2015 Up North Festival Roundup

June 5, 2015

Ready to listen, dance, dine and applaud? Then you’re ready for the 2015 northern Michigan summer festival season. All you’ll need now are your tickets and this handy festival guide.

INTERLOCHEN ARTS FESTIVAL 

Interlochen Center for the Arts June 18-Sept. 1 

THE MUSIC: From local Joshua Davis’ triumphant return after the finals of "The Voice," to performances by The Beach Boys, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, O.A.R., Vince Gill and The Piano Guys, these shows are some of the biggest. 

THE REST: Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, Dancing with the Stars Live, dance and orchestral events show off Interlochen’s diversity.

GO! Tickets vary by performance at tickets. interlochen.org 

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BAY VIEW MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Bay View (Petoskey) June 19-Aug. 16 

THE MUSIC: Aiming at something for every age group, Bay View’s roster includes performances from their on-campus classical musicians, plus concerts by The Rascals,

Franc D’Ambrosio and The Soul of the "˜70s.

THE REST: Sketch comedy from Second City and theater performances of "Ragtime" and the opera "La Boheme" add variety to this summer-only series. 

GO! Tickets sold by show at bayviewfestival.org

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TRAVERSE CITY WINE AND ART FESTIVAL 

Grand Traverse Commons, Traverse City June 20 

THE MUSIC: Catch new acts like Grand Rapids folk-rockers Bennett, saxophonist Phil Denny and soulful songwriter Briar Rabbit, and then relive old hits from indie-rock darlings Guster and Michigan natives The Verve Pipe. 

THE REST: Enjoy some of the best food and wine from northern Michigan chefs and wineries, alongside local and imported artworks to view and buy.

GO! General tix start at $40, VIP at $125 at traversecitywinefestival.com

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BIG TICKET FESTIVAL 

Otsego County Fairgrounds, Gaylord June 25-27 

THE MUSIC: Big Ticket’s faith-based fest will include concerts by The Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Toby Mac, Good Little Giants, Point of Grace and Jetty Rae, plus dedicated indie band and country shows. 

THE REST: A 5K Run/Walk, "Extreme Inflatables," refreshments and camping round out this 10-year celebration of the BTF 

GO! Tix start at $35 for single days, up to $345 for a family pass at bigticketfestival.com

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MANITOU MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Various venues in and around Glen Arbor July 3-Aug. 12 

THE MUSIC: Local faves like the Don Julin/ Billy Strings duo and Moxie Strings share festival time with indie-folk band The Crane Wives, Irish band Socks in the Frying Pan and the patriotic Northport Community Band.

THE REST: If you’re an art fan, then Glen Arbor is the place for you, with plenty of galleries and shops to browse in between shows.

GO! Tickets vary by concert at glenarborart.org

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NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL 

Various venues around Traverse City July 4-11 

THE MUSIC: Major concerts are part of the really big deal that is the National Cherry Fest, including shows this year from altpopsters Toad the Wet Sprocket, rockers Tonic, parody singer Weird Al Yankovic and Joan Jett. 

THE REST: Planes zipping overhead, parades marching down the streets and cherry everything from ice cream to burgers keep the theme going strong. 

GO! Tix vary by event at cherryfestival.org 

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BLISSFEST

Bliss Festival Farm in Bliss July 10-12 

THE MUSIC: Performers at this 35th edition of Bliss include folk legend headliner Arlo Guthrie, plus additional sets from The James Hill Band, Mulebone, The Go Rounds, Michelle Chenard, Rattletree and Mo’Mojo.

THE REST: Relive the best of Woodstock at Bliss with extras like drum circles, tie-dyed T-shirts, jewelry and soap vendors, and healing arts. 

GO! Tickets start at $32 for an adult single day, $130 for a weekend ticket at blissfest.org

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TRAVERSE CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds, Traverse City July 24-26 

THE MUSIC: Friday is Retro Night, with The Journey and The Spragues; Saturday is hair-rock heaven with Van Halen tribute band Panama; and Sunday is country night, with Stolen Horses and headliner Tyler Farr. 

THE REST: A Battle of the Bands, the Rock N’ Ride car show and a spokesmodel competition add to this fest’s Midwestern ambiance.

GO! Tix run $10-45 at traversecitymusicfestival.com

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FARMFEST 

Stacy Jo’s Farm (20 miles east of Gaylord) Aug. 6-9 

THE MUSIC: Farm Fest’s recycled barn wood amphitheater will welcome performances from East Indian group Ananda, popsters The Cookies, folkster Kirby and acoustic band The Medicine Bell for their "moosical" weekend.

THE REST: The Feedbag Cafe supplies the food, morning yoga gets you ready for each long festival day, and you supply the tunes at Parkin’ Lot Pickin’.

 GO: Weekend passes are $85, including camping, at farm-fest.com 

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FESTIVAL ON THE BAY

Petoskey Bayfront Park Aug. 14-15 

THE MUSIC: Local favorites like The Jelly Roll Blues Band and The Petoskey Steel Drum Band join regional rockers from dance band The Cookies to funk-blues band The Pistil Whips for a real Michigan music fiesta.

THE REST: The BBQ on the Bay competition brings out the best amateur grillers in the area and the art show adds a nice visual component.

GO! Live music tix start at $5 at petoskeyfestival.com

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HOXEYVILLE 

Wellston festival grounds in the Manistee National Forest Aug. 14-16 

THE MUSIC: This year marks Hoxeyville’s 12th anniversary and they’re celebrating with performances from Joshua Davis, Greensky Bluegrass, the Jeff Austin Band, Hardworking Americans, Luke Winslow King and more.

THE REST: Camping near fishing holes and mountain bike trails, artisan vendors and plenty of food choices keep things outdoorsy, yet comfortable.

GO! Adult admission weekend passes start at $120 at hoxeyville.com

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TC MICROBREW AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Traverse City Aug. 21-22 

THE MUSIC: Known for bringing big-name chart bands to the region, this year’s fest doesn’t disappoint, with headliners The Avett Brothers and Robert Randolph, plus GT Pipes and Drums and the always-popular Silent Disco.

THE REST: Craft brews, ciders and wines keep patrons refreshed during the musical proceedings and local food vendors keep everyone fueled up to dance. 

GO! General admission tix start at $50 at microbrewandmusic.com