11 WED • ART “Live Free or Die” — Celebrating not only the artisanship, but the culture behind the much-misunderstood tradition of tattooing, CPOP’s latest multimedia exhibit is one of the more unusual installations in town this summer. The exhibit, which is scheduled to spotlight works from both tattoo and non-tattoo artists, will focus on the modern interpretation of this truly skin-deep form of beauty and will give a little insight into the history of this age-old practice and its advocates. At the CPOP Gallery (4160 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Call 313-833-9901 for further lowdown. Runs through June 29.
13 FRI • MUSIC Ed Harcourt — Somewhat reclusive and humble, Ed Harcourt has managed to stay just under the radar. He has secured a seat with the rest of his generation’s completely underrated pop songwriters. But to be fair, he should be heard. As his press release reads: “There once lived a man who dreamed his way through life, who sang of love and other demons … and was blessed with a talent to lament or love the world with sweet serenade.” And for a 25-year-old whose showmanship from behind a piano offers more of an eyeful than most ass-shakin’ frontmen and whose songs are of Rufus Wainwright-cum-Sparklehorse caliber, Harcourt manages to cover some major musical ground. Check him out at St. Andrew’s Hall (431 E. Congress, Detroit). Call 313-961-MELT for more information. With Sondre Lerche and Rachel Yamagata.
13 FRI • ART “Double Vision: The Art and Design Staff Exhibition — School’s out for summer, but the Work Gallery at the University of Michigan is still in the game. Now that most U-M students have left for the school year, director and contributor Gregory Steel has put together a multimedia exhibition that will highlight the talents of Work Gallery’s staff. “Because our staff is replete with artists, I thought we’d share,” says Steel about the upcoming exhibit. From installations to fine paintings to ceramics, this show is a hodgepodge of creativity. At the Work Gallery (316 State St., Ann Arbor). Call 734-998-6178 for more information. Ends July 3.
14 SAT • MUSIC 3-D Invisibles — All hail Frankie and Annette. Just in time for this glorious Michigan heat wave (huh?), sunshine and surf worshipers, the 3-D Invisibles are back with their spooky brand of Dick Dale meets the Flamin’ Groovies music and boffo good times. Hollow-body guitars and greasy pompadours — even if the weather sucks, the summer tunes are ready to roll. With a rare appearance from Snake Out and local faves the Amino Acids. At the Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit). Call 313-961-4668 for further information.
16 FRI • MUSIC Jammin’ for Larry — Just to note the top of the alphabet, the lineup so far includes Marcus Belgrave, George (Saxophone) Benson, Rayse Biggs, Claude Black, Charles Boles, James Carter and Hubie Crawford. Rest assured, the balance of the alphabet is also well represented. The occasion is a fundraiser to help saxophonist Larry Smith in the aftermath of a stroke. The place is Bert’s Marketplace, where with little fanfare Smith has bebopped his butt off Saturday night after Saturday night, seemingly forever. Admission is $10 minimum, and there’s a 7-8 p.m. buffet for the early crew. The music will, no doubt, go to last call at 2727 Russell in Eastern Market. Call 313-567-2030 for information.
Ongoing • MON-SUN • FUN FOR ALL T. Rex on Trial Exhibit — What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? And what parent doesn’t love an educational excursion for their progeny? Watch as a robotic Tyrannosaurus rex feasts on a Triceratops and partake of a prehistoric murder mystery in the Cranbrook Institute of Science’s “T. Rex on Trial.” Participants will use fossil evidence and scientific know-how to judge if T. Rex was in fact a predator or a scavenger. Perfect for the whole family. At the Cranbrook Institute of Science (39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills. Call 248-645-3224 for times. Through Labor Day).
