Re:View Gallery Upcoming Exhibit, Mapping the Terrain

By virtue of having many friends who are architects, I've been lovingly been deemed an honorary architect and I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two (but not much more than that. And a stretch even at that). So the following show certainly piqued my interest and speaks to my curiosity in interesting structures, order, and symmetry.

Emily Duke, a sculptor and ceramicist, will be presenting her exhibit, Mapping the Terrain, to the Re:View Contemporary Gallery. The compositions are based on elements from construction sites, agricultural buildings, and manufacturing complexes, simplifying the structures and accentuating patterns.

The opening reception is on Saturday April 2nd at 7pm; the show runs through April 30th. Re:View Gallery is located in the Willys Overland Lofts at 444 W. Willis in Midtown. Definitely sounds like a neat show worth checking out.

Tickeld Fancy Burlesque, 05Mar11

We braved the kind-of-a-surprise-but-I-should-know-better-by-March snow squall on Saturday night to go see the lovely ladies (and gents) of Tickeld Fancy Burlesque at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti. The crowd definitely wasn't deterred by the weather, because as soon as the show got underway, there seemed to be 5x more people than were there a few minutes prior. I don't know if it was the crush for better spots closer up, or the jockeying for space by the ton of photogs in front of the stage that made it seem like a lot, but I'll take those as good signs for an anticipated show either way.

The variety of pieces the performers brought to the stage was definitely a unique blend. Not your everyday burlesque! And the guest performers rounded out a pretty eclectic line up. While Satori Circus couldn't make it, his friend, Konrad Lee, Lounge Singer Extraordinaire was able to make it on short notice. He started out with some old school mellow Partridge Family, but the cast was up on stage dancing along by the last piece. Lady Gaga would be proud. And I never cease to be amazed at how many people spend their evenings at home learning the routine to Bad Romance. Well, amazed at how many people who are older than my 13-year old niece that is...

And I've seen a lot of hooping ladies at a variety of different shows lately, but Fox brought a completely different take on it, with industrial music and a tremendously impressive presence and talent. I'm a sucker for light up things that move quickly (ooo....pretty and shiny!), so I was sold at light-up hula hoop. I hardly have enough coordination to stand and watch someone manage 2 hula hoops at once, so kudos to her for a great performance.

 If this is a bad winter night in the D, I'll take it. Thanks to Amy and Aric for the best fun a girl could ask for (not to mention swinging sausages, excellent karaoke, and some priceless photos). I heart you guys!

Jonesing for something to do this week?

If I had limitless time, could be in 2 places at once, and had bought tickets in time, here's what I would be doing this week (and might still squeeze in):

• Pete Yorn and Ben Kweller at Clutch Cargo's, Friday, 6:30 pm

While he got a lot of buzz for his collaboration with Scarlett Johansson a couple years ago (I'll leave it to you whether "buzz" in this case is good or bad), it's his earlier albums that I played the snot out of. Day I Forgot and musicforthemorningafter were soundtracks to the majority of my lazy Sundays for most of the last 5 years. Paired with Ben Kweller, it should be a great show.

• The Pogues at the the Royal Oak Music Theatre, Friday, doors at 8pm

Yeah. I get it. I didn't buy my tickets in time and the show's sold out. Suck it. If you're a lucky contestant to be able to go, have fun. But don't tell me how rad the show was.Or I might go on a crazy, drunken, Irish-whiskey fueled rage. Unless you told me that you already saw that at the show. I'm gonna be bitter about this one for a while.

• Tickled Fancy Burlesque at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti, 9pm

 The Tickeld Fancy Burlesque group will be presenting a varitease (hee hee, get it??) of pieces from the past year.

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, March 3-6, Detroit Opera House

 

The modern dance troupe brings its beyond-belief athleticism and brilliant dancing to the Opera House. If you need a bit of reminding of how uncoordinated, non-graceful, and lacking as a physical speciman you are, this is the show for you! It looks like there is a slightly different line-up of pieces being performed at each night's show too, so if you are blown away one night, you can go back and be blown away at a whole different set of pieces.

Enjoy the week/end!