12 WED • MUSIC Bosco Nova — No, Herb Alpert has not made his way to oh-so-trendy downtown Ferndale hot spot the Bosco — it’s just that his music has. Enjoy the caliente fun of Bosco Nova, an evening of Latin tunes and specialty cocktails (think refreshing mojitos, caipirinas, and margaritas) every Wednesday night. Sounds like a great place for a spicy date, to us! The Bosco is located at 22930 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Call 248-541-8818 for further information.
13 THU • MUSIC Don Rader — Who knew that when hometown rockabilly hero Don Rader chirped the song "Rock ’n’ roll Grandpa" way back in 1956, it would be a prophecy of sorts? After all these years, Rader may not be the spring chicken he used to be, but he is one rockin’ rooster! After a recent slew of health problems, Rader is back in the saddle and rearing to get his trademark brand of music back to the rockabilly religion. See him at the New Way Bar (23130 Woodward Ave., Ferndale); call 248-541-9870 for further lowdown.
15 SAT • ISSUES & LEARNING Family Event: A Celebration of Culture and Freedom — After eight weeks of symposiums, exhibits and lectures on human rights issues, the 2004 Speak Truth to Power series has come to an end. What better way to commence ceremonies than with a veritable jubilee of diversity with a fun afternoon of multicultural performances, music, games, arts and crafts? Bring the whole family to the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit (111 E. Kirby, Detroit) and learn a little something about your neighbor. Call 313-871-8600 ext. 233 for further information; festivities run from 1 to 4 p.m.
14-15 FRI-SAT • FUN FOR ALL WineFest 2004: Creative Collections — Everyone knows that when the wine flows, the wallets thin: In its 21-year history, the Ann Arbor Art Center’s annual spirituous fundraiser, WineFest, has raised over $2.4 million to benefit disadvantaged and at-risk youths. Each year, WineFest attracts food and wine enthusiasts from around the country to partake of a gourmet dinner and live and silent auctions of rare and limited edition wines. The WineMaker Dinner (presented by Iron Horse Vineyards) will be at Mediterrano (2900 S. State St., Ann Arbor) on Friday, May 14 at 7 p.m. The Winefest Auction will take place at the Ypsilanti Marriot Eagle Crest (1275 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti) at 6 p.m. Call 734-994-8004 ext. 101or visit www.winefest.org for more information.
16-18 WED-FRI • MUSIC Hoedown — Every year Detroit gets countrified with the annual hodgepodge of hootin’ and hollerin’ fondly referred to as the Downtown Hoedown. With a trailblazing lineup of headliners including the Charlie Daniels Band, LeAnn Rimes, Tracy Byrd, SheDaisy and many more, fans of both country and western are sure to have a ball. Grab your 10-gallon hat, paint on those Wranglers and get thee to Hart Plaza (at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Jefferson) for the twangin’-est fun the Motor City has to offer. Call 248-788-6599 for more information.
Ongoing • ART SpringLoaded (cq) — Continuing their commitment to exhibiting some of of the most interesting artwork to grace the Detroit area, the Primary Space Gallery will feature five fresh new artists including local painter Andrew Hugelier (artwork pictured), Caroline Hwang (California), Matthew Kirk (Wiscosin), Allyson Mellberg (North Carolina) and Keren Richter (New York). The Primary Space Gallery is located at 2750 Yemans St., Hamtramck; call 313-870-9470 for further information. Ends May 29. Editor’s note: If you have not already … you should really give this quaint and cool gallery a shot.