• Full Top of the Park schedule

Top of the Park 2013 - the Ann Arbor Summer Festival component that features outdoor performances, activities and films—is fast approaching, and no one knows this better than A2SF Director Robb Woulfe.

“This week, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” said Woulfe. “But it’s a good problem to have—that people are so excited.”

With that in mind, Woulfe and his team have tried hard to plan a memorable opening night, since it inevitably sets the tone for the three and a half weeks that follow.

“Opening night is always our biggest night, … because it’s the kick-off, so we try to have a great lineup on our stages, with some community favorites,” said Woulfe. “ … And it really hits us that night. One moment, there’s no one there, and then suddenly, there are 4,000 people on the (Ingalls Mall) lawn, and it feels like we’re jumping into the deep end. … But for many people, opening night marks not just the beginning of the festival, but also the end of the school year, and the official start of summer. It’s a chance for everyone to breathe deeply.”

Opening night’s music lineup includes Spencer Michaud, Jetty Rae, the Laith Al-Saadi Trio, The Bluescasters, Lady Sunshine and the X-Band, and DJ Chuck Sipperley. (Additional music highlights planned for opening weekend include Whit Hill and the Postcards, Al Hill and the Love Butlers, The Sun Messengers, Ice Cream Vendors, and the Macpodz.)

But another part of ToP’s opening night (and weekend) will be Body Masterpiece Extreme Face Painting, which costs $5 per child and will be making its fourth appearance at A2SF. (Though a handful of slots are left open for each day of the event, advance reservations are strongly encouraged, since the appointments tend to fill up. To make an appointment, call 734-994-5999.)

“We didn’t bring them in 2012, and we heard about it,” said Woulfe. “People definitely missed them, so we’re bringing them back. … They’re very talented artists, and so quick. It’s five minutes per person, and it’s remarkable what they can do. Faces really are their canvas. … And when the kids are done, and they look in the mirror, it’s great to see their eyes just light up.”

TOP’s opening weekend will also offer retreats focused on prana vinyasa and aikido, while other upcoming retreats include capoeira, yoga, world dance workout, and hula-hoop fitness.

“We’re always trying things, and seeing what works and what doesn’t,” said Woulfe. “That program just really took off. I don’t know what it is. … But these different physical activities have been very, very popular. A lot are at capacity.”

Wine and beer tastings are also scheduled on certain days. The first outdoor movie will be “Skyfall,” at dusk on Sunday. Others—chosen largely through audience online voting—range from Hitchcock’s classic “Vertigo,” to Tom Hanks’ 1980s hit “Big,” to Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom,” with “Grease” closing out the program.

Woulfe reports, though, that “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was the clear winner among voters in the “wild-card” category. It's scheduled to screen June 25.

“We do a little bit of massaging” of the movie scheduling, said Woulfe. “We don’t want all '80s comedies with Molly Ringwald—with all due respect to Molly Ringwald. But the program is otherwise what the voters picked and voted for.”

More kid-oriented activities at this year’s fest include Polyglot’s Tangle, a kind of community art installation which costs $5 for each participating child. (Wristbands for this activity will be available for sale on the day of the event, June 19-23)

“I’m not supposed to have favorites, but that’s my favorite,” said Woulfe. “The company is from Melbourne. … What it is is a hands-on weaving event. Kids are given a ball of elastic, and they’re allowed to create a huge mess with it. And when they’re doing that, 150 other kids are doing it, too. After they’re done, they push it all up on the poles, and over the course of 5 days, this messy web overtakes the space. It’s a beautiful piece to see, and it’s fun watching the creativity of children, which is what Polyglot is all about. … I think it will be the hit of the festival.” Wildbyte’s “Superhero,” meanwhile, June 28-30, will offer kids the chance to see themselves in a new way after dark (9:45-11:45 p.m.) There’s no charge, and kids can just wait in line for a turn.

“The whole idea is to have your image projected onto Burton Tower, superimposed onto a superhero,” said Woulfe. “So you can see your face, and by the actions you do, you can manipulate the image.”

Ultimately, Woulfe hopes patrons approach this year’s Top of the Park with a sense of adventure.

“I’m hoping everyone … goes to something they don’t know anything about,” said Woulfe. “That’s what the fest’s about: trying something new, and discovering new things.”

A full schedule is available online at a2sf.org/#top-of-the-park

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.