top ten this week’s

Listen to the Music of the Night

Whoops, did we get the haunting words of the Phantom stuck in your head? Abandon your defenses and let your soul take you where you long to be: Great Lakes Center for the Arts (GLCFA) for a musical celebration of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. The EGOT GOAT—that’s Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony meets Greatest Of All Time—had his 75th birthday this spring, and GLCFA is putting on a show in honor of the milestone that includes your favorite songs from Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, and more. The Broadway musical revue runs July 14 and 15, with doors at 7:30pm and the show at 8pm. Tickets start at $57 on the main level. Get all the details and purchase tickets by heading to greatlakescfa.org/events. (You alone can make these songs take flight!)

Don Your Lederhosen!

Gaylord’s annual Alpenfest is back in action July 11-15! (We’re especially looking forward to getting our groove on at the 22K Magic – Bruno Mars/Taylor Swift Tribute on Wednesday, July 12, from 8-10pm at the Main Stage.) Don’t miss the Burning of the Böögg, pet parade, Alpenfest Run, the Grand Parade, and so much more, including contests for best Alpenfest attire, stilt walking, and brat eating. Visit gaylordalpenfest.com for a complete schedule of events.

Hey, Watch It! Secret Invasion 4

Nick Fury is back on Earth…and just in time to deal with the latest threat to humankind. This time around, Marvel’s top spy is facing off against a sect of shapeshifting aliens called Skrulls who want to take the planet for their own. But when the enemy can look like everyone—even you—how can you trust anyone?

Fury’s allies doubt he’s up for the challenge of saving the world again, but Samuel L. Jackson brings his trademark dry humor, charisma, and general badassery to the show, promising us Fury can talk (or shoot) his way out of any tough spot. A few more stars join the Marvel cast in this miniseries, including Emilia Clarke as G’iah, a conflicted Skrull; Olivia Colman as MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth; and Kingsley Ben-Adir as rebel Skrull leader Gravik. Ben Mendelsohn returns as Talos, G’iah’s father and Fury’s friend, and Don Cheadle is back as James Rhodes, aka War Machine. New episodes stream Wednesdays on Disney+.

2 Tastemaker

Fried Food Truck’s Roasted Beef Sandwich

Good food is the name of the game at Fried Food Truck in Lake Leelanau. While there’s nothing short of delicious on their almost entirely un-fried menu, the star of the show is their Roasted Beef Sandwich ($15). It starts with a tender, Detroit-style hoagie layered with shaved ribeye and melted sharp cheddar (which chefs “boost” with tomato, garlic, and red pepper). From there, they up the flavor ante with a healthy schmear of dijonnaise—ingredients: mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, horseradish, lemon zest, and confit garlic—and a savory onionmushroom relish. Scarf one down as is, or make it gluten free by topping a plate of home fries with all the beefy fixin’s. Find Fried Food Truck slinging their signature goodies at 45 North Winery (8580 E. Horn Rd, Lake Leelanau) from 11am-6pm Thursday to Sunday, and stay tuned for a monthly wine-pairing dinner, featuring chef Adam Raupp! Learn more at friedfoodtruck.com.

6 Mustang Stampede Across Mackinac Bridge

Which car made its debut at the New York World’s Fair in 1964? And has gone on to sell more than 10 million units? And win Motor Trend Car of the Year twice? If you guessed the Ford Mustang, you guessed right. This weekend, Mackinaw City celebrates this iconic vehicle with the 10th annual Ford Mustang Car Show on Saturday, July 15. Mustangs from 1964 to 2021 will be on display from 10am-4pm, followed by a parade of cars across the Mackinac Bridge at 4:30pm. Food and beverages will be on-site at the Straits State Harbor (409 S. Huron Street in Mackinaw City) plus fun and games for the whole family. The event is free to attend, and registration for the parade will be offered until full capacity is met on Friday from 2pm7pm and Saturday from 8am-2pm. To learn more or get more details on registration, visit mackinawcity.com or call (231) 436-5664.

A Wild July

Things are about to get wild…July has once again been proclaimed “Michigan Wildlife Conservation Month” by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. This year coincides with 10 years of work by the Michigan Wildlife Council (MWC), which works to “educat[e] the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and its role in preserving Michigan’s great outdoor heritage for future generations.” For 2023, the MWC shared its Top 10 list of wildlife management success stories. On the list: the Kirtland’s warbler, which was nearly extinct 50 years ago and now is estimated to have more than 2,000 nesting pairs; and moose, which have grown to number around 500 in the Upper Peninsula after decades of work to restore the population. Also in their Top 10 are pheasant, osprey, lake sturgeon, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, elk, muskellunge, and wood duck, many of which were threatened from loss of habitat or over-fishing and hunting. Get the scoop on these success stories and more at HereForMiOutdoors.org.

Stuff We Love: Riding for Refugees

Doug Hoff and Jordan Poznick aren’t your average cyclists. In 2021, they biked from St. Louis, Missouri, to Leelanau County…just for fun. In 2022, they were at it again, biking 560 miles that summer around the coast of Michigan. But the second time around, they dedicated the ride to help refugees and victims of the war in Ukraine, using the hashtag #rideforrefugees to raise funds on Instagram. “We’ve always enjoyed biking and sharing adventures,” Hoff says. “In 2022, we wanted our trip around much of the perimeter of Michigan to be for a reason bigger than ourselves, so we decided to try to raise awareness and money for Ukraine.” This July, they set off on their third adventure, a 700-mile trip from Gary, Indiana, through Chicago, Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula, and then ending again in Leelanau County. Once more, they’re hoping to shine awareness on the ongoing war and raise money to help folks in need in Ukraine. Follow along at #rideforrefugees.

bottoms up Brys Estates’ Frosé

The dog days of summer aren’t just the time of year when dogs (and humans) are panting from the heat. The name for these warm weeks in July and early August actually come from the Greeks and the Romans, who noticed the star Sirius—aka “big dog” in Latin—rises with the sun. So when the sun and Siris are at their highest, leave Fido in the air conditioned house and make your way to Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery on Old Mission Peninsula to cool off with their famous Frosé ($10). This icy pink beauty is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Riesling and brightened up with strawberry and lemon juice for the perfect summer drink. Add a wine “topper” for $2-$3, or enjoy as is on their deck overlooking the green vineyards. Find a glass at 3309 Blue Water Road in Traverse City. (231) 223-9303, brysestate.com