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MW-TOP-2015-D01-15F
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- TOP – 2015 –
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Our Favorite Dance + Nights – and
Bands -
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- June
12 – Friday -
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The
Appleseed Collective
June
12 - 8:30 PM
North
University Stage
Mix Django Reinhardt with the sweaty soul of Dixieland, a
couple blades of bluegrass, a pinch of ragtime beat, and the swagger of swing
and you’ll conjure up Ann Arbor’s Americana specialists The Appleseed
Collective.
2014 proved to be a big year for the band, including
a multi-state tour,
opening The Ann Arbor Folk Festival,
the release of two albums,
Young Love and Live at The Ark.
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Third
Coast Kings
June
12 - 10:00 PM
North
University Stage
Ann Arbor’s proper deep funk and soul outfit inspired by the
funk groups of the 60′s and 70′s.
Their sound is a raw concoction of horn driven hooks, heavy
rhythm, in the pocket tightness, Meters style funk, Otis smoothness, and James
Brown attitude.
In 2014, they released West Grand Boulevard on
Record Kicks
and are making a triumphant return to the festiva after a
tour in Japan.
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- June
13 – Saturday -
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Salsa
Lesson by Dance Revolution
June
13 - 8:15 PM
North
University Stage
We’re dancing in the street! Before the music begins, learn
how to salsa with Dance Revolution!
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Tumbao
Bravo
June
13 - 8:45 PM
North
University Stage
an Ann Arbor Latin jazz combo that brings the rhythms of
Cuba to life with congas, timbales, sax, flute, trumpet, keyboard, and bass.
Winner of the 2005, 2007, and 2013 Detroit Music Awards for
Best Jazz Recording
Best World Music Band,
In 2012, famed Cuban percussionist Pepe Espinosa (Afro Cuban
All Stars, Cubanismo) joined the band. Come early for Latin dance lessons
before their set!
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Salsa
Lesson by Dance Revolution
June
13 - 10:00 PM
North
University Stage
While the bands do a changing of the guard,
Dance Revolution will keep the party going with a fun salsa
lesson.
All ages and skill levels are welcome!
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Orquesta
RITMO
June
13 - 10:30 PM
North
University Stage
Orquesta
RITMO specializes in authentic Salsa music and always draws a big crowd to Top
of the Park. amazing 11-piece big band -
Come early
for free dance lessons before their set!
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June
16 - Tuesday
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The Flutter and Wow
June 16 - 5:00 PM
North University Stage
known for their captivating stage presence as they merge
vocal harmonies, infectious rhythms, and strings into their brand of Rustbelt
Americana.
they’ve been nominated for Detroit Music Awards for
Best Folk Band,
Best Acoustic Band,
Best Folk Recording.
In 2014, they released the EP, Urban Prairie.
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June
18 - Thursday
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Julie Haven
June 18 - 5:00 PM
Acoustic Stage
rich, textured vocals and deft piano compositions,
indie pop artist capturing the spotlight since she was a
teenager,
first performing in coffee houses and eventually in clubs
and festivals throughout Michigan.
In 2013, she put out her fifth release, a live album, and is
making her festival debut.
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June
21 - Sunday
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Laura Rain and The Caesars
June 21
8:30 PM
North University Stage
electrifying retro modern soul.
Powerhouse vocalist Laura Rain’s rich tone, artistry, and
talent for effortlessly gliding between registers have won her comparisons to Aretha
Franklin and Etta James.
The Caesars, all veterans of the Detroit R&B, jazz,
rock, and blues scenes.
released two albums, most recently Closer,
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June
24 - Wednesday
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Salsa Lesson by Dance Revolution
June 24 - 6:00 PM
North University Stage
Dance Revolution is calling your feet to TOP!
Two left feet welcome.
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Los Gatos
June 24
6:30 PM
North University Stage
vibe-influenced Latin jazz quintet
elegant boleros, upbeat pachangas, fiery mambos, cha chas,
and exotic, 6/8 Afro-Cuban dance numbers. embraced the “old-school” Latin jazz
values set forth by
Cal Tjader,
Mongo Santamaria,
Tito Puente,
Joe Cuba. ..
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Las Cafeteras
June 24 - 8:30 PM
North University Stage
Los Angeles, Las Cafeteras
uplifting, vibrant sound that remixes roots music and tells
modern day
uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music,
cumbia and rock …
eclectic instrumentation, including
jarana,
requinto,
donkey jawbone,
West African bass instrument -marimbol, cajón,
wooden platform used to dance zapateado jarocho.
Recently they were named “Best Latin Alternative Band” by LA
Weekly featured on NPR’s “World Cafe.”
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June
25 - Thursday
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Jetty Rae
June 25 - 5:00 PM
Acoustic Stage
Folksy, soulful, sweet, influences including Brandi Carlile,
Cat Power, Ray Lamontagne, and Patty Griffin, Sarah McLachlan and Terry McBride
chose her as the featured local artist at Lilith Fair in Detroit,
played SXSW this spring, and recently released the single
“Forever & Always.”
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June
26 - Friday
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Billy Mack and The Juke Joint
Johnnies
June 26 - 7:00 PM
North University Stage
high energy rockabilly, honky tonk, retro country, and
swing!
Front man Billy Mack’s
Tony Handley on drums,
Gary Lintenmuth on bass,
Claybourne Stewart on sax and guitar,
boppers, rockers, two-steppers and swing dancers!
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Delilah DeWylde and The Lost Boys
June 26 - 9:00 PM
North University Stage
original songs with vintage country and honky tonk hits,
rockabilly favorites, and surf gems by such artists as Hank Williams, Sr.,
Johnny Cash, Wanda Jackson, Buck Owens, Gene Vincent, and Dick Dale.
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Horse Cave Trio
June 26 - 10:30 PM
North University Stage
music that travels the American landscape, from rockabilly
to Kentucky blues, pure country to gospel.
In 2011, they released Hart County
nominated for Detroit
Music Awards in 2012 outstanding country album, band, and live performance.
Touting themselves as “the band most likely to steal your whiskey,”
don’t forget your dancing shoes!
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June
28 - Sunday
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The Chris Canas Band
June 28 - 8:30 PM
North University Stage
he and his band have made it to the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis several years
Their new album, Would You Mind (If I Play The Blues),
is expected later this year.
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July 3 - Friday
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Diana Lawrence
July 3 - 6:00 PM
Acoustic Stage
Called a “drop dead show stopper” by Music Connection
Magazine,
singer-songwriter pianist Diana Lawrence draws on pop,
blues, folk, jazz, and cabaret.
musical director for The Second City, the Joffrey Academy of
Dance, and The Chicago Symphony Chorus, The frontwoman for Diana & The
Dishes.
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The Matt Besey Band
July 3 - 7:00 PM
North University Stage
first gained notoriety in the early ‘90s as a guitar prodigy
winning Honorable Mention in the 1996 National Fender Guitars Jimi Hendrix
Competition.
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Jennifer Westwood and The Handsome
Devils
July 3 - 8:45 PM
North University Stage
After years of contributing vocals to R&B, soul, roots,
and blues collaborations, and winning an Emmy for her vocal work and several
DMA’s, she joined forces with veteran players the Handsome Devils, guitarist
Dylan Dunbar (Rumpshakers, Whitey Morgan)
bassist JD Mackinder (Whitey Morgan, Deadstring Brothers)
to build out a swampy, bluesy, “dirty, greasy, and
footstomping” sound.
May release, Greetings From This Town.
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July 4 - Saturday
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Lady Sunshine and The X-Band
July 4 - 10:30 PM
North University Stage
product of the Motor City and is a reflection of the very
essence of Detroit
Sunshine and The X-Band were International Blues Challenge
semifinalists
in 2014, released
their latest album, Big and Sexee!
Put on your dancing shoes
- smokin’ hot set at Top of the
Park!
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July 5 - Sunday
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Hoodang
July 5 - 6:30 PM
North University Stage
Kicking off So Long Sunday
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hard-hitting country featuring gritty vocals, smart lyrics,
and gleaming pedal steel.
In 2013, they released the much praised Blissfield,
singer-songwriter and rhythm guitarist Dave Rossiter
