WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4
Powerhouse Sound
JAZZ-ROCK FOR PITCHFORKERS
Reviewing their 2007 Pitchfork Festival show, Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot said Powerhouse Sound "blew away most of the other bands on the bill." Not bad for what's usually considered a jazz-rock group — albeit a most adventuresome one — venturing into the headwaters of indie rock. Led by MacArthur genius award winner Ken Vandermark on saxophones, the group's music is often built around Nate McBride's electric bass lines, then it's whipped and lashed by drummer John Herndon and guitarist Jeff Parker, both of Tortoise. Vandermark recalls the era when Iggy, the MC5, Sun Ra and Coltrane could be heard as some grand musical project; he wants Powerhouse Sound heard as "just a link in that chain." Doors at 8 p.m. at Alvin's, 5657 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-638-6300; alvinsoncass.com; $10-$20 suggested.
FRIDAY AUGUST 6
Sculptors Guild of Michigan
WRITTEN IN STONE
Select members from the Sculptors Guild of Michigan show off their latest works in this month-long exhibit. The sculptures displayed represent a wide variety of styles and mediums, from abstract pieces made from found objects to miniature terra cotta pieces and life-sized cement figures. The guild was formed in 1952 to create high-quality sculpture and provide a creative and supportive environment for sculptors. The exhibit opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lawrence Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-0394; displays through Aug. 28.
FRIDAY AUGUST 6
Summerfest Songwriter Showcase
DOG DAYS DITTIES
Six local singer-songwriters gather to celebrate the season and to strut their sonic stuff at the Summerfest Songwriter Showcase. Six performers will play 30-minute sets either by their lonesome or with a full band in tow; performing are folk chanteuse Audra Kubat, Timothy Monger of the Great Lakes Myth Society, classically trained siren Gretchen Wolff, rocking up-and-comer Patrick Davy, honky-tonkin' bassist turned frontwoman Katie Grace and country crooner Matt Dmits. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. at the Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5103; $6.
FRIDAY AUGUST 6
Lazer Crystal
ARCADE POP
"To present a multicolored, polyphonic surf of sound and vision, set to the ritual nocturnal vibrations of its arsenal, to be played as an offering of respite." Thus reads, in part, the mission statement of Chicago trio Lazer Crystal. And while the mission may seem deliberately opaque, the music is surprisingly not. The combo of synths, electro keyboards, industrial beats and warped vocals may occasionally sound like a soundtrack for a 1980s arcade game, but it's accessible, sporadically danceable and inventive enough to stay interesting. The trio performs — complete with badass laser show — in support of its debut disc MCMLXXX at the Yellow Barn, 416 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY AUGUST 6-8
Buy Michigan Now Festival
MITTEN MADE
The second annual Buy Michigan Now Festival encourages Michiganders to think and shop local, showcasing more than 100 homegrown businesses and products. The fest also includes live music, a health fair, a sidewalk sale courtesy of local Northville businesses, a book signing by local author and reporter Paula Tutman, children's entertainment and activities, a fashion show featuring designer Katerina Bocci and, on Saturday, a Barter Faire, where attendees can bring old goods to exchange for vouchers good for the purchase of new items. The fest takes place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, in downtown Northville; 248-390-0974 or buymichigannow.com for details.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY AUGUST 6-7
Highland Games
SCOTS' PRIDE
Even without a wee drop of Scottish blood, you can still enjoy the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit's Highland Games. This annual festival — now celebrating 161 years! — kicks off Friday with a céilidh, a traditional Scottish gathering that features live music and dancing. The games themselves commence Saturday and include such feats of strength as the stone put, the caber toss and the 16-pound hammer throw. Highland dancing, kids' activities, a piping and drumming competition, a tug-of-war competition and a Scotch whisky tasting (for an additional fee) and live music, from traditional Scottish folk to contemporary Celtic, will also take place. Grab your kilt and pass the haggis from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, at Greenmead Historical Park, 20501 Newburgh Rd., Livonia; 248-526-1849 or highlandgames.com for info; céilidh tickets are $15 advance only; games are $10 advance, $15 at the gate.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY AUGUST 6-7
The Michigan Roots Jamboree
TUNE IN AND CAMP OUT
Now in its second year, the Michigan Roots Jamboree celebrates Midwestern art and music with two days of performances and displays. More than 25 local artists are featured and more than 25 local and regional bands will take to two stages, performing everything from bluegrass and rock to jazz and funk. The lineup includes Ekoostik Hookah, the Ragbirds, the Macpodz, October Babies, Dick Siegel, Nervous But Excited, Black Jake & the Carnies and more. New this year is the urban camping option, which allows attendees to pop a tent at nearby Frog Island Park Friday and Saturday nights. The fest takes place 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday at Riverside Park, Huron and Cross streets in Ypsilanti; tickets and info at rootsjamboree.com; $15 per day, $50 weekend camping pass.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY AUGUST 6-7
The Squared Circle Revue
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
Detroit's annual wrestling carnival returns, offering even more thrills, chills and spills as clowns, carnies and animal attractions duke it out in the ring for control of the Squared Circle Revue. Along with the "circus-style gang warfare," expect varieties guests, including the multitalented burlesque goddess Hayley Jane and illusionist Scarboni the Great; music from Black Jake & the Carnies, Downtown Brown, Bride Stripped Bare and the Casket Bastards; and creative carnival cuisine. A world of marvels awaits ... or at least, one hell of a down-and-dirty brawl. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. at Theatre Bizarre, 967 W. State Fair, Detroit; $20 per night, $30 for both.
SATURDAY AUGUST 7
Arise Detroit! Neighborhoods Day
INSPIRING SPIRIT
Community cleanups, health fairs, public art projects, block parties, parades, concerts, educational events and a variety of community service projects will all take place throughout the city as part of Arise Detroit's annual Neighborhoods Day. The goal of the event is to inspire community spirit in Detroiters, who can take the opportunity to showcase their neighborhoods, learn about community programs and connect with their neighbors. Organizations hosting events include churches, libraries, nonprofits, businesses and schools; the Charles H. Wright museum will provide discounted admission, Inside Detroit will offer free tours and the Motown Museum will present a special tribute to Michael Jackson. Arise Detroit is a coalition of community organizations that works to inspire volunteerism and promote active involvement in the city. For a complete list of events and more info, visit arisedetroit.org or call 313-921-1955.
SATURDAY AUGUST 7
Chiddy Bang
CHIDDY CHIDDY BANG BANG
Emcee Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and DJ Xaphoon Jones are Chiddy Bang, a hip-hop duo that went from playing house parties in Philly to signing a major label record deal in less than a year. Their old-school energy is offset with a new-school savvy where slick rhymes are laid over samples of indie rock notables — they've chopped up everyone from MGMT and Passion Pit to Sufjan Stevens and Kate Nash. The post-mod-mod-mod-world 19-year-olds met as freshmen at Drexel University, but after their mixtape The Swelly Express caught fire in underground circles, leading to the aforementioned record deal, school took a backseat to festival gigs and studio time. Chiddy Bang released the Opposite of Adults EP this spring and their full-length debut is due out this fall. Get a taste at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-6358; $16.50; all ages.
MONDAY AUGUST 9
Workin' 4 tha Weekend Fest
GOIN' OFF THE DEEP END
Don't let a little thing like employment stand in the way of weekday merriment. That's the spirit (at least we think it is) behind the Workin' 4 tha Weekend Fest, five days of music, art and all the pizza you can stuff your face with. Bands and DJs both local and far-flung will play black metal, lounge music and everything in between. The lineup includes the Coup D'etatas, Mean Mugger, Thrush Thrush, Lord Scrummage, Deastro, Beekeepers, Telephone Callers and more. At 9 p.m. nightly through Friday, Aug. 13, at Contemporary Institute of Art Detroit, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-899-2243; $15 for the entire fest, $5 or a large pizza per night. Seriously.
