Cat Fish and Fries from Andre's Louisiana Food Stand at Arts Beats and Eats. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us USA)

18th Ford Arts, Beats and Eats festival opens with outstanding art, cuisine, music and family fun

By Wendell Bryant/Tell Us USA

ROYAL OAK, MI - Celebrating its 18th year and returning to the bustling streets of Royal Oak from Sept 4-7, 2015, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will entertain thousands of visitors from across the region with its outstanding music line-up, stellar arts programming, mouthwatering selection of food, and a number of new attractions. From the chart-topping musical headliners, the stunning artwork of all mediums, to the succulent dishes from some of the best restaurants throughout the state, this event will be one of the most diverse and exciting weekends of the year.

THE BEATS GOES ON
Ford Arts, Beats & Eats has once again assembled some of the country’s best musical acts and an outstanding lineup of local acts to the area that will perform on nine music stages, with more than 200 national and local bands on the festival bill. Among the national recording artists to perform on the Michigan Lottery National Stage includes country star Kip Moore, emerging alternative rock bands Neon Trees and Young the Giant, as well as renowned rock groups Cheap Trick and The Guess Who, and legendary hip-hop act Salt-N-Pepa. Additional established national performers include rock bands Puddle of Mudd and Gin Blossoms, country music rising stars James Otto and Lucy Angel, and the ultimate tribute band, Beatlemania.

Highlighting the local band lineup are Stewart Francke, Big Pappa & The Machine, Sean Forbes, Lori Flynn, Kaleido and Your Generation in Concert featuring Fifty Amp Fuse on the Michigan Lottery National Stage; Paul Lamb and the Detroit Breakdown, Orbitsuns, Rio and the Rockabilly Revival, and Cold Tone Harvest on the Budweiser Americana Stage; The Polish Muslims, Stone Clover, Roots Vibrations Band, Abul on Fire and, Ara Topouzian & Friends on the Vibe Credit Union International Stage; Taken Aces, Feral Ground, Killer Flamingos, Nina & The Buffalo Riders, and The Social Bandits on the Ford Alternative Stage; The Whistle Stop Revue, The Appleseed Collective, and Acoustic Madness on the Arts, Beats & Eats Acoustic/Cultural Stage; The Muggs, Cassaundra Fitch, The Reefermen, and Jennifer Westwood on the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Rock Stage; and Inohs Sivad, Thornetta Davis, J. Canady and The Soul Nyce Band, and Chef Chris & The Nairobi Trio on the St. John Providence Health System R&B/Jazz Stage.


Chicken and pulled pork from Redwood Grill at Arts Beats and Eats. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us USA)

THE ART OF FOOD
With more than 50 Metro Detroit area restaurants to choose from, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats will offer a full “palate” of healthy and delicious edible options.

The lineup includes some new eclectic favorites including Café Muse, KouZina, and Salad Sensations at Somerset Collection. Famous Dave’s, known for its authentic, mouthwatering choices leads a stellar list of barbecue establishments including Bert’s Market Place, Lockhart’s BBQ and Victory Smokehouse. Adding to the impressive representation of Metro Detroit’s restaurants, hungry crowds can also enjoy the return of the popular filet mignon sliders from Prime 29 Steakhouse and the fine dining options of Soaring Eagle Cuisine Machine and Steven Lelli’s Inn on the Green.

Other restaurants scheduled to participate offer something for every taste, include bozii, Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Peking House, and cool ice cream treats from Eskimo Jack’s and newcomer Treat Dreams of Ferndale.

AWARD-WINNING JURIED FINE ART SHOW
As one of the nation’s premier juried art shows, the Juried Fine Art Show again will be a highlight of this year’s festival, with top artists from across the continent vying for cash awards totaling $7,500. It will showcase original art in a variety of media, including ceramics, digital art, drawing, fabric/fiber/leather, glass, graphics/printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, painting, photography, sculpture, and wood. Artists will come from all over North America, including Canada and Mexico, to display, share and sell their work. Festival patrons have the opportunity to explore the works of more than 135 artists.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN AT FORD ARTS, BEATS & EATS
Ford Arts, Beats & Eats has long been recognized for the quality and quantity of its family-friendly entertainment. The Children’s Hospital of Michigan, part of the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), is proud to return as presenting sponsor of the Kids Zone. Guaranteed to attract youngsters with fun, interactive programming throughout the four days of the festival, activities in the Kids Zone begin at 11 a.m. each day.

Youngsters will have an opportunity to get “physical” with two new programs taking place on the on the Oakland County Kids Stage. Children's Hospital of Michigan Kids' Rock Out Street Team will get things moving on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon - 3 p.m. with free interactive entertainment that will include hit music, games, and prizes for the entire family. Total Health Care Fun Fit Kids by Life Time Fitness features a combination of fun and fitness with top instructors from Life Time Fitness who have modified their unique cross training program, C9, with an array of activities for kids. Activities include push-ups, squats, plank holds, jumping jacks, windmills, reverse lunges, crunches and cross ski jumps. The modified version will challenge kids as they work their upper and lower bodies followed by a cardio burst and a cool down/stretch period. All participants will receive complimentary water from Aquafina.

Also performing on the Oakland County Kids Stage will be Rosco the Clown, Pure Imagination Magic, along with musicians, juggling acts, puppet shows, illusionists and several other kid-focused and audience interactive shows. Festival favorites, the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music, will perform every day of the festival.

Returning this year inside the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan Kids Zone is a Petting Farm sponsored by Huron-Clinton Metroparks. From 12 p.m.-6 p.m. each day of the festival, children will have the opportunity to get up close to safely touch and feed the assortment of cuddly and cute, furry animals.

Also, continuing the excitement it brought last year, PANDA One will give festival guests a chance to see it up close and personal. Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s Pediatric And Neonatal Dedicated Ambulance (PANDA) is available 24/7, 365 days a year to quickly and safely transport critically-ill and injured children and infants to Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

The creativity will flow at the Arts & Crafts area, sponsored by Great Impressions Dental Centers and organized by volunteers from Genesis Church. Royal Oak Inflatable Playspaces and the Kiddie Carnival will be sure to please even the youngest festival guests with their moonwalks. Additionally, the Detroit Red Wings will be back with interactive displays and activities for all members of the family.

New at this year’s festival, and also family friendly, is the Metro PCS Motor City Hoops Challenge. The Hoops Challenge will feature three point and free throw basketball shooting competitions and will be produced in partnership with the Detroit Pistons. The event will offer competition by age and gender and feature great prizes including Detroit Pistons tickets, Royal Oak restaurant dinners, and more. The new event will take place at the large parking lot located at 6th and Washington Ave. and home of Royal Oak’s Baskin Robbins.

TO YOUR HEALTH
On Saturday morning, September 5, the streets of Royal Oak will be filled with hundreds of runners for the Priority Health Move to the Beats 5K/10K Walk/Run Presented by Life Time Fitness. Participants will wind through the city’s tree-lined streets and neighborhoods and be invigorated as they “move to the beats” of DJs and live bands positioned throughout the course. The run will again benefit non-profits Rock CF and the Life Time Foundation. Registration information is available at www.artsbeatseats.com/priority-health-5k-10k/. In addition to getting a little exercise and helping a good cause, registrants receive freebies including a Tech Shirt and two free admissions to the festival.

Also returning this year is the Priority Health Zumbathon® Celebration which will transform the Michigan State Lottery Stage into a red-hot, exhilarating dance fitness explosion on Saturday, September 5 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Last year, nearly 1,200 people participated in the huge Zumba class-style event at the festival. In conjunction with Vibe Fit, a metro Detroit fitness company, the class is anticipated to draw a record number or participants. Advance registration is $7 and day-of registration is $10. For more information, please visit www.artsbeatseats.com/priority-health-zumbathon.

Priority Health will also bring back its Healthy Options for the 2015 festival. Just look for the Healthy Options logo on each food vendor sign for healthy items that are on the menus of local restaurants and eateries participating in Ford Arts, Beats & Eats. Confirmed restaurant participants include Mr. B’s, Café Muse and Monty’s Beef.

INTERACTIVE FORD DISPLAYS
Stop by the many interactive Ford display areas throughout Ford Arts, Beats and Eats to check out the latest Ford vehicles in all categories and sizes, while learning about the about new technology, and even having an opportunity to test drive an all-new Ford vehicle. The attractions offer skill competitions, technology demonstrations and the opportunity to win exciting prizes. By registering at any one of the Ford display locations, adults and any children they wish to sign up will receive a wristband to join the fun. Each registered adult, 18 and over, will automatically be entered for a chance to win a Ford vehicle of their choice!

• Take a Test Drive in a New Ford Vehicle – The popular “Ride & Drive” returns. Stop by 4th St. and Washington Ave. to take a spin in your choice of a variety of new Ford vehicles. Experience a smooth ride, learn about cool new Ford technology and earn six food tickets for completing the test drive.
• EcoBoost Power Wheel – This popular game returns and players spin the giant wheel for a chance to win the “EcoBoost Cash Jackpot”
• Key Fob Tailgate Drop –Take your best shot at the oversized key fob. Hit the “power lift gate” button and win a prize.
• Green Screen Custom Photo Op – Get your customized Ford photo taken and bring home a piece of the event for a keepsake!
• SYNC® 3 Demos – Receive one on one demonstrations of Ford’s new SYNC®3 Technology!
• Ford Oval Count Challenges – Another returning favorite, players test their estimation skills by guessing the quantity of Ford ovals inside a clear acrylic box to win a Ford Prize Package.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
An eclectic display of classical, multi-cultural acts will once again take place on two stages: the Arts, Beats & Eats Acoustic/Cultural Stage and the Vibe Credit Union International Stage. The stellar lineup of cultural programming offered this year includes performances from around the world in the form of passionate flamenco dancing by La Chispa & Company, the colorful Indian costumes and dance from Nadanta, the pounding rhythms of Raion Taiko Japanese Drums, classical Indian music from Kasturi Paigude troupe, and the enduring sounds of historical Jewish music from Kidz Klez of Michigan. In addition, the DIA will be the presenting sponsor of Artist Demonstrations at the festival each day on the Acoustic/Cultural Stage as an extension of its Think Like An Artist exhibit.

SALUTING OUR MILITARY
In thanks for their service and sacrifice for our country, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats is teaming up with Oakland County Parks to offer two great opportunities for veterans to enjoy this year’s festival. Veterans can choose from one of the following: four free admission passes, valid any day and time of the festival or four admission passes and four VIP passes for a special Veterans’ concert performance by Your Generation in Concert featuring Fifty Amp Fuse on Monday, September 7 at 4:30 p.m. on the Michigan Lottery National Stage, with complimentary soft drinks and appetizers.

Up to 1,400 admission passes will be redeemable on any day of the festival, in addition to the special passes for the concert. The complimentary passes will be distributed by a grassroots outreach to local veterans’ organizations. Recipient organizations include Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, Oakland County Veterans’ Services Division and the VA Center. Outreach begins August 1 and a significant turnout is expected.

All interested veterans can RSVP requests to www.artsbeatseats.com/veterans-program-sign-up or by calling the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats office at 248-541-7550 to receive passes. Reservations received before August 21 will be mailed. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

DISTRACTED/DRUNK DRIVING SIMULATOR
New this year, the U.S. Army is bringing interactive and informational driving stations offering simulations of distracted driving and drunk driving scenarios. Educational videos about texting and driving and drunk driving will also be offered during each 10 minute session.

THE DEAF ARTS FESTIVAL
Returning for the fourth year to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats and sponsored by St. John Providence Health System is The Deaf Arts Festival, whose mission is to celebrate the arts by exhibiting diverse, quality visuals and performing arts by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population and create a personal interaction with Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists. Wonderful and unique art presented by 11 Deaf artists will be displayed from a location on 7th St.

BIKE CORRALS
Returning this year, Huron-Clinton Metroparks will be the presenting sponsor the festival’s Bike Corrals in conjunction with KLM Bike and Fitness in Birmingham and Rochester. This initiative is good for the environment, eases traffic congestion and also raises awareness of health and wellness issues by encouraging area residents to bike to and from the festival and lead a more active lifestyle. The bike corrals are located in two locations at the north and south of the festival. The northern bike corral is located on Washington Ave.and Second Ave. at the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and the southern corral is located on the right southbound lanes on Washington Ave. extending south from Lincoln St.

WHERE TO PARK
Parking information will be available on the festival website www.artsbeatseats.com  starting August 15.