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Approximately 27 bands played at last year's Mittenfest. Starting Thursday Mittenfest IV will kick-off four nights of music, featuring more than 40 bands at the Elbow Room in downtown Ypsilanti.
Four-day event benefiting 826 Michigan begins Thursday
Dec. 28, 2009 · 2:53 p.m.
When it began four years ago Mittenfest was billed as a one-night event featuring a little more than 10 bands in the lounge of the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti.
But the popularity of the fundraiser has grown tremendously in the years since its inception and starting Thursday Mittenfest IV will kick-off four nights of music, featuring more than 40 bands at the Elbow Room in downtown Ypsilanti.
The annual event benefits 826 Michigan, an Ann Arbor-based non-profit creative writing lab and tutoring center for students age 6 to 18.
Amy Sumerton, program director for 826 Michigan, said organizers were able to add an additional day thanks to The Detroit Red Wings, who are sponsoring the event this year.
“I'm especially excited about this year's Mittenfest because it's four days this time around, and every day is really solid”. Sumerton said. “My recommendations for ‘can’t miss bands’ would be: (Chris) Bathgate and Matt Jones on Thursday night; Lightning Love and Champions of Breakfast on Friday night; Black Jake, Drunken Barn Dance and Jim Roll on Saturday; and Frontier Ruckus and Fred Thomas on Sunday.”
Last year’s Mittenfest – a three-day event, which featured Fred Thomas, Creaky Boards, Great Lakes Myth Society and Chris Bathgate – brought in $4,500 for 826 Michigan. Sumerton said because there are only two paid staff members at the non-profit most of the funds raised go toward programming, rent and other costs associated with running the organization.
In addition to free after school tutoring sessions, 826 Michigan also has creative writing workshops, field trips and publishing opportunities for students. This year, they are sending volunteers to four schools in Ypsilanti: Chapelle Community School, Adams S.T.E.M. Academy, Erickson Elementary School and West Middle School.
According to Sumerton, Mittenfest is one of the bigger fundraisers for 826 every year as local businesses owners lend a helping hand to raise money.
Bee Meyhew, owner of Beezy’s Café, will open her doors from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for a Sunday brunch Jan 3 with 8.26 percent of all sales going to 826 Michigan. Sumerton also said VG Kids donated 50 t-shirts to sell at the event, Quite Scientific Records donated Champaign for a New Year’s Eve toast Thursday and Andy Garris, owner of The Elbow Room, typically donates the space so money generated at the door goes directly to 826.
Exclusive tickets to an open skate session at upcoming Red Wings games and Red Wings items designed by local artists will also be available at the Elbow Room all four days and organizers will raffle off autographed Red Wings gear and tickets.
Advance, discounted four-day wristbands for Mittenfest can be purchased at Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair for $25. Tickets for individual shows can be purchased the day of the event at The Elbow Room.
Approximately 20 wristbands have been sold already and organizers expect to sell out by the end of all four nights, so Sumerton said get to the Elbow Room early.
“It’s a big show for us, great for exposure, great for money, great for warm fuzzy happy feelings, it’s the ultimate fundraiser,” Sumerton said.
On the Web
For more information about Mittenfest IV including band lineups, please visit our Community Calendar
To learn more about 826 Michigan visit 826michigan.org
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