With spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get out of the house and enjoy craft beverages, good company and live entertainment. Check out these 10 concerts, comedy shows and plays taking place across Northern Michigan from this weekend through the end of March. Hosting an event? Let us know! info@mynorth.com.

March 10 | The Austin Stoddard Jazz Octet | Williamsburg

Don’t miss The Austin Stoddard Jazz Octet at The Music House, featuring original arrangements of “swing-era” standards and Interlochen’s first-ever jazz vocal major.

March 10-11 | Grimm’s Alternative Fairy Tales | Traverse City 

This fan-favorite is back and better than ever! Catch the first full theatrical production performance at The Alluvion, a new space in the Commongrounds Cooperative Building. This production is a twisted tale through magical woods, where creatures, royalty, and lost children alike are mashed up with New Wave and Rock stars from the 1980s.

March 11 | Scenes From a Park | Traverse City

Ballet meets Broadway in this Traverse City performance. Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre presents “Scenes From a Park,” performed by 19 dancers from ages 11-22 at The Dennos Museum Center.

scenes from a park ballet

Photo by Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre

March 11 | Willy Porter | Cadillac 

Catch Willy Porter at the Cadillac Elks Lodge! Porter’s songs weave a universal perspective about the struggles and triumphs of human existence. He’s also logged millions of miles across America, Canada, and Europe, touring solo with the Willy Porter Band and artists like Paul Simon, Jethro Tull, Sting, and Jeff Beck.

March 11 | M-22 Chili Challenge | Peshawbestown

Enjoy live entertainment by the Broom Closet Boys, a bonfire, yard games, and a chili cook-off at Leelanau Sands Casino from 1-5 p.m.

March 19 | The Cummings Quartet | Charlevoix

As part of the Sunday Series, The Cummings Quartet will perform with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra at First Congregational Church of Charlevoix. This series, put on by Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, brings small ensembles to neighborhood venues across Charlevoix and Emmet counties. 

The Cummings Quartet

Photo by The Cummings Quartet

March 22-23 | Play Reading: Smokefall | Traverse City

Parallel 45 Theatre brings to you a special reading of “Smokefall,” a family drama unlike any you’ve ever seen.

March 24-25 | Comedy with Stewart Huff | Traverse City

Comedian Stewart Huff will share his unexpected and clever stories with audiences at Traverse City Comedy Club this month. A storyteller at heart, Huff reaches past the norm for his genuine comedy style, as he often embraces the foibles of humanity.

March 25 | The Neil Diamond Legacy | Manistee

Coming to The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, don’t miss “The Neil Diamond Legacy.” For more than 50 years, this icon of American music has entertained millions around the world. This exciting show will celebrate his extraordinary career with a concert recreation. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts

March 25 | The Fabulous Horndogs | Traverse City

This popular Northern Michigan group is coming to downtown Traverse City’s Encore 201. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and Early Entry VIP ticket holders will have an opportunity to meet with members of the band before the show.

Photo(s) by Gio Bartlett