This pure Detroit event at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is our kind of thing -- and not just because it gets a jump on the weekend and has giveaway tickets.
View from the stage at Aretha's Jazz Cafe.
(Music Hall photo)
The other draws include local vocalists and musicians, plus a chance to enjoy a cozy space that was the Jazz Cafe and reopens Thursday as Aretha’s Jazz Cafe.
"We honor her wish to establish a downtown venue that would carry on her legacy," says Vince Paul, the Music Hall's president and artistic director.
General admission for sets at 8 and 10 p.m. are free. Reserved seats for the first show are $35 at Ticketmaster and the box office at 350 Madsion Ave.
Doors open at 7 p.m. "Capacity is limited and all patrons must have a ticket," an event post says. "You must come down to the Music Hall box office to receive your free general admission ticket."
The main act is Kingdom, with musical director Kern Brantey and bandmates Rainman, Philip Bates and Nick Behnan. Guest vocalists include Kimmie Horne, Gwen Foxx, Cherri Black, Steffanie Christi’an, Kiko, Angela Davis and Redi Choi.
The listing gushes about "an epic night of honor and music." There's no doubt general admission guests will get their money's worth.
-- Alan Stamm
