Beach Bards

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Smoked out: Friday events canceled in Leelanau

The catastrophic wildfires in Minnesota and Canada, and resulting poor air quality over Michigan, has prompted local businesses and organizations to cancel the following events in Leelanau County today. Those cancelations include: Tour de Tart, Empire Anchor Day’s Friday night movie, Beach Bards bonfire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ranger programs, Lake Street Studios today, Glen Arbor Arts Center at Thoreson Farm Studio, and Leelanau Conservancy outdoor events. We’ll update this list throughout the day and the weekend.

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Sound Garden saxophone surprise in Sleeping Bear Dunes

One might expect to hear the sounds of a saxophone in a sophisticated concert hall, a wedding, or an otherwise lavish, exclusive event. Fewer may expect to hear such sounds in places such as local boutique Cottonseed, or outside Rinco Bros Coffee. This surprise and accessibility is the prime objective of the Sound Garden Project, an initiative by Interlochen Public Radio to “plant classical music in unexpected places”. The Cerus Quartet, an award-winning saxophone quartet, visited Glen Arbor as part of this initiative from June 9-21. The Quartet performed in locations such as Leelanau Coffee Roasters, Cherry Republic, and even the post office before hosting a culminating concert at the Glen Arbor Township Hall.

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Cerus Quartet plays Sound Garden throughout Glen Arbor area

The Glen Arbor Arts Center is thrilled to host the Cerus Quartet as Musicians‑in‑Residence from June 8–20, as part of their Manitou Music Series, in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project. Emerging as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation, the Cerus Quartet brings the dynamic sound of the saxophone quartet to the Glen Arbor area. Their repertoire spans contemporary works and transcriptions of classical masterworks, combining innovation, versatility, and engaging visual elements to create a distinctive performance experience. During their two‑week residency, the Cerus Quartet will offer immersive musical experiences around the Glen Arbor and Empire area, from public performances to school and library visits, open rehearsals, and “Sound Samples” (spontaneous musical interactions in community spaces).

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Supporting community through live music: Emergency Fund expands to Benzie

For over a decade, the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund has addressed sudden financial need, one note at a time. Last year, the Benzonia Area Community Emergency Fund followed suit. The two non-profits offer a financial hand to those in need, with all their funding coming from a once-a-month source: area venues hosting a concert, where the musicians eschew their usual fee and the fund collects donations. Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor will host the next Empire Emergency Fund concert on April 27, from 4-6 pm, and feature Jim Crockett and the Beach Bards.

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Art’s hosts Beach Bards, Jim Crockett for Empire Area Community benefit concert

Art’s Tavern will host the Beach Bards poetry and storytelling troupe together with musicians Jim Crockett, Patrick Niemisto and John Kumjian on Sunday, April 28, from 4-6 pm. All free-will offerings and donations will support the efforts of the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund to assist members of the community who have fallen on hard times. For more information visit EmpireAreaCommunityCenter.org.

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Cherry Republic hosts Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes fundraiser

Cherry Republic will host a Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1-4 pm at the Cherry Public House in Glen Arbor. The Beach Bards will entertain with a fun afternoon of original (or new takes) on old songs, stories, and poems highlighting the history of the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.

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Art’s Tavern hosts Jim Crockett and Beach Bards, April 30

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Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor hosts music and poetry with singer-songwriters Jim Crockett, Patrick Niemisto, John Kumjian, and The Beach Bards poetry and storytelling troupe on Sunday, April 30, from 4-6 p.m. Admission is free. Patrons are encouraged to make a good will offering to the Empire Area Community Center for those in the community who have fallen on hard times. The EACC is a 501(c)3 public charity.

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Glen Arbor Arts Center hosts Beach Bards, August 2

The Glen Arbor Arts Center will host the Beach Bards, Leelanau County’s hometown wordsmiths, for an evening of poetry, stories and music about flags on August 2 from 7-9 p.m. The event takes place in the forest grove behind the Arts Center. This special edition of the Beach Bards is open to poets and writers of any skill level. Bring a poem or story to share. No pre-registration is required.

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Beach Bards, Goodboy, Tom Jolin perform at Platte River Campgound

On Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. at the Platte River Campground Amphitheater, the poet/storyteller troupe The Beach Bards teams up with the musical group Goodboy! to perform Michigan’s state story, “The Legend of The Sleeping Bear,” as well as some history and lore of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

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Historic Sleeping Bear celebrates 20 years

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Historic Sleeping Bear (formerly named Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear) celebrates its 20th anniversary as a partner of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore working to preserve and interpret the historic structures, landscapes, and heritage of the National Lakeshore.

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