Ann Arbor Summer Festival

Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 at 5:00pm
734-994-5999

A Community Tradition since 1984

A2SF champions performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. In addition to a nearly four-week festival each June that attracts a diverse audience of over 80,000 people and offers over 200 concerts, art exhibitions, kids activities, spectacle, and film screenings, A2SF presents compelling experiences throughout the year.

Founded by Eugene Power, and established as a partnership between the City of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan, early seasons emphasized classical music and theater, but have since become more popular and diverse in nature, encompassing a breadth of performance genres. Today, the June festival offers two concurrent series. The outdoor centerpiece at Top of the Park offers admission-free concerts, movies, open-air spectacles, and unique family attractions held along a beautiful U-M campus green. The indoor, ticketed series features world-class music, dance, contemporary circus, and comedy.

TUE JUNE 13

5:00PM

Kidzone: A2SF Storytime with Booksweet

KIDZONE TENT

Booksweet is bringing three of their favorite picture book authors to the A2SF KidZone tent for a super special A2SF Storytime! 

At the start of each hour, from 5-7PM, they’ll enjoy a story together, followed by a kid-led author Q&A. This is a chance for the youngest readers to ask authors about their work and their very cool job. They’ll also do a fun zine craft together, helping kids tell and draw their own stories. Booksweet will be on-site with a little pop-up shop, selling books by all of the authors featured at the event.

Featuring three incredible storytime readings, including: 

5PM: Stacie Sheldon, author of Bebikaan-Ezhiwebiziwinan Nimkii: The Adventures of Nimkii, a dual-language Anishinaabemowin/English book 

6PM: Kyunghee Kim, author of See Us Bloom: Poems on Compassion, Acceptance, and Bravery

7PM: Aya Khalil, author of The Arabic Quilt and The Night Before Eid

5:00PM

Rochelle Clark

O&W GROVE STAGE - TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

GENRE: Acoustic, Americana, Folk

Renowned Michigan singer/songwriter Rochelle Clark has been captivating audiences throughout the Midwest for years. Initially as part of the acclaimed Americana duo The Potter’s Field and more recently as a solo performer, Clark draws on her roots in folk, Americana, and country to craft a sound entirely her own. In addition to performing as a solo artist, she can also be found performing regularly in a duo with her partner Jason Dennie or with her own band, The Familiars. Rochelle released her first single “Jericho” in 2019 and her first solo studio recording the following year, an EP titled In Time. Expect her crystal clear, powerful vocals, driving guitar, and honest, intimate lyrics to capture audiences at A2SF this summer.

5:00PM

Tastings

TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS FROM 5-8PM | GROVE

Stop by the Grove every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 5-8PM to relish the finest wines, coolest microbrews, and surprising pairings. Learn from local chefs and farmers while enjoying these culinary delights.

5:30PM

Retreat: Bellydance Fitness with Sheila May

POWER CENTER LAWN

Bellydance is a fun exciting way to become fit! With this class, participants will learn traditional/ethnic to modern cabaret and “fusion” styles. Find your inner passion and join accomplished bellydancer Sheila for an inspiring experience. No previous dance training is required! Bellydance fitness utilizes the movement of Middle Eastern dance to target the core, upper arms, and upper legs. It is a medium intensity workout focusing on strength and toning through bellydance. The program is a follow-the-leader form of movement, without too much emphasis on mastering the dance form. 

5:30PM

The Annex: AADL – Bob Ross Painting

THE ANNEX

Discover the Joy Of Painting! All supplies will be provided to paint a happy summer scene, though participants might prefer to wear an old t-shirt or bring an apron for painting.

Painting supplies provided. Seating is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

6:00PM

Bike Nights

TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

Join us Tuesdays for Bike Night at Top of the Park! Cycle to the festival and receive a complimentary bike tune-up from the experienced staff of Ann Arbor’s own Wheels in Motion. Technical checks will occur from 6pm to 8pm at Top of the Park’s Bike Night mobile stand.

6:00PM

The Dick Siegel Trio

O&W GROVE STAGE - TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

GENRE: Americana, Folk

Midwestern songwriting legend Dick Siegel brings his joyous, eccentric, and penetrating musical vision to A2SF audiences this summer. Siegel emerged as a noteworthy songwriter of the Detroit/Ann Arbor music scene in the 1980s, releasing his first first album, Snap!, to critical acclaim and soon garnering attention far beyond the confines of his adopted state of Michigan. Since then, Siegel has been performing his blend of American folk, roots and pop music on stages from New York City’s Bottom Line to the Vancouver Folk Festival. Considered a songwriter’s songwriter, Siegel was honored by WDET as one of “Detroit’s Top Musical Artists of All Time,” a group that includes musical legends the likes of John Lee ******, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger, and Aretha Franklin. For this performance, Siegel will be joined by his long-time musical partner, Dave Roof, on guitar, along with new trio member, Charlie Reischl, playing upright bass.

7:00PM

The RFD Boys

RACKHAM STAGE - TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

Genres: Bluegrass

The RFD Boys have strummed their guitars and banjos since 1969. Over 50 years later, they’re still delivering the same spirited bluegrass that has made them an Ann Arbor institution. Longtime fans will remember their performances at Mr. Flood’s Party, LUMS, or the Pretzel Bell, but the Ark has been their Ann Arbor home since 1985. True stalwarts of the bluegrass genre, the RFD Boys have graced the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited and shared stages with legends like Bill Monroe and Allison Krauss. They were honored by the Detroit Music Awards during the year of their 50th anniversary and even released their first studio album since 1976, the appropriately titled RFD Boys at 50 – Still Delivering. The band lost Dick Dieterle in 2012 but original members Charlie Roehrig, Willard Spencer, and Paul Shapiro are still delivering, along with David Mosher (since 2012) and Dan Roehrig (since 2018). Take in the bluegrass folk magic of the RFD Boys at A2SF this summer.

8:00PM

The Annex: AADL – Bob Ross Painting

THE ANNEX

Discover the Joy Of Painting! All supplies will be provided to paint a happy summer scene, though participants might prefer to wear an old t-shirt or bring an apron for painting.

Painting supplies provided. Seating is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

8:30PM

Delta 88

RACKHAM STAGE - TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

Genres: Indie Folk, Indie Rock, Americana

Ann Arbor locals Delta 88 bring their folk-rock sound to Top of the Park this year. The band combines a variety of musical influences from the American songbook to craft their own modernized version of that classic sound, a plaintive take on alt-country akin to haunted mountain spirituals played through a distortion pedal. From wide channels of dynamic, emotional arrangements to somber barroom ballads and anthemic battle cries, Delta 88’s music blazes a trail through the Americana wilderness. The band has four studio albums under their belt, with the most recent featuring production by Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Joe Henry. Delta 88’s music has been heard on stages throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe with the likes of bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, country star Emmylou Harris, and singer-songwriter Buddy Miller, among others. Don’t miss them at an A2SF stage this summer! 

10:00PM

Muppets Take Manhattan

TOP OF THE PARK (INGALLS MALL)

Join us at Top of the Park for our Movies by Moonlight series kick-off, Muppets Take Manhattan! Come along with your friends and family for this heartwarming classic.

ABOUT THE FILM: When Kermit the Frog and friends start a stage act, they decide to take the show from their college town to Broadway. However, once the Muppets wind up in New York City, they have difficulty finding financial support for the production, instead running into cheats like Murray Plotsky. Unable to stage the show, the group splits up, and they all take different jobs around the country. Just as Kermit thinks he has finally found a backer, an accident gives him amnesia. (G, 1h 34m, 1984)

Festival Dates: June 9-25, 2023

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