Leelanau County is alive (once again) with the sound of music
New Third Coast jams on the deck at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor. Photo by Raquel Jackson
By Norm Wheeler
Sun editor
The restaurants are open for outside dining, the visitors are returning, and around Leelanau the dunes are alive with the sound of music. Several venues, from restaurants to bars to wineries, are offering live music in our area this summer. They include, in Glen Arbor, Boonedocks, Cherry Public House, M22 Wine, Glen Arbor Wines, and Whiskers at The Homestead, and elsewhere in the County, Hop Lot, Rove Estate, and Little Traverse Inn. Here are some of the wheres, whats, and who’s playins’.
Boonedocks: “This’ll be my 21st year of coordinating the music schedule at Boonedocks,” says local producer, teacher, and picker extraordinaire Patrick Niemisto. When it all started back in the ‘90s, “we had to figure out how to isolate the sound,” he recalls. Drum kits and bass amps rocked the middle of town, and neighbors up and down the streets could hear it, like it or not. Owner Bob Ewing worked with Niemisto to set up speakers around the deck and in the big round bar all pointing toward the tables and customers, so they could control the volume and minimize the spill over (unless an idiot with a trumpet shows up!). And there are no more drum kits. Now the musical experience is focused and part of the fabric of the corner.
Even with the new normal of social distancing, Niemisto reports that, “The stage is comfortable, the spacing of tables is pretty good, and everyone is wearing masks and following the protocols.” Boonedocks has adhered to the 50 percent capacity rule by closing the inside of the restaurant and only serving outside on the deck. Tables are spaced at least six feet apart all over the deck, and the cocktail tables (for folks waiting for a table or just having a drink and listening to the music) are down along the sidewalk. It is important this year for folks who are enjoying a meal to not linger too long just to listen to the music when they have finished eating. Because of the more limited capacity, there are lots of folks waiting for each table, and in order to pay the staff and the musicians who are playing, it is incumbent on everyone to keep turning the tables. After you feast on the grub please move on out to the cocktail tables in the grass and keep listening, and please be sensitive to the unusual situation this summer. (“Tip well, live well!”)
Boonedocks’ line-up of talent brings back many long-time favorites: the Cabin Fever Band (bluegrass) has been here since the beginning and is one of the longest running bands in northwestern lower Michigan. New Third Coast (Leelanau County power folk) has a big following for their fine originals and consummate covers, along with Goodboy! (with originals, folk & spoken word), Uncle Z (classics of rock that few others play), and the Stray Doggies (Jimmy Buffet and classic rock favorites.) You can hear music at Boonedocks seven nights a week starting this week and going until Labor Day.
Cherry Public House: The first music gig, June 19, will consist of Patrick Niemisto, Chris Skellenger, and Paul Koss. That night Cherry Republic will release their new wine “Sunset Blush”, a cherry rosé that is pretty sweet. This will be an early release because the stores will not be selling it until the next day. So for that “Sunset Release Party” you get half-off shareables from 7-9 —a fun and festive night! At some point in July, hopefully the 4th, Cherry Republic will open up the new outdoor bar. So far the line-up for July is: July 3-Patrick, Chris, and Andre Villoch; July 17-Andre; July 31, Patrick, Chris, and Andre. And more will be added to this list.
Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District: Out on the M22 Wine Patio there is music three afternoons per week at 5 pm, featuring Andre Villoch on Tuesdays (June 30-Oct. 24), Blake Elliott on Thursdays (July 2-Sept. 3), and Dennis Palmer on Saturdays (June 22 and 27, then July 25-Aug. 29).
Glen Arbor Wines features Music in the Backyard Series. Bring your own chairs and picnic food. There’s plenty of room to social distance. Sundays, June 28-July 26, from noon-2 pm: Music and Mimosas with the mellow sounds of singer/songwriter Clint Weaner. Sunday, June 28, from 5-7 pm, and Wednesday, July 1, from 7-9 pm, rock out with Don Savoie, the professor of blues!
Whiskers Bar & Grill at The Homesteadalso has live weekend music outside by the big bonfire. Brett Mitchell plays on Friday, June 19; Rhett & John on Saturday, June 20; Craig Jolly on Friday, June 26; and Brett Mitchell on Saturday, June 27.
Hop Lot (in Suttons Bay): music on weekends featuring Mike Moran on Fridays, 5-7:30 pm; Chris Smith on Saturdays noon-3; and Drew Hale on Saturdays 4:30-7.
Rove Estate Vineyards & Winery (just west of Traverse City along M-72) also has music featuring Drew Hale on Wednesdays at 4, and Chris Smith on Fridays at 6.
Little Traverse Inn (between Glen Arbor and Leland along M-22): The big beer garden in front of the Little Traverse Inn is already rocking with live music. Every Monday at 4 (until Aug. 31) is Industry Happy Hour (everybody who works in the hospitality world receives a 10% discount on everything) with the Bourdains (Skellenger, Villoch, & friends). There is also music every Friday night (6-9 pm) and every Sunday afternoon (4-7) with a rotation of bands including Blind Dog Hank, Jazz North, Goodboy!, The Wild Sullys, Ol’ Microtones, The True Falsettos, Liz Landry & Blake Elliott, Luke Woltanski, Uncle Z, and on Friday, July 24, Chloe Wagenhauser from Toledo.
All of these schedules are subject to change depending on weather, health directives, illness, and the vicissitudes of life in a pandemic world. This list is not exhaustive, there are surely other venues also offering music, and when we find out where and when we’ll happily share the news. Rock on!
