2024 ANNUAL REPORT
WELCOME
Thank you for an incredible season! In 2024, A2SF made its largest investment yet in Michigan-based artists, commemorated Ann Arbor’s bicentennial with stunning projected portraits displayed in the trees of Wheeler Park, and, with your support, fostered joy and connection throughout our community.
This year, we were thrilled to see Top of the Park audiences exceed pre-pandemic levels. To support our long-term growth and work toward restoring an additional week to Top of the Park, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) made strategic investments in equipment and operations. Donors supported these initiatives generously at all levels, from small gifts at Top of the Park to planned gifts through estate planning and the creation of our first named endowment fund.
We invite you to look back on some of this season’s highlights with us.
We’re eager to connect, hear your stories, and receive your feedback. In February, A2SF will hold a listening session to explore how we can better serve families, and we welcome your emails year-round. Thank you for your participation and continued investment in A2SF. Mark your calendars for June 13, 2025, when we return to Ingalls Mall!
MIKE MICHELON
Executive Director
DR. LYNETTE FINDLEY Chair, Board of Trustees
A BELOVED TRADITION
As an Intern for the 2024 season, I boosted my organizational skills and fell in love with communityfocused work. I started this internship hoping to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes in live events. As an acting major, I ended up gaining way more than I expected—discovering a real passion for community engagement. ”
Maya McEntyre, BFA Theatre Performance, School of Music, Theatre & Dance Class of 2025
A2SF 2024 intern cohort (L to R): Lily Roof, Maya McEntyre, Sydney Burnham, and Ozzie Feldman.
A2SF Board Chair Dr. Lynette Findley and Washtenaw Community College President Dr. Rose Bellanca
A2SF continues to be a shining example of collaboration between the University of Michigan and the broader Ann Arbor community, creating relevant experiences that are meaningful, exciting, and reflective of the times in which we live. These experiences support staff and faculty, bring families to campus, provide arts opportunities for students here in the summer, and enhance the appeal and livability of our city. A2SF also brings together diverse communities and represents multitudes of artistic expressions so all feel welcome and heard.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
VIRID, a U-M SMTD electronic music duo featuring Ancel Neely and Olivia Cirisan, performed on the O&W Grove Stage.
Executive Director Mike Michelon and A2SF Board Treasurer Eric Helber welcome President Santa Ono to Top of the Park.
BIG CROWDS, BIG CIRCUS
Opening weekend at Top of the Park kicked off with one of our biggest audiences for an outdoor show ever. Nearly 6,000 people attended Cirque Kikasse’s performance of SANTÉ! over three nights. Audiences enjoyed the high-flying trampoline antics of the company, and after the show, the performers served popcorn along with kombucha provided by Unity Vibrations. This thrilling event presented with the Ann Arbor District Library continued A2SF’s long tradition of delighting audiences with surprising spectacle.
Cirque Kikasse had the pleasure of presenting our show SANTÉ! at A2SF this year. We were amazed by the enthusiastic crowds and cherished the meaningful exchanges with audience members, volunteers, and staff.
We are grateful to the entire A2SF team for their unwavering support from day one—assisting with tour planning, navigating paperwork, welcoming us warmly, and connecting us with their network of peers. With their support, we were able to make this first U.S. tour happen with 40 shows across six states. Their great organization and hospitality made us feel right at home, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
William Poliquin-Simms, Co-Executive & Artistic Director, Cirque Kikasse
LIVING HISTORY
A2SF and the Ann Arbor District Library presented Monuments by Craig Walsh as part of AADL’s Ann Arbor 200, which is comprised of 200 digital content releases that explore topics from Ann Arbor’s history. The project is assembled by AADL staff and some commissioned from artists, filmmakers, and writers around the community. Others are created through partnerships with organizations throughout the city.
Honorees included Bonnie Billups, Jr., Executive Director of Peace Neighborhood Center, which helps young people and families overcome extraordinary challenges that stem from generational poverty and social and economic inequality; Joyce Hunter, an educator, administrator, and community advocate in Ann Arbor Public Schools, as well as being the co-founder, president, and CEO of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, dedicated to celebrating and preserving African American local history; and Martin Contreras and Keith Orr, LGBTQ+ community leaders and former owners of /aut/ Bar.
Additional support from the University of Michigan Arts Initiative, The Ladies Library Association, and The Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library.
The Ann Arbor District Library produced a documentary of Monuments, shot by Fred Culpepper, which can be viewed at aadl.org/craigwalshmonuments
LIVING HISTORY
COMMUNITY KEYS
During May and June, painted pianos by U-M students brought public spaces to life with impromptu performances throughout Ann Arbor. The opening day of Community Keys saw performances by Ann Arbor’s own Mr. B. The project culminated with a grand finale piano trio performance on June 21 at Top of the Park for a Make Music Day community concert.
The piano at the U-M Shapiro Undergraduate Library was situated in a place that encouraged participation, and many students visited to relieve stress. It presented an opportunity for anyone to express themselves through music and spread joy to the Diag.
Thank you so much for creating this community project. Right in line with Mental Health Awareness Month and end-of-term craziness,” a library employee shared, “this wonderful sound came from under my office window in the Shapiro Library.”
The Community Keys project was proposed by Ashley Gray, a sophomore in the School of Kinesiology, and supported through the University of Michigan Arts Initiative’s Projects in Partnership (PiP) funding program, which supports large-scale projects that activate the campus and local community. Additional support provided by Drs. Louise and Andrew Chang.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
REGGIE WATTS
A2SF welcomed Reggie Watts on November 3, 2023, for a free show at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in support of his memoir Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again. This co-presentation with the Ann Arbor District Library delighted audiences who lined up afterward for a book signing with Reggie supported by local bookstore Booksweet. Local looper and A2SF alumnus, Ki5, opened for Reggie, which made the evening all the more special.
Opening for Reggie Watts, who is a huge musical influence for me because of his looping and musical freedom, was transformative in that I could create and connect. I was able to proudly represent my community as well as myself and join the larger conversation of artists. Thank you, A2SF, for providing literal and metaphorical platforms for my artistic expression.”
Kyler Wilkins (Ki5)
GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV
with special guest Mon Rovîa
South African-born singer and songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov returned to Ann Arbor on June 17 for his second appearance under A2SF auspices. He delighted a nearly sold-out Hill Auditorium crowd drawing from his six full-length studio albums.
CREATING, MAKING, MOVING
Each year, A2SF partners with over 50 entities throughout Washtenaw County to provide performances, activities, and classes to hundreds of visitors to Top of the Park. KidZone, the Annex, and Retreat would not be possible without these partnerships. These series serve over 8,000 each year from our youngest fans to the community’s most seasoned seniors.
Regular partners fuel activities in KidZone and the Annex, and this year they included Booksweet, the U-M Seed Library, Therapaws, the U-M Juneteenth Planning Committee, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Black Men Read, Leslie Science and Nature Center and the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, AFC Ann Arbor, My Future Fund WISD, Apple Play Schools, Riverside Arts Center, the Detroit Observatory, Neutral Zone, UMMA, and Maker Works.
Riverside Arts Center teamed up with FestiFools Studio to bring a fun wearable sculpture activity to KidZone (L to R: Elizabeth Warren, Mark Tucker, Maggie Spencer)
Maker Works brought their “Great Maker Race” to the Annex, where families raced their creations while joyfully cheering along.
A2SF’s Retreat series hosted a multitude of classes from tango to yoga on the Power Center lawn.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
debut
A2SF’s highly anticipated season kickoff and annual fundraiser brought together 271 guests for an unforgettable evening filled with unique performances, scrumptious food, and celebratory beverages. This special event raised vital funds to support A2SF’s mission of enriching the community by investing in artists and events that enhance our quality of life.
REFLEX: UNRAVELING 4,000 YEARS OF JUGGLING
World-renowned “Professor of Juggling” Jay Gilligan shared entrancing tales about gravity and stunning juggling sequences featuring his unique inventions, props, and machines. Over 1,100 attendees enjoyed this singular performance and saw this ancient art from a new perspective on June 21 and 22 in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
BUILDING A LASTING LEGACY
This year, Wendy and Ted Lawrence made a transformative contribution by establishing the Wendy and Ted Lawrence Family Endowment Fund. Their generosity will support dozens of unique performances and delight audiences for years to come, embedding their legacy into the heart of A2SF’s mission.
In 1987, during their first summer in Ann Arbor, a concert at Top of the Park inspired the Lawrences to begin supporting A2SF. Ted had recently joined the University of Michigan Health System, and he and Wendy set out to plant deep roots in their new community. They raised their two children and continued supporting the causes they believe in, including the arts, recreational sports, and spiritual fellowship. Wendy joined the A2SF Board of Trustees and served for nine years, including two as Board Chair.
When we first attended A2SF, we loved seeing people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying music and the summer together. What a treasure it is for our community! We hope this fund ensures the financial future of A2SF and continues to bring joy to our community.”
Wendy and Ted Lawrence
FINANCIALS
A2SF continues to be an incredibly effective investment in quality of life, making our city more vibrant, liveable, and welcoming. A2SF’s work is made possible by the generosity of community members, local businesses, and foundations, the City of Ann Arbor, and the ongoing support and partnership from the University of Michigan. In FY24, Net Assets increased through significant endowment growth, and strategic investments in equipment and infrastructure for Top of the Park. Audiences have returned and are exceeding pre-pandemic levels. A2SF continues to build back towards a sustainable, 21-day season at Top of the Park and compelling ticketed events and special attractions. Revenues were $1,467,328 and expenses were $1,486,056. Audited financials are posted to A2SF.ORG after they’re finalized.
REVENUE
EXPENSES
63,500 ATTENDEES
5 WORKSHOPS
2,857 VOLUNTEER HOURS
200 VOLUNTEERS
703,635 WEBSITE VIEWS
28,662
EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS
8,256 X FOLLOWERS
81 FAMILY EVENTS
7 OUTDOOR MOVIES
15 RETREAT CLASSES
86 EMPLOYEES
138,004 WEBSITE USERS
25,670 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
6,398 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
DONORS
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SEASON DONORS!
LEGACY CIRCLE
A2SF’s Legacy Circle recognizes individuals whose planned gifts will help sustain A2SF programs in perpetuity and impact generations to come.
Bette and Alan Cotzin
Michael and Darla Dubin
Dr. Charles N. and Julie G. Ellis
Zita and Wayne Gillis
Thomas C. and Constance Kinnear
Wendy and Ted Lawrence
Betsy Yvonne Mark
Michael and Rachelle Michelon
Dana M. Muir and Tracy Grogan
Jane Hassinger & Marvin G. Parnes
Eric and Ines Storhok
Colleen Vance and Bill Price
March Walker
Amy and Robb Woulfe
We extend our overwhelming gratitude to the individuals, families, and foundations who have helped to sustain the mission of A2SF. This list reflects donors whose gifts were received between 2/1/2023 and 2/1/2024. Donor recognition at A2SF.ORG is provided for gifts of $50 or more during the A2SF season following the calendar year in which your gift was made.
LUMINARY $10,000+
Anonymous
Roger Pothus Estate
Michigan Arts and Culture Council
University of Michigan
University of Michigan Arts Initiative
VISIONARY $5,000 – $9,999
Cheryl Barget
Kathy and Toby Brzoznowski
Drs. Louise & Andrew Chang
Charles and Julie Ellis
Wendy and Ted Lawrence
Erin McKean and Steve Sullivan
The Serras Family
ADVOCATE $2,500 – $4,999
Anonymous
The Golden Family Fund
Lisa Granger
Martin Family Foundation
Bonnie Reece
Katie and Jeff Reece
Laurie and Tim Wadhams
LEADER $1,000 – $2,499
Debra Aidun
Dharma and Devon Akmon
Anne Cooper
Margaret Couzens Crandall
Martha Darling and Gilbert S. Omenn
Ann and Hal Davis
Cynthia and Andrzej Dlugosz
Jillian Downey and Elph Morgan
Sandy and David Eyl
Jackie and John Farah
Dr. Lynette Findley*
Shari and Dan Fisher
Marty Betts and Guillermo Flores
Maureen Foley and John Blankley
Judith and Paul Freedman
Elizabeth and William Frieze
Julie and Thomas Fritz
Megan Furman and Dr. William Thomas
Zita and Wayne Gillis
Maureen and David Ginsburg
Barb and Mitch Goodkin
Martha and Larry Gray
Bonnie and Larry Hagerty
Melissa and Jeff Hauptman
Steven Fisher and Holly Hein
Elizabeth and Rick Jarzembowski*
The Jensen Foundation
Lettie Kempf
Connie and Tom Kinnear
Lynn and Harry Kurtz
Deborah Ladenheim and David Barnes
Francine Lafontaine and Robert Picard
Jean A. Lawton and James H. Ellis
Kathy Legatski
Lynch Family Fund
Betsy Yvonne Mark W. Harry Marsden
Candice and Andrew Mitchell
Cindy and John Nixon
Gloria and Rick O’Neill
Lisa Patrell and Joseph Fazio Perry Pernicano
Anuja Rajendra and Vijay Sankaran
Veronica McCarthy Saint and Sanjay Saint
Judy Schlanderer
In honor of Charles Schlanderer
Annette and Peter Schork
Nancy and James Stanley
Ines and Eric Storhok
Kit Wanty Lambert and Adam Lambert
Karen Wood and Howard Cooper III
Karen Yamada and Gary Dolce
ENTHUSIAST $500 – $999
Anonymous
Sue and Larry Adler
Steve and Ann Arbaugh
Christie and Tom Barrett
Lois and David Baru
Tracy Boyle and David Rivers
Mary and Jim Cambruzzi
Jenny and James Carpenter
Peter Fayroian
Peter Treiber and Erica Fitzgerald
Foundation of Education for Liberty
Karen and Al Gallup
In memory of Stan Bidlack
Sandra Gregerman
In memory of Lenny Kafka
Lauren Benson Hamerink and John Hamerink
Jane Hassinger and Marvin G. Parnes
Deb and Eric Helber
The Hume Family
Laura Jackson and Mark Clague
Laura Kaufman and Andrew Czapp
Paul Kazanjian
Sally Kennedy
Shari Kennett and RT Paullin
The Klinich Family
Michele Leshan and Steve Rubenstein
Maggie Levenstein and David Arsen
Loren Levy and Steven Mandell
Carolyn and Paul Lichter
Becky and Josh Matz
Rachelle and Mike Michelon
Dana Muir and Tracy Grogan
Dr. Kristin and Paul Nickodemus
Betsy and Ken Nisbet
Fola Odetola
In memory of Theophilus Odetola
Katie Pelz-Davis
Sunny and Jay Sackett
Margaret Schankler and Steve Glauberman
Ingrid and Cliff Sheldon
Gail and Scott Weber
Jack Weidenbach
Dave Zarembka and Brad Burke
PATRON $250 – $499
Anonymous
Adam Agranoff and Meenu Baxendale
Theresa and Brad Angelini
Karen and Timothy Athan
Cordelia Bacher Sweetland
Joann Barrett
Linda and Ronald Benson
Candice and Matthew Briere
Nicole Brittis and Randall Sung
Anne and Deron Brod
Cecile Burbridge and Richard A. Bowerman
Alma Rosa and Karson Carpenter
Ilene Carter
Susanne and Paul Cartman
Elizabeth and Mac Cathies
Kathi and Rick Cohen
Amal and Gregory Dalack
Kevin Dangoor
Lynn Dòrio and Theresa Gratsch
Robbi Duda and Larry Junck
Jill and David Esau
Tina and Dan Ezekiel
Sara and Michael Frank
Joyce and Steve Gerber
Beth German and Martin Garber
Nancy and Steve Goldstein
Kathryn Goodson and John Hieftje
Heidi and Joseph Hart*
Paula and Will Hathaway
Jane and Dan Hayes
Carolynn and Jim Hayman
Kathryn Jacobi
In honor of Irene and Larry Jacobi
Kristen and Bradley Johnson
Lisa and Brian Kelley
Mabelle and Jim Kirk
Valerie Kivelson and Timothy Hofer
Laura and Jim Kosteva
Josie and Brian Kuehn
Anne and Harvey Leo
Betty and Dr. Len Lofstrom
Joan Lowenstein and Jonathan Trobe
Teresa McMahon
Thomas Meadows
Gayle and Michael Michelon
Tammie Nahra and Lee Hollander In honor of Madeline and Max
Deanne and Eli Neiburger
Jeffrey Ogden and Shifrah Nenner
Renee Nilan
Arthur S. Nusbaum
In memory of Barbara and Irving Nusbaum
Billie Ochberg and Sandro Cinti
Susan and Mark Orringer
Miriam Perry
Susan Pollay
Linda and Roger Rayle
In memory of Lenny Kafka
Jaime Reichlmayr
Cathy and Scott Reisfield
Emily and John Salvette
Kimm and Michael Sarosi
Rosalyn Sarver and Stephen Rosenblum
Maya Savarino
In memory of Stephanie Lord
Melisa Schuster and Tim Donahue
John Scudder and Regan Knapp
Roni and Max Shtein
Carissa and Taylor Smith
Katherine Spindler
Jeff Spindler
Anna Stefanopoulou and James Freudenberg
Suzanne Tainter and Kenneth Boyer
Margaret Talburtt and Jim Peggs
Mary and George Tewksbury
Jane and Paul Thielking
Jane and Nigel Thompson
Barbara and John Tucker
Carrie Urrutia and Tom Gibney
Colleen Vance and William Price
Deborah and Mike Weber
Jacki and David Weisman
Julie Wheaton
Daniela Wittman and Jonathan Cohn
Stella and Pete Wixom
SUPPORTER $100 – $249
Anonymous
Jim Abbott
Michelle and Vic Adamo
John Adams
Thomas Adams
The Carcassi Family
Becky and Rick Altschuler
Chad Anderson
Katie and David Andrea
Lori and David Antonetti
Becky and Dennis Arend
Mary and Nicholas Avrakotos
Christie and John U. Bacon
Lynn Baldwin and Tim McIntyre
John Balint
John Ballard
Laurie and Jeffrey Barnett
Sheri Belcher and Todd Tribble
Max Berenstein
Chris and Herb Black
Betsy and Steve Bloom
Tori Booker and Robert Langdon
Victoria Botek and William Edwards
Kathryn Bradbury
Candace and Eric Bramson
Deb and Jim Brucker
Jennifer and Don Bruey Bill Burgard
Susan and David Burke
Meg Burke
Nancy Burns
John Burnside
Stephanie Buttrey and Andy Overmire
Ilene Calfin and Michael Jorissen
Nancy Campbell
Nancy and Alex Cao
Christopher Carey
A. Craig Cattell
In memory of Albert J. Cattell
Janine and William Chey
Joanna Chulick
Shannon Clements
Shell and Don Cody
Rebecca Coleman
Amy and Ken Colton
Christine Comer
Joanna Connelly
Jack Conner
Susan and Arnold Coran
Judy and Joe Cox
Ann Crane
Karen Crawford and Bill Welch
William M. Crawforth
In memory of Beth Silver
Jackie Creager
Kevin Cross
Susan Cutler and Jeff Fessler
Norma and Peter Davis
Todd DeBruin
The Dechert Family
Shawn Delp
Annemarie and Paul Dolan
Karen and Stuart Downing
Patty Dubin
In Memory of Howard Dubin and Kathy Dubin Flynn
Christine Eccleston
Jay Ellis
Jessica and Kevin Erley
Ben Szymanski and Rachel Eyler
Stern Family Fund
Ruthellen and Rich Fein
Nancy Firestone and Marty Forchheimer
Penny and Ken Fischer
Mary Ellen Flaherty and Laurence Ho
Stephanie and Tim Freeth
Lucia and Doug Freeth
Robyn Frey and Lawrence King
Marcia and Leon Friedman
Osnat and Greg Gafni-Pappas
Mark Gasche
Christine Gilman
Joseph Golden
In Memory of Cindy Golden
Lee Gorman and Mark Ritz
Mary Sue Grant
Natalie and Lonnie Grantham
Mary and Jerry Gray
Elizabeth and Richard Greeley
Linda and Richard Greene
Linda and Mel Grieshaber
June and David Griffenhagen
Daniel Grossman and Daniel Rubens
Ann and Steve Guttman
Babette and Randy Ten Haken
Keith Harder
Jan and Dave Hartmann
Kathy and Douglas Heady
Katy and Woody Held
Gloria Helfand and Harvey Michaels
Paula Hencken and George Collins
Pam and Bill Henry
David Hensler
Debbie and Norman Herbert In Honor of Marvin Parnes
Bob A. Higgins
Barbara and Dan Hoffman
Thomas Hogarth
Jeri S. Hollister and Tom Bray
Jan Muhleman and Thomas Hollyer
Kay Holsinger and Douglas C. Wood
Meredith Holtz
Dancing Dr. Bob Hopkins
Catherine and Andrew Horning
Carol and Ken Hovey
Gordon White and Connie Huber
Steven Hull
Mike Hurwitch
Gregg Iddings
Brianna Jackson
Kerin A. Jones
Barb Kafka
Mary Kalmes and Larry Friedman
David Key
Edie Kieffer
Chelle Kilmury and Carl Abrego
Marie Knoerl and Andrew Morrill
Spencer Koch
Rosalie and Ron Koenig
Lisa Kohn
Elaine and Mark Kopka
Lois and Ken Kramer
Robert Krasny
George Kruszewski
Andrew Lammers
Mike LaVaque-Manty
Angela and Phillip Lenhardt
Shoshannah Lenski
Carol Lessure and Jon Engelbert
Nancy Lewis
Janet and Philip Lineer
Patrick Little
Katherine Liu
Anne Lyke and Mark Fitzgerald
Daniel MacKillop
Marcia Major and Bill Burnham
Alex Malloure
Nancy and Phillip Margolis
Fran and Irwin Martin
Terri and Greg Maxwell
Megan and Kyle Mazurek
Susan McClanahan and William Zimmerman
Jill McDonough and Greg Merriman
Timothy F. Richards and Constance S. McGuire*
Michael McIntyre
Mary McKinley
Todd McKinney
Madelyn and Dan McMurtrie
Patrick McSweeny
Miriam Meisler
Kathy and Bert Moberg
Natalie and Harry Mobley
Mary Morgan
Robert Mowry
Donna Mullins
Amy Nixon
Ryan Noel
Glenina and Michael Nolte
Kyle O’Connor
Bryant Osikowicz
Beverly Ostrowiecki and Raymond Siciak
Beth and Todd Pascoe
Joan Penner-Hahn
Kim Peoples
Martine Perreault and Tim Chupp and Family
Mary Ann and Robert Pierce
Margaret and Mark Pieroni
Susan Pollans and Alan Levy
Beth and Lou Quillen
Bill Quinlan
David Radtke
Diana Raimi and John Dryden
Margaret Randolph
Michael Reade
Robert Regan
Emily Reid
Tami Remington
Truly Render
Sally and Bruce Richardson
Ann Riddell
Chuck Ritsema
Lori Roddy
Ricardo Rodriguiz
Daniel Romanchik
Susan and Sam Romano
Anthony Rosenzweig
Andrew Ross
Suzy and Jim Royce
Mary Lou and Steve Rudner
Deb Rummel
Susan and Jay Sandweiss
Lucille and Jose Santiago
Norma and Dick Sarns
Lisa and Howard Saulles
Helga and Jochen Schacht
Suzanne Schluederberg and John Lesko, Jr.
Paul and Krista Schulte
Janet Shatusky
Jean and Thomas Shope
Sandy and Dick Simon
Rhonda and Donald Sizemore
Marie, Larry, and Elliot Skylar
Hannah Smith*
Donna and Stuart Snyder
Janet Starr
Heather Steenrod
Alena and Ray Stocking
Bobbie Stoermer
Thomas Stoll In Honor of Juli Pinsak
Margaret Sudekum
Sandy Talbott and Mark Lindley
Carly Tarr
Denise Thal and David Scobey
Madeline and Steve Thiry
Jerrold Thompson
Hitomi Tonomura
Linda Tubbs
Marianne Udow-Phillips and Bill Phillips
Vickie and Richard Van House
Garth Van’t Hul
Diane and Amiram Vinokur
Katherine and Martin Vloet
Cam Vozar
Shelia and Dave Waterhouse
Susan and Doug Weber
Lisa and James Weidenbach
Lois Weisman
Stefani and Steven Weiss
Kathy White
Barbara Wilson Foster
Mark Wine
Isabelle Winer
Noel and Chris Winkler
Victoria Wirtala
Charlotte Wolfe
Pam and Bill Wood
Kathy York and Scott Masten
Jennifer and Ronald Ziegler
FAN $50 – $99
Anonymous
Ruth Addis and Marj Schloff
Susan and Douglas Agnew
Sassa and Jan Akervall
Juleen Ambrose
Sharif Anani
Carolyn Autrey-Hunley
Karen Barron
Renee Baumunk
Lisa and Tim Bell
Jack Benson
Martha Birkhold
Lorrin Blair
Mara Bollard
Rod Marsh
Kathy Marx Lisa and Tom McKarns
Lee Mellinger
Sarah and Nick Miller
Sonal Hope Mithani and Jeffrey Morenoff
Jane Monto and Benjamin Taub Marie Moreland
Natalia Munoz
Marge and Glen Rutila
Karyn and David Sager
Terry Samuels
Anne Marie Sastry and Christian Lastoskie
Barbara and Daniel Schrauben
Alicia and Joe Schuster
Kimberly Scott and Oni Werth
Judy and John Seldin
Rena Seltzer and Pam Shore
Mary Margaret Serpento
Carol and Patrick Sherry
Sarai Brachman Shoup and David Shoup
Courtney Showalter
Barbara and Steven Shumer
Brad Silvester
Michael Singer
Megann and Will Smith
Tim Smith
Susan and Robert Soderstrom
Ted St. Antoine
Matthew Steward
Susan and Matt Stoney
Jennifer Stoyenoff
Erin Stratos
Marlena Studer
Dari Stuhl and Robert Werner
Joyce Sweeney
Denise Tanguay
Eileen Thacker
Renee Turissini
Esther Ullman and Morley Witus
Kristin and Willem Van Reesema
Jennifer Vega In Honor of Richard Dishman
Kim Waldo
Marty Walker and Mark Hauptschein
Mara Werner
Suzy Wienckowski and David Gordon
Jane and Brian Wilson
Bob and Barbara Wittersheim
Tanya and Will Wright
Andrew Yahkind
Marc Yesowitz
Marcia Yockey
Linda Yohn and William Labedzki
Lorna Young Hildebrandt
Wendy Zellers
Nora Zorich
* These donors have chosen to give on a recurring, monthly basis.
2024 SPONSORS
TITLE SPONSORS
LEAD SPONSORS
PREMIERE SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Allergy & Immunology
Associates of Ann Arbor
Arbor Financial
Cardamom
DTE Foundation
ECO PHYSICS
Goldfish Swim School
Hylant
Kapnick Insurance
Lume Cannabis Co
Martin Family Foundation
Underground Printing
Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
FOUNDING PARTNERS
LOCAL BUSINESS ALLIANCE
WHO WE ARE
MISSION
A2SF’s mission is to present arts and entertainment that enrich the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region.
VISION
We are an enduring local treasure, a hub of creative energy that expresses the best of our communities.
CORE VALUES
Excellence: We create relevant experiences that are meaningful, exciting, and inspiring, reflecting the times in which we live.
Engagement: We interact deeply with the diverse array of local communities.
Inclusion: We present a multitude of artistic expressions so that all feel welcome and heard.
We champion performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. In addition to a nearly four-week festival each June that attracts a diverse audience of over 90,000 people and offers over 200 concerts, art exhibitions, familyfriendly activities, spectacles, and film screenings, A2SF presents the best in live experiences throughout the year.
Through our internationally recognized, multidisciplinary arts festival, we help solidify Ann Arbor’s reputation as a major arts destination. We present one of the biggest outdoor festivals of our kind in the state and employ almost 400 Michigan artists. We provide more than a safe, fun, barrierfree, affordable, and entertaining way to spend a summer evening. Many families who have attended for generations also benefit from our youth programs and educational outreach, regarding the festival as a family tradition.
A2SF is a major year-round cultural leader in Washtenaw County. We are an economic engine in Southeastern Michigan, providing performance and employment opportunities to Michiganders, including many young adults whose first job or internship is with A2SF.
BOARD
Dr. Lynette Findley, Chair
Lauren Hamerink, Vice Chair
Dr. Charles Ellis, Immediate Past Chair
Rick Jarzembowski, Secretary
Eric Helber Treasurer
Dr. Louise Chang
Mark Clague
Greg Dill
Joe Fazio
Melissa Hauptman
Kit Wanty Lambert
Elph Morgan
Hon. Miriam Perry
Stella Wixom
Jon Kinsey Ex Officio
Christopher Taylor Ex Officio
STAFF & COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
Each season, over 200 enthusiastic volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to A2SF, serving as ushers, greeters, interns, and ambassadors. Their passion and commitment are the heart of A2SF.
A2SF, along with our entire community, is deeply grateful for these dedicated individuals and organizations. Their tireless efforts helped raise nearly $60,294 from individuals and families this year—critical funds that bring joy, inspiration, and the magic of live events to our community.
STAFF
Mike Michelon, Executive Director
James Carter, Associate Director
Heather Steenrod, Development Director
Natalie Robbins, Marketing & Communications Manager
COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
Vinal Desai Burbeck
Sandra Gregerman
Jenny Jones
VOLUNTEER TEAMS
Reinhart Realtors
Wendy Lawrence
Ken Nisbet
Rod Wallace
Kapnick Insurance
PARTNERS
Each year, A2SF collaborates with an incredible set of organizations and entities throughout Washtenaw County. We rely on these partnerships for some of our most important presentations and events.
The Ann Arbor District Library, whose support of Kids Rock, Cirque Kikasse, Make Music Day, and programming in the Annex helped elevate the 2024 season and reach diverse audiences. AADL was also our co-presenter on Monuments: Living History by Craig Walsh as part of its Ann Arbor 200 bicentennial celebration.
Collaboration and support from our producing partner, the University of Michigan Arts Initiative, led to two signature projects this year – Monuments and Community Keys. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, the Michigan Theater, and the Shapiro Library contributed to the latter project by hosting pianos at their locations.
We were proud to help mark the return of Marquee Arts’ Cinetopia Film Festival through our copresentations of Movies by Moonlight at Top of the Park and silent films from the Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with live accompaniment in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
We presented a range of genres from past and present fellows of Amplify Washtenaw, which awards fellowships to Black musicians in the county.
The University of Michigan Office of Campus Sustainability supported A2SF’s Festival Footprint Zero Waste Initiative by consulting with our operations team and food vendors, as well as providing composting bins and bags. The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations capped off A2ZERO week with activities again this year in KidZone and the Annex, and they provided A2H2O drinking fountains for all.
Live Here Now had phenomenal partners embedded in the communities that this series serves, and we enjoyed working with Community Action Network and Superior Township Parks and Recreation. Other partners in this series included Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper’s CLR Academy, Willow Run Acres, Washtenaw County Mobile Support Services, and Ypsilanti District Library.
We’re grateful to these and other partners throughout 2024.
Photography by Doug Coombe