(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bridget Favre, D&D Strategic Marketing for the information in this story.)
Chelsea Area Festivals and Events (CAFE) is pleased to announce the kick off to the 2019 season of Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights, presented by Rick Taylor Real Estate of Reinhart Realtors.
This year’s Sounds and Sights begins on June 6 and runs every Thursday evening through Aug. 15, showcasing a variety of music, art, comedy, and family entertainment.
Now in its 15th season, the outdoor concert series is recognized for its music ranging from jazz to country to indie rock and more.
Every Thursday, professional acts perform throughout downtown Chelsea from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The 2019 lineup includes more than 100 performers and features the return of many regional favorites as well as 23 new acts making their Sounds & Sights debut.
The ten-week musical line-up can be found at www.chelseafestivals.com.
Performances take place concurrently at ten separate-staged areas located throughout downtown. Starting at the new stage at Palmer Commons and heading north, stages are also located at Katies Korner on the Chelsea Library Lawn, South Street, the Main Street Alley, East Middle Street, Sylvan Courtyard, the Glazier Building, under the Clocktower, at the Clocktower Gazebo and in the Clocktower Courtyard.
“As you walk downtown, many stages feature returning bands like Chelsea House Orchestra, Escaping Pavement, and Cash is King. We also mixed in lots of new talent, including up-and coming bands like Railcar Graffiti and Lia Catallo. It is exciting to see the progression of veteran acts and the discovery of something new each week.” commented co-organizer Craig Common.
The 2019 schedule of performers also includes magicians, face painting, balloon artists, jugglers, dancers, comedy and art demonstrations. The “Learn to Chalk” series, led by talented and competitive chalk artists, takes place weekly under the Chelsea Clocktower. Free chalk and templates are available for spectators to draw on the pavement.
In partnership with Chelsea District Library, the first four weeks of Sounds and Sights features “Korner Stage” programming at Katie’s Korner on the Library Lawn from 7-8 p.m. In keeping with over a decade of comedy performances, June 6 showcases comedians Kevin Kramis and David Dyer. The following three weeks feature Aviary Aerial & Circus Arts on June 13, A Touch of Magic on June 20, and Ring of Steel on June 27.
SculptureWalk Chelsea will be celebrating its 10th year with 13 sculptures showcased in prominent locations throughout historic downtown Chelsea. Most of these juried sculptures were designed and created by Michigan Artists. CAFE has revitalized this outdoor art project as part of the visual arts component of its mission with community support from the City of Chelsea, Chelsea Downtown Development Authority, Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Area of Chamber of Commerce, generous sponsors and a mini-grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrant Program administered by The Arts Alliance. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided walking tour of the year-long creative placemaking project.
In addition to the 10-week Thursday nights schedule, a three day “Sounds and Sights Festival” will take place July 25-27. The festival, now in its 43rd year, helps to raise the funds necessary to support the free Thursday Night concert series.
Visit www.chelseafestivals.com/festival for a list of events that take place throughout the weekend, including a kid zone, car show, pet parade, art market, chalk art and more live music.
“Sounds and Sights is an essential part of our initiative that contributes to the vibrancy of our community, local businesses, and supports local arts. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the financial support we receive from both the Sounds and Sights Festival and our loyal sponsors continues to allow us to put on a first class, free event,” says Common.
Chelsea Area Festivals and Events would like to recognize and thank the 2019 season sponsors who make the events possible including: Rick Taylor Real Estate – Reinhart Realtors, Chelsea State Bank, “JIFFY” Mixes, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, and Chelsea District Library. Stages and events are sponsored by Andy Kellogg – Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Roberts Paint & Body, Chelsea Community Foundation, Chelsea Retirement Community, Cleary’s Pub, Jeff Klink & Associates – Reinhart Realtors, LaJolla Fine Jewelry, Lehman & Scheffler Real Estate Services, Smokehouse 52 BBQ, Stieper & Brust Orthodontics, The Common Grill, Thrivent Financial – Chelsea Group, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, and The Arts Alliance.
Additional sponsors include Bank of Ann Arbor, Devil’s Haircut Salon, Rumpus Room, Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry, LAFCU – Your Credit Union for Life, Michigan Medicine Chelsea Health Center, Mudpies and Lullabies, Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Chelsea, Parts Peddler – Chelsea Inc, O & W / Labatt Brewing Company, Chelsea Retirement Community, H&R Block of Chelsea/Dexter/Stockbridge, Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Chelsea, Riemco Building Company, Chelsea Alehouse Brewery, Chelsea Rhone LLC, Hardwood Solutions LLC, Hatch Stamping Company, Heydlauff’s Appliances, Jet’s Pizza, Lane Animal Hospital, Mitchell Family, Rick Eder Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance, Secret Crisis Comics, Wilkinson Foundation, Destination Ann Arbor, Jackie Schiller and Suzanne Morrison, Silver Maples of Chelsea, D&B Strategic Marketing, LaMaison, Live In Balance Consulting, Atwater Brewing, Room, Secret Crisis Comics, and Surelutions.
Community partnerships include the City of Chelsea – DDA, Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, Chelsea Farmers Supply, Costco, Palmer Auto Service, Trinchero Family Estates, Ann Arbor Family Magazine, Current Magazine, 102.9FM W4 Country, Ann Arbor’s 107one, 2188 Studios, R.K. Studios, ChelseaUpdate.com, Sun Times News, Chelsea Guardian, The Lucy Ann Lance Show, Burrill Strong Photography, Mark Bogarin Photography.
For a complete schedule, visit www.chelseafestivals.com.
