Celebrity chef Tyler Florence at waterfront food festival, Flintfields Horse Park youth dressage finals, red panda cub born, and more. 
Happy Friday, Traverse City. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let TC Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Celebrity chef Tyler Florence returns to waterfront food festival, scholarships awarded total 509,728 dollars, and Flintfields Horse Park hosts youth dressage and jumping finals — catch up here.
State-level stories: Michigan unveils ten prime stargazing spots, backs drone delivery and electric aviation hubs, and celebrates a red panda cub born at Potter Park Zoo — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Learn food preservation tips with Kara Lynch
- Understand credit scores with 5/3 Bank
- Sail into brunch aboard the Schooner Manitou cruise
- Officials meet monthly for public board meeting
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Trails: Forget the treadmill and hit a twisting boardwalk under towering pines with lakeside views you’ll actually want to Instagram. These favorite trails near Traverse City just might be the midweek mood boost you need.
Careers: Michigan’s secret sauce mixes old-school auto giants with healthcare and tech unicorns to build a $566 billion economy. Check out these top employers powering growth faster than an assembly line.
Finance: Ready to demystify credit cards for your teen? Dive into easy credit lessons that turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, Low Bar mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎶 Djangophonique | Friday (8/15) at 7:00pm – Ready to ditch bar chatter for something that actually sounds good? Djangophonique takes the stage in The Alluvion’s fully seated listening room, backed by Warren and Flick. Claim your chair, sip something nice, and watch real grown-up virtuosos in action without checking your watch.
🐣 Henry Cho: The Empty Nest Tour @ City Opera House | Friday (8/15) at 8:00pm – Henry Cho rolls into town on his Empty Nest Tour to roast the joys of your newly quiet house, minus the snoring dog. eClub members snag tickets April 3 at noon, general public on April 4 at noon, because date night beats bedtime duty.
This weekend
🎤 Wink Solo @ North Bar | Saturday (8/16) at 5:00pm – Rooftop vibes and groovy tunes? Yes, please. Wink’s bringing his signature sound to North Bar for a golden-hour set that’s perfect for sipping, swaying, and pretending summer won’t end.
🎼 Will Marsh & The Integration Ensemble | Saturday (8/16) at 7:00pm – At The Alluvion, parking far enough to guilt-trip yourself into a brisk walk, but trust me, it’s worth it. Will Marsh’s sitar meets cello, tabla, sax, and your unfulfilled wanderlust in a seated, listening room showcase that feels like a passport stamp.
🍺 Andy McQuillen @ The Workshop Brewing Company | Saturday (8/16) at 8:00pm – Weeknight blues? Workshop Brewing to the rescue with Andy McQuillen’s 90s grunge revival. Expect crunchy riffs, flannel energy, and enough nostalgia to remind you why you invested in that aged brew. No stage dive required, just good times and better beer.
🐴 American Horseman Challenge Association Shows @ Lake Ann Farm | Sunday (8/17) at 8:30am – Lake Ann Farm is playing host to a no-frills equestrian showdown, where local riders navigate obstacles with more finesse than a downtown traffic jam. Expect friendly rivalry, fresh country air, and enough hay to fuel nostalgia, with stalls and camping on hand.
🧘 Sunday Yoga in the Vines @ Mari Vineyards | Sunday (8/17) at 9:30am – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stretch outdoors, namaste your way through a yoga flow among Mari Vineyards’ lush rows, catch the sunrise over the bay, then sip a mimosa or Higher Grounds coffee or tea in celebration. All levels welcome, mat included.
🎶 Ben Richey @ North Bar | Sunday (8/17) at 5:00pm – Ease into your Sunday evening with Ben Richey’s smooth vocals and looping acoustic guitar up on the rooftop. His setlist’s got taste, the breeze is just right, and the vibes? Immaculate.
Next week
🎵 Music Mondays on East Bay @ Blush Rooftop Terrace at Alexandra Inn | Monday (8/18) at 4:00pm – Monday evenings at Blush Rooftop Terrace now come with John & Madeline Piatek’s breezy folk tunes, killer sunset views, and a well-earned glass of something cold. Grab a drink and pretend your boss didn’t sneak an email into your off-hours.
🧠 Quizding Trivia Night! @ Brewery Terra Firma | Tuesday (8/19) at 7:00pm – Got random facts rattling around in your head? Put ‘em to good use at this brainy brew-fueled battle. Solo or squad, win some gift certs and eternal trivia glory — or at least bragging rights ‘til next week.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 David Cisco @ North Bar – 1 pm
- 8/15 Jeff Linsell @ North Bar – 5 pm
- 8/16 Wink @ North Bar – 5 pm
- 8/16 Will Marsh @ The Alluvion – 7 pm
- 8/17 Luke Woltanski @ Ciccone Vineyard – 2 pm
- 8/17 Nate Sabat @ Seven Hills – 6 pm
- 8/17 Harbor Summer Concert @ Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor – 7 pm
- 8/18 Zeke Clemons @ French Valley – 4 pm
- 8/19 Dominic Fortuna @ Bel Lago – 5:30 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Traverse City edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Bridget Carefoot (CENTURY 21 Northland)
Perched above the bay at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this architect-designed hideout on Old Mission Peninsula packs in birch floors, vaulted ceilings, and a natural ledge-stone fireplace for maximum cozy points. The three-season room spills onto a massive composite deck, while built-ins and a gourmet kitchen keep things both practical and pretty. Main floor perks include a home office (or secret lair), laundry, and a primary suite with closet space for days.
Downstairs, a walkout level delivers three roomy bedrooms, a family room with its own fireplace, and a custom wet bar for impromptu happy hours. Bay views peek in from nearly every room, and there’s garage space for four cars plus a bonus loft for all the fun stuff. Deeded boat hoist privileges at the association docks mean the water is always within reach.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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