By Evelyn Cairns
The Downriver Council for the Arts is completing plans for “Arts and Honors: A Night to Celebrate,” a program to be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Wyandotte Arts Center to recognize contributors to the Downriver culture and quality of life by supporting and promoting the arts.
Receiving awards will be honorees James Keith Coleman a Taylor, sculptor, Artist/Performer; Ken Wojciak, a teacher in the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park school system, Arts Educator; soprano Lara Semetko of Grosse Ile, Young Artist/Performer; the Oakwood Heathcare System, Patron; and The DCA/Wyandotte Arts Center Founders Society members, Downriver Council for the Arts Award.
There is no charge for the event, which will include refreshments and entertainment, but reservations are necessary. For reservations or additional information, call (734) 720-0671 or go to www.downriverarts.org. The Wyandotte Arts Center is at 81 Chestnut.
Chefs will duel at Arts, Beats, Eats
The highlight of the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats festival taking place Sept. 2 through 5 in Royal Oak will be “The Duel,” a cooking competition in which four chefs who survived an elimination contest in August will once again raise their knives and spoons.
The duel, the final two rounds of the contest, will take place Sept. 2 and 4.
The finalists are Chefs Marc Djozlija of the Wolfgang Puck restaurant at the MGM Grand, Brandon Wolschleger of Table 5, Chef Zach F. Stotz of Atlas Global Bistro, and Reva Constantine of Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market.
The contest is being sponsored by Holiday Markets and the Mirepoix Cooking School.
A huge variety of food from sushi to barbecued pulled pork and Italian favorites will be offered during the four days of the popular festival by nearly 70 restaurants, food stores and caterers, including Downriver’s Trenton Ice Cream and Kola’s Food Factory.
The event, celebrating its 14th year — the second year in downtown Royal Oak — is known for its juried fine arts show of works by artists through the United States and performances by a multitude of outstanding bands and other performers.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 2, 3 and 4, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 5.
Tickets are $3. For more information, go to www.artsbeatseats.com.
Chamber sets annual roast
New York Strip steak or barbecued chicken will be the entree choices Sept. 15 at the Southern Wayne Country Regional Chamber’s annual steak roast at the Woodhaven Recreation Center, 23101 Hall Road.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and the meal will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. Also on the menu will be baked potato, salad, corn on the cob, mushrooms, sautéed onions, rolls, dessert and beer, wine and pop.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door, for tickets or more information, call (734) 284-6000 or go to www.swcrc.com.
Places to go . . .
Through Sept. 5 — “Discovering the Civil War:’ displays, documents, a film of the Battle of Gettysburg veterans and more commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War; at the Henry Ford Museum; admission is $15, adults; $14, seniors; and $11, youths; children 4 and younger are free; for more in-formation, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.
Sept. 10 — Dinner concert by Rajko, a Hungarian Gypsy orchestra from Budapest; 6 p.m. at the Rhapsody restaurant; 14315 Northline, Southgate; for reservations or more information, call (734) 283-9622.
Sept. 10, 11 — Old Car Festival at Greenfield village featuring vehicles from the 1890s though 1932; tours, games of skill by drivers and Model T assembly in minutes; free with village admission of $15, adults; $14, seniors; $11, youths; children 4 and younger are free; for more information, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.