Interlochen has announced their 2011 Summer Arts Festival Calendar. Some highlights include A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (June 18), Elvis Costello and The Imposters (June 21), Detroit's own Temptations (June 25), folk standout Lucinda Williams and Amos Lee (July 13), one of the greatest guitarists in the world, Leo Kottke (July 16), The Beach Boys (July 26), The Decemberists (July 27) and Steely Dan (August 15) and alternative rockers Guster (September 2). There's also the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival June 30 - July 10.
Get tickets & show information from Interlochen. Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 22 at 9 AMT. You can order online, by phone (231.276.7800 or 800.681.5920) or in-person at the Interlochen Box Office.
The 8th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival will be held May 20-22, 2011 and features a slew of asparagus-themed events including a fun run (or walk), Asparagus Eats/Wine and Beer Tasting, Asparagus recipe contest, the Asparagus Parade, chalk art, music & dance and kids games. You can get all the details on the tasty eats and drinks below!
There's a reason Empire touts itself as the apex of asparagus-a vegetable whose short growing season begins in early May and flows into June. The area's sandy soil, plentitude of water and temperate microclimate-fostered by Lake Michigan, make this the perfect place to nurture wild and farmed asparagus. In fact, Michigan ranks third behind California and Washington as a producer of this commercial crop which garners the state a surprising $29 million annually.
Truth be told, only one local farmer, Harry Norconk, runs a 240-acre asparagus-growing business south of town. But what the heck, this slender green harbinger of spring grows wild all over the place. And while surrounding towns, for years, positioned themselves as prime purveyors of cherries, morel mushrooms and wines, Empire decided to become the Valhalla of that savory veggie-the asparagus.
Performers for this family friendly event will be Song of the Lakes and a new act, the Young Sullys, an Irish family band with 6 kids ages 6 to 14 years old who have been thrilling audiences across the state of Michigan with their Irish songs and performance. The evening will also feature the top 5 Junior & Adult Finalists who are seeking "The Best Singer In Traverse City Award" in the 31st annual Danny Boy Singing Contest.
The first round of the Danny Boy contest will be held on March 10, 5 p.m. at Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School. Slots are limited to 25 for each division, so sign up now!
Proceeds support the Father Fred Foundation. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door with youths 14 and under free! Get your tickets at the Father Fred Foundation, North Peak or Kilkenny's!
Here's what we know about Holiday concerts in Leelanau this weekend & next. If you know something we don't, please post it in the comments! Also check out Leelanau Holiday Shopping & Community Events.
Leelanau Community Choir concert, Saturday & Sunday, December 4/5 ~ The Leelanau Community Choir, accompanied by the Tri-County String Quartet and pianist Marion Glover, presents a concert of Christmas music featuring Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria". You can catch the show at Saturday at 7:30 PM at Leland’s Immanuel Lutheran Church or at two shows on Sunday: 3 PM at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church (218 Madison) or at 7 PM in Glen Arbor at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (6012 Lake St).
Madrigal Christmas, Saturday December 4 ~ The Leelanau Children's Choir and Leelanau Youth Ensemble present their 18th annual Holiday Tradition, held at the Northport Community Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students, and free for those younger than five. Tickets are available at Dog Ears Books in Northport, Leelanau Books in Leland, The Painted Bird in Suttons Bay and available at the door.
Northport's Annual Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 11 at 8pm ~ This traditional family affair at the Northport Community Arts Center will feature the Village Voices and the Northport Community Band. Over 100 performers will fill the auditorium with the sounds of Christmas. You can also catch a show on Sunday the 5th at 3 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students and Northport students are free. Call 231-386-5001. Tickets will be available at the door.
Rachael is an award winning singer-songwriter with an amazing voice and is joined by her good friend Josh of Steppin in It . They'll also be bringing along a third Davis - Dominic John Davis, and if you can make it, do it - their sweet, soulful sound will make your week a better place!
Here's Rachel, Josh, Dominic and the Wilson Boys doing Shout Sister Shout:
We are taking the Dunegrass Festival back to its roots! In it’s 18th year, we continue to remember our focus of showcasing the fine talent that we are so blessed to have right here in our home state of Michigan. Dunegrass has been a hub to the community for many years and will continue to be a place where families can come and enjoy a weekend full of music, laughter and joy.
Music, laughter and joy have been the heart and soul of Dunegrass and I know that many of our region's musicians and folks are excited to see the focus swing back to our regional talent.
Here's a great tune from one of the many Michigan bands on the bill - Bottle Dry from Greensky Bluegrass with special guest Andy Goessling of Railroad Earth on the sax:
Every Wednesday evening on the lawn between Harbor Square, Leelanau Books and Northwestern Bank from 7-9:15 PM. Bring a blanket or a chair (or use theirs) and enjoy great music from all kinds of local musicians.
Tonight is Blind Dog Hank and they always bring some great blues music!
Enjoy the summer sun with friends, family and alumni on the lawn of Fountain Point while listening to the music of Song of the Lakes. Alums of Leland Public School are invited to come on their own or to organize class reunion picnics, as are current students and their families and friends of Leland Public School.
In northern Michigan, we are lucky to have The State theater in our location, because they bring us interesting and unique films. Coming Monday is Swim with Aliens, video shorts covering a wide range of topics, from Sunrise on the Boardman to Alien Invaders of our Waters. Coming next month is the Red Carpet Premiere of Christina! Summer would not be complete without a little polka music at the Annual Cedar Polka Festival. And although, you may have missed the Artist in Residence, Charles Murphy's Reception and Exhibit at the Old Art Building, he still has events this summer worth checking out.
Week's Weather
June 16: Cloudy & 60 (65/54)
June 15: Rain & 67 (72/61)
June 14: Mostly cloudy & 65 (68/61)
June 13: Partly sunny & 68 (74/61)
June 12: Rain & 64 (68/59)
June 11: Rain & 66 (76/55)
June 10: Mostly cloudy & 60 (64/55)
Post your comments about the week's news, observations of the weather or the natural world or events below! 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 2009 archives, and Leelanau Almanac: June 3 - 9.
Interlochen has announced their 2011 Summer Arts Festival Calendar. Some highlights include A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (June 18), Elvis Costello and The Imposters (June 21), Detroit's own Temptations (June 25), folk standout Lucinda Williams and Amos Lee (July 13), one of the greatest guitarists in the world, Leo Kottke (July 16), The Beach Boys (July 26), The Decemberists (July 27) and Steely Dan (August 15) and alternative rockers Guster (September 2). There's also the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival June 30 - July 10.
Here's what we know about Holiday concerts in Leelanau this weekend & next. If you know something we don't, please post it in the comments! Also check out 
Leland Public School
