New attractions, old favorites as Top of the Park gets ready for 2013
• Full Top of the Park schedule
Jeffrey M. Smith | AnnArbor.com file photo
“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.)
PREVIEW
Top of the Park
- What: Outdoor performances, activities and movies; part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
- Where: Ingalls Mall, 881 N. University Ave. in Ann Arbor.
- When: Tuesdays-Sundays, June 14-July 7.
- How much: All TOP events are free unless otherwise noted, but donations are welcome. See www.a2sf.org for complete details.
“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.
Comments
ChrisW
Fri, Jun 14, 2013 : 1:05 p.m.
We prefer the new location - the grass is much more comfortable than the concrete was. I do miss the weekend movies and free parking in the dirt lot off Washtenaw, though.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
@So, where do these 4,000 people park? Just curious. In cities with real bus service, taking a bus to events like this is great. No worries about who is driving, who is drinking, or the traffic. For many, A2 doesn't have the capacity, routes or scheduled service. Here we can car pool, walk, bike. Students are out of town so parking isn't so bad. Walking 5 or 10, or more blocks is no big deal. A twenty minute walk with friends for a night out is no big deal. Or you can drive around and look for parking for twenty minutes.
YpsiDipsy
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
Exactly. There is plenty of street parking along the fringe of campus, and it ususally is a scenic stroll. I do agree with JRW that my wife and I preferred the original location, as well. If the move to a larger area and more commercialism is what is need to keep Top of the Park going, however, we'll take it.
JRW
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
Nice photo! We used to go to this when it was on the top of the parking structure on Fletcher Street. It was smaller, more funky, and you could sit closer to the movie screen. My wife and I think it's gotten too large and commercial. But, some may like that atmosphere.
JRW
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:16 p.m.
So, where do these 4,000 people park? Just curious.
Ross
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:52 p.m.
Really missing Nomo this year. Their street party acoustic jams to close the set are probably some of the best communal music experiences known to man.
Olive
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
I agree! But it's going to be great seeing Elliott and some of the other members of NOMO when Wild Belle performs. Elliott's sister, Natalie, is part of the group too.
music to my ear
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
but it is nice to see ann arbor evolving . I like the old and welcome the new,thanks to all the hard work from the committee they work tirelessly to provide big fun, without them we might , be bored. thanks again.
Arboriginal
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Hats off to the fine folks that organize this stellar event. Other towns have festivals but not like this.
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
Wait, yoga?? I didn't know about that! I just found the info on the retreats on the summer festival website here: http://a2sf.org/desktop/#mainstage Has anyone gone to one of those?
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:58 p.m.
Cool, I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Guinea Pig in a Tophat
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.
I went to a yoga session and had a great time! I'm planning on going to Marty Betts' session: http://a2sf.org/event/retreat-77/ . I've been to her class before and she's wonderful!
Fender66
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 12:01 p.m.
Same old boring bands every year. No real rock and roll bands, all this eclectic 107.1 stuff that is safe and sounds the same. Cover bands? Give me a break. Radio personalities yelling at you from the stage? Please. Bands that actually pay to get a spot in the lineup.....appalling. Ann Arbor used to be a rockin town....what happened?
Gillilack
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.
I'm not sure where Fender66 gets their information, but no band pays to get a spot in the lineup. We are excited to have been chosen to play this year and are looking forward to many of the bands and events that are scheduled. Thank you for putting on a great festival!
Ross
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
Also, you're wrong. (though I agree the lineup is a little softer this year). Laith Al-Saadi shreds on the guitar and booms with soul. Check him out!
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.
It is a free event. Stop complaining, or get involved to make it better. Maybe you would like to sponsor the event with your time or money?
music to my ear
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.
but dude or dudette the people watching is worth getting off the couch and hanging out, have some fun ,summer is not long here in mi.
smb
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
For me it's not about the bands. As long as they're halfway decent and play good dance music, I'm fine. I'm not much of a dancer but I've been taking my daughters to this event since they were infants and we always get out on the dance floor. Even so, it's all the other family/kid oriented stuff they have going on that really makes this event great. The extreme face painting and Polyglot's Tangle are great examples. My girls are 11 and 13 now but I bet they'd love both those things. I remember one year they had this group that did this act where they performed on top of these bendy poles that were like 20 ft tall. They'd be at the top of these things and they would bend way over, almost to the ground then bounce back the other way. They made this elaborate dance out of it. Kind of hard to describe but very cool to see. Again, the kids loved it. AASF rocks.
jeffindex
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 2:28 p.m.
My "Rock and roll is dead" post was meant to be a comment on the ridiculously snobbish post by Fender. Top of the Park is a GREAT event and is a highlight of the summer. Can't wait to see JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound!
Arboriginal
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
I guess A2SF won't be seeing you this year! Try Heath Beach.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 12:52 p.m.
The demographic that gets up, stands, and even dances, is not the rock & roll demo. The rock & roll demo are sitting down in the beer tents, drinking and talking over the music.
jeffindex
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
"Rock and roll is dead" - Lenny Kravitz