I’ve always been friends with people who are in bands. Eventually, these people return from touring, full of inside jokes I do not understand. While listening to their “hilarious” stories, sometimes I try to laugh along just because, but usually I have no idea and can only imagine whatever they are talking about. The works produced by Team Macho, hailing from Toronto, Canada, remind me of what it would be like if said friends gave me illustrated documentation of their travels. Much of it has a whimsical but “oh my gosh, that is really incredible, I never would have thought of that and, oh yeah, kittens” feel. Team Macho is a collective of fine artists and illustrators who share a studio space in Toronto. All jokes aside, the team, comprised of Nicholas Aoki, Stephen Appleby-Barr, Chris Buchan and Lauchie Reid, are extremely talented professional artists. Using humor to trick viewers into understanding sophisticated concepts, the cooperative has shown all over North America. For its first time showing in Detroit, Cave gallery, in collaboration with Magic Pony, brought them to us with “Printses of the Universe” opening tonight from 8:30 to 11 p.m. and running through Sept. 23. The exhibition will include 30 large-scale giclee prints contrasting the individual styles of the artists. Unconventional materials, juxtaposition of method (from the crudely to classically painted) help deliver images that vary from thought-provoking to satisfying the humor of the 8-year-old boy inside of all of us. It’s a great show to take a date to. Team Macho’s work makes everyone feel like part of the “in” crowd. Plus, it will give you something to talk about during those awkward moments.

Opening Reception: Sept. 15, 2011 from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Closing Reception: Sept.23, 2011 from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Cave gallery: 3rd floor in Building 4 at Russell Industrial Center

1604 Clay St., Detroit, Mich.

Hours are by appointment only.