You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 : 8 a.m.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival releases its 2010 main-stage schedule

By Jenn McKee

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival — a 3-week annual event that offers ticketed main-stage performances, free outdoor concerts and free outdoor movies — today announces its main-stage lineup for the 2010 season. John Pizzarelli, the "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" crew, and Bernadette Peters are among the highlights.

Tickets for these shows go on sale Monday, March 29 at 9 a.m. at the Michigan League Ticket Office, at 911 N. University Avenue; by phone at 734-764-2538; or online at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival web site.

• Folk singer/songwriter Patty Griffin, with special guest Buddy Miller, will play at the Power Center on Thursday, June 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$45.

"Come Together: Beatles 50th Anniversary Celebration" featuring local guest artists happens Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m. at the Power Center. Tickets are $15-$30. • Italy's Company T.P.O. will present “The Butterfly Garden," for kids age 3-8, at various times Wednesday-Sunday, June 23-27, in the Power Center Rehearsal Room. Tickets are $18 adults, $12 children (general admission, limited seating). Showtimes are Wednesday-Thursday, June 23-24, at 12:30 pm., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. • "An Evening with Bernadette Peters," the acclaimed singer and actress, happens Saturday, June 26 at the Power Center at 8 pm. Tickets cost $55-$75.

John Pizzarelli's "Dear Mr. Sinatra" is scheduled for Wednesday, June 30 at 8 p.m. at the Power Center; tickets cost $30-$45.

"Cinematic Titanic," featuring the original cast and creators of "Mystery Science Theater 3000," hits the Michigan Theater on Friday, July 2 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets cost $20 per show, or $30 for both (two different movies will be screened).

Caravan Palace, an electro-swing group from Paris, plays the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater on Saturday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$25.

• Blending music with political comedy, The Capitol Steps play the Power Center on Sunday, July 4 at 5 and 8 p.m.; tickets cost $30-$45

Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars play the Power Center on Thursday, July 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30-$45.

• Berlin sibling rockers Die Roten Punkte (The Red Dots) — who belt out '80s techno Euro pop, '90s era robot music, and glam-punk — will appear at the UMMA Auditorium on Saturday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

• And rockabilly crooner Chris Isaak, with special guest Marc Broussard, will take the stage at Hill Auditorium on Friday, July 30 at 8 p.m. in a post-Summer Festival show. Tickets cost $25-$65.

AASF regulars may notice fewer main-stage attractions than in previous seasons, due to recent budget constraints.

“As our outdoor programs at Top of the Park continue to grow in popularity, we don’t want to split our audience, but rather try to expand it,” said AASF Executive Director Robb Woulfe in a press release. “Although the indoor lineup is a bit smaller this year, the season still delivers the quality and diversity this community has come to expect from the festival, while also utilizing a wider range of venues and program partners.” The Top of the Park schedule, at Ingalls Mall, will be announced in April, and additional special programs and attractions will be announced in May.

For the latest updates, patrons are encouraged to visit the AASF web site.

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