Sept.3-9, 2003

5-7 FRI-SUN • FUN FOR ALL Arts & Apples Festival — Hey, art lovers — here’s one of your last chances to enjoy the fun of an outdoor art fair this year. The annual Arts & Apples Festival, which has been a favorite among locals for an impressive 38 years now, has something for everyone. Showcasing more than 340 artists, music, yummy food and plenty of children’s activities, this family event is a fun way to bid adieu to the warm days of summer. Musical performers include the techno sounds of Sonic Disturbance (Saturday at noon), jazz singer Sheila Landis (Saturday at 1 p.m.) and the Beat Club (a Beatles tribute band, Saturday at 6:30 p.m.). At the Rochester Municipal Park (west of Rochester Road, north of University Drive). Call 248-651-4110 for more information. Proceeds to benefit the Paint Creek Center for the Arts.

6 SAT • MUSIC Ronnie Spector — Arguably the original rock ’n’ roll bad girl, she has her own dedicated lane on the Moxie Highway. Known best for such hits with the Ronettes as “Be My Baby” and “Baby I Love You” and a stormy marriage to the wall-of-sound creator, Phil Spector, this barrel-lunged singer packs a wallop. Looks, attitude and talent; they just don’t get much better than this living legend. At the Magic Stick (4120 Woodward, Detroit) with hipster-mod Motowners, the Elevations. Call 313-833-9700 for more information.

6 SAT • COMMUNITY/FUN FOR ALL Fourth Annual Hydrant Hike & Fur Ball — Research has shown that pets are important to an individual’s health and well-being. So march your mutt, pack up the pooch — it’s time to help out. Organized to raise funds for WAGS (Wonderful Animals Giving Support), a program developed to keep people with HIV/AIDS and their companion animals together, this 5-kilometer dog walk through Ferndale has fast become favorite local tradition. And this year, after the tail-wagging trek, don’t miss the “Fur Ball” — an afterparty that will continue the day’s fun with live auctions, raffles and a buffet. Meet at the Community Pride Building (401 Livernois, Ferndale) at 10 a.m. for the dog walk. The Fur Ball will be held at Club Innuendo (744 Savannah, Detroit) at 7 p.m. Call 248-545-1435 for further details.

6&7 SAT-SUN • FILM Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory — As rumors abound about a prospective remake of the classic film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (directed by Tim Burton … possibly starring Johnny Depp?), one can’t help but remember what fun the original movie provided. Fantasy, fun, and funnyman Gene Wilder in a purple velvet suit; you’d be hard-pressed to find a kid who didn’t love it. And if the kid in you still has a soft spot, now’s your chance to see it on the big screen. At the Uptown Palladium (250 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham). Call 248-644-FILM for more info.

7 SUN • MUSIC Tom Tom Club — Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 as the Talking Heads rhythm section, Chris Frantz (drums) and Tina Weymouth (bass) put the fun in funk with their eclectic flavor of dance floor jambalaya: a booty-shakin’, bouncy-makin’ amalgamation of hip-hop, rap, reggae, ska, fresh groove and deep soul. It’s been 22 years of infectious musical shenanigans with no letup in sight. When asked to describe the vibe at their live performances, Frantz sums it up like so: “It’s sexy, it’s hot, it’s rhythmically charged, it’s sexually and racially dynamic … it’s the type of show that cuts across musical niches. We understand sometimes it’s hard for people to come out. They’re broke or reclusive or just plain tired, but our ticket price is a mere 15 bucks and you can barely take people to McDonald’s for that!” (And they certainly won’t enjoy it as much.) At the Majestic Theatre (4120 Woodward Ave). It’s all good! Call 313-833-9700 for more information.