Community Calendar

Join Crooked Tree Arts Center of Traverse City for a thoughtful and engaging conversation with selected artists from the upcoming Between Us exhibition. Each artist will share the personal lens through which they interpreted the theme—connection, distance, and the many spaces (emotional, physical, or imagined) that exist between people, places, and moments.

Hear directly from the artists about the inspiration behind their work, the stories woven into their pieces, and the creative processes that brought their ideas to life. From concept sketches to final touches, this talk offers a behind-the-scenes look at how meaning is built layer by layer.

You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy this conversation—just bring your curiosity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain deeper insight into the exhibition, connect with the makers, and experience the artwork in a new light.

FELTING ANIMALS WITH ARMATURES
JANUARY 31 , 2026
REGISTER BY: January 30th
CLASS FEE: $50, or $45 for members​
FORMAT: in-person

With artist Mary Duggan!

This fun needle felting class will introduce students to felting in three dimensions with simple wire armatures. Students can make an animal of their choice. They will learn how to make a simple armature and beginner needle felting techniques. All materials and tools will be provided.

Come stab away and leave with something cute!

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Join us for a five-part conversation series hosted by Derenda Lefevre of Open Your Eyes To Access (OYETA). These conversations will focus on centering disability stories, the history of disability in our communities, and provide opportunities for non-disabled people to learn about disability, ableism, and what it means to embrace accessibility and equity in our community spaces. Refreshments will be served and continuing education hours offered.

#1 Your Lens On Disability: At this first conversation we’ll set our gathering agreements, begin to build relationships, introduce the learning arc for this series, explore our individual lens on disability, and learn from a disability activist.

Three of Traverse City’s literary nonprofits have joined forces to bring TJ Klune to the City Opera House stage to talk about his #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today breakout, contemporary fantasy, The House in the Cerulean Sea.

T.J. Klune has a new book coming out on April 28, 2026, called We Burned So Bright. The story follows an older queer couple on a poignant end‑of‑the‑world road trip as they seek to finish unfinished business before a black hole destroys the planet. Born in Roseburg, Oregon, Travis John Klune was eight years old when he first began to write. His earliest published works included poetry and short stories.

He has now emerged as one of the country’s most popular fantasy authors. The House in the Cerulean Sea topped the country’s major bestseller lists and won the Lambda Literary Award. Klune’s novels also include Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, the Green Creek Series for adults, the Extraordinaries Series for teens, and more. As a queer author himself, Klune believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

Event Details
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with live music, and the conversation begins at 7:00 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session and a photo line immediately following in the lobby.

Join staff member Claudia to learn about long-term care, what you need to know but didn't know to ask. Claudia is a volunteer through the MI Long Term Care Ombudsman Program hosted by the Area Agency on Aging.

Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 12 - 3pm
REGISTER BY: Feb. 5th
CLASS FEE: $60, or $54 for members
FORMAT: in-person

Learn the art of stained glass with artist and instructor Ruby Smith!

All materials and tools are provided.

“Have you ever wanted to start beekeeping? Do you want to make some extra money selling pure honey, pollen, propolis and candles? Then the craft of sustainable beekeeping may be for you!

Ages 10 and above (with parental permission) welcome!

If you have at least one year of hands-on, actual beekeeping experience, you may be eligible to take the intermediate/advanced beekeeping classes that are described below.

**Beginning Beekeeping Classes will be held at the Betsy Valley District Library in Thompsonville beginning on February 7, 2026 at 1 PM, and meeting every two weeks thereafter.

Tuition is set at $75 for the entire beginning course and an additional $75 fee for the intermediate/advanced course.

A syllabus will be available at the Library when you register.

Please call the Library or stop in person to register.
Questions, please call 231-378-2716.

How can we live better, and dwell more thoroughly in our homes? Two Northern Michigan interior designers explore that question on February 8, 1 pm at the Glen Arbor Arts Center. This conversation takes place as part of the GAAC’s INteriors exhibition.

The program is free.

Click here for more information.

Crime has always captured our imaginations, whether in non-fiction books or mass media. But how do these true stories come together? Where do crime writers get their ideas? Step into the research and writing process with NYT bestselling author and award-winning newspaper reporter Mardi Link, as she shares some of her behind-the-scenes discoveries. Free Event. Sponsored by Alden District Library and Friends. Held at Helena Township Community Center/Alden Library 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

Join the League of Women Voters of Grand Traverse Area on the second Tuesday of every month during 2026 for all of your voter information needs - registration, information about candidates and ballot measures, and more!

This event is part of our 2026 Civics Celebration - tadl.org/democracy