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NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • july 27 - august 02, 2026 • Vol. 36 No.30 “Up in the Cherry Tree” by Wendy McWhorter
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 1
Nonstop Summer. MINNEAPOLIS
BOSTON NEW YORK NEWARK PHILADELPHIA
J
CHICAGO
DETROIT
WASHINGTON DC DULLES & REAGAN
DENVER
CHARLOTTE
PHOENIX/MESA
ATLANTA
DALLAS/ FORT WORTH HOUSTON
ORLANDO/ SANFORD
TAMPA/ST. PETE
PUNTA GORDA FORT LAUDERDALE
Book your summer vacation to one of our nonstop cities! Cherry Capital Airport tvcairport.com
2 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
letters CONTENTS Line 5 Reporting My compliments to the Northern Express Weekly for the informative and well balanced article by Victor Skinner that covered the Line 5 updates. His July 6 article lacks the dramatics so often associated with the leftist view so often encountered in the Line 5 dispute. Instead, Victor lays out the facts and gives readers a straightforward insight into the concerns of both parties; those for, and those against. In spite of the background noise, done carefully (that is the key) there are some advantages in constructing Line 5. A well done article. We locals would like to see more like it. Keith Ogden | East Jordan Our Neighbors to the North Most would agree that smoke from Canadian and Minnesotan wildfires is making life difficult in northern Michigan and elsewhere. However, the July 15, 2026, letter sent by Congressman Bergman and several other officials does not help. Threatening, and bullying our Canadian neighbors doesn’t solve the crises. Canada is a longtime friend and ally of the U.S. Canada has always been willing to help. For example, in 2025 Canada offered 250 firefighters, aircraft equipment, Coast Guard manpower, and other resources to help fight California fires. There is a long history of help back and forth across our border. By diverting our attention over this problem by ramping up anger at a friend, these officials take our focus off the underlying problem. As Jonathan Overpeck, Dean of University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, says, “Environmental policy matters. Public health matters. We are all on this planet and in this moment together. Walk out the front door. Our planet is in crises and it’s on all of us to decide what comes next.” So instead of complaining, whining, and threatening, Congressman Bergman should work on systemic solutions to manmade climate change and its consequences at home and with our neighbors to the North.
features The Art of August................................................9
An Exciting Time for Art and Culture.................10 A Mirror, a Myth, and a Lifetime of Art.............12 Upriver...................................................................14 Finding Freedom in Process............................16 Six Benzie County Art Havens..........................18
columns & stuff
Top Ten.........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle..................................6 Guest Opinion..................................................7 Weird..............................................................8 Dates..........................................................19 Nitelife...........................................................24 Astrology.......................................................25 Crossword.....................................................25 Classifieds....................................................26
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Contributors: Sara Bagley, Geri Dietze, Matthew Dursum, Anna Faller, Ellen Miller, Rachel Pasche, Stephen Tuttle
WHY WORK WITH ME?
Gretchen Iorio | Kewadin Try Something That Cares About People In response to Steve Tuttle’s “Try Something New” column, how about we go a little more towards caring about people. I would add to Steve’s list of social programs we already have: our public schools. I would also vote for politicians who advocate for healthcare for all, at least two years of free college, and a tax code that taxes the wealthy more. We need borders, police, a reeled-in ICE, and immigration reform. Just care about people a little more! James Toussaint | Bellaire What’s The Difference? Whilst Republican politicians are scaring voters by labeling their Democratic opponents as "communists" and "socialists" for trying to do things to help ordinary Americans, as mentioned by Mr. Tuttle, the federal government under President Trump has been busily taking ownership stakes in U.S.-based companies. Government ownership of private companies also amounts to socialism. What's the difference? Willard Losinger | Harbor Springs
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Local Market Expertise-Locally Raised! Skilled Negotiator
Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold Cover photo: “Up in the Cherry Tree” by Wendy McWhorter
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Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 3
this week’s
top ten Old-Fashioned Blueberries
A Concert with Heart The Kenny Olson 10th Annual Rock-N-Hole Charity Concert takes place Saturday, Aug. 1, at Elmbrook Golf Course in Traverse City. An 18-hole scramble starts at 1pm, followed by a 7pm concert, where Olson’s blues-rock style will be joined by keyboardist/singer Jimmy Olson and other musical guests. Olson has performed at iconic venues like Woodstock and the Super Bowl with artists like Aerosmith, Run DMC, and many more. With proceeds benefitting the Hallie’s Hearts Endowment at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, this event honors Olson’s late cousin, Hallie Olson Wastell. Tickets are $550 for a foursome or $150/golfer. Concert-only tickets are $30. (231) 392-0379.
Hey, read It! Country People
It’s a festival double header in the Cadillac area this weekend! First up, journey back in time at the Marion Old Fashion Days, as the town honors its heritage with parades, a cross-country 5K and 2M race, tons of local food and retail vendors, plus live music and family-friendly activities. The celebration runs July 31-Aug. 2; see all the details by searching “Marion Old Fashion Days” on Facebook. Meanwhile, in Harrietta, the Blueberry Festival will stain your teeth blue with our favorite August fruit! The one-day fest takes place on Aug. 1 and is free with tons of fun for all ages. We’re talking pie-eating contests (blueberry, of course), artisan booths in the Village Hall, a fire hose spray to cool off, and the float-filled Leo Porter Memorial Parade. harriettamichigan.com/blueberry-festival.
In a certain town, in a certain kingdom (as all good Russian folktales begin), there lived a man named Miles Krzelewski, who was 12 years late on his Ph.D. dissertation. So, when his academically successful wife is offered a spot at a prestigious college, the whole family hightails it east to rural Vermont, with Miles in particular seeking renewed direction and sense of place (and to prove that he’s not a professional failure). What they find is a real-life version of the stories he studies: rolling landscapes, a magical cast of characters—including a cat-shaped exterminator and a mad scientist farmer, just to name a few—and a deeplyingrained local legend that rivals the bounds of even Miles’s imagination. Whether the Krzelewski-Petrosians have finally found their place remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: they’re not going anywhere! Escapist heaven is the name of the game in bestselling author Daniel Mason’s newest novel, Country People. After all, who needs the real world when you have books?
the 2 tastemaker
Brady’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Look, we love a good, old-fashioned hamburger, and we appreciate the fact that the vast majority of restaurants in town have a burger option on the menu. But we’re also big believers that it should be just as easy to find a fried chicken sandwich—ideally one with as many customization options as are typically available with a burger. Fortunately, Brady’s Bar in Traverse City is in agreement with this notion. Not only does Brady’s have a classic crispy chicken sandwich on the menu, but they also give you the option to add cheese! And bacon!! Can there be too much of a good thing? In this case, the answer is no. Stop in at 401 S Union St. for a beer, some fries, and a sandwich made just the way you like it. bradystc.com
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Stuff We Love: Cheers to Sugar Loaf
6 Acoustic Guitar Retreat The Interlochen Acoustic Guitar Retreat will feature numerous instructors, including Pierre Bensusan, who will perform for students and the public July 28. Bensusan, whose style combines jazz, Celtic, world, and folk music, believes music is an essential part of the human experience. “Music is for touching everyone,” he says. “I’m still doing it, until I can’t do it anymore.” Bensusan left school at 16 to study guitar and perform, recording his first album at 17. The 68-year-old says he continues to practice and discover new things about the guitar every day. Matthew Schroeder, who heads the retreat, says he is excited to have Bensusan as a clinician and performer. “I played for Pierre in the early ’90s,” he says. Bensusan’s performance is free and open to the public at 7:30pm at the Mallory-Towsley Center for Arts Leadership Great Room. For more, go to interlochen.org/college-creativearts/programs/acoustic-guitar-retreat.
When the Leelanau Conservancy officially brought the former Sugar Loaf property into their portfolio this past March, there was a lot to celebrate for locals who love the former ski spot. Now, we’re raising a glass once again to a new partnership between the conservancy and French Valley Vineyards, the latter of which has released two special wines—aptly named Sugar Loaf Red and Sugar Loaf White—to help support the iconic Leelanau County landmark. Per French Valley, “a portion from every bottle sold will be donated to the Leelanau Conservancy’s Sugar Loaf fund,” with money to go toward “trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship.” Find a bottle at the tasting room at 1338 N Pebble Beach Dr. in Suttons Bay. And learn more about the future of the Sugar Loaf property (which is not yet open to the public) at leelanauconservancy.org/sugarloaf.
Are You Ready to Vote? Tuesday, Aug. 4, is the Michigan primary election. For those who have requested them, absentee ballots have already been sent out and can be returned to your clerk’s office, your polling place drop box, or to your precinct’s early voting site. (It is recommended to hand-deliver your ballot within two weeks of election day.) You can track the status of your ballot at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/ Index. For those who are voting in person, early voting is underway through Aug. 2. If you are voting in person on Election Day, the polls will be open from 7am to 8pm. Beyond the statewide primaries for governor, U.S. and state senators, and U.S. and state representatives, you can see what’s on your ballot at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index. If you still need to register to vote, you can do so (in person only) now through Aug. 4. See all the details for the primary at michigan.gov/sos/ elections/voting.
8 THE WORLD S A STAGE PRESENTS THE 2026
LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE
FESTIVAL
MIDSUMMER: JULY 23, 25, 30, AUG 1 MACBETH: JULY 24, 26, 29, 31
Photo by EEBerger Photography
bottoms up American Spoon’s Cherry Lime Punch When it comes to filling our summer glasses with options, American Spoon’s cultfavorite Cherry Lime Punch is the cherry on top! Hand-blended a few jars at a time in their Petoskey kitchen, this cocktail mix begins with puréed Michigan Montmorency cherries as the star of the flavor show. Fresh citrus juices (lemon, lime, and orange), orange oil, and a touch of agave elevate the mix with a bright and balanced tang. Enjoy it in one of American Spoon’s signature cocktails, like Cherry Lime Sangria or a Mitten-perfect mimosa; go simple with a splash of seltzer; or get a little stonefruit-crazy with a punch-spiked Manhattan or a cherry sour! The options are endless, but trust us: they’re all cherry good. Grab a few jars at spoon.com, or check out one of American Spoon’s northern Michigan storefronts for more sippable inspiration.
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 5
NOT IN ANY SENSE
spectator By steven Tuttle “This is a Christian nation. This is a Christian state.” That’s what Texas State Representative Brent Money posted on his social media platform back at the end of May. Rep. Money is a little weak on his history. This debate as to whether or not we are a Christian nation should have ended a very long time ago. The Treaty of Tripoli, the first ever agreed to by the new United States, signed by then President John Adams and unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in 1797, says clearly, “...the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
Artisan Brunch
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(It was an agreement with Tripoli, now Libya, to help stop Barbary Coast pirates from plundering our ships.) There is nothing vague about that language, but 229 years later, politicians are still making claims that are legally, historically, and constitutionally false. Many of us were taught the myth that the first Europeans came to this continent fleeing religious persecution and seeking religious freedom. They did, but not like most of us were told. The Puritans, who first arrived a decade after the Mayflower Pilgrims, came seeking the opportunity for their religious freedom but not that of anybody else—fleeing persecution so they could inflict it on others. There was no freedom in the Puritan approach to religion, a kind of oppressive group-think they brought with them, a wholly theocratic society with no room for alternative opinions. In fact, dissent was actually punished, and Quakers, Baptists, and Catholics were, at various times, persecuted and banished. According to the Free Speech Center, the Puritans actually executed non-believers, especially Quakers. It was the Puritans who initiated and drove the Salem witch trials, which basically murdered 20 people, 19 by hanging and one by being crushed under rocks. And this is the same group that once outlawed Christmas, complete with fines for anyone celebrating it. Religious freedom wasn’t really their thing. That reality was still on the minds of the Founders, who less than a century later were crafting a first-ever constitution for a democratic republic. While much of their efforts would travel along uncharted trails, they knew they wanted to keep religion out of it entirely. It was a fairly easy decision since there was no religious unanimity among the Founders, and several would not qualify as what we would define as Christian today. According to the Center for the Study of the
6 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
American Constitution, Samuel Adams, John Jay, and Patrick Henry identified as traditional Christians. George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin identified as Christians but did not accept the idea of miracles or the Trinity. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were more closer to deists than Christians; they believed in a Creator but not a divine Jesus. It would have not been easy to cobble together a religious doctrine from that amount of belief diversity, and they were anxious to avoid the pitfalls of competing religious dogmas they had witnessed in Europe and in the early European occupation of what would become the United States. Our Constitution assiduously avoids any mention of Christianity or Jesus Christ. The First Amendment prohibits the government creation—or, by implication, endorsement—of any religion. The government cannot prohibit our free exercise of religious belief and practice of our choosing. Article VI of the Constitution bans any kind of religious test for office seekers. It seems pretty clear our founders were trying to avoid religion altogether. All of which makes it a bit of a mystery why Representative Money and others continue to insist otherwise. Legislatures in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Arkansas have all passed laws mandating the placement of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The Texas State Board of Education has gone a step further and added the teaching of stories from the Bible as part of the mandatory reading curriculum. Since public schools are part of the government, you might reasonably wonder why these mandates don’t run afoul of a U.S. Constitution that says the government “...shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion...” Some courts have already declared legislation in Alabama and Arkansas to be unconstitutional, but appellate courts have also ruled legislation in Texas and Louisiana is just fine because of the “historical” nature of the commandments. (If history is going to be the guide then we need to back up. The first known legal code, the Code of Ur-Nammu, dates back to 2100 BCE, and the Code of Hammurabi, which bans perjury, stealing, murder, and adultery, dates to 1750 BCE. Why ignore those truly foundational codes?) We might be a country with a majority declaring themselves Christians—about 65 percent according to Pew Research—but that does not, and should not, make us a Christian nation. Our history and tradition tell us we never were.
SUPPORT OUR REGION BROADLY TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES
GUEST OPINION by Mercedes Bowyer Northwest Michigan is known for its clear blue lakes, rolling dunes, thick forests, and miles of scenic shorelines. The area mixes small-town charm with ample outdoor recreation opportunities along with strong local agriculture and a robust seasonal tourism industry. The region also celebrates civic pride and a strong sense of place and connection, which means that this place we love belongs to all of us and that we, in turn, are responsible for shaping it into a connected, supported, and empowered community that can benefit all of us today and the generations to come. Our region has both shared resources and shared challenges, including around healthcare and mental health services, housing and homelessness prevention, food security, early childhood and K–12 education, environmental and land conservation, arts and culture, youth development, services for older adults, veterans’ support, and local economic resilience. To tackle these wide-ranging issues, it’s important to support our region broadly. This means investing in entire systems, not only in one need area. Broad support of our community can stabilize entire networks and ensure balance between communities so that rural areas can thrive like their urban counterparts. One of the ways to support our region in this holistic manner is to uplift our local nonprofit sector. There are over 1 million nonprofits in the United States, and northwest Michigan is home to over 2,250 nonprofit organizations that are responding to the needs of our community. According to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, 10 percent of the state’s population is employed by a nonprofit, which generates billions of dollars in wages as well as billions more into the state’s economy. These organizations help community members work together to address societal issues but also help drive economic growth, which then strengthens our communities. What’s more, these organizations are part of a larger framework of businesses, government entities, and civic groups that are working to support our community and a brighter future for all.
Given that many of our communities are geographically dispersed, collaboration across organizations and sectors is vital to the success of our region. What disrupts one disrupts everyone, and that which lifts one individual or family can lift all. Because the needs of our region are complex and interconnected, local resources and funding must consider our larger network of community partners. As community members, we have a shared responsibility to address regional needs through cross-network support and through meaningful conversations that can develop locally informed solutions. Both you and I can help support our region broadly by taking these action steps:
U-PICK BLUEBERRIES 231-360-9964 7187 E Harrys Rd, Traverse City bulldogberries.com * Blueberries available mid July
2026 Harbor Springs Car Festival
Give: Gifts of any size to nonprofit organizations can be immensely impactful. Monthly giving in particular is a great way to contribute to the sustainability of our local organizations and the services and programs they offer to us and our neighbors. It’s important to support the work you can already see as well as the long-term work that isn’t yet visible. Learn: Seek out information on the needs of our region so that you can be better prepared to take action to support the community. Learn more about the varied, interconnected needs that exist as well as the people who are doing the work on the ground to address these needs. Take that a step further and share what you have learned with folks in your network or neighborhood. Acting as an ambassador for a local nonprofit can help spread their mission and impact in the community. Get Involved: Local issues require local solutions, and you can make your voice heard in support of our region through advocacy efforts and/or by joining a local, regional, or state government or civic group. Another action step would be to get involved with a particular organization by giving your time or knowledge through volunteering or joining a board. By donating your time or experience, you can help expand the toolbox that the organization is using to do their important work.
Many nonprofit organizations act to fill gaps in housing, health and human services, and education that are often left unaddressed by private and government entities.
Building a connected, well-supported, and empowered community is our shared responsibility, and no one person or organization can do it alone. By working together to build and strengthen the systems that support your community, you are helping to ensure our region remains resilient and strong not only for the present, but also for generations to come.
Some of these nonprofits are on the front lines, responding immediately to urgent needs. Others work behind the scenes, aligning resources, convening partners, or investing in long-term solutions. What both types of nonprofits share is a passion for our local communities and a desire to spark positive change.
Mercedes Bowyer is the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation’s Director of Development. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years and holds a certificate in Fundraising Management from Lilly School of Indiana University and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma.
Thursday, August 13, 2026 5:30 PM till dusk Zorn Park - Downtown Harbor Springs Brought to you by:
Hosted by:
118 E Main Street Harbor Springs, MI 49740 (231) 526-7999
www.HarborSpringsChamber.com/hsacc-foundation
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 7
VETERANS, COME IN TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS!
LEELANAU VETERANS AFFAIRS TUESDAYs ONLY 9a.m - 3:30p.m. Call 231-995-6070 To schedule an appointment Leelanau County Government Center 8527 E. Government Center Dr, Suttons Bay 8 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up An 82-year-old widow is regaining her strength after surviving nine days stuck in her bathtub. On June 1, Joan Rivet of North Carolina was getting ready for bed in the bathroom of her home, where she lives by herself, when she "tripped over [her] own two feet" and fell backward into the bathtub, People reported. The fall rendered her mostly immobile, though she was eventually able to use her toes to manipulate the faucet and her hand to bring water to her mouth. The shower rod had come down during the fall, and she used it to drag her robe to herself for warmth. Eventually, her brother, Bill Lesko, 79, of Georgia, called police for a wellness check when he hadn't heard from her for a few days. "I was unconscious and barely had a pulse when the rescuers arrived," Rivet said. "I don't remember being rescued by them at all, to be honest with you." She was brought to Haywood Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a nearby rehabilitation center. "I think several more hours or another day, she would have died," Lesko said. Rivet is undergoing physical therapy and preparing to move to Georgia to be closer to her family. [People, 7/14/26]
regimen, the woman reported relief from her symptoms, and another endoscopy revealed the mass had dissolved. See, soda can be healthy! [Oddity Central, 7/9/26]
Buddy for Hire In some parts of Russia, men are running personal ads, not to look for love, but to offer themselves for a different kind of connection: as a barbecue companion. Oddity Central reported on July 13 that the service is exactly what it sounds like -- someone to come over and enjoy some barbecue, beer and conversation. The cost ranges from $13 to $65, and can include services such as preparing the grill, cooking the meat, setting up the tent and acting as a friendly companion. "I'll help you organize barbecues and camping, keep you company, and grill some meat. Jokes and anecdotes are also included," one person wrote in his ad. The ads are exclusively marketed to other men, and clearly state that the services aren't meant to spark a friendship. If someone wants to engage the barbecue buddy's services again, they will have to pay for it. "From a business perspective, this is absolutely natural: If there's an unmet need, a service will emerge," Russian restaurateur Evgeny Demchenko said. [Oddity Central, 7/13/26]
Something Old, Something New ... After Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden, one New York man made bank by collecting the trash outside the venue and selling the treasure to Swifties. "There's garbage on the floor after the party. Collected from the edge of a love story outside Madison Square Garden, as close to Taylor & Travis' big day as you could've gotten without an invite," collector Justin Gignac wrote on his website. Items he found include cigarette butts, paper cups, plastic straws, scraps of fabric, an ovulation test kit, plastic bags, candy wrappers and a single AirPod. Gignac wrapped each item in an airtight plastic cube -- labeled "JUST&T MARRIED" -- and marketed his wares as "Pocket Garbage." He says he is sold out after Swifties bought up all 50 of his trash cubes. Each cube sold for $25. [UPI, 7/10/26] In Ecuador, couples getting married in civil ceremonies now have more options for who can serve as their witnesses: their pets. Yahoo News reported on July 11 that when Diana Tupiza, 38, and Andres Alquinga, 31, got married, they brought their dog, Luna, who "signed" the marriage certificate with her paw print. Luna's stamp is merely symbolic, and the document she signed says "Symbolic marriage certificate," with a space that indicates "paw print of your furry friend." The official certificate was signed by the couple and their (human) witnesses. [Yahoo! News, 7/11/26] Robert, an office worker, recently married Matilda, a dancer, in Moscow's Pushkin Library. The ceremony was the first of its kind in Russia, because Robert and Matilda are robots. The humanoid machines, made by the Russian company IT-Imperial, exchanged vows written by AI, MSN reported on July 13. While their "marriage" has no legal standing, organizers say the goal of the event was to showcase the robots' capabilities and foster more interaction between humans and humanoids. Videos and photos on social media show the "couple" dancing and visiting with human guests. [MSN, 7/13/26]
Just What the Doctor Ordered At the advice of her doctor, an elderly woman consumed one and a half liters of Diet Coke to dissolve a mass in her stomach ... and it worked! Oddity Central said on July 9 that a team of doctors reported the case in the New England Journal of Medicine. An elderly woman presented with a bezoar, or a large mass, that resulted as a side effect of taking a GLP-1. She lost 40 pounds over the course of a year, but reported continued stomach pain. After an endoscopy revealed the bezoar, she discontinued her medication, and, in an effort to avoid surgery, doctors suggested drinking carbonated beverages to help dissolve the mass. "Existing evidence, largely from case series and anecdotal experiences, supports the administration of 3 liters of cola, either orally or through a nasogastric tube, within a 12-hour window," the doctors said in the report. "It is not well understood whether acidity, carbonation, or another mechanism accounts for dissolution of the bezoar." As the woman was diabetic, her "prescription" was adjusted to one and a half liters of diet cola. After just a couple of days on the cola
What Is This, a Center for PLANTS? Lacking a green thumb? Take your plant(s) to Hilda Houseplant Hospital, run by Rosanna Costello of Edinburgh, Scotland. According to a July 11 report from the Good News Network, the hospital is run by horticulturalist Rosanna Costello, who remembers going into plant shops and wishing she had more guidance to help her care for her own plants. Costello works up a "patient history" when customers bring in their plants, and chats with them about possible diagnoses and treatments. Like their human counterparts, "patients" in the plant hospital can be "put on drips," quarantined or even undergo "surgery" -- which usually just means something like repotting or removing pests. "Once they've been repotted and trimmed, we feed them, give them a really good cleaning, and let the customer know they're ready to collect," Costello said. "There's an awful lot of feelings and emotions attached to the houseplants that we see, and when they come to collect and get care information, there's so much relief and joy." [Good News Network, 7/11/26]
"Up in the Cherry Tree" by Wendy McWhorter
The Clothesline Art Show. Photo courtesy of OAB
The Art of August 10 exhibits, shows and fairs around NoMi
By Rachel Pasche
August in northern Michigan offers less hectic activity and more time to relax and soak up the beauty of late summer. Take a moment to slow down at one of the upcoming art exhibits, shows, and fairs that pop up across the area in Aug.. Explore 10 of them below.
EXHIBITS
1. Ikebana Pop-Up Exhibit, Dennos Museum
Center Aug. 8–9 Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, a centuries-old art form that uses specific flora, greenery, and blossoms to evoke certain emotions within the observer. The term for the practice loosely translates to, “making flowers come alive.” The Dennos Museum Center is hosting Traverse City’s local Ikebana International chapter for the third year, inviting visitors to come enjoy unique and thoughtfully assembled floral arrangements in the sculpture court. Tickets aren’t necessary—just pay for admission at the front desk.
2. Finding Beauty & Light: A Gayle Kabaker
Exhibit, Old Art Building in Leland Aug. 8–16 Gayle Kabaker began her career as a freelance fashion illustrator after graduating from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her work has been featured on covers of The New Yorker, in an illustrated column for The Washington Post, and in a short film in collaboration with Conde Nast and The New Yorker. Her exhibition in Leland focuses on the beauty in everyday moments, weaving water,
light, and landscape through the featured works. Several paintings feature Leland, showcasing scenes of coastal life.
3. Poetic Visions Of Port Oneida, Glen Arbor Arts Center April 30–Aug. 27 This exhibit’s focus is the iconic farmsteads of the Port Oneida district in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The show features a series of eight oil paintings of the farmsteads reimagined by artist Wendy McWhorter, each accompanied by a poem composed by McWhorter. The paintings include details the artist added in her reimaginings, including slices of lakeshore close to the farmsteads, flowering trees, and flower gardens that add vibrant color and texture to the pieces. 4. In Motion: Making Art Dance, CTAC Petoskey May 22–September 5 This summer-long exhibit at the Crooked Tree Arts Center of Petoskey is a juried show of pieces inspired by movement. All submissions are visual art pieces that explore ideas such as how artists show the energy of moving bodies, how they use materials to express truths or ideas creatively, and how they make artwork feel alive. The exhibit is juried by Peter Sparling, a former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. A R T S H OWS & FA I R S
5. Suttons Bay Art Festival, Suttons Bay Marina Park
Aug. 1–2
Featuring more than 100 artists, community groups, the local library book sale, food vendors, and a children’s area, this lakefront art festival is the perfect weekend activity. Funds from the festival are distributed back into the arts community, going toward things like art scholarships and residence programs for students, dance and music performances, and arts education programs.
artists have held weekly meetings since May, painting iconic locations around northern Michigan with an emphasis on Leelanau County. Artists will be onsite giving demonstrations in open air painting and answering questions on their work and process. Visitors are sure to recognize some of the locations depicted in the paintings! Note: The rain date for the show is Aug. 26.
6. Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, East Park Aug. 8 Tons of white tented art booths dot the harbor on Round Lake at the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. With a variety of artworks ranging from fiber arts, jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, lawn ornaments, and more, there’s something for everyone here. This is the second-oldest juried art fair in Michigan, with a history that dates back 66 years.
9. Mackinaw City Arts and Crafts Show, Conkling Heritage Park Aug. 29–30 Find that new piece for your home or the perfect gift at the Mackinaw City Arts and Crafts Show. Featuring work from a variety of local artists and other artists from across the state, this show includes a variety of artworks including woodwork, jewelry, clothing, books, photography, paintings, decor, and even homemade food. Stick around after the show on Saturday to watch the Mackinaw City fireworks at 10pm.
7. Frankfort Art Fair, Market Square Park Aug. 15–16 Celebrating its 50th year, the Frankfort Art Fair is not to be missed. This juried art fair features over 100 fine art vendors displaying an array of art across mediums. Stroll through the open air booths and peruse the selection of fine art, which includes pottery, jewelry, sculptures, textiles, paintings, and more. 8. Clothesline Art Show and Sale, Leland Old Art Building Aug. 19 Pieces from Leland’s Plein Air Art Show will be on display and for sale at the sixth annual Clothesline Art Show. These
10. Summer Salon Art Exhibit and Sale, Charlevoix Circle of Arts
June 28–Aug. 31
Part art exhibit and part sale, the Summer Salon is an evolving art show held at the Charlevoix Circle of Arts. As items from the gallery sell, artists will be replacing them with other works from their collection, so the exhibit will feature a selection of pieces that’s always updating throughout the summer. The art on display is done by local artists from the region, featuring mediums including photography, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, and paintings, many inspired by the beauty of the area.
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 9
Jessica Kooiman Parker (L) and Maggie Pavão (R)
An Exciting Time for Art and Culture TC’s inaugural art advisory uplifts independent artists in Grand Traverse area
By Sara Bagley From artists’ meetups to murals painted on sidewalls, northern Michigan’s arts community can feel like a hidden gem for those who aren’t yet sure where to look. That’s where Jessica Kooiman Parker, curator of visual arts at The Alluvion, and Maggie Pavão, formerly of the Tusen Takk Foundation, came in and formed K/P Cultural. The arts advisory, which officially launched in June 2026, works with both private and public clients to curate both permanent and temporary acquisitions, based on what the purchaser is looking for. Meet the Team Pavão, a decade-long veteran of the New York City arts and cultural world, moved to northern Michigan in 2021 as a part of the founding group of the Tusen Takk Foundation’s artist residency, which closed at the end of 2025. The organization was always on the hunt for public venues to share their artists’ work through exhibitions, artists’ talks, and more. Enter Kooiman Parker, and a beautiful partnership blossomed from there. “We found that partnership very fruitful in sharing artists’ work and getting feedback and tying Tusen Takk programming into the community. We found through working together that there was such an incredible demand from other commercial spaces and individual collectors for more artists’ engagement. We felt like this was a good time for us to kind of step out on our own and work as an arts advisory,” Pavão says. Kooiman Parker also has a long history
of working in the arts, with a curating background dating back to 2012. When she first relocated to Traverse City, she took a position as Art Consultant & Curator with Commongrounds Cooperative, where she built her presence in the art scene before transitioning into her current role into full time Visual Art Curator at The Alluvion in 2024. “I was nervous when I moved here because I thought, well, I’m not sure where I’ll be able to curate, but I was able to work with Commongrounds to develop the program art there, and eventually working with The Alluvion team. It goes hand in hand, performance space with visual arts,” Kooiman Parker says. “Maggie and I both saw a need for our work, being a connector between spaces and artists, whether that’s private or public spaces,” Kooiman Parker continues. “We thought there was a need there, and when we started exploring and started working together, it was quickly really clear that there’s a huge need for it, for artists to be able to focus on their work in the studio and not to have to worry about putting their art out there all the time.” What They Do A large part of their work involves keeping a pulse on artists, so when interested clients approach the two of them, they know what to recommend—no matter the style, exhibition type, or medium. Thanks to their existing connections in the arts community, this has come as a natural segue, making the challenge more enjoyable and centered around relationships, rather than purely
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Series of Polaroids by Rachel Winslow
problem-solving. Pavão and Kooiman Parker’s first curated exhibition as K/P Cultural was the Traverse City Visitor Center. “We worked with Whitney Waara about wanting to have local artists featured there and enhancing the visitor experience when the tourists come through,” Kooiman Parker says. “It starts with this research and understanding the space: how people are moving through the space, what points they are going to see right before they leave or when they come in, what is the main [focus], what types of work can we put in, and how the lighting is.” She adds that for that exhibit, “we thought a lot about the idea of being present
… how an artist will be working in their studio in that moment of creation is very present, then thinking about how tourists are coming to vacation and, in that moment, are able to get away from everything else and be present,” Kooiman Parker says. “Also nodding towards the locals coming into Traverse City Visitor Center to say, ‘thanks for coming in.’” Then begins the research process: looking at artists whose works align with the theme, who they’ve seen work from through exhibitions and studio tours, and even travelling to seek out more artists to keep up with for current or future projects. For the visitor’s center exhibition, they found a few local artists with existing work that fit the
Half Orchid by Andrew Dost
theme and kicked off a back and forth that led to building the collection. “One thing we always do is select more work than we might be able to hang so that when you get in the space, you also have some options. Installing the work takes a lot of time and energy, visualizing what’s going to look best in some of these high impact areas,” Kooiman Parker explains. “We hold ourselves to pretty high standards, making sure everything is very intentional around the curation of it. It’s not just selecting five artists we know; it’s really thought out as far as the work that they’re creating and their processes, their mediums.” What’s Next Their latest exhibition is a nod to the
Tim Kemp and Sarah Hesterman of Allium Hill with the K/P Cultural team.
upcoming Traverse City Food and Wine festival titled “Tasting Notes” hosted at Allium Hill, a luxury vineyard and farmstay destination in Leelanau County. The collection centers on capturing the “heartbeat” of northern Michigan’s food and agriculture, featuring everything from photography and poetry to illustrations and paintings. Going ahead, Pavão and Kooiman Parker note that they’re looking forward to collaborating with The Delamar hotel, as well as the Thirlby Clinic, diving deeper into the connections between wellness and art, all while driving toward their mission of supporting artists and making art accessible within the community. “I’ve always been a creative person, but
Allium Hill guests in front of work by Kayla Powers.
in college, I took an art history course. The professor at the time said something about art being the raisins in the Raisin Bran of life,” Pavão says. “Art is those juicy bits that you like to look forward to and you really dig into. That imagery has always really resonated with me, and I took off from there. I started working in artist residencies in New York and discovered how amazing artists are and what life they bring to our world.” Kooiman Parker’s drive is similarly founded in the hope to preserve art throughout generations. “Mine stems from my three kids and wanting them to grow up in a space that fosters freedom of expression, whatever that looks like. For me, it’s mostly visual art. But
for them to be able to experience that in their community, I think is really important and impactful,” she says. “So whatever I can do to help lay that path, I feel really driven to do that.” Pavão concludes by saying that the Midwest is having a bit of an artistic Renaissance, referencing a recent trip with Kooiman Parker to the Dorr County Contemporary Art Fair. “It’s just a really exciting time for arts and culture, and we’re excited to be working with clients and artists. We’re hoping to continue to build those bridges,” she says. For more information, or to find out where to view ongoing and future exhibitions, visit kpcultural.com.
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Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 11
A Mirror, a Myth, and a Lifetime of Art Rufus Snoddy on the chapters of his career
By Anna Faller For award-winning multi-media artist and former Traverse City resident Rufus Snoddy, a canvas is more of a mirror for what’s going on in the world than a blank space that needs filling. “I’m just trying to mirror things that are going on around me,” he notes. “Artists have always done that. All I can hope for is that people will appreciate the process and understand what I’m trying to say.” Much like his art and the societal nuance it reflects, Snoddy is still evolving, and with multiple decades, countless interests, and dozens of exhibitions under his belt, he rarely says the same thing twice. In fact, he was the subject of Northern Express coverage in both 2006 and 2016, so it only made sense to check in for 2026. Life Is a Book To get a feel for his newest observations, though, we have to go back to the beginning. As Snoddy explains, he views his career as an artist like chapters in a book, the first of which began in childhood as doodles in comic books and napkin stacks. Then, when he was a teenager, Snoddy developed an interest in cars—specifically hot rods and their engines, which a friend of his father’s taught him to deconstruct, paint, and even
weld back together. It’s here that the assembly element of his eventual artwork first took root. “Even as a kid, I was always attracted to shiny objects,” Snoddy says with a laugh. “I’m looking down all the time, [picking up] interesting things. Cars were the epitome of that to me.” From there, he entered college as an athlete and almost graduated as a PE major before falling in love with an elective art class and ultimately changing his concentration. Since then, Snoddy’s also earned a master’s degree in Fine Art with a sculpture emphasis, which he employed in his more than 10 years at NMC teaching studio art and design. Locally, Snoddy’s work has been featured at numerous galleries and exhibitions, including at the Dennos Museum Center (like his Disappearing Man series in 2021), as well as Higher Art Gallery, The Alluvion, and in the form of several Traverse-based murals, including the Boardman Serenade, which he curated alongside Glenn Wolff in 2022. Last year, Snoddy made the move to Kalamazoo and has reentered the teaching space as an instructor at both Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts. Inside the Art Unlike a
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monodisciplinary
artist,
Snoddy’s creations utilize multiple media to create what he calls “construction paintings,” or three-dimensional, and often freestanding, pieces that combine principles of both painting and sculpture. “[My pieces] are objects,” he explains. “They have a lot of dimensions to them, and they’re made to occupy space in the environment rather than hanging on a wall.” Per Snoddy, each new piece begins by crafting his own canvas base—“I’m not interested in the rectangle,” he notes—which he then manipulates further by adding texture through fabricated materials (think: string-gel, plastic, and wood), 3D optical illusions (aka trompe-l’oeil), and items he’s foraged. With this endless assemblage at his disposal, Snoddy is free to experiment as he pleases. As for what inspires the bulk of his work? The answer is just about anything, though he notes that what’s going on in his life geographically, professionally, and personally, is always an influence. Snoddy’s Shields collection, for instance, which reflects the visual and cultural interest of his experiences in the American Southwest, explores the literal and symbolic blocks we use to protect our personal space. Meanwhile, his Windows series, curated during his time in Los Angeles, represents an observational period of his life and
the effects of viewing the world from the outside-in. Then, there’s Snoddy’s Mythology series, whose wing-centric theme harkens back to a show he did in the early 1990s surrounding the classical lore of Leda and the Swan (in which swan is Zeus, who’s assumed birdform to seduce Leda). The resultant piece, “Seduction and Deceit,” a creation complete with a real-life audio loop, led him to the notorious legend of Dedalus and Icarus, which has since become a recurrent theme in his work as a conceit for the precariousness of modern society. As the story goes, Icarus falls to his death after flying too close to the sun and melting his wax wings, and if you ask Snoddy, we as a society are coming mighty close to a similar plunge. “I think we’re pretty frivolous about how we live in the world, and we’re doing a lot of damage,” Snoddy says. “We’re so intoxicated by our power and abilities, that we [make decisions] without thinking about what the consequences are going to be.” This concept of flight comes to the fore in his Wings of Icarus exhibition, a 45-piece show at the Dennos Museum, whose 2013 installation featured materials and themes specific to northern Michigan. The collection touched on the legend of Icarus as a cultural metaphor, but this
L SA ! R F E M OF M SU 30%
E
Wings of Icarus
time, used flight as a symbolic escape from burdensome societal issues. “Like the shields, I wanted [the wings] to be personifications. What would I do? What would my wings look like?” Snoddy asks. In contrast to his more urban works, which often employ the detritus of city-living (i.e., scraps of canvas, metal hardware, plastic, wood, etc.), much of Snoddy’s Michigan art features the region’s distinctive natural materials. “Spirit of Season’s Changes,” a dual-sided piece inspired by Midwest weather, features a frame of foraged tree limbs, while others incorporate items like hockey sticks, and even an elusive Faygo logo or two. A Clarion Call This brings us to Snoddy’s most recent “chapter,” which highlights a range of fresh conceptual art. For starters, there’s the series entitled The Disappearing Man (a central human form dissolving into a busy background) which Snoddy says is representative of humanity’s abiding ignorance as it pertains to becoming agents of our own destruction. Per Snoddy, foci here include the widespread debasement of climate science— “We haven’t been very good caretakers of the earth,” he laments—as well as the social construct of racism, both of which he describes as “forms of insanity.” “These pieces are about man acting naively, being greedy and devaluing facts, and how all of that will catch up to us if we continue on that path,” he adds. “It’s a clarion call.” Other recent projects include a series of Black consciousness pieces, headlined by a Black women portrait collection (of which “She – Not Disposable” is a standout), as well as several abstract works, many with a defining crow theme. Per Snoddy, these newer collections not only represent subjects he loves, but also allow him to amplify and reinterpret global concepts like misogyny, cultural stereotypes, and systemic racism through a modern lens. Creating Change When it comes to connecting with art, Snoddy points to a gap in art education, both locally and on a national scale, as an impetus to making more art accessible to wider audiences. “It takes a certain amount of education
Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4. Downtown Alden (231) 331-4845
Disappearing Man, Brown - 58 x 57 x 2 inches
and exposure for people to get excited [about art],” Snoddy says. “I’m starting to think differently about that, because it’s not that people don’t appreciate the work, but many of them don’t understand.” Luckily, Snoddy reports that even Traverse City’s small-scale art community has become noticeably more open-minded and abstract since he arrived in the early 2000s. This is largely attributable to a recent influx in younger artists and leaders, he believes, who are less focused on producing art for sales than taking chances with more avant garde inventory. Increased inclusion across regional showrooms, including Higher Art Gallery, Twisted Fish, and larger spaces like The Alluvion, also continue to amplify that progress. From there, Snoddy says, deinstitutionalizing viewership is the next big step; in other words, making art accessible outside of museum and gallery spaces. He feels this not only increases general exposure and makes consumption feel less intimidating, but also creates a wider space for artists to be more supportive of each other. “Art is for the people,” Snoddy says. “It’s not a zero-sum game. We’re all in this together, and the more supportive of each other we are, the better off society will be.” To see more of Rufus Snoddy’s work, visit rufussnoddy.com.
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Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 13
CASTING A LINE (AND GREAT FOOD) UPSTREAM A stop at the new Upriver from the Mill Glen Arbor
By Geri Dietze At first glance, Upriver is a casual sandwich shop, with a take-out window, booths and tables for 20, and eight picnic tables in a tranquil, al fresco setting on the Crystal River. But this place has a provenance that elevates it to a different culinary level altogether: Upriver comes from the same folks who gave us The Mill at Glen Arbor, the repurposed grist mill which has been transformed into something sublime. (For more on The Mill, see the sidebar.) “[Upriver’s] recipes and style are a bit different, but all of our ingredients are treated with the same respect and integrity as at The Mill and all of our sister properties,” explains executive chef Bobby Thoits, who runs the show at both Upriver and The Mill. Think of locally produced ingredients, and fromscratch recipes “within reason,” adds Thoits, “from our seasoned fried chicken flour to all of our sauces for our sandwiches.”
Progress Report Opened earlier this year, Upriver is already one of the hottest spots in town, especially on a busy summer afternoon. The kitchen is humming long before it opens its doors for lunchtime business. “The concept is very production focused,” Thoits says. “Our team [of 5-6] arrives each morning by 8am to [get] everything prepped and ready for service.” That means fresh produce from a collection of local growers, including Langley Farms, Second Spring, Lakeview Hill, Fifth Wind, and Meadowlark, among others. The oven holds slow-roasted Michigan Craft Beef, raised in Zeeland, and fresh baked goods arrive from The Mill Bakery, located at Long Lake Culinary Campus. (The bakery outgrew its space at The Mill and transitioned to the campus for the long-term. Visitors are welcome on Campus, and don’t forget to ask how to score
14 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
a freshly baked baguette for just a buck.) “The summer has been going well,” Thoits tells us. “The reception from the public has been very strong and feedback has been positive.” Thoits adds that currently, the shop is selling about 150 sandwiches every day. And a super location helps, too. “There’s an exceptional amount of foot traffic at Upriver, due in large part to Crystal River Outfitters and all of the people that patronize their business.” Upriver will be a seasonal operation, Thoits explains, “but we will continue to be open…through September, potentially October, if business levels stay consistently strong.” What’s For Lunch First you should know: these sandwiches are huge. And we mean huge. Unless you have a hollow leg (which would be fair after a day of paddling the Crystal River), consider
splitting one and saving room for a delectable side or a treat from the dessert case. Let’s start with three Fried Chicken options: 1) fresh, tender chicken breast on a freshly baked bun with mayo and pickle; 2) ratchet it up with hot sauce (our personal favorite); 3) Or choose the Upriver, with chicken, kale slaw, Swiss cheese, and tomato. Oven roasted chicken is found in the Club, with thick bacon, greens, cheddar, tomato, and mayo; the Chicken Melt with peppers, onion, garlic mayo, and American cheese; and the Chicken Avocado, with greens, Swiss, and chili-lime mayo. Chef Thoits says the Chicken Avocado is “our most popular sandwich by far.” Look for slow roasted beef in the Steak & Pepper Melt, with peppers, onions, and American cheese, and the Steak Sandwich with white onion and horseradish mayo. Pork lovers will want to try the shaved Roast Pork, with broccoli rabe and Swiss or the Bacon Cubano with shaved pork, thick sliced
MORE ON THE MILL
bacon, Swiss, pickles, and honey Dijon. The ALT-B is Upriver’s version of the traditional BLT with thick bacon and avocado. And vegetarians will love the Veggie Melt with broccoli rabe, Swiss cucumber, and garlic vinaigrette or the Caprese Sandwich with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil balsamic dressing. (Gluten-free buns mean there is a sandwich for everyone.) Substantial salad choices include the Caprese, (the favorite, hands down) and two green salads with varied toppings. Add house-roasted meat for a protein-rich meal. Sides include some really terrific seasoned waffle fries (they also come with every sandwich), plus kale slaw, pickled cucumbers, street corn, and more. Kids will love the chicken tenders, grilled
cheese, and hotdogs. Dessert is a must, with fresh baked cookies and eight flavors of Moo-ville ice cream. Moo-ville is the Nashville, Michigan-based dairy farm that produces a full line of products including small batch ice cream, using A2 milk (easier to digest) as well as Michigan beet sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. The favorite flavors are Scotcheroo, a delectable blend of butterscotch and peanut butter ice cream with chocolate-covered rice crispies, and Graham Central Station, graham cracker ice cream with graham swirl and chocolate covered honeycomb candies.
This 19th century grist mill caught the attention of real estate lawyer and investor Turner Booth in 2018 and opened in 2023. Booth, with creative director Kelsey Duda, established Fernhaus Hospitality Group, LLC, along with a small group of principals and a coterie of investors in order to “redefine and elevate hospitality in northern Michigan [through] curated offerings,” according to the Fernhaus mission statement. The Mill is one of five properties presently handled by Fernhaus, and it is a gorgeous reimaging. “The building was never meant to be altered,” says Fernhaus Hospitality vice-president Corey Smith, and instead is “a contemporary take on a northern Michigan landmark.” The interior is enhanced with contemporary layers of warm color, textures, and an eclectic collection of art and object. The Mill has a café and bakery, indoor and outdoor public spaces, shopping, and an upscale dining venue called Supper, featuring New American cuisine. The repurposed miller’s dwelling contains three quietly sophisticated lodging options. Every inch of this property was recreated with intention—and history intact—with the comforts and expectations of the 21st century visitor.
Find Upriver at 6281 W. Western Ave., Glen Arbor. upriverfromthemill.com
For more information about The Mill at Glen Arbor, go to themillglenarbor.com.
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 15
Finding Freedom in Process For artist Meghan Merkey, clay is both humbling and empowering
By Ellen Miller Ceramicist Meghan Merkey probably could have fallen in love with any art form. And yet as a young creative, it was clay that drew her in. “I grew up in a house that was very creative,” she says. “There were always projects to do; there was always a craft around.” Both of Merkey’s parents were artsy, and she was about 12 years old when she worked with clay for the first time. “My parents got me into this class,” she remembers. “I was hooked.” Merkey, who creates and sells ceramic work as Ignite Creative Studios, has now been working with clay for about 30 years. She grew up in Maryland, just outside DC, and Houghton, in the Upper Peninsula. “Interestingly, when I grew up in Houghton, there was quite a bit of art exposure up there. There was an arts center I was a part of all through high school where I had access to clay,” she says. “I grew up coming here every summer. I explored the waters, hiked the dunes, and hunted for Petoskey Stones. So, when my husband and I had the opportunity to live here, it felt like an absolute dream. This place is full of natural
wonder, and I am so fortunate to be able to keep exploring, keep learning and soaking up the inspiration that comes with all the different seasons this area has to offer.” The Medium “If I hadn’t had access to clay, maybe I would have found something else,” Merkey says. “I was drawn to the tactile nature of it. Clay is really humbling! It’s such a process driven medium. At any stage of the process, something can go wrong.” She tells us there is a sort of freedom in knowing that a piece may not work out. “You’re able to let go of things a little easier. On a personal level, it’s helped me throughout my life to learn that maybe I don’t need to take everything so seriously. The process really is something that called to me and kept me with it. I was lucky to have access to clay,” she reflects. Merkey works primarily with stoneware clay, which she describes as the most functional clay. Ignite Creative Studio’s offerings include a variety of functional and beautiful ceramic items ranging from vases and sculptures to spoon rests, dishes, mugs, and more. Each item features designs handdrawn by Merkey.
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“The inspiration for my drawings all comes really from what I’m exposed to; I’ve noticed it’s very influenced by what I’m around,” she says. “Florals are probably my favorite to draw. They’re very whimsical, and a lot are native flowers to Michigan. Just this morning I was drawing my mugs, and it was very organic and nature driven.” Merkey also often utilizes the Petoskey stone as design inspiration. The Process “The process with clay is: you take this ball of essentially mud to form a vessel,” Merkey explains. “I use what’s called a slip, the white part on the pieces, to make the designs. I apply the slip while the piece is still green, which means it has not been fired. Then it goes into the kiln for its first firing, the bisque fire.” Merkey freehands all of her designs, using a pencil to make a rough outline “to get the composition the way I want. Then it goes on with what’s called an underglaze, a pigment that can be fired. Finally, I glaze the piece with a clear glaze and then it goes back in the kiln for the firing,” she explains. Merkey primarily creates functional pieces, things that people can use in their
everyday lives. In college, where she studied ceramics, she did more sculptural work. “I’ve been feeling more drawn to that again,” she says. “Creativity is an interesting thing; it’s problem solving! In my work today, I want to make a functional piece, but I want it to look sculptural.” Her favorite item to make right now is a garlic rasp, a small dish with raised bumps in the center where you can grate garlic. “I’ve been developing a floral version; in the flower, where all the petals come together is where you use the scraper,” she says. “The form is very organic and natural. The way I create every piece is completely different, and no two are the same. It’s sort of exactly how the natural world is, which feels really connected to me!” Merkey also enjoys making travel mugs, which she says are a lot of fun to use too. “It’s a tumbler with a guard on the top, so you can put it in your car and it doesn’t splash around as much, which makes it more travel friendly,” she says. The Future Like many artists, Merkey has to balance creating things she finds interesting with what people will buy (the garlic rasp hits
both!). As a working artist, she’s also figuring out firsthand how to balance art with technology during the age of social media and AI. “It has been interesting,” she shares. “I’m almost 40, so I was around for the rise of the internet, and a part of the beginning of social media. There’s so many things that feel like barriers and can feel more disingenuous, but I also think on the flip side, never has there been a time where you’ve been able to reach as many people as we can now.” Merkey has found this challenging, but one positive has been being able to share her process with people via social media. She also feels that in the past few years people have really been seeking out unique products, rather than just something you could buy at a big-box store. “As a consumer myself it’s exciting to find something that really speaks to you,” she says. “That’s what art does. That’s the goal of the artist too, to make something that someone feels a connection to. That’s what I really try to do with my work. I also try to make a connection with nature. We’re living
in this society that’s so ‘go go go.’ Take a step back, slow down. That’s what ceramics does for me. I have to slow down.” At the end of the day, it’s all about creating art that has meaning. “I’ve seen this desire to feel more connected to the pieces you have in your home, the things you put in your cupboards, on walls, the mug you grab every day. Those are the people I’m trying to find and that I hope find me,” Merkey concludes. “I want to make things that are heirlooms, that are artifacts, the mug you really want to grab every day, the pieces you bring out when you have people over. When I think about my stuff being out in the world, which is bizarre and humbling, I’m seeking that connectedness, and I hope my audience seeks the same thing.” Ignite Creative Studios products are available online at ignitecreativestudiodesigns.com and at select markets throughout the year, including the weekly Leland farmers market on summer Thursdays. The schedule is posted on Merkey’s Instagram, @ignitecreativestudio.
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Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 17
The Dewey Blocksma Sculpture at Oliver Art Center.
OAC interior. Photo by Ron Wise.
Six Benzie County Art Havens to Visit This Summer Experience local fine art, brand new events, and live performances at these art hubs
By Matt Dursum
Benzie County may be beloved for its Hallmark–esque towns and beaches that stretch to infinity, but it’s also a hub for fine art. From outdoor art parks that spark the imagination to galleries that would belong in a big city, there’s no shortage of inspiring places to visit. This summer, these creative destinations are hosting a variety of new exhibits, concerts, and special events you won’t want to miss. The Community’s Art Center With its year-long events, live music, and hundreds of new and rotating exhibitions from local artists, it’s easy to see why the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts is at the heart of Benzie County’s art scene. “We try to highlight incredible talent from around the state and expose both our artists and our guests to great art they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see,” says executive director Tamara Hoffbauer. The center hosts at least 10 special exhibitions each year, including two member showcases featuring work by 100plus local artists across a wide range of styles and media. It also hosts an annual student exhibition, where K–12 students from area schools contribute over 500 pieces of art. This year, the center is ramping up its public events and providing a space where artists and the public can meet and greet. On Friday, July 25, the center hosted its fourth annual Coastal Caravan Art Fair. The free event featured 20+ juried local artists, plus gourmet hot dogs by Red Top Hot Dogs and a Bloody Mary bar. Throughout the summer, the center hosts its chamber series featuring professional musicians, including its Ensemble in Residence, Viridian Strings. “This year we’re excited because we’re able to offer either free or no more than $10 for tickets for the entire chamber series through grants and private donations,” Hoffbauer says.
Hoffbauer encourages anyone interested in art, regardless of skill level, to enroll in one of more than 150 art classes offered at the center each year. “You don’t have to ‘be an artist’ to appreciate, enjoy, and benefit,” she says. “I encourage people to think of themselves as part of the art scene of Benzie County, and just come out, take a class, and play with us.”
Where Fine Art Meets the Forest Deep within 31 acres of hardwood forest in Crystal Mountain, Michigan Legacy Art Park uses its exhibits to take visitors on an adventure through the state’s history. “We focus on connecting people to the Michigan story, whether it’s the history, the culture, our legends, or the environment itself,” says executive director Angie Quinn. Since 1995, the park has grown from a handful of sculptures into a permanent collection of over 53 large-scale contemporary works. Manicured trails open up to giant, interactive sculptures such as the stockade labyrinth, where visitors can walk through a three-dimensional maze and climb two stories to a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding forest. Deeper along the trails are more thoughtprovoking pieces, like David Barr’s Sawpath Series, which tells the story of Michigan’s lumbering history through spiralling wood planks and metal spires. Another piece called Five Needles stands over 30 feet tall and displays five canvas sails, arranged in a Fibonacci Spiral similar to the natural patterns of tree branches and cones. Throughout the summer, Quinn says the public can join the park’s free drop-in art program on Saturday mornings to help create the park’s newest exhibit. “We’re making quilt squares for this large public installation and inviting everyone to help us,” she says. “Together, we’ll create a giant quilt that will go through the forest along one of the trails.” Quinn says that besides art, the public
18 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Michigan Legacy Art Park photos by Angie Quinn
can also expect several new concerts and events this year, such as its Summer Sounds concerts every Thursday evening and its first-ever open mic night on Aug. 13. The sculpture park also offers weekly Tai Chi classes every Thursday morning from 10-11am throughout the summer, hosted by martial arts instructor Jim Atkins. The event costs a $20 drop-in fee. Follow the Art Trail Outside of the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts’ modern exhibits or the ethereal trails of Michigan Legacy Art Park are several local art spaces that are full of summer-long events and special exhibits. Here are a few that we’re excited about. Gwen Frostic Prints: Shop the iconic nature-inspired letterpress prints, stationery, books, and gifts created from Michigan artist Gwen Frostic’s original linoleum block designs, and watch historic Heidelberg presses in action. Enjoy the first-ever Gwen Frostic Yard Sale from July 31-Au. 2 to find rare art, furniture, and
time-worn prints at a discounted price. 5140 River Road, Benzonia | gwenfrostic.com Focus Gallery: Check out photography by Drew Smith and wildlife art by Carl Freeman. See photos of Benzie’s coastal landscapes, wildlife, and sunsets and readyto-display fine art prints depicting northern Michigan’s flora and fauna. 402 Main Street, Frankfort | focusfrankfort.com Ellie Harold Studio & Gallery: Peruse award-winning contemporary oil paintings inspired by artist Ellie Harold’s interpretations of northern Michigan’s dynamic landscapes. You can find gifts, note cards, and Harold’s books in a restored Victorian home. 402 Forest Avenue, Frankfort | ellieharold.com Gallery 31: This spot touts itself as “a small town art gallery with big city quality.” Enjoy local fine art, photography, and custom framing featuring northern Michigan artists. 14257 Honor Highway, Beulah | facebook. com/Gallery31.net
july 25
Saturday
CLYDE’S PLACE 31ST ANNUAL SALMON TOURNAMENT: 6am-2pm. Depart from Mackinaw City Docks. All boats must be back in the Harbor by 2pm & cooler dropped off on trailer. All boats must be at Clyde’s Place, Carp Lake by 3pm for weigh in. Fish fry following at Clyde’s Place. Entry fee: $100 per boat. mackinawchamber.com/event/ clydes-place-31st-annual-salmon-tournament -------------------------------NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: 00145 US 131 North, Boyne Falls. Working demonstrations include saw mill, veneer mill & basket shop, a one-room schoolhouse, threshing, plus a parade of power at 2pm. Large flea market, two museums, arts & crafts. There is a Kiddie Train ride, scavenger hunt & sawdust penny pile. Thurs: Senior’s Day: $5; Adult: $7 donation; Under 12: Free w/ adult. walloonlakeflywheelers.com -------------------------------RUN THE PIER: 5K, 10K, 1/2 MARATHON & MARATHON: 7am, 250 Duffy Park, Manistee. See web site to register & for various starting times & prices. $45-$100. runsignup.com/Race/MI/Manistee/RTP5K -------------------------------ARCADIA DAZE: July 24-26. Today includes a 5K run, Lions Pancake Breakfast, kids’ free fishing, kidsight trailer, arts & crafts fair, free kids’ activities, beverage tent, Auto Muster Awards Ceremony, BBQ chicken dinner, live music by Barefoot & Little Dipper Band, & more. townshipofarcadia.org/ uploads/8/6/4/2/86425640/2026_arcadia_ daze_b_w_final.pdf -------------------------------THE 26TH UGOTTA REGATTA: Harbor Springs, July 24-26. Hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club, the Ugotta brings some of the best sailboat racers in the country to sail in one of the world’s best sailing venues in Little Traverse Bay. See web site for times & more info. ltyc.org/ugotta-regatta -------------------------------AUSABLE RIVER FESTIVAL: Grayling. Today includes a craft show, 5K/10K, parade, live music on the Main Stage with the AuSable River Dixieland Jazz Band, Timberline, Aldrich & Co., & Whiskey Six, the start of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, & more. graylingchamber.com/arf-event-calendar/?page=2 -------------------------------GREAT LAKES CANCER FOUNDATION 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN: 8am, Eastern Elementary School, TC. Help raise awareness, funds, & hope for any & all who have been affected by cancer. $40 5K; free kids mile. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/ GreatLakesCancerFoundation5k
ALDEN DAYS FESTIVAL: July 24-25. Browse local vendors, enjoy community favorites, cheer on the Alden Run, grab a bite at the South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue Roast Beef Fundraiser, watch the parade, listen to live music from Kenny Thompson & more. Find ‘Alden Days Festival 2026’ on Facebook. -------------------------------CHARLEVOIX VENETIAN FESTIVAL: July 18-25. Aquapalooza, Air Margaritaville, “Cornetian” Corn Toss, Rayder Roundball Classic, Cottage Croquet Tourney, Venetian Rhythms, Junior Sailing Regatta, Sailing Regatta, Venetian Art Auction, Pinter Whitnick, Bridge Street Block Party, Pine River Jazz Big Band, Drenth Memorial Footrace, High School Miles, Ryan Shay Mile, Jill Jack, The Kenny Rogers Band, Venetian Lighted Boat Parade, & much more. venetianfestival.com -------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER ART FAIR: 9am-4pm, GT County Civic Center, south end, TC. Browse & shop from 100 juried artists from across the country. Includes sculpture, jewelry, glass, fiber, painting, pottery, metalwork & more. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/events/art-fairs.html -------------------------------2026 HISTORIC FESTIVAL AT HERITAGE VILLAGE: 10am-2pm, Heritage Village, Mackinaw City. Includes a lumberjack show, vintage baseball game, historic buildings & docent tours, & kids games & activities. Free. mackinawhistory.org/lecture-series -------------------------------26TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTIVAL: 10am-5pm, Bay Harbor. Enjoy a variety of fine artists, an artisan market, children’s art activities, live music & much more. bayharbor.com/bay-harbor-arts-festival -------------------------------COASTAL CARAVAN ART FAIR: 10am4pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Featuring more than 20 juried participating artists & craftspeople. Red Top Hot Dogs food truck, drinks, live music by The Nephews, & familyfriendly activities. Free. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/coastal-caravan-art-fair -------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan -------------------------------MIDSUMMER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-5pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Art, crafts, gourmet food & food trucks! Featuring sculpture, glass, metal, Batik art, fudge, Michigan rock art, paintings, crochet stuffies, plants & locally foraged wellness items. blueribbonevent.com/michigan-shows -------------------------------NMC EXPLORE HISTORY DAY: 10am, NMC, TC. A day of celebration honoring 75
july/aug
25-02 send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com
Drink in the beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and support Sleeping Bear Forever, a nonprofit community organization that helps preserve the park’s historic structures and landscapes, during the 16th Annual Port Oneida Run, Sat., Aug. 1. Choose from the Homesteaders Hilly Half Marathon, Tiller’s 10K, Farmers Flat and Fast 5K, or Kid’s Schoolhouse Dash. All races start at the Big Red Barn at the Olsen Farm/Port Oneida Farms Heritage Center, Maple City. See starting times and fees, and register at: phsb.org/port-oneida-run-2/
years of NMC history. Reconnect with the campus, celebrate traditions, & discover what’s next for NMC. Experience a full day of activities, from the opening of the 2001 time capsule to live performances & a selfguided, interactive campus tour. Free. nmc. edu/75/history-day.html -------------------------------TORCH AREA ARTISANS GUILD QUILT & ART SHOW & MARKET: 10am-4pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Held during Alden Festival. 231-331-4318. Free admission. -------------------------------IN CONVERSATION WITH AMERICAN TREE EXHIBITORS: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center, Main Gallery. Four artists represented in the American Tree exhibit will talk about the inspiration behind, & creation of, their work. Free. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-american-tree -------------------------------SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERT: WEST SIDE STORY: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Hall. Featuring music from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. With TC Phil musicians Tina Chang Qu on violin & Carol Man Lee on piano, plus Director of the Community Music School, Angela Lickiss Aleo, as narrator. Part of the Masterworks in Miniature series, this educational program integrates
storytelling with music & movement. Free. tcphil.org/events/saturday-family-concert-westside-story -------------------------------DOCK DOGS: Noon, K&A Hop Dogs, TC. Dog Days of Summer DockDogs Event. Dock diving, drinks, vendors & more. Watch dogs make a splash! Free. kahopdogs.com -------------------------------HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Presented by Old Town Playhouse Young Company & teen students in the Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music & vintage New Orleans jazz, this musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, & fear against love. $15. oldtownplayhouse.com -------------------------------5TH ANNUAL CHERRY RUMBLE ROYALE MIXED SCRIMMAGE: 3-9pm, GT County Civic Center, Howe Arena, TC. Hosted by Traverse City Roller Derby. Skaters from all over the state come together to play. Juniors Bout at 3pm; All Gender Bout at 5pm; & Rookie Bout for 1-2 yrs. Derby Experience at 7pm. $10-$12. tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/ cherry-rumble-696kz-m5nrn -------------------------------LET’S GO FLY A KITE: 3-5pm, Frankfort Beach turnaround. Register at the event.
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The first 100 participants will receive a free kite to fly. 231-352-7251. -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: KALKASKA: Railroad Square Pavilion, Kalkaska. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 3pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 4pm. Arrive early to secure a seat under the pavilion. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------SUMMER EVENINGS AT THE HORSE SHOW: 5pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. International riders return to TC for this evening event featuring hospitality, food, shopping, & competition under the lights in northern Michigan. traversecityhorseshows. com/visit. $15 & up. -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: 7pm, Tank Hill, Frankfort. Professional Chicago actors perform Shakespeare in the park in Frankfort. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a family-friendly romantic comedy, is a story of mixed-up lovers & mischievous fairies, & in this version, directed by Sarafina Vecchio, is set at a tropical resort. Pay-what-youcan; suggested $30 for adults, $10 for kids. theworldsastage.org/events -------------------------------CHRIS BOTTI: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Enjoy Baton Rouge Theater GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti. Starting at $127. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/chris-botti-26 -------------------------------FLAGSHIP ROMANCE AND THE ROUGH & TUMBLE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Two internationally touring folk/Americana duos, Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble combine for a night of high energy, four part harmonies, masterful songwriting, infectious hooks & a roomful of laughter. $15$30. cityoperahouse.org/node/758 -------------------------------POPS IN THE PAVILION: 7pm, The Pavilion on Court, Gaylord. Bring a lawn chair. Free. -------------------------------SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: THE MIGHTY TUNDRA TONES: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Infectious jazz, pop, & blues grooves built to move you. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. The Percy Jackson Musical. Presented by Cadillac Footliters Theatre. $12$15. cadillacfootliters.com -------------------------------EPIC EAGLES: THE DEFINITIVE EAGLES TRIBUTE: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Enjoy a masterful presentation of Eagles classic hits & Don Henley favourites with a rock n’ roll game-changing song catalogue. $25-$40. theoperahouse.org -------------------------------MUSIC IN MACKINAW: CHERRY CAPITAL MEN’S CHORUS: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.
july 26
Sunday
NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------THE 26TH UGOTTA REGATTA: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------ARCADIA DAZE: July 24-26. Today includes the Lions Pancake Breakfast, arts & crafts fair, Balloon Artist Twister Joe, Plymouth Fife
& Drum Concert - Drum March, Arcadia Daze Parade – “Starry Nightz,” Scottville Clown Band Concert & more. townshipofarcadia. org/uploads/8/6/4/2/86425640/2026_arcadia_daze_b_w_final.pdf -------------------------------FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH PARTIES: HUNGARY: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Experience the races on the big screen! Includes Formula 1 games. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. Free. thebaytheatre.org/home-page -------------------------------26TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTIVAL: (See Sat., July 25, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.) -------------------------------MEET KARL MANKE: Karl will be at Horizon Books, TC all day starting at 10am. He is the author of “The Prodigal Father,” “Secrets, Lies and Dreams,” & more. horizonbooks.com/ event/2026-07-27/store-table-karl-manke -------------------------------MIDSUMMER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., July 25, except today’s time is 11am-3pm.) -------------------------------DOCK DOGS: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------DISABILITY NETWORK ADA CELEBRATION WITH JUSTICE BERNSTEIN: 12:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join for an Americans with Disability Act Celebration & reception for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bernstein. tadl.org/ADA2026 -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: (See Sat., July 25, except today’s time is 2pm.) -------------------------------BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: LARA FULFORD: 5-7pm, Bayfront Park, Petoskey. -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 5:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------A BRUSH WITH MUSIC: CELEBRATING HARVEY GORDON: 6pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Local artist Harvey Gordon’s acrylic paintings & inventive glazing techniques have captivated audiences for decades. The program features a musical tribute by his son, tenor David Gordon, with pianist Susan Snyder. Free. glenarborart.org/product/abrush-with-music-celebrating-harvey-gordon -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: BELLAIRE: Short’s Brewing, Beer Garden, Bellaire. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 6:30pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 7:30pm. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------MACBETH AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: 7pm, Tank Hill, Frankfort. Professional Chicago actors perform Shakespeare in the park in Frankfort! Macbeth, directed by Christy Arington, is the gritty tale of a general’s ambition & rise to power, featuring witches & prophecies galore. Paywhat-you-can; suggested $30 for adults, $10 for kids. theworldsastage.org/events -------------------------------KEITARO HARADA CONDUCTS ORCHESTRAL FIREWORKS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Conductor Keitaro Harada leads the World Youth Symphony Orchestra in this program that includes Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Verdi’s “Aida,” & much more. $21-$28. interlochen.org/events/keitaro-harada-conductsorchestral-fireworks-2026-07-26
20 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
july 27
monday
MEET KARL MANKE: (See Sun., July 26) --------------------TOMATO PRESERVATION CLASS W/ MSU EXTENSION: 5-7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. GTCD & Kara Lynch, food safety educator at MSU Extension, will demonstrate safe tomato preservation techniques that can be utilized in your own kitchen. Free. gtcd.wufoo.com/forms/s19adk6a1jdkupa -------------------------------NUB’S NOB SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: WOOD BOX HEROES: 6:30pm, Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs. This group features Matt Menefee (banjo: Mumford & Sons, Cadillac Sky, Warren Haynes); Barry Bales (bass: Alison Krauss & Union Station); Jenee Fleenor (fiddle: Blake Shelton, Larry Cordle) & Josh Martin (singer/songwriter/guitarist). $20-$25. shop.nubsnob.com/concertseries -------------------------------BROADWAY IN THE PARK: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. The TC Phil Pops brings the energy & sparkle of Broadway to the amphitheater stage. From showstopping anthems to beloved ballads, this high-spirited program celebrates the songs that defined the Great White Way. $15-$47. tcphil.org/events/broadway-in-the-park -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:30pm, Bay View Association, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “The Dig,” PG-13. Free. -------------------------------BRIT FLOYD: THE MOON, THE WALL AND BEYOND: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. This production celebrates Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” & “The Wall” - with a show that captures the spirit, sound, & spectacle of the legendary band. Tickets start at $43. interlochen.org/events/brit-floyd-wall-moon-andbeyond-2026-07-27
july 28
tuesday
19TH ANNUAL RUNNING BEAR RUN: Cherry Republic, Glen Arbor. Start times are 9am for the 5K Run/ Walk, & 9:05am for the 1/2 Mile Kid’s Run. $30 pre-race day; $35 day of; $5 for Kid’s Run. runningbearrun.com -------------------------------LIVE ON THE BIDWELL PLAZA: TWO TRACK MIND: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. This duo blends Americana, folk, country, bluegrass, & modern acoustic covers into a live performance. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/even ts/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list -------------------------------LEELANAU WRITERS’ SERIES: 7pm, Willowbrook Mill, Northport. Local author Robert ‘Carlos’ Fuentes discusses his coming of age story: “The Vacation: A Teenage Migrant Farmworker’s Experience Picking Cherries in Michigan.” Designated a “Notable Book” by the Library of Michigan, the story emphasizes value of family, friendship, risk-taking, & the dignity of hard work. Free. leelanautownshiplibrary.org -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: FRANKFORT: The Garden Theater, Frankfort. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 7pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 7:30pm. Free. tcdanceproject.org
MUSIC IN MACKINAW: STRAITS AREA CONCERT BAND: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.
july 29
wednesday
july 30
thursday
SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: BOARDMAN LOOP: Seismoto Coffee Bar, Cass, TC. Explore the TART Trails & local coffee spots. All activity levels welcome. 10am start; 11am coffee social. -------------------------------CONCERTS IN THE PARK: JON HAYES: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Jon blends folk, acoustic indie & soulful pop. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events /?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list -------------------------------WHAT WATER HOLDS: A POETRY READING BY SIX MICHIGAN POETS: 5:307:30pm, The Good Hart Artist Residency, 910 N. Lamkin Rd., Harbor Springs. A poetry writing workshop will be held at 5:30pm. The reading will feature Sarah DiViasmeņi, David Hornibrook, Ellen Stone, Ashwini Bhasi, Andrew Collard, & Jennifer Sperry Steinorth. goodhartartistresidency.org/what-water-holds -------------------------------EVENING ON RIVER STREET: KIDS CONNECTION: 6-9pm, River St., downtown Elk Rapids. Games, activities, & live music by Sweetwater Blues Band & ShortStop. Free. -------------------------------EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: 6-8pm, Old City Park Gazebo, Boyne City. Featuring Laura Crowe. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. -------------------------------HOW TO BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR WITH JILLIAN LAINE: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Author & former book editor Jillian Laine published five books with Sesame Street early in her career, but getting a novel in print was a long game. Free. tadl.org/FromTheQuery -------------------------------ELLSWORTH CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE: GOSPEL NIGHT: 7-9pm, Ellsworth Community Square. Bring a blanket or chair. -------------------------------JEFFERSON STARSHIP - RUNAWAY AGAIN TOUR: 7pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Wsg Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, & Orleans. Tickets start at $38. interlochen.org/events/jeffersonstarship-runaway-again-tour-2026-07-29 -------------------------------MACBETH AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Sun., June 26) -------------------------------CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT - BAY VIEW BRASS SPECTACULAR: 8pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. A grand evening of brass music featuring 15 musicians including large brass, faculty brass quintet, & student quintets. Non-members: $19.50; members: free. bayviewassociation.org/events/chamber-music-concert-bayview-brass-2026/?occurrence=2026 -------------------------------LIVE AT THE BAY: STURTZ: 8pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. An acoustic quartet that blends folk & soul. Led by the vocals of Andrew Sturtz, & backed by the support of banjo, cello & bass. $15. thebaytheatre.org/ movie/live-at-the-bay-sturtz
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: MOMENTARY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Catie Newell, professor of architecture at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban
Planning, will present a selection of architectural & design works that reinterpret everyday spaces through careful material shifts & the focused presence of light & darkness. Following this event, Newell will lead the “Designing for Difficult Moments Workshop” in Lower Carnegie at CTAC at noon. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/eve nts/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list -------------------------------SUMMER READING EVENT WITH MUSIQUITA CONCERT: 10:30am, North Park Pavilion, Suttons Bay. Join Blanca & Jesse of Musiquita for an interactive, high-energy bilingual musical performance. Sing & stomp! For all preschool, elementary & middleschool students. Sign up for the Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program & get a free book & reading kit. sbbdl.org -------------------------------LUNCHEON LECTURE: SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION: 11:30am, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Michigan State Police Trooper Corey Hebner will discuss the pleasure centers of the brain & how they work for the reward of dopamine. He will show several tricks & techniques that social media developers employ to addict users & will show the parallels with other forms of addiction. Register. $15. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6724209 -------------------------------51ST ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 30 - Aug. 2. Today includes the Boyne Valley History Exhibit located in the Township Hall next to the Polka Tent, Native Amusements Carnival, Local’s Night in Polka Tent opens, car show & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com/schedule-of-events -------------------------------HARBOR SPRINGS STREET MUSIQUE: SOUNDS OF THE WORLD: 6:30-8:30pm, downtown Harbor Springs, corner of State & Main streets. Featuring Great Lakes Brass Band, Greg Vadnais with Sounds of Africa, Owen James Trio, The Island Girl, Lord of the Gourd, & Magic by Jania. -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: CHARLEVOIX: 6:30pm, Odmark Performance Pavilion, Charlevoix. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six-stop summer tour, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance by Jennifer Lott, music by the Charlie Millard Band, Tap artist Madison Hilligoss, & a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------CONCERTS ON THE LAWN: PETOSKEY STEEL DRUM BAND: 7pm, GT Pavilions, TC. Free. gtpavilions.org/news-events/2026concerts-on-the-lawn -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KENOSHA KINGFISH: LIONS, TIGERS, WINGS, & BEER: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------BAY VIEW’S BIG READ – “DINNER WITH KING TUT”: 7:30pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Bestselling author Sam Kean for an engaging talk inspired by his latest book, “Dinner with King Tut.” Known for bringing science & history to life, Kean shares surprising stories drawn from everyday details like food, travel, & human ingenuity in the ancient world. $20-$25. onthestage. tickets/show/bay-view-association/69f49ebd08 b25b106c114d27/tickets#/productions-view -------------------------------BRET MICHAELS LIVE & AMPLIFIED 2026 WSG GAVIN EVICK: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. As a legendary singer & songwriter, Michaels’
july 22
mega-hits include “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” & “Nothing But A Good Time.” On TV his shows include “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” & Michaels as the Banana in Fox’s hit “The Masked Singer.” Tickets start at $48. interlochen.org/events/bret-michaels-liveamplified-2026-2026-07-30 -------------------------------JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: 7:30pm, Memorial Park Bandshell, East Jordan.
july 31
friday
51ST ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 30 - Aug. 2. Today is Youth Day/80’s Night/Neon Night. Free youth games & activities, Bump-N-Run, Hudson Twp. Hall Bingo, live music by Kielbasa Kings, Pan Franek, The Mix, & Derailed, & much more. boynefallspolishfestival.com/schedule-of-events -------------------------------DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY SIDEWALK SALES: July 31 - Aug. 1. Entertainment includes a Magic & Balloon Experience with Jania Taylor outside Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts from 2-5pm on Fri., July 31. -------------------------------CONCERTS IN THE PARK: THE REAL INGREDIENTS: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. -------------------------------CATIE NEWELL ARTIST TALK: 4pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. See Newell’s material-driven practice, exploring light, perception, & the emotional resonance of objects & environments. $0-$10. simpletix. com/e/catie-newell-artist-talk-tickets-270827 -------------------------------PLEIN AIR ON THE PLAZA: WET PAINT SALE: 4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Bidwell Plaza, Petoskey. Enjoy an evening of original art, live music, & a cash bar during Petoskey’s annual Sidewalk Sales weekend festivities. Plein Air on the Plaza: Wet Paint Sale features original artwork created by regional plein-air artists during the last week of July. Free. crookedtree.app.neoncrm.com/np/ clients/crookedtree/event.jsp?event=26452 -------------------------------SOUNDS OF SUMMER: GREAT LAKES BRASS BAND: 4-6pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. petoskeydowntown.com/events/ sounds-of-summer -------------------------------FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC IN THE PARK: 6:30-8:30pm, Marina Park, Harbor Springs. Featuring Seasonal Road. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Free. -------------------------------DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring the Tyler Roy Band. -------------------------------EAST JORDAN MUSIC IN THE PARK: NEON CROWS: 7-9pm, Memorial Park, East Jordan. Bring a chair or blanket. -------------------------------MACBETH AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Sun., July 26) -------------------------------MUSIC IN NORTHPORT PARK: 7-9pm, Kent Holton Pavilion, Marina Park, Northport. Enjoy rock/dance with the Ben Daniels Band. -------------------------------SHOWING OF EPISODE 1 OF “A WATER TRAIL”: 7pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse, TC. A documentary by local independent filmmaker, Tuklor, that examines the interconnected crisis of water access, climate displacement & maternal resilience. Free pizza (while it lasts!) at 6pm. A panel discussion will be held following the film. Donations. uucgt.org/justice -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KENOSHA KING-
FISH: ALTERNATE IDENTITY: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Fireworks tonight. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------CHAMBERFEST 2026: KODAK QUARTET: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. This award-winning quartet plays with the energy of a rock band & the old-school passion of 20th century string playing. Free. theoperahouse.org -------------------------------THE WAR AND TREATY: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. This powerhouse duo delivers soul-stirring vocals & deep-rooted storytelling. Founded in 2014 by the husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. & Tanya Trotter, The War And Treaty brings awesome new acts in American music. Starting at $52. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/the-war-treaty -------------------------------MUSIC IN MACKINAW: HIPPS & GARY: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City. -------------------------------MOVIES IN THE PARK AT DARK: 9:3011pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Featuring “Zootopia 2.” Free.
aug 01
saturday
PORT ONEIDA RUN: 6:30am, Port Oneida Heritage Center, Big Red Barn, Maple City. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon. The only run where the courses traverse through the scenic hills & tranquil level pastoral pathways of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. See web site to register & for various start times. $40-$110. phsb.org/port-oneida-run-2 -------------------------------51ST ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 30 - Aug. 2. Today is Family Day/Plaid Party. Includes the Andy Place Polish Race - 5K, Grand Royale Parade, recognition of Royale Parade winners & more at Polka Tent, Cornhole Tournament, live music by The Mix, Kielbasa Kings, New Generation, Waylon Hanel, & more. boynefallspolishfestival.com/schedule-of-events -------------------------------NO SLEEP TILL GLACIAL: 8am, Glacial Hills Natural Area, Bellaire. 1st Annual 24Hour Mountain Bike Marathon. Register at BikeReg.com. Camping available. $60/person. facebook.com/search/top?q=no%20 sleep%20till%20glacial%20 -------------------------------BLUEBERRY DASH 5K: 8:15am, Bellows Park Pavillion, Frankfort. Benzie Senior Resources fundraiser. $40. benzieseniorresources.org/blueberry-dash-5k -------------------------------DOG DAY OF SUMMER GROUP HIKE: 9am, Postle Farm Preserve, Boyne Falls. Dogs must be kept on a 6’ leash, & owners are required to bring & use waste bags. Register. Free. walloon.org/get-involved/events -------------------------------DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY SIDEWALK SALES: (See Fri., July 31) -------------------------------PETOSKEY ANTIQUES SHOW: 9am-4pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. $10/ person; good for both days. -------------------------------SUTTONS BAY BOOK SALE: 9am-5pm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, outside, near beach. Hosted by Friends of the Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Featuring thousands of books of various genres & puzzles. Donations. information@sbbdl.org -------------------------------63RD ANNUAL PORTSIDE ART FAIR: 10am-4pm, Elm Pointe, 1.5 miles north of East Jordan on M66. portsideartsfair.org
SUTTONS BAY ART FESTIVAL: 10am5pm, Suttons Bay Marina. Featuring 100 artists along with community groups, a community library book sale, food vendors & a children’s area. suttonsbaychamber.com/ suttons-bay-art-festival -------------------------------THE INVITATIONAL AT BAYVIEW INN: 10am-5pm, Stafford’s Bayview Inn, back lawns, Petoskey. Feauring a quick draw paint out, art & craft show, wine tasting & much more. Free admission. blueribbonevent. com/michigan-shows -------------------------------OBJECTS FOR PASSING: ART FOR GRIEF, CARE & LIFE TRANSITIONS: 11am, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Catie Newell, architect & professor at the UM A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, will present this workshop using work from her own artistic practice. $0-$10. simpletix.com/e/objects-forpassing-art-for-grief-care-lif-tickets-270829 -------------------------------WOODLAND HOME: A HISTORY OF A PLACE: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Dave Fenlon (Interpretive Park Ranger with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore) & Mae Wright (Tribal Historic Preservation Officer with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians) bring to life the world of northern Michigan’s woodland 250 years before at the time of the nation’s founding & after. Free. glenarborart.org/product/woodland-home-a-history-of-a-place -------------------------------IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING WITH TOM BARRAT: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Meet the man behind the new Traverse City coffee table book! horizonbooks.com/event/2026-08-01/ store-book-signing-tom-barrat -------------------------------ROCK-N-HOLE GOLF TOURNAMENT & CONCERT: Elmbrook Golf Course, TC. Legendary guitarist Kenny Olson hosts this event. Scramble tourney starts at 1pm. Concert featuring Olson & special guests starts at 7pm. Bring lawn chair. Proceeds support Hallie’s Hearts Endowment at Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, to help women impacted by ovarian cancer, in memory of Olson’s late cousin Hallie Olson Wastell. Cindy Johnson: 231-392-9379. $30 for concert only; golf is $150-$550. -------------------------------“SHAKESPEARE’S GOT TALENT!”: 2pm & 6pm, The MATCH Theatre at Cherryland Mall, TC. GA: $15. purchase.oldtownplayhouse.com/ChooseSeats/57602 -------------------------------TC ROLLER DERBY TRIPLE-HEADER: GT County Civic Center, TC. 3pm: Juniors Mixed Scrimmage; 5pm: TCRD A vs. Windy City C; 7pm: TCRD B vs. Windy City D. $10 advance; $12 door. facebook. com/events/s/tc-roller-derby-triple-header-/1393407179027821 -------------------------------FUTURE CHAMPIONS ARRIVE IN TC: 3:45pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Featuring the $116,000 CSI3* Grand Prix & FEI North American Youth Championship U25 Grand Prix Freestyle. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit. $15 & up. -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: TRAVERSE CITY: Open Space, TC. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 6:30pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 7:30pm. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: DÁ VEONCE & DAFUNK GANG: 7pm, GT County Civic
Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 21
Center, Amphitheater, TC. High-energy hiphop, soulful jazz, & funk grooves. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com -------------------------------VIRIDIAN STRINGS: UNDERCURRENTS: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. OAC Resident Ensemble Viridian Strings presents “Undercurrents,” exploring the emotional intensity & inner turbulence of the Romantic piano quartet tradition. Pre-show talk at 6:10pm. oliverart.org $10. tickettailor.com/events/oliverart/2193967 -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. RICHMOND FLYING MUMMIES: WANDS & WIZARDS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------MUSIC IN MACKINAW: SASHAY QUARTET & LUMOS QUARTET: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Roth Performance Shell, Mackinaw City. Enjoy a cappella harmonies.
aug 02
DID YOU SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY? ARE YOU THE WIDOW OF A VETERAN WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY? Did you know the VA has a benefit to help pay for a nursing home, assisted living facility or in-home care? Our office also assists in filing claims for VA disability, VA pension and financial assistance.
NEED HELP NAVIGATING VETERANS’ BENEFITS? CONTACT GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS 2650 LaFranier Rd. Traverse City Mon-Fri 8-4:30 (closed 12-12:30) www.gtcveterans.com 231-995-6070 22 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
sunday
51ST ANNUAL BOYNE FALLS POLISH FESTIVAL: July 30 - Aug. 2. Today is Family Day/Hat Night. Includes Mass celebrated under the polka tent; Boyne Valley History Exhibit located in the Twp. Hall next to the Polka Tent, with coffee & cookies after Mass in tent; Native Amusements Carnival; 4-Wheel Drive Mud Run; live music by Virgil Baker, Rod Loper, & Ty Parkin, & much more. boynefallspolishfestival.com/schedule-of-events -------------------------------PETOSKEY ANTIQUES SHOW: (See Sat., Aug. 1) -------------------------------SUTTONS BAY BOOK SALE: (See Sat., Aug. 1, except today’s time is 9am-4pm.) -------------------------------63RD ANNUAL PORTSIDE ART FAIR: (See Sat., Aug. 1) -------------------------------SUTTONS BAY ART FESTIVAL: (See Sat., Aug. 1, except today’s time is 10am-4pm) -------------------------------THE INVITATIONAL AT BAYVIEW INN: (See Sat., Aug. 1) -------------------------------THE NEXT GENERATION COMPETES IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN: 1pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Enjoy international equestrian talent in an Olympic-style championship atmosphere. traversecityhorseshows. com/visit. $15 & up. -------------------------------SUNDAY MUSIC IN THE PARK: RIVERTOWN JAZZ BAND: 4-6pm, Marina Park, Harbor Springs. -------------------------------PETOSKEY’S BAYSIDE MUSIC SERIES: 5-7pm, Bayfront Park, Petoskey. Featuring The Tweed Tones. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -TC PIT SPITTERS VS. RICHMOND FLYING MUMMIES: FAMILY DAYS: 5:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/ traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: PETOSKEY: Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Rooftop Terrace, Bay Harbor. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 6:30pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 7:30pm. tcdanceproject.org. $38/person. -------------------------------NWS: MARC BERMAN PH.D: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Health & Wellness: Author Conversations featuring Herm Triezenberg & Elizabeth Mostrom. Dr. Marc Berman, author of “Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Na-
ture Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being,” uses science to show that spending time in natural environments can ultimately boost our ability to direct attention. Berman is the world’s leading environmental neuroscientist, & founder & director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. He will be joined in conversation with Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Board member Terrie Taylor. $20-$38. nationalwritersseries.org/author-event/dr-marc-berman -------------------------------BAY VIEW VESPER CONCERT: 8-9:30pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. We Shall Overcome: Civil Rights Music that has bound communities together in a celebration of the unique contributions of People of Color throughout history. $20-$23.50; free for under 18. bayviewassociation.org/events/vesper-concert-we-shallovercome/?occurrence=2026-08-02
ongoing
BOYNE CITY’S STROLL THE STREETS: Downtown Boyne City. Held Fri. evenings from 6-9pm. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, & much more. -------------------------------LELAND COMMUNITY SUNDAY NIGHT SING: Sundays, 7:30pm at Leland Country Club. A summer tradition for over 100 years. Join to sing your favorites with scores of your closest friends. “Leelanau, Leelanau, land that I love!” facebook.com/share/g/1BXL9Pu9bo -------------------------------COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PICNIC PARTY: Palmer Park Pavilion, Mancelona. Grand Traverse Industries of Mancelona is hosting this series of live entertainment on Tuesdays through Aug. 4 from 11:30am1:30pm. Featuring live music & storytelling, arts & crafts, face painting & more. grandtraverseindustries.com -------------------------------BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (ER): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Rotary Park, Elk Rapids. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/ balance-bike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj -------------------------------BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (TC): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/balance-bike-meet-upstraverse-city-7z4k7-ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj -------------------------------OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Tuesdays, 10:30am, held outside the Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, overlooking the beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. These story times are geared toward prek to second graders & their caregivers, but fun for all who attend. sbbdl.org -------------------------------PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: Saturdays, 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Israel continues committing brutal genocide in Gaza & stealing more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Elected leaders are owned by Israel as the Epstein files show. It’s up to ordinary people to insist on justice. Stand together every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net -------------------------------NORTE: BIKES FOR ALL: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. Open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. Offering adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding. norteyouthcycling.org
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WEEKLY WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
art
“FOR THE BIRDS” ART EXHIBITION: Leelanau Twp. Library, Northport. Featuring local & international artists whose work explores diversity among birds & their importance to our shared ecosystem. Runs through Sept. 18. -------------------------------ROOTS: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan. This exhibition explores history, heritage, & the experiences that define us. The works reflect personal, cultural, family, & environmental connections—examining how traditions, places, & pivotal moments influence identity & creativity. Runs through Aug. 29. jordanriverarts.com -------------------------------REFLECTIONS OF THE AUSABLE: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Runs through July 26. Held during the Annual Canoe Marathon, this exhibition showcases artwork inspired by the beauty & spirit of the AuSable River. Featuring the diverse talents of AuSable Artisan Village artists. artisanvillage.org/event/reflections-ofthe-ausable-art-exhibition -------------------------------5TH ANNUAL GREAT BODIES GROUP EXHIBIT: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Featuring more than 25 artists, this exhibit celebrates the abundance of freshwater found throughout Michigan. Runs through Aug. 8. higherartgallery.com -------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - CRAFT: FOLK ART: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition highlights artists who reinterpret folk traditions in fresh & meaningful ways, blurring the lines between art, craft, & storytelling. Runs through July 25. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/craft-folk-art.html - “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modern-movement.html - IN MOTION: MAKING ART DANCE: Held in Gilbert Gallery. A juried exhibition of movement inspired visual art pieces, sharing works that address questions such as, “How do artists today show the energy of moving bodies in paintings, sculptures, or films?” Runs through Sept. 5. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/in-motion.html -------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: EXTENDED EXHIBIT: Held in Cornwell & Carnegie Galleries. Experience the beauty of northern Michigan through the eyes of 31 acclaimed plein air artists from across the country. This extended exhibit features a selection of available artwork created during Paint Grand Traverse 2026. Runs through Aug. 22. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/pgt-extended-exhibit. html - CONTAINER: Held in Carnegie Galleries, this exhibit explores the many meanings of containment through both sculptural & twodimensional works. Runs through Aug. 22. An Ekphrastic Reading takes place Aug. 20 from 5:30-7pm. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/container.html - CHERRY STATE OF MIND: Runs in Corn-
well Gallery through Aug. 22. This exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Festival & honors the fruit that has helped define northern Michigan’s landscape, economy & identity for generations. Artist talk on Aug. 15 at 11am & ekphrastic reading on Aug. 20 from 5:30-7pm. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/cherry-stateof-mind.html -------------------------------DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - “AMERICANS”: This is a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street & the National Museum of the American Indian, which explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions - CAROLINE MONNET: “THIS OLD HOUSE IS ALL WE HAVE”: Through the interplay of image & object, Monnet foregrounds the deep entanglement of economy, development, & the natural environment. The exhibition serves as a reminder that economic prosperity & urban expansion have historically been built upon the exploitation of land & the Indigenous peoples who have lived in relationship with it for generations. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions - XAVI BOU: “ECHOES OF FLIGHT”: Artist Xavi Bou invites visitors to reconsider how we see the natural world—& how that way of seeing shapes our relationship to it. This exhibition bridges art, science, & environmental awareness through Bou’s innovative use of digital chronophotography. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions -------------------------------GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER, FRANKFORT: - POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: PAINTING AND POEMS THAT REIMAGINE: Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this series of oil paintings & corresponding poems created by Grand Traverse County artist Wendy McWhorter. Runs through Aug. 27. GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-poetic-visions-of-port-oneida - AMERICAN TREE: BUILDING A UNITED STATE OF TREES: Held in Main Gallery. American Tree is an exhibit that explores the role trees played in the formation of the United States 250 years ago -- & the role trees will play moving forward into this nation’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs through Aug. 13. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-american-tree -------------------------------OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - JUBILEE, AN ODE TO THE CHERRY: Jubilee! is an ode to the cherry in all its glory. In northwest Michigan, we celebrate cherries both tart & sweet as a major crop, a summer delight, & a shared heritage. Runs through July. See web site for hours. oliverart.org - NANCY FOSTER RETROSPECTIVE: Nancy’s paintings have been exhibited throughout the western & midwestern United States. Travel across America through Foster’s eyes: taking in humble midwestern landscapes, romantic landscapes of the Great Lakes, the edges & shadows of urban Chicago, & the majesty of nature from Michigan to the west coast. Exhibit runs through Aug. 21. See web site for hours. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org
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lOGY
JULY 27 - AUG 02 BY ROB BREZSNY
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Neurologists say that when you vividly
imagine performing an action like shooting a basketball or playing piano, your brain activates many of the same networks it uses in real practice. In other words, mental rehearsal can measurably improve your actual performance. Many athletes use this trick. But here's an interesting twist: Such visualizations work for emotional and social skills too. We can enhance our resilience and better regulate our moods if we practice doing so in the privacy of our imaginations. I bring this to your attention, Leo, because you're in a period when your fantasy life has extra-robust practical power. I invite you to rehearse being who you want to be in the theater of your mind.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your assignment:
Compose a vigorous prayer in which you ask life for something you fear you don't deserve or are not supposed to want. What is the blessing, healing, or freedom that feels “too much,” “too selfish,” “too late,” or “too impossible” for you to yearn for? Name this prize and how you imagine it might allow you to give more, love more, or live more honestly. You could begin your appeal with these words: “Dear Great Mystery, I’m nervous about asking for this, but I will ask anyway,” and then let your heart speak without editing. Do this at least once every day for ten days.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1848, a Libra-
born carpenter named James Marshall discovered a few glittering flakes of gold floating on the American River in California. His find ignited the Gold Rush, drawing hundreds of thousands of people westward. Alas, Marshall himself never became rich from the discovery, though many other people did. I’m hoping and predicting a different outcome when you locate treasure in the coming weeks, Libra. In this instance, you will share in the spoils.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The lyrebird
can imitate almost any sound, including chainsaws, car alarms, camera shutters, and other birds' songs. But they don't just mimic sounds randomly. They compose elaborate performances, weaving a variety of imitations into complex acoustic tapestries. In a sense, they are remix artists. During the coming weeks, Scorpio, I hope you give yourself permission to resemble a lyrebird. Sample freely from everything you've absorbed. Weave your influences into new configurations. Express your imaginative concoctions of repurposed ideas and enchantments. The voice isn't less yours because it borrows from other voices. Originality is in part about arrangement, not just source material.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Astronauts who have orbited Earth describe the "overview effect.” Viewing the entire globe from high above triggers rich epiphanies and cognitive shifts, providing a visceral sense of the planet's fragility and unity. Borders dissolve. Conflicts seem absurd. I surmise you are ripe for a similar blessing, Sagittarius. You'll be able to see your current dramas from expansive vantage points that make their true scale and significance obvious. Armed with these perspectives, you will naturally clarify your priorities and allow petty concerns to fade away.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are the
result of an ancestral crowd: two parents, four grandparents, and eight great-grandparents. Without these 14 lives weaving together in the precise ways they did, your unique destiny would never have taken shape. Their choices and challenges helped sculpt your gifts and your rough edges, your cravings and your turn-offs. The coming weeks will be a ripe astrological moment to get more intimate with this lineage. As you delve into your family’s stories, you may uncover vital clues for refreshing your views on dilemmas that have dragged on for a while. Are you daring enough to let your sense of “where I come from” evolve—and, with it, your sense of what kind of future you want to create?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): According
to my investigations, there’s a place you need to go, but fear or timidity is holding you back. Where is it? Is it a physical location, a creative risk, a complicated conversation, or a spiritual threshold? Visualize it. Who would you be if you
appeared there in your full glory? What do you worry might happen if you do? What interesting future might never bloom if you don’t? I hope you formulate a feisty plan. To begin, write these words: “If I decide to go there anyway, acknowledging my fear but not being controlled by it, what first step will I take and what help will I seek?”
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Professional
athletes sometimes talk about “winning ugly.” That’s when they achieve a victory even though they haven’t played their very best. I foresee you using that phrase for yourself soon, after you notch a less-than-pretty but undeniably real success. There’s another expression you might also exemplify, too: “ugly ripe.” Officially, it’s the name of luscious heirloom tomatoes whose lumpy, offbeat forms contrast with the smooth, bland specimens stacked in most supermarket bins. In the coming weeks, it will describe the nonstandard yet succulent flavor of your life.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries artist
Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles, France, for 15 months in 1888 and 1889. It was the most prolific time of his career. His buoyant genius overflowed, pouring out over 200 paintings, including the lavish Sunflowers series. I suspect you will enjoy your own surge of splashy productivity in the coming months. It may not be as manically generative as van Gogh, though. I think your creativity will be rather relaxed and deeply healing. Start planning now for how you want to channel all this imaginative exuberance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I invite you to
clear out every fixed idea your mind carries about where you are “supposed” to be. Once you have made that inner space wide and uncluttered, begin a fresh inquiry into the nature of your real home. Use questions like these to navigate: 1. What’s the first place you think of when you come across the word “sanctuary”? 2. Which environments reliably bring out your brightest, truest qualities? 3. Do you have what you would call power spots? If so, how do they make you feel in your body and psyche? 4. Which locations on Earth fascinate you, even if you have never visited them? 5. Could there be a future dwelling that offers a more peaklevel experience of home than the familiar place where tradition now soothes you?
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The brain
doesn't literally multitask. It rapidly shifts attention between tasks, creating the illusion of simultaneity. For many people, each interchange costs mental energy and reduces efficiency. But some brains can switch faster with a lower energy cost, making them better at sustained task-switching. I’m sure you can guess the identity of the zodiac’s number one task-switcher: you, of course! And the good news is that in the coming weeks, you will be even more adept than usual in wielding your superpower. One implication is that you will know when not to overdo it and when not to use it trivially. You will be a master of seamless, effective, and meaningful transitions.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Astronomers
know that many stars don't travel alone. Binary stars orbit each other for eons, their mutual gravity shaping each partner's destiny. I propose we make this your featured metaphor in the coming months. It will be a favorable time to de-emphasize the notion that strength and creative power require complete autonomy. I suspect that flexible, spirited interdependence will generate far better results than lonely self-sufficiency. Which alliances and relationships will expand your orbit rather than shrink it? Invest in them.
24 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
“Jonesin” Crosswords "No Notes"--except for those seven. by Matt Jones
ACROSS 1. They're often exchanged 5. Created, as a spiderweb 9. Arranges by category 14. "___ Have Nothing" (1970 Tom Jones album) 15. Ding Dong alternative 16. 1970s veep Agnew 17. According to Autoweek, 1978's "first American-made front-wheel-drive econobox" 20. Crushing defeats 21. Diminutive Italian suffix 22. California wine, for short 23. Reuben ingredient 25. Pig's place 26. Apt to meddle 27. +, on a battery 28. "Swan Lake" wear 31. Super Bowl of 2007 33. 1970s-'80s TV planet 34. Kitchen fixture 36. Apartments 40. "Either you do it ___ will" 41. Notes that appear here and nowhere else in the solved grid 43. Little kid 44. Sleep aid brand 46. ___ speak (as it were) 47. ___ Lanka 48. "The ___" (Diana Ross musical) 50. Mezcal bottle addition 52. Labor Day day, for short 53. MGM mascot 56. Solar wind particle 58. Lovers' secret meeting 60. "Walk-___ welcome" 61. Fiscal yr. part 62. "This Is How You Lose Her" author Diaz 64. Home of the Blues 69. "Lemon Tree" singer Lopez 70. Electric resistance measures 71. Horse's pace 72. "This is ___ happening!" 73. Gritty film genre 74. Little imp
DOWN 1. Kind of pass or treatment 2. Nocturnal raptor 3. Words from the cautious 4. "We are," in Argentina 5. Closed off 6. Cooking vessels 7. "Lemme think ..." 8. Like a perfect game in baseball 9. Antidepressant, for short 10. Nail polish brand 11. Muppet rat 12. Three, to Trudeau 13. Bono who didn't lead U2 18. Boot from office 19. Dark form of quartz 23. Silverware drawer piece 24. Fret 25. Setting time? 26. Diarist Anais 29. PC port type 30. Muscle twinges 32. Drag along 35. High-fat, low-carb diet 37. Words from the next? 38. Barcelona bulls 39. Job duration 41. Actor Mahershala 42. On the pro side 45. Possess 49. Baked pasta dish 51. Range components, briefly 53. Shopping memos 54. Opening lines 55. "Do Ya" country singer K.T. 57. "Citizen Kane" director Welles 59. Questlove's band, with "The" 61. Go cold turkey 62. "Purple Haze" rocker Hendrix 63. "Back in the ___" 65. Sean ___ Lennon 66. Conductance measure, once (and reverse of one of 70-Across) 67. Pooh's friend 68. "Addams Family" cousin
Leelanau & Benzie 9 BEAN ROWS, SUTTONS BAY 1-3: 7/26 -- The Stonefruit Collective 8/2 -- Charlie Arnett BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR 7/25 -- Dominic Fortuna, 3:30 7/26 -- Chris Smith, 3:30 7/28 -- Pinter Witnick, 5:30 7/31 -- Bryan Poirier, 5:30 8/1 -- Larz Cabot, 3:30 8/2 -- Larry Perkins, 3:30 BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM: 7/26 – Pinter Whitnick, 4-6:30 7/29 – Dominic Fortuna, 6-8 7/31 – Melissa & Jake, 6-8 8/2 – Luke Woltanski & John Piatek, 4-6:30 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30: 7/25 – Luke Woltanski 7/26 – Nick Vasquez 7/29 – Brady Corcoran 7/30 – Jim Hawley 7/31 – Drew Hale 8/1 – Dominic Fortuna 8/2 – Jakob Abraham DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 7/26 -- Highway North 7/30 -- Elizabeth Landry 8/2 -- Loose Change FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 7/27 -- Dennis Palmer, 4 GILCHRIST FARM WINERY, SUTTONS BAY 7/29 -- Billy & The Kid, 3-6 HOP LOT BREWING, SUTTONS BAY 5-8: 7/25 -- Mike Moran
7/27 -- Rock Hat 7/29 -- Jameson Brothers 7/30 -- Drew Hale 7/31 -- The Timebombs 8/1 -- Vertical Limit IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 7/25 -- The Real Ingredients, 5:307:30 7/26 -- Jimmy Olson, 5-7 7/30 -- Gretchen Woell, 5:30-7:30 7/31 -- Henry Herig, 5:30-7:30 8/1 -- Highway North, 5:30-7:30 8/2 -- Brian Curran, 5:30-7:30 JACOBSON MARINA, FRANKFORT 7/25 & 8/1 -- Jim Hawley, 3-6 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 7/25 -- Luke Woltanski, 3-6; Rock Bottom Remedy, 7-10 7/28 -- New Third Coast, 6:30-9:30 7/29 -- Chris Smith, 6:30-9:30 7/30 -- Mike Moran, 7-10 7/31 -- Chris Sterr, 3-6; Delilah DeWylde, 7-10 8/1 -- The Whiskey Charmers, 3-6; Knee Deep, 7-10 LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY 7/31 -- Windy Ridge Quartet, 6-9 BEER GARDEN, 4-7: 7/26 -- Miriam Pico 8/2 -- Song of the Lakes NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU 7/31 -- Jesse Jefferson, 4:45-6:45 RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 6-9: 7/25 -- Empire Highway 7/26 -- Rob Coonrod 7/27 -- Jim Hawley 7/28 -- Dave Martin 7/29 -- Levi Britton 7/30 -- Loose Change 7/31 -- The Groove Suns 8/1 -- Rock Hat
8/2 -- Broom Closet Boys SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7: 7/25 -- SNAP Band 7/31 -- Louie Hehman 8/1 -- Touch of Grey ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 7/25 -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4; Audrey DuPuis, 5-8 7/26 -- Jesse Jefferson, 3-6 7/27 -- Corinna Snow, 5-8 7/28 -- Dags Und Timmah, 5-8 7/29 -- Reminisce, 5-8 7/30 -- Aaron Dye, 5-8 7/31 -- Jen Sygit, 5-8 8/1 -- Chelsea Marsh, 1-4; Devin C. Williams, 5-8 8/2 -- Blair Miller, 3-6 STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 7/25 -- The Nightcrawlers, 6-8 7/29 -- Tim Jones, 6-8 7/30 -- Mike Struwin & Rick Willey, 6-8 8/1 -- DJ Jeshua Hyde, 3-7 SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 7/26 -- Nick & Rokko, 5:30-8 7/30 -- Thursday DJ Trivia, 6:30-8 8/2 -- Jonathan North & Rock Hat, 5:30-8
VANDERBILT VINES WINERY & TASTING ROOM 7/25 – Gabe Couch, 3-7 8/1 – Brian Curran
ALEXANDRA INN, TC BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE: Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7 APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC 7/26 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9 CHATEAU CHANTAL, TC WEST PATIO: 7/30 -- Jazz at Sunset w/ Jeff Haas Trio & Laurie Sears, 7 EAST PATIO: 7/24 -- Friday Night Live Music w/ Elisabeth Christe, 5-8 CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE, TC 5-8: 7/25 – Genna & Jesse 7/30 -- Chris Smith 7/31 -- Elizabeth Landry 8/1 – Brady Corcoran ENCORE 201, TC 9: 7/24-25 & 7/31-8/1 -- DJ Ricky T GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA, ACME POOL: 7/25 – Craig Jolly & Jason Griesa
THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 7/29 -- Vinyl Vednesday w/ DJ T.J., 5 7/30 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 8/1 -- K. Jones & the Benzie Playboys, 7-9
JACOB'S FARM, TC 6-9: 7/29 -- Mary Sue & Mark 7/30 -- Highway Drifters 8/2 -- The Whiskey Charmers
THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 7/25 & 7/30 -- Bryan Poirier 8/1 -- Craig & The Jolly Ranchers
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Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
TANDEM CIDERS, SUTTONS BAY Sun -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4
Otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 7/25 -- Brian Curran, 1-4; David Lawston, 5-8 7/31 -- Craig Soderberg, 6-9
nitelife
july 25- AUG 02
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 7/25 -- The TC Knuckleheads, 9:30 7/27 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 7/28 -- The Will Harris Trio, 8 7/29 -- The Pocket Band, 8 7/30 -- DJ Leo, 9:30 7/31 -- Twilight Tunes Dueling Pianos, 9:30 8/1 -- The Timebombs, 9:30 KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING 7/25 -- Blair Miller, 7-9 7/28 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9 8/1 -- Joe Lopata, 7-9 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM: 7/27 – Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 PATIO: 7/26 – DJ Ras Marco, noon-3
CELLAR & FLAME: 7/31 – Jakob Abraham, 5-7 LIL BO'S, TC THE YARD: 7/29 -- Boardman River Band, 7-10:30
7/27 -- Big Fun + DJ Ras Marco 7/31 -- Viridian Strings Presents: Undercurrents 8/1 -- The Adrianne Evans Quintet THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 7:30-11: 7/25 – One Hot Robot
MARI VINEYARDS, TC 4-6: 7/28 -- Jerry Byville 7/30 -- Garrison Wilson
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 6-10: 7/25 – The Broom Closet Boys 7/31 – Lucas Paul Band
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 7/25 – Sean Megoran, 6-9 7/29 -- Trivia Night w/ Steveo, 7-9 7/30 -- Open Mic Night w/ Joe Domanick, 7-9 7/31 -- Jeff Socia, 6-9
THE PARLOR, TC 7/25 -- DJ Magic Ben, 9 7/30 -- Jimmy Olson, 8-11
NOCTURNAL BLOOM BREWING, TC Thu -- Trivia, 6 NORTH BAR, TC 7-10: 7/29 -- Loren Kranz 7/30 -- Beans & Cheese OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 7/26 -- Bauer Jones, 7-9 7/29 -- Jimmy Olson, 7-9 7/31 -- 2Bays DJ's, 6:30-9:30 8/1 -- Prima, 6:30-9:30 8/2 -- Jeff Linsell, 7-9 STONE HOUND BREWING CO., WILLIAMSBURG 6:30-9:30: 7/25 -- Trent Breithaupt 7/31 -- Blake Elliott 8/1 -- Empire Highway TC GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 7/31 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9 TC WHISKEY CO. THE STILLHOUSE: 7/25 -- Cody Stewart & the Traverse City Troubadours, 8 7/28 -- Open Mic, 6-8 7/31 -- Pinter Whitnick, 8 8/1 -- DJ Zeb, 8 THE ALLUVION, TC 7:30-10: 7/26 -- Mandolin Carnival feat. Don Julin, Brian Oberlin, Don Stiernberg & Carlo Aonzo
THE PUB, TC 7/25 & 8/1 -- DJ Producer AJ, 10 7/26 & 8/2 -- David Márton, 7-10 7/27 -- Karaoke, 8-11 7/29 -- Zeke Clemons, 8-11 7/31 -- DJ Vai, 10 THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 7/25 – Michael Hozz, 8-11 7/26 – Full Tilt Comedy – Comedy Lab, 7-9 7/27 – USS Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30 7/29 – Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz, 6-9 7/30 – DJ Trivia, 7-9 THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC 7/31 -- YESIMJOHN - DJ, 7-10 PATIO, 6:30-9:30: 7/25 -- Chris Sterr Project 7/30 -- Coral Stone - Open Mic Jam TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG 6-8: 7/25 -- Nick Vasquez 7/31 -- Luke Woltanski 8/1 -- The Headwaters Band TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG WATERFALL, 8: 7/25 -- Drew Hale Band 7/31 -- DJ 1Wave Dance Party 8/1 – 2nd Hand Entertainment
Jazz at Sunset Live from Chateau Chantal
Every Thursday @7pm all Summer long with The Jeff Haas Trio ft. Laurie Sears and watercolorist Lisa Flahive ble e,memora in w t a re rt G vistional a o r p im , s ! melodie nal sunsets o ti a s n e s and
Reserve Here:
August 6th Special Guest Claudia Schmidt August 13th Special Guest Anthony Stanco Northern Express Weekly • july 27, 2026 • 25
nitelife
july 25- AUG 02 events@traverseticker.com
Continued...
Emmet & Cheboygan
BAY HARBOR YACHT CLUB 7/30 & 8/1 -- Randy Reszka, 4-6 BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR: 7/25 – Karaoke, 9-12 7/29 – Luke Woltanski, 3:30-6:30 BELLE TOWER OF PETOSKEY 7/25 -- Levitator + The Marsupials, 6-10:30 BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 7/25 – Two Track Mind, 2-6 7/31 – Jelly Roll Blues Band, 4-7:30 8/1 – Chris Calleja, 2-6 BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, PATIO, BAY HARBOR 7/25 -- Continuous Imposition, 12:30 7/26 -- Jeff Schlehuber, 12:30 7/27 – Patrick Ryan, 6 7/28 – Nick Visconti, 6 7/29 – Will Springsteen, 6 7/30 – Derek Boik, 6 7/31 -- Nelson Olstrom, 12:30 8/1 – Derek Boik, 12:30 8/2 – David Lawston, 12:30 CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
7/31 – Annex Karaoke, 9:30 DOUGLAS LAKE STEAKHOUSE, PELLSTON 6-9: 7/26 -- Mike Ridley 8/2 -- Doug Thomas INN AT BAY HARBOR CABANA BAR, 5-8: 7/26 -- Sean Bielby 7/31 -- Owen James 8/2 -- Mike Ridley NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 7/25 -- Brett Harfert 7/30 -- Kyle Brown 7/31 -- Brian McCosky 8/1 -- Elizabeth Christe NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/25 -- Bill Oeming, 5:30-8:30 7/30 – Trivia, 6:30 7/31 – Ty Parkin, 5:30-8:30 8/1 – Two Track Minds, 5:30-8:30 NUB'S NOB, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/27 -- Wood Box Heroes, 6:30 ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY
Antrim & Charlevoix
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VICTORIES, 9: 7/25 – DJ Big Ton 7/31 – DJ Hotkeys POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/25 -- Twilight Tunes Full Band, 5-8 7/26 -- Luke Woltanski, 3-6 7/29 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kirby, 5-8 7/30 -- BarrelHouse Sinners, 5-8 7/31-8/1 -- Ravon “Steely” Rhoden, 5-8 8/2 -- Larz Cabot, 3-6 SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 7/30 -- Riff & Evey, 6-9 THE HIGHLANDS AT HARBOR SPRINGS SLOPESIDE LOUNGE: 7/25 & 8/1 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6 THE QUEENS HEAD, CHEBOYGAN 5:30-7:30: 7/30 -- Mike Arnold 7/31 -- Dominic Fortuna
BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX 4-7: 7/25 – Jessica Dominic 8/1 – Laura Thurston BOYNE CITY TAPROOM 7: 7/30 -- Adam and the Cabana Boys 7/31 -- Josh Raber & Patrick Ryan 8/1 -- Patrick Ryan BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 7/30 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7 BRIDGE STREET TAPROOM, CHARLEVOIX 7/28 -- Patrick Ryan, 7 ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS 8-11: 7/25 – Harmolodics 8/1 – Tweed Tones
LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX 7/31 -- Randy Reszka, 4-7 MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 7/29 -- Karaoke Night, 9 7/31 -- The Real Ingredients, 6-9 SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN: 7/25 -- GLO, 7-9:30 7/26 -- TC Dance Project w/ Charlie Millard Band, 6:30-9:30 7/27 -- Igor & The Red Elvises, 7-9:30 7/31 -- The Unwashed Nasty Cherries, 7-9:30 8/1 -- M22, 7-9:30 8/2 -- Trivia, 6-8 SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS 7/25 -- Highway North, 6-9 7/26 -- Blair Miller, 2-5 7/30 -- Jams By James, 6-9 7/31 -- Kyle Brown, 6-9
BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK 7/27 -- Mon. Night Open Mic w/ Vic Trip, 6-9 MANISTEE NATIONAL GOLF & RESORT, THE BACKYARD 7/31 -- Tyler Reed, 7
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7: 7/25 -- Scott Pellegrom Trio 7/31 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic 8/1 -- Ted Bounty Trio wsg/ Aaron Russell
WILDWOOD LAKES GOLF COURSE, WOLVERINE 7/25 -- Michellekeyboard, 7-10
CLA SSI FIED S COMPUTER PROBLEMS? I WILL COME TO YOU!: I can fix your digital issues. Phone, TV, tablet, computer set up. AND show you how to use them! Call James Downer, Advent Tech. Your high tech handyman. 231-492-2087 _____________________________________ "PAINT A PICASSO" (with your favorite people!): High-brow Sip-&-Paint events held at your locale. Leelanau painter & entertaining art storyteller brings her vast experience hosting upscale art parties at wineries, NMC, Senior Center, etc. Now booking high-quality 2+ hour Fall events for groups up to 20. Jackie Freeman, Master of Arts & Bachelor of Fine Arts. Prefer initial contact via text (231) 342-8792 _____________________________________ READING SPECIALIST TO TUTOR STRUGGLING READERS: Help your child achieve reading success!! Moderate Rates. Catherine 231-392-6773
LAWN CARE CREW MEMBERS: 29 yr lawn care co looking for full time Lawn Crew Leader and a Crew Member to mow lawns Mon thru Thurs. with Fri/Sat rain makeup, call 231-9381990 to apply. _____________________________________ RARE 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 MIATA: Turbocharged, 6-speed, 178hp, 63,280mi. Titanium grey metallic, black leather interior, tinted glass. $15,500 obo. Call 231-499-9244 or text 231-499-7150. _____________________________________ FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798 Guitar Lessons in Traverse City: All ages, all levels, Robert Abate, 231-421-1401, robertabatemusic@gmail.com _____________________________________ NIGHTLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY STAYS NEAR TC!: “The Suites” Turnkey Homes & Motel. Travelers/Construction crews 231-633-5464
26 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7 WATERFIRE VINEYARDS, KEWADIN 7/25 – Zeke Clemons, 4-7 7/27 – Wello Wine Down Concert w/ Carrie Welling, 7-9 8/1 – Joel Jacobson, 4-7
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THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA PATIO, 6-9: 7/25 – Gemini Moon Band 7/31 – Headwaters Band 8/1 – Kevin Paul
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28 • july 27, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly