Waterfront Film Festival 2024

Rasta-rapper Shaggy to open Waterfront Film Festival
Special guest appearance from Judson “Fabio” Birza

Saugatuck, Michigan, May 17, 2011 – Shaggy, the Jamaican-born recording artist best known for his 1995 mega-hit single “Boombastic”, will be the headline performer June 9 during the Opening Night Celebration for Waterfront Film Festival, to be held June 9-12.

Shaggy followed his mid-’90s success with the 2001 Grammy-winning album “Hot Shot”, which included number-one singles “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel”. His current single “Sugar Cane” is climbing the charts and looks to be another smash hit. The artist, touring on his 2011 release “Shaggy & Friends”, is well known for his unique blend of reggae and rap and his dynamic performance style that is certain to get the annual festival started in a high-energy fashion.

Other musical performances will be provided by The Fainting Generals from Grand Rapids, Delilah DeWylde & the Lost Boys from Saugatuck and Garrett Borns from Grand Haven, with a special celebrity appearance by “Survivor: Nicaragua” winner Judson “Fabio” Birza.

The celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. at its new location on the water, Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park at the intersection of Culver and Griffith streets. Admission is $10, and all proceeds go to benefit the non-profit organization. The live music continues until sundown when the film projector starts up for an outdoor showing, on the 50-foot inflatable movie screen, of a collection of some of the year’s funniest comedic short films.

Food and drinks, including a wide selection of drafts from the beer garden, will be available for purchase.

In its 13th year, Waterfront Film Festival has been named by Screen Actors Guild magazine SAGIndie as one of the top 5 film festivals in the world, along side Sundance and Cannes. Waterfront Film Festival has premiered a long list of award-winning films in unique venues throughout Saugatuck’s friendly and walkable resort setting. Thousands of independent film lovers, including dozens of actors, directors, writers and producers make the annual pilgrimage to the lakeshore for the more than 70 feature films, documentaries and shorts that have been meticulously selected for screening.

For exclusive access to film and music throughout the weekend, the Patron Pass can be purchased for $500. It provides entry to Thursday’s Opening Night Celebration, select VIP mixers, the full lineup of seminars, and first entry for all films. Each Patron Pass also allows for a tax deduction of $200.

The FastPass is $300 and entitles the holder to first entry to all films and seminars, as well as admission to the Opening Night Celebration and exclusive entry to two VIP mixers. The Super Pass for $200 allows the holder priority entry to all films and seminars, as well as admission to the Opening Night Celebration.

Day passes, $70 for either Friday or Sunday, and $75 for Saturday also are available. Individual film tickets for $10 will go on sale in late May when the full lineup of films is announced.

Purchases of passes can be made at www.waterfrontfilm.org, and beginning Memorial Day weekend passes and tickets will be available at the new Waterfront Film Festival Summer Box Office in the Chemical Bank Building at 249 Mason Street in Saugatuck.

Chemical Bank’s donation of new box office space means the former location, at 347 Water Street, will be closed during the festival.

About Waterfront Film Festival Now in its thirteenth year, the Waterfront Film Festival celebrates independent film and filmmakers in a non-competitive environment. Located in Saugatuck, Mich., WFF is one of the leading destination film festivals in the Midwest, regularly hosting Midwest premieres of Academy Award-winning and -nominated documentaries. It has been recognized as one of the top five film festivals in the United States. For more information on the 2011 festival, which will be held June 9-12, visit www.waterfrontfilm.org.
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