Community Corner
Arts du Jour: Gala of Food and Fun
Partygoers get a sneak peak of Arts, Eats & Beats fare for charity.
No one left hungry at the 10th annual Arts du Jour Charity Preview at the . More than 50 food vendors were on hand with samples of their fare while local bands performed on two separate stages.
Several hundred people paid $75 for the honor of sampling food that included sweets, pork, wings, oysters, pizza, soups and just about anything you could imagine your taste buds enjoying.
Mayor Jim Ellison was on hand at the event to meet and greet guests. He sampled a few tidbits while waiting for his wife, Jodie, to arrive.
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"It's exciting, and we've had a great turnout already," the mayor said at around 7 p.m. "I've had a pretzel with cheese and some salmon over at Hamlin's Corner. I'm standing by the door waiting for Jodie to get here so I can continue my grazing."
One familiar face absent from the event was Oakland County Executive .
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"I've been getting updates through his people. I don't think we'll be expecting to see him for the weekend of Arts, Eats & Beats but you never know with Brooks. If he wants to go someplace, he's going to do it."
Jim Domanski, of was serving up pasta with five cheeses, onion and Panko bread crumbs at his booth by the door.
"We served probably 250 people in the first hour. It's always a great event. It's our third year in it," Domanski said. "We planned tonight for over 800 people."
David Murray from TheHungryDudes.com was on hand sampling homemade butterscotch at the table.
"Sometimes you don't have to eat it. You can just look at it and know its a winner," Murray said.
The charity preview was presented by and Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. The money raised will help support nine different charities. Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners, Arthritis Foundation, South Oakland Shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, The Rainbow Connection, Rose Hill Center, Michigan Pet Fund Alliance and Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan will all split 75 percent of the proceeds.
The annual Arts, Eats & Beats festival will take place over Labor Day weekend in downtown Royal Oak.
