Online classes, to-go crafts and virtual events are just a few of the ways Northern Michigan businesses and organizations are continuing to offer services (some free!). Have you and your family tried these fun activities yet?

Many organizations have had to cancel performances, movies, concerts, festivals and more. Consider not requesting a refund of your ticket. While each ticket doesn’t represent an enormous amount of money, collectively, it will make a big difference for that organization. Have an organization you really love? Check to see if they offer gift certificates.

Virtual Events

Grow Benzie
Grow Benzie is going to be doing some fun virtual events over the next few weeks, like this sushi-making class with Chef Loghan Call. Follow Grow Benzie on Facebook for updates.

Interlochen Center for the Arts – Coffeehouse Night
Even as social distancing keeps us apart, the Interlochen community is united through a shared passion for the arts. Join fellow Interlochen alumni this Saturday, April 11, from 7:30–10 p.m. EDT for the first virtual coffeehouse. Tune in using Zoom for intimate in-home performances by alumni of all ages, hosted by Jonathan Perkins (IAA 93-95) and Chair of Contemporary Music Courtney Kaiser-Sandler (IAC/NMC 89-91, IAA 92-94).

National Writers Series
Terry McMillan’s It’s Not All Downhill From Here is the story of a successful small business owner who has to put her life back together after an unexpected event rattles her entire world. Sound familiar … McMillan planned to be in Traverse City on April 9 for a National Writers Series event, and the show will go on (and it will be free!). Join us for the event using Zoom, Facebook: NationalWritersSeries or YouTube.

State Theatre and Bijou By the Bay
Thank you for all your support on our new “Virtual Screening Room” adventure! We will continue to curate and bring you a wonderful selection of films that you can enjoy while you’re at home flattening the curve and our distributor partners are continuing to make improvements to their streaming systems. Here’s how to stream the movies at home.

To show support of our health care heroes, we are encouraging community members to participate in a Virtual Parade. Please send us your encouraging pictures of posters, cards, or ribbons on trees throughout the community to: marketing@northernhealth.org. Emailed photos will be made into a video that we will share on Facebook and with our employees. Thank you for your support.

Classes + Family Activities

Exercise

Boomers Bootcamp
Members will be receiving daily HIIT workout videos with warm-ups, demos, modifications and motivation from our coaches to crush at home! Check our Facebook for more information.

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA
MOSSA has released a free 60-day program so folks can stay active at home during the shutdown. The link below will give you full access to an array of at-home workouts for up to 60 days, for free. Click here to gain access.

M. Wellness Fitness and Nutrition – Stay Twisted
Watch the M Wellness Facebook page for daily workouts you can do at home, no fitness equipment required! They will feature exercises that benefit all ages and abilities.

Movement in Action
Mia Munroe is now offering some free introductory classes via Zoom to the community at two given times: Saturdays from 10:30–11:30 a.m. and Sundays from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.

Northstar Fitness/Ludington Spin & Yoga
Northstar Fitness will be livestreaming classes on Facebook to help keep you moving.

Family-Friendly

Dennos Museum Center
DRAW NoMI
is a collaborative event that brings together arts organizations from all over Northern Michigan. During this time of staying home and being together only virtually, DRAW NoMI’s partners are all working hard to connect you and your family with the arts on social media and the web. We recently began publishing twice-weekly videos with fantastic how-to-draw demos that are fun for the whole family. Narrated and drawn by Jason Dake, Curator of Education, these videos offer brief demonstrations and tips on a variety of drawing topics. They are posted to the Dennos Museum Center’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts on Mondays and Thursdays for the time being. Everyone is encouraged to share their creations on the Dennos Facebook page, facebook.com/thedennos.

Grand Traverse Conservation District
Grand Traverse Conservation District’s 30+ miles of trails offer the perfect opportunity to get outside and experience the restorative qualities of nature while complying with COVID-19 social distancing recommendations. Throughout the coming weeks, GTCD’s staff will be posting “Mother Nature’s Lesson Plans” on Facebook, which include fun activities, apps and adventures to help families explore and engage their young naturalists while spending time at home.

Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Find links for educational, hands-on and fun activities to do with your children at the new “Resources for Families” page. You’ll find a list of great sites, both local and from around the world, to enjoy with your family as you practice social distancing.

Music

Joshua Davis
Joshua Davis is offering online lessons on songwriting, guitar, old time banjo, mandolin and ukulele. Message him on Instagram for more information.

Ron Getz Guitar
Ron Getz is offering online guitar lessons (1/2 hour and hour options) for beginner, intermediate and advanced students through FaceTime or Skype. Call 231-392-4203 or email rongetzguitar@gmail.com for more information.

Art

Handz On Art
Handz On Art – Paint Your Own Pottery in the Warehouse MRKT in Traverse City is offering pottery to-go. Purchase pottery at the studio to take home with you. Basic supplies like brushes and paint will be provided as well. Paint at your leisure from the comfort of your home and return finished pottery and supplies for firing at a later date. Pieces start at $10 on up and the total price includes glazing and firing.

Crooked Tree Arts Center
Daily online classes, resources, inspiration and much more!

Tours + Museums

Dennos Museum Center
The museum is closed but the outdoor sculpture collection is always on view. View the sculpture guide online.

Manistee Natural Wonders Tour
The self-guided walking and driving tour is rich in history and natural beauty.

Menominee Range Historical Museum
The Menominee Range Historical Museums in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula includes three museums, each of which offers its own virtual tour; the Menominee Range Historical Museum, the World War II Gilder & Military Museum and the Cornish Pumping Engine & Mining Museum.

Oliver Art Center
Tour Oliver Art Center’s newest exhibition virtually and enjoy 80 works from over 50 artists, including OAC’s featured artists Skye Gentle, Carol C Spaulding and Susan Thompson. See the tour here.

Voyager Island and Rotary Park
Take a “virtual paddle” out into the St. Mary’s River from Voyager Island and Rotary Park in Sault St. Marie on a 360 virtual guided tour.

Manistee Themed Tours
The Manistee Historic Sites Tours is the county’s most comprehensive tourism project in its history, indexing more than 100 sites.

  • Churches: 12 churches and one cemetery in Manistee County.
  • Downtown/Commercial District: 27 buildings and two bridges in Manistee’s central business district, including the Ramsdell Theatre, Manistee Iron Works and Manistee Fire Hall recently named the “Oldest Continuously Manned Operating Fire Station” by Guinness World Records.
  • Destination Sites: Seven sites featuring bridges, lighthouses and dams.
  • East Homes: 15 homes in the historic east district of downtown Manistee.
  • West Homes: 21 homes in Manistee’s west residential district.
  • Industrial Sites: Overview of the area’s industrial history—from sand and salt, to sawmills and boats.
  • Museums: Eight museums, from the Manistee County Historical Museum to the Kaleva Bottle House Museum.
  • Riverwalk Sites: 25 historical markers highlight the history of the region and the importance the Manistee River played in the foundation of the community.
  • Natural Wonders: Nine natural wonders plus man-made creations put in place to enjoy the beauty of Manistee’s natural landscape—from the artesian wells in Onekama, to the picturesque views atop Old Baldy.
  • Bridges and Dams: Seven bridges—including three vehicular, three railroad and one massive pedestrian bridge—plus two hydroelectric dams and one egg-take/salmon harvest weir.