23 minute read
BUILDING BLUES
Hiring challenges, soaring material costs, and building demand are putting pressure on the construction industry
By Jillian Manning
The construction industry has been on a roller-coaster ride for the past three years, from an all-time low in jobs and projects in spring of 2020; to a flurry of building activity to meet pent-up demand; to frustrating snafus with supply chain issues.
And that’s to say nothing of the nationwide hiring dilemma in the skilled trades. While some of those struggles mentioned above have been resolved since the onset of the pandemic, bringing people to the construction field continues to be an uphill battle.
With all that in mind, what will it take for the industry to return to business as usual? We looked at national and statewide trends and asked local employment experts and business owners what they think will move the needle.
Priority No. 1: Finding Workers
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found in their 2022 workforce survey “91 percent of construction firms [are] having a hard time finding workers to hire, driving up costs and project delays.”
Lauren Tucker, executive officer of the Home Builders Association Grand Traverse Area, agrees the local hiring outlook is challenging for construction businesses.
“The biggest challenge is the shortage of skilled labor,” she says. “This is not a new issue to the construction industry, on both sides—residential and commercial. There are many causes; the recession in 2008 caused many tradespeople to close up shop, and sadly most have not returned to the workforce. We have told young people for years that they need to go to college to make something of themselves, while there are respectable and lucrative careers in the skilled trades that you can begin learning and earning the day you graduate high school.” construction employment is projected to grow 4 percent, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.
To incentivize entry into the field, construction companies have gotten creative.
The AGC survey found that 29 percent of respondents have lowered hiring standards (e.g., education, training, employment, arrest record, drug use or testing policy); 42 percent have initiated or increased spending on training and professional development; and 86 percent have increased base pay rates.
There’s even more momentum happening in our area. Rob Dickinson, business services regional director at Northwest Michigan Works!, says construction jobs grew at an average rate of 6.5 percent from 2019 to 2022 and accounted for 7.5 percent of jobs in the northwest Michigan job market.
“Construction continues to project high demand,” Dickinson says. “Shortterm projections through 2023 show the construction industry the third highest growth industry in Michigan, behind only leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Long-term projections through 2030 see the construction industry
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found in their 2022 workforce survey “91 percent of construction firms [are] having a hard time finding workers to hire, driving up costs and project delays.”
Those changes are necessary to address the growing demand for construction jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nationwide “about 723,400 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs” from 2021 to 2031 for construction and extraction occupations. In that decade, overall losing a few spots, with growth projected to be the sixth highest growth industry in Michigan.”
Dickinson echoes the sentiment that employers are focusing on better job incentives, noting that hiring and retention strategies for northern Michigan construction businesses also include offering apprenticeships and professional development in addition to higher pay, more benefits, referral bonuses, and loyalty bonuses for staying longer than six or 12 months.
But even with all of those incentives, Dickinson still says it’s not easy to fill jobs. “Issues that our local employers are facing include not having the talent pool they once had, trouble attracting the talent that is present, and when the talent shows up, they don’t have the necessary skill set,” he says of the challenges employers face. “Other contributing factors that are hitting the industry as well are the lack of affordable housing, lack of transportation, and higher daycare costs. Families are making decisions based on these issues, and construction employers in northwest Michigan are losing out.”
Priority No. 2: Managing Costs
As construction businesses struggle to find employees, they also struggle to source building materials. Supply chain issues, material shortages, and soaring costs created a perfect storm in 2021, and though 2022 was more stable, the monetary ripple effect has been felt from suppliers to builders to homebuyers.
The drastic shift in lumber prices is a case-in-point example of the problem.
Trading Economics, which provides global historical data and forecasts for more than 20 million economic indicators, recorded the cost of lumber from 2018 to early 2020 as ranging from $304 to $639 per 1,000 board feet. Then, in conjunction with the pandemic-fueled decline in the construction job market, the price of lumber plummeted in April 2020 to $264.
That’s when the real trouble began. Prices climbed for the rest of 2020, then skyrocketed to $1,686 in May 2021—a 538 percent increase in just over one year—with another peak of $1,464 in March 2022. Those were the two biggest spikes in Trading Economics’ 25-year tracking history, and they happened when homeowners were undertaking tons of renovations and new builds, especially Up North as more people moved to the area or were living out of their summer homes.
Mike Tucker, president of Kingsley Lumber, says that lumber prices have now returned to a “new normal,” trending 20-30 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. (At the time of publication, lumber prices currently sit at $353 per 1,000 board feet.)
But even though prices are more predictable now, the damage has been done. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “volatile prices of lumber products in recent years have caused the average price of a new single-family home to increase by more than $14,000.”
Those price increases in turn have a direct effect on new building projects. In AGC’s workforce survey, 58 percent of respondents cited increasing costs as a reason upcoming or expected projects had to be canceled, postponed, or scaled back.
Mike Tucker adds that while some lumber mills had a windfall in revenue, contractors have been burned by the huge swings in lumber prices.
“Contractors were often in fixed price contracts, which required them to absorb their rising costs without the ability to pass along these added costs to the homeowner,” he explains. “Not only were they feeling the inflationary pressures in their businesses, but with huge interruptions in the supply chain, a lot of contractors couldn’t finish projects on time due to the increased lead times, leading to projects taking way longer and in turn slowing the cash flow cycle of their businesses.”
(Now, with lumber prices coming back down, the script has been flipped, and he says “they are using mill shutdowns and curtailments as a tool to keep the lumber prices high” to keep mill profits flowing.)
Priority No. 3: Building More
A tough hiring market and high business costs don’t seem like they would add up to more homes being built, especially at affordable prices for the buyer. But that’s what Michigan needs.
A national housing report from Habitat for Humanity in 2022 estimates that Michigan is short 87,000 homes, and the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation shares that “Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan estimates that 75,000 new homes need to be built every year just to keep up with demand.” But we aren’t keeping pace. The Home Builders Association of Michigan forecasted that only 17,114 single-family home permits would be issued in 2022 (final numbers have not yet been released).
Meanwhile, local nonprofit Housing North specifies that Grand Traverse County needs an additional 5,715 housing units through 2025, 72 percent of which should be rental units. But Yarrow Brown, executive director of Housing North, estimates only 1,555 permits (72 percent of which are for single-family homes) have been pulled between 2020 and 2023. And many of those projects, Brown says, aren’t necessarily affordable for most folks living in northern Michigan.
Still, there’s some optimism for a swing toward more housing opportunities. “We are seeing more and more apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units being approved and built,” Brown says. “With the interest in missing middle housing and more infill development, we are seeing creative solutions and opportunities not only for renting but for shared capacity home ownership, such as community land trusts and cooperatives.”
Brown adds that she feels NoMi communities are becoming more “housing ready,” for the developers who want to build here, though it’s no easy feat for developers to do so. She points to high property taxes, zoning restrictions, permitting delays, and gaps in financing as hurdles for developers to overcome. And, of course, she says there continues to be the need for “human power to build the homes.”
“We often think we are developer friendly here, this is not necessarily true,” Brown says. “Many developers are investing in this community because they want to, not because it is easy to do.”
Saturday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: April 28 - May 6. Enjoy an array of foodie options for dining around the Glen Arbor area. Enjoy everything from “french fries to French cuisine.” Participants will each offer their own special menus & pricing. visitglenarbor.com/event/glen-lake-restaurantweek-2023
BOATER SAFETY CLASS: 9am-4pm, Interlochen Public Library. Topics covered include general boating & water safety, navigational rules, causes & prevention of crashes, operation & fueling techniques, environmental concerns, & reporting responsibility. Register. michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/ programs/9
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BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOP: “SKILLS FOR BRIDGING THE DIVIDE”: 9am & 1:30pm, Kensington Church, TC. Is there a neighbor, coworker, family member or other person in your life who you need to connect with but who holds very different views on the issues? This workshop will help you make those connections. Questions: Contact Mike: mwradkephd@gmail.com. Free.
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EARTH & ARBOR DAY EVENT: 9am-2pm, Veterans Park, Boyne City.
ELK RAPIDS INDIGENOUS YOUTH & FRIENDS CRAFT SHOW: 10am-4pm, Elk Rapids Cherryland Middle School. Email Monica at mwillis@erschools.com for vendor application. Free.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TAI CHI: 10am, Open Space Park, TC. Try Tai Chi! Free.
MAKERFEST 2023: 10am-2pm, GT County Civic Center, outdoors, TC. The annual celebration of Making & all things STEAM. Featuring the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, MiSTEM Network, TC Cooperative Preschool, Inland Seas Education Association, Cherryland Ghostbusters, TADL - Sight & Sound, TADL Tech Center, GT Conservation District, Dennos Museum Center, & many others. Free. tadl.org/makerfest2023
MEET THE ALPACAS AT THE SPRING OPEN FARM WEEKEND: 10am-4pm, Cotton Creek Farms, Thompsonville. This will be one of the last times to view the alpacas before they receive their spring haircuts. Visitors who are able to, are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or small cash donation for The Buckley Food Pantry. Free. cottoncreekfarms.com/event/open-farm-weekend/2023-04-29
OMENA M22 CLEAN-UP: 10am, Omena Post Office. Enjoy a cheerful walk & keep M22 beautiful. Sponsored by HH Cherries. Bring gloves, boots & a smile.
TREETOPS SPRING ART, CRAFT, GIFTS & MORE!: 10am-5pm, Treetops Resort, Gaylord. Jewelry, woodworkers, fiber artists, Color Street, Beeswax products, dog treats, kettle corn, crochet critters, glass artists, basket makers & more. $5. eventbrite. com/e/treetops-spring-art-craft-gifts-andmore-show-tickets-603874844917
WOOD MEMORIAL TROUT RUN - 5K & 10K: 10am, 109 N. Birch St., Kalkaska. $35. runningintheusa.com/details/20043 ----------------------
FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY
USED BOOK SALE FUNDRAISER: 11am1pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Books are $1-$2 each. friend- softhecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs ----------------------
GRAND TRAVERSE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT VS. DETROIT LIONS BASKETBALL
GAME: 1pm, TC West High School. Lions will be signing autographs at halftime & there will be a free raffle for Lions gear. $20 single; $35 couple; $50 family. gtcdsa.publicsafetypsa.com
LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY PARAFEST: 4:30pm, The Terrace Inn, Bay View. Bumps in the Night Paranormal Research brings back Parafest! Celebrity guests, lectures, vendors, Mediums, Psychic readers, VIP dinner & more. One of N. Michigan’s most talked about paranormal conference. ltbparafest.com
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STAR PARTY: 6-11pm, Dune Climb parking lot, Empire. The earlier portion of the event will have fun daytime activities & solar viewing for youth & families to enjoy, while the later portion will be primarily focused on dark sky viewing once the sun goes down. GTAS members will take a break from 8-9pm, & rangers will be on-site & available for the entire duration of the event. Free, but must have park entrance pass or annual pass. gtastro.org
“TERRA NOSTRA”: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A celebration of the earth & the Great Lakes, featuring the GLCO chorus led by director André Strydom & the orchestra led by Maestro Libor Ondras. There is an optional pre-concert talk at 6pm by Libor Ondras, as well as a postconcert reception. $35-$65. glcorchestra.org
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2023 MANITOU MUSIC SERIES - RAION
TAIKO: 7pm, Glen Lake School Auditorium. Enjoy this Midwest Taiko arts ensemble’s “sound of thunder drummers,” embracing the rhythms of rain & energy of light to create a song on the soundscapes of Japanese Taiko Drumming. RSVP. Free. glenarborart. org/events/taiko-drumming
EAST JORDAN ROTARY CLUB’S 14TH ROTARY VARIETY SHOW: 7pm, East Jordan High School, Community Auditorium. Featuring the Rotary Chorus. Doors open at 6pm for pre-show entertainment featuring Bob Bryan & the Rotary Show Band. Tickets available at Charlevoix State Bank. $10 GA; $15 reserved. mynorthtickets.com
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
“THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE” BY DEBORAH BALEY BREVOORT: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Phoenix Theatre. Presented by the Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre Division. In the aftermath of the attack on Pan Am flight 103, an American mother travels to Scotland to locate her son’s remains. Meanwhile, the women of the nearby town of Lockerbie, determined to return the victims’ clothes to their families, petition the U.S. government to release the personal items found in the wreckage. Free. interlochen.org/events/women-lockerbiedeborah-baley-brevoort-2023-04-28
COMEDY W/ BRYAN MCCREE: 7:30-9pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Seen on Mad TV, Comedy Central & most recently Comic’s Unleashed with Byron Allen, Bryan has a natural charm on stage, & his infectious giggle often incites laughter among the masses. $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/ events/comedy-wkeith-bergman-4-28-2023
Sunday
BIRD WALKS: 7:30am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. 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. Meet at the north side of the library at the entrance of the Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden. Reserve your backpack & begin or bring along on the walks. Free. tadl.org/event/bird-walk ----------------------
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
MEET THE ALPACAS AT THE SPRING OPEN FARM WEEKEND: (See Sat., April 29)
TREETOPS SPRING ART, CRAFT, GIFTS & MORE!: (See Sat., April 29)
ELITE WEDDING EXPO: 12-3:30pm, Park Place Hotel & Conference Center, TC. A vast collection of wedding planning professionals featuring everything from cakes to favors to photographers & DJs. $15 advance; $20 at door. eliteweddingexpo.com
“THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE” BY DEBORAH BALEY BREVOORT: (See Sat., April 29, except today’s time is 2pm.)
INTO THE WOODS PRESENTED BY TC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: (See Sat., April
29, except today’s time is 2pm.)
“THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION”: 5-8pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. A Soul Stirring Sound Experience. An immersion of voice, strings & sacred sounds. The museum will be transformed into an open candlelit sacred space. There will be music by local artists, including Seth Bernard; a sound charged exhibit: “Ahavani Mullen: Across Centuries and the Earth”; a narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, people with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared about their daily experience in America - “Teresa Dunn Us.”; Vitality and Continuity Art in the Experiences of Anishnaabe, Inuit and Pueblo Women - “Lois Beardslee”; & more. Purchase tickets at Karasi Fitness & Healing Arts, Oryana Community Co-op, or My North Tickets online. $40.
COMEDY MIXTAPE: 7pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. A comedy variety show from the Tilt Think Comedy Collective featuring improv, storytelling, sketches, stand up & new formats. Honor cover. facebook.com/ev ents/606811731483627/?ref=newsfeed monday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
PRESCHOOL ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:30-10:15am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Drop in for hands-on fun for preschoolers & their grown-ups. Early registration encouraged. $5. crookedtree. org/class/ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-art-may-1
KID’S CRAFT LAB: SPRING STICK MOBILE: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Choose your favorite stick & decorate it up big time for spring. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org
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AUDITIONS - GLEN ARBOR PLAYERS: 7pm, Glen Lake Church, Glen Arbor. Auditions for “The Drawer Boy.” Roles for 2 older men; one 30-40 year old male & one female narrator. Digital scripts avail at: webbforhire@gmail.com. 231-590-4025. Free.
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
COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Area Chamber Office. Enjoy conversation & connections with chamber staff & chamber members.
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Stories, songs, & active fun. Free. sbbdl.org
STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Bear Wants More” by Karma Wilson. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org
CONNECTING WOMEN LUNCHEON: 11:30am-1pm, Michaywe, Gaylord. “You Don’t Have to Be a Social Media Influencer to be Influential.” Keynote speaker, Christy Walcott, director of marketing & communications for the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau will share ways to inspire those around you with your everyday activities. Register. $20 members; $25 nonmembers. gaylordmi.chambermaster.com/ eventregistration/register/6590 ----------------------
SPRING FLING: 5pm, Dockside, Bellaire. 50% of all food & drink proceeds at Dockside benefit Grass River Natural Area. grassriver.org
GLEN ARBOR PLAYERS AUDITIONS: 6:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, lower level, TC. For “The Drawer Boy.” Reader’s theater format. Roles for 2 older men, one younger male & a female narrator. Digital scripts available at: webbforhire@gmail.com. 231590-4025. Free.
GRAND TRAVERSE KENNEL CLUB
MEETING: 7pm, Incredible Mo’s, Grawn. Public is welcome. Free. Grandtraversekennelclub.com wednesday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29) -------------
MAY RECESS: 5-7pm, Grand Bay Marine, TC. After-work happy hour for adults. A Cinco de Mayo theme will include food from Margaritas Grill Mexican Restaurant, beer & margaritas, wine from Bonobo Winery, & samples from Great Lakes
Chocolate Co. & Grand Traverse Sauce. Guests will be entered into a drawing to win prizes including a $250 Grand Bay Marine gift certificate; patriotic tube package; & one table for four at a Traverse City Pit Spitters home game of the winner’s choice. Find ‘May Recess at Grand Bay Marine’ on Facebook. $10. traverseticker.com/recess
CHRIST G. THELEN AUTHOR EVENT: 6:30pm, Darcy Library of Beulah. Local author Chris G. Thelen will be presenting his new book, “Islands of Deception.” Book signing to follow the presentation. Free. darcylibraryofbeulah.ploud.net/news-events/ events/author-chris-g-thelen
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NWS: JEANNETTE WALLS: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Jeannette is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Glass Castle.” She will talk about her writing life & newest novel, “Hang the Moon,” with guest host Susan Odgers. One ticket & one book is $39 or $49. Two tickets & one book is $55 or $75. Virtual tickets are $38. nationalwritersseries.org/product/jeannette-walls
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AN EVENING WITH ADRIAN MATEJKA:
7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Writing House. This acclaimed poet will present a reading, Q&A session & book signing. He explores themes of race, cultural identity, poverty, love & persistence. He is a former Poet Laureate of the state of Indiana, has penned five award-winning poetry collections & earned prestigious accolades including a Pushcart Prize & much more. Free. interlochen.org/events/evening-adrian-matejka-2023-05-03 thursday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
COFFEE @ 10, PETOS-
KEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Community Arts Organizations Panel: Learn about the various ways northern Michigan’s schools, art centers, & nonprofit organizations are changing the way students receive arts education, & how they can work together to establish connections within the community through creative activities. This panel features knowledgeable & experienced figures in the arts & education community. Free.
KID’S CRAFT LAB: SPRING STICK MOBILE: (See Mon., May 1)
SIPS WITH STAFF - EPHEMERALS: 5-7pm, Big Lake Preserve, Gaylord. See the Spring Ephemerals with the HeadWaters Land Conservancy staff. Identify & log all of the spring flowers & plants. Free. headwatersconservancy.org/calendar/events
OFF THE WALL MOVIE NIGHT & POTLUCK: Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Potluck dinner at 6pm; movie at 7pm. Call 231-331-4318 to sign up for the potluck & for movie details.
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AROUND THE TABLE: LIVE STORIES OF FOOD & COOPERATION: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Presented by Oryana Community Co-op & Expand Storytelling. Celebrating 50 years of rich Oryana history. A diverse lineup of local storytellers will take the stage to share their personal stories of adventure, struggle, & creativity on the themes of natural food & cooperation. Special music performance by Seth Bernard & hosted by Chelsea Bay Dennis. $30. cityoperahouse. org/node/498
Balance
“Contemporary jazz of the highest order; a benchmark for where the genre can go.” ~Detroit Metro Times
Full Cord Bluegrass
Winner, 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, International Bluegrass Music Association
“Momentum Award Band of the Year”
Djangophonique
“a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room...”
Electronique
An immersive and cinematic electronic music experience with Jesse Clayton, CYMEK and Wavrunner plus live analog visual art from Super Nuclear
Max Lockwood
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
“Max channels the flair of Tom Pe and the eloquence of the Beat Generation’s finest to create his distinctive sound.”
Viridian Strings
Founded by two Interlochen alums, Viridian Strings is a collective of some of the country’s most promising young musicians performing stellar chamber music
Continuing: The JEFF HAAS QUARTET FEAT. LAURIE SEARS playing every Thursday, and FUNKY FUN MONDAYS, alternating between BIG FUN and FUNKY UNCLE—fast becoming the must-see Monday night live music experience!
No advanced ticket sales for these 6 pm Mon and Thurs shows—just an honor cover at the door.
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 .
TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS NOW ON SALE AT WWW.THEALLUVION.ORG friday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
ANTIQUE APPLE & PEAR TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP: Kelderhouse Farm, Port Oneida Rural Historic District, Empire. The workshop will focus on maintenance of neglected apple trees & how to bring them back into production & maintain their health. The pruning workshop hours are 1-4pm. Those who would like to participate in the planting of the orchard should arrive at 10am. Register: 231-326-4771. Free.
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COFFEE @ 10, TC: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. With Richie Gunn: “Making Art with Artificial Intelligence.” Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/coffee-10-ctac-faculty-richiegunn ----------------------
DOWNTOWN TC ART WALK: 4-7pm, Downtown TC. Join your downtown merchants as they hosts artists in their shops. There will also be live music by JazzNorth7 + 1 as you walk the streets. downtowntc.com/ downtown-art-walk ----------------------
FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN
CHARLEVOIX: 4-8pm, Downtown Charlevoix. Happening the First Friday of each month from February through May. Enjoy a cocktail trail, shopping, & fun activities. You could also win Downtown Dollar Gift Cards for coming out for the events. Free. downtowncharlevoix.com/first-fridays
“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: 7:30pm, Petoskey Methodist Church. This concert is presented by the Little Traverse Choral Society, reminding us of the renewal spring provides. Not only in sunshine, warm breezes & blooming flowers but in our hearts & minds as well. Featuring choral works by Hayden, Gershwin, Rutter, Stroope, Copland, Vaughan Williams & many more. $15 adults; $5 students; free for under 12. littletraversechoralsociety.org
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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Experience a silver screen classic live as Interlochen Arts Academy theatre students perform the stage musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film “An American in Paris.” $41. interlochen.org/events/american-in-paris-2023-05-05
COMEDY W/ BILL BUSHART: 7:459:15pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Bill has performed at the Odd Ball Comedy Fest at DTE, headlined Michigan’s Brew HaHa & LaughFest in Grand Rapids. He’s worked with stand up greats Gilbert Gottfried, Mark Normand & Roy Wood, Jr., among many others. $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/events/ comedy-wbill-bushart-5-5-2023
STARSHIP FEAT. MICKEY THOMAS: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Bringing hits like “We Built This City” & “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us,” San Francisco’s Starship featuring Mickey Thomas brings their American rock to Petoskey. $30-$40. odawacasino.com/entertainment saturday
GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)
CLEARING TRAILS WITHOUT POWER TOWLS: 9-11am, Little Tra- verse Conservancy Office, Harbor Springs/ Round Lake Nature Preserve. An Introduction to Crosscut Saws & Axes. Learn about maintaining your owns trails without the noise, weight & danger of a chainsaw. Join LTC volunteer & U.S. Forest Service certified Crosscut Sawyer Dan Dueweke for a presentation indoors, followed by handsawing practice outside. Please bring your own hand tools & an axe or crosscut saw if you have them. Registration required. Free. landtrust.org/events
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INTERLOCHEN RUN FOR THE ARTS 5K: 9am, Interlochen Center for the Arts. Experience live music & art as you run (or walk) a course through the grounds of Interlochen Center for the Arts. $30 pre-race: $35 race day. interlochen.org/events/interlochen-runfor-arts-5k-2023-05-06
INDOOR SIDEWALK SALES: 10am-6pm, The Village at GT Commons, Mercato, TC. Hit all the local deals! Enjoy giveaways, mimosa specials & more. Stop by High Five Threads, Silver Fox Jewelry, Notably Natural, Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique, Landmark Books, The Refillery, & many other businesses. thevillagetc.com/the-village-tag-sale-2 ----------------------
MAYDAY MELTDOWN BOULDERING
COMPETITION & SPRING FAIR: 10am, ELEV8, TC. This all-day event features multiple waves of climbing in a competition format. All ages & abilities are welcome to compete. There will also be food & craft vendors, massage demos, & games & activities all day. Free to attend. Must pay & register to compete. elev8climbing.com
SPRING TREE PLANTING: 10am-2pm, Consuelo Diane and Charles L. Wilson Jr. Working Forest Reserve, Harbor Springs. Join the Little Traverse Conservancy for spring tree planting to kick start forest succession & keep out invasive plants at this former pasture land. Bring your own work gloves & lunch. petoskeyarea.com/events/ spring-tree-planting
“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: 7:30pm, Petoskey Methodist Church. This concert is presented by the Little Traverse Choral Society, reminding us of the renewal spring provides. Not only in sunshine, warm breezes & blooming flowers but in our hearts & minds as well. Featuring choral works by Hayden, Gershwin, Rutter, Stroope, Copland, Vaughan Williams & many more. $15 adults; $5 students; free for under 12. littletraversechoralsociety.org
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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Experience a silver screen classic live as Interlochen Arts Academy theatre students perform the stage musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film “An American in Paris.” $41. interlochen.org/events/american-in-paris-2023-05-05
BLISSFEST PRESENTS: TRADITIONAL COUNTRY DANCES: 7:30-10pm, LittlefieldAlanson Community Building, Alanson. Rigs & Jeels with Caller Larry Dyer. All dances will be taught & Traditional Country Dances include contras, squares, & waltzes. $7/person; $10/couple; $15/family.
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COMEDY W/ BILL BUSHART: (See Fri., May 5, except tonight’s time is 7:30-9pm.)
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MANITOU WINDS PRESENTS COMPLEMENTARY COLORS: 7:30pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Matthew Cochran, instructor of guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, joins Manitou Winds for a program of chamber music, spoken word, & visual art. Local artist Lauren Everett Finn will curate & host a solo exhibit. Free. manitouwinds.com/ upcoming-performances sunday
INDOOR SIDEWALK
SALES: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 10am4pm.)
MOREL MUSHROOM PICKING SEMINAR
WITH THE CHAMP!: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. After winning the National Morel Hunting Championship five years in a row, Anthony Williams retired from competitive picking to become the “Expert in Residence” for the National Morel Festival. This seminar is filled with stories from his 70 years of picking, tips on where & how to pick including the finer points on finding the elusive morel. Free. tadl.org/morels
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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 2pm.)
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HONDURAS - PAST & PRESENT: 2pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Tom George, M.D., former Michigan State Senator, has traveled to Honduras 10 times to participate in medical missions. He will present about Honduras, its people, & its relationship to the United States. 231-3314318.
JAZZ IN THE VINES: 2-5pm, Chateau Chantal Winery, TC. Enjoy live music by the Jeff Haas Trio, wine & appetizers. Tickets are $50 each or 2+ for $40 each. Benefits United Way of Northwest Michigan. unitedwaynwmi.org/events
“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 3pm.)
NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRASS BAND
CONCERT: 3pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Something for everyone... this 30-piece, British-style brass band will perform an eclectic mix of traditional brass band classics, marches, transcriptions, featured solos, contest pieces, pop & jazz. $15 adults; free for students. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/nmibb
THE SACRED EARTH TRIBE PRESENTS
THE DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE: 3:30pm, Llama Meadows Eco Farm, Benzonia. These dances blend chants with live music & simple movements into a living experience of unity, peace & joy. There will also be Dances on June 11, July 16 & Aug. 27. Love offering of $7-$10. facebook.com/thesacredearthtribe
Art
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- BLACK CANVAS 2: HIGH SCHOOL PORTFOLIO PROGRAM EXHIBITION: Held in Atrium Gallery. Work from CTAC’s new High School Portfolio Program. Runs April 29 - June 3. An opening reception will be held on Tues., May 2 from 4-5:30pm. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/blankcanvas-2-high-school-portfolio-programexhibition
- 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 ba- sic to intermediate dance education, & is held on Mondays & Fridays from 1-2:30pm through May 12. Register. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/special-needs-artisticmovement
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- 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
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CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:
- INSIDE CROOKED TREE: FACULTY & STAFF EXHIBITION: Held in Carnegie West Gallery through June 3. Those who teach & those who work at Crooked Tree Arts Center Traverse City share artwork they created in this exhibit. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/inside-crooked-tree-faculty-staffexhibition-opens-april-28
- THIS IS 6:47: Held in Carnegie East Gallery through June 3. Featuring artwork from the latest Crooked Tree Arts Center High School Portfolio Students. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/647-featuring-ctachigh-school-portfolio-students
- THURSDAY PAINTING: BRENDA J. CLARK’S GROUP OF SEVEN-ISH: Held in Cornwell Gallery through June 3. See the work of seven (or more) artists who meet online every Thurs. for two hours to explore a problem-solving agenda put forth by artist Brenda J. Clark. Throughout the session, participants share their artwork, seek inspiration, & encourage one another in creativity under the guidance of Clark. See some of these paintings created by this group. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ thursday-painting-brenda-j-clarks-groupseven-ish-opens-april-28
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- “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
HIGHER ART GALLERY
- “HIDDEN FOREST”: Enjoy the paintings of Mexico based artist Fran De Anda. Based on ancient myths & archetypes, De Anda develops concepts such as transformation, death, alchemy, the sacred, & the profane. Runs through April 29. higherartgallery.com
- KRISTEN EGAN: ON A FAR SHORE: Featuring a collection of new masks. An online collector preview will open May 3, along with in-person viewing to open May 4. Runs til June 3. Open Tues. through Sat., 11am5pm. higherartgallery.com/exhibitcalendar
In the money-for-nothing world of the 1980s where Nike couldn’t give their kicks away for free, the proposition of throwing all their corporate soles into a single basket with a single basketball endorsement sounded crazy even to rebel Phil Knight, founder of Nike, a thenmocked newcomer to the b-ball empire from Oregon’s granola belt.
Make that endorsement to an untested rookie who’d never set foot on an NBA court, and the whole scheme should never have happened—and almost didn’t. The new feature film Air takes a shot at telling you how Michael Jordan and his hidden team of real-life players transformed global empires at a time when every person on the planet seemed to want the same shoe.
It sounds exciting, and for nerds who appreciate a soft, subtle, and patient story based in history, actor and director Ben Affleck and team have delivered one (albeit with some controlled results lacking a 23andMe objectivity).
One of the film’s more interesting choices is hardly acknowledging or worshiping Jordan himself, who makes appearances but is never a full presence. This further glamorizes a tone that does more to shade mythology than clear it up, such as who wrote the famous 10 Principles of Nike manifesto or who exactly coined the name “Air Jordan.”
On the casting side, the biggest slam dunk for the film is Affleck’s reunion of easy chemistry with Matt Damon. Damon’s enduring star power plays out on screen as Sonny Voccaro, who pulls you into
by Joseph Beyer
