Tonight is Day 19—the last weekend!—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

5 p.m. - Dixon's Violin - jazz/experimental
5-8 p.m. - KidZone - kids activity tent
6 p.m. - Timothy Monger - Americana/rock
7 p.m. - Nadir - funk/R&B
9 p.m. - Foundation of Funk with Valerie Barrymore - funk/pop
11 p.m. - After Dark with DJ Teddy Ruck-Spin

ENTERTAINMENT DETAILS

Dixon's Violin - 5 p.m.
Concert violinist and digital effects master Dixon blends his classical training with soulful improvisation skills and the command of a wide range of digital technology to create a captivating one-man show.
Performing since: 2007.
Home base: Detroit.
Style of music: Avant-garde.
Members: Dixon (a one-man band on electric violin, digital effects workstation and phrase sampler).
Backstory behind the band's name: Marketing simplicity. Dixon is a nickname I picked up from the Burning Man community (a festival in the Nevada desert that changed my life).
Day job: As of the beginning of this year: none! I left a wonderful career in order to follow my true calling and passion full time.
Favorite road food: Tasty Bite (Indian curry-style dishes from a box).
Favorite stage outfit: my kilt with my tuxedo jacket!
Musical hero: Brahms.
Website: www.dixonsviolin.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dixonsviolin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dixonsviolin

Timothy Monger - 6 p.m.
Singer/songwriter Timothy Monger is best known for his work with Michigan rock band Great Lakes Myth Society, which he co-founded with his brother James. His newly released solo album "The New Britton Sound" is an exhilarating mix of lush folk-rock and stripped-down Midwestern songcraft. Read a feature story on Timothy Monger
Performing since: 1993.
Home base: Britton.
Style of music: Rural pop.
Members: Timothy Monger - vocals, guitar, stompboard.
Backstory behind the band's name: Found it on driver's license.
Day job: Violin technician at Shar Products.
Favorite road food: Regional BBQs of the United States.
Favorite stage outfit: Two-legged pants, shirt with neck hole, at least one shoe.
Musical hero: Brian Wilson.
Website: www.timothymonger.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/timothymonger
Facebook: www.facebook.com/timothymonger
Twitter: www.twitter.com/timothymonger



Nadir - 7 p.m.
In the finest tradition of rock n' roll storytellers comes Nadir. Taking elements of rock and combining them with soul, R&B and funk, Jonah Nadir Omowale and his band aim to move people with their spiritually and politically conscious lyrics and inspiring live shows.
Home base: Detroit.
Style of music: Distorted soul.
Members: Nadir Omowale (guitar/vocals), Chris Spooner (bass/vocals), Angelica Moross (keys/vocals), Tate McBroom (drums).
Backstory behind the band's name: Nadir's first name; Arabic meaning rare and unique.
Day jobs: Producer, freelance writer, television personality.
Favorite road food: Veggies when you can get 'em.
Favorite stage outfit: One of several shirts from Showtime Detroit.
Musical hero: Too many to name, but Hendrix, Marley, Miles, PE, JB, George Clinton to start.
Website: Nadir-music.com
Myspace: Myspace.com/nadirdistortedsoul
Facebook: Facebook.com/Nadir

Foundation of Funk with Valerie Barrymore - 9 p.m.
These Detroit Music Award winners are known for their skill and attitude, combining fierce vocals, guitar, bass, trumpet, sax and drums.
Performing since: 2000.
Home base: Detroit/Ypsilanti.
Style of music: Funk, soul, R&B, blues, pop, classic rock.
Members: Jesse Godfrey, drums; Billy Wlson, bass; Steve Somers, guitar; Sabrina LaMarr, sax; Elena Papillo, vocals; Leah Harris, vocals; Valerie Barrymore, vocals.
Backstory behind the band's name: Foundation Of Funk started as the Steve Somers band (which is still in existence) one night playing in Commerce. The late David Gilbert (The Rockets) came into the club; he was saying how impressed he was with the 'foundation of our music, being so strong. Valerie noticed that the funkier songs seemed to have been extremely strong and crowd pleasing. Valerie kept remembering the words," foundation of the music" and later the name Foundation Of Funk was born.
Day jobs: Jesse Godfrey/DTE; Billy Wilson/president of Motown Alumni Association; Steve Somers/ B. Rox Records supervisor; Valerie Barrymore/B. Rox Records; Elena Papillio and Leah Harris/college students.
Favorite road food: Anything free that tastes great!
Favorite stage outfit: funky.
Musical heroes: James Brown, The Time, George Clinton, Prince,Sly & Family Stone.
Website: www.FoundationOfFunk.org, www.ValerieBarrymore.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/foundationoffunk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Foundation-Of-Funk



After Dark with DJ Teddy Ruck-Spin - 11 p.m.
After Dark puts a new “spin” on festival moonlighting. Every Friday and Saturday night, The Grove at Top of the Park hosts a late-night chill lounge after the stage bands stop playing. An exclusive showcase of guest DJs will be spinning tunes, and drink specials will be offered until midnight in this cozy outdoor lounge. Ages 21+. Tonight: DJ Teddy Ruck-Spin plays a mix of hip-hop, R&B and electro.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

KidZone - 5-8 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.


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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