Before turkey time, it’s party time

Traditionally touted as the “biggest bar night of the year,” the night before Thanksgiving is a popular time for partying.

College kids are home for the family gatherings, and — unless you work at Kmart, which opens at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving — it’s likely that most folks have Thursday off for the holiday, which makes Wednesday a prime night to go out.

Whether your party style is to check out some live music, see a show or get on the dance floor and be the show, there’s plenty of happenings this Wednesday night. Here are some of the highlights:

Live Music

Alvin Waddles at Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, jazz, 6 and 8:30 p.m. No cover, reservations recommended. 97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. (313) 882-5299.

Kamelot with DragonForce at Royal Oak Music Theatre, metal, 7:30 p.m. $27.50 and up. 318 W. Fourth, Royal Oak. (248) 399-2980.

Danny Brown and Bruiser Brigade at Majestic Theatre, hip-hop, 8 p.m. $22.50. 4140 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-9700.

Planet D Nonet with Camille Price at Jazz Cafe at Music Hall, jazz, 8 p.m. No cover, donations accepted. 350 Madison, Detroit. (313) 887-8500.

Chris Weller’s Hanging Hearts at Cliff Bell’s, jazz, 8 p.m. $10. 2030 Park, Detroit. (313) 961-2543.

Lt. Bad, Market, Sweet Action and Ancient Language at New Dodge Lounge, electronic/rock/pop, 8 p.m. No cover. 8850 Jos Campau, Hamtramck. (313) 874-5963.

The Smith United, Thanksgiving is Still Murder with Re-Cure and Music for the Masses at Magic Bag, tribute bands, 8 p.m. $10. 22920 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 544-3030.

Howling Diablos with Gabriel Brass Band at PJ’s Lager House, rock/funk, 9 p.m. $8. 1254 Michigan, Detroit. (313) 961-4668.

Timmy’s Organism with Sugarcoats and Anguish at UFO Factory, punk, 9 p.m. $10. 2110 Trumbull, Detroit. ufofactory.com.

Cosmic Light Shapes, Moneypenny and Party Zeppelin at Majestic Cafe, rock, 9 p.m. $5. 4120 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 883-9700.

Frontier Ruckus, El Dee and Bonny Doon at Marble Bar, pop/rock, 9 p.m. $12. 1501 Holden, Detroit. (313) 551-3158.

Suburban Soul Surfers at Freddy’s Bar and Grill, rock, 9 p.m. No cover. 40000 Garfield, Clinton Township. (586) 416-7777.

Omi at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, reggae/pop, 10 p.m. $25. 2901 Grand River, Detroit. (313) 309-4700.

Devious Ones, the Fiegers and more at Garden Bowl, punk/rock, 10 p.m. No cover. 4120 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 833-9700.

Stage

So You Think You Can Dance at Fox Theatre, dancing, 7:30 p.m. $29.50-$85. 2211 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 471-6611.

“Jersey Boys” at Fisher Theatre, 8 p.m. $25-$130. 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. (313) 872-1000.

Open Mic Night at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 8 p.m. $5. 310 S. Troy, Royal Oak. (248) 542-9900.

“TEASE: The Night Before Thanksgiving” drag show with BenDeLaCreme, Milk and Raven at Necto Nightclub, 9 p.m. $15 in advance. 516 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. (734) 994-5835.

Club parties

One year anniversary party with music from Dan Tillery and DJ David Boji at Punch Bowl Social, 5 p.m. $10 cover includes food buffet, two drink tickets and is a donation to Camp Casey. 1331 Broadway, Detroit. (313) 749-9738.

The Gobble Wobble: A Motor City Bass Music Thanksgiving with Cookn, Truman, Frequency and more at Pike Room, 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac. (248) 858-9333.

Dennis Ferrer, Kevin Saunderson, Terrence Parker, the Saunderson Brothers and Denis Celic at the Annex, 9 p.m. $15. 24 W. Adams, Detroit. (313) 687-4350.

DJs Chrome, Cisco, B. Jarbo, Rammix and Norman at Red Fox English Pub and Cantina Diablos, 8 p.m. $10, $20 for expedited entry, no cover for women before 10 p.m. 100 S. Main, Royal Oak. (248) 543-4300.

Music by Misco, mechanical bull and more at Liquor Store, 8 p.m. $10. 44325 W. 12 Mile, Novi. (313) 363-5736.

Thirst Wave and Industrial is Not Dead with DJs Pleasure Kitten, Elektrosonik, Aaron Hingst and Void6 at Small’s Bar, 9 p.m. Wed. $3-$5, no cover for 21 and older before 10 p.m. 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. (313) 873-1117.

DJ Handelz and DJ Tony Toca at Twist Nightclub, 9 p.m. VIP/bottle service available. 22901 Woodward, Ferndale. (313) 855-5VIP.

DJ Whip and more at the Ballroom at Townsend Hotel and Corner Bar, 9 p.m. $50. 100 Townsend, Birmingham. (248) 406-2020.

Coming Home hosted by Slim from Mojo in the Morning with DJs Captn20, Boji and Chris B at V Nightclub at MGM Grand Detroit, 10 p.m. $20, no cover for women before 11 p.m. Black dress attire strongly suggested. 1777 Third, Detroit. (313) 465-1650.

DJ Tom T at Crave Ferndale, 10 p.m. No cover, reservations suggested. 22726 Woodward, Ferndale. (248) 398-4070.