Dennos Museum Summer Exhibit

As a History of Art major, it should come as no surprised that I'm a big fan of Traverse City's Dennos Museum Center (housed on the Northwestern Michigan College campus). And, even though I technically studied the "history" of art, I'm a big fan of art in the here and now. New artists and fantastic pieces are popping up all the time, and whenever I get the chance to wander about and admire some awesome artwork, I'm all over it. 

The Dennos has two great exhibits going on right now: Sideways (which explores skateboard art and culture) and Perimeter (a photo story filled with portraits taken around the perimeter of Lake Michigan. The high-quality visual images in these two exhibits greatly compliment each other.

 As someone who knows absolutely zero about skateboarding (and probably couldn't make it down a straight road on a board without falling over), I found this exhibit to be so fresh. It's bold, colorful, and rooted in a culture I know nothing about but am now totally enraptured by. 

The Dennos put out a call for skateboard art submissions to the community at large, and in return they received a wide array of clever, original, and downright awesome designs. Artists range from all ages and locations, and there are some really beautiful works on display. I have a few favorites myself, but I don't want to ruin the fun for everyone else, so you should go see it for yourself!

Professional artists are also represented. There's a gorgeous mural covering an entire wall in the gallery room, detailed screenprinted works, plus stunning photographs from Michigander Mike Blabac. Honestly, though, nothing took my breath away like the simple yet powerful works of Aaron Draplin, an NMC alum who is absolutely slaying the graphic design world. There's a whole wall of his latest and greatest designs, and he'll be in TC this Friday giving a special presentation as part of the Dennos' skateboard weekend extravaganza (June 20-21). A few of my favorites from Draplin:

 Skateboarding not your thing? Well, it's impossible to not be a fan of the Great Lakes, and Kevin Miyazaki's portraits taken from all around the border of Lake Michigan remind us just how many people love and live around the majestic Michigan. The portraits hug the whole gallery. It's great to see the lake personified in the faces of all these people: young, old, working, vacationing, in groups or all alone.

 My personal favorite part of the Perimeter exhibit is the wall of pictures depicting Lake Michigan from different points around the lake at different times. The entire wall engulfs the viewer in sky and water, and it creates a really intriguing geometric pattern.

 Both exhibits are on display at the Dennos until early September, so go and check it out! Don't forget about the fun and festivities for the TC Park Jam this weekend, too!

Spotify Playlist: TCYP's Favorite Songs of Spring

By Emily Petrovich of NewEra Social Marketing

It felt like spring was here!

And then it wasn’t.

But then it was!

And then it went away again.

Such is the way of the false-spring-starts in northern Michigan. Just when we think we can finally put the snow boots away for the season, we’re pulling them out again. But we tough Michiganders, we get it – we know this has to be the way of things. Because when we consider the pay off? Well, springtime in northern Michigan is just about the best thing there is!

The days are already longer, the sun shining brighter, the sky bluer. We’ve noticed little pops of green in the flower beds and on most mornings, the birds are singing outside our windows.  Sure signs of springy things to come!

April 7^th was National Beer Day and we celebrated by raising a glass of Short’s Brewing Space Rock. Mr. Joe Short might be riding a snowmobile-space rocket on the label but the beer itself sings of spring: floral and orange peel-like hop aromas finished with citrus rind and dandelion leaf flavors. We caught ourselves making beverage plans for future sunny picnic and beach trips!

Despite the still-chilly weather, fellow locals seem to have a noticeable spring in their step (wink wink!) and our TCYP crew is no exception. In addition to our changing wardrobes, our music choices seem to warm up around this time of year, too. We’ve created a mixtape that’s sure to turn your thoughts to warm spring days and put a smile on your face!

Check out our Favorite Songs of Spring playlist on Spotify. Any songs you would add? Let us know in the comments!

Spring at Stormcloud Brewery

A few weeks back, I found myself in the shoreside town of Frankfort for work. Frankfort is a little over an hour away from Traverse City, due west, and is one of the most beautiful places to spend a summer's day. It's a sleepy place in the winter, but I felt very welcomed by the businesses that were open on Main Street.

One of my favorite go-to places in Frankfort is Stormcloud Brewing Company. Stormcloud opened up in spring of 2013, and as they turn the corner of their second summer in business, I can safely say they are doing so many things right.

The micro-brewery has its own beers on tap, as well as other speciality drinks from the region. They host game nights and awesome live music gigs, bringing a lively family-friendly atmosphere to the smorgasbord of shops in downtown Frankfort. As an added incentive, they're open year-round so the folks braving the winter winds can be guaranteed a good drink and hearty meal.

I was lucky enough to snag a flatbread pizza while I was in town, and it was fantastic. I've had some other chow at Stormcloud over the past two years, and experience has taught me that whoever runs that kitchen knows what they're doing! Everything is fresh, original, and whole-heartedly deeelish.

With Spring just around the corner--no, seriously, I promise Spring is coming!--make sure to add Stormcloud on your list of to-do attractions in the greater Grand Traverse area. If you're wise, you'll make the trip before the throngs of beach-goers invade Frankfort this summer (not that I can blame them). Whenever you decide to visit, Stormcloud is a great choice for a few drinks or an afternoon snack. Stop in and see for yourself!

Trivia Night at Rare Bird

The bar scene is a staple for any young professional--and there is nothing wrong with that!--but here in Traverse City, we are spoiled with the variety and quality of all our bars. One of the newer bars on the scene, Rare Bird Brewery, is located on the fringe of our downtown area and boasts an awesome vibe.

Low-key comfort paired with high-end food and drinks makes for a great night out on the town. One of my favorite things about Rare Bird, though, is their spunky trivia night. My friends and I have made a weekly ritual of playing trivia at Rare Bird every Tuesday night, and what a fantastic ritual it has turned out to be.

Every Tuesday is a party at Rare Bird, and I love that I can have a fun, cheap night out on the town in the middle of the week. It's packed, but arriving at 6:30-6:45 p.m. (before trivia starts at 7), and you're guaranteed a good seat to round up a team of six friends. Grab some grub, pool your knowledge, and drink some beer as you compete against some of the fiercest trivia players this side of Lake Michigan.

If you're snacking, make sure to try their garlic-dusted fries or pork belly nachos. Those nachos make me question why I'm still vegetarian every time they arrive at our table. Of course, I'm always willing to oblige my morals and dig into their wonderful black bean burger: it is out of this world.

Unlike other micro-breweries in town, Rare Bird balances their own house-brewed beers with those of other great local and national breweries, so there's something for everyone. They also have wine, cider, and liquor available at the bar. Thirsty Tuesday should totally be a thing, and Rare Bird would lead the way.

We hope you'll join us (Team Cropdusters) at trivia next Tuesday, March 24...and every Tuesday after that!

Eating Out in TC: Bubba's

Greetings, everyone! January is coming to a close, but it's still comfort food season up north. This time of year, I find myself indulging more in dining out at different restaurants in downtown Traverse City. With all the posts I've made on this blog in the last year and a half, I'm shocked that I've left out one of my favorite makes-everyone-happy restaurant: BUBBA'S!

The owners of Bubba's are no strangers to the TC restaurant game: they own Bubba's, Firefly, The Kitchen, Maddy's Tavern (out in Interlochen), and Grandview Catering. I don't know how they manage to maintain so many fantastic restaurants, but they certainly do. Whenever we have guests come into town, we know Bubba's is a safe bet: it has great food with lots of options for whatever anyone would like to get (including gluten-free and vegetarian choices), is reasonably priced, and is located downtown so we can continue the night out on the town if we feel so inclined. It checks everything off the list.

It has a fun bar vibe, but it's also very kid and family friendly. They do table sharing for couples (it's never been uncomfortable, even though it might seem like it could be) and the wait staff really knows their stuff. Plus, with fantastic specials--including 1/3 off the menu Monday-Friday from 3-5 p.m., or a burger and beer for $6 every Tuesday--it's budget and belly friendly.

My three favorite things on the menu are their homemade black bean burger, the avocado salad, and SWEET. POTATO. TOTS. Seriously, get the sweet potato tots. And then ask yourself why people don't serve garlic aioli and Bubba Sauce with everything.

Locals and visitors agree: Bubba's is a TC restaurant staple, and after so many years in business, I'm happy it's here to stay. Whether you live in the area or are coming in for a visit, make sure to add Bubba's to your list of places to visit!

Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping: YP Kelsey Lauer Goes Out on the Town

Downtown Traverse City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping is no exception. I was lucky enough to spend several hours roaming downtown last Thursday with several friends in a chocolate-and-good-wine-fueled shopping frenzy—although it involved more window shopping than not. 

We started the evening with a free massage and complimentary beverages at the Bank of Northern Michigan. After relaxing for a bit, we headed out to check out the shopping at The Exchange Boutique and Salon. The scarves were particularly interesting. 

Next, we went next door to Pavlova Salon, where we joined numerous other ladies in indulging in a glass of L. Mawby’s Sex and some delectable chocolate truffles. Thus fueled by chocolate, we hit up Boyne Country Sports, admired some of their skis and then moved across the street to Brilliant Books, where I picked up New York Times bestseller “And When She was Good” by Laura Lippman. (Side note: it’s a really good read!).  

Next, we visited Great Lakes Bath and Body, which was the best-smelling store of the entire evening. If you need candles, soap, lotion or a scrub, their selection is highly varied and almost sure to offer something that’s to your liking. 

We had fun trying on sunglasses at the Sunglass Shoppe, which was also kind enough to offer some good snacks. Definitely check them out if you’re in need of eyewear—they have both fashion and high performance options. 

Another highlight of the evening was Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars—possibly the most-packed store of the evening. After navigating through the crowd of people, we arrived at the beverage cart, where I sampled peach balsamic vinegar mixed with a sparkling beverage—surprisingly tasty! Although I didn’t purchase anything this time, I’d highly recommend Fustini’s 18-Year-Old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar; it pairs well with almost any food item. 

Also worth a visit is My Secret Stash on Cass Street, which is a little off the beaten path but features a beautiful selection of jewelry, art, housewares and more, all made by Michigan artists. I was too busy admiring everything to take pictures, but I did most of my shopping damage here and don’t regret a penny of it!  

These were just some of the highlights, but we visited a circuit of nearly a dozen different merchants (some of which are mentioned above) that made us eligible for a drawing at the end of the evening. Giveaways included a $400 downtown gift card, a $200 downtown gift card and a wide variety of prizes from sponsors. None of us were lucky enough to win, but we still appreciated the chance, and congratulations to the lucky recipients! 

Men’s Night is tonight and, from what I hear, is every bit as fun as Ladies Night, so head down and check it out!   

YP Playlist: Short Days & Long Nights

By Emily Petrovich of NewEra Social Marketing

Winter is coming. Actually, it feels like winter is already here.

The days are shorter with a noticeable lack of sunshine… the nights are longer and increasingly colder. There must be some correlation between these seasonal factors and a dramatic increase in our proclamation that we will not go into “hibernation mode” (while actually experiencing a decrease in willpower and motivation.) We tend to gradually allow ourselves extra holiday treats while gazing woefully out our windows at the gray skies, swearing we will lace up our running shoes or hit the gym at some point tomorrow, despite the appeal of our warm homes with comfy couches and cozy blankets. Bonus points (and even more of a challenge to resist) if there’s a fireplace. Must. Not. Hibernate!

Okay, okay – not all of us go right into hibernation mode at the first sign of snowflakes. The Traverse City area offers so many wonderful opportunities to stay active during the winter months, indoors and out. But it can be tough to keep your energy up if you typically arrive to work at or around first light and leave when it’s completely dark. We feel you, friends. We’re here for you. That’s why we’ve combined TCYP forces to create a musical snack mix for your listening pleasure, sure to keep your spirits up all winter season long!

Our first playlist features favorites from several of our YP’s – songs that energize, motivate, and inspire us. The overall flow starts by pumping you up and finishes by gradually bringing things back down – perfect for a winter work day.

Check out our Short Days & Long Nights playlist on Spotify.

 

 Are there any songs you would add? Let us know in the comments!