Jeff Daniels performs Feb. 12 in a one-man show of his original songs before an audience of approximately 700 at the state-of-the-art Heinz C. Prechter Education & Performing Arts Center at Wayne County Community College District in Taylor. The audience discovered that not only is Daniels an actor, playwright, musician and composer, but a comedian and philosopher as well as he sang “Getting’ Good at Being Bad” and “Daddy’s Little Daughter,” the latter about his daughter learning to drive. Several audience members were recruited to join Daniels on stage as he sang and played the guitar, including Taylor resident Scott Moore, who took part in a number by blowing a train whistle, to the amusement of those in attendance.
By Evelyn Cairns
Winners will be in the spotlight Feb. 27 at Downriver events, beginning with a 3 p.m. concert of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony featuring Academy Award-nominated musical scores and the final round of the Downriver Idol contest.
Competing for the coveted title at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium will be Ramsey Katynski of Clawson, Laurie Mata of Wyandotte and Jill Ryan and Lara Semetko, both of Grosse Ile.
Judges will include Patty Greenwell, vocal director; Andrea Blum of the News-Herald Newspapers; and Stacy Mason of Farmington Hills, the winner of last year’s Down-river Idol contest.
The orchestra’s program will include music from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” by John Williams; “The Red Pony,” by Aaron Copland; “Gone with the Wind,” by Max Steiner; “Gabriel’s Oboe,” by Ennio Morricone; and the “Suite from Henry V,” by Sir William Walton.
Tickets, $25 are available by calling (734) 246-2890 or visiting www.sgls.org. The auditorium is at 28100 Aspen Drive, Flat Rock.
At 7 p.m., movie buffs, some dressed for a costume contest, will begin partying at the annual MJR Digital Cinema 20 in Southgate before watching the Academy Awards telecast on the big screen to learn who the winners will be. The telecast will begin at 8 p.m.
The evening will offer beverages and food provided by restaurants including Applewood Nursing Center, Café West, Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant, Crystal Gardens, Old Country Buffet, Tubby’s Subs, TV’s Deli & Diner, Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Chicago, Portofino on the River and Ponderosa.
In addition, drawings will be held, and each guest will receive a gift bag.
Tickets, $25 in advance, or $30 at the door, are avail-able by calling 734-282-4727.
Date change announced
Broadway in Detroit has announced a chance in per-formance dates for the musical “Chicago,” which originally was slated to be staged March 8 through 13 at the Fisher Theatre. The new dates are May 17 through 22.
Tickets issued for the original dates are valid for the corresponding rescheduled performances.
Ticketholders wishing a refund or exchange must make the request prior to 5 p.m. April 1 by returning to their original points of purchase, a spokesman for Broadway in Detroit said.
For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or go to www.BroadwayInDetroit.com or the Broadway in Detroit Facebook page.
Henry Ford buffet slated
Seafood Gumbo, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Jambalaya and Baked Red Snapper will be among the offerings at a New Orleans Seafood Buffet planned for Feb. 23 by the Henry Ford Community College Hospitality Studies Department in the college restaurant, Fifty-One O One.
Seating will be from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 6 to 7:45 p.m. The cost is $15. For reservations, call (313) 206-5101.
TV alumni to perform
The spectacular ballroom and Latin dance show “Burn the Floor,” featuring alumni from “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol” will be staged Feb. 22 through March 6 at the Fisher Theatre.
The dancers include Anya Garnis, Pasha Kovalev, Robbie Kmetoni, Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer, all seen on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and singer Vonzell Solomon, the second runner-up in the fourth season of “American Idol.”
Tickets, starting at $29, including parking, are avail-able at all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.
For more information, call (313) 872-1000.
Going on . . .
Through March 10 — Art exhibits; Michigan Art Education Association Region 2 Annual Exhibition and Downriver Council for the Arts Student & Instructor Exhibition; at the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut; for hours, call 734-720-0671 or go to www.downriverarts.org.