Door County Summer Music Preview

The Sounds of Summer

To me, nothing sounds more like summer than live music in the distance. Growing up, I lived close to my city’s downtown area, where concerts were often held on the weekends. When the sounds of guitars being tuned and mics being tested started drifting through my window along with the breeze, I knew summer was starting.

Now, the season is officially underway, and though I’m far from my hometown, the sounds that used to signal summer have followed me up to Door County. I heard them every weekend last year, when I lived near the main drag in Sister Bay, and I’ll hear them even more clearly this year after moving to downtown Baileys Harbor.

While hearing distant music is enough to get me hyped for summer, being there for the real deal is even better. And if you’re reading this, you probably know that too.

In this issue, you’ll find enough music to keep you jamming out from now until the end of July. You’ll also find performance highlights, venue details, weekly music offerings, festival information, the scoop on the county’s resident classical-music groups and a playlist that’ll give you a taste of the next few months of music. There are too many shows to fit into these pages, so stay tuned for a followup issue that’ll detail the music on deck for August and September.

Whether you want to be in the front row singing along to your favorite song or in the back row discovering a new one, there’s something for you playing live in Door County this summer.

Sam Watson Reporter, Summer Music Preview editor

LIVE MUSIC VENUES PERFORMANCES

ALGOMA

Homestead Kitchen and Tap

homesteadkitchenandtap.com, 920.487.0105

N7551 Cty Road D

Smashed on the Rocks facebook.com/teamsmashed, 920.487.8202

70 Church St.

von Stiehl Winery

vonstiehl.com, 920.487.5208

115 Navarino St.

BAILEYS HARBOR

Björklunden lawrence.edu/bjorklunden, 920.839.2216 7590 Boynton Lane

Door County Brewing Co. doorcountybrewingco.com, 920.239.8181 8099 Hwy 57

Lake Fire Winery lakefirewinery.com, 920.839.9992 8054 Hwy 57

Sway Brewing + Blending swaybeer.com, 920.241.3562 2434 Cty F

The Thirsty Cow Taphouse thethirstycowtaphouse.com, 920.839.9991 7899 Cty A

CARLSVILLE

Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery simoncreekwines.com, 920.746.9307 5896 Bochek Road

EGG HARBOR

Anchored Roots Vineyard and Winery anchoredrootswine.com, 920.868.4443 4873 Willow Road

Birch Creek Music Performance Center birchcreek.org, 920.868.3763 3821 Cty E

Alpine Resort alpineresort.com/dine/burtons-on-the-bay, 920.868.3000 7715 Alpine Road

Harbor Ridge Winery harborridgewinery.com, 920.868.4321 4690 Rainbow Ridge Court

MacReady Artisan Bread macreadys.com, 920.868.2233 7836 Hwy 42

One Barrel facebook.com/obbcdc, 920.868.5262 4633 Market St.

Peg Egan Performing Arts Center facebook.com/pegeganpac, 920.493.5979 7840 Church St.

Shipwrecked Brew Pub & Restaurant https://www.shipwreckedmicrobrew.com/ 920.868.2767 7791 Hwy 42

Woodwalk Gallery woodwalkgallery.com, 920.629.4877 6746 Cty G

ELLISON BAY

Ellison Bay Community Park doorcountynorth.org, 920.421.1544 11953 Hwy 42

Hügel Haus hugelhausdoorcounty.com, 920.633.4080 11934 Hwy 42

Liberty Grove Historical Society Museum libertygrovehistorical.org, 920.680.1942 11831 Hwy 42

FISH CREEK

Fishstock Concert Barn

fishstockmusic.com, 920.839.2981 3127 Cty F

Door Community Auditorium

dcauditorium.org, 920.868.2728 3926 Hwy 42

Fish Creek Beach 9462 Hwy 42

Hill Street

hillstreetdoorcounty.com, 920.868.5282 4149 Main St.

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country orchardcountry.com, 920.868.3479 9197 Hwy 42

The Cherry Hut doorcountycherryhut.com, 920.868.4450 8813 Hwy 42

White Gull Inn whitegullinn.com, 888.364.9542 4225 Main St.

FORESTVILLE

Southern Door Fire Department facebook.com/southerndoorfire, 920.856.6885 110 E Main St.

JACKSONPORT Island Fever Rum Bar and Grill

islandfeverrumbarandgrill.com, 920.823.2700 6301 Hwy 57

KEWAUNEE

Cold Country Vines & Wines

coldcountrywines.com, 920.776.1328 E3207 Nuclear Road

Parallel 44 parallel44.com, 920.388.4400 N2185 Sleepy Hollow Road

SEVASTOPOL

Door 44

44wineries.com, 888.932.0044 5464 Cty P

SISTER BAY

Dovetail Bar and Grill

dovetailbarandgrill.com, 920.421.4035 10282 Hwy 57

Husby’s and The Garage at Husby’s husbysdoorcounty.com, 920.854.2624 10641 Hwy 42

Ingwersen Studio Gallery 2029 Old Stage Road

Peach Barn Brewery peachbarnbrewing.com, 920.944.2393 2450 S. Bay Shore Dr.

Stabbur Beer Garden facebook.com/stabburbeergarden, 920.854.2626 10698 N. Bay Shore Dr. Twelve Eleven Wine Bar twelveelevenwine.com, 920.421.9463 10339 Hwy 57

STURGEON BAY

Butch’s Bar 920.366.1777 234 Kentucky St.

Door County Gala doorcountyboardwalk.com, 920.495.4443 1023 Egg Harbor Road

Door Peninsula Winery store.dcwine.com, 800.551.5049 5806 Hwy 42

Birch Creek Music Performance Center

courtesy of Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

This Egg Harbor music academy showcases student musicians as well as seasoned performers. Its 2024 lineup of shows include Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music concerts (June 20-22 and June 27-29), Symphony concerts (July 4-6 and July 11-13), and Big Band Jazz concerts (July 17-20, July 24-27, July 31-Aug. 3 and Aug. 7-10.) The Birch Creek Jazz Ambassadors – a group of students participating in the music academy – also perform throughout the summer at various locations. Concerts are held in Birch Creek Music Performance Center’s historic Dutton Concert Barn at 7 pm, with pre-show music in the gazebo at 6:30 pm. Aft ernoon matinee concerts are held on June 22 and 28 at 3 pm. Tickets cost $33 for adults, $10 for students and $6 for children. Premium seating is available for $40. Attendees

Drömhus dromhusdoorcounty.com, 608.333.4553 611 Je erson St. Fiddler’s Farm thefiddlersfarm.com, 920.559.3460 6951 Cty C

Kitty O’Reillys kittyoreillys.com, 920.743.7441

59 E. Oak St.

Gilmo’s Bar & Bistro at Wavepointe Marina & Resort wavepointe.com, 920.824.5440 3600 Cty CC

Popelka Trenchard Glass popelkaglass.com, 920.743.7287

64 S. 2nd Ave.

Sonny’s Pizzeria sonnyspizzeria.com, 920.743.2300

129 N. Madison Ave.

Stone Harbor Resort stoneharbor-resort.com, 920.746.0700

107 N. 1st Ave.

Midsummer’s Music

Founded by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, Midsummer’s Music has been bringing chamber music to Door County for more than three decades. Its 2024 programs include Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Magic (June 13, 15, 16 and 18); David Perry Leads Mendelssohn Octet—and More! (June 19, 21, 23 and 27); Dvořák and Brahms (June 22 and 28-30); Beethoven, Haydn, and Schumann: Fairy Tales and Ghosts (July 5-7); Bastille Day Celebration (July 11-14); Bach to the Future (July 18, 19 and 21); Grieg Piano Concerto and Jeannie Yu (July 20 and 25-27); Bruch and Brahms (July 28 and Aug. 2-4); Romance and Rapture (Aug. 27, 28 and 31); Beethoven Septet (Aug. 29 and 30, and Sept. 1); and David Perry, Jeannie Yu Chausson Concerto! (Aug. 25 and Sept. 2.) The concerts are played at various venues throughout the peninsula.

Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club sturgeonbayyachtclub.com, 920.743.6934

600 Nautical Dr. Tambourine Lounge holidaymusicmotel.com, 920.743.5571

59 N. 2nd Ave.

The Hitching Post hitchingpostdoorcounty.com, 920.818.1114

4849 Glidden Dr. Waterfront Mary’s beachharborresort.com, 920.743.3191 3662 N. Duluth Ave.

WASHINGTON ISLAND

Trueblood PAC truebloodpac.com, 920.847.2528 870 Main Road

Washington Island Campground washingtonislandcampground.com, 920.847.2622 745 East Side Road

Concerts in the Park Venues

Algoma Concerts in the Park Heritage Park, 512 Lake St. Baileys Harbor Concerts in the Park Kendall Park, 2402 Cty F

Egg Harbor Concerts in the Park Harbor View Park, 7809 Hwy 42

Evenings in Ephraim Harborside Park, 9986 Hwy 42

Fish Creek Concerts in the Park Noble Square Park, 4167 Hwy 42

Jacksonport Concerts in the Park Lakeside Park, corner of Highway 57 and County V

Kewaunee Music in the Park Harbor Park Gazebo, 212 Harrison St.

Sister Bay Concerts in the Park Waterfront Park, 2362 Mill Road

Sturgeon Bay Harmony by the Bay Martin Park, 207 S. 3rd Ave.

it comes to live music. They might have musicians playing every other week, or every second Saturday, or once every four months when the stars are aligned just right.

MONDAYS

younger. Premium prices apply for the opening-night show and other special events. Flex-packs offer six tickets for

music

The following list includes some of the peninsula’s more predictable music schedules, with concerts that run week in, week out through the summer. Use this weekly schedule to plan your own.

George Sawyn, MacReady’s Artisan Bread, egg Harbor, 11:30 am –1:30 pm

Cheryl Murphy, White Gull Inn, Fish Creek, 5-8 pm (for diners only)

Evenings in Ephraim, Harborside Park, 6-8 pm (through Aug. 26)

Open Mic, The Garage at Husby’s, Sister Bay, 8-11 pm (through Sept. 9)

TUESDAYS

Jacksonport Concerts in the Park, Lakeside Park, 9 am – 1 pm

Jeanne Kuhns, MacReady’s Artisan Bread, egg Harbor, 11:30 am –1:30 pm (starting in july)

Fish Creek Concerts in the Park, noble Square Park, 4-6 pm (through Aug. 27)

Paul Taylor, White Gull Inn, Fish Creek, 5-8 pm (for diners only) Open Mic, Waterfront Mary’s, Sturgeon Bay, 9 pm – 1 am

WEDNESDAYS

Sister Bay Concerts in the Park, Waterfront Park, 6 pm (through Aug. 14) Sturgeon Bay Harmony by the Bay, Martin Park, 7-9 pm (through Sept. 11) Open Mic, Butch’s Bar, Sturgeon Bay, 8 pm

THURSDAYS The Hitchhikers, The Hitching Post, Sturgeon Bay, 4-6 pm (through Aug. 22)

Cheryl Murphy, White Gull Inn, Fish Creek, 5-8 pm (for diners only) Egg Harbor Concerts in the Park, Harbor View Park, 5 pm (july 11 through Aug. 22) Open Mic, Drömhus, Sturgeon Bay, 6-9 pm Algoma Concerts in the Park, Heritage Park, 6-9 pm (june 27 through Aug. 15)

WRiTERS’ NiGHT, Tambourine Lounge, Sturgeon Bay, 7 pm

FRIDAYS

George Sawyn, MacReady’s Artisan Bread, egg Harbor, 11:30 am –1:30 pm Baileys Harbor Concerts in the Park, Kendall Park, 6-8 pm (june 29 through Sept. 6) Open Mic, Kitty O’Reillys, Sturgeon Bay, 6-9 pm

SATURDAYS

George Sawyn, MacReady’s Artisan Bread, egg Harbor, 11:30 am –1:30 pm

Ketchup, Hill Street, Fish Creek, 10 pm

SUNDAYS

Jeanne Kuhns, MacReady’s Artisan Bread, egg Harbor, 11:30 am –Mickey Grasso, Harbor Ridge Winery, egg Harbor, 1-4 pm (through Cool Bay Jazz, Drömhus, Sturgeon Bay, 5-7 pm (through Aug. 25) Kewaunee Music in the Park, Harbor Park Gazebo, 5-7:30 pm (through Aug. 25) Fishstock Concert Series, Fishstock Concert Barn, Fish Creek, 7 pm , Stabbur, Sister Bay, 7-10 pm (through Sept. 29)

Schedules are subject to change, and many of the above venues also feature live music on other days of the week. Check the regular print Peninsula Pulse each week to find the most up-to-date

music issues of the information.

courtesy of Midsummer’s Music.

FESTIVAL

Sól Grass Music Festival

June 14-15

This camping trip-bluegrass festival hybrid is back for its fourth year at Washington Island Campground. Unreserved tent camping is included with a generaladmission ticket, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those staying in trailers, RVs and campers must reserve a campsite. Other lodging options are also available on the island for those who do not wish to camp.

Attendees can explore the island during the day before returning to the campsite for an evening of music. Stage performances will end at 11 pm both nights, but acoustic campfire jams may continue on through the night. Attendees can take their own instruments and join in with fellow campers and band members.

This year’s festival will feature The Lil Smokies, The Last Revel, Big Richard, Arkansauce, Maygen and the Birdwatcher, The Cody Sisters Band, The Milbillies, Brotherhood of Birds, The Sweet Lillies, The Driftless Revelers, Lena Marie Schiffer and Frog Furr.

To find more information and purchase tickets, visit solgrassmusicfestival.com.

courtesy of Sól Grass Music Festival.

courtesy of Sól Grass Music Festival.

A Summer of Music, Summarized

You

FEATURED ARTISTS

Marc Revenson got his first acoustic guitar aft er he heard “I

Ain’t Got No Home” by Woody Guthrie at age 14, and he hasn’t

In the years following his musical coming-of-age, Revenson –known onstage as Lil’ Rev – picked up an array of instruments, including the ukulele, harmonica and mandolin. He plays around 125 to 150 shows a year, sometimes solo and sometimes accompanied by his wife and daughter.

When he’s not onstage, he can be found teaching music, running a ukulele club and annual ukulele festival, or putting on one-man musical history shows. On June 16, 3 pm, he can be found at Door County Cherry Hut, 8813 Hwy 42 in Fish Creek.

People Brothers Band

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself magnetically moved to the front row during a show by the People Brothers Band.

The rock outfit originally formed as an open-mic songwriting group. Its rotating cast has now been on the road for 15 years, bringing their songs about sex, drugs and rock n’ roll (plus a whole lot more) to venues across the Midwest. During a set by this 8-piece powerhouse, you’ll be able to sense hints of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grateful Dead, Phish and Whitney Houston.

The People Brothers Band’s strong songwriting is paired with an even stronger stage presence – so don’t miss out when they come to Waterfront Park, 10693 N. Bay Shore Dr./Hwy 42 in Sister Bay, on July 3, 6 pm.

23 Skidoo and the Secret Agency

It’s no secret: this band is a family-funk phenom. The group, led by the Grammy-winning, purple-velvet-tuxedo-wearing Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, channels the primal power of hip-hop as well as the surreal storytelling of science fiction. The result is music that sounds like a cross between Dr. Seuss and Dr. Dre. While the band’s music is family-friendly, their energy isn’t toned down, and their lyrics aren’t childish. Instead, their funk is sincere and affecting, and their lyrics tap into universal constants that transcend age: love, fear and learning to become ourselves. Let your imagination soar along with the band’s sound at Door Community Auditorium, 3926 Hwy 42 in Fish Creek, on July 8, 6:30 pm.

Separate Ways

Journey might not be coming to Door County anytime soon, but a show by tribute band Separate Ways is the next

Subject 2 Change

This band’s passion for the craft of making music is audible in every note they play. Based in Green Bay, Subject 2 Change’s four members blend classic rock, alt vibes, and ‘80s and ‘90s hits to create infectiously energetic live shows.

The current iteration of the band consists of original members Anthony Bickler on drums and Jamie Wotruba on bass, plus new members Jerek Obry on rhythm guitar and Chris Lemerond on lead guitar.

Listen in as they transcend era and genre during a show at Sonny’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria, 129 N. Madison Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, on July 20, 6-10 pm.

Amy LaVere and Will Sexton

Two esteemed singer-songwriters make up this husband-and-wife music duo, whose sound can be described as indie-folk, pop-punk. LaVere’s upright-bass skills, combined with her unique vocals, make for performances that are as hypnotic as they are unpredictable. She brings the same level of energy to intimate house shows as she does to huge festival stages.

Her longtime partner, Sexton, launched his musical career in grade school. Over the decades, he has become a musical polymath, working as a writer, producer, session player and solo artist.

Both Memphis musicians will take the stage at the Tambourine Lounge, 59 N. 2nd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, July 21 at 7 pm.

Shatter