By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The streets of downtown Niles will be transformed this weekend as the annual Arts in Motion kicks off Friday.
A block party will be held on Second Street and will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Niles' own Hm7 will be performing and some delicious food, like chicken and ribs, will be available. Tickets for the barbecue dinner may be purchased at Red Shoe Jewelry or from Lisa Croteau at the Niles Main Street Office. You will also be able to purchase them Friday at the event.
Area businesses will also be open and will be holding specials on Friday and Saturday night. Stein and Vine will be open and ready to serve up your favorite beverages, while Riverfront Cafe will offer drink and food specials, as well as 10 percent off in the gift shop.
The finest and most unique wood, glass, clay, ceramic, painting, metal, photography, fiber and fabrics, folk art and other creations by artisans from Niles and surrounding areas will be on display this weekend.
Artisans will be located at different downtown venues, where the public, free of charge, can go to see the works of the accepted artists, and be able to watch artisans at work. Watch potters, lamp work glass artists, stained glass artists, wood turners and others ply their craft.
The headline act will be the "Aerial Angels," a high-flying aerial act out of Kalamazoo. Part of the "New Circus/Cirque" tradition, the Aerial Angels will be performing feats of grace, beauty and strength on the aerial hoop and aerial silk, acrobatics, fire-eating and crack bullwhip target-taking performances. This show is free and open to the public. Shows will begin on Saturday at 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Also this weekend, the Fort Saint Joseph Museum and Western Michigan University will be hosting an Open House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
This event is open to the public and will showcase open excavations, an outdoor museum, a display of artifacts that have been found and a living history village.
This event will take place at the dig site of the old Fort St. Joseph.