* 2007 Festival Preview *

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

A look down Saginaw Street in downtown Pontiac during 2006 Arts, Beats and Eats.

by Jason Rzucidlo

americajr@americajr.com

 

 

This Labor Day, Chrysler's Arts Beats and Eats will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in downtown Pontiac. The festival will be bigger than ever with one more music stage added, a long list of fine restaurants and lots of artists displaying their artwork.

The hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday (Labor Day). Admission to the festival is FREE! However, there is a charge for parking and any food that you wish to buy. There's also a fee for the kids rides.

There will be eight music stages at Arts, Beats and Eats. A new stage, The Stoli International Stage will be feature latin, salsa, caribbean, polka, celtic, middle eastern and reggae music. National acts will be located on the Michigan Lottery Stage, which is directly on top of the Phoenix Center. This year's headliners are Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad), Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Brian McKnight, Stewart Francke, Gin Blossoms, Chevelle, Fair To Midland and Blake Shelton.

Other music stages include the Meijer Kids Stage, The Dodge Americana Stage, The Flagstar Bank Acoustic Stage, Miller Lite Rock Stage, The Diet Pepsi R&B/Jazz Stage and The Detroit News/Comcast Stage. For the complete schedule of stars, click here.

Forty-five of the best restaurants in Metro Detroit will be serving their signature dishes at Arts, Beats and Eats. They will offer "tastes" and "full-sized" portions at the festival. Tickets are required for all food and beverage purchases. Fairgoers can purchase 16 tickets for $10.00.

Some of the restaurants that will be at Arts, Beats and Eats include Buca di Beppo, Charley's Crab, Harbor House, Kerby's Koney Island, Lazybones Smokehouse, Mario's, The Melting Pot of Troy, Whiskey Steakhouse and Zumba Mexican Grille. For the complete list of food choices, click here.

Over 130 artists will be participant in the Labor Day weekend festival in Pontiac. They will be displaying their artwork for your viewing pleasure. You will also be able to purchase the art and take it home with you. The art fair is sponsored by HealthPlus this year.

The different categories of art that you will see at Arts, Beats and Eats includes ceramics, digital art, drawings, pastels, fabrics, fibers, glass, graphics, printmaking, leather, jewelry, metals, wood, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, paintings, photography and sculptures. For the complete list of artists, click here.

Also new at the festival is the Concentra Health and Wellness Expo. New U Fitness, LLC will be offering free assessments and demonstrations of Total Body Fitness Training, Yoga and Pilates programs. A registered dietician will also be there to give you nutrition advice and handouts to reach your goals. Her name is Jennifer Pomavilla and she is a graduate of Michigan State University. Mini-massages will also be provided at the expo.

You won't want to miss the Metro PCS International Block Party. There you'll find a display a flags from across the globe, more than 20 bands performing on the Stoli International Stage and restaurants representing different cultures from around the world.

AmericaJR.com is offering complete coverage of the 2007 Chrysler Arts, Beats and Eats festival. Check back soon for photos and LIVE interviews. All from AmericaJR.com, Detroit's #1 Website with the BEST Coverage Period.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Country singer Blake Shelton will perform on the Michigan Lottery National Stage on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

 

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