Events by this organizer

Renowned stage actor Allen Fitzpatrick presents his solo adaptation of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Watch it live at Great Lakes Center for the Arts on December 2nd from 2 PM – 3 PM & 7 PM – 8 PM. Allen Fitzpatrick follows in the footsteps of Charles Dickens, who, a few years after writing the novella, began public readings of it, which he continued to perform until the year of his death.

This story has been represented in over a hundred stage, film, opera, and radio adaptations. In Allen’s version, audiences can use the full range of their imagination as one actor— on a virtually bare stage— creates 26 different characters. Audiences have been delighted by this approach’s personal, individual impact.

Dickens’ novella captures the zeitgeist of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday, popularizing many aspects of Christmas celebration— including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and a festive generosity of spirit. And it shows how selfish, greedy men may redeem themselves. Its most important theme, however— all too relevant today— is to shine a glaring light on the mistreatment of the poor. Dickens wrote his novella in response to British social attitudes towards poverty. He was compelled to show the repercussions of ignoring the poor— especially children— in poverty.

Allen has spent 50 years on Broadway and professional theatre, working alongside notables such as Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Harold Prince, John Guare, and Marvin Hamlisch. He debuted on Broadway in Les Miserables; his other eight Broadway credits are Driving Miss Daisy (with James Earl Jones), The Scarlet Pimpernel, Damn Yankees (with Jerry Lewis), and 42nd Street. He was the stand-by for John Lithgow in Sweet Smell of Success, directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner. Allen shared an Emmy Award for contributing to Passion: Live from Lincoln Center, where he appeared opposite Patti LuPone. He starred opposite Petula Clark in Sunset Boulevard, with Keith Michell in Lloyd-Webber’s Aspects of Love and Marlo Thomas in Six Degrees of Separation. He was featured in several national tours and played a leading role in the premiere of Whistle Down the Wind, directed by Hal Prince.

Renowned stage actor Allen Fitzpatrick presents his solo adaptation of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Watch it live at Great Lakes Center for the Arts on December 2nd from 2 PM – 3 PM & 7 PM – 8 PM. Allen Fitzpatrick follows in the footsteps of Charles Dickens, who, a few years after writing the novella, began public readings of it, which he continued to perform until the year of his death.

This story has been represented in over a hundred stage, film, opera, and radio adaptations. In Allen’s version, audiences can use the full range of their imagination as one actor— on a virtually bare stage— creates 26 different characters. Audiences have been delighted by this approach’s personal, individual impact.

Dickens’ novella captures the zeitgeist of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday, popularizing many aspects of Christmas celebration— including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and a festive generosity of spirit. And it shows how selfish, greedy men may redeem themselves. Its most important theme, however— all too relevant today— is to shine a glaring light on the mistreatment of the poor. Dickens wrote his novella in response to British social attitudes towards poverty. He was compelled to show the repercussions of ignoring the poor— especially children— in poverty.

Allen has spent 50 years on Broadway and professional theatre, working alongside notables such as Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Harold Prince, John Guare, and Marvin Hamlisch. He debuted on Broadway in Les Miserables; his other eight Broadway credits are Driving Miss Daisy (with James Earl Jones), The Scarlet Pimpernel, Damn Yankees (with Jerry Lewis), and 42nd Street. He was the stand-by for John Lithgow in Sweet Smell of Success, directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner. Allen shared an Emmy Award for contributing to Passion: Live from Lincoln Center, where he appeared opposite Patti LuPone. He starred opposite Petula Clark in Sunset Boulevard, with Keith Michell in Lloyd-Webber’s Aspects of Love and Marlo Thomas in Six Degrees of Separation. He was featured in several national tours and played a leading role in the premiere of Whistle Down the Wind, directed by Hal Prince.

A celebrated annual tradition! The GLCO will celebrate the holiday season with the performance of Handel’s masterpiece “Messiah.” Join Great Lakes Center for the Arts on December 7 and 8 for a cherished holiday tradition as the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents “Messiah” with the GLCO Choir. Experience the enduring cultural impact of George Fredric Handel’s masterpiece, “Messiah,” believed to have been performed every year since its creation in 1741. Handel’s composition, completed in just 24 days, continues to captivate audiences with its timeless beauty and profound storytelling.

Handel’s “Messiah” is a musical journey that blends different national styles, from French Baroque to Italian opera and distinctly Germanic orchestration, creating a unique and eclectic experience. The instrumental preludes exude the opulence of the French court, while the vocal writing reflects Handel’s deep study of Italian opera. This oratorio, narratively rich and spiritually transcendent, draws from passages in the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter, making it a work of broad appeal.

In addition to “Messiah,” GLCO will present Gerald Finzi’s “In Terra Pax.” Finzi’s music, marked by personal tragedy and a love for the English countryside, offers a sense of peace and equanimity, even in the face of life’s challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of these timeless compositions, and join us for a holiday concert that is both spiritually uplifting and artistically enriching. Save the date, and let the music of Handel and Finzi fill your heart with the joy of the season.

A celebrated annual tradition! The GLCO will celebrate the holiday season with the performance of Handel’s masterpiece “Messiah.” Join Great Lakes Center for the Arts on December 7 and 8 for a cherished holiday tradition as the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents “Messiah” with the GLCO Choir. Experience the enduring cultural impact of George Fredric Handel’s masterpiece, “Messiah,” believed to have been performed every year since its creation in 1741. Handel’s composition, completed in just 24 days, continues to captivate audiences with its timeless beauty and profound storytelling.

Handel’s “Messiah” is a musical journey that blends different national styles, from French Baroque to Italian opera and distinctly Germanic orchestration, creating a unique and eclectic experience. The instrumental preludes exude the opulence of the French court, while the vocal writing reflects Handel’s deep study of Italian opera. This oratorio, narratively rich and spiritually transcendent, draws from passages in the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter, making it a work of broad appeal.

In addition to “Messiah,” GLCO will present Gerald Finzi’s “In Terra Pax.” Finzi’s music, marked by personal tragedy and a love for the English countryside, offers a sense of peace and equanimity, even in the face of life’s challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of these timeless compositions, and join us for a holiday concert that is both spiritually uplifting and artistically enriching. Save the date, and let the music of Handel and Finzi fill your heart with the joy of the season.

This production of The Nutcracker is made possible by a generous donation made in loving memory of Lawrence F. Kaine and the Otto Putzer Family.

Celebrate the holiday season with the dancers of Crooked Tree Arts Center’s School of Ballet. This dynamic and beautiful show, with original choreography, has become a favorite annual tradition for our Northern Michigan community.

The Nutcracker was first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1892. The story begins on Christmas Eve at the home of the Stahlbaums. The family holds a lavish party in which young Clara receives the most wonderful gift of all – a wooden Nutcracker. Just as she is drifting off to sleep, she is startled awake, as she was certain she fell asleep with her Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, the Mouse Queen and her mischievous mice frighten Clara as toy soldiers and her valiant Nutcracker come to her rescue. When the Mouse Queen attacks the Nutcracker, Clara takes off her slipper and throws it at the Mouse Queen, who is startled long enough for the Nutcracker to recover and win the battle. The battle leaves the Nutcracker injured, but Dr. Drosselmeyer fixes him once again, magically transforming him into a Prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a journey through the Land of the Snow and to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where Clara meets and dances with the most beautiful characters she has ever met. It is all so perfect… but even the most beautiful dream must end. The next morning, Clara wakes up with her wooden Nutcracker beside her. Was it all a dream? 

A portion of the proceeds benefit the CTAC Dance Scholarship Fund.

This production of The Nutcracker is made possible by a generous donation made in loving memory of Lawrence F. Kaine and the Otto Putzer Family.

Celebrate the holiday season with the dancers of Crooked Tree Arts Center’s School of Ballet. This dynamic and beautiful show, with original choreography, has become a favorite annual tradition for our Northern Michigan community.

The Nutcracker was first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1892. The story begins on Christmas Eve at the home of the Stahlbaums. The family holds a lavish party in which young Clara receives the most wonderful gift of all – a wooden Nutcracker. Just as she is drifting off to sleep, she is startled awake, as she was certain she fell asleep with her Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, the Mouse Queen and her mischievous mice frighten Clara as toy soldiers and her valiant Nutcracker come to her rescue. When the Mouse Queen attacks the Nutcracker, Clara takes off her slipper and throws it at the Mouse Queen, who is startled long enough for the Nutcracker to recover and win the battle. The battle leaves the Nutcracker injured, but Dr. Drosselmeyer fixes him once again, magically transforming him into a Prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a journey through the Land of the Snow and to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where Clara meets and dances with the most beautiful characters she has ever met. It is all so perfect… but even the most beautiful dream must end. The next morning, Clara wakes up with her wooden Nutcracker beside her. Was it all a dream? 

A portion of the proceeds benefit the CTAC Dance Scholarship Fund.

This production of The Nutcracker is made possible by a generous donation made in loving memory of Lawrence F. Kaine and the Otto Putzer Family.

Celebrate the holiday season with the dancers of Crooked Tree Arts Center’s School of Ballet. This dynamic and beautiful show, with original choreography, has become a favorite annual tradition for our Northern Michigan community.

The Nutcracker was first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1892. The story begins on Christmas Eve at the home of the Stahlbaums. The family holds a lavish party in which young Clara receives the most wonderful gift of all – a wooden Nutcracker. Just as she is drifting off to sleep, she is startled awake, as she was certain she fell asleep with her Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, the Mouse Queen and her mischievous mice frighten Clara as toy soldiers and her valiant Nutcracker come to her rescue. When the Mouse Queen attacks the Nutcracker, Clara takes off her slipper and throws it at the Mouse Queen, who is startled long enough for the Nutcracker to recover and win the battle. The battle leaves the Nutcracker injured, but Dr. Drosselmeyer fixes him once again, magically transforming him into a Prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a journey through the Land of the Snow and to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where Clara meets and dances with the most beautiful characters she has ever met. It is all so perfect… but even the most beautiful dream must end. The next morning, Clara wakes up with her wooden Nutcracker beside her. Was it all a dream? 

A portion of the proceeds benefit the CTAC Dance Scholarship Fund.

Join Great Lakes Center for the Arts for its 2nd Annual holiday-themed double-feature on Saturday, December 23! This year’s event will include The Grinch at 2:00 PM and Home Alone at 7:00 PM. Holiday attire is encouraged! This includes but is certainly not limited to; ugly sweaters, holiday jammies, and Grinch fan merch.

Your $8 ticket allows you to watch both films or purchase a ticket to one movie for $5. Children 3 and under are free.

NEW THIS YEAR – Skip the line at concessions! Pre-order a Snack Box when you purchase your tickets, and we’ll have it waiting for you when you arrive!

Michigan Rattlers are a folk-rock band composed of Graham Young (guitar), Adam Reed (bass), Christian Wilder (piano), and Tony Audia (drums). Meeting as childhood friends, they began writing music and performing together in their hometown of Petoskey, Michigan.

Their self-titled Michigan Rattlers EP attracted reviews from No Depression, Bluegrass Situation, B3 Science, and Rolling Stone, who named the band one of their “Ten New Country Artists You Need To Know” in 2016. They’ve continued to evolve beyond the “country” label ever since.

In 2018, following a summer tour that included stops at Bonnaroo, Firefly and Electric Forest; the band released their debut full length album, ‘Evergreen’. “This is a band with solid songwriting chops and instrumental skills,” says No Depression. “‘Evergreen’ shows this four-piece from Petoskey, Michigan making a stand, making their way.”

Growing into a more expansive sound, the band’s second full length album, ‘That Kind of Life’, was released in 2021 to positive reviews.

With live shows being at the core of the band’s identity, the Rattlers continue to tour relentlessly, bringing their honest songwriting and high energy rock n roll to stages across the U.S and Canada.

Join Great Lakes Center for the Arts for its 2nd Annual holiday-themed double-feature on Saturday, December 23! This year’s event will include The Grinch at 2:00 PM and Home Alone at 7:00 PM. Holiday attire is encouraged! This includes but is certainly not limited to; ugly sweaters, holiday jammies, and Grinch fan merch.

Your $8 ticket allows you to watch both films or purchase a ticket to one movie for $5. Children 3 and under are free.

NEW THIS YEAR – Skip the line at concessions! Pre-order a Snack Box when you purchase your tickets, and we’ll have it waiting for you when you arrive!