A Summer of Fantasy, Folklore & Fairy Tales at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

If you are in Michigan anytime before September, you can visit the Fairy Tale Art exhibit I wrote about in January after seeing it Mobile, Alabama this past December. I spent a week or so sharing the art, too. The best part for me in the six months since have been the times my family has mentioned the imagery from the exhibit. My mother was talking about Kinuko Craft just last week.
The exhibit is currently at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House and is getting a lot of supporting programming at the museum, including a festival, workshops and music.

From the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan:

A Summer of Fantasy, Folklore & Fairy Tales

This summer, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House and MetroParent Magazine will celebrate the magical, multi-cultural world of fairy tales with Fairy Tale Art, an exhibit featuring 59 original illustrations from well-loved classic fairy tales as well as modern variations on traditional tales. The exhibit will run July 16-September 18.

On July 23, the Ford House grounds will transform into an enchanted Fairy Tale Festival as visitors young and old escape for a day of imagination and wonder. The magic of fairy tales will be brought to life through music, performance, theatre, activities, storytelling and more.

Building on the Michigan Library summer reading theme of “One World, Many Stories,” story tellers from around Michigan will share tales from different cultures as well as the favorite story of Rapunzel presented in a variety of ways from around the world. Story circles will provide a quiet place under a tree for little princes and princess to relax and enjoy some of their favorite tales being told.

Multiple stages will feature a variety of performances, such as Magical Tunes & Marvelous Tales by the Michigan Philharmonic and fractured fairy tales - a parody of traditional fairy tales rearranged with new meaning – will be enacted by Grosse Pointe Theatre. Magic Carpet Ride Theatre will take literature and engage the audience in an interactive dramatic production. Plus puppets, music, crafts and more.

But proving fairy tales aren't just for children, writing and illustration workshops for teens and adults will also be held in the summer.

Some of the other programming:

Fairy Tales For Adults

Not Just for Bedtime Anymore: Fairy Tales for the Wide Awake
August 2 / 7 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 / Click here to purchase tickets.
Wayne State University professor Dr. Donald Haase, a noted expert on the fairy tale, will consider fairy tales from an adult perspective. His talk, "Not Just for Bedtime Anymore: Fairy Tales for the Wide Awake," will explore the use and abuse of fairy tales and our continuing fascination with them in print, film, and other expressive forms.

Once Upon a Time: Writers' Discussion
August 9 / 7 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 / Click here to purchase tickets
Noted local author and National Book Award winner, Gloria Whelan will speak to aspiring authors and writers about the creative writing process. During this lively discussion, she'll share insights into her new Young Adult novel, "Small Acts of Amazing Courage" set in the India of the 1920s. Click here to purchase tickets

Capturing the Story through Art: Illustration Workshop
August 16 / 7 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 / Click here to purchase tickets.
Guests will become familiar with foundational illustration methods as well as the technical uses of various mediums, while offering insight on the process of illustrating children's books.

More Fun For Families

Twilight Fairy Desserts
August 9 / 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 per person / Click here to purchase tickets.
Enjoy an enchanted evening that begins with delightful desserts in the Costwold Cafe. Afterwards, you'll be greeted at the Play House by a fanciful fairy who will read a favorite tale. All children will receive a book to take home, courtesy of Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library. Recommended for ages 2-8.

Twilight Fairy Desserts
August 11 / 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 per person / Click here to purchase tickets.
Enjoy an enchanted evening that begins with delightful desserts in the Costwold Cafe. Afterwards, you'll be greeted at the Play House by a fanciful fairy who will read a favorite tale. All children will receive a book to take home, courtesy of Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library. Recommended for ages 2-8.

Fairy House Workshop
August 6 / 10 a.m.
Cost: $12.00 per child / Click here to purchase tickets.
Capture the magic of childhood during this wonder-filled workshop. Children and their adult companion will use natural materials to create their own interpretation of a fairy house. Completed houses will be placed in the Ford House grounds to attract any resident fairies. They will also hear a story and make a fairy terrarium to take home. Recommended for ages 5-8.

And the festival itself:

Escape for a day of imagination and wonder as the magic of fairy tales are brought to life through music, theatre, activities, storytelling and more on the enchanting Ford House grounds.

Main Stage Performances
The main stage brings fairy tales, stories and music from around the world.

Michigan Philharmonic performs Magical Tunes and Marvelous Tales
Presented by Sensors, Inc.
A delightful mix of traditional and new classics, including music from Beauty and the Beast and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Magic Carpet Ride Theatre
A theatrical experience in reading that brings the audience into the story!

Greg Lester's "Puppet Adventures"
Exquisite puppets bring the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to life as Jack finds himself on a journey through the clouds.

Marimbamania!- Music from Around the World
Get moving to the sounds of Marimbamania! with music from around the world.

Storytellers
Building on the One World Many Stories theme of the Michigan Library Association's summer reading program, well-loved storytellers will share tales from around the globe.

Loretta Vitek will tell the story of Rapunzel in a variety of ways as it has been told in different cultures.

Rosie Chapman will share unforgettable African folklore and tales and fables from around the world.

Mary Luevanos

Activities
Be part of the fantasy and escape into the magical world with hands-on activities, character visits and more.

Radio Disney's Imagination Station
Join Radio Disney for a "fantastical" make-and-take craft, temporary tattoos and a coloring station. Plus, enter to win the ultimate Disney Fairy Tale gift basket.

Alice's Wonderland
Pretend you're Alice as you play croquet with the Queen of Hearts and her Chessmen or try your hand at a life-size chess game in the garden. Then visit the Mad Hatter for some tasty treats.

Cinderella's Carriage
The stately footman will help all princes and princesses climb inside this enchanting carriage to wave to the subjects below.

Living Fairy Tale Animals
Visit the three little pigs outside their houses of straw, sticks and bricks. Or pet one of Mary's fluffy little lambs.

Mural of Stories
Leave your artistic mark by coloring a piece of a huge mural, featuring elements of children's books and fairy tales.

Character Encounters
Whether it's a swashbuckling pirate, little red riding hood or a fairy princess, characters from favorite fairy tales will be strolling throughout the festival eager to meet festival goers.

Story Circle
Gather round and relax on a blanket under a shady tree as local elementary school teachers, principals and librarians read their favorite fairy tale.

Musicians and More
Entertainment will be found throughout the enchanting grounds of Ford House including Fractured Fairy Tales performed by Grosse Pointe Theatre and Classic Children's Music performed by Russ Glenn.