Greektown At Sundown To Open Street For Al Fresco Dining, Art, Entertainment And More

Greektown Preservation Society announces new summer event series with lively new amenities every weekend through Labor Day

DETROIT, MI – The Greektown Preservation Society is pleased to present Greektown at Sundown, a new weekend evening event series that closes a portion of Monroe Street and transforms it into a walkable plaza. Visitors will enjoy al fresco dining and lively entertainment activities including hands-on art, music, exhibits and more every weekend through Labor Day.

Greektown at Sundown is closing Monroe Street to vehicle traffic between Beaubien and St. Antoine Streets every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. through Sunday, September 6 as well as on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

“Greektown at Sundown will highlight all the great things Greektown has to offer, both new and historic,” said Athina Papas, co-owner of Santorini Estiatorio and treasurer of the Greektown Preservation Society. “People of all ages are invited to stroll down Monroe and explore the distinct collection of restaurants, nightclubs, bakeries, markets and shops that make up the street.”

Eight restaurants along Monroe Street now feature street side patio seating to offer visitors a new outdoor dining experience. Restaurants offering outdoor dining include: Santorini, Pappy’s Grill, Golden Fleece, Krema, Plaka, Astoria Bakery, Pizza Papalis and Red Smoke Barbeque.

Greektown at Sundown also features street performers, live music, interactive art installations, and head-turning window displays by IKEA, dPOP!, and Detroit’s Hellenic (Greek) Museum. In addition, award-winning photographer Eric Perry is hosting his exhibit “Forward” in a pop-up gallery at 567 Monroe St., featuring images from Detroit’s infamous “Slow Roll” bike ride. The pop-up gallery is open every Friday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the artist will be on-site taking portraits of visitors.

“Festivals and public events have played an important role in the history of Greektown,” said Tasso Teftsis, president of the Greektown Preservation Society and co-owner of Astoria, Red Smoke Barbeque and the newly- opened pastry and coffee shop, Krema. “The increased foot traffic from Greektown at Sundown will have a lasting positive impact on the entire downtown Detroit community.”

Greektown at Sundown is a collaborative effort led by the member businesses of the Greektown Preservation Society, Rock Ventures, Opportunity Detroit and Greektown Casino-Hotel. IKEA provided furniture and umbrellas for the restaurants’ outdoor patios and Shinola furnished bike racks. In addition, 1xRUN, an Eastern Market-based online art retailer founded by the team at Inner State Gallery, is curating and managing local artists and a wide array of art activations.

Weekend of July 31 through August 2 Entertainment Schedule

Friday, July 31: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Stencil Demo with Eno Laget
- Strolling Cirque performers (juggling, fire breathing, plate spinning and more)
- Violinist Grace Rodgers
- Acoustic Music set by Pato Margetic

Saturday, August 1: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Caricature Sketch Artist Takeover with artists Sydney G. James, Tylonn J. Sawyer, Christopher Batten, Michelle Tanguay (free sketches for the public)
- Strolling Cirque performers (juggling, fire breathing, plate spinning and more)
- Guitarist Justin Alexander
- Acoustic Music set by Pato Margetic

Sunday, August 2: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Strolling Cirque performers (juggling, fire breathing, plate spinning and more)
- Acoustic Music set by Omar Aragones

For more information about Greektown at Sundown please visit www.facebook.com/greektowndetroit.