Rick Coates

Music Rick Coates Calling all Rock Lobsters
It’s The B-52s
By Rick Coates 8/17/09

Okay, it is time to bust out the poodle skirts, cat-eyeglasses, saddle shoes and beehive hairdos to “jump in a car as big as a whale,” and “Roam” to the “Love Shack” on “Planet Claire” (Odawa Casino) for your own “Private Idaho” and a little “Rock Lobster.” Yes, after riding the New Wave music scene of the late ‘70s and ‘80s, The B-52s are still going strong and are on the second leg of their two-year tour in support of a new CD and a resurgence of their music.
Bursting on the scene 33 years ago, The B-52s will take the stage this Saturday night at the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey.
They have mysteriously dropped the apostrophe with the release of their new album; according to band member Fred Schneider “there are more important things for us to concern ourselves about than whether or not we have an apostrophe, to put it simply we are going forward from this point without one.”

Dining Rick Coates Raise a Glass
to TC’s New Art & Wine Festival

By Rick Coates 8/17/09

After a five-year stint in Traverse City, the popular Epicurean Classic has moved to St. Joseph, Michigan (90 miles east of Chicago) along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Festival organizers were wooed by sponsors who wanted the event closer to a major metropolitan area. The departure of the Epicurean Classic has opened the door for others to try and fill the void.
The first “replacement” event will take place this Saturday in the form of the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival. It will take place on the spacious grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons in front of Building 50 under a large tent from 5 to 10 p.m.

Dining Rick Coates Tastemakers
Rick Coates 8/17/09
Trattoria Stella
Trattoria Stella opened their doors five years ago in the lower level of Building 50 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. They have built their success and reputation on using local products, keeping their menu fresh and putting an emphasis on service. Founded by Paul and Amanda Danielson, the couple entrusted their future on Chef Myles Anton and he has not let them down. Anton remains at the helm of the culinary team that continues to knock out amazing wine and beer dinners as well as a top notch menu of Italian inspired entrees and appetizers.
Despite tough economic times, the Danielsons are reporting their best year yet. They attribute their success to not only fresh and local products but, “seeking out like-minded, dedicated passionate people” to work with them.

Music Rick Coates Judy Harrison gets Theatrical
Singer helms Williamsburg Dinner Theater

By Rick Coates 8/10/09

Dominic Fortuna has been the host of The Williamsburg Dinner Theater since its inception, but last fall Northern Michigan’s “Showman” landed the role of Vince Fontaine for the Broadway version of Grease. The show did so well on Broadway that the producers decided to take the road, so Fortuna remains busy touring the country, leaving some to wonder about the future of the dinner theater.
As they say, the show must go on.
“It is the same format, with a great dinner from Chef Dan Kelly and his staff,” said Judy Harrison. “It is a song and dance review type show with songs from the ‘40s to the ‘90s. It is called ‘Encore’ and we perform two sets with dessert served during the break.”

Music Rick Coates Styx Trix
Hitmakers bring arena rock to Interlochen

By Rick Coates 8/10/09

Interlochen Center for the Arts has been enjoying a very successful concert season. For all practical purposes their concert season ends this Saturday with Styx (next week there is the Interlochen Guitar Festival to officially close things out) taking the stage at Kresge Auditorium. The band that dominated the rock music world in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s has their work cut out for them as Willie Nelson, Steve Miller and Kenny Loggins all blew the roof this summer.
But if any band can raise the roof to close out a concert season Styx is up to the task. Loaded with rock ballads and anthems “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “Lady,” “Renegade,” “The Best of Times,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Show Me The Way,” and “Mr. Roboto,” these classic rockers strung together eight consecutive albums that went platinum and have sold close to 60 million copies.
The band’s roots go back to 1961 in Chicago with founding members evolving the Tradewinds (TW4) into Styx in 1972. While the group was enjoying success in the Midwest, it was when guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tommy Shaw joined the band in 1975 that the band finally became an international sensation.

Dining Rick Coates Grilled Michigan Sweet Corn
8/10/09
After getting off to a slow start, Michigan sweet corn is now starting to be harvested. The first roadside stands in North Central Michigan are starting to pop up and fresh sweet corn is now making its way to area farmers’ markets. No summer is complete without enjoying several ears of fresh Michigan sweet corn. While there are several ways to prepare corn on the cob, grilled is the best.
There is essentially three ways to grill corn on the cob: in their husks, just a layer of the inner silk, or fully husked. There are several schools of thought on whether to soak corn before grilling; I find that a 30-minute soak works best. As for husk or no husk, it depends on how much else you have going on. Fully husked corn requires less attention while on the grill. My preference is to remove the husks to the final layer and grill that way.
It takes about 15 minutes. turn a few times until tender and simply lightly butter, add fresh ground salt and pepper and it is hard to find a better side dish this time of the year. Of course that depends on who you are as I like to have three ears of grilled corn as my main dish and four ounces of grilled salmon with a cherry BBQ glaze for my side dish.
As for pairing wine with grilled corn, try the Chardonnay from Chateau Fontaine or the 2008 Best of Show Pinot Blanc from Left Foot Charley. As for beer, pick up a growler from your favorite microbrewer; try a pale ale. --Rick Coates

Dining Rick Coates Wellington Street Market
Kurry Guru
Rick Coates 8/3/09

Eric Patterson and Jennifer Blakeslee opened The Cooks House in Traverse
City 15 months ago and through hard work and word of mouth they have
created quite the buzz among foodies in the region. So last fall as the
economy was crumbling, they launched a second venture, the Wellington
Street Market (the former House of Doggs location next to Jack’s) right
around the corner from their Front Street location.

Features Rick Coates 40 Years After...
Why Woodstock Still Matters

By Rick Coates 8/3/09

August 15 will mark the 40th anniversary of the most iconic event in rock
and roll history, The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, a three-day festival of
peace and music.

Dining Rick Coates Tastesmakers: National Mustard Day/ Short‘s in a bottle
Rick Coates 7/27/09
Often referred to as the “king of condiments,” mustard now has its own day. Yes, the first Saturday in August is known as National Mustard Day. It was created in 1991 by the National Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, WI, and yes, they have a big festival with a parade honoring this sandwich and sausage staple.

Features Rick Coates Behind the Scenes
The Warehouse Crew

By Rick Coates 7/27/09

Each year notable producers, directors, actors and other dignitaries take the spotlight at the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF). While this cast of characters is an important element to the success of the TCFF, so are the countless volunteers who deserve a “supporting actor” award for making the event one of the top film festivals in the country.

Features Rick Coates By the Time We Got to Woodstock...
New cut of a 40-year favorite to play the Film Festival

By Rick Coates 7/27/09
 
It has been 40 years since Woodstock took place. What was billed as an
“Aquarian Exposition” and “3 Days of Peace & Music,” became the event that
defined a generation.

Music Rick Coates Damn Right
Suttons Bay
Got the Blues...
By Rick Coates 7/20/09

For years the Suttons Bay Jazz Festival has been a staple the last weekend
in July in this quaint Leelanau Peninsula village. But after last year’s
event, organizers announced they were heading in a different direction
with a smaller indoor version of the festival to take place in Traverse
City. That left Suttons Bay and the Leelanau Peninsula with an open
weekend to promote.

Dining Rick Coates 2009 Film
Festival Parties
Rick Coates 7/20/09

While the movies take center stage at the upcoming Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF), the parties are the center of the social scene. Since its inception five years ago, the TCFF has hosted a Founders Party, Opening Night Party and a Closing Night Party. Each year since, they have added something new to the mix. For example, the Friends of the Film Festival Potluck Party (Saturday, July 25) was added a couple of years ago, and this year they have added the Filmmakers Party (Saturday, August 1).
These parties are well attended with some drawing close to 1,000 people. At the heart of each party are the many “local” offerings, from food provided by area eateries to wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula as well as local entertainment. Last year’s Opening Night Party turned into a dance party and it went over so well that the Closing Night Party continued the theme.
Festival organizers created the parties for filmgoers to “rub shoulders” with the filmmakers and those who star in the films. For the most part, the “celebrity” guests to town have obliged and attended the various parties. Impromptu parties have also popped up each year at local clubs and eateries and those interested just need to ask around. Here is a listing of parties open to the public:

Dining Rick Coates 2009 Film
Festival Parties
Rick Coates 7/20/09

While the movies take center stage at the upcoming Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF), the parties are the center of the social scene. Since its inception five years ago, the TCFF has hosted a Founders Party, Opening Night Party and a Closing Night Party. Each year since, they have added something new to the mix. For example, the Friends of the Film Festival Potluck Party (Saturday, July 25) was added a couple of years ago, and this year they have added the Filmmakers Party (Saturday, August 1).
These parties are well attended with some drawing close to 1,000 people. At the heart of each party are the many “local” offerings, from food provided by area eateries to wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula as well as local entertainment. Last year’s Opening Night Party turned into a dance party and it went over so well that the Closing Night Party continued the theme.
Festival organizers created the parties for filmgoers to “rub shoulders” with the filmmakers and those who star in the films. For the most part, the “celebrity” guests to town have obliged and attended the various parties. Impromptu parties have also popped up each year at local clubs and eateries and those interested just need to ask around. Here is a listing of parties open to the public:

Features Rick Coates AuSable’s Canoe Craze
120-mile canoe marathon draws
crowd of up to 25,000

By Rick Coates 7/20/09

The Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon is billed as “America’s longest, richest and toughest canoe race.” The race starts in Grayling at 9 p.m. on July 25 and is a 120-mile trek of the AuSable River throughout the night, finishing in Oscoda around 11 a.m. the next morning.
Now in its 62nd year, the race has become the largest spectator sport event in Northern Michigan.