The Ann Arbor Summer Festival Top of the Park season is back June 18 with three weeks of live open-air music, dance, outdoor movies and more entertainment.
Highlights include Global Parties, KidZone, Grassrootz Stage, After Dark DJ sessions, Body Masterpiece Face Painters, Craz-E-Crew Stunt Team, Planet Rock Climbing Wall and Acoustic Café Live @ Top of the Park. Hosted in a tent within the beverage garden from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, the Acoustic Cafe performances and interviews give patrons an intimate musical experience with national touring artists in the genres of folk, acoustic rock, roots, country and more.
The festival begins in the early evening Tuesdays through Sundays through July 11 at Ingalls Mall at Washington Street between Fletcher and Thayer Streets, in the shadow of Burton Tower.
This year’s Top of the Park season is anchored by 49 music and dance acts, eight guest DJs, and 13 feature films shown at 10 p.m. on the inflatable outdoor screen. In addition, a dozen area teen bands will play the Grassrootz Stage on Saturdays. The lineup features 26 acts making their festival debut, as well as many returning local favorites, with three-quarters of the artists based in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. Highlights on this year’s Rackham Stage include The Sun Messengers, Lady Sunshine and the X-Band, NOMO, The MacPodz, Orpheum Bell, Mr. B, Twistin’ Tarantulas and Madcat & Kane.
Top of the Park is a free event open to the public, although attendees are encouraged to make a per-visit donation of $3 per individual or $5 per family.
Festival sponsors include the Exhibit Museum of Natural History and U-M Credit Union. Media partners include Michigan Radio 91.7 FM. For more information go to www.annarborsummerfestival.org.
