Arts & Entertainment

Around Town: More Arts & Beats (and Blondes)

The carnival, tents, and mega stages may be gone, but crowds still turned up to enjoy art and music on Thursday night in downtown Royal Oak.

On the heels of , people came to downtown Royal Oak last night to revel in culture - art, music, film and a stage play.

Selene and Endymion stop traffic

At , dozens of people stopped to watch and listen to music acts Michael Mars and Barbeque play on the sidewalk under Selene and Endymion by Nicolas Poussin – one of six works of art on display this summer, throughout the city, as part of

“We have been talking at our meetings about having music and performances in conjunction with the DIA paintings,” said Noir Leather owner Keith Howarth. “Royal Oak is proud to be displaying these pieces and Noir Leather is doing its part in helping draw attention to the paintings.”

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jane of All Trades packs the Main Art Theatre

Over at the Main Art Theatre, assistant locations manager Teena Constas, premiered  Jane of All Trades: The Rise and Fall of the Michigan Film Industry. The documentary explores how the recent cuts to are hitting especially close to home.

Constas, who moved back to Michigan in 2008, after the state introduced the film incentives, documented her return home. 

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's about my struggle regarding the film industry," she said. "The rug got pulled out from under us when the tax incentives got reduced."

In 2011, Gov. Rick Snyder announced a $25 million cap on the film tax credits program – well below the $163 million Michigan awarded in incentives in 2010, according to the Michigan Film Office.

"I just want to show how beneficial it is for this industry to stay here in Michigan," Constas said.

Blondes leading blondes at Baldwin Theatre

Food, cocktails, retail therapy, and a ‘Bend and Snap’ contest attracted approximately 270 women (many with golden tresses) to the final dress rehearsal of Legally Blonde - The Musical for Ladies Night.

Based on the hit movie, the musical comedy stars Kelly Robinson, of Royal Oak, as Elle Woods - the college sweetheart and homecoming queen who doesn't take no for an answer.

The show opens Friday and runs through the end of the month. Visit our event calendar for dates and show times.

If you were at any of these events and have photos, please upload them to the gallery by clicking on the "Upload Photos and Video" button.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here