Art Exhibit: 30 Americans
Tuesday-Sunday through January 18
Baby I Am Ready Now, Mickalene Thomas, 2007, Diptych, acrylic, rhinestone and enamel on wooden panel. Rubell Family Collection, Miami
Three decades, one nation, and 30 experiences are currently on view at the Detroit Institute of Arts. 30 Americans, a stunning exhibit, showcases 30 of the most renowned American black artists, including major names like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Nick Cave, Lorna Simpson and Kerry James Marshall. Concepted around the black experience, issues of racial, political, historical, and gender identity in contemporary culture are explored through paintings, sculptures, installation, video and more.
Through January 18 | 9am-4pm Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-10pm Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday | $17.50/general adult, $10.50/youth (6-17) | Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-833-7900. dia.org
Cinema Series: Rediscovering Ancient America
Wednesday, January 13
Towering ancient temples and soaring cliff dwellings, America is full of amazing historical monuments just waiting to be explored. Get inspired for your next road trip with a showing of Rediscovering Ancient America, part of the Kiwanis Travel & Adventure Cinema Series. Filmmaker Gray Warriner will take the audience on a coast-to-coast tour of the hidden historical gems dotting the country. Discover magnificent earthworks, lost Pueblo Native American communities, and much more. Find out more via ecurrent.com.
7:30pm Wednesday, January 13 | $5. Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh |517-423-6617 | thetca.org
Zell Visiting Writers Series: Maggie Shipstead & Jennifer duBois Fiction Reading
Thursday, January 14
(Left to Right) Maggie Shipstead and Jennifer duBois via
For one night only, Thursday, January 14, two award-winning fiction authors, both graduates of the esteemed Iowa’s Writers Workshop, will be reading at the UMMA’s Helmut Stern Auditorium thanks to the Museum of Art and the Zell Visiting Writers Series. Maggie Shipstead is the author of two novels, Astonish Me and Seating Arrangements, the latter a New York Times Bestseller List. Jennifer duBois is the author of A Partial History of Lost Causes and Cartwheel, as well as the recipient of a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Award. This reading is open to the public, with seating on a first-come basis.
5:30pm | Helmut Stern Auditorium at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St. | 734-764-0395 | lsa.umich.edu
Avenue Q
Friday-Sunday, January 15-17 & 22-23
The Dexter Community Players present one of the most successful Broadway shows of all time, Avenue Q, a musical mixing puppets and people to create a unique experience. Winner of three 2004 Tony Awards, Avenue Q’s characters are forced to deal with disappointments, conflicts, and real-life struggles. The play focuses on Princeton, a recent college graduate who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life, with a parade of characters that shine a light on Princeton’s own insecurities, prejudices, and doubts, in hilarious fashion. Thoroughly self-aware and never taking it’s characters struggles too seriously, Avenue Q holds a mirror up to Generation Y with songs like ‘It Sucks to Be Me” and “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”. Directed by Jason Smith. Find out more via ecurrent.com.
8pm Fridays & Saturdays, 2pm Sundays | $16/presale, $20/door | Copeland Auditorium, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter | 734-726-0355 | dextercommunityplayers.org
Chrome Sparks
Saturday, January 16
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The solo project of Jeremy Malvin, a Brooklyn-based artist from Pittsburgh, Chrome Sparks combines Malvin’s background with classic percussion compositions and an ongoing interest in synthesizers. Masterminded by Malvin during the recording process, on stage Sparks turns into a three-piece band that brings thought-provoking and experimental electronic music straight to the audience. His latest release, Parallelism, came out in November on the Future Classic label. Must be 18 or older. Find out more via ecurrent.com.
9pm | Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. | 734-996-8555 | blindpigmusic.com
Hamlet
Sunday, January 17
In partnership with National Theatre Live, a groundbreaking effort that captures performances on the London stage and broadcasts them all over the world, the Michigan Theater plays host, once again, to Hamlet. This well-rounded remake stuck to its guns, producing a one-of-a-kind adventure that both repeat fans and newcomers can equally enjoy. Incorporating modernity into the well-known classic, this performance boasts a great combination of dramatic flair paired with perfectly timed humor. Viewers willing to work through the Shakespearean language barrier have a perfect opportunity to get comfortable with The Bard. Find out more via ecurrent.com.
7pm. $18-$22. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. michtheater.org
Kaki King
Monday, January 18
Using her skills to wow even the biggest rock stars is an everyday occurrence for musician and composer Kaki King. Dubbed “a genre unto herself” by Rolling Stone, King has contributed to television and movie soundtracks and performed with artists as diverse as the Foo Fighters and Timbaland. Introduced to the guitar at the age of four, King has spent the past ten years touring the world, gathering a devoted following thanks to her mastery of the steel string and classic six-string guitars. In support of her latest album, The Neck is a Bridge to the Body (2015), King is collaborating with visual experience company Glowing Pictures to create a live show that uses the guitar as a projection screen. Find out more via ecurrent.com.
8pm. $20. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1451. theark.org
Winter Seminar Series: Plant Medicines: An Introduction
Monday, January 25
Michigan has a bounty of herbs (including Echinacea and St. John’s Wort), many of which are likely growing right outside your door. In this seminar, Anna Fernandez will introduce the foundations of herbal medicine. In addition, students will meet some common, local herbs by using their senses to get to know them while Anna discusses the virtues of each herb. Finally, Anna will highlight the different ways to prepare herbal medicines, growing and harvesting techniques, and why harvesting our “weeds” is better for ourselves and the planet than other alternatives. Presented by Robin Hills Farm. Check out our sister publication's wonderful interview with the Robin Hills Farm crew.
6:30-8:30pm | Robin Hills Farm, 20390 Stockbridge Chelsea Rd., Chelsea | 734-929-2423. | robinhillsfarm.com Free
THE pARTy!
Wednesday, January 27
The Arts Alliance will award Medals for Arts, Science, and Humanities and the 21st Century Awards at THE pARTy! 2016 on January 27 at Melange Bistro in downtown Ann Arbor, honoring local artists, individuals, and business that have contributed to the arts, sciences, and humanities throughout Washtenaw County. The Arts Alliance is a nonprofit organization that serves and promotes the creative sector throughout Washtenaw County. Find out more via ecurrent.com
6pm | $150/members, $175/nonmembers | Melange Bistro, 312 S Main St. | 734-213-2733 | a3arts.org
Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton
Wednesday, January 27
As one of the top session and backup singers, she’s featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom and also celebrated for her live concert duets with Mick Jagger during “Gimme Shelter” that have received millions of hits on YouTube. Her astonishing range, spot-on intonation, mastery of the stage, and infectious sweet smile make her the go-to singer for the likes of Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, Bobby McFerrin, Lou Reed, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin. Find out more via ecurrent.
7:30pm | $22+ | Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor | 734-668-8463 | michtheater.org, ums.org
14th Annual Wine, Women and Song Festival
Fridays, January 29 & February 5, Saturdays, January 30 & February 6 & Sunday, January 31
This five-day cabaret concert extravaganza features 12 performers from all walks of life coming together to put on an incredible show for men and women alike. Performers include Wendy Bloom, Director of the Flint Festival Chorus at the Flint Institute of Music, Deanna Relyea, Artistic Director of the Kerrytown Concert House, Linda Beaupre, founding member of The Black Sheep Repertory Theatre in Manchester, and many more. A concert house tradition, tickets for this event go fast, so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy an evening of entertainment mixed with perfect wine pairings. Find out more at ecurrent.com
Through February 6 | 8pm Fridays, January 29 & February 5; 8pm Saturdays, January 30 & February 6:30pm Sunday, January 31 | $20-$50 | Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. | 734-769-2999 | kerrytownconcerthouse.com
