Kristi Kates | Author

Mo Pop Means More Fun

May 13, 2017

Specialty music is the order of two big days and two big stages in downtown Detroit when the Mo Pop Festival returns for its third year. The fest will take place July 29–30 in West Riverfront Park, with the music staggered between the two stages so you don’t have to miss a singl… Read More >>

Swing Into Spring!

May 13, 2017

Much like the buds on the trees, as spring moves forward here in northern Michigan, our local orchestras and ensembles emerge from their winter hibernation to begin their busy spring and summer performance seasons. Here are several upcoming orchestral concerts for you to enjoy.

… Read More >>

Herbal Lodge's Chaga Thunder

May 13, 2017

The lost tradition of Native American herbal remedies are being found again, thanks to Herbal Lodge, the brainchild of Nathan Wright and Monica Cady. The purveyor, which boasts a pair of headquarters — one in Hessel, the other in Petoskey — melds natural, organic, and wild-harve… Read More >>

Spotlight on Nature

May 13, 2017

The Gaylord Elks Club might be the only Elks Club in America that has real elk roaming in its backyard. The Gaylord City Elk Park, a site spanning 108 acres, abuts the club (although they’re not affiliated) and serves as home to a herd of free-ranging elk — technically called a … Read More >>

Outstanding in Their Field

May 13, 2017

While many locals are impressed by entomologist, educator, and certified Master Gardener Duke Elsner, Elsner himself is perhaps less so. “If you take a look at my garden at home, you wouldn’t call me an expert,” he said with a laugh. Nevertheless, Elsner is heading up one … Read More >>

Cafe Blue Heron’s Warm Vegetable Salad

May 6, 2017

Summer can arrive a little slowly to northern Michigan. Sometimes, without those warmer temperatures encouraging you along, you’re just not ready for salad season yet.

The Blue Heron Cafe and Bakery in Cadillac has a flavorful alternative to get you through lunchtime durin… Read More >>

BBQ, Blues, Bluegrass, and Baggage

May 6, 2017

Summer is set to kick off with a little extra (spicy) heat at this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass festival in St. Joseph, Mich., where the headliners will include Michigan’s own Slim Gypsy Baggage plus Jonny Lang, The Steeldrivers, Marcus King and The L’il Smokies. Fans o… Read More >>

FourScore

May 6, 2017

The Killers – Hot Fuss Limited Edition – Island
The Killers’ landmark debut album was released on a new vinyl version just in time for Record Store Day this year, which is as good a reason as any to revisit the set that still holds up as the band&rsq… Read More >>

There's Something More At TEDx Traverse City

May 6, 2017

Period, period, period.

Dot, dot, dot.

However you phrase it, the three–point ellipsis has long been used in writing to indicate a pause before something else happens or to convey a thought left hanging. In the computer age, it also serves as an indicator that ther… Read More >>

Gaylord Museum Celebrates 25 Years

May 6, 2017

A restaurant hangout spot that rivaled Al’s Diner on "Happy Days."

A wall-sized advertisement for a product claiming to mysteriously heal a wide range of ailments.
A showcase dedicated to the mathematician considered to be “The Father of Information Theory.&rdq… Read More >>

Hunting For Treasure At The Morel Festival

May 6, 2017

Black gold has already started growing in the forests of northern Michigan in the form of wrinkly, distinctive, flavorful morel mushrooms that are available for a limited time only each year. They arrive just in time to be celebrated at the National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, an… Read More >>

Bringing the Low Country Up North at East Jordan’s Blue Smoke

May 6, 2017

If you spend any time in the Carolinas, you’re likely to come away with a renewed appreciation for barbecued food of several different varieties. In Adam Kline’s case, he also wanted to bring that style of cuisine Up North, where he lives. He opened Blue Smoke in East Jordan as … Read More >>

How To Flip A House

April 29, 2017

The term “flipping” in real estate means something very different than pancakes or gymnastics. In the simplest of definitions, it means to purchase a house, upgrade it and sell it quickly to make a profit. Some people flip as a business while others do it more as a hobby, albeit… Read More >>

The Cranberries Offer Up Something Else

April 29, 2017

This week sees the return of The Cranberries, the Irish pop–rock band that hit it big in the ‘90s with hits like “Zombie,” “Dreams” and “Linger.” The band is releasing a new unplugged album called Something Else that will feature acoustic and … Read More >>

FourScore

April 29, 2017

Sheryl Crow – Be Myself – Warner Bros.
The album title is an apt one for Crow’s latest, considering the winding road she took to get here. After great acclaim in the ‘90s with her folk–rock formula, she veered into country with only minim… Read More >>

Dripworks' Matcha Latte

April 29, 2017

The trendy tea product called matcha is currently having its moment in the spotlight. How matcha is made is – dare we say – matchless in the tea world.

Let’s start with what matcha actually is: a finely ground powder made of green tea that’s farmed and proces… Read More >>

Downstate Destinations: Spring Fling Trips

April 29, 2017

Got spring fever? Itching to get back on the road? Feel like your winter vacation was years ago? No problem – here are some great spring mini–breaks you can take around our state.

Tulip Time Festival in Holland, May 6–14
The little slice of A… Read More >>

Canticum Novum Choir Hits the Big Time

April 29, 2017

One rehearsal. One performance. Ten years later: Carnegie Hall.

That’s the trajectory of Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC’s) Canticum Novum Choir, a group that started simply and then grew into an impressive collective of local singers and the am… Read More >>

Pete Griffin Turns A Page With New Storytelling Career

April 29, 2017

Michigan native–turned–Alaskan storyteller Pete Griffin was getting ready to step on stage at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., last year when one of the other storytellers quickly pulled him aside. “Don’t leave the stage too soon when you&rs… Read More >>

A World Of Sound Inspiration

April 29, 2017

Meet the Musician
Taking music lessons as a kid is the entry point into adult musicianship for many, including Greg Vadnais, who goes by the moniker Botala for his ever–evolving solo music project.
 
“I took classical guitar and piano lesson… Read More >>