The
2015 Taylor Summer Festival has finalized plans for the main musical
entertainment on both Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27 – and it’s turning
into a party that you can’t afford to miss.
The
Romantics with special guest Sponge are headlining June 26’s concert in the
Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion, and the opening act will be local band
Whiskey Riot. This electric trio of hot bands – and a VIP ticket partnership
package with none other than Famous
Those
interested can get tickets now online at Brown Paper Tickets.
You can also buy them in person at the Taylor Recreation Center near the corner
of Goddard and Pardee in Taylor during its regular business hours. Call (734)
374-8900 for more ticket information.
Don't
pass this bargain up, because VIP seating is limited.
Saturday
evening, June 27, the Taylor Summer Festival offers a free country concert
leading up to the Masco Fireworks. Headlining will be sizzling country band
Annabelle Road. Proceeding Annabelle Road on stage will be Taylor’s own Joe
Jaber and the Last Divide, along with two other local mainstays, The Sarah
Sherrard Band and Terry Jacoby & Rummler.
Doors
open for the Friday, June 26, concert at 5 p.m. with Whiskey Riot taking the
stage at 5:30, Sponge at 7:30 and The Romantics at 9:30.
Doors
open for the Saturday, June 27, concert again at 5, with Rummler taking the
stage at 5:15, Sarah Sherrard at 6:20, Joe Jaber at 7:40 and Annabelle Road
coming on at 9 p.m. before the Masco Taylor Summer Festival Fireworks Display.
FESTIVAL
OVERVIEW:
The
Taylor Summer Festival will have four full days of carnivals and other
attractions appealing to any age group.
Elliott’s
Amusements’ carnival kicks off the festival on Thursday, June 25, in the Pardee
Road parking lot, adjacent to the western entrance to Heritage Park. The
carnival will run from 4-11 p.m. June 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 26 and 27;
and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Various ticket and wrist band
packages for the carnival are available online now at (www.elliottsamusements.com).
Anyone
wishing to enter the carnival area this year must purchase at least a $10 “carnival
bucks” package or a $20 family pass. No one under 18 may enter the carnival
area without a parent or adult supervision.
THE
PNC BANK FAMILY FUN ZONE:
In
an effort to make the 2015 Taylor Summer Festival as "family
friendly" as possible, the City of Taylor will create a the “PNC Bank
Family Fun Zone” near the patio area on the south end of the Sheridan Center
Open Air Pavilion.
The
zone, which will including plenty of fun entertainment and activities for
children, will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, and Saturday,
June 27. PAWS, the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers, will be
appearing on Friday, June 26, from 1-3 p.m. Come and meet PAWS in the Family
Fun Zone!
PNC
Bank and Home Depot have already signed on to support the fun zone efforts.
The
fun zone will be right next to the "Bounce House," which will include
moowalks from MotorCity Moonwalks. While the children will have plenty to do to
keep them out of trouble, mom and dad will have food and vendor booths nearby
to keep them interested. And the fun zone will be located a hop, step and jump
away from the carnival!
FESTIVAL
FOOD: CAN YOU SAY "BBQ"?
Famous
Dave Anderson opened his first BBQ Shack in 1994 in Hayward, Wisconsin. It
became wildly popular, serving up to 5,000 people a week in a town of only
1,800. Today, the Original Famous Dave’s is one of the most photographed
restaurants in Wisconsin. The chain’s food is so popular that it has won over
700 BBQ awards – and is still counting. The Taylor location ranks as one of the
most popular restaurants in the nationwide chain.
Carolina
BBQ started with two former high school buddies, who wanted to start a
competition barbecue team in 2003. Travels across the country led us to
discover the rich traditions of Carolina-style barbecue. It wasn’t long before
those recipes started earning Old Carolina trophies on the barbecue circuit.
And, in 2006, the first Old Carolina Barbecue Company restaurant opened in
Massillon, Ohio. They now have a location in Ann Arbor.
Ray’s
Prime Meats, located on Eureka Road in Taylor, is a family owned and operated
business established in 1962 by Ray Martyniak and currently operated by the
family's third generation. Downriver Detroit's only complete retail butcher
shop offers award-winning smoked meats, grain-fed pork, a full line of western
grain-fed beef, southern ice-pack poultry and seafood. It also offers
specializes in pig roasts.
BACKGROUND
ON THE ROMANTICS:
The
Romantics started in 1977, adopting the name because they formed on Valentine's
Day. They achieved popularity during the first half of the 1980s on the
strength of the band's songs and music videos. The group's record debut was the
1978 single, "Little White Lies" / "I Can't Tell You Anything,”
followed that year by the single "Tell It to Carrie" / "First in
Line.” All of these were re-recorded later for the first LP, and that album
yielded the hit "What I Like About You," which reached No. 49 in the
U.S., No. 12 in the Netherlands and No. 2 in Australia, where the band was
especially popular.
The
Romantics achieved their greatest commercial success in 1983-84 with the
release of the album In Heat, which was awarded a gold album in the United
States for selling over 500,000 copies. The first single taken from In Heat,
"Talking In Your Sleep," rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
and hit No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play and Album Rock Tracks charts.
The
Romantics' original lineup consisted of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and
harmonicist Wally Palmar; lead guitarist and backup vocalist Mike Skill;
bassist and backup vocalist Rich Cole; and drummer and lead vocalist/drummer
Jimmy Marinos. Palmar and Skill were considered the band's primary tunesmiths.
Palmar, Skill and Cole remain with the group today, and have been joined by
Brad Elvis.
In
addition to being a staple on classic and contemporary rock radio, television
commercials and movies, Sirius/XM Satellite radio has also embraced The
Romantics. Their songs can be heard on a number of stations including Little
Steven’s Underground Garage.
BACKGROUND
ON SPONGE:
Formed
in 1991, Sponge has proven to be one of the Motor City's heaviest hitters after
gaining international notoriety with their debut album "Rotting Piñata,”
with hits like "Plowed" and "Molly (16 Candles)." The band
found itself receiving airplay on radio stations from coast to coast and in the
MTV rotation. Both “Plowed” and “Molly” hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock
Charts, catapulting “Rotting Piñata” to gold and ultimately platinum status.
Sponge's
follow up CD, the critically lauded “Wax Ecstatic,” scored additional Top 10
Billboard hits including "Wax Ecstatic" and "Have You Seen
Mary?" The band’s music was also featured in popular movies “The
Craft,” “Chasing Amy,” “Mall Rats” and “Empire Records.” Sponge’s star
rose with network appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and the “Conan
O’Brien Show.”
Sponge’s
subsequent releases “New Pop Sunday,” “For All The Drugs in The World,” “The
Man,” “Galore Galore,” and “Destroy the Boy,” showcased the band’s swirling
sonic attack, rooted in 70's glam and of course, the Motor City influences of
The Stooges, The MC5 and Motown – but still sounding distinctly like no one
else.
“Plowed”
continues to be the band’s signature rock track, having been spotlighted on
Guitar Hero’s “Warriors of Rock – 90’s Rock Track Pack” – and on the Paper Jamz
Guitar Series 2, in addition to the soundtrack for the Gerard Butler surf movie
“Chasing Mavericks.”
Having
shared stages the world over with Guns N’ Roses, Nickelback, Iggy Pop,
Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Kiss, Sponge continues to be one of rock’s most
sought after live acts and the combination of The Romantics and Sponge should
have Taylor rocking on June 26.
BACKGROUND
ON ANNABELLE ROAD:
With
a big-as-the-room sound, the ability to rock the doors off the toughest clubs,
the heart to keep a crowd hanging on every note and the party going till
closing time, Annabelle Road blows in from the intersection where rural and
urban sensibilities meet. Tapping Motor City's rich musical well by way of
Butcher Holler, this barnstorming band fuses the best of rock and country
seamlessly to their polished originals.
Not
many acts can claim being handpicked as "Next Big Star" finalists on
Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour as their auspicious debut.
In no time they had radio-ready single "Let You Bleed" in frequent
rotation on Michigan's country dials--its airplay pre-selling out shows all over
the state. Since then the group's electrifying stage presence has continued to
captivate all comers, from Detroit's Downtown Hoedown to supporting
heavyweights like Phil Vassar and Gretchen Wilson.
"We
keep knocking on doors that are too big to be knocked on and they keep opening,"
said front woman Amanda Bailey. She leads guitarist Jeremy Temple, bassist Mike
Zahler and drummer Donovan Tarjeft.
BACKGROUND
ON WHISKEY RIOT:
Established
in 2013, Whiskey Riot is well-known around the Taylor club scene. Band members
include Dwayne (The Riff Master) Adams (lead guitar), Keith (Big Diesel) Adams
(bass guitar), Thumper Rich Loar on drums and James (Jiggaman) Elswick on
vocals. They love classic rock and metal and guarantee that they are party band
the rocks the place.
BACKGROUND
ON TERRY JACOBY & RUMMLER:
Rummler
is another local band that should be well-known to Taylor club-goers. It
features songwriter and lead singer Terry Jacoby, a former local newspaper
writer and editor, and standout professional sports photographer Greg Shamus of
Grosse Ile, who plays guitar and is a major contributor on the production side,
earning the producer credit on the band’s debut CD. Mike Paulin of South Lyon
is the lead-guitar player and also sings, while Bill Elliott of Tecumseh
is the bass player and also adds harmonies to the vocals. On the drums,
guitar and additional vocals is Nick Hura.
THE
SARAH SHERRARD BAND:
Sarah
Sherrard’s music has been hailed as the rebirth of a lost era. Her refreshing
reinvention of vintage, ‘60s sound is opening up a whole new world of
possibilities for the young artist. “I’m just trying to make music that fits
who I am and what I love. I never could have dreamed of how well it has been
received,” said Sherrard. Sherrard’s debut EP, Where I Come From, was recorded
in Nashville in early 2012 with select members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. This
project allowed Sarah to explore her passion for more Southern Rock, country
sounds while still letting her vintage style shine through. Sherrard’s
lead vocals are joined by Anthony Lai (lead guitar and vocals), Joel Sherrard
(guitar and vocals), Daniel Lai (bass) and Tom Rexford on drums.
JOE
JABER & LAST DIVIDE:
Upon
the release of the debut disc by Joe Jaber and The Last
Divide three
years ago, Jaber, the Taylor native and passionate audio enthusiast, was
content to set modest goals. With the arrival of Keys to the House, the encore
masterpiece from Jaber and his remarkable, titanium-solid ensemble, this
self-made singer, songwriter and guitarist is serving notice that he is
exceeding his own wildest musical expectations. A heady, captivating mélange of
rock ‘n’ roll, blues, roots, Americana and, yes, even a dash of country, Keys
to the House showcases an artist with loftier goals, greater self-awareness,
and expansive visions. The band consists of Jaber, Duane Harlick, Nadir
Omowale, Daniel Lago and Chrissy Morgan.
TAYLOR
SUMMER FESTIVAL INFORMATION:
Find
updates on the 2015 Taylor Summer Festival on the following locations online:
2015
TAYLOR SUMMER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Heritage
Park, Taylor, MI
Thursday,
June 25
(Hours
4-11 p.m.)
• Carnival
opens
Friday,
June 26
(Hours
11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
• Carnival
continues daylong
• Vendors
open daylong
• Beer
vendors open 3 until 11 p.m.
• PNC
Bank Family Fun Zone 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Moonwalks
• The
Romantics and Sponge concert (gates open at 5 p.m.; Whiskey Riot at 5:30,
Sponge on stage at 7; The Romantics on stage at 9. Tickets $30 VIP, $5 GA and
$10 GA at the door
Saturday,
June 27
(Hours
11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
• Carnival
continues daylong
• Vendors
open daylong
• Beer
vendors open 3-11 p.m.
• PNC
Bank Family Fun Zone 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Moonwalks
• Free
Country Concert (Gates open at 5 p.m. Terry Jacoby & Rummler at 5:15; Sarah
Sherrard Band at 6:20; Joe Jaber & The Last Divide at 7:40; Annabelle Road
at 9 p.m.)
• Masco
Fireworks Display (10 p.m. – free)
Sunday,
June 27
(Hours
11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Carnival
continues daylong
DIRECTIONS:
Heritage
Place is located at Northline and Pardee roads. It is accessible easily from
I-75’s Northline Road exit, then west about two miles to Heritage Park’s south
entrance. If you are coming from I-94, exit at Telegraph Road and go south to
Northline Road, then east to Heritage Park.
PARKING:
Vehicle
parking is available both inside and outside of Heritage Park for $5 and will
be strictly enforced daylong on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27.
Handicap parking will be available at the Heritage Park Petting Farm (Northline
and Pardee) and the Taylor Community Library. Official festival parking will be
located at the southern end of the park (Northline Road entrance); First Albanian
"Teqe Bektashiane" field (Northline Road and Racho, just outside the
south entrance); and at the Wayne County Community College-Taylor Campus
(outside the eastern most end of the park). Other private paid parking will be
available in the surrounding areas.
One-side
parking will be posted on the following city streets during the festival, June
25-28: Brest, Clinton, W. Keyes, Moran, Klebba, Phyllis, Livingston, Ernst,
Ran, Birch, Morley, Maplelawn, Goldenridge, Lincoln, McKinley, Beechwood,
Katherine, Dudley, William, Baraga and Mortenview Violators will be ticketed
and towed.
TRAFFIC
ALERT:
Pardee
Road will be closed between Northline and Goddard at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27
(fireworks night). All side streets feeding Pardee will also be closed in that
location. Only residential traffic will be allowed through the barricades, and
drivers will have to show proof of residency.
The
2015 Taylor Summer Festival is a partnership between the City of Taylor, Masco
Foundation, Taylor Ford, Fritz Enterprises, UAW Region 1-A, Taylor Chevrolet,
PNC Bank, Shwedel Dental, Westside Distributors, Molnar Roofing, Vicar’s
Trailer Sales, Oakwood Healthcare , DTE, Discover Downriver, Area Towing and
Home Depot. Other sponsors are pending. Media partners include Heritage
Newspapers, Fox 2 Detroit, Nash FM 93.1 WDRQ and 96.3 WDVD Today’s Best Hits.
