Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 23, 2008

Comerica Cityfest 2008 Gets a Serving of
Culture and Kids Stuff Galore
Cityfest Art Gallery Preview Party, Gwen’s Urban Playhouse, Opens
Detroit’s Biggest Music, Food & Culture Festival

DETROIT – Comerica Cityfest 2008, formerly Tastefest, will fill this Fourth of July weekend, July 2 – 6, with culture and kids stuff galore that will leave visitors sporting a Henna tattoo, a fresh shave, and the urge to try a classic break dancing head spin.

CULTURE
Comerica Cityfest 2008 will kick-off with its second annual Cityfest Art Gallery Preview Party featuring Gwen’s Urban Playhouse on July 1 at 8 p.m. in the Fisher Building lobby. Gwen’s Urban Playhouse, curated by beloved Detroit multi-media artist, Gwen Joy, will present the best from Detroit’s eclectic art scene with work ranging from photographs of Detroit rock stars to whimsical, eco-friendly textiles. Guests will enjoy drinks and food while viewing the art of Josh Band, Taurus Burns, Lucila Caro, Nina Friday, Maurice Greenia, Elsie Mesner, Tracee Miller, Carl Oxley III, Michael Segal, Kelsey Shultis and Shay Spaniola. Also, see the premier performance of Childproof by Detroit’s own Satori Circus during the opening.

The Cityfest Art Gallery Preview Party will also showcase work by Chris Kro, the designer of this year’s 20th anniversary commemorative festival poster.  This Detroit-born artist has gained national recognition from his client roster that includes a who’s who of American roots rock, including Willie Nelson and The Highwaymen.  Kro’s artwork injects Americana artistry into his iconic hand-cut stencil images that are reminiscent of old road-style advertising.  His work is featured on Country Music Television’s original series American Revolutions and reality series Gone Country.

Gwen’s Urban Playhouse will be open during festival hours all five days of Comerica Cityfest 2008.       

Detroit LISC 2nd Avenue Street Market
The Detroit LISC 2nd Avenue Street Market will return with a diverse collection of local merchants including Pure Detroit, Vera Jane, Art Market Gallery, Perfect Touch Massage, Madison on 4th, Djenne Beads, Exclusive Styles, Fashion Place and Flo Boutique. While visiting the shops, don’t forget to check out Detroit’s premier living options at the City Living tent, where Detroit realtors, developers and organizations will tout the fantastic places to live and visit around the city.

Back by popular demand, the market will debut its Henna studio where kids, parents and hipsters alike can be adorned with Henna tattoos provided by Vaidehi Design Henna.  Also, new this year, if your mutton chop side burns are getting itchy in the hot sun, stop by Wahl Trimmers for contests, demonstrations and even an on-site trim.

Hardcore Detroit
While festival-goers are enjoying the taste and sounds of Comerica Cityfest 2008, at any given moment a break-dancer might drop a cardboard mat and do a head-spin.  Throughout the festival, members from the city’s jaw-dropping break-dancing group, Hardcore Detroit, will give spontaneous street-side performances.

Punk Fitness Detroit
Park Stage, between 4 and 5 p.m.
Punk Fitness is a REAL workout taught in an interval training format, alternating between muscle sculpting and cardio using skank, pogo, jump rope or hula hoop. Most of the soundtrack is provided by local Detroit bands (some of which will be featured at the Comerica Cityfest) including great indie, alternative and classic punk.

Model T Rides
Take a FREE ride in an authentic Model T automobile provided by the Piquette Model T’s Car Club of the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex, located just east of New Center.

         
KIDS STUFF GALORE
Families can visit Comerica Cityfest 2008 through the Fourth of July weekend and enjoy a variety of food to satisfy every taste bud while having a blast at the many FREE kids attractions.  Don’t forget Comerica Family Day featuring the pop sister sensations Aly and AJ on Saturday, July 5 at 2 p.m.

Radio Disney is arriving in New Center for the first time this year to take over the New Center Council Park Stage all five days of the festival, from noon to 4 p.m. See below for the cornucopia of shows and activities.
         

Childproof presented by Satori Circus
Park Stage, between 4 and 5 p.m., 20-minute performance
Detroit’s very own vaudevillian performance artist Satori Circus will take you inside the mind of a 7-year-old with Childproof.  With original songs, props and costumes, and unbridled creativity, the story will be told through a young boy’s eyes as he spends a day in his bedroom experiencing exciting adventures with his imaginary friend.

Motor City Am Jam
Friday, July 4 – Sunday, July 6, Fisher Building parking lot
Adrenaline Games Alliance and Modern Skate and Surf present a live, sanctioned skateboard, BMX and inline skating competition. Contestants will be placed in beginner, intermediate and advanced categories and can register for $10 per contest on www.modernskate.com. To compete, contestants must be 6 years of age or older. The Modern Skate Team will also perform demos all five days throughout the festival.

Miniature Motorways
Experience the thrill of racing by controlling your race car through the six-lane track with timing, scoring and officials for true race action.

Kevin Collins Drums and Dance
Performance between noon and 6 p.m.
Collins brings his colorfully costumed dancers and extensive collection of African drums for hands-on demonstrations and fun.

Grip-it Rock Climbing
Kids can test their rock climbing skills and get a birds-eye view of the festival. Cost is $3 for each climb to the top.

Detroit Pistons and Shock Year-round Hoops
The “Basement Experts Truck Tour” will make a stop in New Center so Cityfest visitors can test their skills on four basketball hoops or check out the display of Piston’s trophies, Palace Sports and Entertainment memorabilia, and replicas of Piston’s and Shock’s locker rooms.

Founded in 1989 as a fundraiser for New Center Council, the annual music, food and cultural event has been continually improved and reinvented.  It was renamed Comerica Cityfest in 2007 to reflect the event’s maturing into a celebration of city life: a locally and nationally recognized cultural experience offering a diverse mix of restaurants, musicians, merchants, artists and children’s activities.

Comerica Cityfest 2008 couldn’t happen without the generosity of its sponsors which include Comerica Bank, MotorCity Casino, Budweiser, WJR, Pure Detroit, HAP, Farbman Group, Henry Ford Health System, General Motors Corporation, Jones Lang LaSalle, Detroit LISC, The Skillman Foundation, Hotel St. Regis, Radio Disney, Ashby Sterling’s Ice Cream and FOX2.

Admission to Comerica Cityfest 2008 is free. “Taste” and beverage tickets are $10 for 16 tickets. Please remember that all food and beverage sales support the free entertainment at Cityfest and the activities of New Center Council year around.

The festival’s new extended hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.  For additional information about the Comerica Cityfest, please visit www.comericacityfest.com or call 313.872.0188.

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