May 04 Saturday
Most of our resident black bears are now awake and becoming reacquainted with their favorite real estate. They are not famished as you might think after so long a sleep, but they are, none the less, looking for some fresh greens topped off with some yummy larvae (and perhaps a few residents’ bird food to build up their weight.) Join docents Ann McInnis, Cathy Stocker and Herb Lindsay as they explore Houdek for evidence of bear activity along with discovering the springtime activities of the many animals and plants that call Houdek Dunes their home.
Our fun and informative tasting classes are back and we can't wait to host you! We'll taste chocolate in all its forms and share with you the fascinating story of our world's favorite treat.
Classes are limited to 6 people and last about 1 - 1.5 hours. If you have a larger group, please email us for a custom class.
The Glen Arbor Arts Center celebrates human handwork in a time of machine dominance in its By Hand project. On May 4, the GAAC will host a panel discussion of generative artificial intelligence [AI], and its incursion into the arts. Visual artists Randy Melick, Tim Nielsen, Rufus Snoddy, and writer Bob Butz will talk about the role of AI in their work. The discussion begins at 1 pm and is facilitated by Anne Stanton, National Writers Series executive director, and Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager. It is often asserted that AI is just a tool. In the May 4 discussion, the panel will explore a range of questions including their experience with AI; and weigh in on whether or not it’s a benign “tool.” Is AI art “art”? How does AI change the way we understand the visual and literary arts? What purpose does AI serve in the arts? What’s the purpose of turning over human creative work to a machine? What are the harms? Melick and Snoddy teach visual art and art history at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. Nielsen is the former president of Nielsen Design Group, Traverse City, and now a studio practitioner. Butz worked for 20 years as a freelance writer, and is now the Senior Creative Copywriter and Creative Strategist for the Wisconsin-based Vortex Optics. . This By Hand program is free. The GAAC is located at 6031 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor. The By Hand project runs March 29 – May 30. The By Hand project enjoys the support of a Michigan Humanities Bridging Michigan grant. It is comprised of a series of visual art exhibitions and community conversations. For more information go to GlenArborArt.org / EVENTS.
Come cheer on the Traverse City Roller Derby at their season opener May 4th against Chemical City.
Doors and beverage service start at 4:30pm. Action at 5pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Pre-sale tickets can be bought on tcrollerderby.com/ and clicking on the home bout tab.
Old Town Playhouse is headed back to the '80s when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer was the coolest guy in the room! It’s 1985, and rock star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. He's the life of the party until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. As luck would have it, Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and, unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.
Music provided by The Johns, calling will be Cynthia Donahey. All dances are taught. No need to come with a partner. Potluck at 6:30. Bring dish to pass and your tableware.
May 05 Sunday
The Grand Traverse Audubon Club is offering bird walks on Sundays, April 7th through June 30th. Locations and meeting times will vary each week. Visit grandtraverseaudubon.org to find the times, locations, and map links. No experience necessary!
Join Grand Traverse County 4-H as we explore the world of birding! Learn how to identify and observe new species – all while enjoying the health benefits that birding can bring! There is no cost to participate, and parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Best suited for youth ages 10-14, but more experienced birders are welcome! Workshop 1 will be held on Sunday, May 7th, at the Grand Traverse Conservation District Community Room from 10:00am-11:30am. The workshop series will be held once a month, on the first Sunday of each month through October at various birding locations around Grand Traverse County.
Registration takes place on 4-H Online website here: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-inLook to register for the event "4-H Birding Workshop 1: The Basics of Birding."
Please call Emily Kotz, Grand Traverse County 4-H Program Coordinator, at 231-922-4825 or email at kotzemil@msu.edu with questions and event information.
Head to The Village at Grand Traverse Commons and shop our indoor sidewalk sales! Mercato merchants will have discounts and specials throughout the weekend, as well as giveaways and tunnel walks.
May 4th & 5th
Hours: 10am – 6pm, 10am-4pm
Make a beautiful edible chocolate rose for Mother's Day (and one for yourself too!). We'll combine Ecuadorian chocolate and Michigan honey to create a delicious chocolate clay. Then we'll shape them into delicate realistic roses and airbrush them with red, pink or yellow cocoa butter to make them really pop. They taste great eaten petal by petal or place them into some hot milk for the best drinking chocolate ever.A collaboration between GDC staff & chocolate artist Anne Boulley.