ROYAL OAK – On Thursday, August 25 from 6-11pm, the Royal Oak Farmers Market will transform its 20,000 square feet of space into a performing arts and party pavilion for the return of Arts du Jour, the official “appetizer” of the 2011 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Citizens Bank. Marking its ninth year, the evening event is the charity preview to the much-anticipated festival and offers partygoers the chance to be the first to taste, hear, see and feel what’s to come during the Labor Day weekend festival, while raising money for nearly a dozen metro Detroit area nonprofits.
Fifty of metro Detroit’s finest restaurants, eateries, sweet shops and beverage boutiques will showcase their culinary delights by serving samples during the evening. Patrons can enjoy flavors of Asia, India, Italy, Spain, Mexico, the Mediterranean and more. A complete list of participating establishments is detailed below.
Ten nonprofit organizations will receive 75 percent of the proceeds from Arts du Jour and event attendees can choose which of those organizations their ticket benefits. The recipient organizations are the Arthritis Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland County, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Michigan Pet Fund Alliance, Rose Hill Center, Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce High School Scholarship Fund, South Oakland Shelter, The Children’s Center and The Rainbow Connection.
Metro Detroit’s most talented bands and cultural performers will entertain guests on two stages. Strolling illusionists, acrobats and pyrotechnics by Detroit Flyhouse performers will keep partygoers wide-eyed throughout the evening with their strolling ‘Cirque du Soleil’ style of performing art. Live bands, DJs and Detroit’s most unique musical performers will enthrall and spread the infectious energy and spirit of the music and arts, including a duo who will be playing marimbas in the registration area as the event begins.
Musical entertainment begins with a two-hour show by Sean Blackman, a musician, composer, producer and visionary who is described as “the hub of world music in Detroit.” His unique World Music style is influenced by Armenian Folk, both South and West African music, along with Brazilian Jazz and Flamenco, Jazz, Blues, Rock and Soul.
Also performing will be Nadanta Dancers, a unique and dazzling cultural Indian dance troupe, led by Chaula Thacker, who specializes in East Indian dance. It mesmerizes audiences with the spectacular colors of the saris and the dancers’ movements as they swirl in intricate patterns on the stage.
Headliners will be Persuasion, one of the hottest party bands in metro Detroit that brings high-energy performances with music from every genre, including Motown, disco and Top 40, rock, funk and more; and The Reefermen, a favorite cover band best known for its authentic retro-sound, rocking out songs from Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and many other infamous musical acts.
“We’re proud of the entertainment and lineup of local restaurants and eateries that have come together for this preview event to raise awareness and funds for our charitable partners,” said Jon Witz executive producer of Ford Arts, Beats and Eats. “Arts du Jour is unmatched when it comes to the quality and diversity of our culinary offerings.”
The schedule for Arts du Jour is:
- Main Event:
- 5:30pm – Arrival and Registration
- 6pm – Doors Open
- 6-9pm – Strolling Dinner and Sampling Extravaganza
- 6-7pm – Celebrity Servers Serve Up for a Great Cause
- 6-11pm – Live Music and Strolling Entertainment
Entertainment Schedule:
- Farmers Market Stage
- 6 – 8pm — Sean Blackman
- 8:15pm — Thank you presentation
- 8:30 – 11pm — Persuasion
- Tent Stage
- 6:30 – 8pm — Nadanta
- 8:30 – 11pm — The Reefermen
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of Arts du Jour sponsors, including After 5 Detroit, Birmingham Investments, C&N Party Rentals, DetroitCity.com, Garden Fresh Gourmet, HealthPlus of Michigan, HOUR Detroit, Little Black Dress Wines, Metro Times, Phoenix Innovative, Pepsi, Real Detroit Weekly, RTT, Skidmore Studio, SnappyEats.com, Social Connection, Stay & Play Social Club, StreetSmart Marketing, Tangerine Moon Productions, The Oakland Press, Uptown Entertainment and WWJ Newsradio 950.
Tickets for Arts du Jour are $75 each and include the scrumptious samplings from more than 50 metro Detroit restaurants, three drink vouchers and live entertainment. A cash bar also will be available. Guests are requested to dress in summer chic or summer upscale attire. Parking will be available at and around the Royal Oak Farmers Market with valet parking available. The Royal Oak Farmers Market is located at 316 E. 11 Mile Road, just east of the 11 Mile/Main Street intersection.
