Traverse Symphony Orchestra to Host Outdoor TSO @ The Village Concert at Grand Traverse Commons - Saturday, July 19

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra is taking it show outside, to the sprawling lawns at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, on Saturday, July 19. The high-energy TSO @ The Village – directed by Maestro Kevin Rhodes and featuring the largest orchestra gather of the season, with 72 musicians – will take place under a one-of-a-kind 20,000-square-foot grand event tent, provided by Traverse City-based Tent Venue.

“We invite the community to experience the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in an approachable and fun format,” says Krista Cooper, TSO Executive Director. “Much like the music we create, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra is vibrant. We are providing experiences that open the door to classical music via programming and environments that are fun, energetic, moving, powerful and engaging.”

TSO @ The Village attendees will also enjoy a unique culinary picnic experience, as local foods are paired with wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, throughout the evening. The program for the concert includes a “walking tour map” of both peninsulas, featuring popular landmarks geographically placed around the Commons lawn. From above, this layout creates an aerial art showcasing Michigan’s northwest Lower Peninsula. Two lighthouse galleries, featuring local photographers and artists, pays tribute to the region’s four seasons.

Gates open at 5pm and the show begins at 8pm with The Accidentals and Satchmo – a Louis Armstrong tribute band. The Accidentals will be performing a musical number they wrote with the TSO.

“This is an event like no other to gather with friends in a magical environment, our new company Tent Venue offers symphonies a much needed outdoor covered stage and concept we are calling Symphony 2.0 that will help build the next symphonic music loving audience,” says Sam Porter, Owner of Porterhouse Productions.

TSO @ The Village is the first in a probable series of outdoor classical concerts entitled Symphony 2.0 that Porter hopes to make a nationwide concept.

“The model and patron experience is key to the vision and look,” Porter says. “We’re actively building in new concert technologies, from lights to film and video walls and possibly fireworks, to create an energizing arts experience all offered under our unique Tent Venue.”

The family-friendly atmosphere of TSO @ The Village includes lawn seating for picnic blankets and low 16 inch high chair backs. Tickets begin at $35 for lawn seating. An upgraded $95 ticket also includes access to the VIP area and all its amenities, but no reserved seating. VIP reserved seating is available for $150 per ticket or $1000 for a table for eight (8), which also includes linens and fresh flowers on the table for an added touch of elegance. The VIP area includes a covered dining area, cocktail tables, upgraded restrooms, hydration station, backstage viewing, local nibbles and more. Tickets are on sale now at www.mynorthtickets.com.

TSO @ The Village is presented by the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Porterhouse Productions and Tent Venue. Presenting sponsors are Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons and Golden Fowler Home Furnishings; supporting sponsors are Cherry Capital Cadillac Subaru, Traverse Motors and The Minervini Group.

ABOUT TRAVERSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Traverse Symphony Orchestra is the region’s premier orchestral group providing high quality musical experiences to northern Michigan. Founded in 1952 as an amateur community ensemble, it has since grown to a well-respected professional symphony, attracting members from all over Michigan to perform with the ensemble. The company has soared to new heights since Maestro Kevin Rhodes took the position of conductor in 2001. Maestro Kevin Rhodes is extremely accomplished, conducting around 50 orchestras all over the world. A sought-after commodity in the European ballet circuit, Rhodes has conducted the Paris Opera Ballet, The Dutch National Ballet, The Verona Ballet, and many others. Many of these performances and have been filmed and distributed in theaters and on television all over Europe and the rest of the world.

Michigan's Award-Wining Left Foot Charley Winery Expands Distribution into New York

The 2011 Dry Riesling from Left Foot Charley Winery in Traverse City has been placed on the “Summer of Riesling” wine lists at Paul Grieco’s Hearth Restaurant and three Terroir Wine Bar locations throughout Manhattan. The promotion kicks off June 21 (the first day of summer) and runs through September 21 (the first day of autumn).

"We been honored to receive numerous medals and trophies in competitions for our wines over the years, but the market is the real competition and in a city with such a vibrant wine scene as New York, earning a spot with the world's best is the ultimate gold medal,” says proprietor/winemaker Bryan Ulbrich. “Having a restaurant with quality and vision like Paul Grieco's choose your wine for their list is humbling and exhilarating. Our farmers work diligently for quiet satisfaction and a splash like this is a great recognition of their close relationship with their vineyards."

Grieco created the “Summer of Riesling” concept in 2008. That year, the ONLY white wine that customers to his restaurants could get was Riesling – 30 different wines by the glass and 100 by the bottle – a radical move that has paid off handsomely. Now, more than a dozen other restaurants have jumped on board with the promotion.

With only 500 cases produced, Left Foot Charley’s 2001 Dry Riesling it is a rare find for anyone in NYC. It is being distributed by Bonhomie Wine Imports – a well respected importer and distributor of fine wines in Manhattan.

The fruit for this award-winning wine is grown in three vineyards that exemplify viticulture in Northern Michigan. Spread out along Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula and Antrim County, these vineyards surround the deep water of Grand Traverse Bay.

Ulbrich says he’s also in discussions with distributors in Chicago and Minnesota interested in showcasing Left Foot Charley wines. With wines that consistently sell out, many may question Ulbrich’s reasoning for looking outside of Michigan when it comes to placement.

"We are telling a story that is bigger than a single wine or economic event,” Ulbrich says. “It requires patience to make wine and grow markets. A small step like this is really about the next five to seven years, not this quarter's financial statements. We want our wine to be tasted on the real-world stage because it reflects the beauty of our land and environment. As the world gets their opportunity to taste rare Michigan wine, they will begin to seek us out and reputation will grow. Like most decisions in the winery, this is about the future. We can survive without multi-state distribution but where's the fun in that? Michigan swings above its weight and it is time to let the world know it."

With more than a dozen years of winemaking to his credit at a handful of Northern Michigan wineries, Ulbrich launched his first 200 cases of Riesling under the Left Foot Charley label in 2004. He and his wife, Jennifer, opened Northern Michigan’s first urban winery in tasting room in 2007 on the grounds of the historic Northern Michigan Asylum, now known as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons – noted as one of the largest historic re-use and re-development projects of its kind in America. Today, Left Foot Charley produces about 4000 cases of wine from small vineyards in the Grand Traverse region.

Left Foot Charley also functions as a custom crush facility, producing wine for other area wineries. Since 2004, the winery has expanded is custom case production from 170 cases to 11,000 cases in 2012. Working with 25 regional farms, Ulbrich has continued to reinvest in equipment and personnel over the years – doubling their full-time staff to seven in an effort to provide a more consistent hospitality experience for tasting room visitors.

www.LeftFootCharley.com
www.facebook.com/LeftFootCharleyWinery
www.twitter.com/LeftFootCharley

Trattoria Stella Hosts 7th Anniversary Stellar Picnic

In celebration of its 7th Anniversary, Trattoria Stella restaurant is hosting a “Stellar Picnic” on Sunday, June 19 (Father’s Day) from Noon to 4pm on the Great Lawn of Building 50 in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Bring the entire family for a day full of locally grown and raised foods from area farms, music and children’s activities. The event is held rain or shine and guests are invited to BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) as tables and chairs will not be available.

Admission is free with lunch priced at $10 for adults and $2 for children; profits benefit the Michigan Land Use Institute. Advance tickets are available now at Trattoria Stella.

Trattoria Stella opened in 2004 and is the anchor business in the quarter-mile-long Building 50 at the former Northern Michigan Asylum. Stella offers a daily changing menu featuring responsibly-sourced ingredients from local farms, including heritage breeds of pig, lamb and steer; year-round fresh produce; plus house-made pasta, bread and fresh cheeses; as well as a wine list of over 200 carefully curated selections. Stella is owned and operated by Paul and Amanda Danielson, along with the award-winning Chef Myles Anton.

Trattoria Stella
1200 West Eleventh Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-929-8989
www.StellaTC.com

Trattoria Stella Celebrates 5 Years with Father's Day Picnic to Benefit the Michigan Land Use Institute

To celebrate its 5th Anniversary, Trattoria Stella of Traverse City will hold a picnic from 12-4pm on Father’s Day – Sunday, June 21 on the Great Lawn at Building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons. All the food offered at this “Stellar Picnic” will be from local farms. Pork, buffalo, potatoes, strawberries, cream, and more will be served. There will be music and children's games to make this a family event for Father's Day. Tickets can be purchased through Stella and are $10/person or $25/family. In keeping with their commitment to the area, proceeds will benefit the Michigan Land Use Institute.

Paul and Amanda Danielson, owners of Trattoria Stella, had a vision for a restaurant that would "Find the best sources for food, seek out the finest wines in the world, . . . and put quality ahead of the bottom line."

“Nearly five years ago, we opened up fueled by vigor, positive attitude and a whole lot of hope,” proprietor Paul Danielson reflects. “Since then, we have successfully surrounded ourselves with a staff that understands our goal and wants to be a part of it. We have found that much of the best food we can find is grown within twenty miles of our kitchen door. We happily learned that while we can put together a wine list to compare with the best in the country, much of ours comes from our own region.”

Stella has had a strong impact on the local community, with almost 60 employees and strong relationships with area farms and businesses. Chef Myles Anton works directly with over 45 area farms, many of whom have increased their plantings to supply the 165-seat restaurant, saying he doesn't mind the extra effort required to procure local produce.

“Our guests are provided with a fresher, more nutritious product while the dollars generated stay within the community,” Chef Myles Anton proudly states. “Our area farmers have willingly worked harder to increase their planted acreage; it is a symbiotic relationship where we feed each other.”

Stella’s commitment to high quality products from the area extends to their extensive wine list which boasts 25 local wines by the glass.

“We are very proud to offer the most comprehensive local wine list in the state of Michigan,” Amanda Danielson, proprietor and sommelier says. “We extend our sincerest appreciation to the winemakers for producing these truly world-class wines.”

Five years is worth celebrating in the restaurant industry where, according to Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly (August, 2005), 25% of restaurants close or change ownership within year one, and that number jumps to 60% within the first three years.

Contact: Paul and Amanda Danielson, proprietors
Tel: 231.929.8989
email: amanda@stellatc.com | paul@stellatc.com

Additional contacts:
· Chef Myles Anton, Trattoria Stella, 231-632-0712, 231-929-8989
· Michigan Land Use Institute, 231-941-6584, www.mlui.org

Farmers who may be contacted about Trattoria Stella's impact on their farms:
· Jennifer Bramer, Agrivine, 231-883-8337
· Dick and Gaye Zenner, Zenner Farms, 231-263-5339
· Craig Schaaf, Golden Rule Farm, 231-510-7273
· Dave and Jo Edmundson, Edmundson Farms & The Cherry Connection, 231-223-7130
· Buchans Blueberry Hill, 231-223-4846

Wineries that may be contacted about Trattoria Stella's impact on their wineries:
· Bryan Ulbrich, Left Foot Charley, 231-995-0500, 231-645-1644
· Spencer Stegenga, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, 231-223-7615

Trattoria Stella
1200 West 11th Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-929-8989
www.StellaTC.com