Fountain Point’s successful music series continues with Djangophonique

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The sounds of music have been wafting across Lake Leelanau this summer, and there’s one more chance to catch a show at Fountain Point, though with a change from the original plans. The annual Accidentals Famgrove party originally planned for Aug. 11 is being moved to French Valley Vineyard due to some timing issues around licensing. That show will now take place Oct. 12, and tickets purchased for the original date and location will be honored at that show. There will still be an Aug. 11 show at Fountain Point. It will still feature the Gypsy jazz of Djangophonique and the indie-folk stylings of Spencer Lajoye. Best of all, that show will now be free. Series coordinator Amber Buist says it’s a way of saying thanks to those who have attended the shows this year and potentially bring in people who haven’t.

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Leland Library hosts program on youth mental health

The Leland Township Public Library will host Dr. Joanna Quigley on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 10 am as part of its Leland Library Summinars series. Dr. Quigley will deliver an important talk on the current state of youth mental health and strategies for supporting young people. Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in anxiety and depression levels among American adolescents. Dr. Quigley’s presentation will explore this pressing issue and provide insights on how we can support youth facing mental health challenges. Attendees are welcome to bring questions.

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Glen Arbor Arts Center hosts poet Jen Steinorth

“Coffee With The Authors” is a live, conversational interview with local and regional authors about the craft and process of writing. On Aug. 18 Traverse City poet and teacher Jennifer Sperry Steinorth discusses Her Read, a book-length collage poem. In the tradition of reusing canvases, Steinorth appropriates a seminal text, The Meaning of Art by Herbert Read (Faber & Faber, 1931), and with the liberal use of correction fluid, scalpel and embroidery floss, erases and transforms the book from art criticism into feminist verse. Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager, leads the conversation. The interview begins at 1 pm.

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Big Band by the Barn fundraiser marks Preserve’s 25th anniversary

Spend a summer evening in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore swinging to the ever-popular tunes of the big band era at one of the national park’s historic farms. A “Big Band by the Barn” fundraiser will be held Thursday, Aug. 15 from 5-9:30 pm and promises to be a unique event at the Port Oneida Heritage Center/Olsen Farm located 4 miles north of Glen Arbor. The celebration supports National Park partner, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, marking their 25th year in service to Sleeping Bear Dunes, helping to preserve the 19th century historic properties and stories within the Lakeshore that at one time were at risk of being lost.

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Glen Lake Library hosts “Discovering Catharine”, “How to Lose a War”

The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a screening of the new documentary film Discovering Catharine on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 5 pm. The film explores the life and legacy of Catharine Waugh McCulloch (1862-1945) of Evanston, Illinois, an early female attorney and a fervent champion of women’s rights. On Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 7 pm, the Glen Lake Library will host peace scholar and activist David Cortright, who will discuss parallels between the United States’ war in Iraq and the current conflict in Gaza.

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Dune Dash returns Aug. 17

Join the Dune Dash 4-mile run/walk on August 17. The race course showcases the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail located in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Starting and finishing at the base of the Dune Climb, runners follow the paved Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail past rolling dunes and beautiful forests to the turn around point at historic Glen Haven. Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most beautiful scenic runs in Michigan. All proceeds from this event will go to the continued construction and maintenance of Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

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5Loaves2Fish fundraiser concert set for Aug. 13

Be sure to mark your calendars for this perennial favorite: the Big Change Equals Big Change event. The annual event is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. The fundraiser supports the work of 5Loaves2Fish Northern Michigan—an outreach group that serves Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties. This event marks the third year the organization has presented the event to raise awareness for homelessness and food insecurity in Northern Michigan. 5Loaves2FishNMI has served over 11,000 homemade meals made with love year-to-date and anticipates serving over 20,000 meals in 2024, doubling the numbers from 2022. The proceeds of this event will go directly to food purchases to continue the mission of “promoting compassion by providing nourishing meals, infused with love, to those experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. We feed people.”

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Port Oneida Fair marries old with new

Everything old is new again. That’s not simply a cute quote or the title of a song—it’s what happens every year at the Port Oneida Fair. Haying the fields with horses. Making soap, churning butter, spinning fibers. Wood cutting with huge cross-cut saws (try it yourself). People dressed in turn-of-the-century garb (19th to 20th century, that is). Each August, amid the pastoral setting of meadows, maples, barns, farmhouses, and corncribs, the Port Oneida Rural Historic District awakens from its peaceful slumber. The district comes alive with activity true to the period when it was a community of robust farms.

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Lively NeighborFood Market hosts grand opening weekend

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Leelanau’s newest market will host its grand opening celebration this weekend on Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10. The Lively NeighborFood Market is co-located with  Backyard Burdickville Campground, formerly the Empire Eagle’s Campground, and features local produce, meat, dairy, prepared food, flowers and gifts. The market opened in July, and this weekend they invite the public to stop in for shopping, special events, and opportunities to connect.

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The Playboys zydeco, from the Bayou to Benzie

Kirk Jones and Mark Stoltz shared a similar upbringing, growing up just a few miles apart in Louisiana. But it wasn’t until both had migrated to Benzie County that they met, eventually teaming up to give voice to the music they grew up with. Today, K Jones and the Benzie Playboys is one of the state’s top Cajun/zydeco bands, playing the unique blend of blues, R&B, rock and folk music of the Louisiana Bayou country. Of French and African origin, it’s heavy on rhythm, and typically features instruments such as button accordion, fiddle and washboard (“frottoir” in French) alongside the likes of electric guitar, bass and drums. The Benzie Playboys have upcoming shows scheduled at Northport Music in the Park on Aug. 9, Leland on Sept. 1, and Leelanau Uncaged in Northport on Sept. 28.

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