November 26-December 2, 2003

27 THU • FUN FOR ALL America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — There are two truths about Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. First, the Lions will play and probably lose; second, Woodward Avenue will be filled with the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Enjoyed by attendees and couch potatoes alike, this annual event (which is televised by WDIV Channel 4 and hosted by anchors Carmen Harlan and Devin Scillian) is a great way to start off the day’s festivities. This year’s grand marshals are “Mr. Hockey” himself, Gordie Howe, and fellow Red Wing alum Bill Gadsby. From the gigantic floats and balloons to the local celebs (Bob Guiney of “The Bachelor” will be there, ladies) the craziness of this event is matched only by the fun it offers. Don’t forget … jolly old St. Nick himself will make a special pre-Christmas appearance. The parade begins at 8 a.m. Get there early to pick your spot — it begins at the DIA and ends at Grand Circus Park.

28 FRI • MUSIC/BENEFIT Benefit for Bootsey X — They say a man who has friends is never alone. As you may have heard, this September, local wild child-cum-rock ’n’ roll dignitary Bootsey X came dangerously close to losing his life in a fire. Luckily, X made it out of the inferno with nothing more than some minor burns, but a lifetime of memories, belongings and everything else (including the proverbial “pot”) went up in smoke. As a result, many friends and fans have put together an evening of music to raise some much-needed funds to help him get back on his feet. Performers include: the Fondas, the Shanks, the Cocktail Shake, the Earworms, the Polish Muslims, the Ex-Mutants and Danny and Margaret Dollrod. See a stellar show and show your support at Jacoby’s (624 Brush St., Detroit). Call 313-962-7067 for more information.

28-30 FRI-SUN • MUSIC Oscar Brown Jr. and Chris Canas — Socially conscious, black and proud, cool and hip, trenchant and humorous, Oscar Brown Jr. should be better known. He put words to Miles Davis’ “All Blues,” Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue” and Nat Adderly’s “Work Song” — and to plenty of his own melodies as well. His ’60s records like Sin & Soul evoke a now-vanished space between the cabaret and the street-corner soapbox; and it’s been justly argued that songs like his “Brother Where Art Thou?” (in particular) prefigure “Superfly”-era Curtis Mayfield and Gil Scott-Heron. Now in his late 70s, Brown makes a set of rare Detroit appearances, sharing the bill with up-and-coming blues artist Chris Canas. They perform Friday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. at the SerenGeti Gallery (2757 Grand River, call 313-963-8099), Saturday at 5 p.m. at the International Institute (111 E. Kirby, 313-871-8600) and Sunday at 5 p.m. at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (20150 Livernois; 313-345-6300).

30 SUN • MUSIC Buzzcocks —It was 1976 when the Buzzcocks, along with bands like the Sex Pistols and the Clash, forever changed the sights and sounds of rock ’n’ roll. Melding political messages with some of the richest punk sounds ever made, the Buzzcocks’ ethos is often copied, but will never be replicated. For example, 1979’s Singles Going Steady (which features seminal songs such as “Orgasm Addict” and “Why Can’t I Touch It?”) is arguably one of the finer rock ’n’ roll things to ever grace a music lovers’ path. The Buzzcocks are the real deal, period. Check them out at the Shelter (431 E. Congress, Detroit). Call 313-961-MELT for information.

2 TUE • ART Celebrate Clay — Art lovers will be excited to hear that there’s a new gallery opening in Ferndale. Lawrence Street Gallery’s inaugural show, Celebrate Clay 2003, will feature sculpture, clay works and ceramics. After 15 years of operation in Pontiac, the gallery moved to our trendy little cultural hub with hopes of tapping into F-town’s growing artistic/yuppie art-buying community. Lawrence Street shows works by its members and “outsiders,” and everything from wood sculpture and photography to oil paintings and jewelry. Owned equally by 32 artists, the co-op will still accept entries on Saturday for the clay/ceramic show ($20 for up to two submissions). In other good news, not only is another art/crafts gallery almost always a good thing, unless it’s selling pricey kitsch, next door in the newly refurbished spot on Woodward just south of Nine Mile will be a yoga studio. What is this, a city? Lawrence Street is at 22620 Woodward, Suite A. Call 248-544-0394 for more info.