Eight Labor Day Weekend events offer a slew of opportunities to enjoy the waning days of summer, Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News L ike cool jazz? Sizzling rock? Fast cars? One-of-a-kind artworks? Down-on-the-farm activities? Campy carnival rides? Centuries-old doings? Find all of these — and diverse gour- met food — over the Labor Day weekend in Metro Detroit. Eight massive events offer enough fare to satisfy just about any interest. Head into the hub of Motown and find the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and the Michigan State Fair. Go north of Eight Mile and browse Art in the Village in the center of Franklin; Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac; and the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly. A drive near midtown carries visitors to the Hamtramck Polish Festival, while a drive northeast brings riders to the Michigan Peach Festival in Romeo. Two Jewish event planners, deeply involved with the holiday hoopla, remain aware of the many choices offered event- goers and discuss some of this year's attractions: "We hope that each event has its own personality, and part of the personality of the Detroit International Jazz Festival will be the beauty of the riverfront site and Saturday fireworks:' says Mark Loeb, operations director, who has responsibility for the stages, sound equipment, signage and facilities for sponsors and volunteers. "I work with several festivals in the area, including the Detroit Festival of the Arts and the Clay and Glass Festival and Taste of Royal Oak, and I try to go to festivals in other states and countries in between projects to watch for new trends:" Loeb points out that live broadcasts of this year's jazz performances will be car- ried by the National Public Radio station based in New Orleans. New this year will 52 August 30 m 2007 be activities in Cadillac Square and a bar- becue kitchen in a semi-trailer. Jon Witz, producer of Arts, Beats & Eats, invites visitors to feel very much at home in Pontiac. "Our downtown area has undergone an incredible makeover, and we've tried to make sure there is something for every- one, including a beautiful presentation by 137 artists, incredible food prepared by 50 restaurants and nine entertainment stages:' Witz says. "It's our 10th anniversary, and we're having a fun promotion that will give 10 winners all-expense-paid trips to the Caribbean. A new attraction is a health and wellness tent that will offer free services, such as medical tests, nutrition advice and yoga classes. There also will be a section with presentations by 15 envi- ronmental organizations." Because of the many events competing for sponsor dollars and patrons, planners are thinking of ways to promote their events to attract people living outside the metro area. To help you plan your week- end, we offer a roundup of events: DETROIT INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL Headliners among the stellar lineup of the free 28th Detroit International Jazz Festival include Regina Carter, Herbie Hancock, Bill Charlap, Patti Austin, Maria Muldaur and Dave Brubeck. The festival opens 4-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, and runs noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Monday, Sept. 1-3. Various stages are arranged to feature a variety of artists, including Michigan's Jesse Palter (3 p.m. Sunday on the Hear & Now Stage) among the close to 30 local acts. Musical heavyweights from Detroit and Chicago flavor the festival. Detroit-born and -raised Carter, the festival's artist- in-residence, performs 7:15 p.m. Friday on the Chase Main Stage, followed by Chicago-born and -raised Hancock at • . . 60,1 110' Att.* Crowds jam Saginaw Street in downtown Pontiac during Arts, Beats and Eats. Views of the Detroit skyline visually enhance the sounds of the Detroit International Jazz Festival. 8:45 p.m. Charlap performs 7 p.m. Saturday on the Absopure Waterfront Stage. Austin brings her Avant Gershwin material to the Carhartt Amphitheatre Stage 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Jazz-blues chanteuse Maldaur joins up with James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band 3:30 p.m. Monday, also on the Carhartt stage. Legendary composer and pianist Dave Brubeck, 86, and his quartet perform 4 p.m. Saturday on the Carhartt stage. Out this month with a new solo piano CD, Indian Summer, Brubeck studied early in his career with famed French Jewish composer Darius Milhaud. In a nice inter- generational touch, Brubeck's sons Daniel Brubeck (drums) and Chris Brubeck (bass and trombone) perform as part of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet 1:45 p.m. Saturday on the Absopure stage. Food stations are available for different taste and price preferences. For a complete schedule of performers and special events, call (313) 447-1248 or go to www.detroitjazzfest.com . ARTS, BEATS & EATS Amid the 200 music entertainers on a myriad of stages, artwork by people from around the country, restaurant stations and carnival attractions filling downtown Pontiac for Art, Beats & Eats are an abun- dance of kids' activities. Youngsters can see performers dem- onstrating skills in magic, juggling and spoon playing, and they can display their own talents on a special stage. Sportapalooza offers competitive events in basketball tossing, golf putting and more. In crafts, children can try making candles, edible sculptures, T-shirt designs and other original items. The event goes 4-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 1-2; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. (248) 334-4600 or www.artsbeatseats.com . MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL The Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly takes visitors back in time with authentic food, activities, wares and costumed entertainers. While adults can indulge in Feasts of Fantasy and Royal High Teas, youngsters might favor a pet- ting zoo, knighting ceremony or chances to make magic wands and masks. Candles, figurines, portraits completed on the spot and hair flowers are among