December 21, 2024

Kristi Kates | Author


Truckers and Tractors to Roll Across the Mackinac Bridge in September

Aug. 26, 2017

If your fandoms run toward the vehicular end of things, there are two upcoming events happening the Mackinac Bridge that you shouldn’t miss:

Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing
Sept. 8
The nationally syndicated TV show … Read More >>

Harbor Springs’ Rodrigo’s Serves up Authentic Mexican Food

Aug. 26, 2017

The husband and wife team of Sara Gaydan and Rodrigo Sandoval took the long route to northern Michigan. Both were born in Brownsville, Texas, a city at the southernmost tip of the state, just across the border from Mexico, on the banks of the Rio Grande. They eventually traveled east and sp… Read More >>

Tastemaker: Pour’s Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad

Aug. 26, 2017

Pour’s executive chef Jarod Kirby has a way with watercress.
        
And he’s using it as the base for the wine bar and restaurant’s newest salad, an end-of-summer menu addition that makes the very best of local flavors… Read More >>

Pet Shop Boys – Nightlife: Further Listening 1996–2000 – Rhino

Aug. 19, 2017

For fans of the Boys’ 1999 concept album, Nightlife, its renowned collaboration with producers Rollo and Craig Armstrong, this latest release is the equivalent of revisiting an old friend and finding that he or she has had a lot of work done. The 1999 (remastered) album is included in… Read More >>

The Killers Run for Cover

Aug. 19, 2017

Las Vegas indie-rockers The Killers have just released a brand new track called “Run for Cover,” which is pretty much the opposite of what fans are going to do when they hear what the band’s up to next. Instead, they’ll run to the nearest music outle… Read More >>

Pigs Eatin’ Ribs Jumbo Chili-Cheese Tater Skins

Aug. 12, 2017

There are three requirements for enjoying the traditional foods of a northern Michigan summer: ice cream, cherries, and barbeque. While Cherry Festival is now past, and ice cream season is waning, you can still count on barbeque to carry right into the fall, and a great place to get your fi… Read More >>

Chef’s Choice: Inspiring Cookbooks

Aug. 12, 2017

Ever wonder what cookbooks your favorite chefs read and use? We’ve sought out the tomes that are tops on the shelves of some of northern Michigan’s best local chefs and cooks. Find out why these particular cookbooks helped launch, sustain, or inspire their culinary careers!
Read More >>

Homegrown Hoxeyville: Secluded Jams and Scenic Views

Aug. 12, 2017

Hoxeyville might be the only music festival where attendees boat with their favorite band. But set as it is on 150 acres of farmland inside the Manistee National Forest and near the banks of the Pine River, informal canoe excursions, morning swim sessions, and mounting biking are as common … Read More >>

The Buckley Old Engine Show

Aug. 12, 2017

Fifty years ago this summer, a group of farmers got together to display their farm equipment at a friendly neighborhood show, to get a little insight into each other’s work methods and to enjoy some camaraderie.

Today, that same Buckley Old Engine Show — albeit a m… Read More >>

Lana Del Rey Shares Her Summer Bummer

Aug. 12, 2017

Singer Lana Del Rey (pictured) released her fourth album, Lust for Life, earlier this month, and she prefaced the album’s release with two new songs that are included on the set, the filmy “Groupie Love” and a collaboration with rapper Read More >>

Arcade Fire – Everything Now - Columbia

Aug. 12, 2017


It’s disco but not entirely ’70s. Synthesized but not cold. Derivative, but in a purposeful (if not always successful) way. Arcade Fire chose an often-derided musical era to influence their latest set, and while some choices prove worthy twists on those sounds (“Put… Read More >>

Aloe Blacc Seeks America’s Musical Treasures

Aug. 5, 2017

Singer and hip-hop artist Aloe Blacc, so far best known for his collaboration with Avicii on the hit single “Wake Me Up,” will host a new 3-D documentary called America’s Treasures, which will explore American culture through its … Read More >>

Gaylord's Farm Fest Returns

Aug. 5, 2017

Farm Fest, the music event that happens every August, is likely the only concert that bills itself as a “Moooosical Magical Happening.” And probably the only one where you might also see cows.

But grazing fellow concert goers aside, there’s good reason 2,000 folk m… Read More >>

Colton Dixon – Identity – Capitol

Aug. 5, 2017

Stacking blocks of electronica and pop upon his established base of spiritual alternative rock, Dixon’s latest pulls together sympathetic mental ponderings, encouraging anthems, and conceptual explorations in an ambitious undertaking that mostly works, thanks to the common thread of h… Read More >>

Microbrew and Music Celebrates a Decade

Aug. 5, 2017

The annual Traverse City Summer Microbrew and Music Festival is turning 10 years old this August. One of TC’s premier summertime events, the festival heads back to the front lawn of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons August 11 and 12. Here’s what you can expect:

Read More >>

Autumn’s Essential Accessories

Aug. 5, 2017

Looking for a chic and cheap way to update your fall wardrobe? We shopped the fall 2017 runways to bring you the quintessential quartet of accessories — all available at Up North boutiques — that’ll easily up your autumn style ante without emptying your wallet.

Read More >>

About Face

Aug. 5, 2017

 

Pretty much everything needs to begin with a good foundation, and faces are not excluded from that philosophy. After a summer spent under the sun, slathered with sunscreen, and spritzed with insect repellent, you’ll want to renew your skin and update your features with … Read More >>

The Magpie Salute – The Magpie Salute – Eagle Rock

July 29, 2017

Just formed at the end of last year, The Magpie Salute is a spinoff of The Black Crowes, consisting of former The Black Crowes members Rich Robinson, Sven Pipien, and Marc Ford (The Crowes broke up in 2015.) The Salute’s sound is very reminiscent of the Crowes, most obviously so on tr… Read More >>

Nearshore Buoys, Workhorses of the Great Lakes

July 29, 2017

 

Kristin Schrader, the communications manager for the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), bubbles over with enthusiasm for buoys. She’s even got a buoy license plate and buoy stickers on her car. Yes, buoys — those ubiquitous floating water markers (usually used f… Read More >>

Back to the Golden Age of Gaming At Traverse City’s Coin Slot

July 29, 2017

You can’t have just one, according to Traverse City’s Scott Pierson. Nope, not potato chips — upright video arcade games, the large-scale console machines ubiquitous to ’80s-era pizza joints and ice cream parlors. But lucky you, gaming fan — you’re the be… Read More >>