Sunset behind a lighthouse
Image from Paola Gianturco’s “Celebrating Women,” a photo collection of women
from around the world on display at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City,
Michigan.

Wine, Women, and Song

You can celebrate all three in Michigan this weekend with a trio of provocative new art exhibits in Traverse City and a wine/music/gallery walk in nearby Suttons Bay.

  • The Dennos Museum Center hosts three female-centric exhibits this month: Paola Gianturco’s collection of color images honors women’s roles, rites of passage, accomplishments, and spiritual lives through photos from events around the world, including Swaziland’s Reed Dance, Brazil’s Festival of the Boa Morte, and Poland’s Noc Šwietojaňsk Festival; Anita Luvera Mayer’s “One Woman’s Creative Journey” features clothing designed and made by Mayer, with a nod toward both historic garments and contemporary wear; and “Stitching Stories of Miracles and Memories,” a fiber arts exhibit of cuadros—embroidered and appliquéd fabric pictures—created by women of art cooperatives from the shantytowns of Lima, Peru.
    Where to stay and eat: In Traverse City, consider the Tamarack Lodge of Traverse City, 2035 U.S. 31 N. (at Four Mile Road); 1-877-938-9744, tamaracklodgetc.com. The luxury condo rental property ($199 to $320 a night) features two- and three-bedroom suites with Arts and Crafts inspired décor, chef-worthy kitchens, fireplaces, and views of both Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. For dinner options, check out Red Ginger (237 E. Front St., Traverse City; 231-944-1733, eatatginger.com), known for its extensive sushi bar and lively lounge.
    GO Dennos Museum Center, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, Mi. 231-995-1055; dennosmuseum.org.
  • About 20 miles from Traverse City, you can take a wine-and-song-infused twilight walking tour of the galleries and shops of Suttons Bay. More than a dozen galleries and retailers are clustered over three blocks in the downtown area, where from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 22nd, wine tastings courtesy of the vintners of Leelanau County (lpwines.com) and live music will complement gallery exhibits and boutique shopping. Two good places to start the annual Fall Art & Wine Walk: The Treeline Gallery (103 E. Jefferson St.; 231-271-5363, treeline-gallery.com or the Michigan Artists Gallery (309 N. Saint Joseph St.; 231-271-4922, michiganartistsgallery.com), where the fiber artist and Smithsonian exhibitor Chris Triola displays her one-of-a-kind garments and knot pieces.
    Where to eat: In Suttons Bay, we recommend Martha’s Leelanau Table (413 N. Saint Joseph St.; 231-271-2344, marthasleelanautable.com), where the menu features locally sourced ingredients.
    GO Fall Art & Wine Walk, downtown Suttons Bay, Michigan (Saint Joseph Street from Madison to Adams streets), 231-271-6895; suttonsbayarea.com.