A Plastic Bag Full of Plastic
Recently I searched for a volunteer position but was reluctant to commit to a schedule after having newly retired. Instead, I decided that on my longer daily dog walk I would take a ubiquitous plastic shopping bag and pick up trash along the way.
Each day’s route is a little different and I gather a bag almost every day! While there is some paper trash, there is a lot more plastic. It definitely makes me feel good to be helping and I highly recommend this to others. Another walker commented “You’re nice to do that.” I remarked that “Well, it is my neighborhood.” A better answer would have been, “Well, it is our planet.”
Lisa Marie Yontz | Traverse City
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Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com
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The biggest Elk Rapids bash returns July 30-Aug. 2 for its 70th year. Opening ceremonies take place on Wednesday, paired with the village’s Evening on River Street. Thursday’s headliner events include an Art and Craft Show, the Car Show by the Bay, and an ice cream eating contest. Friday, join the Community Paddle with Paddle Antrim in the morning before taking the kids to a foam party or signing up for the cornhole tournament. A pet show and the Fireman’s Waterball Contest round out the day. Saturday is the final day, with the Harborun races, the Grande Parade, paddlebuoy and paddleboard races, and the boat lighting contest at dusk. Fireworks are held at 10pm. And then be sure to turn out Sunday morning to help tear down and clean up. (You can even work alongside the BeBot robot at Dam Beach!) See the full schedule at elkrapidsharbordays.org.
2 tastemaker Hilbert’s Hot Honey
Hot honey appears to be having some kind of renaissance these days, popping up on fried chicken, pizza, and even salads. Hilbert’s Honey Co. in Traverse City is in on the action with a Michiganmade version made for drizzling ($20). They start with a special honey blend before adding crushed red chiles to give this sweet treat some kick. Per the label, the spice level is only “medium heat,” so it should make the perfect accompaniment to your next cookout. (Or, as they recommend, on your morning oatmeal!) You can order online at hilbertshoneyco.com or stop into their 5 Mile location in Traverse City (3555 5 Mile, open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm). Other local carriers include Oleson’s, Tom’s, Oryana, Peninsula Market, The Cheese Lady, Bayside Market, Fresh Coast Market, Hansen Foods, and more.
TC’s biggest summer street party returns! The Downtown Street Sale and Friday Night Live are joining forces Friday, Aug. 1. The Street Sale runs from 8am-9pm, with FNL transforming Front St. into a block party with live music by The Timebombs and Fresh Coast Groove DJ set, food and beverage vendors, street performances such as the Clark Lewis Juggle Show + Twisted Style Freerunning, activities including yoga and line dancing with Little Dippers ’90s country, and more from 6-9pm. downtowntc.com/annualevent-calendar
When teenage runaway Louisa accidentally crosses paths with a famous artist, the last thing she expects him to do is to give her one of his priceless paintings, especially not the day after his death or through his friend, Ted. Now inextricably bound to each other, Louisa and Ted embark on a journey that began more than 20 summers before, with four friends who turn to each other for hope and refuge from the horrors at home. What endings might Louisa uncover with the truth of the painting now within reach— and more importantly, what will she do with it? Bestselling author Fredrik Backman is at it again in his newest novel, My Friends. Told in alternating voices and worlds, this heartrending story is about friendship, grief, and how choosing to love each other, even when everything seems hopeless, is what makes life worth living. (Fans of films like Stand By Me or Now and Then, you’ll eat this one up!)
Traverse City Dance Project is all about using the power of professional dance to “unite, empower, and inspire communities.” This week, they’re out for their summer tour around northern Michigan, with four free events in the region. Tuesday, July 29, catch them at The Garden Theater in Frankfort from 7-8:30pm. Thursday, they’ll be at the Odmark Performance Pavilion in Charlevoix from 7:30-9pm. Saturday, head to Railroad Square Pavilion in Kalkaska from 4-5:30pm. The tour concludes Sunday at the Open Space in Traverse City from 7:309pm. If you’re feeling particularly enchanted, you can catch another performance on Aug. 5 at their Gala in the Gardens fundraiser at Historic Barns Park in TC. TCDP has set a fundraising goal of $25,000 by October, in part to help offset the loss of all of their National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding due to federal cuts. See all the details at tcdanceproject.org.
If you’ve visited a public beach lately, you may have seen signage posted about the water quality index (WQI), especially if you’ve gone to Sunset Park in TC, where a large colony of geese and a storm drain have been—literally—muddying the waters. Many area beaches are tested weekly to check for contaminants like E. coli, which make it unsafe for folks to swim. In Traverse City, the Grand Traverse County Health Department works in conjunction with The Watershed Center to test 11 park beaches. If the WQI is listed as Level 1, it is safe to swim. If it’s a level 2, only partial body contact (like wading, fishing, or boating) is advised. Level 3, which has often been Sunset Park’s rating, means you should avoid any body contact. And the rare level 4 dictates a health alert. If you’re curious about the WQI at your favorite public beach, visit your county’s health department website.
A vacant building at 314 E Eighth Street in Traverse City has gotten a new lease on life. Earlier this month, nonprofit Up North Pride moved into their first headquarters, which serves as an office, meeting space, and community center. The location is temporary, as the building, formerly a Copy Central outpost, is eventually planned to become housing as part of a project with the Traverse City Housing Commission. In the meantime, the space has gotten a glow-up—including cleaning, painting, carpeting, landscaping, and more from volunteers and donors—and will offer “a number of meetings and programs, including monthly art night, game night, a teen group meetup, and a special line dancing event,” per a press release from UNP. Learn more and view upcoming events at upnorthpride.com.
Midday slump sufferers, rejoice! We’ve found the sweet spot between a cup of coffee and an energy drink (but with none of the artificial stuff): the vibrantly green Mojito Mojo at Hill Top Coffee & Ice Cream in Benzonia. Inspired by the classic cocktail’s mint and lime, with a fruity twist, this natural caffeine boost blends White Lotus concentrate—that’s a plantderived energy supplement powered by ingredients like green tea and adaptogens—with sour apple and kiwi syrups, ice, and club soda for the perfect sweet-meets-tart sip. Ordered as is, this seasonal bevvy drinks like a fizzy Jolly Rancher, but you can amp it up even further with add-ins like cold foam, cream, or boba pearls. Pair one with a scratch-made donut or sugar cookie and consider yourself fully recharged! Find your mojo ($5.99/20oz) at Hill Top Coffee & Ice Cream in Benzonia (7117 South St.). hilltopsodashoppe.com
spectator By steven Tuttle
The Big Beautiful Bill is big and it is a bill, but there is little in it or about it that is beautiful. Those of us who are not corporations or billionaires won’t find much in the legislation that will do anything but make our lives more challenging.
Let’s see…it takes school lunches out of the mouths of low income kids; strips away Medicaid coverage for most caretakers and creates a red tape nightmare for everyone applying; removes any references to climate change from government websites; ends tax breaks and grants for nearly all renewable energy projects; increases fossil fuel mining/ drilling/burning; tries to sell part of national forests and opens them to mining and lumbering; created an immigration policy that threatens our ability to harvest much of our food supply; and much, much more
halfway through the flood season. It’s no minor thing, since NWS tells us floods are the leading cause of storm-related deaths, averaging about 127 fatalities annually. (The death toll this year is already well past that number with fatalities in Texas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Mexico.)
In fact, flooding is the leading cause of death in hurricanes, not wind damage, and, according to Nature Medicine, the death toll from floods has increased 25 percent in just the last 25 years.
Flooding is an unusually expensive natural disaster, too, requiring weeks and months of all manner of mitigation and rebuilding. According to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, direct damage from flooding—buildings and homes destroyed
There are going to be more storms and they will be more severe. Some places will experience drought and some will have almost non-stop torrential rains.
by way of personnel cuts without regard to critical and essential departmental needs. (It’s why, early on, the folks who guarantee the safety of our nuclear weapons programs were all laid off, at least before someone realized that might not be such a good idea.)
And all of it is to find savings that will not go to reducing the annual deficit or the national debt, both of which will increase. No, this is just so corporate America and rich Americans can have their tax cuts made bigger and permanent.
Perhaps the most dangerous of the slash and burn budget cuts will directly impact the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), home to the National Weather Service. These are the folks who pay attention to and keep us informed about our weather. They issue advisories, watches, and warnings that help save lives. And it’s not as if we have a shortage of severe weather events.
In 2024 alone, extreme weather events that did more than $1 billion in damage killed 568 Americans and racked up total damages of $187 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (which may cease to exist shortly). There is every indication that those numbers will be worse this year, as supposed 1,000-year floods seem to be happening somewhere not once a millennium but every week.
In addition to the nightmare in Texas, we’ve had destructive and/or deadly flash floods this year in New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois, and it’s currently raining heavily in Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
NWS has already issued a record-breaking 3,358 flash flood warnings this year, 250 more than 1998’s old record, and we’re barely
or damaged and infrastructure destroyed or damaged—cost $179.8 billion in 2024 but swelled to $496 billion when including lost commerce and wages and transportation and public health costs.
The science is overwhelming to the point of near unanimity that this is not some natural cycle or climate phase. This is the humancaused climate change about which we’ve been warned for decades and have mostly ignored nearly as long.
There are going to be more storms and they will be more severe. Some places will experience drought and some will have almost non-stop torrential rains. More floods, more tidal surges, more tornadoes, more wildfires, more dangerous life-threatening weather events are already happening all around us and will continue and worsen. The warming oceans don’t just cause sea level rises, they also increase evaporation, which saturates the atmosphere and creates an endless cycle of more and more and more precipitation.
So, how does our government react to all of this? First they deny climate change exists and they put deniers into positions of authority. Then they hack away at the very agencies designed to alert and protect us from the bad weather already here and that which is still coming.
The budget at NOAA is being cut 27 percent, including 40 percent of NWS forecasting stations and 600 staffers. They will eliminate completely the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. They will decommission weather satellites. They will eliminate any reference to climate change from their websites and social media.
If they close their eyes and pretend it isn’t there, they seem to think it will just go away. It will not.
by Shanny Brooke
Traverse City and the surrounding region have become a destination for all things food, wine, and breweries. And deservedly so—we enjoy a plethora of dining options which offer locally raised and grown foods, award-winning chefs, and top-notch wines, all of which can be savored with a stunning view of our gorgeous freshwater coastline.
This is a win for both travelers and locals alike, but is also a lopsided view of all we have to offer. From the standpoint of a local, one would be hard pressed to find this same level of support and enthusiasm for art and culture in our region. A visit to any of the
along with a great mix of other things. It creates a warm feeling to see public art and murals front and center and speaks volumes about the city’s commitment to the arts.
Here in TC, Art on the TART project is the primary place to view public art. While the woodland trail setting is lovely, it also seems like art is being relegated to the trail instead of being in addition to having artwork sprinkled throughout downtown. Afterall, not everyone visits the TART.
What if the TC approval process for new building constructions required developers
What could support for art in our community look like?
TC Tourism pages and you will find the “Top 5 things to do” which unsurprisingly list: places to eat, climb the dunes, visit the wineries, breweries, and beaches.
What could support for art in our community look like? What if TC had a person devoted to bringing awareness to all of the different art-related happenings on a weekly or monthly basis? Places with thriving art communities know the importance that art brings. It creates a well-rounded and more inclusive community, which is something we need now more than ever.
For instance, the impressive Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Summit brought almost 300 people to TC to participate in artfilled experiences meant to connect artists and creative people in meaningful ways. The attendees frequented our downtown businesses and made a longer stay out of the event, leading to further dollars staying in our community. This was a huge undertaking with the planning/preparation on par with that of our highly publicized restaurant week, but it seemed to go by with little notice from the outside world.
Going forward, imagine how much more successful the arts scene could be with a little help. How about touting with pride our two large nonprofit art institutions? The Dennos Museum under the leadership of Craig Hadley is bringing more compelling exhibits than ever before and focusing on community based programming. Many people are not even aware that we have this cultural and educational resource right in our backyard. And Crooked Tree Arts Center is highly active and hosts a yearly Plein Air painting competition boasting top artists from all over the United States.
These are things which all can use the support of the DDA, TC Tourism, and the community because they make Traverse City a better place to both live and visit.
When I travel to other communities, the ones I like the best have an art-centric character
to devote 1 or 2 percent of their budget to installing a piece of public art to each project? This would be a great way to spearhead this project and offsets the cost. As it becomes harder to access grants through the National Endowment for the Arts, what if local art supporting philanthropists sponsored various public art installations?
I want to bring some attention to a new(ish) art hub: Alluvions Arts, located at 414 East 8th street inside Commongrounds. The moment you approach Commongrounds, you know you are in an inclusive and artistic space where art lives and breathes. Murals adorn the outside by Jamie John celebrating their Indigenous ancestry, along with work by well known mural artist Em Randall.
Under the creative leadership of Jessica Kooiman Parker, world-class programming is being brought to TC. She does a beautiful job of harnessing the freedom to display art which is offered by the multi-levels found inside Commgrounds. The meandering space creates curiosity in visitors as they explore. A wide breadth of curation— including solo exhibits from local artists, to conceptual and collaborative projects including artists near and far—can be found.
Next up at The Alluvion is the “Intercontinental Biennial of Indigenous Art & Culture,” running July 24 through Aug. 31. This traveling collection features over 40 artists and focuses on the concept of Indigenous history and identity. As part of the programming, two workshops will be offered, including a gold leaf application intensive. What a privilege it is to have this brought to our community and an opportunity for artists.
In this current world where uncertainty looms, promoting art and the good it can do for us as a society should be at the forefront for communities. Artists are always going to create—it is what we do—so let it be seen. A visit to The Alluvion is a great place to start.
Shanny Brooke is an artist and the owner of Higher Art Gallery located in downtown TC.
Former Texan Derek Huffman, along with his wife, DeAnna, and three children, moved to Russia earlier this year looking for "traditional values," the Kyiv Post reported on July 15. Derek was hoping for a job with the Russian military as a welder, but with no prior military experience and after just a few weeks of training, he's being sent to the front lines in Russia's war with Ukraine. The Huffmans don't speak or understand Russian, either. "I don't want anyone here in Russia to say that we don't belong here, so if I go put my body on the line for Russia ... I've earned our place here," Derek said on the family's YouTube channel. "Now we are just believing in God that everything is going to work out as it is supposed to," DeAnna added. She also said Derek had to "donate" 10,000 rubles for his supplies and that he hasn't received any pay or bonuses
sparked an investigation by Spain's Ministry of Social Rights and condemnation from the Association of People With Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE). But on July 14, Catalan radio station RAC1 aired an interview with one of the people from the party, who downplayed the controversy. "We are only asking they let us work," they said. "We are normal people, self-employed and do everything legally. ... In the show that we offer, we go to the place and dance with the people, we deliver shots and drinks ... we do magic tricks. ... I've never experienced a lack of respect ... while working so far. With all this criticism what (the ADEE is) doing is screwing with our jobs."
Carlos Abundez, 35, of San Ysidro, California, couldn't really explain to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent on June 25 how 14 keel-billed toucans got into the dashboard of his Volkswagen Passat, The New York Times reported. Customs and Border Protection officers were alerted to the strange cargo when one of their dogs picked up a scent; the threatened birds appeared to be sedated, and some of them were injured. Abundez said he had left his temporary home in Tijuana, Mexico, to get McDonald's in the U.S. He claimed his car had been parked and locked in his driveway overnight. On July 7, he was charged with smuggling and illegal importation and was
A 21-year-old man suffered non-lifethreatening injuries on July 6 when he tried to direct a shark back into the sea in Nantucket, Massachusetts. According to the Nantucket Current, the man had been fishing and caught the sandbar shark, which he and others were trying to pull by its tail back into deeper waters. But when he released the animal, it turned and bit him on the leg before swimming away. Beachgoers watched and recorded video as the incident unfolded. A friend took the injured man to the hospital, and he was later transported by helicopter to a mainland hospital.
The Weirdo-American Community Big Country News reported on July 15 that the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a rogue booty-slapper in and around south Boise. The perp, who rides an electric dirt bike, typically approaches women and slaps or grabs their buttocks as he rides by. He's described as a white male wearing dark clothing, a ski mask and gloves.
Soccer player Lamine Yamal, forward for Barcelona, hosted a party to celebrate his 18th birthday on July 13 at a rented country house in Olivella, Spain, The Athletic reported. Media gathered outside caught glimpses not only of celebrity guests, but also of a group of people with dwarfism who were seen entering the house, which
On July 12, Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers were responding to a call when an assault rifle and 150 rounds of ammunition apparently fell out of their car's trunk, KTLA-TV reported. Officers searched and retraced the car's route but were unable to locate the weapon and ammo. But on July 14, a resident of Lennox, California, returned the items to the South Los Angeles Station after having found them the same evening. "Their actions are a powerful reminder of the vital role our residents play in helping keep our neighborhoods safe," said Capt. Nicole Palomino.
Restoration workers at the 1,000-yearold Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary are busy removing 100,000 books from the abbey's library in an effort to save them from beetles, the Associated Press reported. The drugstore or bread beetle feasts on the gelatin and starch-based adhesives found in books. "This is an advanced infestation," said Zsofia Edit Hajdu, chief restorer on the project. "We've never encountered such a degree of infection before."
Workers digging a 2-inch-wide, 750-foot-deep hole in a parking lot at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science hit a "hole in one from the moon," said James Hagadorn, the curator of geology. The Associated Press reported on July 10 that the bore was intended to help them study geothermal heating potential for the museum, but what the core revealed was a dinosaur bone fossil -- probably from an ornithopod, which lived in the Cretaceous period. "I would love to dig a 763-foot hole in the parking lot to excavate that dinosaur, the rest of it," said Hagadorn. "But I don't think that's going to fly because we really need parking."
Client Services in Japan provides many conveniences, Oddity Central reported on July 15, but one of the most popular is "OK Grandma." Through this service, people can "rent" a woman between the ages of 60 and 94 for 3,300 yen per hour. Some of the grannies cook for their clients, while others babysit or employ their beautiful handwriting skills. "I want to break up with my boyfriend," said one client, "but I can't tell him clearly, so I want my grandmother to come with me." Another client hired a grandmother to fill out their family's side of a wedding.
By Todd VanSickle
A little over 10 years ago, Julie Stoppel was shopping in Petoskey’s Gaslight District when a friend pointed out a building that she thought would make a good location for an art gallery—something Stoppel had always dreamed of owning and operating.
“What I wanted to do was create a gallery that anyone felt comfortable walking into,” Stoppel says. “I remember being a teenager and walking into a gallery in San Francisco and feeling like I didn’t belong, that I couldn’t come in there. Every person who walks in our door is greeted with, ‘Welcome to Somebody’s Gallery!’”
Ten years later Stoppel’s vision has come to full fruition. Somebody’s Gallery has evolved from a single row of paintings when it first opened to a warm and welcoming space packed with bright, colorful artwork from 60 artists, including 12 painters. The artwork on display includes sculptures, paintings, and pottery that range from $175 to $8,000.
The gallery’s name was inspired by her daughter, Petra, who used to point out random galleries to her mother and say, “There’s somebody’s gallery.”
Today, Stoppel and her husband, Joel, along with their daughter, Hannah, run Somebody’s Gallery. Over the years, there have been a few part-time employees as well.
“What I like about this gallery is that I can run it with one person or two people. It’s a nice size,” Stoppel says. “It would be nice if it was a little bigger with more space to try out some different kinds of art, but this is good. It’s not too stressful and it’s easy to be here. Ten years on this block is pretty good.”
Stoppel credits her husband for the “heavy lifting” and doing a lot of things behind the scenes to help the gallery thrive over the years. Aside from building the gallery’s display cases and cabinets, he also has artwork on display.
Prior to being a gallery owner, Stoppel was an art teacher for 20 years at Concord Academy and worked in the shoe business. She has an art history degree from Michigan State University and an art education
Master’s from Ohio State. (Some of the gallery’s featured artists include her former art students.)
As the gallery has evolved, so too has Stoppel’s personal artwork.
“My brother-in-law Mark has an early work in his pantry. It’s a pantry that you walk through on your way out the back door,” says Stoppel laughingly. “It’s of an ugly boat—not his boat. It’s an amateurish painting, but he still has it up.”
Stoppel’s artwork hangs inconspicuously on a makeshift wall in the middle of her gallery. Her soft, dream-like pastel landscapes are scenes from around northern Michigan, inspired by state parks and her home on 160 acres near Petoskey. She used to work on black paper, but now uses 600grit sandpaper—a technique she learned from her husband’s grandfather.
“Joel’s grandfather 100 years ago was working on sandpaper, and I really liked the way it holds on to the pastel better. You can get more layers of color on top of each other,” Stoppel says. “That way when you put orange on top of purple, it doesn’t turn into mud.”
In February, Hannah returned home to start a family and help her mother run the gallery. For the past 12 years, she worked in Kentucky making wigs from human hair for various performers.
“One knot at a time,” Hannah jokes, who graduated from Interlochen and is a singer. “Making things with your hands runs in the family.”
Ultimately, she knew she would return to northern Michigan. She realized how much she loves the area during a trip back home when she saw Lake Michigan for the first time in a long time and started to cry. She says the area has that effect on a lot of people, including some who visit Somebody’s Gallery looking for a northern Michigan memento.
“We get lots of people from all over the place,” Hannah says. “It’s always fun to ask people where they’re visiting from and what brought them up here. But I also love just watching and seeing what art people are drawn to, because everybody is interested in something different.”
Hannah says her mother had always dreamed of owning a gallery.
“She loves where she can meet a bunch of people and talk to them, so this is kind of perfect for her, but her expertise is in art,” Hannah says.
Working with her mom is nothing new for Hannah. In elementary and middle school, she had her mother as an art teacher.
“She was a very popular teacher,” Hannah says. “I got a slight status boost from being related to her.”
Hannah also works with her dad at the gallery, who has many different talents. He has taught college drawing classes, is a finish carpenter, an accomplished Telemark skier, and an artist. And while making art runs in the family, Hannah says her parents’ artistic styles are not the same.
“They’re very different,” Hannah tells us. “He has a very eclectic, geometric, sculptural way of looking at the world. He uses a lot of found materials. My mom does pastel landscapes for the most part. She is much more like an in-the-moment kind of an artist, whereas my dad is a little bit more abstract, although most of his pieces contain some kind of organic imagery.”
On June 14, Somebody’s Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary with a party at the gallery. The event featured live music, food prepared by Hannah, and prizes.
“The anniversary party was splendid,” Stoppel says. “It was more than I could’ve hoped for. Customers old and new showed up. Nine of our artists were there, and the food was magnificent.”
Hitting that 10-year mark wasn’t always a given. Throughout the years the gallery has seen some challenges, but has endured thanks to the community.
“We made it through construction on the road in front of the gallery and then the pandemic,” Stoppel says. “When we were closed down during the pandemic, one of my good customers sent me a check for $1,000 out of the blue. Wanted to make sure I could pay my rent.”
Today, things are looking brighter. To wit, the gallery owner says big, bright landscapes are selling extremely well.
“Color is the thing,” Stoppel says. “People are tired of the black, gray, and white color schemes. They are buying bold paintings to brighten up their spaces.”
What does the next decade hold in store for Somebody’s Gallery?
“Well, in the next 10 years I will probably paint more, and Hannah’s going to be the owner,” Stoppel says. “She’ll be in charge anyway. They joke that they’re going to still hear me in the back room yelling, ‘Welcome to Somebody’s Gallery!’”
Find Somebody’s Gallery at 302 E Lake St. in Petoskey. somebodysgallery.com
By Abby McKiernan
Northern Michigan comes alive in the summer, and so does its art scene. From shoreline towns to downtown galleries, creativity blooms right alongside the wildflowers. Whether you’re looking to soak up a gallery show, wander through a lakeside art fair, or get your hands dirty in a creative workshop, there’s something waiting for you around every bend. This year’s lineup offers a mix of old favorites and fresh finds: plein-air landscapes, hands-on abstract workshops, and festivals filled with local talent. Here’s your guide to this season’s exhibits, events, and creative opportunities.
Immersed
Crooked Tree Arts Center – Petoskey, May 22–Aug. 31
Step into a multi-sensory journey exploring water through art, sound, and story. Featuring over 30 contributors, including members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, this exhibit is a thought-provoking blend of culture, environment, and creative expression. The result is both reflective and refreshing—just like a dip in Lake Michigan.
Paint Grand Traverse 2025 – Extended Exhibit
Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City, June 24–Aug. 22
Relive the summer’s biggest plein-air festival with this extended show, featuring works by 33 artists from across the country. The exhibit captures northern Michigan in its peak season—full of shoreline light and downtown color. If you missed the main event, this is your second chance to catch the beauty!
Summer Salon
Charlevoix Circle of Arts – Charlevoix, June 27–Aug. 30
This annual show turns the gallery into a vibrant sales space, showcasing work by local artists. From moody abstracts to bright landscapes, everything on the walls is up for grabs. It’s a great place to find a piece that speaks to your northern spirit.
Oliver Art Center – Frankfort, July 18–Aug. 22
Sailboats, tugboats, and freighters—oh my! This lighthearted exhibit celebrates Michigan’s love of life on the water, with a colorful mix of styles and mediums inspired by the Great Lakes lifestyle.
Horizons
Oliver Art Center – Frankfort, Aug. 2–Sept. 5
Landscapes get reimagined in this group show featuring realism, abstraction, and everything in between. Six regional artists bring their unique views of the natural world into focus. Think beyond the postcard and into a personal perspective.
The Originals: NAA Founders Showcase Northport Arts Association – Northport, Aug. 23–Sept. 7
This retrospective honors the artists who helped launch the Northport Arts Association over a decade ago. It’s a heartfelt celebration of the roots that helped the community grow—and a reminder of how far it’s come.
ART FAIRS
Suttons Bay Art Festival
Marina Park – Suttons Bay, Aug. 2–3
Set on the shores of the marina, this popular fair features 100 juried artists, live
music, food vendors, and a children’s art tent. Bonus: It supports local arts programs and scholarships. Expect high-quality work in a laid-back setting.
Michaywé Arts & Crafts Fair
Michaywé Clubhouse – Gaylord, Aug. 8–9
This long-standing fair draws over 100 artists to a shady, pine-filled venue. Expect everything from jewelry and ceramics to lawn art and kettle corn. It’s one of Gaylord’s signature summer events for a reason.
Gold Coast Artisan Fair
Rotary Park – Ludington, Aug. 9–10
With more than 170 booths, this lakeside fair offers a little bit of everything: woodwork, textiles, paintings, gourmet snacks, and more, all under the trees of Rotary Park. Come for the art, stay for the people-watching.
Frankfort Art Fair
Market Square Park – Frankfort, Aug. 15–16
Celebrate the 50th year of this beloved lakeside tradition with juried art, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and a classic car show. It’s one of Benzie County’s most anticipated weekends.
Clothesline Art Show & Sale
Old Art Building – Leland, Aug. 20 (rain date Aug. 27), 1-4 pm
This outdoor show features plein-air paintings created across Leelanau County this summer. The artists will be on hand to chat and sell their work straight from the lawn. Bring a lawn chair and make an afternoon of it!
BECOME THE ARTIST
Plein Air Weekend
Glen Arbor Arts Center – Glen Arbor, Aug. 1–2
Whether you’re painting or just watching, this two-day event is a creative whirlwind. Don’t miss the Quick Draw challenge, the new “Sunsetter” session, and the always-popular Paint Out. It’s equal parts inspiration and community celebration.
Botanical Printing on Silk Northport Arts Association – Northport, Aug. 10, 10 am–5 pm
In this full-day workshop, artist Karin Rinke teaches students to use leaves, flowers, and natural dyes to create one-of-a-kind silk scarves. No experience needed—just curiosity and old clothes. Spots are limited, so sign up early.
Geometric Abstracts with Collage
Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City, Aug. 16, 10 am–4 pm
Explore shape, color, and texture with artist Julie Tibus in this full-day collage class. Students will layer paper and paint to build unique abstract compositions for a great intro to mixed media.
Acrylic: Big Skies and Wild Seas
Charlevoix Circle of Arts – Charlevoix, Aug. 19–20
Learn to paint dramatic skies and abstract seascapes in this two-day acrylic workshop. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike. Think bold brushstrokes, moody clouds, and plenty of creative momentum.
Squeegee Abstract Art with Heather Harrington
Old Art Building – Leland, Aug. 27, 1–3 pm
This quick, two-hour workshop is a joyful dive into abstract art using squeegees, bold color, and playful experimentation. Plus, you’ll walk away with handmade notecards and a canvas to keep.
Bier Art Gallery & Pottery Studio continues a 40-year tradition
By Ross Boissoneau
For more than 40 years, the red schoolhouse six miles south of Charlevoix has been a haven for those looking for pottery, paintings, jewelry, and more. It’s also a haven for artist owners Ray and Tami Bier.
“When I was 15, I was throwing pottery,” says Ray, who attended Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids. He admits he was a rather indifferent student, except for art. “I was not so good at school. My dad said, ‘What are you going to do when you grow up?’ I thought maybe I could do art.”
He was introduced to the area through longtime Charlevoix artists Norman and Judith Brumm. They in turn introduced him to other area artists and galleries, including those of Bonnie Staffel and Todd Warner.
“Bonnie Staffel was making a living selling pots, something I knew how to do. The studio inspired me so much,” says Ray.
During the visit to Warner’s studio, Warner asked Ray if he could make some bells for him, proving that his art could earn money. More importantly, that was also where he met Tami. “She’s a terrific clay artist. Anything she makes is golden,” Ray says.
In love with art and each other, the two eventually began making plans to open their own gallery and studio. The old Hilton School in Norwood just south of Charlevoix caught their eye. (Originally part of the Norwood school district, as the logging industry declined, so did the population of Norwood, and the district was annexed to Charlevoix.)
When the Biers began seeking space for themselves, they kept looking at the schoolhouse. “We thought the old schoolhouse would make a nice place,” Ray says. “We were young; we couldn’t afford to buy the building.”
But they couldn’t let go of the idea, and a local realtor eventually helped them work out a land contract. They bought the building in 1981 and opened it the next year as a partnership with fellow artist Steve Kostyshyn and his wife. Ray says the first few years were a struggle financially, and they continued to attend art fairs across the country to make ends meet and establish themselves in the wider art community. They would crisscross the country, from Miami to Ann Arbor to Iowa, familiarizing attendees with their work. “That formulated our future clientele,” Ray says.
The Biers eventually bought out their partners and added a studio. Today, the gallery is home to a huge variety of work. Bier says they represent around 100 artists, including their old partner Steve Kostyshyn and their family.
They both remain active as artists, and they’ve passed the love of art down to their family. Ray is quick to praise their work. “Our son and daughter-in-law are both very skilled. Tyler is a potter and Anna is a clay artist.”
That next generation of Biers owns and runs Bier’s Inwood Brewery, literally next door and up the hill from the gallery. Tyler is the brewer and Anna is in charge of the kitchen. Tyler’s brother, Ryan, a computer programmer by trade, is an investor in the brewery. He and his wife, Sarah, and their children also live nearby.
The setup is convenient for this artistic family. That’s evident in the fact that members of the Monk Club at the brewery (a mug club by another name) each receive personalized mugs featuring their own face, made at the Bier studio.
In the high season, the gallery is open daily and is staffed by Ray and Tami, along with two interns each summer, who also benefit from being able to work in the studio
behind the gallery. “I’ve had a whole life of this,” says Ray. “It’s inspiring to me.”
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” The Biers seem to have solved that problem.
Meet the Artists
As may be evident by now, the gallery doesn’t really specialize in any particular style, media or geographic location. Paintings mingle with jewelry, sculptures with mixed media. Dollmakers, jewelers, glass blowers, and more have their wares on display. Local artists, those from elsewhere in Michigan, and those from across the country are all part of the mix.
These are a few of the Biers’ local favorites.
Marie Lamothe, Watercolors Interlochen
Originally from rural Quebec, watercolor artist Marie Lamothe arrived in northern Michigan in the mid-90s, where she promptly fell in love with the woods and waters, birds and flowers of the area. She utilizes extensive on-site studies, sketches, and photographs as the foundation for the work she does in her studio. Her watercolors blend her realistic approach with a fascination with light and color. She says she sees her work as a means of providing serenity and a haven from the busyness and complexities of the everyday world. In the end, she says, it is all about joy.
Bill Allen, Metal Sculpture, Painting Maple City
His father was an oral surgeon, his mother a university professor, and Bill Allen went to college to study medicine. In lieu of med school, he enrolled in a welding class to pursue the craft of ornamental metal work and blacksmithing. He soon began making small welded animal sculptures. He and his wife moved to New York City in 1996 for inspiration, before moving back home in 2000 when his mother became ill. After her death in 2001, he began a series of stark black and white paintings exploring that experience. His art gradually became more colorful, abstract, and energetic. His metal sculptures depict animals of all types, both the real and surreal.
Scott Nelles, Metal Sculpture Elk Rapids Planes, trains and automobiles? For sure, but don’t forget boats, toys, animals, candlesticks… you get the idea. Scott Nelles began working in foundries in Seattle in the mid-70s, starting with making belt buckles. He began to expand his artistic palette, and in 1978 opened his own foundry in his home state of Michigan. He derives inspiration from his childhood in Detroit, as evidenced by his automotive, ship, boat, and airplane
sculptures. Today he designs and creates everything from decorative art to toys, infusing in them beauty, strength, and more than a little whimsy.
Meredith Krell, Lineoleum Printmaking
Charlevoix
Meredith Krell started her artist journey as a youngster and has explored a number of media over the years: drawings, watercolors, colored pencils, prints, linoleum blocks. For the lattermost, she carves an image into the linoleum (a combination of ground cork powder and linseed oil, with a burlap backing). Her subjects include a wide range of everyday images, like food, plants, and animals such as dogs, birds and horses (especially horses). She then adds watercolor to create depth.
Steven Toorman East Jordan
From youthful studies in illustration and an early career in the advertising industry in graphic design, Toornman has branched out into other media, including printmaking and oil painting. He prefers the painting as the pieces are all one-of-a-kind. What kind? Mostly landscapes and figurines, including toys and toy soldiers. He spends time driving around the region, taking photos of various nature scenes or of the figurines that stoke his imagination. He then works in his studio from his photos, though he notes that the end result never looks exactly like the photos. After all, it’s art.
August 7 6pm - 8pm on The Patio
• Chandon Garden Spritz & special champagne menu
• Culinary delights
• Music by Levi Britton
• Chocolates by BonBonBon
• Make your own bouquet
• Outdoor games
As federal decisions limit funding for the arts, Dennos Museum Center remains committed to its community
By Ren Brabenec
“The Dennos Museum Center builds community, sparks conversation, and inspires change for audiences of all ages through its exhibitions, programs, and the collection and preservation of art,” reads the mission statement of a Traverse City staple that’s stood at the southwest end of Northwestern Michigan College’s campus since 1991.
“Dennos is one of the top two or three out of over 400 community college museums in the United States in terms of size, outreach, programming, and sheer inventory,” says Executive Director and Chief Curator Craig Hadley. “To have a museum of this size and scale here in our little town is a real treasure. From the world-class Inuit collection to the children’s gallery, there are exhibits and activities here that you just don’t get elsewhere. It’s truly a museum for all.”
For those who haven’t visited the museum in a year or two, a return visit might feel like a first-time experience. The museum’s Discovery Gallery has been completely revamped since last year, featuring an updated digital interactive called Quantum Space. The museum is also working on a comprehensive rebranding, slated for completion next year to coincide with the museum’s 35th anniversary and NMC’s 75th anniversary.
Hadley sat down with us to discuss the happenings at the museum, including
challenges, aspirations, setbacks, and how, through it all, the Dennos Museum Center remains committed to its mission.
In the publicly funded arts, it’s the responsibility of a museum’s executive director to determine what funding the museum needs to continue its operations and to submit grant applications to secure funding for those projects. To Hadley, who’s worked in museum curation for almost 20 years, this is just a part of the job.
Only this year, that job has looked very, very different.
“Do you know what ‘grant clawback’ is?” Hadley asks. “So, we determine what the museum needs, and we write/submit grant requests in December. Those grants are approved the following September, usually. However, the grants work on a reimbursement basis. We get approval for the grant, then we spend our money on the projects we pitched, then the grant reimburses us.”
Hadley took us through the museum’s 2023, 2024, and 2025 timelines, laying out how the Trump administration in April of this year issued executive orders and “grant clawback” decisions that effectively nullified the previous year’s grant approvals. At the same time, the White House issued messaging that most future grant applications would be declined on the spot.
“Grants help us improve our collections, caretake our exhibits, update our facilities, and do our jobs of preserving and presenting the arts,” Hadley says. “Unfortunately, just when we were doing our fiscal reporting earlier this year, we got a letter from the federal government saying our grants approved under the previous administration would not be disbursed, so we had to scramble to make up the funding shortfall, as that money we’d been promised was already spent.”
Thankfully, the community was more than willing to help. After the Dennos issued a call for aid, private donations and philanthropic support for the museum in 2025 has thus far surpassed any other year since Hadley took the job in 2019.
“Seeing that level of community support was heartwarming,” Hadley says. “But with grant applications now being shot down on sight and en masse, the future is pretty uncertain, at least for the next 3.5 years.”
Fall Exhibits
On a brighter note, Hadley is excited to tell us about upcoming fall exhibits at the Dennos.
“We have three new exhibits opening this fall,” he says, indicating the exhibits would likely be kicked off with a special opening reception in the week of Sept. 15-21 but that an exact date hadn’t been announced just yet.
Arctic Ice: The first exhibit will be a beautiful collaborative exhibition of the work of artists, landscape researchers,
climatologists, and scientists. The exhibit will feature Arctic sea ice portraitures and drawings in a way that integrates field data, remote satellite imagery, scientific analysis, and multimedia visual representation to document Arctic ice that is rapidly disappearing due to climate change.
Dewey Blocksma: The artwork of folk artist and retired emergency room doctor Dewey Blocksma will return to the Dennos, this time featuring a new array of sculptures and artistic creations crafted entirely from “trash” objects Blocksma finds discarded throughout the world.
Freshwater Studies Exhibit: In collaboration with NMC, the Dennos will present an exhibit that takes viewers
underwater, combining the work of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute with art to create a unique experience that awes, inspires, informs, and compels.
“The theme for this fall is water, resources, reuse, and recycling,” Hadley says.
Our sister paper, The Ticker, checked in with Hadley one year ago to get an update on the museum’s journey toward national accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Hadley had listed AAM accreditation as a goal of his when he joined the Dennos, as the AAM badge of honor indicates adherence to museum best practices,
highlights significant public trust, and invites greater funding opportunities while encouraging the development of more exhibits.
“Only 4 percent of some 33,000 museums in the U.S. get the accreditation, and it’s a long process,” Hadley says. “But we’re making good progress. We aim to apply for accreditation in the fall of 2026, as there are some major projects we want to complete first.”
Hadley describes the accreditation process as involving a series of remote and in-person interviews, professional reviewers from the AAM visiting the museum in person to inspect it, a required internal self-study, and a host of other review, reporting, and analysis steps.
Although the funding shortfalls mentioned earlier have slowed Hadley and his team in their efforts to tackle the “punch list” of tasks they want to accomplish before submitting their application, Hadley remains confident that they can complete their tasks and aim for accreditation within a little more than a year.
“We spent five years writing grants and securing funding to receive and implement museum-quality equipment, shelving, boxes, storage, and presentation material,” he says. “We’re currently 60-70 percent done with our last, big task: inventorying our 3,000+ pieces so everything is fully cataloged, photographed, and recorded.”
To see what is on exhibit at the Dennos, visit dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view. You can also see their full calendar of activities, community offerings, films, and concerts at dennosmuseum.org/events. Here are a few summer events you won’t want to miss:
Second Sunday Art Project. From June 8 through Aug. 10, the Dennos will host a participatory artistic experience, with each session offering a unique and creative activity supported by the Linda O’Meara Fund for Arts Education.
Ikebana Pop-Up Exhibit and Event. On the weekend of Aug. 9-10, the Dennos offers an Ikebana Pop-Up Exhibit featuring Ikebana Flower Arranging classes for children.
The Art of David Barr. On Aug. 14, EMU Professor Emeritus Ken Stevens will take attendees on a journey through the visionary artwork of Michigan artist David Barr.
Drop In & Draw. On Aug. 21, Plein Air Painters of Northern Michigan will host an afternoon of observation and creativity at the Dennos, themed on artists interpreting the museum’s collection.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Friday and Saturday August 8 & 9, 2025
By Ellen Miller
With the beauty of the coastline front and center, you could be forgiven for not knowing that Traverse City has a robust public arts scene. Walk around town, though, and you’ll be met with a rich artistic experience, from gallery walls to public art on buildings to TART Trail sculptures.
This year, six artists will participate in Traverse City’s first Mural Festival, happening Sept. 12-17, 2025. The festival, run by the Traverse City Arts Commission, is part of the North Boardman Creative Initiative, a placemaking effort in the North Boardman Lake District (NoBo). The idea stemmed from the Healthy Eighth Street Initiative; some of the community input from those community conversations was specific to art and visual placemaking and the identity of the neighborhood.
“I serve on the Arts Commission and knew about that study. It felt like a great opportunity, where so much community engagement and input had already taken place,” says Caitlin Early. The Mural Festival has its roots in those community conversations, and Early and the rest of the Arts Commission hope that it will become an every two year event.
From a Hundred to Six
Over 100 artists submitted a response to the Arts Commission’s call for proposals. “It was overwhelmingly the most responses we ever received!” says Early of other public art calls.
Two of the selected artists call the Traverse City area home; another two are from Michigan; and the final two are from further afield (one from California and one from an artists’ collective from Ontario).
“Based on the study and input, we wanted to explore themes related to water access, multi-modal transportation, walkability, and flora and fauna in the lake and watershed, so we were looking for visually compelling responses to those thematic areas. We narrowed it down to 13, and then asked for specific proposals and concepts from those artists,” Early explains. “It was an hours-long deliberation process.”
The six artists coming in September will create (and complete) original works on buildings in the district. Community volunteers will help prepare spaces and get everything set up for the artists.
Stay tuned for specific events throughout the Mural Festival, including a kickoff happy hour in coordination with a gallery opening at Commongrounds. There will also be an artists panel talk at The Alluvion, a participatory art project for youth, and a parade throughout the area where the murals will be installed, starting at Oryana, walking along Eighth Street, and ending at the Filling Station. “We hope people will walk along and come hear the artists talk,” says Early.
The Local: Meet Nik Burkhart
Nik Burkhart is originally from Brutus (a little north of Petoskey) and went to school K-12 at Pellston Public Schools. He moved away to Holland to study art at Hope College and then worked in Chicago, before moving back to northern Michigan four years ago to be near family. He shows his artwork year-round at the V Gallery in Omena.
Two of Burkhart’s largest commissions early on in his career were murals for the City of Petoskey at both the Emmet County Fairgrounds and the Petoskey Public Library. He also has a mural just north of Traverse City at the Fouch Road trailhead on the TART.
“I am excited about the vision of the
mural festival and how it aims to bring creativity into the public domain,” says Burkhart. “My painting style is currently trending toward more representational subject matter, but I often use abstraction to give expressiveness and mystery to my compositions.
“Most of my art incorporates elements of landscape or natural forms—water, sky,
trees, plants, etc.—and I often paint directly on wood to use the wood grain in the final artwork. I typically have a fairly limited palette, often simple black and white, to give it a more contemplative or classical feel. My mural for the festival will celebrate the work of local farmers—particularly fruit growers—and what they contribute to the flourishing of our region.”
The Michigander: Meet Eddie Chaffer
Eddie Chaffer (painting as Son Visual) is a Michigan community organizer and traveling muralist. Their mural work is inspired by hyper-local environmental themes (jackrabbits in Joshua Tree, mangroves in Key West, sturgeon in Lake Michigan) that connect communities to their ecological landscape. By amplifying stories of biodiversity, conservation, and cultural heritage through the universal language of public art, they aim to inspire widespread ecologic literacy. Chaffer is also the founder and director of the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival—a fest dedicated to environmental education through public art.
Chaffer has been doing murals full time for five years, and apprenticed for about two years before that. Chaffer’s style is “a mashup of ecology and surrealism” and they will be thinking about the pre-glacier Paleozoic Sea at the Mural Festival. “I look to a certain ecosystem for inspiration, and then use the stories already present in that landscape to comment on broader ideas like spirituality, alchemy, queerness, grief, and the esoteric,” they explain.
“I applied to the Traverse City fest because I love the land!” Chaffer concludes. “I have had many life-changing sunsets in Sleeping Bear, and am always learning something new about the Paleozoic Sea that once covered this landscape. With my work with the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival, I’ve kind of become a professional
I’m so excited to be able to install another mural that highlights Michigan’s globally unique
and
The Californian: Meet Daisuke Okamoto Daisuke Okamoto is a Los Angeles-based artist and muralist, originally from Tokyo. He has been working as a professional muralist since 2016. One of his main goals in creating murals and art is rooted in his strong belief that art has the power to change the world. Okamoto’s murals can be found across the United States—in
California, Texas, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and New York—as well as internationally in Tokyo and Berlin.
“Murals can transform cities and towns into open-air galleries, becoming landmarks and leaving a lasting legacy,” Okamoto says. “The power of art can deliver impactful messages to both local communities and visitors. By placing
a mural or artwork in a space, it can completely transform the environment. I have always aspired to be part of this kind of creative and transformative work, so it is truly an honor to contribute my art to the Traverse City Mural Festival.”
At the Mural Festival, Okamoto aims to create an artwork that captures the energy of the people, the beauty of
Traverse City, its local culture, and a sense of connection. “I hope the piece will make people stop in their tracks, encouraging them to pause and engage with artwork that reflects their community,” he says. “I’m very excited to participate in this year’s Traverse City Mural Festival and look forward to meeting all of you and the wonderful people of Traverse City.”
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RUN THE PIER: 26.2, 13.1, 10K, 5K RUN: 7am, 250 Duffy Park, Manistee. Visit web site for more info & various starting times. $40-$90. runsignup.com/Race/MI/ Manistee/RTP5K
64TH ANNUAL UGOTTA REGATTA: Harbor Springs. Race watchers either head out onto the water in power boats or watch from the Petoskey State Park or Petoskey’s Sunset Park. Little Traverse Yacht Club will host a party in the afternoon. ltyc.org/ugotta-regatta
ALDEN DAYS: Downtown Alden. Featuring the Alden Run: 5K, 10K, 2 Mile Fun Run; Quilt Show, live music, kids activities, & much more.
AUSABLE RIVER FESTIVAL: Grayling. Lumberjack Breakfast, GRA 5K/10K, Aldrich & Co., Yankee Station, Consumers Energy 77th AuSable River Canoe Marathon Opening Ceremony, Jelly Roll Blues Band, The Ride & much more. festival.ausableriverfest. com/event-calendar
64TH ANNUAL CROOKED TREE ART FAIR: 9am-4pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Featuring 100+ juried artists from across the country who are selected through a competitive application process, & represent a variety of art media. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/crooked-tree-art-fair-july-26-2025
INAUGURAL GREAT LAKES CANCER FOUNDATION 5K: 9am, Eastern Elementary School, TC. Help raise awareness, funds, & hope for those affected by cancer. $45. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/ GreatLakesCancerFoundation5k
NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: Antique Flywheelers Show Ground, 00145 US 131 North, Boyne Falls. Featuring a Red vs. Green Tractor Challenge along with Oil Field Engines. Flea market, arts & crafts, food, music, two museums, & a parade of power at 2pm every day. Demonstrations include a veneer mill & basket factor, saw mill, grist mill, threshing, & a shingle mill & branding. Two music stages for evening entertainment along with tractor games, steam engine spark show, & oil field engines light show. Barrel train rides, sawdust penny pile, scavenger hunt, plus much more. $7 donation for adults; $5 donation Senior Day on Thurs.; under 12, free with adult. walloonlakeflywheelers.com
SIDEWALK SALES: 9am-6pm, downtown Petoskey. petoskeydowntown.com/events
25TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTI-
VAL: 10am-5pm, Bay Harbor. A boutique event with a variety of fine artists & an artisan market. There will also be a children’s art tent, as well as live music by The Fridays from noon-3pm. bayharbor.com/bay-harbor-arts-festival
3RD ANNUAL COASTAL CARAVAN ART
FAIR: 10am-4pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Held on the shores of Betsie Bay, this juried fair will feature painting, ceramics, photography, woodworking, fiber art, toys & more created by 30+ regional artisans. There will also be live music by Chris Skellenger (11am-1pm), and The Nephews (1:30-3:30pm), ceramic studio demos, food & drink & more. Free. oliverart.org
6TH ANNUAL INVITATIONAL AT WALLOON LAKE ART SHOW: 10am-5pm, Village Green, Walloon Lake. Free admission.
CHARLEVOIX VENETIAN FESTIVAL: July 19-26. Featuring Aquapalooza, Boat Pa-
rade, Bridge Street Block Party, fireworks & airshow, Venetian Festival Races, Rhythms of Venetian, Street Parade, & much more. venetianfestival.com
DUNE WETLAND WALK: 10am, Antrim Creek Natural Area, Ellsworth. Join Grass River Natural Area Naturalist Arlene Westhoven for a guided Dune Wetland Walk. Discover the unique plants, wildlife & ecology of this rare lakeshore habitat during this informative & scenic outing. Meet at the north Rex Beach Road entrance to the natural area. Free; suggested $5 donation.
GUIDEBOOK AUTHOR TO APPEAR AT SLEEPING BEAR DUNES: 10am-2pm, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire. Enjoy a book signing with Jim DuFresne, author of more than two dozen guidebooks. Jim will be autographing copies of “The Trails of M-22” & “50 Hikes in Michigan.”
HISTORIC FESTIVAL: Heritage Village, Mackinaw City. Opening ceremony at the Anishinaabe entrance. There will also be lumberjack shows, gospel music in chapel, music in pavilion/tree vintage baseball game, & more. mackinawhistory.org
LET’S GET LOST: 10am, Kehl Lake Natural Area, Northport. Join the Leelanau Conservancy for a guided hike through the tranquil & primeval forest surrounding Kehl Lake. This docent-led trek will encompass all marked trails in the natural area bordering Kehl Lake, including the Old Birch Trail, conditions permitting. The trails are flat & you will be walking at a moderate pace, stopping occasionally to observe. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events/ lets-get-lost-at-kehl-lake-natural-area
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: 10am, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will display jewelry, home decor, artwork & much more. Free. facebook.com/ madeincheboygan
PETOSKEY DISTRICT LIBRARY FRIENDS USED BOOK SALE: 10am-5pm, Petoskey District Library, lower level. Hundreds of books, 25 cents - $3, plus vintage/specialty books, puzzles & games.
SHAY DAYS: 10am-3pm, Harbor Springs. This event celebrates inventor & Harbor Springs resident Ephraim Shay who was famous for his patented, geared locomotive. Held at History Museum, Ephraim Shay Works Museum, & Shay Park. Featuring live model steam trains, children’s crafts, games & STEM activities, logging demonstrations, interactive electric train layouts & more. harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/shaydays/shay-days-event.html
TORCH AREA ARTISANS GUILD SHOW: 10am-4pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Featuring a boutique & huge quilt display, showcasing members’ talents. Find on Facebook. Admission free.
MICHIGAN BREWERY RUNNING SERIES: 7K FUN RUN: 11am, Right Brain Brewery, TC. eventbrite.com/e/7k-beer-run-x-rightbrain-2025-michigan-brewery-running-series-tickets-1126327037489
SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERTS: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, TC. Featuring Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns. This educational programming series is designed for children 5-12 & their families. Each performance takes a masterwork—opera, ballet, or concert piece & brings it into a small setting with a few players, dancers or singers, & a storyteller. Free. tcphil.org/concerts
SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: 11am12:30pm, corner of Grandview Parkway & Union St., TC. Join in showing solidarity with the people of Palestine who are being killed by Israel while our communities pay for the weapons. Demand that the U.S. Government serves America, not Israel. Meet every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net
EAST JORDAN GARDEN CLUB FLOWER
SHOW: Noon-4pm, East Jordan City Hall. Club members will have flower displays following the theme Mystical Garden. While the flowers displays are not for sale, there is a People’s Choice Award that will be given, so you can vote for your favorite.
SERIES NOVELIST & MAGAZINE COLUMNIST DEBBY BUCK DEJONGE: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Debby will personalize her third in the “Lead Horse” series, “Safe Saddle.” No one is safe, & the cast of characters love TC & leave a mark each time. horizonbooks.com
WOMEN’S MARCH TRAVERSE CITY: 1pm. March for Justice. Gather at F&M Park & march peacefully through downtown TC (on sidewalks) & then return to the park. Due to construction on the Parkway, you will not be lining the sidewalks this time. Donations of protein shakes, granola bars, easy to eat breakfast food, & snacks will be gratefully accepted to benefit Pete’s Place, to help feed the homeless youth in the area. Please donate at the Park. Free.
BEETLEJUICE JR: 2pm & 7pm, The MATCH Theatre, Cherryland Mall, TC. Presented by the OTP Young Company. $15$22. purchase.oldtownplayhouse.com/ ChooseSeats/34401
RANKED CHOICE VOTING PRESENTATION: 4:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join your fellow citizens at a Town Hall for a presentation of the problems with our current voting system & Rank MI Vote’s ambitious
plan for the solution: Ranked Choice Voting. Learn about this 2026 Constitutional Amendment & plans for signature gathering starting. Learn how you can get involved in this nonpartisan effort to bring Ranked Choice Voting to Michigan. Free. rankmivote.org
CSI3* GRAND PRIX: Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Fast-paced show jumping, food, boutique shopping, & open-air fun. Gates open early, & the main competition begins at 5pm. All GA proceeds benefit Hospice of Michigan. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit $15 GA. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654
“PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”: 7pm, Cadillac High School, Community Auditorium. Presented by Cadillac Footliters’ Upper Youth. This play upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). $10-$15. cadillacfootliters.com/tickets
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: 7pm, Northport Performing Arts Center, Auditorium, Northport School. This musical is based on the Roald Dahl book. Call 231-386-2009 or go online for tickets. $30 adults, $5 students; Northport students free with adult companion. northportperformingarts.org/tickets
SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: 7pm, GT County Civic Center Amphitheater, TC. Enjoy live music by The Steepwater Band.
MUSIC IN MACKINAW: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City. Featuring Janel Anderson. 231-436-5574.
Sunday
64TH ANNUAL UGOTTA REGATTA: (See Sat., July 26)
NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., July 26)
25TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTIVAL: 10am-3pm, Bay Harbor. A boutique event with a variety of fine artists & an artisan market. There will also be a children’s art tent, as well as live music by The Wallens from 11am-2pm. bayharbor.com/bay-harborarts-festival
6TH ANNUAL INVITATIONAL AT WALLOON LAKE ART SHOW: (See Sat., July 26)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: (See Sat., July 26) -
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: (See Sat., July 26, except today’s time is 2pm.)
NATIONAL GRAND PRIX: Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Fast-paced show jumping, food, boutique shopping, & open-air fun. Gates open early & the main competition begins at 2pm. All GA proceeds benefit Hospice of Michigan. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit $15 GA. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654
PLAY: “KITCHEN WITCHES”: 2pm, The Leelanau School Auditorium, Glen Arbor. Rival cooks with deep-seated resentments are hired to cohost a cable cooking show. What could possibly go wrong? Their rivalry erupts into hilarious fireworks. $10 minimum donation requested. glenarborplayers.org
SUNDAY MUSIC IN THE PARK: 4-6pm, Marina Park, downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring the Rivertown Jazz Band.
FREE BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: THE REAL INGREDIENTS: 5-7pm, Petoskey’s Waterfront, on the Promenade near waterfront clock tower. Please bring a chair or blanket.
VESPER CONCERT: “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”: 8pm, Bay View, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. A rollicking night of music from the British Isles to the island of Manhattan honoring the most human of emotions. $20.50-$24.50. bayviewassociation.org/ events/vesper-concert-all-you-need-is-love
july 28
JAMMIN MONDAYS ON BETSIE BAY: 7-9:15pm, Waterfront Park Amphitheater, Elberta. Enjoy’s Chicago’s nationally touring rock & blues band, Steepwater Band.
SOO OPERA: “HANSEL & GRETEL”: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. The apprentice artists of the Soo Opera theater present Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera “Hansel and Gretel.” The production in Cheboygan will include original sets, live orchestra, & lyrics translated into English. $20; under 18, free. theoperahouse.org
TC PHILHARMONIC: BEETHOVEN 7 & TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO: 7-8:30pm, GT County Civic Center Amphitheater, TC. Featuring internationally acclaimed guest artist Andrew Sords. $15-$45. tcphil.org/concerts
THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform their greatest hits, including “In The Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” & many more. The orchestra, along with the music director, Erik Stabnau, vocalist Jenny Swoish & their vocal group The Moonlight Serenaders perform this catalogue of big band/swing music. $35-$55. cityoperahouse.org/node/647
MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: 7:30-10pm, Voo-
rhies Hall, Bay View Association, Petoskey. Featuring “World’s Fastest Indian.” Free. bayviewassociation.org/monday-night-movies
july 29
tuesday
OUTDOOR STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, outside, overlooking beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. Geared toward pre-k to second graders & their caregivers, but fun for all who attend. Free. sbbdl.org
LELAND LIBRARY SUMMINARS SPEAKER SERIES: 4pm, Leland Township Public Library, Munnecke Room. Perry Samson will speak on climate change in northern MI. Free.
LIVE ON THE BIDWELL PLAZA: THE MARSUPIALS: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Bidwell Plaza, Petoskey. The Marsupials fuse rock, funk, indie, ska, psychedelia, & progressive elements into their sound. Bring a folding chair. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/live-bidwell-plaza-marsupials
MERMAID AT THE BEACH: 5:30pm, Peninsula Beach, Boyne City. Storytime & a visit with the mermaid. Presented by the Boyne District Library. Free. boynelibrary.org
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: 7pm, Northport Performing Arts Center, Auditorium, Northport School. This musical is based on the Roald Dahl book. Call 231-386-2009 or go online for tickets. $25 adults, $5 students; Northport students free with adult companion. northportperformingarts.org/tickets
TRAVERSE CITY DANCE PROJECT SUMMER TOUR PERFORMANCE: 7pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Guests can enjoy pre-show tunes by DJ Eric P at 6pm. The program features professional dancers from across the country, showcasing new works by choreographers, including recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with cellist Kyle Stachnik. Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott will premiere a new work for four dancers. The second half of the program will feature choreography by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, set to the music of Queen. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the dancers, musicians, choreographers, & crew, offering insight into the creative process & behind-the-scenes experiences. Free. tcdanceproject.org/events/ frankfortperformancetcdpsummertour
july 30
wednesday
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR
DAYS: July 30 - Aug. 3.
Today includes the Senior Luncheon & bingo, Arnold’s Amusement Carnival, Evening on River Street with the Sweetwater Blues Band, & Harbor Days Opening Ceremonies. elkrapidsharbordays.org/events-schedule
CHARLOTTE ROSS LEE CONCERTS IN THE PARK: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Gazebo, Petoskey. Featuring Jeff Pagel. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.
NAMI CONNECTION & NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Noon, Christ Church, lower level, 430 Fair St., TC. NAMI Connection is a support group for people with mental health conditions. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges & successes of others, & the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. NAMI Family Support
There’s a lot of words we could write about this. But instead, we hope you’ll just come see what all the fuss is about. Because at that end of the day that’s what it is—people coming together.
Find us in Traverse City at 414 East 8th Street, above Nobo Riverside at Commongrounds. Second Floor.
Group is a support group for family members, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. Gain insight from the challenges & successes of others facing similar experiences. Both groups are held on Wednesdays at the same location & at the same time. Free. namigt.org/supportand-education/support-groups
HIKE THE RIDGE!: 5pm, Five Mile Rd., TC. Join for a hike on The Ridge, a new GTRLC project that will help safeguard the water quality of GT Bay, save wildlife habitat, & open up recreational opportunities. Check web site for exact directions. Registration required. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ es/event/home/theridge073025
SUMMER PICNIC CONCERTS: 5-7:30pm, Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn, Maple City. Enjoy country & folk with Rita Hosking and Sean Feder & Andre Villoch. The Empire Area Community Center’s Emergency Fund will be on-hand to accept donations that help people in need throughout the region. lchp.org
AUTHOR EVENT: PAUL BRANDES: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Learn about Michigan’s geology from Brandes. Hear about his recently published book, “Michigan Rocks!: A guide to geologic sites in the Great Lakes State” & how it came to be. Free. tadl. org/michiganrocks
EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO - SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: 6:30-8pm, Old City Park Gazebo, Boyne City. Featuring Melissa & Jake. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket.
ELLSWORTH CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE: 7-9pm, Ellsworth Community Square, Center St. Featuring RPM. Bring a chair or blanket.
VIRIDIAN STRINGS: SOLO CELLO RECITAL WITH KYLE STACHNIK: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Beck Gallery, Frankfort. Join Kyle Stachnik, co-founder of Viridian Strings, in a recital featuring solo cello music by Bach, Cassadó, Prokofiev, & Walton, along with contemporary compositions. $22.50-$25 + sales tax. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series
BIZET’S CARMEN: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Carmen is the searing depiction of a woman who craves love but creates obsession & jealousy, & is one of the most popular operas ever written. $33. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/carmen
THE WORLD FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Enjoy the most popular & sought after big band in the world today for both concert & swing dance engagements. Hear classics like Pennsylvania 6-500, In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug, & more. $25-$40. Veterans: $5 discount. Students: $10. theoperahouse.org
thursday
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR
DAYS: July 30 - Aug. 3. Today includes Group Guided Meditation, Yoga on the Beach, Art & Craft Show, Car Show by the Bay, Ice Cream Eating Contest, live music by Headwaters & Knee Deep, Trivia for a Cause: The HERTH Edition & more. elkrapidsharbordays.org/events-schedule
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Visions of a Wandering Naturalist, Artist & Occasional Fisherman. Lad Hanka
will talk about his drawings & etchings of Great Lakes fish that are on view in his exhibition. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ coffee-ten-visions-wandering-naturalist-artist-occasional-fisherman
ELK RAPIDS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-4pm, downtown Elk Rapids. 60+ artisans & crafters feature art & homemade items in many areas including coastal art, home decor, jewelry, ceramics, woodcrafts, photography, & much more. elkrapidschamber.org/arts-crafts-show
KIDS CAN COOK! COOKING CLASS: 10am-noon, Interlochen Public Library. Educate kiddos about good nutrition, what’s in season, planning & preparing meals, & reading food labels. This class is for ages 5-12 & runs on the following Thursdays: June 26th & July 10, 17, 24, & 31. Participation in all of the classes is optional. The youngest participants play with sensory food activities; the older children can participate in a food cutting & prep station using special knives, & then they take the fresh vegetables & fruits & assemble a fun snack or treat. Registration required: 231-276-6767. Free.
SUMMER READING EVENT WRAP-UP WITH MUSIQUITA CONCERT: 10:30am, North Park Pavilion, Suttons Bay. Join Blanca & Jesse of Musiquita for this bilingual musical performance. For all preschool, elementary & middle-school students. Free. sbbdl.org
LUNCHEON LECTURE: THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF ODORS: 11:30am1pm, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. For almost three decades Dr. Paul Moore has been studying the unique & invisible ways underwater creatures find food, learn which predators have a full or empty stomach, & locate the places of their birth. He will explain what his research has revealed about a world where smell is far more important than sight or sound. Register. $15. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6159432
HAGGARD HOUSE: A PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE - BOOK SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Chat with author Elisabeth Rhoads about her debut psychological suspense novel. Free. eventbrite.com/e/book-signing-haggard-housea-psychological-suspense-novel-tickets1471142931109?aff=oddtdtcreator
ONEKAMA DAYS: July 31 - Aug. 4. Fun filled festival along Portage Lake. Onekama Days features fireworks, parade, car show, demolition derby, arts & crafts, kids’ activities, 5K race, breakfasts & dinners, craft beer tasting & more. onekama.info
50TH ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 31 - Aug. 3. Tonight is Local’s Night in Polka Tent - 80s theme with Yankee Station & Derailed, Car Show on Railroad St., & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com
IMMERSED: FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING: 5-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Studio, Petoskey. Introduction to Fly Tying for Women with Trout Unlimited. Free; registration required. Space is limited to 20. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ immersed-free-public-programming
FREE GARDEN CLASSIC MOVIES: 6pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Featuring “To Kill A Mockingbird.” gardentheater.org/ upcoming-events
HARBOR SPRINGS STREET MUSIQUE: SOUNDS OF THE WORLD: 6:30-8:30pm, downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring Greg
Vadnais with Sounds of Africa, The Tweed Tones, The Island Girl, Alex Teller, Lord of the Gourd & Tommy Tropic.
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL”: 7pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Performed by Interlochen Arts Camp’s High School Musical Theatre Production students. Featuring the songs of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King, such as “One Fine Day,” “Natural Woman,” & “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” The Tony & Grammy Award-winning musical follows King from her Brooklyn adolescence to her emergence as one of the nation’s most sought-after hitmakers— while offering a glimpse into her tumultuous personal life. $21-$36. interlochen.org/events/ beautiful-carole-king-musical-2025-07-31
AN EVENING WITH KEITH GAVE: 7pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Celebrate Keith’s newest book, “The Grind Line.” Wine & cheese will be served. RSVP: events@ mcleanandeakin.com. Free. mcleanandeakin. com/event/2025-07-31/keith-gave-grid-line
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: (See Tues., July 29)
CONCERTS ON THE LAWN: 7pm, GT Pavilions, TC. Featuring Backroom Gang. Concessions will be available for purchase from 5:30-7pm. Free. gtpavilions.org/newsevents/2025-concerts-on-the-lawn/band-lineup
MUSIC SPARKS MEANING PRESENTS
ROOTS ON THE RIVER: 7pm, Veterans Memorial Park, Manistee. Featuring Whorled.
MUSIC IN THE STREET: 7pm, downtown Beulah. One Hot Robot. Bring a lawn chair.
SUMMER SOUNDS CONCERT: 7pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park, amphitheater, Thompsonville. Enjoy psychedelic pop-rock with Rebekah Jon. $15 advance; $20 door. crystalmountain. com/event/summer-sounds-july/3
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROYAL OAK LEPRECHAUNS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pitspitters/schedule
BIZET’S CARMEN: (See Weds., July 30)
IMMERSED: FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING: 7:30-9pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. “A Two Hearted Tale Film Screening & Talk”: A heartfelt look at the history of the iconic trout label adorning the most popular IPA beer in America, & its eccentric artist, Lad Hanka. Registration required. The Wet Paint Sale will be held before the film from 4-7pm. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/two-hearted-tale-film-screening-and-talk-free-registration-required -
JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: 7:30pm, Memorial Park Bandshell, East Jordan.
TC DANCE PROJECT CHARLEVOIX SUMMER TOUR PERFORMANCE: 7:30pm, Odmark Performance Pavilion, Charlevoix. The program features professional dancers from around the country & showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott & recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. There will also be a free kids’ dance class for all levels & abilities at 6:30pm on the park lawn, taught by one of the TCDP dancers. Bring your own chair/blanket. Free. tcdanceproject.org/events/charlevoixperformance-2025
TEMPLE GRANDIN - VISUAL THINKING: 7:30pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Temple Grandin’s New
York Times bestseller “Visual Thinking” reveals, celebrates, & advocates for the special minds & contributions of visual thinkers. A quarter century after her memoir forever changed how the world understood autism, she now transforms our awareness of the different ways our brains are wired. She was named one of the top ten college professors in the country. An HBO movie portraying Grandin, starring Claire Danes received seven Emmy Awards. GA: $5. onthestage.tickets/show/bay-view-association/ 67d05949ef436f78a219ed52
friday
DOWNTOWN STREET
SALE: 8am-9pm, downtown TC. Front St. between Union St. & Park St. closes to vehicle traffic & opens up to incredible markdowns, street-side displays, & the charm of TC’s downtown shops. downtowntc. com/annual-event-calendar/street-sale
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR DAYS: July 30Aug. 3. Today includes a Community Paddle, Child Safety Seat Check, $100,000 Hole-InOne Contest Qualifying, Penny Scramble, Pet Show, Family Line Dancing with Kay, Cornhole Tournament, Fireman’s Waterball Contest & much more. elkrapidsharbordays. org/events-schedule
ONEKAMA DAYS: (See Thurs., July 31)
50TH ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH
FESTIVAL: July 31 - Aug. 3. Today is Youth Day. Enjoy free games & activities, the Youth Bike Parade, Bump-N-Run Pits open at 3pm & green flag drops at 7pm, live music by the Kielbasa Kings Polka Band, The Mix, & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com
TC WASTEWATER PLANT PUBLIC
TOURS: 606 Hannah St., TC. Join the City of Traverse City & Jacobs Engineering for a tour of the facility where you’ll follow the path of waste water throughout the multiple treatment pro cesses utilized to remove pollutants & protect the waterway. Tours will be held at 10am, 11am, noon & 1pm. Free. traversecitymi.gov/govern ment/city-departments/wastewater-treatmentplant/wastewater-treatment-plant.html
CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK: Elk Rapids Fire Department. Please call the fire department for an appointment: 231.264.5161. Free.
CHARLOTTE ROSS LEE CONCERTS IN THE PARK: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Ga zebo, Petoskey. Featuring Kevin Johnson. crookedtree.org/article/concerts-park
ARTIST MEET & GREET WITH BETH
CHARLES & MARGIE GUYOT: 5-7pm, Somebody’s Gallery, Petoskey. Join for art, artists, libations, appetizers & music. Free. somebodysgallery.com
PLEIN AIR WEEKEND RETURNS: Glen Arbor Arts Center, Aug. 1-2. Over 100 artists paint Leelanau landscapes in real time. New this year: The Sunsetter, a Friday evening painting event, and a Youth Exhibit featuring award-winning young artists. Watch artists at work, then view and buy fresh pieces from three painting events. glenarborart.org
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: 6-9pm, Front St., TC. Friday Night Live transforms Front St. into a festive block party with live music, street performances, interactive nonprofit booths, food & beverage vendors, & family-friendly activities. The Aug. 1 event will flow right from the Street Sale. Featured acts include the All-American Dance Party, Little Dipper ‘90s country with aug 01
Thursday August 14, 2025 5:30 PM till dusk
Thursday August 14, 2025 5:30 PM till dusk
Thursday August 14, 2025 5:30 PM till dusk
Zorn Park - Downtown Harbor Springs
Zorn Park - Downtown Harbor Springs
Zorn Park - Downtown Harbor Springs
Hosted by: The Harbor SpringsArea Chamber of Commerce
Hosted by: The Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
Hosted by: The Harbor SpringsArea Chamber of Commerce
line dancing, The Timebombs live band, Fresh Coast Groove DJ set, Clark Lewis Juggling Show + Twisted Style Freerunning, Old Town Playhouse, & TC Double Bubble. Free. downtowntc.com/friday-night-live
FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC IN THE PARK: 6:308:30pm, Marina Park, downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring Two Track Mind. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL”: (See Thurs., July 31) -
“PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”: (See Sat., July 26)
AMBROSIA WSG FIREFALL: 7-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, outdoor venue, Manistee. Enjoy 70s band Ambrosia, who is a 5-time Grammy Nominated ensemble. Firefall brings their easy country-rock sounds, coupled with pop melodies & high-pitched harmonies including their Top Ten hit “You Are the Woman.” $20-$40. lrcr.com/event/ ambrosia-special-guest-firefall
DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring Lioness. Bring a chair. Free.
EAST JORDAN MUSIC IN THE PARK: MAX LOCKWOOD BAND: 7-9pm, Memorial Park Bandshell, East Jordan. Bring a chair or blanket.
SOUNDS OF SUMMER: 7-8:30pm, Pennsylvania Park, downtown Petoskey. Tonight features the Great Lakes Brass Band. Bring your blankets & chairs. Free. petoskeydowntown.com/events/sounds-of-summer
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROYAL OAK LEPRECHAUNS: (See Thurs., July 31)
SILVER SPRINGS: A FLEETWOOD MAC
EXPERIENCE: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. A power show of the greatest hits of Fleetwood Mac. These artists embody each band member with precision & passion. $29$59. cityoperahouse.org/node/674
LIBRARY TEEN LOCK-IN: 8pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Teens can find out what it’s like to be in the library overnight. Includes games, crafts, music, movies & more. Details at the link. Free, but you must register in advance. tadl.org/augustlockin
RESURRECTION - A JOURNEY TRIBUTE: 8pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Hailed as the nation’s premier Journey tribute band, Resurrection delivers spot-on vocals, soaring guitar solos, & all the anthems you know & love. Relive the glory days of ‘80s rock! $23-$49. onthestage.tickets/show/bay-view-association/67a 37bcb4917ba4cc500d99c
MOVIES IN THE PARK AT DARK: 9pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Tonight features “Wonka.” Bring a blanket to sit on. Free. petoskeydowntown.com/events/moviein-the-park-at-dark-2
saturday
PORT ONEIDA RUN: HALF-MARATHON, 10K, 5K: 6:30am, Port Oneida Heritage Center/Olsen Farm, Maple City. The only run where the courses traverse through the scenic rolling hills & level pastoral pathways of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. $35-$110. phsb.org/port-oneida-run
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR DAYS: July 30Aug. 3. Today includes Harborun Fun Run, 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run, Rotary Roundup BBQ, Mutt Strut Dog Parade, Grande Parade, Sand Sculpture Building, $100,000 Hole-InOne Contest Qualifying & Final Round, Paddlebuoy/Paddleboard Races, Swan Race, Boat Lighting Contest & Display, Zambelli International Fireworks & much more. elkrapidsharbordays.org/events-schedule
ONEKAMA DAYS: (See Thurs., July 31)
NORTE’S RIDE WITH FRIENDS (FUNDRAISER RIDE): 7:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT Civic Center, TC. This ride sponsored by J Merchant Builders features ride options for everyone in the family. More info & registration can be found on web site. $10-$100. norteyouthcycling.org/nortesride
ROTARY BREAKFAST & BBQ: Elk Rapids Town Hall. Breakfast: 7:30-10am; $10. Lunch/dinner: 11am-6pm; $15. Benefits the Rotary Club of Elk Rapids.
50TH ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH
FESTIVAL: July 31 - Aug. 3. Today is Family Day & includes a 5K, Grand Royale Parade, Lumberjack Shows, Cornhole Tournament, live music by New Generation, Ty Parkin and the Old Souls, & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com
HARRIETTA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL: Live music, pie eating & t-shirt contests, a quilt raffle, & a fire hose spray provide entertainment. Many skilled artisans line the streets & fill the Village Hall to offer their goods for sale. The highlight of the day is the Leo Porter Memorial Parade, featuring local leaders, sponsors, & various floats. Free. harriettamichigan.com/blueberry-festival
BLUEBERRY DASH 5K 2025: Bellows Park Pavilion, Frankfort. This run/walk benefits Benzie Senior Resources. For those wishing to be timed, the start is at 8:15am; others may begin at any time & go any distance. $35. runsignup. com/Race/MI/Frankfort/BlueberryDash5K
22ND ANNUAL PETOSKEY ANTIQUES SHOW: 9am, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Featuring more than 120 antique dealers from across the U.S. $10/person. facebook.com/petoskeyantiguesshow
PAUL MCMULLEN MEMORIAL 5K RUN/ WALK: 9am, 398 Chestnut St., Cadillac. This race is in memory of 1996 Olympian Paul McMullen. Paul was a multiple time American champion at 1500m/mile, 1996 Olympian at the Atlanta Games, coach of the Chariots of Fire Track Club, mentor to hundreds of kids, adventurer, father of three children, & husband. $25; increases after 7/25. runsignup. com/Race/Events/MI/Cadillac/PaulMcMullenMemorial5kRunWalk
SBBDL BOOK SALE: 9am-5pm, Suttons Bay-Binghman District Library, beach side of building. The Friends of the Suttons BayBingham District Library are hosting this book sale. It will feature puzzles as well as thousands of books of various genres. Payment is by donation. All proceeds benefit library programs. friends@sbbdl.org
tablished artists as well as new artists. Juried art show, live entertainment, historical museum on site, & more. Free. portsideartsfair.org
PLEIN AIR WEEKEND RETURNS: (See Fri., Aug. 1)
BASKETBALL COP: 11am-2pm, Curling Club Parking Lot, TC. The second annual Basketball Cop initiative, a statewide program that connects officers with young people where they live & play. Using basketball, music & food, these free, family-friendly events are one way the MSP is working with local partners to break down barriers & foster lasting relationships. Participating in the event will be MSP, Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office & TCPD. All kids will receive a free basketball. Free.
SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: (See Sat., July 26)
WALLOON WOODIES & CLASSIC CAR SHOW: The Walloon Woodies is a group of Walloon wooden boat owners who get together the first Sat. in August to parade their boats down to the Village of Walloon. Boats will be on the docks in front of Barrel Back from 11am12:30pm. Classic Cars will be parked in the circle park & in the grassy area across from Hotel Walloon from 11am-4pm. walloonwoodies.com
9TH ANNUAL KENNY OLSON ROCK-NHOLE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT & CONCERT: 1pm, Elmbrook Golf Course, TC. Former Kid Rock Guitarist Kenny Olson Coming Home For Charity Golf & Music Event. Olson is a 1986 TC High School graduate. He will bring his fiery blues-rock style to the stage for this event. Proceeds benefit the Hallie’s Hearts Endowment at the GT Regional Community Foundation, supporting women in northern Michigan impacted by ovarian cancer. The charity event also honors Olson’s late cousin, Hallie Wastell, who died from the disease at age 44 in 2016. Kenny will be joined onstage by keyboardist/singer Jimmy Olson & special guest musicians. Bring a chair to the concert. Register: 231-392-0379. $30 concert only; golf scramble is $550/foursome, or $150/golfer; prices increase after 7/19.
MICHAEL G. LEE BOOK SIGNING & READING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Meet Michael G. Lee, author of “When the Band Played On: The Life of Randy Shilts, America’s Trailblazing Gay Journalist.” Michael is a writer, researcher, & educator with more than twenty years’ experience in human services & HIV/AIDS. upnorthpride.com/ event/2025/8/2/michael-g-lee-book-signingreading-at-horizon-books
“PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”: (See Sat., July 26, except today’s performances are at 2pm & 7pm.)
TC DANCE PROJECT KALKASKA SUMMER TOUR PERFORMANCE: 4pm, Railroad Square Pavilion, Kalkaska. The program features a lineup of professional dancers from around the country & showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott & recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. There will also be a free kids’ dance class for all levels & abilities at 3pm by the pavilion, taught by one of the dancers. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with dancers, musicians, choreographers, & crew, offering insight into the creative process & behind-the-scenes experiences. Free. tcdanceproject.org/events/ kalkaskaperformancetcdpsummertour-2025
CHERRY RUMBLE SCRIMMAGE: 5-9pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Skaters from all over the state come together to play in a day of roller derby mixed scrimmages. Hosted by TC Roller Derby. $5 - available day of. tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/cherry-rumble-696kz
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL”: (See Thurs., July 31)
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: (See Sat., July 26)
CHRIS JANSON WSG BILLY GUNTHER & THE MIDWEST RIDERS: 7-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, outdoor venue, Manistee. Multi-platinum songwriter & artist Chris Janson is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry with hits that include “Buy Me A Boat,” “Good Vibes” & more. $55-$75. lrcr.com/ event/chris-janson-special-guest-billy-gunthermidwest-riders
SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: EAST BAY DRIVE: 7pm, GT County Civic Center Amphitheater, TC.
CHAMBERFEST: ARIEL STRING QUARTET: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Includes Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14, known as “Death and the Maiden.” The Ariel Quartet has earned numerous awards, including the Cleveland Quartet Award, First Prize at the Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, Austria, & the Grand Prize at the 2006 Fischoff Competition. $30; $5 discount for Veterans; free for students. theoperahouse.org
LANG LANG PERFORMS “RHAPSODY IN BLUE”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Globally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performs side-by-side with young artists of Interlochen Arts Camp in the inaugural performance of the Shirley Young Distinguished Artist Series. Tickets start at $51. interlochen.org/events/lang-lang-performs-rhapsody-in-blue-2025-08-02
aug 02 aug 03
45TH ANNUAL SUTTONS BAY ART FESTIVAL: 10am-5pm, next to Suttons Bay Marina Park. Featuring 100 artists along with community groups, a community library book sale, food vendors & a children’s area. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/suttons-bay-art-festival-august-2-3-2025
62ND ANNUAL PORTSIDE ART FAIR: 10am-4pm, Elm Pointe Estate, South Arm of Lake Charlevoix, East Jordan. Featuring es-
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR LGBTQ+ SUICIDE PREVENTION: 2-6pm, The Folded Leaf, Cedar. In response to the LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Hotline being defunded, Up North Pride is hosting this benefit concert & silent auction to support The Trevor Project. Enjoy an afternoon of music, conversation & conscious community involvement to support LGBTQ+ youth. Live music by Sierra Cassidy, The Lofteez, & Amber Hasan. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/8/2/folded-leafbenefit-concert-for-lgbtq-suicide-prevention
NAYC DRESSAGE AND THE DEXTER
CSI3* GRAND PRIX: Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Elite youth show jumping & dressage competition, food, boutique shopping, & open-air fun. Gates open early, & the main competition begins at 3pm. All GA proceeds benefit City Opera House. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit $15 GA. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654
sunday
ONEKAMA DAYS: (See Thurs., July 31)
2025 HARBOR SPRINGS COASTAL CRAWL: 8:30am, Little Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Harbor Springs. Choose from 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile, or 3 mile open water swim. $30$50. webscorer.com/register?raceid=378848
22ND ANNUAL PETOSKEY ANTIQUES SHOW: (See Sat., Aug. 2)
50TH ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 31 - Aug. 3. Mass under the Polka Tent, 4-Wheel Drive Mud Run, live music by Virgil Baker, Rod Loper, Waylon Hanel, & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR DAYS: Clean Up Day – 9-11am. Meet at the First Presbyterian Church – Lighthouse for breakfast. elkrapidsharbordays.org/events-schedule -
SBBDL BOOK SALE: (See Sat., Aug. 2, except today’s time is 9am-4pm.) -
45TH ANNUAL SUTTONS BAY ART FESTIVAL: (See Sat., Aug. 2, except today’s time is 10am-4pm.)
62ND ANNUAL PORTSIDE ART FAIR: (See Sat., Aug. 2)
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN FAIR: 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd., TC. Aug. 3-9. Carnival rides, games, food, live animals, & much more. Today’s Grand Stand event is TNT Bump & Run at 7pm. northwesternmichiganfair.net
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL”: (See Thurs., July 31 except today’s performance is at 2pm.) -
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: (See Sun., July 27)
NAYC JUMPING FINALE: Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Enjoy elite youth show jumping, food, boutique shopping, & open-air fun. Gates open early, & the main competition begins at 2pm. All GA proceeds benefit City Opera House. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit $15 GA. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654
SUNDAY MUSIC IN THE PARK: 4-6pm, Marina Park, downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring Double Play. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
FREE BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: MICHELLE CHENARD: 5-7pm, Petoskey’s Waterfront, on the Promenade near waterfront clock tower.
STRAIGHT NO CHASER: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. This male a cappella group boasts 2 RIAA Gold albums, 2 million albums sold, 1.5 million concert tickets, and over 1 billion Pandora streams. Starting at $47 before fees. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/straight-no-chaser
TC DANCE PROJECT SUMMER TOUR PERFORMANCE: TRAVERSE CITY: 7:30pm, The Open Space, TC. The program features a lineup of professional dancers from around the country & showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott & recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with dancers, musicians, choreographers, & crew, providing insight into the creative process & behind-the-scenes experiences. Bring your own chair/blanket. Free. tcdanceproject. org/events/traversecityperformance-e5ltt
VESPER CONCERT: BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER: 8pm, Bay View, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Simon & Garfunkel’s hit song kicks off a night of musical themes touching on our relationships to the natural world & our ability to overcome adversity. $20.50-$24.50; under 18, free. bayviewassociation.org/events/vesper-concert-bridgeover-troubled-water
TERRIFIC TUESDAYS: Tuesdays, 4-6pm, Leland United Methodist Church. Join 5Loaves2FishNMI for a community meal. 5loaves2fishnmi.org
BOYNE CITY’S STROLL THE STREETS: Downtown Boyne City. Held Friday evenings at 6pm through Aug. 29. Enjoy live music,
children’s activities & much more. Free. boynecitymainstreet.com
GUIDED WALKING HISTORY TOUR OF TC: This tour is an easy 2 mile walk that includes the historic neighborhoods & waterfront of TC. Begins & ends at the Perry Hannah Plaza, located at the corner of 6th & Union streets near downtown. There is no charge for the tours, but gratuities for the guides are appreciated. Groups of six or more can schedule tours at other times. Tours run at 10am every Weds. through Sept. walktchistory.com
BRIGHTLETICS AGELESS GRACE PARKINSON’S CLASS: Mondays, 11-11:50am, GT County Senior Center, TC. Brightletics founder Lisa George teaches this class that is done in a seated chair & is structured in a seven part sequence targeting specific challenges or symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sponsored by Parkinson’s Network North.
WE ARE ONE PEOPLE - A MURAL CREATION: The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. In partnership with the Biennial of Indigenous Artists International, the Presbyterian Church of TC welcomes you to experience the creation of this mural intended to tell the truth about the harm of colonization & uplift Anishinaabek wisdom as a path toward unity & healing for all creation. View a gallery of the artists’ works from July 18 - Aug. 10: Fri.Sat., 1-5pm; Sun., 11am-3pm. A Mural Opening Celebration will be held on Aug. 14 from 5-7pm, featuring food, music, & an artists’ presentation.
SPECTRUM OF REALISM: The Ramsdell Theatre, Hardy Hall Gallery, Manistee. Featuring art by Amelia Gorman, Anna Hansen, Arthur Marshall & Sierra Valencia. Runs July 18 - Aug. 24. Gallery is open daily, noon3pm. ramsdelltheatre.org/art
GENE RANTZ MEMORIAL PLEIN AIR
PAINT OUT EXHIBIT: Northport Arts Association. Runs July 20 - Aug. 2. The NAA welcomes many returning artists along with new artists to share their work with the art lovers throughout northern Michigan. Their interpretation of our special peninsula rewards viewers with artistry that reflects the magic of our area. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
GREAT BODIES - ANNUAL GROUP
SHOW: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Featuring 23 artists from across Michigan, “Great Bodies” is a visual love letter to the abundance of fresh water throughout Michigan. Runs through Aug. 16. Check web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
JRAC MEMBER EXHIBIT: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan. This event features diverse works by more than 30 JRAC member artists. Runs through Aug. 30 from 12:304:30pm daily. jordanriverarts.com/2025events
THE QUILT AS ARCHIVE: Cedar North, Cedar. A solo exhibition of new textile work by artist & writer Cody Cook-Parrott. The show explores the quilt as a container for memory, devotion, time, & personal record. Runs through Sept. 13 on certain days at certain times. Contact Cedar North for available days & times. A free Closing Reception & Artist Talk will be held on Sept. 13 at 6pm. cedarnorthtc.com/classroom
SUMMER SALON: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. 6th annual salon-style exhibit showcasing regionally inspired work by local & area artists. Runs through Aug. 30. Hours: M-F, 11am4pm; Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org/ exhibits-2025
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- ALONG OUR WAY: THE ART OF DOUG BARRON & BRIAN GOFF: Held in Atrium Gallery through Aug. 30. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ along-our-way-art-doug-barron-and-brian-goff
- OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: Saturdays, 10am-1pm in Visual Arts Room. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
- IMMERSED: An immersive exhibition exploring aesthetic, cultural, environmental, & historical dimensions of water - through art, artifacts, sound, & motion. Runs through Aug. Check web site for hours. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/immersed-free-public-programming
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:
- PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE 2025 - EXTENDED EXHIBIT: Held in Carnegie Rotunda through Aug. 22. Features a selection of available artwork created during Paint Grand Traverse 2025, a week-long event where artists painted on location throughout the greater Grand Traverse area. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/paint-grand-traverse-2025-extended-exhibit
- TURNING - TC: Held in Cornwell Gallery. An exhibit of wooden artworks by members of the Northwestern Michigan Woodturners Club whose motto is “Dedicated to the Art of Turning Wood on the Lathe.” Runs through Aug. 22. See web site for hours. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/turning-tc
- WOODEN & EARTHEN: A CELEBRATION OF ART ROOTED IN NATURE: An exhibit featuring Nik Burkhart & Nick Preneta & multi-juried artists celebrating artworks created from natural wood & earth-based materials. Runs through Aug. 22. See web site for hours. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/wooden-earthencelebration-art-rooted-nature-tc
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- JOAN FITZSIMMONS: INTO WHAT WORLD?: Runs through Aug. This is a solo exhibition by Joan Fitzsimmons & a personal investigation into landscape as a place of dreams & imagination. It consists of selections from three of her photographic series called “The Woods,” “Blue Moon,” & “Plant Life.” Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org
- MATT SHLIAN: EVERY LINE IS A CIRCLE IF YOU MAKE IT LONG ENOUGH: Runs through Aug. See a world where art, science & engineering converge. Renowned for his intricate paper sculptures, Shlian transforms flat sheets into dynamic, dimensional forms, exploring the beauty of structure, pattern, & movement. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org
- RECLAIMED: THE ART OF ECOLOGY: Runs through Aug. San Francisco’s waste management service Recology believes that art plays a unique role in educating & inspiring the public. Each year they award residencies to artists, which include a stipend, coveted studio space, & scavenging privileges at their Transfer Station & Recycling Center. These 33 artists have created this exhibit. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary outside of Japan. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through Sept.
28, 2025. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum. org/art/now-on-view/canadian-woodlandartists.html
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECT: 1-3pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Take part in a vibrant artistic experience every second Sun. of the month. From printmaking to painting & weaving, each session offers a unique & creative activity. Included with museum admission. $0-$10. simpletix.com/e/ second-sunday-art-project-tickets-219823
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- YOUTH PLEIN AIR MONTH: During the month of July, children ages 6-12 can step outside & into the world of plein air painting. They can borrow a plein air kit for free from GAAC for four days, meet a plein air artist on July 12 from 10am-2pm, create a painting to be displayed in the Youth Plein Air Exhibit that runs from July 28-31, & participate in a gathering & awards ceremony, July 31 at 6pm. See web site for hours. glenarborart. org/product/youth-plein-air-month
- RANDOM EXHIBITION: Runs through Aug. 28 in the Lobby Gallery. “Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile,” an exhibition of spontaneous compositions by Leelanau County artist Mark Mehaffey. Random is also a tutorial about remaining alert to creative possibilities. glenarborart.org/exhibits
- MEMBERS CREATE: Held in the Main Gallery, this exhibit runs through Aug. 7. Featuring work in a wide range of media: paint to fiber, clay to metal. Open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. Free. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-2025-members-create
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - HORIZONS: ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPES: A fresh look at the landscape genre, exploring it through the lens of several artists with a unique twist on the subject. This exhibit opens with a reception on Fri., Aug. 2 from 5-7pm & continues through Sept. 5. An artist talk will take place on Fri., Sept. 5 from 2-4pm. Hours are Mon. - Sat., 10am-4pm & Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
- SAILING LIFE: THE ADVENTURE OF MICHIGAN’S WATERWAYS: This exhibition explores the joy of sailing Michigan’s rivers & lakes, & celebrates the adventurous heart of the harbor community. Artwork in all media highlighting all kinds of water travel from tug boats to kayaks, canoes to freighters, & everything in between. Runs July 18 - Aug. 22. Hours are Mon.-Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
- OLIVER ART CENTER ANNUAL SUMMER MEMBER’S EXHIBITION: Runs through July 26. Showcases hundreds of artworks in a wide variety of artistic styles, media & techniques, highlighting the talents & creativity of Oliver Art Center members. Open: Mon. - Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org
- “SMALL WORKS: COMMUNITY COLLAGE” PROJECT, HONORING LEGACY OF JOE MUER: Runs through Aug. This engaging project underscores the Oliver Art Center’s commitment to fostering awareness & accessibility of the visual arts by inviting artists of all ages & abilities to contribute their creativity. oliverart.org
ALDEN SUNSET MARKET: By tennis courts on Tyler St. Held on Thursdays through Sept. from 2-7pm. Shop for fruit, veggies, gifts, art & much more. The downtown stores will be open late & there will be live music.
OUTDOOR MINI FARMERS MARKET: Mondays, 1-5pm through Aug. 25. The Village at GT Commons, Piazza/Pavilion, TC. Find local baked goods, vegetables, herbs & more.
7187 E Harrys Rd, Traverse City bulldogberries.com
Raspberries also available for U-Pick
*Blueberries available mid July
WEDNESDAYS:
D.A.T.E. NIGHT
Dessert or Appetizer w/purchase of Two Entrees (Begins 11/29)
THURSDAYS:
BOYNE CITY: Veterans Park. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays through mid-Oct. from 8am-noon. Exceptions include July 12 at Peninsula Beach & Aug. 9 at Green Space between City Hall & Field of Dreams. boynecityfarmersmarket.org
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Howard St., between Mitchell St. & Michigan St. Held every Fri., 8:30am-1pm. Local producers offer organic meats, fruits & vegetables, flowers & more. petoskeychamber.com/downtownpetoskey-farmers-market
EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm through Oct. 2. Township Hall, 1965 N. 3 Mile Rd., TC. This market accepts SNAP/EBT benefits & also offers a Power of Produce program for kids ages 5-13. There will be live music, food trucks, & family game nights. eastbaytwp.org/residents/food_security.php
PASTA NIGHT!
Tues–Sat at 5:00 pm and select summer Mondays
2 pasta dinners & a bottle of
231.334.3900 | www.trattoria-funistrada.com 4566 W MacFarlane Rd, Maple City
ELK RAPIDS: Cedar St. Parking Lot, downtown. Runs every Fri. through Oct. 3, 8amnoon. elkrapidschamber.org/farmers-market
EMPIRE: 10234 Front St. Held every Sat. through Aug. 30 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
FRANKFORT: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Open Space Park, Main St.
GLEN ARBOR: Behind Glen Arbor Twp. Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave. Held every Tues. through Sept. 16, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
Dessert or Appetizer w/purchase of Two Entrees (Begins 11/29)
HARBOR SPRINGS: Corner of State & Main streets, downtown. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Aug. 27, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 11. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. There will be live music on select dates, & also Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/ events/harbor-springs-farmers-market-2025
INTERLOCHEN: Corner of US-31 & J. Maddy Parkway. Held every Sun. through Oct. from 9am-2pm, & every Thurs. in July & Aug. from 2-7pm. Featuring local fresh produce, locally produced food, & natural artisan arts & crafts. facebook.com/InterlochenFarmersMarket
THURSDAYS: PASTA NIGHT!
LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot. Held every Thurs. through Sept. 4, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
2 pasta dinners & a bottle of wine for $62
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E Grandview Parkway, TC. Held on Wednesdays through Oct. from 8am-noon, & Saturdays through Oct. from 7:30am-noon. dda. downtowntc.com/farmers-market/
SUTTONS BAY: North Park, 601 Front St. Held every Sat. through Oct. 18, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
LONG LAKE TWP.: Haywood Park, 8870 N. Long Lake Rd., TC. Held on Thursdays through Oct. 2, 9am-1pm. 946-2249.
MACKINAW CITY: Conkling Heritage Park. Held every Mon., July 7 - Sept. 29 from 11am-3pm.
*Now open at 5:00pm! Tues - Sat (not
MANISTEE: Wagoner Community Center. Held every Sat. through Oct. 4, 9am-noon. manisteekitchen.org/farmers-market
NORTHPORT: 105 S. Bay St., across from marina. Held every Fri. through Sept. 19, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
OLD TOWN EMMET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm through Oct. 4, Friendship Center of Emmet County, Petoskey. This market is made up of a group of local farmers, growers, bakers, makers, crafters, & artisans. petoskeyarea. com/events/old-town-emmet-farm-market
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
Wednesday August 6th • 5-7pm
Civic Center Park & Amphitheater
Jimmy Johns sandwiches and snacks, Grand Traverse Pie Co. pies, lawn games, park tours and more — $10 entry
YMCA Family Membership, Downtown TC $100 shopping spree, TC Phil tickets, TC Roller Derby tickets
Recess is brought to you by
APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC
7/31 – Jim Hawley, 6-9:30
CHATEAU CHANTAL, TC
Thu -- Jazz at Sunset w/ Jeff Haas Trio & Laurie Sears, 7
ENCORE 201, TC
9:
7/25-26 & 8/1-2 -- DJ Ricky T
7/31 -- Skin Kwon Doe
GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA, ACME
7/26 -- Craig Jolly, 7-9
HOPSCOTCH BRICK OVEN & TAP ROOM, TC
7/26 -- David Lawston, 6-9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC PATIO:
8/1 – Doc Probes, 5:30-8:30
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC
9:30:
7/25-26 – The TC Knuckleheads
8/1 – Protea
8/2 – The Ampersands
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
7/29 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8
7/31 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC
BARREL ROOM:
7/28 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
TASTING ROOM:
8/1 -- Jeff Socia, 5-7
MARI VINEYARDS, TC
4-6:
7/29 -- Blake Elliott
7/30 -- Jerry Byville
7/31 -- Christina Teresa
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
7/26 -- Rolling Dirty Trio, 6-9
7/30 – Trivia Night, 7-9
7/31 -- Open Mic, 7-9; Sign-ups at 6:30
8/1 – Kyle Brown, 6-9
BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM
7:
7/26, 7/31 & 8/2 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys
8/1 – Patrick Ryan & Friends
BRIDGE STREET TAP ROOM, CHARLEVOIX
7/29 -- Patrick Ryan, 7
CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY
7-10:
7/26 – The Lavendar Lions Duo
CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS
8/3 – Shortstop, 1-2; Drew Hale, 2-5
ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS
OUTDOORS:
7/26 -- Chris Michels Band, 8-11
7/27 -- Vinyl Record Crate Dig w/ DJ Franck & DJ Yokob, 2-6
8/2 -- Charlie's Root Fusion, 8-11
8/2 – Zeke Clemons, 6-9
MT. HOLIDAY, TC BEER GARDEN, 6-9:
7/31 – Pete Fetters
8/1 – Scott Baker
NORTH BAR, TC
7/26 – Mallory Ramage, 1-4; Henry Herig, 5-8
7/27 – Jimmy Olson, 5-8
7/30 – Reese Keelor, 7-10
7/31 – Trevor VanAssche, 7-10
8/1 – Beans & Cheese, 1-4
8/2 -- Craig Jolly, 1-4; David Cisco, 5-8
8/3 – Nick Vasquez, 5-8
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:
7/26 – Matt Mansfield, 7
7/27 – Jonathan Stoye, 7
7/30 – Jimmy Olson, 7
7/31 – Mitchell McKolay, 6
8/1 – Tower of Bauer, 7 8/2 – Weston Buchan, 7 SAIL INN BAR & GRILL, TC PATIO:
Wed -- Live Music w/ Josh, 6 Thurs, Sat – Karaoke, 9
STONE HOUND BREWING CO., WILLIAMSBURG
7/26 -- Mike Moran, 7-9
8/1 – WSKF, 6:30-9:30
8/2 – Andrew Lutes, 6:30-9:30
TC GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
8/1 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9
THE ALEXANDRA INN, TC BLUSH ROOFTOP TERRACE: Mon -- John & Madeline Piatek, 4-6
THE ALLUVION, TC
7/28 – Big Fun, 6-8:30
7/30 – Charlie Millard Band Album Release Show, 7-10 7/31 – The Pickle Mafia wsg wtrbd, 7:30-10:30
THE COIN SLOT, TC
7:
7/26 -- Rebekah Jon 7/28 -- ZUZ
7/30 -- BYOVinyl Night with Eugene’s Record Co-op
FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE PATIO, 7-10: 7/26 -- Nick Vasquez
8/1 -- Rick Woods
8/2 -- Bekah Brudi
LAVENDER HILL FARM, BOYNE CITY
LOCAL GROUND, 6: 7/26 – I.Am.James THE SERIES, MAIN STAGE, 7:30: 7/26 – The Dryes
LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX
8/1 -- Dave Cisco, 5-8
MAREK'S HARBOR GRILL, CHARLEVOIX
THE FLYBRIDGE (ROOFTOP BAR):
7/26 -- Boardman River Band, 8-11
7/27 & 8/3 -- Lou Thumser, 7-11
7/31 -- Karaoke, 7-11
8/1 -- Dejayimar, 7-11
8/2 -- Jake the Dog, 7-11
7/31 -- New Age Phonograph 8/2 -- The Real Ingredients
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
7/26 -- Low Hanging Fruit, 7:30-11
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
7/30 -- IPR Concert Series: Ruby John & John Warstler, 5:30-7
THE PARLOR, TC PATIO:
7/26 – Wink Solo, 6-9; Clint Weaner, 9-12
7/29 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
7/30 – Rob Coonrod, 8-11
7/31 – Jimmy Olson, 8-11
THE PUB, TC
7/26 – Reese Keelor, 5-8; Skin Kwon Doe, 9-12
7/27 & 8/3 -- David Martón, 5-8
7/28 – Karaoke w/ DJ Shawny T, 8-11
7/29 – Open Mic Night w/ Chris Sterr, 8
7/30 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11
7/31 – Music Bingo, 7:30-10
8/1 – Rolling Dirty Duo, 5-8; Jeff Linsell, 9-12
8/2 – Ben Richey, 5-8; DJ Wavrunner, 9-12
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
7/26 -- Sean Kelly, 8
7/27 -- Full Tilt Comedy: Comedy Mixtape #25, 7
7/29 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7 7/31 -- DJ Trivia, 7
8/1 -- Jacob McLeod, 8
8/2 -- Hannah Rose Graves, 8
THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC PATIO, 6:30-9:30:
7/26 – The Timebombs
7/31 – TC Knuckleheads
8/1 – DJ1 Wave 8/2 – Chris Michels Band
UNION STREET STATION, TC
7/26 – The Be Colony, 10
7/27 – Aqua Cherry, 9
7/31 – DJ1 Wave, 9
THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS PATIO, 6: 7/26 – Gemini Moon 8/1 – Headwaters Band 8/2 – Brett Mitchell
8/3 – Jazz Cabbage TOONIES, BELLAIRE
7/26 – Uprizin, 9:30-12:30 8/1 – Ultralounge, 9-1 8/2 – Karaoke, 9-1
WINE BAR, CHARLEVOIX 7/30 – Hanna Von B, 7-9
-- Alex Teller 7/30 -- May Erlewine
7/31 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic Hosted by Jane Amstutz
8/1 -- Chirp 8/2 -- Jen Sygit Trio
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
7/26 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6
8/1 -- Pete Kehoe, 4-7
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR
7/26 – The Tweed Tones, 12:30-3:30
7/27 -- Hanna Von B, 12:303:30
7/28 – Ricky Hill, 6-9
7/29 – Two Track Mind, 6-9
7/30 – The Real Ingredients, 6-9
7/31 – Continuous Imposition, 6-9
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY
8/1 – The Tweed Tones, 6-9
PEARL’S NEW ORLEANS KITCHEN, ELK RAPIDS
7/26 – Pete Fetters, 6-9
SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE
BEER GARDEN, 7-9:30:
7/26 – The Broom Closet Boys
7/31 – Shortstop
8/1 – Brett Mitchell & The Mitchfits
8/2 – The King of Mars
SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS
7/26 – Kevin Wolff Duo, 6:30
7/27 – Gemini Moon, 2-5
7/31 – Blair Miller, 6
SPARE KEY WINERY, CHARLEVOIX
8/2 -- Randy Reszka, 1-4
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN, BOYNE CITY
7/26 – Nelson Olstrom, 6
CHESTNUT VALLEY GOLF COURSE, HARBOR SPRINGS BIRDIES TAVERN: 7/30 – Mike Ridley, 6-9
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 8/1 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
DIXIE SALOON, MACKINAW CITY 8/1 & 8/3 – Pete Fetters, 8-11
DOUGLAS LAKE STEAKHOUSE, PELLSTON
7/27 – Nelson Olstrom, 6
INN AT BAY HARBOR
CABANA BAR, 6-9: 7/28 – Mike Ridley
7/31 – Michelle Chenard
INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER
7/31 – Mike Ridley, 2-5
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
7/26 – Hanna Von B, 7:3010:30
7/31 – Charlie Witthoeft, 7-10
8/1 – Eric Jaqua, 7:30-10:30
8/2 – Sydni K, 7:30-10:30
NORTHLAND BREWING CO., INDIAN RIVER
7/26 – Pearl Street String Band, 7-10
7/31 – Melissa & Jake, 6:308:30
8/1 – Lee Fayssoux, 7-10
8/2 – Lavender Lions, 7-10
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9: 7/25-26 -- Live DJ
8/1-2 -- 90's & 2000's Weekend w/DJ
OTIS RESORT, HARBOR SPRINGS
7/27 & 8/3 – Randy Reszka, 11am-2pm
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
7/26 -- Twlight Tunes Dueling Pianos, 5-8
7/27 -- Amanda Jane, 3-6
7/30 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kirby, 5-8
7/31 -- Mister Tim, 5-8
8/1-2 -- Ravon "Steely" Rhoden, 5-8 8/3 -- Greg Nagy, 3-6
SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 8/1 – The Darwin Project, 6-9
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 7/26 & 8/2 -- Ahab & The Smelt Dippers, 8 7/31 -- Musician's Playground, 7 8/1 -- The Whiskey Charmers, 8
THE HIGHLANDS, HARBOR SPRINGS SLOPESIDE PATIO: 7/30 – Nelson Olstrom, 6-9
THE LARK THEATER, CHEBOYGAN
7/26 – An Acoustic Tribute to Journey Starring Danny Wilde, 6 & 7:30: BOTH SOLD OUT 8/2 – Casey James, 6 & 7:30
THE QUEENS HEAD, CHEBOYGAN
5:30-7:30: 7/30 – Pete Kehoe
7/31 -- Sing-Along with Jim
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER
7/31 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:309:30
WALLOON LAKE WINERY, PETOSKEY
7/31 -- Duffy King, 6-8
JULY 28 - AUG 03
BY ROB BREZSNY
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In ancient China and ancient Greece, the lion was not the king of beasts, but the guardian of gates. The threshold keeper. The one who asked, “Are you ready?” Now is a good time to bring this aspect of Leonine symbolism to your attention. You may soon feel a surge of leadership radiance, but not necessarily the stage-commanding kind. It will be more like priest and priestess energy. Gatekeeper presence. People and situations in your orbit are on the verge of transformation, and you can be a midwife to their transitions—not by fixing or moralizing, but by witnessing. So I invite you to hold space. Ask potent questions. Be the steady presence ready to serve as a catalyst.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The love-fakers and promise-breakers and delusion-makers are no fun, but I think you will ultimately be grateful they helped you clarify your goals. The reverse healers and idea-stealers and greedy feelers are perilous to your peace of mind in the short run, but eventually they will motivate you to create more rigorous protections for your heart, health, and stability. In conclusion, Virgo, it's one of those odd times when people with less than pure intentions and high integrity can be valuable teachers.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is built into a Norwegian mountain near the Arctic. It’s humanity’s backup garden. It stores over a million seed varieties from all over the world, serving as a safeguard for biodiversity. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I invite you to imagine yourself as resembling a seed vault. What valuable capacities are you saving up for the future? Are there treasures you contain that will ensure your long-term stability and security? Which of your potentials need to get extra nurturing? Bonus: Now is a good time to consider whether you should activate any of these promises.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s a myth in Gnostic traditions that Sophia, the Goddess of Divine Wisdom, split herself apart and dispersed into the material world. She became embedded in every stone, plant, and drop of blood. And she’s still here, murmuring truth from within every part of the material world. In Sophia’s spirit, Scorpio, here is your message: Wisdom isn’t elsewhere. It’s embedded in your body; in your grief; in the wood grain of your table and the ache behind your eyes. More than ever, you have a mandate to celebrate this gift. So for now, refrain from thinking that spirituality is about transcendence and ascendance. Instead, greet the sacred in the dust and mud. Listen for Sophia in the ordinary. She speaks in sighs and sparks, not sermons.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When I do tours to promote the books write, the range of encounters can be wide. On one trip, over 300 people came to see me at a bookstore in New York City. They listened raptly, posed interesting questions, and bought 71 books. In Atlanta three days later, was greeted by nine semi-interested people at a small store in a strip mall. They purchased three books. But gave equal amounts of energy at both gigs. The crowd in Atlanta got my best, as did the audience in New York. invite you to regard me as a role model, Sagittarius. Proceed as if every experience deserves your brightest offerings. Express yourself with panache no matter what the surroundings are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In ancient Egyptian cosmology, ka is the vital essence and the double of a person that lives on after death. But it also walks beside you while you live. It drinks, eats, and dreams. It is both you and more than you. Dear Capricorn, I invite you to tune in to your ka in the coming days, and any other spiritual presences that serve you and nourish you. Be alert for visitations from past selves, forgotten longings, and future visions that feel eerily familiar.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): "Dear Rob Brezsny: I wonder what you are like in person. Sometimes I get a Gen X vibe, like you wear vintage t-shirts from obscure bands, are skeptical but not cynical, and remember life before the internet, but are tech savvy. Other times, you seem like a weird time-traveler visiting us from 2088. It's confusing! Are you trying to be a mystery? When's your next public appearance? want to meet you. —Aquarian
Explorer." Dear Aquarian: I'm glad I'm a riddle to you. As long as I avoid being enmeshed in people's expectations and projections, I maintain my freedom to be my authentic self, even as I continually reinvent my authentic self. By the way, I recommend you adopt my attitude in the coming weeks.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In Norse mythology, the god Odin plucked out one of his eyes and hung himself upside down from the World Tree for nine days. Why would he do such a thing? The ancient stories tell us this act of self-sacrifice earned him the right to learn the secret of the runes, which held the key to magic, fate, and wisdom. You don’t need to make a sacrifice anywhere near that dramatic, Pisces. But I do suspect you are primed for a comparable process. What discomfort are you willing to endure for the sake of revelation? What illusions must you give up to see more clearly? dare you to engage in an inner realignment that brings metamorphosis, but not martyrdom.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): For many bamboo species, nothing visible happens for years after the seeds are sowed. Beneath the surface, though, the plants are developing an extensive underground root system. This is referred to as the “sleep” or “creep” phase. Once the preparatory work is finished, the above-ground growth explodes, adding as much as three feet of stalk per day. Dear Aries, I sense you have been following a similar pattern. Soon you will launch a phase of vigorous evolution and expansion. It might feel unsettling at first, but predict you will come to adore it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are very close to uncovering interesting information about yourself—some new, some forgotten. But you will have to be brave and strategic to actually find it. If you manage to pull off this demandingbut-not-impossible trick, a series of breakthroughs may stream your way. Like what? Here are the possibilities. 1. A distorted self-image will fade. 2. An adversary’s hex will dissolve. 3. An inhibition will subside, freeing you to unite with a fun asset. 4. You will knock down a barrier that has been so insidious you didn’t know how strong it was.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In medieval music, “organum” refers to passages that feature two voices. One is sung in long, sustained notes, and the other performs intricate, faster-moving melodic lines above it. This is an apt metaphor for the roles I invite you to take on in the coming weeks, Gemini: both the drone and the melody. One way to do it is to hold steady in one realm as you improvise in another. Another is to offer your allies doses of stability and inspirational dreams. Welcome the duality! You are capable of both deep-rooted rhythm and visionary risk; both fortifying truth and playful fun.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Ernest Hemingway had a reputation for bravado, but he was adept at wielding the protective, self-nourishing skills your sign is renowned for. He was sensitive about his worksin-progress, refusing to discuss unfinished stories. He understood that raw creative energy needed to be sheltered from kibitzing until it could stand on its own. "The first draft of anything is shit," he said, but he also knew that defending the right to write that mediocre first draft was essential for him to thrive. Hemingway's ability to channel his emotional vulnerability into moving prose came from establishing firm boundaries around his generative process. I recommend you do all that good stuff in the coming weeks, dear Cancerian.
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"Say It Ain't Snow" it's way too hot for that.by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Phineas's brother
5. French painter Edouard
10. Like extremely successful comedy, so to speak
14. Reason for a spotlight during an opera
15. From the beginning, in law
16. One not on the level
17. Casual shoe for professional use?
19. Puts a stop to
20. Only U.S. state with a Great Seal designed by a woman
21. How some text might be highlighted
23. Prefix with "evangelist"
24. Person asking too much about a BLT ingredient?
29. For tacking on
31. "No more seats" Broadway sign
32. Hoppy option
33. Things to split
35. "I'll think ___"
36. The viper of virtue?
41. A little horse
42. One with steal-y resolve?
43. Hurricane center
44. "You're the Worst" actress Cash
47. Blackboard items
51. Gastropod that works on cars?
54. ___ de mer (sea sickness)
55. Recorded
56. Baroness who wrote "The Scarlet Pimpernel"
58. Be sulky
60. Peak achoo?
63. Ash holders
64. Cookies making up an entire wall display at the Museum of Failure
65. Apiary dwellers
66. Substance
67. With 40-Down, "SNL" alum on "Weeds"
68. Helper, for short
DOWN
1. Marinated meat in a tortilla
2. Ate away at
3. RisquÈ
4. Big party
5. Author Rita ___ Brown
6. Law school org.
7. Company based in Finland
8. Calendar entries
9. Lethargy
10. Howerton of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"
11. "Old MacDonald" repetition, maybe 12. "A Shropshire ___" (A.E. Housman poetry collection)
13. AMA members
18. Fair
22. "Equal" prefix
25. "Chocolat" actress Lena
26. Unembellished
27. "The Andy Griffith Show" kid
28. Butter bit
30. Greeting to a matey
34. Retired jet, for short
35. Stumblebums
36. "La Tauromaquia" artist
37. Quick bout length
38. Old New York ballpark
39. Apple voice assistant
40. See 67-Across
41. Take down a ___
44. Insurance co. rep.
45. "Fine, whatever"
46. Have a goal
48. Hosts
49. Teases
50. Most devious
52. Fidgety
53. Triangular Mideast desert
57. Singer McEntire
58. Quizzing site
59. Toledo treasure
61. ___ polloi
62. ID with dashes
9 BEAN ROWS, SUTTONS BAY
7/29 – Billy and the Kid, 1-3
45 NORTH VINEYARD & WINERY, LAKE LEELANAU
7/31 -- Jakob Abraham, 5-7
BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR
7/26 -- Eye in Queue, 3:30-5:30
7/27 -- Chris Smith, 3:30-5:30
7/29 -- Dominic Fortuna, 5:30-7:30
8/1 -- Bryan Poirier, 5:30
8/2 -- Jakob Abraham, 3:30-5:30 8/3 -- Jesse Jefferson, 3:30
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY LAWN, 6-8:
7/26 -- Izzy Joy
8/2 – Agnes Su
BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU
7/27 -- Luke Woltanski w/ John Piatek & Dan Palmer, 4-6:30
7/30 -- Bryan Poirier, 5:30-8
8/3 -- Jim Hawley & his Band, 4-6:30
CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY
7/27 – Michelle Chenard, 4-6:30
7/31 – Luke Woltanski, 4-6:30
8/3 – Rhett & John, 2-4:30
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLLE
BARR PARK, 6-8: 7/26 -- Sean Baldwin
7/27 -- Jim Hawley
8/2 -- Carl Pawluk Duo
8/3 -- Rhett & John
KINLOCHEN PLAZA, 6-8:
7/26 -- Fred Drachus & Sue Wood
7/30 -- Jim Hawley
8/2 -- Dave Barth
LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30
7/26 -- Sydni K
7/27 -- Drew Hale
7/30 -- Nick Vasquez
7/31 -- Carl Pawluk
8/1 -- Carl Pawluk Duo
8/2 -- Brady Corcoran
8/3 -- Jesse Jefferson
MICHIGAN LEGACY ART PARK, AMPHITHEATER:
7/31 – Rebekah Jon, 7
DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT
7/27 -- Billy & the Kid, 3:30
7/30 – Emily Faber, 3:30
8/3 -- Swingbone North, 3-6
FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH
7/30 -- Open Mic w/ Andy Littlefield, 7-9
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 4-7:
7/28 -- Loose Change
7/31 -- Keith Scott
FURNACE STREET DISTILLERY, ELBERTA PATIO, 6-8:
7/26 & 8/2 – Andy Littlefield
7/27 – Porcelain Train
7/31 – John Piatek
8/1 – Elizabeth Landry
8/3 – Billy & the Kid
HOP LOT BREWING CO., SUTTONS
BAY 5-8:
7/26 -- 65 North Pickers
7/30 -- Levi Britton
7/31 -- Broom Closet Boys
8/1 -- Zak Bunce & Denny Richards
8/2 -- Dune Brothers
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
7/26 – Gretchen Woell, 6:30-8:30
7/27 – DJ Rhet, 4-6
8/2 – Blair Miller, 6:30-8:30
8/3 – Jakob Abraham, 4-6
JACOBSON MARINA RESORT, FRANKFORT
7/26 & 8/2 -- Jim Hawley, 3-6
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
7/26 -- Daydrinkers Series w/ Highway North, 3-6; Chloe Kimes, 7-10
7/29 -- New Third Coast, 6:30-9:30
7/30 -- Rachael Davis wsg SkyLea Martin, 6:30
7/31 -- Mike Moran, 6:30
8/1 -- Happy Hour w/ Billy & The Kid, 3-6; Full Cord, 7-10
8/2 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Chris Skellenger & Paul Koss, 3-6; The Jameson Brothers, 7-10
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY
8/1 -- Song of the Lakes, 6-9 BEER GARDEN, 4-7:
7/27 -- Windy Ridge Quartet 8/3 -- The Shakers
RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR
7/26 – Larz Cabot, 1:30-4:30; Empire Highway, 6-9
7/27 – Jesse Jefferson, 6-9
7/28 – Drew Hale, 6-9
7/29 – Ben Richey, 6-9
7/30 – Loose Change, 6-9
7/31 – Andre Villoch, 6-9
8/1 – Manitou Blues, 6-9
8/2 – Jason Locke, 1:30-4:30; Empire Highway, 6-9
8/3 – Chromatix Band, 6-9
SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY 4-7:
7/26 -- Kevin Johnson
8/1 -- Friday Night Live w/ Swingbone
8/2 -- Kyle Brown
SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7:
7/26 -- Luke Woltanski
7/31 – Betty Cordner
8/1 – Matt Valdiviez
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
7/26 – LaRose, 1-4; Jason Locke, 5-8
7/28 – Grant Peeples, 5-8
7/29 – Luke Woltanski, 5-8
7/30 – Blair Miller, 5-8
8/1 – Lynn Thompson, 5-8
8/3 – Kyle Brown & Nina Sofia, 3-6
SUTTONS BAY CIDERS
7/27 -- Nick and Rokko, 5:30-8
7/31 – DJ Trivia, 6:30-8
8/3 -- Brady Corcoran, 5:30-8
SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
SUMMER CARNIVAL AT FIFE LAKE LIBRARY, AUGUST 2: Join us 10 am-3 pm. Slot car racing, games, prizes, and food. Tickets are $1/ea
MAKE-A-BOOK WITH KIDS WORKSHOP:
Create a keepsake book with a special little. August 10, 1:00 @ Bee Well Leelanau. Visit the events page at The Artist's Way Leelanau or Contact Jo @ 231.409.2050 for more info.
HOUSE FOR RENT TRAVERSE CITY 3 BED 1 BA. $1600/MO: 1618 Crescent St. Off Barlow near the airport. stephenjosephemery@gmail.com
Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8
THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA
7/26 – Blake Elliott, 5:30-8:30
7/27 – Larz, 5:30-8:30
7/29 – Aldrich, 5:30-8:30
7/30 – Vinyl Vednesday w/ DJ T.J., 5-8
7/31 – Open Mic Night, 6:30-9
8/1 – Vinyl by the Bay w/ DJ T.J., 5-8 8/2 – The Benzie Playboys, 6-9
THE FOLDED LEAF, CEDAR
7/26 – A.S. Lutes, 5-7:30
7/30 – Big Fun, 6-8:30
8/2 – Benefit Concert for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention w/ Sierra Cassidy, The Lofteez, & Amber Hasan, 2-6
THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9:
7/26 – Bryan Poirier
8/1 – Chris Michaels
8/2 – Laura Thurston
TIPSY CANOE, HONOR
7/26 – WSKF
7/27 – Lynn Callahan
7/30 – Music Bingo – DJ Trivia
7/31 – Trivia Night – DJ Trivia
8/1 – Shoreline Sound
8/2 – Billy and the Kid
8/3 – Jason Locke
TREASURES CONSIGNMENT $ELL YOUR FURNITURE & DECOR: NoMi’s source for furniture and decor! 211 Bell Ave. Cadillac, MI 231-444-6094
