The Mackinac Blog

The Heart of Women is the theme for this season’s 9th annual festival, which features award winning singer/songwriters from across the state. This season’s festival theme is Heart of a Woman and headlining the festival is Detroit Music Award Winning Blues band-Barbara Payton & the Instigators. Recognized as one of Detroit’s most powerful and engaging live performers, Barbara Payton has rocked stages, festivals, arenas and private listening rooms for more than 25 years. In addition to her solo career, Barbara has toured as a background singer for both Bob Seger and Kid Rock. Opening the show will be Detroit’s own blues/soul singer Laura Rain & The Caesars.

Songwriters in the Round will be hosted by Michelle Chenard and features Chris McCall, Tasha Lord and Julianne Ankley.

Detroit Unplugged features Detroit Music Award Winners Carolyn Striho, Audra Kubat & Mary McGuire along with the art of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Mark Arminski. Both concert events take place at the Mackinac Island Art Gallery in the Murray Hotel.

Island classical musician Heather May performs an afternoon concert of classical music at the Mackinac Island Public Library and the Mackinac Arts Council presents a special screening of Lady Sings the Blues at Mission Point Theatre.

After the shows each night, everyone will head to the Pink Pony for the festival jam with singer/songwriter Kyle White.

Visit Mackinac Island Music Festival Website >>>>

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Mackinac Island Music Festival Page On Facebook

The 2017 Women’s Wellness and a Wee Bit of Wine Weekend is coming up October 20-21st. Over 100 women from across the state of Michigan join us on beautiful Mackinac Island for this unique event to celebrate friendships, health, shopping and of course… a little wine.

Art shows, to captivating wellness seminars, yoga, spa days, fabulous shopping and so much more will await you.

Even more, the weekend retreat allows you to experience the island with likeminded women and discover more of your inner-self. It’s about making new friendships, creating lasting memories and just having a GREAT time!

Most importantly, the Women’s Wellness Weekend benefits the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Cancer Fund. For more information on the MICF and the fund, click here.

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Visit Women’s Wellness and a Wee Bit of Wine Weekend Website >>>>

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This evening features Detroit singer/songwriter Teddy Richards live from the Inn at Stonecliffe Portico.

Amazing views of the bridge and straits, excellent food and cocktails on the portico outside!

Music starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm….

Juggling his own career as front man, singer and songwriter with his own band, while also playing guitar in the Aretha Franklin band has taught Michigan State University graduate Teddy Richards to always be prepared and diverse. “I’ve evolved from a self-taught guitarist into a producer, engineer and accomplished tunesmith; I enjoy the journey that a great piece of music takes me on and I truly love music.”

In 1994, Teddy gave a copy of his 6-song cassette-demo to INXS keyboardist/ songwriter Andrew Farriss backstage at a concert. “Andrew, who wrote many of the INXS signature hits, was very impressed with my writing and invited me to collaborate. After writing & recording 2 songs, we negotiated a music publishing deal. We worked exceptionally well together and we ended up collaborating on 11 tracks!” Teddy and his band have served as opening act for Seal, The Verve Pipe, Fishbone and Chic both nationally and internationally. In 2006, Teddy signed with Germany’s Skip Records and released his CD “Gravity” throughout Europe. After a very successful follow up European tours, Teddy also continued expanding his creative palate, by orchestrating and producing music currently heard on CBS SPORTS while also recording his 2nd CD “Closer To The Dream” which includes collaborations with European touring mate Gabriel Gordon (Natalie Merchant’s guitarist) and Carlos Alomar (David Bowie’s guitarist).

As an artist, he has opened for: Seal, INXS, The Verve Pipe, A.J. Croce

As a writer, he has written with: Andrew Farriss (keyboardist/songwriter with INXS)
A.J. Croce, Gabriel Gordon (Natalie Merchant’s guitarist), Carlos Alomar (David Bowie’s guitarist)

As a guitarist, he has performed with: Al Green, Natalie Cole, Joe Cocker, Nellie Furtado. (http://www.reverbnation.com/teddyrichards)

Admission is free.

Sunsets at Stonecliffe features music and art in the beautiful setting of the Inn at Stonecliffe, once Mackinac Island’s largest summer home, now a beautiful resort.

Visit The Inn at Stonecliffe Website >>>>

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This evening features Northern Michigan singer/songwriter Nelson Olstrom live from the Inn at Stonecliffe Portico. Olstrom has worked tirelessly to craft a heartfelt folk rock sound that has earned the respect of his peers and critics alike.

Amazing views of the bridge and straits, excellent food and cocktails on the portico outside!

Music starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm….

Nelson is a native of North Western Lower Michigan, born and raised in “Boyne Country”. As a life long musician, playing music has allowed him the opportunity to travel the US and Europe; performing from Mackinaw City, Michigan to Madeira Beach, Florida and from Stockholm, Sweden to St Moritz, Switzerland. These Days “Boyne Country” is home again. Performing a variety of musical styles ranging from acoustic, pop, rock, country and blues, has made Nelson a favorite on the Northern Michigan music scene. (http://nelsonolstrom.com)

Admission is free.

Sunsets at Stonecliffe features music and art in the beautiful setting of the Inn at Stonecliffe, once Mackinac Island’s largest summer home, now a beautiful resort.

Visit The Inn at Stonecliffe Website >>>>

(more…)