50+ Breweries, Cideries, Meaderies & Wineries at next weekend’s TC Summer Microbrew & Music Festival
Over 50 breweries -- as well as a cider, mead and wine court -- will offer up hundreds of samples of their products August 26-27 at the 3rd Annual Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival on the historic lawn of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
Once again, music is an integral part of the festival, with ongoing performers on the entertainment stage -- including chart-topping folk rocker Martin Sexton, Grammy-nominated New Orleans brass brand Rebirth Brass Brand and festival funk favorites Euforquestra, among many others.
New to this year's festival is a "Silent Disco Tent" -- a party installation that has gained massive popularity at such acclaimed music festivals as Bonnaroo and Glastonbury. The silent disco tent allows up to 200 festival-goers at a time to dance to music broadcast via a FM-transmitter to wireless headphones worn by participants, giving the effect they're dancing in silence. Popular local DJs and sponsoring local music venues will trade off spinning music throughout the festival.
Proceeds from the festival benefit Munson cancer support units through the Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation and the CherryT Ball Drop, which collects funds and donations for shelters every New Year's Eve. In addition, 10% of every food vendor's proceeds throughout the festival are donated to a local charity or non-profit of their choice.
The festival runs Friday, August 26 from 5-10 p.m. with a "Pint Night"-themed evening with $3 pin specials from a variety of renowned craft breweries. Headline performances include those by Martin Sexton, Euforquestra, Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums and Jam Rek drummers. The silent disco tent will be open all night, and festival-goers can also visit the food and merchandise vending areas.
On Saturday, August 27, an expanded festival experience is offered from 4-10 p.m., with over 50 breweries and 200+ flavors of beer, cider, mead and wine. With admission, each person receives a commemorative festival cup and five tokens, which each can be exchanged for a 7-ounce sample. Additional $1 tasting tokens are available.
Live music from Rebirth Brass Band, Barrage, Euforquestra, Ella Riot, That 1 Guy, Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums and several more acts will entertain throughout the day on Saturday. A variety of local food vendors and brew-friendly pub grub, an MSU Extensions Educational Tent featuring workshops on beer-related topics, the festival's popular Hop 'N Brew tasting shack, the silent disco tent and special partner activities and events are also planned.
Tickets to the 2011 TC Summer Microbrew & Music Festival are on sale now at Oryana, Zamar Guitar, Jack's Market, Tilley's Party Store, and online at www.porterhouseproductions.com. Tickets are $30 in advance/$35 at the door for Friday and $40 in advance/$45 at the door for Saturday. The festival is open to attendees ages 21 and up, no exceptions.
