WEDNESDAY JULY 21
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
TALES FROM THE BEDROOM
The legend of Ariel Pink should be well known to anyone who flits in experimental indie circles and is familiar with "chillwave," a subgenre that Pink inadvertently spearheaded. For the uninitiated: Pink was a bedroom recording recluse, churning out tunes that reimagined cheesy '70s radio tunes into a catchy, if skewed, art-pop framework. Beginning with 2004's The Doldrums, Pink spent nearly a decade releasing his lo-fi efforts; this year saw his first studio album, Before Today, which takes his damaged yet delightful sound, adds a touch of polish and introduces a truly distinct artist to a whole new audience. 8 p.m. at the Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333; $10; with Magic Kids and Puro Instinct.
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY JULY 21-24
Ann Arbor Art Fairs
ART ATTACK!
The Ann Arbor Art Fairs — that would be four separate fairs held simultaneously over four days — create one of the largest fairs in the country, featuring 1000 local, national and international artists selling an eclectic range of both traditional and cutting-edge works. Along with the art overload, the fair also boasts a variety of entertainment, from street performers to local bands, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities for adults and children, beer tents and more. To make the artful convergence less exhausting, trolleys will be available to shuttle shoppers between the fairs for $1 per day. The art fairs take place throughout the streets of downtown Ann Arbor; 800-888-9487 or artfairs.visitannarbor.org for info.
FRIDAY JULY 23
Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story Benefit
PSYCHEDELIC GLORY DAYS
Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story is local filmmaker Tony D'Annunzio's documentary about the historic Grande Ballroom, Detroit's first full-time rock venue that, from 1966 to 1972, melded San Francisco flower power with Motor City muscle to create one legendary scene. Slated for release this fall, Louder Than Love features Grande alumni such as Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Scott Morgan, BB King and more. The fundraiser features performances by Warhorses, Dead City Prophets and Psychild Robert Noll & the Blues Mission. Funds raised will offset costs necessary for completion of the film. 8 p.m. at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3030; $10.
FRIDAY JULY 23
Home Suite: Coming To Hamtramck
YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE
The newly formed Hamtramck World Ensemble makes its debut with a performance of Home Suite: Coming to Hamtramck, an original, multimedia work. The group will perform partly improvised music as a soundtrack to videos of interviews with 18 Hamtramck residents, hailing from such far-flung locales as Poland, Yemen, Bosnia, Bangladesh and Nigeria. The piece explores the immigrant journey, from leaving the old country to making a new home in Hammie. The ensemble includes musicians Bill Meyer, Ramsey Hussein, Javier Barrios, Dave Reinstein, Cecelia Sharpe and Alan Ayoub. At 7 p.m. (music only) and 8:30 p.m. at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; free with admission. Also on Friday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Hamtramck Gates of Columbus, 9632 Conant; free to Hamtramck residents.
FRIDAY JULY 23
Heartless Bastards
WAIL ACHE
Ohio-born, Austin-based Heartless Bastards perform straightforward garage rock, the kind with a bluesy edge that begs for a barstool and a glass of whiskey. Since the band's praised '05 debut, Stairs and Elevators, the fixed constant of the rotating lineup has been singer, songwriter and guitar slinger Erika Wennerstrom. The stripped-down rock is the prime pedestal for her voice — husky, powerful and confident, equally adept at subtle aching as full-throated wailing. Heartless Bastards perform in support of their third disc, The Mountain, at 8 p.m. at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; $12; all ages; with Builders & the Butcher and Peter Wolf Crier.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY JULY 23-24
Copper Colored Mountain Arts Opening
GET YER ART ON!
A new nonprofit arts organization, Copper Colored Mountain Arts, offers classes, studios, exhibits and events in order to "revitalize arts and culture" in southeastern Michigan. The grand opening commences this weekend with a series of free events, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday with an opening reception for the outdoor exhibit Art in the Garden. The opening also includes a performance by the Ann Arbor Traditional Chinese Music Ensemble, a Tai Chi sword dance and music and video by experimental film mavens Hott Lava. Saturday features artist demonstrations beginning at 3 p.m., a multimedia music/dance/video work, Life of St. Ursula, at 7 p.m. and a performance of the classical Indian Odissi dance at 8 p.m. At Copper Colored Mountain Arts, 7101 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-904-6520; ccmarts.org.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY JULY 23-25
Concours d'Elegance of America
AUTO-ROTIC AUTO-RAMA
This annual event showcases more than 200 elegant, beautifully restored and impeccably maintained classic cars. Classes on display include drag cars, speedsters, space-age sport coups, celebrity-owned cars, along with four rarely displayed Motorama concept cars and five vintage motorcycles. The weekend of activities features a motoring tour and reception on Friday; a vintage auto auction, an auto design seminar and gala dinner on Saturday; and the Concours d'Elegance itself on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meadow Brook Hall, on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester; $25; location and ticket prices for other activities vary, visit meadowbrookconcours.org.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY JULY 23-25
Land of Nod Experiment
ROCK (FESTIVAL) CITY
What began as an attraction within New Orleans' Voodoo Music Experience is now a full-fledged festival of its own, boasting a diverse lineup of more than 70 bands at an intimate setting in Jackson. Headlining are flamboyant indie-pop veterans Of Montreal, garage rockers Eagles of Death Metal, brass band prodigy and rising jazz/funk sensation Trombone Shorty, and enigmatic hip-hop provocateur Dr. Octagon. Also on the bill are Tokyo Police Club, Ed Rush & Optical, Rasputina and BoomBox, along with locals such as the Satin Peaches, the Ragbirds and Black Lodge. Along with the music, expect theatrical performances, live art, vaudeville, belly dancers, aerialists and all variety of artistic enterprise. Weekend passes start at $69, camping passes at $89; visit landofnodexperiment.com for details.
SATURDAY JULY 24
Access Arts
DECENT EXPOSURE
Access Arts hosts its third exhibit of very public art on Belle Isle, showcasing 19 artists and 21 art installations integrated into the lakes, trees and open spaces of the island. Through its twice yearly Belle Isle exhibits, Access Arts seeks to present public art in a "neutral space," making it more inclusive and accessible. The opening includes a potluck with free food and drinks; the Hub will provide a limited number of bicycles to travel between art sites, but it's recommended you bring your own. Maps are available at the Access Arts Host Site, located on the southwest side of the island, where Casino Way and The Strand streets merge. Opening from noon to 5 p.m.; displays through July 30; accessartsexhibit.blogspot.com.
SATURDAY JULY 24
Noise Camp 16
RAGE INTO THE MOONLIGHT
It's that time of year again, when lovers of "harsh electronic music in the moonlight" gather for the annual Noise Camp, the only Detroit tradition that features a penguin toss. Sing around the campfire, drink from the hollow log, take a go at the crafts table and then settle in for the disturbing electro racket that emanates from Princess Dragonmom's tent. Isn't camp fun? 8 p.m.-midnight at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-899-2243; free.
SATURDAY JULY 24
Corktown Music Festival
A COMMUNITY RISING
This free, daylong grassroots fest features two stages of music, public art displays, fun for the kids and more. Performers include 5ELA, Stoopz N Breeze, the Amino Acids, Snakewing, Noman, Anthony Attalla, John Johr and DJ Seoul, to name just a few. Other highlights include a fashion show, the Detroit Circus and Fire Guild, belly dancers and the Detroit Projection Project projecting works onto Michigan Central Depot. 11 a.m. at Roosevelt Park, 2200 Michigan Ave., Detroit; corktownmusicfestival.com for info.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY JULY 24-25
Backpack Drive & House Music Picnic
GROOVING FOR THE TYKES
The fifth annual backpack drive expands this year, now featuring two days of beats, eats and, most importantly, collecting school supplies for disadvantaged Detroit Public School students. One of the largest drives for the Backpacking for Success program, the picnic features a lineup of some of Detroit's hottest DJs, including Jenny LaFemme, Norm Talley, Juan Atkins, Reggie Harrell and more. Attendees should bring their own food and beverages and a backpack full of school supplies. 10 a.m. until dark both days at Shed 19 of Belle Isle, Detroit; scpmichigan.org.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY JULY 24-25
Southern Michigan's Arts and Creativity Conference
HAWKING INVENTIVENESS
The Hamtramck Idea Men, creators of books, comics, games and ideas (seriously, you can buy an idea for $1!), present the first Southern Michigan's Arts and Creativity Conference, an arty and crafty affair featuring illustrators, model makers, filmmakers, poets, fashion designers, writers, actors and creators of all sort. Along with the vendors, the conference also boasts an all-night film and music fest. Neat! SMACC takes place 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn, 5801 Southfield Expressway, Detroit; 313-336-3340; smacc2010.us for info.
MONDAY JULY 26
Zizek Urban Beats Club
TROPICAL RECKONING
Born in the sweaty nightclubs of Buenos Aires, the Zizek Urban Beats Club monthly party has gained international fandom for its DJs' unique mash-ups, namely, cumbia digital. This new sound combines the African-inspired rhythms of cumbia – a traditional Columbian folk music – with the beats of electronic music. Four of the key Zizek players bring the Argentine dance floor to Detroit – cumbia-digital heavyweight DJ El Remolón, minimalist producer Chancha Via Circuito, Zizek co-founder El G and Tremor, a live band that combines digital beeps and synths with traditional Argentine instruments. The beat gets global at 9 p.m. at PJ's Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; $5.
