Virtual Wine Tasting with Black Star Farms
February 21, 2010
Tweet & Taste Michigan brings wine lovers together on Twitter for a virtual wine tasting
Have you ever wanted to taste wines with the winemaker and compare notes? What if you could sip and savor at home, in your jammies if you like, while discussing Michigan wine with other fans from across the country? On March 8, 2010 you can do just that. Thanks to the folks at Michigan By the Bottle all you need for this fun event are a few bottles of Black Star Farms wines, a computer and a Twitter account.
Black Star Farms Winery is participating in a virtual wine tasting with Tweet & Taste Michigan. Created by Shannon Casey the event brings wine bloggers, winemakers, master sommeliers and wine lovers together to learn and share wine notes online in real time.
The event on March 8th starts at 8pm and will feature three Black Star Farms wines:
- 2008 Black Star Farms Arcturos Dry Riesling
- 2007 Black Star Farms Arcturos Pinot Noir
- 2007 Black Star Farms Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay
Interested participants can search twitter using the hashtag #ttmi to find all relevant info on Tweet and Taste Michigan. To RSVP for the event find them on Facebook here.
Great Indoor Folk Festival in The Village 2/13
February 12, 2010
The 2nd Annual Great Indoor Folk Festival
Saturday, February 13th from 12pm - 5pm
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The all-folk, all-acoustic festival aims to be bigger and better this year, expanding down another hallway at the southern end of the Mercato and also establishing a new stage at Left Foot Charley. As with last year’s event, there will be a band stage, a duo stage, children’s stage and solo stage, as well as an open mic at Cuppa Joe. Family friendly and free admission…fun for all!
While you’re at the Commons, stop by Left Foot Charley for their H’arts and Arts for All fundraiser
NM3, RedHot Marketing and Left Foot Charley are sponsoring a special event for VSA (Very Special Arts of Grand Traverse County.) $50 Ticket includes a Silent Auction, Music, Wine & Food. Proceeds to benefit VSA.
For more information contact Left Foot Charley at 231.995.0500.
Winter Wonderfest Returns to Traverse City
February 9, 2010

A Frosty Weekend of Family Fun comes to the Cherry Capital February 12-14th
The 2010 Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest is upon us, bringing fun to our frozen city. And this year it’s bigger and better than ever. New events like the Traverse City Microbrew and Music Festival, the "snowball" softball tournament and the Winter Wine Wonderland, will all add the excitement of this growing festival.
This year, there’s something here for everyone; man, woman, child, even dogs! In fact, you can bring your furry friend downtown for the first annual Monster Dog Pull where pooches of all shapes and sizes can test their strength with a weighted sled.
If you’re looking to join the festivities you’ll need to know where to go. Events are schedules across Traverse City, but are primariliy located in three areas: Downtown Traverse City, The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and Mt. Holiday ski resort.
For details on all the events, check out the Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest website at www.winterwonderfest.org.
Free Skating Clinic at Centre Ice 1/24
January 18, 2010
Celebrate National Skating Month with a Free Learn to Skate Clinic at Centre Ice
The Twin Bays Skating Club will host a free Learn to Skate Clinic and Exhibition on Sunday, January 24, 2010 from 2-4pm at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City.
The family friendly event includes a free 30-minute group lesson, and skate rental. Members from the skating club will perform short programs, including the Northern Lights Synchronized Skating team, fresh off a 3rd place performance at the Mid-America Synchronized Skating Championships in Fraser, Michigan.
Following the exhibition, skaters and their families will be invited back on the ice for a free open skating session.
Pre-registration for the Learn to Skate clinic is encouraged. Contact the skating club at 231-947-2267 or email twinbays@live.com. The event is open to children and adults of all levels, ages 3 and up. Pre-school age children must bring a helmet to participate in classes.
The free Learn to Skate Clinic is offered by Twin Bays Skating Club to celebrate National Skating Month. U.S. Figure Skating reports over 350 events will be held nationwide to introduce children and adults to the sport of figure skating.
Ethnic Night at The Bluebird 2010 schedule
January 8, 2010
Looking for a dinner with a twist, check out Ethnic Night at The Bluebird in Leland
Foodies across the area look forward to Wednesday and Thursday nights each winter for one reason: the fine wine and food pairs at Leland’s oldest family restaurant, The Bluebird. Tempting dishes from Greece to South America, Thailand to France, give us something warm and spicy to celebrate when the bitter winds blow.
If you haven’t been out for one of these festive events, you might want to take a look at the schedule and plan ahead. Here’s the list. Let the mouth watering commense.
The Bluebird 2010 Ethnic Nights
Wednesday and Thursday nights, 5pm - 9pm
Jan. 13 – 14 Mediterranean – Southern Spain, France, Italy, and Greece
Jan. 20 – 21 45th Parallel Feast – Food and Wine bounty from our region
Jan. 27 – 28 South American Cuisine – Focus on glorious Malbec from Argentina
Feb. 3 – 4 Chinese/Thai – Sparkling wines and aromatic whites from Leelanau
Feb. 11 – 12 France – Celebrate Valentines Day, great food and the wines of Bordeaux
Feb. 17 – 18 New Orleans – Wines you have never heard of. We will root out hidden gems.
Feb. 24 – 25 The Cuisine of India – A sampling of this aromatic, delicious, healthy cuisine.
March 3 – 4 Southwest – The “real” Tex/Mex
March 10 – 11 Asian Fusion – A glimpse of China, Japan, Thailand, etc.
March 17 – 18 St. Patrick’s Feast – Local Beers from Short’s and Right Brain Breweries
March 24 – 25 The American South – Recipes from “Southern Living” and regional wines.
April 7 – 8 Greek Islands – As always, great food, toss in some outstanding Greek wines
April 14 – 15 New England – Enjoy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Burgundy and America
April 21 - 22 France – The Rhone Valley – Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote Rotie, Hermitage
April 28 – 29 Greatest Hits – An amazing array of Cuisine, and legendary wine sale.
The Bluebird Restaurant is located in Leland, Michigan. To make a reservation call 231.256.9081. For more details on the ethnic night dinners visit their website at www.leelanau.com/bluebird






