The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating three-week celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment and community spirit that attracts more than 60,000 people each year. The event offers dozens of performances, events, activities, exhibitions, parties and more, with eclectic music, dance, theater, film, visual arts and family fun.
Top of the Park is the beloved annual outdoor music and movie series produced by the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Focusing primarily o...
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating three-week celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment and community spirit that attracts more than 60,000 people each year. The event offers dozens of performances, events, activities, exhibitions, parties and more, with eclectic music, dance, theater, film, visual arts and family fun.
Top of the Park is the beloved annual outdoor music and movie series produced by the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Focusing primarily on local and regional artists, the admission-free part of the event is the perfect compliment to the national and international scope of its parent Festival. Each night typically sees 1,500-3,000 people for 2 bands and a movie under the stars.
The Top of the Park shows are broadly accessible to the general public and typically features 50 musical acts throughout the 3 weeks. 90% of the bands are Michigan-based with more than 20 bands making their first appearance at Top of the Park stage.
Selected artists are compensated for their performance. Full tech is provided with audio engineers and stage management for a great experience.
Submissions are evaluated based on type of performance, content, quality, diversity and potential audience appeal.
Recent performers who played Top of the Park stage include: The Mason Jennings Band, Money Mark, Serena Ryder, The Carolyn Wonderland Band, Nomo, Matt Wertz, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, Brian Vander Ark, Shawn Mullins, Ari Hest and many others.
If you and your band members are under 21, there is a unique opportunity for you to perform on the Grassrootz stage, which is specifically designed for younger, emerging artists.
To be eligible for Grassrootz, artists must be:
- Self sufficient
- Arrive on time and ready to play
- Be able to adhere to their set lengths
- Perform a family friendly (PG rated) set that is appealing to a wide variety of patrons.
Grassrootz performers are expected to promote their own shows. Typical sets in 2008 were 20 minutes per artist.
Founded in 1983, the Festival has invigorated the cultural life of its community as a joyous town-gown event for two and a half decades. Ann Arbor Summer Festival brings the world to Ann Arbor: innovative artists, eager students, enthusiastic audiences, curious visitors and anyone looking to be inspired by the performing arts.
Festival Sponsors include: Toyota, The University of Michigan, The City of Ann Arbor, Edward Jones, Michigan Public Radio and many regional organizations.
PLEASE NOTE: The promoter will consider submissions from national artists who are touring through the area (backline not provided), but they are primarily looking to book talent from Southeast Michigan. Booking agents are encouraged to e mail any routed avails with flat fee ranges, tech riders and other details to the promoter for consideration.
In an effort to encourage local and regional artists to apply, the submission fee for Michigan-based artists is lower then Non-Michigan artists. Please make sure you select the right submission package or you will not be considered or refunded.