Wednesday, June 18, 1997 - The Michigan Daily - 11
Top of the Park explodes in fun U
fs Summer Festival kicks off

By Stacy Arnold Instead of a picnic blanket, you will
For the Daily have thousands of seats to choose
Have you ever made a bathtub into a from. But don't get too comfortable -
cooler? College students are known to crowds will be twisting the night
be resourceful. They study at coffee- away!
houses, under trees and on the Beneath the parking slope forms a
Stairmaster. When it comes to saving stage with a dance floor on either side.
Ue, money and space, they can be Rick Steiger, saxophonist and manager
9erts of invention. of the Sun Messengers, hopes his band
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival's will "get people dancing (and) set them
Top of the Park series has ingenuity that in motion." The Sun Messengers open
University students will appreciate. The this year's series on June 20. The group
Power Center parking ramp will be con- has mesmerized and harmonized Top of
verted into an outdoor stage and theater. the Park for five years.
It's free, it's close, But nothing
and it transforms the y gold can stay. The
ordinary into some- PREVIEW Sun Messengers
thing amazing. Ann Arbor await Top of the
Here are a few val Park as a chance
re incentives: ;Summ erFeS to maximize
j , rhythm and Top of the Park M i c h i g a n s
"Blues Brothers" In June 20-July 13 ephemeral warm
1997, the Top of the season, Steiger
Park series presents its 14th year of top- said. The Sun Messengers' "vibe" is
notch movies and musical groups. funk, reggae and classic soul music.
From June 20 through July 13, song, The eight-member rhythm and blues
dance and laughter will resound group expects its fourth CD, "Late
through Ann Arbor's night skies. Night Cruise" to be released soon. A
This outdoor songfest is part of the mix of soulful vocals, a four-man horn
Ann Arbor Summer Festival, which section and a timeless rhythm will bring
y udes the Power Center Series. Bob you to your feet.
Nwhart, Capitol Steps and the Neville In the tradition of transformation, an
Brothers are among the stars to per- elevator shaft magically becomes a
form indoors. Mary Oleniczak, execu- movie screen. Feature films like "Thee
tive director, explained that revenues Blues Brothers," "Batman" and
from Power Center ticket sales pay for "Apollo 13" will. be shown free of
the outdoor series. The goal is to keep charge. Oleniczak raved, "it's like a
the performing arts accessible to every- drive-in without your car" Thankfully,
one. you can still have your soda and your
Top of the Park has the allure of a sweetheart with you when the show
picnic fantasy; fun people, live tunes starts at sundown.
a gourmet food. Ann Arbor supplies Catering to the diverse tastes, of an
t people, though the popular series entire community isn't easy, but the Top
now attracts fans from out of town. of the Park delivers a cornucopia of

treats. Colleeen Mudock, marketing
director, predicted that this year's ven-
dors will be varied. The Cottage Inn,
Zingerman's Deli, The Gandy Dancer,
Rendez-vous Cafe and Stucchi's Ice
Cream will sell affordable cuisine.
Spectators can also bring food into
the park for a classic picnic. Be sure to
watch for Independence Day weekend:
Performances by Butterfly and Night
Flight will be sponsored by WCBN and
broadcast live. The Power Center is
located at 126 Fletcher St. (at the corner
of Huron). More info can be accessed
via the Summerfest web site at
http://www.aasforg.
June showcases a medley of local tal-
ent to serenade and shake you. The
Luddites, a group of University stu-
dents, perform at 9 p.m. on June 21. On
the 28th, you can hear Madcat & Cane,
a national act that played its debut here.
Repercussions, a stellar female percus-
sion group, will rock and rumble on the
29th.
When the sun melts into dusk and
night transforms the summer sky, be at
the Top of the Park. Maximizing our
short supply of summer should appeal
to students who maximize limits of
time, space and funds. But don't take
too long to get ready. First, you're
already dressed. Second, like
Cinderella's altered evening, this affair
will disappear at midnight July 13th,
when a parking structure returns.

Summer special call
today
(313)994-0400

Jftg'rael
1220 S. University, Ste.208
Above McDonald's
An Arb 90
.e :3i3998020

Words alone cannot express
the coolness of our fashion selections -
nor the low prices.
So you'll just have to
come see for yourself.
rag4raia
NEW I RECYCLED FOSHIONS FOR MEN 6 WOMEN
330 East Libertq. on Rrbor, Mi [dowunstairsJ
~l~n~ur 1O~. FiI~o~dl- .,1. [313146018f2310