26 minute read
Will Travel for Weed
Is cannabis tourism the next big thing for northern Michigan?
By Jillian Manning
Each year, thousands of visitors flock to northern Michigan for our beaches, our wineries, our trout streams, and our Nordic ski trails…just to name a few.
But are they also coming for our cannabis?
Canna tourism has taken root in states like Colorado, Oregon, and California, where bud-minded visitors can take tours, attend events, and explore offerings at different dispensaries and consumption lounges. Those states have a few years of experience on us, but according to Brian Buchanan— director of tourism strategy for Dunegrass Co., a NoMi cannabis retailer with six locations in the region—the Michigan canna tourism scene is starting to grow.
“Around 30 percent of leisure travelers base their travel plans around where they can consume recreational cannabis,” says Buchanan. “For towns in northern Michigan, that means that there are tourists that are picking their town or a town near them based on the availability of recreational marijuana.”
Dunegrass has positioned their brand as “northern Michigan’s cannabis outfitter,” focusing not just on the products they sell in stores but the overall experience of visiting and exploring northern Michigan. In addition to talking up flower, prerolls, and edibles, their website features recommendations for beaches, biking, camping, dining, and nightlife.
“What we’re trying to do at Dunegrass is … a holistic strategy to try to move the needle for a lot of these towns in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to show them that cannabis can be a fantastic augment to the other tourism initiatives that they’ve already got,” Buchanan explains.
A Joint Operation
To encourage NoMi communities to embrace canna tourism, Dunegrass has partnered up with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and destination marketing organizations like the West Michigan Tourism Association (WMTA).
“We’re a very, very diverse marketing entity,” says WMTA CEO and Executive Director Dan Sippel. “We do promote wineries and distilleries and breweries, and we’ve been doing that right since the beginning. … I see [canna tourism] as an extension of that.”
Sippel says the WMTA website (wmta. org) has seen “an uptick” in people looking at pages featuring dispensaries and cannabisfriendly lodging. He points to cities like Muskegon and Marquette as models for on the promotional side because of federal rules,” referring to the fact that cannabis use is still considered illegal at the national level.
“I could see this being one of those regions that does have the potential to attract a lot of cannabis tourism,” Waara adds. “Whether or not Traverse City Tourism is promoting it or any other visitors bureaus are promoting it, I think it’s bound to happen.” opportunity—to sell the right product to the right person for a positive experience that keeps customers coming back.
Waara says that TCT would be likely to consider future cannabis resources for visitors to share information like where to go to buy and consume cannabis, how to follow local rules, and what respectful consumption looks like.
In the meantime, Dunegrass is doing their own cannabis education for visitors.
“You wouldn’t go to a bar and ask the bartender for a recommendation, and they just give you a shot of Everclear,” he says with a laugh. “So asking those questions— what type of effects are you looking for, what activity [are you] going to do after you consume this product—can help guide a budtender … to help that customer get the product that’s going to best match what they’re looking for.”
Wine and Weed
When it comes to the larger question of canna tourism, Buchanan says there’s a great blueprint for what safe, fun, and educational cannabis experiences can look like thanks to northern Michigan’s wine scene.
“The wine industry around Traverse City is really a model for how I think that cannabis operators could be doing things,” he says. “You’ve got either a tour operator—or, in our case, Dunegrass as a retailer—putting together these curated experiences.” getting cannabis tourism right and driving visitors to their area.
On the flip side, other cities aren’t so quick to promote weed to their visitors. Traverse City Tourism’s website, for example, returns zero results when you search for “marijuana” or “cannabis.” (Of course, the city only gave the green light for recreational use last month, with 16 dispensaries set to open or add recreational offerings to their stores.)
Whitney Waara, chief operating officer of Traverse City Tourism (TCT), explains that the organization has been “a little bit slower
“We designed a set of guidelines that we call the Responsible Cannabis Guide,” Buchanan says. “It’s on our website in our virtual visitors center there, [and] it has a lot of tips for consuming cannabis responsibly. The old adage always applies: go low and go slow.”
He adds that these kinds of resources are especially helpful for new adopters of cannabis, as well as folks visiting from out of state who may not be familiar with a legal version of the product. Buchanan asserts that dispensaries and other cannabis businesses have a responsibility—and a golden
He mentions how cannabis can pair well with food, just like wine and beer, and that behind-the-scenes tours of cannabis facilities can offer a similar educational vibe to learning about the winemaking process for curious visitors.
Andrew McFarlane, founder of the Michigan Cannabis Trail, agrees that wine and cannabis have a lot in common… perhaps because he led the Leelanau Wine Trail for the better part of a decade.
“The markets are really similar,” McFarlane says. “Learning how to drive tourism traffic using wine makes driving it using cannabis make so much sense.”
He says that people come from all over the country for northern Michigan wineries, and the cannabis industry could create the same pull. For McFarlane, this doesn’t necessarily mean cannabis festivals or big parties; he says private, small events about cannabis appreciation are often the way to go. (Think: a wine-tasting dinner as compared to a wine festival.)
McFarlane’s Michigan Cannabis Trail is designed to help visitors “get the most out of legal marijuana in the Great Lakes State,” and covers all areas of the state, highlighting major cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint, Bay City, Lansing, and Traverse City along with the Upper Peninsula. The website (michigancannabistrail.com) includes lodging options, dispensaries, news, an event calendar, and other cannabis-related experiences in Michigan.
High Times
Speaking of events, they’re on the rise. Whether it’s an age-old tradition like Hash Bash in Ann Arbor, a cannabis industry expo, or the Freshwater Music Festival in Baldwin (June 3, hosted by Fresh Water Cannabis Co. and featuring Michigan musicians), the summer calendar is filling up with more events than ever before.
Tom Beller, founder of Real Leaf Solutions, is part of this swell of activity. Beller got his start as a caregiver and medical cultivator in Kalkaska before becoming the first person in the state to get his license as a marijuana event organizer. Like McFarlane and Buchanan, he sees cannabis experiences and events much like ones that are themed around alcohol—it’s simply a different product.
“We’re seeing a huge shift in people’s response to [cannabis] events,” Beller says. “There are a lot of people that like the option of cannabis, instead of alcohol. … We’re seeing more and more people with that kind of attitude, and the response to a lot of the events that we have coming up this summer is an indicator that it’s going to continue to grow and drive tourism.”
He highlights Hoxeyville, the Americana and roots music festival held in August in the Manistee National Forest; CannaBash, a festival featuring marijuana vendors, food trucks, and live music in Muskegon; and the Summer’s End Smoke Out across the bridge in Republic as examples of successful events.
For Beller, these events stand out because they are well organized, offer curated experiences, and are done compliantly and cooperatively with supportive municipalities and businesses. The goal—beyond a wellattended festival—is that visitors will also stay in the area, eat at restaurants, shop at stores, and otherwise participate in the local economy.
(According to Buchanan, there’s a clear financial benefit for canna tourism; for every $1 a tourist spends at a dispensary, $2.80 is then spent at other local stores, restaurants, and attractions.)
Still, convincing leaders about the benefits for the community can be a challenge, and Beller says many municipalities are hesitant to bring cannabis events to town because of the stigmas still surrounding marijuana. He’s hopeful that those who do take the plunge can help pave the way for more cities opting in with an open mind.
He adds that he isn’t a proponent of overcommercializing cannabis or having a hash bash every weekend across the state.
“We’re specific on who we want to work with in order to do these things because of the regulation involved and our license being at stake,” Beller says, explaining that Real Leaf Solutions is looking at only four or five events this year.
A Dope Place to Stay
So, when cannabis events do happen, the natural next step for enthusiasts is finding cannabis-friendly lodging. As with cigarettes, it is illegal to smoke marijuana in public places, with the exception of permitted cannabis events. Many hotels, especially chains, don’t even allow cannabis use in designated smoking areas.
Offering a welcoming space for cannabis users was the motivation for Mark Dragovich to open Haven, a cannabis-friendly campground in Kalkaska. Dragovich is a 15year veteran of the cannabis industry, and after deciding not to pursue a commercial hemp business last year, he put his 43 acres to use as a campground. Haven has 33 rustic campsites, yurts, a dog-walk area, and coming soon, cabins built from recycled construction materials.
“The cannabis industry has exploded here in Michigan, but the hotels, motels, and places to stay have not kept up with the law changes,” he says. “There’s still no cannabis smoking in the facilities usually, so we tried to provide a safe space for cannabis users to come and enjoy northern Michigan.”
The campground operates from May through November—depending on the weather—and Dragovich says this year he plans to also utilize the space as a live music venue. Because of its Kalkaska location, Haven is close to multiple dispensaries, the Kalkushka consumption lounge, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
Dragovich says he’s excited about the 2023 season, in large part because of the atmosphere at Haven when guests arrive.
“It was really nice to see people walking around the camp smoking a joint, smoking a bowl, and not having to hide it,” he says. “Campers have found the convenience of it and eliminating the stigma allows for a better camping experience.”
McFarlane expresses a similar sentiment when describing his stay in a cannabisfriendly tiny house in Holland. “It was just really nice,” he says of the experience. “And it’s nice not to feel like you’re a criminal when you’re not a criminal.”
Ready to Grow
While all the folks we talked to agreed there is plenty of momentum across the state for canna tourism, they also agree that the biggest hurdle toward the industry taking off is the lingering stigma attached to marijuana.
“[Cannabis] is kind of a mysterious thing, especially after whatever it was— almost 100 years—of propaganda. You know, it’s a hard sell for a lot of people,” McFarlane admits.
Buchanan agrees that the long history of prohibition occasionally makes integrating cannabis events and canna tourism into a community an uphill battle. But he isn’t without hope. “When you expose that stigma to data, to hard data, it disappears,” he says.
Negative public perception was compounded by the pandemic, which—as it did with many blossoming and booming industries—put a damper on just how much canna tourism could grow between March 2020 and today.
“I think [the pandemic] put us 16-18 months behind where we probably could be if COVID had not happened in regards to tourism,” Buchanan says.
Even still, McFarlane feels the future is bright. “I think that our tourist product has a huge amount to offer,” he concludes. “We’re definitely well poised for growth—if we do it smartly.” saturday
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS: 9am-5:30pm, TC West Senior High. Featuring 375 fourth & fifth-grade students from Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Elk Rapids & beyond. They have spent months gearing up for this event. New York Times best-selling author Jasmine Warga, who wrote “Other Words for Home,” will discuss her career as a young adult/children’s book author at 3:45pm, followed by a Q&A. The battle is hosted by the National Writers Series in partnership with the Traverse Area District Library. battleofthebooksgt.com
BOOK SALE: 9am-2pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Books, audio books, DVDs, music CDs & puzzles. Sponsored by Friends of the Alden District Library. 231-331-4318.
GREAT LAKES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM’S I
SEE YOU NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST EX-
PERIENCE: Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Enjoy a 4th installation to the new, multi-sensory, Anishinaabeg Art Experience. Two sessions will be offered: 9:30-11:30am & 12-2pm. The artist, ishKode’s, will share their evolution as an artist, including music & film from child to youth to adult. The “I See You Moving” Interactive Activity expresses the healthy qualities of movement with our bodies through dance with a Native American lens introducing intertribal dancing. Free with daily admission. greatlakeskids.org
BEARY GOOD NEWS HIKE: 10am, Houdek Dunes Natural Area, Leland. Join docent Ann McInnis, Bert Thomas, Keith Rhodes & other docents as they explore Houdek Dunes for evidence of bear activity, along with the early-springtime activities of the many animals & plants that call Houdek home. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events/beary-goodnews-hike-at-houdek-dunes-natural-area
JOB FAIR IN ELK RAPIDS: 10am-1pm, Amvets Post #114, Elk Rapids. Whether you are looking for full-time, part-time, seasonal or permanent positions, there will be a place for you to apply. Free. business.elkrapidschamber.org/events/details/job-fair-in-elkrapids-36403
SPRING BREAK FEST AT THE STATE
THEATRE: 10am, The State Theatre, TC. “Hoot.” Free. stateandbijou.org
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PURPLE UP FOR MILITARY KIDS: 11am1pm, American Legion Post 281, 101 E. Third St., Harbor Springs. Join American Legion Post 281 for a free luncheon for military families & their children. Please wear purple to show your support.
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FIESTA OF FEELINGS!: 1pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Meet the creators of “Feeling all the Feelings Workbook,” Betsy & Brad Petersen. A kids’ guide to exploring emotions. Enjoy snacks, games, new friends & more. Best for ages 2-10, but all ages welcome. RSVP: 231-347-1180. Free.
NANCY BORDINE BOOKSIGNING EVENT: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Nancy will sign copies of her debut book, “What Do You See? -- Developing New Perspectives with Quilt Patterns.” horizonbooks.com/event/nancybordine-booksigning-event-what-do-you-see
CONTRA DANCE: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, TC. Presented by Bayside Travellers. 7pm: dancing workshop. 7:30-10:30pm: dance with caller Pat Reese. Woodland Celtic will provide live music. Donation.
JOSHUA DAVIS: SOLD OUT: 7-9pm, Old Art Building, Leland. This folk songwriter, guitarist & vocalist heads back to the stage for an evening of music about life, love, change & growth. $30; $25 OAB Members. oldartbuilding.com/events/joshua-davis -
COMEDY W/ MICHAEL PALASCAK: 7:309pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Michael performed on both The Late Late Show with James Corden and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in the same year. In addition, his résumé includes A Little Late with Lilly Singh, Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Conan, has a Comedy Central Half Hour special, & was a Top 5 Finalist on Last Comic Standing. $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/events/comedy-wmichael-palaczak-4-14-2023 ------------------- -- -
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Cornley University Drama Society’s newest play, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” a 1920s murder mystery, where things are about to quickly go from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, & actors who trip over everything (including their lines), these accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call. Adults, $28; youth under 18, $15 (plus fees). oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/ the-play-that-goes-wrong.html
CHEAP TRICK: SOLD OUT: 8pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Formed in 1973, rock icon Cheap Trick has performed thousands of shows & sold millions of records. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. lrcr.com/eventcalendar/concerts/cheap-trick sunday
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL: 1:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy the winning student play submissions as they come to life! Each winning playwright works with a national theater mentor on honing their plays for your viewing pleasure. Free. cityoperahouse.org/ypf?mc_cid=1ceeda551e&mc_ eid=36a666ea46
FILM SCREENING: “KISS THE GROUND”: 2pm, The Opera House, Cheboygan. Enjoy this film screening, followed by a discussion with the farmers of Harvest Thyme Farm, a sustainable farm providing fresh vegetables & flowers in the Cheboygan area. “Kiss the Ground,” narrated by Woody Harrelson, is a full-length documentary shedding light on a new, old approach to farming called regenerative agriculture. Free. theoperahouse.org
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: (See Sat., April 15, except today’s time is 2pm.)
TSO SYMPHONIC SERIES: BRAHMS + BEETHOVEN: 3pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Featuring Jeffrey Biegel, piano & the NMC Chorus. $25.50 - $61.50. traversesymphony.org/concert/brahms-beethoven monday
PRESCHOOL ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:30am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Classroom, TC. Young artists can engage in themed activities while exploring various art methods. Space is limited. Early registra-
Everyone is a super hero at the Big Little Hero Race! Wear your favorite superhero costume and every participating child will receive a free cape! Held on Sat., April 22 at NMC Main Campus, West Hall Innovation Center, TC, the one-mile Fun Run is free and begins at 9am in the Dogwood lot. The 5K and 10K range from $15-$30 and start at 9:30am. Afterwards, stay for awards, prizes, food and activities for kids of all ages. All proceeds of this event will sponsor College for Kids scholarships for BBBS Littles. The Future Generation Celebration will also be happening until 7pm featuring many bands including Brotha James, Eliza Thorp, The Marsupials and many more. events. bytepro.net/biglittleherorace tion encouraged. $5. crookedtree.org/class/ ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-artapril-17 ----------------------
KID’S CRAFT LAB: PLANET EARTH SUNCATCHER: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Make an Earth Suncatcher to hang in your window. Blue & green will shine through, reminding you of what a great planet you live on. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org
REFIT® TC: 7pm, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. A group fitness experience that rocks your body, heart, & soul with powerful moves & positive music, to inspire you from the inside out. Classes are held Mondays at 7pm & Thursdays at 9:30am. $1 suggested donation. facebook. com/profile.php?id=100090460000055 tuesday
PEEPERS PROGRAM: EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: 10-11am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. An adult-accompanied program for early learners ages 3-5 years old. Go on a hike to see what wildlife, trees, mushrooms, & other exciting things can be spotted. Register. $5/child. natureiscalling.org/ preschool-peepers-program
SILENT BOOK CLUB - TRAVERSE CITY AM: 10am, NMC, Library, Fireplace Room, TC. Meets the third Tuesday morning of each month. There are no assigned readings or discussion guides. You bring a book, any book - or check one out. NMC parking is free with temporary permit. Free. silentbookclubtc.blogspot.com
STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org
NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE - WHAT THE VOTER SAYS COUNTS!: Noon, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Presented by Ms. Christina Schlitt, co-president of the LWVMI & a member of the LWVGTA. Free. lwvgta.org
DISCUSSION ON CARBON PRICING: 6pm, Charlevoix Public Library. Bill Bray will lead this discussion. He worked for Esso, Exxon and ExxonMobil in Oil & LNG shipping and Offshore Oil & Gas production and operations as an engineer, then executive. He’ll explain why we need a Carbon Fee & Dividend to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions without growing our government. Free.
GT HIKING CLUB APRIL MEETING: 7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. The meeting will be the first part of a Trail Adopter’s Workshop. NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator Kenny Wawsczyk will give a presentation on general trail construction standards, safety, available resources, trail tools, & other things that trail adopters should know. This will be followed by a presentation showing some of the items that adopters will encounter on the chapter’s 100 miles of the NCT.
QUEER TALES BOOK CLUB: 7pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Chat about books that are by &/or about LGBTQ+ people. Reading is not required, & everyone is welcome. Held the third Tuesday of the month in the Nelson Room. This month’s book is “Other Names for Love” by Taymour Soomro. Get it from the TADL Catalog or MeLCat. Free. tadl.org/event/queertalesapril2023
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SKY DANCING WITH THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK: 7:45pm, Hailand/Helstrom Family Nature Preserve, Harbor Springs. Join LTC staff & members of the Al Litzenburger Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society to discover the spring mating display of the American Woodcock. Come with a headlamp for your walk out. Free. landtrust.org/ events-template/sky-dancing-2023 wednesday
HOSPITALITY APPRECIA-
TION NIGHT: 5-7pm, Five Shores Brewing, Beulah. Celebrate hospitality workers. This free event includes two free drinks & hors d’oeuvres. Register: traversecity.com/hospitality-appreciation-night/
IT’S HARD BEING YOU: A PRIMER ON BEING HAPPY ANYWAY: Noon, The Leelanau County Government Center, Community Room, Suttons Bay. The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County welcomes awardwinning journalist & author Sharon Emery to discuss her new book, “It’s Hard Being You: A Primer on Being Happy Anyway.” Free. LWVLeelanau.org
DAVID MILARCH: 3:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Listen to third generation nurseryman, David Milarch of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, talk about growing up working on his father’s tree farm. Free. oldartbuilding.com/events/earth-day-speaker-davidmilarch
CHILLIN’ WITH THE CHAMBER OFFICE: 4-6pm, Harbor Springs Area Chamber office, 118 E. Main St., Harbor Springs. Learn about a new business, find out what’s happening around town, & enjoy appetizers & beverages. Free.
CHARLEVOIX BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Charlevoix Area Community Pool. Food & non-alcoholic refreshments will be served.
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NOMIWOMAN @ HILBERT’S HONEY:
5:30-7:30pm, Hilbert’s Honey Co., TC. Join Northern Michigan Woman Magazine for their Women’s Networking Event. Tour the production warehouse, plus goodies provided by Chef Jordan of Maxbauer’s Meat Market, along with two types of mead from Acoustic Brewing, made with Hilbert’s Honey & non-alcoholic options. Enjoy complimentary chair massages from Elemental Compass. Speaker: March/April cover girl Natividad Kolb will share her story about joining the military & then establishing her own thriving business. $18/person or 2 for $30. northernmichiganwoman.com/event/ april-19th-nomiwoman-connections-event
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2023 YOUTH ART AWARDS NIGHT - PETOSKEY: 7-8:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. This night will recognize the Youth Art Show honorees & winners as well as the CTAC School of Ballet, & the winners of the 2023 Young Writers Exhibition. Crooked Tree Arts Center’s scholarship winners will be recognized as well. Enjoy cake & refreshments afterwards. Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/2023-youth-artawards-night-petoskey thursday
REFIT® TC: (See Mon., April 17)
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KID’S CRAFT LAB: PLANET EARTH SUNCATCHER: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Make an Earth Suncatcher to hang in your window. Blue & green will shine through, reminding you of what a great planet you live on. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org
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READER CHEF, JR. COOKING CLASS: 4pm, Interlochen Public Library. For ages 10-14. Learn a new recipe & be able to cook the meal from start to finish. Limited to 10 kids per class. Registration required: 231276-6767. Free.
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM: ARABIAN PENINSULA: Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. In-person event with Amb. Greta Holtz, former U.S. Ambassador to Oman 2012-2015. 6:30pm program; 5:30pm reception. $15 in-person ticket; $10 livestream suggested donation; free to current students & educators. tciaf. com/event-april-2023
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GRAND TRAVERSE AUDUBON CLUB
MEETING: 7pm, NMC, Scholar’s Hall, Room 217, TC. Enjoy a presentation from intrepid birder & bird counter Alison Vilag, the self-described Boreal Vagabond, who has traveled extensively & worked as a bird surveyor in numerous interesting places. Park in the lot close to the Dennos Museum Center; Scholar’s Hall is the next building to the east. Free.
ARTRAGEOUS: 7:30pm, The Opera House, Cheboygan. Enjoy this troupe of multi-talented live performance artists, world-class singers, recording artists, highly trained dancers, audience motivators, & veteran musicians hailing from New Mexico. $30; $25 veterans; $10 students. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/1147530
SINGER-SONGWRITER & POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLE: CINEMA INFORMS
SONG: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Pop singer-songwriter Claud joins Interlochen Arts Academy’s singer-songwriter students & Popular Music Ensemble for an evening of original music. This is a program of works inspired by films—including the world premiere of a new song by Claud. $15 adults; $12 children through college. interlochen.org/events/ singer-songwriter-popular-music-ensemblecinema-informs-song-2023-04-20
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: (See Sat., April 15) friday
THE CHERRY BOMBSPIEL: 9am, TC Curling Center, 1712 S. Garfield Ave., TC. Enjoy TC Curling Club’s first major event in the new TC Curling Center, April 21-23. Featuring two Olympic Gold medal curlers, John Landsteiner from Team USA (2018) & Brad Jacobs from Team Canada (2014). World Champion Debbie McCormick will also be in TC to curl & celebrate. tccurling.org
FRIDAY $2 CLASSICS: Featuring “The Wiz.” 11am, Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre. lyricharborsprings.org/2-00-classics/
EARTH DAY VOLUNTEER PLANTING
WORKBEE DAYS: 10am-2pm, TC. Get in-
Big Fun
FUNKY FUN MONDAYS AT THE ALLUVION
Boardman Review
RELEASE PARTY
Jeff Haas Trio
WSG CHICAGO VETERAN VIBRAPHONIST JIM COOPER WATERCOLORIST LISA FLAHIVE
Earthwork Music
SPRING TOUR
FEAT. JORDAN HAMILTON, SETH BERNARD, SAMANTHA COOPER, AMBER HASAN, DEDE ALDER, RALSTON BOWLES, SARI BROWN, SARAH COHEN, CHRIS GOOD, JOSH HOLCOMB, AUDRA KUBAT, ELISABETH PIXLEY-FINK, DAN RICKABUS, VINCE RUSSO, MIKE SAVINA, JO SERRAPERE, NICHOLAS JAMES THOMASMA & BEN TRAVERSE
Funky Uncle
FUNKY FUN MONDAYS AT THE ALLUVION
Jeff Haas Trio
WSG LAURIE SEARS ON SAXAPHONE & FLUTE WATERCOLORIST LISA FLAHIVE
Miriam Pico
FAMILY CONCERT
Welcome home LAURIE SEARS—one of the coolest cats and regular front person for our very own JEFF HAAS TRIO. She’ll be back on the 27th and every Thursday for the forseeable future.
COMING SOON: Crystal Woodward-Turner, Full Cord, Djangophonique, Viridian Strings, Blanco Suave + Jimmy Olson + Waterbed, Earth Radio + Medicinal Groove + A er Ours + DJ Ras Marco D volved in the large-scale restoration effort associated with Michigan’s largest dam removal project in state history. Join for two volunteer planting workbees held in the bottomlands of the former Boardman Pond impoundment on the Natural Education Reserve. Register. natureiscalling.org/events
THE ALLUVION’S PREVIEW SERIES is a limited slate of programming while we get ready for our GRAND OPENING. We are still dialing in a dozen key systems and thousands of fine details—please pardon dust, wires, construction equipment, temporary furnishings, and other small messes, as well as occasional minor inconveniences and shortfalls of our ideal level of hospitali and accessibili .
GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL FESTIVAL: 12-5pm, West Shore Community College, Manistee. Celebrate Earth Day in Manistee. Presentations by regional industries, businesses & organizations will show how they are working to protect & improve the Great Lakes. Free. glef.us
“THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM”: 5-7pm, Old Art Building, Leland. This film chronicles the eight-year quest of John & Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland & a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Free. oldartbuilding.com/ events/movie-the-biggest-little-farm ----------------------
CFS YOUTH ART EXHIBIT: Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Child and Family Services is holding an Earth Day themed Youth Art Exhibit at CTAC, TC. Featuring art created by youth of all ages. On display April 21, 5-7pm & April 22, 10am-4pm. Free. cfsnwmi. org/cfsevents
“INTO THE WOODS” PRESENTED BY TC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: 7pm, TC Central High School. The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with a fairytale about wishes, family, & the choices we make. The story follows a baker & his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; & Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. $20, $25. tcaps.booktix.com/ view/6/92517f00656e56c6
“ELECTRA”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harvey Theatre. Join the Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre Division as they stage Emily Wilson’s gripping translation of this classic Greek tale. $22 adults; $17 children through college. interlochen.org/ events/electra-2023-04-21
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: (See Sat., April 15)
WIND SYMPHONY: BENEFIT CONCERT FOR FRIENDS OF INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. $15 adults; $12 children through college. interlochen.org/events/wind-symphony-benefitconcert-for-friends-interlochen-public-library-2023-04-21
SHAUN JOHNSON BIG BAND EXPERIENCE: 8pm, City Opera House, TC. A rare newcomer to traditional pop, fused with big band spirit. $40, $27; students, $15. cityoperahouse.org/node/451 apr saturday
THE CHERRY BOMBSPIEL: (See Fri., April 21, except today’s events start at 8:30am.)
25 CENTS FAMILY FAVORITES: Featuring “Madagascar.” 11am, Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre. lyricharborsprings.org/25-familyfavorites/
BIG LITTLE HERO RACE: Held at NMC Main Campus, West Hall Innovation Center, TC, the one-mile Fun Run is free & begins at 9am in the Dogwood lot. The 5K & 10K range from $15-$30 & start at 9:30am. Wear your favorite superhero costume & every participating child will receive a free cape!
Afterwards, stay for awards, prizes, food & activities for kids of all ages. All proceeds of this event will sponsor College for Kids scholarships for BBBS Littles. The Future Generation Celebration will also be happening until 7pm featuring many bands including Brotha James, Eliza Thorp, The Marsupials & many more. events.bytepro. net/biglittleherorace
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SPRING BIOBLITZ: 9am-5pm, Natural Education Reserve, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. A bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species as possible within a designated location & time period. Register. Free. natureiscalling.org/events
CFS YOUTH ART EXHIBIT: (See Fri., April 21)
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CLAUDE SHANNON DAY!: 10am-2pm, Otsego County History Museum, Gaylord. Enjoy a celebration of Claude Shannon - the father of the digital age. Explore the museum display & watch the biopic “The Bit Player.” Tommy Tropic will re-enact Claude’s penchant for juggling on a unicycle. Free.
EARTH DAY VOLUNTEER PLANTING
WORKBEE DAYS: 10am-2pm, TC. Get involved in the large-scale restoration effort associated with Michigan’s largest dam removal project in state history. Join for two volunteer planting workbees held in the bottomlands of the former Boardman Pond impoundment on the Natural Education Reserve. Register. natureiscalling. org/events
FREE DROP-IN FAMILY ART - EARTH DAY EDITION: 10am-noon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Demos start every half hour. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-traverse-city/ free-drop-family-art-earth-day-edition
NORTH STAR GARDENS SPRING EXPO: 10am-3pm, North Star Gardens, Gaylord. Local landscapers will be on site to answer questions about your projects. Raised bed demonstrations by Dairy Doo. Free soil testing offered. Free. northstargardens.com
TART TRAILS SPRING WORK BEE: 10amnoon, TC. TART Trails is hosting work bees at various locations along the trail network. If you have light tools, feel free to bring them along with anything else you think may be useful. A TART Trails staff member or ambassador will lead each work bee. 941-4300. traversetrails.org/event/tart-trails-springwork-bee
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: 11am-3pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Learn about recycling, composting, water protection, earthfriendly gardening, energy conservation & more. There will be live music with Seth Bernard & Chris Good, Balance Bike library, helmet & bike fitting, butterfly exhibit, free paper shredding & much more.
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SPRING JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETI-
TION: 1-5pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Teams of 2-4 people. thevillagetc.com/the-village-jigsaw-puzzlecompetition-2
EARTH WORK SPRING TOUR 2023
EARTH DAY CONCERT: 7-10pm, The Alluvion, TC. Musicians include Audra Kubat, Sari Brown, Dede Alder, Jordan Hamilton, Samantha Cooper, Ben Traverse, Sarah Cohen, Seth Bernard & many others. Tickets start at $30. thealluvion.org/events/ the-alluvion-presents-earthwork-spring-tour2023-earth-day-concert
INTO THE WOODS PRESENTED BY TC
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: (See Fri., April 21)
JOHN YOUNG MEMORIAL QUEER
PROM: 7pm, Grand Traverse Event Center, TC. Presented by Polestar LGBT+ Community Center & the LGBTeens Up North. The John Young Memorial Queer Prom is open to 14-18 year old LGBT+ teens & their allies & is a safe space to enjoy a prom experience where you can be YOU! Tickets will be for sale at a reduced price of $20 until April 15 & can be purchased online: tcpolestar. org/shop. After April 15, ticket prices will increase to $25. tcpolestar.org/queer-prom ----------------------
“ELECTRA”: (See Fri., April 21)
GERSWHIN GALA: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Celebrate the musical legacy of George & Ira Gershwin in a multidisciplinary showcase featuring works including Summertime, & Rhapsody in Blue. Pianist Kevin Cole joins this evening. Stay after the performance for a free reception with refreshments. $37. interlochen.org/events/gershwin-gala-2023-04-22-0
NMC JAZZ BANDS SPRING CONCERT: 7:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Featuring the NMC Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Big Band. Advance tickets: $12 adults; $7 seniors & students. At door: $15 adults; $10 seniors & students. NMC students get in FREE with their student ID. nmcmusicdepartment.simpletix.com
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: (See Sat., April 15)
TESLA: SOLD OUT: 8-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Thanks to their die-hard, loyal fan base & their younger generation offspring, TESLA continues to tour to sold-out crowds around the world. They celebrate 30+ years of rock n’ roll. lrcr.com/ event-calendar/concerts/tesla apr
Sunday
SUNDAY MORNING BIRD
INTO THE WOODS PRESENTED BY TC
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: (See Fri., April 21, except today’s time is 2pm.)
POETS NIGHT OUT 2023-LIVE POETRY
READING EVENT: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Local poets will read their selected poems. The chapbook containing those selected poems will be available for purchase at the event. Free. tadl.org/event/poets-nightout-2023-live-poetry-reading-event
Art
-ANNUAL YOUTH ART EXHIBIT 2023: Runs through April 15 at Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Celebrating the work of K-12 art students & educators from throughout the Grand Traverse region. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/youth-art-exhibit-2023-traverse-city
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- SPECIAL NEEDS ARTISTIC MOVEMENT: Held in the Dance Studio, this class provides the special needs community a chance to expand their artistry & movement creativity while giving the example that the arts are for everyone. This dance & movement class is designed for teens & adults. It includes basic to intermediate dance education, & is held on Mondays & Fridays from 1-2:30pm through May 12. Register. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/special-needs-artistic-movement
- EMERGING ARTISTS 2023: A COLLECTION OF NCMC STUDENT WORKS: Held in Atrium Gallery through April 15. Work in glass, metals, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, illustration, video, & more will be on display. This exhibition is organized by NCMC faculty. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/emerging-artists-2023-collectionncmc-student-works-opens-march-14
- YOUTH ART SHOW 2023 - PETOSKEY: Work by students working throughout CharEm ISD fill the galleries in this annual showcase. Runs through May 4. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/youth-art-show2023-petoskey-opens-march-18
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
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WALKS: 7:30am. Meet at Grand Traverse Commons at the parking area just east of Silver Drive, TC. Enjoy this walk with Kirk Waterstripe from the Grand Traverse Audubon Club. This birding experience is designed for those just getting started, or wanting to polish their skills. You’ll focus on identification skills. Dress for weather & walking. Free. tadl.org/birdwalk ----------------------
THE CHERRY BOMBSPIEL: (See Fri., April 21)
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COMMUNITY VOICES: 10:30am, Elmwood Township Hall, TC. Ryan Hannon, community engagement officer for Goodwill of Northern MI will speak on how to engage people living street homelessness. Free. newwavesucc.org
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CREATIVITY Q+A LIVE WITH ARTIST
ANGELA SAXON: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Angela talks about her practice with Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager. Saxon is a self-described mark maker. Her practice is about seeing more, getting beyond the surface of things, & depicting layers of time in her paintings, prints & drawings. Free. glenarborart.org/events/creativity-qalive-with-artist-angela-saxon ----------------------
“ELECTRA”: (See Fri., April 21, except today’s time is 2pm.)
- “US”: Teresa Dunn’s solo exhibition is a collection of her recent narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, individuals with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared with her about their daily experience in America. Runs through May 28. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm
- “VITALITY AND CONTINUITY: ART IN THE EXPERIENCES OF ANISHINAABE, INUIT, AND PUEBLO WOMEN”: This exhibit celebrates some of the critical roles Anishinaabe, Inuit, & Pueblo women fulfill in their families, their communities, the art world, & beyond. Runs through May 19. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- A FERAL HOUSEWIFE: Held in the Lobby Gallery. An exhibition of collages by Leelanau County artist Mary Beth Acosta. Runs through April 21. Acosta uses simple, familiar tools & a range of recycled, vintage papers to create collages about mid-century housewives, bigfinned cars, & labor-saving appliances that were promoted as drudgery-busting machines that would revolutionize the modern home. A video interview with Acosta about her materials & methods can be seen as part of the online version of this exhibition: glenarborart.org/ events/exhibit-a-feral-housewife
May 5 4-7 pm
Come see dazzling local art on display in your favorite downtown businesses during Art Walk! Mingle with the artists while supporting local businesses Nearly 20 participating locations! Plus live jazz in the streets from JazzNorth7+1
For A map and more info, visit downtowntc.com
Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
You may not know it, but we live in a mini pinball mecca here in northern Michigan, with a vibrant underground culture of players and pinheads, tournaments, and cool arcades showcasing the full range of classic to contemporary machines and “action.” So when Scott Pierson (owner and operator Traverse City’s The Coin Slot) slipped me a cryptic note with a link to Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game, I gave it a spin and almost instantly became a big fan.
Released earlier this year in limited theatrical but now available at home anytime on VOD, the fast-paced and rewarding 90-minute experience is a Trojan Horse of the most creative and entertaining kind, as it arrives in a package presenting itself as a documentary but doesn’t reveal the ruse until you’re already hooked.
In reality, the fictional narrative set in 1970s New York City is presented by a cast of terrific actors and is fully grounded in the truthful story of pinball addict-turnedadvocate Roger Sharpe, a struggling writer in the offices of early GQ magazine. Sharpe became the loudest pro-pinball voice in the city, fighting to overturn an antiquated ban on pinball machines by stodgy government officials who viewed the electronic gambling as a game of chance and banned the machines to XXX establishments.
But Sharpe proves that pinball is indisputably a game of skill. And so important is his contribution to modern pinball legitimacy that National Pinball Day is celebrated on August 1, Sharpe’s birthday, every year.
