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Arts & Entertainment

Viewfinder: Chalk & Chocolate Tour Prep Begins

Artists began transforming the sidewalks of downtown Royal Oak into a landscape of chalk art Thursday.

See the streets of Royal Oak like never before, literally, this weekend. Aritsts are already beignning to lay down their creations for the which begins Saturday after an opening night gala Friday night.

Artists were busy at work in downtown Royal Oak on Thursday in preparation for the Chalk & Chocolate Tour. The tour will bring 20 professional artists and more than 80 student artists to Royal Oak to transform the sidewalks of downtown into a giant canvas.

The event kicks off tonight when Royal Oak retailers and restaurants come together for the benefit of the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools Arts Curriculum Fund at the Chalk & Chocolate Charity Gala. The celebration will take place from 7-10 p.m. at .  The gala will feature food from favorite Royal Oak restaurants and music by the Brother's Groove. There will also be chocolate creations from

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David Zinn, one of the tour's featured artists, was busy at work on Thursday. 

“I’m very happy to be a part of the event, especially the way that it’s incorporating featured artists and amateur artists," Zinn said. "We're doing stuff all over town. There are people who have never done chalk art involved and people like myself who have done a lot of chalk art, so there’s a lot of sharing going on."

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

Tickets for tonight's Chalk & Chocolate Charity Gala are $40, however guests may purchase tickets at a 50 percent discount through Groupon.

For more information visit www.chalkandchocolate.com.

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