Posts

Local playwright channels Edward Hopper

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.

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Leelanau’s influencers of 2024

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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.

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Old Art Building hosts third annual Variety Show Spectacular

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.

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Old Art Building hosts Switchback – A Celtic Christmas Concert

Come and experience the magic of the holidays at the Old Art Building in Leland on Friday, Nov. 22, with Switchback – A Celtic Christmas Concert. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the concert running from 7-9 pm. The show will feature musicians Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack performing some Christmas standards, Irish melodies, and some originals. Voted the top duo for Irish music in Europe and North America by the Irish Music Association, they have shared the stage with luminaries from the Chieftains to Leon Russell to the Moody Blues.

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Old Art Building kicks off capital campaign with recent riverfront property purchase

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The Old Art Building (OAB) just scored a major win for the Leelanau community with purchase of a 1.14-acre property parcel on the Leland River, kitty-corner from the cultural center’s established location in Leland. The purchase, finalized on July 31, secured 280 feet of additional Leland riverfront property for the community and almost tripled the nonprofit’s footprint. Campaign chair, Cindy Meeker, said, “The purchase of the property at 204 Cedar Street allows the Old Art Building to enhance its programming to meet the demands of this community for today and for many future generations to come. Additionally, it allows us to preserve this treasured property in the heart of Leland as we honor our past and build our future.” With just 2 ½ months to raise the money, a grant from Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation and generous donations from community members secured the $3.2 million needed to finalize the purchase, while also quietly kicking off a three-year capital campaign aimed at raising enough funds to achieve community-voiced goals on both the new and existing properties.

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‭North Manitou Light Keepers host annual rally and Crib cruise‬‬

The North Manitou Light Keepers (NMLK) will host their annual Lightkeeper Rally and Crib Cruise in Leland on July 18. These unique, elegant, and fun events invite people to connect and rally around ongoing efforts to restore and appreciate the North Manitou Shoal Light (the offshore lighthouse known as the “Crib”). “These events are a fun highlight we look forward to each year,” said NMLK President Daniel Oginsky.

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Mulebone returns to northern Michigan

Rootsy blues duo Mulebone—guitarist/vocalist Hugh Pool and flutist John Ragusa—knows the area well. “Glen Arbor is beautiful and holds a special place for Hugh and I,” says John Ragusa, citing the band’s many shows at the Manitou Music Festival. This year the duo’s annual mini-tour includes shows in Leland, Traverse City, Elberta and an appearance at Music in the Park in Northport. Mulebone’s music is an amalgam of country, blues and everything in-between. While it’s mostly originals, they may sneak in a piece by Reverend Gary Davis or Doc Watson. “We cover songs that are traditional blues, folk and country. Hugh writes virtually all the original material,” Ragusa says.

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Laughing in Leelanau author, legendary storyteller Scott Craig dies

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Leland resident Scott Craig, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who worked for CBS, NBC, PBS, Turner Broadcasting and HGTV—and later moved to Leelanau County where his plays, radio features, and stories have been omnipresent on the airwaves, at local restaurants and cafes, and on stage at the Old Art Building—died on Thursday, April 18, at age 89. A celebration of Scott’s life will take place on his 90th birthday, Monday June 24, at 4 pm at the Old Art Building, a place where he helped create a lot of theater magic. “I’m never happier than when I’m working on a creative project,” Scott told the Glen Arbor Sun in 2020. “I’ve only been bored a half a day since I retired … because I’ve always found something creative to do.”

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Main Street Gallery, Old Art Building hold celebration exhibit

Main Street Gallery and the Old Art Building in Leland announce a celebration of the artists and history of Main Street Gallery on June 14 from 5:30-7:30 pm, with remarks to be made at 6:30 p.m. This event also highlights the opening of the “Artists of Main Street Gallery” exhibit to be held at the Old Art Building from June 14-18. This exhibit will feature fine art from the artists who have shown their work at and fueled the life of Main Street Gallery over much of its history.  The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

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Leland’s Old Art Building hosts inaugural Community Tweed Ride

The Old Art Building in Leland will host its inaugural Community Tweed Ride on Saturday, May 4, from 2-4 pm. The free event is sponsored by Suttons Bay Bikes, Dam Candy Store, Cherry Republic and the Leland Lodge. A Tweed Ride is a leisurely, non-competitive bicycle ride where participants don vintage-inspired clothing, often featuring tweed fabrics, plus fours, bowties, and other attire reminiscent of the early 20th century.

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