Arts, Beats & Eats Looking For Food, Musicians, Artists

ROYAL OAK (CBS Detroit) – What would the most popular Labor Day weekend event in metro Detroit -- Arts, Beats & Eats --  be without food, music or bands? Well, it wouldn't amount to much.

That's why organizers of the 15th annual event are asking musicians, artists and restaurants to submit applications for this year's festival. The annual tradition in downtown Royal Oak will happen August 31 – September 3 with more than 200 performances on 10 stages, 135 artists and 65 food vendor booths.

"We've had overwhelming success through the years securing high-caliber musical acts, talented and diverse artists and top cuisine from around metro Detroit and nationwide to be a part of the festival," said Jon Witz, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats event producer.

"We want to give as many members of the community an opportunity to be involved in this long-running, award-winning event that heralds the end of summer in metro Detroit. This is a reminder to anyone and everyone that now is the time to submit applications."

Beats

Event organizers are taking a new approach to selecting this year's dynamic local music lineup, accepting applications  exclusively through a Musicpage.com profile. Through a partnership with Musicpage.com, local bands and musicians will be able to submit applications for free.

To complete an application, interested musical acts and solo performers can visit here  and press the "Submit Performance Application" button on the right side of this page.

There is no cost to apply, but bands and performers must have a Musicpage Band or Solo Performer profile to submit the application. To create a free band or solo performer profile, press the "Submit Performance Application" button, then press the "Sign Up" link.

Applications must be sent in before midnight June 4. Selected performers will be contacted directly in the weeks following the deadline date.

Full application instructions can be found here.

Ford Arts Beats & Eats continues to garner local and national accolades. It became the only Michigan show to rate in the Top 10 of 600 shows when in 2011 the Art Fair Sourcebook named the festival the Fourth Best Art Show in the U.S. in terms of sales.

Arts

Artwork that will be showcased at this year's festival includes: ceramics, digital art, drawing/pastels, fabric/fiber/leather, graphics/printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media 2-D and 3-D, painting, photography, sculpture and wood. A total of 135 artists from across the country will be chosen to participate and have the opportunity to take home a portion of the $7,500 total in cash prizes.

Artists can expect vigorous volunteer support, easy set up and take down, cash awards and personal focus on artists' needs. Special attention was paid to artists surveys and comments from 2011, so many positive changes have been made for 2012, including: reduced exhibit spaces, enhanced layout with varied pricing structures, easier load in and load out, improved parking access and much more.

To apply, go to www.juriedartservices.com or to the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats website and click on the link for "Juried Art Services."

The deadline to apply is April 7 and a $25 application fee is required. Artists will be notified of acceptance into the juried art show by April 25. For further questions, contact Lisa Konikow, Art Director, via phone at 248-914-8911 or via email at lisa@artsbeatseats.com.

Eats

Fantastic food from across southeast Michigan makes Ford Arts, Beats & Eats one of the premier taste festivals in the country. Last year the festival featured 65 restaurants, caterers and dining attractions, the widest array of culinary delights in the event's history.

Restaurant Vendor applications now are available at www.artsbeatseats.com. Royal Oak-based, as well as previous participants and new restaurants from all over metro Detroit whose cuisine will add to the variety and prestige of the food lineup are welcome.

Completed applications need to be mailed no later than April 30 to the following address: Arts, Beats & Eats, 17 Water Street, Pontiac, MI 48342. Along with the application, interested restaurants need to include a $25 application fee, a deposit for 50 percent of the booth fee (this check will only be cashed upon acceptance to the event), proof of ownership, and a copy of current health and tax licenses. For further questions, contact Shannon Ferrante at Shannonf@artsbeatseats.com.