WIN tickets to tonight's RARE EARTH!

I love a challenge! Quick! You have until 12 p.m. Thursday 7/23 to share with us why you want to celebrate tonight and go to the Rare Earth concert here in Chelsea. Two winners will be chosen at random to receive 2 tickets to the Rare Earth and Howling Diablos concert in Chelsea tonight (7/23 at 8pm).

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Food, fun and live music at Chelsea Summerfest this weekend

As a sure sign that we are in the peak of summer, Chelsea Summerfest takes place this weekend. The weekend kicks off with a big concert on Thursday night featuring Rare Earth and the Howling Diablos. This is technically a Sounds & Sights concert, but those of us who love to relax in the Food & Entertainment Court (aka beer tent) don't mind which festival it is, as long as there is food, fun, music and friends.

Thursday, 7/23:

• Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights takes place from 6:30 until 8:30. (Be sure to stop by and give a listen to my friends Bull Halsey, playing in front of Westside Gym on Middle Street)
• Rare Earth and the Howling Diablos concert - If you purchase tickets ahead of time, you get them at a bargain of $35 each. You can buy tickets at the gate for $40. VIP tickets are $100 and you get preferred seating and a pretty awesome pre-party experience among other things

Friday, 7/24:

• Kid Zone: Opens at 10:30 a.m. For the past few years, the Kid Zone committee has been headed up by Michele Balaka, Chelsea native and owner of the Chelsea TreeHouse. Kid Zone features all sorts of activities and entertainment, including Colors the Clown and of course the huge bouncy tent and slide.
• Car Show: Check out the very cool classic cars lined up along Middle St. on Friday night. Featuring a cruise, contests and plenty more for car enthusiasts, kids who love things that go, and anyone who enjoys a stroll down memory lane.
• Food & Music: Great chow and live music in the entertainment tent from 5pm until 11pm. Friday night features Kentucky Chrome, Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies and Trilogy

Saturday, 7/25:

• Kid Zone: continues
• Pet Parade: This is the cutest darn thing. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to take the family to check it out. The theme this year is "Country Western" so we're sure to see puppy dogs in cowboy hats. There are also cats, birds and pets of all kinds in this short and sweet parade. If you'd like to participate, call Chelsea Farmer Supply at 475-1777. If you just want to watch, check the website (link above) for the parade route.
• Food & Music: More tasty food and live music in the entertainment tent. But on Saturday, the fun starts at 1pm and continues up til 11pm. Saturday's bands include Center Stage (featuring Dr Dwayne and the Bad Boys from Spain -and- The Fred Vanreesema Review), The NoteWorthy Band, Hullabaloo and ending Summerfest off with a bang is Fifty Amp Fuse

Many local events have been facing cuts with sponsors and supporters, and Summerfest is no exception. I think the Committee took an excellent to this challenge by keeping the annual favorites, and scaling back the rest. So you won't see as much street activity in terms of vendor booths and arts and crafts. Be sure to let them know what you think of the "getting back to basics" approach. They can always use feedback ... and most importantly --- volunteers!

Have a great weekend!

Movies for all ages in Chelsea - Still plenty more to see!

We may be getting closer and closer to starting the new school year, but there is still plenty of time left this summer to relax, hang out and have fun. And thanks to SRSLY and the Chelsea Library, we don't even have to leave town to enjoy popcorn and movie with friends.

The Chelsea Library is offering Movie Mondays, featuring movie matinees for families. The schedule for the rest of the summer is as follows:

• July 20 "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"
• July 27 "Night at the Museum"

And check out more great events at the Chelsea District Library

If you're looking for something a little more grown up (but not TOO much), don't miss SRSLY Cinema, which takes place every week after Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights. Think drive-in with no car needed. Movies are shown after dusk (9:00-ish) on a big screen behind the Chelsea Clocktower Complex. Hang out with friends, enjoy some popcorn and get home waaay after dark! The rest of the summer schedule is:

• July 23rd - Iron Man
  
• July 30th - Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Aug 6th - The Longshots
• Aug 13th - Star Wars: Clone Wars
• Aug 20th - Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Aug 27th - Bolt
• Sep 3rd - Hotel for Dogs

To learn more about SRLSY - visit srslychelsea.org

"I just want to celebrate ...." Rare Earth and Howling Diablos concert in Chelsea

Click for ticket information

Once again, the folks at Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights are bringing us a big concert here in Chelsea. This year's event features Motown band Rare Earth, who known for such hits as I Just Want to Celebrate and Get Ready -- and many others. Here is a vintage video of the band performing in 1974.

Also performing is award-winning Detroit band the Howling Diablos, who have a fun and funky blues jam style. Check them out:

Learn More / Buy tickets online

More:

• Rare Earth and the Howling Diablos in Concert (Chelsea Center for the Arts website)
• Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights website
  

Free Concert at Aberdeen Bike & Outdoor

Mr B's Joybox Express makes a stop at Aberdeen today, noon-2, en route to the pre-art fair Townie Party in Ann Arbor. We hear Mike's bike band, Fender Bender, is playing, too - then riding into Ann Arbor with the Piano Bike.

Chelsea Library Announces New Director

Congratulations to Bill Harmer, who has been hired as Chelsea District Library's new director! Harmer has been the director of adult services and programs at the Chelsea library for the past 3 years. In addition to the cool events and programs he has helped bring to the library, he has also helped the library connect and reconnect with local event committees and other non-profits. Bill is well liked by the community, and it's not unusual to hear folks around town affectionately call him the Rock and Roll Librarian.

From the Chelsea District Library website:

"Harmer, who is currently Head of Adult Services at the Chelsea District Library, has taken an active role in putting a face on the Library and forming partnerships with non-profit organizations, city government, local schools, media, business and other stakeholders. In the short span of three years, Harmer helped lead the Chelsea District Library to be named Library Journal's Best Small Library in America 2008. He was named one of Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" for 2009."

Read more:

• Hamer named new library director (Chelsea Standard, 7/9/09)
  
• A librarian books a rock band to tour... libraries! (LibraryJournal.com, 6/19/07)
• ConcentrateMedia.com Profile on Bill Harmer by Amy Whitesall (5/20/2009)
• Library Journal's 2009 Movers and Shakers
  

Visit the Chelsea District Library website

Congrats on a much deserved promotion, Bill!