Tonight is Day 18 of Top of the Park, the popular, free (donations welcome) outdoor happening featuring music, movies, kicking back, running into friends, and a variety of other attractions.

Each day in cooperation with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival—which presents Top of the Park as well as main-stage ticketed events—AnnArbor.com is publishing a rundown of the night's happenings. Here's an overview of tonight's schedule, followed by a more detailed look at the events and attractions:

OVERVIEW

6:30-8 p.m. - KidZone - kids activity tent
6:30 p.m. - Carolyn Striho Group - indie pop/rock
8 p.m. - The Juliets - alternative pop
10 p.m. - Movie: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

ENTERTAINMENT DETAILS

Carolyn Striho Group - 6:30 p.m.
While perhaps best known for fronting the Detroit Energy Asylum and for her work with punk priestess Patti Smith, Detroit musical icon Carolyn Striho continues to steadily evolve her craft, gaining respect in the international music community as a songwriter, singer, poet, artist, and musician. Nominated for 7 Detroit Music Awards in 2011 for her album "Honesty," Carolyn Striho is a creative force whose deeply-felt lyrics, mesmerizing stage presence, and evocative style translate into unforgettable live sets. Fusing pop, rock, jazz, classical, folk, punk and even cabaret, she's backed by a talented band, including vibrant guitars, keyboards, violin and percussion.
Performing since: a very long time! :) as Detroit Energy Asylum merged into my solo experience and now a full band again :)
Home base: Detroit.
Style of music: Pop/Rock/Folk with a lot of Soul/Punk/Cabaret.
Members: Carolyn Striho - vocals, keys and guitar; Scott Dailey - guitar and vocals; Ron Wolf - percussion and vocals; and Kurt Zimmermann on violin
Day jobs: Teachers and music.
Favorite road food: Pizza and sushi.
Favorite stage outfit: Black and white dress, shirts, boots, jeans, and the occasional pink hair.
Musical hero: There are too many to count! Bela Bartok, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Gypsies, and so much more....
Website: www.carolynstriho.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/striho
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolynstriho



The Juliets - 8 p.m.
Hailed as "baroque... with backbone," this impressive chamber pop quintet from Ypsilanti/Detroit produces grandiose, uniquely orchestral sounds drawing upon influences as diverse as The Clash, Marvin Gaye and Yann Tiersen. Here to support their first release, "The Juliets" (2010), expect a powerful display of eclectic pop songwriting and soaring strings. Performing since: 2008.
Home base: Detroit.
Style of music: Orchestral indie-pop.
Members: Jeremy Freer - guitar, piano, vocals; Sarah Myers - violin, vocals; Kaylan Mitchell - cello; Ashton Hopkins - bass; Jaclyn Phillips - drums.
Backstory behind the band's name: Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't Romeo and Juliet that inspired the name. Instead, we were interested in Motown's girl groups (The Marvelettes, The Mary Jane Girls, The Vevelettes to name a few) and wanted a name that sounded it could fit in with that time in music history.
Favorite road food: Gas station coffee, and lots of it.
Favorite stage outfit: We're not really the type of band to do crazy outfits. We like to look classy!
Musical hero: I can't speak for everyone, but I think Bob Dylan is pretty high on everyone's list in this band.
Website: thejulietsband.tumblr.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/julietsband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejuliets
Twitter: @thejulietsband



Movie: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" - 10 p.m.
1975, PG, 91 minutes: Originally released in 1975, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a silly lampoon of medieval life, politics, religion, and the Arthurian legend. It tells the story of King Arthur and his knights who, on a mission from God, seek the Holy Grail. While on their quest they encounter such eccentric characters as rude French castle guards, a dangerous man-killing bunny and the mysterious Knights Who Say NI! A cult classic as hilarious as it is blithely ridiculous, Monty Python and the Holy Grail has lost none of its exceedingly silly charm. This film will be presented with closed captions. Note: The Ann Arbor Film Festival will screen two shorts films from its archive before the main feature.



OTHER ATTRACTIONS

KidZone - 6:30-8 p.m.
As described by the festival, "An interactive area for our youngest concert-goers, the Kidzone tent provides a fun and safe area for children and their parents to discover and explore a wide variety of hands-on activities with different community partners. From getting temporary tattoos, creating homemade instruments, or jamming out rock band style, KidZone offers different nightly activities for families at Top of the Park. Open nightly ‘til 8:00 pm."

Special note — free wifi:
New this year, AnnArbor.com in partnership with 20/20 Communications is providing free public WiFi access utilizing WiMax services broadcast from the top of Tower Plaza at Top of the Park for the duration of the 2011 Summer Festival. Look for the AnnArbor.com Public WiFi SSID and get connected!

Top of the Park takes place in front of the Rackham Building on East Washington Street. In addition to the daily entertainment, a variety of local food vendors will also be on hand each night. For more information, see the Summer Festival website, and watch AnnArbor.com for complete coverage of festival events.


View Larger Map

MAINSTAGE TONIGHT

Tom Tom Crew
Power Center, 8 p.m.
Tickets $25-$40, 734-764-2538 or www.annarborsummerfestival.org
Preview article from AnnArbor.com