The Cannes film festival has champagne and starlets. The Traverse City version has baby buggies and hot dogs.
The annual film festival that's in full swing this weekend at the Michigan cherry capital is a family-friendly event, even with this year's much-anticipated visit by Madonna.
The queen of pop is expected to introduce her documentary about Malawi orphans, "I Am Because We Are," Saturday night at the State Theatre in downtown Traverse City.
On Friday, the local vendors and pedestrians who packed a blocked-off area of Front Street, said they expect an even larger swarm of visitors today – because of the Material Girl's star power.
"I think she'll draw a tremendous amount of people," said Autumn McAllister, owner of House of Doggs, who was dishing up snacks at her booth. "I think people like what she's done with herself and the film. It's a whole different ballgame now for her, having a family. I have a whole new respect for her."
About a week ago, McAllister saw a huge yacht out in Grand Traverse Bay and heard buzz that it might be Madonna's boat.
Michelle Stevenson, 41, who works at Ella's vintage and retro-style clothing boutique, hopes Madonna will have time to stop by the store, since its classic 1940s fashions are right up her alley.
What would she say to Madonna if she bumped into her? "We talked about that," said Stevenson. "I think I'd probably try to be real and talk about her kids, and not be like 'Ahhhhh!""
The crowds milling about the popular festival founded by Michael Moore are mostly real movie lovers, not necessarily Hollywood movers and shakers.
People come to Traverse City to see a wide variety of dramas, comedies and documentaries and sample some of the most creative filmmaking happening these days. But on the street you'll see more moms with strollers than hipsters with tattoo sleeves.
"It's very much like an art fair," said Kevin Reid of Whitehall, who was checking out the Front Street scene with his daughter Sierra, 7, and son Connor, 4.
Reid said he wanted to spend Saturday at the festival, but he's not planning on trying to get a glimpse of Madonna.
"No, she's just another lady," Reid said. "Yeah, she's famous. But it's not going to change my life to see her."
Tickets to two screenings of Madonna's documentary, which she produced and wrote, sold out immediately when they went on sale in June. She'll be appearing live at the State Theatre and her remarks will be simulcast to an audience at the nearby City Opera House.
And there are other celebrities here too, of course, like Phil Donahue, whose documentary, "Body of War," screened Thursday, and who did a special "Phil Donahue Show, Live in Traverse City" panel discussion on Friday morning.
Saturday at 10 a.m., an all-star comedy panel is set to include Larry Charles (director of "Borat"), Stanley Donen (director of Hollywood classics like "Singin' In The Rain," "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"), and Elaine May ("The Birdcage"), the screenwriter and former comedy partner of director Mike Nichols.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/ENT07/80801064
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Where Madonna Does it Better
http://www.Madonnasworld.com
The annual film festival that's in full swing this weekend at the Michigan cherry capital is a family-friendly event, even with this year's much-anticipated visit by Madonna.
The queen of pop is expected to introduce her documentary about Malawi orphans, "I Am Because We Are," Saturday night at the State Theatre in downtown Traverse City.
On Friday, the local vendors and pedestrians who packed a blocked-off area of Front Street, said they expect an even larger swarm of visitors today – because of the Material Girl's star power.
"I think she'll draw a tremendous amount of people," said Autumn McAllister, owner of House of Doggs, who was dishing up snacks at her booth. "I think people like what she's done with herself and the film. It's a whole different ballgame now for her, having a family. I have a whole new respect for her."
About a week ago, McAllister saw a huge yacht out in Grand Traverse Bay and heard buzz that it might be Madonna's boat.
Michelle Stevenson, 41, who works at Ella's vintage and retro-style clothing boutique, hopes Madonna will have time to stop by the store, since its classic 1940s fashions are right up her alley.
What would she say to Madonna if she bumped into her? "We talked about that," said Stevenson. "I think I'd probably try to be real and talk about her kids, and not be like 'Ahhhhh!""
The crowds milling about the popular festival founded by Michael Moore are mostly real movie lovers, not necessarily Hollywood movers and shakers.
People come to Traverse City to see a wide variety of dramas, comedies and documentaries and sample some of the most creative filmmaking happening these days. But on the street you'll see more moms with strollers than hipsters with tattoo sleeves.
"It's very much like an art fair," said Kevin Reid of Whitehall, who was checking out the Front Street scene with his daughter Sierra, 7, and son Connor, 4.
Reid said he wanted to spend Saturday at the festival, but he's not planning on trying to get a glimpse of Madonna.
"No, she's just another lady," Reid said. "Yeah, she's famous. But it's not going to change my life to see her."
Tickets to two screenings of Madonna's documentary, which she produced and wrote, sold out immediately when they went on sale in June. She'll be appearing live at the State Theatre and her remarks will be simulcast to an audience at the nearby City Opera House.
And there are other celebrities here too, of course, like Phil Donahue, whose documentary, "Body of War," screened Thursday, and who did a special "Phil Donahue Show, Live in Traverse City" panel discussion on Friday morning.
Saturday at 10 a.m., an all-star comedy panel is set to include Larry Charles (director of "Borat"), Stanley Donen (director of Hollywood classics like "Singin' In The Rain," "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"), and Elaine May ("The Birdcage"), the screenwriter and former comedy partner of director Mike Nichols.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/ENT07/80801064
--
Where Madonna Does it Better
http://www.Madonnasworld.com
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