Traverse City Vacationer™ Blog »

Habitat for Humanity - Flower & Garden Show

2009-03-25T08:14:00.001-05:00

Habitat for Humanity Flower and Garden Show

More than 40 vendors set up displays at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center to the delight of gardeners, homeowners and those just yearning for a splash of spring color.

For more information please call (231) 941-4663.

Peepers Program: Ducks and Geese

2009-03-25T08:03:00.001-05:00

Peeper Program: Ducks & Geese

April 21, 2009
10am to 11am
Location: Boardman River Nature Center

Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District for the new Peepers Program at the Boardman River Nature Center! This fun and educational program is designed to foster the exploration of nature in preschoolers. Peeper's will take place every Tuesday morning from 10-11am. Preschoolers will explore nature and seasonal nature themes with experienced early childhood educators and naturalists. Each morning will include indoor and outdoor activities-so dress for the weather.
Fee: $3 per child or $45 for entire session. For more information, or to register your little peeper, call (231) 941-0960 or email cmasterson@gtcd.org. Drop-ins are always welcome.

Nagata Shachu - Dennos Museum Center

2009-03-25T07:58:00.001-05:00

Nagata Shachu (formerly Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble)

When: April 24, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
Website: www.dennosmuseum.org

While firmly rooted in the folk drumming traditions found throughout Japan, Nagata Shachu aims to rejuvenate and redefine this ancient art form ensuring its relevance in today's society. Under the direction of Kiyoshi Nagata, the ensemble has earned a reputation for its straight-forward yet exciting approach to playing the taiko. With their vast array of Japanese taiko, gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes, Nagata Shachu will take you on a musical journey beyond all borders. $25 adv, $28 dr and $22 member.

Contact Information: Box Office Phone: (231) 995-1553

73rd National Trout Festival - Kalkaska

2009-03-25T07:48:00.002-05:00

73rd National Trout Festival

Annual Event
Location: Downtown Kalkaska
Website: www.nationaltroutfestival.com

There's fun for everyone with trout fishing contests, special breakfasts, family entertainment tent, queen coronation, children's fishing contest, parades, special dinners, craft show, flea market and fireworks. Highlights include: Wed. Taste of Trout, Sat. Kalkaska Idol Contest, Sun. Demolition Derby. Phone: (231) 258-9103

Chef's Challenge 2009 - Shanty Creek

2009-03-25T07:34:00.003-05:00

2009 Chef's Challenge

April 24 - 26, 2009
Location: Shanty Creek Resorts
Website: www.chefs-challenge.com
Professional chefs, hot food competition and tasting featuring Michigan food products, wines and microbrews. In addition to the Chef's Challenge competition, the weekend will feature cooking seminars and vendors showcasing Michigan agriculture ~ second only to California in number of diverse food products.
E-Mail: info@springtimesplendor.com

HGTV - Carter Oosterhouse Hosting Special - Traverse City

2009-02-27T14:16:00.002-05:00

Carter Comes Home

Carter Osterhouse is hosting a special HGTV show this 2009 Holiday season called "Carter Comes Home." Carter will be helping some folks that are in need of some restoration help her in Traverse City. One project will be to help and area woman who adopts and cares for children with special needs. The second project will be to help the Traverse City Fire Station on Eight Street renovate its 1960s kitchen into an area that they can use to give host to the community.

A Success! - Traverse City's WinterFest 2009

2009-02-19T11:33:00.001-05:00

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Even during an ordinary season, February is a busy time in this northern Michigan resort community of skiers, snowmobilers and snowboarders.
But thanks to a rare conjunction of events, the 2009 President’s Day weekend (Feb. 13-16) promises to take things to an entirely new level.
For the first time, Traverse City’s annual February winter carnival -- the Cherry Capital
Winter WonderFest -- coincides with the North American Vasa Festival of Races, which
draws hundreds of cross-country skiers and fans to the area each year. Winter
WonderFest has grown rapidly in size and scope since its 2007 startup, with more than
50 indoor and outdoor events scheduled between Friday evening and Monday
afternoon. And the North American Vasa is a perfect complement to its atmosphere of
casual merrymaking.
Now in its 33rd year, the Vasa is a hugely popular event among Midwestern ski racers –
thanks largely to the beauty of the course, which snakes through the pines and
hardwoods of the Pere Marquette State Forest. The main competition, which features
12K, 27K and 50K races in both freestyle and classic modes, will take place on
Saturday, Feb. 14, while its companion event – the Gran Travers Classic (6K and 16K)
is scheduled for Sunday.
This winter, those skiers and their supporters won’t have to look far for opportunities to
entertain themselves between races. The Third Annual Cherry Capital Winter
WonderFest encompass a rich menu of concerts, competitions, films, fireworks, food
tastings and children’s activities -- most of them concentrated on the scenic 900-acre
grounds of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, just a snowball’s throw from the Vasa
racecourse.
“The Winter WonderFest has grown into a community-wide celebration in just a couple
of years, and we see it continuing to grow thanks to the multiple venues we’ve created,”
said Resort general manager Grant Channing. “They provide variety for the weekend’s
activities and show a strong commitment from our partners.”
The centerpiece of the festival is a “Winter Fun Zone” with ice skating, pony rides,
inflatable play structures, rides on ponies, dogsleds, snowmobiles and horse-drawn
sleighs, sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and a selection of competitive
events that range from the familiar (the Running Fit Frosty 5K foot race and a kid’s
snowshoe race) to the unlikely (a “frozen fish toss” and a “Polar Plunge” event where
daring swimmers jump into an icy pond to raise money for charity). There are bonfires,
films, live music, fireworks, and lots of festive food and beverages.
But the festival has spread to other venues, including the nearby Mt. Holiday Ski Area –
where there’ll be such offbeat competitions as a snowboarding “rail jam” event, a
mountain bike race down the ski hill and a “Cardboard Bobsled-o-Rama” in which
competitors must use sleds made only with cardboard, tape and paint.
“How could we not get involved?” asked Mt. Holiday general manager Rick Van
Tongeren. “Everybody who’s heard about this thing is just extremely excited. I went into
the bank the other day and the clerks all came running up asking me how many sleds
they could enter.”
A full schedule is also in place in Traverse City’s charming 19th century downtown
shopping district, where there’ll be a “Save the Bees” dessert reception (with local
honey and live entertainment by Grammy Award winning vocal troupe Sweet Honey in
the Rock) in the elegantly-restored City Opera House , ice carving and snow sculpture
displays, a “frozen bed race” through the streets and the popular “Soup r’ Bowl”
competition in which participants slurp up soups created by local chefs and cast ballots
for their favorites.
“Winter WonderFest truly demonstrates the four-season nature of our destination,” said
Brad Van Dommelen, president of the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Traverse City is much more than just the great beach town many people think of, and
this event is a great way for visitors to be introduced to a different side of our
community.”
A portion of the Winter WonderFest proceeds support the programs of Special Olympics
Michigan.

Horse Shows by the Bay - Dressage - The "Lingo"

2009-02-19T07:03:00.002-05:00

Dressage
Dressage is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet." Although the discipline has ancient roots, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in the West during the Renaissance. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then. Classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.

Lodging at: http://traversecityvacationer.com
Traverse City Vacationer™ - Traverse City, Michigan

Horse Shows by the Bay - "Learning the Lingo"

2009-02-17T21:41:00.001-05:00

SHOW JUMPING
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers, sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events, and sometimes show jumping is but one division of a very large, all-breed competition that includes a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation in the USA. However, international competitions are governed by the rules of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).

Traverse City - HORSE SHOWS BY THE BAY - Williamsburg

2009-02-17T00:47:00.003-05:00

HORSE SHOWS BY THE BAY

~Some Back Ground and History about this overwhelmingly successful Traverse City annual event.

The Horse Shows by the Bay began in 2004 and is also referred to by some as Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival. This is a most prestigious annual event that spans several weeks during the summer in beautiful Traverse City in Williamsburg. The horse show events takes place at the Flintfields Horse Park. Horse Shows by the Bay attracts thousands of the nation's best horses and riders who compete within International Olympic disciplines of show jumping including dressage. There are even ranked events for show hunter and equitation rider! Interestingly, Horse Shows by the Bay is produced by Traverse City residents Dean and Alexandrea Rheinmeimer. They have over 20 years experience producing and managing equestrian events nationwide.

Horses and riders at the Horse Shows by the Bay are of the utmost best in the nations. The event carries the highest ratings possible governed by the United States Equestrian Federation. The event is also acknowledged by the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, the International High Performance Hunter Derby Program, the United States Hunter - Jumper Association, the United States Dressage Federation and the Young Jumper Championship Program. The Horse Shows by the Bay hosts whopping 1,400 horses! Their owners and riders compete to win points towards national titles and year end awards. A staggering $385,000 dollars in prize money is awarded during the festival and at the last tally has brought more that $30 million dollars in tourism revenue to the Traverse City area.

More on where it all takes place: Flintfield Horse Park. Flintfield Horse Park is made up of 80 acres and is a complete horse show complex. It's located just off Bates Road about a half mile North of M-72 East in Acme Township. Flintfield is most impressive. Built specially to house the horse show, it was designed to accommodate more that 1,000 stalls, has 5 show rings, warm up rings, a wonderful spectator pavilion, offices, a lane for vendors and a very nice campground.
When and What: The shows start on Wednesdays and finish on a Sunday. There are featured events on the weekends which include: Grand Prix & Exhibitions, family day activities and charity fundraisers.

If you have never been...you really should consider spending the better half of a day browsing the Flintfield Horse Park during the Horse Shows by the Bay. Even if you have really never thought too much about horses, I bet you find yourself amazed with the magnitude of this event. It's really something else...

If you are looking for lodging while either participating or attending the Horse Shows, we have accommodated several attending guests. Northern Shores Vacation Rentals, LLC. is located in downtown Traverse City and offers exclusively Peninsula Bay Resort Condominiums on East Grand Traverse Bay, only minutes from both the Cherry Capital airport and Flintfield Horse Park. Visit our website here: http://www.visitnorthernshores.com/ for more information.

33rd Annual North American Vasa Ski Race - Traverse City

2009-02-09T07:38:00.002-05:00

33rd Annual North American Vasa Ski Race
Annual Event
Website: http://www.vasa.org/

This cross-country ski race is open to both classical and freestyle skiers, with distances of 12, 27 & 50 km on the Vasa trail near Acme. Many participants are new competitors - and some are trying on cross-country skis for the first time! It doesn't take an expert to enjoy the excitement and beauty of the VASA.

Phone: (231) 938-4400

Cherry Captial Winter WonderFest - Traverse City, MI

2009-02-09T07:32:00.001-05:00

Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest
Annual Event - February 13-16, 2009
Location: Grand Traverse Resort, Downtown Traverse City, Mt. Holiday

Four days of fun! Something for everyone! The Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Downtown Traverse City Association, Mt. Holiday, Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Traverse City Record Eagle, and Acme Township.
It features a "Winter Fun Zone" offering Ice skating, Bonfires, X-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snow Hill Climb n' Slide, Sleigh rides and Snowmobile rides, and Kids games, Outdoor carnival rides, Indoor inflatables and even Fireworks! Competitive events include; a 5K "Frozen Foot race", Kid's Snowshoe Race, and "Polar Plunge" event . Stop by Mt. Holiday to watch: the Downhill Dash Mountain Bike Race, Rail Jam, Bobsled-a-rama, and Big Air Championship. And visit historic downtown Travese City to view ice carvings and snow sculpture displays, enjoy live music under the tent at the 2nd Annual Soup'r Bowl Competition, and watch the Frozen Bed Race, or take a horse and carriage ride.
A $10 Winter Wonderfest Button is your ticket. Kids 10 years and under enjoy the festival for FREE! Button sales support the good work of Spcial Olympics Michigan. All activites require a Winter WonderFest Button for admission. Some activities/events have additional charges.

Phone: (800) 748-0303

"A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale" - Ballet Theatre - Traverse City

2009-02-09T07:29:00.002-05:00

"A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale"
February 15, 2009
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center

The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre will present the full-length ballet "A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale" on Febuary 14 and 15 at the Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium. Performances will be at 2:30pm and 8pm on Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday. Noted philanthropists Ross and Brenda Biederman will host a special fundraising dinner and reception prior to the Saturday evening performance.
The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre is a youth ballet company featuring 20 dancers ages 8-16 yrs. with a sprinkling of adults in guest roles. Jordan Semer, formerly of the Dayton Ballet Company, joins the company to dance the role of Oberon, the faery king.
"A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale" is funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Coucil of Arts and Cultural Affairs. Radio stations WTCM and WJZQ The Breeze continue their support by being this season's corporate sponsor.
Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $9 for seniors and children 12 and under; the fundraiser event on Saturday night is $50 and includes admission to the ballet.

Tickets may be purchased at the Milliken Auditorium Box Office (231) 995-1553

Panache - At the Old Town Playhouse

2009-02-09T07:26:00.001-05:00

Panache
February 12-21, 2009 (Thu. Fri. Sat. )
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Old Town Playhouse - Traverse City, MI

Kathleen Trafalger and Harry Baldwin have little in common on the surface. She's well-mannered, a woman of society who worries about appearance and her golf score. He's a fry cook, who squelches his sentimental heart and artistic drives with 15 hour poker marathons. Yet when Kathleen discovers that Harry has the vanity license plate that she wants, she tracks him down. As Kathleen tries to persuade Harry to give her the plate, the two are drawn together in this tender and off-beat audience pleaser.

The Old Town Playhouse is located at 148 East Eighth Street in downtown Traverse City.
Contact Information: Box Office - Phone: (231) 947-2443

The City Farm Market at the Depot

2009-02-09T07:23:00.001-05:00

The City Market at the Depot
Saturdays
9am to 1pm
Location: Railway Station, Traverse City

Michigan's only outdoor farm market that operates twelve months a year continues each Saturday morning from 9am-1pm. Traverse City's newest open-air market offers locally grown agricultural products and wares from local artists and artisans and is located at the Railway Station, on the corner of Eighth and Woodmere, next to the Traverse Area District Library.
The City Market at the Depot offers a coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee on the premises, restrooms, fireplace, free WIFI, ample parking and easy access from all directions.

For more information call (231) 947-1277 or (231) 946-5090.

Dennos Museum - Native American Art Collection

2009-02-09T07:20:00.002-05:00

Native American Art from the Museum Collection
10am to 5pm
Location: Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College

This exhibition showcases the variety of the Dennos Museum Center's collection of Native American artwork while addressing themes in the National Endowment for the Humanities Picturing American Program. Ottawa baskets, Alaskan Inuit dolls, and Hopi Kachina dolls are all featured.
Dennos Museum Center is located on the Nothwestern Michigan College campus at 1701 East Front Street in Traverse City. Open Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm. Admission: $4 adults, $2 children ages 2-12yrs., free for children under 2 years old, $12 family.

Phone: (231) 995-1055

Photography on Exhibit - Andy Warhol - Traverse City

2009-02-09T07:18:00.002-05:00

Andy Warhol Photography on Exhibit
Time: 10am to 5pm
Location: Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College

A representative sampling of works from the collection of the 150 Polaroid and black and white photographs by Andy Warhol gifted to the Dennos Museum Center by the Warhol Foundation.
The Dennos Musuem Center is located and the campus of Northwestern Michigan College at 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City. Open Monday -Saturday 1pm-5pm, Sundays 1pm-5pm.

Phone: (231) 995-1055

Family Symphony at The Opera House - Traverse City

2009-02-09T07:15:00.001-05:00

Saturday Family Symphony: Musica Batteria
Time: 10:30am
Location: City Opera House, Traverse City

Come to Saturday Family Symphony on Feb. 28th, 10:30am at the City Opera House in downtown, Traverse City and enjoy interactive demonstrations and performances of over 30 percussion instruments and how they work in the musical world presented by Musica Batteria. Free Admission. Pre-concert activities start at 10am.

E-Mail: kcooper@tso-online.org
Phone: (231) 947-7120

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's Winter Presrevation Celebration

2009-01-31T15:05:00.002-05:00

February 8, 2009
9am to 2:30pm

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy will host its Winter Preservation Celebration on February 7, 2009. The event offers free activities to encourage people to enjoy some of the Conservancy's 30,000+ acress of protected land with guided snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, interpretive hikes, special events for children, and more.
Events will occur at Hickory Meadows in Grand Traverse County, Pyatt Nature Preserve on Old Mission Peninsula, Elberta Dunes in Benzie County, Seven Bridges Natural Area in Kalkaska County, Maple Bay Natural Area near Elk Rapids, and Cosner Nature Preserve in Antrim County.
Following the events, participants are invited to attend a reception at Cafe Habana in Traverse City's Old Town from 12:30pm-2:30pm to enjoy live music performed by Angelo Meli, hot cocoa and light appetizers. All of the days activities are free and open to the public, but the Conservancy askes that those interested in attending please register on their web site www.gtrlc.org. The site also provides further information about the Winter Preservation Celebration, including details of the activities at each preserve and directions.

Phone: (231) 929-7911

Bob Seeley & Bob Baldori - Miliken Auditorium

2009-01-01T22:38:00.001-05:00

January 10th, 2009

Bob Seeley and Bob Baldori-Milliken Audit.
Arts & Culture
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center

Prepare for an amazing blues piano concert. Bob Seeley is considered to be one of the greatest living boogie-woogie piano players. A friend of Meade Lux Lewis and an accompanist to Sippie Wallace, he has had a distinguished solo career. "Boogie" Bob Baldori has been a mainstay in the music world since the 1960s. He was the founding member of The Woolies, with an extensive performing career playing harmonica and piano with Chuck Berry for the past 40 years. $25 adv, $28 dr and $22 member.
Contact Information: Box Office
Phone: (231) 995-1553

Winston Choi - Pianist - Miliken Auditorium

2009-01-01T22:37:00.000-05:00

January 11th, 2009

In Recital, Winston Choi, pianist
Arts & Culture
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center

Chamber Music North is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Dennos Museum Center to provide a series of world class concerts as part of the museum's 2008-2009 concert season.
Contact Information: Box Office
Phone: (231) 995-1553

Michael Philip Mossman - Interlochen

2009-01-01T22:35:00.000-05:00

January 16th, 2009

Michael Philip Mossman-Interlochen
Arts & Culture
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Corson Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts

Yamaha Performing Artist Michael Philip Mossman joins the Academy Jazz Ensemble for an evening of great music. Currently lead trumpeter with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Granny-nominated musician and composer has performed and recorded with his own groups and a virtual who's who of the music industry. $16 adult, $14 senior and $9 student.
Contact Information: Box Office
Phone: (800) 681-5920

Last Sunday Jazz at Sunset

2009-01-01T22:34:00.001-05:00

January 25th, 2009

Last Sunday Jazz at Sunset
Arts & Culture
3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Location: Chateau Chantal, 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

Join Chateau Chantal and the Jeff Haas Trio for memorable music and fabulous sunsets every last Sunday of the month.
Phone: (231) 223-4110

Woman's Wine Weekend

2009-01-01T22:32:00.000-05:00

January 30th - February 1st, 2009

Women's Wine Weekend
Arts & Culture
Location: Chateau Chantal, 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

Ladies that are looking for a getaway Superbowl weekend can come to Chateau Chantal and enjoy wine, food, and their choice of shopping or a massage this weekend entirely devoted to women and simple pleasures...During dinner Chateau Chantal is proud to announce our guest, author and humorist, Julie Felicelli! Julie will keep you entertained with her stories on life. Price is based per person and depends on the amount of friends you decide to share a room!

Phone: (231) 223-4110

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

2009-01-01T22:30:00.001-05:00

January 16th - 31st, 2009

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Arts & Culture(Thu. Fri. Sat. )
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Old Town Playhouse

Far away from the public eye, war rages in the regional psychiatric asylum. Wild patient behavior and abuse by medical staff have leaked to a disturbed public. With the recent transfer of R.P. McMurphy from a prison work crew, the tenuous balance maintained among the patients is spinning out of control. Head Nurse Ratched, in an effort to maintain peace, clashes directly with McMurphy, who, diagnosed as a psychopath, continually provokes both the patients and the staff. This intriguing story is sure to bring new developments - the public will continue to be advised.
For tickets call the Box Office (231) 947-2443
The Old Town Playhouse is located at 148 East Eighth Street in downtown Traverse City.
Contact Information: Box Office