Almanac

Plein Air Weekend
Experience the Magic of Plein Air Painting In and Around Glen Arbor!

Each first full weekend in August, artists from Michigan and the Midwest gather for a two-day event celebrating art, nature, and creativity. The Glen Arbor Arts Center’s Plein Air Weekend is a cherished community event supporting both the center and the artists. As one of Northern Michigan’s first Plein Air Paint-Outs, it continues to attract talent eager to paint outdoors and “capture the moment.”
What is Plein Air Painting?

Plein air painting means creating art outside, a method made famous by French Impressionists in the 19th century. Artists work quickly to finish their 2D paintings in a single day—rain or shine!
Weekend Highlights

Friday
Quick Draw: Artists have 3 hours to create works based on a theme, like “Village Life” or “Pastoral Life.”
Quick Draw Sale: Paintings are displayed and sold at the Glen Arbor Town Hall.
Sunsetter: Artists head out to paint beautiful sunsets.
Saturday – The Main Event
The “Paint Out” invites 75 artists to capture the area’s natural beauty, from lakes and rivers to gardens and landmarks. Sunsetter and Paint Out works are professionally displayed and sold that evening at the Glen Arbor Town Hall.

Awards and Community Fun

Saturday night celebrates creativity with the Amy L. Clark-Carels Award, honoring artistic excellence in memory of the local watercolorist. This lively event showcases diverse artwork, offering the community a chance to view, connect, and purchase unique pieces while supporting talented artists.
Admission and Donations

Both sales are open to the public, and admission is free. Donations are appreciated to support the Glen Arbor Arts Center.
https://glenarborart.org/events-page/plein-air-weekend/

This annual art fair takes place next to the beautiful Suttons Bay Marina Park on the first weekend of August.

August 2 & 3, 2025, Sat. 10am - 5pm, Sun. 10am - 4pm.

One hundred artists along with community groups, a community library book sale, food vendors and a children's area make this the perfect place to spend an art-filled weekend at the beach.

A committee of volunteers oversees the selection of visiting artists and the distribution of funds generated by the event. Thousands of dollars have been contributed to local arts-related education projects. These include music and dance performances, artist in residence programs and scholarships for local art students.

The festival is currently undergoing a two-year transition, during which Crooked Tree Arts Center will assume management of the 2026 event. SBAF board members will continue to play an active role in the jurying and volunteer processes to maintain the event's integrity and consistency.

Come to Suttons Bay in August, participate - as an artist, as a shopper or as a volunteer. Join in the fun!

Multi-platinum guitarist Kenny Olson has performed at the Super Bowl, Woodstock ‘99 and around the globe with iconic bands including Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Metallica. But the Detroit native and 1986 Traverse City High School graduate considers northern Michigan a “magical, sacred place” – and his desire to support the region remains as strong as his musical passion.

Olson will bring his fiery blues-rock style to the stage for the 9th Annual Kenny Olson Rock-N-Hole Golf Tournament and Concert on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Elmbrook Golf Course, located at 1750 Townline Road in Traverse City.

Golf slots are still available and the tournament includes a 1 p.m. 18-hole scramble followed by the 7 p.m. outdoor concert.

Proceeds go to the Hallie’s Hearts Endowment at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, supporting women in northern Michigan impacted by ovarian cancer.

Registration for the scramble is $550 for a foursome, or $150 per golfer ($650 and $175 after July 19.) This covers two meals, cart/green fees and a ticket to the show. Concert-only tickets can be purchased for $30 the night of the show. (Bring a chair to ensure seating.) Auction items are being accepted for a day-long silent auction. To register or donate an auction item, call 231-392-0379.

Contact:
Cindy Johnson
231-392-9379
cindyjjohnson@sbcglobal.net

NAYC Dressage and the Dexter CSI3* Grand Prix
Head to Flintfields Horse Park for a Saturday afternoon of elite youth show jumping and dressage competiton, great food, boutique shopping, and open-air fun. Gates open early, and the main competition begins at 3 PM.

Bring a blanket for the lawn or upgrade your experience with shaded seating, VIP access, or a Cabana Box for your group.

All general admission proceeds benefit local nonprofits—this week, your ticket supports the City Opera House.

Tickets begin at $15 and are available online or at the gate. For an enhanced experience, consider our VIP upgrades

Details at: traversecityhorseshows.com/visit

Horizons: Alternative Landscapes will open with a reception on Friday, August 2 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

The exhibition takes a fresh look at landscape art, exploring the genre through the lens of several featured artists. Each brings a unique twist to the subject, ranging from romantic realism to luscious abstractions rendered in a variety of media.

Participating artists include Carl Sperber (Clarkston, MI), Julie Tibus (Howell, MI), Ron Gianola (Honor, MI), Cody Winter (Toledo, OH), Adam VanHouten (Traverse City, MI), and Anne Kindl (Saline, MI). An artist talk will take place at the close of the show on September 5 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

This annual art fair takes place next to the beautiful Suttons Bay Marina Park on the first weekend of August.

August 2 & 3, 2025, Sat. 10am - 5pm, Sun. 10am - 4pm.

One hundred artists along with community groups, a community library book sale, food vendors and a children's area make this the perfect place to spend an art-filled weekend at the beach.

A committee of volunteers oversees the selection of visiting artists and the distribution of funds generated by the event. Thousands of dollars have been contributed to local arts-related education projects. These include music and dance performances, artist in residence programs and scholarships for local art students.

The festival is currently undergoing a two-year transition, during which Crooked Tree Arts Center will assume management of the 2026 event. SBAF board members will continue to play an active role in the jurying and volunteer processes to maintain the event's integrity and consistency.

Come to Suttons Bay in August, participate - as an artist, as a shopper or as a volunteer. Join in the fun!

This fun and immersive exhibition explores the joy of sailing Michigan’s rivers and lakes, and celebrates the adventurous heart of our harbor community.

Artwork in all media highlighting all kinds of water travel – from tug boats to kayaks, canoes to freighters, and everything in between – it’s all hands on deck!

Exhibit hours:
Sundays 12-4
Mon-Thur 10-4

NAYC Jumping Final
Head to Flintfields Horse Park for a Sunday afternoon of elite youth show jumping, great food, boutique shopping, and open-air fun. Gates open early, and the main competition begins at 2 PM.

Bring a blanket for the lawn or upgrade your experience with shaded seating, VIP access, or a Cabana Box for your group.

All general admission proceeds benefit local nonprofits—this week, your ticket supports the City Opera House.

Tickets begin at $15 and are available online or at the gate. For an enhanced experience, consider our VIP upgrades

Details at: traversecityhorseshows.com/visit

The popular Bayside Concert Series returns this summer to the Petoskey waterfront! This free, family-friendly series of outdoor concerts will take place Sunday evenings from 5–7 PM, July 6 through August 31, on the Promenade near the waterfront clock tower.

The series, co-sponsored by Big Water Creative Arts and the City of Petoskey, features an exciting lineup of local musicians performing a variety of styles — all with a stunning view of Little Traverse Bay.

2025 lineup:
July 6 – Two Track Mind
July 13 – Eric Dane Jaqua
July 20 – Steel & Wood
July 27 – The Real Ingredients
August 3 – Michelle Chenard
August 10 – Kevin Johnson
August 17 – Lara Fulford
August 24 – Laura Crowe
August 31 – Continuous Imposition

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of great music on the bay. No tickets or registration required.

For more information, visit: www.bigwatercreativearts.org or petoskey.recdesk.com.

For ages 10 & up!

SERIES OF 4 CLASSES:

August 4,6,11,13
Mondays & Wednesdays
3:30 - 5pm​

CLASS FEE:
$80, or $72 for Members

​FORMAT: In Person

This class is for anyone creative that enjoys television and film, and wants to learn more about the acting process.

You will learn the basic fundamentals of acting, acting exercises, monologues and scene study as well as many other acting related topics.

No prior acting experience is needed!

The class atmosphere will be light hearted and fun! Let’s roll!

Phillip will also answer your questions about working in the entertainment industry and how things work in Hollywood.