And Here Be The Treasures

Detroit – determined, dynamic and (apparently) diminishing with every passing year – still possesses a creative spirit second to none. Welcome to Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience, a six-day series highlighting works fashioned by the 2008-2010 Kresge Eminent Artists. 4/6 at 4 p.m. sees the unveiling of Spirit Renewal, an 8' by 22' sculpture by Charles McGee, which has found a spot near the Horace Rackham Memorial Building near the DIA. Then take in the 5:30 opening reception at MOCAD hosted by Ann Delisi and Nick Austin. Marcus Belgrave and Joel Peterson will exemplify harmony; the occasion will also see the formal unveiling of a new installation piece by Gordon Newton. 4/7 sees a 3:30 curtain-raiser for Street Folk by Tyree Guyton – 10,000 pairs of shoes at Edmond & Woodward will rise into view as a silent (but eloquent) commentary on the plight of the homeless in America. Poet Rachel Harkai will recite verse at MOCAD starting at 6:30. Quantum Leap: Complex Science, Social Justice Movements and Hip-Hop is the encompassing topic examined by Grace Lee Boggs, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez, and D. Blair at the Detroit Science Center at 7. The DIA's Rivera Court will serve as a fitting stage for The Troublemakers: The True Epic Story of Diego and Frida, a three-act play by Louis Aguilar that recalls the controversial origins of the Detroit Industry murals. Local community leaders will fill in as the dramatis personae and an original music score by Jessica Hernandez will supply the right notes and beats. Additional venues include the Scarab Club, Leopold's Books, and The Magic Stick. More info at artxdetroit.com.

Another Trove to Be Extolled

When advertising is colorful, imaginative and FUN, it's art – case closed. Actually a case may soon be opened thanks to Canadian Club and a persevering gentleman in St. Clair Shores named Alex Chepeska. Background info: In 1967, Canadian Club hid 25 cases of their wonderful aqua vitae in remote locations all over the globe and then provided helpful clues in a series of print ads. Alex recently earned a spot on an American team of intrepid seekers – and now he's on his way to Tonga! It's gonna be grueling, exciting, and sort of like Survivor with a twist of lime.  Go TEAM USA! Go to canadianclub.com.

It's Alive – and LIVE!

We once asked a person at the Michigan Theatre to describe the technical details behind that venue's satellite linkups with London's National Theatre. The explanation was fascinating – and, of course, we didn't understand a word of it. Happily for you (and us), all they want you to do on 4/6 is drive to Ann Arbor, buy a ticket, settle into a seat, and watch how Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle stages Frankenstein, Mary Shelley's timeless (and timely) tale of science gone awry. As scripted by Nick Dear, the familiar fright-fest is now a multi-themed omnibus of contemporary concerns, with such issues as parental neglect, social prejudice, cognitive development, moral relativism and other sundry matters addressed directly or indirectly. Jonny Lee Miller plays the creative Victor F. and Benedict Cumberbatch portrays the maligned "monster." 7 p.m. and there is more at ums.org.

A2 Again – But With a Sweeter Rhythm

The Spanish word "son" means sound and Son Cubano is arguably the most exquisite music you will ever hear. A style that originated in the late '20s, it quickly became one of the most influential and widespread forms of music in Latin America; the seductive urgency of the salsa is derived from its tempo and the rumba couldn't even rumble to a start without its persuasive charm. On 4/7, the Hill Auditorium will provide plenty of "son" to back this up when the Septeto Nacional Ignacio Pineiro de Cuba takes the stage. Preeminent champions of this traditional music for over eight decades, the ensemble will perform a catalogue of songs that span the years and recall a time when the Caribbean was a paradise of passion to puritanical yanquis. Cigars rolled slowly on the firm thighs of dusky beauties who ... wait, where did THAT come from? Who cares. Got a match? Ums.org.

Day 3 in A2

Heaven forbid it should happen, but if your car DOES break down in Ann Arbor either before or after you enjoy the two events described above – well, why not the make the best of it and go for a trifecta? On 4/8, it will be the Rackham's turn to dazzle the ears with the welcome return of the Takacs Quartet. Founded in Hungary, this accomplished ensemble is now based in Colorado and has been acclaimed for its masterful approach to works by both classical and modern composers. This time it's a Schubert cycle with pianist Jeffrey Kahane, cellist Paul Katz, and double bass player John Feeney brought on board so the quartet can go quintet. More: ums.org. | RDW