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The Manitou Music Festival kicks off their 19th season on July 8 with Mulebone at the Studio Stage in Glen Arbor, Wednesday at 8 pm.

Mulebone is the duo of multiinstrumentalist, John Ragusa and roots music specialist, Hugh Pool. Their musical home is the traditional blues; sometimes they play it straight ahead, while at other moments they float above it, viewing and interpreting from a distant vantage point. John plays conch shell, Jews harp, cornet, all manner of flutes, and tin whistle, while Hugh plays slide guitar boogies, one chord riffs a la Howlin’ Wolf and country blues of all shapes and colors.

MMF brings exciting and diverse concert featuring: classical, jazz, blues, folk, country and bluegrass music of regionally and nationally known artists to some of Michigan's most idyllic settings.

Upcoming concerts include: Shout Sister Shout - Steppin’ In It with Rachael Davis, Blue Origami, Josh White Jr., Photographers & Kat Eggleston, Jeff Haas & Friends, Sister Wilene, The Electric Blue Quintet, and The Wild Turkeys

All Tickets are $15 (Children 18 and under are FREE, except for the July 30 Benefit Concert)

Free MMF concerts include: July 3 Northport Community Band, July 12 The Dune Climb, August 4 Arts Collage, August 11 Summer Singers

For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit the Manitou Music Festival website. Tickets may also be purchased at concert venues or by calling the Glen Arbor Art Association (231) 334-6112 or Lake Street Studios (231) 334-3179

Summer has finally come to northern Michigan! jsorbieus captures it well in this photo. For more great summer pictures, be sure to check out his slideshow

While vacation rentals tend to book up in the summer, there's always something available.

We've created this page to allow Leelanau.com hotel, motel, resort, cabin, cottage and vacation rental clients to post their deals and last minute availability (sorry, but we will remove any other postings).

Photo: Cottage Row by SRJacobs

Here's some great locations to see wildlife in the National Lakeshore. Be sure to read our feature on Watching Wildlife in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

View Watching Wildlife Locations in a larger map

by Bill Herd

Seeing wildlife on your vacation to a national park makes the trip extra special. It makes no difference if your primary objective was to see mountains, canyons, swamps or beaches; seeing the park’s wildlife is always a welcome addition to your visit. Viewing wildlife in its natural habitat requires knowledge, patience and lots of time. Most of us, including national park staff, do not have all three of these requirements, especially time. Professional wildlife photographers know that seeing wildlife may take weeks of quietly waiting in just the right spot and still there is no guarantee that they will get a good picture. Click here to read on, check out the Wildlife slideshow below and be sure to have a look at our Google Map of the best places to watch wildlife in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

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Pilings by Dave Mc

News from the Week

Stories from the week included the latest feature in our America's Lakeshore series: Watching Wildlife, a feature where lodging businesses can post last minute availability and deals, a gorgeous photo from the Crystal River along with blockbuster event features on the Cedar Polka Fest, the Manitou Music Festival and the inaugural Suttons Bay Blues Festival at the end of July!

The Week's Weather

June 25, 2009: Partly cloudy, light rain and upper 80s (88/66)
June 26, 2009: Mostly sunny & upper 70s (78/60)
June 27, 2009: Partly cloudy, some rain and 80s (85/55)
June 28, 2009: Rain & 70s (78/61)
June 29, 2009: Rain & upper 60s (68/58)
June 30, 2009: Cloudy, upper 50s and heavy rain (61/53)
July 1, 2009: Cloudy, heavy rain & 50s (59/51)

You'll also want to check out the Leelanau Calendar and the latest news and features from Leelanau, Traverse City and the surrounding area in our blog! Here's the June 2008 archive and the July 2008 archive and also the Leelanau Almanc for the Week of July 2-8, 2009 and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 18-24, 2009.

Lake Michigan Christmas Tree by jimflix

News from the Week

Stories from the week included an invitation to the public to provide input and ideas for the future of the former Sugar Loaf Resort AND the surrounding areas. and Results from the 1st Annual M-22 Challenge. We also featured the long standing Beach Bards bonfire, and their by-heart story telling, poetry, and song.

The Week's Weather

Looks like summer is here to stay!

June 18, 2009: Partly sunny & upper 70s (81/53)
June 19, 2009: Partly cloudy & upper 70s (78/65)
June 20, 2009: Partly sunny & upper 70s (81/61)
June 21, 2009: Sunny & low 80s (81/57)
June 22, 2009: Sunny & mid 80s (88/59)
June 23, 2009: Mostly sunny & upper 80s (90/64)
June 24, 2009: Partly sunny & 90s (95/55) Record High!

You'll also want to check out the Leelanau Calendar and the latest news and features from Leelanau, Traverse City and the surrounding area in our blog! Here's the June 2008 archive and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 18-24, 2009 and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 25 - July 2, 2009.

Bringing a piece of living Africa to our region, the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are scheduled to perform live at the City Opera House this Wednesday in Downtown Traverse City. A documentary of the same name showed Monday morning at the State Theater. Sharing their engaging, powerful story, this soulful band brings a big message--hope and optimism--to our small town.

Between 1991 and 2002, Sierra Leone was engaged in a horrific civil war. The band was formed by members living as refugees in the Republic of Guinea, after being forced from their homes in Sierra Leone. Survivors lost more than their houses and land--many of their family members and friends were violently murdered in the revolt. In response to the overwhelming hatred and horror, the group responded with soul and ambition and converted their energies to uplifting music. Collectively, they choose to invest their efforts in a more hope-filled vision of the future. Using music, they found a "place of refuge, a sense of purpose and a source of power."

Today, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars tour the world spreading their message of peace and love. Fans young and old will enjoy the  "spirited fusion of traditional West African music, roots reggae and rhythmic traditional folk, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars craft music that transforms and uplifts." The band has one song on the Blood Diamond soundtrack, so you may be somewhat familiar with their sound, even if you do not actually know of the group.

This event is being promoted by Porterhouse Productions; tickets may be purchased online, at the Traverse City Opera House, or Oryana Food Cooperative.  Advance Tickets are $22, Day of Show are $25.

Whether you are rooted in Leelanau County for all or just a portion of the year, the magic of a Northern Michigan summer can be captured in stories and tales and shared for generations to come. The Beach Bards, a group that gathers around a brimming fire on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers a forum for spicing up a warm summers evening with enchanting stories, poems, and tales of adventure.

The Beach Bards, modeled after the Stone Circle, near Elk Rapids, began when Norm Wheeler and Bob Sutherland decided to bring the same style of storytelling and sharing to the beaches of Glen Arbor. Along with a group of local writers and poets, the two began hosting the weekly campfire ritual, orating tales for both the young and old. For over two decades they have shared their love of storytelling with many, and with the accumulation of years, attendees who came as children now bring their own children to participate.

With such a longstanding tradition, a newcomer may be hesitant to join, but the group is open to everyone and the dynamic changes weekly. At 8:30pm, the circle caters to children and at 10pm, the "adult" version is open to everyone without a curfew.

The Beach Bards bonfire is located on Lake Michigan at The Leelanau School. Cross the Crystal River and follow the boardwalk to the beach. The first meeting this summer will be held this Friday, June 26th and begins at 8:30pm. Bring a blanket, appropriate attire and see you there!

Photo credit: HOT STUFF by 1Cher

The 1st Annual M-22 Challenge was a success, according to event coordinator, Matt Myers. One-hundred twenty-two athletes participated in the challenge, which included a 17 mile bike ride around Big and Little Glen Lake, a 2 mile run including dune climb, and 1 mile out and back paddle in Little Glen Lake. With a time of 1:09:37, Jonathan Kuck, from Champaign, IL, was the overall men's winner.  Mark Durno, of Fairview Park, OH and Stephen John Andriese, of Traverse City, followed closely behind respective times of 1:10:06 and 1:11:09.   Keri Pawielski, of St Joesph, MI, was the top woman, with 1:15:48 time. Stephanie Frye, of Traverse City, was the 2nd best woman with a 1:26:42:58 tim.  Leland's own, Sue Burns, took 3rd overall in the woman's division. with a time of 1:28:25.  Full results available on the M-22 Challenge website.

The M-22 Challenge is a multi-discipline event based in beautiful Leelanau County in Northern Michigan designed to challenge athletes against the natural terrain and environmental elements of the area. The event organizers were thrilled with the number of participants, spectators, and volunteers. Next year, they are hoping that next year the event will draw 500 participants.

The above photo is by Jason Hamelin.  More photos of the M-22 Challenge are availble on his website  www.hamelinphoto.com or via the M-22 Challenge site.