Summer in the City

It may be hot in the D, but that hasn’t stopped SITC. We’re out in full force, armed with paintbrushes, shovels and—of course—jugs of ice water. Sun or shade, there’s always work to be done!

Ford Lasalle Park is a place where you are a king if you can dribble through your legs and artistic prowess is represented in the most elaborately decorated paper plate. Here on LaBelle Road the kids of the neighborhood gather every Wednesday to hang out with the volunteers of Summer in the City. This Wednesday was no exception. Brice, an eleven year old, dressed in a coordinating orange outfit was beyond thrilled when he found out he had not one, not two but three buddies who were more than willing to engage in a game of full-court basketball. Tawshawna and Britanny were also excited, as their eyes drank up the tons of art supplies brought by Summer in the City. Mid-morning the group took a break to go gardening in a community garden. Watching Brice’s face that went from excitement to curiosity to disgust as he tried his first piece of cilantro was pretty hilarious. The group then filled up on tomatoes and beans, before hitting the park again for lunch. Tawshawna, self-proclaimed “queen” of the park, then schooled us all in jump rope…(“ice cream, ice cream cherry on top, how many boyfriends do ya got?”)…with a whopping 89 boyfriends. The day ended on a high note when a man passing by proclaimed, “This is the best game of basketball I’ve seen in this park in a while. — Katlin

(Rouge Park, 2010)

Finale Friday last year was one of the most epic experiences in SITC history. We painted one of our biggest murals of all time, had a wonderfully crazy SITC Olympics, and hosted a massive barbecue with plenty of special guests from all over town. I highly doubt that I’m the only one who walked away from that day totally ready to do it all again next summer.

And now, there’s only 24 HOURS UNTIL SITC 2011! Can you feel the excitement?

(Checker Bar and Grill, Downtown, 2011)

This is the kind of epicness that you can expect from SITC 2011. First downtown mural, and it couldn’t have turned out better!

2 DAYS TO SITC 2011!

Beautiful day in the D! Some of the crew is painting a Spirit of Detroit mural at Checkers Bar and Grill downtown. Not to boast, but this may be one of our best yet!

(Holmes, 2010)

This Detroit skyline was all freehanded by some Jcrew and superstar volunteers. That, ladies and gentlemen, is art.

3 DAYS TO SITC 2011

(Gratiot, I believe, 2007)

Kickin’ it old school! That would be me, Emi, at 15, sticking bottle caps into cement for some decoration way back in my second summer of SITC. Even now that I’m onto my sixth, I’m still just as pumped as I was back then.

4 DAYS TO SITC 2011

(Clark Park, 2010)

This photograph is so very awesome because it captures the fun times at Clark Park! Running, dancing, and playing in Clark Park is always a fun afternoon activity for campers, volunteers, and crew, alike. — Abby

5 DAYS TO STIC 2011!

Technically not a project photo, but the orange van symbolizes SITC as much as anything else. I remember riding around with Ben in this van back in the summer of 2006, and this van has been in my life since. Our van fleet has now swelled to six, but this orange van still holds a special place in the SITC heart.

6* DAYS TO SITC 2011!

*Yes, this is the second day of 6 days to SITC 2011. As anyone who knows me could tell you, math is not my specialty, and I miscounted somewhere. Whoops. Don’t let my inability to count backwards from 30 thwart your excitement, though!

(Belle Isle, 2010)

Skills. Seriously. I wish I could do that. - Jillian

6 DAYS TO SITC 2011

(I’m so excited that I might be able to swing a super-cool breakdance one-handed-hand-stand. Maybe not. But I might try. - Ed.)