The second annual Ann Arbor Art Center community festival and art extravaganza POP-X is set to open on September 22. This multifaceted, multi-disciplinary, multi-artist event will run for 10 days and 10 nights in 10 pavilions right downtown in Ann Arbor's Liberty Square Park.

Each pavilion features the unique vision of an artist or art collective, ranging from poetry to video to floral installation to caricature. There's even a mini-pub serving craft beers, and as if that weren't enough, the spaces outside the pavilions will feature art demonstrations, musical performances, social gatherings, panel discussions and participatory art making throughout the run of the festival, which ends October 1.

The goal of POP-X is to present work that actively engages the community, and this year’s POP-X artists have interpreted this in their own unique ways. Ann Arbor Women Artists, a 300 member non-profit artists' organization, has chosen to implement this vision in the broadest possible way, designing and executing a comprehensively inclusive art installation that cuts across barriers of age, gender, race and disability. Their art installation, Side-by-Side, is the result of many collaborative art-making sessions where professional artists were paired with non-professionals to create the painted faces that will fill the AAWA pavilion on September 22. Project partners range from the very young children of En Nuestra Lengua to the high schoolers of Girls Group, to seniors of the Silver Club and residents of Miller Manor, an apartment for the disabled, and others. Ann Arbor Art Center President and CEO Marie Klopf attended a session held at the Art Center, as did Omari Rush, their Director of Community Engagement. Three City Council Members, Sabra Briere, Chuck Warpehoski and Julie Grand also took time from their busy schedules to be part of the project.

"Our plan was to reach out to individuals in the Ann Arbor Community, despite on-the-surface differences, and to create an art installation which honors both our unique individuality and our shared humanity," –Elizabeth Wilson, Lidia Kaku, Mary Murphy (co-chairs).

Community arts projects are a strange, hybrid beast, part crafts project, part encounter group, part social club. The success or failure of any project of this kind depends on the planning and design of the installation and its constituent parts. The faces made by artists and their partners will be mounted on a framework on the interior walls of the pavilion, with mirrors incorporated to allow visitors to see themselves in the installation. A sound loop of music will be interwoven with short clips of conversations from pairs talking about the work they are doing and discovering more about each other in the process.

Barbara Melnik Carson, a core member of the working group, maintains that Side-by-Side has been the best example of cooperative art-making in her wide experience. "Everyone worked so well together–there were no egos getting in the way, which isn't always the case," she says. "Each member of the core group has different strengths, and they have all had an opportunity to contribute in their own way."

The members of the project Side-by-Side don't see the completion of this installation as a mission accomplished. They see it as a pilot project for an ongoing community engagement program which would organize citywide pop-up events with the purpose of building lines of communication throughout Ann Arbor.

"We plan to bring the whole world together one portrait at a time," says Barbara Melnik Carson.

K.A. Letts is an artist and art blogger. She has shown her work regionally and nationally and in 2015 won the Toledo Federation of Art Societies Purchase Award while participating in the TAAE95 Exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art. You can find more of her work at RustbeltArts.com.

The tents are going up, the buzz is in the air, and it’s easy to tell that a long-running local celebration is back for another year! This weekend the annual Ypsilanti Heritage Festival returns to Riverside Park with live music, entertainment, food, vendors, and countless other activities. This year marks the 38th annual celebration of this community festival, which started as the Ypsilanti Yesteryear Heritage Festival back in 1978 and has been honoring the city of Ypsi, its quirky culture, and its rich history every year since.

Highlights for this year include a community food tent, a magic show, a rubber ducky race, bounce houses, a touch-a-truck event, free access to many of Ypsi’s local historical buildings and museums, and a presentation by local historian Matt Seigfried on the incredible tale of local legend HP Jacobs. This year also features the triumphant return of Noise Permit, a musical event showcasing Ypsi’s talented teens in Frog Island Park.

The festival will once again sprawl between Riverside Park, Frog Island Park, and Depot Town. Entry to the festival and many of its events are free, but some events will require tickets or payment. If you’re the plan-ahead type, a full schedule of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival’s events can be found on their website.

The Parkridge Summer Festival and DIYpsi craft fair will both take place over the next couple of days as well, so there will be no shortage of noise, fun, and sights to see in Ypsi this weekend!

The Ypsilanti Heritage Festival will take place on August 26, 27, and 28, 2016. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit YHF's website.

As summer winds down and the nights grow shorter we find ourselves seeking out great outdoor events to attend to soak up as much summertime as we can. One such event to help send the month of August out with a bang is the DIYpsi Summer Festival, which takes place at ABC Microbrewery in Ypsilanti. This twice-a-year craft fair pulls out all the stops during its summer shows, as it continues to grow in size and amazingness each year. This not-to-be-missed show not only boosts the local economy and supports the arts, it combines so many elements to enjoy in one location, and this year they are going all out.

You’ll find over 80 top notch craft vendors from the Midwest selling superb handmade goods, as well as delicious foods on board, specialty craft brews, and a plethora of live music featuring local musicians that will be jamming out all weekend enhancing the already chill vibe. The organizers have some special treats in store this summer that include Theatre Bizarre working carnival games as well as a petting zoo at this indoor/outdoor extravaganza.

Between the crafts, food, beer, and a mini donkey, what more could you ask for in a summer weekend?!

Amanda Schott is a Library Technician at the Ann Arbor District Library and is a super mega ultra fan of craft fairs.

DIYpsi takes place at ABC Microbrewery (Corner) in Ypsilanti on Saturday, August 27 from 11 am- 8 pm (bands play until 11 pm) and Sunday, August 28 from 12 pm- 6 pm. Admission is a $1 suggested donation. The event is 21+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Every year, it gets bigger. Every year, it gets better. Every year, new people go and experience the life that is lived by the drinker of Michigan craft beer.

This event is the Michigan Brewers’ Guild Summer Beer Festival, held annually in Ypsilanti's Riverside Park. For 19 years, this festival has welcomed beer drinkers for a day of music, food, and some of the best craft beer that Michigan has to offer. This past weekend over 12,000 people were expected to spend a day in the park sampling beer—were you one of them?

If you were, then you hopefully stayed hydrated and coated in sunscreen as you enjoyed both familiar and new beers. If you weren’t, then you should think about going next year!

If you are new to craft beer or not sure you would find anything you like, then I offer the following examples of excellent beers that were at the festival. They are all from breweries within an hour of Ann Arbor. While this specific beer might not be available at the brewery, the list will hopefully provide ideas of types of beer to try between now and next summer! It is my hope that someone will try something new and be enthused enough to attend the festival next year. Here we go!

Salt Spring Brewery’s Kick Axe Kolsch - This light and refreshing beer is a great introduction to craft beer. For anyone who says that they don’t like beer or just taste “cold” when drinking a macrobrew, I would recommend a trip to Saline to try this lovely brew. There is a hint of hops and a touch of honey, but otherwise just smooth and creamy beer. While you’re there, try their Sister Ester’s Saison for an excellent introduction to what a farm ale should be.

Chelsea Alehouse’s Ginger Pale Ale - If you like ginger ale, then this would be a great beer to start with. It was light and bubbly, and not overwhelmed by the ginger. Do not go into this expecting Vernor’s, though! While you are there, try their Firefly Wheat beer.

Original Gravity’s Saison 979 - A saison is a fruity, zesty pale ale that would appeal to someone looking for a little bit of spice in her beer. This beer was perfect for the 105-degree heat index—refreshing, tangy, nicely carbonated. While you’re there, try their Primordial Porter. This is a perfect porter, and great for someone new to this roasty, toasty style of beer.

Liberty Street’s Clementine Lemon Thyme - This wonderful beer manages to provide drinkers with the taste of homemade lemonade without tasting like Lemon Pledge. The thyme is not overwhelming and provides a nice bit of balance. Great first beer for someone who enjoys summer ade drinks. While you’re there, try their Steamy Windows for a crisp, lightly fruity beer.

Sherwood Brewing Company’s Lawnmower IPA - Many articles have been written about India Pale Ales and their enduring popularity. Some people love these beers and some hate them, but everyone should at least try one. This beer serves as a great introduction to this style of beer. The hop profile is definitely present, but not overwhelming, in this low alcohol rye beer. While you’re there, try their Disco Lemonade and get the great taste of summer in a glass.

Block Brewery’s Wired (coffee porter) - The thought of coffee in beer might not sound appealing, but trust me—it is an excellent combination! If you like coffee, then consider this tasty porter. The overwhelming flavor is that of freshly roasted beans with some earthy undertones. While you’re there, try their Love Me IPA for another great introduction to the IPA style, with less alcohol.

Arbor Brewing Company’s Mauj (gose brewed with cucumber and lime) - A gose beer is generally known for its tartness and saltiness. This beer has those things, but so much more. This was my absolute favorite beer of the festival, and perfect for a hot day. It is what every mojito wants to be, what every summer drink wishes it could be. If you like summer cocktails, this one is for you! While you’re there, try their Bliss Wheat for another perfect summer beer.

The festival has something for everyone, and every year it gets bigger and better. Is next year your year?

Patti Smith is a special education teacher who lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and cats. She is the author of two books about Ann Arbor, the most recent of which is a history of the People’s Food Co-op. Visit her website or find @TeacherPatti on Twitter.