Art Fair Music
Art Fair Music
By William Shea
This year, with the help of a mini-grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts, Art Fair organizers have hired impresario Joe Tiboni to organize entertainment for the Fair. Tiboni, who books the acoustic music for Cava Java and who works for WEMU, wants to establish a tradition where the broad array of local Washtenaw County talent can be showcased. With over 220 time slots to fill at eight different venues over the four days of the Fair (July 19-22), Tiboni plans more amplified music, more local talent, more dance acts, jugglers, rope climbers, and more fun for the huge crowds expected this year.
Tiboni, along with others, has been grimacing about the lack of local musical talent at past Art Fairs. Organizers would import groups from Detroit and the suburbs thus crowding out the rich talent we have around here (if you don't know what l'm talking about check out "The View From Nowhere"). This seemed hardly fair to the storytellers, mimes, swing bands, country bands, and heavy metal groups that grace the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County area.
On the surface things may not appear much different from the past few Fairs. There are still only eight "stages" in which to hear or see entertainment. But unlike last year, instead of one "enhanced" stage at Liberty Plaza featuring amplified music, Tiboni plans three with a possible fourth: Liberty Plaza (at Division), Liberty and Ashley, State and Washington, and maybe South University north of Church Street. To supply the amplification and power for these stages Tiboni solicited the involvement of local merchants, including Old Town, Pauly's, Al Nalli Music, Oz's Music, and WCBN.
Tiboni is also booking the WEMU Stage in the Detroit Edison parking lot at William and Main. Although the bookings are not complete as we go to press, some confirmations can be noted: The Chenille Sisters, The Bird of Paradise Orchestra, and Big Dave and The Ultrasonics. Others unconfirmed as of press time are George Bedard and the Kingpins, Al Hill, The Il-V-I Orchestra, and The Lunar Octet.
To put on this venue is no small act. WEMU takes pride in putting up the roughly $5,000 to cover expenses of the stage, power and lights and broadcasting the shows over the air. The rest of the backing again comes from local merchants, including Michigan Theater, Borders, and Schoolkids', who likewise see the Art Fair as an opportunity to give something back to the community.
Speaking of giving something back to the community, or of not giving back, U-M has once again refused to allow any music on "their" property. A few years ago all the jugglers, comedians, and clowns were tossed off the Diag - too much liability for the University to handle. Due to the interminable construction on and around the Diag, the Graceful Arch, one of the most unique venues of the Fair, went a couple of years ago. (There is room for the Arch at its old location on the corner of South University and East University, but the University refused to even discuss it.) Eclipse Jazz, who sponsored some of the best jazz at the Fair, has long been replaced by money-making fast food courts surrounding the Union. But it seems that the University does plan to give something back to the community come August - an additional home football game.
Tiboni is quick to point out that this years Fair will involve more local talent-not just bands. He's lining up a barbershop quartet, two or three new dance companies, aklesmer band and gospel singers. Art Fair regulars should note that steel drum ensemble BakaBata will again perform near Liberty and Thompson. Also the incomparable Will Soto-rope climber extraordinaire-will be back. Ever since the University wouldn't let him string his rope he's been absent. Tiboni assures us that Soto is not to be missed.