Arriving Tuesday afternoon in downtown Traverse City, the shops and restaurants were already buzzing with business. The streets were alive with a playful spirit, filled with children and families enjoying Tuesday night's festivities, participants of the 5th Annual Traverse City Film Festival. Oscar-winner and Festival creator, Michael Moore, infused the listeners with his passion and commitment for the event and the people who make it happen, year after year. A thick crowd gathered to celebrate the beginning of this year's festival and to see Traverse City's own Rich Brauer receive the 2009 Michigan Filmmaker's Award.
The evening evoked an ambiance as potent as votive candles warming a dinner party and transformed a charming little affair – a night at the theater – into a night of magic. Bold red letters hung on the marquee; a stage was set in lights; the streets were busy with shuttering cameras and ticket clad tourists. Separated by only a city block, a stunning foreign film, Troubled Water, explored themes of forgiveness and redemption. The film was screened for two theaters filled perfectly full. Concluding the shows, a question and answer session occurred with the film's director who had traveled from Norway to present and speak.
Shop keepers and locals were embracing the opportunity to participate in Tuesday's Festival events, which drew attendance from far and wide. The Festival films this season span a wide range of topics, but those passionate about supporting local communities, independent films and the visual arts, were naturally drawn to the scene. Northern Michigan residents hungry for "big city" culture to satiate quaint "little city" life, praised the event. Many young people stationed in the area found an oasis for their creative inclinations. Others simply love film and devour the opportunity to participate in the screenings of documentaries, obscure films, classic, political, and comedic films–just some of the genres represented throughout the week. Along with panel events, lectures, and free family films, the calender of any attendee could be completely filled!
Driving home I noticed Will Smith's head–the size of a truck–looming against the backdrop of night sky, as adventurous viewers reclined at the Open Space to entertain aliens for a night by the Bay. Though I could not see the audience, I imagined children and parents snuggled up beneath the stars, feeling a warm breeze off the lake, their hearts filled with laughter. Who could resist a night so fine?
The inaugural Traverse City Chocolate Festival takes place this Sunday (April 26) at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City from 1-5 PM. The $15 ticket helps benefit the Michigan Community Action Agency's food programs.
Seth Bernard and May Erlewine are releasing their new duo album, "Welcome Back," with a series of concerts around the region and state.
This is the first duo album Seth and May have released under their real, full names: Samuel Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. This could be a metaphor for what this album is made of. The album has 12 original songs performed by a core band of May on vocals, acoustic guitar, violin, viola, piano, organ, dulcimer and banjo, Seth with lap steel, piano, keyboard, mandolin, tenor sax and electric guitar, Dominic Suchyta on electric and upright bass and Mike Shimmin playing drums and percussion.
Encouragement is one of the main ingredients and underlying themes in this album. The album is a synthesis of the music, grass roots activism, and love that Seth and May have been developing on their own, together and with their many communities.
Sunday, March 29 Release at InsideOut Gallery
There will also be a CD Release event at InsideOut Gallery in Traverse City on Sunday, March 29th. For this special release event Seth & May will be accompanied by Joshua Davis, (vocals, guitar), Dominic Suchyta (electric and upright bass), and Mike Shimmin (drums, percussion). Tickets are $12 in advance and are available at Borders Books, Oryana, Cuppa' Joe, Patisserie Amie & InsideOut Gallery. Tickets are $15 at the door. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7. For more Information please call the InsideOut Gallery at 231-929-3254.
Visit earthworkmusic.com for more information on Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Here's a video from their last show at the Art Building (click the HQ link):
The Water Festival will be held December 12-14, 2008 in Traverse City, Michigan. The latest in an ongoing series of Water Festivals will give you a chance to experience world-class Michigan musicians, speeches from water luminaries, interactive multimedia projects and presentations, artisan foods and beverages, workshops, visual art, theater and dance, children's activities and connections to campaigns and projects to protect our water locally and address global challenges. Much more at tcwaterfest.wordpress.com!
Micheal, Ingemar, Lisa and Rick of the Benzie-based band Song of the Lakes have released a new DVD titled Live at Interlochen. It features a full-length movie of Song of the Lakes 25th Anniversary concert by Rich Brauer & Brauer Productions and the documentary Journey to Joy by Rebecca Glotfelty of Real People Media.
Explore photos of Frankfort, Manistee, The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and along the Lake Michigan shore in the BetsieBay.net group on Flickr (view full screen!)
Arriving Tuesday afternoon in downtown Traverse City, the shops and restaurants were already buzzing with business. The streets were alive with a playful spirit, filled with children and families enjoying Tuesday night's festivities, participants of the 5th Annual Traverse City Film Festival. Oscar-winner and Festival creator, Michael Moore, infused the listeners with his passion and commitment for the event and the people who make it happen, year after year. A thick crowd gathered to celebrate the beginning of this year's festival and to see Traverse City's own Rich Brauer receive the 2009 Michigan Filmmaker's Award.
The evening evoked an ambiance as potent as votive candles warming a dinner party and transformed a charming little affair – a night at the theater – into a night of magic. Bold red letters hung on the marquee; a stage was set in lights; the streets were busy with shuttering cameras and ticket clad tourists. Separated by only a city block, a stunning foreign film, Troubled Water, explored themes of forgiveness and redemption. The film was screened for two theaters filled perfectly full. Concluding the shows, a question and answer session occurred with the film's director who had traveled from Norway to present and speak.
Shop keepers and locals were embracing the opportunity to participate in Tuesday's Festival events, which drew attendance from far and wide. The Festival films this season span a wide range of topics, but those passionate about supporting local communities, independent films and the visual arts, were naturally drawn to the scene. Northern Michigan residents hungry for "big city" culture to satiate quaint "little city" life, praised the event. Many young people stationed in the area found an oasis for their creative inclinations. Others simply love film and devour the opportunity to participate in the screenings of documentaries, obscure films, classic, political, and comedic films–just some of the genres represented throughout the week. Along with panel events, lectures, and free family films, the calender of any attendee could be completely filled!
The inaugural 
