Community Calendar

Join us for the 2026 Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Summit: Against the Current.

On May 14–15 in downtown Traverse City, creatives from across the region will gather for two days of connection, learning, and shared momentum. In a culture driven by productivity and profit, the arts move differently, traveling upstream to protect what is human, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community.

Through inspiring keynote sessions, practical workshops for arts workers, live performances, hands-on experiences, and structured opportunities to build real relationships, you will find meaningful exchange across disciplines and counties.

Register today for a meaningful experience with others like you from our creative community.

Join us for BOOKENDs, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library’s book discussion group.

The group meets at 2pm on the second Thursday of each month (except July, August & December) in the library’s lower level Community Meeting Room.

Books for the upcoming month will be available at the library’s front desk, or use the Libby app to borrow the title from the library’s digital collection.

May’s selection is Wreck by Catherine Newman.

This month’s selection is also the 2026 Leelanau Read! What is Leelanau Reads? Leelanau Reads is a year-round community reading initiative sponsored by the four Leelanau County public libraries. We host a community read and author event in the spring, and read a challenged book during Banned Books Week. Let’s read together!

Enjoy the company of fellow book lovers while discussing “Crow Mary” by Kathleen Grissom.

Free Event.

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

Come on out for Live Music at the Vineyard, where the vines set the stage and the good times come naturally.

At French Valley, we’re pouring wine, beer, and cider in a space that’s made for everyone—families, friends, and anyone looking to kick back and stay awhile."

The Railroad Historical Society of NW Michigan is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a get-together at The Filling Station Microbrewery in Traverse City.

Anyone interested in railroad history is invited to join us at this May 14 event which will feature pizza at 4:00 followed by a showing of a video about Hawaii's "The Sugar Cane Train" at 5:00. The video will be shown in the former Pere Marquette Railroad freight depot just west of the Filling Station's main building (the former Pere Marquette passenger depot). There will also be a small display of historical railroad items.

REGISTER BY: May 13th
CLASS FEE: FREE! ​
FORMAT: in-person

As the artist in residence at Good Hart Artist Residency this May, JANHAVI KHEMKA will share her artistic journey, inspirations, and personal experiences. She will discuss how she has adapted to communicate with the world as an artist who is deaf and showcase her work independently. This presentation will offer a unique glimpse into her creative process and how she’s overcome challenges to share her art with others.

Janhavi will then guide participants in creating unique textures using wood objects, resulting in dynamic prints without the need for a press machine. Enjoy complimentary food and beverages while you unleash your creativity!

Space is limited, Pre-Register to secure your spot.

Please note: the workshop is located in our lower level art studio accessible by stairs only.

Appropriate for ages 15 and up.

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Join The Kingsley Folk School at Kingsley Branch Library for a relaxed, no-prep storytelling community circle. Inspired by NPR’s The Moth, the Everyone Has a Story series invites you to simply show up and share—no scripts, no pressure. Just real moments from your life, told in the moment.

Together, we’ll listen, laugh, reflect, and connect with neighbors through the power of spontaneous storytelling.

Participants are welcome to speak for up to 5 minutes, or simply come to enjoy the stories and the sense of community.

This gathering happens on the second Thursday of every month from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Kingsley Branch Library.

Event is free and open to all, with no registration required.

For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please call the Library at 231-263-5484 or follow us on Facebook.

Internationally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Richard Gilewitz will appear live on The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre on Thursday, May 14, 2026, as part of his album release tour supporting his tenth studio recording, GILEWITZ. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:00 p.m., featuring two 45-minute sets.

Tickets for the Elk Rapids performance are $25 general admission, $20 for Elk Rapids Cinema members, and $12.50 for youth ages 18 and under.

International Affairs Forum & On The Ground Global present Land of Canaan, a documentary on Palestinian farmers and their ancient olive trees—symbols of resilience, heritage, and home, followed by filmmaker Q&A Thursday, May 14 at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium. Event is free and open to the public.

Tickets & details at TCIAF.com

Intimate documentary on Palestinian farmers and their ancient olive trees—symbols of resilience, heritage, and home. Set in the occupied West Bank, it follows a farmer uniting small-scale growers through fair trade cooperatives, connecting them to global markets while sustaining their land and livelihoods. Filmmaker Q&A to follow featuring:

Nasser Abufarha, Ph.D., Protagonist & Producer, Anthropologist
Dr. Nasser Abufarha was raised among the olive groves of Jenin. Abufarha founded Canaan Palestine, the world’s first fair‑trade and organic olive oil company. Through his work he has connected more than 2,000 small‑scale Palestinian farming families to global markets, brought Palestinian olive oil to international recognition and funded scholarships and women’s cooperatives.

Maggie Lemere, Director
Award‑winning filmmaker and oral historian Maggie Lemere is a National Geographic Explorer and co‑founder of the Rhiza Collective. Lemere’s storytelling focuses on the intersections of humanity and the environment; she is currently directing Land of Canaan, “a National Geographic Society‑supported feature film about Palestinians’ relationship with ancient olive trees” .

“Life on the Car Ferries.”
Presented by: Tim Foster
Mills Community House & ZOOM

Ever wonder what it was like to work on the car ferries? Or how about living on one? Join us on May 14th for our upcoming Benzonia Academy Lecture as Tim Foster takes an in-depth look at what it was like to live and work on the boats.

*Please note the start time change to 7 pm, starting with our May Benzonia Academy Lecture through our September Benzonia Academy Lecture.*

Presenter: Tim Foster

A native of Evanston, IL., Tim now resides in Frankfort. He has a lifelong interest in the Great Lakes. He is on the board of the SS City of Milwaukee National Historic Landmark in Manistee and the Benzie Area Historical Museum. He enjoys building scale models and spending time outdoors.

This presentation is part of the Benzie Area Historical Society’s Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, held on the second Thursday of each month. Admission is by donation, with a recommended $5 donation.

To learn more about the May 14th lecture, visit the Benzie Area Historical Society’s website, benziemuseum.org, Instagram, or Facebook page; call the Museum at (231) 882-5539; or email info@benziemuseum.org.