Battle Of The Giant Festivals
Auto companies go head-to-head with annual events.
North America's largest free jazz event will have
stitute teacher. "I hope the added space makes it a
about
100 top international, national, Detroit-based
more
pleasant
experience
this
year."
Special to the Jewish News
and scholastic acts, artists and groups on four stages
Jerry Neff, of West Bloomfield, who is a
over the four days.
Southfield CPA, feels the emphasis is on "eats" at
aimlerChry-sler Corp. and Ford Motor
The headliners include Mavis Staples (7:45 p.m.
Arts, Beats & Eats. "I get to that festival every year
Co. are getting ready to compete against
Friday),
the Branford Marsalis Quartet (10:15 p.m.
because
I
like
the
great
variety
of
ethnic
foods,"
he
each other once again — only this time
Saturday),
Regina Carter Quintet (9:30 p.m.
said.
"The
art
show
and
music
are
secondary,
but
it's on Labor
Sunday)
and
Pete Fountain (8 p.m. Monday).
they
complement
the
Day weekend, and it's not
Some of the other performers include the David
food displays."
in automotive dealership
Sanchez Quintet, Straight Ahead, National Jazz
Coordinator
showrooms.
Orchestra of Detroit, Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio and
Jonathan Witz said the
Instead of engines,
Curtis Stigers Jazz Group.
"family-friendly event
transmissions and zero-to-
Also, the D.D. Jackson Trio, Mark Whitfield, Roy
will
offer
something
for
60 acceleration, the battle
Ayers,
Chuchito Valdes Afro Cuban Latin Jazz
everyone,
spotlighting
will be over entertainment
Ensemble,
Geri Allen, George Benson Quartet,
the
cultural
diversity
festivals.
Sheila Landis & Brazilian Love Affair, and the
that metro Detroit is
It's the Chrysler Arts,
Johnny Trudell Big Band Tribute to Stan Kenton.
known for," including
Beats & Eats Festival in
Michelle Branch (7:30 p. m. Friday, Aug. 30), Clarence works by 200 artists,
Also performing will be 30 award-winning high
Pontiac vs. the Ford
Clemons' Temple of Soul (10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31)
school
and college jazz bands from throughout the
food
by
40
Oakland
Detroit International Jazz
. and the Isley Brothers (9: 30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1)
state,
including
those from West Bloomfield, North
County
restaurants
and
Festival in downtown
perform at Arts, Beats 6- Eats.
Farmington
and
Harrison high schools.
a
music
lineup
of
160
Detroit vying for the atten-
Joel
Pitcoff
of
Detroit, a retired automotive indus-
national
and
local
rock,
tion and spending dollars
try analyst and amateur jazz pianist, hasn't missed a
jazz, blues and country performers on five stages.
of Detroit area residents, who are seeking to have
festival over its past 22 years, calling it "a big event
"We're growing the site each year, and the new
fun and be entertained on the traditional final week-
in my life."
expansion should alleviate any overcrowding and
end fling of the summer.
There's no better entertainment value in town,
make things more comfortable for everyone," said
Both events will clash head-on from Friday, Aug.
Pitcoff
says.
Witz,
who
urges
people
to
come
early
each
day.
He
30 through Monday, Sept. 2.
"You
have world-class musicians performing on
declined
to
give
DaimlerChrysler's
sponsorship
fee.
The Auburn Hills-based automaker goes into the
four
stages,
the crowds are friendly and cordial,
New
for
2002
at
the
Pontiac
event
are
a
number
of
2002 competition with an edge over its Dearborn-
you're taking part in a real 'happening' — and it's all
interactive games, activities and giveaways. A hockey
based rival, both in festival revenues and attendance.
free," he says.
Arts, Beats & Eats has been gaining in attendees each theme will celebrate
He praises Malfitano
Detroit's
year, and is even expanding as it heads into its fifth
for
taking a "real step for-
"Hockeytown" status,
year, while the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival,
ward
this year by broad-
including
a
special
now in its 23rd year, is losing money and spectators.
ening
the range of nation-
hockey
exhibit
with
a
The last two jazz fests have lost $300,000 per year,
al
performers,
while
slapshot
contest.
and attendance dropped from a high of 857,000 in
adding musicians who are
Besides the usual
1998 to 550,000 last year.
tied to Detroit.
amusement rides, there
The free event relies on-corporate sponsorships,
"It's too bad," he added,
will be a Dodge
including $250,000 from Ford; to cover two-thirds of
some
attendance is being .
Monster Truck demon-
its budget, while the rest of its revenue is derived from
siphoned
off by that other
Branford
Marsalis
(10:15
p.m.
Saturday
Aug.
31),
Regina
stration;
a
feature
for
merchandise, food and beverages — and those sales
festival,
which
is really a
Carter
(9:30
p.m.
Sunday
Sept.
1)
and
Pete
Fountain
(8
women
called
the
Avon
have slumped with the attendance in recent years.
street
fair,
but
the
jazz fest
p.
m.
Monday,
Sept.
2)
are
among
the
headliners
at
the
Let's
Talk
Tour,
offering
This year, the festival will sell support buttons for
will endure." ❑
Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival.
$3 and offer V.I.P. membership for a $100-per-night free makeover advice;
an indoor family film
donation, providing up-front seating.
festival; a children's
Director Frank Milfitano blames the attendance
The Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats Festival runs 4-
reading hour; rock climbing; - and other activities.
drop mainly on the success of Arts, Beats & Eats,
11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and
portion
of
the
festival
was
ranked
11th
The
"arts"-
the all-things-to-all-people festival, also free, that
Sunday
and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30-
magazine.
Sunshine
Artists
in
the
nation
last
year
by
began in 1998 with a crowd of about 400,000;
Sept.
2,
in
downtown Pontiac. All proceeds from
This
year,
artists
will
represent
14
different
cate-
attendance jumped to almost 1.3 million last year.
the
free
event
will benefit charities. Info: (248)
gories, including ceramics, jewelry, glass, painting,
And this year the event gets a two-block northward
.
334-4600
or
www.artsbeatseats.com
woodwork, metal and photography.
expansion, addressing concerns about overcrowding
The Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival,
at last year's festival.
also free, runs till 11 p.m. each evening and
begins 3:15 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday-
All That Jazz
Monday, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, at Hart Plaza in
The Pontiac Scene
Meanwhile, the International Jazz Festival's pro-
downtown Detroit. Info: (313) 963-7622 or
gramming
is
being
upgraded
a
bit
this
year
in
an
"I go to Arts, Beats & Eats every year because I love
www.detroitjazzfestcorn.
attempt to win back casual music fans and families
the art show, but it's getting pretty crowded," said
from Arts, Beats & Eats.
Lisa Behrmann, of Farmington Hills, who is a sub--
BILL CARROLL
D
"
8/23
2002
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