MyNorth News Service

(Press Release provided by Crooked Tree Arts Center)

Crooked Tree Arts Council in Petoskey, a leader in the world of Northern Michigan arts, announced its 2015-2016 Performing Arts Season. Vaudeville variety show duo “Kamikaze Fireflies” opens this year’s season with a 6:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Boyne City Performing Arts Center.  With such diverse skills as juggling, hula hooping, whip cracking, and sandwiches made with the feet, the pair – who received a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent last year –  is bringing super-charged stunts and gut-busting comedy to audiences around the world. Sponsored in part by Arts Midwest. Special ticket pricing: $5 for students and $15 for adults.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., New York City-based powerhouse trio of flute, violin and cello, “Sonic Escape” will take the stage at CTAC-Petoskey. Not your typical trio, the group sings, dances, jokes and plays with a wildly imaginative, anything-goes sense of fun.

Celebrate the holiday season with Tchaikovsky’s classic, “The Nutcracker,” featuring CTAC’s School of Ballet students and special guests. Performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center.

January kicks off the new year with “The New Reformation Jazz Band” with Dave Oppermann, Bandleader on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at CTAC-Petoskey. With a performance featuring traditional jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, blues, big band, swing and more, the audience will enjoy a quick-witted, playful, toe-tapping evening of entertainment.

Experience family-friendly Japanese drumming on Saturday, Feb. 6, with “Raion Taiko and the Godaiko Drummers,” two performance groups from the Michigan-based Great Lakes Taiko Center. Performance will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Petoskey Middle School auditorium. Special ticket pricing: $5 for students and $15 for adults.

Celebrate a CTAC After Dark event beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 when “Téada presents reAwakening: 100 years of Irish Freedom.” This collaboration with Blissfest Music Organization showcases a spectacular cast of nine musicians, singers and dancers, featuring newly commissioned and historical music, songs, images and video footage. Traditional Irish food and drink included. CTAC After Dark Ticket pricing: $45-$75

All events are sponsored in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit  crookedtree.org or contact Crooked Tree Arts Center-Petoskey at 231.347.4337. The Crooked Tree Arts Center is located at 461 E. Mitchell Street, downtown Petoskey, and 322 Sixth Street, Traverse City.