St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday in which good times, good fun, and impish antics are encouraged and enjoyed by all, regardless of one’s family heritage—after all, we’re all Irish on this Saint’s Day!
March 17 began as a religious holiday honoring Saint Patrick’s traditional death date, but in the centuries since, the day has morphed into an equally secular celebration of Irish culture. To acknowledge the holiday, Downtown Petoskey doesn’t host a big parade like Boston or dye the Bear River green like Chicago, but downtown establishments are planning fun events for the weekend of March 15 – 17.
There will undoubtedly be Irish-centric specials offered at bars and restaurants, but food and drink aside, other hallmarks of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are music and live performances. Now, there’s no Riverdance happening, but some other entertaining antics are set to take the stage at Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC).
On Friday, March 15, at 7PM, settle into your theater seat for the “Clark Lewis: Circus Rock Show,” featuring special guests Twisted Style Freerunning and Detroit Juggler Manny Mayhem, “The Motor City Maniac.”
Originally from Northern Michigan, Clark Lewis, AKA the Rogue Showman, is a juggler, stunt performer, and all-around showman whose high-energy shows full of spectacular tricks and outlandish feats have amazed audiences throughout the United States. One of the acts accompanying Lewis, East Jordan-based acrobatic comedy duo Twisted Style Freerunning, specializes in flips, stunts, and general tomfoolery – which sounds like the perfect lineup for a rowdy hooley. This local duo, consisting of performers Dustin Hejka and Steve Evans, has worked with Lewis multiple times and captivated audiences at CTAC’s New Year’s Eve family-friendly event in 2023.
“Clark Lewis presents an evening of juggling, daring stunts, sideshow magic, and comedy set to a rock soundtrack,” shared Hejka. “‘The Circus Rock Show’ is a fun and spectacular experience for all ages!”
Tickets for “Clark Lewis: Circus Rock Show” can be purchased online at crookedtree.org.
Occurring the same evening, at the same time – March 15 at 7PM – is local psychedelic rock band Levitator’s concert at Beards Brewery. Levitator will bring the blues and rock’n’roll tunes to Serendipity Stage for the brewery’s first show of 2024, with local favorite The Third Degree opening the night. So, grab a pint and prepare to fall under the spell of some of Northern Michigan’s most fun musicians! Head to beardsbrewery.com for additional details about this event, including age restrictions, VIP ticket options, and more.
Then, for a more traditional St. Patrick’s Day experience, on Saturday, March 16, at 7:30PM, check out returning Detroit-based Celtic band Blackthorn at CTAC. This five-man group has been tantalizing the Great Lakes region for forty years with its traditional songs of emigration, sea shanties, jigs and reels, and legends that capture the history of Ireland and its people. What better way to prepare for the big day than enjoying Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day Eve? Tickets for this Downtown Sound concert, presented by Blissfest Music Organization and Crooked Tree Arts Center, can be found by visiting crookedtree.org or blissfest.org.
So, there you have it: three events happening in Downtown Petoskey over the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day that will bring joy, laughter, camaraderie, and maybe a pint or two into your life. Be smart, be safe, and may the luck of the Irish be with you!
