It's That Time Again... Shadow Art Fair

The twice a year Shadow Art Fair is pretty much the hippest thing to happen in the Ann Arbor area. Sure, the A2 Film Fest probably comes in a close second, but for the biggest bang for your buck (or cents, as the case may be), Ypsi's ode to fringe art and DIY culture is a must-attend event.

And admission is 2 cents. Seriously. Tell me where you can find a better bargain.

More importantly, the art and culture is 100% homegrown. This is locavore culture at its purest.

So, what do you get for your two cents? Well, 40 local vendors hawking their artistic wares. These include stalwarts like Sappycards and VG Kids but offbeat eccentricpreneurs (I just made that word up) like artsy cakes, creepy pots, and tin foil hats for the conspiracy minded (and those that who love them). There's also artisanal soap, robot t-shirts, and yummy vegan food that might be bad for you (in a good way); provided by Scrumpdilly.

Oh, and they estimate 9000 gallons of beer will be drunk. Hmmm. That's 72,000 pints o' brew.

Good thing the event is held at Corner Brewery. Not only have they played host for each and every Shadow Art Fair, they've developed a beloved Shadow Brew for of-age attendees. This time out Corner is offering a pair o' Shadow Brews... the first is a stout brewed with dark chocolate, beets, açai, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. The second is a black IPA brewed with pomegranate molasses, agave nectar, tamarind, almonds and clementines. If you're interested in grabbing a draught the specially crafted brews are released at 6PM ...and are usually sold out by 6:45PM.

Both will probably send my allergies into a tailspin of torture so drink two to make up for my loss.

In conjunction with the Shadow Art Fair there will also be music and the theatrical debut of "A Puppet History of Ypsilanti" at the Dreamland Theater along with 10 bands and DJs playing every hour on the hour starting at 3PM. Best of all the Shadow Shuttle will bring you back and forth between the venues from 1-3PM and 9PM - 12Midnight. Free o' charge. How cool is that?

The whole kit and kaboodle (don't you just love that word?) runs til midnight. 

If you need to know more you can watch our seriously outdated YouTube video below. Or check out my brief Q&A wiith co-founder Mark Maynard in this week's Night & Day.