Lamp Post Inn

A family-run establishment since 1992, the Lamp Post Inn offers guests to beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan an affordable place to stay in a convenient location. Ideally situated near downtown Ann Arbor and The University of Michigan, the Lamp Post Inn is the perfect option for families visiting the school and prospective students looking for an affordable and friendly hotel.

[brucelarson-blog]

Top of the Park to run from June 15 - July 8, 2012

    Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo

As announced at AnnArbor.com earlier this year the Ann Arbor Summer Festival will kick of their 2012 season of  Top of the Park on June 15th.   The Lamp Post Inn is pleased to promote this community event and we have listed the various events further down in this article.

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a collection of unique events that involve the community in special concerts, free events, evening live concerts and movies and an experience that involves the entire family.  Activities are geared to a full spectrum of musical and theatrical interests and the outdoor movies each night include every possible genre.

The Lamp Post Inn is less than 1 1/2 miles from the area where the Ann Arbor Summer Festival is held and you can walk, drive or even take the bus to all activities.

Annarbor.com noted the following regarding the Top of the Park and their schedule:

The Top of the Parks runs from June 15-July 8, every night except Monday, Top of the Park presents live music, movies on a large outdoor screen, family attractions and more. New items of interest this year include a "Dinosaur Petting Zoo" and a community "Roots Lounge" area presented by AnnArbor.com.

Top of the Park will feature 59 musical acts, 8 guest DJs, 13 feature movies, and strolling performance troupes. In addition, 8 local teen bands will be showcased in the returning Rock the Mall competition. The primary ToP site will again be the Ingalls Mall area just in front of the University of Michigan Rackham Building on East Washington Street.

The general approach remains the same as previous years: Music and movies on Sundays and Tuesdays-Thursdays, with expanded musical lineups on weekends, including late-night DJ sets.

One special attraction this year will be Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo, a puppet exhibition created by Australian theater and visual arts company Erth. Performances of this unique family attraction will be held on the front lawn of Power Center, a short walk from the Top of the Park site, from June 29 through July 1, with two shows per day. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated; seating is on the grass, and blankets are recommended.

The Dinosaur Petting Zoo allows interaction for kids and adults while they travel with Erth’s multi-faceted performers on a journey through prehistoric ages. In the one-hour outdoor performance, audiences experience an amazing selection of dinosaurs and creatures that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago. Children also get the opportunity to help feed, water, and care for these prehistoric marvels, with simple lessons in animal husbandry. (See video below)

In addition to the three-day residency with Erth, the festival will offer a number of other outdoor attractions. Special projects at Top of the Park include: aerial and acrobatic performances by Detroit’s Bacchanal Promotions on June 16 and July 7; a mini circus camp for kids with lessons in juggling, tightrope, and trapeze by Circus Amongus on June 17 and July 3; and a festival-long installation of whimsical chalk drawings on the streets and sidewalks around Top of the Park by internationally known local artist David Zinn. Tuesday night craft beer tastings are another introduction.

The festival this year will also feature a new community Roots Lounge as part of The Grove area. The Roots Lounge will be presented by AnnArbor.com, the official online partner for the 2012 Ann Arbor Summer Festival. The new space will serve as a cozy gathering place for festivalgoers to meet, relax, network, and enjoy the evening’s free entertainment in a comfortable open-air environment. The lounge will offer free WiFi access as well as plenty of guest seating under the trees.

Returning Top of the Park attractions include the "Retreat" mind-body workshops, "Wind Down Wednesday" wine tastings, and the Kid Zone activity tent. On Mondays, when Top of the Park goes "dark," the Summer Festival will again present 33 1/3 reading and listening parties at Arbor Brewing Co.

This year's food vendors will include Hut-K Chaats, Noodles & Company, Oasis Grill, Ray’s Red Hots, Satchel's BBQ, Stucci’s, Sugar Shack, Silvio’s Organic Pizza and Sweetwaters.

Top of the Park admission continues to be free, though the festival will again ask for donations of $3 per individual or $5 per family.

Following is the full Summer Festival schedule, including Top of the Park events as well asmain-stage shows (indicated by their location). Watch AnnArbor.com for full details on both Top of the Park and main-stage events as the festival approaches, and check out the Summer Festival website for more information.

Friday, June 15 | First Friday (Opening Night)  5:00 pm Hannah Winkler 6:00 pm Match By Match 7:00 pm Rio & The Rockabilly Revival 9:00 pm Third Coast Kings 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Kirsten Carey

Saturday, June 16  5:00 pm Retreat: Chi-Kung 5:00 pm Dan Henig 6:00 pm Chris Bathgate 7:00 pm Theo Katzman 7:30 pm Aerial Acrobatics 8:00 pm Al Green (Hill Auditorium) 9:00 pm Lady Sunshine & The X Band 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Michael Dykehouse

Sunday, June 17  5:00 pm Retreat: Pilates 5:00 pm The Wanna Bees 6:00 pm R.O.C.K. 8:00 pm Taj Weekes & Adowa 10:00 pm Movie: "Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"

Monday, June 18 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, June 19  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm Rock the Mall Teen Music Competition 10:00 pm Movie: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"

Wednesday, June 20  6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm The Barons of Tang 8:00 pm October Babies 10:00 pm Movie: "The Help"

Thursday, June 21  6:30 pm The Lucas Paul Band 8:00 pm Esperanza Spalding (Power Center) 8:00 pm The Ragbirds 10:00 pm Movie: "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Friday, June 22  5:00 pm Magdalen Fossum 6:00 pm Dark-Eyed Molly 7:00 pm The Martindales 9:00 pm Measured Chaos 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Paw Paw

Saturday, June 23  5:00 pm Retreat: West African Dance Workout 5:00 pm Molly Bancroft 6:00 pm Peter Mulvey 7:00 pm 1592 8:00 pm Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass (Power Center) 9:00 pm The Sun Messengers 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Chuck Sipperley

Sunday, June 24  5:00 pm Retreat: BollyFit 5:00 pm Jeanie B! & The Jellybeans 6:00 pm Ratboy Jr. 7:00 pm Pilobolus (Power Center) 8:00 pm Drivin’ Sideways 10:00 pm Movie: "Hugo"

Monday, June 25 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, June 26  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm The Flutter & Wow 8:00 pm Bearfoot 10:00 pm Movie: "Ghostbusters"

Wednesday, June 27  6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm Sumkali 7:30 pm BollyFit Dance 8:00 pm Nellie McKay wsg Sneakin’ Out (Power Center) 8:00 pm Noori 10:00 pm Movie: "Breakfast at Tiffany’s"

Thursday, June 28  6:30 pm Bill Bynum & Co. 8:00 pm The Moth Mainstage (Michigan Theater) 8:00 pm The Infamous Stringdusters 10:00 pm Movie: "The Big Lebowski"

Friday, June 29  5:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Gwenyth Hayes 6:00 pm Alejandra O’Leary 7:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 7:00 pm Tree City & The ContraBand 9:00 pm The Macpodz & Friends 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Maxx Makau

Saturday, June 30  4:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Retreat: Gyrokinesis 5:00 pm Roland Remington 6:00 pm Hoodang 6:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 7:00 pm Rampage Swing 8:00 pm Rufus Wainwright (Power Center) 9:00 pm Orquesta Sensacional 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Brian Tomsic

Sunday, July 1  4:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Retreat: Contact Improv 5:00 pm Supersonic Music Makers & The Fortytwo 6:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 6:30 pm Anna Banana Band 8:00 pm Madcat & Kane wsg Big Dave Steele & Mike Shimmin 10:00 pm Movie: "Jurrasic Park"

Monday, July 2 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, July 3  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm The Ben Daniels Band 8:00 pm Dick Siegel & The Brandos 10:00 pm Movie: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

Wednesday, July 4  5:00 pm The Capitol Steps (Power Center) 6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm Tumbao Bravo 8:00 pm Los Gatos 8:00 pm The Capitol Steps (Power Center) 10:00 pm Movie: "Forrest Gump"

Thursday, July 5  6:00 pm Cinematic Titanic (Michigan Theater) 6:30 pm Lightning Love 8:00 pm Charlie Slick 9:00 pm Cinematic Titanic (Michigan Theater) 10:00 pm Movie: "Answer This!"

Friday, July 6  5:00 pm Taylor Fernandez 6:00 pm Khalid Hanifi 7:00 pm The Saints of Soul 8:00 pm Circa (Power Center) 9:00 pm Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Joey D

Saturday, July 7  5:00 pm Retreat: Capoeira 5:00 pm Jennie DeVoe 6:00 pm Nervous But Excited 7:00 pm Creolization 7:30 pm Jumping Stilt Acrobatics 8:00 pm Circa (Power Center) 9:00 pm Thornetta Davis 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Chill Will

Sunday, July 8 | So Long Sunday (Closing Night)  4:30 pm Ariel & Zoey & Eli, Too 5:00 pm Retreat: Yoga 6:00 pm Big Bang Boom 8:00 pm George Bedard & The Ki

The Lamp Post Inn is pleased to promote the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and we hope that all of our guests will be able to partake in at least some of the fun.   If you are not already staying at the Lamp Post Inn and wish to make reservations go to The Lamp Post Inn and check out of pricing and availability.  We are located less than 1 1/2 miles from the festivities.

[brucelarson-blog]

Top of the Park to run from June 15 - July 8, 2012

d at Top of the Park last year. 

  Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo

As announced at AnnArbor.com earlier this year the Ann Arbor Summer Festival will kick of their 2012 season of  Top of the Park on June 15th.   The Lamp Post Inn is pleased to promote this community event and we have listed the various events further down in this article.

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a collection of unique events that involve the community in special concerts, free events, evening live concerts and movies and an experience that involves the entire family.  Activities are geared to a full spectrum of musical and theatrical interests and the outdoor movies each night include every possible genre.

The Lamp Post Inn is less than 1 1/2 miles from the area where the Ann Arbor Summer Festival is held and you can walk, drive or even take the bus to all activities.

Annarbor.com noted the following regarding the Top of the Park and their schedule:

The Top of the Parks runs from June 15-July 8, every night except Monday, Top of the Park presents live music, movies on a large outdoor screen, family attractions and more. New items of interest this year include a "Dinosaur Petting Zoo" and a community "Roots Lounge" area presented by AnnArbor.com.

Top of the Park will feature 59 musical acts, 8 guest DJs, 13 feature movies, and strolling performance troupes. In addition, 8 local teen bands will be showcased in the returning Rock the Mall competition. The primary ToP site will again be the Ingalls Mall area just in front of the University of Michigan Rackham Building on East Washington Street.

The general approach remains the same as previous years: Music and movies on Sundays and Tuesdays-Thursdays, with expanded musical lineups on weekends, including late-night DJ sets.

One special attraction this year will be Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo, a puppet exhibition created by Australian theater and visual arts company Erth. Performances of this unique family attraction will be held on the front lawn of Power Center, a short walk from the Top of the Park site, from June 29 through July 1, with two shows per day. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated; seating is on the grass, and blankets are recommended.

The Dinosaur Petting Zoo allows interaction for kids and adults while they travel with Erth’s multi-faceted performers on a journey through prehistoric ages. In the one-hour outdoor performance, audiences experience an amazing selection of dinosaurs and creatures that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago. Children also get the opportunity to help feed, water, and care for these prehistoric marvels, with simple lessons in animal husbandry. (See video below)

In addition to the three-day residency with Erth, the festival will offer a number of other outdoor attractions. Special projects at Top of the Park include: aerial and acrobatic performances by Detroit’s Bacchanal Promotions on June 16 and July 7; a mini circus camp for kids with lessons in juggling, tightrope, and trapeze by Circus Amongus on June 17 and July 3; and a festival-long installation of whimsical chalk drawings on the streets and sidewalks around Top of the Park by internationally known local artist David Zinn. Tuesday night craft beer tastings are another introduction.

The festival this year will also feature a new community Roots Lounge as part of The Grove area. The Roots Lounge will be presented by AnnArbor.com, the official online partner for the 2012 Ann Arbor Summer Festival. The new space will serve as a cozy gathering place for festivalgoers to meet, relax, network, and enjoy the evening’s free entertainment in a comfortable open-air environment. The lounge will offer free WiFi access as well as plenty of guest seating under the trees.

Returning Top of the Park attractions include the "Retreat" mind-body workshops, "Wind Down Wednesday" wine tastings, and the Kid Zone activity tent. On Mondays, when Top of the Park goes "dark," the Summer Festival will again present 33 1/3 reading and listening parties at Arbor Brewing Co.

This year's food vendors will include Hut-K Chaats, Noodles & Company, Oasis Grill, Ray’s Red Hots, Satchel's BBQ, Stucci’s, Sugar Shack, Silvio’s Organic Pizza and Sweetwaters.

Top of the Park admission continues to be free, though the festival will again ask for donations of $3 per individual or $5 per family.

Following is the full Summer Festival schedule, including Top of the Park events as well asmain-stage shows (indicated by their location). Watch AnnArbor.com for full details on both Top of the Park and main-stage events as the festival approaches, and check out the Summer Festival website for more information.

Friday, June 15 | First Friday (Opening Night)  5:00 pm Hannah Winkler 6:00 pm Match By Match 7:00 pm Rio & The Rockabilly Revival 9:00 pm Third Coast Kings 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Kirsten Carey

Saturday, June 16  5:00 pm Retreat: Chi-Kung 5:00 pm Dan Henig 6:00 pm Chris Bathgate 7:00 pm Theo Katzman 7:30 pm Aerial Acrobatics 8:00 pm Al Green (Hill Auditorium) 9:00 pm Lady Sunshine & The X Band 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Michael Dykehouse

Sunday, June 17  5:00 pm Retreat: Pilates 5:00 pm The Wanna Bees 6:00 pm R.O.C.K. 8:00 pm Taj Weekes & Adowa 10:00 pm Movie: "Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"

Monday, June 18 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, June 19  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm Rock the Mall Teen Music Competition 10:00 pm Movie: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"

Wednesday, June 20  6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm The Barons of Tang 8:00 pm October Babies 10:00 pm Movie: "The Help"

Thursday, June 21  6:30 pm The Lucas Paul Band 8:00 pm Esperanza Spalding (Power Center) 8:00 pm The Ragbirds 10:00 pm Movie: "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Friday, June 22  5:00 pm Magdalen Fossum 6:00 pm Dark-Eyed Molly 7:00 pm The Martindales 9:00 pm Measured Chaos 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Paw Paw

Saturday, June 23  5:00 pm Retreat: West African Dance Workout 5:00 pm Molly Bancroft 6:00 pm Peter Mulvey 7:00 pm 1592 8:00 pm Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass (Power Center) 9:00 pm The Sun Messengers 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Chuck Sipperley

Sunday, June 24  5:00 pm Retreat: BollyFit 5:00 pm Jeanie B! & The Jellybeans 6:00 pm Ratboy Jr. 7:00 pm Pilobolus (Power Center) 8:00 pm Drivin’ Sideways 10:00 pm Movie: "Hugo"

Monday, June 25 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, June 26  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm The Flutter & Wow 8:00 pm Bearfoot 10:00 pm Movie: "Ghostbusters"

Wednesday, June 27  6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm Sumkali 7:30 pm BollyFit Dance 8:00 pm Nellie McKay wsg Sneakin’ Out (Power Center) 8:00 pm Noori 10:00 pm Movie: "Breakfast at Tiffany’s"

Thursday, June 28  6:30 pm Bill Bynum & Co. 8:00 pm The Moth Mainstage (Michigan Theater) 8:00 pm The Infamous Stringdusters 10:00 pm Movie: "The Big Lebowski"

Friday, June 29  5:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Gwenyth Hayes 6:00 pm Alejandra O’Leary 7:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 7:00 pm Tree City & The ContraBand 9:00 pm The Macpodz & Friends 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Maxx Makau

Saturday, June 30  4:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Retreat: Gyrokinesis 5:00 pm Roland Remington 6:00 pm Hoodang 6:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 7:00 pm Rampage Swing 8:00 pm Rufus Wainwright (Power Center) 9:00 pm Orquesta Sensacional 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Brian Tomsic

Sunday, July 1  4:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 5:00 pm Retreat: Contact Improv 5:00 pm Supersonic Music Makers & The Fortytwo 6:00 pm Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Power Center Lawn) 6:30 pm Anna Banana Band 8:00 pm Madcat & Kane wsg Big Dave Steele & Mike Shimmin 10:00 pm Movie: "Jurrasic Park"

Monday, July 2 | (Top of the Park dark) 7:00 pm 33 1/3 Series (Arbor Brewing Company)

Tuesday, July 3  6:30 pm Tasting Tuesday 6:30 pm The Ben Daniels Band 8:00 pm Dick Siegel & The Brandos 10:00 pm Movie: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

Wednesday, July 4  5:00 pm The Capitol Steps (Power Center) 6:30 pm Wind Down Wednesday 6:30 pm Tumbao Bravo 8:00 pm Los Gatos 8:00 pm The Capitol Steps (Power Center) 10:00 pm Movie: "Forrest Gump"

Thursday, July 5  6:00 pm Cinematic Titanic (Michigan Theater) 6:30 pm Lightning Love 8:00 pm Charlie Slick 9:00 pm Cinematic Titanic (Michigan Theater) 10:00 pm Movie: "Answer This!"

Friday, July 6  5:00 pm Taylor Fernandez 6:00 pm Khalid Hanifi 7:00 pm The Saints of Soul 8:00 pm Circa (Power Center) 9:00 pm Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Joey D

Saturday, July 7  5:00 pm Retreat: Capoeira 5:00 pm Jennie DeVoe 6:00 pm Nervous But Excited 7:00 pm Creolization 7:30 pm Jumping Stilt Acrobatics 8:00 pm Circa (Power Center) 9:00 pm Thornetta Davis 11:00 pm After Dark w/ DJ Chill Will

Sunday, July 8 | So Long Sunday (Closing Night)  4:30 pm Ariel & Zoey & Eli, Too 5:00 pm Retreat: Yoga 6:00 pm Big Bang Boom 8:00 pm George Bedard & The Ki

The Lamp Post Inn is pleased to promote the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and we hope that all of our guests will be able to partake in at least some of the fun.   If you are not already staying at the Lamp Post Inn and wish to make reservations go to The Lamp Post Inn and check out of pricing and availability.  We are located less than 1 1/2 miles from the festivities.

[brucelarson-blog]

Special 5K Run and Pub Crawl - August 13

In conjunction with the annual UA Plumbers and Pipe-fitters convention in Ann Arbor there will be a new charity run for the Semper Fi Fund.  The Lamp Post Inn will offer any of their guests that participate in the Race or Pub Crawl a 10% discounted rate for the evening of August 13th.   (Weekly guests will receive a $7.00 credit toward their weekly rate for the week that includes the 13th).

The Press Release for the Race and Crawl that was sent out by the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding the Run and Pub Crawl is found below:

First Annual UA Plumbers & Pipefitters 5K Run & Pub Crawl Fun Run.  The race will be happening on Monday, August 13th in conjunction with the Block Party.

This run will be benefiting a charity that is very near and dear to the UA, The Semper Fi Fund.

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up to provide immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We direct urgently needed resources to post 9-11 Marines and Sailors, as well as members of the Army, Air Force or Coast Guard who serve in support of Marine forces.  The Semper Fi Fund (SFF) provides relief for financial needs that arise during hospitalization and recovery as well as assistance for those with perpetuating needs. Our program provides support in a variety of ways including: Service Member and Family Support, Specialized & Adaptive Equipment, Adaptive Housing, Adaptive Transportation, Education and Career Transition Assistance, PTSD and TBI Support and Team Semper Fi.  For more information – go to www.semperfifund.org.

100% of the proceeds from the race will be going to this very worthy charity.

Register for the event as soon as possible and make your reservations for your overnight stay at the Lamp Post Inn.  To redeem the 10% off price simply show your race registration form to the front desk staff

[brucelarson-blog]

Ira Glass to perform in Ann Arbor on June 23.

  IRA GLASS to perform at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival 

  "Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass" at the Power Center, June 23, 2012

The official Summer Festival publication outlines the performance by Mr. Glass in these terms:

The creator of public radio’s This American Life talks about his program and how the show is put together. As part of this, Glass mixes stories from the show, live onstage, combining his narration with pre-taped quotes and music, recreating the sound of the show as the audience watches.

Ira Glass will perform at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival June 23.  The Lamp Post Inn will offer special hotel rates for that evening .  Go directly to The Lamp Post Inn site and use the promo code SUMMERFEST to receive a 10% discount.   The Lamp Post Inn is located less than a 10 minute drive from Power Center and the various other venues of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.  

[brucelarson-blog]

University of Michigan Sports Camps - special hotel rates available

The University of Michigan hosts a large number of Sports Camps for boys and girls during the summer and the Lamp Post Inn is less than 1 1/2 miles from all sports venues.   A complete list of sports camps and dates is available at University of Michigan Athletic Website or at the special summer camp information page. 

Parents or sponsors that are either dropping off participants or are staying overnight for the complete camp are invited to stay at the Lamp Post Inn at a significant discount.   For those that are eligible and wish to stay, please use the promo code CAMPS12 at our website.  

[brucelarson-blog]

Al Green to perform at Ann Arbor Summer Festival - June 16 at Hill Auditorium

Al Green to perform at Ann Arbor Summer Festival on June 16th.   The concert will be held at Hill Auditorium on the campus of the University of Michigan.   The Lamp Post Inn, a local hotel will offer special overnight rates using promo code SUMMERFEST

According to Wikipediea Al Green:

Albert Greene (born April 13, 1946),[1] better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together".[2] In 2005, Rolling Stone named him #66 in their list of the '100 Greatest Artists of All Time'. The nomination stated that "people are born to do certain things, and Al was born to make us smile."[3] The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Green in 1995, referring to him as "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music." Green has sold more than 20 million records.[2

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival asserts  that  

The Reverend Al Green is known the world over for his extraordinary voice, unmistakable sound, and legendary hits. Having sold more than 40 million records, won 11 Grammy Awards, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the minister of L-O-V-E is still captivating audiences with his unique blend of Memphis soul, gospel, blues, and early rock and roll.

[brucelarson-blog]

Bela Fleck and the Flectones to perform April 19th in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have come together once again to "drive the music forward to places where it might’ve progressed had the band kept working on it all along" claims pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy.  The Michigan Theater will host the reunion tour and tickets are now available on the Ark website.   The performance is scheduled for  Thursday, April 13th.  For those that will be attending the concert and need nearby hotel reservations check out theLamp Post Inn and use the promo code ARKEVENT. 

The Ark describes the concert and group this way 

A reunion of groundbreaking progressive musicians

Bela Fleck helped create progressive bluegrass music during his days as banjoist with the band New Grass Revival in the 1970s, but he was just getting started. Forming his own band, the Flecktones, in 1988, he forged a genre-defying music that was equal parts jazz, bluegrass, and sheer sonic experimentalism. Bela has traveled around the world, collaborating with musicians from many traditions and creating new and unique hybrids. Now, groundbreaking banjoist/composer/bandleader Béla Fleck has reconvened the original Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, the extraordinary initial lineup of his incredible Flecktones combo. Their album "Rocket Science" marks the first recording by the original Flecktones in almost two decades, with pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy back in the fold alongside Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten, and percussionist/ Drumitarist Roy “Futureman” Wooten. This Grammy-winning quartet is, quite simply, creating some of the most forward-thinking music of their long, storied career. While all kinds of genres come into play—from classical and jazz to bluegrass and African music to electric blues and Eastern European folk dances—the result is an impossible-to-pigeonhole sound all their own, a meeting of musical minds that remains, as ever, utterly indescribable. 

[brucelarson-blog]

Victor's Weekend at the University of Michigan is a really big weekend

Most eyes are focused on the the University of Michigan Spring football game next weekend and for those attending the game they can receive discounted hotel rates at the Lamp Post Inn using promo code SPRINGGAME.  

But the weekend is not just about football.   The University of Michigan Athletic Department labels the weekend Victor's Weekend and they have announced a full schedule of other activities and events going on over the three day weekend.  

  The Athletic Department website states:

Time Event Saturday, April 14 8:30 a.m. Ice Hockey Garage Sale, U-M Indoor Track Building 9 a.m. Women's Rowing vs. Oregon State, Belleville Lake 10 a.m. Victors Classic Alumni Flag Football Game, Michigan Stadium Noon Spring Football Scrimmage, Michigan Stadium Noon Men's Tennis vs. Nebraska, Varsity Tennis Center 2:30 p.m. Men's Lacrosse vs. Ohio State, Michigan Stadium Sunday, April 15 9 a.m. Big House Big Heart Run, Michigan Stadium Noon Men's Tennis vs. Iowa, Varsity Tennis Center 1 p.m. Softball vs. Michigan State (Doubleheader), Wilpon Complex

To obtain additional information on any of the activities go to the Athletic Department Website.   If you are staying at the Lamp Post Inn, please get additional information on directions and accompanying activities by speaking with the front desk staff.   

[brucelarson-blog]

Michigan International Speedway bring three days of racing - June 15-17

Grandstands of Michigan International Speedway. 

Three big days coming up at the Michigan International Speedway located about 36 miles from The Lamp Post Inn.  Check out the Sprint and NASCAR series events at their website.

The official site lists the racing for the weekend to include:

June 16 - The NASCAR Nationwide Series will make its 21st appearance at MIS in 2012. Fans will see many of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ top stars go head-to-head with the Nationwide Series regulars in what makes for a great day of racing. Kids 12 and under are free on Saturday’s. Junior pricing for 13-17 are half price in any reserved seat. See defending Alliance Truck Parts 250 race winner Carl Edwards and others in an action-packed day of on-track activities.

 June 17, 2012 -The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the Irish Hills on Father’s Day with the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400. NASCAR stars, such as former MIS winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, return to MIS for another action-packed day of side-by-side racing. With great camping, affordable adult prices, kids 12 and under free in the Turn 3 grandstands (children require ticket), half off in any reserved seat for juniors 13-17, free parking and the ability to bring a cooler with your favorite food and beverages, MIS is the perfect summertime destination for fans in 2012.

Fans of the MIS events can reserve rooms at a special discounted rate by using the promo code BIGRACE at the Lamp Post Inn Website. 

[brucelarson-blog]

Public Airport Shuttle Option to Ann Arbor and The Lamp Post Inn

A shuttle service operates twelve times per day between Detroit Metro Airport and Ann Arbor.  Guests interested in the schedules and cost (between $20.00 and $25.00 per round trip) should go directly to http://www.michiganflyer.com/airride-ann-arbor.asp .   The drop off and pick up spots in Ann Arbor are the Blake Transportation Center (12 times per day) and the University of Michigan Central Transportation Center (4 times per day).  

Guests of the Lamp Post Inn can take any of the 12 busses.  Once you arrive at either the Blake Center or the Central Campus Transportation Center, transfer ($1.50) to bus route number #4 to go to the Lamp Post Inn.  The Central Campus Transportation Center is about a 5 minute ride from the Lamp Post; Blake Center a 15 minute ride.  We are located at the Manchester/Sheridan stop at the corner of Stadium and Washtenaw.   Bus route #4 is the main bus line that goes directly from Downtown Ann Arbor, through the University of Michigan Campus and hospital area and then toward Ypsilanti and The Lamp Post Inn.  We are about a 6 minute bus ride from the University of Michigan campus (South University or Central Transportation Center).   

[brucelarson-blog]

Michigan Softball starts into heart of Big Ten Schedule - special hotel rates for fans

Photo by Angela J Cesere in Annarbor.com

The Michigan softball team heads to Columbus for a double headed this weekend before returning home next week to play both Western and Michigan State.   The Wolverines are lead by their two outstanding freshman pitchers who have pitched all but 18 innings this year and have posted an impressive 1.86 ERA.  

The Lamp Post Inn is located less than 1 1/2 from the Wilpon Complex and the softball fields.   Those fans staying over for the Western Game or the Michigan State Games may received discounted overnight rates at The  Lamp Post Inn by using the promo code BASEBALL12.

[brucelarson-blog]

Michigan - Michigan State baseball to face off this weekend - special hotel rates available

This weekend, April 7 - 8, 2012  the Michigan Wolverines will  take on the Michigan State Spartans in a home on home series in baseball.

Michigan will be traveling to East Lansing on Saturday to meet the Spartans but will then come home to Ray Fisher Stadium for a 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon baseball face off.

The Lamp Post Inn will offer a special overnight rate to any Wolverine or Spartan fan wishing to stay overnight on  Sunday evening.   In order to take advantage of the offer you will need to go to the Lamp Post Inn website and make reservations using the promo code BASEBALL12.   It will be necessary to make reservations in advance since the Lamp Post Inn will be closing early on Sunday to allow our employees the chance to celebrate the holiday with their families.    Our hours that day will be 9:00 AM to 2:oo PM.   It is not necessary that you check in prior to 3:00 PM on Sunday as long as the reservation has been completed on line since we will make arrangements to see that you are able to check in after the baseball game.

[brucelarson-blog]

Feist and The Low Anthem to perform June 5 at Power Center in Ann Arbor

Feist to appear at Ann Arbor Summer Festival along with The Low Anthem.   The program is scheduled June 5 at the Power Center at 8:00 PM.  The nearby Lamp Post Inn will offer a special overnight rate for those attending the concert that us promo code SUMMERFEST.

  For nearly a decade, Leslie Feist did not stop moving. Her 2004 Juno Award-winning album "Let It Die" led right into 2007’s "The Reminder," which earned her four Grammy nominations, six Juno wins, the Shortlist Music Prize, and the opportunity to teach Muppets to count on "Sesame Street." She then made her "Saturday Night Live" debut and toured the world. Feist appears in support of her newest album, "Metals."

The Low Anthem opens the show.

[brucelarson-blog]

Airport Shuttle Information for Lamp Post Inn - an Ann Arbor hotel

A new airport shuttle service begins this week.    Please go to the website http://www.myairride.com for all information regarding single and round trip costs, drop off locations, etc.   We are extremely fortunate that this new shuttle service will work extremely well for our customers and we recommend the shuttle for those that wish to avail themselves of the public transit option.   Please note that since the main bus route in Ann Arbor (#4) goes directly past the Lamp Post Inn you will find that you can easily move around Ann Arbor from our ideal location.  Route #4 will link at two separate locations to the new airport shuttle service.

There will be twelve shuttles per day between Ann Arbor and the airport.  All twelve of these will go directly to the Blake Transportation Center but four will also stop at the University of Michigan Central Transportation Center.

Anyone wishing to use the shuttle should go directly to the website http://www.myairride.com to make reservations and to verify schedules.

People using the shuttle to get to the Lamp Post Inn should take the shuttle from the airport to:

Blake Transportation Center and then transfer to either route 4A or 4B and head to the Lamp Post Inn (less than a 15 minute ride).  The charge will be $1.50. or

University of Michigan Central Campus Transportation Center and transfer to bus route #4B (less than a five minute ride to the Lamp Post Inn) again a charge of $1.50.

The same information applies to people leaving for the airport (just reverse the process).

Please note that the Ann Arbor Public Transportation website theride.org has a planning tool on their website.  Unfortunately, when typing in our address of 2424 E. Stadium you will need to use the zip code 48108 (instead of 48103 or our actual zip 48104).   There seems to be some confusion on the zip code map and we would prefer that you arrive at our hotel instead of the party store on the other side of town.

[brucelarson-blog]

Esperanza Spalding to perform at Ann Arbor Summer Festival on June 21

Esperanza Spalding - Bassist, vocalist, and composer Esperanza Spalding has quickly emerged as one of the brightest lights in the musical world. With a unique and style-spanning presence, Spalding became the first jazz musician to receive the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2011. Spalding tours in support of her newest album, "Radio Music Society."

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is proud to announce that Ms. Spalding will be performing on June 21 at the Power Center at the University of Michigan.   The nearby Lamp Post Inn will offer special overnight hotel rates using promo code SUMMERFEST. 

  Wikipedia has this to say about Ms. Spalding's artistry:

Influences and attitude toward music and jazz

Spalding cites jazz bassists Ron Carter and Dave Holland as important influences on her music; Carter for the "orchestration" of his playing and Holland for the way his compositional method complements his personal style.[52] She has described the saxophone player Wayne Shorter,[13] and singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento, as heroes.[53] She has also noted her preference for the music of Brazil.[13]

Spalding says she loves fusion music and was influenced by a "wonderful arc that started 40 years ago where people kept incorporating modern sounds into their music."[29] She has expressed concerns that jazz has wandered from its roots, suggesting that jazz has lost its street value and its relevance to "the Black experience to the Black Diaspora and beyond" now that has been co-opted by the "seasoned 'art' community".[7] She notes that in its early days, jazz was "popular dance music" and "the music of young people who considered themselves awfully hip", and believes "hip-hop, or neo-soul [...] is our 'jazz' now as far as the role these genres play in the music genre lineage".[7] Spalding, who has expressed a desire to be judged for her musicianship rather than her sex appeal, believes that female musicians must take responsibility to avoid oversexualizing themselves.[29][13] and that in order to write original music, one must read and stay informed about the world.[13] She has said she models her career on those of Madonna and Ornette Coleman.[12]

Ms. Spalding is just one of the numerous artists performing this summer at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.  Be sure to check out their website at Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

[brucelarson-blog]

Bonnie Raitt and Marc Cohn to appear May 25, 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bonnie Raitt and Marc Cohn to present kick off event for Ann Arbor Summer Festival.  The Lamp Post Inn, a nearby hotel will offer special hotel rates the evening of the concert using promo code HILLEV.

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival  has announced that Bonnie Raitt will perform at Hill Auditorium on May 25th.  This will be a "pre-festival" event for the Summer Festival.   She will be accompanied by Marc Cohn, The Slipstream Tour. 

The Festival Website describes the concert as:

More than just a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt has become an institution in American music. With a unique style that blends blues, R&B, rock, and pop, she was a cult favorite for twenty years before breaking through to the top in the early 90s with her Grammy Award-winning albums, Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw, which featured hits such as "Something To Talk About" and "I Can't Make You Love Me." 

With nine Grammy Awards under her belt and a long history of social activism, Raitt tours regularly incorporating many benefit concerts into her schedule. After a brief hiatus, she is back and recharged with a batch of great new songs to play in her live set along with the tried and true favorites that have treated her very loyal following to countless memorable shows through the years. 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's nineteenth album, Slipstream, is daring, bluesy, and steeped with the inimitable slide guitar and soulful vocals that could only be hers. Out April 10th, Slipstream marks Raitt'sfirst new album in seven years, and the debut for her new label, Redwing Records. 

Opening the concert is singer and songwriter Marc Cohn, who combines the precision of a brillianttunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. Cohn will play from his new album, Listening Booth: 1970, where he transforms songs from such artists as Cat Stevens, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and  Van Morrison. Cohn is best known from his critically acclaimed debut album and the song “Walking In Memphis.”

Please note: At the artist’s request, fifty cents of each ticket sold for this concert will be donated to the ARIA Foundation, which will distribute grants to local charities at the end of the tour.

Bonnie Raitt's website is http://www.bonnieraitt.com

Marc Cohn's website is http://marccohn.net/

  The Lamp Post Inn will offer special overnight rates for those attending the Bonnie Raitt concert.   To obtain the special pricing please use the promo code HILLEV when placing your housing request for May 25th on our website Lamp Post Inn (http://www.lamppostinn.com)

[brucelarson-blog]

Ann Arbor Summer Festival announces Main Stage Events for 2012

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival has announced their full schedule for 2012 and it sounds like one of the most ambitious festival's ever.    Beginning with a pre summer kick off with fan favorite Bonnie Raitt, most of the events are huddled in the three week period beginning June 15 - July 8th.   In addition to all of the main stage events, there will of course be the  huge number of special evening activities including live outdoor entertainment, movies and kid's activities.  The Summer Festival is a wonderful part of our summer in Ann Arbor. 

Please find below the synopsis of the events as posted by annarbor.com.    The Lamp Post Inn will offer a special 10% discount to anyone attending any of the special main stage events.  Please use promo code Summerfest.

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival, now celebrating its 29th season, today announced the headlining indoor lineup for its 2012 season, running from June 15 to July 8: indie-pop sensation Feist with special guest The Low Anthem, Tuesday, June 5 at the Power Center; gospel and soul legend Al Green, Saturday, June 16 at Hill; bassist and jazz dynamo Esperanza Spalding, Thursday, June 21 at the Power Center; public radio favorite Ira Glass, Saturday, June 23 at the Power Center; modern dance illusionistsPilobolus, Sunday, June 24 at the Power Center; eccentric songbird Nellie McKay with special guest Sneakin’ Out, Wednesday, June 27 at the Power Center; the master storytellers of The Moth Mainstage, Thursday, June 28 at the Michigan Theater; theatrical-pop crooner Rufus Wainwright, Saturday, June 30 at the Power Center; political satirists The Capitol Steps, Wednesday, July 4 at the Power Center; the bemused B-movie bashers ofCinematic Titanic, Thursday, July 5 at the Michigan Theater; and acclaimed contemporary circus troupe Circa, Friday-Saturday, July 6-7, at the Power Center. 

  The festival had earlier announced a warmup concert with blues-rock icon Bonnie Raitt with special guest Marc Cohn, Friday, May 25 at Hill Auditorium.

The Summer Festival mainstage performances take place at the Power Center, Hill Auditorium and the Michigan Theater.  All are located approximately 1 1/2 miles from the Lamp Post Inn which will offer special rates using promo code SUMMERFEST for all main stage presentations.