Entertainment calendar: concerts, family fun and more

our picks

MITTENFEST

at Bona Sera Restaurant

Indie rockers from Detroit, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor will gather for this annual three-day festival of live music. Proceeds benefit 826michigan, a literary nonprofit. Headliners are Chris Dupont (Thurs.), Frontier Ruckus (Fri.) and Tart and Minihorse (Sat.). 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. $10 each night. 200 W. Michigan, Ypsilanti. (734) 340-6335.

BLACK CHRISTMAS

at Majestic Complex

One of the biggest nights for Detroit’s punk and rock scene, this annual holiday event is headlined by nationally-known Detroit bands Suicide Machines and Black Dahlia Murder, along with regional band Municipal Waste and local heavies like Koffin Kats, Hifi Handgrenades, Bison Machine and the Idiot Kids. 6 p.m. Fri. $35. 4120-4140 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-9700.

big shows

THURSDAY

Lavell Crawford at Masonic Temple, comedy, 6:30 p.m. Thurs. $50. 500 Temple, Detroit. (313) 832-7100.

Blackberry Smoke with Whiskey Myers at Fillmore Detroit, rock, 7 p.m. Thurs. $20-$49.50. 2115 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 961-5451.

NGHTMRE with Joyryde at Royal Oak Music Theatre, electronic, 8 p.m. Thurs. $27.50 and up. 318 W. Fourth, Royal Oak. (248) 399-2980.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

The O’Jay’s at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, R&B, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. $49. 7096 E. 14 Mile, Warren. (586) 268-3200.

FRIDAY

Trans-Siberian Orchestra at The Palace of Auburn Hills, classical/holiday, 3 and 8 p.m. Fri. $44.50.$73.50. 6 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills. (248) 377-0100.

Holiday Soul Jam at Masonic Temple, soul, 6 p.m. Fri. $51 and up. 500 Temple, Detroit. (313) 832-7100.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

John Oliver at Fox Theatre, comedy, 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Sold out. 2211 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 471-6611.

Greensky Bluegrass with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys at Royal Oak Music Theatre, bluegrass, 7 p.m. Fri. and 8 p.m. Sat. $29.50 and up. 318 W. Fourth, Royal Oak. (248) 399-2980.

SATURDAY

Jeff Daniels: Acoustic & Unplugged at the Purple Rose Theatre, pop/rock, 3 and 8 p.m. Sat. $78-$88. 137 Park, Chelsea. (734) 433-7673.

Jeezy at Masonic Temple, hip-hop, 8 p.m. Sat. $125 and up. 500 Temple, Detroit. (313) 832-7100.

Electric Six with Queen Kwong at Saint Andrew’s Hall, rock, 9 p.m. Sat. $20. 431 E. Congress, Detroit. (313) 961-8961.

The Dirtbombs with Soledad Brothers and Prude Boys at Magic Stick, rock/garage, 9 p.m. Sat. $20. 4120 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-9700.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs the Music of Prince at Orchestra Hall at the Max, pop/R&B, 10 p.m. Sat. $70 and up. Dinner packages available. 3711 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 576-5111.

SUNDAY

Harlem Globetrotters at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 2 p.m. Sun. $13.50-$128.50. 6 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills. (248) 377-0100.

live music

THIS WEEK

Planet D Nonet at Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, jazz, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. and 5 and 9 p.m. Sat. Reservations recommended. 97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. (313) 882-5299.

THURSDAY

Glenn Tucker’s Sacred & Profane at Cliff Bell’s, jazz, 8 p.m. Thurs. $10. 2030 Park, Detroit. (313) 961-2543.

The Strangers at Loving Touch, country, 8 p.m. Thurs. $10. 22634 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 820-5596.

Passports for the People fundraiser with Deekah Wyatt, Mahogany Jones, Nique Love Rhodes & the NLR Experience and poet and emcee Fiyah Angelou at Tangent Gallery and Hastings Street Ballroom, 8 p.m. Thurs. $10. 715 E. Milwaukee, Detroit. (313) 873-2955.

FRIDAY

Moondog Centenary Tribute by the Lovely and the Wretched at Detroit Institute of Arts, jazz/experimental, 7 and 8:30 p.m. Fri. Free for tri-county residents. 5200 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-7900.

Billy Brandt, John Holt & the Sequins and West 7 Mile Renegades at PJ’s Lager House, rock, 8 p.m. Fri. $7. 1254 Michigan, Detroit. (313) 961-4668.

LL7 Latin Jazz Machine at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, jazz/Latin, 8 p.m. Fri. $15. 20510 Livernois, Detroit. (313) 345-6300.

The Curtis Taylor Quartet at Cliff Bell’s, jazz, 9 p.m. Fri. $10. 2030 Park, Detroit. (313) 961-2543.

SATURDAY

Heaven’s Wish at Diesel Concert Lounge, metal, 7 p.m. Sat. $15. 33151 23 Mile, New Baltimore. dieselconcerts.com.

Ironsnake at the Machine Shop, rock/metal/tribute, 7 p.m. Sat. $10. 3539 S. Dort Hwy., Flint. (810) 715-2650.

Tunde Olanrian at El Club, hip-hop/R&B/punk, 8 p.m. Sat. $10. 4114 W. Vernor, Detroit. (313) 436-1793.

313 the Live Experience at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, jazz, 8 p.m. Sat. $35, $60 per couple. 20510 Livernois, Detroit. (313) 345-6300.

Rockin’ Blues New Year’s Eve featuring Sonny Moorman at Callahan’s Music Hall, blues/rock, 8 p.m. Sat. $25 and up. Dinner packages available. 2105 South Blvd., Auburn Hills. (248) 858-9508.

The Mega 80s at Magic Bag, pop/rock, 8 p.m. Sat. $35. 22920 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 544-1991.

Homeboy Sandman with Nolan the Ninja, MotorKam and Lord Gulley at Loving Touch, hip-hop, 8 p.m. Sat. $15. 22634 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 820-5596.

Modern Tribe Communications 20th anniversary with Ultra Unit, Duminie Deporres, Greg Sanders and Satta Don Dada at PJ’s Lager House, rock/funk, 9 p.m. Sat. $10. 1254 Michigan, Detroit. (313) 961-4668.

Ben Sharkey at AXIS Lounge at MGM Grand Detroit, jazz, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat. No cover. 1777 Third, Detroit. Email nightlife@det.mgmgrand.com for table reservations.

Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee fundraiser with Unlimited Head at Dino’s Lounge, 9 p.m. No cover, free will donation. 22740 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 591-3466.

Alexander Zonjic and his Band with Jeff Lorber and Serieux and their Motown Temptations Review at Trenton Village Theatre, jazz, 9:30 p.m. Sat. $50. 2447 W. Jefferson, Trenton. (313) 964-5050.

Third Coast Kings at Cliff Bell’s, jazz, 10 p.m. Sat. $25. 2030 Park, Detroit. (313) 961-2543.

SUNDAY

AwesomeR at New Way Bar, rock, 10:30 a.m. Sun. No cover. 23130 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 541-9870.

Jarrod Champion at Cliff Bell’s, pop/rock, 11 a.m. Sun. No cover. 2030 Park, Detroit. (313) 961-2543.

WEDNESDAY

OGD featuring Sky Covington at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, jazz, 8 p.m. Wed. $10. 20510 Livernois, Detroit. (313) 345-6300.

clubs/djs

THURSDAY

Joker, An-Ten-Nae, Gladkill and more at Magic Stick, 9 p.m. Thurs. $10. 4120 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-9700.

FRIDAY

Matthew Dear at Grasshopper Underground, 9 p.m. Fri. $10. 22757 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 298-0330.

SATURDAY

Bass Supremacy with five stages of DJs at Russell Industrial Center, 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. $30, $60 VIP. 1600 Clay, Detroit. ticketweb.com.

DJ Mobeatz and DJ Mix 1981 with laser light show, complimentary buffet and confetti blast at the Annex, 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. $30, $50 VIP. 24 W. Adams, Detroit. (313) 632-9021.

Thirst Wave with new wave, alt-retro, dark ’80s and ’90s alternative at Small’s Bar, 8 p.m. Sat. $8-$10. 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. (313) 873-1117.

DJ Denis Celic and Friends at the Bosco, 8 p.m. Sat. 22930 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 541-8818.

Country Club Disco with Golf Clap, Pontchartrain, Ghita Sisters and Players Club at Grasshopper Underground, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $10. 22757 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 298-0330.

Enter the Dojo Party with a DJ, appetizers and an ice luge at the Peterboro, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $50. 420 Peterboro, Detroit. (313) 833-1111.

Bey Ball Dance Party with DJs Graffiti and Dante Lasalle with Britney Stoney at Blind Pig, 9:30 p.m. Sat. $10. 208 S. First, Ann Arbor. (734) 996-8555.

Studio V with Captn20 and party favors and champagne toast at V Nightclub at MGM Grand Detroit, 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. $50. 1777 Third, Detroit. neptix.com.

Bleu Out with Eran Hersh, Kenneth Thomas and more at Bleu Detroit, 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. $10-$450. 1540 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 974-7799.

stage/comedy

THIS WEEK

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at Fisher Theatre, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun. and 8 p.m. Tues.-Wed. (through Jan. 8). $44 and up. 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. (313) 872-1000.

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: the Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” at City Theatre, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. $38. 2301 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 471-6611.

Andy Hendrickson at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. and 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sat. $10-$35. 310 S. Troy, Royal Oak. (248) 542-9900.

Dobie Maxwell at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 8 p.m. Thurs. and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. $9-$12 in advance, $11-$14 at the door. 212 S. Fourth, Ann Arbor. (734) 996-9080.

THURSDAY

Ray and Laura’s Superstars with Brad Wenzel, Mike Szar, Blain Hill, Andy French, Brett Mercer, Ellen Stachowicz and more at Small’s Bar, 8 p.m. Thurs. $5. 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. (313) 873-1117.

The Matt Naas Variety Show at Go Comedy! Improv Theatre, 8 p.m. Thurs. $20. 261 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale. (248) 327-0575.

SATURDAY

“New Year’s Eve Showdown” interactive improv game show at Go Comedy! Improv Theatre, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sat. $35-$50. Early show includes hors d’oeuvres and prizes; late show is food, prizes and a champagne toast. 261 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale. (248) 327-0575.

L.A. Hardy at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Sat. $25-$30. 212 S. Fourty, Ann Arbor. (734) 996-9080.

TUESDAY

“50 First Jokes,” stand-up comedians telling the first jokes they wrote in 2017 at the Ark, 7:30 p.m. Tues. $10. 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451.

OPENING WEDNESDAY

“Mom’s Gift” starring Cindy Williams at Meadow Brook Theatre, 8 p.m. Wed. (through Jan. 29). $27-$42. 2200 N. Squirrel, Rochester. (248) 370-3316.

visual arts/film

THIS WEEK

“Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation” at Magic Bag, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. $7. 22920 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 544-1991.

ONGOING

“Bitter Sweet: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate” and “Detroit After Dark” at Detroit Institute of Arts, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs., 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Wed. Free admission for tri-county residents. 5200 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-7900.

etc.

THIS WEEK

Kwanzaa Celebrations at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 6 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 5 p.m. Sat. and 3 p.m. Sun. Free. 315 E. Warren, Detroit. (313) 494-5800.

“World of Predators” at Cranbrook Institute of Science, 1-4 p.m. through Friday. Museum admission is $13, $9.50 seniors and children. 39221 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills. (248) 645-3200.

THURSDAY

Early New Year’s Eve Masquerade Adult Night at LEGOLAND Discover Center Michigan, 7-10 p.m. Thurs. $23.50. 4240 Baldwin, Auburn Hills. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/michigan.

SATURDAY

Noon Year’s Eve with cookies, cocoa and more at Detroit Historical Museum, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. Free. 5401 Woodward, Detroit. detroithistorical.org.

Meridian Motor City NYE Drop at Campus Martius and Cadillac Square, first drop hits at 6:30 p.m. for the little ones and then resets for midnight. VIP packages are available. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 800 Woodward, Detroit. motorcitynye.com.

Wild Lights at Detroit Zoo, 5:30-9 p.m. Sat. $10 in advance, $13 at the gate. 8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak. detroitzoo.org.

Rockin’ NYE with live music and more Downtown Wyandotte, party starts at 6 p.m. Ball drops at 9 p.m. for a family-friendly celebration and again at midnight. Free. Biddle and Maple, Wyandotte. RockinNYE.com.

Detroit Circus with aerial acts, fire dancing, acrobatics and more at Village Theatre, 7 p.m. Sat. $20. 50400 Cherry Hill, Canton. cantonvillagetheater.org.