U-Matic

French Festival 4-28-89
Festival Grand Opening

U-Matic tape containing footage of the 1989 April In Paris French ethnic festival in Hart Plaza on April 28th. The tape features the speakers and performers at the opening ceremony, other musical acts, food, exhibits in the cultural gallery, and attendees.

The tape begins with a simple title card which reads, "French Festival Opening, April 28, 1989." The event's opening ceremony follows. The tape begins with Rosemary Bannon of the International Institute concluding her remarks. Afterward two colonial French re-enactors fire their muskets into the air. The event's master of ceremonies then introduces Mayor Coleman A. Young's representative. She greets the crowd in French and presents a resolution from the mayor to Bannon. Next, City Council president Erma Henderson greets the crowd on behalf of the council. She is followed by City Council member Clyde Cleveland, who addresses the crowd briefly but entirely in French. The master of ceremonies then recognizes several other people gathered on stage including representatives from the Detroit Police Department.

Next, the Burton International School choir, under the direction of music teacher Patricia Vaughn, sings for the crowd from in front of the stage. They perform several songs including "Alouette," "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and "Frère Jacques." They are followed by a troupe of dancers who perform a can-can routine in costume.

Then on the state, singer Sheri Nichols and pianist Richard Berent perform. During their set, the camera also gets shots of the crowd.

The camera then moves to the underground food court area. A woman with a puppet is filmed talking to the workers at one counter, and an off-camera voice explains that the puppet only speaks French. Other counters, a menu from "La Patisseries," and the decorations at the Henry Yee Chinese Cuisine counter are also shown.

The next section of the tape contains a series of shots in the Ethnic Gallery. Dolls, display panels, medieval jeweled Bible covers, and a candelabrum are among the things on exhibit.

The camera then returns to the amphitheater area where another woman sings, accompanied by an accordion player. A group of teenagers and a man dance along to the museum. The "Welcome to April in Paris" banner is also featured in this scene.

The recording ends after several very brief shots including a flyer promoting a French exchange student program, and a group of people eating near the food court.

The recording is on a 3M UCA-60 U-Matic tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.