Have a taste of CityFest
You can shop, swivel and (yes!) nibble

A vendor awaits customers at 2005's TasteFest. The event is now called CityFest.

Though the Fourth of July has passed and the downtown fireworks extravaganza has flickered out, we metro Detroiters know how to make the most of great weather. That means summer celebrations in southeast Michigan will last as long as it's still fun to venture outside without a down jacket.

In the case of Comerica CityFest, there are still four days to party.

The Midtown getdown that brings together the grub, the bands and the boutiques is open for 11 hours today through Saturday and another 8 1/2 hours on Sunday, giving you plenty of time to check things out.

In honor of the four days left, here are four things to experience at CityFest while you're wandering around and taking in the music:

Chow Time. The name may have changed from TasteFest to CityFest, but the festival will not neglect your hunger pangs. When it comes to food, there's Indian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern and more. There's a special Cold Stone Creamery Dessert District with seven booths selling sweets. And if you just want a coney dog, you'll find those, too.

Restaurants will offer three different portion sizes: taste, sampler and meal. Restaurants and beverage booths accept tickets only, which cost $7 for 11. Food prices range from two to 14 tickets.

Buy Time. Hit up CityFest's 2nd Ave. Street Market for beads and yarn and clothing, everything from West African to Detroit-centric. And if you're feeling a little drained from walking the grounds, you can get a massage. Boutiques include City Knits, the Bureau of Urban Living, My Sistah's Place, Pure Detroit, Massamba's Creations, Vaidehi Design and A Perfect Touch Massage.

Play Time. An entire area of free activities just for kids will be open from noon to 6 p.m. every day in the parking lot of the Fisher Building. Kids can make crafts, get tattoos, do science experiments, pet farm animals and race miniature cars.

The festival will also feature the Year-Round Hoops Basement Experts Truck Tour, where you can test your basketball shooting skills, and a rock-climbing wall ($3 per person). If you'd rather watch than play, you can catch a team from Modern Skate & Surf and the Detroit Derby Girls jamming at various times during CityFest.

Hoop Time. Saturday is World Hoop Day Detroit, so get your hips swiveling! In Detroit, there will be a community hoop jam, hoop giveaways and a Hula-Hoop performance by native metro Detroiter Revolva (a.k.a. Kari Jones).

Adults can share a limited number of Hula-Hoops, but Revolva suggests bringing your own if you have one. The fun runs 3-4:30 p.m. at the Park Stage. For more info, check out www.worldhoopdaydetroit.com.

Contact ERIN CHAN at 313-222-6696 or echan@freepress.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Comerica CityFest
11:30 a.m.-10: 30 p.m. Thu.-Sat
11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.
West Grand Boulevard between Woodward and the Lodge in Midtown Detroit
Free
313-927-2700
www.comericacityfest.com

Yo La Tengo, Cheap Trick in music lineup

More than 100 musical performers are lined up to play four stages at this year's Comerica CityFest. Free Press pop music critic Brian McCollum highlights some of the standouts.

The Silent Years: "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird" was one of last year's best local releases, an album of ethereal, exquisite dream-rock. 5 p.m., Pure Detroit Stage

Cheap Trick: Ageless power pop from the enduring Illinois band. 6 p.m., Motor City Casino Stage


Detroit Soul and Blues Revue: Brand-name legends such as Alberta Adams and Johnnie Bassett assemble for this fest-closing set of real-deal Detroit music. 6 p.m., MetroPCS Stage