6 Things to Do This Weekend (Dec. 4-6)

Live jazz music, holiday merriment, and The Freep Film Fest keep winter blues at bay
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things to do - mark sarmel
Mark Sarmel photograph courtesy of Detroit Shipping Co.

Mark Sarmel

Artist and College for Creative Studies graduate Mark Sarmel references mythologies from myriad cultures and societies to create an imaginative, alternate universe. Rendered in bright, bold colors and fluid line work, Sarmel鈥檚 art depicts a world in which diverse peoples can be revered as heroes, monarchs, and even gods. No cost. Through Jan. 3. Detroit Shipping Co., 474 Peterboro St., Detroit;

Richard Preston鈥檚 Christmas Capers

Stuart MacDonald 鈥 2017 champion of Penn and Teller鈥檚 competitive magic show, Fool Us 鈥 makes his return to the virtual stage with an interactive, live performance and a brand-new character. You鈥檙e invited to a magical, holiday cocktail party at the mid-century modern home of Richard Preston, the greatest magician of the 1960s. $20. Dec. 4 and 5. Live streaming;

A Woman's Work - freep film festival
A Woman鈥檚 Work still courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Freep Film Festival

Postposed in April due to COVID-19, the Detroit Free Press鈥檚 annual film festival is taking place virtually. The documentary-focused festival presents a number of films linked, in various ways, to Detroit or Michigan, as well as a few wild cards. This year鈥檚 lineup includes diverse selections, including Breed and Bootleg: The History and Future of Flint Rap Music, which explores the vibrant history of Flint鈥檚 hip-hop scene, and A Woman鈥檚 Work: The NFL鈥檚 Cheerleader Problem, a documentary about NFL cheerleaders and their legal battle for fair treatment. $8+. Through Dec. 6. Streaming;

Belles

Belles tells the story of six Southern sisters coming to terms with a shattered family history, while also striving to bridge the physical and emotional distance separating them. This weekend, you can watch the Birmingham Village Players perform this poignant and often-comical play told in 鈥渢wo acts and forty-five phone calls.鈥 $10. Dec. 4 and 5. Streaming;

Cyrus Chestnut DSO
Cyrus Chestnut photograph courtesy of DSO

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lauded as the best jazz pianist of his generation by Time magazine, Cyrus Chestnut is best known for his notable gospel and hard bop influences. This weekend, he鈥檒l ring in the holiday season with Vince Guaraldi鈥檚 classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Accompanied by saxophone, bass, and drums, Chestnut will perform favorites, such as 鈥淟inus and Lucy,鈥 鈥淐hristmas Time is Here,鈥 and 鈥淥 Tannenbaum,鈥 with his own soulful twist. $12. Dec. 6. Live streaming;

Epiphany Studios Holiday Show

Known for its colorful and contemporary glass sculptures, Epiphany Studios will host its 2020 Holiday Show this weekend. In-person and virtual attendees alike can peruse one-of-a-kind sculptures and unique, handmade gifts, and even see how they鈥檙e made, with glassblowing demonstrations. No cost. Dec. 4-6. Epiphany Studios, 770 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac;