Residents and visitors to the county have not one, not two, but three chances to catch one of the region’s favorite bands this coming week. The little big band Tundra Tones, f.k.a. Jazz North, will be performing Aug. 28 at Leland, Aug. 29 at Music in the Park in Northport, and Aug. 31 at Little Traverse Inn.
Three diverse musical acts are among those on the horizon across the county in the coming weeks: upbeat reggae and country from the Sun Dogs, Cajun and zydeco from K Jones and the Benzie Playboys, and bracing brass traversing the musical spectrum, courtesy Bourbon & Brass Company.
The Old Art Building in Leland is thrilled to welcome rising singer/songwriter Jon Muq to the its main stage on Wednesday, June 18, from 7-9 p.m. Born in Uganda and now living in Austin, Texas, Muq draws from African as well as western musical trends and traditions. Featured on the PBS News Hour, Muq has opened for Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett and other headliners. He describes his songs as small gifts, designed to settle into everyday life and provoke reflection and resilience.
Celebrate National Preservation Month with a special screening of Saving the Barn—The Leelanau County Poor Farm, a documentary that brings to life a little-known but important chapter of local history. The program at the Old Art Building in Leland on Wednesday, May 14, at 4 pm begin with remarks from Steve Stier, president of the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society, who will share insights on the ongoing efforts to preserve the Poor Farm barn and the broader importance of saving historic places.
The Old Art Building’s historic ‘Big Room’ will be alive with music and drama all spring long, with several not-to-miss performances slated for the OAB’s main stage in Leland. Cousin Curtiss in concert is slated for Saturday, May 10, from 7-9 p.m.
This week is Earth Week, with Earth Day honored on Tuesday, April 22. It’s also National Park Week. Events in Leelanau County include a rally on Tuesday at 3 pm in Empire to support Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—which has faced deep spending cuts and a hiring freeze by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the Leelanau Conservancy offers opportunities each day this week, starting tomorrow, to join hikes, volunteer, attend a trivia night, and learn about local efforts to preserve trees.
Our story series celebrating songs inspired by Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes continues with Seth Bernard’s “Manitou,” an instrumental that he wrote in June 2019 during a residency sponsored by the Old Art Building in Leland. “I wrote this simple piece on acoustic guitar looking out over the islands near Van’s Beach around sundown,” said Bernard. “It’s a little magic carpet ride to that peaceful, serene, early summer Leelanau sunset vibe. Bernard returns to the Old Art Building on April 24 at 7 pm for an Earth Week-themed concert.
What stimulates creative inspiration? For Playwright Rebecca Reynolds, one answer is Edward Hopper, a leading 20th-century realist painter whose work ignites the curiosity of many. On March 9, the Old Art Building (OAB) in Leland will present three short plays, written and directed by Reynolds, that are based upon three Hopper paintings. A sold-out evening performance motivated the OAB to schedule a matinee the same day. The event, coined as Drinks, Drama & Dessert, will include social time and dessert alongside the plays performed by a selection of talented locals.
With 2024 in the rearview mirror and 2025 upon us, we’re recognizing 25 “influencers” we covered in the Glen Arbor Sun this past year who are making a meaningful impact on Leelanau County communities, commerce, and culture. Read below about those 25 local influencers, who include everyone from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, to Leelanau Investing for Teens, to Empire’s polar dippers, to popular new destinations River Club Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear Inn, and the Lively’s NeighborFood Market.
Holiday festivities continue this month at the Old Art Building in Leland as they host their third Annual ‘Christmas at the Old Art Building – A Variety Show Spectacular’ on Saturday, Dec. 14. Hosted by Andrew Dost, this retro-inspired performance will include caroling, comedy and holiday cheer. Imagine Lawrence Welk, Dolly Parton, and the Muppets collaborating to put on a festive show. The evening will feature a wide assortment of talented musicians, a jazz combo, sketch comedy, and more.