December 21, 2024

Kristi Kates | Author


Cherry Jam

June 24, 2017

Eight big music events will rock you through the week of Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival. Here’s your guide to who’s playing and our pick of each performer’s singular song you simply can’t miss:

Mark Farner – July 1
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FourScore

June 24, 2017

Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie – Buckingham/McVie – Atlantic/Rhino
Having lightened up a little as they’ve temporary stepped away from Fleetwood Mac (including a recent stint on Jimmy Fallon to delightfully play songs with classroom instrum… Read More >>

Gurney's Bottle Shop Sandwiches

June 17, 2017

If somebody’s sandwich is going to bring you to rapture, it’s Gurney's. The legendary Harbor Springs sandwich shop, a do-or-die destination for locals and in-the-know race boaters passing through the bayside burg, promises “heaven between two slices of bread” and del… Read More >>

Your Neighbor, the Bear

June 17, 2017

The American black bear — aka Ursus Americanus — is the only species of bear that calls northern Michigan’s forests home. Or, perhaps more accurately, that should call northern Michigan forest’s home. 

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Reso… Read More >>

Bold As Bass

June 17, 2017

Don’t Cry Wolf! Go Above and Beyond as you’re picking Lettuce and Breaking Biscuits after The String Cheese Incident. Consider the Source, and call in The Revivalists for anothe… Read More >>

Blair Miller's Blues

June 17, 2017

Blair Miller’s got the blues. Or do the blues have him? Turns out, it’s a little bit of both for this Traverse City-based musician who makes some serious blue magic with nothing more than voice and guitar.

MEET THE MUSICIAN
Blair Miller believes in… Read More >>

Jackson is Back with the State of the World

June 17, 2017

Janet Jackson, who postponed last year’s extensive Unbreakable World Tour due to family matters, is back with a new schedule that she’s dubbed the State of the World Tour. The 56-shows trek across North America includes nearby stops at the iWireless Center in Mo… Read More >>

FourScore

June 17, 2017

Pentatonix – Vol. IV Classics – RCA
Pentatonix can really do no wrong with its releases at this point, as its members have such a solid grip on their vocal chemistry and ability to transform most any tune into an a cappella standout. On this set, … Read More >>

Five Fast Questions with Billy Gardell

June 17, 2017

If you loved the CBS sitcom Mike and Molly, then you’re probably familiar with the man behind the character Mike, actor Billy Gardell, who co-starred in the hit series with actress Melissa McCarthy. 
Gardell has a slew of television and film credits — The King of Queen… Read More >>

Odawa Celebrates Ten Years

June 17, 2017

The Vegas-style Odawa Casino Resort made its debut on the Petoskey scene in 2007 in a $141 million-dollar building designed by architect Leo A. Daly, with modern lines, earth tones, and a spectacular canopy entrance. Inside, gaming took center stage with over 50,000 square feet of slot mach… Read More >>

Interlochen Inspirations and a Suitcase of Dreams: Meet OK Go

June 17, 2017

Touring musicians know how to pack a suitcase; it’s the actual packing part that’s difficult. That’s the first topic that comes up when talking to Damian Kulash, the lead singer/guitarist for the Chicago-founded, Interlochen-educated (well, half of them, anyway), Los Angel… Read More >>

Classic Golf and Casual Fine Eats

June 17, 2017

Opened in 2005 as a combination golf course and restaurant, Chestnut Valley sits north of Harbor Springs in a wooded setting that surrounds meticulously groomed greens and gently rolling fairways.

Its current owner, Mike Wilson, bought the facility in 2011; new general manager, Mark… Read More >>

Worth the Ride

June 10, 2017

Hold on tight to your lap bar, your bag of amusement park souvenirs, and your lunch — we’re rating the best roller coasters in Michigan and our neighboring road-trip-able states.

Shivering Timbers
Michigan’s Adventure – … Read More >>

Gaylord Vocalist's Post-Voice Plans

June 10, 2017

The third Michigan vocalist in three years to hit the top four on the NBC singing competition series The Voice (Ann Arbor blues guitarist Laith Al-Saadi and northern Michigan’s own Joshua Davis preceded her), Gaylord country singer Lauren Duski recently finis… Read More >>

FourScore

June 10, 2017

Bleachers – Gone Now – RCA
Jack Antonoff is best known for his two highest-profile projects — his breakthrough band fun., and his work songwriting with one Taylor Swift. But his secondary solo effort is definitely not to be ignored, as it sh… Read More >>

Watching the Wheels

June 10, 2017

Watching the Wheels

The Motor City might be four hours away, but northern Michigan is no slouch when it comes to celebrating the machines that move us. Whether your heart revs for vintage, sport, or specialty vehicles, there’s several Up North car shows worth scoping this summ… Read More >>

Peace, People, and Posies

June 10, 2017

 

Bellaire’s Jim Walker said he was “always raised to be a good steward” — to leave a place better than he found it. That’s exactly what he and his partner,  David Schulz, have done with an old farmhouse, transforming it into a bed- and-breakf… Read More >>

From Manitou To Microbrew

June 10, 2017

From Blissfest to Farmfest, Manitou to Microbrew: It’s time again for northern Michigan’s summer music festivals to roll out their respective red carpets for tunes, food, drink, dancing, and other diversions. Join us, won’t you?

BAY VIEW MUSIC FESTIVAL… Read More >>

The Fish’s PEI Steamed Mussels

June 3, 2017

The latest bigwig of the bivalve world, PEI mussels — mussels that hail from Prince Edward Island, off Canada’s eastern coast — are sweeping the seafood world by storm. Their latest landfall: The Fish restaurant, just outside downtown Harbor Springs.

Steamed in whi… Read More >>

Sporck Tile Art: Carving Out a Career

June 3, 2017

Superstar basketballer to artistic tile maker. This may sound like an unusual transition at first — until you dig further into Leif Sporck’s story, a narrative of youthful ambitions, family ties, and a sudden realization of purpose.

Sporck is the artist and proprietor of… Read More >>