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Top of the Park
From ArborWiki
Top of the Park (TOP) is an annual admission free outdoor music and movie series produced by the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and held on the campus of the University of Michigan in downtown Ann Arbor. The festival was originally conceived in 1983 as a way to maintain local business activity in the traditionally slow period between the end of the University semester and Art Fair season. The 27th season will take place June 18-July 11, 2010.
For its first 24 years, TOP was held on top of the parking structure between the Power Center and the Dental School (thus the name), but in 2007 it moved one block west to Ingalls Mall. The main stage is set up on the front steps of the Rackham Graduate School, while other facilities such as public toilets, the "KidZone" play area and food and beverage stalls are placed more or less of the periphery of the mall's central grassy area.
During the three and one-half weeks that TOP runs, there can be as many as fifty bands performing outside on Ingalls Mall. Performers have included popular rock bands, emerging local artists and touring international acts. Entertainment in recent years has also included a specialty acts like an avant-garde aerial acrobatic troupe as must-see draws, as well as a "Grassrootz Stage" geared to teenagers. In addition, as many as sixteen movies, usually a mix of recent and classic popular hits, are projected on the stage after nightfall Sunday through Thursday nights.
TOP usually has a sectioned-off area where beer, wine and champagne are available for purchase. Local restaurant vendors offer a range of items, which in the past has included organic pizza, baba ghanoush, cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn.
TOP is supported by individual donations and local corporate sponsorships, so admission is always free. A suggested donation of three dollas per night per person is suggested, however, as reflected in the slogan "Give 3, keep TOP Free!".
Although Top of the Park is a significant and very visible part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, it is not the only part. In years past a wide variety of international-level performing artists has performed in indoor venues like the Power Center. The Summer Festival also sponsors parades, workshops and events in cooperation with local merchants.
[edit] 2010 Top of the Park Schedule
As of 18 March, the schedule had not been made available on the AASF website.
[edit] Web links
[edit] News articles
- Temporary site could become permanent (June, 2007)
- Ann Arbor Summer Festival revenue down, deficit projected (July, 2009)
