Kristi Kates | Author

Dec. 30, 2017

New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas — sure, they’re great. But what if the “regular” holidays just aren’t enough? We’ve got you covered! Here are some fun, unusual, and sometimes just pla... Read More >>

Get Your Winter On

Dec. 30, 2017

Nobody celebrates the short, cold, and snowy days of winter like Northerners. Bundle up and head out to one of these fabulous festivals for a bit of light to get you through these long dark days.

Indian River Winterfest - January 12–13
Easily acce... Read More >>

Make 2018 Rock

Dec. 30, 2017

Another year’s worth of awesome concert events is just starting to rev up its engines here in northern Michigan! We can’t see all the way into the future, but we’ve definitely got a few great sneak peeks of some of the live shows you’ll love that are coming up nort... Read More >>

Bellaire Water Co.

Dec. 30, 2017

Excuse me, Evian, and move over, Mountain Valley. There’s a new thirst quencher in town, and just in time for your New Year’s Day hydration efforts, it’s coming to you direct from northern Michigan’s own underground waterways.
     &n... Read More >>

Lake Street Market Pecan Bars

Dec. 16, 2017

Sometimes a pie is just too much dessert.
        
But so much of the holidays are all about dessert — so what’s a sweet tooth to do?
        
Find the perfect mini version ... Read More >>

Roy Aydelotte’s Loco Motives

Dec. 16, 2017

When deciding on a city to live in, most people have a checklist in mind of the things they’d like to have in their new hometown.
        
For Traverse City’s Roy Aydelotte, who grew up in the metro Detroit area, he wanted h... Read More >>

Every Day is Christmas for Sia

Dec. 16, 2017

Sia’s new seasonal album, Everyday is Christmas, is in outlets now, a collection of 10 original festival tunes that the singer-songwriter penned alongside producer Greg Kurstin, who happens to be Jewish and who mentioned in a recent intervi... Read More >>

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Who Built the Moon? – Caroline International

Dec. 16, 2017

While Gallagher is revered for his ability to craft a Beatles-esque sound without merely copying, he steps out with some impressive efforts to sharpen his craft even further by experimenting with scrapbook edits and some expansive instrumentals. But of course, we’re a... Read More >>

Six Stellar Holiday Jaunts

Dec. 16, 2017

Don’t have time for a full Christmas vacation? Or simply want to stay closer to home this holiday season? Gift yourself a mini getaway that won’t max out your mileage or wreck your wallet.

Sit Down for a Sleigh Ride
When is it “lovely weath... Read More >>

An Up North New Year's Eve

Dec. 16, 2017

Who’s ready for a little champagne and a lot of dancing? Get your best shoes on for this New Year’s Eve, as there’ll be plenty of dancing at northern Michigan’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties. Here’s what’s happening around the region the evening ... Read More >>

Grace Vanderwaal – Just the Beginning – Syco Music

Dec. 9, 2017

She won America’s Got Talent, she’s not yet out of her teenage years, and she crafts unique, quirky folk-pop songs very different from anything else you’re probably listening to right now. Vanderwaal’s skills are evident on both ukulele and vocals, althoug... Read More >>

OK Go Gets Obsessed

Dec. 9, 2017

OK Go are known for their wildly imaginative videos, and their latest doesn’t disappoint. Set to the tune of “Obsession” from the band’s Hungry Ghosts album, the video, which took five days to film, utilizes over 500 computer printers to ... Read More >>

Lifting Large

Dec. 9, 2017

There’s weightlifting … and then there’s Olympic weightlifting.
        
And there are three women in Traverse City who can definitely tell you all about the difference between the two.
    &... Read More >>

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – The Rest of Our Life – Sony Nashville

Dec. 2, 2017

Not that it’s anything new for McGraw and Hill to get personal in their tunes, but this album pretty much presents their entire relationship in music for everyone to hear. It’s their first fully realized duet album, although on some tracks, one or the other takes more of the l... Read More >>

Hot Concerts for Cold Nights

Dec. 2, 2017

Sure, there’s something super special about listening to live music on the dunes and under the trees in the summertime. But when the winter winds blow, you’ve got to admit there’s something about crowding elbow to elbow as your favorite artist lights up the stage inside ... Read More >>