200+ Photos from the 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market

Debbie Maciolek is the Official Photographer for Detroit Festival of Books

The 5th annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) took place on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at Eastern Market Shed 5 in Detroit.

These photos are courtesy of Detroit photographer Debbie Maciolek and her company DEBOGRAPHY .

Debbie says:

“I had an absolute blast at Detroit Bookfest! Really enjoyed it, especially meeting the book dealers and authors and listening to all the great conversations. Thank you to all the people who interacted with me and helped me get great shots. It was a very diverse crowd of vendors and attendees and I loved seeing all the books, smiles, great food, records, hearing the funk music and I look forward to going next year!”

Debography Email

[email protected]

Debography Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/debographyphotography/

Debography Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DebographyPics/

Debography Twitter

https://twitter.com/debography

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Elyssa (Rautiola) Kayser & Terry Kayser @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Mia Odeh and Don Soenen @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Cierra Rautiola @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Mia Odeh @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Lauren Rautiola and Ed Clark @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

DJ Seven Whales and Ryan M. Place @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Dana Simpson @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

Dana Simpson @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography)

These photos shot on the Bookfest pocket cam by the Committee

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Paul Rambo, Lauren Rautiola, Corey Needham, Ed Clark @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Corey Needham & Paul Rambo @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Char’latte Coffee Company (Lex and Jazz) @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Clickondetroit Channel 4 Priya Mann @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Tony “T-Money” Green and Ryan M. Place @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Dale Climer, Joei Burton, Renee Shimanek @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Lauren Rautiola, Heidy Rautiola, and Cierra Rautiola @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Joe Bowman and Sarah Koitek and Cheyenne and Chris @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Gideon Shimanek @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Detroit Bookfest founder Ryan M. Place & influencer Cierra Rautiola @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Tony “T-Money” Green and Tom Pascoe (TNT Authentics) @ 5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

5th Annual Detroit Festival of Books @ Eastern Market Shed 5

Virtual Detroit Bookfest (July 15-17, 2022) click here to ENTER

In addition to our in-person event on Sunday, we are offering a separate Virtual Detroit Bookfest all weekend long!

This geographically boundless Virtual Bookfest is open to ANYONE ANYWHERE in the world.

This event is FREE to attend. We encourage you to visit the Virtual Bookfest and help support these amazing vendors.

ENTER HERE (click link below)

https://detroitbookfest.com/virtual/

Facebook event page

https://www.facebook.com/events/545087720298250

Detroit artist RACHEL QUINLAN does it again with ‘The Nest’ her exclusive painting to celebrate Detroit Bookfest

Rachel Quinlan – The Nest

Detroit artist Rachel Quinlan does it again!

Rachel is the Creative Director for the Detroit Festival of Books and she recently finished her amazing new piece, entitled ‘The Nest‘.

Rachel is an exceptionally talented artist and she will be selling artwork and posters and other goodies at Detroit Bookfest.

You can purchase limited exclusive prints of this artwork from Rachel at Bookfest!

Come buy some of her amazing creations!

Rachel Quinlan Homepage

https://www.rachelquinlan.com/

Buy prints, originals & pins here

https://www.rachelquinlan.com/shop/

Rachel Quinlan Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/rachelquinlanart/

Detroit artist RACHEL QUINLAN Creates Fantastic New Bookfest Logo!

Detroit’s own Arts & Scraps will be at Detroit Bookfest helping kids build their own books

*Big thank you to Bookfest Committee member Louie Meizlish for sourcing and arranging this!*

Arts & Scraps Detroit Scrapmobile (photo by Arts & Scraps)

Arts & Scraps has been an interactive institution on the Eastside for over thirty years.

Founded in 1989 by Peg Upmeyer, Arts & Scraps was originally started to help cash-strapped teachers obtain affordable, creative resources for their students.

Arts & Scraps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and recycling store which collects donated recycled goods and turns them into art.

They recycle over 28 tons (ie: 56,000 pounds) of industrial materials annually!

Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Their East English Village location includes a 5,000-square foot combination store, offices, classroom, and donation intake. Located across Harper Avenue is their 13,000-square foot warehouse where the Scrapmobile is parked and where their creative ‘sticky kits’ are assembled.

Open to the general public, the store features a delightfully whimsical interior, which fondly reminds me of rummaging for treasures at Neisner’s and Jupiter’s on Vernor Hwy many moons ago.

Arts & Scraps community store manager, Stevie Baka, was kind enough to chat with me about their operation.

Arts & Scraps Detroit community store manager, Stevie Baka (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Let’s hear from Stevie directly:

“Arts & Scraps is thrilled to be coming to Detroit Bookfest! Our 26-foot-long bus, the Scrapmobile, will be there. The inside is filled with recycled creative materials, kids can get a bag and make something completely unique. Building their own book, for example.”

“Arts & Scraps is a creative re-use that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education by reimagining teaching tools. Our programming is STEM, and the store is art-based.”

“Many businesses generate a ton of ‘waste’ which can easily be donated and used by someone else. You never know what somebody can use or re-use. We also encourage people to recycle what they can at home.”

“The store features things like fabric, yarn stock, rubber stamps, sewing materials, scrapbooking & collage-making materials, heritage crafts, old photos, postcards, magazines, bottles, paint, laces, etc.”

Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“Kids can make some amazing stuff! We encourage kids to focus on imagination, creativity, and open-ended experimentation. We’re experience-driven and encourage people to experiment with their innate creativity. We’re also a field trip program with a target age range of three to pre-teen.”

“If your company is looking for something unique to do, Arts & Scraps engages in corporate volunteering. Companies like Ford, Rocket, BCBS, Motown Mission, etc, have their employees volunteer here.”

“We often receive donations of the contents of entire houses when people’s relatives pass on. There is an energy transference when loved one’s pass away. People feel good knowing that their items are not going into the trash but being loved and re-used by the community.”

“In regard to book donations, we prefer anything kids, educational, old, weird, unusual, etc, because the books will be cup up and collaged, which we know is considered sacrilegious by many book collectors, but it’s still better than old books being pulped and completely destroyed.”

“When donating, we prefer that people please drop off their items to us. You can make an appointment to donate your items to us on our website or by phone.”

Thanks, Stevie!

St. Albertus Rectory (4231 St. Aubin @ Canfield, Detroit) photo by Google

Interesting historical sidenote about Stevie:

They live inside the old St. Albertus Rectory (4231 St. Aubin @ Canfield, Detroit). Open from 1891-1990, the rectory is now in the care of Stevie’s family.

“My family immigrated from Poland and lived near the Rectory in Poletown. My Grandpa went to school there, got married there and my brothers were able to move in and rehab it under the guidance of the Polish American Historical Site Association (PAHSA) who owns the property. We are always looking for volunteers there, as well.”

Arts & Scraps
16135 Harper Ave.
Detroit, MI 48244

Homepage
https://www.artsandscraps.org/

Contact
[email protected]

Donation form (donate your materials here)
https://www.artsandscraps.org/donate-1

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ArtsAndScrapsDetroit/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/artsandscraps/

Arts & Scraps Detroit donations

Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Detroit Bookfest Bash @ Bea’s Detroit (July 17, 2022)

Bea’s Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Detroit Bookfest Bash @ Bea’s Detroit

Sunday, July 17, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

No cover charge!

https://www.facebook.com/events/509949487355221/

In celebration of the annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka Detroit Bookfest), Bea’s Detroit will be hosting a Detroit Bookfest Bash inside their warehouse!

Located three blocks southeast of Shed 5, Bea’s Detroit is a lovely combination eatery and co-working space. This beautiful addition to the market is the brainchild of Beatrice Wolnerman and they now have a walk-up window.

Bea’s was recently voted the # 1 special occasion venue in Metro Detroit.

Be sure to try Bea’s signature lemonade (bottled lemonade or lemonade slushies) and some tasty scones.

Bea’s Detroit

1533 Winder Street

Detroit, MI 48207

Bookfest Bash

https://www.facebook.com/events/509949487355221/

Homepage

https://www.beasdetroit.com/

You can even buy this awesome duffel bag from Bea’s

https://beassqueeze.com/products/duffel-bag

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/beasdetroit/

Special thanks to Beatrice Wolnerman (owner) and Connar McLeod (events director)

Bea’s Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Bea’s Detroit warehouse (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Bea’s duffel bag (photo courtesy of Bea’s)

Meet DJ Seven Whales: the Official DJ of Detroit Bookfest

DJ Seven Whales Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

“I’m just tryna add sauce to the world.”-DJ Seven Whales

Detroit Bookfest wouldn’t be Detroit Bookfest without the power of music. It helps transform and enhance the event into something visceral and multi-dimensional.

We especially like the funk, the whole funk and almost nothing but the funk. Our deep love o’ great gobs of funk music was initially inspired by attending Frank Raines monthly Funk Night parties in Detroit where one discovers you can levitate without actually levitating.

For years, DJ Zig-Zag (Jason Ratcliffe) graciously spun for us since the beginning of Bookfest but life has taken him beyond the Motor City. We thank Zig-Zag for his support and will miss his vibes at Bookfest. After his departure, the first great DJ whose named popped into my cabeza was Seven Whales.

DJ Seven Whales Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

DJ Seven Whales, real name JR Jones, is a native Detroiter and an eminently creative individual. He is also Market Operations Analyst @ Eastern Market and has been a treasured member of the Detroit Bookfest Committee since our inception.

Born November 30, 1989 on Detroit’s Northwest side, JR graduated Mumford High School (off Wyoming and McNichols) and went on to graduate from Specs Howard School of Media Arts with a degree in graphic design.

But most of all, JR hails from a highly creative family.

The Creative Lineage of Seven Whales

DJ Seven Whales & DJ Sam Morykwas (photo by George Gregory Clothing)

“I’m into all types of music, rock, rap, whatever. I just love music.”

“Growing up, everybody in my family was listening to music all the time. My dad is a big jazz and funk fan. Two of his favorites are Grover Washington Jr. and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson. My mom loves soul, especially Erykah Badu and Sade.”

“My dad was born in Detroit and played piano when he was younger. My mom is from White Castle, Louisiana near Baton Rouge and was a painter. And me, being a kid growing up in the 90’s, I was influenced by their natural creativity and all the great music coming out at that time.”

Eastern Market: pull out a map and mark it

DJ Seven Whales Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

JR started working at Eastern Market Partnership in February 2014.

“Initially, I was working security. We call it CSS, which stands for Customer Support Service. Then I was promoted to Market Operations Analyst.”

“I love the Eastern Market community. Our neighborhood is a great mix of young to old, artists to nutritionists, it’s very diverse. I also just love the art community in Detroit in general.”

DJ Seven Whales Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

“I work at the Market with the infamous Lonni Thomas. She’s great, we have a lot of fun together. My favorite Lonni Thomas story is one time we were closing up after a Sunday Holiday Market. We were carrying stuff down to the basement and I fell slowly down the stairs and Lonni just watched me. She did help me up afterward though. It was one of those funny slow-motion can’t stop from falling falls with her just staring at me.” (laughs)

“I love Detroit Bookfest at Eastern Market. It brings out the diversity, everyone, buying amazing books and materials. It’s especially impressive during an age in history where everything is mad digital. It’s also far from what you think of when you think of a typical book event. Reminds me more like an all-inclusive community block party. It makes the concept of reading and collecting books fun, especially for younger people. It’s a one-of-a-kind event, honestly. I look forward to it every year. And now I’m excited to be DJ’ing it.”

“My favorite book is ‘The Tao of Wu’ (2009) by Wu Tang’s RZA. It’s a philosophy book about the many paths to enlightenment. RZA has a unique mind, the way he puts different concepts together is interesting.”

Tao of Wu-RZA

JR Jones becomes DJ Seven Whales

DJ Seven Whales (Photo by Doug @wndrlstmedia)

JR has been DJ’ing since March 2019.

“When I spin, I like to create a vibe. I spin with emotion and energy.”

“I’ve had a lifelong love of music and always wanted to DJ. My uncle took me to Guitar Center one day and showed me a DJ controller and I was hooked.”

“I gotta give a shout out to my man Sam. Sam Morykwas is the senior marketing manager here at Eastern Market and he’s also a great DJ. He taught me a lot about the craft and even gave me some equipment to help get me started.”

DJ Seven Whales Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

“Mainly, I’m a house party DJ, spinnin’ the dopeness, but I love DJ’ing all types of events.”

“Don’t have one particular style of music. I try to spin stuff the world would love to hear, whether they know it or not. I’m tryna hit y’all with things you don’t know. The idea is to put you onto good music.”

“My DJ name Seven Whales came from two sources. One is the book ‘The Legend of the Seven Whales of Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti’ (1988). It’s an African legend about a tohunga transforming seven whales into seven hills.”

The Legend of the Seven Whales of Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti

“Another influence was a song in which Sir Michael Rocks talks about saving the whales. We misheard it as seven whales. The song is called ‘What do you Do’.”

“My favorite DJ’s are Kaytranada, Joe K, Detroit’s own PBH (Problematic Black Hottie), and honestly my man Sam Morykwas. My goal is to learn, not copy, but learn from other DJ’s.”

The Fun Stuff

Island Jerk Ribs w/ Guava BBQ Sauce @ Coop Caribbean Fusion Detroit (photo by: Coop)

“Favorite eateries in Detroit? Man, how much time we got? Could be here a while, there’s so many. At this particular moment in time, my top three are:”

Coop Caribbean fusion inside Detroit Shipping Company (474 Peterboro St, Detroit) “this is my guilty pleasure place”

Bash Izakaya (5069 Trumbull, Detroit)

Fat Salmon Sushi (11411 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck)

“When I’m not DJ’ing or exploring the rich culinary scene in Metro Detroit, I’m usually exploring different ways to be creative.”

“Ink drawings, photography, watercolor painting, etc. I also like cruising the city on my bike. You can see me riding my Fuji Absolute around town.”