Farmington

Art on the Grand returns this weekend

By David Wallace
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo courtesy of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division Art on the Grand once again will feature a living statue, among other street performers, during the event June 4-5. Photo courtesy of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division Art on the Grand once again will feature a living statue, among other street performers, during the event June 4-5.

FARMINGTON — Whether you love art, entertainment or people-watching, downtown Farmington is the place to be this weekend, as Art on the Grand returns June 4-5 for its second go-round as a standalone event on Grand River Avenue.

Organizers hope fairgoers will find the things they liked about Art on the Grand last year, plus new artists and attractions.

“I think what excites us the most is that Art on the Grand is still growing,” said Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division Supervisor Nancy Coumoundouros.

“It’s still in the same footprint that we did last year, but we are expanding and adding more artists this year,” said Farmington Downtown Development Authority Events Planner Janet Bloom.

The show apparently established a good reputation among artists last year, and this year’s event brings artists from as far away as Florida and California.

“Artists do communicate to each other on the road,” Coumoundouros said.

The result, Bloom noted, is that about 120 artists will attend this year, compared to about 100 last year. A new group of artist tents will line the parking area between Starbucks and Riley Park.

“We have a nice balance of new artists and returning artists,” Coumoundouros said. “We have something for all interests.”

Coumoundouros said that every now and then, something different comes along.

“One thing we have is an artist who makes jewelry out of recycled bowling balls,” she said.

Coumoundouros said that when organizers first received the application, they were skeptical, but apparently the art is pretty clever — and wearable.

Beyond the artist tents, the event includes plenty to do. Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave., will host a children’s area for hands-on art projects and entertainment, and the Farmington Artist Foundation tent, which includes local artwork. Two Oakland Community College students will make pottery on wheels at the tent.

“Some of our other artists are planning to demonstrate,” Coumoundouros said.

Art on the Grand, which runs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 4 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 5, also includes street performers, plus more music and food booths. The popular “live statue” will return, though word is that this year’s live statue is the son of the one who attended in past years.

Those who want to jump-start the weekend’s fun can attend the pre-glow party planned for the Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park 6-11 p.m. June 3. Quickly becoming a downtown Farmington event mainstay, the Killer Flamingos will provide the top 40 hits for listening and dancing.

“They have a strong following in our area,” said Bloom.

To go with the jams, the Grapes on the Grand wine and beer tent will open at 6 p.m. The cover charge for the show is $5.

Saturday promises a wholly new event, a 90-point wine dinner and wine tasting 7-10 p.m. at the pavilion. John Cowley and Sons will serve a sit-down, five-course meal, and each course will be paired with a 90-point wine according to Wine Spectator magazine’s rankings.

Sommelier Mike Larranaga will talk about each of the five wines during the event. The night’s entertainment will be Empty Canvas, two performing artists who play favorite songs from many eras while painting on canvas.

“They are awesome. I’ve seen them perform,” Bloom said. “They’re very interactive with the crowd.”

Tickets for the wine dinner are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Buy tickets at Cowley’s, 33338 Grand River Ave.; Meadows Fine Wine and Liquor, 21099 Farmington Road in Farmington Hills; or the Downtown Development Authority, 33316 Grand River Ave.

At the same time as the wine dinner, people may opt for a $25 strolling wine taste, or just full-pour beers and wines. Both the pre-glow party and the Saturday night events are for people 21 and older.

Admission to Art on the Grand is free. Fans of the Farmers and Artisans Market should note that the market will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, shifted a little to the southwest of the pavilion, but within sight of its usual home.

For more on Art on the Grand, including the five-course wine dinner menu, visit www.downtownfarmington.org.

For more information, call the Cultural Arts Division at (248) 473-1848.

C & G Newspapers sponsors Art on the Grand and the Farmers and Artisans Market.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer David Wallace at dwallace@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1053.