks give folks the opportunity to meet, mingle and discuss issues that matter, such as mass transit, economic development and the vagaries of local politics. The latest talk will focus on which local products also support outreach in the city, and will feature presentations by representatives from several community organizations in Detroit. Come armed with your knowledge of socially conscious, locally produced goods to share in the group discussion. From 6 to 8 p.m. the Meldrum Street Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1264 Meldrum St., Detroit; info at detroitsynergy.org.